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Two Icons at the Heart of Pop Culture and Celebrations Come Together for a Stella-r Campaign of Sips and Sweetness this Summer
LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Life is a collection of small moments and America's #1 imported wine, Stella Rosa® Wines, is proud to announce another exciting milestone: a collaborative campaign of two industry powerhouses. According to a recent study, celebrating positive life events increases perceived social support. Stella Rosa and country music star, Lainey Wilson, are on a mission to spread positive vibes by inspiring consumers to gather, raise a glass, and #stellabrate every moment. Stella Rosa proudly offers 30+ wines in its portfolio, a glass for every occasion on the good 'ole journey.
Stella Rosa® Wines recently released the 'Moments Made Sweeter' campaign featuring Lainey Wilson. The campaign emphasizes celebrating the journey, not just the destination. Stella Rosa® was there to celebrate with Lainey Wilson when she set off on her first solo headlining tour, won Female Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, and of course, raised a glass on National Wine Day.
Stella Rosa Wines' impact on pop culture today is undeniable - from trendy cocktail recipes to new innovations like canned wines, spicy flavors, non-alcoholic wine and more, Gen Z and Millennials are embracing the moments to #stellabrate.
Stella Rosa Wines' nostalgic yet ever-evolving presence is what initially attracted Wilson to team up with the brand, but it was Stella Rosa Wines' commitment to supporting her journey, and that of other women in music, that gave her endorsement deeper meaning for both Stella Rosa and Lainey Wilson fans.
"Whether I'm at home or on the road, I'm always dreaming up new ways to express myself through more than just my music," said Wilson "There are so many small moments along this crazy journey that have helped build my story, which is why I love to savor them, and Stella Rosa makes them that much sweeter."
Whether she's entertaining at home or on the road, Lainey Wilson is a proud fan of Stella Rosa's various collections, including but not limited to:
- Stella Rosa Semi-Sparkling and Fully-Sparkling Wines
- Stella Rosa Non-Alcoholic Wines
- Stella Rosa Single-Serving Canned Wines
"Everyone has a story to tell, a reason to celebrate, or a tradition to keep alive and our hope is that Stella Rosa Wines can be there to make those moments sweeter," says Stella Rosa® Wines President, Steve Riboli. "Lainey Wilson is the ultimate example of perseverance and authenticity. She is comfortable in her journey, and we hope that can serve as an inspiration to other Stella Rosa fans."
To learn more about the 'Moments Made Sweeter' campaign, visit our Stella Rosa website. For the official commercial, watch here. Follow Stella Rosa Wines on Instagram at @StellaRosa for the latest happenings.
More about Stella Rosa Wines
Stella Rosa® is a selection of semi-sweet, semi-sparkling Italian wines, evolving with the spirit of the times when it comes to wine trends and popular culture. Among its impressive achievements are a 10x Impact Magazine Hot Brand award and its position as the #1 imported wine in America. Most recently, Stella Rosa® curated a collection of hand-crafted premium and fruit-flavored Brandy made from high-quality grapes grown in Northern Italy. Stella Rosa® is created by Riboli Family Wines, a Los Angeles-based establishment founded in 1917. For more information, visit www.stellarosawines.com.
Instagram: @StellaRosa
Twitter: @StellaRosaWines
More about Lainey Wilson
As the leading female winner at the 2023 ACM awards, Billboard Women in Music's "Rulebreaker", CMA's 2022 Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, Lainey Wilson has made a name for herself as one of music's most buzzed-about new artists. Her critically acclaimed album, "Bell Bottom Country," has amassed over 430 million streams and continues to reach new heights across charts and with hits like "Heart Like A Truck" and "Watermelon Moonshine". Most recently, she made her acting debut on the hit series "Yellowstone", where she showcased other hits off her recent album. For more information visit www.laineywilson.com.
Instagram:@laineywilsonmusic
Twitter: @laineywilson
PR/Media Contacts
Daniela Garrido, Communications Director for Stella Rosa Wines: dgarrido@riboliwines.com
JONESWORKS: TeamLainey@jonesworks.com
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SOURCE Riboli Family Wines | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/moments-made-sweeter-with-stella-rosa-wines-lainey-wilson/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:02 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/moments-made-sweeter-with-stella-rosa-wines-lainey-wilson/ |
HONG KONG (AP) — The discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong waters on Monday has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, with many comments blaming the mammal’s death on sightseers.
Many residents thought the dead mammal was the whale that has attracted groups of sightseers since it was first spotted in the city’s waters in mid-July.
Compass Chan, scientific officer of Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, didn’t confirm whether it was the same whale. But he said an initial check on the dead whale found a new wound on its back, in addition to two old wounds.
“It’s a pity,” Chan said at a media briefing. “If it really died, I think it’s a good chance to let everyone to think seriously how we should get along with other species in the nature.”
Its cause of death would have to be confirmed by a necropsy, he said.
After the carcass was found in the waters in Sai Kung — a district known for its hiking trails, beaches and islands — many residents have taken issue with the whale-watching activities seen over the past two weeks.
They accused the sightseers of causing the death of the whale because of their ignorance. Some reposted a Canto-pop song whose title translated as “Whale Eater” on their social media.
The foundation said in its previous statement that a crowd of people was spotted approaching the animal, believed to be a Bryde’s whale and to be around seven metres (23 feet) long. It warned that human activities can cause stress and lead to life-threatening consequences, saying the whale already had propeller wounds.
The government said Friday night that the necropsy might take several days and the results would serve as a reference for it to handle the emergence of whales in Hong Kong in the future. | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/ap-international/ap-discovery-of-whale-carcass-in-hong-kong-sparks-anger-over-the-potential-damage-done-by-sightseers/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:02 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/ap-international/ap-discovery-of-whale-carcass-in-hong-kong-sparks-anger-over-the-potential-damage-done-by-sightseers/ |
LINCOLN, Neb., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sophie Norman joined Assurity Life Insurance Company as its new Senior Director of Assurity Ventures Inc (AVI). Norman will focus on recruiting and developing new non-traditional distribution partners for Assurity through Assurity Ventures, the company's business arm dedicated to building relationships with insurtech and fintech startups to harness new methods of interacting with prospective customers.
"Sophie brings significant insurance experience and is strategic in her approach, with an eye on long-term growth," said Todd Reimers, Assurity's Senior Vice President and Chief Distribution Officer. "We welcome Sophie to Assurity and look forward to accomplishing great things together."
Norman comes to Assurity with a background as an independent broker, agency manager and a benefits strategist. She brings industry expertise as a Director of Operations at a well-respected actuarial firm, has launched technology platforms for her clients and is an experienced public speaker. Norman studied Business and Finance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned her bachelor's degree. She enjoys spending time with her family.
About Assurity: As a mutual organization, Assurity was founded on the simple concept of people coming together to support each other in moments of need. We help people through difficult times by providing affordable insurance protection that's easy to understand and buy. We all share in the future we create, and we believe in using our business as a force for good.
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SOURCE Assurity | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sophie-norman-joins-assurity-ventures-senior-director/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:05 | 0 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sophie-norman-joins-assurity-ventures-senior-director/ |
At about summer’s halfway point, the record-breaking heat and weather extremes are both unprecedented and unsurprising, hellish yet boring in some ways, scientists say.
Killer heat. Deadly floods. Smoke from wildfires that chokes.
And there’s no relief in sight.
Expect a hotter than normal August and September, American and European forecast centers predict.
“We are seeing unprecedented changes all over the world,” said NASA climate scientist Gavin Schmidt. “The heat waves that we’re seeing in the U.S. and in Europe, in China are demolishing records left, right and center. This is not a surprise.”
Imperial College of London climate scientist Friederike Otto said examining what’s causing heat waves is “boring” in a way since it keeps happening. Yet she added that it matters “because it shows again just how much climate change plays a role in what we are currently experiencing.”
“This story, these impacts, are going to continue,” Schmidt said. “We’re going to be seeing this pretty much this year and into next year” with a natural El Nino warming of the Pacific adding to the overwhelming influence of human-caused climate change largely from the burning of coal, oil and gas.
Here’s a rundown of the summer of Earth’s discontent.
RECORD-SHATTERING HEAT
Globally, June this year was the hottest June on record — and scientists say July has been so hot that even before the month was over they could say it was the hottest month on record. But it’s individual places where people live that the heat has stuck around and killed.
Phoenix, where the last day of June and each day of July has been at least 110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius), set records for the longest mega-heat streak and longest stretch when the temperatures didn’t go below 90 degrees (32 degrees Celsius) at night.
El Paso, Texas, had 44 days of 100 degree (37 degree) heat. Schools closed in Nuevo Leon state in northern Mexico a month earlier than usual as temperatures reached 113 degrees (45 Celsius).
Farther east, Miami added humidity to high heat for 46 straight days of feels-like temperatures of 100 or more.
Beijing had its own record streak with at least 27 days of 95 degrees (35 Celsius) in July, after a three-day streak of at least 104 (40 Celsius) in June. And the country set it’s all-time highest temperature on July 16 in remote Sanbao township with 126 degrees (52.2 Celsius).
Heat records fell all over southern Europe. Sardinia, Italy, hit 117 (47 Celsius). Palermo in Sicily broke a record that goes back to 1791 by a whopping 3.6 degrees (2 degrees Celsius). Temperatures hit 115 (46 Celsius) in Gytheio, Greece.
Spain reported nearly 1,000 excess deaths from the heat, mostly among the elderly, by mid July.
In Argentina, where it’s mid-winter, temperatures were above 89.6 (32 Celsius) four straight days in June in the northern part of the county. One July night in Buenos Aires didn’t get below the 70s (low 20s Celsius).
TOO MUCH RAIN
More than 10,000 people had to be evacuated in central Hunan province in China where heavy rainfall caused at least 70 houses to collapse. In Yichang, rain triggered a landslide that buried a construction site and killed at least one person.
Australia’s Queensland outback got 13 times its normal monthly July rain in just one day.
Thousands of people were evacuated from Delhi in India as rains caused flash floods and landslides. Elsewhere in the country at least 100 people were killed by the downpours.
In the United States, sudden heavy rain killed people in Vermont, Connecticut and Pennsylvania with tragic stories of children washed away in flooding.
WILDFIRES AND SMOKE
Too little rain in Greece and Spain fed wildfires that proved difficult to fight. In the Canary Islands, a fire caused 4,000 people to evacuate, others to wear face masks and had 400 firefighters battling it.
Hot and dry conditions caused about 160 wildfires to break out in Israel in early June.
But what really brought fires home happened in parts of Canada where few people live. Rare far northern Quebec wildfires triggered nasty smoke that inflicted the world’s dirtiest air on cities like New York and Washington, then switched to the Midwest.
As of late July more than 600 wildfires were out of control in Canada. A record 47,490 square miles (123,000 square kilometers) burned, and fire season isn’t near done. That’s an area larger than the state of Pennsylvania or North Korea.
WATER TEMPERATURES
Water temperatures in the Florida Keys and off the Everglades hit the high 90s (high 30s Celsius) with Manatee Bay breaking 100 degrees twice in what could be an unofficial world record for surface water temperature, although that’s in dispute.
The North Atlantic had hot spots that alarmed scientists. The world’s oceans as a whole were their hottest ever in June and got even hotter in July. In Antarctica, sea ice smashed record-low levels.
Ocean temperatures take a long time to warm up and cool down, said University of Northern Illinois meteorology professor Victor Gensini. So it doesn’t look good for the rest of the summer, he said.
A HOT FORECAST
“We are favoring above normal temperatures for the next three months,” said NOAA Climate Prediction Center meteorologist Matt Rosencrans.
The only potential relief he sees, especially in the hot Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, is if a hurricane or tropical storm moves through.
The peak of hurricane season in September hasn’t even started.
When going through the litany of this summer’s weather extremes so far, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann had one question: “How on God’s Earth are we still burning fossil fuels after witnessing all this?”
___
Researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report from New York. ___
Follow AP’s climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
___
Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/ap-us-news/ap-heres-how-hot-and-extreme-the-summer-has-been-and-its-only-halfway-over/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:08 | 0 | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/ap-us-news/ap-heres-how-hot-and-extreme-the-summer-has-been-and-its-only-halfway-over/ |
ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — In a new policy plan unveiled Monday, Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis is taking aim at China with a "Declaration of Economic Independence" that also targets taxes, regulations, spending and education.
Speaking in a New Hampshire warehouse, the Florida governor promised to boost the economy and fight for the middle class.
“We will take back control of our destiny — and ensure that our future is as proud, independent and free as our past,” he said at Prep Partners Group, which coordinates warehousing, distribution and other logistics for other companies.
DeSantis said he would wrest economic control from China by ending the nation’s preferential trade status, banning imports of goods made from stolen intellectual property and preventing companies from sharing critical technologies with China.
The 10-point economic plan is the third major policy proposal put forth by DeSantis, whose campaign has struggled in recent weeks. Although long seen as the top rival to former President Donald Trump, DeSantis shed more than one-third of his staff as federal filings showed his campaign was burning through cash at an unsustainable rate.
On Monday, he focused on the federal government's reckless spending, however. His plan describes him as a “new sheriff in town” who will veto wasteful spending and mandate work requirements for welfare programs. He also claimed he could achieve 3% annual economic growth by keeping taxes low, eliminating bureaucracy and incentivizing investment.
On the education front, DeSantis said he will stop incentivizing “useless degrees” by making universities responsible for the loans their students accrue. His plan also would promote vocational and apprenticeship programs that educate “artisans and engineers” instead of “politicized administrators and bureaucrats.” | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/desantis-unveils-new-economic-policy-that-targets-china-taxes-and-regulations/NXZ5PMGBXRCLXIPFLQ4HGHMOXU/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:08 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/desantis-unveils-new-economic-policy-that-targets-china-taxes-and-regulations/NXZ5PMGBXRCLXIPFLQ4HGHMOXU/ |
China vs. England: Women’s World Cup Group D Odds, Stats and Live Stream - August 1
In each team's third matchup in Group D play at the 2023 Women's World Cup, England (6 points) and China (3 points) square off on Tuesday, August 1 at 7:00 AM ET.
China is +658 to win and take all three points, while England is -233 to do the same. The odds of a draw are +334. Sportsbooks have set 2.5 goals as the over/under for this game.
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England vs. China Game Info
- Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2023
- Time: 7:00 AM ET
- Location: Adelaide, Australia
- Venue: Coopers Stadium
- TV Channel: FOX US,Fox Sports 1
- Total: 2.5
- England Moneyline: -233
- China Moneyline: +658
England vs. China World Cup Betting Insights
- These two teams are scoring 1.5 goals per game between them, 1.0 fewer than this match's over/under.
- Opponents of these two teams combine to average 0.5 goals per game, 2.0 fewer than this game's total.
- England has been listed as a moneyline favorite only two other times so far this tournament, and went 2-0-0 in those games.
- England has played as a moneyline favorite of -233 or shorter in only one game this tournament, which they won.
- China lost the only game it has played as an underdog this tournament.
- China has not entered a game this tournament with longer moneyline odds than +658.
England World Cup Stats
China World Cup Stats
- Wang Shuang has tallied one goal for China in Women's World Cup (two games).
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England vs. China Recent Performance
- England was 9-3-0 in 2022 versus teams playing in the 2023 Women's World Cup, scoring 36 goals and conceding seven. This year, its record is 5-1-1 against fellow World Cup squads (nine goals scored, four allowed).
- England took on Denmark in its last match and earned a win 1-0. The victorious England side took 11 shots, outshooting by four.
- England got its lone goal from James in that match versus .
- China was 3-2-0 in 2022 versus teams participating in the 2023 Women's World Cup, with a goal differential of +3. This year, its record is 1-2-3 against fellow World Cup squads (-6 goal differential).
- On July 28 in its most recent match, China bested Haiti 1-0. China outshot Haiti nine to six.
- Shuang notched the only goal for China (on one shot) in the match.
England Roster
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China Roster
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/08/01/2023-womens-world-cup-china-england-betting-preview-odds/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:07 | 1 | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/08/01/2023-womens-world-cup-china-england-betting-preview-odds/ |
Cox Mobile is expanding their device portfolio with Samsung's newest Galaxy foldables.
ATLANTA, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are now available to Cox Mobile customers for pre-order online and in retail stores nationwide. Last week, Samsung unveiled the fifth generation of Galaxy foldables and showcased how the company is transforming what's possible with foldable smartphones.
With the new Samsung Galaxy Z series, Cox Mobile customers will experience enhanced device features like:
- New 'Flex Hinge,' technology that enables the foldable experience while offering an aesthetically balanced and solid design.
- Versatile camera experience with extraordinary camera capabilities such as FlexCam, allowing users to take beautiful hands-free photos and videos from new, creative angles.
- Optimized battery life powered by the latest processor.
- A wider variety of recycled materials1 than their previous generations, including pre-consumer recycled glass and aluminum and post-consumer recycled plastics, sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles.
From content creation on Galaxy Z Flip5's new Flex Window, now 3.78 times larger than the previous generation2 to seamless multitasking on Galaxy Z Fold5, this series of Galaxy foldables meets and exceeds the distinctive needs of today's users.
"Samsung's Galaxy Z series – the industry's newest foldables - are now available to Cox Mobile customers and enhance our already competitive device portfolio," said Tony Krueck, senior vice president of Cox Mobile. "We're committed to providing a wide variety of mobile device options that meet our customers' needs, budgets and lifestyles."
Cox Mobile is exclusively available to Cox Internet customers in all Cox markets nationwide. With unlimited talk and text and no term agreements, customers have access to two simple data plans designed with their needs and budget in mind – Pay As You Gig and Gig Unlimited. Customers also have access to a network with unbeatable 5G reliability, as well as the ability to stay connected with Cox Internet at home and with more than 4 million of Cox's on-the-go wifi hotspots.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are now available for Cox Mobile customers to pre-order, with general availability starting August 11. Customers interested in learning more about Cox Mobile or the newest Samsung devices can visit their nearest Cox retail store, go directly to www.cox.com/mobile, or give us a call at 1-800-234-3993.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we operate fiber broadband networks in more than 30 states, providing connections and advanced cloud and managed IT services for nearly seven million homes and businesses nationwide. We're dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
1 Types of recycled materials include post-consumer recycled PA sourced from discarded fishing nets, post-consumer recycled PBT sourced from discarded PET bottles, post-consumer recycled PC sourced from water barrels and pre-consumer recycled aluminum sourced from discarded scrap material generated as a by-product during manufacturing. The scrap metal is re-melted, filtered for impurities and then recycled to make parts within Samsung's manufacturing process. There is also pre-consumer recycled glass sourced from discarded glass waste generated as a byproduct of glass manufacturing. This glass waste is crushed into cullet and then used as a component in the Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 manufacturing process.
2 Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Flip5's Cover Screen is 3.4-inch in the full rectangular form; actual viewable area is approximately 95% of the full rectangular area due to the rounded corners and lower cutout.
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SOURCE Cox Communications | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/new-samsung-galaxy-z-flip5-galaxy-z-fold5-now-available-cox-mobile-customers/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:08 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/new-samsung-galaxy-z-flip5-galaxy-z-fold5-now-available-cox-mobile-customers/ |
August is around the corner, NFL training camps are in session, and the fantasy landscape for the 2023 season is taking shape. In just a few days, we’ll get our first taste of on-field action with the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game airing live on NBC and Peacock, headlined by Aaron Rodgers’ debut with the New York Jets against the Cleveland Browns.
As fantasy football draft season draws near, Matthew Berry is getting ready to release his 2023 Fantasy Football “Ride or Die.” This is the one player every year that he believes in the most and is most likely to leave every draft with. Chances are, this player will be crucial to leading your fantasy squad to the promised land.
Last year, Berry struck gold with Jalen Hurts, who developed into a fantasy superstar, finishing as a top three fantasy quarterback with 13 rushing TDs to his credit, which led the league.
It’s fantasy football season! Dominate your draft with the 2023 Rotoworld Football Draft Guide. Get regularly updated rankings, profiles, mock drafts and more. Click here and use promo code Berry20 to save 20% at checkout.
Before Hurts, it was Austin Ekeler, who has stamped his name alongside some of fantasy’s biggest stars due to his dual-threat ability. In 2021, Ekeler racked up 1,558 total yards while rushing for 12 TDs and securing an additional eight through the air.
Here’s a look at Berry’s notable “Ride or Dies” from years past:
2022 | Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI
Passing yards: 3701
Passing TDs: 22
Rushing yards: 760
Rushing TDs: 13
Fantasy rank: QB3
2021 | Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC
Rushing yards: 911
Rushing TDs: 12
Receiving yards: 647
Receiving TDs: 8
PPR rank: RB2
2019 | Josh Jacobs, RB, LV
Rushing yards: 1150
Rushing TDs: 7
PPR rank: RB21
2017 | Kareem Hunt, RB, KC
Rushing yards: 1327
Rushing TDs: 8
Receiving yards: 455
Receiving TDs: 3
PPR Rank: RB4
So, who are potential candidates to add their name to the coveted fantasy football moniker this year? While Berry is in the lab crunching the numbers, let’s dive into some of the names.
Could it be Falcons’ rookie sensation, Bijan Robinson, who profiles as an immediate fantasy superstar in a ground-and-pound offense? Or, perhaps another running back in Tony Pollard, this year’s Fantasy Football Draft Guide cover athlete, who finished as a top-10 fantasy running back in 2022 and now holds the keys to the Cowboys’ backfield?
Don’t count out the quarterbacks, most notably Justin Fields, whose strong second half saw him finish as the QB6 last year and who could be poised for a big year in 2023. Anthony Richardson is another name to keep an eye on, with a ton of upside entering his rookie campaign.
Be sure to tune into the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 3rd, at 8:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock, where Matthew Berry will unveil this year’s “Ride or Die” during pregame. | https://www.nbcsports.com/nbcsports.com/nfl/matthew-berry/news/who-will-be-matthew-berrys-2023-fantasy-football-ride-or-die | 2023-07-31T15:58:10 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/nbcsports.com/nfl/matthew-berry/news/who-will-be-matthew-berrys-2023-fantasy-football-ride-or-die |
TORONTO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has been selected for participation in the US Department of Defence (DoD) Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) program. This new partnership enables the DoD and its IT leaders to access world-class resources, gain industry-leading guidance, and receive transformative insights and invaluable consultation from experts with extensive experience. The agreement also includes McLean & Company, a division of Info-Tech known for its exceptional HR research and advisory services, and MyPolicies, the firm's provider of robust online policy management and administration software.
The DoD ESI is an official DoD initiative sponsored by the DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO). The initiative is designed to streamline procurement and optimize cost efficiency in the acquisition of commercial software, IT hardware, and services. Through its joint team of experts, ESI consolidates requirements and establishes agreements with IT providers, resulting in a unified contracting and vendor management strategy across the entire department.
"We are honored to have been selected to provide services as a member of the US Department of Defense's Enterprise Software Initiative. This partnership affirms our commitment to providing world-class IT research and advisory services to the public sector," says Ron Gumbert, senior managing partner at Info-Tech. "There is a shared vision to foster a technology-enabled, efficient future for the DoD, driving strategic change and transforming challenges into opportunities."
Info-Tech's public sector executive services and research team comprises highly experienced industry experts focused on supporting government clients to address mission-critical, technology-enabled initiatives.
"Our recent expansion into Arlington, Virginia, signifies our dedication to being an integral part of the IT ecosystem in the US, and this collaboration with the US Department of Defense's Enterprise Software Initiative further solidifies that commitment," adds Gumbert. "Our Arlington office stands ready to serve as a strategic hub for our work with the DoD and other Federal agencies, providing unparalleled research and advisory services. This pivotal development marks a new chapter in our mission to drive impactful digital transformation within the defense sector and beyond."
To learn more about Info-Tech's public sector research and its benefits, visit the firm's dedicated Public Sector Research Center.
About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.
For more about Info-Tech Research Group and to download the latest research across a variety of industries, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.
About the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative
The DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (DoD ESI) is a joint initiative to maximize DoD buying power and take advantage of the significant cost savings and management efficiencies that result from acquiring and managing commercially available software on a DoD-wide basis. Additional information about the DoD ESI can be located at www.esi.mil.
DoD ESI procedures are explained in DFARS 208.74 and DoD CIO Guidance and Policy memorandum No. 12-8430 dated July 26, 2000.
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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-department-defense-selects-info-tech-research-group-enterprise-software-initiative-esi-program/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:12 | 0 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-department-defense-selects-info-tech-research-group-enterprise-software-initiative-esi-program/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk.
An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal action over the nonprofit’s research into hate speech and content moderation. The letter alleged that CCDH’s research publications seem intended “to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims.”
Musk is a self-professed free speech absolutist who has welcomed back white supremacists and election deniers to the platform, which he renamed X earlier this month. But the billionaire has at times proven sensitive about critical speech directed at him or his companies.
The center is a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. It regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism or harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook.
The organization has published several reports critical of Musk’s leadership, detailing an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase. The letter from X’s attorney cited one specific report from June that found the platform failed to remove neo-Nazi and anti-LGBTQ content from verified users that violated the platform’s rules.
In the letter, attorney Alex Spiro questioned the expertise of the researchers and accused the center of trying to harm X’s reputation. The letter also suggested, without evidence, that the center received funds from some of X’s competitors, even though the center has also published critical reports about TikTok, Facebook and other large platforms.
“CCDH intends to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims,” Spiro wrote, using the platform’s former name.
Imran Ahmed, the center’s founder and CEO, told the AP on Monday that his group has never received a similar response from any tech company, despite a history of studying the relationship between social media, hate speech and extremism. He said that typically, the targets of the center’s criticism have responded by defending their work or promising to address any problems that have been identified.
Ahmed said he worried X’s response to the center’s work could have a chilling effect if it frightens other researchers away from studying the platform. He said he also worried that other industries could take note of the strategy.
“This is an unprecedented escalation by a social media company against independent researchers. Musk has just declared open war,” Ahmed told the Associated Press. “If Musk succeeds in silencing us other researchers will be next in line.”
Messages left with Spiro and X were not immediately returned Monday.
It’s not the first time that Musk has fired back at critics. Last year, he suspended the accounts of several journalists who covered his takeover of Twitter. Another user was permanently banned for using publicly available flight data to track Musk’s private plane; Musk had initially pledged to keep the user on the platform but later changed his mind, citing his personal safety. He also threatened to sue the user.
He initially had promised that he would allow any speech on his platform that wasn’t illegal. “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means,” Musk wrote in a tweet last year.
X’s recent threat of a lawsuit prompted concern from U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who said the billionaire was trying to use the threat of legal action to punish a nonprofit group trying to hold a powerful social media platform accountable.
“Instead of attacking them, he should be attacking the increasingly disturbing content on Twitter,” Schiff said in a statement. | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/ap-us-news/ap-musk-threatens-to-sue-researchers-who-documented-the-rise-in-hateful-tweets/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:14 | 0 | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/ap-us-news/ap-musk-threatens-to-sue-researchers-who-documented-the-rise-in-hateful-tweets/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A legal advocacy group for journalists wants to get involved in Disney's free speech lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press says a win by the Florida governor could embolden other governments across the U.S. to take actions against journalists and other media when they exercise their First Amendment rights.
The group on Friday asked a judge for permission to file a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the claims brought by Disney against DeSantis, his appointees to a special district board governing Disney World and a state economic development agency. The lawsuit claims the Florida governor violated the company's free speech rights by taking control over the district in retaliation for Disney's public opposition to the so-called “Don't Say Gay” bill.
The committee said that the impact of a DeSantis win would be felt beyond the 39 square miles (101 square kilometers) of the Disney World property governed by the new appointees picked by the Florida governor to the governing district's board.
“If Defendants prevail in this case, those on whose behalf the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press advocates will be first in the line of fire given the nature of reporting and the press’s role in our constitutional system,” the committee said in its request to file the supporting brief in federal court in Tallahassee. “As such, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press’s proposed brief provides a voice to those not directly involved, but undoubtedly impacted by this case.”
DeSantis and Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity have argued that Disney's case should be dismissed because of sovereign immunity protection against being sued for conducting government business, and that Disney hasn't shown how it has been hurt so it lacks standing to sue the state government defendants.
DeSantis has used the fight with Disney to burnish his "anti-woke" credentials and demonstrate his ability to push a conservative agenda during his campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
The DeSantis appointees took over the Disney World governing board earlier this year following a yearlong feud between the company and DeSantis. The fight began last year after Disney, beset by significant pressure internally and externally, publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call "Don't Say Gay."
As punishment, DeSantis took over the district through legislation passed by Florida lawmakers and appointed a new board of supervisors to oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels.
If the retaliatory actions by DeSantis and Republican lawmakers are left unchecked, it poses a threat to watchdog journalism and press coverage of public issues “to the detriment to the free flow of information on matters of public concern that has long been the hallmark of our democratic system of government,” the committee said.
Before the new board came in, Disney made agreements with previous oversight board members who were Disney supporters that stripped the new supervisors of their authority over design and development. The DeSantis-appointed members of the governing district have sued Disney in state court in a second lawsuit stemming from the district's takeover, seeking to invalidate those agreements.
Disney had asked for the case be dismissed or delayed pending the outcome of the federal lawsuit. However, Circuit Judge Margaret Schreiber in Orlando on Friday refused to toss or postpone the case, saying among other reasons that to do so would have created “an undue delay” for the district, which still must continue governing. ___
Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/group-desantis-win-in-disney-lawsuit-could-embolden-actions-against-journalists/U6FITJRPOVGEZA3KXNY7TYBYJU/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:14 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/group-desantis-win-in-disney-lawsuit-could-embolden-actions-against-journalists/U6FITJRPOVGEZA3KXNY7TYBYJU/ |
Nicklaus Children's Hospital recognized with award for exceptional and innovative performance
MIAMI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicklaus Children's Hospital's Emergency Department has been selected as a recipient of the Emergency Nurses Association's (ENA) 2023 Lantern Award for demonstrating exceptional innovation in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research performance.
The Lantern Award showcases the Emergency Department's (ED) accomplishments in incorporating evidence-based practice and innovation into emergency care. As part of the application, EDs are encouraged to share stories that highlight a commitment to care of patients, as well as the well-being of nursing staff. The award serves as a visible symbol of an organization's commitment to quality, safety and a healthy work environment.
"The Lantern Award truly shines a light on the excellence of our Emergency Department," said Peter Kevin Cruz, Director of Emergency Services. "It is emblematic of the excellence and commitment of our team to ensuring we offer the best possible pediatric emergency care."
Nicklaus Children's Hospital's Lantern Award will be on display in the Emergency Department. As a recipient, the hospital will be recognized in upcoming ENA publications, on the ENA website and during Emergency Nursing 2023, the association's annual conference in San Diego Sept. 21-23.
For more information on this year's Lantern Award recipients, visit the Emergency Nurses Association website.
About Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately 850 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.
About the Emergency Nurses Association
The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With 50,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.
For more information:
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SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Health System | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nicklaus-childrens-hospital-earns-2023-emergency-nurses-association-lantern-award/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:15 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nicklaus-childrens-hospital-earns-2023-emergency-nurses-association-lantern-award/ |
NASSAU, BAHAMAS (WDHN) — A former Alabama beauty queen faces charges in the Bahamas that she and two men allegedly plotted to kill her husband, a former Auburn Tigers football player.
Lindsay Shiver, 36 of Thomasville, Georgia was allegedly involved in a plot to kill her husband, Robert Shiver. According to bahamascourtnews.com, Shiver plotted with her alleged lover, Terrance Bethel, 28, of Abaco, Bahamas, and Faron Newbold, 29.
Bahamas Court News reports that law enforcement found out about the murder plot when they were investigating a break-in at Grabber’s Bar and Grill on Guana. During the investigation, officers came across messages on the social media app WhatsApp regarding an alleged plan to kill Robert Shiver, a former snapper at Auburn University between 2006 and 2008, while searching the phone of one of the suspects of the break-in.
According to the Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Lindsay and Robert Shiver have a home in the Caribbean.
The three suspects were arrested in Abaco, where they were later flown to Nassau to appear before a judge. Their next appearance is scheduled for Oct. 5.
Lindsay Shiver’s maiden name and was named Miss Houston County in 2005, placing second in the National Peanut Festival pageant that same year, according to Houston County Pageant Inc.
Robert Shiver currently serves as the executive vice president of Senior Life Insurance Company. | https://www.cbs42.com/alabama-news/former-alabama-beauty-pageant-queen-charged-in-alleged-plot-to-kill-husband/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:19 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/alabama-news/former-alabama-beauty-pageant-queen-charged-in-alleged-plot-to-kill-husband/ |
Celebrate National S'mores Day with next-level creations by Indianapolis chefs
Downtown Indy’s Monument Circle keeps hosting events that bring smiles.
On Aug. 10, S'mores on the Circle returns for National S’mores Day featuring $5 gourmet treats.
The event features next-level s’mores or s’mores-inspired desserts created by local chefs.
Last year’s conceptions included Tyler Mulkey’s Pistachio Trefoil Mint Citrus Chocolate S'mores and Hannah Thompson’s Maxine's Whimsies chocolate cupcakes filled with marshmallow fluff, vanilla buttercream, toasted coconut and chocolate drizzle.
The 2023 chefs include:
- Erin Kem — Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta + Market
- Kathy Jones — Iozzo's Garden of Italy
- Chris Albano — Levy Restaurants
- Erica Oakley — Top Out Café at North Mass Boulder
- A.J. Feeney — Books, Bourbon & Bacon
- Laney Glick — Hunger Relief
- Lynsey Delp — S’morescicles
- Hannah Thompson — Maxine's on Green
S’mores on the Circle takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cash and Venmo will be the only accepted forms of payment.
All proceeds will go toward financial assistance to support Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.
It’s the latest treat-centric event to hit the circle recently following the June 8 annual Indy Strawberry Festival sale of strawberry shortcakes to raise funds for local and international charities and the Moose Tracks Ice Cream 10,000 Scoop Challenge ice cream giveaway on July 27 benefit The Salvation Army of Central Indiana’s Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter:@cherylvjackson. | https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/dining/2023/07/31/celebrate-national-smores-day-in-indianapolis-chef-treats-monument-circle/70497028007/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:19 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/dining/2023/07/31/celebrate-national-smores-day-in-indianapolis-chef-treats-monument-circle/70497028007/ |
Drag performance has become a part of the cultural mainstream. Programs like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and influencers on Instagram and TikTok are making the performance style a part of our collective consciousness. Earlier this month, thousands of drag lovers descended upon London’s streets for the largest drag convention anywhere on the globe.
While queens can often be found in the spotlight, the stories and experiences of drag kings are sometimes overlooked. They are typically paid less than queens and often face discrimination at the clubs where they perform.
The history of male impersonation dates back thousands of years to the Tang Dynasty in China. The traditions continued with performers in the U.K. and the U.S. through the 19th and 20th centuries, with performers like Madam Vestris and Florence Hines (featured below) pioneering the art form in the West.
Mo B. Dick has been performing as a drag king for decades and is now based on the West Coast. Dick told The New York Times that audiences, “don’t necessarily see the comedy in a woman putting on a suit. Female masculinity is still scary to some people.”
We assemble a panel of drag kings from across the U.S. to discuss the politicization of their craft, their commercial challenges, and more.
“Dr. Wang” Newton is a Taiwanese-born American performance artist and producer specializing in the art of masculine drag. (Credit: Eric Jukelevics)
King Molasses is a non-binary drag king and performing artist based in Washington D.C. (Credit: King Molasses)
An 1830s photo of Madam Vestris, an English actress and performer in Drag.
Florence Hines was a pioneering Black drag performer in the late 19th century. Hines was featured in The Creole Show, a touring act of all Black performers.
Copyright 2023 WAMU 88.5 | https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-31/ask-a-drag-king-rebroadcast | 2023-07-31T15:58:19 | 1 | https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-31/ask-a-drag-king-rebroadcast |
Red Sox vs. Mariners: Betting Trends, Odds, Records Against the Run Line, Home/Road Splits
The Seattle Mariners will send a hot-hitting Julio Rodriguez to the plate against the Boston Red Sox and Triston Casas, who has been on a tear in recent games, when the squads take the field on Monday at 9:40 PM ET.
The Mariners are favored in this one, at -135, while the underdog Red Sox have +110 odds to win. The game's total is listed at 7.5 runs.
Rep your team with officially licensed Red Sox gear! Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, and much more.
Red Sox vs. Mariners Odds & Info
- Date: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Time: 9:40 PM ET
- TV: ROOT Sports NW
- Location: Seattle, Washington
- Venue: T-Mobile Park
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Bet with King of Sportsbooks and use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers! Check out the latest odds and place your bets with BetMGM Sportsbook. Use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Red Sox Recent Betting Performance
- In three games as the underdog over the last 10 contests, the Red Sox have a perfect record of 3-0.
- In their previous 10 games with a total, the Red Sox and their opponents have combined to exceed the over/under on two occasions.
- The last 10 Red Sox matchups have not had a spread set by oddsmakers. The average over/under set by sportsbooks in Boston's past six games has been 9.2, a span in which the Red Sox and their opponents have gone under each time.
Discover More About This Game
Red Sox Betting Records & Stats
- The Red Sox have come away with 29 wins in the 54 contests they have been listed as the underdogs in this season.
- Boston is 21-12 this season when entering a game as the underdog by +110 or more on the moneyline.
- Oddsmakers have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Red Sox have a 47.6% chance of pulling out a win.
- Boston's games have gone over the total in 51 of its 103 chances.
- The Red Sox are 3-6-0 against the spread in their nine games that had a posted line this season.
Check out the latest odds and place your bets on and the with BetMGM Sportsbook. Use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Red Sox Splits
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/2023/07/31/red-sox-vs-mariners-mlb-betting-trends-stats/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:19 | 0 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/red-sox-vs-mariners-mlb-betting-trends-stats/ |
HAZLET, N.J. (WPIX) – A New Jersey family is suing a movie theater chain after the mother and her son, who has autism, were thrown out.
Their offense? The mother took her son into the women’s restroom when he needed to go to the bathroom.
“All this time, it was humiliating and scary for my son,” Christine Gallinaro, of Holmdel, told WPIX.
It was supposed to be a fun trip to the movies for Gallinaro and her 15-year-old son, John.
Gallinaro‘s husband wasn’t with them, so when John, who is nonverbal, had to go to the bathroom, she took him into the ladies’ room at Cinemark‘s Hazlet 12. There was no family restroom.
Gallinaro said no one in the ladies’ room complained. She said many understood that her son has special needs and needed an adult to help him. But the theater manager let her and her son know she disapproved.
“I asked her if there was a problem. I explained that he was disabled, and she said a grown man should not be in this bathroom,” Gallinaro said.
Gallinaro said the manager called security and then the police to eject them from the movie theater. On the cellphone video, Gallinaro said it was clear to her that the security and police were sympathetic to her plight.
The Gallinaros filed a lawsuit last week against the movie theater chain.
“What happened that day was unlawful, wrong, and bizarre,” said Austin Tobin, the Gallinaro family’s lawyer.
“Since this happened and has been made public, there has been an overwhelming response of support, particularly from mothers of disabled children,” Gallinaro said.
A few days after the June 16 incident, Gallinaro said the movie theater regional manager reached out to offer a refund, but the mother said the humiliation was too great.
WPIX contacted the movie theater for comment on the allegations but did not receive a response. | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:20 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ |
The Panthers are looking at a veteran for some potential defensive help.
Carolina will work out Deion Jones after Monday’s practice, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Jones appeared in 11 games with five starts for the Browns last year, recording 44 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. He was traded to Cleveland midseason after spending the beginning of the season on Atlanta’s injured reserve list.
A second-round pick in 2016, Jones played 85 games with 83 starts for Atlanta through 2021. The 28-year-old linebacker was a Pro Bowler in 2017 after finishing third in AP defensive rookie of the year voting.
In 96 career games with 88 starts, Jones has 11.0 sacks, 12 interceptions, 47 passes defensed, and five forced fumbles. | https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/deion-jones-to-work-out-with-panthers | 2023-07-31T15:58:20 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/deion-jones-to-work-out-with-panthers |
Elon Musk’s X threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hateful tweets
WASHINGTON (AP) — X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk.
An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal action over the nonprofit’s research into hate speech and content moderation. The letter alleged that CCDH’s research publications seem intended “to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims.”
Musk is a self-professed free speech absolutist who has welcomed back white supremacists and election deniers to the platform, which he renamed X earlier this month. But the billionaire has at times proven sensitive about critical speech directed at him or his companies.
The center is a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. It regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism or harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook.
The organization has published several reports critical of Musk’s leadership, detailing an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase. The letter from X’s attorney cited one specific report from June that found the platform failed to remove neo-Nazi and anti-LGBTQ content from verified users that violated the platform’s rules.
In the letter, attorney Alex Spiro questioned the expertise of the researchers and accused the center of trying to harm X’s reputation. The letter also suggested, without evidence, that the center received funds from some of X’s competitors, even though the center has also published critical reports about TikTok, Facebook and other large platforms.
“CCDH intends to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims,” Spiro wrote, using the platform’s former name.
Imran Ahmed, the center’s founder and CEO, told the AP on Monday that his group has never received a similar response from any tech company, despite a history of studying the relationship between social media, hate speech and extremism. He said that typically, the targets of the center’s criticism have responded by defending their work or promising to address any problems that have been identified.
Ahmed said he worried X’s response to the center’s work could have a chilling effect if it frightens other researchers away from studying the platform. He said he also worried that other industries could take note of the strategy.
“This is an unprecedented escalation by a social media company against independent researchers. Musk has just declared open war,” Ahmed told the Associated Press. “If Musk succeeds in silencing us other researchers will be next in line.”
Messages left with Spiro and X were not immediately returned Monday.
It’s not the first time that Musk has fired back at critics. Last year, he suspended the accounts of several journalists who covered his takeover of Twitter. Another user was permanently banned for using publicly available flight data to track Musk’s private plane; Musk had initially pledged to keep the user on the platform but later changed his mind, citing his personal safety. He also threatened to sue the user.
He initially had promised that he would allow any speech on his platform that wasn’t illegal. “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means,” Musk wrote in a tweet last year.
X’s recent threat of a lawsuit prompted concern from U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who said the billionaire was trying to use the threat of legal action to punish a nonprofit group trying to hold a powerful social media platform accountable.
“Instead of attacking them, he should be attacking the increasingly disturbing content on Twitter,” Schiff said in a statement.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2023/07/31/elon-musks-x-threatens-sue-researchers-who-documented-rise-hateful-tweets/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:20 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/2023/07/31/elon-musks-x-threatens-sue-researchers-who-documented-rise-hateful-tweets/ |
At about summer's halfway point, the record-breaking heat and weather extremes are both unprecedented and unsurprising, hellish yet boring in some ways, scientists say.
Killer heat. Deadly floods. Smoke from wildfires that chokes.
And there’s no relief in sight.
Expect a hotter than normal August and September, American and European forecast centers predict.
“We are seeing unprecedented changes all over the world,” said NASA climate scientist Gavin Schmidt. “The heat waves that we’re seeing in the U.S. and in Europe, in China are demolishing records left, right and center. This is not a surprise.”
Imperial College of London climate scientist Friederike Otto said examining what's causing heat waves is “boring” in a way since it keeps happening. Yet she added that it matters “because it shows again just how much climate change plays a role in what we are currently experiencing.”
"This story, these impacts, are going to continue," Schmidt said. "We're going to be seeing this pretty much this year and into next year" with a natural El Nino warming of the Pacific adding to the overwhelming influence of human-caused climate change largely from the burning of coal, oil and gas.
Here’s a rundown of the summer of Earth's discontent.
RECORD-SHATTERING HEAT
Globally, June this year was the hottest June on record — and scientists say July has been so hot that even before the month was over they could say it was the hottest month on record. But it's individual places where people live that the heat has stuck around and killed.
Phoenix, where the last day of June and each day of July has been at least 110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius), set records for the longest mega-heat streak and longest stretch when the temperatures didn't go below 90 degrees (32 degrees Celsius) at night.
El Paso, Texas, had 44 days of 100 degree (37 degree) heat. Schools closed in Nuevo Leon state in northern Mexico a month earlier than usual as temperatures reached 113 degrees (45 Celsius).
Farther east, Miami added humidity to high heat for 46 straight days of feels-like temperatures of 100 or more.
Beijing had its own record streak with at least 27 days of 95 degrees (35 Celsius) in July, after a three-day streak of at least 104 (40 Celsius) in June. And the country set it's all-time highest temperature on July 16 in remote Sanbao township with 126 degrees (52.2 Celsius).
Heat records fell all over southern Europe. Sardinia, Italy, hit 117 (47 Celsius). Palermo in Sicily broke a record that goes back to 1791 by a whopping 3.6 degrees (2 degrees Celsius). Temperatures hit 115 (46 Celsius) in Gytheio, Greece.
Spain reported nearly 1,000 excess deaths from the heat, mostly among the elderly, by mid July.
In Argentina, where it's mid-winter, temperatures were above 89.6 (32 Celsius) four straight days in June in the northern part of the county. One July night in Buenos Aires didn’t get below the 70s (low 20s Celsius).
TOO MUCH RAIN
More than 10,000 people had to be evacuated in central Hunan province in China where heavy rainfall caused at least 70 houses to collapse. In Yichang, rain triggered a landslide that buried a construction site and killed at least one person.
Australia’s Queensland outback got 13 times its normal monthly July rain in just one day.
Thousands of people were evacuated from Delhi in India as rains caused flash floods and landslides. Elsewhere in the country at least 100 people were killed by the downpours.
In the United States, sudden heavy rain killed people in Vermont, Connecticut and Pennsylvania with tragic stories of children washed away in flooding.
WILDFIRES AND SMOKE
Too little rain in Greece and Spain fed wildfires that proved difficult to fight. In the Canary Islands, a fire caused 4,000 people to evacuate, others to wear face masks and had 400 firefighters battling it.
Hot and dry conditions caused about 160 wildfires to break out in Israel in early June.
But what really brought fires home happened in parts of Canada where few people live. Rare far northern Quebec wildfires triggered nasty smoke that inflicted the world's dirtiest air on cities like New York and Washington, then switched to the Midwest.
As of late July more than 600 wildfires were out of control in Canada. A record 47,490 square miles (123,000 square kilometers) burned, and fire season isn’t near done. That’s an area larger than the state of Pennsylvania or North Korea.
WATER TEMPERATURES
Water temperatures in the Florida Keys and off the Everglades hit the high 90s (high 30s Celsius) with Manatee Bay breaking 100 degrees twice in what could be an unofficial world record for surface water temperature, although that's in dispute.
The North Atlantic had hot spots that alarmed scientists. The world's oceans as a whole were their hottest ever in June and got even hotter in July. In Antarctica, sea ice smashed record-low levels.
Ocean temperatures take a long time to warm up and cool down, said University of Northern Illinois meteorology professor Victor Gensini. So it doesn’t look good for the rest of the summer, he said.
A HOT FORECAST
“We are favoring above normal temperatures for the next three months,” said NOAA Climate Prediction Center meteorologist Matt Rosencrans.
The only potential relief he sees, especially in the hot Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, is if a hurricane or tropical storm moves through.
The peak of hurricane season in September hasn’t even started.
When going through the litany of this summer's weather extremes so far, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann had one question: “How on God’s Earth are we still burning fossil fuels after witnessing all this?”
___
Researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report from New York. ___
Follow AP's climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
___
Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/heres-how-hot-and-extreme-the-summer-has-been-and-its-only-halfway-over/Z6OYPHQYWNDWBOJOTZX43VBTFE/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:21 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/heres-how-hot-and-extreme-the-summer-has-been-and-its-only-halfway-over/Z6OYPHQYWNDWBOJOTZX43VBTFE/ |
RESTON, Va., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the White House released the National Cyber Workforce & Education Strategy. Peraton applauds this step forward in developing a robust cyber workforce as the company, government partners, and key stakeholders work in concert to protect our nation's most critical assets.
"Over the past six years, Peraton has been a leading force in the education, recruitment, and development of cyber professionals across our nation through university partnerships, like the CybHER program," said Matt McQueen, chief communications and engagement officer, Peraton. "These strategic investments are approaching maturity at time when national security is faced with a zenith of challenges."
Peraton's commitment to advancing the nation's cyber strategy is unwavering – from the company's involvement in the National Cyber Workforce & Education Summit and subsequent strategy development to leveraging its independent research and development portfolio to provide innovative solutions to ever-evolving threats.
"We look forward to working with the federal government, industry partners, academia, and other stakeholders to close the workforce gap and maintain the United States' dominance in cybersecurity," said Scott Cooper, vice president, Strategic Advocacy, Peraton.
About Peraton
Peraton is a national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies that protect our nation and allies from threats across the digital and physical domains. Peraton supports every branch of the US Armed Forces, and we serve as a valued partner to essential government agencies who sustain our way of life. Every day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're safeguarding your peace of mind.
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SOURCE Peraton | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/peraton-supports-national-cyber-workforce-amp-education-strategy/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:22 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/peraton-supports-national-cyber-workforce-amp-education-strategy/ |
OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) — A medical device manufacturer in Alabama has announced plans to close its plant in November, a move that will impact nearly 500 workers.
Baxter International Inc., which makes dialyzers for dialysis treatment at its plant in Opelika, announced the closure Thursday.
“Baxter leadership emphasized that this outcome is not a reflection on the quality employees and business climate in Opelika, but was brought on by global market conditions that have impacted demand and overseas competition,” Opelika city officials said in a news release.
City officials will be working with state and nationwide contacts to help identify and recruit other potential companies to create future opportunities in Opelika, officials said.
Mayor Gary Fuller expressed disappointment by the announcement and concern for the affected employees.
“The City and our Economic Development team will be working closely with Baxter, the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Opelika Chamber, Southern Union and our other workforce partners to assist these employees in finding other careers here in our area,” Fuller said.
Economic Development Director Lori Huguley said the community will rise despite the news.
“This is a big blow to our community and definitely not news we expected to hear, but we know we have great companies in our area that will welcome the chance to meet and interview those who are looking for other careers here,” Huguley said.
Opelika is 60 miles (96.5 kilometers) northeast of Montgomery and has a population of 32,000. | https://www.cbs42.com/alabama-news/hundreds-to-be-laid-off-in-east-alabama-plant-closing/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:25 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/alabama-news/hundreds-to-be-laid-off-in-east-alabama-plant-closing/ |
Simon Pagenaud to miss 5th race after concussion at Mid-Ohio, Linus Lundqvist to make debut
A second prospective IndyCar rookie will make his series debut as a stand-in for the injured Simon Pagenaud as the veteran Meyer Shank Racing driver's absence extends beyond one month and five races this Sunday in Nashville.
The team announced Monday that 2022 Indy Lights champion Linus Lundqvist, who was unable to land an IndyCar ride this season due to the sizable slash in the series' scholarship, will man the team's No. 60 Honda on the streets of Nashville in this weekend's Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in his IndyCar debut.
Pagenaud continues to remain sidelined with symptoms from a concussion he sustained during a violent crash in a Saturday morning practice July 1 ahead of IndyCar's race at Mid-Ohio. The No. 60 suffered brake failure, sending him skidding off Turn 4 over an embankment and then hurtling side-over-side more than six times at 180 mph before coming to a stop upside down against a tire barrier. After undergoing initial tests, Pagenaud told reporters he "felt fine" and the next day told IndyStar he thought he could've strapped in for that day's race, but was happy in the extreme caution IndyCar's medical team, led by Dr. Julia Vaizer, had taken in opting not to clear him.
Conor Daly stood-in as MSR's last-minute replacement at Mid-Ohio, and just over a week later, Pagenaud traveled to Indianapolis for a reevaluation with the series medical team, where they declined to medically clear him to return to the cockpit for IndyCar's Toronto street race. Initially, Pagenaud was expected to make the trip from his home in North Carolina to Canada to get another evaluation in hopes of a possible return for the Iowa doubleheader the following weekend, but those plans were slashed when he revealed to the team he was still experiencing symptoms.
After MSR's IMSA ace Tom Blomqvist made his IndyCar debut in Toronto -- where he lasted just a single turn into Lap 1 before he was gathered in a race-ending crash -- Daly hopped back in for both races at Iowa. Ahead of that doubleheader weekend, team owner Mike Shank told IndyStar he believed Pagenaud "probably could've done it," but that the heightened conditions of racing 500 laps in a little over 24 hours on Iowa's short-oval in toasty summer conditions made it not worth the risk.
Shank on Pagenaud's possible return:'I'm not pressing beyond when they think is correct'
"I'm hoping he keeps progressing so we can have him back in the car in Nashville, and that's our goal, but only when he and the doctors say it's time," Shank told IndyStar two weeks ago. "(Simon) is definitely progressing, but (Dr. Vaizer) just isn't ready to sign off on him quite yet. Everyone reacts to concussions differently.
"And I'm not pressing beyond when they think is correct."
In the team's release Monday, MSR noted that Pagenaud "continues to improve" but the 39-year-old driver had "been advised by the IndyCar medical team to not participate in this weekend's event in Nashville." Later, the team confirmed that Pagenaud had indeed not yet been cleared to return to competition.
"First of all, I want to say I am very grateful for everyone's support and kind messages during this time," Pagenaud wrote in a note posted to Twitter. "I am focusing on recovering to 100% and it is just taking some time. As my fans know, when I do something, I always want to (do) it to my absolute best."
In the unfortunate circumstances, Lundqvist will make his debut on the heels of a pair of IndyCar tests earlier this year with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (at Texas Motor Speedway) and with Ed Carpenter Racing (at Sebring). He remains a sought-after commodity on the free agent market who Shank had mentioned even a year ago he had his eyes on when while the Swede was running away with the Lights championship he delivered with the help of five wins and nine podiums in 14 starts.
During that campaign, he swept the 2022 Nashville race weekend with a win from pole, while Pagenaud landed his most recent top-10 with the team, and Lundqvist's new teammate for this weekend Helio Castroneves worked his way from the back of the field to finish 13th.
"This is a moment I've been dreaming of literally since the start of my career. I am extremely grateful to Meyer Shank Racing for this opportunity. This will be an incredible experience, but also the toughest challenge of my life," Lundqvist said in the release. "Sitting on the sidelines all year, it would be a massive task to join any championship towards the end of the season -- let along the IndyCar series on the streets of Nashville. There's been very little time to prepare, but I feel like the sheer excitement of this moment will make up for some of that.
"I would like to wish Simon Pagenaud a continued speedy recovery. While fully aware of everything I have to learn this weekend, I will do my very best to make him and everyone else on the team proud in Music City." | https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2023/07/31/indycar-linus-lundqvist-debut-meyer-shank-racing-simon-pagenaud-miss-5th-race-not-cleared-concussion/70489751007/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:25 | 1 | https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2023/07/31/indycar-linus-lundqvist-debut-meyer-shank-racing-simon-pagenaud-miss-5th-race-not-cleared-concussion/70489751007/ |
Here's a look ahead and a roundup of key developments from the past week.
What to watch
Conflict analysts are looking for further signs that Ukraine may have entered a new, bolder phase of its counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Saudi Arabia will host Ukraine peace talks this weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported and Ukrainian officials confirmed, but Russia is apparently not invited.
The United States will take over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for August, with a focus on food security following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
A panel tasked with investigating allegations that South Africa provided weapons to Russia is due to report its findings to the country's president soon.
Friday will mark one year since U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced to prison in Russia. After months of negotiations with the U.S., Russia released her in December in exchange for the U.S. freeing a Russian arms dealer.
What happened last week
Ukrainian forces launched a heavy assault in the Zaporizhzhia region, leading to news reports saying Ukraine could be stepping up its counteroffensive. They recaptured a small village, Staromaiorske, from Russian forces. Ukrainian forces are fighting on at least three major fronts in the south, east and northeast.
Over the weekend, Ukrainian drones damaged buildings in Moscow. "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, though Ukraine has not officially claimed the drone attacks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a summit with African leaders, promising free delivery of tens of thousands of tons of grain to Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia and Zimbabwe. But he did not accede to the African leaders' requests to resume the Black Sea grain deal allowing Ukrainian exports — a deal that Russia terminated earlier this month.
Russian lawmakers passed a higher age limit for military conscription. Starting in January, men 18 to 30 will have to carry out military service or training for one year, up from the current age cap of 27. They also approved a measure to ban draftees from leaving the country, after a draft order last year set off a mad rush out of Russia.
The United States will provide $400 million in military assistance for Ukraine, the 43rd time President Biden is using his drawdown authority to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
U.S. Marine veteran Trevor Reed was injured while fighting in Ukraine. Reed had been imprisoned in Russia and was freed as part of a prisoner swap with the U.S. last year. At some point he wound up joining Ukrainian forces, but the U.S. government said Reed was not fighting on its behalf.
Ukraine decided to let its athletes take part in competitions in which Russians and Belarusians will be competing under neutral flags and not publicly support the war against Ukraine.
In-depth
Ukraine's troops are slowly pushing Russian forces out of occupied land.
Ukraine struggles to rebuild a navy destroyed by Russia.
Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar discusses Putin, Zelenskyy and the war in Ukraine.
The U.S. and Europe search for new Ukraine export routes after Russia leaves the grain deal.
On the State of Ukraine podcast: Nobel Peace Prize winners say Ukraine needs more weapons to prevail against Russia.
Special report
Russia's war in Ukraine is changing the world: See our report on its ripple effects in all corners of the globe.
Earlier developments
You can read past recaps here. For context and more in-depth stories, you can find more of NPR's coverage here. Also, listen and subscribe to NPR's State of Ukraine podcast for updates throughout the day.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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China vs. England: Women’s World Cup Group D Odds, Stats and Live Stream - August 1
In each team's third matchup in Group D play at the 2023 Women's World Cup, England (6 points) and China (3 points) square off on Tuesday, August 1 at 7:00 AM ET.
China is +658 to win and take all three points, while England is -233 to do the same. The odds of a draw are +334. Sportsbooks have set 2.5 goals as the over/under for this game.
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England vs. China Game Info
- Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2023
- Time: 7:00 AM ET
- Location: Adelaide, Australia
- Venue: Coopers Stadium
- TV Channel: FOX US,Fox Sports 1
- Total: 2.5
- England Moneyline: -233
- China Moneyline: +658
England vs. China World Cup Betting Insights
- These two teams are scoring 1.5 goals per game between them, 1.0 fewer than this match's over/under.
- Opponents of these two teams combine to average 0.5 goals per game, 2.0 fewer than this game's total.
- England has been listed as a moneyline favorite only two other times so far this tournament, and went 2-0-0 in those games.
- England has played as a moneyline favorite of -233 or shorter in only one game this tournament, which they won.
- China lost the only game it has played as an underdog this tournament.
- China has not entered a game this tournament with longer moneyline odds than +658.
England World Cup Stats
China World Cup Stats
- Wang Shuang has tallied one goal for China in Women's World Cup (two games).
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England vs. China Recent Performance
- England was 9-3-0 in 2022 versus teams playing in the 2023 Women's World Cup, scoring 36 goals and conceding seven. This year, its record is 5-1-1 against fellow World Cup squads (nine goals scored, four allowed).
- England took on Denmark in its last match and earned a win 1-0. The victorious England side took 11 shots, outshooting by four.
- England got its lone goal from James in that match versus .
- China was 3-2-0 in 2022 versus teams participating in the 2023 Women's World Cup, with a goal differential of +3. This year, its record is 1-2-3 against fellow World Cup squads (-6 goal differential).
- On July 28 in its most recent match, China bested Haiti 1-0. China outshot Haiti nine to six.
- Shuang notched the only goal for China (on one shot) in the match.
England Roster
Get your Women's World Cup gear at Fanatics!
China Roster
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/08/01/2023-womens-world-cup-china-england-betting-preview-odds/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:25 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/08/01/2023-womens-world-cup-china-england-betting-preview-odds/ |
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – In just over a week, voters across Ohio will cast their ballots in the state’s single-issue special election.
Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans have already voted on Issue 1, a proposal to raise the threshold for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments to make it on ballots and become law. On Aug. 8, hundreds of thousands more will answer the same question.
If passed, Issue 1 would require all future citizen-initiated amendments – as opposed to legislature-initiated amendments – to win at least 60% of the vote to pass instead of the simple majority currently needed.
To get an initiative on the ballot, groups would have to collect signatures from 5% of registered voters in all 88 Ohio counties, an increase from the current 44-county requirement. An existing 10-day curing period for groups who did not gather enough valid signatures would be eliminated.
Proponents of Issue 1, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose and statehouse Republicans, argue the proposal boosts protections for the state constitution, particularly against undue influence by special interest groups.
Supporters contend that requiring 60% of Ohio voters to agree on an issue requires wide-reaching bipartisan approval – which should be a requisite to amend Ohio’s premier governing document. Requiring 5% of signatures from all 88 counties ensures broad support from across the state, Issue 1’s supporters have argued.
In debates and in advertisements, supporters have warned to look no further for special interest influence than the abortion rights amendment Ohioans will decide on in November. LaRose said in June that Issue 1 is “100% about keeping a radical, pro-abortion amendment out of our constitution.”
Opponents of Issue 1 decry it as a Republican power-grab designed to strip power away from citizens – and prevent them from enacting checks on the state legislature. House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) has repeated a common refrain among opponents that Issue 1 would end majority rule by allowing 41% of voters to strike down citizen-initiated amendments that 59% approve.
Other opponents have called the 88-county signature requirement the most extreme signature-gathering requirement among the 18 states that allow citizen-initiated amendments. If a group fails to get 5% of voters from one county, the proposal fails before it makes it to voters’ ballots – and unlike current law, they wouldn’t get another shot to make up the difference.
LaRose, Russo and policy experts on both sides debated Issue 1 at NBC4 on July 26. You can watch the debate here.
Voting by mail
Absentee ballot request forms must be delivered, either by mail or in person, to county boards of elections by 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 1. Print out an absentee ballot request form here.
Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 7 and have until Aug. 12 to arrive at boards of election. If dropping your ballot off in person, you have until 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8.
You do not need a photo ID to vote absentee.
Voting in person
Early in-person voting continues through Aug. 6 at county boards of elections:
- July 31: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Aug. 1: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Aug. 2-4: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Aug. 5: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Aug. 6: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line by 7:30 p.m. will be able to cast their ballots.
Polling locations have moved for more than 66,000 Franklin County voters due to usual voting places being unavailable. While notices will be sent to affected voters, the Franklin County Board of Elections recommends confirming your polling location by checking your voter record here or by calling 614-525-3100.
Ohio requires a form of photo identification to vote in person. Valid forms of photo ID include:
- Ohio driver’s license
- State of Ohio ID card
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- U.S. military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card | https://www.wdtn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/issue-1-election-on-aug-8-things-to-know/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:26 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/issue-1-election-on-aug-8-things-to-know/ |
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department encourages routine vaccinations ahead of school year
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Monday marks two weeks out from the start of the 2023-24 school year.
The Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department is encouraging parents to make sure their children’s vaccinations are up to date.
Vaccinations help protect against many childhood diseases like chickenpox, flu, measles, mumps, polio and whooping cough. They help keep kids healthy, in school and ready to learn.
The required and recommended vaccines for children and adolescents include:
Elementary - state law requires children enrolling in kindergarten or first grade (depending on their school district’s entering grade) and transfer students have proof of receiving the following vaccinations:
• Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine
• Three doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
• Three doses of polio vaccine (IPV)
• Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR)
• Two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
Middle School/Junior High through High School: Youth entering seventh grade and transfer students must have all of the above vaccinations, as well as a Tdap pertussis booster. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends one dose of meningococcal vaccine at age 11 or 12, and two doses of human papillomavirus vaccine, which prevents various cancers. A second dose of meningococcal vaccine is recommended at age 16.
College: The CDC recommends a meningococcal vaccine for first-year college students, particularly those living in residence halls, and those who may not have received their second dose at age 16. The vaccine helps prevent bacterial meningitis among other serious illnesses.
Child Care/Pre-K: Children enrolled in licensed child care and school-based pre-K programs also need to be up-to-date with age-appropriate immunizations.
LLCHD participates in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides vaccines to eligible uninsured, underinsured, American Indian and Medicaid-enrolled children at no cost or low cost. More information on the program is available online, or by calling 402-441-8065.
Nebraska allows both medical and religious vaccine exemptions for children, which must be filed with a student’s school.
“We really act as a safety net provider here at the health department for those that may not be linked to a primary care provider,” said Kerry Kernen, assistant health director of LLCHD. “We welcome folks that need those vaccines to come into our clinic and we can get those required vaccines taken care of for them.”
For specific Lincoln Public Schools guidelines a full list can be found here.
Copyright 2023 KOLN. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2023/07/31/lincoln-lancaster-county-health-department-encourages-routine-vaccinations-ahead-school-year/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:26 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/2023/07/31/lincoln-lancaster-county-health-department-encourages-routine-vaccinations-ahead-school-year/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) —
Hunter Biden's former business partner appeared Monday for closed-door testimony on Capitol Hill, with Republicans planning to question him about claims that President Joe Biden was directly involved in his younger son's financial dealings.
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee was conducting a transcribed interview with Devon Archer as part of its expanding congressional inquiry into the Biden family businesses as the GOP explores a potential impeachment inquiry into the president.
Archer, who served with Hunter Biden on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, has been seen by Republicans as a key witness in their so-far fruitless search to directly connect the president to his son's various international business transactions.
Rep. James Comer, the GOP chairman of Oversight Committee, issued a subpoena to Archer in June, saying he “played a significant role in the Biden family’s business deals abroad, including but not limited to China, Russia, and Ukraine." He said Archer's testimony would be critical to the committee's investigation.
Republicans have focused much attention on an unverified tip to the FBI that alleged a bribery scheme involving Joe Biden when he was vice president. The claim, which first emerged in 2019, was that Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor in order to stop an investigation into Burisma, an oil-and-gas company where Hunter Biden was on the board. GOP lawmakers and staff present at Monday's interview were also expected to question Archer about several business meetings and conversations Hunter Biden had during which he is said to have invoked his father's name.
Democrats on the committee, including Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking minority member, have reiterated that the Justice Department investigated the Burisma claim when Donald Trump was president and closed the matter after eight months, finding "insufficient evidence" that it was true. Democrats have also highlighted the transcript of an interview with Mykola Zlochevsky, Burisma's co-founder, in which he denied having any contact with Joe Biden while Hunter Biden worked for the company.
“Mr. Zlochevsky’s statements are just one of the many that have debunked the corruption allegations,” Raskin said.
On top of his relationship with Hunter Biden, who is currently facing federal tax charges, Archer has his own legal troubles stemming from a 2018 felony conviction for his role in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. That conviction was overturned later that year, but then the court of appeals in New York reinstated it in 2020. His sentencing in the case has been repeatedly delayed by appeals.
Archer's appearance before lawmakers had been scheduled and canceled several times since June. Republicans suggested it was about to be delayed again after the Justice Department over the weekend asked a judge to schedule a date for Archer to surrender to prison and begin serving out his one-year sentence in the unrelated fraud case.
Republicans — led by Comer — criticized that delay, calling it an effort by the Justice Department to intimidate a witness. But the Justice Department in a follow-up memo to the court noted Archer's surrender was not imminent and asked a judge to ensure that he testified to Congress before reporting to prison.
“Mr. Archer will do what he has planned to do all along, which is to show up this morning and to honestly answer the questions that are put to him by the congressional investigators,” said Archer’s attorney, Matthew Schwartz, who is a managing partner at New York-based firm Boies Schiller Flexner.
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Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-for-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee/XL7MS4LQIFACNIEG6CM2RWYHPI/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:27 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-for-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee/XL7MS4LQIFACNIEG6CM2RWYHPI/ |
IRVINE, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Motor Corporation (Alpha), a leading innovator in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, proudly presents the world premiere of its groundbreaking Wolf electric truck driving prototype. This innovative vehicle represents a significant milestone in Alpha's commitment to providing sustainable and accessible electric mobility solutions to consumers worldwide.
Accelerating Towards Mass Production:
Alpha's highly anticipated test drive event for the Wolf electric truck proved to be an overwhelming success, leaving attendees in awe of the vehicle's exceptional performance, and driving experience. Held at a picturesque location in California, the event highlighted the prowess of the Wolf electric truck, solidifying its position as a game-changer in the electric vehicle industry.
The success of the Wolf electric truck test drive event is a resounding confirmation that Alpha has confidence in its strides toward production development. The test drive reaffirmed that Alpha is aligned to deliver an exceptional electric vehicle. Building upon this momentum, Alpha is expediting its efforts to produce more test vehicles, accelerating the pursuit of mass production.
In every step, Alpha is committed to efficiently navigating the production process, ensuring that the Wolf electric truck becomes available for customers worldwide, and propelling the world towards a sustainable and electrifying future.
Exceptional Driving Experience:
During the test drive, participants witnessed firsthand the unmatched driving capabilities of the Wolf electric truck. From the moment they took the wheel, it became evident that this electric truck was designed to deliver more than just efficient transportation—it provided an exhilarating and seamless ride.
The precision-engineered electric powertrain of the Wolf truck exhibited remarkable acceleration, delivering instant torque and swift response to driver inputs.
Cruising through cities or venturing off-road, the Wolf impressed the drivers with its versatility and agility alongside smooth handling and stability.
Intuitive Design and Comfort:
Beyond its performance, the Wolf electric truck's interior captivated test drivers with its cabin comfort features and thoughtful details. The spacious cabin, designed to accommodate up to two passengers, ensured ample legroom and headspace for an enjoyable ride. Ergonomic controls and an intuitive infotainment system also provided a seamless and user-friendly experience inside the Wolf.
Safety is paramount at Alpha, and the Wolf electric truck is projected to satisfy expectations in this category. The Wolf truck is planned to be equipped with advanced safety features and innovative driver-assistance technologies to instill confidence in drivers. Created to inspire trust equally through busy traffic and challenging terrains, the Wolf provides a sense of security and joy in every ride.
Sleek and Powerful Operation:
The Wolf electric truck's powerfully sleek operation was one of its most notable qualities. The absence of typical engine noise astounded the participants and added to the peacefulness and tranquility of the drive. The electric powertrain's steady propulsion makes the Wolf perfect for both long distance and urban commutes, with the strikingly peaceful driving experience.
Engineering Excellence:
The Wolf electric truck is a result of Alpha's relentless dedication to engineering excellence and innovation. The prototype boasts a robust and utilitarian design, combining a sturdy body-on-frame construction with lightweight materials for enhanced efficiency and durability. Alpha's team of skilled engineers are in continuous development of the Wolf truck to equip the vehicle with optimal performance and safety standards.
Vehicle Specifications:
The Wolf electric truck exudes a commanding presence within a compact package: 4828mm (190in) long, 1900mm (75in) wide, and 1768mm (69in) tall. Catering to the diverse needs of modern drivers, the Wolf truck features a spacious and comfortable interior, accommodating two passengers in the base model and up to five passengers in the Superwolf truck. The Wolf truck was created for both personal and commercial use. Equipped with a cutting-edge electric powertrain performing remarkable acceleration and towing capabilities, the Wolf truck is a fun-to-drive electric vehicle that comes ready to take on everyday adventures.
Performance Specifications:
Alpha's engineering shines in the Wolf electric truck, incorporating a multitude of benefits to ensure that the vehicle's exhilarating performance results in an incredibly enjoyable ride. The Wolf truck's state-of-the-art electric drivetrain provides exceptional performance figures. Estimated top speed of 125 mph and a range target of up to 300+ miles on a single charge, it ensures a seamless and long-lasting driving experience. Additionally, the electric truck incorporates fast-charging technology, allowing users to recharge the battery quickly and efficiently.
Beyond the independent suspension system and integration of shock absorbers, the Wolf's low center of gravity, achieved through skillful battery placement, enhances its handling and responsiveness, making every turn a thrilling experience. The instant torque delivery of the electric powertrain ensures swift acceleration, allowing the Wolf to effortlessly surge forward, delivering a sense of power and excitement to the drivers. Moreover, the regenerative braking system not only maximizes energy efficiency but also delivers a smooth and controlled deceleration.
Additionally, the thoughtful cabin insulation minimizes external noise, creating a serene and whisper-quiet atmosphere inside the vehicle for the comfort of all passengers. From the engineering drawing board to real-world performance, the Wolf electric truck fuses innovative technology and passionate engineering, delivering an electric vehicle experience that is as fun as it is thrilling. Whether it's an urban drive or a rugged off-road adventure, the Wolf electric truck brings excitement to sustainability through its effortless driving experience, , setting a new standard for the future of electric mobility.
Efficient Production Plan:
Alpha is committed to manufacturing in the US and expediting the production process of the Wolf electric truck to meet the ever-growing demand for sustainable transportation. The company's highly streamlined production plan and strategic partnerships with leading suppliers ensure a swift and efficient assembly process, reducing waiting times for customers eager to own the Wolf truck.
Alpha's commitment to efficient car manufacturing is founded on several key pillars that streamline the production process. Firstly, the company employs state-of-the-art automation and robotics at various stages of assembly, optimizing precision and reducing production time.
Secondly, Alpha has established strategic partnerships with leading suppliers for a seamless and timely supply chain, minimizing delays and disruptions.
Thirdly, a modular approach to vehicle design enables easy integration of standardized components, simplifying production and reducing complexities. Additionally, Alpha emphasizes continuous process optimization, leveraging data-driven insights to identify bottlenecks and implement refinements for enhanced efficiency.
Lastly, a highly skilled and experienced workforce collaborates seamlessly to maintain the highest quality standards and ensure that each vehicle undergoes rigorous testing. By combining these elements, Alpha will be poised to efficiently manufacture cars, enabling the company to deliver innovative electric vehicles to the market with speed and precision, meeting the growing demand for sustainable mobility.
Market Accessibility:
Alpha believes in the democratization of electric vehicles, and the Wolf electric truck is no exception. With an affordable price point and various financing options, Alpha aims to make EV ownership accessible to a broader audience. The company's dedication to accessibility is driven by its vision of creating a sustainable future for all, one electric vehicle at a time.
Alpha's commitment to efficiently managing its capital expenditure (capex) is rooted in its differentiated operations, which go beyond the traditional automotive value chain. By leveraging innovative manufacturing techniques, strategic partnerships, and modular vehicle design, Alpha optimizes production costs while maintaining high-quality standards. The company's emphasis on automation and streamlined processes ensures cost-effective assembly, minimizing unnecessary expenses.
Furthermore, Alpha's direct-to-consumer sales model eliminates the need for intermediaries, allowing the company to offer competitive pricing and enhance market accessibility. This customer-centric approach gathers valuable insights directly from buyers, allowing Alpha to swiftly improve production and market demand alignment.
Embracing a dynamic and adaptable business model that emphasizes efficiency and accessibility, Alphas will continue to expand its market reach, making electric vehicles more attainable and appealing to a broader audience.
Sales Strategy and Timeline:
Alpha plans to continue accepting pre-orders for the Wolf electric truck following its world premiere. Customers can join the waitlist for their Wolf truck through Alpha's official website. The company plans to roll out a comprehensive online platform which will simplify the ordering process and revolutionize the car buying experience.
Alphas will adopt a direct-to-consumer sales model to offer its electric vehicles in North America. Through its user-friendly website, customers can easily browse Alpha's electric vehicle lineup, access transparent pricing and financing options, and configure their vehicles according to their preferences. The website will facilitate a seamless and hassle-free online ordering process, allowing customers to place pre-orders for their desired electric vehicle models.
Additionally, Alphas plans to establish its own branded showrooms in key locations across North America, inviting potential buyers to experience the Wolf electric truck and other models firsthand. This direct sales approach empowers Alpha to build stronger relationships with its customers, understand their needs better, and offer personalized support, ensuring a delightful and engaging purchasing journey from start to finish.
Target Market:
Over the years of its operation, Alphas has meticulously conducted consumer research to understand the evolving landscape of the electric vehicle market. This investment to connect with customer needs has subsequently validated a strong demand for the Wolf electric truck, which has surged to over 11,000 preorder indications to date.
The Wolf's design, blending modern aesthetics with practicality, resonates deeply with electric vehicle buyers, making it a standout choice in the market. Alphas' target market encompasses a diverse range of eco-conscious consumers, adventure enthusiasts, and businesses seeking sustainable transportation solutions.
The company's market advantage lies in its unique ability to combine customer-centric product development with engineering excellence, allowing it to create electric vehicles that not only meet the demands of the market but also exceed expectations.
By staying ahead of industry trends and continuously improving its offerings based on customer feedback, Alphas has solidified its position as a trailblazer in the electric vehicle industry, reshaping the future of sustainable mobility.
Delivering the Future:
Alpha is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled customer experience from pre-order to delivery. The company is seeking to establish a robust logistics network to ensure efficient and timely deliveries to customers worldwide. Alpha's commitment to environmental responsibility extends to its delivery process, with a focus on minimizing carbon emissions and employing sustainable transport methods whenever possible.
"Alpha is excited to unveil the Wolf electric truck driving prototype, a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability. By combining engineering excellence with a customer-centric approach, we aim to accelerate the transition to electric mobility and make sustainable transportation accessible to all," said Alpha Motor Corporation.
Motion Driven by Heart:
At the core of Alpha's philosophy lies the belief that every aspect of mobility should be driven by the heart. This vision embodies the company's commitment to create not just innovative electric vehicles, but to infuse them with passion, compassion, and a deep understanding of human needs and aspirations.
"Motion Driven by Heart" encapsulates Alpha's dedication to more than just engineering and performance. It reflects the company's ethos of putting people and the planet first, fostering a strong emotional connection between drivers and their electric vehicles. The Wolf electric truck is not merely a means of transportation; it is an extension of one's values, lifestyle, and desire to make a positive impact on the environment.
Alpha envisions a future where electric vehicles empower individuals and communities to embrace sustainable living without compromising on performance or style. By providing access to affordable, dependable, and stylish electric vehicles, the company aims to create a global movement towards a cleaner, greener, and more interconnected world.
"We believe that electric vehicles should not only be technologically advanced but should also resonate with the hearts of our customers. Our 'Motion Driven by Heart' philosophy guides every decision we make, from design and engineering to production and customer experience," said Alpha Motor Corporation.
Alpha's unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility is evident in its actives collaborations with various environmental initiatives, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute positively to its communities.
As Alpha moves forward with speed and efficiency to bring the Wolf electric truck to the market, the company's vision of "Motion Driven by Heart" remains firmly embedded in its DNA. Through this vision, Alpha strives to inspire the world to embrace electric mobility with enthusiasm, compassion, and a shared commitment to a brighter, sustainable future.
About Alpha Motor Corporation
Alpha Motor Corporation (Alpha) is an award-winning American automobile company focused on manufacturing mobility solutions that Move Humanity®. We innovate sustainable transportation for the wellness of people and our environment by implementing advanced automotive technologies and disruptive industrial practices. Based in Irvine, California, Alpha is committed to creating the kinds of electric vehicles we believe the world has always wanted to see but that have not existed – until now.
Please contact pr@alphamotorinc.com for more information.
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SOURCE Alpha Motor Corporation | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/resounding-success-wolf-electric-truck-test-drive-wows/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:28 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/resounding-success-wolf-electric-truck-test-drive-wows/ |
The Giants have lost a little offensive line depth due to injury.
Head coach Brian Daboll said on Monday that center J.C. Hassenauer suffered a triceps injury that will require surgery. He will be out for an extended period of time and should land on injured reserve at some point in the near future.
Hassenauer signed with the Giants in April. He spent the last three seasons with the Steelers and started seven of the 45 games he played during his time in Pittsburgh.
Second-round pick John Michael Schmitz looks like a good bet to start at center for the Giants this season, although Ben Bredeson has also seen time there in training camp. | https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/giants-lose-c-j-c-hassenauer-to-triceps-injury | 2023-07-31T15:58:30 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/giants-lose-c-j-c-hassenauer-to-triceps-injury |
(Our Auto Expert) – The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is here to redefine the legacy of the world’s best-selling sports car. As the latest addition to the Mustang family, this remarkable vehicle marks a new chapter in its 59-year history. With its powerful engine, cutting-edge technology, and captivating design, the Mustang Dark Horse is set to wow both existing fans and a new generation of sports car enthusiasts.
The Mustang Dark Horse boasts the first new Mustang performance series title in 21 years. It is also the most powerful non-Shelby edition ever created, thanks to its unique 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine that churns out an impressive 500 horsepower. However, the Dark Horse is not just about raw horsepower; it is a vehicle designed for both street and track use.
Equipped with available carbon fiber wheels from Carbon Revolution and the Handling Package, the Mustang Dark Horse is the most track-capable 5.0-liter V8 street-legal Mustang ever produced. Its performance is further enhanced by the specially designed blue ember metallic paint, adding exclusivity to this exceptional vehicle.
The Mustang Dark Horse exudes a menacing presence with its bold shadow graphic surrounding the darkened LED headlamps, lower side skirts, rear fixed rear wing, new race-inspired diffuser, and darkened quad exhaust tips. Its design is a testament to the Mustang’s storied motorsports history, combining aggression and elegance in one stunning package.
This powerhouse of a car comes equipped with a full suite of next-gen technology specifically designed to enhance performance. The standard MagneRide shocks, capable of monitoring wheel and tire movement 1,000 times per second, ensure an unparalleled driving experience. The Mustang Dark Horse is not just a pretty face; it’s a technologically advanced beast.
For those who prefer manual control, the Mustang Dark Horse comes standard with a unique six-speed TREMEC manual transmission and a special Mustang Dark Horse transmission oil cooler to keep the stallion cool under pressure. Alternatively, there is the option to choose Ford’s advanced 10-speed automatic transmission for seamless gear changes.
The Mustang Dark Horse is not just a car; it’s a symbol of Mustang’s storied motorsports history. With its unique design, powerful engine, and advanced technology, it is set to make history itself. This street and track performance Mustang is sure to be a fan favorite for years to come.
Conclusion:
If you’re in search of a car that combines style, performance, and innovation, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is the ultimate choice. Its powerful engine, track-ready capabilities, and advanced technology are a testament to the Mustang’s legacy. Whether you’re an existing fan or a new sports car lover, the Mustang Dark Horse is sure to ignite your excitement. Get ready to experience the thrill of the road like never before. | https://www.cbs42.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:31 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ |
Why Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is missing a training camp practice
Scott Horner
Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson was ruled out of Monday's training camp practice after having a procedure to "correct his nasal septum," the team posted on social media.
Richardson could return to practice Tuesday.
Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, has been sharing first-team reps with Gardner Minshew.
Another wrinkle:Taylor refutes reports that he suffered back injury away from Colts | https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2023/07/31/colts-quarterback-anthony-richardson-misses-practice-with-nasal-issue/70497034007/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:31 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2023/07/31/colts-quarterback-anthony-richardson-misses-practice-with-nasal-issue/70497034007/ |
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection has slapped Twitter with a complaint and launched an investigation after the company installed a flashing "X" sign above its building without a permit.
On Friday, a city inspector went to Twitter's headquarters to alert the company of the violation and to evaluate the sign located on the roof, according to the complaint.
A Twitter representative denied access but explained that the structure is "a temporary lighted sign for an event." The inspector clarified that any signage without a permit must be removed.
The inspector came to the headquarters again on Saturday to visit the roof. But upon arrival, "access was denied again by tenant," the complaint said.
The city violation comes days after San Francisco police stopped workers from removing Twitter's original sign, which includes its name and iconic blue bird, because the company also did not have proper permits and failed to tape off the sidewalk as part of pedestrian safety measures.
As the sign permitting saga was unfolding in San Francisco this weekend, Elon Musk posted a video on Twitter on Saturday unveiling the new black and white signage — the latest in Musk's sweeping rebrand of the social media platform since changes were announced last week.
Our HQ in San Francisco tonight pic.twitter.com/VQO2NoX9Tz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 29, 2023
Twitter did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment. But to a tweet alleging that San Francisco authorities were trying to force Musk to remove the "X" sign, the Twitter owner replied with a laughing-crying emoji.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-31/san-francisco-investigates-twitters-x-sign-musk-responds-with-a-laughing-emoji | 2023-07-31T15:58:31 | 0 | https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-31/san-francisco-investigates-twitters-x-sign-musk-responds-with-a-laughing-emoji |
Five-Star Weekend Getaway Featuring Culinary Luminaries Michael Mina, Min Kim, Adam Sobel, Philip Tessier, and Brad Kilgore.
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Robb Report, the world's leading authority in luxury lifestyle, announces the return of its annual exclusive gastronomical retreat, Culinary Masters, debuting in a new location, the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on September 28-October 1, 2023. The five-star weekend getaway will feature Chef Brad Kilgore, Internationally Renowned Chef and Culinary Director at Verge at The Concours Club; Chef Min Kim, Executive Chef, Mizumi at Wynn Las Vegas; Chef Michael Mina, James Beard Award-Winning Chef & Restaurateur; Chef Adam Sobel, Chef & Partner of MINA Group; and Chef Philip Tessier, Michelin-Star Chef and Partner of PRESS.
Guests will join these world-renowned chefs for an unforgettable weekend of incredible meals and expertly paired wines, along with engaging panel discussions, an exciting cooking class competition and thrilling mountain adventures including scenic hikes at 9,000 feet, horseback riding, white water rafting, and more.
"Robb Report's Culinary Masters Weekend at the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole is going to be one to remember and I am thrilled to be part of it," said Chef Michael Mina. "It's an incredible opportunity for an intimate and immersive retreat filled with amazing food, exceptional wine, and great company. I'm really looking forward to cooking alongside the talented lineup of chefs they've assembled."
Robb Report is partnering with the V Foundation for Cancer Research this year for the first time as the Culinary Masters' charitable partner. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $310 million in cancer research grants nationwide and has grown to become one of the premier supporters of cutting-edge cancer research. All proceeds from the Culinary Masters' live and silent auction will go toward the V Foundation's mission.
"We are proud of the legacy and evolution of one of Robb Report's most signature events. Culinary Masters is a celebration of exceptional taste, talent, and the best of the culinary world," said Luke Bahrenburg, President, Robb Report and Head of Luxury Sales, PMC. "We are excited to bring the event to life with our partners at the V Foundation, honoring legendary chefs, curating experiences that embody the best of fine dining, luxury, and philanthropy, all in an incredible setting."
"We are thrilled to take our annual Culinary Masters experience to the 'wild west' this year where we anticipate some of the finest culinary masterpieces and mouthwatering creations from our chefs during the weekend and as part of our Boots & Ballgowns Gala! And what's more, all the new friendships, connections, and memories to be made between our guests and chefs," said Cristina Cheever, SVP Live Media & RR1.
Robb Report's 2023 Culinary Masters is also partnering with Wynn Las Vegas, Lugano Diamonds, V Foundation, Cohiba Cigars, Chopin Vodka, Mijenta Tequila, Samsung TV and Four Seasons Jackson Hole.
Please contact us with any questions or inquiries at rr1experiences@robbreport.com.
Event information link: https://rr1.com/event/jacksonhole/
Registration link: https://robbreport.swoogo.com/2023CulinaryMasters
About Robb Report
Robb Report is the leading voice in the global luxury market. Its discerning audience around the world has a shared appreciation and desire for quality, exclusivity, heritage, taste, and fine design. Robb Report is synonymous around the world with prosperity, luxury, and the best of the best. Widely regarded as the single-most influential journal of living life to the fullest, with 17 international editions, it is the brand the most successful people rely on to discover the ideas, opinions, products, and experiences that matter most to them. For more information, please visit RobbReport.com.
About RR1
RR1 is the private-membership club that brings Robb Report to life through extraordinary, curated experiences. Members enjoy unparalleled access to benefits and events, and they become part of a powerful community of like-minded tastemakers who seek out the very finest experiences, products and services. From discovering the most alluring and exclusive destinations, to previewing the top cars and products before their official release, to dining with culinary luminaries and meeting leaders of the world's premier luxury brands, RR1 members truly experience the extraordinary. For more information about RR1, please visit RR1.com.
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SOURCE Robb Report | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/robb-report-announces-culinary-masters-event-taking-place-september-28-october-1-2023-four-seasons-jackson-hole-wyoming/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:35 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/robb-report-announces-culinary-masters-event-taking-place-september-28-october-1-2023-four-seasons-jackson-hole-wyoming/ |
MIAMI (AP) — The property manager of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate made his first court appearance on Monday on charges in the classified documents case against the former president but did not enter a plea because he has not found a Florida-based attorney to represent him.
Carlos De Oliveira is accused of scheming with Trump to try to delete security footage sought by investigators probing the former president's hoarding of classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, club.
De Oliveira was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the ex-president's valet, Walt Nauta, and faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators.
A magistrate judge in Miami's federal court read De Oliveira the charges against him and ordered him to turn over his passport and sign an agreement to pay $100,000 if he doesn’t appear in court. The judge scheduled his arraignment for Aug. 10 in Fort Pierce.
The developments in the classified documents case come as Trump braces for possible charges in another federal investigation into his efforts to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump, the early front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, has received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith indicating that he is a target of that investigation, and Trump's lawyers met with Smith's team last week.
Trump, who pleaded not guilty in June, Trump has denied any wrongdoing. He post on his Truth Social platform last week that the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators and that he was told the tapes were not "deleted in any way, shape or form."
Prosecutors have not alleged that security footage was actually deleted or kept from investigators.
Nauta has also pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta to begin in May, and it's unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira to the case may impact the case's timeline.
The latest indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Trump tried to have security footage deleted after investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents Trump took with him after he left the White House.
Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts — including willful retention of national defense information — stemming from allegations that he mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. Experts have said the new allegations bolster the special counsel's case and deepen the former president's legal jeopardy.
Video from Mar-a-Lago would ultimately become vital to the government’s case because, prosecutors said, it shows Nauta moving boxes in and out of a storage room — an act alleged to have been done at Trump’s direction and in effort to hide records not only only from investigators but also from Trump’s own lawyers.
Days after the Justice Department sent a subpoena for video footage at Mar-a-Lago to the Trump Organization in June 2022, prosecutors say, De Oliveira asked an information technology staffer how long the server retained footage and told the employee “the boss” wanted it deleted. When the employee said he didn’t believe he was able to do that, De Oliveira insisted the “boss” wanted it done, asking, “What are we going to do?”
Shortly after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago and found classified records in the storage room and Trump’s office, prosecutors say, Nauta called a Trump employee and said words to the effect of “someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good.” The indictment says the employee responded that De Oliveira was loyal and wouldn’t do anything to affect his relationship with Trump. That day, the indictment alleges, Trump called De Oliveira directly to say that he would get De Oliveira an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira later lied in interviews with investigators, falsely claiming that he hadn’t even seen boxes moved into Mar-a-Lago after Trump left the White House.
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Richer reported from Boston.
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Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/mar-a-lago-worker-de-oliveira-makes-his-first-court-appearance-in-trumps-classified-documents-case/DHMX2MSEARAU5DBSIGQLXIMD7A/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:35 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/mar-a-lago-worker-de-oliveira-makes-his-first-court-appearance-in-trumps-classified-documents-case/DHMX2MSEARAU5DBSIGQLXIMD7A/ |
President Biden will tout his administration’s work to combat climate change in a trip out West, which has faced scorching — and in some cases, record-breaking — temperatures this month.
In a trip next week to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, Biden is expected to discuss Democrats’ climate, tax and health care bill and the ways in which it bolstered climate-friendly energy and U.S. manufacturing.
Later, on Aug. 16, Biden will host a White House event to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act.
The southwestern U.S. has faced a sweltering heat wave over the past several weeks, with Phoenix seeing 31 days in a row of temperatures above 110 degrees.
Last week, Biden gave a speech about climate change, which exacerbates heat waves and other extreme weather events, and said he would take actions aimed at protecting workers from the hazardous heat.
The upcoming White House moves are part of broader efforts to promote that bill and other legislation the administration has passed.
This week, Vice President Harris and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will visit Wisconsin to talk about broadband investments that were part of the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will visit Oregon to discuss grants aimed at addressing wildfires and to Washington state to talk about climate-related investments in Agriculture. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi will visit Puerto Rico to engage on issues related to grid resilience. And Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will go to California to talk about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds for water recycling.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will visit Illinois to talk about clean energy investments and Houston for a ribbon cutting for a port. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra will visit Las Vegas, Nevada and Oregon to talk about efforts to lower health care costs. | https://www.cbs42.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:37 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ |
HoriSun Hospice
Address: 2200 S 40th St Suite 101 Lincoln, NE 68506
Phone: (402) 484-6444
Email: info@horisunhospice.com
The mission of HoriSun Hospice is to deliver the highest level of holistic hospice care with honor and respect for our patients and their families. HoriSun Hospice is about living life to the fullest at the end of life. Our focus is on hope, quality and comfort to those facing a life-limiting illness.
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a philosophy of care dedicated to caring for individuals with life-limiting illness and their family. It is based on the holistic view of addressing pain and symptom control and emphasizes the quality of life. Hospice helps maintain the ability to make decisions that allow for as much ‘normalcy’ as possible throughout the dying process. It allows people to live the remaining time of their lives with as much comfort as possible. Hospice is a way to deal realistically and humanely with one of the great challenges of human life, and offers new perspectives on hope and help to patients and their families.
How does Hospice Work?
Referrals may come from physicians, nurses, family members or patients themselves.Once an individual is on hospice services, a plan of care is implemented and centered on support garnered by an interdisciplinary team with the most important member being the patient, with the extent of team involvement being determined by the patient.
The interdisciplinary team includes:
- A nurse visits intermittently to provide skilled assessment and act as a liaison to the primary physician
- A social worker to provide resource information and emotional support-
- A home health aide to assist with personal care
- A pastor to provide spiritual care if requested, and is also available as a liaison to the patient’s primary pastor
- A dietitian to assist with nutritional counseling
- A pharmacist to provide information concerning medications
- A homemaker to assist with light housekeeping tasks
- A volunteer coordinator to implement volunteer services including transportation, respite and child care
- Therapists who can assess and provide physical, occupational and speech therapy
- A program coordinator to provide follow-up to the family unit after the death of the patient
- Hospice often draws families together to care for a loved one. It can assist in enhancing a relationship or to assist in preparing families for the “final goodbye”
HoriSun Hospice also provides education to the community about end of life care.
How do I pay for hospice and what is covered?
Hospice is paid for through the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Medicaid Hospice Benefit, and most private insurers. Eighty percent of people who use hospice care are over the age of 65, and are thus entitles to the services offered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This benefit covers virtually all aspects of hospice care with little out-of-pocket expense to the patient or family. As a result, the financial burdens usually associated with caring for a terminally ill patient are virtually nonexistent.
The Hospice Medicare Benefit pays 100% for:
- Medications related to the life-limiting illness
- Durable Medical Equipment (hospital beds, walkers, commodes, oxygen equipment, etc.) related to the life-limiting illness
- Visiting Nurse
- 24 hour on-call nurse and accessibility of interdisciplinary team members
- Home Health Aide for bathing
- Homemaker for light housekeeping
- Social Work
- Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapists
- Hospice Chaplain
- Dietitian for nutritional consultation
- Inpatient Respite – up to 5 days of inpatient care provided in an authorized HoriSun Hospice Inpatient facility
- Continuous Care – provided in the patient’s house on a 24-hour basis for the specific purpose of controlling acute medical symptoms. The goal of the care is to provide support to the patient/family in order to maintain the patient at home
- Inpatient care for symptom control related to the life-limiting illness. Symptoms are not controlled and need a highly skilled approach to regain a level of comfort for the patient. Inpatient care is provided in contracted facilities only
- The Hospice Medicare Benefit does not include a 24-hour caregiver
Where is Hospice Located?
Hospice is not a place like a hospital. Hospice provides care wherever the patient calls home, whether that is their own home, the home of a loved one, an assisted living facility, or nursing home. Hospice may also provide care in hospitals or prisons.
How do I know if a loved one or I qualify for hospice?
Hospice care is for any person with a life-threatening or terminal illness. Patients must have a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Patients with both cancer and non-cancer illnesses are eligible to receive hospice care.All hospices consider the patient and family together as the unit of care.
Here are some identifying criteria for eligibility for hospice services:
- Progressive decline in health
- Frequent hospitalizations in the past six months
- Repeat or multiple infections
- Increased or uncontrolled pain
- Progressive or profound weakness or fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Progressive weight loss
- Alterations in mental status
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Other uncontrolled symptoms
Anyone may call HoriSun Hospice at any time for an assessment to determine whether they are eligible to receive hospice services. | https://www.1011now.com/business/horisun-hospice/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:39 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/business/horisun-hospice/ |
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
Address: 2121 North 27th St. Lincoln, NE 68503
Phone: (402) 477-4116
About Us
Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach (MTKO) is a faith-based hunger relief and outreach program that was established in 1992. Devoted to serving homeless and near homeless men, women, and children, MTKO provides meals twice daily, everyday of the year. We have also expanded our services to include education, outreach and advocacy. MTKO also assists a growing number of working poor families with crisis assistance to prevent their homelessness.
Our extensive outreach and advocacy programs include such services as on-site monthly health clinics, basic and emergency needs, life skills training, transitional housing, case management and nutrition counseling. Above all, we believe in providing a warm meal, open heart, and unconditional love to all who walk through our doors. MTKO depends primarily on the time, talents, and financial contributions of its generous volunteers for hunger relief.
Vision: Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach is striving to be the leading community resource dedicated to serving Lincoln’s working poor and homeless, instilling hope and moving them toward an improved quality of life and self-sufficiency.
Mission: The mission of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach is to serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of Lincoln’s working poor and homeless through outreach advocacy, education and the provision of food and shelter.
Core Values: Compassionate Love, Dignity, Empowerment, Community, Integrity
Information
Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach FAQ
Who was Matt Talbot?
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1856, he was thought to be a hopeless alcoholic by his 13th birthday. At age 28 he experienced a spiritual transformation of sorts and pledged to God, through his Catholic faith, to remain sober. He died years later, in 1925 without ever breaking his pledge.
Matt Talbot worked in a lumberyard on the docks in Dublin. He was always very poor, partly because he was well known for being generous to people in need. His life consisted of prayer, fasting and service to his brothers and sisters. Matt Talbot gave God all the credit for his conversion. Those involved in a 12 Step program know this sounds remarkably like the spiritual “Steps” through Alcoholics Anonymous, which would not be founded until after his death.
The lives of so many of those served by our program have been derailed by drug, alcohol, and addictive disorders. Our Outreach Staff work to connect many of them into treatment. Many more are still suffering. We ask, Matt Talbot, a human model of recovery and spiritual growth, and God to watch over the ones who suffer most and help us to be instruments of hope and recovery for them.
What services do you provide?
In addition to two nutritious meals provided for lunch and dinner each day, Matt Talbot offers a wide array of outreach and homeless prevention services. Such services include a transitional housing program, case management services, a six weeks series of life skills classes, nutrition counseling, cooking classes and gardening, assistance in obtaining identification, street outreach, access to basic and emergency needs, information, advocacy and referral.
What new services have you added since moving to your new location?
Since moving we’ve added shower and laundry service for people who are homeless. We’ve expanded our volunteer opportunities for the outreach program, and we’re currently developing a drug and alcohol counseling program.
How are you funded?
Funding comes from a variety of sources. General donations make up the majority, followed by grants, direct mail appeals, and special events. Significant in-kind donations are obtained by from volunteers for the feeding program. Dana F. Cole & Company provides professional accounting and auditing services for the organization.
How can I help?
You can help by volunteering for hunger relief, office support, fundraising, or outreach drives. Monetary donations are always needed and appreciated. Donations may be made in person, online at www.mtkserves.org or mailed to our PO Box at 80935, Lincoln, NE 68501. Credit cards are also accepted. | https://www.1011now.com/business/matt-talbot-kitchen-outreach/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:41 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/business/matt-talbot-kitchen-outreach/ |
Call them what you will — UFOs, unidentified flying objects, or UAPs, unidentified anomalous phenomena — scientists are still looking for credible signs extraterrestrial life. | https://www.dw.com/en/ufo/t-66352268 | 2023-07-31T15:58:41 | 0 | https://www.dw.com/en/ufo/t-66352268 |
WAYNE, Pa., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Balanced Bridge Funding was named one of 2023's Best Places to Work by The Philadelphia Business Journal. It is a prestigious award given to those companies that treat their employees well and create a hospitable work environment. Joseph Genovesi, CEO of Balanced Bridge Funding and its subsidiary Accel Real Estate Commission Advance, says, "it is an honor for Balanced Bridge Funding to be recognized by The Philadelphia Business Journal as one of 2023's Best Places to Work."
According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, the companies that are named to the list are based exclusively on the responses from the employees. The companies on the list can use the award as a recruiting tool for future employees and for promotional marketing uses. As workplaces evolve, job satisfaction continues to rank higher on the list of importance for current and prospective employees. The popularity of websites like Glassdoor, where current and ex-employees can leave their opinion, means an award like Best Places to Work can be a tipping point for people evaluating their employment choices. Genovesi says, "One of my goals when I started my company was for the environment at the workplace to be open, inclusive, and flexible to the needs of my employees. I think we have achieved that and this award speaks to that accomplishment."
Balanced Bridge Funding is a specialty finance company that provides funding to different kinds of sectors; contract advances to professional athletes, legal funding to plaintiffs and plaintiffs' attorneys, advances to first year big law attorneys, account receivable funding to Big Law firms, factoring to truck drivers and trucking companies, fee advances to class action recovery companies, contract advances to local, state, and federal government contractors, loans to fix and flip operators, loans on luxury assets, account receivable funding to small businesses, and commission advances to insurance brokers and insurance agents on their expected fees.
Accel Real Estate Commission Advance is a subsidiary of Balanced Bridge Funding. It is a finance company specifically designed to provide advances to real estate professionals on their expected commissions. Real estate brokers and agents can sometimes face delayed commissions due to a number of factors. Accel was created to provide funding on those commissions so brokers and agents can access a portion of their fee and avoid the waiting period for their money.
CONTACT:
info@balancedbridge.com
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SOURCE Balanced Bridge Funding | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/balanced-bridge-funding-named-one-2023-best-places-work-by-philadelphia-business-journal/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:42 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/balanced-bridge-funding-named-one-2023-best-places-work-by-philadelphia-business-journal/ |
Teresa Lancaster, who was featured in The Keepers documentary on Netflix,
is an attorney and sex abuse survivor turned advocate for victims of abuse
BALTIMORE, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. today announced that the leading Maryland medical malpractice, personal injury and civil litigation law firm has secured nationally recognized advocate for sexual abuse victims, Teresa Lancaster, as a client of the firm.
Lancaster, a sex abuse victim who was featured in the Netflix documentary, The Keepers, will be represented by the firm and will also serve as a well-respected spokesperson for the thousands of other sex abuse victims across Maryland.
"We are honored to have our firm chosen to represent such a powerful advocate and voice in the fight against sexual abuse in all its forms across Maryland and the entire country," said Jonathan Schochor, Founding Partner and Chairman of Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. "Teresa Lancaster has bravely shared her powerful story as a survivor overcoming sexual abuse and has proven to be a compassionate, articulate and impactful spokesperson for all fellow victims fighting for justice. We look forward to working together to share her message and to help bring closure for her and all other sex abuse victims that have had the courage to come forward."
Teresa Lancaster is an attorney and vocal advocate for victims of sexual abuse. She is known for her story being featured in The Keepers, the seven-part documentary on Netflix, which examines decades old sexual abuse cases in Maryland within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Lancaster was the second sexual assault victim to come forward against the Archdiocese of Baltimore for sexual abuse she suffered from a priest while a student at Archbishop Keough High School in the 1970s.
Later in life, Lancaster received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and worked as a social work intern at the Baltimore Public Defender's Office in the Juvenile Division where she advocated for juvenile offenders. She later graduated from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and dedicated herself to representing survivors of child sexual abuse seeking justice. As an advocate, Lancaster also worked for years to help pass the bill in the Maryland General Assembly to eliminate the statute of limitations to file lawsuits against alleged sexual abusers across the state.
On April 11, 2023, the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 was passed to eliminate the statute of limitations for adult survivors of sexual abuse to bring forth civil lawsuits against their alleged abusers. The new law will take effect on October 1, 2023.
About Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A.
Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. has been fighting for patients' rights as a leading medical malpractice law firm since 1984. Additionally, the firm is a recognized leader in sexual abuse cases as well as class action and mass tort litigation. Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. has offices in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Its lawyers are licensed to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia, and they have been specially admitted on a case-by-case basis by courts in Florida, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, West Virginia and other states. On special motion and with approval of courts elsewhere, the firm's lawyers are available to participate in cases throughout the United States. To learn more, visit: sfspa.com.
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SOURCE Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/schochor-staton-goldberg-cardea-pa-announce-nationally-recognized-advocate-sex-abuse-victims-new-client-spokesperson/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:42 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/schochor-staton-goldberg-cardea-pa-announce-nationally-recognized-advocate-sex-abuse-victims-new-client-spokesperson/ |
Betr Picks is now available to play in the Betr Fantasy & Sportsbook iOS app for real money in 24 jurisdictions, including California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, which represent the majority of the U.S. adult population
Betr, the Official and Exclusive Sports Betting and Fantasy Partner for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, will also feature a special Paul vs. Diaz free-to-play picks game, which will offer users a chance to win their share of up to $1M in prizes
MIAMI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Betr Holdings, Inc. ("Betr" or the "Company"), today announced the launch of Betr Picks, a pick 'em style fantasy game to complement its existing real money and free-to-play online sports betting (OSB) product, Betr Sportsbook. The simple and intuitive real money fantasy pick 'em experience allows users to select "More" or "Less" from a wide array of player projections to build a lineup with as few as 2 and up to a total of 8 players. Users have the potential to win up to 100x their initial entry if they get 8 picks correct. Betr Picks is now available in 24 jurisdictions* (including California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, and North Carolina) which collectively represent over half of the U.S. adult population, and the Company is planning to further expand its fantasy reach to at least 30 total jurisdictions by the end of 2023. The Betr Fantasy & Sportsbook app is currently available on iOS with plans to launch on Android soon. This launch marks the first time that sportsbook and fantasy will operate within a single app.
Fantasy sports is the latest extension of Betr's real money gaming business, which already has an established OSB business with live operations in Ohio and Massachusetts and plans to launch OSB in Virginia in the coming weeks and additional jurisdictions in the months ahead. Betr Picks offers a differentiated pick 'em experience, including the ability to pick up to 8 players, higher payout multiples (up to 100x), and no pushes. Betr's signature focus on simple and intuitive product design, along with its bespoke integrations with Betr Media, will further distinguish the Betr Picks experience from the broader fantasy sports gaming market. To celebrate the launch of Betr Picks, Betr, the Official and Exclusive Sports Betting and Fantasy Partner for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, will feature a special Paul vs. Diaz free-to-play picks game, which will offer users a chance to win their share of up to $1M in prizes. The game is available now until August 5th when the first bout of Most Valuable Promotions and Real Fight Inc.'s Paul vs. Diaz pay-per-view begins live on DAZN and ESPN+ in the U.S.
Betr Picks represents the first time Betr Gaming is able to more fully capitalize on the nationwide media audience and brand of Betr Media. As the fastest growing sports betting media brand in the United States, Betr Media has already surpassed 1.5 billion impressions on social media less than a year after launch. Betr Media is focused predominantly on original and short-form content, which the Company believes will be the primary form of sports media consumption for the 21-34-year-old male demographic outside of consuming live sporting events themselves. Betr Media will also be launching the @betrpicks sub-brand on social media, giving fans a more targeted community-driven vertical for fantasy and picks content. The channel will be led by rising social media star Derek Sullivan (aka BetrDerek) with consistent appearances from Betr's robust talent network such as Jake Paul, Marco Piemonte, Haley and Hanna Cavinder, Bo Nickal, Handshake Bets and more.
The launch comes shortly after Betr announced the acquisition of the Chameleon platform from FansUnite (TSX: FANS), which enabled Betr to enhance and accelerate its product roadmap. The Chameleon acquisition allows the company to develop its upcoming V1 OSB product, which will feature sportsbook capabilities including pre-match and in-play core markets, parlays, same game parlays, futures, props, and other bet types, along with over 20 additional sports. The Company's current OSB product, which it refers to internally as V0, is a beta product that will continue to operate in Ohio, Massachusetts, and soon Virginia until V1 launches in H1 2024.
"We are thrilled to expand the Betr Gaming business by introducing our real money fantasy sports vertical with the launch of Betr Picks," said Joey Levy, Founder and CEO of Betr. "Betr Picks allows us to acquire and engage real money gaming users across the United States, enabling Betr Gaming to more fully capitalize on the nationwide presence of Betr Media for the first time, all while providing a complimentary pre-match experience to our in-play focused OSB product. We believe Betr Picks already features a strong core user experience relative to existing pick 'em products, and we have several material enhancements that will be released over the coming weeks and months including more sports, game modes, media integrations, deposit and withdrawal capabilities, and more."
Betr's proactive industry leadership in safe and responsible play will continue with Betr Picks, which also features the same Responsible Gaming-focused tenets the Company has rolled out for its OSB product, including a 21+ age requirement to play, a ban on credit card deposits for all users, and restrictions on the monthly deposit amounts for young consumers aged 21-25 years old. Betr Picks is backed by legal opinions from both nationwide and state-specific experts in the gaming space and is only available in jurisdictions where fantasy gaming has been legalized by statute or is permitted via case law and/or legal precedent.
*Betr Picks is available in California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Carolina, Kentucky, Oregon, Oklahoma, Utah, Arkansas, Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska, Rhode Island, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Washington D.C., Vermont, and Wyoming.
About Betr
Founded in 2022 by Joey Levy and Jake Paul, Betr is a leading sports betting and sports media company through Betr Gaming and Betr Media, respectively. Betr Gaming is an online sports betting and gaming business focused on a unique product experience with a simplified user experience that is catered to the casual sports fan, enabling Betr to capture more of the underpenetrated online gaming addressable market. Betr Gaming began with a microbetting-only online sports betting (OSB) product, allowing users to bet on individual plays and events – such as pass or rush on the next play in football or the outcome of the next pitch in baseball, and is expanding its OSB product offering to include additional markets with full sportsbook capabilities, as well as planning to expand into other real money gaming verticals. Betr Media is the fastest growing sports betting media brand in the United States that has grown to over 1.5 million followers, 1.5 billion impressions, and 77 million engagements across its social channels since publicly launching in August 2022. Betr is creating a unique flywheel by investing in content creators to drive brand awareness and affinity, which drives more audience and engagement with the Betr brand, allowing Betr to monetize its user base through a suite of gaming products which then enables further investment in content and brand affinity.
For more information on Betr, visit betr.app or follow @betr on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. To learn more about responsible play, please visit betr.app/responsibility.
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SOURCE Betr Holdings, Inc. | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/betr-introduces-real-money-fantasy-sports-vertical-with-launch-betr-picks-across-united-states/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:42 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/betr-introduces-real-money-fantasy-sports-vertical-with-launch-betr-picks-across-united-states/ |
A super PAC that works to help Democrats get elected to the House is calling on them to promote the economy and the party’s successes as Congress goes on recess for the next month.
House Majority PAC said in a memo to congressional Democrats on Monday that the party must emphasize its accomplishments at the national and local level heading into the 2024 election. The memo said the PAC conducted research showing Democrats “dramatically” improve their position when they are proactive in speaking about the economy.
“Go on offense, and build the contrast with the MAGA House Republicans immediately,” it states.
The memo, which was first reported by Politico, references several key legislative accomplishments of the Biden administration, including the bipartisan infrastructure package, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
The chips legislation provided billions of dollars in incentives for manufacturers to build domestic semiconductor plants, while the Inflation Reduction Act made significant investments in climate programs, allowed Medicare to negotiate on some drug prices and raised taxes on large corporations, among other initiatives.
The memo also states that “month after month” has shown President Biden’s “Bidenomics” economic policy is working.
The push to highlight economic issues comes as Biden’s approval rating, especially on the economy, remains underwater. A CNBC All-America Economic Survey earlier this month found that 37 percent of Americans approved of Biden’s handling of the economy, compared to 58 percent who disapproved.
The PAC said Democrats need to point to continued job growth that dropped the unemployment rate to 3.6 percent last month and declining inflation as evidence of the party’s success.
The memo also urges Democrats to target Republicans as “extremist” and threatening economic progress. It said they should note the battle over raising the debt ceiling in the spring and the potential government shutdown in September if Congress does not pass the 12 annual appropriations bills to fund the government.
The PAC also called on Democrats to go on offense over abortion, pointing to the annual defense bill the Republican-controlled House passed that would prohibit the Department of Defense from reimbursing service members who travel to receive an abortion. | https://www.cbs42.com/hill-politics/top-house-democratic-pac-urging-members-to-lean-into-economy/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:43 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/hill-politics/top-house-democratic-pac-urging-members-to-lean-into-economy/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk.
An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal action over the nonprofit's research into hate speech and content moderation. The letter alleged that CCDH's research publications seem intended “to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims.”
Musk is a self-professed free speech absolutist who has welcomed back white supremacists and election deniers to the platform, which he renamed X earlier this month. But the billionaire has at times proven sensitive about critical speech directed at him or his companies.
The center is a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. It regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism or harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook.
The organization has published several reports critical of Musk's leadership, detailing an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase. The letter from X's attorney cited one specific report from June that found the platform failed to remove neo-Nazi and anti-LGBTQ content from verified users that violated the platform's rules.
In the letter, attorney Alex Spiro questioned the expertise of the researchers and accused the center of trying to harm X's reputation. The letter also suggested, without evidence, that the center received funds from some of X's competitors, even though the center has also published critical reports about TikTok, Facebook and other large platforms.
“CCDH intends to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims,” Spiro wrote, using the platform's former name.
Imran Ahmed, the center's founder and CEO, told the AP on Monday that his group has never received a similar response from any tech company, despite a history of studying the relationship between social media, hate speech and extremism. He said that typically, the targets of the center's criticism have responded by defending their work or promising to address any problems that have been identified.
Ahmed said he worried X’s response to the center’s work could have a chilling effect if it frightens other researchers away from studying the platform. He said he also worried that other industries could take note of the strategy.
“This is an unprecedented escalation by a social media company against independent researchers. Musk has just declared open war,” Ahmed told the Associated Press. “If Musk succeeds in silencing us other researchers will be next in line.”
Messages left with Spiro and X were not immediately returned Monday.
It's not the first time that Musk has fired back at critics. Last year, he suspended the accounts of several journalists who covered his takeover of Twitter. Another user was permanently banned for using publicly available flight data to track Musk's private plane; Musk had initially pledged to keep the user on the platform but later changed his mind, citing his personal safety. He also threatened to sue the user.
He initially had promised that he would allow any speech on his platform that wasn't illegal. "I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means," Musk wrote in a tweet last year.
X's recent threat of a lawsuit prompted concern from U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who said the billionaire was trying to use the threat of legal action to punish a nonprofit group trying to hold a powerful social media platform accountable.
“Instead of attacking them, he should be attacking the increasingly disturbing content on Twitter,” Schiff said in a statement.
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Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/musk-threatens-to-sue-researchers-who-documented-the-rise-in-hateful-tweets/MBYSQE2CSNGBNBCZVJVQJJT3JM/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:42 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/musk-threatens-to-sue-researchers-who-documented-the-rise-in-hateful-tweets/MBYSQE2CSNGBNBCZVJVQJJT3JM/ |
MIDLAND, Texas, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seawolf Water Resources, LP ("Seawolf"), a leading Permian water midstream provider, announces the completion of its produced water takeaway, disposal and recycling system in the stateline region of the Delaware Basin. Seawolf's recently completed Independence Pipeline and Waterfowl produced water recycling and disposal facilities will initially manage 150,000 barrels per day and are now serving some of the largest E&P operators in the Permian Basin under long-term contracts.
"Seawolf has been working towards this goal for some time, and the completion of this phase of our infrastructure expansion represents a major accomplishment for our team and for our E&P partners." said Tim McWilliams, Seawolf's Chief Executive Officer. "We're thrilled to offer sustainable and effective solutions that will help our clients achieve their strategic goals, and we're excited to continue to expand these offerings in the coming months."
Seawolf is capitalized by a sustainability-linked term loan from a syndicate led by Riverstone Credit Partners LLC, meant to provide Seawolf with additional liquidity to expand its produced water handling and recycling infrastructure for recently signed long-term contracts.
About Seawolf Water Resources, LP
Seawolf, founded in 2018, is a Midland-based water midstream provider operating primarily in the stateline region of the Delaware Basin. Seawolf partners with some of the largest E&Ps and private landowners in the region to deliver full cycle water management solutions underpinned in midstream principles. For more information on Seawolf and its services, please visit www.seawolfwater.com.
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SOURCE Seawolf Water Resources, LP | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seawolf-water-resources-announces-expanded-produced-water-management-recycling-capabilities/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:48 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seawolf-water-resources-announces-expanded-produced-water-management-recycling-capabilities/ |
ELKMONT, Ala. (WHNT) — Online records and law enforcement both confirm that an Elkmont woman has been charged with raping an underage boy for over two years.
35-year-old Danielle Whitaker was booked into the Limestone County Jail on July 27, when she was charged with second-degree statutory rape.
According to a criminal complaint filed the following day, Whitaker is accused of engaging in sexual activity between April 2021 and April 2023 with a boy between the ages of 12 and 16.
The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office additionally confirmed Whitaker’s charges.
Online jail records show she has since been released.
At the time this article was published, no hearings had been scheduled in the criminal case against Whitaker. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/crime/elkmont-woman-charged-with-raping-young-boy-for-years-released/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:49 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/crime/elkmont-woman-charged-with-raping-young-boy-for-years-released/ |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — If you believe Janelle Monae 's hyper-sexual expression is a front, think again.
These days, Monae is unapologetically living her truth in a bold manner while trying to avoid negativity. The star, once known for sporting custom-made suits, has shed that attire (at least for now) to nearly bare all, like on the cover of her latest studio album, “The Age of Pleasure,” where she’s seen swimming topless in a pool. It’s her first release since 2018’s “Dirty Computer,” which was nominated for album of the year at the Grammys.
In recent months, Monae hasn't been afraid of risque looks and nudity. She revealed herself during an event celebrating the release of her single “Lipstick Lover” and again onstage at an Essence Music Festival set — which drew some social media criticism including from singer India Arie and rapper Uncle Luke. She also attended the 2023 Met Gala in a barely-there outfit.
For Monae, this is her time to be free.
Monae spoke recently with The Associated Press about her supportive mother, side-stepping criticism and teasing her upcoming North American tour, which kicks off Aug. 30 in Seattle. Other tour stops include New York and Nashville and she'll wrap in Los Angeles in mid-October.
___
AP: Since you haven’t toured since 2019, was your recent Essence Festival performance a tune up for your upcoming tour?
MONAE: Yeah, we’re testing out the songs. You‘re getting them in your body. Right now, we don’t have a lot of muscle memory with the new songs. We haven’t toured them. I know if you come into the show, you'll love the songs. But hearing them live is a different experience, especially when you’re putting them with songs from previous work. We’re basically just putting a show together based on what we feel is good. Sometimes you just don’t know until you get on stage.
AP: What do you want people to take away from your show?
MONAE: Tap into your free (expletive) energy. That’s rooted in self-love — not arrogance. Tap into that space and then take care of each other. That’s what I hope. With the shows that I do, and when I look out, it’s an experience. It’s like our own church. You want to take care of each other.
Even if your freedom doesn’t look like that person’s freedom, you understand that we’re fighting against something much bigger than us. We’re systemically fighting against something much bigger than us, so we got to band together, we got to stick together. We have to make sure that we’re showing up for each other. If we have privilege in certain areas, making sure that we’re lending a hand, lending a voice, amplifying a message.
AP: How has it been to walk in your truth while facing criticism about your racy performances from people like Arie and Uncle Luke?
MONAE: That has absolutely nothing to do with me. I love everybody. I’m in the age of pleasure.
AP: When did you feel comfortable with living life the way you want without caring about others’ opinions?
MONAE: It’s not like I don’t care what people think. I care what some people think. I don’t care what everybody thinks. That’s the same when it comes to music. When you make a new song, I can’t go soliciting everybody’s opinions about the song. By the time I get back to the second pass of it, it’s all over the place. Everybody’s going to have an opinion. For me, it’s like, whose voice do I trust? Who do I know that loves me, cares about me, whose taste do I like, who actually is evolved enough to even understand what it is that I’m doing? Who understands nuance?
You shouldn’t care what anybody has to say. You just care what the right people have to say and everything else is muted.
AP: Who are those right people for you?
MONAE: Family. Close friends.
AP: In your journey, your mother has been a huge supporter. Whenever you have fallen under certain criticisms, how has she helped you navigate the critics?
MONAE: My mom is like ride or die. I have to tell her like “Mom, you don’t need to defend me. You don’t need to defend my life or my decisions.” For her, I’m her baby. Like any mama bear, you might get punched in the eye if you say something. You might. But I’ve calmed her down over the years. For the most part, we mostly respond to love. It’s a lot of people that love where I am and who I am and what I’m doing, and they feel really empowered and inspired by it, and that makes my mom proud, and it makes me happy.
AP: How do you avoid the naysayers?
MONAE: I’m too busy living life to be distracted. The positive things are always amazing too, but I also don’t go fishing for that. One of the things about being in the age of pleasure is being present and making sure that I’m dipping in on social media, saying what I need to say, showing love, saying “thank you,” putting up my art and leaving, going to go create more things and make more memories and more experiences.
I’m in the middle of putting together a tour for North America. We haven’t been on tour since 2019. For me, I have a lot of things that keep me busy. I’m practicing guitar. I’m having the best sex of my life. I’m happy. Even in the middle of all that’s going on in this world, I’m finding time to steal joy and to center joy and to stay surrounded by the people that bring me joy and that I can bring joy too.
AP: How did “Age of Pleasure” define where you are in life?
MONAE: I wanted to create a soundtrack to our lifestyle. I think this album like all my albums reflect exactly where I am at that time. Each album will let you know where I was in my evolution process, what things I had to unlearn, what things I learned. I love that. I love that you can always look at an artist working, sort of see what they were on at that time. | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/qa-janelle-monae-talks-about-freedom-how-new-album-defines-her-and-getting-ready-to-tour-again/XXU3Q3Y4FVBKZAYQ2NW4K3SGTE/ | 2023-07-31T15:58:49 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/qa-janelle-monae-talks-about-freedom-how-new-album-defines-her-and-getting-ready-to-tour-again/XXU3Q3Y4FVBKZAYQ2NW4K3SGTE/ |
LINCOLN, Neb., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sophie Norman joined Assurity Life Insurance Company as its new Senior Director of Assurity Ventures Inc (AVI). Norman will focus on recruiting and developing new non-traditional distribution partners for Assurity through Assurity Ventures, the company's business arm dedicated to building relationships with insurtech and fintech startups to harness new methods of interacting with prospective customers.
"Sophie brings significant insurance experience and is strategic in her approach, with an eye on long-term growth," said Todd Reimers, Assurity's Senior Vice President and Chief Distribution Officer. "We welcome Sophie to Assurity and look forward to accomplishing great things together."
Norman comes to Assurity with a background as an independent broker, agency manager and a benefits strategist. She brings industry expertise as a Director of Operations at a well-respected actuarial firm, has launched technology platforms for her clients and is an experienced public speaker. Norman studied Business and Finance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned her bachelor's degree. She enjoys spending time with her family.
About Assurity: As a mutual organization, Assurity was founded on the simple concept of people coming together to support each other in moments of need. We help people through difficult times by providing affordable insurance protection that's easy to understand and buy. We all share in the future we create, and we believe in using our business as a force for good.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment complex and a university building in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown Monday, killing six people and wounding 75 others as the blasts trapped residents beneath rubble, Ukrainian officials said.
One of the two missiles that hit the central city of Kryvyi Rihon destroyed part of an apartment building between the fourth and ninth floors, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Video showed black smoke billowing from corner units and burned out or damaged cars on a tree-lined street.
The dead included a 10-year-old girl and her mother, according to Zelenskyy. More than 350 people were involved in the rescue operation, he said in a Telegram post.
The morning attack also destroyed part of a four-story university building.
The strike on Zelenskyy's hometown, which has been hit in the past, happened a day after the Ukrainian president warned that the fighting was drawing closer to Russian land.
“Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia — to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process,” Zelenskyy said Sunday in his nightly video address.
It was not clear whether the missile strikes were in retaliation for his comments.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian artillery strike on the partially occupied Donetsk province killed two people and wounded six others in the regional capital, according to Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-installed leader of the illegally annexed province.
A bus was also hit as Ukrainian forces shelled the city of Donetsk multiple times Monday, Pushilin said.
Neither side's claims could be independently verified.
A recent Ukrainian counteroffensive, deploying weaponry supplied by Kyiv's Western allies and aimed at driving Russian forces out of occupied areas, intensified last week. At the same time, Ukraine has sought to take the war deep into Russia, reportedly using drones to hit targets as far away as Moscow.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia and Moscow-annexed territory, especially Crimea, have become more frequent. The latest strike, on Sunday, damaged two office buildings a few miles (kilometers) from the Kremlin. Ukrainian officials did not acknowledge the attack.
Russia tightened security in the aftermath of that attack, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, describing the assault as an “act of desperation.”
“The Kyiv regime is in a very, very difficult situation,” Peskov said, “as the counteroffensive is not working out as planned.”
“It’s obvious that the multibillion-dollar resources that have been transferred by NATO countries to the Kyiv regime are actually being spent inefficiently,” Peskov said.
“This raises big questions in Western capitals and great discomfort among taxpayers in Western countries.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, analysts say, is wagering that Western support for Kyiv will wane as the war drags on and costs mount.
Another Ukrainian drone targeted a district police department early Monday in Russia’s Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, but there were no casualties, the local governor said.
Bombarding populated areas with missiles, artillery and drones has been a hallmark of Moscow’s military strategy throughout the war, and that approach has continued during the Ukrainian counteroffensive that started in June.
Russian officials insist they take aim only at legitimate military targets, but Ukraine and its supporters say mass civilian deaths during previous attacks are evidence of war crimes.
“In recent days, the enemy has been stubbornly attacking cities, city centers, shelling civilian objects and housing,” Zelenskyy said. “But this terror will not frighten us or break us.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday that his forces have increased the intensity of attacks on Ukrainian military facilities.
It was not immediately clear which military facilities he was referring to, as Russia's recent missile strikes have hit civilian infrastructure.
In the southern city of Odesa, Russian strikes in recent weeks targeted port infrastructure and grain silos, after Moscow broke off an export agreement for Ukrainian grain. The Ukrainian foreign ministry estimated Monday that about 180,000 metric tons of grain have been destroyed by Russia in the past nine days.
Russian shelling Monday also killed four civilians and wounded 17 in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. A 70-year-old woman was killed by shelling in her home in a Kharkiv province village near Izyum, authorities said.
In eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk province, one person was reported killed and seven people were injured after Russia shelled 12 cities and villages, according to Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko.
In other developments Monday, China introduced restrictions on the export of long-range civilian drones. Authorities cited the war in Ukraine and concern that drones could be converted for military purposes.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is friendly with Moscow, but says it's neutral in the war. It has been stung by reports that both sides might be using Chinese-made drones for reconnaissance and possibly attacks.
Meanwhile, Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said Monday that his Wagner Group is not currently recruiting fighters.
In an audio message published on a Telegram channel associated with the Wagner chief, Prigozhin said the company had suspended recruitment as there is currently “no shortage of personnel.”
Prigozhin previously agreed with Western estimates that he lost more than 20,000 men in the long battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
Prigozhin last month led a short-lived mutiny against Moscow, demanding a leadership change in the Russian military. In an attempt to control him, Russian authorities insisted that Wagner fighters can only return to Ukraine if they join Russia's regular army.
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Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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ALABAMA (WHNT) — A new law aimed at correcting a shortage of doctors is going into effect in Alabama on August 1.
Governor Kay Ivey signed the Physician Workforce Act in May of this year – after it was passed in the Alabama Legislature. The law makes changes to some of the requirements for practicing medicine, in hopes of putting more physicians in place sooner.
“There’s a shortage of physicians in the state of Alabama and anything we can do to increase the number of physicians and the quality of physicians in our state will be a service to our citizens,” said the President of the Alabama Medical Association, Dr. George Koulianos.
The law makes three main changes.
The first is to establish an apprenticeship-like program for medical graduates who don’t match into a residency program. This will allow them to be able to start working while training under a licensed physician.
“There are more medical school graduates now than there are residency spots, so sometimes it takes a resident a year or two,” Koulianos said.
“A young physician, it takes them a year or two to obtain a residency slot and we don’t want to lose those doctors to other states. We want them to stay in the state so they can train in the state because where the physician trains the majority of the time is where they settle.”
The new law will also change the timeline for international medical graduates. They will now be able to apply for a medical license after two years, rather than three.
“They could actually start working in urgent cares and ER shifts in some of the hospitals after two years because they would be able to obtain a state license,” said Robert Chappell, the Chief Medical Officer for the Huntsville Hospital Health System.
International medical graduates actually make up about 20% of the current physician workforce in Alabama, according to the Alabama Medical Association.
The law also makes it easier for physicians in other states to be able to start practicing medicine in Alabama. It eliminates the Special Purpose Exam (SPEX), which is a knowledge test.
However, Chappell said people don’t need to worry about this because all hospitals go through a rigorous hiring process.
“We have a very rigorous credential criteria for the hospital,” Chappel said. “I think what the state is trying to do is be more in line with other states. I think they’re trying to reduce that extra red tape, and of course, we’ll still have standards consistent with other states in the U.S.”
Chappell said having access to medical care and physicians is paramount in Alabama.
“Right now, Alabama has some of the highest numbers in terms of chronic disease, like hypertension, diabetes, but yet we have some of the lowest numbers in terms of physicians to take care of those,” Chappell said. “Patients often don’t have anywhere to go, they don’t have access to a specialist or a primary care doctor, and they end up in the emergency room.”
The new law goes into effect on August 1st. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/new-law-aimed-at-fixing-doctor-shortage-goes-into-effect-august-1st/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:00 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/new-law-aimed-at-fixing-doctor-shortage-goes-into-effect-august-1st/ |
Alliance supports Black Tech Street's ambition to digitally transform Black Wall Street to
Black Tech Street through cyber-centered talent and innovation initiatives
TULSA, Okla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Black Tech Street announced an unprecedented alliance with Microsoft for Historic Greenwood, the neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, given the moniker, "Black Wall Street," by Booker T. Washington for its abundance of affluent Black entrepreneurs.
Dubbed by Black Tech Street, "The Digital Transformation of Black Wall Street", the alliance aims to restore Greenwood's position as a national hub for Black talent and innovation. Founded in 2021, Black Tech Street's mission is to rebirth Black Wall Street as a Black innovation economy by securing Black tech-focused economic and industry development opportunities for the Greenwood community.
"Since its inception, Black Tech Street's focus has been on securing transformative partnerships capable of addressing deeply-rooted economic inequities stemming from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at scale. Our partnership with Microsoft is a perfect example of such an opportunity and reflects the very essence of both our organizations," said Tyrance Billingsley II, Black Tech Street Founder and Executive Director.
"We are grateful for Microsoft's support and engagement that is game changing for Greenwood, and sends a clear message that Black Wall Street will continue to be a national leader of Black innovation in the 21st century."
One cornerstone of the alliance is that Black Tech Street has been named as the Microsoft TechSpark Fellow for the State of Oklahoma. The TechSpark Community Engagement Fellowship program empowers community organizations with a combination of funding, programming, hands-on mentorship, and training, and focuses on digital access, computer science education, digital skills, and digital transformation.
"Microsoft believes digital inclusion is core to ensuring everyone on the planet benefits from advances in technology, and that programming and opportunities must be created for those with the potential to be left behind," said Ann Johnson, corporate vice president for security business development at Microsoft. "We are pleased to work with Black Tech Street, local government leaders, and community organizations to help build and further reinforce Greenwood and Tulsa as centers for technology vision, leadership, and entrepreneurship."
Black Tech Streets Ambition: Creating 1000+ Black Cyber Professionals in Tulsa
The first phase of this collaboration will include a series of community and Microsoft-supported investments aimed at raising the capacity of the Tulsa ecosystem to produce, attract, and support Black cyber talent. Black Tech Street's goal is to leverage Microsoft's programmatic support/resources alongside other national partners to create and employ 1000 Black Tulsans in Cyber and adjacent fields. Black Tech Street's aim is to accomplish this by 2030. Investing in the cybersecurity workforce has been a priority for Microsoft, as they aim to support the estimated gap of 1.6 million cyber professionals in North America alone. Black Tech Street will leverage its alliance with Microsoft in the following areas to contribute towards reaching its goal:
Workforce and Skilling
- Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program: Tulsa Community College (TCC) was accepted into Microsoft's Cybersecurity Scholarship Program, providing cash scholarships to the highly diverse students receiving training at TCC's Cyber Skills Center.
- Employment Partner and Sponsor Consortium: Black Tech Street, with Microsoft support, will lead a nationwide consortium for connecting employers looking to hire Black Cyber talent in Tulsa for local and remote roles. The program will also fund scholarships for Black students interested in cyber. A critical strategy for BTS is to ensure skilled tech talent stays in Tulsa, contributing to the local economy. Microsoft embraces flexible work, including schedule and work location flexibility, that supports individual work styles while balancing business needs.
Education and Digital Access
- Microsoft TechSpark-Digital Education Access: Black Tech Street's participation in the Microsoft TechSpark program will include, among many other components, a comprehensive suite of services and technology platforms for educators, students, and school systems on multiple levels.
- High School Tech Education: Black Tech Street, the University of Tulsa, and Microsoft, will collaborate on a plan to accelerate Computer Science and related tech education to north Tulsa secondary school students.
Innovation Research and Thought Leadership
- The University of Tulsa and Microsoft: Black Tech Street plans to pilot studies in cyber research and experiential learning that leverage cutting-edge technology from Microsoft's investments in generative AI cybersecurity alongside the University of Tulsa as part of the alliance to better position the ecosystem in cyber-AI innovation. The University of Tulsa's nationally recognized cyber university, with its NSA affiliated Cyber Corps program, as well as a suite of successful cyber partnerships with high schools and community colleges, made cyber an obvious choice for partnership.
- Black Tech Street Cyber Summit: In 2024, Black Tech Street and Tulsa Innovation Labs will host the first Black Tech Street Cyber Summit. This summit will be a gathering of the foremost cyber experts from corporations, academia, and government. This summit is meant to serve as a meeting of the minds as it relates to charting a more effective national narrative and plan as it relates to mobilizing Black Americans into cyber en masse. Microsoft will host its "Into the Breach" gamified learning experience to test cybersecurity skills for Black Tulsans.
Microsoft's initial support via this alliance will anchor the first portion of a larger strategy by Black Tech Street to establish Greenwood as a national leader in the three critical technology areas of Cyber Security, Business Intelligence/Data Analytics, and Equitable Artificial Intelligence (See ED Tyrance Billingsley's op-ed What's Next? Black Wall Street's Innovation Ambitions).
Black Tech Street will also be supported in the execution of these Microsoft supported initiatives by local anchor partner Tulsa Innovation Labs, a philanthropic organization dedicated to building industrial clusters around sectors where Tulsa has distinct advantages.
The alliance has also garnered the support of City officials.
"I am excited about this new alliance between Black Tech Street and Microsoft in Tulsa," Mayor G.T. Bynum said. "This partnership will help increase cyber talent in our city, as well as promote tech education and workforce readiness for the incredible talent we have in our community."
This is the start of a long-term relationship between Black Tech Street, Greenwood, and Microsoft, and will redefine what is possible for communities and cities willing to simultaneously invest in people and in technology.
The announcement of this alliance was also included in the Biden-Harris Administration's announcement of its National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy to Unleash America's Cyber Talent:
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/07/31/fact-sheet-biden-%E2%81%A0harris-administration-announces-national-cyber-workforce-and-education-strategy-unleashing-americas-cyber-talent/)
Black Tech Street is an organization founded to rebirth Black Wall Street as a Black Innovation Economy and catalyze a movement that sees Black people embrace technology as a means to build wealth and impact the world. Black Tech Street architects and secures Black tech focused economic and industry development opportunities for the Greenwood community and serves as a chief storyteller for Black Wall Street's 21st century rebirth.
Contact:
Tyrance Billingsley II
tyrance@blacktechstreet.com
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SOURCE Black Tech Street | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/black-tech-street-announces-alliance-with-microsoft-digitally-transform-historic-greenwood/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:01 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/black-tech-street-announces-alliance-with-microsoft-digitally-transform-historic-greenwood/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are drifting Monday as Wall Street rolls toward the end of another winning month.
The S&P 500 was up 0.1% in midday trading, on track for a fifth straight month of gains, which would be its longest winning streak in nearly two years. The index is near a 16-month high after rallying on hopes cooling inflation will mean the economy can avoid a long-predicted recession.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 39 points, or 0.1%, at 35,498 as of 11:30 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher.
To be sure, critics have been saying Wall Street’s seemingly growing consensus for a soft landing for the economy has come too quickly. Several reports this upcoming week could poke holes in the theory that inflation will keep coming down enough for the Federal Reserve to not only stop hiking interest rates but to begin cutting them by early next year.
Big names in the market, such as Rob Arnott at Research Affiliates, are warning not to be “overly hasty in popping the champagne corks.” Arnott sees the possibility of inflation rebounding again later this year, even though it's cooled considerably recently.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell himself has pointed to Friday’s upcoming report on the overall U.S. job market as an important datapoint. Growth needs to be strong enough to keep a lid on worries about a possible recession. But a reading that’s too hot could also mean upward pressure on inflation, which could push the Fed to get more aggressive about rates.
High rates undercut inflation by slowing the overall economy and dragging on prices for stocks and other investments. The Fed has already hiked its main rate to its highest level in more than two decades, a jolting shock after the rate began last year at virtually zero.
Two of Wall Street’s most influential stocks are also set to report their earnings for the spring. Amazon and Apple are both scheduled to release their latest quarterly results on Thursday. Because they’re two of the most massive stocks on Wall Street, their stock movements pack much more punch for the S&P 500 and other indexes than other stocks.
Both stocks have soared this year, in part on expectations for strong continued growth, and they’ll need to deliver to justify the big moves. Both Apple and Amazon are up more than 50% so far this year.
Roughly halfway through the earnings reporting season, more companies than usual have topped analysts’ profit expectations, according to FactSet. Companies also seem to be more optimistic about their upcoming results, giving better-than-expected profit forecasts more often than usual, according to strategists at Bank of America.
“While economic uncertainty remains, we believe the profit cycle is inflecting higher,” the strategists wrote in a BofA Global Research report.
ON Semiconductor rose 2.6% for one of the larger gains in the S&P 500 after reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected. The company, known as onsemi, also gave a forecast for profit in the current quarter that topped analysts’ expectations.
On the losing end was Tempur Sealy International. The mattress company said it discovered a cybersecurity event last week, which pushed it to shut down some of its technology systems. It has resumed operations after what it called a temporary interruption and is working to determine the incident's full impact. Its stock fell 5.3%.
In stock markets abroad, indexes in Europe were a bit higher higher after data showed Europe's economy has grown modestly after months of stagnation.
In Asia, stocks rose in Hong Kong and Shanghai amid hopes Beijing will deliver more stimulus for the sluggish Chinese economy.
In the bond market, U.S. Treasury yields slipped after a report suggested manufacturing in the Chicago region is weakening a bit more than economists expected. Manufacturing has been one of the hardest-hit areas in the economy by high interest rates, which work with a notoriously long lag effect.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 3.94% from 3.96% late Friday.
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AP Business Writers Matt Ott, Elaine Kurtenbach and Joe McDonald contributed.
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TORONTO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has been selected for participation in the US Department of Defence (DoD) Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) program. This new partnership enables the DoD and its IT leaders to access world-class resources, gain industry-leading guidance, and receive transformative insights and invaluable consultation from experts with extensive experience. The agreement also includes McLean & Company, a division of Info-Tech known for its exceptional HR research and advisory services, and MyPolicies, the firm's provider of robust online policy management and administration software.
The DoD ESI is an official DoD initiative sponsored by the DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO). The initiative is designed to streamline procurement and optimize cost efficiency in the acquisition of commercial software, IT hardware, and services. Through its joint team of experts, ESI consolidates requirements and establishes agreements with IT providers, resulting in a unified contracting and vendor management strategy across the entire department.
"We are honored to have been selected to provide services as a member of the US Department of Defense's Enterprise Software Initiative. This partnership affirms our commitment to providing world-class IT research and advisory services to the public sector," says Ron Gumbert, senior managing partner at Info-Tech. "There is a shared vision to foster a technology-enabled, efficient future for the DoD, driving strategic change and transforming challenges into opportunities."
Info-Tech's public sector executive services and research team comprises highly experienced industry experts focused on supporting government clients to address mission-critical, technology-enabled initiatives.
"Our recent expansion into Arlington, Virginia, signifies our dedication to being an integral part of the IT ecosystem in the US, and this collaboration with the US Department of Defense's Enterprise Software Initiative further solidifies that commitment," adds Gumbert. "Our Arlington office stands ready to serve as a strategic hub for our work with the DoD and other Federal agencies, providing unparalleled research and advisory services. This pivotal development marks a new chapter in our mission to drive impactful digital transformation within the defense sector and beyond."
To learn more about Info-Tech's public sector research and its benefits, visit the firm's dedicated Public Sector Research Center.
About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.
For more about Info-Tech Research Group and to download the latest research across a variety of industries, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.
About the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative
The DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (DoD ESI) is a joint initiative to maximize DoD buying power and take advantage of the significant cost savings and management efficiencies that result from acquiring and managing commercially available software on a DoD-wide basis. Additional information about the DoD ESI can be located at www.esi.mil.
DoD ESI procedures are explained in DFARS 208.74 and DoD CIO Guidance and Policy memorandum No. 12-8430 dated July 26, 2000.
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PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest.
Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children.
“It’s more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and we’ll mobilize all our means to resist it,” Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul.
Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. It’s neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There’s increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image.
The anti-dog meat campaign recently received a big boost when the country’s first lady expressed her support for a ban and two lawmakers submitted bills to eliminate the dog meat trade.
“Foreigners think South Korea is a cultural powerhouse. But the more K-culture increases its international standing, the bigger shock foreigners experience over our dog meat consumption,” said Han Jeoungae, an opposition lawmaker who submitted legislation to outlaw the dog meat industry last month.
Prospects for passage of an anti-dog meat law are unclear because of protests by farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry. Surveys suggest that one in three South Koreans opposes such a ban, though most people don’t eat dog meat anymore.
Dogs are also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea and some African countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria.
Earlier this month, Indonesian authorities announced the end of dog and cat slaughter at an animal market on the island of Sulawesi following a yearslong campaign by local activists and world celebrities. The Tomohon Extreme Market will become the first such market in Indonesia to go dog and cat meat-free, according to the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International.
South Korea’s dog meat industry receives more international attention because of its reputation as a wealthy, ultra-modern democracy. It is also the only nation with industrial-scale farms. Most farms in South Korea have more than 500 dogs, according to a dog farmers’ association.
During a recent visit, Kim’s farm, one of the country’s largest with 7,000 dogs, appeared relatively clean but there was a strong stench in some areas. All dogs are kept in elevated cages and are fed with food waste and ground chicken. They are rarely released for exercise and typically are sold for meat one year after they are born.
Kim said two of his children, age 29 and 31, are running the farm with him, and that business has been going pretty well. He said the dogs bred for their meat are different from pets, an idea opposed by activists.
It’s difficult now to find dog meat restaurants in Seoul’s bustling downtown, though many still exit in the countryside.
“I only earn one-third of the money I used to make. Young people don’t come here. Only ailing old people come for lunch,” said Yoon Chu-wol, 77, the owner of a dog meat restaurant in Seoul’s Kyungdong traditional market. “I tell my elderly customers to come and eat my food more frequently before it’s banned.”
Farmers also face growing scrutiny from officials and increasingly negative public opinion. They complain that officials visit them repeatedly in response to complaints filed by activists and citizens over alleged animal abuse and other wrongdoing. Kim said more than 90 such petitions were filed against his farm during a recent four-month span.
Son Won Hak, general secretary of the dog farmers’ association, said many farms have collapsed in recent years because of falling dog meat prices and weaker demand. He thinks that’s a result of activist campaigns and unfair media reports focusing on farms with inferior conditions. Some observers, however, say consumption of dog meat was already declining, with younger people staying away from it.
“Quite honestly, I’d like to quit my job (as a farmer) tomorrow. We can’t confidently tell our children that we’re raising dogs,” Son said. “When my friends called me, they said ‘Hey, are you still running a dog meat farm? Isn’t it illegal?’”
The number of farms across South Korea has dropped by half from a few years ago to about 3,000 to 4,000, and about 700,000 to 1 million dogs are slaughtered each year, a decline from several million 10 to 20 years ago, according to the dog farmers’ association. Some activists argue that the farmers’ estimates are an exaggeration meant to show their industry is too big to destroy.
In late 2021, South Korea launched a government-civilian task force to consider outlawing dog meat at the suggestion of then-President Moon Jae-in, a pet lover. The committee, whose members include farmers and animal rights activists, has met more than 20 times but hasn’t reached any agreement, apparently because of disputes over compensation issues.
Agriculture officials refused to disclose the discussions in the closed-door meetings. They said the government wants to end dog meat consumption based on a public consensus.
In April, first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of current President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in a meeting with activists that she hopes for an end to dog meat consumption. Famers responded with rallies and formal complaints against Kim for allegedly hurting their livelihoods.
Han, the lawmaker, said she “highly positively appraises” influential figures speaking out against dog meat consumption.
Han said her bill offers support programs for farmers who agree to close their farms. They would be entitled to money to dismantle their facilities, vocational training, employment assistance and other benefits, she said.
Ju Yeongbong, an official of the farmers’ association, said farmers want to continue for about 20 more years until older people, their main customers, die, allowing the industry to naturally disappear. Observers say most farmers are also in their 60s to 70s.
Borami Seo, a director of the South Korea office of the Humane Society International, said she opposes the continued killing of millions of dogs for such a prolonged period. “Letting this silent cruelty to (dogs) be committed in South Korea doesn’t make sense,” Seo said.
“(Dog meat consumption) is too anachronistic, has elements of cruelty to animals and hinders our national growth,” said Cheon JinKyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/eat-my-food-dog-meat-farmers-in-s-korea-resist-push-to-ban-industry/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:06 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/eat-my-food-dog-meat-farmers-in-s-korea-resist-push-to-ban-industry/ |
Presentation about how AI makes malvertising more powerful - video on-demand
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Confiant, the anti-malvertising leader for the ad tech industry, announces the on-demand availability of its AdMonsters Ops presentation AI + Malvertising = ? The presentation examines how AI makes malvertising increasingly more troublesome for advertisers and the ad tech ecosystem.
Watch the video now (https://hubs.la/Q01XXq2l0)
Because of its reach and impact, AI has become virtually impossible to ignore in every industry, and is becoming increasingly troublesome in the ad tech sector because threat actors use it to enhance their malware, phishing, and scams.
In this session Jerome Dangu, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Confiant, and Louis-David Mangin, CEO and Co-Founder, Confiant discuss the AI revolution, how AI is affecting ad tech, what to look out for, and how to keep users safe.
Confiant, the cybersecurity leader in detecting and stopping Malvertising attacks, has built hundreds of integrations directly into the web's ad tech infrastructure. Confiant has unparalleled visibility to the malware, scams, and fraud serving through ads today. This presentation from their founders exposes how AI is already being used to exploit the ad tech marketplace.
About Confiant
Confiant is the cybersecurity leader in detecting and stopping Malvertising attacks. Having built hundreds of integrations directly into the web's ad tech infrastructure, Confiant has unparalleled visibility to the malware, scams, and fraud serving through ads today. Leveraging our security expertise, we deliver complete control over ads to publishers and ad platforms, also remediating quality issues, privacy violations, and mis-categorized ads. In publishing the industry's leading ad quality benchmark report and mapping the threat actors that use ads-as-an-attack-vector at Matrix.Confiant.com, Confiant is leading the charge in protecting users from criminals hijacking the ad tech supply chain. Trusted by customers like Microsoft, Paramount, and Magnite, we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year.
Follow us on Social
@Weareconfiant or visit www.confiant.com
for more information.
SOURCE: CONFIANT
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(646) 397-4198
marketing@confiant.com
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SOURCE Confiant | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/confiant-admonsters-ops-ai-malvertising/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:07 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/confiant-admonsters-ops-ai-malvertising/ |
69th Turkey Days: A tradition that spans generations
FRAZEE, Minn. (KVRR) – What a way to close out the summer months, it’s Turkey Days in Frazee, Minn. This ongoing tradition has been going on for close to seven decades, growing and growing every time.
“There’s just been a lot of great events that have been added,” said Brittany Wake, the chairperson for Turkey Days. “Tabiatha’s been great at bringing stuff in. The 25th annual burning of the turkey, that was great to have. Just a lot of fun events.”
Both Tabiatha Branden and Brittany Wake are in charge of the celebrations, and it has left a lasting impact on them and the community.
“So it’s really exciting and I also have kids now in the community so I’m bringing them like the next generation and showing them the volunteer stuff,” said Branden, the co-chairperson. “Just what it takes to make a community. It’s actually an honor.”
“Being a part of the community is huge for me,” said Wake. “I work in the community, so community based has been great. Watching more people get involved every year, has also been great.”
This also means a lot to them too, because they were once the little kids on the side of the streets enjoying the festivities. While they still find enjoyment through it, they have a bigger appreciation for a tradition that defines the area.
“I would have told myself in high school that I probably wouldn’t have ever thought that I would be where I am,” said Wake. “Working in the community, getting involved in this stuff. I never ever thought that, so like [Tabiatha] said, it’s an honor.”
For Branden, she’ll be in charge next year as well. With her daughter being a part of the parade, it’s become a family affair.
“What also makes it special is my youngest daughter won the princess pageant,” said Branden. “So now next year we get to do this all together. So that’s pretty special to me.”
The 70th edition of Turkey Days is set for next year, and there are plans to have a huge celebration for it. | https://www.kvrr.com/2023/07/30/69th-turkey-days-a-tradition-that-spans-generations/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:09 | 1 | https://www.kvrr.com/2023/07/30/69th-turkey-days-a-tradition-that-spans-generations/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. — (AP) — A legal advocacy group for journalists wants to get involved in Disney's free speech lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press says a win by the Florida governor could embolden other governments across the U.S. to take actions against journalists and other media when they exercise their First Amendment rights.
The group on Friday asked a judge for permission to file a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the claims brought by Disney against DeSantis, his appointees to a special district board governing Disney World and a state economic development agency. The lawsuit claims the Florida governor violated the company's free speech rights by taking control over the district in retaliation for Disney's public opposition to the so-called “Don't Say Gay” bill.
The committee said that the impact of a DeSantis win would be felt beyond the 39 square miles (101 square kilometers) of the Disney World property governed by the new appointees picked by the Florida governor to the governing district's board.
“If Defendants prevail in this case, those on whose behalf the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press advocates will be first in the line of fire given the nature of reporting and the press’s role in our constitutional system,” the committee said in its request to file the supporting brief in federal court in Tallahassee. “As such, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press’s proposed brief provides a voice to those not directly involved, but undoubtedly impacted by this case.”
DeSantis and Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity have argued that Disney's case should be dismissed because of sovereign immunity protection against being sued for conducting government business, and that Disney hasn't shown how it has been hurt so it lacks standing to sue the state government defendants.
DeSantis has used the fight with Disney to burnish his "anti-woke" credentials and demonstrate his ability to push a conservative agenda during his campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
The DeSantis appointees took over the Disney World governing board earlier this year following a yearlong feud between the company and DeSantis. The fight began last year after Disney, beset by significant pressure internally and externally, publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call "Don't Say Gay."
As punishment, DeSantis took over the district through legislation passed by Florida lawmakers and appointed a new board of supervisors to oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels.
If the retaliatory actions by DeSantis and Republican lawmakers are left unchecked, it poses a threat to watchdog journalism and press coverage of public issues “to the detriment to the free flow of information on matters of public concern that has long been the hallmark of our democratic system of government,” the committee said.
Before the new board came in, Disney made agreements with previous oversight board members who were Disney supporters that stripped the new supervisors of their authority over design and development. The DeSantis-appointed members of the governing district have sued Disney in state court in a second lawsuit stemming from the district's takeover, seeking to invalidate those agreements.
Disney had asked for the case be dismissed or delayed pending the outcome of the federal lawsuit. However, Circuit Judge Margaret Schreiber in Orlando on Friday refused to toss or postpone the case, saying among other reasons that to do so would have created “an undue delay” for the district, which still must continue governing. ___
Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/entertainment/group-desantis-win/RCSY6OT2X3U2ZQMFESO6E6DKEU/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:09 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/entertainment/group-desantis-win/RCSY6OT2X3U2ZQMFESO6E6DKEU/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI should stop using a U.S. spy database of foreigners' emails and other communications for investigating crimes that aren't related to national security, a group of White House intelligence advisers recommended in a report released Monday.
The President's Intelligence Advisory Board's findings come as the White House pushes Congress to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before its expiration at the end of this year. U.S. intelligence officials say Section 702 enables investigations of Chinese and Russian espionage, potential terrorist plots, and other threats.
But spy agencies also end up capturing the communications of U.S. citizens and businesses, and a series of intelligence mistakes at the FBI has fanned bipartisan criticism of the bureau that has shaped the debate over renewing the law. Some lawmakers in both parties and civil liberties groups have called for stronger curbs on how the FBI uses foreign surveillance to search for Americans' data.
While the White House did not commit to accepting the recommended changes, administration officials on Monday praised the board's work and again called on Congress to reauthorize the surveillance program. The board argues in its report that Section 702 is critical to U.S. national security and suggests that allowing the program to lapse would be an “intelligence failure” and a step backward from changes made after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The board says the FBI made "inappropriate use" at times of Section 702 information. Those include queries for a U.S. senator and state senator's names without properly limiting the search, looking for someone believed to have been at the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and doing large queries of names of protesters following the 2020 death of George Floyd.
“Unfortunately, complacency, a lack of proper procedures, and the sheer volume of Section 702 activity led to FBI’s inappropriate use of Section 702 authorities, specifically U.S. person queries,” the board said in its report. “U.S. person queries” generally mean searches for U.S. citizens and businesses.
The board recommends the FBI no longer search the data when it is seeking evidence of a crime not related to national security. Currently, the FBI conducts fewer than two dozen such searches a year, a senior administration official told reporters Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
The White House has not decided whether it will accept the recommendation but is studying the board's work and report, the official said.
The board's report largely lines up with the White House's positions on other changes being debated in Congress. The board opposed requiring the FBI to obtain a warrant before it searches Section 702 data, saying that change would be impractical. It also says the FBI needs to maintain access to foreign spy collection because unlike other intelligence agencies, it has law enforcement authorities inside the U.S. and can warn Americans that they are being targeted by foreign spies or criminals.
Already, both Republicans and Democrats have called for broader changes affecting the FBI, including a handful of lawmakers in both parties who want to require warrants for any search.
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., sharply questioned Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen in June about how it searches Section 702 data and signaled he would push for new protections.
“I don't think you've effectively made the case that there shouldn't be a warrant requirement, whether or not it is constitutionally required, for a U.S. person search that is crime only,” he said.
Many in the GOP, meanwhile, are furious about the FBI's investigations of former President Donald Trump and mistakes found by the Justice Department inspector general and other reviewers.
In a statement, the FBI said the report highlighted “how crucial” foreign intelligence was to the bureau's mission.
“We agree that Section 702 should be reauthorized in a manner that does not diminish its effectiveness, as well as reassures the public of its importance and our ability to adhere rigorously to all relevant rules,” the bureau's statement said.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/the-fbi-should-face-new-limits-on-its-use-of-us-foreign-spy-data-a-key-intelligence-board-says/GKOEVH6WYJHK7EPESNGH5CBUYI/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:09 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/the-fbi-should-face-new-limits-on-its-use-of-us-foreign-spy-data-a-key-intelligence-board-says/GKOEVH6WYJHK7EPESNGH5CBUYI/ |
HIALEAH, Fla. (WFLA) — A federal judge in Florida has thrown out a multi-million dollar lawsuit involving microwavable mac and cheese.
The $5 million lawsuit claimed the Kraft Heinz Food Company misled the public about the time it takes to prepare Velveeta microwavable mac and cheese cups.
According to court records, a West Palm Beach-based law firm filed the lawsuit on behalf of a woman from Hialeah, Florida, on Nov. 18.
The lawsuit alleged that the Kraft Heinz Food Company violated federal law by saying the mac and cheese cups take 3½ minutes to prepare, arguing that the time limit does not include the time it takes to remove the lid, add water and stir in the cheese sauce.
The lawsuit had claimed Amanda Ramirez bought the product for a “premium price” of $10.99 “between October and November 2022, among other times.” However, it did not say how long it actually took Ramirez to prepare the mac and cheese.
The suit described Ramirez as someone who “looks to bold statements of value when quickly selecting groceries”, and “like many consumers who seek to stretch their money as far as possible when buying groceries.”
Despite the arguments, a Miami district judge threw out the lawsuit. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/florida-judge-tosses-5-million-lawsuit-over-microwavable-mac-and-cheese/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:12 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/florida-judge-tosses-5-million-lawsuit-over-microwavable-mac-and-cheese/ |
CALGARY, AB, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) today published its 2023-2024 Grain Service Outlook Report, which outlines the company's plan to safely and reliably transport Canada's grain crop for export to international markets.
"As we look toward the upcoming 2023-2024 crop year, CPKC is once again well prepared to move Canada's grain crop to market, just as we have throughout our 142-year history," said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. "We have the capacity and the team to deliver for our grain customers and the Canadian economy during the upcoming crop year."
The report outlines CPKC's strong commitment to our grain customers and unique position to supply rail transportation to Canada's agricultural sector as the first transnational railway that provides a single-line connection between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. This powerful new rail network provides Canada's grain shippers with access to markets across North America, including many new markets in Mexico, and enhanced routing options for shipping Canadian grain and grain products overseas. Additionally, CPKC has completed its more than $500 million investment to purchase 5,900 new higher-capacity grain hopper cars.
Notwithstanding CPKC's robust preparation and investments, there are several factors constraining Canada's export-driven grain supply chain, including:
- The recent strikes at port terminals across B.C., including at the Port of Vancouver, Canada's largest port, once again demonstrated the damaging and compounding impact of labour disruptions on supply chains. The prolonged duration of the strike means that supply chain recovery will stretch into 2024, potentially impacting grain transportation this fall.
- The federal government's commitment to introduce legislation prohibiting replacement workers by the end of 2023 would lead to even more frequent and longer labour disruptions at Canada's railways and ports.
- The persistent challenge of loading grain onto vessels during periods of rain or snow in Vancouver must be resolved to maximize supply chain capacity and reliability.
- The government's decision to resurrect extended interswitching on the prairies risks undermining rail efficiency and capacity. This policy incentivizes inefficiencies, causing higher transportation costs for all users of the rail network, and drives Canadian investment dollars and jobs to the U.S.
- Low demand for Canadian grain transportation at certain times during the 2022-2023 crop year, and in particular throughout the spring period, resulted in significant unused capacity on CPKC's rail network, undermining Canada's ability to maximize grain exports to global markets. Maximizing Canada's grain exports requires customers to use the available supply chain capacity throughout the entirety of the crop year.
Despite these avoidable headwinds, CPKC has the capacity and the team to deliver for grain customers during the 2023-2024 crop year. To read the full report, please visit cpkcr.com.
Forward-looking information
This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws in both the U.S. and Canada. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions and statements about possible future events, conditions, and results of operations or performance. Forward-looking information may contain statements with words or headings such as "financial expectations", "key assumptions", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "will", "outlook", "guidance", "should" or similar words suggesting future outcomes. This news release contains forward-looking information relating, but not limited, to statements concerning CPKC's ability to transport grain during the 2023-2024 crop year, the success of our business, the realization of anticipated benefits and synergies of the CP-KCS combination, and the opportunities arising therefrom, our operations, priorities and plans, business prospects and demand for our services and growth opportunities.
The forward-looking information in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to CPKC's experience and its perception of historical trends, and may include, among others, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to: changes in business strategies, North American and global economic growth and conditions; commodity demand growth; sustainable industrial and agricultural production; commodity prices and interest rates; performance of our assets and equipment; sufficiency of our budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out our business plan; geopolitical conditions, applicable laws, regulations and government policies; the availability and cost of labour, services and infrastructure; the satisfaction by third parties of their obligations to CPKC; and carbon markets, evolving sustainability strategies, and scientific or technological developments. Although CPKC believes the expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking information presented herein are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Current conditions, economic and otherwise, render assumptions, although reasonable when made, subject to greater uncertainty.
Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. By its nature, CPKC's forward-looking information involves inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, the following factors: changes in business strategies and strategic opportunities; general Canadian, U.S., Mexican and global social, economic, political, credit and business conditions; risks associated with agricultural production such as weather conditions and insect populations; the availability and price of energy commodities; the effects of competition and pricing pressures, including competition from other rail carriers, trucking companies and maritime shippers in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico; North American and global economic growth and conditions; industry capacity; shifts in market demand; changes in commodity prices and commodity demand; uncertainty surrounding timing and volumes of commodities being shipped via CPKC; inflation; geopolitical instability; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, including regulation of rates; changes in taxes and tax rates; potential increases in maintenance and operating costs; changes in fuel prices; disruption in fuel supplies; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; compliance with environmental regulations; labour disputes including the impact of the port workers' strike and resolution of the strike in British Columbia; changes in labour costs and labour difficulties; risks and liabilities arising from derailments; transportation of dangerous goods; timing of completion of capital and maintenance projects; sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out business plans; services and infrastructure; the satisfaction by third parties of their obligations; currency and interest rate fluctuations; exchange rates; effects of changes in market conditions and discount rates on the financial position of pension plans and investments; trade restrictions or other changes to international trade arrangements; the effects of current and future multinational trade agreements on the level of trade among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico; climate change and the market and regulatory responses to climate change; anticipated in-service dates; success of hedging activities; operational performance and reliability; customer, regulatory and other stakeholder approvals and support; regulatory and legislative decisions and actions; the adverse impact of any termination or revocation by the Mexican government of Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V.'s Concession; public opinion; various events that could disrupt operations, including severe weather, such as droughts, floods, avalanches and earthquakes, and cybersecurity attacks, as well as security threats and governmental response to them, and technological changes; acts of terrorism, war or other acts of violence or crime or risk of such activities; insurance coverage limitations; material adverse changes in economic and industry conditions, including the availability of short and long-term financing; the pandemic created by the outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants and resulting effects on economic conditions, the demand environment for logistics requirements and energy prices, restrictions imposed by public health authorities or governments, fiscal and monetary policy responses by governments and financial institutions, and disruptions to global supply chains; the realization of anticipated benefits and synergies of the CP-KCS transaction and the timing thereof; the satisfaction of the conditions imposed by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board in its March 15, 2023 final decision; the success of integration plans for KCS; other disruptions arising from the CP-KCS integration; estimated future dividends; financial strength and flexibility; debt and equity market conditions, including the ability to access capital markets on favourable terms or at all; cost of debt and equity capital; improvement in data collection and measuring systems; industry-driven changes to methodologies; and the ability of the management of CPKC to execute key priorities, including those in connection with the CP-KCS transaction.
The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These and other factors are detailed from time to time in reports filed by CPKC with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should be made to "Item 1A – Risk Factors" and "Item 7 – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Forward Looking Statements" in CPKC's annual and interim reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q.
Any forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, CPKC undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, or the foregoing assumptions and risks affecting such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC. CP-IR
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SOURCE CPKC | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/cpkc-publishes-annual-grain-service-outlook-report/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:14 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/cpkc-publishes-annual-grain-service-outlook-report/ |
Amber Alert Canceled With Arrest of Suspect, Boy Found Safe
CROW WING CO., Minn. (KVRR) — An amber alert issued Saturday night out of Becker, Minnesota, near St. Cloud, was canceled after a three hour long standoff with the suspect in Crow Wing County.
41-year-old Scott Henrikson was arrested and the missing two-year-old boy, who has the same last name, was found safe around 4 a.m.
They were both in a shed on a property Henrikson has ties to in Baxter.
Becker Police say the incident started with the domestic assault of a woman and the child was taken.
There is a court order that prevents Henrikson from having contact with the child.
Authorities were tipped off to his location when the homeowner in Baxter noticed lights on in the shed and saw movement inside.
Henrikson has not yet been formally charged. | https://www.kvrr.com/2023/07/30/amber-alert-canceled-with-arrest-of-suspect-boy-found-safe/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:15 | 1 | https://www.kvrr.com/2023/07/30/amber-alert-canceled-with-arrest-of-suspect-boy-found-safe/ |
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — If you believe Janelle Monae 's hyper-sexual expression is a front, think again.
These days, Monae is unapologetically living her truth in a bold manner while trying to avoid negativity. The star, once known for sporting custom-made suits, has shed that attire (at least for now) to nearly bare all, like on the cover of her latest studio album, “The Age of Pleasure,” where she’s seen swimming topless in a pool. It’s her first release since 2018’s “Dirty Computer,” which was nominated for album of the year at the Grammys.
In recent months, Monae hasn't been afraid of risque looks and nudity. She revealed herself during an event celebrating the release of her single “Lipstick Lover” and again onstage at an Essence Music Festival set — which drew some social media criticism including from singer India Arie and rapper Uncle Luke. She also attended the 2023 Met Gala in a barely-there outfit.
For Monae, this is her time to be free.
Monae spoke recently with The Associated Press about her supportive mother, side-stepping criticism and teasing her upcoming North American tour, which kicks off Aug. 30 in Seattle. Other tour stops include New York and Nashville and she'll wrap in Los Angeles in mid-October.
___
AP: Since you haven’t toured since 2019, was your recent Essence Festival performance a tune up for your upcoming tour?
MONAE: Yeah, we’re testing out the songs. You‘re getting them in your body. Right now, we don’t have a lot of muscle memory with the new songs. We haven’t toured them. I know if you come into the show, you'll love the songs. But hearing them live is a different experience, especially when you’re putting them with songs from previous work. We’re basically just putting a show together based on what we feel is good. Sometimes you just don’t know until you get on stage.
AP: What do you want people to take away from your show?
MONAE: Tap into your free (expletive) energy. That’s rooted in self-love — not arrogance. Tap into that space and then take care of each other. That’s what I hope. With the shows that I do, and when I look out, it’s an experience. It’s like our own church. You want to take care of each other.
Even if your freedom doesn’t look like that person’s freedom, you understand that we’re fighting against something much bigger than us. We’re systemically fighting against something much bigger than us, so we got to band together, we got to stick together. We have to make sure that we’re showing up for each other. If we have privilege in certain areas, making sure that we’re lending a hand, lending a voice, amplifying a message.
AP: How has it been to walk in your truth while facing criticism about your racy performances from people like Arie and Uncle Luke?
MONAE: That has absolutely nothing to do with me. I love everybody. I’m in the age of pleasure.
AP: When did you feel comfortable with living life the way you want without caring about others’ opinions?
MONAE: It’s not like I don’t care what people think. I care what some people think. I don’t care what everybody thinks. That’s the same when it comes to music. When you make a new song, I can’t go soliciting everybody’s opinions about the song. By the time I get back to the second pass of it, it’s all over the place. Everybody’s going to have an opinion. For me, it’s like, whose voice do I trust? Who do I know that loves me, cares about me, whose taste do I like, who actually is evolved enough to even understand what it is that I’m doing? Who understands nuance?
You shouldn’t care what anybody has to say. You just care what the right people have to say and everything else is muted.
AP: Who are those right people for you?
MONAE: Family. Close friends.
AP: In your journey, your mother has been a huge supporter. Whenever you have fallen under certain criticisms, how has she helped you navigate the critics?
MONAE: My mom is like ride or die. I have to tell her like “Mom, you don’t need to defend me. You don’t need to defend my life or my decisions.” For her, I’m her baby. Like any mama bear, you might get punched in the eye if you say something. You might. But I’ve calmed her down over the years. For the most part, we mostly respond to love. It’s a lot of people that love where I am and who I am and what I’m doing, and they feel really empowered and inspired by it, and that makes my mom proud, and it makes me happy.
AP: How do you avoid the naysayers?
MONAE: I’m too busy living life to be distracted. The positive things are always amazing too, but I also don’t go fishing for that. One of the things about being in the age of pleasure is being present and making sure that I’m dipping in on social media, saying what I need to say, showing love, saying “thank you,” putting up my art and leaving, going to go create more things and make more memories and more experiences.
I’m in the middle of putting together a tour for North America. We haven’t been on tour since 2019. For me, I have a lot of things that keep me busy. I’m practicing guitar. I’m having the best sex of my life. I’m happy. Even in the middle of all that’s going on in this world, I’m finding time to steal joy and to center joy and to stay surrounded by the people that bring me joy and that I can bring joy too.
AP: How did “Age of Pleasure” define where you are in life?
MONAE: I wanted to create a soundtrack to our lifestyle. I think this album like all my albums reflect exactly where I am at that time. Each album will let you know where I was in my evolution process, what things I had to unlearn, what things I learned. I love that. I love that you can always look at an artist working, sort of see what they were on at that time.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/entertainment/qa-janelle-monae/3YER2HCKOVME4CXSBKLFUV23EY/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:15 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/entertainment/qa-janelle-monae/3YER2HCKOVME4CXSBKLFUV23EY/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — When actor Casey Likes watched "Back to the Future" growing up, his mom would always say he reminded her a lot of the film's star, Michael J. Fox. Something in the universe agrees: He's taken on Fox's classic movie role on Broadway.
The rising stage star plays Marty McFly for a musical adaptation of the beloved 1985 sci-fi comedy about a time-traveling duo who go back to the 1950s in a souped-up, gull-winged DeLorean.
“I remember growing up and just really, really loving the film. It kind of sat in that realm of like ‘E.T.’ and ‘Close Encounters’ — movies that came at a time when film was magical,” says Likes, 21. “I hope we accomplish something kind of similar with Broadway.”
The show, which won the Olivier Award for best new musical last year in London, arrives at the Winter Garden Theatre this summer with a story by Bob Gale, who previously co-created and co-wrote the movie with Robert Zemeckis. It hews very closely to the original, including having a DeLorean onstage and the shout "Great Scott!"
Broadway veteran and Tony Award-winner Roger Bart takes on Christopher Lloyd’s role of Doc Brown, the oddball scientist with a knack for inventions. Bart recalls seeing “Back to the Future” in his early 20s when it first appeared in movie theaters. He watched with three friends from theater school and they were all secretly jealous of Fox.
“None of my friends — even knowing each other as well as we did — none of them, including my mother, ever nudged me and said, ‘No, no, kid. You’re Doc Brown. Just be patient,’” the Tony-winner says laughing.
Like the film, the musical centers on Marty McFly traveling back to his hometown in 1955. Once there, he gets caught up in the soap opera lives of his own teenage parents, including his mom, who develops a crush on her future son. He must reconnect mom and dad or he risks disappearing from history.
“We feel like it’s very important – I’m sure Casey would agree — for the public to come to the show and recognize that they are seeing that story in a different form but with all of its charms very deeply intact,” says Bart, whose Broadway credits include “The Producers,” “Disaster!” and “Young Frankenstein.”
New songs have been crafted by the film's composer Alan Silvestri and songwriter and producer Glen Ballard. Some Huey Lewis and the News songs from the movie also have been included, like the theme tune "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time," as well as Marty McFly's futuristic rendition of "Johnny B. Goode."
“We go back to the ‘50s, you get some songs that sound like ’Grease,' like ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’ And then we have some ‘80s moments in there that are very ’Footloose,'” says Likes. “It feels kind of like the greatest hits of not only rock ‘n’ roll, but of musical theater.”
While both men are fans of the films — and both got to meet the original stars at a gala last week — neither Bart nor Likes want to straightjacket themselves into the way Fox and Lloyd performed their roles.
"I don't want to impersonate the movie. I want to remind you of the movie," says Likes, who made his Broadway debut last year as the Cameron Crowe-inspired lead character of the musical "Almost Famous."
“There’s a lot of things that Roger is doing that are similar, and there’s a lot of things that I’m doing that hopefully are similar to Michael. But we’re really just reminding you of their brilliance. Hopefully, at the same time, you’re able to kind of go along the journey with our Marty and Doc.”
In addition to being a cultural touchstone, "Back to the Future" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry and the American Film Institute listed it as the No. 10 best science-fiction film. Bart thinks the movie's staying power is because it manages to straddle many worlds.
There's a time travel story and one about getting to know your parents as peers. There's a love story between Marty's parents and there's also a buddy movie — Marty and Doc putting their friendship on the line.
“Between all of these elements, it answers so many of the things that we love about that era of moviemaking and storytelling,” says Bart. “I think that’s one of the reasons why it is has sort of stuck around so long.”
Not to mention the fact that audiences can appreciate the story at different parts of their lives. Kids can enjoy the thrills and special effects; adults can be moved by the notion of meeting their own moms and dads. “Part of its sustaining power is the fact that it can mean one thing at one age and another at another,” says Bart.
Likes also adds another reason: Marty initially only wants to get back to his own time period to reconnect with his girlfriend. But his reasons start to change — save Doc, save his family, save the world.
"As the show goes on, there’s more stacked up reasons as to why he has to get back. And I think that’s a really interesting thing to think about in our own life," he says. “What would be our reasons to to get back to our current life?”
___
Mark Kennedy can be reached at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
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Credit: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP
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Credit: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/the-stars-of-broadways-back-to-the-future-musical-happily-speed-into-the-past-every-night/AKHGVWXAEBFFPEOR6QPSEWKM7Y/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:15 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/the-stars-of-broadways-back-to-the-future-musical-happily-speed-into-the-past-every-night/AKHGVWXAEBFFPEOR6QPSEWKM7Y/ |
Bryan Norcross: Systems are spinning north in the Atlantic but not in the tropics
The National Hurricane Center is giving Invest 96L a high chance of developing over the next couple of days. By the end of the week, its opportunity will likely end.
UPDATED Monday at 8:50 a.m.
The tropical disturbance in the central Atlantic is already producing winds over 40 mph. So the National Hurricane Center will name it if it can pull itself together sufficiently to be categorized as a tropical storm. The system’s official name is Invest 96L, which means the NHC is investigating it with additional computer forecast models.
The system has a clear and robust circulation, but upper-level winds are pushing the thunderstorms to the east side. If the winds let up a bit, and the thunderstorms can wrap around the system, it will meet the criteria to be upgraded.
The National Hurricane Center is giving the disturbance a high chance of developing over the next couple of days. By the end of the week, its opportunity will likely end.
In any case, the system is not a threat to land.
Well offshore of the Mid-Atlantic coast, another disturbance is being investigated – Invest 97L. It’s also likely to soon contain 40 mph winds, but this one has a very small chance of becoming a tropical storm. It is being absorbed by a cold front that moved off the East Coast of the U.S., significantly lowering the temperatures in the big cities along the I-95 corridor.
One of the requirements for a system to be called "tropical" is that it not be connected to fronts. A front is a line dividing warm and cold air. It’s that contrast that powers non-tropical storms like nor’easters. Tropical systems run off the heat from the ocean.
There’s only a slight chance and a very brief window for the disturbance to develop independently of the frontal system, and that window is closing fast. In any case, it’s moving offshore and isn’t a threat.
In the tropical Atlantic between Africa and the Caribbean, where most of the big storms originate, there is nothing to look at. A large plume of thick Saharan dust is forecast to stick around into next week at least. This will keep the middle levels of the atmosphere dry and limit any tropical development.
Elsewhere, hostile upper-level winds are forecast to keep things quiet. On average, the hurricane season doesn’t heat up until the middle of August. A calm end of July isn’t unusual. | https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/bryan-norcross-systems-north-atlantic-tropics | 2023-07-31T15:59:17 | 1 | https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/bryan-norcross-systems-north-atlantic-tropics |
TRENTON, New Jersey -- New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who is currently serving as acting governor while Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy is out of the state, has been taken to a hospital for an undisclosed medical issue.
Oliver, 71, was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and is unable to carry out the duties of acting governor, Murphy's spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said in a statement Monday. Under the state constitution, Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari will serve as acting governor.
Gunaratna said Oliver was receiving "medical care" but declined to elaborate.
Murphy's office has said he's out of the country on a family vacation in Italy, where he owns a home.
Oliver, a Democrat, has served as the state's second lieutenant governor since 2018. She concurrently serves as the head of the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and oversees code enforcement.
In 2010, she became the first African-American woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly in the state's history. | https://6abc.com/new-jersey-lieutenant-governor-sheila-oliver-nj-gov-phil-murphy/13577622/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:17 | 0 | https://6abc.com/new-jersey-lieutenant-governor-sheila-oliver-nj-gov-phil-murphy/13577622/ |
HAZLET, N.J. (WPIX) – A New Jersey family is suing a movie theater chain after the mother and her son, who has autism, were thrown out.
Their offense? The mother took her son into the women’s restroom when he needed to go to the bathroom.
“All this time, it was humiliating and scary for my son,” Christine Gallinaro, of Holmdel, told WPIX.
It was supposed to be a fun trip to the movies for Gallinaro and her 15-year-old son, John.
Gallinaro‘s husband wasn’t with them, so when John, who is nonverbal, had to go to the bathroom, she took him into the ladies’ room at Cinemark‘s Hazlet 12. There was no family restroom.
Gallinaro said no one in the ladies’ room complained. She said many understood that her son has special needs and needed an adult to help him. But the theater manager let her and her son know she disapproved.
“I asked her if there was a problem. I explained that he was disabled, and she said a grown man should not be in this bathroom,” Gallinaro said.
Gallinaro said the manager called security and then the police to eject them from the movie theater. On the cellphone video, Gallinaro said it was clear to her that the security and police were sympathetic to her plight.
The Gallinaros filed a lawsuit last week against the movie theater chain.
“What happened that day was unlawful, wrong, and bizarre,” said Austin Tobin, the Gallinaro family’s lawyer.
“Since this happened and has been made public, there has been an overwhelming response of support, particularly from mothers of disabled children,” Gallinaro said.
A few days after the June 16 incident, Gallinaro said the movie theater regional manager reached out to offer a refund, but the mother said the humiliation was too great.
WPIX contacted the movie theater for comment on the allegations but did not receive a response. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:18 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ |
Drag performance has become a part of the cultural mainstream. Programs like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and influencers on Instagram and TikTok are making the performance style a part of our collective consciousness. Earlier this month, thousands of drag lovers descended upon London’s streets for the largest drag convention anywhere on the globe.
While queens can often be found in the spotlight, the stories and experiences of drag kings are sometimes overlooked. They are typically paid less than queens and often face discrimination at the clubs where they perform.
The history of male impersonation dates back thousands of years to the Tang Dynasty in China. The traditions continued with performers in the U.K. and the U.S. through the 19th and 20th centuries, with performers like Madam Vestris and Florence Hines (featured below) pioneering the art form in the West.
Mo B. Dick has been performing as a drag king for decades and is now based on the West Coast. Dick told The New York Times that audiences, “don’t necessarily see the comedy in a woman putting on a suit. Female masculinity is still scary to some people.”
We assemble a panel of drag kings from across the U.S. to discuss the politicization of their craft, their commercial challenges, and more.
“Dr. Wang” Newton is a Taiwanese-born American performance artist and producer specializing in the art of masculine drag. (Credit: Eric Jukelevics)
King Molasses is a non-binary drag king and performing artist based in Washington D.C. (Credit: King Molasses)
An 1830s photo of Madam Vestris, an English actress and performer in Drag.
Florence Hines was a pioneering Black drag performer in the late 19th century. Hines was featured in The Creole Show, a touring act of all Black performers.
Copyright 2023 WAMU 88.5 | https://www.wlrn.org/2023-07-31/ask-a-drag-king-rebroadcast | 2023-07-31T15:59:17 | 1 | https://www.wlrn.org/2023-07-31/ask-a-drag-king-rebroadcast |
Reimagined Ship Sets Sail in Marseille With Updated Spaces and Exceptional Experiences
MIAMI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Crystal officially relaunches under the new guardianship of A&K Travel Group, as Crystal Serenity sets sail following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. Departing on its inaugural voyage today from Marseille, the cruise line's largest vessel accommodates 740 guests and is the first of two ships returning to service this summer.
With an industry-leading space-to-guest ratio (1 to 93.1 cu. ft.) and nearly one staff member per guest, Crystal Serenity fosters endless opportunities for inspiration and enrichment, complemented by unparalleled service. Larger, redesigned suites, award-winning specialty dining restaurants and restorative public spaces further expose passengers to heightened experiences enroute to the world's most sought-after destinations around the world.
"Crystal has been recognized for decades for exceptional experiences and we are excited to welcome guests back onboard for its new gilded era," said A&K Travel Group CEO, Cristina Levis. "In just one year, we've been able to revitalize the ships, a feat nearly unheard of in our industry. It is an honor to be signaling this new chapter better than ever and right on schedule, all while retaining 80% of Crystal's beloved crew on board."
Itineraries
After the first voyage from Marseille to Lisbon, Crystal Serenity will sail towards Northern Europe unearthing the most alluring locales including, UK, Ireland, and Iceland. The ship then travels to the Americas offering experiences as north as Canada to as south as Cartagena, Colombia, before beginning the 2024 World Cruise. Sailing from San Diego or Miami over the course of 125 nights, this highly anticipated voyage visits 29 countries and 62 breathtaking destinations and iconic landscapes.
Suites & Guest Rooms
Crystal enlisted leading cruise ship architectural firm, GEM, to guide the redesign of select guestrooms and suites. Accommodations feature neutral tones and high-end fixtures, complemented by subtle hues of pastel colors that resonate with the color of the ocean. Elevated details, contemporary craftsmanship, and artisanal finishes embody modern refinement, while the spacious layouts maximize in-room relaxation.
As part of the ship's refurbishments, there are two new guest room categories – the Jr. Crystal Penthouse Suite and Single Guest Room with Ocean View – that serve as an option for solo travelers without the worry of paying additional single supplements. These new categories will also increase the availability of the popular Sapphire Suite category.
- Single Guest Room with Ocean View: Cozy bedroom (up to 215 sq ft) redesigned in 2023, with welcoming and comfortable detailing, butler service, and ocean views.
- Sapphire Veranda Suite: Spacious suite (up to 430 sq ft) with living area, elegant finishings and private veranda, accompanied by attentive butler service. Sapphire suites are available to book in new and classic design.
- Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite: Redesigned in 2023, this large suite (up to 645 sq ft) includes spacious rooms with separate dining and living areas looking onto a private veranda, also accompanied by attentive butler service.
Dining
With eleven distinct dining options, including 24-hour in-suite dining service, guests have access to unparalleled culinary experiences:
- Umi Uma: The return of legendary Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa's Umi Uma – the only Nobu dining concept at sea where guests can enjoy award-winning, innovative Japanese-Peruvian cuisine.
- Osteria D'Ovidio: Fine Italian cuisine, featuring original menus and dishes created by talented Crystal chefs.
- Waterside Restaurant: Crystal's main dining room features open seating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- The Bistro: A modern café and coffee bar with light snacks such as fresh pastries, bagels and fruit in the morning and a selection of international cheeses, pâtés, prosciutto, smoked salmon, and dessert delicacies throughout the afternoon.
- Trident Grill: Set poolside, Trident Grill features classic delights like burgers, melts, salads and more.
- Scoops Ice Cream Bar: Crystal's sumptuous desert bar features authentic Italian gelato with fresh toppings, frozen yogurt, homemade cookies and more.
- The Vintage Room: Offers intimate guided pairings and dinners highlighting the vast selection of wines in the ship's onboard cellar.
- Tastes Kitchen & Bar: Globally inspired cuisine and casual "family style" dining experience, Tastes offers tapas-style cuisine for guests to enjoy on their own or with newfound friends.
- Marketplace: A buffet style dining wrapped in floor to ceiling windows and a chic open air dining area.
Wellness
Crystal's new spa concept, Aurōra, is set to be the most serene wellness destination at sea with a new design boasting light-bright neutral colors, an illuminated fiber optic starlight ceiling, organic materials and a natural salt crystal and silk brushed slate stone. The extensive treatment offerings include more signature facials, massage treatments and a full-service Salon. Highlights include:
- The Aurōra LED and Cryo Facial Experience that instantly plumps and tones the skin.
- Biotec 2.0 The Ultimate Facial designed to reveal a youthful appearance after just one treatment.
- The Aurōra Stone Signature Massage which incorporates hot stones for relaxed muscle.
Furthermore, Crystal recently announced the appointment of Dalila Roglieri as Head Nutritionist for the brand, rounding out the holistic wellness experience for guests.
Crystal Serenity's sister ship Crystal Symphony is currently undergoing renovations and will resume service for its inaugural voyage in Athens on Sept. 1.
Book a Crystal itinerary by contacting your travel advisor, visiting https://www.crystalcruises.com/grand-journeys or calling 1-800-446-6620.
Additional imagery can be found HERE.
About Crystal
For more than three decades Crystal has been synonymous with exceptional, award-winning voyages. In 2022 A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and its two vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, ushering in a new era of Exceptional at Sea. The globally renowned cruise line offers discerning travelers' industry-leading, authentic, and enriching experiences both onshore and at sea. Crystal's pioneering partnership with Abercrombie & Kent provides guests with unparalleled access to the most sought-after experiences, destinations, and the latest cultural makers around the world. The reimagined ships will boast larger, updated suites with artisanal finishes, new cutting-edge wellness offerings, spectacular entertainment, and complimentary world-class dining - including the return of UMI UMA - the only dining experience by Michelin-Star Chef Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) at sea. With a legacy of unrivaled service and commitment to sophistication and elegance at every touchpoint, once on-board passengers feel as if they are perfectly at home.
Join our exceptional community at:
Facebook: @CrystalCruises
Instagram: @CrystalCruises
Twitter: @CrystalCruises
LinkedIn: @CrystalCruises
For media inquiries, please contact:
Robyn Fink | RFink@crystalcruises.com
Mikaela Caldera | MCaldera@crystalcruises.com
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SOURCE Crystal | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/crystal-serenity-returns-service-heralding-new-era-cruising/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:20 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/crystal-serenity-returns-service-heralding-new-era-cruising/ |
Buckle up: New laws from seat belts to library books take effect in North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Hundreds of new laws will take effect Tuesday in North Dakota, including greater enforcement of seat belt use and restrictions regarding gender identity, sexual content in public libraries and ownership of farmland by foreign entities.
North Dakota’s Republican-controlled Legislature adjourned April 30 after writing new laws and budgets for the next two years. Some contentious policy bills have already taken effect due to emergency clauses, which make legislation immediately into law when signed by the governor.
Among those already in effect are revised laws outlawing all abortions, except in cases where women could face death or a “serious health risk.” Another exception for pregnancies caused by rape and incest applies only in the first six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant.
Here is what to know about the new laws taking effect in North Dakota.
SEAT BELTS
North Dakota joins a majority of states with some form of a primary enforcement seat belt law, according to information from the Governors Highway Safety Association.
The state previously had secondary enforcement, meaning officers could cite front seat occupants for not wearing a seat belt only after a previous traffic infraction, though there was primary enforcement for minors in all seats.
The new law will require all vehicle occupants to wear seat belts, not just those in front seats. The fine remains at $20.
The proposed change was a hot debate for years in the Legislature, involving arguments of safety versus personal freedom. The change initially will be one of education before transitioning to enforcement, said Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben, who supported the legislation.
“One of the arguments is people always say we should have personal choice, but we regulate a lot of things in our society, and that’s just part of living in a modern society, is there’s going to be rules, and seat belts are proven, time and time again, that’s the one thing people can do that will make a difference in a crash,” Leben said.
The state government’s Vision Zero initiative aims to mitigate traffic deaths, with seat belts as one component.
North Dakota logged a 20-year low of 98 traffic deaths in 2022, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Transportation. Nearly 82% of front-seat vehicle occupants used seat belts in 2021, according to NDDOT data.
GENDER IDENTITY
The Legislature passed a raft of gender-related bills that will soon take effect.
Those include two bills restricting transgender girls and women from participating on school sports teams matching their gender identity.
Other new laws will restrict sex amendments on birth records and bar transgender people from using restrooms and showers aligning with their identity in correctional facilities and public college dormitories.
Another bill that took effect in May prohibits transgender K-12 students from using restrooms aligning with their gender identity, among other restrictions. The Fargo School Board indicated it will defy the law.
One other bill, which took effect in April, criminalizes sex reassignment surgeries and gender-affirming care for minors.
BOOK BANNING
Republican lawmakers targeted sexual content in public libraries with a new law for removing or relocating “explicit sexual material” from public libraries’ children’s collections.
Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, who vetoed a broader bill allowing misdemeanor charges against librarians, said the new law “standardizes the process for local public libraries to review material when requested by parents, library users or other members of the public — a process already in place and working at nearly all public libraries across the state.”
Fargo Public Library Director Tim Dirks consulted the city attorney regarding the library’s current policies for compliance with the new law, with which he said he feels comfortable. The law requires a “compliance report” from public libraries to a top legislative panel.
“I think the key thing for us is the existing policies and procedures that we have in place,” but it remains to be seen how people will respond, Dirks said. The library has about 300,000 items on its shelves at three branches, plus vast collections of electronic materials.
It’s unclear how many challenges might arise to library materials, Dirks said. Fargo’s public library has had one or two challenges per year.
Republican lawmakers decried books such as “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson and “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe.
“What I always found incredible to this whole conversation … is that in a society with the First Amendment, free and open, you have to understand you are going to run into things that you find offensive,” Dirks told The Associated Press. “Our job as the public library is to be representative as broadly as we can in terms of our society and our community.”
FOREIGN OWNERS OF FARMLAND
Two new laws will ban foreign governments and adversaries from owning land in North Dakota. The legislation came amid concerns of Chinese ties to a company’s proposed corn milling plant near the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
One law has exemptions for Canada and for agricultural research on no more than 160 acres (64.75 hectares).
The other law also bans local government boards from advancing foreign adversaries’ development plans during a two-year legislative study into related issues.
The new laws respond to constituents’ concerns but could create confusion for agribusiness companies with ties to foreign countries, Republican state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring told the AP.
“It’s not a government that owns them, but it is a foreign entity, and the reality is all the work that they have to do for research … they have to do at ground zero,” he said.
Goehring noted all land in the U.S. is agricultural land until designated otherwise and an area of 160 acres is not enough for extensive research.
Other states such as Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi and Oklahoma also have laws banning foreign ownership of farmland. | https://www.kvrr.com/2023/07/30/buckle-up-new-laws-from-seat-belts-to-library-books-take-effect-in-north-dakota/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:22 | 0 | https://www.kvrr.com/2023/07/30/buckle-up-new-laws-from-seat-belts-to-library-books-take-effect-in-north-dakota/ |
NEW YORK — (AP) — When actor Casey Likes watched "Back to the Future" growing up, his mom would always say he reminded her a lot of the film's star, Michael J. Fox. Something in the universe agrees: He's taken on Fox's classic movie role on Broadway.
The rising stage star plays Marty McFly for a musical adaptation of the beloved 1985 sci-fi comedy about a time-traveling duo who go back to the 1950s in a souped-up, gull-winged DeLorean.
“I remember growing up and just really, really loving the film. It kind of sat in that realm of like ‘E.T.’ and ‘Close Encounters’ — movies that came at a time when film was magical,” says Likes, 21. “I hope we accomplish something kind of similar with Broadway.”
The show, which won the Olivier Award for best new musical last year in London, arrives at the Winter Garden Theatre this summer with a story by Bob Gale, who previously co-created and co-wrote the movie with Robert Zemeckis. It hews very closely to the original, including having a DeLorean onstage and the shout "Great Scott!"
Broadway veteran and Tony Award-winner Roger Bart takes on Christopher Lloyd’s role of Doc Brown, the oddball scientist with a knack for inventions. Bart recalls seeing “Back to the Future” in his early 20s when it first appeared in movie theaters. He watched with three friends from theater school and they were all secretly jealous of Fox.
“None of my friends — even knowing each other as well as we did — none of them, including my mother, ever nudged me and said, ‘No, no, kid. You’re Doc Brown. Just be patient,’” the Tony-winner says laughing.
Like the film, the musical centers on Marty McFly traveling back to his hometown in 1955. Once there, he gets caught up in the soap opera lives of his own teenage parents, including his mom, who develops a crush on her future son. He must reconnect mom and dad or he risks disappearing from history.
“We feel like it’s very important – I’m sure Casey would agree — for the public to come to the show and recognize that they are seeing that story in a different form but with all of its charms very deeply intact,” says Bart, whose Broadway credits include “The Producers,” “Disaster!” and “Young Frankenstein.”
New songs have been crafted by the film's composer Alan Silvestri and songwriter and producer Glen Ballard. Some Huey Lewis and the News songs from the movie also have been included, like the theme tune "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time," as well as Marty McFly's futuristic rendition of "Johnny B. Goode."
“We go back to the ‘50s, you get some songs that sound like ’Grease,' like ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’ And then we have some ‘80s moments in there that are very ’Footloose,'” says Likes. “It feels kind of like the greatest hits of not only rock ‘n’ roll, but of musical theater.”
While both men are fans of the films — and both got to meet the original stars at a gala last week — neither Bart nor Likes want to straightjacket themselves into the way Fox and Lloyd performed their roles.
"I don't want to impersonate the movie. I want to remind you of the movie," says Likes, who made his Broadway debut last year as the Cameron Crowe-inspired lead character of the musical "Almost Famous."
“There’s a lot of things that Roger is doing that are similar, and there’s a lot of things that I’m doing that hopefully are similar to Michael. But we’re really just reminding you of their brilliance. Hopefully, at the same time, you’re able to kind of go along the journey with our Marty and Doc.”
In addition to being a cultural touchstone, "Back to the Future" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry and the American Film Institute listed it as the No. 10 best science-fiction film. Bart thinks the movie's staying power is because it manages to straddle many worlds.
There's a time travel story and one about getting to know your parents as peers. There's a love story between Marty's parents and there's also a buddy movie — Marty and Doc putting their friendship on the line.
“Between all of these elements, it answers so many of the things that we love about that era of moviemaking and storytelling,” says Bart. “I think that’s one of the reasons why it is has sort of stuck around so long.”
Not to mention the fact that audiences can appreciate the story at different parts of their lives. Kids can enjoy the thrills and special effects; adults can be moved by the notion of meeting their own moms and dads. “Part of its sustaining power is the fact that it can mean one thing at one age and another at another,” says Bart.
Likes also adds another reason: Marty initially only wants to get back to his own time period to reconnect with his girlfriend. But his reasons start to change — save Doc, save his family, save the world.
"As the show goes on, there’s more stacked up reasons as to why he has to get back. And I think that’s a really interesting thing to think about in our own life," he says. “What would be our reasons to to get back to our current life?”
___
Mark Kennedy can be reached at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/entertainment/stars-broadways-back/CX7KKAU6N6RYD3FQZ7C2PFA7J4/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:22 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/entertainment/stars-broadways-back/CX7KKAU6N6RYD3FQZ7C2PFA7J4/ |
York Fire spawns 'fire whirls' while flames scorch the landscape inside California's Mojave National Preserve
Firefighters battling the York Fire on the northern side have observed fire whirls, which are also known as whirlwinds and can resemble a dust devil or tornado
MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, Calif. - A large wildfire that ignited within California’s Mojave National Preserve on Friday has crossed over into Nevada while strong winds and dry conditions are only making the situation worse.
Officials say the York Fire has currently scorched about 70,000 acres of land and is 0% contained.
(FOX Weather)
According to officials with the Mojave National Preserve (MNP), the California Interagency Incident Management Team 12 has been briefed about the ongoing situation. It will be taking command of fire suppression efforts at 8 a.m. PDT Monday.
Firefighters battling the blaze on the northern side have observed fire whirls, also known as whirlwinds, according to officials with the MNP.
"While these can be fascinating to observe, they are very dangerous natural phenomena that can occur during wildfires," the MNP said in a Facebook post.
A fire whirl is a vortex of smoke and flames that form when intense heat and turbulent winds combine, creating a spinning column of fire that resembles a tornado.
"These fire whirls are similar to dust devils but are specifically associated with the heat and energy released by a wildfire," the MNP said. "They can range in size from a few feet to hundreds of feet in height, and their rotational speed can vary widely."
The situation is extremely dangerous for firefighters because the fire whirls can spread embers across all directions, which can then ignite new fires.
In addition, the fire whirls can change directions quickly, making them unpredictable.
"Firefighter crews encountering fire whirls poses significant risks, and safety protocols along with strategies must carefully be planned and executed to minimize potential harm," the MNP said.
Officials in Nevada’s Clark County said there are no plans for any evacuation orders in any residential areas, including the cities of Nipton, California, and Searchlight, Nevada.
"The fire, at this time, remains some distance from these areas, and CCFD (Clark County Fire Department) continues to coordinate response and resources with partner agencies, and mobile command has stood up," officials said in a statement. | https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/york-fire-fire-tornado-whirl-nevada-california | 2023-07-31T15:59:23 | 1 | https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/york-fire-fire-tornado-whirl-nevada-california |
(The Hill) — The Department of Education released a beta website on Monday for the Biden administration’s new income-driven student loan repayment plan, known as the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.
“A beta version of the updated [Income-Driven Repayment (IDR)] application is now available and includes the option to enroll in the new SAVE Plan – the most affordable repayment plan yet,” the department said on the site.
Previously, the administration had numerous IDR options for borrowers, which advocates have said led to a confusing system for borrowers.
The new SAVE plan will replace the Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment (REPAYE) plan, one of the most widely used out of the four IDR options available to borrowers. The other three IDR plans will be phased out by the department or limited in the future.
The SAVE plan will make three significant changes this year compared to the REPAYE option. The first raises the income exemption from 150 percent above the poverty line to 225 percent, meaning a single person earning less than $32,800 would have $0 monthly payments under the plan.
The plan also won’t allow unpaid interest to grow if a person is making their monthly student loan payments. Lastly, spousal income for borrowers who are married and file separately will not be included.
The website – first reported by CNN — shows a demo of the application process, where some information such as tax returns can be automatically inserted due to information the government has on file for a borrower.
“We will be able to show borrowers their exact monthly payment amount and give them the ability to choose the most affordable repayment plan for them,” one official told CNN.
Officials told the network the full website launch will happen in August after the department has time to assess the site’s performance during the beta launch. Those who apply for SAVE during the beta period will not have to reapply after the full launch.
Those on the previous REPAYE IDR plan will be automatically enrolled in the new plan and do not need to use the launched application.
The Hill has reached out to the Department of Education for comment on the beta launch.
Other aspects of the SAVE program will be implemented next year such as payments getting reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent of income above 225 percent of the poverty line for undergraduate loans.
The SAVE plan, touted as the most generous IDR plan by the administration, is expected to cost between $150 billion to $350 billion a year, according to varying estimates.
The launch of the SAVE plan comes two months before borrowers end their three-year-long pause on student loan payments and begin President Joe Biden’s “on-ramp” repayment system.
Under the system, interest will still accrue, but borrowers will not be penalized in other ways such as credit score ratings for not paying their student loan payments up until Sept. 2024. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/new-income-driven-student-loan-repayment-plan-available-to-borrowers/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:24 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/new-income-driven-student-loan-repayment-plan-available-to-borrowers/ |
Here's a look ahead and a roundup of key developments from the past week.
What to watch
Conflict analysts are looking for further signs that Ukraine may have entered a new, bolder phase of its counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Saudi Arabia will host Ukraine peace talks this weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported and Ukrainian officials confirmed, but Russia is apparently not invited.
The United States will take over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for August, with a focus on food security following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
A panel tasked with investigating allegations that South Africa provided weapons to Russia is due to report its findings to the country's president soon.
Friday will mark one year since U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced to prison in Russia. After months of negotiations with the U.S., Russia released her in December in exchange for the U.S. freeing a Russian arms dealer.
What happened last week
Ukrainian forces launched a heavy assault in the Zaporizhzhia region, leading to news reports saying Ukraine could be stepping up its counteroffensive. They recaptured a small village, Staromaiorske, from Russian forces. Ukrainian forces are fighting on at least three major fronts in the south, east and northeast.
Over the weekend, Ukrainian drones damaged buildings in Moscow. "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, though Ukraine has not officially claimed the drone attacks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a summit with African leaders, promising free delivery of tens of thousands of tons of grain to Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia and Zimbabwe. But he did not accede to the African leaders' requests to resume the Black Sea grain deal allowing Ukrainian exports — a deal that Russia terminated earlier this month.
Russian lawmakers passed a higher age limit for military conscription. Starting in January, men 18 to 30 will have to carry out military service or training for one year, up from the current age cap of 27. They also approved a measure to ban draftees from leaving the country, after a draft order last year set off a mad rush out of Russia.
The United States will provide $400 million in military assistance for Ukraine, the 43rd time President Biden is using his drawdown authority to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
U.S. Marine veteran Trevor Reed was injured while fighting in Ukraine. Reed had been imprisoned in Russia and was freed as part of a prisoner swap with the U.S. last year. At some point he wound up joining Ukrainian forces, but the U.S. government said Reed was not fighting on its behalf.
Ukraine decided to let its athletes take part in competitions in which Russians and Belarusians will be competing under neutral flags and not publicly support the war against Ukraine.
In-depth
Ukraine's troops are slowly pushing Russian forces out of occupied land.
Ukraine struggles to rebuild a navy destroyed by Russia.
Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar discusses Putin, Zelenskyy and the war in Ukraine.
The U.S. and Europe search for new Ukraine export routes after Russia leaves the grain deal.
On the State of Ukraine podcast: Nobel Peace Prize winners say Ukraine needs more weapons to prevail against Russia.
Special report
Russia's war in Ukraine is changing the world: See our report on its ripple effects in all corners of the globe.
Earlier developments
You can read past recaps here. For context and more in-depth stories, you can find more of NPR's coverage here. Also, listen and subscribe to NPR's State of Ukraine podcast for updates throughout the day.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Luxury resort connects guests with Hawaii's vibrant culture through an array of added complimentary activities set for September 1 – November 17, 2023
WAILEA, Hawaii, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As travelers look ahead to the upcoming fall season, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea invites resort guests to immerse themselves in the newly launched 'Getaway' experience from September 1 – November 17, 2023.
Designed for those seeking meaningful ways to connect to the tropical destination and its extraordinary culture, Four Seasons Resort Maui's Getaway experience features a variety of complimentary activities available daily. From new activities like a Poi Pounding Workshop and a round-robin Pickleball Power Hour to tried-and-true seasonal experiences like evening Hawaiian Star Stories and a Poke Pop-Up party, there is something for every kind of traveler.
"We are excited to reintroduce our Getaway experiential programming that provides guests with an authentic connection to the destination and culture," says General Manager Ben Shank. "With a variety of new activities, as well as a few guest favorites, we're certain these experiences will provide lifelong memories."
The robust Getaway schedule, which includes complimentary experiences from cultural to culinary to wellness to environmental, is offered in addition to the Resort's always full calendar of activities, allowing travelers of all interests and ages a personalized island getaway at Maui's premier luxury resort destination.
2023 GETAWAY EXPERIENCE:
Puka Perri Pop-Up Jewelry Bar
Meet one of Maui's favorite jewelry designers, Puka Perri, who will handcraft a design that is uniquely for you, using ocean treasures like Maui-picked puka shells and hand-selected pearls with earth elements like gold and diamonds.
Hawaiian Star Stories
Talk story with famed navigator Kala Babayan Tanaka as she recounts the history of Polynesian wayfinders who used the stars, wind, and swells to journey to the Hawaiian Islands.
Poke Pop-Up
Sample different variations of one of Hawaii's most beloved dishes: poke. Paired with Maui Brewing Co.'s handcrafted beer, this not-to-be-missed pop-up featuring the Resort's talented culinary team is a guest favorite.
Boot Camp
Start the day with a freestyle cardio and strength class that incorporates intervals, circuits, drills, weights, core, and functional moves.
Art of Botanical Block Printing
Drawing inspiration from the island's natural beauty, design a botanical stamp and print stationery with fine art block artist Susanna Cromwell.
Wine Tasting
Learn how your palate works and discover new wines in a tasting experience led by Resort Wine Director Aaron Wood-Synderman.
Coral Reefs 101
Learn about the delicate ocean ecosystem and how to restore and protect it through an onshore class and a snorkel experience led by the experts from Maui Undersea Adventures.
Pickleball Power Hour
Join a round-robin power hour of pickleball with other guests. This easy-to-play game is open to all levels and will begin with a short lesson.
Sunrise Photo Walk
Join award-winning fine art landscape photographer Scott Reither for an interactive 90-minute photo workshop along the picturesque Wailea Beach path.
Poi Pounders Workshop
Sample Hawaii's famous staple food, poi, in an interactive poi pounding demonstration that highlights kalo (taro), a "canoe plant" first brought to Hawaii by Polynesians wayfinders.
Available throughout the Getaway experience, the Resort also looks forward to welcoming the nationally acclaimed mezcal brand Dos Hombres to its sunny shores for guests, visitors, and residents to experience the 'Dos Hombres Cocina' pop-up from August 25 – December 2, 2023. Diners and visitors to the Resort will be able to enjoy a unique culinary journey for the senses set in the lush tropical gardens of the Fountain View Lawn. The Oaxacan-inspired menu will utilize the freshest local Hawaiian-grown ingredients effortlessly paired with inspired Dos Hombres craft cocktails.
To make reservations to experience a Getaway at Four Seasons Resort Maui, guests can reserve directly via the Concierge team at concierge.maui@fourseasons.com or call (808) 874-8000.
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SOURCE Four Seasons Resort Maui | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/four-seasons-resort-maui-announces-ten-ways-perfect-fall-getaway/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:27 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/four-seasons-resort-maui-announces-ten-ways-perfect-fall-getaway/ |
Two tribal nations to open Minnesota’s first legal recreational marijuana dispensaries
WHITE EARTH, Minn. (AP) — At least two tribal nations are expected to open Minnesota’s first recreational marijuana dispensaries in August as recreational marijuana becomes legal to possess and grow in the state on Tuesday.
Following a council vote on Friday, the White Earth Nation in northwestern Minnesota legalized recreational cannabis and will begin selling it sometime in the first half of August, Minnesota Public Radio reported. Both tribal members and non-tribal adults 21 years and older would be able to purchase from the nation’s dispensary.
Weeks earlier, NativeCare — a tribal-run medical marijuana provider — announced a recreational marijuana dispensary expected to open shortly on Red Lake Nation once the new law takes effect, the Star Tribune reported. The nation is also in northwestern Minnesota.
The band could’ve started selling recreational marijuana at that time but decided to wait until Minnesota’s new marijuana law legalizes possession statewide.
“Our intention is to be a good partner and ultimately fill the void for people who intend to use cannabis,” Red Lake tribal secretary Sam Strong told the Star Tribune.
The state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature approved a massive marijuana legalization bill this year, which Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed in May.
White Earth Nation and Red Lake Nation plan to take advantage of their sovereignty and allow sales right away. But the state projects most legal retail sales won’t begin until early 2025, while it creates a licensing and regulatory system for the new industry.
Minnesota is the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana, more than a decade after Colorado and Washington did so. | https://www.kvrr.com/2023/07/30/two-tribal-nations-to-open-minnesotas-first-legal-recreational-marijuana-dispensaries/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:28 | 0 | https://www.kvrr.com/2023/07/30/two-tribal-nations-to-open-minnesotas-first-legal-recreational-marijuana-dispensaries/ |
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection has slapped Twitter with a complaint and launched an investigation after the company installed a flashing "X" sign above its building without a permit.
On Friday, a city inspector went to Twitter's headquarters to alert the company of the violation and to evaluate the sign located on the roof, according to the complaint.
A Twitter representative denied access but explained that the structure is "a temporary lighted sign for an event." The inspector clarified that any signage without a permit must be removed.
The inspector came to the headquarters again on Saturday to visit the roof. But upon arrival, "access was denied again by tenant," the complaint said.
The city violation comes days after San Francisco police stopped workers from removing Twitter's original sign, which includes its name and iconic blue bird, because the company also did not have proper permits and failed to tape off the sidewalk as part of pedestrian safety measures.
As the sign permitting saga was unfolding in San Francisco this weekend, Elon Musk posted a video on Twitter on Saturday unveiling the new black and white signage — the latest in Musk's sweeping rebrand of the social media platform since changes were announced last week.
Our HQ in San Francisco tonight pic.twitter.com/VQO2NoX9Tz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 29, 2023
Twitter did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment. But to a tweet alleging that San Francisco authorities were trying to force Musk to remove the "X" sign, the Twitter owner replied with a laughing-crying emoji.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-31/san-francisco-investigates-twitters-x-sign-musk-responds-with-a-laughing-emoji | 2023-07-31T15:59:28 | 0 | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-31/san-francisco-investigates-twitters-x-sign-musk-responds-with-a-laughing-emoji |
As the hour creeps past three in the afternoon, New Orleans' streets are devoid of tourists and locals alike. The heat index is over 105 degrees.
At the city's ambulance depot, the concrete parking lot seems to magnify the sweltering heat, circulating the air like a convection oven.
New Orleans Emergency Medical Services has been busy this summer, responding to heat-related emergency calls and rushing patients to nearby hospitals.
Capt. Janick Lewis and Lt. Titus Carriere demonstrate how they can load a stretcher into an ambulance using an automated loading system.
Lewis wipes sweat from his brow as the loading arm whirs and hums, raising the stretcher into the ambulance — "unit" in official terminology.
But the mechanical assistance isn't the best thing about the new vehicle. "The nicest thing about being assigned a brand new unit, is it's a brand-new air conditioning system," Lewis says.
The new AC is much more than just a luxury for the hard-working crews. These days they need the extra cooling power to help save lives.
"The number one thing you do take care of somebody is get them out of the heat, get them somewhere cool," Lewis says. "So the number one thing we spend our time worrying about in the summertime is keeping the truck cool."
Like much of the country, New Orleans has been embroiled in an almost relentless heat wave for weeks. As a result, more people are falling ill with heat-related conditions than ever before. Just last week, EMS responded to 29 heat-related calls — more than triple compared to the same period last year.
As the city's emergency medical systems deal with the influx of patients, scientists say these dangerous heat levels — and the increasing stress they put on human bodies and medical systems — may be the new norm.
At the same time, New Orleans EMS has struggled with funding and staffing challenges. It's currently operating with only 60% of its needed staff. The city's chief of EMS has called for increased funding for higher wages to attract more workers.
Lewis says they're making do with the resources they have, and prioritizing one-time expenses like new ambulances to help them meet the challenges they're facing.
"We're going to provide the care everybody needs, regardless of how hot it gets," Lewis says. "We'd love to have all the help in the world, but we're getting the job done with what we have right now."
Health dangers above 100℉
When a human being is exposed to high levels of heat for too long, it starts to raise the core body temperature. Once that exceeds 100 degrees, hyperthermia can develop. That can prompt an escalating cascade of health problems if it isn't quickly addressed.
The first stage is heat exhaustion, Lt. Carriere explains: "That means you're hot, you may have an elevated temp, but you also have what's called diaphoresis, which means your body is sweating, is still trying to compensate and cool yourself off." You'll also likely have other symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and headache.
Carriere says that if you can quickly get out of the heat and into some AC, generally you'll recover from heat exhaustion on your own. But if you don't, your core temperature will continue to rise.
Near 104° the dangers escalate
If internal body temperature approaches 104 degrees, you could succumb to the next stage — heat stroke.
"Once you move to heat stroke, your body stops compensating," Carriere says. "You stop sweating. You're hot. You're dry, and your organs are basically like frying themselves from the inside out."
When you stop sweating, it becomes even harder for your body to cool itself down. During heat stroke, you may also experience other severe symptoms like an altered state of mind, confusion, and a rapid, erratic pulse. You may even lose consciousness.
Heat illness can develop after unrelieved exposure to incessant heat, but high humidity compounds the problem by making it harder for the body to cool itself by sweating.
Working outdoors, dehydration, alcohol or drug use, and sunburn all increase the risk. The very old, children under 4, and those who are obese or have certain medical conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Without medical intervention, heat stroke can be deadly. EMS starts treatment immediately after they arrive on the scene.
"We'll get them on a gurney, get them into the unit, start removing their clothing and put ice packs wherever applicable to try to cool them down," says Carriere.
Saving lives in the ER with ice, fluids, and medical support
Once you're loaded into the ambulance, they'll race you to a nearby hospital, Carriere says. At University Medical Center (UMC), the city's largest hospital, doctors and nurses will continue efforts to quickly lower body temperature, and replace fluids by IV if necessary..
"When the patient ends up at the hospital, we're going to continue that cooling process," Elder says. "We're going to put them in an ice water bath," says Dr. Jeffrey Elder, the Medical Director for Emergency Management at UMC. "We may use some misting fans and some cold fluids to get their body temperature down to a reasonable temperature while we're supporting all the other bodily functions."
Getting your core temperature down as quickly as possible is the highest priority, Elder explains, and is what will ultimately save your life. One way they can speed that along is by burying you in ice. In other parts of the country, doctors actually place patients inside body bags pre-packed with pounds of ice. Body bags are useful in these cases because they're waterproof and are designed to closely fit the human form.
They don't use body bags at UMC's emergency room, but during the summer, staffers do keep bags of ice ready to go at all times.
"On the stretcher, we'll use some of the sheets as kind of a barrier," Elder says. "And while they're on the stretcher, we'll just put the ice on them right then and there."
Hospital staff will continue to work to cool you down until your temperature gets back below 100. That's when you're considered to be in the medical safe zone.
Elder admits that while it always gets hot in New Orleans during the summer, his emergency room has been treating more heat-related illness in 2023 than ever before. A few patients have died from the heat.
Like many other hospital systems, UMC is struggling with staffing challenges since the pandemic. But UMC has prioritized staffing of the emergency department in order to handle things like an influx of patients from heat-related illness, Elder says.
Burden on health infrastructure heats up
Across the country, meteorological events like heat waves and heat domes will become more frequent and intense in the future, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Extreme summer heat is increasing in the United States," says Claudia Brown, a health scientist with the CDC's Climate and Health Program. "And climate projections are indicating that extreme heat events will be more frequent and intense in the coming decades."
Health infrastructure will be challenged to keep up in order to treat patients suffering from extreme heat exposure. In New Orleans, both first responders and doctors say they expect to see more patients with heat-related illness. July is merely the halfway point of a Louisiana summer.
"We haven't even gotten to the hottest part yet, which is typically August to September," says EMS Lt. Titus Carriere. "So I'm expecting it to get pretty bad."
This story comes from NPR's health reporting partnership with the Gulf States Newsroom and KFF Health News.
Copyright 2023 Gulf States Newsroom. To see more, visit . | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke | 2023-07-31T15:59:28 | 1 | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke |
ATLANTA — (AP) — A new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has entered commercial operation, becoming the first new American reactor built from scratch in decades.
Georgia Power Co. announced Monday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, southeast of Augusta, has completed testing and is now sending power to the grid reliably.
At its full output of 1,100 megawatts of electricity, Unit 3 can power 500,000 homes and businesses. Utilities in Georgia, Florida and Alabama are receiving the electricity.
Nuclear power now makes up about 25% of the generation of Georgia Power, the largest unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co.
A fourth reactor is also nearing completion at the site, where two earlier reactors have been generating electricity for decades. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday said radioactive fuel could be loaded into Unit 4, a step expected to take place before the end of September. Unit 4 is scheduled to enter commercial operation by March.
The third and fourth reactors were originally supposed to cost $14 billion, but are now on track to cost their owners $31 billion. That doesn’t include $3.7 billion that original contractor Westinghouse paid to the owners to walk away from the project. That brings total spending to almost $35 billion.
The third reactor was supposed to start generating power in 2016 when construction began in 2009.
Vogtle is important because government officials and some utilities are again looking to nuclear power to alleviate climate change by generating electricity without burning natural gas, coal and oil.
“This project shows just how new nuclear can and will play a critical role in achieving a clean energy future for the United States,” Southern Co. CEO Chris Womack said in a statement. “Bringing this unit safely into service is a credit to the hard work and dedication of our teams at Southern Company and the thousands of additional workers who have helped build that future at this site.”
In Georgia, almost every electric customer will pay for Vogtle. Georgia Power currently owns 45.7% of the reactors. Smaller shares are owned by Oglethorpe Power Corp., which provides electricity to member-owned cooperatives, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and the city of Dalton. Oglethorpe and MEAG plan to sell power to cooperatives and municipal utilities across Georgia, as well in Jacksonville, Florida, and parts of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
Georgia Power's 2.7 million customers are already paying part of the financing cost and elected public service commissioners have approved a monthly rate increase of $3.78 a month for residential customers as soon as the third unit begins generating power. That could hit bills in August, two months after residential customers saw a $16-a-month increase to pay for higher fuel costs.
Commissioners will decide later who pays for the remainder of the costs of Vogtle, including the fourth reactor.
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/first-us-nuclear/4YCDJK7AT7N7SAPA34GGKHI2LQ/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:29 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/first-us-nuclear/4YCDJK7AT7N7SAPA34GGKHI2LQ/ |
Updated July 31, 2023 at 11:18 AM ET
The sentencing hearing for Lori Vallow Daybell began in Idaho at 9 a.m. MT (11 a.m. ET) Monday, as she faces punishment for murdering two of her children and conspiring to murder a romantic rival — crimes of which she was found guilty in May.
Vallow Daybell, 50, faces a punishment ranging up to life in prison without parole. The sentencing hearing will be livestreamed from the Fremont County Courthouse — you can watch video of the hearing below.
The lengthy trial was full of strange and shocking moments, Prosecutors say Vallow Daybell was motivated by arcane religious beliefs about "dark energy" and the "end times," and by her desire to pursue a life with her new husband, Chad Daybell — including conspiring to kill his late wife.
Judge Steven Boyce will hand down his sentence after the court hears victim impact statements from loved ones of Tylee Ryan and Joshua Jaxon "JJ" Vallow, Vallow Daybell's children whose bodies were found in 2020; and Tammy Daybell, the previous wife of Chad Daybell, who also faces charges in all three deaths.
The children's bodies were found in 2020
A jury found Vallow Daybell guilty of killing her two youngest children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua Jaxon "JJ" Vallow. Tylee was nearly 17 when she and JJ, 7, were last seen alive in September 2019. The children's bodies were found in June 2020, buried on property in Rexburg, Idaho, owned by Chad Daybell.
Even before the remains were found, Vallow Daybell was charged with felony desertion of a child and obstruction. Prosecutors said she didn't report her children missing so she could keep collecting benefit payments.
Vallow Daybell was also found guilty of conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell, Chad's then-wife, who was found dead in her home in October 2019 — less than one month before he and Vallow got married in Hawaii. He is Vallow Daybell's fifth husband.
'Zombie' beliefs arose during trial
In court documents, Vallow Daybell's close friend Melanie Gibb described hearing her say that Tylee had become a zombie — a concept Vallow Daybell had picked up from Daybell.
Gibb said she heard Vallow Daybell call Tylee a zombie after Tylee had refused to babysit JJ — to which Tylee replied, "Not me, mom," according to a police affidavit. Gibb said Vallow Daybell later concluded that JJ had also become a zombie.
Prosecutors also said Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell portrayed themselves as religious figures called "James and Elaina." And they purported to be able to "rate" people, detecting whether they might be under the thrall of an evil spirit's dark energy.
The case depicted a love affair that turned deadly
Prosecutors say Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell's relationship was entwined in a deadly criminal conspiracy they sought to justify with fantastical beliefs. Rather than simply starting a new life together after they met in October 2018, the prosecution said, the couple plotted to kill their closest relatives and benefit from their deaths through insurance payouts and Social Security benefits.
Vallow Daybell's defense attorney, James Archibald, has said his client was in the thrall of a man she sees as a messiah and her eternal soulmate. He has also argued that the prosecution has produced little direct evidence to tie Vallow Daybell to her children's deaths.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-31/watch-lori-vallow-daybell-is-sentenced-for-killing-her-children-in-zombie-murders | 2023-07-31T15:59:30 | 0 | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-31/watch-lori-vallow-daybell-is-sentenced-for-killing-her-children-in-zombie-murders |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — This year Whitney Houston would have turned 60, and a special celebration to raise money for a good cause is being planned for her birthday.
Houston’s estate, Sony and Primary Wave Music will host the second annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will benefit the late singer’s foundation aimed at helping young people.
Houston’s close friends BeBe Winans and Kim Burrell will perform at the gala at Atlanta’s St. Regis Hotel, as will Whitney’s brother, Gary, who toured with her for three decades.
“When I turned 50, Whitney gave me two celebrations — one in Ireland and one in London. I always tell everyone now that one of them was for her,” says Pat Houston, Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law and the executor of her estate. Houston died in February 2012 at age 48. “This year is Whitney at 60 — we’re all looking forward to being a part of the power of love in that room.”
Founded by the singer in 1989, the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children aims to empower youth, by providing resources to unhoused children, giving out college scholarships, and raising funds for charities like the Children’s Defense Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research.
A charity auction will raise money for the foundation.
“We’re going to auction off a beautiful lavender dress Dolly Parton wore when she sang ‘I Will Always Love You’ at Country Music Television’s ‘100 Greatest Love Songs of Country Music’ special in 2004,” says Pat Houston. “This dress is particularly special because it’s lavender, and lavender is Whitney’s favorite color.”
The song, originally written by Parton, was recorded by Houston and became one of her great, everlasting hits. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it diamond early last year, which means the track has sold and streamed 10 million equivalent units in the United States. It became her first diamond single and made Houston the third woman to ever achieve diamond status with both a single and an album, following Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift.
Clive Davis will serve as honorary chairman. Recording Academy President Harvey Mason jr. is scheduled to attend. Also expected are Gamma’s Larry Jackson and Whitney Houston’s musical director Rickey Minor.
“I always tell people, Whitney is the star,” Pat Houston said. “Everybody in that room is royalty, but she’s loyalty — and she’s still showing that.” | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/whitney-at-60-houston-estate-announces-2nd-annual-gala/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:30 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/whitney-at-60-houston-estate-announces-2nd-annual-gala/ |
PATERSON, N.J., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --
Glacier Fresh, a leading provider of innovative water filtration solutions, has developed and launched one of the most advanced gravity filters in the market, rivalling the mainstream kitchen filter products. Does 30% higher flow rate, antibacterial silver ion technology and industry-leading 90% fluorine removal with half the market price sounds interesting? Then read on!
Experience the epitome of clean water with the GlacierFresh Gravity Water Filter. Glacier Fresh not only uses the most high quality and sustainable activated carbons from coconut shells, but also developed a breakthrough technology to safely combine silver-ions with activated carbons to to safeguard your drinking water. This new filter inhibits bacteria growth and prevents mildew formation. This ensures not only clean and refreshing water but also peace of mind regarding your family's health.
Unlike other gravity filters on the market that typically have 2 carbon and 2 optional fluorine filters, Glacier Fresh has taken filtration to the next level. With an increased filter capacity of 3+3, the GlacierFresh Gravity Water Filter offers an unmatched advantage. This upgrade not only contributes to a remarkable 30% higher flow rate and better filtration performance but also sets it apart in fluoride removal. While other filters can only remove 30%-40% of fluoride, the Glacier Fresh gravity water filter excels with industry-leading 90% fluoride removal. To fill 2.25 gallons, it now takes approximately 23 minutes, a significant improvement compared to the market standard of 1-2 hours.
Its stylish 304 stainless steel housing ensures durability while adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen. The product also comes with a visible water level meter, that you can easily see it without opening the product. All these improvements you may thing may come at a steep cost? But no! Because of Glacier Fresh's strong product development background, and commitment to offer affordability, it offers the best possible price for this new gravity filter.
Since 2015, Glacier Fresh has been dedicated to making healthy drinking water accessible to everyone. Trusted by families worldwide, Glacier Fresh is renowned for its advanced technology and high-quality filtration ingredients. Glacier Fresh's commitment to excellence is evident in its state-of-the-art production facility, boasting over 30 patents. Through continuous research and development, Glacier Fresh pioneers innovative water filtration solutions.Their products, including the GlacierFresh Gravity Water Filter, are certified by IAPMO, NSF/ANSI 42, and 53, guaranteeing the highest quality and safety.
Driven by the vision of becoming the top hydration brand in the USA, Glacier Fresh offers a comprehensive product line, including refrigerator water filters, ice makers, RV/Marine filters, Soda makers, and water pitcher filters. With an independent e-commerce platform and a strong social media presence, Glacier Fresh continues to grow rapidly, making a mark in the market.
Discover the pure innovation of the GlacierFresh Gravity Water Filter. With its durable construction, ultimate filtration, and innovative technology, this gravity filter provides clean and pure water for your everyday needs. Join Glacier Fresh in their mission to create a healthier world by experiencing the difference in water filtration.
Media Contact:
Name: Sofia Abrams
Email: pr@glacierfresh.co
Website: https://www.glacierfreshfilter.com/
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SOURCE Glacier Fresh | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/introducing-glacierfresh-gravity-water-filter-pure-innovation/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:34 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/introducing-glacierfresh-gravity-water-filter-pure-innovation/ |
Polk County man strikes gold, becomes overnight multi-millionaire in lottery scratch-off gameUS returns manuscript signed by Hernando Cortés in 1527 to Mexico’s national archivesNeed a truck, drone or tractor? Orange County hosting huge online auctionFHP: Man, 28, killed in crash on John Young Parkway in Orange CountyMan killed after shooting at Palm Bay police during standoff, officials say | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/disneys-motion-dismiss-tourism-district-lawsuit-is-denied/HIKHPP6OM5CY5CH2P3ZFSRI7OI/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:35 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/disneys-motion-dismiss-tourism-district-lawsuit-is-denied/HIKHPP6OM5CY5CH2P3ZFSRI7OI/ |
Martin County - Monday July 31, 2023: Martin County Sheriff's (MCSO) Special Investigations detectives have arrested Jerry Sneed and Furman Orr on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine.
Sneed and Orr are both former Martin County residents.
A release from MCSO states that the pair "traveled to Martin County to distribute large quantities of methamphetamines after making deals with undercover detectives."
Detectives found the methamphetamine in Sneed’s truck. It was packed into a cooler with beer and soda they had been drinking during their road trip.
Sneed and Orr were arrested and booked into the Martin County Jail. | https://www.wqcs.org/wqcs-news/2023-07-31/mcso-jerry-sneed-and-furman-orr-charged-with-trafficking-in-methamphetamine | 2023-07-31T15:59:38 | 0 | https://www.wqcs.org/wqcs-news/2023-07-31/mcso-jerry-sneed-and-furman-orr-charged-with-trafficking-in-methamphetamine |
NEW YORK (AP) — Trucking company Yellow Corp. has shut down operations and is headed for a bankruptcy filing, according to the Teamsters Union and multiple media reports.
After years of financial struggles, reports of Yellow preparing for bankruptcy emerged last week — as the Nashville, Tennessee-based trucker saw customers leave in large numbers. Yellow shut down operations on Sunday, according to the Wall Street Journal, following the layoffs of hundreds of nonunion employees on Friday.
In an announcement early Monday, the Teamsters said that the union received legal notice confirming Yellow was ceasing operations and filing for bankruptcy.
“Today’s news is unfortunate but not surprising. Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government,” Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry.”
The Associated Press reached out to Yellow for comment on Monday. No bankruptcy filings had gone live as of the early morning.
The bankruptcy reports have renewed attention around Yellow’s ongoing negotiations with unionized workers, a $700 million pandemic-era loan from the government and other bills the trucker has racked up over time. Yellow, formerly known as YRC Worldwide Inc., is one of the nation’s largest less-than-truckload carriers. The company’s reported closure puts 30,000 jobs at risk.
Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT WOULD BANKRUPTCY MEAN FOR YELLOW?
According to Satish Jindel, president of transportation and logistics firm SJ Consulting, Yellow handled an average of 49,000 shipments per day in 2022. Last week, he estimated that number was down to between 10,000 and 15,000 daily shipments.
With customers leaving — as well reports of Yellow stopping freight pickups last week — bankruptcy would “be the end of Yellow,” Jindel told The Associated Press, noting increased risk for liquidation.
“The likelihood of them surviving and remaining solvent diminishes really by the day,” added Bruce Chan, a research director at investment banking firm Stifel.
Yellow declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press on Friday. In a Wednesday statement to The Journal, the company said it was continuing “to prepare for a range of contingencies.” On Thursday, Yellow said it was in talks with multiple parties about selling its third-party logistics organization.
Even if Yellow was able to sell its logistics firm, it would “not generate a sufficient amount of cash to keep them operational on any sort of permanent basis,” Chan said. “Without a major equity injection, it would be very difficult for them to survive.”
HOW MUCH DEBT DOES YELLOW HAVE?
As of late March, Yellow had an outstanding debt of about $1.5 billion. Of that, $729.2 million was owed to the federal government.
In 2020, under the Trump administration, the Treasury Department granted the company a $700 million pandemic-era loan on national security grounds. Last month, a congressional probe concluded that the Treasury and Defense Departments “made missteps” in this decision — and noted that Yellow’s “precarious financial position at the time of the loan, and continued struggles, expose taxpayers to a significant risk of loss.”
The government loan is due in September 2024. As of March, Yellow had made $54.8 million in interest payments and repaid just $230 million of the principal owed, according to government documents.
Yellow’s current finances and prospect of bankruptcy “is probably two decades in the making,” Chan said, pointing to poor management and strategic decisions dating back to the early 2000s. “At this point, after each party has bailed them out so many times, there is a limited appetite to do that anymore.”
In May, Yellow reported a loss of $54.6 million, a decline of $1.06 per share, for its first quarter of 2023. Operating revenue was about $1.16 billion in the period.
A Wednesday investors note from financial service firm Stephens estimated that Yellow could be burning between $9 million and $10 million each day. Using a liquidity disclosure from earlier this month, Yellow had roughly $100 million in cash at the end of June, the note added — estimating that the company has been burning through increasing amounts of money through July.
“It is reasonable to believe that the Company could breach its $35 mil. liquidity requirement at any moment,” Stephens analyst Jack Atkins and associate Grant Smith wrote.
DID THE COMPANY JUST AVERT A STRIKE?
Last week’s reports of bankruptcy preparations arrived just days after a strike from the Teamsters, which represents Yellow’s 22,000 unionized workers, was averted.
A series of heated exchanges have built up between the Teamsters and Yellow, who sued the union in June after alleging it was “unjustifiably blocking” restructuring plans needed for the company’s survival. The Teamsters called the litigation “baseless” — with O’Brien pointing to Yellow’s “decades of gross mismanagement,” which included exhausting the $700 million federal loan.
On July 23, a pension fund agreed to extend health benefits for workers at two Yellow Corp. operating companies, averting a strike — and giving Yellow “30 days to pay its bills,” notably $50 million that Yellow failed to pay the Central States Health and Welfare Fund on July 15, the union said. While the strike didn’t occur, talks of a walkout may have caused some Yellow customers to pull back, Chan said.
“The financial struggles of Yellow are not related to the union and the contracts,” Jindel said, pointing to management’s responsibility around its services and prices. He added the union wages from Yellow are “lower than any competitor.”
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YELLOW WENT UNDER?
As Yellow customers take their shipments to other carriers, like FedEx or ABF Freight, prices will go up.
Yellow’s prices have historically been the cheapest compared to other carriers, Jindel said. “That’s why they obviously were not making money,” he added. “And while there is capacity with the other LTL carriers to handle the diversions from Yellow, it will come at a high price for (current shippers and customers) of Yellow.”
Chan adds that we’re in an interesting time for the LTL marketplace — noting that, if Yellow liquidates, “the freight would find a home” with other carriers, which may not have been true in recent years.
“It may take time, but there’s room for it to be absorbed,” he said. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/yellow-trucking-shutdown-bankruptcy-heres-what-to-know/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:38 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/yellow-trucking-shutdown-bankruptcy-heres-what-to-know/ |
TORONTO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Sharon Hodgson, Dean, Ivey Business School, along with students from the Women in Asset Management Program at Ivey Business School, joined Karin Adams, Vice President, Talent and Total Rewards, TMX Group, to celebrate the Women in Asset Management Program and to open the market.
The Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University is Canada's leading provider of relevant, innovative and comprehensive business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping graduates with the skills and capabilities they need to tackle the leadership challenges in today's complex business world. Ivey offers world-renowned undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto and Hong Kong.
The Women in Asset Management Program is run through Ivey in collaboration with eight other Canadian asset managers to empower women to join the field of asset management.
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SOURCE Toronto Stock Exchange | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/ivey-business-school-opens-market/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:40 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/ivey-business-school-opens-market/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Sprouts Farmers Market is celebrating the grand opening of its sixth location in Central Florida.
The newest location will open at 12500 Lake Underhill Road in the Waterford Lakes on Friday.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Officials said they’ll host a ribbon cutting at 6:45 a.m. and the store will open at 7 a.m.
The first 200 shoppers on Friday and Saturday will receive a free “Goodness it’s Free” reusable goodie bag filled with products and samples.
Read: Man turns himself in after weekend shooting in east Orange County
Officials said the celebrations will continue all weekend with a “pop-up party” outside the store featuring seasonal produce samples, games, face painting, and artists carving large produce.
The location will be open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Read: US returns manuscript signed by Hernando Cortés in 1527 to Mexico’s national archives
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/happening-this-week-sprouts-farmers-market-opening-new-store-orange-county/Z4COR5ZD2BELJCBDHOSWDAH5GM/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:41 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/happening-this-week-sprouts-farmers-market-opening-new-store-orange-county/Z4COR5ZD2BELJCBDHOSWDAH5GM/ |
Florida - Monday July 31, 2023: The National Hurricane Center is tracking two systems in the Atlantic, neither of which pose a threat to Florida.
AL-96: Central Tropical Atlantic
Shower and thunderstorm activity continues in association with an area of low pressure located about 700 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. However, the system does not currently have a well-defined center of circulation.
Environmental conditions are forecast to be sufficiently favorable for development over the next few days, and a tropical depression or storm is likely to form
during the next day or so.
The system is expected to move northwestward at 10 to 15 mph today, and then turn northward over the central subtropical Atlantic by late tonight or Tuesday.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.
AL-97 Off the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Coast
Shower and thunderstorm activity has changed little in association with an area of low pressure located offshore of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast. The system appears to be acquiring non-tropical characteristics as it begins to merge with a frontal boundary, and its chances of becoming a tropical cyclone appear to be decreasing. Regardless, the low is expected to begin producing gale-force winds today while it moves quickly toward the east-northeast at about 30 mph.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent. | https://www.wqcs.org/wqcs-news/2023-07-31/nhc-two-out-there-neither-pose-a-threat-to-florida | 2023-07-31T15:59:44 | 1 | https://www.wqcs.org/wqcs-news/2023-07-31/nhc-two-out-there-neither-pose-a-threat-to-florida |
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — What do the names Tater-tot, Ziggy, Circle, Twin and Toad have in common? Some might think they are call signs, like Maverick and Goose from “Top Gun,” but the unique monikers actually belong to Oxbow Meadows’ five American alligators.
Just after 11 a.m., the gators gathered in their habitat waiting for feeding time, where they practice their daily training regimen.
“A lot of our alligators come to us because they’ve been fed in the wild,” said Oxbow Meadows Environmental Educator, Victoria Neundorfer. “They become ‘nuisance alligators’ because they associate people with food.”
Oxbow Meadows’ alligators have been with them for approximately seven years, since they were yearlings. They are all female and almost full-grown at seven feet long.
“Unfortunately, they’re not releasable,” said Neundorfer, explaining the alligators were fed at a young age and would be public safety concerns as adults in the wild.
Alligators, Nuendorder added, have excellent memories.
While this is an issue for fed alligators in the wild, in captivity it means alligators in can be trained similarly to dogs. According to Neundorfer, the alligators at Oxbow Meadows are able to remember colors, patterns and commands as a result of operant conditioning.
According to the American Kennel Club, this type of training differs from classical conditioning – think Pavlov’s dog – because it is an active process instead of a passive one. Animals become less likely to perform negatively rewarded unwanted behaviors. They also become more likely to practice positively rewarded ones.
At feeding time, the alligators responded to their individual names and commands like “water” and “target.” The former directs the animals to stay in their pond, while the latter indicates they should touch their noses to the tip of a bamboo pole to receive a reward.
As the alligators snapped up treats, Neundorfer pointed out each has a unique coloration and striping pattern. Circle, for example, got her name from the pattern on her back, as did Ziggy.
Neundorfer revealed the alligators originally had names inspired by the video game Mario Kart, although some were changed when they started training five years ago. This was to make each alligator more identifiable, although Toad kept her Mario Kart name.
Treats consist of first “alligator pellets,” then chicken and fish. The pellets contain ground meats, vitamins and other dietary supplements the alligators may be missing, according to Neundorfer.
“They get [pellets] first because the fun stuff comes after, it’s like dessert,” said Neundorfer, explaining there are also fish in the pond which the reptiles can hunt throughout the day.
July 28 marked the last day of Oxbow Meadows’ summer series. This fall, Oxbow Meadows will hold Saturday programming, as well as the opening of a new birding trail. There will also be two ongoing count projects, for pollinators and birds, which community members can take part in.
The wildlife center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. | https://www.cbs42.com/regional/georgia-news/operant-conditioning-alligators-in-captivity-respond-to-dog-like-training/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:45 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/regional/georgia-news/operant-conditioning-alligators-in-captivity-respond-to-dog-like-training/ |
NEW YORK , July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Forbes Global Properties, a curated consumer marketplace of luxury homes and an invitation-only membership network of independently owned real estate firms, has named respected industry veteran Matt Beall chair of the organization's Board of Directors.
Chief Executive Officer and Principal Broker of Hawaii Life, Mr. Beall draws from 25 years of residential real estate experience. Recognizing the increasing need for innovative and engaging property marketing, Mr. Beall co-founded Hawaii Life in 2008 and the company quickly became the market leader in luxury real estate sales across the island chain.
Under Mr. Beall's leadership, Hawaii Life has enjoyed consistent growth and success and today is regarded as the top-producing real estate brokerage in the State of Hawaii. Operating from 17 offices across the Hawaiian Islands, the firm's team of 350 skilled agents represent buyers, sellers, and property owners with a well-earned reputation for the delivery of highly personalized service and expert guidance with unwavering professionalism, integrity, and discretion.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Beall has served Hawaii's real estate industry, holding a variety of board and leadership positions, including President of the Kauai Board of Realtors and as a member of Hawaii Association of Realtors' executive committee. Currently, he is on the board of the Hawaii Land Trust, a land conservation organization with over 22,000 acres in perpetual conservation. He is also a member of the Kauai Leadership Council for the Hawaii Community Foundation, where Hawaii Life has a donor-advised fund managed entirely by its brokers, agents, and employees.
"It's an honor to serve Forbes Global Properties as the Board Chair, and especially to continue the legacy of Jeff Hyland, who was always a mentor of mine and many others in our organization. We have extraordinary talent on both the board and in our membership across the globe, and we're all looking forward to expanding the possibilities with Forbes as our partner," said Matt Beall Chief Executive Officer and Principal Broker of Hawaii Life and Board Chair of Forbes Global Properties.
"Matt is a valued member of Forbes Global Properties who prioritizes collaboration, professionalism, and the highest level of service for both our members and the clients we represent. He has a clear vision for continued growth and the proven ability to implement those plans; I look forward to supporting him in this new role," said Michael Jalbert, Chief Executive Officer.
Forbes Global Properties was co-founded by Jeff Hyland and Bonnie Stone Sellers as a way to connect the increasingly global buyers of luxury homes with the world's foremost real estate experts. The consortium launched in December 2020 with offices in 75 locations and has since grown to a powerful global network of more than 13,000 real estate agents across 440 locations.
Mr. Beall is joined on the Board by Vice Chair Andy Nelson of Willis Allen Real Estate, Olivier de Chabot-Tramecourt of Groupe Mercure, Quentin Epiney of Comptoir Immobilier / FGP Swiss + Alps, Ken Jacobs of Private Property Global, Nikki Koval of Forbes Media LLC, Jose Ribes Bas of Inmobiliaria Rimontgó, co-founder Bonnie Stone Sellers, and Mark Smith of Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.
The exclusive worldwide residential real estate partner of Forbes, Forbes Global Properties provides branding and marketing services to the world's premier real estate firms. Members are thoroughly vetted, and the network is comprised of top brokerages with proven records of success in luxury property sales and recognized delivery of exceptional client service.
About Forbes Global Properties
Established in 2020 and led by the world's foremost independent luxury residential brokers and industry veterans, Forbes Global Properties is a curated consumer marketplace that connects discerning buyers directly to the world's finest homes and the elite agents that represent them. The invitation-only network spans 440 locations and comprises more than 13,000 property experts across the U.S., Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Europe. For more information, visit forbesglobalproperties.com.
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SOURCE Forbes Global Properties | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/matt-beall-named-board-chair-forbes-global-properties/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:47 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/matt-beall-named-board-chair-forbes-global-properties/ |
Polk County man strikes gold, becomes overnight multi-millionaire in lottery scratch-off gameUS returns manuscript signed by Hernando Cortés in 1527 to Mexico’s national archivesNeed a truck, drone or tractor? Orange County hosting huge online auctionFHP: Man, 28, killed in crash on John Young Parkway in Orange CountyMan killed after shooting at Palm Bay police during standoff, officials say | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/lynx-plans-new-construction-near-orlando-international-airport/FSJVJKYDRVE4PCU5IJXTEUTGKA/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:47 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/lynx-plans-new-construction-near-orlando-international-airport/FSJVJKYDRVE4PCU5IJXTEUTGKA/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man is in the hospital after deputies said he was shot at a Lake Buena Vista hotel.
Orange County deputies said they responded to Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista on Palm Parkway around 6 a.m. and found a man in his 20s with a gunshot wound.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Deputies said he was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputies said the shooter is in custody and the hotel is secure.
Read: FHP: Man, 28, killed in crash on John Young Parkway in Orange County
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for updates.
Read: Two found dead after shooting in Orange County, deputies say
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/man-shot-lake-buena-vista-hotel/GMUQOP5ZTBBWHEPBKXJRR3TCGY/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:50 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/man-shot-lake-buena-vista-hotel/GMUQOP5ZTBBWHEPBKXJRR3TCGY/ |
Okeechobee County - Monday July 31, 2023: The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office reports that 48-year-old Helen Dyke has died while in custody following what the Sheriff's Office says was an attempt to take her own life.
According to a release from the OCSO, during an inmate check on Sunday morning at the Okeechobee County Detention Facility Dykes was found in a severe state of distress.
Life-saving attempts were made by detention deputies, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AEF). However, those effort failed and she was pronounced dead by EMS personnel.
The medical examiner was called in, and the case will remain open until the ME determines the cause of death.
Dykes was awaiting trial on a charge of possession of a weapon and ammunition by a convicted felon. | https://www.wqcs.org/wqcs-news/2023-07-31/okeechobee-county-sheriff-reports-death-of-inmate-helen-dykes | 2023-07-31T15:59:51 | 1 | https://www.wqcs.org/wqcs-news/2023-07-31/okeechobee-county-sheriff-reports-death-of-inmate-helen-dykes |
Kia Soul EV tops the list for the second consecutive year
LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of electric vehicles (EVs) available on the marketplace continues to grow and the cost of insuring an EV is a burgeoning factor for consumers. According to industry reports, the number of currently available and soon-to-launch EV models is increasing from 27 as of January '21 to 53 early this year. Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY), a leading auto insurer in California and provider of auto insurance in 10 other states, has put together a list of the most affordable new EVs to help consumers save them money on insurance.
Mercury's research and development team examined 2023 model year electric vehicles available at car dealerships today to compile the list1.
"EVs are growing on consumers and many are considering one as their next vehicle," said Mercury Insurance Director of Product Management R&D Chong Gao. "One of the most important aspects of ownership that needs to be considered is the cost of insuring an EV. This cost can make up a significant portion of owning one and Mercury provides an EV discount in most of the states it operates in."
Mercury is proud to offer a discount on EVs in 10 of the 11 states it offers personal auto insurance.
The list of 2023 electric vehicles, beginning with the most affordable make and model to insure is:
- Kia Soul EV
- Nissan Leaf
- Ford F-150 Lightning
- Hyundai IONIQ
- Volvo C40 Recharge
- Volvo XC40 Recharge
- Mazda MX-30
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Volkswagen ID.4
- (a tie at 10th) Audi Q4 E-Tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, Mercedes EQB and Polestar 2
About Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners and renters insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance.
Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultracompetitive rates with excellent customer service. Mercury has earned "A" ratings from A.M. Best and Fitch, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook.
1 Mercury Insurance developed the list based on full coverage premium (BI, PD, COMP, COLL, MP, UMBI and UMPD) for a hypothetical California driver with average factors for each rating element.
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SOURCE Mercury General Corporation | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/mercury-names-most-affordable-2023-electric-vehicles-insure/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:53 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/mercury-names-most-affordable-2023-electric-vehicles-insure/ |
Polk County man strikes gold, becomes overnight multi-millionaire in lottery scratch-off gameUS returns manuscript signed by Hernando Cortés in 1527 to Mexico’s national archivesNeed a truck, drone or tractor? Orange County hosting huge online auctionFHP: Man, 28, killed in crash on John Young Parkway in Orange CountyMan killed after shooting at Palm Bay police during standoff, officials say | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/new-lake-county-project-clermont-west-get-portillos-more/54BPP5HXMBBQ3AL27GRELPLMFI/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:56 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/new-lake-county-project-clermont-west-get-portillos-more/54BPP5HXMBBQ3AL27GRELPLMFI/ |
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Open House Worldwide architecture festival, a network of nearly 60 non-profit organizations hosting festivals and dialogue about architecture, design and cities across the globe, is set to debut March 1-2, 2024 in the Miami and Miami Beach area. Dedicated to honoring and sharing the iconic history of architecture and design on Miami Beach, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) is working in partnership with The Miami Center for Architecture and Design (MCAD), the lead of Open House Miami, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), and a host of additional community organizations. The official announcement of the first-ever installment of Open House Miami was recently made during a VIP reception at the Historic Hampton House, a perfect example of preserved architecture, design and cultural history.
"As an internationally-recognized event, we are proud to be part of a team that will welcome Open House to the market for the first time, providing an opportunity for new and returning visitors to access Miami Beach's iconic art deco buildings and signature, architectural landmarks," says Grisette Marcos, Executive Director of the MBVCA. "This marquee experience will join a collection of annual events activated on Miami Beach that positively benefit our city's hotels, restaurants and local businesses."
From New York to Seoul, Buenos Aires to Maputo, San Diego to Miami, Open House Worldwide is dedicated to making cities more open, accessible, and equitable. The network now spans 52 festivals, 29 countries, and 6 continents. The three-day festival will give attendees access to workshops and behind-the-scenes building tours, as well as give them opportunities to meet some of Miami and Miami Beach's world-renowned architects.
"At the heart of what makes a destination a great place to visit, is that it first has to be a great place to live, work and play," said GMCVB President & CEO David Whitaker. "Open House will provide visitors and our residents alike, a first-time peek behind the scenes of iconic buildings and venues that were not only instrumental in our history but instrumental in building and defining our brand. A true sense of place begins with the places that shape and reflect our spirit and our heritage, both yesterday and today."
Open House Miami will be only the fourth city in the U.S., following New York, San Diego, and Chicago, of what has become a worldwide movement to open cities and engage citizens in conversations about how to shape the future of where they live and celebrate historic design and architecture. Complimentary direct access to experience a collection of buildings throughout Miami and Miami Beach will provide opportunities for visitors, local and community members to connect, learn, discuss and debate amongst experts and themselves.
"MCAD looks forward to bringing this event to Miami and Miami Beach which, we believe, will add a new component to our city's place in the world as an architecture enthusiast's destination," added MCAD's Executive Vice President Cheryl Jacobs.
In anticipation of Open House Miami in 2024, travelers and locals can begin to discover signature architecture and hidden gems on Miami Beach through the newly-launched EXP Miami Beach Tours App, now available for download via Apple and Google.
For more information about Open House Miami, please visit https://www.openhousemia.org/.
Contact: mbvca@privatelabel-marketing.com
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SOURCE Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/miami-beach-visitor-convention-authority-miami-center-architecture-amp-design-greater-miami-convention-amp-visitors-bureau-unite-bring-open-house-worldwide-miami-first-time-march-2024/ | 2023-07-31T15:59:59 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/miami-beach-visitor-convention-authority-miami-center-architecture-amp-design-greater-miami-convention-amp-visitors-bureau-unite-bring-open-house-worldwide-miami-first-time-march-2024/ |
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Five months after Stromboli was rescued after eating a fishing net, the green sea turtle is back in the ocean and off to the races.
Stromboli, now known as “Zee,” was released by the Brevard Zoo Sea Turtle Healing Center on Sunday at Melbourne Beach. The turtle took with them an extra piece of hardware, a satellite tag that will track the turtle across the globe as part of the “Tour de Turtles.”
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Created by the Sea Turtle Conservancy, the Tour de Turtles tracks sea turtles on their “migration marathon” allowing sponsors and the public to follow along online.
“The Tour de Turtles competitors will swim with the goal of being the turtle to swim the furthest distance during the migration marathon,” organizers said. “You can get involved by supporting a turtle to help raise awareness about their cause. While we may not know the outcome of the race, one thing is certain: saving sea turtles is a marathon, not a sprint!”
Photos: Off to the races: Brevard Zoo releases sea turtle to compete in ‘Tour de Turtles’
Susan and Howard Zemser sponsored and named Zee in honor of their son, Midshipman Third Class Justin Zemser.
On Saturday, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Disney Conservation also released two sea turtles in Vero Beach to participate in the Tour de Turtles.
Read: Conservation teams release 2 turtles at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
You can click here to track Zee and learn more about Tour de Turtles.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/off-races-brevard-zoo-releases-sea-turtle-compete-tour-de-turtles/IGWYKQRVZZHIZPF4E726HPFXBA/ | 2023-07-31T16:00:02 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/off-races-brevard-zoo-releases-sea-turtle-compete-tour-de-turtles/IGWYKQRVZZHIZPF4E726HPFXBA/ |
Two Icons at the Heart of Pop Culture and Celebrations Come Together for a Stella-r Campaign of Sips and Sweetness this Summer
LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Life is a collection of small moments and America's #1 imported wine, Stella Rosa® Wines, is proud to announce another exciting milestone: a collaborative campaign of two industry powerhouses. According to a recent study, celebrating positive life events increases perceived social support. Stella Rosa and country music star, Lainey Wilson, are on a mission to spread positive vibes by inspiring consumers to gather, raise a glass, and #stellabrate every moment. Stella Rosa proudly offers 30+ wines in its portfolio, a glass for every occasion on the good 'ole journey.
Stella Rosa® Wines recently released the 'Moments Made Sweeter' campaign featuring Lainey Wilson. The campaign emphasizes celebrating the journey, not just the destination. Stella Rosa® was there to celebrate with Lainey Wilson when she set off on her first solo headlining tour, won Female Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, and of course, raised a glass on National Wine Day.
Stella Rosa Wines' impact on pop culture today is undeniable - from trendy cocktail recipes to new innovations like canned wines, spicy flavors, non-alcoholic wine and more, Gen Z and Millennials are embracing the moments to #stellabrate.
Stella Rosa Wines' nostalgic yet ever-evolving presence is what initially attracted Wilson to team up with the brand, but it was Stella Rosa Wines' commitment to supporting her journey, and that of other women in music, that gave her endorsement deeper meaning for both Stella Rosa and Lainey Wilson fans.
"Whether I'm at home or on the road, I'm always dreaming up new ways to express myself through more than just my music," said Wilson "There are so many small moments along this crazy journey that have helped build my story, which is why I love to savor them, and Stella Rosa makes them that much sweeter."
Whether she's entertaining at home or on the road, Lainey Wilson is a proud fan of Stella Rosa's various collections, including but not limited to:
- Stella Rosa Semi-Sparkling and Fully-Sparkling Wines
- Stella Rosa Non-Alcoholic Wines
- Stella Rosa Single-Serving Canned Wines
"Everyone has a story to tell, a reason to celebrate, or a tradition to keep alive and our hope is that Stella Rosa Wines can be there to make those moments sweeter," says Stella Rosa® Wines President, Steve Riboli. "Lainey Wilson is the ultimate example of perseverance and authenticity. She is comfortable in her journey, and we hope that can serve as an inspiration to other Stella Rosa fans."
To learn more about the 'Moments Made Sweeter' campaign, visit our Stella Rosa website. For the official commercial, watch here. Follow Stella Rosa Wines on Instagram at @StellaRosa for the latest happenings.
More about Stella Rosa Wines
Stella Rosa® is a selection of semi-sweet, semi-sparkling Italian wines, evolving with the spirit of the times when it comes to wine trends and popular culture. Among its impressive achievements are a 10x Impact Magazine Hot Brand award and its position as the #1 imported wine in America. Most recently, Stella Rosa® curated a collection of hand-crafted premium and fruit-flavored Brandy made from high-quality grapes grown in Northern Italy. Stella Rosa® is created by Riboli Family Wines, a Los Angeles-based establishment founded in 1917. For more information, visit www.stellarosawines.com.
Instagram: @StellaRosa
Twitter: @StellaRosaWines
More about Lainey Wilson
As the leading female winner at the 2023 ACM awards, Billboard Women in Music's "Rulebreaker", CMA's 2022 Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, Lainey Wilson has made a name for herself as one of music's most buzzed-about new artists. Her critically acclaimed album, "Bell Bottom Country," has amassed over 430 million streams and continues to reach new heights across charts and with hits like "Heart Like A Truck" and "Watermelon Moonshine". Most recently, she made her acting debut on the hit series "Yellowstone", where she showcased other hits off her recent album. For more information visit www.laineywilson.com.
Instagram:@laineywilsonmusic
Twitter: @laineywilson
PR/Media Contacts
Daniela Garrido, Communications Director for Stella Rosa Wines: dgarrido@riboliwines.com
JONESWORKS: TeamLainey@jonesworks.com
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SOURCE Riboli Family Wines | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/moments-made-sweeter-with-stella-rosa-wines-lainey-wilson/ | 2023-07-31T16:00:06 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/moments-made-sweeter-with-stella-rosa-wines-lainey-wilson/ |
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A group of young people were hurt after a serious crash in Daytona Beach.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Police said the crash happened around 7 a.m. Sunday on Oleander Avenue.
Officials released photos showing a car after it was smashed into a concrete block wall.
Read: Man killed after shooting at Palm Bay police during standoff, officials say
Firefighters said five people, all under 18-years-old, were hurt in the crash and one had life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the driver of the car may have been racing another driver before it hit the wall.
Read: Man attacked by shark off west-central Florida beach
Daytona Beach police have not said what caused the crash or who is at fault.
Channel 9 is working to gather more information and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.
Watch: Volusia County deputies to spread awareness on protecting kids from online predators
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/police-5-young-people-hospitalized-after-crashing-car-into-brick-wall-daytona-beach/JCQI4V2DPBHRFMK5SDV6H7CX2U/ | 2023-07-31T16:00:09 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/police-5-young-people-hospitalized-after-crashing-car-into-brick-wall-daytona-beach/JCQI4V2DPBHRFMK5SDV6H7CX2U/ |
WASHINGTON — (AP) — X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk.
An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal action over the nonprofit's research into hate speech and content moderation. The letter alleged that CCDH's research publications seem intended “to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims.”
Musk is a self-professed free speech absolutist who has welcomed back white supremacists and election deniers to the platform, which he renamed X earlier this month. But the billionaire has at times proven sensitive about critical speech directed at him or his companies.
The center is a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. It regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism or harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook.
The organization has published several reports critical of Musk's leadership, detailing an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase. The letter from X's attorney cited one specific report from June that found the platform failed to remove neo-Nazi and anti-LGBTQ content from verified users that violated the platform's rules.
In the letter, attorney Alex Spiro questioned the expertise of the researchers and accused the center of trying to harm X's reputation. The letter also suggested, without evidence, that the center received funds from some of X's competitors, even though the center has also published critical reports about TikTok, Facebook and other large platforms.
“CCDH intends to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims,” Spiro wrote, using the platform's former name.
Imran Ahmed, the center's founder and CEO, told the AP on Monday that his group has never received a similar response from any tech company, despite a history of studying the relationship between social media, hate speech and extremism. He said that typically, the targets of the center's criticism have responded by defending their work or promising to address any problems that have been identified.
Ahmed said he worried X’s response to the center’s work could have a chilling effect if it frightens other researchers away from studying the platform. He said he also worried that other industries could take note of the strategy.
“This is an unprecedented escalation by a social media company against independent researchers. Musk has just declared open war,” Ahmed told the Associated Press. “If Musk succeeds in silencing us other researchers will be next in line.”
Messages left with Spiro and X were not immediately returned Monday.
It's not the first time that Musk has fired back at critics. Last year, he suspended the accounts of several journalists who covered his takeover of Twitter. Another user was permanently banned for using publicly available flight data to track Musk's private plane; Musk had initially pledged to keep the user on the platform but later changed his mind, citing his personal safety. He also threatened to sue the user.
He initially had promised that he would allow any speech on his platform that wasn't illegal. "I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means," Musk wrote in a tweet last year.
X's recent threat of a lawsuit prompted concern from U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who said the billionaire was trying to use the threat of legal action to punish a nonprofit group trying to hold a powerful social media platform accountable.
“Instead of attacking them, he should be attacking the increasingly disturbing content on Twitter,” Schiff said in a statement.
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/musk-threatens-sue/ZTNB4P7KUUUSNGXQN5HKVT6JGE/ | 2023-07-31T16:00:10 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/musk-threatens-sue/ZTNB4P7KUUUSNGXQN5HKVT6JGE/ |
Cox Mobile is expanding their device portfolio with Samsung's newest Galaxy foldables.
ATLANTA, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are now available to Cox Mobile customers for pre-order online and in retail stores nationwide. Last week, Samsung unveiled the fifth generation of Galaxy foldables and showcased how the company is transforming what's possible with foldable smartphones.
With the new Samsung Galaxy Z series, Cox Mobile customers will experience enhanced device features like:
- New 'Flex Hinge,' technology that enables the foldable experience while offering an aesthetically balanced and solid design.
- Versatile camera experience with extraordinary camera capabilities such as FlexCam, allowing users to take beautiful hands-free photos and videos from new, creative angles.
- Optimized battery life powered by the latest processor.
- A wider variety of recycled materials1 than their previous generations, including pre-consumer recycled glass and aluminum and post-consumer recycled plastics, sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles.
From content creation on Galaxy Z Flip5's new Flex Window, now 3.78 times larger than the previous generation2 to seamless multitasking on Galaxy Z Fold5, this series of Galaxy foldables meets and exceeds the distinctive needs of today's users.
"Samsung's Galaxy Z series – the industry's newest foldables - are now available to Cox Mobile customers and enhance our already competitive device portfolio," said Tony Krueck, senior vice president of Cox Mobile. "We're committed to providing a wide variety of mobile device options that meet our customers' needs, budgets and lifestyles."
Cox Mobile is exclusively available to Cox Internet customers in all Cox markets nationwide. With unlimited talk and text and no term agreements, customers have access to two simple data plans designed with their needs and budget in mind – Pay As You Gig and Gig Unlimited. Customers also have access to a network with unbeatable 5G reliability, as well as the ability to stay connected with Cox Internet at home and with more than 4 million of Cox's on-the-go wifi hotspots.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are now available for Cox Mobile customers to pre-order, with general availability starting August 11. Customers interested in learning more about Cox Mobile or the newest Samsung devices can visit their nearest Cox retail store, go directly to www.cox.com/mobile, or give us a call at 1-800-234-3993.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we operate fiber broadband networks in more than 30 states, providing connections and advanced cloud and managed IT services for nearly seven million homes and businesses nationwide. We're dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
1 Types of recycled materials include post-consumer recycled PA sourced from discarded fishing nets, post-consumer recycled PBT sourced from discarded PET bottles, post-consumer recycled PC sourced from water barrels and pre-consumer recycled aluminum sourced from discarded scrap material generated as a by-product during manufacturing. The scrap metal is re-melted, filtered for impurities and then recycled to make parts within Samsung's manufacturing process. There is also pre-consumer recycled glass sourced from discarded glass waste generated as a byproduct of glass manufacturing. This glass waste is crushed into cullet and then used as a component in the Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 manufacturing process.
2 Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Flip5's Cover Screen is 3.4-inch in the full rectangular form; actual viewable area is approximately 95% of the full rectangular area due to the rounded corners and lower cutout.
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SOURCE Cox Communications | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/new-samsung-galaxy-z-flip5-galaxy-z-fold5-now-available-cox-mobile-customers/ | 2023-07-31T16:00:13 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/new-samsung-galaxy-z-flip5-galaxy-z-fold5-now-available-cox-mobile-customers/ |