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We've placed cookies on your device to improve your browsing experience. They're safe and don't contain sensitive information. | https://tj.news/the-tribune/102147261 | 2023-07-31T16:14:59 | 0 | https://tj.news/the-tribune/102147261 |
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.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/peraton-supports-national-cyber-workforce-amp-education-strategy/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:03 | 1 | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/peraton-supports-national-cyber-workforce-amp-education-strategy/ |
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A state-run oil giant in the United Arab Emirates said Monday it has moved up its target for achieving net zero emissions in its operations to 2045, as the country prepares to host U.N. climate talks later this year.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, known as ADNOC, said it is also committed to acheiving zero methane emissions by 2030. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term.
Earlier this year, ADNOC earmarked $15 billion for an array of green initiatives, including the development of hydrogen power, carbon capture facilities and the planting of mangroves.
The company had previously committed to net zero — the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions to the point that the amount removed from the atmosphere is equal to the amount emitted — by 2050.
The UAE, an OPEC member that produces over 3 million barrels of crude oil a day, will host the global climate talks known as COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai. It has appointed Sultan al-Jaber, the head of ADNOC, to chair the meeting, a move that drew criticism from some environmentalists.
Al-Jaber has emphasized the need to cut emissions, rather than end fossil fuel use itself. It’s prompted fears that he might seek loopholes for untested carbon-capture technologies and so-called offsets that experts say distract from the need to end the release of greenhouse gases.
Governments agreed eight years ago in Paris to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) — ideally no more than 1.5C (2.7F). With average global temperatures already about 1.2C (2.2F) above pre-industrial levels, experts say the window to meet the more ambitious target is closing fast and even the less stringent goal would be missed if emissions aren’t slashed sharply soon.
The UAE, a global hub for business and tourism, has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 — a target that remains difficult to assess and one that authorities haven’t fully explained how they’ll reach. Analysts believe the Emirates is trying to maximize its profits as the world turns to renewables. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/international/ap-uae-state-oil-firm-moves-up-net-zero-climate-target-to-2045/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:04 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/international/ap-uae-state-oil-firm-moves-up-net-zero-climate-target-to-2045/ |
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We've placed cookies on your device to improve your browsing experience. They're safe and don't contain sensitive information. | https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102148060 | 2023-07-31T16:15:06 | 0 | https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102148060 |
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthEcho International, the leading nonprofit dedicated to building a global youth movement to protect and restore our ocean planet, is pleased to announce the 2023 class of its ResilienSEA Externship program. This inaugural program unites 19 youth, ages 17-20, from BIPOC communities across North America, for a hands-on career development experience. The initiative introduces participants to the field of regenerative ocean aquaculture – ocean "farming" that restores coastal habitats while creating both economic and ecological benefits. The ResilienSEA Externship program is made possible through the generous support of La Mer Blue Heart Oceans Fund and The Estée Lauder Companies Travel Retail division.
EarthEcho International recognizes the power of the ocean as a source of solutions to the climate crisis. All of humanity is connected to the ocean, but access to our ocean and the opportunity to pursue careers that contribute to ocean-based climate solutions is a privilege that all do not enjoy equally.
"Often the communities most vulnerable to sea level rise and increasingly intense storms are those whose members have been cut off to daily access to waters that are vital to their communities for both cultural and economic reasons," said Stacey Rafalowski, Chief Program Officer, EarthEcho International. "We look forward to working with this talented group of young people in their journey to make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond."
Through an ongoing, eight-week virtual program, and an in-person convening in San Diego, CA, this August, the paid ResilienSEA Externship provides participants with an opportunity to learn from and network with professionals in the field of regenerative ocean aquaculture and seaweed innovation, participate in a hands-on job shadowing experience, and engage in peer learning to build confidence and competence to take action in externs' home communities, with a focus on using entrepreneurship to tackle ocean health challenges.
The 2023 ResilienSEA externs represent communities in Canada and the United States:
- Akhila Mahidhara, Edison, NJ, USA
- Emilia Fiebel, Hollywood, FL, USA
- Iredia Otoadese, Fanny Bay, BC, Canada
- Ishaani Srivastava, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Jin Hu, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Kassandra Chavarria Sosa, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Kendall Ford, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Lauren Ejiaga, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Mugdha Chiplunkar, Duvall, WA, USA
- Natalie Martinez, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
- Nina Shetty, Sammamish, WA, USA
- Nitya Masina, Sammamish, WA, USA
- Rajaa Berry, LaSalle, ON, Canada
- Sarika Sawant, Glendale, AZ, USA
- Serenity Washington, Cape Coral, FL, USA
- Skye Garrett, Capitol Heights, MD, USA
- Sofía Lammot Pérez, Dorado, PR, USA
- Srinivas Gollapudi, Upland, CA, USA
- Violet Smith, Columbia, MD, USA
For more information about the ResilienSEA externs please visit www.earthecho.org/youth/resiliensea-externship.
For more information about EarthEcho International, visit www.earthecho.org or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/earthecho Instagram: www.instagram.com/earthecho and Twitter: www.twitter.com/earthecho.
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SOURCE EarthEcho International | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/philippe-cousteau-jrs-earthecho-international-collaborates-with-youth-color-build-careers-blue-economy/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:10 | 0 | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/philippe-cousteau-jrs-earthecho-international-collaborates-with-youth-color-build-careers-blue-economy/ |
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We've placed cookies on your device to improve your browsing experience. They're safe and don't contain sensitive information. | https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102148066 | 2023-07-31T16:15:12 | 1 | https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102148066 |
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.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.localsyr.com/news/international/ap-ukraine-says-russian-missiles-hit-another-apartment-building-and-likely-trapped-people-under-rubble/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:11 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/international/ap-ukraine-says-russian-missiles-hit-another-apartment-building-and-likely-trapped-people-under-rubble/ |
17-month-old girl dies, mom arrested in sexual assault case, police say
BELL COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT/Gray news) - A 17-month-old child has died following a sexual assault case, police said.
The incident started Friday night when the girl was taken to Middlesboro ARH Hospital with severe injuries.
Because of the extent of her injuries, she was flown out to Children’s Hospital in Knoxville.
Police said the medical staff tried to stabilize the toddler, but the child died Sunday night.
Following her death, Middlesboro Police started investigating who was responsible for the incident that caused the death of the little girl.
That same night, police interviewed the mother, Erica Lawson, 21, of Mount Vernon, who police said was eventually arrested in connection with the case.
She is charged with manslaughter, failure to report child abuse, criminal abuse and wanton endangerment.
Police said they expect to make another arrest in this case soon.
Lawson was taken to the Bell County Detention Center.
Copyright 2023 WYMT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/17-month-old-girl-dies-mom-arrested-sexual-assault-case-police-say/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:12 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/17-month-old-girl-dies-mom-arrested-sexual-assault-case-police-say/ |
Heated emotions could mean fireworks at Richmond
July 28, 2023 10:36 AM
Dustin Long previews the top storylines for the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, from the heated emotions post-Pocono to outlooks for Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and those on the playoff bubble. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/dale-jr-cam-earnhardt-calls-richmond-cup-race | 2023-07-31T16:15:15 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/dale-jr-cam-earnhardt-calls-richmond-cup-race |
In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. A few days later, according to Genesis, humans were added to the earth, and we proceeded to make a hash of it. There are 8 billion of us, we all have to eat, and our diet (among other things) is wreaking havoc on our planet. British journalist George Monbiot wants to give us a do-over, and he has some suggestions in his book, “Regenesis.”
For a journalist on the food-and-planet beat (me) to write about a book by another journalist on the food-and-planet beat (Monbiot) is, to some extent, an exercise in worldview-matching. Obviously, his book is good to the exact extent he agrees with me! Which, in this case, is maybe 70 percent. But reasonable people can disagree about the remaining 30 percent, and that’s not why I want to tackle the book.
I want to tackle it because Monbiot writes extensively and persuasively about what is arguably the most important and underappreciated aspect of food’s effect on climate: land use. “The climate costs of farming mirror its land costs,” he writes, and our central challenge is “to produce more food with less farming.”
Greenhouse gases from food are somewhere between a quarter and a third of our annual total (Monbiot cites the higher estimate), and a quarter of that comes from land-use changes. Historically, Monbiot points out, citing the work of soil scientist Rattan Lal, the conversion of land in the industrial age has been responsible for 190 billion tons of carbon being released into the atmosphere, compared to 490 billion tons for fossil fuels.
Our biggest opportunity to reduce food-related greenhouse gases is to find ways to feed a growing population without expanding food’s land footprint and, ideally, to free up some land to return to its pre-agricultural, carbon-storing state.
The biggest user of land, by a country mile, is cattle (with an assist from sheep and goats). Right now, about half of the world’s habitable land is used to feed us, and three-quarters of that is for livestock. Worldwide, 8.2 billion acres are used for grazing, compared to 3.5 billion for crops. Monbiot makes the case that re-wilding that land, and switching from animals to plant protein, would be the best way to reduce the carbon impact of our diet. (He also addresses the issue of managed grazing to sequester carbon. I have, too, so I won’t rehash it here. The net is that the numbers don’t pan out.)
“Raising a kilogram of beef protein releases 113 times more greenhouse gases than growing a kilogram of pea protein,” Monbiot writes, using Our World in Data’s analysis. “Pasture-fed beef and lamb have by far the worst impacts; three or four times worse … than beef raised intensively on grain, harmful as this is.”
I’m not as anti-beef as Monbiot is. I think there are places where producing high-quality food on low-quality land is important, especially in the developing world, where cattle aren’t just food sources but also serve as farm labor and transportation. Even here in the United States, where beef consumption continues to increase despite all the shouting from the rooftops, there are places where cattle can be used to restore degraded land.
But, even if you’re eating beef from those cattle (and you probably aren’t), you need to eat less beef because we need that beef to feed as many folks as possible to offload demand from other, more destructive kinds of beef.
The land-use issue doesn’t end with grazing, though. Cropland doesn’t get a pass.
As industrialized agriculture depletes soils and harms the environment, and climate change threatens our ability to grow food, the challenge is to improve environmental outcomes and adapt to changing conditions — without sacrificing yields. We need to “radically to change the way we grow plants,” Monbiot writes.
But a funny thing happens when you go out in the world talking about the importance of crop yields. You run into people who associate the very idea of yield with the excesses of industrial ag, and who are committed to nonindustrial systems even in the face of a yield penalty. Sometimes, those people call you names. Ahem.
The nonindustrial system discussed most often is, of course, organic. While Monbiot acknowledges its advantages (the farms tend to be more diverse, they use fewer pesticides and antibiotics), the yield penalty is, for him, a dealbreaker. “The global average gap between organic and conventional yields is, according to different estimates, somewhere between 20 percent and 36 percent.” That means you need between 25 and 50 percent more land to grow the same amount of food.
Okay, so if organic isn’t the answer, what is?
That’s the hard part. Monbiot is absolutely right that a plant-based diet (he’s vegan; I’m not) is a climate win, but “Regenesis” also has supply-side suggestions.
For meat, Monbiot looks to precision fermentation to replace it. I sure hope that technique, in conjunction with other nonmeat meat replacements (cultivated, plant-based, hybrids of all of those), makes a dent in meat consumption, but I’m not quite at his level of optimism. This is, of course, a crystal ball issue, and I hope Monbiot’s is more accurate than mine.
The path to more food with less farming is rockier for plants. I’m totally with him on most of the row-crop solutions he talks about: three cheers for no-till, cover crops and complex rotations. The problem is that they don’t reliably sequester more carbon or increase yields, even though they all improve some environmental outcomes. And his other solutions, interesting as they are, don’t seem likely to solve the problem.
Take Kernza, a perennial wheatgrass. I’m enthusiastic about perennial grains, especially rice, which is already being grown in China, and has yields comparable to annual varieties. But, after spending most of a book writing about more food with less farming, Monbiot gives only a couple sentences to the fact that Kernza yields are about one-quarter that of wheat. “The breeders hope to match wheat yields within thirty years.”
This, on the heels of dismissing Tim Ashton, a grower of heritage wheat, for his low yields, despite soil and biodiversity improvements. Ashton doesn’t get 30 years’ grace.
On the vegetable front, Monbiot profiles a fascinating farmer, Iain Tolhurst, who has created a remarkable 17-acre farm out of land that’s 40 percent stone. He calls his technique “stockfree organic” and uses almost no off-farm inputs. Much of the work is done by hand, some by an “ancient tractor.” He grows 100 kinds of vegetables, and his yields meet or exceed those of conventional farms.
But he employs 12 people in peak season, takes two days off a year, and nets about $90 a week. The farm exists only because the friendly nobleman-landlord wants his land to grow food.
My husband and I have a small oyster farm that we’ve actively worked for a decade, and if it required full-time hard labor to make $5,000 a year, no oysters would be forthcoming. I think most farmers would say the same. To be sustainable, farms have to be profitable. And, maybe because I’ve done a lot of it, I think backbreaking manual labor is something we should work to minimize.
The meh-ness of the solutions Monbiot floats isn’t because there are better ones that he missed. It’s because this is a very hard problem, which he acknowledges. “There are no perfect solutions in an imperfect world,” he says. Amen. But lots of farmers are making lots of interesting attempts, and Monbiot’s book makes a strong case that, as we evaluate them, land use has to be a top priority.
Meantime, if you want to reduce the climate impact of your diet, but aren’t prepared to go full-blown vegan, eat less beef, waste less food, and eat more grains, legumes, tubers and tree crops.
Throw in a few oysters, and think of me. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/07/31/regenesis-book-farming-environment-george-monbiot/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:17 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/07/31/regenesis-book-farming-environment-george-monbiot/ |
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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We've placed cookies on your device to improve your browsing experience. They're safe and don't contain sensitive information. | https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102148084 | 2023-07-31T16:15:18 | 1 | https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102148084 |
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.kswo.com/2023/07/31/elon-musks-x-threatens-sue-researchers-who-documented-rise-hateful-tweets/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:19 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/elon-musks-x-threatens-sue-researchers-who-documented-rise-hateful-tweets/ |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border — a process that won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives.
But in some ways, removing the dams is the easy part. The hard part will come over the next decade as workers, partnering with Native American tribes, plant and monitor nearly 17 billion seeds as they try to restore the Klamath River and the surrounding land to what it looked like before the dams started to go up more than a century ago.
The demolition is part of a national movement to return the natural flow of the nation’s rivers and restore habitat for fish and the ecosystems that sustain other wildlife. More than 2,000 dams have been removed in the U.S. as of February, with the bulk of those having come down within the last 25 years, according to the advocacy group American Rivers.
The removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River is the movement’s greatest triumph and its greatest challenge. When demolition is completed by the end of next year, more than 400 miles (644 kilometers) of river will have opened for threatened species of fish and other wildlife. By comparison, the 65 dams removed in the U.S. last year combined to reconnect 430 miles (692 kilometers) of river.
The project will empty three reservoirs over about 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers) near the California-Oregon border, exposing soil to sunlight in some places for the first time in more than a century.
For the past five years, Native American tribes have gathered seeds by hand and sent them to nurseries with plans to sow the seeds along the banks of the newly wild river. Helicopters will bring in hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs to plant along the banks, including wads of tree roots to create habitat for fish.
This growth usually takes decades to happen naturally. But officials are pressing nature’s fast-forward button because they hope to repel an invasion of foreign plants, such as starthistle, which dominate the landscape at the expense of native plants.
“Why not just let nature take its course? Well, nature didn’t take its course when dams got put in. We can’t pretend this gigantic change in the landscape has not happened and we can’t just ignore the fact that invasive species are a big problem in the west and in California,” said Dave Meurer, director of community affairs for Resource Environmental Solutions, the company leading the restoration project. “Our goal is to give nature a head start.”
A power company, known today as PacifiCorp, built the dams starting in 1918 to generate electricity. The dams halted the natural flow of the river and disrupted the lifecycle of salmon, a fish that spends most of its life in the Pacific Ocean but returns to the chilly mountain streams to lay eggs. The fish are culturally and spiritually significant to a number of Native American tribes, who historically survived by fishing the massive runs of salmon that would come back to the rivers each year.
A combination of low water levels and warm temperatures in 2002 led to a bacterial outbreak that killed more than 34,000 fish, mostly Chinook salmon. The loss jumpstarted decades of advocacy from Native American tribes and environmental groups, culminating last year when federal regulators approved a plan to remove the dams.
“The river is our church, the salmon is our cross. That’s how it relates to the people. So it’s very sacred to us,” said Kenneth Brink, vice chairman of the Karuk Tribe. “The river is not just a place we go to swim. It’s life. It creates everything for our people.”
The project will cost $500 million, paid for by taxpayers and PacifiCorps ratepayers. Crews have mostly removed the smallest of the four dams, known as Copco No. 2. The other three dams are expected to come down next year after the reservoirs behind them are drained. That will leave some homeowners in the area without the picturesque lake they have lived on for years.
The Siskiyou County Water Users Association, which formed about a decade ago to stop the dam removal project, filed a federal lawsuit. But so far they have been unable to stop the demolition.
“I think it’s a huge mistake,” association President Richard Marshall said. “Unfortunately it’s a mistake you can’t turn back from.”
The water level in the lakes will drop between 3 feet and 5 feet (1 meter to 1.5 meters) per day over the first few months of next year. Crews will follow that water line, taking advantage of the moisture in the soil to plant seeds from more than 98 native plant species including wooly sunflower, Idaho fescue and Blue bunch wheat grass.
Tribes have been invested in the process from the start. Resource Environmental Solutions hired tribal members to gather seeds from native plants by hand. The Yurok Tribe even hired a restoration botanist.
Each species has a role to play. Some, like lupine, grow quickly and prepare the soil for other plants. Others, like oak trees, take years to fully mature and provide shade for other plants.
“It’s a wonderful marriage of tribal traditional ecological knowledge and western science,” said Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, the nonprofit entity created to oversee the project.
The previous largest dam removal project was on Washington state’s Elwha River, which flows out of Olympic National Park into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Congress in 1992 approved the demolition of the two dams on the river constructed in the early 1900s. After two decades of planning, workers finished removing them in 2014, opening about 70 miles (113 kilometers) of habitat for salmon and steelhead.
Biologists say it will take at least a generation for the river to recover, but within months of the dams being removed, salmon were already recolonizing sections of the river they had not accessed in more than a century. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, which has been closely involved in restoration work, is opening a limited subsistence fishery this fall for coho salmon, its first since the dams came down.
Brink, the Karuk Tribe vice chair, hopes similar success will happen on the Klamath River. Multiple times per year, Brink and other tribal members participate in ceremonial salmon fishing using handheld nets. In many years, there have been no fish to catch, he said.
“When the river gets to flow freely again, the people can also begin to worship freely again,” he said.
___
Associated Press writer Eugene Johnson in Seattle contributed. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-as-work-begins-on-the-largest-us-dam-removal-project-tribes-look-to-a-future-of-growth/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:19 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-as-work-begins-on-the-largest-us-dam-removal-project-tribes-look-to-a-future-of-growth/ |
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.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/robb-report-announces-culinary-masters-event-taking-place-september-28-october-1-2023-four-seasons-jackson-hole-wyoming/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:23 | 1 | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/robb-report-announces-culinary-masters-event-taking-place-september-28-october-1-2023-four-seasons-jackson-hole-wyoming/ |
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Girma discusses her routine, impact of music
July 31, 2023 09:50 AM
Presented by Spotify, USWNT defender Naomi Girma discusses the role music has in her life, her pre-game routine and her relationships with her teammates.
Close Ad | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/girma-discusses-her-routine-impact-of-music | 2023-07-31T16:15:25 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/girma-discusses-her-routine-impact-of-music |
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. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-first-american-nuclear-reactor-built-from-scratch-in-decades-enters-commercial-operation-in-georgia/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:26 | 0 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-first-american-nuclear-reactor-built-from-scratch-in-decades-enters-commercial-operation-in-georgia/ |
Hunter Biden’s former business partner appears for closed-door interview with GOP-led committee
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:25 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee/ |
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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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?”
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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
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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.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-heres-how-hot-and-extreme-the-summer-has-been-and-its-only-halfway-over/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:32 | 0 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-heres-how-hot-and-extreme-the-summer-has-been-and-its-only-halfway-over/ |
‘Our hero’: Police K-9 dies unexpectedly during surgery for sudden illness
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (Gray News) – A police K-9 in Georgia died while undergoing surgery for a sudden illness earlier this month.
According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, K-9 Hyro died unexpectedly on July 20 during surgery at UGA Veterinary Hospital in Athens.
The police department said K-9 Hyro began showing signs of illness in the days before the surgery. Officials didn’t give further details about the illness.
The day after his death, K-9 Hyro was taken to his final resting place at Oakrest Pet Gardens Funeral Home and Crematory in Bethlehem.
Police said K-9 Hyro received a farewell from hundreds of police officers across several departments.
On Monday morning, Lawrenceville police held K-9 Hyro’s funeral, including a procession route.
Police said K-9 Hyro was a “very active” police dog with an “impressive career” with Lawrenceville police. He was deployed hundreds of times during his career and assisted dozens of agencies.
“K-9 Hyro will be greatly missed. Hyro, our hero,” police wrote in a Facebook post.
Lawrenceville is located about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/our-hero-police-k-9-dies-unexpectedly-during-surgery-sudden-illness/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:32 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/our-hero-police-k-9-dies-unexpectedly-during-surgery-sudden-illness/ |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/how-long-does-rodgers-plan-to-be-a-jet | 2023-07-31T16:15:35 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/how-long-does-rodgers-plan-to-be-a-jet |
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.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/2023-07-31/watch-lori-vallow-daybell-is-sentenced-for-killing-her-children-in-zombie-murders | 2023-07-31T16:15:37 | 0 | https://www.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/2023-07-31/watch-lori-vallow-daybell-is-sentenced-for-killing-her-children-in-zombie-murders |
- Introduced syndromic quantitative PCR assays and a fully automated molecular diagnostic testing system, STARlet AIOS™
- Conducted symposium sessions on the usefulness of PCR testing in diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases
- Participated in a presentation event for major Korean in-vitro diagnostic companies organized by KHIDI
SEOUL, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc. (KQ096530), a leading South Korean company providing a total solution for PCR molecular diagnostics, took part in the 2023 American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo in California between July 25-27. Seegene showcased its "unique syndromic quantitative PCR assays and automated PCR solution 'STARlet AIOS™ (All-in-One System).'"
The company stated, "Under the concept of 'All Tests with One System,' we introduced our leading assays, the Allplex™ and Novaplex™, and proposed Automated seamless PCR testing systems that can be applied to all of Seegene's assays. This has been well-received by in-vitro diagnostic experts and partner companies from around the world."
Meanwhile, an in-depth discussion was conducted in the symposium sessions on the usefulness of PCR testing in diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases. This symposium reaffirmed Seegene's position as an important contributor to improving gastrointestinal testing, where the availability of skilled technicians for microscopy is declining. A panel of experts presented research results demonstrating that PCR testing provides more efficient and accurate results than traditional microscopic stool sample tests for diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases. Conventional testing methods for these pathogens are characterized by long processing times and require significant expertise to interpret the microscopy results.
In addition, Kim Seong-youl, the head of Seegene's Global Marketing Center, participated in a presentation event for major Korean in-vitro diagnostic companies organized by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) and announced Seegene's unique competitive edge and future vision.
Kim said, "We received a lot of interest from participants from various countries by proposing a solution to build the basis for the next phase of diagnostic business in line with Seegene's vision of creating a world free from diseases. Following AACC, we hope to expand sales of non-COVID diagnostic assays based on syndromic testing globally and increase awareness of our next-generation OneSystem™ business."
Using syndromic quantitative PCR assays for comprehensive and accurate testing
Seegene captivated visitors at the exhibition booth by showcasing comprehensive and accurate testing using syndromic quantitative PCR assays. Seegene's syndromic quantitative PCR technology is the world's only simultaneous multiplex molecular diagnostic technology based on real-time PCR. The core feature of Seegene's syndromic PCR technologies is the ability to simultaneously test 14 pathogens that cause similar symptoms in a single tube and provide quantitative information on the infectivity profile to correlate with the severity of illness. The syndromic quantitative PCR technology can accurately reveal the pathogen responsible for a patient's symptoms, the complexity of infections, the severity of the disease, and can determine the priority of treatment depending on the degree of infection. It also allows for efficient high-volume testing, which is more cost-effective and saves time in identifying the cause of the disease.
PCR testing that does not require an expert using STARlet AIOS™
First unveiled at the 2021 AACC, Seegene's STARlet AIOS™ is a molecular diagnostic testing system that fully automates (sample in – result out) the entire process of PCR, from nucleic acid extraction to gene amplification and result analysis. As it provides a 'hands-free' PCR workflow where the results are produced just by inserting a sample, it can be operated by those with minimal PCR experience. Furthermore, by not involving human hands, the likelihood of testing errors due to contamination or mistakes (human error) can be minimized. The STARlet AIOS™ is compatible with a wide range of Seegene's syndromic assays that can simultaneously test for multiple targets within a single tube. It organically links existing devices, such as nucleic acid extraction instruments, PCR setups, and PCR thermal cyclers, to make the system easy to use, manage, and integrate into existing lab infrastructures.
Participation in the world's largest AACC Since 2007
Celebrating its 75th year, AACC is the world's largest gathering for the clinical laboratory and diagnostics industry. Seegene has taken part since 2007 to broadcast its proprietary molecular diagnostic technology worldwide while establishing cooperation with partners from multiple countries.
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SOURCE Seegene Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seegene-unveils-solutions-popularize-molecular-diagnostics-2023-aacc/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:37 | 0 | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seegene-unveils-solutions-popularize-molecular-diagnostics-2023-aacc/ |
ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (AP) — Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell faces up to life in prison without parole Monday as she is sentenced in the murders of her two youngest children and a romantic rival in a case that included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a goddess sent to usher in the Biblical apocalypse.
Vallow Daybell was found guilty in May of killing her two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husband’s previous wife.
The husband, Chad Daybell, is awaiting trial on the same murder charges. Vallow Daybell also faces two other cases in Arizona — one on a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and one of conspiring to kill her niece’s ex-husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed in 2019, but her niece’s ex survived an attempt later that year.
Monday’s sentencing will take place at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho. Judge Steven W. Boyce is expected to hear testimony from several representatives of the victims, including Vallow Daybell’s only surviving son, Colby Ryan.
The case began in July 2019, when Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police he acted in self-defense. He was never charged in the case and died later that year of what authorities determined were natural causes.
Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, a self-published author who wrote doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings. She moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him.
The children were last seen alive in September 2019. Police discovered they were missing a month later after an extended family member became worried. Their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell’s yard the following summer.
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married in November 2019, about two weeks after Daybell’s previous wife, Tammy, was killed. Tammy Daybell initially was described as having died of natural causes, but an autopsy later showed she had been asphyxiated, authorities said.
Defense attorney Jim Archibald argued during the trial that there was no evidence tying Vallow Daybell to the killings, but plenty showing she was a loving, protective mother whose life took a sharp turn when she met Chad Daybell and fell for his “weird” apocalyptic religious claims. He suggested that Daybell and Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, were responsible for the deaths.
Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a “sexual goddess” who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return, Archibald said.
Vallow Daybell’s former friend Melanie Gibb testified during the trial that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into “zombies,” including JJ and Tylee. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-idaho-mom-lori-vallow-daybell-faces-sentencing-in-deaths-of-2-children-and-her-romantic-rival/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:38 | 0 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-idaho-mom-lori-vallow-daybell-faces-sentencing-in-deaths-of-2-children-and-her-romantic-rival/ |
Sanchez and Snell lead the Padres to a 5-3 win over the Rangers for a 3-game sweep
Gary Sanchez homered twice, Juan Soto doubled in Fernando Tatis Jr. from first base and left-hander Blake Snell had another strong start for the San Diego Padres, who beat the struggling Texas Rangers 5-3 for a three-game sweep
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Gary Sánchez homered twice, Juan Soto doubled in Fernando Tatis Jr. from first base and left-hander Blake Snell had another strong start for the San Diego Padres, who beat the struggling Texas Rangers 5-3 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.
Hours earlier, Texas announced the acquisition of Max Scherzer from the New York Mets and obtained left-hander Jordan Montgomery from the St. Louis Cardinals. The AL West leaders then lost for the seventh time in nine games while keeping a one-game lead over the Houston Astros, who lost 8-2 to Tampa Bay.
“It's behind us already,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “We're off tomorrow, regroup, see if we can get back on track and and play our brand of ball. It was a tough series. We faced some really good pitching.”
Bochy said the Rangers' batters expanded the strike zone “more than what we had been doing. Just shows you that we were maybe a little anxious, a little amped up. We've got to get back to who we are.”
Josh Hader retired Josh Jung with the bases loaded in the ninth inning for his 25th save in 29 chances.
Padres second baseman Ha-Seong Kim exited with a jammed right shoulder after sliding headfirst into home plate on Xander Bogaerts' sacrifice fly in the third.
The disappointing Padres, who reached the NL Championship Series last season and then bulked up their payroll to about $250 million, must decide by Tuesday's trade deadline whether they'll be buyers or sellers. They came into Sunday buried in fourth place in the NL West, nine games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, and 5 1/2 games out of the third wild-card spot.
The Padres' three-game winning streak matches their season best. It came after two dismal losses to Pittsburgh, which at the time was last in the NL Central. It was just their second three-game sweep of the season.
After the Pittsburgh series, Tatis said the Padres' play had been “terrible.” That all changed in three games.
“It’s huge. I feel like we needed this a long time ago,” Tatis said Sunday. “It was really good baseball this series — offense backing up pitching, pitching backing up offense — and hopefully we can keep this going.”
Snell (8-8), who has been mentioned as a trade possibility, along with Hader, lowered his big league-leading ERA to 2.50 by holding the Rangers to an unearned run and four hits in five innings. He struck out nine and walked four. The only run he allowed came on his throwing error in the fourth.
“It feels good,” Snell said. “Texas is a really, really good team. Great offense. We knew that coming into it and knew we had to make our pitches this series and it went our way.”
As for the looming trade deadline, “I don't want to go anywhere,” Snell said.
Sánchez homered leading off the fourth against Jose Leclerc (0-2) for a 2-1 lead and connected again with two outs in the fifth off Brock Burke for a 4-1 lead. He has 12 this season.
Tatis reached on a fielder's choice in the fourth and scored on Soto's opposite-field double into the corner in left.
The Rangers pulled to 4-3 on Marcus Semien's two-run single off Nick Martinez in the sixth.
Tatis hit an RBI single in the eighth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: Placed RHP Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, with a right forearm strain and recalled right-hander Grant Anderson from Triple-A Round Rock.
Padres: Manager Bob Melvin said it's his guess Kim won't play Monday night “but hopefully it's not too long.”
UP NEXT
Rangers: Hadn't announced their starter for Tuesday night's opener of a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox.
Padres: RHP Seth Lugo (4-5, 3.62 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday night in the opener of a series at Colorado, which will counter with LHP Austin Gomber (8-8, 5.83).
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/sanchez-snell-lead-padres-5-3-win-over-rangers-3-game-sweep/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:39 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/sanchez-snell-lead-padres-5-3-win-over-rangers-3-game-sweep/ |
The first time Nicola Veitch went to a soccer game, she danced on the field in a white lab coat alongside a colleague inside a giant tsetse fly costume. Most of the fans applauded. Some were baffled.
Neither was auditioning to be the new team mascot.
Rather, Veitch, who's a lecturer in parasitology at the University of Glasgow, put on this somewhat weird performance as a pilot for sleeping sickness street theater — using a theatrical event to teach people about a disease that affects about 1,000 people each year in Africa.
In Malawi's two endemic districts where the disease is spread by local tsetse flies, the number of people falling ill from sleeping sickness has declined in recent years, but cases still persist. Last year, there were only 40 cases across the country. But Veitch points out the disease is "often unpredictable," which means that the possibility of resurgence remains a persistent threat.
More than a year after that Scottish match, the group brought the theatrical event to soccer games in Malawi where people cheered while learning about how to protect themselves from this tiny killer. Veitch calls it an innovative intervention in remote, hard-to-reach communities with few smartphones.
At the time of the performance, she says a clinical trial was underway for a new drug that "seems to be very promising in terms of treating sleeping sickness." If successful, people with the disease could take the medicine at home instead of relying on the current method of treatment for late-stage sleeping sickness — the intravenous administration of a toxic drug that often leads to complications and is occasionally fatal itself. The new drug would represent "a massive change," she says. But in the meantime, knowledge is one of the best ways to fight the disease, and the performance seemed to offer the spectators important information.
Sleeping sickness is found in communities in Malawi that border nature or game reserves. Those areas were where the performances were held. "So we are targeting the people that are really affected," says Janelisa Musaya, a parasitologist involved in the project and the associate director of the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, instead of "just throwing the message all over the country." In other words, she says, it's a way of allocating resources wisely.
Targeting a 'hypnotic' parasite
Sleeping sickness, also called African trypanosomiasis, is caused by a parasite. "It almost looks like a worm," says Veitch. But it's not a worm. It's a single-celled protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma.
The parasite relies on the tsetse fly to shuttle it around. When an infected fly bites someone, the parasite can slip into their bloodstream. It causes a little trouble there, says Musaya, "but when it crosses the blood-brain barrier and goes to the central nervous system, it can affect your sleeping cycle. That's why it's called the sleeping sickness." (The disease is often confused with malaria since the symptoms of fever and lethargy are similar.)
When Veitch looks down the microscope at the parasite that causes sleeping sickness, she says, "it's very hypnotic the way it moves and quite beautiful. I think that only a parasitologist can say that."
That beauty was what got her thinking several years back about alternative ways to inform people about the disease — which many people in Malawi are still not aware of, Veitch says. She has a family member who works for SURGE, a Scottish art, theater and circus organization that runs an annual performance festival that brings cutting edge work to the streets and spaces of Glasgow. The sketches tend to be short, sharp, and interactive, she says.
One year, Veitch was drawn to an outside act that had repurposed an ambulance to teach people how to respond to someone having a cardiac arrest through engaging movement and comical water balloon antics. "And I thought to myself, we could be using street theater to engage people with parasitology," she says. So she approached SURGE and said, "We could maybe work together on something to do with parasites. I think we could create something really cool."
Veitch isn't alone in her thinking. A few years back, the World Health Organization published a report on the role that the arts — including theater — can play in improving our physical, social, and psychological health and well-being, a particular concern in under-resourced countries.
Arts activities facilitate social interaction, says Nisha Sajnani, the co-director of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab at New York University, who wasn't involved in the sleeping sickness project. She adds that performance is just the right platform and artform to "increase a sense of self-efficacy — a feeling of being able to do something about a problem."
Veitch's conversation with SURGE kickstarted a multiyear effort for her and her colleagues in Scotland and Malawi, including an arts and theater group called Voices Malawi that educates people about various illnesses, including COVID-19 and malaria and that uses street theater as a teaching mode.
First, the team had to dream up a way to depict sleeping sickness through street theater. Musaya was excited to get involved. After studying sleeping sickness for 15 years, there was still a missing link for her — "how do we educate the community not to get infected?" She hoped this theatrical foray might provide an answer.
Bwanalori Mwamlima, senior health promotion officer in the Rumphi district of Malawi, says that developing the performance was an act of co-creation among scientists, health workers, performing artists and individuals who'd survived the disease. He explains that the messages they wanted to communicate were, "How is it transmitted? What are the [symptoms]? How can it be prevented? And what are the current interventions?"
Tsetse fly theater has its Malawi premiere
When the show rolled out in Malawi in the fall of 2022, here's what it looked like.
Communities were told that local football and netball teams would descend upon a particular field to play. Then, the day of the event, the performers (a team of nurses, clinicians, students and researchers) drove through town in a truck with music blaring. That got people to leave their homes and follow the truck to the edge of a soccer field. "We wanted to gather a crowd," says Veitch.
Before the soccer game, they offered their theatrical vision of sleeping sickness — mainly visual with some narration. They gave red t-shirts to the audience and asked them to put them on to simulate the human bloodstream. The performers who were dressed as scientists in white lab coats waded into the crowd, each one carrying a giant net. "They were supposed to be scientists looking for infection," says Veitch.
Once the crowd was sufficiently warmed up, the person dressed as the tsetse fly emerged. (The fly costume was made in Scotland by the costume designer regularly employed by SURGE. She'd made outfits for "all sorts of weird and wonderful performances," says Veitch, but this was her first tsetse fly — which had massive wings and limited vision for the person inside the fly's head, so you "need someone to be at your side when moving around.")
The fly threw beach balls into the crowd, representing the infectious parasite, which audience members batted around.
The beach balls were different colors, a metaphor for the way in which the parasite changes its outer protein coat to evade the human immune system. "It's very difficult to create a vaccine to something that undergoes this variation," says Veitch.
The people dressed as scientists ran around to catch the balls of infection in their nets. And finally, they brought out a large net, enveloping the giant fly, escorting it offstage and bringing the performance to a close. In reality, this net is highly effective at attracting tsetse flies because of its blue color and the bottle of urine-smelling liquid placed beside it. "It's just a simple bit of material that has insecticide" in it, Veitch says.
But sometimes people in nearby villages take down the nets stationed in game reserves because they don't know what they are or why they're there. Therefore, "one of the ideas behind the performance," says Veitch, "was to get people to really consider they're very effective at catching tsetse. And if you leave them up, it's beneficial to everybody and that will prevent disease." In addition, by showing researchers helping to capture the parasites, the performers hoped to demonstrate to the public that scientists and their work can be trusted.
Afterward, spectators received additional guidance during a question and answer session. They asked what differentiates a tsetse fly from a housefly (its size, color, and resting wing position), how long it takes for symptoms to appear (typically 2 to 4 weeks) and perhaps most important, how to prevent getting bitten in the first place (avoid nature reserves; don't wear blue or black, which attracts the flies; wear long sleeves; apply insect repellent).
Musaya hopes the audiences walked away with an improved understanding of the disease and how they would contract it. "Many people who attended the performance said they didn't know about the disease," Veitch says. "They had heard of tsetse, but didn't know of the disease it carried, and didn't know of the symptoms to look out for."
"There's something about the dramatizing of the concept that increases the understanding," she explains.
Mwamlima, who dressed up as the tsetse fly for one of the performances in Malawi, was surprised by the success of the theatrical approach, "considering that this is the first time to bring theater performances to teach science," he says. "So I wasn't sure whether it would work," but he's glad that it seemed to. Evaluations showed the audiences were engaged and felt confident asking questions. But long-term, Veitch says they'll know if the performance was successful "if more tsetse nets are left in place and if more people come forward for diagnosis and treatment."
In addition, the medical professionals and researchers, many of whom had never done anything like this before, found this to be a meaningful way to connect with communities. "It really improved people's confidence in terms of thinking about public engagement," Veitch says, "and they would do it again."
"It's a great example of how participatory theater offers a compelling, energizing, pleasurable way of bringing people together to clarify community concerns, feel empowered to make a difference, problem solve," says NYU's Sajnani.
"I think it's a remarkable approach," agrees Kartik Sharma, the founder of the organization Public Arts Health & Us, which translates health and environment research into film and art, including theater pieces. He wasn't associated with the sleeping sickness project. Sharma argues that a performance "converts research into something which people can see and feel in a more personalized way." The result, he says, is that "you can actually use it the next day in your life. So I think it's a very powerful strategy."
For those who missed the show, Veitch says that video recordings will be used as part of Malawi's mobile cinema program, which ranges from big televisions on the back of land rovers to large screens set up next to marketplaces and other public gatherings. It's a common way to publicize health messages in Malawi. The goal, says Veitch, is to "extend the legacy of what we've been doing."
However, despite all the fanfare and promise of the program, Veitch, who says she wasn't into soccer when this program began, admits that she's still not a football fan.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/npr-top-news/2023-07-30/a-man-dressed-as-a-tsetse-fly-came-to-a-soccer-game-and-he-definitely-had-a-goal | 2023-07-31T16:15:43 | 1 | https://www.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/npr-top-news/2023-07-30/a-man-dressed-as-a-tsetse-fly-came-to-a-soccer-game-and-he-definitely-had-a-goal |
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.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-department-defense-selects-info-tech-research-group-enterprise-software-initiative-esi-program/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:43 | 0 | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-department-defense-selects-info-tech-research-group-enterprise-software-initiative-esi-program/ |
The PGA Tour’s annual playoff decider, the Wyndham Championship, has a decidedly different bubble this year.
With the PGA Tour shrinking the field for its FedExCup playoff opener, the FedEx St. Jude Invitational, from 125 players to just 70, the fight for the postseason was made much tougher. Sam Ryder, at No. 62, is mathematically safe, but the eight top-70 players behind him – player who in past years would already be eyeing a run at the BMW Championship? They aren’t, and all eight, including current last man in Austin Eckroat, are in the Wyndham field.
As for those just outside the current playoff picture, those notables include Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas and Adam Scott. Further down the points list are Akshay Bhatia, Billy Horschel and Ludvig Aberg, the latter of whom still has an outside shot – he'll need to win Sunday at Sedgefield Country Club.
Ben Taylor is Mr. 71 at the moment, and he only needs a minimum finish of solo 75th to have a chance at climbing into the top 70. Here are the minimum requirements for the next four players outside the bubble:
- 72. Garrick Higgo – solo 51st
- 73. K.H. Lee – solo 32nd
- 74. David Lingmerth – Two-way tie for 26th
- 75. Davis Thompson – solo 25th
Here is a look at 10 notable names currently out, why they're in such a position and what they need to do this week to keep their seasons alive:
Shane Lowry
FedExCup position: 76
Why he’s in this spot: Lack of top-10s. Aside from a T-5 finish at the Honda Classic in February, Lowry doesn’t have another top-10 finish in 17 starts. He does boast eight total top-20s, three of those coming in majors, but with the way FedExCup points are divvied out after the winner’s share, the quality of tournaments for those top-20s matter little.
Minimum finish needed: Two-way tie for 23rd
Justin Suh
FedExCup position: 77
Why he’s in this position: Stagnant summer. Following a T-6 finish at The Players, Suh jumped to a season-best No. 61 in points. He’s missed just one cut in 14 starts since, but he also has just two top-25s during that span. He does rank No. 12 on Tour in strokes gained putting, so he’ll need to rely heavily on the flatstick at Sedgefield if he wants to keep his season going.
Minimum finish needed: Two-way tie for 19th
Justin Thomas
FedExCup position: 79
Why he’s in this position: Ball-striking. Prior to this season, Thomas ranked in the top 5 in strokes gained tee to green for seven straight seasons. He’s been third or better in each of the past six. Right now, he’s No. 25, which doesn’t sound like a big deal, but when you combine that drop with being No. 158 in strokes gained putting, it explains why Thomas has struggled. His missed cut at 3M was his fifth in his past seven starts.
Minimum finish needed: Solo 18th
Matt Wallace
FedExCup position: 80
Why he’s in this position: Post-win letdown. The Englishman jumped to No. 40 in points after winning the opposite-field Corales Puntacana Championship in late March. But he’s followed that victory with no top-25s and seven missed cuts in 13 Tour starts.
Minimum finish needed: Solo 14th
Adam Scott
FedExCup position: 81
Why he’s in this position: Approach play. He ranks a career-worst No. 130 in strokes gained approach after twice leading the Tour in that category and only ranking outside the top 100 once in the strokes-gained era. He strung together three top-10s in four starts, including a T-9 at Memorial, but he’s made just 16 starts all season and with that type of workload, three total top-10s aren’t going to cut it.
Minimum finish needed: Two-way tie for ninth
Joel Dahmen
FedExCup position: 82
Why he’s in this position: Hasn't replicated fall success. Dahmen entered the holidays in great position, ranked No. 15 points thanks to five finishes of T-16 or better, including top-5s at Mayakoba and Sea Island, in seven fall starts. He took all of January off as he and his wife prepared for the birth of their first child, but since returning at Pebble, he’s cracked the top 40 just twice in 19 starts. His two finishes of T-11 or better this year came at Zurich, a team event, and Barracuda, an opposite-field event.
Minimum finish needed: Solo ninth
Kevin Yu
FedExCup position: 94
Why he’s in this position: Knee surgery. When Yu tied for seventh at Pebble Beach in February, he rose to No. 40 in points. But early that next week, prior to playing the WM Phoenix Open, Yu suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee while working out. He needed surgery, and his recovery kept him out more than four months. When he returned at Travelers and finished T-49, he was outside the top 100 in points. Since then, he’s made up some ground thanks mostly to a T-6 at the John Deere, but he’s got some work to do at Wyndham.
Minimum finish needed: Two-way tie for third
Gary Woodland
FedExCup position: 97
Why he’s in this position: Short game and putting. Woodland’s ball-striking numbers resemble what they’ve been in the past, but he’s losing almost a full shot around and on the greens while ranking outside the top 175 in both categories. His missed cut at 3M was just his third in his past 14 starts, but putting too much pressure on his long game has resulted in no top-10s during that span.
Minimum finish needed: Two-way tie for third
Akshay Bhatia
FedExCup position: 99
Why he’s in this position: Rules. Because Bhatia was a special temporary member when he won the Barracuda a couple weeks ago, an obscure Tour rule prevented him from earning non-member points at the co-sanctioned tournament, which featured a good number of DP World Tour players. Bhatia also didn’t earn points for his T-9 at the Barbasol the previous week. Bhatia said he was “shocked” when he learned about the rule. Had he received points for those two events, he’d be just outside the coveted top 50 and having already clinched a playoff berth.
Minimum finish needed: Two-way tie for third
Billy Horschel
FedExCup position: 116
Why he’s in this position: Everything. He kicked off his season with a T-7 at the CJ Cup, but he’s added just a single top-10 (making the Round of 16 at the WGC-Dell Match Play) since. His T-13 at 3M was his best finish since April, though it might be too little, too late. Horschel is down significantly in all four strokes-gained categories, and he’s gone from No. 25 in total strokes gained last season to No. 131 this season.
Minimum finish needed: Two-way tie for second
Ludvig Aberg
FedExCup position: 145
Why he’s in this position: Short runway. Turning pro in early June was always going to put Aberg, the No. 1 player in PGA Tour U, behind the 8-ball. Yet, he’s made five of six cuts with three top-25s, including a T-4 at John Deere, to give himself a shot at the postseason with a nice week at Sedgefield. And if he doesn’t, he’s got his card for next season, too.
Minimum finish needed: Win | https://www.golfchannel.com/news/10-notable-names-outside-fedexcup-playoff-picture-and-what-they-have-do | 2023-07-31T16:15:44 | 0 | https://www.golfchannel.com/news/10-notable-names-outside-fedexcup-playoff-picture-and-what-they-have-do |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/allen-focused-on-being-smarter-with-the-football | 2023-07-31T16:15:45 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/allen-focused-on-being-smarter-with-the-football |
PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix sizzled through its 31st consecutive day of at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) and other parts of the country grappled Sunday with record temperatures after a week that saw significant portions of the U.S. population subject to extreme heat.
The National Weather Service said Phoenix climbed to a high of 111 F (43.8 Celsius) before the day was through.
July has been so steamy thus far that scientists calculate it will be the hottest month ever recorded and likely the warmest human civilization has seen. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service on Thursday proclaimed July beyond record-smashing.
The historic heat began blasting the lower Southwest U.S. in late June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California’s desert.
On Sunday, a massive wildfire burning out of control in California’s Mojave National Preserve spread rapidly amid erratic winds, while firefighters reported progress against another major blaze to the south that prompted evacuations.
The York Fire that erupted Friday near the remote Caruthers Canyon area of the preserve sent up a huge plume of smoke visible nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) away across the state line in Nevada.
Flames 20 feet (6 meters) high in some spots have charred more than 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper and Joshua tree woodland, according to a Sunday update.
“The dry fuel acts as a ready ignition source, and when paired with those weather conditions it resulted in long-distance fire run and high flames, leading to extreme fire behavior,” authorities said. No structures were threatened, but there was also no containment.
To the southwest, the Bonny Fire was holding steady at about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in rugged hills of Riverside County. More than 1,300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes Saturday near the remote community of Aguanga, California.
Triple-digit heat was expected in parts of the central San Joaquin Valley through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
And in Burbank, California, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, the summer heat may have been responsible for some unusual behavior in the animal kingdom: Police in the city responded to a report of a bear sighting in a residential neighborhood and found the animal sitting in a Jacuzzi behind one of the homes.
As climate change brings hotter and longer heat waves, record temperatures across the U.S. have killed dozens of people, and the poorest Americans suffer the most. Air conditioning, once a luxury, is now a matter of survival.
Last year, all 86 heat-related deaths indoors were in uncooled environments.
“To explain it fairly simply: Heat kills,” said Kristie Ebi, a University of Washington professor who researches heat and health. “Once the heat wave starts, mortality starts in about 24 hours.”
It’s the poorest and people of color, from Kansas City to Detroit to New York City and beyond, who are far more likely to face grueling heat without air conditioning, according to a Boston University analysis of 115 U.S. metro areas.
Back in Phoenix, slight relief may be on the way as expected seasonal thunderstorms could drop temperatures Monday and Tuesday.
“It should be around 108 degrees, so we break that 110 streak,” meteorologist Tom Frieders said. “Increasing cloud cover will put temperatures in a downward trend.”
The relief could be short-lived, however. Highs are expected to creep back to 110 F (43.3 C) Wednesday with temperatures reaching 115 F (46.1 C) by the end of the week.
Phoenix has also sweated through a record 16 consecutive nights when the lows temperature didn’t dip below 90 F (32.2 C), making it hard for people to cool off after sunset.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas continues to flirt with its hottest July ever. The city is closing in on its 2010 record for the average of the high and low each day for July, which stands at 96.2 F (35.5 C).
The extreme heat is also hitting the eastern U.S, as soaring temperatures moved from the Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where some places recorded their warmest days so far this year. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-july-keeps-sizzling-as-phoenix-hits-another-110-degree-day-and-wildfires-spread-in-california/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:44 | 0 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-july-keeps-sizzling-as-phoenix-hits-another-110-degree-day-and-wildfires-spread-in-california/ |
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.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/npr-top-news/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke | 2023-07-31T16:15:49 | 0 | https://www.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/npr-top-news/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke |
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.wibw.com/sports/betting/2023/08/01/2023-womens-world-cup-china-england-betting-preview-odds/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:50 | 1 | https://www.wibw.com/sports/betting/2023/08/01/2023-womens-world-cup-china-england-betting-preview-odds/ |
Here's how you can access live streams to Golf Channel's coverage this week. Click on the link for direct access to that event (all times ET). The times represent the live streams and the televised coverage. For events that are tape-delayed, the coverage times are also noted.
All events listed below will be broadcast on Golf Channel, unless otherwise noted. Those airing on NBC and simulcast on Peacock are highlighted.
You will also notice QR codes during Golf Channel and NBC Sports’ digital and TV coverage. If you see one pop up on your screen, open the camera app on your mobile device and hover over the code. The camera app will automatically read the code and take you to this page for the weekly rundown or directly to the stream being promoted on coverage.
Stream links will be updated as made available.
Thursday
9AM-1PM: Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open, Round 1 (LPGA Tour)
2-6PM: Wyndham Championship, Round 1 (PGA Tour)
6-9PM: Utah Championship, Round 1 (Korn Ferry Tour)
Friday
9AM-1PM: Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open, Round 2 (LPGA Tour)
11AM-2PM: Western Amateur, Round of 16
2-6PM: Wyndham Championship, Round 2 (PGA Tour)
4-7PM: Western Amateur, quarterfinals
6-9PM: Utah Championship, Round 2 (Korn Ferry Tour)
Saturday
8AM-Noon: Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open, Round 3 (LPGA Tour)
10:30AM-1:30PM: Western Amateur, semifinals
1-3PM: Wyndham Championship, Round 3 (PGA Tour)
2-5PM: Western Amateur, finals
3-6PM (CBS): Wyndham Championship, Round 3 (PGA Tour)
6-9PM: Utah Championship, Round 3 (Korn Ferry Tour)
Sunday
8AM-Noon: Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open, Round 4 (LPGA Tour)
1-3PM: Wyndham Championship, Round 4 (PGA Tour)
3-6PM (CBS): Wyndham Championship, Round 4 (PGA Tour)
6-9PM: Utah Championship, Round 4 (Korn Ferry Tour) | https://www.golfchannel.com/news/how-watch-live-streams-2023-wyndham-champ-womens-scottish-and-utah-champ | 2023-07-31T16:15:50 | 1 | https://www.golfchannel.com/news/how-watch-live-streams-2023-wyndham-champ-womens-scottish-and-utah-champ |
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.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-musk-threatens-to-sue-researchers-who-documented-the-rise-in-hateful-tweets/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:51 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-musk-threatens-to-sue-researchers-who-documented-the-rise-in-hateful-tweets/ |
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.wvia.org/2023-07-31/ask-a-drag-king-rebroadcast | 2023-07-31T16:15:53 | 0 | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-31/ask-a-drag-king-rebroadcast |
Six straight days of 12-hour driving. Single digit paychecks. The complaints come from workers in vastly different industries: UPS delivery drivers and Hollywood actors and writers.
But they point to an underlying factor driving a surge of labor unrest: The cost to workers whose jobs have changed drastically as companies scramble to meet customer expectations for speed and convenience in industries transformed by technology.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated those changes, pushing retailers to shift online and intensifying the streaming competition among entertainment companies. Now, from the picket lines, workers are trying to give consumers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a show that can be binged any time or get dog food delivered to their doorstep with a phone swipe.
That workers are overworked and underpaid is an enduring complaint across industries—from delivery drivers to Starbucks baristas and airline pilots—where surges in consumer demand have collided with persistent labor shortages. Workers are pushing back against forced overtime, punishing schedules or company reliance on lower-paid, part-time or contract forces.
At issue for Hollywood screenwriters and actors staging their first simultaneous strikes in 40 years is the way streaming has upended the economics of entertainment, slashing pay and forcing showrunners to produce content faster with smaller teams.
“This seems to happen to many places when the tech companies come in. Who are we crushing? It doesn’t matter,” said Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, a screenwriter and showrunner on the negotiating team for the Writers Guild of America, whose members have been on strike since May. Earlier this month, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined the writers’ union on the picket line.
Actors and writers have long relied on residuals, or long-term payments, for reruns and other airings of films and televisions shows. But reruns aren’t a thing on streaming services, where series and films simply land and stay with no easy way, such as box office returns or ratings, to determine their popularity.
Consequently, whatever residuals streaming companies do pay often amount to a pittance, and screenwriters have been sharing tales of receiving single digit checks.
Adam Shapiro, an actor known for the Netflix hit “Never Have I Ever,” said many actors were initially content to accept lower pay for the plethora of roles that streaming suddenly offered. But the need for a more sustainable compensation model gained urgency when it became clear streaming is not a sideshow, but rather the future of the business, he said.
“Over the past 10 years, we realized: ‘Oh, that’s now how Hollywood works. Everything is streaming,’” Shapiro said during a recent union event.
Shapiro, who has been acting for 25 years, said he agreed to a contract offering 20% of his normal rate for “Never Have I Ever” because it seemed like “a great opportunity, and it’s going to be all over the world. And it was. It really was. Unfortunately, we’re all starting to realize that if we keep doing this we’re not going to be able to pay our bills.”
Then there’s the rising use of “mini rooms,” in which a handful of writers are hired to work only during pre-production, sometimes for a series that may take a year to be greenlit, or never get picked up at all.
Sanchez-Witzel, co-creator of the recently released Netflix series “Survival of the Thickest,” said television shows traditionally hire robust writing teams for the duration of production. But Netflix refused to allow her to keep her team of five writers past pre-production, forcing round-the-clock rewrites with just one other writer.
“It’s not sustainable and I’ll never do that again,” she said.
Sanchez-Witzel said she was struck by the similarities between her experience and those of UPS drivers, some of whom joined the WGA for protests as they threatened their own potentially crippling strike. UPS and the Teamsters last week reached a tentative contract staving off the strike.
Jeffrey Palmerino, a full-time UPS driver near Albany, New York, said forced overtime emerged as a top issue during the pandemic as drivers coped with a crush of orders on par with the holiday season. Drivers never knew what time they would get home or if they could count on two days off each week, while 14-hour days in trucks without air conditioning became the norm.
“It was basically like Christmas on steroids for two straight years. A lot of us were forced to work six days a week, and that is not any way to live your life,” said Palmerino, a Teamsters shop steward.
Along with pay raises and air conditioning, the Teamsters won concessions that Palmerino hopes will ease overwork. UPS agreed to end forced overtime on days off and eliminate a lower-paid category of drivers who work shifts that include weekends, converting them to full-time drivers. Union members have yet to ratify the deal.
The Teamsters and labor activists hailed the tentative deal as a game-changer that would pressure other companies facing labor unrest to raise their standards. But similar outcomes are far from certain in industries lacking the sheer economic indispensability of UPS or the clout of its 340,000-member union.
Efforts to organize at Starbucks and Amazon stalled as both companies aggressively fought against unionization.
Still, labor protests will likely gain momentum following the UPS contract, said Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of the Worker Institute at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, which released a report this year that found the number of labor strikes rose 52% in 2022.
“The whole idea that consumer convenience is above everything broke down during the pandemic. We started to think, ‘I’m at home ordering, but there is actually a worker who has to go the grocery store, who has to cook this for me so that I can be comfortable,’” Campos-Medina said.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content. | https://www.ibj.com/articles/customers-want-instant-gratification-workers-say-its-pushing-them-to-brink | 2023-07-31T16:15:52 | 0 | https://www.ibj.com/articles/customers-want-instant-gratification-workers-say-its-pushing-them-to-brink |
Longtime N.C. restaurant family opens much-anticipated ‘meat & three’ spot in Fayetteville
Fred Chason's Grandsons Carolina Famous Buffet in Fayetteville shuttered at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This week, the franchise that got its start in Lumber Bridge in 1980 made its highly anticipated return to the All-American City.
The new 3,200-square-foot restaurant, however, is not a buffet. Great Grandsons Meat & 3, which opened Tuesday at 2309 Gillespie St., serves the same down-home Southern cooking that Grandsons’ is known for, at the drive-thru window and in a 63-seat dining room.
The new restaurant is owned in part by two grandsons of restauranteur Fred Chason, Matt and Todd Warga. The franchise's first meat-and-three concept opened in Clinton in March 2022, the restaurant's Director of Human Resources Claudia Dean-Warga said, and there are plans to open a second Fayetteville location at 1320 Clinton Road.
Here’s what to know about Great Grandsons in Fayetteville before you go:
What’s on the menu and what are the prices?
Breakfast starts at $6.99. Dishes like biscuits and sausage gravy, country ham and chicken tenders are served with three scrambled eggs, toast and a choice of grits or rice.
Daily dinner and lunch specials are served with a choice of two sides, bread and a 16-ounce drink. The specials are as follows:
- Tuesday, chicken and pastry for $9.99
- Wednesday, barbecue pork ribs for $9.99
- Thursday, smothered pork loin for $9.99
- Friday, fried catfish for $11.99
- Saturday, stewed beef and rice for $11.99
The regular lunch and dinner menu offers a choice of meat and seafood plates with entrees like fried chicken, gizzards, barbecue, meatloaf, fried shrimp or flounder. Each is served with two sides and a dinner roll or hushpuppies, starting at $7.99.
Fayetteville food updates:More boba, Korean barbecue and all-you-can-eat sushi?
Sandwiches and wraps are served with a side and a drink, starting at $7.99. Family-style meals that serve four start at $26.99.
Desserts like pecan pie, peach cobbler, banana pudding and cheesecake are $2.99.
When is it open?
Great Grandsons is open for breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. Tuesday-Friday and 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Lunch and dinner are served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday.
When does Main Event open?Here's the latest in Fayetteville retail and entertainment
Can I order delivery?
The restaurant does not offer delivery or online ordering, though pickup orders can be placed over the phone, Warga-Dean said.
Food, dining and business reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com, on Twitter, or Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/lifestyle/food/2023/07/31/great-grandsons-meat-3-restaurant-opens-in-fayetteville-n-c/70470616007/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:54 | 1 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/lifestyle/food/2023/07/31/great-grandsons-meat-3-restaurant-opens-in-fayetteville-n-c/70470616007/ |
"I don't think it's caught up to me yet — how much my life has changed," says Emma Hardyman, singer of the 2023 Tiny Desk Contest-winning band Little Moon. The Utah-based band recently wrapped up the Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour, headlining eight sold-out shows across the country. While on the road, Hardyman caught up with NPR to reflect on the life-changing win and also share the story behind Little Moon's winning song, "Wonder Eye."
Hardyman tells NPR the song was written during the time her mother-in-law was in hospice care. The melody came to Hardyman as she and her husband Nathan Hardyman, who is also part of Little Moon, drove from Utah to Idaho to visit his mother.
During this difficult time, Emma and Nathan Hardyman were also in the process of leaving the Mormon church in which they had grown up.
"And pretty quickly, just because of the circumstances, I realized that this song, this melody, was about death," says Emma Hardyman, who wrote the structure of the song before asking Nathan Hardyman to write the lyrics.
The couple were also observing the disintegration of many of the building blocks their Mormon belief systems were built on. "I've grieved past versions of myself throughout my whole life," Emma Hardyman shares.
"I really love where Mormonism brought me," Emma Hardyman says. "It introduced me to teachings that are supposed to love everybody, that are supposed to incorporate everybody. [But] it couldn't follow me to how much I wanted to take [those teachings] seriously," she adds, noting that many of the Little Moon band members are queer. She says Mormonism didn't align with how she wants to treat people 'without conditions.'
Emma Hardyman also shares that she had many self-doubts about herself as an artist when she and Nathan Hardyman met — but that he believed in her from their very first date. And in "Wonder Eye," the two even find peace in not having all the answers. Emma sings: "Is there a knowledge that is found not in knowing?" as she's met with the warm hums of the band.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/npr-top-news/2023-07-31/the-power-and-heartbreak-behind-the-song-that-won-the-tiny-desk-contest | 2023-07-31T16:15:55 | 0 | https://www.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/npr-top-news/2023-07-31/the-power-and-heartbreak-behind-the-song-that-won-the-tiny-desk-contest |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/breaking-down-rodgers-reported-seven-year-deal | 2023-07-31T16:15:55 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/breaking-down-rodgers-reported-seven-year-deal |
Lee Hodges alters his career trajectory, Justin Thomas heads into the regular-season finale, Jay Monahan takes a stand, Celine Boutier romps at home and more in this week's edition of Monday Scramble:
With the week of his life, Lee Hodges showed just how much the final few events of the regular season can alter a player’s career.
The 28-year-old from a small town on the Alabama-Tennessee border made a pair of eagles in the final round and won wire-to-wire at the 3M Open for his first career PGA Tour title.
Hodges began the week at No. 74 in the FedExCup standings, his status for next season secure but needing a late push to crack the postseason and expand his scheduling options for 2024. Hodges led the field in strokes gained: tee to green and poured in his share of putts – none more critical than a pair of eagle putts inside 10 feet on the sixth and 12th holes – to keep J.T. Poston and Tony Finau at bay.
With the victory, Hodges is in next year’s Masters field and rose all the way to 33rd in the points standings – on the brink of locking down a spot at the Tour Championship for the first time. He should also be able to maintain his position in the top 50 through the first playoff event, keeping him a part of the designated-event schedule for 2024 with the guaranteed paydays against the strongest fields.
“Anytime you win,” he said, “you really set yourself up for some special stuff.”
His timing couldn’t have been better.
Hodges summoned his best when it mattered most, but this week's Wyndham Championship marks the end of the road for the Tour’s regular season.
Here’s a look at some of the notable names who are outside the all-important top 70 and could be looking at a busier-than-usual fall campaign if they don’t make the playoff roster (full list here):
Justin Thomas (No. 79): JT added the final two weeks of the regular season not just to try to qualify for the postseason but also to show U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson that he’s in form. That backfired at the 3M, where he missed the cut after a second round in which he made two double bogeys and dropped another shot late. Now it’s all up to his play at the Wyndham, where he hasn’t competed since 2016. (Tour projections have him needing an 18th-place showing or better.) If Thomas doesn’t make the first playoff event, Johnson will have a hard time justifying a pick on a guy who is in a career-worst slump and on the sidelines for the most important stretch of the Tour season.
Adam Scott (81): Still competing at a high level two-plus decades into his career, the Australian will give it one final postseason push at the Wyndham, where he lost in a playoff in 2021. At 43, Scott desperately wants to play the limited, big-money schedule afforded to the game’s top players, but to guarantee himself that cushy spot he needs to reach the BMW, somehow.
Joel Dahmen (82): One of our feature subjects a few months ago, Dahmen has prided himself on consistently keeping his card despite downplaying his abilities and owning a skill set that doesn’t always mesh with the modern game. Under normal circumstances, he’d be fine – it’s the third year in a row he’s been between Nos. 70-95 in the season-long standings – but now that the cutoff has been lowered, he needs to post a good finish at Wyndham to keep playing this season.
Gary Woodland (97): It’s been a good-but-not-great campaign for Woodland, who doesn’t have a top-10 anywhere since the Genesis in February. G-Dub is exempt through 2024-25 by virtue of his 2019 U.S. Open victory, but he’s been too consistent of a player to be mired in such a position.
Akshay Bhatia (99): His is an interesting case, of course, after the special temporary member didn’t receive non-member points at either of the opposite-field events, the Barbasol and the Barracuda, the latter of which he won. The 21-year-old admittedly was “shocked” that he wasn’t exempt for the postseason, despite the Tour victory and nearly $2 million in season earnings. Now he needs to see if he can double up against a regular field.
Billy Horschel (116): It’s been an emotional year for Horschel, who has mustered just two top-10s this season. After beginning the year ranked 18th in the world, he’s all the way down to 48th. Horschel showed some glimpses of improved play at the 3M, where he was in fourth place early in the final round, but a few late mistakes dropped him to T-13 and improved his position in the season-long standings by just three spots. Again, like Woodland, he isn’t in danger of losing his card – he’s exempt through the end of 2025 because of a ’21 WGC victory – but he could be on the outside looking in for the designated events next year.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is trying to win back the locker room.
That’s just about the only way to read his wide-ranging memo that leaked last week that seemed geared as much toward the membership as it was the greater golf community with a keen interest in the Tour’s future.
The newsiest item pertains to the Tour’s stance regarding the proposed ball rollback at the elite level.
That Monahan’s position was made clear before the end of the USGA/R&A comment period underscored the pressing need for Monahan to score a victory among his constituents after nearly two months of criticism about his job performance. Though the Tour won’t support the model local rule as written – not a surprise, given the players’ endorsement potential and the Tour’s unproven belief that entertainment is tied to distance – Monahan said that they’d collaborate with the governing bodies on a solution. The USGA and R&A have already said that inaction is not an option, and so we appear to be setting up for a high-stakes game of chicken: Come 2026, is it really desirable to have one ball in use for at least three of the four major championships, and another for the rest of the season? Of course not, and the governing bodies know this.
Monahan also didn’t have much in the way of an update on the agreement between the Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with the deadline now five months away. They’ve set up a committee of a committee to find a successor for Randall Stephenson’s board seat, and they’ve established task forces to work through a “player benefit program” – essentially a way to make whole the Tour loyalists – and player discipline for the LIV defectors who might wish to rejoin the Tour at the end of this season.
That last point caught the eye of Phil Mickelson:
Mickelson contends that “not a single player” wants to leave LIV. To be sure, that has been the public narrative among the LIV players, but they’re also not reckless enough to suggest publicly that they’re unhappy with a league that has gifted them seven-, eight- and nine-figure signing bonuses to play in non-OWGR-sanctioned events. Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have said that there certainly are Tour events they miss; dozens of others no doubt feel the same. Whether they’re willing to go through the reapplication process for membership – and serve any possible punishments – remains to be seen. Dustin Johnson, for instance, seems rather content to play out the string on his LIV deal.
And that’s what Mickelson appears to be missing.
If the rival league eventually folds, the LIV players might have little choice but to rejoin the Tour or disappear into the competitive abyss. It’s where the money and best players will be. LIV might say it’s full steam ahead – it had an upfront last week to appeal to big-pocketed advertisers – but the circuit’s future is still uncertain until a definitive agreement is reached (if it is at all). If nothing else, it’s reasonable to assume that LIV, if it does continue, will not exist in its current form. No high-profile player would want to risk switching sides until there’s more clarity.
From the Tour perspective, the discipline route is tricky terrain to navigate. The prevailing sentiment has been that the Tour could decide a LIV player’s “punishment” on a case-by-case basis, allowing for an easier reentry for those that left peacefully (hello, Louis Oosthuizen) and harsher terms for those that torched the Tour on the way out (yes, that’s you, Phil).
Would the Tour loyalists sign off on a deal that brings those guys back in the fold so quickly? Would the Tour’s many sponsors support any bans, knowing that they’re willfully hurting field strength for optics? Is it even legal?
Jason Gore, Andy Pazder and Neera Shetty have their work cut out for them.
Celine Boutier was 33 over par in her Evian Championship career, owing to the internal pressure she felt to perform at home in the tournament she coveted most.
That didn’t happen this year.
The 29-year-old Frenchman blew away the field at the year’s fourth major, winning by six shots over Brooke Henderson to capture her first major title in front of a delirious home crowd. She finished at 14 under par.
“It honestly has been my biggest dream ever since I started watching golf,” she said.
It’s a sweet story that continues the year of the first-time major winners, with Boutier (who earned her fourth career LPGA victory) joining Lilia Vu, Ruoning Yin and Allisen Corpuz in the winner’s circle this year. The final major of the year, the Women’s Open, will be held next week at Walton Heath.
Stories like Boutier’s are fun to root for, but competitive parity in the game’s biggest events is typically a death knell for niche sports. Boutier’s triumph means that the last 22 major championships have been won by 21 different players, turning an era that was supposed to be defined by Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee into anyone’s guess at the legacy-defining events.
That at least partially explains the massive attention surrounding Rose Zhang – she’s been a world-beater at every level, she won in her LPGA debut, and she has finished in the top-10 in each of her first three major starts as a pro. Still just 20 years old, Zhang could finally be the standout stud that brings the LPGA to the forefront. Or so they hope. The LPGA needs a dominant superstar.
CARNAGE!: Senior Open. Royal Porthcawl might be too short for the game’s best players, but it provided a thrilling backdrop for The Senior Open contested in some of the most miserable weather imaginable – so bad that it made the final round of The Open seem benign by comparison. Cold, wet, wicked winds – they all pounded the over-50 set for the second consecutive day. Alex Cejka and Padraig Harrington played off after finishing 72 holes at 5 over par. The best score on Sunday was 73, shot much earlier in the day. There were 26 rounds in the 80s. The scoring average was 78.5, the highest on tour in nearly a quarter-century. What glorious TV.
Glimpse into the Future: NV5 Invitational. Barstool made its first foray into televised golf with four-day streaming coverage of last week’s Korn Ferry Tour event, won by Trace Crowe, in what was clearly a test-run for the Tour to see if it can expand its digital offerings. The event featured many of the company’s biggest personalities in both a studio and on-course role, and reception on social media, at least, appeared to be largely positive. Golf’s network TV demographic remains in the mid-60s, so any option that appeals to the much-desired younger crowd should be welcomed and applauded. The players definitely embraced the idea. It mightn't be for everybody, but it's still a necessary step forward.
Toughen Up: Korn Ferry cut. Four of the last five halfway cuts on the developmental circuit have been 5 under or better, including an eye-popping 7-under mark at the NV5 that matched the lowest 36-hole cut in tour history. Sure, it’s hard to argue with some of the players who are soon to graduate to the big tour (Pierceson Coody, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, etc.), but shootouts are no one’s idea of a proper test of golf. Put the screws to these guys and see what happens – the best will prevail.
Gotta Respect It: J.T. Poston. Needing to make something special happen on the 72nd hole to have an outside shot at victory, Poston had 220 yards to the pin for his second shot into the par-5 18th hole at TPC Twin Cities. The degree of difficulty was high – in the rough, on the side slope, with water short – but Poston was also in a reasonably comfy position: three shots behind Hodges, and three clear of third place. So Poston went for it, his ball nosediving out of the sky, ricocheting off the rocks and plopping harmlessly into the pond. The tournament was effectively over, and Hodges closed it out moments later with a wedge to kick-in range. Poston laid up, wedged short of the green and then needed three more from there for a closing triple bogey, the shock finish dropping him from solo second into a three-way tie for second – a difference of about $260,000. Afterward, Poston had no regrets about the decision to go for it: “It was a shot that was going to be hard to pull off, but we weren’t playing for second place. I had to give it a shot.” Indeed, his mistake wasn’t going for the green; it was failing to hit the green with his fifth shot from 98 yards, when he still had a few shots to play with. Hopefully the difference in points doesn't end up costing him this postseason, since he's in a precarious position, now 48th in the standings. We love to see guys who don't play for position or for points, but for the glory.
Slowpoke: Carlota Ciganda. The Spaniard refused to accept a slow-play penalty at the Evian, knowingly signing an incorrect scorecard and then leaving the scoring area to prompt a DQ from the year’s fourth major. Ciganda said on Instagram that, while on the clock, a rules official told her that she took 52 seconds to hit an important par putt on the final green – longer than the 40 seconds required to play a stroke. Ciganda saw things differently, clearly, and stormed off in frustration. All of the professional tours have been hesitant to crack down on the dawdlers, but Ciganda might be the exception – she was also dinged for a slow-play penalty in 2021. The message from the tour is clear: Speed up ... or else.
Welcome to the Club: Bryan Kim. The 18-year-old incoming freshman at Duke took down Joshua Bai, 2 up, to capture the U.S. Junior Amateur. Next summer, after completing his freshman year with the Blue Devils, he’ll make the 80-mile drive to Pinehurst for the 2024 U.S. Open, for which he is now exempt. Prior to the win, Kim was ranked 443rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and, as the No. 52 seed, becomes the lowest-seeded player to capture junior golf’s biggest prize since 2002. | https://www.golfchannel.com/news/monday-scramble-road-playoffs-winds-down-do-liv-guys-even-want-path-back | 2023-07-31T16:15:56 | 1 | https://www.golfchannel.com/news/monday-scramble-road-playoffs-winds-down-do-liv-guys-even-want-path-back |
KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — Hundreds of mourners attended funerals in Pakistan on Monday after a suicide bombing killed at least 54 people at an election rally for a pro-Taliban cleric, carrying caskets draped in colorful cloths to burial sites in the hills.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for Sunday’s bombing in Bajur that killed at least five children and wounded nearly 200 people.
The attack appeared to reflect divisions between Islamist groups, which have a strong presence in the district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan. It targeted the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, which has ties to the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban.
At least 1,000 people, according to police, were crowded into a tent near a market for the rally ahead of fall elections.
“People were chanting God is Great as the leaders arrived,” said Khan Mohammad, a local resident who said he was standing outside the tent, “and that was when I heard the deafening sound of the bomb.”
Mohammad said he heard people crying for help, and minutes later ambulances arrived and began taking the wounded away.
Police said their initial investigation suggested that the Islamic State group’s regional affiliate, a rival of the Taliban, could be responsible, while a Pakistan security analyst pointed to breakaway factions of the Pakistani Taliban as possible suspects.
The Pakistani military spent years fighting the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, in Bajur before declaring the district clear of militants in 2016. But the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, headed by hard-line cleric and politician Fazlur Rehman, has remained a potent political force.
On Monday, police recorded statements from some of the wounded at a hospital in Khar, the district’s principal town.
The Islamic State in Khorasan Province, which police identified as a suspect in the attack, is based in neighboring Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and is a rival of the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaida.
Pakistani security analyst Mahmood Shah said some TTP members have been known to disobey their top leadership to carry out attacks, as have breakaway factions of the group.
Shah said such factions could have perpetrated the attack to cause “confusion, instability and unrest ahead of the elections.”
On Monday, female relatives and children wailed and beat their chests at family homes as the dead were taken for funerals, following local customs. Hundreds of men followed the caskets to mosques and open areas for special funeral prayers and then into the hills for burial.
As condolences continued to pour in from across the country, dozens of people who had lesser injuries were discharged from hospital, while the critically wounded were taken to the provincial capital of Peshawar by army helicopters. The death toll continued to rise as some critically wounded people died in hospital, physician Gul Naseeb said.
Gul Akbar, the father of an 11-year-old boy who was wounded in the attack, told The Associated Press that his entire family was in a state of shock after hearing about the bombing Sunday. He said he first went to the scene of the attack, and later found his son Taslim Khan being treated in a hospital in Khar.
“What would I have done if he had also been martyred? Five children died in this barbaric attack, and we want to know what our children did wrong,” he said.
Rehman’s party is preparing to contest elections, which are expected in October or November. Abdul Rasheed, one of the party’s senior leaders, said the bombing was aimed at weakening the party but that “such attacks cannot deter our resolve.”
Rehman’s party is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, which came to power in April 2022 by ousting former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote in the legislature.
Sharif called Rehman to express his condolences and assure the cleric that those who orchestrated the attack would be punished. Khan condemned the bombing Sunday, as did the U.S. and Russian embassies in Islamabad.
The Pakistani Taliban also distanced themselves from the bombing, saying that it was intended to set Islamists against each other. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, wrote in a tweet that “such crimes cannot be justified in any way.”
The bombing came hours before Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived in Islamabad, where he signed new agreements to boost trade and economic ties to mark a decade of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package under which China has invested $10 billion in Pakistan over 10 years, according to Sharif.
“We will not tolerate any obstacles in the way of friendship with China,” Sharif said, as he stood next to He.
But the government canceled a cultural event that had been arranged in honor of He, according to Sharif, while the nation mourns.
Some Chinese nationals have also been targeted by militants in northwestern Pakistan and elsewhere.
Rehman, who has long supported Afghanistan’s Taliban government, survived at least two known bomb attacks in 2011 and 2014, when bombings damaged his car at rallies.
Sunday’s bombing was one of the worst in northwestern Pakistan in the last decade. In 2014, 147 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar.
In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. And in February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a bombing at a mosque inside a high-security compound housing Peshawar police headquarters.
___
Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed contributed to this story from Islamabad. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-pakistan-holds-funerals-as-government-vows-to-hunt-down-those-behind-the-weekends-suicide-bombing/ | 2023-07-31T16:15:57 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-pakistan-holds-funerals-as-government-vows-to-hunt-down-those-behind-the-weekends-suicide-bombing/ |
Fayetteville brothers charged with murder in Saturday slaying
Two Fayetteville brothers are charged with murder in a deadly shooting late Saturday morning.
According to the Fayetteville Police Department, Devonte Tyrell McClain, 20, and his brother, Adriane McClain, 18, are also each charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Lorenzo Darnell McLaughlin Jr., 22.
The shooting was reported at 11:48 a.m. on Stanberry Street near Primose Drive off Murchison Road. McLaughlin was found at the scene with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the hospital, police said.
According to the arrest reports, Adriane McClain was arrested at 3:12 a.m. Sunday at the Police Department; Devonte McClain was arrested at 3:27 a.m. Sunday at a room at the Red Roof Inn on Cedar Creek Road.
Devonte McClain and Adriane McClain are being held without bail in the Cumberland County jail.
Devonte McClain is also being held on 2021 charges of breaking and entering, possession of marijuana, resisting a public officer, larceny, possession of stolen goods and breaking and entering a motor vehicle; and a 2022 charge of communicating threats, jail and court records show.
F.T. Norton can be reached at fnorton@fayobserver.com. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2023/07/31/fayetteville-brothers-charged-with-murder-in-saturday-slaying/70496791007/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:00 | 1 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2023/07/31/fayetteville-brothers-charged-with-murder-in-saturday-slaying/70496791007/ |
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.wbay.com/2023/07/31/elon-musks-x-threatens-sue-researchers-who-documented-rise-hateful-tweets/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:00 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/2023/07/31/elon-musks-x-threatens-sue-researchers-who-documented-rise-hateful-tweets/ |
Outside organizations donated nearly $3 million to a state economic development agency’s not-for-profit arm over the last three years—but who the donors are, and how the agency spends their contributions are largely unknown under state rules that either don’t require or outright prohibit disclosure of that information.
The groups behind all but two of 16 transactions in records from 2020 through 2022, obtained by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, were permitted anonymity. And the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, or IEDF, says that, because the funds are private donations, how they’re spent isn’t subject to public records rules.
The foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Corp., or IEDC, share the same staff and 12-member board of directors, as well as “the same mission,” spokeswoman Erin Sweitzer wrote in a statement to the Capital Chronicle.
That, she said, is “to advance Indiana’s economy and create more quality opportunities for Hoosiers and their families.”
Stodgy commerce department no more
Indiana had a traditional department of commerce until 2005, when then-Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, signed into law legislation creating the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Shortly after, leaders created the corresponding Indiana Economic Development Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, according to Indiana Secretary of State records.
The corporation, considered a quasi-public agency, and its foundation operate as a public-private partnership.
State lawmakers allocated over a billion dollars to the corporation over the next two years in the most recent $44.5 billion budget; the largest appropriations were $500 million toward a deal closing fund and $500 million for a second round of the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, better known as READI.
“The Foundation, however, is able to accept private donations, supplementing the IEDC’s funding appropriated by the Indiana General Assembly and enabling the IEDC to pursue its goals more aggressively,” Sweitzer said.
But that two-pronged structure has led to criticism.
“This is an area where a lot of money is involved. The state is offering big incentives involving our tax dollars to corporations, and Hoosiers deserve to know the backstory,” said Julia Vaughn, who leads government watchdog Common Cause Indiana. “But I think the IEDC and its foundation: their structure often stops that from happening.”
Vaughn said her organization expressed transparency-related concerns when the state swapped its commerce department for the corporation-foundation combination.
“I’m afraid our worst fears have come true,” she concluded. “… It’s simply another way for these corporate interests to flex their muscle, and in a way that happens completely in the dark.”
Separately, not-for-profit organizations typically file Form 990s—with information on their missions, structures, revenue, expenditures, assets, liabilities and more—with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
But IEDC/IEDF Deputy General Counsel Andrew Lang said the foundation had gotten an exemption “as a not-for-profit associated with a governmental unit” and that it was “not in possession” of any such filings.
Unknown donors
Ten donors gave the foundation about $2.7 million from 2020 through 2022, according to its records.
“Private donations to the Foundation allow more flexibility in how we use the funds and how quickly we’re able to access them, meaning we’re able to move quickly,” Sweitzer wrote. And she offered an example: “book[ing] a flight to the West Coast at a CEO’s request to close an economic development deal.”
Six organizations asked for anonymity, expressly allowed under state law—requiring the foundation to redact their names in public records. They each donated hundreds of thousands over the three years, records show.
Two didn’t request anonymity: Washington, D.C.-based think tank The Urban Institute donated $5,000 in 2021, and Indiana’s Battery Innovation Center, in Newberry, gave $12,000 in 2022.
Still, there are indications of which entities are likely behind some donations.
The corporation’s site, which includes a page for the foundation, features a thank-you note to foundation “sponsors.” They include the state’s “big five” investor-owned utilities: AES Indiana, CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy, Indiana Michigan Power and the Northern Indiana Public Service Company.
“Utilities are, you know, a major component behind the funding and operations of the IEDC,” said Kerwin Olson, leader of the utility customer advocate group Citizens Action Coalition. “… It’s in the utilities’ interest to locate new heavy-energy users to the state. So they want to play that role, under the guise of economic development, in getting new factories, manufacturing facilities and other high-end users to the state.”
The foundation offers four tiers of donor titles: patron, supporter, partner and trustee. Sweitzer called the utilities “partners” that “give annually” but declined to give the eligibility requirements for each level.
That’s because organizations can donate money, but also sponsor events or provide in-kind services, she said—and because “listing the amounts publicly would interfere with a donor’s ability to remain anonymous.”
“The Foundation is cultivating a group of like-minded entities focused on advancing Indiana’s economy and quality of place through future-focused initiatives,” Sweitzer said.
Donation invoices, obtained in discovery during unrelated utility rate cases, frequently include donor disclaimers. They specify that donations are voluntary, don’t affect “ongoing” corporation matters and don’t affect future tax credits, grants or other programming administered by the corporation.
Vaughn, of Common Cause Indiana, was skeptical Hoosiers could know that for sure.
“These types of, you know, disclaimers, promises, legalese—you can’t enforce that if you don’t know the full picture,” she said.
Supplemental spending
The donations are a small amount compared to the corporation’s appropriated budget, but Sweitzer emphasized their supplemental nature.
“We’re able to ‘do more‘ and pursue more opportunities for Hoosiers, such as leading international economic development trips and market[ing] the state even more aggressively to new prospects,” Sweitzer wrote.
She said the money allowed the corporation to work “more quickly,” “more boldly” and “more strategically” in pursuing opportunities, marketing the state and engaging abroad.
The foundation’s expenditures aren’t public records, according to Lang, the counsel. He said that’s because the funds are private, not taxpayer dollars.
But Sweitzer highlighted spending on economic development-focused international trips as a “key strategy” to “mitigate the use of taxpayer dollars.”
“The results are telling,” she wrote: Indiana hosts more than 1,050 foreign-owned businesses, and the corporation got commitments in 2022 from 32 others to locate or expand within the state.
She said those foreign deals would create more than 6,400 jobs—more than a quarter of Indiana’s total new job commitments last year—and added up to $7.25 billion in planed investment.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content. | https://www.ibj.com/articles/little-known-not-for-profit-boosts-indianas-economic-development-agency | 2023-07-31T16:15:59 | 1 | https://www.ibj.com/articles/little-known-not-for-profit-boosts-indianas-economic-development-agency |
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — West African nations have announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger and have threatened to use force if the leaders of a coup don’t reinstate the democratically elected president within one week.
The sanctions announced after the regional bloc known as ECOWAS convened to respond to last week’s military takeover add to a growing list of penalties against the country, one of the least developed in the world, according to the latest U.N. Human Development Index. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid: analysts fear sanctions could further impoverish its 25 million people.
“In the event the authority’s demands are not met within one week, (the bloc will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force,” the ECOWAS bloc said in a statement after its meeting on Sunday. One of its demands is the immediate release and reinstatement of Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains under house arrest and has yet to resign.
Niger, a former French colony, had been regarded by the West as one of the last democratic partners in the Sahel region in its battle against Islamic extremists. The European Union and the United States have poured millions of dollars in military aid and assistance into the country. The French and the US provide training to Niger’s forces and the French military does joint operations in the north.
ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Economic sanctions could have a deep impact on Nigeriens: the country relies on imports from Nigeria for up to 90% of its power, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, the country’s Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday.
“When people say there’s an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, it’s extremely difficult for people … Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community,” he said.
The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc has unsuccessfully tried to restore democracies in nations where the military took power in recent years. Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020.
In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war. In 2017, it intervened in Gambia to prevent the new president’s predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered the country, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis on peace and security issues.
If the regional bloc uses force, it could trigger violence not only between Niger and ECOWAS forces but also between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say.
“While this remains to be a threat and unlikely action, the consequences on civilians of such an approach if putschists chose confrontation would be catastrophic,” said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank.
Lyammouri also said he does not see a “military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commended Sunday the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to “defend constitutional order in Niger” after the sanctions announcement, and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Bazoum and his family.
The military junta, which seized power on Wednesday when members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum’s house and detained him, is already cracking down on the government and civil liberties.
On Sunday evening it arrested four government officials, including Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, the minister of petroleum and son of former President Mahamadou Issoufou; Kassoum Moctar, minister of education; Ousseini Hadizatou Yacouba, the minister of mines, and Foumakoye Gado, the president of the ruling party. That’s according to someone close to the president, who was not authorized to speak about the situation, and a Nigerien analyst who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal.
The same night, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said on state television that all government cars must be returned by midday Monday and banned the use of social media to diffuse messages against state security. He also claimed that Bazoum’s government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum. The Associated Press can’t verify his allegations.
Bazoum has yet to resign. He is still being detained and believed to be in his house in the capital, Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad’s President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta.
In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags and telling the international community to stay away.
Demonstrators in Niger are openly resentful of France, and Russia is seen by some as a powerful alternative. The nature of Moscow’s involvement in the rallies, if any, isn’t clear, but some protesters have carried Russian flags, along with signs reading “Down with France” and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The situation of this country is not good … It’s time for change, and change has arrived,” said Moussa Seydou, a protester. “What we want from the putschists — all they have to do is improve social conditions so that Nigeriens can live better in this country and bring peace,” he said. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-west-african-nations-threaten-to-use-force-if-nigers-president-isnt-reinstated-within-a-week/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:03 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-west-african-nations-threaten-to-use-force-if-nigers-president-isnt-reinstated-within-a-week/ |
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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Weather Permitting: Expect more bearable temperatures in Fayetteville this week
The other day, I mentioned we could agree that it's been a warm July in the Cape Fear region.
A reader emailed me, asking how this July stacks up with others in recent memory. Folks new to the area may not know that Fayetteville is home to the hottest recorded temperature in North Carolina history (more about that next month), but seasoned Weatherhounds know it gets a lot hotter here this time of year.
How about 2011, anyone?
If you were here, you remember the collective moans of air conditioners running non-stop around the region drowned out only by the cries of people getting their electric bills.
Fayetteville began that month normally enough at 94, and July 4 was a bit toasty at 96 with a smattering of rain. But things went south a few days later with back-to-back 100-plus days. By the time the month ended, we had nine days topping 100 degrees, with the highest being 105.
That set a record for the date (July 30), and the nine days in triple digits was a record, as well. The brutal streak continued into August, with four triple-digit days coming the first week.
Thankfully, there's nothing that oppressive on the horizon this time. In fact, we may see more sub-90-degree days this week than we saw in all of July (three).
Here's the setup
A cold (well, cold for August) front will stall to the south of the Cape Fear region, in the Pee Dee of South Carolina. It's a similar setup to the one we had in early July, with several weak energy packets rolling along the boundary. Conditions won't be as humid, so rainfall won't be as widespread, nor as heavy. However, each packet will bring a chance of scattered and occasionally strong showers to the region.
Temperatures will be more bearable, as well. Look for highs on Monday to hold in the upper 80s, with the heat index staying just above 90 for most of us. Showers will slide through, but how widespread and how heavy is uncertain.
It looks like another packet will slide through late Tuesday, with Wednesday being generally dry. Highs on both days should reach the upper 80s in Fayetteville, with lows of about 70.
The rest of the work week looks mild, with highs in the mid-80s. Shower chances will tick back up, mainly in the afternoon and evening.
The weekend
Another cold front is expected to begin moving across the Midwest, but the timing is uncertain. As it approaches the Carolinas, either Saturday or Sunday, look for increased shower chances. Highs ahead of the front's arrival will likely slip back into the low 90s.
Have a great week!
Got a weather question? Chick Jacobs can be reached at ncweatherhound@gmail.com or NCWeatherhound on Twitter. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2023/07/31/fayetteville-nc-weather-forecast-for-first-week-of-august/70476680007/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:06 | 1 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2023/07/31/fayetteville-nc-weather-forecast-for-first-week-of-august/70476680007/ |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/burrow-to-miss-several-weeks-with-calf-strain | 2023-07-31T16:16:05 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/burrow-to-miss-several-weeks-with-calf-strain |
Hunter Biden’s former business partner appears for closed-door interview with GOP-led committee
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbay.com/2023/07/31/hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:06 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/2023/07/31/hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee/ |
Troubled trucking company Yellow Corp. is shutting down and filing for bankruptcy, the Teamsters said Monday.
Yellow is one of the nation’s largest less-than-truckload carriers. The 99-year-old Nashville, Tennessee-based company had 30,000 employees across the country as of earlier this year.
An official bankruptcy filing is expected any day for Yellow, after years of financial struggles and growing debt. Its expected liquidation would mark a significant shift for the U.S. transportation industry and shippers nationwide.
“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. This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien.
The Associated Press reached out to Yellow for comment on Monday. No bankruptcy filings were found as of the early morning.
The company’s collapse arrives just three years after Yellow, formerly known as YRC Worldwide, Inc., received $700 million in pandemic-era loans from the federal government. But the company was in financial trouble long before that—with industry analysts pointing to poor management and strategic decisions dating back decades.
Former Yellow customers and shippers will face higher prices as they take their business to competitors, including FedEx or ABF Freight, experts say—noting that Yellow historically offered the cheapest price points in the industry.
On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal and FreightWaves reported that Yellow was preparing for bankruptcy — with some noting that customers had already started to leave the carrier in large numbers. And the company reportedly stopped freight pickups earlier in the week.
Yellow shut down operations on Sunday, according to The Wall Street Journal, following the layoffs of hundreds of nonunion employees on Friday.
The bankruptcy preparation reports arrived just days after Yellow averted a strike from the Teamsters, which represents Yellow’s 22,000 unionized workers, amid heated contract negotiations. On July 23, a pension fund agreed to extend health benefits for workers at two Yellow Corp. operating companies, avoiding a planned walkout—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.
Yellow has racked up hefty bills over the years. 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.
The current financial chaos at Yellow “is probably two decades in the making,” said Stifel research director Bruce Chan, 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.”
A Wednesday investors note from financial service firm Stephens estimated that Yellow was burning daily amount of $9 million to $10 million in recent days.
According to Satish Jindel, president of transportation and logistics firm SJ Consulting, Yellow handled an average of 49,000 shipments per day in 2022. On Friday, he estimated that number was down to between 10,000 and 15,000 daily shipments.
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.”
Please enable JavaScript to view this content. | https://www.ibj.com/articles/trucking-firm-with-30000-employees-ceasing-operations-union-says | 2023-07-31T16:16:06 | 0 | https://www.ibj.com/articles/trucking-firm-with-30000-employees-ceasing-operations-union-says |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures, the White House said Monday.
Biden is expected to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, America’s most significant response to climate change, and the push toward more clean energy manufacturing. The act aims to spur clean energy on a scale that will bend the arc of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
July has been the hottest month ever recorded. Biden last week announced new steps to protect workers in extreme heat, including measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.
Members of Biden’s administration also are fanning out over the next few weeks around the anniversary of the landmark climate change and health care legislation to extol the administration’s successes as the Democratic president seeks reelection in 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Wisconsin this week with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to talk about broadband infrastructure investments. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack goes to Oregon to highlight wildfire defense grants, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to Illinois and Texas, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona heads to Maryland to talk about career and technical education programs.
The Inflation Reduction Act included roughly $375 billion over a decade to combat climate change and capped the cost of a month’s supply of insulin at $35 for older Americans and other Medicare beneficiaries. It also helps an estimated 13 million Americans pay for health care insurance by extending subsidies provided during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure is paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement of wealthy individuals and entities, with additional funds going to reduce the federal deficit. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-biden-goes-west-to-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-to-combat-climate-change/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:09 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-biden-goes-west-to-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-to-combat-climate-change/ |
Pitts: 75 years ago, the military integrated. The Sergeant Major of the Army, others talk impact
On July 26 1948, President Harry Truman issued an executive order that desegregated the U.S. Armed Forces.
But at Fort Liberty, formerly known as Fort Bragg, the paratroopers were a step ahead. Four years prior, the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was established. The famed “Triple Nickles” was a Black unit of paratroopers that made the 82nd Airborne the first integrated combat unit.
That was a pretty cool detail to hear on Thursday morning at a panel discussion I attended on the 75th Anniversary of the Promise of an Integrated U.S. Army. The panel included Sgt. Maj. of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, and was part of the Association of the United States Army Warfighter Summit & Exposition that was held over several days last week at the Crown Expo Center in Fayetteville.
Also on the panel were younger soldiers whose personal biographies showcased the wide-ranging diversity in the U.S. military. Panelists were Spc. Araya Ayala, Staff Sgt. Shane Patasomcit, Pvt. Joshua Shipman, First Sgt. Janina Simmons and Sgt. Heidi Cardona Tejera.
Sgt. First Class Will Reinier, the public affairs adviser for Grinston, served as moderator.
A couple dozen Fort Liberty soldiers were in the audience to listen and share their own thoughts about the impact of Truman's Executive Orders 9980 and 9981, which ended segregation in the military and federal workforce.
Grinston has said he struggled with his racial identity growing up biracial — his mother is white, his dad Black. During the panel, Grinston and others talked about how leadership meant engaging with soldiers — whatever their background.
“I think, initially, diversity is a number,” he said. “Inclusion means — I actually listen to people.”
Putting in the work
Several panelists talked about the importance of inclusion. But the overall message I heard from them was that focus on the military mission is the priority. Keep the mission the priority, they said, and a lot of the other aspects of making a unit cohesive will take care of itself.
Grinston encouraged the panelists and Fort Liberty soldiers to become the “absolute expert” in their fields. Later, he encouraged the soldiers in attendance to strive to complete their Expert Infantryman, Expert Field Medical and Expert Soldier badges.
“As a staff sergeant, nobody should know your job better than you — no one,” he said. He said that when he was a staff sergeant, “I would have challenged anybody in the Army on my job. And I did on multiple times. Sometimes it caused me to do some pushups.”
As the first African American female Army ranger, First Sgt Janina Simmons, who was on the panel, said it was humbling to think 75 years ago, “I wouldn’t be here ... I’m a triple threat: Black, woman, gay.”
She thanked the people who opened the door for soldiers like her.
“I’m pretty sure 75 years ago, nobody was thinking ‘female Rangers.’ It’s impossible,” she said. “With that door being open, I have to take pride in that. I have to not only open the door, (and) walk through the door, I have to pave the way for somebody else.”
But, she said, success in uniform does not come down to age, gender, race or anything like that. It is all about work ethic, she said.
“It is about personal courage, to just toeing the line. Do you have what it takes to just show up?" she said.
“Toe the line and put in the work.”
Everybody, from everywhere
Pvt. Shipman, another panelist, is white and from a small town in Arkansas. Reinier asked him how he found fitting into Army life as a 17-year-old. Being so young was the main adjustment Shipman said: “That kind of threw me off guard.”
But, he said, the transition into his first unit was relatively easy and described the experience as being greeted with open arms. “It was never a problem of falling into the puzzle, I guess,” he said.
He cited the positive influence of his roommate.
“He was the team leader at the time,” he said. “He always helped me just square all my stuff away.”
In answer to a question from Reinier, Shipman said where he came from was not very diverse, but he also never had a problem accepting people.
He said one of his best friends in his first unit was from Cuba.
“I helped him, introduced him to our culture and he tried his best to introduce me to theirs," he said.
“I like that just everybody comes from everywhere.”
A good look
I can say the panel and the discussion were a good look for the Army.
I feel that, even as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin explicitly works on rooting out white nationalism in the military ranks, there are many more service members who “get it” — that diverse backgrounds strengthen our Armed Forces and represent an opportunity that many companies would love to have.
I was especially heartened to hear from the young soldiers who sounded like they are on good solid footing in at least having a discussion about strength through diversity.
Simmons said no institution, including the Army, is perfect, and there is a lot more work to do.
Asked how to build a cohesive team, she answered: “That starts with you have to get to know your soldiers, and I'm talking beyond the, 'Hey, how ya doing.
“Get to know your soldiers, where do they come from, Puerto Rico, Africa, Germany, what have you. Once you get to know them, you'll know what makes them tick, how they operate. The great thing about the Army, it's just an awesome melting pot."
And one that has come a long way in 75 years.
Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2023/07/31/sergeant-major-of-the-army-talks-anniversary-of-integration-in-fayetteville-michael-grinston/70438710007/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:12 | 1 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2023/07/31/sergeant-major-of-the-army-talks-anniversary-of-integration-in-fayetteville-michael-grinston/70438710007/ |
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.wvia.org/news/business/2023-07-31/san-francisco-investigates-twitters-x-sign-musk-responds-with-a-laughing-emoji | 2023-07-31T16:16:14 | 1 | https://www.wvia.org/news/business/2023-07-31/san-francisco-investigates-twitters-x-sign-musk-responds-with-a-laughing-emoji |
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.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-desantis-unveils-new-economic-policy-that-targets-china-taxes-and-regulations/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:15 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-desantis-unveils-new-economic-policy-that-targets-china-taxes-and-regulations/ |
(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.binghamtonhomepage.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:15 | 1 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/dolphins-sign-apple-in-wake-of-ramsey-injury | 2023-07-31T16:16:16 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/dolphins-sign-apple-in-wake-of-ramsey-injury |
'I felt like I was dead': Primo Pizza worker recounts battle with Cross Creek Mall gunman
One of the managers of a Cross Creek Mall pizza stand who thwarted an armed assailant on Wednesday wasn’t even supposed to be working that day — but fate keeps its own schedule.
Jonathan Morales, 35, was the pizza shop employee who got into a wrestling match with a gunman who had leaped over the counter to go after a cashier.
The trouble began, Morales said Thursday, when a man, later identified by police as Michael Floyd, 41, became upset that he had to wait for change for a $20 bill he used to pay for lunch.
Morales, who's worked at Primo Pizza since he was 16, said he had stopped into the restaurant “for one simple thing,” when he overheard Floyd berating the cashier for needing to get change from the back.
It was when the cashier returned with the change — and apparently had had enough of the customer’s insults — that an expletive-filled argument erupted, Morales said.
“I heard them fussing at each other, and (Floyd) kept on saying ‘Don’t make me go back there,’” Morales said, some 24 hours after one of the most harrowing experiences of his life.
“So that’s when I said, ‘You have your change, you have your food, if there’s anything you need, let us know, but have a good day,’” he said.
The intervention seemed to work, Morales recalled. He said the customer asked where the condiments were, went to the condiment stand, and then — after giving the two employees dirty looks — exited the building through the food court doors.
The calm before the storm
Once the man had left the building, Morales thought the crisis was over.
Yet moments later, he recalled, he saw the man walking back toward the food court through the parking lot.
"I thought he was coming back to complain about something. I didn’t know he was going to come back and do what he did," Morales said.
Instead of complaining, he said, the customer pulled a gun from his waistband and charged at the counter.
“He comes and he has his gun in his hand, and he jumps the counter. ... At this point, it was fight or flight,” Morales recalled.
"I had to do something then and there," he said. The people at this pizza shop are like family to him. This place is like home, he said.
So, Morales jumped on the gunman and tried to wrestle away the gun.
“Every second felt like minutes and hours," he said.
As the men battled for control of the weapon — the customer with his finger on the trigger; Morales trying to wrench the gun away — a shot rang out, puncturing a hole in a beer keg.
Morales said that after the shooting, everyone fled, and he and his attacker fought their way into the back of the restaurant where Morales gained control of the gun.
That’s when the man with “pretty big arms” wrapped both of them around a kneeling Morales’ neck and began to squeeze, he said.
“He has me in a massive chokehold. I felt like my life force was coming out of my body. At that point — I’m not gonna lie to you — at that point — I felt like I was dead.”
But thoughts of his mother and memories of his late grandfather fueled his strength, he said.
'I mustered up whatever I could'
“We have had a lot of death recently in my family, and this is not what I wanted for my mother,” Morales said. “So I mustered up whatever I could.”
Morales struggled to his feet, and, with the customer still choking him from behind, the manager began bashing his assailant on the head with the gun.
For a person who has never held or fired a weapon, Morales said, the thought of shooting the man never entered his mind.
But the pistol-whipping opened a wound on the attacker’s head. Blood dotted the floor afterward, Morales said.
The struggle was over not long after when the two ended up in a hallway that leads to the outside and a security guard there called for backup.
Morales said that he had somehow gotten outside the back door and the customer had finally let go of him and run back into the kitchen, escaping the same way he gained entry — by jumping the counter.
Outside in the parking lot, a combat veteran, who said he was sitting in his car when he saw Floyd tuck a gun into his pants as he walked toward the food court, saw Floyd — his head bloodied — walking away. Former infantryman Robert Williams said he followed Floyd to an unpopulated area of the parking lot, then using his own gun, ordered Floyd to the ground. He held him there until police arrived.
'It was pandemonium'
The events of Wednesday are not something Morales ever thought he'd be involved in.
The New Jersey-born North Carolina transplant said he’s seen a lot in his nearly two decades working at the pizza stand, but "this is the craziest thing I've seen.
“It was pandemonium. I thought — if my life is in danger; if I’m going to down, I’m going to go down swinging,” he said. “When I’ve told the story to people they are like, 'I don't know how you did it.'
“I don't know how I did it, either.”
F.T. Norton can be reached at fnorton@fayobserver.com. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/crime/2023/07/31/primo-pizza-worker-recounts-battle-with-cross-creek-mall-gunman/70489229007/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:18 | 1 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/crime/2023/07/31/primo-pizza-worker-recounts-battle-with-cross-creek-mall-gunman/70489229007/ |
The first time Nicola Veitch went to a soccer game, she danced on the field in a white lab coat alongside a colleague inside a giant tsetse fly costume. Most of the fans applauded. Some were baffled.
Neither was auditioning to be the new team mascot.
Rather, Veitch, who's a lecturer in parasitology at the University of Glasgow, put on this somewhat weird performance as a pilot for sleeping sickness street theater — using a theatrical event to teach people about a disease that affects about 1,000 people each year in Africa.
In Malawi's two endemic districts where the disease is spread by local tsetse flies, the number of people falling ill from sleeping sickness has declined in recent years, but cases still persist. Last year, there were only 40 cases across the country. But Veitch points out the disease is "often unpredictable," which means that the possibility of resurgence remains a persistent threat.
More than a year after that Scottish match, the group brought the theatrical event to soccer games in Malawi where people cheered while learning about how to protect themselves from this tiny killer. Veitch calls it an innovative intervention in remote, hard-to-reach communities with few smartphones.
At the time of the performance, she says a clinical trial was underway for a new drug that "seems to be very promising in terms of treating sleeping sickness." If successful, people with the disease could take the medicine at home instead of relying on the current method of treatment for late-stage sleeping sickness — the intravenous administration of a toxic drug that often leads to complications and is occasionally fatal itself. The new drug would represent "a massive change," she says. But in the meantime, knowledge is one of the best ways to fight the disease, and the performance seemed to offer the spectators important information.
Sleeping sickness is found in communities in Malawi that border nature or game reserves. Those areas were where the performances were held. "So we are targeting the people that are really affected," says Janelisa Musaya, a parasitologist involved in the project and the associate director of the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, instead of "just throwing the message all over the country." In other words, she says, it's a way of allocating resources wisely.
Targeting a 'hypnotic' parasite
Sleeping sickness, also called African trypanosomiasis, is caused by a parasite. "It almost looks like a worm," says Veitch. But it's not a worm. It's a single-celled protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma.
The parasite relies on the tsetse fly to shuttle it around. When an infected fly bites someone, the parasite can slip into their bloodstream. It causes a little trouble there, says Musaya, "but when it crosses the blood-brain barrier and goes to the central nervous system, it can affect your sleeping cycle. That's why it's called the sleeping sickness." (The disease is often confused with malaria since the symptoms of fever and lethargy are similar.)
When Veitch looks down the microscope at the parasite that causes sleeping sickness, she says, "it's very hypnotic the way it moves and quite beautiful. I think that only a parasitologist can say that."
That beauty was what got her thinking several years back about alternative ways to inform people about the disease — which many people in Malawi are still not aware of, Veitch says. She has a family member who works for SURGE, a Scottish art, theater and circus organization that runs an annual performance festival that brings cutting edge work to the streets and spaces of Glasgow. The sketches tend to be short, sharp, and interactive, she says.
One year, Veitch was drawn to an outside act that had repurposed an ambulance to teach people how to respond to someone having a cardiac arrest through engaging movement and comical water balloon antics. "And I thought to myself, we could be using street theater to engage people with parasitology," she says. So she approached SURGE and said, "We could maybe work together on something to do with parasites. I think we could create something really cool."
Veitch isn't alone in her thinking. A few years back, the World Health Organization published a report on the role that the arts — including theater — can play in improving our physical, social, and psychological health and well-being, a particular concern in under-resourced countries.
Arts activities facilitate social interaction, says Nisha Sajnani, the co-director of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab at New York University, who wasn't involved in the sleeping sickness project. She adds that performance is just the right platform and artform to "increase a sense of self-efficacy — a feeling of being able to do something about a problem."
Veitch's conversation with SURGE kickstarted a multiyear effort for her and her colleagues in Scotland and Malawi, including an arts and theater group called Voices Malawi that educates people about various illnesses, including COVID-19 and malaria and that uses street theater as a teaching mode.
First, the team had to dream up a way to depict sleeping sickness through street theater. Musaya was excited to get involved. After studying sleeping sickness for 15 years, there was still a missing link for her — "how do we educate the community not to get infected?" She hoped this theatrical foray might provide an answer.
Bwanalori Mwamlima, senior health promotion officer in the Rumphi district of Malawi, says that developing the performance was an act of co-creation among scientists, health workers, performing artists and individuals who'd survived the disease. He explains that the messages they wanted to communicate were, "How is it transmitted? What are the [symptoms]? How can it be prevented? And what are the current interventions?"
Tsetse fly theater has its Malawi premiere
When the show rolled out in Malawi in the fall of 2022, here's what it looked like.
Communities were told that local football and netball teams would descend upon a particular field to play. Then, the day of the event, the performers (a team of nurses, clinicians, students and researchers) drove through town in a truck with music blaring. That got people to leave their homes and follow the truck to the edge of a soccer field. "We wanted to gather a crowd," says Veitch.
Before the soccer game, they offered their theatrical vision of sleeping sickness — mainly visual with some narration. They gave red t-shirts to the audience and asked them to put them on to simulate the human bloodstream. The performers who were dressed as scientists in white lab coats waded into the crowd, each one carrying a giant net. "They were supposed to be scientists looking for infection," says Veitch.
Once the crowd was sufficiently warmed up, the person dressed as the tsetse fly emerged. (The fly costume was made in Scotland by the costume designer regularly employed by SURGE. She'd made outfits for "all sorts of weird and wonderful performances," says Veitch, but this was her first tsetse fly — which had massive wings and limited vision for the person inside the fly's head, so you "need someone to be at your side when moving around.")
The fly threw beach balls into the crowd, representing the infectious parasite, which audience members batted around.
The beach balls were different colors, a metaphor for the way in which the parasite changes its outer protein coat to evade the human immune system. "It's very difficult to create a vaccine to something that undergoes this variation," says Veitch.
The people dressed as scientists ran around to catch the balls of infection in their nets. And finally, they brought out a large net, enveloping the giant fly, escorting it offstage and bringing the performance to a close. In reality, this net is highly effective at attracting tsetse flies because of its blue color and the bottle of urine-smelling liquid placed beside it. "It's just a simple bit of material that has insecticide" in it, Veitch says.
But sometimes people in nearby villages take down the nets stationed in game reserves because they don't know what they are or why they're there. Therefore, "one of the ideas behind the performance," says Veitch, "was to get people to really consider they're very effective at catching tsetse. And if you leave them up, it's beneficial to everybody and that will prevent disease." In addition, by showing researchers helping to capture the parasites, the performers hoped to demonstrate to the public that scientists and their work can be trusted.
Afterward, spectators received additional guidance during a question and answer session. They asked what differentiates a tsetse fly from a housefly (its size, color, and resting wing position), how long it takes for symptoms to appear (typically 2 to 4 weeks) and perhaps most important, how to prevent getting bitten in the first place (avoid nature reserves; don't wear blue or black, which attracts the flies; wear long sleeves; apply insect repellent).
Musaya hopes the audiences walked away with an improved understanding of the disease and how they would contract it. "Many people who attended the performance said they didn't know about the disease," Veitch says. "They had heard of tsetse, but didn't know of the disease it carried, and didn't know of the symptoms to look out for."
"There's something about the dramatizing of the concept that increases the understanding," she explains.
Mwamlima, who dressed up as the tsetse fly for one of the performances in Malawi, was surprised by the success of the theatrical approach, "considering that this is the first time to bring theater performances to teach science," he says. "So I wasn't sure whether it would work," but he's glad that it seemed to. Evaluations showed the audiences were engaged and felt confident asking questions. But long-term, Veitch says they'll know if the performance was successful "if more tsetse nets are left in place and if more people come forward for diagnosis and treatment."
In addition, the medical professionals and researchers, many of whom had never done anything like this before, found this to be a meaningful way to connect with communities. "It really improved people's confidence in terms of thinking about public engagement," Veitch says, "and they would do it again."
"It's a great example of how participatory theater offers a compelling, energizing, pleasurable way of bringing people together to clarify community concerns, feel empowered to make a difference, problem solve," says NYU's Sajnani.
"I think it's a remarkable approach," agrees Kartik Sharma, the founder of the organization Public Arts Health & Us, which translates health and environment research into film and art, including theater pieces. He wasn't associated with the sleeping sickness project. Sharma argues that a performance "converts research into something which people can see and feel in a more personalized way." The result, he says, is that "you can actually use it the next day in your life. So I think it's a very powerful strategy."
For those who missed the show, Veitch says that video recordings will be used as part of Malawi's mobile cinema program, which ranges from big televisions on the back of land rovers to large screens set up next to marketplaces and other public gatherings. It's a common way to publicize health messages in Malawi. The goal, says Veitch, is to "extend the legacy of what we've been doing."
However, despite all the fanfare and promise of the program, Veitch, who says she wasn't into soccer when this program began, admits that she's still not a football fan.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wvia.org/news/news/health/2023-07-30/a-man-dressed-as-a-tsetse-fly-came-to-a-soccer-game-and-he-definitely-had-a-goal | 2023-07-31T16:16:20 | 0 | https://www.wvia.org/news/news/health/2023-07-30/a-man-dressed-as-a-tsetse-fly-came-to-a-soccer-game-and-he-definitely-had-a-goal |
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. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-for-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:21 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-hunter-bidens-former-business-partner-appears-for-closed-door-interview-with-gop-led-committee/ |
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.wvia.org/news/news/health/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke | 2023-07-31T16:16:21 | 0 | https://www.wvia.org/news/news/health/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke |
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.wvia.org/news/news/npr-national/2023-07-31/watch-lori-vallow-daybell-is-sentenced-for-killing-her-children-in-zombie-murders | 2023-07-31T16:16:21 | 1 | https://www.wvia.org/news/news/npr-national/2023-07-31/watch-lori-vallow-daybell-is-sentenced-for-killing-her-children-in-zombie-murders |
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.binghamtonhomepage.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:21 | 0 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ |
What do you do when you can't beat the heat? Cumberland County's homeless speak out
As Cumberland County bakes in a sweltering heat wave in the final days of July, many are taking preventive measures to stay safe and out of the record-breaking heat indices — but hundreds of residents can’t.
The county’s homeless population might take advantage of cooling stations at county libraries, Parks and Recreation centers, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Social Services and the Fayetteville Area System of Transit lobby, but those options are only available during business hours. Furthermore, with fares now in effect for city buses, not all homeless residents may be able to get to those locations to take shelter.
On Thursday afternoon, Tiffany Miller, 38, dabbed at rivulets of sweat with the hem of her T-shirt as she sat inside the downtown library, after walking three blocks from the Manna Dream Center, where she'd eaten a free lunch. Miller said she has been homeless since her house was foreclosed on in February.
“I’m sweating a lot because of the heat,” she said apologetically.
Miller and other homeless residents said the heat is not only uncomfortable but further perpetuates the stereotype that homeless people are dirty and disheveled.
“Your clothes don’t look appropriate when you’re out there trying to get a job and do everything you can to not be homeless,” said Jessica Benge, 41, one of the many homeless people who use the library to stay cool during the day.
Benge said she has been homeless for three weeks after domestic violence forced her out of her Scotland County home. The shelter she was staying at transferred her to Cumberland County, but the shelter here had no space for her, Benge said.
Benge said the heat sometimes makes her lightheaded, and even if she finds somewhere to take a shower, she quickly gets so sweaty that would-be employers turn up their noses.
“I don’t have a place to try to look better to be better,” she said. “I know that everyone wants their city to look pretty, but wouldn’t we all look pretty with jobs?”
Dangerously hot
Toby Carter, program director at LifeLINK Air and Specialty Care, which provides emergency healthcare under Cape Fear Valley Health, said Thursday that the high temperatures can be life-threatening.
“The danger is real,” he said. “When we’re seeing heat indices of over 100, it goes without saying that, that affects everyone.”
All groups are at risk when temperatures are this high, Carter said, but the elderly and very young children may be more easily affected because they can struggle to regulate temperature.
According to Carter, those exposed to high temperatures can suffer from heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash, with heat stroke and heat exhaustion being the most severe of the two categories.
“In any of these cases, they are preventable,” he said.
Carter said residents should watch out for the following symptoms, which can be signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
- Rapid heart rate
- Fast or shallow breathing
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headache
“It’s good to know the signs,” he said.
Those with symptoms should immediately find a cool source of shelter, hydrate and take a cold shower or bath, Carter said. Anyone with dizziness or a headache should not hesitate to call 911, he said.
Is prevention possible?
Carter said proper hydration before going outside and generally “taking care of yourself” can prevent heat-related illness, but some homeless residents say their situations make that task near-impossible.
Staying properly hydrated and fed can be a problem for homeless members of the community regardless of the temperature, some said. Curtis Stobie, 63, has been staying at the Manna Dream Center shelter but can struggle to find food on the weekends because local nonprofits and shelters only offer meals on weekdays, he said.
“On Saturday and Sunday, there are no food resources,” Stobie said. “Once in a while, somebody’ll show up in a car and they’ll pass out meals, but we don’t know when or where that will be.”
Nelson Montanez, 52, cried as he spoke of his experience with homelessness in Cumberland County. He said he moved here from Miami for a fresh start.
Montanez said he tries to get food from local churches on the weekends, but feels stuck in his circumstances, with the heat and his status as a felon making it even more difficult to search for jobs and potential apartments.
“It’s horrible right now,” he said. “People need help.”
If you suspect you are suffering from heat stroke, call 911. Government watchdog reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/local/2023/07/31/cumberland-countys-homeless-struggle-during-triple-digit-heat-indices/70472077007/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:24 | 1 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/local/2023/07/31/cumberland-countys-homeless-struggle-during-triple-digit-heat-indices/70472077007/ |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/fact-or-fluke-qb-stats-from-2022-season | 2023-07-31T16:16:27 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/fact-or-fluke-qb-stats-from-2022-season |
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.binghamtonhomepage.com/hill-politics/top-house-democratic-pac-urging-members-to-lean-into-economy/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:28 | 0 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/hill-politics/top-house-democratic-pac-urging-members-to-lean-into-economy/ |
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.
___
Richer reported from Boston. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-mar-a-lago-worker-charged-in-trumps-classified-documents-case-to-make-first-court-appearance/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:27 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-mar-a-lago-worker-charged-in-trumps-classified-documents-case-to-make-first-court-appearance/ |
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.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/eat-my-food-dog-meat-farmers-in-s-korea-resist-push-to-ban-industry/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:34 | 1 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/eat-my-food-dog-meat-farmers-in-s-korea-resist-push-to-ban-industry/ |
‘Fort Ridgway’ memories: In Fayetteville, I found a great community
This past week, I retired from the Army after 27 years of service. While I’ve served all around the world — Korea, Germany, Southwest Texas, Florida, much of the American southeast — the most memorable and meaningful time in the Army was at the Home of the Airborne and Special Operations.
Most people in the Army who know of me recognize my name from my time as spokesman and public affairs officer on Fort Bragg. It’s from these positions that my then-stagnant career was given a second life. It was most certainly the most successful five-year period of my adult life.
I had an unusual route to Fayetteville: While most Army officers with extensive Bragg/Liberty time arrived at the post early in their careers and never left, I did not get to the post until my 18th year in service. My arrival came at a momentous time: 2016, one year prior to the centennial anniversary of the 82nd Airborne Division.
I arrived with trepidation, knowing that most of my peers had extensive service on the base and were well-integrated into the Fayetteville community. My wife and I had also heard the community derisively referred to as “Fayette-Nam,” a holdover from an era of municipal waste and urban violence that no longer exists in the community.
More:Why I Joined: Fayetteville native enlisted for opportunity. Now, he's leading troops.
More:'Part of this tradition': Sunset march ties Fort Bragg's past to Fort Liberty's future
What I found almost immediately is that I’ve never served at an Army base that carries the pride, esprit de corps, companionship and respect for legacy as this one. I’ve found that no community — not outside of forts Bliss, Stewart, Benning, Sill, or Polk — considers itself a part of its installation and its soldiers and families alike as the residents of Cumberland, Hoke, Moore and Scotland counties.
Further, we found that this is a community that takes pride in its industrial growth, tranquility and familial atmosphere. The hospitality we found in Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Hope Mills is unmatched in any of our 14 other military assignments.
Consequential moments
We arrived at a time of transition from the Global War on Terror to the Great Power Competition. From counterinsurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan to preparation for major theater war in Indo-Pacific. Throughout this transition, the community and military leaders leaned on the rich legacy handed down by generations of paratroopers.
My time as a senior Army spokesman at Fort Bragg and then Liberty was filled with consequential moments. Many current Paratroopers remember them:
• The 2017 All American Week — a grand celebration of the 100th anniversary of America’s most prestigious military organization.
• Dragon’s Lair — The installation’s enormously popular "Shark Tank"-style innovation contest for paratroopers.
• The inception of the 82nd Airborne Division holiday concert, a tradition that began under my watch in December 2017 and continues with great success to this day.
• The conversion of Towle Stadium into the Fort Bragg Thunderdome for the 2018 mixed martial arts tournament.
• The death of legendary paratrooper Rock Merritt, a man who embodied the ethos, history and values of the installation.
• I wrote a 2017 Memorial Ceremony speech that is still remembered and that continues to inspire and evoke emotion.
• Yes, as many recall, I was the woebegone Fort Bragg spokesman navigating through the disastrous October 2020 Twitter scandal (and, no, I was not the author of the carnal tweets at the center of the storm).
‘Fort Ridgway’
I left Fort Bragg in the spring of 2021, just as the Congressional Naming Commission was identifying a new moniker for the installation. I privately advocated for Fort Ridgway: Matthew B. Ridgway was the most important paratrooper in American history and his impact on the world extends beyond his time on Bragg and to his service in the Far East and across Europe at critical moments for our nation.
Further, Ridgway had a salubrious impact on American society: As commander of all United Nations forces during the Korean War, Ridgway forced the racial integration of all units under his command in 1951. This process shamed the Army into belatedly and begrudgingly acting on President Harry Truman's military desegregation order of 1948.
Like many paratroopers, I hold the name “Liberty” in derision — the installation’s rich culture and distinct lineage deserves a name more meaningful than an easy bromide. Certainly, “Bragg” never made sense — the shameful legacy of failed Confederate General Braxton Bragg was an embarrassment for a post that has served our national interests so well for so long.
More:Myron Pitts: Fort Liberty? No, let’s choose one of our heroes for Fort Bragg’s new name
“Liberty,” however, is as bad or worse — our most storied installation deserves a name commensurate with its legacy. “Liberty” just doesn’t get it done. The renaming of the installation will stand as a missed opportunity to match the installation with a sobriquet that offers a measure of pride to its troops, veterans, families and community members.
In my mind, the post is now and forever Fort Ridgway; let the title of this opinion piece stand as my protest against a thoughtless decision that should be formally reconsidered.
Nonetheless, Fort Liberty is what we’ve got — at least until our military’s political overlords determine to change the name again.
Meanwhile, I depart military service with memories of early mornings on Ardennes, collecting my T-11 main on Sicily Drop Zone, Iron Mike, the wonders contained in the 82nd Airborne Division Museum, waiting endlessly in a mass of paratroopers at Green Ramp.
It’s those memories that will carry me through the rest of my days.
Retired Army Col. Joe Buccino is a former spokesman and public affairs officer on the former Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty.
Note: An earlier version of this column included an incorrect rank for Col. Buccino and a misspelling of Gen. Ridgway's name. Both were editing errors. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/opinion/2023/07/31/fort-ridgeway-memories-in-fayetteville-i-found-a-great-community/70479551007/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:34 | 0 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/opinion/2023/07/31/fort-ridgeway-memories-in-fayetteville-i-found-a-great-community/70479551007/ |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/hunter-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-vikings | 2023-07-31T16:16:37 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/hunter-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-vikings |
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.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/florida-judge-tosses-5-million-lawsuit-over-microwavable-mac-and-cheese/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:40 | 1 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/florida-judge-tosses-5-million-lawsuit-over-microwavable-mac-and-cheese/ |
Williams: Colvin, Evans Fayetteville mayor race could strain relations in Black community
The fight for the 2023 Fayetteville mayoral race will be dynamic and historical. There are four candidates, but two are political icons pitted against each other, the incumbent Mitch Colvin and the challenger Charles Evans, both African Americans.
Politics in the Black community is complex.
Mitch Colvin grew up in the Broadell subdivision neighboring E.E. Smith High School and Fayetteville State University. Colvin is completing his third term as Fayetteville’s second African American mayor. He and his brother inherited a well-established and viable business in the heart of the African American community off Murchison Road.
Charles Evans, an Army veteran, grew up across town in Savoy Heights; he did not have the charmed childhood that Mitch Colvin had. Evans is self-made, and he stumbled a few times but eventually found his stride and became a successful politician. He served four years as a District 2 Fayetteville City Councilman and 12 years as an at-large Cumberland County Commissioner. Evans was a popular commissioner garnering over 53,000 votes in 2018.
More:Pitts: Could former Cumberland Commissioner Evans be the one to beat Fayetteville Mayor Colvin?
More:Troy Williams: Fathers play huge role in successfully raising Black boys in America
This race will badly strain relations in Fayetteville’s Black community. It’s a close call as to which of these two politicians is the most powerful. Colvin looks more polished, but Evans appears more popular. Ultimately, the difference will likely be which politician can craft and execute a strategy to produce a winning coalition.
Two other candidates are on the ballot: Freddie de la Cruz, a retired Army officer and businessman, and Quancidine Hinson-Gribble, a community advocate. De la Cruz is Hispanic, and Hinson-Gribble is African American.
Another twist to the maze is political operative Nero B. Coleman, an African American activist. Coleman left the Colvin camp after three mayoral campaigns and aligned himself with de la Cruz.
“Freddie is a person of color too. He’s also a native of Fayetteville,” Coleman said. “What impressed me was his passion for Murchison Road and poor people. I’ve vetted him just like other politicians, and I’m supporting him not because of his party affiliation or politics but because of his heart.”
All the candidates stated why they were seeking office as follows:
Freddie de la Cruz — I am running for mayor to help our police, fire/EMT departments receive the required resources and training to protect our citizens. I want to create high-paying jobs and overhaul the transportation system. I pledge to develop and maintain an honest, fair and transparent government.
Mayor Mitch Colvin — I am running to give a better quality of life to our residents by creating jobs and continuing investments in our underserved communities, our parks and recreation facilities, and cultural programs. I provide results, not just promises.
Quancidine Hinson-Gribble — I am running for mayor because we need a solid foundation. I will make everyone responsible for their actions. My immediate priority will be to lower the crime rate.
Charles Evans — I am running because I want Fayetteville safe for all citizens. The daily homicides are overwhelming. I’m concerned about the lingering Public Works Commission connection costs for residents in the western part of the city. Fayetteville needs visionary leadership, and I’m willing to serve.
Troy Williams is a member of The Fayetteville Observer Community Advisory Board. He is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator. He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@yahoo.com. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/opinion/2023/07/31/williams-fayetteville-mayor-race-could-strain-relations-in-black-community/70479449007/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:40 | 0 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/opinion/2023/07/31/williams-fayetteville-mayor-race-could-strain-relations-in-black-community/70479449007/ |
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. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-the-fbi-should-face-new-limits-on-its-use-of-us-foreign-spy-data-a-key-intelligence-board-says/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:41 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-the-fbi-should-face-new-limits-on-its-use-of-us-foreign-spy-data-a-key-intelligence-board-says/ |
MILWAUKEE – While talks on expansion for Milwaukee’s streetcar “The Hop” have stalled out, interest in the transit option remains high.
Numbers released by the streetcar’s website indicate 50,293 riders utilized the downtown line in June, the highest monthly ridership numbers since January of 2020. Additionally, the streetcar’s average of 1,676 riders per day was the highest since December of 2019, when 1,977 customers used the system each day.
The Hop system has recorded year-over-year increases since the beginning of the pandemic. The total number of riders has increased by at least 39 percent in each month of this year over last year.
The system remains free to ride, with the city calling for sponsorships and grants to cover the $4.9 million needed to operate the streetcar.
An extension of the streetcar along the lakefront that has been delayed for several years is set to begin service this October. The City of Milwaukee has said they are planning on continuing expansion plans for the streetcar, despite deciding not to apply to a federal grant program to extend it towards Wisconsin Avenue and Fiserv Forum earlier this year. | https://wtmj.com/news/2023/07/31/ridership-for-the-hop-streetcar-in-june-hits-50000/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:41 | 1 | https://wtmj.com/news/2023/07/31/ridership-for-the-hop-streetcar-in-june-hits-50000/ |
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.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:46 | 1 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ |
Where will UNC finish? Here are my 2023 ACC football predictions | Baxley
CHARLOTTE — North Carolina football played for the ACC Championship last season, but Clemson is the reigning champion and Florida State is getting a lot of buzz to take the crown in 2023.
With the Tigers and Seminoles likely being predicted as the favorites among the conference’s 14 teams, where does that leave the Tar Heels, Duke and NC State? Following ACC Kickoff, the league’s three-day media event in Charlotte, we have a better idea of what each squad will look like this fall.
The Atlantic and Coastal divisions have been eliminated, so the top two teams in the conference standings will meet at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 2 in Charlotte to play for a league title.
The official preseason ACC media poll will be released Tuesday, but here are my predictions for order of finish in the ACC and who I picked to win player of the year.
ACC preseason predictions
1. Clemson
I’ll roll with the Tigers until another program proves it can take the throne. Florida State makes the trip to Death Valley on Sept. 23 and the Seminoles haven’t won at Clemsond since 2013. Second-year quarterback Cade Klubnik rescued the Tigers and helped them win the ACC crown last season. With Klubnik back and another stacked defense leading the way, Clemson is built to win its eighth league title in nine seasons.
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2. Florida State
Starting quarterback Jordan Travis and defensive end Jared Verse return as two of the top players in the ACC for a squad that is receiving plenty of hype in the preseason. The Seminoles closed the 2022 season with six straight victories to finish with 10 wins. Can they win their first ACC title since 2014? We’ll see.
3. North Carolina
Drake Maye’s play gives the Tar Heels a chance against anyone, but UNC faltered down the stretch with four straight losses to close the 2022 season. Despite some new faces at skill positions, Maye should remain elite. But can UNC’s defense rebound from a disappointing season?
4. NC State
The Wolfpack always seems to be at their best when flying under the radar. Following a season filled with injuries at quarterback, Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong arrives with hopes of reviving the offense. NC State’s secondary is loaded with talent and the defense as a whole should remain among the ACC’s best.
5. Miami
Often overhyped because of their brand, the Hurricanes enter their second season under Mario Cristobal with a rebuilt roster. Many of Miami’s expected top contributors arrived via the transfer portal, but quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is among the returners. The Canes have a tough schedule, including back-to-back road games at NC State and Florida State in November.
- 6. Pitt
- 7. Louisville
- 8. Duke
- 9. Wake Forest
- 10. Syracuse
- 11. Virginia Tech
- 12. Georgia Tech
- 13. Boston College
- 14. Virginia
ACC player of the year prediction
Drake Maye, UNC
Maye and Southern California’s Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, were the only FBS quarterbacks who threw for more than 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns last season with fewer than 10 interceptions. Those numbers helped UNC’s second-year quarterback become the Tar Heels’ first ACC Player of the Year since Lawrence Taylor in 1980. Maye will have to adjust to some new weapons and members of the coaching staff, but UNC has a gettable conference schedule and he’s as talented as any player in the nation.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter. | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/acc/2023/07/31/acc-football-predictions-2023-unc-clemson-drake-maye/70485721007/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:46 | 0 | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/acc/2023/07/31/acc-football-predictions-2023-unc-clemson-drake-maye/70485721007/ |
FIRST ON FOX – The President's Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB) unanimously recommended renewing FISA Section 702 – a contentious national security authority allowing warrantless surveillance of non-American citizens outside the U.S. – but it raised an alarming history of FBI search violations, including improper queries on Americans, as a significant obstacle to public trust and congressional approval. The program is set to expire in December.
In an unsparing critique of compliance shortfalls, the PIAB recommended 13 reforms primarily geared toward resolving the FBI's damning history of abuses, which it attributed to the agency's "pervasive lack of understanding regarding query standards… an abundance of complacency… and a lack of urgency to comply."
Officials told Fox News that President Biden authorized the release of the PIAB's analysis and findings, which acknowledge widespread bipartisan skepticism about the program’s merits, as well as challenges in conveying the grave consequences of its expiration to lawmakers.
Fox News has learned nearly 60% of articles in the president's daily intelligence brief have stemmed from Section 702 information. The material is said to inform every substantial national security decision by the U.S. government.
PUBLIC TRUST IN FBI HAS REACHED 'THE RED ZONE,' US INCHING CLOSER TO 'MAYHEM, CHAOS, ANARCHY:' WSJ COLUMNIST
"This analysis warns quite starkly that failure to reauthorize Section 702 would be one of the worst intelligence failures of our time," one U.S. official said, "except this intelligence failure would be a known goal. We'd basically be shooting ourselves in the face and handing a huge victory to China, Russia, terrorists, and fentanyl smugglers."
The program, which is designed to filter out communications of U.S. persons, spies on foreign sources through backdoors in telecommunications networks and other electronic communications companies. However, it has drawn scrutiny for sweeping up communications from Americans in contact with foreign targets, referred to as "incidental collection."
For the past three years, the FBI's searches of U.S. persons within the database made up between one-quarter to one-third of its overall queries – except for 2021. That year, a series of batch queries – amounting to 1.9 million U.S. person searches – accounted for more than half of the queries conducted by the FBI. The assessment stated that the high volume of 2021 searches was conducted to identify U.S. victims of a cybersecurity breach.
The intelligence community has defended the query and review of this lawfully-collected data to rapidly determine whether Americans are a potential victim or partner in nefarious foreign activity. Section 702 cannot be used to target collections on U.S. person communications.
WRAY DEFENDS FISA, SAYS LAW USED TO 'DETECT AND THWART' CHINESE HACKING OF US CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The partially redacted report reveals several intelligence successes stemming from Section 702 information, including thwarting a planned 2009 suicide bombing in the New York City subway and averting plans for a vehicle bombing at a Christmas tree lighting in Portland, Oregon, the following year. It further concludes that Section 702 was essential to preventing cases of undisclosed cyber-attacks against critical U.S. infrastructure, locating prominent international terrorists, identifying threats to U.S. troops, and enabling the seizure of fentanyl and fentanyl production materials.
However, the PIAB analysis also highlights a series of compliance mistakes, a lack of strong oversight, and inappropriate use from by the FBI. It deems the FBI’s reform efforts insufficient to ensure compliance and earn public trust.
While the board found no evidence of willful misuse of the FBI for political purposes – noting that the Department of Justice has identified only three incidents of intentional misconduct among millions of FBI queries – it references a damning secret court order written last year and released by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in May.
The order details thousands of FBI search violations, including probes connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, riots following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and approximately 19,000 improper probes of donors to a congressional campaign.
FISA COURT OPINION REVEALS A US SENATOR, STATE SENATOR, STATE JUDGE GOT SWEPT UP IN 702 QUERIES
One FBI analyst, according to the document, conducted three batch searches amounting to more than 23,000 separate queries to probe for foreign influence within a group believed involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Although the search returns were not reviewed, the court deemed that there was "no specific factual basis to believe the queries were reasonably likely to retrieve foreign intelligence information or evidence of crime."
Separately, more than a dozen searches purportedly to uncover foreign ties among individuals suspected of involvement on Jan. 6 were also deemed improper because the analysts could not recall why they queried raw FISA information.
Many of the violations predated reforms implemented by the FBI in the spring of 2021, but the court conveyed a cavalier attitude by the FBI – sometimes at the management level – defending the misuse as proper. In some instances, the FBI explained that they were determining whether the individuals had foreign ties; in others, the FBI viewed the situation in general as a threat to national security.
JORDAN DEMANDS WRAY AMEND TESTIMONY ON FBI POLICING OF ‘MISINFORMATION’ ON SOCIAL MEDIA
One such example details a pattern of violations by the FBI between 2016-2020, when the agency regularly queried police homicide reports including victims, next-of-kin, witnesses, and suspects, without reasonable basis. "The FBI, however, maintained that querying FISA information using identifiers of the victims – simply because they were homicide victims – was reasonably likely to retrieve evidence of a crime," the opinion states.
The PIAB is now seeking to remedy public distrust via its recommendations, the most significant of which would direct the Attorney General to remove the FBI’s authority to conduct queries unrelated to national security.
Other recommendations include streamlining standards across all four intelligence agencies using Section 702 to include a two-person approval for checks pertaining to U.S. persons.
Notably, the Board considered – but did not recommend – requiring probable cause for inquires on U.S. persons. The basis for that decision cites obstacles to meeting the legal threshold before discerning whether the subjects of the searches are victims being targeted by a foreign actor, or if they are participating in the crime. One partially-redacted example details an incident involving foreign state cyber hackers, explaining the FBI’s immediate need to query that data to mitigate the hack.
US WILL BECOME 'NATION OF CHUMPS' IF CONGRESS ALLOWS FBI'S WARRANTLESS SURVEILLANCE OF AMERICANS, TURLEY WARNS
"A warrant, or any other court order, required for every U.S. person query conducted would undoubtedly slow down FBI and the intelligence agencies’ ability to do their jobs. The FISC is also not resourced to process the volume of warrants that would be required," the report states.
The PIAB admits that public trust has been eroded by the in the government’s inability to estimate of the scope of incidental collection on U.S. persons, in part because it would require a manual review of material which is not authorized. Combing through it, if only to generate that estimate, could constitute a violation of privacy, they said. However, the writers point to legal precedent upholding the Constitutionality of Section 702 surveillance, which targets foreign actors who do not have Fourth Amendment protections.
Officials who discussed the material on background with Fox News could not estimate how much improper incidental collection would be mitigated by the proposed changes, noting that the aim is not to minimize the amount of data collected, but to curtail the misuse of it. Officials also said the Board did not recommend limiting the number of people who can access the database, but they believe strengthening benchmarks for its use and improving compliance may have the same effect.
"We do think that there are ways legislatively to bolster confidence and address the source of the problems," one official told Fox News. "Attorney approval for batch queries, Deputy Director approval for sensitive queries. The fact that you lose access to it if you don’t get the requisite training, or if you have compliance errors."
The PIAB also hopes the recommended creation of a new counternarcotics certification before the FISA court will be seen as an important cause in the upcoming Congressional fight.
"Given the enormous threat that the American people face from drug cartels, who are smuggling fentanyl into the United States… the Board found it important for there to be an explicit court-established certification to combat synthetic opioids," one U.S. official said. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/biden-intel-advisers-back-fisa-section-702-renewal-sound-alarm-on-history-of-violations/article_7a03425d-0298-5d27-838b-621c99fe32a4.html | 2023-07-31T16:16:46 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/biden-intel-advisers-back-fisa-section-702-renewal-sound-alarm-on-history-of-violations/article_7a03425d-0298-5d27-838b-621c99fe32a4.html |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/rivera-prior-team-name-used-with-utmost-respect | 2023-07-31T16:16:47 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/rivera-prior-team-name-used-with-utmost-respect |
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia prosecutor is expected to seek a grand jury indictment in the coming weeks in her investigation into efforts by Donald Trump and his Republican allies to overturn the then-president’s 2020 election loss.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis began investigating more than two years ago, shortly after a recording was released of a January 2021 phone call Trump made to Georgia’s secretary of state.
Willis has strongly hinted that any indictment would come between Monday and Aug. 18. One of two grand juries seated July 11 is expected to hear the case.
If Trump is indicted by a Georgia grand jury, it would add to a growing list of legal troubles as he campaigns for president. Trump is set to go to trial in New York in March to face state charges related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. And he has another trial scheduled for May on federal charges related to his handling of classified documents. He has pleaded not guilty in those cases.
The Justice Department is also investigating Trump’s role in trying to halt the certification of 2020 election results in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Trump said he’s been told he’s a target of that investigation, which likely has some overlap with the one in Georgia.
An attempt by Trump to derail the Georgia case suffered a setback on Monday when a judge rejected his request to bar Willis from prosecuting him and to toss out the final report of an investigative special grand jury that had been seated to aid the investigation. A similar motion to be heard by a different judge is set for a hearing next week.
Details of the Georgia investigation that have become public have fed speculation that Willis, a Democrat, is building a case under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which would allow her to charge numerous people in a potentially wide-ranging scheme.
Here are six investigative threads Willis and her team have explored:
The Georgia investigation was prompted by the Jan. 2, 2021, phone call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican. Trump suggested the state’s top elections official could help “find” the votes needed to put him ahead of Democrat Joe Biden in the state.
“All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have,” Trump is heard saying on a recording of the call, which was leaked to news outlets. “Because we won the state.”
Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong and has repeatedly said the call was “perfect.”
Trump also called other top state officials in his quest to overturn his 2020 election loss, including Gov. Brian Kemp, then-House Speaker David Ralston, Attorney General Chris Carr and the top investigator in the secretary of state’s office.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, also called Raffensperger shortly after the November election. Raffensperger said at the time that Graham asked whether he had the power to reject certain absentee ballots, which Raffensperger has said he interpreted as a suggestion to toss out legally cast votes.
Graham has denied wrongdoing, saying he just wanted to learn about the signature verification process.
Biden won Georgia by a margin of fewer than 12,000 votes. Just over a month after the election, on Dec. 14, 2020, a group 16 Georgia Democratic electors met in the Senate chamber at the state Capitol to cast the state’s Electoral College votes for him. They each marked paper ballots that were counted and confirmed by a voice roll call.
That day, in a committee meeting room at the Capitol, 16 prominent Georgia Republicans — a lawmaker, activists and party officials — met to sign a certificate falsely stating that Trump had won and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors. They sent that certificate to the National Archives and the U.S. Senate.
Georgia was one of seven battleground states that Trump lost where Republican fake electors signed and submitted similar certificates. Trump allies in the U.S. House and Senate used those certificates to argue for delaying or blocking the certification of the election during a joint session of Congress.
Prosecutors in Fulton County have said in court filings that they believe Trump associates worked with state Republicans to coordinate and execute the plan.
The multi-state effort was ultimately unsuccessful. Despite public pressure from Trump and his supporters, then-Vice President Mike Pence refused on Jan. 6, 2021, to introduce the unofficial pro-Trump electors. After the attack on the U.S. Capitol put a violent halt to the certification process, lawmakers certified Biden’s win in the early hours of Jan. 7, 2021.
At least eight of the fake electors have since reached immunity deals with Willis’ team. And a judge last summer barred Willis from prosecuting another one, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, because of a conflict of interest.
Republican state lawmakers held several hearings at the Georgia Capitol in December 2020 to examine alleged problems with the November election. During those meetings, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and other Trump allies made unproven claims of widespread election fraud.
They alleged that election workers tallying absentee ballots at State Farm Arena in Atlanta had told outside observers to leave and then pulled out “suitcases” of unlawful ballots and began scanning them. The Trump allies played clips of surveillance video from the arena to support their allegations. State and federal officials investigated and said there was no evidence of election fraud at the site.
Some Trump allies also said thousands of people who were ineligible — including people convicted of felonies, people under the age of 18, people who had voted in another state — had cast votes in Georgia. The secretary of state’s office has debunked those claims.
Two of the election workers seen in the State Farm Arena surveillance video, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, said they faced relentless harassment online and in person as a result of the allegations made by Trump and his allies.
Giuliani last week conceded that statements he made about the two election workers were false.
In a bizarre episode detailed by prosecutors in court filings, a woman traveled from Chicago to Georgia and met with Freeman on Jan. 4, 2021. The woman initially said she wanted to help Freeman but then warned that Freeman could go to prison and tried to pressure her into falsely confessing to committing election fraud, prosecutors wrote in court filings last year.
Trump-allied lawyer Sidney Powell and others hired a computer forensics team to copy data and software on election equipment in Coffee County, some 200 miles (322 kilometers) southeast of Atlanta, according to invoices, emails, security video and deposition testimony produced in response to subpoenas in a long-running lawsuit.
The county Republican Party chair at the time — who also served as a fake elector — greeted them when they arrived at the local elections office on Jan. 7, 2021, and some county elections officials were also on hand during the daylong visit. The secretary of state’s office has said this amounted to “alleged unauthorized access” of election equipment and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into it at the secretary of state’s request.
Two other men who have been active in efforts to question the 2020 election results also visited Coffee County later that month and spent hours inside.
U.S. Attorney BJay Pak, the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta, abruptly resigned two days after Trump called Raffensperger and a day after a recording of that call was made public. During that conversation, Trump called Pak a “never-Trumper,” implying that he didn’t support the president.
In December 2020, then-U.S. Attorney General William Barr asked Pak to investigate allegations by Giuliani and other Trump allies of widespread election fraud. Pak, who had been appointed by Trump in 2017, reported back that he had found no evidence of such fraud.
In August 2021, Pak told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which was investigating Trump’s post-election actions, that he resigned on Jan. 4, 2021, after learning from Department of Justice officials that Trump did not believe enough was being done to investigate allegations of election fraud and wanted him gone as U.S. attorney. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-trump-could-be-indicted-soon-in-georgia-heres-a-look-at-that-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:47 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-trump-could-be-indicted-soon-in-georgia-heres-a-look-at-that-investigation/ |
Wall Street drifts as it heads toward the close of another winning month
Stocks are drifting Monday as Wall Street rolls toward the close of another winning month.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 was virtually unchanged in early trading and on track for a fifth straight month of gains, which would be its longest streak in nearly two years. The index is still close to its highest level in nearly 16 months after rallying on hopes cooling inflation will mean the economy can avoid a long-predicted recession.
The Dow Jones industrial average was also flipping between modest gains and losses and was up 13 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 10 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was 0.1% lower.
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 early next year.
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. A growing number of investors seem to be seeing it going no higher.
A majority of the nation’s business economists expect a U.S. recession to begin later this year than they had previously forecast, after a series of reports have pointed to a surprisingly resilient economy despite steadily higher interest rates.
But 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 a key data point. 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.
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 than usual, 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.
Inflation’s relentless surge didn’t merely persist in June. It accelerated. Here’s why.
“While economic uncertainty remains, we believe the profit cycle is inflecting higher,” the strategists wrote in a BofA Global Research report.
ON Semiconductor rose 2.9% 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.
In stock markets abroad, indexes were a bit higher higher in Europe 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.
Despite more than a year of widespread warnings that a recession was near, America’s economy is, if anything, accelerating.
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.
AP writers Matt Ott, Elaine Kurtenbach and Joe McDonald contributed to this report. | https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-07-31/wall-street-drifts-as-it-heads-toward-the-close-of-another-winning-month | 2023-07-31T16:16:48 | 1 | https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-07-31/wall-street-drifts-as-it-heads-toward-the-close-of-another-winning-month |
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris plans to visit southeast Wisconsin on Thursday, making a stop in Pleasant Prairie to tout broadband and affordable connectivity before going to Milwaukee for a pair of campaign receptions.
The White House announced the planned stops on Sunday. There were no immediate details about the campaign events.
Harris will be joined by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for the stop in Pleasant Prairie, which is 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Milwaukee near the Illinois border.
The visit comes a little over a month after President Joe Biden’s administration announced that Wisconsin will receive more than $1 billion in federal money to expand high-speed internet access.
It’s part of a plan to distribute $42.5 billion nationwide to provide reliable and affordable internet service for every home and business in the U.S. by 2030. States must complete a multi-step process before they can use the money.
Harris last came to Wisconsin in September 2022 as part of a campaign stop just ahead of the November midterm election. Thursday’s visit is the first of this election cycle and would be Harris’s fourth trip to Wisconsin since taking office.
Biden won perennial battleground Wisconsin by just under 21,000 votes in 2020, flipping the state for Democrats after former President Donald Trump carried it by just short of 23,000 votes in 2016. Four of the past six presidential elections in Wisconsin have been decided by less than a percentage point. | https://wtmj.com/news/2023/07/31/vice-president-kamala-harris-to-visit-pleasant-prairie-thursday/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:48 | 0 | https://wtmj.com/news/2023/07/31/vice-president-kamala-harris-to-visit-pleasant-prairie-thursday/ |
(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.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/new-income-driven-student-loan-repayment-plan-available-to-borrowers/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:52 | 1 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/new-income-driven-student-loan-repayment-plan-available-to-borrowers/ |
Let’s get building
Building sandcastles is the quintessential beach activity for kids of all ages and a cherished pastime for many adults. Kids run back and forth from the water to the beach, gathering their beach toys and dumping buckets of sand. It’s fun to watch the little ones attempt their masterpiece, but nothing’s better than them asking for help building the ultimate sandcastle.
Most adults have years of experience building sandcastles with a realistic tower and maybe even a moat. These skills honed from your own childhood and the right supplies are sure to impress the kids in your household today.
Shop this article: Hape Beach Essential Sand Toy Set, Matty’s Toy Stop 16.5″ Wooden Mini Sand Shovels and Top Race Collapsible Bucket.
Design your masterpiece
If you have a bit of a drive to get to the beach, start designing your sandcastle. Ask everyone about their favorite part of a castle and try to incorporate each element. Figure out if it will be a single structure or multiple buildings. Does everyone have their own job, or is everyone helping with all the components? Once you iron out the details, you can get started as soon as you arrive.
Find the perfect location
There’s nothing worse than a wave knocking down your nearly-finished sandcastle, so be sure to pick the perfect location. Find somewhere far enough away from the waves but close enough that you’re not transporting water too far. Also, keep the weather in mind. If it’s too hot and sunny, set up a beach tent or beach umbrella to avoid sunburns.
Create the foundation
The foundation, or base, of your sandcastle is the most crucial component since it supports the entire structure. To build a solid foundation, build up a mound of sand as tall as you want your castle. The key is to ensure your sand is saturated with water and that it’s tightly packed. So, add sand, dump water, pack it down and repeat until you reach your desired height.
Start from the top
Now it’s time to start carving out your basic structure with a plastic knife or putty knife. The key to this step is to start from the top since the sand will fall on everything below. A paintbrush makes a great tool if sand falls on a tight area. Also, carve away the sand in thin layers. You can always take away more sand, but it’s hard to add.
Add details
Once you have the main structure, start adding details such as stairs, a tower roof, windows or a brick pattern. During this final step, opt for smaller tools such as a tiny paintbrush or the thinnest putty knife.
Products you need to build next-level sandcastles
Hape Beach Essential Sand Toy Set
This set includes a smoother tool, a shaper tool and a digging paw. All pieces use high-quality plastic free of bisphenol A, polyvinyl chloride and phthalates. With an included mesh carrying bag, it’s a breeze to carry to the beach and clean up after a day of building.
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Matty’s Toy Stop 16.5″ Wooden Mini Sand Shovels
Sand is the most important part of a sandcastle, and these shovels help you gather more sand faster. It has four shovels in unique colors, so there’s no fighting over sharing. The 16.5-inch length is perfect for the beach, and the wooden handle is durable enough to handle big building jobs.
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Kids can’t haul huge buckets of water back and forth. These half-gallon pails are perfect for letting the little one enjoy the sandcastle building. They are collapsible and foldable into three unique sizes or to about 1 inch thick for storage. They’re also dishwasher-safe.
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Building sandcastles is about having fun and getting dirty, and this hand digger is the perfect way for kids to enjoy themselves. The deep scoop is great for digging deep holes or transporting water and is usable by kids as young as 1 year old. It’s made of child-safe materials and a nontoxic finish.
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If you’ve ever seen a professional sandcastle competition, you’ve probably noticed an array of supplies. This includes a paintbrush, which is a versatile and ideal tool for brushing off extra sand or adding a smooth finish to your castle. This set comes in five sizes to tackle any job.
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.localsyr.com/reviews/br-reviews/baby-kids-br/activity-br/5-best-items-for-building-next-level-sandcastles-with-your-kids/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:53 | 0 | https://www.localsyr.com/reviews/br-reviews/baby-kids-br/activity-br/5-best-items-for-building-next-level-sandcastles-with-your-kids/ |
York fire at California-Nevada border balloons to 77,000 acres
A wildfire blazing along the Southern California-Nevada border, burning primarily in a delicate Joshua Tree forest, continued to swell Monday morning.
The fire had scorched 77,000 acres as of early Monday, with 0% containment. After first being observed Friday, the blaze has spread across the Mojave National Preserve in eastern San Bernardino County and into western Nevada. No evacuations have been issued as a result of the fire, which is burning in remote areas.
After a challenging weekend of high winds that sparked dangerous fire whirls and hot temperatures, better conditions appeared to be in store Monday, said Stephanie Bishop, a National Park Service public information officer and spokesperson for the York fire. The weather overnight had improved, with winds that were not as strong, which allowed for some groundwork around the blaze, she said.
Federal, state and local firefighting teams are battling the York fire, with more than 260 personnel assigned, officials said.
Firefighters struggled to slow the York fire as it rampaged across a Mojave Desert landscape that is a vast, delicate and vital ecosystem.
The blaze ignited last week in the New York Mountains in the Mojave National Preserve in eastern San Bernardino County and spread into Nevada on Sunday afternoon.
Southern California’s wet winter helped fuel increasing levels of invasive grasses and underbrush in the Mojave and Colorado deserts, federal officials said, which has made the region more susceptible to brush fires. Wildfires in these ecosystems can be particularly destructive, as Joshua trees and other desert plants have limited natural defenses to fires, federal officials said.
In 2020, the Dome fire killed as many as 1.3 million plants across more than 40,000 acres of desert in southwestern California, including large portions of the Mojave National Preserve.
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You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. | https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-31/york-fire-in-mojave-desert-grows-to-77000-acres | 2023-07-31T16:16:54 | 0 | https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-31/york-fire-in-mojave-desert-grows-to-77000-acres |
Don’t look now, Brewers fans, but the review mirror in the NL Central is starting to get crowded.
After a weekend sweep by the Atlanta Braves and the surging Cincinnati Reds, and now Chicago Cubs, the time to make it or break is seemingly staring Milwaukee right in the face.
Tomorrow will mark the trade deadline throughout the league, so as it currently stands, GM Matt Arnold and company have roughly 36 hours to improve this current roster or allow it to ride out and hope for the best.
The Brewers just finished the most brutal stretch of their schedule, which by league standards, was about as tough as it comes. Facing the leagues-best Atlanta Braves six times, the Phillies three times, and the Reds a total of nine times, the Brewers rounded out a harrowing July with a 13-12 record.
It’s nothing too impressive, but for a schedule with likely 2 to 3 playoff teams on it, that’ll get the job done…for now.
In my opinion, what the Brewers do at this trade deadline will either make them or break them. Can they, somehow, someway, grab a bat that will help surge this offense in the right direction? If not, will the offense continue to struggle along the way?
Looking ahead, the Brewer’s schedule does lighten up a bit with the Rockies, Whitesox, and Nationals, but with the Cubs winners of their last 8 out of 9 games, and the Reds maintaining the lead in the division, the time for the Brewers to get serious at the trade deadline may never be more vital towards a push to October. | https://wtmj.com/sports/extra-points/2023/07/31/extra-points-make-it-or-break-it-time-in-milwaukee/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:54 | 0 | https://wtmj.com/sports/extra-points/2023/07/31/extra-points-make-it-or-break-it-time-in-milwaukee/ |
We have seen a big consumer backlash in 2023 over Biden administration bureaucrats targeting gas stoves, but that could pale in comparison to the coming anger over costly air conditioning regulations.
In fact, that has already begun, making this unusually hot summer even more unpleasant for homeowners needing air conditioner repairs. And things could get downright ugly starting next summer.
The Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) just announced a 40% production cut in 2024 for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the widely used class of refrigerants being targeted for their claimed contribution to climate change. As it is, the modest 10% cut in force today has already caused many HFCs to triple in price, including HFC-410a which is used in most home air conditioners.
EXPERTS WARN BIDEN ADMIN'S WATER HEATER CRACKDOWN WILL HIKE PRICES, REDUCE CONSUMER CHOICE
As a result, replacing refrigerant lost from a leak has cost millions of homeowners at least $150-$200 more than it used to. But next summer, stricter production quotas will be in effect, likely sending refrigerant costs through the roof — and repair costs with them.
EPA regulators are targeting new systems too. A pending rule would outlaw all but the most climate-friendly, new central air-conditioners by 2025. Doing so is strongly supported by the air conditioning equipment makers who see an opportunity to skew the market towards their pricier models.
It would be bad enough if EPA were the only federal agency that has it in for affordable air conditioning, but the Department of Energy (DOE) is just as bad. DOE has a track record for concocting energy efficiency regulations for air conditioners and other appliances that boost a homeowner’s up-front cost so much that it may never get earned back in the form of energy savings.
Perhaps the worst of them, created at the end of the Obama administration and taking effect on January 1 of this year, has caused prices for new central air conditioning systems to spike by up to $1,000, according to several installers.
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And the agency is already in the early stages of devising an even tougher rule. Separate rulemakings also target window unit air conditioners and other categories of cooling systems.
What explains the anti-homeowner tilt? Like much of the nonsense coming from Washington these days, it’s based on the Energy Department's "need to confront the global climate crisis."
Indeed, beyond air conditioners and stoves, Biden’s regulators are going after furnaces, incandescent light bulbs, washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, ceiling fans, water heaters and other home appliances.
Hardly any room in your house will be spared, and each proposed new regulation asserts that the climate-related benefits help justify the extra cost. All of this meddling is bad news for consumers, but the measures targeting air conditioners will likely prove to be the worst of the bunch.
The one-two punch of both EPA and DOE aiming their red tape at air conditioners has already boosted the cost of staying cool this summer, and starting next year the homeowner pain could be every bit as unbearable as the heat.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BEN LIEBERMAN | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/bidens-new-crackdown-on-another-appliance-will-be-worse-than-gas-stoves/article_998e2964-c276-54a4-a502-948eaac54998.html | 2023-07-31T16:16:55 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/bidens-new-crackdown-on-another-appliance-will-be-worse-than-gas-stoves/article_998e2964-c276-54a4-a502-948eaac54998.html |
Rivera: Prior team name used with ‘utmost respect’
July 31, 2023 09:13 AM
Mike Florio and Chris Simms question if Washington ownership was, in a way, putting out a feeler about the old Washington team name discuss why it’s just unrealistic for the Commanders to bring that name back. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/rodgers-defends-hackett-after-paytons-remarks | 2023-07-31T16:16:57 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nfl/profootballtalk/rodgers-defends-hackett-after-paytons-remarks |
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.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/whitney-at-60-houston-estate-announces-2nd-annual-gala/ | 2023-07-31T16:16:58 | 0 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/whitney-at-60-houston-estate-announces-2nd-annual-gala/ |
Lady Gaga says she and Tony Bennett had ‘a very long and powerful goodbye’
Lady Gaga paid tribute to timeless singer and her “real true friend” Tony Bennett on Sunday, nearly a week after his death. In doing so, she vehemently urged fans take care of their elders.
Reflecting on their personal and professional relationship, the “A Star is Born” Oscar winner recalled how Bennett shared some of his most vulnerable moments during his battle with Alzheimer’s disease with her.
“We had a very long and powerful goodbye,” the 37-year-old wrote. “Though there were 5 decades between us, he was my friend. My real true friend. Our age difference didn’t matter— in fact, it gave us each something neither of us had with most people.”
The “Shallow” singer, who witnessed Bennett’s neurological decline firsthand, said that she’d “been grieving the loss of Tony for a long time.”
“I will miss my friend forever. I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage together,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of her hugging her “Cheek to Cheek” collaborator.
“With Tony, I got to live my life in a time warp. Tony & I had this magical power. We transported ourselves to another era, modernized the music together, & gave it all new life as a singing duo,” she continued. “But it wasnt an act. Our relationship was very real. Sure he taught me about music, about showbiz life, but he also showed me how to keep my spirits high and my head screwed on straight. ‘Straight ahead,’ he’d say. He was an optimist, he believed in quality work AND quality life. Plus, there was the gratitude...Tony was always grateful.”
Instantly identifiable, Bennett’s voice was a source of warmth and welcoming, of quick wit and steady wisdom. The singer died on Friday at 96.
Thanks to their duet on the standards-only recording “Cheek to Cheek,” the “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” singer became the oldest living artist to reach No.1 on the Billboard charts in 2014. The recording broke the record Bennett set three years earlier when he reached No.1 with his “Duets II” album that featured songs with Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and other contemporary singers.
He and Gaga also hit the road together and earned a pop-vocal album Grammy for “Cheek to Cheek.” Though the album was released to mixed reviews, their energetic performance during the 2015 Grammy Awards ceremony pleasantly surprised some of the skeptics. A year later, Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but his family did not make the news public until 2021.
Even so, in 2022, Bennett became the second-oldest Grammy winner with “Love for Sale,” a collection of Cole Porter standards recorded with Gaga. (He won his 19th Grammy a year later with “The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern.”)
“We were from two different stages in life entirely—inspired,” Gaga wrote. “Losing Tony to Alzheimer’s has been painful but it was also really beautiful. An era of memory loss is such a sacred time in a persons life. There’s such a feeling of vulnerability and a desire to preserve dignity. All I wanted was for Tony to remember how much I loved him and how grateful I was to have him in my life. But, as that faded slowly I knew deep down he was sharing with me the most vulnerable moment in his life that he could—being willing to sing with me when his nature was changing so deeply.”
A consummate performer with a remarkable ability to revive his career again and again, Tony Bennett won admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga.
The “House of Gucci” star added she’d never forget that experience with Bennett, or Bennett himself.
“If I could say anything to the world about this I would say don’t discount your elders, don’t leave them behind when things change,” she wrote. “Don’t flinch when you feel sad, just keep going straight ahead, sadness is part of it. Take care of your elders and I promise you will learn something special. Maybe even magical. And pay attention to silence—some of my musical partner and I’s most meaningful exchanges were with no melody at all.
“I love you Tony. Love, Lady,” she concluded.
On Monday, Gaga announced 12 dates for her Las Vegas residency at the Dolby Live Theater inside Park MGM. The “Poker Face” and “Bad Romance” singer will play a dozen “Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano” shows between Aug. 31 and Oct. 5 that are billed as “stripped-down versions of her hits alongside music from the Great American Songbook.”
The megastar began her Enigma residency in late 2018 and introduced her “Jazz & Piano” performances in January 2019. She closed out a leg of the residency last spring with nine “Jazz & Piano” shows.
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You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. | https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-07-31/lady-gaga-tony-bennett-tribute | 2023-07-31T16:17:00 | 1 | https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-07-31/lady-gaga-tony-bennett-tribute |
Hiking sunglasses
If you’re gearing up for some hiking this season, one thing you may not have considered is your sunglasses. As a vital and delicate part of your body, your eyes should be protected when out in the elements. Eyewear can make all the difference, and finding the right pair of sunglasses depends on the type of hiking you do and where you plan to do it.
Rough terrain, harsh climates, and glare from intense sun rays can significantly impact your vision. Plus, sunglasses should fit like a glove to avoid sliding down your nose — that’s never fun! Above all, comfort and reliability are essential.
Shop this article: Oakley Men’s FLAK 2.0 XL Sunglasses, Maui Jim Women’s Starfish Cat-Eye Sunglasses and Julbo Explorer 2.0 Mountaineering Glacier Sunglasses
Hiking sunglasses considerations
To find your hiking sunglasses match, ask yourself about the kind of hiking you’ll most likely be doing and what you value most. Are you a long-distance day hiker? A trail runner? Will you be dealing with snow? Are style and budget priorities?
With this in mind, consider the following factors that go into finding your next best pair of sunglasses for hiking. In no particular order, here’s a checklist of things to consider before making a purchase.
Hiking sunglasses weight
If you’re going on full-day hikes, you might notice a heavy pair of glasses on your face after a while. Choosing something lightweight but durable is key.
Hiking sunglasses comfort
For the same reason as the weight factor, you’ll want frames that are comfortable and fit your face right when you’re wearing them all day long. Behind your ears and on the bridge of your nose are vital spots to pay attention to.
Frame quality and construction
You need a robust and durable frame that can withstand wear and tear when you’re out in the wilderness. Look for metal frames or those made of newer materials like strong plastics and nylon alloys.
Lens quality and material
As with frames, your sunglasses’ lens quality is super important. Make sure your lenses are anti-scratch. Lenses come in all sorts of materials that offer different degrees of resistance to scratches and other impacts.
Polarized lenses
To avoid protection from direct sun rays and the glare from their reflection on snow or water, you’ll want to look for lenses that are polarized.
Hiking sunglasses UV protection
It’s pretty common knowledge that the sun’s UV rays are harmful and make it difficult to see what’s in front of you. If you’re hiking for more than a couple of hours, you’ll need UV protection on your eyes.
Hiking sunglasses price
Everyone has a budget. But, a cheap pair of fashion glasses won’t get you far on the trails, and you might be missing certain features before too long. You’re better off investing in a high-quality pair that will last for the long haul.
Hiking sunglasses brands
If you buy from a reputable, well-established and reliable brand of sunglasses, you’re sure to get a higher quality product. Ask around, read reviews and think about your own experience with a brand before pulling the trigger.
Hiking sunglasses styles
Some of us let style dictate our apparel purchases, and nothing says we must sacrifice function for it. Hiking sunglasses come in plenty of styles to choose from, so you won’t need to worry about compromising your taste.
Value adds
Some hiking sunglasses come with extra components that redirect sweat away from your eyes or guard your eyes against small bits of dirt and dust that you often find on trails.
Now that you know what features are important to you in hiking sunglasses, it’s time to shop! Here are our top picks for the best pairs, wherever your outdoor adventures take you.
Best sunglasses for hiking
Oakley Men’s FLAK 2.0 XL Sunglasses
You’ll see more clearly and sharply with these Oakley shades, featuring High Definition Optics that eliminates distortion. Comfortable, lightweight and durable, the lenses are optically aligned for the best fit and experience.
Sold by Amazon
Maui Jim Peahi Wrap Sunglasses
This scratch-resistant polarized Maui Jim sunglasses come with a UV protection coating. The neutral grey lenses enhance colors and are glare-free and light-reducing – perfect in direct and bright sunlight.
Sold by Amazon
Julbo Explorer 2.0 Mountaineering Glacier Sunglasses
These wide-coverage sunglasses from Julbo are perfect for the outdoors. Ergonomic, comfortable, ventilated, slim and stylish, they come with removable shields for sunlight protection, 360-degree adjustable temples and high-protection lenses — all designed for extreme conditions on or off the mountain.
Sold by Amazon
Oakley Gascan OO9014 Sunglasses For Men
These non-polarized, mirror-coated lenses are best for easier trails at lower elevations in mild conditions. They bring colors to life, so you can fully enjoy the world around you. The included accessory leash and cleaning kits are nice touches.
Sold by Amazon
Maui Jim Women’s Starfish Cat-Eye Sunglasses
Maui Jim’s Starfish polarized sunglasses stylishly and comfortably protect you from glare and UV rays while enhancing the colors and vibrancy of the great outdoors. Lightweight yet durable, these sunglasses come with skinny, neutral grey and scratch-resistant glass lenses that reduce light.
Sold by Amazon
Ray-Ban Outdoorsman Craft Aviator Sunglasses
If you’re a fan of the old-school aviator sunglass style, you’ll love this hiking version from Ray-Ban. Made with a metal frame and polarized crystal lenses that are prescription-ready, these shades offer UV protection and come with a case.
Sold by Amazon
Costa Del Mar Men’s Blackfin Sunglasses
If you’re looking for quality, durable sunglasses for hiking, this comfortable and lightweight pair from Costa has you covered. Their blue-mirrored polarized, scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses are ideal for bright sunlight and reflection off the water. They’re UV-protected, too.
Sold by Amazon
Maui Jim Haleakala Wrap Sunglasses
Bring your hiking experience up a notch with the stylish Haleakala polarized sunglasses from Maui Jim. The glare-free lenses come with a UV protection coating and enhance the colors around you. Durable, lightweight and resistant to shatters and scratches, these comfortable shades are perfect for the trail.
Sold by Amazon
Oakley Men’s Twoface Sunglasses
Offering total UV protection, these light and comfy Oakley shades are made with a stress-resistant frame that lasts and resists deforming or shifting over time. The three-point lens fit means lenses are aligned in place. It comes with a handy micro bag for cleaning and storing.
Sold by Amazon
Native Eyewear Catamount Sunglasses
Native’s Catamount shades are perfect for the trails, with their polarized polycarbonate brown lenses that impeccably contrast detail. Your eyes will stay protected from harsh UV rays and glare from the sun. These glasses are super lightweight and shatter and scratch-resistant, too.
Sold by Amazon
Oakley Women’s Lowkey Round Sunglasses
These cute, round frames for women offer complete UV protection. Their lightweight, polarized plutonite lenses give maximum contrast, comfort and impact protection. You can choose from numerous frame and lens colors to stand out on the trails!
Sold by Amazon
Costa Del Mar Men’s Rincon Rectangular Sunglasses
If you’re a hiker with a simple and elegant style, this pair’s for you. The Rincon glasses feature comfort, clear optics and durability in their thin six-layer, scratch-resistant polarized lenses.
Sold by Amazon
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Emma Caplan writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.localsyr.com/reviews/br-reviews/camping-outdoors-br/gear-br/best-hiking-sunglasses/ | 2023-07-31T16:17:00 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/reviews/br-reviews/camping-outdoors-br/gear-br/best-hiking-sunglasses/ |
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels reacquired slugger C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk in a trade with the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, bolstering their injury-plagued roster with more veteran depth as they fight for a playoff spot.
Los Angeles sent minor league pitchers Mason Albright and Jake Madden to the Rockies in the deal that brought two former Angels first-round draft picks back to the team. Colorado also is sending $3,701,613 along with Cron and Grichuk, who are in the final years of their contracts before free agency. Cron is owed $2,540,323 in remaining salary and Grichuk $3,161,290, leaving the Angels in effect responsible for $2 million.
The Angels (55-51) are desperate to end their MLB-worst streaks of seven consecutive losing seasons and eight consecutive non-playoff seasons, but their efforts have been endangered by injuries that have seriously compromised their big league depth.
Los Angeles has a major league-leading 17 players on its injured lists after outfielder Taylor Ward joined the group Sunday before an extra-inning victory in Toronto. Ward was moved to the 60-day injured list later in the day, effectively ending his regular season, with facial fractures after Toronto’s Alek Manoah hit him in the face with a fastball on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Cron spent his first four major league seasons with Los Angeles, hitting 59 of his 186 career homers before getting traded to Tampa Bay in early 2018 for prospect Luis Rengifo, who is still a valuable contributor to the Angels. Cron is batting .260 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs this season for the Rockies as their power-hitting first baseman.
Grichuk was selected by the Angels one pick before Mike Trout in the 2009 draft. Los Angeles traded him to St. Louis before he reached the majors and began a 10-year career with the Cardinals, Toronto and Colorado.
Grichuk is batting .308 with an .861 OPS in 64 games this season for the Rockies. His positional flexibility in the outfield will be valuable for the Angels in the injury absences of Trout, Ward and Jo Adell, leaving Mickey Moniak and Hunter Renfroe as the only healthy outfielders on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster.
Grichuk is making just over $10.3 million this season, while Cron is earning $7.25 million. The moves continue the Rockies’ teardown for the final two months of what’s almost certain to be their fifth consecutive losing season.
The 20-year-old Albright is 11-8 with a 5.36 ERA in three seasons in the low minors. The 21-year-old Madden, a fourth-round pick in 2022, is 2-6 with a 5.46 ERA in 14 starts for Low-A Inland Empire this season.
The Angels have traded a significant amount of minor league talent in recent weeks in their determined effort to make the playoffs during the final season of Shohei Ohtani’s contract.
Los Angeles has acquired six veteran major leaguers — slugger Mike Moustakas, right-handed starter Lucas Giolito, reliever Reynaldo López and infielder Eduardo Escobar along with Cron and Grichuk — in four separate trades since late June.
Trout has been out since July 3 with a broken hand, and third baseman Anthony Rendon was sidelined one day later with a bone bruise after fouling a ball off his shin. Trout and Rendon are making roughly $75 million combined this season.
Ward and veteran infielder Gio Urshela are likely out for the season, while infielder Brandon Drury, rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe and rookie shortstop Zach Neto have all missed significant time.
Los Angeles is in third place in the AL West, five games behind Texas. The Angels are four games behind Toronto for the final AL wild card, but the Red Sox and Yankees are also between them.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.localsyr.com/sports-news/ap-angels-acquire-c-j-cron-randal-grichuk-in-trade-with-colorado-for-2-minor-leaguers/ | 2023-07-31T16:17:02 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/sports-news/ap-angels-acquire-c-j-cron-randal-grichuk-in-trade-with-colorado-for-2-minor-leaguers/ |
SYDNEY (AP) — The Women’s World Cup is taking shape with shocks and highlights as it nears the end of the group stage.
Some players have established themselves as ones to watch, like Colombia star Linda Caicedo, who has made her team one of the tournament surprises. Colombia picked up an upset win over Germany, and Nigeria upset co-host Australia — just two of the games that showed the gap has closed at top level women’s soccer.
But co-host New Zealand was eliminated, and other big teams are in danger of not advancing headed into the final few days of group play.
The Associated Press takes a look at some of the highlights and lowlights so far:
GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT
There have been a number of contenders and Bia Zaneratto’s strike against Panama after a sweeping move from Brazil stands out as the most complete goal so far.
Ireland’s Katie McCabe scored directly from a corner kick against Canada, and England’s Lauren James curled in a long range effort against Denmark.
Even so, Caicedo’s solo goal in Colombia’s dramatic 2-1 win against Germany is the pick of the bunch. With a flash of skill, she beat two German players in the box before lashing a shot into the top corner as the Sydney crowd dominated by Colombia fans went wild.
MOMENT OF THE TOURNAMENT
It has to be Manuela Vanegas’ late winner for Colombia against Germany. Alexandra Popp seemed to position two-time champion Germany for a draw with an 89th-minute penalty.
But Vanegas’ header in the 97th minute gave Colombia a World Cup upset.
COMEBACK
Norway looked down and out after an opening game loss to co-host New Zealand and a goalless draw against Switzerland. With star player Ada Hegerberg injured, the odds were beginning to stack up against the Norwegians going into their final Group A match against the Philippines.
But three goals within 31 minutes set up a 6-0 rout that saw Norway advance to the knockout rounds in second place. The Norway win knocked New Zealand out of the tournament, making the Football Ferns the first host to be eliminated in group play in tournament history.
EMERGING STARS
Caicedo’s standout performances aren’t a surprise to those who have followed her career. The Real Madrid forward has long-been tipped to be one of the biggest stars in women’s soccer.
She hasn’t disappointed in her first World Cup and has inspired Colombia to back-to-back wins with goals in each game.
England coach Sarina Wiegman unleashed Chelsea forward James from the start in the Lionesses’ second game against Denmark, and she made a quick impression. Collecting the ball outside the area after six minutes, she swept a curling effort past Lene Christensen.
Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay has shown flashes of the talent that earned her a move to French powerhouse Lyon, while 19-year-old Aoba Fujino has become the youngest player to score at a World Cup for Japan’s men’s or women’s teams.
Casey Phair, a 16 year old, became the youngest-ever player to appear in a senior soccer World Cup when she was a second-half substitute for South Korea against Colombia.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
While youngsters have capitalized on their chance to shine, some of the established names have yet to make their mark.
There have been differing reasons for that.
Sam Kerr’s calf injury robbed Australia of its star striker for its opening two games, while Hegerberg’s groin injury has cut her playing time for Norway.
Alex Morgan, who was the co-leading scorer at the last World Cup, is still finding her footing in the United States’ new look attack.
Record international scorer Christine Sinclair was benched for Canada’s second game and is still waiting for her first goal of the tournament, while Brazil great Marta has also been used sparingly.
SURPRISES
New Zealand kicked the tournament off with a 1-0 win against Norway, but couldn’t keep up its momentum and went on to lose by the same score to the Philippines to set up the co-host’s early exit.
Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with fifth-ranked France was described by its coach Lorne Donaldson as the country’s greatest soccer result, for men or women. But the biggest surprise could be yet to come if Jamaica can avoid defeat against Brazil to advance to the round of 16.
Colombia’s dramatic late winner against Germany, meanwhile, was one of the great upsets.
ENTERTAINERS
The goals have been flowing for Spain and Japan, teams that both advanced from the group stage with a game to spare. Both teams secured 5-0 wins against Zambia and both have produced technically excellent displays.
Germany was on a high after its 6-0 rout of Morocco, but was humbled by Colombia.
Sweden routed Italy 5-0, while Norway found its scoring touch just in time against the Philippines.
ONES TO WATCH
Some of the favorites have made underwhelming starts. The two-time defending champion United States, England, Germany and France have not been totally convincing in group play and the tournament still looks wide open.
Colombia looks legitimate, and with Kerr back in action, Australia could become a contender.
The Netherlands look like serious contenders, while Spain and Japan have impressed. Brazil has shown flashes, but faces a fight to advance from the group stage.
Nigeria has shown it is dangerous, and Sweden has picked up back-to-back wins.
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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More AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup | https://www.localsyr.com/sports-news/ap-the-womens-world-cup-has-produced-some-big-moments-these-are-some-of-the-highlights-lowlights/ | 2023-07-31T16:17:03 | 0 | https://www.localsyr.com/sports-news/ap-the-womens-world-cup-has-produced-some-big-moments-these-are-some-of-the-highlights-lowlights/ |
Do you believe in angels? About 7 in 10 U.S. adults do, a new poll shows
Compared with the devil, angels carry more credence in America.
Angels even get more credence than, well, hell. More than astrology, reincarnation and the belief that physical things can have spiritual energies.
In fact, about 7 in 10 U.S. adults say they believe in angels, according to a new poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
“People are yearning for something greater than themselves — beyond their own understanding,” said Jack Grogger, a chaplain for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team and a longtime Southern California fire captain who has aided many people in their gravest moments.
That search for something bigger, he said, can take on many forms, from following a religion to crafting a self-driven purpose to believing in, of course, angels.
“For a lot of people, angels are a lot safer to worship,” said Grogger, who also pastors a nondenominational church in Orange and is a chaplain for the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks.
People turn to angels for comfort, he said. They are familiar, regularly showing up in pop culture as well as in the Bible. Comparably, worshiping Jesus Christ is far more involved; when Grogger preaches about angels it is with the context that they are part of God’s kingdom.
Religious leaders are increasingly wading into the conversation around the ethics of artificial intelligence. Their message? Proceed with caution.
American’s belief in angels (69%) is about on par with belief in heaven and the power of prayer, but bested by belief in God or a higher power (79%). Fewer U.S. adults believe in the devil or Satan (56%), astrology (34%), reincarnation (34%) and that physical things such as plants, rivers or crystals can have spiritual energies (42%).
The widespread acceptance of angels shown in the AP-NORC poll makes sense to Susan Garrett, an angel expert and New Testament professor at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky. It tracks with historical surveys, she said, adding that the U.S. remains a faith-filled country even as more Americans reject organized religion.
But if the devil is in the details, so are people’s understandings of angels.
“They’re very malleable,” Garrett said of angels. “You can have any one of a number of quite different worldviews in terms of your understanding of how the cosmos is arranged, whether there’s spirit beings, whether there’s life after death, whether there’s a God … and still find a place for angels in that worldview.”
Talk of angels, Garrett said, is often also about something else, like the ways God interacts with the world and other hard-to-articulate ideas.
The large number of U.S. adults who say they believe in angels includes 84% of those with a religious affiliation — 94% of evangelical Protestants, 81% of mainline Protestants and 82% of Catholics — and 33% of those without one. And of those angel-believing religiously unaffiliated, that includes 2% of atheists, 25% of agnostics and 50% of those identified as “nothing in particular.”
Dominican nuns and friars say they are committed to maintaining nuns’ legacy at Hollywood’s Monastery of the Angels.
The broad acceptance is what fascinates San Francisco-based witch and author Devin Hunter: Angels show up independently in different religions and traditions, making them part of the fabric that unites humanity.
“We’re all getting to the same conclusion,” said Hunter, who spent 16 years as a professional medium and started communicating as a child with what he believed were angels.
Hunter estimates that a belief in angels applies to about half of those practicing modern witchcraft today, and for some who don’t believe, their rejection is often rooted in the religious trauma they experienced growing up.
“Angels become a very big deal” for long-time practitioners who’ve made occultism their primary focus, said Hunter, an angel-loving occultist. “We cannot escape them in any way, shape or form.”
Jennifer Goodwin of Oviedo, Fla., also is among those who say they believe in angels. She isn’t sure if God exists and rejects the afterlife dichotomy of heaven and hell, but the recent deaths of her parents solidified her views on these celestial beings.
Goodwin believes her parents are still keeping an eye on the family — not in any physical way or as a supernatural apparition, but that they manifest in those moments when she feels a general sense of comfort.
“I think that they are around us, but it’s in a way that we can’t understand,” Goodwin said. “I don’t know what else to call it except an angel.”
Angels mean different things to different people, and the idea of loved ones becoming heavenly angels after death is neither an unusual belief nor a universally held one.
In his reading of Scripture as an evangelical Protestant, Grogger said he believes angels are something else entirely — they have never been human and are on another level in heaven’s hierarchy. “We are higher than angels,” he said. “We do not become an angel.”
Angels do interact with humans though, said Grogger, but what “that looks like we’re not 100% sure.” They worship God who created this angelic legion of unknown numbers, he said, adding that evangelicals often attribute the demonic forces in the world to the angels who fell from heaven when the devil rebelled.
Western ideas about angels can be traced through the Bible — and to the worldviews of its monotheistic authors, Garrett said. Those beliefs have changed and developed over millenniums, influenced by cultures, theologians and even the ancient polytheistic beliefs that came before the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, she said.
“There are sort of lines of continuity from the Bible that you can trace all the way up to the New Age movement,” said Susan Garrett, who wrote “No Ordinary Angel: Celestial Spirits and Christian Claims about Jesus.”
The angels in the Bible do God’s bidding, and angelic violence is one part of their job description, said Esther Hamori, author of the upcoming book, “God’s Monsters: Vengeful Spirits, Deadly Angels, Hybrid Creatures, and Divine Hitmen of the Bible.”
“The angels of the Bible are just as likely to assassinate individuals and slaughter entire populations as they are to offer help and protect and deliver,” said Hamori. She doesn’t believe in these angels, but studies them as a Hebrew Bible professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York where she teaches a popular “Monster Heaven” class.
“They’re just God’s obedient soldiers doing the task at hand, and sometimes that task is in human beings’ best interests, and sometimes it’s not,” she said.
The perception that angels act angelic and look like the idyllic, winged figurines atop Christmas trees could be attributed to an ancient belief that people are assigned one good angel and one bad angel — or have a good and bad spirit to guide them, Garrett said.
This idea shows up on the shoulders of cartoon characters and is likely what Abraham Lincoln was alluding to in his famous appeal for unity when he referenced “the better angels of our nature” in his first inaugural address, she said.
“It’s also tied in with ideas about guardian angels, which again, very ancient views that got developed over the centuries,” Garrett said.
For Sheila Avery of Chicago, angels are protectors, capable of keeping someone from harm. Avery, who belongs to a nondenominational church, credits them with those moments like when a person’s plans fall through, but ultimately it saves them from being in the thick of an unexpected disaster.
“They turn on the news and a terrible tragedy happened at that particular place,” Avery said, suggesting it was an “angel that was probably watching over them.”
The poll of 1,680 adults was conducted May 11-15 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
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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.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/yellow-trucking-shutdown-bankruptcy-heres-what-to-know/ | 2023-07-31T16:17:05 | 0 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/national-news/yellow-trucking-shutdown-bankruptcy-heres-what-to-know/ |
Fact-checking media outlet PolitiFact defended the controversial term "chestfeeding" after the Centers for Disease Control was criticized for publishing guidance on how transgender parents can "chestfeed" their infants.
PolitiFact argued medical professionals who accused the health agency of giving dangerous advice had "misrepresented what chestfeeding is, how the term is used and raised fears over medications involved in induced lactation."
The outlet defended the term "chestfeeding" as more inclusive to transgender men, who may have had their breasts removed but still want to feed their infants.
"These parents, who were pregnant and had a baby, may also want to nurse their newborn infants but prefer a word other than breastfeeding.' The term may cause gender dysphoria, which can exacerbate mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression," the article reads.
The fact-checker also cited studies suggesting that milk produced by drugs and hormone therapies was the same quality as milk naturally produced by mothers.
CDC GIVES GUIDANCE FOR TRANS PEOPLE ‘CHESTFEEDING’ KIDS, ACCUSED OF FAILING TO CONSIDER POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS
"The development of mammary glands and breast tissue can occur in trans women who take estrogen and progesterone as a part of hormone replacement therapy," PolitiFact wrote. Dr. Casey Rosen-Carole, chief of the Division of Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, told the outlet that one study showed that mammary tissue in transgender women who have taken hormones can be "as well organized for milk production as someone who was assigned female at birth."
The fact-checker also pushed back on criticism from medical professionals who argued that lactation-inducing drugs could be passed along in the milk and be dangerous for infants.
Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, who served as an obstetrician for 25 years, slammed the government health agency after its advice on how transgender parents who've had breast surgery "can breastfeed or chestfeed their infants," went viral.
Marshall accused the CDC of placing "politics and its social agenda ahead of science and the health of newborns," saying their advice endorsed anti-nausea medication Domperidone, "a risky drug not legally approved or sold in the U.S.," to induce milk production.
MEDIA CONTINUE TO TOUT DOCTORS DEFENDING TRANSGENDER TREATMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN CBS INTERVIEW
The Daily Mail also spoke to several doctors who noted there are health risks with this drug, and they pose uncertain long-term health risks to the infant.
Dr. Stuart Fischer, a New York-based internal medicine physician, told the Daily Mail that it is "very hard to believe" that the breast milk naturally-occurring in a biological female is the same as the breast milk induced in a biological man.
He is also noted it is uncertain how the latter form of breast milk would affect infants, asking, "If it's been tested a handful of times, how would we know the long-range effect? The short-term is one thing, but the long-term in terms of physical and mental illness..."
"It's an emerging field, to put it mildly," Fischer added.
PolitiFact addressed these concerns by pointing out that the CDC website did not explicitly endorse this drug, but says transgender "families may need help with…medication to induce lactation or avoiding medications that inhibit lactation." The organization denied "endorsing using drugs to induce lactation" in a statement to the media outlet.
PolitiFact's article also cited a case study published this year on the NIH website which reportedly found a transgender woman was able to produce milk as "nutritionally adequate and co-equal to milk produced by cis-gender women." However, the case study reported this effect was achieved through using the very FDA-banned drug, Domperidone, that some doctors had warned about.
The CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
For more Culture, Media, Education, Opinion, and channel coverage, visit foxnews.com/media.
Fox News' Gabriel Hays contributed to this report. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/fact-checker-says-critics-misrepresented-chestfeeding-after-cdc-controversy/article_9339f762-72de-5528-8211-18d03735c909.html | 2023-07-31T16:17:10 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/fact-checker-says-critics-misrepresented-chestfeeding-after-cdc-controversy/article_9339f762-72de-5528-8211-18d03735c909.html |
2 Polk County restaurants closed for a day by inspectors, one for insect violations
Two Polk County restaurants were closed temporarily by inspectors in the past month, one of them for insect activity, according to state inspection reports.
The McDonald’s restaurant at 2815 U.S. 98 North in Lakeland, just south of Griffin Road, was closed July 21 after receiving nine violations, three of which were high priority. Among the violations, an inspector found 25 live flies on a wall under a three-compartment sink and 40 fly larvae in standing water in the same area. The inspector also issued a stop-sale on some items after finding about 70 ants on dry storage shelving and in case of syrup, oatmeal and cranberry and raisin packets. The inspector also noted one dead roach in dry storage. The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection the following day with only on basic violation related to a cracked floor.
Mi Pueblo Chicken, 2701 Swindell Road in Lakeland, received 12 violations on July 16, three of then high-priority. Among the high-priority violations, an inspector noted cooked rice stored in a non-food-grade container – in this case a “Thank you” bag – and raw beef stored over raw oysters in the reach-in cooler. The inspector also noted a “grey soapy wastewater” on the ground behind the women’s restroom. Another violation seemed to indicate the wastewater in this case was coming from a line from the three-compartment sink that first passed through the grease trap. The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection the next day with zero violations.
>> INTERACTIVE: Explore all restaurant inspections in Polk County.
Smaller insect problems?
Not all insect activity results in warnings that require follow-up inspections. In the period from July 3 to 23, about a half-dozen restaurants in Polk had minor insect issues — a small number of flies or dead roaches — but ultimately met standards in their inspections.
Two restaurants had these types of smaller insect issues, but still received warnings or administrative complaints that required a follow-up inspection.
Taqueria Mi Preferida, a restaurant in the Lakeland Mi Pueblo Flea Market at 2701 Swindell Road — the same open-air market as Mi Pueblo Chicken, just west of Kathleen High School — was handed an administrative complaint July 16 and a follow-up inspection ordered. The inspector noted five dead roaches on the premises – a basic violation. The only high-priority violation in the report was for a wastewater hose running into the parking lot. A follow-up inspection had not been logged in state reports as of Friday.
Outback Steakhouse, 5255 S. Florida Ave., was given a warning July 20 and a follow-up inspection. But in this case, the insect violation was one that wouldn’t, by itself, require follow-up – one fly by the mop sink. But among Outback’s four total violations, two were related to a dish machine that wasn’t heating water to a proper sanitizing temperature of 160 degrees. The restaurant was ordered to switch to manual sanitization until the dish machine was fixed. As of Friday, no follow-up inspection was logged in state reports.
In all, 26 Polk restaurants required follow-up inspections over the past month for a wide variety of violations, ranging from food being stored incorrectly, to failing equipment or building-maintenance issues. Many violations are for licensing or training violations.
According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, an inspection report is “a ‘snapshot’ of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection.”
There were no state inspection reports logged between June 24 and July 4.
June 12-25:This Polk restaurant was temporarily closed by inspectors for the 4th time this year
Passed with zero violations
Here’s a look at the Polk County restaurants that passed their initial inspections with zero violations.
- 5 Hermanos Baked Potatoes, mobile food vendor at 620 Dundee Road, Dundee.
- Hot Dogs Exoticos: mobile food vendor at 1100 U.S. 17-92 N., Haines City.
- Lakeland Ice Cream Company South, 2972 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland.
- Terry Vending Services Inc., vending machine, 309 S. Acuff Road, Lake Wales.
- Wish Upon An Ice Cream Cone, 345 Cypress Garden Blvd., Winter Haven.
Keep in mind as you read
Remember that in some cases, violations are noted are technical issues not directly linked to hygiene or cleanliness. Remember, too, that broken refrigerators, chipped tiles or fast work may add up to unintended mistakes.
Regardless, if you notice abuses of state standards, report them and DBPR will send inspectors. Call 850-487-1395.
The terminology
What does all that terminology in state restaurant inspections mean?
Basic violations are those considered against best practices.
A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.
An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: “Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over.”
An emergency order — when a restaurant is closed by the inspector — is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.
A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license and the establishment may reopen only after inspection shows that all high-priority violations that caused the suspension are corrected. | https://www.theledger.com/story/entertainment/dining/restaurant-inspections/2023/07/31/july-3-23-state-inspectors-close-2-polk-restaurants-one-for-insects/70400015007/ | 2023-07-31T16:17:11 | 0 | https://www.theledger.com/story/entertainment/dining/restaurant-inspections/2023/07/31/july-3-23-state-inspectors-close-2-polk-restaurants-one-for-insects/70400015007/ |
A helicopter hit power lines and crashed near an interstate in Ohio over the weekend, killing the pilot and causing a series of crashes, authorities said.
The Bell 206L-4 aircraft was flying near I-70 in Springfield Township in Clark County when it hit the lines and crashed into a cornfield shortly after noon Saturday, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
The pilot, 36-year-old Isaac Lee Santos of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was pronounced dead at the scene, state troopers said. The aircraft was owned by Helicopter Applicators Inc. of Gettysburg, which does aerial applications such as herbicide and insecticide to farmland and other industries, according to the Springfield News-Sun.
OHIO POLICE OFFICER FIRED AFTER K9 ATTACK OF SURRENDERING SUSPECT
Power lines fell onto the westbound and eastbound lanes of I-70, resulting in minor crashes of seven vehicles, authorities said. No other injuries were reported. The highway was closed for about five hours and Ohio Edison crews have been working to restore power to the area.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating, and the highway patrol also continues to investigate. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/helicopter-hits-power-lines-crashes-near-ohio-interstate-causing-series-of-accidents/article_f1f2e193-bde2-5404-8ff8-f728fd88e496.html | 2023-07-31T16:17:11 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/helicopter-hits-power-lines-crashes-near-ohio-interstate-causing-series-of-accidents/article_f1f2e193-bde2-5404-8ff8-f728fd88e496.html |
Lebanon’s central bank governor ends 30-year tenure under investigation amid economic crisis
Lebanon’s embattled central bank governor stepped down Monday under a cloud of investigation and blame for his country’s economic crisis as several European countries are probing his alleged financial crimes.
Riad Salameh, 73, ended his 30-year tenure as tearful employees took photos and a band played celebratory music with drums and trumpets as he left the building.
His four vice governors, led by incoming interim governor Wassim Mansouri, quickly pivoted to urge fiscal reforms for the cash-strapped country.
“We are at a crossroads,” Mansouri said at a news conference. “There is no choice, if we continue previous policy ... the funds in the Central Bank will eventually dry up.”
Salameh kicked off his tenure as governor in 1993, three years after Lebanon’s 15-year civil war came to an end. It was a time when reconstruction loans and aid were pouring into the country, and Salameh was widely celebrated for his role in Lebanon’s recovery.
The so-called Pandora Papers show how Lebanon’s politicians and bankers stowed wealth in offshore tax havens and used it to buy expensive properties.
Now, he leaves his post a wanted man in Europe, accused by many in Lebanon of being responsible for the country’s financial downfall since late 2019.
It was a steep fall for a leader whose policies were once hailed for keeping the currency stable. Later, many financial experts saw him as setting up a house of cards that crumbled as the country’s supply of dollars dried up on top of decades of corruption and mismanagement from Lebanon’s ruling parties.
The crisis has pulverized the Lebanese pound and wiped out the savings of many Lebanese, as the banks ran dry of hard currency.
With the country’s banks crippled and public sector in ruins, Lebanon for years has run on a cash-based economy and relied primarily on tourism and remittances from millions in the diaspora.
Mansouri said previous policies that permitted the central bank to spend large sums on money to prop up the Lebanese state are no longer feasible. He cited years of spending billions of dollars to subsidize fuel, medicine, wheat and more to keep the value of the Lebanese pound stable.
He proposed a six-month plan that included passing long awaited reforms such as capital controls, a bank restructuring law and the 2023 state budget.
One person’s trash is definitely another person’s treasure in Lebanon, but record inflation and the tanking economy have made finding it a lot harder.
“The country cannot continue without passing these laws,” Mansouri explained. “We don’t have time, and we paid a heavy price that we cannot pay anymore.”
The reforms Mansouri mentioned are among those the International Monetary Fund set as conditions on Lebanon in April 2022 for a bailout plan, though he did not mention the IMF. None has been passed.
France, Germany and Luxembourg are investigating Salameh and his associates over myriad financial crimes, including illicit enrichment and the laundering of $330 million. Paris and Berlin issued Interpol notices to the central bank chief in May, though Lebanon does not hand over its citizens to foreign countries.
Salameh has repeatedly denied the allegations and insisted that his wealth comes from his previous job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, inherited properties and investments. He has criticized the probe and said it was part of a media and political campaign to scapegoat him.
In his final interview as governor, Salameh said on Lebanese television that the responsibility for reforms lies with the government.
“Everything I did for the past 30 years was to try to serve Lebanon and the Lebanese,” he said. “Some — the majority —- were grateful, even if they don’t want to say so. And there are other people, well, may God forgive them.”
Salameh’s departure adds another gap in crisis-hit Lebanon’s withering and paralyzed institutions. The tiny Mediterranean country has been without a president for nine months, while its government has been running in a limited caretaker capacity for a year. Lebanon has also been without a top spy chief to head its General Security Directorate since March.
Lebanese officials in recent months were divided over whether Salameh should stay in his post or whether he should step down immediately in the remaining months of his tenure.
Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam wanted an immediate stepdown, given that the central bank chief had a “legal question mark.”
“I cannot explain anyone holding on to a person while a nation is failing unless there is something wrong or hidden,” Salam told the Associated Press.
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The Wall Street Journal editorial board argued Sunday that Hunter Biden could be prosecuted for violating a "long-ignored law" that special counsel Robert Mueller used to much liberal fanfare in the Russia collusion investigation.
"Judge Maryellen Noreika asked the prosecution and defense in court if their agreement meant the President’s son could still be prosecuted for violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Hunter’s lawyers said no, but the prosecutor said yes, and Hunter can thank Robert Mueller if he is prosecuted under that statute," The Wall Street Journal wrote.
Hunter Biden's alleged overseas business dealings, tax evasion and gun charges have made him a target of a federal investigation.
SEVERAL HOUSE REPUBLICANS URGE LAWMAKERS RETURN TO DC AFTER DOJ REQUESTS DEVON ARCHER'S SURRENDER
But in a political turn, The Wall Street Journal wrote that the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which Mueller used against former President Donald Trump’s associates, can potentially be used against Hunter Biden, and liberals may not like it much now.
"FARA has never been clearly defined and is used selectively. That is the definition of a bad law that is too easy for prosecutors to exploit against their political enemies," the Journal editorial board wrote. "As long as FARA was targeting people in the Trump orbit, Democrats cheered these prosecutions."
"They may regret that legal standard now that federal prosecutors have confirmed to Judge Noreika that FARA charges could still be lodged against the President’s son. Based on Mr. Mueller’s prosecutions, Hunter is vulnerable."
HUNTER BIDEN TOLD DEVON ARCHER THEY WOULD GET 'LAST LAUGH' AFTER CONVICTION WAS THROWN OUT: 'MOTHERF---ERS'
The Wall Street Journal also pointed out that Hunter Biden's vulnerability to prosecution under FARA has "political implications for President Biden."
"To have his son acting as a foreign agent while they were traveling to the relevant foreign countries together on Air Force Two would make the President’s claims of ignorance about Hunter’s business even harder to believe. This is guaranteed to be an issue in his 2024 bid for re-election—not least because staffers in the Obama Administration sent up red flags about Hunter’s lucrative work on the board of Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company," the board wrote.
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Thursday, IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler called for Attorney General Merrick Garland to "appoint a special counsel" to look into the investigation of Hunter Biden.
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For more Culture, Media, Education, Opinion, and channel coverage, visit foxnews.com/media. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/hunter-biden-can-thank-robert-mueller-if-prosecuted-under-poorly-defined-fara-statute-wsj/article_b42ef9df-e2ad-5598-8113-1d87ae40b73f.html | 2023-07-31T16:17:13 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/hunter-biden-can-thank-robert-mueller-if-prosecuted-under-poorly-defined-fara-statute-wsj/article_b42ef9df-e2ad-5598-8113-1d87ae40b73f.html |
ELMIRA, NY – (WIVT/WBGH) An officer was taken to a local hospital last week after being attacked by a prison inmate.
A 24-year-old inmate, who is serving eight years at the Elmira Correctional Facility for gang assault, repeatedly punched an officer in the face on July 21. Initially, the officer opened the inmate’s cell to administer him his morning medication. The inmate then left the cell and remained on the cell gallery. The officer ordered him to exit the gallery and made several attempts to get him back to his cell but was unsuccessful. The officer approached the inmate and was struck several times in the face, immediately defending himself to stop the attack. A second officer witnessed the incident and responded. The two officers put the inmate in a body hold and forced his hands behind his back in order to apply handcuffs. Once restrained, the inmate became compliant.
The inmate was escorted from the cell gallery to the infirmary for evaluation.
Both officers were treated by medical staff at the prison. The officer who was attacked suffered swelling and bleeding from his nose as well as neck pain. He was later transported to Arnot Ogden Medical Center for further treatment. The second officer involved was treated for upper arm pain but remained on duty.
The inmate was placed in a Special Housing Unit following the attack. He was convicted in 2022 for gang assault in the first degree in Westchester County after attacking a man in Yonkers, leaving the victim disfigured and with a brain injury. He previously served a two-year prison sentence for robbery in 2018. | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/officer-attacked-by-inmate-at-elmira-correctional-facility/ | 2023-07-31T16:17:16 | 0 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/officer-attacked-by-inmate-at-elmira-correctional-facility/ |