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The company's 2022 annual audit shows impressive growth with a focus on regional expansion, becoming first fintech startup from Singapore to have over 20 offices globally
SAN FRANCISCO and SINGAPORE, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nium, the leader in real-time global payments, has published its 2022 audit, showing US$82M in net revenue which grew 2.7x YoY and ended at more than $100M net revenue run rate. Nium is Singapore's first global fintech focused on payments to reach this revenue milestone. In 2022, the company focused its development on serving high-growth client use cases, in industries such as travel, payroll, spend management, and financial services. This strategy has allowed for the business to accelerate its growth agenda, including global expansion, organic product innovation, continued hiring of top talent, and M&A activity.
"Moving money across borders is broken," said Prajit Nanu, Founder and CEO at Nium. "Legacy banks and payment processors have failed to give businesses the solutions they need to expand globally. Nium fills this gap and has emerged as the new global business standard for real-time, cross-border money movement. We are thrilled to see such success last year and are extremely bullish on not only the scale we've already seen this year, but what we'll see by the end of 2023."
Nium has hundreds of clients across multiple industries including financial institutions, payroll, spend management, and travel. Financial institutions were a priority last year as Nium focused on helping them target new markets with instant bank payouts and expand to emerging markets. Nium powers among the largest brands and platforms in the globe, including Rippling, Payoneer, Amadeus, Aspire, MasterCard and eDreams.
Nium's issuing product also saw substantial success, with over 30M cards issued just last year. Nium helps navigate this rapidly changing landscape, by allowing travel intermediaries and operators to efficiently pay travel suppliers around the world, optimizing every transaction for maximum profitability. On the product side, the company launched Nium Airline Payments, a closed-loop payments solution powered by Universal Air Travel Plan, which provides airlines, travel agents, and online travel agencies with a sustainable and equitable 'closed loop' payment model.
Last year saw exponential growth on Nium's leadership team, including the hires of CPO, Robin Gandhi; GC, Dylan Lowrey; and CTO, Ramana Satyavarapu. With hiring at the forefront, the Nium team was awarded the Great Places to Work certification in India, Malta, Singapore, and the US. Nium also expanded into new markets, including Malaysia and Japan. Due to this expansion of the company and team, Nium saw a slightly higher burn rate than in 2021.
Over the past year Nium raised additional capital at a $2.0bn valuation, adding new investors such as BOND, NewView Capital, Moore Capital and Tribe Capital. The business is very well capitalized and continues to invest in product innovation, new markets and M&A opportunities. "Our investors believe in our mission of building the payments infrastructure for on-demand money and our funding has helped us accelerate our growth aspirations. We're thrilled to have the support of these notable investors and continue to look forward to working closely together to advance our business." said Nanu.
Nium plays in the foundational payment infrastructure market that has proven to be one of the few thriving markets during these challenging times. The company's extensive global reach, broad license portfolio, real-time payments network, enhanced payroll solution, and a team of industry leaders have been the pillars of its success. In 2023, Nium has been focused on regional expansion. The company's recent hires of Volker Steinle to lead Americas business development, Anupam Pahuja to lead Asia Pacific and Middle East business development, and Manuel Sandhofer to lead Europe business development are examples of that investment. This expertise, coupled with new licenses pending regulatory approval, has set Nium up for success in emerging markets including LATAM and Africa. The company has also recently opened new offices in San Francisco, Amsterdam, India, and Singapore.
About Nium
Nium, the leader in real-time global payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the on-demand economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 190+ countries, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 35 markets. Nium's growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licenses and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance – independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/Nium_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE Nium | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nium-announces-2022-net-revenue-grew-27x-yoy-us82m/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:36 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nium-announces-2022-net-revenue-grew-27x-yoy-us82m/ |
When you acquire a quarterback about to turn 40 years old, you know it's not a long-term proposition.
Still, the New York Jets didn't want Aaron Rodgers to be one and done, not after the draft picks they gave the Green Bay Packers to acquire him.
The Jets had to be a little uneasy to hear Rodgers say he nearly retired this offseason. Rodgers reiterated that to NBC Sports' Peter King in an interview, saying he was ready to retire before going on his much-discussed darkness retreat.
"The answer is yes I needed a change," Rodgers told King. "I did think the change was gonna be retirement."
Rodgers said during the darkness retreat, he was ready to consider coming back to the Packers if they were "open arms" on him being back. He didn't get that message, so he considered other options. The Jets went to visit Rodgers and traded for him. There seems to be a renewed energy with Rodgers changing teams.
And how did Rodgers show the Jets he's all in? By taking a big pay cut.
Aaron Rodgers on his pay cut
Rodgers' new two-year, $75 million fully guaranteed contract contains about $35 million less in guaranteed money than he had remaining on his old deal, which he signed with the Packers.
Rodgers told King the voluntary pay cut was "the right thing that made me feel best."
“I thought it was important they knew how committed I was," Rodgers told King. "And in my conversations with Joe [Douglas, the Jets' general manager], he has made it very clear the vision for the football team."
Rodgers said his motivation was to let the Jets be able to explore options if a difference-making player was available at the trade deadline.
"I wanted to make sure that if somebody valuable came available that we’d be able to get him," Rodgers told King. "I’m very happy with the contract. I feel great about it.”
Going from being on the verge of retirement to giving up a fortune in guaranteed money to help out his new team is a pretty big, notable shift.
Rodgers looks forward to the future
Whatever happens next for Rodgers could be big for his NFL legacy. He's a four-time MVP and one of the all-time greats, but a second Super Bowl has eluded him. Years of playoff disappointments in Green Bay would disappear if he brings the Jets their first Super Bowl title since the 1968 season. It's not like Rodgers isn't making a lot of money, even with a pay cut. And he understands what this chapter in his career could mean.
The Packers and Rodgers needed to try something new, and Rodgers recognized that.
"Look, it’s not their fault," Rodgers told King. "I think it was time for everybody involved."
A new start has Rodgers thinking beyond 2023. He has gone from nearly being retired to talking about playing "a few seasons."
“If I can string together a few seasons of good health, then I don’t want to put a cap on my future,” Rodgers said. “But I feel good about this not being just a one-year thing.” | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/aaron-rodgers-who/5UTKMPQVQFIQJJT7JA2JIICVE4/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:39 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/aaron-rodgers-who/5UTKMPQVQFIQJJT7JA2JIICVE4/ |
(WSYR-TV) — Not very often do you see a nine-year-old girl take playing on the monkey bars to the next step. Central New Yorker Gabby Licata is three years in the making of being a notable ninja winning various awards for her accomplishments.
Gabby has placed first, second, and third in WNL World’s Strongest Ninja and WNL New England Regional Championships. Her father RJ joined us to talk about his experience with banding behind his daughter throughout the process.
Training typically runs from September to the end of June. Gabby would train about two to three nights a week for a few hours. To get that extra practice in, the mini ninja warrior goes to open gym along with ‘monkeying’ around in her basement where she has the proper equipment.
Gabby competed in Greensboro, where some of her competitors were from Russia, Australia, and France.
For more information, check out worldninjaleague.org and to see where Gabby trains, check out syracuse.thewarriorfactory.com. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/nine-year-old-cny-native-gabby-licata-is-4th-place-world-champ/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:42 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/nine-year-old-cny-native-gabby-licata-is-4th-place-world-champ/ |
MLB Probable Starting Pitchers Tonight: Monday, July 31
Monday's MLB schedule features a slew of intriguing pitching matchups, and we've got all of the probable pitchers listed below. Top billing goes to the bout between the Orioles and the Blue Jays, who will be sending Kyle Gibson and Chris Bassitt to the mound, respectively.
Read on to find the probable pitcher matchups for every game on the schedule for July 31.
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Today's Probable Starting Pitchers
Phillies at Marlins Probable Pitchers
The Philadelphia Phillies will send Taijuan Walker (11-4) to the bump as they face the Marlins, who will look to Edward Cabrera (5-6) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Phillies at Marlins
- MIA Odds to Win: -110
- PHI Odds to Win: -110
- Total: 8.5 runs
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Live Stream Phillies at Marlins
- Game Time: 6:40 PM ET
- Streaming: BSFL (regional restrictions may apply)
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Brewers at Nationals Probable Pitchers
The Milwaukee Brewers will send Corbin Burnes (9-6) to the mound as they face the Nationals, who will counter with Jake Irvin (3-5) for the matchup between the clubs Monday.
Vegas Odds for Brewers at Nationals
- MIL Odds to Win: -210
- WSH Odds to Win: +170
- Total: 8.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
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Live Stream Brewers at Nationals
- Game Time: 7:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MASN2 (regional restrictions may apply)
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Rays at Yankees Probable Pitchers
The Tampa Bay Rays will send Tyler Glasnow (4-3) to the hill as they face the Yankees, who will give the start to Domingo German (5-7) when the clubs face off Monday.
Vegas Odds for Rays at Yankees
- TB Odds to Win: -145
- NYY Odds to Win: +120
- Total: 8.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Rays at Yankees
- Game Time: 7:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MLB Network (regional restrictions may apply)
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Orioles at Blue Jays Probable Pitchers
The Baltimore Orioles will send Gibson (9-6) to the mound as they play the Blue Jays, who will counter with Bassitt (10-5) when the teams play Monday.
Vegas Odds for Orioles at Blue Jays
- TOR Odds to Win: -130
- BAL Odds to Win: +110
- Total: 9 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Orioles at Blue Jays
- Game Time: 7:07 PM ET
- Streaming: MLB Network (regional restrictions may apply)
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Angels at Braves Probable Pitchers
The Los Angeles Angels will send Griffin Canning (6-4) to the bump as they face the Braves, who will look to Charlie Morton (10-8) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Angels at Braves
- ATL Odds to Win: -225
- LAA Odds to Win: +180
- Total: 9.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Angels at Braves
- Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
- Streaming: BSSO (regional restrictions may apply)
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Reds at Cubs Probable Pitchers
The Cincinnati Reds will send Andrew Abbott (6-2) to the mound as they face the Cubs, who will counter with Marcus Stroman (10-7) when the clubs play Monday.
Vegas Odds for Reds at Cubs
- CHC Odds to Win: -120
- CIN Odds to Win: +100
- Total: 8 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Reds at Cubs
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MARQ (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Guardians at Astros Probable Pitchers
The Cleveland Guardians will send Noah Syndergaard (1-4) to the bump as they play the Astros, who will look to J.P. France (6-3) when the clubs face off Monday.
Vegas Odds for Guardians at Astros
- HOU Odds to Win: -175
- CLE Odds to Win: +145
- Total: 9 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Guardians at Astros
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Streaming: SportsNet SW (regional restrictions may apply)
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Padres at Rockies Probable Pitchers
The San Diego Padres will send Seth Lugo (4-5) to the mound as they play the Rockies, who will hand the ball to Austin Gomber (8-8) for the matchup between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Padres at Rockies
- SD Odds to Win: -200
- COL Odds to Win: +165
- Total: 11.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Padres at Rockies
- Game Time: 8:40 PM ET
- Streaming: SportsNet RM (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Red Sox at Mariners Probable Pitchers
The Boston Red Sox will send Nick Pivetta (7-5) to the mound as they play the Mariners, who will give the start to George Kirby (9-8) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Red Sox at Mariners
- SEA Odds to Win: -135
- BOS Odds to Win: +110
- Total: 7.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Red Sox at Mariners
- Game Time: 9:40 PM ET
- Streaming: ROOT Sports NW (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Diamondbacks at Giants Probable Pitchers
The Arizona Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson (6-5) to the mound as they take on the Giants, who will look to Alex Cobb (6-3) when the clubs meet Monday.
Vegas Odds for Diamondbacks at Giants
- SF Odds to Win: -150
- ARI Odds to Win: +125
- Total: 8 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Diamondbacks at Giants
- Game Time: 9:45 PM ET
- Streaming: NBCS-BA (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:42 | 1 | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ |
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) President, Carole Fisher has attracted publicity for her role hosting the popular podcast series – "The Girlfriends". Produced by NOVEL for iHeartRadio, the thrilling nine-part series, led by Fisher, uncovers the horrific backstory of Gail Katz's death, the systems that failed her and all the girlfriends that brought her justice.
THE GIRLFRIENDS explores the bonds of friendship, female solidarity, empowerment, and bringing justice to all people who suffer at the hands of abuse and domestic violence. Since its release on July 10, The Girlfriends has achieved success – currently ranking at #1 in Canada, the United Kingdom and United States on Apple Podcasts.
"This is more than just being another binge-worthy true crime podcast series. It's about raising awareness around the horrors of abuse, especially domestic and sexual violence," said Carole Fisher, NPHI President. "It has been a privilege and an honor to speak up on behalf of Gail Katz, and so many other women who are victims of domestic violence. Together, we must do more to elevate the voices of those in danger."
NOVEL collaborated with the leading global charity NOMORE.org dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by increasing awareness, inspiring action, and fueling culture change. NPHI maintains close links to these related issues through its engagement with Healthsperien LLC and applauds Carole Fisher for her continued commitment to social impact and raising awareness on the issues of domestic violence against women.
"I am extremely pleased to hear of the success of this podcast, and I support its greater goal in raising awareness around the pervasiveness of domestic violence," said Tom Koutsoumpas, NPHI CEO. "Carole's entire lifework has been centered around helping and speaking out for others and her participation in this podcast highlights her never-ending commitment to creating social impact and change where it is rightly needed."
Carole, who is employed directly by the renowned DC Policy Firm, Healthsperien LLC, has presided over the day-to-day operations of NPHI since January 2021. In this capacity, she brings a wealth of expertise that has helped NPHI grow exponentially and evolve with the ever-changing hospice landscape. Prior to her time at Healthsperien and NPHI, she served as a highly regarded C-suite leader, including a long-time engagement as the CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice in her hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada.
You can find The Girlfriends on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts.
About Carole Fisher: Ms. Fisher serves as President for the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI). Utilizing her previous experiences and deep familiarity with not-for-profit community-based hospice and palliative healthcare, she is charged with leading a wide range of activities for NPHI. With an emphasis on developing strategic partnerships, meaningful collaborations and transformational innovations, Ms. Fisher provides support for NPHI members leading complex organizations.
Ms. Fisher spends her time working between her homes in Las Vegas, Nevada and Covington, Louisiana. She frequently travels to Washington D.C. for policy-related initiatives.
You can find Carole on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram under @CaroleAFisher.
The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is a membership organization comprising 100+ not-for-profit, community-integrated hospice and palliative care providers dedicated to ensuring patients and their families have access to care that reflects their individual goals, values, and preferences. Representing providers from 37 states and the District of Columbia, NPHI and its members help design more innovative and effective models of care, advocate for comprehensive and community-integrated care customized to meet each person's unique needs, and build collaboration between national thought leaders, decision-makers, and other healthcare stakeholders to improve hospice care. Learn more at hospiceinnovations.org.
Press Contact:
Matt Wilkinson
Communications Manager, NPHI
+1 (801) 615-4207
mwilkinson@hospiceinnovations.org
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nphi-president-carole-fisher-hosts-trending-true-crime-podcast-girlfriends/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:43 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nphi-president-carole-fisher-hosts-trending-true-crime-podcast-girlfriends/ |
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) President, Carole Fisher has attracted publicity for her role hosting the popular podcast series – "The Girlfriends". Produced by NOVEL for iHeartRadio, the thrilling nine-part series, led by Fisher, uncovers the horrific backstory of Gail Katz's death, the systems that failed her and all the girlfriends that brought her justice.
THE GIRLFRIENDS explores the bonds of friendship, female solidarity, empowerment, and bringing justice to all people who suffer at the hands of abuse and domestic violence. Since its release on July 10, The Girlfriends has achieved success – currently ranking at #1 in Canada, the United Kingdom and United States on Apple Podcasts.
"This is more than just being another binge-worthy true crime podcast series. It's about raising awareness around the horrors of abuse, especially domestic and sexual violence," said Carole Fisher, NPHI President. "It has been a privilege and an honor to speak up on behalf of Gail Katz, and so many other women who are victims of domestic violence. Together, we must do more to elevate the voices of those in danger."
NOVEL collaborated with the leading global charity NOMORE.org dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by increasing awareness, inspiring action, and fueling culture change. NPHI maintains close links to these related issues through its engagement with Healthsperien LLC and applauds Carole Fisher for her continued commitment to social impact and raising awareness on the issues of domestic violence against women.
"I am extremely pleased to hear of the success of this podcast, and I support its greater goal in raising awareness around the pervasiveness of domestic violence," said Tom Koutsoumpas, NPHI CEO. "Carole's entire lifework has been centered around helping and speaking out for others and her participation in this podcast highlights her never-ending commitment to creating social impact and change where it is rightly needed."
Carole, who is employed directly by the renowned DC Policy Firm, Healthsperien LLC, has presided over the day-to-day operations of NPHI since January 2021. In this capacity, she brings a wealth of expertise that has helped NPHI grow exponentially and evolve with the ever-changing hospice landscape. Prior to her time at Healthsperien and NPHI, she served as a highly regarded C-suite leader, including a long-time engagement as the CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice in her hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada.
You can find The Girlfriends on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts.
About Carole Fisher: Ms. Fisher serves as President for the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI). Utilizing her previous experiences and deep familiarity with not-for-profit community-based hospice and palliative healthcare, she is charged with leading a wide range of activities for NPHI. With an emphasis on developing strategic partnerships, meaningful collaborations and transformational innovations, Ms. Fisher provides support for NPHI members leading complex organizations.
Ms. Fisher spends her time working between her homes in Las Vegas, Nevada and Covington, Louisiana. She frequently travels to Washington D.C. for policy-related initiatives.
You can find Carole on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram under @CaroleAFisher.
The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is a membership organization comprising 100+ not-for-profit, community-integrated hospice and palliative care providers dedicated to ensuring patients and their families have access to care that reflects their individual goals, values, and preferences. Representing providers from 37 states and the District of Columbia, NPHI and its members help design more innovative and effective models of care, advocate for comprehensive and community-integrated care customized to meet each person's unique needs, and build collaboration between national thought leaders, decision-makers, and other healthcare stakeholders to improve hospice care. Learn more at hospiceinnovations.org.
Press Contact:
Matt Wilkinson
Communications Manager, NPHI
+1 (801) 615-4207
mwilkinson@hospiceinnovations.org
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nphi-president-carole-fisher-hosts-trending-true-crime-podcast-girlfriends/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:43 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nphi-president-carole-fisher-hosts-trending-true-crime-podcast-girlfriends/ |
We're getting close to the teeth of fantasy football draft season, and it's time to talk about mistakes. I'm going to run back some of the mistakes from last year's column, and I'll add two fresh mistakes at the bottom. You're welcome to offer your own lessons learned, I'm all ears: @scott_pianowski.
All summer long, we try to show you how to play fantasy football the right way, whatever that means. Obviously, it's a nuanced and shifting discussion, and obviously, it's all contextual. What works best in my hometown league might not work best for your hometown league. There's a lot of season-to-taste in this game.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today]
But sometimes we need to take a step back and focus on how suboptimal thinking sneaks into our decision-making. That’s our mission for today, to patch some of the leaks that might be holding you back.
Here are nine common mistakes that fantasy managers, even good ones, often make. The first six are a review from last year and previous years; we’ve added three fresh ideas at the bottom.
Draft like a champion today, gamers.
Not knowing the league rules and settings
I know this feels painfully obvious, but it’s a common error. I know, because I make it myself sometimes — and there’s no reason for it.
It’s no fun to read the rules or audit the settings, I get it. In some of the leagues I play in, the rulebook is long and unwieldy, a cumbersome read. And like so many fantasy managers, I’m in a ton of leagues (too many to count), so at times it becomes tempting to cut this corner. But if you’re not clear on the game you’re playing, errors are sure to follow.
So let's just make sure we put in the work and plug this leak. And I'm not just talking about scoring rules, I'm talking about every setting tied to a league. A common mistake tied to this: often managers are unaware of when free agency starts or when the waiver process begins. Thirty seconds in your online calendar today can cover you for a missed opportunity later.
Buying insurance when it doesn’t make sense
Modern baseball theory holds that sacrifice bunts are rarely a good idea. The game is dominated by launch angles and home runs, to the point that giving up an out and advancing a runner from first to second is rarely the proper play. When you hand outs to the other team, you cap your scoring upside.
What does this have to do with fantasy football? Well, when you go out of your way to draft the NFL backups of your primary starters (especially at running back), you’re essentially bunting. You’re capping your upside. You’re playing for the small inning.
In the early part of the fantasy season, I want you to play for the big inning. I want you to try to build the most dynamic juggernaut possible. Sure, you can draft backup running backs, intriguing stash-and-hope runners, but do it when it’s not tied to one of your primary starters. Draft the backups that benefit if your opponents encounter bad luck. Build a roster that can improve — not merely survive — when chaos happens.
I don't want you to draft like your early picks are going to flame out. I want you to draft like your early picks were the right picks. Stop playing it safe and capping your ceiling.
Let's be clear, the understudy back can make sense later in the year — much like bunting can make sense in a baseball game, later in the day. The winning scenario narrows the later we get in any contest, and with that in mind, you act accordingly. If you're crushing the league come early November and you want Tyler Allgeier for Bijan Robinson insurance — because your roster doesn't have bigger problems that need solving — I can sign off. You're already put a crooked number on the board.
In August, that’s the wrong way to think. Your goals should be much loftier the day you start assembling your roster.
Anchoring to previously-held opinions
Fantasy sports are essentially a game of opinions, your best guess against my best guess. The best fantasy managers are going to have plenty of takes. You compete for a few years, take down a trophy or two, you get some confidence and even some ego.
But remember, the NFL is a snow-globe league, the American sport with the most year-over-year variance. It’s also the fantasy sport where context matters the most. A journeyman running back might become fantasy royalty if he lands in the right offense. And a walk-in Hall of Famer like Randy Moss can fall off the planet when he’s on a team like the 2006 Raiders.
I have plenty of strong player and strategy takes today, just like I did a month ago, three months ago or six months ago. But everything’s written in pencil. When the facts shift, I’m willing to change my mind. And when nuances that I overlooked are brought to my attention, I’m willing to change my mind, too.
The goal is to figure out the new season before your opponents do. And with that in mind, you have to be willing to be selectively aggressive when opportunities arise.
Being paralyzed by fear
Paradox of Choice is a fascinating concept, the idea that otherwise-smart people can be overwhelmed by alternatives. It's not uncommon for a fantasy manager to tell me they prefer a roster of minimal depth over a roster of fantastic depth because they aren't forced to make difficult choices every week. (Obviously, a deep roster can often be traded into an even more-dynamic set of starters, but let's ignore that for now.)
Some managers are afraid to bench a player because said player cost a lot at the draft, or in free agency.
Some managers are afraid to make a trade or a FA move because they’re obsessed with how bad they’ll feel if the decision turns out to be wrong. Friendliest Loss remains a pox in our decision-making world. Too many fantasy players will settle on the choice that will give them the least amount of pain if it turns out to be wrong — no matter if that choice reflects what they view as the most likely winning scenario.
Don’t be afraid of making a mistake, amigas and amigos. Tricky decisions are like bluffs in poker — if you don’t have one blow up on you every so often, you are playing far too conservatively. Fortune favors the brave. If you insist on keeping both of your feet on first base, you’ll never be able to steal second.
I'm not suggesting you do wacky or crazy things just for the sake of it. I still want you to make good decisions, sound decisions. But focus on the likelihood of your decision working, and what the payoff may be. Don't get tripped up on what the regret will feel like if you're wrong. That's not how successful people think.
Not doing queue maintenance during the draft
I generally don’t touch the preset rankings in any draft applet, because I want to know what most of my opponents are looking at. But that doesn’t mean I rest back in my chair and scroll through tweets and emails between picks. I’m constantly working on some kind of list, be it an off-applet list I’m maintaining, or adding and arranging player names in my online queue.
A tidily-arranged queue will be your best friend if you get bumped offline mid-draft — and will spare you a potentially-disastrous auto-pick. It’s also a good way to keep late-round sleepers fresh in your mind, especially with the sleepers who might be buried on the site’s preset rankings. If you’re doing an offline draft, you can still maintain a queue — a pen and a scratch sheet of paper will do. Just keep it away from curious neighbors.
Ignoring ADP
It's common to hear established fantasy players zealously proclaiming their disdain for Average Draft Position, noting how they draft to the beat of their own drummer. And hey, I get it; at some point, you have to go get the players you believe in. But you at least want to have a general idea of what slot those players might command in a free market.
When I examine ADP, I like to focus on the trending market, how rooms have drafted in the past week or so. Deeper-rooted ADP is going to be more buggy and less useful. At the end of the day, you want to undercut the market slightly on the later-round picks you covet, not blow the market out of the water. Don't take your hidden gem in the sixth round when context clues made it clear you could have waited until the 10th round or later.
Eschewing a news lap on Draft Day
Most fantasy football drafts will take place in August, and that’s a hotbed of NFL news. Injuries, depth chart adjustments, trades, perhaps even suspensions; stuff is going to happen. And with that, it’s imperative you take a news lap the day of your draft, just to make sure you’re up on the latest and greatest NFL news. You want to make the most informed choices you can, and that requires you’re not the last person to know about a hamstring gone awry.
Getting tripped up by the schedule
The NFL schedule is such a big deal, the league somehow creates a buzzy event of its release and reveal. It's a little funny when you think about it — we already knew the games, just not the sequencing — but it's another case of the NFL flexing its muscles as the dominant sports league in North America.
I want you to be aware of the schedule, but I don’t want it dominating your picks. Bye weeks are a low-end tiebreaker when I’m drafting, not something that proactively influences my picks. By the time most of my players take their bye, my roster is likely to be significantly different, with new strengths and weaknesses. I want you to play fantasy football with a microscope, not a telescope. Let’s focus on what’s in view now.
If I'm going to use schedule shape to influence my picks, it's on the margins. Consider the defense and special teams position. The Jets D/ST is a hotly-contested draft commodity, but the early-season schedule looks treacherous — New York opens with the Bills, Cowboys, Patriots, Chiefs, Broncos and Eagles for the first six games, then it's a Week 7 bye. The Jets D/ST doesn't really see home-run spots until December. Given the stream-heavy nature of the D/ST position, I won't have New York on my target list. I want easier sledding in the first quarter of the year.
Not adjusting for the time of year
The earlier you’re drafting, the less important it is to draft a kicker or defense. You can add that stuff later; why not get an additional high-upside running back pick on your roster? This well-known strategy has a converse, of course; if you’re drafting right before the season, that’s when you might as well fill that K and D/ST spot.
Injury rates fall down significantly late in the summer — most teams don’t use important personnel in the final preseason game — so your odds of hitting a home run with your final-round lottery ticket are significantly less. When I draft in early September, I have the early schedule in mind and want a D/ST that’s ready to cause mayhem in Week 1. | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/fantasy-football-how/YYTKTDO7DKPH6IMCX22HT7EYEM/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:46 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/fantasy-football-how/YYTKTDO7DKPH6IMCX22HT7EYEM/ |
NEW YORK STATE (STACKER) — The intense heat blanketing much of the United States may be keeping a lid on gas prices as Americans scale back their driving habits while seeking to avoid the outdoors.
But prices are still at an eight-month high.
A gallon of gas was $3.73 on average, according to AAA gas price data. Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in New York.
A year ago, the NYS average was $4.52.
In recent weeks, nationwide gas demand has stayed relatively flat, according to an AAA statement, but that overall figure masks a higher demand in places without intense heat waves—and a much lower demand in hotter places.
Problems at refineries and low levels of stored gas mean prices are surging worldwide, according to Bloomberg. This has sparked fears of more inflation as nations with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries are expected to cut oil production in August.
Gas prices and changes are as of July 28.
New York by the numbers
– Gas current price: $3.79
– Week change: +$0.10 (+2.9%)
– Year change: -$0.76 (-16.7%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $5.04 (6/14/22)
– Diesel current price: $4.38
– Week change: +$0.02 (+0.4%)
– Year change: -$1.39 (-24.0%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $6.54 (5/19/22)
Metros with most expensive gas in New York
Updated with prices from July 31, 2023.
#1. Glens Falls: $3.90
#2. White Plains: $3.88
#3. New York: $3.86
#4. Utica-Rome: $3.85
#5. Watertown-Fort Drum: $3.85
#6. Albany-Schenectady-Troy: $3.83
#7. Ithaca: $3.82
#8. Binghamton: $3.82
#9. Dutchess-Putnam County: $3.82
#10. Rochester: $3.80
#11. Kingston: $3.80
#12. Syracuse: $3.79
#13. Elmira: $3.79
#14. Nassau-Suffolk: $3.76
#15. Buffalo-Niagara Falls: $3.75
#16. Batavia: $3.70
States with the most expensive gas
#1. California: $4.95
#2. Washington: $4.93
#3. Hawaii: $4.70
States with the least expensive gas
#1. Mississippi: $3.21
#2. Alabama: $3.32
#3. Louisiana: $3.32
A way to save fuel is mapping your routes, and work to avoid peak traffic times such as rush hour. AAA recommends combining your errands into one trip while using cruise control when possible.
You can also make sure your tire pressure is at its recommended level for the vehicle for the best gas mileage. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/why-are-gas-prices-ticking-up-lately/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:48 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/why-are-gas-prices-ticking-up-lately/ |
Partnership Will Enable OneValley to Provide Up to 1.1M Entrepreneurial Users with Algorithmic-Driven Web Content Scored for Reliability and Personalized to Help Them Grow Their Business
VIENNA, Va., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seekr, a revolutionary artificial intelligence company specializing in transparent content evaluation, announced today it has entered into a strategic partnership with OneValley, a Silicon Valley-based global entrepreneurship platform that powers many of the world's top innovation, entrepreneurial and non-profit ecosystems. The partnership integrates Seekr's groundbreaking search capabilities into OneValley's information-sharing platform, enabling 1.1 million entrepreneurial users supported by OneValley to access algorithmic-driven news that is personalized and scored for reliability.
"The OneValley platform is already a treasure trove of high-value information for entrepreneurs, providing guidance and insights on everything from ideation and launch to growth and scaling. Seekr's content evaluation capabilities amplify that value proposition, taking the platform to the next level," said Rob Clark, President and Chief Technology Officer at Seekr. "Our technology enables the OneValley platform to identify relevant information, regardless of whether it lives on the platform or on the broader internet, score it for reliability, curate it so that it's tailored to the unique needs and interests of each individual entrepreneur, and finally serve it up to the entrepreneur on-demand."
"As OneValley continues to expand worldwide, this unique partnership with Seekr will provide our customers with the knowledge they need to win in their markets," said Nikhil Sinha, CEO of OneValley. "We further expect that usage on the platform will continue to grow and enhance the life cycle growth from startup to big business."
Seekr's AI-powered search and evaluation technology will be fully integrated into OneValley's online consumer platform, Passport, and its enterprise platform, PassportOS. The technology will enable every OneValley user to generate a bespoke flow of news and other relevant content tailored to meet their unique individual interests and needs.
Under the terms of the agreement, the platform will also feature a stream of real-time news and relevant information powered by Seekr. Additionally, Seekr will provide OneValley with a dynamic competitive analysis tool that provides entrepreneurs and startups with insights into competitor movements and a fuller understanding of how market trends are moving over time.
For further information, visit www.seekr.com.
About Seekr Technologies Inc.
Seekr is a privately held artificial intelligence company that specializes in transparent content evaluation and objective ratings. Its AI technology is designed to rate all content, both authentic content created by humans, and synthetic, machine-generated content. Seekr empowers user choice and control by streamlining access to reliable information. The centerpiece of Seekr's technology is an independent search engine that is powered by proprietary AI and employs natural language processing (NLP) to generate a Seekr Score and Political Lean Indicator. Seekr is committed to building a web that people can trust by giving everyone access to technology that makes it easy to find reliable content in context.
Media Contact:
Ed Patru, EVP Communications
(202) 360-7063
epatru@seekr.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Seekr Technologies | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/onevalley-seekr-announce-strategic-content-partnership/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:50 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/onevalley-seekr-announce-strategic-content-partnership/ |
Partnership Will Enable OneValley to Provide Up to 1.1M Entrepreneurial Users with Algorithmic-Driven Web Content Scored for Reliability and Personalized to Help Them Grow Their Business
VIENNA, Va., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seekr, a revolutionary artificial intelligence company specializing in transparent content evaluation, announced today it has entered into a strategic partnership with OneValley, a Silicon Valley-based global entrepreneurship platform that powers many of the world's top innovation, entrepreneurial and non-profit ecosystems. The partnership integrates Seekr's groundbreaking search capabilities into OneValley's information-sharing platform, enabling 1.1 million entrepreneurial users supported by OneValley to access algorithmic-driven news that is personalized and scored for reliability.
"The OneValley platform is already a treasure trove of high-value information for entrepreneurs, providing guidance and insights on everything from ideation and launch to growth and scaling. Seekr's content evaluation capabilities amplify that value proposition, taking the platform to the next level," said Rob Clark, President and Chief Technology Officer at Seekr. "Our technology enables the OneValley platform to identify relevant information, regardless of whether it lives on the platform or on the broader internet, score it for reliability, curate it so that it's tailored to the unique needs and interests of each individual entrepreneur, and finally serve it up to the entrepreneur on-demand."
"As OneValley continues to expand worldwide, this unique partnership with Seekr will provide our customers with the knowledge they need to win in their markets," said Nikhil Sinha, CEO of OneValley. "We further expect that usage on the platform will continue to grow and enhance the life cycle growth from startup to big business."
Seekr's AI-powered search and evaluation technology will be fully integrated into OneValley's online consumer platform, Passport, and its enterprise platform, PassportOS. The technology will enable every OneValley user to generate a bespoke flow of news and other relevant content tailored to meet their unique individual interests and needs.
Under the terms of the agreement, the platform will also feature a stream of real-time news and relevant information powered by Seekr. Additionally, Seekr will provide OneValley with a dynamic competitive analysis tool that provides entrepreneurs and startups with insights into competitor movements and a fuller understanding of how market trends are moving over time.
For further information, visit www.seekr.com.
About Seekr Technologies Inc.
Seekr is a privately held artificial intelligence company that specializes in transparent content evaluation and objective ratings. Its AI technology is designed to rate all content, both authentic content created by humans, and synthetic, machine-generated content. Seekr empowers user choice and control by streamlining access to reliable information. The centerpiece of Seekr's technology is an independent search engine that is powered by proprietary AI and employs natural language processing (NLP) to generate a Seekr Score and Political Lean Indicator. Seekr is committed to building a web that people can trust by giving everyone access to technology that makes it easy to find reliable content in context.
Media Contact:
Ed Patru, EVP Communications
(202) 360-7063
epatru@seekr.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Seekr Technologies | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/onevalley-seekr-announce-strategic-content-partnership/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:49 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/onevalley-seekr-announce-strategic-content-partnership/ |
The evolution of the running back position has brought with it frustration for fantasy managers looking for certainty from the position. Gone are the days when Walter Payton averaged just under 335 rushing attempts for his 10 full seasons from 1976-86 (1982 was a strike-shortened season). RIP, Sweetness, you’re missed in so many ways.
Now, running back duos and trios are more en vogue, which has fantasy managers singing anything but a happy tune. Yet, a vast majority of fantasy football leagues still roster two starting running backs, so someone has to fill those spots. If Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler and Nick Chubb are not available, what is one to do with running backs coming from teams that do not feed one primary runner?
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today]
This week it’s time to take a look at five NFL backfields that have very muddy outlooks, with some of them having up to three running backs who are in contention for carries. It was not easy to decipher how the touches will be doled out, but here are some scenarios that could work for each.
Kansas City Chiefs
The backfield of the reigning Super Bowl champions is anything but settled. Then again, the Chiefs won their crown with the backfield in a timeshare between seventh-round 2022 pick Isiah Pacheco and veteran free agent Jerick McKinnon. Pacheco was the banger, with 170 rushing attempts for 830 yards and 5 touchdowns. McKinnon, however, was a fantasy league winner, scoring at least once in Weeks 13 to 17, finishing as the RB2 in that span with an average of 23.2 fantasy points per game. The veteran back was ninth in both receptions (56) and targets (71) among running backs last year and has a stellar reputation as a pass blocker for Patrick Mahomes.
Could we get more of the same in 2023? Well, Pacheco is recovering from surgeries to repair a broken hand and torn labrum. The latter can limit upper-body training, which could lead to a slow start early in the season. McKinnon also started slowly last year, with only one game above 10 touches before Week 13. That leaves an opening for another back like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who has a 2020 first-round pedigree, but was left off the Super Bowl active roster this past February and has battled injuries every season in the NFL.
Enter undrafted rookie Deneric Prince, who has been a revelation in Chiefs training camp, running with Pacheco-like violence and making plays in the passing game.
Deneric Prince pic.twitter.com/znXgu8sDTU
— NFL Beat Writers (@32BeatWriters) July 24, 2023
As of now, because he is still not at full speed from his surgeries, Pacheco appears to be a bit pricey at RB25 and an overall ADP of 66 overall. McKinnon at RB45 and 126.7 overall is very much worth rostering, if only for the trust that Mahomes has in him in the passing game. Edwards-Helaire is just a dart throw late in drafts, though with upside because of the high-powered KC offense. Prince is someone to keep an eye on, like Pacheco a year ago, but probably not worth drafting unless any of the other runners miss time at the outset of the season.
Chicago Bears
This is a team that appears to have a big rushing pie to carve up, with 558 total rush attempts in 2022. That was second in the league by a single carry. With a league-low 377 passing attempts, the run-pass ratio will likely get closer to even as Justin Fields enters his second year in the offense, which has added DJ Moore. Khalil Herbert is the only Bear who was on this offense in 2022, and he was operating as the RB2 behind David Montgomery, who had 201 carries for 801 rushing yards and caught 34 of 40 targets for an additional 316 yards.
Does Herbert take a step forward into the lead-back role in 2023? He did have 731 yards on 129 carries last year, with a pair of games in Weeks 3 and 4 where he had rushing lines of 20-157-2 and 19-77-0, respectively, subbing for an injured Montgomery. With free agent signee D'Onta Foreman and rookie Roschon Johnson joining the fold, it's more likely that this will be a committee.
The then-Panther Foreman was RB23 from Week 7 forward — after Christian McCaffrey was traded — rushing for 877 yards over the final 11 games. One concern is his pass blocking, which was graded last in the league at 14.8 by PFF. With an emphasis on protecting Fields, that could make Foreman’s time on the field limited on passing downs.
Johnson came out of Texas with "dogged blocking chops, both in pass protection and as a lead blocker in '21' personnel," according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler in The Beast.
Red-zone work figures to be split between the bigger backs Foreman (235 lbs) and Johnson (225 lbs), as Herbert gained just 7 yards on 8 carries inside the five-yard line last year. Don’t be surprised if the rookie Johnson gets more of the important touches in the back half of the year when the weather turns bitter cold.
With Fields such a factor in the running game fantasy managers can probably expect very little receiving work from any of these running backs. Herbert is highest in Yahoo ADP at RB35 and 102.9 overall, with Foreman at RB44 and 128.9 right behind. Johnson is a bargain at RB62 and 130.7 and needs to be stashed because his fresh legs, sturdy build and willingness to block may keep him on the field more on passing downs and in the red zone.
Miami Dolphins
Miami had head coach Mike McDaniel come to South Beach from the 49ers with a reputation for creating an effective and bruising running game. The 2022 Dolphins ended up as one of the most pass-happy teams, rushing the ball just 390 times as a team. That was 31st in the league.
Returning are Jeff Wilson Jr. and Raheem Mostert, both of whom played for McDaniel in San Francisco, with rookie Devon Achane joining the mix as a third-round pick with 4.32 speed in the 40.
Sharing the ball among running backs has been a staple of 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, as no running back has reached 1,000 yards since his tenure there began in 2017, with McDaniel having a big part in developing those game plans. That doesn't figure to change this season. Neither will the offensive emphasis on speed, with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle catching passes. Among the veterans, Mostert is faster and more of a threat in the passing game, as the 31-year-old caught 31 passes for 202 yards and three scores on top of his rushing line of 181-891-3. Both Mostert and Wilson drew three rushing attempts inside the five after Wilson was traded to Miami in Week 9.
Achane is the wild card. At 5-8, 188 lbs., he does not project to receive a big workload. That won’t matter, as McDaniel will design plays to utilize the rookie’s breakaway speed — he caught 36 balls for 196 yards on top of 1,102 rushing yards last year at Texas A&M. Achane should see 10-12 total touches weekly, a good number of those being targets in space to give him room to use his extreme speed. Unless he scores from distance, don’t expect Achane to get much usage in the red zone. That again should be shared between Mostert and Wilson, as will the heavy lifting among the rushing attempts.
Even with a shared workload, Wilson at RB46 and Mostert at RB50 could be bargains around the 11th round where their current ADP has them residing. Both will have spike weeks, it just will be hard to predict when those will happen. And since both have injury histories, the possibility of a larger workload is there for either one. Achane at RB53 and an overall rank of 150 is also priced low, most likely for workload and size concerns.
Buffalo Bills
This group appears to be down to two main running backs in James Cook and Damien Harris, with Latavius Murray the 33-year-old veteran backing up in case of injury. Cook is more multi-talented, seeing 19 of his 32 targets in the final six games of his season. As a team, the Bills' running backs drew 112 targets, tied for 13th in the NFL. That number was 16 more than the previous year.
Cook is a very dynamic player, but he’s slight at 5-11 and 190 lbs. He has yet to carry the ball more than 14 times in a game, and at his size, it’s not as if he’s suddenly going to be a banger inside the tackles. That will likely be for the 213-pound Harris, who in 2021 was tied for fourth with 15 rushing attempts inside the five-yard line. He converted eight for touchdowns. Harris is not a threat in the passing game, as he has yet to draw more than 23 targets in a season. He’s also missed a combined 14 games the past three seasons, after basically redshirting his rookie year.
It stands to reason that Cook will see a good chunk of the 52 targets that Devin Singletary (now on the Texans) left behind. Nyheim Hines is out for the season, so there really is no other runner who is close to being able to see looks from Allen in the passing game. That could make Cook quite valuable in PPR leagues, and he's going off as the RB37 on Yahoo, with a rank of 93. I prefer that value to Harris' RB32 and rank of 82.
Philadelphia Eagles
With the acquisitions of D'Andre Swift (trade) and Rashaad Penny (free agency), the Eagles have remade a backfield that was spearheaded by Miles Sanders, who had 1,269 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season. With Quarterback Jalen Hurts rushing 165 times for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns, he was, for lack of a better term, the RB2 on the team. Now Philly has a pair of running backs to lead the rushing attack and possibly lessen the rushing workload on Hurts.
Swift was 10th in the league among running backs last year with 70 receptions, which easily outdid the 61 team targets that Philadelphia accumulated. The Georgia product does not look like a good bet to reach those target heights from last year in Detroit, and at the ADP of RB29 and the Yahoo consensus rank of 78, the draft price is pretty high. Penny is a slot ahead among running backs at RB28 and rank of 75 and appears to be over the broken tibia that knocked him out last year. They’ll be running behind the top offensive line in the league, according to PFF.
Kenneth Gainwell is a late-round stash. Keep in mind Gainwell's usage during the playoffs, as he saw 13, 16 and 11 touches in the most important games for the Eagles. With his being RB43 (an ADP of 131.5), Gainwell is a good flier pick in the 11th round. | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/fantasy-football/CFYBATEHE4OZ7VZWCEVQ4YN2CA/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:53 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/fantasy-football/CFYBATEHE4OZ7VZWCEVQ4YN2CA/ |
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.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/philippe-cousteau-jrs-earthecho-international-collaborates-with-youth-color-build-careers-blue-economy/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:56 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/philippe-cousteau-jrs-earthecho-international-collaborates-with-youth-color-build-careers-blue-economy/ |
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.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/philippe-cousteau-jrs-earthecho-international-collaborates-with-youth-color-build-careers-blue-economy/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:57 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/philippe-cousteau-jrs-earthecho-international-collaborates-with-youth-color-build-careers-blue-economy/ |
Each one of these teams has key players fantasy football managers will seek to draft — but drafting those very same players means buying into certain narratives. Matt Harmon breaks it down.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have the potential to be a sleeping giant on offense. It all comes down to the quarterback's performance after Deshaun Watson put up league-worst efficiency numbers in his six 2022 starts. Everything around him, though, is set up to go.
The Browns run game is one of the best in the league. Nick Chubb is an explosive, tackle-breaking, pristine rusher. He might just be the best back in the league, and the ground game may well be better now that it's exclusively his show following Kareem Hunt's departure.
Cleveland was sneakily light at pass-catcher last season. Amari Cooper had the best season of his career as an individual player; in my opinion, it wasn't particularly close. Beyond him, depth was an issue. The Elijah Moore trade was one of the top moves of the offseason. You need to project a little with this player but we saw extreme separation and playmaking ability in his rookie season. You don't need to go back that far and mostly just need to give him a mulligan for beefing with the Jets last year.
If Moore hits, having David Njoku as the third guy in the pecking order and Donovan Peoples-Jones as a bit player is suddenly much more comfortable. The Browns also have two Day 2 drafted players in Cedric Tillman and David Bell as depth.
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Another possible positive for the Browns, in a pure fantasy sense, might be their defense. Cleveland ranked 25th in EPA per play allowed last year and dead last allowed per rush. I like the coaching hire of Jim Schwartz, and the Browns certainly have the talent to turn that unit around. But if that pursuit fails or at least takes some time to come together during the season, Cleveland will be in more high-scoring affairs and forced to keep their foot on the gas deeper into games.
Stands you need to take
- First and most importantly, Watson's 2022 performance was a blip caused by rust — amid circumstances of his doing — and he'll return closer to his Houston form. It's one of the great unknowns of this football season.
- The receiver room is remade successfully. Cooper will be the same consistent, high-level X-receiver he was last year. The volatility he suffered through in Dallas is no more. Moore is the guy I think he is and fully reaches his ceiling. He becomes at worst a strong WR2 and at best, a 1B to Cooper.
- Kevin Stefanski does open up the passing attack to Watson's strengths and leans more into 11 personnel. This has been rumored throughout the offseason.
- Chubb is in for a career season. This is by far the most comfortable of any of the stands we outlined here.
Seattle Seahawks
It’s darn near jaw-dropping to go back and read/listen to how we viewed this offense last season. As we stand heading into 2023, I see a potential top-five unit in Seattle.
The biggest mistake in doubting Seattle's potential last year — I have been praying for forgiveness at Wide Receiver Church every day since — is not giving enough credit for just how much weight Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf were pulling in this unit over the years. They have been one of the top receiver duos in the league for the past three seasons and complement each other's game so well. Lockett, in particular, was in his finest form last season.
The rich got richer when Seattle took the best receiver prospect in the draft, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, at the 20th overall selection. JSN is the perfect underneath and over-the-middle slot receiver this team, which can be too vertically-inclined, has lacked to stable out the pass game. Seattle will live in 11 personnel going forward and throw this impossible-to-defend trio at defenses.
The Seahawks took the same "build on a strength" approach to their backfield, too. Kenneth Walker was a dynamic and explosive, albeit volatile, runner as a rookie. Enter Zach Charbonnet in Round 2. The UCLA product is a bit more of a grinding, steady-hand type of runner to complement Walker. He also projects as a better outlet receiver and screen-target option. While this duo may be frustrating at times during the year in fantasy, they're going to help Seattle's offense score points.
Even the offensive line is a strength. Brandon Thorn is one of football media's top offensive line evaluators and he aggressively ranked their unit coming into this season.
In the end, this all comes down to Geno Smith, who was fantastic last season. Quarterback charter Derrik Klassen outlined all the ways that Smith's performance was not a fluke but showed hope for stability going forward.
Stands you need to take
- The receiver room suffers no dropoff and gets even better. Lockett may be into his 30s but he showed zero signs of decline last year. Metcalf is squarely in his prime and JSN has a pro-ready skill-set.
- One of Walker or Charbonnet emerges as a star workhorse back. Better yet, they become one of the league's top tandems.
- Geno Smith wasn't a fluke. Everything is set up for him to be excellent once again next season. Unless he just completely falls off a cliff, I struggle to find reasons he won't repeat his 2022 level of play.
Los Angeles Chargers
It's no secret the Chargers offense has a ton of potential. That is always the case any time a unit is captained by a quarterback with Justin Herbert's talent. However, you only have to spend a premium fantasy pick on one player: Austin Ekeler. The rest can be had in Round 4 or later and the ceiling is there for this offense to finish inside the top three overall units.
There's just some fragility to account for.
Herbert isn't coming off a dynamic statistical season while under siege all last year. He broke his ribs early in 2022, played without his All-Pro second-year left tackle and watched as injuries consistently picked off his receivers. But this is a guy who threw for 5,014 yards and scored 41 total touchdowns just back in 2021. We have already seen the ceiling. He is proven. With Rashawn Slater now healthy, the offensive line should be much more equipped to not sink the unit around Herbert and give him time to attack downfield.
We know Ekeler is a star and offensive centerpiece. He’s recorded 3,195 total yards and scored an absurd 38 touchdowns in the last two seasons. Even with a new offensive coordinator and a possible small down-tick in targets, little should change regarding his role.
The receiver corps is where it gets a little more interesting. A severe lack of juice in the wideout room put a roof over the head of this offense in 2022. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams were absent for long stretches of the year. When we saw Allen return to the lineup, he was far from his old self — I don't care what the box score says. He can still be a quality starter but we're in the decline phase here. Williams is a volatile receiver and not a true No. 1, but when he's not out there, his absence looms large. He is a solid separator downfield and one of the best ball-winners in the game, outside of the elite tier.
Rookie Quentin Johnston is a big X-factor in this. He's an explosive option and stands out in this receiver room. He brings size and striking YAC ability to the table. I think he helps this team out most on deep routes and crossing patterns. No one was winning in those areas for the 2022 Chargers. I see Johnston having a Christian Watson-like rookie season where he may not catch on right away but is a dynamic, high-ceiling weekly bet by year's end.
Stands you need to take
- Kellen Moore is a severe upgrade on Joe Lombardi. It can be a bit difficult to separate Moore from Mike McCarthy in Dallas and there are some critiques you can send his way as a play-caller. But a change was needed in LA and Moore brings a ton of progressive ideas and creative wrinkles.
- Williams stays healthy (that would be a nice start) and Allen isn't close to the cliff. Even if Allen is a diminished player, the presence of Johnston allows him to almost exclusively run out of the slot and live as a zone-beater. You need to be pretty set in your belief of Johnston as a pro-projection. He can't be a Year 2 bet or require a steep learning curve.
- Herbert shows the doubters up and proves he belongs in the elite tier of quarterbacks. This cast is more than good enough for a high-level passer to graduate.
- The Chargers won't suffer their annual misfortunes. This franchise isn't actually cursed.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts offense was one of the most disappointing units in the NFL last year. Alas, I am ready to go back to the well. A new head coach in the razor-sharp Shane Steichen paired with the most athletic quarterback tester we've seen enter the league in Anthony Richardson marks a total sea change for Indy.
Richardson was a polarizing prospect. I tend to fall in the camp that he's not raw but he's definitely inexperienced. Richardson has rare athletic traits — don't come for me; he is objectively the most athletic quarterback to ever be tested at the NFL Scouting Combine — and was underrated as a processor from the pocket. Guys that navigate the pocket like he does and don't flinch under duress can usually get the accuracy tightened up. He is unlikely to be at his best in Year 1 but he should still be able to thrive because this surrounding cast is very good.
The receiver room has the potential to be a strong unit. Michael Pittman Jr. has been hampered by quarterback play but when isolated from surroundings, you see a star in the making. He's an excellent route runner who thrives over the middle and in the intermediate areas. Those routes in particular will be key in this RPO-heavy offense. Pittman dominated first-read targets last season, per Fantasy Points Data, and both JJ Zachariason and Ben Gretch have done research to show how RPOs can boost target totals to the moon, even in run-heavy offenses. If Richardson can swim, this is Pittman's year.
The other pass-catchers around Pittman are quality players. Alec Pierce is a Mike Williams-like vertical X-receiver who wins contested catches. Josh Downs is an explosive slot prospect I loved in this year's draft. Jelani Woods has all the athletic traits and size to break out at tight end.
There's a small concern around the certified bad vibes surrounding Jonathan Taylor and the team right now amid contract negotiations. Taylor is on the PUP and his agent and team owner are trading barbs on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Not ideal.
Taylor has been the team’s best offensive player the last two seasons. Sharing a backfield with Richardson can make him even more efficient. Hopefully, this resolves itself and team owner Jim Irsay can keep family business inside the house.
Stands you need to take
- Steichen is able to replicate his efforts working with Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts early in their respective careers to build a comfortable offense around another young quarterback. Richardson's play style is somewhere between those two quarterbacks.
- Pittman is an alpha-level wideout who can dominate targets but is flanked by intriguing options. Those guys being good enough to keep the offense moving but a level or two below Pittman — I think Downs could close this gap in time — is crucial to the fourth-year receiver's outlook.
- Taylor rebounds off a "down" year. Better said, he just stays healthy and finds some easier rushing lanes working with a mobile quarterback. He also has to remain a double-digit touchdown threat even with Richardson siphoning some red-zone runs.
- The offensive line, which had a ghastly 2022, finds its collective footing this season. Quenton Nelson gets back to All-Pro form and other young guys step up.
- Lastly, Richardson isn't as raw or flawed a prospect as some of the naysayers believed in draft season. It's certainly a leap of faith to take on a player with such little experience and so few collegiate peaks. The Colts elected to take that plunge. And it was likely because they believed their surrounding talent is equipped to support him.
I am inclined to agree. | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/fantasy-football/XNPVMHZSZNXU4NDWPO7RFK6F4E/ | 2023-07-31T17:31:59 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/fantasy-football/XNPVMHZSZNXU4NDWPO7RFK6F4E/ |
- 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.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Seegene Inc. | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seegene-unveils-solutions-popularize-molecular-diagnostics-2023-aacc/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:03 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seegene-unveils-solutions-popularize-molecular-diagnostics-2023-aacc/ |
- 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.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Seegene Inc. | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seegene-unveils-solutions-popularize-molecular-diagnostics-2023-aacc/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:03 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seegene-unveils-solutions-popularize-molecular-diagnostics-2023-aacc/ |
NEW YORK — (AP) — Troubled trucking company Yellow Corp. is shutting down and headed for a bankruptcy, the Teamsters said Monday.
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," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry.”
Yellow did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' requests for comment on Sunday and Monday. As of midday Monday, no bankruptcy filings from the company could be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website, but the union confirmed that it had been served legal notice.
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.
Yellow is one of the nation’s largest less-than-truckload carriers. The closure of the 99-year-old Nashville, Tennessee-based company risks a loss of 30,000 jobs.
Safety vests that appeared to belong to former Yellow workers were zip-tied to the fence of a closed YRC Freight terminal in St. Louis, Missouri on Monday. Names and years worked at the company were written on them.
“Ron Fisher 2017-2023 was here,” one vest read.
Reports of Yellow preparing for bankruptcy emerged last week — as the Nashville, Tennessee-based trucker saw customers leave in large numbers, per The Wall Street Journal and FreightWaves. And the company reportedly stopped freight pickups earlier in the week.
Yellow shut down operations on Sunday, according to The 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. The fund gave Yellow “30 days to pay its bills,” notably $50 million that Yellow failed to pay the Central States Health and Welfare Fund earlier in the month.
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 amounts of $9 million to $10 million in recent days.
Yellow handled an average of 49,000 shipments per day in 2022 according to Satish Jindel, president of transportation and logistics firm SJ Consulting. 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.”
—-
AP Business Writer Matt Ott contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/teamsters-say/LV4F6XGTCV2KVMGF5CTEVQIDAE/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:05 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/teamsters-say/LV4F6XGTCV2KVMGF5CTEVQIDAE/ |
New Contract Protecting Nearly 8,000 Workers Overwhelmingly Approved
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters have overwhelmingly ratified a new national contract at TForce Freight by 81 percent. The five-year master agreement provides members with significant improvements to wages and benefits, and safeguards against subcontracting and technology.
"Teamsters at TForce have set a powerful example for how to take on the employer and win a strong agreement. Over the next five years, TForce workers will continue to establish better standards for freight under this contract, including the most lucrative economic package in the industry and vital protections for technology, pension, health care, and safety," said Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General President and Chair of the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC).
The agreement will go into effect August 1, 2023, and expire July 31, 2028. Contract highlights include:
- Wage Increases: The highest wage increases in the history of the national contract. Full-time local cartage and clerks will receive increases of $4.50 per hour over the life of the agreement. Road drivers will receive industry-leading increases to their current mileage rate over the length of the deal, starting at $0.7557 in August 2023 and increasing to $0.8257 by January 2028. The agreement eliminates split wage increases and two-tier wages.
- Health, Welfare, and Pension Contributions: TForce is required to increase its contributions to health, welfare, and pension plans. These contributions will provide vital support for members' health care and retirement needs.
- Technology Safeguards: The agreement includes provisions to safeguard members' rights and well-being from invasive technology. It prevents discipline from cameras and prohibits the use of robots, driverless vehicles, drones, or other technology to move freight or replace drivers, clerks, or dockworkers.
- Additional Holiday: Martin Luther King Day has been added as a paid holiday.
- Safety: All newly purchased equipment and vehicles must have air conditioning.
- Discretionary Days and Vacation: Starting January 1, 2024, two additional discretionary days will be added to the contractual floor, increasing the minimum number of paid days from four to six. There will be no blackout dates.
- Work Rule Protections: Shuttle and drayage work will not count towards the guarantee covered under the agreement. Road drivers will only perform road work and cannot work the docks except for the current mini-hub operations. TForce must have approval from the Teamsters for any other expansion of mini-hub operations.
- Protections Against Subcontracting: Road drivers would be protected against subcontracting. Penalties have been put in place to ensure rail and subcontracting come back into the bargaining unit.
"Our members at TForce have spoken loud and clear, and they overwhelmingly agree this new contract will deliver massive economic gains and non-economic improvements," said John A. Murphy, Teamsters National Freight Director and TNFINC Co-Chair. "The entire union thanks our lead negotiators Kris Taylor and Ed Thompson and the full negotiating team for their efforts to bargain an industry-defining agreement. Most of all, we thank the tireless and dedicated rank-and-filers who served on the negotiating committee to improve the lives of their fellow Teamsters at TForce."
Teamsters voted in-person last week and ballots were counted on Sunday. The agreement covers approximately 7,800 Teamsters at 126 local unions throughout the U.S.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971
dmoskowitz@teamster.org
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/teamsters-tforce-freight-ratify-national-agreement/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:09 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/teamsters-tforce-freight-ratify-national-agreement/ |
New Contract Protecting Nearly 8,000 Workers Overwhelmingly Approved
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters have overwhelmingly ratified a new national contract at TForce Freight by 81 percent. The five-year master agreement provides members with significant improvements to wages and benefits, and safeguards against subcontracting and technology.
"Teamsters at TForce have set a powerful example for how to take on the employer and win a strong agreement. Over the next five years, TForce workers will continue to establish better standards for freight under this contract, including the most lucrative economic package in the industry and vital protections for technology, pension, health care, and safety," said Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General President and Chair of the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC).
The agreement will go into effect August 1, 2023, and expire July 31, 2028. Contract highlights include:
- Wage Increases: The highest wage increases in the history of the national contract. Full-time local cartage and clerks will receive increases of $4.50 per hour over the life of the agreement. Road drivers will receive industry-leading increases to their current mileage rate over the length of the deal, starting at $0.7557 in August 2023 and increasing to $0.8257 by January 2028. The agreement eliminates split wage increases and two-tier wages.
- Health, Welfare, and Pension Contributions: TForce is required to increase its contributions to health, welfare, and pension plans. These contributions will provide vital support for members' health care and retirement needs.
- Technology Safeguards: The agreement includes provisions to safeguard members' rights and well-being from invasive technology. It prevents discipline from cameras and prohibits the use of robots, driverless vehicles, drones, or other technology to move freight or replace drivers, clerks, or dockworkers.
- Additional Holiday: Martin Luther King Day has been added as a paid holiday.
- Safety: All newly purchased equipment and vehicles must have air conditioning.
- Discretionary Days and Vacation: Starting January 1, 2024, two additional discretionary days will be added to the contractual floor, increasing the minimum number of paid days from four to six. There will be no blackout dates.
- Work Rule Protections: Shuttle and drayage work will not count towards the guarantee covered under the agreement. Road drivers will only perform road work and cannot work the docks except for the current mini-hub operations. TForce must have approval from the Teamsters for any other expansion of mini-hub operations.
- Protections Against Subcontracting: Road drivers would be protected against subcontracting. Penalties have been put in place to ensure rail and subcontracting come back into the bargaining unit.
"Our members at TForce have spoken loud and clear, and they overwhelmingly agree this new contract will deliver massive economic gains and non-economic improvements," said John A. Murphy, Teamsters National Freight Director and TNFINC Co-Chair. "The entire union thanks our lead negotiators Kris Taylor and Ed Thompson and the full negotiating team for their efforts to bargain an industry-defining agreement. Most of all, we thank the tireless and dedicated rank-and-filers who served on the negotiating committee to improve the lives of their fellow Teamsters at TForce."
Teamsters voted in-person last week and ballots were counted on Sunday. The agreement covers approximately 7,800 Teamsters at 126 local unions throughout the U.S.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971
dmoskowitz@teamster.org
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/teamsters-tforce-freight-ratify-national-agreement/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:10 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/teamsters-tforce-freight-ratify-national-agreement/ |
SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — The San Francisco prosecutor's office began laying out its case Monday against a tech consultant charged with murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, who was found bleeding on a deserted city street in April.
In the preliminary hearing, a judge will decide if there's enough evidence to go to trial.
Prosecutors have provided no motive and released little information in a case that has drawn outsized media attention, partly due to Lee's status in the tech world. Lee created Cash App, a mobile payment service, and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin.
Nima Momeni, 38, has been in jail since his arrest April 13. He has pleaded not guilty, and he faces 26 years to life if convicted.
That came more than a week after Lee, 43, was found bleeding in a deserted part of downtown San Francisco early April 4. Lee was rushed to a hospital, where he died.
In making a motion to keep Momeni detained in jail without bail, prosecutors argued that he planned the attack, drove Lee to a secluded spot and stabbed him three times after a dispute related to Momeni's younger sister.
Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai said at a May hearing that Momeni used a knife that was part of a unique kitchen set belonging to his sister. Analysis showed Momeni’s DNA on the weapon's handle and Lee’s DNA on the bloody blade, Talai said.
Police recovered a knife with a 4-inch (10-centimeter) blade at the scene.
Momeni has hired two new lawyers, Saam Zangeneh and Bradford Cohen, both based in Florida. His first attorney, Paula Canny, withdrew in late May, citing a conflict of interest that she declined to disclose.
In arguing for bail, Canny said that Momeni was not a flight risk and would not leave the two people he loves most, his sister and mother. She said Momeni needs to fight the charges or face deportation to Iran, a country that his mother fled when the children were younger to escape a violent husband.
An unnamed friend of Lee told homicide investigators they had been hanging out and drinking with Momeni’s sister the day before the stabbing, prosecutors said in their motion to deny bail.
The friend said Momeni later questioned Lee about whether his sister was doing drugs or otherwise engaging in inappropriate behavior and Lee said she had not.
Surveillance video showed Lee later entering the posh Millennium Tower downtown, where Momeni’s sister Khazar lives with her husband, prominent San Francisco plastic surgeon Dino Elyassnia. Video footage then showed Lee and Momeni leaving the building together shortly after 2 a.m. and driving off in Momeni’s car.
Lee was found shortly after 2:30 a.m. in the Rincon Hill neighborhood, which has tech offices and condominiums but little activity in the early morning hours.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/technology/san-francisco/YSL6K3E3JRZESYHF5X4XSDEBVA/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:12 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/technology/san-francisco/YSL6K3E3JRZESYHF5X4XSDEBVA/ |
MLB Probable Starting Pitchers Tonight: Monday, July 31
Monday's MLB schedule features a slew of intriguing pitching matchups, and we've got all of the probable pitchers listed below. Top billing goes to the bout between the Orioles and the Blue Jays, who will be sending Kyle Gibson and Chris Bassitt to the mound, respectively.
Read on to find the probable pitcher matchups for every game on the schedule for July 31.
Watch MLB games and tons of other live sports without cable! Use our link to get a free trial to Fubo.
Today's Probable Starting Pitchers
Phillies at Marlins Probable Pitchers
The Philadelphia Phillies will send Taijuan Walker (11-4) to the bump as they face the Marlins, who will look to Edward Cabrera (5-6) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Phillies at Marlins
- MIA Odds to Win: -110
- PHI Odds to Win: -110
- Total: 8.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Phillies at Marlins
- Game Time: 6:40 PM ET
- Streaming: BSFL (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Brewers at Nationals Probable Pitchers
The Milwaukee Brewers will send Corbin Burnes (9-6) to the mound as they face the Nationals, who will counter with Jake Irvin (3-5) for the matchup between the clubs Monday.
Vegas Odds for Brewers at Nationals
- MIL Odds to Win: -210
- WSH Odds to Win: +170
- Total: 8.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
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Live Stream Brewers at Nationals
- Game Time: 7:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MASN2 (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
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Rays at Yankees Probable Pitchers
The Tampa Bay Rays will send Tyler Glasnow (4-3) to the hill as they face the Yankees, who will give the start to Domingo German (5-7) when the clubs face off Monday.
Vegas Odds for Rays at Yankees
- TB Odds to Win: -145
- NYY Odds to Win: +120
- Total: 8.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Rays at Yankees
- Game Time: 7:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MLB Network (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Orioles at Blue Jays Probable Pitchers
The Baltimore Orioles will send Gibson (9-6) to the mound as they play the Blue Jays, who will counter with Bassitt (10-5) when the teams play Monday.
Vegas Odds for Orioles at Blue Jays
- TOR Odds to Win: -130
- BAL Odds to Win: +110
- Total: 9 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Orioles at Blue Jays
- Game Time: 7:07 PM ET
- Streaming: MLB Network (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Buy officially licensed gear for your favorite teams and players at Fanatics!
Angels at Braves Probable Pitchers
The Los Angeles Angels will send Griffin Canning (6-4) to the bump as they face the Braves, who will look to Charlie Morton (10-8) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Angels at Braves
- ATL Odds to Win: -225
- LAA Odds to Win: +180
- Total: 9.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Angels at Braves
- Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
- Streaming: BSSO (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Reds at Cubs Probable Pitchers
The Cincinnati Reds will send Andrew Abbott (6-2) to the mound as they face the Cubs, who will counter with Marcus Stroman (10-7) when the clubs play Monday.
Vegas Odds for Reds at Cubs
- CHC Odds to Win: -120
- CIN Odds to Win: +100
- Total: 8 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Reds at Cubs
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MARQ (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Guardians at Astros Probable Pitchers
The Cleveland Guardians will send Noah Syndergaard (1-4) to the bump as they play the Astros, who will look to J.P. France (6-3) when the clubs face off Monday.
Vegas Odds for Guardians at Astros
- HOU Odds to Win: -175
- CLE Odds to Win: +145
- Total: 9 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Guardians at Astros
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Streaming: SportsNet SW (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Padres at Rockies Probable Pitchers
The San Diego Padres will send Seth Lugo (4-5) to the mound as they play the Rockies, who will hand the ball to Austin Gomber (8-8) for the matchup between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Padres at Rockies
- SD Odds to Win: -200
- COL Odds to Win: +165
- Total: 11.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Padres at Rockies
- Game Time: 8:40 PM ET
- Streaming: SportsNet RM (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Red Sox at Mariners Probable Pitchers
The Boston Red Sox will send Nick Pivetta (7-5) to the mound as they play the Mariners, who will give the start to George Kirby (9-8) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Red Sox at Mariners
- SEA Odds to Win: -135
- BOS Odds to Win: +110
- Total: 7.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Red Sox at Mariners
- Game Time: 9:40 PM ET
- Streaming: ROOT Sports NW (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Diamondbacks at Giants Probable Pitchers
The Arizona Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson (6-5) to the mound as they take on the Giants, who will look to Alex Cobb (6-3) when the clubs meet Monday.
Vegas Odds for Diamondbacks at Giants
- SF Odds to Win: -150
- ARI Odds to Win: +125
- Total: 8 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Diamondbacks at Giants
- Game Time: 9:45 PM ET
- Streaming: NBCS-BA (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:16 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ |
Stargazers will get a special treat in August when the month will begin and end with a supermoon.
On Tuesday, the Full Sturgeon Moon will rise at 2:31 EDT and it set at 05:11 EDT, according to Space.com.
The Full Sturgeon Moon is considered a supermoon because the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than it normally is. When this happens, the moon can appear larger and more bright than normal.
While supermoon is a cool name, Full Sturgeon Moon takes it up a notch. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, “August’s full moon was traditionally called the sturgeon moon because the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this part of summer.”
On Aug. 30, a blue moon will rise, the first since August of 2021. While the moon won’t appear blue, it will be called that because when there are four full moons in a single season, the third one of those is considered a “blue moon.”
The first supermoon was on July 3. The one on Tuesday will be the second, the one on the 30th will be the third, and the fourth will be on Sept. 28.
According to The Farmer’s Almanac, while it is called a blue moon, the moon will actually have an orange or red hue as it rises. The Blue full moon will be around 222,043 miles from Earth, according to Almanac, the closest supermoon of the year.
The moon will rise at 7:10 p.m. EDT on Aug. 30, and set at 6:46 a.m. on Aug. 31. | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/august-will-have-two-super-moons-one-is-blue-moon-heres-why/5CX4YYY645AMXMP55JW6FXNMW4/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:18 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/august-will-have-two-super-moons-one-is-blue-moon-heres-why/5CX4YYY645AMXMP55JW6FXNMW4/ |
MLB Probable Starting Pitchers Tonight: Monday, July 31
Monday's MLB schedule features a slew of intriguing pitching matchups, and we've got all of the probable pitchers listed below. Top billing goes to the bout between the Orioles and the Blue Jays, who will be sending Kyle Gibson and Chris Bassitt to the mound, respectively.
Read on to find the probable pitcher matchups for every game on the schedule for July 31.
Watch MLB games and tons of other live sports without cable! Use our link to get a free trial to Fubo.
Today's Probable Starting Pitchers
Phillies at Marlins Probable Pitchers
The Philadelphia Phillies will send Taijuan Walker (11-4) to the bump as they face the Marlins, who will look to Edward Cabrera (5-6) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Phillies at Marlins
- MIA Odds to Win: -110
- PHI Odds to Win: -110
- Total: 8.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Phillies at Marlins
- Game Time: 6:40 PM ET
- Streaming: BSFL (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Brewers at Nationals Probable Pitchers
The Milwaukee Brewers will send Corbin Burnes (9-6) to the mound as they face the Nationals, who will counter with Jake Irvin (3-5) for the matchup between the clubs Monday.
Vegas Odds for Brewers at Nationals
- MIL Odds to Win: -210
- WSH Odds to Win: +170
- Total: 8.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
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Live Stream Brewers at Nationals
- Game Time: 7:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MASN2 (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
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Rays at Yankees Probable Pitchers
The Tampa Bay Rays will send Tyler Glasnow (4-3) to the hill as they face the Yankees, who will give the start to Domingo German (5-7) when the clubs face off Monday.
Vegas Odds for Rays at Yankees
- TB Odds to Win: -145
- NYY Odds to Win: +120
- Total: 8.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Rays at Yankees
- Game Time: 7:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MLB Network (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Orioles at Blue Jays Probable Pitchers
The Baltimore Orioles will send Gibson (9-6) to the mound as they play the Blue Jays, who will counter with Bassitt (10-5) when the teams play Monday.
Vegas Odds for Orioles at Blue Jays
- TOR Odds to Win: -130
- BAL Odds to Win: +110
- Total: 9 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Orioles at Blue Jays
- Game Time: 7:07 PM ET
- Streaming: MLB Network (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Buy officially licensed gear for your favorite teams and players at Fanatics!
Angels at Braves Probable Pitchers
The Los Angeles Angels will send Griffin Canning (6-4) to the bump as they face the Braves, who will look to Charlie Morton (10-8) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Angels at Braves
- ATL Odds to Win: -225
- LAA Odds to Win: +180
- Total: 9.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Angels at Braves
- Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
- Streaming: BSSO (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Reds at Cubs Probable Pitchers
The Cincinnati Reds will send Andrew Abbott (6-2) to the mound as they face the Cubs, who will counter with Marcus Stroman (10-7) when the clubs play Monday.
Vegas Odds for Reds at Cubs
- CHC Odds to Win: -120
- CIN Odds to Win: +100
- Total: 8 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Reds at Cubs
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MARQ (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Guardians at Astros Probable Pitchers
The Cleveland Guardians will send Noah Syndergaard (1-4) to the bump as they play the Astros, who will look to J.P. France (6-3) when the clubs face off Monday.
Vegas Odds for Guardians at Astros
- HOU Odds to Win: -175
- CLE Odds to Win: +145
- Total: 9 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Guardians at Astros
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Streaming: SportsNet SW (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Padres at Rockies Probable Pitchers
The San Diego Padres will send Seth Lugo (4-5) to the mound as they play the Rockies, who will hand the ball to Austin Gomber (8-8) for the matchup between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Padres at Rockies
- SD Odds to Win: -200
- COL Odds to Win: +165
- Total: 11.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Padres at Rockies
- Game Time: 8:40 PM ET
- Streaming: SportsNet RM (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Red Sox at Mariners Probable Pitchers
The Boston Red Sox will send Nick Pivetta (7-5) to the mound as they play the Mariners, who will give the start to George Kirby (9-8) for the game between the teams Monday.
Vegas Odds for Red Sox at Mariners
- SEA Odds to Win: -135
- BOS Odds to Win: +110
- Total: 7.5 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Red Sox at Mariners
- Game Time: 9:40 PM ET
- Streaming: ROOT Sports NW (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Diamondbacks at Giants Probable Pitchers
The Arizona Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson (6-5) to the mound as they take on the Giants, who will look to Alex Cobb (6-3) when the clubs meet Monday.
Vegas Odds for Diamondbacks at Giants
- SF Odds to Win: -150
- ARI Odds to Win: +125
- Total: 8 runs
- Sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook, and new depositors can use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Live Stream Diamondbacks at Giants
- Game Time: 9:45 PM ET
- Streaming: NBCS-BA (regional restrictions may apply)
- Watch for free: Sign up today for a free trial to Fubo.
Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kfyrtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:16 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ |
Top Player Prop Bets for Rockies vs. Padres on July 31, 2023
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 11:50 AM CDT|Updated: 41 minutes ago
Juan Soto and Ryan McMahon are among the players with prop bets available when the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies square off at Coors Field on Monday (at 8:40 PM ET).
Bet on this matchup or its props with BetMGM!
Rockies vs. Padres Game Info
- When: Monday, July 31, 2023 at 8:40 PM ET
- Where: Coors Field in Denver, Colorado
- How to Watch on TV: SportsNet RM
- Live Stream: Watch the MLB on Fubo!
Explore More About This Game
MLB Props Today: Colorado Rockies
Ryan McMahon Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -263)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -110)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +450)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +150)
McMahon Stats
- McMahon has 22 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, 45 walks and 50 RBI (96 total hits). He has stolen five bases.
- He has a slash line of .257/.338/.461 on the year.
McMahon Recent Games
Jurickson Profar Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 1.5 (Over Odds: +185)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -115)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +600)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +170)
Profar Stats
- Jurickson Profar has 86 hits with 21 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 40 walks and 36 RBI. He's also stolen one base.
- He has a slash line of .243/.325/.373 on the season.
- Profar takes a three-game streak with at least one hit into this one. During his last five outings he is batting .300 with a double, three walks and two RBI.
Profar Recent Games
Bet on player props for Ryan McMahon, Jurickson Profar or other Rockies players with BetMGM.
Buy officially licensed gear for your favorite teams and players at Fanatics!
MLB Props Today: San Diego Padres
Juan Soto Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 1.5 (Over Odds: +150)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -222)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +270)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +100)
Soto Stats
- Soto has recorded 97 hits with 25 doubles, 20 home runs and 97 walks. He has driven in 64 runs with five stolen bases.
- He's slashed .268/.420/.503 on the season.
- Soto has hit safely in three straight games. During his last five outings he is hitting .400 with a double, a home run, three walks and four RBI.
Soto Recent Games
Bet on player props for Juan Soto or other Padres players with BetMGM.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/rockies-vs-padres-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:22 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/rockies-vs-padres-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested Friday on alleged domestic abuse charges, according to several media outlets.
The “Home Improvement” actor, 41, was arrested Friday on charges of felony assault, according to KEZI-TV
KEZI reported that police responded to a call of a reported physical dispute between a male and female at a Eugene, Oregon, home on Friday. According to police, Bryan was not at the home when they arrived, but he was later found, arrested and taken to the Lane County Jail on a charge of fourth-degree assault APA (Abuse Prevention Act).
The name of the other party involved has not been released.
It was not the first time Bryan has been arrested.
In October 2020, he was arrested on charges of fourth-degree assault and strangulation. He pleaded guilty to two lesser charges: misdemeanor menacing and misdemeanor assault.
Bryan complained that the 2020 arrest “got so blown out of proportion.”
“We didn’t even really get that physical,” Bryan told The Hollywood Reporter, said. “We got really loud. We were screaming and because we were in a townhome that had [thin walls], everybody could hear… At the end of the day, [the police] throw a bunch of counts at you because they ultimately want you to plead to something.”
Bryan has faced other legal issues in the past. He was booked for a DUI in May of 2020 and pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to five years of probation and 18 months in a multiple-offender alcohol program, due to past DUI arrests in 2004, 2007, and 2017, THR reported. | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/home-improvement-star-zachery-ty-bryan-arrested-domestic-abuse-charges/5IUGRY3VPVCN3CV6ZWKXYSUVRI/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:24 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/home-improvement-star-zachery-ty-bryan-arrested-domestic-abuse-charges/5IUGRY3VPVCN3CV6ZWKXYSUVRI/ |
NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson said his family is “devasted” after the deaths of his inlaws and 11-year-old nephew in a suspected triple murder-suicide last month.
Johnson put up a post on Instagram thanking people for their kindness and support.
“Our family is devastated by the profound loss of [Terry] Lynn, Jack and Dalton Janway,” Johnson wrote in his post. “We have been humbled by the outpouring of love and support during this unthinkably sad time and remain grateful for all of your compassion.”
According to authorities, Johnson’s mother-in-law, Terry, 68, shot her husband, Jack, 69, then killed her grandson, Dalton, before taking her own life in the couple’s Oklahoma home.
According to People, Muskogee police said they had received a 911 from a woman they believe to have been Terry Janway, “who stated that there was a disturbance and someone had a gun and then hung up” the phone.
When officers arrived shortly after 9 p.m. they found Jack laying dead in a hallway of the home and then heard another gunshot go off inside the house. As police moved through the home, they discovered the bodies of Terry and Dalton.
Jack and Terry Janway were the parents of Johnson’s wife, Chandra.
Note: If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support via the Lifeline by dialing 988. For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit the organization’s official website. | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/our-family-is-devastated-nascars-jimmie-johnson-speaks-out-after-deaths-in-laws-nephew/6C5V6HV4PNELFNOTP246LPWVLI/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:30 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/our-family-is-devastated-nascars-jimmie-johnson-speaks-out-after-deaths-in-laws-nephew/6C5V6HV4PNELFNOTP246LPWVLI/ |
Actor Paul Reubens, best known for portraying his character Pee-wee Herman, has died, according to a statement shared on Monday. He was 70.
In a statement posted on his official Instagram page, Reubens shared an apology for not going public with the health struggles he’s faced in the last several years. In the post, his representatives said he had been battling cancer.
“Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” a caption on the statement read.
“Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”
Reubens said that he “always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters.”
“I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you,” he added.
Reubens launched his comedy career in the ‘70s after joining the Groundlings, a live comedy trouble based in Los Angeles, Variety reported. It was while he was with the group that he created the character of Pee-wee Herman during a 1978 improv exercise, according to SFGATE. He made all his public appearances in character from the release of the movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” in 1985 through the end of his children’s show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” in 1991, the news site reported.
Check back for more on this developing story.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/pee-wee-herman-actor-paul-reubens-dies-70/CJIYBO7LUZGINARNPOVQ44SA3U/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:37 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/pee-wee-herman-actor-paul-reubens-dies-70/CJIYBO7LUZGINARNPOVQ44SA3U/ |
The Teamsters announced Monday that trucking company Yellow Corp. is closing and filing for bankruptcy.
Official paperwork has not been filed as of Monday morning but is expected soon.
Yellow Corp. had about 30,000 across the U.S. earlier this year and is based in Nashville, Tennessee. About 22,000 employees are unionized and are represented by the Teamsters, who have been negotiating with the company until a strike was averted earlier this month, The Associated Press reported.
Signs of the closure started appearing last week when The Wall Street Journal and FreightWaves reported that the trucking company had started bankruptcy preparations and some customers stopped their use of the shipping provider. Yellow also was said to have stopped freight pickups last week, the AP reported.
Walmart and Home Depot were among the customers of Yellow Corp., Reuters reported.
It also laid off hundreds of nonunion employees on Friday and shut down its operations on Sunday, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Yellow has had financial woes as of late. The Treasury Department gave the company a $700 million pandemic-era loan, granted under the category of national security, but lawmakers found that the Treasury and Defense departments “made missteps” in making the loan decision and that Yellow’s “precarious financial position at the time of the loan, and continued struggles, expose taxpayers to a significant risk of loss.”
The deadline to repay the loan is September 2024, but Yellow has only paid $54.8 million in interest payments and $230 million of the principal owed, the AP reported.
Yellow Corp. had been trying but failed to reorganize and refinance more than a billion dollars of debt, Reuters reported.
“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 M O’Brien said, according to Reuters.
The AP and Reuters reached out to Yellow Corp. for comment but have not received a response.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the company sent out notices to customers and employees that it was stopping all operations at midday Sunday. | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/teamsters-yellow-corp-close-file-bankruptcy-30000-employees-affected/BEHKS5NOQNBILNHOY7RS4JNMEY/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:43 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/teamsters-yellow-corp-close-file-bankruptcy-30000-employees-affected/BEHKS5NOQNBILNHOY7RS4JNMEY/ |
(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.ksn.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:45 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ |
(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.myarklamiss.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:45 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ |
The U.S. State Department has selected an Indigenous artist to represent the country at the 2024 Venice Biennale.
Jeffrey Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, will be the first such artist to have a solo exhibition in the U.S. Pavilion at the prestigious international arts event.
That's according to a statement this week from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the government body responsible for co-curating the U.S. Pavilion, alongside Oregon's Portland Art Museum and SITE Santa Fe in New Mexico.
The State Department's records of the U.S. Pavilion exhibitions date back to when it was built, in 1930.
Although Indigenous artists have shown work more broadly in Venice over the years, the last time Indigenous artists appeared in the U.S. Pavilion at the Biennale was in 1932 — and that was in a group setting, as part of a mostly Eurocentric exhibition devoted to depictions of the American West.
"In 1932, one of the rooms was devoted to Native American art, but it was done in what I would say was a very ethnographic type of presentation," said Kathleen Ash-Milby, curator of Native American Art at the Portland Art Museum, and one of the co-commissioners of Jeffrey Gibson's work in the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. "It grouped native people together and didn't really focus on their individuality as much. There were Navajo rugs on the floor. There were displays of jewelry. Many of the artists were not named."
Ash-Milby, who is also the first Native American curator to co-commission and co-curate an exhibition for the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, told NPR her team selected Gibson because of the artist's wide-ranging, inclusive and critical approach to art-making.
"His work is multifaceted. It incorporates all sorts of different types of media," the curator, a member of the Navajo Nation, said. "But to me, what's most important is his ability to connect with both his culture and different communities, and bring people together. At the same time, he has a very critical lens through which he looks at our history as Americans and as world citizens. Pulling all those things together in the practice of an American artist is really important for someone who's going to represent us on a world stage."
Born in Colorado and based in New York, Gibson, 51, focuses on making work that fuses together American, Native American and queer perspectives. In a 2019 interview with Here and Now, Gibson said the art world hasn't traditionally valued Indigenous histories and artistic representations.
"There's this gap historically about these histories existing on the same level and being valued culturally," Gibson said. "My goal is to force them into the contemporary cannon of what's considered important."
A MacArthur "Genius" Grant winner, Gibson has had his work widely exhibited around the country. Major solo exhibitions include one at the Portland Art Museum last year and, in 2013, at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art. His work is in the collections of high-profile institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Art. Gibson participated in the 2019 Whitney Biennial.
"Having an Indigenous artist represent the United States at the Venice Biennale is a long overdue and very powerful moment," San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Director Christopher Bedford said in an email to NPR. "Centering the perspectives of contemporary indigenous artists is a critical component of fostering inclusivity and equity in museums, and in our world."
The details of Gibson's contribution for the 2024 Biennale are mostly under wraps. Curator Ash-Milby said the artist is working on a multimedia installation with the title "the space in which to place me" — a reference to a poem by the Lakota poet Layli Long Soldier.
According to the organizers of the U.S. Pavilion, the upcoming Biennale will enable international audiences to have the first major opportunity to experience Gibson's work outside of the U.S. It will be on view April 20 through Nov. 24, 2024.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.ctpublic.org/2023-07-29/in-a-first-the-u-s-picks-an-indigenous-artist-for-a-solo-show-at-the-venice-biennale | 2023-07-31T17:32:45 | 1 | https://www.ctpublic.org/2023-07-29/in-a-first-the-u-s-picks-an-indigenous-artist-for-a-solo-show-at-the-venice-biennale |
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.ksn.com/entertainment/whitney-at-60-houston-estate-announces-2nd-annual-gala/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:47 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/entertainment/whitney-at-60-houston-estate-announces-2nd-annual-gala/ |
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.ctpublic.org/2023-07-30/a-man-dressed-as-a-tsetse-fly-came-to-a-soccer-game-and-he-definitely-had-a-goal | 2023-07-31T17:32:47 | 1 | https://www.ctpublic.org/2023-07-30/a-man-dressed-as-a-tsetse-fly-came-to-a-soccer-game-and-he-definitely-had-a-goal |
ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. (BRPROUD) — About 15 miles from St. Francisville sits the Tunica Hills Campground which offers nature lovers a variety of amenities.
The Tunica Hills Campground is an eight-mile drive from Clark Creek Natural Area, also known as Tunica Falls. The facility offers four hiking trails on the Tunica Hills WMA. The trails are six miles from the campground.
Tunica Hills Campground owner Brenda Sory said she fell in love with the surroundings of Tunica Hills in North Louisiana after she had retired.
“My idea was to give them a beautiful place in the Tunica Hills, where they can just relax,” said Sory. “The land just spoke to me.”
The campground has 20 campsites ranging from modern homes to wagons and tents.
While Sory focuses on simplicity, she adds that many of her cabins have air conditioning for campers to enjoy the warmer weather comfortably.
“Half of our campsites have electricity,” said Sory. “So people can come in the summer when it’s hot and bring fans, some bring air conditioning. In the winter, people bring heaters and electric blankets.”
Sory said her campsites offer a unique experience compared to many Airbnbs.
“We’re trying to appeal to the people who are more adventurous people,” said Sory. “We trying to appeal to those who don’t care about that and just want to be in the woods.”
CAMPING FEES
- Electrical Campsites: $20/night for 2 adults. Additional adults cost $7/night, Kids under 12 are $4/night each
- Non-Electrical Campsites: $16/night for 2 adults. Additional adults are $7/night each & kids under 12 are $4/night each
The campsite is cash only. They do offer supplies such as tents, fans and firewood.
Click here to book your reservation. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/destination-louisiane/destination-louisiane-tunica-hills-campground/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:47 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/destination-louisiane/destination-louisiane-tunica-hills-campground/ |
An airplane made an emergency landing Sunday on the Consumer Reports test racetrack in southeastern Connecticut.
The single-engine aircraft experienced engine issues and made a forced landing on the track in Middlesex County around midday, according to an incident report from the Federal Aviation Administration.
No injuries were reported, and no damage was reported to the aircraft. Three people were reported on board the Mooney M20J, a small, propeller-driven plane, at the time of the incident, according to the FAA.
Members of the East Haddam and Colchester fire departments responded to the emergency.
Officials say the plane was eventually moved off the track without incident.
The 300-acre facility was closed at the time, so no one was around on the racetrack ground, according to a Consumer Reports spokesperson.
According to the flight-tracking site, FlightAware, the plane was scheduled to fly to Westerly, Rhode Island, before experiencing engine trouble. | https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2023-07-31/plane-makes-emergency-landing-on-consumer-reports-racetrack-in-ct | 2023-07-31T17:32:50 | 0 | https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2023-07-31/plane-makes-emergency-landing-on-consumer-reports-racetrack-in-ct |
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.myarklamiss.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:50 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ |
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.ksn.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:50 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ |
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/niger-will-face/PNJPVAGKJR4VGWUSTE4I6ANEQM/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:50 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/niger-will-face/PNJPVAGKJR4VGWUSTE4I6ANEQM/ |
A Georgia judge has rejected former President Trump’s efforts to quash an investigation into his efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
“The movants’ asserted ‘injuries’ that would open the doors of the courthouse to their claims are either insufficient or else speculative and unrealized,” Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote in the nine-page ruling.
“They are insufficient because, while being the subject (or even target) of a highly publicized criminal investigation is likely an unwelcome and unpleasant experience, no court ever has held that that status alone provides a basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation.”
The ruling is the second roadblock for Trump in his efforts to dismiss the probe, after the state’s Supreme Court earlier this month rejected another suit seeking to block it.
That court had in part rejected Trump’s arguments while noting the matter before McBurney.
McBurney presided over the grand jury who were presented evidence by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) who has advised court officials she could bring charges in the high-profile case the second or third week of August.
Trump has also sued Willis and McBurney in another third suit filed alongside his petition to the state supreme court — an additional attempt to nix the investigation beyond the matter McBurney addressed Monday.
“Petitioner’s every attempt to seek redress in the normal course have been ignored, and the District Attorney has given every indication that the injury is imminent,” Trump wrote in the petition earlier this month.
McBurney also determined that Trump didn’t have standing to sue to quash the investigation, noting that the former president can only “theorize” that he will be named in an indictment.
“The professed injuries are also speculative and unrealized because there is, as of yet, no indictment that creates the genuine controversy required to confer standing,” McBurney wrote.
—Updated at 12:04 p.m. | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:51 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ |
A Georgia judge has rejected former President Trump’s efforts to quash an investigation into his efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
“The movants’ asserted ‘injuries’ that would open the doors of the courthouse to their claims are either insufficient or else speculative and unrealized,” Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote in the nine-page ruling.
“They are insufficient because, while being the subject (or even target) of a highly publicized criminal investigation is likely an unwelcome and unpleasant experience, no court ever has held that that status alone provides a basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation.”
The ruling is the second roadblock for Trump in his efforts to dismiss the probe, after the state’s Supreme Court earlier this month rejected another suit seeking to block it.
That court had in part rejected Trump’s arguments while noting the matter before McBurney.
McBurney presided over the grand jury who were presented evidence by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) who has advised court officials she could bring charges in the high-profile case the second or third week of August.
Trump has also sued Willis and McBurney in another third suit filed alongside his petition to the state supreme court — an additional attempt to nix the investigation beyond the matter McBurney addressed Monday.
“Petitioner’s every attempt to seek redress in the normal course have been ignored, and the District Attorney has given every indication that the injury is imminent,” Trump wrote in the petition earlier this month.
McBurney also determined that Trump didn’t have standing to sue to quash the investigation, noting that the former president can only “theorize” that he will be named in an indictment.
“The professed injuries are also speculative and unrealized because there is, as of yet, no indictment that creates the genuine controversy required to confer standing,” McBurney wrote.
—Updated at 12:04 p.m. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:51 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ |
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — (AP) — Churchill Downs will implement safety measures for its September meet including new track surface maintenance equipment and additional monitoring and equine care following 12 horse deaths before and after the Kentucky Derby that spurred suspension of its spring meet.
Racing is scheduled to resume Sept. 14 and run through Oct. 1 at the historic track, which paused racing operations on June 7 to conduct an internal safety review following the spate of horse deaths from racing or training injuries. Seven died in the days leading up to the 149th Derby on May 6, including two in races preceding the premier event.
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority recommended suspending the remainder of the meet, which moved to Ellis Park in western Kentucky. Training continued at Churchill Downs during the investigation, and a release on Monday stated that while industry experts found no issues with the racing surfaces, the track invested in new maintenance equipment. It will also double the frequency of surface testing among infrastructure upgrades.
Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said the track’s commitment to safety “remains paramount” in the release and added, “our participants, fans and the public can be assured that we will continue to investigate, evaluate and improve upon every policy and protocol.”
The announcement comes days after Carstanjen said racing would resume this fall with no changes and called the deaths "a series of unfortunate circumstances" in an earnings call with CDI investors.
Churchill Downs veterinarians will receive additional resources for specialized horse care and to assist in pre-race inspections and entry screening, the release added. The track will work with HISA and industry experts to predict at-risk horses through advanced analytic techniques.
A safety management committee including horsemen, track employees and veterinarians will also be created.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/sports/churchill-downs/IB5ONV7WS6FWCC7OMTAJZD6KLI/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:57 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/sports/churchill-downs/IB5ONV7WS6FWCC7OMTAJZD6KLI/ |
Former Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer is sitting for a closed-door transcribed interview with the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday, in an appearance that is expected to fuel Republican attempts to link President Biden to his son’s business dealings.
The interview follows a letter from the Department of Justice over the weekend regarding Archer’s sentencing for an unrelated matter that is adding to GOP claims of government obstruction of their investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings — even as Archer’s attorney beat down the speculation.
The Justice Department (DOJ) in its letter requested that a judge set a date for Archer to start his one-year prison sentence for his conviction for defrauding a Native American tribe, despite Archer’s counsel saying it was “premature” to do so because of an anticipated appeal and an “error” in sentencing.
That set off alarm bells in the GOP.
“I don’t know if this a coincidence, or if this is another example of the weaponization of the Department of Justice,” House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said Sunday on Fox News.
Other Republicans went further, accusing the DOJ of explicit interference in the GOP-led investigation. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said lawmakers should return from an August recess for emergency hearings if Archer did not show up.
But Archer’s attorney stressed the letter would not impact his planned interview, which had been rescheduled multiple times since Comer subpoenaed him in June.
“We are aware of speculation that the Department of Justice’s weekend request to have Mr. Archer report to prison is an attempt by the Biden administration to intimidate him in advance of his meeting with the House Oversight Committee on Monday,” Acher’s lawyer Matthew Schwartz said in a Sunday statement, first provided to Politico. “To be clear, Mr. Archer does not agree with that speculation. In any case, Mr. Archer will do what he has planned to do all along, which is to show up on Monday and to honestly answer the questions that are put to him by the Congressional investigators.”
The DOJ said in a subsequent letter that it was not requesting that Archer surrender before his expected congressional testimony.
His appearance went on as scheduled. A smiling Archer did not answer shouted questions as he arrived at the interview with his lawyer Monday morning.
The interview will comprise four hours of questioning divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and it is expected to end midafternoon. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) were in attendance.
“I believe he can tell us things we haven’t heard before,” Biggs said.
Goldman cast doubt on the GOP attempts to link the president to his son’s business dealings.
“We’re all waiting for any pin, whether it be a linchpin or other pin, to figure out how this is connected at all to President Biden,” Goldman said. | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:57 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ |
Former Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer is sitting for a closed-door transcribed interview with the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday, in an appearance that is expected to fuel Republican attempts to link President Biden to his son’s business dealings.
The interview follows a letter from the Department of Justice over the weekend regarding Archer’s sentencing for an unrelated matter that is adding to GOP claims of government obstruction of their investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings — even as Archer’s attorney beat down the speculation.
The Justice Department (DOJ) in its letter requested that a judge set a date for Archer to start his one-year prison sentence for his conviction for defrauding a Native American tribe, despite Archer’s counsel saying it was “premature” to do so because of an anticipated appeal and an “error” in sentencing.
That set off alarm bells in the GOP.
“I don’t know if this a coincidence, or if this is another example of the weaponization of the Department of Justice,” House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said Sunday on Fox News.
Other Republicans went further, accusing the DOJ of explicit interference in the GOP-led investigation. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said lawmakers should return from an August recess for emergency hearings if Archer did not show up.
But Archer’s attorney stressed the letter would not impact his planned interview, which had been rescheduled multiple times since Comer subpoenaed him in June.
“We are aware of speculation that the Department of Justice’s weekend request to have Mr. Archer report to prison is an attempt by the Biden administration to intimidate him in advance of his meeting with the House Oversight Committee on Monday,” Acher’s lawyer Matthew Schwartz said in a Sunday statement, first provided to Politico. “To be clear, Mr. Archer does not agree with that speculation. In any case, Mr. Archer will do what he has planned to do all along, which is to show up on Monday and to honestly answer the questions that are put to him by the Congressional investigators.”
The DOJ said in a subsequent letter that it was not requesting that Archer surrender before his expected congressional testimony.
His appearance went on as scheduled. A smiling Archer did not answer shouted questions as he arrived at the interview with his lawyer Monday morning.
The interview will comprise four hours of questioning divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and it is expected to end midafternoon. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) were in attendance.
“I believe he can tell us things we haven’t heard before,” Biggs said.
Goldman cast doubt on the GOP attempts to link the president to his son’s business dealings.
“We’re all waiting for any pin, whether it be a linchpin or other pin, to figure out how this is connected at all to President Biden,” Goldman said. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ | 2023-07-31T17:32:57 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ |
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier opened fall practice talking to his team about expectations — internal ones, anyway.
The once-mighty Gators are mostly an afterthought in the Southeastern Conference these days. Coming off consecutive 6-7 seasons — one in former coach Dan Mullen's final season and the other in Napier's inaugural campaign — Florida was picked to finish fifth in the Eastern Division in the league's annual preseason media poll.
That's one spot above last.
It was the lowest preseason prognostication for the Gators since also coming in fifth in 2015, former coach Jim McElwain's first season. Florida responding by winning the East that year. Could it happen again? It would be an unbelievable long shot considering Napier pretty much has an overhauled roster after losing quarterback Anthony Richardson and 14 other starters.
“I really feel like we’re going to shock a lot of people this year as far as the standard is so low right now,” cornerback Jaydon Hill said. “It blows my mind a little bit. But then again, we’ve just got to win games. It just comes down to winning.”
Florida hasn’t won nearly enough for a fanbase that grew accustomed to it under legends Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. Although the Gators have enjoyed pockets of success since, they have yet to put it all together in terms of recruiting talent, developing players and building a consistent contender.
Napier had a detailed plan when he took over in November 2021, but it didn’t account for having to navigate a burgeoning transfer portal or a constantly changing name, image and likeness landscape.
So Napier sounds more like a coach entering their first year rather than one expecting the kind of second-year jumps that helped vault Spurrier and Meyer to stardom. He’s implemented several team-building exercises, including moving players into on-campus dorms for the opening week of training camp and rooming them with guys from other position groups.
They’ll eat every meal in an old-school dining hall — no phones allowed — and work on developing leadership as much as perfecting concepts, formations and plays.
“I think it’s important that we connect and try to create crossover relationships in all parts of what we do,” Napier said. “It’s absolutely important to what we do.”
Adding another layer to his unification efforts, Napier has a get-to-know-your-teammate initiative that requires players to be able to provide names and hometowns on the spot for 10 colleagues pictured.
“It’s one thing to know the guy’s first name, but it’s another thing to know his first and last name, where he’s from, part of his story, and I think with time we’ll get to that place,” Napier said. “But it’s about agreeing that there’s an expectation, and then, ‘Hey, if you can do better, you can do better.’ I think that’s the key to the drill. That’s where we’re at as a team.”
It’s a far cry from having to tamp down expectations of making the College Football Playoff or winning championships. No one’s ruled those out in Gainesville, but most would agree they seem more plausible down the road.
Florida returns seven starters from last year's team and has a number of transfers to work into the mix. Quite possibly the main reason for Florida's humble preseason forecast is because the team appears locked into starting former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, who completed 60% of his passes for 5,405 yards, with 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, in four years with the Badgers.
Florida lost four-star QB recruit Jaden Rashada in a failed NIL deal in January, leaving Mertz and former Ohio State backup Jack Miller to compete for the starting job. All signs point to Mertz taking the first snap when the Gators open the season at Utah on Aug. 31.
Although Napier appears to have Florida on the path back to national relevancy; the team's 2024 recruiting class is ranked third behind Georgia and Ohio State, according to 247sports.com. In the meantime, the only expectations he's focused on are the internal ones.
“The expectation we’re going to establish for each other ... should be much higher than any outside narrative or outside opinion,” Napier said. “If I’m walking around the building each day, if I’m living life and I’m most concerned with not letting the people down that are going to be in this team meeting in a couple hours, that’s the most important piece.”
___
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP Top 25 newsletter here: https://link.apnews.com/join/6nr/morning-wire-newsletter-footer-internal-ads
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/sports/florida-enters-year/NIUUD2NR2AGSN7ENJGPGLJYD3E/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:03 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/sports/florida-enters-year/NIUUD2NR2AGSN7ENJGPGLJYD3E/ |
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.ksn.com/hill-politics/top-house-democratic-pac-urging-members-to-lean-into-economy/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:05 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/top-house-democratic-pac-urging-members-to-lean-into-economy/ |
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.myarklamiss.com/hill-politics/top-house-democratic-pac-urging-members-to-lean-into-economy/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:05 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/hill-politics/top-house-democratic-pac-urging-members-to-lean-into-economy/ |
The New York Mets are paying Texas $35.51 million over the next 14 months as part of the Max Scherzer trade, leaving the Rangers in effect responsible for $22.5 million owed to the three-time Cy Young Award winner, according to details of the deal obtained by The Associated Press.
New York, just 50-55 despite a record-high payroll, has cut costs by nearly $26 million in pay and luxury tax this year by getting rid of Scherzer and reliever David Robertson ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. The Mets have offloaded just over $13.5 million in salary, resulting in an additional tax saving of about $12.15 million.
Texas acquired Scherzer on Sunday for minor league infielder Luisangel Acuña, a brother of Atlanta All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. Scherzer’s cost to the Rangers is $10 million this year and $12.5 million in 2024.
The Rangers assumed responsibility for the 39-year-old right-hander's salary on Monday, when he was owed $58.01 million for the remainder of a $130 million, three-year contract he agreed to before the 2022 season.
Of the $14.67 million left of Scherzer's $43.33 million salary for this season's final 64 days, the Mets will pay Texas $4.67 million in four installments of $1.16 million on Aug. 15 and 31 and Sept. 15 and 30.
Scherzer gets a $43.33 million salary next season in the final year of the deal. The Mets will pay the Rangers $30.83 million in 12 installments of $2.56 million on the 15th and final day of each month from April 2024 through September 2024.
New York's payroll rose to a projected $365 million after it acquired reliever Trevor Gott from Seattle on July 3, and the Mets' luxury tax payroll increased to about $385 million. That was on track for a tax of about $95 million.
When the Mets traded Robertson to Miami last week, the Marlins assumed $3.54 million remaining of Robertson’s $10 million salary.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/sports/scherzer-costs-texas/UTY3ZINZQNU4JGH7TWZJZ4OBG4/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:09 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/sports/scherzer-costs-texas/UTY3ZINZQNU4JGH7TWZJZ4OBG4/ |
Former President Trump predicted Monday that he would be indicted “any day now” as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into his conduct after the 2020 election.
“I assume that an Indictment from Deranged Jack Smith and his highly partisan gang of Thugs, pertaining to my ‘PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY Speech, will be coming out any day now, as yet another attempt to cover up all of the bad news about bribes, payoffs, and extortion, coming from the Biden ‘camp,’” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This seems to be the way they do it. ELECTION INTERFERENCE! PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!”
Smith is investigating Trump’s attempts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election, which culminated with Trump delivering a speech Jan. 6, 2021, in which he repeated false claims about the election being rigged. Trump supporters then violently stormed and ransacked the Capitol in a bid to halt the certification of the election results.
Anticipation over a potential indictment of Trump has been building for weeks after the former president shared that he had received a letter from the Justice Department notifying him he was a target of their investigation.
Target letters typically indicate prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against an individual.
In addition, a handful of former Trump officials have reportedly testified in recent weeks as part of Smith’s investigation into the former president’s actions after the 2020 election. Prosecutors are said to have been interested in whether Trump acknowledged that he lost the election despite his public claims that it was fraudulent and could be overturned.
Trump pursued a multi-pronged plan to remain in office following the 2020 election, turning to the DOJ, state officials and even his own supporters, who violently ransacked the Capitol after then-Vice President Mike Pence refused Trump’s request to overturn the results.
The former president’s attorneys met last week with officials from Smith’s office. Trump called it a “productive” meeting, and he indicated his representatives sought to make the case against bringing charges.
A federal grand jury hearing evidence in the case meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:13 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ |
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY) — Calcasieu Parish Schools were scammed out of $1.6 million in the 2021-22 fiscal year, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
An independent audit revealed the Calcasieu Parish School Board discovered two incidents of phishing in 2022 in which scammers sent seemingly valid email requests to change the profiles and electronic payment instructions for two vendors. As a result, more than $1.6 million in vendor payments were sent to the wrong bank accounts.
The annual audit released by the legislative auditor on Monday was perfomed by the Baton Rouge CPA firm of Postlethwaite & Netterville. It examined the school board’s finances from July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.
The audit reported that the board was able to recover $837,771 by asking the bank to reverse the payment, but $789,849 remains unrecovered. The board notified the sheriff, the district attorney and the Legislative Auditor’s office of the fraud, as well as its cyber-insurance carrier. The case was still under investigation as of June 30, the date of the report.
In its response to the audit, signed by Chief Financial Officer Wilfred Bourne, the board said it has put measures in place to help prevent falling victim to this sort of fraud in the future.
“At the time of the fraudulent change requests, internal procedures did not require verbal
verification,” Bourne wrote. “Procedures were enhanced so that verbal confirmation is now required for requested changes to vendor EFT information. This procedure is completed by the Calcasieu Parish School Board accounting department staff each time a request for change is received. Any suspected fraudulent requests are reported to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. EFT information change request forms have also been revised to require providing original
information as well as requested change.”
The auditor also found that the board did not have an adequate financial statement closing process for its Disaster Fund, prepared an inaccurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards and was late in filing its single audit report with the Federal Audit Clearing House.
Bourne said these issues have been addressed.
“Management has implemented procedures to require construction contractors to provide a
progress billing that corresponds with the fiscal year end of the Calcasieu Parish School Board,” Bourne wrote. “Specific instructions were given to contract construction project managers to direct all architects and construction contractors with open contracts to submit a progress billing of their projects to coincide with June 30, 2023. This will facilitate gathering information necessary for proper recording at year end to avoid this issue in the future.” | https://www.myarklamiss.com/louisiana-news/audit-reveals-louisiana-schools-scammed-out-of-1-6-million/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:13 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/louisiana-news/audit-reveals-louisiana-schools-scammed-out-of-1-6-million/ |
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — (AP) — The United States arrived at the Women's World Cup as the favorites to win an unprecedented third consecutive title. But after an underwhelming draw against the Netherlands, there's a real chance the Americans can be eliminated in group play for the first time in tournament history.
The U.S. plays Portugal in the third and final match of Group E play, and if Portugal pulls off an upset Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland, the Americans could be in big trouble.
The United States needs to either win or draw against Portugal, one of eight teams playing in its first World Cup, to ensure the Americans continue to play in this tournament.
“I think we feel like we have to win everything all the time,” said American star Megan Rapinoe. “That’s the expectation for ourselves. That’s the expectation playing for U.S. national team. It’s just kind of like, ‘Why would you come into the World Cup if you don’t think that you should win it, and if you don’t think that you can win it?’”
The United States sits atop the group after a 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the tournament opener, and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands last Thursday in Wellington. The Dutch are tied with the U.S. on points, but the Americans have the tie-breaker on goals scored.
Portugal lost to the Dutch in its opener but then beat Vietnam 2-0. So if the Portuguese beat the United States, they'll move on, and the Americans would then need Vietnam to beat the Dutch in Dunedin — while keeping their advantage on goal differential — to advance.
“One thing is for sure, that we have a job to do and that’s first and foremost to take care of our game, so our main focus right now it our performance, our team, and Portugal," said U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski. "What happens on the other side is something we can’t control. We have to stay focused on the things we can control.”
Portugal could use a swarming defense to try to prevent the United States from scoring the way Vietnam — unsuccessfully — played the Americans in the opener.
Portugal defender Ana Borges said her team will be prepared.
“This is the stage where we want to be. It’s against these teams that we want to play because we’re going to learn and grow from them,” Borges said. “Not saying anything about the other team, but if we weren’t prepared for this challenge, we wouldn’t be playing football.”
CHINA-ENGLAND
England is in very good shape headed into its Group D finale against China, needing only a draw Tuesday night in Adelaide, Australia to win the group and advance to the round of 16.
Even a loss would be OK and push England through as group winners so long as Denmark doesn't beat Haiti. If Denmark won and England lost, the group winner would be decided by FIFA tiebreakers.
England edged out a 1-0 victory over Haiti to open the tournament, then beat Denmark by the same score.
China lost 1-0 to Denmark in the opener but rebounded with a 1-0 win over Haiti and is now trying to keep its streak intact of advancing out of group play in all eight of its World Cup appearances.
It will be a tough task: China can advance to the round of 16 if the Chinese beat England. But if Denmark beats Haiti, coupled with a China win, then FIFA tiebreakers would come into a play. A loss would mean China's only chance at advancing would be if Haiti beat Denmark.
England and China meet for just the fifth time, but first since a 2-1 China victory in 2015.
England has scored in each of its last 15 matches at the Women’s World Cup for a tally of 25 goals since 2015. A goal against China would make England the first team to score in 16 consecutive matches in the tournament.
China is looking to win consecutive World Cup games for the first time since 1999.
VIETNAM-NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands want to win every match in the Women's World Cup but none more so than Tuesday's game against Vietnam.
At stake: avoiding Sweden in the knockout round.
The Dutch, the tournament runner-up in 2019, need only a win or a draw in the Group E match played in Dunedin, New Zealand. And even a loss would be OK so long as the United States beats Portugal in a game being played simultaneously.
But the Netherlands has mapped out the tournament and wants no part of Sweden anytime soon.
“The first aim is always to win and get to the last 16 and then after that if we can score goals we will, of course,” said Dutch coach Andries Jonker. “But looking at our colleagues from the U.S. and Portugal, we’ve noticed it’s not all that easy. We’ve never shown any kind of arrogance, but if we get chances to score goals we will. We would prefer to play against the number two in this group and not Sweden.”
The Netherlands are tied with the United States for the top spot in the group after playing to a 1-1 draw against the Americans and a 1-0 win over Portugal.
Vietnam has already been eliminated from its first Women's World Cup following losses to the United States and Portugal. Vietnam has lost its last five internationals by a combined score of 18-1.
“The Netherlands tries to have as many goals as possible, and I have to say we are at a low level," said Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung. "If we compare with Asia, we’re still at a low level. So if we compare with the world, we are still quite behind. It is a success for us already. In the past two matches we have tried our best. Great effort already.”
HAITI-DENMARK
First-time Women's World Cup participant Haiti would like to stick around a bit longer but needs a miracle against in the Group D finale against Denmark to have any shot to advance.
Haiti needs to beat Denmark in the Tuesday match played in Perth, Australia, and hope England beats China. If both those things happen, Haiti's only chance would still come down to FIFA's tiebreaker system.
It's very long odds for Haiti, which has played better in this tournament than its 0-2 record shows. Haiti held both England and China to one goal each in the first two matches.
Haiti is on a six-game losing streak headed into what is probably its final game of this tournament.
Denmark, meanwhile, is trying to advance to the group stage for the first time since 1995. Denmark was a 1-0 winner over China to start the tournament, then lost 1-0 to England and heads into the game tied for second in the group with China with three points each.
A win over Haiti pushes Denmark through to the next round so long as England doesn't lose to China. That scenario would put tiebreakers into play.
The Danes, in the tournament for the first time since 2007, can also get through with a draw, but again, only if England beats China.
Denmark has won five of its last seven international matches.
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/sports/us-needs-win-or-draw/TEIDYEFV5YNRT6MDPNVWAMEFEY/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:16 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/sports/us-needs-win-or-draw/TEIDYEFV5YNRT6MDPNVWAMEFEY/ |
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.ksn.com/news/national-world/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:19 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- CAPES held a press conference at the State Capitol Monday morning to give an update on petition signatures for the Arkansas LEARNS Act referendum.
CAPES executive director Steve Grappe said that the petition has collected around 49,000 signatures but still needs around 5,800 more. Grappe said that they are depending on cities like Little Rock, Fayetteville and Jonesboro to push the signature count.
The group, looking to repeal the newly-signed law, held a signing event on the Capitol steps Sunday. CAPES said they will need more than 55,000 signatures and at least 3% from 50 counties to get the referendum on the November 2024 ballot.
“Now I’ve got people telling me all over the state that they’re getting signatures as we speak, they’re hitting all of their neighborhoods, and then they’re going to be bringing those in,” Grappe said.
Members of CAPES are looking to get the referendum on the ballot to give voters a say on the issue. Concerns surrounding the law include the repeal of the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act and a voucher program that would use state funds to allow public school students to attend private or charter schools.
The deadline for the signature count is Monday, July 31 at 5 p.m.
Officials with CAPES said that the team is still counting signatures, petitions are still being delivered and people are still out supporting their cause. Officials said that a drive-thru signing event will be held at the Capitol Monday.
Officials with the secretary of state’s office said that CAPES must have 54,422 signatures and 75% of those signatures must be valid to qualify for a cure period. This would extend the amount of time the group has to gather more signatures to meet the criteria to put the referendum on the ballot. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/arkansas-news/capes-to-give-update-on-petition-signatures-for-arkansas-learns-act-referendum-at-state-capitol/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:19 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/arkansas-news/capes-to-give-update-on-petition-signatures-for-arkansas-learns-act-referendum-at-state-capitol/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Voters will decide the fate of USD 112 in the primary election on Tuesday, August 1. Back in January, the school board voted to close Wilson Jr. Sr. High School.
Members of the community signed a petition to disorganize the district, which was then approved by the Ellsworth County Clerk.
Here is how the question will read:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall USD 112 be disorganized pursuant to K.S.A. 72-635 to pursue attachment to another school district or organization of the schools therein in anyway provided by law?
To vote in favor of any question submitted on this ballot, darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes.” To vote against it, darken the oval to the left of the word “No.”
The polls will open at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.
Polling places:
- Lutheran Parish Hall – 209 S. County Road, Holyrood: Holyrood City, Palacky, Valley
- Lorraine City Office – 238 S. Main St., Lorraine: Green Garden, Lincoln, Lorraine City, Thomas
- Wilson Senior Center – 511 25th St., Wilson: Columbia, Noble, Wilson City, Wilson Twp., all of Russell County and Lincoln County in USD 112
- Immaculate Conception Parish Center – 110 E. Williamson, Claflin: All of Barton County in USD 112
- Bushton Community Building – 301 N. Main St. Bushton: All of Rice County in USD 112
If the disorganization passes, the fate of the district is up to the state board of education.
“It’s up to the state board to transfer the territory to one other district or maybe split the district up and transfer it to several other districts,” KSDE Deputy Commissioner for Fiscal and Administrative Services Craig Nuenswander said back in May. | https://www.ksn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/usd-112-voters-will-decide-the-fate-of-school-district/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:25 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/usd-112-voters-will-decide-the-fate-of-school-district/ |
LASALLE PARISH, La. (KTVE/KARD) — According to officials, the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office participated in a police escort along with officers from other agencies across the states of Louisiana and Mississippi to fulfil a young boy’s last request to become a police officer.
At three-years-old, Watson Calhoun, the son of Melissa and Kasey Calhoun, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor called Medulloblastoma. He has undergone treatment for his cancer and was even in remission for a short amount of time. Sadley, the cancer has come back and spread throughout his body giving him a small chance to recover.
As a last request, Watson was escorted by the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office along with officers from other agencies from Louisiana and Mississippi from his home to the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office. Watson was given the title as a deputy and was represented a LSPO badge. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/lasalle-parish-sheriffs-office-grants-lpso-badge-to-fulfill-a-young-boys-last-request/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:25 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/lasalle-parish-sheriffs-office-grants-lpso-badge-to-fulfill-a-young-boys-last-request/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A Maize South High School Senior has been named Boys Soccer Player of the Year by USA Today.
The district says Vitor Geromel, was selected best out of a field of 25 nominees. He is also the only Kansan selected.
Geromel helped lead the Maize Mavericks to a perfect 21-0 season. In addition, he helped the 5A Mavericks win their first state championship title.
His 42 goals last year set a single-season record and tied the single-season record for assists with 18. Geromel was also named Class 5A Midfielder of the Year.
When not playing for Maize, Geromel plays for Sporting Wichita SC, part of the United Premiere Soccer League.
Geronmel has already committed to play for Clemenson next year but has one more year left at Maize South. | https://www.ksn.com/sports/local-sports/maize-south-senior-named-boys-soccer-player-of-the-year/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:31 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/sports/local-sports/maize-south-senior-named-boys-soccer-player-of-the-year/ |
UPDATE (07/31/2023): The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office has released more information about an incident where a vehicle caught on fire on Highway 33. On Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 12:10 PM, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle accident on Highway 33 near Hicks Frazier Road in Farmerville, La. Callers then reported that the driver was possibly trapped and the vehicle was on fire.
When deputies arrived on the scene, a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, pulling a 35-foot camper trailer, was fully engulfed in flames where it had crashed into trees. Witnesses on the scene were able to pull the driver from the vehicle prior to the fire.
According to deputies, due to several small explosions from the trailer’s propane tanks, traffic was shut down and the victim was evacuated. Ward 5 Fire Department and Farmerville Fire & Rescue responded and extinguished the fire. The driver was transported to a medical facility with non-life-threatening injuries.
Also, a towing company employee suffered a medical emergency and had to be transported to a medical facility. The accident scene was cleared at 5:52 PM and the highway was reopened for traffic.
We would also like to thank the on scene witnesses who were quick to action and pulled the victim from the wreckage before further serious bodily injury occurred, and those on scene who rendered aid. These individuals are heroes and we are thankful for their willingness to risk their lives to help others
The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office
UNION PARISH, La. (KTVE/KARD) — The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash on Highway 33 near Hicks Frazier Road around 12 p.m. Sunday, July 30.
According to deputies, a 70-year-old man was traveling North when he hit a tree and caught fire. Officials say local residents helped pull the man out of the vehicle before the explosion. The man was traveling with his dog, and they are both safe. He was taken to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Although traffic is still going, deputies say the other lane will be back open as soon as crews clean up debris from the scene.
The accident remains under investigation. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/union-parish-deputies-respond-to-car-fire-on-highway-33/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:31 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/union-parish-deputies-respond-to-car-fire-on-highway-33/ |
SUPERIOR — Wisconsin’s only oil refinery has not yet resumed full operations this summer as previously anticipated following a $1.2 billion effort to rebuild the facility after an explosion five years ago.
The 2018 explosion and series of fires injured three dozen workers at the refinery then-owned by Calgary-based Husky Energy. The explosion prompted fears of a hydrofluoric acid leak, causing around 2,500 people in the city to evacuate.
No such release occurred but a tank containing hot asphalt was punctured by debris from the explosion, spilling 17,000 barrels into the refinery that caught fire and burned for hours. The explosion caused roughly $550 million in damage to the plant, which has since been acquired by Calgary-based Cenovus Energy.
Cenovus had expected to resume full operations by the end of June, but work is still ongoing.
"Superior continues to ramp up with a focus on safely restarting the cat cracker which is the last of the major units to restart," Cenovus President & CEO Jon McKenzie said in a Thursday, July 27, earnings call .
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The cat cracker or fluid catalytic cracking unit is used to make gasoline. A final report from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board found the refinery’s lack of safeguards in that unit, including a severely eroded valve, led to the explosion during a maintenance shutdown in 2018. The refinery has since installed a new unit, control system and state-of-the-art valves.
Keith Chiasson, executive vice president of downstream operations, said it’s been a bit of a challenge to work through "normal startup issues." Despite that, he said the company is days away from running feed or gas oil through the unit.
"We have a fair amount of inventory there that we'll be able to run through the (fluid catalytic cracking unit) once it's up and running and generate cash," Chiasson said. "It's imminent. We're just knocking through the last couple of challenges that the team has seen as they've safely restarted that refinery after being down for five years."
The refinery has faced multiple delays in resuming operations due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, after which initial costs to rebuild the refinery tripled. A company spokesperson didn’t address a request Friday for details on the challenges the refinery has faced with restarting the fluid catalytic cracking unit, saying only that it's a complex process.
"We are taking all steps needed to bring it safely online," a spokesperson said, adding the rest of the refinery is online and producing product for sale.
The refinery has implemented upgrades to enhance safety in the wake of the explosion. That includes the addition of water cannons and a rapid acid transfer system for its hydrofluoric acid tank. The facility has also incorporated new training materials and simulators to cover a range of operating conditions.
Douglas County Emergency Management Director Dave Sletten said they receive updates from Cenovus staff about the refinery's process to resume operations.
"We've been working on various trainings and tabletop exercises with local responders and Cenovus staff as well," Sletten said, noting that may involve scenarios of a potential release at the facility.
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Superior Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht said they also meet with Cenovus on a regular basis to discuss work as the refinery comes online and brings product into the facility. He noted the department sends firefighters to industrial fire training and also conducts trainings at the Cenovus refinery.
A final report on the explosion found the refinery’s emergency response team had been training monthly prior to the incident and conducting site-specific drills with the Superior Fire Department. Teams were able to extinguish a large blaze stemming from the explosion within hours, but the fire was initially expected to burn for days.
Since then, Vollbrecht said the department has continued training with the refinery and other industrial partners.
"We have specialized equipment as provided through our partnership with our local petroleum industry that allows our responders to respond and react to incidents if they would happen at that facility or any other facility in town,” he said. “We’re better equipped and better trained to handle those incidents because of the partnership that we've had with these organizations."
The explosion prompted multiple lawsuits. In December, contract workers injured in the blast reached a settlement with the company. In 2021, residents reached a roughly $1 million settlement agreement as part of a federal class-action lawsuit for lost wages and lodging due to the evacuation. An amended settlement was also reached with the state and federal government to offset emissions from the explosion.
Cenovus has said around 350 employees now work at the refinery, which previously employed around 200 workers year-round. It will have an annual payroll of about $30 million and contribute $2.2 million in property taxes. The company also spends around $48 million each year on contractors and vendors, thousands of which helped rebuild the refinery over the last five years.
The refinery typically produces gasoline, diesel and asphalt with a capacity of roughly 50,000 barrels per day.
The company reported lower net earnings of roughly $655 million U.S. dollars for the quarter ending in June due to Canadian wildfires that forced the company to cut production. Cenovus generated around $1.5 billion in cash from operations during the period.
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This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/wisconsin/superior-refinery-still-hasnt-resumed-full-operations | 2023-07-31T17:33:34 | 0 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/wisconsin/superior-refinery-still-hasnt-resumed-full-operations |
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Freddy Fermin hit a homer, Maikel Garcia had an RBI double, Ryan Yarbrough gave up one run over seven innings and the Kansas City Royals completed a sweep of the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Sunday.
It’s the first sweep by the Royals since last September, which was also against Minnesota.
“You see it every day, these guys work, come out and play hard and to be rewarded with some wins is something that’s really nice to see,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Especially going into an off day, these guys deserve it.”
Yarbrough (4-5) had his best start of the season going seven innings, allowing one earned run and giving up seven hits while fanning five. It’s his third quality start of July and he lowered his ERA to 2.19 in the month of July with 15 strikeouts and just two walks.
“I think Freddy called a great ball game and we had some good back and forth between innings of what we’re trying to do,” Yarbrough said. “We had a good game plan and made really good adjustments as we went.”
Fermin hit a 420-foot homer to left field in the second inning to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. He has a team high six-game hitting streak. Kansas City scored first in every game of the series.
“The home run was on an 0-2 splitter, and Freddy has been doing a great job of staying on the off-speed stuff,” Quatraro said. “Just to be in a position to stay back and hit that … that can be tough.”
Matt Wallner tied the game in the third with a 445-foot homer to right field, which was his fifth on the season.
The Royals took back the lead for good in the third with Garcia’s double, scoring Nicky Lopez.
Kenta Maeda (2-6) went five innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits and struck out seven. It’s the first time in over a month that the Twins lost a game he started.
“As a whole it was a good outing for him. He found himself when he needed,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “His stuff was good. He gave us a chance to win the game.”
Carlos Hernandez shut down the Twins in the ninth for the first save of his career.
The win marks the first time this season Kansas City has won three games in a row.
“It’s been a bit of a tough go and you don’t get many opportunities to sweep teams so you want to take full advantage there,” Yarbrough said. “I was just trying to keep us in the ball game personally and go deep. This is just something to really build off of.”
This is the fourth time Minnesota has been swept since June 8.
“There are a lot of things we need to do better,” Baldelli said. “We’ve mixed some really good baseball in with some really bad baseball and it has evened out to being not good enough. Hopefully we can recapture that a little bit of that going to St. Louis.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
The Twins placed OF/1B Alex Kiriloff on the 10-day IL (right shoulder inflammation) and reinstated LHP Caleb Thielbar off the 15-day IL.
UP NEXT
Twins: RHP Pablo Lopez (5-6) will start the first of three games at St. Louis on Tuesday.
Royals: RHP Zach Greinke (1-11) takes the mound as Kansas City hosts the Mets on Tuesday for a three-game series. | https://www.ksn.com/sports/royals/royals-sweep-twins-2-1/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:37 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/sports/royals/royals-sweep-twins-2-1/ |
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A former Mississippi prison guard pleaded guilty to a federal charge Thursday in the 2019 beating of an inmate, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Jessica Hill pleaded guilty to deprivation of an inmate’s rights by using excessive force when she was a corrections officer at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility.
Hill beat an inmate with a pepper spray canister and repeatedly punched the inmate in the head, the indictment said. The inmate was not resisting and was on the ground in the fetal position while being beaten and kicked.
Hill faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, authorities said. Her sentencing is set for Oct. 25. A second officer indicted in the case pleaded guilty earlier this year and is set for sentencing in September. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/mississippi/mississippi-news/ex-mississippi-prison-guard-pleads-guilty-to-federal-charge-in-2019-inmate-beating/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:37 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/mississippi/mississippi-news/ex-mississippi-prison-guard-pleads-guilty-to-federal-charge-in-2019-inmate-beating/ |
(WFLA) — Paul Reubens, known for his role in the Pee-wee Herman films, has died at age 70, according to posts on the Pee-wee Herman social media pages.
According to a statement on Facebook, the actor died Sunday night.
“Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” his team said in the statement.
The statement added that Reubens had “bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit.”
The post also quoted Reubens apologizing for not going public with his condition.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” he said. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”
Calling the actor “gifted and prolific talent,” the actor’s team said, “He will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”
This is a developing story. | https://www.ksn.com/entertainment/pee-wee-herman-star-paul-reubens-dies-at-age-70/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:43 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/entertainment/pee-wee-herman-star-paul-reubens-dies-at-age-70/ |
WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On Fox 14 Your Morning News, a close former business partner of Hunter Biden is set to give a potentially deeply damaging testimony to Congress.
WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On Fox 14 Your Morning News, a close former business partner of Hunter Biden is set to give a potentially deeply damaging testimony to Congress. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/morning-show/fox-14-your-morning-news-hunter-biden-former-business-partner-set-to-testify-today/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:43 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/morning-show/fox-14-your-morning-news-hunter-biden-former-business-partner-set-to-testify-today/ |
8-year-old survives cougar attack in Washington state national park
PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP) — An 8-year-old child survived a cougar attack with minor injuries while camping in Olympic National Park in Washington state over the weekend.
“The cougar casually abandoned its attack after being yelled and screamed at by the child’s mother,” the National Park Service said in a statement. After being assessed by park personnel, the child, who was not identified, went to a hospital for further evaluation.
Rangers shut down the campsite and surrounding areas following the Saturday attack. Park law enforcement and cougar specialists began looking for the animal on Sunday at Lake Angeles. If located, the cougar will be euthanized and officials hope a necropsy will provide clues as to why it attacked.
Cougars are rarely seen and attacks on humans are extremely rare, park officials said. The lethal removal of the cougar is in line with the park’s protocol for wildlife observations, interactions and attacks.
The entirety of the 1,562-square-mile park located about 60 miles east of Seattle is consider cougar territory.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kbtx.com/2023/07/31/8-year-old-survives-cougar-attack-washington-state-national-park/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:44 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/2023/07/31/8-year-old-survives-cougar-attack-washington-state-national-park/ |
WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On Fox 14 Your Morning News, more migrants, and asylum seekers will sleep on the street if New York City Government won’t help out more. For more information, watch the video above.
WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On Fox 14 Your Morning News, more migrants, and asylum seekers will sleep on the street if New York City Government won’t help out more. For more information, watch the video above. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/morning-show/fox-14-your-morning-news-more-migrants-sleeping-on-nyc-sidewalk-seeking-asylum/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:49 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/morning-show/fox-14-your-morning-news-more-migrants-sleeping-on-nyc-sidewalk-seeking-asylum/ |
The magic of McDonald’s? You always know what you’re going to get. No matter which one you walk into — whether in Islip, New York, or Istanbul, Turkey — you can order a Big Mac and fries. And it will taste the same.
But will it cost the same? No.
Recently, a man named Sam Learner was traveling on the Connecticut Turnpike when he discovered just how variable the prices can be. After pulling into a rest stop in Darien, Connecticut, he was astounded by the prices he saw on the McDonald’s menu. A Big Mac combo meal with fries and a soft drink costs $17.59. So he snapped a photo and posted it to Twitter.
This was at a rest stop, but these McDonald’s prices are nuts right??? pic.twitter.com/0qq8Ima3ZA
— Sam Learner (@sam_learner) July 18, 2023
MORE: McDonald’s Indonesia launches wedding packages with McNuggets
Why so expensive? Since about 90% of McDonald’s franchises are independently operated, the owners can set their own prices. If you own a McDonald’s at a rest stop along a highway (where people are hungry and in unfamiliar territory), you can charge more for the same product. And franchise owners in areas with a high per-capita income also tend to charge higher prices.
Learner did some more sleuthing and quickly followed this tweet up with a second one:
Ok, I did a little digging and I think I might have stumbled into the country’s most expensive McDonald’s. Its $8.29 Big Mac is missing from this map, which lists $8.09 in Lee, MA as the country’s most expensive (though from a few months ago to be fair): https://t.co/SjbQh2N1UF pic.twitter.com/q3zvTFHJuv
— Sam Learner (@sam_learner) July 19, 2023
Unsurprisingly, Learner’s tweets sparked a lively Twitter debate about the economics of fast food.
“I downloaded the mcdonald’s app to check – same items are just about half the price less than 2 miles away at a different store,” commented Bad Gibbon @Mostlymonkey. “Wow, that is a hell of a convenience premium!”
Many people commented on the injustice of price gouging, with others urging people not to eat at McDonald’s anymore.
“Rest stops are literally highway robbery,” wrote Bella @imbellawonder.
But the most depressing response came from ednycinc44, who shared what McDonald’s prices were in 1972, when a Big Mac cost $.65 cents:
Those were the days…. Hamburger, Fries, & a Coke plus change back from you pic.twitter.com/yhhshDSMRP
— ednycinc44 (@ednycinc44) July 21, 2023
MORE: This recipe features McDonald’s Big Mac flavors in a salad
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.kivitv.com/a-nearly-18-big-mac-meal-is-creating-a-stir-on-social-media | 2023-07-31T17:33:52 | 1 | https://www.kivitv.com/a-nearly-18-big-mac-meal-is-creating-a-stir-on-social-media |
Changes to pet food and specialty pet food packaging will provide consistency and transparency
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet owners will soon find updated packaging and labels when shopping for pet food and specialty pet food products, including treats and supplements -- the first major update in more than 40 years. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved the new suggested labeling guidelines that include standardized nutrition information, clear ingredient statements, and storage and handling instructions. The modern design and updated information will ensure consistency and transparency, so consumers can easily make more informed buying decisions for their pets.
The passage of the revised Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food sets a new standard for pet food manufacturers and distributors to follow. Feed regulatory professionals across the United States and Canada worked cooperatively with consumers and professionals within the pet food industry on a strategic course to ensure pet food labels provide a more comprehensive view of the product.
"The feedback we received from both consumers and industry advisors throughout this process was an important part of our collaboration to make improvements. We sought public comment to learn more about how pet food label changes would enhance transparency and provide clearer information in a consumer-friendly format. New packaging and labels will be well-defined and easy to understand. And that's good news for all of us, from pet owners and manufacturers to pets themselves," said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO.
Major Label Changes
As states begin the rulemaking process of adopting and enforcing the Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food, AAFCO recommends a transition period of six years for manufacturers to fully incorporate the label and packaging changes to their products. Pet owners will see some changes before that date, but all packaging should be consistent by the end of the six-year period. Below is a snapshot of what to expect from label updates in four key areas:
- Nutrition Facts Box – Updated to resemble human-food labeling more closely.
- Intended Use Statement – Updated to new location on the lower-third of the front display panel to help consumers easily identify the purpose of the pet food.
- Ingredient Statement – Updated to clarify the use of consistent terminology and allow parentheticals and common or usual names for vitamins.
- Handling and Storage Instructions (optional) – Updated and standardized with optional icons for greater consistency.
About Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM)
AAFCO and its key stakeholders have worked together since 2015, to develop the revised Pet Food Model Regulations. Multiple rounds of consumer research were conducted to understand how pet food labels can better communicate important information. AAFCO used the feedback from consumers and industry officials to develop this new update and to support uniform state implementation of the new regulations. This initiative has been a key example of the benefit of industry and consumer collaboration to solve challenges and make improvements to pet food labels. For more information about PFLM, visit http://www.aafco.org/pflm.
About AAFCO
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has been guiding state, federal and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory standards for more than 110 years, while supporting the health and safety of people and animals. Its members are charged by their state or federal laws to regulate the manufacture, sale and distribution of animal feeds and feed ingredients. Learn more at aafco.org.
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SOURCE The Association of American Feed Control Officials | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/aafco-membership-approves-new-model-pet-food-specialty-pet-food-regulations/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:53 | 1 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/aafco-membership-approves-new-model-pet-food-specialty-pet-food-regulations/ |
US customers can now experience Angel Aligner with over two decades of superior aligner technology, transforming a million healthy smiles
SANTA ANA, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 20 years of experience and a commitment to research and digital innovation, Angelalign Technology Inc., is excited to announce the launch of its custom-made clear aligners into the U.S. market. Angelalign Technology is a leading global provider of clear aligner dental technology and evidence-based clinical expertise. With 1 million smiles treated,1 the company is now expanding its expertise and global footprint.
Since 2003, Angelalign Technology has maintained productive scientific collaborations with orthodontists and universities around the world, enabling the company to build a large database of complex orthodontic cases. State-of-the-art research and development (R&D) and customized production facilities are now globally positioned to bring a fresh perspective and technological advancements to clear aligner manufacturing and customer service.
The company is dedicated to research and development, with an average of 11% of annual revenue invested into R&D every year. Innovative highlights include:
- angelButton™ – Manufactured directly into the aligner to provide an additional anchorage point to support the use of elastics and TADs, these buttons can be added and/or adjusted anywhere on the arch and are designed with high structural integrity to facilitate efficient tooth movement via elastics.
"Angel Aligner solved the problems of having buttons. The buttons are built into the aligners, which will reduce emergencies, and additional appointments can be avoided."
Dr. Amanda Cheng, Orthodontist, California
- iOrtho™ – A secure cloud-based service platform housing patient management data for Angel Aligner™ treatments. The treatment planning software has user-friendly 3D controls, allowing doctors to customize and review Angel Aligner case designs.
"Working with the iOrtho software has been amazing and the turnaround time has been great in our practice."
Dr. Stephen Bradford, Orthodontics by Bradford, Florida
- Intelligent Root System (IRS) – Get an accurate 3D digital representation of the patient's tooth, root and jawbone relationship that uses CBCT data and IO scans and adjusts throughout the course of treatment via an Intelligent Root System (IRS).
- masterControl S (MCS) – A soft multi-layered polymer material with gentle but long-lasting orthodontic force design for more efficient tooth movement. MCS exhibits enhanced tear and stain resistance, mechanical stability and unique reflective properties.
- angelAttach – Optimized and conventional attachments are designed for better orthodontic force and more effective and accurate tooth movement.
Angel Aligner™ has a large specialized team of technicians with over 3.5 years of tenure, orthodontically attuned to precision case designs with specialized knowledge in complex malocclusions. They're ready to support treatment planning needs with high-quality case designs and 10-day turnaround times.
"The treatment plans coming back are excellent. I don't have to do a lot of modifying."
Dr. James Crouse, The Brace Place, Maryland
Angel Aligner™ delivers a simple approach, innovative products and tools and experienced customer support to continuously push the edge of technology, product development and service to better serve orthodontic professionals and ultimately, their patients.
"We're excited to combine two decades of research, development and clinical expertise in clear aligner technology with the seasoned experience of our leadership, sales and integration specialists in the North American market," said Jason Tabb, General Manager, North America.
About Angel Aligner™
Angelalign Technology Inc., a leading global provider of clear aligner technology and clinical expertise, has announced the launch of its custom-made clear aligners into new markets worldwide. With over 20 years of experience and a commitment to research and digital innovation, Angelalign Technology has treated 1 million smiles and offers unparalleled customer service and state-of-the-art production facilities.
1As of June 30, 2023, the total number of cases of any and all the products and services provided by all entities owned or controlled by Angelalign Technology Inc. has exceeded one million.
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SOURCE Angel Aligner | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/angel-aligner-launches-game-changing-clear-aligner-technology-us-markets/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:54 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/angel-aligner-launches-game-changing-clear-aligner-technology-us-markets/ |
WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On NBC 10 News Today, an American and her child were missing after being reportedly kidnapped, as violence swept across the island nation. For more information, watch the video above.
WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On NBC 10 News Today, an American and her child were missing after being reportedly kidnapped, as violence swept across the island nation. For more information, watch the video above. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/morning-show/nbc-10-news-today-update-on-american-woman-and-child-kidnapped-in-haiti/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:55 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/morning-show/nbc-10-news-today-update-on-american-woman-and-child-kidnapped-in-haiti/ |
Multifamily Lender Strives to Leverage Strong Performance to Attract Top Boston Talent
BOSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR) announces a new and larger office location at 501 Boylston St., a historically significant Class A property close to Copley Square in Boston's lively Back Bay neighborhood.
Arbor, which has 15 offices in cities across the United States, moved its 88-member Boston team from 1 Lincoln St. in expectation of the team's expansion and growth, and with the recognition that Boston's thriving economy and talent pool is also creating opportunities in our core business of multifamily lending. Boston has had 8.5% annual rent growth through April 2023 and is presently the third-tightest multifamily rental market in the United States, our proprietary research reveals.
This past Friday, Arbor Realty Trust reported an outstanding second quarter and a dividend increase to $0.43, reflecting a 12th increase in the last 14 quarters.
Join Us - Arbor is Hiring in Boston and Nationally
Are you interested in a career in multifamily lending? Arbor is hiring in Boston and at many other locations. Advance your career at a firm that encourages entrepreneurial drive, collaborative spirit, and the quest for excellence.
Browse our current job openings.
About Arbor
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in Uniondale, New York, Arbor manages a multibillion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a leading Fannie Mae DUS® lender, Freddie Mac Optigo® Seller/Servicer, and an approved FHA Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) lender. Arbor's product platform also includes bridge, CMBS, mezzanine, and preferred equity loans. Arbor is rated by Standard and Poor's and Fitch. In June 2023, Arbor was added to the S&P SmallCap 600® index. Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality, and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan.
CONTACT: press@arbor.com
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SOURCE Arbor Realty Trust | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/arbor-realty-trust-expands-presence-boston-opening-office-historically-significant-building/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:56 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/arbor-realty-trust-expands-presence-boston-opening-office-historically-significant-building/ |
A woman behind the wheel of a self-driving Uber that hit and killed a pedestrian has pleaded guilty to endangerment in what is the first fatal collision involving a fully autonomous test vehicle.
After years of legal limbo, 49-year-old Rafaela Vasquez was sentenced to three years of supervised probation Friday for the 2018 crash that killed 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg in suburban Phoenix. Vasquez, who was behind the wheel of the car, told police that Herzberg "came out of nowhere" on the dimly lit Tempe street.
Vasquez had originally been charged with negligent homicide, a felony that carries a minimum one year prison sentence. However, she entered a plea agreement with prosecutors that would reclassify the charge as a misdemeanor if she completes the probationary requirements.
SEE MORE: Are self driving cars safe?
Authorities said Vasquez was streaming a television show on her phone and not watching the road when her SUV struck Herzberg as she was crossing the street with her bicycle. But Vasquez's attorneys claim she was looking at an Uber messaging app that's used by employees while they work, and that the corporation should share some of the blame for the collision.
Herzberg's death was the first involving a fully autonomous test vehicle, but was not the first from a car with some self-driving features. Two years prior, an Ohio driver was killed after crashing into semi-truck while his Tesla was operating in autopilot mode.
In 2022, automakers reported nearly 400 crashes over a 10-month period involving semi-autonomous or fully-autonomous vehicles, according to U.S. regulators. A majority of those crashes involved Teslas.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.kivitv.com/backup-driver-in-self-driving-uber-that-killed-woman-pleads-guilty | 2023-07-31T17:33:58 | 1 | https://www.kivitv.com/backup-driver-in-self-driving-uber-that-killed-woman-pleads-guilty |
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), with support from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation through the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, today announced the launch of The AAPI Nonprofit Database. This interactive database addresses the historical inequity of funding directed towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by providing a platform where anyone looking to donate, volunteer, or get involved can more easily locate and support AAPI nonprofit organizations across the country.
With less than 0.2% of philanthropic giving going to AAPI nonprofits and causes, the community remains underfunded and under-resourced. TAAF is working to help fill this critical gap, and the database is a necessary first step to meeting the need. The database will feature nonprofits of all sizes, giving visibility and driving donations to grassroots organizations who have been working tirelessly to support underrepresented AAPI communities throughout the country.
"In the face of continued Anti-Asian hate and rhetoric, it is now more important than ever to invest in resources to support the diverse needs of AAPI communities," said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF. "We know people want to support AAPI causes, especially following the horrific events impacting our community, but they may not always know where to begin or which organizations are aligned with their interests. Impactaapi.org will make AAPI nonprofits and causes accessible through one interactive tool to remove the barriers to entry and help combat the chronic underfunding and under-resourcing that AAPI organizations have faced."
At launch, the database will feature over 600 nonprofit organizations focused on serving AAPI communities. The AAPI Nonprofit Database will allow users to filter by location, focus area, population served, budget size or years in service, among others. Users will have the opportunity to make donations directly to the nonprofit of their choice or learn how to get more involved. If users need help to get started, a feature will allow visitors to take a short quiz, matching them to a curated list of organizations based on their interests.
Nonprofits have the opportunity to opt-in, get listed, and update their profile pages, including linking directly to their donation pages or website. Organizations whose data has been updated in the past year will have "verified" status indicating current data.
"Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have been long-time supporters of the AAPI community and are thrilled to support The Asian American Foundation in launching The AAPI Nonprofit Database," said Kimberly McGee, Senior Manager for the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity. "As a founding AAPI Giving Challenge supporter, we are focused on driving access and resources to advance equity in the AAPI nonprofit community. The AAPI Nonprofit Database brings us closer to that goal by putting power into the hands of the broader public, whether by driving donations or getting more involved."
The AAPI Giving Challenge was launched in May 2021 with over 130 corporations, foundations, and individual donors committed $1.1 billion in funding and in-kind resources directly to AAPI communities, organizations, and relevant causes over five years. The AAPI Nonprofit Database highlights the commitment of corporate partners to work with the AAPI community to drive towards solutions together.
TAAF acknowledges Asian Pacific Fund and AAPI Data for their collaboration in providing guidance on the creation of this database.
The AAPI Nonprofit Database can be found at https://impactaapi.org. Nonprofit organizations interested in being listed can submit a request here.
ABOUT THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION (TAAF)
The Asian American Foundation serves the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in its pursuit of belonging and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence. Founded in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and address the long standing underinvestment in AAPI communities, TAAF funds best in class organizations working to mobilize against hate and violence, educate communities, and reclaim our narratives through our core pillars of Anti-hate, Education, Narrative Change, and Resources & Representation. Through our grants, high-impact initiatives and events, we're creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org.
Media Contact:
Joy Moh
joy.moh@taaf.org
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SOURCE The Asian American Foundation | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/asian-american-foundation-launches-interactive-aapi-nonprofit-database-unlock-resources-support-aapi-focused-organizations/ | 2023-07-31T17:33:57 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/asian-american-foundation-launches-interactive-aapi-nonprofit-database-unlock-resources-support-aapi-focused-organizations/ |
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.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/florida-judge-tosses-5-million-lawsuit-over-microwavable-mac-and-cheese/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:01 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/florida-judge-tosses-5-million-lawsuit-over-microwavable-mac-and-cheese/ |
As extreme heat events are expected to increase in the coming years due to man-made climate change, the costs associated with a warming globe are expected to skyrocket.
This will be especially evident in Texas, according to Ray Perryman, CEO of economic research company the Perryman Group.
According to his analysis, the state's gross product is expected to decline by about $9.5 billion this summer due to extreme heat.
Almost $2 billion of the losses will come from reductions in real estate, while another $1.8 billion is expected to be lost in the insurance sector.
Agriculture is also expected to be hit with major losses, losing 5.7% of its annual revenue.
SEE MORE: Advocates rush to help those living with homelessness in record heat
But these losses, Perryman warns, could just be the tip of the iceberg. An average summer temperature increase of 1 degree would result in over $396 billion in losses by 2050.
"Extreme weather events such as heat waves cost the economy billions. Over a long period of time, persistent temperature increases will have even larger and more profound economic consequences," Perryman writes.
Perryman is not the only one warning of climate change's costs. Last month,the Center for American Progress issued a report suggesting extreme heat has caused health care costs to go up $1 billion per year in the U.S.
The group said heat-related illnesses are responsible for 235,000 emergency department visits and more than 56,000 hospital admissions annually.
The reports come as data from the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization released last week indicates that July 2023 will go down as the hottest month ever recorded in human history.
The U.N. said July has already recorded the hottest three-week period, the three hottest days on record, and the highest-ever sea-surface temperatures for this time of year.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.kivitv.com/extreme-heat-expected-to-be-costly-especially-in-texas | 2023-07-31T17:34:04 | 1 | https://www.kivitv.com/extreme-heat-expected-to-be-costly-especially-in-texas |
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American: BRBS), the holding company of Blue Ridge Bank, National Association ("Blue Ridge Bank" or the "Bank") and BRB Financial Group, Inc. ("BRB Financial Group"), announced today financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
For the second quarter of 2023, the Company reported net loss from continuing operations of $19.5 million, or $1.03 per diluted common share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $1.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2023, and net income from continuing operations of $1.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2022.
A Message From Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. President and CEO, G. William "Billy" Beale:
"The net loss for the quarter was driven primarily by higher provision expense and the associated reversal of interest income related to loans that were placed on nonaccrual during the quarter. This group of loans, totaling $58.1 million at quarter-end, were sourced by a former lender, and is best described as specialty finance that we deemed to be not in keeping with our desired risk profile. I don't believe this asset quality matter is pervasive within our loan portfolio, and excluding these loans, measures of asset quality were generally stable as compared to the prior quarter.
Having recently joined the organization in May 2023, I am pleased to have found Blue Ridge to be a quality bank providing exceptional service to its customers. My foremost priority, and that of our team, is to remain focused on our regulatory remediation efforts, as we continue to work diligently to bring the Bank's fintech policies, procedures, and operations into conformity with regulatory directives. At the same time, we want to re-energize the core banking franchise by attracting new customers from within our footprint, while supporting our fintech partners that continue to gain momentum."
Q2 2023 Highlights
(Comparisons for Second Quarter 2023 are relative to First Quarter 2023 unless otherwise noted)
Formal Written Agreement:
- As previously disclosed, Blue Ridge Bank entered into a formal written agreement (the "Agreement") with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") on August 29, 2022. The Agreement principally concerns the Bank's fintech line of business and requires the Bank to continue enhancing its controls for assessing and managing the third-party, BSA/AML, and IT risks stemming from its fintech partnerships. A complete copy of the Agreement was filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on September 1, 2022 and can be accessed on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) and the Company's website (www.mybrb.com). The Company continues to actively work to bring the Bank's fintech policies, procedures, and operations into conformity with OCC directives. The Company reports that, although work is progressing, many aspects of the Agreement require considerable time for completion, implementation, validation, and sustainability. Remediation costs related to regulatory matters were $2.4 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $1.1 million in the prior quarter.
Asset Quality:
- Nonperforming loans totaled $86.1 million, or 2.68% of total assets, compared to $30.7 million, or 0.92% of total assets, at the prior quarter-end. The increase reflects the migration of a group of specialty finance loans to nonaccrual status during the quarter. These loans had a 1.79% impact on the nonperforming loans to total assets ratio for the second quarter.
- The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $20.5 million, compared to $3.7 million last quarter. Net loan charge-offs were $8.0 million in the quarter, representing an annualized net charge-off rate of 1.29% of average loans, compared to $1.1 million, representing an annualized net charge-off rate of 0.17% of average loans, for the prior quarter. Net loan charge-offs in the quarter were primarily attributable to one loan.
- The allowance for credit losses ("ACL") as a percentage of total loans held for investment was 1.76% at quarter-end, compared to 1.22% at the prior quarter-end. Specific reserves associated with the aforementioned specialty finance loans totaled $14.1 million at June 30, 2023.
Capital:
- As previously announced, on July 12, 2023, the Board of Directors determined to forego the declaration and payment of a cash dividend on the Company's common stock in the third quarter of 2023. The decision was based on the desire to preserve capital and available cash.
- The ratio of tangible stockholders' equity to tangible total assets was 6.3%1, compared to 6.8%1 at the prior quarter-end. Tangible book value per common share was $10.551, compared to $11.931 at the prior quarter-end.
- For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the Bank's tier 1 leverage ratio, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, common equity tier 1 capital ratio, and total risk-based capital ratio were 7.86%, 9.27%, 9.27%, and 10.77%, respectively, compared to 8.50%, 10.06%, 10.06%, and 11.12%, respectively, at the prior quarter-end. Capital ratios at quarter-end were within regulatory guidelines to categorize the Bank as well capitalized.
Net Interest Income / Net Interest Margin:
- Net interest income was $20.4 million, a decline of $7.0 million from the prior quarter, primarily reflecting the reversal of $4.7 million in interest income, related to the aforementioned group of specialty finance loans, and higher funding costs. These impacts were partially offset by increasing loan yields in the quarter, which increased 5 basis points excluding the effect of the interest income reversal.
- Net interest margin was 2.67% compared to 3.58% for the prior quarter. The reversal of interest income noted above had an approximate negative 60 basis points impact on second quarter net interest margin.
- Cost of deposits and total cost of funds were 2.21% and 2.49%, respectively, compared to 1.74% and 2.11%, respectively, for the prior quarter. Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta ("FHLB") and Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond ("FRB") advances were $284.1 million at June 30, 2023, compared to $239.1 million at the prior quarter-end. Deposit costs and overall funding costs increased during the second quarter of 2023 due primarily to the impact of higher average balances of wholesale funding secured in late first quarter in response to then market events, as well as interest rates on deposits that adjust with changes in federal funds rates.
Balance Sheet:
- Total deposit balances declined $148.0 million, or 5.4%, from the prior quarter-end, due primarily to a decrease of $93.8 million in wholesale funding, primarily time deposits and interest-bearing demand balances. Excluding wholesale funding, total deposits during the second quarter of 2023 declined by 2.1% from the prior quarter-end.
- Deposits related to fintech relationships were $708 million at June 30, 2023, compared to $716 million at the prior quarter-end. These deposits represented 27.1% of total deposits at June 30, 2023, compared to 25.9% of total deposits at the prior quarter-end. Excluding wholesale funding, deposits related to fintech relationships represented 30.1% and 29.8% of total deposits at June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
- Loans held for investment, excluding Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans, were $2.45 billion, essentially level with the prior quarter-end.
- The held for investment loan to deposit ratio measured 94.1% at quarter-end, compared to 89.0% at the prior quarter-end. The increase was primarily due to the reduction in wholesale deposits.
Noninterest Income / Noninterest Expense:
- Noninterest income was $9.7 million, compared to $7.3 million for the prior quarter, due primarily to fair value adjustments to mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs"), reported in residential mortgage banking income, which were a positive $0.8 million, compared to a negative $2.1 million in the prior quarter.
- Noninterest expense was $34.1 million, compared to $28.8 million for the prior quarter. Increased expenses primarily reflected higher other contractual services, legal, regulatory remediation, and FDIC insurance costs, partially offset by lower salaries and employee benefits costs. Higher other contractual services expense was primarily due to outsourced BSA/AML compliance services as the Bank continues to augment its compliance staff, while higher legal expense was primarily attributable to corporate, employee benefit plans, and other employment matters. Higher FDIC insurance cost relative to the prior quarter was primarily due to balance sheet growth, while lower salaries and employee benefits cost was primarily due to continued headcount reduction in the mortgage division. During the quarter, the Company sold its wholesale mortgage business operating as LenderSelect Mortgage Group.
Income Statement:
Net Interest Income
Net interest income was $20.4 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $27.4 million for the first quarter of 2023, and $24.1 million for the second quarter of 2022. Relative to both the prior quarter and year-ago periods, net interest income declined due to a lower net interest margin resulting primarily from the aforementioned reversal of interest income related to the specialty finance loans moved to nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2023, the impact of higher interest rates on the Company's deposits and overall funding costs, and actions taken to add balance sheet liquidity following the market events of March 2023. Relative to the prior year period, these developments were partially offset by an increase in average interest-earning asset balances, and relative to both prior periods, higher loan yields.
Total interest income was $39.0 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $43.1 million for the first quarter of 2023, and $26.2 million for the second quarter of 2022. The decline relative to the prior quarter reflects the aforementioned reversal of interest income related to loans placed on nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2023. The increase relative to the prior year reflects higher average balances of and yields on interest-earning asset balances, partially offset by the reversal of interest income on loans moved to nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2023, and lower income from purchase accounting adjustments. The yield on average loans held for investment, excluding PPP loans, was 5.54% for the second quarter of 2023, compared to 6.24% for the first quarter of 2023, and 4.97% for the second quarter of 2022. The reversal of interest income noted above had an approximate negative 75 basis points impact on the yield on average loans held for investment, excluding PPP loans, for the second quarter of 2023.
Total interest expense was $18.6 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $15.7 million for the first quarter of 2023, and $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2022. The increase relative to the prior quarter and the year-ago period reflects higher deposit costs and overall funding costs due to higher market interest rates and a shift in the mix of average interest-bearing liabilities, primarily to higher cost wholesale funding sources.
Average balances of interest-earning assets increased $3.6 million, or 0.1%, to $3.06 billion, in the second quarter of 2023, relative to the prior quarter, and increased by $582.0 million, or 23.5%, from the year-ago period. Relative to the prior quarter, average interest-earning asset balances were relatively flat, reflecting a slight decline in average total securities and loans held for investment balances, offset by higher average balances of loans held for sale and interest-earning deposits in other banks. Relative to the prior year-ago period, average interest-earning asset balances increased due primarily to higher balances of loans held for investment and interest-earning deposits at other banks, partially offset by lower average securities balances.
Average balances of interest-bearing liabilities increased $177.1 million, or 8.2%, to $2.35 billion, in the second quarter of 2023, relative to the prior quarter, and increased $719.3 million, or 44.2%, relative to the year-ago period. Relative to the prior quarter, the increase reflected higher average interest-bearing deposits, primarily higher average wholesale time deposits, partially offset by lower average FHLB borrowings. Relative to the prior year, the increase reflected higher average interest-bearing deposits and higher average FHLB borrowings.
Cost of funds was 2.49% for the second quarter of 2023, compared to 2.11% for the first quarter of 2023, and 0.36% for the second quarter of 2022, while cost of deposits was 2.21%, 1.74%, and 0.26%, for the same respective periods. Higher deposit costs and overall funding costs reflect the impact of higher market interest rates, higher average balances and related interest costs of FHLB borrowings, and a shift in the mix of funding, including an increase in higher cost time deposits, which includes an increase in wholesale funding average balances and a decline in average noninterest-bearing deposits.
Net interest margin was 2.67% for the second quarter of 2023, compared to 3.58% for the first quarter of 2023, and 3.89% for the second quarter of 2022. The decline in net interest margin relative to both prior periods primarily reflects the aforementioned reversal of interest income related to loans placed on nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2023, the impact of higher interest rates on funding costs, and less benefit from purchase accounting adjustments. These declines were partially offset by higher yields on loans, excluding the reversal of interest income.
Provision for Credit Losses
The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $20.5 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $3.7 million for the first quarter of 2023, and $7.5 million for the second quarter of 2022. Relative to both prior periods, the increase in provision is primarily attributable to specific reserves and charge-offs on the aforementioned group of specialty finance loans.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income was $9.7 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $7.3 million for the first quarter of 2023, and $10.2 million for the second quarter of 2022. Relative to the prior quarter, the increase reflected higher residential mortgage banking income, primarily due to the aforementioned fair value adjustments to MSRs, and, to a lesser extent, higher bank and purchase card income, partially offset by lower other noninterest income and negative fair value adjustments of other equity investments. Relative to the year-ago period, the decline reflected lower residential mortgage banking income, partially offset by higher other noninterest income and higher gain on sale of government guaranteed loans.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense was $34.1 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $28.8 million for the first quarter of 2023, and $25.3 million for the second quarter of 2022. Relative to the prior quarter and year-ago period, the increase primarily reflects higher other contractual services, legal, regulatory remediation, and FDIC insurance costs, partially offset by lower salaries and employee benefits costs.
Balance Sheet:
Loans
Loans held for investment, excluding PPP loans, were $2.45 billion at June 30, 2023, compared to $2.45 billion at March 31, 2023, and $2.05 billion at June 30, 2022. Loan balances were flat with the prior quarter level, while the Company selectively replaced the amortization of balances with higher yielding loans. The increase in loan balances relative to the year ago period reflected the high level of growth, particularly in the second half of 2022.
Deposits
Total deposits were $2.61 billion at June 30, 2023, a decline of $148.0 million, or 5.4%, from the prior quarter-end, and an increase of $277.4 million, or 11.9%, from the year-ago period. Relative to the prior quarter, the decrease reflected a decline in wholesale funding, primarily time deposits, and, to a lesser extent, declines in other deposit types. Relative to the year-ago period, the increase reflected higher wholesale funding balances, interest-bearing demand and money market deposits, partially offset by lower noninterest-bearing demand deposits. Noninterest-bearing deposits declined 3.1% and 26.7% relative to the prior quarter and year-ago periods, respectively, and represented 22.0%, 21.5%, and 33.6% of total deposits at June 30, 2023, March 31, 2023, and June 30, 2022, respectively. The change from the year-ago period was primarily due to certain fintech-related balances shifting to interest-bearing accounts.
The held for investment loan to deposit ratio was 94.1% at June 30, 2023, compared to 89.0% at the prior quarter-end, and 88.4% at the year-ago period-end. The increase on a linked quarter basis was due primarily to lower wholesale funding at second quarter-end 2023, while the increase from the year-ago period end was due to second half 2022 loan growth.
Fintech Business:
Interest and fee income related to fintech partnerships represented approximately $3.4 million, $2.9 million, and $1.8 million of total revenue for the Company for the second quarter of 2023, the first quarter of 2023, and the second quarter of 2022, respectively.
Deposits related to fintech relationships were $708 million at June 30, 2023, compared to $716 million at the prior quarter-end. These deposits represented 27.1% of total deposits at June 30, 2023, compared to 25.9% of total deposits at the prior quarter-end. Included in deposits related to fintech relationships were assets managed by BRB Financial Group's trust division of $37.2 million as of June 30, 2023.
Other Matters:
On May 15, 2023, the Company sold its wholesale mortgage business operating as LenderSelect Mortgage Group ("LSMG") to a third-party for $250 thousand in cash. The Company recorded a loss on the sale of LSMG of $553 thousand, which is reported in other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company sold its majority interest in MoneyWise Payroll Solutions, Inc. ("MoneyWise") to the holder of the minority interest in MoneyWise. Income statement amounts related to MoneyWise are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, management uses certain non-GAAP measures to supplement the evaluation of the Company's performance. Management believes presentations of these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company's core businesses. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures are included at the end of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release of the Company contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections, and statements of the Company's beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as "may," "could," "should," "will," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "aim," "intend," "plan," or words or phases of similar meaning. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements are based largely on its expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company's control. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in such forward-looking statements: (i) the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which it conducts operations; (ii) changes in the level of the Company's nonperforming assets and charge-offs; (iii) management of risks inherent in the Company's real estate loan portfolio, and the risk of a prolonged downturn in the real estate market, which could impair the value of collateral and the ability to sell collateral upon any foreclosure; (iv) the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve, inflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations; (v) changes in consumer spending and savings habits; (vi) the Company's ability to identify, attract, and retain experienced management, relationship managers, and support personnel, particularly in a competitive labor environment; (vii) technological and social media changes impacting the Company, the Bank, and the financial services industry in general; (viii) changing bank regulatory conditions, laws, regulations, policies, or programs, whether arising as new legislation or regulatory initiatives, that could lead to restrictions on activities of banks generally, or the Bank in particular, more restrictive regulatory capital requirements, increased costs, including deposit insurance premiums, increased regulations, prohibition of certain income producing activities, or changes in the secondary market for loans and other products; (ix) the impact of changes in financial services policies, laws and regulations, including laws, regulations and policies concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance, and the application thereof by regulatory bodies; (x) the Company's involvement, from time to time, in legal proceedings and examination and remedial actions by regulators; (xi) the impact of, and the ability to comply with, the terms of the formal written agreement between the Bank and the OCC; (xii) the impact of changes in laws, regulations, and policies affecting the real estate industry; (xiii) the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted from time to time by bank regulatory agencies, the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other accounting standards setting bodies; (xiv) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the adverse impact on our business and operations and on the Company's customers which may result, among other things, in increased delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and losses on loans; (xv) the occurrence of significant natural disasters, including severe weather conditions, floods, health related issues, and other catastrophic events; (xvi) geopolitical conditions, including acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, or actions taken by the U.S. or other governments in response to acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, which could impact business and economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad; (xvii) the timely development of competitive new products and services and the acceptance of these products and services by new and existing customers; (xviii) the willingness of users to substitute competitors' products and services for the Company's products and services; (xix) the Company's inability to successfully manage growth or implement its growth strategy; (xx) reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of the Company's customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners; (xxi) the effect of acquisitions the Company may make, including, without limitation, disruption of employee or customer relationships, and the failure to achieve the expected revenue growth and/or expense savings from such acquisitions; (xxii) the Company's participation in the PPP established by the U.S. government and its administration of the loans and processing fees earned under the program; (xxiii) the Company's involvement, from time to time, in legal proceedings, and examination and remedial actions by regulators; (xxiv) the Company's potential exposure to fraud, negligence, computer theft, and cyber-crime; (xxv) the Bank's ability to effectively manage its fintech partnerships, and the abilities of those fintech companies to perform as expected; (xxvi) the Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company; and (xxvii) other risks and factors identified in the "Risk Factors" sections and elsewhere in documents the Company files from time to time with the SEC.
1 Non-GAAP financial measure. Further information can be found at the end of this press release.
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SOURCE Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/blue-ridge-bankshares-inc-announces-second-quarter-2023-results/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:04 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/blue-ridge-bankshares-inc-announces-second-quarter-2023-results/ |
WATCH LIVE
Sandy goes behind the scenes of the Met Gala with director Andrew Rossi for his new documentary 'The First Monday in May'
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AccuWeather: Partly Sunny
Damar Hamlin joins in 1st Buffalo Bills practice since cardiac arrest | https://abc7ny.com/backstage-with-sandy-kenyon-entertainment-met-gala-metropolitan-museum-of-art/1326607/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:05 | 1 | https://abc7ny.com/backstage-with-sandy-kenyon-entertainment-met-gala-metropolitan-museum-of-art/1326607/ |
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.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:07 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/humiliating-mom-son-with-autism-thrown-out-of-nj-theater-for-using-ladies-room/ |
After months of warnings from tech executives about the dangers of artificial intelligence, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has a new list of concerns.
The agency has issued a stark warning to Americans about cybercriminals using AI tools, like ChatGPT, to create malicious code and launch attacks that had previously required much more effort.
The agency detailed its concerns on a phone call with journalists and explained that AI chatbots have been used to help criminals carry out various types of illicit activity. One FBI official said bad actors are using it as a tool to supplement criminal activities by utilizing things like AI voice generators to impersonate trusted individuals in order to defraud people.
The bottom line is there are fewer people, less expertise, and less time needed for a lot of these threats, ultimately lowering the barrier for entry, according to officials. Furthermore, the agency said it is working with private companies to identify synthetically generated content online that's made with the help of AI.
SEE MORE: Cybersecurity firm finds compromised ChatGPT accounts on dark web
It's not the first time an alarm has been sounded about the potential threats of AI. Cybersecurity firm Group-IB reported that more than 26,000 compromised ChatGPT accounts were detected on the dark web in may and were being offered for sale. According to the firm, more employers are using tools like ChatGPT to optimize their work, but entries into the chatbot could include sensitive or proprietary information that could be exploited by hackers.
However, some companies have been wary to jumping on the chatbot train. Apple has already restricted employees from using ChatGPT. Other companies, like Verizon and JPMorgan Chase, have taken similar measures.
SEE MORE: Musk, tech leaders call for pause on 'out-of-control' AI race
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden hosted seven major tech companies at the White House to discuss ways to protect the public from the potential harms of AI. The companies — Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI — all made voluntary commitments to ensure their products are safe for consumers prior to launch.
One of those promises is a commitment to internal and external security testing—meaning allowing third-party, independent experts to review AI cybersecurity.
"I think that's a very important step," said Dr. Arati Prabhakar, lead science adviser to the president. "There are other fields where that happens [where] it's been very helpful, but I think it's going to be very constructive for AI."
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.kivitv.com/fbi-warns-of-hackers-using-artificial-intelligence-to-create-malware | 2023-07-31T17:34:10 | 1 | https://www.kivitv.com/fbi-warns-of-hackers-using-artificial-intelligence-to-create-malware |
Provides DUI/DWI Solutions and Free Virtual Continuing Education
DES MOINES, Iowa, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Safety Technology, a leader in safety and detection products and services, announced today it has been named the Official DUI/DWI Services Sponsor for The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL). The expanded partnership will provide continuing education seminars and exclusive benefits to support FACDL attorneys and their clients.
FACDL is the only statewide organization in Florida dedicated solely to criminal defense attorneys. A not-for-profit corporation, FACDL was formed for scientific and educational purposes and is affiliated with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
"Expanding our partnership with FACDL reinforces our commitment to supporting criminal defense attorneys across the state," said Kathy Boden Holland, CEO, CST. "By offering members valuable continuing legal education content and access to products and services for every step in the DUI process, we aim to enhance their expertise and effectiveness in representing clients."
CST's suite of comprehensive alcohol and impairment solutions includes Intoxalock, the leading ignition interlock brand in the US, and trusted partner to attorneys and monitoring authorities. Through the partnership, FACDL members can easily address multiple client needs with products and services covering the entire DUI process, not just one area.
- Intoxalock – Intoxalock devices are approved in Florida and meet all state criteria for court-ordered devices. With VIP support from Intoxalock, FACDL member's clients will receive expedited assistance. www.intoxalock.com
- Breathe Easy - High-risk insurance coverage is often a requirement following a DUI or DWI conviction. Breathe Easy insurance brokerage works with several providers, and FACDL members can rely on Breathe Easy representatives to find the best coverage for the lowest price on behalf of their clients. https://www.breatheeasyins.com/
- New Directions - Assessments that DUI and DWI defendants can use to strengthen their case in court. As part of the partnership, FACDL members will receive priority scheduling for assessments. All clients will receive a customized assessment tailored to their unique situation and needs. New Directions also offers a money-back guarantee if the assessment is not accepted in court. https://www.ndsbs.com/
Key FACDL event dates:
- October 4, 2023 - Ignition Interlock 101: The 5 Most Common Mistakes Clients – FACDL members will learn more about ignition interlock devices and the benefits, requirements, and technical aspects of the device.
- November 16-17, 2023 - CST will serve as the top-tier sponsor for the DUI Defense Seminar, Blood, Breath & Tears, at the University of Florida Levin College of Law in Gainesville, Florida.
For more information on how FACDL attorney members can join the Intoxalock Select Attorney Network and get instant access to client savings materials visit the FACDL and Intoxalock Partner page.
About Consumer Safety Technology
Consumer Safety Technology (CST) is a leader in safety and detection products and services that help people live responsibly and make communities safer. A force for good for more than 30 years, CST and its family of leading brands serve as a trusted partner to both individuals and authorities. CST's portfolio features comprehensive alcohol and impairment solutions that uniquely cover the entire DUI process and include: Intoxalock, the number one ignition interlock brand in the US; Breathe Easy, specialized and low-cost insurance; and New Directions, virtual court and employer accepted assessments. Driven by a commitment to delivering reliable and exceptional service, combined with innovative technology that makes positive change, CST has achieved sustained growth and success. CST is a portfolio company of L. Catterton and was named Best Place to Work for Working Parents in 2022 and 2023. For more information visit www.consumersafetytechnology.com or via LinkedIn.com.
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Paul Reubens, who found fame as the quirky man-child character Pee-wee Herman, has died, according to an announcement on his verified social media.
He was 70.
Reubens died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement.
"Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness," the statement reads. "Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit."
CNN has reached out to a representative for Reubens for further comment.
This story is developing and will be updated. | https://abc7ny.com/pee-wee-herman-peewee-paul-reubens-dead-died/13577923/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:12 | 0 | https://abc7ny.com/pee-wee-herman-peewee-paul-reubens-dead-died/13577923/ |
(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.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/new-income-driven-student-loan-repayment-plan-available-to-borrowers/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:13 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/new-income-driven-student-loan-repayment-plan-available-to-borrowers/ |
(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.koin.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:15 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/automotive/ford-introduces-the-most-powerful-non-shelby-mustang-ever/ |
On Saturday, champion swimmer Katie Ledecky won her 16th gold medal in the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Ledecky is already a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, but this particular swim made history, because she’s now won more individual world swimming gold medals than anyone else — including Michael Phelps.
Ledecky’s record-breaking 16th individual win was in her best event, the 800-meter freestyle, with a time of 8:08.87. She beat the second-place swimmer, Li Bingjie of China, by 4.44 seconds.
She also enters the history books as the first swimmer to win six consecutive world championships in the same event. But it’s the fact that she overtook Phelps’ record that has people talking.
“It’s special,” she told CNN. “I really didn’t even know I was going to achieve that until people started telling me. It’s cool … I’m happy with that swim. I wanted it to be a little better, but I’ll take it. I’m really pleased with how the week went.”
Ledecky tied Phelps’ record on July 25 when she won her 15th gold medal at the world championships, in the 1,500 freestyle. She also took silver medals in the 400-meter freestyle and the 4-by-200-meter free relay that day.
MORE: Simone Biles returns to gymnastics competition after 2-year break
What’s next for this superstar athlete? She’ll be going for gold at the Summer Olympics next summer, which is happening in Paris. On the Olympic gold medal count, Phelps’ record will be harder to beat: He has 23 of them, the most of anyone who’s competed. Four other Olympians (American swimmer Mark Spitz, Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, and American runner Carl Lewis and Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi) have nine gold medals each. So, if Ledecky wins three or more gold medals, she’ll come in second place behind Phelps.
No doubt she will train hard to do it. While she was happy about Saturday’s award-winning race, she also acknowledged her drive to do even better.
“I’m just always trying to think of new ways to improve,” she told the Associated Press. “I kind of wanted to be better than I was tonight.”
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.kivitv.com/katie-ledecky-breaks-michael-phelps-record-for-world-championship-wins | 2023-07-31T17:34:16 | 0 | https://www.kivitv.com/katie-ledecky-breaks-michael-phelps-record-for-world-championship-wins |
Former President Trump predicted Monday that he would be indicted “any day now” as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into his conduct after the 2020 election.
“I assume that an Indictment from Deranged Jack Smith and his highly partisan gang of Thugs, pertaining to my ‘PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY Speech, will be coming out any day now, as yet another attempt to cover up all of the bad news about bribes, payoffs, and extortion, coming from the Biden ‘camp,’” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This seems to be the way they do it. ELECTION INTERFERENCE! PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!”
Smith is investigating Trump’s attempts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election, which culminated with Trump delivering a speech Jan. 6, 2021, in which he repeated false claims about the election being rigged. Trump supporters then violently stormed and ransacked the Capitol in a bid to halt the certification of the election results.
Anticipation over a potential indictment of Trump has been building for weeks after the former president shared that he had received a letter from the Justice Department notifying him he was a target of their investigation.
Target letters typically indicate prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against an individual.
In addition, a handful of former Trump officials have reportedly testified in recent weeks as part of Smith’s investigation into the former president’s actions after the 2020 election. Prosecutors are said to have been interested in whether Trump acknowledged that he lost the election despite his public claims that it was fraudulent and could be overturned.
Trump pursued a multi-pronged plan to remain in office following the 2020 election, turning to the DOJ, state officials and even his own supporters, who violently ransacked the Capitol after then-Vice President Mike Pence refused Trump’s request to overturn the results.
The former president’s attorneys met last week with officials from Smith’s office. Trump called it a “productive” meeting, and he indicated his representatives sought to make the case against bringing charges.
A federal grand jury hearing evidence in the case meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:19 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ |
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.koin.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:21 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/hill-politics/biden-to-tout-climate-investments-in-trip-to-sweltering-west/ |
Actor Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-Wee Herman, has died after a multi-year battle with cancer, as posted on his Facebook Page.
Posted at 11:12 AM, Jul 31, 2023
and last updated 2023-07-31 13:12:34-04
Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. | https://www.kivitv.com/news/actor-paul-reubens-better-known-as-pee-wee-herman-has-died | 2023-07-31T17:34:22 | 1 | https://www.kivitv.com/news/actor-paul-reubens-better-known-as-pee-wee-herman-has-died |
A Georgia judge has rejected former President Trump’s efforts to quash an investigation into his efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
“The movants’ asserted ‘injuries’ that would open the doors of the courthouse to their claims are either insufficient or else speculative and unrealized,” Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote in the nine-page ruling.
“They are insufficient because, while being the subject (or even target) of a highly publicized criminal investigation is likely an unwelcome and unpleasant experience, no court ever has held that that status alone provides a basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation.”
The ruling is the second roadblock for Trump in his efforts to dismiss the probe, after the state’s Supreme Court earlier this month rejected another suit seeking to block it.
That court had in part rejected Trump’s arguments while noting the matter before McBurney.
McBurney presided over the grand jury who were presented evidence by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) who has advised court officials she could bring charges in the high-profile case the second or third week of August.
Trump has also sued Willis and McBurney in another third suit filed alongside his petition to the state supreme court — an additional attempt to nix the investigation beyond the matter McBurney addressed Monday.
“Petitioner’s every attempt to seek redress in the normal course have been ignored, and the District Attorney has given every indication that the injury is imminent,” Trump wrote in the petition earlier this month.
McBurney also determined that Trump didn’t have standing to sue to quash the investigation, noting that the former president can only “theorize” that he will be named in an indictment.
“The professed injuries are also speculative and unrealized because there is, as of yet, no indictment that creates the genuine controversy required to confer standing,” McBurney wrote.
—Updated at 12:04 p.m. | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:23 | 0 | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ |
GENEVA, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal, a shipping company developed to enhance global energy security, reiterates its unwavering commitment to strict adherence to international law and rigorous safety standards. The company diligently monitors the global price of crude and faithfully abides by the rules established by the price cap mechanism. This dedication to ethical business practices and full compliance, including adhering to the price cap regulations set by the EU, US, and other international regulatory bodies, reinforces Fractal's responsible approach in the energy sector.
"Our mission at Fractal is not just to ensure the smooth transportation of goods globally, but also to uphold the highest standards of safety, compliance, and respect for international law," stated Mathieu Philippe, Chief Executive Officer and Ultimate Beneficial Owner of Fractal. "We are proud to contribute to the world's energy security while adhering to the legal boundaries and fostering sustainable practices in the shipping industry."
Fractal's expertise lies in efficiently transporting crude oil and petroleum products worldwide, serving a diverse and global clientele with a primary focus on customers seeking reliable access to energy products. Each client relationship is built on the foundation of mutual respect for international law, further emphasizing Fractal's commitment to responsible and transparent business conduct.
To ensure the utmost level of compliance, Fractal has implemented a robust "Know Your Customer" process, enhancing its ability to meet regulatory requirements and maintain the highest ethical standards. Additionally, the company strictly adheres to international sanctions and compliance regimes, including in operations involving trade with Russia crude, in pursuit of conducting business responsibly and ethically.
Fractal's fleet consistently meets the industry's most stringent safety standards. Every vessel in the fleet undergoes regular inspections under the Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE), guaranteeing compliance and top-notch maintenance.
Every vessel in our fleet is certified by world-renowned certification bodies, members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), such as DNV, BV, Lloyd's Register, ABS, NKK. Additionally, our ships are insured by prominent international groups of P&I clubs, including the West of England and American Club. This is a testament to our commitment to maintaining not only regulatory compliance but also the highest safety standards.
"At Fractal, safety, compliance, and respect for international law are at the core of everything we do. Our strategic and efficient shipping operations differentiate us in the global shipping industry, and we are steadfast in our commitment to contributing to the world's economy responsibly," said Mathieu Philippe.
About Fractal:
Fractal is an international shipper with a focus on the global transportation of crude oil and petroleum products. The company is dedicated to upholding the principles of international law, safety, and compliance while contributing to the world's energy security. Fractal's commitment to ethical business practices and safety sets it apart in the global shipping industry.
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SOURCE Fractal | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/fractal-reaffirms-its-commitment-ethical-business-practices-compliance-safety-global-shipping-industry/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:24 | 1 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/fractal-reaffirms-its-commitment-ethical-business-practices-compliance-safety-global-shipping-industry/ |
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.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/whitney-at-60-houston-estate-announces-2nd-annual-gala/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:26 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/whitney-at-60-houston-estate-announces-2nd-annual-gala/ |
Former Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer is sitting for a closed-door transcribed interview with the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday, in an appearance that is expected to fuel Republican attempts to link President Biden to his son’s business dealings.
The interview follows a letter from the Department of Justice over the weekend regarding Archer’s sentencing for an unrelated matter that is adding to GOP claims of government obstruction of their investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings — even as Archer’s attorney beat down the speculation.
The Justice Department (DOJ) in its letter requested that a judge set a date for Archer to start his one-year prison sentence for his conviction for defrauding a Native American tribe, despite Archer’s counsel saying it was “premature” to do so because of an anticipated appeal and an “error” in sentencing.
That set off alarm bells in the GOP.
“I don’t know if this a coincidence, or if this is another example of the weaponization of the Department of Justice,” House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said Sunday on Fox News.
Other Republicans went further, accusing the DOJ of explicit interference in the GOP-led investigation. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said lawmakers should return from an August recess for emergency hearings if Archer did not show up.
But Archer’s attorney stressed the letter would not impact his planned interview, which had been rescheduled multiple times since Comer subpoenaed him in June.
“We are aware of speculation that the Department of Justice’s weekend request to have Mr. Archer report to prison is an attempt by the Biden administration to intimidate him in advance of his meeting with the House Oversight Committee on Monday,” Acher’s lawyer Matthew Schwartz said in a Sunday statement, first provided to Politico. “To be clear, Mr. Archer does not agree with that speculation. In any case, Mr. Archer will do what he has planned to do all along, which is to show up on Monday and to honestly answer the questions that are put to him by the Congressional investigators.”
The DOJ said in a subsequent letter that it was not requesting that Archer surrender before his expected congressional testimony.
His appearance went on as scheduled. A smiling Archer did not answer shouted questions as he arrived at the interview with his lawyer Monday morning.
The interview will comprise four hours of questioning divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and it is expected to end midafternoon. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) were in attendance.
“I believe he can tell us things we haven’t heard before,” Biggs said.
Goldman cast doubt on the GOP attempts to link the president to his son’s business dealings.
“We’re all waiting for any pin, whether it be a linchpin or other pin, to figure out how this is connected at all to President Biden,” Goldman said. | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:29 | 0 | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ |
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.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/yellow-trucking-shutdown-bankruptcy-heres-what-to-know/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:32 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/yellow-trucking-shutdown-bankruptcy-heres-what-to-know/ |
CASCADE, Idaho — A new fire called the "Sixty Fire" is burning about 6.6 acres in the Cascade area. It's 30% contained at the moment and crews hope to have full control by the end of the day.
On Sunday, the Idaho Department of Lands said multiple structures were threatened. The Valley County Sheriff's office is currently working on evacuation efforts, advising that residents are still in a "SET" stage. The sheriff's office also urging that only residents and firefighters are allowed in the area.
The blaze is centralized around the timber rim subdivision South of Sixty Lane to the east, north of Round Valley road.
SITPA Forest Protective District is part of an effort to attack the fire by air. Two single engine air tankers, one type-1 helicopter and a 20-person hand crew and Water Tenders are currently working to douse the flames.
More resources like a Type-1 Hot Shot crew, Fire Investigators, and additional aircrafts will arrive later on July 31 to help speed along the process.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Fire officials would also like to remind citizens to never fly drones near wildfires due to interference with fire aircrafts. | https://www.kivitv.com/news/new-fire-burning-around-6-acres-near-cascade | 2023-07-31T17:34:32 | 0 | https://www.kivitv.com/news/new-fire-burning-around-6-acres-near-cascade |
The U.S. State Department has selected an Indigenous artist to represent the country at the 2024 Venice Biennale.
Jeffrey Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, will be the first such artist to have a solo exhibition in the U.S. Pavilion at the prestigious international arts event.
That's according to a statement this week from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the government body responsible for co-curating the U.S. Pavilion, alongside Oregon's Portland Art Museum and SITE Santa Fe in New Mexico.
The State Department's records of the U.S. Pavilion exhibitions date back to when it was built, in 1930.
Although Indigenous artists have shown work more broadly in Venice over the years, the last time Indigenous artists appeared in the U.S. Pavilion at the Biennale was in 1932 — and that was in a group setting, as part of a mostly Eurocentric exhibition devoted to depictions of the American West.
"In 1932, one of the rooms was devoted to Native American art, but it was done in what I would say was a very ethnographic type of presentation," said Kathleen Ash-Milby, curator of Native American Art at the Portland Art Museum, and one of the co-commissioners of Jeffrey Gibson's work in the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. "It grouped native people together and didn't really focus on their individuality as much. There were Navajo rugs on the floor. There were displays of jewelry. Many of the artists were not named."
Ash-Milby, who is also the first Native American curator to co-commission and co-curate an exhibition for the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, told NPR her team selected Gibson because of the artist's wide-ranging, inclusive and critical approach to art-making.
"His work is multifaceted. It incorporates all sorts of different types of media," the curator, a member of the Navajo Nation, said. "But to me, what's most important is his ability to connect with both his culture and different communities, and bring people together. At the same time, he has a very critical lens through which he looks at our history as Americans and as world citizens. Pulling all those things together in the practice of an American artist is really important for someone who's going to represent us on a world stage."
Born in Colorado and based in New York, Gibson, 51, focuses on making work that fuses together American, Native American and queer perspectives. In a 2019 interview with Here and Now, Gibson said the art world hasn't traditionally valued Indigenous histories and artistic representations.
"There's this gap historically about these histories existing on the same level and being valued culturally," Gibson said. "My goal is to force them into the contemporary cannon of what's considered important."
A MacArthur "Genius" Grant winner, Gibson has had his work widely exhibited around the country. Major solo exhibitions include one at the Portland Art Museum last year and, in 2013, at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art. His work is in the collections of high-profile institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Art. Gibson participated in the 2019 Whitney Biennial.
"Having an Indigenous artist represent the United States at the Venice Biennale is a long overdue and very powerful moment," San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Director Christopher Bedford said in an email to NPR. "Centering the perspectives of contemporary indigenous artists is a critical component of fostering inclusivity and equity in museums, and in our world."
The details of Gibson's contribution for the 2024 Biennale are mostly under wraps. Curator Ash-Milby said the artist is working on a multimedia installation with the title "the space in which to place me" — a reference to a poem by the Lakota poet Layli Long Soldier.
According to the organizers of the U.S. Pavilion, the upcoming Biennale will enable international audiences to have the first major opportunity to experience Gibson's work outside of the U.S. It will be on view April 20 through Nov. 24, 2024.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kbia.org/2023-07-29/in-a-first-the-u-s-picks-an-indigenous-artist-for-a-solo-show-at-the-venice-biennale | 2023-07-31T17:34:32 | 0 | https://www.kbia.org/2023-07-29/in-a-first-the-u-s-picks-an-indigenous-artist-for-a-solo-show-at-the-venice-biennale |
A Georgia judge has rejected former President Trump’s efforts to quash an investigation into his efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
“The movants’ asserted ‘injuries’ that would open the doors of the courthouse to their claims are either insufficient or else speculative and unrealized,” Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote in the nine-page ruling.
“They are insufficient because, while being the subject (or even target) of a highly publicized criminal investigation is likely an unwelcome and unpleasant experience, no court ever has held that that status alone provides a basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation.”
The ruling is the second roadblock for Trump in his efforts to dismiss the probe, after the state’s Supreme Court earlier this month rejected another suit seeking to block it.
That court had in part rejected Trump’s arguments while noting the matter before McBurney.
McBurney presided over the grand jury who were presented evidence by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) who has advised court officials she could bring charges in the high-profile case the second or third week of August.
Trump has also sued Willis and McBurney in another third suit filed alongside his petition to the state supreme court — an additional attempt to nix the investigation beyond the matter McBurney addressed Monday.
“Petitioner’s every attempt to seek redress in the normal course have been ignored, and the District Attorney has given every indication that the injury is imminent,” Trump wrote in the petition earlier this month.
McBurney also determined that Trump didn’t have standing to sue to quash the investigation, noting that the former president can only “theorize” that he will be named in an indictment.
“The professed injuries are also speculative and unrealized because there is, as of yet, no indictment that creates the genuine controversy required to confer standing,” McBurney wrote.
—Updated at 12:04 p.m. | https://www.koin.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:37 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ |
It’s a universal conundrum: You want to look stylish and put-together. But you don’t want to spend more than 10 minutes figuring out your outfit. What to do? Try outfit sandwiching.
What’s that?
“It’s basically a style hack to make getting dressed easier,” says Heather Pollard, a stylist and founder of The Swanky Boho. “It’s a way to streamline your outfit — an easy formula to follow that makes you look put together.”
And that formula works just like it sounds: as you choose your outfit, think: bread on bottom, filling in the middle and bread on top.
“You’ve got two elements going on that relate to elements of design,” Pollard says. “That could be color, proportion, pattern or texture. You take one of those elements and repeat it on top and bottom. Then you contrast it in the middle.”
The easiest way to follow the sandwich dressing rule is with the element of color. Don’t stray beyond your chosen two colors, and balance them so the outfit looks cohesive.
“You might pair a toffee-colored tank top with a different color pant, and then toffee-colored shoes,” says Hallie Abrams, a stylist and founder of The Wardrobe Consultant.
In the outfit pictured below, the model’s racerback tank and Birkenstock sandals work as the bread, while the utility pants fill in the middle with a different color. Even when she adds the blazer (which matches the pants), her look will be cohesive.
MORE: I’ve worn these white sneakers everywhere for the past two years
Buy the Maeve Cropped Racerback Tank at Anthropologie for $28; the Relaxed Utility Pants at Anthropologie for $148 and the Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle Sandals at Anthropologie for $160.
Another option is to start with a solid color dress, which grounds the outfit. Then add another color through accessories like a necklace, purse, scarf or shoes. In the photo below, the model pulls together a simple mini dress with black platform heels and a black handbag.
Buy the Out From Under ’90s Tank Top Mini Dress at Urban Outfitters for $29; the Melissa Party Platform Heel at Urban Outfitters for $139 and the UO Lizzie Mini Duffle Bag at Urban Outfitters for $39 (currently on sale for $29).
“A belt is another way to do a sort of reverse sandwich,” Abrams says. “If you’re wearing a column of color, you’ll wear a belt of a different color in the middle.” She adds that this works well for people who tend to gravitate toward neutral colors. It’s a way to add interest without being overwhelmed — it’s merely a pop of color.
“Sandwich dressing is very often for those who are a little pattern-averse, too,” Abrams says. You might use patterns or prints as the glue of an outfit, but surround it with two solids that match one of its colors.
The model below has paired a floral patterned skirt with a fitted T-shirt, which is the neutral eggshell color of the skirt’s flowers. The matching neutral sandals work with the shirt to ground the skirt and bring the outfit together.
MORE: This top-selling women’s blazer on Amazon is a must-have for the office
Buy the Reformation Arie Silk Skirt at Shopbop for $198; the LNA Fitted Rib Crew Tee at Shopbop for $75 (currently on sale for $45) and the Schutz Mindy Pin Heels at Shopbop for $148 (currently on sale for $103.60).
“If you want to take the sandwich rule to the next level, you can use it to plan multiple outfits for one day,” Pollard says. If you are going to work and then out on a date, she says, plan your base colors to make switching outfits easy. “Say you wear a black blazer, skinny black pants and a bright blue cami under the jacket,” she says. “For your date, keep the cami but ditch the jacket and trade out the pants for a short black skirt.”
The model below might be dressed for a casual Friday at work. But if she was heading out for a date later, she could keep the pretty pink blouse and pink sandals but swap out the jeans for a solid skirt in a different color, or a patterned skirt that includes some pink.
Buy this Dobby Top at JustFab (price varies based on membership but is $8.74 for VIP members); these Reagan High Rise Wide Leg Button Jeans for $11.74 (for VIP members) and this Lana Espadrille Sandal at JustFab for $8.74 (for VIP members).
You can also use the outfit sandwich rule to play with proportion. “So, maybe you would pair a big-volume, fuzzy sweater with platform sandals or thick-soled Converse sneakers,” Pollard says. “Then, add skinny jeans or a pencil skirt in the middle.” In that case, two of your elements are out of proportion, while the other is not.
The model below has one oversized element, and the other two are not. She’s wearing a long, draping sweater blazer, but she’s paired it with a fitted tank and slim shorts.
Buy the Juliette Collarless Sweater-Blazer at J Crew for $158; the High-rise Suit Short at J Crew for $118 and the FormKnit High-Neck Cutaway Tank Top at J Crew for $39.50 (currently on sale for $19.99).
Sandwich dressing is also a great way to incorporate the latest trends. For example, Abrams says, right now a lot of people are carrying crocheted raffia bags or sandals. “So you could wear a brightly-colored, printed cotton dress, then add a raffia sandal and a matching woven raffia bag,” she says. In this example, you are grounding a print with two solid-colored accessories. And you are sandwiching with texture as well.
The model below is already wearing two woven elements —a crocheted top and skirt — so adding woven sandals would be overkill. But if she was wearing the crocheted top with a cotton skirt, a nice raffia sandal would balance out the textures beautifully.
As is, she is already pulling off a sandwich outfit — just with color (black hat and black shoes with off-white in the middle).
Buy the Crochet Mini Skirt at Gap for $29.99; the Crochet Tank Top at Gap for $39; the Nylon Bucket Hat at Gap for $29.95 (currently on sale for $14) and the Strappy Lace-Up Sandals at Gap for $44.95.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.kivitv.com/outfit-sandwiching-trend-lets-you-simplify-getting-dressed | 2023-07-31T17:34:38 | 0 | https://www.kivitv.com/outfit-sandwiching-trend-lets-you-simplify-getting-dressed |
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.kbia.org/2023-07-30/a-man-dressed-as-a-tsetse-fly-came-to-a-soccer-game-and-he-definitely-had-a-goal | 2023-07-31T17:34:38 | 0 | https://www.kbia.org/2023-07-30/a-man-dressed-as-a-tsetse-fly-came-to-a-soccer-game-and-he-definitely-had-a-goal |
Former Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer is sitting for a closed-door transcribed interview with the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday, in an appearance that is expected to fuel Republican attempts to link President Biden to his son’s business dealings.
The interview follows a letter from the Department of Justice over the weekend regarding Archer’s sentencing for an unrelated matter that is adding to GOP claims of government obstruction of their investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings — even as Archer’s attorney beat down the speculation.
The Justice Department (DOJ) in its letter requested that a judge set a date for Archer to start his one-year prison sentence for his conviction for defrauding a Native American tribe, despite Archer’s counsel saying it was “premature” to do so because of an anticipated appeal and an “error” in sentencing.
That set off alarm bells in the GOP.
“I don’t know if this a coincidence, or if this is another example of the weaponization of the Department of Justice,” House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said Sunday on Fox News.
Other Republicans went further, accusing the DOJ of explicit interference in the GOP-led investigation. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said lawmakers should return from an August recess for emergency hearings if Archer did not show up.
But Archer’s attorney stressed the letter would not impact his planned interview, which had been rescheduled multiple times since Comer subpoenaed him in June.
“We are aware of speculation that the Department of Justice’s weekend request to have Mr. Archer report to prison is an attempt by the Biden administration to intimidate him in advance of his meeting with the House Oversight Committee on Monday,” Acher’s lawyer Matthew Schwartz said in a Sunday statement, first provided to Politico. “To be clear, Mr. Archer does not agree with that speculation. In any case, Mr. Archer will do what he has planned to do all along, which is to show up on Monday and to honestly answer the questions that are put to him by the Congressional investigators.”
The DOJ said in a subsequent letter that it was not requesting that Archer surrender before his expected congressional testimony.
His appearance went on as scheduled. A smiling Archer did not answer shouted questions as he arrived at the interview with his lawyer Monday morning.
The interview will comprise four hours of questioning divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and it is expected to end midafternoon. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) were in attendance.
“I believe he can tell us things we haven’t heard before,” Biggs said.
Goldman cast doubt on the GOP attempts to link the president to his son’s business dealings.
“We’re all waiting for any pin, whether it be a linchpin or other pin, to figure out how this is connected at all to President Biden,” Goldman said. | https://www.koin.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:39 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ |
Former President Trump predicted Monday that he would be indicted “any day now” as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into his conduct after the 2020 election.
“I assume that an Indictment from Deranged Jack Smith and his highly partisan gang of Thugs, pertaining to my ‘PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY Speech, will be coming out any day now, as yet another attempt to cover up all of the bad news about bribes, payoffs, and extortion, coming from the Biden ‘camp,’” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This seems to be the way they do it. ELECTION INTERFERENCE! PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!”
Smith is investigating Trump’s attempts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election, which culminated with Trump delivering a speech Jan. 6, 2021, in which he repeated false claims about the election being rigged. Trump supporters then violently stormed and ransacked the Capitol in a bid to halt the certification of the election results.
Anticipation over a potential indictment of Trump has been building for weeks after the former president shared that he had received a letter from the Justice Department notifying him he was a target of their investigation.
Target letters typically indicate prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against an individual.
In addition, a handful of former Trump officials have reportedly testified in recent weeks as part of Smith’s investigation into the former president’s actions after the 2020 election. Prosecutors are said to have been interested in whether Trump acknowledged that he lost the election despite his public claims that it was fraudulent and could be overturned.
Trump pursued a multi-pronged plan to remain in office following the 2020 election, turning to the DOJ, state officials and even his own supporters, who violently ransacked the Capitol after then-Vice President Mike Pence refused Trump’s request to overturn the results.
The former president’s attorneys met last week with officials from Smith’s office. Trump called it a “productive” meeting, and he indicated his representatives sought to make the case against bringing charges.
A federal grand jury hearing evidence in the case meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. | https://www.koin.com/hill-politics/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:40 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/hill-politics/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — KOIN 6’s Kohr Harlan has been featured in the annual ‘Chicken Daddies’ calendar since its inception in 2021.
As “Mr. May,” Harlan has posed in daisy dukes, yellow tutus, and now a vintage-style swimsuit for the calendar’s 2024 edition.
On Monday morning, he headed out to Hillsboro for a photoshoot alongside a feathered-colleague. | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/kohr-explores-mr-may-poses-for-swimsuit-themed-2024-chicken-daddies-calendar/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:41 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/kohr-explores-mr-may-poses-for-swimsuit-themed-2024-chicken-daddies-calendar/ |
Paul Reubens, the actor behind the character Pee-wee Herman, died late Sunday at the age of 70, according to a post from his official Facebook page.
The post revealed that Reubens had been quietly battling cancer for the last six years. Reubens left a message for fans prior to his death.
"Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years," he said. "I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you."
Although Reubens had a prolific acting career, he was best known for his portrayal of Herman. The character appealed to children and adults alike through shows like "The Pee-wee Herman Show" and "Pee-wee's Adventures."
SEE MORE: Biden announces advanced research project to reduce cancer mortality
But his career took a hit in 1991 when he was reportedly arrested for exposing himself while attending a pornographic film.
"It was kind of like a mortifying kind of situation, where I felt like you know people are laughing at me," Reubens said in a 2004 interview with NBC News."I'm a professional comedian. I've never claimed to be able to take it as good as a dish it out, ever. I mean I'm just sensitive.”
Although he never regained his popularity before his arrest, Reubens continued acting in several comedic rules, including occasional portrayals of Herman.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.kivitv.com/paul-reubens-actor-who-played-pee-wee-herman-dead-at-70 | 2023-07-31T17:34:44 | 0 | https://www.kivitv.com/paul-reubens-actor-who-played-pee-wee-herman-dead-at-70 |
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hybribio (300639.SZ) exhibited live at the 75th ADLM (former AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, July 25-27, at Anaheim Convention Center, California, USA. This event attracted 958 exhibitors and over 70,000 attendees worldwide from different areas of clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of progressing laboratory science.
At the booth No.1482, Hybribio (300639.SZ) featured cervical cancer HPV diagnostic solutions, which include Hybribio 14 High-risk HPV with 16/18 Genotyping Real-time PCR Kit, 21 HPV GenoArray Diagnostic Kit, 37 HPV GenoArray Diagnostic Kit, 13 High-risk HPV Real-time PCR Kit, 23 HPV Genotyping Real-time PCR Kit, 14 High-Risk HPV E6/E7 mRNA Real-time PCR Kit (PCR with Fluorescent Probe), and SOX1 and PAX1 Methylation Real-time PCR Kit. Hybribio presented its successful experience in cervical cancer prevention and control in China to global attendees, aiming to unite experts in different aspects (clinical laboratories, hospitals, research institutes, enterprises, etc.) to promote the global elimination of cervical cancer. Moreover, all HPV detection kits manufactured by Hybribio are CE-certified and have been exported to more than 20 countries around the world.
Being the top HPV DNA test manufacturer in China, Hybribio (300639.SZ) not only has the biggest Chinese market share (over 40%) of HPV testing kits but also contributes greatly to the movement of eliminating cervical cancer. In the past two decades, Hybribio has taken up 40 % of national breast-cervical cancer screening projects and provided more than 50 million HPV DNA tests for females in China (2003-2023). Furthermore, Hybribio established the China HPV database with the Ministry of Health P. R. China in 2009, monitoring the long-term evolution of Human Papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer in China.
The booth highlighted 14 High-risk HPV with 16/18 Genotyping Real-time PCR Kit, which successfully obtained the first clinical screening license approved in China, with a high sensitivity and specificity of 93.6% and 88.46%, respectively. The negative predictive value using this kit with a 3-year follow-up is 99.84% which means that this kit is explicitly suitable for cervical cancer primary screening, co-screening with pap smear and ASC-US triage. Moreover, Hybribio HPV testing reagents have achieved a 100% coincident rate in the WHO HPV external quality assessment for seven consecutive times from 2011 to 2022.
For laboratory automated instrument, the fully Automated Sample Preparation Liquid System (HB-IEX96A) integrates functions including de-capping and re-capping, barcode scanning, tube loading, pipetting, nucleic acid extraction and PCR plate liquid transferring, which is able to achieve a one-step workflow and enhance laboratory efficiency by reducing human errors. The in-booth demonstration of this instrument drew many visitors' attention, attributed to its wide applicability, powerful functions and excellent design. With this fully Automated Sample Preparation Liquid System (HB-IEX96A), it could alleviate laboratory labor burden and improve testing efficiency significantly for a large-scale screening project.
The year 2023 is the 20th anniversary of Hybribio Biotech. Hybribio has been adhering to its original aspiration of taking care of maternity and child health in the past two decades. In Molecular diagnostics, Hybribio has developed a series of nucleic acid diagnostics kits for reproductive health infections, neonatal and prenatal genetic diseases, respiratory tract infections and cancer markers. By 2023, one billion people have benefited from using Hybribio's products and services. Meanwhile, Hybribio is constantly expanding its product line in different areas. Apart from molecular diagnostic assays and automated instruments, Hybribio also develops a variety of laboratory consumables, including pipette tips, PCR consumables, deep-well place, tip comb and sample tubes.
Upcoming Event
Hybribio (300639.SZ) is going to attend MEDICA 2023 at Dusseldorf, Germany, 13-16 November 2023. Hybribio is looking forward to meeting you in person at MEDICA 2023, where Hybribio will feature more cutting-edge diagnostics solutions and high-throughput automated instruments.
About Hybribio
Founded in 2003, Hybribio (300639.SZ) is a leading nucleic acid test supplier and manufacturer who specializes in in-vitro diagnostic products with a fully integrated one-step operation chain from R&D, manufacturing, and sales & marketing to after-sales technical support services. Hybribio provides products including, but not limited to, HPV testing, reproductive health, genetic diseases, methylation, respiratory tract infection, pharmacogenetics and instrumentation.
For more information, please visit: www.hybribio.com
CONTACT: Qiyu Lin, qylin@hybribio.cn
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SOURCE Guangdong Hybribio Biotech Co.,Ltd. | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hybribio-showcased-cutting-edge-cervical-cancer-hpv-diagnostic-solutions-adlm-2023/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:44 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hybribio-showcased-cutting-edge-cervical-cancer-hpv-diagnostic-solutions-adlm-2023/ |
WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — According to officials, the City of West Monroe announces the latest progress on West Monroe Sports and Events indoor facility.
The facility will feature 8 basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts for large tournaments and events. The opening date is still undetermined. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/ouachita-parish/city-of-west-monroe-announces-progress-on-west-monroe-sports-and-events-indoor-facility/ | 2023-07-31T17:34:46 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/ouachita-parish/city-of-west-monroe-announces-progress-on-west-monroe-sports-and-events-indoor-facility/ |