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The following is a listing of all home transfers in the Grand Rapids area reported from July 24 to July 30. There were 9 transactions posted during this time. During this period, the median sale for the area was a 1,354-square-foot home on Tamarack Lane in Rockford that sold for $345,000.
Grand Rapids
2603 Ridgecroft Drive, Grand Rapids, $137,203, 823 square feet, $167 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom.
2804 Mulford Drive, Grand Rapids, $223,700, 920 square feet, $243 per square-foot, two bathrooms.
929 Bemis Street, Grand Rapids, $250,000, 924 square feet, $271 per square-foot, one bathroom.
1233 Kreiser Terrace, Grand Rapids, $326,233, 931 square feet, $350 per square-foot, two bathrooms.
117 Robinhood Drive, Grand Rapids, $360,000, 1,264 square feet, $285 per square-foot, three bathrooms.
2593 Patterson Ave., Grand Rapids, $430,000, 2,310 square feet, $186 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
2515 Westboro Drive, Grand Rapids, $850,000, 2,530 square feet, $336 per square-foot, four bathrooms.
Rockford
151 Tamarack Lane, Rockford, $345,000, 1,354 square feet, $255 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
5685 11 Mile Road, Rockford, $888,000, 2,288 square feet, $388 per square-foot, four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.. | https://www.mlive.com/realestate-news/2023/07/see-homes-sold-in-the-grand-rapids-area-july-24-to-july-30.html | 2023-07-31T18:13:55 | 0 | https://www.mlive.com/realestate-news/2023/07/see-homes-sold-in-the-grand-rapids-area-july-24-to-july-30.html |
Paul Reubens, the actor who played 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.lex18.com/paul-reubens-actor-who-played-pee-wee-herman-dead-at-70 | 2023-07-31T18:13:55 | 1 | https://www.lex18.com/paul-reubens-actor-who-played-pee-wee-herman-dead-at-70 |
The following is a listing of all home transfers in the Saginaw area reported from July 24 to July 30. There were 13 transactions posted during this time. During this period, the median sale for the area was a 1,106-square-foot home on Stoker Drive in Saginaw that sold for $97,000.
Freeland
9008 N. Meadows Drive, Freeland, $479,900, 2,168 square feet, $221 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Saginaw
1627 Birney Street, Saginaw, $10,000, 1,138 square feet, $9 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
1635 Holmes Street, Saginaw, $29,000, 2,224 square feet, $13 per square-foot, four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
1826 Newberry Street, Saginaw, $42,000, 1,025 square feet, $41 per square-foot, three bedrooms and one bathroom.
1121 Cleveland Street, Saginaw, $69,900, 984 square feet, $71 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom.
1206 Gratiot Ave., Saginaw, $78,000, 1,490 square feet, $52 per square-foot, four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
801 Kennely Road, Saginaw, $94,700, 908 square feet, $104 per square-foot, one bathroom.
560 Stoker Drive, Saginaw, $97,000, 1,106 square feet, $88 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom.
3240 Mackinaw Street, Saginaw, $157,000, 1,004 square feet, $156 per square-foot, three bedrooms and one bathroom.
2321 McCarty Road, Saginaw, $169,900, 1,792 square feet, $95 per square-foot, four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
4400 Jonquil Drive, Saginaw, $171,000, 1,305 square feet, $131 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
3776 Dale Road, Saginaw, $193,500, 2,195 square feet, $88 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
61 Benton Road, Saginaw, $235,000, 2,118 square feet, $111 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.. | https://www.mlive.com/realestate-news/2023/07/see-homes-sold-in-the-saginaw-area-july-24-to-july-30.html | 2023-07-31T18:13:56 | 0 | https://www.mlive.com/realestate-news/2023/07/see-homes-sold-in-the-saginaw-area-july-24-to-july-30.html |
Fisher-Price unveils first-ever sensory line of toys for preschoolers
EAST AURORA, NY - Fisher-Price has launched a line of its first-every sensory toys for children ages 3 and up.
The toy company said the idea is to cate to preschool children to create "a more inclusive play experience for neurodivergent and neurotypical kids, by allowing them to create their own unique play. "
The new list of toys include:
- Fisher-Price® Sensory Bright™ Light Station™
- Fisher-Price® Sensory Bright™ SpinnyScopes™
- Fisher-Price® Sensory Bright™ Squish Scape™
- Fisher-Price® Sensory Bright™ Squeeze ‘n Sniffs™
The toys will be exclusively at Target.
Squish Scape (Credit: Fisher-Price)
"Sensory play is an important tool for childhood development, and we know that every child can benefit from activities that stimulate the brain through things like light, touch, and sound," Dr. Krystal Starke, Childhood Development Expert, Fisher-Price Play Lab, said in a news release. "Toy play is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor, which is why we are so excited about the new Sensory Bright line that allows young children of varying abilities and sensibilities to customize their own sensory experience to their specific needs and wants every time they play."
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More details from Fisher Price:
- Fisher-Price® Sensory Bright™ Light Station™, ($49.99): Unleash your child’s creativity with this interactive sensory table, featuring lights, sounds, and music that kids can control to create their own personalized sensory play. Featuring six interactive play modes—Spark, DJ Dance Party, Tracking, Splash, Wipeout, and Snake, along with a variety of textured buttons, dials, and switches—children can press, twist, and turn to design colorful visual, auditory, and tactile experiences.
- Fisher-Price® Sensory Bright™ SpinnyScopes™, ($6.99): Preschool kids can embark on an exciting sensory journey with this set of three different spinning toys that reveal a unique pattern as kids twist and turn the top, plus have satisfying clicking or whirring sounds. These light-refracting spinners also work with the light station to unlock more visual play.
- Fisher-Price® Sensory Bright™ Squish Scape™, ($11.99): Set the scene for under-the-sea sensory discoveries with this mess-free, squish scape tablet. Children can embark on a squishy scavenger hunt as they press and smush the fish through the goo maze, revealing hidden images in the ocean along the way for a fun, tactile experience!
- Fisher-Price® Sensory Bright™ Squeeze ‘n Sniffs™, (Available Soon | $10.99/2 pk): Preschoolers can squish, smush, smell, and make all kinds of exciting sensory discoveries with these four, new squeeze ‘n sniff toys, available in-store only. Each pack contains two squishy animal pals, featuring scented goo and fun hidden surprises underneath for kids to explore.
This story was reported from Los Angeles. | https://www.fox29.com/news/fisher-price-unveils-first-ever-sensory-line-of-toys-for-preschoolers | 2023-07-31T18:13:58 | 0 | https://www.fox29.com/news/fisher-price-unveils-first-ever-sensory-line-of-toys-for-preschoolers |
The Detroit Red Wings have lacked a shooting mentality, particularly on a power play that has struggled.
That’s not an issue for newly signed defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.
“I’m blessed to have a pretty hard shot,” Gostisbehere said. “I try to get it off as quick as I can and get pucks through. My grandpa will text me after every game. ‘Only two shots? What’s going on?’ He wants me to shoot every puck I see. Obviously, the more you shoot, the more goals that are going to go in.”
The Red Wings signed Gostisbehere, 30, to a one-year, $4.125 million contract on July 1. He should more than compensate for the offense lost when Filip Hronek was dealt at the trade deadline and provide a scoring boost to a blue line that ranked 24th in the league in points. Most importantly, he is the left-shooting point man general manager Steve Yzerman needed for one of their power play units.
“His shot is really a threat from the point,” Yzerman said.
Gostisbehere showed that by scoring 17 goals as a rookie with the Flyers in 2015-16 and recording a career-high 65 points two years later.
His career lagged the following three seasons, prompting a trade to Arizona in 2021. That’s where he rediscovered his offensive game. He’s produced 27 goals and 92 points the past two seasons, including the final 23 games in 2022-23 in Carolina.
“I had a few good years in Philly and then I think injuries really caught up with me,” Gostisbehere said. “It’s just a blend of falling out of favor there. Thankfully, I got a great opportunity in Arizona. I got to showcase that I could still play in this league and resurrect my career, give myself another chance in showing people that I’m still a good player. It springboarded me into the opportunity with Carolina. It’s nice to have two good years in a row.”
Gostisbehere has experience playing on the right side, which is where he’ll likely be with the Red Wings, who have only two right shooters among their top six in Moritz Seider and Justin Holl.
Forward Christian Fischer, who the Red Wings signed for one year on July 2, played with Gostisbehere in Arizona.
“He’s skilled and he’ll make those high-danger plays, and nine out of 10 times he’s getting the puck through,” Fischer said. “His IQ and how to read the play -- he’s not the biggest guy, he’s not the fastest, but defensively he knows. He thinks the game at such a top level. He can play against that top line every night because he knows their style. I think he’s back to being the Shane Gostisbehere that he was for 90 percent of his career.”
Defense has been the biggest knock on Gostisbehere, who has a career minus-59 rating while playing mostly on bad teams.
“Offensive (defensemen) get a lot of flak for their defensive side,” Gostisbehere said. “They’re going to say you can’t play defense. Any coach I’ve gone to for the first time, they say, ‘I’m surprised that your defensive game is pretty good.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, because I take pride in it.’ I know my better abilities are on the offensive side, but I am a defenseman. I got to play defense first. For me I try to prove that I am a two-way player.”
Not many kids who grew up in South Florida (Pembroke Pines) reach the NHL. Gostisbehere was fortunate that his grandfather was from Montreal and had Panthers season tickets, enabling the young Gostisbehere to go to every home game.
“Just fell in love with the game,” he said. “My sister was a figure skater, so she was at the rink. My mom would give me a stick and I’d run around the rink and just fell in love with the game. I played baseball for sure, but I was all hockey.”
Olli Maatta revived his career last year. Jake Walman essentially launched his career. Both were rewarded with multiyear extensions prior to the trade deadline.
Gostisbehere will get the same opportunity.
“When you sign a one-year deal, you’re betting on yourself. You’re trusting that organization and that opportunity that’s given to you,” Gostisbehere said. “Olli was in the same situation as me. Fell out of favor somewhere, go somewhere else and resurrects his career and springboards that into a contract extension. That’s the dream of every NHL guy when he gets an opportunity somewhere.”
More: Red Wings’ power play should be more potent with influx of new players | https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2023/07/shayne-gostisbehere-brings-shooting-mentality-offense-to-red-wings-blue-line.html | 2023-07-31T18:14:02 | 0 | https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2023/07/shayne-gostisbehere-brings-shooting-mentality-offense-to-red-wings-blue-line.html |
Man, 31, dies on North Philadelphia street after being shot multiple times, police say
PHILADELPHIA - A shooting on the streets of Philadelphia left a man dead on Monday morning, police say.
According to authorities, the shooting erupted on the 2500 block of N Reese Street in the North Philadelphia section of the city around 11:22 a.m.
Officials say a 31-year-old man was shot in the neck, back, and hand.
Responding officers and medics found the man unresponsive and pronounced him dead at 11:31 a.m., authorities say.
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SKYFOX flew over the area, where a group of people could be seen speaking with police.
Police say no arrests have been made and no weapons were recovered.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | https://www.fox29.com/news/man-31-dies-on-north-philadelphia-street-after-being-shot-multiple-times-police-say | 2023-07-31T18:14:04 | 1 | https://www.fox29.com/news/man-31-dies-on-north-philadelphia-street-after-being-shot-multiple-times-police-say |
This week will continue to have unsettled weather for the Upper Peninsula, with chances of rain nearly every day of this week.
A warming trend will kick off our unsettled conditions, with temperatures quickly reaching the mid to high 80s by the end of the week.
Local areas could reach the 90-degree mark by Wednesday, while areas near Lake Superior could stay around the 70s.
This will generate showers and thunderstorms for the area, with heavy rain being the most likely outcome.
Wednesday and Thursday may have strong to severe storms, with the potential of generating damaging winds.
This pattern will also coincide with an increase in gusty winds, especially near eastern portions of the Upper Peninsula.
Winds could gust has high as 34 mph.
This unsettled pattern is expected to end closer to the start of next week. A chance of showers next Sunday will be followed by a dry pattern to start, which could bring us to the end of next week. This will continue to warm us up, as we begin to dry out from our rounds of rain. | https://www.mlive.com/weather/2023/07/unsettled-pattern-brings-showers-thunderstorms-to-up-this-week.html | 2023-07-31T18:14:08 | 1 | https://www.mlive.com/weather/2023/07/unsettled-pattern-brings-showers-thunderstorms-to-up-this-week.html |
New Jersey's acting governor taken to hospital for undisclosed medical care
TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who is currently serving as acting governor while Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy is out of the state, has been taken to a hospital for an undisclosed medical issue.
Oliver, 71, was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and is unable to carry out the duties of acting governor, Murphy’s spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said in a statement Monday. Under the state constitution, Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari will serve as acting governor.
Gunaratna said Oliver was receiving "medical care" but declined to elaborate.
Murphy's office has said he's out of the country on a family vacation in Italy, where he owns a home.
Oliver, a Democrat, has served as the state's second lieutenant governor since 2018. She concurrently serves as the head of the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and oversees code enforcement.
In 2010, she became the first African-American woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly in the state's history. | https://www.fox29.com/news/new-jerseys-acting-governor-taken-to-hospital-for-undisclosed-medical-care | 2023-07-31T18:14:10 | 0 | https://www.fox29.com/news/new-jerseys-acting-governor-taken-to-hospital-for-undisclosed-medical-care |
'Pee-wee Herman' star Paul Reubens loses battle to cancer at 70
LOS ANGELES - Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon through films and TV shows, has died.
Reubens died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement.
"Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years," Reubens said in a statement released with the announcement of his death. "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."
The character with his too-tight gray suit, white chunky loafers and red bow tie was best known for the film "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and the TV series "Pee-wee's Playhouse."
Herman created Pee-wee when he was part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings in the late 1970s. The live "Pee-wee Herman Show" debuted at a Los Angeles theater in 1981 and was a success with both kids during matinees and adults at a midnight show. HBO would air the show as a special.
Actor Paul Rubens poses for a portrait in July 1995 in Los Angeles, California. (Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)
Reubens took Pee-wee to the big screen in 1985’s "Pee-wee’s Big Adventure." The film, in which Pee-wee’s cherished bike is stolen, was said to be loosely based on Vittorio De Sica’s Italian neo-realist classic, "The Bicycle Thief." The film, directed by Tim Burton and co-written by Phil Hartman of "Saturday Night Live," sent Pee-wee on a nationwide escapade. The movie was a success, grossing $40 million, and continued to spawn a cult following for its oddball whimsy.
A sequel followed three years later in the less well-received "Big Top Pee-wee," in which Pee-wee seeks to join a circus. Reubens’ character wouldn’t get another movie starring role until 2016’s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday," for Netflix. Judd Apatow produced Pee-wee’s big-screen revival.
His television series, "Pee-wee’s Playhouse," ran for five seasons, earned 22 Emmys and attracted not only children but adults to Saturday-morning TV.
Both silly and subversive and championing nonconformity, the Pee-wee universe was a trippy place, populated by things such as a talking armchair and a friendly pterodactyl. The host, who is fond of secret words and loves fruit salad so much he once married it, is prone to lines like, "I know you are, but what am I?" and "Why don’t you take a picture; it’ll last longer?" The act was a hit because it worked on multiple levels, even though Reubens insists that wasn’t the plan.
FILE - Paul Reubens attends the AOL Build Speaker Series to discuss "Pee-wee's Big Holiday" at AOL Studios In New York on March 25, 2016, in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
"It’s for kids," Reubens told The Associated Press in 2010. "People have tried to get me for years to go, ‘It wasn’t really for kids, right?’ Even the original show was for kids. I always censored myself to have it be kid-friendly.
"The whole thing has been just a gut feeling from the beginning," Reubens told the AP. "That’s all it ever is and I think always ever be. Much as people want me to dissect it and explain it, I can’t. One, I don’t know, and two, I don’t want to know, and three, I feel like I’ll hex myself if I know."
However, off-camera Reubens had a bout with legal troubles.
In 2015, Reubens was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor obscenity charge involving photographs seized from his erotica collection. He agreed to register as a sex offender for the duration of his probation.
The charge resulted from a search of Reubens' home in November 2001. Police seized about 30,000 images from his photography collection and personal computers.
In 1991, Reubens pleaded no contest to an indecent exposure charge after his arrest in Sarasota, Fla., for allegedly exposing himself in a movie theater.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Associated Press contributed. | https://www.fox29.com/news/pee-wee-herman-star-paul-reubens-loses-battle-to-cancer-at-70 | 2023-07-31T18:14:16 | 1 | https://www.fox29.com/news/pee-wee-herman-star-paul-reubens-loses-battle-to-cancer-at-70 |
Several House Republicans urge lawmakers return to DC after DOJ requests Devon Archer's surrender
At least five House Republicans have called on lawmakers — who are currently enjoying a legislative recess — to return to Capitol Hill after the Department of Justice asked Hunter Biden's business partner Devon Archer to surrender to prison. The request came over the weekend before Archer was scheduled to testify to Congress Monday on the Biden family, Hunter's business dealings and the alleged role of his father, President Biden, in securing these deals.
Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.; Mike Johnson, R-La.; Chip Roy, R-Texas; Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo.; and Dan Bishop, R-N.C., each said on social media Sunday that lawmakers should return to Washington, D.C. for an emergency hearing to discuss potential DOJ interference in the congressional investigation into President Biden and Hunter Biden.
"The DOJ is now actively committing the crime of obstructing a congressional investigation," Gaetz wrote. "If Devon Archer isn't in the witness chair Monday, we better haul every SOB at the DOJ before congress EVERY DAY to make them pay for this."
Gaetz said that if Archer is not in the witness chair for his testimony on Monday, Attorney General Merrick Garland will be called to testify.
In another post, Gaetz said the DOJ's request for Archer's surrender is "all because Hunter's problems and Joe’s problems merge with the testimony of Devon Archer."
Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., US, on Sunday, June 25, 2023. (Julia Nikhinson/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York sent a letter to Archer on Saturday requesting he surrender to prison concerning his 2018 felony convictions for his role in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. He was sentenced in 2022 to one year behind bars, but the sentence has been repeatedly postponed over a series of appeals.
Johnson, Roy and the others swiftly expressed support for Gaetz.
"I will join you back on the Hill, Rep. Matt Gaetz," Johnson tweeted. Roy agreed.
"Make that four," Hageman added. "While I plan to be in Wyoming visiting constituents- this is imperative and warrants immediate action. I will also join."
Bishop added: "I think you need five. Count me in."
"Subpoenas should fly tomorrow," he also wrote.
The Republicans are each on the House Judiciary Committee.
The letter did not specifically demand Archer go to prison before he testified Monday, but to set a date to begin his jail sentence.
"In light of the foregoing, the Government respectfully requests that the defendant be ordered to surrender, at a date and time determined by the Court, to a facility designated by the Bureau of Prisons to commence his term of imprisonment," it reads.
The court is not expected to make a decision before Archer will meet behind closed doors with the House Oversight Committee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged Archer is not expected to surrender before his meeting with congressional lawmakers in a follow-up letter.
"To be clear, the Government does not request (and has never requested) that the defendant surrender before his Congressional testimony," the letter sent on Sunday reads. "As the Court knows, to surrender and commence his sentence of imprisonment, the defendant first must be designated to a federal facility by the Bureau of Prisons—a process that can take several weeks or months after the Court sets a surrender date."
Archer's attorney also said that his client will move forward with his planned appearance Monday, and pushed back on the idea that the DOJ's request for Archer's surrender is an attempt to prevent him from meeting with House members.
"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," Archer's attorney Matthew Schwartz said in a statement 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."
Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said during an interview on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" that the timing of Saturday's letter was "odd."
Archer's testimony before the House Oversight Committee is expected to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, July 31.
Get the latest updates on this story at FOXNews.com. | https://www.fox29.com/news/republicans-doj-request-devon-archer-surrender | 2023-07-31T18:14:22 | 0 | https://www.fox29.com/news/republicans-doj-request-devon-archer-surrender |
Cardi B was trending over the weekend after video surfaced of her throwing a microphone at a concertgoer who tossed a drink during an on stage performance.
The Grammy award winner was performing during an outdoor set at Drai’s Beachclub in Las Vegas when she, unfortunately, became the latest musician to be targeted with items thrown at them on stage while performing.
In the video, which has since went viral, the rapper can be seen wearing a stunning summery orange dress while performing her hit “Bodak Yellow.” During the performance, the rapper was shown looking surprised after the drink is thrown in her direction from the crowd. In response, Cardi threw her microphone at the concert attendee before security seemingly escorted her away.
After the incident, the rapper began trending on Twitter and even retweeted a video of the now iconic microphone throw. After the situation deescalated, Cardi continued her performance to a crowd of screaming and excited fans. Check out the video below.
After the video went viral, many fans came to Cardi’s defense, praising the rapper for fighting back after being pelted with a drink from the crowd. “Good for Cardi” one fan Tweeted in response while others commented on the unfortunate trend of fans throwing things at celebrities mid performance, and how it needs to stop.
After the video went viral, many fans came to Cardi’s defense, praising the rapper for fighting back after being pelted with a drink from the crowd. “Good for Cardi” one fan Tweeted in response while others commented on the unfortunate trend of fans throwing things at celebrities mid-performance, and how it needs to stop.
Although Cardi has not directly addressed the incident – yet – the rapper’s retweet speaks for itself! Beauties, what do you think about this incident?
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Cardi B Throws Microphone At Concertgoer Who Tossed A Drink at Her While Performing was originally published on hellobeautiful.com | https://rnbphilly.com/4970315/cardi-b-throws-microphone-at-concertgoer-who-tossed-a-drink-at-her-while-performing/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:25 | 0 | https://rnbphilly.com/4970315/cardi-b-throws-microphone-at-concertgoer-who-tossed-a-drink-at-her-while-performing/ |
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.kwch.com/2023/07/31/8-year-old-survives-cougar-attack-washington-state-national-park/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:25 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/2023/07/31/8-year-old-survives-cougar-attack-washington-state-national-park/ |
Snoop Dogg launches new ice cream line at Walmart
Snoop Dogg is expanding his business portfolio and is stepping into the frozen dessert space.
The "Drop it like it’s Hot" rapper is releasing a new ice cream line called Dr. Bombay, named after his cryptocurrency non-fungible token name.
RELATED: Snoop Dogg collabs with Dunkin for new plant-based sandwich
Snoop’s new ice cream brand is available in seven flavors which are Sherbert Swizzle, Cocoa Cream Cookie Dream, Bonus Track Brownie, Syrupy Waffle Sundaze, S’more Vibes, Iced Out Orange Cream, and Rollin’ in the Dough.
Snoop Dogg launches his new Dr. Bombay Ice Cream. (Photo courtesy of Happi Co.)
Shoppers can get pints of these delicious flavors for $4.98 at 3,500 Walmart stores, according to a release.
"Ice cream is more than just a snack to me; it's a way to chill, relax, and get happy. That's exactly what I want Dr. Bombay Ice Cream to do—bring a smile to your face and ease your mind, Snoop said in a statement. "I've poured my heart and soul into perfecting these first seven flavors, and I can't wait for my fans and the world to experience what I've created.
The acclaimed rapper teamed up with Happi Co., a consumer packaged goods company, to launch Dr. Bombay.
This story was reported from Washington, D.C. | https://www.fox29.com/news/snoop-dogg-new-ice-cream-line | 2023-07-31T18:14:28 | 0 | https://www.fox29.com/news/snoop-dogg-new-ice-cream-line |
Close encounter with lightning pushes officials to harp on lightning safety
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 1:02 PM CDT|Updated: 10 minutes ago
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A close encounter with a lightning strike has officials reminding those around the Capital City of some lightning safety tips.
The Shawnee Co. Sheriff’s Office says that on Monday morning, July 31, a sergeant on patrol caught a lightning strike that hit a tree on his dashcam.
The incident prompted officials to remind community members of a few tips to handle lightning storms:
- Nowhere is safe outdoors when thunder is heard.
- All thunderstorms produce dangerous lightning.
- Often, lightning strikes outside the area of heavy rain.
- If residents do get hit by lightning, those around them should call 911 immediately and begin first aid or CPR.
For more additional lightning safety tips, click HERE.
Copyright 2023 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2023/07/31/close-encounter-with-lightning-pushes-officials-harp-lightning-safety/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:29 | 1 | https://www.wibw.com/2023/07/31/close-encounter-with-lightning-pushes-officials-harp-lightning-safety/ |
Before we get to the news: Have you voted yet? The primary is tomorrow, silly. Only good little boys, girls, theys, and thems who vote get to read the news. Not sure how to vote? Easy, it's all spelled out for you here. If you hate reading, learning, and tasteful swearing, then just use The Stranger's handy dandy cheat sheet. Postmark your ballot by today to make sure it's counted or drop it off at a ballot box before tomorrow at 8 pm.
Five shot outside Rainier Beach Safeway: I never promised the news would be good. On Friday night, someone opened fire into a group of people participating in a community outreach event. The Boys and Girls Club of King County confirmed two of its staffers were injured. The gathering was part of the group's Safe Passages program where people have gathered to give out hot meals and community resources for over two years as part of Seattle's Community Safety Initiative. The five people shot were treated for injuries—two have already been discharged from the hospital, one was treated at the scene, and two more are in satisfactory condition as of Monday.
Monorail morbidity: The monorail struck and killed a man last night at around 9 pm. Officials closed the tracks shortly thereafter and opened them back up this morning.
The New York Times will probably call all monorails death traps now: The paper of record reported on multiple alleged "e-bike-related deaths" and the unknown "dangers of e-bikes" and their lack of regulations. The teens who died or were grievously injured rode their e-bikes "recklessly" or didn't know the rules of the road, the paper writes. Guess how all of these deaths and injuries happened? You guessed it—cars. These bike riders were hit by cars, which are the real issue here. There's so much hand-wringing about how e-bikes can go 20 mph and no worrying about cars, which go above 20 mph more often than not and are more likely to kill people when they do.
Elon Musk swapped out Twitter HQ's logo: Now instead of a bird, there's a giant, harsh, white light-emitting "X" on top of the building. Sometimes it flashes. There are apartment buildings right next to this big "X." Residents are complaining.
I would be fucking LIVID. Imagine this fucking X sign right across from your bedroom. #x #twitter pic.twitter.com/FH4nqcS8oy
— kyle (still hates elon) (@itsmefrenchy123) July 29, 2023
Eagle Bluff fire rages on: A fire in Okanogan County broke out on Saturday. It's burned 10,000 acres so far. That's just in Washington. The fire, knowing nothing about countries or borders, jumped over to Canada, where it's now burned 2,100 acres. On the US side of things, the fire's intensity has calmed down a smidge, but it "remains very active."
Anchorage mayor wants to give homeless people airplane tickets: It's gotta be tough to be homeless in Anchorage, Alaska what with the harsh cold in the winter and the bears raiding encampments in the summers. It's even harder when your mayor doesn't give a shit about you. Mayor Dave Bronson wants to give more than 3,000 homeless Anchorage residents—43% of whom are Alaska Natives—one-way airplane tickets to warmer cities. He said he doesn't care where they go as long as they "don't die on Anchorage streets." Last year, Anchorage shut down a 500-bed homeless shelter in a city arena to use it as a hockey and concert venue again. The City hasn't replaced those lost shelter beds. Currently, Anchorage only has 614 shelter beds citywide and there are no vacancies.
The summer sun remains the same: This week should look a lot like last week. Temperatures could tick up to the 80s as the week wears on.
And the beat goes on. Summertime summertime summertime. #wawx pic.twitter.com/uqX5Bns6sc
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) July 31, 2023
Fertile Crescent dries to dust: The land that was once ancient Mesopotamia—which literally means the land between rivers—is drying out. The Tigris and the Euphrates rivers are running dry. Forty percent of Iraq, a once-lush, fertile place, is now desert. Climate change, desertification, bad irrigation techniques, and weak governance are the culprits. The results are a country besot by water scarcity, diseases from dirty water, and impending water wars. It's all bad.
Horse trainer convicted: A horse trainer was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in "a widespread international scheme to drug horses to make them race faster." The horse at the center of this case? It's name was Maximum Security.
Finally, some good news: This Japanese man was able to achieve his dream of becoming a Border Collie. It only cost him $20,000.
Japanese content creator, who spent $20k to fulfill his dream of becoming an animal with custom-made collie costume, steps out for his first dog walk.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 29, 2023
“I became a collie, fulfilling a dream I had since I was a little child to be an animal” pic.twitter.com/7mVe6v8uUt
Two super moons this month: Hey moon-lovers, get ready for two super moons this month. On Aug 1, the moon will be closer to Earth than all of those other super moons this year. Then, another big super moon will wow us on Aug 30. Mark those calendars.
Flooding in Beijing kills two: Beijing is drowning in the worst flood the city has seen in a decade. Typhoon Doksuri has washed away cars, submerged buses, and opened up a sinkhole. So far, two people are dead due to the flood.
Another Trump indictment on the way: I'm having trouble keeping track of all of Donald Trump's legal woes. A Georgia prosecutor is expected to seek a grand jury indictment in the investigation into Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis started her investigation after Trump's Jan 2021 phone call to Georgia's secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, where Trump suggested Raffensperger could help "find" some votes. The indictment is expected between now and Aug 18. A Georgia judge shot down Trump's attempts to derail the potential charges.
In Women's World Cup news: The Aussies just spanked Canada 4-0, knocking them out of the World Cup at the group stage. Canada won the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Australia, the host of the tournament, played this well without their star striker, Sam Kerr, who's been out of the tournament thus far with a calf injury. Here are the highlights:
The USWNT plays Portugal at midnight tomorrow, which, while it will take place tonight, is really tomorrow. But like, you will still be awake from Monday to watch this game. Am I explaining this well? Regardless, the USWNT needs to win or draw against Portugal to make it out of the group stage into the round of 16. | https://www.thestranger.com/slog-am/2023/07/31/79100859/slog-am-five-shot-in-rainier-beach-monorail-strikes-and-kills-man-anchorage-mayor-wants-to-fly-homeless-people-out-of-his-city | 2023-07-31T18:14:25 | 1 | https://www.thestranger.com/slog-am/2023/07/31/79100859/slog-am-five-shot-in-rainier-beach-monorail-strikes-and-kills-man-anchorage-mayor-wants-to-fly-homeless-people-out-of-his-city |
Beyoncé is still serving jaw dropping looks during her Renaissance World Tour, and we just can’t get enough of her trendy style!
During the latest stop on the singer’s tour in East Rutherford, NJ, the entertainer hit the stage together once again, this time donning a black and white dress from Marc Jacobs that sent us all into a frenzy. The curve hugging, black and white striped look was stunning on Bey as she hit the choreography and belted out an array of her hits.
The Grammy award winning singer took to Instagram to show off her latest look in her usual post performance photo dump, sharing photo and videos without a caption to let the post speak for itself.
Check it out below.
But this isn’t the first time Beyoncé has served looks while on tour – and she usually does it with her baby girl Blue Ivy by her side!
Earlier this year, the 41 year old took to Instagram to share a sweet post where she praised her daughter after she joined her on stage at her Paris show where the 11-year-old followed in her super star parents’ footsteps and danced during two numbers: “My Power” and “Black Parade” during the show – and of course she did it in style, donning a silver suit just like her mama.
“My beautiful first born I’m so proud and thankful to be your mama,” the Grammy Award-winning singer captioned the sweet post. “You bring us so much joy, my sweet angel.”
Along with the heartfelt caption, Bey also shared a picture of Blue Ivy on stage as the pre-teen wore silver sunglasses, a sparkly turtleneck and baggy silver pants. The proud mom also included a few videos of Blue Ivy on stage as she hit each dance move flawlessly alongside backup dancers – just like her talented mama.
Gotta love it! Beauties, have you seen the Renaissance World Tour yet? What’s your favorite look so far?
DON’T MISS…
Beyoncé Is Back With A Vengeance – Announces New Album And ‘British Vogue’ Cover
Blue Ivy Stole Beyonce’s Face, And The Internet Is In A Frenzy
Beyoncé Shines In Marc Jacobs During Latest Renaissance World Tour Stop was originally published on hellobeautiful.com | https://rnbphilly.com/4970321/beyonce-shines-in-marc-jacobs-during-latest-renaissance-world-tour-stop/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:32 | 1 | https://rnbphilly.com/4970321/beyonce-shines-in-marc-jacobs-during-latest-renaissance-world-tour-stop/ |
Man drowns after being thrown from boat on lake during storm, officials say
ANDERSON, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - A man in South Carolina died after he was thrown off a boat while on a lake during a storm Saturday night.
WHNS reports the man, later identified as 69-year-old Darrell Hewett, was on his boat on Lake Hartwell trying to return to the dock when he was caught in the storm. Rough waters were stirred up because of the storm, causing Hewett to be thrown from his boat as he stood up, according to authorities.
First responders were called to Providence Point at around 8 p.m. in response to the drowning.
Officials said they learned that bystanders were also trying to get to the dock because of the storm and pulled Hewett from the water.
According to authorities, Hewett was not wearing a life jacket. His death was ruled as an accidental drowning.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/2023/07/31/man-drowns-after-being-thrown-boat-lake-during-storm-officials-say/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:32 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/2023/07/31/man-drowns-after-being-thrown-boat-lake-during-storm-officials-say/ |
Here's how hot and extreme summer 2023 has been, and it's only halfway over
At about summer's halfway point, the record-breaking heat and weather extremes are both unprecedented and unsurprising, hellish yet boring in some ways, scientists say.
Killer heat. Deadly floods. Smoke from wildfires that chokes.
And there’s no relief in sight.
Expect a hotter than normal August and September, American and European forecast centers predict.
A pedestrian carries an umbrella to shade himself from the sun during a heat wave in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Friday, July 28, 2023. Heat advisories have been posted across the region from eastern Pennsylvania to Massachusetts as oppressive
"We are seeing unprecedented changes all over the world," said NASA climate scientist Gavin Schmidt. "The heat waves that we’re seeing in the U.S. and in Europe, in China are demolishing records left, right and center. This is not a surprise."
Imperial College of London climate scientist Friederike Otto said examining what's causing heat waves is "boring" in a way since it keeps happening. Yet she added that it matters "because it shows again just how much climate change plays a role in what we are currently experiencing."
"This story, these impacts, are going to continue," Schmidt said. "We’re going to be seeing this pretty much this year and into next year" with a natural El Nino warming of the Pacific adding to the overwhelming influence of human-caused climate change largely from the burning of coal, oil and gas.
Here’s a rundown of the summer of Earth's discontent.
RECORD-SHATTERING HEAT
Globally, June this year was the hottest June on record — and scientists say July has been so hot that even before the month was over they could say it was the hottest month on record. But it’s individual places where people live that the heat has stuck around and killed.
Phoenix, where the last day of June and each day of July has been at least 110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius), set records for the longest mega-heat streak and longest stretch when the temperatures didn’t go below 90 degrees (32 degrees Celsius) at night.
El Paso, Texas, had 44 days of 100 degree (37 degree) heat. Schools closed in Nuevo Leon state in northern Mexico a month earlier than usual as temperatures reached 113 degrees (45 Celsius).
Farther east, Miami added humidity to high heat for 46 straight days of feels-like temperatures of 100 or more.
Beijing had its own record streak with at least 27 days of 95 degrees (35 Celsius) in July, after a three-day streak of at least 104 (40 Celsius) in June. And the country set it’s all-time highest temperature on July 16 in remote Sanbao township with 126 degrees (52.2 Celsius).
Heat records fell all over southern Europe. Sardinia, Italy, hit 117 (47 Celsius). Palermo in Sicily broke a record that goes back to 1791 by a whopping 3.6 degrees (2 degrees Celsius). Temperatures hit 115 (46 Celsius) in Gytheio, Greece.
Spain reported nearly 1,000 excess deaths from the heat, mostly among the elderly, by mid July.
In Argentina, where it's mid-winter, temperatures were above 89.6 (32 Celsius) four straight days in June in the northern part of the county. One July night in Buenos Aires didn’t get below the 70s (low 20s Celsius).
TOO MUCH RAIN
More than 10,000 people had to be evacuated in central Hunan province in China where heavy rainfall caused at least 70 houses to collapse. In Yichang, rain triggered a landslide that buried a construction site and killed at least one person.
Australia’s Queensland outback got 13 times its normal monthly July rain in just one day.
Thousands of people were evacuated from Delhi in India as rains caused flash floods and landslides. Elsewhere in the country at least 100 people were killed by the downpours.
In the United States, sudden heavy rain killed people in Vermont, Connecticut and Pennsylvania with tragic stories of children washed away in flooding.
WILDFIRES AND SMOKE
Too little rain in Greece and Spain fed wildfires that proved difficult to fight. In the Canary Islands, a fire caused 4,000 people to evacuate, others to wear face masks and had 400 firefighters battling it.
Hot and dry conditions caused about 160 wildfires to break out in Israel in early June.
But what really brought fires home happened in parts of Canada where few people live. Rare far northern Quebec wildfires triggered nasty smoke that inflicted the world’s dirtiest air on cities like New York and Washington, then switched to the Midwest.
As of late July more than 600 wildfires were out of control in Canada. A record 47,490 square miles (123,000 square kilometers) burned, and fire season isn’t near done. That’s an area larger than the state of Pennsylvania or North Korea.
WATER TEMPERATURES
Water temperatures in the Florida Keys and off the Everglades hit the high 90s (high 30s Celsius) with Manatee Bay breaking 100 degrees twice in what could be an unofficial world record for surface water temperature, although that’s in dispute.
The North Atlantic had hot spots that alarmed scientists. The world’s oceans as a whole were their hottest ever in June and got even hotter in July. In Antarctica, sea ice smashed record-low levels.
Ocean temperatures take a long time to warm up and cool down, said University of Northern Illinois meteorology professor Victor Gensini. So it doesn’t look good for the rest of the summer, he said.
A HOT FORECAST
"We are favoring above normal temperatures for the next three months," said NOAA Climate Prediction Center meteorologist Matt Rosencrans.
The only potential relief he sees, especially in the hot Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, is if a hurricane or tropical storm moves through.
The peak of hurricane season in September hasn’t even started.
RELATED: July on track to be Earth's hottest month on record
When going through the litany of this summer's weather extremes so far, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann had one question: "How on God’s Earth are we still burning fossil fuels after witnessing all this?"
___
Researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report from New York. ___
Follow AP’s climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
___
Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://www.fox29.com/news/weather-hot-extreme-summer-2023-only-halfway-over | 2023-07-31T18:14:34 | 1 | https://www.fox29.com/news/weather-hot-extreme-summer-2023-only-halfway-over |
Toyko-born painter and soft sculpture installation artist Junko Yamamoto earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Cornish College of the Arts and currently lives and works in Seattle. Her upcoming show at J. Rinehart Gallery explores “the energy that binds together all of existence, from the vast to the microscopic, to make it one.” In our interview, we talk about quantum physics, craft vs. art, and enjoying the Seattle summers.
What attracts you to the concept of a united, holistic energy that binds the universe with an invisible fascia?
I have always been fascinated by the essence of our world and what it truly represents. At first glance, it appears to be very three-dimensional, and society trains us to excel in this realm. However, deep within, I believe we are all intricate spiritual beings. Growing up in a culture where everything has a spirit (Eight Million Gods/Yaoyorozunokami), I embraced the idea that everything consists of energies. Although I'm not a physicist, the recent theories and studies in quantum physics resonate deeply with me, as they suggest that everything is made of the same vibrating and resonating substance. In essence, we are energy itself.
I’m seeing what looks like an affinity for cacti. Is that just my Arizona background showing?
I love incorporating identifiable elements like pillows, clouds, bubbles, and sometimes cactus-like shapes. Cactus-like shapes are part of cell division-inspired imagery. Despite not having an Arizona background, I am intrigued by the deserts.
How do you imagine your art practice would be different if you were still in Japan?
There are so many craft and hobby cultures in Japan, making it definitely harder to differentiate that realm from fine art. My practice could have been very similar to what it is now, perhaps on a smaller scale. The number of opportunities I gained here in the States is unparalleled and incomparable.
Can you talk about materials and process for your soft sculpture installations?
For decades, I've worked with painting and printmaking as my primary mediums. I used simplified versions of my painting motifs as vinyl stickers, which were later transformed into versatile printed fabric sculptures for installations. My soft sculptures add three-dimensionality to flat images printed on fabric through sewing, complementing the depth in my paintings on canvas. The feedback loops between my paintings and soft sculptures convey a connection with the universe—a central theme in my work, meditating on the binding energy that unifies everything, from the vastness of the air and Universe to the microscopic world of molecules and cells.
What else is on the horizon for 2023?
I can’t talk about one project yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks. Other than that, not so much because of two back-to-back solo shows (Gallery 4Culture and J. Rinehart Gallery), I need a break to recharge and enjoy Seattle summer! 😊
Junko’s new show Cosmic Web runs August 3-26 at J. Rinehart Gallery. There will be an opening reception during First Thursday on August 3 from 5-8 pm.
Find more of Junko’s work at junkoyamamoto.com and follow her on Instagram at @junkoyamamotostudio. | https://www.thestranger.com/visual-art/2023/07/31/79101057/junko-yamamotos-vibrating-substances | 2023-07-31T18:14:36 | 0 | https://www.thestranger.com/visual-art/2023/07/31/79101057/junko-yamamotos-vibrating-substances |
Nicki Minaj is the victim of yet another swatting incident.
According to reports by TMZ, the “Barbie World” rapper is the latest in a long line of Los Angeles swatting incidents involving celebrities.
Police spoke to Nicki after arriving and reports state that she was not pleased to see the Sheriff’s deputies at her home again.
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TMZ reports that the L.A. County Sheriff Deputies rolled with lights and sirens to Nicki’s house in the San Fernando Valley Saturday afternoon after a person called 911 claiming someone was shot at the house.
This is not the first time cops have gone to Nicki’s home after a swatting call. Last month that cops were called after a false 911 child abuse claim.
At this time, it is unclear why someone keeps targeting Nicki, however, police are investigating.
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The post Nicki Minaj Victim Of Another Squatting Incident appeared first on 92 Q.
Nicki Minaj Victim Of Another Squatting Incident was originally published on 92q.com | https://rnbphilly.com/4970712/nicki-minaj-victim-of-another-squatting-incident/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:38 | 0 | https://rnbphilly.com/4970712/nicki-minaj-victim-of-another-squatting-incident/ |
Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies from cancer at 70
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon through films and TV shows, has died.
Reubens died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens said in a statement released with the announcement of his death. “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.”
The character with his too-tight gray suit, white chunky loafers and red bow tie was best known for the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and the TV series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
Herman created Pee-wee when he was part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings in the late 1970s. The live “Pee-wee Herman Show” debuted at a Los Angeles theater in 1981 and was a success with both kids during matinees and adults at a midnight show. HBO would air the show as a special.
Reubens took Pee-wee to the big screen in 1985′s “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” The film, in which Pee-wee’s cherished bike is stolen, was said to be loosely based on Vittorio De Sica’s Italian neo-realist classic, “The Bicycle Thief.” The film, directed by Tim Burton and co-written by Phil Hartman of “Saturday Night Live,” sent Pee-wee on a nationwide escapade. The movie was a success, grossing $40 million, and continued to spawn a cult following for its oddball whimsy.
A sequel followed three years later in the less well-received “Big Top Pee-wee,” in which Pee-wee seeks to join a circus. Reubens’ character wouldn’t get another movie starring role until 2016′s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” for Netflix. Judd Apatow produced Pee-wee’s big-screen revival.
His television series, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” ran for five seasons, earned 22 Emmys and attracted not only children but adults to Saturday-morning TV.
Both silly and subversive and championing nonconformity, the Pee-wee universe was a trippy place, populated by things such as a talking armchair and a friendly pterodactyl. The host, who is fond of secret words and loves fruit salad so much he once married it, is prone to lines like, “I know you are, but what am I?” and “Why don’t you take a picture; it’ll last longer?” The act was a hit because it worked on multiple levels, even though Reubens insists that wasn’t the plan.
“It’s for kids,” Reubens told The Associated Press in 2010. “People have tried to get me for years to go, ‘It wasn’t really for kids, right?’ Even the original show was for kids. I always censored myself to have it be kid-friendly.
“The whole thing has been just a gut feeling from the beginning,” Reubens told the AP. “That’s all it ever is and I think always ever be. Much as people want me to dissect it and explain it, I can’t. One, I don’t know, and two, I don’t want to know, and three, I feel like I’ll hex myself if I know.”
___
Associated Press Writer Alicia Rancilio and Film Writer Jake Coyle contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/2023/07/31/paul-reubens-best-known-pee-wee-herman-dies-age-70/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:39 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/2023/07/31/paul-reubens-best-known-pee-wee-herman-dies-age-70/ |
Monie Love was having one hell of a day Saturday at an Alumni event in Macon, GA that started with sweat and ended in tears! In the midst of her day not going so well, emotions being all over the place, and it being 105 degrees outside, nobody expected what was to come.
RELATED: Pharrell Confesses He’s Got A Crush On Monie Love [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]
Monie Love was proposed to on stage by her boyfriend, now fiancee, Rezell Simmons. Monie Love took to instagram to caption such a surreal moment.
“So let me start by saying I was in a TESTY mood yesterday.” Monie wrote. “IT was like 105 degrees and I’m very meticulous on arrangements on show days — plus coordinating with my manager and team ALUMNI, pulled off a change of clothes, plus getting his FOI Brothers in place, I JUST DNT KNOW!!! What I do know is YOU DID THAT Babe and I’m forever better because of it.”
You can see in the video they were running her ragged with the confusion trying to get Simmons on stage in position to propose without her seeing. First they said it was a lost edible, then somebody lost a child, it was hilarious, then somebody started cuttin’ onions!
The reactions amongst the comments were filled with love, happiness and well wishes. | https://rnbphilly.com/4970843/monie-love-engaged/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:44 | 1 | https://rnbphilly.com/4970843/monie-love-engaged/ |
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
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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
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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
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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
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Live Stream Reds at Cubs
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Streaming: MARQ (regional restrictions may apply)
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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
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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
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Live Stream Padres at Rockies
- Game Time: 8:40 PM ET
- Streaming: SportsNet RM (regional restrictions may apply)
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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
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Live Stream Red Sox at Mariners
- Game Time: 9:40 PM ET
- Streaming: ROOT Sports NW (regional restrictions may apply)
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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
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Live Stream Diamondbacks at Giants
- Game Time: 9:45 PM ET
- Streaming: NBCS-BA (regional restrictions may apply)
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:45 | 0 | https://www.kwch.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: 1 hour 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
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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
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/rockies-vs-padres-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T18:14:51 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/rockies-vs-padres-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
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.wymt.com/2023/07/31/8-year-old-survives-cougar-attack-washington-state-national-park/ | 2023-07-31T18:16:25 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/31/8-year-old-survives-cougar-attack-washington-state-national-park/ |
Man drowns after being thrown from boat on lake during storm, officials say
ANDERSON, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - A man in South Carolina died after he was thrown off a boat while on a lake during a storm Saturday night.
WHNS reports the man, later identified as 69-year-old Darrell Hewett, was on his boat on Lake Hartwell trying to return to the dock when he was caught in the storm. Rough waters were stirred up because of the storm, causing Hewett to be thrown from his boat as he stood up, according to authorities.
First responders were called to Providence Point at around 8 p.m. in response to the drowning.
Officials said they learned that bystanders were also trying to get to the dock because of the storm and pulled Hewett from the water.
According to authorities, Hewett was not wearing a life jacket. His death was ruled as an accidental drowning.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/31/man-drowns-after-being-thrown-boat-lake-during-storm-officials-say/ | 2023-07-31T18:16:27 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/31/man-drowns-after-being-thrown-boat-lake-during-storm-officials-say/ |
Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies from cancer at 70
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon through films and TV shows, has died.
Reubens died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens said in a statement released with the announcement of his death. “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.”
The character with his too-tight gray suit, white chunky loafers and red bow tie was best known for the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and the TV series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
Herman created Pee-wee when he was part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings in the late 1970s. The live “Pee-wee Herman Show” debuted at a Los Angeles theater in 1981 and was a success with both kids during matinees and adults at a midnight show. HBO would air the show as a special.
Reubens took Pee-wee to the big screen in 1985′s “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” The film, in which Pee-wee’s cherished bike is stolen, was said to be loosely based on Vittorio De Sica’s Italian neo-realist classic, “The Bicycle Thief.” The film, directed by Tim Burton and co-written by Phil Hartman of “Saturday Night Live,” sent Pee-wee on a nationwide escapade. The movie was a success, grossing $40 million, and continued to spawn a cult following for its oddball whimsy.
A sequel followed three years later in the less well-received “Big Top Pee-wee,” in which Pee-wee seeks to join a circus. Reubens’ character wouldn’t get another movie starring role until 2016′s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” for Netflix. Judd Apatow produced Pee-wee’s big-screen revival.
His television series, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” ran for five seasons, earned 22 Emmys and attracted not only children but adults to Saturday-morning TV.
Both silly and subversive and championing nonconformity, the Pee-wee universe was a trippy place, populated by things such as a talking armchair and a friendly pterodactyl. The host, who is fond of secret words and loves fruit salad so much he once married it, is prone to lines like, “I know you are, but what am I?” and “Why don’t you take a picture; it’ll last longer?” The act was a hit because it worked on multiple levels, even though Reubens insists that wasn’t the plan.
“It’s for kids,” Reubens told The Associated Press in 2010. “People have tried to get me for years to go, ‘It wasn’t really for kids, right?’ Even the original show was for kids. I always censored myself to have it be kid-friendly.
“The whole thing has been just a gut feeling from the beginning,” Reubens told the AP. “That’s all it ever is and I think always ever be. Much as people want me to dissect it and explain it, I can’t. One, I don’t know, and two, I don’t want to know, and three, I feel like I’ll hex myself if I know.”
___
Associated Press Writer Alicia Rancilio and Film Writer Jake Coyle contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/31/paul-reubens-best-known-pee-wee-herman-dies-age-70/ | 2023-07-31T18:16:28 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/31/paul-reubens-best-known-pee-wee-herman-dies-age-70/ |
Jake Fraley Player Prop Bets: Reds vs. Cubs - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 12:30 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
The Cincinnati Reds, including Jake Fraley (.270 on-base percentage in past 10 games, 81 points below season-long percentage), take on starter Marcus Stroman and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Monday at 8:05 PM ET.
He strung together three hits (going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI) in his last appearance against the Dodgers.
Jake Fraley Game Info & Props vs. the Cubs
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Stadium: Wrigley Field
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Cubs Starter: Marcus Stroman
- TV Channel: MARQ
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -227)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +675)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +150)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +120)
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Read More About This Game
Jake Fraley At The Plate
- Fraley has 14 doubles, 15 home runs and 32 walks while hitting .269.
- Fraley has reached base via a hit in 54 games this season (of 87 played), and had multiple hits in 19 of those games.
- In 14 games this year, he has hit a long ball (16.1%, and 4.7% of his trips to the plate).
- In 39 games this year (44.8%), Fraley has picked up an RBI, and in 16 of those games (18.4%) he had two or more. He has also driven home three or more of his team's runs in five contests.
- He has scored at least once 29 times this season (33.3%), including seven games with multiple runs (8.0%).
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Jake Fraley Home/Away Batting Splits
Cubs Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Cubs has a collective 8.3 K/9, which ranks 22nd in MLB.
- The Cubs' 4.07 team ERA ranks 12th among all league pitching staffs.
- The Cubs surrender the third-fewest home runs in baseball (111 total, 1.1 per game).
- The Cubs are sending Stroman (10-7) out for his 23rd start of the season. He is 10-7 with a 3.51 ERA and 109 strikeouts through 125 2/3 innings pitched.
- In his most recent appearance on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, the right-hander went 3 1/3 innings, giving up seven earned runs while surrendering nine hits.
- Among qualifying pitchers in MLB play this season, the 32-year-old ranks 21st in ERA (3.51), 28th in WHIP (1.202), and 47th in K/9 (7.8).
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/jake-fraley-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T18:16:29 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/jake-fraley-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The current training camp and upcoming NFL season are a moment of truth for Derrick Barnes.
Since the Detroit Lions selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft, the young linebacker has experienced his fair share of ups and downs. As he heads into his third NFL season, the former Purdue standout appears to be more dialed in and focused than in previous years.
Part of the reason is due to the competition in the Lions’ linebacker room.
Along with Barnes, Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jack Campbell, James Houston, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Julian Okwara, Anthony Pittman, and Trevor Nowaske are fighting for reps in this year’s training camp.
“It is always competition every year. That’s what makes us reach our potential. And I think that’s good,” Barnes told MLive. “You know, you bring guys in, guys who can compete and it just brings the best outta everybody. This is only my third year in the league, but being around these guys, this is like one of the years where it’s a lot of competition. A lot. We got about six, seven guys in the room who can be starting NFL linebackers, and that’s what you want. That’s what you want outta the room. And obviously, you can’t bring everybody up with you, but it makes you better as a player.”
“So you just continue to get better and also pick each other up. Even though it’s competition, we’re all down to help each other, all down to, you know, pick each other up in bad moments.”
As mentioned Barnes had his share of tough moments with the Lions during the 2021 season, transitioning back and forth from middle linebacker to EDGE. In the 2021 season, he tallied 67 total tackles, four for loss, two sacks, and two passes defensed in 17 games (six starts). His transition to NFL game wasn’t smooth, shifting from middle linebacker to EDGE rusher then back to his original position.
However, his fortune turned last season as he played in 15 games (four starts), recording 47 total tackles, three for loss, one sack, and one pass defensed. Additionally, he earned impressive Pro Football Focus grades, with a run-defense grade of 76.8, a pass-rush grade of 60.2, and a pass-coverage grade of 46.8.
Now, with a couple of years’ experience in defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s defensive, Barnes, 24, is determined to make a leap this season, fueled by his faith.
“I don’t wanna say there’s much on the line. I just have to really dig deep into myself and my faith, and I’m just out here to have fun,” Barnes said. “At one point in time, it was always about who not to disappoint, (and) kind of just not waiting on God’s time. And, I think that that’s one thing that’s helped me this year is (to) just kind of play it by ear, do what you’re supposed to do, study, do all the things you need to do in order to put yourself in the best position and let God do the rest and work.”
“So that each and every day I come out here and I was like, ‘As long as I’m pleasing God, that’s all that matters to me,’ and you’ll slowly but surely start seeing, you know, the growth in yourself, the growth in your play by just believing and going out here with a purpose and giving your all in it and also for your teammates and your coaches. So that’s just been my mindset. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just out here to play ball and help my team win.”
In training camp, Barnes has shown a newfound edge, especially in run-defense, plowing through the offensive line to get to the ball-carrier. He attributes part of his intensity to newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson has set a “different standard” within the defensive unit.
“His energy, his passion, his love for the game. Like, it wakes people up,” Barnes said. “One time he made a play and I’m like, ‘Okay, now it’s time to go.’ That’s the type of people you want on the team, on your defense; guys who are gonna bring the energy no matter what, down 24 to zero up, 24 to zero. Just going to keep, have that steady, you know, that steady happiness and joy about himself and that passion.”
“He is a great guy. He knows the game of football. He is a good guy to talk to as far as communication. I’m glad we got him on the team. I heard a lot about him and now I actually got to witness today, and that just makes me even more excited for the season, and for him also.” | https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/07/gridiron-devotion-faith-is-the-center-lions-derrick-barnes-football-transformation.html | 2023-07-31T18:16:37 | 1 | https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/07/gridiron-devotion-faith-is-the-center-lions-derrick-barnes-football-transformation.html |
Joey Votto Player Prop Bets: Reds vs. Cubs - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 12:29 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
Joey Votto, with a slugging percentage of .250 in his past 10 games -- including one home run -- will be in action for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago Cubs, with Marcus Stroman on the hill, July 31 at 8:05 PM ET.
He racked up three RBI (going 2-for-5 with a double and a home run) in his last game against the Dodgers.
Joey Votto Game Info & Props vs. the Cubs
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Stadium: Wrigley Field
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Cubs Starter: Marcus Stroman
- TV Channel: MARQ
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -200)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +400)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +155)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +125)
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Read More About This Game
Joey Votto At The Plate
- Votto is batting .194 with four doubles, nine home runs and 14 walks.
- In 40.6% of his 32 games this season, Votto has picked up at least one hit. He's also had seven multi-hit games.
- He has homered in 25.0% of his games in 2023, and 7.1% of his trips to the plate.
- Votto has picked up an RBI in 12 games this season (37.5%), with two or more RBI in seven of those contests (21.9%).
- He has scored in 10 of 32 games (31.3%), including multiple runs twice.
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Joey Votto Home/Away Batting Splits
Cubs Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Cubs has a collective 8.3 K/9, which ranks 22nd in the league.
- The Cubs have the 12th-ranked team ERA among all league pitching staffs (4.07).
- The Cubs give up the third-fewest home runs in baseball (111 total, 1.1 per game).
- Stroman (10-7) gets the starting nod for the Cubs in his 23rd start of the season. He's put together a 3.51 ERA in 125 2/3 innings pitched, with 109 strikeouts.
- The righty last pitched on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, when he threw 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs while giving up nine hits.
- The 32-year-old's 3.51 ERA ranks 21st, 1.202 WHIP ranks 28th, and 7.8 K/9 ranks 47th among qualifying pitchers this season.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/joey-votto-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T18:16:37 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/joey-votto-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ | 2023-07-31T18:16:45 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ |
Top Player Prop Bets for Reds vs. Cubs on July 31, 2023
Nico Hoerner and Spencer Steer are two of the top players with prop bets for the taking when the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds meet at Wrigley Field on Monday (first pitch at 8:05 PM ET).
Bet on this matchup or its props with BetMGM!
Reds vs. Cubs Game Info
- When: Monday, July 31, 2023 at 8:05 PM ET
- Where: Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois
- How to Watch on TV: MARQ
- Live Stream: Watch the MLB on Fubo!
Read More About This Game
MLB Props Today: Cincinnati Reds
Spencer Steer Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -227)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +120)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +700)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +160)
Steer Stats
- Steer has 103 hits with 20 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 44 walks. He has driven in 58 runs with nine stolen bases.
- He has a .272/.356/.455 slash line on the season.
Steer Recent Games
Jake Fraley Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -227)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +120)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +750)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +150)
Fraley Stats
- Jake Fraley has collected 75 hits with 14 doubles, 15 home runs and 32 walks. He has driven in 62 runs with 18 stolen bases.
- He has a .269/.351/.480 slash line on the year.
Fraley Recent Games
Bet on player props for Spencer Steer, Jake Fraley or other Reds players with BetMGM.
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MLB Props Today: Chicago Cubs
Marcus Stroman Props
- Strikeouts Prop: Over/Under 4.5 (Over Odds: -135)
Stroman Stats
- Marcus Stroman (10-7) will take to the mound for the Cubs and make his 23rd start of the season.
- He has 15 quality starts in 22 chances this season.
- Stroman has started 22 games this season, and he's lasted five or more innings 18 times. He averages 5.7 innings per appearance.
- He has made 22 appearances and finished six of them without allowing an earned run.
- The 32-year-old's 3.51 ERA ranks 21st, 1.202 WHIP ranks 28th, and 7.8 K/9 ranks 47th among qualified pitchers in the majors this season.
Stroman Recent Games
Check out the latest odds and place your bets on any of Andrew Abbott's player props with BetMGM.
Nico Hoerner Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 1.5 (Over Odds: +175)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +105)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +700)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +235)
Hoerner Stats
- Hoerner has 18 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 27 walks and 57 RBI (113 total hits). He's also stolen 23 bases.
- He has a slash line of .276/.330/.390 so far this year.
Hoerner Recent Games
Cody Bellinger Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -196)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +145)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +550)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +180)
Bellinger Stats
- Cody Bellinger has 88 hits with 15 doubles, a triple, 15 home runs, 24 walks and 46 RBI. He's also stolen 12 bases.
- He has a slash line of .314/.366/.536 so far this season.
Bellinger Recent Games
Bet on player props for Nico Hoerner, Cody Bellinger or other Cubs players with BetMGM.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/reds-vs-cubs-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T18:16:52 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/reds-vs-cubs-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Dreamtown: The Story of Adelanto is a true-story, Coen brothers-esque caper about a California desert town that tried to revive its economy by turning to legal cannabis sales.
Copyright 2023 Fresh Air
Dreamtown: The Story of Adelanto is a true-story, Coen brothers-esque caper about a California desert town that tried to revive its economy by turning to legal cannabis sales.
Copyright 2023 Fresh Air | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-31/dreamtown-podcast-examines-how-legal-marijuana-transformed-one-small-town | 2023-07-31T18:16:57 | 0 | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-31/dreamtown-podcast-examines-how-legal-marijuana-transformed-one-small-town |
Spencer Steer Player Prop Bets: Reds vs. Cubs - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 12:30 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
On Monday, Spencer Steer (.293 on-base percentage in past 10 games, 63 points below season-long percentage) and the Cincinnati Reds play the Chicago Cubs, whose starting pitcher will be Marcus Stroman. First pitch is at 8:05 PM ET.
He had a hitless performance in his most recent game (0-for-5 with an RBI) against the Dodgers.
Spencer Steer Game Info & Props vs. the Cubs
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Stadium: Wrigley Field
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Cubs Starter: Marcus Stroman
- TV Channel: MARQ
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -222)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +650)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +160)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +120)
Looking to place a prop bet on Spencer Steer? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Discover More About This Game
Spencer Steer At The Plate
- Steer leads Cincinnati in OBP (.356), slugging percentage (.455) and total hits (103) this season.
- Among qualified batters in MLB, his batting average ranks 41st, his on-base percentage ranks 31st, and he is 53rd in the league in slugging.
- Steer has picked up a hit in 65 of 102 games this season, with multiple hits 29 times.
- He has gone deep in 14.7% of his games in 2023, and 3.5% of his trips to the plate.
- Steer has had at least one RBI in 39.2% of his games this year (40 of 102), with more than one RBI 15 times (14.7%). He has also accounted for three or more of his team's runs in three contests.
- In 43.1% of his games this year (44 of 102), he has scored, and in six of those games (5.9%) he has scored more than once.
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Spencer Steer Home/Away Batting Splits
Cubs Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Cubs has a collective 8.3 K/9, which ranks 22nd in the league.
- The Cubs' 4.07 team ERA ranks 12th across all MLB pitching staffs.
- Cubs pitchers combine to give up 111 home runs (1.1 per game), the third-fewest in the league.
- Stroman makes the start for the Cubs, his 23rd of the season. He is 10-7 with a 3.51 ERA and 109 strikeouts through 125 2/3 innings pitched.
- The righty's most recent appearance came on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, when he went 3 1/3 innings, surrendering seven earned runs while giving up nine hits.
- This season, the 32-year-old ranks 21st in ERA (3.51), 28th in WHIP (1.202), and 47th in K/9 (7.8) among pitchers who qualify.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/spencer-steer-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T18:16:58 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/spencer-steer-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Leanne Morgan remembers the moment she realized she could make it in comedy: She was at a party, telling jokes, and a woman "peepeed on the couch."
"That was a 'God' moment for me ... " Morgan says. "I thought, 'OK, I can make it in stand-up.'"
Morgan took a roundabout route to professional comedy: She was a young mother living in Bean Station, Tenn., in the 1990s — and she started selling jewelry in women's houses two or three nights a week as a way to make a bit of extra money.
"It was like Mary Kay and Tupperware, those kinds of companies," Morgan says. "Somebody makes a dip, or a pan of brownies, and then I would schlep that big case of jewelry and put all that jewelry out on a kitchen table."
Morgan was supposed to be talking up the jewelry, but instead she found herself making her customers laugh with stories about breastfeeding and hemorrhoids.
Morgan was 32 with three young children at home when she started performing stand-up in clubs on the weekend. Every few years, someone from Hollywood would call to offer her a sitcom deal — but each time the deal would fall through.
In 2018, she nearly gave up, but she decided to make one more push. She hired two brothers in Plano, Texas, to help promote her material on social media. One clip, in which she joked about going to a Def Leppard/Journey concert with her husband, went viral.
"That [video] blew up, and I started selling out all over the United States," Morgan says. "People would see those videos ... and start calling comedy clubs and ask them to book me."
Now 57 with three grown children and two grandchildren, Morgan has her own self-produced Netflix special, Leanne Morgan: I'm Every Woman. In it, she makes fun of everyday life, from marriage and motherhood to menopause and dating apps.
"It took me a long time to find my audience ... but I always knew they were out there," she says. "I think Hollywood forgets us, and I think a lot of comedians that are cool and edgy and all of that, just forget about my demographic and I think we're the best. I think we're the people that make decisions to go buy tickets and want to get out and have a good time."
Interview highlights
On connecting to her audience
I'm nurturing. If I make fun, it's of myself, it's not of anybody else. I'm not confrontational. And so I think people find comfort with me. ... I was in LA doing The Comedy Store, which was a dream of mine, and it was all these edgy comedians that were getting up and talking about all kinds of stuff. And then I got up and talked about how somebody made me a meatloaf at my children's school the day that I got my IUD replaced. And young people came out of The Comedy Store and said, "Can I hug you?" I think that even though ... in my mind I'd have a chip on my shoulder over the years and think, Oh, I'm not edgy enough there. I'm not a cool kid in the business in the industry and all that, I do think that people were enjoying what I did.
On calling herself the "Mrs. Maisel of Appalachia"
Comedy is hard. ... It's a hard business. I resonated with that character because she was fearless and she had those babies and her husband was a ding dong. My husband's not a ding dong, but she overcame so much and kept going and men would say, "Oh, women aren't funny," and all that kind of stuff, and trying to sabotage her. I've been through all that. When young people ask me, "Do you think I should do stand-up?" I don't want to squash somebody's dreams. But it's hard for me as a mother not to say, "Listen, you're going to be driving in a car for 300 miles to make $50 and you won't have a hotel room." I mean, it's a hard, hard business. But when I saw that series, I thought, that's what I did: I had three babies. I was in the Appalachian Mountains. I didn't have a comedy club near me, and I just had to pave out another way than the traditional way that people do stand-up. And I did. I don't know how, but I did.
On the four television sitcom deals over the years that fell through
I would be devastated at the time. But those little nuggets would give me the encouragement to keep going. For one thing, because I was in Knoxville. ... I was not living in LA or New York. I was raising these children and I got to raise them in Knoxville, Tennessee, and they became who they're supposed to be. If I'd have gone to LA, they probably wouldn't be who they are. And I would be devastated [when the series fell through], but then it always kept me encouraged, like, I've got something. I know I'm not crazy. I can do this.
On ignoring her ex-husband when he advised her to get rid of her Tennessee accent
[He] said to me, "Your accent and your diction, you need diction lessons. People are making fun of me. People think you're stupid." And I remember at the time, I don't know how I had the sense to think, "No, you're wrong." And I didn't change anything. I could have. I had pretty low self-esteem and was pretty beat down at the time, but I felt like ... you're not going to change me. This is who I am. And I think now, going forward, 40 years later, that is what has made this happen for me, is I am who I am. .... I'm authentic. I feel like at my age now, it's like this is who I am. You either like it or you don't. It's OK if you don't. ... I do find humor in hard things, but I think a lot of comedians do. That's how we cope.
Lauren Krenzel and Seth Kelley produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Beth Novey adapted it for the web.
Copyright 2023 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air. | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-31/leanne-morgan-the-mrs-maisel-of-appalachia-jokes-about-motherhood-and-menopause | 2023-07-31T18:17:03 | 0 | https://www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking-news/npr-breaking-news/2023-07-31/leanne-morgan-the-mrs-maisel-of-appalachia-jokes-about-motherhood-and-menopause |
TJ Friedl Player Prop Bets: Reds vs. Cubs - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 12:30 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
TJ Friedl -- with an on-base percentage of .293 in his past 10 games, 57 points lower than his season-long percentage -- will be in action for the Cincinnati Reds versus the Chicago Cubs, with Marcus Stroman on the hill, on July 31 at 8:05 PM ET.
He racked up two hits (going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI) in his last game against the Dodgers.
TJ Friedl Game Info & Props vs. the Cubs
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Stadium: Wrigley Field
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Cubs Starter: Marcus Stroman
- TV Channel: MARQ
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -238)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +900)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +165)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +105)
Looking to place a prop bet on TJ Friedl? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Read More About This Game
TJ Friedl At The Plate
- Friedl is hitting .282 with 17 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 26 walks.
- Among the qualified hitters in MLB play, he ranks 22nd in batting average, 36th in on-base percentage, and 76th in slugging.
- In 53 of 84 games this year (63.1%) Friedl has had a hit, and in 27 of those games he had more than one (32.1%).
- He has gone deep in seven games this year (8.3%), homering in 2.1% of his trips to the plate.
- Friedl has had at least one RBI in 27.4% of his games this year (23 of 84), with more than one RBI eight times (9.5%). He has also been responsible for three or more of his team's runs in four contests.
- He has scored in 36.9% of his games this season (31 of 84), with two or more runs eight times (9.5%).
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TJ Friedl Home/Away Batting Splits
Cubs Pitching Rankings
- The 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings put together by the Cubs pitching staff ranks 22nd in MLB.
- The Cubs have the 12th-ranked team ERA across all league pitching staffs (4.07).
- Cubs pitchers combine to surrender 111 home runs (1.1 per game), the third-fewest in baseball.
- Stroman gets the start for the Cubs, his 23rd of the season. He is 10-7 with a 3.51 ERA and 109 strikeouts through 125 2/3 innings pitched.
- In his last time out on Thursday, the right-hander tossed 3 1/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox, giving up seven earned runs while surrendering nine hits.
- The 32-year-old ranks 21st in ERA (3.51), 28th in WHIP (1.202), and 47th in K/9 (7.8) among qualifying pitchers in MLB action this season.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/tj-friedl-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T18:17:04 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/tj-friedl-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
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.wtvr.com/backup-driver-in-self-driving-uber-that-killed-woman-pleads-guilty | 2023-07-31T18:17:10 | 1 | https://www.wtvr.com/backup-driver-in-self-driving-uber-that-killed-woman-pleads-guilty |
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.wptv.com/backup-driver-in-self-driving-uber-that-killed-woman-pleads-guilty | 2023-07-31T18:17:11 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/backup-driver-in-self-driving-uber-that-killed-woman-pleads-guilty |
Tyler Stephenson Player Prop Bets: Reds vs. Cubs - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 12:30 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
Tyler Stephenson -- with a slugging percentage of .296 in his past 10 games (including zero homers) -- will be in action for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago Cubs, with Marcus Stroman on the mound, on July 31 at 8:05 PM ET.
He had a hitless showing in his most recent game (0-for-4) against the Dodgers.
Tyler Stephenson Game Info & Props vs. the Cubs
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Stadium: Wrigley Field
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Cubs Starter: Marcus Stroman
- TV Channel: MARQ
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -182)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +800)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +240)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +160)
Looking to place a prop bet on Tyler Stephenson? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Explore More About This Game
Tyler Stephenson At The Plate
- Stephenson is batting .252 with 14 doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 38 walks.
- Stephenson has gotten a hit in 60 of 97 games this year (61.9%), with more than one hit on 22 occasions (22.7%).
- He has homered in 7.2% of his games in 2023, and 1.8% of his trips to the dish.
- Stephenson has driven in a run in 30 games this season (30.9%), including seven games with more than one RBI (7.2%).
- He has scored in 38 games this season (39.2%), including seven multi-run games (7.2%).
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Tyler Stephenson Home/Away Batting Splits
Cubs Pitching Rankings
- The Cubs pitching staff ranks 22nd in MLB with a collective 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
- The Cubs' 4.07 team ERA ranks 12th across all league pitching staffs.
- Cubs pitchers combine to allow 111 home runs (1.1 per game), the third-fewest in the league.
- The Cubs are sending Stroman (10-7) to the mound to make his 23rd start of the season. He is 10-7 with a 3.51 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 125 2/3 innings pitched.
- In his last time out on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, the right-hander tossed 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs while surrendering nine hits.
- This season, the 32-year-old ranks 21st in ERA (3.51), 28th in WHIP (1.202), and 47th in K/9 (7.8) among pitchers who qualify.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/tyler-stephenson-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T18:17:11 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/tyler-stephenson-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
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.wtvr.com/extreme-heat-expected-to-be-costly-especially-in-texas | 2023-07-31T18:17:12 | 1 | https://www.wtvr.com/extreme-heat-expected-to-be-costly-especially-in-texas |
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.wtvr.com/fbi-warns-of-hackers-using-artificial-intelligence-to-create-malware | 2023-07-31T18:17:15 | 1 | https://www.wtvr.com/fbi-warns-of-hackers-using-artificial-intelligence-to-create-malware |
Actor and comedian Paul Reubens, who became a beloved children's star in the 1980s as Pee-wee Herman, has died at the age of 70.
"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," according to a statement posted Monday on his official Facebook page. "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."
The accompanying post came with a posthumous message from Reubens.
"Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years," the message 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."
Reuben starred as the iconic character that made him famous, first on television in the CBS weekend morning show "Pee-wee's Playhouse," and later in two theatrical movies, 1985's "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and 1988's "Big Top Pee-wee."
In 1986, Reubens was the voice of an alien spaceship in the South Florida-set Disney movie "Flight of the Navigator." He used the pseudonym of Paul Mall.
"Pee-wee's Playhouse" aired on Saturday mornings from 1986 to 1990, introducing a cast of characters portrayed by then-unknown actors like Laurence Fishburne (as Cowboy Curtis) and future "Saturday Night Live" star Phil Hartman (as Captain Carl).
In the show, Pee-wee's home was filled with toys, gadgets, puppet characters (such as Conky the Robot and Pterri the baby Pteranodon), and talking furniture and appliances (like Magic Screen and Chairry). There was even a disembodied genie's head who lives in a jeweled box (Jambi, played by John Paragon).
Reubens' persona was tarnished in 1991 when he was arrested on a charge of indecent exposure at an adult movie theater in Sarasota, Fla.
His final film role was in "Pee-wee's Big Holiday," which was released by Netflix in 2016.
He also appeared in 1981's "Cheech & Chong's Nice Dreams," 1992's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and 2001's "Blow." | https://www.wptv.com/entertainment/paul-reubens-best-known-as-pee-wee-herman-dies-at-70-after-cancer-diagnosis | 2023-07-31T18:17:17 | 0 | https://www.wptv.com/entertainment/paul-reubens-best-known-as-pee-wee-herman-dies-at-70-after-cancer-diagnosis |
Paul Reubens, the actor who played 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.wtvr.com/paul-reubens-actor-who-played-pee-wee-herman-dead-at-70 | 2023-07-31T18:17:18 | 0 | https://www.wtvr.com/paul-reubens-actor-who-played-pee-wee-herman-dead-at-70 |
Will Benson Player Prop Bets: Reds vs. Cubs - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 12:30 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
On Monday, Will Benson (.607 slugging percentage in past 10 games, including two home runs) and the Cincinnati Reds face the Chicago Cubs, whose starting pitcher will be Marcus Stroman. First pitch is at 8:05 PM ET.
In his previous appearance, he went 1-for-4 with a double against the Dodgers.
Will Benson Game Info & Props vs. the Cubs
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Stadium: Wrigley Field
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Cubs Starter: Marcus Stroman
- TV Channel: MARQ
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -133)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +750)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +260)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +130)
Looking to place a prop bet on Will Benson? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Discover More About This Game
Will Benson At The Plate
- Benson has eight doubles, four triples, seven home runs and 26 walks while batting .274.
- Benson has picked up a hit in 50.9% of his 57 games this year, with at least two hits in 15.8% of those games.
- He has homered in 12.3% of his games in 2023 (seven of 57), and 3.8% of his trips to the dish.
- Benson has picked up an RBI in 12 games this year (21.1%), with more than one RBI in six of them (10.5%).
- He has scored in 22 of 57 games this year, and more than once 4 times.
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Will Benson Home/Away Batting Splits
Cubs Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Cubs has a collective 8.3 K/9, which ranks 22nd in MLB.
- The Cubs have the 12th-ranked team ERA among all league pitching staffs (4.07).
- Cubs pitchers combine to surrender the third-fewest home runs in baseball (111 total, 1.1 per game).
- Stroman (10-7) gets the starting nod for the Cubs in his 23rd start of the season. He has a 3.51 ERA in 125 2/3 innings pitched, with 109 strikeouts.
- The righty's most recent time out came on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, when he went 3 1/3 innings, surrendering seven earned runs while allowing nine hits.
- Among qualifying pitchers in MLB action this season, the 32-year-old ranks 21st in ERA (3.51), 28th in WHIP (1.202), and 47th in K/9 (7.8).
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/will-benson-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T18:17:17 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/will-benson-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Horse racing is returning to Churchill Downs. The racetrack will host its September and Fall Meet.
Churchill Downs suspended racing operations in June, following the deaths of 12 horses.
Several of the horses were euthanized after suffering serious injuries on the track.
Upon suspending races, officials said the racetrack would undergo a top-to-bottom review of all safety and surface protocols.
Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said the review "didn't find anything fundamentally wrong or different about our track from previous years," according to The Associated Press.
SEE MORE: Officials hold emergency meeting over horse deaths at Churchill Downs
Noting that the deaths of horses were "a series of unfortunate circumstances," Carstanjen added that it's part of the business of horse racing.
There will be no obvious changes at the track when racing resumes. Carstanjen reportedly told investors that track is "very safe."
However, behind the scenes, the track will implement several protocols that are aimed at protecting the safety of the horse. That includes increased veterinary oversight and establishing a committee that can provide real-time feedback about track conditions.
Live racing at the track will resume on Sept. 14 and end for the year on Nov. 26.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.wtvr.com/racing-to-resume-at-churchill-downs-following-horse-deaths | 2023-07-31T18:17:19 | 1 | https://www.wtvr.com/racing-to-resume-at-churchill-downs-following-horse-deaths |
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.wptv.com/extreme-heat-expected-to-be-costly-especially-in-texas | 2023-07-31T18:17:23 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/extreme-heat-expected-to-be-costly-especially-in-texas |
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.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/aafco-membership-approves-new-model-pet-food-specialty-pet-food-regulations/ | 2023-07-31T18:17:26 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/aafco-membership-approves-new-model-pet-food-specialty-pet-food-regulations/ |
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.wptv.com/fbi-warns-of-hackers-using-artificial-intelligence-to-create-malware | 2023-07-31T18:17:29 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/fbi-warns-of-hackers-using-artificial-intelligence-to-create-malware |
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.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/arbor-realty-trust-expands-presence-boston-opening-office-historically-significant-building/ | 2023-07-31T18:17:32 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/arbor-realty-trust-expands-presence-boston-opening-office-historically-significant-building/ |
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.wptv.com/katie-ledecky-breaks-michael-phelps-record-for-world-championship-wins | 2023-07-31T18:17:35 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/katie-ledecky-breaks-michael-phelps-record-for-world-championship-wins |
A well-rested Lafayette Drillers team will take the field at the American Legion Region 4 Mid-South Tournament in Pelham, Alabama, on Wednesday.
The Louisiana state champions haven't played an official game since July 12, although they have had a couple of tune-up games.
Their first-round opponent, Troy Post 70, won its seventh straight Alabama state title on July 23. Troy defeated Gauthier-Amedee, last year's Louisiana champ, to win the regional tournament and went on to win the 2022 American Legion World Series.
"Troy is super-talented," Drillers coach Matt Standiford said. "They have two big-time pitchers - a lefty and a righty - and a really good shortstop.
"The time off was good for our guys to be able to step back, relax and get healthy. The drawback is that you don't get game-like reps in practice."
The Lafayette roster is comprised of players 15-19 years old. The Drillers took on the New Orleans Boosters, the reigning All-American Amateur Baseball Association national champions, in two exhibition games. The Boosters are a 22-under team.
"That was really good for our guys," said Standiford, who will be without infielder Caleb Roberts and slugger Kade Hebert the rest of the way. Roberts has reported to his college football team, while Hebert is recovering from an injury as he prepares to begin school at South Arkansas.
Standiford is counting on infielder Jack Schrader and designated hitter/first baseman James Heiken to step into the lineup and contribute.
"Jack played a ton of meaningful innings at second and third base during the season," Standiford said. "He's had a big bat off the bench."
Catcher Erik Heiken is a candidate for the clean-up spot vacated by Hebert. Offensively, the statistical leaders are shortstop/pitcher Cameron Gonzales (.396, 27 runs, 16 SBs), right fielder Dorien Jackson (.373, 21 RBIs, 22 runs), center fielder Cooper Martin (.283, 20 runs) and Dylan Dronet (22 RBIs).
Martin and Jackson were spectacular on defense in the state tournament. Both outfielders have great speed and range.
The pitching staff is led by Cabet Blanchard (2.54 ERA), Grant Porche (2-0, 1.75 ERA, 24K in 19 innings), Dronet (3-0), Gonzales (4-0, 3.70- ERA, 21K in 20.2 IP) and closer Cohen Elkins (4-0, 3.00 ERA).
"Blanchard has been our number one arm, but he's been limited by some arm issues," Standiford said. "Our ace has varied over the course of the season. We're probably going to throw Porche in the opener. He had a heckuva game against Retif Oil at the state tournament."
Panola (Mississippi), Ada (Oklahoma), Paragould (Arkansas), Washington (Missouri), Pittsburgh (Kansas) and host Pelham make up the remainder of the field in the double-elimination bracket.
"The key is going to be pitching and defense," Standiford said. "At this point, everybody is good. Teams aren't going to run out of pitching like some did at the state tournament.
"Our kids are all bought in. The key is to get off the bus with the intention of winning, not to have the mindset of it's just cool to be here."
The American Legion World Series begins Aug. 10 in Shelby, North Carolina. | https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/high_schools/drillers-start-mid-south-regional-with-tough-local-opponent/article_3f05c1de-2fc4-11ee-bce7-6b7cbe9c8211.html | 2023-07-31T18:17:36 | 0 | https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/high_schools/drillers-start-mid-south-regional-with-tough-local-opponent/article_3f05c1de-2fc4-11ee-bce7-6b7cbe9c8211.html |
The numbers aren’t supposed to be that close … at least not for a team with as high expectations as the UL Ragin’ Cajuns sport each season.
UL’s defense allowed 1,841 yards rushing – only three yards fewer than the Cajuns’ offense collected on the ground.
The passing game wasn’t much better, also a virtual dead heat. UL’s defense gave up 2,861 passing yards, just one 32-yard completion behind the offense’s 2,893 passing yards.
Peeling back a few layers, the rushing yards allowed last fall weren’t as bad as it appears at first glance. UL’s defense allowed 4.0 yards per carry last season – actually a better average than 4.3 yards allowed in 2020, 4.5 a carry in 2019 and 5.0 yards in 2018.
The numbers aren't as kind in the passing game, though. UL’s defense allowed 220 passing yards a game. The 220 yards a game is the worst average since giving up 216.7 passing yards a game in Billy Napier’s first season in 2018.
Ironically, new defensive leader K.C. Ossai sees improved communication as step one to improving those figures.
After all, last year’s defense was loaded with such seasoned performers as Zi’Yon Hill-Green, Jourdan Quibodeaux, Kris Moncrief, Eric Garror, Trey Amos, Bralen Trahan and Kam Pedescleaux.
So why did that unit give up so many passing yards, especially in key late-game situations?
“Just communication from the top down,” Ossai said. “I feel like we’ve done better with the linebackers communicating with the safeties. that helps us knowing where we need to be at.”
Defending the passing game better starts with the defensive line. The newcomer drawing praise in that area is junior college transfer Antoine Baylis.
“Antoine Baylis is the best one we got,” UL coach Michael Desormeaux said. “He can stop the run, but he’s got some pass rush ability too. He’s a good looking kid.”
Also remember Jordan Lawson is returning from injury, junior Mason Narcisse appears ready to grab the spotlight and defensive tackle Marcus Wiser will be available after missing the first three games of the season.
“It’s a group we’re excited about,” Desormeaux said of the defensive line.
“Antoine Baylis, Nijel (McGriff) and Sonny (Hazard), those are guys who work hard and have the eagerness to want to get better,” Ossai said. “I definitely have a lot of confidence in them. On defense, once the ball breaks, it’s whoever wants to make the play first. A lot of guys on defense want to make plays, so that helps a lot.”
The outside linebackers are also younger and faster in Ja’Marian Peterson and Cameron Whitfield, so perhaps more help on rushing the passer.
Personally, Ossai’s focus is on him finishing more plays.
“The bottom line is the coaches are going to call the plays,” Ossai said. “It’s up to us how we execute. So we had to trust the coaches that they have our best interests in mind and just go out there and execute.”
In the secondary, the potential solution to the key losses there are both in youth and numbers.
Caleb Anderson and Keyon Martin return and transfers Glen Brown from Southern and Shadwel Nkuba from Tyler Junior College.
“Yeah, it’s probably corner,” Desormeaux said of the team's biggest question mark on paper entering camp. “Trey’s loss was obviously unexpected being that late and you lose EG from the year before. Caleb Anderson played really well in spots last year.
“Keyon Martin maybe didn’t play like we thought he would last year, but it’s his second year and he’s a totally different player right now. He’s got a chance to compete at starting corner this year.”
While Baylis is one for UL fans to watch out for in camp, Ossai warned not to be surprised if redshirt sophomore Courtline Flowers becomes a star this season.
“I love Courtland Flowers, just the way he approaches the game,” Ossai said. “He’s very aggressive, physical and fast.” | https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/ul_lafayette/ul-cajuns-defense-looking-to-upgrade-unit-in-key-categories/article_faf89e06-2f3e-11ee-bbf5-736aa3a7fbc5.html | 2023-07-31T18:17:38 | 1 | https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/ul_lafayette/ul-cajuns-defense-looking-to-upgrade-unit-in-key-categories/article_faf89e06-2f3e-11ee-bbf5-736aa3a7fbc5.html |
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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Opelousas native Kylie Frey will make her "America's Got Talent" debut at 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC with an original song.
The show revealed a clip of Frey's audition on its Facebook page, where she sings "Horses in Heaven."
“I’m from a big rodeo family,” the 28-year-old artist says. “I was a rodeo queen. I started singing the national anthem for every rodeo that I showed up to because I just love to sing.”
Frey mentioned that she wrote "Horses in Heaven" for her grandfather.
Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum are again in the judges' chairs for the reality talent competition series' 18th season. Terry Crews hosts.
Before she sings, Frey impersonates Cowell, adding that she had "AGT"-themed birthday parties as a child — she would act as the judge and her friends would sing.
Frey performed at the Grand Ole Opry on July 18 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to her Instagram account.
Tune in to the show Aug. 7 to see if Frey moves on in the competition. For more information, visit www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent. Viewers can also follow the series on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/kylie-frey-will-make-her-americas-got-talent-debut/article_8e6198a2-2e7a-11ee-8fc0-b74a5598a9f6.html | 2023-07-31T18:17:40 | 0 | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/kylie-frey-will-make-her-americas-got-talent-debut/article_8e6198a2-2e7a-11ee-8fc0-b74a5598a9f6.html |
A Thibodaux man has been arrested, accused of shooting into a crowd during a fight in Labadieville and wounding seven people, the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office said.
Korey Jacobi Davis, 23, faces seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, illegal carrying of weapons, possession of a firearm on premises of an alcoholic beverage establishment and illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities. He is being held without bond pending a court hearing, the sheriff's office said.
On June 11, Davis got into a fight someone at a local business, deputies said. He pulled out a gun and "began shooting into the crowd," according to a news release.
Seven people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the sheriff's office said. | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/crime_police/man-fired-into-crowd-wounded-7-assumption-sheriff-says/article_54587824-2fc4-11ee-8636-9fd7baaab86d.html | 2023-07-31T18:17:41 | 0 | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/crime_police/man-fired-into-crowd-wounded-7-assumption-sheriff-says/article_54587824-2fc4-11ee-8636-9fd7baaab86d.html |
When a mysterious object showed up on a beach in Western Australia earlier this month, authorities and the public were left scratching their heads about what it was and where it came from.
For more than two weeks, people speculated about what this metallic cylinder could be and where it came from. Many questioned (with varying levels of sincerity) if it was from outer space and could be proof of alien life.
Others wondered if the debris could be from the Malaysian Airlines plane that vanished in 2014.
However, the Australian Space Agency quickly debunked some of the more out there theories, and determined the object was from another country’s space program.
MORE: Scientists discover a two-faced dwarf star
We have concluded the object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia is most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by @isro.
[More in comments] pic.twitter.com/ivF9Je1Qqy
— Australian Space Agency (@AusSpaceAgency) July 31, 2023
“We have concluded the object located on a beach near Jurian Bay in Western Australia is most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle […] operated by @isro (Indian Space Research Organization),” the agency shared on its official Twitter account.
The New York Times reported India did launch a rocket intended to go to the moon a few days before the object was found on the remote Australian beach.
The Australian Space Agency disclosed it has now placed the discovered item in storage and plans to work with ISRO to determine what’s next.
A 1968 United Nations agreement outlines guidelines for nations that “requires States Parties [to] return any ‘foreign’ space objects discovered in their territory to their owners and that they notify the [U.N.] Secretary-General of any such discovered objects.”
According to space archeologist Alice Gorman, discoveries such as this will likely become more common with more launches from organizations such as SpaceX and other national space programs.
“There are so many more launches than there used to be that it is likely we’re going to see more fuel tanks and other components ending up on Earth,” Gorman told ABC News Australia.
However, she assured the general public not to worry about stuff falling from space. This latest piece of space debris washed up to the shore from the ocean, and public risk is minimal now.
“Nobody has to walk around looking above their heads in fear that a piece of space junk is going to fall on them and decimate them,” Gorman concluded.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wptv.com/mysterious-object-ended-up-on-beach | 2023-07-31T18:17:41 | 0 | https://www.wptv.com/mysterious-object-ended-up-on-beach |
LONDON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CosmosAI, the global smart computing power network project, is making significant strides through negotiations to acquire prominent Nasdaq-listed companies. The discussions focus on acquiring platforms and businesses in diverse sectors like sports betting AI services, smart retail, and intelligent security solutions. These strategic acquisitions are set to accelerate CosmosAI's growth and provide capitalization opportunities for investors.
These ongoing negotiations emphasize CosmosAI's commitment to becoming a transformative force in smart computing networks. Leveraging the expertise and market presence of Nasdaq-listed companies, CosmosAI aims to drive innovation and expand its intelligent connectivity solutions.
In the sports betting AI services industry, the potential acquisition promises to enhance user experiences and streamline betting operations. A Nasdaq-listed sports betting platform would enable CosmosAI to offer cutting-edge solutions for sports enthusiasts and industry stakeholders.
Similarly, in the smart retail sector, the integration of smart computing power can revolutionize the shopping experience. By acquiring a Nasdaq-listed smart retail company, CosmosAI envisions driving advancements in personalized shopping, inventory management, and customer analytics.
Addressing the importance of security, CosmosAI recognizes smart computing's role in safeguarding individuals, businesses, and public spaces. The potential acquisition of a Nasdaq-listed intelligent security firm would enhance CosmosAI's ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions for video analytics, facial recognition, and smart surveillance.
Aligned with its vision of a smarter and connected society, CosmosAI accelerates its development with Nasdaq-listed companies' expertise and resources. Investors can expect enhanced value and returns as CosmosAI expands into new sectors and markets, unlocking significant shareholder value.
CosmosAI remains dedicated to realizing a future of intelligent connectivity and shaping a smart society. The potential acquisitions strengthen CosmosAI's market position and fulfill its mission of revolutionizing global computational resource sharing.
About CosmosAI:
CosmosAI is a global smart computing network project dedicated to building the future of intelligent connectivity. By integrating computing devices worldwide, CosmosAI provides strong and fair computing support for AI development, promoting digitization on a global scale. For more information, please visit the official website: https://ai-cosmo.com
Media Contact:
Nadine Hwu
Email: info@ai-cosmo.com
+1 (937) 551-5555
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2166180/CosmosAI.jpg
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SOURCE CosmosAI | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/cosmosais-nasdaq-acquisitions-fueling-exponential-growth/ | 2023-07-31T18:17:46 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/cosmosais-nasdaq-acquisitions-fueling-exponential-growth/ |
ROCHESTER, N.H. — In a new policy plan unveiled Monday, Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis is taking aim at China with a "Declaration of Economic Independence" that also targets taxes, regulations, spending and education.
Speaking in a New Hampshire warehouse, the Florida governor promised to boost the economy and fight for the middle class.
"We will take back control of our destiny — and ensure that our future is as proud, independent and free as our past," he said at Prep Partners Group, which coordinates warehousing, distribution and other logistics for other companies.
Political
DeSantis downplays concerns about the state of his 2024 campaign
DeSantis said he would wrest economic control from China by ending the nation’s preferential trade status, banning imports of goods made from stolen intellectual property and preventing companies from sharing critical technologies with China.
The 10-point economic plan is the third major policy proposal put forth by DeSantis, whose campaign has struggled in recent weeks. Although long seen as the top rival to former President Donald Trump, DeSantis shed more than one-third of his staff as federal filings showed his campaign was burning through cash at an unsustainable rate.
On Monday, he focused on the federal government's reckless spending, however. His plan describes him as a "new sheriff in town" who will veto wasteful spending and mandate work requirements for welfare programs. He also claimed he could achieve 3% annual economic growth by keeping taxes low, eliminating bureaucracy and incentivizing investment.
On the education front, DeSantis said he will stop incentivizing "useless degrees" by making universities responsible for the loans their students accrue. His plan also would promote vocational and apprenticeship programs that educate “artisans and engineers” instead of “politicized administrators and bureaucrats." | https://www.wptv.com/news/national-politics/florida-gov-ron-desantis-unveils-new-economic-policy-that-targets-china-taxes-and-regulations | 2023-07-31T18:17:48 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/news/national-politics/florida-gov-ron-desantis-unveils-new-economic-policy-that-targets-china-taxes-and-regulations |
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Deerpath Capital Management, LP ("Deerpath"), one of the largest private credit managers in the U.S. lower-middle market, has announced the reset and upsize of Deerpath CLO 2020-1, a $403.3 million collateralized loan obligation (CLO).
The CLO was originally sized at $330 million and priced in March 2020. This upsize and repricing represents the eighth CLO issued by Deerpath since 2018 and brings the firm's total CLO assets under management to approximately $2.4 billion.
This is Deerpath's second CLO issuance in 2023, having closed Deerpath CLO 2023-1 at $504 million in March. Like all of the firm's existing CLOs, Deerpath CLO 2020-1 is secured by a portfolio of senior secured loans to middle market, private equity-backed companies, which have been primarily directly originated by the firm.
Deerpath sold securities rated from AAA through BBB- to third-party institutional investors, including insurance companies, pension funds, banks, and asset managers. Deerpath's managed funds purchased 100 percent of the subordinated notes issued by the CLO. The transaction is set to close on July 31, 2023 and the reinvestment period is four (4) years.
Derek Dubois, Managing Director and Treasurer said, "Deerpath has continued to access the CLO market during 2023, despite the ongoing volatility in the broader markets. This is our second CLO transaction of 2023. We are very excited to have locked in attractive long term portfolio financing for our fund investors."
GreensLedge Capital Markets LLC served as Lead Placement Agent, Structuring Agent and Bookrunner. NatWest Markets served as Co-Placement Agent.
About Deerpath Capital Management, LP
Founded in 2007, Deerpath Capital Management, LP is one of the largest providers of customized, cash-flow based senior debt financing to lower-middle market companies across diverse industries. The firm currently manages approximately $6 billion of assets under management. For more information, please visit www.deerpathcapital.com.
Media:
Aidan O'Connor
Prosek Partners (On behalf of Deerpath Capital)
(646) 818-9283
aoconnor@prosek.com
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SOURCE Deerpath Capital Management, LP | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/deerpath-capital-successfully-resets-2020-collateralized-loan-obligation/ | 2023-07-31T18:17:52 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/deerpath-capital-successfully-resets-2020-collateralized-loan-obligation/ |
Segment 1: Can Gov. Ron DeSantis make headway in GOP race?
Republican state committeeman Joe Budd, a supporter of Gov. Ron DeSantis, said he remains energized about the prospects of the Florida governor winning the GOP nomination. However, polls show that former President Donald Trump continues to have a large lead over his fellow Republican opponents.
Can Gov. Ron DeSantis make headway in GOP race?
Segment 2:
Nova Southeastern University professor Dr. Charles Zelden offers his thoughts on the state of the country as the political division continues.
America currently 'a nation at war with itself,' Nova Southeastern University history professor says | https://www.wptv.com/news/political/to-the-point/america-currently-a-nation-at-war-with-itself-nova-southeastern-university-history-professor-says | 2023-07-31T18:17:54 | 0 | https://www.wptv.com/news/political/to-the-point/america-currently-a-nation-at-war-with-itself-nova-southeastern-university-history-professor-says |
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.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/fractal-reaffirms-its-commitment-ethical-business-practices-compliance-safety-global-shipping-industry/ | 2023-07-31T18:17:59 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/fractal-reaffirms-its-commitment-ethical-business-practices-compliance-safety-global-shipping-industry/ |
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.wptv.com/outfit-sandwiching-trend-lets-you-simplify-getting-dressed | 2023-07-31T18:18:00 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/outfit-sandwiching-trend-lets-you-simplify-getting-dressed |
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.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hybribio-showcased-cutting-edge-cervical-cancer-hpv-diagnostic-solutions-adlm-2023/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:05 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hybribio-showcased-cutting-edge-cervical-cancer-hpv-diagnostic-solutions-adlm-2023/ |
Horse racing is returning to Churchill Downs. The racetrack will host its September and Fall Meet.
Churchill Downs suspended racing operations in June, following the deaths of 12 horses.
Several of the horses were euthanized after suffering serious injuries on the track.
Upon suspending races, officials said the racetrack would undergo a top-to-bottom review of all safety and surface protocols.
Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said the review "didn't find anything fundamentally wrong or different about our track from previous years," according to The Associated Press.
SEE MORE: Officials hold emergency meeting over horse deaths at Churchill Downs
Noting that the deaths of horses were "a series of unfortunate circumstances," Carstanjen added that it's part of the business of horse racing.
There will be no obvious changes at the track when racing resumes. Carstanjen reportedly told investors that track is "very safe."
However, behind the scenes, the track will implement several protocols that are aimed at protecting the safety of the horse. That includes increased veterinary oversight and establishing a committee that can provide real-time feedback about track conditions.
Live racing at the track will resume on Sept. 14 and end for the year on Nov. 26.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.wptv.com/racing-to-resume-at-churchill-downs-following-horse-deaths | 2023-07-31T18:18:06 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/racing-to-resume-at-churchill-downs-following-horse-deaths |
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former Florida State football star and NFL receiver Travis Rudolph has been added to the roster of Florida's lone XFL team.
Rudolph, 27, was listed on the Orlando Guardians website Monday, more than a month after his acquittal in a 2021 fatal shooting in Lake Park.
The West Palm Beach native appears to be getting a second chance at professional football after a Palm Beach County jury found him not guilty of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder in June.
Florida State University
Former FSU star Travis Rudolph found not guilty on all counts
Rudolph testified during his murder trial that he acted in self-defense when Dominique Jones recruited her brother and his friends to "shoot up his s---" after they got into an argument shortly before the April 7, 2021, shooting that killed Sebastien Jean-Jacques.
A star wide receiver at Cardinal Newman High School, Rudolph went on to play at Florida State. He hauled in 153 catches for 2,311 yards and 18 touchdowns in three seasons with the Seminoles from 2014-16.
Although he wasn't drafted after leaving school early for the NFL, Rudolph signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent and spent the 2017 season with the team.
Rudolph was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad in 2018 but tore an ACL on his first day of workouts and never played in the NFL again.
He signed with the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2020, but the team released him after his arrest.
"I got my freedom back, and I can get back to my life," Rudolph told reporters on June 7 after his acquittal.
It seems he's taken the first step to doing so with the Guardians.
A spokesman for the team didn't immediately reply to an email seeking comment about the addition of Rudolph.
If Rudolph plays for the Guardians in 2024, he could be catching passes from his former college quarterback. Deondre Francois, who began his career at Florida State before being kicked off the team in 2019, played in four games for the Guardians last season, going 20-of-39 for 140 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Orlando's XFL team is coached by former Florida State star Terrell Buckley, who won the 1991 Jim Thorpe Award presented to the best defensive back in college football and spent six of his 14 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. | https://www.wptv.com/sports/college-sports/florida-state-university/travis-rudolph-listed-on-xfls-orlando-guardians-roster-after-murder-acquittal | 2023-07-31T18:18:12 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/sports/college-sports/florida-state-university/travis-rudolph-listed-on-xfls-orlando-guardians-roster-after-murder-acquittal |
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Dental of California and affiliates today announced that Mike Castro will retire as its chief executive officer (CEO) Dec. 31, 2023 and become chairman of the board of Delta Dental of California effective Jan. 1, 2024. Sarah Chavarria, current president of Delta Dental of California, will succeed Mr. Castro to become president and CEO Jan. 1, 2024.
Mr. Castro has led the company as CEO of Delta Dental since 2019. During his two decades with the company, he has held a variety of leadership roles, including serving as chief financial officer for 14 years.
"It has been a privilege to lead our business," said Mike Castro, chief executive officer of Delta Dental of California. "Over the years, many people have asked how I want to define my legacy at Delta Dental. The simple answer has always been the same: to leave the company better than I found it, and in better hands. I'm proud to say we're a stronger company than we were five years ago, and we have a deep bench of exceptional leaders to help us continue to capitalize on our position of strength thanks to the team."
Sarah Chavarria was promoted to president in 2022 and has led the organization's Operations, Technology, People, Growth, Marketing and Communication divisions. She began her career at Delta Dental as chief people officer and later expanded her leadership to include oversight of the other teams.
"I want to thank Mike for his support, exceptional leadership and dedication to Delta Dental, which have laid the foundation for a successful future," said Sarah Chavarria, president of Delta Dental of California. "We will continue our partnership when he moves into his new role as chairman of the board. Together, we will ensure our customers, providers and employees remain at the forefront of our business and that we stay focused on our purpose to improve health by providing access to quality care for our more than 45 million members."
About Delta Dental of California
Since 1955, Delta Dental of California has offered comprehensive, high quality oral health care coverage to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. The Delta Dental of California enterprise includes its affiliates Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., as well as the national DeltaCare USA network, and provides dental benefits to more than 45 million people across 15 states and the District of Columbia*. All are members of the Delta Dental Plans Association based in Oak Brook, Illinois, the not-for-profit national association that through a national network of Delta Dental companies collectively covers millions of people nationwide. For more information about Delta Dental of California, please visit www.deltadentalins.com
*Delta Dental of California's operating areas encompass Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and District of Columbia.
For media inquiries, contact:
Tom Sarris
Director, Corporate Communications
Delta Dental of California
tsarris@delta.org
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SOURCE Delta Dental of California | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/mike-castro-retire-ceo-become-chairman-board-delta-dental-california-president-sarah-chavarria-named-successor/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:12 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/mike-castro-retire-ceo-become-chairman-board-delta-dental-california-president-sarah-chavarria-named-successor/ |
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Recently transferred from the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter, Theodore is now in the hands of the SPCA Serving Erie County.
Theodore, who’s only two months old, was recently transferred to the SPCA with his littermates Simon and Alvin. He’s already neutered, but not yet declawed.
“He’s a little bit shy at first, but he warms up very quickly,” Sarah McEvoy with the SPCA says.
Information on adopting him and other animals can be found here or by calling (716) 875-7360.
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Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. | https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/erie-county/tiny-kitten-theodore-is-only-2-months-old/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:14 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/erie-county/tiny-kitten-theodore-is-only-2-months-old/ |
A small but mighty prehistoric creature somehow emerged alive from a chunk of ancient permafrost extracted from Siberia.
This might sound like the start of a science fiction blockbuster movie, but a study recently released by scientists provides evidence that a nematode maintained a state of suspended animation since the days of the Neanderthals.
The July 27 study published by PLOS Genetics discussed how the worm-like creature surprised scientists by moving after the permafrost thawed.
“Nobody had thought that this process could be for millennia, for 40,000 years — or even longer,” Philip Schiffer, one of the study’s authors, told NPR. “It’s just amazing that life can start again after such a long time, in the stage between life and death.”
MORE: Post-menopausal orcas protect their sons
Previously, the longest-known resuscitation for a frozen nematode was from an Antarctic species known as Plectus murryi.
Through genetic testing, the scientists labeled this new species Panagrolaimus kolymaensis.
The study team determined the nematode’s age by performing radiocarbon dating on the permafrost sample. The results showed the frozen soil was around 46,000 years old.
Scientists explained that the nematode was buried in the permafrost about 130 feet deep in an Arctic gopher burrow. Once there, it coped with the freezing temperatures by slowing its metabolism through a process known as cryptobiosis. This deep sleep allows an organism to stay alive in extreme conditions.
“We need to know how species adapted to the extreme through evolution to maybe help species alive today and humans as well,” Schiffer told The Washington Post.
Scientists learned soon after the nematode started moving that they had a female in the lab. She reproduced in the petri dish asexually, bringing this family’s first of many new generations into the world.
The original nematode to emerge from the permafrost died; however, with hundreds of generations still maintained by the scientific team, much more can be learned about this species and its impact on our modern world.
“You might learn a lot about how and what’s happening right now on Earth, and maybe even inform protection of endangered species,” Schiffer told NPR.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wptv.com/this-worm-woke-up-after-being-frozen-for-46000-years | 2023-07-31T18:18:18 | 0 | https://www.wptv.com/this-worm-woke-up-after-being-frozen-for-46000-years |
Mr. Carr is President and CEO of Capital Impact Partners and CDC Small Business Finance, which operate under the Momentus Capital Brand
ARLINGTON, Va. and SAN DIEGO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For all of us at Momentus Capital, 2022 was a year to remember. Working in cities and communities across the country, we put over $760 million into the hands of entrepreneurs, developers, and other local leaders. In addition, lenders utilized our Ventures Lending Technologies' suite of products to deploy more than $20 billion in financing to their clients. These numbers represent the highest level of investment in the history of our family of organizations.
But beyond these headline figures, what do these numbers represent? What do these dollars actually support? When I get asked this question, three things come to mind:
First and foremost, our work supports people. The people that we invest in are pursuing their own dreams for themselves and their communities. Most are small business owners and community real estate developers, but no matter their line of work, I see them the same way: as builders. In many cases, these folks are the folks that the traditional financial sector has left behind. Through their businesses, projects, and community leadership, they are building a better future for themselves and those around them – and we are proud to support their vision.
Second, our work advances a culture that puts the voices of these leaders at the center of what we do. Local voices shape our priorities, our projects, and our strategies. One of the reasons I admire our staff so deeply is because they are committed to this culture. We adopted our four Core Values – being visionary, invested, collaborative, and intentionally inclusive – to strengthen this culture. We build authentic relationships with our colleagues, our partners, and the community leaders we support. As we do, we strive to always actively listen to how they describe their own wants, needs, and vision.
Finally and most importantly, our work supports communities. Strengthening and supporting communities is the reason we exist. We are committed to the idea that the people of every community in America deserve to live, work, play, and dream without being constrained by a lack of capital, a lack of knowledge, a lack of power. Every bit of capital we provide is about directing power – economic, social, and cultural – to communities with dreams, assets, and aspirations that outstrip the power our current system has allowed them.
We do the work we do so that people, cultures, and communities across this country can thrive. As you can see in our Annual Report, we did a lot last year in the service of this goal. As with every year, our achievements are thanks to the expertise and dedication of our incredible staff. I am grateful for their commitment to our mission and proud of the way they approach this work. As the "first generation" of Momentus Capital employees, they are advancing the work while helping us to build a new type of organization, shaping the day-to-day environment of our organization. Every day, I feel lucky and honored to work with this team.
Of course, the real work is ahead of us, not behind. We are on a multi-year journey to build an integrated financial services organization that puts purpose over profit. Working together with partners, we will redefine how capital flows into underestimated communities so that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. The result? An economic system that respects and uplifts all peoples' right to achieve the dreams they have for themselves, their communities, and generations to come.
Thank you, as always, for your interest and support.
To read our full FY2022 Annual Report, please click here.
About Momentus Capital
The Momentus Capital branded family of organizations refers to the combined operations of Capital Impact Partners, CDC Small Business Finance, Momentus Direct Capital, Momentus Securities, and Ventures Lending Technologies. While each organization under the Momentus Capital brand still operates as a separate entity, their clients will now have access to more resources and products.
The Momentus Capital branded family of organizations is transforming how capital and investments flow into communities to provide people access to the capital and opportunities they deserve. We are working to reinvent traditional financial systems that have failed to address systemic issues of inequality, economic empowerment, and the widening racial wealth gap by offering a continuum of financial, knowledge, and social capital to help local leaders build inclusive and equitable communities and create generational wealth. This includes a comprehensive package of loan products, impact investment opportunities, training and business advising programs, and technology services that advance locally-led solutions.
Leveraging 80 years of combined experience, nearly $3 billion in assets, and strong community engagement, we have delivered $23 billion in financing, created and preserved 250,000 jobs, and served 12,000 small businesses and five million people across their history.
With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and San Diego, California, Momentus Capital operates nationally with a focus on larger urban areas and cities in Arizona, California, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Texas, and the Washington metro area.
Learn more at momentuscap.org.
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SOURCE Momentus Capital | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/momentus-capital-annual-report-fy2022-ellis-carr-creating-access-capital-opportunities-all/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:18 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/momentus-capital-annual-report-fy2022-ellis-carr-creating-access-capital-opportunities-all/ |
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.wivb.com/news/political-news/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:19 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ |
Former Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archer said during closed door testimony that Hunter Biden included President Biden on a number of phone calls that presumably included business associates, according to one lawmaker’s account of the testimony, a revelation that is likely to fuel Republican attempts to link the president to his son’s business dealings.
But the Democratic lawmaker said that Archer’s testimony to the House Oversight Committee did not show that the president was involved in Hunter Biden’s business dealings.
“The witness indicated that Hunter spoke to his father every day, and approximately 20 times over the course of 10 year relationship, Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings,” Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) said.
“As he described it, it was all casual conversation, niceties, the weather, ‘What’s going on?’” Goldman said, adding that. “There wasn’t a single conversation about any of the business dealings that Hunter had.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who was also in the interview, told reporters that Archer had revealed new information, but declined to elaborate further.
The readout of the testimony appears to back up House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer’s (R-Ky.) statement to the New York Post last week that he expected Archer to discuss the times he “has witnessed Joe Biden meeting with Hunter Biden’s overseas business partners when he was vice president, including on speakerphone.”
Asked last week about allegations that the president had communicated directly with his son’s foreign business associates, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the president “was never in business with his son.”
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 consist of four hours of questioning divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and is expected to end mid-afternoon. In addition to Jordan and Goldman, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) attended the Archer interview.
“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.
Updated at 2:02 p.m. | https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:20 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ |
Nine state residents and the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee filed a lawsuit Monday to stop the nation’s first openly religious charter school from operating.
Oklahoma’s Statewide Virtual Charter School Board had voted 3-2 last month to approve the application of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.
The plaintiffs, represented by organizations including Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union, are arguing the board violated the Oklahoma Constitution, the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act and several of its own regulations when it approved St. Isidore.
Among the reasons the lawsuit says the school is unlawful are policies that could deny students admissions for sexual orientation or a difference in beliefs. It says St. Isidore will provide a religious education “and indoctrinate its students in Catholic religious beliefs.”
“A school that claims to be simultaneously public and religious would be a sea change for American democracy. It’s hard to think of a clearer violation of the religious freedom of Oklahoma taxpayers and public-school families than the state establishing a public school that is run as a religious school,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“We’re witnessing a full-on assault on church-state separation and public education – and religious public charter schools are the next frontier. America needs a national recommitment to church-state separation,” Laser added.
The residents filed in the District Court of Oklahoma County to stop funding to St. Isidore and block the charter school board from doing business with the school.
The Hill has reached out to St. Isidore for comment.
The lawsuit had been expected as the proposed school caused quite a stir when it was approved, even among other charter school advocates.
“This decision runs afoul of state law and the U.S. Constitution. All charter schools are public schools, and as such must be non-sectarian. Charter schools were conceived as, and have always been, innovative public schools that provide an alternative for families who want a public school option other than the one dictated by their ZIP code,” Nina Rees, president of the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools, said after the board voted.
St. Isidore went through a months-long process to get approved, with its application originally rejected by the charter school board. The school has already indicated it is ready to take a lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court.
“We’re not surprised by the threat of a suit, but we will be preparing if they choose to file one,” Brett Farley, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, said back in June. “This is a question that ultimately needs to be answered by the courts, perhaps by the US Supreme Court.” | https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/hill-politics/lawsuit-seeks-to-block-first-religious-charter-school-in-the-us/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:21 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/hill-politics/lawsuit-seeks-to-block-first-religious-charter-school-in-the-us/ |
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.wivb.com/news/political-news/hill-politics/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:21 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/hill-politics/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ |
Award Recognizes Exemplary Commitment to Transportation Safety
BRUSLY, La., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), a national organization whose members include the most senior fire officials in the United States, is delighted to honor ExxonMobil with the esteemed Norman Y. Mineta Excellence in Transportation Safety Award.
The ExxonMobil organization is recognized for having one of the safest years in Exxon Mobil Pipeline Company's (EMPCo) history and their industry-leading safety preparations for the upcoming buildout of a network of CO2 and H2 pipelines. By empowering personnel to identify and strengthen critical safeguards to mitigate risk in potential consequence areas, ExxonMobil takes on the challenge of emerging fuels pipelines and storage facilities while maintaining exceptional safety standards.
The Norman Y. Mineta Excellence in Transportation Safety Award is an honor awarded to individuals or organizations who have shown a significant and lasting contribution to product, material and human safety. Named after its first recipient, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, the award recognizes achievements in transportation safety standards that exceed the minimum requirements.
"The way ExxonMobil engages with fire fighters is a great example of how companies and first responders should work together to yield the highest level of public safety and awareness," said Chief Butch Browning, NASFM Executive Director.
"It is an honor to receive this award on behalf of ExxonMobil. We are proud that our focus on safety and operational excellence is recognized by one of our most important stakeholders, first responders," said Steve Yatauro, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company President.
Since 2005, 11 organizations or individuals have received the Norman Y. Mineta Excellence in Transportation Safety Award. ExxonMobil's recognition marks the first award since Former NASFM Presidents and State Fire Marshal Bill Degnan in 2016.
The award was presented to EMPCo VP of Operations Saul Flota at the NASFM Annual Conference on July 31, 2023, in Wilmington, North Carolina.
For more information, visit the NASFM website at firemarshals.org.
About the National Association of State Fire Marshalls:
The principal membership of NASFM comprises the senior fire officials in the United States and their top deputies. The primary mission of NASFM is to protect human life, property and the environment from fire and related hazards. A secondary mission of NASFM is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State Fire Marshals' operations.
CONTACT:
Philip Oakes
Chief of Operations and Training
phil@browning.red
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SOURCE National Association of State Fire Marshals | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nasfm-recognizes-exxonmobil-with-norman-y-mineta-excellence-transportation-safety-award/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:25 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nasfm-recognizes-exxonmobil-with-norman-y-mineta-excellence-transportation-safety-award/ |
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
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SOURCE Seekr Technologies | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/onevalley-seekr-announce-strategic-content-partnership/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:31 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/onevalley-seekr-announce-strategic-content-partnership/ |
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A funnel cloud was spotted over Lake Erie on Monday afternoon near Hamburg and Orchard Park.
There are currently no reports that the funnel cloud touched down into the lake or made landfall. A special marine warning was issued by the National Weather Service from Buffalo to Dunkirk until 2:15 p.m.
According to the NWS, a shower causing waterspouts was located near Wanakah, moving southwest at 10 knots, about 11.5 miles per hour.
NWS Buffalo said they have had several reports of a waterspout. They say that most tend to fall apart before they move onto land.
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. | https://www.wivb.com/weather/waterspout-funnel-cloud-seen-over-lake-erie/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:34 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/weather/waterspout-funnel-cloud-seen-over-lake-erie/ |
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognized for relentlessly pursuing innovative audience engagement solutions, Resulticks is now redefining the space with a laser focus on creating Connected Experiences for brands and their audiences through its flagship product RESUL.
Addressing this next leap in the product's evolution, Dakshen Ram, Co-Founder and Chief Product and Innovation Officer of Resulticks said, "RESUL began ten years ago as an omnichannel stack with the aim of moving clients steadily toward digital transformation. Now, recalibrating what audience engagement really means, we have created the definitive solution to deliver end-to-end Connected Experiences—real-time, contextual, everywhere, anytime, and across the phygital spectrum."
Connected Experiences reimagines how businesses can engage with their audiences. Brands will be able to leverage non-conventional channels for data consolidation and communications. The shift will also incorporate new channels of communication including IoT interfaces such as digital billboards, smart devices, and facial recognition devices, enabling organizations to facilitate customer engagement across the physical and digital landscape.
Operating at native latency, businesses will be able to deliver entirely hyper-personalized journeys at scale that are not only attributable but most importantly are limited only by end-point processing capabilities and speeds.
Ram also noted that there is a marked gap between what audiences expect in terms of real-time engagement and what is being served to them today. The interpretation of real-time often has been understandably subjective. "But from the audience's perspective," he said, "it's time to move the needle from real-time engagement to right-now engagement, which means effortlessly syncing with audiences traversing spaces, channels, devices, and IoT interfaces."
Commenting on edge computing and serverless infrastructure supported by the WebAssembly framework, Ram added, "Our next major release RESUL 5.5 slated for release in Q4 of 2023 as well as our work on a generative AI core will further equip brands to chart audience journeys leveraging the flexibility offered by technology rather than being bound by its limitations. This commitment to a connected experience framework is set to usher in, for brands, an era of audience engagement that is instant, creative, and attributable like never before."
About Resulticks
Resulticks is a global leader in real-time audience engagement solutions that deliver top-line growth for brands through connected experiences. Outcomes-focused and enabled by its proprietary cookie-independent identity resolution technology, Resulticks equips brands to make a transformational leap to true 360o customer engagement. With its AI-powered, audience-centric approach it is changing how brands worldwide reach, acquire, and retain satisfied customers. Resulticks Solution Inc. is headquartered in New York City.
Media Contact:
Name: Sneha Subramanian
Email: ssneha@resulticks.com
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165938/Connected_Experiences_PR_Banner.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165967/RESULTICKS_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE Resulticks | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/resulticks-carves-out-new-niche-audience-engagement-connected-experiences-powered-by-resul/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:38 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/resulticks-carves-out-new-niche-audience-engagement-connected-experiences-powered-by-resul/ |
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
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/teamsters-tforce-freight-ratify-national-agreement/ | 2023-07-31T18:18:44 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/teamsters-tforce-freight-ratify-national-agreement/ |
Jane Dvorak
Jane Frances (Meyer) Dvorak, 77, of Brookings, SD, formerly of Tripp, SD, passed away Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Brookings Hospital. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 629 9th Avenue, Brookings, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. at the church. Lunch will be served following the service.
A committal service will be held the following day, Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace Hill Cemetery in Tripp, SD. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the Dugout, 108 W. 2nd St. in Tripp, SD.
Jane Frances (Meyer) Dvorak, the only child of Reinhold and Hulda (Krueger) was born on February 15, 1946, in Parkston, SD. Jane grew up on the family farm northeast of Tripp and attended all 8 years of elementary school at Baltzer #43, a one-room country school. She attended Tripp High School and graduated in 1964 where she was active in chorus, band (French horn, first chair), played both the piano and accordion and took baton lessons. She was also a 4-H Club Member.
On December 20, 1964, Jane was united in marriage to Allen Dvorak at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Tripp where she had been both baptized and confirmed. Jane began her lifelong career in higher education at the former Southern State Teachers’ College, Springfield, SD. In 1968, she transferred to the Loans and Collections Department at SDSU in Brookings where she worked for 52 years. Upon her retirement on July 1, 2020, the university lauded her as one of its longest and most dedicated employees. Jane was an avid fan of Jackrabbit athletics and held a courtside seat at Frost Arena until her passing.
Jane dearly loved SDSU’s McCrory Gardens, so in 2019, Jane commissioned artist Chad Guthmiller, owner of Artisan Concrete Concepts, Volga, SD, to design and construct a contemporary gazebo and fountain titled “Centre Pointe” as a permanent gift to the gardens.
Early in Jane’s adult life, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis began to surface; however, Jane never complained despite her daily physical pain and mobility challenges.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Because Jane was an only child, she was especially close to her many cousins. She is survived by her paternal cousins, Myron (Patricia) Stoebner, Tripp, SD; Patricia (Carlson) Holmes, Urbandale, IA; and her maternal cousin, Merlin (Shirley) Baltzer, Parkston, SD, in addition to many relatives and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Eidsness Funeral Chapel, 1617 Orchard Drive, P.O. Box 704, Brookings, SD 57006, or may be directed to: McCrory Gardens, the South Dakota State University Foundation, or Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/obituaries/obits/jane-dvorak-5d124a5367a60618cb3c76c5-64c6dc7a92d49e4652cefe99 | 2023-07-31T18:20:47 | 1 | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/obituaries/obits/jane-dvorak-5d124a5367a60618cb3c76c5-64c6dc7a92d49e4652cefe99 |
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.kgun9.com/fbi-warns-of-hackers-using-artificial-intelligence-to-create-malware | 2023-07-31T18:20:47 | 0 | https://www.kgun9.com/fbi-warns-of-hackers-using-artificial-intelligence-to-create-malware |
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.kgun9.com/katie-ledecky-breaks-michael-phelps-record-for-world-championship-wins | 2023-07-31T18:20:53 | 0 | https://www.kgun9.com/katie-ledecky-breaks-michael-phelps-record-for-world-championship-wins |
The one certainty about the Ukrainian-Russian war is that there is little certainty.
Even with Russia’s recent history of aggression, few predicted outright war. Then, when it came, no one predicted Russia would so badly misplay its opening gambit. And who could have foreseen a former television comedian rallying his out-manned, out-gunned citizenry to meet every bloody challenge and incredibly, reverse the field on the invaders?
Past events suggested that the next big event would also be a surprise but–surprise!–it was just Vladimir Putin being Vladimir Putin: he pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal to keep an estimated 40 million metric tons (mmt) of 2023 Ukrainian grain from the world’s 600 million hungry.
He then sent missiles to destroy much of Odesa's export infrastructure to ensure the world received the his mad message.
By itself, however, the closing down of “Odesa shipments,” tweeted Andre Sizov, a 27-year veteran of the Black Sea grain trade, “are not a game changer. Ukraine can ship 40+ mmt of grain via other routes.” One of the “other” routes Sizov pointed to July 21 was a Ukrainian “Danube port” on the Black Sea’s northwestern shore.
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Then, surprise, Russian drones bombed that port, Reni, too. The July 24 action took guts because the bombed side of the river is Ukraine; the other side Romania, a NATO ally that, had it been hit, would have likely required a military response by the U.S.-led, 31-nation security group.
News of the drones, destruction, and export delays lit global grain markets on fire. Corn, the soy complex, and wheat went up and down and then back up. Some of the move’s energy came from continued dryness throughout much of the grain-producing Midwest. Most, however, arrived courtesy of Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian ports.
But Russia, noted Sizov, “has much to lose, too” if Ukraine rises to the challenge–as it has for 17 months now–and retaliates by attacking Russian shipping. Right now, “Russia has almost 50 mmt of wheat to ship” to finance its war. Like the Ukrainian grain, it too is waiting for a ride.
Also, any increase in attacks on Russian shipping imperils its economic lifeblood, oil exports. Experts estimate that 43 percent of all exported Russian oil is shipped through the Black Sea, mostly on Greek-flagged tankers. Any move by anyone in that arena carries repercussions–market-wise, political, and military–that few want to consider.
Five days after the first Putin action, European Union (EU) ag ministers met to develop a plan to move the mountain of now-stuck Ukrainian grain through its border-sharing member nations–Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia–and into key markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
It’s not a new idea–it was used to move some of the 2022 Ukrainian crop into the world market–but it’s not very popular either.
In fact, two months ago, on June 5, the European Commission, the body that oversees EU trade policy, said it would extend its current rule that allowed the five border nations to “restrict Ukrainian grain” flowing through their nations. What’s more, the Commission allowed the same five to outright ban sales of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds in their countries.
Any new deal now will be met with quiet derision, not boisterous unity. “The road and rail routes through neighboring countries have stirred anger from local farmers faced with a glut of Ukrainian grain that has driven down prices and hurt their livelihoods,” ABC News reported July 25, 2023.
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It’s not great for Ukrainian farmers either. Shipping delays and higher transportation costs mean lower farm prices and smaller profits for the already war-weary group.
In the meantime, unsurprisingly, Russia keeps raising the stakes. When EU ag ministers suggested Ukrainian grain exports might be diverted through Baltic ports in Lithuania, a Russian spokesman said, sure, go ahead and try it.
Be forewarned, he added, “We will continue to counter that.”
What does that mean? The chances are good that not even Vlad the Invader knows, but it’s certain that the threat to global commodity markets is far from over. | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/opinion/columns/guebert | 2023-07-31T18:20:57 | 0 | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/opinion/columns/guebert |
When a mysterious object showed up on a beach in Western Australia earlier this month, authorities and the public were left scratching their heads about what it was and where it came from.
For more than two weeks, people speculated about what this metallic cylinder could be and where it came from. Many questioned (with varying levels of sincerity) if it was from outer space and could be proof of alien life.
Others wondered if the debris could be from the Malaysian Airlines plane that vanished in 2014.
However, the Australian Space Agency quickly debunked some of the more out there theories, and determined the object was from another country’s space program.
MORE: Scientists discover a two-faced dwarf star
We have concluded the object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia is most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by @isro.
[More in comments] pic.twitter.com/ivF9Je1Qqy
— Australian Space Agency (@AusSpaceAgency) July 31, 2023
“We have concluded the object located on a beach near Jurian Bay in Western Australia is most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle […] operated by @isro (Indian Space Research Organization),” the agency shared on its official Twitter account.
The New York Times reported India did launch a rocket intended to go to the moon a few days before the object was found on the remote Australian beach.
The Australian Space Agency disclosed it has now placed the discovered item in storage and plans to work with ISRO to determine what’s next.
A 1968 United Nations agreement outlines guidelines for nations that “requires States Parties [to] return any ‘foreign’ space objects discovered in their territory to their owners and that they notify the [U.N.] Secretary-General of any such discovered objects.”
According to space archeologist Alice Gorman, discoveries such as this will likely become more common with more launches from organizations such as SpaceX and other national space programs.
“There are so many more launches than there used to be that it is likely we’re going to see more fuel tanks and other components ending up on Earth,” Gorman told ABC News Australia.
However, she assured the general public not to worry about stuff falling from space. This latest piece of space debris washed up to the shore from the ocean, and public risk is minimal now.
“Nobody has to walk around looking above their heads in fear that a piece of space junk is going to fall on them and decimate them,” Gorman concluded.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.kgun9.com/mysterious-object-ended-up-on-beach | 2023-07-31T18:20:59 | 1 | https://www.kgun9.com/mysterious-object-ended-up-on-beach |
Paul Reubens, the actor who played 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.kgun9.com/paul-reubens-actor-who-played-pee-wee-herman-dead-at-70 | 2023-07-31T18:21:05 | 0 | https://www.kgun9.com/paul-reubens-actor-who-played-pee-wee-herman-dead-at-70 |
CARMEL, Ind. — The Carmel Market District is hosting an in-person hiring event on Tuesday, Aug. 1, to attempt to fill 50 open positions in the store.
Carmel Market District, located at 11505 Illinois St, job fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Recruiters will be on-site to make contingent offers to prospective employees.
Market District is looking for team members who enjoy performing various tasks in a fast-paced work environment and are passionate about delivering exceptional customer service.
Open positions include experienced and apprentice bakers and cake decorators, experienced meat cutters, department leads, personal shoppers for Giant Eagle’s popular curbside pickup and home delivery services, deli and prepared foods clerks, gourmet chefs, line cooks, baristas, and more.
Interested candidates are invited to visit the Giant Eagle website’s Market District Hiring Day event page to view full event detail. Advance registration is not required.
Market District includes a variety of benefits, including flexible scheduling, competitive wages, paid training, advancement opportunities, and paid time off. | https://fox59.com/community/carmel-market-district-to-host-job-fair-tuesday/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:06 | 1 | https://fox59.com/community/carmel-market-district-to-host-job-fair-tuesday/ |
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – With more temperatures in the 90s and triple digits expected this week in Albuquerque, a University of New Mexico pharmacy professor is warning people about the heat and its impact on medication.
Storing medicine properly
Amy Bachyrycz, associate professor with UNM College of Pharmacy and Department of Pharmacy Practice, reminds people to not leave their medication in hot or humid places such as inside a car or in the bathroom.
“Medications can overheat too. Leaving your medication in the hot car where you might get increased temperatures can cause negative side effects for some medications, and for other medications, it can cause them to break down the active ingredient so that they don’t work as well,” said Bachyrycz.
The amber vials medication comes in can protect medication from light but not heat. Bachyrycz said it’s important to store medications at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
“It would be best to store your medications in the kitchen cabinet where it’s cool, dry, and at room temperature,” Bachyrycz explained.
If you are receiving your prescription in the mail, Bachyrycz recommends that you ask the pharmacy to use temperature-controlled packing so that you don’t have to worry about the heat impacting the medicine in transit or if it is left outside in the mailbox.
Keeping medicine safe while traveling
If you are traveling with medication in the car, Bachyrycz said there are important steps you can take to protect your medicine.
“If you do have to leave your medication in the hot car, make sure it’s for the shortest amount of time possible. If you can try to park under a shady area, then that would be the best thing to do, but I would really recommend bringing your labeled bottles in with you to whatever errand that you are running,” Bachyrycz said.
When traveling by plane, Bachyrycz said take your medicine on the plane do not leave it in a checked bag.
“It’s always important to have the labeled bottles in a carry-on so that it doesn’t have to be checked with your luggage because you don’t know what temperatures luggage is going to be stored at,” said Bachyrycz.
Drug safety resources
If you are unsure about how to store medication or are concerned about how heat can impact certain medicines, Bachyrycz said to look at the packaging that the drug comes in.
“The information that you get from the pharmacy always has the recommended storage area where you should have your medication stored,” said Bachyrycz.
She also said to contact your pharmacist, the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center, or the drug manufacturer’s customer service line if you have questions about medication or drug safety. The New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling 1-800-222-1222. | https://www.krqe.com/health/unm-professor-warns-of-dangers-of-leaving-medication-in-hot-cars/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:06 | 1 | https://www.krqe.com/health/unm-professor-warns-of-dangers-of-leaving-medication-in-hot-cars/ |
Deputies: Man killed after Sumter County drive-by shooting
SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - Deputies reported a man was struck and killed following a Sunday night drive-by shooting in Sumter County.
Officials with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said dispatch issued a report of shots fired in the area of Patricia Drive around 10:43 p.m. where they found Anthony Rashod Major, 34, outside of his home where he was shot by suspects who fired multiples rounds from a vehicle.
Emergency Medical Services and an official from the Sumter County Coroner’s Office arrived at the scene and transported Major according to detectives.
Investigators said they began processing evidence at the scene while patrol units began a search for the vehicle.
Sheriff Anthony Dennis commented, “A life has been taken and along with the help of our community, our investigators are focused on finding the person or persons responsible. As in all cases, we will follow every piece of evidence for as long as it takes to bring justice.” Dennis also asked for prayer for the family of the victim.
Deputies said an up to $3,000 reward has been offered to anybody who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for the alleged murder.
If you have information that may be helpful in the capture and conviction of those responsible for this murder, you may contact Crime Stoppers through the website www.p3tips.com or you may also use the P3 app. More information will be provided as it is available.
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Copyright 2023 WIS. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/2023/07/31/deputies-man-killed-after-sumter-county-drive-by-shooting/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:06 | 0 | https://www.wistv.com/2023/07/31/deputies-man-killed-after-sumter-county-drive-by-shooting/ |
MITCHELL — The South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association's annual Old Timers Game, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 2, has been canceled for 2023.
SDABA President Dale Weber said the outing has been canceled due to not having enough participants committed.
The game, geared toward senior-age former baseball players, usually takes place on the afternoon of the opening day of the amateur tournament and serves as a reunion for players to share old stories.
The 91st annual South Dakota state amateur baseball tournament starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and will run through Sunday, Aug. 13 at Cadwell Park. | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/sports/amateur-baseball-old-timers-game-canceled-for-2023 | 2023-07-31T18:21:07 | 1 | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/sports/amateur-baseball-old-timers-game-canceled-for-2023 |
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://fox59.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:08 | 0 | https://fox59.com/hill-politics/georgia-judge-rejects-trump-effort-to-quash-fulton-county-investigation/ |
(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.krqe.com/news/education/new-income-driven-student-loan-repayment-plan-available-to-borrowers/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:08 | 1 | https://www.krqe.com/news/education/new-income-driven-student-loan-repayment-plan-available-to-borrowers/ |
(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 after a six-year battle with 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,” 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.”
Reubens’ character with his too-tight gray suit, white chunky loafers and red bow tie was best known for the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and the TV series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
Herman created Pee-wee when he was part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings in the late 1970s. The live “Pee-wee Herman Show” debuted at a Los Angeles theater in 1981 and was a success with both kids during matinees and adults at a midnight show. HBO would air the show as a special.
Reubens took Pee-wee to the big screen in 1985’s “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” The film, in which Pee-wee’s cherished bike is stolen, was said to be loosely based on Vittorio De Sica’s Italian neo-realist classic, “The Bicycle Thief.” The film, directed by Tim Burton and co-written by Phil Hartman of “Saturday Night Live,” sent Pee-wee on a nationwide escapade. The movie was a success, grossing $40 million, and continued to spawn a cult following for its oddball whimsy.
A sequel followed three years later in the less well-received “Big Top Pee-wee,” in which Pee-wee seeks to join a circus. Reubens’ character wouldn’t get another movie starring role until 2016’s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” for Netflix. Judd Apatow produced Pee-wee’s big-screen revival.
His television series, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” ran for five seasons, earned 22 Emmys and attracted not only children but adults to Saturday morning TV.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.krqe.com/news/national/pee-wee-herman-star-paul-reubens-dies-at-age-70/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:09 | 0 | https://www.krqe.com/news/national/pee-wee-herman-star-paul-reubens-dies-at-age-70/ |
Former Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archer said during closed door testimony that Hunter Biden included President Biden on a number of phone calls that presumably included business associates, according to one lawmaker’s account of the testimony, a revelation that is likely to fuel Republican attempts to link the president to his son’s business dealings.
But the Democratic lawmaker said that Archer’s testimony to the House Oversight Committee did not show that the president was involved in Hunter Biden’s business dealings.
“The witness indicated that Hunter spoke to his father every day, and approximately 20 times over the course of 10 year relationship, Hunter may have put his father on the phone with any number of different people, and they never once spoke about any business dealings,” Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) said.
“As he described it, it was all casual conversation, niceties, the weather, ‘What’s going on?’” Goldman said, adding that. “There wasn’t a single conversation about any of the business dealings that Hunter had.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who was also in the interview, told reporters that Archer had revealed new information, but declined to elaborate further.
The readout of the testimony appears to back up House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer’s (R-Ky.) statement to the New York Post last week that he expected Archer to discuss the times he “has witnessed Joe Biden meeting with Hunter Biden’s overseas business partners when he was vice president, including on speakerphone.”
Asked last week about allegations that the president had communicated directly with his son’s foreign business associates, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the president “was never in business with his son.”
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 consist of four hours of questioning divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and is expected to end mid-afternoon. In addition to Jordan and Goldman, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) attended the Archer interview.
“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.
Updated at 2:02 p.m. | https://fox59.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:09 | 1 | https://fox59.com/hill-politics/hunter-biden-associate-devon-archer-gives-closed-door-interview/ |
Nine state residents and the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee filed a lawsuit Monday to stop the nation’s first openly religious charter school from operating.
Oklahoma’s Statewide Virtual Charter School Board had voted 3-2 last month to approve the application of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.
The plaintiffs, represented by organizations including Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union, are arguing the board violated the Oklahoma Constitution, the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act and several of its own regulations when it approved St. Isidore.
Among the reasons the lawsuit says the school is unlawful are policies that could deny students admissions for sexual orientation or a difference in beliefs. It says St. Isidore will provide a religious education “and indoctrinate its students in Catholic religious beliefs.”
“A school that claims to be simultaneously public and religious would be a sea change for American democracy. It’s hard to think of a clearer violation of the religious freedom of Oklahoma taxpayers and public-school families than the state establishing a public school that is run as a religious school,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“We’re witnessing a full-on assault on church-state separation and public education – and religious public charter schools are the next frontier. America needs a national recommitment to church-state separation,” Laser added.
The residents filed in the District Court of Oklahoma County to stop funding to St. Isidore and block the charter school board from doing business with the school.
The Hill has reached out to St. Isidore for comment.
The lawsuit had been expected as the proposed school caused quite a stir when it was approved, even among other charter school advocates.
“This decision runs afoul of state law and the U.S. Constitution. All charter schools are public schools, and as such must be non-sectarian. Charter schools were conceived as, and have always been, innovative public schools that provide an alternative for families who want a public school option other than the one dictated by their ZIP code,” Nina Rees, president of the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools, said after the board voted.
St. Isidore went through a months-long process to get approved, with its application originally rejected by the charter school board. The school has already indicated it is ready to take a lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court.
“We’re not surprised by the threat of a suit, but we will be preparing if they choose to file one,” Brett Farley, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, said back in June. “This is a question that ultimately needs to be answered by the courts, perhaps by the US Supreme Court.” | https://fox59.com/hill-politics/lawsuit-seeks-to-block-first-religious-charter-school-in-the-us/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:12 | 0 | https://fox59.com/hill-politics/lawsuit-seeks-to-block-first-religious-charter-school-in-the-us/ |
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Dominic De La O, the man accused of shooting and killing Alamogordo Police Officer Anthony Ferguson, will remain behind bars until trial. De La O appeared in an Otero County Court room Monday morning, where a judge granted the state’s request to keep De La O behind bars until his trial.
De La O is accused of killed Officer Anthony Ferguson during a pursuit on July 15. According to investigators, Ferguson was running after De La O when he shot Ferguson in the face.
The state argued that De La O’s criminal history shows he is a danger to the community and must remain behind bars until trial. In January of 2022he was charged with aggravated fleeing and DWI, he was re-arrested in August of 2022 for violating conditions of release. Then, in January 2023, he was injured in a different police shooting.
A tentative trial date has been set for November 2024. | https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/man-accused-of-killing-alamogordo-police-officer-appears-in-court/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:14 | 1 | https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/man-accused-of-killing-alamogordo-police-officer-appears-in-court/ |
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://fox59.com/hill-politics/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:14 | 0 | https://fox59.com/hill-politics/trump-expects-to-be-indicted-on-jan-6-charges-any-day-now/ |
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico State Film Office announced the start of a new interactive digital media experience highlighting bull riding. According to an NMFO press release, the new project will engage visitors at the Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City, OK.
People will be able to select from a roster of different bulls and bull riders to view matchup results and learn about rodeo history. “We are very excited to design an innovative experience that combines rodeo history and the exploration of possibilities of different bull riding scenarios,” Stacy Hasselbacher of Ideum Inc. said in a statement. “We hope to evoke the exciting feeling of attending a rodeo event.”
Ten New Mexican crew members will be used for the production. The filming will take place in Corrales. | https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/nmfo-announces-corrales-filming-for-bull-riding-exhibit/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:20 | 0 | https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/nmfo-announces-corrales-filming-for-bull-riding-exhibit/ |
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – After New York Times investigations raised concerns that Walmart and other companies might be profiting off of child labor, New Mexico’s treasurer reached out to ensure children – especially Latinos – aren’t exploited. State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya is giving investments in Walmart the green light.
Montoya put Walmart on the ‘buy’ list after several meetings with high-level representatives from Walmart, according to the state treasurer’s office. “I have made this decision based on Walmart’s stated commitment to ensure that its suppliers fully comply with child labor laws, its heightened standards and auditing processes with respect to its suppliers, and its pledge to take action against any supplier found to have violated child labor laws,” Montoya wrote in a letter to the company.
New Mexico’s treasurer also reached out to PepsiCo and Amazon, following concerns raised in the New York Times reporting.
“We are waiting for deliverables and an update on the completed internal investigation from PepsiCo,” Deputy Treasurer JR Rael said in a press release. “Amazon has met with the treasurer regarding her concerns and requested deliverables but has not been as receptive to providing the requested information or otherwise addressing the allegations.” | https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/after-concerns-about-potential-child-labor-walmart-back-on-new-mexico-treasurers-buy-list/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:26 | 0 | https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/after-concerns-about-potential-child-labor-walmart-back-on-new-mexico-treasurers-buy-list/ |
Stilesville, Ind. — The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a single-vehicle deadly crash from Monday morning, which led to the death of a 17-year-old male.
Deputies were called to the scene on U.S. 40 near County Road 300 West near Stilesville around 6:20 a.m. when the crash was reported to the Hendricks County Communications Center.
The preliminary investigation showed that a Saturn car was traveling eastbound on U.S. 40 when for an unknown reason, the vehicle left the road and struck a tree.
The driver, later identified as the 17-year-old and sole occupant was pronounced dead on scene. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected as contributing factors to the deadly crash.
The identity of the driver is not being released due to pending notification of the family.
The investigation is ongoing. | https://fox59.com/indiana-news/17-year-old-dies-after-crash-on-u-s-40-near-stilesville/ | 2023-07-31T18:21:26 | 0 | https://fox59.com/indiana-news/17-year-old-dies-after-crash-on-u-s-40-near-stilesville/ |
Eric Froton is previewing every Big Ten squad by looking back at their 2022 season, breaking down any changes in 2023, analyzing their rosters and handicapping their win total for the season.
In the last installment of the Big Ten Team Betting Previews series, the Ohio State Buckeyes:
Ohio State
HC - Ryan Day (6th year)
OC - Kevin Wilson (7th year)
DC - Jim Knowles (2nd year)
2022 Record: 11-2
Second Order Win Total:
Points/Yards Per Game: 44.2 points | 491 yards (298 pass | 192 rush)
Points/Yards Allowed: 21 points | 322 yards (200 pass | 121 rush)
2023 SP+ Overall: 2nd
2023 SP+ Offense: 2nd
2023 SP+ Defense: 13th
Offensive Returning Production: 61% (73rd)
Defensive Returning Production: 74% (22nd)
247Sports Avg. Offensive Player Rating: .9288 (2nd)
247Sports Avg. Defensive Player Rating: .9388 (2nd)
Pace of Play: 27.1 seconds per play (85th) | 67.5 plays per game (77th)
2023 Schedule Strength: 27th
Looking Back at 2021 & 2022
Six years ago HC Ryan Day took the reins of the Ohio State program from Urban Meyer and has maintained the level of on-field excellence while creating fewer off-field distractions than his predecessor. In 2021 they dealt with a disappointing loss to Oregon in Week 2 where they had a 56% post-game win expectancy behind an untested C.J. Stroud making just the second start of his career. However it was the Buckeyes’ defeat at the hands of a Michigan offense that rang up 291 rushing yards and 7.2 yards per carry for the Wolverines’ first win in a decade that ultimately dashed Ohio State’s playoff hopes and slotted them against Utah for what became a thrilling 48-45 Rose Bowl victory.
Heisman front-runner C.J. Stroud helmed a ruthlessly efficient 2021 offense that led the nation by averaging 47 yards and 3.60 points per drive while also topping the charts in success rate (54%) and marginal efficiency. Last year, 72% of their production returned from a 2021 team that led the nation by averaging 45.7 points per game. HC Day fielded another elite offense, recording 44.2 points (2nd in FBS) and 491 total yards per game (9th). Their elite performance was right in line with Day’s historical trend, as the Buckeyes have averaged 41+ PPG in each of their last six seasons. In 2021 Stroud led the offense to a 381 passing/180 rushing split, which was a notable outlier from a team that threw for exactly 263 YPG in three-of-the-previous-five seasons. In 2022 the passing yardage dropped to 298 YPG/192 rush, as OSU accrued under 500 total YPG for the first time in the HC Ryan Day era.
Stroud was excellent once again, completing 66% of his passes with Ohio State averaging 8.9 yards per dropback (2nd in FBS) while leading the country with a 10.2% touchdown rate and 88.8 QB Rating. Their 16.2% explosive play rate ranked 7th overall, as 22.6% of their passes went for 20 or more yards (14th). For all the NFL Draft talk about Stroud’s perceived lack of playmaking when off-platform, it was rarely noted that Ohio State allowed sacks on just 2.7% of QB dropbacks, the eighth-best mark in FBS. How the 2023 pass game adjusts to QB Stroud’s departure will be vital, since Ohio State is winless (0-4) against the spread when making less than 5 explosive passes in a game since the 2021 season, tied for worst in FBS (Avg: .357). The receiver room is brimming with talent, as Marvin Harrison Jr. (3.18 yards per route/60% contented catch rate/1,263 rec yards) and Emeka Egbuka (2.98 yards per route/7.1 YAC/1,151 rec yards) are currently viewed as the consensus top-two 2024 NFL Draft WR prospects.
Injuries marred the potentially devastating 1-2 punch of Tre’Veyon Henderson & Miyan Williams, as they both got injured against Michigan State in Week 6 which sapped their effectiveness down the stretch. Henderson had 436 yards through five games before gaining just 135 yards over the last seven. Miyan Williams led the Big Ten in yards after contact in 2021 (4.7 YAC) and was second in B10 YAC yardage last year (4.36), but he was only able to gain 70 yards on 23 carries against Iowa/Penn State/Michigan/Georgia due to the nagging ailments that followed him around this season. Dallan Hayden filled in admirably (571 rush yards, 5.0 YPC), but the Buckeyes desperately need their two star RBs healthy if they want to beat Michigan and advance in the CFP Playoff. For perspective, Ohio State is 2-8 (.182) against the spread when averaging less than five-yards per rush since the 2021 season, tied for 11th-worst in FBS (Avg: .348).
Former Oklahoma State DC Jim Knowles took over after leading the Oklahoma State defense to a fourth overall SP+ ranking with 57 sacks and a 20% havoc rate just three seasons after taking over a unit that allowed 33 points and 452 yards per game. DC Knowles inherited an Ohio State D that returned eight starters, nine of their top ten tacklers and boasted the second most talented defensive roster in the country, sporting a .9397 average player rating according to 247Sports. The last time Ohio State returned this many starters (2019) they allowed 13.8 PPG, 260 YPG and tallied 54 sacks.
DC Knowles was tasked with fortifying a 2021 defense that ranked 102nd in 3-and-out percentage, while crumbling in red zone situations allowing touchdowns 74% of the time. Though OSU did a decent job at limiting big plays, they couldn’t get third-down stops and ranked 81st nationally with a 43% defensive success rate.
Last year they allowed 21 PPG in addition to cutting their total yardage from 373 YPG-to-322 YPG and allowing 3.5 yards per carry. For the first seven weeks of the season, everything was going smoothly with OSU allowing 307 total YPG or less in each contest. However, in Week 8 Penn State hung 482 yards (371 passing)/31 points before Maryland would manage to put up 402 yards (318 passing)/30 points on the Buckeyes. Those shaky performances that the vaunted OSU offense propelled them through were harbingers of what was to come, as big plays doomed Ohio State vs. Michigan (530 yds/45 pts), and ultimately against Georgia (533 yds/42 pts) in the CFP Playoff.
For the season, the D was still rock solid on a down-to-down basis allowing a 36% success rate (11th in FBS), 1.40 points drive (9th) and a laudable 44.4% 3-and-out% (3rd). Despite their issues with containment against Michigan/Georgia/Penn State, OSU still only allowed a 10.4% explosive play rate (23rd). The major, central issue with the defense was the magnitude of the relatively few explosive plays they did allow, as they ranked 112th in IsoPPP and 119th in marginal explosiveness. On a unit level, they ranked 71st in rushing explosiveness and 123rd in passing explosiveness, so there’s plenty of work to be done in both phases.
The Buckeyes’ deep and talented defensive line rotation was one of the nation’s best, ranking seventh overall with a 9.7% DL havoc rate and fourth nationally with a 36.4% pressure rate. The OSU defensive front rated 20th nationally in line yards and 11th with a 54% power success rate, which is especially relevant since Ohio State is undefeated (21-0) when allowing less than 5 yards per rush since the 2021 season, tied for best in FBS (avg: .590). All-American MLB Tommy Eichenberg (120 tackles/9.5 TFL/68 stops) and WLB Steele Chambers (77 tackles/33 stops) were key contributors to the formidable run defense’s success as well.
The secondary allowed a respectable 6.8 yards per pass (36th) while ranking 32nd in overall pass D performance according to CFB Winning Edge, but the overall numbers don’t account for the ability of advanced offenses to exploit weaknesses in the defensive backfield. OSU’s DB havoc rate of 6% ranked a troubling 97th, and their 9.9 adjusted yards per pass in man-to-man coverage ranked 122nd. Though their overall 37.5% passing success rate ranked 30th in FBS, Ohio State is 3-7 (.250) against the spread when allowing 200 or more passing yards since the 2021 season, tied for 12th-worst among Power 5 Teams (avg: .401).
Looking ahead to 2023
The Buckeyes have work to do on offense, ranking 73rd in returning offensive production thanks to the departure of three OL who were NFL Draft selections and their star QB CJ Stroud going #2 overall to the Houston Texans. QB Kyle McCord is the slight favorite to win the starting job after fellow highly-rated signal caller Devin Brown missed time this spring. McCord has one start under his belt back in 2021 completing 13-of-18 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns against the hapless Akron Zips. The competition is far from over of course and will be hotly contested when fall camp opens. Fortunately he will be working with the best wide receiver corps in the nation led by future NFL first-rounders Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. How the QB position develops will dictate whether or not Ohio State beats Michigan after two straight losses.
The offensive line sustains massive losses, as star LT Paris Johnson, mammoth RT Dawand Jones and C Luke Wypler left for the NFL. All-Big Ten LG Donovan Jackson and RG Mathew Jones are back on the interior, but will be breaking in a new set of bookends with LT Josh Fryar (229 snaps at RT/RG, 2.1% pressure rate, 0 sacks allowed) sliding over from the right side. Fryar struggled in 2022, recording team-lows with a brutal 3.8% blown run block rate, and 3.1% total blown block rate in his limited snaps, so he is far from a sure thing and will be pushed in camp. San Diego State transfer Josh Simmons started 13 games last year as a freshman, earning a sluggish 47.1 PFF overall grade, and is the leader to start at RT. It will be interesting to see how the turnover affects OSU’s 192 rush yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry output. Ideally, better health from RBs Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson should help ease the transition on the OL, but it’s still a major concern considering Ohio State has to play the imposing defensive fronts of @Notre Dame, @Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota and Michigan.
Defensively the Buckeyes bring back a trio of All-Big Ten caliber performers who were rated at the top of their high school class in DT Michael Hall (80.3 overall grade/16 pressures/4.5 sacks), plus DEs Jack Sawyer (11.8% pressure rate//20 pressures/4.5 sacks) and JT Tuimolau (32 pressures/22 stops/83.0 pass rush grade). Despite the departure of DE Zach Harrison and DT Taron Vincent, the defensive line should once again be a disruptive force. Which is imperative, as Ohio State is 3-8 (.231) against the spread when allowing 100 or more rushing yards since the 2021 season, 10th-worst among Power 5 Teams (Avg: .376). All-American LB Tommy Eichenberg (120 tackles/9.5 TFL/21 stuffs) leads a veteran unit and is flanked by converted running back, WLB Steele Chambers (77 tackles/8.0 TFL/12.3% tackle rate). Syracuse DB Ja’Had Carter transfers here to play the nickel role vacated by Tanner McCalister.
The susceptible OSU secondary that allowed a 62% completion rate with a 22-to-12 ratio returns CB1 Denzel Burke, who forced 12 PBU in 2021 but allowed completions on 20-of-36 targets for a 55% completion rate on 292 coverage snaps, earning a PFF cover grade of 70.8 last year. There will be a spirited competition to see who emerges as the CB2 between Jordan Hancock, Jyaire Brown and Ole Miss transfer Davison Igbinosun. The safety position is loaded, with BS Lathan Ransom (74 tackles/3 PBU/.72 yards per cover snap), talented super-sophomore FS Sonny Styles and the return of injured FS Josh Proctor. In Year 2 of DC Jim Knowles’ defensive system, the secondary needs to perform at a higher level against elite opponents if Ohio State wants to truly challenge for a national title, as Ohio State is 1-7 (.100) against the spread when allowing 22 or more points since the 2021 season,13th-worst in FBS( Avg: .300).
Analyzing Ohio State’s Win Total
OSU has the benefit of opening slow against @Indiana/Youngstown State/Western Kentucky before a pivotal Week 4 trip to South Bend against @Notre Dame that serves as their first major gut check. The Irish were the only team to hold Ohio State under 400 yards and 22 points besides a weather stricken affair against Northwestern. They will recalibrate with a Week 5 Bye before a two-game set against Maryland and @Purdue that marks the midway point of the season.
The second half kicks off with a challenging two-game set vs. Penn State at The Horseshoe, followed by a trip to Camp Randle to take on OSU’s former interim-HC, Luke Fickell’s @Wisconsin. The Buckeyes take on @Rutgers in Jersey then head home to face a rebuilding Michigan State squad. A trap-game against a solid Minnesota team could pose problems before The Game @Michigan in The Big House.
FanDuel lists Ohio State at 10.5 Wins (-128 Over) while their Big Ten Championship odds rest at (+165), which is roughly on par with Michigan as is customary. However their CFP Championship odds is (+650) while Michigan is (+800).
Ohio State’s 27th ranked schedule is significantly more difficult than Michigan’s favorable slate, playing @Notre Dame in non-conference and pulling both @Wisconsin and Minnesota out of the West. They are breaking in a new QB with major losses on the offensive line that is almost guaranteed to allow more than the 12 sacks and 2.9% sack rate of 2022.
Outside of their 2021 Week 2, 35-28 loss to Oregon in CJ Stroud’s first test as a starting QB, OSU hasn’t lost a regular season game to any team besides Michigan since dropping a 49-20 loss to Purdue in 2018.
I think the weaknesses on the Oline and secondary costs Ohio State who will suffer a rare loss in one of the non-Michigan games against @ND/PSU/@Wisconsin which leaves them in a showdown against the Wolverines with a B10 Championship bid hanging in the balance. Accordingly, I don’t feel comfortable taking the Over 10.5 Wins on Ohio State this year and feel like Michigan is a better National Championship value at +800. | https://www.nbcsports.com/betting/college-football/news/2023-big-ten-betting-preview-series-ohio-state-buckeyes | 2023-07-31T18:21:31 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/betting/college-football/news/2023-big-ten-betting-preview-series-ohio-state-buckeyes |
Steelers receiver George Pickens plays angry. And for good reason.
He is angry.
He’s angry when he doesn’t get the ball, and he wants the ball on every play.
“I’m big, I’m fast, low 4.4 [speed],” Pickens told Kevin Clark of TheRinger.com. “Catch radius is crazy. So every time I get out on the field, I do kind of play angry because I should get the ball on every play if you just look at the size and the frame. If I was a coach, I’d just throw to him every time.
“But that’s not how the NFL works. So every time I’m out there, that’s why I throw the blocks. I love getting the ball, and when I’m not getting the ball I play angry so the attention is back on me. I basically draw attention to myself.”
It’s a great mindset. If the play that’s called doesn’t naturally give the player a chance to be the center of attention, he can make himself the center of attention by putting someone else on his butt.
This year, Pickens will surely be the center of attention frequently for the Steelers, making catches and wiping out defenders who make the mistake of getting in his way when the ball isn’t coming his way. | https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/george-pickens-channels-frustration-at-not-getting-the-ball-into-blocking | 2023-07-31T18:21:32 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/george-pickens-channels-frustration-at-not-getting-the-ball-into-blocking |