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HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Hanover County School Board is weighing whether to start the 2023-24 school year before Labor Day, a potential shift that would change the start of summer break.
The proposal before the board calls for the 2023-24 school year to begin Aug. 21, 2023, and end May 31, 2024. New teachers would report to schools on Aug. 7, 2023, and the teachers’ work week would be Aug. 14-18, 2023.
Hanover schools is seeking input from the community about a pre-Labor Day start after opening up public comment on the proposal from Dec. 15 until to Jan. 5. While school officials said they received feedback from around 275 to 280 people during that period, the School Board decided to open up a window for more people to share their feelings on a pre-Labor Day start.
Here’s some of the repeated comments the school district received as feedback from Dec. 15 to Jan. 5:
Community Input supporting post-Labor Day opening
- Impact on family vacations
- Lower prices for rentals in late August
- Ocean is warmer in August
- Pre-planned vacations impacted
- Heat — Lack of air-conditioning on buses
- Creates conflicts for families with children starting college
- Negative impact on summer jobs
- No need to change. “It isn’t broke so don’t fix it.”
Community Input supporting pre-Labor Day opening
- Aligns with other divisions, regional Schools (CodeRVA, MLWGS, Virtual Virginia), colleges and universities
- Supports student learning
- Less instructional down time after SOL testing
- Supports high school programs by aligning with testing windows (ACA, AP, IB)
- Supports family time for student athletes
- Earlier end date is favorable
- As demand shifts for summer programs to start earlier due to the majority of divisions ending in May and starting before Labor Day, our students and employees will be able to participate in the programs.
Regarding the changes for student athletes, the director of the Hanover schools’ Calendar Committee said Tuesday that a pre-Labor Day opening and existing rules from the Virginia High School League would make way for more off time for the students.
“The VHSL will not allow practices for our high school athletes before August 1st. So, in our current situation, they have practice for the whole month of August, they dedicate that to their fall sport. But with an earlier opening, it reduces that before school practice time to two weeks,” Nancy Disharoon said during a School Board meeting on Tuesday. “So, in essence, those students would gain two additional weeks to their summer.”
Parents, staff and community members have until May 27 to share their input on a pre-Labor Day start with the school district. Those interested have been asked to email hcpscalendarinput@hcps.us.
The county’s School Board is expected to vote on the start of the 2023-24 year at its June 14 meeting.
The calendar for the next school year has already been approved and won’t be impacted by any decision the board makes for 2023-24. Hanover’s 2022-23 school year will be from Sept. 6 until June 15, 2023. | https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/hanover-county/hanovers-2023-24-school-year-could-start-in-august-heres-how-you-can-weigh-in/ | 2022-04-13T18:46:22 | 0 | https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/hanover-county/hanovers-2023-24-school-year-could-start-in-august-heres-how-you-can-weigh-in/ |
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gov. Glenn Youngkin is being sued by a group of media organizations over his office’s refusal to share emails sent to a “tip line” that he asked parents to report any “inherently divisive practices” taught in schools.
Youngkin’s office cited an exemption from the state’s public-records law in response to 8News’ Freedom of Information Act request seeking the messages sent to the email address.
The records were withheld because they are considered “working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governor,” Youngkin’s office wrote in an email.
Other news outlets that filed similar FOIA requests reported getting the same response, leading 13 media organizations to file a lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court on Wednesday claiming that Youngkin’s office has violated the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
“FOIA is clear that under the Working Papers Exemption ‘no information that is otherwise open to inspection under this chapter,’ such as e-mails, ‘shall be deemed excluded by virtue of the fact that it has been attached to or incorporated with any working paper or correspondence,” the lawsuit asserts.
“When a constituent writes to the Governor he treats that communication as confidential and would not share the contents with the public,” Macaulay Porter, Youngkin’s spokesperson, said in a statement. “There is an expectation of privacy that he takes very seriously.”
The coalition wants the court to grant access to the records and for the administration to pay any costs, including attorney fees, according to the lawsuit.
The group of organizations suing Youngkin includes: The Associated Press, Axios Media, Cable News Network, The Daily Dot, Gannett Satellite Information Network, Gray Media Group, National Public Radio, NBCUniversal Media, Tegna, Tribune Publishing Company, Scripps Media, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and WP Company.
The governor, who campaigned on giving Virginia parents more authority in school decisions, touted the email address during an appearance on The John Fredericks Show on Jan. 24.
Youngkin called on parents to send “reports and observations” to make the state aware of any teaching concepts they consider divisive. It was Fredericks, not Youngkin, who referred to the email address as a “tip line” during the interview.
“This was an invitation to hear from people about education and this communication is confidential. It’s just like if you wrote me a letter, I wouldn’t disclose that letter,” Youngkin told 8News’ Jackie DeFusco in February. “It makes me a better governor because it gives me a chance to listen.”
This story is developing. Check back for updates. | https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/gov-youngkin-sued-over-refusal-to-make-tip-line-emails-public/ | 2022-04-13T18:46:28 | 0 | https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/gov-youngkin-sued-over-refusal-to-make-tip-line-emails-public/ |
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The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
If you’re looking to build a home gym, or even just get a few pieces of equipment, a quality exercise bench is a must because it can be used for a variety of exercises.
One of the most popular exercise benches on Amazon is this Flybird Adjustable Bench, which is foldable, inclines and declines. Regularly priced at $234.99, the gray Flybird adjustable bench is currently on sale for $154.99, plus you can apply a coupon to save an extra $15. That takes the total to $139.99, a savings of $95 off the regular price. The black version, which has red accents, is priced at $139.99, and there’s a coupon for $10 off.
The Flybird adjustable bench works for those just starting an exercise program or avid gym-goes. It has a weight limit of 650 pounds and is best for people up to 5 feet, 9 inches. The bench is made with heavy-duty commercial quality frosted steel and has a three-in-one cushion with small gap and 2 inches of soft foam padding that is ergonomic and comfortable. The bench easily adjusts the incline for six back positions and four seat positions with easy assembly of simply inserting three pins upon delivery.
Easy to fold, store and carry, you can put it in a corner or under your bed when it’s not needed. The bench comes with a 1-year cover on the frame and 30-day coverage on the pads.
With more than 17,000 reviews so far, the bench has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with 70% of customers giving it a full 5 stars. Reviewers say it’s easy to assemble and move around, inclines and declines easily and also works well for doing sit-ups.
One reviewer who gave the bench 5 stars says it has saved them money because they no longer have to go to the gym to get a good workout.
“I used to go to gym which cost me $120 a month and 30 minutes driving back and forth. Now instead [of] spending that amount of money and time, I do exercise at home using this bench. It really helps me to do all the position[s] I need to do to train my arms,” they wrote. “I am very satisfied with its design and price.”
There are a few negative reviews, with some mentioning the set-up and some missing parts, but mostly regarding that it doesn’t work well for heavier people and those that are on the taller side.
Because this specific bench is best for people 5 feet, 9 inches and under, if you’re taller than that, you may want to check out Flybird’s other benches, like this adjustable bench that works well for people up to 6 feet, 2 inches.
The bench is regularly priced at $239.99, but currently on sale for $169.79. You can also clip a coupon to save an additional $20, which takes the price to $149.79, a total savings of $90. With close to 20,000 reviews so far, it has a total rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Other benches include this SuperMax Adjustable Weight Bench with a weight limit of 800 pounds. It is currently on sale for $119.99, a savings of $30. With more than 9,000 reviews so far, it has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Reviewers say it only took a few minutes to put together, is well made and a great value. One reviewer who gave it 5 stars says they researched dozens of benches on Amazon before choosing this one.
“It arrived in professional packaging with instructions and tools, etc. I am not handy at all, and I assembled this bench in about 30 minutes without any help! I’ve used it for several workouts, and it is everything that a proper weigh bench should be,” they wrote. “It is comfortable, it is durable, and it is high quality. When you rest heavy dumbbells on it for a few minutes then remove them, it does not leave marks on the soft material. I love it, and I urge you to buy this one now!!!”
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wmar2news.com/adjustable-weight-bench-home-gyms-sale | 2022-04-13T18:48:12 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/adjustable-weight-bench-home-gyms-sale |
OXFORD — As seems to be the case all over the field, there will be a host of new names making an impact for Ole Miss up the middle in 2022.
The Rebels will be without four of their top linebackers from last season come fall — Chance Campbell, Mark Robinson, Lakia Henry and MoMo Sanogo are all gone. Campbell pursued NFL hopes with a year of eligibility remaining, Robinson and Henry exhausted their eligibility, and Sanogo transferred to Louisville. The quartet combined to make 265 tackles last season.
The only returning linebackers with experience are senior Ashanti Cistrunk and sophomore Austin Keys. Cistrunk made 30 tackles last season, while Keys made 12 tackles in six games.
The Rebels reloaded through the transfer portal, signing Central Michigan’s Troy Brown and TCU’s Khari Coleman. Brown, a senior, was a three-time All-MAC pick with the Chippewas and has 215 tackles to his name. Coleman was a freshman All-American with the Horned Frogs as defensive end and is listed by the Rebels as a linebacker. The junior made 52 tackles in 18 games with TCU.
Ole Miss also added Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Reginald Hughes and high schooler Jaylon White out of Little Rock, Arkansas, though White is not yet with the team.
Auditions this spring for the two linebacker spots in Ole Miss’ 3-2-6 base defense haven’t yielded immediate contenders yet, as injuries have slowed down progress.
“We’ve battled some injuries there. Where, that’s a very big concern, depth for us, with a lot of new guys,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said. “I mean really , basically your four guys that played significant snaps are gone at two spots, because we really only play two spots. So, that’s a big challenge for us.”
Offensive line depth in a better place
Kiffin has said on a few occasions this spring that the defensive line depth is getting close to where he wanted it when he first took the Ole Miss job. The offensive line is on the right track as well.
The first five seems fairly set with junior Jeremy James and senior transfer Mason Brooks (Western Kentucky) manning the tackle spots, senior Nick Broeker and redshirt sophomore Eli Acker at guard and junior Caleb Warren at center. Depth behind the starters has been an issue the last few years, but Kiffin believes the unit as a whole is being bolstered.
“(It’s) better. (They’re) doing a good job. That had been an issue here before, in our first couple years,” Kiffin said. “Hopefully those guys can continue to progress so we can be deeper and potentially rotate people.” | https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/ole-miss/ole-miss-still-sorting-through-linebacker-options/article_742cd581-a537-5bb2-9d02-db7d3d76b34d.html | 2022-04-13T18:48:18 | 0 | https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/ole-miss/ole-miss-still-sorting-through-linebacker-options/article_742cd581-a537-5bb2-9d02-db7d3d76b34d.html |
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
If you’re planning some summer trips or other adventures, one of the most important things to do when planning is make sure you have a travel bag that not only lets you bring everything you need, but also keeps things organized so you don’t lose anything on your trip.
One way to make sure you have everything you need to enjoy your trip is with a travel backpack, like this Lovevook laptop backpack for women on Amazon, which has shoppers raving about how great it is to take on a trip.
Priced between $29-$45 depending on size and color, the bag is available in multiple colors and three sizes, which fit 14-inch, 15.6-inch or 17-inch laptops. Colors include black, gray, blue and brown, plus brighter shades like green and pink and floral and animal prints.
Made of nylon, it includes one large open pocket for a laptop and other necessities, two side pockets for water bottles or an umbrella, a large zippered pocket on front, two small pockets and two pen/pencil holders. It also features a USB port for charging your cell phone or other electronics, a special anti-theft phone pocket on the back and a trolley sleeve that allows you to slide your bag over the handle of your rolling luggage. It comes with a padded strap that is breathable and adjustable, and has an airflow back design with thick and soft padding.
Along with being great for travel thanks to the secure pockets, trolley sleeve and charging port, the Lovevook laptop backpack can also be used for work, school, shopping or just general errands and can be used in place of a purse. Keep in mind that although the bag has a charging port, the bag itself does not charge your electronics and will still need to be connected to a power source (like this external battery charger for $22).
With more than 19,000 reviews so far, customers give the backpack 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 84% of those who purchased it giving it a full 5 stars. Reviewers say the backpack is well-made and has plenty of room and pockets.
One customer who gave it a perfect rating is a flight attendant, who said they use the backpack as an addition to their suitcase.
“I love that there are so many pockets on the outside as well as the inside of the bag (this backpack style usually doesn’t have pockets outside); I like that the backpack is tall (instead of wide); I also love that I can slide the backpack on my suitcase handle and go!” they wrote. “Because I’m a flight attendant, I will have to use the backpack more often than most, which will eventually cause wear/tear. However, the backpack is affordable so I don’t mind buying it again in the future if needed.”
Another reviewer that gave it 5 stars says it’s the perfect working travel bag, saying it fits everything they need and more.
“Fit my chunky work laptop, chargers, cables, mouse, tablet, battery, portfolio, a shawl, camera, phone, wallet, water bottle, etc… It fit everything I needed and more without being lost in an abyss,” they wrote. “I was even able to use the handle straps to secure my neck pillow between flights. Also used the napkin pouch for wet wipes so I was able to disinfect my seating area on the plane (to not get sick while traveling). The charging port was convenient and a nice way to keep things tidy. I will definitely use this bag again for travel or any time I need to be on the go.”
There are a few negative reviews, with some customers saying the strap broke or that some stitching began to unravel. Amazon does offer free returns on the bag if it’s in new and unused condition, so if you see any issues as soon as you receive it, you can quickly get a replacement.
You’ll find a handful of other, similar bags on Amazon as well, like this Modoker Vintage Laptop Backpack priced at $30. With a polyester lining and zipper closure, the backpack holds a 15.6-inch laptop and has a USB charging port.
The bag also has six other compartments to hold a variety of essentials and a sturdy leather strap with a honeycomb cushion on the straps to relieve spinal pressure.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wmar2news.com/frequent-fliers-love-laptop-travel-backpack | 2022-04-13T18:48:18 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/frequent-fliers-love-laptop-travel-backpack |
Less than a year after pulling them off the menu, Krispy Kreme’s cinnamon rolls are officially back — and this time they’ll be around permanently.
Introduced last fall, the doughnut chain’s cinnamon rolls will be on menus nationwide every Sunday as part of Cinnamon Sundays. The Original Glazed Cinnamon Rolls can be purchased individually or in a special four-pack at shops, online and via delivery. Krispy Kreme says the cinnamon rolls are light and airy, hand-rolled and covered in their iconic Original Glaze.
“Our Original Glazed Cinnamon Roll was very well received when we introduced it last year for a limited time. When we get a fan reaction like that, we want to give them what they want,” Dave Skena, chief marketing officer for Krispy Kreme, said in a press release. “And there’s no cinnamon roll better than ours; hand-cut and covered in our iconic Original Glaze.”
When the cinnamon rolls first launched last year, they included toppings, like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Krispy Kreme’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch cinnamon roll was topped with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cerealâ¯and finished with a cereal-milk icing swirl.
While only regular cinnamon rolls are back on the menu at Krispy Kreme, you can make your own Cinnamon Toast Crunch cinnamon rolls at home thanks to dough from Pillsbury, which you can find in stores nationwide. The Pillsbury cinnamon rolls do not have actual Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal on them, but nothing is stopping you from adding some once you pop the rolls out of the oven!
If you don’t have a Krispy Kreme near you — or don’t want to be limited to enjoying cinnamon rolls only on Sundays — making cinnamon rolls at home is not only easy but also makes your house smell amazing.
This recipe for Crock-Pot maple cinnamon rolls is simple and only takes a few minutes of prep time, while these cinnamon roll waffles with cream cheese glaze combine two favorites into one delectable breakfast.
If combining dinner and breakfast is more your thing, DiGiorno is releasing a line of breakfast pizzas that includes — you guessed it — a cinnamon roll flavor! The cinnamon roll pizza features cinnamon cream sauce, cream cheese crumbles, churro pieces and cinnamon flakes on a croissant crust. A DiGiorno representative tells Simplemost it will be at select retailers nationwide beginning in April 2022.
Are cinnamon rolls one of your favorite breakfast treats?
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wmar2news.com/krispy-kreme-cinnamon-rolls-are-back-sundays | 2022-04-13T18:48:24 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/krispy-kreme-cinnamon-rolls-are-back-sundays |
Lifestyle contributor Limor Suss shares some great spring finds to help us look and feel your best this Spring.
Kohl’s offers must-have spring styles with new products from the Draper James RSVP and Simply Vera Vera Wang collections perfect for any occasion.
Charlotte’s Magic Cream’s innovative, award-winning, best-selling moisturizer is perfect for Spring and was originally created backstage to instantly prep and transform the look of models’ skin before fashion shows.
The Secret Weightless Dry Spray has an instantly dry feel and weightless protection on your skin, you won't even know you're wearing it.
Marc Anthony’s Instantly Thick Collection was created for the thinnest, flattest hair, the lightweight thickening formulas, infused with Biotin, Thickening Polymers and Phytokeratin – three powerhouse ingredients.
Learn more here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/limor-suss-spring-beauty-refresh | 2022-04-13T18:48:30 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/limor-suss-spring-beauty-refresh |
Now that Spring has sprung, families are busier than ever. Veena Crownholm, the queen of super mom hacks and co-founder of The Millennial Mamas is here to share some time and money saving tips!
After a long day of work and family activities, sometimes cooking it the furthest thing from your mind. Unplugging and connecting over dinner is a great way to unwind from the day.
Chicken N Biscuits by Cracker Barrel is making it so easy to get a delicious meal straight to your door. Just use a delivery app like Uber Eats or Grubhub and search for chicken or Chicken N' Biscuits. There's even free delivery on qualifying orders!
Learn more here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/millennial-mama-chicken-n-biscuits | 2022-04-13T18:48:36 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/millennial-mama-chicken-n-biscuits |
Whiter teeth can help you feel more confident, and you can get your teeth up to six shades whiter in just seven days without the mess or time constraints of traditional whitening strips.
Power Swabs are great for those with sensitive teeth too- the enamel moisturizing formula means almost no ache.
Results last for six months and application takes less than five minutes!
Learn more and take advantage of the Midday Maryland Special with 40% off with free shipping and a free Quick Stick here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/power-swabs-april-13-2022 | 2022-04-13T18:48:42 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/power-swabs-april-13-2022 |
Whether you're ready to unwind with your partner or enjoy a fun-filled family vacation, the new Dream Natura Resort is ready for you!
Located just outside Cancun and and easy flight from Baltimore, Dreams Natura is the perfect spot to relax. From lazy rivers to wild water slides, Dreams Natura truly has something to offer everyone in your group. Food, drinks, and select activities are included!
Dream Resorts also offer unparalleled luxury in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and so many other places! Learn more here.
Travel Mom Emily Kaufman is giving away a trip to Dreams Natura! Learn more and enter here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/the-travel-mom-dreams-natura-resort | 2022-04-13T18:48:49 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/the-travel-mom-dreams-natura-resort |
BALTIMORE — Baltimore City will invest more than $10 million in funding to establish a community violence intervention environment across the city.
Between FY22 - FY25, Baltimore will invest this ten million from the American Rescue Plan Act to issue a minimum of 30 contracts with organizations that are involved in outreach and conflict mediation, violence intervention, hospital-based violence intervention, school-based violence intervention, intensive case management and life coaching, and victim services.
Mayor Brandon Scott detailed his approach to developing this environment and his vision includes:
- Refining and building on Baltimore’s existing conflict mediation and violence intervention programming.
- Stronger partnerships and coordination with Baltimore-area hospital partners.
- Expanded intensive life coaching services.
- A focus on victim services.
- Organizations that will partner with the city on coordinated neighborhood stabilization response before or after traumatic events occur in a neighborhood, such as major law-enforcement takedowns which leave power vacuums in communities and police-involved shootings.
In addition, Scott released and in-depth report outlining how his administration will invest in these trauma-informed, community-centered and evidence-based interventions, which can be found here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/baltimore-city-investing-more-than-10-million-in-funding-to-address-violence-across-the-city | 2022-04-13T18:48:55 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/baltimore-city-investing-more-than-10-million-in-funding-to-address-violence-across-the-city |
CONOWINGO, Md. — A juvenile has been helicoptered to the hospital after a dirt bike they were riding was hit by a Harford County Sheriff's deputy's car.
It happened Wednesday afternoon in the 1800 block of Robinson Mill Road.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the dirt bike rider was conscious at the time they were taken to the hospital.
The road is currently closed for investigation.
It's unclear what caused the crash. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/juvenile-riding-dirt-bike-hit-by-car-driven-by-harford-county-sheriffs-deputy | 2022-04-13T18:49:01 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/juvenile-riding-dirt-bike-hit-by-car-driven-by-harford-county-sheriffs-deputy |
BALTIMORE — It's been more than a decade since 22-year-old Spencer Williams was shot and killed in Baltimore City and police are still looking for his killer.
On June 7, 2010 just before 5 p.m., Williams was shot while driving a red Mitsubishi Diamante in the 1100 block of New Hope Circle. He was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. If your tip leads to an arrest and indictment, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $4,000. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/more-than-a-decade-later-police-are-still-looking-for-spencer-williams-killer | 2022-04-13T18:49:07 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/more-than-a-decade-later-police-are-still-looking-for-spencer-williams-killer |
BALTIMORE — The Maryland Department of Transportation is keeping the face covering policy in effect, for the entire duration of the trip, a bit longer.
This falls in line with the TSA's face covering mandates, in effect until April 18, 2022 and comes just as the CDC wants to see the nationwide mask mandate expanded.
All riders using public transit including: MTA local bus, light rail, metro subway, commuter bus, MARC Train, and Mobility/para-transit service are required to wear face coverings. Riders must keep the face covering on for the entire duration of the trip, regardless of your vaccination status. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/updated-covid-19-requirements-for-public-transportation | 2022-04-13T18:49:13 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/updated-covid-19-requirements-for-public-transportation |
PHOENIX — Members of Arizona's LGBTQ community want the National Football League to pull the 2023 Super Bowl out of Arizona.
That call is in response to last month's passage of two bills. One prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports. The other prohibits gender-altering surgery for anyone under the age of 18.
"The ultimate goal of this effort I think is to see these laws reversed and send a really loud message policy like this isn't going to be tolerated in the state of Arizona," said Phoenix Pride spokesperson Jeremy Helfgot.
When it comes to LGBTQ tourism, Arizona benefits greatly. Weather, scenery, and acceptance add up to tens of millions of dollars to the Arizona economy every year. But Helfgot says fallout from the transgender bills will have consequences. "There is a lot of economic power being brought to bear and it's a powerful message. But the message remains the same, these laws are toxic and they need to go," Helfgot says.
It's not the first call to pull the Super Bowl from the Valley. In February, religious leaders and voting rights activists from across the country sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell calling on him to move the game in protest to what they say are restrictive voting laws adopted by the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature.
Responding to this latest call to boycott, a spokesman for the governor's office said, "We couldn't be more excited for the Super Bowl coming to Arizona next year. The most-watched sporting event of all time is a chance to put our state on full display for the rest of the country. But it's more than just a boost to our visibility. The Super Bowl's economic benefits to businesses large and small are tremendous. It makes no sense why anyone would want to deny Arizonans an opportunity like this."
ASU estimated the 2015 Super Bowl in Arizona meant $719.4 million to the local economy. The NFL has not yet responded to a request for comment.
This article was written by Mark Phillips for KNXV. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/arizonas-lgbtq-community-calls-on-nfl-to-move-2023-super-bowl | 2022-04-13T18:49:19 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/arizonas-lgbtq-community-calls-on-nfl-to-move-2023-super-bowl |
President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a call Wednesday to discuss aid to Ukraine.
During the call, Biden informed Zelenskyy that the U.S. will send Ukraine an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition, and other security assistance.
Biden said the package includes artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers. The U.S. is also transferring additional helicopters to the Ukrainian military.
"As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself," Biden said in a statement.
In addition to discussing aid to the country, Zelenskyy tweeted that he and Biden also discussed "Russian war crimes."
Continued constant dialogue with @POTUS. Assessed Russian war crimes. Discussed additional package of defensive and possible macro-financial aid 🇺🇦. Agreed to enhance sanctions.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 13, 2022
On Tuesday, Biden said it appears Vladimir Putin is committing genocide in Ukraine. It's an escalation of language from a president who had not made that assertion before.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the claims, calling the invasion of Ukraine "noble." | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/biden-zelenskyy-hold-call-to-discuss-aid-to-ukraine | 2022-04-13T18:49:25 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/biden-zelenskyy-hold-call-to-discuss-aid-to-ukraine |
At the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations were higher among Black Americans than white Americans.
Public health leaders worry that with those higher infection rates, more Black Americans are now dealing with Long COVID.
But, public leaders say, they're facing disparities in diagnosis and accessing treatment.
“Black Americans are overrepresented in poverty. They're more likely to hold essential worker jobs and work for hourly wages. Those are all social and structural barriers to accessing care, you know. They're more likely to not have insurance or be underinsured,” Carol Oladele at Yale School of Medicine said.
“These are also factors that will contribute to, you know, disparities in diagnosing Black Americans with Long COVID,” she said.
Oladele is one of the researchers involved in a recent report by the Black Coalition Against Covid.
Studies estimate 10% to 30% of percent of people who get infected with COVID-19 develop Long COVID.
That amounts to about 23 million people in the U.S. who may have developed Long COVID.
The authors of the report worry, not enough Black Americans were included in the trials to find out more.
“How do we reduce those social and structural barriers that limit access to these to participation in clinical trials? Addressing things like transportation, childcare, you know, rethinking the geographical location of clinical trials, embedding them in the communities that we're trying to recruit,” said Oladele.
The Biden administration recently announced it is accelerating research efforts into the causes and treatment of Long COVID.
That includes expanding the more than $1 billion Long COVID study that the National Institutes of Health started last year.
Researchers are working to get 40,000 people with and without Long COVID in that study.
The Long COVID programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs are serving as incubators for ideas in dealing with the condition.
If your COVID symptoms last beyond 4 weeks, you should share those with your health care provider.
You can also ask them about being included in a Long COVID clinical trial. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/coronavirus/researchers-look-into-how-long-covid-affects-black-americans-but-face-challenges-in-studies | 2022-04-13T18:49:31 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/coronavirus/researchers-look-into-how-long-covid-affects-black-americans-but-face-challenges-in-studies |
BREMERTON, WA. — Only 26% of women are investing, compared with 71% of men, but a new report by Fidelity found the pandemic has inspired more young women to change that statistic.
Experts predict investing early could one day help close the wealth gap between men and women. Free technology is now helping girls to invest at an early age and how every family can get involved.
To Ianthe Spaulding, talking about investing with her 10-year-old daughter is the most important conversation they can have.
“I wanted Naima to have wealth,” said Spaulding.
Because wealth, to Ianthe, is her daughter’s door to freedom.
“The biggest thing is not having to ask for permission from anybody,” said Spaulding of what she dreams for, for her daughter.
That financial independence is something this mom had to fight for on her own.
“I know what it's like to be left with financial baggage, and so that feeling, I never want her to feel that,” said Spaulding.
Ianthe researched how to set her daughter up for success. She found an app, called stockpile, that helps families with children learn to invest.
“She was able to pick her own stocks, she executes her trades on her own,” said Spaulding.
“I like to invest in the stuff that I use and play on,” said Naima.
They started with just a few dollars and bought partial stock in several big companies. Each trade is teaching Naima to save for the future she wants.
“You could save a lot by investing, and it's really easy,” said Naima.
Easy because her portfolio is at her fingertips. Apps like Ellevest, Clever Girl Finance and Stockpile all offer free tools for young women to start investing—for as little as $1.
Ellevest and Clever Girl Finance are designed specifically with girls in mind, but Stockpile encourages both young girls and boys to start learning financial literacy.
“The big key thing is that we want to make sure that everyone has equal financial opportunity. And that only happens when you create generations of financial literacy and knowledge,” said Victor Wang, the CEO of Stockpile.
Wang said this technology can help close the gender wealth gap. In America, women own only 32 cents on the dollar compared to men, but Victor knows that can change.
“You don't have to have $3,000 to buy Amazon. You can have $5 and start investing,” said Wang. “If one person starts, that creates a pattern of wealth and literacy that changes the whole history and lineage of families.”
Those patterns are starting to change. Fidelity’s 2021 Women and Investing study found 50% of women are more interested in investing now than they were before the pandemic and 1 in 5 women made first-time investments in just the last year.
“The thing that's ironic is that statistically, women perform better when investing than men. They're typically look at longer-term investing, they invest more regularly. So when you look at kind of the overall, study after study shows women are more successful than men,” said Wang.
So, Wang hopes, no matter how big or small the investment is, that parents will help their kids just start.
“It's not so much that kids are going to make a lot of money or not. The most important thing is that it creates a conversation between kids and parents,” said Wang.
“Investing does give that average person a vehicle to be able to start their own personal wealth. You don't really realize that it's attainable for you,” said Spaulding. “You think that people are born into it, but we can also create it ourselves. And that's what I really want to attempt to do.”
If you’d like more information on Stockpile, click HERE. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/free-tools-teaching-girls-to-invest-could-help-close-wealth-gap | 2022-04-13T18:49:38 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/free-tools-teaching-girls-to-invest-could-help-close-wealth-gap |
IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — A North Carolina school resource officer is being hailed a hero for saving a student's life when she began choking in the hallway.
According to the Iredell County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, Deputy Allen Josey sprang into action when students at North Iredell Middle School alerted him about a seventh-grader who'd gotten a piece of a candy lodged in her throat.
When Josey ran out into the hallway, he found a student lying on the floor, so he performed the Heimlich maneuver and successfully got the candy dislodged from the student's throat, the sheriff's office said.
"Deputy Josey’s quick actions certainly abated a tragedy and allowed a young girl the opportunity to return home to her family," the sheriff's office said.
Officials added that another student attempted to help his classmate before Josey got there.
Before working in law enforcement, the department said Josey served eight years in the United States Army Reserve as a combat medic. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/north-carolina-school-resource-officer-saves-life-of-choking-student | 2022-04-13T18:49:44 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/north-carolina-school-resource-officer-saves-life-of-choking-student |
A task force of experts said that children as young as age 8 should be screened for anxiety, according to draft recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The task force also said that children should be screened for depression starting at age 12.
The group also added there is not enough evidence for recommending screenings for younger children. The task force said additional research is needed on screening children for suicide risk.
“To address the critical need for supporting the mental health of children and adolescents in primary care, the task force looked at the evidence on screening for anxiety, depression, and suicide risk,” says task force member Martha Kubik. “Fortunately, we found that screening older children for anxiety and depression is effective in identifying these conditions so children and teens can be connected to the support they need.”
The task force said there continues to be limited evidence about screening for suicide risk in those without signs or symptoms across all ages.
“The challenge is that, for children and adolescents without signs or symptoms, we do not have the evidence to tell us whether or not it’s beneficial to screen younger children for depression and anxiety and all youth for suicide risk. More research on these important conditions is critical,” says task force member Lori Pbert. “In the meantime, healthcare professionals should use their clinical judgment based on individual patient circumstances when deciding whether or not to screen.” | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/screenings-for-anxiety-should-begin-at-age-8-panel-recommends | 2022-04-13T18:49:50 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/screenings-for-anxiety-should-begin-at-age-8-panel-recommends |
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Police took Frank R. James, the 62-year-old alleged shooter in a Brooklyn subway attack that left 10 people wounded by gunfire and more than a dozen others injured, into custody on Wednesday, sources said.
Though Mayor Eric Adams announced James had been upgraded from a person of interest in the case to a suspect, the NYPD have not yet provided an update on the change in their investigation from Tuesday. The NYPD was set to share new details on the shooting at 2 p.m.
Police had zeroed in on James because of a U-Haul key left at the scene of the shooting. James had rented the U-Haul, which was found in Brooklyn hours after the attack.
Here are five things we know about James:
- James posted social media videos decrying the U.S. as a racist place awash in violence and recounting his struggle with mental illness. His profanity-laden videos are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against other Black people
- The gun James allegedly used was purchased at a pawn shop — a licensed firearms dealer — in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011, a law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation said on condition of anonymity
- James has ties to Philadelphia and Wisconsin
- Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning
- Police described the suspected gunman as being around 5 feet, 5 inches tall. The man weighs around 175-200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gas mask and a construction vest. Police initially said the vest was green, but later officials said it was orange. The man also had on a gray, hooded sweatshirt.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/5-things-we-know-about-frank-r-james-as-police-provide-subway-attack-update/ | 2022-04-13T18:53:07 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/5-things-we-know-about-frank-r-james-as-police-provide-subway-attack-update/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The City of Springfield has entered into a consent decree with the Justice Department which means the police department will have to make a series of changes that will be enforced by court order.
The agreement comes years after the Department of Justice began an investigation into the Springfield Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau which found a pattern of excessive force, poor record-keeping and other problems. The department has since implemented changes and ultimately shut down the narcotics bureau, replacing it with a new gun unit.
Under the new consent decree:
- Officers will have to report all uses of force including punches and kicks.
- Officers will have a duty to intervene to prevent excessive force.
- The Springfield Police will have to create a new force investigation team to investigate the most serious use of force.
- Officers will receive improved policies and training related to officer’s use of force.
An independent monitor will be appointed to ensure the city cooperates and that monitor will also communicate with police, members of the community, and the Department of Justice.
“When communities don’t trust or fear law enforcement, it undermines public safety. Some within the Springfield Police Department, through their sustained and documented constitutional violations, have tarnished the name of the many upstanding and decent police officers working in Springfield,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. “Today is the first step in repairing the harm and mistrust their misconduct and violence caused. After lengthy negotiations, we are pleased to have reached an agreement that includes significant and sustainable reforms to ensure effective and constitutional policing going forward in the City of Springfield. This is the first police misconduct Settlement Agreement entered during the Biden Administration. Our U.S. Attorney’s Office will always protect the constitutional rights of Massachusetts residents.”
Watch below: U.S. Attorney Rollins discusses Springfield Police agreement
“The public’s trust in law enforcement is a critical component of promoting public safety. Excessive force erodes that trust and makes our communities less safe,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This consent decree will rebuild the public’s trust by ensuring that Springfield officers who use excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment are held accountable. We look forward to working with city officials to ensure constitutional policing in every corner of the Springfield community and fostering better relationships between law enforcement and the community.” | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/springfield-police-department-enter-agreement-with-justice-department-on-use-of-force-policies/ | 2022-04-13T18:53:10 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/springfield-police-department-enter-agreement-with-justice-department-on-use-of-force-policies/ |
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Police arrested the suspected Brooklyn subway shooter Wednesday, the day after he allegedly opened fire on a train, shooting 10, officials said.
Frank R. James, 62, had been identified as a person of interest on Tuesday and then upgraded to a suspect in the case. He was captured in Manhattan. James faces up to life in prison if he’s convicted, prosecutors said. He’s being charged federally on a terrorism offense.
“We got him, we got him,” Mayor Eric Adams said.
James was stopped on the street after a CrimeStoppers tip, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said. He was taken into custody around 1:40 p.m. Hundreds of NYPD officers worked “doggedly” to find him. He’s since been taken to an NYPD precinct.
“We were able to shrink his world quickly,” she said. “There was nowhere left for him to run.”
Police had zeroed in on James because of a U-Haul key left at the scene of the shooting. James had rented the U-Haul, which was found in Brooklyn hours after the attack.
James was spotted in a McDonald’s at East 6th Street and First Avenue, police said. Officers headed there after a CrimeStoppers tip. James wasn’t there, so the officers searched the area. They found him at St. Marks Place and First Avenue.
The 62-year-old man allegedly put on a gas mask on a northbound N train just before 8:25 a.m. Tuesday, then pulled out two canisters and opened fire as smoke filled the train, police said. Seven men and three women were shot. James allegedly fired 33 times.
Here ‘s what we know about James:
- James posted social media videos decrying the U.S. as a racist place awash in violence and recounting his struggle with mental illness. His profanity-laden videos are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against other Black people
- The gun James allegedly used was purchased at a pawn shop — a licensed firearms dealer — in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011, a law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation said on condition of anonymity
- James has ties to Philadelphia and Wisconsin
- Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning
- Police described the suspected gunman as being around 5 feet, 5 inches tall. The man weighs around 175-200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gas mask and a construction vest. Police initially said the vest was green, but later officials said it was orange. The man also had on a gray, hooded sweatshirt.
- He was arrested multiple times from 1992-1998, including multiple times in New York and three times in New Jersey
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/suspected-brooklyn-subway-shooter-in-nypd-custody-sources/ | 2022-04-13T18:53:11 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/suspected-brooklyn-subway-shooter-in-nypd-custody-sources/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A news conference held in the Hampden District Attorney’s Office at Tower Square in Springfield on Wednesday announced the investigation of a serial rapist taken into custody.
Officers arrested 20-year-old Ali Ghaffar of West Springfield on Thursday, March 31 for several charges of rape and assault of at least six women as he was allegedly bringing another victim to the Bear Hole Reservoir in West Springfield.
According to a news release from Hampden District Attorney’s Office, one of the survivors informed police that she had just been threatened and raped by an unknown man on March 24, 2022 at about 9:50 a.m. She told officials that she had been in a need of a ride in the area of Marble Street in Springfield. She accepted a ride from a man that appeared to have tan skin, long hair, and was in his early twenties.
The driver ended up driving her towards the North End of Springfield, ended up on the highway towards Holyoke, and then appeared at the area of the Bear Hole Reservoir in West Springfield. When at the Bear Hole, the suspect allegedly had a gun pointed at her head and continued to sexually assault her. The survivor had then been found alone by Massachusetts State Police Troopers from Westfield, walking eastbound on the westbound lane of the Mass Pike in West Springfield.
Massachusetts State Police Troopers from the Westfield barracks notified the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office (Hampden SPDU) about the survivor that day and was transported to Baystate Medical Center.
In the course of the investigation, members of the Hampden SPDU learned the West Springfield Police Department had been investigating identical reported sexual assaults over the last eight months. Each survivor had been picked up in the City of Springfield and then driven to a remote area of West Springfield where the sexual assaults occurred.
Dates of each incident are as follows:
- March 4, 2022, at approximately 10:20 p.m., assault reported in West Springfield, Morgan Road (Bear Hole),
- February 26, 2022, at approximately 9:30 p.m., assault reported at West Springfield, Middle School
- February 19, 2022, at approximately 9:30 p.m., assault reported in West Springfield, Amostown Rd (Bear Hole)
- January 16, 2022, at approximately 12:30 p.m., assault reported in West Springfield Amostown Rd (Bear Hole)
- July 29, 2021, at approximately 12:30 p.m., assault reported in West Springfield, Amostown Rd (Bear Hole)
- June 11, 2021, at approximately 10:15 p.m., assault reported in West Springfield Amostown Rd (Bear hole)
District Attorney Gulluni also stated, “The suspect in this case was preying upon vulnerable women. While his conduct was becoming more frequent and bold, State Police investigators in my office and our local partners marshaled resources over mere hours and conducted an outstanding investigation knowing that women remained at risk. This rapid and formidable deployment occurred to protect the public from further harm. I am very proud and appreciative of all involved.”
Watch in full: Hampden County District Attorney discusses arrest of alleged serial rapist
After the rape incident on March 24th, members of Hampden SPDU worked with members of the Massachusetts State Police High-Risk Victims Unit, and Technical Services Unit, West Springfield Police Department, and the Springfield Police Department to find the suspect.
On March 30, the West Springfield Police Department had been made aware of another sexual assault that occurred on Bear Hole Reservoir, her experience was identical to the other woman survivors. This survivor was left at Bear Hole Reservoir and seen walking down Morgan Road where a resident then contacted police.
Survivors were able to identify Ali Ghaffar as the suspect, which led officers to locate him.
“The identified survivors showed great courage and resiliency in standing up and speaking out. These acts of strength likely prevented other women from suffering harm at the hands of the suspect. We will now fight alongside them for justice in the court system.”
On March 31, at 7:45 p.m. officers observed the suspect’s car in the South End of Springfield while a woman entered the vehicle and traveled to the Bearhole Reservoir. When the vehicle was at a stop, police officers took Ghaffar into custody, preventing another rape. Ghaffar has been arrested.
DNA samples taken from Ghaffar matched to a sample taken from the March 24th survivor.
Ghaffar has been charged with the following:
- Aggravated Rape (4 Counts)
- Kidnapping (4 Counts)
- Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (3 Counts)
- Threat to Commit a Crime (5 Counts)
- Assault with Intent to Rape
- Armed Kidnapping with Sexual Assault
- Rape (2 Counts)
Ghaffar is being held with the right to bail and is pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for April 21.
The District Attorney is asking anyone that may have information on the case to contact his officer at 413-505-5993 or the West Springfield Police Department at 413-263-3210 ext. 0. | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/west-springfield-man-charged-for-rape-and-assault-of-6-women/ | 2022-04-13T18:53:18 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/west-springfield-man-charged-for-rape-and-assault-of-6-women/ |
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Cities that recently lost NFL teams reached out to the Bills about potentially relocating before a new stadium deal was reached, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a New York City radio interview Wednesday.
“They did have options to leave,” Hochul said during an appearance on WNYC. “That’s hanging over New Yorkers — Western New Yorkers in particular. The decision was made to get the best deal we could for taxpayers.”
The host, Brian Lehrer, followed up with Hochul and asked if the threat of relocation was just a bluff by the team’s billionaire owners to get more public funding.
“I was aware that they were being reached out to by other cities that have lost teams before. That is real,” Hochul replied. “Their stadium was starting to crumble, something had to happen. And if there wasn’t a decision done soon, they had, definitely, other options.”
Oakland, St. Louis and San Diego all saw their NFL franchise relocate in the past decade. Bills fans have long worried about a possible move to Toronto, and ESPN reported in August that Austin, Texas could be interested in paying up to acquire a franchise.
Hochul specifically mentioned San Diego later in the interview.
“My whole life there was talk of them going to Toronto … Buffalo is a very small market. It is quite extraordinary that they have a team at all,” she said. “Because there’s a lot more money to be had in those larger cities like San Diego and others who would love to have a team. So, that’s a reality most people probably aren’t familiar with.”
Buffalo is the 53rd-largest media market in the country, according to Nielsen’s 2021 rankings, making it among the smallest markets in the league: Jacksonville is 43rd, New Orleans is 50th and Green Bay-Appleton is 69th. (Rochester and southern Ontario are not included in Buffalo’s DMA.)
The stadium deal and accompanying lease agreement announced March 28 keep the team in Buffalo for 30 years with a new, $1.4 billion stadium that is expected to open in 2026. The state is paying for the largest portion of stadium construction — $600 million — though that includes hundreds of millions from long-awaited Seneca casino payments that had been withheld. Hochul said the rest will be paid for by taxes on athletes.
“I was not going to give away the shop,” Hochul said. “The first question was: can we finance it 100% with public dollars? … I said no, no way. No. We are not doing that. It ended up being 43% of the total cost is state money. But when you factor in the income tax we’re going to derive from the ball players — these are very highly paid athletes — we have that paid off just in the new income to the state over those, about 22 years, it’s paid off.”
“I really understand people’s concern and anxiety about this, and I get it. I really do,” Hochul added to the downstate audience, making the analogy that the Bills are to Buffalo what Broadway is to New York City. “I’m not trying to say that their concerns aren’t real and legitimate but again, I get a lot of questions when I’m in other parts of the state about how much we spend on New York City transit and MTA and other things. So I’ve been engaged in this debate no matter where I go.”
Latest Posts
- Suspected Brooklyn subway shooter in NYPD custody
- Springfield Police Department enter agreement with Justice Department on use-of-force policies
- 5 things we know about Frank R. James as police provide subway attack update
- West Springfield man charged for rape and assault of 6 women
- Hochul: Bills ‘did have options to leave’ Buffalo before stadium deal
* * *
Nick Veronica is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team as a Digital Executive Producer in 2021. He previously worked at NBC Sports and The Buffalo News. You can follow Nick on Facebook and Twitter and find more of his work here. | https://www.wivb.com/sports/buffalo-bills-stadium-discussions/hochul-bills-did-have-options-to-leave-buffalo-before-stadium-deal/ | 2022-04-13T18:53:24 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/sports/buffalo-bills-stadium-discussions/hochul-bills-did-have-options-to-leave-buffalo-before-stadium-deal/ |
Forget avocado toast: The avocado's true raison d'être is guac (obvi!). The sublime yet simple dip, at once creamy, chunky, salty, acidic, rich, and vibrant, is pure green gold — made even more valuable during recent shortages of the Mexican import. From classic versions to creative riffs, here are nine of Phoenix's guacamole standouts.
The Mission
3815 North Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, 480-636-5005
7122 East Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, 480-292-7800
The Mission doesn’t just serve guacamole; it serves up an experience. Your server wheels out a cart containing all the greatest hits — small dishes of diced tomato, jalapeño, red onion, fresh garlic, sea salt, lime, chipotle purée, cilantro, cotija, and toasted pepitas — and crafts the guacamole tableside to your liking and heat level. Watch the spectacle as the avocado is scooped, mashed, mixed, limed, and seasoned — all for you — and enjoy a bright and balanced finale that’s more than the sum of its parts.
Bacanora
1301 Northwest Grand Avenue
602-612-4018
Everything at Bacanora, chef Rene Andrade’s hip corner spot on Grand Avenue, has a distinct point of view, from the traditional piñatas floating above the six-seater bar to the flamingo-pink wall that boasts the neon yellow “Bacanora” sign — and the Sonoran-inspired guacamole is no exception. A sublime mix of avocado, lime, onion, cilantro, and a generous spattering of cotija cheese, the balanced combo is ignited by a red-hot dusting of crushed chiltepin peppers, a tiny, round chile with a burst of fruity heat native to the Sonoran Desert; Andrade gets the peppers from his family’s south-of-the-border ranch. This is the kind of guac you close your eyes to eat, the kind the table next to you orders as soon as they see yours. Points also go to the accompanying tortillas — half moons flame-kissed over the mesquite fire — and the locally made ceramic tableware it’s all served on.
Renata’s Hearth
2400 East Missouri Avenue
602-954-2507
Let’s start with the chips at Renata’s Hearth in the Arizona Biltmore. Like dignified Doritos, these tempting, triangular crunchers look like the Frito-Lay favorites and invite the same finger-licking finish, but their coating is less a slap in the face and more a subtle dusting of smoky paprika. (Same satisfaction without the neon afterglow.) Freshly made and fantastic on their own, they're even better when paired with the fresh guacamole, a heavenly, hearty blend of Hass avocados with just the right hint of charred tomato, cilantro, red onion, and lime. The creamy, crunchy combo is addictive. Match it with a Los Muertos — Renata's signature smoked cocktail with serrano-infused blanco tequila, activated charcoal and lime juice that’s delivered in a smoke-filled cloche — and soak in the enchanting, romantic setting.
Guac Girl
Food truck
You may have spotted a pretty pink trailer with avocado illustrations at the farmers' market. That’s Guac Girl, a food truck that serves only — you guessed it — guacamole. Available in four fabulous flavors — pomegranate and pepita, pineapple habanero, bacon and honey, and everything bagel — each made-to-order guac highlights unique ingredients, such as grilled pineapple, hot honey, pork rind crumble, everything bagel seasoning, and lemon crema drizzle for a taste-and-texture party on a plate (or available by the pint with a bag of chips). The girl behind the guac is Kristen Esposite, an avocado aficionado who lives by the motto “Who doesn’t love guac?”
Gallo Blanco
928 East Pierce Street
602-327-0880
The guacamole at Gallo Blanco has long been a must-order. The signature chunky guac delivers just the right combo of avocado, red onion, serrano peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, salt and lime, but what really seals the deal is the addition of sweet orange segments, juicy bits that add a blast of brightness before the whole thing is sprinkled with salty cotija cheese. The accompanying chips are thin and delicate, never greasy, the better to let the green stuff shine. Pair it with a house margarita or Paloma — everything here is made with fresh juices — for a double dose of citrus.
Barrio Café
2814 North 16th Street, #1205
602-636-0240
The secret to Barrio Café’s “world famous” guacamole isn’t all that hush-hush. The special ingredient is pomegranate seeds — plenty of them — and they’re displayed loud, proud and in living color, turning the side dish into a sophisticated standout. Generously piled on top, the scarlet seeds don’t just add pops of color; they also add a sweet burst of crunch that plays off the ripe avocado’s creamy mouthfeel. And shout-out to the accompanying chips: The thick-cut, half-moon tortillas provide the perfect landing pad for the pomegranate-studded star. In fact, ask for more.
The Coronado
2201 North 12th Street
602-767-8133
There’s no technique needed to eat the fried guacamole at The Coronado, but plenty goes into making it. The vegan hotspot in Phoenix’s cozy Coronado neighborhood takes traditional guacamole, an avocado-lime affair laced with fresh garlic, cumin, and pico, and coats it in a hefty dose of panko breadcrumbs, then flash-fries it to golden-brown perfection. The finished dish is a nacho-esque plate of stacked, freshly made corn tortillas drizzled in housemade cilantro-lime sauce and spicy chipotle San Jose dressing, capped by the star of the show: a ball of avocado awesomeness that’s crunchy on the outside and cool in the middle.
Chantico
1051 East Camelback Road
602-699-3015
Chantico is a whisk-you-away kind of place. Taking up practically an entire block on Camelback, the impressive indoor-outdoor space and its dramatic open-air bar and patio atrium transport you to buzzy Mexico City or beachy Tulum. The guacamole, however, is an understated affair, a simple yet stately plate of sumptuous avocado garnished with radish slices, cilantro sprigs, and a lime slice. It also comes with a flavorful flourish of finely chopped pico and a robust peanut chili oil that you can add in as you like. Freshly made chips arrive with a pairing of tomatillo and smoky tomato salsa — divine dips in their own right.
Cocina Madrigal
4044 South 16th Street
602-243-9000
It’s easy to get carried away with the guacamole at Cocina Madrigal, a lively South Phoenix spot at 16th Street and Broadway Road. This isn’t just the perfect combination of avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, fresh lime, red onion, and tomatoes with a satisfyingly creamy and chunky taste; it’s also a choose-your-own-adventure affair that gives you the option to add roasted serrano, caramelized pineapple, and jalapeño bacon. But while your mouth might be screaming yes, yes, yes, adding all three at once cancels the others out — the caramelized pineapple cuts the crunch of the bacon, for example — so start with just one to truly appreciate each add-in. The chips come out warm, with a tomato-onion-cilantro salsa that pops with freshness. Pro tip: Ask for a side of the carrot habanero salsa for a walk on the spicy side. | https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/take-a-guac-on-the-wild-side-at-these-phoenix-restaurants-13416840 | 2022-04-13T18:55:04 | 0 | https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/take-a-guac-on-the-wild-side-at-these-phoenix-restaurants-13416840 |
Dr. Martine Canal, DNP of Martine Canal Coaching and author of “5 Steps to a Better U” joins Bloom host Gayle Guyardo with tips for living your best life. For more information visit www.MartineCanal.com
Helping YOU Live Your Best Life: Tools to Achieve Maximum Success in Health and Wellness
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Tiffany Chen, President, Tiff’s Treats and husband Leon Chen, CEO, Tiff’s Treats join host Gayle Guyardo on Bloom to talk about their new book It’s Not Just Cookies: Stories and Recipes from the Tiff’s Treats Kitchen. For more information visit www.cookiedelivery.com
Bloom airs in 40 markets across the country, with a reach of approximately 36 million households, and in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Madison, WI. | https://www.wfla.com/bloom/its-not-just-cookies-stories-and-recipes-from-the-tiffs-treats-kitchen-2/ | 2022-04-13T18:57:20 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/bloom/its-not-just-cookies-stories-and-recipes-from-the-tiffs-treats-kitchen-2/ |
Lifestyle expert Scott DeFalco shows BLOOM host Gayle Guyardo how you can remove tough coffee stains — and look your best in 5 minutes with whiter teeth with Power Swabs. Call Now 1-800-716-3849 BLOOM Special: 40% off Special w/ FREE Shipping + free quick stick www.powerswabs.com
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NATCHEZ, Miss. (WJTV) – A fisherman in Mississippi set a new record for the largest blue catfish ever caught in the state.
Eugene Cronley, of Brandon, caught the 131-pound fish on April 7, from the Mississippi River near Natchez, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP). The department certified his record Monday.
Cronley told the MDWFP he wrestled with the catfish for about 40 minutes before reeling it in. “It truly is the fish of a lifetime,” he said, according to a Facebook post from MDWFP.
In reeling in the monster catfish, Cronley “shattered” a longstanding rod-and-reel record set 13 years ago in 2009, when a Mississippi angler caught a 95-pound blue catfish in the same area. Cronley’s fish also outweighed the largest blue catfish ever caught in the state — 101 pounds, caught in 1997 — rod-and-reel or not.
Blue catfish are native to the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Rio Grande river basins, but have been stocked in other freshwaters for fishing purposes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In some areas, like the Chesapeake Bay, the catfish are considered an invasive species.
Blue catfish typically grow to a length of two feet or less, but can — in rarer cases — exceed 5 feet and 100 pounds, the NOAA says.
Cronley’s record, however, does not appear to hold water outside of Mississippi: The NOAA says a specimen once caught near the border of North Carolina and Virginia weighed 143 pounds. | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/fish-of-a-lifetime-mississippi-man-reels-in-record-breaking-blue-catfish/ | 2022-04-13T18:57:43 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/fish-of-a-lifetime-mississippi-man-reels-in-record-breaking-blue-catfish/ |
Which electric tiller is best?
Tilling the soil of your new garden doesn’t have to be as labor-intensive as it used to be, nor does it take an emissions-spewing, gas-powered tiller to get the job done. Electric tillers are just as capable and quieter to boot. Some are even cordless so you can till a garden anywhere you’d like.
The best electric tiller is the Greenworks Cordless Tiller. The lithium-ion battery operates at full power even when nearly empty, and it can till widths of up to 10 inches.
What to know before you buy an electric tiller
Pros and cons of an electric tiller
Electric tillers have a set of pros and cons compared to their gas-powered counterparts.
Pros: Electric tillers are easier to use and much more cost-effective than gas-powered models. They also require less maintenance and operate with less noise.
Cons: The most powerful electric tiller is still outclassed by an above-average gas-powered tiller. Large and tough grounds are possible to till with an electric model but are handled easier and faster by a gas-powered model.
Corded vs. cordless
Some electric tillers run on a battery, while others need to be plugged in.
- Battery-powered models can be used anywhere and you don’t have to worry about cords. However, their batteries only provide enough power to equal an above-average corded model. They’re also more expensive.
- Corded models need access to a power source, and you need to make sure your cord is kept out of the tiller’s way. Any extension cord you use should be thick enough not to melt or restrict power to your tiller. Using extra-long extension cords or chaining cords together is dangerous and power-restricting, so you should consider a battery- or gas-powered model instead if you find yourself far from your power source.
What to look for in a quality electric tiller
Power
Electric tiller manufacturers relate power using one or a combination of methods, all of which have their own ranges.
- Amps: Look for anything 6 amps and above minimum but preferably 10 and above.
- Watts: Look for anything with at least 500 amps.
- Volts: 20 volts is enough for a budget tiller, but anything 36 volts and above is better. If they give amp hours, look for anything with 4 Ah and above.
- Horsepower: Look for anything with at least half a horsepower.
Tines
Tines have shape, number and speed to consider.
- Shape: Most manufacturers use either an L-shaped tine or tines with a slight variation.
- Number: Electric tillers have two to six tines, with more being better.
Speed
Most electric tillers have only one speed, but others have variable speeds to better handle specific soils.
How much you can expect to spend on an electric tiller
Electric tillers typically cost $100-$300, with most costing no more than $200. For anything over $200, you’ll get more power and likely won’t have to deal with a cord.
Electric tiller FAQ
What’s the difference between an electric tiller and an electric cultivator?
A. They’re similar enough that many manufacturers use the terms interchangeably or claim that one tool can do both jobs. In reality, an electric tiller is more powerful than an electric cultivator. Both can chew up and maintain most ground types and hardnesses, but an electric tiller can have enough power to process new ground, which is usually too hard for a cultivator to process.
Are electric tillers powerful enough to till new, hard sod?
A. Depending on the model, yes. Many electric tillers struggle to till new, hard soil, but the best and strongest should be able to manage it, albeit slowly. Comparatively, gas-powered models are more powerful across the board and you rarely need to worry about if they can handle new ground — they’re able to till new ground faster than even the strongest electric tiller.
What’s the difference between front- and rear-line tillers?
A. All electric tillers use front-line tillers, meaning the tines are placed in front of the wheels and pull the tiller forward. Some gas-powered tillers use rear-line tillers, which are placed behind the motor and dragged forward by its power.
What’s the best electric tiller to buy?
Top electric tiller
Greenworks 40-Volt Cordless Tiller
What you need to know: With a tilling depth of up to 5 inches, this powerful model can till almost anything.
What you’ll love: The 40-volt lithium-ion battery provides enough power (and doesn’t wane as it empties) to till anything except the hardest ground. It features a width of 8.25-10 inches with up to 2,000 strikes per minute.
What you should consider: It’s on the pricey side. The battery only lasts for roughly 40 minutes, and a few consumers had issues with the battery not charging as it ages.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top electric tiller for the money
Black and Decker 20-Volt MAX Cordless Tiller
What you need to know: This quality model from a trusted brand is perfect for small jobs.
What you’ll love: It runs on a MAX lithium-ion battery that can till up to 325 square feet of ground on a full charge, and its counter-oscillating tines prevent roots from tangling in the head. It’s Energy Star-certified and has a two-year limited warranty.
What you should consider: The small head is not efficient for anything larger than a small flowerbed or garden. The batteries can take up to eight hours to charge.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Worth checking out
Sun Joe Electric 13.5-Amp Garden Tiller
What you need to know: This corded model is powerful with an extra-wide head.
What you’ll love: It has a tilling depth of up to 8 inches and a tilling width of up to 16 inches with six durable steel angled tines for chewing through almost anything. The handles fold up for space-saving storage and the wheels can be adjusted into three positions.
What you should consider: A few users felt the handles were uncomfortable to use for long periods, and a handful received tillers with missing parts.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Which ‘Star Wars’ model kit is best?
“Star Wars” is among the most loved film franchises, spanning 12 feature-length productions across 45 years. Including several television show additions and spin-offs, the trademark is worth an estimated $70 billion.
With such an illustrious history, there is plenty of merchandise for fans to collect. Action figures and memorabilia might top the most-wanted list, but for those who want to get their hands dirty, there are model kits to build. For a real challenge, the amazing Lego “Star Wars” Ultimate Millennium Falcon is sure to keep you busy for hours.
What to know before you buy a ‘Star Wars’ model kit
Different kinds of model kits
“Star Wars” model kits are no different from others, like airplanes, ships or submarines. They are available in different kinds of builds, giving you the option of working in your preferred medium. Lego fans might opt to put together an officially licensed “Star Wars” Lego set, while there are paper-based kits for easier builds and 3D wood puzzles that can be painted when you are done.
The skill level will determine the complexity
Just as the models are available in different build types, so too are the skill level needed for completing them. Generally, the skill level will be indicated on the model’s packaging and should give you a rough indication of how difficult or easy it will be. But the skill level shouldn’t be seen as a deterrent. You might find it more enjoyable to tackle something complex than a build that only consists of a few pieces.
Consider the scale of the model
Inexperienced model builders often don’t realize how large model kits can be. The regular scale measurement won’t mean much to you if it’s based on a fictional object. Since there is no real-world reference point, the kits often indicate the measurements of the completed object. Keep this in mind if you want to display the model or if you have limited space where you live.
What to look for in a quality ‘Star Wars’ model kit
Highly detailed and accurate
Any model kit, no matter if it is “Star Wars” or World War II airplanes, must be highly-detailed to get the full enjoyment from finalizing the construction. The overall shape might be accurate, but it’s the smaller details that will bring a smile to your face. Look for a good-quality model kit that includes finer elements like trimmings, customizable parts and accurate color schemes.
Robust construction materials
It would be terribly unfortunate if you spent countless hours putting the model together, just for it to crumble to the floor from a slight breeze. A good-quality model kit will be made from robust construction materials which won’t fall apart easily. Most sturdy models are made from wood or plastic. Builds made out of paper are relatively stable, but extra needs to be taken to protect them from damage.
Officially licensed product
To ensure that you get the most accurate and high-quality model kits, you must look for kits that are officially licensed by Disney — which owns the “Star Wars” brand. If you buy a product that isn’t officially part of the merchandise, there would be no guarantee as to the authenticity of the detail or quality. Knockoff kits can be much cheaper than licensed items, but it isn’t worth the risk.
How much you can expect to spend on a ‘Star Wars’ model kit
The average price of a “Star Wars” model kit will depend on the medium and the intricacy of the build. An entry-level kit that consists of wood or paper can retail for $20-$40. Highly detailed, larger kits with thousands of pieces can retail for $800-$1,300.
‘Star Wars’ model kit FAQ
Do you need special tools to put the kit together?
A. While there might be some kits that require tools, the majority of model kits these days don’t. That is because the technology behind model kits has evolved to feature click-in or snap-together designs. For Lego builds, the pieces easily stay together.
How long does it take to build a ‘Star Wars’ model kit?
A. That will depend on the complexity of the build and how nimble your fingers are. Larger builds can take around 10-12 hours to complete, while smaller kits should only take a few hours.
What’s the best ‘Star Wars’ model kit to buy?
Top ‘Star Wars’ model kit
Lego “Star Wars” Ultimate Millennium Falcon
What you need to know: It’s going to take more than a few hours and a bunch of friends to complete this massive 7,541-piece kit. With intricate details and seven classic “Star Wars” minifigures, this Millennium Falcon will be the star attraction in any house.
What you’ll love: Any “Star Wars” fan will grab at the chance to tackle this enormous build, that measures 8 inches high, 33 inches long and 22 inches wide. It includes the smallest details to accurately replicate the famous Millennium Falcon, and it comes with minifigures of Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, C-3PO, an older Han Solo, Rey and Finn. On the inside of the ship, you can put together the seating area, the Dejarik holographic game and the engine room with hyperdrive and console.
What you should consider: This kit is best suited for adults with lots of patience or expert builders.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top ‘Star Wars’ model kit for the money
“Star Wars” Tie Fighter 3D Wood Puzzle and Model Figure Kit
What you need to know: Made from sturdy wood, this iconic Tie Fighter kit can be painted with any colors that you want.
What you’ll love: The puzzle is made from 63 interlocking pieces to create a free-standing model. It comes with step-by-step instructions for assembly and the accompanying booklet delves deep into the history of Tie Fighters, the different variants and notable battles.
What you should consider: The assembled build is relatively small, standing 4.5 inches tall and 3.3 inches wide.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
“Star Wars” Imperial Star Destroyer Paper Model Kit
What you need to know: You’re going to need a delicate touch and steady hands to complete this paper-based model of the infamous Imperial Star Destroyer. It comprises 342 pieces, all held together with the included craft glue.
What you’ll love: Included in the build are step-by-step instructions and a display stand. But the set doesn’t just feature the Star Destroyer, as it also comes with smaller paper models of two Tie Fighters and an Imperial Shuttle.
What you should consider: You’ll need some extra room to display this build, as the Star Destroyer measures 30 inches long, 15.1 inches high and 16.5 inches wide.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which steering wheel lock is best?
People tend to feel a close bond to their cars. If your car is damaged or destroyed in an accident, you may feel a great deal of frustration or loss. However, if someone steals your car, it’s far worse. It can feel like a violation, and people who have their car stolen tend to notice they don’t feel as safe or comfortable as before. Luckily, there are ways to deter thieves from targeting your car.
One popular theft deterrent is a steering wheel lock. One of the top steering wheel locks is The Club 1103 LX Series Steering Wheel Lock. It has a universal fit for most steering wheels and is safe against sawing, prying and hammering.
What to know before you buy a steering wheel lock
How a steering wheel lock works
There are a few different steering wheel lock designs available, but they all keep your steering wheel in place and deter thieves from trying to steal your car. Some use telescoping rods, while others lock the entire wheel in place completely. A few designs cover up the wheel entirely or press down on the clutch or brake for extra security.
Locks and keys
Steering wheel locks don’t use a normal lock and key, which experienced thieves can pick open easily. Instead, they use a variety of specialty locks and keys that are difficult or impossible to pick and equally challenging to copy. Most locks include two or three keys. If you need more, you can order them from the manufacturer.
Construction
Most steering wheel locks are made of some kind of steel, though you can also find ones with titanium elements. Many locks have a plastic coating too, which has a few uses. The plastic keeps your steering wheel scratch-free, and the bright color stands out to discourage thieves.
What to look for in a quality steering wheel lock
Size
The size of a steering wheel lock will determine how big of a steering wheel it can fit. It will also dictate how easy it is to store the lock when not in use. Telescoping rod locks are a great choice since they can lock all sizes of steering wheels while still being compact and storable.
Design
Manufacturers typically design steering wheel locks to look intimidating to thieves. The bare steel or bright colors will catch the attention of a potential thief and hopefully stop them from breaking through the door or window.
Hardened points
Some steering wheel locks have a hardened tip on one end, which functions as a window breaker in case of emergencies. Some may include a cap to prevent this tip from breaking or tearing something on accident. If this is a feature you’d like to have, be sure to check the product description for more information.
How much you can expect to spend on a steering wheel lock
Most steering wheel locks cost roughly $30-$50. Some cost as little as $20. The best and most intricate locks usually cost around $60 and can exceed $100.
Steering wheel lock FAQ
Can I make extra keys for my steering wheel lock?
A. Generally speaking, no. Most steering wheel locks use specialty-shaped keys that are either difficult or impossible to copy, even by the best locksmiths. Most manufacturers can send you extras if you request them, but you’ll need to provide information that confirms you are the owner. You’ll likely need to at least pay for the shipping and handling of extra keys.
How secure is a steering wheel lock?
A. It depends on the lock, but they’re usually incredibly secure. Most locks resist common workarounds, such as sawing, hammering or prying with a crowbar. Check reviews to see how others feel about their experience, and check the brand of the product to learn more about their reputation.
What’s the best steering wheel lock to buy?
Top steering wheel lock
The Club 1103 LX Series Steering Wheel Lock
What you need to know: This is an effective steering wheel lock at an affordable price.
What you’ll love: You can secure the lock with one tug. It comes with three laser encrypted keys that locksmiths can’t duplicate. It adjusts easily to fit any wheel and resists common breaking methods, including hammering and Freon combinations. It weighs 4.2 pounds and comes in three colors.
What you should consider: Some consumers complained of a sticky substance coating the lock. Others received units where the lock would not completely lock.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top steering wheel lock for the money
What you need to know: This budget theft deterrent is ideal for light security.
What you’ll love: The steel construction is thick enough to prevent sawing, and installation only takes seconds. It uses a crescent lock cylinder and includes two computer-coded keys. The black and yellow design stands out to thieves, and it only weighs 1.72 pounds.
What you should consider: The design doesn’t prevent airbag theft. It may not fit depending on your car’s combination of wheel size and dashboard height.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Tevlaphee Steering Wheel Lock for Cars
What you need to know: This steering wheel lock resists most breaking methods, including freon and hammer attacks.
What you’ll love: It fits steering wheel inner diameters between 6.6 and 12.5 inches. The inner hook is padded to prevent damage to the wheel. It includes a hardened window-breaking tip and comes in three colors.
What you should consider: Some consumers had issues with the key becoming stuck in the lock. There are rare reports of the keys failing to unlock the device.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/best-steering-wheel-lock/ | 2022-04-13T18:58:05 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/best-steering-wheel-lock/ |
Which dog food is better: Blue Buffalo or Purina Pro Plan?
Your dog’s diet makes a huge impact on their health and well-being, so choosing the right dog food is important. If you’re stuck between Blue Buffalo dog food and Purina Pro Plan dog food, you might be wondering which is the best option.
As with most things in life, there isn’t a simple answer, so you’ll have to delve deeper and examine the pros and cons. Also, remember that all dogs are different, so the best food for one dog isn’t always the best for another.
Blue Buffalo dog food
Blue Buffalo dog food is touted as a healthy and holistic brand. It contains high-quality ingredients without unnecessary additives. Complete and balanced, it contains all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy. It’s made in the USA, though from globally sourced ingredients.
You can buy both wet and dry dog food from Blue Buffalo, as well as dog treats. Bags of dry food cost roughly $15-$75, depending on the size and variety, while wet food costs roughly $2-$3 a can.
Blue Buffalo dog food pros
- Blue Buffalo dog food lists meat as the first ingredient, plus it often includes healthy whole grains and vegetables.
- It doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or preservatives and stays away from poultry by-product meal, corn, soy and other filler ingredients.
- You can choose from a range of varieties, including senior dog foods, small breed dog foods and limited ingredient dog foods for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.
- Most dogs find Blue Buffalo foods palatable and you can select from a wide range of formulas or flavors to appeal to picky eaters.
Blue Buffalo dog food cons
- The company sells a range of grain -free dog food, but studies suggest a link between grain-free diets and canine heart disease, so you should avoid them unless your dog has a legitimate grain allergy, which is extremely rare.
- Blue Buffalo has had five dog food recalls, but only three posed a serious risk.
- It doesn’t offer quite as many specialist options as Purina Pro Plan, such as high-performance and sensitive skin formulas.
Best Blue Buffalo dog food
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dog Food
An excellent choice for active dogs, this food is high in protein to give them the energy they need to keep going. Pick one of the versions with healthy whole grains as grain-free formulas may be detrimental to heart health.
Sold by Amazon
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
The perfect kibble for an average dog, you can choose from several formulas to best suit your dog. Options include small bite for dogs who like smaller pieces of kibble and healthy weight for dogs who need to lose eight or who gain weight easily.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food
This tasty wet food can be fed alone or mixed with kibble. Meat is the first ingredient and it also contains a blend of nutrient-rich veggies.
Purina Pro Plan dog food
Purina Pro Plan dog food is just one kind of dog food from Purina. It’s Purina’s high-end offering, containing better quality ingredients than its other foods. For the most part, it contains quality ingredients, though it does contain some fillers and by-products in some of its lines.
Buyers can choose from a range of formulas, some that suit most dogs and others tailored to need specific needs. It’s at a similar price point to Blue Buffalo, with bags of dry food priced from $15-$70 and cans of wet food around $1.50-$3 each.
Purina Pro Plan dog food pros
- All Purina Pro Plan dry foods and most wet foods contain heart-healthy whole grains.
- This food is made at a facility in the USA, though with ingredients sourced from around the globe.
- There’s only been one recall of Purina Pro Plan food, which suggests the company’s quality control is good.
- You can choose from a wide range of formulas to suit your dog, including small breed, large breed and performance.
Purina Pro Plan dog food cons
- Some formulas contain questionable ingredients, such as poultry by-product meal.
- You’re more likely to find fillers, such as corn gluten meal, in Purina Pro Plan foods compared to Blue Buffalo.
- Purina is owned by Nestle, a company known for unethical practices and which some buyers prefer to avoid.
Best Purina Pro Plan dog food
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Dry Dog Food
A solid all-rounder of a dry food that suits most adult dogs. It has a chicken and rice flavor and comes in a range of bag sizes.
Sold by Amazon, Chewy and PetSmart
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Dog Food
This carefully formulated food is made using easily digestible ingredients and excludes common allergens, making it perfect for dogs with sensitive skin or stomachs. It contains a prebiotic formula to help digestion.
Sold by Amazon, Chewy and PetSmart
Purina Pro Plan Sport Wet Dog Food
Due to its high protein content, this wet food is suitable for very active dogs and working dogs. It also supports hydration, which is important for dogs who are always on the go.
Should you get Blue Buffalo dog food or Purina Pro Plan dog food?
There’s no clear winner between Blue Buffalo and Purina Pro Plan. Blue Buffalo has more consistently high-quality ingredients, but Purina Pro Plan only contains a small handful of questionable ingredients and not in all its formulas.
Purina has a slightly wider range of options tailored to the specific needs of dogs, but then again, most dogs are fine with a standard adult dog food — plus Blue Buffalo some tailored formulas, such as senior, small breed and large breed foods.
Ultimately, go with whichever option you think will best suit your dog and don’t be afraid to change your mind if your canine companion isn’t thriving on their new food after a reasonable transition period.
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Which women’s hooded bathrobe is best?
Stepping out of the shower or bath on even a warm day is a chilly experience. No matter how little time it takes to dry off with your towel and put your clothes on, you still get a little cold. With a hooded bathrobe, you can skip both steps and go directly into a warm, soft shell that can also dry your hair.
The best one is the Arus Women’s Hooded Bathrobe. It’s made of cotton from the Aegean region of Turkey for a premium feel.
What to know before you buy a women’s hooded bathrobe
Size and length
Hooded bathrobes typically use the same nomenclature as other clothing — small, medium, large, etc. — but most manufacturers use their own sizing charts. This means one “small” robe may be larger than a different “small” robe, so compare your prospective robe’s chart to your measurements.
You also need to consider the length. Most robes are cut to end just above the knee, at mid-calf or around the ankle. However, length and size don’t always match up, so the arms and width may be sized right for your upper body but your height makes a robe fall outside its intended place. You may need to shop around for a while until you find the right size and length.
Fastening
Most women’s hooded bathrobes are secured with exterior waist ties. Some robes use other methods, such as buttons, zippers or interior waist ties. A few use a combination of methods.
What to look for in a quality women’s hooded bathrobe
Material
Women’s hooded bathrobes are typically made of terry cloth or various types of cotton or synthetics.
- Terry cloth is the same material towels are made from. Bathrobes made this way have all the softness and absorbency of your favorite towels and can be comfortably warm. However, it does lose softness over time.
- Cotton bathrobes are made from a variety of cotton types using a variety of weaves. Some are thin and lightweight, while others are thick and heavy, and they’re available at every price point.
- Synthetic bathrobes are typically made of microfiber polyester. It’s soft, reasonably absorbent and affordable.
Hood
A quality hood on a bathrobe is large enough to fully drape over the head while having the length to not pull down tightly on the head. It should also have enough give so you can ruffle it comfortably across your head to dry your hair.
Pockets
A bathrobe should be comfortable enough for you to want to wear it all over your home. As you move around, you’ll likely want to keep your phone and other items on you. Choose a robe with at least one pocket for this purpose so you can have your hands free for moving a glass of wine and a tray of snacks to the couch.
How much you can expect to spend on a women’s hooded bathrobe
They typically cost $20-$100. Low-cost options cost no more than $20 while most cost $30-$50. The best cost $50-$100, though some luxury designer brands can cost several hundred dollars.
Women’s hooded bathrobe FAQ
How do I wash a women’s hooded bathrobe?
A. That mostly depends on the material. Most are machine-washable, though the tags have specific care instructions. Those that are machine washable can’t always be put in the dryer, so double-check before you accidentally damage your new robe. If you’re truly concerned about damaging it, you can usually have it dry-cleaned.
Can I customize a women’s hooded bathrobe?
A. Yes, though few offer customization and personalization during the order process. Instead, you’ll need to take it to a tailor or even personalize it yourself. Any material can be taken in or let out, but some materials are easier than others to personalize, such as fleece. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a complex material personalized, you just might have to pay extra for it.
What’s the best women’s hooded bathrobe to buy?
Top women’s hooded bathrobe
What you need to know: It feels as premium as its cost. It’s made of Turkish terry cotton for premium softness, breathability and durability.
What you’ll love: The hood is large enough to drape comfortably and not pull on your head, and it has two deep pockets on either side. It’s available in three sizes and eight colors.
What you should consider: It’s among the priciest bathrobes. Some consumers found it a little thin.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Macy’s
Top women’s hooded bathrobe for the money
U2Skiin Short Women’s Hooded Bathrobe
What you need to know: Made of polyester fleece for a soft, lightweight feel, it’s short for hot summer days.
What you’ll love: Its hood is loose enough not to tug, and it has a small pocket on either side of the front. It comes in three sizes and 21 designs. It uses an outer and inner tying system.
What you should consider: The short length doesn’t provide enough coverage for chilly nights. A few reviewers had issues finding a size that fit appropriately.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
iCreat Women’s Long Hooded Bathrobe
What you need to know: This soft, quality robe is extra-long for freezing winter nights.
What you’ll love: It uses an outer-belt tie system. It has two small pockets on the front and the hood is just large enough not to be too tight. It comes in three sizes and four colors and is made of polyester fleece for warmth and softness.
What you should consider: It’s too long and thick for any climate other than a cold one. It isn’t long enough to be floor length for taller consumers.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Egg prices have risen to more than $2.80 per dozen, on average, which is over double their price in March. This doesn’t bode well for Easter celebrations if you normally use painted eggs for decoration or egg hunts.
Instead, consider plastic eggs, which are reusable, save a lot of time and effort and are a vegan-friendly alternative to real eggs.
Why are egg prices rising?
Several factors have combined to lead to the sharply rising cost of eggs. A serious bird flu outbreak has led to the death of many hens. On top of that, the war in Ukraine has resulted in a significant rise in the price of grain used as feed for laying birds — a cost that farmers must pass on to avoid taking a loss. To a smaller degree, pandemic-related supply chain issues are still causing some price increases across the board.
What types of plastic eggs are available?
You’ll find a variety of plastic eggs available. The three main types are fillable, one-piece and realistic.
- Fillable plastic eggs: Most plastic eggs come in two parts that fit together, so you can fill them with small toys or candy. However, some come in one piece, which is the obvious choice if you don’t want to fill them.
- One-piece plastic eggs: These eggs come in one piece, so you can’t fill them. They’re a good choice for decoration or if you want to stick to the same egg hunt rules as you had with real eggs.
- Realistic plastic eggs: Realistic eggs are made to look like chicken eggs and come in white and brown varieties. These are great if you want to decorate them yourself or if you usually don’t paint or dye eggs at Easter.
Are there alternatives to plastic eggs?
If you’re not sold on plastic eggs, you can also buy wooden eggs as a more eco-friendly choice. These either come painted or plain so you can paint or decorate them yourself. This is a great choice if part of your Easter tradition is decorating eggs.
You can also find squishy faux eggs made from a squeezable foam material much like stress balls. These are great for any kids in a throwing phase who can’t be trusted not to launch hard plastic or wooden eggs at other kids or adults.
Best reusable Easter eggs
Prextex Bulk Plastic Easter Eggs
These solid-colored fillable Easter eggs come in a bulk pack of 100, which is ideal for Easter events or anyone planning a large family egg hunt. They’re hinged so the top and bottom parts won’t get separated when kids rip them open to see what’s inside.
Sold by Amazon
Joyin Plastic Printed Bright Easter Eggs
Featuring a printed exterior that resembles hand-painted designs, this is a great choice for anyone who prefers painting eggs rather than dying them. They are fillable, and you get 48 in a pack.
Sold by Amazon
Double Couple White Plastic Eggs
At first glance, these look like white chicken eggs, so they’re a great choice for anyone who would buy real eggs if it weren’t for the price hike. They are paintable and can be used year after year.
Sold by Amazon
Importer AM Pysanky Hand-Painted Polish Wooden Easter Eggs
These beautiful hand-painted wooden eggs are part of a Polish Easter tradition, but you don’t have to be Polish to appreciate their incredible design. They’re on the pricey side, but they’ll last for decades, and you’ll be proud to display them every Easter.
Sold by Amazon
Ufunga Slow Rising Squishy Easter Eggs
Made to look like painted eggs, these delightfully squishy Easter eggs are great alternatives to plastic or wooden eggs. You can choose from packs of 12 or 24.
Sold by Amazon
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Which online web design class is best?
In today’s world, web design is a highly useful skill that can lead to professional growth. If you’re interested in applying your creative skills in a way that’s lucrative and versatile, an online web design course is for you. Many of these courses teach certain aspects of web development as well, which is also profitable.
Udemy’s Web Design for Beginners: Real World Coding in HTML & CSS course is great for anyone starting out.
What to know before you buy an online web design class
Front-end development
Many online courses teach both web development and web design, since they often go hand in hand. Even if you choose to go with a beginner-friendly class, most still include basic development.
Web design is the overall setup and appearance of a website across any device, including mobile phones, tablets and computers. It includes the layout, interface design, graphics or other visuals and overall content of the site. When combined, these elements add to a comprehensive, user-friendly look and feel.
Many online web design classes teach both web design and front-end development, which is ideal for freelancers or anyone else looking to grow professionally. Even though front-end development doesn’t focus on the design aspect as much, it does affect how well the site runs. That’s why it’s a good idea to learn at least the basics, specifically coding and programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML and CSS.
Coding
In the past, if you wanted to learn how to design a website, you also had to understand web development; even the artwork and positioning of the text required some knowledge of coding. Today, most popular content management sites, including WordPress, handle the development aspect.
Although it’s possible to design websites without knowing coding or programming, many online web design courses still touch on the basics. For example, one course could teach CSS, which is useful for WordPress since it affects how content is displayed on the site. If the online course only covers the basics, you can also take a supplemental online course, such as JavaScript, to learn more.
Website builders
Many website builders, including Wix and Squarespace, use a drag and drop function that makes it much easier to design a website, even if you don’t have a background in the field. More complex builders, such as WordPress, boast features that offer much more customization and let you use certain coding knowledge.
Certain web design classes teach you how to use specific website builders, while others focus mostly on concepts such as layout or coding. Typically, the ones that focus on website builders don’t cover coding.
What to look for in a quality online web design class
Topics covered
Online web design courses usually focus on the following topics:
- Search engine optimization
- Typography
- Composition
- Graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
- Responsive design
- CSS3 and HTML
Courses that also emphasize web development go more in-depth into coding, programming and front-end and back-end development.
Level
Web design courses are multilayered, so choose a level suited to your current skill level. For instance, if you’re new to the subject, select a beginner class that teaches the basics such as layout and color theory. Just remember that one course might consider a topic introductory, while another could view it as intermediate.
Some online courses build upon each other, especially when taught by the same instructor. In this case, it’s a good idea to start with the first class and follow along in order unless you already have a solid understanding of the previous topics.
Course breakdown
Online classes usually come with a syllabus that outlines the course breakdown, including overarching modules and smaller lessons that reinforce key concepts.
For example, a beginner class could have a module on the general structure of websites with related subsections on how to code and use images. Meanwhile, a course made for WordPress design could cover everything from setting up pages and customizing post templates to installing and using plugins.
Many courses also feature assignments, quizzes and other supplemental materials you can download or complete as you learn.
Duration
Udemy, Coursera and similar online education sites list how long it will take to complete a class. The total duration usually includes the readings and videos, but not any assignments that are done outside of class. Most online web design classes are nine to 22 hours.
Certificate
Some courses offer a certificate you can display on LinkedIn, your resume or your new website. To receive a certificate, you might need to purchase the full course or have an active subscription to the platform it’s on.
How much you can expect to spend on an online web design class
A subscription to Coursera costs $59 a month, but you can also get a free seven-day trial. As for Udemy, web design and development courses usually cost $90-$140. Udemy also offers a free seven-day trial followed by a subscription service that costs $29.99 a month. Once you purchase the course, you receive lifetime access to it.
Online web design classes FAQ
Is web design difficult to learn?
A. Web design is a complex subject, but it can be easy to learn if you follow a class that’s laid out well. However, many classes teach you about the different technologies and methods that go along with website design and development. If you’re not technologically savvy, it can be challenging to learn some of the more complex components such as coding and back-end development.
What other skills should I know to be a web designer?
A. Enhance your skills by learning Adobe design software and studying user experience. Also, continue building upon your front-end and back-end development expertise.
What’s the best online web design class to buy?
Top web design class for you to take online
Web Design for Beginners: Real World Coding in HTML & CSS
What you need to know: This is an introductory course that teaches you the basics of design and development.
What you’ll love: It covers the essentials of web design, including HTML and CSS coding, responsive design and SaaS. Plus, it teaches you how to add media to web pages.
What you should consider: The course focuses a lot on back-end development, which can be overwhelming for complete beginners.
Where to buy: Sold by Udemy
Top web design class for you to take online for the money
Introduction to Web Development
What you need to know: Available for free on a trial basis or with a monthly subscription, this course teaches everything from the basics of web design to development.
What you’ll love: This course features 22 hours of content spread across six weeks. It includes several readings, videos and quizzes. It teaches you how to design a site from beginning to end using HTML.
What you should consider: There’s a lot of focus on web development.
Where to buy: Sold by Coursera
Worth checking out
WordPress for Beginners — Master WordPress Quickly
What you need to know: This course is great for anyone who wants to create a website using WordPress.
What you’ll love: It teaches you how to configure a WordPress site to create pages and posts. It is comprised of 107 lectures and has nine hours of content. There’s no coding experience necessary.
What you should consider: WordPress is a robust system, so the course might take longer to complete than listed.
Where to buy: Sold by Udemy
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Angela Watson writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Best headphones for camping
Getting back to nature can be an amazing way to de-stress. Spending time in the forests of a national park or hiking the Midwestern plains can make you forget about your worries as you take in the sights.
While some prefer to wake up with the call of the mountain chickadee, others center themselves through music. It might seem counterproductive to listen to created sounds rather than nature’s own, but the two go surprisingly well together — if you have the right headphones for camping, that is.
Best wireless headphones
If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones that fit over your ears, this model from Sony is a perfect option. They use some of the best noise-canceling technology available, and through the Edge-AI system, they regulate and change the equalizer according to the music. They’re perfect for camping or hiking as they have a 30-hour battery life, and you can receive calls through the connected Bluetooth function.
Sold by Amazon
SoundCore by Anker Life Q30 Hybrid
To remove the sounds of people talking around you or when you just want to be alone, SoundCore Life Q30 headphones use Anker’s hybrid noise-canceling system that includes dual microphones to block up to 95% of ambient sounds. With large 40-millimeter audio drivers, this pair has a battery life of 40 hours and comes with a 3.5-millimeter cable, even though they’re capable of wireless connectivity.
Sold by Amazon
For Apple loyalists who enjoy camping, there are no better headphones to pack in your bag than the AirPods Max. Available in five colors, they feature active noise cancellation, respond to Siri through voice and provide up to 20 hours of listening time. As they’re wireless, they connect to your device through Bluetooth. No matter what you’re listening to, the Adaptive EQ changes the equalizer depending on the musical style and quality.
Sold by Amazon
Best headphones for running
Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
If you want to stay in shape while on a camping trip, then you’re probably going to want to get in a run. To listen to music while doing so, you need a great pair of earbuds, and Powerbeats are a good option. They provide you with nine hours of battery life and are completely wireless. The ear hooks are adjustable to ensure a snug fit and they’re reinforced to protect against sweat and water. While they use Apple’s H1 internal chip, they’re compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Sold by Amazon
Available in several colors, these JBudsPRO earbuds stay put no matter how fast you’re running. The Cush Fins at the top of the earbuds fit comfortably into the ear, while three different size silicone tips provide added grip. For sound production, the audio drivers are 11 millimeters and use high-performance titanium for better quality. JBudsPRO have an in-line microphone so you can take and make hands-free calls while camping.
Sold by Amazon
The best choice for Apple fans who want a subtle listening experience, AirPods Pro come with active noise cancellation while still having transparency mode for when you need to hear what’s going on around you. Adaptive EQ automatically tunes the music, while spatial audio with dynamic head tracking makes it sound like the music is all around you. The tips are available in three different sizes and they’re sweat- and water-resistant.
Sold by Amazon
Best affordable headphones
When you go camping, you don’t always want to take the best or most expensive headphones with you. There are plenty of affordable headphones that are perfect for throwing in a backpack and hitting the trail, such as Riff Wireless. They connect to your mobile device through Bluetooth (a wired version is available too), give you 12 hours of battery life and provide two hours of listening from a 10-minute charge. They’re available in four colors and come with a built-in microphone, volume and track control and charge through a USB cable.
Sold by Amazon
Retailing for under $10, these headphones are perfect for camping if you aren’t too concerned about them getting dirty, wet or possibly damaged. The audio drivers measure 33 millimeters and sit inside swiveling ear cups that are covered with soft foam. These headphones aren’t wireless but connect to your mobile device with a 3.5-millimeter jack. If you have an iPhone, don’t forget to pack your Lightning 3.5-millimeter adapter.
Sold by Amazon
For a grab-and-go pair of earbuds, Pro from Philips get the job done. Whether you’re camping or on a hike, the 8.6-millimeter audio drivers produce clear music with no distortion. They feature passive noise cancellation to block out any ambient sounds and connect to your mobile device through a 3.5-millimeter connection. With the in-line microphone and volume controls, you can make and receive phone calls.
Sold by Amazon
With a tangle-free flat cable and foldable ear cups, the Tune 500 are a great pair of headphones to take on a camping trip. Their compact design makes them easy to throw into a backpack or keep around your neck. The 32-millimeter audio drivers incorporate JBL’s Pure Bass technology for crystal-clear sounds, and the padded headband reduces discomfort if you wear them for a long time. They feature an in-line microphone and volume controls that can also be used to activate Google Assistant or Siri.
Sold by Amazon
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which Ethernet switch is best?
If you’re running several devices with wired Ethernet connections, it’s useful to have a switch. Having an Ethernet switch lets users maintain and modify a home internet network using multiple devices that use a LAN or Ethernet cable to connect to the internet. They can also offer performance benefits such as faster speeds and better overall traffic management.
The TrendNet Ethernet Switch offers five Ethernet ports, operation lights and 10 Gbps on file transfers.
What to know before you buy an Ethernet switch
Needs
Ethernet switches are used to connect to devices using a wired local area network, also called LAN and Ethernet cables. If you want a basic switch for optimizing traffic flow across devices, just about any switch will do, so long as it has the number of ports you want. But specific Ethernet switches may work better than others, depending on your data needs. Some come with upgrade features, including added security, faster speeds or additional power.
Unmanaged vs. managed
The most common type of Ethernet switch is an unmanaged switch. These offer basic traffic flow maintenance and don’t require users to set up parameters. While basic Ethernet switches work for most households, you can also buy upgraded or managed switches for adding a virtual LAN network or Quality of Service controls for managing data bottlenecks. These may be more useful for those using a switch in commercial or professional settings.
Power over Ethernet
Certain devices, such as security cameras, require power and can use the Ethernet cable to get it, rather than a separate power cable or a battery. This is where Power over Ethernet systems come into play. Another upgrade feature found on high-end switches, PoE lets you power devices and connect to the internet through the Ethernet cable. Other devices that often work with PoE switches include printers and media streaming devices.
What to look for in a quality Ethernet switch
Speed
The increased speed across devices offered by an Ethernet switch is the primary selling point for most users. Ethernet switches can support cumulative data speeds across devices of either 10, 100 or 1,000 Mbps, which equals 1 Gbps. Today’s vast majority of switches offer what they call “Gigabit” speeds, or speeds up to 1 Gbps. These can still work with lower-speed devices, and they offer faster speeds from one device to the next than if you just use a router.
Ports
The number of ports on an Ethernet switch determines how many wired connections you can use it to make. While most include around five Ethernet ports, you can also find some with just a few ports, or those with nine or more. Make sure any switch you choose has enough ports to support all the devices you want to use simultaneously.
Lights
While they don’t affect functionality on an Ethernet switch, many buyers prefer those with lights that indicate when certain LAN ports are operational, connected or working at full speed. Those without lights can be significantly more confusing to set up, making it harder to know when devices are active — which can be a total pain when troubleshooting issues.
How much you can expect to spend on an Ethernet switch
A cheap Ethernet switch costs as little as $10. However, most midrange switches run $15-$40, while high-end Ethernet switches for use in professional settings cost $50-$500.
Ethernet switch FAQ
Are Ethernet switches secure?
A. On their own, they aren’t particularly secure. However, there are steps you can take to lock your network down from outsiders. These include creating access passwords and implementing a Secure Shell or other encrypting protocols.
Can Ethernet switches be daisy-chained?
A. Yes, so long as you have fewer than three switches daisy-chained, though it isn’t usually recommended. Some do this to create multiple networks alongside each other, using the same switches. However, it’s almost always best to run Ethernet cables separately, using separate switch chains.
What’s the best Ethernet switch to buy?
Top Ethernet switch
TrendNet Five-Port Unmanaged Gigabit Desktop Ethernet Switch
What you need to know: This powerful five-port Ethernet switch comes at a fair price and offers up to 10 Gbps of data traffic across devices.
What you’ll love: This switch features GreenNet power consumption-reducing hardware and a standby mode for when devices aren’t in use. It also includes lights for when activity is detected, and it has a fan-less design for minimal noise.
What you should consider: Some buyers didn’t find this switch durable.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Ethernet switch for the money
Tenda Five-Port Unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet Switch
What you need to know: This is a simple, affordable switch with activity lights and all the basics you need to distribute data speeds across multiple devices.
What you’ll love: This unmanaged switch works great for household use, offering up to 1,000 Mbps of data transfer speeds. You can also buy this brand in eight- and nine-port varieties.
What you should consider: This switch stopped working after a short period of use for a few buyers.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
TP-Link TL-SG105 Five-Port Unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet Switch
What you need to know: This five-port gigabit switch is powerful and mountable, offering upgrade functionality at a reasonable price.
What you’ll love: This switch lets users choose between VLAN and Quality of Service functions. It also has shielded ports, automatic traffic optimization and a fan-less design for low noise levels while active.
What you should consider: Some buyers had trouble keeping the power cable in.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Peter McGuthrie writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which Wonder Woman jewelry is best?
Looking to channel your inner Wonder Woman? Maybe you want a pair of earrings that show off the heroine’s signature “W” logo or a bracelet that channels her iconic gauntlets? There are great options when it comes to choosing the jewelry for celebrating Diana, Princess of the Amazons, a.k.a. Wonder Woman.
For a ring that can’t be beat, check out the Alari Design Wonder Woman Crown Ring, which has a timeless design that honors the spirit of Wonder Woman.
What to know before you buy Wonder Woman jewelry
Choosing a style era
While some Wonder Woman jewelry universally represents the superhero, it’s helpful to know which incarnation you’re looking to channel. There are stylistic differences between vintage and contemporary designs, particularly when it comes to comparing the original logo from the 1940s DC comic books to popular Wonder Woman toys and the Gal Gadot films of 2017 and 2020.
The first version of Wonder Woman’s logo was a yellow eagle against a red backdrop, though over the years the eagle has evolved into a golden W against several backdrops, including a red one and a gray one.
Replicas and costume-inspired jewelry
Are you looking for jewelry that celebrates Wonder Woman or emulates her? Jewelry that celebrates Wonder Woman features her logo, color scheme or other recognizable flourishes. Jewelry that emulates Wonder Woman is designed to look like jewelry or armor she wear in the comics or films. Such pieces include Wonder Woman’s golden tiara and extra-strong “gauntlets” that serve as matching bracelets on her wrists or forearms.
Fashion jewelry vs. fine jewelry
Fashion jewelry is not made from precious metals and is less expensive, while fine jewelry uses precious metals like gold, silver or platinum. Fine jewelry costs more and is designed to last longer. There’s lot of both kind of Wonder Woman jewelry, so consider which style and price best suits your needs.
What to look for in quality Wonder Woman jewelry
Signature color scheme
An excellent piece of Wonder Woman jewelry pays close attention to detail, and that means working the superhero’s signature colors into the design. Gold, red and blue are the original colors, though silver is sometimes added.
Recognizable symbols
There are several symbols closely associated with the hero, from the logo on her costume to the star in her tiara. When you look at these symbols, you recognize them immediately.
- Eagle: If you’re going for a more vintage look, the original 1941 Wonder Woman logo was an eagle. Since that logo has evolved over the years, however, this is probably the type of design only a die-hard Wonder Woman fan will notice.
- W: The contemporary W logo, based on the eagle design, is the most easily recognized symbol associated with Wonder Woman. You can still see traces of that eagle in the emblem’s wing-like edges.
- Star: A number of Wonder Woman designs feature a red star in the center of her tiara, and the symbol has been incorporated into a lot of jewelry designed to honor her.
- Tiara point: The triangular point of Wonder Woman’s tiara has become popular in ring designs based on the character and is usually accompanied by a star.
Strong materials
Most Wonder Woman jewelry involves metal, and since she is one of the most indestructible comic characters, you’ll want jewelry that lives up to that standard. Quality metals won’t chip or turn green over time. Gold, silver and stainless steel are especially known for their durability. Silver does tarnish, but can be polished. If metal isn’t the primary material, then the cord is made from something reliable like leather, wax or nylon.
How much you can expect to spend on Wonder Woman jewelry
Wonder Woman fashion jewelry costs $10-$40, while fine jewelry with the same theme costs $50-$1,000.
Wonder Woman jewelry FAQ
Which metals tarnish?
A. Brass, copper, aluminum and silver are more likely to tarnish. Gold can tarnish but does so less noticeably. Cobalt and platinum do not tarnish.
What is an alloy metal?
A. An alloy metal is a material that combines at least one metallic base other non-metallic elements. Alloy metals tend to be strong, affordable and resistant to corrosion. Most fine jewelry is made of alloys rather than pure metal, because pure gold and silver are too soft to stand alone.
What’s the best Wonder Woman jewelry to buy?
Top Wonder Woman jewelry
Alari Design Wonder Woman Crown Ring
What you need to know: This tiara-shaped ring is handmade in sterling silver with a deeply cut star engraved at the top.
What you’ll love: It’s well-crafted with a simple but elegant design. It comes in a wide variety of sizes. It can be engraved on the inside or outside for an additional fee and can be made in other metals, such as gold or bronze, upon request.
What you should consider: The thickest portion of the band is a little under half an inch.
Where to buy: Sold by Etsy
Top Wonder Woman jewelry for the money
Fandom Emporium Design Wonder Woman Charm Necklace Or Anklet
What you need to know: This necklace or ankle bracelet features a dozen colorful charms with iconic Wonder Woman imagery.
What you’ll love: The charms include Wonder Woman’s shield, sword, lasso, gauntlets and more. There are a wide array of necklace and anklet lengths. It’s made of alloy metals that are nickel-free.
What you should consider: It cannot be returned.
Where to buy: Sold by Etsy
Worth checking out
Alex and Ani Wonder Woman Expandable Bangle Bracelet
What you need to know: This gold-toned bangle bracelet is 2.4 inches in diameter and a little under an inch in width, with the Wonder Woman “W” logo etched across the surface.
What you’ll love: The details are beautiful and pair well with the metal’s golden shine. The cuff style is a fun callback to Diana’s gauntlets and the size is adjustable.
What you should consider: It might be too big for thinner wrists.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/fashion-accessories-br/jewelry-br/best-wonder-woman-jewelry/ | 2022-04-13T18:59:01 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/fashion-accessories-br/jewelry-br/best-wonder-woman-jewelry/ |
Which back massager for knots is best?
Muscle knots always seem to appear in the most difficult locations to reach, with the back being one of the worst. Massaging them away is usually the best solution, but you can’t reach the knots with just your hands. There are a huge variety of tools you can use instead, including guns, chairs and simple balls.
The best back massager for knots is TheraGun Pro Massage Gun. It includes several massage heads for targeting your back and everywhere else, but can be a challenge to use alone.
What to know before you buy a back massager for knots
Back massager types
There are four types of back massagers that can target knots.
- Manual massagers are good for traveling as they require no power source and are usually small to medium in size. They commonly take the form of balls or tubes but can be nearly any shape. For targeting knots, you need to place the massager on the ground or against a wall and press yourself into it in order to feel the benefits.
- Handheld massagers also take a few forms. Many look like showerheads or guns. These models usually have the widest range of features, such as heating and variable vibration strength. Some are easy to target knots on your own, though others may require another pair of hands to target the knot for you.
- Pillow massagers aren’t the best at targeting specific knots — instead, they target a small area of the back and soothe that area.
- Seat massagers come in a wide range of qualities. Some cheap models just vibrate the whole back, while better ones use multiple rolling balls to target your back area of choice, including a specific knot. Many also massage your neck while they’re at it.
Power source
Back massagers are either battery-powered or plug into an outlet.
- Battery-powered massagers are the easiest to operate since they have no cord to deal with. However, the quality of the battery varies greatly. Some can take hours to charge and only operate for 15 minutes, while others chew through disposable batteries. The best use rechargeable batteries that last for at least 30 minutes.
- Outlet-powered massagers don’t ever die in the middle of a session, but if the cord is short or oddly placed, it can be difficult to wield.
What to look for in a quality back massager for knots
Heat
Better back massagers have heat settings to soothe knots away while they’re targeted, with some including variable heat settings.
Timer
Over-massaging a knot is just as bad for it as ignoring it, so some back massagers have programmable timers to prevent such a thing from happening.
Variable vibration
Quality back massagers are able to decrease or increase their vibration power to treat knots of varying sizes and intensities.
How much you can expect to spend on a back massager for knots
Back massagers for knots can cost anywhere from $10-$1,000, and sometimes more. Basic manual massagers typically cost $50 or less, while the average powered massager usually costs $50-$150. The best massagers cost $150-plus.
Back massager for knots FAQ
Should I use a back massager on bare skin or over my clothes?
A. Most back massagers can be used on either bare skin or clothing with minimal changes in effect and operation. That said, it’s always best to wear thin clothing or none at all when using a back massager so your muscles can be better targeted. Some consumers have issues with their clothing causing chafing if they use a back massager. Others find skin-to-massager contact uncomfortable. Experiment to see which is most comfortable for you.
Can I use a back massager after back surgery?
A. Yes, but you need to give your doctor precise details of your back massager and how you intend to use it so they can tell you whether it’s safe. Without your doctor’s approval, never use a back massager after surgery.
Which type of back massager is easiest to aim?
A. Most back massagers are more than capable of targeting any stretch of your back. However, manual massagers can be tricky to properly place, and gun massagers can require someone else to aim it to hit certain spots. Seat massagers are the easiest to use solo, but most cover the whole back or a small zone rather than pinpointing one knot.
What’s the best back massager for knots to buy?
Top back massager for knots
What you need to know: This massager is powerful and treats any knot, not just those in your back.
What you’ll love: It’s among the most powerful massage guns, and it includes six swappable heads designed to target specific areas all over the body. The arm can rotate 90 degrees to more easily target specific areas, and it uses rechargeable batteries that can last for up to five hours.
What you should consider: It’s expensive. Some settings and head combinations are powerful enough to cause damage if used incorrectly. You may need help to treat your back.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Therabody
Top back massager for knots for the money
4Kor Fitness Ultimate Massage Ball
What you need to know: This manual massager is good for working out the occasional knot.
What you’ll love: It’s among the largest massage balls, with a 4.75-inch diameter. It’s made of thermoplastic rubber for durability and has a unique tread pattern to better grip your skin and clothing for increased control, and provide increased deep tissue massage performance.
What you should consider: A few consumers thought the ball was too hard and caused more pain rather than relieving it. It takes some effort to press it into your back.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Snailax Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager with Heat
What you need to know: This seat covers your entire back and neck at once.
What you’ll love: It can be placed into almost any chair to turn it into a massage chair, and it can also be used on couches. It can be set to target either the upper or lower back, entire back or a specific target area.
What you should consider: It’s a little pricey. Shorter people will need to add cushions in order to be positioned properly for full coverage.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/massage-relaxation-br/best-back-massager-for-knots/ | 2022-04-13T18:59:10 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/massage-relaxation-br/best-back-massager-for-knots/ |
Which blood pressure monitor with extra-large cuff is best?
If you need to monitor your blood pressure, it’s imperative to have the proper equipment to measure accurately. Not having a cuff that fits appropriately will lead to inaccurate results, which can be life-threatening. Some blood pressure monitors can use extra-large cuffs purchased after the fact, but buying the monitor and cuff together is simpler and more cost-effective.
The best combination is the Life Source Upper-Arm Blood Pressure Monitor With Extra-Large Cuff. It fits biceps up to 23.6 inches in circumference.
What to know before you buy a blood pressure monitor with extra-large cuff
Automatic vs. manual
Most blood pressure monitors outside of a doctor’s office are automatic, constricting and taking readings at the touch of a button. This is because it’s surprisingly complex to get an accurate reading using a manual monitor. They take more accurate readings, but it takes significant training and practice for medical staff to be able to use them correctly. Unless you have the training, always choose an automatic monitor.
Cuff size
Most cuffs included with a blood pressure monitor are one-size-fits-all, which is typically too small for those with extra-large arms. Most product descriptions state the circumferences the included cuff is sized for — simply measure your bicep and compare.
Extra-large cuffs usually fit biceps up to 17-18 inches in circumference, though some go as large as 24 inches. If your arm is larger than this , you may need to search harder for specialty medical gear.
What to look for in a quality blood pressure monitor with extra-large cuff
Speed
Taking a blood pressure reading can be uncomfortable, which is why searching for one that requires less time is preferred. The best typically need 20 seconds or less to get a reading while the worst can take more than a minute.
Alerts
It can be difficult to understand what all the numbers mean on a blood pressure monitor. That’s why some include alert systems that explicitly tell you if your blood pressure is too high or low. More advanced monitors also check your heartbeat and alert you if they detect an irregular beat. Don’t rely solely on your monitor, though — if it gives you an alert, always double-check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Multi-user
Some blood pressure monitors can save and track the results of more than one user at once.
How much you can expect to spend on a blood pressure monitor with extra-large cuff
Basic blood pressure monitors with extra-large cuffs can cost as little as $20-$40, though most cost $50-$80. More feature-rich models can cost $100 or more.
Blood pressure monitor with extra-large cuff FAQ
What are the best practices for getting accurate readings?
A. Here’s what to do:
- Read and carefully follow your monitor’s instructions.
- Sit in a backed chair with your feet firmly on the ground and your arms by your side.
- Don’t exercise or consume cigarettes or coffee within 30 minutes of your planned reading.
- Take your readings as close to the same time as possible each day.
- Take three readings one minute apart from the others for an average.
Are at-home blood pressure monitors less reliable than those found in doctors’ offices?
A. It’s difficult to generalize as there are so many blood pressure monitors. The best way to gauge reliability is by comparing a reading from your at-home monitor to a reading taken by your doctor. At-home and doctors’ office monitors both need to be calibrated every few years to ensure they’re still giving accurate results, meaning both have the opportunity to be unreliable.
What’s the best blood pressure monitor with extra-large cuff to buy?
Top blood pressure monitor with extra-large cuff
Life Source Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor With Extra-Large Cuff
What you need to know: This has one of the largest included cuffs.
What you’ll love: Its cuff fits bicep circumferences of 16.5-23.6 inches and its accuracy has been clinically validated. It can store up to 60 readings and has a five-year warranty on the monitor and a two-year warranty on the cuff.
What you should consider: It doesn’t read and display as many data points as other monitors. Amazon doesn’t allow returns of this monitor, so make sure your arm and the cuff sizes line up.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples
Top blood pressure monitor with extra-large cuff for the money
Yuwell Blood Pressure Monitor With Extra-Large Upper Arm Cuff
What you need to know: This is good for those who need to keep a more casual eye on their blood pressure.
What you’ll love: The included cuff fits bicep circumferences of 8.8-17.7 inches. It takes a huge variety of readings and reads them out with an American-accent voice. It can store up to 99 readings and is certified by the Food and Drug Administration.
What you should consider: A few consumers had issues with readings that were higher than they should be, with follow-up readings showing a more accurate result.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This is easy to use and packed with data points.
What you’ll love: The included cuff fits bicep circumferences of 8-17 inches. The large LCD screen is backlit for easy reading in any light and it only takes 30 seconds for a reading to be taken. It can also store separate readings for two people.
What you should consider: A few consumers reported readings that were slightly higher than what was accurate. Others had issues with the buttons not responding on occasion.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/medical-supplies-equipment-br/best-blood-pressure-monitor-with-extra-large-cuff/ | 2022-04-13T18:59:18 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/medical-supplies-equipment-br/best-blood-pressure-monitor-with-extra-large-cuff/ |
Which fonio flour is best?
Fonio is the gluten-free super grain native to Africa that you didn’t know you needed. These cultivated grains are related to millet and are a staple of North African cuisine. They come in either white or black varieties. Fonio is prized for its deeply nutritious value and often served at celebratory events. When the whole grain is milled, the resulting flour is an excellent flour substitute for baked goods and savory dishes alike.
On its own, this “seed of the universe” has a mild nutty taste and adds a punch of nutrition to your food. Yolele Fonio Flour has a fine texture and is a great place to start exploring this versatile baking ingredient.
What to know before you buy fonio flour
Intended use
If you want to find a gluten-free flour substitute that is high in protein but works in a variety of applications, fonio is a great choice. For baked goods, make sure that the flour is light and easy to blend. This will help keep textures correct as you substitute it for traditional flours. For thickening, and for cooking that requires less finesse, a coarser blend works well.
Correct substitutions
Fonio flour is heavier than some other traditional gluten-free flour substitutes, such as rice flour or tapioca starch. It works best in place of heavier flours such as wheat or buckwheat.
Keep in mind that the final product of recipes that only use fonio flour may have a denser texture than you are used to.
Nutritional benefits
Fonio flour has a low glycemic index and works in paleo, vegan and keto diet plans. It is high in fiber and protein; this may aid in weight loss as it keeps you feeling full for a longer period of time.
What to look for in quality fonio flour
Non-GMO
The flour you buy should be made from non-GMO grains. This ensures that organic growing and harvesting practices are followed.
Finely milled
The last thing you want is a gritty texture in your exquisite baked goods. Look for flour that is finely milled to reduce grit in the final product.
No fillers
Look for an ingredient list with just one ingredient. Your flour should not include any fillers, binders or other unnecessary ingredients.
How to use fonio flour
- Origin: Seek out products sourced in Africa. Even if the grain is milled in the U.S., this is how you know the flour is authentic and of high quality.
- Measurement: Measure flour with the fluff-scoop-level technique. Use a spoon to fluff it, then scoop it into your measuring cup and use a knife to level.
- Grind it: Consider purchasing whole fonio grains and using a mortar and pestle (or heavy-duty food processor) to make your own fresh flour. This also lets you control its texture — very fine for lighter applications such as pastry, and coarse for muffins or quick bread.
- Cook it: If you want to experiment with the fonio grain itself, cook as you would rice, using a 2-to-1 ratio of water to fonio.
How much you can expect to spend on fonio flour
The harvesting process is labor-intensive, and fonio flour can be expensive. Expect to spend $10-$20 per pound.
Fonio flour FAQ
What is the difference between white and black fonio?
A. White fonio is also known as “hungry rice” across Europe. It is the most common variety found outside of Africa and is often used to efficiently feed populations at risk of starvation.
Black fonio is grown in Benin, Nigeria and Togo, and is less commonly exported to other regions. It has a nutritional profile similar to that of white fonio.
How do you use fonio flour?
A. For people who are avoiding gluten or who simply want to add more nutrition to their diet, fonio flour is a great option. The grain can be used in the same way as you would use quinoa or rice, but the flour is great for thickening soups and sauces. It’s perfect in:
- Breads
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Muffins
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Smoothies
Substitute fonio for a heavier flour such as wheat or buckwheat when baking, or use a 1-to-1 ratio of fat to fonio flour to create a thickening roux or slurry for soups, stews and sauces.
What’s the best fonio flour to buy?
Top fonio flour
What you need to know: The mild flavor is perfect for those just starting to explore this ancient grain.
What you’ll love: It is fine-milled and has a mild, slightly sweet taste. It’s made from non-GMO fonio harvested in Africa. It has no fillers and is packed with protein, fiber and healthy amino acids. It’s vegan.
What you should consider: For gluten-free baking, adding too much fonio flour can result in very dry baked goods. Be sure to increase hydration accordingly.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top fonio flour for the money
Shipetaukin Multipurpose Fonio Flour
What you need to know: This protein-packed flour is mild and light — good for baking, especially.
What you’ll love: It’s non-GMO and free of all fillers or additional ingredients. Each quarter cup has 2 grams of protein. It is sourced in West Africa but packed in the U.S.
What you should consider: Although it is the cheapest option per pound, it’s a hefty price tag to try a new product.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: Adventurous cooks will appreciate the opportunity to try three new flours at once.
What you’ll love: This bundle includes fonio flour, plus cassava and tapioca. Each is made only from their respective grains, and all are kosher, vegan and gluten-free.
What you should consider: If you just want to try fonio, pass this by. But at the price it’s a great way to expand your cooking repertoire.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Suzannah Kolbeck writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/kitchen-br/best-fonio-flour/ | 2022-04-13T18:59:27 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/kitchen-br/best-fonio-flour/ |
Comparing lump charcoal and briquettes
One of the most heated debates in all of grilling is whether to use lump charcoal or briquettes. There are die-hard proponents on both sides, which makes sense since each has its benefits and drawbacks. Lump charcoal is carbonized wood without any impurities, which is why purists love it. Briquettes are often made with additives that let them burn longer and more consistently, making them easier for the average home griller.
Lump charcoal
Lump charcoal is wood that has been burned down to its purest form. It goes through a carbonization process called charring where it is burned in a low-oxygen environment to get rid of moisture, sap and other impurities. What’s left is pure carbon, ideal for grilling and barbecuing foods without imparting any unwanted flavors.
Lump charcoal pros
There are many things to like about lump charcoal.
- Quick lighting: It lights easily, without the need for lighter fluid, and burns hot and fast. This makes it perfect for meats you want to cook at very high heats or get a heavy sear on.
- No chemical flavor: The lack of impurities means that it will impart a nice smoky flavor to your foods without giving it any kind of chemical taste. This also results in it burning cleanly and leaving behind minimal ash in your charcoal grill.
- Responds fast: Lump charcoal fires respond quickly to added oxygen, so you can easily control the temperature if your grill has adjustable air vents. (Be careful not to give it too much oxygen, as it can quickly get so hot it burns your food.)
Lump charcoal cons
If you have never cooked with lump charcoal before, it can take some getting used to. It burns much quicker than briquettes, so you’ll need to periodically add more charcoal if cooking food for a long period. It also tends to be more expensive, so it may not be the right choice for those on a tight budget.
Best lump charcoal
Fogo Super Premium Oak Restaurant-Quality Lump Charcoal
This is designed to bridge the gap between the cooking times of lump charcoal and briquettes. It consists of pieces 4 inches or longer, so it burns longer than many other charcoals, yet still lights easily and can reach high temperatures for heavy searing.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Kohl’s
Best lump charcoal for the money
Jealous Devil All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
It’s made from dense South American hardwoods so it can burn hotter and longer than many other lump charcoals. This makes it a good choice for both high-temperature searing and low, slow barbecuing. It burns with little popping and sparks and leaves behind only a small amount of ash.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Briquettes
If you go to your neighborhood store and buy the first bag of charcoal you see, more than likely briquettes are what you will get. These small, squarish blocks are what come to mind when most people picture charcoal.
Briquettes are often made from a combination of sawdust and other wood byproducts, compressed together with additives to help them maintain their shape, light easier and burn longer and more consistently. The move to purer forms of fuel has carried over into the briquette world, though, and now you also can find some made from carbonized wood and little else.
Briquette pros
One of the main advantages briquettes offer over lump charcoal is consistency. A company’s briquettes always come in the same shape and size, so you know exactly how long they will burn. This also makes them easy to stack when making your fire.
Briquettes tend to burn longer than lump charcoal, which makes them ideal for large cuts of meat that require low, slow cooking. They also are more affordable.
Briquette cons
There are some downsides to briquettes you should consider before reaching for a bag.
They can be difficult to light without a charcoal chimney or lighter fluid. Because of that, many manufacturers sell some briquettes pre-infused with a chemical that helps them light quicker and easier. It is important to wait until these briquettes are entirely gray before you start cooking your food, or they can impart a noticeably chemical taste.
Their additives mean they don’t burn as cleanly, either. Most leave behind a large pile of ash, so expect more cleanup than when using lump charcoal.
Best briquettes
Kingsford Professional Competition Briquettes
Grill masters know to turn to Kingsford’s competition briquettes when they need fuel that will burn at a consistent temperature for a long time. They are ready to grill on after about 10 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long before you can start cooking, and they are made using one of Kingsford’s lowest-ash formulas.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best briquettes for the money
Royal Oak Natural Organic Premium Hardwood Charcoal Briquettes
This is popular because it is both sustainably sourced and organic, so you can feel good about using it for a couple of reasons. That it’s affordably priced and gives food a nice smoky flavor are just bonuses.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Kohl’s
Should you buy lump charcoal or briquettes
The answer depends entirely on what you feel is most important. If you want the purest smoky flavor from your food and nothing else, and you don’t mind the learning curve that comes along with achieving a consistent fire with lump charcoal, it is probably the right option.
On the other hand, if you want something affordable, consistent, and easy to use, and you don’t mind not being able to create as heavy a sear on your foods, briquettes are the way to go.
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Brett Dvoretz writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/patio-br/grilling-outdoor-cooking-br/lump-charcoal-vs-briquettes-which-is-better/ | 2022-04-13T18:59:33 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/patio-br/grilling-outdoor-cooking-br/lump-charcoal-vs-briquettes-which-is-better/ |
Best dog selfie sticks
It’s natural that you want to take selfies with your pup to have a record of the good times you have together, but dogs won’t always play ball — or would rather be playing with balls than posing for a selfie.
If you’re sick of filling your camera roll with endless photos of you with your dog looking the other way or appearing uninterested, you need help. With the right advice, you’ll soon learn how to take the perfect selfie with your dog.
Don’t force your dog to take a selfie with you
You might want to record a nice moment for posterity or get more likes on Instagram, but your dog doesn’t care about any of that. That doesn’t mean you should never take a selfie with your pooch, but don’t force it — stop if they seem stressed out. After all, you want to capture a pleasant memory, not a time when your dog was getting annoyed with you for sticking a phone in their face.
You’ll usually get better results after a play session with their favorite ball or at other times when they’re relaxed, happy and curious, rather than when they’re napping or engaged in something else.
Go to your dog rather than bringing them to you
If your dog gets stressed, impatient or fidgety when you ask them to pose for a selfie, try entering their space instead of bringing them into yours. For instance, if your dog’s standing out in the yard, soaking up some rays, kneel down next to them and get a quick snap of the two of you together. Your dog probably won’t even notice what you’re doing, or you might capture a sweet unstaged moment as your dog greets you.
Use natural lighting for pet selfies
All dogs are beautiful, but the right lighting will make them look just as good in a photo as they do in three dimensions. Natural lighting will capture your dog’s coloring and the texture of their coat better than artificial light, so switch off those overhead lights and position yourself near a window, or head outside.
Turn off the flash
Natural lighting is ideal, but even bright artificial lights are far better than using a flash. Photos generally look better without flashes, which tend to wash out their subjects and cause red eyes. More importantly, a flash can startle dogs and hurt their eyes, so you should always avoid it in pet photography. Make sure you have the flash turned off before you take a photo with your dog.
Consider burst mode when taking selfies with your dog
Dogs are notoriously fidgety when taking photos, so you might press the shutter button at the perfect moment, only for your dog to move right away, leaving your image a blurred mess. You’ll usually get better results by using your phone’s burst mode, which takes multiple photos in quick succession. This way, you should get a good photo even if your dog moves mid-snap.
Avoid distractions for your dog
Let’s face it, dogs are easily distracted. It’s not fair to expect your canine companion to pose patiently for a photo with all kinds of distractions around them. If there are other dogs to greet at the dog park, squirrels to chase or delivery drivers to bark at, let your pup do their thing and choose a different time to take a selfie with them.
Resort to bribery to get the perfect selfie with your dog
There’s no shame in bribing your dog to take a selfie with you. A liberal dose of treats sweetens the deal for most dogs. Small training treats, such as Zuke’s Mini Naturals, are ideal because you can ply your pup with lots of them without adding too many extra calories to their diet.
Use treats to encourage your dog to sit and wait, take a selfie or two, then give them another treat as a reward for sitting still. If you have someone else with you, ask them to hold a treat just beyond the camera to keep your dog’s attention while you snap a selfie.
If your dog isn’t food motivated, you can reward them with a play session instead. For example, if they know they’ll get to play with their favorite tug toy after a selfie session, it will build positive associations so your dog will eventually look forward to selfie time.
Use a dog selfie stick
Think about using a dog selfie stick to capture the perfect picture of your pup. These devices aren’t really selfie sticks, as such — you could more accurately describe them as selfie tools.
You clip them on top of your phone and they can hold treats or toys, or have built-in toys. This captures your dog’s attention while you get a selfie — the perfect solution if your dog is usually staring off to one side or looking at the floor in selfies, rather than looking even remotely in the direction of the camera.
Best dog selfie sticks
Get your dog’s attention with a squeaking tennis ball for a happy, engaged face in every shot.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Chewy
Fred Howligans Woofie Pet Selfie Tool
One end of this tool attaches to the top of your phone while the other holds a treat of your choice — the perfect way to get the attention of a food-motivated dog.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Consisting of a flexible arm with a clip on the end to hold a favorite treat or toy, it easily helps you get a decent selfie with your pup.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/pets-br/toys-br/how-to-take-the-perfect-selfie-with-your-pup/ | 2022-04-13T18:59:39 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/pets-br/toys-br/how-to-take-the-perfect-selfie-with-your-pup/ |
Which squat rack is best?
A squat rack is the single-most effective piece of fitness equipment for building strength and muscle. Whether you’re new to lifting weights or looking to take your workouts to the next level, a squat rack can dramatically alter your routine by enabling a huge variety of exercises.
This bedrock piece of equipment is a big commitment. So choosing the right one for your home or gym depends on available space and your fitness goals. In general, the best squat rack for home-gym users is the Fitness Gear Pro Half Rack.
What to know before you buy a squat rack
What a squat rack is
Squat racks are metal stands designed to support the weight of a fully loaded barbell. They’re used to perform a number of Olympic weightlifting exercises, from squats to presses. While bare-bones models feature a single two-pronged stand on which you rest a barbell, more elaborate squat racks include safety pins, weight-storage pins and pull-up bars.
Exercises you can perform using a squat rack
Primarily used to perform their namesake compound movement, a squat rack’s simplicity can be used for numerous Olympic lifts and isolation exercises. With a rack alone, you can perform overhead presses, bent-over rows, front and back squats, lunges, curls and shoulder shrugs.
With the addition of an adjustable bench, users can bench press in the neutral, incline or decline position. And if you have the right floor or pads, a squat rack can be used for deadlifts, Pendlay rows and other floor-based exercises.
Olympic vs. standard weights
Squat racks are designed to hold Olympic barbells and weights. An Olympic barbell is about 45 pounds, 7.2 feet in length and 1 inch in diameter with 2-inch diameter end sleeves. Olympic weights are divided into 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 35 and 45 pounds. Each plate has a 2-inch diameter hole.
Contrary to their name, standard weights and barbells are not standardized. Barbells can vary dramatically in length and diameter and are usually not compatible with Olympic racks. Likewise, the weights’ increments, materials and sizes depend on the manufacturer. The only consistent factor is that they usually have a 1-inch diameter hole, which makes them too small for Olympic barbell sleeves.
Squat rack vs. power rack
These days, squat racks have dramatically improved upon the simple two-pronged stand. This makes them similar to power racks, which are metal cages used to perform the same lifts. Because of this, the only real advantage of a power rack is enhanced safety thanks to their structural rigidity.
What to look for in a quality squat rack
Design
- Squat stand: This is the simplest design. It has two vertical bars supported by horizontal bracing so you can rest a loaded barbell. They might not come with safety pins to catch the bar if you fail a lift. These take up the least space.
- Half rack: These are half of a power rack, so they’re a little sturdier than a stand, and bigger. They also usually come with safety pins and weight-storage pins, and their height allows for a built-in pull-up bar.
- Standard squat rack: These take up the most space. They have two static safety bars at about hip height that connect to an angled, triangular cage with numerous fixed barbell holders. These racks are the least likely to tip, and usually come with plenty of weight storage capacity. Their only downside is their lack of adjustability.
- Combo rack: Often sold by brands with standard-weight sets, these are designed to maximize exercise potential. In addition to vertical bars, they can feature safety bars, benches, pull-down and leg supports. If you’re a purist, combo racks can prove unwieldy and obstructive when trying to perfect form.
Size
Squat racks take up a lot of room. If you’re outfitting your home gym, you need to take the rack’s entire footprint into account. A squat stand is the safest bet, but depending floor space and ceiling height, you might be able to get away with a standard squat rack or half rack.
In addition to space, commercial and brick-and-mortar gyms should focus on the fitness ecosystem. Half racks and squat racks are the best choices, as each type has significant weight-storage capacity to support other pieces of equipment throughout the gym.
Weight limit
Verify its loaded capacity before purchasing a squat rack. Most can hold 400-600 pounds, including the barbell. For novice and intermediate home gym users, this should be more than enough for years of incremental progress. Advanced lifters and gym owners should look to half racks, or even power racks, which hold more weight (often up to 1,000 pounds).
How much you can expect to spend on a squat rack
Squat racks represent a significant investment. Simple stands cost between $150-$250, and a standard rack or half rack can cost as much as $300-$1,000.
Squat rack FAQ
What fitness routines use a squat rack?
A. Squat racks fit into just about any fitness regimen. They’re especially popular among power lifters who use them for hypertrophy or strength-training exercises. A squat rack can also be used for CrossFit, bodybuilding or high-intensity interval training.
Do squat racks come with barbells and weights?
A. Most racks require you to purchase the barbell and weights separately.
What’s the best squat rack to buy?
Top squat rack
What you need to know: With its small footprint, this sturdy half rack is great for home gyms without a lot of space.
What you’ll love: Weightlifters of all levels can get a lot of use out of this rack’s 600-pound capacity. Its safety pin and barbell holders are adjustable, and the top cross bar features separate grips for chin- and pull-ups. You also have ample weight plate storage potential with three posts on either side that can hold 180 pounds each.
What you should consider: Its feet don’t have any knobs for resistance bands.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Top squat rack for the money
What you need to know: This squat stand covers all of the basics for home users on a budget.
What you’ll love: The rack has a condensed design, so it’s easy to tuck into a cramped room. You get an angled multi-grip pull-up bar at the top, anchor points for resistance bands and two storage posts for weights.
What you should consider: This isn’t the best rack for heavy lifters, as it can only hold 300 pounds and the safety pins are on the shorter side.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Sunny Health and Fitness Power Zone Half Rack Heavy-Duty Performance Power Cage
What you need to know: This fully loaded half rack has something to target every muscle group.
What you’ll love: With a whopping 1,000-pound weight limit, it’s tough to max this rack out. Not only does it come with three adjustable pull-up bars, but also resistance-band knobs at the bottom for warmups and isometric exercises. Both the barbell holder and safety pins are fully adjustable, and this rack can be paired with a number of accessories to maximize your workout options.
What you should consider: It’s bulky and poorly suited for low ceilings.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Karl Daum writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/fitness-equipment-br/best-squat-rack/ | 2022-04-13T18:59:47 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/fitness-equipment-br/best-squat-rack/ |
Which are best: trail running shoes or hiking boots?
There are plenty of ways to stay active and improve your cardiovascular health. Some people prefer to hit the trails for either a leisurely walk in the woods, while others like to pick up the pace and run along the trail. Both of these activities can improve your health, and they get you out into nature, which has its own benefits.
But if you’re looking to be more active on hiking trails, you need to find what type of shoe is right for your particular adventure. Trail running shoes have a tread level appropriate enough to grip more than just a paved road. Hiking boots, however, offer a thicker, more durable support and are often waterproof.
Trail running shoes
Trail running shoes are low-top shoes used for running longer distances with sudden elevation level changes. They grip well on uneven and winding running trails in the wilderness. These shoes allow you to focus on the cardio aspect of trail running. Several shoe companies make models that fit both men and women comfortably.
Trail running shoes pros
Trail running shoes have excellent traction and are very comfortable. They keep your feet firmly gripped to the trail, no matter the terrain. These shoes also offer some arch support and fit just below the ankle to provide full range of motion. You can run confidently on sidewalks, streets or gravel trails in this style of shoe.
Trail running shoes cons
These shoes are meant for running on well-maintained hiking trails, so if you intend to go off-road, you will want something different. And while they are weather-resistant, very few are waterproof. Furthermore, if you run somewhere with tall grass or other high foliage, grass and leaves can get into your shoes easily due to the low-top style.
Best trail running shoes
These trail running shoes are perfect for women who need an all-terrain grip. They have rubber soles and are weather-resistant.
Sold by Amazon
This model is ideal for those who like running on all kinds of terrain. You can move comfortably across streets or trails in these lightweight, cushioned shoes.
Sold by Amazon
Saucony Versafoam Excursion Tr13
These have a triangular-lugged outsole to provide traction that you need on various terrains. They have a cushioned sole that allows you to run comfortably for short and long distances.
Sold by Amazon
Hiking boots
Hiking boots are designed to be sturdy, durable and maintain plenty of traction on the hiking trail. They have additional support in the heel and ankle to keep you steady. There are several hiking boots models for men and women that allow you to move throughout various environments with ease. Hiking boots tend to have a bit more support and coverage, specifically due to the mid- to high-tops that cover your ankle bone and keep debris out of the boot. These features protect your feet and help prevent injury both on and off the trail.
Hiking boots pros
The benefit of using hiking boots is that they provide a lot of protection for your feet. With these boots, you can walk through puddles, snow, mud and even venture a bit off-trail. They come up high enough on the foot and ankle to keep out grass, dirt and small rocks. Hiking boots are also typically waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about wet socks and potential blisters if it starts to rain on your hike.
Hiking boots cons
This style of boot is very heavy-duty. And they may weigh too much if you are just going on a level park trail or walking on paved roads. Furthermore, since they are not running shoes, they do not allow you the same kind of full-range mobility that low-top shoes provide.
Best hiking boots
Keen Women’s Voyageur Mid Hiking Boot
These shoes feature a sturdy design and use mesh and leather to keep your feet dry. They work well in all kinds of terrain, including mud, rocks and uneven surfaces.
Sold by Amazon
These hiking boots have synthetic soles and can be used both on and off the trails. Many users reported these had excellent arch support, too.
Sold by Amazon
Keen Men’s Targhee II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
These are comfortable to wear for long-distance hikes, and some users have said that they helped with foot pain. They are durable and useful for all terrains.
Sold by Amazon
Columbia Men’s Redmond Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
These hiking shoes use Omni-grip technology, which holds great traction on any surface. You can wear them in rocky, rough conditions or on a clear-cut path.
Sold by Amazon
Should you get trail running shoes or hiking boots?
It depends on how active you plan to be. If you want to run for long distances on designated trails, you will get the most use out of trail running shoes. However, if you want to start hiking in the woods or in the mud, you will need hiking boots. They are both useful for their own particular adventure.
If you are trying to decide between hiking or trail running, consider your current fitness and wellness level as well as your goals. Both hiking and trail running are great for your health, but trail running requires a bit more agility and coordination. If you want to get into nature and hike, moving at a slower pace through the woods might be a better match. Either way, both shoe styles can provide you with the right amount of grip and support that you’ll need on the trail.
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Erica Redding writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/footwear-br/trail-running-shoes-vs-hiking-boots/ | 2022-04-13T18:59:56 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/footwear-br/trail-running-shoes-vs-hiking-boots/ |
Which Funko Pop bobblehead is best?
Funko Pop has thousands of figurines to collect and display, not to mention a handful of different types of figurines. The most playful type is a Funko Pop bobblehead. The little ones are perfect for adding to your desk for a little lighthearted fun, while the big ones can be an entertaining centerpiece.
The best Funko Pop bobblehead is Funko Pop Marvel: Dancing Groot Bobblehead. Put on some music and give this bobblehead a tap to relive the famous “Guardians of the Galaxy” post-credits scene.
What to know before you buy a Funko Pop bobblehead
Funko Pop bobblehead types
Funko Pop bobbleheads come in a few forms and sizes.
- Standard bobbleheads are similar to Funko’s vinyl figurines, being that they’re roughly 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide, save for their necks being attached to the spring that lets them bobble.
- Oversized bobbleheads are just that — oversized. Most are somewhere from 6-10 inches tall and have varying widths.
- Deluxe bobbleheads are large, extravagant pieces. They take a character and pair it with something connected to them that they often sit on or stand beside.
- Ride bobbleheads are halfway between a standard and a deluxe Pop. They’re typically the same size as standards but are depicted riding something rather than having the bobble be paired to a body.
Source material
If the source material you’re passionate about is even slightly known to pop culture, it’s likely that Funko has made a bobblehead of it. Major pop culture properties from Disney like Marvel and “Star Wars” are common, as are figurines from many popular TV shows, including “Game of Thrones” and “The Office.”
What to look for in a quality Funko Pop bobblehead
Boxed vs. unboxed
Funko Pop bobbleheads are packaged in boxes bearing the character’s name, the source that they come from, authenticating information and the mold they come from. Whether you remove them or keep them in the box has a huge bearing on several factors.
- Boxed bobbleheads are more valuable to collectors and resellers. The box preserves the condition of the bobblehead and proves it’s an authentic Funko Pop. Always purchase an authenticated boxed bobblehead if you want to ensure it’s a quality purchase.
- Unboxed bobbleheads are less valuable, but they’re more enjoyable to enthusiasts who just like the character. The head can be bobbled, it’s easier to display, kids can play with them, etc. If an unboxed bobblehead is purchased from a secondary market, it may be noticeably inauthentic and low-quality.
Chase variants
Some Funko Pop bobbleheads have rare chase variants that are more valuable than the base bobblehead. These variations are often minimal, but you can’t specifically order them. They only have a small chance of inclusion when purchasing the original model online.
How much you can expect to spend on a Funko Pop bobblehead
Basic Funko Pop bobbleheads cost just over $11. Most cost $15-$30, with some of the larger or harder-to-find bobbleheads costing more. Secondary market bobbleheads can cost hundreds.
Funko Pop bobblehead FAQ
How should I clean a Funko Pop bobblehead?
A. This depends on whether or not it’s still in the box. Boxed Funko Pop bobbleheads only require a brief dusting at least once a month to stay clean. Unboxed bobbleheads also require dusting, but it must be as gentle a dusting as possible. Being too rough can damage the springs responsible for the bobble, making the head lie skewed to the side rather than remaining upright.
What’s the best method for tracking my Funko Pop bobblehead collection?
A. There are dozens of methods for tracking your Funko Pop collection, bobbleheads and all, from digital trackers online to manually updating a spreadsheet. The official Funko app is one of the better online trackers, but if you’re serious about collecting, it’s worth experimenting until you find an organizational system that works best for you.
What do the numbers on the top right of the box mean?
A. The number relates to the order in which a given Funko Pop in a specific line was produced. For example, in the Marvel line of Funko Pops, there have been hundreds of rounds of productions, with any number of Pops produced in each round. So, an upper right number of 11 means that Pop was part of the eleventh round of Pops produced in the Marvel line.
What’s the best Funko Pop bobblehead to buy?
Top Funko Pop bobblehead
Funko Pop Marvel: Dancing Groot Bobblehead
What you need to know: This is a cute bobblehead for Marvel fans and plant lovers.
What you’ll love: Marvel fans will love being able to bob along with this bobblehead for a fun and stress-relieving break from work and other hassles. The top of Dancing Groot has just enough space to be converted into a miniature planter.
What you should consider: A few consumers were unhappy with the stability of the base, reporting it to be too top-heavy to always safely bobble.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Funko Pop bobblehead for the money
Funko Pop Marvel: Deadpool as Bob Ross
What you need to know: This is a clever pop culture intersection as a bobblehead.
What you’ll love: The figurine is stable and balanced, making it easy to tap the bobblehead without knocking it over. The Deadpool and Bob Ross combination is perfect for Marvel fans, especially for Marvel historians looking to remember one of the original “Deadpool” film’s best ad spots.
What you should consider: A few consumers received damaged boxes, which is devaluating for collectors.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Funko Pop Deluxe Mandalorian: The Mandalorian & The Child on Bantha
What you need to know: This is an excellent centerpiece for “Star Wars” fans.
What you’ll love: This is among the more detailed Funko bobbleheads available — the fur of the bantha, the armor details of the Mandalorian and the cute Grogu attached to the back. The Tatooine sand base is stable enough to tap the bobblehead without risking it tipping over.
What you should consider: It takes up a large amount of space, both in-box and out. There are some rare reports of missing jetpacks on the Mandalorian.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/theme-toys-br/best-funko-pop-bobblehead/ | 2022-04-13T19:00:04 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/theme-toys-br/best-funko-pop-bobblehead/ |
Which Kevin Minion toy is best?
“Despicable Me” was a hit when it came out, due partially to the adorable Minion characters, and the Minions are still popular, thanks to the movie’s sequels and spinoffs. Kevin is the tall Minion with two eyes and many people’s favorite character.
If you or your kid want a Kevin Minion toy, you can’t go wrong with the Just Play 15-Inch Plush Kung Fu Kevin, which is decked out in goggles, gloves and a yellow jumpsuit.
What to know before you buy a Kevin Minion toy
Types of Kevin Minion toys
- Plush: These are popular display items, and their smooth material makes them fun to squeeze and cuddle. Sometimes, they play sounds or music when you press them. Although they’re soft, Minion plush toys often feature plastic goggles.
- Action figure: These may have movable arms and legs. Most feature one of the many wacky props they use in the movies, such as the fart gun, freeze ray or a banana.
- Collectible: These are used as display pieces and don’t have movable arms and legs. Funko Pops are the most popular Minion collectibles.
Age recommendations
The recommended age range for Minion plush toys is 3 and up, as they don’t contain small pieces or sharp edges. Although the plastic goggles may eventually fall off, they don’t pose a choking hazard. Small action figures are best suited for children 5 and older.
Batteries
Most Minion toys don’t require batteries, though they may be included with those that require them for operation. Many interactive toys require AA batteries and eventually require replacements. Small action figures require LR44 batteries.
Kevin’s personality
In the “Minions” spinoff movie, Kevin is the leader of the trio. He loves to tease other Minions and is frequently seen in golf attire. He isn’t known for being particularly smart. Like all Minions, Kevin lives to find a master to serve.
Kevin Minion toy size
Kevin toys come in a variety of sizes. Many Kevin plush toys are 7-12 inches tall, while some are up to 20 inches tall. Kevin action figures are 4-6 inches tall. Some toy sets include numerous tiny Minions less than 1 inch tall.
Ease of cleaning
Kids get their toys dirty if they play with them daily. You can clean action figures and collectibles with a damp washcloth or moist towelette. You can use the washer and dryer for many plush toys, but you should use the cold and light settings. Still, it’s usually best to use a damp washcloth and spot clean plush toys.
What to look for in a quality Kevin Minion toy
Accurate design
The Minions have a specific style. Officially licensed toys are usually the best designed. Still, several third-party manufacturers produce great toys. Quality Minion toys capture the personality of the character.
Features
The Minions have numerous gadgets they use, many of which come with the toys. Toys with gadgets that light up, make sound effects and fire projectiles are ideal. Some Minion toys include interactive expressions or remote-controlled roller skates. Several Minion toys, such as the Action Assortment figures, interact with each other.
Outfits
Although Kevin’s classic overalls are great, he’s known for wearing numerous costumes in the movies. Kevin’s yellow kung fu outfit is a popular choice. Many Kevin toys show him wearing pilot’s outfits, golfer outfits and more.
Durability
Durability is essential when buying plush toys. Cheaply made plush toys can rip, and the material they’re stuffed with may pose a choking hazard. Children are rough on action figures, so you’ll want a sturdy toy with arms and legs that won’t break off easily.
How much you can expect to spend on a Kevin Minion toy
Most Kevin Minion toys cost $10-$20.
Kevin Minion toy FAQ
Is Kevin the most popular Minion?
A. Kevin, Stuart and Bob are the three most recognizable Minions. Kevin’s leadership role in the spinoff movie made him quite popular.
What language do the Minions speak?
A. The Minions’ language is a mixture of English, Spanish, French, gibberish and food references.
How do you know if a Minion toy is durable?
A. In many cases, the materials aren’t listed in the product description. The best way to determine a toy’s durability is by reading product reviews.
What’s the best Kevin Minion toy to buy?
Top Kevin Minion toy
Just Play 15-Inch Plush Kung Fu Kevin
What you need to know: This plush showcases Kevin in one of his most popular costumes.
What you’ll love: It stands nearly 16 inches tall and is soft but durable. The arms are posable. The hard plastic goggles are securely attached to the plush material.
What you should consider: The goggles make it top-heavy.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Kevin Minion toy for the money
Minions: Rise of Gru Kevin Action Figure
What you need to know: This action figure features a flamethrower that fires pretend flames at the press of a button.
What you’ll love: It’s compatible with numerous other figures, including the Wild Rider RC vehicle. The welding mask is removable. It features posable arms.
What you should consider: The legs don’t move.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Just Play Minions: The Rise of Gru Small Plush Pilot Kevin
What you need to know: This plush dresses Kevin in his captain’s jacket and cap.
What you’ll love: The plush stands 9 inches tall. The embroidered eyes and mouth look excellent. It’s soft and durable.
What you should consider: The uniform isn’t as cuddly as the rest of the toy.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/theme-toys-br/best-kevin-minion-toy/ | 2022-04-13T19:00:12 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/theme-toys-br/best-kevin-minion-toy/ |
Best kids kneepads for skating
Skating is a rough-and-tumble activity. And beginners are prone to lots of spills. One way to ensure your child is safe tearing it up on the asphalt is with the proper protective gear. This means pads — especially kneepads. Not only do they protect sensitive bones and joints, but they also inspire the confidence necessary to improve as a skater.
Which kneepads you choose depends on your child’s age and ability. There are plenty of cool designs to excite all ages to skate safely.
Skating with kneepads
Purpose of kneepads
Kneepads are pieces of safety equipment designed to slide over or strap around each knee. Used for a number of extreme sports, they protect the vulnerable ligaments and bones in your knees from strain and impact.
Types of skating that require kneepads
Wheeled action sports involve lots of falls, especially if you’re learning tricks. Skateboarding is one of the world’s most popular action sports, but if your child instead loves roller skating or blading, they should also wear pads. Likewise, any kid who enjoys longboarding or just cruising around should have them, too. Impacts while falling are a given, but longboarding and cruising can lead to wicked road rash that kneepads can prevent.
Other protective gear
While kneepads are crucial, a safe skater should also have the following:
- Elbow pads: These work like kneepads, protecting your arm’s major ligaments and bones from strain and impact.
- Wrist pads: When falling our instincts tell us to catch ourselves with our hands. But by stiffening our wrists, we risk breaking a number of bones. Wrist pads provide a protective, supportive barrier to this sensitive area by covering the palms and preventing flexion. They not only protect against broken hand bones and wrists, but also nasty scrapes.
- Helmet: A helmet is the number-one piece of safety equipment to protect against head trauma. Look for a helmet with a multi-directional impact protection system. These are some of the safest helmets out there.
Choosing the right kneepads
A good pair of kneepads fits comfortably without restraining your child’s range of motion. To get the sizing right, it should account for their weight and leg size.
Overall size
Kneepads use alpha sizing, which corresponds to the wearer’s weight.
- Small: Under 125 pounds.
- Medium: 125-150 pounds
- Large: 150-180 pounds
- Extra-large: Over 180 pounds
You’ll also find pads sized according to the “child, youth and adult” spectrum. Child sizes typically fit age 5 and under, youth 5-10 and adult 10 and up.
Center circumference
This measures the diameter of your child’s leg from the center of their kneecap. To get the center circumference accurately, try using a soft tape measure or a piece of string you can mark and measure when laid flat.
- Junior: Universal sizing for under 12 inches
- Small: 12-14 inches
- Medium: 14-16 inches
- Large: 15-17 inches
- Extra-large: 17-20 inches
Hard vs. soft shell
Choosing between a hard- and soft-shell kneepad depends on the level of protection you’re after. While soft-shell pads are more comfortable, they won’t provide enough protection in case of a big fall.
For kid skaters, hard-shell pads are your best bet. These are reinforced with foam padding to provide superior protection against big impacts and abrasion. They can be a little bulky, so make sure you size right. Opt for straps so you can adjust them easily and wear them over clothing.
Best kneepads for kid skaters
Best kneepads for young kids
BoneShieldz Youth Cruiser 3000 Multi-Sport Protective Set
This complete set of pads has your little skater covered from wrists to elbows to knees. With black sleeves, metallic gray hard shells and red accents, your kid will feel like a superhero rocking their matching set. The adjustable straps and lightweight design help with comfort and breathability. These are also available in pink for toddlers with discerning taste.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Available in a fun array of colors, this complete set of pads is sized for little ones but is cool enough for big kids who love to shred. These plastic hard-shell pads are padded with airy foam and secured with comfortable elastic straps, making them great for long rides.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best kneepads for youth
Bosoner Kids/Youth Protective Gear Set
Bosoner upgrades their kids pads for youth users who take bigger and harder falls. This full set of heavy-duty hard-shell pads provide ample coverage over sensitive areas with a shock-absorbing design that distributes impact forces away from the center cap. You have your choice of seven colors.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
DBX Youth Inline Protective Set
This full set of pads is designed to cover your kid’s knees and elbows above and below the olecranon and patella. They come in a sleek black design with foam padding and a mesh layer to wick moisture. They’re great for older youth skaters who want to upgrade to more serious, adult-like pads.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Best kneepads for teens
Gonex Skateboard Protective Gear Set
This full set of pads should fit most teens. You have your choice between all-black and pink-and-black pads. The studded hard-shell design is particularly adept at absorbing big falls when skating vert ramps. You can wear them as a sleeve for extra support, or strapped over clothing for maximum comfort.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
JBM Adult/Child Kneepads Elbow Pads Wrist Guards 3 In 1 Protective Gear Set
This set comes in five mature yet trendy colorways for older skaters who want the protection of an adult set but don’t want to settle for plain old black. Though they only come in two sizes, they’re adjustable for comfort, and the large shell bubbles not only provide ample room to grow, but can also take a beating. Most teens and tweens fit in the adult size.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Karl Daum writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/which-kneepads-are-best-for-kid-skaters/ | 2022-04-13T19:00:20 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/which-kneepads-are-best-for-kid-skaters/ |
95-year-old woman takes shelter in bathtub during possible tornado
CHARLESTON, Ark. (KHBS) – A woman put her 95-year-old grandmother in a bathtub to keep her safe from a tornado in Charleston, Arkansas, Monday night.
“Well, I’m glad she did. I might have got blown away if she didn’t,” Sue Neissl said.
The bathtub and the house her late husband built more than 70 years ago kept Neissl safe.
“We have a storm cellar out behind the house, but we didn’t have time to get it,” she explained.
Neissl’s granddaughter, Carla Woods, took shelter in a closet with her 3-year-old daughter as the storms hit.
“As soon as we got in there, we heard the loud sound. It might have been a small tornado, but to us it was very scary,” Woods explained, adding her daughter pretended they were playing hide and seek.
Woods said they never heard the sirens alerting them to the tornado threat.
The Franklin County emergency manager said the sirens were not working when the tornado warning was issued.
The tornado sirens have since been repaired and are now functioning properly.
Copyright 2022 KHBS via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/95-year-old-woman-takes-shelter-bathtub-during-possible-tornado/ | 2022-04-13T19:01:50 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/95-year-old-woman-takes-shelter-bathtub-during-possible-tornado/ |
Biden approves $800M in artillery, helicopters for Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery and helicopters, to bolster its defenses against an intensified Russian offensive in the country’s east.
Biden announced the aid after a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to coordinate the delivery of the assistance, which he said included artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers, as well as helicopters.
“This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine,” Biden said in a statement.
Biden said the U.S. will continue to work with allies to share additional weapons and resources as the conflict continues.
“The steady supply of weapons the United States and its Allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion,” Biden said. “It has helped ensure that (Russia President Vladimir” Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now.”
WARNING: Videos may contain graphic content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/biden-approves-800m-artillery-helicopters-ukraine/ | 2022-04-13T19:01:56 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/biden-approves-800m-artillery-helicopters-ukraine/ |
Case against Clinton lawyer in counsel’s probe can proceed
WASHINGTON (AP) — The criminal prosecution of a Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer charged with lying to the FBI during the Trump-Russia investigation can move forward, a judge ruled Wednesday in denying a defense bid to dismiss the case.
The ruling means Michael Sussmann, charged last year by special counsel John Durham, remains set for trial on May 16 in Washington’s federal court.
Sussmann is charged with lying to the FBI during a September 2016 meeting in which he relayed concerns from cybersecurity researchers about a potential secret back channel of communications between servers of the Trump Organization and Russia-based Alfa Bank. The FBI investigated the matter but ultimately found no such suspicious links.
Prosecutors allege that Sussmann misled the FBI’s then-general counsel by saying that he was not attending the meeting on behalf of a particular client when he was actually presenting the information on behalf of the Clinton campaign and a technology executive with whom he had worked.
In order to prosecute someone for a false statement, the Justice Department must prove that the statement was not only fictitious but also “material” — that is, capable of influencing a government agency’s decision-making or functions.
In this case, Durham’s team says that had the FBI known Sussmann was representing the interests of the Clinton campaign at the meeting, it would have done more to examine his motives and the reliability of his information as it considered whether to open an investigation based on the tip he provided.
Sussmann’s lawyers have argued that his ties to the Clinton campaign were already well-known to the FBI and have rejected the idea that that relationship could have meaningfully influenced the FBI’s decision to investigate.
U.S. District Judge Christopher “Casey” Cooper said in a six-page ruling Wednesday that the dispute was ultimately up to a jury to decide.
“The battle lines thus are drawn, but the Court cannot resolve this standoff prior to trial,” Cooper wrote.
Durham, a former U.S. attorney in Connecticut, was appointed in 2019 by then-Attorney General William Barr to look for government misconduct during the investigation into Russian election interference in 2016 and possible ties to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
Sussmann is one of three people charged so far. The other two are Kevin Clinesmith, a former FBI lawyer who pleaded guilty to altering an email and received probation, and Igor Danchenko, a Russian analyst and source of information for Steele who was charged in November with lying to the FBI during a 2017 interview.
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Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/case-against-clinton-lawyer-counsels-probe-can-proceed/ | 2022-04-13T19:02:02 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/case-against-clinton-lawyer-counsels-probe-can-proceed/ |
Donkey on the loose shot and killed after deputies failed to corral it, authorities say
SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (Gray News) – A donkey on the loose in Florida was killed after deputies were unable to corral the animal.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that deputies were called to respond to reports of a donkey Tuesday around noon.
Deputies tried several times to coral it but were unsuccessful.
The sheriff’s office says they were told their assistance was no longer needed when an independent livestock contractor arrived to help.
The sheriff’s office later learned the independent livestock contractor shot and killed the donkey.
“Santa Rosa County is known for having a large population of livestock, and (it) is a deep-rooted part of our culture. Because of this, we are deeply troubled by this incident,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
The sheriff’s office has assigned this investigation to its major crimes division.
“The safety and care of animals has been and remains of the utmost importance to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office,” the post said.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/donkey-loose-shot-killed-after-deputies-failed-corral-it-authorities-say/ | 2022-04-13T19:02:09 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/donkey-loose-shot-killed-after-deputies-failed-corral-it-authorities-say/ |
Former YMCA camp counselor arrested on child porn charges
PALM BEACH, Fla. (Gray News) – Police in Florida have arrested a former YMCA camp counselor after they say they found images and video depicting the sexual abuse of children at his home.
Detectives with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said they were investigating Isaac Gabriel Yunes on over 30 child pornography charges.
Upon obtaining a search warrant, detectives conducted a search in his home, where they say they discovered several images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on his device, as well as items linking Yunes to several Snapchat accounts that have been reported for child sexual abuse. Yunes attempted to destroy his cellphone and denied the allegations, according to detectives.
Police say Yunes worked as a camp counselor at the Palm Beach County YMCA from 2017 to 2019.
Yunes was taken into custody on April 8 and was transported to the Palm Beach County jail.
Yunes is being charged with possession of child pornography and destruction of evidence.
Anyone with information on Yunes is urged by Palm Beach County detectives to call 561-688-4080.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/former-ymca-camp-counselor-arrested-child-porn-charges/ | 2022-04-13T19:02:16 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/former-ymca-camp-counselor-arrested-child-porn-charges/ |
Man found guilty of murder for 2019 killing of Lincoln teen
LINCOLN, Neb. – A man was found guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday for the shooting of a 15-year-old in Lincoln in 2019.
A jury found Majdal Elias, who was 24 at the time of the shooting, guilty of murder and other gun-related charges for the killing of Ali Al-Burkat in September 2019.
Al-Burkat was in a vehicle with multiple other people on their way to rob a known drug dealer when he was shot by Elias near 7th Street and Fletcher Avenue.
Police said Al-Burkat suffered a gunshot wound to the back, and was pronounced dead at the hospital after medical crews found him in the Walgreens parking lot at 14th and Superior Streets.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Elias was arrested in late October 2019 on unrelated narcotics charges, leading to search warrants being served on his vehicle and at his home.
Multiple weapons, illegal drugs, and numerous cell phones were located, court records show.
Police noticed damage to the front left of Elias’ vehicle, which matched what investigators saw in surveillance video from Sept. 29.
He was charged with murder on Feb. 26, 2020.
The week long trial concluded Wednesday when a jury found Elias guilty of second-degree murder and three gun-related charges.
His sentencing is scheduled for May.
Copyright 2022 KOLN. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/man-found-guilty-murder-2019-killing-lincoln-teen/ | 2022-04-13T19:02:23 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/13/man-found-guilty-murder-2019-killing-lincoln-teen/ |
Smollett released a snippet of the song on his Instagram page, which featured lyrics including, "It's like they hell bent on not solving the crime" and "You think I'm stupid enough to kill my reputation? Just simply to look like a victim. Like it's something fun. Y'all better look at someone else. You got the wrong one."
The video in this story is from a previous report
Smollett said all of the profits from the song will go to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Secure The Bag Safety and the Illinois Innocence Project.
The former "Empire" actor was released from jail last month while appealing his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.
The decision to release Smollett while the case is being appealed came after a Cook County judge sentenced him to serve 150 days in jail. | https://abc11.com/jussie-smollett-jail-new-song-empire-thank-you-god/11744901/ | 2022-04-13T19:05:28 | 1 | https://abc11.com/jussie-smollett-jail-new-song-empire-thank-you-god/11744901/ |
The new draft guidance comes amid rising rates of anxiety and depression among kids and teens in the U.S., particularly during the pandemic.
Written by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the guidance suggests children and adolescents between ages 8 and 18 be screened for anxiety. It also doubles down on a prior recommendation to screen for major depressive disorder and suicide among children ages 12 to 18.
The USPSTF also said there are now high enough rates of anxiety and plenty of screening tools and treatments to recommend regular screening of anxiety among 12- to 18-year-olds.
Before COVID-19, the most recent comprehensive national survey found that 8% of children had a current anxiety disorder.
The burden of mental illness has only intensified during the pandemic.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released this month found 37% of youth have experienced poor mental health since March 2020.
This fall, a coalition of child health providers declared that the country was facing a "National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health."
The task force noted that untreated anxiety can be debilitating. In the short-term, it can cause physical symptoms, such as unremitting headaches or stomachaches.
Anxiety can also wreak havoc on daily life by leading kids to avoid school, interpersonal activities, or certain other situations.
In the longer term, those disruptions can lead to poor performance and developmental delays.
Additionally, anxiety can increase the risk of poor coping mechanisms such as substance use or development of other forms of mental illness commonly associated with anxiety such as panic attacks or depression.
"To address the critical need for supporting the mental health of children and adolescents in primary care, the Task Force looked at the evidence on screening for anxiety, depression, and suicide risk," task force member Dr. Martha Kubik said in a statement. "Fortunately, we found that screening older children for anxiety and depression is effective in identifying these conditions so children and teens can be connected to the support they need."
The agency noted that children with certain adverse childhood experiences, such as trauma, abuse, and inter-parental conflict may face particularly high risks, as well as children experiencing poverty, or those from communities of color who may be subject to "historic trauma, structural racism, and biopsychological vulnerability."
The task force did not offer recommendations on how frequently children should be screened but suggested it may be beneficial for some at-risk children to have repeated screenings over time. | https://abc11.com/mental-health-anxiety-screenings-childrens-prevention-methods/11744650/ | 2022-04-13T19:05:29 | 1 | https://abc11.com/mental-health-anxiety-screenings-childrens-prevention-methods/11744650/ |
Ten people were wounded by gunfire and at least a dozen were hurt in Tuesday's attack in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood. Investigators believe 62-year-old Frank R. James, the suspected gunman, sent off smoke grenades in a crowded subway car and then fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun, police said.
LIVE UPDATES: Brooklyn subway shooting suspect Frank R. James in custody
While all of the gunshot victims are expected to survive, five had suffered critical injuries and now face a long recovery.
Some of the passengers injured during the attack were children and young adults heading to class, including a 16-year-old boy who was shot in the leg and hand.
"It was a pretty devastating injury to the thumb, and it destroyed a lot of the bone, the joint, the tendon, the nerve," said hand surgeon Jack Choueka. "We were able to salvage the thumb. It's alive, and he'll need some more surgery."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she spoke with the 16-year-old's mother and described the moment she learned of her son's injuries.
"His mother does not speak English. She is Chinese," Hochul said. "She is there alone, and it was so sad to hear through a translator her anxiety. All she has is her son."
MORE: Witness says he feared NYC shooter was among crowd after escaping subway
An 18-year-old man on his way to class at Borough of Manhattan Community College remains hospitalized after he was shot in the leg. Maimonides Hospital officials said it admitted a 12-year-old patient who has since been discharged.
Gunshot victim Hourari Benkada spoke to our sister station WABC from his hospital bed and detailed his attempt to help a pregnant woman escape before he was shot in the leg.
"All you see is smoke ... and then people bum-rushing to the back," he said. "This pregnant woman was in front of me, I was trying to help her. I didn't know there were shots at first. I just thought it was a black smoke bomb. She said, 'I'm pregnant with a baby!' I hugged her, and then the bum-rush continued. I got pushed, and that's when I got shot in the back of my knee."
WATCH: New York City commuters wary after subway attack
Survivors are also sharing stories of helping fellow commuters as the 36th Street station platform and an approaching R train turned into a makeshift triage facility.
Claire Tunkel told WABC she sacrificed her jacket to stop a man's leg from bleeding out.
"I took off my jacket because that was the closest thing to wrap around his leg," she said. "I pulled out a grocery bag, shopping bag, and tried to tear that apart to help another person. Just... I don't know, at that moment I felt like if there was something I could do to help, that is what it was." | https://abc11.com/new-york-subway-shooting-victims-brooklyn-nyc-attack/11744823/ | 2022-04-13T19:05:30 | 0 | https://abc11.com/new-york-subway-shooting-victims-brooklyn-nyc-attack/11744823/ |
Spike in liver disease in children under investigation
LONDON (AP) - Scientists are investigating a puzzling spike in liver disease in children across the United Kingdom, including the cause and whether there are any links between the affected youngsters.
The U.K. Health Security Agency said this week that public health personnel are looking into 74 cases of hepatitis, or liver inflammation, detected in children since January.
The usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis were not found in the cases, and scientists and doctors are considering other possible causes, including COVID-19, other viruses and environmental factors.
While some types of hepatitis are mild and don't require treatment, other forms of the disease can become chronic and be fatal.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said doctors in other countries should also report potential infections in case the outbreak is not limited to Britain. It said doctors should be on the lookout for children with jaundice and symptoms including vomiting and stomach problems.
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The European agency said most cases involved children ages 2 to 5. It said some children had suffered acute liver failure and a "small number have required liver transplantation." It said there were no travel links between the affected children.
British officials said none of the affected children were vaccinated against the coronavirus, and they ruled out any links to COVID-19 vaccines.
"One of the possible causes that we are investigating is that this is linked to adenovirus infection," said Dr. Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging Infections at the U.K. Health Security Agency.
Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause problems like pink eye, a sore throat or diarrhea. They are often spread between people and by touching contaminated surfaces.
"The current crop of cases of hepatitis in children under the age of 10 years is very unusual," Will Irving, a professor of virology at the University of Nottingham, said in a statement.
Adults are much more prone to suffer severe disease from hepatitis, and children are not usually affected, he said.
The public health investigation will likely focus on studying patient samples and trying to find potential toxins or viruses that might be responsible, Irving said.
A magnified photomicrograph of liver tissue infected by viral hepatitis. (CDC File Image)
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EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — Longer-than-average wait times and the subsequent supply chain disruptions are due to additional and “unnecessary inspections” being conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety at the order of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Tuesday.
CBP said the additional border truck inspection process is not necessary to protect the safety and security of Texas communities and is resulting in significant impacts to local supply chains that “will impact consumers and businesses nationally,” adding that local trade associations, officials, and businesses are requesting the Texas state government discontinue them.
CBP said the delays are unrelated to CBP screening activities.
Several ports of entry remained closed on Tuesday, including the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in Pharr, Texas, and the Ysleta Port of Entry in El Paso, and even the Santa Teresa Port of Entry in New Mexico.
Mexican truck drivers created blockades to protest the inspections, prompting officials to close some Texas ports of entry.
The federal agency explained that CBP comprehensively inspects and clears all vehicles to enter the United States. However, DPS is inspecting the same vehicles once they exitthe federal inspection are, leading to traffic disruptions and “critical impacts to an already-strained supply chain.”
CBP said commercial traffic has dropped by as much as 60 percent at Texas border crossings, with truck drivers facing wait times exceeding five hours at some border crossings.
“Every day, at ports of entry, the employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) are at work for the American people ensuring the efficient flow of lawful trade and travel that is so vital to a strong economy, while enforcing hundreds of different laws for multiple federal, state, and local agencies,” CBP said in a statement. “The ports of entry along our Southwest border allow for the continuous flow of legitimate trade and travel, which is critical to our nation’s economic stability and vibrancy, but they also are the frontline of defense against threats posed by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). Our efforts ensure shipments of perishable goods, like fruits, vegetables and meat products destined to grocery stores, medical supplies and medicines reach doctor’s offices and hospitals and manufacturing supplies reach plants to keep them open. The movement of these goods are vital not only to communities along the border but across the United States as these goods are used across every business sector and industry in the U.S. The strength of the American economy relies heavily on the efficient flow of cross-border commerce.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/cbp-texas-governors-unnecessary-inspections-are-causing-delays-at-ports-of-entry/ | 2022-04-13T19:05:35 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/cbp-texas-governors-unnecessary-inspections-are-causing-delays-at-ports-of-entry/ |
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – With two-thirds of the U.S. trade with Mexico passing through Texas, no state stands to lose more from disruptions in binational commerce flow, experts say.
Yet Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is exacerbating supply chain issues by ordering stepped-up truck inspections at the Mexican border that delay produce getting to market and are idling Texas-based logistics, trucking and warehousing operations, they note.
“Close to 75-80 percent of all imported vegetables come from Mexico and about 50 percent of all imported fruit. […] Then you have transportation and sorting operations, so for every dollar in value of produce that comes through from Mexico, 13 cents stays” in Texas, said Luis A. Ribera, director of the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M University.
Truckers on Friday began reporting delays of up to 12 hours to cross from Mexico to the United States in ports of entry from El Paso to Pharr, Texas. That coincided with the start of the Enhanced Border Inspection program by the Texas Department of Transportation. Mexican truckers responded by blocking commercial lanes in Pharr, El Paso and Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The obstruction continued through Tuesday evening.
These delays are already impacting produce prices and depriving U.S. factories of imported parts used in the production of anything from cars to computers.
“It creates a lot of uncertainty. Even just with the perception of something happening, prices will react,” Ribera said. “The overall take is producers and brokers and a lot of industry in Texas and the U.S. are suffering. Nobody wins with this situation. It will take time to figure out the exact economic impact. As of right now, this is a no-win situation for everyone.”
Abbott directed DPS to effect enhanced border inspections in response to the federal government announcing the end of the Title 42 order that allowed border agents to expel 1.7 million unauthorized migrants on public health grounds. DPS officials have set up shop immediately north of U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection areas and are checking trucks coming over from Mexico for concealed drugs, migrants or safety violations.
CBP on Tuesday called such secondary inspections “unnecessary” and one political science expert said they likely won’t make a dent in either drug trafficking or unauthorized migration but will hurt businesses that include some of his political supporters.
“Greg Abbott has made the argument that he is in disagreement with the Biden administration ending Title 42 […] He has responded in a way he thought was appropriate, but which essentially is creating an international crisis,” said Tony Payan, director of the Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Greg Abbott has made the argument that he is in disagreement with the Biden administration ending Title 42 […] He has responded in a way he thought was appropriate, but which essentially is creating an international crisis.”
Tony Payan, director of the Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
The DPS inspections are “an open confrontation” with the Biden administration Abbott believes will bring attention to an immigration issue he’s pushing with his Republican base in an election year, Payan said.
“Texas has been throwing millions of dollars for several years now at the border by mobilizing the National Guard and DPS and that investment of Texas taxpayers’ dollars has not paid off. Nothing makes me believe what the governor is doing today will make a difference on immigration or drug smuggling,” he said.
Payan said election polls show Abbott with a slight advantage over Democratic rival Beto O’Rourke heading into the November general election.
Border Report contacted Abbott’s office for comment but was referred to DPS. The state police agency had previously sent this reporter a statement saying it doesn’t discuss operational details.
“It’s a manufactured crisis. The governor doesn’t want to talk to Joe Biden, he doesn’t want to talk to the federal government, he doesn’t want to negotiate. He’s in a confrontational mode,” Payan said.
But a third party has joined the fray, and that’s bringing uncertainty to the outcome. Mexican truckers in Reynosa and in Juarez have taken the law into their own hands and blocked access to U.S. ports of entry until they get assurances they won’t be made to wait half a day to cross the border. Payan said the truckers likely have the backing of their companies, who are the ones enduring economic losses from delivery delays.
“The governor is creating bottlenecks and affecting the entire supply chain and binational trade. Companies are unhappy about that,” he said. The truckers and their employers are upping the ante to force a quick solution. “They’re saying, we’re going to close the ports of entry and maybe the governor will hear from his constituents how he’s hurting the state economy.”
Payan said the conflict will drag out for at least a few days. “I don’t’ see any sign of political negotiation between the governor and the federal government. It’s eventually going to fizzle out as I don’t think the governor can maintain this very long. He’s going to be hurting the Texas economy,” he said. | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/election-year-politics-behind-border-trucking-crisis-analyst-says/ | 2022-04-13T19:05:42 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/election-year-politics-behind-border-trucking-crisis-analyst-says/ |
SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (Border Report) – New Mexico industry officials late Tuesday persuaded Mexican truckers to lift a blockade at the commercial lanes of the Santa Teresa port of entry that began earlier that day.
Truckers in North-Central and Northeast Mexico are unhappy with increased wait times at U.S. ports of entry that coincided with the start of the Enhanced Border Inspection program by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The truckers as of late Tuesday afternoon were blocking access to ports of entry in Pharr and El Paso, Texas.
“We had some state officials cross the border, talk to the protesters and explain to them this is a different state. Santa Teresa is not part of Texas; we don’t adhere to the policies being enacted by (Texas) Gov. Greg Abbott,” said Jerry Pacheco, president and CEO of the Border Industrial Association.
The port was to remain open through 8 p.m. on Tuesday and through 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — two hours longer than usual — to accommodate pent up demand, Pacheco said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says commercial wait times have shot up since April 8, but not because of more stringent federal inspections at ports of entry. In a news release issued late Tuesday, CBP said the delays are the result of “unnecessary” secondary inspections being done by Texas DPS.
The confusion has been exacerbated by early press reports in Mexico saying the delays were the result of “hardened” CBP inspections due to the war in Ukraine. That may explain why the demonstrators targeted Santa Teresa.
Pacheco said the Mexican truckers “were very appreciative” that New Mexico trade representatives took the time to explain to them what was going on. However, the blockade continued for several additional hours while the truckers discussed what to do. They want wait times at the border to return to normal.
The Border Industrial Association says regular passenger traffic was unaffected during the protest.
“I would hope we don’t have these blockades for very long because we shoot ourselves in the foot and exacerbate supply chain issues that are already a mess,” Pacheco said. “We are all part of a global supply chain. If you order a Dell computer and they told you it’s going to be there on Monday, you are probably not going to get it on time because we lost a day. The produce from Mexico is not going to get to the market, to the restaurant on time.”
Abbott reportedly ordered the enhanced inspections to counter human and drug trafficking, and truck safety issues he says the federal government is not addressing.
But while Texas and Washington, D.C., figure out their differences, local officials will try to get the border crossings reopened.
“Using migration as political theater isn’t very helpful right now, especially when we’re trying to come out of this pandemic, there’s a war in Europe, we have supply chain issues and here we are making things worse,” Pacheco said. | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/mexican-truckers-lift-blockade-at-santa-teresa-port-of-entry/ | 2022-04-13T19:05:49 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/mexican-truckers-lift-blockade-at-santa-teresa-port-of-entry/ |
YUMA, Arizona (Border Report) — Conservative members of Congress are finishing their second day of touring border crossings and other facilities in California and Arizona.
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer, R-Kentucky; U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, and U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell, R-New Mexico, on Monday visited facilities such as Ped West in San Diego, where hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are being granted access into the U.S.
While in California, they also toured areas along the border barrier including an iconic section where the fence runs into the Pacific Ocean.
Their goal, according to a news release issued by the group, is to “examine firsthand President Biden’s border crisis.”
On Tuesday, they toured CBP facilities in southwest Arizona around the city of Yuma.
“We’re here, we learned a lot, we’re angry, we came here upset with this administration and now we’re leaving even more upset,” Comer said during a news conference held at the conclusion of the border tour.
Other lawmakers involved in the visits are Glenn Grothman, R-Wisconsin; Pete Sessions, R-Texas; Byron Donalds, R-Floriday; and Paul Gosar, R-Arizona.
“If the administration just said, ‘We will process asylum claims, but we won’t do it at the southern border this would end overnight,” Donalds said. “The cartels would know you can’t charge people to take the journey to get here.”
Comer and the others involved in the tour believe President Biden’s border policies are flawed.
“Quite frankly, this is as bad, worse than I’ve ever seen it,” Gosar said. “And it’s going to get worse as Title 42 goes away there will be more people coming in than ever.”
They say Biden’s administration is “rewarding illegal immigration,” and they expect illegal crossings to surge once Title 42 is removed next month.
“What we’ve been told by DHS is that they are expecting 18,000 crossings per day,” said Rep. Gosar.
Title 42 is a federal mandate that has allowed border agents to expel 1.7 million newly arrived migrants to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration says the order is ending on May 23.
Immigration advocates in the past few weeks have welcomed the end of the Title 42 policy, pointing out that that showing up at U.S. borders to apply for asylum is lawful and allege that Title 42 has left thousands of asylum seekers no other choice but to enter the country illegally, turn themselves in to Border Patrol and request asylum.
The people involved in the tour also believe the planned end of Title 42 expulsions will generate a national security and humanitarian crisis at the border.”
In 2021, there were more than two million apprehensions of undocumented border crossers according to the U.S. Border Patrol.
In the Yuma sector, the numbers jumped from 8,800 in 2020 to almost 115,000 last year. | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/republican-congressional-delegation-bashes-bidens-border-policies/ | 2022-04-13T19:05:56 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/republican-congressional-delegation-bashes-bidens-border-policies/ |
PHARR, Texas (Border Report) — South Texas border leaders and business owners on Tuesday openly criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for mandating commercial truck inspections that led to the closure of multiple international bridges on the border with Mexico for a second full day.
Truckers from Mexico on Monday began blocking the entrance to bridges in Pharr and El Paso in protest of the new truck inspections Abbott ordered last week in anticipation of the end of Title 42. This has resulted in truckers waiting up to 20 hours to cross international bridges.
This has threatened the national supply chain as a majority of produce, as well as automotive mechanical components from Mexico that cross through the Pharr bridge, several border leaders told Border Report.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo who represents parts of Hidalgo County, said the ripple effect of having no commercial trucks crossing through the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge for two whole days will be devastating not only to the local economy, the state but to the country’s entire supply chain of produce and other manufactured products.
“It’s a self-inflicted wound and the governor needs to rethink this. It’s going to add to the costs. It’s going to add to the inflation. It’s going to affect the consumer in a very negative way. I understand the frustration the governor has but this is the wrong solution to the problems we’re facing at the border,” Cuellar told Border Report on Tuesday in the rural town of La Grulla in Starr County.
Abbott announces the inspections on April 6 as part of sweeping new border security measures due to the end of Title 42.
“With the Biden administration ending Title 42 in May, Texas will be taking its own unprecedented actions this month to do what no state in America has ever done in the history of this country to better secure our state, and our nation,” Abbott said.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke visited the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday and said Abbott has caused “crisis and chaos” on the border.
“Because of the crisis and the chaos that Greg Abbott has caused through his executive actions last week that mandate 100% inspections on all commercial vehicles coming into the U.S. through our ports of entry here in Texas. He has slowed down U.S./Mexico trade to a standstill,” said O’Rourke who is running for Abbott’s seat in November.
“This is the cost and consequences of meeting legitimate challenges that we have with the kind of political stunts that Greg Abbott is using right now in the state of Texas,” he said.
An economic domino effect is already being seen on the border that will soon affect the rest of the nation, border leaders warn. Not only food is being blocked from crossing from Mexico, forcing truckers to go thousands of miles around to other ports, such as San Diego and Nogales, Arizona, but mechanical components that are built in Mexico and assembled in the United States also cannot cross.
Leaders say that means assembly plants in San Antonio and in northern states soon might run out of product and could be forced to stop plant production.
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, which represents the produce industry, has advised all of its members “to divert all shipments, when possible, to border crossings without these uncertain delays that are damaging the supply chains,” according to a letter sent this week by the organization’s president Lance Jungmeyer.
Joel Villarreal, mayor of Rio Grande City, says the international bridge connecting his city in Starr County to Camargo, Mexico, has seen an increase in commercial truckers this week due to the Pharr Bridge closure. But he worries that Mexican truckers in Camargo also could block access to the Starr Camargo International Bridge and close it down.
“You’re looking at impacting communities and millions of dollars,” Villarreal told Border Report on Tuesday. “Here in Rio Grande City, we’re looking at over $1 billion in trade of every conceivable commodity and service with destination anywhere U.S.A., and it’s having a negative impact economically and absolutely it’s concerning. And that goes for all of our border communities.”
Cuellar said many mechanical components are produced in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and transported across the Columbia International Bridge into Laredo. That bridge is also being targeted by truckers.
On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials issued a statement also critical of Abbott’s state inspections, saying inspections are not necessary and duplicate what the federal government already does at all ports of entry.
Polo Chow owns a trucking company in the Rio Grande Valley and he accompanied O’Rourke on Tuesday morning to a cold-storage facility in Pharr where he asked repeatedly, “Why his drivers are being targeted by the governor?”
He said with diesel costing over $5 per gallon, trucks idling for hours “are really hurting us a lot economically, as well as physically and emotionally.
“If they’re going to have to wait 16 hours on the bridge with no food, no water, no restrooms then they have no choice,” Chow said. “These are inhumane conditions and they said ‘no more’ to this inhumane act.”
Chow said some truck trailers have been waiting in Mexico for three days to cross into Pharr. He said many carry automotive parts needed for plants in San Antonio. And he speculates that in three to five days that plants up North will significantly feel the pinch.
“They don’t have a large inventory to carry them through. They rely on a constant stream of product coming in,” Chow said.
Abbott has ordered every commercial truck to undergo a Level 1 inspection, which takes Department of Public Safety officials 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
However, Cuellar said that state officials may not enter inside truck holds and can only inspect engines, undercarriage, brakes and other mechanics of the vehicle. So if Abbott is trying to stymie drug smugglers and human traffickers, he says this is not the way.
“If you’re trying to stop their drugs or people, keep in mind they’ve already been inspected by the federal government, then I think there’s a better way we can work with the state,” Cuellar said. “But to add to the consumers caused by the delays to the supply chain that we’re having is a self-inflicted wound that the governor is doing to our economy.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/south-texas-border-leaders-say-bridge-closures-are-self-inflicted-wounds-caused-by-governor/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:04 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/south-texas-border-leaders-say-bridge-closures-are-self-inflicted-wounds-caused-by-governor/ |
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Mexican truckers have lifted their blockade of the commercial lanes at the Ysleta Port of Entry.
Trucks began making their way from Juarez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, since late Tuesday night, when drivers ended a two-day protest. The truckers are upset about a spike in wait times to cross into the United States. The spike coincided with the start of the Enhanced Border Inspections program by the state of Texas.
Some truckers have told Border Report they have waited up to 12 hours in line to bring manufactured goods and parts across the border; some have said individual DPS inspections are taking up to 40 minutes.
DPS has responded to Border Report and KTSM inquiries by saying it doesn’t discuss operational details.
On Wednesday morning, wait times for commercial trucks at Ysleta were 80 minutes, which is three times longer than usual, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
Chihuahua Gov. Maru Campos, whose staff persuaded the Mexican truckers to lift their blockade, said Texas’ “hardening” of truck inspections has caused a crisis on the Texas-Mexico border.
“We have seen long lines of commercial vehicles in Juarez and other points along the border,” she said, adding regional leaders were holding talks to speed up binational commerce.
“I am making a call to the governors of Nuevo Leon, Coahuila and Tamaulipas (all bordering Texas) so we remain united and seek a dialogue with the government of Texas,” Campos said. “We are asking Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to keep an open mind to dialogue and compromise.”
The Chihuahua governor said she recently went to Washington, D.C., and expressed to U.S. federal officials her willingness to address public safety concerns, such as drug trafficking and human smuggling along the border.
“This is an issue that can also be solved with a clear, binational strategy,” she said. “Border security is a priority, so much so that we are relocating our public safety headquarters to Juarez, where we are setting up the Sentinel program of 4,000 ‘smart’ cameras.”
She said Sentinel will allow Chihuahua police to track commercial trucks from the moment they come out of an industrial park in Juarez until they cross into the United States.
Campos said she’s willing to share that information with U.S. authorities and also with commercial partners with operations on both sides of the border. | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/truckers-lift-blockade-at-ysleta-port-of-entry/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:10 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/border-report-tour/truckers-lift-blockade-at-ysleta-port-of-entry/ |
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Enhanced inspections of trucks crossing the border from Juarez to El Paso slowing the line as protestors block commercial lines completely at some ports of entry.
The new inspections, by the Texas Department of Public Safety, are part of a directive from Governor Greg Abbott, as part of an initiative to stop human trafficking and illegal activities.
“They’re checking everything, how the truck is, everything on the truck,” said truck driver Christian Sanchez after he went through the new inspections at the Bridge of the Americas on Tuesday.
On the Mexican side of the border trucks and people block the commercial lanes in protest of the long wait times in enhanced inspections are causing.
“No, they’re stopped, those are blocked and you can’t cross, just this bridge,” said Rogelio Perez Acuna a truck driver who passed through the Bridge of the Americas on Tuesday, as it was the only bridge open to commercial traffic throughout most of the day as protestors blocked the others.
University of Texas Economics Professor Tom Fullerton saying the back up of commercial trucks will have an impact on the economy.
“A lot of different parts of final products that are now getting delayed in terms of being able to be finished and we’ve observed in 2020 and 2021 what this has implied in terms of consumer electronics and automobiles, and this is just going to worsen an already bad situation,” said Fullerton.
Another economic expert, a professor at Texas A&M saying Americans will see an impact from the slow moving traffic at the ports of entry and the grocery store.
“They don’t know when this is going to resume so prices are going to react now when you look at grocery prices they’re already reacting, how long is this going to take, how long is this going to take to go back to normal that is also unknown,” said Luis A Ribera the Director for the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M.
U.S. Customs and Border Protections calling for the Texas Government to remove the enhanced inspections.
“These unnecessary inspections are occurring when vehicles exit U.S. ports of entry within the El Paso and Laredo areas of operation after being comprehensively inspected and cleared to enter the United States by CBP. As a result, vehicles have been significantly delayed in exiting the federal inspection plaza, leading to traffic disruptions and critical impacts to an already-strained supply chain.”
Portion of the statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Governor Greg Abbott visited El Paso on Monday, speaking about the end of Title 42 coming to an end on May 23. Which is a federal mandate that allowed for Border Patrol Agents to expel migrants arriving to the U.S. back to Mexico.
The same day as the governors visit is when protestors on the Mexican side started blocking commercial lanes at the Ysleta Port of Entry and then by Tuesday the Santa Teresa commercial lanes.
Santa Teresa commercial lanes did reopen Tuesday afternoon and hours of operation will be extended on Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
On Tuesday, Candidate for Texas Governor Beto O’rouke speaking about the impact of blocked ports across the Texas / U.S. Mexico Border.
“That is causing higher prices, higher inflation, it is worsening a supply chain problem that we already had in the united states,” said O’Rouke. | https://www.cenlanow.com/business/economic-impact-of-commercial-truck-blockade-at-u-s-mexico-border/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:17 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/business/economic-impact-of-commercial-truck-blockade-at-u-s-mexico-border/ |
LORANGER, La. (WGNO) —On April 12, the United States Department of Justice announced the sentence for a man who pleaded guilty to possession of an animal for use in an animal fighting.
According to The United States Department of Justice, 61-year-old Clay Turner possessed and trained dogs to participate in animal fighting.
Turner was sentenced to three years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $1000 fine for possession of an animal in an animal fighting venture.
Documents show that in October 2017, a federal law enforcement team consisting of agents from the Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies executed a search warrant on Turner’s residence in Loranger.
During the search, 33 dogs were found on the property, many of which had injuries, scarring and fresh wounds according to reports.
Additionally, on telephone calls taken by court-authorized wiretaps, Turner and others discussed gambling on dog fights, arranging and participating in dog fights, sponsoring and exhibiting dogs in dog fights, training and housing dogs for the purposes of dog fighting, commerce in and transport of fighting dogs, and the promotion of dog fights.
Here is what law enforcement found during the search according to court documents:
• a water tank equipped to force dogs to swim to condition them for fighting;
• an electrified prod used in conjunction with the water tank;
• two treadmills equipped to force dogs to run to condition them for fighting;
• ledgers containing the weights and prices of dogs;
• “break sticks” and “flirt poles,” training equipment intended to enhance dogs’ jaw
strength;
• pedigrees for the fighting dogs Turner bred; and
• photographs of dogs in inhumane conditions. | https://www.cenlanow.com/crime/loranger-man-sentenced-to-3-years-of-imprisonment-for-dog-fighting/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:25 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/crime/loranger-man-sentenced-to-3-years-of-imprisonment-for-dog-fighting/ |
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Police in Los Angeles are searching for a pair of robbers who hit a woman with their car as she ran away from them in search of help Monday.
It happened around noon near a downtown Los Angeles intersection.
The woman had just left a jewelry store in the Jewelry District when her attackers began following her in a silver Dodge Challenger, police said.
As she approached the intersection in her vehicle, one of the robbers approached her vehicle and shattered her driver-side window with some sort of tool.
The woman tried to drive away from the robber but was stopped by traffic. She left her vehicle and ran into the road while she called for help, but she was followed by the Challenger, which accelerated and hit her as she ran.
After she was on the ground, two men exited the car and grabbed the woman’s Rolex watch, which she had thrown away from her. One of the men was armed with a handgun, police said.
Police said one of the men is 5 feet, 11 inches and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, white shoes and a ski mask. He is believed to have been armed with a semi-automatic handgun.
The second suspect was wearing a black sweater and light blue jeans. Police said he was also had a handgun.
Video of the suspects hitting the woman and then robbing her was posted on the LAPD’s YouTube page.
Anyone with information or additional video of the robbery is urged to contact LAPD detectives Moreno and Vargas at 213-486-6840. You can also submit an anonymous tip online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Police say this robbery is part of a startling trend of robberies in which suspects follow their victims to their homes, businesses or secluded areas and then rob them.
LAPD said robbers are targeting people leaving high-end businesses or wearing expensive jewelry. Authorities said there were five robberies that fit that description over a 48-hour period this week.
A special task force has been established by the Los Angeles Police Department that focuses on these follow-home or follow-off robberies. | https://www.cenlanow.com/crime/woman-run-over-while-fleeing-robbers-in-downtown-los-angeles/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:31 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/crime/woman-run-over-while-fleeing-robbers-in-downtown-los-angeles/ |
NEW YORK (StudyFinds.org) – Talk about stinky guesses. A new survey finds one in six American Wordle players like to complete their daily puzzle while sitting on the toilet!
In a poll of more than 1,000 Wordle players, commissioned by Solitaired, researchers found the massively popular game has become a daily obsession for more than half the people who play it (54%). Another one in four people play Wordle multiple times a week.
According to the survey, it seems many people have Wordle on the brain right when they wake up. Over four in 10 respondents say they play the game on their phone first thing in the morning. In fact, only 13 percent wait until lunch and just 22 percent are able to hold off solving the day’s Wordle until the evening.
Interestingly, those that do play at night seemingly all play at the same times. The most common situations Americans turn to Wordle in are right before falling asleep (26%) or right after getting home from work (26%). One in four play right when they wake up in the morning and 16 percent take the game with them to the bathroom. Another 23 percent sneak in their daily round while at work.
Luckily, Americans aren’t sitting on the toilet all day or neglecting their work — the poll finds around seven in 10 players take less than 10 minutes to finish the puzzle.
If at first you don’t succeed — cheat?
With only six guesses to get the daily Wordle, plenty of players say they feel the pressure to win — even if it means cheating. The survey finds more than one in 10 people admit they cheat to solve the daily puzzle.
The most common ways are by searching for the answer online (48%), using a word list (42%), or by asking someone for hints (20%). Although it might be debatable that a word list is really cheating, six in 10 people think it is. Moreover, if you do cheat at Wordle, don’t tell anyone! It turns out 48 percent of Americans think less of someone who cheats at Wordle.
Overall, a majority of respondents say it takes them four guesses to successfully get the daily Wordle (58%). Meanwhile, 25 percent crack the code in three tries, which is the amount most people (61%) consider to be a “good” Wordle score. If you’re among the one percent of players who finish Wordle in two tries, try not to brag — 29 percent of Americans think people who regularly finish Wordle in two or three attempts are cheaters.
To share or not to share?
For many players, completing the daily Wordle is just the first step — now they have to share their score! The poll finds 26 percent of players regularly share their score on social media (35%) and through text messages with friends and family (53%).
Unfortunately for them, most people just don’t care! Seven in 10 respondents say they’re indifferent to seeing someone’s Wordle score. Another 12 percent say they dislike it and just 18 percent enjoy when someone shares their game score.
Among those who don’t enjoy all the sharing, 57 percent think it’s annoying and 39 percent call it “pointless.” For those you like seeing these scores, a whopping 71 percent say it’s fun seeing how many guesses it took someone else to finish Wordle.
Whether Americans play by themselves or with their friends, one thing’s for sure, no one wants to pay to play Wordle. Nine in 10 respondents say they would stop playing the game if The New York Times started charging for the online puzzle. | https://www.cenlanow.com/entertainment-news/1-in-6-wordle-players-complete-their-daily-puzzle-on-the-toilet/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:37 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/entertainment-news/1-in-6-wordle-players-complete-their-daily-puzzle-on-the-toilet/ |
(WGHP) — Cancers aren’t like coronavirus infections, but fighting them may have a lot of similarities.
For the last several years, researchers have been working with technology based around mRNA — messenger RNA, which is something that complements the work of your DNA — to see if they can utilize it to get your body’s own immune system to fight cancers. At Duke University, they’re working with mRNA technology to create vaccines for cancer.
“It is a product which is RNA nucleic acid which encodes a specific protein and then that can be encapsulated in something we like to call a lipid nanoparticle, which is really a little fat bubble, and that can be injected into your body and sort of teaches your body what to go after immunologically,” said Zachary Hartman, who works in the Lyerly Lab at Duke.
If it all sounds familiar, it should — mRNA vaccines have been in the news quite a bit over the last two years. It’s the type of technology used to create the COVID-19 vaccines.
“Remember, people were expecting that a successful vaccine would provide protective immunity to about 50% of patients, and the first two mRNA vaccines provided over 90% protection, a remarkable achievement,” said Dr. H. Kim Lyerly, who runs the lab at Duke.
Lyerly has been at Duke for nearly 40 years and has seen massive changes in how we can combat cancer going from relatively crude chemotherapy to very targeted immunotherapy.
“Think about that, in my career, a complete reversal of fortune for immunotherapy to be something to being considered an outsider, not likely to ever work, to being the most prominent form of cancer therapy and the development of new cancer therapeutics in the world today,” said Lyerly.
He’s taken note of the people who are skeptical when it comes to the new mRNA vaccines, but he thinks their concern is misplaced.
“You have mRNAs – billions of mRNA copies in your body right now. And so, to be concerned that the introduction of an mRNA coding of a viral protein is going to be harmful to you, again, doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, because if you happen to be infected with a coronavirus, you’re going to have a thousand times more mRNAs from the virus invading your body. So, the way to protect yourself from disease-causing mRNAs in your body is to vaccinate yourself,” he said.
Zach Hartman believes this technology will change the way we treat cancers completely.
“I think that within my lifetime, we will see cancer as a more managed disease,” said Hartman. “We’re going to turn the dial and be able to treat more and more of these kinds of cancers in the coming years and decades to where it’s not quite the same sentence it was 20 or 30 years ago. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to rid the world of cancer, but I think we will be able to prevent a lot of cancers, and then a lot of cancers that we’ll be able to catch early and treat, we’ll have very effective treatments.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/health-2/how-close-are-we-to-a-cancer-vaccine-duke-scientists-say-theyre-closing-in/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:44 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/health-2/how-close-are-we-to-a-cancer-vaccine-duke-scientists-say-theyre-closing-in/ |
ALEXANDRIA, La., April 13, 2022 – Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital celebrates its Newborn Intensive Care Unit’s 20th Anniversary on April 15!
When the NICU opened, it was licensed for 19 beds and had a staff of 35, including five neonatal nurse practitioners. Robert Schroeder, M.D., neonatologist, served as the NICU’s first full-time medical director and Terea McCarthy, RN, was the first NICU Manager.
“In 2002, we were sending lots of babies to other hospitals, and it was always understood that we’d rather be able to keep babies here where they were born,” McCarthy said. “We had an entire fourth floor at RWCH available for expansion, so we had the space, but we didn’t know how to take care of NICU babies. There was a lot of learning involved.”
Besides finding out what types of equipment and supplies would be needed, the staff also had to write policies and procedures, and train staff.
“At first, we didn’t keep the really tiny micro preemies,” McCarthy said. “It was a process. It wasn’t just that we had to train nurses. We had to train all the ancillary staff as well, that meant speech, PT, respiratory, it really impacted every department.”
Once all the processes were in place, it was time to pick an opening date. McCarthy chose April 15, “It was as good a day as any, and it was a date that everyone would find easy to remember.”
The first babies born in the RWCH NICU were twins.
“There were lots of picture taken of them and we kept up with the twins for several years,” McCarthy said. “We had some interesting times for sure. We had several employees who had babies in the NICU over the years. And some of the first NICU employees are still there.”
“I’ve had people, grown people, come up to me in the store and say, ‘Are you a nurse? I think there’s a picture of you in my baby book.’ There are some really heart-breaking stories, but there are some really good stories, too.”
When the NICU first opened, premature babies were considered viable – or having a good chance of survival at 27 or 28 weeks.
“The age of viability has been pushed farther back” said Julie Fontenot, RNC-OB, CPPS, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital administrative director. “The use of surfactant for lung maturation has made a big difference.” (Surfactant is a mixture of fat and protein in the lungs that aids in lung function. If a baby is born too early, the body doesn’t have enough surfactant, so modified natural surfactant is administered via breathing tube.)
Premature babies are now viable at 24 weeks, and sometimes younger.
“There were miracles back then (2002), but with the invention of equipment and drugs, we can help babies born earlier and earlier,” McCarthy said.
Tracy Alletag, RN, BSN, and NICU Manager, started working in the NICU 17 years ago.
“During nursing clinicals, I enjoyed every department. But I didn’t know my true calling would be when I did my NICU rotation at Rapides,” Alletag said. “The fragile nature of the patients required such specialized care, and the connections we created with families, connections that last long after the babies leave the NICU, that’s what is so rewarding.”
Shannon and Jason Smith of Deville still keep in touch with NICU employees who took care of their children, Jacee and Grant. Jacee is 18 and Grant is 11.
“Jacee spent one week in the NICU,” Shannon said. “That was unexpected. But then when I was pregnant with Grant, we knew he would be born early and would go to the NICU.”
The issue was Rh Factor. Shannon was making antibodies that attacked Grant’s blood cells. This occurs when mom and baby have differing proteins in the blood and baby’s blood mixes with mom’s – as had happened during Shannon’s first pregnancy.
“Grant had several blood transfusions while he was in the womb starting at 22 weeks,” Shannon said. “Then, he had fluid around his heart. I wasn’t nervous about Grant going to the NICU at all because I knew how good they had treated Jacee.
“We were in the NICU so much longer with Grant, so all the nurses felt like family. They would take pictures of Grant for us. They treated Grant like he was theirs. Anytime there was a ‘first,’ they would call us and include us. They didn’t have to do that, but they did.
Grant spent 72 days in the NICU.
“We were scared to death when we brought him home,” Shannon said. “We didn’t know what the future held. It wasn’t until 6 months later that we started to feel OK.”
Now that both of her children are older, and those NICU days are far behind, Shannon is able to look back on the experience and offer words of encouragement to other families with babies in the NICU.
“I always ask people, if they know they are going to have a baby in the NICU, or if they end up there unexpectedly, I ask if they are at Rapides. Because I know I can tell them that Rapides is going to take amazing care of the whole family.”
For more information about Newborn ICU services at Rapides Regional Medical Center, visit rapidesregional.com | https://www.cenlanow.com/health-2/rapides-regional-medical-center-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-newborn-intensive-care-unit/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:51 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/health-2/rapides-regional-medical-center-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-newborn-intensive-care-unit/ |
CHICAGO (NewsNation) — Inflation has driven price increases in grocery stores, and egg prices are soaring amid the recent bird flu outbreak across the nation just before Easter and Passover.
Bakeries like Chicago Sweet Connection Bakery are feeling the pinch.
Farmers killed more than 20 million birds across 24 states, making this the worst outbreak in the U.S. in seven years.
“We don’t like raising prices; obviously they don’t like it either, but we’re in an environment right now where we don’t have much of a choice,” said Eduardo Suarez, a baker at Sweet Connection.
In a given month, the bakery uses $50,000 to $60,000 in eggs. For all of their specialties items — pies, cakes, cookies and pastries — eggs are one of their top ingredients.
“It’s probably going to drive up the price at least another 30-35% from what it currently is,” Suarez said.
Scientists say wild birds migrating from Europe and Asia are infecting U.S. chickens, hens, turkeys and even exotic birds with avian influenza, also known as bird flu, killing them.
Egg prices have soared more than 50% since the first outbreak this year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
“Such a drastic increase, we probably are going to have to pass it on to our customers as well,” Suarez said.
Customers won’t just feel the price pinch at bakeries, but at grocery stores and restaurants, too.
“By far, this is the highest price we’ve ever seen on eggs. We are sitting at double the price,” said Joe Fasula, co-owner of Gerrity’s Supermarket.
Meanwhile, eggs and chicken are not the only products rising. Inflation is now about 8%. According to the U.S. Department of Labor price index, in the last year, milk is up 11%, butter by more than 5% and candy by 7%.
“A lot of bakeries in the Chicagoland area have recently shuttered because of rising commodity prices, shortage of labor, fuel costs,” Suarez said.
“It’s tough on the working man because he can’t make ends meet because he’s living paycheck to paycheck, and when you see gas prices and the price of your groceries going up like they are, it’s a terrible thing,” one consumer said.
According to the USDA, grocery prices could see an increase of up to 4% by December, and eating out could be 6% more expensive by then. | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/egg-prices-soar-ahead-of-easter-passover/ | 2022-04-13T19:06:57 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/egg-prices-soar-ahead-of-easter-passover/ |
(The Hill) – Prominent GOP pollster Frank Luntz said in a recent interview that Republicans in private are mocking former President Trump and they are “tired of going back and rehashing the 2020 election.”
Luntz said he was not surprised by comments made by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) that gained attention from the Gridiron Club’s annual dinner.
“He’s f—— crazy,” Sununu said of Trump earlier this month at the annual event, known for its roasts of politicians and other figures.
“I don’t think he’s so crazy that you could put him in a mental institution,” he added. “But I think if he were in one, he ain’t getting out.”
Luntz said that while the comments were made at a roast, many members of the Republican party feel the same way.
“I don’t know a single Republican who was surprised by what Sununu said. He said what they were thinking,” Luntz said to The Daily Beast. “They won’t say it [in public], but behind his back, they think he’s a child. They’re laughing at him.”
“That’s what made it significant,” he added, referring to Sununu’s comments.
Luntz added, “Trump isn’t the same man he was a year ago.”
“Even many Republicans are tired of going back and rehashing the 2020 election. Everybody else has moved on and in Washington everyone believes he lost the election,” the pollster said.
After Sununu’s comments at the dinner gained attention, he emphasized that his remarks were a joke.
“It’s all a joke. Look, I don’t think he’s crazy. It’s all a joke,” Sununu said.
“It’s all in fun, it’s all a joke, and anyone who’s trying to make this to be more than it is either seriously doesn’t understand what the Gridiron dinner is all about or just has to, you know, like I said, lighten up a little bit, get a sense of humor,” he added.
President Biden even appeared at the popular event via a video message.
“I get the sense even if I’m not at the dinner, I’m going to be on the menu,” the president said.
Sununu late last year announced that he would run for a fourth term as governor, despite pressure from the GOP to run for Senate.
“I’d rather push myself 120 miles an hour delivering wins for New Hampshire than to slow down, end up on Capitol Hill debating partisan politics without results. That’s why I am going to run for a fourth term,” Sununu said, speaking from Concord, N.H. | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/gop-pollster-says-republicans-are-mocking-child-trump/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:03 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/gop-pollster-says-republicans-are-mocking-child-trump/ |
(NewsNation) — Investigators in Utah have tracked down a man accused of faking his own death to avoid a rape charge. The man in question, who was reportedly found in Scotland, is maintaining his innocence and insisting police have the wrong guy.
The man identified by authorities as Nicholas Alahverdian, who claims he is a different man, was arrested in December for a 2008 sexual assault allegation in Orem, Utah. According to prosecutors, he invited a woman to whom he owed money to his home, saying he would pay her back but instead brutally raped her.
The registered sex offender is under investigation in four states for sexual assault and kidnapping. He also faces charges for fraudulently obtaining credit cards in his foster father’s name, amassing $200,000 in debt.
Many people in Rhode Island, including reporters, local politicians and members of his own family, believed Alahverdian died in February 2020 from cancer. Someone claiming to be his wife confirmed the reported death and had an obituary published for him. His life was even eulogized at the Rhode Island State House, where he was praised for his work on behalf of children. But it turns out, authorities say, he was alive.
“I’m shocked. Honestly, I feel like that I was used a little bit. I went along with it, you know, meaning I was unaware that this was a setup,” uncle Michael Alahverdian said.
Law enforcement officers say they tracked Nicholas Alahverdian down in December. They say he was in a Scottish hospital on a ventilator being treated for COVID-19. Scottish investigators and staff at the Glasgow hospital reportedly worked with the Utah County Attorney’s Office to identify Alahverdian based on tattoos and DNA evidence.
While it may seem like the case was nearly closed, they soon learned it was just the beginning.
The man identified as Alahverdian claims his name is actually Arthur Knight and that the entire ordeal is a big misunderstanding. The man saying he is Knight insists he has never even been to the United States and a woman claiming to be his wife backs up his story.
Still, the man claiming to be Knight has not been able to produce a birth certificate to authorities. He also refused to roll up his sleeves when a BBC reporter asked to check his arm for tattoos.
Knight appeared Monday on NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live” via Zoom, but his breathing device made him hard to understand. He did show parts of his arms during the interview. And as for DNA evidence, his attorney Craig Johnson says prosecutors don’t have it.
“There is no DNA. That’s inaccurate. (The prosecutor) is inaccurate and we’re looking forward to proving that beyond a reasonable doubt,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he just returned from spending time with Knight. According to Nexstar’s WPRI, Johnson is not representing Knight in the U.K. proceedings.
“I just got back from spending four days in Scotland with him and his wife. I was able to see his arms as proof that he does not have the tattoos supposedly, that Mr. Alahverdian had,” Johnson said. “In addition, during those entire time with him, some 12- to 16-hour days, I never saw him off of his oxygen mask, it all seemed genuine to me. There were times that I had to help him out of his wheelchair into a sitting chair for dinner and things like that into his car. And so from my perspective, he is not Mr. Alahverdian. He’s never been to the United States and they have the wrong man.”
Johnson previously worked for the Utah County Attorney, and a Salt Lake Tribune article from March 2020 reveals that he and two other prosecutors resigned amid an investigation into whether they received inappropriate gifts from a defense attorney.
Even with Johnson’s arguments, prosecutors are not backing down. They say in the past, Alahverdian was able to avoid law enforcement by giving multiple aliases. Officials believe there may be more victims of Alahverdian in multiple states. | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/man-accused-of-faking-own-death-found-maintains-innocence/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:10 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/man-accused-of-faking-own-death-found-maintains-innocence/ |
WASHINGTON (KNWA/KFTA) — On April 12, Richard Barnett, 61, of Gravette, Arkansas, turned down the government’s offer of a plea deal in the case stemming from his alleged participation in the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Barnett was photographed sitting at a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office that day.
In a virtual pre-trial hearing Tuesday, prosecutor Mary Dohrmann informed the court that the government had presented a plea agreement offer in which Barnett would plead guilty to one charge, with the others being dismissed.
Defense attorney Joseph McBride stated that the defense could not accept the offer “in good conscience.” McBride cited Barnett’s advanced age and the sentencing guideline of 70-87 months for the charge in question as factors in the defendant’s decision to reject the offer.
“He wasn’t violent that day by any stretch of the imagination,” the defense counsel added. Judge Chris Cooper quickly acknowledged the rejection, noting that the court itself has no role when such an offer is made.
“It takes two to tango,” Judge Cooper added, referring to the prosecution and the defense. He noted that he has been involved in other insurrection cases that have already reached plea agreements.
The call ended with Judge Cooper stating that he would “sit back and wait for any motions” before the next pretrial conference. The defense previously requested an extension to deal with a “voluminous amount” of discovery material.
Barnett is charged with: Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Aiding and Abetting; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon; Entering and Remaining in Certain Rooms in the Capitol Building; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building; Theft of Government Property.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his trial is scheduled to begin on September 6.
According to the Associated Press, more than 700 people were arrested for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol with more than 160 reaching plea deals.
A Proud Boys leader, 34-year-old Charles Donohue, recently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding a law enforcement officer, The Hill reports. The man photographed carrying Pelosi’s lectern in the Capitol, Adam Johnson, was sentenced to 75 days in prison earlier this year. | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/man-photographed-in-pelosis-office-on-jan-6-rejects-plea-deal/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:16 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/man-photographed-in-pelosis-office-on-jan-6-rejects-plea-deal/ |
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Inflation hit 8.5% this March — the highest rate since 1981. While you can feel the effects checking out at the grocery store, those who farm the food we eat everyday say their planting season is off to an expensive start.
“We’ve got more at risk than I reckon I’ve ever had in my career,” Brian Glenn said.
Glenn and his family have farmed their land, Glenn Acre Farms, in Lawrence County for generations. This year though, is different.
“Nitrogen fertilizer that we’re using just put out on wheat, last year cost me $220 a ton, this year is running $655 a ton. We’ve just got so much more at risk than normal years,” Glenn said.
Glenn says price increases in fertilizer, fuel and crop protection products like herbicides are making spring planting season stressful.
“One of the things that seems to be a common thread with all of my friends and neighbors, is just the stress level of dealing with the added prices,” Glenn said.
Mitt Walker with the Alabama Farmers Federation says because of those raised prices, corn crops are down this year as farmers switch to soybeans, which need less fertilizer and financial input.
“The real concern is that some of the products they need may not even be available, some of the crop protection products, and that is also playing into some of these planting decisions,” Walker said.
Walker says not having certain products puts farmers in a tough spot when deciding what to plant.
“It certainly brings up some concern there. Lot of uncertainty, lot of tough decisions being made right now,” Walker said.
Food prices are expected to continue rising, according to a recent report from the USDA, predicting grocery prices will go up another 3 to 4 percent this year. | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/so-much-more-at-risk-alabama-farmers-hit-hard-by-inflation/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:23 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/so-much-more-at-risk-alabama-farmers-hit-hard-by-inflation/ |
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KSWB) – A group of whale watchers was surprised last week when they witnessed a “stampede” by a large group of dolphins near their boat off the coast of Oceanside, California.
Video from the Oceanside Adventures whale watching group shows more than a dozen dolphins playfully interacting with a boat on the Pacific Ocean last Thursday.
In the video, one woman can be seen recording the “stampede” from the boat’s deck while the dolphins weave in and out of the water just beside the boat.
According to the Pacific Beach Coalition, Southern California waters are home to more than 10 different species of dolphins. The majestic animals can be found off the coast year-round, but primarily in the fall and winter months.
The American Cetacean Society (ACS) says that packs like the one in the video above are actually not uncommon for dolphins.
“Common dolphins are often found in large herds of hundreds or even thousands,” the ACS says on its website.
Additionally, the animal is well known for its playful, engaging tendencies when it comes to boats and vessels out on the water.
“They are noted for riding bow and stern waves of boats, often changing course to bow-ride the pressure waves of fast-moving vessels and even large whales,” a description of the animal says on the ACS website.
Earlier this year, another “stampede” wowed crowds near Newport Beach as hundreds of dolphins swam alongside a whale watching group just before sunset. You can watch video from that event here. | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/watch-dolphins-stampede-near-boat-off-california-coast/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:29 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/watch-dolphins-stampede-near-boat-off-california-coast/ |
(The Hill) – The White House on Wednesday slammed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for the delays at the state’s border with Mexico after he ordered state troopers to step up truck inspections.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the delays from the inspections are causing rising prices and “significant disruptions” to supply chains.
“Governor Abbott’s unnecessary and redundant inspections of trucks transiting ports of entry between Texas and Mexico are causing significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains, delaying manufacturing, impacting jobs, and raising prices for families in Texas and across the country,” Psaki said in a statement.
State troops are inspecting commercial vehicles, which have already been searched by federal officers, crossing northbound into Texas, a directive Abbott implemented after Biden announced Title 42 would be rescinded earlier this month.
Psaki said that the delays truckers are facing have exceeded five hours at some border crossings and commercial traffic has dropped by 60% at the southern border.
“The continuous flow of legitimate trade and travel and CBP’s [Customs and Border Protection] ability to do its job should not be obstructed. Governor Abbott’s actions are impacting people’s jobs, and the livelihoods of hardworking American families,” she said.
On Tuesday, no commercial vehicles crossed the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, which is the busiest bridge in the area, because truckers on the Mexico side are blocking traffic in protest, The Texas Tribune reported.
Title 42, which will officially end on May 23, was first imposed under the Trump administration in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed migrants to be expelled at the border, blocking them from trying to obtain asylum.
Abbott’s order cited “cartels that smuggle illicit contraband and people across our southern border” as justification for the state trooper inspections, Reuters reported.
The delays at the border come as the first bus of migrants arrived in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning after Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to bring migrants in Texas to the nation’s capital last week.
The White House dismissed Abbott’s plans to send migrants to Washington last week as a “publicity stunt.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/white-house-slams-texas-gov-abbott-for-causing-significant-disruptions-to-supply-chain-at-southern-border/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:35 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/white-house-slams-texas-gov-abbott-for-causing-significant-disruptions-to-supply-chain-at-southern-border/ |
SUNSET PARK, Brooklyn (PIX11) — Frank R. James was upgraded from “person of interest” to “suspect” Wednesday morning in connection with a subway attack in Brooklyn, Mayor Eric Adams said.
Police identified James, 62, hours after 10 people were shot and another 13 were injured on an N train in Sunset Park on Tuesday morning.
James’ name was linked to a U-Haul van sought in connection with the attack, officials said. A key was left behind at the scene of the shooting.
Police connected that to a U-Haul with Arizona plates, which they later located in Brooklyn. James had rented the U-Haul, police said. New surveillance video obtained by PIX11 News on Wednesday shows James after he allegedly parked the U-Haul van near Kings Highway in Brooklyn before the shooting occurred.
“We’re looking to determine if he has any connection to the train,” NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said on Tuesday.
Speaking on WNYC Wednesday morning, Adams said James was now considered a suspect “based on new information that has become available to the team.” Earlier, Adams told the PIX11 Morning News that investigators believe James acted alone. The mayor urged anyone who may come into contact with James to call the police but added that no one should engage or interact with him.
There were some “concerning” social media posts police believe may be connected to James, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said on Tuesday. They mentioned homelessness and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Security for the mayor, who was already isolating following a positive COVID-19 test on Sunday, was increased because of the posts.
“This nation was born in violence, it’s kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it’s going to die a violent death. There’s nothing going to stop that,” James said in one video.
Rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos apparently posted by James, who is Black, are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against other Black people.
In one video, posted a day before the attack, he criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed.
“You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people,” James says. “It’s not going to get better until we make it better,” he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were “stomped, kicked and tortured” out of their “comfort zone.”
Several videos mention New York’s subways.
A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governor’s plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system “is doomed for failure” and refers to himself as a “victim” of the city’s mental health programs. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams’ plan to end gun violence.
James has addresses in Wisconsin and Philadelphia. The U-Haul was rented in Philadelphia.
At the scene of the attack, officers also recovered a 9mm semi-automatic weapon and a hatchet. They found a liquid believed to be gasoline and a bag with commercial-grade fireworks inside.
No arrests have been made. Police described the suspected gunman as being around 5 feet, 5 inches tall. The man weighs around 175-200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gas mask and a construction vest. Police initially said the vest was green, but later officials said it was orange. The man also had on a gray, hooded sweatshirt.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/who-is-frank-r-james-suspect-in-brooklyn-subway-attack/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:36 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/who-is-frank-r-james-suspect-in-brooklyn-subway-attack/ |
CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 12: Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Cincinnati Reds game against the Cleveland…
CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 12: Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Cincinnati Reds game against the Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park on April 12, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/gallery-joe-burrow-throws-out-first-pitch-for-cincinnati-reds/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:43 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/gallery-joe-burrow-throws-out-first-pitch-for-cincinnati-reds/ |
West Point, Miss. – The LSU men’s golf team shot a 4-under 284 third round to finish the Mossy Oak Collegiate, held at the Mossy Oak Golf Club, tied for 3rd place at 10-under 854 (289-281-284) for the tournament.
Second Round
The Tigers opened the day by finishing the final few holes of their second rounds that was halted Monday evening due to darkness. Nicholas Arcement completed a 5-under 67 round that saw him grab a season-high seven birdies in one round. Cohen Trolio carded a 2-under 70 round while Drew Doyle and Michael Sanders both finished at even par 72 to round out LSU’s second round score to a 7-under 281. Garrett Barber had the drop score as he finished at 1-over 73.
Third Round
Arcement put in a steady 1-under 71 performance in the final round to take his final score to 3-under 213 and a finish of tied for 9th place on the individual leaderboard, his 3rd top ten finish of the season. Sanders and Trolio finished only one stroke behind at 2-under 214 and tied for 12th place as they shot a 3-under 69 and 2-under 70 in the final round, respectively. Doyle’s 2-over 74 was the final score counted towards the team’s 4-under 284 as he finished the tournament tied for 41st place at 3-over 219 while Barber carded a 4-over 76 final round to finish at 2-over 218 and tied in 37th place.
No. 3-ranked Vanderbilt claimed the team title with a 25-under 839 (280-280-279) performance while the Commodores’ own Gordon Sargent claimed medalist honors with a 12-under 204.
Up Next
The first round of the SEC Championships is set to start on Wednesday, April 20th, at the Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Georgia.
(Press release via LSU Athletics) | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/geaux-nation/lsu-mens-golf-finish-tied-for-third-at-mossy-oak-collegiate/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:50 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/geaux-nation/lsu-mens-golf-finish-tied-for-third-at-mossy-oak-collegiate/ |
BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU softball team remains at No. 21 in the USA Today/NFCA DI Coaches’ Poll, and No. 23 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll.
The Tigers have been ranked in the national polls for 118 consecutive weeks dating back to 2014. LSU won the three-game series at Texas A&M last weekend by taking the first two games 2-1 and 11-8, before falling in the finale 5-4. LSU currently has a No. 21 RPI ranking and has the fourth toughest strength of schedule in the country.
The Tigers collected 149 points in the NFCA poll and 75 points in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll.
LSU will host South Carolina for a three-game series April 14-16 at Tiger Park.
2022 ESPN.com / USA Softball
Top 25 Coaches Poll – April 12 (Week 9)
Rank, School (First-Place Votes), Points, 2022 Record, Prev. Ranking
- Oklahoma (24), 624 pts, 36-0, No. 1
- Alabama, 580 pts, 33-5, No. 4
- Virginia Tech (1), 579 pts, 29-5, No. 5
- Florida State, 543 pts, 37-4, No. 3
- UCLA, 540 pts, 32-5, No. 2
- Arkansas, 463 pts, 28-7, No. 9
- Oklahoma State, 449 pts, 31-7, No. 7
- Northwestern, 443 pts, 27-6, No. 8
- Florida, 440 pts, 30-9, No. 6
T10. Arizona State, 383 pts, 28-5, No. 13
T10. Duke, 383 pts, 32-5, No. 10
- Kentucky, 344 pts, 27-9, No. 12
- Georgia, 316 pts, 33-8, No. 16
- Tennessee, 310 pts, 26-12, No. 11
- Washington, 285 pts, 22-11, No. 15
- Clemson, 235 pts, 30-10, T-No. 17
- Oregon, 207 pts, 24-11, No. 14
- Texas, 205 pts, 30-10-1, No. 19
- Auburn, 175 pts, 29-9, T-No. 17
- UCF, 172 pts, 34-10, No. 20
- Oregon State, 96 pts, 31-9, No. 22
- Michigan, 89 pts, 23-12, No. 21
- LSU, 75 pts, 24-16, No. 23
- Stanford, 73 pts, 26-10, RV
- Notre Dame, 32 pts, 30-7, RV
Receiving Votes: Mississippi State (28), South Florida (20), Arizona (12), Nebraska (11), Missouri (8), San Diego State (5), USC Upstate (5), Illinois (4), Louisiana (4), Utah (1).
2022 USA Today / NFCA Division I
Top 25 Coaches Poll – April 12 (Week 9)
Rank, School (First-Place Votes), Points, 2022 Record, Prev. Ranking
1 Oklahoma (32), 800 pts, 36-0, No. 1
2 Virginia Tech, 740 pts, 29-5, No. 4
3 Alabama, 734 pts, 33-5, No. 5
4 Florida State, 713 pts, 37-4, No. 2
5 UCLA, 683 pts, 32-5, No. 3
6 Oklahoma State, 621 pts, 31-7, No. 6
7 Arkansas, 581 pts, 28-7, No. 10
8 Kentucky, 560 pts, 27-9, No. 8
9 Florida, 549 pts, 30-9, No. 7
10 Northwestern, 517 pts, 27-6, No. 9
11 Washington, 458 pts, 22-11, No. 11
12 Duke, 456 pts, 32-5, No. 13
13 Arizona State, 405 pts, 28-5, No. 16
14 Georgia, 386 pts, 33-8, No. 15
15 Tennessee, 381 pts, 26-12, No. 12
16 Clemson, 310 pts, 30-10, No. 18
17 Oregon, 260 pts, 24-11 No. 14
18 Texas, 224 pts, 30-10-1, No. 19
19 Auburn, 217 pts, 29-9, No. 17
20 UCF, 168 pts, 34-10, No. 23
21 LSU, 149 pts, 24-16, No. 21
22 Michigan, 118 pts, 23-12, No. 22
23 Notre Dame, 100 pts, 30-7, No. 25
24 Stanford, 92 pts, 26-10, RV
25 Arizona, 78 pts, 21-14, No. 20
Receiving Votes: Oregon State (38), Missouri (29), USC Upstate (17), Mississippi State (4), Nebraska (4), USF (4), Louisiana (2), San Diego State (2).
(Press release via LSU Athletics) | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/geaux-nation/lsu-softball-ranks-no-21-23-in-week-nine-national-rankings/ | 2022-04-13T19:07:56 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/geaux-nation/lsu-softball-ranks-no-21-23-in-week-nine-national-rankings/ |
BATON ROUGE – Mwani Wilkinson, who played 61 games for LSU over the past two seasons, has announced that he has withdrawn from the transfer portal and will return for his junior season with the Tigers.
Wilkinson, from Las Vegas, Nevada, has been a part of NCAA Tournament teams in both 2021 and 2022 for LSU.
This past season, Wilkinson appeared in all 34 games with 30 starts. He averaged 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. The third double-figure game of his career came against Lipscomb (12/22), scoring 11 points (5-of-7 from the field). Wilkinson scored eight points in the SEC Tournament game against Arkansas (3/11) and 8 in the NCAA Tournament game against Iowa State (3/18).
Wilkinson made 25 three-pointers, shooting 40.3 percent from distance. He had six steals in the season opener with two blocks and three assists against ULM (11/9). He also had five steals versus Belmont (11/22) and four against McNeese (11/18).
He averaged 24.2 minutes per game.
As a freshman in 2020-21, he averaged 3.6 points and 2.7 rebounds with 12 points against Southeastern Louisiana (11/30) and 11 versus Arkansas (1/13). He was 5-of-8 from the field against Southeastern and 4-of-4 with a trey against Arkansas. For the season he hit a strong 40-of-51 from the field (78.4%).
Wilkinson joins a roster that Coach Matt McMahon has begun to shape at LSU for the 2022-23 season, including Murray State transfers Justice Hill and Trae Hannibal along with Kendal Coleman from Northwestern State.
(Press release via LSU Athletics) | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/geaux-nation/mwani-wilkinson-will-return-for-his-junior-season-at-lsu/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:02 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/geaux-nation/mwani-wilkinson-will-return-for-his-junior-season-at-lsu/ |
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Alyssa Nakken was hard at work in the batting cage, just a few steps from the dugout, when suddenly the call came: The San Francisco Giants needed her to coach at first base.
She quickly pulled off her sweatshirt, grabbed her No. 92 jersey and found a bright orange batting helmet.
A few minutes later, Nakken made major league history as the first female coach on the field in a regular-season game when she took her spot Tuesday night in a 13-2 win over San Diego.
“I think we’re all inspirations doing everything that we do on a day-to-day basis and I think, yes, this carries a little bit more weight because of the visibility, obviously there’s a historical nature to it,” she said. “But again, this is my job.”
Nakken came in to coach first base for the Giants in the third inning after Antoan Richardson was ejected.
When she was announced as Richardson’s replacement, Nakken received a warm ovation from the crowd at Oracle Park, and a congratulatory handshake from Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer.
“Right now in this moment as I reflect back, I reflect back to somebody needed to go out, we needed a coach to coach first base, our first base coach got thrown out, I’ve been in training as a first base coach for the last few years and work alongside Antoan, so I stepped in to what I’ve been hired to do, is support this staff and this team,” Nakken said.
The baseball Hall of Fame was ready, too. Her helmet is already on its way to the shrine in Cooperstown, New York.
San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said Nakken had “prepared for this moment” while working with Richardson and others.
“So it’s not a foreign spot on the field for her. She does so many other things well that aren’t seen,” he said. “So it’s nice to see her kind of be right there in the spotlight and do it on the field.”
Nakken is an assistant coach who works heavily with baserunning and outfield defense. She watches games from an indoor batting cage near the steps to the dugout — and keeps a Giants jersey nearby, just in case she needs it.
And in an instant Tuesday night, she needed it.
The 31-year-old Nakken jogged onto the field four days after Rachel Balkovec became the first woman to manage a minor league affiliate of an Major League Baseball team. She guided the New York Yankees’ Class A Tampa club to a win in her first game.
Nakken had previously coached the position in spring training and during part of a July 2020 exhibition game at Oakland against now-Padres manager Bob Melvin when he was skipper of the Athletics. She started at first again a night later against the A’s in San Francisco as the teams prepared for the pandemic-delayed season.
“You feel a sense of pride to be out there,” Nakken said at the time. “Me personally, it’s the best place to watch a game, that’s for sure.”
The former Sacramento State softball star, whose blonde braid hung out from her orange protective helmet Tuesday, became the first female coach in the big leagues when she was hired for Kapler’s staff in January 2020.
At Sacramento State from 2009-2012, Nakken was a three-time all-conference player at first base and four-time Academic All American. She went on to earn a master’s degree in sport management from the University of San Francisco in 2015 after interning with the Giants’ baseball operations department a year earlier.
From Day One with the Giants, Nakken embraced her role as an example for girls and women that they can do anything.
“It’s a big deal,” she said. “I feel a great sense of responsibility and I feel it’s my job to honor those who have helped me to where I am.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/photos-giants-alyssa-nakken-becomes-first-female-coach-on-major-league-baseball-field/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:08 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/photos-giants-alyssa-nakken-becomes-first-female-coach-on-major-league-baseball-field/ |
GRANDE ISLE, La. (WGNO) — On April 12, the town of Grand Isle announced the reopening of its beaches after Hurricane Ida caused mass destruction in the town in 2021.
David Camardelle, the Grand Isle Mayor said it has taken a lot of hard work from members of the community to open up the beaches.
“A major part of our recovery is making sure that our residents, camp owners and visitors can safely access the beach. We welcome all to come down to enjoy our beach and support our local businesses,” said Camardelle.
The following public beach crossovers are accessible to golf cart/ UTVs and most include parking:
· Boudreaux Lane
· Cranberry Lane
· Apple Lane (Pedestrian Only)
· Krantz Lane
· Capital Lane
· Chighizola Lane
· Coulon Rigaud Lane
· Post Lane
· Landry Lane
· Oak Lane
· Cypress Lane
· Birch Lane
All beach crossovers are marked by signage on Highway 1 and on the beach. You can find more information on the opening of the beaches online. | https://www.cenlanow.com/state-news/grand-isle-beaches-are-open-to-the-public/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:16 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/state-news/grand-isle-beaches-are-open-to-the-public/ |
PONCHATOULA, La. (BRPROUD) – The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office was alerted to an apparent threat made against Ponchatoula High School.
The call came in on Wednesday morning and it involved “a supposedly planned school shooting that would take place at Ponchatoula High School today circulating on social media,” according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The subsequent investigation led TPSO to conclude that there was no credible threat against the campus.
TPSO says, “In an abundance of caution, Chief Jimmy Travis reports that there will be law enforcement presence inside and outside of Ponchatoula High School today.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/state-news/law-enforcement-presence-increased-at-high-school-in-louisiana-after-alleged-social-media-threat/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:23 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/state-news/law-enforcement-presence-increased-at-high-school-in-louisiana-after-alleged-social-media-threat/ |
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – The Louisiana Legislature is making a new push to allow people to conceal carry firearms without training or a permit. Lawmakers and law enforcement are at odds on the issue.
Continuing with the theme of bills making a return, Rep. Danny McCormick brought back his bill that would allow people 18 years old and older to conceal carry a firearm without a permit. An amendment was tacked on to raise that age to 21.
Rep. McCormick pointed to Louisiana as already an open carry state – and believes people should be able to conceal carry without a permit as well. He also believes the cost of the training and permits are a hardship for low-income firearm owners.
He talked about his seven-year-old granddaughter who can use a gun. But said she would not be able to conceal a gun to protect herself when she is older.
“This state tells her when she’s 18 she cannot put a pistol in her purse to protect herself from a murderer and a rapist. We need to give some thought to the victims,” Rep. McCormick said.
Other representatives and law enforcement agencies from the metro areas are concerned with the bill. They point to the nine-hour training required for the permit to be critical in preventing undue harm. They are already dealing with high numbers of shootings, many of them by men in their teens or early 20s.
“We start talking about protecting citizens, we have to remember that stray bullet that hits the wrong person because that person is not trained,” Rep. C. Denise Marcelle said.
The Executive Director of the Chiefs of Police said he is against the bill and the State Police Superintendent said he had some major worries about the risk it could give to officers.
“We take great care in making sure that we provide them not only the knowledge they need to conceal carry but also we give them the skillset so they can do so in a fashion that they’re not harming themselves, not harming their families, harming someone they do not intend to harm,” Col. Lamar Davis said.
Lawmakers were more against the bill when it allowed 18-year-olds to conceal carry. The amendment by Rep. Marcelle was added on despite objections by McCormick.
Last year a similar bill made it all the way up to the governor’s desk and he vetoed it. There was an attempt to override that veto but they ended up not taking that vote. So it’s not clear how far this legislation is going to make it this year.
The amended bill passed the committee with a vote of 10-3. A similar bill is also working through the legislature on the Senate side. | https://www.cenlanow.com/state-news/permit-less-concealed-carry-advances-in-legislature/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:29 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/state-news/permit-less-concealed-carry-advances-in-legislature/ |
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Shreveport police say an investigation is underway into the death of an inmate admitted to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport from the city jail last week.
“When Chief Smith was named substitute Chief of Police for the Shreveport Police Department in August of 2021, he vowed to operate the Shreveport Police Department on platform transparency,” Deputy Chief Antoine White said in a briefing Wednesday morning. “That promise of transparency brings us here this morning.”
White says the police department was notified just before 6:30 a.m. Tuesday that a 39-year-old male inmate that had been to the hospital on April 6 had died. Police have not identified the inmate, but they say he had been booked into the city jail the afternoon before on a charge of violating a protective order.
“On April 6, the man suffered what appeared to be a medical event and fell onto the floor. The jail video showed that the man’s head did hit the floor and suffered what appeared to be a minor head injury,” White said.
The inmate was taken to the hospital for evaluation and was admitted.
“He was alert and speaking to jailers and transporting officers and medical staff at the hospital. He remained hospitalized and his condition was reportedly improving. On April 9, there was a change in his condition and he died during the early morning hours of April 12. The cause of death is unknown at this time and we are awaiting the autopsy results. We have secured video from the jail and we do have the matter under investigation.”
White did not take questions during the brief news conference.
“We ask for your patience and your understanding, as we cannot release any details at this time, in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. However, it is our promise to the community to release information when we are at a point that it can be released. Again, we ask that keep this man’s family in your thoughts and your prayers.”
White said the police department has spoken to and continues to communicate with the inmate’s family.
SPD has not offered an explanation as to why Chief Smith was not at the briefing Wednesday as previously planned. | https://www.cenlanow.com/state-news/shreveport-police-chief-to-hold-news-conference-on-inmate-death/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:35 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/state-news/shreveport-police-chief-to-hold-news-conference-on-inmate-death/ |
(The Hill) — President Biden’s administration is expected to approve an additional $750 million in military assistance to Ukraine that will include Howitzer artillery, a source confirmed to The Hill.
The new aid package comes as Ukrainian forces are preparing for Russia to concentrate its forces in an assault on the east of the country after being pushed back from around the capital city of Kyiv.
It’s not clear precisely when Biden plans to announce the new assistance. The president has nothing on his public schedule on Wednesday.
The White House did not respond to a request for information.
The new assistance, which was first reported by Reuters, comes as Ukrainian officials are pleading for more military help to fend off a barrage of Russian attacks.
Russia has shifted its war aims in recent days, pulling back troops from Kyiv after Moscow was unable to capture the city. U.S. and Ukrainian officials say they anticipate Russia will now focus its attention on southern and eastern areas of Ukraine.
The new $750 million in assistance is on top of $1.7 billion in security assistance provided by the U.S. since Russia launched its assault on Ukraine on Feb. 24 and the $2.4 billion since the beginning of the Biden administration.
The Department of Defense last week said it has provided the Ukrainians with thousands of pieces of anti-aircraft and anti-armor munitions, including Stinger and Javelin missiles; hundreds of Switchblade drones, which act as remote-controlled missiles; laser-guided rocket systems; and 50 million rounds of ammunition.
The administration has also sent Ukrainian forces detection equipment to warn against a chemical weapons attack, personal protective equipment and medical supplies to treat potential victims.
Congress approved $13.6 billion in Ukraine-related assistance as part of a massive government funding bill signed into law in March.
In addition to providing security, humanitarian and economic assistance to Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies have also ratcheted up sanctions on Russian banks and officials in response to the invasion that began almost seven weeks ago.
Biden has also escalated his rhetoric against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of committing genocide in Ukraine during a speech in Iowa on Tuesday.
“It’s become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being Ukrainian,” Biden told reporters following the event, elaborating on his comments. “The evidence is mounting.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/washington-dc/biden-to-announce-750-million-military-aid-package-for-ukraine-source/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:41 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/washington-dc/biden-to-announce-750-million-military-aid-package-for-ukraine-source/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Hill) — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday said the political atmosphere is good for Republicans heading into the midterms but warned that the party could bungle its chances if “unacceptable” candidates win their primaries but go on to lose in November.
Republicans are feeling optimistic about their chances to win back the Senate, but they face several messy primaries that could have ramifications for the general election map and the GOP’s chances of picking up, or holding onto, a seat.
McConnell, speaking at a chamber event in Kentucky, said that 1994 had been the best year for Republicans and that the atmosphere heading into November “is better than it was in 1994.”
“From an atmospheric point of view, it’s a perfect storm of problems for the Democrats,” McConnell said. “How could you screw this up? It’s actually possible. And we’ve had some experience with that in the past.”
“In the Senate, if you look at where we have to compete in order to get into a majority, there are places that are competitive in the general election. So you can’t nominate somebody who’s just sort of unacceptable to a broader group of people and win. We had that experience in 2010 and 2012,” McConnell added.
To win back the Senate in November, Republicans would need a net pickup of just one seat to tip the current 50-50 balance. Republicans are defending 21 seats, compared to Democrats’ 14, including two seats currently held by Republicans that are in states President Biden won in 2020.
Five seats are rated by The Cook Political Report as toss-ups. Three of those — Nevada, Georgia and Arizona — are currently held by Democrats, while two — Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — are currently held by Republicans. In Pennsylvania, GOP Sen. Pat Toomey is retiring.
Meanwhile, three of the seats currently held by Republicans are ranked as “lean” Republican: Florida, Ohio and North Carolina. In Florida, GOP Sen. Marco Rubio is running for reelection, while Ohio and North Carolina are open races because GOP Sens. Rob Portman and Richard Burr are retiring.
Only one seat currently held by Democrats is ranked “lean” Democrat: New Hampshire, where Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan is running for reelection.
Despite having to play defense on a larger swath of seats, Republicans are increasingly confident about their chances of winning back the majority in November as Biden struggles to rebound in polling and Americans remain concerned about inflation and the economy more broadly.
But first Republicans need to navigate several crowded primaries that will determine who their nominee is in the general election.
Former President Trump over the weekend irked some allies when he endorsed Mehmet Oz in the Pennsylvania Senate race. There’s also been running high-profile tension in the North Carolina GOP primary, where Trump has endorsed Rep. Ted Budd.
Top GOP figures have also raised red flags over Senate candidate Eric Greitens in Missouri. Greitens’s ex-wife is accusing him of abusing her and their children while they were married. The accusations, which Greitens has denied, sparked calls for him to drop out of the race.
Republicans in previous cycles have watched GOP nominees win the party’s primary only to lose the Senate seat in the general election. McConnell has warned that he and his allies could step in where a candidate they view as unable to win in November appears poised to win the primary.
The fight for the Senate is running through several states, most of which McConnell mentioned on Tuesday: Georgia, Arizona, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wisconsin.
“So far, I’m optimistic that in the places that are going to determine who the next majority leader is we’re going to have fully electable nominees,” McConnell said. | https://www.cenlanow.com/washington-dc/mcconnell-gop-could-flub-midterms-with-unacceptable-candidates/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:47 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/washington-dc/mcconnell-gop-could-flub-midterms-with-unacceptable-candidates/ |
SALADO, Texas (KXAN) — Homes in Salado, Texas, a little less than 10 miles north of Jarrell, were damaged by a tornado Tuesday, officials said.
The tornado was spotted a little after 5:30 p.m., moving between Florence and Salado, the communities most affected by storm damage.
Officials with the Bell County Sheriff’s Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety said there were a lot of debris and power lines down on a roadway — FM 2843 — between Salado and Florence. The road was closed off, with only local traffic allowed.
Officials said well-built ranch-style homes were heavily damaged or destroyed.
“If we have to stay out here all night, we’re not going to stop until everybody’s accounted for and everybody is safe, and then we’re going to definitely — the ones that have lost their homes or they’re not structurally sound — we’re going to find a place to put them,” said Sgt. Bryan Washko with Texas Highway Patrol.
KXAN weathercaster Jim Spencer said the city of Salado was lucky Tuesday evening, as the tornado was headed straight for the town but turned to the north, staying west of the community. The First Warning Weather team predicts the tornado could be of EF-2 or EF-3 strength.
People in the Hidden Springs subdivision, while not impacted by the tornado, were pounded by baseball-sized hail.
Hail in Salado April 12 (Photo: Emily Buckwalter) Hail in Salado (Photo: Tom Russian)
Residents off of FM 2843 and Cedar Valley Road said the area was “wiped off the map” from the tornado.
Law enforcement personnel from Temple, Killeen and Williamson County blocked off FM 2843 where glimpses of destroyed homes could be seen. They said they were also trying to contain a gas leak.
Tornado damage in Cedar Valley Road and FM 2843. (KXAN Photo/Tahera Rahman) Tornado damage in Cedar Valley Road and FM 2843. (KXAN Photo/Tahera Rahman) Tornado damage in Cedar Valley Road and FM 2843. (KXAN Photo/Tahera Rahman)
One homeowner in Florence said he was inside his home when he saw giant pieces of tin fly across his land and the tornado funnel.
“I was in my living room, saw a dust storm outside, I heard the wind, stuff hitting the windows, and I saw a large piece of tin go across the pasture,” recalled Zach Liveris. “It’s a little overwhelming.”
He said his home didn’t sustain as much damage as his neighbor’s home, where you could see walls blown out, showing a burgundy couch inside and insulation stuck in branches.
“It was so dusty outside, I couldn’t even see the trees and the pasture from the house. It was just very intense winds,” Liveris said, adding that he’s glad everyone is safe. | https://www.cenlanow.com/weather/weather-headlines/tornado-damage-reported-in-areas-of-texas/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:53 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/weather/weather-headlines/tornado-damage-reported-in-areas-of-texas/ |
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Strong storms and possible tornadoes brought widespread reports of damage and power outages across the ArkLaTex late Tuesday night.
As of 11:30 p.m., SWEPCO reported more than 32,000 without power in Caddo Parish alone and another 11,000 in Bossier Parish. According to data aggregating all electric utilities in the region, straight-line winds associated with the storms likely knocked out power to 25% of all power customers in most of East Texas and Northwest Louisiana along the I-20 corridor.
The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office is reporting power lines down on Old Plain Dealing Road in Benton. Deputies are responding to several locations where downed trees and damage have been reported in Benton, Haughton, and South Bossier.
Some of the most significant reports of damage are coming out of South Bossier in Golden Meadows, Plantation Trace, and surrounding areas, including the South Bossier Mobile Home Park off Barksdale Boulevard. That’s where Bossier City police and fire have set up a mobile command center.
The city is also setting up a shelter at the Bossier Civic Center for anyone displaced by the storms.
In Caddo Parish, radar indicated rotation was observed starting around 9:45 p.m. west Southern Hills in South Shreveport around 9:45 p.m., tracking through southeast Shreveport near 70th Street before crossing over into southern Bossier City as the storms moved through before moving on toward Haughton and then weakened near Doyline around 10:15 p.m.
Other rotations tracked on radar Tuesday night:
- Caddo-Bossier: Rotation formed west of Benton and weakened 4 miles NE of Benton from 9:45 to 10 p.m.
- N Caddo-Bossier: Rotation formed near Hosston and weakened as it crossed the Red River ENE of Haughton, 9:55 to 10:10 p.m.
- DeSoto: Rotation formed near I-49 south of Hwy 84 east of Mansfield and weakened as it crossed Red River, 10:10 to 10:20 p.m.
- Red River & Bienville Parishes: Rotation formed south of Ninock near Bossier-Red River Parish line and moved ENE to Castor and on to Bienville and then weakened, 10:15 to 10:45 p.m.
- Nevada County, AR: Rotation formed just SSE of Prescott and moved NNE near and just east of Prescott, weakening as it approached the Nevada-Clark county line, 10:30 to 10:40 p.m. | https://www.cenlanow.com/weather/weather-headlines/widespread-damage-power-outages-reported-across-northwest-louisiana/ | 2022-04-13T19:08:59 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/weather/weather-headlines/widespread-damage-power-outages-reported-across-northwest-louisiana/ |
Indiana University Bloomington graduate workers go on strike
The first day of a labor strike by graduate student workers at Indiana University Bloomington was largely virtual, with inclement weather delaying picket lines until Thursday.
Some graduate student workers did not perform their duties Wednesday, leaving papers ungraded and some classes untaught.
"The strike is planned for seven days, until next Tuesday, and at any point during that strike we are very much so eager to sit down and have meaningful dialogue," said Valentina Luketa, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Government at IU and a founding member of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition.
"The intention here is to form a union to open negotiations to bargain a contract that addresses issues of pay, fees and working conditions. The ball is in their court," she said of university officials.
A walkout by undergraduate students also is expected on Thursday.
At a meeting of the Bloomington Faculty Council on Tuesday, members adopted a resolution to support the right of graduate workers to unionize and urged Bloomington Provost Rahul Shrivastav to have discussions with members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition.
The resolution, which was introduced by Israel Herrera of the Spanish and Portuguese department, split the voting body 26 in favor and 19 opposed. Some faculty council members voiced their concerns about the pressure they felt from university leadership in dealing with unhappy graduate workers.
"What we're being asked to do puts us in a terrible ethical bind, and it seems there are no indications of the priorities," said Ben Robinson, a professor in Germanic studies. "Whether we're supposed to prioritize disciplining striking students and workers or whether we're supposed to prioritize instruction. I fear that my responsibilities to all students are being split between my responsibility to respond to an immediate administrative need, and my responsibility to good stewardship of my department for the future."
Robinson, who is president of the Bloomington chapter of the American Association of University Professors, urged the council to pass the resolution.
IU law professor Steve Sanders argued against adopting the resolution. "In the end, it was a resolution in support of unionization and in support of a strike, and I think that's inappropriate," Sanders said. "As I said, in my remarks, IU is not an Amazon warehouse. The people who are going out on strike have been given serious responsibilities, legal and ethical responsibilities for the education of undergraduates, and we shouldn't just take lightly the idea that they're going to give those up."
The resolution called on the provost to have discussions with the IGWC immediately to avoid a strike and urged university leadership to reconsider their decision to refuse unionization requests.
IU spokesperson Chuck Carney issued the following statement Wednesday morning:
"We share the faculty’s position on the importance of the well-being of our graduate students. As this new administration has demonstrated through dialogue with graduate students in recent months, we are committed to taking steps, such as the recent 5% raise and new flexibility around tuition waivers, to address their concerns.
"We believe in the effectiveness of our model of shared governance, which has advanced IU’s excellence in the past and will do so in the future. As some faculty argued today, unionization of students would undermine this shared governance. Further, graduate students already have a seat at the shared governance table, as seen through their participation in the Faculty Council meeting (Tuesday), and under the policies written and approved by the Faculty Council that consider them as similar to faculty.
"It is these policies that the administration is following in choosing to not recognize a union, and will be following in response to those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities through a work stoppage."
The resolution
The resolution approved by the Bloomington Faculty Council reads:
- A resolution of the Bloomington Faculty Council in Support of Graduate Students
- "Whereas, Student Academic Appointees (SAAs) play an essential role in the educational and research mission of IU Bloomington;
- Whereas, SAAs are both students and workers;
- Whereas, as workers, SAAs have the right to organize, associate collectively, and, when necessary, to strike;
- Whereas, as students, SAAs have rights of academic freedom and shared governance that are best protected when they are organized;
- Whereas, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition (IGWC) has been organizing and campaigning responsibly and effectively on behalf of SAAs and has gained significant support from IUB graduate students, at least 1,600 of whom have signed union cards;
- Whereas, an SAA strike will have negative impact on IUB's mission, particularly its educational mission;
- Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Bloomington Faculty Council calls on Provost Shrivastav to dialog with the IGWC immediately to avoid a strike, and not retaliate against any SAAs who engage in a work stoppage; urges Provost Shrivastav, President Whitten, and the Board of Trustees to reconsider their decision to refuse SAAs request to form a union: and urges all faculty and campus administrators not to penalize any of their graduate students who exercise their right to strike.
Contact Patrick McGerr at pmcgerr@heraldt.com, 812-307-5636, or follow @patrickmcgerr on Twitter. | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2022/04/13/indiana-university-bloomington-graduate-workers-go-strike/7303119001/ | 2022-04-13T19:09:25 | 0 | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2022/04/13/indiana-university-bloomington-graduate-workers-go-strike/7303119001/ |
Arrests at Target in Brick, NJ are connected to string of thefts, police say
BRICK — Authorities say they've arrested and charged three people from New York who are connected to several thefts and fraudulent purchases in town and across New Jersey.
The suspects were taken down at Target on Route 70 in Brick, while attempting to conceal merchandise and make purchases with gift cards that had been purchased with a stolen credit card, according to police.
Luis Ramirez-Gonzalez, 29, and Hector Marquez-Tronosco, 41, were charged with shoplifting, credit card fraud, and theft by deception. Esteban Ibarra-Ignacio, 22, was charged with shoplifting, credit card fraud, theft by deception, possession of a fake ID, unlicensed driving, unregistered vehicle and fictitious plates.
Authorities showed up at the Target store on April 6 in response to a report of shoplifting. There was a "heavy response," police say, because of the incident's potential link to a recent string of purse thefts and fraudulent activity at retail stores nearby and elsewhere. The thefts, according to past reports, were being conducted by groups of people who appear to be from Latin or Hispanic descent.
When placed under arrest, Ramirez-Gonzalez was in possession of $233.37 worth of stolen goods, police say. Ibarra-Ignacio, the driver in the alleged operation, was in possession of nearly $1,000 worth of fraudulently obtained merchandise, including an Apple Watch and iPad Mini.
Authorities say they were able to link several thefts and fraudulent purchases in New Jersey to the three subjects.
Dino Flammia is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dino.flammia@townsquaremedia.com
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story. | https://nj1015.com/arrests-at-target-in-brick-nj-are-connected-to-string-of-thefts-police-say/ | 2022-04-13T19:09:26 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/arrests-at-target-in-brick-nj-are-connected-to-string-of-thefts-police-say/ |
Bloomington motorist says a man shot him in a possible road rage incident
A man sustained a serious leg injury when he was shot in Bloomington Tuesday night in what may have been a road rage incident.
Police arrived in the 1400 block of North Woodburn Avenue at 7:54 p.m. and found a 39-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his lower leg sitting on the tailgate of his Ford F150 pickup truck. He was taken to IU Health Bloomington Hospital, then transferred by medical helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital for further treatment.
A news release from Bloomington Police Department Capt. Ryan Pedigo said the victim told police he was traveling south on Woodburn Avenue when a dark-colored passenger car came up behind him very quickly.
Others are reading:Man, 19, dies after being shot at eastside Bloomington apartment
The man said he stopped his truck in the street and got out. He said the car continued forward, then stopped in front of his truck. "There was reportedly a brief exchange of words between the victim and a male that was seated in the front passenger seat of the car," the news release said.
"The victim reported that the male in the front passenger seat of the car then pointed a handgun at him and fired once," the release said. The car then headed west on West 17th Street.
Police are seeking the vehicle and the two people who were in the car. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call BPD Detective Jeff Rodgers at 812-349-3318.
Contact reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com, 812-331-4362 or 812-318-5967. | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/04/13/bloomington-police-seek-driver-passenger-north-woodlawn-avenue-shooting/7303194001/ | 2022-04-13T19:09:31 | 1 | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/04/13/bloomington-police-seek-driver-passenger-north-woodlawn-avenue-shooting/7303194001/ |
Hunterdon County wants nothing to do with ‘The Sopranos’ (Opinion)
As a “Sopranos” fan who moved to Hunterdon County five years ago, I’m not sure how to feel about this.
Hunterdon County’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism wants to separate itself in people’s minds from the “other” side of the state. The side with the Turnpike, the congestion, the shore and…"The Sopranos.”
And they’re developing a campaign to do just that.
Thor Harris lives in the county and runs a marketing and public relations firm. He’s a guy who’s created successful campaigns for places like New Orleans and Colonial Williamsburg. And he’s working with the county to promote itself as a destination and wants to point out how different it is, how bucolic, and have people think of it as the ‘other’ side of New Jersey.
Harris says, "This ‘other side’ umbrella brand gives the county the ability to market many sides of Hunterdon, such as a ‘tasty side’ campaign that can highlight the local artisanal food and beverage industry, a ‘natural side’ campaign that can focus on the county’s scenic qualities and outdoor recreation opportunities, among the many opportunities available in Hunterdon County.”
So, what, no “Sopranos?” Fuggetaboutit says Board of Commissioners Director John Lanza.
“We want people to know Hunterdon County is different from New Jersey’s cities, shore, shopping malls and especially from the iconic opening scene from the Sopranos,” said Lanza.
I can just hear Tony’s reaction to this. “The bxxxs on dis pr!ck. Silvio. Pay this motherxxxxer a visit.”
And sure, things might not be so bucolic in just the opening credits of the show. But they had their share of nature!
What about when Tony had to kill his cousin on the front porch of that secluded cabin?
What about the episode where Christopher and Paulie got lost in the Pine Barrens trying to bury a body?
Or how about when Mikey Palmice got whacked by those two? Where was that? Hello? The woods! Just the same as when Silvio had to take care of Adriana.
Hmmm. OK, OK, maybe Hunterdon County has a point. But I can still love them both!
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski only.
You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now: | https://nj1015.com/hunterdon-county-wants-nothing-to-do-with-the-sopranos-opinion/ | 2022-04-13T19:09:32 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/hunterdon-county-wants-nothing-to-do-with-the-sopranos-opinion/ |
Severe winds, possible threat of tornadoes projected for Bloomington tonight
High winds and stormy weather are expected to pose safety concerns in the Bloomington area this evening, with a threat of tornadoes in the region.
The severe conditions are projected between 5 p.m. and midnight, following light thunderstorms throughout the morning and early afternoon, according to Mike Ryan, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Indianapolis office.
At the storm's peak, winds could be as heavy as 60 to 70 miles per hour, resulting in isolated tornados.
"Wind damage could be significant," Ryan said.
He advised residents to start preparing a safety plan for later in the evening, and to keep on top of the latest weather advisories.
Others are reading:Nearly 550 apartments, townhomes, duplexes coming to Bloomington's northwest side
By midnight, Bloomington should be in the clear, with around an inch of rainfall total by the end of the day.
"We're not going to see widespread amounts of rainfall, but some locations certainly may see more than that," Ryan said.
Following the storm, residents should anticipate fair, dry weather throughout the rest of the week with high temperatures mainly in the 50s and 60s.
Contact Rachel Smith at rksmith@heraldt.com or @RachelSmithNews on Twitter. | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/04/13/bloomington-weather-severe-winds-possible-tornadoes-midwest-storm/7302427001/ | 2022-04-13T19:09:37 | 1 | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/04/13/bloomington-weather-severe-winds-possible-tornadoes-midwest-storm/7302427001/ |
Man wanted in Brooklyn subway attack arrested, officials say
BROOKLYN — The man wanted in the shooting of 10 people on a subway in Brooklyn was arrested Wednesday afternoon, a day after the attack on a crowded rush-hour train.
Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, law enforcement officials who weren't authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press. Law enforcement located James after police received a tip about his potential whereabouts, the official said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed the arrest while speaking at an unrelated news conference. Further details weren’t immediately available.
Police had initially said Tuesday that James was being sought for questioning because he had rented a van possibly connected to the attack, but weren't sure whether he was responsible for the shooting. Mayor Eric Adams said in a series of media interviews Wednesday morning that investigators had upgraded James to a suspect, but did not offer details beyond citing “new information that became available to the team.”
In recent months, James had railed in online videos about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his experiences with mental health care in New York City. In some videos, he criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety.
The gunman set off smoke grenades in a crowded subway car and then fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun, police said. Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but all 10 wounded in the shooting were expected to survive. At least a dozen others who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.
The shooter escaped in the chaos, but left behind numerous clues, including the gun, ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.
That key led investigators to James, a New York City-area native who had more recent addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin.
From Columbus to Philadelphia to New York
Federal investigators determined the gun used in the shooting was purchased by James at a pawn shop — a licensed firearms dealer — in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011, a law enforcement official said
The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators determined the gunman had entered the subway system. No explosives or firearms were found in the van, a law enforcement official said. Police did find other items, including pillows, suggesting he may have been sleeping or planned to sleep in the van, the official said.
Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning, the official said. Other video shows James entering a subway station in Brooklyn with a large bag, the official said.
In addition to analyzing financial and telephone records connected to James, investigators were reviewing hours of rambling, profanity-filled videos James posted on YouTube and other social media platforms as they tried to discern a motive.
In one video, posted a day before the attack, James, who is Black, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed.
“You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people,” James says. “It’s not going to get better until we make it better,” he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were “stomped, kicked and tortured” out of their “comfort zone.”
In another video he says, “this nation was born in violence, it’s kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it’s going to die a violent death. There’s nothing going to stop that.”
His posts are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against Black people.
Posts mention New York subways
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts “concerning" and officials tightened security for Adams, who was already isolating following a positive COVID-19 test Sunday.
Several of James' videos mention New York's subways. A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governor’s plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system “is doomed for failure” and refers to himself as a “victim” of the city's mental health programs. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams’ plan to end gun violence.
The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the smoke-filled train in the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.
Commuter Jude Jacques, who takes the D train to his job as a fire safety director some two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request on Wednesday.
“I said, ‘God, everything is in your hands,’” Jacques said. “I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened.”
(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) | https://nj1015.com/man-wanted-in-brooklyn-subway-attack-arrested-officials-say/ | 2022-04-13T19:09:38 | 0 | https://nj1015.com/man-wanted-in-brooklyn-subway-attack-arrested-officials-say/ |