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Which folding mattresses are best?
Everyone wants to provide their guests with a comfortable place to sleep. If you don’t have a dedicated guest room in your home complete with a traditional bed, the normal go-to choice is an air mattress.
Rather than just accepting that your guests are most likely going to toss and turn all night long while trying to sleep on an unsupportive surface, consider providing them with a folding mattress instead. Models like the Inofia Tri-fold Mattress are made from high-quality memory foam that offers a comfortable night’s sleep.
What to know before you buy a folding mattress
Comfort
Just like when purchasing any other type of mattress, comfort should be a top priority when picking a folding mattress. There are several factors that affect comfort, but none are more important than the materials.
- Polyurethane foam, or poly-foam, is popular because it is affordable and lightweight. However, it isn’t very dense, which means it isn’t that supportive and can lose its loft quickly. Poly-foam models may be suitable for young teens, kids and periodic use by adults. They aren’t ideal as a daily sleeper for adults.
- For most people, memory foam models will be a better choice. It is dense enough to offer a good amount of support but also soft enough to feel plush and comfortable. Though more expensive and heavier than poly-foam models, memory foam mattresses will last longer and offer a better sleeping experience.
Configurations
One of the great things about folding mattresses is how versatile they are. Most have a three-piece design that allows you to prop up certain sections if you want to turn them into a lounger for relaxing and reading a book or watching TV. There are also four-section models that can be configured like a couch or chair with back support.
Trial period
It can be difficult to truly tell how comfortable a mattress is until you have slept on it for at least a couple of weeks or longer. This is because they have a break-in period where they will soften and conform to your body. For that reason, some manufacturers allow for an in-home trial period during which you can return it if you aren’t satisfied. For some folding mattresses, this in-home trial period may be as much as 100 days.
Features to look for in a quality folding mattress
Size
When it comes to size, you want to balance the storage and portability needs you have with the space needs of the sleeper. Folding mattresses are available in single sizes all the way up to king.
Thickness
Thicker mattresses feel more plush and are more akin to sleeping on a traditional bed. It is also less likely you’ll feel the ground through them. That said, the thicker they are, the heavier they will be and the more storage space they will require. Most folding mattresses are between 4 to 6 inches thick.
Gel-infused
One of the downsides of memory foam is that it tends to trap heat, which can make sleeping on it hot, especially in warm climates. If you live in one, or you just generally tend to sleep hot, consider purchasing a folding mattress with gel-infused memory foam. These are designed to draw heat away from the body to help you stay cooler throughout the night.
Certifications
Folding mattresses may carry certain certifications that show they are free from harmful chemicals or have low emissions. The most common of these is CertiPUR-US, which means the foam is made without ozone-depleting substances and banned flame retardants. It also indicates that it has low VOC emissions, so it won’t affect indoor air quality. You can also find folding mattresses that are organic or OEKO-TEX-certified.
Removable cover
For easy maintenance, it is best to purchase a foldable mattress with a removable cover. Ideally, this cover should be machine-washable and made from a durable, soft and breathable material, such as bamboo or cotton.
Storage case
Most people use folding mattresses for guests or on the road. This means you’ll likely be storing them between uses and moving them around often. To make this more convenient and to help keep them in good condition, it can be a smart idea to choose a model that comes with a storage case. It is even better if that storage case has a handle for easy transport.
How much you can expect to spend on a folding mattress
Depending on the size, materials and overall build quality, most folding mattresses cost between $50-$350
Folding mattress FAQ
Are foldable mattresses really more comfortable than air mattresses?
A. Most people find folding mattresses to be plusher and more supportive than air mattresses. They also won’t lose air throughout the night, which is a common issue with most air mattresses. However, when it comes to portability and compact storage, air mattresses are the clear winner.
How long do foldable mattresses last?
A. How long a foldable mattress lasts depends on the type of foam and how often it is used. High-quality memory foam models can last for several years — even when used as a daily sleeper. Conversely, poly-foam models may only last a year or so before they begin to lose their loft.
What is the best folding mattress to buy?
Top folding mattress
Inofia Memory Foam Tri-fold Mattress
What you need to know: Available in several sizes and two thicknesses, there is an Inofia Tri-fold perfect for every need.
What you’ll love: It features a super-soft and breathable bamboo cover, and it is made with two types of foam for the perfect balance of support and comfort.
What you should consider: It doesn’t come with a storage case.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top folding mattress for the money
What you need to know: If you’re looking for a small, space-saving folding mattress that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, this Thera Health model is the way to go.
What you’ll love: The cover is easy to remove and machine-washable. Plus, the mattress comes with a case that features a handle for convenient storage and transport.
What you should consider: It can be too narrow for some sleepers.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Milliard Tri-fold Foam Folding Mattress
What you need to know: A versatile option that can be set up as either a mattress or a couch, the Milliard Tri-fold is great for both sleeping and lounging around.
What you’ll love: Its foam is dense enough to be supportive but not so dense that the mattress is overly heavy and difficult to move around.
What you should consider: Its polyester cover is very durable but can be too warm for some people.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Brett Dvoretz writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which cotton shower curtains are best?
Cotton shower curtains are not only functional, they also have an elegant look and feel to them, which is part of what makes them so popular in homes with a modern or sophisticated aesthetic.
If you’re looking for a beautiful shower curtain with a lovely floral design that brings a hint of color to the bathroom, check out Madison Park Adella Floral-Printed Shower Curtain.
What to know before you buy a cotton shower curtain
Hanging mechanism
Most cotton shower curtains feature holes big enough for hooks or rings to fit through. These holes are often constructed from reinforced fabric that’s resistant to the tearing that occurs from frequent opening and closing of the curtain.
Besides this, you’ll also need a shower curtain rod to hang the curtain. If you live in a rental house or apartment, choose a tension rod, since these are specially designed to avoid damaging the walls. If you live in your own home, you can opt for a rod that can be nailed or screwed into the wall.
Some shower curtains have a grommet style, so they can hang directly on the shower rod, making hooks and rings unnecessary.
Liner
Shower curtains are designed to prevent water from escaping the bathtub while showering. However, a cotton curtain requires a shower curtain liner to go with it. This is because cotton is absorbent but doesn’t dry easily. If it’s exposed to water or left in a room with high humidity for too long, it becomes susceptible to bacteria and mold.
Liners usually consist of materials such as polyvinyl chloride or other plastics. These are naturally waterproof and can protect the curtain from water damage, thus extending its longevity.
Cleaning and sanitation
It’s a good idea to wash your shower curtain regularly. For cotton and other fabric curtains, throw it into the washing machine on a gentle cycle once a month to keep it clean and prevent mold growth. You can use warm water and liquid detergent, but be sure to wash it on its own. To dry it, either hang it out to air dry or put it on tumble dry low in the machine.
Shower curtain liners need to be washed every month or so as well. Otherwise, red mold is likely to appear. This is especially common around the base where the liner traps moisture against the inside of the bathtub. You can use Clorox or a similar cleaning product to clean the liner.
When in doubt about the best cleaning method, check for any tags or instructions on the original packaging.
What to look for in a quality cotton shower curtain
Privacy
While some shower curtains are partly translucent, especially plastic ones, cotton ones are thick enough to provide full privacy. Even if you get a thinner curtain, the liner will add privacy as well, which can help you separate yourself from the outside world and take a moment to relax.
Design
Cotton shower curtains come in solid colors and different patterns, so there’s a great deal of variety. You can find solid prints in nearly any hue, ranging from bright blues, yellows and pinks to more toned-down tans, whites and blacks. If you’re going for a modern or minimalist aesthetic, neutral or dark colors are a good choice.
When it comes to patterned curtains, some have textures imprinted on them. These can help break up a bathroom or accentuate the overall look. You can find repeated patterns, geometric shapes, straight lines, animal themes or even floral designs throughout. Some curtains have a gradient instead of a full pattern, which draws the eye and makes a statement.
Size
A shower curtain should be wide and long enough to fit your bathtub without trailing on the floor. Ideally, there should be at least 4 inches of space. Standard curtains and liners are around 72 by 72 inches.
There are also extra-long curtains, which can be 90 inches in length. These curtains are usually reserved for high bathtubs. Also, if you’re using a curved or L-shaped rod, you might need a wider shower curtain.
Weighted base
Some cotton shower curtains and plastic liners have weights or magnets sewn strategically into the base. This keeps them from billowing out when the water’s running.
Accessories
Unless the shower curtain has grommets, you’ll need rings or hooks to go with it. Some curtains come with these accessories, while others require a separate purchase.
Other popular bathroom accessories include hand towels and bath towels, soap dispensers and rug sets. Look for items that complement the design of your shower curtain.
How much you can expect to spend on a cotton shower curtain
A high-quality, durable cotton shower curtain costs around $20-$30. Expect to spend $30-$50 for ones that also feature hooks, rings or a liner.
Cotton shower curtain FAQ
Does cotton shrink or wrinkle easily?
A. A shower curtain made from cotton might shrink an inch or two, especially after being washed in a machine. The fabric can also wrinkle, but you can fix this by washing the shower curtain and hanging it out to dry. Alternatively, you can use a blow dryer on high heat to iron out the wrinkles.
What are some other good fabrics for shower curtains?
A. This depends what you’re looking for. Cotton and polyester are both durable, but polyester is more resistant to water. Linen and canvas are also good options since they’re biodegradable and easy to clean.
What’s the best cotton shower curtain to buy?
Top cotton shower curtain
Madison Park Adella Floral-Printed Shower Curtain
What you need to know: This luxurious cotton shower curtain is adorned with either purple or teal flowers that make it a wonderful statement piece for most bathrooms.
What you’ll love: Available in the standard size, this shower curtain adds a splash of color to contemporary and romantic settings. It’s machine-safe and durable.
What you should consider: It wrinkles a bit when cleaned.
Where to buy: Sold by Kohl’s
Top cotton shower curtain for the money
Hall & Perry Modern Farmhouse Tassel Shower Curtain
What you need to know: This shower curtain has a striped pattern and tassels at the base, making it perfect for anyone who wants a minimalist design.
What you’ll love: It comes in eight colors and designs and is highly durable. The fabric is medium weight and doesn’t billow out much when showering.
What you should consider: It’s 72 inches long including the tassels, making it shorter than most.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Wrought Studio Campanella Cotton Striped Single Shower Curtain
What you need to know: This option has a vintage look that works great in understated or classic bathrooms.
What you’ll love: Offered in gray, navy and taupe, this shower curtain features colorful tassels at the base. It’s machine-washable in cold water and is durable.
What you should consider: It might shrink by a couple of inches after washing.
Where to buy: Sold by Wayfair
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Angela Watson 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.
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| 2022-04-07T23:02:36
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Which Canon DSLR camera is best?
In the age of smartphones, digital cameras can seem like a thing of the past. However, if you’re serious about taking pictures or video, a DSLR camera is a must. And there’s no better way to get into high-tech cameras than by sticking to a trusted brand like Canon. Canon offers a wide range of DSLR cameras for novices and professionals alike.
This Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Memory Card Bundle is a great option, and it features the renowned EOS 5D Mark IV body as well as a bonus memory card.
What to know before you buy a Canon DSLR camera
What is a DSLR camera?
People throw around the term DSLR a lot, but few know much about digital single-lens reflex cameras. DSLRs use a swinging mirror to filter images into the camera’s sensor, thus capturing a digital still that’s saved to your memory card. Don’t confuse this with mirrorless cameras, which let light pass directly through to the sensor. DSLR cameras offer more access to lenses, easier-to-use viewfinders and better pictures.
Use
How you plan to use your Canon DSLR camera will help determine which camera is right for you. If you need it for professional use, you may want one of the higher-end cameras with a few lenses to keep on hand. However, you can also expect to spend a lot more on these. Alternatively, if you’re a hobby photographer just starting out or want to upgrade to a better camera, you might consider some of the more affordable options.
Full-frame vs. APS-C sensors
You can buy DSLR cameras with two different types of sensors. The most common sensor is a full-frame, which takes photos the same size as a classic 35-millimeter camera. The other sensor type you can find in a DSLR is an APS-C image sensor. APS-C sensors have a slightly smaller frame than full-frame sensors, and they offer less dynamic range as a result. Still, you may prefer cameras with APS-C sensors for their smaller size or more affordable price point.
What to look for in a quality Canon DSLR camera
Resolution
Canon tends to categorize its cameras by the resolution. Resolution refers to the number of pixels a sensor capture at once, with higher resolutions capturing more megapixels. If you plan to shoot video, you may want to consider what resolution video the DSLR camera captures. For example, many buyers prefer a camera that can capture 4K video resolutions, which isn’t supported by every DSLR.
ISO range
A camera’s ISO range refers to the amount of light a camera lets into the body. Wider ranges let photographers shoot in more versatile lighting conditions. If you plan to shoot photos in low-light, you’ll want to find a DSLR camera with a high ISO sensitivity of at least 6,400.
Lenses and other accessories
While many high-end cameras are pricey on their own, you can’t get very far without certain accessories. Most importantly, you won’t be able to shoot without a camera lens. Consider buying a camera bundle with lenses and other accessories, such as memory cards, tripods, flash units and protective bags.
How much you can expect to spend on a Canon DSLR camera
You can find cheap Canon DSLR camera bodies for around $500. For bundles including lenses or Canon’s high-end cameras, you can expect to spend $1,000-$3,000.
Canon DSLR camera FAQ
Do Canon DSLR cameras come with a lens?
A. Not necessarily. While some cameras come with a lens, others may only include the camera body. If you don’t already have a lens or don’t plan to buy one separately, you’ll need to purchase a camera bundle that includes a lens.
Can Canon DSLR cameras record 4K video?
A. Some of them can. If you plan to shoot 4K video, it’s important to make sure the camera you choose supports video recording at 4K resolutions before making your purchase.
What’s the best Canon DSLR camera to buy?
Top Canon DSLR camera
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame DSLR Camera with CompactFlash Memory Card
What you need to know: This camera supports high-resolution video and includes a touchscreen. The bundle comes with a 128GB CompactFlash Memory Card.
What you’ll love: With an impressive ISO range of 100-32,000, this camera works well even in low-light conditions. It can also shoot in 4K at 24 or 30 frames per second. It can shoot at 60 frames per second in HD resolution.
What you should consider: The camera bundle is more expensive than some.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Canon DSLR camera for the money
Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera Bundle with Canon EF-S 18-55 Millimeter Lens
What you need to know: This bundle comes with everything you need to get shooting, including a case, lens, tripod, flash, two memory cards and more.
What you’ll love: The camera body features a full-frame sensor and an 18-55 millimeter lens. The bundle also includes a strap, a lens filter kit, chargers and a battery pack. It also comes with a one-year warranty.
What you should consider: The camera struggles with continuous shots and can only shoot video in resolutions up to 1080p.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Canon EOS 4000D Rebel T100 DSLR Camera with Canon EF-S 18-55 Millimeter Lens
What you need to know: This is another excellent bundle that offers basics, such as a case, memory card, lens, flash, two tripods and a strap.
What you’ll love: The camera features an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor and video recording up to 30 frames per second at 1080p. This camera also includes Wi-Fi and an extended ISO up to 12,800. This bundle comes with a standard 18-55 millimeter lens and several other accessories.
What you should consider: This camera doesn’t have a full-size sensor, and it also doesn’t support shooting in 4K video resolutions.
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 laptop docking station is best?
Today’s most portable and efficient laptops are better at a lot of tasks than full-size desktop PCs from just a few years ago, but they’re still limited to relatively small keyboards and displays. There’s also a lack of USB and other ports on a number of popular notebook PCs. One great way around these limitations is to add a docking station or hub to your setup, so you can plug in your laptop and instantly have an additional display, storage device, keyboard and mouse.
The most full-featured laptop docking station on the market is the Cable Matters Hybrid Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station, which has a wide selection of expansion ports and is certified to meet the high-end Thunderbolt 4 specification.
What to know before you buy a laptop docking station
Docking stations vs. hubs
While they have different names, docking stations and hubs accomplish very similar goals. The best ones connect via USB-C cable and add USB expansion ports, SD card readers, ethernet jacks and the like. The main differences are twofold. Docking stations are generally much larger than hubs, and they usually have their own power supply that allows for USB-C pass-through charging. In contrast, hubs are often compact enough to slide easily into a laptop bag, and you almost always have to supply your own USB-C PD power brick if you want to use the charging function.
Stick with a dependable manufacturer
It’s especially important to opt for reputable brand names when dealing with peripherals that provide power to your sensitive electronics. When possible, give extra consideration to products that are USB-IF certified. This is the organization responsible for setting and upholding USB standards, and their certification means a lot in terms of device safety.
What to look for in a quality laptop docking station
DisplayLink graphics controllers
Most laptop graphics processing units are notoriously underpowered, and some laptop hardware is restricted by design from driving more than a single secondary monitor. The DisplayLink chipsets found in some docks and hubs function as add-on GPUs that offload the graphics workload to the CPU and make it possible to use dual external monitors with GPU-challenged laptops.
They’re remarkably effective when set up correctly. Bear in mind that you may need to update your graphics drivers and tweak your graphics settings slightly to get DisplayLink outputs to work perfectly.
Ethernet jack
Wired network connections are significantly more stable, with lower ping times, better security and often higher speeds than Wi-Fi delivers. However, a lot of new laptops don’t have built-in ethernet jacks, though many of the most affordable USB-C hubs do.
SD card readers
Considering SD and microSD cards have impressively high capacities these days, adding one to a dock essentially turns it into an external storage drive. Card readers are also necessities for photo and video professionals, and not all laptops have them.
Plenty of USB ports
While a quality USB-C hub can do many things, make sure it has the most basic of expansion ports. Consider how many Type-A and Type-C devices you could possibly need to use at once, and make sure the docking station you’re considering can accommodate them.
USB Power Delivery charging
For peak convenience, make certain that your new dock supports USB PD power pass-through. The entire point of these products is convenience, so why get one that requires you to plug in multiple cables?
How much you can expect to spend on a laptop docking station
The most affordable USB-C hubs cost about $30, while the best premium docking stations cost just over $300.
Laptop docking station FAQ
What are the best USB-C power bricks?
A. The best currently on the market are the ones that use gallium nitride technology that results in a compact, efficient charger. For example, this one from Nekteck can deliver 100 watts over a single cable.
Do streaming services like Netflix work over a docking station?
A. Not usually. Unfortunately, the majority of docking stations don’t support the HD Copy Protection protocol that services like Netflix require in order to access their Full HD and 4K streams. Some simple USB-C video adapters do, but even that depends on which protocol your laptop uses to output video via the USB-C port. Ultimately, it’s hard to definitively answer this question because it changes on a case-by-case basis.
What’s the best laptop docking station to buy?
Top laptop docking station
Cable Matters Hybrid Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
What you need to know: It has more ports than nearly any other and is engineered to work perfectly with all USB standards.
What you’ll love: Whether your peripherals use base-level USB-C technology or the high-speed Thunderbolt 4 protocol, this advanced dock is compatible. Both of its video outputs support either HDMI or DisplayPort connectors. It’s one of the few docks with a UHS-II SD card reader, which is considerably faster than the more common UHS-I version. There are a whopping seven USB expansion ports.
What you should consider: This kind of full-featured equipment doesn’t come cheap.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top laptop docking station for the money
What you need to know: While it’s far smaller than a traditional docking station, it offers the basic functionality that most people need and costs very little.
What you’ll love: It can pass up to 85 watts via USB-C Power Delivery, which is enough for a number of popular laptops. There are multiple USB expansion ports in addition to an HDMI port, as well as full-size and microSD card readers. Plus, it’s about as compact and affordable as they come.
What you should consider: Like many compact USB-C hubs, its HDMI output is limited to 30 hertz at 4K, and it doesn’t come with a power supply, so you’ll have to get your own.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Wavlink USB-C 5K Docking Station
What you need to know: If you’re having trouble getting your laptop to work right with two external displays, this advanced yet reasonably priced dock can help.
What you’ll love: The most notable feature of this docking station is that it’s equipped with a DisplayLink graphics controller that enables nearly all laptops to drive up to two external monitors. This is especially relevant if you’re using a MacBook or an older laptop with limited graphics processing capabilities. There’s also an ethernet port and a few USB slots. Unlike most other Wavlink docking stations, this one does in fact support USB Power Delivery, at a clip of up to 65 watts.
What you should consider: For best results, you may have to reinstall or tweak some drivers on Windows, particularly if your laptop has an AMD Radeon graphics card.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Great for high-powered laptops
What you need to know: It’s intended specifically for laptops that draw up to 130 watts.
What you’ll love: The vast majority of USB-C Power Delivery docks are limited to 100 watts or less; in fact, that’s actually part of the USB-C specification. This high-end option from Dell boasts a maximum of 130 watts of USB-C PD charging. That’s technically out-of-spec, but it’s trusted because Dell is a highly reputable manufacturer and it recommends this dock for use specifically with some of its most popular laptops.
What you should consider: It’s remarkably expensive and doesn’t have quite the connectivity options of many others.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Chris Thomas writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-07T23:02:50
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Which Acer desktop computer is best?
Whether you’re on a budget or looking for your next big gaming rig, Acer desktop computers are vast in their offerings. Still, making sense of the many moving parts in computer hardware can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what you need. But there are several Acer computers that come in all-in-one bundles, allowing you to use them right out of the box.
The Acer Aspire C27 Desktop Computer offers everything you’ll need in a basic computer, including a vivid, 27-inch display.
What to know before you buy an Acer desktop computer
Use
Finding the right Acer desktop computer configurations depends on how you plan to use your PC. Consider whether you plan to use it for work or play and what applications you want to use. This will help you narrow down what kind of hardware you’ll need. If you plan on using it for gaming, opt for a graphics card rather than an integrated graphics chip. If you only plan on sending emails and using the web, an affordable compact PC may work just fine.
Towers vs. all-in-one computers
When discussing computers, you may hear people use the term “tower,” which is part of a classic desktop computer. A tower is simply a box containing internal hardware. Acer’s towers tend to be quite powerful, and many of them are ideal for gaming. However, if you buy a tower, you’ll usually need to purchase a monitor separately.
All-in-one computers house all the internal components a computer needs inside the monitor. AIO computers offer a clutter-free design and mid-tier performance, suitable for most households and basic office functions.
Operating systems
Most Acer desktop computers come with a Windows operating system installed. However, a few budget-level computers from Acer also include Chrome OS, which works great for basic web needs. You can install any OS you download or purchase onto Acer’s computers, which is ideal if you want to use Windows with Mac OS, Linux or another OS.
What to look for in a quality Acer desktop computer
Processor
A computer’s processor, or Central Processing Unit (CPU), is the primary chip that organizes and manages tasks. A computer’s CPU manages high-level functions across devices. It’s extremely difficult to upgrade processors in most computers, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality model.
RAM
Random-access memory (RAM) is a temporary data storage system that lets the computer manage background tasks while prioritizing foreground tasks. You’ll need 8 gigabytes of RAM or more to run high-powered tasks like gaming, media editing and design work.
Storage
Computers need a storage drive to house files. The more storage you have, the more files and applications the computer can hold at one time. There are two types of storage drives widely used today:
- Solid-state drives: Solid-state drives (SSDs) are the fastest type of hard drive storage available today. They feature no moving hardware to access data, so they tend to be most reliable. Keep in mind this type is more expensive than other hard drive types.
- Hard disk drives: Hard disk drives (HDDs) use spinning disks to read and write files. They’re slightly less reliable than SSDs, but they’re also more affordable.
Screen and input devices
Unless you purchase an AIO computer, you’ll need to purchase a screen and input devices, such as a keyboard and mouse. Many come with bundles that include a monitor display, keyboard or mouse with the tower.
How much you can expect to spend on an Acer desktop computer
Affordable Acer desktop computers can cost as little as $200. However, you’ll find mid-tier and high-end Acer AIOs and towers ranging from $400-$2,000.
Acer desktop computer FAQ
Can Acer desktop computers run PC games?
A. Some can, but games require high-performance hardware, so it’s worth checking your computer’s specs before buying. To determine if an Acer computer can run a PC game, you’ll need to compare the system requirements of any games with the hardware inside the computer.
Are Acer desktop computers reliable?
A. Yes. Acer is one of the most respected brands in computers today, largely because of the reliability of its PCs. The company also offers computers across the price spectrum, with high-end computers being the most reliable.
What’s the best Acer desktop computer to buy?
Top Acer desktop computer
Acer Aspire C27 AIO Desktop Computer With 27-Inch HD IPS Display
What you need to know: This computer comes out of the box with everything you need, including a vivid monitor, a mouse and a keyboard.
What you’ll love: This computer features an Intel Core i5 processor and 12GB of DDR4 RAM, offering smooth and powerful performance. It also includes 512GB of SSD storage a webcam with a closing shutter. It comes with Windows 10 and an upgrade to Windows 11.
What you should consider: This computer includes an integrated graphics chip that may have a hard time with high-performance games.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Acer desktop computer for the money
Acer Chromebox CXI3 Miniature Desktop Computer With Keyboard and Mouse
What you need to know: This compact desktop computer features basic functionality and comes with a keyboard, mouse and several ports for connecting external devices.
What you’ll love: It includes an Intel Celeron dual-core processor and 4GB of RAM, as well as Chrome OS. It’s an excellent portable option compared to most large desktops, and you can purchase it in a bundle with a monitor.
What you should consider: This computer’s hardware isn’t suitable for gaming or other performance-oriented tasks.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Acer Nitro 50 Gaming Desktop Computer Bundle With Keyboard and Mouse
What you need to know: This Acer desktop is suitable for nearly any high-level tasks like editing videos, audio and photos.
What you’ll love: It comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. It also includes 512GB of SSD storage, making it great for installing large games or saving a lot of files.
What you should consider: This computer bundle doesn’t include a monitor.
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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| 2022-04-07T23:02:58
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Is Apple or PC best for gaming?
Microsoft Windows and Apple’s macOS are the two most popular operating systems, and they’re both relatively accessible to the average user. While neither is terribly difficult to use, they have considerably different pros and cons and are most useful for very different things.
If you want a smooth user experience, like to work with audio, photo or video editing software and only casually play some low-impact games, an Apple computer is a great choice. If you have any interest in playing the latest AAA titles at high resolutions and frame rates, a Windows PC is an absolute must-have.
Apple gaming computers
The first difference between Apple and Windows computers is that Apple allows for basically zero customization on the hardware level. In fact, it’s a violation of Apple’s copyright to install macOS on a non-Apple computer, which means you can’t actually build your own Apple computer.
The advantage of this from Apple’s standpoint is it can optimize its operating system to work best with specific components and configurations that Apple has complete control over. The result of this optimization is an OS that makes efficient use of the hardware and delivers an unparalleled user experience. Tweaking your Windows PC to run just right can take some insight and patience, but macOS is powerful and easy to use from the first time you boot it up.
Unfortunately, if you want to play the latest, most cutting-edge 3D games, Apple and its operating system don’t have much going for them. Because few Apple computers have the necessary hardware, there are very few advanced games available for the platform. On the other hand, there are plenty of casual games available for macOS, such as top-down adventure games and puzzle games.
Apple gaming computer pros
- Great for non-gaming uses: Apple PCs are incredibly popular for photo and video editors. This is partly because programs like Adobe Photoshop are optimized to run smoothly on macOS and partly because Apple’s display quality is generally unmatched in terms of resolution and color accuracy.
- User-friendly experience: For the most part, Apple computers work perfectly out of the box with little to no configuration or tweaking.
- Fun casual games: There’s a decent selection of games that work with Macs. In particular, the new M1 chipset that powers the latest round of MacBooks is relatively good at medium-impact games like The Sims 4, Stardew Valley and Slay the Spire. There’s also a good variety of exciting, fast-paced games from just a few years ago that are confirmed to work on the new chipset. These include Rise of the Tomb Raider, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Bioshock Remastered.
Apple gaming computer cons
- High prices: Apple computers consistently cost more than Windows PCs with comparable hardware.
- Subpar performance: The components inside Apple computers simply aren’t powerful enough to run the latest 3D games.
- Limited premium game catalog: Since the code it runs on is so different from Windows, macOS lacks support for many games. A developer has to spend significant resources to create a macOS-compatible version of a game written for Windows, and few large outfits take the time to do that because Apples lack the necessary firepower for high-end graphics.
Best Apple computers for gaming
This is a good all-around laptop with high performance due to its groundbreaking new Apple chipset. It offers great performance on casual games and passable performance in more intense 3D titles.
Sold by Amazon
If you want to play the most resource-intensive games available to Mac users, consider the 2021 MacBook Pro M1 instead. Its 14-core graphics processing delivers high frame rates in a wide variety of exciting titles.
Sold by Amazon
Windows gaming computers
Windows PCs are and have been the top choice for dedicated gamers for many years. The ability to build a custom computer lets each user set their own performance level, but it can also add a significant degree of difficulty. Nonetheless, if you want to play flashy first-person shooters in Ultra HD at 120 frames per second, a Windows gaming PC is your only option.
Windows gaming PC pros
- A nearly endless catalog: One of the biggest upsides of PC gaming is that there’s practically no limit to the selection of games you can play. If your hardware can handle it, you can run nearly any software program released to the platform in the last couple of decades.
- Impressive performance levels: If you can afford premium hardware and know how to tweak it just right, a Windows PC can deliver performance that even Apple’s top-of-the-line hardware can’t match.
- Customizable hardware: The ability to pick and choose your components lets you set a specific budget for your gaming PC. By comparison, Apple computers force you to pay a particularly high price regardless of if you’ll use every single one of a MacBook’s premium features.
Windows gaming PC cons
- Configuration can be a little tricky: If you’re new to PCs or electronics in general, setting up a Windows PC can be confusing at first. Since Windows is designed to work with such a huge variety of hardware configurations, there are often hiccups in terms of how the software communicates with other software and the components. This is even more pronounced if you decide to tweak your setup for enhanced performance using methods such as overclocking.
- They’re still not cheap: Due to external forces like raw material shortages and massively increased demand, it’s surprisingly hard to get your hands on powerful components without spending an arm and a leg.
Best Windows gaming desktop computers
Its Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 makes easy work of some of today’s most exciting titles.
Sold by Amazon
While it’s not the most powerful PC, it runs most games just fine and is ideal if you’re willing to save up for some upgrades in the next year or so.
Sold by Amazon
It’s a compact desktop PC packed with your choice of some of the most advanced components on the market. The only downside is that it costs quite a bit.
Sold by Amazon
Best Windows gaming laptop computers
It offers a great balance of price and performance and is equipped with a 17-inch screen that can display up to 240 frames per second.
Sold by Amazon
This one is an excellent value on a 17-inch gaming laptop that makes surprisingly few sacrifices.
Sold by Amazon
If you demand peak performance from high-end components, this is the one for you.
Sold by Amazon
Should you get a Windows or Apple gaming computer?
If you’re focused on high-resolution, resource-intensive gaming, a Windows gaming PC is definitely the right choice. If you’re only interested in casual or older games and want something that can make your creative or professional life easier, Apple computers (particularly the new MacBooks) are more fun than ever.
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Chris Thomas 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.
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| 2022-04-07T23:03:05
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Which controller for PC gaming is best?
The traditional way of playing games on a computer is to use a keyboard and mouse combination. That might work for most games, but titles like fighting games or racing benefit more from having a controller.
Driving accuracy is greatly improved, and the button combinations are easier to press on a controller. The best device is an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 if you have a Windows-based computer, as it easily connects to your PC.
What to know before you buy a controller for PC gaming
Compatibility with your PC
Several gaming controllers are available, but you must check that it is compatible with your setup as most will only work with Windows 10. If you have an older operating system or use Linux, you could struggle to get it connected. It will also be beneficial to make sure that you have, at the very least, a USB 2.0 port available.
Connection method used
The easiest connection method for a gaming device is to use a USB-powered controller. Then, you only have to plug the USB into your PC, and the controller will be registered. If you don’t want to deal with cables, you can opt for a wireless connection. But, unless your PC has a built-in Bluetooth receiver, you’ll need an adapter for the controller to work.
Button layout
There are generally two standard button layouts in gaming: the Xbox and PlayStation controller configuration. Consider which format feels more comfortable to you, and look for a controller that uses that layout. For example, Xbox controllers have an off-set thumbstick, while a PlayStation controller has different icons for the face buttons.
What to look for in a quality controller for PC gaming
Customizable button configuration
Most controllers have a standard button configuration (a button is permanently assigned to a specific action), but some good-quality controllers will let you change that. In addition, you can change what certain buttons do if the computer game doesn’t allow for remapping through button mapping software.
Haptic feedback
Console gaming is known for shaking or vibrating the controller while playing. These vibrating effects are known as haptic feedback. You can get the same rumble effect when playing on a PC if you get a good-quality controller that supports haptic feedback. The PlayStation equivalent is called haptic rumble, which works on the same principle by spinning small motors inside the device.
Resistance in the triggers
The two triggers on either side of the controller are some of the most used buttons in any game. To provide you with a more immersive experience, a good-quality controller will slightly resist the triggers for more accurate control. This is great for driving games where controlled acceleration is necessary or shooting games where you want to squeeze the trigger gently.
How much you can expect to spend on a controller for PC gaming
The average price of a PC gaming controller will largely depend on the manufacturer and the device’s capabilities. A solid entry-level controller can retail for $40-$70, whereas a professional model can retail for $200-$500.
Controller for PC gaming FAQ
Are there accessories for PC gaming controllers?
A. Yes, many manufacturers allow third-party accessories to be used with their gaming controllers. This can range from grips on the thumbsticks to different color faceplates and covers. They allow you to customize your controller to fit your desired aesthetic.
How long do wireless controller batteries last?
A. How long they last will depend on the controller and the size of the battery, but a reasonable estimate would be between four to six hours on a single charge.
What’s the best controller for PC gaming to buy?
Top controller for PC gaming
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
What you need to know: Considered by many to be the gold standard, the Xbox controller is one of the most-used accessories for PC gaming.
What you’ll love: It connects to a PC through the included USB-C cable and features adjustable-tension thumbsticks, a wraparound rubberized grip and shorter hair-trigger locks. You can also change the button mapping. The trigger and directional pad are customizable, and the controller has a battery life of around 40 hours.
What you should consider: It’s a great controller for PC gaming, but some of the features are only available for Xbox consoles.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top controller for PC gaming for the money
What you need to know: The Recon is an excellent controller if you are looking for an affordable accessory with plenty of features.
What you’ll love: Using the Xbox controller’s button layout, the Recon additionally features microphone controls and game volume buttons. It has textured grips and triggers and two mappable quick-action options. The Recon has four Turtle Beach presets that fine-tune the controller’s responsiveness. In addition, the controller has vibration feedback.
What you should consider: The controller isn’t available in a wireless version.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
SCUF Instinct Pro Wireless Controller
What you need to know: SCUF has made a name for itself as a good-quality accessories provider, and many gamers prefer it for customizable options.
What you’ll love: Available in five different colors, the Instinct features four rear paddles that can be remapped. The new adjustable triggers let you swap between instant and regular button registration, and the thumbsticks are interchangeable. The wireless controller connects to a PC through a USB cable and is compatible with Windows 10, Xbox One, and Android.
What you should consider: Some users have indicated that the controller can suffer from stick drift after some time. That is when a thumbstick doesn’t remain in the center, causing the camera or character to drift to one side slowly.
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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| 2022-04-07T23:03:12
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Which sublimation printer for beginners is best?
Sublimation can be a lucrative opportunity for novice entrepreneurs to create customized products for a niche market. While the process is not complicated, selecting the right equipment can make the difference between a successful venture and one that goes nowhere.
For the beginner, making their first T-shirt or printing a custom line of mugs or glassware, the sublimation printer may be their most important tool. Several printer manufacturers make excellent sublimation printers suited for both beginners and experienced users, but the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is the top choice.
What to know before you buy a sublimation printer for beginners
What is sublimation?
Sublimation is a printing method that transfers a design onto a fabric or other material using ink and heat. The procedure is widely used in the apparel industry to modify shirts, T-shirts, pants, cotton fabric and more, according to the latest fashion trends.
In the sublimation process, the ink becomes infused into the fabric, a technique that differs from digital printing where images and color are printed on the surface of the material.
Sublimation begins with a wide-format inkjet printer that prints dye-sub inks on a special transfer paper. Using a heat press, the ink is then heat transferred from the paper onto fabric and converted from a solid to a gas, permanently embedding it into the polyester fibers. The result is a long-lasting, full-color image that won’t crack or peel and is less prone to fading even with multiple washings, while a digital print is subject to rapid decay.
Tools needed for sublimation printing
Sublimation printer
While several printer companies offer sublimation printers, both Epson and Sawgrass offer high-quality printers at reasonable prices for sublimation beginners.
Sawgrass printers are exclusively dedicated to sublimation printing, while Epson printers come from the factory using inkjet technology for normal printing. Once you have converted an EcoTank or traditional cartridge Epson inkjet printer for sublimation printing, you can’t go back to printing with normal ink on paper.
Sublimation paper
Customized logos, works of art and any picture or designs consisting of a full spectrum of color can be printed on sublimation paper.
Based on a normal paper substrate, the special sublimation paper has a coating made with about 35% silica and 5% binder to hold the dye sublimation inks. Copy printer paper does not work as well because it is a poor carrier of ink. If the colors bleed through, they could damage the printer.
Raster image processor software
Raster image processor (RIP) software translates computer vector files created by programs such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, JPG, PDF and more, to a bitmap (raster image) composed of a matrix of dots that the printer interprets and prints.
Some sublimation printers include RIP software, but with others, it must be purchased independently. Make sure the software you select is compatible with your sublimation printer.
Heat press
Once the design has been printed on sublimation paper, it must be transferred to the designated materials such as T-shirts, tablecloths, coffee mugs and others, using a heat press.
Four main types of heat presses are used for sublimation:
- Calendar heat press: These are used for printing on larger soft materials such as clothes, sportswear, flags, fabric signs and interior decorations. The calendar heat press typically handles the small production of cut piece jobs and roll-to-roll.
- Small heat press: The small footprint makes this heat press ideal for smaller items such as handheld kitchenware.
- Flatbed heat press: While this press can be used for printing on apparel, it works well for harder material and most flat objects which can be heated above 200°C.
- 3D vacuum heat press: Designed for sublimating on items with diverse shapes and edges, this press is ideal for smaller objects without flat surfaces.
What to look for in a quality sublimation printer for beginners
Resolution
Resolution is the most important feature of a sublimation printer. High resolution means vibrant and detailed high-quality images.
To create a sharp print, the source design or photo needs enough pixels for the size at which it will be sublimated. A larger print size requires more pixels. Typically, artwork and photos between 150 and 300 dpi produce sharp printouts, but above 300 dpi is required for high-definition prints.
Most desktop printers can print up to 1200 by 1200 dpi.
Device compatibility
Look for a sublimation printer that not only produces high-quality prints but is also compatible with various types of media and multiple connectivity standards (Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet). Many printers are multifunctional and can be used for embroidery, printing, and transferring more accurately than traditional methods.
Type of ink
Transferring graphics from paper to fabric or other material requires the use of a special ink capable of converting from a solid-state liquid to a gas.
These dispersed dyes (commonly called “dye-sub inks”) are available in vibrant colors and permanently bond to the finished product. Many sublimation printers come with dye-sub inks but for others, they must be purchased separately. For example, the Sawgrass printers include the Sublijet UHD Sublimation Inks starter kit ink cartridges. Make sure to select an ink that is compatible with your printer.
How much you can expect to spend on a sublimation printer for beginners
Entry-level inkjet printers for home or small business use that can be converted to sublimation printers sell for less than $300 while dedicated high-quality sublimation printers for beginners cost about $900.
Sublimation printer for beginners FAQ
How do I get the best results of sublimation printing?
A. Good sublimation printing results not only depend on a quality printer but also a high-quality heat press. The device must produce consistent pressure and temperature. Swing-away presses are recommended because they can accommodate thicker objects.
How long should sublimation be pressed?
A. The sublimation heat-press settings depend mainly on the type of substrate being used. For example, garments made of 100% polyester usually require around 385-400 degrees and 45-60 seconds at medium pressure.
What’s the best sublimation printer for beginners to buy?
Top sublimation printer for beginners
What you need to know: This printer uses a high-density print chip that generates about 40 million precise dots per second to create accurate prints, and a simple change of ink converts it to an excellent wide format 13×19 sublimation printer.
What you’ll love: The EcoTank ET-15000 is a multifunction printer with 2.7 inches color touch screen, scanner, copier, fax and ethernet capabilities. Epson includes low-cost replacement bottles that save up to 90% on ink.
What you should consider: Some users report the printer is more complex to use initially than competitive products.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top sublimation printer for beginners for the money
What you need to know: The EcoTank ET-2720 makes an excellent sublimation printer at a reasonable price that creates stunning prints on T-shirts, coffee mugs or other dye sublimation items.
What you’ll love: The unique micro piezo heat-free technology produces impressive color graphics and photos on any paper type including coated sublimation paper. Like the EcoTank ET-15000, the ET-2720 uses a cartridge-free solution with high-capacity, easily refillable ink tanks that save up to 90% on ink costs.
What you should consider: Users report the screen is too small, and the print speed is only average.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 Printer
What you need to know: The super bundle package includes a complete set of Sublijet UHD inks, 440 sheets of Instant Dry Sublimax brand sublimation paper and five rolls of heat tape to get your sublimation printing business off to a good start.
What you’ll love: The Creative Studio online designer software and stock design library developed by saw grass are included. The printer includes a two-year warranty and partner plus support from Sawgrass to make sure your sublimation printing business gets off to a good start.
What you should consider: Although the print quality is excellent, the replacement ink is pricey.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jeff Harper writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-07T23:03:19
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Which small lampshade is best?
Small is a matter of opinion and a function of necessity. A lampshade may appear large on its own but look small when placed on its intended lamp, or vice versa. One must also consider the shape of the lampshade. Graceful curves may make the lampshade seem smaller than it is, while a blocky square looks large even if it’s only 8 by 8 by 8 inches.
The best small lampshade is the Alucset Small Barrel Lampshade, as it’s a classic design with many color options.
What to know before you buy a small lampshade
Size
“Small” in lampshades can mean one of two things: it’s small overall, or it’s small for the lamp. Lampshades that are small overall are good; they’re rarely larger than 8 inches tall and 10 inches at their widest. Lampshades that are small for the lamp look bad — like putting a thimble on your big toe.
To find what size lampshade you need, start by measuring the widest portion of your lamp, wherever it may be, and double that number. This is the appropriate top and/or bottom width for your lampshade. Then, measure the height of your lamp to find the appropriate lampshade height — it should be two-thirds of that number. If any of your results are larger than 8-10 inches, you’ll likely need to search for medium or large lampshades instead. Also, floor lampshade heights don’t have a formula — they just need to be tall enough to cover the bulb and fitter.
Fitter
Small lampshades use one of three fitter types: uno, spider or clip-on.
- Uno fitters are placed over the light bulb socket and secured by screwing in the bulb on top. They’re uncommon for small lampshades.
- Spider fitters are the most common. They rest on top of a harp above the light bulb. Most lamps include a harp, and most spider-fitted lampshades are compatible with most harps.
- Clip-on fitters clip onto the bulb directly. These are uncommon for any size lampshade, as light bulb shapes vary too greatly.
What to look for in a quality small lampshade
Material
Most lampshades are made from paper or cotton, though many other materials are used.
- Paper and cotton shades diffuse light the best and are affordable to make. Paper is good for those who like to “arts and crafts” their small lampshades.
- Other materials include silk, parchment and metal. Metal especially is different as many have no actual shade, instead looking like a cage has been placed over the bulb.
Lining
The lining’s thickness and material have the greatest effect on how much light is let through.
- Thick liners let less light through than thin ones, but they’re also better at helping the lampshade retain its shape over time.
- Material mostly affects the appearance of the light coming through. Metallic liners reflect light in interesting patterns, for example, while colored liners change the color.
How much you can expect to spend on a small lampshade
Small lampshades are usually lower in cost thanks to their smaller material requirements, but they can still cost $100-plus if they use pricey materials and come from a designer brand. Most cost $20-$50.
Small lampshade FAQ
Does the color of a small lampshade matter?
A. Yes. A lampshade’s color changes the appearance and strength of your lamp’s light. For example, a black lampshade is much dimmer than a white lampshade. Another example would be the difference between a dark and light green lampshade. They both cause your lamp’s light to be greenish, but the lighter green is brighter and greener than the darker color. If you want a lampshade that doesn’t change your room’s aesthetics too much, go with a medium-thickness white model.
Can I personalize small lampshades?
A. Yes, though some lampshades are easier to personalize than others. Paper lampshades are the best for personalization as paper can hold many materials, such as paint or glue for making a 3D design. You can also glue light-blocking shapes to the liner of a plain lampshade for special “secret” designs only seen when the lamp is on, though small lampshades don’t have much space to play around with this idea.
Does pleating change the way light moves through a small lampshade?
A. No, pleating won’t limit the amount of light that shines through the small lampshade. It affects your home’s aesthetics, however, as pleating is considered old-fashioned or rustic compared to the sleeker, flat-fronted lampshades of today.
What’s the best small lampshade to buy?
Top small lampshade
Alucset Small Barrel Lampshade
What you need to know: This is a classic design at a great price.
What you’ll love: It’s 6 by 10 by 7.5 inches, making it a perfect choice for small table lamps. It comes in 10 color and material combinations, plus it’s made by hand. It uses spider fitters and is compatible with most harps.
What you should consider: Some consumers received lampshades that highlighted black markings on the inner material layer that can’t be accessed to fix without tearing into the lampshade.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top small lampshade for the money
Cleveland Vintage Clip-On Metal Lampshade
What you need to know: Shake up your interior design with this wire lampshade.
What you’ll love: The metal slats offer a unique design that allows the bulb to take center stage, which is highly effective for color-changing smart lights. You can add your own designs by attaching personalized paper or threading strings in interesting patterns. It clips directly to the bulb.
What you should consider: The 8 by 7 by 4.5-inch size is small, even for the smallest table lamps. Some consumers had issues with the clips not securing tightly enough.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Aspen Creative Transitional Drum Lampshade
What you need to know: This lampshade is modern and elegant.
What you’ll love: The off-white color and lightly painted grass look beautiful without the light of a bulb and glow with the light. It uses a spider fitter that’s compatible with most harps. It’s 8 by 8 by 8 inches for an evenly measured look.
What you should consider: Some consumers received dented or otherwise broken shades, while others had issues with the designs peeling off shortly after purchase.
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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| 2022-04-07T23:03:26
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When should you aerate your lawn?
Anyone who owns a home knows a great lawn doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a lot of planning and maintenance to get lush green grass that’s the envy of all your neighbors. Regular watering, mowing and fertilizing are important, but they won’t do anything for you if your soil doesn’t provide the right growing conditions.
Over time, soil can become so compacted that it doesn’t let nutrients reach the roots, where they can do the most good. Lawn aeration is a simple process that solves this problem. To get the best results, though, it is important to do it at the proper time — otherwise, you may be doing more harm than good.
The purpose of lawn aeration
In lawn aeration, you perforate your lawn with many small holes, breaking up heavily compacted soil so water, nutrients and oxygen can better reach the roots. This improves grass’s drought tolerance, so it can handle harsh weather better. It also improves drainage and encourages faster, better growth. The roots will grow deeper, letting them reach nutrients and water further down in the soil.
How often to aerate your lawn
You’ll be happy to know you don’t need to aerate it frequently. How often depends on the type of soil you have and how much foot traffic it gets. If your soil has a high clay content or is highly trafficked, you should aerate it once a year. Most other lawns only need to be aerated every two to three years as long as they are growing well and look healthy.
Signs that your lawn needs aeration
There are several signs that may indicate your lawn needs aeration.
- It begins to turn brown after just a few days of hot weather
- Water puddles on the surface after rain
- The grass isn’t growing or is growing slowly
- There are lots of bald or worn spots
- The grass is noticeably thinning
- There is a heavy buildup of thatch
If you are still unsure if your lawn needs aeration after seeing some of these signs, there are two tests you can perform. Try sticking a shovel into the soil. If it is difficult to penetrate, it is too heavily compacted. You can also dig into a section of your lawn and inspect the roots. If they don’t extend at least 2 inches, your soil likely needs aeration.
The best time to aerate your lawn
Though aeration helps your lawn, it also stresses it. To ensure it recovers quickly from any damage, only aerate it during its peak growing season. This varies based on the type of grass you have and your location. In cool climates and for cold-season grasses, early spring and early fall are good times. For hotter climates and warm-season grasses, late spring and early summer are best.
Types of lawn aerators
Lawn aerators come in two types: spike and plug.
- Spike aerators are less effective but tend to be more affordably priced. They make very small holes and don’t require any cleanup afterward.
- Plug aerators remove small, cylindrical chunks of soil. They leave these strewn all over the lawn, so you’ll need to mow over them or manually remove them later, but this is much more effective.
Tips for aerating your lawn
Aerating a lawn isn’t difficult, but there are a few tips to follow that can help you get the most from it.
- Moisture: Avoid aerating when it is overly dry. Instead, do it a day or two after it rains. If Mother Nature isn’t being accommodating, water the lawn thoroughly the day before you aerate.
- Obstacles: Before you start, flag sprinklers and any other obstacles in the grass to avoid accidentally damaging them.
- Repeat: During aeration, make several passes over the most heavily compacted areas to ensure through perforation.
- New growth: When you have finished, fertilize your lawn and, if needed, spread grass seeds. Your soil will be the most receptive at this time.
What you need to buy for aerating your lawn
If you have a small lawn, these affordably priced manual aerator shoes are a good choice. They strap securely into place via sturdy metal buckles, and each features 13 heavy-duty spikes that penetrate nearly 2 inches into the soil.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Agri-Fab 45-0299 48-Inch Tow Plug Aerator
For large yards, a tow-behind model like this can help you get the job done as quickly as possible and with the least effort. It’s equipped with 32 galvanized knives that penetrate soil easily and pull out plugs up to 3 inches in size.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
These bright flags are easy to spot against green lawns and have strong spikes that rarely bend when you stick them in the ground. They come as a pack of 100, so you’ll have plenty, and they have a nice wallet-friendly price.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
Scotts 76565 Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
Fertilizer needs to be applied evenly for the best results and a rolling drop spreader like this is the best way to do it. Its hopper can hold enough fertilizer or seeds to cover 10,000 square feet, and it spreads them in a 22-inch pattern to make short work of medium-sized yards.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
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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.
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| 2022-04-07T23:03:32
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Which Ryobi batteries are best?
Ryobi is a consumer brand tool company that focuses on manufacturing reliable, high-quality products at a reasonable price. The key to the company’s success is its power system. Ryobi’s advanced technology lets the batteries communicate with the tools to provide the best performance possible.
Ryobi’s 40-volt 7.5 Ah High Capacity Battery is a high-end battery designed to work with the company’s line of lawn and garden tools. It offers four times more runtime than Ryobi’s 2.0 Ah battery and features an onboard fuel gauge.
What to know before you buy a Ryobi battery
Amps vs. voltage
Shopping for a battery can be difficult because the terminology is confusing. Additionally, manufacturers sometimes direct your attention to details that aren’t crucial to the battery’s performance. The two primary concepts you need to grasp are amps and voltage.
Since electricity is a current that moves, it is often compared to water. If you think of a river, the volume of water in that river would be the amps. Voltage, on the other hand, is the steepness of the river. To give you a mental image, a battery with low amperage and low voltage is a creek trickling through a field. Conversely, a battery with high amperage and high voltage is a wide river racing down the side of a mountain.
More amp hours are better
All batteries have an amp-hour rating. While there are many factors that contribute to a battery’s actual runtime, in general, a higher Ah means a longer runtime. If all things are equal and you purchase an 18-volt 4.0 Ah battery, it will offer roughly double the runtime of an 18-volt 2.0 Ah battery. In short, a higher Ah rating means you will be able to use a tool, such as a cordless drill, longer before it needs to be recharged.
What to look for in a quality Ryobi battery
Voltage
Ryobi makes two types of batteries: an 18-volt battery and a 40-volt battery. If you have an 18-volt tool, you must use an 18-volt battery. If you have a 40-volt tool, you must use a 40-volt battery. The 40-volt batteries are reserved for heavy-duty lawn and garden tools.
Amp hours
Ryobi batteries range from 1.5 Ah to 7.5 Ah. The higher the amp hours, the longer the battery can run between charges.
High performance
A high-performance battery performs better than a standard battery. Ryobi defines its high-performance batteries as lasting two times longer while providing 30% more power than the company’s standard battery.
Number of batteries
If you ever anticipate needing more than one Ryobi battery, it is wise to purchase a two-pack, a four-pack, a six-pack or an eight-pack. When you purchase batteries in a multipack, the price per battery is significantly lower.
Included charger
If you already have a Ryobi battery charger, you can just purchase a battery. If you do not have a charger, or you’d like to charge more than one battery at once, the most cost-effective way to do that is to buy a starter kit that includes both the battery and the charger.
How much you can expect to spend on a Ryobi battery
Ryobi batteries cost anywhere from $50-$250. There are roughly two dozen options between those price points, offering something for every budget.
Ryobi battery FAQ
How long does a Ryobi battery warranty last?
A. All Ryobi batteries come with a three-year limited warranty. If you ever have a problem with your Ryobi battery, simply call customer service to get the help you need.
Where can I find Ryobi products?
A. If you shop in a brick-and-mortar store, the only place you can find Ryobi tools is at Home Depot. However, if you shop online, you can also find Ryobi products on Amazon.
What’s the best Ryobi battery to buy?
Top Ryobi battery
Ryobi 40-volt 7.5 Ah High Capacity Battery
What you need to know: This is the largest battery in Ryobi’s line. It is for lawn and garden equipment.
What you’ll love: This battery provides extra runtime, making it suitable for people with large yards. It delivers fade-free lithium-ion power and has an onboard fuel gauge, so you always know how much power remains. With the RYOBI 40-volt rapid charger (sold separately), you can charge this battery in 75 minutes or less.
What you should consider: This is the most expensive battery currently in Ryobi’s line.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Top Ryobi battery for the money
Ryobi ONE+ 18V High Performance 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger Starter Kit
What you need to know: This battery and charger set is for the person who wants to get the most out of their Ryobi power tools.
What you’ll love: This high-performance option gives you up to four times more runtime than Ryobi’s standard lithium-ion battery. It runs cooler, is impact resistant and performs in extreme temperatures. The built-in LED display lets you know at a glance how much power remains.
What you should consider: Rarely, a subpar charger slips through quality control.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Worth checking out
Ryobi ONE+ 18-volt High Performance 2.0 Ah Compact Battery
What you need to know: This affordable high-performance battery is designed for the individual who already has a compatible charger.
What you’ll love: The Ryobi ONE+ 18-volt High Performance 2.0 Ah Compact Battery has the same features as the higher-priced 4.0 Ah battery. It has a fuel gauge, works in extreme temperatures and runs cooler than the company’s standard lithium-ion batteries. The main difference is it only offers two times the runtime of Ryobi’s standard lithium-ion batteries (not four times the runtime).
What you should consider: The charger is not included. If you need one, you will have to purchase it separately.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
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Allen Foster 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.
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| 2022-04-07T23:03:40
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Which telescoping ladder is best?
Telescoping ladders allow you to reach high-up locations without having to deal with the hassles of storing and transporting a traditional model that can be awkward to carry and take up a lot of space.
Safety should be of the utmost concern, so you’ll want to choose a telescoping ladder that not only supports the load you will be placing on it, but which also has a pinch-free retraction method and high-traction, nonslip feet pads. The Ohuhu 12.5-Foot Telescoping Ladder is one such model.
What to know before you buy a telescoping ladder
Telescoping ladders vs. extension ladders
There is sometimes confusion among buyers of what exactly qualifies as an extension ladder. This is partially the result of some manufacturers labeling their extension ladders as telescoping even though they don’t actually telescope. Essentially, any model that doesn’t have rungs that collapse down on top of one another should not be considered a telescoping ladder.
The main benefit of telescoping ladders is how compact they are when fully collapsed. This makes them exceptionally easy to transport and store. Extension ladders simply can’t compete in this area. That said, some users may feel that extension ladders are more stable.
Ladder certifications and ratings
For the average person buying a telescoping ladder for their home, the only rating they really need to worry about is the duty rating or load capacity. On most models, this will be clearly stated somewhere in the product description in pounds. However, some models might only state their type, which are as follows:
- Type IAA ladders – 375-pound load capacity
- Type IA ladders – 300-pound load capacity
- Type I ladders- 250-pound load capacity
- Type II ladders – 225-pound load capacity
- Type III ladders – 200-pound load capacity.
If you are purchasing a ladder for commercial use, there are a couple of additional certifications and ratings you need to be aware of. If the ladder is manufactured in the European Union, it will carry an EN131 rating. For commercial use, only purchase a telescoping ladder that carries a EN131 Professional rating. It should also be OSHA compliant.
Retraction
Most telescoping ladders can either retract rung by rung or the entire thing at once. For rung by rung retraction you’ll use small buttons or levers underneath each specific rung. Generally, this has to be done from the top down. To retract the whole ladder at once, you’ll use small buttons or levers on or near the very bottom rung. Be careful to keep your fingers out from between the rungs as you do this to avoid injury. Some models utilize air resistance to ensure they retract slowly, which also helps to avoid injury.
Features to look for in a quality telescoping ladder
Height
Every ladder has a maximum height it can be extended to. Consider the height of the various locations you need to reach before choosing a model to ensure it fits your needs. Don’t forget that it is advised not to stand on the uppermost rungs so make sure to factor this into your purchase decision.
Weight capacity
For safety reasons, it is vital that you never exceed the manufacturer’s maximum load rating of a ladder. The amount of weight you’ll be placing on a ladder includes not only the user’s weight but also that of any tools that you may carry up with you or attach to the upper rungs of your ladder as you work.
Nonslip end caps
Nonslip end caps should be nonnegotiable on any ladder you purchase, no matter the type. These increase user safety by minimizing the chances of the ladder slipping while you are standing on it. Ideally, these should be both textured and made from a high-traction material.
Rung lock indicator
To be used safely, the rungs of a telescoping ladder need to be locked into place. The majority of models have a self-locking design so you don’t have to worry about manually doing anything. However, you should still double-check before standing on the ladder. Models that feature a visible rung lock indicator make this step easy.
How much you can expect to spend on a telescoping ladder
Most telescoping ladders cost between $100-$250.
Telescoping ladder FAQ
Do telescoping ladders need to be fully extended for use?
A. No. You can extend a telescoping ladder to whatever height is most convenient for the job at hand as long as it is at or below its maximum extension.
Do telescoping ladders require any maintenance?
A. Telescoping ladders don’t require any specific maintenance other than keeping them clean and dry. It is also advised not to store them in a place where they will constantly be exposed to the elements.
What is the best telescoping ladder to buy?
Top telescoping ladder
Ohuhu 12.5-Foot Telescoping Ladder
What you need to know: This Ohuhu collapses down to just 33.5 inches and has several smart features for both safety and convenience.
What you’ll love: It utilizes air resistance for safe and slow retraction, and you can collapse the entire ladder at once by pressing the buttons on the second-to-last rung. Plus, it has stabilizing bars at the base that enhance stability, and nonslip endcaps to hold it in place.
What you should consider: There seem to be some quality control issues, but the company is proactive at making it right with buyers by replacing faulty ladders.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top telescoping ladder for the money
Yvan 8.5-Foot Telescoping Ladder
What you need to know: A good choice for home users that don’t need to reach anything very high, this ladder extends to 8.5 feet and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
What you’ll love: It has a 330-pound maximum load capacity, so it can easily support most users and still feel stable.
What you should consider: There have been reports of the plastic retraction buttons breaking.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Telesteps 1800EP Fully Automatic Telescoping Ladder
What you need to know: If you are looking for a telescoping ladder suitable for commercial applications, this Type 1A, OSHA-compliant model with an 18-foot reach fits the bill.
What you’ll love: The silicone feet offer excellent traction on most surfaces. It features visible safety indicators too, so you can tell at a glance if the rungs are locked into place properly.
What you should consider: It is notably more expensive than most other models.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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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.
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| 2022-04-07T23:03:47
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Which black patio furniture is best?
Every homeowner’s favorite thing to have is a nice backyard patio. It’s a place to grill, sunbathe and entertain. It’s your own private park. But, like any room inside your home, you need some furniture to complete it. Black patio furniture is a good pick, thanks to how hard it is for wear and tear to show and the fact that it simply looks good in any yard.
A top choice for black patio furniture is the Grand Patio Five-Piece Patio Furniture Set. However, it’s best suited to cooler backyards.
What to know before you buy black patio furniture
Black patio furniture set types
There are three main types of black patio furniture sets: conversation, dining and bistro.
- Conversation sets are perfect for hanging out. They can include any number of seating combinations from only two to 10-plus. They usually include a small table, but nothing large enough to hold more than a few drinks.
- Dining sets are all about eating outside. They usually have at least four chairs, though larger sizes are more common, in addition to a sizable table.
- Bistro sets are somewhat of a combination. They include a small table that’s just big enough to hold plates of food plus two or four chairs.
Style
Patio furniture, even when restricted to a majority color black, comes in a huge variety of styles. There’s modern, minimalistic, rustic, vintage, post-modern, farmhouse and more. When shopping for styles, try to find a set that complements your home’s interior and exterior designs.
What to look for in quality black patio furniture
Frame material
Black patio furniture frames can be various materials, each with its own pros and cons.
- Iron frames are heavy, durable and expensive. Many are so heavy, wheels are installed on their undersides so you can move them around as needed. Most maintenance revolves around treating rust.
- Steel frames are lighter and nearly as durable, plus a little more affordable. They also require rust-related maintenance.
- Aluminum frames are light, affordable and naturally resistant to rust and corrosion. They also require little maintenance, though they can easily blow away in stiff winds.
- Plastic frames are cheap, recyclable and easy to move in and out of storage as needed. They don’t last, but they’re perfect for those who infrequently take advantage of their patios.
- Wicker frames are light and reasonably durable. They’re one of the most aesthetically pleasing options.
- Wood frames are beautiful but are expensive and high maintenance. There are dozens of woods to choose from, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.
Cushioning
Many black patio furniture sets include cushions. The best cushions have covers that are heavily outdoor-proof. This includes UV, water and wind resistance. They can also be removable and machine-washable.
How much you can expect to spend on black patio furniture
Black patio furniture sets cost anywhere between $100 and thousands of dollars. Most sets cost $100-$1,000, with the $500 area serving as a divider between sets of medium and high quality. Premium, specialty, designer and extra-large sets usually start around $1,500 and can reach unfathomable costs.
Black patio furniture FAQ
How hot can black patio furniture get?
A. Depending on the material and the exact temperature, pretty hot. Black metal frames can become positively boiling in high temperatures with direct sun exposure, although aluminum won’t get as hot as steel. Most black fabrics can become noticeably warmer but not so hot as to be uncomfortable.
How long does a set of black patio furniture last?
A. That depends on a few factors, including the quality of your set and how well you maintain it. The average set put into storage when adverse weather strikes and is reasonably maintained can last for many years. Treat a cheap set badly, and you’ll be lucky to get a year out of it. One method of gauging longevity is to check its warranty. Longer-lasting and more comprehensive warranties always point to a more durable set.
What’s the best black patio furniture to buy?
Top black patio furniture
Grand Patio Five-Piece Patio Furniture Set
What you need to know: If you live in a cooler climate, this set is perfect for you.
What you’ll love: This set includes four rocking chairs with grey cushions and a central gas-powered fire pit. The cushion covers are machine-washable, and the chairs use Velcro to prevent the cushions from sliding. The fire pit can reach 50,000 British thermal units, which is very hot.
What you should consider: Some consumers didn’t receive the fire pit with the chairs. Others struggled to follow the assembly instructions. A few had issues with the chairs bottoming out.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top black patio furniture for the money
Greesum Four-Piece Patio Furniture Set
What you need to know: This set is simple and affordable.
What you’ll love: This set includes one wide bench, two chairs and a glass-topped coffee table. The chairs use mesh for breathability and to allow precipitation to pass through. The frames are made of rust-resistant steel and have rubber feet for stability. It includes everything you need for assembly.
What you should consider: Some consumers struggled to assemble the set. They do offer expert assembly, but it is expensive. Others reported receiving damaged frames or mesh.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Flash Furniture Six-Piece Nantucket Black Patio Furniture Set
What you need to know: This is another great budget set.
What you’ll love: This set includes four chairs, a glass-topped table and an umbrella. The umbrella is easy to take down and set up as needed and the chairs fold up for simple storage. The chairs and table are powder-coated steel for durability. Most consumers found assembly easy.
What you should consider: Some consumers didn’t receive various parts, such as necessary assembly tools. The umbrella isn’t durable compared to the chairs and the table.
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.
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| 2022-04-07T23:03:55
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Which portable propane fire pits are best?
Everyone loves a warm and cozy fire on a chilly night. Not only do portable propane fire pits provide you with much-needed warmth, but they also create a pleasant ambiance that can elevate an ordinary evening into something special.
Portable propane fire pits allow you to avoid the hassle and mess of a traditional wood-burning campfire. You carry them to your desired location, attach the hose to your fuel tank and push a button to ignite the fire.
When choosing a portable propane fire pit, it makes sense that ease of transport should be a top priority. The Outland Living Firecube 805 stands out in this regard thanks to its included lid to keep the lava rocks contained and a strap that allows for one-handed carrying.
What to know before you buy a portable propane fire pit
Reasons to buy a portable propane fire pit
There are many reasons to use a portable propane fire pit when camping or enjoying an evening on the beach. Unlike wood fire pits, you don’t have to add more fuel to them by hand constantly. You also won’t be left with a messy pile of ashes to clean.
Additionally, starting a fire in a propane fire pit is as easy as pushing a button or turning a knob. You don’t have to mess around with kindling or lighter fluid. Propane fires hardly create any fumes, too, so you’ll never have to worry about getting a face full of smoke if the wind turns in your direction.
Another considerable benefit of portable propane fire pits is that CSA-approved models can often be used in locations that have a campfire ban. Make sure to double check the regulations in your jurisdiction first before doing so just to ensure you are conforming to local restrictions.
Portability
Since you’ll likely be taking your fire pit on the go, portability is the name of the game. Several factors contribute to portability, all of which you should consider carefully. The overall weight and size will dictate how easy a propane fire pit is to carry and pack inside a vehicle. Some models also include straps that serve the purpose of securing the lid in place, if there is one, and double as a carrying handle. Folding legs allow you to make a fire pit more compact during transport but can sacrifice stability when the pit is in use.
Heat
The amount of heat a portable propane fire pit produces is measured in British Thermal Units. Most range from as low as 30,000 Btu up to 60,000 Btu. Those with lower Btu ratings won’t be as effective for heating a large space, so you’ll need to huddle much closer to the fire pit to keep warm.
What to look for in a quality portable propane fire pit
Rust-resistant construction
Portable propane fire pits are used outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Because of this, it is advisable to purchase models that have rust-resistant construction. These should feature a stainless steel burner, an enameled or powder-coated finish and a chromed, aluminum or plastic knob.
Ignition
Most portable propane fire pits feature an automatic ignition system that only requires you to push a button or turn a knob. This way, you never have to worry about remembering to bring along a lighter or matches. That said, it is best to double-check the description of any product you are buying just in case. A few select models aren’t equipped with an ignition system.
Cover
Though not a necessity, a cover that secures in place in some manner makes for more convenient transport of a fire pit. It will keep the lava rocks contained when on the go, so there is no chance of them spilling out and making a mess.
Hose length
Nearly all propane fire pits include a hose that measures between 5 and 10 feet in length. The longer the hose, the better because it allows you to keep the propane tank far out of the way.
How much you can expect to spend on a portable propane fire pit
Most portable propane fire pits cost between $125-$250.
Portable propane fire pit FAQ
Can I use a portable propane fire pit for cooking food?
A. The majority of portable propane fire pits are not designed for cooking food and do not come with a grate of any sort. That said, you can use them for roasting marshmallows and cooking other items that you can hold on a stick or suspend above the fire in some manner. Just be aware this will likely make your fire pit dirty.
What size propane tanks do portable fire pits use?
A. Portable fire pits can use any size propane tank as long as it fits the included regulator. Most people will be best served by a 5- or 10-pound tank, as these provide enough fuel for plenty of use without being so large and heavy they become a hassle to transport.
What’s the best portable propane fire pit to buy?
Top portable propane fire pit
What you need to know: The Firecube 805 gives off plenty of heat to keep a large group of people warm and is CSA-approved for use in most locations currently under a campfire ban.
What you’ll love: It has a 10-foot hose, so you can keep the propane tank nice and far away, and it includes a lid and carrying strap for convenient transport.
What you should consider: You need to wait for the unit to cool fully before placing the strap on it.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top portable propane fire pit for the money
Outland Living Firebowl 893 Deluxe
What you need to know: The Firebowl 893 provides just as much warmth as the Firecube but at a lesser cost to save you some money.
What you’ll love: It has cute campfire cutouts in the bowl that add to its charming ambiance. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about chrome control knob or stainless steel burner rusting.
What you should consider: At 23 pounds, it is a bit heavier than some other models.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: Though it can be a bit expensive when not on sale, the Sporty Campfire is a lightweight and highly convenient model that features folding legs.
What you’ll love: The sides of the fire pit have diamond perforations throughout that help distribute heat out the sides where it can better warm users rather than straight up and into the air. It boasts a 60,000 Btu rating, too, which is slightly more than most competing models.
What you should consider: There are reports of the automatic ignition not always working well on some units.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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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.
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| 2022-04-07T23:04:02
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Which gas grill under $300 is best?
With spring and summer right around the corner, it’s a great time to get your barbecue set up. A quality gas grill is more convenient, cleaner and more versatile than a charcoal grill and many great options cost less than $300. While you won’t find many high-end features on these affordable gas grills, most of them come from highly reliable manufacturers and are engineered for long-lasting efficiency. The Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Gas Grill tops the list.
What to know before you buy a gas grill under $300
Pick a reliable manufacturer
Avoid sketchy off-brands or throwaway no-name manufacturers. There are plenty of fantastic and reasonably priced options from relative leaders in the grilling field.
You won’t find a ton of premium features
Budget-oriented grills tend to not have a ton of advanced technology or novel functions, so don’t get your hopes up for Wi-Fi smart home connectivity. But, they don’t have to be completely bare-bones appliances, either. Most at least have wheels for easy transport around the patio. Some offer burners in the side tables while others offer brackets for propane tank storage and even cabinets for holding tools and other cooking supplies.
Propane vs. natural gas
Nearly all gas grills are built to run on propane, but if you have a natural gas line on your patio you can also convert most gas grills to use natural gas. To do so, you’ll need the appropriate conversion kit.
What to look for in a quality gas grill under $300
Enough burners and cooking space
Entry-level grills usually have a surface area of roughly 400-500 square inches, which is enough to feed burgers, dogs and BBQ chicken to a decently large group of people. If you do plan on entertaining and filling your grill, consider that three burners might not quite be hot enough for a completely full load of meat. Luckily, demanding grillmasters can find highly effective four- and five-burner models at good prices.
Piezoelectric ignition
There’s no reason you should have to light your backyard grill with a stick lighter in 2022. Make sure the grill you select has a built-in ignition.
How much you can expect to spend on a gas grill under $300
For the full $300 you can get a surprisingly capable and long-lasting grill. To get something that works well without major design flaws or defects, expect to spend roughly $120 at minimum.
Gas grill under $300 FAQ
Are portable gas grills worth it?
A. If you absolutely need to grill in the park or at a tailgate party, a portable grill is a great choice. Keep in mind, though, that no grills designed for portability will come close to competing with a full-size gas grill. Nonetheless, there are some great portable gas grills to choose from.
As long as you’re willing to keep it clean and deal with some minor quirks, it’s surprisingly effective for a remarkably low price.
Sold by Amazon
It’s a durable, two-burner stainless-steel model that comes from a reliable manufacturer and is designed to sit on a sturdy table.
Sold by Amazon
If you’re looking for a portable grill that has an integrated stand and is easy to transport without making a mess, this is the one for you.
Sold by Amazon
What are the best grilling accessories?
A. There are a couple of broad varieties of accessories worth considering for a grill. There are quite a few tools that will make the process easier and there’s also a handful of accessories designed to keep your new grill in peak condition for as long as possible.
A grill mat is a must-have if you want to preserve a concrete or wooden patio or any other kind of surface underneath your grill. It can also help minimize corrosion in conjunction with a grill cover if you live in a humid climate.
Sold by Amazon
A quality grill cover keeps moisture, ultraviolet rays, pests and other foreign objects from damaging your grill when not in use. Every grill needs one.
Sold by Amazon
This all-wood scraper is designed to safely clean grill grates without damaging the metal or the stick-resistant finish.
Sold by Amazon
It uses durable, heat-resistant nylon instead of metal fibers that can potentially dislodge from the brush and contaminate food.
Sold by Amazon
They’re resistant to knife cuts, powerful chemicals and heat, making them perfect for busy days outside on the grill.
Sold by Amazon
It has just about every hand tool you could need for perfect barbecued ribs or smoked brisket.
Sold by Amazon
What’s the best gas grill to buy for under $300?
Top gas grill under $300
Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Gas Grill
What you need to know: Reliable performance and premium construction make this one of the best budget-friendly grills.
What you’ll love: Four burners with considerable heat output ensure fast and even cooking. Its stainless-steel makeup both looks great and lasts a long time with proper care. The side tables provide just enough room for light prep jobs and there’s even a stove burner on the left side for preparing sauces and side dishes.
What you should consider: It’s at the top of the price range and it’s also relatively heavy.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top gas grill under $300 for the money
What you need to know: This straightforward model is manufactured by a well-known producer of dependable yet affordable grills.
What you’ll love: As the name implies, there are 360 square inches of cooking space, which isn’t huge but can accommodate meals for decently large groups. There’s a warming tray located above the main grill for keeping sides hot or toasting buns. The wheels on one side of the cart make it easy to move out of the way when it’s not in use and there’s an upgraded model with a stove burner set into the table on the left side of the grill.
What you should consider: While the grill grates are coated with corrosion-resistant porcelain, they’re not very thick and you should expect to replace them after a year or so.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Dyna-Glo 4-Burner Propane Grill
What you need to know: This premium grill is engineered for perfect searing, efficient grilling and even effective slow smoking.
What you’ll love: A lot of thought and research went into the design of this surprisingly affordable grill. With over 500 square inches of real estate, there’s enough room for a huge variety of culinary projects. The burners work consistently and are relatively easy to clean. While it has plenty of capacity, there’s also a similar 5-burner version if you’re willing to invest a little more.
What you should consider: The integrated thermometer is unreliable and the side tables are a bit too small for comfortable food prep.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
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Chris Thomas 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.
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https://www.wane.com/reviews/br/patio-br/grilling-outdoor-cooking-br/best-gas-grill-under-300/
| 2022-04-07T23:04:09
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How do you play rugby?
Rugby is a full-contact sport played by two teams of 15 players. Each team tries to move an oval-shaped ball into the try zone to earn points. The ball may be run, passed or kicked. To stop a team’s advance, the opposing team can tackle the player with the ball. While this may sound like a vague description of another sport, rugby is not football.
The rules of play for this brutal sport are unique and, at times, complicated. Understanding the game may take a little effort, but remember: this is one of the most popular sports in the world.
A brief history of rugby
Roughly 100 miles northwest of London, there is a county in England called Warwickshire. In 1564, it was the birthplace of Shakespeare. Over two centuries later, it was the birthplace of rugby.
According to the lore, in 1823 a 16-year-old disruptor at an independent school named, appropriately enough, Rugby School, decided running with the ball should be allowed in soccer. So after catching the ball, instead of putting it down as the rules required, William Webb Ellis took off for the touch line. While this account is hard to verify, it is considered the origin of rugby.
The rugby field
A rugby field is a rectangle a little bigger than an American football field, about 328 feet long by 230 feet wide (100 meters by 70 meters). At either end there is a try zone — think end zone — at least 33 feet (10 meters) deep. At each end of the field, there is an H-shaped goal 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide and at least 52 feet (16 meters) high. The crossbar is 10 feet (3 meters) above the ground.
The mandatory field markings are a dead ball line, a goal line, a 24-yard (22-meter) line, an 11-yard (10-meter) line and a halfway line. There are also touchlines on either side of the field and a center spot for restarting the game after points have been scored.
The rules of rugby
Rugby can be difficult to understand, especially for Americans who try to compare it to American football. Here are basic guidelines that can help you get a quick grasp of the sport’s mechanics.
The object of rugby
Rugby is an 80-minute game played in two 40-minute halves with a short break between. There are 15 players from each team on the field, and each team has seven substitutes. If a player leaves the game for any reason other than an injury, they cannot return. The object of the game is to be the team with the most points at the end of the second half.
The basic rules of rugby
When a team has possession of the rugby ball, it tries to maneuver the ball down the field across the try line to score. To earn points, the ball must be placed firmly down on the ground in the opponent’s try zone. A player can run with the ball or pass it to the side or behind — never forward. A player can also kick the ball to move it down the field or attempt a drop kick, in which they drop the ball and kick it after it hits the ground, trying to get it through the goalposts.
To stop the first team’s progress, its opponents must tackle the player with the ball. All tackles must be made below the shoulders. While tripping with the foot is not allowed, an ankle tap, which is performed with the hand, is considered a tackle and is permissible. Once a player is tackled, they have one second to get up or release the ball to keep the game going. Often after a tackle, a ruck is formed over the ball as each team competes to win possession.
There are no timeouts in rugby. Play only stops if the ball goes out of bounds, there is an infraction or the ball is buried in a ruck or a maul — when the player with the ball is stopped, but not tackled and is joined by at least one player from his own team. The only time the clock stops is if there is an injury.
How to score in rugby
There are four ways to score points in rugby:
- A try: When a player places the ball on the ground in the in-goal area, the team gets five points.
- A conversion: After a successful try, a team gets the chance to make a two-point conversion kick.
- A penalty kick: Penalty kicks are worth 3 points.
- A drop kick: A kick that goes through the posts during regular play is worth three points.
What you need to buy for rugby
Gilbert USA International Replica Rugby Ball
If you need a practice ball to develop your rugby skills, this replica will suit your needs. It features the USA Rugby bald-eagle emblem and team colors and has a synthetic latex bladder for superior air retention.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Adidas Men’s Nemeziz .4 FXG Soccer Cleats
To get traction on the field, you need a pair of cleats. These high-quality soccer cleats from Adidas are suitable for dry natural grass, artificial grass and hard ground.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Adidas Kids Goletto VIII FG Soccer Cleats
These youth cleats have soft, lightweight uppers and a lace closure. The built-in heel pad adds comfort while the forefront stitching gives the player greater control.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Since rugby is a full-contact sport, it is important to wear headgear. This soft helmet is made of polyester and high-density foam. It has an adjustable chin strap and rear laces to ensure a snug fit. The multiple air vents provide comfort to the wearer.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard
Repairing (or replacing) teeth is costly. If you play rugby, you need a mouthguard. This model has a gel-fit liner and a breathing channel for protection and comfort. The heavy-duty frame protects teeth, cheeks and tongue during impact.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
“Rugby For Dummies” by Matthew Brown, Patrick Guthrie and Greg Growden
If you’d like to take a deep dive into all the rules and nuances of rugby, you’ll need a book. This one not only outlines the rules, it gives you fitness tips and game-winning strategies as well.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Allen Foster 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.
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https://www.wane.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/how-to-play-rugby/
| 2022-04-07T23:04:16
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How do you make s’mores without a fire?
Although you can make s’mores over an open flame, such as a campfire, it’s not the only way to cook these favorite comfort foods. There are several s’more-making devices, which means you can make them indoors anytime you like, day or night.
Each s’mores maker — and method — is different, and you’ll need to examine them closely to choose the right one. And if you expect to make these delectable treats for parties, it might be worthwhile to purchase more than one s’mores maker so you can make several batches quickly.
What you need to know about making s’mores without a fire
What you need for s’mores
The classic s’mores recipe calls for only three ingredients — marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars. However, there are endless ways to customize s’mores if you’re so inclined.
You can add toppings to freshly roasted s’mores, including chocolate or caramel sauce, Marshmallow Fluff, Nutella and peanut butter. If you have a fondue pot, fill it with chocolate and dip your s’mores. And if you’re open to a fruity spin on the chocolatey treat, you can add thinly sliced strawberries or bananas inside.
How to make s’mores without a fire
If you’re wondering how to make s’mores without fire, it’s simple. All you need is a different heat source to melt marshmallows and other ingredients. You can find one in everyday appliances as well as flame-free s’mores makers.
Many people prefer flame-free methods for s’mores making, particularly for safety reasons. Although flameless s’mores makers have heating elements that should be used cautiously, they’re safer than s’mores makers with open flames.
How to make s’mores indoors
From s’mores makers to everyday kitchen appliances, it’s easy — and safe — to make s’mores indoors.
- Heated s’mores makers: Some tabletop s’mores makers have flameless heaters at the center of a tray. They’re popular for all-ages s’mores-making. However, because they have exposed heating elements, children must be supervised while using them.
- Microwave: Microwave marshmallows for approximately 20 to 30 seconds before adding them to s’mores. There are also a few microwavable appliances that hold ingredients together for easy roasting.
- Oven: Place s’ mores in an oven-safe tray and broil for about two minutes. There are also s’mores makers for ovens, namely wire racks that press ingredients together. Ovens have the greatest make more s’mores faster than other methods, so they’re typically preferred for entertaining.
- Air fryer: Arrange s’mores at the bottom of the basket and cook them at 390 degrees for five to eight minutes. Remove them carefully with nonstick-safe tongs or spatulas.
- Toaster oven: Preheat the toaster oven to 400 degrees. Place s’mores in evenly spaced rows on a compatible tray, and bake for three minutes or until gooey.
How much you can expect to pay for s’mores makers
Most novelty s’mores makers fall in the $15-$60 range. Premium electric flameless ones, however, run as high as $80 and above.
Best devices for making s’mores without a fire
Nostalgia Indoor Electric S’mores Maker
This s’mores maker features a Lazy Susan tray so everyone indulging has access to ingredients. It has a stainless steel base and easy-to-remove tray, making it simple to pack away after use.
Sold by Amazon
Progressive Prep Solutions Microwave S’mores Maker
A budget-priced option, this friendly little s’mores maker has two arms that sandwich ingredients together for easy microwave cooking in 30 minutes. The plastic device is dishwasher-safe for quick and easy cleanup.
Sold by Amazon
S’more To Love Six-S’more Maker
If you’re a fan of crunchy graham crackers for s’mores, oven baking is your best option. This wire rack holds six full-size s’mores and fits inside regular ovens, larger toaster ovens and grills. The slender rack, only 3 inches wide, can be stored vertically in pantries and kitchens.
Sold by Amazon
Sharper Image Electric Tabletop S’mores Maker
This premium stainless steel s’mores maker has a sleek design and an electric heating element. The tray is serving-friendly and presentation-worthy, with individual compartments that hold graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows.
Sold by Amazon
Cosori Air Fryer Oven Combo Max XL
This jumbo air fryer has a large tray that fits plenty of s’mores, making it ideal for entertaining or large-batch cooking. Because the air fryer crisps as well as baking, s’mores come out with crunchy graham crackers and gooey centers.
It’s simple to make s’mores in this toaster oven, but it’s the only thing you can make with it. This affordable model has four cooking functions, including toast, bake, broil and keep warm. It fits up to four slices of bread and personal pizzas up to 9 inches.
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Sian Babish 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.
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https://www.wane.com/reviews/br/tools-br/how-to-make-smores-without-a-fire/
| 2022-04-07T23:04:23
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Best workstation for patios
Patio workstations keep your gardening tools handy and organized in a single location. They come in a wide range of sizes, materials and designs, and many are quite stylish. If you need a new workstation for all your gardening supplies, there are a few things you’ll need to consider first before choosing the one that’s right for you. The Yaheetech Potting Bench is a top contender.
What to know before you buy a patio workstation
Patio workstation materials
Most patio workstations are made of metal, wood or a combination of both.
- Wood: Many wooden workstations come stained with water-resistant resins to avoid being damaged if they get wet. Some include vinyl overlays that keep the wood safe.
- Metal: Metal workstations are often heavier and more durable, but not as stylish.
Wooden ones are more popular, since they’re more affordable, attractive and easy to move. Still, metal is ideal for those who need a heavy-duty workstation.
Patio workstation features
Although you’re likely buying a workstation to store your tools, there are numerous additional features worth considering. Many workstations include removable dry sinks that can be used for mixing soil. In many cases, the countertop slides out of the way to reveal the sink. Some feature doors and drawers that lock to keep your children from playing with your tools. If you plan to move your workstation often, a model with wheels is ideal.
Patio workstation benefits
Patio workstations help you keep track of and protect your gardening tools. Options that include dry sinks make it easier to start seedlings and transplant plants. Additionally, potting benches keep you from hurting your back and knees by letting you stand while you work.
Patio workstation dimensions
Consider the amount of space you’ll need. Buying a workstation with a countertop that slides out to reveal a dry sink will conserve space. Most potting-bench countertops are around 18 inches deep and 40 inches wide.
Other ways to use patio workstations
Many patio workstations can be used to serve food and store grilling essentials if you’re having a cookout. If the workstation is the right height, and there isn’t a shelf under the countertop, patio workstations can be used as an outdoor work desk. Metal patio workstations can be stored in your garage to hold power tools.
What you can expect to pay for a patio workstation
Those with simple designs and standard materials often cost less than $100. If you want one with drawers, cabinets, a sink or other features, you may spend $130-$200.
Best workstation for your patio
Made of solid wood and metal, this is available in gray, light green and natural. It’s durable and has plenty of space for storage. When not being used for gardening, it can act as functional furniture for grilling out and entertaining guests.
Sold by Amazon
Convenience Concepts Deluxe Potting Bench
This can be purchased in light oak or natural fir with or without the cabinet and dry sink. The cabinet features a lock to keep your tools safe. The metal tabletop is relatively flimsy, but the wood is durable.
Sold by Amazon
Luckyermore Potting Bench Table
Made from solid wood, it has two wooden wheels on one side, letting you move it easily. It features a dry sink for mixing potting soils. Although it’s less durable than other models, it’s affordable and easy to assemble. Many users loved the compact size.
Sold by Amazon
Topeakmart Fir Wood Potting Bench
It is easy to set up, and this only takes about 30 minutes. It’s affordable and stylish in gray or brown. It has a straightforward design with plenty of open space. Users were surprised by how durable it is.
Sold by Amazon
AmeriHome Multiuse Potting Bench
It features a straightforward, durable design that lets you use it as a potting bench or workstation. The galvanized steel is weather resistant. Assembly can be tedious, but most users were thrilled with the outcome.
Sold by Home Depot
It has a small top shelf, a countertop, a dry sink and an additional shelf on the bottom. It’s made of fir and comes in gray or natural. This is durable, lightweight and easy to assemble.
Sold by Amazon
Best Choice Products Outdoor Mobile Garden Potting Bench
Its tabletop slides out to reveal a convenient dry sink. Four wheels for easy transport lock in place when stationary. It offers plenty of space, including a two-level upper shelf.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Mupater Potting Bench with Removable Stainless Sink
It comes in gray or natural wood and has a spacious tabletop, a drawer and two sets of shelves. The durable sink is easy to use and removable. Assembly is straightforward.
Sold by Amazon
Giantex Natural Wood Potting Bench
Made using moisture-resistant wood and galvanized metal, it features convenient side hooks, a drawer and a locking cabinet door. The assembly instructions aren’t intuitive, but the final product is durable and spacious.
Sold by Amazon
Outsunny Outdoor Folding Metal Potting Bench
This features a compact, straightforward design. Assembly is simple and the instructions are easy to understand. This bench is lightweight but doesn’t support as much weight as many other benches.
Sold by Amazon
Aivituvin Potting Bench with PVC Layer
This has a small dry sink with a lid that extends the counter space. It’s durable and assembly is straightforward. The included vinyl overlay helps protect the wooden countertop.
Sold by Amazon
RMP Aluminum Greenhouse Potting Bench
This features holes in the aluminum countertop and shelf to keep it from retaining water. It’s sturdy, lightweight and easy to set up. The countertop and shelf are spacious.
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.
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| 2022-04-07T23:04:31
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The city of St. Paul will host a virtual community meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. on April 14 regarding a planned river learning center at Crosby Farm Regional Park.
The community meeting will be held hand in hand with the Great River Passage Conservancy and focus on the schematic design for the learning center, a city-led project intended to improve public access to the river. Among other offerings, the center will serve as the Mississippi River headquarters for the National Park Service.
The community meeting is intended to be the first in a series of several public discussions on the project. W Architecture has drawn up the initial design, including site analysis and potential basic features and programming. The design team has hosted site tours and in March met with focus groups. A final schematic design is expected this fall.
For more information, visit greatriverpassage.org under “projects.”
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https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/07/april-14-public-meeting-on-future-of-st-pauls-crosby-farm-park-river-center/
| 2022-04-07T23:04:33
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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Robert Gasser is the highest ranked pitching prospect on the TinCaps roster, so it isn’t a surprise he’ll be the opening day starter for Fort Wayne on Friday at Dayton.
The 22-year old Gasser is the no. 9 prospect in the Padres organization. The 71st overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Houston, Gasser pitched 15 innings of pro ball last season, with 14 of those innings coming in Low-A.
The TinCaps open the season Friday at Dayton at 7:05 p.m. at Day Air Ballpark.
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https://www.wane.com/sports/tincaps/padres-prospect-gasser-good-to-go-as-tincaps-opening-day-starter/
| 2022-04-07T23:04:37
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The No. 1 position group that needed to be improved for the Miami Dolphins this offseason has taken significant steps, but there remains more work to do on the offensive line.
The headline-grabbing move was made in snagging top free-agent tackle Terron Armstead. In the grand scheme of the offseason, it was only overshadowed the next day when the Dolphins landed the NFL’s fastest player in wide receiver Tyreek Hill, but solidifying the offensive line was the top priority as the roster reconstruction began under new coach Mike McDaniel.
Armstead, 30, will man the left tackle position, as he’s done for three Pro Bowl seasons with the New Orleans Saints. That much is a certainty, as McDaniel noted recently at NFL meetings.
But even as former Dallas Cowboys guard Connor Williams was added in free agency, how the rest of Miami’s revamped offensive line will line up isn’t set in stone. Although Williams predominantly played left guard in Dallas and Dolphins right guard Robert Hunt was probably the lone standout on last year’s offensive line, McDaniel isn’t committed to keeping them at those spots, especially as he implements a new outside-zone scheme.
“We are doing a new scheme that highlights different attributes of a player’s performance,” McDaniel said, “and it wouldn’t be fair to the process, nor to the players, to say, ‘Okay, this guy’s going to be here exactly at this point.’ Because it is a different scheme. We ask people to do different things.”
Williams played some tackle in college and could presumably play either guard position. He also said he has snapped the ball, while Michael Deiter’s the Dolphins’ lone center on the roster in early April. Hunt, in addition to excelling at right guard in 2021, held down the right tackle position as a rookie in 2020. He is a viable option to get kicked back out there should there be a need after the Dolphins released veteran Jesse Davis, who struggled significantly at right tackle last season.
But if Hunt is kept at guard, the right tackle competition would more likely come down to the early draft picks the Dolphins have used at left tackle over the past two seasons, 2020 first-round selection Austin Jackson and 2021 second-rounder Liam Eichenberg.
Although maligned for their play early in their professional tenures, McDaniel views the youngsters as blockers with potential that can be steered in the right direction. With his successful offensive lines as offensive coordinator and run-game coordinator at his previous stop with the 49ers, San Francisco was eyeing the same linemen, he said.
“I’m excited about all of those players, while really each and every draft pick that we’ve had up front were guys that, in a different city when I was working on a different team, we were looking at as targets for ourselves,” McDaniel noted.
A rough start to the 2021 season shifted Jackson inside to left guard in his second year as a pro. It also thrust Eichenberg to start at left tackle as a rookie after Jackson did the same in 2020. Eichenberg also started last year’s opener at the New England Patriots while Jackson was on the COVID list.
The Dolphins would need at least one of those two to step up and become a formidable starting NFL lineman. Eichenberg allowed far too many pressures at left tackle in 2021. Jackson’s pass blocking on the edge was hidden at guard, but he was still often exposed for lack of lateral movement and the line was often confused when opponents brought stunts and twists in their pass rush.
An upgrade over Deiter still remains a possibility with a center like J.C. Tretter, formerly of the Browns, still a free agent. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has also indicated he has faith in Deiter, a former guard. Miami can likely be expected to add a lineman with one of their mid-round picks, late in the third and in the middle of the fourth round.
Further on the depth chart, 2020 fourth-round pick Solomon Kindley could offer a resurgence at guard after spending most of 2021 on the bench following his 13-start rookie campaign.
Robert Jones, an undrafted rookie last season known predominantly as a guard, started the finale at right tackle and held his own.
The Dolphins acquired former second-round pick Greg Little in a preseason trade with the Carolina Panthers last year, but he never saw the field in the regular season. Miami also has 2021 seventh-round pick Larnel Coleman, who can battle for a roster spot with fellow tackles Adam Pankey and Kion Smith.
Previously addressed
Dolphins giving Tua Tagovailoa tools to succeed heading into Year 3
Dolphins’ new-look backfield should benefit from Mike McDaniel’s run game
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https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/07/dolphins-have-improved-offensive-line-but-are-still-a-piece-or-two-away-up-front/
| 2022-04-07T23:04:39
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The case of Adrien Hunou grows more curious with each passing Minnesota United game.
The Loons’ second-leading scorer last season (seven goals) and their highest-paid player ($2.58 million) is healthy and available to take the field, but the French forward has rode the bench in the last four matches. Hunou hasn’t played since a seven-minute substitute appearance in the season opener Feb. 26.
The Designated Player said in an interview Wednesday with the Pioneer Press that he’s taking a big-picture approach.
“Football is not easy every day, so I don’t give up,” Hunou said in English. “I’m focused every day. I work hard and I do my best every day and push myself, so (I) keep going with my teammates. Of course, I’m not happy with my situation. It’s normal because I want to play. I want to start every game, but football goes fast. (A teammate) can go hard and (might) go down, so I can go in.”
With a lack of playing time — including being an unused sub in the 2-1 loss to Seattle on Saturday — Hunou sought to play for MNUFC2, the club’s new developmental team, but the nascent league’s tight roster compliance deadline kept that from happening against Sporting Kansas City II on Sunday.
“Because it (was) a long time I didn’t play,” Hunou explained of his desire to play in the lower level. “… I don’t want to take some rest because, for me, I didn’t deserve some rest.”
When asked about Hunou’s situation a few weeks ago, Loons manager Adrian Heath only said Hunou needed to stay ready in case starter Luis Amarilla wasn’t available. Amarilla, who returned to the Loons this season, is the favored option atop Heath’s attack and the Paraguayan has played a part in four of the team’s five total goals this season, scoring two.
The Loons (2-1-2, 8 points) have scored one goal in each of their five games, but their two open-play goals is tied for third-worst in MLS.
While Hunou scored seven goals a season ago, his expected goals was 10.2, which means he under performed to a tune of minus-3.2. That mark was third-worst in the league a year ago. In his one appearance of 2022, Hunou made a penetrating run against Philadelphia and got on the receiving end of a stunning pass from Robin Lod, but Hunou’s open shot was saved by all-MLS caliber goalie Andre Blake.
Hunou, 28, has experience on the outside looking in. On Wednesday, he mentioned how as a 20-year-old he was loaned from Rennes in France’s Ligue 1 to Clermont in Ligue 2. “I’ve already known this situation,” Hunou said.
But he clearly doesn’t want it to persist. “I hope I can play,” he said.
Minnesota plays at Austin FC (2-1-2, 8 points) at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in a nationally televised game (FS1).
RIGHT ON ROSALES
While the Loons don’t have to make a decision until December, the club is currently trending toward picking up the purchase option on midfielder Joseph Rosales from Independiente in Panama’s first division.
The 21-year-old Honduran signed an 18-month loan to Minnesota in August 2021 and has since impressed his new team. After making seven total appearances last season, he played a season-high 45 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Seattle on Saturday and drew the penalty that set up Emanuel Reynoso’s PK goal.
Rosales — whose guaranteed compensation was a paltry $81,375 in 2021, per MLS Players’ Association — also made his debut with the Honduran men’s senior national team in a World Cup qualifier versus Jamaica on March 30.
TESTS FOR ACADEMY
Two Loons academy teams drew Manchester United in each of their groups for the Generation Adidas (GA) Cup in Frisco, Texas, from Saturday to April 17.
In the premier tournament, MNUFC’s under-15 team will play Man United on Saturday, and the U17 side will play the English giants on Tuesday.
“Easy,” academy director Noel Quinn joked about the highest-level competition.
The U15 team also has San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew in its group. The U17 team also faces Orlando City and Chicago Fire in its group. Other international teams included in the event include AS Roma (Italy), Celtic (Scotland), Porto (Portugal), Valencia (Spain), Flamengo (Brazil), River Plate (Argentina) and a handful from Mexico.
BRIEFLY
The Loons will learn their draw for the U.S. Open Cup on Friday morning; they enter the national tournament in the third round and will play a lower-level team between April 19-21. That window is between home MLS games vs. Colorado (April 16) and Chicago (April 23). … MNUFC will face its former winger Ethan Finlay on Sunday. The Duluth-born player was a Loon from 2017-21 and signed as a free agent with Verde in December. He has two goals in 211 minutes across five games this season. … Besides two longer-term absences, the Loons didn’t list a single player on their availability report Thursday. It’s the healthiest the club has been so far this season.
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Salad lovers across the state will soon get to indulge in Crisp & Green’s No Prob Cobb.
Crisp & Green, the Minnesota-based salad chain, plans to expand across the state with 10 additional locations in development, Steele Brands announced Thursday.
These locations include Brainerd, Duluth, Lino Lakes, Mankato, Prior Lake/Savage, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park, Roseville, Rogers and White Bear Lake. The brand’s website also shows a storefront popping up in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at Concourse G in 2022.
Founder and CEO Steele Smiley — the brain behind Crisp & Green and Stalk & Spade, a plant-based fast-casual brand that opened last year in Wayzata — is meeting the increasing demand for his fast-casual salad brand with a total of 31 locations across Minnesota. Currently, there are 10 Crisp & Greens in Minnesota; eight more will open in 2022, nine in 2023 and four in 2024.
The brand has also garnered success outside of Minnesota, with locations popping up in 14 other states including Florida, Arkansas and Iowa.
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The Minnesota Senate’s Republican majority passed an $8.4 billion tax cut bill Thursday even as leaders acknowledged that the final tax plan that emerges from the legislative session could look very different.
The centerpieces of the GOP tax plan include permanent income tax cuts for everyone who pays state income taxes and excluding all Social Security income from the state income tax instead of the current partial exemption. Democratic leaders say the plan would disproportionately benefit the well-off, but six Democrats joined with Republicans on the 42-24 vote to approve the package.
Senate Taxes Committee Chair Carla Nelson, of Rochester, and Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, said at a news conference that the best use for the state’s projected $9.25 billion budget surplus is to give it back to the taxpayers with permanent tax relief.
“We feel that it’s very very important to put more money in the pockets of working Minnesotans every single paycheck, week after week, month after month, year after year,” Miller said.
But Democratic Minority Leader Melissa López Franzen, of Edina, called the bill “irresponsible and costly.” She said it leaves out over 540,000 taxpayers at the lower end of the income scale who would would get nothing. She said it squanders the chance to use the unprecedented surplus to help those who really need it instead of those at the top of the income scale.
“It fails our schools, it fails our working families, and it fails all of our communities,” López Franzen said during the floor debate.
The Senate GOP bill would cut taxes by $3.4 billion in the current budget for a total of $8.4 billion over the next three years. It would reduce the rate for the bottom tax bracket from 5.35% to 2.8%, which Republicans say would benefit 2.4 million filers with an average annual savings of $759.
The plan has little common ground with the competing $1.6 billion tax bill unveiled by the House Democratic majority on Monday, foregoes an across-the-board income tax cut in favor of targeted relief through expanded child care and property tax credits and refunds. It would also eliminate taxes on Social Security for seniors with annual incomes under $75,000.
The Senate voted 25-41 to reject an attempt by Democratic Sen. Ann Rest, of New Hope, to replace the GOP package with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s proposal to tap the surplus for one-time income tax rebates of $500 for individual filers and $1,000 for couples filing jointly. House Democrats did not include the governor’s proposal in their tax bill.
The wide gulf between the House and Senate tax bills will be the subject of negotiations between legislative leaders and the governor in the weeks before the mandatory adjournment date of May 23, and they’re bound to be contentious.
“There will be a second tax bill coming” sometime after lawmakers return from their Easter-Passover break, Rest conceded to reporters.
Miller said it was too early to answer whether Republicans could accept a deal that doesn’t cut income taxes.
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By EDITH M. LEDERER and JENNIFER PELTZ
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly voted Thursday to suspend Russia from the world organization’s leading human rights body over allegations of horrific rights violations by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, which the United States and Ukraine have called war crimes.
It was a rare, if not unprecedented rebuke against one of the five veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called the vote “a historic moment,” telling the assembly: “We have collectively sent a strong message that the suffering of victims and survivors will not be ignored” and that Russia must be held accountable “for this unprovoked, unjust, unconscionable war.”
Thomas-Greenfield launched the campaign to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council in the wake of videos and photos showing streets in the town of Bucha strewn with the bodies of civilians after Russian soldiers retreated. The deaths have sparked global revulsion and calls for tougher sanctions on Russia, which has vehemently denied its troops were responsible.
Russia is only the second country to have its membership rights stripped at the rights council. The other, Libya, was suspended in 2011 by the assembly when upheaval in the North African country brought down longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi.
The Geneva-based Human Rights Council is tasked with spotlighting and approving investigations of rights violations, and it does periodic reviews of the human rights situation in all 193 U.N. member nations.
It has created commissions of inquiry — which provide its highest level of scrutiny on rights violations and abuses — for conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, the Palestinian territories and elsewhere. It has also set up fact-finding missions in places like Libya, Myanmar and Venezuela.
The vote on the U.S. initiated resolution suspending Russia was 93-24 with 58 abstentions, significantly lower than on two resolutions the assembly adopted last month demanding an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, withdrawal of all Russian troops and protection for civilians. Both of those resolutions were approved by at least 140 nations.
Russia’s deputy ambassador, Gennady Kuzmin, said after the vote that Russia had already withdrawn from the council before the assembly took action, apparently in expectation of the result. By withdrawing, council spokesman Rolando Gomez said Russia avoided being deprived of observer status at the rights body.
Kuzmin said Russia considers adoption of the resolution “an illegitimate and politically motivated step” by a group of countries with “short-term political and economic interests” that he accused of “blatant and massive violations of human rights.”
The 47-member Human Right Council was created in 2006 to replace a commission discredited because of some members’ poor rights records. The new council soon faced similar criticism, including that rights abusers sought seats to protect themselves and their allies, and for focusing on Israel.
Along with Russia, four other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — Britain, China, France, and the United States, which rejoined this year — currently are serving three-year terms on the Human Rights Council. Other members with widely questioned rights records include, along with China, Eritrea, Venezuela, Sudan, Cuba and Libya.
While almost half the U.N.’s 193 member nations supported the resolution, more than half either voted against it, abstained or didn’t vote.
Explaining their decision not to support the resolution, some countries called it premature, noting there are ongoing investigations into whether war crimes have occurred, or said it would undermine the credibility of the Human Rights Council and the United Nations. Others said the resolution reflected American and European geopolitical agendas and what opponents called Western hypocrisy and selective outrage about human rights.
In addition to a Human Rights Council investigation, being led by former Norwegian judge Erik Mose, who previously served as president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court is conducting an investigation of possible war crimes in Ukraine.
Before the vote, Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya urged assembly members to keep the Human Rights Council from “sinking” and suspend Russia, saying it has committed “horrific human rights violations and abuses that would be equated to war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
“Russia’s actions are beyond the pale,” he said. “Russia is not only committing human rights violations, it is shaking the underpinnings of international peace and security.”
In a document circulated by Russia and obtained by The Associated Press, Russia said the U.S. and other opponents want to preserve their control over the world and continue “the politics of neo-colonialism of human rights” in international relations.
Kyslytsya responded to Russia’s complaints saying: “We have heard, many times, the same perverted logic of the aggressor trying to present itself as the victim.”
The General Assembly voted 140-5 with 38 abstentions on March 24 on a resolution blaming Russia for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and urging an immediate cease-fire and protection for millions of civilians and the homes, schools and hospitals critical to their survival.
The vote was almost exactly the same as for a March 2 resolution that the assembly adopted demanding an immediate Russian cease-fire, withdrawal of all its forces and protection for all civilians. That vote was 141-5 with 35 abstentions.
Both of those votes were not legally binding but did have clout as a reflection of global opinion.
Thursday’s vote and Russia’s withdrawal, however, have a direct impact on Moscow’s voice in a human rights body that has increasingly become a venue for a global stand-off between Western democracies and autocratic countries. China will lose a key ally there.
China abstained in both assembly votes last month but voted against suspending Russia from the Human Rights Council.
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Peltz reported from New York. Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten contributed from Geneva.
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In an effort bolster their depth in the trenches, the Vikings signed defensive tackle Jullian Taylor on Thursday.
This is a reclamation project of sorts for the Vikings considering Taylor had some upside early in his NFL career before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament
Originally selected by the the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Taylor spent three season with the 49ers. He has a history with Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah dating back to their shared time with the team. They were a part of the 49ers team that boasted a 13-3 record and reached Super Bowl LIV.
TRAINING STAFF
After filling out Kevin O’Connell’s coaching staff last month, the Vikings finalized their athletic training staff Thursday with the addition of Uriah Myrie and Dan Ridenour
After spending time the Houston Texans to start his career in the NFL, Myrie will serve as head athletic trainer, handling the direct medical care for all players. He will report directly to Tyler Williams, the executive director of player health and performance.
Meanwhile, Ridenour will serve as sports science coordinator, as well as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. He report to Williams and Josh Hingst, the head strength and conditioning coach.
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The moment Matt Dumba left the ice on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, many immediately started to fear the worst. He appeared to favor his right shoulder following an open-ice hit he put on 6-foot-6, 230-pound Michael McCarron, and did not return to the game.
To make matters worse, coach Dean Evason looked rather somber postgame when talking about Dumba’s injury status. Asked about the severity, Evason confirmed it was an upper-body injury, then took a long pause before replying, “It did not look good.”
A couple of days later, the Wild appear to have gotten some good news. Not only is Dumba still on the road trip with the team, a good sign in and of itself, Evason told reporters that the injury is not as serious as originally expected.
When will he be back in the lineup? That’s still unclear.
The only update Evason would provide is that Dumba will not play against the Blues in St. Louis on Friday night. He will be reevaluated after that.
TEAM BONDING
After a humbling loss to the Predators earlier this week, the Wild decided to ditch practice on Wednesday and instead, hit the links for some team bonding. No better way to get the sour taste out of their mouth.
“These things are important,” Evason said. “It’s good to get together away from the rink in social atmospheres so that they can have some fun.”
While this is already a close-knit group, according to Evason, sometimes something as simple as a few hours on the golf course can bring a team even closer together.
“We think it was a very positive thing for us,” Evason said. “The guys had a lot of fun.”
OTHER INJURIES
Matt Boldy (upper-body injury) and Jon Merrill (upper-body injury) both skated on Thursday afternoon in St. Louis. Neither will suit up for the Wild against the Blues.
Still, the fact Boldy and Merrill are skating is more good news for the Wild as they finish up a tough road trip. In fact, there’s a chance both players could be ready for the game against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday night at Xcel Energy Center.
In the meantime, Nick Bjugstad will continue to fill in up front, and Jordie Been will play for the first time since a Feb. 26 game against the Calgary Flames.
“We have talked to all of them, like, ‘Just stay ready,’ ” Evason said. “You never know what happens. The guys that have gone in have conducted themselves very well. We expect Jordie to do the same thing.”
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| 2022-04-07T23:05:16
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How are people making money from Bitcoin, Ethereum?
Cryptocurrency is taking center stage in Miami this week.
It's being dubbed the biggest Bitcoin event in the world as companies and cryptocurrency enthusiasts gather to share ideas.
The crypto craze continues to grow with celebrities hawking it and sporting arenas being named after crypto exchange companies.
Then, there are people like Eddie Lynch Jr., 24, who are mining crypto.
"I dove into mining, figuring out what it is, how I can benefit from it," said Lynch, who lives in Palm Beach County.
At his crypto mining business, fans run for hours a day to cool off specialized computers named "Money Maker 1" and "Money Maker 2."
"It was around $10,000 for these two setups, and we made the money back within six to seven months," said Lynch about computer systems known as "mining rigs."
It's hardware connected to a motherboard and graphics cards, 24 of them in total that run programs to find certain types of cryptocurrencies on the internet.
"We're mining Ethereum just because it's the most profitable," Lynch said.
Ethereum is only one type of cryptocurrency. One coin is going for more than $3,000.
Bitcoin is another type of cryptocurrency, the most valuable now going for more than $40,000 a coin.
"These coins are essentially, they’re algorithms, that are being mined throughout the world by different individuals, different companies," said Eric Cornell, a private wealth adviser and branch owner at Helius Wealth Management.
There are no banks involved in cryptocurrency, but it works much like the stock market. There are various global exchanges for different digital coins.
People can invest in cryptocurrencies like they do in stocks. You take money from your bank account and transfer it to a virtual wallet to invest on that exchange.
Another form of investment is buying infrastructure, like Lynch did, to mine crypto and generate a profit each day.
"We're making about $50 to $60 a day right now, which we were making about $100 to $150 a day when the rates were OK," Lynch said.
What these supercomputers do is find pieces of crypto on databases called blockchains.
"These are algorithms. People are using these gigantic servers and a lot of power to be able to go out and try to essentially extract her algorithms out of the virtual finance world," Cornell said.
There is the downside.
The U.S. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair says crypto mining for Ethereum and Bitcoin last year emitted 78 million tons of carbon, the same as 15 million cars on the road.
"We have to do it efficiently," Lynch said.
That's one of the reasons why Lynch was at the Miami Bitcoin Conference this week, to brainstorm ways to make crypto mining cleaner.
"We put this into a system that we engineered with immersion cooling, so it's just a better way to use less electricity and keep the hardware intact," he said.
Is cryptocurrency the future?
"Unfortunately, the swings are fairly wild," Cornell said.
Cornell admits there are high rewards in day trading.
"And they could lose cash just as quickly," he said.
For Lynch, there's no 9 a.m. to 5 p.m job, and he's not tied to work Monday through Friday. His company runs itself.
"The client is ourselves and our workers are these hardware," he added.
But crypto has a way to go to be widely accepted.
"It's already down 3.4 percent," Cornell said. "And that's where we find an issue with crypto, that there is no store of value at this point."
Cornell points out companies can't present profits using it at such a volatile rate.
Only a few U.S. stores accept cryptocurrency.
He expects more will in the future, but with miners like Lynch finding more coins every day, there is more circulation of skepticism among some in the finance world.
"[Some have] called it the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time, you know, tomorrow it could be worth nothing," said Cornell about what he's heard some financial partners comment about crypto.
Others wonder about how safe cryptocurrency is.
There are risks to your digital wallet being hacked, but Cornell said, overall, crypto transactions are secure.
The reason is that each coin has a ledger that records every transaction, and there are millions of these ledgers out there that all match, making it difficult to counterfeit a cryptocurrency or duplicate transactions.
Scripps Only Content 2022
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Dozens lose thousands of dollars in Boca Raton mail fraud
Boca Raton police and inspectors with the U.S. Postal Service are investigating a check washing and mail fraud scheme that’s left people all over Boca Raton out tens of thousands of dollars.
Most people feel safe leaving their mail, which sometimes includes money, in USPS collection boxes.
But many people in Boca Raton have been avoiding them for months now.
"Nobody's really been doing anything," John Haberlein told WPTV.
For him, it started late last year when he dropped off a check made out to Florida Power & Light for $20.24 at the postal service collection box on Palmetto Park Road.
"I was shocked when I opened the bank statement and there was $9,300 missing," Haberlein said.
Someone washed the check and Haberlein lost nearly $10,000 from his bank account, hitting his small business hard.
"I'm a building contractor, do mostly remodeling," he said. "So we need the cash flow because we're constantly buying materials and paying out labor."
Turns out, it wasn't an isolated incident.
Haberlein got on his Nextdoor app and discovered dozens of comments from people all over Boca Raton, saying the same thing happened to them at the same collection box.
"We always use this mailbox because we go to Dunkin' Donuts in the morning on the way to work and never thought there would be a safety issue," Eileen Rodgers said.
Rodgers told Contact 5 she lost $2,000 after dropping a check at the Palmetto Park Road collection box last year.
"Just to be safe, we stopped putting anything in there that had a check or gift card or anything valuable," she said.
USPS recently replaced the box. It now has a thin slot — as opposed to a pull-down handle — for easy access.
"I always thought by putting it in the blue box, it would be safer than somebody taking it out of my mailbox," Jeff Brader said.
Across town, Brader's account was also wiped clean in recent months at a different collection box. He put two checks in the box at 1640 NW Second St.
Someone added numbers in front of a much smaller amount, leaving him now out $30,000.
Brader told Contact 5 that the Boca Raton Police Department is investigating more than 50 cases like his. Police couldn't confirm the exact number, but both police and inspectors with the USPS told Contact 5 they are investigating numerous cases and have been for months.
Unlike both Rodger and Brader, Haberlein still hadn't received a single penny back from his bank, leaving him trying to recoup what he lost for months.
"Just gotta check the bank account every day now," he said.
WPTV called TD Bank, who provided the following statement Wednesday:
"At TD Bank, protecting the security of our customers' accounts is a top priority and we take the issue of check fraud very seriously. We investigate each reported case to determine the facts and take appropriate action for our customers. If the check impacts a TD customer and was negotiated at another bank, we follow regulatory guidelines and industry practices while working with that financial institution on our customer's behalf. The time frame for resolving fraud cases at TD Bank may vary depending on the circumstances including when the check was deposited or cashed at another bank. Due to privacy concerns, we cannot publicly discuss the account activity of specific customers. However, we can tell you that we have achieved a positive resolution for the customer in this case."
If anyone needs to mail a check, the USPS suggests putting it in one of their collection boxes before final pick up or bringing it inside the post office.
USPS also reminds customers to never leave mail in a personal mailbox overnight.
Scripps Only Content 2022
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The impact of Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation reaches Palm Beach County
For many young women attorneys, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s journey to the highest court in the land is heartening.
“It’s extremely inspirational to see someone like me be a Supreme Court Justice,” said Denita Jones.
Jones is a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.
“She’s paved the way so that anyone, no matter what your color, no matter what your gender, knows that they can become a Supreme Court Justice,” she said. “I think that is important.”
Melva Harris Rozier echoes those sentiments.
“I have a daughter who is 17 and is interested in pursuing a career in law, and it makes me very hopeful,” said Rozier, senior staff attorney at Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.
Jackson's confirmation as Supreme Court Justice is a historical one, as she has become the first Black woman to ever hold the position.
“America is changing on how it views race and how it views women in the legal profession,” said Denise Mutamba.
Mutamba is the president of The F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association. She says Jackon’s confirmation breaks the ultimate glass ceiling for minorities, especially women in the legal profession.
“A lot of times, women become attorneys and then within a few short years they leave the profession, because of various constraints that occur for women that may not happen for men,” said Mutamba. “So, I am especially excited that she’s a black woman, right, because she has that diverse perspective and experience on the bench.”
Tequisha Myles, who is the supervising attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County believes Jackson will not only shape a better legal system but inspire new generations.
“This is the first time in 2022, that we have an opportunity to put someone on the Supreme Court that looks like a big selection, a big swath of our nation,” said Myles. “I think it gives young girls, young women in college, young women in law school that they can do anything they set their mind to.”
Jackson will be sworn in later this year after Justice Stephen Breyer retires.
Scripps Only Content 2022
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Man had ‘no idea’ after TSA stops him from boarding plane with sword hidden in cane
Published: Apr. 7, 2022 at 6:14 PM EDT|Updated: 50 minutes ago
(Gray News) – TSA agents in Boston stopped a man from boarding a plane with a sword on his person.
The man was attempting to board a plane at Logan Airport on Tuesday, according to a post on Twitter from TSA_NewEngland.
How did he make it that far into the airport? It was hidden in his cane.
When Massachusetts state police questioned him on it, they say the man said he had “no idea” the blade was in there.
He was cleared to continue onto the flight after his cane was claimed by the TSA.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Riviera Beach's interim police chief works to restore public's trust
Riviera Beach’s new interim police chief admits he has his work cut out for him less than a week after his predecessor’s sudden resignation.
Interim Police Chief Josh Lewis' new job includes re-establishing public confidence and rebuilding the police department's reputation.
"There's some things we need to improve on," Lewis said. "I think it's always good to be more responsive to the community."
It’s a community divided between wealthy Singer Island, and the mainland part of the city where mistrust of the police simmers.
That’s because of incidents like the 2019 "Go Dead" case.
The incident came to light this year when officers turned off body cameras when police chased down a suspect and a supervisor gave the "go dead" order.
The suspect was later beaten after body cameras were turned off.
"At the end of the day, we want a safe community," said Riviera Beach City Manager Jonathan Evans, who appointed Lewis as interim chief.
Lewis took over after a seven-month outside investigation was critical of ex-chief Nathan Osgood, forcing his resignation.
The report found Osgood broke police policy by ordering the "un-arrest" of city councilman Douglas Lawson on a domestic battery charge — a story first reported by Contact 5 last September.
The report also found Osgood wrongly got a captain fired who refused to cover up the "un-arrest" order.
"I want leadership. I want us to move forward," Evans said.
Evens was asked if moving forward included the leadership of Lewis, a 25 year veteran of the often troubled force.
"Chief Lewis has the acumen, the skill set, the demeanor and the approach that will serve our community well," Evans said.
"I'm very honored to be selected as the interim chief. That has been one of my goals," Lewis said. "And yes, I would definitely enjoy having the opportunity to lead this job for many years to come."
Scripps Only Content 2022
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Shooter kills 2, wounds several in central Tel Aviv
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An attacker opened fire in a crowded restaurant district in central Tel Aviv on Thursday evening, killing at least two people and wounding several others before fleeing into a dense residential area, Israeli officials said.
Police said there were “indications” it was a politically motivated attack — the fourth deadly assault in Israel in less than three weeks at a time of heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions. The militant Hamas group that rules the Gaza Strip praised the attack but did not claim responsibility.
Hours after the shooting, the suspected gunman remained at large. Hundreds of Israeli police officers, canine units, and army special forces were conducting a massive manhunt in central Tel Aviv, searching building by building through the densely populated residential neighborhoods.
Amichai Eshed, the Tel Aviv police commander, said the shooter opened fire into a crowded bar at around 9 p.m. and then fled the scene.
“Our working assumption is that he is still in the vicinity,” he told reporters. “As of right now, there are indications pointing to this being a terrorist attack, but I have to be very delicate about this, and say that we are also checking other leads.”
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said it received reports of a shooting at “several scenes” around downtown Tel Aviv. It said two men around 30 years old were killed. Another seven people were wounded, three of them seriously, it said.
At least one shooting took place on Dizengoff Street, a central thoroughfare. Dizengoff Street has been the scene of several deadly attacks over the years. Most recently, an Arab citizen of Israel shot and killed two Israelis and wounded several others on the street in January 2016.
The popular nightlife area was packed on Thursday evening, the beginning of the Israeli weekend.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with top security officials late Thursday, and they agreed to “continue directing large-scale reinforcements to Tel Aviv,” his office said in a statement.
Tensions have been high after a series of attacks by Palestinian assailants killed 11 people just ahead of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, which began nearly a week ago. Last year, protests and clashes in Jerusalem during Ramadan ignited an 11-day Gaza war.
Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian leaders have held a flurry of meetings in recent weeks, and Israel has taken a number of steps aimed at calming tensions, including issuing thousands of additional work permits for Palestinians from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Prior to the attack, Israel had said it would allow women, children and men over 40 from the occupied West Bank to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem on Friday, the first weekly prayers of Ramadan. Tens of thousands were expected to attend.
The mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and sits on a hilltop that is the most sacred site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. The holy site has long been a flashpoint for Israeli-Palestinian violence.
Israel has worked to sideline the Palestinian issue in recent years, instead focusing on forging alliances with Arab states against Iran. But the century-old conflict remains as intractable as ever.
Israel captured east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories to form their future state. The last serious and substantive peace talks broke down more than a decade ago, and Prime Minister Bennett is opposed to Palestinian statehood.
Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognized internationally and considers the entire city to be its capital. It is building and expanding Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, which most of the international community considers illegal.
It withdrew soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but along with neighboring Egypt it imposed a crippling blockade on the territory after the militant Hamas group seized power from rival Palestinian forces two years later. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars since then.
Hamas spokesman Abdelatif Al-Qanou said late Thursday that the “the heroic attack in the heart of the (Israeli) entity has struck the Zionist security system and proved our people’s ability to hurt the occupation.”
On March 29, a 27-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank methodically gunned down people in the central town of Bnei Brak, killing five. Two days earlier, a shooting attack by two Islamic State sympathizers in the central city of Hadera killed two police officers. The week before, an IS sympathizer killed four people in a car-ramming and stabbing attack in the southern city of Beersheba. The Hadera and Beersheba attacks were carried out by Palestinian citizens of Israel.
The recent attacks appear to have been carried out by lone assailants, perhaps with the help of accomplices. No Palestinian militant group has claimed them, though Hamas has welcomed the attacks.
Israel says the conflict stems from the Palestinians’ refusal to accept its existence as a Jewish state and blames attacks in part on incitement on social media. Palestinians say such attacks are the inevitable result of a nearly 55-year military occupation that shows no sign of ending.
___
Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Ilan Ben Zion in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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| 2022-04-07T23:05:40
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Tiger Woods finishes 1-under 71 in 1st round of Masters
Tiger Woods had some good moments, some unlucky outcomes and a couple of blunders in his opening round of the Masters.
Given what he’s gone through over the last 17 months or so, he surely wasn’t going to complain.
Woods played the first round of the Masters on Thursday. He finished at 1-under 71 for the day.
He made par on each of his opening five holes before a birdie at the par-3 6th.
A nifty chip on the 7th helped him save par there.
He had an eagle putt at the par-5 13th and tapped in for birdie. But he gave that birdie right back with a bogey on the 14th after a wayward drive.
A long birdie putt rolled in on 16, getting him to 1 under yet again. And he saved par at the last.
Thursday’s opening round at Augusta National was Woods’ first competitive round of golf against the world’s best players since he played the final round of the pandemic-delayed Masters on Nov. 15, 2020.
The final numbers Thursday: three birdies, two bogeys in a 1-under par round of 71.
Incidentally, the average first-round score of Woods’ five Masters wins: 70.8.
Scripps Only Content 2022
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https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/07/tiger-woods-finishes-1-under-71-1st-round-masters/
| 2022-04-07T23:05:47
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Tiger Woods: Hole-by-hole in first round of Masters
A hole-by-hole look at how Tiger Woods played the first round of the Masters on Thursday:
No. 1, 445 yards, par 4: Driver down right side of fairway. Approach to front of green, rolling just back onto the fairway. Chip to 10 feet. One putt. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 8th.
No. 2, 575 yards, par 5: Drive down right side of fairway. Fairway metal short of green. Wedge from 50 yards. Two putts from 16 feet. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 5th.
No. 3, 350 yards, par 4: Iron off the tee to left-center of fairway. Wedge just short of green. Used putter from just beyond fringe, left short of hole. One putt. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 6th.
No. 4, 240 yards, par 3: Tee shot to front of green. Two putts from 40 feet. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 8th.
No. 5, 495 yards, par 4: Driver to fairway. Approach to 15 feet. Birdie putt lipped out. Tap-in. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 7th.
No. 6, 180 yards, par 3: Tee shot to 2 feet. Tap-in. Birdie. Score: -1. Status: tied for 2nd.
No. 7, 450 yards, par 4: Fairway metal to pine straw past the right side of fairway. Punch out short of green. Chip to about a foot. Tap-in. Par. Score: -1. Status: tied for 3rd.
No. 8, 570 yards, par 5: Driver to middle of fairway. Second shot short of green. Pitch to short of green. Chip to 8 feet. Two-putt. Bogey. Score: Even. Status: tied for 10th.
No. 9, 460 yards, par 4: Drive left into trees. Approach to front of green, rolled back to fairway. Third shot above hole to 8 feet. One putt. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 14th.
No. 10, 495 yards, par 4: Fairway metal to left-center of fairway. Approach to front of green, rolled back to fairway. Uphill pitch to 5 feet. One putt. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 17th.
No. 11, 520 yards, par 4: Driver to middle of fairway. Approach short of green. Chip to 4 feet. One putt. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 22nd.
No. 12, 155 yards, par 3: Tee shot to left side of green. Two putts from 30 feet. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 24th.
No. 13, 510 yards, par 5: Drive to center of fairway. Approach to 25 feet, below and left of hole. Two putts. Birdie. Score: -1. Status: tied for 10th.
No. 14, 440 yards, par 4: Drive left into trees. Approach off pine straw rolls just off back of green. Putter from just past fringe to 5 feet. Two putts. Bogey. Score: Even. Status: tied for 25th.
No. 15, 550 yards, par 5: Drive left into second cut. Second shot down left side. Third shot to 30 feet. Two putts. Par. Score: Even. Status: tied for 20th.
No. 16, 170 yards, par 3: Tee shot to 30 feet. One putt. Birdie. Score: -1. Status: tied for 9th.
No. 17, 440 yards, par 4: Driver to second cut on right side. Approach to 20 feet. Two putts. Par. Score: -1. Status: tied for 9th.
No. 18, 465 yards, par 4: Driver left into trees. Second shot layup to 75 yards. Chip to 6 feet. One putt. Par. Score: -1. Status: tied for 8th (at that point, with the round not yet complete).
Scripps Only Content 2022
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https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/07/tiger-woods-hole-by-hole-first-round-masters/
| 2022-04-07T23:05:53
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Walmart offering new truck drivers up to $110K starting pay
NEW YORK (AP) - Walmart workers who once unloaded trucks now have a chance to drive them.
The nation’s largest retailer has launched a training program that gives employees who work in its distribution or fulfillment centers a chance to become certified Walmart truck drivers through a 12-week program taught by the company’s established drivers.
Walmart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, also said it is raising pay for its 12,000 truck drivers. The starting range for new drivers will now be between $95,000 and $110,000, according to Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield. The retailer said that $87,500 had been the average that new truck drivers could make in their first year.
The moves announced Thursday come as the pandemic has made trucker shortages more severe as demand to move freight reaches historic highs. The American Trucking Associations, a large industry trade group, estimates that the nation is short about 80,000 drivers.
Walmart said about 20 workers in Dallas and Dover, Delaware, have earned their commercial driver’s licenses. About 400 to 800 workers in the company’s supply-chain network are expected to complete the truck-driving program this year, Hatfield said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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| 2022-04-07T23:05:59
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ANDERSON, Ind. — Video provided by the Madison County Community News Network shows an Indiana State Police SWAT team smashing through the wall of an Anderson house after a fugitive barricaded himself inside the home for four hours on Wednesday.
State police said parole agents and ISP Detectives had tracked the fugitive — identified as 47-year-old Barry J. Willis — to the Anderson area and spotted him outside a residence located near the intersection of Menifee and 14th Street. Parole agents reportedly attempted to make contact with Willis but he fled inside the house, according to authorities.
Willis was wanted on a parole violation, according to police. His original arrest was on charges of dealing methamphetamine and possession of a handgun.
Police said the homeowner was able to escape the residence without injury and cooperated with law enforcement by verifying that Willis was the sole occupant remaining inside the Menifee Street house.
After Willis refused to exit the home, an Indiana SWAT team was deployed. Negotiators reportedly tried to make contact with Willis for more than an hour using a PA system. After these attempts failed, state police deployed a BEARCAT (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck).
Using the BEARCAT, police tore a large chunk out of the home to the shock of some neighbors. The SWAT team deployed gas, utilized a K9, and even sent a drone and robot into the house in search of Willis. All tools were unsuccessful in locating him.
Police said Willis finally surrendered after more gas was deployed into the home, targetting the attic area. The standoff lasted over four hours from beginning to end.
FOX59 has reached out to state police asking if the homeowner will be compensated for the damage inflicted upon his house.
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| 2022-04-07T23:08:56
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PORTLAND, Ore — Before “Hamilton” and "In the Heights," Broadway theater superstar Lin-Manuel Miranda co-founded "Freestyle Love Supreme."
Now, after two successful runs on Broadway, the improvisational hip-hop group is on a national tour. The next stop is the Armory Theater in Portland’s Pearl District.
Opening night is set for this Friday, April 8, and performances will run through Sunday, May 1.
“It’s freestyle because the show is completely improvised,” explained Chris Sullivan, a long-time cast member, "and ‘love supreme’ like John Coltrane because we take a lot of the cues from jazz in its improvisational format.”
In other words, no two performances are ever the same. That’s because the cast members take suggestions from the audience and spin them into humorous riffs and full-length musical numbers.
RELATED: Oregon filmmaker celebrates national film release on Amazon Prime after pandemic challenges
Sullivan, who also goes by the nickname “Shockwave," is one of the beat box artists in the “Freestyle Love Supreme” cast.
Thursday morning, he provided a beat boxing lesson on KGW News at Sunrise. You can watch that interview here.
For more information on “Freestyle Love Supreme” and to purchase tickets to an upcoming performance, click here.
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https://www.kgw.com/article/entertainment/freestyle-love-supreme-portland/283-f068531a-64f1-4cc4-b861-e909e5d6d792
| 2022-04-07T23:18:06
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PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Martha Walters has sent a letter to Gov. Kate Brown and legislative leaders asking for a summit to address a crippling shortage of public defenders that's led to the dismissal of dozens of criminal cases and a huge court backlog.
Because of pandemic court closures, public defenders face a tremendous backlog of cases and aren’t taking new clients. Cases can’t be heard unless the defendant has an attorney and several hundred people are currently in custody statewide without representation, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. Thirty-five cases in Multnomah County, which is home to Portland, have been dismissed by judges over prosecutors' objections because of the public defender shortage, OPB said, citing a memo.
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said in an opinion piece published in The Oregonian/OregonLive last month that the justice system is “nearing the point of breakage" because of the public defender shortage and the departure of overworked prosecutors.
Schmidt said a judge dismissed three cases in March, including a domestic violence case that included allegations of strangulation, because the defendants lacked an attorney. More than 150 felony cases in the Portland area lack a public defender and can't be prosecuted, he wrote.
In nearby Washington County, 11 people in custody are without an attorney, court staff told OPB this week. In Multnomah County, more than 260 people are without an attorney. Of those, 22 are in custody.
In Oregon, public defense is run through the Office of Public Defense Services, which secures and pays contracts to public defense firms.
Walters, the Supreme Court justice, is responsible for appointing the commission members who hire and oversee the agency’s executive director.
State lawmakers last month allocated $12.8 million in additional funds to add public defenders and support staff to the hardest-hit counties, including Multnomah, Washington, Lane and Marion. But Walters said in her letter that “providers have found it more difficult than anticipated to do that hiring and are also facing the unanticipated loss of experienced counsel" and state leaders need to urgently address the “immediate crisis.”
Leading up to the summit, Walters said she’ll host a series of meetings with prosecutors, judges and public defenders starting next week. Her first meeting will be next week in Multnomah County where, she noted, a lack of staffing at the sheriff’s office has made it challenging to assist with attorney-client visits “critical to case resolution,” as well as transporting people in custody to court hearings.
“The current crisis is having a real impact on defendants who have a constitutional right to counsel, on courts’ ability to resolve cases, on the safety of our communities,” Walters wrote.
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/oregon-public-defender-shortage-crisis-summit/283-f0e5f85a-3cc7-42c7-ade5-cb565fa18eee
| 2022-04-07T23:18:12
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SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. — Experts are warning of an increased risk of avalanches throughout the Cascade Range.
The Northwest Avalanche Center warns of "uniquely dangerous" conditions as temperatures rapidly warm, causing the snow to become unstable.
"Large natural avalanches could occur," the Avalanche Center tweeted. "Some of these slides could be big enough to bury, injure, or kill a person."
Avalanche danger around midday Thursday was "considerable" from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest up to the Canadian border, with an exception in the North Cascades National Park, where avalanche danger is "high," according to the avalanche center.
The NWAC categorizes avalanche risks using a five-point Avalanche Danger Scale. The ratings are determined by the likelihood, size, and distribution of the avalanches.
RELATED: How is avalanche danger determined?
The danger comes following a storm that brought heavy snow to the mountains earlier this week. Snoqualmie Pass, for example, received about 6 inches of snow between 6 a.m. on April 3 and 6 a.m. on April 4.
Temperatures then began warming, with highs in the 60s on Wednesday with some areas of western Washington expected to see temperatures in the low 70s by Thursday afternoon.
People heading into the backcountry are asked to use extreme caution and check the avalanche and weather forecast.
The NWS previously shared the following warning signs of unstable snow and possible avalanches:
- You see an avalanche happen or see evidence of previous slides
- Cracks form in the snow around your feet or skis
- The ground feels hollow underfoot
- You hear a "whumping" sound as you walk, which indicates that the snow is settling and a slab might release.
- Heavy snowfall or rain in the past 24 hours
- Significant warming or rapidly increasing temperatures
- You see surface patterns on the snow made by the force of strong winds. This could indicate that snow has been transported and deposited in dangerous drifts that could release
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| 2022-04-07T23:18:18
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Prosecutors have offered a plea deal for the stepmother of missing Harmony Montgomery.
Kayla Montgomery was charged with claiming welfare-related benefits for months without the girl in the home.
Details of the deal were not released.
Kayla Montgomery, who is not Harmony’s biological mother, was indicted on a Class A felony charge of theft by deception. She is charged with receiving state welfare-related benefits for Harmony over a seven-month period ending in June 2021. Authorities said Harmony was not a member of the household at the time.
“Discovery is, I have to say, for the most part complete just because of the nature of the ongoing investigation,” said Assistant Attorney General Jesse O’Neill during a brief hearing Thursday morning.
O’Neill said the investigation involves 3,500 pages and 70 to 80 “media disks.”
Police continue to search for the whereabouts of Harmony, who was last seen two years ago when she was 5.
Kayla Montgomery’s lawyer, Paul Garrity, said he’s having ongoing discussion with the state on the deal.
“I’ve discussed it with Ms. Montgomery,” he said.
Garrity asked for 60 days to review the deal with Montgomery and O’Neill agreed.
“It is a lot of discovery to go through,” he said.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison.
Judge Amy Messer set a status conference for June 9.
Harmony’s father, Adam Montgomery, 32, has been charged with striking Harmony in the face sometime in July 2019, as well as other charges.
Kayla Montgomery had three children with Adam Montgomery but was not living with him in late December when Manchester police began a search for Harmony.
Harmony’s disappearance has raised questions with how thorough the state Division for Children, Youth and Families handled the case.
The reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Harmony stands at $150,000. A dedicated tip line — 603-203-6060 — remains open.
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https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/plea-deal-offered-to-harmony-montgomerys-stepmother/article_075b9e0b-3079-55f4-976e-5a7c0fee7815.html
| 2022-04-07T23:21:15
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Manchester police believe that outspoken paralegal Sean Brown is engaged in a "coordinated campaign of witness tampering," aimed at manipulating his own client, the girlfriend of an alleged drug dealer, to not cooperate with police and prosecutors in the case, according to documents filed Thursday in connection with Brown's arrest.
In a 17-page affidavit, police claim that Brown has been working with the alleged drug dealer, Manchester resident Marcus Cherry, to influence Cherry's girlfriend, Zoe Murphy.
Both Cherry and Murphy face drug conspiracy charges. Given his previous drug trafficking convictions, Cherry faces life in prison if convicted of the most serious charges.
Brown is a paralegal who is assisting Murphy in her case, which until now she was fighting without a lawyer. He was arrested Wednesday in Manchester and charged with three counts of felony witness tampering.
Nearly all of the case against Brown relies on recorded telephone calls, most that Cherry made from the Valley Street jail, where he has been incarcerated since November. Police say more than 200 calls are involved, and they had not even reviewed them all before bringing the latest charges.
Police say in the calls Cherry tells Brown he must quarterback the situation. He tells Brown he has to "educate" Murphy, whom he referred to as "crazy girl."
He wants Brown to tell Murphy, who cooperated with police in the initial investigation, that he is hurt but not mad at her, according to the affidavit. Both believe that Murphy, who has no criminal record, would be a credible witness if the case ever goes to trial.
And Cherry told Brown to offer Murphy a contract, which appears to be a life-time commitment that he makes with his conspirators but had refused to do so for Murphy, according to the affidavit.
Cherry spelled out what Brown should tell Murphy: "If it matters that much to you, the only way to get a contract is to not comply completely and make sure that you ... fix this," the affidavit reads.
At one point, a jail inmate called Murphy and hinted that a hit was put out on her. At another point, Cherry rejected Murphy's plan to get a lawyer and he said she knew what was best in the case and he had three potential people lined up, according to the affidavit.
Murphy told the Union Leader that she read the affidavit and disagrees with significant parts of it.
"I realize what they want me to do," Murphy said about prosecutors. "They want me to get on the stand and perjure myself." She said she would never do so.
But Murphy said it looks as if she will get a public defender, which she had refused before.
In a newspaper article last month, Murphy claimed she was unaware that her boyfriend was a drug dealer, even though police found large amounts of drugs in her car after an October traffic stop. Police say her quotes in the article differ with the information that Murphy initially told police.
Police said even the article was a result of the conspiracy.
"This article happened after a coordinated campaign of witness tampering involving ... Sean Brown, who interfaced directly with Murphy in an attempt to protect Cherry," the affidavit reads.
Brown appeared before a Hillsborough County Superior Court judge on Thursday. As of late in the day, Judge Amy Messer had not decided on whether to release him on bail.
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https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/police-charge-paralegal-with-witness-tampering-against-his-own-client/article_be1eb81a-b8cf-57ae-a4d9-49e76ba7446d.html
| 2022-04-07T23:21:21
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WASHINGTON -- Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court in a milestone for the United States and a victory for President Joe Biden, who made good on a campaign promise as he seeks to infuse the federal judiciary with a broader range of backgrounds.
The vote to confirm the 51-year-old federal appellate judge to a lifetime job on the nation's top judicial body was 53-47, with three Republicans -- Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney -- joining Biden's fellow Democrats. A simple majority was needed, as Jackson overcame Republican opposition in a Supreme Court confirmation process that remains fiercely partisan.
Jackson will take the 83-year-old Steven Breyer's place on the liberal bloc of a court with an increasingly assertive 6-3 conservative majority. Breyer is due to serve until the court's current term ends -- usually in late June -- and Jackson would be formally sworn in after that. Jackson served early in her career as a Supreme Court clerk for Breyer.
Democrat Raphael Warnock, one of the Senate's three Black members, said in debate before the vote: "I'm the father of a young Black girl. I know how much it means for Judge Jackson to have navigated the double jeopardy of racism and sexism to now stand in the glory of this moment. ... Seeing Judge Jackson ascend to the Supreme Court reflects the promise of progress on which our democracy rests. What a great day it is in America."
Of the 115 people who have served on the Supreme Court since its 1789 founding, all but three have been white. It has had two Black justices, both men: Clarence Thomas, appointed in 1991 and still serving, and Thurgood Marshall, who retired in 1991 and died in 1993. Current Justice Sonia Sotomayor is the only Hispanic ever to serve.
Jackson will become the sixth female justice ever. For the first time, four women justices will be serving together.
NH reactions
New Hampshire's two Democratic senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, both voted to confirm Jackson.
"Judge Jackson is the very best of America, and it’s an honor to confirm her to the highest court in the land -- securing her place in America’s history books," Shaheen said in a statement.
"I am confident that Judge Jackson will serve on the Supreme Court with the utmost commitment to upholding the Constitution and protecting the rights of all Americans," Hassan said in a statement.
The contentious hearings worried James McKim, president of the Manchester chapter of the NAACP.
""The process exposed thoughts and behavior that are really distressing," McKim said. "If she had not been approved, it would have been a devastating blow to those who have pushed so hard to change the arc of history."
Jackson's legal career and now her confirmation also serve as an inspiration to young Black women in law, said Ronelle Tshiela, cofounder of the Manchester chapter of Black Lives Matter who is now finishing her first year at the University of New Hampshire School of Law.
Tshiela said she also thinks Jackson's experience of the world as a Black woman will give her a view on constitutional questions that has not been present on the court until now.
Presidential nominations to the Supreme Court have become a flashpoint in American politics. The court wields great influence in shaping American policy on hot-button issues including abortion, guns, voting laws, LGBT rights, religious liberty, the death penalty and race-based practices.
Before Jackson joins it, the Supreme Court is due to rule in major cases including one that could overturn the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide and another that could expand gun rights.
Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican, criticized Jackson in the debate before the vote, calling her the choice of the "radical left" and saying her "disturbing" judicial record included injecting personal policy biases in rulings and treating convicted criminals as gently as possible in sentencing.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the first woman and the first Black person to hold that post after Biden selected her as his 2020 election running mate, presided over the vote. Afterward, Harris told reporters Jackson's confirmation "makes a very important statement about who we aspire to be" as a nation and that there will be "full representation and the finest and brightest and the best" on the Supreme Court.
The White House said Jackson and Biden will speak on Friday at an event celebrating the confirmation.
'Founding promise'
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer noted the country's legacy of slavery and past struggles to bring rights to women and Black Americans, adding: "Today we are taking a giant, bold and important step on the well-trodden path toward fulfilling our country's founding promise."
During March confirmation hearings, Jackson said she would bring to the Supreme Court her life experiences and perspectives including time as a judge, a court-appointed lawyer for criminal defendants who could not afford an attorney, a member of a federal commission on criminal sentencing and "being a Black woman, lucky inheritor of the civil rights dream."
Biden has aimed to bring more women and minorities and a broader range of backgrounds to the federal judiciary. Jackson's appointment fulfilled a pledge Biden made during the 2020 presidential campaign to name a Black woman to the Supreme Court.
The other women to have served on the Supreme Court include current justices Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan and Sotomayor. They were preceded by Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the court, who retired in 2006, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in 2020.
Biden appointed Jackson last year to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit after she spent eight years as a federal district judge. Like the three conservative justices appointed by Biden's Republican predecessor Donald Trump, Jackson is young enough to serve for decades in the lifetime job.
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https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/senate-confirms-jackson-as-first-black-woman-on-u-s-supreme-court/article_af0624bf-6cd8-5f25-a43a-529d331cd198.html
| 2022-04-07T23:21:27
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Police search in a manhole under South Main Street near the Piscataquog River Bridge in Manchester while trying to capture a subject hiding in a drain pipe on April 7, 2022.
Police and public works employees block their ears from a siren they lowered into a manhole on South Main Street in Manchester while trying to flush out a suspect hiding in a drain pipe.
Police deploy a boom down a manhole under South Main Street near the Piscataquog River Bridge in Manchester while trying to capture a subject hiding in a drain pipe on April 7, 2022.
Police search in a manhole under South Main Street near the Piscataquog River Bridge in Manchester while trying to capture a subject hiding in a drain pipe on April 7, 2022.
DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER
Police and public works employees block their ears from a siren they lowered into a manhole on South Main Street in Manchester while trying to flush out a suspect hiding in a drain pipe.
DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER
South Main Street north of the Piscataquog River Bridge was closed as police and fire deal with a subject hiding in a drain pipe.
DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER
Police deploy a boom down a manhole under South Main Street near the Piscataquog River Bridge in Manchester while trying to capture a subject hiding in a drain pipe on April 7, 2022.
A Manchester man who jumped into the Merrimack River and shimmied up a drain pipe on Thursday in an apparent attempt to get away from police was pursued by officers on charges of stealing a woman's purse and a handful of other minor crimes from Bedford.
Thursday afternoon's dramatic rescue-and-arrest of Jorge Alvarado, 49, on the west side of Manchester, was set in motion a month ago when Bedford police said Alvarado did not stop when police tried to pull him over on his moped.
According to a news release from the Bedford Police Department, Alvarado drove off on his moped when police tried to pull him over on South River Road in Bedford. Police obtained a warrant for his arrest, they said.
Then last week, police said a man they believed to be Alvarado stole a handbag from a Bedford shop, before nabbing a woman's purse from her shopping cart.
Police said the man and the woman briefly struggled over the purse, but he got away with it. No one was hurt, and the purse was later found. Another warrant was issued for Alvarado's arrest.
On Thursday afternoon, Manchester police found Alvarado near Blaine Street on the West Side of Manchester, and found the warrants for his arrest.
Police said Alvarado ran from them.
Alvarado jumped into the Merrimack River, and scrambled into a drain pipe.
Police and firefighters used a loudspeaker to talk with Alvarado in the pipe, and lowered a ladder down to him.
He climbed out, and was taken to a hospital and arrested.
Alvarado has been charged with robbery, theft, disobeying an officer, driving without a license, and a traffic control device violation.
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| 2022-04-07T23:21:33
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About 15% of beds at the New Hampshire Hospital in Concord are out of commission because there are too few nurses to safely care for more patients, even as people with mental health issues are waiting in emergency rooms around the state for a bed to open up.
The crisis in nursing is still snowballing, even though hospitals are no longer overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. Two years of strain on the health care system plus the retirement of baby boomers means hundreds of nurses in New Hampshire alone are burning out, retiring or staying on the sidelines, with not enough new nurses coming in to replace them.
Twenty-four of the 157 beds at the New Hampshire Hospital are closed, Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette told the Executive Council.
The council approved a three-year contract on Wednesday for more than $330,000 with a recruiting firm to help find more nurses for the state hospital, where staff care for adults with mental and behavioral health diagnoses, and the Glencliff Home, the state nursing home for elders with complicated mental and behavioral health.
But Shibinette warned councilors that the state could not keep up with the pay nurses can command today.
A job posting for registered nurses at the state hospital offered pay between $51,400 and $85,400 per year, depending on experience and capability.
Bidding war
Hospitals and staffing agencies around New Hampshire and across the country are one-upping each other with offers of higher pay and signing bonuses. Job postings for registered nurses at hospitals in southern New Hampshire include sign-on bonuses of $3,000, $5,000 or more. Some staffing agencies advertise pay of more than $4,000 per week.
"We are still far below the market rate for nurses over the last year," Shibinette said Wednesday. "And that's really because the market has gone up so much over the last year to two years. We just haven't been able to keep up."
Because the hiring market is so competitive, hospitals and staffing agencies are pushing pay beyond what can fit in the state's budget.
Despite a 15% pay enhancement paid for with federal funds, the state hospital's pay can't match what competing employers are offering, Shibinette said.
Even the VA Medical Center in Manchester is offering higher pay, with one post advertising pay for registered nurses starting over $61,000 and going as high as $112,000 per year.
Beds needed
The need for mental and behavioral health treatment has not let up.
As of Wednesday, according to state data, every available bed at the New Hampshire Hospital and the Hampstead Hospital for children and teenagers was in use. Just 12 of the 227 behavioral health treatment beds at hospitals around the state were available.
Those who need treatment but can't get a bed are still waiting in hospital emergency departments, and waits can still stretch on for days or weeks. The state reported 18 adults and 26 children waiting in emergency departments for an inpatient mental health bed.
Shibinette was firm in saying that more beds could not be opened until the state hospital hires more staff. Without enough staff, she said, patients and staff could both be in danger.
The nursing shortage also could endanger the state's plan to open more inpatient treatment beds at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. If the hospital cannot find nurses and other staff, it will not be able to open the dozens of sorely needed beds.
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| 2022-04-07T23:21:39
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CONCORD — Advocates seeking to increase the voting participation of residents on the purchase of a mobile home park faced no opposition during its final public hearing Thursday.
Back in February, a state Senate committee took hours of combative testimony over the original bill (SB 210) that Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, had proposed.
But Bradley and Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy of Manchester came up with a compromise that won over many past opponents, including the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund and New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority.
“We felt such a substantial decision should be made by a larger group of residents,” Soucy said.
The law now permits a cooperative to be formed even if only a third of its residents sign up as members.
The purchase can go forward with just a vote of a quorum of that smaller minority.
At Bear View Crossing in Allenstown, this meant in 2019 it took only 68 votes to form the cooperative and approve a $20 million sale of the park that has more than 300 residents.
Louise Rideout said the deal required every resident pay a $300 fee to become a member before they could vote on the sale.
Those residents who failed to pay the fee have to pay an additional $200 a month in land rent, she said.
The amended bill would limit the cost to vote on a sale to be no more than $5.
Anyone who decided not to become a member could be charged an additional $20 in monthly rent.
Voting standard in original bill taken out
The original bill would have required 51% of residents to vote on a sale. This was taken out of the bill.
Community Loan Fund executive Tara Reardon said that standard was unreasonable and would bring to a halt any Resident-Owned Communities (ROCs) in the future.
The amended bill requires a majority of those voting to confirm a sale, but for the first time it would require residents to be allowed to vote by absentee ballot on the sale.
“I’m really excited this bill is here,” Rideout said. “This would be a great first step.”
New Hampshire was a trendsetter 37 years ago when it created a process for residents of a mobile home park to band together and, as a cooperative, buy the land on which their homes sit.
These 142 ROCs today comprise 8,500 homes, and none has ever reverted to private ownership.
Reardon said the fees in the Bear View project were much greater than any other ROC, and most of these sales went through without controversy.
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https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/mobile-home-park-purchase-voting-reform-endorsed/article_6322d404-8e1e-585a-a784-0c74d3440685.html
| 2022-04-07T23:21:45
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New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones throws a pass to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of a game at Gillette Stadium last season.
As the Red Sox leave spring training behind in Fort Myers, Fla., and embark on their new season, Mac Jones and a few Patriots teammates have begun laying a foundation for their own 2022 campaign 125 miles north.
Jones has gathered wideouts Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and newly-acquired DeVante Parker this week in Tampa for regular throwing sessions. Third-year running back J.J. Taylor has also joined them. Bourne captured several pictures and short videos of the workouts on his Instagram page.
Parker, a former Dolphin, recently returned to Florida after flying to New England for a physical that completed his trade to the Patriots. He also sat down for a brief interview with team-employed media.
Throwing sessions have become an offseason staple for Patriots quarterbacks in recent years. Last spring, Cam Newton worked out with Bourne, Meyers and others in Atlanta and California. Other Patriots, including tight end Hunter Henry, caught passes from backup Jarrett Stidham. In years prior, Tom Brady frequently threw with Julian Edelman and connected with Pats wideout N’Keal Harry once he was taken in the first round of the 2019 draft.
This is the first time Jones has led offseason workouts, after entering the NFL just last April. As a rookie, he developed instant chemistry with Meyers and Bourne, but struggled to produce consistently with Agholor, the team’s primary deep threat. Last season, Jones was more inaccurate when throwing deep to Agholor on passes 20-plus yards downfield than any other receiver, according to Sports Info. Solutions.
Taylor also stands to gain from more time with Jones, as a roster bubble candidate with five career catches. He played in just five games last year, trailing Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden on the depth chart. While Bolden has since left for a free-agent deal in Las Vegas, veteran James White has re-signed and recovered from a season-ending hip injury that knocked him out in Week 3.
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| 2022-04-07T23:21:52
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Appeals court OKs Biden federal employee vaccine mandate
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Joe Biden’s requirement that all federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 was upheld Thursday by a federal appeals court.
In a 2-1 ruling, a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court and ordered dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the mandate. The ruling, a rare win for the administration at the New Orleans-based appellate court, said that the federal judge didn’t have jurisdiction in the case and those challenging the requirement could have pursued administrative remedies under Civil Service law.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas by then-President Donald Trump, had issued a nationwide injunction against the requirement in January.
When the case was argued at the 5th Circuit last month, administration lawyers had noted that district judges in a dozen jurisdictions had rejected a challenge to the vaccine requirement for federal workers before Brown ruled.
The administration argued that the Constitution gives the president, as the head of the federal workforce, the same authority as the CEO of a private corporation to require that employees be vaccinated.
Lawyers for those challenging the mandate had pointed to a recent Supreme Court opinion that the government cannot force private employers to require employee vaccinations.
Twelve of 17 active judges at the 5th Circuit were nominated to the court by Republicans, including six Trump appointees.
Judges Carl Stewart and James Dennis, both nominated to the court by President Bill Clinton, were in the majority. Judge Rhesa Barksdale, a senior judge nominated by President George H.W. Bush, dissented, saying the relief the challengers sought does not fall under the Civil Service Reform Act cited by the administration.
The case marked ideological divides at the appeals court even before Thursday’s ruling.
A different panel had refused in February to block Brown’s ruling pending the appeal. That panel’s vote was 2-1. There were no reasons given by the majority — Judge Jerry Smith, a President Ronald Reagan nominee, and Don Willett, a Trump nominee.
But there was a lengthy dissent by Judge Stephen Higginson, a nominee of President Barack Obama, who said a single district judge “lacking public health expertise and made unaccountable through life tenure,” should not be able to block the president from ordering the same type of COVID-19 safety measures many private sector CEOs have ordered.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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| 2022-04-07T23:26:48
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Man had ‘no idea’ after TSA stops him from boarding plane with sword hidden in cane
Published: Apr. 7, 2022 at 5:14 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
(Gray News) – TSA agents in Boston stopped a man from boarding a plane with a sword on his person.
The man was attempting to board a plane at Logan Airport on Tuesday, according to a post on Twitter from TSA_NewEngland.
How did he make it that far into the airport? It was hidden in his cane.
When Massachusetts state police questioned him on it, they say the man said he had “no idea” the blade was in there.
He was cleared to continue onto the flight after his cane was claimed by the TSA.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 2022-04-07T23:26:54
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Several departments battling large fire in Gosper County
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Area firefighters from across the region are battling an enormous wildfire about six miles north of Arapahoe and nine miles south of Elwood in Gosper County.
At one point Thursday, the fire reached three-miles wide, threatening rural homes.
Region 17 Emergency Manager Roger Powell said 25 departments are working together in high wind conditions to contain the blaze. The fire was reported around 1:30 p.m., Thursday, and is not contained at this time.
The fire is said to have started near the intersection of Highway 18 and 283, and is moving south of Highway 18 and 283.
According to Nebraska 511, Highway 283 is closed between Road 728, and travel in that area is highly discouraged. News 2 has reports of families evacuating their rural homes in the area.
The Village of Elwood is asking for donations for the volunteers fighting the fires, including water, fruit, vegetables, and sandwiches.
Copyright 2022 KNOP. All rights reserved.
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| 2022-04-07T23:27:01
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Walmart offering new truck drivers up to $110K starting pay
NEW YORK (AP) - Walmart workers who once unloaded trucks now have a chance to drive them.
The nation’s largest retailer has launched a training program that gives employees who work in its distribution or fulfillment centers a chance to become certified Walmart truck drivers through a 12-week program taught by the company’s established drivers.
Walmart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, also said it is raising pay for its 12,000 truck drivers. The starting range for new drivers will now be between $95,000 and $110,000, according to Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield. The retailer said that $87,500 had been the average that new truck drivers could make in their first year.
The moves announced Thursday come as the pandemic has made trucker shortages more severe as demand to move freight reaches historic highs. The American Trucking Associations, a large industry trade group, estimates that the nation is short about 80,000 drivers.
Walmart said about 20 workers in Dallas and Dover, Delaware, have earned their commercial driver’s licenses. About 400 to 800 workers in the company’s supply-chain network are expected to complete the truck-driving program this year, Hatfield said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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| 2022-04-07T23:27:07
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Curtis D. Huffman
Political Party: Republican
Tell us about yourself.
I was Born and raised in Papillion, NE. I Enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and spent 20 years in the Security Forces Career Field. During that time I deployed multiple times to various locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. After I retired from the USAF, I decided to change career fields, so I went back to college and completed a Bachelors in Accounting.
Why are you running for this office?
For a while now I have felt that our elected leaders have lost touch with the majority of the people. If given the opportunity, I am looking forward to being the voice of Nebraskans.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
1. Eliminating Fraud, Waste and Abuse of taxpayers money
2. Limited Federal Government
3. Term limits for Congress
What relevant experience would you bring to the office?
Do you want another politician or lawyer in Congress, or do you want to send an Accountant?
Nebraskans are paying more for food, gas and rent. How do you plan on addressing concerns over the rise in inflation?
We need to stop the economy destroying policies of the current Administration .
What is your message to Nebraska business owners who are dealing with supply chain issues and labor shortages?
I will support policies that remove burdensome regulations and get the Government out of the way of small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. We all need to support our local economy by buying and banking locally.
A recent Pew Research Poll found “strengthening the economy” should be the number one priority for the president and congress. How would you help make that happen?
I plan to support policies that remove unneeded regulations and get the Federal Government out of the way.
Do you believe Nebraska’s elections are free, fair and secure?
YES
Is illegal immigration a problem? What changes to current policy would you propose?
Yes, illegal immigration is a problem. I would propose finishing the Wall on the southern border. At the same time the U.S. Congress needs to reform our immigration system to streamline the process for those waiting legally in line to become U.S. citizens.
Should any additional steps be taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
No, the Federal Government and Medical establishment need to get out of the way of the American people. Each person should be able to talk to their family Doctor on what would work best for themselves and their families.
Do you support President Biden’s response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine? What other measures, if any, would you propose?
President Biden’s response was too little too late. Instead of taking steps to prevent Russian aggression, this administration has been completely reactionary. The types of sanctions that have been imposed are appropriate; they were just too late to be able to prevent this invasion.
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| 2022-04-07T23:31:09
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Jazari Zakaria
Political Party: Democrat
Tell us about yourself.
I was born here in the United States shortly after my family immigrated here as refugees from South Sudan. I grew up in Lincoln, attending elementary, middle, and high school in this beautiful city. I am currently a double major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I will be the first college graduate in my family with not one but two degrees. In broadcasting media production and journalism, with a minor in English.
Over the years, I have used my talents to creatively give back to the community. I am a videographer, photographer, live streamer, and all-around content creator by day. I have worked with several different media publications as a contributor and correspondent. I take pride in being a community reporter and covering events and topics affecting our community.
In addition, I have advocated for various groups and causes using my online presence, reaching a broader audience.
I participate in many hunger relief efforts here in Lincoln. For example, I am a co-founder of LNK Freedges, which aims to eradicate food insecurity by placing mini-refrigerators around town full of food for those who need it to take. My team members and I created this venture during our enrollment in Leadership Lincoln’s 14th Advocates cohort.
I currently sit on two different non-profit boards and have received back-to-back nominations for a Young Lincoln Leader Award.
I, myself, see running for office as a form of service. A responsibility to take our energy and passion to the next level and create the change we all seek. There are so many issues that I am passionate about fixing that affect my community and me. That adds so much gravity and relatability to my run in this race.
If we give up the fight and lay down our pens, we are renouncing our rights as the authors of a bright and golden future.
I truly hope the people of Nebraska’s First Congressional District grant me their vote and trust me to represent them in the hallowed halls of our nation’s Capital.
Why are you running for this office?
Congress has not been reflective of what America looks like today. Diversity among minorities and age groups is diminutive within the federal government. Young Americans make up a large part of our country’s population, yet there is only one person under 30 in Congress.
My mission is to focus on legislation that affects the future of many young Americans, including, but not limited to, climate change, healthcare, college tuition, housing & food, criminal justice, and social justice & equity.
These days, people are distancing themselves from politics because they feel they do not have a voice or anyone who has their best interest at heart, fighting for them and their families. However, this is the time we have to exercise our constitutional rights to elect people who will do so.
I have done a lot of volunteer work and advocacy for my community, and being in Congress will be a way to elevate and amplify the good I have done and continue to do.
I am running for this office because I will be there for Nebraskans every single day and every single time.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Affordable college tuition
Climate Change
Legal immigration reform
What relevant experience would you bring to the office?
My background as a journalist and social media creator has made me a leader within the community as a trusted source of information on current events and an advocate for social and political issues.
Being a working-class citizen, I have faced the same challenges many Nebraskans face. I have had to work three jobs at once, struggled to pay rent, for food, and afford my college bills.
I have taken the pain and struggle of my life experience and turned it into advocacy for our community through social media.
When it is cold outside, my friends and I hand out hot meals to those who do not have a roof over their heads. We also help them seek shelter and relief from the bitter cold.
I help those in need whenever I can and as best as I can. That is the kind of neighbor we need, and that is the kind of representative we need in Congress. Someone who lives in the same reality as the people they campaign to represent.
Nebraskans are paying more for food, gas and rent. How do you plan on addressing concerns over the rise in inflation?
I believe we can combat inflation by giving the American people a true tax break. 0T40, “Zero Tax after 40,” would eliminate federal taxes from overtime pay.
Nebraska has a lot of production jobs where overtime is required. I would support legislation to eliminate federal tax on overtime pay so that workers can pay off their debts, save for a down payment on a home, save for their children’s college tuition, or start their own business.
Tipped employees have significantly struggled throughout the pandemic, and 0T40 would halt federal tax collection on tips.
Before 1984, a federal tax on social security checks was non-existent, and this legislation would reverse that taxation.
Lastly, increasing the federal minimum wage so that Americans can make a living wage will help them meet their needs.
What is your message to Nebraska business owners who are dealing with supply chain issues and labor shortages?
Supply chain shortages and inflation have negatively affected our country. The current state of the world has proven we need to be more self-sufficient. Investing in our economy, specifically local and small businesses, and creating more jobs for the American people will help address these issues.
Infusing more capital into agriculture will help Nebraska farmers and us become more self-sufficient with our food production. We need to limit the number of imported foods and increase our production and export of it to help decrease the cost.
A recent Pew Research Poll found “strengthening the economy” should be the number one priority for the president and congress. How would you help make that happen?
To strengthen the American economy, we must build from the ground up. So often, federal politics focuses on helping large corporate industries while forgetting about smaller businesses. Yet, working-class and middle-class Americans and small business owners are the lifelines of our economy. Investing in local economies will help build state economies, which will then help strengthen our national economy.
Do you believe Nebraska’s elections are free, fair and secure?
Yes.
Is illegal immigration a problem? What changes to current policy would you propose?
Security at our borders is essential and needs to remain. However, illegal immigration has become an issue associated with terrorism and used to evoke fear. When people are trying to get into the United States, they pursue a better life for their families. Immigrating to the U.S. or even visiting requires documents and monetary requirements that some countries either do not issue or people cannot afford. Our immigration system has become complex and inaccessible to so many people. We need to reconstruct our immigration policies and procedures to safely open our doors to bright, ambitious, and talented individuals who can help our nation progress.
Should any additional steps be taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The federal government should take more action with the eviction moratorium. This will continue to impact low-income households for years to come.
Staffing shortages and lack of necessary resources have affected the quality of education for k-12 students. Congress should now focus on the recovery from COVID-19 by investing more in our public education system and youth mental health.
Do you support President Biden’s response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine? What other measures, if any, would you propose?
Russia’s attack on Ukraine is a delicate situation, but I believe President Biden has done well. At this time, we are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. So we must avoid any aggression that may lead to the United States entering a war with Russia. We must continue to focus on humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which will be less costly than our American military fighting a war.
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| 2022-04-07T23:31:17
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John Weaver
Political Party: Republican
Tell us about yourself.
My name is US Air Force Retired Lt. Col. John Glen Weaver and I am a republican running to serve as the Congressman for the 1st District of Nebraska. I have served all around the globe in national security roles ranging from flying combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan to the Pentagon advising the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I have extensive experience in the intelligence community and military dealing with issues in the Middle East, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Cyber. Most recently, I served at Offutt Air Force Base as the director of the Nuclear Command Post leading a large team that directed nuclear operations. I have deployed 11 times with numerous deployments to many Middle East and Southwest Asia combat zones over the last 22 years flying on the Offutt based RC-135 collecting top secret intelligence. I speak and majored in Russian and I am very familiar with the threat Russia poses to our country. Additionally, I have two graduate degrees in Economics and Military Science. I am also a small real estate business owner and I have a family farm that has been in the family for generations. I am also a passionate instructor pilot and teach for the University of Nebraska aviation program. I am a proud husband, father, and a Christian. I met my wife, Brianna a physician at UNMC in January of 2019. We have a daughter Bravery and a son due in July.
Why are you running for this office?
I desire to serve as a member of the House of Representatives to continue my service to my community, country and constitution. I have a deep desire to commit my life in the service to this great Nation. Only 17% of congressional leaders are veterans and I believe in and want to serve America with my whole heart. The haphazard withdrawal from Afghanistan in Aug 2021 made me realize that my country needs my leadership. My priorities will be the economy, lowering inflation, securing our border, building a wall, strengthening national defense, expanding Offutt Air Force Base’s mission, and growing agriculture.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top 3 priorities would be 1) Immigration (building a wall) 2) Lowering inflation (balanced budget amendment) 3) National Defense (expanding Offutt AFB by building another runway and getting the B-21 bomber here) 4) Ag Policies
What relevant experience would you bring to the office?
Up until college, I grew up on a small family farm raising crops and livestock all the while being homeschooled. This gave me a connection to agriculture and a farming community. It is this love for country and community that inspired me to serve America in the US Air Force for 22 years. These 22 years included many leadership experiences at Offutt Air Force Base and 11 deployments all over the world; to include many combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. I also served in the Pentagon for 3 years writing war plans.
Nebraskans are paying more for food, gas and rent. How do you plan on addressing concerns over the rise in inflation?
The first and main thing that I will do in congress is stop government COVID stimulus spending. The surge in government spending over the past 2 years is the key driver for this inflation we have. Second, we need to make America produce again. Because of excessive government regulations, companies have moved overseas. Americans are the most skilled and competent workforce and we need to produce goods in the USA. This will also help solve supply chain issues. Lastly, I will make certain that the US Government stops controlling and intimidating people with COVID mandates and vaccines. Mask and vaccine mandates have people on edge and they are killing our economy. Lastly, I am against raising interest rates because that puts pressure on the people when the real problem is the government overspending.
What is your message to Nebraska business owners who are dealing with supply chain issues and labor shortages?
There are two main things we can do to reduce supply chain issues. The first is to increase the number of truckers on the road by making it easier to become a truck driver. We must get rid of all the red tape and bureaucracy with getting certified and licensed. Second, at our ports we need to change zoning laws to allow for denser storage of shipping containers. The port of Long Beach, Calif., is allowing containers to be stacked twice as high as before which should be replicated in other ports. Lastly, we need more products made in America so that we don’t have to import them from other countries.
A recent Pew Research Poll found “strengthening the economy” should be the number one priority for the president and congress. How would you help make that happen?
Fundamental tax reform is long overdue. As the debate in Congress rages on we must stick to free-market principles. We must lower the corporate rate while also removing unnecessary special-interest deductions. We have to give corporations the incentives to repatriate their profits so we can grow our tax base, and encourage investments in THIS country. Corporations are not evil, they create jobs, employ Americans, and grow our economy. We must simplify the individual income tax, and remove deductions that distort our economy and reduce revenue unnecessarily. We must stand for pro-growth policies, because we cannot lift the poor out of poverty or raise middle class wages without a strong and growing economy. This is common sense economics, and we must show leadership to make it happen.
Do you believe Nebraska’s elections are free, fair and secure?
Yes, but to make them even more secure, I would author legislation that would secure our borders, build a wall, and establish a national voter ID. We need a national voter ID system. I spent 22 years defending our American way of life and when in congress I will continue this with an ID system.
Is illegal immigration a problem? What changes to current policy would you propose?
Yes. Absolutely. It’s the #1 or #2 issue to voters in NE-01. With porous unsecure borders we are seeing a flood of illegals that are bringing with them drugs that are killing our citizens. In the Air Force I learned that to have a secure base you must secure the perimeter. We need to build a wall and increase the capability of the Border Patrol. Border security must come first, before we have any other conversation. Enough is enough, let’s enforce our laws. We should not only build the wall but also ramp up tech-savvy ways to secure our border, like drones and sensors. My background in national security makes me uniquely qualified to assess different proposals and find the right solution. Furthermore, border security leads to better legal immigration laws. When we finally secure the border – a proposal that used to be bipartisan – we can then talk about next steps for immigration reform. America is still the shining city on the hill, and we need good, legal immigrants with skills, a hard work ethic, and conservative values to come into this country. But they should do it legally, and we should welcome them. We should move to a merit-based immigration system, so that we get the best of the best in our country. Sanctuary cities are an affront to our law enforcement and national security. When illegal immigrants commit crimes, we should enforce both criminal law AND immigration law. Encouraging law enforcement agencies to cooperate with one another is common sense, and good policy.
Should any additional steps be taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
No. Just the opposite. I will oppose ALL mandates (vaccine, mask, etc.) when I am in Congress. I will fire Fauchi and I won’t let doctors make policy decisions that I will be elected to do.
Do you support President Biden’s response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine? What other measures, if any, would you propose?
No. I speak Russian, majored in Russian, and lived in Russia so I am very familiar with the threat Russia poses to Ukraine and the world. Just like the pullout of Afghanistan, Biden’s Ukraine plan is a poor strategy that was executed too late. Our model should have been the 1980s Afghanistan, where the US ran a successful campaign to sustain the Mujahideen against the Soviets. As soon as Putin began massing forces on the border in 2021, I would have sent the Ukrainians a steady flow of small arms ammunition, counter drone rifles, javelin anti tank weapons, and stinger anti-air missiles as well as secure communication systems and medical supplies. Anti-air missiles are especially critical for protecting Ukrainian ground units from Russian air attack. I believe that if the US would have sent these weapons to Ukraine earlier, we possibly could have deterred Russia from invading. I flew combat and combat support missions in two no fly zones over Iraq (Operations Northern and Southern Watch) and do not support a no-fly zone. An air-to-air engagement between the US and Russia would expand the conflict and increase the chance for nuclear war between the US and Russia.
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https://www.1011now.com/page/john-weaver/
| 2022-04-07T23:31:24
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Mike Flood
Political Party: Republican
Tell us about yourself.
I am a lifelong Nebraskan and a conservative Republican from Norfolk, Nebraska. I am a husband, father, broadcaster, business owner, lawyer, and Nebraska State Senator representing District 19. When I was 24 years old, I started my first business, a rural radio station in my hometown of Norfolk. I’ve made a payroll every two weeks since then and know the challenges and joys that come with running a business. I have always felt the call to public service, and in 2005 I entered the Nebraska Legislature. Two years later my colleagues voted for me to become the youngest and longest-serving Speaker in Nebraska history. During my time in the Unicameral I championed a 20 week ban on abortion, the first of its kind in the nation. I led the effort to preserve the death penalty, codified concealed carry into our state law, and paved the way for state approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline. After serving in the Legislature, I briefly announced a run for governor but withdrew from the race after my wife, Mandi, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m glad to say that Mandi is now cancer free. I’m blessed that both her and our two boys are healthy, still calling Norfolk home. After completing my term as Speaker, I went back home to invest in my broadcasting business which has now grown into 15 radio stations and 7 TV stations across rural Nebraska. Today, I’m proud to be back in the Legislature continuing my public service representing northeast Nebraska and look forward to representing the First District in Congress.
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running for this office because the path for Republicans to retake the House runs right through the First Congressional District. I’m the Republican who can win in November. I want to fire Nancy Pelosi as Speaker and put a check on Joe Biden’s reckless government overreach. I have a proven record of being able to get things done in a legislative environment. I enjoy working on tough, complicated issues that make an impact for the State of Nebraska. When elected, I will be a voice in Congress and will show up for you when it matters, not just when it’s convenient.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top three priorities are fighting inflation, growing Nebraska’s rural communities, and securing our southern border.
What relevant experience would you bring to the office?
I have been successful in a legislative body and have a record of being able to get things done. During my time in the legislature, I’ve provided good constituent services. I will take that same attitude with me to Washington and insure that the people of the first district have an accessible, accountable representative who will always fight for them. I am also a business owner and know the impact that government has on a business.
Nebraskans are paying more for food, gas and rent. How do you plan on addressing concerns over the rise in inflation?
Inflation is a major issue and getting it under control is a top priority of mine. Every Nebraskan feels the effects at the grocery store, at the gas pump, and when simply going through everyday life. The first thing we need to do to fight inflation is stop the out-of-control spending that has been happening under the democrats rule in Congress, cut taxes, and cut regulation. As a member of the Nebraska Legislature, we are statutorily required to pass a balanced budget. I want to take that same common sense to Washington to get inflation under control and bring prosperity back to families and businesses.
What is your message to Nebraska business owners who are dealing with supply chain issues and labor shortages?
My message to businesses dealing with supply chain issues and labor shortage is I understand and feel these challenges in my own business. One of the largest issues facing Nebraska right now is the need for more workforce. Nebraska has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and in our nation’s history. Finding a skilled high-quality workforce is a major challenge, especially after the disruptions brought because of the pandemic. I’ve worked on workforce development in the legislature and have made a meaningful impact helping to solve this issue, but more must be done. One of my legislative priorities this year is LB 1167, it appropriates federal funds to the Nebraska Departments of Economic Development and Labor for enhancing and retaining Nebraska’s workforce. In Congress, I will continue to work to make sure Nebraska is a great place to run a business ensuring we have a skilled, high-quality workforce to keep Nebraska the best place in the world.
A recent Pew Research Poll found “strengthening the economy” should be the number one priority for the president and congress. How would you help make that happen?
I believe our economy is strong because of our people, business leaders, and innovators. The federal government’s job is to allow for the best business climate possible while ensuring business operates in a safe and legal way. As a member of Congress, I will work to cut the red-tape, take back regulatory authority from the Executive Branch, and facilitate a business climate that works for Nebraska’s families and businesses. I will also strengthen our economy by working to cut taxes and expand global markets for our agricultural producers. Nebraska produces some of the highest quality products and we must continue to expand access to markets for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers.
Do you believe Nebraska’s elections are free, fair and secure?
I understand the concern that many Nebraskans hold that the 2020 election was stolen. I trust Nebraska’s election system but think we should always act to increase security and be vigilant. That’s why I support Voter ID.
Is illegal immigration a problem? What changes to current policy would you propose?
I believe that illegal immigration is a major problem facing our country and it is one of my top priorities when in Congress. We need to build the wall, strongly enforce our immigration laws, and empower our border patrol agents to get control of the border. The Biden administration’s handling of this issue has been a complete failure. An unsecure border is a threat to our national security, public safety, and undermines the rule of law.
Should any additional steps be taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
No.
Do you support President Biden’s response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine? What other measures, if any, would you propose?
Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine is despicable. Putin is a thug. He’s costing thousands of lives, thwarting the world economy, and has an utter disregard for the idea of Ukrainian sovereignty. America must stand against Tyranny. I support the sanctions that have been placed on Russian oligarchs who fund and finance Putin’s misdeeds and hold on power. We must have the strongest support for Ukraine possible aiding them with weapons, intelligence, and humanitarian support. The impact this crisis has here in the United States is also evident. Gas prices are astronomical, and President Biden’s solutions simply do not cut it. President Biden should immediately unleash the full ability of domestic oil and gas producers making the United States a net exporter of not importer. Doing this would help the rising cost of energy here at home, our allies overseas, and allow the United States to be self-sufficient rather than dependent on our enemies.
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https://www.1011now.com/page/mike-flood/
| 2022-04-07T23:31:30
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Patty Pansing Brooks
Political Party: Democrat
Tell us about yourself.
I am a state senator, attorney, small business owner, and lifelong community organizer. I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, where my family has lived for five generations. I graduated from Southeast High School, then received a B.A. in Political Science from Colorado College. I received my law degree at the University of Nebraska College of Law.
I live with my husband, Loel, in Lincoln, where we work together as law partners. We are longtime members of First-Plymouth Congregational Church, where we were married (as were my parents, Lu and Tom). We have three children, Taylor, Graham, and Avary, who have grown into bright, kind and civic-minded young adults who fill our hearts with blessings and joy every day!
Why are you running for this office?
I feel like I have been running to do good for Nebraska all of my adult life. After steering 56 of my bills into law in the Nebraska Legislature and tackling some of our state’s most important issues for children and working families, I know I have more to give – and I also know there is a lot more work to do. So the question is perhaps better stated: “How can I stop running?” I am running because I can’t possibly do anything but run. I look at what’s happening in Washington, and I think, “What are they doing? Why can’t they get things done? Where are all the problem solvers?” And I know I am not alone in feeling this way.
We need people in Washington who aren’t afraid to do the right thing, who don’t take directions from political parties or corporate PACS. Sadly, we have not had that kind of leadership under the current congressman.
And we need that leadership, because the best things happen when those in positions of power are willing to use that power for the common good.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
As our congresswoman, I will work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, help communities thrive by promoting workforce development, expand infrastructure, including critical broadband, to expand affordable housing and create a rural and urban economic renaissance for our entire state.
What relevant experience would you bring to the office?
I have a proven track record of values-led policymaking and coalition building to make positive change. I was the co-chair of the $6 million Union Plaza Fundraising Campaign to create Lincoln’s first urban park. I also served as co-chair of the $9.6 million Centennial Mall renovation project, which helped make the seven blocks between our Capitol and our state university a beautiful, historic celebration of Nebraska for all visitors. Finally, I was co-chair of the $250 million Lincoln Public Schools bond issue in 2007 with former Sen. and friend Kathy Campbell. That bond issue improved every school in every zip code in Lincoln.
In my two terms as a State Senator representing Nebraska’s 28th District, I have fought hard and achieved victories for our most vulnerable neighbors, particularly children. One focus of my legislative career has been youth justice reform. I introduced several bills that have expanded children’s rights to legal representation in the justice system, established automatic sealing of children’s court records when they have completed their sentences, and reoriented the purpose of school peacekeeping officers to keep schools safe while keeping kids out of the school-to-prison pipeline.
Additional legislative victories include protecting victims of human trafficking and enacting stricter punishment for people who benefit from trafficking; creating and leading the Whiteclay Public Health Emergency Task Force that ultimately stopped the abusive alcohol sales which had plagued Native Americans for generations and allowed the Oglala Sioux to reclaim sovereignty over their public health; protecting workers who discuss their wages from employer retaliation; codifying the Nebraska Department of Education’s definition of dyslexia as a learning disability, requiring schools to offer evidence-based reading support; and establishing Nebraska’s first officially recognized Indigenous People’s Day.
Nebraskans are paying more for food, gas and rent. How do you plan on addressing concerns over the rise in inflation?
One of the most immediate issues we need to address is inflation. The rising prices of goods and services are hurting families and small businesses. We need to lower prescription drug prices, lower premiums under the Affordable Care Act, continue to release petroleum reserves and stop price gouging. Other measures crucial to those struggling to get by include expanding Medicare to cover hearing, dental and vision. We also need student loan debt forgiveness so young people aren’t strapped for food, gas and rent. As a member of Congress, I will support measures to enhance rental assistance and ensure access, eligibility and funding for SNAP.
What is your message to Nebraska business owners who are dealing with supply chain issues and labor shortages?
We must do everything we can to repair our supply chains and infrastructure to ease bottlenecks. We also need to enhance efforts to recruit and retain workers to fill jobs. Nebraska’s unemployment rate is 2.2%, and it is always among the lowest in the nation, so employers were having problems filling vacancies even before the pandemic. We have to do everything we can ensuring Nebraska continues to be an attractive place to young people by creating a welcoming environment for everyone and making investments in job training so workers can fill the jobs that are available in our communities.
A recent Pew Research Poll found “strengthening the economy” should be the number one priority for the president and congress. How would you help make that happen?
Strengthening the economy is our No. 1 priority, and there are many things we can do to make that happen. Even though U.S. economic growth is gaining momentum and production is up, inflationary pressures are holding us back. We must take action to stop price gouging because people are struggling to make their paychecks go further. Critical measures like lowering the cost of prescription drugs, releasing petroleum reserves and lowering premiums under the ACA can also ease the squeeze and should be among our top priorities.
Do you believe Nebraska’s elections are free, fair and secure?
I have complete faith in our Nebraska elections. We must take every measure necessary to ensure that this remains the case, not only in Nebraska, but across the country. I believe Congress needs to take steps at the national level to protect future elections and ensure the right to vote for all of our citizens.
Is illegal immigration a problem? What changes to current policy would you propose?
We need comprehensive immigration reform that prioritizes border security, creates an earned pathway to citizenship, maintains families and helps grow our economy. I will support comprehensive immigration reform as a member of Congress and believe it’s long past time to set the politics aside on this issue and move forward on good, sound policy solutions.
Should any additional steps be taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
We have moved beyond the point at which Covid should disrupt our daily lives. This doesn’t mean the pandemic is over, but it does mean the availability of vaccines, boosters, treatments, tests and masks make this something we treat and protect against, rather than regard as a constant crisis. With that said, we must remain vigilant to anything that changes with the variants and rely on sound science to inform all of our decisions. If the pandemic taught us anything, it should be that these types of health crises must be taken seriously. As far as the federal government, it should continue to address the economic impacts we continue to feel as a result of the pandemic.
Do you support President Biden’s response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine? What other measures, if any, would you propose?
Vladmir Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine is a heinous act. I believe the economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and our NATO allies have been the appropriate response, and they have worked to inflict a cost on Russia for its acts of bloodshed and destruction. I believe we must continue these economic sanctions, work with our allies and keep the avenue open for diplomacy, even as we stand firm in defense of our NATO allies.
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https://www.1011now.com/page/patty-pansing-brooks/
| 2022-04-07T23:31:36
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Thireena Connely
Political Party: Republican
Tell us about yourself.
I am a homeschool mother. I design curriculum, do editing, and am also an author. In the community, I have taught Government and Politics but this semester, I am teaching War History. In the evenings, I teach dance, gymnastics, and fitness.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running because I’m tired of not having a voice and watching the disappointments we have put in office. I wanted to have someone who can represent the values that we should have but I find that some people have no backbone to say what really needs to be said.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Reducing government spending, restoring our rights and freedoms in our constitution, supporting policies that put America first.
What relevant experience would you bring to the office?
I have not held public office, I’m not a politician. I know how government SHOULD run and what ordinary citizens like me need.
Nebraskans are paying more for food, gas and rent. How do you plan on addressing concerns over the rise in inflation?
Restricting the fed and putting American economics first. Before we can help other countries, we need to make sure that we are stable. We should also have less restrictive policies on the gas and oil that we can produce here in America.
What is your message to Nebraska business owners who are dealing with supply chain issues and labor shortages?
The supply chain has mostly been disrupted by the kneejerk reaction from the pandemic. We are also seeing that dockworkers may strike as well, which would have devastating consequences. There are several reasons for the labor shortages. First, workers have recently felt like they are being taken care of by the government due to stimulus and extra unemployment which is something that cannot be reversed now. Another reason is the fact that most businesses are struggling to stay competitive with rising minimum wage rates. Unfortunately, this is not a problem that can be helped with a simple bill. There are several things that would contribute to the failure of businesses during this time and most of them are because of government overreach.
A recent Pew Research Poll found “strengthening the economy” should be the number one priority for the president and congress. How would you help make that happen?
I wouldn’t allow the US to be sending “aid” to other countries. Many times, I’ve seen that this aid is to push certain agendas that will not provide the US with anything in return. We cannot help others if we are broken.
Do you believe Nebraska’s elections are free, fair and secure?
No. There have been many instances where there were witnesses and reports of security issues within our own election system and it just gets brushed aside.
Is illegal immigration a problem? What changes to current policy would you propose?
Yes. Other countries have their own immigration and border security, yet America has a hard time controlling this. There should be policies in place that do not allow sanctuary cities. There should be a clear pathway to citizenship, open to anyone but only after a thorough vetting process.
Should any additional steps be taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
No. The government overstepped in its reaction to Covid. The government should have put into place “suggestions” instead of mandates and regulations, especially after more facts and information about the virus came out.
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https://www.1011now.com/page/thireena-connely/
| 2022-04-07T23:31:46
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Shooting prompts lockdown at American Dream mall in East Rutherford, NJ
EAST RUTHERFORD — The American Dream mega-mall was under police lockdown after a report of a shooting Thursday.
State Police said the shooting was reported at 5:50 p.m.
Early reports from the scene indicate that this is not a mass-casualty shooting event.
Gov. Phil Murphy said just before 7 p.m. that he had been briefed on the shooting and that State Police had set up a command post at the facility. Murphy asked the public to stay clear of the area.
State Police instructed people who are looking to find loved ones to reunite at Lot 26.
News 12 New Jersey and NBC 4 New York reported that there was a single victim who appears to have been shot in the mall's parking facility.
The Daily Voice, citing sources who they did not identify, said the victim walked into the mall before he was taken to the hospital.
Further information was not immediately available from authorities early Thursday evening.
Videos shared by visitors at the time of the lockdown show frightened shoppers scrambling for safety in the entertainment complex. A user on Twitter said he had been with nearly a hundred other people for 45 minutes in "a safe spot" during the lockdown.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with further information from official sources.
Sergio Bichao is the digital managing editor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.
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https://nj1015.com/american-dream-mall-shooting/
| 2022-04-07T23:34:34
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Financial literacy, for free! New tool launched by New Jersey
Would you benefit greatly from a professional taking a look at your resume? Do you want to easily track your spending to see how much money you waste on a weekly basis? Need a refresher, or maybe an initial lesson, on mortgages or student loan repayment?
All of that and more is now available free of charge from the state of New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of the Treasury on Wednesday launched a free financial wellness platform that's available to all Garden State adults.
"Our goal in launching NJ FinLit is to provide New Jerseyans with tools to help them better prepare for and meet future financial challenges," said Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. "It is our hope that this free educational resource, which can be personalized by New Jerseyans at all stages of life, regardless of income, and translated into multiple languages, will both help our residents strengthen their financial resiliency and enable them to reach their long term goals."
Among other perks, the program crafted specifically for New Jersey features financial education courses; retirement and home affordability analyzers (are you on track to accomplish either?); a suite of student loan and higher education tools; and personal finance calculators.
Upon enrollment, users may be greeted with the opportunity to have their resume reviewed by a workforce expert.
Users of the platform will be asked to update their "stress score" regularly, so New Jersey can gauge the correlation between stress levels and improved financial wellness.
"We're really looking forward to seeing in this first year what resonates most with participants, and where they feel we can beef things up," Muoio said.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced the launch during a CNBC event, as part of National Financial Literacy Month.
"Understanding money, building credit, saving for a home or retirement — these are life-long lessons that persist well after we leave the classroom," Gov. Murphy said.
A law signed by Murphy in 2019 requires schools to incorporate financial literacy instruction in grades 6 through 8. The topic must also represent at least 2.5 credits of a high-schooler's education.
The new platform was developed by San Diego-based financial education company iGrad, which currently works with hundreds of colleges and universities, more than 20,000 employers, and more than 300 financial institutions.
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.
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https://nj1015.com/financial-literacy-for-free-new-tool-launched-by-new-jersey/
| 2022-04-07T23:34:40
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Murphy vs. Christie: Presidential ambitions of NJ governors
What is New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy more focused on: running the Garden State or planning for his own political future?
A just-released survey finds a significant difference of opinion on the issue.
Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said on the question of what Murphy is most concerned with right now, “45% say he is primarily focused on governing the state, but an identical 45% say that he’s more concerned with looking out for his own political future.”
Murray said a year ago, when the pandemic was raging, a majority of respondents said the governor was more concerned about looking out for the state, but now more people seem to be unsure about which direction things are moving in.
Murphy vs. Christie
He said after Chris Christie served as governor “there’s always a sense now with New Jersey governors that they’re looking for something on the horizon.”
Murray noted when Christie was starting his second term as governor eight years ago, as the Bridgegate scandal was unfolding, a poll found 35% of New Jerseyans believed he was most concerned about running the state, while 54% said he was more focused on his political future.
A run for president?
On the issue of whether Murphy is thinking about running for the White House, 37% believe he’s planning to run for president.
About 56% of New Jersey residents in the poll say that Murphy would not be a good president even though 55% also say he’s doing a decent job as governor. But 33% of respondents feel Murphy would be a good chief executive.
“That’s not really a ringing endorsement but it’s still better than for Chris Christie, where 69% said that he wouldn’t make a good president,” Murray said.
Focus on the job at hand
Murray said it’s becoming clear “there’s this idea that we’ve had enough here in New Jersey of governors trying to run for president and just keep your eye on the job you have right now.”
The poll also looked at the impact Murphy has had on the reputation of New Jersey: 33% say that he’s helped the state’s image, 24% that say he hurt the image, and 40% say he made no difference in the image.
The Monmouth University Poll was conducted by telephone from March 31 to April 4, with 802 New Jersey adults. The question results in this release have a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.
David Matthau is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at david.matthau@townsquaremedia.com
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.
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https://nj1015.com/murphy-vs-christie-presidential-ambitions-of-nj-governors/
| 2022-04-07T23:34:46
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American woman caught with nearly $550K worth of fentanyl at US-Mexico border
(Gray News) - A woman attempted to smuggle more than a half-million dollars worth of fentanyl into the U.S. from Mexico over this past weekend.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports the woman, a U.S. citizen, pulled up to the Del Rio Port of Entry in a passenger vehicle on April 3. An officer then referred her to a secondary vehicle inspection.
After a thorough examination of the car, officers said they discovered 30 packages containing 40.34 pounds of fentanyl concealed within the vehicle. CBP officials said the fentanyl had a street value of $548,987.
“This significant seizure of a potentially fatal hard narcotic like fentanyl underscores the reality of the drug threat our frontline officers are facing and their commitment to upholding our border security mission,” said Port Director Liliana Flores.
CBP seized the drugs and the vehicle and turned the driver over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/07/american-woman-caught-with-nearly-550k-worth-fentanyl-us-mexico-border/
| 2022-04-07T23:35:18
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Appeals court OKs Biden federal employee vaccine mandate
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Joe Biden’s requirement that all federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 was upheld Thursday by a federal appeals court.
In a 2-1 ruling, a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court and ordered dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the mandate. The ruling, a rare win for the administration at the New Orleans-based appellate court, said that the federal judge didn’t have jurisdiction in the case and those challenging the requirement could have pursued administrative remedies under Civil Service law.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas by then-President Donald Trump, had issued a nationwide injunction against the requirement in January.
When the case was argued at the 5th Circuit last month, administration lawyers had noted that district judges in a dozen jurisdictions had rejected a challenge to the vaccine requirement for federal workers before Brown ruled.
The administration argued that the Constitution gives the president, as the head of the federal workforce, the same authority as the CEO of a private corporation to require that employees be vaccinated.
Lawyers for those challenging the mandate had pointed to a recent Supreme Court opinion that the government cannot force private employers to require employee vaccinations.
Twelve of 17 active judges at the 5th Circuit were nominated to the court by Republicans, including six Trump appointees.
Judges Carl Stewart and James Dennis, both nominated to the court by President Bill Clinton, were in the majority. Judge Rhesa Barksdale, a senior judge nominated by President George H.W. Bush, dissented, saying the relief the challengers sought does not fall under the Civil Service Reform Act cited by the administration.
The case marked ideological divides at the appeals court even before Thursday’s ruling.
A different panel had refused in February to block Brown’s ruling pending the appeal. That panel’s vote was 2-1. There were no reasons given by the majority — Judge Jerry Smith, a President Ronald Reagan nominee, and Don Willett, a Trump nominee.
But there was a lengthy dissent by Judge Stephen Higginson, a nominee of President Barack Obama, who said a single district judge “lacking public health expertise and made unaccountable through life tenure,” should not be able to block the president from ordering the same type of COVID-19 safety measures many private sector CEOs have ordered.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/07/appeals-court-oks-biden-federal-employee-vaccine-mandate/
| 2022-04-07T23:35:25
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Man had ‘no idea’ after TSA stops him from boarding plane with sword hidden in cane
Published: Apr. 7, 2022 at 5:14 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
(Gray News) – TSA agents in Boston stopped a man from boarding a plane with a sword on his person.
The man was attempting to board a plane at Logan Airport on Tuesday, according to a post on Twitter from TSA_NewEngland.
How did he make it that far into the airport? It was hidden in his cane.
When Massachusetts state police questioned him on it, they say the man said he had “no idea” the blade was in there.
He was cleared to continue onto the flight after his cane was claimed by the TSA.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/07/man-had-no-idea-after-tsa-stops-him-boarding-plane-with-sword-hidden-cane/
| 2022-04-07T23:35:35
| 0
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https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/07/man-had-no-idea-after-tsa-stops-him-boarding-plane-with-sword-hidden-cane/
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Olmsted County Public Health Services honors public health workers
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – It’s happening in droves. Public health workers across the country are packing up, and leaving the field all together.
According to a CDC survey, the exodus of people working public health stems from a variety of issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The report cites things from receiving job-related threats, work harassment and mental health impacts from working in healthcare during the pandemic.
In Olmsted County, the new Olmsted County Public Health Services director said it’s passion -- and working in the Med City -- that help keep employees in the field.
“Nationally, they are looking at about 25 percent of staff leaving the field,” Olmsted County Public Health Services director Denise Daniels said. “I’ll be honest, locally we have been very fortunate. Hopefully that trend continues locally for us and we can keep people here doing the good work that they’ve been doing.”
This week, OCPHS is honoring its employees in light of National Public Health week. This year’s theme is “public health is where you are.”
“Public health is where you are. It’s all of us. It really is. It takes our entire community to create a healthier place for people to live. One of the things we look at is social determinant to make sure everybody has the same chance and opportunity for optimal health,” Daniels said. “We all can play a role in that. The neighborhoods we live in, are they safe? Access to healthcare. Good paying jobs. They all play into it.”
Throughout the pandemic, OCPHS have been focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, during pandemic times, OCPHS has been leading an effort to investigate and recommend actions to address racism as a public issue. Final recommendations will be sent to the board of commissioners from two Olmsted County advisory groups later this year.
While OCPHS is working to honor its employees this week, its encouraging Olmsted County residents to take part in some of its local efforts:
- Provide input on race and racism as a public health issue initiative.
- Serve on the Public Health Services Advisory Board or attend public meetings.
- Learn about the highest health needs in Olmsted County through the Community Health Assessment and Planning (CHAP).
- Join our Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) initiatives.
Copyright 2022 KTTC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/07/olmsted-county-public-health-services-honors-public-health-workers/
| 2022-04-07T23:35:42
| 0
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https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/07/olmsted-county-public-health-services-honors-public-health-workers/
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Walmart offering new truck drivers up to $110K starting pay
NEW YORK (AP) - Walmart workers who once unloaded trucks now have a chance to drive them.
The nation’s largest retailer has launched a training program that gives employees who work in its distribution or fulfillment centers a chance to become certified Walmart truck drivers through a 12-week program taught by the company’s established drivers.
Walmart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, also said it is raising pay for its 12,000 truck drivers. The starting range for new drivers will now be between $95,000 and $110,000, according to Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield. The retailer said that $87,500 had been the average that new truck drivers could make in their first year.
The moves announced Thursday come as the pandemic has made trucker shortages more severe as demand to move freight reaches historic highs. The American Trucking Associations, a large industry trade group, estimates that the nation is short about 80,000 drivers.
Walmart said about 20 workers in Dallas and Dover, Delaware, have earned their commercial driver’s licenses. About 400 to 800 workers in the company’s supply-chain network are expected to complete the truck-driving program this year, Hatfield said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/07/walmart-offering-new-truck-drivers-up-110k-starting-pay/
| 2022-04-07T23:35:48
| 1
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https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/07/walmart-offering-new-truck-drivers-up-110k-starting-pay/
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| 2022-04-07T23:36:11
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/cottage-grove-industrial-park-gets-ok-for-phase-one/
| 2022-04-07T23:36:17
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/fed-accelerates-steps-to-fight-inflation/
| 2022-04-07T23:36:23
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/fed-accelerates-steps-to-fight-inflation/
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Beyond the Skyline is a podcast about economic development, commercial real estate and construction in Minnesota. Above all, it’s a show about what’s next, creativity and the innovation in technology that are changing how we work and shaping the future of business throughout our state.
In this week’s episode, F&C reporter J.D. Duggan talks to Dean Dovolis, founder and owner of DJR Architecture. Dovolis started DJR in the mid-1980s and has since been involved in many community-oriented and affordable-housing developments.
In this interview, Dovolis talks about the rapid changes coming in real estate development related to affordable housing and community ownership.
Like this podcast? Gain access to more great content with a month-to-month subscription. Start your subscription here.
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/interview-dean-dovolis-owner-djr-architecture-developments/
| 2022-04-07T23:36:29
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/interview-dean-dovolis-owner-djr-architecture-developments/
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/is-inflation-limiting-corporate-profits/
| 2022-04-07T23:36:35
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/is-inflation-limiting-corporate-profits/
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/just-sold-new-woodbury-lakes-petsuites-sells-for-5-2m/
| 2022-04-07T23:36:42
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/major-industrial-developments-planned-for-corcoran/
| 2022-04-07T23:36:48
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/major-industrial-developments-planned-for-corcoran/
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/st-paul-c-i-permit-activity-down-in-first-quarter/
| 2022-04-07T23:36:54
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/u-s-jobless-claims-stay-historically-low/
| 2022-04-07T23:37:00
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/yellen-seeks-cryptocurrency-regulations/
| 2022-04-07T23:37:07
| 1
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https://finance-commerce.com/2022/04/yellen-seeks-cryptocurrency-regulations/
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Brianna Wilson
Updated: April 07, 2022 05:31 PM
Created: April 07, 2022 05:00 PM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Earlier this week, President Joe Biden extended the pause on student loan payments through August. It is the seventh extension on those payments.
"It's really helped millions of student loan borrowers that have faced a lot of economic hardship through the pandemic," said David Hicks, partner and investment advisor with Oakmont Advisory.
Hicks said while it's nice to have thousands of extra dollars around to save or put toward other necessary expenses, it might be worth it to continue making those loan payments.
"On the other hand, those people that can take advantage of this and pay that debt now at zero interest rate, that's really going to benefit them in the long run," he said.
Hicks said the average student debt is close to $28,000 and the average federal student loan rate is 4.1%.
"You're going to be paying for that life of that loan, about $35,000 for that $28,000 balance, because about $6,400 will be eaten up with interest," Hicks said. "So if you made payments, let's just say you made payments through the past two years and kept making those payments, you would have saved right around $2,500 of interest. So almost cut that interest in half."
Hicks also said interest rates are increasing now so new student loan debts are likely to be higher than what previous borrowers had to pay.
"Some people just wishing and hoping that all student loan debt will actually be canceled. That was one of the things that President Biden has said and stated that may be coming down the road," Hicks said.
On Wednesday, Rep. Melanie Stansbury tweeted that while another pause is important progress, it is not the end.
Yesterday, @POTUS suspended student debt payments until August 31! This is important progress—but not the end. We must #CancelStudentDebt. https://t.co/bwikhJe8f6
— Rep. Melanie Stansbury (@Rep_Stansbury) April 6, 2022
Stansbury's office also sent KOB 4 the following statement:
"Far too many New Mexicans are saddled by crushing student debt, forcing them to put their dreams and opportunities on hold. New Mexico is leading the nation, under the leadership of Governor Lujan Grisham and our legislature, in making college free for all. This week's federal pause on student loan repayment is a step in the right direction, but we must cancel student debt and extend free college across the country. It's good for our people, good for our economy, and good for our country."
Copyright 2022 - KOB-TV LLC, A Hubbard Broadcasting Company
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https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/advice-on-navigating-the-student-loan-payment-pause/6440064/?cat=500
| 2022-04-07T23:40:37
| 1
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https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/advice-on-navigating-the-student-loan-payment-pause/6440064/?cat=500
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Kai Porter
Updated: April 07, 2022 05:10 PM
Created: April 07, 2022 04:45 PM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It's been two months since an Albuquerque man reportedly crashed into a school bus full of students while street racing.
49-year-old Mario Perez appeared by video from jail for his detention hearing Thursday afternoon. Prosecutors argued Perez is a danger to the community, asking the judge to hold him without bond.
"In regards to conditions of release, your honor, there are no conditions that the court could reasonably impose," said Ashlee Mills, prosecutor.
Prosecutors said Perez was street racing a blue Mustang on Gibson Boulevard SW in February when he crashed his white Mustang into the side of a school bus full of children, causing it to flip on its side.
According to an arrest warrant, a witness estimated the two Mustangs were racing at more than 110 mph in a 40 mph zone.
During the detention hearing, Perez was questioned by his defense attorney about the injuries he suffered in the crash.
Perez: I'm unable to walk. I am relegated to a wheelchair due to injuries. I have a broken right leg and I have a broken left foot.
Defense: In what condition are you able to drive at this point?
Perez: No sir, I can barely even walk at this point with a walker, let alone drive anything.
At the end of Thursday's hearing, Judge Alisa Hart decided prosecutors did not prove their case that no conditions of release could protect the community. She ordered Perez to be released – under one big condition.
Judge: You are not to drive while this case is pending, any questions about that?
Perez: No ma'am, not at all.
Judge: Are you going to follow the instructions of the court?
Perez: 100%, ma'am.
Judge: And if your leg heals and your foot heals and you're capable of driving, you have to understand that you are not permitted to drive by the order of the court, is that clear?
Perez: That is clear, ma'am.
The judge warned if Perez does drive, he'll be back in jail. The judge also ordered Perez not to leave the state and have no contact with any of the crash victims.
Perez is charged with two counts of great bodily injury by vehicle, with reckless driving. Two students were seriously hurt in the crash.
Copyright 2022 - KOB-TV LLC, A Hubbard Broadcasting Company
|
https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/man-charged-with-crashing-into-albuquerque-school-bus-released-ahead-of-trial/6440062/?cat=500
| 2022-04-07T23:40:44
| 0
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https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/man-charged-with-crashing-into-albuquerque-school-bus-released-ahead-of-trial/6440062/?cat=500
|
Christina Rodriguez
Created: April 07, 2022 03:53 PM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Health reported 18 additional COVID-19-related deaths and 126 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday.
There are currently 63 individuals hospitalized in New Mexico with COVID-19.
The NMDOH has modified its daily reporting of COVID-19 data. Their data dashboard no longer includes a daily breakdown of new cases and deaths in each county.
Hospitalizations
Deaths
Cases
Tests
For more information, click here.
Copyright 2022 - KOB-TV LLC, A Hubbard Broadcasting Company
|
https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/new-mexico-covid-19-update-18-new-deaths-63-hospitalizations-126-cases/6440001/?cat=500
| 2022-04-07T23:40:50
| 1
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https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/new-mexico-covid-19-update-18-new-deaths-63-hospitalizations-126-cases/6440001/?cat=500
|
Jonathan Fjeld
Updated: April 07, 2022 05:23 PM
Created: April 07, 2022 02:33 PM
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, N.M. — Crews are working to fully suppress a wildfire that began as a prescribed burn 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
The U.S. Forest Service declared the Las Dispensas burn to be a wildfire around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The burn started in suitable weather conditions – but unexpected, variable winds caused multiple fires to spark and spread outside of the project boundary late Wednesday afternoon.
The wildfire is estimated at over 150 acres is in a remote location. No private property is directly threatened at this time.
The fire is expected to most northwest toward the Pecos Wilderness – from near the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest where the prescribed burn began.
Winds are expected to be out of the northwest at 5 to 15 mph, with temperatures in the high-50s and 60s, in the area.
Copyright 2022 - KOB-TV LLC, A Hubbard Broadcasting Company
|
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/hermits-peak-wildfire-declared-in-santa-fe-national-forest/6439935/?cat=500
| 2022-04-07T23:40:56
| 1
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https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/hermits-peak-wildfire-declared-in-santa-fe-national-forest/6439935/?cat=500
|
Susan Montoya Bryan
Created: April 07, 2022 01:08 PM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. government, environmentalists and an energy company have reached a settlement over contested oil and gas leases in an area held sacred by Native American tribes.
The agreement this week would pause drilling on a few dozen parcels in northwestern New Mexico near Chaco Culture National Historical Park while federal land managers conduct an environmental review and consult with tribes.
The spotlight already is on the region as U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has initiated a plan for halting development on hundreds of square miles of federal land around Chaco park and providing a pathway for tribes to be more involved in decision-making.
(Copyright 2022 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
|
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/us-agency-to-review-oil-gas-leases-near-chaco-in-new-mexico/6439860/?cat=500
| 2022-04-07T23:41:02
| 0
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https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/us-agency-to-review-oil-gas-leases-near-chaco-in-new-mexico/6439860/?cat=500
|
It's Opening Day in Major League Baseball, and fans are getting ready to head to the stadium to kick off the season.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will take the field against the San Diego Padres at 6:40 p.m. And if you're going to the game at Chase Field tonight, a new study says that you'll have the cheapest game day experience in the league.
Based on research done by
time2play.com, an online gambling website, the D-backs not only have the lowest average ticket price ($21.38), but the cost of a ticket, two beers, a hot dog, and parking is the best in baseball at $46.13.
The most expensive baseball experiences aren't much of a shocker: the Chicago Cubs are the priciest ($110.17 for a ticket, two beers, hot dog, and parking), followed by the New York Yankees ($102.70) and the Boston Red Sox (101.36).
In addition to the analysis of stadium prices, the study also included the results of a poll of more than 1,000 baseball fans.
The poll found that 74 percent of respondents plan on going to a MLB game this season. Of the 26 percent who do not plan to attend, 37 percent are still staying away from the stadium because of the pandemic.
Tickets to Opening Day at Chase Field are still available and
can be found here.
|
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/the-d-backs-are-the-cheapest-game-day-experience-in-baseball-a-new-study-says-13383609
| 2022-04-07T23:44:58
| 1
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https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/the-d-backs-are-the-cheapest-game-day-experience-in-baseball-a-new-study-says-13383609
|
When she was in high school, Arianna Muñoz was charged with possession of narcotics because she was carrying a vape cartridge and a gram of wax concentrate. Despite being a medical marijuana cardholder in 2019, once Muñoz set foot outside a dispensary, she was illegally in possession of narcotics. “That’s the way the laws were written,” said Muñoz, who hired a lawyer, wore an ankle monitor, and served probation for more than two years.
Today, carrying up to 5 grams of concentrate in Arizona results in no penalty, no fine, and no jail time.
Muñoz’s story is like countless others from people who were hurt by the war on drugs. As a result, she is also one of some 1,500 applicants who qualified and filed for the last 26 social equity adult-use dispensary licenses in Arizona, due to be issued in a random drawing by the Arizona Department of Health Services on Friday.
These remaining licenses were designed to serve as reparations to those like Muñoz, the 22-year-old director of special projects at the Marijuana Industry Trade Association. Licenses are estimated to be worth anywhere from $8 million to $15 million, and Muñoz hopes to be one of the lucky 26 to cash in.
“I wake up and the first thing I do is check the AZ DHS website to see if any updates are coming out because it is honestly news that could change my life,” said Muñoz, who already is trying to plan where to establish her dispensary if she becomes a lottery winner. AZDHS has allotted a time frame of 18 months for would-be social equity licensees to apply for approval to operate a marijuana establishment.
But a major obstacle stands in the way of potential social equity license holders like Muñoz, in the form of city zoning.
Despite knowing about the upcoming social equity license lottery that was announced last year, the city of Tucson delayed the development of proper zoning for incoming social equity licensees until this March. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and the city council met to begin the lengthy process of amending the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC).
According to Tucson’s Planning and Development Services Department, the UDC amendment process will take about six months. That will be followed by a period of 90 to 180 more days to create a new special exception process, which will determine how social equity license holders will set up shop in Tucson.
All that time eats into the 18 months allotted for social equity licensees to identify a properly zoned location and apply for approval to operate.
“Our zoning code only allows that dual-use, not standalone adult-use dispensaries,” said Koren Manning, planning administrator for the city of Tucson.
She explained that the special acceptance process involves neighborhood meetings, and at least one public hearing to deal with neighborhood compatibility, traffic congestion, and other factors like crowd control to ensure there is proper land use compatibility.
“We got that direction just a couple of weeks ago,” Manning said, referring to the mayor and council meeting in March that initiated the code amendment process. “At this point, we haven’t yet begun our stakeholder engagement.”
That is a critical part of developing a special exception land-use proposal involving discussions with potential neighbors and industry leaders such as the Marijuana Industry Trade Association and Arizona NORML.
“I think it’s unfortunate that there are so many pretenders who purport to be advocates of social equity applicants who are going out of their way to make life as difficult as they possibly can for the true bonafide social equity applicants and submitted applicants,” said Jon Udell, political director of Arizona NORML and co-chair of Rose Law Group’s cannabis department.
“Tucson is one of the more progressive cities in the state of Arizona and they seem poised to have some of the worst zoning rules out there with this special exception process that’s creating a bunch of extra hoops for social equity applicants to jump through,” Udell said.
Obtaining proper zoning is often challenging in Arizona, with many cities and towns having passed ordinances that forbid any dispensaries to set up shop within their borders.
But delaying a lengthy process that will knowingly affect incoming dispensary owners raises questions about the city’s motives.
“I can’t figure out why Tucson is so inept at best, and, at worst, are they in some way working with some of my friends in the industry to keep the competition out? If they are, I’m going to find out,” said Demitri Downing, the MITA founder and a former lobbyist.
By delaying the zoning process for social equity license holders, Tucson may be preventing many licensees from looking to Arizona's second city to set up retail establishments, keeping competition at bay, and in turn, propping up marijuana prices where locations for purchase are few and far between.
Marijuana dispensary chain Verilife commissioned a survey in 2020 that ranked each state by the number of marijuana dispensaries per 100,000 residents. States with the highest number of dispensaries were Oregon (16.5) and Oklahoma (15.6). The lowest-ranked states at zero dispensaries per 100,000 residents were West Virginia and Texas, two states where recreational use of marijuana is still prohibited.
Arizona had 1.4 dispensaries per 100,00 residents.
The German consumer database company Statista released data last May that showed Colorado having more than 6 times the number of dispensaries compared to Arizona by the end of 2020.
“Really, it’s totally counterproductive but that’s not incredibly surprising because we all know the real motives are to cement their local monopoly on the market and their regional oligopoly on a statewide basis,” said Udell.
Downing and Udell see Tucson's actions as damaging toward would-be social equity dispensary license owners and act as barriers to entry in a town that promotes progressive values.
It’s important to note that states like Colorado dice up dispensary licenses to serve as manufacturing, transportation, or cultivation-specific licenses, compared to Arizona, where a single license encompasses everything. Given the various tiers of dispensary licenses in Colorado, Udell said, “there are a lot more ways to get into the industry and, as a result, a lot more competition, and a lot more competition leads to a lot lower prices.”
Manning was not able to comment on delays in zoning discussions. “We’re a busy city and we’re just working on these things as we are directed to,” she said. “That aspect and the timing with the state process, I really haven’t been involved in.”
When Muñoz found out about the zoning delays in Tucson, she began to rethink her plans to set up shop there.
“When I had seen in the news that they were actually creating this special exemption process and they weren’t even allowed in the city in time, that totally killed my option of looking in that area,” Muñoz said. “They said some phrase like, ‘We’re seeing what the other cities are doing and creating it based off that.’”
Muñoz decided to do her own research, calling major cities and towns to understand their zoning ordinances in each jurisdiction. She kept a spreadsheet and began calling city planners throughout the state, leaving messages and writing down their responses.
Muñoz found that many of her inquiries were left unanswered or left her asking further questions. She found that although Chandler does not allow adult-use dispensaries, Tempe requires no special zoning process for adult-use dispensaries. She also found that Flagstaff, like Tucson, was holding off on creating a process and will be discussing the program on April 12 following Friday's social equity license drawing.
Much like Tucson, Phoenix does not currently allow stand-alone adult-use dispensaries unless they are an accessory to a medical marijuana dispensary, according to the Phoenix Planning and Development Department.
“We’re all really focused on Tucson because they’re the ones making news right now, but there’s going to be a lot of eggs to crack across the entire state to get 26 dispensaries open,” Udell said.
“Would you risk going to Tucson?” asked Downing. “Hell no. You’re going to find a jurisdiction that has favorable zoning.” He’s astonished at the city’s poor timing and thinks the 26 new adult-use license holders should have the same — if not better — zoning than existing dual-use license holders.
Downing’s opinion is shared by others, who say that adult-use dispensaries are less of a “dispensary” than one that serves both adult and medicinal use.
“You’d think those people who favor cannabis, favor patient access, more locations, favor social equity licenses, would give them the same zoning opportunities, if not more favorable. You'd think that would happen,” Downing said.
He hopes that Tucson would consider calling a special emergency session to expedite the process but is not optimistic that the city will. Besides, depending on the outcome of the UDC amendment and special exception process, Tucson may decide on a more complex structure for social equity license holders to go up against in an 18-month time frame.
“We are experts in doing that, finding those and running those through planning and zoning meetings to get those approvals,” said Doug Cole, a spokesperson for Copperstate Farms in an interview with AZ Mirror in November.
Copperstate Farms, which operates Sol Flower brand dispensaries across the state, is backing 110 applicants for the social equity program. Even with the size and expertise that Cole’s company packs, “that is going to be a sprint to get that done in 18 months,” he said.
If a company like Copperstate Farms — one of the largest greenhouse cannabis producers in the country with more than 150 employees and an estimated $1 million in sales per year — sprints to the finish line in 18 months, imagine how individuals raising enough money for a chance to own a license will fare.
“There’s a lot of folks out there that are just ignoring all those people who spend lots of time and, some of them, lots of money to get in the lottery at a chance of improving their lives,” Udell said.
In the end, Udell remains optimistic because Tucson plans to hold a stakeholder meeting to determine the best path forward with respect to zoning. Udell will attend the stakeholder meeting representing AZ NORML as will Downing, who will represent MITA.
“Hopefully, the right arguments will persuade the right calls and arrive at a set of zoning rules that really are good for the state of Arizona,” Udell said, “not just for wealthy people that own dispensaries already.”
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https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/marijuana/arizonas-cannabis-social-equity-program-applicants-face-major-obstacle-13370863
| 2022-04-07T23:45:09
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https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/marijuana/arizonas-cannabis-social-equity-program-applicants-face-major-obstacle-13370863
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The global headquarters of the Aryan Nations Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is hidden in plain sight, not in some part of the country you might expect, but right here in metro Phoenix.
The KKK evokes images of mass rallies and terrorizing Black churches in the South, but today it's a far cry from the violent, secret fraternal society founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, on Christmas Eve 1865 to resist the emancipation of slaves.
They went from burning crosses near Atlanta and plotting to blow up the Oklahoma City federal building to hiding out in the Idaho Panhandle.
Now, a ragtag group of about 30 have set up the world HQ inside a Glendale apartment that fronts as a record store.
A paper trail of propaganda, legal documents, social media, and CDs unmistakably links the group's leaders, 40-year-old David James Miner and 66-year-old Morris Lynn Gulett, to an emerging campaign of hate in Arizona.
Local leaders are not bashful about it.
"It would be better if we let out who we are and our intentions," Miner told Phoenix New Times. "We want to make sure that we don't lose to the enemy: Satanic Jewish Forces."
Gulett did not respond to multiple interview requests, however.
Long a formidable neo-Nazi group, the Aryan Nations Knights were "homeless, split, accused of blackmail, and in jeopardy of irrelevance" in 2019, before relocating to Arizona, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
While the KKK and Nazis are not synonymous, those ideologies overlap with the Aryan Nations Knights. The group praises Adolf Hitler's ideas and politics, leading it to "throw off several traditional Klan symbols," according to its recruitment website. The Nazi flag replaces the traditional Klan insignia, for instance. Love of Nazism distinguishes Aryan Nations members from other Klansmen.
The Klan has been ousted from its home again and again over the decades, crippled by lawsuits, internal tumult, and the evolving nature of alt-right extremism.
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI have called Aryan Nations a domestic terrorism group.
The Aryan Nations Knights set up their latest global headquarters in 2020, using a modest Glendale apartment to sell hateful CDs. Long after abandoning an amply funded, militarized compound in the Idaho Panhandle, leaders thought Arizona would be an ideal place to recruit new members.
"I used to live in Glendale, and a lot of our kindred are here," Miner said.
He added that he now leads the national group after Gulett retired and that it relocated to Arizona earlier. Neither claim could be independently confirmed.
Experts are not surprised the group came here.
"There are states that emerge as havens for hate crime by the kind of hot-button issues that can be exploited," said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University-San Bernardino. "Arizona is the perfect place."
Riding the U.S.-Mexico border, and controlled by Republicans — some of whom peddle extremist conspiracy theories themselves — Arizona was an attractive destination for the Aryan Nations Knights, Levin said.
The group's mission is as ambitious as it is vicious: to resegregate America and exterminate non-Aryans, primarily Jewish people, along the way.
"It is sad that radicalized individuals feel the need to join small extremist groups like this," said Paul Rockower, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix.
"Hate is a powerful drug," he added.
The trappings of the KKK, the flowing white robes, pointed hoods, and the Blood Drop Cross, are vestiges of the past. They no longer represent the new face of alt-right extremism. Other groups, with overlapping messages, are in the ascendancy. But the Aryan Nations Knights of the Ku Klux Klan are evolving with the times.
So You Want to Be a Klansman?
If you dial the Nazi group's West Valley phone number, you may think you reached a record store.
It's really the living room of that Glendale apartment on 80th Avenue — the new world headquarters for the group that once staked claim to an Idaho fortress on 20 acres of alpine forest.
The residential address is also listed on the website of Black Metal Cult Records, a National Socialist "hate music" group associated with Aryan Nations, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The group might be short on members, but aspiring Nazis still need to prove their worthiness with a written test.
Applicants face such conventional Bible trivia questions as "Do you know who Adam and Eve were?" followed by a thought-provoking open response question with enough space for a five-word answer: "What are your feelings about Jews?"
If the test is returned with favorable marks, all that remains is to send $30 to the Aryan Nations' official CashApp account, which is linked directly to the recruitment website.
Once the nation's most notorious enclave for anti-Semitism and racism, Aryan Nations now milks its followers for money by selling $100 magazines, charging monthly dues, and begging for contributions to a "building fund" that would liberate members from their Glendale apartment and allow for a new church and world headquarters to be built in Phoenix.
Black Metal Cult Records
Tumbleweeds bounce gently through the dirt in the front yard of the triplex apartment building at 7000 block of North 80th Avenue in Glendale.
It's a stone's throw from Independence High School in the Glendale Crossings neighborhood.
Overturned garbage cans litter the dead-end road lined with palm trees and unassuming stucco multi-family homes.
The building is meant to house three families.
Instead, apartment #1 was occupied by Aryan Nations' Arizona leader David James Miner until 2019, public records show, but it still serves as the hate group's headquarters. It's not clear who rents the space now, but neighbors describe a white woman there. She stands out in the predominantly Latino neighborhood.
Two Hispanic families live next door to a notorious anti-Mexican hate group and had no idea what was going on behind closed doors in the other unit.
"I've never seen anything weird. She has more visitors than anyone," said a 44-year-old mother who works at Amazon and has lived there since June. New Times is choosing to withhold her name to protect her safety. "I see people come and go."
The building's owner, Juan Enrique Ramos, did not respond to questions from New Times.
Black Metal Cult Records prides itself as "a record label for white people" in a Google link to its website.
Since it was established in 2007, the record label has signed 17 neo-Nazi bands in the U.S. and Europe, according to Encyclopaedia Metallum.
Music held a unique significance and power in the Nazi imagination. It was used in the Third Reich to stir up anti-Semitic sentiment.
Hitler carried a knapsack into the field of battle during World War I which included music by composer Richard Wagner, who authored an anti-Semitic essay in 1850 called "Judaism in Music," insisting the Jewish population poisoned public taste in the arts.
The neo-Nazi music scene inherited the tradition of using hate in music to strike a chord with followers in the Klan and other National Socialist groups.
Record labels like Black Metal Cult Records peddle Nazi ideals in lyrics between the tones of heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars.
In 2018, the record label released Beware of Jews! from the band Gaskammer, the Dutch word for gas chamber. The band hails from Bulgaria, once an ally of Nazi Germany, but it relocated to Phoenix to produce music for the Aryan Nations-controlled record company.
"Do not trust any Jew and be aware of them," lead singer Georgi Georgiev, who goes by the stage name Okupator, sings on the track. "Everything they have done is to destroy our lives. History will prove that they have no place in our times. ...Worthless human scum."
Counterfeit COVID Cards
As the desperate search for new members puts a strain on the once-powerful organization's consolidated operation near Glendale Avenue, attention has shifted to churning out counterfeit COVID-19 vaccine cards.
The Aryan Nations website, touting that its "World Headquarters" is in Phoenix, makes accessible a fraudulent proof of a vaccine printout and asks members to "copy and share this with everybody you know."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides bona fide clinics across the country with legitimate COVID-19 vaccine cards stamped with the federal emblem to give to patients who receive the vaccine.
The CDC logo appears on the counterfeit printout, constituting a federal felony offense for any Aryan Nations member who takes the bait.
A conviction for federal forgery warrants five to 10 years in prison and fines ranging from $10,000 to $25,000.
Last June, Aryan Nations peppered neighborhoods in Glendale and Litchfield Park with anti-Semitic and racist flyers.
The flyers, depicting Jewish people as rats and calling them "THE REAL PLAGUE," littered predominantly white neighborhoods in the West Valley.
Three months later, Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers censured "hateful and threatening speech that has been, or ever will be, distributed in and throughout our city," although the origin of the propaganda campaign wasn't fully known to city leaders at the time.
The Aryan Nations is defiant. Miner told New Times the group plans to renew leafleting in Phoenix during Passover, which starts April 15.
The practice of leafleting, a recruitment method that tests the appetite for extremism in a neighborhood, didn't have a large impact on the Aryan Nations' self-reported membership of just 30 people.
As recently as late February, the organization pleaded to users of the alt-tech social networking service Gab, known for its alt-right user base, to join the Klan.
"Adolf Hitler is a true hero to our people," Miner posted on Gab in early March.
A Tradition of Hate
Modern extremists are replacing swastikas, Klan robes, and stiff-armed salutes with the star-spangled letter Q, experts agree. But the conspiratorial predecessor to QAnon shares some of its scare tactics.
"In today's fragmented world, extremists are intertwining not only different conspiracy theories but also the brand names of that past," said Levin, the extremism expert at California State University-San Bernardino.
Levin verified that the Aryan Nations recruitment website is real.
"In the 1980s, it was the Nazification of the Klan," he said. "In 2022, it's the Klanification of the Nazis."
Aryan Nations leans heavily on the conspiracy theory that the white race is "endangered" and that, without resorting to violence, Aryans will be killed off by Jewish people who are also pedophiles.
Aryan Nations Knights claim that the Sieg Heil salute and swastika have biblical origins and bolster their conspiracy theories with fabricated biblical passages in which God says the white race is superior.
It's all peddled in the Phoenix-based Church of Jesus Christ Christian, a tax-exempt, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Because of its status, tax documents detailing the group's finances and leadership are not public.
But according to its new Phoenix-area recruitment website, "Aryan Nations has always been, and always will be, the reason Jews walk down the street in fear."
That slogan is pasted on the website's homepage.
Coming to Phoenix
Twenty years ago, the Grand Canyon State was far removed from the minds of today's Aryan Nations leaders.
Gulett's face was illuminated by the light of three fiery wooden crosses at his ordainment on a Georgia hillside in 2001. He was becoming the leader of what he today calls "the most feared and revered White Supremacist organization the world has ever known."
In 2001, Aryan Nations was licking its wounds. It had gone belly up on a $6.3 million lawsuit after armed guards at the Hayden, Idaho, compound shot Victoria Keenan and her son Jason in 1998.
Bullets whizzed through the crisp Rocky Mountain air, repeatedly striking the family car until it crashed into a ditch. Klansmen held the mother and son at gunpoint until it was determined the Keenans were white non-Jews.
As plaintiffs in the lawsuit, the Keenans alleged Aryan Nations founder Pastor Richard G. Butler and his organization were "grossly negligent in selecting and supervising the guards."
An Idaho District Court judge ordered Aryan Nations to surrender the 20-acre compound near the Canadian border to the Keenans, who had been driving home from a wedding. The traumatized family sold the property to a philanthropist who donated it to a local college.
Both the group and its founder, Butler, were on the brink of death. Butler entrusted Gulett, then a bright-eyed 46-year-old Nazi, with lifting the organization off its deathbed.
With the help of neo-Nazi protégé Shaun Patrick Winkler, the Aryan Nations Knights of the Ku Klux Klan resurrected the Idaho compound, complete with a church, guard towers, and several other buildings, in 2012. It hosted cross-burning ceremonies there until 2019.
Nazi flags billowed from each side of a guard tower where robed sentinels watched for police and protesters around the clock. Another massive Nazi flag was painted on the roof.
"I say this again today, that we need to look at the perspective of the Jews and look at what they've done to us to fire back," Winkler said at the time, as quoted by the Southern Poverty Law Center. "We're messengers, and Pastor Butler said the same thing. We don't carry out deeds unless we feel the Holy Spirit moves us to do so. We're generally a legal organization."
Winkler ran for sheriff in Bonner County, Idaho, but his bid tanked and he finished last among three candidates.
After the loss, he tangled with anti-Aryan Nations protesters at a Mexican Restaurant in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, calling one a "retarded Hispanic cunt" who "needed to leave his town because she was not welcome," the Southern Poverty Law Center recorded.
He was arrested, but the city prosecutor declined to pursue charges. Winkler could not be reached for comment.
Then, Winkler and his circle of intimates dropped off the radar. Until recently.
Gulett and Miner haven't made much progress recruiting new members since relocating to the Valley.
"We have some recruiting we want to do," Miner told New Times. "The problem is that our members are getting arrested."
Gulett followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Butler as a career criminal.
"Gulett has an extensive criminal history which includes shoplifting, aggravated assault, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, homicide, felonious assault, possession of drugs, and receiving stolen property," an FBI agent wrote in a 2005 affidavit, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In 1997, Gulett spent time in prison for ramming a police car in Dayton, Ohio.
After his arrest in 2005 for conspiring to rob a bank, Gulett pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to six years, finally getting out in 2010.
His 40-year-old disciple hasn't stayed out of trouble either.
Miner was detained at a neo-Nazi event in Arizona last April that coincided with Hitler's birthday. He harassed people at Chandler's Eastlake Park, spouting profane racial slurs and destroying the flag of Israel.
The group ripped and burned Israeli flags at the park, a landmark for the Black community, before trekking to the U.S.-Mexico border to witness "evidence" of an illegal migrant crisis.
Miner's co-conspirator at the event, National Socialist Movement leader Burt Colucci, was arrested and indicted on aggravated assault charges by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office last month.
Colucci twice confronted a group of Black men and "began throwing trash on their car, using racial slurs, and threatened to kill them," police alleged in a booking sheet filed in court records.
Colucci did not deny drawing his gun during the altercation, according to the same court records.
Miner's own criminal record dates to 1999 and includes numerous felony convictions on charges such as drug possession, aggravated assault, criminal damage, assault with a deadly weapon, and theft, all in Maricopa County, records show.
Miner is a familiar face at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, spokesperson Kahri Harrion said.
Aryan Nations was responsible for far worse crimes over the years. In the 1980s, members murdered Alan Berg, a Denver talk-show radio host who was Jewish. They also bombed a synagogue, robbed banks, and stole millions of dollars from armored cars.
Aryan Nations Klansmen are also culpable for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
Timothy McVeigh, the Aryan Nations member who detonated the bomb that killed 19 children and 149 adults, hatched his plan in Kingman with the aid of other residents of the city. McVeigh was executed in 2001.
Since then, the group has failed to shed its reputation for committing violent crimes.
"We condemn violence, but there will be a day when everyone has to decide what side they're on," Miner said.
But just last month, a judge in Sacramento sentenced Phoenix Aryan Nations member Nicholas Wayne Sherman to 180 days in jail for his role in an anti-Semitic terrorism spree.
Sherman, 33, was arrested in December on 12 counts of terrorism and one count of desecrating a religious symbol two months earlier. He was found guilty of plastering photos of Hitler across a menorah at a nearby synagogue.
He was also caught on security footage littering an elementary school with swastikas, officials said at the time.
"All crimes hurt not just the victim, but the entire community," Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said after the arrest. "This is especially true of crimes motivated by hate."
Prosecutors noted that one condition of Sherman's probation was to bar him owing or spreading Nazi propaganda.
Not that Miner, who confirmed Sherman's membership, cares.
The Glendale Aryan Nations recruitment website urges members to attend Holocaust remembrances and "steal the show by disputing what they have to say" and to "be as radical as you feel the situation warrants."
Phoenix police "do not have any trends involving the KKK," Sergeant Philip Krynsky told New Times.
The FBI declined to comment about whether it was aware of the domestic terrorism group's existence in Phoenix.
Regardless, the ideology it peddles is reprehensible, said Levin, the terrorism expert.
"The Klan used to be able to go out in public because they represented the community," he said. "Now, even if you're an extremist, that's not the hill you want to plant the flag on."
Boomer Extremists
Levin describes today's Aryan Nations Klansmen as the Baby Boomers of the extremist world: washed-up, unthreatening, and obsolete, as some experts believe.
The domestic terrorist groups of the 1980s have been replaced with soft-pedaled racism that streamlines the indoctrination process.
They might not plant bombs in federal buildings or gun down Jewish radio personalities anymore, but the power to recruit online and groom prospective members could be even more dangerous, in a way.
The group still wields influence.
Between 2017 and 2020, Gulett donated to former President Donald Trump's failed bid for reelection 17 times, totaling more than $2,000, according to Federal Election Commission data.
Another big Trump backer, QAnon, lets one explore extremism without the potent symbolism of violence like the swastika or Klan robe.
"This is the tip of the iceberg of bigotry," said Levin, who is about to publish a hate crime study spanning 2020 and 2021.
"Hate crime is up," he said.
It's just not the Ku Klux Klan that's committing those crimes anymore.
Levin asserts that modern extremists logroll their racism in such a way that they don't lose followers but they soften their public face. The Klan has been rebranded as "militia" and "patriots" by localized, informal associations of extremists who are bound by xenophobia and racism.
The name "Aryan Nations" doesn't carry the same weight that it did under Butler's leadership. It's a brand that has been placed on the clearance rack as the new inventory of Proud Boys, Patriot Front, and QAnon.
"It's almost an anachronism," Levin said.
But the Valley hate mongers vowed not to acquiesce as they once did in Idaho.
On February 22, Gulett renewed his promise to Aryan Nations in Arizona: "I [will] do my best to rebuild it to its former glory."
As they always have before, they bounced back.
The Ku Klux Klan cannot be killed.
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https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/aryan-nations-knights-of-the-ku-klux-klan-arizona-leader-david-miner-confirms-world-hq-in-metro-phoenix-13369058
| 2022-04-07T23:45:21
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https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/aryan-nations-knights-of-the-ku-klux-klan-arizona-leader-david-miner-confirms-world-hq-in-metro-phoenix-13369058
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No one likes paying more for less. But if you live in metro Phoenix, you’re doing just that.
Inflation here is higher than anywhere else in the country, according to a recent study from the Common Sense Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank based in Phoenix.
Inflation hits all Americans, but none more than the Arizonans who have faced an unprecedented 10.9 percent spike in prices over the last 12 months — 3 full points higher than the rest of the nation.
“It’s impacting the typical household significantly,” Jim Rounds, an economic analyst based in Tempe, told Phoenix New Times. “This is close to the worst it’s going to be.”
In February 2021, a gallon of gas in Arizona cost $2.25. Today, it’s $4.63, more than double, according to AAA.
“The gas price issue is a real problem,” Rounds said. “It impacts when you buy milk or cheese because those items have to be transported.”
Yet it’s not just fuel prices that are on the rise, trickling beyond the gas pump onto the shelves of grocery stores.
Remember when a gallon of milk cost $1.98 in Phoenix last year? Today, Valley residents are not likely to to get a gallon of whole milk for their Apple Jacks for less than $3.26, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s March report.
Inflation is a growing problem in metro Phoenix.
Since October, prices for everyday necessities have jumped by at least 1 percent every month.
Phoenix lends itself to unprecedented inflation because of its rapidly growing economy, Rounds said. Stronger economic growth leads to greater demand for products.
That doesn’t bode well for Valley residents as businesses continue struggling to move food, beverages, apparel, and sundries to consumers amid spiking fuel prices and a shortage of shipping containers, among other snags.
“A high-growth region like greater Phoenix is under more pressure to deliver to consumers,” Rounds said. “But right now, it can’t.”
It all started with the pandemic.
Demand for gas, recreation, and services tanked as a mass exodus from the office corralled people at home in isolation. When people went back to work last year, demand returned to something resembling the pre-coronavirus norm.
Supply, however, still lagged.
“COVID still has an impact on what is happening now,” Rounds said. “It is causing this lingering effect that’s hitting the pocketbooks of every household in Arizona.”
Inflation has an outsized effect on low-income people, economists say.
The average Valley household is spending an additional $4,462 on food, housing, transportation, medical care, and other goods and services compared to just one year ago, according to the Common Sense Institute study.
Since February 2021, all items have increased in price. Fuel is up 44 percent and energy is up 29 percent in Arizona, the study reveals.
The study, citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, also points out that housing costs have jumped more than 12 percent — close to three times greater than the rest of the nation.
New data from Rent.com shows renters are paying 81 percent more for a studio apartment in Gilbert compared to this time last year — the biggest increase in apartment rent in any city in America.
“Housing affordability is a major problem,” Rounds said. “Housing prices here are rising more than anywhere else.”
In 2020, the cost of energy, apparel, commodities, education, durables, recreation, and transportation all fell. Annual inflation from 2010 to 2019 was just 2 percent in Arizona, on average.
A lot has happened since then.
“The Ukraine crisis and American response to it are likely to put further pressure on commodity, energy, and gas prices,” the recent study’s researchers concluded. “For these reasons, we believe further upward consumer price movement is likely over the next three to six months, rather than an easing.”
Rounds says it could take until the end of the calendar year for rapid inflation to subside in metro Phoenix.
Other experts predict early 2023.
“It’s going to be sticky for a little while,” Rounds said. “Prices will stay stuck at this higher level for a while longer.”
Rounds advises low-income people in the Valley to make a conscious effort to live within their means but not to completely shut down spending.
The good news, he says, is that Phoenix boasts one of the strongest economies in the country.
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “We will get through this.”
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https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/common-sense-institute-says-phoenix-inflation-is-highest-in-the-us-13377629
| 2022-04-07T23:45:22
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https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/common-sense-institute-says-phoenix-inflation-is-highest-in-the-us-13377629
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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — The Allen County Traffic Safety held their second ‘Connect 2 Disconnect” Thursday afternoon. This campaign is in hopes to keep distracted drivers eyes on the road and off their phones.
It goes along with Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Fort Wayne, Allen County, New Haven, and Woodburn Police Departments were all in efforts for this campaign.
Indiana passed a hands-free device driving law in 2020, but since then law enforcement agencies have been issuing more the 6,000 hands-free citations. According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3,000 people have been killed because of distracted driving in 2020.
The Allen County Sheriff’s Department Officer, Bill Roberson, was asked what was the best advice he can give drivers and why do drivers continue to use their cell phones in the car.
“The best advice is to follow letter of the law. The law states that if you are not engaged in an emergency calling 9-1-1, then if you are going to use a telecommunications device, you have to do that in the hands-free matter,” Officer Roberson said. “I think it’s because we as people are accustomed to doing what we want to do and being connected to everything and everyone all the time,” said Officer Roberson.
Officer Roberson explained if talking on your cell phone was more distracting than speaking to someone who is physically in your car.
“Case by case or different circumstances could sway it either way,” said Officer Roberson. “If you’re a parent talking to a child a lot of the time, as a parent we might want eye contact with their child and if you are doing that then you are taking your eyes off the roadway,” Officer Roberson said. “Conversely if you are on your phone, and you are trying to switch between different things, holding a phone, looking to see what other messages you’ve got or who else is calling, were just dividing our attention,” said Officer Roberson. “I think that’s one of the big things that adds to those crash factors,” Officer Roberson said.
Other examples of distracted driving are eating while driving and having your pet on your lap.
Violators of the hands-free law could face a Class C infraction with fines up to $500 and have points added to their license.
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NEW ORLEANS (NEXSTAR) — A federal appeals court has upheld President Joe Biden’s requirement that all federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a 2-1 ruling Thursday, a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans reversed a lower court and ordered dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the mandate.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown of Texas had issued a nationwide injunction against the requirement in January.
Brown said at the time that the question was whether the president could “require millions of federal employees to undergo a medical procedure as a condition of their employment. That, under the current state of the law as just recently expressed by the Supreme Court, is a bridge too far.”
A different 5th Circuit panel had refused to block it on appeal.
But Thursday’s ruling said the federal judge didn’t have jurisdiction in the case because employees challenging the requirement could have pursued administrative remedies under Civil Service law.
In September, 2021 Biden issued an executive order mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for federal employees to battle deaths and hospitalizations from the spread of the delta variant, the predominant coronavirus strain at the time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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| 2022-04-08T00:05:43
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(WTRF) A Pennsylvania man is facing charges after he allegedly posted anti-Biden stickers on a gas pump.
Thomas Richard Glazewski, 54, of Manor Township has been charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, harassment, and criminal mischief.
The incident was captured on video. Glazewski can be heard yelling expletives and “I did that. I did that. That’s what I did,” pointing to anti-Biden stickers at the pump.
A gas station employee told authorities that Glazewski had sprayed the stickers with a substance to make the stickers harder to remove, charging documents obtained by Lancaster Online.
Glazewski was reportedly upset about the price of gas and President Joe Biden.
A police complaint said Glazewski had to be placed in the police vehicle by force.
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| 2022-04-08T00:05:49
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A bill that would create a common-law marriage between “one man” and “one woman” is advancing in the Tennessee State Capitol. But the bill is the center of controversy as the original draft did away with age requirements for the new form of marriage in Tennessee.
Opponents argued that without an explicit age requirement, the bill would open the door for child marriages.
The bill (HB 233) has caused an uproar across the country and at the State Capitol.
“I had pastors and individuals come to me that have moral objections, contentious objections to performing the marriages,” said Rep. Tom Leatherwood (R-Arlington).
Critics of the bill say the creation of a new marriage system for heterosexual couples will invite litigation, be potentially dangerous for LGBTQ youth and divide communities.
“Marriage is between a man and a woman and this would create a marriage certificate reflecting that and so it will have a form that just reflects that,” Leatherwood said in committee.
But an amendment added to the bill after backlash added an age limit of 18 after previously not specifying one. Representative Leatherwood, the bill’s sponsor, claimed some people didn’t understand the intent.
“Some legitimate concerns, others were looking for indirect ways to work against the bill and that’s fine, that’s the political process,” Leatherwood said.
When asked if he condemns child marriages, Leatherwood said he does. “Yes, I am opposed to child marriages.”
The marriage proposal would be akin to a contract that doesn’t have to be filed with the state.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill while the House continues to debate.
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| 2022-04-08T00:05:56
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WASHINGTON (Nexstar) — Republican lawmakers are pushing for a new bill to keep a public health measure, and they are getting support from some Democrats.
Title 42 is a health measure that keeps most asylum seekers out of the U.S. due to the pandemic. Republican lawmakers are pushing to keep the measure in place, despite opposing other public health measures such as mask and vaccine mandates.
“It ensures that Title 42 remains in place well into the future while we deal with both a pandemic and an immigration crisis,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).
All Republican senators and at least seven Democrats want to extend Title 42, and some are threatening to vote against $10 billion in additional COVID funding unless they get their way.
“What many Senate Republicans are talking about is anti-asylum,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen (D) said in a statement that “the administration’s announcement to end Title 42 was done without a cohesive stragety in place to secure the border and prevent chaos.”
But Title 42 is a public health measure and its legal implementation is not supposed to be for immigration control. Maryland Senator Ben Cardin (D) says that’s why the Biden adminstration is trying phase it out.
“People who have legitimate asylum claims should be able to pursue them,” Cardin said.
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| 2022-04-08T00:06:02
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Spring is on hold as another wave of chilly air descends upon central Indiana. Temperatures are going down with snow chances on the rise
April’s opening week is the COOLEST since 2018 (4 years) and has produced only one day above 60-degrees! SPRING 2022 opened mild but trended chilly over the past 2 weeks. A deep, cold and closed low will not go – for at least a couple of days and is responsible for delivering a February-like chill along with rain and snow showers through Saturday.
“Spokes” of energy combined with the chilly air keeps this atmosphere unsettled for the next two days. Daily showers will include ice pellets and wet snow. If you are a fan of snow, the higher likelihood of snow and even enough that accumulates, mainly on grassy and elevated “cooler” surfaces, appears to be late Friday or early Saturday. It is worth noting that we’ve already had a trace of snow this April and scanning weather records, 83% of all April’s have produced at least a trace of snow. Last year, we had a measured snow as late as April 20th!
The upper-low departs late weekend and paves the way for a HUGE improvement starting Sunday. Friday & Saturday high temps will be off the normal by as much as 15-degrees. The jet stream will undergo sweeping changes allowing for a surge in temperatures that includes our first 70-degree day of this month and possibly multiple days at or above 70° early next week!
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| 2022-04-08T00:06:08
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PORTSMOUTH – The Portsmouth Wind Symphony continues its 29th season with its Spring concert on Saturday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Tickets for the show are just $10, $5 for students, and free for children 12 and under.
“Exploring by Land and Sea” will wrap the season themed around global expeditions in music. The performance will be narrated by Chip Maillet and feature guest pianist Daniel Bellamy from the University of Charleston.
“Our featured guest, Daniel Bellamy, is just an amazing pianist,” said Symphony Board President and Treasurer Trent Williams. “He’s the piano instructor at the University of Charleston. And if you don’t come out for any other reason – come see a world class pianist at work.”
The Portsmouth Wind Symphony is a made up of volunteers from Portsmouth and the surrounding area.
“We are an all volunteer organization,” explained Williams. “Our playing members include students, teachers, retirees, professionals and people from all walks of life. Some of these folks have been playing their entire lives. Others played in their high school band. The Portsmouth Wind Symphony is open to anyone who is interested in playing.”
This season saw John Christian (University of Charleston) take over for long time Director Terry Thompson.
The mission of the Portsmouth Wind Symphony is to present diverse and accessible programs that minimize the traditional barriers to participation in the performing arts.
“We try to make the live band experience more accessible to a broader audience,” said Williams. “We try to have a wide variety of different musical performances, from pop standards to marches, Broadway, and even film scores.”
The last performance from the symphony will take place on Tracy Park for their annual 4th of July performance. Then, they will prepare for their 30th season.
Williams spoiled a bit of next season – saying their next Spring performance will be “A Night at the Movies.”
“That’s something I’ve been wanting for a long time. I love movie film soundtracks and I can’t wait to play some good John Williams music. I know it will feature music from Star Wars.”
Check out the Portsmouth Wind Symphony this Saturday at 7 p.m. at the VRCFA. Williams asks that anyone interested in playing to contact them on their Facebook Page.
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| 2022-04-08T00:10:57
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SCIOTO — Scioto County Commissioners discussed general funding to join Energy Communities Alliance (ECA).
The mission of the ECA is to bring together government officials to share information, establish policy positions, and promote community interest to address an increase of complex set of constituent, environmental, regulatory, and economic development needs.
“There is a membership fee associated with being involved with ECA,” said Commissioner Scottie Powell. “It is for $2,800 for the period of April 2022 through June 2023.”
Commissioner Bryan Davis said ECA is a very important group that promotes and fosters growth of communities next to energy plants.
“The Piketon plant is the one we are talking about here,” said Davis. “A lot of people say ‘Well that’s Pike County so why do you care?’ well we care because there’s 1,100 Scioto Countians working on site.”
Davis said by being members they have access to a lot more information.
“We are really striving hard to reindustrialize that site,” said Davis. “There’s a lot of decommissioning and decontamination going on at the Piketon site.”
Davis said the commissioners are very involved at the site.
“We work with the Pike County Commissioners and others in that community and elsewhere throughout the four counties, JEDISO region, SODI, and others,” said Davis. “This would give us a lot clearer of an insight into what other areas are doing and what projects are available so that we can lobby and work hard to bring business and jobs to the Piketon site as we see fits.”
Davis said it will help them have a better understanding of the Department of Energy and its goals.
“There’s a lot changing with the Department of Energy and we need to stay on top of that,” said Davis. “I think the cost of $2,800 is a small investment in order to have that insight and knowledge.”
The Commissioners would have more insight into the reindustrialization in 2037 and would give them a seat on the Board of Directors of the energy lines.
“We will work hard to make sure that we promote our area, promote our local energy, as well as the spin off from that, we have a lot of companies in this area that help and assist at the plant,” said Davis. “Just the fact that the amount of people from Scioto County that work on the site, we need to really make sure we keep site of it.”
Commissioner’s approved funding out of the general fund to join the ECA.
Reach Darian Gillette at (740) 353-3101 ext. 1931, or by email at [email protected]
© 2022 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Moments before the Senate began Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation vote to become the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, the chamber filled with the swell of history.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus walked through the doors of the Senate, entering the chamber to witness the moment. Black female lawmakers sat shoulder to shoulder along the back walls.
The visitor galleries above, largely closed these past two years, first from the COVID pandemic and then insurrection at the Capitol, filled with young people, including many young Black men and women, some congressional staffers, to watch.
Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, who protected the chamber against an extremist mob on Jan. 6, 2021, ushered people into the gallery, guarding the members and their visitors once again.
“I’m here today to witness history,” said freshman Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash. “It’s touching, it’s moving and I’m so proud.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, who presided over the session, called for the vote.
“The clerk will call the roll,” she said, beaming.
Senators remained seated, as is the tradition for momentous votes, and the roll was called one name at a time.
Despite the political divisions over President Joe Biden’s historic Supreme Court pick, the first Black woman in the court’s 233-year history, the last day of the process carried more celebration than tension, coming to a final vote not with a bitter public fight but a flourish.
The 53-47 tally was no cliffhanger. Democrats had the votes to confirm Jackson on their own with their slim majority, boosted by three Republican senators — Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney — who crossed party lines to do so.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff watched from the gallery as Harris, his wife, presided over the session, though her tie-breaking vote would not be needed.
Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was late, making him the last to vote while slightly prolonging the outcome.
“What a great day it is for the United States of America,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock, the first Black senator from Georgia, in a speech before voting began.
Jackson’s journey to this moment “is a reflection of our own journey” toward the nation’s ideals, the senator said.
Harris, Warnock and Black Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey all huddled near the dais.
After some long minutes, Paul cast his no vote from the side cloakroom.
“On this vote, the yeas are 53, the nays are 47,” Harris said. The nomination was confirmed.
Cheers broke out in the gallery. Louder than any at the Capitol in recent memory.
Democratic senators stood in ovation.
Murkowski joined their side of the aisle.
Many Republican senators had already left. The Senate is about to start a two-week spring recess.
The remaining Republican senators filed out of the chamber.
Romney, alone on his side, stood clapping.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee who led the nomination to confirmation, gave a nod to the rare show of bipartisanship, harkening back to an earlier era.
During the debate, he noted that Romney’s father, a former Republican governor, had marched for civil rights in Michigan.
“To my colleague, Sen. Mitt Romney — you are your father’s son,” he said.
After the vote, the vice president, herself a history-making leader, took stock of the moment, at a time of brutal war overseas.
“There is so much about what’s happening in the world now that is presenting the worst of … human behavior,” Harris said. “And then we have a moment like this that I think reminds us that there is so much left to accomplish.”
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| 2022-04-08T00:11:11
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WHEELERSBURG — Perhaps, for the Wheelersburg High School softball squad, the 14-0 score was the order of the day —or the flavor for the week.
That’s because, after defeating visiting Waverly 14-0 a week ago, the Pirates — the six-time defending Southern Ohio Conference Division II champions and part of eight overall— repeated that feat for the second time in four days.
Wheelersburg, with its varsity lineup only playing the opening inning as it turned out on Monday, scored all 14 of its runs in the first frame —as the Pirates won 14-0 against the visiting Eastern Eagles.
A total of 17 batters went to the plate in the first, producing all 14 runs — before the Pirates’ reserves went the rest of the way.
Only Wheelersburg’s battery on Monday, senior catcher Brynley Preston and freshman pitcher Kaylynn Carter, were not substituted for —as Preston did not bat.
Carter’s complete-game shutout, which was a five-inning mercy-rule performance, featured facing 17 Eagles —11 of which she struck out.
She pitched perfectly through three frames, as the only hit and walk she allowed was in the fourth —resulting in Eagles on the corners, thanks to a stolen base and an error.
But Carter, with two unassisted putouts prior to the fourth, kept Eastern off the scoreboard —thanks to two strikeouts and her own defensive assist.
She then struck out the side in Eastern’s fifth for her second league win —as the Pirates pushed their perfect SOC II tally to 3-0, and to 5-1 overall.
It was, AT LEAST, the Pirates’ 32nd consecutive conference victory.
Eastern, on the other hand, fell to 2-3 —and to 1-2 in the SOC II.
The Pirates return home, and return to SOC II action, on Friday against Oak Hill.
© 2022 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved
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WHEELERSBURG — The Wheelersburg Pirates combined a three-pitcher performance with an offensive onslaught —and even were aided along by the visiting Eastern Eagles themselves.
On Monday, Wheelersburg won over Eastern 14-1 in a Southern Ohio Conference Division II baseball bout — as the contest was called following five innings with the 10-run mercy rule.
The Pirates plated five runs in the opening inning, four more in the second and two in the third —all on three hits apiece as only four of those 11 counters were even earned.
Wheelersburg sent all nine batters to the plate in the initial two stanzas, followed by six more in the third — and eight hitters to the dish in the fourth for three more markers on another basehit.
The Eagles’ error count notched nine, including five for the first inning alone.
The 14 runs on 10 total hits was more than enough run support for three Pirate pitchers —including the starter and winner Connor Estep.
Estep tossed a perfect three frames in fact, throwing 38 pitches and striking out five —as Jack Pickelsimer and Owen Young worked an inning apiece and each struck out two.
Young retired the Eastern side 1-2-3 in the fifth, as the Eagles’ only run came against Pickelsimer in the fourth —from two singles sandwiched around a walk with a stolen base.
He faced five Eagles, striking out the opening and closing hitters with another out in between.
With the win, the Pirates’ perfect league record raised to 3-0 —part an even 3-3.
Eastern, on the other hand, fell to an even 2-2 —and to 1-2 in the SOC II.
The Pirates and Valley, also at 3-0, are the only remaining undefeated teams inside the division.
The Pirates return home, and return to SOC II action, on Friday against Oak Hill.
© 2022 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved
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MINFORD — The Minford boys tennis team improved to 3-1 on the 2022 season with a 5-0 sweep of New Boston on Monday.
Singles
Charlie Neal (M) d. Avery Gosselin (NB) (6-0, 6-0)
No. 2 Singles — forfeit for Minford
No. 3 Singles — forfeit for Minford
Doubles
Kade Glockner, Marissa Justice (M) d. Julie Maynard, Kaden Leach (NB) (6-1, 6-0)
John Keller, Alex Reeder (M) d. Brooklyn Boyer, Allison Allard (NB) (6-1, 6-0)
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| 2022-04-08T00:11:30
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KTVI) – Last week the world learned that Deidre Pujols was undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor while her husband, Major League Baseball star Albert Pujols, was at spring training. Then Albert revealed that he filed for divorce after 22-years of marriage.
Now, Deidre is sharing some insight into how her family is rooting for the Cardinals on Opening Day.
Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday in what should be an emotional return to Busch Stadium.
The 42-year-old Pujols is on a farewell tour. He joins Adam Wainwright pitching to Yadier Molina for what could be the final time as those two players also ponder retirement after 2022.
Deidre Pujols shared this message with her Instagram followers:
“Today I am excited to celebrate what will be an incredible baseball experience for our family, baseball fans and for the story of baseball as we watch Albert start the 2022 season reunited with the St. Louis Cardinals where it all began for our family years ago. I had a great conversation with Albert this morning, we talked about today’s events and all that will happen, we prayed together to set the energy for the day and he is excited as are all of us.
He has been one of the most disciplined athletes of his sport that I have ever known and how God has used his life on and off the field has always blown my mind! I am really happy he gets one more year to play the game!
Despite the most recent surge of media attention about our personal lives, I would never miss out on an opportunity to send love, and blessings to someone who I have spent a majority of my life with and will forever be connected. Our children will be there to support him and if I was able I would have also been there to celebrate this special event.
However, I will be there in spirit and watching from home as I continue my recovery from surgery. Thank you to all the fans who have watched and supported his historic career, we will probably never see anyone do what Albert has done in this game again in our lifetime.”
@deidrepujolsadventures Instagram
A brain tumor was discovered in the backside of Deidre Pujols’ head in October. She delayed the procedure but eventually went through with it a week ago.
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https://www.wane.com/news/deidre-pujols-shares-who-she-will-be-rooting-for-after-divorce-news/
| 2022-04-08T00:14:03
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https://www.wane.com/news/deidre-pujols-shares-who-she-will-be-rooting-for-after-divorce-news/
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(WTRF) A Pennsylvania man is facing charges after he allegedly posted anti-Biden stickers on a gas pump.
Thomas Richard Glazewski, 54, of Manor Township has been charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, harassment, and criminal mischief.
The incident was captured on video. Glazewski can be heard yelling expletives and “I did that. I did that. That’s what I did,” pointing to anti-Biden stickers at the pump.
A gas station employee told authorities that Glazewski had sprayed the stickers with a substance to make the stickers harder to remove, charging documents obtained by Lancaster Online.
Glazewski was reportedly upset about the price of gas and President Joe Biden.
A police complaint said Glazewski had to be placed in the police vehicle by force.
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https://www.wane.com/news/pennsylvania-man-arrested-for-allegedly-putting-anti-biden-sticker-on-gas-pumps/
| 2022-04-08T00:14:09
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https://www.wane.com/news/pennsylvania-man-arrested-for-allegedly-putting-anti-biden-sticker-on-gas-pumps/
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