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Generating 23% revenue growth
Winning significant government contracts and commercial software subscriptions
Strengthening the balance sheet
DENVER, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP) (OTCQX: ITMSF) ("Intermap" or the "Company"), a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, today filed its audited annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, the annual management discussion and analysis for the corresponding period, related management certifications of annual filings and its annual information form. The documents are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $5.8 million, compared with $4.7 million for 2020, as the Company began to recover from the disruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2021, the Company announced several government contract awards, including:
- Won a contract to supply low latency foundation data to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
- Awarded a contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to support GPS-denied navigation
- Selected to be on multiple teams for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) GPSC4 program
- Awarded a contract to map Borneo for the government of Malaysia's federal mapping agency and completed acquisition of project area
- Supported the Colombia National Mapping Program with high-resolution digital terrain models over challenging topography
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company commenced operations on a continuing strategic data infrastructure contract for the government of Malaysia. Following initial contracting delays during the third quarter of 2021, the program was further delayed after Intermap deployment by quarantine measures implemented by the government in response to the Omicron COVID-19 variant, which extended project milestones, revenue recognition, billings, and collections into 2022 that were originally planned and budgeted to occur in December 2021. As a result, many of the larger project costs, including purchased services, payroll, deployment and mobilization expenses occurred in November and December of 2021, well in advance of the associated milestones, billings, collections and revenue that were extended into 2022. These timing effects, which resulted from the government's response to COVID-19, caused a short-term reduction in the Company's 2021 operating cash flow in the fourth quarter of 2021. Nonetheless, Intermap reported a profitable quarter – its most profitable since 2019 – and its eighth consecutive quarter of improving operating income and adjusted EBITDA.
Software-based subscription revenue continues to grow year-over-year, at a rate of 11% during 2021. Some highlights include:
- Signed an InsitePro® subscription agreement with a top-5 insurance provider in the U.S.
- Signed a subscription agreement to integrate NEXTView™ aviation surface data with Wingcopter
- Agreed to collaborate with DronSystems to integrate NEXTView into its automated Unmanned Traffic Management platform (UTM)
- Signed a deal to integrate NEXTView data with Aviatize's IDRONECT UTM to support medical delivery project in Africa
- Expanded insurance products and services across Europe with Generali Group and Allianz Technology
- Partnered with Anchor Point to support wildfire underwriting
- Partnered with Ambiental Risk Analytics for climate change and natural hazard risk analytics
- Entered a strategic agreement with global telecom leader to support 5G expansion in India
- Won a contract with Garmin to provide terrain data for next-generation golf applications
- Won a contract with a Class-1 North American railway company for flood and fire risk management
- Won a contract with a leading European airline for NEXTView elevation data as a service
- Entered an agreement to provide orthorectification service to support airport infrastructure planning in South America
Through a series of carefully sized private placements, Intermap strengthened its balance sheet and working capital position. It recognized a $1 million gain on a minority investment held in a private geospatial software company that targets the commercial space and satellite sector. Intermap's investment has received bonafide acquisition proposals for cash consideration from several qualified purchasers that are publicly-traded.
Subsequent to the end of the year, at the request of vetted allied government personnel, Intermap mobilized the delivery of the world's best unclassified commercial elevation data to support ground operations for the Ministry of Defense in Ukraine.
"2021 was an important recovery year for Intermap as we fought through COVID's disruption, withstood continued delays, and delivered actionable geospatial intelligence to clients on time and under budget," said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap's Chairman and CEO. "As a result of that strong performance, we grew revenue, won multiple strategic contracts to fuel our future growth, positioned ourselves to monetize non-core financial assets, and extended our relationships with key government agencies, as well as leading commercial enterprises around the world."
Intermap Reader Advisory
Certain information provided in this news release, including projected financial information and statements in relation to the Company's opportunities for growth and pipeline constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "will be", "will consider", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap's Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.
About Intermap Technologies
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQX: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions. The Company's proprietary 3D NEXTMap® elevation datasets and value-added geospatial collection, processing, analytics, fusion and orthorectification software and solutions are utilized across a range of industries that rely on accurate, high-resolution elevation data. Intermap helps governments build authoritative geospatial datasets and provides solutions for base mapping, transportation, environmental monitoring, topographic mapping, disaster mitigation, smart city integration, public safety and defense. The Company's commercial applications include aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. For more information, please visit www.intermap.com.
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SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/03/31/intermap-files-2021-annual-results/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:01Z |
Election set to be delayed due to ballot paper issues
Electric Ireland has announced it will increase its prices by 30% from 1 May.
The company, which is Northern Ireland's third largest supplier with around 103,000 customers, said the increase would mean a weekly increase of approximately £4.21 on an average residential electricity bill.
A spokesperson said the move was due to 'continued market volatility and unprecedented increases in wholesale energy costs.'
It is the first tariff change announcement of 2022, but the fourth change since August 2021.
Derek Hynes, from Electric Ireland, said: "With world events continuing to impact on global wholesale energy prices, we have unfortunately been forced today to announce a price increase for residential customers.
"We would like to assure our customers we will continue to work and engage with you during this uncertain time".
Raymond Gormley, head of energy policy at the Consumer Council, said the news would have an adverse impact on customers who are 'already experiencing financial pressures on their household budget especially with the cost of living crisis that we are experiencing.'
“The Consumer Council will continue to work with all involved in the energy industry including supply companies and the Utility Regulator to develop sustainable solutions to support the ever growing number of people in need as the problem of high energy prices will likely be with us for the foreseeable future," he added. | http://limavadynorthernconstitution.virtualcms.it/news/2022/03/31/news/electric-ireland-to-raise-prices-by-30-23442/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:02Z |
Arizona governor won’t say transgender people exist
By BOB CHRISTIE
Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is refusing to say if he thinks transgender people actually exist. At a news conference Thursday, he twice dodged that exact question just a day after signing legislation limiting transgender rights. The Republican instead defended his signatures on bills barring transgender girls and women from playing on girls high school and women’s college sports teams and barring gender-affirming surgery for anyone under age 18. The Arizona director for the Human Rights Campaign says Ducey’s refusal to acknowledge trans people exist is “appalling.” The bills passed the Republican-controlled Legislature with no support from minority Democrats. | https://ktvz.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/03/31/arizona-governor-wont-say-transgender-people-exist/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:03Z |
Luxury NFT firm teams up with a world-leading photographer.
SINGAPORE, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- World-renowned photographer Nicolas Gerardin has partnered with pioneering platform 1of1 and ARTM Technologies to produce luxury NFTs based on his photography.
The NFTs will include rare and famous images by the French photographer who works with the world's top celebrities, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Jonas Brothers, Priyanka Chopra, Donatella Versace, James Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Kendall Jenner, Lewis Hamilton, Karim Benzema, Paulo Dybala, Sofia Carson, and many more.
Gerardin's photographs have appeared on the front covers of leading international magazines and were recently hailed by Georgina Rodríguez in the Netflix special 'I am Georgina.' as "the best photographer in Europe."
1of1 is the first official luxury NFT platform for pioneering tech firm ARTM Technologies. It has already established numerous global partnerships with international luxury brands. ARTM is an ERC-20 token used to unlock NFTs, video streaming, metaverse, and gaming add-ons.
Co-Founder Craig Allard shared,
"We are very excited to be linking up with such an internationally-acclaimed photographer. His client list speaks for itself, and we can't wait to see what can be achieved in partnership with our 1of1 luxury NFTs. These will be based on his photographs, including some of his rare work and his more famous pieces. Some will involve experiences and special access to events and celebrities. Our pioneering technology is already changing the world of NFTs, leveraging blockchain technology with new use cases. This latest partnership will add another element to our work, and we look forward to announcing more details in due course."
Notes to editors:
For more information on Nicolas Gerardin and to see more of his work, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/nicolasgerardin/
http://www.nicolasgerardin.com/
For more information on 1of1, visit: https://1of1.biz/
For more information on ARTM, visit: https://getartm.io/
Media Contact: info@getartm.io
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SOURCE ARTM Technologies LLC | https://www.ky3.com/prnewswire/2022/04/01/world-renowned-celebrity-photographer-nicolas-gerardin-signs-with-artm-technologies/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:04Z |
PEORIA, Ariz. — Given the condense nature of this spring training and the slotting of the starting pitching through the first dozen games, it became quite clear who the Mariners would name as their opening day starting pitcher.
But manager Scott Servais played coy for the first few weeks of spring, admitting that he wanted to sit down with a couple of pitchers before making the announcement.
On Thursday, Servais announced that left-hander Robbie Ray, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, will take the ball on the afternoon of Thursday, April 7, to face the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
“This guy is the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, and he’s had a really good camp,” Servais said. “I’m certainly excited to see what he can do for us for the next few years.”
Following a 2021 with the Blue Jays, where he posted a 13-7 record with a 2.84 ERA in 32 starts and 248 strikeouts and only 52 walks in 193 1/3 innings, the Mariners signed Ray to a 5-year, $115 million contract to be a “lead dog” in their rotation.
Ray came to camp and impressed coaches and teammates with his intensity and focus to everything baseball related while fitting into a tight-knit clubhouse.
“He’s been great,” Servais said. “I actually had a sit-down with him and the pitching coaches (on Wednesday) for a while. It’s fun to listen to veteran players when they’ve gone through the different things throughout their career, knowing that they’re willing to give back to some of our younger guys. I’m excited to see him out there and see where it goes.”
A monster on the mound and something more than mellow off it, Ray seemed measured in his excitement about the honor of being the opening day starter. It’s something he’s never done in the eight seasons of his MLB career.
“For me, it’s just like the thought of setting the tone for the season,” Ray said. “I think it’s an important game and I’m looking forward to it. I never really thought a whole lot about it. But again, we play 162 games so I never really put a whole lot of thought into the meaning behind it. I’m definitely excited and honored that they picked me.”
But to Ray, it’s still the first of what he hopes to be 30-plus starts in the 2022 season not counting the playoffs.
“I’m excited for this year,” Ray said. “I’m excited to for what this staff is going to do this year. We’ve got a lot of great guys and a lot of good guys with a lot of good stuff, so it’s going to be fun.”
It might not be fun throwing in possible light snowfall and temps in the mid-30s, which is the current forecast for Minneapolis on that day. But he also pitched for the Tigers in 2014.
“We had a pretty cold game in Cleveland last year with wind whipping,” he said. “My wife is from Michigan and I lived in western Michigan. So I’m kind of used to the cold weather.”
Ray also confirmed he’s a no sleeves pitcher regardless of the temps. And the tight pants? Well those are a given.
Marco Gonzales, who has been the Mariners opening day starter the past three seasons, will slot into the third spot in the rotation with right-hander Logan Gilbert splitting up the two left-handed pitchers in the No. 2 spot. Right-hander Chris Flexen will pitch after Gonzales while the fifth spot is still being decided between talented right-handed pitching prospects Matt Brash and George Kirby.
The ultra-intense Gonzales, who fought back tears when he was named the opening day starter in 2019, showed no irritation about Servais going with Ray on opening day.
“I’m here to win, I’m here to pitch, I’m here to take the ball whenever my spot comes up,” Gonzales said. “It was a big deal to me. It was an honor but I’m not hanging my hat on the success of my season on getting the opening day started. I feel like it’s been a huge honor and I haven’t taken that for granted. Like I told Skip (Servais), I think we have five guys that could lead this rotation at any time.”
By being in the third spot, Gonzales is slated to start the home opener on Friday, April 15 vs. the Astros.
The last time he pitched at T-Mobile Park was on Oct. 1 in front of a frenzied and sold-out crowd of 44,169 fans.
“I’m really excited for that,” he said. “Just to be able to start to plan for that as far as family-wise and all that business, and especially being Jackie Robinson Day at home against the Astros I feel like it’s a gonna be really special. I hope it’s going to be as electric as our last home series was last year. I think we all have that kind of expectation. I know certainly, we’re excited to get back and play in front of our fans.”
With his personality, his on-field performance and his commitment to preparation, Gonzales has been the leader of the pitching staff over the last few seasons. But he’s found a similar mindset in Ray and the two have bonded.
“Robbie is super relaxed, which is a breath of fresh air for me certainly,” Gonzales said. “I tend to be a little more kind of intense on start days, so I think it’s given me a good perspective of not taking myself so seriously and coming in having fun. We’ve bonded over wine. We’re both big wine lovers. You know our wives that have gotten to know each other a little bit. He’s just a great dude, and I’m happy to have him around here and I’ve been learning from it too. I hope to just continue to build that relationship with him too.”
As for the fifth spot, Brash and Kirby are scheduled to pitch Friday night at Peoria Stadium vs. the Rockies. Servais will make a decision in the days after their outing.
“Those guys know where they’re at and they know where we’re at in spring training,” Servais said. “It’s their first time through it. I’m kind of curious to see how they handle it. I think George and Matt did a nice job last time out. They’re starting to look more comfortable and letting their stuff play and trusting their stuff. We’ll throw them out there tomorrow night and see how that goes.”
Brash hasn’t allowed a run in five innings pitched with a walk and seven strikeouts. Kirby has allowed six runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. But his most recent outing, a start vs. the A’s, he pitched three scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out six and walking one.
“We got a couple of lightning bolts battling out,” Gonzales said.
The lightning bolts have impressed the Cy Young Award winner.
“They both got electric stuff,” Ray said. “Just watching their bullpen sessions and how they carry themselves during the games and their everyday activities here in spring, they’re both really good. It’s exciting. They kind of add a little bit of a different dynamic to rotation. So either one of those guys, whatever ends up, I think we’re going to be in a good spot.”
Also
Still feeling the effects from a dental surgery to remove a pair of upper molars on Tuesday, shortstop J.P. Crawford was scratched from Thursday’s starting lineup.
Crawford looked miserable as he was trying to sleep on the clubhouse couch in the afternoon, saying: “It feels like my face has a heartbeat.” | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-announce-robbie-ray-as-their-opening-day-starter-vs-the-twins/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2022-04-01T01:52:05Z |
BRAINTREE, Mass. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the Massachusetts Lottery's "Numbers Evening" game were:
4-7-3-9
(four, seven, three, nine)
BRAINTREE, Mass. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the Massachusetts Lottery's "Numbers Evening" game were:
4-7-3-9
(four, seven, three, nine) | https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Numbers-Evening-game-17049820.php | 2022-04-01T01:52:05Z |
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics on Thursday threatened to resume its strike which was suspended on June 10, 2021, if the Federal Government failed to meet its demands within one month.
The union’s President, Anderson Ezeibe, disclosed this to journalists in Yola, Adamawa State capital, during its National Executive Council meeting.
Ezeibe, who said ASUP was close to resuming the suspended industrial strike action, noted that the union would reconvene in one month to take the decision.
He listed the union’s demands to include the release the N15bn revitalisation fund to address the decay in infrastructure in the sector; and payment of the arrears of polytechnic employees following the approval and implementation of new minimum wage.
Ezeibe said, “We are informing the government and members of the public that we are close to resuming that suspended strike action.
Read Also
“In fact, if the current status continues in the next one month, then what it means is that the resumption of that particular strike action will be a very serious issue for consideration.”
“The NEC, the highest decision making organ of the union empowered to declare strike action, is going to reconvene after one month to take this very important decision.”
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All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected] | https://punchng.com/asup-issues-one-month-notice-to-resume-strike-shut-polys/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:06Z |
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Curio Wellness is cultivating a better way of life. As a trusted healthcare partner providing safe, effective and reliable products, we seek to continually elevate the healthcare conversation through education and patient experiences that are truly transformative. Whether for our patients, partners or employees, we seek to inspire and affect innovative healthcare solutions. | https://www.leafly.com/brands/curio-wellness/products/curio-wellness-wedding-cake-flower | 2022-04-01T01:52:06Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Whoa! It's a Double Aho!
Both NHL players named Sebastian Aho — one a defenseman for the New York Islanders, the other a forward for the Carolina Hurricanes — scored goals for their teams Thursday night.
And at nearly the exact same time.
According to Sportsnet Stats, the Islanders' Aho scored his first goal of the season at 7:14 p.m. EDT in New York against Columbus.
Just 34 seconds later — and more than 500 miles away — the Hurricanes' Aho scored his 31st goal in Carolina against Montreal. Both gave their teams 1-0 leads in the first period.
It's not the first time the two have combined on a statistical oddity. In 2018, New York's Aho committed a hooking penalty on Carolina's Aho, causing MSG Networks Islanders play-by-play broadcaster Brendan Burke to exclaim: "A little Sebastian Aho-on-Sebastian Aho crime.”
The two Ahos are not related, by the way. The Islanders' Aho, Sebastian Johannes Aho, is 26 and from Sweden. He has three career NHL goals in limited action.
The Hurricanes' Aho, Sebastian Antero Aho, is 24 and from Finland. He's a two-time NHL All-Star and has 176 career goals.
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.registercitizen.com/sports/article/Isles-Aho-Hurricanes-Aho-score-goals-at-almost-17049866.php | 2022-04-01T01:52:07Z |
What is the Difference Between Workers’ Comp and Social Security Disability Benefits?
When someone is seriously injured or has ongoing health issues, their ability to go to work every day can be threatened. Unfortunately, injury and illness can result in job loss and the disastrous consequences that come with it - unpaid bills, food insecurity, and even homelessness. Fortunately, there are options to...
www.jolietlaw.com | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556141554291/what-is-the-difference-between-workers-comp-and-social-security-disability-benefits | 2022-04-01T01:52:07Z |
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The appearance by video of the head of Ukrainian soccer, wearing an armored vest from the streets of Kyiv, brought the impact of Russia’s war into the FIFA Congress on Thursday.
“We have regularly received sad news of the deaths of members of the Ukrainian football community,” Andriy Pavelko said in a recorded message to the gathering in Qatar including delegates from Russia.
“They have been killed by the aggressors’ rockets from one of the biggest army in the world. Football has taken a back seat in our country.”
Kyiv hosted the Champions League final only four years ago. Then the soccer world shifted to Russia in 2018 for a World Cup that FIFA President Gianni Infantino still celebrated Thursday as “a great success sportingly and culturally.”
“Obviously it did not solve the problems of the world,” Infantino said. “It did not even solve the problems in the region. It did not create a lasting peace.”
Infantino did not mention the man he was filmed juggling a ball with and praising in 2018: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nor did Infantino blame or mention Russia in his speech.
There was a plea to “stop conflicts and wars” generally rather than specifically issuing a direct message to Putin, who awarded Infantino Russia’s Order of Friendship medal after the World Cup. And in the Doha audience was Alexey Sorokin, the chief executive of Russia’s 2018 organizing committee and former member of the FIFA Council.
There was an expression of regret from Sorokin but only that Pavelko “has these emotions” in the video address.
“It is difficult for them, we understand that,” Sorokin said. “But I’m here not to discuss politics or military activities or anything, I am here in the FIFA Congress.”
Russia won’t be in the draw for the World Cup on Friday after being disqualified from playing internationally by FIFA over the war. Ukraine can still qualify but its playoff semifinal against Scotland has been postponed until June with the hope the team will be in a position to return to the field by then.
For now, the priority for Ukraine is protecting the country from Russia as Pavelko told the FIFA Congress.
“Our children have suffered terrible psychological injuries. Perhaps football will help them forget the horrors of war,” he said as sandbags were being placed around a statue behind him in Kyiv. “I believe every word, prayer and action in support of Ukraine and against the war can stop it.
“We have no right to remain silent. Let there be no air-raid alarms in our cities, instead the songs of fans. Let the battles take place not in the streets with weapons but in crowded stadiums in fair football duel and let the spectators in the stands explode when their favorite team scores a goal, not the bombs.”
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/sports/ap-sports/russians-hear-fifa-congress-plea-from-ukraine-to-end-the-war/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:07Z |
NEW YORK (WWTI) – New York Attorney General Letitia James sent letters to thousands of former students who attended DeVry University or DeVry/New York, Inc. to encourage them to apply for a federal loan discharge if they believe they were deceived by the university when they applied.
State and federal investigations into DeVry found that the university inflated its job placement statistics and salaries in marketing materials to lure students. The U.S. Department of Education recently started to review and approve federal loan discharge claims made by former DeVry students. Former students are eligible for the federal loan discharge even if they received restitution from prior settlements with DeVry.
“DeVry defrauded thousands of students by selling them on false promises and lies,” Attorney General James said. “Thousands of students attended DeVry with high hopes about post-grad job prospects only to learn that they were deceived. This federal student loan forgiveness for DeVry students will help lift a burden off defrauded students and address the national student debt crisis. I urge former students who attended DeVry in New York to apply for federal loan forgiveness if they believe they were deceived.”
The Office of the Attorney General began sending letters to 2,200 former students who attended DeVry in New York between 2008 and 2015 who were eligible for relief under a prior settlement between the OAG and DeVry. Those students potentially qualify for federal loan forgiveness and are encouraged to apply.
In 2016, the Federal Trade Commission reached a $100 million settlement with DeVry after a federal investigation revealed that the university inflated its job placement statistics in marketing materials to persuade students into attending the university. Recently, DOE has approved $71 million in federal loan discharges for roughly 1,800 former DeVry students, meaning that the students are no longer required to pay the loan. New York students are also eligible to apply for this discharge even if they received restitution under the prior OAG and FTC settlements.
The OAG reached an agreement with DeVry in 2017 after an investigation revealed that the university made exaggerated statements in ads about graduates’ success in finding employment after graduation and inadequately substantiated claims about graduates’ salary success. As a result of the agreement, DeVry paid $2.25 million in restitution to students and $500,000 in penalties, fees, and costs. New York DeVry graduates may have received restitution under both the OAG and FTC settlements.
Attorney General James encourages former DeVry students to apply for federal loan forgiveness if they believed that DeVry’s job or salary claims influenced their decision to attend DeVry. To apply, claims must be submitted to DOE in a process known as borrower defense to repayment. Students can start that process on DOE’s website. Students should mention that they received restitution from OAG or FTC settlements when completing the form, if that is the case.
For students who have already applied to have their DeVry federal loan discharged, they can check the status on DOE’s website under “Manage My Applications.” | https://www.wivb.com/news/education/colleges-universities-buffalo/former-devry-university-students-can-apply-for-federal-loan-discharge/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:07Z |
The McMinn County Historical Society will meet on Sunday, April 3, at 2 p.m., in the Blue Room of the McMinn County Courthouse.
The topic will be “Tennessee’s Great Sphinx: Gov. DeWitt Clinton Senter and the Collapse of Reconstruction” presented by Dr. William Hardy of Lincoln Memorial University.
Current and former members and guests are welcome to attend.
For more information, email mcminnco history@gmail.com
•
McMinn County Neighbors, a local community group, will be hosting a McMinn County Board of Education candidate forum at 6 p.m. on April 7 at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
This forum will be an opportunity for voters to hear directly from school board candidates about their vision for the county school system and, according to a news release, “how they plan to help McMinn County Schools live into the motto, ‘Excellence in Action.’”
The forum will be moderated by former State Rep. and County Superintendent John Forgety. Candidates will have equal time to answer each question.
The forum is open to the public and will also be live-streamed at the McMinn County Neighbors Facebook page.
•
McMinn County Trustee Phil Tuggle is reminding taxpayers all unpaid 2020 real and personal property taxes will be turned over to Chancery Court, as required by law, at close of business on March 31. This will result in additional cost to the taxpayer.
If you have questions regarding 2020 taxes, contact the Trustee’s Office at
745-1291 or e-mail mcminntrustee@ comcast.net
•
The public is invited to the Annual Dinner & Fundraiser in support of Kids First Child Advocacy Center’s 20 Years of Giving Hope to Children on Thursday, April 7, at 5:30 p.m. at The Barn at Maple Creek, located at 107 Gallaher Road in Kingston.
This event will include live music, a pictorial display of CAC history, and special guest speakers. Dinner will be provided by Dead End Bar-B-Que.
Reservations are $100 per person and must be made by April 4 at www.kidsfirsttn.org
All proceeds benefit Kids First CAC.
•
The Athens Public Works Department announces the following street closure:
The area to be affected is Long Street, from Washington Avenue to Madison Avenue. This closure will last until Thursday, March 31, at 6 p.m. The purpose for this closure is a roof replacement.
Motorists are advised to use extreme caution, watch for detour and traffic control signage, pedestrians, and work crews. Motorists should allocate additional time for traffic delays when traveling in this area.
For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 423-744-2745.
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The Athens Parks and Recreation Department has announced a new health initiative challenging McMinn countians to Walk for the Health of McMinn.
This program is designed to encourage everyone to get outside and get some exercise. The parks department has organized walking groups at several city parks throughout the week, or participants are encouraged to go out on their own and log their miles. The goal is to have the community log their miles and by Aug. 23 to have reached 53,276 miles as a community, which equals a mile for every resident in McMinn County.
“We are so excited to start this new program and encourage everyone to be moving more whether you are running, rolling, strolling or walking. It’s no secret that obesity rates are crazy high and as a parks department, we want to do something about it. We have created a quick online form to log and enter miles and we are encouraging schools, businesses, and community organizations to organize their own walks to help us reach our goal. We are planning a completion party for Aug. 23, 2022, which is the 200th anniversary that our city was incorporated. We hope to have a lot to celebrate that day,” stated Program Coordinator Brianna Baker.
To get your school, business, or organization involved, contact Brianna Baker at bbaker@athens tn.gov
For more information, contact the Office of Parks & Recreation at 423-744-2700, ext. 3.
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Artwork is currently being displayed at the Etowah Carnegie Library by artist Barbara Ensley of the Community Artist League.
Ensley’s exhibit “The Invisible Thread” is a celebration of the interconnectedness of life. This series of 20 paintings were not painted consecutively. Instead, Ensley switched between canvases allowing each layer of acrylic to dry in between. The paint remaining when an image was completed became the beginning of the next painting. The result of this process is an “invisible thread” of paint that ties all these pieces together in a fluid but cohesive manner.
The library is located at 723 Ohio Ave in Etowah and may be reached by calling 423-263-9475.
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The Athens Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting applications for certified lifeguards and a pool manager for the Ingleside Pool.
The summer pool season will be in operation with training beginning May 23 and running through end of September for parties. The City of Athens is seeking mature, dependable, friendly staff to continue operating the Ingleside Pool in a professional capacity.
Complete applications and turn them in to the Human Resources Department. Applications can be obtained online or in the Human Resources office in City Hall.
If interested in a lifeguarding position, but not yet certified, the City of Athens is hosting a Red Cross Lifeguarding Course May 19-23. Registration is available online or with the Parks Department.
For more information, contact the Office of Parks & Recreation at 423-744-2700, ext. 3, or email the department at recreation@athenstn.gov or visit the website at www.athenstn.gov/parks
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The Athens Parks and Recreation Department has announced a Food Truck Night along with a display of the City of Athens fleet vehicles and equipment at Market Park on March 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to have dinner from a food truck and explore the trucks and machines that the City of Athens operates.
For more information, contact the Office of Parks & Recreation at 423-744-2700, ext. 3.
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The Etowah Arts Commission and the East Tennessee Arts Center have announced the Regional Middle School Student Art Show, open to all middle school students in Bradley, London, McMinn, Monroe, Polk, Meigs, and Roane counties.
This a juried art show with awards to the best two- and three-dimensional artworks. The show will be held in the Nancy Cantrell Dender Gallery at the Etowah Arts Commission for the month of April 2022 with a reception and awards presented on Saturday, April 9, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The show will be open from April 6 through April 30, Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Entries are due on April 1 and 2 and only one piece of art may be entered per student.
For more information, contact Venesa Vanskiver, director, Etowah Arts Commission, by emailing info@etowaharts.org or by calling 423-263-7608.
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Nominations are being taken for the Polk County High School Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame. Nominations are open to every PCHS graduate.
Each nominee must be a PCHS graduate — 1913 to present — who has distinguished himself/herself in such a way as to reflect favorably on PCHS and the educational opportunities afforded them. The nominee should have made a significant contribution to the community, county or country in which they reside that is beneficial to the welfare of all its residents.
Nominees may have excelled in scholastic, medical, judicial, community service, clerical or other fields or endeavors.
Nominations will be accepted in writing through April 1.
Nominations should include a listing of the nominee’s qualifications and an essay by the person making the nomination stating in 200 words or less why the individual would make a worthy Hall of Fame inductee.
Posthumous nominees are welcome.
The alumni association officers will serve as the nomination committee and will be solely responsible for the selection of winners.
The induction will be made at the annual Alumni Association Banquet on the first Saturday in June.
Nominations should be emailed to LaMone Lowery Rose at gem_players @bellsouth.net, or mailed to Polk County Alumni Association, P.O. Box 353, Benton, TN 37307.
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The City of Niota is hosting a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on Main Street near the old library building.
The site will operate on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of each week. Anyone interested can register online at www.mycovidtestnow.com or on site, and also by calling 1-800-336-9507.
The PCR (nasal or oral) 48 to 72 hour rapid test is available.
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The 76th Annual Awards Meeting, sponsored by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Thursday, April 21, at The Barn at Faith Farms starting at 5:30 p.m.
Each year at the event, the chamber honors members of the community with various awards.
Tickets are now on sale and are available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce Office, located at 13 North Jackson Street, or by phone at 745-0334. | https://www.dailypostathenian.com/news/article_e6ddbd57-fdc3-5148-a41a-09c8522ba85b.html | 2022-04-01T01:52:07Z |
Nicole Gladu, the Quebecer who fought for her right to Jean medical aid in dying, has passed away.
Gladu — a polio survivor who suffered from an incurable degenerative disease called post‐poliomyelitis syndrome — was at the forefront of the legal fight for medically-assisted dying in Quebec.
In 2019, a Quebec Superior Court judge ruled parts of the law on assisted dying were unconstitutional.
In her decision Justice Christine Beaudoin found that both the province’s and country’s laws on assisted dying were too restrictive and therefore discriminated against some who sought the procedure.
At the time, the federal law required that a person’s natural death be “reasonably foreseeable” before they could receive medical assistance in dying, while Quebec law stated that people must be “at the end of life.”
Gladu fought to have the criteria of foreseeability of death repealed, alongside Jean Truchon who also had an incurable degenerative disease.
Because Gladu and Truchon did not meet the criteria prior to the ruling, doctors had turned down their requests for aid in dying.
Truchon passed away in 2020, after availing himself of his right to medical aid in dying.
Several of Ms. Gladu’s loved ones, including her friends Gaétan Lavoie and Micheline Raymond, confirmed her death to La Presse and Radio-Canada on Thursday.
According to a notice of death, Gladu passed away at Montreal’s CHUM hospital on Sunday of natural causes.
Justice Minister David Lametti reacted to news of her death on social media Thursday evening.
“I want to salute the courage and determination of Nicole Gladu,” he wrote in French. “She made the whole country reflect on what suffering and dignity meant. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.”‘
— with files from The Canadian Press and Global News’ Maham Abedi | https://globalnews.ca/news/8726850/quebec-woman-medically-assisted-dying-passes-away/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:07Z |
Last year in B.C., WorkSafeBC responded to 931 specific complaints of bullying and harassment in the workplace.
More than 3,400 enquires were made to WorkSafeBC related to bullying and harassment. Of those enquires, 17 per cent came from the health-care sector, 10 per cent came from hospitality, eight per cent came from construction and eight per cent from the retail industry.
READ MORE: 1-in-3 B.C. health-care workers plan to quit within the next 2 years: poll
READ MORE: CEO under fire for telling women at B.C. conference to ‘clean some rooms and do some dishes’
“Workplace bullying and harassment can have far-reaching impacts on a worker’s psychological health and safety — it can lead to anxiety, depression, absenteeism, and lower productivity,” says Al Johnson, head of prevention services with WorkSafeBC. “No one should be subject to bullying and harassment at work.”
The numbers are down slightly from 2020 when WorkSafeBC received 3,509 enquiries and 1,001 filed complaints.
Bullying and harassment can take many forms. WorkSafeBC says some behaviours and comments that might constitute harassment and bullying include verbal aggression, personal attacks, as well as intimidating and humiliating behaviours. While bullying and harassment can occur between employers and employees, it can also occur with customers, clients and other members of the public.
Bullying and harassment can have knock-on impacts in the workplace, leading to distraction and poor judgement which increases the risk of workplace injuries.
WorkSafeBC has launched a new initiative to reduce bullying and harassment in the workplace. The initiative will focus on small businesses with limited resources and vulnerable industry sectors with younger workers or high job insecurity, as well as industries with a large number of complaints submitted to WorkSafeBC.
An emphasis will be placed on educating employers about harassment, ensuring that policies explicitly prohibit bullying and harassment, as well as thoroughly investigating complaints.
“The goal of our initiative is simple — we want to ensure that employers meet their obligations to keep workers healthy and safe and free from bullying and harassment in the workplace. We are also focused on providing employers and workers with information on how to appropriately respond to harassment in the workplace,” Johnson said.
READ MORE: WorkSafeBC says slips, trips, falls account for 20% of all workplace injuries | https://www.interior-news.com/news/931-workplace-harassment-bullying-complaints-made-to-worksafebc-in-2021-2/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:08Z |
Opinion: Community gardens help students blossom and grow. As a therapist, I’ve seen it firsthand.
The garden teaches students about nutrition, stewardship of the earth, collaboration of neighbors and more.
Leiser is an occupational therapist at the Sierra School of San Diego, which focuses on special education and is located in San Carlos. She lives in North Park.
I distinctly remember the first time I stepped foot into the San Carlos Community Garden. It was a hot San Diego summer day four years ago and I was touring the campus as an occupational therapy student for my level two fieldwork rotation. I was ecstatic being able to implement outdoor therapy for my students in a school-based setting. This provided a rare and unique opportunity for the students; I knew instantly that the beautiful garden would be a special place for meaningful, motivational and engaging occupational therapy sessions.
Since graduating in 2018, I’ve worked as an occupational therapist at the Sierra School of San Diego and part of my role is ensuring our students spend time outside of the classroom, including field trips into the community, and in the garden. My career is dedicated to designing and implementing treatment plans that promote and improve cognitive, social interaction and motor skills for children and adolescents who have historically had difficulties achieving success in general education settings. In the classroom and in the garden, I’m thankful and delighted I get to witness our amazing students gain independence and achieve success.
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The San Carlos Community Garden is a sustainable community garden that operates in partnership with Sierra School of San Diego, where we provide special education services to students who require additional educational and behavioral supports. Through the partnership, I get to take learning outdoors for our students. They get to be hands-on in the garden, tending to beds, composting and harvesting crops. Lessons in horticulture transition to life skills learning when vegetables and spices become delicious ingredients to use during occupational therapy session cooking groups. Additionally, as part of our school’s WorkAbility transition program, some older students gain firsthand work experience in the garden. The community garden is therapeutic in many ways for Sierra students, including activities designed to enhance job skills. For example, the garden activities address sequencing skills, motor planning skills, problem-solving, attention to task and task completion, which are areas that are difficult for a lot of our students.
Not only does the San Carlos Community Garden amplify the beauty of our campus, it offers a wealth of learning opportunities for our students. This month, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the garden. Established in 2012 with a grant funded by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, it provides a safe and beautiful space for community members to grow their own healthy and organic food and flowers. In the 10 years since, the garden has positively impacted hundreds of Sierra School students — from the calm and quiet respite it offers to lessons in science, cooperation and sensory experiences.
Over time, we see firsthand the reward of each student’s labor. The garden shows that with consistency, dedication and patience, you can see progress and results in what you grow. Students can take a break in the garden if they feel upset, anxious or overstimulated. The garden also provides sensory exploration by working in the dirt and water for tactile sensory input, pushing the heavy wheelbarrow to sense movement, and smelling and tasting fruits and vegetables the students have never tried. The opportunities for therapeutic intervention in the garden are infinite.
I have personally learned more about gardening since joining the Sierra staff and relished having a community garden on campus. I have come to understand more about the whole process of managing and growing a thriving garden. I have also learned patience and how much our students benefit and thrive by being outside in nature working with their hands.
Watching students in the garden makes me feel excited and proud that they are motivated and engaged in learning. It’s rewarding seeing them work independently. When students are so eager about an activity — a job in the garden or a hands-on science lesson in the garden — it shows that they are satisfied and taking ownership of their successes. I love seeing students excited about learning.
Working together with volunteers, Sierra students help fulfill the community garden’s mission of promoting gardening for nutrition and beauty, knowledge for healthy living and stewardship of the earth, collaboration of neighbors and schools, and spirit through inspiration and healing. I enjoy that our students have a thriving garden to access throughout the academic school day that affords different opportunities for learning, sensory exploration opportunities and sensory breaks.
Working as an occupational therapist requires many of the same skills a gardener needs to succeed, including patience and perseverance. The entire Sierra School of San Diego community is blessed to have the garden as a space for nurturing our students and watching them grow.
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You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. | https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/story/2022-03-31/san-carlos-community-garden | 2022-04-01T01:52:08Z |
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired infielder Josh VanMeter from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday in exchange for a pitching prospect.
VanMeter, 27, appeared in a career-high 112 games for Arizona last season. He hit .212 with six home runs, 36 RBIs and three stolen bases.
In 233 career games, VanMeter is hitting .212 with 16 homers, 65 RBIs and 13 steals.
The Diamondbacks received right-hander Listher Sosa in exchange for VanMeter. The 20-year-old Sosa went 3-1 with a 4.31 ERA in 11 games (two starts) for a pair of rookie-league teams last season. He struck out 33 batters in 31 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media | https://sportsnaut.com/pirates-acquire-josh-vanmeter-from-d-backs/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:08Z |
Election set to be delayed due to ballot paper issues
Firmus energy has today announced an increase of 16.31% from May 3, 2022 for gas customers in the Ten Towns area, impacting around 59,000 domestic customers.
This increase will see the yearly gas bill of a typical household with a credit meter rise by about £211 per year to £1,504. Those customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) will see costs increase by around £201 per year to £1,432.
Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council said: “It is important that consumers are made aware that their domestic gas bills will stay high for at least the next year because the wholesale price that the companies pay for the gas continues to be much more expensive than the norm.
"Unfortunately heating oil prices are also very high, so regardless of the fuel we use, many of us will experience extreme pressure on our household budgets. This will further increase the numbers of people in fuel poverty, as many families may struggle to find the extra money they will now need to pay for heating."
“As the Winter 2021/22 Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme ends today (March 31, 2022), we implore firmus energy, and the wider energy industry, to commit to financially supporting the continuation of a fuel hardship scheme in the coming financial year. For the longer term, it is clear that energy companies, policy makers, the Utility Regulator, charities and the Consumer Council must continue to work together to develop sustainable solutions to help support those in need as the problem of high energy prices will likely be with us for the foreseeable future.”
Consumers who are struggling to pay their energy bills or struggling to pay to top-up their meter should contact their supplier directly for support. Consumers can also get in touch with the Consumer Council for free, independent advice by calling Freephone 0800 121 6022 or by emailing contact@consumercouncil.org.uk.
The Consumer Council’s website has a number of free resources including Switch On: A Guide for Home Energy Users, which helps consumers be more energy efficient at home, get the best from their electricity or gas supply, and save money.
firmus energy customers in Greater Belfast and in the Gas to the West network area will not be impacted by this tariff change. | http://limavadynorthernconstitution.virtualcms.it/news/2022/03/31/news/firmus-announce-another-price-hike-this-time-by-16-31-23433/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:09Z |
HOUSTON (Nexstar) — A computer system glitch in Houston led to the release of hundreds of people being held in jails there on Wednesday.
The glitch kept people who had been arrested waiting in custody for more than two days, without having their case processed. That’s longer than state law allows, leading to those defendants being released.
At least one judge blamed a backlog in cases, making it nearly impossible to hold defendants any longer.
That draws attention to a larger statewide issue.
You could expect an average of 186 criminal jury trials to be held across Texas every week before the pandemic. In 2020, that number dropped to four. This is according to Texas 2036, a nonprofit that tracks this kind of information to help with data-motivated strategies.
“The pandemic obviously, kept us from resolving cases for a year and a half or so,” Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau said.
Mau said all courts at various levels across the state are now playing catchup with little room for error or system glitches, like Houston saw, adding to its overall backlog.
Texas lawmakers are doing some behind-the-scenes work to address how to speed up that process, but that could take up to five years according to Texas 2036.
“It’s not anything that’s going to be simply fixed by creating courts, more judges … it’s going to take a lot of working on efficiencies on those cases,” said Joe Moody, District 78 state representative.
Moody is the vice chair of the interim committee on criminal justice reform. He’s prepping for the next legislative session and said addressing the court backlog is top of mind.
“If people need to be in that system, we understand that. But if they don’t need to be there, let’s figure out how to track them out,” Moody said. “And let’s make sure that we’re not clogging the system unnecessarily, so that when we have unprecedent events like this, it doesn’t create a crisis.”
Improving technology could be one way to address the court backlogs. Last session, lawmakers approved spending a half-million dollars each fiscal year to implement a technology modernization program.
The funding could increase beyond $4 million per year depending on how effective the program is at reducing court backlogs. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/texas-politics/houston-computer-glitch-leads-to-hundreds-being-released-from-jail-shines-light-on-bigger-issue/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:07Z |
BURR RIDGE, Ill., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tony Riley, president of The Mx Group, has been named its new CEO, effective March 1, as founding partner and CEO Andy Mahler steps into the executive chairman role. The Mx Group's other founding partner, Peter Wroblewski, will serve as vice chairman.
"We are beyond excited to see this leadership transition fully executed," said Mahler. "Over the last three and a half years we've added additional talent to an already seasoned senior leadership and director level team and worked closely with team members to ensure great work, high performance and continuity."
In addition to being one of the largest independent B2B agencies in the country, The Mx Group is also one of the fastest growing. The agency has been in business for over 30 years, has five Fortune 500 clients on their roster, and a team of over 150 people they affectionally call Mx'ers. If you haven't heard of them, it could be because they are one hundred percent focused on B2B, a discipline within the advertising industry that doesn't get the attention that B2C does.
"Tony, Nate Ulery as COO, and the senior leadership team have effectively been running the business for the last 18 months," said Wroblewski. "It has been exciting to see how they are iterating our vision and making it better, which is evidenced by our continued revenue growth, expanded service offering and thriving culture."
"Our vision is B2B at scale," said Riley. "We believe that the large holding companies and agencies don't understand the complexities of B2B buying groups, sales cycles and purchase decisions — and honestly don't care to understand it. While there are large pure-play B2B agencies, they tend to focus on one aspect of the customer experience, digital for example. Our opportunity is to bring strategy, creative, digital and technology together under one roof at a scale global B2B marketers can leverage for their brands."
Mahler and Wroblewski will continue to serve as active board members, focusing their energy on acquisitions, the expansion of global partnerships and the ongoing mentorship of the executives and directors that form the leadership at Mx.
About The Mx Group
The Mx Group is an independent, integrated B2B marketing agency with a mission to impact the marketplace for companies that impact the world. For over 30 years, we've created meaningful end-to-end buying experiences for B2B brands. Our clients are leaders and innovators in energy, utilities, manufacturing, hospitality, automotive, health care, technology and SaaS who rely on our expertise to influence and grow their businesses. Our headquarters are in Chicago, but our reach is global. Whether a client is an established or startup B2B brand, we have the people and perspective to be a strong partner that makes a difference.
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SOURCE The Mx Group | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/03/31/leadership-transition-one-largest-remaining-independent-b2b-agencies/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:08Z |
EPA upholds Trump-era decision not to regulate contaminant
By SUMAN NAISHADHAM
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Upholding a Trump-era environmental policy, the Environmental Protection Agency says it will not regulate a drinking water contaminant that has been linked to brain damage in infants. The agency says the Trump administration’s decision in 2020 not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water was made with the “best available peer reviewed science.” The Trump administration had concluded that the chemical compound was not found widely enough in drinking water or at levels of public health concern to warrant federal regulation. That decision was one of many Trump-era rollbacks or eliminations of existing or pending public health and environmental protection. Environmental groups sharply criticized the Biden administration Thursday for not reversing that decision. | https://ktvz.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/03/31/epa-upholds-trump-era-decision-not-to-regulate-contaminant/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:10Z |
Bitcoiner Bruce Fenton Running for US Senate in New Hampshire
PORTSMOUTH, NH, ROCKINGHAM, March 31, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Bruce Fenton, Bitcoiner and free markets advocate, announced today his bid for the United States Senate representing New Hampshire. Fenton is an entrepreneur and serves as CEO of Chainstone Labs and Managing Director of Watchdog Capital, a licensed securities brokerage firm.
“America is at one of its most crucial times in history. Much of what we know and what makes our country great is under threat. We have an extraordinary opportunity to build a better country and world by embracing our core Constitutional values.” said Fenton who is running on a platform of freedom, human rights, free markets and peace. “I’m very much against the lockdowns, movement passes and other abuses we’ve seen over the last two years. I’m in favor of personal choice, sound economics, capitalism and small government.”
Fenton has 28 years of experience in global finance. He has worked and lived around the world and has completed billions of dollars in transactions and worked with some of the world’s largest investors. Fenton got his start on Wall Street after serving in the US Navy and has worked full time on Bitcoin and digital assets since 2013. He served as Executive Director of the Bitcoin Foundation, is host of the well known Satoshi Roundtable event series, is a successful angel investor, supporter of open source software and is a well known cypherpunk.
Fenton is in favor of limiting government and increasing human choice and freedom. He intends to run a campaign focused on access, transparency and using the latest technology to help voters get to know him and what he stands for. Fenton’s website is www.brucefenton.com.
He will be hosting regular Zoom, Clubhouse and Twitter spaces conversations and traveling New Hampshire in an RV. Fenton says he will continue working on his businesses, investments and other work in Bitcoin and digital assets. “Live Free or Die is our state motto”, said Fenton, “there’s never been a more important time to live and embrace this. We have a country to save.”
Fenton lives on a historic farm on the Great Bay in Seacoast New Hampshire with his wife and their four children.
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Other | https://www.einpresswire.com/article/567150450/bitcoiner-bruce-fenton-running-for-us-senate-in-new-hampshire | 2022-04-01T01:52:10Z |
It's an investment that is seemingly unprecedented — $433 million dollars — much of which is going to North Omaha; a neighborhood that for decades dealt with redlining, racism and lack of economic opportunity.
“What we’re attempting to do here is infuse opportunity into our districts, so a good number of our people aren’t disproportionately represented in our criminal justice system,” said Sen. Terrell McKinney.
The plan also calls for at least $55 million to be spent in South Omaha.
“The way to change this is by creating economic opportunity, investing in communities, investing in economic development, in jobs, in centers will people will work and want to live,” said Sen. Tony Vargas, who represents portions of South Omaha.
This money is going to a wide variety of areas. It lists affordable housing, small business assistance, job training and business development.
It also earmarks money for a business park near Eppley Airfield, a film on Chief Standing Bear shot in Nebraska, and money for innovation hubs in North Omaha.
“Building around, how do we make sure we are the entrepreneur 'mecca in the Midwest,' and how we can support small businesses in a different way,” said Wayne.
North and South Omaha is slated for more than $300 million dollars in the bill and that money largely comes from federal dollars allotted in the American Rescue Plan, passed in 2021.
The state is also adding $55 million from cash reserves and $30 million from the general fund. Wayne also said he believes Douglas County and the City of Omaha will kick in additional dollars.
But Wayne also got creative to bring more money into the package.
The bill uses coronavirus relief funds, which were also in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and spreads it across the state.
“I just try and make it fair for everybody,” said Wayne.
That money was originally slated to be used on rural broadband, and lawmakers are aiming to ensure that still happens when and if the bill is passed.
“I still want to see the majority of that money go to rural broadband,” said Sen. Curt Friesen, who chairs the Transportation & Telecommunications Committee.
Despite a session filled with personal attacks, and visible frustration from Wayne on funding the bill, a compromise has been seemingly reached. It was lauded Thursday as an example of what can be done in the Legislature.
“This is not short-term thinking, this is long-term thinking, multi-year, thoughtful, strategic thinking. People talk about why is everything zero-sum. I win. You Lose. This is not that!” said Hilgers.
If passed one more time on Final Reading and signed by Gov. Ricketts, a special committee will be formed that would spend all this money.
$135 million is being held until at least next year and the legislature will then gauge how the money is being spent before they spend the rest of the money.
“This is the scariest thing I ever did. Because we get this type of money — and this type of money and this type of investment in North Omaha — if we fail, this body will never, ever give us a second chance,” said Wayne.
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Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox. | https://www.3newsnow.com/news/political/this-is-long-term-thinking-nebraska-bill-dedicating-more-than-300-million-to-omaha-advances | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
DSWD DROMIC Report #13 on the Effects of LPA as of 31 March 2022, 6PM
Attachments
I. Situation Overview
Issued on 10 March 2022 at 4 AM, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 465 km West of Zamboanga City or 255 km South Southwest of Puerto Princesa City (7.6°N, 117.9°E).
Source: DOST-PAGASA Daily Weather Forecast
II. Status of Affected Areas and Population
There are 25,570 families or 109,296 persons affected in 78 barangays in Regions VIII, IX, X, XI and XII (see Table 1). | https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/dswd-dromic-report-13-effects-lpa-31-march-2022-6pm | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
LOS ANGELES — Five men have agreed to plead guilty to federal crimes for their roles in an illegal Southern California sports betting operation that took wagers from professional athletes, authorities said Thursday.
The ring was led by Wayne Nix, 45, a former pitcher for the Oakland Athletics minor league baseball team who lives in Newport Beach.
Around 2001, Nix started using his professional sports contacts to build a gambling business, developing a client list that included unnamed professional athletes, the former ballplayer admitted in court papers.
It eventually expanded into a major enterprise that employed three former Major League Baseball players as agents who recruited bettors. Password-protected accounts were set up for clients to place bets on a website run by Sand Island Sports, a company based in Costa Rica. Betting on the outcome of sporting events is legal in some states, but not California.
Nix, the father of ESPN broadcaster Wendi Nix, acknowledged receiving $245,000 from a professional football player and $4,000 from a Major League Baseball coach, in both cases to cover gambling losses in 2016. Both were unnamed in the court records.
Another client placed a $5 million bet on the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta, where the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams. A few weeks later, Nix agreed in a text exchange to reactivate the account of a sports broadcaster who told him he was refinancing his home mortgage so he could repay his gambling debts.
Nix said he also let the business manager of a professional basketball player bet up to $25,000 per NBA game.
The investigation was triggered in 2017 by two informants who provided information to the Homeland Security Investigations agency, according to an HSI application for a search warrant. One informant acknowledged that the goal of cooperating with law enforcement was to avoid paying off a $6 million gambling debt.
A federal judge gave investigators permission to tap the phones of Nix and several other suspects, the warrant application says. The surveillance yielded multiple recordings of bets being placed. “Put $3,000 on Djokovic to win Wimbledon,” Nix told someone on a phone call in June 2019.
Nix and one of his partners, Edon Kagasoff, 44, of Lake Forest, agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business. Nix also admitted that he failed to report $1.5 million in personal income on his 2017 and 2018 federal tax returns.
Court records did not specify whether any professional athletes used Nix’s business to bet on their own teams’ games. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles declined to comment on the matter and said the investigation was continuing.
Nix, a former right-handed pitcher, was Oakland’s fourth-round pick in the 1995 draft out of Monroe High in Sepulveda. He won nine games with the High-A Modesto A’s in 1999 and followed that up by winning nine games in each of the next two seasons when Oakland moved its High-A team to Visalia. Nix advanced to Double-A with the A’s at the end of the 1991 season, which would be his last as a pro.
The charges come at a delicate time for America’s pro sports leagues, which have raced to embrace sports betting — and the billions that could flow from it — while trying to reassure fans that players and other insiders are not betting on games.
The four major North American leagues could generate $4.23 billion per year from legalized sports betting, according to the American Gaming Association. Fans already can place bets at gambling operations inside stadiums and arenas from Phoenix to Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Teams and leagues say betting can keep fans involved with games. Betting online and or over the phone has become easier and, as one technology operator told The Los Angeles Times last month, “There’s a million pitches over the course of a season. You can bet on every one of them.”
The NFL this month suspended Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for at least one year after uncovering evidence that he had bet on NFL games.
Major League Baseball was made aware of the federal charges Thursday and is looking into the matter, a league official said.
The other three men who admitted to participation in the illegal betting ring were Howard Miller, 63, of Gardena; Kenneth Arsenian, 52, of Newport Beach; and Joseph Castelao, 56, of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Miller agreed to plead guilty to operation of an illegal gambling business.
Arsenian pleaded guilty in January to the same charge, as well as filing a false tax return, money laundering and accepting money for illegal online gambling. Castelao, who owned the Sand Island Sports website, has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business.
Celebrity Financial, which ran the Sherman Oaks Check Cashing store in the San Fernando Valley, agreed to plead guilty to failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, admitting that it cashed more than $18 million in checks from three clients of the betting ring. | https://www.orovillemr.com/2022/03/31/ex-as-minor-leaguer-allegedly-led-illegal-sports-gambling-ring/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
Do we even know why we should become a republic?
Thursday, March 31, 2022We hope that the missives in this space serve to encourage careful thought about issues that are important to our national enlightenment and discourage unproductive sycophants from holding sway over the unaware.
It has become fad for countries, especially former colonies, to want to become republics, suggesting that this is a way to put the colonial past behind and to take more responsibility for one's own national development.
The dilemma we face is that declaring our country a republic largely amounts to nothing more than mere symbolism, satisfying a cherished yearning but taking us no further than where we are.
For the generation of Jamaicans born just before Independence in 1962, there was a dream that was Jamaica. It was to be a land in which they would throw off the last vestiges of a cruel colonial past and begin the march towards a glorious future based on social and economic freedom, justice for the poor masses, and national peace centred on the mantra 'Out of many one people'.
With the achievement of Independence, that generation pledged to promote black nationalism and pride and to lead Jamaica to “increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race”.
It was a beautiful dream, some might now say mirage.
For all of that, 60 years after Independence, so much has gone bad that no wonder in 2017 a Bill Johnson poll found that a stupendous 45 per cent of Jamaicans felt we would have been better off being under British rule.
Ambassador Stephen Vasciannie, professor of international law at The University of the West Indies (UWI), was brutally honest in describing the realities of the Caribbean (read Jamaica) today, in his column in Sunday's edition of this newspaper:
“…Extreme poverty, income mal-distribution, limited access to good education and health care, land hunger, unnecessarily high levels of malnutrition, the embarrassing popularity of skin bleaching, the high crime rate, alienation and disrespect for the rule of law, are all symptoms of underlying social and economic malaise that may be traced back convincingly to the transatlantic system of enslavement.”
If we are satisfied by a small feel-good moment, like Barbados, then let's go republic. But let us be sure that is what is important to us in our current reality.
As for us, we believe that Jamaica is best served by taking a hard look at all our relationships, including those with countries that have been former colonisers, to take advantage of the benefits that it offers us to create a better life for our people.
For example, we would not get rid of the UK Privy Council, at least not until we can replace it with a justice that should not only be done, but seen to be done. No need to bury out heads in the sand. Our justice system is broken. With all the improvements that have come in recent times, our people do not believe in it. That is why we are not yet ready for the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice.
By way of another example, we would not get rid of the Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes, a key figure behind African exploitation in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Jamaica has benefited through National Hero Norman Manley, late UWI Vice-Chancellor Rex Nettleford, Dr Nigel Clarke, Dr Trevor Munroe, Mr Delroy Chuck, among the many others.
Let's chose pragmatism over symbolism.
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No jail for LA building owner over explosion that hurt 12
The owner of a downtown Los Angeles building where an explosion injured 12 firefighters has been allowed to enter a judicial diversion program that allows him to avoid jail time
LOS ANGELES -- The owner of a downtown Los Angeles building where an explosion injured 12 firefighters has been allowed to enter a judicial diversion program that allows him to avoid jail time and potentially have all charges dismissed.
A court commissioner on Wednesday granted the diversion request for Steve Sungho Lee. He and his companies must pay more than $15,000 in investigative fees, make sure the property meets fire and building codes and arranging for Fire Department training.
Lee owned a commercial building on East Boyd Street in the city's Toy District that caught fire on May 16, 2020. Firefighters had to run for their lives when a ball of flames shot out the building and scorched a fire truck across the street.
Firefighters inside the building had to run through a wall of flames he estimated as 30 feet (9 meters) high and wide, and those on the roof scrambled down a ladder that was engulfed in fire.
Fire officials said the building was a warehouse for Smoke Tokes, a wholesale distributor of supplies for smoking and vaping products including butane hash oil, a concentrated cannabis extract that can be eaten, smoked or vaped. Highly flammable butane is used in the manufacturing process.
Most of the injured firefighters still haven't returned to work and one, Capt. Victor Aguirre, was hospitalized for more than two months and all of his fingers had to be partially amputated, according to a lawsuit he filed against the building and business owners.
Aguirre alleged that the area contained “hundreds of illegally and improperly stored butane canisters and thousands of illegally and improperly stored nitrous oxide cylinders.”
A fire department report concluded that the blaze, which spread to a nearby building, was fueled by an “excessive quantity” of the containers.
Investigators from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives concluded that the fire started under a storage rack in the building and that a worker with a lit cigarette was seen in the area. The cause of the fire was ruled accidental.
However, city prosecutors filed more than 300 misdemeanor charges of violating fire and safety codes against Lee, his companies and owners of businesses in the building and nearby properties. That included more than 160 counts against Lee and his companies.
If Lee meets all conditions of his judicial diversion program for two years, the charges will be dismissed.
“Mr. Lee will be deemed by law to have never been charged," said his attorney, Blair Berk. “The exhaustive federal investigation of the tragic fire objectively concluded that the cause was accidental, and there was no finding of any wrongdoing by Mr. Lee or his companies.”
City Attorney Mike Feuer opposed diversion for Lee, noting the severity of the fire, the injuries suffered by the firefighters and Lee's alleged failure “to take steps which could have mitigated the extent of the blaze."
The owners of Smoke Tokes and another business, Green Buddha, agreed in November 2020 to pay $139,000 each to cover investigative costs and to move out of the building. Charges against them were later dismissed.
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This story has been updated to correct that Lee and his companies must pay more than $15,000, not $125,000. | https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/jail-la-building-owner-explosion-hurt-12-83799256 | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
The Bubble review: Netflix comedy is a Covid-themed Saturday Night Live sketch stretched to two hours
Most frustratingly, ‘The Bubble’ is the first Judd Apatow movie that doesn’t feel like a Judd Apatow movie
Dir: Judd Apatow. Starring: Karen Gillen, David Duchovny, Leslie Mann, Pedro Pascal, Keegan-Michael Key, Iris Apatow, Gus Khan, Fred Armisen, Peter Serafinowicz, Maria Bakalova, Kate McKinnon. 126 mins.
Can a pandemic be funny? That’s the question posed by Judd Apatow’s The Bubble, a Netflix comedy about movie stars shooting a blockbuster during one. It joins a small, mostly undignified array of films that have tried to incorporate our last two years into their plots. Thankfully, The Bubble isn’t as distasteful as Amazon’s “Covid-23” romance Songbird, nor as terrible as the Anne Hathaway heist film Locked Down. Instead, it’s a fleetingly amusing but largely bad movie that just so happens to be about coronavirus. As far as Covid cinema goes, it’s a hit. As a comedy, it’s a disappointment.
The Bubble is funniest in its opening stretch. Karen Gillan’s Carol Cobb was once the star of the Cliff Beasts franchise, a Jurassic Park simulacrum in which teams of scientists battle mutant dinosaurs on land, sea and – in at least one sequel – space. Come Cliff Beasts 5, though, Carol was out, choosing instead to star in a disastrous, Oscar-baiting drama in which Israel and Palestine come together to fight aliens. Mid-pandemic and struggling for work, Carol is lured back for a sixth Cliff Beasts – Chapter 6: Battle for Everest: Memories of a Requiem. That’s despite her co-stars disliking her, and her role in the franchise having been usurped by a TikTok influencer (Iris Apatow) making her acting debut.
Carol joins her fellow cast and crew in a English countryside hotel for 14 days of quarantine, followed by a production that seems to go on forever – Covid repeatedly shuts the film down, studio executives bark demands via Zoom, there are drug overdoses, flings and exploding limbs. Freshly divorced franchise leads Lauren (Leslie Mann) and Dustin (David Duchovny) war over the nightmarish 16-year-old boy they just adopted; co-star Sean (Keegan-Michael Key) seems to be running a cult; method actor Dieter (Pedro Pascal) is still in an opioid haze from his last project; inexperienced director Darren (Fred Armisen) is coming off a Sundance hit about working at a DIY shop, and is miserable.
It’s a strong foundation. The Bubble’s script is credited to Apatow and Team America co-writer Pam Brady, and there are occasional flashes of barbed, satirical wit here. Generally, though, The Bubble resembles a flutter of loose ideas, to which a vast ensemble of reliably funny actors have been tasked with adding colour. So you have Mann and Pescal doing wacky accents, Rob Delaney ranting about “Japanese taxi porn”, Harry Trevaldwyn – of viral Twitter fame – being strange and ethereal. Every scene is accidentally tense as a result, with the actors seemingly improvising their way through a comic set-up and only occasionally hitting on something that works. That feeling worsens as The Bubble goes on. The reliably luminous Mann sadly exits at the film’s midpoint and a parade of subsequent celebrity cameos fall flat.
Most frustratingly, The Bubble is the first Judd Apatow movie that doesn’t feel like a Judd Apatow movie. His brand – honed via comedies such as Knocked Up, Funny People and The King of Staten Island – is talky, slightly overlong, funny-sad cinema. They merge the Seventies melancholy of Elaine May with the Eighties neuroses of Albert Brooks and the Nineties gross-out of the Farrelly Brothers, all the while serenaded by a Seth Rogen chortle. Polarising though they may be, Apatow’s films are heartfelt, clever and distinctly his. The Bubble feels throwaway and devoid of warmth or character. It ends up being little more than a slight, sluggish Saturday Night Live sketch stretched to more than two hours, with nary an Apatowian fingerprint to be found.
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Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. | https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-bubble-review-netflix-b2048212.html | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
"Every city in Montana seems to be booming right now. So, I think people follow the work,” Edgell said.
The report shows the state gained nearly 4,000 construction jobs over the past two years for an increase of 12.3%.
But local construction companies are struggling to fill those positions.
Edgell said the cost of living is keeping people from moving to or staying in Missoula for work.
"While we're trying to build more units, they’re just more expensive too. So those people are trying to pay that,” Edgell said. “But I think the pay has gone up as well to try and keep up with some of that, but it's hard.”
Idaho, Montana and Utah are the top three states for construction job growth.
David Smith with the Montana Contractors Association thinks that’s because more people are moving to those states, even some with more experience in trade work.
"I think that a lot of the people who have moved into this state are coming from a trades background in another state,” Smith said. “And so, let's sign 'em up, let's put 'em on a job site.”
Almost half of the country lost jobs, including New York, North Dakota and Pennsylvania, but that’s not an issue in Montana.
"People left construction jobs in other states, and now they were able to find construction jobs here in Montana. That's good for us,” Smith said.
Edgell said having open positions affects everyone. For example, he said projects that took five months to build two years ago now take seven months.
"They may need five employees, [but] they have three. So, the jobs are just taking longer. There's more demand on everybody, so that's been something very noticeable is the length of project," Edgell said.
Smith added that fewer young people are getting into construction, but with increasing wages and technology becoming more relevant in construction, they hope to see that change. | https://www.montanarightnow.com/missoula/every-city-in-montana-seems-to-be-booming-montana-ranks-second-nationwide-for-most-construction/article_db179ade-b153-11ec-bedb-f73bf9ad9732.html | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
The counting is over in the second union election at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. But it's too close to call.
There were 993 "no" votes and 875 "yes" votes, but more than 400 contested ballots remain. According to the National Labor Relations Board, there will be a hearing within a few weeks to decide if any of the challenged ballots will be opened and counted.
More than 6,100 workers were eligible to vote in the do-over election, which was ordered after the NLRB found that Amazon had improperly interfered in last year's tally.
Turnout in this year's vote was down from last year when over half of eligible voters cast ballots. But among those who actually voted this time around, there was greater support for the union. Last year, workers voted more than 2-to-1 against joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, a well-established national union.
"This time around we were able to educate more about unions," said Jennifer Bates, a warehouse employee, noting that organizers were able to get closer to workers now that the pandemic has eased.
The RWDSU called for every vote to be counted.
"The tenacity and courage of these workers never wavered in this unnecessarily long process," said RWDSU president Stuart Appelbaum in a statement. "Workers will have to wait just a little bit longer to ensure their voices are heard."
Meanwhile in a separate Amazon union election on Staten Island in New York, the vote count will continue Friday morning. Roughly 8,000 workers were eligible to vote on whether to join the Amazon Labor Union, an upstart organization led by former and current Amazon warehouse employees. With ballots still to count, the union is in the lead, with 1,518 voting yes so far, and 1,154 voting no.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wmuk.org/npr-news/2022-03-31/do-over-union-election-at-amazons-bessemer-warehouse-is-too-close-to-call | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Upholding a Trump-era environmental policy, the Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it will not regulate a drinking water contaminant that has been linked to brain damage in infants.
The agency said the Trump administration's decision in 2020 not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water was made with the “best available peer reviewed science.” The chemical is used in rocket fuel and fireworks.
At the time, Trump's EPA said perchlorate was not found widely enough in drinking water or "at levels of public health concern" to warrant federal regulation. The decision was one of many Trump-era rollbacks or eliminations of existing or pending public health and environmental protections. The Biden administration ordered a review of that decision at the start of his term.
EPA Assistant Administrator Radhika Fox said the agency was “applying the right tools to support public health protections.”
Environmental groups slammed the Biden administration’s decision.
“The Trump EPA gave perchlorate a pass; it was a bad decision then, and it’s a bad decision now,” said Erik Olson of the Natural Resources Defense Council advocacy group. “Tap water across America will remain contaminated by this toxic chemical.”
Perchlorate from runoff contaminates the drinking water of as many as 16 million Americans, the Obama administration said in 2011 when it announced the EPA would for the first time set maximum limits for the chemical compound. It has been used in the U.S. for decades, particularly by the military and defense industries, and is commonly found in munitions, fireworks, matches and signal flares.
Exposure to the compound can damage the development of fetuses and children and cause measurable drops in IQ in newborns, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in 2019, when it called for stringent federal limits. It damages human development by disrupting the functioning of the thyroid gland.
In its 2020 review, the EPA said state-level regulations and cleanup activities at contaminated sites had lowered the health risks posed by the compound. Massachusetts and California, for example, limit perchlorate in drinking water to 2 parts per billion and 6 parts per billion, respectively.
“But the problem is that for the rest of the country the states have not set standards,” said Olson of the Natural Resources Defense Council. He said the compound is in “the top tier of problematic chemicals in our water.”
In the Southwest, perchlorate has been detected in groundwater that entered Lake Mead in Nevada. Manufacturing facilities in Henderson, Nevada, were the source of the chemical. The EPA said cleanup activities at two industrial sites in the state between 2002 and 2006 resulted in reduced levels of perchlorate in data provided since then by Nevada environmental and water agencies.
The EPA said Thursday it was considering other steps besides a federal drinking water limit, such as setting standards at open burning and detonation sites, where severe perchlorate contamination is generated from the burning of hazardous byproducts from weapons manufacturing and munitions. One such site is in Colfax, Louisiana, where environmentalists have long advocated for reform.
But environmental advocates said such measures fall short of what's needed.
“Simply put, toxic chemicals used in rocket fuel do not belong in our drinking water," said John Rumpler, senior attorney with Environment America.
___
AP reporter Matthew Daly contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/environment | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/EPA-upholds-Trump-era-decision-not-to-regulate-17049862.php | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that could bring some big changes to Iowa schools in more ways than one.
Senate File 2369 would require school districts to publish all of their instructional materials online and also establishes a scholarship program for private schools, both of which have been priorities for Republicans this session.
The bill's new state transparency standards would require schools to publish a course syllabus or written summary of class content, how a class meets or exceeds educational standards, as well as the titles of all books, videos or other materials used in lessons.
Paul Croghan, superintendent of CAM and Nodaway Valley Schools, is worried the requirements would keep teachers from using current events in class, such as the recent EF-4 tornado in Winterset.
"It would be relevant for a science class to have something for kids to talk about right there, or be able to change that, and not have to worry about making sure we had some syllabus or some up to date website because of that," he said.
Another portion of the bill starts a "student first scholarship program," allowing families to apply for state money to pay tuition at a private school. Advocates say the bill provides families the chance to get a better education for their kids.
"The child has benefited because they get a better education, oftentimes they get an education that is can be fine-tuned to them, maybe smaller class sizes, and all kinds of things," said Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake.
Meanwhile, critics argue school districts are already struggling with a lack of funding, and that taking money away could make the problem even worse.
"Why do we want to try to fund something else if we're not going to be able to take care of our main staple, which is public education right now?" Croghan said.
Croghan said he understands parents wanting to be involved in their kids' education but argues there are already ways to do that, and this bill would be more of a burden on rural schools like his.
"We don't say parent-teacher conferences are only twice a year. We can have parent-teacher conferences anytime, and that's what parents should understand," he said.
There is a limit to how many of those scholarships can be given out: only 10,000 students are able to receive them in a given year. Scholarships would also only be available on an annual basis, so families would have to apply for an additional scholarship each year their child remains enrolled.
The Iowa House passed their own version of the transparency bill on Tuesday.
What's different between the two?
First, the House's version does not have anything about scholarships. The House's bill specified that a teacher's lesson plans are not instructional materials and do not need to be published.
The Senate version does not make that distinction. | https://www.wqad.com/article/news/education/iowa-legislation-educational-transparency-publishing-coursework-syllabus-online/524-2b199206-e766-43c1-918f-8c3fd2f75b70 | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former minor league pitcher ran a major league illegal sports betting operation in California that used other former pro athletes to take bets and took wagers from players still in the game, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Wayne Nix, who threw for Oakland Athletics farm teams, used his connections to recruit three former Major League Baseball players and a former pro football player as fellow bookies, prosecutors said.
The MLB began looking into the matter when it learned of it Thursday, but was unaware any of those involved other than Nix, a spokesman said.
Court records offered no names of the players who worked for Nix or those who placed bets with his business, but they provide a glimpse of the kind of money being wagered, earned and lost.
A professional football player paid Nix $245,000 for gambling losses in 2016. An MLB coach paid $4,000 in losses that same year. It was not disclosed if either bet on their own games or their own sports.
MLB prohibits players from betting on baseball or gambling illegally on sports. They can bet on other sports if it’s legal. The National Football League policy bars all personnel from betting on football games.
A Los Angeles check cashing business that has agreed to plead guilty to failing to prevent money laundering in the scheme cashed over $18 million in checks from two single bettors, prosecutors said.
One client wagered $5 million on the Super Bowl but it was not revealed if that gambit paid off.
Sports betting is legal in 30 states, but not in California. However, voters will have a chance to legalize it at the polls in November.
Nix, 45, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to run an illegal gambling operation and faces up to eight years in prison. He also admitted he failed to report $1.4 million in income in 2017 and 2018. He has agreed to pay back taxes and interest of $1.25 million and forfeit $1.3 million seized from bank accounts.
Nix began the sports bookmaking business about 20 years ago after his six-year minor league career — with stops in Arizona, Texas and California — ended, prosecutors said.
His client list was created from contacts he had made in the sports world and included current and former pro athletes. The agents he hired helped expand that clientele.
The operation eventually began using a Costa Rican business, Sand Island Sports, to create accounts where bets could be placed and tracked and credit limits set, prosecutors said. Bets were placed online or through a call center, though Nix paid winners and kept most of the money from losing bets.
Those who exceeded credit limits were shut off, though exceptions were made, according to court documents.
A sports broadcaster’s account was reactivated in February 2019 after he told Nix he was refinancing his home mortgage to pay off his gambling debts.
In September 2019, Nix increased the credit limit to a baseball player with debts so he could make additional bets.
In November, 2019, Nix’s partner, Edon Kagasoff, told a business manager for a professional basketball player that he would increase the maximum wager he could place to $25,000 per NBA game.
Kagasoff, 44, faces the same conspiracy charge as Nix. He also agreed to plead guilty and forfeit over $3 million in funds seized from his home and bank accounts. | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mlb/ex-minor-leaguer-ran-major-league-sports-betting-operation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
By Jim Holt
Senior Investigative Reporter
Local sheriff’s deputies carried out a “home check” of a Valencia fifth grader late last week after receiving reports the boy had posted a threat on social media to harm one of his classmates.
The visit to the boy’s home turned up nothing.
“Deputies interviewed all parties involved and conducted a home check of the alleged suspect’s home, in which they did not locate any evidence of intended school violence,” Deputy Natalie Arriaga, spokeswoman for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, said Thursday.
According to the father of the alleged victim, the boy threatened to kill his daughter with a “specific knife” from his knife collection.
He was notified of the incident by Charles Helmers Elementary School officials who told him that “a student in the fifth grade posted in a group text that he was going to kill my daughter and use a specific knife,” he said.
The father — whose identity is not revealed here to protect the identity of his daughter — said the incident prompted him to keep his daughter home from school Tuesday.
The parents of two other children in the same class, he said, did the same.
School officials called the sheriff’s station on March 24 when they learned of the post.
In response, deputies went to the school and then went to the home of the alleged suspect where they turned up no evidence of school violence, Arriaga said Thursday.
“A school threat assessment was conducted on March 24 and deputies determined the threat was not credible and that no crime had occurred after investigation,” Arriaga said. “Deputies learned a group text message sent between several students implied a threat from one student towards another student.”
“Any discipline rendered will be determined at a school level,” she added.
Colleen Hawkins, superintendent of the Saugus Union School District, said in a statement sent to The Signal on Thursday that a “full investigation occurred, local law enforcement was consulted appropriately and the threat was found to be transient in nature.”
The term “transient” is not a term used by local deputies to describe a threat, according to Arriaga.
“The school and the district will now work together with the students and their families,” Hawkins said, “to ensure a return to a safe normal school environment while also ensuring students develop the appropriate skills to ensure these types of threats are not continued nor escalate.”
That’s not good enough for the father of the alleged victim.
“This kid should have been suspended or expelled so that my daughter doesn’t have to face this kid on a daily basis,” he said.
According to the school district’s superintendent, threats directed at any student are taken very seriously, and a strict protocol is followed in responding to them.
“Saugus Union School District takes the safety of its students and staff seriously,” Hawkins said.
Any and all threats to individuals, schools, or the organization are thoroughly investigated, including consultation with local law enforcement as appropriate, she added.
School protocol
In the case of threats via social media, Hawkins said, the school’s staff completes a thorough investigation by interviewing witnesses in an effort to fully understand the circumstances involved in each situation.
When threats involve weapons, school officials consult with local law enforcement because only law enforcement can conduct the appropriate additional investigation needed to ascertain whether the threat is credible, Hawkins said.
Describing the protocol followed by school officials, she said, the results of a full investigation will determine the credibility of the threat so that appropriate actions can then be taken “to ensure the safety of everyone involved.”
Each situation is very unique, she said, and therefore the consequences following the investigation will be appropriate to the situation and must be unique to the situation.
Ensuring that students have consequences that promote good future behavior, promote understanding of the consequences of their individual actions, are age-appropriate and comply with current Education Code are how the district determines its actions in each situation.
“Out of respect for the families and young students involved in any school situation and because of expected privacy protections for students, we do not comment on specific consequences administered,” Hawkins said. | https://signalscv.com/2022/03/deputies-5th-graders-threat-not-credible/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the New York Lottery's "Pick 10" game were:
03-06-07-17-21-23-32-42-47-52-54-59-61-65-66-67-69-78-79-80
(three, six, seven, seventeen, twenty-one, twenty-three, thirty-two, forty-two, forty-seven, fifty-two, fifty-four, fifty-nine, sixty-one, sixty-five, sixty-six, sixty-seven, sixty-nine, seventy-eight, seventy-nine, eighty) | https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-10-game-17049898.php | 2022-04-01T01:52:12Z |
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Today Thursday March 31, 2022 the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs received confirmation of a total of 2 new cases of COVID-19.
These samples were processed on Wednesday March 30, 2022 from a total of 123 samples of which 98 samples were from the Ezra Long Laboratory and 25 samples from the Laboratory Services and Consultations Limited.
These samples were collected on March 29, 2022 and March 30, 2022. This number of positive cases makes up 1.6% of all the samples processed on that date. These new cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in country to date to 22, 955.
Confirmation was also received of the recovery of 3 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19.
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This brings the number of active cases in country to date to 21. Currently, there are 2 positive cases of COVID-19 admitted at the Respiratory Hospital and one of them is critically ill.
To date, a total of 53, 172 individuals have been fully vaccinated. Another 5, 376 are partially vaccinated and 7, 069 have received their booster shot.
Vaccination will resume tomorrow Friday April 1, 2022 at various Wellness Centres as per the published COVID-19 vaccination schedule.
Vaccination will be available from 9am to 4pm.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will continue providing daily updates to the public as new information becomes available.
– Advertisement – | https://stluciachronicle.com/saint-lucia-records-2-new-covid-19-cases-st-lucia-times-news-2/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
The following new temple president and companion have been called to serve by the First Presidency. They will begin their service in September.
Samiuela Falefo’ou Masima and Lupe Palei Masima, Te’ekiu 1st Ward, Nuku’alofa Tonga West Stake, called as president and matron of the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple, succeeding President ’Aisake K. Tukuafu and Sister Lose Tukuafu. President Masima is a temple presidency counselor and former stake president and bishop. He was born in Houma, Tonga, to Paula Masima and Palu Masima.
Sister Masima is an assistant to the matron and a former ward Young Women and Primary president. She was born in Te’ekiu, Tonga, to Siosaia Lotu Palei and Kalolaine Palei. | https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2022-03-31/nukualofa-tonga-temple-president-and-matron-masima-247920 | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
The business community in Nigeria has called on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to take the bull by the horn and make official declaration to contest the Presidency in 2023.
The group, under the aegis of Businessmen for Osinbajo, said supporters of the Vice President who have recently increased by millions across the country, were already running out of patience for his declaration.
The BFO also raised the alarm that some bad elements in the country were currently using the opportunity to play on the intelligence of millions of Osinbajo’s supporters by circulating fake news about his declaration, thereby raising false hopes and creating tension among them.
The BFO also asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to support the Vice President to consolidate on the massive infrastructural development, social intervention programs and economic diversification witnessed in the country.
The BFO in a statement issued on Thursday by its convener, Dr. Tayo Fashogbon, said that the organisation has budgeted N97, 000,000 to purchase nomination form for the Vice President.
He said, “Because of his track records with President Muhammadu Buhari, even in his short stint as the acting President, we are therefore calling on the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to avail himself to be of service to the country he has committed so much to.
“We are also calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, who has done so much in the last seven years despite the slime resources at his disposal as a result of the global shortfall in the price of crude oil at the international market, to throw his support behind the candidature of the vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, should he accept to vie for the office of President.”
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Contact: [email protected] | https://punchng.com/bizmen-pressure-osinbajo-to-join-presidential-race-getting-impatient/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:12Z |
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued 18 migrants crammed inside a U-Haul trailer with little ventilation early Tuesday morning.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said a U-Haul pickup pulling the trailer stopped at the Border Patrol checkpoint on NM Highway 185, which runs parallel to Interstate 25. Agents found 17 migrant adults and one unaccompanied child inside the trailer.
Agents linked the smuggling scheme to a driver who had crossed the checkpoint minutes before the U-Haul and was found to have a 9 mm handgun, an AK-47 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition, and a flare gun.
Agents arrested both drivers on suspicion of conspiracy to transport migrants.
On Sunday, a resident alerted border agents to a possible human smuggling scheme after spotting a tractor-trailer parked along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the Texas-New Mexico state line in Northeast El Paso.
Agents responded and freed 15 adult migrants and one unaccompanied child inside a poorly ventilated cargo container.
The rescued migrants, agents said, were from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Some of them ended up at the Central Processing Center, and agents expelled the others to Mexico under Title 42.
According to a news release, agents referred the driver to the El Paso Sector Integrated Targeting Team and the Texas Department of Public Safety as part of an ongoing interagency investigation.
CBP said that since Fiscal Year 2022 began in October, Border Patrol agents from the El Paso Sector have disrupted approximately 525 smuggling schemes.
“Ruthless human smugglers continuously endanger human lives as one of their tactics is to smuggle migrants in confined spaces with restricted oxygen,” El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of the actions of our El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents as they often encounter situations, where if not for their involvement, events as these would turn into tragedies. Our Border Patrol Agents are true heroes as they display compassion and professionalism (every day) in our very complex mission of border security.” | https://www.kxan.com/border-report/34-migrants-rescued-from-cargo-trailers-in-separate-smuggling-attempts/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:11Z |
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SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Russell Knox recorded four straight birdies on the back nine and fired a 7-under 65 on Thursday for a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Valero Texas Open.
Knox closed out his round with a seven-foot putt to save par at the par-5 18th at TPC San Antonio, and was one shot ahead of Rasmus Hojgaard.
Hojgaard fired a 66 despite a double bogey on his final hole. Matt Kuchar is another stroke back after an opening 5-under 67 and is among a group that includes Denny McCarthy, Aaron Rei and J.J. Spaun.
Defending champ Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy finished at even-par 72. They were outside the top 60 after one round and could flirt with the cut line on Friday.
Bryson DeChambeau had a 1-over 73. After holing a bunker shot for eagle on his 11th hole and following with a birdie on the next, he made bogey on four of his last six holes.
Knox, a 32-year-old Scotsman with two career PGA Tour wins, started his birdie streak at No. 12. All of his birdie putts were inside 10 feet. At the 15th, he was about 20 feet away from a back pin position following his approach and chipped in from the fringe. It was his second chip-in in the round.
“That was one of those kind of bonus birdies that you need when you’re going to have a good day,” Knox said. “Obviously thrilled with the round. It’s been more of the way I want to play.”
Hogjaard, a 21-year-old from Denmark and two-rime winner on the European Tour, had his sights on the first-round lead heading to his closing hole. But, his drive sailed well left of the fairway. It took him four shots to reach the green on the par-4 ninth.
“I had to chip sideways back into the fairway,” he said. “Just was a little too aggressive after that. Yeah, short-sided myself and I didn’t get up and down and suddenly you walk away with double-bogey. Yeah, that was a bit annoying, but it happens.”
Kuchar was 5 under after 11 holes. Thirty feet away from the pin on the next hole, he failed to get up and down and missed a seven-foot putt for par. He got a shot back with a birdie on his 14th hole, and parred out, falling short in a bid to match his season-best round of 64 at the Sony Open, where he finished in the top 10.
“A lot of good and bad that can happen here on this course,” Kuchar said. “I was kind of managing early on in the round and then found a little something on about the fifth or sixth hole. I started having some birdie chances and converted on a few late in my first nine.”
Kuchar has won nine times on the PGA Tour. McCarthy, Rai and Spaun are looking for their first.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.registercitizen.com/sports/article/Knox-uses-4-birdie-run-for-a-one-stroke-lead-at-17049836.php | 2022-04-01T01:52:13Z |
LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania police officer was killed and two others injured Thursday during a shooting that occurred while responding to a domestic disturbance call, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said.
Police officers went to a home in the city at about 3:30 p.m. for the disturbance call. Nearly an hour later gunfire broke out and officers radioed in they were hit, Capello said at a brief news conference.
All three officers were taken to hospitals. One of them has been pronounced dead. A second was in critical condition, but stable, and a third was in stable condition, Capello said.
“This is an extremely difficult moment for everyone,” Capello said.
The suspect, a 34-year-old man from Lebanon, was killed in the shooting, Lebanon Police Chief Todd Breiner said.
“As one can imagine, it's clearly a traumatic event,” Breiner said. “Our guys are strong, but we're human and we have families.”
The slain officer's name is being withheld pending notification of extended family members.
Police did not release further details. | https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/1-officer-killed-2-others-shot-in-Pennsylvania-17049870.php | 2022-04-01T01:52:13Z |
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aliyah Boston dominated women’s college basketball on both ends of the court this season.
The junior forward helped South Carolina go wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the country, putting up an SEC-record 27 consecutive double-doubles, andshe has helped put the Gamecocks two wins away from the program’s second national championship.
Boston was honored as The Associated Press women’s basketball player of the year on Thursday. She is the second player from South Carolina to be recognized with the award, joining former Gamecocks great A’ja Wilson.
“Not often do you get the complete package. I think this recognition is for what she was able to do on both sides of the ball,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “The player of the year is usually for offensive-minded people who think that when you put the ball in the hole, you should be bestowed the player of the year. She’s the full package. Every single day.”
Boston’s parents and aunt as well as the entire South Carolina team were in the audience of the ceremony that also honored AP Coach of the Year Kim Mulkey.
“Coming into this year I said in the back of my mind I wanted to change the narrative this year about women’s basketball,” Boston said. “To get this award means a lot and I can’t wait to do more in the future.”
Boston received 23 votes from the 30-member national media panel that votes weekly for the AP Top 25. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark received six votes and Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith got one.
Boston averaged 16.8 points, 12 rebounds and 2.6 blocks this year.
“I think Aliyah is so unselfish that she’s not very comfortable taking over basketball games,” Staley said. “She doesn’t want to be seen by her teammates as selfish and chasing numbers.”
Boston’s parents surprised the unanimous first-team AP All-American with the news on Zoomthat she had won the award.
“I’m in shock, I got the chills,” Boston said to her parents on the call.
Staley said that Boston is one of the hardest workers on the team.
“Young people will follow anyone, good or bad,” the coach said. “Aliyah has tbe personality where you’d follow her because of how hard she works, how unselfish she is, how giving she is. When it’s time to make plays she delivers. She’s a leader to follow for all the right reasons.”
___
More AP coverage of March Madness: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/sports/ap-sports/south-carolinas-aliyah-boston-wins-ap-player-of-the-year/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:13Z |
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Allentown Art Festival will be back for its 65th year this June.
The festival will take place on June 11 and 12. Over the years, it has featured a variety of art forms, including jewelry, painting, clay, photography and mixed media.
New this year, there will be a student design contest, with prizes ranging from $100 to $500. Students also have the opportunity to win scholarships through the festival, with more than $29,000 to be awarded this year.
Last year’s festival was canceled due to COVID restrictions and health concerns.
More information on this year’s festival will be released at a later time.
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Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. | https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/buffalo/allentown-art-festival-to-return-on-june-11-and-12/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:13Z |
The city of Chernihiv, Ukraine, has been under heavy bombardment despite Russia saying they would drastically scale back attacks there.
Thousands of residents have fled the area including the parents of Penticton, B.C. resident Svitlana Shkyn.
“Unfortunately, no one believes Russia, no one believes in those words. They’ve been saying that they’re not going to start the war and that it is just the west saying gossip but here we are in a full war,” said Shkyn.
“My parents were able to escape the city of Chernihiv, they are in a safer space right now. That happened thankfully to my brother. Once he heard the rockets bombing our street, he was able to come and help them drive away from our street.”
Her brother is still in their hometown actively fighting in Chernihiv’s territorial defense forces.
“I am very proud of my brother. He is still there in Chernihiv city protecting the borders because the city gets occupied by three different routes,” she said.
Shkyn who is a part of the Ukrainian Canadian Volunteers Association of the Okanagan and works at the Penticton Lakeside Resort helped organize fundraisers for Ukraine earlier this month.
As of Thursday evening, the association has raised over $38,700. Shkyn said her brother has received some protective gear made possible by funds raised by the Okanagan community.
“Now he has a helmet, so thank you Okanagan community. His division members have bulletproof vests that helps a lot. That is all pretty much what they’ve been asking for,” said Shkyn.
The fundraisers also supported the purchase of 10 night-vision tools that will be delivered to Ukraine this weekend.
She plans to continue supportive efforts here as communities in Ukraine are still in need of necessary supplies, protective gear, food, and medicine.
“We are not stopping yet on this because we have other frontline soldiers and people, volunteers that need our help. We are currently running the online silent auction that is running until April 6. We sell online arts and crafts,” she said.
“We are also planning a Ukrainian bake sale on Easter day on April 17, at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.”
Her current goal is to help purchase an ambulance from Denmark to send to people in Ukraine.
“A lot of injured regular people and soldiers from ‘hot spots’ are getting transported to cities that are considered safer right now. Those emergencies vehicles that are fully equipped would be a huge help, they could save lives,” said Shkyn. | https://globalnews.ca/news/8726856/penticton-bc-woman-efforts-ukraine-support/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:13Z |
NASHVILLE — During this time of troubling international conflict, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Securities Division cautions investors and securities firms to be vigilant of increased threats from cyberattacks and potential investment scams.
“The Department of Commerce and Insurance reminds Tennesseans to be wary of scammers using international crisis, especially the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to exploit consumers,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence.
TDCI’s Securities Division offers the following tips for investors:
Be skeptical of investment opportunities linked to the headlines. Fraudsters may seek to take advantage of the rising gas prices to pitch extremely risky or bogus investments within the energy sector. Consumers should delete unsolicited emails and social media messages touting investments with limited or no risks but significant or guaranteed returns.
Conduct your own research. Unscrupulous promoters may look to prey on this concern and attempt to convince investors to leave the regulated markets in favor of “less volatile” or “stable” investment opportunities. Investors are cautioned to investigate both the background of the person and firm offering the investment and the investment itself. Visit TDCI’s website to perform a free Broker-Dealer check. Always consult with your financial professional before making decisions to sell any of your investments.
Monitor accounts regularly and take steps to protect your financial data. Be sure to routinely monitor your brokerage, bank, and credit card statements to spot potential fraudulent or suspicious transactions. Contact your financial professional, bank, or credit card issuer immediately if you see any questionable transaction or charge.
For questions regarding the investor information above, contact TDCI’s Securities Division at tn.gov/securities or 800-863-9117. | https://www.dailypostathenian.com/news/article_f7f73e68-97a8-5410-8749-5ec1fb5e0534.html | 2022-04-01T01:52:13Z |
Russia’s blocking of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its bombing of medical facilities should be the subjects of an international war crimes investigation, says Canada’s international development minister.
Harjit Sajjan offered that view as a half dozen extra RCMP investigators head to The Hague to assist in the International Criminal Court investigation of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
“I have worked enough conflict areas and war zones to understand what international humanitarian law is. This is something that does need to be investigated. Civilians are not supposed to be harmed. That also includes when civilians need medical support, food support,” Sajjan said in an interview.
Sajjan, a former defence minister and Canadian Armed Forces veteran of the war in Afghanistan, was speaking ahead of the International Committee of the Red Cross announcement Thursday that it would be ready to start evacuating citizens from the besieged port city of Mariupol on Friday.
“For logistics and security reasons, we’ll be ready to lead the safe passage operation tomorrow, Friday, provided all the parties agree to the exact terms, including the route, the start time, and the duration,” the ICRC said in a statement on Thursday.
“It’s desperately important that this operation takes place. The lives of tens of thousands of people in Mariupol depend on it.”
Relentless Russian attacks on Mariupol have reduced massive sections of the city to rubble and have blocked efforts to get food, water and medicine to its estimated 430,000 residents, amid reports that some may have been abducted by invading troops.
Canada’s Parliament and others recognize as a genocide the acts perpetrated by Joseph Stalin that killed millions of Ukrainians in the 1930s, a tragic chapter of which Sajjan is mindful.
“The Ukrainians already have seen another Holocaust in their past with the Holodomor where the population was starved to death,” he said.
“This is just another time now, Russians using kind of a different tactic here. So, I hope that everything will be investigated thoroughly in this regard.”
Sajjan said carving out the corridors needed to get humanitarian supplies into Ukraine has been a difficult undertaking. Even when routes have been cleared, convoys have had to deal with booby traps and other hazards, he said.
“Every time you try and co-ordinate something, it’s been used for the Russians to start targeting folks in the corridor itself.”
Sajjan has travelled throughout eastern Europe to liaise with Canadian allies and international agencies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Program. The food program reported recently it had helped feed its one millionth displaced Ukrainian.
An estimated 10 million Ukrainians have been forced out of their homes, while almost four million have sought asylum as refugees in the worst humanitarian disaster in Europe since the Second World War.
In a separate interview, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the RCMP officers dispatched to assist the prosecutor’s office of the ICC — joining Mounties already deployed there on various investigations — will be seized with documenting the atrocities that are “continuing to occur in real time” in Ukraine.
Mendicino said he expected them to focus on digitally recording the destruction while eventually gathering testimony from the Ukrainians who have fled attacks.
“They are all living witnesses to what’s happened in Ukraine,” said Mendicino.
“Even while we continue to provide military aid and impose economic sanctions and (create) humanitarian corridors to allow those who are fleeing those atrocities to survive, we have to preserve the record.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that Russia should be kicked out of the G20, the group of leading nations charged with steering the world economy, echoing U.S. President Joe Biden’s call last week.
Trudeau said the G20, which also includes China, might include different countries with different approaches and “political structures” but its main function is to “manage and encourage economic growth.”
“Russia, right now, has with its illegal invasion of Ukraine upended economic growth for everyone around the world and can’t possibly be a constructive partner in how we manage in part the crisis created by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine,” he said.
“The bottom line is it can’t be business as usual to have Vladimir Putin just sitting around the table pretending that everything is OK, because it’s not OK and it’s his fault.”
Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland welcomed a delegation of five Ukrainian MPs for further discussions on what Canada can do to help Ukraine’s democratically elected government survive the Russian invasion.
“We want to be a symbol of victory, for democratic growth, for democratic values,” said Lesia Zaburanna, the delegation chair. She said it was a difficult decision “for us to leave our home, our people … but we have to because it’s our duty.”
—Mike Blanchfield, The Canadian Press
RELATED: $128 million raised for war-stricken people in Ukraine through Red Cross donations | https://www.interior-news.com/news/canadian-federal-ministers-cite-need-for-international-war-crimes-probe-of-russia/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:14Z |
Mireya Sánchez-Maes ’24 is a joint concentrator in English and Theater, Dance, and Media in Currier House. Her column “Insect Insights” appears on alternate Wednesdays. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single student in possession of a Harvard degree, must be in want of a high-paying job. However little known the feelings or views of such a student may be upon their first entering the College, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the populace that innocent first-years flock to the altars of CS and Econ with little regard for the trivial frivolities of History and Literature. I mean, sure, they’ll take a distributional Philosophy class, and heck, maybe even minor in Music if the credits line up! But major? “Pffft. I’d like to be employed, thank you very much.” | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556255905277/flyby-imagines-an-ideal-student-government | 2022-04-01T01:52:14Z |
San Antonio Spurs icon Manu Ginobili will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot, The Athletic reported Thursday.
Ginobili will be joined in the Class of 2022 by five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway, two-time WNBA MVP Swin Cash, longtime NBA coach George Karl and collegiate coach Bob Huggins. The class will be enshrined Sept. 9-10 in Springfield, Mass.
Ginobili won four NBA titles with San Antonio and led Argentina to the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
In 16 NBA seasons, all with the Spurs, the shooting guard averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from 3.
Hardaway played 13 seasons for the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers, averaging 17.7 points and 8.2 assists for his career. He was a college star at UTEP and a member of the 2000 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team.
Cash played 15 seasons in the WNBA for the Detroit Shock, Seattle Storm, Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty, winning three WNBA championships. A forward, she averaged 10.7 points and 5.3 rebounds for her career and was a four-time All-Star selection.
Karl ranks sixth in NBA history in victories (1,175), guided the Seattle SuperSonics to the 1996 NBA Finals and posted 12 seasons of 50 or more victories.
Huggins, currently the coach at West Virginia, has guided teams to 25 NCAA Tournament appearances, including Final Four berths in 1992 (Cincinnati) and 2010 (West Virginia). He has a lifetime 844-374 record over 37 seasons at Akron, Cincinnati, Kansas State and West Virginia.
The inductees will be formally announced Saturday at the Final Four in New Orleans. Finalists needed to receive 18 of a possible 24 votes from the Honors Committee for selection to the Hall of Fame.
Other finalists who reportedly will not make the cut this year were NBA players Marques Johnson and Michael Cooper, NBA referee Hugh Evans, WNBA player Lindsay Whalen, former college and current WNBA coach Marianne Stanley and former girls high school coach Leta Andrews.
–Field Level Media | https://sportsnaut.com/report-manu-ginobili-tim-hardaway-swin-cash-among-5-to-hof/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:14Z |
Opinion: Sens. Feinstein, Padilla tout progress on border pollution while frustration mounts
We share your frustrations on border pollution
Re: “Feinstein, Padilla see progress on Tijuana sewage nightmare. San Diegans don’t.” (March 25): Progress has been made to address the longstanding problem of sewage flowing across the border.
The EPA is moving forward with the $300 million secured in the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Last November, EPA released its first-ever comprehensive plan that outlines projects on both sides of the border to fix the problem. All of those projects are advancing and currently undergoing the required environmental reviews.
One project, the water treatment plant expansion, requires additional action from Congress. EPA announced this week that it has the necessary authority to begin design and preconstruction once the reviews are complete. And we have introduced legislation to provide any additional authority and are working to overcome Republican opposition to pass it. Additionally, we were pleased to see that authorization was included in the president’s latest budget proposal.
We share the frustration that this hasn’t been resolved sooner, but we are making meaningful progress. We have secured the funding and EPA is currently working to ensure construction begins as soon as possible.
U.S Sen. Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla
Sewage problem needs solutions, outrage now
Re “Stop with the excuses on sewage nightmare” (March 26): It was with great sadness that I read this editorial.
Apparently, according to longstanding tradition when there is an urgent problem, our state and federal governments have found even more bureaucratic ways to make sure that nothing gets done. There is supposed to be $300 million available to fix this sewage situation, yet here we are at square one.
For readers who have not lived in San Diego more than a couple decades, I’d like to point out that untreated Tijuana sewage has been a problem in our coastal waters since the 1970s. Yes, that’s 50 years (that I know of). I would hope that every San Diego County citizen would voice outrage to their state and federal representatives.
Maggie Conway
Sorrento Mesa
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You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. | https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/story/2022-03-31/us-mexico-border-pollution | 2022-04-01T01:52:14Z |
Election set to be delayed due to ballot paper issues
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says production costs rising like never before has left dairy farmers unable to cover their expenses and that the extra expenditure needs to be alleviated by those further up the supply chain to prevent putting milk supply at risk.
UFU dairy chair Mervyn Gordon said: “Retailers, as well as processors, need to be supporting farmers so they can receive a fair return from the booming dairy market which will help significantly in managing the extra expense they’re currently enduring.
"As reported by Arla, the price of liquid milk in shops (up to 2022) is seven percent lower than what it was ten years ago, despite the thriving dairy market. If the price of milk and all dairy products in stores does not rise correspondingly, come later in the year, Northern Ireland (NI) could be set to endure a milk scarcity because farmers can no longer keep up with the skyrocketing costs of producing high-quality milk.
"If they can’t cover the basics, how can they be expected to continue running a farm business that is supposed to support a family and home?”
UFU carried out an analysis of the retail price of liquid milk. In February 2022 the average pint of milk cost 49p (86p per litre). By week 28 March, the average pint of milk cost 60p (£1.05 per litre) – an increase of 22 percent. Last month the average base milk at the farmgate only rose by 1.75p. Meanwhile fertiliser prices in NI are at the top end of the global scale* with over 300 percent inflation, fuel has more than doubled with red diesel costing £1.05/litre and animal feed prices continue to hit record levels.
“When dairy products are doing well in the market with prices rising, you would normally see an increase in the amount of milk being produced off the back of it as farmers want to take advantage of improved returns. However, the eyewatering productions costs are having the opposite effect.
“On average, 60 percent of direct costs on a dairy farm are attributed to feed, fuel and fertiliser. What’s even more worrying, is that the full impact of cost increases is still to be felt by the dairy sector. Farmers are struggling to keep their head above water as it is and if things continue like this, their cash flow will be well into the negative in a matter of months. We need retailers and processors to get behind our dairy farmers and help protect local milk production here in NI, so they can continue producing to meet consumer demand.
“It’s long been the UFU’s position that the dairy farmer’s struggle is largely due to the way milk is priced. Farmers’ extra production costs needs to be alleviated by those further up the supply chain. Otherwise, there is every likelihood that dairy farmers will reduce output in response to unsustainable input costs,” said Mr Gordon. | http://limavadynorthernconstitution.virtualcms.it/news/2022/03/31/news/rising-input-costs-leading-to-a-scarcity-of-milk-in-ni-says-ufu-23439/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:15Z |
ABERDEEN, N.C., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The fast growth of Moore County, including Aberdeen, Pinehurst, and Southern Pines, caused a few growing pains for General Manager Scott Weaver and his team at Leith Honda Aberdeen, "The growth in Aberdeen is so great that we just outgrew our building. It was time." Last weekend, his team cut the ribbon and drove vehicles to their new, expanded facility adjacent to the original Leith Honda Aberdeen location on US 15-501.
The new building includes an expanded showroom giving customers a more relaxed environment to shop and explore the showcased inventory. Also, their waiting area has expanded for customers' comfort and includes business workstations for those who need to work while they wait.
Weaver and Service Manager Mark Posey are most excited about their new state-of-the-art service department. The new facility holds twice as many service bays as the former building, complete with new tire balancers, express bay lifts, and individual fluid and air filling stations.
"When we have to walk to the parts counter to get oil and washer fluid for our vehicles, it adds to the customer's wait time," said Posey. "Now we will have oil and washer fluid, water, light, and electrical reels right at our fingertips."
Even with a new building, the one thing that won't change is Leith's tradition to take the best care of their customers. Posey says that commitment is what has kept customers coming back for generations. "We've got people that we have retained since I've been here. I have worked on their mother's and grandmother's cars."
LeithCars.com is one of the largest automotive groups in North Carolina. A family business created in Raleigh, Leith Cars has been serving the Triangle community for over 50 years, incorporating over 1,900 North Carolinians into its family. The number one place to buy vehicles in the Raleigh metro area for five years running, according to a Marshall Marketing Survey, the auto dealer has 39 franchise locations throughout the state. For more information, visit www.leithcars.com.
Media Contact:
Lora Johnson
919-832-3232
lora.johnson@leithcars.com
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SOURCE LeithCars.com | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/03/31/leith-grows-with-moore-county-opens-upgraded-expanded-honda-dealership-aberdeen/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:15Z |
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – For some people, overdraft fees are a frustrating inconvenience. For others, they pose crippling costs. Some lawmakers now want to change how they’re charged altogether.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney introduced legislation called the “Overdraft Protection Act.” The bill includes provisions to cap the amount and number of fees a bank can charge.
“My bill tries to cut down on these unfair and deceptive practices,” the New York Democrat said.
Advocates like Elyse Crawford-Hicks with Americans for Financial Reform say overdraft fees hit low-income families and people of color the hardest.
“Overdraft fees are paid the most by people who can least afford them,” Crawford-Hicks said.
Others say over-drafting is a useful service because it can function like a short-term loan. Paul Kundert is the CEO of UW Credit Union, which recently reduced their overdraft fees and put more limits on how they charge them.
“When prices are fair, we believe consumers do benefit from access to the credit provided by overdraft fees,” Kundert said.
Recently, major banks like Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Bank of America have made changes themselves, by reducing their overdraft fees or eliminating them altogether.
Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, says that demonstrates the legislation is unnecessary.
“The market is naturally, naturally taking care of the issue without government intervention. And we do not need more rules from Washington,” Williams said.
Because banks make billions of dollars in revenue from overdraft fees, George Mason University Foundation Professor of Law Todd Zywicki argues the proposed changes would cost consumers.
“We’ll see higher bank fees, we’ll see higher minimum monthly deposits as basically insurance against over-drafting and we will see a loss of access to free checking,” Zywicki said.
Lawmakers like Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., are promising to continue pushing for the reforms.
“How can we perform such an abusive and predatory practice that punishes people simply for being poor?” Pressley said. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/washington-dc/bill-seeks-to-put-cap-on-overdraft-fees/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:15Z |
Ex-minor leaguer ran major league sports betting operation
By BRIAN MELLEY
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a former minor league pitcher was the ringleader of an illegal sports betting operation in California that used former pro athletes as bookies and active players as clients. Prosecutors said Thursday that Wayne Nix has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to run an illegal gambling operation. They say he used his sports connections to recruit three former Major League Baseball players and a former pro football player as bookies. Clients included an MLB coach who lost $4,000 at one point and a professional football player who lost $245,000. One client wagered $5 million on the Super Bowl. | https://ktvz.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/03/31/ex-minor-leaguer-ran-major-league-sports-betting-operation/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:16Z |
Parents, you have work to do
Thursday, March 31, 2022Dear Editor,
If ever there was a time that parents were called to play their part in the upbringing of their child, it's now.
The job of parenting is a full-time one with vacation after 18 years. This is a job many did not apply for, but find themselves on duty as a result of their need for 'fun' or engagement in promiscuous behaviour.
It matters not the circumstances that led to parental employment, one still has a responsibility to be a real parent to his or her child. The family structure, for too long, has been crippled and dwarfed due to the absence of fathers or an effective father figure in the home.
The family courts across our land bear witness to not just delinquent fathers, but also women who have paid scant regard to their motherly responsibilities.
The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and other children agencies are bombarded with cases of child neglect, cruelty to child, abandoning child, child trafficking, and children in need of care and protection. These are often the result of parental shortcomings.
While it takes a village to raise a child, it is first the responsibility of the parents to instill positive values and attitudes in their children for at least 18 years.
We have given our children over to self-management; hence, we are reaping the unwelcome rewards of crime, violence, indiscipline, and children that are sexually exposed.
Parents, you should be the first role model for your children. The teacher, pastor, and artist should come after you; their influence should be secondary to yours.
The novel coronavirus pandemic highlights the increased need for parental control and amplifies their responsibility to their children.
No child was born a criminal, and parents should take some of the blame for their children's negative outcome, just as they take the praise for their success.
The silence of the National Parenting Support Commission is deafening. This matter needs urgent attention as parents are being left behind in the dark ages, while children are left to the mercy of a confused society.
Hezekan Bolton
h_e_z_e@hotmail.com
�
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1 officer killed, 2 others hurt in Pennsylvania shooting
Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello says one officer was killed and two others were injured in Pennsylvania when gunfire erupted at a domestic disturbance call
LEBANON, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania police officer was killed and two others injured Thursday during a shooting that occurred while responding to a domestic disturbance call, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said.
Police officers went to a home in the city at about 3:30 p.m. for the disturbance call. Nearly an hour later gunfire broke out and officers radioed in they were hit, Capello said at a brief news conference.
All three officers were taken to hospitals. One of them has been pronounced dead. A second was in critical condition, but stable, and a third was in stable condition, Capello said.
“This is an extremely difficult moment for everyone,” Capello said.
The suspect, a 34-year-old man from Lebanon, was killed in the shooting, Lebanon Police Chief Todd Breiner said.
“As one can imagine, it's clearly a traumatic event,” Breiner said. “Our guys are strong, but we're human and we have families.”
The slain officer's name is being withheld pending notification of extended family members.
Police did not release further details. | https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/officer-killed-shot-pennsylvania-83799885 | 2022-04-01T01:52:17Z |
Oldest U.S. active park ranger retires at 100
The nation’s oldest active park ranger is hanging up her Smokey hat at the age of 100
The nation’s oldest active park ranger is hanging up her Smokey hat at the age of 100.
Betty Reid Soskin retired Thursday after more than 15 years at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, the National Park Service announced.
Soskin “spent her last day providing an interpretive program to the public and visiting with coworkers," a Park Service statement said.
She led tours at the park and museum honoring the women who worked in factories during wartime and shared her own experience as a Black woman during the conflict. She worked for the U.S. Air Force in 1942 but quit after learning that “she was employed only because her superiors believed she was white," according to a Park Service biography.
“Being a primary source in the sharing of that history – my history – and giving shape to a new national park has been exciting and fulfilling,” Soskin said in the Park Service statement. “It has proven to bring meaning to my final years.”
Soskin won a temporary Park Service position at the age of 84 and became a permanent Park Service employee in 2011. She celebrated her 100th birthday last September.
“Betty has made a profound impact on the National Park Service and the way we carry out our mission,” Director Chuck Sams said. “Her efforts remind us that we must seek out and give space for all perspectives so that we can tell a more full and inclusive history of our nation.”
Soskin was born Betty Charbonnet in Detroit in 1921 but recalled surviving the devastating Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 while living with her Creole family in New Orleans, according to the Park Service biography.
Her family then moved to Oakland, California, and Soskin remained in the San Francisco Bay Area, where in 1945 she and her first husband founded one of the first Black-owned record stores in the area, the biography said.
She also was a civil rights activist and took part in meetings to develop a general management plan for the Home Front park. She has received several honors.
She was named California Woman of the Year in 1995.
In 2015, Soskin received a presidential coin from President Barack Obama after she lit the National Christmas tree at the White House.
In June 2016, she was awakened in her home by a robber who punched her repeatedly in the face, dragged her out of her bedroom and beat her before making off with the coin and other items. Soskin, then 94, recovered and returned to work just weeks after the attack. The coin was replaced.
Soskin also was honored with entry into the Congressional Record. Glamour Magazine named her woman of the year in 2018.
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The United States Department of Agriculture released an update to its Food Price Outlook for 2022 and found that nearly everything one might ingest – whether it comes from the grocery store or restaurant – is going up in price.
And yes, that's on top of the price increases consumers have already been forced to endure in the last year.
"All food prices are now predicted to increase between 4.5 and 5.5%," the USDA's Economic Research Service explained in the March report.
While the overall increase is alarming, a closer look at various food categories show just how expensive shoppers can expect items to get, according to the USDA:
As for take-out or dine-in menus, the USDA said those prices are predicted to go up between 5.5 and 6.5% for the remainder of this year.
Additionally, food prices climbed 7.9% for the year ending in February 2022.
This was "the largest 12-month advance since July 1981," according to the department.
The report also noted current global events that will only add to the uncertainty of food affordability, saying, "The impacts of the conflict in Ukraine and the recent increases in interest rates by the Federal Reserve are expected to put upward and downward pressures on food prices, respectively. The situations will be closely monitored to assess the net impacts of these concurrent events on food prices as they unfold."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wmuk.org/npr-news/2022-03-31/food-prices-are-going-up-and-at-levels-americans-havent-seen-in-decades | 2022-04-01T01:52:17Z |
Cameron Brink was 8 years old when she whispered in the ear of Stephen Curry, a star college basketball player at the time and a close family friend she considered a “god-brother.”
A decade away from becoming a college basketball star herself at Stanford — which will compete Friday in the NCAA women’s Final Four — Brink was mainly interested back then in drawing pictures and wearing dresses.
Their mothers were best friends since college, and her family was in Detroit to cheer on Curry in his burst-onto-the-national-stage NCAA tournament run as a player for Davidson College.
Before the team left the hotel for its Sweet 16 game, Cameron’s mother witnessed the earnest, intimate moment. She gets choked up remembering it.
“What did she say to you?” Shelly Bain-Brink asked Curry.
“She said, ‘If you believe in yourself, you can be somebody,’ ” he responded.
They laugh about it now. Curry is one of the NBA’s all-time greats who has led the Golden State Warriors to three NBA championships.
But he never won an NCAA title, his family reminds him.
Cameron Brink could win her second this weekend.
“That’s an accolade that Stephen and (his NBA brother) Seth can’t brag about,” their mother, Sonya Curry, said in an interview Thursday.
Cameron didn’t even want to play sports until fifth or sixth grade. And when the Currys would bring it up, “she would say, ‘I’m an artist,’ ” Sonya Curry said. “So to see what she’s doing now is totally incredible.”
Stephen, who is nursing a foot injury, plans to watch the game with his family from home. But Sonya Curry will be in the stands with the Brinks in Minneapolis on Friday when the Cardinal take on the legendary Connecticut women’s basketball team for a chance to move on to Sunday’s national title game. Sonya is godmother to the Brinks’ two children, and Shelly is godmother to the Curry boys.
“We laugh because we put these monikers like godsister, godbrother, which are not real, but to us, it’s our way of explaining how connected we are to them,” Bain-Brink said. The three Curry children — Steph, Seth and sister, Sydel — have “always been like big brothers and sisters.”
The families are so close that for every Stanford home game, the Brinks travel from their home in the Portland area to stay as houseguests of Steph and Ayesha Curry on the Peninsula. (“We call it ‘Spa Curry,’” Brink says.) Cameron and her boyfriend, Stanford rower Ben Felter, are frequent dinner guests there as well.
The bond between the families started at Virginia Tech, where Shelly played basketball and Sonya played volleyball and they became roommates. Their future husbands, Dell Curry and Greg Brink, both basketball players, lived in the men’s wing of their dorm.
Steph’s and Cameron’s close relationship is captured in scores of photos that Bain-Brink keeps on her phone and taped to her refrigerator. There’s 13-year-old Steph holding baby Cameron in her white baptismal gown. There he is again five years later, giving Cameron and her pink purse a piggyback ride across the Davidson campus.
Image after image follows the two families at graduations and bridal showers and basketball games.
Cameron wasn’t available for an interview Thursday. But her mother said there’s the photo she hates, when she was 10 with glasses and braces as Steph taught her how to hold a basketball and the mechanics of a jump shot. And there are the ones she loves, of Steph and her back to back, when she was 12 and just shy of his 6-foot-3 height, and the one two years later, when she eclipsed him at 6-foot-4 — and Steph stood on a chair next to her for laughs.
The Currys started their family a decade before the Brinks, and all three Curry children were in the Brinks’ wedding. They’ve lived in different states and countries over the past 20 years — especially as Dell Curry’s own NBA career took him to five teams and the Brinks pursued their careers with Nike — but they always visited each other. When the photo of the bespectacled Cameron was taken, she was on summer vacation from Amsterdam, where the Brinks were living at the time, and was cajoled into joining Dell Curry’s annual basketball camp in Charlotte, N.C.
“We didn’t really think this was going to be about changing her mind or making her like basketball anymore. It was just something to do,” Sonya Curry said. “So she went the first day and she came back bruised up, hair all over the place and was like, ‘I don’t want to do this.’ ”
But the Currys encouraged her. “Just go back. One more day. Half a day. And then if you don’t like it, we’ll come pick you up and no big deal. And she was like, ‘OK.’ And she never looked back after that.”
The summer after seventh grade, when the Brink family had settled in Beaverton, Ore., and Cameron was nearing Stephen’s height, she was offered a scholarship to Stanford after a summer basketball camp, a shock to the Brinks.
“We thought perhaps she had potential,” said Shelly, who is 6-foot-3 to her husband’s 6-foot-7 and whose son, Cy, is 6-foot-9, “but never at this level, especially that early on.”
When Cameron was in high school, Stephen invited her to his elite summer basketball camp, one of only two girls to play. And last summer, between Cameron’s freshman and sophomore years, Stephen asked her to train with him at the Woodside Priory gym — a privilege that her mother says was both exciting and nerve racking.
“He’s a mega basketball star and he’s incredibly authentic. What you see is what you get off the court with Stephen,” Shelly said. But with her daughter, “there’s still that level of, ‘I’m not worthy.’ She feels that she is in the presence of greatness and she doesn’t want to disappoint him.”
But for the Cardinal, Cameron is more than proving herself. This season, she was named the media’s Pac-12 player of the year and a finalist for the Naismith trophy as the nation’s top defensive player. After a particularly rough game earlier this season, where she struggled with fouls, she sought advice from Stephen.
Shelly was in the kitchen of the Curry’s house “with one ear open,” she said, while Stephen and Cameron sat at the kitchen table.
“He talked to her about how he’s even struggled with that and how to keep your head in the game and stay positive and stay consistent with your work ethic,” Shelly said. “It’s really authentic and subtle, and she soaks it all in.”
But something else special is happening at the Curry house when Cameron visits. She’s bonding with the Currys’ three children the way Steph and his siblings bonded with her and her brother. And like Cameron in her early years, Riley, 9, Ryan, 7 and Canon, 3, seem less interested in the basketball court than the trampoline.
On Friday night in Minneapolis, Sonya and Shelly — the enduring friends who have raised their children together from miles apart — will be there rooting on Cameron and the Cardinal women. They will look for the right moment to flash an “I love you” hand signal down to the court — the same one Cameron has tattooed on her ribcage.
Then they will hope, like they always do, that Cameron will look up and flash one back. | https://www.orovillemr.com/2022/03/31/when-she-was-8-she-told-steph-curry-believe-in-yourself-now-shes-starring-for-stanford-in-the-final-four/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:17Z |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former minor league pitcher ran a major league illegal sports betting operation in California that used other former pro athletes to take bets and took wagers from players still in the game, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Wayne Nix, who threw for Oakland Athletics farm teams, used his connections to recruit three former Major League Baseball players and a former pro football player as fellow bookies, prosecutors said.
The MLB began looking into the matter when it learned of it Thursday, but was unaware any of those involved other than Nix, a spokesman said.
Court records offered no names of the players who worked for Nix or those who placed bets with his business, but they provide a glimpse of the kind of money being wagered, earned and lost.
A professional football player paid Nix $245,000 for gambling losses in 2016. An MLB coach paid $4,000 in losses that same year. It was not disclosed if either bet on their own games or their own sports.
MLB prohibits players from betting on baseball or gambling illegally on sports. They can bet on other sports if it’s legal. The National Football League policy bars all personnel from betting on football games.
A Los Angeles check cashing business that has agreed to plead guilty to failing to prevent money laundering in the scheme cashed over $18 million in checks from two single bettors, prosecutors said.
One client wagered $5 million on the Super Bowl but it was not revealed if that gambit paid off.
Sports betting is legal in 30 states, but not in California. However, voters will have a chance to legalize it at the polls in November.
Nix, 45, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to run an illegal gambling operation and faces up to eight years in prison. He also admitted he failed to report $1.4 million in income in 2017 and 2018. He has agreed to pay back taxes and interest of $1.25 million and forfeit $1.3 million seized from bank accounts.
Nix began the sports bookmaking business about 20 years ago after his six-year minor league career — with stops in Arizona, Texas and California — ended, prosecutors said.
His client list was created from contacts he had made in the sports world and included current and former pro athletes. The agents he hired helped expand that clientele.
The operation eventually began using a Costa Rican business, Sand Island Sports, to create accounts where bets could be placed and tracked and credit limits set, prosecutors said. Bets were placed online or through a call center, though Nix paid winners and kept most of the money from losing bets.
Those who exceeded credit limits were shut off, though exceptions were made, according to court documents.
A sports broadcaster's account was reactivated in February 2019 after he told Nix he was refinancing his home mortgage to pay off his gambling debts.
In September 2019, Nix increased the credit limit to a baseball player with debts so he could make additional bets.
In November, 2019, Nix's partner, Edon Kagasoff, told a business manager for a professional basketball player that he would increase the maximum wager he could place to $25,000 per NBA game.
Kagasoff, 44, faces the same conspiracy charge as Nix. He also agreed to plead guilty and forfeit over $3 million in funds seized from his home and bank accounts. | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Ex-minor-leaguer-ran-major-league-sports-betting-17049855.php | 2022-04-01T01:52:17Z |
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Anna Davis was little more than a silhouette from right of the ninth green as darkness fell quickly at the end of a long day at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. The only light came from a video board and headlights from carts making their way in.
Not the least bit rattled, the 16-year-old from San Diego pitched with perfect pace to 2 feet to save par and post a 4-over 76 at Champions Retreat, one of only nine players to finish the second round.
What started as lingering thunderstorms turned into a heavy rain that delayed the start of the second round for for seven-and-a-half hours. That led to what should be a longer day, but far more fun on Friday.
Fifty-one players will finish the second round in the morning — some with only one hole to play, others with nine holes — before heading over to Augusta National for a practice round.
It starts with an elite competition. It ends for so many of them with a dream come true.
Of the nine players who finished, Davis was at 2-over 146 and in a tie for eighth, virtually assured of being among the 30 players from a field of 60 who advance to the final round at the home of the Masters.
No one was under par.
Beatrice Wallin of Sweden was 1 under for the round through 16 holes and even par for the tournament, tied with Amari Avery, who also was 1 under for the day through 16.
Joining them at even par was Hailey Borjas, the Californian who plays at Michigan. Her day ended on a sour note with consecutive bogeys. Even so, she was excited for Friday.
She was at Augusta National earlier in the week, driving down Magnolia Lane and having a group dinner hosted by the club chairman.
“Seeing Augusta for the first time, it was like a dream come true,” Borjas said.
She was more excited about her first chance to play it than her position in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, in its third year but already considered elite among amateur events because of where it’s at.
“I don’t really like to think about golf when I’m playing golf, if that makes any sense,” Borjas said. “I like to talk about other things, like shoes. So to think about Augusta National tomorrow will keep me going.”
U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Jensen Castle had the best round going at 2 under through 16 holes, leaving her one shot out of the lead.
The course was just as difficult as the opening round, when strong wind allowed only five players to break par. The wind subsided after the rain, though it left the course soggy and longer, even as the greens were slightly more receptive.
Rose Zhang, the No. 1 amateur in the world, made progress by not really going anywhere. She put together one bogey and 13 pars and improved from a tie for 39th to a tie for 26th.
Rachel Heck of Stanford, the No. 3 player in women’s amateur golf who won six times in one semester last year as a freshman, was going the other direction. Heck had a pair of double bogeys in her opening four holes and was 5 over through 10 holes, leaving her outside the projected cut line at 6 over.
The cut is a hard 30. Any ties lead to a sudden-death playoff to see who advances, although everyone gets to play a practice round at Augusta National on Friday.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/rain-slows-augusta-womens-amateur-as-no-one-left-under-par/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2022-04-01T01:52:18Z |
While COVID-19 numbers have leveled off in Los Angeles County, worldwide COVID-19 cases have increased for two consecutive weeks, according to Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.
In a media briefing Thursday, Ferrer discussed daily COVID-19 averages in the county, possible new threats, and she advised that residents remain cautious and practice safe steps to reduce the spread the coronavirus and its variants.
“We are about two months out from the peak of our winter surge and we’ve seen significant declines in our cases, hospitalizations and deaths,” she said.
Ferrer reported 784 new cases of COVID-19, 16 deaths and 308 hospitalizations of confirmed cases as of Wednesday in Los Angeles County. She said the average number of daily new cases reported over the previous seven days declined slightly from a few weeks ago. According to statistics she shared, there was a drop in numbers from last week. New cases on March 25 indicated 889 new cases, 21 deaths and 350 hospitalizations.
But she said she worries that with lower numbers — even a leveling off — people are feeling they don’t need vaccinations or boosters. Some, she added, are waiting for a better booster that might be on the way, but she advised people not to wait.
As of Sunday, she said that about 37% of L.A. County residents who are 12 and older and live in the most vulnerable communities received one additional or booster dose.
“While the rate increased by 10 percentage points since Jan. 9,” Ferrer said, “it falls far short of the threshold level of 45% coverage with that additional dose.”
She added that the county’s Public Health Department is working with vaccination partners to take steps to speed up the pace of vaccination and boosters.
“Despite the lack of federal reimbursement now for vaccines for uninsured individuals,” Ferrer said, “we’ve been able to maintain a robust network of over 700 mobile sites and additional fixed county vaccination sites where vaccines are offered at no charge to everyone.”
Additionally, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Tuesday approval for a second booster dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Ferrer urges those who are 50 years of age or older, who have undergone solid organ transplant or who are living with conditions that cause a level of immunocompromise to get the shot. Those unsure about their eligibility should speak with their health care providers or call the public health call center at 833-540-0473.
In looking at the increase of worldwide COVID-19 cases for two consecutive weeks in March, Ferrer advised caution.
“While we’re fortunate that our cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain relatively low in L.A. County,” she said, “the international situation bears watching, and changing conditions across the globe require attention per the World Health Organization for the first time since January.”
She added that for this reason, the Public Health Department continues to closely monitor the early alert signals and the preparedness measures. When needed, the county will have to adjust its strategies to address areas of moderate or high concern.
And with the highly contagious Omicron subvariant BA.2, she said, comes reason for residents to practice four action steps as a means to reduce risk: Get vaccinated and/or boosted as soon as possible, keep a regular supply of at-home tests and test if you have symptoms or were exposed to COVID-19, wear a mask indoors in public places, and, if you can’t get vaccinated due to medical reasons or your body can’t mount an appropriate immune response, ask your provider about the therapeutic Evusheld.
“If we all take these reasonable steps,” Ferrer concluded, “I’m confident that we can continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the county.” | https://signalscv.com/2022/03/l-a-county-public-health-director-stresses-vaccine-boosters-keeps-eye-on-world-cases/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:18Z |
Low revenue accruing to state governments monthly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee is forcing the sub nationals to renew their calls for the removal of fuel subsidy, The PUNCH reports.
They are also introducing strategies to increase their Internally Generated Revenue.
For instance, the Cross River State Government last week received only about 15 per cent of its statutory allocation from the Federation Account for March. Figures released showed that out of the state’s gross allocation of N2.22bn, only N34.9m was received as N2.18bn was deducted to service debts incurred by previous administrations.
The PUNCH’s investigation revealed that the issue of low allocation was common to many of the states, making it difficult for them to continue to meet their financial obligations.
Let state decide whether to continue with subsidy – Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government told The PUNCH that it restructured its expenses ahead of the shortfall in revenue being experienced.
The state Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Akintunde Oyebode, in an interview with one of our correspondents, disclosed that the state got N2.8bn, inclusive of Value Added Tax, from FAAC in March.
He admitted that the shortfall would have an impact on the state’s ability to embark on new projects.
When asked about the other avenues the state was looking into to generate more revenue, he said, “We are deepening the IGR, and we have digitised our tax system and are also ready to launch our long-awaited GIS solution for land administration.”
Oyebode justified the calls for the removal of fuel subsidy when asked if states would reopen the agitation for its removal.
He said, “The agitation was never rested. Our view is that it is against any sense of federalism for Ekiti, which consumes 0.55 per cent of trucked petrol, to pay over two per cent of the subsidy cost.
“We also believe that states should be given the right to determine if they want to participate in the subsidy of petrol products or not, depending on the fiscal position and priority of each state.”
Our IGR to increase by 50% in six months – Imo
The Imo State Government said it had introduced measures to increase the IGR as a way of increasing its revenue to meet its financial obligations.
The state Commissioner for Information, Declan Ewelumba, told The PUNCH that the state government had automated its revenue service to ensure that all funds due to the state get to the government’s purse, adding that “the target is that the state would have been able to increase its IGR with more than 50 per cent in the next six months.”
When asked if the state will support the removal of fuel subsidy as a way of increasing allocation to states, Ewelumba said the government would abide by the decision of the Federal Government on the matter provided that such would not increase the hardship of the people.
Allocation too meagre to pay salaries, but we’ve never defaulted, says Osun
The Osun State Government admitted that its allocation was too meagre to pay salaries and pensions.
It, however, said because of the creativity it adopted, it had never defaulted in the payment of salaries and pensions.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ismail Omipidan, disclosed this in an interview with The PUNCH.
Omipidan disclosed that the state received N177,812,228.90 as allocation for March, describing it as “an improvement from the last one, which was negative N375m.”
The governor’s spokesman said, “Creativity is the word; we just look at where we are and where we want to be and look at the gaps and creatively plan things to take care of those gaps. I think that is the only way one can explain what we are trying to do.
“My principal has been able to block leakages, while setting our priorities right. We don’t spend frivolously. This is why even when the allocation is a far cry from what we need to pay salaries and pensions, we have never defaulted.”
Although Omipidan declined comment on whether states will revisit their call for the removal of subsidy to shore up allocations, a top government official who did not want his name in print, said, “Collectively, I am not sure their (governors’) position has changed on the issue of withdrawal of subsidy.”
Read Also
Kwara gets N2.8bn federal allocation in March
The Kwara State Ministry of Finance said the government received a total inflow of N2,886,631,784.67 as federal allocation for March.
Though the March allocation figure is higher by N291,079,653.10 when compared with that of February, it still represents a downward trend in revenue.
The state Commissioner for Communication, Mr Olabode Towoju, said though the allocation was below expectation, the state had fulfilled its obligation by paying workers their full salaries even in March.
We borrow to pay salaries, says Ortom
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said federal allocation to the state had shrunk, adding that states that received meagre allocations in March must borrow to meet their obligations.
Ortom, who was reacting to the low allocation for the month of March, said states of the federation had for some time now been experiencing a drop in allocations.
He said in some cases, his administration had to resort to borrowing to pay salaries, adding that his administration placed priority on the payment of salary.
“Since 2018, we have been paying salaries up to date and our intention is to continue to pay and to source for funds to carry out capital projects,” he said.
Rivers blames low revenue allocation on economy
The Rivers State Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, attributed the drop in allocation for March to poor economy.
“But everybody understands the nature of the economy; the allocation for the month of March was very low,” he said.
Our monthly allocation low – Edo
The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media, Crusoe Osagie, said although he did not know the exact allocation the state got in March, it would be low just like other states experienced.
He, however, said the state government did not rely on federal allocations to take care of expenditures.
“We manage our resources in such a way that we don’t have to rely on federal allocations. We make arrangements in such a way that our expenditure, like salaries and pension, are taken care of by the IGR,” he said.
No access to Zamfara’s accounts
The PUNCH gathered that the Zamfara State Government currently did not have access to its accounts.
Sources attributed this to the ongoing legal tussle between the state government and ex-council chairmen and councillors over alleged unpaid accrued salaries and allowances.
The state Commissioner for Finance, Alkasim Mutalab, could not be reached for comments.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected] | https://punchng.com/cash-strapped-states-groan-widen-tax-net-begin-aggressive-revenue-generation/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:18Z |
CONCORD, NH – On Thursday, March 31, 2022, DHHS announced 143 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Wednesday, March 30. Today’s results include 109 people who tested positive by PCR test and 34 who tested positive by antigen test. Test results for previous days are still being processed and updated case counts for prior days will be reflected on the COVID-19 interactive dashboard. There are now 1,122 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire.
Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are 27 individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 53% being female and 47% being male. The new cases reside in Rockingham (31), Grafton (22), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (19), Merrimack (10), Cheshire (9), Strafford (8), Belknap (7), Carroll (4), Sullivan (4), and Coos (3) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (10) and Nashua (10). The county of residence is being determined for six new cases.
There are currently 7 people being treated for COVID-19 in New Hampshire. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been a total of 302,541 cases diagnosed.
Current Situation in New Hampshire
New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report (updated March 31, 2022, 9 a.m.)
The most up-to-date laboratory testing data, positivity rates and vaccination data are available on the COVID-19 dashboards at https://www.covid19.nh.gov/dashboard/overview. For additional hospitalization data, please visit the New Hampshire Hospital Association’s COVID-19 information page at https://nhha.org/index.php/whats-new/1545-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-outbreak.
For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.covid19.nh.gov/. | https://manchesterinklink.com/march-31-nh-dhhs-covid-19-update-143-positive-results-with-10-in-manchester-no-deaths-reported/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:19Z |
Hundreds of people can now be more self-sufficient to move and carry out their daily activities, after a donation of wheelchairs and crutches in the Mexican states of Sonora, Oaxaca and Chihuahua.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through its humanitarian arm, donated 876 wheelchairs and 30 crutches this month, reported the Church’s Mexico Newsroom.
Hermosillo Mexico Stake President Isaac M. Carrillo Atondo and Area Seventy Elder Gregorio E. Casillas joined government leaders at the delivery ceremony of more than 300 wheelchairs in Hermosillo, Sonora.
Then in Chihuahua, around 300 wheelchairs were donated in the capital of that state. And in Oaxaca, the Church donated 268 gel-padded wheelchairs and more than 30 pairs of crutches.
The Church also held a three day training session on how to prepare, adapt and maintain different types of wheelchairs. If a wheelchair does not have the right individual fit or if it is not used properly, it cannot meet adequately the needs of someone with mobility limitations.
More than 14 social workers, physical therapists and others who care for people with disabilities participated in the training. They said the training helped them feel better prepared to provide the tools for a better quality of life. And it gave them more awareness about what it is like to live full-time in a wheelchair.
Read more from Mexico Newsroom. | https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022-03-31/church-donates-more-than-800-specialized-wheelchairs-mexico-latter-day-saint-charities-247446 | 2022-04-01T01:52:18Z |
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Todd Bowles earned his way in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball.
He’s not afraid to talk offense.
The new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t be shy about sharing his ideas with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and quarterback Tom Brady.
“I’m the head coach. I get to do whatever I want,” Bowles said Thursday, a day after taking over because Bruce Arians moved into a front-office role. “I’m not going to call plays. I understand that. But I have input on how defenses are trying to attack them. I have input on certain situations going into the half, two-minute or third downs or going for it or not going for it and those types of things. That’s my job and I have the freedom to do that. At the same time, I understand and respect Byron and Tom a great deal and they know that. I think we’re off to a good start from a communication standpoint and we just have to keep building.”
Bowles gets a second opportunity after going 24-40 in four seasons with the New York Jets from 2015 through 2018. He also was an interim head coach in Miami for three games in 2011. He becomes only the 12th minority to get a second head coaching opportunity since 1963, according to data in the NFL’s 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Report.
“When I first started in New York, you try to do things the right way and you don’t do it your way, you end up having regret. So I’m going to do it my way,” Bowles said.
Arians joined Bowles at his introductory news conference and learned the Buccaneers will induct him into the team’s Ring of Honor this season. Brady also was in attendance.
Arians, who turns 70 this year, said his decision to step down as coach was about “succession” and making sure he turned the team over to Bowles with an opportunity to succeed. When Brady unretired on March 13, Arians realized the time was right.
“Succession is way important to me,” Arians said. “This has been my dream for a long time. Guys that know me, they knew I wanted one of my guys to take over.”
Arians dismissed reports of friction with Brady, saying it “couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Bowles and Arians have a relationship that dates more than 40 years. Bowles played safety for Arians at Temple in the 1980s and was defensive coordinator on Arians’ staff in Arizona before joining him in Tampa.
“He is the most influential coaching figure and father figure that I have ever had in this league,” Bowles said, adding that it was a bittersweet feeling when he got the news from Arians.
Bowles made it clear he has a different personality than Arians.
“The only thing we have in common is our bald heads,” Bowles said. “He smokes, I don’t. He drinks, I don’t. So, we never got in each other’s way.”
Arians led the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl title in 2020 and an NFC South title in 2021. With Brady back, Bowles takes over a team that has championship aspirations.
“Good players make good coaches so you always want to have good players,” Bowles said. “I’m not going to apologize for inheriting a talented team. I’ve had less success with a team. It’s different to the fact that I don’t think I can go into this trying to be Bruce. I would fail miserably if I tried. … I can be me.
“I understand a lot of things I’ve learned from my coaching experience, especially from him so I’m going to take that approach. The one thing I know is I know I can coach football players regardless if you’re an All-Pro or a rookie. All of your players want to be coached and help them get better. I can help people get better and I’m going to use my approach.”
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/sports/ap-sports/todd-bowles-calls-replacing-bruce-arians-bittersweet/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:19Z |
(NEXSTAR) – A Texas student who says she was bullied over her refusal to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance has been awarded $90,000, according to the civil rights organization representing her.
In 2017, the student sued her 12th grade sociology teacher at Houston-area Klein Oak High School. The teacher, Benjie Arnold, allegedly singled her out for harassment, at one point forcing her to write out the Pledge against state law, American Atheists stated in a news release Tuesday.
The payment, made through a risk pool funded by Texas school districts, prevented the case from going to trial.
“After discussion with counsel and Mr. Arnold, it was decided that in the interest of limiting continued expensive litigation, a settlement agreement should be reached in the one ongoing case against Mr. Arnold,” the Texas Association of School Boards told Nexstar in a statement. “It’s notable that all the claims filed against the district were dismissed.”
During her four years at Klein Oak High School, the student declined to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance “out of her objection to the words, ‘Under God,’ and her belief that the United States does not adequately guarantee ‘liberty and justice for all,’ especially for people of color,” according to the group.
Arnold allegedly retaliated against her, threatening to giver her failing grades for refusing to write out the Pledge and at one point went on a tirade captured in an audio recording during which he offered to pay students to leave the country if they didn’t like living in America.
It got so bad, according to the release, that the student was homeschooled for a time before returning to Klein Oak, at which point the alleged harassment intensified.
“Nonreligious students often face bullying or harassment for expressing their deeply held convictions,” said Nick Fish, president of American Atheists. “No one should have to endure the years of harassment, disrespect, and bullying our client faced. The fact that this happened in a public school and at the hands of staff who should know better is particularly appalling. After nearly five years of litigation, the defendant finally made the only smart decision and agreed to settle this case.”
In 1943, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that forcing public school students to salute the flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance violated First Amendment rights.
Texas law also protects students from having to recite a pledge of allegiance as long as they have a written request from their parent or guardian, which she did.
“The classroom is not a pulpit. It is a place of education, not indoctrination,” said Geoffrey T. Blackwell, Litigation Counsel at American Atheists, who handled the case and settlement negotiations in partnership with Texas civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen. “This settlement serves as a reminder that students do not lose their First Amendment rights when they enter the classroom.”
The school district did not fire Arnold, according to the Courthouse News Service, who is still at Klein Oak High School where he is teaching for his 51st year. | https://www.wivb.com/news/national/student-who-says-teacher-bullied-her-over-pledge-of-allegiance-is-awarded-90k/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:19Z |
On this International Transgender Day of Visibility, Rachel Crandall-Crocker is taking a moment to reflect on the day she created.
“I created it so we won’t have to be lonely anymore. And still, we could be all together in this world,” Crandall-Crocker said.
In 2009, Crandall-Crocker founded the day to celebrate the existence of trans people and to raise awareness of the discrimination the community faces.
“A lot of trans people have been taught to be ashamed of what they are and to not be visible. And to hide it. And I’m saying and I said in 2009, we don’t have to be ashamed anymore. We don’t have to hide it anymore.”
Read more: Survey of LGBTQ2 community calls on Hamilton police to acknowledge harm, increase accountability
Anne Creighton, president of Toronto PFLAG, said she has seen a significant change in the parents that they support.
“In the last 10 years, PFLAG in its meetings have seen a seismic shift. Almost all the families that come to us for help now have a child who is trans,” Creighton said.
Despite the celebration of the day, Creighton highlighted important issues and experiences that transgender people endure.
“The hormones that they take are not covered by any drug plan unless you have one through your employer. That’s another issue. Trans people have a hard time finding work,” said Creighton.
“They need housing. They need help with hormones. They need jobs. And they need us to be kinder to them. That’s the most important thing.”
That sentiment was echoed by Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien.
“Transgender and non-binary people continue to experience significant disparities, including negative mental health impacts, unemployment, homelessness, harassment, and bullying, and they are often victims of violence simply for being themselves,” she said in a statement.
“We also know that Indigenous, Black, racialized people, and people with disabilities experience an added layer of inequity. This is unacceptable, and we must do better,” the MP added.
On Thursday, the Ontario government announced that it is investing over $800,000 for LGBTQ2 youth in the child welfare system.
“Our government recognizes more needs to be done to improve outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Two Spirit and queer children and youth in our child welfare system. This investment will help develop new services and supports to respond to the specific needs of LGBT2SQ children and youth in care,” said Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues Jane McKenna.
The money will be provided to the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and will fund initiatives including trips to inclusive and gender-affirming camps, and expand training for staff.
“We recognize we need to better understand, from an intersectional lens, the lived experiences of LGBT2SQ children and youth involved in the child welfare system to improve outcomes. This funding will provide critical supports for young LGBT2SQ Ontarians, their families, and the child welfare organizations that work with them,” said Nicole Bonnie, chief executive officer of the OACAS.
Yet 13 years later, Crandall-Crocker is amazed to see the global support, including support within countries that criminalize LGBTQ2 people.
“When I founded it, I never really expected it to be truly all around the world,” she said. | https://globalnews.ca/news/8726968/international-transgender-day-of-visibility/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:20Z |
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Shina Biblow always knew she would have to have open heart surgery one day, she just never thought it would be when she was four months pregnant with her second child.
“He’s here and he’s healthy and growing. It’s a miracle,” said Biblow of the family’s latest addition, a healthy baby boy named Merritt, born Jan. 26.
Unlike her first textbook pregnancy a few years before with their son Morris, Shina developed health problems almost immediately that would require complex, high-risk heart surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital when she was just 15 weeks pregnant.
“There was a 40 per cent risk of losing the baby. It was very hard … (but if ) there’s no me, then there’s no baby so we had to do what we had to do.”
In a sense, Biblow’s story began 32 years ago. She was born with a narrowing of her aortic valve, the main blood vessel leaving the heart. She required surgery for this as an infant.
The condition meant that when she turned 18, she became part of the Pacific Adult Congenital Heart Clinic (PACH) at St. Paul’s Hospital, a multidisciplinary team that follows adults born with heart disease.
Feeling unwell from the pregnancy’s start
Apart from being unable to do certain intense sports, Biblow led a normal life, including an uneventful first pregnancy and birth of their oldest son, Morris.
This second pregnancy was different.
From the get-go, she felt unwell. “I was nauseous and tired, my heart was racing and I got what I call hot flashes,” she says. “I just assumed they were caused by a surge of pregnancy hormones.”
She received care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital’s emergency department.
“That’s when they discovered I was going into heart failure.”
Doctors sent an urgent referral to the highly specialized Cardiac Obstetrics Clinic (COB) at St. Paul’s Hospital. She received tests that revealed episodes of sudden extremely rapid heart rhythms.
Calf cramps followed – also a pregnancy symptom, she figured. When she developed itchy red spots on her body, she became alarmed.
“Things just kept getting worse,” Shina said.
Breathing was so hard she could not even care for her toddler. When she called a PACH Clinic nurse, she exploded into fits of coughing.
Dr. Marla Kiess, St. Paul’s cardiologist and COB founder, followed Biblow by Zoom to monitor the heart palpitations, shortness of breath and other symptoms.
A soaring heart rate
As they persisted, Dr. Kiess directed the local hospital to airlift her for more advanced care to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops on August 12. There, her heart rate soared to 190 beats/minute. A normal rate is 60 to 100.
Tests found growths on her aortic valve, suggesting a bacterial infection: serious in any patient, more so in a pregnant woman.
“The infection in the valve was totally unexpected and unpredictable,” recalls Dr. Kiess.
She and her team arranged for Biblow’s transfer to St. Paul’s, the only centre in British Columbia for complex cardiac-obstetrics cases like this.
Surgery poses big risk to fetus
Shortly after arriving on August 15, St. Paul’s cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Jamil Bashir told Biblow she’d need open-heart surgery to replace the infected aortic valve.
“It was scary,” says Biblow. “But it needed to be done if we wanted to keep the baby and save my life.”
Risks were high. “That point in gestation is a critical time in the baby’s evolution because many organs are developing,” says Dr. Kiess.
A complex case requires a large care team
In surgery, Biblow would be supported by a heart-lung bypass machine, which would reduce blood flow to the fetus and risk organ malformation. Alarmingly, it would bring a 40 per cent risk of the baby dying, says Dr. Kiess.
Because of the case’s complexity, her care team began a huge amount of planning to anticipate potential responses to problems in both mom and baby. It included nurses and doctors from cardiology, anesthesia, surgery, infectious diseases, the ICU, and obstetrics. Zoom proved invaluable.
Her husband Tyson, a millwright at Gibraltar Mine, rushed to Vancouver to be with his wife, narrowly getting over the Coquihalla pass before it was closed due to last summer’s wildfires.
Delicate balance around medication
On August 18, Dr. Bashir and his team successfully implanted a mechanical aortic valve to replace the severely infected one. The good news was, a mechanical valve (unlike a cadaver valve) would never have to be replaced. The bad news was, it increased Biblow’s risk of clotting. She would need blood thinners for the rest of her life.
Those drugs brought risks to the fetus, so Dr. Anna Rahmani and Dr. Tony Wan from the St. Paul’s Thrombosis clinic were also part of her care.
St. Paul’s teams then followed her post-surgery to monitor her with the new valve and pregnancy.
The birth approaches
As the delivery date approached, her team wanted her in Vancouver near the hospital several weeks before, to tend to her cardiac and obstetrical needs. Registered nurse Karen Sandhu, complex care coordinator for maternity, and Amy Graham, COB RN, oversaw the many logistics around that chapter, as did PACH/COB social worker Kassandra Maxwell.
“I coordinated with her St. Paul’s obstetrician, Dr. Nancy Matinko and the virtual visits Shina would have with her,” says Sandhu.
More planning ensued, especially around her anticoagulants. They had to stop in advance because of the risk of a severe bleed giving birth. Yet she couldn’t be off them for more than 24 hours because of clotting risks.
Amid it all, Merritt arrived on January 24 at 38 weeks’ gestation, weighing six pounds, four ounces. “With all the meds I was on, they were expecting a smaller baby,” Biblow says proudly. He is healthy and well.
The family is now home on their ranch, enjoying life at Miocene.
Shina has regular virtual visits with St. Paul’s teams, including COB and the Thrombosis Clinic.
She and her husband Tyson are grateful to St. Paul’s expansive team of doctors, nurses, social workers and many others who helped her and her baby survive risky cardiac surgery and see her through delivery and post-partum care.
“Even though everything happening was very scary and we didn’t know what the outcome was going to be, our faith and prayers from our family and friends, and the care from the team at St. Paul’s is what got us through the experience.”
With files from Providence Health Care
Read More: Chilcotin photographer’s Great Bear Rainforest images featured in National Geographic
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Scotland’s Russell Knox used a string of four consecutive birdies on the back nine to post a 7-under-par on 65 Thursday, good for a one-shot lead in the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.
Knox hit 12 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens in regulation to take the pole position ahead of Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard, who shot a 6-under 66.
Four players — Matt Kuchar, Denny McCarthy, J.J. Spaun and England’s Aaron Rai — are tied for third at 67.
If the winner of the Texas Open is not already qualified for the Masters, he would be awarded a spot in the field in next week’s first major of the season. Knox is among those who would secure the Masters invite with a win.
“I would love to win and get to play next week,” Knox said. “That’s obviously why I’m here and everyone should be playing. I know my game is good, so I’ve got to keep playing and see if I can have a great finish.”
Knox used strong iron play to give himself three birdie putts shorter than 10 feet from Nos. 12 to 14. Then, at the par-4 15th, he tapped it downhill from the edge of the fringe and managed to hit the middle of the flagstick from 17 1/2 feet.
“Hit a beautiful drive down there, hit 6-iron just over the back and was able to get that in from (17) feet from the fringe,” Knox said. “That was one of those kind of bonus birdies that you need when you’re going to have a good day.”
Two of Knox’s seven worldwide wins have come on the PGA Tour, but he hasn’t won stateside since August 2016.
While Knox carded seven birdies and no bogeys, Hojgaard had a more up-and-down day that began on the back nine. He got a 39-foot eagle putt to drop at the par-5 18th hole and made the turn in 6-under 30. After spending time at 8 under following birdies at Nos. 1 and 6, he was all over the place at the par-4 ninth and finished with a double bogey.
“I didn’t feel like I hit that bad of a tee shot, (but) I had to chip sideways back into the fairway,” Hojgaard said. “Had I think 133 meters to the flag, just was a little too aggressive with that shot. Yeah, short-sided myself and I didn’t get up and down and suddenly you walk away with double bogey. Yeah, that was a bit annoying, but it happens.”
Kuchar started on the back nine and sank four birdies in a five-hole stretch for a hot start. He cooled down with two birdies and one bogey over his final nine. The 43-year-old is in the hunt for his 10th PGA Tour title and his first since 2019.
“This course is one of my favorites out on Tour,” Kuchar said. “There’s a lot of … good and bad that can happen here. I feel like this place really punishes the bad shots, but it’s a type of course that it rewards good quality shots.”
Spaun was 1 over through seven holes before holing out from 87 yards for eagle at the par-5 eighth. That got him back under par and propelled him to 5 under. McCarthy also managed an eagle, his coming at the par-5 14th on an 12-foot putt.
Defending champion Jordan Spieth, a Texas native, opened with an even-par 72, as did Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Rickie Fowler. Bryson DeChambeau and England’s Lee Westwood turned in rounds of 1-over 73, and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama shot a 2-over 74.
–Field Level Media | https://sportsnaut.com/russell-knox-65-grabs-texas-open-lead-with-masters-berth-in-mind/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:20Z |
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A man who was captured by U.S. Border Patrol Agents near Cesar Chavez/Loop375 after trying to cross the Rio Grande in his truck, has been identified by law enforcement.
31-year-old Patricio Sabas Gomez was wanted in the September 30, 2021 shooting death of 41-year-old Michael Martinez in Wichita, Kansas.
Police say the shooting was a result of a botched drug deal, outside a Wichita hotel. Gomez and his alleged accomplice, Shae Roberts, fled the area following the shooting. Roberts was later captured and was charged with First-Degree Murder and Attempted Distribution of meth.
According to Border Patrol officials, on Monday, March 28, Gomez attempted to enter the U.S. illegally by driving his pickup truck across the Rio Grande from Juarez.
Gomez is being held without bond in the El Paso County Detention Center, awaiting extradition to Kansas to face charges. | https://www.kxan.com/border-report/police-id-murder-suspect-caught-driving-across-rio-grande/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:19Z |
Opinion: Newsom’s water deal — years in the making — balances needs of public, farmers and greens
The goal during a severe drought is to preserve the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta without adding to the hardships facing Central Valley farmers
The editorial board operates independently from the U-T newsroom but holds itself to similar ethical standards. We base our editorials and endorsements on reporting, interviews and rigorous debate, and strive for accuracy, fairness and civility in our section. Disagree? Let us know.
When it comes to water, balancing the competing interests of California farmers, environmentalists and residents is an extremely difficult challenge.
That’s why it was a pleasant surprise to hear Tuesday that after six years of negotiations involving state and federal agencies, the farm industry and large water districts, Gov. Gavin Newsom had won agreement on a $2.9 billion plan to boost the health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. It’s the hub of the Golden State’s ecosystem, providing fresh water to two-thirds of the state’s population and to millions of acres of farmland.
With the deal, the state and federal governments and water agencies reached an unprecedented agreement to pay rice farmers to not use about 35,000 acres of rice fields — 6 percent of total normal cultivation. That means up to 824,000 additional acre feet of water will flow through the delta each year, limiting the effects of the drought and improving conditions for the Chinook salmon and dozens of other fish species found there.
It’s still possible the deal will fall apart. The Associated Press reported that the Natural Resources Defense Council is considering litigation after quickly denouncing the plan as an assault on fish and wildlife. But Newsom realizes how much the Central Valley relies on agriculture to avoid becoming a depressed dust bowl — and how much the world relies on the Central Valley for fruits and vegetables. Newsom is striking a responsible balance.
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You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. | https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/editorials/story/2022-03-31/newsom-water-deal-sacramento-san-joaquin-river-delta-rice-salmon | 2022-04-01T01:52:20Z |
The Components for Military & Space Electronics Event to Take Place Virtually in April 2022
The 25th Annual Components for Military & Space Electronics Conference (CMSE) conference and exhibition will be held in a virtual format from 25-29 April, 2022. CMSE is the premier event focused on the design, reliability, and application of electronic components for use in both terrestrial applications for avionics, aerospace, and military,...
www.everythingrf.com | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556260586121/the-components-for-military-space-electronics-event-to-take-place-virtually-in-april-2022 | 2022-04-01T01:52:20Z |
Northern Ireland's Steven Davis celebrates scoring against Luxembourg during Friday's international friendly at the Stade de Luxembourg. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Baraclough left with "mixed" feelings but Northern Ireland get the job done | http://limavadynorthernconstitution.virtualcms.it/news/2022/03/31/video/friday-s-weather-23459/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:21Z |
Taiwan Red Cross (TRC) support the relevant substantive actions of the Russian Ukrainian humanitarian crisis
Until today, 31 March, Taiwan Red Cross (TRC) has been supporting the relevant substantive actions of the Russian Ukrainian humanitarian crisis. The relevant substantive actions include sleeping bags, blankets, baby and adult diapers, feminine hygiene products, raincoats, ration biscuits and other items, a total of 1,700 boxes of relief materials, which are assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and delivered to European countries that assist in sheltering refugees.
TRC has been in liaison with the Red Cross societies of the relevant countries in Eastern Europe, donating to aid rescue and shelter work.
To follow up the humanitarian relief work of the International Red Cross Movement and response to the appeal of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), donations will be used for ICRC, IFRC and National Red Cross societies (Ns) to assist Ukraine Basic survival, emergency medical care, safe reception and reconstruction of homes for civilians and overseas refugees.
Donate to help those affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict:
Bank Name: HUA NAN COMMERCIAL BANK, LTD. HO PING BRANCH
Account No.: 121-20-0702388
Account Name: The Red Cross Society of the Republic of China
Donation note: Ukraine
Please click here if you wish to donate by Credit Card | https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/taiwan-red-cross-trc-support-relevant-substantive-actions-russian-ukrainian | 2022-04-01T01:52:21Z |
Establishes "LG Life's Good Endowed Scholarship Fund" and Contributes to Rebuild of Fire-Damaged Basketball Court and Other Technology Upgrades at the School
NEW ORLEANS, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As March Madness® and the Men's Final Four® reaches its crescendo in New Orleans, LG Electronics USA, an official NCAA® partner, announced today it has committed $150,000 in funding as well as product to St. Augustine High School, a New Orleans-based college preparatory school.
The pledge from LG will establish the "LG Life's Good Endowed Scholarship Fund" at the school as well as contribute to the rebuild of the school's flood and fire-damaged basketball court. LG is also supplying a range of products including LG OLED TVs for a new film room in its Health & Wellness Center, LG Washers & Dryers for a new laundry room and LG Air Purifiers for use throughout the school. The LG Life's Good Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will award its first recipient this year, is a need-based general award that all St. Augustine High School graduating seniors can apply for as long as they are going to attend an NCAA school.1
"As a proud partner of the NCAA, LG wanted to give back to the host city of the Men's Final Four and help inspire the next wave of student athletes in New Orleans," said Peggy Ang, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LG Electronics USA. "When our partners at the NCAA, Turner Sports and CBS Sports, brought to us the story of St. Augustine and the positive impact that school has in its community, we wanted to help them continue their tradition of inspiring students to succeed in the classroom and on the field of play."
"We are truly grateful for this inspiring commitment from LG," said Aulston Taylor, President & CEO at St. Augustine High School. "The St. Augustine community is thrilled that LG has decided to invest in the future of our students and our school. Our basketball court and Health & Wellness Center are a symbol of resiliency at St. Augustine, as it has emerged stronger after Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ida, and most recently a fire on Thanksgiving Day last year. With the help of friends like LG and many other supporters of our school, we are on the path to rebuilding our facility to its former glory. We will prevail!"
St. Augustine High School is an all-boys Catholic high school founded in 1951. Educating students primarily of predominantly African American backgrounds, the school serves as a training ground for leadership through academic excellence and moral values. It is also home to the world-renowned marching band, "Marching 100", which was the first high school band to march in the Rex Parade on Mardi Gras Day in 1967. The band has since played for eight U.S. Presidents, and performed at five Super Bowls, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, and the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The band will perform at the halftime of this year's second Final Four game. To learn more about St. Augustine High School's fund raising efforts, please visit staugnola.org/lg
LG's commitment to St. Augustine High School arose as part of a three-year partnership with the NCAA, Turner Sports, and CBS Sports for category exclusive marketing and distribution rights to NCAA Championship competitions, including March Madness, that will expand the reach of college sports to legions of current fans and generations of new ones. LG's support of the NCAA Championships will include multiple initiatives to inspire fans and support student athletes including the recent launch of the NCAA Championships Channel (Channel 100), which will feature up to 50 NCAA Fall, Winter and Spring championships, both live and on-demand via LG's exclusive free streaming service, LG Channels. To learn more about LG's partnership with the NCAA visit LG.com/NCAA.
Editor's Note:
Video footage of the LG check presentation ceremony at St. Augustine High School available here.
Footnote:
1 LG will not be involved in selecting scholarship recipients. Selection of the scholarship recipients will be the sole responsibility St. Augustine High School. Eligibility for the scholarship is need-based and does not require participation in athletics as a prerequisite.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $63 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, energy solutions and vehicle components. LG is a seven-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. The company's commitment to environmental sustainability and its "Life's Good" marketing theme encompass how LG is dedicated to people's happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. www.LG.com.
About St. Augustine High School
St. Augustine High School is a college preparatory school for young men in grades 8-12 founded in 1951 by the Josephite priests and brothers. St. Augustine High School has built a legacy serving as the training ground for leadership through academic excellence, moral values, Christian responsibility, and reasonable, consistent discipline. In 71 years, it has graduated 9,200 men.
About the NCAA®
The NCAA is a diverse association of more than 1,000 member colleges and universities that prioritize academics, well-being and fairness to create greater opportunities for nearly half a million student-athletes each year. The NCAA provides a pathway to higher education and beyond for student-athletes pursuing academic goals and competing in NCAA sports. More than 54,000 student-athletes experience the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics by competing in NCAA championships each year. Visit ncaa.org and ncaa.com for more details about the association and the corporate partnerships that support the NCAA and its student-athletes. NCAA, Men's Final Four, and March Madness are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE LG Electronics USA | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/03/31/lg-commits-150000-new-orleans-based-st-augustine-high-school/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:22Z |
No jail for LA building owner over explosion that hurt 12
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The owner of a downtown Los Angeles building where an explosion injured 12 firefighters has been allowed to enter a judicial diversion program that allows him to avoid jail time. A court commissioner on Wednesday granted Steve Sungho Lee’s request to enter the two-year program. Lee owned a commercial building that caught fire in May 2020. Firefighters on the roof and inside the building had to run for their lives when a ball of flames erupted from a vaping supply warehouse. City prosecutors filed more than 160 charges against Lee and his companies over alleged safety violations. They’ll be dismissed if Lee follows the diversion requirements. | https://ktvz.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/03/31/no-jail-for-la-building-owner-over-explosion-that-hurt-12/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:22Z |
Swift and fearless action required
Thursday, March 31, 2022Dear Editor,
The lush and beautiful parish of Westmoreland, known in its heyday for its burgeoning sugar cane production and other bustling economic activities, is now conspicuously stifled and destabilised by the reins of crime.
This highly precarious situation, which visibly plagues and erodes the very fabric of this parish, should undoubtedly be of national concern.
Westmoreland and St James are reported as recording among the highest statistics of murders and shootings across the island over many years, and has continued this upward trend, reporting even higher crime rates since the beginning of the year.
Chiefly, I was dumbfounded, and might I add flabbergasted, to have recently learnt via a report in the Jamaica Observer entitled 'No new street lights in more than 10 years'.
The article states that street lamps have not been installed in Westmoreland for at least 10 years. Westmoreland is one of the largest parishes on the island, and is being crippled on a daily basis by surging crime rates despite the great fortitude displayed by its residents.
Given the crime statistics, how is this even possible? It is a well-known fact that darkness yields dysfunctional and criminal activities.
The report also highlights the failure of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to expeditiously address the mounting concerns and requests so greater clarity can be shed on the matter at hand. The high level of inefficient, nonchalant, and sluggish customer service provided by the JPS to the parish is utterly dissatisfying and should be urgently remedied.
Additionally, the positive relationship between the economic downturn and the increasing level of crimes within the parish has resulted in the collapse of the sugar industry, which was once the very backbone of Westmoreland's economy.
With huge losses being absorbed by factories over the years due to illegal burning of acres of sugar cane, lack of skilled talent, among other factors, this ailing industry is simply not able to withstand the blows meted out.
Alternatives to sugar should promptly be explored to motivate young adults to invest in other lucrative agricultural/economic interests that will encourage weaning from criminal activities, instant gratification, and deviant behaviour.
The key here is to grasp the real challenges faced by residents so sustainable progress can be achieved.
Unequivocally, every strategy must be implemented in very short order to reduce the heightening of criminal activities within the parish. The institution of states of emergency (SOE) in tandem with other measures should be explored once again to curb this deteriorating state of affairs.
For how long will we sit by and observe this baleful influence devour and threaten the equilibrium of the parish? It has simply become too brazen, with scant regard for human lives.
There is a colossal, uncontained crisis taking place at the western point of the island, and it can no longer be subdued or ignored. The time is indeed ripe to proceed with swift and fearless action.
Tara Henry
henry.tara42@gmail.com
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Solomon Islands says China deal won't include military base
Seeking to counter fears over its new security alliance with China, the Solomon Islands says it won’t allow China to build a military base there
Seeking to counter international fears over its new security alliance with China, the Solomon Islands said Friday it won't allow China to build a military base there.
But that insistence will do little to ease concerns about the pact from the nation's traditional partners that include New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
The leader of neighboring Micronesia added his voice to those expressing trepidation by invoking the bloody battles of World War II and warning that the pact could again see the South Pacific region become a battleground for much larger powers.
The Solomon Islands government said Thursday a draft agreement of the new security pact had been initialed by representatives from the Solomons and China and would be "cleaned up" and signed.
In a statement Friday, the Solomon Islands government said that “contrary to the misinformation promoted by anti-government commentators” the agreement did not invite China to establish a military base.
“Government is conscious of the security ramification of hosting a military base, and it will not be careless to allow such initiative to take place under its watch,” the statement said.
The statement seemed to more emphatically rule out the possibility of a base after Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had earlier told parliament it had no intention of asking China to build a base.
Sogavare said his nation sought only peace and prosperity, citing its foreign policy mantra: “We are friends to all and enemies to none.” He said it wasn't a secret deal but a sovereign issue.
Under the terms of the draft agreement, China could send police, military personnel and other armed forces to the Solomon Islands “to assist in maintaining social order” and for a variety of other reasons. It could also send warships to the islands for stopovers and to replenish supplies, which had led to speculation about the possibility of China establishing a naval base on the South Pacific islands.
Micronesia President David Panuelo wrote a letter to Sogavare saying Micronesia had “grave security concerns” about the "novel and unprecedented" arrangement.
He said the two small nations had become battle grounds during World War II and that it could happen again as China, the U.S. and Australia asserted themselves in the region.
“And is it plausible that, once the spheres have been carved out, that our concerns about climate change — today’s problem — would manifest into all-too-real concerns about a war in our backyards, with our people, our islands, as the playground for children playing as adults?” Panuelo wrote to Sogavare.
Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said Friday that while it respected the Solomons' sovereignty, the deal showed that China was acting aggressively in the region.
“We need to be very cautious here because the Chinese are incredibly aggressive, the tactics that they’re deploying into small island nations are quite remarkable,” he told Sky News.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this week described the possibility of Chinese military forces stationed on the Solomon Islands as “the potential militarization of the region.” And the U.S. State Department said Washington did not believe China’s security forces and methods needed to be exported.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Thursday that “relevant parties should see the China-Solomon Islands security cooperation objectively and rationally and stop making irresponsible remarks.”
“Attempts to provoke, obstruct and undermine China’s friendly relations with the island countries is not popular and will not succeed,” Wang told reporters at a daily briefing.
“China-Solomon Islands cooperation does not target any third party and is not in conflict with Solomon Islands’ cooperation with other countries. Instead, it complements the existing regional cooperation mechanisms in a positive way,” he added.
The Solomon Islands, home to about 700,000 people, switched its diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019 — a contributing factor to riots in November last year between residents of different islands within the country.
Australian police have been in the capital, Honiara, maintaining peace since then under a bilateral security treaty established in 2017. It provides a legal basis for the rapid deployment of Australian police, troops and associated civilians in the event of a major security challenge.
Chinese police are already on the islands conducting a training mission.
The Federated States of Micronesia is home to about 100,000 people. It has diplomatic relations and considers itself a “friend” of China, as well as having a close relationship with the U.S. under a compact of free association.
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Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. | https://www.independent.co.uk/news/new-zealand-ap-solomon-islands-china-wellington-b2048715.html | 2022-04-01T01:52:23Z |
The House of Representatives voted Thursday to approve legislation that would limit cost-sharing for insulin under private health insurance and Medicare. The vote was 232-193, with 12 Republican members joining their Democratic colleagues to pass the measure.
The Affordable Insulin Now Act would cap insulin prices at either $35 a month or 25% of an insurance plan's negotiated price — whichever is lower. The legislation aims to take effect in 2023 but its fate in the Senate remains unclear.
"This is a kitchen table issue, "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said to reporters ahead of the bill's passage on Thursday.
"One in four Americans is forced to skip or ration doses of insulin and that's life-threatening," she said, noting the legislation "paves the way" for further action on negotiating lower drug prices beyond insulin.
Advocates of the legislation point to data from the Health Care Cost Institute, an independent nonprofit that studies health care prices, which shows prices for insulin doubled between 2012 and 2016.
"No one should have to choose between taking their medication as prescribed and putting food on the table or a roof over their head," said Rep. Dan Kildee, one of three Democratic lawmakers who sponsored the legislation.
"As a father of a type 1 diabetic, I have seen firsthand how the high price of prescription drugs like insulin can harm patients and harm families," the Michigan Democrat said during debate on the House floor. "When my daughter turned 26 and got her own health insurance, there were months where she spent a third of her take home pay because she's diabetic on staying alive."
Critics of the bill argue the cap alone doesn't do enough to solve the underlying problem of rising prescription drug prices.
"We want lower prices for drugs, particularly for insulin," said Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga, during debate. "But instead of fixing a broken system, this bill aims to control it," he adding, calling the bill a "socialist plan."
House Democrats passed legislation in November as part of a broader spending package that would have enabled Medicare to negotiate lower prices for various prescription drugs.
Because that package remains stalled in the Senate, Democrats are working to more narrowly tackle making common drugs like insulin more affordable.
There is a similar bipartisan effort under way in the Senate but its path is unclear as Republicans have traditionally been opposed to price caps.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wmuk.org/npr-news/2022-03-31/house-passes-bill-to-cap-insulin-prices | 2022-04-01T01:52:24Z |
WHL
All Times Local
Western Conference
B.C. Division
U.S. Division
Eastern Conference
East Division
Central Division
Note: x - clinched playoff berth; y - clinched division; Two points for a team winning in overtime or shootout; the team losing in overtime or shootout receives one which is registered in the OTL or SOL columns.
Tuesday's results
Winnipeg 8 Moose Jaw 1
Wednesday's results
Everett at Portland, 7 p.m.
Prince Albert 2 Brandon 1
Swift Current 6 Lethbridge 4
Regina 3 Saskatoon 2
Calgary 3 Medicine Hat 2
Kamloops 8 Prince George 2
Friday's games
Calgary at Swift Current, 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw at Saskatoon, 7 p.m.
Brandon at Prince Albert, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg at Regina, 7 p.m.
Medicine Hat at Lethbridge, 7 p.m.
Spokane at Kamloops, 7 p.m.
Prince George at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Portland at Everett, 7:05 p.m.
Tri-City at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday's games
Edmonton at Red Deer, 7 p.m.
Lethbridge at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
Brandon at Saskatoon, 7 p.m.
Seattle at Portland, 6 p.m.
Winnipeg at Moose Jaw, 7 p.m.
Regina at Prince Albert, 7 p.m.
Everett at Tri-City, 6:05 p.m.
Spokane at Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Victoria at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday's games
Swift Current at Calgary, 2 p.m.
Kamloops at Prince George, 2 p.m.
Red Deer at Edmonton, 4 p.m.
Spokane at Vancouver, 4 p.m.
Tuesday's games
Regina at Brandon, 7 p.m.
Saskatoon at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
Kelowna at Prince George, 7 p.m. | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/HKO-WHL-Standings-17049892.php | 2022-04-01T01:52:24Z |
George Karl and Swin Cash, two of the most iconic figures in Seattle sports history, will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with the 2022 class in September, according to reports.
Karl and Cash, who had fallen short in previous years for various reasons, were among 11 finalists and join a 2022 Hall of Fame class that reportedly includes Manu Ginobili, Tim Hardaway and Bob Huggins.
To secure induction into the Hall of Fame, finalists needed to receive 18 to 24 votes from the HOF committee.
The Hall of Fame will officially announce the Class of 2022 at the men’s Final Four in New Orleans on Saturday and the induction ceremony will take place on Sept. 10.
Karl’s HOF nod caps a distinguished coaching career, highlighted by 27 years in the NBA, including seven with the Sonics (1992-98) where he compiled a 384-150 (.719) record and guided them to the 1996 NBA Finals.
The 70-year-old Karl also coached the Cleveland Cavaliers (1984-86), Golden State Warriors (1986-88), Milwaukee Bucks (1998-03), Denver Nuggets (2005-13) and Sacramento Kings (2015-16) while climbing to sixth all-time on the NBA coaching wins list with 1,175 victories.
Karl, a former standout point guard at the University of North Carolina, played five years with the Spurs — three in the ABA and two in the NBA.
“It’s the greatest honor of my career to be elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame,” Karl tweeted. “Basketball has meant everything to me and I’m thrilled beyond words.”
Cash, who is considered one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, was named to the league’s 25th anniversary team last year.
The former University of Connecticut star, who was taken No. 2 overall in the 2002 WNBA draft, played 15 seasons in the league and won three titles, including two with the Detroit Shock (2003 and 2006) and one with the Storm in 2010.
Cash spent her first six seasons in the WNBA with Detroit (2002-07) before a four-year stint in Seattle (2008-11). She also played for the Chicago Sky (2012-13), Atlanta Dream (2014) and New York Liberty (2014-16).
Cash, who made four WNBA All-Star Games and two All-WNBA teams, ranks 12th on the WNBA’s all-time rebounding list with 2,521 and 20th in scoring with 5,119 points in her career. She’s also a two-time NCAA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
In 2019, the New Orleans Pelicans hired the 42-year-old Cash to join the front office and she serves as vice president of basketball operations and team development. | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seattle-basketball-legends-george-karl-and-swin-cash-reportedly-set-to-join-naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2022-04-01T01:52:24Z |
Nature makes us happier, healthier and more creative, according to a book the city of Santa Clarita has been promoting as part of the “One Story One City” month-long program in March. As such, city Councilwoman Marsha McLean invited veterans on Wednesday to the Placerita Canyon Nature Center to get in touch with the rural roots of the area.
Author Florence Williams’ book “The Nature Fix,” about nature’s restorative benefits, is this year’s focus for “One Story One City,” the Friends of the Santa Clarita Library’s annual program that encourages citywide discussion with a selected story each year. When McLean read the book, she said she thought about how so many veterans suffer from PTSD, depression and anxiety, and how bringing awareness to the peacefulness found in the natural world in the Santa Clarita Valley could have very positive effects.
“The book talked about how people get rejuvenated and blood pressure goes down and anxiety goes down whenever they make regular trips out into nature to kind of get away from the city,” McLean told The Signal. “And it also talked about veterans and how many veterans don’t seem to suffer or don’t want to talk about PTSD or anxiety and depression in their daily life.”
McLean had notified the veterans organizations in the area about the gathering she hosted on Wednesday, and while the turnout was small, the councilwoman hopes to do something like this again, she said, on a weekend when more people might be more willing and able to come out.
During the event, several docents from the Placerita Canyon Nature Center showed off the wildlife that call the center their home. Among those were an owl, an American crow and a California tarantula. The animals the docents shared with visitors reside on site, as they have conditions such as broken bones that, according to Herb Brout, one of the docents, wouldn’t give them much chance to survive in the wild.
Guest Sharon Ventrice and her husband Bob, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army, said they go to almost every veteran event in the area that they can.
“This is one of the most veteran-friendly communities around,” Sharon said. Both spent the better part of an hour at the center on Wednesday.
Placerita Canyon Nature Center is a California State Park located on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains off Placerita Canyon Road. The park includes hiking trails, a variety of natural and historic sites, interactive nature exhibits and the Walker cabin, a restored and furnished 1920s structure.
“Once somebody comes out here once,” McLean told guests, “I’m hoping that they’ll continue to come out here because you need to keep doing it in order to help heal yourself.”
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center is set to host an open house between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. The event will include family hikes, crafts and games, panning for fool’s gold, musical entertainment and animal presentations like those on Wednesday.
For more information, go to placerita.org | https://signalscv.com/2022/03/one-story-one-city-nature-can-be-the-cure/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:24Z |
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has barred the Federal Capital Territory Administration from taking over Garki Hospital which is currently under the supervision of Nisa Premier Hospital Limited.
Justice Charles Agbaza gave the order of interim injunction following a motion ex parte filed by Nisa Premier Hospital Limited which has been running the hospital for the last 15 years.
In the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/954/2022, the applicant sought an order of injunction restraining the FCT Minister and the FCTA or their agents from implementing their March 1, 2022 letter on the concession agreement between the FCTA and Nisa Premier on the custody of Garki General Hospital pending the determination of the motion on notice.
The court subsequently fixed April 6, 2022, for hearing after the expiration of the initial order.
The FCTA and Nisa Premier had entered into a concession agreement for Public Private Partnership in 2007 for a period of 15 years which was to expire in March.
The FCTA had moved to bring the concession to an end, a move which experts say could cause hundreds to lose their jobs.
Two weeks ago, the House of Representatives also mandated the FCTA to suspend action on the termination of the concession agreement pending the outcome of its investigation into the matter.
However, the FCTA said in a statement on Thursday said it had no plans to shut down the hospital.
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The FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, said this when the FCT branch of the Nigeria Medical Association led by its Chairman, Dr. Enema Amodu, paid him a courtesy visit.
The minister said the concession agreement had an expiration date as assented to by both parties
The statement which was signed by the minister’s Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, stated that the minister dismissed fears that the end of the concession agreement between the FCTA and Nisa Premier would lead to job losses.
“The situation is that an agreement was entered 15 years ago and mutually accepted by the FCT Administration and the Nisa Medical Group. It was an agreement that has a commencement date and an expiration date.
“So, by virtue of the agreement, it is supposed to expire on Thursday, March 31, 2022, a natural termination. So, it’s not the FCT terminating the agreement. That’s what we need to understand,” he said.
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Contact: [email protected] | https://punchng.com/court-stops-fcta-from-taking-over-garki-hospital/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:24Z |
LOS ANGELES — Five men have agreed to plead guilty to federal crimes for their roles in an illegal Southern California sports betting operation that took wagers from professional athletes, authorities said Thursday.
The ring was led by Wayne Nix, 45, a former pitcher for the Oakland Athletics minor league baseball team who lives in Newport Beach.
Around 2001, Nix started using his professional sports contacts to build a gambling business, developing a client list that included unnamed professional athletes, the former ballplayer admitted in court papers.
It eventually expanded into a major enterprise that employed three former Major League Baseball players as agents who recruited bettors. Password-protected accounts were set up for clients to place bets on a website run by Sand Island Sports, a company based in Costa Rica. Betting on the outcome of sporting events is legal in some states, but not California.
Nix, the father of ESPN broadcaster Wendi Nix, acknowledged receiving $245,000 from a professional football player and $4,000 from a Major League Baseball coach, in both cases to cover gambling losses in 2016. Both were unnamed in the court records.
Another client placed a $5 million bet on the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta, where the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams. A few weeks later, Nix agreed in a text exchange to reactivate the account of a sports broadcaster who told him he was refinancing his home mortgage so he could repay his gambling debts.
Nix said he also let the business manager of a professional basketball player bet up to $25,000 per NBA game.
The investigation was triggered in 2017 by two informants who provided information to the Homeland Security Investigations agency, according to an HSI application for a search warrant. One informant acknowledged that the goal of cooperating with law enforcement was to avoid paying off a $6 million gambling debt.
A federal judge gave investigators permission to tap the phones of Nix and several other suspects, the warrant application says. The surveillance yielded multiple recordings of bets being placed. “Put $3,000 on Djokovic to win Wimbledon,” Nix told someone on a phone call in June 2019.
Nix and one of his partners, Edon Kagasoff, 44, of Lake Forest, agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business. Nix also admitted that he failed to report $1.5 million in personal income on his 2017 and 2018 federal tax returns.
Court records did not specify whether any professional athletes used Nix’s business to bet on their own teams’ games. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles declined to comment on the matter and said the investigation was continuing.
Nix, a former right-handed pitcher, was Oakland’s fourth-round pick in the 1995 draft out of Monroe High in Sepulveda. He won nine games with the High-A Modesto A’s in 1999 and followed that up by winning nine games in each of the next two seasons when Oakland moved its High-A team to Visalia. Nix advanced to Double-A with the A’s at the end of the 1991 season, which would be his last as a pro.
The charges come at a delicate time for America’s pro sports leagues, which have raced to embrace sports betting — and the billions that could flow from it — while trying to reassure fans that players and other insiders are not betting on games.
The four major North American leagues could generate $4.23 billion per year from legalized sports betting, according to the American Gaming Association. Fans already can place bets at gambling operations inside stadiums and arenas from Phoenix to Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Teams and leagues say betting can keep fans involved with games. Betting online and or over the phone has become easier and, as one technology operator told The Los Angeles Times last month, “There’s a million pitches over the course of a season. You can bet on every one of them.”
The NFL this month suspended Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for at least one year after uncovering evidence that he had bet on NFL games.
Major League Baseball was made aware of the federal charges Thursday and is looking into the matter, a league official said.
The other three men who admitted to participation in the illegal betting ring were Howard Miller, 63, of Gardena; Kenneth Arsenian, 52, of Newport Beach; and Joseph Castelao, 56, of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Miller agreed to plead guilty to operation of an illegal gambling business.
Arsenian pleaded guilty in January to the same charge, as well as filing a false tax return, money laundering and accepting money for illegal online gambling. Castelao, who owned the Sand Island Sports website, has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business.
Celebrity Financial, which ran the Sherman Oaks Check Cashing store in the San Fernando Valley, agreed to plead guilty to failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, admitting that it cashed more than $18 million in checks from three clients of the betting ring. | https://www.chicoer.com/2022/03/31/ex-as-minor-leaguer-allegedly-led-illegal-sports-gambling-ring/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:25Z |
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – For some people, overdraft fees are a frustrating inconvenience. For others, they pose crippling costs. Some lawmakers now want to change how they’re charged altogether.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney introduced legislation called the “Overdraft Protection Act.” The bill includes provisions to cap the amount and number of fees a bank can charge.
“My bill tries to cut down on these unfair and deceptive practices,” the New York Democrat said.
Advocates like Elyse Crawford-Hicks with Americans for Financial Reform say overdraft fees hit low-income families and people of color the hardest.
“Overdraft fees are paid the most by people who can least afford them,” Crawford-Hicks said.
Others say over-drafting is a useful service because it can function like a short-term loan. Paul Kundert is the CEO of UW Credit Union, which recently reduced their overdraft fees and put more limits on how they charge them.
“When prices are fair, we believe consumers do benefit from access to the credit provided by overdraft fees,” Kundert said.
Recently, major banks like Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Bank of America have made changes themselves, by reducing their overdraft fees or eliminating them altogether.
Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, says that demonstrates the legislation is unnecessary.
“The market is naturally, naturally taking care of the issue without government intervention. And we do not need more rules from Washington,” Williams said.
Because banks make billions of dollars in revenue from overdraft fees, George Mason University Foundation Professor of Law Todd Zywicki argues the proposed changes would cost consumers.
“We’ll see higher bank fees, we’ll see higher minimum monthly deposits as basically insurance against over-drafting and we will see a loss of access to free checking,” Zywicki said.
Lawmakers like Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., are promising to continue pushing for the reforms.
“How can we perform such an abusive and predatory practice that punishes people simply for being poor?” Pressley said. | https://www.wivb.com/news/washington-dc/bill-seeks-to-put-cap-on-overdraft-fees/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:25Z |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — It’s been 40 years since Formula One last ventured into Sin City for back-to-back Las Vegas races staged in the parking lot of the Caesars Palace hotel.
The European-headquartered series raced in Las Vegas in 1981 and 1982, then packed up with little incentive to return. Then came new ownership, slick marketing, a Netflix docuseries and a historic championship battle that all helped F1 explode in popularity throughout the United States.
The U.S. will be the only country on the 2023 calendar to host three F1 races in one season following Wednesday’s announcement of a Saturday night race down the famed Las Vegas Strip. F1 has raced at Circuit of the America’s in Austin, Texas, since 2012, and in May it will make its debut in Miami.
Barring any surprises, existing races in Mexico City and Montreal will bring F1 to North America five times next season.
Is it too much for one market?
Bobby Epstein, president of COTA, believes there’s enough interest to sustain three U.S. races. He could barely draw 100,000 spectators over a three-day weekend five years ago; COTA had more than 300,000 last year and is already sold out for its October race.
F1’s first race in Miami this May sold out in one day.
“Before we opened, there was very little interest or awareness in America about Formula One because they had no presence here,” Epstein told The Associated Press. “The first few years, it’s hard to know if you have a bright new shiny object or you have something that people really love and come back for and aren’t just curious about.
“What you can’t buy is history and you can’t buy tradition. You have to make it and earn it. The crowds here have told us we’re absolutely doing something right.”
NASCAR is the top U.S. series and already races 13 miles away from The Strip at the oval at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. NASCAR last week made its second appearance at COTA.
IndyCar is the American version of F1 and the most diverse series in the world with its mix of road and street courses, as well as ovals. But the open-wheel series has never challenged F1, even as European drivers are now migrating to IndyCar.
F1 didn’t much focus on the U.S. until Liberty Media Corp. bought the rights to the series in 2017. The American company has since targeted U.S. expansion and received a massive boost from the Netflix docuseries “Drive To Survive.”
Season four dropped ahead of the F1 season opener this month and Netflix said the behind-the-velvet rope peek inside the series ranked No. 1 in 33 countries its opening weekend. ESPN, meanwhile, said viewership for Sunday’s race in Saudi Arabia broke the week-old record for the network and was ESPN’s largest F1 audience since 1995.
“The momentum of Formula One has been demonstrated over the last several seasons and we’ve seen that potential turn into a reality as we watch our fanbase really grow around the world, but especially here in the U.S.,” Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Media, told The Associated Press.
F1 will promote the event alongside Liberty, which is taking on the additional role because of its belief in the market. F1 signed an initial three-year contract for the race, but the exact race date was not revealed beyond that it will be a Saturday night in November on a temporary 3.8-mile street course that will utilize the iconic Las Vegas Boulevard.
“This is somewhat different for us in that we’re taking a larger role because of our belief in the opportunity and our belief in Las Vegas,” Maffei said.
Added Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of F1: “The best racing on the planet will be in the entertainment capital of the world. Formula One has huge momentum and we are growing around the world and the United States is a massive focus for us, there is no doubt about it.”
No other country hosts more than two races a season. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said the city expected 170,000 visitors on race weekend to account for 400,000 nights of hotel rooms and an estimated economic impact of half a billion dollars.
But as F1 chases the U.S. dollar, it does so with very little American representation.
Michael Andretti, son of 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti, is desperate to land a two-car team and a $420 million takeover of the existing Sauber team collapsed late last year. Andretti has since applied for expansion to the 10-team grid.
He’d like to bring to F1 driver Colton Herta, the Californian who turned 22 on Wednesday and is an IndyCar title contender. Herta has signed a testing contract with McLaren and will be evaluated by that team later this year.
Maffei was quick to point out that F1 already does have an American team; Haas F1 is owned by American businessman Gene Haas, who operates part of the organization alongside its NASCAR operation in North Carolina.
But Haas was the worst team in F1 last year and Andretti has publicly called on Haas to sell the F1 team to him. Haas has refused to sell and through the first two races appears to be a much improved team.
Gene Haas was forced to drop both his Russian driver and the sponsorship Nikita Mazepin brought from his father’s fertilizer company following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two weeks before the season opened. The team has somehow emerged stronger and scored points in the first two races of the season.
F1 and Liberty agree the series needs more American representation — teams, drivers, sponsors, all of it — but Domenicali said it cannot be an artificial effort. F1 won’t admit a team owner just to further its growth in the U.S.
“It’s important, but it has to be real,” Domenicali told AP. “People are making a difference, they are the protaganist. But it has to be real, (the driver) has to be quick, because otherwise it would not work. It is a journey that is not easy to accomplish. It will take time, but for sure, is in our focus.
“From the commercial point of view, from the organizer, or promoter point of view who wants to develop the business in the U.S., an American woman or man driver would be very good.”
___
AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
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More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/sports/ap-sports/viva-las-vegas-f1-adds-strip-as-it-expands-to-3-us-stops/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:25Z |
Delta Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday, said the School of Marine Technology, Burutu, would soon be upgraded by the state government.
Okowa disclosed this during the inauguration of three legacy projects executed by the Hon. Godknows Angele led administration in Burutu, headquarters of Burutu Council Area.
The inaugurated projects were the legislative residential quarters, Head of Personnel Management (HPM) residential quarters and Treasurer to Local Government (TLG) residential quarters.
The Governor who was responding to requests by the community, noted that the problem with School of Marine Technology was that it was previously under the supervision of the State Ministry of Transport, adding that as part of effort aimed at repositioning the school, it has been moved from the Ministry of Transport to the Ministry of Higher Education.
While saying that a substantive Provost would soon be appointed for the institution, Governor Okowa assured the people that the state government was mobilising action for work on the permanent site of the school.
“I want reassure you that we are going to look into the various requests that you have made and that we will do our best possible.
“First of all, l must apologise that we have not taken much action on the School of Marine Technology but you would have realised that the school, in my opinion, has been slowed down from growth because it remains in the Ministry of Transport.
“But recently, we have moved it from the Ministry of Transport to the Ministry of Higher Education. That is a first step to upgrade the institution and we are committed about the school. Very soon, a substantive Provost will be appointed for the school,” he added.
Governor Okowa applauded Hon. Angele for being very focused, adding that he was quite glad that the council chairman did not disappoint him.
“I pleaded with our leaders to allow Hon. Godknows Angele to become chairman of the local government council. I know that as l did that, l was putting a lot of burden on him.
“Our leaders agreed and l must thank them and the people of Burutu for allowing him to be the local government chairman. I am glad to see the things that l see here today.
“That he has a befitting legislative quarters which matters a lot to me. The reason why it matters is that it will enable our councillors to reside in Burutu at least for some part of the week.
“So that people will not continue to stay in Warri and Ughelli and rule over the affairs of this local government from elsewhere.
“That is very thoughtful of him and l am glad that he has quarters for the councillors, the Head of Personnel Management (HPM) and Treasurer to Local Government (TLG).
“l must thank you for this foresight and l thank you for the very good stories l have continued to hear about you from your people,” the governor said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the Council, Hon. Godknows Angele said the legacy projects were embarked upon by his administration to provide shelter for councillors, HPM and the TLG in Burutu, the local government headquarters.
Angele disclosed that the project which earned him award among three other local government areas out of the 774 local government areas in the country has also placed Delta State among the three states out of the 36 states of the federation to be so recognised.
According to him, besides the legacy projects, there are other projects spread across the nooks and crannies of the local government area which are at various stages of completion, adding that when completed, they would be inaugurated for the benefit of the people in the area.
“To achieve further development, we need the cooperation of all and sundry. I, therefore, wish to appeal to everyone to please give this administration the much needed support in this second tenure,” the Chairman said.
While noting that apart from Kiagbodo town, no other town in the area is linked to the national grid, he said “we provide electricity supply to stimulate economic growth and encourage the development of small and medium scale enterprises.
“It cost my administration N6,000,000 monthly to fuel the two generators providing electricity to Burutu, headquarters of the local government area,” he added, even as he appealed to the governor to prevail on the relevant authorities to come to their aid by connecting Burutu to the national grid.
In an address presented by the Chairman of Burutu Community, Mr. Herman Ekisah, the people who applauded the landmark achievements of the governor in different parts of the state, appealed to him to change the status of the School of Marine Technology from monotechnic to polytechnic, even as they called for the appointment of a substantive Provost for the School as well as the development of the permanent site of the institution among other requests. | https://flashpointnews.com/2022/03/31/delta-marine-school-to-be-upgraded-soon-okowa/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:25Z |
Homicide investigators were deployed to Coquitlam Thursday, in response to the “sudden death” of a 41-year-old man.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Coquitlam RCMP and paramedics were called to a home on Coast Meridian Road near Manning Avenue around 3:30 p.m., where they found the victim.
Investigators believe the victim and his attacker knew one another, and said there was no suggestion the death was linked to the region’s ongoing gang conflict.
Police said IHIT and Coquitlam RCMP officers remained in the area gathering evidence and “completing priority tasks.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. | https://globalnews.ca/news/8727003/coquitlam-homicide-41-year-old/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:26Z |
During its April 2022 general conference leadership session, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced and presented for a sustaining vote 45 new Area Seventies from 23 countries.
The announcement and sustaining were done at the Thursday, March 31, leadership session and published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
While no Area Seventies were released, the passing of Elder Levi W. Heath was noted. Elder Heath, who had served as an Area Seventy since April 2021 in the North America West Area as a member of the Eleventh Quorum of the Seventy, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Los Angeles, California, following a battle with cancer.
April 2021 general conference conference marked the first time Area Seventies were sustained not in a weekend session of general conference but in the preceding leadership session, which includes some 300 General Authorities, General Officers and Area Seventies.
The Church has 12 quorums of the Seventy. The first two quorums are comprised of General Authority Seventies, who have authority to serve anywhere in the world. The remaining 10 quorums are Area Seventies.
Under the direction of the Presidency of the Seventy, Area Seventies meet with and teach Church leaders, missionaries and members of the Church in local congregations. The authority of Area Seventies is generally limited to the area where they serve.
Following is a list of new leaders by assigned quorum:
Third Quorum (Africa Central, Africa South and Africa West areas)
Amândio A. Feijó, 40, Luanda, Angola; maintenance engineer, Sonangol; currently serving as stake presidency first counselor of the Luanda Angola Stake; former branch presidency second counselor member, branch president, district presidency second counselor member and stake presidency second counselor member; wife: Dionisia; three children.
David Ngabizele, 58, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; translation supervisor, Publishing Services Department; currently serving as coordinating council executive secretary of the Kinshasa West; former bishop, high councilor and stake president; wife: Bernadette; five children.
Justice N. Otuonye, 41, Aba, Nigeria; medical officer, Hospital Management Board; currently serving as stake president of the Aba Nigeria North Stake; former branch presidency member, district presidency member, high councilor and stake presidency first counselor member; wife: Kate; four children.
Fourth Quorum (Asia and Asia North areas)
Min Zu Wang, 60, Zhong Zheng, Taiwan; professor, National Taiwan University; currently serving as stake president of the Taipei Taiwan Central Stake; former bishop, bishopric first counselor member, bishopric second counselor member, high councilor, stake presidency first counselor member and stake presidency second counselor member; wife: Shiao Tsen; three children.
Fifth Quorum (Brazil Area)
Elzimar Gouvêa de Albuquerque, 48, Santana de Parnaíba, Brazil; currently serving as mission president of the Brazil João Pessoa Mission; former bishop, bishopric second counselor member, stake presidency first counselor member and stake presidency second counselor member; wife: Anna Rebeca Ampié de; four children.
Bruno V. Barros, 47, Maceio, Brazil; currently serving as mission president of the Brazil Piracicaba Mission; former stake presidency second counselor member, bishop, bishopric second counselor member, high councilor and stake president; wife: Luciene; three children.
Kennedy F. Canuto, 49, Manaus, Brazil; temple recorder, Manaus Brazil Temple; currently serving as coordinating council welfare specialist; former bishop, high councilor, mission president, stake presidency member and stake president; wife: Regia Lucia T.; two children.
Roberto G. F. Leite, 47, Brasília, Brazil; military police officer, lieutenant colonel, PMDF/GDF; currently serving as Stake President of the Brasília Brazil Stake; former bishop, bishopric member, high councilor and stake presidency second counselor member; wife: Edilene; three children.
Paulo Renato Marinho, 47, São Paulo, Brazil; bank manager, Banco do Brasil S/A; currently serving as bishopric first counselor of the José Bonifácio Ward; former bishop, bishopric first counselor member, bishopric second counselor member and stake president; wife: Daise; one child.
João Luis Oppe, 56, Vargem Grande Paulista, Brazil; temple recorder, São Paulo Brazil Temple; currently serving as elders quorum president of the Vargem Grande Ward; former bishop, bishopric first counselor member, branch president, high councilor, mission president, stake presidency second counselor member and stake president; wife: Sueli; three children.
Daniel Piros, 49, São Paulo, Brazil; currently serving as mission president of the Brazil Goiânia Mission; former bishop, bishopric member and stake president; wife: Suzana Generoso; four children.
Sixth Quorum (Caribbean, Central America and Mexico areas)
Raúl Barrón, 47, Tecámac, Mexico; coordinator, Seminaries and Institutes; currently serving as institute teacher of the México City Tecámac Stake; former bishop, bishopric member, high councilor, mission president and stake president; wife: Brenda; five children.
Favio M. Durán, 59, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; owner and general manager, Inversiones Raices y Construccion; currently serving as stake high councilor of the Tegucigalpa Honduras Villa Olímpica Stake; former bishop, mission presidency member, mission president, stake presidency first counselor member and stake president; wife: Nuzly; three children.
Claude R. Gamiette, 54, Goyave, Guadeloupe; manager, Caribbean Area, Self-Reliance; currently serving as district audit committee member of the Guadeloupe District; former branch president, district presidency second counselor member, district president, mission presidency member and mission president; wife: Delphine; five children.
Eduardo R. Mora, 49, San José, Costa Rica; currently serving as mission president of the Honduras San Pedro Sula East Mission; former bishop, high councilor, stake mission presidency counselor member, stake presidency second counselor member and stake president; wife: Ana María; three children.
Nelson Ramírez, 52, San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico; facilities manager, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; currently serving as high councilor of the Monterrey México Libertad Stake; former bishop, high councilor, mission president and stake president; wife: Gladys; four children.
Jose Estuardo Sazo, 53, Mixco, Guatemala; site manager, Bayer of Guatemala; currently serving as mission presidency first counselor of the Guatemala Antigua Mission; former bishop, stake presidency first counselor member and stake president; wife: Claudia; three children.
Seventh Quorum (Europe, Europe East and Middle East/Africa North areas)
Roland J. Bäck, 45, Hinterbrühl, Austria; IT Manager, Seconded to ADNOC; currently serving as elders quorum second counselor of the Abu Dhabi 1st Ward; former bishop, high councilor, stake presidency second counselor member and stake president; wife: Tereza; five children.
Joep Boom, 52, Tilburg, Netherlands; manager, Meetinghouse Facilities Department; currently serving as Ward Temple and Family History Leader of the Breda Ward; former bishop, branch presidency member, branch president, high councilor and stake president; wife: Kirsty; four children.
Mark Anthony Dundon, 45, Rotherham, England; owner/director, Inversion Consultancy & Solutions; currently serving as FSY session director; former bishop, bishopric member and stake president; wife: Lucy Isobel; five children.
Emanuel Petrignani, 41, Frankfurt, Germany; area planning manager, Europe Area MFD Office; currently serving as Sunday School president of the Frankfurt 2nd Ward (English); former branch presidency first counselor member, high councilor and stake president; wife: Kornelia; three children.
Alexey V. Samaykin, 45, Moscow, Russia; welfare and self-reliance manager, Europe East Area; currently serving as mission president of the Russia Novosibirsk Mission; former bishop and branch president; wife: Lidia; three children.
Mark G. Stewart, 49, Richmond, England; partner, Arcadis NV; currently serving as FSY session director; former bishop, bishopric first counselor member, stake presidency second counselor member and stake president; wife: Ailsa; four children.
Roseveltt de Pina Teixeira, 40, Praia, Cape Verde; group company manager, RECOSHOP; currently serving as seminary teacher of the Praia Cape Verde Stake; former branch presidency member, district presidency member, district president and stake president; wife: Neia; three children.
Nikolai Ustyuzhaninov, 43, Perm, Russia; currently serving as mission president of the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission; former branch president, district presidency member, district president and mission presidency first counselor member; wife: Yulia; four children.
Eighth Quorum (Pacific and Philippines areas)
Craig W. J. Raeside, 62, Marden, Australia; forensic psychiatrist, S.A. Mental Health Service; currently serving as mission mental health specialist of the Philippines Mission; former bishop, branch president, high councilor, mission presidency member and stake presidency member; wife: Lesley; five children.
Jose Antonio San Gabriel, 59, Cebu, Philippines; MLS Coordinator, Philippines Area Office; recently released as mission president of the Philippines Butuan Mission; former bishop, bishopric member, high councilor, mission president, stake mission president, stake presidency first counselor member, stake presidency second counselor member and stake president; wife: Sariah Mia; two children.
Ninth Quorum (South America Northwest and South America South areas)
Oscar Bedregal, 52, La Plata, Argentina; pediatrician, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos; currently serving as high councilor of the La Plata Argentina East Stake; former bishop, bishopric member, branch president, district presidency member, high councilor, mission presidency member, stake presidency member and stake president; wife: Marleny; three children.
Oswaldo J. Soto, 40, Puno, Peru; chief executive officer, Isla Esteves–GHL Hotel and Peru Deluxe; currently serving as stake president of the Puno Perú Central Stake; former bishop, bishopric member, high councilor and stake presidency second counselor member; wife: Dania; three children.
Harold Truque, 55, Cali, Colombia; attorney, self-employed; currently serving as stake president of the Cali Colombia San Fernando Stake; former bishop, bishopric first counselor member, bishopric second counselor member, branch presidency first counselor member, branch presidency second counselor member and high councilor; wife: Adriana María; no children.
Carlos Ernesto Velasco Barron, 53, Sacaba, Chapare, Bolivia; self-employed, Aluminum Construction; currently serving as temple ordinance worker; former bishop, bishopric first counselor member, bishopric member and stake president; wife: Mabel; five children.
Sergio Villa, 45, Medellín, Colombia; COO, CNV Constructions; currently serving as stake president of the Medelliín Colombia Belén Stake; former bishop, bishopric second counselor member and high councilor; wife: Luisa; five children.
Tenth Quorum (North America Central, North America Northeast and North America Southeast areas)
Eric Baxter, 48, Silver Spring, Maryland; vice president and senior counsel, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty; currently serving as stake president of the Silver Spring Maryland Stake; former bishop, branch presidency member and stake high councilor; wife: SaraLyn; seven children.
Michael P. Brady, 50, Bel Air, Maryland; chief administrative officer, Abacus Corporation; currently serving as stake president of the Baltimore Maryland Stake; former bishop, bishopric member and high councilor; wife: Heidi E.; two children.
Nathan A. Craig, 45, Hopkinsville, Kentucky; owner/attorney, Richardson & Craig; recently released as stake president of the Hopkinsville Kentucky Stake; former bishop and stake president; wife: Amy L.; three children.
Scott N. Taylor, 53, Franklin, Massachusetts; associate professor of organizational behavior, Babson College; currently serving as stake president of the Blackstone Valley Massachusetts Stake; former bishop, branch president, high councilor and stake presidency second counselor member; wife: Ashley A.; four children.
Eleventh Quorum (North America Southwest and North America West areas)
Randall A. Brown, 46, Cornelius, Oregon, senior vice president, product marketing, Aurea Software; currently serving as stake president of the Forest Grove Oregon Stake; former bishop, and bishopric member; wife: Beth; six children.
John W. Lewis, 64, Gilbert, Arizona; president and chief executive officer, East Valley Partnership; currently serving as Sunday School teacher of the Cullumber Ward; former bishop, bishopric member, high councilor, mission president and stake president; wife: LaCinda; eight children.
Steven D. Shumway, 51, Pinetop, Arizona; currently serving as mission president of the Illinois Chicago Mission; former bishop, bishopric member and stake president; wife: Heidi; four children.
Gordon L. Treadway, 56, Temecula, California; retired; currently serving as temple ordinance worker of the San Diego California Temple; former bishop, mission president and stake president; wife: Kristi; three children.
Kyle A. Vest, 47, Amarillo, Texas; financial advisor, Edward Jones; currently serving as Primary activities leader of the Bishop Hills Ward; former bishop, mission president and stake president; wife: Kelli; five children.
Twelfth Quorum (Utah Area)
Stephen K. Christensen, 65, Farmington, Utah; attorney, Nelson, Christensen, Hollingworth & Williams; currently serving as Sunday School teacher of the Farmington 10th Ward; former bishop, bishopric member, high councilor, mission president and stake president; wife: Marilyn F.; nine children.
Scott L. Hymas, 60, Kaysville, Utah; chief executive officer, R.C. Willey; currently serving as temple ordinance worker of the Bountiful Utah Temple; former bishop, bishopric member, high councilor, mission president and stake presidency first counselor member; wife: Alison; five children.
Jason C. Jensen, 52, Lehi, Utah; vice president of enterprise applications, Sunrun; recently released as Primary teacher of the Lehi 43rd Ward; former bishop, bishopric member, high councilor, stake presidency second counselor member and stake president; wife: Camille A.; five children.
Blaine R. Maxfield, 49, South Jordan, Utah; managing director, Welfare and Self-Reliance Services Department; currently serving as member of the JustServe Steering Committee; former bishop, high councilor and stake president; wife: Jennifer; three children. | https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-03-31/general-conference-lds-april-2022-45-new-area-seventies-sustained-leadership-session-248139 | 2022-04-01T01:52:25Z |
Election set to be delayed due to ballot paper issues
Photo 122474508 / Ballot Paper © Tom Wang | Dreamstime.com
The forthcoming election is set to be postponed for a fortnight due to insufficient amounts of the correct type of ballot paper, we understand.
It is believed that the specific type of tree used to make the paper - Flora Plio – has been in short supply in recent months.
Paper production expert, Poppy Cox, explained why this specific type of tree was used for the production of ballot papers.
“It has a special waxy quality that prevents the mark you make on your ballot paper being rubbed out,” said Mrs Cox.
“That obviously adds an added level of security to the elections and stops people claiming that their ballot has been changed.”
Alternatives are now being sought and the two week delay in the vote will hopefully allow for the ballot to be printed on a different type of paper.
“It is possible that we could see a special kind of foolscap being used if a secure alternative can’t be found,” Mrs Cox added.
An official statement on the matter is due to be made at midday today (Friday, April 1). | https://www.ballycastlechronicle.co.uk/news/2022/04/01/news/election-set-to-be-delayed-due-to-ballot-paper-issues-23432/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:26Z |
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A national 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to support survivors and those affected. You can access emotional and crisis support referral services by calling 1-866-925-4419.
The Nadleh Whut’en First Nation in northern B.C. outlined priorities such as an apology from Pope Francis amid discussions at the Vatican in a statement to the press on Wednesday (March 30).
Nadleh Whut’en representatives are part of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) delegation to the Vatican alongside more than 100 First Nations people from across Canada including residential school survivors, elders, youth and support staff.
Nadleh Whut’en is calling on the Pope to visit the site of the former Lejac Indian Residential School to “further discuss reparations and a better path forward” as part of an apology for the role the Catholic Church played in the residential school system in Canada.
The school was operated by the Catholic Church under contract with the Canadian government from when it opened in 1922 until 1976. First Nations say hundreds of their children were forced to attend Lejac, many never to return home.
Nadleh Whut’en Chief Larry Nooski said the Catholic Church “has yet to apologize, compensate or meaningfully support reconciliation” with Nadleh Whut’en and more than 70 B.C. First Nation communities that had their children taken to Lejac.
“This meeting with Pope Francis, to witness an apology, is a historic moment for Nadleh Whut’en and other First Nations from across Canada,” Nooski wrote.
“Many survivors of the Lejac Indian Residential School carry pain and suffering as a result of abuse from priests and nuns at the school.”
Nadleh Whut’en delegates Eleanor Nooski and Tanya Stump said they will prioritize the return of stolen artifacts and access to Vatican archives.
READ MORE: Nadleh Whut’en delegates prepare for Vatican visit to push for residential school archives
The First Nation is also seeking for Rose Prince to be officially recognized as a saint. Prince died in 1949 of tuberculosis. Since 1990, the devout have held pilgrimages to her grave at Lejac where Father Joules Goulet’s prayers and anointments are said to heal the chronically injured.
The First Nation said discussions with the Catholic Church must also include the “rejection and retraction” of the “doctrine of discovery.” Papal laws gave license to explorers to claim terra nullius [vacant land] in the name of their sovereign and defined “vacant” as not populated by Christians.
Nadleh Whut’en Chief and Council offered prayers and support for all delegates to the Vatican saying the First Nation continue will continue to seek justice, restitution and apology for the harms committed by the Catholic Church to their children.
READ MORE: Nadleh Whut’en First Nation plans for unmarked grave search at Lejac residential school site
Do you have a comment about this story? email:
michael.bramadat-willcock@ominecaexpress.com
Like us on Facebook | https://www.interior-news.com/news/nadleh-whuten-first-nation-outlines-priorities-for-vatican-meeting-with-pope-francis/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:26Z |
(NEXSTAR) — Consumer goods company Unilever has initiated a voluntary recall of two of its Suave antiperspirant products due to concerns over benzene content – exposure to high levels of the chemical has been linked to several types of cancer.
The affected products are Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirants, both the “Fresh” and “Powder” scents. The 4-6 ounce spray cans feature the UPC codes:
- 079400751508
- 079400784902
- 079400785503
Items with these UPC codes and expiration dates through September 2023 are the only Unilever/Suave products affected by the recall.
Unilever explains that the antiperspirants themselves don’t contain benzene but a review showed “unexpected” levels from the propellant that sprays the product from the cans. The company says the 24-hour deodorant sprays were discontinued last year for unrelated business reasons and were previously in limited distribution at U.S. stores and online.
Retailers who carried the items have also been notified to pull any that remain, Unilever says. Anyone who has the affected products should discard them immediately.
Customers with questions or concerns can contact Unilever at (866) 204-9756. More information on the products and reimbursement can also be found at the Suave Recall page. The Food and Drug Administration says customers who may have experienced adverse reactions to the aerosols can report to its MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting.
Benzene
So what is benzene?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that benzene is a colorless or yellow liquid when at room temperature. It can be naturally occurring – in volcanoes, forest fires and oil, for example – or found in human manufacturing.
Benzene is among the top 20 chemicals used in the U.S., the CDC says. It’s used to make plastics, nylons and some types of lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents and drugs. Tobacco smoke is a large source of benzene exposure to humans.
How is it harmful?
The CDC reports benzene damages the human body by causing cells to malfunction. For instance, bone marrow can stop producing adequate amounts of red blood cells. Additionally, it can cause changes in antibodies and white blood cell loss. Immediate symptoms of exposure include headaches, dizziness, tremors, vomiting and confusion.
Long-term exposure (longer than a year) can result in cancers, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. | https://www.kxan.com/news/consumer/some-suave-antiperspirants-recalled-due-to-high-levels-of-cancer-causing-chemical/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:26Z |
Opinion: A second COVID-19 booster is smart for many but too few Americans have their first already
From San Diego to across the nation, tens of millions are content to be “fully vaccinnated,” which breakthrough infections show to be a misnomer.
The editorial board operates independently from the U-T newsroom but holds itself to similar ethical standards. We base our editorials and endorsements on reporting, interviews and rigorous debate, and strive for accuracy, fairness and civility in our section. Disagree? Let us know.
The Food and Drug Administration’s authorization this week of another COVID-19 booster shot for people 50 and older and for those as young as 12 with compromised immune systems was somewhat undercut by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s more nuanced subsequent announcement about who could get the jab (the same group) and who should (a smaller one). Director Rochelle P. Walensky said, “It’s especially important for those 65 and older and to those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions.” The New York Times explained the difference, noting “fairly robust data showing a need for stronger protection now that variants have cut into the vaccines’ potency” but “significantly less data on whether a second booster will provide that protection, and for how long.”
Even though the COVID-19 death rate has plunged, any sort of mixed messaging during a public health crisis is problematic. But the differences over a second booster shot could have the welcome effect of pointing to how disappointing the U.S. record has been on the first booster shot, which the CDC strongly endorses. San Diego County reported Thursday that nearly 44 percent of the 2.18 million fully vaccinated county residents hadn’t yet gotten a booster yet. That figure is 51 percent of fully vaccinated Californians and 55 percent of fully vaccinated Americans. With a new variant of the coronavirus now dominant in the U.S. and the potential long-term health threat of “long COVID” still so poorly understood, the poor booster rate deserves more attention and demands improvement.
Peter Marks, the director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, stressed that a second booster shot of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines “could help” increase protection levels for higher-risk individuals, but that an initial booster dose “is critical in helping to protect all adults from the potentially severe outcomes of COVID-19.” In other words, it’s time for some people to get a second booster. But it’s time for everyone who is eligible and hasn’t to get the first one.
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You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. | https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/editorials/story/2022-03-31/opinion-second-booster-smart-for-many-but-weak-record-on-first-booster-a-more-immediate-concern | 2022-04-01T01:52:26Z |
There was little drama on the first day of the Call of Duty League Major 2 as the Seattle Surge, Atlanta FaZe, Florida Mutineers and Boston Breach cruised to 3-0 sweeps on Thursday in opening-round action.
The Surge beat OpTic Texas, the FaZe downed the New York Subliners, the Mutineers defeated the London Royal Ravens and the Breach topped the Los Angeles Guerrillas.
Seattle and Atlanta will square off in a second-round, winners-bracket match on Saturday, as will Florida and Boston.
The four Thursday losers are back in action Friday. Texas will oppose the Minnesota Rokkr, New York will meet the Los Angeles Thieves, London will square off with the Paris Legion and the Guerrillas will match up with the Toronto Ultra.
All matches in the double-elimination major event are best-of-five until the grand final on Sunday, which will be best-of-nine. The winning team will receive 65 Call of Duty League points, and the runner-up will get 50 points.
The Surge tripped OpTic 250-159 on Bocage Hardpoint, 6-4 on Tuscan Search and Destroy and 3-1 on Tuscan Control.
The FaZe handled the Subliners 250-146 on Gavutu Hardpoint, 6-5 on Tuscan Search and Destroy and 3-2 on Gavutu Control.
The Mutineers pushed past the Royal Ravens 250-177 on Gavutu Hardpoint, 6-4 on Tuscan Search and Destroy and 3-2 on Gavutu Control.
The Breach beat the Guerrillas 250-180 on Gavutu Hardpoint, 6-3 on Berlin Search and Destroy and 3-2 on Tuscan Control.
Call of Duty League Major 2 point distribution
1. 65 CDL points
2. 50 CDL points
3. 40 CDL points
4. 30 CDL points
5-6. 20 CDL points
7-8. 10 CDL points
9-12. No CDL points
–Field Level Media | https://sportsnaut.com/surge-faze-mutineers-breach-open-cdl-major-2-with-wins/ | 2022-04-01T01:52:26Z |