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BENTONVILLE, Arkansas -
Walmart is looking within the company to offer truck driver training.
The company is planning to launch a new training program for interested employees who work in its distribution or fulfillment centers to become certified truck drivers.
The company wants to offer a 12-week program taught by a team of company truck drivers.
Walmart plans to raise the salary for its 12,000 truck drivers. The starting salary will range from $95,000 to $110,000.
The company hopes the new program eases some supply chain issues across the country. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/walmart-is-planning-to-launch-a-new-training-program-for-truck-drivers/article_4af18770-ba73-11ec-a0c2-efa7b70a83b4.html | 2022-04-12T19:18:14Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/walmart-is-planning-to-launch-a-new-training-program-for-truck-drivers/article_4af18770-ba73-11ec-a0c2-efa7b70a83b4.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Jussie Smollett releases new song, 'Thank You God,' after he's released from jail: 'You got the wrong one'
CHICAGO - Jussie Smollett has been out of jail for three weeks and has now released a new song called "Thank You God."
The former "Empire" star shared the single on his Instagram account, which according to his bio is "currently run by" the Smollett family.
In the caption of the post, it's noted that "100% of the profits will be donated" to Rainbow Push Coalition, the Illinois Innocence Project and Secure the Bag Safety.
The one-minute preview on social media starts with a clip that reads: "CHANNELING THESE THOUGHTS THE BEST WAY I KNOW HOW. LOVE YOU… - JUSSIE."
Smollett then sings: "It’s like they’re hell-bent on not solving the crime / Taking out the elements of race and trans and homophobia that’s straight taking lives / But turn around and act like I’m the one that killed the strides."
RELATED: Jussie Smollett case: Exclusive video shows ex-'Empire' actor's first moments in Cook County Jail
Elsewhere on the track, he says, "Some people searching for fame / Some people chasing that clout / Just remember this ... this ain’t that situation / You think I’m stupid enough to kill my reputation."
"Just simply to look like a victim / Like it's something fun / Y'all better look at someone else / You got the wrong one."
Actor Jussie Smollett speaks to Judge James Linn after his sentence is read on March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
On March 16, Smollett was released from Cook County Jail in Chicago, Illinois, after a court gave the OK pending an appeal of his conviction.
He had spent six days behind bars of his 150-day sentence after he was convicted of lying to Chicago police about being the victim of a hate crime in 2019. The actor was convicted on five felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police.
Last month, an appeals court, in a 2-1 decision, said Smollett could be released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $150,000, meaning he doesn't have to lay down money but agrees to show up for court as required.
During his sentencing, Smollett maintained his innocence.
Reps for Smollett did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.
Advertisement | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/jussie-smollett-releases-new-song-thank-you-god-after-hes-released-from-jail-you-got-the-wrong-one | 2022-04-12T19:18:15Z | fox32chicago.com | control | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/jussie-smollett-releases-new-song-thank-you-god-after-hes-released-from-jail-you-got-the-wrong-one | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
LA GRANDE, Ore. -
Winter weather conditions and multiple spinouts have caused Oregon Department of Transportation to close I-84 and US 395 early Monday afternoon.
The section of I-84 from Pendleton to Ontario is closed until the weather stops and ODOT crews can clear the snow off the road.
Semis without chains are stranded on the highway until it is safe to reopen and get traffic moving.
ODOT says there is no estimated time to reopen I-84 and US 395.
The weather is very different all across our area and we want to see any pictures or videos you have of the winter weather today, wherever you are.
Email weather pictures to news@kndu.com or head over to our Facebook page and drop them in the comments! | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/regional/winter-weather-conditions-close-most-of-i-84-and-us-395-in-oregon/article_237cea66-ba84-11ec-b62d-8311e92a99ca.html | 2022-04-12T19:18:20Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/regional/winter-weather-conditions-close-most-of-i-84-and-us-395-in-oregon/article_237cea66-ba84-11ec-b62d-8311e92a99ca.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Man seriously wounded in Roseland stabbing
CHICAGO - A man was stabbed several times Tuesday morning in the Roseland neighborhood on Chicago's Far South Side.
Around 9:14 a.m., the 53-year-old was in the 11300 block of South Yale Avenue when someone walked up and stabbed him several times with an unknown object, police said.
The man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center where he was listed in serious but stable condition, officials said.
The stabbing suspect fled the scene southbound, according to police.
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
Advertisement | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/man-seriously-wounded-in-roseland-stabbing | 2022-04-12T19:18:21Z | fox32chicago.com | control | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/man-seriously-wounded-in-roseland-stabbing | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP, lets you compare the safety of new cars.
The star ratings show everything from how well a car protects you in a crash to rollover resistance.
There’s a proposal to update the rating program, but some advocates are concerned the proposal doesn't address the existing gender gap in car safety testing.
“Most of us think when we go buy a car and it says it has a 5 NCAP star rating, there's a presumption that that's for women also. And to me, there's no excuse for treating men and women differently,” said Susan Molinari at Verity now.
The proposal calls for updating male crash test dummies, but it doesn't include a dummy representative for all women.
Currently, tests are done on a smaller version of a male dummy or with a computer simulation.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acknowledges that women face a 17% higher risk on average of dying in a crash.
Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety finds newer cars are doing a better job of protecting both men and women, but disparities still exist.
“Women are getting injured more with their arms and their legs. While these injuries may not be life-threatening, they most certainly are life altering, both in terms of capabilities of one of one's body, as well as potential mental health implications that could result from these types of injuries,” said Cathy Chase at Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
More than 60 members of Congress recently sent a letter to the Transportation Secretary asking him to require up-to-date female crash test dummies to be used in the new car assessment program.
The NCAP ratings also show the recommended safety technology that's in the car.
NHTSA is proposing to add blind spot detection, blind spot intervention, lane-keeping support and pedestrian automatic emergency braking.
“The Advanced Driver Assistance technologies are going to work, irrespective of who is in the vehicle so that is going to help either to avoid or to mitigate the collisions. The drawback, however, is that the improvement that's being proposed for NCAP will not actually incorporate those at this point in time into the rating, it will only be a checkbox,” said Shaun Kildare at Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
NHTSA says the new car assessment program has improved safety for both men and women.
The new infrastructure law requires a study of how crash-test dummies are used in car safety tests.
A report on that is required within a year.
You can comment on the proposed safety rating update until May 9th on the Federal Register website. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/safety-advocates-want-gender-gap-addressed-in-car-safety-testing | 2022-04-12T19:18:23Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/safety-advocates-want-gender-gap-addressed-in-car-safety-testing | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Monday, two bills expanding Tennessee's existing laws on transgender female athletes in girls' sports passed through the state Senate.
The first bill, which would penalize school districts for not adhering to the state's ban by withholding funding, had already passed through the state House. It will soon head to Gov. Bill Lee.
The sponsor of both bills, Republican Senator Joey Hensley, said he is trying to create a fair playing field for girl athletes and women in college. He said the bill was inspired by transgender athletes who had beaten women in national competitions.
The second bill adds to an existing law to keep transgender female athletes out of girls' middle and high school sports. The bill adds higher education and intramural sports to the list.
Opponents of these bills said they're creating a problem out of an issue that doesn't exist.
"In the process of trying to raise concern that there is something there, we create this really discriminatory environment that really scares people from being who they are," said Dahron Johnson, a transgender athlete. "That's a trauma that has an impact on their entire lives."
Johnson has been cycling since she was 12 or 13 years old. She said it was always about the camaraderie and not the experience Republican lawmakers fear.
"There's some folks and leaders in sports who have children who want to come forward, who want to come out and play but are scared to because of the environment that bills like this and the associated ones help create," said Johnson.
The ACLU and Tennessee Equality Project both released statements shortly after the passage of the bills. They condemned the legislature for creating a discriminatory atmosphere in the state and asked Gov. Lee to veto the bills.
The state's transgender law currently faces legal challenges. So, each law couldn't take effect until those suits were resolved. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/transgender-athlete-penalty-bill-heads-to-tennessee-governors-desk | 2022-04-12T19:18:29Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/transgender-athlete-penalty-bill-heads-to-tennessee-governors-desk | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yelp will cover the travel expenses of employees who must travel out of state for abortions, joining the ranks of major employers trying to help workers affected by restrictions in Texas and other states.
The benefit announced Tuesday covers all 4,000 employees at the online review service, but seems most likely to have its biggest immediate impact on its 200 workers in Texas, which has passed a law banning abortions within the state after six weeks of pregnancy.
New York's Citigroup recently disclosed plans to do the same for its more than 200,000 employees, 8,000 of them in Texas.
Uber and Lyft are paying the legal fees for drivers who could get sued under the new Texas law for transporting passengers to clinics.
The benefits come at a time when numerous states are restricting abortion rights. On Tuesday, Oklahoma's governor signed a bill into law that makes it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The only exception is an abortion to save the life of the mother. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/yelp-to-cover-travel-expenses-for-workers-seeking-abortions | 2022-04-12T19:18:35Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/yelp-to-cover-travel-expenses-for-workers-seeking-abortions | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission saying it found evidence the NFL's Washington Commanders engaged in unlawful financial conduct.
The committee says the team withheld ticket revenue from visiting teams and refundable ticket deposits from season-ticket holders.
In the letter, which was obtained by the Associated Press, the committee said up to $5 million was retained by the team in 2016 from 2,000 season-ticket holders and they also concealed from the league sharable revenue.
During their testimony before Congress, a former employee said two separate financial books were kept by the team, with the league receiving one with underreported ticket revenue and the other containing everything, the AP reported.
According to the news outlet, the former employee added that owner Dan Snyder knew what was being shared with the league's office and what the actual data was, too.
The committee said emails, documents, and statements made by former employees indicate team executives and Snyder engaged in "a troubling, long-running, and potentially unlawful pattern of financial conduct."
The committee is sharing documents with the FTC while requesting the commission take any action necessary to make sure the money is returned to its rightful owners. | https://www.katc.com/sports/congress-tells-ftc-commanders-may-have-broken-financial-laws | 2022-04-12T19:18:38Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/sports/congress-tells-ftc-commanders-may-have-broken-financial-laws | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission saying it found evidence the NFL's Washington Commanders engaged in unlawful financial conduct.
The committee says the team withheld ticket revenue from visiting teams and refundable ticket deposits from season-ticket holders.
In the letter, which was obtained by the Associated Press, the committee said up to $5 million was retained by the team in 2016 from 2,000 season-ticket holders and they also concealed from the league sharable revenue.
During their testimony before Congress, a former employee said two separate financial books were kept by the team, with the league receiving one with underreported ticket revenue and the other containing everything, the AP reported.
According to the news outlet, the former employee added that owner Dan Snyder knew what was being shared with the league's office and what the actual data was, too.
The committee said emails, documents, and statements made by former employees indicate team executives and Snyder engaged in "a troubling, long-running, and potentially unlawful pattern of financial conduct."
The committee is sharing documents with the FTC while requesting the commission take any action necessary to make sure the money is returned to its rightful owners. | https://www.wtxl.com/sports/congress-tells-ftc-commanders-may-have-broken-financial-laws | 2022-04-12T19:18:41Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/sports/congress-tells-ftc-commanders-may-have-broken-financial-laws | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Prince William County officials are pumping the brakes on potential vehicle tax impacts fueled by racing values.
At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, county officials will propose assessing vehicles at 80% of their estimated value in the budget for fiscal 2023, which starts July 1.'A computer chip shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has made new vehicles harder to come by, driving up assessments on used ones. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of used cars and trucks rose 40.5% from January 2021 to January 2022.
The unexpected changes in values could lead to highly unusual increases in most personal property tax bills for Prince William County residents. Typically, personal property tax bills decrease over time because as a car gets older its assessed value drops.
Prince William County officials have projected assessment increases for virtually all of the roughly 161,000 vehicles registered locally and made since 2007.
The county is not proposing a decrease to its personal property tax rate, which is $3.70 per $100 of assessed value. Similar to the situation for homeowners when assessments rise, but the rate remains the same, keeping the same tax level results in an effective tax increase.
The county is proposing to levy the personal property tax at 80% of the assessed value of vehicles.
In an emailed statement, county officials said the change “does not fully negate increases to personal property tax bills; however, it will help negate the impact to taxpayers as the result of increasing used car values.”
It is unclear if the change would completely wipe out increases, keep bills the same as last year or allow for the typical decreases across the board.
At full assessment, the majority of the local vehicles, 88,998, would see their value grow between $501 and $2,500, leading to an increase in bills of $19 to $93.
The second most-common projection is an increase between $2,501 and $5,000 for 45,722 vehicles. Those vehicles would see their bills rise between $93 and $185.
Only 11,864 vehicles had an increase in value less than $500, leading to up to $19 tacked onto their tax bill.
The county expects the change to 80% would make the tax provide $168.9 million in total revenue toward the fiscal 2023 budget.
The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge. | https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/prince-william-officials-pumping-brakes-on-car-tax-increases/article_aa7812a0-ba8b-11ec-9703-83c89fd46931.html | 2022-04-12T19:22:23Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/prince-william-officials-pumping-brakes-on-car-tax-increases/article_aa7812a0-ba8b-11ec-9703-83c89fd46931.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
If the euro stays at the current 1.0823 level, it will be the lowest close since May 2020 and less than 20 pips from the March intraday low of 1.0806.
The single currency got some life yesterday from a pop in bund yields and tried to rally again today on post-CPI USD weakness but the economic headwind from the Ukraine war/sanctions continues to be too much for the bulls to overcome. The price action in the past two days is deeply disappointing and this is looking like a desperate last stand to hold 1.0806.
I suspect the market will wait for the ECB on Thursday to seriously test that level but it will take a hawkish pivot from Lagarde to save the day. | https://www.forexlive.com/news/another-dismal-day-for-the-euro-as-it-nears-the-march-low-20220412/ | 2022-04-12T19:25:41Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/another-dismal-day-for-the-euro-as-it-nears-the-march-low-20220412/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Today's candle on the Nasdaq chart is not a pretty one. It tried to fill the gap at the start of the week, failed and is now significantly lower on the day; down 0.5%. That's down 2.6% from the highs today.
There's still a bit of time left but it's looking like an ugly outside day. All that's left holding it together is the 61.8% retracement of the late-March rally. It's down 8.9% from the high on March 29.
What's particularly worrisome is that earnings kick off tomorrow with JPMorgan, Delta airlines, Blackrock, Fastenal and Ben, Bath & Beyond. Those conference calls should offer some insightful views on the current state of the economy. JPM CEO Jamie Dimon isn't shy to share his thoughts and he's been sounding the alarms on inflation lately. | https://www.forexlive.com/technical-analysis/ugly-outside-candle-shaping-up-on-the-us-stock-charts-earnings-now-in-focus-20220412/ | 2022-04-12T19:25:53Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/technical-analysis/ugly-outside-candle-shaping-up-on-the-us-stock-charts-earnings-now-in-focus-20220412/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Sixteen people were injured in a shooting in a New York City subway car this morning. City officials say at least 10 of those victims were shot and five are in critical but stable condition. The alleged attacker is still at large.
NPR’s Jasmine Garsd joins us.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.klcc.org/2022-04-12/shooting-in-new-york-city-subway-car-leaves-16-injured | 2022-04-12T19:26:06Z | klcc.org | control | https://www.klcc.org/2022-04-12/shooting-in-new-york-city-subway-car-leaves-16-injured | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Electric cars are known for being quiet. But in recent years, electric car makers have been working to create their own signature sound.
Alan Yu of WHYY’s “The Pulse” reports.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.klcc.org/2022-04-12/what-should-electric-cars-sound-like | 2022-04-12T19:26:18Z | klcc.org | control | https://www.klcc.org/2022-04-12/what-should-electric-cars-sound-like | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Think of the new “Encanto” projection show at Disneyland as a brief palate cleanser between the main courses of the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show and Main Street Electrical Parade returning soon to the Anaheim theme park.
The new “Encanto” projection show on the It’s a Small World facade debuted on Monday, April 11 during a steady drizzle that made Disneyland sparkle amid a spectrum of colorful lights. The new 4-minute projection show will play multiple times nightly between 9 p.m. and park close.
On opening night, the first “Encanto” show played at 9:15 p.m. as an encore to the fireworks-less “Mickey’s Mix Magic” just a few minutes after the nighttime spectacular came to an end. Crowds that stretched down the Small World midway stuck around after “Mickey’s Mix Magic” in anticipation of the new show featuring the hit song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”
SEE ALSO: Disneyland adds ‘sparkle and shine’ during Club 33 refurbishment
The “Encanto” show began with what seemed like the Small World clock tower stirring to life on the quarter hour before dissolving into an eerie green that cloaked the attraction facade and midway. A cheer went up among the crowd when a hooded Bruno appeared on the Small World clock tower.
As the chart-topping song began, the imagery on the Small World facade drew inspiration from the lyrics.
A sun spun across the facade under a golden array of spotlights before turning to storm showers when “Bruno says, ‘It looks like rain.’” The effect on the drizzling night with the spotlights strafing the low-lying clouds added to the chill of the already damp Southern California night.
Twirling umbrellas did little to stem the flood waters that soon swamped the Small World facade — a not- so-subtle nod to the flooding that closed the ride for three weeks in 2021 at the start of the busy Christmas season.
Hourglasses drained as the lyrics spoke of the “sound of falling sand” while Madrigal cousins Mirabel and Delores walked across the Small World facade.
The show was at its best when the scene slipped behind the stone walls where Bruno hid as grim green spotlights searched for the recluse before turning into hypnotic spirals.
The most beautiful segment featured flower petals raining down as Isabela Madrigal swayed on a flower swing before the facade transformed into rosy reds with spinning floral petal wheels.
The highlight of the show came when the Disneyland Railroad passed in front of the Small World facade while riders floated into the attraction below aboard an endless stream of boats. The kinetic energy brought the park alive as the passengers on the train and boats were painted in a rainbow of light and became part of the show.
The brief show wrapped up in an explosion of colored powders reminiscent of the Holi festival trailed by golden pixie dust before returning to the eerie green opening scene.
SEE ALSO: Disneyland resort president Ken Potrock takes stock at halfway point of phased reopening
The challenge for the new “Encanto” show is following the incessantly upbeat “Mickey’s Mix Magic” that pulsates in a kaleidoscope of color.
The mid-tempo cha-cha-cha salsa style of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is no match for the bombastic bass-heavy beat of the “It’s a Good Time” theme song of “Mickey’s Mix Magic” when it comes to beats per minute.
Disneyland brings up the parade lights on the Small World midway for less than 5 minutes in between the “Mickey’s Mix Magic” and “Encanto” shows — but it’s not enough time to get the nighttime spectacular theme song out of your head and feet.
Disneyland isn’t saying exactly what time the “Encanto” show is playing each night — in part to discourage crowds from milling in the Small World midway before each performance. The shows are intended to be a surprise and delight — but that didn’t stop the crowds from filling the midway on opening night in anticipation of the new production.
The “Encanto” show will play nightly at seemingly random times that are nonetheless scheduled down to the second by Disneyland entertainment. On opening night, the “Encanto” show played multiple times between 9 and 11:45 p.m. Your best bet to avoid waiting endlessly and pointlessly: Ask a Small World cast member when the next performance is expected to start. At the moment though, even the cast members don’t seem to know when the next “Encanto” show will play.
“Encanto” showtimes should become a little easier to figure out once the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks and the Main Street Electrical Parade return on April 22. The “Encanto” projection shows will play in between and around the nighttime spectaculars — likely on the quarter or half hour.
That pacing should make the “Encanto” show feel more like a palate cleanser between nighttime spectacles and less like the final course tacked onto the end of the evening as it is right now. Either way, the brief “Encanto” respite between Disneyland nighttime spectaculars should serve as a delicious small bite of a fan-favorite scene from the popular new animated movie.
For now, the best way to think of the new “Encanto” show is as a delightful and delicate dessert after gorging yourself on the high-calorie main course of “Mickey’s Mix Magic.”
SEE ALSO: Disneyland brings back up-close character meet-and-greet photo ops
“Disneyland Forever” fireworks will only play on weekends when the returning nighttime spectacular first kicks off with the “Mickey’s Mix Magic” projection-only show presented on weeknights. The “Encanto” show will play nightly for a limited time.
It’s important to remember the “Encanto” show will only play on the Small World facade — and won’t appear on Sleeping Beauty Castle or Tom Sawyer Island like other Disneyland nighttime spectaculars. | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/12/encanto-show-serves-as-delightful-encore-after-disneyland-fireworks/ | 2022-04-12T19:26:47Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/12/encanto-show-serves-as-delightful-encore-after-disneyland-fireworks/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The University of Oregon is sending another phenomenal member of its women’s basketball program to New York City.
Nyara Sabally was selected fifth overall by the New York Liberty, where she’ll join famous former teammate Sabrina Ionescu, a star player who helped lead the Oregon Ducks in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Sabally’s most productive years as a Duck were after Ionescu left Eugene. Sabally was injured throughout her freshman and sophomore seasons, but she stayed healthy her last two years, and averaged 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game over that period.
Sabally will also see a very familiar face on one opposing team in the WNBA: her sister, Satou, who’ll enter her third season playing for the Dallas Wings. Satou Sabally played three seasons at Oregon starting with the 2017-18 season, before entering the WNBA draft in 2020.
“This has been a dream ever since I can remember – sharing the court with Satou,” Nyara Sabally said in an interview on ESPN immediately after being chosen Monday. “Playing against her is going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait.”
It’s the third year in a row that the Ducks have had players taken in the WNBA draft, and Nyara Sabally is the fourth UO women’s player taken in the first round since 2020. That year Ionescu, Ruthie Hebard and Satou Sabally were selected. Ionescu was the first pick in the 2020 draft to the Liberty; the elder Sabally was selected after Ionescu by Dallas as the second pick, with Hebard going eighth to the Chicago Sky.
A year ago, Aina Ayuso was selected in the third round by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Copyright 2022 Oregon Public Broadcasting. To see more, visit Oregon Public Broadcasting. | https://www.klcc.org/sports/2022-04-12/uo-star-nyara-sabally-drafted-to-wnba-will-join-fellow-duck-in-new-york | 2022-04-12T19:26:49Z | klcc.org | control | https://www.klcc.org/sports/2022-04-12/uo-star-nyara-sabally-drafted-to-wnba-will-join-fellow-duck-in-new-york | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
By STAN CHOE, DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA
NEW YORK (AP) — Stock indexes edged lower on Wall Street in afternoon trading Tuesday, shedding early gains as investors weighed new data showing some signs of inflation slowed slightly in March, though it overall remained at its highest level in 40 years.
The S&P 500 was 0.6% lower after having been up 1.3% earlier in the day. The benchmark index is coming off back-to-back losses driven by worries about the economic collateral damage as the Federal Reserve tackles high inflation more aggressively. A report on Tuesday morning showed inflation last month was again at its highest level in generations, driven by soaring gasoline prices in particular, but the reading was relatively close to economists’ expectations.
Another faint silver lining was that inflation wasn’t as bad as economists expected, when ignoring the costs of food and fuel. While it’s laughable to ask households to forget soaring prices at the gasoline pump and the grocery store, the Federal Reserve pays more attention to what’s called “core inflation” while setting policy because it’s less volatile. And core inflation on a month-over-month basis moderated to its slowest level since September.
“Hopefully this is as bad as it gets,” said Brian Jacobsen, senior investment strategist at Allspring Global Investments.
“The risk is that a red hot labor market grows cold under the force of those higher food, fuel, and financing costs. This is a time when economic resilience will be tested.”
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 156 points, or 0.5%, at 34,151, as of 3:11 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was 0.7% lower.
Stocks in recent days have been trading in the opposite direction of Treasury yields, which have climbed to their highest levels since well before the pandemic. Yields jumped as investors brace for the Federal Reserve to hike short-term rates at a faster pace than typical and to aggressively pare its trove of bonds, whose buildup helped keep longer-term rates low.
But Treasury yields pulled back on Tuesday following the inflation report. The 10-year yield slid to 2.72% from 2.77% late Monday. It was as high as 2.83% overnight, before the inflation report’s release. The 10-year yield nevertheless remains well above the 1.51% level where it began the year.
A measure of nervousness among stock investors also fell immediately after the inflation report.
Stocks elsewhere around the world were lower or mixed, as unease continues to hang over markets about the war in Ukraine, Chinese efforts to contain COVID outbreaks and where inflation and interest rates are heading.
In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi fell 1%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 1.8% and stocks in Shanghai climbed 1.5%. In Europe, Germany’s DAX lost 0.5%, the French CAC 40 slipped 0.3% and the FTSE 100 in London dropped 0.5%.
The price of U.S. crude oil climbed 6.7% to settle at $100.60, keeping the pressure on high inflation. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 6.3% to settle at $104.64.
Higher interest rates from the Federal Reserve would slow the economy, which would hopefully knock down high inflation. Consumer prices were 8.5% higher in March than a year earlier, accelerating from February’s 7.9% inflation rate and the highest since 1981. To bring it down, the Fed revealed in the minutes from its latest meeting that it’s prepared to hike short-term rates by half a percentage point, double the usual amount, at some upcoming meetings, something it hasn’t done since 2000.
The worry is the Federal Reserve may be so aggressive about hiking interest rates that it forces the economy into a recession.
Higher interest rates also put downward pressure on all kinds of investments, with those seen as the most expensive hardest hit. That’s because when investors are earning more in interest to own relatively safe bonds, they’re less willing to pay higher prices for riskier stocks. Technology and other high-growth stocks that have been some of the stock market’s biggest recent winners have been in the spotlight in particular.
On Tuesday, technology stocks were among the biggest drags on S&P 500. Microsoft fell 1.4% and chipmaker Nvidia fell 2.4%.
Losses in health care and financial stocks also weighed down the index. Pfizer fell 1.3% and Wells Fargo slid 2.4%.
Energy and utilities stocks held up better than the rest of the market. Marathon Oil rose 4.5% and Constellation Energy rose 2%.
More swings may be in store for stocks as companies prepare to report their earnings for the first three months of the year. Delta Air Lines, JPMorgan Chase and other big-name companies will kick off the reporting season on Wednesday.
A key focus for investors during the latest round of earnings will be any sign of consumers pulling back on spending and how companies reacted, said Jack Janasiewicz, portfolio manager and lead portfolio strategist at Natixis Investment Managers Solutions.
“It all boils down to their margins and how are companies deal with rising costs,” Janasiewicz said.
Earnings were able to stay at record levels through the end of last year as companies raised prices for their products and services enough to protect their profit margins. But the further acceleration of inflation may be straining that formula.
Used car dealership chain CarMax slumped 7.7% after reporting disappointing earnings. The company said high prices for cars were discouraging buyers.
While they can swing sharply for many reasons in the short term, stock prices tend to track the path of corporate profits over the long term.
___
AP Business Writer Joe McDonald contributed. Veiga reported from Los Angeles. | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/12/us-stocks-shed-early-gains-as-traders-weigh-inflation-report/ | 2022-04-12T19:27:05Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/12/us-stocks-shed-early-gains-as-traders-weigh-inflation-report/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Man Jailed After Allegedly Assaulting Girlfriend’s Son, Abusing Puppy at Jefferson County Residence
JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – A 54-year-old man is in jail after assaulting his girlfriend’s adult son and abusing a three-month-old puppy at a Jefferson County residence.
According to court documents, Punxsutawney Borough Police on Tuesday, March 29, filed criminal charges against 54-year-old Joseph M. Huntington, currently lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
Huntington faces the following charges:
– Aggravated Assault, Attempts to cause SBI or causes injury with extreme indifference, Felony 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Strangulation, Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck, Misdemeanor 2
– Cruelty to Animals, Misdemeanor 2
According to a criminal complaint filed in Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office, Jefferson County Control received a 9-1-1 call for a domestic situation at a residence on Roberts Street, in Punxsutawney, Jefferson County, on March 26, around 12:34 p.m.
The caller told the dispatcher that Joseph Huntington was assaulting her son. The caller reported that she was not home and that her son called her and told her this, the complaint states.
Jefferson County Control dispatcher took another call for this incident around 12:36 p.m. The caller reported that while she and her husband were traveling down South Penn Street, a little girl was observed running down the road screaming, “Help me please, call the police, he’s going to kill (him),” according to the complaint.
The girl approached their vehicle and pleaded for help. At this point, Huntington came out of the residence and yelled for the girl. Huntington then approached the vehicle, knocked on the window, and stated “the cops are already coming,” the complaint indicates.
The caller told the girl to run, but Huntington had grabbed the girl and went back into the house, the complaint notes.
Once on the scene, police observed Huntington on the front porch talking on his cellular phone and overheard him stating to the effect, “The cops are here. I am probably going to jail,” the complaint states.
Police reported there were two juvenile children in the living room of the residence. One female child was “crying uncontrollably” and a male juvenile was “also extremely upset,” and both told the officers they wanted to go home.
Huntington told police that he was watching his girlfriend’s 20-year-old son, who has special needs. Huntington attempted to take (the victim)’s phone from him, but he refused to give it to him. Huntington stated that his children are not allowed to have phones while they are visiting him and that he believes (the victim) shouldn’t be allowed to have his phone either. Huntington claims that (the victim) “torments” his children with his phone, according to the complaint.
Police located the victim and brought him outside to talk.
Once outside, police asked the victim – who the officer noted was “extremely distressed” – to tell him what happened. The victim went on to tell the officer that he was in his bedroom sitting on his bed when Huntington came in and tried to take his phone from him. The victim stated that his mother told him he could keep it. When he did not give Huntington the phone, Huntington “took (his) three-month-old puppy out of his arms and slammed the puppy as hard as he could to the floor,” the complaint indicates.
The victim became more emotional as he explained the events to police and said that he thought “Huntington broke (the puppy)’s neck and killed it,” the complaint notes.
According to the complaint, after throwing the puppy to the floor, Huntington (5’10” tall, 236 lbs.) again turned his attention to the victim (5’06” tall, 150 lbs.). The victim reported that Huntington pushed him back onto the bed and began to punch him in the chest, stomach, and arms. Huntington then grabbed him by the throat and began to choke him. The male juvenile tried to intervene by attempting to get between Huntington and the victim, but Huntington pushed the juvenile out of the way, telling him to mind his own business. As Huntington did this, the victim was able to get away from Huntington, run into the juvenile’s bedroom, and close the door.
At this point, the victim was able to call his mother to tell her what was going on. She told him that she was calling the police. The victim exited the bedroom and was confronted by Huntington. The victim told him that his mother is calling the police. Huntington became furious and grabbed ahold of the victim’s hoodie. Huntington then threw him to the floor with “a tremendous amount of force” and the victim landed face down, the complaint indicates.
As the victim lay on the floor, Huntington jumped and landed (knee or elbow) with all of his body weight on the victim’s back, according to the complaint.
The victim told police that he did not need medical treatment, the complaint notes.
Huntington was then placed under arrest and put in the back of a patrol vehicle.
Police talked to the male juvenile, who confirmed the victim’s story as he described and reenacted what he witnessed.
While back at the station, police observed and photographed markings on the victim’s body and throat.
The victim was then released to his mother, and the two juveniles were released to their mother at the station.
Police provided the victim’s mother with PFA (Protection From Abuse) information. She indicated that she was taking the victim to the hospital.
At 2:14 p.m. on March 26, Huntington was released to the Jefferson County Probation Office.
Huntington waived his preliminary hearing in front of Judge Mizerock on April 5, and the case was transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.
He remains lodged in the Jefferson County Jail on $40,000.00 monetary bail.
No information was provided on the condition of the victim’s dog.
According to court documents, Huntington is currently on probation stemming from an incident that occurred in November of 2021. He allegedly threatened to kill a woman and attempted to block her from leaving after a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order hearing at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
In that case, he pleaded guilty on January 5, 2022, to a first-degree misdemeanor charge of Terroristic Threats W/Intent To Terrorize Another and a third-degree misdemeanor charge of Harassment and received one year probation. He was also ordered to attend and successfully complete an Anger Management Program, according to court documents.
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Which high-waisted leggings are best?
High-waisted leggings are an enduring style of athleisure wear that’s considered universally flattering. They feature thick waistbands that give the wearer both tummy control and coverage.
Whether you’re wearing them to a yoga class or to brunch, you want a pair that fits perfectly, so they’re comfortable but don’t slide down. For a slimming pair, Skechers Gowalk Skinny Leggings are the top choice.
What to know before you buy high-waisted leggings
Uses
High-waisted leggings are versatile and can be worn as loungewear around the house or as athletic wear. Leggings are also now an acceptable form of casual wear, so feel free to pair them with a sweatshirt and head out to the grocery store.
Material
Some leggings are better for exercise than others, and this is largely determined by the material. If you’re wearing leggings for working out, look for a thick pair that resists breaking under tension.
High-waisted leggings that stretch with your body for yoga are also called yoga pants. These are made from nylon-elastane or nylon-Lycra blends that are breathable and won’t lose their shape when stretching. More budget-friendly pairs are made from polyester blends that have decent stretch but aren’t as breathable. You’ll see rayon, cotton or spandex included in these blends.
Leggings that contain a high percentage of cotton, a natural fiber, are the most comfortable but may not be suitable for working out, since they can lose their shape. They may be better for hanging out. Cotton blends are highly breathable, but are not moisture wicking like synthetic materials.
Waist
High-waisted leggings are defined by their high rise. The waistband extends up above the belly button, offering ample coverage. The measurement between the crotch inseam and waist is between 10 and 12 inches for a true high rise. Some pairs, however, have a shorter rise and extend just up to the belly button.
Waistbands on high-waisted leggings are thick — between 3 and 5 inches — and may provide a compressive panel for tummy control.
Size
Because of the popularity of high-waisted leggings, you can find them in an inclusive range of women’s sizes from XXS to 6X. Not all brands, however, offer extended sizes, and sizing can vary from brand to brand. Be sure to check the sizing guide and compare it to your own measurements for an accurate fit.
What to look for in quality high-waisted leggings
Length
It’s important to check leggings’ length before you buy because they can be difficult and costly to hem. Select a length that you feel comfortable in and consider what activities you’ll be engaging in. High-waisted styles come in a variety of lengths: capri, cropped, seven-eighths and full length. Look for petite and tall sizes if you’re short or tall, respectively.
Pockets
If you have separation anxiety from your phone, many pairs of leggings offer side pockets that can fit a smartphone. Just be sure it can accommodate your model of phone. Not all consumers like the look of these external pockets, but you can also find pairs with a hidden pocket in the waistband that can fit small items such as a key or folded up cash.
Color
Leggings come in every color imaginable, from neutral to bright hues. Black leggings are widely available and hide sweat stains the best. Dark colors such as charcoal, navy, purple, olive and burgundy are also popular for this reason. They are also less likely to be see-through. Still, light colors including shades of pink, beige and gray are popular as well.
Patterns
While solid colors are easy to find, you can also find leggings with patterns. Space dye is popular and has a subtle multi-colored blurred pattern. You can also make more of a statement with leopard print, bold floral prints, camo or marbled leggings. You can pair patterned bottoms with a matching sports bra, if offered, or a solid-colored top.
How much you can expect to spend on high-waisted leggings
High-rise leggings cost between $13-$98.
High-waisted leggings FAQ
What is the ‘squat test’?
A. Some leggings can be sheer, but that can’t be determined unless you try them on in front of a mirror. Squat and bend over to see if the material in the rear stretches too thin and reveals your underwear.
Can I put leggings in the dryer?
A. While the majority of leggings are machine-washable, not all can be tumble dried. This is especially true of high-performance athletic leggings, which need to be air dried. Check the care instructions before washing and drying your leggings.
What are the best high-waisted leggings to buy?
Top high-waisted leggings
Skechers Gowalk Skinny Leggings
What you need to know: These leggings are so comfortable for working out that you’ll end up wearing them all day.
What you’ll love: The very high waist keeps everything in place and is slimming. Many consumers say these are their go-to leggings for the gym and the best pair they’ve ever had. The high-rise style comes in six muted colors that are easy to match.
What you should consider: They run slightly small.
Where to buy: Sold by Macy’s and Amazon
Top high-waisted leggings for the money
What you need to know: If you don’t want to break the bank on athleisure wear, these high-waisted leggings are buttery soft and highly functional.
What you’ll love: The quality and fit is comparable to luxury yoga pants. The high rise is truly high and stays up. The material is very soft, passes the squat test and comes in over two dozen colors.
What you should consider: These full-length leggings may be too long for shorter wearers.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
The Gym People Thick High-Waisted Yoga Leggings
What you need to know: These popular yoga pants feature highly rated pockets that securely hold your phone and cards.
What you’ll love: They come in both full-length and capri styles, and every color and pattern you can imagine. The tummy panel provides compression, and these leggings stay snug and, most importantly, up.
What you should consider: The waistband can cut into skin uncomfortably.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Ana Sanchez writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which red matte lipstick is best?
If there’s one statement-making lip product you should have in your makeup collection, it’s red matte lipstick. And make no mistake: There’s a shade for everyone.
With so many shades to choose from — and especially if you’re new to wearing red matte lipstick — you should be ready to try several colors. Mac Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick In Ruby Woo, one of the bestselling lipsticks of all time, is highly pigmented and lasts all day.
What to know before you buy a red matte lipstick
What matte lipstick is
Matte lipstick has a shine-free finish because it has a higher concentration of wax than oil. With that said, it’s far from lackluster — matte is a bold formula choice because its color is highly saturated.
Not only do most matte lipsticks require fewer swipes to achieve opaque color, but they also offer longer wear times than cream or satin lipsticks. This is partly due to their ultra-dry formulas, which causes pigment to stick to lips instead of migrating or transferring.
Shades of red
From Dior to Revlon, just about every makeup brand has at least one red matte lipstick shade in its collection. Certain brands, such as MAC Cosmetics, even have dedicated “reds” collections featuring a few red matte shades.
As you explore the wide world of red matte lipsticks, you might be surprised at the variety. To narrow your choices, it’s helpful to categorize red shades based on undertone. Some shades are cooler with blue undertones, whereas others are warmer with orange undertones. And somewhere in between are pinkish reds, with traces of berry, fuchsia or magenta.
What to look for in a quality red matte lipstick
Formula
In the past, most red matte lipsticks were available as classic bullet formulas. Although they’re still popular, red matte shades are now mainstays in liquid and mousse lipstick collections, too. Formula preference is subjective, and it usually boils down to overall wear experience.
- Bullet: These formulas typically have the longest wear times because they’re more drying than others. You may end up with chapped lips or feathering, difficult to conceal unless you wipe off the lipstick completely and reapply.
- Liquid: Liquid lipsticks are more nourishing than bullet formulas, making them less likely to leave lips chapped. Because their wear times aren’t as long, you’ll need to reapply them every several hours.
- Mousse: These luxurious formulas fall somewhere between liquid and bullet lipsticks in terms of dryness. Although mousse is supposed to be a lightweight formula, certain varieties feel thick or tacky.
Wear time
Wear time refers to how long a lipstick lasts before reapplication is necessary. Most matte lipsticks stay put for up to eight hours, and some formulas last as long as 16 hours or longer. Because reds are more saturated than most, they usually last longer than other shades.
Hydrating ingredients
Several red matte lipsticks are infused with hydrating ingredients that keep lips soft and smooth. Some of the most popular ingredients include hyaluronic acid, shea butter and lanolin. Many prestige and luxury red matte lipsticks contain floral and herbal extracts, ranging from red peony to avocado. While these ingredients soothe lips and minimize chapping, they occasionally decrease wear time.
How much you can expect to spend on red matte lipstick
Drugstore red matte lipsticks cost $4-$14, while you’ll pay $18-$28 for prestige formulas. Red matte lipsticks made by luxury makeup brands are the most expensive, ranging between $30-$65.
Red matte lipstick FAQ
Do I need to use a lip liner with red matte lipstick?
A. Many people apply lip liner with red matte lipstick to help it stay put longer. Lip liner also creates a “border” around lips that minimizes smears and transfers. Certain lip liners intensify lipstick color, as well.
How does red matte lipstick look on camera?
A. Red matte lipstick doesn’t reflect light, which eliminates excess shine on camera. Because their color is saturated, it emphasizes your lips when you speak, and depending on the shade, can make your teeth appear whiter.
What’s the best red matte lipstick to buy?
Top red matte lipstick
Mac Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick In Ruby Woo
What you need to know: Ruby Woo, a universally flattering shade, is one of the world’s best-selling lipsticks.
What you’ll love: The shade has blue undertones that flatter all skin tones. It’s a fade-resistant formula that doesn’t come off when you eat or drink, and it rarely requires reapplication during the day. The formula is made without harsh chemicals.
What you should consider: It’s a drying formula that may leave your lips chapped later in the day.
Where to buy: Sold by Ulta Beauty and Macy’s
Top red matte lipstick for the money
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Mousse In 815 Red Hot
What you need to know: Revlon’s budget-friendly formula doesn’t compromise on wear time, considering it stays put for at least 8 hours.
What you’ll love: Although it’s a matte formula, it’s creamier and less drying than other options. It doesn’t take more than a couple of swipes to achieve a vibrant red. The formula is less likely to feather and transfer than other liquid matte options.
What you should consider: Color may fade or transfer after several hours, and reapplication is necessary.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Dior Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick In 951 Cabaret
What you need to know: This luxurious red matte lipstick is one of the collection’s most popular shades.
What you’ll love: Cabaret is a rich, brick-red shade that can be worn day or night. It’s infused with red peony extract to nourish and soften lips. The bullet lipstick’s unique shape offers easy application around the bow of the lip and corners of the mouth.
What you should consider: A few people said color wears off much sooner than expected.
Where to buy: Sold by Sephora
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Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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IOWA FALLS-Dean Duit, 93, of Iowa Falls, passed away on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, at the Hansen Family Hospital. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at St. Peter's Church with burial in the church cemetery.
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For some reason people feel the need to tell Bill Hader they never found him attractive—that is, until they saw him murdering people on Barry. “I’m like, Oh, I had to murder people and be a really unlikable character for you to say that?” Hader says. “I thought I was, you know, Superbad? No?”
What rankles him is less what people think about his looks and more the way many viewers react so differently to Sally, the ambitious actor played by Sarah Goldberg. “There’s a very funny clip, I think, of me at a Google event,” Hader says. “And this girl stands up and is like, ‘Sally sucks so bad.’ And I say, ‘Well, you know, she’s based on me.’ She’s just ambitious, and she doesn’t really apologize.”
Hader’s ambition is on full display in Barry, on which he is the star in addition to cocreator, cowriter, and director of multiple episodes—with plans to do even more in season four. On today’s interview episode of the Little Gold Men podcast, Hader talks to Hillary Busis about going even darker for the third season of Barry, which debuts on HBO on April 24. The challenges of the season were myriad, from the pandemic shutdown that delayed production for months to convincing the famously nice Henry Winkler to reveal just how much his character, Gene Cousineau, is loathed in Hollywood. “It’s not his character at all,” Hader says. “As a person, he is just very loving. There’s some scenes, especially later in the season, they’re really emotional and pretty brutal. Those were tough for him. I really respected him for going there and really committing to it.”
Listen to the episode above, and subscribe to Little Gold Men on Apple Podcasts or anywhere else you get your podcasts. Little Gold Men will be back Thursday with a roundtable conversation about Everything Everywhere All at Once, the upcoming Cannes lineup, how to fix the Oscars, and more.
Maybe we should start by kind of rewinding a little bit. I heard that you guys did your season three table read and then the world immediately shut down. Was that the timeline?
Yes, that's pretty much it. Yeah, we did our table read for the first two episodes of season three and then I think the next day is when the NBA stopped its season. And I remember Aida Rodgers, a producer, and I looking at each other going, "Oh no."
Oh yeah, it was that and Tom Hanks, I think, on the same day.
Yeah, yeah, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson got sick and then it was like, "Oh man. What's going on?" And then I remember driving back from where we had our table read and seeing lines outside the grocery store and going, "Oh no. Oh no."
So during the lockdown and during the shutdown, did you significantly rework what season three was going to be? How much did you change it?
Actually quite a lot. The tent poles were all there. The bigger pieces of it kind of remained the same from our first writer's meeting, to be honest. I remember kind of going, "Well, maybe this season is this." And then that pretty much stayed the same. But actually what it was was writing season four, we decided like, "Well, let's write season four since we have all this time now." And then in writing season four it was like, "Oh, do you know what? Maybe if we do this, then this will work. And three, if we set this up..." Or a storyline in four would start to take shape that was a little more interesting if it was different in three so it could all feel as a piece.
Do you feel like it got darker? Is it less funny than the version that existed pre 2020?
Yeah, the season was always going to be darker, I think, by the virtue of, each season, the kind of noose is tightening around Barry and the pressures is on him. And so I think in doing that and just kind of writing it, just going step by step, it just started to go that way. And especially what happened at the end of season two where season two was his kind of... We always said it's like an alcoholic saying, "I'm not going to drink." And then the last scene of season two is him going on a bender after watching him not have a drink all season. In season three, he's very much kind of at a loss. We find him at the beginning very much at a loss. Kind of in the pilot, he is always trying to find a purpose and he doesn't really have a purpose. I think that's funny, but...
Oh yeah, rock bottom is hilarious.
Rock bottom is hilarious, yeah.
Did you consider integrating the pandemic into the show?
No, we had a talk with HBO and I just was like, "The last thing I want to see right now is people in masks and stuff like that and then it becomes like a whole other thing." So I think on some level I was hoping that, "Oh, if we have masks then people will know it was during the pandemic." I think it was my own hoping that this thing would end and be a thing in history.
I've seen the first four episodes. I don't want to get into specifics because I think this is going to be out there before the season has premiered. But what would you say to sort of set the stage for people who remember where season two... Season two ends with Henry Winkler finding out that Barry killed his girlfriend. Henry Winkler playing Gene Cousineau. It's a very emotional, enormous revelation and it's going to have reverberations, I'm sure, through the rest of the season. So yeah, where do we find everybody at the beginning of season three?
Well, Barry, he's a bit at a loss. He's still trying to figure out what his purpose is. I think he still hasn't really recovered. It's been about six months where we saw everybody at the end of season two. And Barry and Sally are in very different places. Her career is in the best place it's ever been. And she has a lot of responsibility and kind of is doing what she's always wanted to be doing. And Barry, on the other hand, is on the couch playing video games. And then Gene Cousineau is still reeling from what he found out at the end of season two and is trying to get someone to do something about it. And then NoHo Hank is NoHo Hank.
I definitely don't want to spoil anything, but I do want to mention that there's a character this season who is a show runner and is writing and directing and acting. And I have to ask how much of that was informed by your experience?
Very much so, in some ways. There's a specific shot in the first episode that's this is kind of long shot, that person coming into work. And that very much is how it feels sometimes. But also it's very much hopefully to that character's own kind of journey and their thing is much more personally vulnerable than what I do. So I think that was another layer to put on it.
It does seem like one of the big themes of that is just like the pressure of having to make a billion decisions all of the time.
Yeah, it is true to life. Yeah, you're constantly being asked questions and then, yeah, "Action," and then you have to be acting and it sets a lot of pressure. It's weird. People always ask me like, "How do you do all the jobs?" And to me, it just feels like one job. It's just kind of you're making all these decisions. And I think if I split them up into different categories it would get too overwhelming, it almost feels like. Because the writing will bleed into the directing and the directing bleeds into the acting and it all is one kind of stew of decisions.
But the nice thing is, is that I've been on other things where I'm just an actor and you don't get that kind of autonomy over things. And it's nice to be able to try something and it's not working within the scene and you can change it and try to make it work. Or an actor has an idea and you can incorporate that into it. And you can be a little bit more malleable when you're wearing all those hats to make the thing work.
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IOWA FALLS-Margaret Fuhrman, 101, of Bonham, Texas, and formerly of Iowa Falls, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022, in Bonham, Texas. Funeral services are pending with Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls.
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Award shows really need to update their Gen Z mailing list. Weeks after Rachel Zegler was initially left off the Oscars guest list, YouTuber and recording artist JoJo Siwa revealed that she was not invited to the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards despite being nominated for favorite social music star. Per Variety, an anonymous source close to the Kids’ Choice Awards claims that Siwa’s exclusion from the ceremony “was an honest mistake.”
Siwa, who came out as queer last year, took to Instagram on Saturday to share that she hadn’t been invited to Nickelodeon awards. “A lot of you have been asking me why I’m not at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards tonight, and the answer is very simple—I wasn’t invited,” Siwa said. “I’m not sure why, but I just didn’t get an invite.” In the caption of her post, she added, “I don’t want anyone to think it was my choice not to go…. I simply didn’t get an invite.”
After she revealed the snub, celebrities rallied around Siwa. Jersey Shore’s Snooki commented that she was “gonna write a note” and tagged @Nickelodeon, while Beverly Hills, 90210’s Brian Austin Green, who appeared on Dancing With the Stars with Siwa, wrote, “Fuck the kids choice awards 😂 you are too good for them.” Online chatter turned to speculation that Siwa was not invited to the Kids’ Choice Awards because she identifies as queer and has become a champion for LGBTQ+ causes. Since she came out as queer, Siwa has had somewhat of a rocky relationship with the kids’ network that made her one of Gen Z’s biggest stars. In September, Siwa said that Nickelodeon treated her “as only a brand” and claimed that the network wouldn’t let her perform songs from her 2021 movie-musical, The J Team, on tour. (Nickelodeon did not respond to a request for comment at the time.)
However, Variety’s anonymous source claims that Siwa did not get the invite “because of a much reduced audience size due to COVID protocols.” The anonymous source continued: “This had nothing to do with her as a person. That is so off the mark and very upsetting. It was truly an unfortunate mistake and she definitely should have been there.”
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Spirit Halloween—the nomadic costume store chain that you forget exists for 10 months out of the year—will soon be immortalized on the big screen. According to Variety, Back to the Future’s Christopher Lloyd and She’s All That’s Rachael Leigh Cook are set to headline a movie set in the haunted retailer. A trio of middle-schoolers “dare to spend the night locked inside the store Halloween night,” the logline reads, “but they soon find out the store is haunted by an evil angry spirit who has possessed the creepy animatronic characters.” Consider us…intrigued?
As surreal as this premise sounds, stores have been used to narrative effect before—Macy’s in Miracle on 34th Street to Bed, Bath & Beyond in Click, and who could forget the not-Bloomingdale’s backdrop of Carol? In honor of the forthcoming Spirit Halloween, we’ve devised which five storefronts should get greenlit by Hollywood next.
Blockbuster
Has there ever been a retailer more primed for cinematic adaptation? The once-booming video rental chain has only one remaining location in the U.S., an outpost in Bend, Oregon, that became the subject of a 2020 Netflix documentary. Now’s the time for a fictional film in the world’s last Blockbuster that accomplishes what Empire Records or High Fidelity did for record store employees. Or things could go the supernatural route with movie characters fleeing the confines of their DVD cases to torment those who’ve surrendered to a streaming world. Either way, Hollywood’s Original Video Store Clerk Quentin Tarantino insists on a cameo.
Wawa
If Mare of Easttown taught us anything (other than supporting child actors with soulful eyes can’t be trusted), it’s that we’ll never tire of Kate Winslet’s Philadelphia accent. Consider this a plea for Winslet to revive her Delco dialect for a movie set in Wawa, which the Oscar winner calls a “mythical place.” While prepping for the HBO limited series, Winslet spent time at the mostly-East-Coast convenience store chain. “Walking into Wawa ultimately felt [like] it was kind of an honor, in a funny way, because to me that was the heart of Delco,” she told The Los Angeles Times. Winslet would naturally lead a Wawa-set film that explores its cutthroat rivalry with Sheetz for the mid-Atlantic’s best gas station hoagie.
Amazon Go
The big-box store versus mom-and-pop shop narrative shall never die. (See: the recent Twitter discourse born from a cup of butter.) Amazon’s proliferation of the brick-and-mortar with cashless Amazon Go locations—and its likely impact on small businesses—makes for a perfect You’ve Got Mail-style rom-com. Better yet, let’s greenlight a vengeful sequel to Nora Ephron’s 1998 classic in which Fox Books has gone the way of The Shop Around the Corner thanks to Amazon’s ill-fated bookstores. Who wouldn’t watch Tom Hanks’ Joe and Meg Ryan’s Kathleen join forces against a Jeff Bezos-adjacent character played by, say, Corey Stoll?
World Market
Who hasn’t wanted to Eat Pray Love their way through this international goods superstore? If Night at the Museum transported its protagonist to different historical eras, the World Market-centered movie would drop its heroes in different regions—a globe-trotting mission about finding yourself by vacating your daily life. If there’s one thing that transcends culture and custom, it’s the desire to purchase soy-based candles and patterned floor pillows until the end of time.
Mall Food Court: 4DX
Color us skeptical when it comes to movies in 4DX—an immersive technology that utilizes elements including seat shaking, water spraying, and scent-blasting to enhance the moviegoing experience. That is, until you consider what this tech could offer to a flick set in your local mall’s food court. Hear us out: nothing inspires nostalgia like a coming-of-age story, particularly one set in the very spot teenagers congregate after-school and on the weekends. You think the mall scenes in Fast Times at Ridgemont High are evocative now? Add in the faint smell of an Auntie Anne’s cinnamon sugar pretzel or the feel of an overpriced Orange Julius perspiring in your hands.
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The Eldora-New Providence School Board approved its fiscal year 2023 budget on Monday, leaving the levy rate virtually identical to fiscal year 2022.
The difference in the levy was down to thousands of percentage points, landing again at $13.97 per $1,000 in taxable valuation. Most major line item expenses remained similar. Some were raised due to federal money, such as ESSER funds being received by the district as part of COVID-19 aid.
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Desperate to ease the stress of inflation that has cast a shadow over an otherwise strong economy, President Joe Biden will soon allow gas stations to temporarily sell cheaper — but perhaps dirtier — fuel that is normally banned during the summer months over smog concerns. E15, a gas that uses a 15% ethanol blend, will be sold this summer driving season under an emergency waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency — a move the administration says can save Americans ten cents a gallon at the pump as inflation and Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine drive prices to more than four dollars a gallon nationally.
“The President is committed to doing everything he can to address the pain Americans are feeling at the pump as a result of Putin’s Price Hike,” the White House said in a statement Tuesday announcing this exception the Clean Air Act. “The Administration’s strategy to spur the development of homegrown biofuels is critical to expanding Americans’ options for affordable fuel in the short-term and to building real energy independence in the long-term by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.”
The measure, which Biden will announce in a trip to Iowa Tuesday, was cheered by supporters of E15, including Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who has called for its year-round sale — something Donald Trump's administration allowed in 2019 in an overture to farmers hurt by his trade war with China.
https://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley/status/1513637477084508168
But experts have questioned how much of an impact the move will actually have on prices. “The Biden administration allowing the sale of higher ethanol gas to tame costs is a political gesture more than a real solution,” Rebecca Babin, a senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth U.S., said in a statement, according to the Washington Post. “The impact will be minimal from the perspective of medium term price relief.”
The ethanol waiver is the administration’s latest efforts to rein in runaway gas prices, which have clouded Biden's economic boom. Two weeks ago, the White House announced it would release an additional million barrels of oil per day from the country’s strategic reserves, encourage more domestic production, and intensify its push to transition to clean energy to combat high gas prices. Those efforts appear to have been lost in the shuffle, as the war in Ukraine roils international markets — and as Biden and the Democrats combat midterm attacks from Republicans over inflation, which rose 8.5% over 12 months ending in March, the biggest spike in more than 40 years, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Tuesday. (Real wages, meanwhile, have continued to fall, with pay increases the administration has touted failing to keep up with inflation.)
The administration’s efforts to prevent gas prices from surging further have seemed to put Biden climate priorities on the backburner, despite dire warnings from the United Nations that the window to address global warming is closing. “Inflation is rising. The war in Ukraine is causing food & energy prices to skyrocket,” Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, tweeted Monday. “But increasing fossil fuel production will only make matters worse.”
Proponents of E15 argue that it is less dirty than other types of fuel, and the White House said in its statement Tuesday that it will work to “ensure there are no significant air quality impacts through the summer driving season.” But detractors have long warned that increasing ethanol could lead to more smog and greenhouse gas emissions. Those environmental concerns are taking a back seat, for now, to more immediate economic and political concerns.
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U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst makes no qualms about how she feels about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The Ukrainians have been underestimated by the entire world, and they are going to fight to the very last man. And probably the last woman. They do not want to rejoin Russia,” she told a Eldora City Hall on Monday.
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Katherine Tai was sworn in amid a global pandemic that mangled global supply chains. She inherited the Trump administration’s trade agenda that was largely defined by draconian tariffs, a trade war with China, and atrophied relationships with U.S. allies. A year into her role as the United States trade representative, there’s a war in Europe that has shaken global trade and demands a new American diplomacy. Compounded, every crisis has exposed the existing and widening fissures in U.S. trade policy. “I think it is reinforcing and intensifying the conversations that we were already having,” Tai says, sitting in her D.C. office in mid-March, two weeks into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As the world watches Vladimir Putin’s violent assault on Ukraine, Tai knows it will add even more pressure on one of her top priorities, managing the United States’ fraught relationship with China. “We cannot take our eye off the ball in terms of how important it is for us to take a really strategic and thoughtful path to what kind of a relationship we want to have with China,” she says. China “will matter to our economy in ways that are going to eclipse what we are grappling with in terms of Russia today.”
The ongoing trade war with China has become more complicated with the war in Ukraine. As the United States and allies escalate a barrage of sanctions against Russia and its most powerful leaders, China is, arguably, one of Russia’s only remaining lifelines. There is continued concern that China will extend financial or material support to Russia. On March 18, President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese president Xi Jinping on the phone for nearly two hours urging the Chinese president to join the United States and its allies in the international campaign to stop Putin’s war in Ukraine. No real conclusion was reached. “What is instructive about Russia's invasion of Ukraine goes back to this sense that America must lead and that is the President's instruction. And there you see the coordination between the United States and our allies and our friends, in response,” Tai said. “We are so much more effective when we work together with others and again, it's also the idea of, we help ourselves in defending freedom by working with others. That is something that we also are doing in trade.”
That dynamic has put added strain on the U.S.–China trade relationship, which Tai says cannot be ignored. She began talks with her Chinese counterpart last May. “We are really challenged to be sober in our approach to be strategic, but to also just really try not to get overly emotional about it either,” Tai says of the current dynamics. In late March, just over a week after Biden’s call with Xi, she informed House lawmakers that the United States’ good-faith effort to negotiate with China may have been, as Politico put it, “hitting its limits.”
Before joining the administration, Tai was the chief counsel on the House Ways and Means Committee, and played key roles in crafting critical trade agreements. Those who worked with her praised her ability to please stakeholders—on both sides of the aisle, not an easy feat. Most notably, she was on the Democratic staff that worked on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which the United States withdrew from in 2017 and seemingly has no intention of rejoining, and the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)—the facelift to the North American Free Trade Agreement, (NAFTA). In the Biden administration she’s zeroed in on China. “We can’t just sit around and wait for China to decide to change when it’s ready to. We have to start doing things differently,” she says. “We have to start being more strategic.”
Administration officials and individuals who have previously worked with Tai on Capitol Hill describe her approach as straightforward and policy-focused. The Biden administration, and Tai by extension, has branded the U.S. approach to trade policy as “worker-centric”; trade policy has become detached from people, she says. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh in particular praised Tai for recognizing that “not everything can be sugar-coated politically”—she says what she believes—“and I think that she’s clearly a brilliant person.” The ambassador’s approach has at times drawn harsh headlines, with some internal squabbles have ended up in the press. She reportedly butted heads initially with Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, over the possibility of rejoining the TPP, and with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who wanted to move quickly to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports—which Tai fought, arguing that it would make trade negotiations with China more difficult. (Sullivan and Emanuel have issued statements that they are on good terms with the ambassador. A spokesperson for Tai said, “Ambassador Tai has focused on delivering results for the President.”)
The Biden administration has drawn criticism for not moving quickly enough to roll back trade policies put in place during the previous administration. Under Donald Trump, the United States invoked the controversial Section 301 tariffs against China. On the campaign trail, Biden blasted the decision; he promised to roll back the policy. And while the administration has issued exemptions—recently reinstated—the tariffs remain in place, to the chagrin of free trade groups. “I think we are disappointed that the White House is clinging to a very old notion of what trade needs to look like in order to enhance and protect American jobs. They’ve really adopted in many ways the Trump agenda on trade,” a retail trade lobbyist told me. “We’re really stuck in a nightmare of 2018, 2019, 2020 trade policy. And we were hoping that this White House would chart a different course.”
“We’re in a period of time with accelerating inflation. And the White House is painfully aware of how politically potent that issue is, and they’re behind the curve on solving it,” this person said. “The quickest way that the White House could solve for a portion of the inflationary pressure would be to remove the [Chinese] tariffs.”
Tai’s defenders dismiss this framing. The push to loosen tariffs to alleviate the economic fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine is a “short-term” approach, Felicia Wong, the president and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute, who served on the Biden–Harris transition team, says. “The longer term strategy is a kind of domestic and international investment that is public-led, not just market-led.… That’s what the sort of new American industrial policy is really all about and is what it is going to take for the United States to compete with Chinese state-run investment.”
“There are very many things about the previous administration that I think need to be changed, but I don’t think that's the right marker,” Wong tells me. “I think the question is whether the trade policy of the overly globalized, corporate-focused, volume-of-trade-only approach of the neoliberal trade regime was just not working either politically or substantively.” | https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/04/russia-ukraine-katherine-tai-us-trade | 2022-04-12T19:43:14Z | vanityfair.com | control | https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/04/russia-ukraine-katherine-tai-us-trade | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Iowa Falls School District will spend tens of thousands of dollars to provide bonuses for employees who were left out of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ teacher retention bonus program this spring.
Of the school district’s 192 employees, 92 received the $1,000 state-funded bonuses in their March paycheck. The other 100 employees – a mix of associates, counselors, administrators and teachers who are not full-time – did not receive bonuses. The issue has been taken up by school boards across the state; 161 have voted to provide some kind of bonus for employees who did not meet the state qualifications, and 31 districts have decided not to extend the bonuses. The Eldora-New Providence and Hubbard-Radcliffe districts voted in March to provide bonuses for their staff. On Monday, the Alden School Board decided to table a decision about bonuses until next month.
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As one of Fox News’ most committed purveyors of bullshit, Tucker Carlson has been a reliable source of anti-vax misinformation since the COVID-19 vaccines became available. He’s claimed they simply don’t work, used unverified data to suggest an inordinate number of people have been killed by them, likened mandates to Nazi experiments, and warned viewers the government is using the shots as a form a “social control.” Yet for some reason, Carlson would steadfastly refuse to reveal whether he himself was vaccinated; asked by a New York Times reporter last year, he responded: “When was the last time you had sex with your wife and in what position? We can trade intimate details.”
The Fox News host apparently had a change of heart this month, bragging about choosing not to get any of the jabs available to him during an appearance at a San Diego County megachurch. While praising the Awaken Church for remaining open throughout the pandemic despite COVID restrictions, and claiming other religious institutions that had followed public health regulations had committed a “grotesque sin,” Carlson threw it out there that there was no way in hell he’d be getting a second booster shot, because he hadn’t gotten the ones that come before it. “I skipped the first three, I’m not getting that one either,” he told the crowd, according to Voice of San Diego.
According to audio obtained by the Daily Beast, Carlson tried to cite the fact that he had grown up “next to the Salk Institute in La Jolla,” a scientific research organization, as clear evidence that he was “obviously” not across-the-board opposed to all vaccines. “I’ve had, like, a million of them,” he said, adding his thoughts on the people who have promoted getting inoculated against COVID: “I look at these people like, This just does not make sense at all. And I have no idea what’s up here, but whatever you’re telling me, it’s just not true.”
Incidentally, Carlson’s employer removed a weekly testing option last year and instituted a vaccine mandate, requiring anyone working in New York City to show proof they’d received at least one dose by late December. So either the rules were bent for the prime-time host, or he has shot every show since then at his remote studio in Maine, meaning his coworkers who have railed against people working from home should do a segment on him. Last year, amidst Carlson’s tirades against vaccine requirements, MSNBC host Chris Hayes called out the ridiculous hypocrisy of Carlson dubbing Joe Biden’s mandates “irrational” and “a form of sadomasochism” while working for a company with stricter rules than the government. “If you truly believe you are suffering under the sadomasochistic heel of a tyrannical employer,” Hayes said, “even if they are paying you lots and lots of money, even if you don’t want people to think you’re a total fraud, then you have got to have the guts to call out Fox News or resign in protest.” Obviously, Carlson did neither of those things.
Fox News did not respond to Vanity Fair’s request for comment.
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IOWA FALLS-Norma Kienol, 91, of Iowa Falls, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Scenic Manor. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, at the Counsell Woodley Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. She will be laid to rest at the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time on Thursday. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the family. Counsell Woodley Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is caring for Norma and her family. | http://www.timescitizen.com/obituaries/death_notices/kienol-norma-sunday-april-10-2022/article_21e9ab40-ba56-11ec-a75f-bb3397726550.html | 2022-04-12T19:43:26Z | timescitizen.com | control | http://www.timescitizen.com/obituaries/death_notices/kienol-norma-sunday-april-10-2022/article_21e9ab40-ba56-11ec-a75f-bb3397726550.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Ali Wong and her husband Justin Hakuta have decided to end their marriage after eight years together.
A source told People that despite the split, “It's amicable and they will continue to co-parent lovingly.” The pair first met in 2010 at a friend's wedding reception when Hakuta was still a student at Harvard Business School and a Fulbright scholar. They hit it off and four years later in November 2014, the couple wed in San Francisco. A year later they welcomed their first daughter Mari, and in 2017 their second daughter Nikki was born. Hakuta is now a successful entrepreneur and was previously the vice president of the technology company GoodRx. He is also the son of Japanese-American inventor and TV personality Ken Hakuta, also known as Dr. Fad.
This news comes just two months after Wong's most recent comedy special, Don Wong, in which she joked about “going through a midlife crisis” and wanting to cheat on her husband now that she's rich and famous. She also confessed during the Netflix special that, “Only other married people with kids can empathize with the deep envy people I feel towards you single people. You don't know how free you are. You can eat an edible at 2 p.m., go to the aquarium, and watch the jellyfish go back and forth.” She continued, “You single people, you don’t know what it’s like to eat a cold quesadilla that your toddler threw on the floor, because it’s easier to put it in your mouth than travel to the trash, while you repeat to yourself over and over, that child abuse is illegal!”
She also wrote about her marriage in her 2019 memoir, Dear Girls: Intimate Tales. Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life, revealing that she signed a prenup prior to their wedding. Because of that decision, she said she became, “more motivated to make my own money because I signed a document specifically outlining how much I couldn't depend on my husband.” She added, “My father always praised 'the gift of fear.' And that prenup scared the shit out of me. In the end, being forced to sign that prenup was one of the greatest things that ever happened to me and my career.”
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The defending Class 1A State golf champion AGWSR Cougar boys won their opener, with the medalist. A week later, following a rainout, they repeated. This time they beat BCLUW Monday in Conrad, laying claim to the top medal again.
Daniel Stahl is perfect in his medal chase so far, earning his second gold while leading the Cougars to a win. His two-over 35 topped the 163 team score. BCLUW shot a 171, with Ray Callaway carding a 38 for the runner-up spot.
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On Monday, a seven-member jury (with four alternates) was chosen swiftly in a Virginia courtroom to try the defamation suit (and countersuit) between Johnny Deep and Amber Heard. On Tuesday, lawyers for both actors, who were married from 2015 to 2016, previewed the weeks of expected testimony to come in their opening statements.
Depp’s lawyer, Benjamin Chew of the firm Brown Rudnick, went first, saying, “For nearly 30 years, Mr. Depp built a reputation as one of the most talented actors in Hollywood, a respected artist whose name was associated with success at the box office. Today, his name is associated with a lie, a false statement uttered by his former wife.”
Chew focused on the reference to “two-years ago” in an op-ed written by Heard published by The Washington Post in 2018. In the piece, Heard identified herself as a domestic abuse survivor without identifying her alleged abuser by name. Chew argued the timeline Heard described made it obvious to whom was she was referring, since she requested a temporary domestic violence restraining order shortly after they had begun divorce proceedings in 2016. “The evidence will show that her publicist and the paparazzi were there at the courthouse to document the event, to make sure that Johnny Depp’s name was forever associated with the image of an innocent battered woman,” Chew said. “It was a jolt. It was a shocking story splashed across front pages across the country.”
Depp’s legal team’s opening, together with the case’s pretrial proceedings and publicity, has demonstrated its aim to portray Heard as a manipulator and aggressor in the relationship, as well as a woman obsessed with her image in Hollywood. A second portion of the opening statement, given by attorney Camille Vasquez, alleged that Heard wooed Depp at the onset of their relationship, winning his heart despite his reservations. (The actor was in a relationship with Vanessa Paradis, the mother of his two children, at the time.)
Together Chew and Vasquez sketched out a witness list that included property managers from the building in which Depp and Heard shared an apartment, security personnel, personal nurses, a marriage counselor, and a former personal assistant. A forensic pathologist will argue the injuries Heard sustained in one particular photo of alleged abuse are not consistent with her “brutal allegations,” Depp’s lawyers said.
As Depp looked on, his face was covered in part by his right hand, knuckles tattooed with the word “S-C-U-M.” The markings, now revised, had previously read “S-L-I-M,” what he once called Heard in reference to Humphrey Bogart’s pet name for Lauren Bacall in their movie To Have and Have Not. Depp seemed pleased with his lawyers’ statements.
In attorney J. Ben Rottenborn’s opening statement on behalf of Heard, he read the entirety of his client’s Washington Post opinion piece—headlined “I Spoke Up Against Sexual Violence — And Faced Our Culture’s Wrath. That Has To Change”—in part, he said, to demonstrate how little of it referred to Depp.
“Amber’s words in this article that wasn’t about Depp, wasn't about her marriage, wasn't about her relationship—was about life after that,” he said. “It’s about the freedom of speech. It's not about the soap opera that Depp will turn this case into. It's not about who you like better. It's not even about whether you agree with the words that she wrote. It's about her right to speak them.”
It was apparent that anti-SLAPP legislation, intended to curb frivolous free-speech-related lawsuits against people exercising their First Amendment rights, will factor into Heard’s argument, as her team seemed tightly focused on her words in the op-ed at the center of the libel case. Rottenborn laid out three of Heard’s alleged references to Depp, one of which claimed she had become the face of domestic violence and her career had been negatively affected as a result. “Two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out,” was what she wrote in 2018. | https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/04/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-opening-statements | 2022-04-12T19:43:32Z | vanityfair.com | control | https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/04/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-opening-statements | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The AGWSR Cougar boys turned out personal best like it was their job Monday in LeGrand. They set 15 of them at the Mustang Invite, but finished 11th in the team race.
The Cougars grabbed just one top-three finish, a second by Jeffrey Pfaltzgraff in the 1,600 meter run. AGWSR’s next best was a fourth in the discus by Darren Veld. Aiden Heitland finished sixth in the same event.
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Six months after moving to New York City, Japan’s former princess Mako Komuro has reportedly been spending her time at an American cultural institution. A source with knowledge of the matter told the Japan Times that Mako has been volunteering at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
According to the source, Mako is working without pay and is most likely assisting the museum’s Asian Art department with an exhibition of hanging scrolls depicting scenes in the life of Ippen, a traveling monk who spread Buddhism in the 13th-century. An essay written by Mako about a hanging scroll by 20th-century artist Yamada Shinzan is currently posted on the Met’s website, as adapted by John T. Carpenter, the museum’s curator of Japanese Art.
A former Met curator told People that Mako’s job at the museum likely includes handling artwork and conducting research. “She’s qualified and probably handling pieces in the collection,” the curator said. “In general, it’s work which requires a great deal of preparation and often means spending a lot of time in the library.” Mako studied art and cultural heritage at International Christian University in Toyko as an undergraduate and in 2016, she earned her master’s degree in museum studies at the University of Leicester.
The former princess made global headlines last fall when she gave up her title as a princess in order to marry her commoner husband, Kei Komuro. Within a month of their simple courthouse wedding, the couple moved from Tokyo to New York City, where Kei had secured a job at a legal firm. Since then, Mako was spotted at Bed, Bath & Beyond shopping for household goods in November, and in February, Kei was spotted waiting for an Uber at a Manhattan test center after reportedly sitting for the state Bar Exam for a second time.
In a press conference after they were wed, Mako and Kei opened up about the impact that negative press reports and attention on Kei’s family had on their mental health, drawing immediate comparisons to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal exit. Most female members of the Japanese imperial family shed their titles upon marriage and are usually given a $1.3 million government payment in exchange for forgoing noble status. Due to the controversial nature of her relationship with Kei, Mako declined the payout.
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Aaron Halverson was part of four of the six games the Cadets picked up against Aplington-Parkersburg in Iowa Falls Monday night. He won a game as the second single, and three more with partner Tyson Pohlman in doubles play. IF-A lost 9-0.
A week after opening their season with a resounding 7-2 win over North Central Conference rival Hampton-Dumont-CAL, the Iowa Falls-Alden boys came crashing back to Earth with a 9-0 loss to non-conference power Aplington-Parkersburg. It came in the home opener Monday night at Assembly Park in Iowa Falls.
The visiting Falcons made short work of the Cadets in singles play, taking all six matches in under an hour. A-P surrendered just three games, scoring shutouts in three matches. Lance Smuck picked up two of them in a 10-2 loss at the fourth spot. Aaron Halverson earned the other in a 10-1 loss in the two slot.
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Prince Harry's wife Meghan Markle will join him when he heads to the Netherlands later this week to kick off the Invictus Games.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes confirmed on Monday that Meghan will attend the first couple of days of the competition for wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans taking place from April 16-22 in The Hague this year. The duchess previously attended the games in Toronto in 2017 where she and Harry made their first official public appearance together. The couple would go on to announce their engagement just two months later.
Last week, the Duke of Sussex joined a video call with some of the athletes participating in this year's competition to discuss the upcoming event. One athlete described the preparation process for these games as a “rollercoaster” because of the two years of delays they've faced due to the pandemic. The Invictus Games were originally scheduled to take place in 2020.
Harry also announced this week that BetterUp—the leadership coaching platform where the royal serves as chief impact officer—will be the official mental fitness coaching tool of the Invictus Games Foundation. Through this partnership, BetterUp will offer those participating in the games one-on-one coaching and personalized assessments. The duke said in a press release, “At its heart, the Invictus Games is about empowering every single person around the world. It’s a worldwide display of resilience, determination, and community for which each of us can draw inspiration. I couldn’t think of a better new partner for the Invictus Games Foundation than the mental fitness platform BetterUp. The mind is like a muscle: it needs to be honed, trained, rehabbed, and coached. The men and women I served with understand this, the Invictus community knows this, and now the world is beginning to see it too. I’m honored to bring the work we do at BetterUp to Invictus and look forward to expanding the support systems that service members and veterans depend on to achieve remarkable feats.”
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A promising season opener a week earlier did not translate well Monday night for the AGWSR Cougar girls. They dropped a 198-240 decision to BCLUW on the South Hardin Rec Area course in Union.
“This is definitely going to be a building year after losing Hannah Homeyer and Alayna Hunt last season,” said AGWSR head coach Stacy Drake. “But we have some girls that have some great potential. I am excited to see how the season goes.”
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Quinton Jaeger approaches teammate Val Hensley for the final baton exchange of Monday's 4x200 at the Cadet Relays. The Cadets finished the race in third place and were third in the team standings. Dike-New Hartford won the crown.
Iowa Falls-Alden recorded 28 personal best times and four golds at Monday's home Cadet Relays, but that was not enough to keep pace with Dike-New Hartford or Charles City.
The Wolverines won the team championship by 20 points, outlasting the Comets by a 201-181 tally.
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South Hardin opened the season with arguably its toughest opponent of the schedule.
Both Grundy Center squads finished third in the Class 1A State Tournament last spring, and returned the majority of their lineup to Pine Lake on Tuesday. The hosting Tiger squads on the other hand, had a mix of newbies and returners that played their first holes of the season.
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The positives of having a full roster of athletes is the ability to move them around to find the perfect fit.
South Hardin is still figuring that right combination out with a lot of youngsters still finding their place. In the second meet in less than 48 hours, the Tigers finished with seven medals and were sixth at the Baxter Bolts CoEd. While they were eight behind fifth place Baxter, SH was well ahead the next group of teams – with Saydel and Colo-NESCO tying for seventh with 12 points.
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Iowa Falls-Alden's Logan Kobe was one of three Cadets to finish Monday's season-opening golf meet with a 45 card. The Cadets finished third at a triangular with Dike-New Hartford and Hudson.
Due to a lot of varsity roster turnover, Monday's first golf meet was a promising sign for the Iowa Falls-Alden boys.
Competing in Waterloo versus Hudson and Dike-New Hartford, the Cadets finished third among the trio, but there were several solid individual efforts that IF-A Coach Gregg Winters believes could pave the way for meet wins in the near future.
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Heading into the Baxter Bolt CoEd, South Hardin had eyes on a repeat championship.
The Tigers were close to that goal, but Van Meter was just a little bit deeper and edged SH 125-111.
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Heading into the Baxter Bolt CoEd, South Hardin had eyes on a repeat championship.
The Tigers were close to that goal, but Van Meter was just a little bit deeper and edged SH 125-111.
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Individual wins were hard to come by, as the Iowa Falls-Alden girls hit the road to face a good Aplington-Parkersburg team.
The Cadets were unable to salvage a win in either the singles or doubles matches and dropped the meet by a 9-0 decision.
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Individual wins were hard to come by, as the Iowa Falls-Alden girls hit the road to face a good Aplington-Parkersburg team.
The Cadets were unable to salvage a win in either the singles or doubles matches and dropped the meet by a 9-0 decision.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/tough-falcons-squad-sweeps-tennis-meet/article_ad216f6a-ba68-11ec-a015-9f3b66e2b67f.html | 2022-04-12T19:44:26Z | timescitizen.com | control | http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/tough-falcons-squad-sweeps-tennis-meet/article_ad216f6a-ba68-11ec-a015-9f3b66e2b67f.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Due to a scheduling quirk, the Iowa Falls-Alden/AGWSR/SH boys did not have to wait long to get a chance to avenge its first loss of the season.
One week after allowing Hampton-Dumont/CAL's Jonathan Morales to record a first half hat trick during a 3-2 home defeat, the Cadets (1-1) turned the tables on their rivals to the north.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/vierkandt-scores-three-goals-cadets-avenge-loss-to-bulldogs/article_429a8448-ba6c-11ec-b0c4-572275a2e944.html | 2022-04-12T19:44:32Z | timescitizen.com | control | http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/vierkandt-scores-three-goals-cadets-avenge-loss-to-bulldogs/article_429a8448-ba6c-11ec-b0c4-572275a2e944.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Authorities in four states responded to the scene of deadly shootings over the weekend that took the lives of multiple people.
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, police said two people died early Sunday morning when a shooting occurred inside a nightclub during a birthday party.
Police arrested 32-year-old Timothy Ladell Rush on Monday in connection to the shooting. Police believe one of the victims was the target.
The shooting left 10 people injured, and 25-year-old Michael Valentine and 35-year-old Nicole Owens were the victims killed.
Police in Indianapolis said one man died after a fight occurred during a birthday party at a nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to Scripps affiliate WRTV, 24-year-old Belansky Fanord was killed, and five others were injured. No arrests have been made.
In Georgia, authorities said the Coweta County coroner arrived at a gun range owned by his family and discovered his father, mother, and son were shot to death on Friday, CBS News and NBC News reported.
According to the Associated Press, 40 guns were stolen, and the surveillance camera was also taken from the Grantville business.
No arrests have been made, and a $15,000 reward has been offered.
In Willowbrook, California, police said a 17-year-old and a man were killed after gunfire erupted in a residential area around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the Associated Press reported.
Authorities said four men and a woman also suffered gunshot wounds.
No arrests have been made. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/multiple-people-killed-across-u-s-after-deadly-weekend-shootings | 2022-04-12T19:44:42Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/multiple-people-killed-across-u-s-after-deadly-weekend-shootings | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Fentanyl behind doubling of teen overdose deaths over past decade, study says
Published: Apr. 12, 2022 at 2:44 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
(CNN) – More and more teens are overdosing on fentanyl, according to new research.
Adolescent drug overdose deaths doubled from 2010 to 2021, according to a study published Tuesday in the Medical Journal JAMA.
The research says there were about 500 adolescent overdose deaths in 2010 and more than 1,100 in 2021.
Fentanyl was involved in more than 75% of deaths in 2021.
Researchers say the increase isn’t because more teens are using drugs. It’s because drug use is becoming more dangerous.
Annual drug overdose deaths for all ages have reached record highs in the U.S. recently.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.witn.com/2022/04/12/fentanyl-behind-doubling-teen-overdose-deaths-over-past-decade-study-says/ | 2022-04-12T19:50:03Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/2022/04/12/fentanyl-behind-doubling-teen-overdose-deaths-over-past-decade-study-says/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
An 18-year-old Sunnyside man arrested after a Monday standoff was expected to appear in Yakima County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.
Juan Carlos Torres is accused of stabbing two women and threatening to kill another woman before barricading himself in his apartment for nearly three hours.
Torres’ sister told police that her family had been having issues with him all weekend, and on Monday, when he was asking for his wallet, his mother hid the knives in the house, according to a Sunnyside police affidavit.
Torres, she said, asked for a knife to cut open his mattress because he thought something or someone was inside, the affidavit said. He grabbed a pair of scissors and went back to his room as family members attempted to defuse the situation, the affidavit said.
His sister said she tried to run from him, but he grabbed her by the shirt and stabbed her in the head with the scissors, the affidavit said. She and her mother then ran from the apartment to a neighbor’s apartment, the affidavit said.
Torres then charged the apartment manager and a maintenance worker, pushing the manager to the ground and stabbing her through her hand, the affidavit said. Another resident in the building pulled the manager to safety, and Torres threatened to kill the resident, the affidavit said, before returning to his apartment.
Police from Sunnyside, Grandview, Granger and the Washington State Patrol responded to the standoff, and Torres was arrested at 2:20 p.m. after a police dog was sent into the apartment.
Both his sister and the apartment manager were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Torres’ sister required eight staples to close the wound on her head, the affidavit said.
Torres was booked into the Yakima County jail on suspicion of second-degree assault and felony harassment. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/suspect-accused-of-stabbing-women-in-sunnyside-standoff-to-appear-in-superior-court/article_c214dc9d-1e64-5cca-9970-f1632d86617c.html | 2022-04-12T19:50:59Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/suspect-accused-of-stabbing-women-in-sunnyside-standoff-to-appear-in-superior-court/article_c214dc9d-1e64-5cca-9970-f1632d86617c.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kyle Curtis has announced his intent to run for Yakima County Commissioner in District 2.
Curtis, chief financial officer for Ramsey Companies Inc. in White Swan, is looking to fill the seat held by Commissioner Ron Anderson. Anderson announced in January that he would be retiring at the end of the year and is not running for reelection.
All three commission seats are up for election in 2022 because of a lawsuit. Immigrant rights advocate group OneAmerica filed the suit, alleging the county’s voting system disenfranchises Latino residents. The county settled with the group last year and redrew the commissioner districts. District 2 includes parts of Yakima proper, Terrace Heights and Union Gap.
Curtis, a Republican, said in a news release that he hopes to address issues of public safety, homelessness, mental health and housing in Yakima County.
Curtis attended high school in Yakima and graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, according to his campaign website. He returned to the Yakima Valley five years ago to work in the family business.
Since returning, he has served as part of the county’s Homelessness Coalition, Planning Commission and Yakima County Development Association. He also is a member of the Yakima Downtown Rotary and New Leaders of Yakima County and serves as the treasurer of Yakima Pride, according to the release.
“I’m looking forward to meeting and talking with my neighbors over the next seven months to show them my desire to give back to our community and solve problems,” Curtis said in the release. “I look forward to giving back to my community that has given me so much.”
The filing period for local office runs May 16-20. Contact the Yakima County Auditor’s Office for more information. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/kyle-curtis-to-run-for-yakima-county-commissioner-district-2-seat/article_a02c988e-fd44-5073-99ec-caa192914955.html | 2022-04-12T19:51:05Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/kyle-curtis-to-run-for-yakima-county-commissioner-district-2-seat/article_a02c988e-fd44-5073-99ec-caa192914955.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A 4-year-old boy with autism was found dead in a pond after wandering away from a Georgia apartment building, police said Tuesday.
Kyuss Williams, who vanished on Monday while visiting relatives, walked away from an apartment complex in Stone Mountain at about 6:20 p.m. and was reported missing just minutes later, DeKalb County police told The Post.
“Kyuss was recovered around 2:30 a.m. this morning in a nearby pond,” police said in a statement. “We extend our condolences to the Kyuss family during this time and we thank everyone who worked to find him.”
Foul play is not suspected and no charges had been filed as of Tuesday afternoon in an ongoing investigation, police said.
Kyuss, who had autism, was visiting relatives at East Ponce Village Apartments when he walked away, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.
“The family was in the residence when they realized the child had left the residence,” DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos told reporters at the scene. “They didn’t know where the child was.”
Cops shut down the area for several hours after Kyuss vanished, a resident at the complex told the newspaper.
“Fire department, helicopter, you name it — they had it out here,” William Brown said. “They had the dogs, and I think that’s how they knew the baby was in the water.”
Rescuers searched a retention pond and found Kyuss’ body. Surveillance video from across the street captured him headed in that direction, WAGA reported. One neighbor told the station she thinks the pond should be fenced off to prevent further tragedies.
“They’ve been looking for this baby since earlier yesterday, and for them to just find this baby at like 2:30 in the morning, it’s downright wrong,” resident Delores Watson said. “I can just pray for the parents.”
The relative whom Kyuss was visiting along with his family had just moved into the area, WSB-TV reported. | https://nypost.com/2022/04/12/boy-with-autism-4-found-dead-after-vanishing-in-georgia/ | 2022-04-12T19:53:06Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/04/12/boy-with-autism-4-found-dead-after-vanishing-in-georgia/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
by: Alanna Flood Posted: Apr 12, 2022 / 03:42 PM EDT Updated: Apr 12, 2022 / 03:42 PM EDT SHARE (Mass Appeal) – Spring is a great time to add some color and sophistication to your home with decorative items. Cassandra Boutet, owner of 21 Figs, is here to show us how to make a gorgeous natural spring wreath using dried florals. | https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/how-to-make-a-gorgeous-natural-spring-wreath-using-dried-florals/ | 2022-04-12T20:17:26Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/how-to-make-a-gorgeous-natural-spring-wreath-using-dried-florals/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BRNO, Czech Republic (AP) — Of the first four shots Olha Dembitska fired from an AK-47 assault rifle in her life, one hit the target.
“It’s pretty difficult the first time,” the 22-year-old Ukrainian woman acknowledged.
On this occasion, the target was the shape of a human body at a shooting range in the Czech Republic. Next time, it might be for real, in Ukraine, and the target could be one of the Russian troops who have invaded her homeland.
Dembitska is one of at least 130 men and women who have so far undergone free-of-charge training for Ukrainians living in the Czech Republic who want to learn how to fight the aggressor.
“I might return to Ukraine if they need me,” she said.
Almost none of the participants had any experience with weapons before war struck their homeland.
Since Russia launched its brutal attack, Ukrainians from all parts of the country and elsewhere have been arriving in the Czech Republic’s second-largest city, Brno, attracted by courses designed to teach them essentials and skills to safely handle lethal rifles while being able to inflict damage on their enemy.
Beside learning to shoot, the courses give them the basics about guns, movement around the battlefield and a lesson in providing first aid, something that can save lives if they‘re mobilized by their embattled country or decide to return home as volunteers to join the Ukrainian army.
They are all motivated.
“It’s horrible,” Dembitska said about the situation in her homeland. She gets her news from social media and from phone calls with a friend based in the southern city of Kherson, seized by Russian troops in the early stages of the invasion.
“She tells me everything. They haven’t received humanitarian aid. It’s a horror what the Russian soldiers are doing, I’m sick of it.”
Michal Ratajsky, the owner of CS Solutions, a security company that offers the training program at its base on the outskirts of Brno, located some 200 kilometers (125 miles) southeast of Prague, called it “our contribution to the help for Ukrainians.”
“We view it as a morale boost we’re giving them in this situation, an effort to show we’re supporting them and that we will do for them what we can at the given moment,” Ratajsky said. “That was our motivation and goal.”
A crowdfunding campaign helped secure enough money for the ammunition, while his company provides the rest, including experienced instructors, weapons and the shooting range.
Ratajsky said the brief, three-hour training can’t do miracles but should be enough to introduce the Ukrainians to new, unfamiliar skills.
“We know that we don’t make soldiers of them in those three hours,” he said. “We try to do the maximum for them in the time, with the focus on their safety.”
Some of the participants have returned for repeated lessons. Some have come from as far away as Vienna. in neighboring Austria. Some took the course on their way back to Ukraine from Western Europe, Ratajsky said.
He said the Ukrainians are united by anger about the Russian aggression, and determined to end it.
“They take it seriously and want to do something about it.”
He said that because some 80% percent of troop losses in a war like the one in Ukraine are caused by artillery and missiles, a sense of self-preservation and knowledge of first aid might be more useful for survival than shooting.
“We’re aware of the limits of what we can get them ready for and make no secret of it,” Ratajsky said.
Yehor Nechyporenko, 38, who had traveled some 260 kilometers (160 miles) from the town of Mlada Boleslav to Brno for the second time said he is helping Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in the Czech Republic but wants to be ready to go back home to fight.
“It’s very useful for me,” he said of the training. “I really like it. I need to learn those things because I didn’t do military service.”
Nechyporenko said he was sure the Russians have no chance of taking the entire country.
“I think the war will be over in a couple of months,” he said. “And if we see we’re losing, we’ll all travel home.”
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/czechs-provide-free-shooting-training-for-local-ukrainians/ | 2022-04-12T20:17:40Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/czechs-provide-free-shooting-training-for-local-ukrainians/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
How officials want to trim Middle Point Landfill dumping by 70%
Public hearing on landfill issue set April 25
- Board challenges past contract that allowed out of county trash at landfill
- About 70% of trash dumped at Middle Point Landfill comes from outside Rutherford County
- Board previously rejected landfill's 99-acare expansion plan
- Existing landfill is expected to be full by 2027
Davidson County — Rutherford County's larger, northern neighbor — may be banned from dumping trash at Middle Point Landfill by 2023.
Same goes for another 22 counties in Tennessee.
That's if a proposal from the Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board is approved.
Only three outside counties would be allowed to dump into Middle Point Landfill, located near Murfreesboro's northern boundary: Cannon, Coffee and Warren. Murfreesboro will also continue its landfill agreement with Rutherford County.
"That action eliminates 70% of the garbage coming into the landfill on an annual basis," said Donna Barrett, the board member who called for the proposal during an April 7 meeting.
The proposal marks the latest attempt by city, county and state officials to figure out a long-term solution for the 207.3-acre landfill. At its current pace, Middle Point is expected to be full by July 1, 2026, according to Murfreesboro officials.
In 2019, the landfill accepted 3,700 tons of trash per day — about 27% from within Rutherford County.
If the proposal is approved, the current arrangement would end after 2022, said Barrett, a Murfreesboro Republican who previously served as an elected member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
The board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. April 25 to discuss the proposal at the Warren County Administration Building in McMinnville (6 p.m.). The board may vote on the proposal after the hearing, Barrett added.
The landfill is owned by Republic Services, a publicly traded corporation based in Phoenix. Its owners previously proposed a 99-acre expansion, but the regional board has rejected this plan twice.
"Middle Point Landfill is a regional asset that provides safe and economical disposal for residents, businesses and industry from all across Middle Tennessee," Republic Services said in a statement emailed to The Daily News Journal.
"We are aware the Regional Solid Waste Planning Board is considering a resolution that would prohibit out-of-region waste from being disposed at the Landfill. We are carefully evaluating the proposal, and the legality of its attempted voiding of existing contracts with both public and private entities."
A pie chart from from Republic Services shows that about 52% of trash dumped in 2021 at Middle Point Landfill came from Davidson County. About 32% came from Rutherford County.
In total, 99% of the waste came from just six counties: Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Putnam, Franklin and Lincoln.
Twelve counties (Blount, Cheatham, Dickson, Giles, Grundy, Hamilton, Hickman, Moore, Robertson, Trousdale, Van Buren and Wayne) disposed of less than 100 tons of waste each, with Grundy depositing 84.28 tons and Wayne depositing 0.98 tons, according to Republic Services.
Are landfill agreements legal?:'The 1995 contracts may have expired in 2020'
Ketron plan rebuked:'Singer Road site should never be a regional garbage collection site'
Board challenges past contract
The landfill owners have had contracts with the Rutherford County Commission and Murfreesboro City Council since to 1995, allowing both governments to dump trash for free.
The county's contract also provides Rutherford a host fee of trash from outside. The county has reported collecting as much as $1.2 million annually in fees.
Barrett said the Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board was established by state law in 1991 and predates the 1995 contract that allowed out-of-county trash to be dumped at Middle Point Landfill.
"We have the authority to do this," Barrett said.
A pie chart from Republic Services shows that about 52% of trash dumped at Middle Point Landfill in 2021 came from Davidson County. About 32% came from Rutherford County.
Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips and questions by emailing sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.
Public hearing on landfill
The Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board will hold a public hearing about a proposal to allow Middle Point Landfill to only accept trash from Rutherford, Cannon, Coffee and Warren counties — starting in 2023.
When:6 p.m. April 25
Where: Warren County Administrative Building, 211 Locust St., McMinnville
Limiting the dumps: Middle Point Landfill
- Size of existing landfill: 207.3 acres
- State permitted cubic yards of waste allowed at landfill: Nearly 38.8 million
- Current number of Tennessee counties with trash shipped to landfill: 27
- Proposed number: 4 (including Rutherford County)
Source: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation | https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2022/04/12/limiting-middle-point-landfill-public-hearing/7287827001/ | 2022-04-12T20:18:31Z | dnj.com | control | https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2022/04/12/limiting-middle-point-landfill-public-hearing/7287827001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BUCHA, Ukraine (AP) — The coffin was made from pieces of a closet. In a darkened basement under a building shaking from the bombardment of war, there were few other options.
Six-year-old Vlad watched as his mother was carried out of the shelter last month and to the yard of a nearby home. The burial was hurried and devastating.
Now Russian forces have withdrawn from Bucha after a monthlong occupation, and Vlad’s father, Ivan Drahun, dropped to his knees at the foot of the grave.
He reached out and touched the dirt near his wife Maryna’s feet. “Hi, how are you?” he said during the visit last week. “I miss you so much. You left so soon. You didn’t even say goodbye.”
The boy also visits the grave, placing on it a juice box and two cans of baked beans. Amid the stress of war, his mother barely ate. The family still doesn’t know what illness caused her death. They, much like their town, barely know how to move on.
Bucha witnessed some of the ghastliest scenes of Russia’s invasion, and almost no children have been seen in its silent streets since then. The many bright playgrounds in the once popular community with good schools on a far edge of the capital, Kyiv, are empty.
The Russians used a children’s camp in Bucha as an execution ground, and bloodstains and bullet holes mark a basement. On a ledge near the camp entrance, Russian soldiers placed a toy tank. It appeared to be connected to fishing wire — a possible booby trap in the most vulnerable of places.
Steps away from Vlad’s home, some of the Russians used a kindergarten as a base, leaving it intact while other nearby buildings suffered. Casings of used artillery shells were left along a fence in the yard. In a nearby playground, white and red tape marked off unexploded ordnance. The booms of de-mining operations were so strong they set off car alarms.
At the apartment block where Vlad, his older brother Vova and sister Sophia live, someone had spray-painted “CHILDREN” in child-high letters on an outside wall. Under it, a wooden box once used for ammunition held a teddy bear and other toys.
It is here that Bucha’s fragile renewal can be seen.
A small group of neighborhood children gathered, finding distraction from the war. Bundled up in winter coats, they kicked a football, wandered around with bags of snacks handed out by visiting volunteers, called out from a glass-less window above.
Their parents, taking in the feeble warmth of spring after weeks in freezing basements, reflected on how they tried to protect the children. “We covered his ears,” said Polina Shymanska of her 7-year-old great-grandson Nikita. “We hugged him, kissed him.” She tried to play chess and the boy let her win.
Upstairs, in a neighbor’s apartment where Vlad’s father for now has merged his family with that of the neighbor to help manage their collection of children, Vlad curled up on a bed with another boy and played cards. The radiator gave off no heat. There was still no gas, no electricity, no running water.
Not everyone in Vlad’s family can stand to return to their own apartment nearby. The memories of Maryna are everywhere, from the perfume bottles on the table by the front door to the quiet kitchen.
In the living room, time has stopped. Limp balloons dangled from the overhead light. A string of colorful flags still hung on the wall, along with a family photo. It showed Ivan and Maryna holding Vlad on the day he was born. They celebrated his birthday on Feb. 19.
Five days later, the war began. And the family’s life shrank to a dank concrete half-room in the basement, lined with blankets and scattered with sweets and toys. It was very, very cold, Ivan remembers. He and Maryna did what they could to muffle the sounds of shelling for Vlad and keep him calm. But they were afraid, too.
Two weeks ago, Ivan took Vlad to the makeshift toilet in the shelter and visited neighbors. Then he came to Maryna to tell her that he was going outside. “I touched her shoulder, and she was cold,” he said. “I realized she was gone.”
At first, he said, Vlad appeared not to understand what had happened. The boy said his mother had moved away. But at the burial, the boy watched Ivan kneel and cry, and now he knows what death is.
Death is inseparable from Bucha. Local authorities told The Associated Press that at least 16 children were among the hundreds of people killed. Those who survived face a long recovery.
“They’ve realized that now it’s calm and quiet,” Ivan said. “But at the same time, older children understand that it’s not the end. The war is not finished. And it’s hard to explain for the smaller ones that war is still going on.”
The children are adapting, he said. They have seen a lot. Some even saw dogs killed.
Now the war has slipped into the games they play.
In a sandbox outside the kindergarten, Vlad and a friend “bombed” each other with fistfuls of sand.
“I’m Ukraine,” one said. “No, I’m Ukraine,” said the other.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/its-not-the-end-the-children-who-survived-buchas-horror/ | 2022-04-12T20:18:32Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/its-not-the-end-the-children-who-survived-buchas-horror/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Photo by Jay Lurie
While camping in northern Kenya, editorial director Sarika Bansal hiked and played soccer with new friends from Marsabit County.
It’s never been more critical to slow down, open ourselves up to new cultures, and marvel at the world.
I recently joined AFAR as editorial director. One of the things that attracted me to the company was its mission-driven approach: Instead of treating travel as a means to escape from the world, AFAR inspires travelers to engage with it more deeply. Travel allows us to pause, take in our exquisite planet, open ourselves up to new cultures, and better understand the perspectives of other people. These experiences can guide how we choose to live.
Before AFAR, I spent my journalism career writing and editing stories about global development, which allowed me to visit communities different from my own. My work required difficult and sometimes harrowing conversations on topics such as female genital cutting and infant malnutrition, but I loved connecting with people and searching for some kind of common ground, however small and fleeting. This feeling led me to publish a book last year, Tread Brightly: Notes on Ethical Travel. A collection of 17 essays, it poses the question, “When we arrive in a new place, how do we show up—culturally, environmentally, and socially?”
I am excited to infuse this spirit into AFAR, especially as we embark on our first redesign of the magazine since 2015. We hope this Earth Issue, and editions going forward, will invoke the sheer awe that comes from exploring the world, while empowering you to be a more thoughtful traveler.
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Divided into three sections—Air, Land, and Water—this issue will help you discover and deepen your appreciation for nature around the globe. In this issue, we soar through the skies above Verbier, Switzerland, with a prominent female paraglider; go camping on the East End of Long Island, New York; and journey to Greenland, where climate change means the icebergs are disappearing—along with the rich language to describe them. We debut new columns, including Unpacked, which navigates the complex dichotomy between wanting to experience the world and the need to protect it from further ecological devastation.
As the poet, farmer, and essayist Wendell Berry once wrote, “The Earth is what we all have in common.” I’d love to hear what you think of the issue. Please drop me a line on Twitter @sarika008.
>> Next: Around the World in 39 Places
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Read our privacy policy | https://www.afar.com/magazine/sarika-bansal-on-how-travel-creates-common-ground | 2022-04-12T20:18:58Z | afar.com | control | https://www.afar.com/magazine/sarika-bansal-on-how-travel-creates-common-ground | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Illustration by Sophi Miyoko Gullbrants
By Latria Graham
Apr 12, 2022
From the Spring 2022 issue
Illustration by Sophi Miyoko Gullbrants
Traveling ethically requires deliberate, thoughtful choices.
One of AFAR’s new Unpacked columnists discusses her desire to connect with nature through travel and to protect it.
Some disasters announce themselves with a roar, others with barely a whisper. No alarm bells go off when a species goes extinct, or when birds alter their migratory patterns from vertical (north to south) to horizontal (east to west) due to climate change. There are precious few warning signs before endangered destinations, such as the Philippine island of Boracay, buckle due to littering and vandalism of habitats, causing the decimation of entire ecosystems. It’s no secret that we are in the midst of a climate emergency, even when we don’t see the daily proof.
Is there an ethical way to travel the Earth and not cause it harm? I believe so. But it takes planning, deliberate choices, and respect for the people and places we have the privilege of visiting. Two ideas—summaries of quotes from tennis player Arthur Ashe and poet Maya Angelou, respectively—steer me: Do what you can with what you have and When you know better, do better. Every traveler must create their own set of principles. Some of my peers have taken a hard line. My friend Janisse Ray, a naturalist, has chosen not to travel by plane for the past 13 years. Many generations of Janisse’s family have lived in the United States, a vast country filled with pockets of wonder that she reaches by train or (reluctantly) by car. This works for her: She fulfills her desire to connect with nature and communities domestically while maintaining a lighter carbon footprint.
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As a Black woman living in America, I am always aware of my body. The travel decisions I make are often more complex than Janisse’s hard-and-fast transportation rule. Travel—both domestic and international—affords me the ability to enter another narrative. In the best situations, it allows me to be more fully myself: highly curious, slightly adventurous, capable of cultivating joy and empathy. In my day-to-day existence, I’m not always given the space to be that person, due to the cloak of anti-Blackness that accompanies my daily reality. I have found great power in being able to roam, when my parents and grandparents, partly due to sundown towns and segregation laws, had no such luxury.
But before I book any trips, I practice some introspection. I ask myself about the origins of my interest. Am I looking to replicate something I’ve seen on social media or television? Do I have a deep curiosity about the landscape and people I would visit? Have I researched the cultural and environmental impacts of the trip? If I couldn’t take a camera with me, would I still go? What do I have to offer, beyond money, in this exchange?
The desire to see certain places before they disappear, or species before they go extinct—knowing that my actions would be accelerating their demise—is a sentiment I cannot stomach. I’ve conceded that there are places I will not ever go: the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras, one of the last stands of undisturbed tropical rain forest in Central America; the Galápagos Islands, due to threats posed by unsustainable visitation, overfishing, and invasive species.
When I do travel, I work to be a steward of the place I’m visiting. On the ground, I use public transportation. I note what foods are in season, to mitigate the emissions load produced by importing. I stay away from places that exploit animals or alter their natural behavior and ability to survive in the wild, and I avoid geotagging in most of my online posts, to keep fellow visitors from overrunning a particular place.
One of the biggest concerns to environmental biologists and climate change activists is the introduction of invasive pathogens or animals to sensitive habitats with endangered species. So beyond carrying reusable bottles, utensils, and totes, and practicing the principles of Leave No Trace, I have one rule that I refuse to break: When I’m going into vulnerable ecosystems, I decontaminate my clothing and shoes to eliminate pathogens before arriving. This usually means finding a washer and dryer so that the heat kills any bacteria or fungi that have hitched a ride on my gear.
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I do the best I can with the information I have, but I don’t get it right 100 percent of the time. I’m always curious, constantly learning, and unafraid to ask questions. I’ve learned no action is too small to make a difference. Travel, after all, has the power to transform us and elicit reverence for the natural world. And if we’re able to see these places we visit as part of our global responsibility and treat them with respect, grace, and gratitude, that might just be enough to save them
>> Next: What Are Carbon Offsets?
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Read our privacy policy | https://www.afar.com/magazine/unpacked-is-there-a-way-to-ethically-travel-the-world | 2022-04-12T20:19:04Z | afar.com | control | https://www.afar.com/magazine/unpacked-is-there-a-way-to-ethically-travel-the-world | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Officers with the Cleveland Police Department conducted a sobriety checkpoint and traffic enforcement Saturday in the areas of Keith Street, South Lee Highway, and Inman Street.
The sobriety checkpoint was conducted from 8:00pm-10:00pm and focused on South Lee Highway at Pleasant Grove Church Road.
From the 303 vehicles that came through the checkpoint, officers wrote 8 citations, gave 20 warnings and made one DUI arrest.
Additionally, CPD officers continued their traffic enforcement efforts throughout the city limits, which resulted in 28 traffic stops/warnings and one city citation. | https://www.local3news.com/local-news/weekend-cleveland-sobriety-checkpoint-results-in-citations-and-one-dui-arrest/article_5de7b4f8-ba87-11ec-8855-9b7712e5aeb0.html | 2022-04-12T20:19:10Z | local3news.com | control | https://www.local3news.com/local-news/weekend-cleveland-sobriety-checkpoint-results-in-citations-and-one-dui-arrest/article_5de7b4f8-ba87-11ec-8855-9b7712e5aeb0.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea is destroying a South Korean-owned golf course at a scenic mountain resort in the second confirmed case of South Korean assets being eliminated in an area where the rivals once ran a joint tour program, officials said Tuesday in Seoul.
North Korea’s demolition of South Korean-built facilities at its Diamond Mountain resort comes as ties between the countries remain strained over the North’s recent series of high-profile missile tests.
Responding to queries by The Associated Press, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said it has confirmed North Korea is demolishing the golf resort in addition to a South Korean-owned hotel there. Last Friday, the ministry said North Korea was dismantling the Haegumgang Hotel, a floating hotel docked at a coastal area in the resort.
The ministry said it strongly urges North Korea to stop destroying the South Korean facilities. It demanded North Korea return to talks to address the issue.
The two Koreas jointly ran a tour project at the resort for about 10 years during an earlier era of inter-Korean detente. The tours drew an estimated 2 million South Korean visitors and served as a rare source of foreign currency for the impoverished North. But South Korea suspended the project in 2008 after one of its tourists was fatally shot by a North Korean soldier there.
After their relations improved in 2018, the two Koreas pushed to resume stalled cooperation projects including the mountain tours. But Seoul eventually failed to do so without defying U.S.-led sanctions that kept the tours from restarting. In 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered officials to tear down South Korean-owned assets in the resort, but the demolition was delayed due to worries about the spread of the coronavirus.
North Korea has sought sanctions relief and other concessions from the United States and South Korea to revive its moribund economy. Some experts say its recent weapons testing activity was meant to perfect its missile technology and boost its leverage in future negotiations with its rivals.
Besides the golf resort and floating hotel, South Korea owns other facilities in the resort such as spas, a culture center, accommodations, a duty free shop, karaoke rooms and a building used for reunions of Korean families separated by war. The fate of those facilities was unclear.
The North’s state media reported Tuesday that a fire in the Diamond Mountain area over the weekend destroyed unspecified facilities and hundreds of hectares of forests. It said the blaze was put out on Sunday.
It wasn’t immediately known if the fire was related to the demolition of the South Korean facilities at the resort. The South Korean Unification Ministry said it was trying to find out if the fire caused any damage to its facilities in the resort. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/seoul-north-korea-destroying-s-korean-owned-golf-course/ | 2022-04-12T20:19:09Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/seoul-north-korea-destroying-s-korean-owned-golf-course/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Best Restaurants in Napa Valley
Collected by
AFAR Editors
, AFAR Staff
Napa's finest restaurants run the gamut from roadside burritos and barbecue to Michelin-starred dining rooms serving the inventive cuisine of celebrity—and soon-to-be celebrity—chefs. Whether you opt to eat at a picnic table with a view of a vineyard or a formal table set beside a firepit on a moonlit patio, get ready for a taste of this wine- and produce-rich region. You'll quickly discover the reasons that chefs move here: fresh ingredients paired with local wines, a divine climate and stunning scenery, and the community's willingness to welcome creativity in the kitchen.
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1915 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574, USA
Celebrity chef Chris Cosentino made a name for himself in San Francisco cooking with various forms of offal, or organ meat. Acacia House is the on-site restaurant at the ultra-luxurious (and boutique) Las Alcobas Napa Valley, in St. Helena, and...
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180 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573, USA
If you’ve ever wondered where you can have a proper bowl of miso soup and a perfectly roasted salmon for breakfast while watching the fog lift from the floor of Napa Valley, you have found it. (Okay, they also serve croissants.) In addition to the...
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4110 Howard Ln, Napa, CA 94558, USA
Bistro Don Giovanni opened more than 20 years ago and is still among the most popular Italian restaurants in Napa, meaning it can be downright impossible to get a table at the eatery unless you roll in late. Dishes include...
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4048 Sonoma Hwy, Napa, CA 94559, USA
When you tell your friends that you're headed here, everyone will chime in about the dish that you have to get. 'Make sure you try the smoked salmon flatbread!' 'The burger, be sure to get the burger'.' 'The donuts! You have to get the donuts!'...
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6534 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599, USA
Some say that Keller’s second restaurant in Yountville is even better than his flagship, the French Laundry. The rest of us may never know. But Bouchon is open until midnight seven days a week, and you can grab a seat at the bar without a...
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3111 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574, USA
Brasswood Bar + Kitchen is part of Brasswood Estate, a sprawling complex at the north end of St. Helena, comprises a winery, tasting room, restaurant, café, art gallery, and bottle shop. The property was formerly known as Cairdean...
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1207 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga, CA 94515, USA
The Louisiana-style, year-round barbecue at Buster’s is in a league of its own. Main-course options at this no-frills (read: It’s a glorified picnic shelter) Calistoga eatery include shoulder, pork ribs, tri-tip, chicken, pork...
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1413 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515, USA
Hungry customers line up and down the block for a seat at Café Sarafornia, without question Calistoga’s most popular brunch and lunch spot. The restaurant offers a California spin on an old-school diner, turning out pancakes,...
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1260 1st St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
Chef Charlie Palmer’s newest wine country restaurant occupies most of the lobby at the Archer Hotel in downtown Napa—a lively setting for food that’s fresh and fun. Most dishes represent innovative spins on classics. The pig-ear...
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1050 Charter Oak Ave, St Helena, CA 94574, USA
Simplicity rules the day at the Charter Oak, the latest restaurant from the Restaurant at Meadowood’s Christopher Kostow. The St. Helena eatery—in the building that once housed a Napa Valley favorite, Tra Vigne—specializes in...
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6770 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599, USA
Frank Altamura took his time renovating the old Italian grocery store — where he remembers shopping as a child — at the north end of Yountville. His dream was to turn the partly dilapidated building into a casual restaurant with great pizza and ...
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933 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574, USA
The line for burgers and fries at Gott's Roadside (formerly Taylor's Refresher and don't you forget it) in St. Helena can be ridiculous in the afternoon, but if you go in the morning, you'll have your choice of picnic tables—either in front...
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1400 2nd St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
Napa Valley is home to some fantastic restaurants, several of which are located in the few square blocks of downtown Napa. My favorite among these is Grace's Table. The owner and chef combines a global awareness of flavors with a commitment to...
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3824 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, CA 94558, USA
This fast-casual restaurant in the back corner of Bel Aire Plaza in Napa is all about natural and sustainable food and a mix of international flavors. As the name suggests, Heritage Eats sources all of the ingredients for its wraps, rice...
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1 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574, USA
The Harvest Table opened Harvest Inn in 2015, and it quickly became one of the go-to spots in St. Helena. One of the main reasons: unpretentious food at reasonable prices. The 110-seat restaurant has a large horseshoe-shaped bar...
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1153 Rutherford Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573, USA
A favorite among vineyard and cellar workers of all nationalities, La Luna keeps the Napa Valley workforce fed. It’s fast, it’s cheap, it’s the best burrito around. There are picnic tables out back with vineyard views, real Mexican Coca-Cola, and...
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1314 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
Housed inside the Westin near downtown Napa, this restaurant stands out among fine-dining experiences. The best time to taste Chef Ken Frank's classic French fare is during truffle season, when he hosts the annual Napa Valley Truffle Festival. La...
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6528 Yount St, Yountville, CA 94599, USA
To say that Lucy Bar + Restaurant is inside the very cool Bardessono hotel in Yountville is not quite right as the separation between outside and inside is almost indistinguishable in this contemporary space. Jeff Vandiver, one of the designers of...
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821 Coombs St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
Downtown Napa’s Miminashi is an izakaya (like a gastropub that serves Japanese tapas). There are a number of dishes for everyone to share—a reality that makes the meal eclectic and forces everyone to try different things. Among...
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6755 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599, USA
When Chef Richard Reddington was tasked with concepting a new, casual restaurant in Yountville to compliment his Michelin-starred Redd, he brought in a wood-burning oven from Italy and Liza Shaw from A16 to work her magic with yeast and flour and...
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1140 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
The ingredients may seem familiar, but the flavors and preparation are inspiring and innovative at Torc. Serving fresh, local, and seasonal food should be a given in Napa Valley, but that's not enough to win the culinary warfare of one of the...
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2770 Old Sonoma Rd, Napa, CA 94558, USA
Southside is a treat for just about anyone who ventures over to its flagship location, in Napa. The café occupies a stand-alone structure in the middle of a parking lot and has attracted quite a following since it opened in 2016....
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1111 White Ln, St Helena, CA 94574, USA
Yes, V. Sattui Winery, in St. Helena, makes great wines, but on bright and beautiful days, the secret attraction is its deli and marketplace, where visitors can purchase all sorts of items to furnish a picnic and set up to eat at...
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807 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
While most pizza in the Napa Valley is made with thin crusts and cooked in wood-fired ovens, Velo Pizzeria takes a different approach, featuring a yeast crust that's doughy and chewy and using pizza ovens. The result is more like the...
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829 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
Tapas and paella are the big draws at Zuzu, a tiny Spanish-inspired restaurant in downtown Napa. Small-plate portions range in price from $6 to about $15, and feature a variety of local produce—some from Zuzu’s own garden....
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6518 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599, USA
The newest Yountville venture by Chef Thomas Keller and his restaurant group opened in January 2019. The casual Mexican eatery welcomes diners with bright, festive decor and crockery sourced from artisans in Mexico. Though Keller's name earned the...
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- 5 Air Travel What It Means When You Have “SSSS” on Your Boarding Pass | https://www.afar.com/travel-tips/the-best-restaurants-in-napa-valley | 2022-04-12T20:19:10Z | afar.com | control | https://www.afar.com/travel-tips/the-best-restaurants-in-napa-valley | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Three former Minneapolis police officers set to stand trial on state charges in George Floyd's death have rejected a plea deal with prosecutors, the Minnesota attorney general's office told CNN.
Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane face a state trial -- currently slated for mid-June -- on charges of aiding and abetting over their role in the fatal restraint of Floyd on a Minneapolis street in May 2020. They have pleaded not guilty.
The officers were offered the plea deals on March 22, the attorney general's office said. That was just a few weeks after they were found guilty in federal court of violating Floyd's civil rights.
The attorney general's office would not provide details of what the proposed plea deals entailed. Terms of the offer are expected to be made public when the trio's state trial begins.
CNN has reached out to the lawyers for all three former officers. Tom Plunkett, attorney for Kueng, declined to share details on why the offer was rejected. CNN has not heard back from attorneys for the other two former officers.
All three remain free on bail and have yet to be sentenced for their conviction in federal court in late February.
The state charges stem from the officers' actions -- or lack thereof -- on May 25, 2020, as their former colleague, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee into the neck and back of Floyd, who was handcuffed and lying on his stomach on the pavement.
Kueng and Lane, both rookie officers, held down Floyd's torso and legs while Thao stood nearby and kept a crowd of upset bystanders back.
Chauvin was convicted in state court last year of murder in Floyd's death and was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison. As part of a plea agreement, Chauvin pleaded guilty in December to federal civil rights charges related to Floyd's death and the restraint of a teenager in a separate incident.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/3-former-police-officers-charged-in-george-floyds-death-reject-plea-deal/article_c943c9af-b22d-558a-8d91-c3ea58b3ee93.html | 2022-04-12T20:19:16Z | local3news.com | control | https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/3-former-police-officers-charged-in-george-floyds-death-reject-plea-deal/article_c943c9af-b22d-558a-8d91-c3ea58b3ee93.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Biden administration is preparing to roll out a program intended for Ukrainian refugees that would expedite the process for those trying to come to the United States, according to two administration officials.
The program comes on the heels of President Joe Biden's commitment to accept up to 100,000 people fleeing war-torn Ukraine through a range of legal pathways and a focus on family reunification. More than two weeks since that announcement, the administration has yet to provide additional details and hundreds of Ukrainians have decided to go to the US-Mexico border to gain entry to the country.
The new parole program, which could start as early as next week, is expected to help people interested in coming to the US and allow them to stay in the country temporarily. According to one administration official, individuals would need to have a sponsorship application filled out on their behalf by someone in the US in order to come to the country. Details of the plan are still being finalized.
The State Department and the Department of Homeland Security are involved in the program, according to the administration official. The approach is similar to the one taken with Afghans following the fall of Kabul.
CNN reached out to the White House for comment. The State Department referred CNN to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not immediately return a request for comment.
Since Biden announced last month he would welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians, officials have been discussing how best to prioritize applicants, including how to accommodate refugees fleeing potential persecution, according to a person familiar with the deliberations.
One official said the White House is focused partly on protecting vulnerable refugees, including those with specific medical needs or individuals from third countries who had already fled to Ukraine to escape persecution elsewhere -- including dissidents, journalists and LGBTQ people.
The policy process, including which mechanism people fleeing Ukraine could use to come to the United States, has been a topic of conversations among administration officials since the President's announcement.
Still, Biden's aides continue to believe most of the 4 million-plus people who have fled Ukraine would prefer to remain in the region. The 100,000 figure Biden unveiled while visiting Brussels in March doesn't necessarily reflect the number of refugees US officials believe will ultimately seek entry to the United States, an official said.
The US has provided billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance to help countries neighboring Ukraine -- including Poland, where Biden visited with refugees and aid workers last month.
On Monday, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met with officials from the National Security Council at the White House to discuss the refugee crisis in Europe. He also met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.
The usual refugee resettlement route to the US is a slow and cumbersome process, often takeing years. In March, only a dozen Ukrainians came to the US through the program and they likely had applied years ago, well before Russia invaded Ukraine.
Dozens of Ukrainians are often resettled in the US monthly, but the closure of commercial airspace in war-torn Ukraine led to canceled flights and kept Ukrainians prepared to come to the US as refugees from leaving, according to refugee advocates. Their flights are gradually being rebooked from other countries.
In a recent bipartisan letter, lawmakers, mostly Democrats, suggested that the administration also "utilize existing administrative options to improve efficient processing for Ukrainians outside of the United States who already qualify for immigration benefits." That includes, the lawmakers said, providing additional resources to US embassy personnel in Europe who are involved in processing immigrants and refugees and waiving immigration application fees.
Refugee advocates, who are intimately involved in the resettlement of refugees, have expressed concern about admitting Ukrainians through parole because it keeps them from accessing benefits afforded to refugees.
"They're inventing this new approach through parole, which provides no security, no safety net and so that's worrisome and leaves the applicant at the mercy of the backlog and broken asylum system if they want to stay here permanently," said Mark Hetfield, president and CEO of HIAS, a refugee resettlement organization.
The challenge some Ukrainians face in getting to the US through an existing legal pathway is reflected in part on the US-Mexico border. There, hundreds of gathered to enter the US through a port of entry and potentially be paroled into the United States.
Nearly 3,000 Ukrainians entered the United States at the US-Mexico border in the span of a week, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told CBS News last week.
"What we do on an individualized basis is evaluate whether a Ukrainian family and frankly other families from other countries qualify for our discretionary authority of granting humanitarian parole," Mayorkas said.
US Customs and Border Protection has sent additional officers to the San Ysidro port of entry, near the Mexican border city of Tijuana, to help with processing, according to the agency.
For those already in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security extended a form of humanitarian relief -- known as Temporary Protected Status -- to allow Ukrainians to stay in the US without fear of deportation if they fall out of that status. Lawmakers asked Biden to extend that status to recent arrivals, as well. Currently, Ukrainians had to have been in the US since March 1 to be eligible.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/biden-administration-preparing-to-roll-out-new-program-for-ukrainian-refugees/article_046198f8-9a91-5c3b-8d80-645ed75bcc91.html | 2022-04-12T20:19:23Z | local3news.com | control | https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/biden-administration-preparing-to-roll-out-new-program-for-ukrainian-refugees/article_046198f8-9a91-5c3b-8d80-645ed75bcc91.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish authorities have detained 46 people, including former local officials from a pro-Kurdish political party, who are suspected of having financial links to Kurdish militants, the state-run news agency reported on Tuesday.
The detained are among 91 suspects sought by a chief prosecutor for allegedly “providing financial resources on behalf” of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, Anadolu Agency reported. They are accused of being a part of the PKK’s “economic structure,” of money-laundering and of taking instructions from PKK commander Murat Karayilan, it said.
Anadolu said the suspects include former deputy mayors, former party treasurers and former city council members of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party, or HDP.
There was no immediate comment from the HDP — the second-largest opposition party in Turkey’s parliament — which is fighting legal moves toward its closure at Turkey’s Constitutional Court.
Prosecutors accuse the party of colluding with the PKK and of seeking to “destroy the unity of the state.” They are demanding that the party be dissolved, that it be deprived of treasury funding and that about 450 party members be barred from holding political office for five years. The HDP denies the accusations.
Dozens of elected HDP lawmakers and mayors — including former co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag — as well as thousands of party members have been arrested on terror-related accusations as part of a government crackdown on the party. Several HDP mayors who were elected in 2019 have, meanwhile, been replaced by state-appointed trustees.
The PKK is considered a terror organization by Turkey, the European Union and the U.S. The group has led an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/turkey-detains-former-kurdish-party-officials-for-pkk-links/ | 2022-04-12T20:19:39Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/turkey-detains-former-kurdish-party-officials-for-pkk-links/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BOSTON (AP) — Russian military hackers attempted to knock out power to millions of Ukrainians last week in a long-planned attack but were foiled, Ukrainian government officials said Tuesday.
At one targeted high-voltage power station, the hackers succeeded in penetrating and disrupting part of the industrial control system, but people defending the station were able to prevent electrical outages, the Ukrainians said.
“The threat was serious, but it was prevented in a timely manner,” a top Ukrainian cybersecurity official, Victor Zhora, told reporters through an interpreter. “It looks that we were very lucky.”
The hackers from Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency used an upgraded version of malware first seen in its successful 2016 attack that caused blackouts in Kyiv, officials said, that was customized to target multiple substations. They simultaneously seeded malware designed to wipe out computer operating systems, hindering recovery.
Authorities did not specify how many substations were targeted or their location, citing security concerns, but a deputy energy minister, Farid Safarov, said “2 million people would have been without electricity supply if it was successful.”
Zhora, the deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communications, said the malware was programmed to knock out power on Friday evening just as people returned home from work and switched on news reports.
He said that power grid networks were penetrated before the end of February, when Russia invaded, and that the attackers later uploaded the malware, dubbed Industroyer2. The malware succeeded in disrupting one component of the impacted power station’s management systems, also known as SCADA systems.
Zhora would not offer further details or explain how the attack was defeated or which partners may have assisted directly in defeating it. He did acknowledge the depth of international assistance Ukraine has received in identifying intrusions and the challenges of trying to rid government, power grid and telecommunications networks of attackers. The helpers include keyboard warriors from U.S. Cybercommand.
Cybercom was asked if it assisted in the emergency response but did not immediately answer.
The Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine thanked Microsoft and the cybersecurity firm ESET for their assistance in dealing with the power grid attack in a bulletin posted online.
Officials said the destructive attacks had been planned at least since March 23, and Zhora speculated it was timed by Russia to “invigorate” its soldiers after they took heavy losses in a failed bid to capture Kyiv, the capital.
Zhora stressed that Russian cyberattacks have not successfully knocked out any power to Ukrainians since this invasion began.
GRU hackers from a group that researchers call Sandworm twice successfully attacked Ukraine’s power grid — in the winters of 2015 and 2016. U.S. prosecutors indicted six GRU officials in 2020 for using a previous version of the Industroyer malware to attack Ukraine’s power grid by gaining control of electrical substation switches and circuit breakers.
In the 2016 attack, Sandworm hackers used Industroyer to turn circuit breakers on and off in a sequence designed to create a blackout, said Jean-Ian Boutin, director of threat research at ESET.
“We know that Industroyer still has the capability to turn off circuit breakers,” he said.
Working closely with Ukrainian responders, ESET also determined that the attackers had infected networks at the targeted plants with disk-wiping software.
Successfully activating the malware would have rendered plant systems in operable, seriously hindering remediation and recovery and destroying the attackers’ digital footprints, Boutin said.
One of the destructive malware varieties used in the attack, dubbed CaddyWiper, was first discovered by ESET in mid-March being used against a Ukrainian bank, he said.
Western prosecutors blame Sandworm for a series of high-profile cyberattacks including the most destructive, the 2017 NotPetya wiper virus that caused more than $10 billion in damage globally by destroying data on entire networks of computers of companies doing business in Ukraine including those belonging to the shipper Maersk and the pharmaceutical company Merck.
Russia’s use of cyberattacks against Ukrainian infrastructure during its invasion has been limited compared with experts’ pre-war expectations. In the early hours of the war, however, an attack Ukraine blames on Russia knocked offline an important satellite communications link that also impacted tens of thousands of Europeans from France to Poland.
In another serious cyberattack of the war, hackers knocked offline the internet and cellular service of a major telecommunications company that serves the military, Ukretelecom, for most of the day on March 28.
Zhora said “the potential of Russian (state-backed) hackers has been overestimated” and cited a number of reasons why he believes cyberattacks have not played a major role in the conflict:
— When the aggressor is pummeling civilian targets with bombs and rockets there is little need to hide behind covert cyberactivity.
— Ukraine has significantly upped its cyber defenses with the help of volunteers from sympathetic countries.
— Attacks as sophisticated as this effort to knock out power are complex and tend to require a lot of time.
“This is not an easy thing to do,” Zhora said.
Ukraine has been under steady Russian cyberattack for the past eight years, with Zhora noting that the attacks have tripled since the invasion when compared with the same period last year.
Russia has said its invasion was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine, a false claim the U.S. had predicted Russia would make as a pretext for the invasion. Ukraine has called Russia’s assault a “war of aggression,” saying it “will defend itself and will win.”
___
Associated Press writer Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/ukraine-says-potent-russian-hack-against-power-grid-thwarted/ | 2022-04-12T20:19:53Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/ukraine-says-potent-russian-hack-against-power-grid-thwarted/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Commanders may have broken financial laws, House panel says
The Washington Commanders may have purposefully withheld ticket revenue that’s meant to be shared with the rest of the league, while failing to refund up to $5 million in security deposits to fans, the House Oversight Committee wrote in a letter to the Federal Trade Commission Tuesday.
Why it matters: If found true, this could be the tipping point that ultimately leads to owner Dan Snyder’s ouster — something his numerous detractors have wanted for years.
"We are writing to share evidence of concerning business practices by the Washington Commanders uncovered during the Committee’s ongoing investigation into workplace misconduct at the team. Evidence obtained by the Committee, including emails, documents, and statements from former employees, indicate senior executives and the team’s owner, Daniel Snyder, may have engaged in a troubling, long-running, and potentially unlawful pattern of financial conduct that victimized thousands of team fans and the National Football League (NFL)."— Members of the House Oversight Committee in a letter to the FTC
How it works: NFL teams must give 40% of their net home ticket sales to the league, which it then distributes to the other 31 teams.
- Yes, but: Jason Friedman, the Commanders' former VP of sales and customer service, testified the team had "two sets of books," one which was given to the NFL that "underreported certain ticket revenue," and another which had accurate revenues, per the letter.
The letter also claims the Commanders retained nearly $5 million in security deposits for up to 2,000 customers since 2016.
- The Commanders since 1997 have required fans to enter into multi-year leases for certain premium seats, for which they had to pay a "one-time refundable security deposit of 25% of the price of the seats for one year," according to the letter. The deposits were mandated to be returned within 30 days.
- Snyder purchased the team in 1999, and executives thereafter directed employees to "establish roadblocks" to prevent customers from getting their deposits back.
Front Office Sports previously reported on the Commanders' practices.
Context: The House Oversight Committee last year began investigating the Commanders after 650,000 emails — some of which were racist and misogynistic — were reviewed as part of a separate probe into sexual harassment claims by former employees.
- In recent weeks, the panel expanded its investigation to include financial improprieties, per FOS.
- The Commanders, who are audited annually like all NFL teams, have denied the allegations.
A Washington Commanders spokesperson told Axios the team "categorically denies any suggestion of financial impropriety of any kind at any time."
- "We adhere to strict internal processes that are consistent with industry and accounting standards, are audited annually by a globally respected independent auditing firm, and are also subject to regular audits by the NFL. We continue to cooperate fully with the Committee’s work.”
The big picture: There’s no shortage of scandals surrounding the Commanders and Snyder, who was fined $10 million by the NFL last year for fostering a hostile workplace environment. But because this one would impact 31 other owners’ wallets, it could be the nail in his proverbial coffin.
What they're saying: "While the focus of our investigation remains the Commanders’ toxic work environment, I hope the FTC will review this troubling financial conduct and determine whether further action is necessary," said Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney in a press release out Tuesday.
Editor's note: This post was updated with comment from a Commanders spokesperson. | https://www.axios.com/washington-commanders-house-financial-dan-snyder-4762685d-fe4a-47a4-94be-134330738804.html | 2022-04-12T20:21:05Z | axios.com | control | https://www.axios.com/washington-commanders-house-financial-dan-snyder-4762685d-fe4a-47a4-94be-134330738804.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Yelp will pay for employees' abortion travel expenses
Yelp announced today that it will now pay travel expenses for employees who need abortion and reproductive care.
Why it matters: The online review site's announcement comes nearly a month after Citigroup announced a similar policy. The company joins a handful of other employers, like Bumble and Match, who have publicly made clear where they stand on the issue of abortion access ahead of an upcoming Supreme Court ruling, which could roll back Roe v. Wade.
- “We’ve long been a strong advocate for equality in the workplace and believe that gender equality cannot be achieved if women’s healthcare rights are restricted," said Yelp's chief diversity officer, Miriam Warren, in a statement.
How it works: Yelp said its health insurance already covered abortion care. The new policy will allow employees to bill their health insurer directly for travel costs if they need to leave their state to access care; also allowing for some measure of employee privacy.
Zoom out: Yelp emphasized that it's a remote-first company, which makes a policy like this impactful for employees in states like Texas and Oklahoma, which severely restricted abortion rights.
Our thought bubble: These kinds of policies will likely become more common among certain white-collar employers and be helpful to professional women seeking abortions. But the low-income women who often struggle to afford and access care will largely be left behind, in areas where abortion laws block access. | https://www.axios.com/yelp-abortion-travel-892592e9-ecd7-4cf1-93f7-4db32af5ef89.html | 2022-04-12T20:21:17Z | axios.com | control | https://www.axios.com/yelp-abortion-travel-892592e9-ecd7-4cf1-93f7-4db32af5ef89.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Climate change made the record-smashing deadly 2020 Atlantic hurricane season noticeably wetter, a new study says. And it will likely make this season rainier, too, scientists said.
Human-caused climate change made the entire season — 30 named storms — drop 5% more rain. During the 14 storms that reached hurricane status the rainfall was 8% heavier, according to the study in Tuesday’s Nature Communications.
“It doesn’t sound like a lot, but if you’re near a threshold, a little bit can push you over the top,” said Lawrence Berkeley National Lab climate scientist Michael Wehner, co-author of the paper. “The implication is that that means there was more freshwater flooding and that the damages from freshwater flooding were increased, but by how much would require a more detailed analysis.”
While past studies have predicted climate change would make storms wetterand found individual storms, such as 2017’s Harvey,were in fact wetter because of human-caused climate change, this is the first study to look at an entire season, Wehner said. That’s important because it removes the selection bias of just picking the worst storms, such as Harvey.
“It’s not just the big monster ones, it’s a whole season,” Wehner said.
It’s likely 2020 is not the only year made significantly rainier by climate change. Warming is probably increasing the downpours in nearly all storms and most hurricane seasons, including the one that starts June 1, said study lead author Kevin Reed, an atmospheric scientist at Stony Brook University.
And what a season 2020 was. It broke recordsnot only for the number of named storms, but for the number that became major storms with winds of at least 111 miles per hour — seven — and the number that made landfall in the United States. Louisiana got hit five times. Overall, more than 330 people were killed directly by named storms in 2020 and damage soared past $41 billion, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Hurricanes Laura, Sally, Isaias, Zeta, Delta, Eta and Hanna all caused more than $1 billion in damage, much of it from flooding. Laura, for example, was 10% wetter than it would have been without climate change, a separate quick analysis shows, Reed said.
The researchers used computer simulations — continually updated with real-time observations — to calculate how much water fell during the 30 storms and then compared them to a simulated world with no human caused climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. The difference is what’s caused by global warming. This scientifically accepted technique came up with the 5% and 8% figures.
When scientists looked at just the three rainiest hours of each storm, climate change amped them up 8% compared to the mythical world without climate change. For the storms that hit hurricane status, 11% more rain fell during the peak rainy time than would have otherwise, the study found.
A fundamental rule of physics is that the atmosphere can hold nearly 4% more moisture for every degree Fahrenheit the air warms (7% more for every degree Celsius). Globally, temperatures have increased about 2 degrees (1.1 degrees Celsius) since pre-industrial times. And the water of the Atlantic hurricane basin, which acts as storm fuel, has warmed about 1.3 degrees (.7 degrees Celsius) in the past century, Wehner said.
“That signal will only get larger as the sea surface temperatures continue to warm,” Reed said.
Storms are getting stronger, which also makes them wetter, Wehner said.
“The expected increase in hurricane rainfall is probably the most robust prediction concerning the response of hurricanes to climate change,” said MIT atmospheric science professor Kerry Emanuel, who wasn’t part of the study team. But the study is limited by not looking at how climate change could have affected storm track, intensity and frequency, he said.
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Follow AP’s climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate
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Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears
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Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-national-news/pouring-it-on-climate-change-made-2020-hurricanes-rainier/ | 2022-04-12T20:21:44Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-national-news/pouring-it-on-climate-change-made-2020-hurricanes-rainier/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The mass shooting that police say was a gun battle between rival gangs that left six dead and 12 wounded earlier this month shook the downtown core of California’s capital — and created another challenge for a city trying to redefine itself as a destination for more than just government workers.
In recent years, downtown Sacramento has benefited from billions of dollars of development but has been rattled by rising crime, protests resulting in property damage and an economic drubbing caused by the pandemic. Now, the city is reeling from the aftermath of the April 3 shooting, when at least five gunmen fired 100 shots as people left bars and nightclubs.
The violence just blocks from the Capitol highlights the successes and challenges many U.S. urban centers are facing as struggles with crime and homelessness persist despite revitalization efforts.
Though Sacramento is home to more than 500,000 people, it’s considered sleepy by California standards. The derisive nickname “Cowtown” grew out of its agricultural roots.
Today, downtown is at the center of the city’s efforts to become an entertainment and food destination. Local officials have worked to rebrand the city as “America’s Farm to Fork Capital,” a nod to a large number of well-regarded restaurants that get ingredients from the region’s many farms.
A major part of the revitalization is a six-block strip of K Street anchored by a renovated convention center and the Golden 1 Center, home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and a regular stop for major concert tours. The shooting happened on a block that’s home to high-end nightclubs but also dotted by vacant buildings that once housed coffee shops and restaurants.
Police have made two arrests connected to the shootings, but no one has been charged with homicide. The violence “came at a really pivotal moment for downtown,” said Sacramento City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, who represents the area.
“It’s causing me to sort of reflect on where we go from here — and as a city, not just as downtown,” she said.
A century ago, K Street was a bustling, diverse center of activity. But the strip struggled as people moved into the suburbs — giving way to decades of failed revival efforts, including the construction of a mall in the late 1960s and the launch of a light rail commuter line in the 1980s.
A fresh wave of investment came to the area about a decade ago, with new businesses opening on K Street as part of an effort to revive downtown after the financial crisis. The Golden 1 Center’s 2016 opening sought to build on that, helping generate $6.7 billion in nearby investment and spurring the opening of 150 new businesses, according to the Downtown Sacramento Partnership business group.
Then the pandemic hit, sending many of downtown’s 100,000 workers home and forcing some businesses to close. Now about 45,000 people work downtown daily, according to the partnership.
As employment fell, crime rose. Aggravated assaults, burglaries and vandalism were up in 2020 and 2021 compared to the five previous years for a roughly 100-square block area that includes the Capitol and the arena, according to Sacramento police crime data.
The city’s central hub has also served as the epicenter for protests focusing on racial justice and police misconduct. Protesters in 2018 shut down a downtown freeway entrance and blocked fans from entering the arena after Sacramento police shot and killed a young Black man. Then demonstrations in 2020 over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis swept the city. Many downtown properties were vandalized and some were ransacked.
“We’ve had a lot of different realities kind of hit downtown in different waves,” said Dion Dwyer, director of public space services for the business partnership.
Now Sacramento is among the ranks of cities recovering from recent mass shootings. Since 2017, there have been 133 mass shootings in the U.S., according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University.
Dayton, Ohio, in 2019 was shaken when a gunman killed nine people and wounded 17 just after midnight at a bar in the main entertainment district for the city of 140,000. Sandy Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership, said officials mounted an “intentional strategy to reclaim the district” after the shooting.
Within three weeks of the violence, there was a free performance by Dave Chappelle, who lives outside the city. The community rallied to support local businesses, but it took time for people to feel comfortable returning to nightlife. The pandemic hit just as that activity was rebounding, Gudorf said.
“In people’s minds and hearts they knew that this did not define who we are. It was an incident, it was a tragic incident where we lost lives and people were injured,” she said. “I think it just took time to process all of that.”
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg repeatedly said people should continue to feel comfortable going downtown.
“It’s not one or the other” when it comes to enjoying the city’s entertainment offerings and feeling safe, he said last week.
Rachel Muro, a manager at the locally owned Capital Books several storefronts away from the shooting, said downtown has problems like any city but that people should not avoid it. The bookstore’s owners recently opened a board game cafe just around the corner.
“We believe in this part of town enough to continue to help make it thrive,” Muro said.
Elsewhere on the block, the area’s troubles are obvious, with many office and restaurant spaces vacant. Homelessness downtown and elsewhere in Sacramento has been a vexing problem.
Last week the City Council voted to place a measure on the November ballot requiring the city build to more shelter beds and ban encampments on public land. Valenzuela, the councilwoman, opposed the plan and said it was inappropriate to debate that proposal so soon after the tragedy.
Crystal Sanchez, president of the Sacramento Homeless Union, said homeless people live downtown because the area has street lighting and lots of activity and plenty of alcoves near businesses where they can shelter.
“People are here because there are coves for protection,” Sanchez said.
At a brewery a few blocks from the shooting site, co-workers enjoying a drink reflected on whether the shooting changed their view of the city.
Braden Kolb, who was at a downtown bar for a friend’s 30th birthday the night before the shooting, said he patronizes downtown about once a month and that the shooting “is not going to change my behavior.”
But his friend Jason Slieter said the incident made him wonder if Sacramento is the right place to raise his family, saying he felt a sense of heaviness downtown when coming to work after the six people were killed.
“It definitely felt like something had changed,” he said.
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Associated Press journalists Adam Beam in Sacramento and Camille Fassett in Oakland contributed. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-national-news/shooting-challenges-downtown-sacramentos-rebuilding-efforts/ | 2022-04-12T20:21:51Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-national-news/shooting-challenges-downtown-sacramentos-rebuilding-efforts/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
What do we know about“stealth omicron”so far?
It’s an extra-contagious version of the omicron variant, but it doesn’t seem to cause more severe disease.
Since it was first identified in November, BA.2 has been spreading around the globe, driving new surges in parts of Asia and Europe. It’s now the dominant coronavirus version in the U.S.and more than five dozen other countries.
It was given the “stealth” nickname because it looks like the earlier delta variant on certain PCR tests, says Kristen Coleman at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. The original omicron, by contrast, is easy to differentiate from delta because of a genetic quirk.
In rare cases, early research indicates BA.2 can infect people even if they’ve already had an omicron infection. COVID-19 vaccines appear just as effective against both kinds of omicron, offering strong protection against severe illness and death.
Health officials also are tracking other variants including XE — a combination of BA.2 and BA.1, the original omicron — that was first identified in January in the United Kingdom. The World Health Organization is keeping tabs on XE but has not yet deemed it a variant of concern or interest.
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The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them at: FactCheck@AP.org. Read more here:
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed after two years?
Why are COVID vaccination rates still low in some countries?
Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron? | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-national-news/what-do-we-know-about-stealth-omicron-so-far/ | 2022-04-12T20:21:58Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-national-news/what-do-we-know-about-stealth-omicron-so-far/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Which mustard throw pillow is best?
Whether you want to match a throw or comforter, or add some color to a black or gray couch, sometimes only mustard throw pillows will do. And it’s important your pillows are as practical as they are attractive. Think about the size, shape, material and whether you want a plain mustard pillow or something with a decorative design.
The JWH Handmade 3D Decorative Sunflower Pillow is sunny and bright and will add a fun flavor to your decor.
What to know before you buy a mustard throw pillow
Size
Most square throw pillows measure either 18 by 18 or 20 by 20 inches, but you can find larger and smaller options. Pillows of other shapes often measure 16-18 inches across at their widest point but, again, larger and smaller versions are available.
Consider the size of the couch, chair or bed you intend to put your pillows on when picking the size, as well as the size of other throw pillows you already own. Some people like a mismatched look, with pillows of varying sizes, while others prefer the same size across the board.
Material
Cotton and polyester are some of the most common materials for pillows. Both are easy to care for and clean, making them obvious choices. You’ll also find many velvet pillows as it’s an on-trend fabric right now. Then there are less-common fabrics such as satin, faux fur and fleece. There’s no right or wrong fabric for a cushion, so choose one you like the look of.
Design
Consider whether you want a plain mustard pillow or one that features a pattern or design. For example, you could choose a throw pillow with mustard and white stripes or chevron zigzags, or you might want a pillow with a mustard background and a bumblebee design in the center. You’ll find many pillows that use mustard as a key color and you might even choose a few kinds of mustard pillows to display.
What to look for in a quality mustard throw pillow
Washable cover
If you’re worried about getting your pillows dirty, choose ones with covers that are removable and machine-washable. This is especially important if you have pets or young children on your couch.
Shape
In addition to standard square and rectangular mustard throw pillows, you’ll also find some that are round, oval and flower-shape. Assuming they have removable covers, it’s harder to find replacement inserts for pillows with non-standard shapes.
Hidden zipper
A hidden zipper gives a seamless appearance to a throw pillow. Because there’s no noticeable closure, it makes pillows effectively reversible.
How much you can expect to spend on a mustard throw pillow
Basic throw pillows cost less than $10, while designer ones can cost $200 and up. That said, you usually won’t need to pay more than $50 for a single pillow, and often much less.
Mustard throw pillow FAQ
Why is it called a throw pillow?
A. It’s called a throw pillow because you “throw” it on your couch or bed (although actual throwing is optional). Throw pillows are both decorative and used for comfort and support while you sit. The term helps differentiate this type of pillow from the pillows you rest your head on at night.
Are throw pillows necessary?
A. Throw pillows certainly aren’t essential, but they can add color to rooms otherwise dominated by neutrals and tie together elements of rooms that might otherwise make them look disjointed. For example, if you have an open- plan living room/dining area and you’ve chosen mustard yellow chairs for your table, adding mustard throw pillows on the couch carries over the color palette and helps bring a cohesive look.
How many throw pillows is too many?
A. There’s no hard and fast rule, so place as many as looks good to you. If you can’t see the back of your couch or it takes you minutes to get them off your bed at night, you may have gone overboard.
What’s the best mustard throw pillow to buy?
Top mustard throw pillow
JWH Handmade 3D Decorative Sunflower Pillow
What you need to know: This cute and sunny sunflower pillow cover comes with an insert.
What you’ll love: The pillow would fit in perfectly with farmhouse decor and measures 12 inches in diameter. You can also buy a 14-inch version. The zipper blends in well with the fabric.
What you should consider: Some thought the pillow was smaller than they expected.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top mustard throw pillow for the money
Amazon Basics Velvet Decorative Throw Pillows
What you need to know: Made from a soft polyester velvet fleece, these pillows look and feel good.
What you’ll love: They’re suitable for machine-washing or hand-washing. Both the color and fabric are on trend. They look full and plush when they arrive.
What you should consider: They don’t have removable covers, so you can’t replace the filling if it gets flat.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Roslynwood Shelly Round Yellow Pillow
What you need to know: This round throw pillow makes a change from square ones and can double as a floor pillow.
What you’ll love: It comes in golden yellow, a rich mustard hue, but there’s also a brighter lemon yellow that’s similar to English mustard for buyers who prefer it. The polyester filling is plush and comfortable.
What you should consider: The cover isn’t removable and the pillow is hand-wash only.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wwlp.com/reviews/br/home-br/decor-br/best-mustard-throw-pillow/ | 2022-04-12T20:23:32Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/reviews/br/home-br/decor-br/best-mustard-throw-pillow/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Which throw pillow cover is best?
An economical and easy way to refresh your interior design is to swap out your throw pillow covers. You can even do this seasonally, such as buying festive covers for the holidays and summery ones for warmer months.
Before you buy a new throw pillow cover, you’ll need to know the size of your existing pillow or buy the correct-sized insert. If you’re looking for a square cover, Willa Arlo Interiors Edgar Square 100% Cotton Pillow Cover is a top choice and comes in three sizes.
What to know before you buy a throw pillow cover
Material
Throw pillows are both decorative and functional. They are also known as “toss pillows” for their loose placement on couches, armchairs, beds and even floors. The material of the cover can add texture and a pop of color to furnishings. You can find covers in a wide variety of textiles, including cotton, velvet, corduroy, flannel, linen, microfiber, chenille, suede, leather and faux fur.
Size
Throw pillow covers come in a variety of sizes, such as 16 by 16 inches, 18 by 18 inches, 20 by 20 inches, 22 by 22 inches, 24 by 24 inches and 12 by 20 inches. Select manufacturers may offer smaller and larger covers. The majority of covers are 18 by 18 inches and you’ll find plenty of options in those dimensions.
Shape
Square and rectangular covers are widely available for throw pillows. Cylindrical and circular throw pillows may be harder to find covers for that fit properly, other than the one that came with the insert. Circular inserts come in a range of diameters, from 14-36 inches, so be sure the cover has the correct dimensions to fit the pillow.
Count
You can buy throw pillow covers individually or in packs of two. Some manufacturers only offer covers in sets of two or four, especially when buying 18 by 18-inch covers.
What to look for in a quality throw pillow cover
Color
Throw pillow covers do not need to match bedding and upholstery exactly in color (or in textile). In fact, you can opt for a contrasting color, such as a dark color to contrast lighter furnishings for an aesthetic statement. Or pick a complementary shade that goes with color accents in a room. You can find throw covers in every color under the sun, from neutral hues to pastels to bold gem tones.
Pattern
Covers not only come in solid colors but also in patterns. Geometric patterns are popular as well as floral, plaid and striped designs. You can also find covers with graphics and words, such as “love” or “home sweet home.” During holiday time, there are plenty of Christmas-themed throw pillow covers to spruce up your living space with the holiday spirit.
Texture and decorations
Depending on its material, a throw pillow cover can also be textured. Some materials are naturally textured, like corduroy or faux fur, while other covers add tufted materials, yarn, fur or raised material that provide both texture and a decorative element. In addition, throw pillow covers can have tassels, pom-poms or piping.
Closure
Throw pillow covers feature either a concealed envelope or a hidden zipper closure. Both use zippers to close the opening of the pillow cover. Envelope-style closures conceal a hidden zipper behind it and use an extra piece of fabric to do so. Hidden zipper openings are located along the bottom edge of the pillow and the zipper is concealed on the inside of the cover.
How much you can expect to spend on a throw pillow cover
Expect to pay between $4-$58 for an 18- by 18-inch cover.
Throw pillow cover FAQ
Should the pillow insert be the same size as the throw pillow cover?
A. You can certainly buy a cover that is the same size as the insert. For a full look, try buying a pillow insert that’s 2 inches bigger than the size of the cover. For instance, for a 20- by 20-inch cover buy a 22- by 22-inch insert for a plump appearance.
Can I machine-wash my throw pillow cover?
A. It really depends on the fabric. Some fabrics can only be dry-cleaned or hand-washed while others can only be spot-cleaned. If you want a throw pillow that can be cleaned easily, especially if you live in a household with children and pets, select a throw pillow cover that is machine washable.
What’s the best throw pillow cover to buy?
Top throw pillow cover
Willa Arlo Interiors Edgar Square 100% Cotton Pillow Cover
What you need to know: To add a pop of color to your bed or couch, this simple cotton cover has a velvety finish.
What you’ll love: This cover comes in three square sizes: 18 by 18 inches, 20 by 20 inches and 22 by 22 inches. The velvety-soft material is perfect to cozy up to and is high quality. The zipper closure makes changing out inserts easy. It comes in a plethora of solid color choices.
What you should consider: The cover is not machine-washable.
Where to buy: Sold by Wayfair
Top throw pillow cover for the money
Miulee Velvet Soft Solid Decorative Square Throw Pillow Covers Set
What you need to know: This two-pack of covers comes in every color imaginable and has many size options, all at a great value.
What you’ll love: The polyester material is soft and plush with a velvety feel. The colors are rich and saturated. The covers look luxurious and expensive but cost under $20 for a pair of 18-inch by 18-inch covers.
What you should consider: The zipper handle is noticeable and on the big side, even though the zipper itself is hidden.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Wlnui Set of 2 Fluffy Pillow Covers
What you need to know: This fluffy, faux fur design adds coziness to any room.
What you’ll love: These covers have shaggy fur on one side and a plush velvet backing on the other. You can brush the faux fur to keep it looking fresh. This pair of covers comes in pink, light gray, black and white.
What you should consider: The fur can shed. For some, the material comes apart in the wash.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Ana Sanchez writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wwlp.com/reviews/br/home-br/decor-br/best-throw-pillow-cover/ | 2022-04-12T20:23:38Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/reviews/br/home-br/decor-br/best-throw-pillow-cover/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Staff Sgt. Brent Kern, the Combat Water Survival NCOIC and Sgt. James Tabong, a behavioral health specialist assigned to William Beaumont Army Medical Center shares details and experiences about the Combat Water Survival event as part of the Regional Health Command-Central’s Best Leader Competition on April 10, 2022 at Fort Bliss, Texas. William Beaumont Army Medical Center is hosting the Regional Health Command-Central’s Best Leader Competition, and this year 64 participants, consisting of officers, non-commissioned officers, and junior enlisted soldiers, were broken down into 11 teams to compete. The winning team will move on to represent RHC-C in the U.S. Army Medical Command Best Leader Competition.
This work, Soldiers tread water during Combat Water Survival, by PFC Maxwell Bass and SGT Brahim Douglas, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright. | https://www.dvidshub.net/video/838981/soldiers-tread-water-during-combat-water-survival | 2022-04-12T20:30:47Z | dvidshub.net | control | https://www.dvidshub.net/video/838981/soldiers-tread-water-during-combat-water-survival | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The 2022 NBA postseason is here. But, for the second-straight year, only the top six seeds for each conference are set as the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference are up for grabs.
This will come in the form of a play-in tournament, adopted by the NBA last season for the first time.
Eight teams total, four from each conference, can play their way into the playoffs.
- Western Conference: Minnesota Timberwolves (7), Los Angeles Clippers (8), New Orleans Pelicans (9), San Antonio Spurs (10)
- Eastern Conference: Brooklyn Nets (7), Cleveland Cavaliers (8), Atlanta Hawks (9), Charlotte Hornets (10)
How the NBA play-in tournament works
On Tuesday, the NBA's play-in tournament begins as the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers play the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The winner of Cavs-Nets becomes the 7-seed in the playoffs and will face the the Boston Celtics in a playoff series.
The loser of Cavs-Nets will play the winner of Hawks-Hornets, who play on Wednesday. The winner of that third game becomes the No. 8 seed in the East and will face the Miami Heat in the playoffs.
On the Western Conference side, the winner of Clippers-Wolves becomes the No. 7 seed in the West and will face the 2-seed Memphis Grizzlies. The loser of Clippers-Wolves will play the winner of the Pelicans-Spurs game slated for Wednesday. Then the winner of that third game moves on to take on the 1-seed Phoenix Suns in a playoff series.
NBA play-in tournament schedule
Tuesday, April 12
- East: No. 8 Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 7 Brooklyn Nets, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
- West: No. 8 Los Angeles Clippers at No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Wednesday, April 13
- East: No. 10 Charlotte Hornets at No. 9 Atlanta Hawks, 7 ET p.m. (ESPN)
- West: No. 10 San Antonio Spurs at No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Friday, April 15
- East: Winner of Charlotte/Atlanta vs. loser of Cleveland/Brooklyn, TBD (ESPN)
- West: Winner of San Antonio/New Orleans vs. loser of Los Angeles/Minnesota, TBD (TNT)
NBA teams in the playoffs
Western Conference
- No. 1 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 8 TBD (series begins Sun. April 17)
- No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 7 TBD (series begins Sat. April 16)
- No. 3 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 6 Denver Nuggets (series begins Sat. April 16)
- No. 4 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz (series begins Sat. April 16)
Eastern Conference
- No. 1 Miami Heat vs. No. 8 TBD (series begins Sun. April 17)
- No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 TBD (series begins Sun. April 17)
- No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Chicago Bulls (series begins Sun. April 17)
- No. 4 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 5 Toronto Raptors (series begins Sat. April 16)
Previewing Tuesday's NBA play-in tournament games
On the Locked On NBA podcast, hosts Matt Moore and David Ramil previewed Tuesday night's lineup of games in the NBA play-in tournament between the Cavs and Nets and Clippers and Wolves.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are favored by eight points in Tuesday night's game against the Cavaliers. The Nets are at home, and have star power in Durant and Kyrie Irving. While the Cavaliers surpassed expectations this season, they have dealt with significant injuries for much of 2022 and will likely be without key center Jarrett Allen on Tuesday.
David Ramil: “My feeling is that the Cavs surpassed expectations for this season and then there’s been this constant punch to the gut with injuries this season, it’s just very tough for this roster to keep it together. They’ve had superb play from Garland and Kevin Love. While they’d like to continue to build on that success they’ve already surpassed, it’s hard to do when you’ve got a team like Brooklyn, who is absolute desperate for something to hang their hat on.”
Matt Moore: “Darius Garland is going to have to have a great game for Cleveland to have any shot in this game. He’s gotten points and he was great on Friday night against Brooklyn. But it didn’t matter. The Cavs just don’t have enough weapons. I don’t think the Nets are even that great of a team. If the Cavs had Jarrett Allen I think it changes things…but without Allen, there’s just enough breakdowns on the perimeter. You throw in the fact that Durant can go for 40 easily. We’re probably getting Nets-Celtics, which will be a fascinating series.”
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
After a 46-38 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and for just the second time since 2005. But, they won't have an easy task getting the No. 7 seed as they face the experienced Los Angeles Clippers.
Matt Moore: “My big question for this is the Wolves defensive scheme tries to apply pressure on the ball handler. They want to skirmish and they want to force turnovers. The Clippers are 10th best in limiting turnovers. On paper this is a pretty poor matchup for the Wolves, and that shows in the fact that the Clippers handedly won the season series.”
David Ramil: “I just feel like you’re looking at this Clippers roster and i like their chance. I think Reggie Jackson is going to have a big game and he’s going to be able to swing this game in the Clippers favor…A monster game from Karl-Anthony Towns is the only thing that can save Minnesota’s chances. L.A. is too experienced and too well coached.” | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-nba/nba-play-in-tournament-preview-nba-playoff-scenarios-brooklyn-nets-phoenix-suns-milwaukee-bucks-cleveland-cavaliers-los-angeles-clippers/535-e0a8685d-e43d-421c-91a1-96b2ba21982d | 2022-04-12T20:47:58Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-nba/nba-play-in-tournament-preview-nba-playoff-scenarios-brooklyn-nets-phoenix-suns-milwaukee-bucks-cleveland-cavaliers-los-angeles-clippers/535-e0a8685d-e43d-421c-91a1-96b2ba21982d | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MIAMI — As if this NFL offseason hasn’t already been absolutely wild in almost every way between big trades involving Russell Wilson, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Khalil Mack, Carson Wentz, Amari Cooper (and more), the Brian Flores lawsuit against the Dolphins, Aaron Rodgers returning to Green Bay, Tom Brady retiring and unretiring, Bruce Arians and Sean Payton stepping down…OK, you get it…But there may have been even more craziness.
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio has been reporting rumors, which he says come from sources inside the Dolphins organization, that Miami and Tom Brady may have been planning something huge.
Florio reported from multiple sources that the Dolphins were pursuing then-Saints head coach Sean Payton in some sort of trade. Interest that was ultimately declined by the Saints after Payton’s resignation in late-January. The Dolphins would have had to give the Saints some kind of compensation and then strike a deal with Payton to hire him.
Florio reported last week that after Brady retired on Feb. 1, the plan was that Brady would eventually be named a minority owner of the Dolphins.
“Then came the Brian Flores lawsuit. Filed (coincidentally or not) the same day Brady retired, the litigation resulted in the plug being pulled on the Payton/Brady plan,” Florio reported.
Florio said after Brady became a minority owner, Miami would have acquired the contractual rights from the Saints to employ Sean Payton, and then the Dolphins would have at some point gotten the rights from the Bucs to bring Brady onto the roster.
On Tuesday’s Locked On NFL podcast, Locked On Bucs host David Harrison and Locked On Vikings host Luke Braun discussed the wild rumor.
“Tom Brady’s retirement on Feb. 1, the day that Brian Flores’ lawsuit also dropped, was supposed to be, according to Florio, the first domino in this string of events that was going to happen and then Flores’ lawsuit basically kept all that from happening because they’re embroiled in all this controversy,” Harrison said on Locked On NFL.
Flores’ lawsuit filed the same day as Brady’s retirement named the Dolphins and other teams alleging racial discrimination in hiring practices after he was fired from Miami after his third season, in which they won eight of their last nine games and narrowly missed the playoffs.
The lawsuit also alleged owner Stephen Ross tried to bribe Flores to lose games in order to acquire a better draft position and also alleged that Ross tried to get Flores to break NFL tampering rules to bring in a high-profile quarterback in 2020, which had later been reported to be Tom Brady, according to Florio.
Florio asserts the Flores lawsuit is what prevented Brady from pursuing a minority stake in Miami after his retirement, at least for now.
“A lot people are passing this off as conspiracy, as conjecture…But with everything blowing up with Miami, Tom Brady decides he wants to play anyway and says he’s going to come back and play with the Bucs,” Harrison said.
If that sequence of events was to happen, where the Dolphins would get Payton, Tom Brady retires, Tom Brady becomes a minority owner in the Dolphins and then essentially trades from himself from the Bucs, how would that all even work?
“There’s so much to process about it, how would you work out in a modern day and age, how a player ownership would work?” Braun said. “I guess it would be Tom Brady that would do it. How would that trade have worked out? Would Tampa have played along with that, would they have had a choice? It really would’ve tested just how much command Tom Brady has over professional football. If anybody has the ability to push the envelope of how much power a player could have, it would be Tom Brady.”
Of course it would’ve cost a lot of draft capital for Miami to not only acquire Tom Brady, despite his age, but also the rights to former Saints head coach Sean Payton.
Florio did say he had anonymous sources inside the Dolphins organization confirming to him that this was going to happen. But even so, Harrison said it’s doubtful we’ll ever know the full truth.
“We know how these things work, without a smoking gun like the owner or general manager coming out and saying this was going to happen, we don’t really know and that would have all been tampering so it’s never going to happen,” Harrison said.
“What’s wild about it, is all of that, if true, would have been breaking the rules,” Braun said. “With everything that’s going on in that organization with the tanking and the lawsuit and all these people named and what happens with owner Stephen Ross, it’s a weird time to be a Dolphins fan. Especially because they went out and did a Tyreek Hill trade and they’re building up this team this offseason.”
Florio said rumors about Brady wanting to join Miami as a minority owner have been swirling for years, centered around Brady’s closeness with limited partner Bruce Beal, who is slated to eventually take the ownership reigns from Ross.
Florio reports that with Brady under contract for one more season in Tampa Bay and his deal containing a no-tag clause, Brady will be a free agent in 2023 and he will be able to sign with any team he chooses. That could be the time that he makes a move to Miami if the Flores lawsuit is worked out by then.
“I don’t think it would have nearly offered the same chance Brady has with the Bucs to ride off into the sunset as a Super Bowl champion,” Harrison said. “But, if it’s all true, and the Flores lawsuit gets worked out and Brady ends up buying a minority stake in the Dolphins in 2023, then maybe it confirms it.” | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-nfl/nfl-offseason-rumors-did-tom-brady-almost-buy-a-stake-in-the-dolphins-and-try-to-play-for-them-sean-payton-saints-bucs-miami/535-ac43c46e-45f1-430c-b3f8-a292c437a642 | 2022-04-12T20:48:04Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-nfl/nfl-offseason-rumors-did-tom-brady-almost-buy-a-stake-in-the-dolphins-and-try-to-play-for-them-sean-payton-saints-bucs-miami/535-ac43c46e-45f1-430c-b3f8-a292c437a642 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
LONDON (AP) — European health officials investigating an outbreak of salmonella linked to chocolate Easter eggs that has sickened at least 150 children across the continent said Tuesday they suspect it is due to bad buttermilk in a Belgian factory.
In an assessment of the continuing outbreak, experts at the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Food Safety Authority said they had matched the same salmonella strain currently infecting people to samples taken from a factory in Belgium last December.
Officials said “the processing step involving buttermilk” was identified by the company as the point of contamination for two products, chocolate eggs that normally have a surprise toy inside and bite-sized praline chocolates. National authorities have previously named the involved company as the Italian chocolate firm Ferrero.
Before the Belgian factory was shut down, however, European officials noted it had exported “the implicated chocolate products” across Europe and globally.
As of this week, 150 cases of salmonella have been reported in nine European countries and the U.K. after the first case was identified in Britain last December. The majority of cases have been in children under age 10 and “an exceptionally high number” have been hospitalized, European officials said. Britain has so far reported the most cases – 65 – of whom 43% are hospitalized.
(Story continues below gallery.)
Ferrero began recalling chocolate eggs and other products in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and elsewhere weeks ago. Last week, the company expanded its recall to the U.S., acknowledging that some of the goods on sale were made in the tainted Belgian factory.
“This outbreak is rapidly evolving, and children have so far been most at risk for severe infection among reported cases,” the European CDC said in its report. It noted that further investigation was needed to determine how the problem happened and evaluating “the possibility of the wider use of contaminated raw material in other processing plants.”
Salmonella typically causes symptoms including diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick do not need any medicine but severe cases that result in hospitalization may require antibiotics or other treatment.
European officials warned that it was likely cases were being missed in some countries due to a lack of surveillance and genetic sequencing.
Ferrero has previously said it is cooperating with national and European health authorities in the outbreak investigation.
“We are taking this extremely seriously as consumer care is our top priority,” the company said. | https://www.wpri.com/recalls-and-warnings/salmonella-outbreak-in-chocolate-eggs-due-to-bad-milk/ | 2022-04-12T20:49:38Z | wpri.com | control | https://www.wpri.com/recalls-and-warnings/salmonella-outbreak-in-chocolate-eggs-due-to-bad-milk/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Community Foundation of Monroe County elects new board members
The Community Foundation of Monroe County recently elected three new board members.
Stacey Goans, Adelaide Pascaris and Dr. Eric Peacock are now on the 16-member Community Foundation Board of Trustees.
Goans, Director of Michigan Works!, earned a master of science degree in organizational leadership and administration from Concordia University and a bachelor of science degree in political science and communication from Eastern Michigan University. She is president of the Human Services Collaborative Network and is a member of Network on Homelessness, Project Second Chance and Community Corrections Advisory Board. She serves on the Distribution & Fundraising Committees for the Community Foundation.
Pascaris is area manager, local government and community affairs at ITC Holdings Corp. She has a master of science degree in project management from Michigan State University, a masters of business administration from Wayne State University and a bachelor of business administration in management information systems from University of Michigan – Dearborn. She is the board chair for Mission You Inc. and is a member of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Advancing Women in Energy and Eight Mile Boulevard Association. She serves on Scholarship Committee for the Community Foundation.
Dr. Peacock is a dentist at Milan Dental Associates earned a D.D.S. from the University of Michigan and a bachelor of chemistry from Eastern Michigan University. He has been in dental practice in Milan for 23 years and served 12 years on the school board. He serves on the Greater Milan Area Community Fund Advisory Committee for the Community Foundation. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/community-foundation-elects-new-board-members/7275606001/ | 2022-04-12T20:51:28Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/community-foundation-elects-new-board-members/7275606001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Monroe County correctional officer treated for possible drug exposure
A correctional officer in the Monroe County Jail was treated for possible drug exposure after inadvertently inhaling a white, powdery substance during a routine booking Saturday.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m., according to a press release issued by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
The correctional officer was reportedly booking a 36-year-old male inmate on vehicle theft charges, and was conducting an inventory search of the man's personal property as part of that process. While doing so, a white powdery substance was released into the air. The officer inadvertently inhaled the substance and, almost immediately, experienced numbness in his lower extremities and a metallic taste in his mouth.
The officer's vitals were checked and were reportedly elevated. The officer administered himself 4mg of Narcan (naloxone) and was taken to ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital for treatment. He was released the same day and returned to work.
The remaining substance was collected, preserved and sent to the lab for testing. If test results confirm the substance is a narcotic, additional criminal charges could be sought against the man. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/correctional-officer-treated-possible-drug-exposure/7282202001/ | 2022-04-12T20:51:34Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/correctional-officer-treated-possible-drug-exposure/7282202001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
How hot is the real estate market near Monroe? Home prices rise to reach $177K
The median sales price for a single-family home in Monroe County during January was $177,000. That's an increase of 1.1% compared with January 2021, according to a USA TODAY Network localized analysis generated with data from Realtor.com.
On a year-over-year basis, prices have been rising for 18 consecutive months. January prices are down from $190,000 the previous month.
The number of houses sold fell by 40.8% from a year earlier. A total of 119 houses were sold countywide during the month of January. During the same period a year earlier, 201 single-family homes were sold.
Real estate sales can take weeks or months to be recorded and collected. This is the latest data made available through Realtor.com to the USA TODAY Network.
Monroe County condominiums and townhomes sold in January had a median sales price of $276,490. That figure represents a 12.9% increase year over year. Some 18 were sold, down 18.2% from a year earlier.
How hot is Monroe County's real estate market in Michigan?
Information on your local housing markets is available through the USA TODAY Network, with more data from Realtor.com.
In Monroe County the top 10% of the properties sold had prices of at least $350,000, up 9.9% from a year before.
In January, no properties sold for $1 million or more.
The median home sale price — the midway point of all the houses or units sold over a period of time — is used in this report instead of the average home sale price because experts say the median offers a more accurate view of what's happening in a market. In finding the average price, all prices of homes sold are added and then divided by the number of homes sold. This measure can be skewed by one low or high price.
The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Realtor.com. Localized versions are generated for communities where the data quality and transaction volume meets Realtor.com and USA TODAY Network standards. The story was written by Sean Lahman. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/gda-average-home-prices-monroe/65349719007/ | 2022-04-12T20:51:46Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/gda-average-home-prices-monroe/65349719007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Governor appoints Nichols to Monroe County's Circuit Court bench
LANSING — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the appointment of First District Judge William Paul Nichols to the 38th Circuit Court that serves Monroe County.
Nichols, 61, was elected to District Court in 2018 after serving 14 years as Monroe County Prosecutor. His appointment fills the vacancy created by the death of Circuit Judge Michael A. Weipert, who passed away of liver cancer on March 3 at age 65.
Earlier report:Judge Weipert, 'community treasure,' dies at 65
“I am proud to appoint Judge Nichols to the 38th Circuit Court of Monroe County,” Whitmer said. “Judge Nichols brings years of judicial experience and a range of legal expertise to the bench. I am confident that he will serve his fellow Michiganders admirably and uphold the rule of law.”
As a circuit judge, Nichols joins fellow Judges Mark S. Braunlich, who serves as chief judge, and Daniel S. White.
"I am truly honored to be appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Monroe County Circuit Court bench and it will be a privilege to continue to serve our community in this new capacity,” Nichols said. “It is with a heavy heart that I accept the appointment to the seat left open by the untimely passing of Judge Michael Weipert, but we will continue to move forward with his same dedication and passion for the law. I look forward to the challenge of handling the criminal and civil docket and will ensure that all parties have a full and fair opportunity to be heard."
As First District judge, Nichols presides over the Mental Health Recovery Court. Prior to his election to the bench in 2018, Judge Nichols served 25 years in the Monroe County Prosecutor's office, and 14 years as the elected prosecutor, where he was assigned as a circuit court trial attorney and helped develop the first fully integrated electronic case management system used by many prosecutors across the State of Michigan. Judge Nichols began his legal career as an associate attorney with the law firm of Lennard & Graham where he specialized in family and criminal law.
Judge Nichols earned his Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He also attended the University of Michigan and Monroe County Community College. He serves as the chair of the Monroe County Community Corrections Advisory Board and as a member of the Michigan District Judges Association and Monroe County Bar Association.
Nichols lives in Temperance with his wife, Melissa, and their three children: Bradley, Riley, and Megan.
This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which will commence on April 18, 2022 and expire at 12 noon on January 1, 2023. If Judge Nichols wishes to seek a full six-year term, he would be required to run for reelection this November 2022.
It is believed that a total of four candidates applied to fill the vacancy. Whitmer now can fill Nichols' vacancy in district court. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/governor-appoints-nichols-circuit-court-bench/7288724001/ | 2022-04-12T20:51:52Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/governor-appoints-nichols-circuit-court-bench/7288724001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
State representative from Taylor announces bid for new district
A current state representative is seeking another term in the Legislature after his current district was redrawn as a result of redistricting.
State Rep. Alex Garza, a Democrat from Taylor, has announced his bid to represent the newly-formed 29th District.
Garza has served two terms in the state Capitol, representing the 12th District.
“Serving as a state representative has been the greatest honor of my life, and I wouldn’t be here without our incredible community,” Garza said.
Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission finalized new state and federal districts earlier this year. In 2018, voters approved a ballot measure to create a commission consisting of Independents, Democrats and Republicans to redraw districts every ten years as a way to avoid partisan gerrymandering.
The new 29th District includes portions of the cities of Taylor, Monroe and Romulus and Frenchtown, Ash and Huron townships.
The former 12th District included Taylor, Romulus and part of Van Buren Township.
Garza, who previously served as the chairman of Taylor's city council, said he is grateful for the outpouring of community support he has received. He said this campaign is his third and final bid for state representative.
“I’ve learned so much over the past three years, and I want to thank everyone for their support they’ve given me and the campaign we’re building here once again," he added.
Garza currently sits on the Local Government & Municipal Finance and Regulatory Reform committees, and is the Democratic Vice Chair of the Agriculture Committee. He was first elected to state office in 2018. He also serves as the Assistant Democratic Floor Leader.
He said he has been an effective bipartisan leader in the Legislature, and has championed work related to improving the state's education system, advocating for workers and investing in Michigan infrastructure.
Garza also said he is particularly proud of the relationships he has fostered with the people he has been elected to represent.
“In addition to working across the aisle to pass bipartisan legislation,” he added. “I am most proud of the state-of-the-art constituent relations program we have developed in my office. Being accessible to my constituents has and will always be a top priority of mine.”
According to Garza's campaign platform, he supports workers' rights; lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs; continued reforms to the state's auto insurance market; supporting initiatives designed to benefit seniors and veterans; providing funding to road repair and education; and protecting municipalities' abilities to govern themselves.
"I’ve never been more ready to get to work not only for my hometown of Taylor, but for all the new communities in this district as well," Garza said.
He holds an associate's degree from Baker College in business management and a bachelor degree from University of Michigan-Dearborn in political science. He previously served as a legislative aide for former state Reps. Stephanie Chang and Rashida Tlaib.
Chang is currently a state senator. Tlaib serves as a representative in Congress.
Garza's name will appear on the August Election Primary Ballot. The winner of the primary race will advance to the November General Election Ballot.
Several Republican candidates have also announced their bids to represent the 29th District. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/state-rep-announces-bid-new-district/7274295001/ | 2022-04-12T20:52:04Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/state-rep-announces-bid-new-district/7274295001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Victim asks for safe return of stolen parrot
A South Rockwood resident is seeking the safe return of a missing parrot following a breaking and entering incident that occurred last month.
On March 24, the South Rockwood Police Department responded to a request for aide in the 6600 block of South Huron River Drive.
Responding officers learned a homeowner had returned to the residence to discover the home had been the site of a breaking and entering.
An ensuing investigation revealed three handguns and a parrot were taken from the residence.
Officers have entered the missing weapons as missing into a national law enforcement database.
The victim is simply asking for the safe return of the pet, which is a Blue Amazon parrot. The bird is green in color with blue and yellow markings around its beak.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the South Rockwood Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SpeakUp. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/victim-asks-safe-return-stolen-parrot/7276351001/ | 2022-04-12T20:52:10Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/victim-asks-safe-return-stolen-parrot/7276351001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Monroe Family YMCA Tide Swim Team earns honors at Northwest Ohio YMCA Championship
The Monroe Family YMCA Tide Swim Team competed in the Northwest Ohio YMCA Championships March 12-13. The team placed seventh overall. 18 teams competed.
Two swimmers, Jayce Hay and Grace DePalma, qualified for the Great Lakes YMCA Zone meet. Jayce qualified in the 200 freestyle, and Grace qualified for the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 50 butterfly.
Senior Marissa Mahoney competed in her last swim meet after 10 years on the Tide Swim Team.
Championship accomplishments include the Girls 9-10 relay team, Josie Zabawa, Grade DePalma, Ava Dowen and Karis Beaton, breaking the Tide team record in both the 200 freestyle and medley relays.
11-12 boys relay team Jayce Hay, Alexander Roa-Garcia, Chris Fritz and Clinton Hause broke the Tide team record in the 200 freestyle relay.
Nicole Rykse, Garren Hoskins and Karis Beaton also broke Tide team records in individual events.
Swimmers with major time drops in individual events included Alec Adams, Alexandra Arrington-Harris, Karis Beaton, June Brooks, Logan Carter, Ava Dowen, Grace DePalma, Andie Eby, Charity Frank, Samuel Frank, Bailey Fritz, Christopher Fritz, Ghandler Gossiaux, Emerson Gruber, Leah Harris, Clinton Hause, Jayce Hay, Garren Hoskins, Riley Jacobs, Lauren Lahna, Blayne Lynch, Madison Mahoney, Megan Mahoney, Marissa Mahoney, Chloe Marks, Colton Marks, Katie Murphy, Jaxon Nowitzke, Gracelyn Palmer, Darby Philbeck, Jasmine Philbeck, Alexander Roa-Garcia, Nicole Rykse, Echo Seibert, Marilyn Tyner, Rebecca Vroman, Cameron Williams and Josie Zabawa.
“Coaches are very proud of all swimmers and their very successful season,” the YMCA said. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/ymca-tide-swim-team-earns-honors/9532914002/ | 2022-04-12T20:52:16Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/04/12/ymca-tide-swim-team-earns-honors/9532914002/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Mason High School raises funds for prom with scrap metal drive
ERIE -- A Monroe County high school recently raised money for its prom by taking in scrap metal donations from the community.
Volunteers set up a scrap metal collection site in the Mason High School parking lot on April 9. Workers greeted vehicles and unloaded trucks and trailers full of metal items while a crane placed the scrap in a large collection bin.
The event originally began as a low-cost idea to raise money for prom. Now in its fifth year, the scrap metal drive is Mason’s primary funding source for the dance, bringing in between $1,000 and $2,000 each year.
Mary Ansel, an aide for Mason Consolidated Schools, coordinated the event. She said that the program has been a big success for raising the necessary funds to pay for the school’s annual prom.
“The first year we did this, we tried a bunch of fundraisers, and we didn’t hardly make any money,” she said.
While other types of fundraisers come with associated costs, Mason's scrap metal drive is essentially free for the school to host.
"We put nothing into it,” Ansel said.
Jerry Yanak, a Mason dad who works for North-South Trucking in Monroe, brought a crane to the site, as well as a collection container that was donated by his employer.
Ansel said that they accept a wide range of items during each annual drive, from small scraps to large items, and can schedule pickup appointments for those who cannot haul their scrap to the collection site.
“We take anything, as long as it has metal on it,” she said.
Ansel added that this time of year is advantageous for getting scrap donations, as people clean their yards and garages during the spring season.
Ansel’s son, Jacob Ansel, is a senior at Mason. He was onsite to help unload scrap from vehicles and place the items near the crane. This was his second time volunteering, and he said he enjoys the event, which enables him to work for his own prom.
“It’s actually pretty fun coming out here,” he said.
Mary Ansel said that two other volunteers help with pickup arrangements, traveling to people’s homes with a truck to collect their donations. She also recalled that one of the largest items they ever accepted was a van that was donated during a past drive.
“That was so exciting,” she said. “Someone pulled up (to the drive site) and said, ‘Hey, if you can get our van here, you can have it.’ If you ask (Jerry) to do something, he’ll figure out a way to do it – and he did. We used the crane to put the van in the (bin).
"It was very cool.” | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/education/2022/04/12/mason-high-school-raises-funds-prom-scrap-metal-drive/7275775001/ | 2022-04-12T20:52:22Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/education/2022/04/12/mason-high-school-raises-funds-prom-scrap-metal-drive/7275775001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Local Sports: Barno's hustle gives SMCC baseball a win over Carlson
Ethan Barno's strikeout was a game-winner for St. Mary Catholic Central's baseball team.
Barno was batting with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning when the third strike got past the Gibraltar Carlson catcher and Barno hustled to first base as the winning run crossed the plate.
SMCC won 7-6.
Barno led the Falcons at the plate, going 2-for-5. he and Andrew Pope both stroked RBI singles in a three-run second inning.
Jaden Paquette earned the win, Tommy Rogoff and Calvin Bradley also pitched well in relief.
Carlson sent the game into extra innings with three runs in the top of the seventh. Liam Ferguson led the 1-3 Marauders with three hits, including a pair of doubles. Nathan Severinski had a two-run single in the seventh inning.
PREP BASEBALL
Miller leads Monroe
TECUMSEH -- Noah Miller went 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI to lead Monroe to a season-opening 8-3 victory over Ypsilanti Lincoln Monday.
Ashton Elmer went 2-for-4 with a double and dive in a run and Tristin Panza had a pair of RBI.
Ryan Sieler got the win, striking out 11 in 4 1/3 innings.Caleb Winkelman and Owen Yount finished up. Trojan pitchers struck out 16.
Whiteford gets first win
TECUMSEH -- Shea Ruddy rapped out three hits as Whiteford topped Tecumseh 10-2 Monday to even its record at 1-1.
Logan Tammerine and winning pitcher Cole Giesige added two hits each. Both of Tammerine's hits were doubles.
Bedford bats boom
ANN ARBOR -- Bedford bombed Ann Arbor Pioneer 11-3 in the first game of a doubleheader Monday. The second game was halted by darkness.
PREP SOFTBALL
Whiteford wins two
TECUMSEH --Aly VanBrandt racked up five hits as Whiteford swept Tecumseh 10-1 and 8-0 Monday.
Berlynn Keller and Unity Nelson earned the pitching wins.
Keller and Anna VanBrandt finished with four hits each and Jillian Webb added three.
"Both teams were a little rusty coming off spring break, but we just kept chipping away and finally had a couple fall in," Whiteford coach Matt VanBrandt said.
Bedford still perfect
ANN ARBOR -- Aubrey Hensley is making it look easy for Bedford.
The freshman went 6-for-7 with a double, triple and grand slam home run, 9 RBI and 5 runs as the Mules moved to 6-0 with a 15-1, 12-1 sweep of Ann Abor Pioneer Monday. She has 17 RBI this season.
McKenna Dunlap (5-for-7 Monday) leads the team with a .722 average and Sydney Shammo (4-for-7) had a hefty .714 average.
Payton Pudlowski went 4-for-8 with 5 runs, 4 RBI and 2 triples. Nyah Mullins, Makayla Johnson and Camryn Pudlowski added three hits each.
Maddie Henegar (6-0) earned both wins.
"She’s doing a fabulous job for us in the circle and making big pitches when we really need them," Bedford coach Marla Gooding said.
Dundee opens with split
MANCHESTER -- Kennedy Irwin collected six hits as Dundee opened its season by splitting a doubleheader against Manchester Monday.
The Vikings won the first game 13-10 and dropped the second 6-1.
Emily Killion smacked 4 doubles in a row and walked 3 times. Other standouts were McKenna Salley (pitching win, 4 RBI), Kelsie Schmidt (3 hits, 3 RBI).
Freshman Kaylee Imo pitched well and Alyssa hit her first varsity home run.
"I thought we did some nice things and did some silly things," said Dundee coach Mickey Moody, who picked up the 350th win over his career.
Lincoln tops Monroe
Maci Willey, Macy Collett, Alana Aulph all went 2-for-3, but it was not enough for Monroe in an 11-0 loss to Ypsilanti Lincoln Monday.
The second game was halted by darkness in the third inning after Willey, Collett, and Ava Proffitt had logged hits for Monroe.
Carlson tops Mason
ERIE -- Gibraltar Carlson rolled over Erie Mason 18-1 Monday in the first game a doubleheader. The second game was called after four innings because of darkness.
Maddie Moore had two hits and Lizzy Liedel tripled for Mason. Audrey Hempel had an RBI double in the second game.
PREP SOCCER
Milan whips Ida
MILAN -- Milan overpowers Ida 9-1 Monday.
Tinke Rambags scored for Ida off an assist from Clare Allen. Haden Mannor, Mia Karl and Allen had scoring chances for the Blue Streaks.
Lozon-Liggett scores
SOUTHGATE -- Marlie Lozon-Liggett scored for Airport in a 3-1 loss to Southgate Anderson Monday.
Allie Pier had a good game in goal for the Jets.
Carlson blanks Wyandotte
WYANTOTTE -- Araya Shulaw posted a shutout and Kylie Iwasko and Izzy Sgro scored goals to carry Gibraltar Carlson to a 2-0 victory over Wyandotte Roosevelt Monday.
Kristine Piatt-Bakos added an assist for the Marauders.
2nd goal by Izzy Sgro (unassisted)
PREP GOLF
Carlson takes third
GROSSE ILE -- Jace Marcott took eighth place with 86 and Landon Kongeal and Jonathan McCullough tied for ninth with 87 for Gibraltar Carlson Monday in the Downriver League pre-season tournament at West Shore.
Aden Burke added a 94 for the Marauders, who shot 352. Trenton won the event with 321.
PREP LACROSSE
Bedford falls
TEMPERANCE -- Bedford dropped a 15-8 decision to Saline Monday.
FRESHMAN BASEBALL
Bedford takes two
TEMPERANCE -- Jack Decker and Andrew Kuebbeler delivered strong pitching as Bedford beat Ann Arbor Pioneer 9-0 and 15-0 Monday.
ace Bloomer, Josh Beauregard-Knittle and Jake Yeager led the offense.
SOCCER
Aliakbar scores three
Yousef Aliakbar scored three goals, including one with about a minute left in the game, to lift Athletico to an 8-8 tie with Team Rashford in the Monroe Adult Coed Indoor Soccer League at LevelUp Training Sunday night.
Hubeeb Bello added two goals for the winners. Nate Cook had three goals and Sophie Mapes two for Rashford.
Monroe United starts well
The Monroe United travel teams opened the season during the weekend with three wins and a tie.
Elizabeth Klocek and Olivia Eby each had two goals.
The U-19 squad beat NPSA Crush 1-0, U-15 topped DCFC 9-5 and U-14 beat Chelsea 3-0 and tied Legacy 2-2. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/sports/2022/04/12/local-sports-barnos-hustle-give-smcc-baseball-win-over-carlson/7286197001/ | 2022-04-12T20:52:34Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/sports/2022/04/12/local-sports-barnos-hustle-give-smcc-baseball-win-over-carlson/7286197001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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Activate your digital account | https://www.monroenews.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.monroenews.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2F2022%2F04%2F12%2Fgirls-soccer-previews-monroe-jefferson-airport-welcome-new-coaches%2F7274148001%2F | 2022-04-12T20:56:01Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.monroenews.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2F2022%2F04%2F12%2Fgirls-soccer-previews-monroe-jefferson-airport-welcome-new-coaches%2F7274148001%2F | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Japan's Nikkei with the info:
- Toyota intends to reduce global output to around 700,000 vehicles for next month, down circa 10% on original plans
- compared with the 670,000 vehicles Toyota manufactured last May
- Overseas production will be lowered by 100,000 vehicles to a total of around 500,000
- domestic production is set to drop slightly to 200,000 vehicles
- Further adjustments could be on the table depending on Toyota's ability to procure components. | https://www.forexlive.com/news/icymi-toyota-will-slash-vehicle-production-in-may-due-to-supply-chain-disruption-20220412/ | 2022-04-12T20:56:59Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/icymi-toyota-will-slash-vehicle-production-in-may-due-to-supply-chain-disruption-20220412/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The USDCAD tumbles below the 200 day MA after the CPI data in the US today. The fall earlier in the North American session took the price to the 100 hour MA (blue line), however, buyers slowed the fall and bounced the pair higher.
The retracement highs respected near the broken 200 day MA, but there level was rebroken once again, and the USDCAD pair is trading to new North American session highs.
The price has now reached a swing area between 1.2645 and 1.26566. The 50% midpoint is within that area at 1.26511. Oh...the price is now higher on the day too as the declines have been fully retraced.
What next?
Although there is risk to more ups and downs, the move back above the 200 day MA needs to be respected (more bullish). That is now close risk for buyers. A move above the 50% and the swing area would have traders looking toward the higher 100 day MA at 1.2686.. | https://www.forexlive.com/technical-analysis/usdcad-erases-declines-back-higher-on-the-day-20220412/ | 2022-04-12T20:57:30Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/technical-analysis/usdcad-erases-declines-back-higher-on-the-day-20220412/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Actor and comedian Gilbert Gottfried has died at the age of 67.
In a statement released on Gottfried's official Twitter page the actor's family wrote, "We are heartbroken." The statement said that he died after battling a long illness.
Gottfried's family said in their statement, "In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert's honor."
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) April 12, 2022
Fellow actors and others expressed their condolences.
Actor Jason Alexander tweeted, "What a gift. I did not know him well but I loved what he shared with me. My best wishes and sympathy to his family."
Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily. What a gift. I did not know him well but I loved what he shared with me. My best wishes and sympathy to his family. #ripGilbertGottfried
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) April 12, 2022
Gottfried's publicist Glenn Schwartz said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press that the actor died on Tuesday.
He first stepped into the national spotlight with appearances on MTV in its early days in the 1980s. He was also a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” in the 1980s. Gottfried was known for his voice work in children’s shows and movies. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/comedian-and-actor-gilbert-gottfried-dead-at-67 | 2022-04-12T20:57:52Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/comedian-and-actor-gilbert-gottfried-dead-at-67 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is speaking out from jail.
"To everyone that has expressed your support, my family and I will never be able to thank you enough," Velasquez said in a statement posted from his Twitter account.
He is charged with attempted murder and multiple gun assault charges after authorities said he fired at a pickup truck carrying a man accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old family member.
Velasquez was arrested after he allegedly chased a pickup that the suspect was in, ramming the vehicle with his own pickup truck during the high-speed chase.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney says the suspect was on his way to get fitted for an electronic monitoring bracelet after being indicted on felony molestation charges.
The suspect was not injured in the incident. However, a 63-year-old relative of the suspect suffered a gunshot wound.
"This story is complex and slowly unraveling as we speak," Velasquez said.
The former mixed martial arts fighter also had a message for potential victims of the suspect he attempted to shoot.
"To the true victims of this case, may God give you the strength to come forward," he said. "Though it is most difficult to relive the pain that has happened to you, in speaking the truth, justice will be served and your won true healing will start."
Velasquez will remain in jail for the time being. He was denied bail at his initial hearing in March. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/jailed-former-ufc-champion-issues-statement-about-arrest | 2022-04-12T20:57:58Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/jailed-former-ufc-champion-issues-statement-about-arrest | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
To kick off national park week, the National Park Service is offering free entrance on the first day to celebrate.
National park week begins April 16 and ends April 24.
The NPS waives the entrance fee to any park only five days out of the year, including Veterans Day and Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
The agency says the fee-free days allow those to visit more than 400 parks that typically charge an entrance fee.
Some parks are free all the time.
The agency says visitors will still be responsible for amenity or user fees for activities including camping, boat launches, transportation, or tours. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/national-parks-to-waive-entrance-fees-to-celebrate-park-week | 2022-04-12T20:58:10Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/national-parks-to-waive-entrance-fees-to-celebrate-park-week | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Working late is nothing new in American culture, but the pandemic may be changing the way some people work late.
Researchers at Microsoft noticed a pattern in some of the company's workers.
There is a sudden flurry of work-related activity right before bedtime.
"These were things they could do by themselves," said Mary Czerwinski, a Microsoft researcher. "Catching up on emails, reading documents, not such heavyweight work, but things they could do to catch up."
The Microsoft team, which has been tracking productivity for years, found about 30% of workers were logging in late at night.
It's not clear why people's habits have changed.
Pre-pandemic, they found most workers experienced a productivity peak shortly before and shortly after lunchtime, a phenomenon known as the "double peak day."
Czerwinski speculated the third productivity peak might be tied to the shift to remote work during the pandemic.
"Perhaps people are taking care of loved ones," she said. "Perhaps they are working out and taking care of themselves. And then, because they're adaptively taking care of themselves and their families, they choose to work later in the night to catch up on some things."
While there could be positive reasons for the late-night logins, Czerwinski said the third peak might also result from over-scheduling during the workday.
"We saw from the research that the average amount of meeting time went up significantly during the workweek," said Czerwinski. "People were very enthusiastic to see that productivity didn't take a hit when everybody was staying at home. It was a big surprise to all of us. Therefore, everyone got super enthusiastic about more Teams meetings, more Zoom meetings, and it just keeps going to the point where everyone got super exhausted and tired."
Some companies are now working on solutions to cut down on the feelings of burnout in employees.
Microsoft, which has employees on both coasts, has stopped scheduling most meetings after 5 p.m. Eastern out of respect for west coast employees.
Czerwinski also encourages managers to schedule their meetings to start at five past the hour as a built-in break between calls.
There's also a novel concept gaining traction: No meetings.
"The meeting-free day idea really took off, at least at Microsoft, during the pandemic," Czerwinski said, noting that her team is trying to go meeting-free on Mondays and Fridays.
"The statistics are kind of scary about how many more meetings we're having online and back-to-back during the day," she said. "At the expense of eating healthy meals, at the expense of people exercising. So something has to be done to make sure that our employees feel well at work, feel productive at work, and feel valued." | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/study-many-remote-workers-log-in-late-at-night-to-get-work-done | 2022-04-12T20:58:28Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/study-many-remote-workers-log-in-late-at-night-to-get-work-done | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Chegg (CHGG) is a company that’s out to make education a simpler prospect. It offers both textbook rentals and purchases and also boasts online tutoring, among other services for students. Such a firm might have a solid claim on its market, especially in a time when schools can basically close down at any time due to COVID-19.
However, KeyBanc isn’t so optimistic about Chegg’s chances going forward. The company took a is currently down over 7%. I, however, remain cautiously bullish on Chegg, thanks to its versatility in the field.
Chegg’s year so far is down significantly. Last April, it was challenging the $100 per share mark. Currently, it’s down about two-thirds of that after a slump running from April to October and a disastrous post-Halloween drop.
The latest news will likely do little to inspire investors. KeyBanc Capital downgraded the company from “overweight” to “sector weight.”
The biggest reason is a likely decline in growth trends in the United States. Educational products and services, in general, are set to hit a downtrend, KeyBanc noted, which will leave Chegg on a bad footing.
Wall Street’s Take
Turning to Wall Street, Chegg has a Moderate Buy consensus rating. That’s based on five Buys and six Holds assigned in the past three months. The average Chegg price target of $41.78 implies 28.3% upside potential.
Analyst price targets range from a low of $35 per share to a high of $55 per share.
Hedge Fund Confidence Soars Despite Lack of Dividend
If the hedge funds are any indication, based on the TipRanks 13-F Tracker, there’s plenty of reason to get behind Chegg. Most of 2021 featured comparatively steady hedge fund involvement with Chegg.
However, between September and December, something substantial happened that sent hedge funds scrambling to buy Chegg. Hedge funds nearly doubled their stake in Chegg, going from around 3.874 million shares to 6.842 million shares.
Hedge funds were assuredly not lured by Chegg’s rich dividend. Chegg’s dividend history is flat-out nonexistent. Chegg has yet to issue a dividend and has no plans to do so any time soon.
An Investment in Education
It’s easy enough to see KeyBanc’s point here. Yes, it’s a safe bet that U.S sales of remote learning tools are likely to drop. Schools have been opening up, and most of them are back in play on at least some level or another.
With schools getting back to a semblance of normal, that means the demand for Chegg’s services is likely to decline in turn. It’s not completely vanished, of course.
Some parents already learned that homeschooling wasn’t nearly as difficult as they imagined and decided to continue accordingly. Additionally, Chegg has a brisk business overseas, and localization is likely to continue to add to Chegg’s coffers.
However, like a lot of other pandemic winners, losing the pandemic will cost Chegg a certain amount of business. Publicly-available alternatives are coming back into play, and that will hurt accordingly. Perhaps not as much as KeyBanc posits, but certainly to some degree.
Others question KeyBanc’s assessment here as well. One valuation suggests that Chegg is actually worth about $50.07 per share. With Chegg currently trading well below that, and also below its lowest price targets, that makes Chegg a comparative bargain, at least for now. There’s also a good slug of upside potential for investors here.
The only real outstanding question to ask is if Chegg can make up the losses from its pandemic-induced trade. Usually, people consider education a good investment. That makes them more likely to pay for it, and that should insulate Chegg from recession-related damage.
Granted, potential customers are likely to have less disposable income going forward, but education often survives these downturns. Whether customers are trying to improve their employment chances or give their children a leg up, education plays its role here. Customers are willing to make sacrifices elsewhere as needed.
That will give Chegg and those like it some extra insulation. Throw in Chegg’s geographical appeal, taking on markets globally, and that only improves the picture.
Concluding Views
Chegg is operating in a very recession-resistant field. With a recession likely to happen before too much longer, that will be valuable for Chegg investors. Throw in the comparatively low price tag right now to own a share, and Chegg makes a very good case for further ownership.
Sure, it’s going to take its lumps going forward, as every other company will. However, it’s also taking those lumps now, before the worst of a recessionary environment fires up. It can make adjustments now to fend off the worst, and the worst is likely yet to come.
That’s enough to make me at least moderately bullish. Chegg sees the writing on the wall and is getting ready accordingly. It’s hard to fault a company as ready to prepare for the worst as it is the best.
Discover new investment ideas with data you can trust.
Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/chegg-stock-dips-7-after-keybanc-analyst-downgrade/ | 2022-04-12T20:58:58Z | tipranks.com | control | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/chegg-stock-dips-7-after-keybanc-analyst-downgrade/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
On Monday, Warner Bros. Discovery began trading as a separate entity for the first time after being spun off from AT&T (T). By choosing to go down the tax-free route rather than pursue a more complicated split-off, the spinoff appears to have resonated well with investors.
One reason for the positivity revolves around a sense the company will now be able to fully turn its attention to the wireless market, where T faces stiff competition. Mirroring investor sentiment, J.P. Morgan’s Philip Cusick sees the logic of the move.
“A more Communications-focused company, AT&T now looks more like Verizon than it has in years after shedding the distractions and revenue drag of a declining satellite video business and the capital obligations of the Warner/HBO media businesses,” the analyst explained. “Management is now focused on reinvesting in the wireless business and expanding the fiber footprint to grow its broadband business and business offerings.”
That said, although the telecom giant has succeeded at expanding its wireless postpaid phone base and keeping hold of its customers, as new carriers enter the picture and considerable surplus network capacity is activated by all MNOs (mobile network operators), Cusick thinks that from here on in the wireless industry “may become more challenged.”
To support consumer broadband revenue, and “offset legacy wireline losses,” the company will also need to invest in fiber, despite Cusick anticipating “essentially no broadband subscriber growth for the next three years.” And as a whole, Cusick says he remains “wary” of the wireless industry, and his estimates remain lower than management’s guidance for EBITDA and FCF growth.
Despite the caveats, Cusick rates AT&T shares an Overweight (i.e. Buy) along with a $22 price target. The figure implies ~12% upside from current levels. (To watch Cusick’s track record, click here)
What does the rest of the Street have in mind for T stock? There are differing opinions here. Based on 8 Buys, 6 Holds and 1 Sell, the stock boasts a Moderate Buy consensus rating. However, most evidently think the stock is undervalued; going by the $27.21 average target, the shares are anticipated to climb 39% higher in the year ahead. (See T stock forecast on TipRanks)
To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/is-att-stock-a-buy-following-warner-bros-discovery-spinoff-j-p-morgan-weighs-in/ | 2022-04-12T20:59:03Z | tipranks.com | control | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/is-att-stock-a-buy-following-warner-bros-discovery-spinoff-j-p-morgan-weighs-in/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
I am neutral on Nio (NIO) as its strong competitive positioning, growth momentum, and opportunistic valuation after the latest pullback in the share price is offset by the enormous geopolitical risk that comes with its status as a Chinese company.
NIO is a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that designs, manufactures, and sells high-end electric vehicles and electric vehicle accessories.
The company is also a leading innovator with substantial intellectual property in the areas of autonomous vehicle technology and artificial intelligence. NIO recently began selling cars in Europe as the initial stage of its long-term global growth plan.
In this article, I will lay out three reasons to like NIO stock, along with a big risk that keeps me from being bullish on the stock.
Robust Growth Momentum
As arguably the top high-end electric vehicle manufacturer in China – the world’s largest automobile market – NIO has a massive growth runway ahead of it.
To put this in perspective, just over 6.4 million electric vehicles were estimated to have been sold worldwide in 2021, of which more than 3.2 million were sold in mainland China. By 2040, this number is expected to swell to more than 60 million worldwide, with China expected to continue leading the way.
It is also worth mentioning that NIO’s ambitions are not confined to mainland China or even East Asia. In fact, it has already begun selling its vehicles in Norway and is installing ancillary physical and digital service capabilities in the country in order to accelerate its growth in Norway.
From there, it expects to eventually sell to much of Europe and eventually possibly even North America.
Already the company is seeing impressive growth, with revenue soaring by 122.3% in 2021 and expected to increase by 74.3% in 2022. Analysts expect the company to sustain strong growth momentum over the next half-decade, with revenue expected to grow at a 39.3% CAGR over that time span.
A Leader in the World’s Largest Automobile Market
Given that NIO – as a leading domestic manufacturer in a strategic high-priority industry for the Chinese Communist Party – receives government assistance, it is well-positioned to capture its fair share of this growth.
Furthermore, NIO also has significant technical prowess. The company is investing aggressively in growing its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) technology via partnerships with local companies like Sinopec.
NIO is also investing aggressively in developing autonomous mobility and artificial intelligence technology and has filed approximately 50 patents thus far in these fields. If it can continue to successfully innovate in this space, it should be a major player in the era of autonomous driving.
Given its competitive positioning in the largest automobile market, NIO has good odds of obtaining a large amount of data that should help it gain an edge in the artificial intelligence race.
Opportunistic Valuation
A third reason to be bullish on NIO stock is that it currently trades at an opportunistic valuation. While it is not yet profitable even on an EBITDA basis, which makes it difficult to value, its EV/revenue ratio is quite low.
It currently stands at 2.8x compared to its historical average of 6.7x, and the stock price is under $20 per share, down from its 52-week high of $55.13.
Wall Street’s Take
Turning to Wall Street, NIO earns a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 16 Buys, two Holds, and zero Sell ratings assigned in the past three months. Additionally, the average NIO price target of $43.51 puts the upside potential at 124.2%.
Summary and Conclusions
NIO leads the Chinese electric vehicle market, with a particularly strong position in the higher-end electric vehicle market. Additionally, its technological innovation prowess and robust growth momentum in a market with an enormous growth runway give it extremely high upside potential.
Wall Street analysts are overwhelmingly bullish on the stock, and the average analyst price target implies that the stock could more than double over the next year alone.
However, investors might want to keep in mind that the company comes with considerable risk. First of all, it is not yet profitable and faces stiff competition from fellow domestic manufacturers as well as international titans like Tesla (TSLA), which has a large and growing presence in the Chinese market.
Second, it could very possibly fall out of favor with Chinese Communist Party officials if management fails to behave diplomatically with them, or it could face headwinds in its international growth ambitions if current geopolitical tensions lead to a more severe backlash against Chinese companies.
On paper, NIO looks like it might be an attractive buy here, but investors would be prudent to keep the significant risks in mind.
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Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/nio-stock-do-the-pros-outweigh-the-cons/ | 2022-04-12T20:59:22Z | tipranks.com | control | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/nio-stock-do-the-pros-outweigh-the-cons/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Penn National Gaming (PENN) owns and operates properties for gaming and racing activities in the Northeast, South, West, and Midwest of the United States, as well as an interactive division for online gaming such as social casinos, bingo, and retail sportsbook. I am bullish on Penn National Gaming stock.
The war in Ukraine, with the associated consequences of growing concerns about the supply of oil and gas and other commodities, has diverted traders’ attention away from other sectors. The consumer cyclical sector has reported losses of almost 17% so far this year.
While these headwinds have pushed Penn National Gaming down more than 29% so far this year, I think the stock has a chance to recover and eventually outperform most of its competitors. The market should, of course, show renewed interest in consumer cyclical stocks.
Investors preparing for the event should consider Penn National Gaming shares, as it appears cheap given their upside potential, and as such, the stock appears to be an interesting opportunity.
Penn National Gaming’s Q4-2021 Results
Barring a slowdown in the last half of December, Penn National Gaming’s portfolio has shown strong execution across all businesses, including its interactive business, in the last quarter of 2021.
The driving force that was common to all sectors was the positive development in visitor numbers from the younger crowd. The company’s strategy is based on this observed trend and focuses on retaining this demographic.
As a result, Penn National’s total revenue rose 53% year-over-year to $1.57 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021, laying a solid foundation for earnings growth. Earnings rose more than 271% year-over-year to $0.26 per diluted share.
However, while revenue beat analysts’ median forecast by $58 million, GAAP earnings per diluted share missed analysts’ median estimate by $0.26.
Adjusted EBITDAR (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and restructuring or rent charges) was $480.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, a 31.5% increase from the prior-year quarter.
Shareholders certainly welcomed the 17.2% increase in revenue from 2019, the shift in earnings from net loss per diluted share of $0.80 in 2019, and the 20.3% increase in the adjusted EBITDAR from 2019.
The company’s strategy of attracting more customers from the youngest sections of the American population is paying off.
Market Outlook
The company’s earnings data for the latest quarter shows a positive trend in the number of users adhering to the company’s gambling and racing offerings, as well as its online entertainment services.
The company should continue to report revenue and earnings growth on positive momentum fueled by the growing mania among younger Americans for various gaming and gambling activities, including those that can be conducted online.
According to ResearchandMarkets’ estimate, reported by PRNewswire on March 4, 2022, the U.S. casino market was worth $70.1 billion last year. According to technavio.com’s report analysis, this market should grow at 3.5% each year for the next four years through 2025, amounting to approximately $11.42 billion in growth over that period.
Besides the younger demographic factor, the growing online casino market will be another major driver of the U.S. casino market due to the increasing adoption of gambling apps and advances in mobile technology.
Penn National Gaming appears to be able to capitalize on the positive contribution that the online gaming business and the following key factors will bring to its business.
These other key factors are:
• The increasing role cryptocurrency is playing in the gambling world and legalization
• The strengthening of sites with payment options and the provision of welcome bonuses.
As Las Vegas attracts casino players from around the world, this gives Penn National Gaming and other U.S. resort and casino operators a strong advantage over their overseas competitors.
Earnings Estimates
Analysts estimate that Penn National Gaming’s earnings per share will drop 20.6% in 2022, and then grow 26.8% and 22.9% in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Balance Sheet
Penn National Gaming’s financial strength should also benefit from more responsible management, which would improve its financial condition and give the market an idea of a healthier company from a financial perspective.
Penn National Gaming has an Altman Z-Score of 0.93, which means bankruptcy risk could materialize within a few years. For beginners, the Altman Z-Score predicts the probability that a company will go bankrupt within a few years. A value lower than or equal to 1.8 indicates a financial distress zone, so the probability of business failure is not small.
However, the positive outlook regarding the market’s growth prospects and the company’s strategy, in line with the current trend among young people, suggests that this risk could diminish over time.
Wall Street’s Take
In the past three months, 14 Wall Street analysts have issued a 12-month price target for PENN. The company has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on nine Buys, five Holds, and zero Sell ratings.
The average Penn National Gaming price target is $64.21, implying 74.2% upside potential.
Stock Statistics
Shares are changing hands just under $37 for a market cap of $6.2 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.9, and a 52-week range of $35.90 to $104.91.
The stock has a price-book ratio of 1.5, a price-sales ratio of just over 1, a price-to-cash-flow ratio of 6.8, and a price-to-free-cash-flow ratio of 9.4x.
The stock price is below the 50-day moving average of $44.92 and trades well below the 200-day moving average of $59.43.
Conclusion
The stock has fallen significantly this year, but that doesn’t mean the company isn’t doing well. The company’s sales and profits are above pre-pandemic levels and are on track to continue to improve. The stock could rise once market interest in energy stocks cools off.
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Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/penn-gaming-stock-can-it-make-a-comeback/ | 2022-04-12T20:59:28Z | tipranks.com | control | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/penn-gaming-stock-can-it-make-a-comeback/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Shopify (SHOP) shares have nosedived 54.7% so far this year. As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, a host of sectors such as aviation, leisure, and travel, and importantly, brick-and-mortar store operators are expected to see gains.
Meanwhile, names such as Shopify that benefited immensely during the pandemic years may see an impact on their fortunes.
For Shopify, a host of factors is at play. So far, the company has delivered strong metrics. Compared to 2019, it has tripled its top line and more than doubled its gross merchandise volume (GMV). Conversely, concerns about slowing growth, inflation, and lower-than-expected guidance are weighing heavily on the stock.
Shopify is taking significant steps to stay on the path of growth. It plans to invest substantially in international expansion, and is also focusing on logistics and warehouses.
Along with this drive for growth, Shopify is making major progress via its sustainability fund, which is our point of focus today as the world pays more and more attention to the sustainability practices of companies. Let us have a deeper look at Shopify’s sustainability fund and its key achievements.
Shopify Sustainability Fund
The three-year-old Shopify Sustainability Fund is a global launchpad for climate entrepreneurs working at the forefront of technologies for carbon removal.
This fund is designed to drive demand for carbon removal, provide players in this space an opportunity to prove their impact, achieve scale, and spend the capital to lower future prices.
Its partner companies are focused on varying target areas such as biomass, direct air capture, mineralization, ocean, products, storage, forest, soil, and transportation. The fund’s commitment has already reached $32 million. Recently, it has partnered with nine companies. This brings the total companies partnered by the fund to over 20.
Shopify is walking the talk and is the largest purchaser for eight of these companies and the first purchaser for four of them. As a consequence, it is offering these companies robust revenue streams, which will help them secure financing. As a result, Shopify is one of the largest corporate purchasers of long-term carbon removal across the globe, with a total of 39,380 tons.
Shopify’s Head of Sustainability, Stacy Kauk, states, “Purchasing carbon removal from leading companies is critical to helping them scale, but purchasing from emerging companies pursuing novel approaches is equally essential. We need as many companies as possible innovating in this space to remove over 200 years of emissions to go beyond critical emission reductions.”
Impact of the Fund
The fund looks at key factors such as technology and process, plans to scale, and the size of the impact the fund’s purchases could potentially have. Using the prepayment agreements and external capital unlocked, these companies have boosted their development. Multiple companies supported by the fund have raised capital in the millions, boosted their carbon removal capacity by about 80x, and increased their customer bases by about 40x.
The top three categories where the fund has invested are direct air capture, transportation, and products.
New Entrants to the fund
Let us have a look at some of the key new names in the fund. First up is DroneSeed. The company is utilizing legacy methods with new technology such as drones, to reforest areas that are affected by wildfires. This will mitigate the loss of forest cover. DroneSeed’s largest project yet is to replant 300 acres of forest in Oregon’s Beachie Creek. Shopify is buying forward-looking climate action reserves certified carbon offsets from the project.
Second is Remora, in the transportation space. Its solution captures carbon dioxide from semi-truck tailpipes as they drive, and the captured carbon dioxide is stored long-term. Remora is deploying its devices on semi-trucks over the next few months and purchases by Shopify will help to decarbonize shipping on land.
We round off our list with Twelve, whose solutions could have a significant impact on commercial aviation. The company transforms captured carbon dioxide to produce E-Jet, which is an aviation fuel with over 80% lower carbon footprint than jet fuel made from fossil fuels.
Significantly, through its first-of-its-kind agreement, Shopify’s purchase of E-Jet will help Twelve with scaling up while also driving the adoption of the fuel by commercial airlines as well as freight carriers.
Analysts’ Take
Wells Fargo analyst Jeff Cantwell has initiated coverage on the stock with a buy rating and a price target of $834. Overall, the Street is cautiously optimistic about the stock with a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 13 Buys and Holds each. The average Shopify price target of $982.44 implies a potential upside of 59.13% for Shopify.
Closing Thoughts
Shopify is taking significant steps in the fight to lower the impact of climate change. Its partnership provides these young companies with a much needed revenue stream, which also unlocks additional capital. Additionally, it is paving the way for other major companies to help decarbonize the planet.
While Shopify shares have suffered in the short term, with increasing focus of all stakeholders, including customers, partners, investors, and regulators on climate action, the company can reap massive rewards in the years to come.
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Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure
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Zynex Releases Q1 Expectations | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/shopify-is-paving-the-way-for-carbon-removal/ | 2022-04-12T20:59:34Z | tipranks.com | control | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/shopify-is-paving-the-way-for-carbon-removal/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The TON Foundation, one of the initiatives building atop Telegram’s blockchain project titled “The Open Network” (TON), has selected the TONcoin Fund as its official ecosystem fund.
The Open Network (TON), previously called Telegram Open Network, is a layer-1 blockchain that relies on a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism and was initially developed by the Telegram team.
It is highly compatible with the privacy-focused messaging app Telegram and offers ultra-fast transaction speeds, an intuitive interface, seamless integration with Telegram for easy user onboarding, and low fees.
Currently, the TON ecosystem is home to a diverse range of products and solutions, including wallets, exchanges, NFT marketplaces, utility dApps, bridges, mining solutions, blockchain explorers, decentralized channels, chatrooms, social networking dApps, gambling dApps, and much more.
The newly revealed TONcoin Fund features an initial collective fund of $250 million seeded by several noteworthy blockchain industry participants, including 3Commas Capital, Huobi Incubator, Kilo Fund, KuCoin Ventures, MEXC Pioneer Fund, Orbs, and TON Miners.
The TON Foundation has emphasized that this newly-launched ecosystem fund will distribute capital grants to support TON-based projects selected for incubation.
TONcoin Fund Managing Partner Benjamin Rameau notes, “The Open Network offers tremendous opportunities to achieve mass adoption of blockchain technology.
“TON may become the first blockchain network accessible to millions of users thanks to the Telegram integration efforts by the community via in-app bots as well as native interface proposals. TONcoin Fund is very excited to support the first decentralized exchanges, stable coins, NFT projects, and other dApps building on TON.”
The TON Foundation has also clarified that they have a well-defined roadmap to fully utilize the funds to support entrepreneurs and developers building on the TON blockchain.
To achieve this, the TON Foundation will cover all aspects, including incubation, investments, grants, and hackathons, while delivering educational materials to its community members. In addition, all incubated projects will be able to receive support and advice from the organizations and funds seeding the TONcoin fund, helping emerging projects amplify their reach.
According to Justin Hyun, TON Foundation’s Head of Incubation, “TONcoin Fund is the first ecosystem fund with Incubation Partners officially recognized by the TON Foundation. We also offer a competitive application process for teams that can demonstrate the ability to foster innovation and accelerate adoption within the TON ecosystem.
“We are excited for the projects that will start and grow from the TONcoin Fund and intend to fully support in advisory capacity and more.”
The Takeaway
By selecting high-performing teams as Incubation Partners, the TON Foundation aims to provide financial, technical, and operational support in a decentralized manner.
In turn, Incubation Partners will work together to support the TONcoin Fund to accelerate the growth and adoption of solutions built upon the TON blockchain.
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Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/toncoin-unveils-250-million-ecosystem-fund/ | 2022-04-12T20:59:40Z | tipranks.com | control | https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/toncoin-unveils-250-million-ecosystem-fund/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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