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(NEXSTAR) – The universe cruelly gave California resident Chris Sandberg one week to enjoy Taco Bell’s Grilled Stuft Nacho before it disappeared from menus across the country – and he’s been fighting to get it back ever since.
The content creator from the San Francisco Bay Area has, as of Saturday, worked out for 482 days straight and documented his transformation on TikTok in hopes of convincing the fast food company to once again feature the item, which was pulled in 2015, according to a Taco Bell fandom wiki page.
The Stuft Nacho was a triangle of stuffed tortilla, in the shape of a chip, that came packed with beef, cheesy jalapeño sauce, sour cream and crunchy red strips.
Sandberg, who was working at a restaurant at the time, tried it one day on a break between busy shifts and remembered thinking, “this is like happiness right now.”
“There’s this common view that most of the items from Taco Bell all taste the same, they taste like Taco Bell,” Sandberg explained. “I’m telling you, that cheesy jalapeño sauce is different for the Grilled Stuft Nacho, [it] hits different.”
Years later, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandberg found himself weighing nearly 300 pounds and at an increased risk of severe illness from the virus.
“That’s when it really started to click and it kind of put a fear in me,” he recalled, thinking back on how imperceptible the weight gain was in hindsight. He described how the weight gain seemed somehow more noticeable to other people than it was to himself.
“Like when people start calling you big guy, or I was in my friend’s phone as Big Chris and I had never considered myself as “Big Chris,” he said. “Your life just kind of slowly changes.”
Sandberg devoted himself to losing weight and said he dropped about 10 pounds before he happened upon the idea of his Stuft Nacho TikToks. Knowing it was for TikTok, he said he wanted to make the challenge niche, or a little bit weird – and his late, favorite Taco Bell menu item popped into his head.
Sandberg says he isn’t employed by Taco Bell in any way (he wishes), but the restaurant did give him a few gift cards after learning of his TikTok videos, as well as a special surprise.
“We’ve been watching and cheering on Chris since day one,” Nicole Weltman, head of social for Taco Bell, said in a statement. “When we saw his one year approaching, we wanted to recognize him and all he’s accomplished. And what better way to do that than bring the Grilled Stuft Nacho back, just for him, just for one day.”
“They gave me a jar of the sauce – it might be the only jar in existence and it’s in my fridge,” Sandberg said. “We’re saving it for a special occasion.”
His first TikTok, posted on Jan. 4, 2021, shows Sandberg out of breath, wearing blue workout shorts and a white Under Armour shirt, saying into the bathroom mirror, “Day one of exercising every day until Taco Bell brings back the Grilled Stuft Nacho.”
Since then he said he’s built a community of supporters on the social media platform who have helped him stay accountable, pushing through exhaustion and even injuries, including a torn labrum and a badly bruised knee.
While he has succeeded in his goal to lose weight, the return of the Grilled Stuft Nacho, his seemingly contradictory second goal, still eludes him.
“I understand the irony of me exercising every day for a fast food item, that’s not lost on me,” said Sandberg. Unlike some of his followers who fear he might lose the progress he’s made, however, Sandberg says he’s not concerned about what might happen if the menu item does return.
“Maybe there would have been a time during this when that might have been concern, but during the past 481 days I’ve built a strong enough routine when it comes to eating and exercising that if a torn labrum and a bruise the size of a baseball doesn’t stop [the exercising] then a Grilled Stuft Nacho, or two, or three, won’t stop it.”
In fact, Sandberg says he still eats at Taco Bell and reserves a day each week to eat “whatever the hell I want,” but it’s no longer the same order. While he used to spend $18 on an “insane” order, he now indulges in the occasional meal of one his backup favorites, such as the Crunchwrap Supreme.
When it comes to advice for others on their weight loss journey, Sandberg recommends talking to a doctor first, then creating a workout and dietary plan that can become a habit. If you’re changing your diet, make sure the food is both healthy and tastes good. If you’re working out, start with something you can do for a half hour a day that will eventually become engrained in your day.
“It got to the point I had a like a huge bruise on my knee and I didn’t think I could do the workouts anymore, but because I had made a habit, like I was sitting there on the bed going, ‘I don’t know what to do for this hour, I’ve always just exercised for this hour,” Sandberg said.
He also acknowledged that the weight loss aspect is not just mental and physical, it’s personal.
“A lot of times people ask for motivation,” Sandberg said, urging people to be patient with themselves. “It’s not what motivates me, it’s what motivates you.”
As for bringing back the Grilled Stuft Nacho, he says he’s as committed as ever.
“Doja Cat makes one TikTok, one TikTok, and everybody’s going nuts over the Mexican Pizza. I’d say I was jealous but I’m happy for them, and it gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, Taco Bell will bring it back at some point,” Sandberg said. “We just have to get bigger than Doja Cat.” | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/national-news/man-behind-viral-stuft-nacho-tiktoks-explains-how-he-lost-85-pounds-while-still-eating-taco-bell/ | 2022-05-03T15:58:54Z | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/national-news/man-behind-viral-stuft-nacho-tiktoks-explains-how-he-lost-85-pounds-while-still-eating-taco-bell/ | false |
MIAMI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JayVibe Records, Atlanta based independent record label, announced the upcoming Miami JayVibe Studios launch, on October 31st 2022, a new recording facility that provides world class services. The 2 studios were built with optimum acoustic properties for recording, production and mixing. The place proposes an in-house green screen studio and a video editing room, considering the explosion of music-based video content, as part of the core business.
Besides audio/video services, the studios provide online marketing for artists by giving fans access into the recording sessions through streaming videos. "The whole idea is to allow a super-fan to virtually attend the recording process or exclusive pre-launch listening sessions" explains Elam Jay, Producer, Director and JayVibe Records CEO.
The entirely self-made man, founded JayVibe Records in 2018, aiming to help other young talents, rich their own dreams. His choice to implement the recording studios in Miami, in a secured industrial area, along with other famous recording studios, was influenced by the impact that the Covid pandemic had over the city: massive migration of the music industry's professionals came here to stay.
Elam Jay debuted in the music industry, by signing a recording contract with Sony Music in 1996. With his international experience as a writer, composer and arranger for several artists in markets such as France, Morocco, Turkey or USA, he established himself in the industry as an eclectic producer.
In 2004 he owned the Universal Music licensee for the Moroccan territory, and founded a music label being a pioneer in the business in that region. Same year, Elam Jay was the first artist to be Coca Cola's spokesman for their North Africa and Middle East territories campaign.
Not only does JayVibe Studios Miami boast having such an accomplished producer leading the team, it also provides access to some of the most sought after musical instruments, amplifiers and recording equipments.
Along with all the professionalism and experience expected in the creation of great sounding music, JayVibe Studios Miami promises a comfortable time spent within its contemporary designed spaces, offering also 3 bedrooms for naps, kitchen and bathrooms to resource the long recording sessions.
JayVibe Studios Miami is excited to start its mission of capturing exceptional performances for artists at any level, and share an ever-expanding world community.
6175, NW 167 Street, 33015, Hialeah/ Miami Lakes
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SOURCE JAYVIBE RECORDS LLC | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/jayvibe-records-launch-luxury-recording-studios-miami/ | 2022-05-03T16:00:15Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/jayvibe-records-launch-luxury-recording-studios-miami/ | false |
Kt fights period stigma and poverty in partnership with PERIOD.
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kt by Knix, little sister brand to Global intimates and apparel company Knix, is excited to announce their #periodovershare charitable social campaign in partnership with PERIOD.
This initiative was built on the premise of normalizing conversations around periods and empowering people who menstruate to feel comfortable sharing their period stories. Starting May 2nd, 2022 until May 2023, when users tag @ktbyknix and @periodmovement with the inclusion of #periodovershare on social media, Kt will donate 1 of their reusable pads or 1 pair of leakproof underwear to PERIOD. to distribute among BIPOC and LGBTQIA2+ communities. To kickstart this initiative, Kt looked to some of their favorite content creators to share their period experiences. Creators include: Grace Rivers, Sierra Ann, Jasphine Bakhita, Kalista Dwyer, Heather Alysya and more!
Periods are an uncertain and overwhelming experience for many, especially with so many changes to the body. A survey conducted by Plan International UK found that "71% of girls admitted that they have felt embarrassed buying sanitary products." This partnership with PERIOD. was created for menstruators to have a space to speak about their changing bodies and menstruate with confidence. No one should feel shame in the face of stigma and these stories will empower others to find their voice and share.
"PERIOD. is proud to join the #periodovershare campaign to normalize conversations surrounding menstruation. At a time when nearly 1 in 4 students can't access or afford period products, we must boldly discuss periods in order to dismantle the stigma and taboo that has created the crisis of period poverty" says Executive Director at PERIOD., Michela Bedard "Gender equality can only be achieved through culture change as well as policy change." Since the start of the pandemic, lower-income communities across Canada and the US have experienced even more challenges than previous years in regards to the access of period products. Kt's partnership with PERIOD. will amplify awareness around period poverty and support communities that need it most.
Kt continues to empower, celebrate and amplify people to confidently fight stigmas associated with periods, encourage changing period care for the better, and be a champion youth in the process.
To learn more about Kt by Knix and this initiative please visit:
https://www.knixteen.com/pages/how-were-giving-back
____________________________________________________________________
About Kt by Knix
Little sister to global intimates brand Knix, Kt By Knix founded in 2017, is a brand built to guide menstruators through a pivotal moment - periods. With a wealth of experience in the intimates and period space, Joanna Griffiths, CEO & Founder of Knix and Kt by Knix, aims to educate and transform the way teens approach periods by harnessing young creatives to implement positive change and impact in the period space and beyond. This includes fighting period poverty and stigma through radical openness while giving back to communities in need.
About PERIOD.
PERIOD. is a youth-fueled nonprofit that strives to eradicate period poverty and stigma through service, education, and advocacy. Through the distribution of menstrual products, promotion of youth leadership, and championing of menstrual equity in policy, PERIOD. aims to center those disproportionately affected by period poverty and support local efforts for menstrual equity.
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SOURCE Knix | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/periodovershare/ | 2022-05-03T16:01:54Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/periodovershare/ | false |
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — The fire burning pine forests about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away from Priscilla Crespin’s home is the largest wildfire in the U.S. and the first to force the 81-year-old to leave the small northeastern New Mexico city where she has spent nearly all her life.
Crespin left her home in Las Vegas, New Mexico in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on Monday because smoke from the fire wasn't good for her asthma, her children were growing concerned and other family members who live nearby were making plans to leave.
On Tuesday, residents awoke to blue skies as the wind shifted — but afternoon gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph) were predicted to fan the blaze, making for extremely dangerous conditions and tough work for firefighters that is expected to last through the weekend.
“We are very concerned about very significant fire growth today,” said David Craft, a National Weather Service fire meteorologist in Albuquerque.
When Crespin's daughter showed up to take her to Albuquerque, fire crews were conducting fire prevention measures to try to make Crespin's home safer if flames approach it — cutting down trees, raking pine needles and spraying water on properties in the area near her home. She grabbed clothes, photos and essential documents.
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“It’s awful. It scares you,” Crespin said as she was driven away from her hometown. “You don’t know when it’s going to get to the houses.”
Even though no evacuations were ordered for the city of 13,000 people, the blaze that has charred 228 square miles (590 square kilometers) of mountainsides and meadows has prompted some residents to flee. It has destroyed at least 172 homes scattered through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and led to the evacuation of the state’s psychiatric hospital.
Crews are battling on several fronts to prevent the fire from pushing into more populated areas as its feeds on tinder-dry forests.
Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the drought-stricken West and they are moving faster and burning hotter than ever due to climate change, scientists and fire experts say. California for example has experienced the eight largest wildfires in state history over the last five years, while a destructive Colorado blaze tore through suburban neighborhoods last December.
Nationally, the National Interagency Fire Center reported Tuesday that a dozen uncontained large fires have burned about 400 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) in five states, including New Mexico. Nearly 3,500 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to fires burning across the country.
In northern New Mexico, numerous small villages remained under evacuation orders, including the town of Mora, which could face increased danger with an anticipated shift in winds that may send the fire toward it.
Residents in some outlying neighborhoods of Las Vegas were ready to leave their homes in the community that is the economic hub for the farming and ranching families who have lived for generations in New Mexico's northeastern corner. No evacuations had been ordered within the city as of Tuesday morning.
The county jail, the state’s psychiatric hospital and more than 200 students from the United World College have evacuated and businesses that remained open were having a hard time finding workers as more people were forced from their homes on the outskirts.
Crews got a bit of a break Monday afternoon as the wind diminished and helicopters were able to make water drops in key locations. Still, flames running along the ridges above town could be seen from the discount store, an empty baseball field and other vantage points.
The fire merged last week with another blaze that was sparked in early April when a prescribed fire set by land managers to reduce fire danger by burning small trees and brush that can fuel fires escaped containment. The cause of the other fire remains under investigation.
Another New Mexico wildfire burning in the mountains near Los Alamos National Laboratory prompted evacuations over the weekend and other communities were told to get ready to evacuate if conditions worsen. That blaze has reached the burn scars of wildfires that blackened the region a decade ago when New Mexico had one of its worst and most destructive seasons.
Associated Press writer Paul Davenport in Phoenix contributed to this report. Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Cedar Attanasio contributed reporting from Santa Fe. Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/wildfire-torching-new-mexico-pine-forests-keeps-growing/article_e8228421-58d8-57a2-9fd4-eb65375c2812.html | 2022-05-03T16:08:15Z | https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/wildfire-torching-new-mexico-pine-forests-keeps-growing/article_e8228421-58d8-57a2-9fd4-eb65375c2812.html | false |
(The Hill) – President Biden declared Tuesday that a woman’s right to have an abortion is “fundamental” and called on voters to elect more pro-abortion officials at the federal level in November so that Democrats can pass legislation protecting abortion rights.
“I believe that a woman’s right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned,” Biden said in a written statement released by the White House in response to a shocking leak of a Supreme Court opinion suggesting the high court is poised to overturn the decision in Roe v. Wade.
“If the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose,” Biden continued. “And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November.”
Biden acknowledged in the statement, issued just before he was scheduled to depart the White House for a trip to Alabama, that it’s unclear whether the leaked draft represents the court’s final decision.
“We do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court,” he said.
Biden also noted that the White House counsel’s office and the Gender Policy Council have been working on options to respond to potential outcomes in the Supreme Court case, work that began in the wake of bills restricting abortions in states like Texas.
In an extraordinary development, Politico reported late Monday on a leaked draft majority opinion written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito indicating the high court is poised to overturn the landmark 1973 decision on Roe v. Wade protecting the federal right to abortion.
The 67-page draft opinion, said to have been drafted in February, concludes that Roe and the Supreme Court’s 1992 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey are not grounded in the Constitution.
“We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives,” the draft opinion states.
The justices could change their votes up until a final opinion is publicly released, which is expected sometime in the next two months.
- Drew Barrymore apologizes after calling Depp-Heard trial a ‘seven-layer dip of insanity’
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Nevertheless, the leaked opinion sent shockwaves through Washington, with Democrats condemning the forthcoming decision as an assault on women’s rights. Some also revived a push to eliminate the legislative filibuster to pass abortion protections.
The leak of the draft opinion itself was highly unusual, representing an extraordinary breach of the high court’s inner workings. | https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/biden-declares-right-to-abortion-fundamental-after-leak-of-draft-supreme-court-opinion/ | 2022-05-03T16:11:16Z | https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/biden-declares-right-to-abortion-fundamental-after-leak-of-draft-supreme-court-opinion/ | false |
Project Roots is a community garden grows food to help with food insecurities. For more information, go to www.projectrootsaz.org
Project Roots is a community garden growing food to help with food insecurities
Posted at 8:47 AM, May 03, 2022
and last updated 2022-05-03 11:47:12-04
Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. | https://www.abc15.com/sonoranliving/project-roots-is-a-community-garden-growing-food-to-help-with-food-insecurities | 2022-05-03T16:12:41Z | https://www.abc15.com/sonoranliving/project-roots-is-a-community-garden-growing-food-to-help-with-food-insecurities | false |
Record 4.5M Americans quit their jobs in March as the Great Resignation continues: Workers seek more pay and better working conditions as bosses post 11.5M openings
- A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in March, continuing recent trends
- Job openings also hit record highs, with employers posting 11.5 million jobs
- Workers are leaving at record rates for jobs with better pay and conditions
- Tight labor market means wages could continue to rise, spurring more inflation
The number of Americans quitting their jobs hit a record high in March, as job openings also shattered prior records and gave workers their pick of more lucrative opportunities.
Job openings, a measure of labor demand, rose by 205,000 to 11.5 million on the last day of March, the Labor Department said in its monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report, on Tuesday.
With opportunities abundant, the number of people quitting their jobs rose to 4.5 million in March, the most resignations in a month since records began in 2000.
The latest data suggest that with demand for workers still white-hot, employers could continue to raise wages and help keep inflation uncomfortably high.
Job openings, a measure of labor demand, rose by 205,000 to 11.5 million on the last day of March, the highest level on record
Job openings rose for the second straight month, hitting their highest level on record and surpassing economist estimates. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 11 million vacancies.
In March, the number of new hires was little changed at 6.7 million. The hires rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent. Hires were little changed in all industries and in all four regions.
The number of total separations, including quits, layoffs and firings, edged up to 6.3 million, driven primarily by increases in voluntary resignations.
Quits increased significantly in professional and business services (+88,000) and construction (+69,000). The number of quits increased in the South region.
Over the 12 months ending in March, hires totaled 77.7 million and separations totaled 71.4 million, yielding a net employment gain of 6.3 million.
Those totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.
A 'Now Hiring' sign is displayed on a business window in Salem, New Hampshire in March
The JOLTS data is being closely watched by Federal Reserve officials, who have adopted an aggressive monetary policy stance as they battle sky-rocketing inflation, with annual consumer prices surging at rates last seen 40 years ago.
The government reported last week that compensation for American workers notched its largest increase in more than three decades in the first quarter.
The Fed is expected to hike interest rates by half of a percentage point on Wednesday, and soon likely to start trimming its asset holdings.
The U.S. central bank raised its policy interest rate by 25 basis points in March.
Bolstering the case for rate hikes, the unemployment rate, at 3.6 percent, is just above the half-century low it reached just before the pandemic.
Employers are also raising wages quickly, but many of those gains are being wiped out by soaring prices.
ADP's private payroll report is due out on Wednesday, and the Labor Department will release its US unemployment report for April on Friday.
Developing story, more to follow. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10778961/Record-4-5M-Americans-quit-jobs-March-Great-Resignation-continues.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-05-03T16:18:57Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10778961/Record-4-5M-Americans-quit-jobs-March-Great-Resignation-continues.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | true |
Psychic helps find friend’s missing son in Michigan woods
KI SAWYER, Mich. (WLUC) - A Michigan woman says she used her psychic abilities to help search and rescue crews find her friend’s adult son after he went missing in the woods.
Austin Larson went missing last Wednesday in a wooded area while working on his truck at his grandparents’ barn in Skandia, Michigan. When his phone died and he did not return, his mother, Jessica Larson, got nervous.
Jessica Larson said that because of the cold night, she worried her son would succumb to the elements. She also told WLUC about a similar incident in 2018 when her brother went missing.
“It was almost deja vu,” Jessica Larson said. “It brought back the adrenaline rush.”
For nearly 24 hours, search and rescue teams looked for Austin Larson, using K-9s and other law enforcement resources.
Kat Girard, a KI Sawyer resident, has known Jessica Larson since high school. When she saw her son was missing, she decided she wanted to help.
“I saw her post on Facebook,” Girard said. “As soon as I saw it, I sent her a message. I said, ‘Let me know the address. I need a map.’”
Girard has a more unique way of helping than others. She calls herself a natural-born psychic medium and says she has used her abilities to find missing people in the past.
“I’m a part of psychic groups, and they post different missing people,” Girard said. “I’ve helped find other people before.”
To find Austin Larson, Girard said her spirit guides helped use a map of the wooded area to hone in on a spot. She then drew a blue circle on her phone and sent it to Jessica Larson, telling her that was where she believed her son would be.
At around 2:45 p.m. Thursday, Austin Larson was found in the same location she had identified in a different area of the woods than where search and rescue teams were looking.
“I’m just glad that [Jessica] listened to what I had to say, and I’m happy [Austin]’s in the hospital and getting better,” Girard said.
Jessica Larson is grateful for Girard.
“My family and I want to thank you, and we’re extremely grateful for your gift,” she said. “It’s godsent. This is a miracle.”
Jessica Larson said her son was in stable condition after the incident and was expected to remain in the hospital over the weekend.
Copyright 2022 WLUC via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/2022/05/03/psychic-helps-find-friends-missing-son-michigan-woods/ | 2022-05-03T16:19:27Z | https://www.wistv.com/2022/05/03/psychic-helps-find-friends-missing-son-michigan-woods/ | false |
Schumer vows abortion law vote, but not filibuster changes
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer angrily denounced as an “abomination” the Supreme Court’s leaked draft decision that would overturn the nation’s landmark Roe v. Wade law and vowed that if it stands the Senate will vote on legislation to uphold women’s access to abortions.
Schumer said the conservative justices “lied” to the Senate during confirmation hearings when they assured senators the case that since 1973 has allowed abortion access was settled law. He said with the draft opinion circulating, “the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years — not just on women, but on all Americans.”
“This is a dark and disturbing morning in America,” Schumer said as he opened the Senate on Tuesday.
But the Democratic leader stopped short of promising to change Senate filibuster rules to allow Democrats to overcome Republican obstruction and pass legislation that would salvage the landmark abortion law on their own, as some party advocates are demanding.
Schumer does not have the votes within the Democrats’ razor-thin 50-vote majority to muscle through a rules change in the Senate that would allow Democrats to push past what is typically a 60-vote threshold on big bills.
Instead, the Democrats shifted attention swiftly and intently on the chamber’s two most prominent Republicans who support abortion access — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Both had refused to help Democrats stop confirmation of the Trump-era judges who tipped the Supreme Court’s majority to conservatives and are now putting the landmark Roe vs. Wade law at risk.
Collins in a morning statement pointed blame back to the justices themselves, personally singling out two of the three Trump-era judges, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, she had supported for confirmation.
Collins said if the leaked draft opinion on abortion becomes the ruling of the court, “it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.”
The Maine Republican helped confirm both of those nominees, though she did not vote for Justice Amy Coney Barrett because the nomination came so close to the 2020 election, when the presidency was being decided and she also faced a stiff re-election race.
Murkowski did not immediately comment. The Alaska senator who is up for reelection this year and did not vote for Kavanaugh after his explosive confirmation hearings over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman acquaintance during high school. She did give her support to Gorsuch and Barrett.
Other Republican senators slammed the unusual leak of the high-profile draft opinion as an attempt to bully the court.
The Republican leader Mitch McConnell complained about “unhinged” Democratic rhetoric and said the leak should be “investigated and punished to the fullest extent of the law.” Chief Justice John Roberts, confirming the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion, on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the leak.
Schumer said the Republican senators will have to answer to voters in this fall’s election — signaling the Democrats prefer to fight the issue on the campaign trail than in Congress.
Schumer said “the blame for this decision falls squarely on Republican senators” who voted to confirm justices that solidified the court’s conservative majority.
Conservatives have been focused for years working behind the scenes to undo the nation’s 1973 abortion law, and Republican senators made judicial nominations their top priority during Donald Trump’s time in the White House.
Trump was able to nominate and have the Senate confirm three justices, engineering a wholesale revamping of the high court, now with a solid conservative 6-3 majority.
As GOP leader, McConnell stunned Washington at the start of the 2016 presidential campaign season when he refused to allow the Senate to consider then-president Barack Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland, for a high court vacancy, holding the position open until Trump won election to become president that fall.
McConnell then marshalled into place a Senate rules change to enable Republicans to bypass a Democratic filibuster and approve Supreme Court nominees on a simple 51-vote threshold — going further than Democrats had done on their own earlier rules change to allow majority confirmation of lower-level posts.
Late Monday, a draft of the court’s majority decision was leaked and reported showing the majority’s intent to overturn the abortion law. It is unclear if the draft circulating will be the court’s final decision on the case, which is expected by late June.
A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. Crowds gathered overnight at the Supreme Court, which sits across the street from the U.S. Capitol and can be seen from the House and Senate.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kait8.com/2022/05/03/schumer-vows-abortion-law-vote-not-filibuster-changes/ | 2022-05-03T16:19:58Z | https://www.kait8.com/2022/05/03/schumer-vows-abortion-law-vote-not-filibuster-changes/ | false |
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa state board has approved an $8 million payment to an Illinois man who was left permanently disabled when he was hit in 2019 by an Iowa Transportation Department snow plow.
On Monday, the three-member Iowa State Appeal Board approved the settlement to Terry Bunting, 64, of Viola, Illinois, the Des Moines Register reported.
Officials have said Bunting was clearing the windshield of his semitrailer in January 2019 after pulling over on U.S. Highway 67 in Le Claire when he was hit by the blade of a passing IDOT plow. Court records say the driver of the plow saw Bunting and moved to retract the plow's blade, but pulled the wrong lever, leaving it extended.
The impact caused acute kidney and spine injuries and multiple broken bones and left Bunting paralyzed. Bunting has already accumulated more than $1.25 in medical bills, records show.
Experts estimated the cost Bunting’s future medical and other care could exceed $7 million. | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Iowa-to-pay-8M-settlement-to-Illinois-man-hit-by-17144323.php | 2022-05-03T16:22:26Z | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Iowa-to-pay-8M-settlement-to-Illinois-man-hit-by-17144323.php | false |
4-year-old shot in head by 9-year-old handling gun, deputies in Texas say
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTVT) - A 4-year-old boy was shot in the head Monday, and authorities said the gun was fired by his 9-year-old brother.
The sheriff’s department is now trying to piece together how that boy got the gun, as the younger child fights for his life in critical condition.
The 9-year-old boy was seen standing with his hands bagged as a shooting investigation swirled around him.
Investigators say the accidental shooting happened around 12:20 p.m. Monday. They believe he got the gun from an uncle.
“An uncle was visiting the residence. He does not normally live there, and he had a gun. The 9-year-old male found the gun and accidentally discharged, striking the 4-year-old in the head,” said Major Susan Cotter of Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
In the immediate aftermath, family members drove the little boy to a nearby hospital, where he was taken via lifeflight to the medical center.
Investigators say because there were seven or eight people at the house during the shooting, a number of people were seen with bags over their hands.
Neighbors who are used to the quietness of suburban life said the proliferation of guns is making them nervous.
“That’s all you hear all the time all day is more shootings. Since the guns, you’ve been able to be free with guns. It’s horrible,” an unidentified neighbor said.
Copyright 2022 KTRK via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/2022/05/03/4-year-old-shot-head-by-9-year-old-handling-gun-deputies-texas-say/ | 2022-05-03T16:30:37Z | https://www.valleynewslive.com/2022/05/03/4-year-old-shot-head-by-9-year-old-handling-gun-deputies-texas-say/ | false |
CHICAGO (WGN) — High school students between the ages of 14 to 19 can work out for free at any of Planet Fitness’ clubs this summer.
The company says the program, which runs from May 16 to Aug. 31, is part of their High School Summer Pass Initiative and aims at improving teens’ mental and physical health.
The program was formally known as the Teen Summer Challenge, which launched in 2019 and saw more than 900,000 teens sign up and complete more than 5.5 million workouts over a three-and-a-half-month period, according to the company.
High schoolers can visit the website to pre-register and get a reminder to formally sign up when the program kicks off on May 16.
Teens under 18 must register with a parent or guardian online or in-club.
According to the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, less than 15% of teens met the 60-minute daily physical activity recommendation during the pandemic.
All participants who sign up are automatically entered into the Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Sweepstakes.
The company will award one $500 scholarship in each state, and the District of Columbia, and one $5,000 scholarship grand prize at the end of the summer. The scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities or programs.
The company also has COVID-19 protocols in place:
- Touchless check-in via the free Planet Fitness app – available to all High School Summer Pass participants
- A Crowd Meter on the Planet Fitness App that allows members to check club capacity in real-time
- Increased sanitization to continually clean and sanitize high-touch areas, with cleaning stations available for member use
- Mask policies in accordance with local guidelines | https://www.pahomepage.com/news/teens-can-work-out-for-free-all-summer-at-planet-fitness/ | 2022-05-03T16:30:44Z | https://www.pahomepage.com/news/teens-can-work-out-for-free-all-summer-at-planet-fitness/ | true |
Couple robbed of $40,000 at gunpoint while visiting California
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) - An Atlanta couple is shaken after they were robbed at gunpoint in California.
The thieves made an escape with about $40,000 worth of stolen items.
“Our peace has definitely been broken. My heart is hurting, but I am thankful, and I’m grateful to be alive,” victim Toland Stallworth said.
What was meant to be a happy day turned into a nightmare scenario Saturday for Toland and Regina Stallworth.
The couple was in Oakland, California, over the weekend to celebrate Toland Stallworth’s grandmother’s 91st birthday.
Hours before the party, the couple was robbed at gunpoint while walking to their car near Jack London Square.
“I still see the guns. The only thing I was waiting on was the shot. I knew that Saturday was going to be the day that I died,” Toland Stallworth said.
He said they walked out of a restaurant that afternoon and suddenly found themselves surrounded by three men. Two of the men pressed guns to the couple’s head.
The Stallworths say that the thieves stole around $40,000 worth of goods. Items include cash that they had for the trip, Regina Stallworth’s purse and Toland Stallworth’s jewelry.
In spite of the loss, the couple said they were determined not to let it ruin the reason they traveled in the first place.
“Those guys took a lot of items from me, but they left me with my life, and that was the most beautiful thing, was able to still show up at that party,” Toland Stallworth said.
Toland Stallworth said after becoming a victim to crime, he is urging city leaders to do more to keep visitors and residents safe.
“You don’t have adequate security or policing. You don’t have surveillance. You don’t have cameras,” he said. “Your laws are so strict that if you’re not going to protect us, you’re not even going to allow me to protect myself.”
His wife said she agrees and is hesitant about visiting the Bay Area again.
“I love the city. It’s beautiful, but with what happened to us, I can’t come back,” Regina Stallworth said.
The couple said that despite the traumatic experience, they were moved by the outpouring of support they received from the community.
One man stayed with them for hours after the incident to make sure that they were alright.
“We had people come up to us placing money in our hand, telling us they’re sorry for what happened, and they don’t want us to have that impression of their city,” Regina Stallworth said.
As the couple heads home to Atlanta, they say they do not know what the future holds, but they plan to take it one day at a time.
“Everything has been violated. My peace, my heart, you know, and me personally, I don’t know what to expect when I get back home,” Toland Stallworth said.
Copyright 2022 KGO via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/2022/05/03/couple-robbed-40000-gunpoint-while-visiting-california/ | 2022-05-03T16:31:36Z | https://www.valleynewslive.com/2022/05/03/couple-robbed-40000-gunpoint-while-visiting-california/ | false |
Strategic move is third since 2021 for semi-trailer leasing leader
DENVER, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boxwheel Trailer Leasing (www.boxwheel.com), a leading provider of semi-trailer rentals, leases, and sales, with physical rental locations in Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Reno, is pleased to announce the asset acquisition of Fleet Trailer Leasing, located in El Paso, TX. This acquisition enables customers in the El Paso and Juarez, Mexico, semi-trailer rental and leasing markets to benefit from Boxwheel's deep trailer rental expertise, expanded geographic coverage, and wide network of industry connections.
"Fleet Trailer has a long history in the El Paso and Juarez markets and is widely respected in the industry," said Boxwheel Co-Founder Mike DiPaolo. "We'll continue to provide the exceptional service Fleet Trailer customers are accustomed to and look forward to continuing and building strong relationships with El Paso/Juarez-area customers as we operate under the Boxwheel company name."
This is Boxwheel's third strategic expansion since 2021. It follows the company's acquisitions of All-Ways Leasing's assets in Denver and Prime Trailer Leasing's branches in Salt Lake City and Reno.
Boxwheel—with support from Houston-based private equity firm Crosstimbers Capital Group and lender Hancock Whitney Bank—plans to continue driving growth in target markets both organically and through acquisitions.
About Boxwheel Trailer Leasing
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Denver, CO, Boxwheel provides dry van, flat bed, and refrigerated units for rental, lease, or sale to customers seeking long-haul, cartage, and storage solutions.
Boxwheel is proud to serve the Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Reno, and now El Paso markets. The company strives to make leasing a trailer affordable, safe, and easy. Boxwheel employees consider it a privilege to be actively involved in the communities they serve.
Local Contact Information
Organization: Boxwheel Trailer Leasing
Address: 9001 East 96th Avenue Henderson, CO 80640
Phone: (720) 990-1219
Email: andre@boxwheel.com
About Crosstimbers Capital Group
Based in Houston, TX, Crosstimbers Capital Group provides formation capital to scalable platform companies that acquire, develop, and operate hard assets. For more information visit www.crosstimbers.com.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boxwheel-trailer-leasing-acquires-fleet-trailer-leasing-el-paso-tx-location-301537767.html
SOURCE Boxwheel Trailer Leasing | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_stocks/boxwheel-trailer-leasing-acquires-fleet-trailer-leasing-el-paso-tx-location/article_18db3a25-e982-50a4-ae31-69fcd65f0265.html | 2022-05-03T16:32:12Z | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_stocks/boxwheel-trailer-leasing-acquires-fleet-trailer-leasing-el-paso-tx-location/article_18db3a25-e982-50a4-ae31-69fcd65f0265.html | false |
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. (WXIN) — A veterinarian accused of several counts of animal cruelty and assault in New York state was arrested Saturday by police and an ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Unit.
Veterinarian Javier Diaz, owner of Main Street Animal Hospital in the village of Elmsford, is accused of physically abusing pets at his clinic on six different occasions.
During one of the incidents, Diaz reportedly kicked a three-legged senior German shepherd in the chest and twisted and pulled the dog’s ear so hard that it “screamed incessantly,” wrote the SPCA Westchester in a Facebook post.
The veterinarian is then said to have kicked the dog again in its jaw, which caused the shepherd to jerk its head back, according to the post. A veterinary assistant who was holding the dog in place got hit by the dog’s head and suffered a bloody nose.
SPCA Westchester also said Diaz cut a 2-month-old kitten’s gums and palate after shoving a nail clipper designed for dogs into its mouth.
Additionally, Diaz is accused of punching a Shiba Inu in the ribs, punching a Chihuahua to “make it stop crying,” choking a Shih Tzu almost to the point of unconsciousness, and jabbing a Labrador retriever in the ribs with a nail clipper and twisting its paw.
As of Monday, Diaz was still listed as a staff member on Main Street Animal Hospital’s website.
He was also charged with forgery for giving a pet owner a certificate of rabies vaccination and charging for the vaccine without actually administering a shot, according to the Yonkers Times. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/new-york-vet-charged-accused-of-punching-kicking-pets-in-his-care/ | 2022-05-03T16:33:38Z | https://www.wjhl.com/news/new-york-vet-charged-accused-of-punching-kicking-pets-in-his-care/ | false |
US will recover all jobs lost during pandemic by July, report says
(CNN) - The U.S. job market is close to hitting a major milestone in the COVID-19 economic recovery.
According to Fitch Ratings, the labor force has nearly regained all the positions lost during the pandemic.
The US economy gained 431,000 jobs in March. Fitch reports that all jobs lost at the onset of the pandemic are expected to be fully recovered by July.
Fitch reports that 13 states have already filled the employment opportunities lost since the start of COVID. Those include Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, South Dakota, Utah and Colorado.
Still, there is one major caveat – economists say the job market is still down due to a loss of positions that would have developed had the pandemic not shut down development.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/2022/05/03/us-will-recover-all-jobs-lost-during-pandemic-by-july-report-says/ | 2022-05-03T16:33:48Z | https://www.ktre.com/2022/05/03/us-will-recover-all-jobs-lost-during-pandemic-by-july-report-says/ | false |
$20 Million in Equity Financing and New Executive Hires Will Support Continued Growth
SEATTLE, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Possible Finance (Possible), the mission-driven fintech company that offers life-changing financial services for underserved consumers, announced today an additional $20 million in equity funding, key executive hires and the launch of their new credit card and cash advance products – Possible Card and Possible Cash. These products build on the success of Possible's first product, the Possible Loan – a short-term, small-dollar installment loan designed to help the one in three American adults who struggle to access affordable credit and fall victim to predatory lending practices. Currently available in 21 states, Possible has provided over 1.65 million small-dollar loans to over half a million customers since 2019.
The Possible Card is not a traditional credit card with interest charges or penalty fees. Instead, Possible built a revolutionary card designed to protect members from mounting debt and improve long-term financial habits. It is the only unsecured credit card on the market with no interest or late fees – ever – and just one simple flat monthly fee. Designed specifically for those undervalued by the current financial system, Possible Card does not require a credit score check for approval and utilizes Possible's existing proprietary cash-flow credit risk technology. The company also announced Possible Cash, the first and only cash advance offering that gives customers the opportunity to qualify for an unsecured credit card. Customers who build successful track records of repayment on Possible Cash will be automatically pre-approved for a Possible Card. These offerings will allow Possible to reach more underserved consumers who need quick and affordable access to capital without jeopardizing their progress toward long-term financial health.
"We started Possible to help people break the debt cycle caused by predatory financial products while also building up their credit history," said Tony Huang, Co-Founder and CEO of Possible Finance. "When we realized many of our customers escaped the payday debt cycle only to jump right into a similar trap caused by credit card debt, we knew Possible could offer a better solution. Existing credit card companies work just like payday lenders – they profit by intentionally lending to vulnerable consumers knowing they won't be able to make timely payments. To reimagine the credit card, our team applied the same principles, data and technologies we built for the Possible Loan. I am excited to bring the Possible Card to underserved consumers who desperately need a better option."
Today, Possible also announced it has raised $20 million in new equity funding to fuel growth and expand its team. This round includes existing investors Union Square Ventures, Canvas Ventures and Unlock Venture Partners, as well as new investor Euclidean Capital. Possible has also recently partnered with Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC, to accelerate the development and scale access to these critical new products. The bank partnership with Coastal is a critical component of Possible's growth strategy, enabling the company to design and build more innovative products at scale.
"Possible has built the foundations of a very special consumer brand that can reset the current misalignment of economic incentives between financial services providers and their lower-income customers," said John Buttrick, Partner at Union Square Ventures, about the firm's reasons for doubling down on the Possible team. "We continue to be excited by Possible's innovative approach to expand product offerings. And we are delighted to welcome the Euclidean Capital team on this journey with us."
Possible has expanded the company's leadership team to include former Venmo Head of Marketing, Kevin Platshon, as Chief Marketing Officer; former Capital One Senior Credit Officer and Genesis Financial Risk leader, Ellen Falbo, as Chief Credit Officer and former president of Credit Sesame, Jesse Levey, as Chief Product Officer.
About Possible Finance
Possible Finance is on a mission to help communities break the debt cycle and unlock economic mobility for generations to come. The company provides an opportunity for any customer, regardless of their credit score, with quick and affordable access to capital and a guided path toward long-term financial health. Founded in 2017, Possible is recognized by consumer advocacy groups and customers alike as a leader in shaping the future of financial services to be equitable and affordable for all. To learn more about Possible, visit www.possiblefinance.com.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/possible-finance-introduces-new-products-to-help-underserved-consumers-improve-financial-health-301538516.html
SOURCE Possible Finance | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_stocks/possible-finance-introduces-new-products-to-help-underserved-consumers-improve-financial-health/article_a691e4c0-84a9-5d1a-b9f7-ddfc6b012b89.html | 2022-05-03T16:34:38Z | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_stocks/possible-finance-introduces-new-products-to-help-underserved-consumers-improve-financial-health/article_a691e4c0-84a9-5d1a-b9f7-ddfc6b012b89.html | false |
The FWC will meet to discuss regulations on businesses that deal with lizards and other reptiles
Published: May. 3, 2022 at 5:46 AM EDT|Updated: 6 hours ago
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is meeting again in Gainesville.
The commission will be discussing regulations on businesses that deal with lizards and other reptiles.
TRENDING STORY: Alachua County Fire Rescue saved a crow from a tree at Park Avenue Business Park
They welcome public input during this meeting.
Commissioners will start their meeting at 8:30 a.m.
Copyright 2022 WCJB. All rights reserved. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. | https://www.wcjb.com/2022/05/03/fwc-will-meet-discuss-regulations-businesses-that-deal-with-lizards-other-reptiles/ | 2022-05-03T16:35:19Z | https://www.wcjb.com/2022/05/03/fwc-will-meet-discuss-regulations-businesses-that-deal-with-lizards-other-reptiles/ | false |
(NEXSTAR) – A leaked document authored by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito suggests the majority of the court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a Politico report published Monday. If true, the ruling would effectively end protections on abortion rights at a federal level, allowing states to enforce their own laws regarding access to abortion.
Assuming the document — a draft opinion — is legitimate, it does not mean Roe v. Wade would be overturned immediately. Justices are allowed to change their votes before the announcement of a formal ruling, which isn’t expected until next month at the earliest.
Still, more than a dozen states have already enacted “trigger laws” — laws that are currently unenforceable, but may go into effect upon a change in federal policy — that would severely limit or outlaw abortion access once a decision is announced. Others have older, pre-Roe v. Wade laws still on the books that could potentially be enforced if the landmark 1973 decision is struck down.
That’s not to say many of these states, and others, haven’t already tried to place restrictions or limitations on abortion access, despite the protections afforded by the federal government. Several have passed “heartbeat” bills that would prohibit abortion after six weeks, while many require waiting periods or mandatory counseling before a procedure. And in Texas, lawmakers passed a bill that allow private citizens to sue abortion providers who perform the procedure after approximately six weeks of pregnancy — which, despite challenges, the Supreme Court has allowed to remain in effect. Oklahoma’s lawmakers voted to approve a similar bill this month.
Upon news of a possible forthcoming Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade (and Planned Parenthood v. Casey), lawmakers in states across the country have since vowed to protect abortion rights, including N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, among other Democratic governors across the country.
Protections for abortion are already codified or “explicitly” permitted on a state level in 16 states and D.C., according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion-rights research group focused on sexual and reproductive health. Some states have also been working to expand protections to abortion providers since learning of the possibility that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. Among the most recent, Connecticut passed a bill to protect abortion providers from being sued for performing abortions on out-of-state patients, and Colorado’s governor signed into law a bill that would guarantee abortion rights in the state.
Monday’s news has also prompted President Biden to comment on the possibility of Roe v. Wade’s reversal.
“I believe that a woman’s right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned,” Biden said, after warning that the authenticity of the draft opinion published by Politico was unverified. In the event the draft is genuine and reflects a final decision, he urged state lawmakers to uphold abortion rights, and voters to elect “pro-choice officials” in November.
“At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law,” he said. | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/in-absence-of-roe-v-wade-which-states-could-eliminate-abortion-access/ | 2022-05-03T16:38:17Z | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/in-absence-of-roe-v-wade-which-states-could-eliminate-abortion-access/ | true |
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Frustrated conservatives wanting to push the Republican-controlled Indiana Legislature further to the right are trying to unseat several GOP lawmakers in Tuesday’s primary.
Roughly two dozen so-called liberty candidates are in Republican legislative races across the state, with their targets including several top-ranking members of the GOP-dominated House.
Those challengers argue the Legislature hasn’t been aggressive enough in attempting to ban abortion, enhancing gun rights and overturning COVID-19 restrictions that were ordered by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Republican legislative leaders argue the “no compromise” stances adopted by many challengers aren’t practical and tout the state’s low taxes and unemployment and broad private school voucher program among its conservative successes.
Unlike in other GOP races across the country —including Ohio, which also has a statewide primary on Tuesday— the Indiana legislative contests have focused on state issues, rather than which candidate is closest to former President Donald Trump or has his support.
The challengers say they are tapping into a deep resentment among voters — and even winning a few seats could nudge the Legislature further to the right.
Because of early voting and the timing of the leak of a draft opinion late Monday that suggested Roe v. Wade could be overturned, it was unclear how it would impact the primary. Indiana lawmakers held off in this year’s session pursuing major anti-abortion action as they awaited a U.S. Supreme Court decision. Those lawmakers might ask Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to call the Legislature into a special session so they could take action without having to wait until 2023.
Indiana law generally prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with 99% of abortions in the state occurring at 13 weeks or earlier, according to a state Health Department report.
The House GOP campaign operation has given over $1 million to candidates for the primary — including those trying to unseat Republican Reps. Curt Nisly of Milford and John Jacob of Indianapolis, both heroes of the “liberty candidate” challengers for proposals blocked by legislative leaders, including a total abortion ban and seeking to void all state COVID-19 restrictions as far back as late 2020.
Meanwhile, the Liberty Defense PAC, which has worked to rally support for its endorsed candidates, had raised a total of about $95,000 by the end of March.
“Some of our incumbents are facing very, very engaged opponents,” Republican House Speaker Todd Huston said. “You can’t take any chances. Our team has been doing everything they need to do, knocking on doors, lots of voter contacts, those types of things. Nobody should take it lightly.”
Some challengers say their movement grew from protests against COVID-19 shutdowns and complaints that GOP legislators didn’t take action to end Holcomb’s executive orders, including a mask mandate.
Brittany Carroll, a family law attorney from Greenwood running against Rep. Peggy Mayfield of Martinsville, said too many government officials, from Holcomb to local school board members, had ignored concerns from the public and favored monied interests. She and other challengers said they weren’t deterred by heavy spending to defeat them.
“Trying to buy these seats for certain people, that’s not government of the people, that’s government of the Statehouse,” Carroll said.
The “liberty candidates” are predominantly running in heavily Republican districts, so even primary wins by far-right challengers would likely provide few opportunities for Democrats to dent the GOP’s current 71-29 House majority.
But victories by Nisly and Jacob and some of their allies could prove a major thorn for Huston and other legislative leaders, said Mike Murphy, a former Republican legislator from Indianapolis and past Marion County GOP chair.
“Then Huston has to deal with them, he can’t just censor them or say they’re inappropriate,” Murphy said. “He’s actually got to negotiate.”
___
Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics | https://pix11.com/ap-political/indiana-gop-lawmakers-resisting-many-hard-right-challengers/ | 2022-05-03T16:42:14Z | https://pix11.com/ap-political/indiana-gop-lawmakers-resisting-many-hard-right-challengers/ | false |
‘Love is going to win’: Drag queen DJing dance for high schoolers defends event
By Kristina Rex
Click here for updates on this story
NEWBURYPORT, Massachusetts (WBZ) — It all started with an Instagram post, advertising a dance for high schoolers hosted by Newburyport Youth Services joint with North Shore Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth. The DJ, drag queen Miz Diamond Wigfall of Salem, was set to perform.
The dance for 9th through 12th graders was set for May 13 at the St. John’s Masonic Lodge, until Massachusetts State Senate candidate Kari MacRae got wind of the event.
MacRae, a Republican from Cape Cod, says she received tips from parents on the Facebook group Massachusetts Informed Parents, of their concern regarding this particular DJ choice for the event.
“Parents were concerned,” MacRae told WBZ, which she says prompted her to make calls from her home on the Cape up to the North Shore. The particular issue she says parents had with Miz Wigfall? “Just some of the content that’s available for the kids to see” online, she explained. “Some things that were more risqué for a drag show skewed to adults, not towards children.”
MacRae was specifically referencing some music videos online with sexual innuendo that feature Miz Wigfall.
When asked if a drag performer with more G-rated content would be an issue for herself and parents, Ms. MacRae replied, “I don’t think it would have been. I really don’t think it would’ve been. I think the issue was really this particular individual.”
That particular individual is AJ, or “Miz Diamond Wigfall,” as she’s known in her weekly performances at Gulu Gulu Cafe in Salem. “I am literally just bringing age-appropriate music, performances, just something to uplift and like make sure kids know that they have a safe, inclusive, loving space to just be themselves for two hours,” Diamond told WBZ, joking, “Wow! What a crazy thing to want for people.”
Diamond told WBZ she regularly performs age-appropriate shows for younger audiences and reads to kids at local libraries. She takes issue with the assertion that her more adult content speaks for all of her work. “Artists are meant to create art for different ages, communities, like that’s what professionals do,” she explained. “So to me, like you wouldn’t really understand the art from of drag if you didn’t understand that it is for everyone. It is for all kinds of people.”
The May 13 dance is not canceled. MacRae’s complaints did cause the St. John’s Lodge to back out of hosting the dance. As soon as word spread of the lack of venue,
The First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church in Newburyport immediately offered to host the dance. As of Monday night, it’s unclear where it will take place.
Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon released a statement saying, in part, “The dance…was planned to incorporate age appropriate representations of LGBTQ culture, and the inclusion of a DJ in Drag was something students wanted and were excited about. The event has been grossly mischaracterized by a handful of bad faith actors…”
Diamond says one thing is for certain: the show will go on. “We are not worried,” she explained. “Like honestly, I could sit here and be angry or upset at somebody for kind of dropping the ball and their responsibility to the community, but that’s not what’s gonna happen,” she said. “Love is going to win and someone else is going to host it that deserves it.”
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. | https://kion546.com/cnn-regional/2022/05/03/love-is-going-to-win-drag-queen-djing-dance-for-high-schoolers-defends-event/ | 2022-05-03T16:42:26Z | https://kion546.com/cnn-regional/2022/05/03/love-is-going-to-win-drag-queen-djing-dance-for-high-schoolers-defends-event/ | true |
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Tuesday morning's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Daily 4 Morning" game were:
9-0-4-2, FIREBALL: 3
(nine, zero, four, two; FIREBALL: three)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Tuesday morning's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Daily 4 Morning" game were:
9-0-4-2, FIREBALL: 3
(nine, zero, four, two; FIREBALL: three) | https://www.theintelligencer.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-4-Morning-game-17144350.php | 2022-05-03T16:44:13Z | https://www.theintelligencer.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-4-Morning-game-17144350.php | false |
The film's star Benedict Cumberbatch attended the Hollywood premiere of Marvel's latest adventure.
"We're edging ever close to what it's about, which is delivering the next chapter of the MCU to them," said Cumberbatch. "And I'm so excited to watch it with a fan audience and a home crowd tonight and for it to be launched among the world."
Elizabeth Olsen is in on all the action, once again playing the Scarlet Witch.
"He drags me into his mess and then chaos ensues," said Olsen.
Rachel McAdams jokes that she never saw herself as a sci-fi star.
"No, no. That was not on the little kindergarten sheet: 'What are you gonna be when you grow up?' I think I said nurse, teacher," said McAdams.
Xochitl Gomez is getting an education in action as a key part of the cast. But at the movie's premiere, she practiced keeping tight lipped.
"I'm just dying to tell you everything, but I can't,' said Gomez.
"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is officially in theatres on Friday, May 6.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of this station. | https://abc11.com/benedict-cumberbatch-doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-mcu-marvel/11814356/ | 2022-05-03T16:46:47Z | https://abc11.com/benedict-cumberbatch-doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-mcu-marvel/11814356/ | false |
WFO LAKE CHARLES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, May 3, 2022
_____
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1107 AM CDT Tue May 3 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern
Beauregard and western Vernon Parishes, Newton and northeastern
Jasper Counties through NOON CDT...
At 1106 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Burkeville to near Newton to near Town Bluff.
Movement was east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jasper, Newton, Merryville, Anacoco, Toledo Bend Dam, Ebenezer, Bon
Weir, Burkeville, Hornbeck, Browndell, Farrsville, Magnolia Springs,
Burr Ferry, Mayflower, Mt. Union, Jamestown, Roganville, Harrisburg,
Junction and Stringtown.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3068 9335 3068 9412 3071 9414 3077 9413
3079 9415 3080 9418 3085 9420 3109 9420
3111 9406 3114 9403 3116 9391 3118 9362
3117 9358 3119 9355 3123 9354 3124 9356
3128 9353 3128 9344 3136 9339 3136 9335
TIME...MOT...LOC 1606Z 278DEG 7KT 3101 9364 3083 9372 3081 9410
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-LAKE-CHARLES-Warnings-Watches-and-17144488.php | 2022-05-03T16:50:28Z | https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-LAKE-CHARLES-Warnings-Watches-and-17144488.php | true |
A Senate hearing on Wednesday is likely to produce fireworks as Republicans and Democrats square off over the role that foundations and nonprofits are playing in elections.
The Senate Finance subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight offers no description of the hearing beyond the title “Laws and Enforcement Governing the Political Activities of Tax Exempt Entities.” Even the witnesses who will testify are uncertain of its focus. It appears likely that subcommittee chairman Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse wants to raise concerns about “dark money” flowing through 501(c)(4) nonprofits, but Republicans plan to widen the scope of the hearing to highlight what they see as illegal political activities by 501(c)(3) charities and foundations.
Contributions to 501(c)(4) social-welfare organizations, unlike 501(c)(3) charities, are not tax deductible, and as a result, those organizations are allowed to engage in a much broader range of political activities.
One of the witnesses at the hearing, Ann M. Ravel, former chairwoman of the United States Federal Election Commission who now teaches at the University of California at Berkeley’s law school, said she will discuss her concerns about the movement of money from 501(c)(4) organizations to political-action committees with little oversight or public awareness of the source of those funds.
“There is a lack of accountability that is problematic,” Ravel said.
However, witnesses who were invited to testify by committee Republicans had a much different perspective, saying it was shortsighted to focus on fundraising for political-action committees when, in their view, the real abuses are occurring at some 501(c)(3) nonprofits and foundations.
Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center, a conservative group that monitors philanthropy and political giving, said he was told that there is no specific piece of legislation linked to the hearing. Walter said he intends to make the case that abuses by 501(c)(3) charities crossing the line into partisan activities are a much bigger problem than the 501(c)(4) “dark money” that Whitehouse intends to focus on.
He pointed to Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s $400 million commitment during the last election cycle to promote electoral access and integrity. Walter said the vast majority of those funds were spent in heavily Democratic districts, which violates the federal prohibition against spending tax-deductible charitable contributions in ways that have “the intention or effect of benefiting one candidate or party.”
Groups like the New Venture Fund have drawn similar scrutiny from conservatives; it pursues a wide array of progressive policies in areas like climate change and gender equity, and it regularly receives large gifts from people like Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan and from foundations like Ford and MacArthur.
Arabella Advisors, a for-profit consulting firm that provides advice to wealthy donors and foundations, also has drawn the ire of conservatives, who say it is helping its nonprofit clients overstep the boundaries of acceptable activities for charities that enjoy the benefits of tax-free contributions.
Several states across the country have sought to prohibit outside groups from contributing money to the administration of local elections.
Brad Smith, founder of the Institute for Free Speech, who will testify at the hearing at the invitation of Republicans, said he felt that Democrats were exaggerating the problems posed by dark money flowing to political-action committees while ignoring the fact that many 501(c)(3) charities engage in a wide variety of activities that can influence elections or policy. For example, charities are allowed to do voter-registration drives that target certain areas, do a limited amount of lobbying, and do advocacy work to raise the profile of certain issues they care about, Smith said.
“I’m very cynical about the hearing because I view the hearing as somewhat cynical,” Smith said.
Meanwhile, people on the left have taken aim at Charles Koch, a longtime supporter of conservative charities. Those concerns on the left and the right have prompted calls for policy makers to lay out clearer rules about how charitable organizations can use their funds when it comes to election-related activities.
Another witness called to testify is Philip Hackney of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, who has questioned whether private foundations should retain their preferred tax status because of what he sees as widespread abuse of that privilege.
Whitehouse is a leading advocate of legislation that would require organizations spending money on elections, including 501(c)(4) groups and political-action committees, to disclose donors who give $10,000 or more during an election cycle. Whitehouse has also expressed concerns about the use of “dark money” to groom and promote conservative candidates for federal judgeships, including the Supreme Court.
The offices of Whitehouse and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the top Republican on the Senate subcommittee, did not respond to calls or emails seeking comment on the hearing.
____
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Dan Parks is a senior editor at the Chronicle. Email: dan.parks@philanthropy.com. The AP and the Chronicle receive support from the Lilly Endowment for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits. The AP and the Chronicle are solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Nonprofits-likely-under-fire-as-Senate-explores-17144342.php | 2022-05-03T16:52:27Z | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Nonprofits-likely-under-fire-as-Senate-explores-17144342.php | false |
U.S. securities regulator probes Didi Global's $4.4 billion IPO
By Jody Godoy
May 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities Exchange Commission is investigating Didi Global Inc over its $4.4 billion initial public offering in the United States in June last year, the Chinese ride-hailing giant said.
Didi was cooperating with the U.S. securities regulator's investigation related to the offering, "subject to strict compliance" with Chinese law, the company said in its annual filing on Monday.
"We cannot predict the timing, outcome or consequences of such an investigation," Didi added.
The company did not provide further details about the nature of the investigation.
A spokesperson for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. An SEC spokesperson said the agency does not comment on possible investigations.
The IPO came under scrutiny by Chinese authorities last summer over data privacy concerns. Chinese regulators had urged the firm to put its listing on hold while a cybersecurity review of its data practices was conducted, sources have told Reuters.
Days after it went ahead, the country's powerful cyberspace watchdog ordered app stores to remove 25 mobile apps operated by Didi and told the company to stop registering new users, citing national security and the public interest.
Didi subsequently announced in December that it would delist its American Depositary Shares from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and pursue a listing in Hong Kong.
Didi shareholders will vote on May 23 on its plans to delist those ADRs. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum) | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10779205/U-S-securities-regulator-probes-Didi-Globals-4-4-billion-IPO.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-05-03T16:53:03Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10779205/U-S-securities-regulator-probes-Didi-Globals-4-4-billion-IPO.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | true |
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Album Quail Springs, a 55+ active adult community, is hosting a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Thursday, May 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. to show off the apartment homes designed for value-driven residents looking for a place where they can be themselves.
"Album Quail Springs is unlike any other senior living in the Oklahoma City area because we're not assisted or independent living. Our residents are the core of our community," Anna Geist, Community Manager, said. "Album Quail Springs has amazing amenities that suit our residents' lively social schedules and hobbies. We let our residents drive the social calendar with activities that suit their active lifestyle like crafting, book clubs, mixology, cooking demos, and plenty of fitness classes. Just one example of the lifestyle we encourage is the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. We're focused on nurturing body, mind, and soul at Album Quail Springs."
The event is free, but space is limited. If you are not a resident but want to see the community and meet the people, please email us at albumqs@greystar.com to let us know you are interested in attending.
Album Quail Springs is a modern, four-story mid-rise with an array of amenities that include a fitness center, movie theater, swimming pool and activity terraces. Apartment homes come in one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans – starting at $1,329 – appointed with luxury finishes such as gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances, walk-in showers, granite counters, designer lighting, wood-style plank flooring and more.
Resident Anna LaRue said, "The many amenities available to us and the cleanliness of the environment, it feels like a boutique hotel."
The community is within walking distance of local restaurants and shopping, including Target, Chisolm Creek Shopping Center, and the Quail Springs Mall, but provides the atmosphere of a private oasis with neighborhood favorites just down the street.
Album residences feature hand-selected amenities inside and out while complementing every aspect of an active adult's life. Apartment homes have modern features, finishes and design with plenty of room to unwind. Album invites residents to take the lead in building a strong community with events, clubs, classes, activities and more while making every day and experience a favorite.
To learn more about Album Quail Springs, or to schedule a tour, visit www.albumlife.com/albumquailsprings or call 405-384-8488.
About Greystar
Greystar is a leading, fully integrated real estate company offering expertise in investment management, development, and management of rental housing properties globally. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Greystar manages and operates approximately $230 billion of real estate in 215 markets globally including offices throughout North America, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Greystar is the largest operator of apartments in the United States, manages more than 754,000 units/beds, and has a robust institutional investment management platform with more than $49.9 billion of assets under management, including $22.6 billion of development assets. Greystar was founded by Bob Faith in 1993 with the intent to become a provider of world-class service in the rental residential real estate business. To learn more, visit www.greystar.com.
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SOURCE Album Quail Springs | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/album-quail-springs-brand-new-living-option-independent-active-adults-oklahoma-city-hosting-cinco-de-mayo-event/ | 2022-05-03T17:00:54Z | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/album-quail-springs-brand-new-living-option-independent-active-adults-oklahoma-city-hosting-cinco-de-mayo-event/ | true |
Woman greeted by 8-foot gator at her front door
HUMBLE, Texas (KHOU) - A couple got quite a scare when they returned from a trip and an 8-foot alligator was there to greet them on their front porch.
“I thought I heard something, but I looked out of the side of my eye, and all I could see was his mouth, and it was open,” Tami Tanner said. “And he was hissing.”
Tami Tanner said she couldn’t believe what she found at her front door.
“So, I sort of just stopped for a second, like ‘No, this isn’t real; no, this isn’t real.’ And I was going to turn and run, and when I did, he popped me on my left knee with his tail,” Tanner said.
The alligator’s tail knocked Tanner to her knees as her boyfriend, Jody White, came to help her.
“When she first hollered, I thought somebody was behind the brick wall there. So I come running up, and it was an alligator, and he made a loud roar,” Tanner said. “And I picked her up and drug her out here and then we got her up to the truck.”
White called the police, a game warden and an ambulance for Tanner, who was injured from the fall.
Her left eye was swollen and bruised, and her lower lip was busted.
The couple said they were surprised to see the large gator in their neighborhood.
“In the middle of a subdivision, you just don’t see an alligator every day. An 8-footer on your front porch, it’s kind of spooky,” White said.
It took nearly an hour for officers to wrangle the animal, and although he was tied up and his jaw was strapped, shut the gator wouldn’t go easily.
The experience is one Tanner won’t soon forget. She said it was the last time she goes in first through the front door.
“They don’t want to be that way unless they’re hungry, but there’s nothing around here to eat, so I bet he was hungry,” she said.
Tanner was checked out at the hospital and is expected to be OK.
Meanwhile, Texas Parks and Wildlife deputies plan to relocate the gator to a more suitable habitat.
Copyright 2022 KHOU via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kait8.com/2022/05/03/woman-greeted-by-8-foot-gator-her-front-door/ | 2022-05-03T17:06:14Z | https://www.kait8.com/2022/05/03/woman-greeted-by-8-foot-gator-her-front-door/ | false |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/articles/39375960 | 2022-05-03T17:14:27Z | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/articles/39375960 | true |
Liberals call for 'revolution' in response to leaked SCOTUS Roe v. Wade opinion
'This is revolution time!' journalist Maria Shriver tweeted
Several liberal Twitter accounts, some verified by the platform, have called for a "revolution" in response to a leaked Supreme Court document that suggests Roe v. Wade is on the verge of being overturned by the court.
"But here we are," journalist Maria Shriver tweeted Monday night shortly after the Politico story on the leaked document was published. "So you say you want a revolution? Well we have one right here, right now."
DEM SENATOR BLASTED FOR 'PRO-CHOICE PASTOR' COMMENT, LEGENDARY NFL COACH JOINS FRAY
Shriver added, "This is revolution time! This is time for the brave. This is time for women, and those who care about their right to make decisions over their own bodies to stand up, speak up, and say, 'Not on our watch!'"
"It’s time for a revolution," Daniel Uhlfelder, a lawyer running for Florida attorney general as a Democrat, tweeted.
The word "revolution" was used in many Twitter posts from supporters of the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.
FLASHBACK: PROGRESSIVE LEGAL EXPERTS CALL ROE V. WADE CONSTITUTIONALLY 'INDEFENSIBLE'
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital reached out to Supreme Court police regarding online calls for a "revolution" and did not immediately receive a response.
The calls for revolution came in response to a leaked majority opinion released by Politico on Monday night where Justice Samuel Alito wrote, "We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives."
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court confirmed the authenticity of the document and said that Chief Justice Roberts has launched an investigation into the leak. | https://www.foxnews.com/politics/liberals-revolution-response-leaked-scotus-roe-opinion | 2022-05-03T17:14:51Z | https://www.foxnews.com/politics/liberals-revolution-response-leaked-scotus-roe-opinion | true |
Black Stars defender Gideon Mensah says that Ghana can win the 2022 FIFA World Cup if they do things the right way.
Ghana has been drawn in group H at the 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal, Korea Republic and Uruguay.
They will open their World Cup campaign against Portugal before playing Korea Republic with Uruguay the final group game.
No African team has gone beyond the quarter finals with Ghana getting closest before pantomime villain Luis Suarez blew it for Ghana and Africa.
But Gideon Mensah believes Ghana can break the jinx and win the World Cup as the first African country.
"That could be possible, why not" Mensah exclusively told Footballghana.com when asked that Ghana's chances of winning the tournament.
"These are players we are going to play against and we play with them in our various clubs so obviously we know them and from time to time we've been learning their system.
"We've been getting used to their system so I think it's just a matter of time of us thinking and sitting down and having a plan and strategy to go against them. If we do it right, with God's grace we are going to make it."
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- Read all related articles | https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/It-is-possible-to-win-the-World-Cup-Gideon-Mensah-1528760 | 2022-05-03T17:16:45Z | https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/It-is-possible-to-win-the-World-Cup-Gideon-Mensah-1528760 | true |
Brittney Griner: WNBA player 'wrongfully detained' in Russia, says US government
Last updated on .From the section Basketball
Russia has "wrongfully detained" WNBA star Brittney Griner, the United States said on Tuesday.
Phoenix Mercury centre Griner, 31, was detained at Moscow airport on 17 February on drug charges.
The US Department of State said the safety of American citizens is among their "highest priorities".
"The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained US citizen Brittney Griner," said a spokesperson.
The White House's finding represents a step-up in efforts to free Griner more than two months after she was seized in the Russian capital.
Griner has played for a Russia team during the WNBA off-season since 2015.
A two-time Olympic gold medallist, WNBA champion and seven-time WNBA All-Star, Griner is widely regarded as the best female basketballer of all time.
She was detained after being stopped with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is illegal in Russia, in her luggage.
Washington had previously been granted consular access but had stopped short of commenting on the nature of her detention.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the WNBA said that all 12 venues across the league would feature Griner's initials and jersey number (42) emblazoned on the sidelines when the new season begins on Friday.
"As we begin the 2022 season, we are keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do through the game of basketball and in the community," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
"We continue to work on bringing Brittney home and are appreciative of the support the community has shown BG and her family during this extraordinarily challenging time."
- From footballing heaven to personal hell: This is the raw and honest story of Paul Gascoigne and his turbulent life
- Is buying an electric car worth the extra costs?: Look behind the claims and promises of changing to an electric vehicle | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/basketball/61312730 | 2022-05-03T17:29:14Z | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/basketball/61312730 | true |
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Anchor Loans, the nation's leading provider of financing to fix-and-flip entrepreneurs, today announced that Bryan Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, has been selected by HousingWire as one of the 2022 Financial Leaders award recipients.
The HousingWire Finance Leaders awards recognizes the top finance executives who are driving financial performance, expanding margins, improving liquidity and helping their businesses access the capital markets. The Finance Leaders are selected by HousingWire's Selection Committee based on their professional achievements within their organizations, contributions to the overall housing economy, client impact and personal success.
Bryan was recognized for his efforts in helping finance the company's accelerated organic growth and his leadership in attracting a new principal investor. Last year, Anchor finished the year with a record $1.8 billion in originations and, to date, is the only fix and flip lender to surpass the $10-billion origination mark. Last year Bryan played a significant role in the negotiations between Anchor and Pretium that resulted in Pretium's acquisition of Anchor in November.
"When we launched the Finance Leaders award in 2021, HousingWire sought to recognize the forward-thinking finance executives who contributed to their organizations' financial growth and strategic missions despite the challenges of the pandemic," said Clayton Collins, CEO of HW Media. "We never anticipated the volatile mortgage rate environment, supply and demand imbalances and overall market challenges that housing executives have endured over the last twelve months. HousingWire Finance Leaders are truly masters at managing liquidity, executing M&A and strategic deals and developing impenetrable balance sheets to position their businesses for enduring success."
"We're very proud Bryan has been recognized by HousingWire," said Andy Pollock, Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Loans. "Bryan's contributions to Anchor over the past 5 years, and especially over the past 12 months, have directly impacted our continued success and expansive growth. It is fitting that Bryan should be singled out for this award because he truly is an exceptional CFO."
About Anchor Loans
Anchor Loans is the nation's largest private direct lender to real estate investors. The company has originated more than $10 billion in funding since it was founded in 1998 and is the first in the industry to fund more than $1 billion in a single year, which it has surpassed every year since 2016. Anchor Loans specializes in larger and more customized loans for experienced real estate entrepreneurs. More than 85% of Anchor Loans' borrowers are repeat customers, and more than 75% of the company's new borrowers are referred by existing customers. The company was ranked for two consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held small companies in the U.S. For more information visit https://www.anchorloans.com.
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SOURCE Anchor Loans | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/anchor-loans-bryan-thompson-chosen-housingwire-2022-financial-leader/ | 2022-05-03T17:30:42Z | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/anchor-loans-bryan-thompson-chosen-housingwire-2022-financial-leader/ | false |
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Wonder Wellness
Cannabis Made Simple.
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About this brand
At Wonder Wellness Co., we want to make the world of cannabis simple to understand and easy to experience for everyone. Try our Gummies or Minis, each with three distinctly-flavored experience options. Visit a dispensary near you to find low-dose, approachable cannabis that is innovative yet intuitive, fun to explore, and conducive to living well. | https://www.leafly.com/brands/wonder-wellness | 2022-05-03T17:31:16Z | https://www.leafly.com/brands/wonder-wellness | true |
LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The Mighty, the world's leading health community bringing the patient's voice to life across the healthcare industry, has hired Matthew Michelson, Ph.D. as President.
Dr. Michelson is a pioneer in the emerging field of Real World Evidence (RWE) and has led organizations focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for nearly a decade. He previously served as president of Genesis AI at Genesis Research -- a premier, global RWE consultancy -- and as CEO of Evid Science, a company at the forefront of using AI to extract results from the medical literature. Dr. Michelson also has a PhD in computer science and continues to publish peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals and conferences.
Founder and CEO Mike Porath explained why Dr. Michelson is the right partner, at the right time, to help continue the company's trajectory.
"The Mighty is a community of millions who are all here to help each other through their health challenges," he said. "Our data and insights deliver better information and a better experience for our members as well as a better understanding of patient behavior and sentiment for our clients. Our clients have health data that explains what is happening, but they are increasingly coming to us to better understand why. We provide insights through de-identified data sets that protect our members' privacy and safety.
"We are poised to become the leading provider of this kind of Real World Evidence. Matt has successfully developed and sold data products in this space; he's a founder and builder of businesses; and he has always put the interests of patients first, which is important for our community."
Dr. Michelson commented, "The Mighty is a rare opportunity to create the first, true set of Patient-Centric Real-World Evidence. We can begin to dig into the 'why' of patients, answering crucial questions around adherence and switching behavior, burden of disease, and all the context of patients as people first. And as the community grows, the company grows in sync. I was so excited to hear about forthcoming research that demonstrates the platform's ability to improve patients' health outcomes, while at the same time the company doubled revenue and increased the community size to millions."
With the addition, The Mighty will continue to service the top Life Science companies, as well as the community they serve. For more on The Mighty, visit corp.themighty.com.
Media Contact:
community@themighty.com
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SOURCE The Mighty | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/mighty-hires-real-world-evidence-leader-president/ | 2022-05-03T17:31:34Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/mighty-hires-real-world-evidence-leader-president/ | false |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/mlb/new-york-yankees/articles/39377550 | 2022-05-03T17:32:04Z | https://sportspyder.com/mlb/new-york-yankees/articles/39377550 | false |
SAN DIEGO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors (the Firm), currently managing over $6.1 billion of assets for more than 1,400 clients, is proud to announce that Emily Zerbato has been named the winner of the "2022 Chief Compliance Officer of the Year Award" by Core Compliance and Starkweather & Shepley Insurance.
Winners and finalists of the award were carefully selected by a panel of industry partners, who took into consideration each awardee's nomination, influence by published work, industry involvement and participation, interviews, letters of recommendation, and most importantly their contribution and positive impact to their firm's business strategy through compliance.
"Part of being an effective Chief Compliance Officer, as well as having a strong compliance program, is understanding that it is not only about compliance, rather that success is found in establishing a corporate and company culture that echoes the importance and value of compliance. Emily's talents and skill, partnered with Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors' dedication to their clients and high ethical standards, only further cemented the selection of Emily Zerbato to be the 2022 Chief Compliance Officer of Year Award Winner," states Core Compliance and Starkweather & Shepley Insurance.
"I have always had an analytical mind and inquisitive nature. When I was first introduced to the industry, I found compliance to be a unique puzzle of navigating the complexities of rules and regulations while providing a high-quality service to clients," explains Emily. With her passion and dedication to the industry, Emily also earned her Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP®) designation.
Early in her career, she served as a regulatory consultant, which provided her additional insight from another prospective. While in the role, she visited many firms and witnessed varying degrees of firm cultures, business models, and service offerings. Upon joining Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors, she was able to apply her experience as both a regulatory consultant and as an operations and compliance analyst to create a strong foundational approach to compliance.
About Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors
Since 1991, Dowling & Yahnke has offered time-tested, objective financial planning advice and investment management services designed for the financial health of its clients. Located in San Diego, California, the Firm manages approximately $6.1 billion for more than 1,400 clients, primarily individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.dywealth.com.
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SOURCE Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/emily-zerbato-named-2022-chief-compliance-officer-year-award/ | 2022-05-03T17:32:16Z | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/emily-zerbato-named-2022-chief-compliance-officer-year-award/ | false |
Tiara welcomes the acquisition, allowing an expanded reach and presence in Connecticut
HOLLAND, Mich., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiara Yachts, a family-owned manufacturer of American-made luxury watercrafts, is pleased to announce the acquisition of one of its exclusive dealerships, Portland Boat Works, to Atlantic Outboard. Owned and operated by the Cusson family and located in Westbrook, Connecticut, Atlantic Outboard's acquisition of Portland Boat Works provides Tiara Yachts with an expanded reach and presence in Connecticut.
"Tiara is very excited to work with the Cusson family and the new Portland Boat Works team," said Josh Emmick, Business Development Manager for Tiara Yachts. "The Cussons have grown their Atlantic Outboard business tremendously over the years, and this is visible in their market share results as they are number one in retail units sold (30'-60') in their market. They are on track for a 50 percent increase in Tiara sales in their market for the upcoming 2023 model year."
Following the acquisition, Tiara can now be found at two dealerships and three marinas in Connecticut, including Atlantic Outboard and Westbrook Marine Center in Westbrook, Portland Boat Works dealership and marina in Portland, and Harbor One Marina in Old Saybrook on the Connecticut River.
"We are thrilled to be working with Tiara Yachts and the Slikkers family," said Evan Cusson, Sales Manager of Atlantic Outboard. "We have great things ahead for Portland Boat Works, including dealership events and growing Tiara's presence in Connecticut. The best part of this acquisition is that these two facilities will continue to be family-owned-and-operated businesses."
Exciting things are already underway for the Atlantic Outboard team. They are expecting the delivery of a retail sold 48 LS on May 6 and a retail sold 49 Coupe in June, which will be their first inboard Tiara Yacht delivery. Continuing the momentum, Atlantic Outboard will be welcoming a stock 48 LS to its inventory in May.
With tremendous interest around the 48 LS already, Atlantic Outboard is planning a demo and VIP event. The dealership also hosts nearly a dozen dealership events each year, including ladies at the helm courses and fishing seminars, with the most notable event being the Duck Island Raft Party. Last year, the dealership and marina hosted more than 300 boats with 1,000 attendees and raised over $5,000 for charity; an even larger turnout is expected this year.
For more information on Tiara Yachts, please visit tiarayachts.com.
About Tiara Yachts
Tiara Yachts, headquartered in Holland, Michigan, is one of the oldest privately held boat manufacturers in the United States. The Tiara Yachts model line includes inboard vessels from 39 to 60 feet in the Open, Coupe and EX lines. Outboard powered Tiara Yachts models range from 34 to 48 feet in three distinct Series: Luxury Sport (LS), Luxury Crossover (LX), and Luxury Express (LE). For more information, please visit tiarayachts.com.
Media Contact:
Abbey Leach
aleach@lambert.com
Lambert
321-626-4037
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SOURCE Tiara Yachts | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/exclusive-tiara-yachts-dealer-portland-boat-works-acquired-by-atlantic-outboard/ | 2022-05-03T17:32:32Z | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/exclusive-tiara-yachts-dealer-portland-boat-works-acquired-by-atlantic-outboard/ | false |
Starting May 3, Quicklly will begin offering Alphonso mangoes, native to India and Pakistan, on the Quicklly marketplace
CHICAGO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quicklly today announced the addition of Alphonso mangoes, also known as the "King of Mangoes," to their expansive offering of delicious and authentic Indian food items. As the nation's largest marketplace for South Asian groceries and meal delivery, the addition of this delectably rare fruit is the latest example of their commitment to uniquely serving the needs of the South Asian consumer.
While there are hundreds of varieties of mangoes in the world, only one — the Alphonso mango — has been the subject of love songs and poetry for centuries. Even today, it's not uncommon to see news headlines celebrating the arrival of this superior fruit at the beginning of the growing cycle. Native to India and Pakistan, these mangoes are coveted for their reddish-yellow skin, bright saffron color, tender and luscious texture, and creamy, sweet taste. The Alphonso mangoes' firm but thin skin and smaller seed mean that they contain more juicy and delicious pulp than other popular mango varieties.
"Growing up in India, no fruit was as cherished as the Alphonso mango. Its unbelievable flavor makes it perfect for eating alone or in a variety of chutneys, salads, or yogurts," said Quicklly co-founders Keval Raj & Hanish Pahwa. "Their short growing season has made it difficult to find them in the states, so it brings us so much joy to be able to offer this rare taste of India to our customers in the U.S."
As one of the largest exporters of fresh mangoes in the world, India sends more than 1000 tonnes of mangoes to the U.S. per year – yet less than a fraction of those varieties are the highly coveted Alphonso mango. Each Alphonso receives a Geographical Indications (G.I.) registration to assure its authenticity and quality.
This unforgettable fruit is unlike other mangoes and is set apart by its unique taste and extreme rarity. They owe their superior taste profile to the Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and adjoining areas in Maharashtra – areas rich in coastal, volcanic soil. These mangoes also have very limited availability because of the special way they are cultivated and harvested. They have a short growing cycle and are only available between March and July. The fruit is harvested only by hand, eliminating the risk of harm to the delicately thin skin.
Today's announcement comes on the heels of the recent launch of Quicklly's Instacart storefront and nationwide delivery of Quicklly's ready-to-eat meal kits in 3-4 days. Customers across the country can now order through Instacart or quicklly.com to enjoy simpler and more seamless access to fresh Indian and South Asian produce like Indian grocery staples, desi spices, and sauces.
Quickly Shoppers can combine mangos and other fresh produce with orders and have everything arrive in a single delivery. For more information or to sign up, go to quicklly.com. To shop Quicklly via Instacart, visit https://www.instacart.com/store/quicklly/storefront or select the Quicklly storefront on the Instacart mobile app.
About Quicklly
Whether longing for ingredients to stock up your kitchen or meals to satisfy your cravings, Quicklly offers everything you need to enjoy South Asian and Indian cuisine, all in one place. As the nation's most comprehensive, one-stop marketplace, Quicklly provides access to a range of Indian grocery ingredients, tiffins, and fully prepared restaurant meals delivered to your doorstep. Founded in 2017, Quicklly also provides a full digital presence for local businesses, connecting them to customers across Greater Chicago, New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, the Bay Area, and nationwide. Learn more at https://www.quicklly.com.
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press@quicklly.com
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SOURCE Quicklly | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/quicklly-introduces-alphonso-mangoes-nationwide-delivery/ | 2022-05-03T17:34:57Z | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/quicklly-introduces-alphonso-mangoes-nationwide-delivery/ | true |
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — An actor who appeared in the 1990s prime-time soap opera “Melrose Place” has lost a bid to have her sentence in a 2010 fatal auto crash reduced.
An appeals court in New Jersey rejected Amy Locane’s arguments in a ruling published Tuesday.
Locane was convicted on vehicular manslaughter and other counts for the crash that killed 60-year-old Helene Seeman and severely injured Seeman’s husband, Fred. While she wasn't charged with drunk driving, a state expert testified Locane's blood alcohol level was likely about three times the legal limit and that she was driving roughly 53 mph (85 kph) in a 35-mph (56-kph) zone at the time of the crash in Montgomery Township, near Princeton.
Locane has been sentenced four separate times after appeals courts ruled the first two sentences were too lenient and a third didn't properly follow guidelines it had set in an earlier ruling.
She had already spent more than two years in prison and was released by 2020, when state Superior Court Judge Angela Borkowski resentenced her to eight years.
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In Tuesday's ruling, the appeals court held that Borkowski correctly gave more weight to aggravating factors — such as the severity of the offense and Locane's decision to drive while clearly intoxicated — than to mitigating factors such as Locane's lack of a prior criminal record and efforts at rehabilitation.
The court also rejected Locane's argument that Borkowski should have recused herself because the law firm representing Locane had once represented Borkowski's niece in a municipal traffic matter.
Locane received credit for time served when she was sentenced in 2020 and is eligible for parole in December 2024, according to the state Department of Corrections website.
A message was left Tuesday with the attorney who represented Locane at her sentencing.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/melrose-place-actor-loses-bid-to-reduce-crash-sentence/article_013723b2-9591-52b6-bd11-97fac63a5451.html | 2022-05-03T17:39:13Z | https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/melrose-place-actor-loses-bid-to-reduce-crash-sentence/article_013723b2-9591-52b6-bd11-97fac63a5451.html | true |
(CNN) — The US labor market remained on fire in March with a record 4.5 million workers quitting their jobs, new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Tuesday.
The number of quits increased most significantly in the professional and business services sector, as well as construction. The overall quits rate moved up to 3%, a level not seen since December 2021.
“As employers require workers to return to offices, quits are ticking upwards. A major reason for quitting is to find a remote opportunity,” wrote ZipRecruiter chief economist Julia Pollak on Twitter.
The number of available jobs also rose, climbing to 11.5 million, the highest level since the data series began in December 2000, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed.
The job openings rate inched back up to 7.1% from 7% in the prior two months. That means there were 1.9 job openings for every unemployed worker in March. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has frequently pointed to the “unhealthy” tightness of the labor market, which is contributing to the high inflation. The central bank is set to announce monetary policy changes on Wednesday as it aims to cool the economy just enough to get inflation under control, but not so much as to bring the expansion to a halt. This could also shake up the labor market.
For now, American businesses are still having a hard time finding and retaining staff. The manufacturing sector in particular is still struggling with the labor shortage, data from the Institute of Supply Management showed Monday, after a key survey reported higher quits rates.
Retail and manufacturing job postings rose, JOLTS data showed, while government jobs and positions in transportation, warehousing and utilities decreased.
“Workers continue to quit and get hired at fast rates in today’s economy. This ‘churn’ is a positive sign of a strengthening labor market where workers can quit, search, and obtain new opportunities,” said Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute.
In spite of the record number of quits, hiring outpaced them in every sector, Gould added.
The message is clear: America’s labor market continues to barrel toward its pre-pandemic strength.
Economists and investors have more employment data to watch this week as the government’s official jobs tally for April is due Friday morning.
Economists polled by Refinitiv predict US employers added another 400,000 jobs last month. Even though that would be the smallest number since April last year, it would add to the tremendous job gains seen in the recovery and leave the nation just over a million jobs short of the February 2020 level. | https://www.wishtv.com/news/national/a-record-4-5-million-americans-quit-their-jobs-in-march/ | 2022-05-03T17:40:49Z | https://www.wishtv.com/news/national/a-record-4-5-million-americans-quit-their-jobs-in-march/ | true |
WASHINGTON - A majority of the Supreme Court is prepared to overturn the right to abortion established nearly 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade, according to a leaked draft of the opinion published Monday by Politico.
That conclusion seemed a possibility in December when the court considered a Mississippi law that would ban abortions after 15 weeks.
But the disclosure Monday by Politico of a draft opinion that it said was circulated by Justice Samuel Alito was an extreme breach of modern Supreme Court protocol. The report said that after oral arguments Alito, along with Justices Clarence Thomas and all of three of President Donald Trump's nominees to the court - Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett - voted to overturn the precedent.
Such was the force of the report that crowds gathered outside the Supreme Court on Monday night, and political leaders issued fiery statements based on the article.
"If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years - not just on women but on all Americans," read a joint statement from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. ". . . Several of these conservative Justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the U.S. Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation - all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could soon be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century."
Antiabortion activists, meanwhile, viewed the draft with guarded optimism. "You know the old saying, 'It ain't over till it's over.' But we are full of hope that someday soon the preborn of the United States will be a little bit safer," said Cathy Nix, executive director of the San Antonio Coalition for Life.
It could be months before it is clear whether the document will serve as the basis for the court's decision or if it was just an opening round of negotiations. Drafts of opinions are circulated to try to convince other justices and to serve as a document they can endorse. Language can be strengthened or toned down.
In that manner, the leaked document - Politico said it was circulated in February - could be Alito's best effort to illustrate how the court could explain its decision to the public should a majority believe the time has come to overturn Roe.
And the leak could be seen as a calculation to spur the court to move in another direction.
But there was no reason to believe that the detailed document Politico said it obtained was illegitimate.
"The Court has no comment," Supreme Court public information officer Patricia McCabe said in an emailed statement.
In the draft opinion published by Politico, Alito said that Roe was wrongly decided and that it had inflamed rather than united public opinion over the contentious issue.
"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," said the document, which Politico said was labeled a draft "Opinion of the Court." Planned Parenthood v. Casey, decided in 1992, affirmed the abortion right established in Roe. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives."
In the draft, Alito reportedly discounts concerns about overruling long-standing precedent. The legal principle known as stare decisis "does not compel unending adherence" to what he writes is "Roe's abuse of judicial authority."
The draft says Roe was "egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issues, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division."
The draft asserts that overturning Roe would not jeopardize other rights, such as the right to contraception, protection of homosexual sex and same-sex marriage.
"We emphasize that our decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right," Alito writes. "Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion."
That would be disputed by the court's liberals.
The decision about whether to overturn Roe is one of the most controversial the court has faced in years, but still there was shock over the Politico disclosure. Some members of Congress called for investigations of the extremely rare Supreme Court leak.
It followed an editorial in the conservative opinion section of the Wall Street Journal last week that seemed to warn that Chief Justice John Roberts was trying to turn the vote of one of the conservative justices to avoid something as dramatic as overturning Roe. The piece cited no source for its speculation.
Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general who was a law clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer, said the draft opinion appears legitimate and suggests that there was a preliminary vote after oral argument in December in favor of fully overturning Roe.
He compared the leak to that of the Pentagon Papers, the secret report on U.S. policy in Vietnam decades ago. "It's possible the Court could pull back from this position, but this looks like they voted that way after the oral argument," he tweeted.
Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represented the clinic challenging the Mississippi law, said, "We don't know if the document as reported by Politico is legitimate, and we don't know if it represents the views of a majority of the Supreme Court."
"What we do know is that if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade it will be an unjustified, unprecedented stripping away of a guaranteed right that has been in place for nearly five decades," Northup said. But, she added, "it's important to remember that the Court has not yet issued a decision and abortion remains legal in the United States."
Crowds slowly gathered at the court after the report was published, with some carrying candles. At one point, perhaps 1,000 people were on the sidewalk in front of the building, which is still closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Jessie Yep, 30, of Chicago was visiting Washington with her mother when she saw the crowds forming.
"It's crazy to be here as this is happening and see this in person," Yep said. "I'm pro rights of women, and this seems like it's really going to affect a lot of marginalized people and their ability to get access to safe abortions. Abortions will still happen, but they won't be safe."
One group was yelling "Abortion is violence," while another chanted "Abortion is health care!"
A woman named Hannah, who declined to provide her last name, stood in the middle of First Street and prayed that the justices "would find resolve." She said she was "very sad to see people cheering to kill our children" and "was praying that people's hearts will be softened."
The report suggesting Roe's impending demise sparked immediate reactions on Capitol Hill, with many on the left calling for legislative action to preserve abortion rights nationally.
"Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW," Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., wrote on Twitter on Monday night, calling for an end to the Senate's filibuster rule to enact such a bill with a simple majority.
In fact, a Democratic bill that would have done just that garnered only 46 votes in February, thanks to the opposition of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and the absences of several other Democrats.
While it is possible that a narrower bill could attract some GOP moderates such as Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) and garner a majority, attempts to eliminate the 60-vote supermajority threshold have persistently fallen flat in the current Senate, which is split 50-50 between the party caucuses.
The more immediate practical effect played out on the campaign trail, where Democratic candidates have seen the impending abortion ruling as a potential game-changer in races where they have been on the defensive because of a fraught economy and unpopular president.
Multiple Democratic Senate candidates issued statements Monday night calling on Congress to act to protect Roe. "We have had almost 50 years to codify Roe into law, we can't afford to wait one more day," said Wisconsin state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, who is running to unseat Sen. Ron Johnson, R.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who was first elected to the Senate in 1992, months after the Supreme Court's last landmark abortion decision, called it a "break the glass" moment in a statement Monday.
"It's not happening to someone else, in some other state - it's happening everywhere, and the highest court in the land is preparing to rip away your rights at this very moment," she said. "We need to fight back with everything we've got right now."
The reaction was more subdued on the right, where the report was met with a mix of disdain for the unprecedented leak and hope that an outcome that many Republicans had spent a lifetime in politics working toward was finally at hand.
"While it's very bad - inappropriate and discouraging - that there is such a significant leak at SCOTUS. . . Let's pray the final decision is at least as strong and unequivocal as the leaked draft," tweeted Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio.
Even without evidence about the leaker's identity or motivations, several Republicans publicly cast the leak as an attempt to intimidate the justices into backing away from their positions - or at least spark a political backlash.
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., deemed it a "a shameless attempt to pressure justices into reversing their correct position that individual states can outlaw killing unborn babies."
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called on the court and the Justice Department to "get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary."
"In the meantime," he added, "Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life."
- - -
The Washington Post's Ann E. Marimow, Casey Parks, Joe Heim, Caroline Kitchener and Katy Burnell Evans contributed to this report. | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/supreme-court-is-ready-to-strike-down-roe-v-wade-leaked-draft-shows/article_74f6fa30-caf6-11ec-a1c5-7bed85cf5e11.html | 2022-05-03T17:43:09Z | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/supreme-court-is-ready-to-strike-down-roe-v-wade-leaked-draft-shows/article_74f6fa30-caf6-11ec-a1c5-7bed85cf5e11.html | true |
HANOVER, Pa. — Hanover Borough Manager Nan Dunford has resigned her position in order to spend more time with her family, the York County borough's council announced Tuesday.
Dunford's resignation, which was submitted at the borough council's April 27 meeting, is effective May 13, the council said in a press release.
"During her tenure, Dunford brought to the borough nearly thirty-year experience in municipal leadership and was especially effective in modernizing the borough’s operations, personnel, and financial management," the borough council said in its press release.
Dunford's accomplishments include the hiring of the borough’s first Director of Planning and Engineering, the establisment of the Hanover Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) which collaborates with the York County Economic Alliance to identify and take advantage of key funding opportunities for Hanover community priorities, and the creation of the Borough’s first ever comprehensive strategic plan for capital improvements to Borough facilities, according to the council.
In addition, the council said, Dunford revitalized the communication of borough information with the public through a new website, monthly press releases of Council meetings, and audio presentation of public meetings. She oversaw the reevaluation of borough ordinances, comprehensive financial goals and working policies, as well as facilitating funding through grant appropriation.
"These projects will continue forward as a result of Ms. Dunford’s initiatives," the council said.
In 2021, Dunford was awarded the Appointed Official of the Year Award by the York County Economic Alliance, recognizing her work in the advancement of Hanover’s downtown redevelopment, as well as her work in promoting business development and tourism in Hanover.
The council also praised Dunford's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, which began early in her tenure.
"In the face of this unprecedented worldwide event, Ms. Dunford worked tirelessly to assure that borough services would not be disrupted," the council said.
“We thank Nan for her leadership and dedication to the Borough and the greater Hanover area," said Hanover Borough Council President Bill Reichart. "She will be greatly missed Borough Council and Borough staff."
Before taking her position with the borough, Dunford had a distinguished career in municipal management in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In addition, she was an elected member of the Reading City Council and was a staff associate at the Collins Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
The Hanover Borough Council has retained a professional agency to assist with the process of finding and selecting a new borough manager. For the interim, the Borough Council has appointed Amy Hill to the position of Borough Administrator and Eric Mains to the position of Acting Water Resource Director.
Valerie Meyers was appointed to the position of Assistant Borough Secretary. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/hanover-borough-manager-nan-dunford-resignation/521-93a5c5b4-c498-45e2-805d-612388179c60 | 2022-05-03T17:45:03Z | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/hanover-borough-manager-nan-dunford-resignation/521-93a5c5b4-c498-45e2-805d-612388179c60 | true |
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) — DNA from a coyote that bit a girl on Southern California’s Huntington Beach last week matched samples from one of two coyotes shot and killed following the attack, authorities said Monday.
The 2-year-old child was hospitalized with bites to her head and face that were not considered life-threatening after she was attacked near the Huntington Beach Pier last Thursday night.
Huntington Beach police responded and shot two coyotes found in the coastal area south of Los Angeles, police Lt. Shawn Randell said.
Samples taken from the girl’s wounds were used to confirm that the animal that bit her had been killed, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Patrick Foy said.
The girl was with her mother on the sand when she wandered “a mere few feet” and was attacked, Foy said last week.
The coyote came out of the dark, hit and knocked over the girl and attacked her for 12 seconds before her cry alerted adults and the animal ran off, Foy said.
However, it stayed around, pacing, before finally fleeing, Foy said.
The family did nothing to antagonize the coyote, he added.
Coyotes are found almost everywhere in California, including cities, and authorities have long warned that small children and pets can be at risk. Last year, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife began workshops to help communities deal with coyotes because of an increase in the number conflicts with people.
Foy said coyotes usually are shy and try to avoid humans. He estimated there are only about 10 to 12 attacks per year around the state, mostly involving smaller children but full-grown adults were attacked in a few cases. | https://www.koin.com/news/national/dna-confirms-coyote-that-attacked-2-year-old-is-dead/ | 2022-05-03T17:56:52Z | https://www.koin.com/news/national/dna-confirms-coyote-that-attacked-2-year-old-is-dead/ | false |
Kentucky lawmakers react to Supreme Court Roe v. Wade leak
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - On Monday night, a draft opinion was leaked from the U.S. Supreme Court that suggests it may overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide, according to the Associated Press and a Politico report.
Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft opinion before ordering an investigation into what he called an “egregious breach of trust.”
If the ruling were overturned, that would give the decision of allowing or outlawing abortions to the state level.
If the court’s decision goes through, Kentucky’s trigger law would take effect. Former Governor Matt Bevin signed the law in 2019. It’s designed to ban all abortions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
Kentucky lawmakers have been making statements on the leaked draft.
While speaking at the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning, Kentucky Majority Floor Leader Sen. Damon Thayer said, “I think we all knew Roe v. Wade’s days were numbered.”
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell issued this statement regarding the leaked draft opinion:
Governor Andy Beshear also released a statement saying:
Copyright 2022 WKYT. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/2022/05/03/kentucky-lawmakers-react-supreme-court-roe-v-wade-leak/ | 2022-05-03T18:01:18Z | https://www.wkyt.com/2022/05/03/kentucky-lawmakers-react-supreme-court-roe-v-wade-leak/ | false |
Schumer vows abortion law vote, but not filibuster changes
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer angrily denounced as an “abomination” the Supreme Court’s leaked draft decision that would overturn the nation’s landmark Roe v. Wade ruling and vowed that if it stands the Senate will vote on legislation to uphold women’s access to abortions.
Schumer said the conservative justices “lied” to the Senate during confirmation hearings when they assured senators the case that since 1973 has allowed abortion access was settled law. He said with the draft opinion circulating, “the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years — not just on women, but on all Americans.”
“This is a dark and disturbing morning in America,” Schumer said as he opened the Senate on Tuesday.
But the Democratic leader stopped short of promising to change Senate filibuster rules to allow Democrats to overcome Republican obstruction and pass legislation that would salvage the landmark abortion law on their own, as some party advocates are demanding.
Schumer does not have the votes within the Democrats’ razor-thin 50-vote majority to muscle through a rules change in the Senate that would allow Democrats to push past what is typically a 60-vote threshold on big bills.
Instead, the Democrats shifted attention swiftly and intently on the chamber’s two most prominent Republicans who support abortion access — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Both had refused to help Democrats stop confirmation of the Trump-era judges who tipped the Supreme Court’s majority to conservatives and are now putting the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling at risk.
Murkowski told reporters on Capitol Hill that if the direction of the draft becomes the final opinion, “I will just tell you that it rocks my confidence in the court right now.”
Murkowski and Collins introduced legislation earlier this year to turn the court’s longstanding opinion on Roe v. Wade into law and President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged Congress to do just that.
Passing an abortion access bill through the Senate remains a political longshot, especially under the rapid timeline that would be needed before the Supreme Court issues its final decisions in June. Such legislation would most likely require the 60-vote threshold, and there are not enough Republicans publicly willing to join Murkowski, Collins and the Democrats to preserve Americans’ access to abortion services.
Collins in a morning statement pointed blame back to the justices themselves, personally singling out two of the three Trump-era judges, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, she had supported for confirmation.
The Maine Republican said if the leaked draft opinion on abortion becomes the ruling of the court, “it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.”
Even though Collins told reporters Tuesday her bill with Murkowski to put Roe v. Wade into law could have broader support, so far, there are not the number of Republicans needed to boost it to passage.
As stark warnings of an end to Roe v. Wade become the potential new normal in the U.S., the political fallout in Congress is certain to be far-reaching and complicated, a gripping new phase in the partisan fights over abortion access, religious liberties and the fundamental aspects of women’s reproductive health.
The Republican senators in particular, who helped turn the court into a solid 6-3 conservative majority, face deep scrutiny over their public beliefs at the time and the reality now confronting the country.
Collins helped confirm both of those nominees, though she did not vote for Justice Amy Coney Barrett because the nomination came so close to the 2020 election, when the presidency was being decided and she also faced a stiff reelection race.
Murkowski, who is up for reelection this year, did not vote for Kavanaugh after his explosive confirmation hearings over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman acquaintance during high school. She did give her support to Gorsuch and Barrett.
Other Republican senators slammed the unusual leak of the high-profile draft opinion as an attempt to bully the court.
The Republican leader Mitch McConnell complained about “unhinged” Democratic rhetoric and said the leak should be “investigated and punished to the fullest extent of the law.” Chief Justice John Roberts, confirming the authenticity of the leaked draft opinion, on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the leak.
One pivotal Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who talks frequently with McConnell, declined to weigh into the debate — or whether he would be willing to rethink his opposition to changing filibuster rules. He has been a holdout denying Democrats of the 51 votes needed to change the rules.
“Let’s wait to see everything,” Manchin said.
But Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., countered McConnell and the other Republicans who want to go after the leak. “What should be investigated and prosecuted is the fact that people who were nominated to the Supreme Court stood up and said they believed in the rule of law and precedent, and then at first opportunity, changed direction by 180 degrees and are going for a full repeal of Roe,” said Warren, a former Harvard law professor.
Schumer said Republican senators will have to answer to voters in this fall’s election — signaling the Democrats prefer to fight the issue on the campaign trail than in Congress.
Schumer said “the blame for this decision falls squarely on Republican senators” who voted to confirm justices that solidified the court’s conservative majority.
Conservatives have been focused for years working behind the scenes to undo the nation’s 1973 abortion law, and Republican senators made judicial nominations their top priority during Donald Trump’s time in the White House.
Trump was able to nominate and have the Senate confirm three justices, engineering a wholesale revamping of the high court, now with a solid conservative 6-3 majority.
As GOP leader, McConnell stunned Washington at the start of the 2016 presidential campaign season when he refused to allow the Senate to consider then-president Barack Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland, for a high court vacancy, holding the position open until Trump won election to become president that fall.
McConnell then marshalled into place a Senate rules change to enable Republicans to bypass a Democratic filibuster and approve Supreme Court nominees on a simple 51-vote threshold — going further than Democrats had done on their own earlier rules change to allow majority confirmation of lower-level posts.
Late Monday, a draft of the court’s majority decision was leaked and reported showing the majority’s intent to overturn the abortion law. It is unclear if the draft circulating will be the court’s final decision on the case, which is expected by late June.
A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. Crowds gathered overnight at the Supreme Court, which sits across the street from the U.S. Capitol and can be seen from the House and Senate.
___
Associated Press videojournalists Padmananda Rama and Rick Gentilo and writers Farnoush Amiri, Alan Fram and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/2022/05/03/schumer-vows-abortion-law-vote-not-filibuster-changes/ | 2022-05-03T18:01:49Z | https://www.wkyt.com/2022/05/03/schumer-vows-abortion-law-vote-not-filibuster-changes/ | false |
Gun Owners Can Purchase GunAlert™ Today by Visiting MyGunAlert.com
CINCINNATI, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Level 2 Security LLC, a company focused on gun safety, is excited to announce the immediate availability of its innovative product, GunAlert™. A next-level safety device with an easy-to-use mobile app, GunAlert™ instantly alerts gun owners of the slightest movement of their gun and monitors the movement until the device is disabled.
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- 100% of responsible gun owners don't want an unauthorized user to commit a crime with their gun
GunAlert™, by Level 2 Security, is a device controlled by a mobile app that helps gun owners monitor the location of their firearms. Unlike apps that use WiFi, GunAlert™ uses cellular technology to send its location no matter where it is. The app alerts users as soon as their firearm is moved, and sends location updates every five minutes until the gun is recovered. A self-admitted "pro-gun" company, location data is encrypted and sent only to a user's phone; it's never stored on GunAlert's servers and is not available outside of the user's registered mobile device.
"GunAlert™ was designed to be the second level of security for gun owners," said Tom Lehn, COO of Level 2 Security. "We believe a responsible gun owner is always the first layer of security, but we're there to take security and safety to the next level. We're very pro-gun, but more than that, we're pro-gun safety." Lehn stated, "We want the gun owner to feel comfortable using GunAlert™ and know that our primary purpose is to have their back. With GunAlert™, the gun owner controls the information, nobody else."
Information security is paramount within the GunAlert™ application. All location information is sent via a unique encryption key directly to the gun owner's mobile device where it's stored for a maximum of 30 days before being automatically deleted. It is never stored on GunAlert™'s servers.
GunAlert™ can be purchased today by visiting MyGunAlert.com!
About Level 2 Security, LLC At Level 2 Security, we believe that a responsible gun owner is always the first level of security for firearms. Our goal is to provide an additional level of security using technology to detect unauthorized movement or use of your firearms. Our mission is to develop products that use our patented technology to alert you when your firearms are unexpectedly moved and then provide you with location updates until you can recover and secure them. We've developed personal property location technology that is simple to use, reliable and gives our users peace of mind.
Media Contact
Taylor Irish, Vectra Digital, 1 239-234-2566, taylor.irish@vectradigital.com
SOURCE Level 2 Security | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_technology/level-2-security-announces-availability-of-gun-safety-innovation-gunalert/article_cbc10480-579a-5b59-b527-092daf25392f.html | 2022-05-03T18:05:22Z | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_technology/level-2-security-announces-availability-of-gun-safety-innovation-gunalert/article_cbc10480-579a-5b59-b527-092daf25392f.html | true |
CAVALIER, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota National Guard is helping to stabilize a dam in Cavalier County that is in danger of breaking and causing even worse flooding in the area.
Gov. Doug Burgum, at the request of the Pembina County Emergency Management officials, authorized the National Guard to send two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to place sandbags each weighing 1 ton to help stop the Bourbanis dam from failing.
The Cavalier County Sheriff’s Department says Highway 5 east of Langdon from Highways 1 to 32 in Pembina County is closed until further notice.
The National Guard is working with the Pembina County Water District to stabilize the dam.
The National Weather Service continued a flood warning Tuesday for parts of northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, including the Red River of the North between the two states. | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/National-Guard-helping-stabilize-ND-dam-in-danger-17144624.php | 2022-05-03T18:06:12Z | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/National-Guard-helping-stabilize-ND-dam-in-danger-17144624.php | true |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Employers posted a record 11.5 million job openings in March, meaning the United States now has an unprecedented two job openings for every person who is unemployed.
The latest data released Tuesday by the the Bureau of Labor Statistics further reveals an extraordinarily tight labor market that has emboldened millions of Americans to seek better paying jobs, while also contributing to the biggest inflation surge in four decades.
A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in March — a sign that they are confident they can find better pay or improved working conditions elsewhere.
Layoffs, which has been running around 1.8 million a month before the pandemic hit the economy in early 2020, ticked up to 1.4 million in March from 1.35 million in February.
The U.S. job market is on a hot streak. Employers have added an average of more than 540,000 jobs a month for the past year. The Labor Department is expected to report Friday that the economy generated another 400,000 new jobs in April, according to a survey by the data firm FactSet. That would mark an unprecedented 12th straight month that hiring has come in at 400,000 or more.
The U.S. economy and job market roared back with unexpected strength from 2020’s brief but devastating coronavirus recession, fueled by massive government spending and super-low interested rates engineered by the Federal Reserve.
Caught off guard by the sudden rebound in consumer demand, companies scrambled to hire workers and stock their shelves. They were forced to raise wages, and factories, ports and freight yards were overwhelmed with traffic. The result has been shipping delays and higher prices.
In March, consumer prices rose 8.5% from a year earlier — the hottest inflation since 1981.
Where things go from here is uncertain. The Fed is raising short-term interest rates to combat inflation. The COVID-19 stimulus from the federal government is gone. And the war in Ukraine has clouded the economic outlook.
Despite strong hiring, the United States is still 1.6 million short of the jobs it had in February 2020, just before the coronavirus hit the economy; and that shortfall does not take into account the additional jobs that should have been added by a growing population.
For now anyway, the job market looks strong.
“Employees have strong job security and confidence in their ability to find new work,” said Nick Bunker, director of economic research at the Indeed Hiring Lab. “The labor market is still very much a job seeker’s market. Something dramatic will have to happen for this to change anytime soon.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/business/employers-post-record-11-5-million-job-openings-in-march/ | 2022-05-03T18:06:51Z | https://www.cenlanow.com/business/employers-post-record-11-5-million-job-openings-in-march/ | false |
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota's anti-abortion lawmakers and the state's only abortion provider are poised to turn their fight to accessing abortion over state lines if the U.S. Supreme Court follows through on a draft opinion that overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.
A decision to overrule Roe would trigger a 2005 law that outlaws abortions in the state.
That would not be enough for Gov. Kristi Noem. The Republican governor promised on Twitter late Monday that she would call a special legislative session if Roe is overturned. Noem’s spokesman Ian Fury declined to discuss her reasoning, saying only that her tweet “speaks for itself.”
However, Republican Rep. Jon Hansen suggested a special session could be used to “bolster” the state's trigger law, including helping “make sure pregnant mothers are protected from being pressured or coerced across state lines to have their babies' lives terminated.”
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood North Central States, which operates the state's only clinic that regularly provides abortions, had been preparing for months by planning how to help abortion seekers travel to states where the procedure is legal.
But Sarah Stoesz, president of the organization, worried that a state-by-state approach would disproportionately endanger some women.
"An abortion ban is not an abortion ban for all people. It is only an abortion ban for those who lack the means to travel to a state where abortion is safe and accessible," she said. “And that is one of the true moral outrages of this situation.” | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/South-Dakota-readies-for-state-lines-abortion-17144692.php | 2022-05-03T18:06:55Z | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/South-Dakota-readies-for-state-lines-abortion-17144692.php | true |
Little People, Big World stars Zach and Tori Roloff announce arrival of third child Josiah Luke Roloff... over a year after suffering miscarriage
Little People, Big World stars Zach and Tori Roloff have announced the arrival of their third child, a son named Josiah Luke Roloff.
The couple announced the birth of Josiah, born around two weeks early on April 30, 2022, with a slew of sweet shots posted to Instagram on Tuesday.
'Josiah Luke Roloff was born April 30, 2022! He came about two weeks early but we were ready! Super happy for our family and the kids adore him already. Very proud of Teri as well, she has done incredible!' Zach, 31, posted to Instagram.
'Welcome to the world': Little People, Big World stars Zach and Tori Roloff have announced the arrival of their third child, a son named Josiah Luke Roloff
The photo showed the happy parents posing with their newborn child.
Tori shared the same photo and video of her son, swaddled up and taking a nap.
'Welcome to the world sweet Josiah Luke!' she captioned the Instagram video. 'April 30th, 2022. 9:02am. 7 lbs 6oz. 19 1/2 inches long.
'You surprised us all by coming early, but also the wait felt like a lifetime! Best birthday present ever!'
'We love you': Roloff shared a photo of her slumbering newborn
'Welcome to the world sweet Josiah Luke!' she captioned the Instagram video. 'April 30th, 2022. 9:02am. 7 lbs 6oz. 19 1/2 inches long
Oh boy! 'Welcome to the world sweet Josiah Luke!' she wrote to Instagram. 'April 30th, 2022. 9:02am. 7 lbs 6oz. 19 1/2 inches long'
She and her husband Zach are already the proud parents of Jackson, four, and Lilah, two, who have both inherited their father's dwarfism.
Tori announced her pregnancy last year, posting to her Instagram account: 'We are so excited to share some exciting news with you! Baby Roloff will be joining us this spring and we are so grateful to God for this sweet gift!'
The pregnancy announcement came eight months after she underwent a heartbreaking miscarriage.
Family first: She and her husband Zach are already the proud parents of Jackson, four, and Lilah, two, who have both inherited their father's dwarfism
'I’ve honestly never felt loss like I did in that moment. I’ve never felt so sad, angry, and scared in a single moment,' she confessed on her Instagram.
'However, I also thought about how the first face our little girl or boy got to see was Jesus. I’m so upset that I never got to see their face but I rest in knowing he or she is with our savior and I will meet them one day.'
Tori was reduced to tears while discussing the experience on a Little People, Big World episode that aired this summer.
'I just feel so normal already and I think that that's really hard for me to like....' she said, becoming overwhelmed with emotion, which prompted Zach to take her hand.
'I I think that's just been the hardest part too is it's just how quickly it's all happened and just, you know, I just feel normal again and that's hard.'
Zach's parents and co-stars Matthew and Amy have two different types of dwarfism - he shares his achondroplasia with his mother.
Meanwhile Zach's siblings - his fraternal twin Jeremy as well as their sister Molly and brother Jake - are of normal height and have all left Little People, Big World.
Baby makes five! The youngster will be the newest addition joining the Roloff family | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10779245/Little-People-Big-World-stars-Zach-Tori-Roloff-announce-arrival-child.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-05-03T18:07:58Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10779245/Little-People-Big-World-stars-Zach-Tori-Roloff-announce-arrival-child.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | false |
SANTA CRUZ XOCHITEPEC (AP) — Dozens of men strained and struggled as they hefted a huge cross adorned with colorful ribbons and trudged down a steep hill in a yearly ceremony of the Day of the Cross celebrated in the Mexico City neighborhood of Santa Cruz Xochitepec.
The ceremony on the Cerro de Xochitepec came a day before the formal day on the church calendar, Tuesday, when the cross is the centerpiece of a Mass and a new one is adorned for a return trek up the hill in a week.
The cross has stood sentinel over the city’s south side even as what was once a village was swallowed by metropolis’ urban sprawl. The importance of the huge, fabric-draped cross to locals is reflected in the town’s very name, which means ’Holy Cross of the Flowered Hill.”
In a babel of voices, and after three failed attempts, dozens of local volunteers known as “cargadores,” or carriers, managed to lower the 23-foot (7-meter) tall cross from its perch and carry it all the way down to the local church.
It is a cycle that has been going on for decades and perhaps centuries.
Each year, people across the country carry or adorn crosses along roadsides and on hilltops with fabrics and flowers representing offerings.
But for the devotees in Santa Cruz Xochitepec, theirs is not just another cross. According to one local legend, a convict fleeing pursuers in 1890 found a cross on the hill and believed it spared him from getting caught.
But accounts of a cross being placed here — on a spot where pre-Hispanic deities were once apparently worshipped — date back to the time of the Spanish conquerors.
Many townspeople have carried the 1,100-pound (500-kilogram) cross at one time or another. As the carriers made brief pauses, they sang traditional “ranchera” songs, and a group of mariachis accompanied them down the hill, followed by many of the townsfolk.
While only some bear the weight of the cross, the feat is regarded as a group effort of the entire town.
“I have been carrying the cross for 30 years and I am very proud of carrying the Holy Cross with the whole town.” said René Rosas, a local carrier. “We are tired but this is all about the faith we have in the cross.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/news/ap-top-headlines/in-mexico-an-entire-town-has-its-cross-to-bear/ | 2022-05-03T18:10:44Z | https://www.cenlanow.com/news/ap-top-headlines/in-mexico-an-entire-town-has-its-cross-to-bear/ | true |
Amazon Inc. will now be reimbursing its US staff if they have to travel for non-life-threatening medical treatments, including abortions. The company in a message to its employees said that it will be pay up to $4,000 (£3,201) for such travel expenses annually.
This decision comes in the backdrop of restrictions being imposed on the abortion procedure in several states in the country. The policy announced by Amazon will be effective retroactively from January 1, 2022. These benefits will be applicable to treatments that are not available within a 100-mile (161km) radius of an employee's house and for which virtual options are not available either.
Bariatric care, oncology, congenital anomalies from within 24 months of birth, mental health treatments and in-patient substance abuse disorder services are also included in the benefits, according to a report in the BBC. In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, Amazon also offers up to $10,000 in annual travel reimbursements for life-threatening issues.
It comes at a time when several Republican states have passed laws restricting abortion access. The US Supreme Court is also set to rule on a challenge to Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks.
A 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling had legalised abortion in the United States. If the Supreme Court overturns the ruling it would allow all US states to pass their own abortion laws. However, the court is not expected to issue a ruling until early July.
Meanwhile, right-wing politicians have also launched a full-frontal assault on abortion, a deeply divisive issue in the United States that is dear to their voters' hearts. Around a dozen states, including Oklahoma and Alabama, are set to pass laws that would limit abortion rights if the court overturns the Roe ruling.
Recently, firms like Yelp and Citigroup had also said that they will reimburse employees who will need to travel to other places to bypass abortion restrictions in the US. Citigroup had said that the policy was passed "in response to changes in reproductive healthcare laws in certain states." | https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/amazon-agree-reimburse-us-employees-who-travel-abortions-other-treatments-1699712 | 2022-05-03T18:12:58Z | https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/amazon-agree-reimburse-us-employees-who-travel-abortions-other-treatments-1699712 | true |
Parents of severely autistic Louisiana woman, 36, who died fused to a couch insisted it was HER decision to remain there for 12 years and use it and nearby towel for a toilet
- Clay Fletcher, 65, and Sheila Fletcher, 64, insist their daughter Lacey, 36, made the decision to remain on the couch in their Louisiana home
- Lacey Ellen Fletcher's emaciated body was discovered partially naked, sitting upright and partly submerged in a hole in a couch in her parents' home on Jan. 3
- The Fletchers were indicted on second-degree murder charges on Monday
- They allegedly told investigators that Lacey wanted to stay on the couch and use it, as well as a nearby towel, as her toilet
- They also told investigators she had developed 'some degree of Asperger's syndrome of 9th grade when she started being home schooled'
- Some close neighbors of Lacey's parents in the small community of Slaughter, Louisiana, didn't even know the couple had a daughter
- Dr. Ewell Bickham revealed Lacey had been on the couch for at least 12 years
A high school photo of Lacey Ellen Fletcher, 36, taken when she was 16. The coroner believes she was left on the couch for 12 years
A Louisiana couple indicted on second-degree murder charges in the death of their severely autistic daughter who was discovered 'fused' to a sofa by her own excrement insisted that she never wanted to leave the couch.
Clay, 65, and Sheila Fletcher, 64, were arrested on Monday and indicted by a grand jury on second-degree murder charges in the death of Lacey Fletcher, 36, whose emaciated body partly submerged in a hole in a couch at their home in January.
Speaking to law enforcement, the Fletchers allegedly insisted that it was Lacey who made the decision to remain on the couch for 12 years, DailyMail.com revealed.
They told investigators that their daughter, who had developed 'some degree of Asperger's syndrome of 9th grade when she started being home schooled,' would use the couch or a nearby towel as her bathroom.
Coroner Dr. Ewell Dewitt Bickham III, with the East Feliciana Parish Coroner's Office, said, that based on evidence, it looked as if Lacey had been on that couch for almost 12 years.
Bickham also told WAFB that medical records show that Lacey Fletcher did not have a primary care physician.
'In 2010, the parents went to the doctor's office without Lacey and asked his advice on what to do,' Bickham said. 'She is increasingly not wanting to leave the house, not wanting to leave the sofa, just totally recluse.'
Bickham said the doctor told her parents to bring their daughter to the hospital, yet she was never admitted and no treatment was provided.
'If you have anyone in your family, the message is if you have anyone in your family with a mental health condition or a disability, get help,' Bickham added.
Sheila Fletcher, 64, (pictured) and Clay Fletcher, 65, were arrested Monday and indicted on second-degree murder charges for the death of their daughter, Lacey, 36.
A photo of the two-story home located on Tom Drive in Slaughter, Louisiana where Lacey lived with her parents
In the horrific scene discovered on January 3, Lacey's emaciated body was found partially naked, sitting upright and partly submerged in a hole in a couch covered from head to toe in urine, liquid feces, maggots and insect bites at her parents' otherwise neat single family home in Slaughter, Louisiana.
'Opened the door, walked into the house, there was a stench, an odor, feces, fecal material, urine, you couldn't hold your breath,' Bickham said, WAFB reported.
Her feet were crossed underneath her on the couch deep inside the hole that her long-suffering body had worn through both the upholstery and cushion.
Lacey had fecal matter shoved on her face, chest and abdomen. Her hair was matted, knotted and filled with maggots – and she weighed less than 100lbs.
'I have been a sheriff for six years, and I have had a lot of things happen here in East Feliciana Parish, but this type of scene, this is by far the worst,' Sheriff Jeffery Travis said.
The Fletchers were arrested Monday and then indicted on second-degree murder charges. A trial date has not yet been set.
Bickham told DailyMail.com Monday that the images of the conditions Lacey was found in were so horrific and upsetting that medics would be on standby for the members of the jury.
He added that the photos of the scene left those in the room speechless.
'The father was completely emotionless, the mother's head was lying down on, between her legs, she was weeping a little bit,' he added.
'When I was presenting the case and showed the pictures and gave the timeline the expressions of the grand jury was utter shock,' he said. 'Like the clock on the wall never moved again.'
'There was complete silence. Some jurors were gasping in horror. Some were staring in disbelief.'
Bickham also told the DailyMail.com that the case has been really hard on him personally and described Monday's grand jury proceedings as 'long emotional day.'
'Seeing those photos again and reliving this traumatic experience again was really hard.'
Clay Fletcher, 65, and Shiela Fletcher, 64, were indicted on second-degree murder charges for their daughter Lacey Ellen Fletcher's death
Outside the court, District Attorney D'Aquilla said: 'I believe justice was served here today. Lacey Fletcher didn't deserve the way she was treated.
'For this type of crime… second degree is the highest charge that could have been produced today.'
'Evidence wise, a minimum of 12 years,' he said. 'Could be before that. At least 12 years. A terribly long period of time.'
The coroner also revealed the full horrific cause of death.
He said: 'The cause of death stemmed from severe medical neglect, which led to chronic malnutrition, acute starvation, immobility, acute ulcer formation, osteomyelitis which is bone infection which led finally to sepsis.'
Dr Bickham also cleared up a misunderstanding about Lacey's actual condition, originally reported as 'Locked-In' Syndrome.
He said: 'I don't know where that term came from or what source it came from. In all my years as a practicing physician I have never heard of that term.
'The only diagnoses that I know she did have was first, social anxiety, severe autism and that's it. Those are her only two diagnoses.
'The last time she saw a physician of any type or any kind was when she was 16 years old. That picture of her was when she was 16.'
DA D'Aquilla agreed Lacey's death was a 'crime against humanity' and added: 'I hope this indictment brings some spotlight to victims of this type of crime.
'The coroner has a lot of authority, a lot of power. If people don't want to get treatment or they refuse treatment, go to the coroner's office, go to law enforcement, check on your neighbors, check on your friends. If you are a care giver, reach out and make sure people are taken care of.
'This case was so horrific that the coroner and the sheriff's office initially investigated this case in January and the conditions that she was found it was just unbelievable.
'You don't treat anybody of any animals like that. Something had to be done and we all got together, we all stood on the same platform and we are all here now and we have an indictment for second degree murder.'
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE
Sheila Fletcher resigned from position on the town board three weeks after daughter's death
Clay Fletcher, shown with Sheila in undated photo, is an officer of the nonprofit Baton Rouge Civil War Roundtable, which has a mission 'to educate and foster an appreciation for the sacrifices made by all during the Civil War'
The Fletchers, considered outwardly respectable and pillars of their community, were not at the courthouse and have not been seen since news broke last week of the horror. They were not immediately arrested because they were not considered flight risks.
DailyMail.com understands Sheila Fletcher rang 911 at 2am on January 3 to report her daughter had stopped breathing. The sheriff's office sent a deputy to the ranch-style home 20 miles north of Baton Rouge.
But after confronting the horror, the deputy reported back and East Feliciana Parish Coroner Dr Ewell Dewitt Bickham III immediately came out.
He said: 'The scene was sickening. I've seen some horrible things in my life but nothing like this.' He said bedsores went all the way down to her bone.
A photo showing a close-up of the leather couch Lacey was fused to. The coroner estimates that Lacey was sitting in that hole in the couch for the last 12 years
Horrific photos issued by Dr Bickham's office revealed the feces smeared hole in the sofa where Bickham believes Lacey might have been sitting for the past 12 years.
The Fletchers were meant to be her caregivers. 'It's unconscionable, something you make horror movies about,' said Bickham.
The moment he arrived at the home he was hit by a stench so bad 'it would almost make you run out of the house.' He said he knew immediately it was a potential crime scene.
'The parents were in the kitchen. They did not have an explanation,' he said. 'I couldn't eat for a week and I cried for a week.'
He ruled her death a homicide with the cause as medical neglect – believing she passed 24 to 48 hours before his official time of death of 3.07am, January 3.
The tragedy is even more of a mystery as Sheila Fletcher worked for authorities who might have helped her daughter.
She was a police and court clerk in the small nearby city of Baker and more recently an assistant to the city prosecutor in Zachary, a slighter larger community also nearby.
The mom was also on Slaughter's Board of Alderman but quit on January 24 following four years' service and three weeks after the horror discovery.
Clay Fletcher is an officer of non-profit Baton Rouge Civil War Roundtable, which has a mission 'to educate and foster an appreciation for the sacrifices made by all during the Civil War'.
The couple's lawyer Steven Moore has said in a statement: 'They don't want to relive the pain of losing a child through the media.
'They have been through a lot of heartache over the years. Anyone who had lost a child knows what it's like.'
Before the grand jury hearing, the coroner said he would present the case with the hope of the parents being charged over the death. 'I probably won't even have to open my mouth, the pictures will show it,' he said.
District Attorney D'Aquilla has said: 'On a murder, you have to have intent. Did they want to kill her? I want to say yeah, they wanted to kill her.'
'Negligent homicide is zero to five years, manslaughter is zero to 40 years and second-degree is life in prison. I will ask for second degree because they didn't do what they were supposed to do.
'We don't treat animals or neglect animals in that way. If you have an animal in that condition you have to take them to a vet.
'If you are not capable of providing the care then get help. We want people to know that if you are a caregiver of someone you need to pay attention. It is important for neighbors and the community to look out for each other. We hope this never happens again.'
He said the Fletchers claimed in 2011-2012 that Lacey didn't want to leave the house and had not been to a doctor. He said the parents claimed she was able to communicate with them and apparently never complained.
D'Aquilla added it was not known when Lacey had last moved from the couch.
The Fletchers reportedly said Lacey developed 'some degree of Asperger's syndrome' after 9th grade when she started being home schooled.
They insisted during an interview with law enforcement that she was the one who chose never to leave the couch and to relieve herself there or on a nearby towel, it is reported. Sheila Fletcher said she routinely cleaned her daughter's sores.
'Mom and Dad love you so much,' she wrote in a Facebook post after the death.
News of the January horror is breaking now as the autopsy report was not handed to East Feliciana Sheriff's Office until March. At that point Sheriff Travis consulted with District Attorney D'Aquilla on a course of action that resulted in grand jury deliberation and indictment decision.
'I hope this indictment brings some spotlight to victims of this type of crime,' D'Aquilla added.
Sheila and Clay Fletcher will be booked into the East Feliciana Prison, WAFB reported. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10779163/Parents-autistic-Louisiana-woman-insisted-decision-remain-couch.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | 2022-05-03T18:17:12Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10779163/Parents-autistic-Louisiana-woman-insisted-decision-remain-couch.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | true |
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (AP) — Police have arrested a North Carolina man in connection with a fatal shooting in broad daylight at a park, authorities said.
Rocky Mount police spokesman Ricky Jackson said officers arrested Ronnie Slade, 18, at his residence on Monday, news outlets reported. Slade is being held without bond in the Edgecombe County jail on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
Slade has not been assigned an attorney. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
A news release said police responded at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday to shots fired at Martin Luther King Park. Jackson said Rodrick Battle, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene and Tyler Frink, 19, was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Jackson told the Rocky Mount Telegram that Frink's condition was stable as of Monday. | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/North-Carolina-man-charged-after-fatal-daytime-17144764.php | 2022-05-03T18:17:48Z | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/North-Carolina-man-charged-after-fatal-daytime-17144764.php | false |
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A 5-year-old boy was in critical condition after being shot last weekend by a relative in what South Bend police are calling a “very tragic accident.”
The shooting happened Saturday night in a home on the city's west side. South Bend police said Monday that the boy was shot by a 9-year-old relative and was hospitalized in critical condition.
The 9-year-old was not hurt but is dealing with “significant trauma” related to the incident, a police department spokeswoman said.
Police have not detailed the circumstances leading up to the shooting, but have ruled the incident as accidental. The children were related, but not immediate family members. | https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Indiana-boy-5-shot-critically-wounded-by-17144606.php | 2022-05-03T18:18:30Z | https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Indiana-boy-5-shot-critically-wounded-by-17144606.php | false |
REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — The endangered California condor returned to soar the skies over the state's far northern coast redwood forests on Tuesday for the first time in more than a century.
Two captive-bred birds were released from a pen in Redwood National Park, about an hour's drive south of the Oregon border, under a project aimed at restoring the giant vultures to their historic habitat in the Pacific Northwest.
The two male condors were moved into staging area at late morning and a remotely controlled gate was opened. After a few minutes of warily eyeing the opening, the birds stepped one by one through the opening, spread their giant wings and took off.
“They just jumped up and took flight off into the distance,” Tiana Williams-Claussen, wildlife director for the region's Yurok tribe, said in a webcast.
Condors were last spotted in the park area around 1892, authorities said. The California condor is the largest native North American bird, with a wingspan of nearly 10 feet (3 meters). The scavenger was once widespread but had virtually disappeared by the 1970s because of poaching, lead poisoning from eating animals shot by hunters and destruction of its habitat.
The birds can live for 60 years and fly vast distances in search of carrion, so their range could extend into several states.
Federal and local fish and wildlife agencies are involved in the restoration project headed by the Yurok tribe, which traditionally has considered the California condor a sacred animal and has been working for years to return the species to the tribe’s ancestral territory.
“For countless generations, the Yurok people have upheld a sacred responsibility to maintain balance in the natural world. Condor reintroduction is a real-life manifestation of our cultural commitment to restore and protect the planet for future generations,” tribal Chairman Joseph L. James said in a statement.
Two more condors were set to be released later — after biologists determine that the two birds who took to the skies Tuesday have displayed appropriate behavior, authorities said.
The condors, including one female and three males, are between 2 and 4 years old. Two were hatched at the Oregon Zoo and two at the Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Idaho.
In the early 1980s, all 22 condors remaining in the wild were trapped and brought into a captive-breeding program that began releasing the giant vultures into Southern California’s Los Padres National Forest in 1992.
That flock has been expanding its range while other condors now occupy parts of California’s Central Coast, Arizona, Utah and Baja California, Mexico. The total population now numbers more than 500 birds in captivity and in the wild.
Two years ago, California condors were spotted in Sequoia National Park, in California’s Sierra Nevada, for the first time in nearly 50 years.
However, that same year, a dozen adults and two chicks died when a wildfire set by an arsonist ravaged their territory on the Big Sur coast. | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/California-condors-to-be-released-in-north-coast-17144611.php | 2022-05-03T18:20:22Z | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/California-condors-to-be-released-in-north-coast-17144611.php | true |
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's intermediate appeals court ordered new trials Tuesday for two men convicted separately of first-degree murder, pointing to errors related to admitted evidence and the refusal of a judge to provide testimony transcripts to jurors.
One Court of Appeals panel ruled Tevin Demetrius Vann was entitled to a new trial involving the 2016 death of Ashley McLean, who was found dead inside a Wilmington hotel room. A jury in 2019 found Vann guilty of felony murder of McLean's unborn child and robbery with a dangerous weapon in addition to Vann's death.
Another panel ordered a new trial for Travis Davenport, who was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon in the 2016 death of Mike Griffin, who was found stabbed in his face and neck on the floor of his Martin County home. Both Vann and Davenport were sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The judges reviewing Vann's case unanimously agreed that Superior Court Judge Henry Stevens erred when he declined to provide to jurors deliberating the case the opportunity to review trial testimony of Vann, a police detective and the medical examiner.
According to the opinion, Stevens told jurors “it’s your duty to recall their testimony. So you will have to remember that. We’re not – we can’t provide a transcript as to that.”
But the panel said the refusal was prejudicial error against Vann, particularly because his testimony differed from his earlier interrogation with police, in which he admitted to striking McLean and fleeing the hotel room with her cell phone. On the stand, he asserted he did not attack the victim and only previously confessed to avoid being charged with murder.
Vann's “confession was the only evidence directly linking him to the killing,” Court of Appeals Judge Fred Gore wrote. “Thus, whether the jury believed defendant’s recant of his confession is determinative to the jury’s verdict.”
For Davenport, the judges ruled the trial court was wrong to permit evidence about Davenport's prior incarceration, gang involvement and tattoos. When taken together, the cumulative evidence that "should have been excluded had a probable impact on the jury’s determination of guilt," Gore wrote in a separate, unanimous opinion. Gore also reversed the trial court's refusal to dismiss the robbery count.
Attorneys for the state could seek appeals to the state Supreme Court, but the justices are not obliged to take the cases because Tuesday's rulings were unanimous. | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/NC-appeals-court-orders-new-trials-in-murder-cases-17144665.php | 2022-05-03T18:21:29Z | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/NC-appeals-court-orders-new-trials-in-murder-cases-17144665.php | false |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/articles/39377610 | 2022-05-03T18:24:31Z | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/articles/39377610 | true |
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (AP) — Police have arrested a North Carolina man in connection with a fatal shooting in broad daylight at a park, authorities said.
Rocky Mount police spokesman Ricky Jackson said officers arrested Ronnie Slade, 18, at his residence on Monday, news outlets reported. Slade is being held without bond in the Edgecombe County jail on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
Slade has not been assigned an attorney. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
A news release said police responded at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday to shots fired at Martin Luther King Park. Jackson said Rodrick Battle, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene and Tyler Frink, 19, was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Jackson told the Rocky Mount Telegram that Frink's condition was stable as of Monday. | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/North-Carolina-man-charged-after-fatal-daytime-17144764.php | 2022-05-03T18:25:00Z | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/North-Carolina-man-charged-after-fatal-daytime-17144764.php | false |
Mission-driven affordable housing group acquired Valencia Park—an affordable housing development that serves nearly 800 residents—and concluded significant upgrades to the property. Additional photos available upon request.
ORLANDO, Fla., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln Avenue Capital (LAC), a mission-driven acquirer and developer of affordable housing, announced this week that it has completed a significant rehabilitation of Valencia Park. The 208-unit affordable property in Orlando, Florida currently serves about 800 residents. LAC closed on the acquisition of the property in January 2021 and as part of the rehabilitation, extended the property's affordability restriction for another 30 years.
"Lincoln Avenue Capital is a mission-driven company that works to strengthen communities through affordable housing," said LAC CEO Jeremy Bronfman. "We are proud to expand our impact in Orlando by providing high-quality, sustainable homes for nearly 800 residents."
"We look forward to preserving and extending the affordability of Valencia Park for another generation of residents," said Eli Bronfman, LAC Managing Partner.
Lincoln Avenue Capital invested significantly in rehabilitating and upgrading the property. Completed upgrades to individual units include new kitchen appliances, new countertops, and vinyl plank flooring. The buildings received fresh paint and new windows as well as HVAC and electrical system improvements.
"I am thrilled about the recent renovations—it almost feels like I am living in a new place entirely," said resident Kim Lopez, who has lived at the property since 2015. "From the new flooring to appliances, upgrades across the board have made a positive impact on my daily life."
LAC equipped the property with a range of new sustainability features such as energy-efficient windows in each unit, low-flow appliances that preserve water, and daylight sensors attached to the buildings to conserve electricity. Additionally, LAC improved the site's accessibility with new wheelchair-accessible paths installed throughout the property.
Valencia Park currently offers residents outdoor amenities including a swimming pool, playground, and basketball court. The property management and resident services teams will continue to provide residents with opportunities to connect through community picnics, holiday parties and programming for children on a regularly scheduled basis.
About LAC: Lincoln Avenue Capital is one of the nation's fastest-growing developers, investors, and operators of affordable and workforce housing, providing high-quality, sustainable homes for low- and moderate-income individuals, seniors, and families nationwide. LAC is a mission-driven organization that serves over 50,000 residents across 18 states, with a portfolio of 100 properties comprising 18,500+ units.
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SOURCE Lincoln Avenue Capital | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/lincoln-avenue-capital-completes-major-rehabilitation-valencia-park-orlando-fl/ | 2022-05-03T18:39:50Z | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/lincoln-avenue-capital-completes-major-rehabilitation-valencia-park-orlando-fl/ | false |
A huge new community arts space and an outdoor market could be constructed at part of Edinburgh’s waterfront if plans are given the go ahead.
Proposals have been submitted to the council to transform a former industrial unit in Granton into a brand new hub for locals that will include everything from food stalls to workshops.
Taken over by Edinburgh Palette, the local charity specialises in creating new hubs where artists can create their works, as well as making a social space for visitors to interact.
READ MORE - Historic Edinburgh townhouse could see huge transformation if plans go ahead
After success at a number of other Edinburgh locations, the organisation are now hoping to launch a similar project in Granton.
According to plans, the West Shore Road site would include a selection of external shipping containers, as well as a new studio space and a retail unit that would allow for local businesses to sell their products.
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Hoping to cover all bases, plans also detail a large indoor and outdoor ‘street food experience’, with a neighbouring events space that could fit up to 500 people.
Apparently also planning on taking on ‘Finnish principles’, drawings also detail an outdoor sauna separate from the main building.
Hoping to have minimal impacts on noise and local residents, the events space and market would run between the hours of 10am and 10pm, with the site also hoping to sell alcohol to visitors. | https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/new-edinburgh-hub-could-contain-23855470 | 2022-05-03T18:48:45Z | https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/new-edinburgh-hub-could-contain-23855470 | true |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden met Monday with the parents of American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria nearly 10 years ago, the White House said.
“During their meeting, the President reiterated his commitment to continue to work through all available avenues to secure Austin’s long overdue return to his family,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement summarizing the meeting with Marc and Debra Tice.
She described the encounter as an outgrowth of “multiple meetings and conversations” between the Tice family and White House national security officials.
Debra Tice was introduced Saturday night as being in attendance at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where Biden paid tribute in his remarks to journalists who are missing or detained. Biden also said at the event that he wanted to meet with the Tices to speak about their son.
“After the president made those comments, obviously we went into action to work to set up the meeting,” Psaki said Monday, adding that the White House has “been very closely engaged with the family.”
Tice, who is from Houston and whose work had been published by The Washington Post, McClatchy newspapers and other outlets, disappeared in August 2012 at a checkpoint in a contested area west of Damascus.
A video released weeks later showed him blindfolded and held by armed men and saying, “Oh, Jesus.” He has not been heard from since. Syria has never acknowledged holding him.
In the final months of the Trump administration, two U.S. officials — including the government’s top hostage negotiator, Roger Carstens — made a secret visit to Damascusto seek information on Tice and other Americans who have disappeared in Syria. It was the highest-level talk in years between the U.S. and the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, though Syrian officials offered no meaningful information on Tice.
Psaki told reporters earlier in the day that there had been multiple meetings between members of the Tice family and administration officials in the last six months, including one last week.
Debra Tice had previously been critical of her lack of direct White House access, saying at a National Press Club event last December that she had not been able to get a meeting with Biden since he became president and that he had never said Austin’s name publicly.
“The hurdle I’m having is the White House,” she said then, adding, “I wonder if he’s allowed himself to forget about Austin. I don’t have any indication otherwise.”
Last week, the U.S. secured the release of Trevor Reed, a U.S. Marine veteran detained in Russia for nearly three years, as part of a prisoner swap. Relatives of Reed and other detained Americans are holding a news conference near the White House on Wednesday to advocate for their loved ones’ release.
____
Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report. | https://www.wric.com/news/politics/biden-to-meet-with-parents-of-missing-journalist-austin-tice/ | 2022-05-03T18:49:17Z | https://www.wric.com/news/politics/biden-to-meet-with-parents-of-missing-journalist-austin-tice/ | true |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris tested negative on Monday for COVID-19, six days after she tested positive for the virus, and has been cleared to return to the White House on Tuesday.
Harris press secretary Kirsten Allen said Harris, who was prescribed the antiviral treatment Paxlovid last week, was negative on a rapid antigen test. Allen said Harris would continue to wear a “well-fitting mask while around others” in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines until through her tenth day after her positive test.
CDC guidance allows people to leave isolation on the sixth day after they tested positive, as long as they wear a mask around others. The White House exceeds those guidelines, requiring a negative rapid test before people who have been infected are allowed to return to the complex. | https://www.wric.com/news/politics/harris-negative-for-covid-19-after-taking-antiviral-pill/ | 2022-05-03T18:49:38Z | https://www.wric.com/news/politics/harris-negative-for-covid-19-after-taking-antiviral-pill/ | true |
Former US president Donald Trump’s businesses and inaugural committee have reached a deal to pay Washington DC 750,000 US dollars (£600,000) to resolve a lawsuit that alleged the committee overpaid for events at his hotel and enriched the former president’s family in the process, according to the District of Columbia’s attorney general.
Attorney General Karl Racine announced the settlement agreement in the case against the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the Trump Organisation and the Trump International Hotel in Washington in a tweet on Tuesday. The document had not yet been signed by a judge.
The agreement said the case was being resolved “to avoid the cost, burden and risks of further litigation” and that the organisations “dispute these allegations on numerous grounds and deny having engaged in any wrongdoing or unlawful conduct”.
As part of the agreement, the defendants will pay the District of Columbia a total of 750,000 US dollars, which will be used to benefit three nonprofit organisations, the settlement paperwork said.
“We’re resolving our lawsuit and sending the message that if you violate DC nonprofit law – no matter how powerful you are – you’ll pay,” Mr Racine said in a tweet.
In a statement, Mr Trump blasted Mr Racine and noted that the settlement included no admission of guilt or liability.
“As crime rates are soaring in our nation’s capital, it is necessary that the attorney general focus on those issues rather than a further leg of the greatest witch hunt in political history,” Mr Trump said.
“This was yet another example of weaponising law enforcement against the Republican Party and, in particular, the former president of the United States.”
Mr Racine has said the committee misused nonprofit funds and co-ordinated with the hotel’s management and members of the Trump family to arrange the events.
He said one of the event’s planners raised concerns about pricing with Mr Trump, the president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and Rick Gates, a top campaign official at the time.
The committee has maintained that its finances were independently audited, and that all money was spent in accordance with the law.
The committee raised an unprecedented 107 million US dollars (£85,000) to host events celebrating Mr Trump’s inauguration in January 2017. But the committee’s spending has drawn mounting scrutiny.
Mr Gates, a former Trump campaign aide who co-operated in the special counsel’s Russia investigation, personally managed discussions with the hotel about using the space, including ballrooms and meeting rooms, the attorney general’s office has said.
In one instance, Mr Gates contacted Ms Trump and told her that he was “a bit worried about the optics” of the committee paying such a high fee, Mr Racine said.
Prosecutors said the committee could have hosted inaugural events at other venues either for free or for reduced costs but did not consider those options. | https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/uk-world/3257417/trump-businesses-and-inaugural-committee-to-pay-out-600000-to-settle-lawsuit/ | 2022-05-03T18:56:05Z | https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/uk-world/3257417/trump-businesses-and-inaugural-committee-to-pay-out-600000-to-settle-lawsuit/ | true |
President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged Congress to pass legislation codifying Roe v. Wade and said a woman's right to have an abortion is "fundamental," but added that he wasn't ready to call for an end to the filibuster to push for abortion rights legislation.
"Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned," Biden said in a statement after Politico published a draft of a Supreme Court majority opinion that would strike down Roe v. Wade.
The President later Tuesday morning told reporters that if the final opinion is issued along the lines of the draft it would be a "radical decision" that would throw into question "a whole range of rights."
"The idea that we're letting the states make those decisions, localities make those decisions, would be a fundamental shift in what we've done," Biden told reporters before boarding Air Force One.
He continued, "So it goes far beyond, in my view ... the concern of whether or not there is the right to choose. It goes to other basic rights -- the right to marriage, the right to determine a whole range of things."
"It's a fundamental shift in American jurisprudence," Biden said.
The President said he was "not prepared" to make a judgment on whether the Senate should remove the filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade, as some lawmakers -- like Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont -- have called for.
A Supreme Court spokesperson said in a statement the draft published by Politico is "authentic," but said "it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case."
The President said he still hoped there were not enough votes to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Earlier on Tuesday, the President said in a written statement that if the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on lawmakers to protect access to reproductive health care and said he would work to pass legislation codifying the right to abortion. He also urged voters to elect supporters of abortion rights in the November midterm elections.
"At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law," the President said.
If the court issues a final opinion along the lines of the draft, it would be the most consequential abortion decision in decades and would transform the landscape of women's reproductive health in America
Politico on Monday published a draft of a majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that would strike down Roe v. Wade. The draft was circulated in early February, according to Politico, and the publishing of the draft is a stunning breach of Supreme Court confidentiality. The final opinion has not been released and votes and language can change before opinions are formally released. The opinion in this case is not expected to be published until late June.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement on Tuesday saying he had launched an investigation into the source of the leak, saying, "This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here."
The Biden administration had urged the Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade and to invalidate the Mississippi law that bars most abortions after 15 weeks. Biden has said in the past he would seek to codify Roe v. Wade, and that his administration was "deeply committed" to protecting access to reproductive health care, including abortion.
The President said in his Tuesday statement he has directed his Gender Policy Council and White House Counsel's Office to prepare different options in response to "the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights."
"We will be ready when any ruling is issued," Biden said.
The President said his administration had argued strongly in defense of Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court.
"We said that Roe is based on 'a long line of precedent recognizing 'the Fourteenth Amendment's concept of personal liberty ... against government interference with intensely personal decisions,'" Biden said.
Biden, a lifelong devout Catholic, has said he is personally opposed to abortion because of his faith but does not believe he should impose his views on the rest of society.
Biden wrote in his 2007 book, "Promises to Keep": "I personally am opposed to abortion, but I don't think I have the right to impose my view -- on something I accept as a matter of faith -- on the rest of society. I've thought a lot about it, and my position probably doesn't please anyone. I think the government should stay out completely."
"I've stuck to my middle-of-the-road position on abortion for more than thirty years. I still vote against partial birth abortion and federal funding, and I'd like to find ways to make it easier for scared young mothers to choose not to have an abortion, but I will also vote against a constitutional amendment that strips a woman of her right to make her own choice. That position has earned me the distrust of some women's groups and the outright enmity of the Right to Life groups," Biden wrote in his book.
Biden previously was a longtime supporter of the Hyde Amendment -- which bars federal funding from being used to pay for abortions, except in the cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in jeopardy -- but reversed his position while he was running for President in 2020. Biden said he changed his mind because of laws that Republican state lawmakers had enacted making access to abortions more difficult for women who cannot afford the procedure or must travel to obtain it. He said these laws were extreme and in violation of Roe v. Wade.
This story has been updated with additional information.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.kimt.com/news/health/biden-says-the-right-to-choose-is-fundamental-but-not-prepared-to-call-for-change/article_2b271916-1fe3-52b7-b49c-f8a9379e3f45.html | 2022-05-03T18:57:36Z | https://www.kimt.com/news/health/biden-says-the-right-to-choose-is-fundamental-but-not-prepared-to-call-for-change/article_2b271916-1fe3-52b7-b49c-f8a9379e3f45.html | true |
Evidence management technology provider reports record-breaking performance with 40% increase in year-over-year revenue
ATLANTA, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Utility today shared its first-quarter 2022 results, providing insight into the technology company's continued growth. Benefitting from 17 new contract bookings with law enforcement agencies across the United States, Utility secured $35M in quarterly bookings, a record for the company. Complementing quarterly financial highlights include:
- 40% increase in year-over-year revenue
- 218% increase in year-over-year contract bookings
- 31% increase in recurring revenue year-over-year
In the first quarter, Utility executed new contract bookings with nine city police departments; six county agencies, including Harris County, TX, the third most populous county in the country; one school district, Northside Texas Independent School District, and one state corrections agency, South Carolina Department of Corrections. The technology provider also renewed 12 contracts in the first quarter, totaling nearly $1M. Overall, contracts this quarter committed more than 4,892 new devices to the dynamic Utility platform.
"Solution-seeking law enforcement agencies continue to affirm the need for the policy-based, high-speed data collection technology that only Utility provides," said Michael Nark, president and CEO of Utility. "Our first-quarter results demonstrate strong performance within the organization, and I'm confident in our ongoing growth as we look to introduce new technologies in 2022."
During the quarter, platform activity included:
- More than 1.2 petabytes of new media uploaded.
- Creation of 28,452 cases and more than 3.8 million incidents.
- Utility's ALPR technology detected 2.2 million license plates.
- More than 1.7 million user logins
- Users accessed / played more than 733,000 videos
Additional Q1 activities:
- Released a variety of software technology updates for all devices.
- Support for an external mount BodyWorn camera.
- Introduction of a SWAT BodyWorn helmet-mounted camera.
- Fixed mount gunshot detection.
Finally, during the quarter, the company also received notification from the United States Patent and Trademark Office of the issuance of patent 11,282,536 for Systems and Methods for Detecting a Gunshot. The patent covers the detection of a gunshot event through the use ultrasonic frequency distribution across a broad range of frequencies which enables higher accuracy than traditional energy-based sensors. The technology approach also dramatically improves location detection and gunshot type.
About Utility
Utility, the innovative technology-enabled service provider recognized for creating groundbreaking digital systems for frontline professions, provides a universe of intuitive products for effectively capturing, managing and releasing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors and devices as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, please visit bodyworn.com.
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SOURCE Utility, Inc. | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/utility-shares-q1-2022-business-results/ | 2022-05-03T19:05:24Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/utility-shares-q1-2022-business-results/ | false |
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A private burial and memorial service was scheduled Wednesday for a man known by many as the father of the Mississippi Republican Party.
Wirt Yerger Jr. died Monday at his home in Jackson, Wright and Ferguson Funeral Homes confirmed. He was 92.
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker described Yerger as “a trailblazer for the modern Mississippi Republican Party, who had a vision for what principled, conservative leadership could mean for our state and nation.”
In a statement, Wicker said he stood on Yerger's shoulders and has benefited “from the foundation he helped to create.”
“I appreciate his good leadership and will miss his friendship. Gayle and I send our condolences to his family, including his wife, Mary, and their children, as they mourn his loss and celebrate a life well-lived,” Wicker said.
Gov. Tate Reeves remembered Yerger as a “visionary” and as a friend, adding, “We are terribly saddened to hear of his passing, but we are confident that his legacy will endure for many years to come.”
Yerger, was named chairman emeritus of the Mississippi Republican Party in 2009 and was one of Mississippi’s six electors who cast an Electoral College vote during the 2016 presidential election. He voted for Donald Trump.
“He was fiercely committed to both the party and the cause of conservatism,” said Grant Callen, founder, and CEO of Empower Mississippi, a nonprofit advocacy organization. “When Empower was only an idea, I went to Wirt to ask for his advice. Not only did he warmly encourage the idea for Empower, he wrote one of the very first checks to support the mission and volunteered to join our board of directors.”
“Over the last eight years, he and I would visit often, and he never stopped telling me how proud he was of the work we were doing.”
Yerger, a Jackson native and a graduate of the University of Mississippi, served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command. He later joined Ross & Yerger, Inc., Mississippi’s first insurance agency, which had been founded in 1860. according to an obituary provided by the funeral home.
He served as state chair of the Republican Party from 1956 to 1966 and was also chairman of the Southern Association of Republican State Chairmen. In 2009, he was named chairman emeritus of the state GOP for his work in building a two-party political system in Mississippi.
Yerger is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons and a daughter and 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery at 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Wirt-Yerger-Jr-Father-of-Mississippi-GOP-dies-17144865.php | 2022-05-03T19:13:46Z | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Wirt-Yerger-Jr-Father-of-Mississippi-GOP-dies-17144865.php | true |
HANOVER COUNTY, Va. — Hanover Sheriff's Deputies are investigating the death of 81-year-old John Slaw,
The Montpelier man was found lying unconscious next to a vehicle at the Montpelier Shoppes along the 16000 block of Mountain Road on Monday at about 6:09 p.m.
"Once on scene, deputies located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The gun was located next to the body. Lifesaving measures were attempted but were ultimately unsuccessful," a Hanover Sheriff's Office spokesperson wrote. "Investigators continue to look into the moments leading up to this incident and are currently not seeking any suspects in this case."
A cause of death remains under investigation.
Anyone with information was asked to call the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 804-365-6140 or Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip. | https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/john-slaw-obit | 2022-05-03T19:14:28Z | https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/john-slaw-obit | false |
RICHMOND, Va. -- For more than 15 years, Sportable has created opportunities and transformed lives through sport for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments.Today, Hunter Leemon, Executive Director of Sportable and Mark Hartney, Sportable Basketball Player joined us to share more about the Wayne Samford Memorial Golf Tournament presented by SouthState on Monday, May 16, 2022 at Hunting Hawk Golf Club in Glen Allen, Virginia. For registration information and more, visit the website Sportable.org.
Posted at 2:35 PM, May 03, 2022
and last updated 2022-05-03 14:35:52-04
Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. | https://www.wtvr.com/on-air/virginia-this-morning/the-2022-wayne-samford-memorial-golf-tournament | 2022-05-03T19:14:52Z | https://www.wtvr.com/on-air/virginia-this-morning/the-2022-wayne-samford-memorial-golf-tournament | true |
Socialite James Stunt accused of being involved in £266m money-laundering scheme
Stunt is one of eight defendants charged with money laundering involving depositing cash into the account of Bradford gold dealer Fowler Oldfield.
Tuesday 3 May 2022 19:17, UK
The ex-husband of heiress Petra Ecclestone has gone on trial accused of being part of a £266m money-laundering scheme
Socialite James Stunt is one of eight defendants charged with money laundering involving depositing cash into the account of Bradford gold dealer Fowler Oldfield.
The cash was allegedly brought into business addresses owned or managed by the defendants between 2014 and 2016.
Jurors at Leeds Cloth Hall Court heard the money was carried in sports bags, carrier bags and holdalls in hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time.
In one case, cash was hidden inside two toy boxes wrapped in paper disguised as a birthday present.
Prosecutors say all of the money was paid into the bank account of Fowler Oldfield.
Five defendants from the Bradford-based company - Greg Frankel, Daniel Rawson, Paul Miller, Heidi Buckler and Haroon "Harry" Rashid - all claim the prosecution is unable to prove that any of the cash was criminal property.
The other defendants, including Stunt, Alexander Tulloch and Francesca Sota, have argued they "don't know whether it was", prosecutor Nicholas Clarke told the court.
He added that it was "blindingly obvious this was criminal cash" and "it could not have come from a legitimate source".
Jurors were told West Yorkshire Police launched an investigation, named Operation Larkshot, which looked into large amounts of cash being credited to the bank account of Fowler Oldfield collected from three sites.
These were Fowler Oldfield's own premises, Stunt's offices in central London, and a new company called Pure Nines in Hatton Garden.
'Well over a million pounds in notes' paid into account
Mr Clake explained the large amounts of cash aroused the suspicions of bank staff in 2014 because "they were of such an amount, on a daily basis, as may come from a Premier League football stadium on a match day or similar size venue or event".
He said the payments started "getting much bigger in 2016" and on some days "well over a million pounds in notes" was being paid into the account.
The account was then referred to police, who found that between August and September 2016 daily cash deposits ranged between £787,540 and £2,424,380, with an average of £1,706,823, jurors heard.
It was later discovered that from 1 January 2014 until 16 September 2016, more than £266m in cash and unknown deposits were paid into the account.
After the cash had been credited to the bank account, it was transferred mainly to two Birmingham gold suppliers, Cookson Precious Metals Limited and Metalor Technologies (UK) Limited to buy gold, the court heard.
A sum of £46m was also transferred into an account in the name of Stunt's company, Stunt & Co Ltd, jurors were told.
Mr Clarke said the money laundering then "went national" as one of Fowler Oldfield's directors, Greg Frankel, became a vice president of Stunt & Co.
Buckler, 45, Frankel, 44, Miller, 45, Rashid, 51, Rawson, 45, Sota, 34, Stunt, 40 and Tulloch, 41, all deny money laundering.
Stunt and Sota also deny forgery. | https://news.sky.com/story/socialite-james-stunt-accused-of-being-involved-in-266m-money-laundering-scheme-12604863 | 2022-05-03T19:19:58Z | https://news.sky.com/story/socialite-james-stunt-accused-of-being-involved-in-266m-money-laundering-scheme-12604863 | false |
On Monday, the South Burlington Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a tree on Joy Drive, which fell into a housing unit. The driver, a male, was seen fleeing the scene on foot. Sergeant Pat Mulcahy responded to the area and found the suspect on a bike path in the neighborhood. The suspect ran and led Sgt. Mulcahy on a foot chase, which ended on Farrell St.
During the chase, the suspect was seen attempting to access his waistband, and as officers took him into custody, they found a handgun that had been discarded within his vicinity. The suspect was identified as 22-year-old Edward Lamson of Winooski.
Lamson was issued a citation to appear in court on Tuesday for charges of leaving the scene of a crash, negligent operation, resisting arrest, and being in violation of pre-trial conditions of release related to a pending criminal charge. | https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-news/suspect-leads-officer-on-foot-chase-after-crashing-car/ | 2022-05-03T19:21:31Z | https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-news/suspect-leads-officer-on-foot-chase-after-crashing-car/ | false |
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A draft opinion that suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision reverberated in political battleground Michigan, where a near-total abortion ban may take effect again after nearly 40 years and is unlikely to be changed by the Republican-led Legislature.
There is increased attention in Michigan on the state courts, where Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Planned Parenthood — anticipating the ruling — filed lawsuits less than a month ago seeking to invalidate the dormant 1931 law that remains on the books. The governor wants the Michigan Supreme Court to declare a constitutional right to abortion by recognizing the rights to privacy and bodily integrity. She argues the law is invalid under the due process and equal protection clauses of the state constitution.
The development also put a focus on the November election, when the governor and legislators are up for reelection and voters may decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
“Women are waking up this morning feeling hopeless; but we can’t go back. I’m more motivated than ever to keep fighting like hell to ensure abortion remains safe and accessible in Michigan,” Whitmer tweeted.
The leaked draft opinion published Monday by Politico in effect states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow individual states to more heavily regulate or outright ban the procedure. But it’s unclear if the draft represents the Supreme Court’s final word on the matter — opinions often change in ways big and small in the drafting process.
Michigan’s pre-Roe law, which followed a similar 1846 law, makes it a felony to use an instrument or administer any substance with the intent to abort a fetus unless necessary to preserve the woman’s life. There are no exceptions in cases of rape and incest, and Whitmer has said Michigan would have “one of the most extreme laws in the country.”
Republican legislators have blocked Democrats’ efforts to repeal the law. The state’s Democratic attorney general, Dana Nessel, and Democratic prosecutors in seven counties with abortion clinics in turn have pledged to not enforce it. The six other counties with clinics have Republican prosecutors.
All 10 Republican candidates vying to challenge Whitmer are anti-abortion. Many oppose it except to protect the woman’s life, aligning with Right to Life of Michigan’s position. At least two, businessman Kevin Rinke and State Police Capt. Michael Brown, favor additional exceptions such as for rape and incest.
“If true, I believe the Supreme Court acted properly by letting the people of Michigan make their own decision,” Rinke tweeted. “As governor, I will ensure that Michigan is a state that respects the sanctity of life.”
Another candidate, conservative former news host Tudor Dixon, issued a lengthy statement saying she is “pro-life” and telling women they do not have to “pick and choose” between having a baby.
“Life is winning!” chiropractor Garrett Soldano tweeted.
For abortion-rights supporters, the pending high court decision made clear the urgency of a ballot drive they announced in January in anticipation of the federal right to abortion being ended. The constitutional amendment would affirm the right to make pregnancy-related decisions without interference, including about abortion and other reproductive services such as birth control.
The Reproductive Freedom for All committee, which began circulating petitions in March, needs to collect about 425,000 valid voter signatures by July 11 to make the November ballot. The measure would become law if voters approved it.
In Michigan, 70% of voters in the 2020 presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave Roe v. Wade as is and 27% said it should overturn the decision, according to AP VoteCast. That was similar to opinions among voters nationwide.
Few voters in Michigan, 12%, said abortion in general should be illegal in all cases. Many, 28%, said abortion should be illegal in most cases, but a majority — 59% — said abortion in general should be legal in all cases or most cases.
“The unfortunate reality is that our fate is now in our own hands; the U.S. Supreme Court will not protect us,” said Nicole Wells Stallworth, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. “Our campaign to enshrine right to an abortion in the Michigan Constitution is essential, and we must remain vigilant and energized to see it through to the finish because the clock is ticking.”
___
Associated Press polling reporter Hannah Fingerhut contributed to this report.
___
Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 | https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/politics/roe-ruling-jolts-michigan-where-abortion-ban-is-on-books/ | 2022-05-03T19:23:22Z | https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/politics/roe-ruling-jolts-michigan-where-abortion-ban-is-on-books/ | true |
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
© 2022 Good Karma Brands Milwaukee, LLC. | https://wtmj.com/sports/2022/05/03/ap-top-sports-news-at-1238-p-m-edt-18/ | 2022-05-03T19:24:32Z | https://wtmj.com/sports/2022/05/03/ap-top-sports-news-at-1238-p-m-edt-18/ | true |
Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) expands its efforts and commitment to improving population health through relationships with local government organizations and municipalities by providing training and resources to combat mental health and addiction disorders.
MONROE, La., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) expands its efforts and commitment to improving population health through relationships with local government organizations and municipalities by providing training and resources to combat mental health and addiction disorders.
To influence the negative impact of social determinants, NEDHSA's Integrated Care model works to improve the lives of Northeast Louisiana's most vulnerable populations. The agency has created partnerships with local and state governments, higher educational institutions, and related organizations to help combat food insecurity, high unemployment, community instability, poor education, and inadequate housing options.
NEDHSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A. Sizer said, "we can effectively help our citizens meet many of their physical and behavioral health needs; however, we cannot solve complex societal problems alone. We need a shared vision and a laser-like focus on solutions."
"We are connecting more strategically and leveraging our assets to impact upstream or those systemic factors that cause higher rates of downstream outcomes like mental illness, addiction, primary health care challenges, and poverty," Dr. Sizer said. "We understand the intersectionality between our work and the work of state and regional public policies and governance decisions."
An example of a partnership with other government agencies and municipals is its work with the Town of Farmerville and Union Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP). NEDHSA will provide Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), an evidence-based two-day face-to-face workshop featuring powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. Because NEDHSA is providing this training, the Town of Farmerville and Union Parish OHSEP will learn how to identify and reduce suicide by recognizing signs, providing skilled interventions, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive. This program helps save lives and costs, yielding a return on investment of up to 50:1.
Farmerville Mayor John Crow said the town is "committed to providing the necessary resources for our citizens to live full, meaningful lives and enjoy the natural beauty that our parish offers."
"Partnering with Northeast Delta Human Services Authority allows us to train our first responders, law enforcement, and school personnel on how to respond to a citizen in crisis," Mayor Crow said. "Thank you, Dr. Sizer and Northeast Delta Human Services Authority, for providing such an important and much-needed service directly in our parish."
Union Parish OHSEP Director Shannon Futch, LEM-T, said, "this workshop in suicide first aid will be a vital training for our Law Enforcement, School Personnel, and Emergency Management."
"Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis," Futch said. "Learning risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help will allow Union Parish First Responders to help our residents during a chaotic time in their lives."
NEDHSA is also establishing relationships with downtown districts within other municipal governments to assist with blight mitigation and beautification efforts through mural art. As another layer of scaling its Integrated Care model within the 12-parish region, the agency is using its arts initiative to implement evidence-based prevention, communications, and treatment strategies. The agency currently has a mobile mural traveling through the region and a mural in downtown Monroe's Art Alley.
Dr. Sizer said, "we will continue to be intentional about scaling our Integrated Health model in Louisiana's Delta."
"We will be more focused on helping regional mayors, municipal leaders, school superintendents, business executives, and law enforcement officials better understand the connection between jobs, housing, municipal infrastructure, education, food deserts, poverty, and behavioral and primary health outcomes," Dr. Sizer said. "We must think and act systemically if we hope to see significant population health improvements and economic prosperity in our region."
Media Contact
DeRon Talley, Northeast Delta HSA, 318-237-9973, deron.talley@la.gov
SOURCE Northeast Delta Human Services Authority | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_health/northeast-delta-hsa-expands-relationships-with-municipals-government-agencies/article_24102b5b-950e-56c3-8724-5952ad83f49f.html | 2022-05-03T19:29:02Z | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_health/northeast-delta-hsa-expands-relationships-with-municipals-government-agencies/article_24102b5b-950e-56c3-8724-5952ad83f49f.html | true |
Main negotiators reach 'outcome' on COVID vaccine IP waiver -WTO
Adds details of agreement throughout
GENEVA, May 3 (Reuters) - The four main parties to negotiations on an intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 vaccines have prepared an "outcome document" for approval by the broader membership, the WTO said on Tuesday, with its chief hoping for a final deal by June.
WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who has made vaccine equity her top priority since taking office in 2021, has been working for months to broker a compromise between the United States, the European Union, India and South Africa to break an 18-month-long impasse.
"What the discussions were aiming at was coming up with something workable," Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters, saying she hoped the WTO's 164 members would finalise and approve the proposal by a major conference in June. "This will advance the discussion and dialogue. For the next pandemic or a flare up of this one, this is hugely important," she said.
The document showed that there were still unresolved areas in the draft deal, including on the duration of the waiver's application which could be either three or five years.
Okonjo-Iweala said recent negotiations had focused on getting broader support for the deal, including from China. She said Beijing had indicated it was "favourably disposed" to being considered as a developed country in this deal and thus subject to stricter rules. The Chinese mission to the WTO in Geneva did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Catherine Evans and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
((emma.farge@thomsonreuters.com;))
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc. | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/main-negotiators-reach-outcome-on-covid-vaccine-ip-waiver-wto-0 | 2022-05-03T19:31:02Z | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/main-negotiators-reach-outcome-on-covid-vaccine-ip-waiver-wto-0 | false |
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ The winning numbers in Tuesday afternoon's drawing of the Iowa Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
8-0-7
(eight, zero, seven)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ The winning numbers in Tuesday afternoon's drawing of the Iowa Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
8-0-7
(eight, zero, seven) | https://www.mrt.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17144803.php | 2022-05-03T19:32:35Z | https://www.mrt.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17144803.php | true |
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – A man who climbed the Salesforce Tower in an anti-abortion protest has been taken into custody by the San Francisco Police Department, according to the city’s fire department.
Earlier, the San Francisco Fire Department had tweeted that someone was climbing the 60-floor Salesforce Tower in the city’s south of Market neighborhood.
“San Francisco Fire is on scene with other Public Safety Agencies at 415 Mission, Sales Force Tower for a reported climber climbing the 60 floor tower,” a tweet sent at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday stated. “This person is placing firefighters lives and the publics safety at risk. AVOID THE AREA and join us in condemning this action.”
Who is the Salesforce Tower climber?
A man describing himself as a “pro-life Spiderman” published Instagram video appearing to show himself climbing the tower. In the video, the climber stated he just wishes he has water.
“Everything’s going good,” he said in a video. In another, he called attention to anti-abortion groups.
By 10:50 a.m. he’d made it to the top of the tower. KRON4’s Sara Stinson reported that police are in contact with the man.
The man, Maison Des Champs, identified himself on the website www.prolifespiderman.com. He stated he has a love for the outdoors and started rock climbing at the age of 16. He claims that in August 2021, he climbed the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas, where he lives, to protest COVID-19 mandates. He also stated he is a finance major at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
How tall is Salesforce Tower?
- The Salesforce Tower, completed in 2018, is the second-tallest tallest building west of the Mississippi River, after the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles.
- It’s 1,070 feet — just 13 feet shorter than the Eiffel Tower.
- The tower has already been seen in movies and TV shows, such as HBO’s “Silicon Valley.”
- The tower sits on landfill and is adjacent to the Transbay Transit Center.
- Salesforce is a cloud-based software company.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/california-wire/man-climbing-sfs-salesforce-tower/ | 2022-05-03T19:33:38Z | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/california-wire/man-climbing-sfs-salesforce-tower/ | false |
Stemple, University blank Bridgeport, 10-0
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WV News) — University High pitcher Autumn Stemple controlled the game in the circle and gave her team a major boost at the plate Thursday at Mylan Park, propelling the Hawks to a 10-0 win over the Bridgeport Indians in five innings. Stemple pitched all five...
www.wvnews.com | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2586861234349/stemple-university-blank-bridgeport-10-0 | 2022-05-03T19:34:24Z | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2586861234349/stemple-university-blank-bridgeport-10-0 | true |
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, May 3, 2022
_____
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
120 PM CDT Tue May 3 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Anderson
County through 145 PM CDT...
At 118 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Harmony and Tennessee Colony, or 7 miles west of Palestine, moving
southeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Palestine, Harmony, Tucker.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
LAT...LON 3160 9571 3162 9571 3165 9574 3164 9576
3162 9575 3160 9577 3161 9577 3164 9580
3169 9578 3169 9579 3167 9581 3179 9591
3191 9575 3173 9552
TIME...MOT...LOC 1818Z 319DEG 11KT 3179 9578
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.greenwichtime.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-DALLAS-FT-WORTH-Warnings-Watches-and-17144899.php | 2022-05-03T19:36:43Z | https://www.greenwichtime.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-DALLAS-FT-WORTH-Warnings-Watches-and-17144899.php | false |
SouthSide Bethlehem’s monthly First Friday event will feature a critical and constructive look at the development of the community south of the Lehigh River stemming from a year’s-worth of research into affordable housing solutions.
Wesley Hiatt, a Lehigh University professor and professional architect, spent a year studying and researching the cross-section of the south side’s history and new developments, according to a news release.
A pop-up gallery exhibition of Hiatt’s work spotlights the Southside Alley House “as a traditional approach to providing affordable, small-scale development opportunities that add housing in response to high demand,” the release says.
“Bethlehem’s tradition of building alley-facing homes deserves to be revisited,” it says.
Hiatt will present the pop-up gallery “SouthSide Survey: Housing Futures For South Bethlehem” from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at the Brinker Lofts. There will be a gallery talk at 6:30 p.m.
The exhibition seeks to start a conversation about how this traditional design can be a helpful component of a plan to develop necessary affordable housing on the south side.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.
Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com. | https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2022/05/alley-facing-homes-may-be-an-affordable-housing-solution-in-bethlehem-lehigh-professor-says.html | 2022-05-03T19:40:54Z | https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2022/05/alley-facing-homes-may-be-an-affordable-housing-solution-in-bethlehem-lehigh-professor-says.html | true |
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Tuesday afternoon's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
8-1-5
(eight, one, five)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Tuesday afternoon's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
8-1-5
(eight, one, five) | https://www.darientimes.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17144845.php | 2022-05-03T19:43:24Z | https://www.darientimes.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17144845.php | true |
WFO NORMAN Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, May 5, 2022
_____
AREAL FLOOD WATCH
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Norman OK
220 PM CDT Tue May 3 2022
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY
MORNING...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...Portions of Oklahoma and northern Texas, including the
following counties, in Oklahoma, Alfalfa, Atoka, Blaine, Bryan,
Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton,
Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay,
Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Major, Marshall, McClain,
Murray, Noble, Oklahoma, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole,
Stephens and Tillman. In northern Texas, Archer, Clay, Wichita and
Wilbarger.
* WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Thursday morning.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur
in poor drainage and urban areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Showers and thunderstorms will develop Wednesday morning over
a broad swath of the watch area. Another round of rain and
thunderstorms is expected later in the afternoon and lasting
much of Wednesday night before ending Thursday morning. Storm
total amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Given recent
rainfall, these additional amounts may cause flooding.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.thehour.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-NORMAN-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17145092.php | 2022-05-03T19:46:31Z | https://www.thehour.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-NORMAN-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17145092.php | false |
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — A Maryland man has become mentally competent to stand trial more than two years after he was charged with planning an Islamic State-inspired attack at a shopping and entertainment complex near Washington, D.C., a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
Rondell Henry's attorneys notified the court last Friday that he intends to pursue an insanity defense. Henry, 31, of Germantown, Maryland, was charged in 2019 with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State group.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis agreed Tuesday to order a psychiatric examination of Henry to determine whether he was insane around the time of his alleged offenses. The judge also ruled Henry is mentally competent to stand trial, can understand the charges against him and is capable of assisting in his defense.
Xinis had ruled in February 2020 that Henry was not competent to stand trial. She repeatedly extended Henry’s court-ordered hospitalization.
But the judge said a March 31 report on Henry's medical condition found experts had restored his mental competence and that he is “doing much better.” Defense attorney Christian Lassiter, an assistant federal public defender, said he does not dispute that finding.
“In fact, I think it corresponds directly with my own direct observations (of Henry),” Lassiter added.
When Xinis asked Henry how he is feeling, he said, “I'm feeling good.”
“Are you feeling well enough to make decisions for yourself?” the judge asked.
“Yes, I do,” Henry replied.
The judge said Henry appears to be "quite keyed in and healthy, which is good.”
Henry is accused of stealing a U-Haul van in Virginia and parking it at the National Harbor, a popular waterfront destination just outside the nation’s capital. Police arrested him the next morning after they found the van and saw Henry jump over a security fence.
Henry told investigators he planned to carry out an attack like one in which a driver ran over and killed dozens of people in Nice, France, in 2016, authorities said. A federal prosecutor has said Henry intended to kill as many “disbelievers” as possible.
In 2019, a court-appointed forensic psychologist from the Federal Bureau of Prisons found “ample evidence” that Henry was mentally unfit to assist in his defense.
Henry has been detained at a federal medical facility in Butner, North Carolina. He does not have a trial date yet. The judge scheduled a June 27 status hearing for the case.
Prosecutors have said Henry watched Islamic State group propaganda videos of foreign terrorists beheading civilians and fighting overseas. Investigators said they recovered a phone Henry had discarded on a highway in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence, including images of the Islamic State flag, armed Islamic State fighters and the man who carried out the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida.
Henry is a naturalized U.S. citizen who moved to the country from Trinidad and Tobago more than a decade ago.
The terrorism charge he faces is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Henry also faces a stolen vehicle charge that carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Man-charged-in-ISIS-inspired-plot-found-mentally-17145108.php | 2022-05-03T19:48:15Z | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Man-charged-in-ISIS-inspired-plot-found-mentally-17145108.php | true |
Evidence management technology provider reports record-breaking performance with 40% increase in year-over-year revenue
ATLANTA, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Utility today shared its first-quarter 2022 results, providing insight into the technology company's continued growth. Benefitting from 17 new contract bookings with law enforcement agencies across the United States, Utility secured $35M in quarterly bookings, a record for the company. Complementing quarterly financial highlights include:
- 40% increase in year-over-year revenue
- 218% increase in year-over-year contract bookings
- 31% increase in recurring revenue year-over-year
In the first quarter, Utility executed new contract bookings with nine city police departments; six county agencies, including Harris County, TX, the third most populous county in the country; one school district, Northside Texas Independent School District, and one state corrections agency, South Carolina Department of Corrections. The technology provider also renewed 12 contracts in the first quarter, totaling nearly $1M. Overall, contracts this quarter committed more than 4,892 new devices to the dynamic Utility platform.
"Solution-seeking law enforcement agencies continue to affirm the need for the policy-based, high-speed data collection technology that only Utility provides," said Michael Nark, president and CEO of Utility. "Our first-quarter results demonstrate strong performance within the organization, and I'm confident in our ongoing growth as we look to introduce new technologies in 2022."
During the quarter, platform activity included:
- More than 1.2 petabytes of new media uploaded.
- Creation of 28,452 cases and more than 3.8 million incidents.
- Utility's ALPR technology detected 2.2 million license plates.
- More than 1.7 million user logins
- Users accessed / played more than 733,000 videos
Additional Q1 activities:
- Released a variety of software technology updates for all devices.
- Support for an external mount BodyWorn camera.
- Introduction of a SWAT BodyWorn helmet-mounted camera.
- Fixed mount gunshot detection.
Finally, during the quarter, the company also received notification from the United States Patent and Trademark Office of the issuance of patent 11,282,536 for Systems and Methods for Detecting a Gunshot. The patent covers the detection of a gunshot event through the use ultrasonic frequency distribution across a broad range of frequencies which enables higher accuracy than traditional energy-based sensors. The technology approach also dramatically improves location detection and gunshot type.
About Utility
Utility, the innovative technology-enabled service provider recognized for creating groundbreaking digital systems for frontline professions, provides a universe of intuitive products for effectively capturing, managing and releasing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors and devices as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, please visit bodyworn.com.
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SOURCE Utility, Inc. | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/utility-shares-q1-2022-business-results/ | 2022-05-03T19:49:07Z | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/utility-shares-q1-2022-business-results/ | false |
Thug who tortured a baby so badly his legs needed amputating is held hostage and battered in prison by two inmates wielding improvised weapons – but may now be in line for compensation
- Anthony Smith, 51, lost teeth after he was attacked by HMP Swaleside inmates
- Smith could be given taxpayer-funded payout after he was assaulted in prison
- The abusive father is serving a 10-year term after abusing little Tony Hudgell
- Tony was just four months old when he was subjected to vile abuse in 2014
An abusive father who tortured his own child so badly his legs had to be amputated could now be due compensation after he was battered by two fellow prison inmates.
Anthony Smith, 51, had 12 teeth knocked out after his attackers hit him with socks filled with cans of tuna during a two-hour savaging
Anthony Smith, 51, who is serving a 10-year sentence for child cruelty at HMP Swaleside in Kent, had 12 teeth knocked out after his attackers hit him with socks filled with cans of tuna during a two-hour savaging.
Smith, who abused little Tony Hudgell alongside his partner Jody Simpson, was tied up and assaulted with the homemade weapons by Michael Stewart, 31, and Nathan Odgers, 36.
The pair struck Smith repeatedly with their improvised weapons and tied him to his cell bed after he collected his breakfast.
Child abuser Smith could be in line for a taxpayer-funded payout as he was the victim of an attack while a prisoner. He could claim for both physical injuries and mental trauma inflicted.
During the attack the inmates shouted that Smith should lose his legs and threatened to 'chop off his legs' - a reference to the appalling violence he inflicted on his son.
Tony was just four months old when he was subjected to vile abuse at the couple's flat in Maidstone, Kent, in 2014.
The youngster, now seven, lost both legs as a result of the injuries and his campaigning with adopted mother Paula led to a recent law change, dubbed Tony's Law, could see abusers jailed for life.
Tony, pictured above in 2020, was just four months old when he was subjected to vile abuse at the couple's flat in Maidstone, Kent
The youngester, now seven, lost both legs as a result of the injuries and his campaigning with adopted mother Paula led to a recent law change, dubbed Tony's Law, could see abusers jailed for life
Stewart and Odgers reportedly told Smith to go along with their hostage plan staged in protest at being at the notorious category B jail dubbed 'Stabside' in the hope of being moved jails.
Both defendants later claimed Smith volunteered but he denied this.
A wardrobe was pushed across the door and the observation panel blocked with toilet paper as the pair demanded to speak to a governor.
Initially Stewart and Odgers did not know of Smith's notorious crimes until another inmate shouted out who he was.
Stewart - who was serving 10 years for serious violence - and Nathan Odgers - who is serving 10-and-a-half years for a sting of armed robberies - then barricaded themselves in after tying Smith to the bed.
A prisoner was heard to shout: 'He should have his legs chopped off.'
Smith was left needing hospital treatment for multiple teeth fractures and bruising after the brutal assault left the tuna tins 'heavily dented'.
The two-hour ordeal happened in August 2018 - just six months after Smith and Simpson were jailed over their abuse - but it would take another 19 months before the CPS would authorise charges.
A judge at Maidstone Crown Court today said the delay was 'extraordinary and unconscionable' and cut their sentences by a year.
Stewart, who had links to Bedford, was given an extended jail term of eight years and five months and father-of-four Odgers, from Hastings, East Sussex, received an extended sentence of nine years and six months.
Tony was admitted to the Evelina London Children's in Southwark, south east London, in 2015
In December 2021 Tony met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their festive carol concert at Westminster Abbey
Both men admitted charges of false imprisonment and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Judge Jeremy Donne QC told the court Smith needed 12 teeth replaced - although the pair were not responsible for all of the injuries.
He said he accepted the motive for the attack was not revenge but a desire to move to a different jail.
He ordered Stewart to serve an immediate jail term of three years and eight months and Odgers four years and six months.
The judge then ruled the two will also have to serve another five years on licence when they are released after serving two-thirds of the jail terms.
Little Tony's suffering at the hands of his parents caused national outrage as his injuries were so horrific, including a hip dislocation and head trauma, the youngster had to have surgery to amputate both legs at the knee.
He has since learnt to walk on prosthetic legs and during lockdown raised over £1.2 million for the NHS and the hospital that saved his life. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10779457/Tony-Hudgell-Abused-boys-father-prison-attack-inmates-assaulted-cans-tuna.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | 2022-05-03T19:49:12Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10779457/Tony-Hudgell-Abused-boys-father-prison-attack-inmates-assaulted-cans-tuna.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | false |
Met Gala 2022: Molly Sims, 48, is the height of elegance as she is one of the FEW stars who got the event's Gilded Age dress code right in pink dress
Molly Sims turned heads while attending the 2022 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening.
The 48-year-old actress wowed while wearing an eye-catching pink outfit on the star-studded annual event's red carpet, during which she was also accompanied by her husband, Scott Stuber.
The Casino actress was one of the few stars who got the event's Gilded Age dress code right.
In attendance: Molly Sims turned heads while attending the 2022 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening
Sims stuck to the Gilded Age dress code by wearing a corset style top that pulled in her waist, a more flowing skirt, exaggerated sleeves and opera gloves.
The fashion industry personality also carried a matching clutch.
The supermodel accessorized with a single ring as well as a sparkling pair of earrings.
Her beautiful blonde hair was tied back into a tight bun for the duration of the gala.
Gorgeous: Sims stuck to the Gilded Age dress code by wearing a corset style top that pulled in her waist, a more flowing skirt, exaggerated sleeves and opera gloves
Stuber opted to wear a white jacket on top of a matching button-up shirt while spending time with his wife.
The 53-year-old producer also sported a bow tie that matched the tone of his outerwear.
The Netflix executive contrasted his tops with a jet-black pair of pants and a set of leather shoes.
Sims later switched into a completely different outfit before she and her husband made their way to an after-party.
Dressed for the occasion: Stuber opted to wear a white jacket on top of a matching button-up shirt while spending time with his wife
The model wore a black jacket that featured numerous sparkling sequins on top of a bra while appearing at the event.
The performer also rocked a matching pair of slim-fitting pants and a set of high-heeled shoes.
She added a bit of color to her outfit with a gorgeous pair of turquoise-colored earrings.
Sims' lengthy blonde locks were tied into a ponytail that fell onto her back and contrasted perfectly with the dark shade of her outfit.
Switching out: The model wore a black jacket that featured numerous sparkling sequins on top of a bra while appearing at the after party
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'
Fashion's biggest night is traditionally held the first Monday in May to raise money for the Costume Institute in New York City, with last year's event moved to September due to the pandemic.
This year's dress code was 'gilded glamour' to match the theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'
Tickets for the glitzy event can reportedly cost up to $35,000 apiece, while prices for a table range from $200,000 to $300,000, with last year's bash raking in a whopping $16.4 million for the Met's Costume Institute.
Keeping it consistent: The performer also rocked a matching pair of slim-fitting pants and a set of high-heeled shoes
Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda hosted this time, taking over from Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour once again supervised the benefit as chairwoman, a position she's held since 1995. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' which is the second of star curator Andrew Bolton's two-part show exploring the roots of American style.
Accessorizing well: She added a bit of color to her outfit with a gorgeous pair of turquoise-colored earrings | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10779339/Met-Gala-2022-Molly-Sims-48-one-Gilded-Age-theme-right.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | 2022-05-03T19:49:51Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10779339/Met-Gala-2022-Molly-Sims-48-one-Gilded-Age-theme-right.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | false |
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The House has passed legislation aimed at drawing some retired teachers back to the classroom by increasing the money they can earn without reducing their retirement benefit.
Under current rules, former teachers can return to the classroom and earn 25% of their “final average compensation” without reducing their retirement benefit. The Louisiana Teachers Retirement System site says final average compensation is based on the highest salary earned during a set number of consecutive years of teaching — three consecutive years for teachers hired before 2001.
The bill approved 96-0 on Monday would push up that limit to 50% of their final average compensation. The Advocate reports that the bill applies to those certified to teach math, science, English language arts and to any teacher’s aide. If approved by the Senate, the plan would be in effect for three years.
Officials said that, under the plan, former teachers might work half a school year or select hours to maximize their impact while still being paid.
The bill would apply to those who retired before Dec. 31, 2021.
“We have a critical teacher shortage that has arrived at our doorstep,” said Rep. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge and sponsor of the legislation. | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/House-passes-enticement-to-draw-some-teachers-17144917.php | 2022-05-03T19:52:21Z | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/House-passes-enticement-to-draw-some-teachers-17144917.php | true |
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson retires
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson, who reached as high as No. 5 in the ATP rankings, announced his retirement on Tuesday.
The South African lost to Rafael Nadal in the 2017 U.S. Open final and fell to Novak Djokovic in the 2018 Wimbledon championship match.
Anderson, who turns 36 on May 18, won seven career ATP Tour titles.
"I don't remember a time in my life when I wasn't playing tennis," Anderson said in his announcement on social media. "I started on the journey 30 years ago when my Dad put a racquet in my hands and told me if I was willing to work hard, I could be one of the best players in the world.
"Since then, tennis carried me far beyond my roots in Johannesburg, South Africa and truly gave me the world. I've experienced so many different challenges and emotions; this sport can be exhilarating and at the same time lonely.
"I've had ups and downs, but I wouldn't change it for anything. My journey helped me become the man who I am today."
Anderson turned pro in 2007 after a standout college career at Illinois. His high ranking occurred in 2018 and he won $17.7 million in prize money.
One of his highlights was being named the winner of the 2019 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award.
Anderson was plagued by elbow and knee injuries over his past few seasons. He last competed in March at the Miami Open, losing to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round.
--Field Level Media | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10779599/Two-time-Grand-Slam-finalist-Kevin-Anderson-retires.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-05-03T19:54:54Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10779599/Two-time-Grand-Slam-finalist-Kevin-Anderson-retires.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | true |
NEW DELHI (AP) — An unusually early and brutal heat wave is scorching parts of India, with acute power shortages affecting millions as demand for electricity surges to record levels.
Supplies of coal at many thermal power plants are running perilously low, spawning daily power outages in several states. The shortages are sparking scrutiny of India’s long reliance on coal, which produces 70% of the country’s electricity.
The situation highlights India’s pressing need to diversify its energy sources, as demand for electricity is expected to increase more than anywhere else in the world over the next 20 years as the densely populated country develops, according to the International Energy Agency.
The shortages hit as blisteringly high temperatures are sweeping over parts of the country, prompting authorities to close schools, sparking fires at gigantic landfills and shriveling crops as a cool spring turned suddenly into unrelenting heat.
India recorded its hottest March since 1901, and average temperatures in April in northern and central pockets of the country were the highest in 122 years, the Indian Meteorological Department said. Temperatures breached 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in 10 cities last week, although cloudy skies and rain could bring some relief soon.
Climate change is making severe temperatures hotter and more frequent, with heat waves likely to strike India about once every four years instead of every five decades in the past, said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London. India urgently needs to prepare for record increases in power consumption as a result.
Current power cuts are hurting economic activity, which had been rebounding after pandemic shutdowns, and could disrupt essential services such as hospitals, experts warn. Many states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are experiencing blackouts of up to seven hours.
On Friday, the railways ministry canceled more than 750 passenger train services to allow more freight trains to move coal from mines to the power plants.
Out of India’s 165 coal plants, 94 are facing critically low coal supplies while 8 are not operational as of Sunday, according to data from the Central Electricity Authority. This means stocks have dropped below 25% of normal levels.
Government rules mandate that power plants maintain 24 days’ worth of coal stocks, but many routinely don’t, said Vibhuti Garg, an energy economist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Much of India had a cool spring this year before temperatures rose quickly and dramatically. “Then suddenly the demand started picking up and the inventories started declining much, much faster than anticipated,” Garg said. “And this becomes a kind of panic situation that they’ll start running out of coal pretty soon.”
But the power outages are less the result of a dearth of coal than inadequate forecasts of demand and plans for transporting it in time, experts said.
“We don’t have enough resources to do proper forecasting. The hike in demand should not have come as a surprise,” Garg said.
“There is enough coal, but a lack of anticipation and planning” caused problems, said Sunil Dahiya, an analyst at the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air. “This could have been avoided.”
Some of the shortfall could also have been met with imported coal, Garg said. But global prices have shot up since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reaching $400 per ton in March, putting it out of reach for perennially cash-strapped power distribution companies.
Analysts expect demand to dip in the coming weeks, especially if the heat subsides, but it is likely to surge again in July and August, driven by rising humidity and the planting season in some Indian states. It is also the start of the monsoon, when heavy rains can flood coal mines and disrupt both mining and supply.
A similar energy crisis occurred last October following unusually heavy rains that flooded several mines.
The freeing up of freight trains to transport coal is likely to ease the situation and provide some relief, but it isn’t a long-term solution, experts said.
With climate change exacerbating heat waves, energy shortfalls will become more routine and demand will only rise further. But the answer is not to open new mines or add more coal to India’s energy mix, because that will increase greenhouse gases that in turn will trap more heat, experts said.
“We need to aggressively focus on bolstering renewable energy and making it more reliable. Otherwise, the same issues will keep occurring, because we are too reliant on this one source of fuel,” Dahiya said.
___
The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/heat-wave-sparks-blackouts-questions-on-indias-coal-usage/ | 2022-05-03T19:55:24Z | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/heat-wave-sparks-blackouts-questions-on-indias-coal-usage/ | false |
TULSA — Authorities in Oklahoma say that a statue of a star Native American ballerina that was stolen from the front of a museum in Tulsa was sold for scrap metal.
The bronze statue of Marjorie Tallchief stood outside the Tulsa Historical Society as part of the Five Moons display before it was stolen on Thursday.
According to Tulsa Police, several of the pieces were recovered at a recycling center in Catoosa on Monday.
Museum officials said on Facebook Monday that the pieces recovered were all cut up.
"I, on behalf of our board of directors, staff and volunteers, want to thank all of those who so quickly spread the news that one of our beloved Five Moons statues had been stolen," the museum's executive director Michelle Place said. "We are hoping that additional information regarding the missing pieces will be located so that we can then do our best to restore this Native American symbol through art."
The Tulsa World reported that the pieces were recovered from CMC Recycling, which contacted the museum.
According to the Associated Press, several pieces are still missing, including the head and part of an arm.
"The Tulsa Police Department is working diligently to apprehend the thief," the museum said. "There are promising leads due to the recycling center's due diligence."
Museum officials said Tuesday that the artist who helped sculpt some of the statues, Gary Henson, is working on restoring the piece with what parts of the figure were recovered.
If he isn't able to restore it, the museum said Henson would create a replica. | https://www.3newsnow.com/news/national/ballerina-statue-in-tulsa-cut-down-for-scrap-metal | 2022-05-03T20:03:51Z | https://www.3newsnow.com/news/national/ballerina-statue-in-tulsa-cut-down-for-scrap-metal | true |
WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is urgently calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse misguided policy changes and get TSCA implementation back on track.
If the U.S. is to remain a global leader in innovation, TSCA implementation is critical. Promoting the safe use of the essential products of chemistry is a shared responsibility of manufacturers, the government, and those who use or sell chemical products. TSCA can either be a catalyst to addressing our nation's and the world's pressing challenges or it can create an unnecessary barrier to progress. Implementing TSCA in the sensible, risk- and science-based manner the 2016 bipartisan amendments call for is the best way to catalyze progress.
After years of work and negotiations among lawmakers of both parties, as well as extensive engagement by stakeholders from industrial, environmental, public health, animal rights, and labor organizations, in 2016 Congress overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan legislation to modernize TSCA for the first time since the original law was passed more than 40 years ago. ACC and its members were key supporters of this, historic bipartisan effort.
"Congress intended the amendments to TSCA to protect Americans' health and our environment while importantly supporting economic growth, manufacturing in the U.S., and promoting America's role as the world's leading innovator," said Chris Jahn, President and CEO, ACC. "Six years later, TSCA implementation is in a dismal state. More than ever, we must help ensure America's supply chains are resilient. EPA's delays, faulty processes, and policy changes that run counter to the statute are exacerbating already critical supply chain issues. If we don't fix TSCA implementation now, products that consumers and critical industries rely on will be severely impacted, and America's supply chain problems will continue to go from bad to worse."
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the multibillion-dollar business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products, technologies and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health, safety and security performance through Responsible Care®; common sense advocacy addressing major public policy issues; and health and environmental research and product testing. ACC members and chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development, and are advancing products, processes and technologies to address climate change, enhance air and water quality, and progress toward a more sustainable, circular economy.
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SOURCE American Chemistry Council | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/american-chemistry-council-hold-press-conference-regarding-need-improve-implementation-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca/ | 2022-05-03T20:07:09Z | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/american-chemistry-council-hold-press-conference-regarding-need-improve-implementation-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca/ | false |
System already in beta and driving data-driven results with key project across North American market
TORONTO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian real estate technology company Senara ("Company") today announced the completion of pre-seed funding, allowing the privately-held company to continue its North American expansion. The funding will also provide the Company with additional revenue to enhance existing AI capabilities within the platform.
Senara is a pre-construction lead-to-close system that empowers developers and their listing brokerages to sell smarter and faster, while spending less. The proprietary system uses AI to generate new higher quality homebuyer leads, appointments and firm sales, based on algorithms built from tens of millions of leads, appointments and purchase datapoints. Senara offers predictive analytics algorithms that can be layered into any brokerage CRM to perfect buyer journeys and reallocate ad spends across digital platforms. Benefits of Senara include lead generation, prospect nurturing, pipeline intelligence, and ultimately profitability. Additionally, Senara offers regional homebuyer insights gathered through its system.
"Senara accelerates the usage of real-time data to help developers and their brokerages sell faster and more intelligently, with greater profitably. Leveraging proprietary AI, Senara serves up the ideal homebuyer based on each project's unique attributes helping to expedite the sales process," said Reagan Zuzarte, CEO of Senara. "We are grateful for key investors and early partners whose trust and sales results have validated the market need for a robust preconstruction intelligence system."
Since the company's launch in 2021, Senara has been used in over 50 campaigns across North America, resulting in over $1B sold in new homes across Canada, Washington, Florida and Texas. Targeting high-rise projects, Senara has effectively partnered with Great Gulf/DREAM's Frank Gehry designed project Forma Toronto and Seattle's Graystone in partnership with Sotheby's Realogics, transforming their sales process with real-time data over the last two months.
"Senara is dramatically transforming the sales process, providing listing agents with significantly more qualified buyers thereby making their effort much more effective. The Senara team has worked in real estate for decades, and their platform operationalizes best practices and provides tech-forward learnings to an industry that is prime to be modernised," said Brad Henderson, Broker & Senior Member Cushman & Wakefield Global Data Centre Advisory Group and member of Senara's advisory board.
"In a time of uncertainty for builders driven by changing homebuyer habits and different regional demand, Senara's North American customers have grasped the power of data to increase control of their pre-construction sales. We're very bullish on helping them read the market in a way they never have before," said Ford Shirriff, Chief Revenue Officer of Senara.
To learn more about Senara, book a demo, qualify to become a Senara Preferred Brokerage or sign up for exclusive first access to Regional Homebuyer Insights from across North America, visit www.senara.ai
ABOUT SENARA: Senara is a pre-construction lead-to-close system that empowers developers and their listing brokerages to sell smarter and faster, while spending less. Senara will shape the future of preconstruction sales, helping customers discover new data trails to profitability with a results driven platform which delivers in a beautifully uncomplicated way. www.senara.ai
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SOURCE Senara | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/canadian-proptech-senara-secures-pre-seed-funding-launch-innovative-pre-construction-lead-to-close-system-that-empowers-developers-their-listing-brokerages-sell-smarter-faster-while-spending-less/ | 2022-05-03T20:11:57Z | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/canadian-proptech-senara-secures-pre-seed-funding-launch-innovative-pre-construction-lead-to-close-system-that-empowers-developers-their-listing-brokerages-sell-smarter-faster-while-spending-less/ | false |
HOUSTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Capstreet Group ("Capstreet"), a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm, announced today that it was recognized for Technology Deal of the Year by The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Houston. The award, announced at ACG's 5th Annual Deal of the Year ceremony on April 19th at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston, recognizes Capstreet portfolio company HungerRush's acquisition of online food ordering platform Menufy.
HungerRush, a Houston-based cloud software provider for the restaurant industry, acquired Menufy in October 2021 to create an all-in-one integrated restaurant solution. The combination allows HungerRush to further expand its technology and market reach through the addition of a fast-growing, established online ordering platform that scales easily and allows for swift onboarding of new restaurants. Menufy's customers gain access to HungerRush's cloud POS system and additional integrated cloud solutions, including AI-driven text ordering, marketing, and delivery. As one company, HungerRush plans to help thousands of restaurants grow their businesses, expand capabilities, and improve profit margins.
Adrian Guerra, Partner at Capstreet, said, "We are honored to be recognized by ACG. The transaction's goal is to build on HungerRush's digital ordering platform to address rapid changes in the restaurant industry and expand its market reach. The combined company has the potential to help thousands of restaurants in Texas and throughout the U.S. grow their business and improve their profit margins."
ACG Houston's annual Deal of the Year event celebrates Houston's booming middle-market deal community, honoring the deals and deal makers who drive middle-market growth and their success in generating job-growth, capital formation and the advancement of meaningful business relationships in the Houston community.
About ACG
Founded in 1954, ACG is a global organization with 59 chapters and over 14,500 members. Doing business is at the heart of the ACG membership experience. Chapters in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia bring dealmakers together to help them achieve their business and professional goals. To learn more or become a member visit www.acg.org/houston.
About The Capstreet Group
Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services and industrial business services companies. With over 45 platform investments and over 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet's investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue FrameworkTM to accelerate growth and profitability and creating long term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet's investments have been with founder or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, www.capstreet.com.
Contact:
Lambert
Jennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571, jhurson@lambert.com
or
Caroline Luz, 203-656-2829, cluz@lambert.com
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SOURCE Capstreet Group | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/capstreet-wins-acg-houston-technology-deal-year-portfolio-company-hungerrushs-acquisition-menufy/ | 2022-05-03T20:12:03Z | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/capstreet-wins-acg-houston-technology-deal-year-portfolio-company-hungerrushs-acquisition-menufy/ | true |
ELLSWORTH, Maine (AP) — A former Maine gubernatorial candidate charged with possession of child pornography can get back online, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Attorney Walter McKee attended the initial court appearance on behalf of Eliot Cutler, and he used the opportunity to argue for bail conditions to be amended so Cutler can access the internet.
A judge granted Cutler access to an internet-connected laptop and smartphone if he follows a special monitoring plan.
It was the first court appearance since Cutler was arrested on March 25 at his waterfront home in Brooklin. Cutler, 75, has not been indicted and there was no plea entered on his behalf Tuesday.
Cutler was released on bail after his arrest on four counts of possession of sexually explicit material of a child under 12.
He ran for governor twice as an independent and used his personal wealth to bankroll both campaigns.
In his first campaign, he lost by less than 2 percentage points to Republican Paul LePage in a multi-candidate race. He lost again four years later. | https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Former-candidate-charged-with-child-porn-allowed-17144952.php | 2022-05-03T20:13:31Z | https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Former-candidate-charged-with-child-porn-allowed-17144952.php | true |
The annual conference will feature the best in employee perks and benefits and journey into the future with a virtual reality experience for attendees.
CHICAGO, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PERKS, the employee experience company, announced today the agenda and event highlights of PERKSCon in Chicago, which will be held on May 11, 2022, at Revel Motor Row.
"This year, we're pulling out all of the stops—from our signature champagne toast to a full metaverse experience. Every year, we help HR professionals discover the best, most innovative benefits and services for remote, hybrid, and in-person teams," said PERKS founder and CEO Alexa Baggio. "We just had two great events in Boston and New York with over 1100 attendees and now we're super excited for PERKSCon Chicago because Chi-town really knows how to take care of their people and we're bringing them the best solutions for remote, hybrid, and in-person teams. HR and people ops pros of all levels will be able to shop for benefits, connect with their peers, and check out fun experiences like the world's first HR metaverse game 'HR Nightmare.' Come discover what's possible for the future of your team!"
PERKSCon is also introducing its own NFT "golden tickets" this year, where 20 randomly selected attendees will have their digital event ticket transformed into a valuable NFT offering lifetime attendance to PERKSCon.
The event will host panels with experts in human resources sharing their strategies for the biggest current challenges in the field and PERKS founder Alexa Baggio will record a live episode of the industry-beloved "People Problems" podcast.
Learn more about attending the event or learn more about exhibiting at the event.
About PERKSCon
Started in 2014, PERKSCon is the world's largest employee experience event that gives HR professionals at all levels and from across industries an opportunity to discover the best, most innovative benefits and services for remote, hybrid, and in-person teams. They can grow their careers, earn education credits, and connect with peers in-person. The convention is held in six cities starting in March beginning in Boston and traveling to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Toronto. For more information about attendee and vendor opportunities, visit the PERKSCon site.
Media contact: Jonny Clinkenbeard, Jonny@poweredbyperks.com
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SOURCE PERKS Convention LLC | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/future-work-perks-perkscon-chicago-will-showcase-employee-amenities-new-way-working/ | 2022-05-03T20:13:28Z | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/future-work-perks-perkscon-chicago-will-showcase-employee-amenities-new-way-working/ | false |
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A rematch pitting one of the left’s rising stars against a new House incumbent backed by the more moderate Democratic establishment will provide another key litmus test of the progressive movement’s Rust Belt clout during Tuesday’s congressional primaries in Ohio and Indiana.
Democratic Rep. Shontel Brown is facing progressive activist and former state Sen. Nina Turner for the second time since August. Brown, who campaigned with South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, the most senior Black member of Congress, beat Turner in last summer’s special election primary seen nationally as a showdown between the party’s traditional powerbrokers and its left flank.
Brown now has the advantage of incumbency but has only been in Congress a matter of months. A leading surrogate for Bernie Sanders ’ 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, Turner is endorsed by the Vermont senator and many top progressive groups, who are hoping for a second-try upset.
The Cleveland district where Brown and Turner are competing is heavily African American and solidly Democratic, meaning the primary winner is heavily favored in November’s general election. Our Revolution, the activist group that grew out of Sanders’ first presidential run, says it has devoted 150 volunteers toward boosting Turner in the race, while the pro-Israeli Democratic political organization DMFI PAC has announced spending more than $1 million for Brown.
“I’m running for this office for the same reason that I ran the last time: Greater Cleveland deserves a champion and not much has changed in changing the material conditions of the poor, the working poor and the barely middle class,” Turner said.
Brown, who says she has been an ally to the Biden administration in Congress, counters that “you don’t have to be loud to fight.”
Another potentially vulnerable Ohio incumbent is Republican Rep. Warren Davidson. He has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and represents a district once held by former House Speaker John Boehner, encompassing the suburbs between Cincinnati and Dayton. Davidson is facing Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich, son of the famous doctor known for the anti-choking maneuver, and a Trump critic.
It remains to be seen whether the former president’s endorsement will lift Davidson. But two Trump picks for open House seats in the northeastern part of the state, Max Miller and Madison Gilbert, are looking to cruise to GOP nominations.
Miller, a former Trump aide, is expected to lock up the Republican nomination in a new district in northeast Ohio. He’s been accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham.
The Akron-area district where Gilbert, a conservative commentator, will be competing, meanwhile, should be one of the likely competitive House seats in November’s general election. Its Republican nominee is set to face state Rep. Emilia Sykes, a former Ohio House Democratic leader and a daughter of a powerful political family in the area.
Another tough congressional race could be coming to Cincinnati in November, when Republican Rep. Steve Chabot will face Democratic Cincinnati City Council member Greg Landsman.
Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the House, is unopposed Tuesday. Four Republicans — including two sitting state lawmakers — are competing to take her on in the fall, however, in a newly drawn district that hugs Lake Erie, encompasses Toledo and could be a toss-up.
In neighboring Indiana, nine Republicans are vying for the state’s only open House seat. GOP Rep. Trey Hollingsworth isn’t seeking reelection in a southern Indiana district as he hints at running for governor in 2024.
Hollingsworth’s would-be replacements include trucking company owner Mike Sodrel, who ran five times between 2002 and 2010 and won a single term in Congress in 2004. Trump hasn’t endorsed in the primary, but his former secretary of state Mike Pompeo is backing business consultant and Army combat veteran Stu Barnes-Israel.
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Weissert reported from Washington.
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Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics. | https://www.pahomepage.com/news/politics/in-ohio-us-house-rematch-again-tests-progressive-clout/ | 2022-05-03T20:15:23Z | https://www.pahomepage.com/news/politics/in-ohio-us-house-rematch-again-tests-progressive-clout/ | true |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A crewman who stabbed to death his supervisor on a container ship heading to Los Angeles pleaded guilty Monday to a federal charge that carries a potential life sentence, prosecutors said.
Michael Dequito Monegro, 43, of the Philippines, entered a plea to committing an act of violence against someone aboard a ship that is likely to endanger the vessel’s safe navigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He is scheduled to be sentenced in September.
Monegro was working on the MSC Ravenna on a two-week run from Shanghai to Los Angeles in September 2020 when he stabbed the man as the vessel was about 92 miles (148 kilometers) off the Southern California coast, according to his plea agreement.
Monegro attacked his supervisor in a hallway outside a locker room, prosecutors said.
The two men struggled and fell down. Monegro got on top of his victim, stabbed him, pulled a second knife from his supervisor’s coveralls and attacked him with both knives despite other crewmembers trying to stop him, including throwing a trash can at him, prosecutors said.
“Monegro admitted that he only stopped stabbing the victim when he became too tired to continue,” a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
The ship’s captain, chief mate and chief engineer arrived and the captain finally convinced Monegro to get off the victim, who died on the ship, the statement said.
It didn’t indicate a motive for the attack or name the victim.
Monegro was arrested a week later when the ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. | https://www.fox16.com/news/national/man-pleads-guilty-in-crewmember-killing-on-la-bound-ship/ | 2022-05-03T20:18:18Z | https://www.fox16.com/news/national/man-pleads-guilty-in-crewmember-killing-on-la-bound-ship/ | false |
Which men’s golf shoes are best?
The best golfers have excellent technique and well-developed skills, but they also have high-quality gear. While a well-made set of clubs is essential, don’t underestimate the importance of a reliable pair of golf shoes.
Unlike other sports, golf doesn’t require fast or agile movements, but you still need comfortable, durable shoes. If you’re looking for a quality pair of golf shoes, the Adidas Men’s Tour 360 22 Golf Shoes are excellent. They offer superior comfort, stability and traction to deliver elite performance on the course.
What to know before you buy men’s golf shoes
Size
Golf takes several hours to play, so you wear golf shoes for extended periods. That’s why it’s essential to wear the correct size, as walking around all day on the course wearing shoes that are too small or big can be uncomfortable and cause blisters. Some golf shoes run small and narrow, so if you want a more comfortable fit or have wider feet, consider buying a half size up for extra space in the toe box.
Material
Golf shoes are usually made with natural or synthetic leather. Authentic leather is far more durable and water-resistant, but it’s also more expensive. Synthetic golf shoes are more lightweight and easier to clean, but they’re less durable and can be uncomfortable in warmer climates.
Traditional or modern style
Traditional golf shoes are made of high-quality authentic leather and resemble dress shoes. They’re durable, but they don’t offer the same performance as modern spiked shoes or the comfort of spikeless ones. There are also sandal-style shoes that are the most comfortable and breathable, but they don’t offer the same stability or traction as other golf shoes.
What to look for in quality men’s golf shoes
Waterproof
When you think of golf, you may think of hitting the course on a warm, sunny day. However, it can be played in more inclement weather, such as rainy or foggy days. Unless it’s sunny, there’s a reasonable chance you’ll encounter some moisture, so it’s crucial to have waterproof shoes. Getting your feet wet on the course will make you uncomfortable and could damage your performance.
Spike or spikeless
Spikeless golf shoes have bumps on the outsole, making walking on outdoor surfaces easier. They’re more comfortable than spiked shoes and can be worn off the golf course. But unlike spiked shoes, you can’t replace the pins once they become worn or damaged, and they don’t offer the same traction, which can benefit your swing as spikes provide more stability.
Functionality
Keep an eye out for a few key features.
- The midfoot should provide sufficient arch support and have plenty of cushioning for comfort. It should also be rigid for increased stability.
- The forefoot should be flexible to allow for easier walking.
- The outsole should provide traction, especially if you plan on playing often in wet weather.
How much you can expect to spend on men’s golf shoes
You can get a reliable pair of golf shoes for $60-$100, but if you want something more durable and made with higher-quality materials, you can expect to pay anywhere between $100-$250.
Men’s golf shoes FAQ
Are golf shoes necessary? Can’t I play in regular athletic shoes?
A. You certainly can, but golf shoes are designed to provide stability and comfort on the course that can help your swing.
Which golf shoes are best for cold or wet climates?
A. Modern spiked shoes are the best for wet and cold weather, as they have a more robust build with superior traction.
What are the best men’s golf shoes to buy?
Top men’s golf shoes
Adidas Men’s Tour 360 22 Golf Shoes
What you need to know: These shoes are made with recycled materials and deliver elite performance on the golf course.
What you’ll love: They offer excellent comfort and stability thanks to a Dualstack hybrid midsole and a Geofit collar for a secure fit. The upper is made with 50% recycled materials, and the outsole has direct-injected spikes for extra traction.
What you should consider: There’s no wide-fit option, and some customers found them stiff in the heel.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Top men’s golf shoes for the money
Nike Men’s Infinity G Golf Shoes
What you need to know: These shoes are reliable and made with durable synthetic leather.
What you’ll love: They’re waterproof, so you can wear them in rainy weather. The midsole has plenty of soft foam cushioning for comfort and stability, and the integrated spikes provide excellent grip on various surfaces.
What you should consider: Some customers report that they run small, so it’s best to purchase a half size up.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Worth checking out
FootJoy Men’s 2022 Fuel Golf Shoes
What you need to know: These have a sleek design with a sturdy build and are excellent mid-tier golf shoes.
What you’ll love: They feature advanced-engineered technology on the outsole for increased grip and an innovative stability bridge for superior support and stability. They’re waterproof, have easy-to-clean uppers and the Stratolite foam cushioning in the midsole makes them highly comfortable for walking.
What you should consider: They run small, so it’s best to buy a half size up. Also, some found them too narrow, so those with wide feet are better off looking elsewhere.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
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Kevin Luna 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.fox16.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/golf-br/best-mens-golf-shoes/ | 2022-05-03T20:20:03Z | https://www.fox16.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/golf-br/best-mens-golf-shoes/ | false |
Biden visits Alabama Lockheed Martin plant making key Javelin missiles for Ukraine
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden on Tuesday visited a Lockheed Martin plant that manufactures an antitank weapons system, he’s certain to herald the U.S.-made arms as a game-changer for Ukraine’s stiff resistance to Russia's invasion.
But Biden’s planned visit to the Alabama factory line is also drawing attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?
The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, according to an analysis by Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies international security program. The Biden administration says it has committed to sending 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.
Analysts also estimate that the United States has sent about one-quarter of its stockpile of shoulder-fired Stinger missiles to Ukraine. Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes told investors last week during a quarterly call that his company, which makes the weapons system, wouldn’t be able to ramp up production until next year, due to parts shortages.
"Could this be a problem? The short answer is, ‘Probably, yes,’" said Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and former Office of Management and Budget specialist on Pentagon budget strategy, war funding and procurement programs.
He added that Stingers and Javelins were where "we’re seeing the most significant inventory issues" and that production of both weapons systems has been limited in recent years.
The Russian invasion offers the U.S. and European defense industry a big opportunity to bolster profits as lawmakers from Washington to Warsaw are primed to increase defense spending in response to Russian aggression. Defense contractors, however, face the same supply chain and labor shortage challenges that other manufacturers are facing, along with some others that are specific to the industry.
Military spending by the U.S. and around the world was rising even before Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion. Biden’s proposed 2023 budget sought $773 billion for the Pentagon, an annual increase of about 4%.
Globally, total military spending rose 0.7% to more than $2 trillion for the first time in 2021, according to an April report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The war will mean increased sales for some defense contractors, including Raytheon, which makes the Stinger missiles Ukrainian troops have used to knock out Russian aircraft. The company is also part of a joint venture with Lockheed Martin that makes the Javelins.
RELATED: Russian forces storming Mariupol steel plant, Ukrainian defenders say
Biden will visit Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Alabama, which has the capacity to manufacture about 2,100 Javelins per year. The trip comes as he presses Congress to quickly approve his request for an additional $33 billion in security and economic assistance for Kyiv. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday he hoped quick bipartisan agreement on the security package could be reached so the Senate could begin considering it "as early as next week."
A White House official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and insisted on anonymity, said the Pentagon is working with defense contractors "to evaluate the health of weapons systems’ production lines and examine bottlenecks" in the manufacturing process. The administration is also considering a range of options, if needed, to boost production of Javelins and Stingers, the official said.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday that America’s military readiness is not dependent on one system. He said that every time the Pentagon develops a package of weapons and systems to send to Ukraine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the department do an assessment on what the impact will be on readiness.
"It’s not about counting, say, Javelins and being able to say that when you reach a certain level then all your readiness is gone," Kirby said. "The Javelin is an anti-armor capability, so we judge it all as a conglomerate of what’s our ability to meet this particular mission set, realizing that a Javelin isn’t the only capability you have against armor."
The lightweight but lethal Javelin has helped the Ukrainians inflict major damage on Russia's larger and better-equipped military. As a result, the weapon has gained almost mythic regard, celebrated with a Javelin song and images of Mary Magdalene carrying a Javelin becoming a meme in Ukraine.
Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said in a recent CNBC interview that demand for the Javelin and other weapon systems would increase broadly over time because of the Russian invasion. He said the company was working "to get our supply chain ramped up."
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"We have the ability to meet current production demands, are investing in increased capacity and are exploring ways to further increase production as needed," Lockheed Martin, which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, said in a statement. | https://www.q13fox.com/news/biden-visits-alabama-lockheed-martin-plant-javelins-weapons-stockpile-strained | 2022-05-03T20:21:40Z | https://www.q13fox.com/news/biden-visits-alabama-lockheed-martin-plant-javelins-weapons-stockpile-strained | false |
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