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Novavax says its COVID-19 vaccine is proving safe and effective for kids as young as 12.
The Maryland-based company makes a protein-based vaccine that's been cleared for use in adults in parts of the world including Britain and Europe, and is under review in the U.S.
Novavax studied more than 2,000 U.S. kids ages 12 to 17.
The company announced Thursday that the shots were 80% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, and it plans to seek expanded use of the vaccine down to age 12.
The study was done last summer when the delta variant was dominant.
The delta variant is no longer the dominant variant in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the omicron variant makes up nearly all of the new infections.
|
https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national/novavax-says-its-covid-19-vaccine-is-effective-in-children-as-young-as-12
| 2022-02-11T00:51:44
|
en
| 0.972234
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From jeans to parachutes and baseballs, many things involve some amount of sewing. It’s an industry that's primarily gone overseas in recent decades, but pandemic supply chain problems have companies reconsidering.
At DDI, a design incubator, students learn the basics of sewing.
“These guys are learning the techniques. It's not project-based; it’s knowledge-based,” Peg Koerselman-Kohl, one of the instructors for the sewing classes, said. “These are skills that up until the generation past mine, we just took for granted.”
She’s been teaching classes here since 2016 and has spent more than 40 years of her life in the industry.
“It’s not taught in public schools anymore. Mommy's don't teach it to their daughters anymore,” she said on the skill of sewing.
Yet, it’s a skill used to make many things you use daily.
“Everything in the world is sewn. People don't realize it. They all think oh it’s a pair of pants or a shirt. I say no, everything. You sit in your car. That seat is sewn,” Jack Makovsky, the executive vice president at Ralph’s Industrial Sewing, said.
Makovsky is also the board chairman for DDI, the design incubator where Koerselman-Kohl teaches.
“When I got into this business 60 years ago plus, there was a little sewing factory in every city,” he said. Over the past few decades, that’s changed.
“I grew up in an America where we made everything. Where we could do everything, and I've just watched as jobs went overseas,” Makovsky said.
Right now, about 97% of all clothing is imported, according to the American Apparel and Footwear Association, an industry trade group that represents clothing, footwear, and sewn product companies.
In the 1960s, less than 10% was outsourced.
But experts say pandemic supply chain disruption caused many businesses to reconsider and pivot.
“At every step of the way, you've got some hiccups in the supply chain. And I’m just going, to be frank, this is not a one-off. This will not be fixed this year,” Shawn Grain Carter, a fashion business management professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, said. “I think that what you have is different parts of the fashion supply chain saying listen, we want to bring production back, but we also want to ensure that it’s not just something that will be in this pandemic. That there is longevity in terms of the business model to set it up in a way that we can pay a fair, competitive wage, but we also aren't going to shoot ourselves in the foot by pricing it too high for customers to purchase.”
Once a textile hub, she says the southern part of the U.S. could see some new life. “There are opportunities, particularly in the rural south, which used to be the king of the textile economy,” Shawn Grain Carter said.
With this awakening from fashion businesses and others who require sewing, Makovsky sees an opportunity to help train people here in the U.S. for job openings.
“If we can get people trained, what it is you need, why you need it and how you need it, and we can get them educated in this, that will help them out and get that going,” he said.
The craft is still drawing young people in, like Kellen Quadhamer.
“For the path, I'm taking, or if you want to become a young designer, it’s very important for you to start at the basics and learn the trade. It’s not for everybody, but if you are looking to get involved in the making of clothing, you need to start with the basics,” Quadhamer said.
The interest gives Koerselman-Kohl hope for the industry that we might see more domestic production in the future.
“We have this knowledge, and if we don't pass it down to the next generation, it's going to be gone,” she said.
|
https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national/supply-chain-woes-present-opportunity-for-domestic-sewing-production-in-largely-outsourced-industry
| 2022-02-11T00:51:50
|
en
| 0.974765
|
Gary Mason is a self-proclaimed "trolley fanatic" and SEPTA's own Cupid of sorts.
"I put on smooth sounds coming through the speakers and a heart for every window," Mason said. "I hang flowers for the ladies. I like to give these rides a different feel. With everything going on, this is something positive."
Mason has worked for SEPTA for more than 35 years, and his goal is to bring some joy to people during their daily grind.
He hasn't had any proposals on board his Valentine's Trolley since he's been decorating it for the past three decades, but he is ready.
"Before I retire, I'm waiting for somebody to get married on the Love Car," he laughed. "Really, that's what I'm waiting for."
Mason plans to work for four more years, so there's still time.
His son helps him decorate, and it takes about 11 hours.
He also decks out his trolley for Halloween and Christmas.
|
https://6abc.com/11553168/
| 2022-02-11T00:52:58
|
en
| 0.991824
|
It comes after the fire company was temporarily shut down following allegations of racist remarks by firefighters who thought their video call conversation was private.
The original call was to discuss the consolidation of services between the Briarcliffe, Goodwill, and Darby fire companies.
When county and state officials got off the call, members of the Briarcliffe Fire Company allegedly stayed on and engaged in a discussion that included racial slurs and disparaging remarks about African Americans in the area.
"A bunch of f---ing n--- down there," one man can be heard saying while discussing the all-Black Darby Township Fire Company. There were also comments about Darby's chief.
"He's just a piece of s___," one person said.
Another comment called the African American chief by a racial slur as the person speaking recalled a time when the chief was in one of Briarcliffe's vehicles to the ire of the firefighter.
"F___ S___ and he's looking in the truck," said the man on the call.
The firefighters who made the alleged comments didn't know other firefighters were on the line from the Goodwill Fire Company. One of them was Deputy Chief Tim Eichelman.
"Those things they said were very discriminatory in nature, and that's not what we stand for," said Eichelman.
There were other disparaging comments about Black firefighters being lazy.
"They didn't do s___ there," one person said of Darby firefighters.
There was also a discussion of there being too many Black people in the area.
"That's the f---ing problem," one person said. "Blacks are taking over s---."
Eichelman and his fellow firefighters knew he had to bring the comments to light.
"We believe at Goodwill Fire Company that we should support everybody," he said.
That included sharing comments on the call that made fun of Fanta Bility. She is the 8-year-old girl killed by police gunfire.
"Fanta soda, yeah, orange or Fanta grape," one man said on the call while chuckling, even after being told that the girl was shot to death by police.
"How mean-spirited it was to comment on the death of an 8-year-old child," said Democratic Senator Anthony Williams of Delaware County.
"I'm appalled to have to stand here today and hear about these racist comments," said Delaware County Councilmember Richard Womack.
"Unfortunately, this isn't my first time hearing about racism within the fire departments in Delaware County," said Ashley Dolceamore, co-founder of Delco Resists. "This is the first time thought they were caught red-handed in an audio recording."
Dolceamore brought the issue to the Darby Township Commissioner, reading a letter from Goodwill Fire Company documenting the offensive comments.
The result was swift, with the Darby Township Commissioner voting to suspend the fire company.
The Briarcliffe Fire Company has been shut down for 30 days pending the investigation as Black residents wonder if their calls for help were answered fairly.
"We don't know what to do, who to go to, who to trust," said Crystal Bell of Darby Township.
"Whether or not a crime occurred, hate speech is always wrong," said Jack Stollsteimer, Delaware County District Attorney.
An investigation will determine whether the temporary silence at the Briarcliffe Fire company becomes permanent. The township would do so by refusing to work with the company altogether.
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https://6abc.com/briarcliffe-fire-company-station-75-firefighters-racist-remarks-shutdown/11553165/
| 2022-02-11T00:53:04
|
en
| 0.987204
|
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The long-rumored trade of Ben Simmons out of Philadelphia finally went down on Thursday.
Daryl Morey finally put an end to the Ben Simmons' saga, while finding a top-flight running mate for star Joel Embiid.
The Sixers acquired All-Star guard James Harden in exchange for Simmons in a blockbuster deal that also sent Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two 1st round picks to Brooklyn and Paul Millsap to Philly.
The move ends Simmons' tenure as a Sixer after the team made him the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
It also helps bolster the team's chances in an Eastern Conference with no clear-cut favorite and provides help for MVP front-runner Joel Embiid.
With Harden, the team could feature a devastating inside-outside combo, and the Sixers have 28 games to acclimate Harden into the offense.
We'll see how Harden will gel with Embiid and the team but we won't have to wait long for a potential meeting with Simmons.
Brooklyn travels to the Wells Fargo Center on March 10.
James Harden-Ben Simmons deal solves 2 Sixers' problems with one deal
Copyright © 2022 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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https://6abc.com/nba-trade-deadline-ben-simmons-james-harden-philadelphia-sixers-daryl-morey/11553352/
| 2022-02-11T00:53:10
|
en
| 0.942751
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Investigators say 21 shots were fired inside a home along West Glenwood Avenue on Thursday, January 13.
An 18-year-old woman died, and a 23-year-old man was critically injured.
The suspected gunmen were seen getting out of a light-colored Chevy Impala that has damage to its right side and fenders.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.
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https://6abc.com/shooting-investigation-philadelphia-crime-gun-violence-gunmen-wanted/11552949/
| 2022-02-11T00:53:16
|
en
| 0.988632
|
By Barry Wilner
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — When Warren Moon, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the first Black quarterbacks to make an impact in the modern NFL, was asked about potentially having an African American own a team, he saw it as an opportunity on many levels.
Byron Allen is interested in purchasing the Broncos, who recently were put up for sale by the Bowlen family.
“I wish the best for Byron and his ownership group,” Moon said. “I know there will be a ton of competition, but the more the better. The more minority ownership we will have in place, the more it will translate into more jobs in higher positions in the NFL. We’ll have to see how it all plays out.”
Thus far, diversity at most levels of the NFL has not played out well. Yes, the numbers are improving, especially in executive positions for women and people of color; there are seven Black general managers among the 32 such jobs. They also are increasing for coordinator positions, particularly the opportunities to interview for such jobs.
But for head coaches, the most visible face of a franchise, there is just one veteran who is Black, Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin. There were three head coaches of color last season, and two were fired: David Culley by Houston and Miami’s Brian Flores, who then brought a lawsuit against the league and three teams, citing discrimination.
Mike McDaniel, who is biracial, recently was hired by the Dolphins. Lovie Smith, an African American who previously coached the Bears and Buccaneers, replaced Culley. So with nine openings this winter, two went to minorities.
In a league with about 70% Black players.
“I think that’s the core of the message that we’ve been talking about here is, OK, we’re not having this success we want with head coaches,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at his annual Super Bowl news conference Feb. 9. “How do we evolve that rule or do we have to have a new rule? Do we need to figure out some other way of being able to achieve that outcome? And I think we’re not going to rest until we find that and we get those kind of outcomes that I think are mandatory for us. That just has to be the way we’re going to move forward to happen inclusively.”
Jonathan Beane, the league’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, says the league has been working for months on guidelines for researching and interviewing candidates, and those should be made available to teams in the spring. He emphasizes that the roster of potential hires is deep and strong.
“Our database, which Roger talked about extensively, has 5,100 profiles of candidates,” Beane said. “Virtual interviews are making it easier to reach out to them and to interview them. The pipeline is extensive.
“Yet, when we look at head coaches, clearly the results show we have not done enough.”
Smith is a rarity, a Black man who has gotten more than one shot at being a full-time head coach. Of course, he was a success in Chicago, got the Bears to a Super Bowl, where they lost to his mentor and friend Tony Dungy and the Colts. Smith was canned after going 10-6 in 2012. Ten and six!
While others not of color have received repeat opportunities — Josh McDaniels, Adam Gase, Bruce Arians, Pat Shurmur to name a few — a majority of Black former head coaches don’t get that second chance. Culley and Steve Wilks with Arizona got one year.
Some believe there are issues with the interview process itself.
“If there are (incomplete) interviews, that is on the team because of the information made available to them about these candidates,” Beane said. “Are they asking the right questions? What is your coaching vision? What is your leadership style? Your history as a coach? What value does diversity have? What does an inclusive culture mean to you?
“It is on the teams but it is also on the league office to ensure interviews are thorough and meaningful. When it comes to club decisions, I am wracking my brain on how we can come up with ways to improve our process to ensure that all interviews are equitable and legitimate.
“When we have incredibly strong diverse people as candidates and they are not hired, something is wrong.”
Atlanta’s Arthur Blank, among the most respected team owners in the NFL, hired an African American, Terry Fontenot, as general manager in 2021. Blank understands the importance of choosing the right person to fill any job. He also recognizes the need to make that choice for the correct reasons.
“One thing you have to be careful about, a candidate never wants to be selected because of the color of their skin,” Blank told SiriusXM Radio. “They want to earn the job. You want to make sure they are capable, they feel like they are capable, they feel like they earned the job not just because they say it, but because of the evidence of their career.”
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/analysis-diversity-needed-at-all-levels-of-pro-football/
| 2022-02-11T00:53:58
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en
| 0.979067
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SportsHigh School Sports Area high school wrestling statistics, Feb. 11 Share this:TwitterFacebook (Metro Creative Connection) By John Kampf | jkampf@news-herald.com | The News-HeraldFebruary 10, 2022 at 3:20 p.m.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/area-high-school-wrestling-statistics-feb-11/
| 2022-02-11T00:54:04
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en
| 0.754534
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Benedictine had one slight problem Feb. 9 following its Baron Cup I quarterfinal against Avon at Brooklyn.
Sometime during the third period, the Bengals’ locker-room door was locked, so they couldn’t get in immediately.
No matter, because it was just a few more moments right outside the big ice at Brooklyn to savor a job well done.
Lex Herr lit the lamp midway through the second period, and Jack Kehres contributed a key third-period goal as Benedictine emerged from the doldrums with a 4-2 win over a dangerous Eagles’ squad.
The Bengals (16-6-2) will face Mentor, a 4-2 comeback winner over upset-minded Olmsted Falls in the opener, in an all News-Herald coverage area Baron Cup I semifinal at 7 p.m. Feb. 12.
Benedictine coach Bob Kehres expressed concern about his Bengals after a nine-day layoff, due to their GCHSHL Red regular-season finale with Rocky River being postponed, then canceled.
It took some time, but Benedictine found its way to the weekend.
#NHhockey @bengals_hockey junior forward Nick Desbin discusses a 4-2 Baron Cup I win over Avon
Had a big goal there in the 1st as Bene shook off some rust & had a nice 2-way game overall IMO pic.twitter.com/XvQ04ol71D— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) February 10, 2022
“Our game is puck possession,” Kehres said. “When we handle the puck, and we have puck possession, we’re playing well. And we struggled a little bit tonight, but we knew that was going to happen. We haven’t had games for a number of days, that’s what happens. You miss a pass here. You miss a pass there. You mishandle the puck.
“Second period, the rust started coming off a little bit. These are the kind of games where you want to do just enough to win. They say sometimes, ‘How you win matters.’ Well, sometimes it really is just about getting a win to get you through when you’ve had a layoff.”
The Bengals found themselves down, 1-0, late in the opening period after a wrister at the 8-minute, 43-second mark by Will Umland, capping a cycle on a power play.
But it was nothing they couldn’t master.
Nick Desbin tied the game at 1-1 with 2:20 to go before intermission. The junior forward took care of a wrister between the circles for his 11th goal of the winter.
#NHhockey @bengals_hockey ties it at 1
Nick Desbin at 12:40 pic.twitter.com/er3y4stIJx— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) February 10, 2022
Then, with 19 seconds remaining in the period, the Bengals took a 2-1 advantage to the locker room — which was open at that juncture — courtesy of Andrew Bernard. The senior defenseman snapped a wrister from the left circle top shelf, his ninth goal of the campaign.
#NHhockey @bengals_hockey 2-1
Andrew Bernard shelfie at 14:41
… & that's our score after 1
I had shots 10-6 Avon pic.twitter.com/CV1jifxNRu— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) February 10, 2022
Cushion came — strictly from a statistical standpoint — from an unlikely source late in the second.
Herr, a freshman blueliner, got a look in traffic from the left circle at 7:50, with Evan Bleick acting as a screener in traffic in front, and put it home to get Benedictine up, 3-1.
The Eagles answered at 9:25 through Max Summers to make it a tedious 3-2 game after two.
But Jack Kehres provided the final say.
The standout senior forward and Bengals’ two-way stalwart scored at 2:47, which proved to be the final margin.
#NHhockey Since it wouldn't upload in real time at Brooklyn for reasons passing understanding, here's Jack Kehres' goal at 2:47 of the 3rd for a 4-2 Bene lead pic.twitter.com/gQuaLNKSAe
— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) February 10, 2022
“I thought the first was a little slow,” Kehres said. “We just haven’t been out there in a while. But I thought second and third period, we started pressuring their defensemen, making them play a little sloppy. That was a big deal for us, and just getting better on our passing throughout the game I thought helped a lot. Sloppy, but got the job done.”
Anyone in Bengals’ colors readily admitted as well that they saw Olmsted Falls’ upset bid first-hand and didn’t want to wind up hitting the comeback trail like Mentor had to do.
Like that locker-room door, though, Benedictine was locked in when it mattered most.
“It means a lot to me,” Kehres said. “I don’t think, when I’ve been here, we’ve won a Baron Cup game yet. So just playing in a big game like that against Mentor (in a Baron Cup I semifinal), it’s been so long. It just feels great.”
#NHhockey My postgame video analysis of Bene's 4-2 win over Avon in Baron Cup I pic.twitter.com/C9aoiC9efD
— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) February 10, 2022
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/benedictine-hockey-shakes-off-rust-for-4-2-baron-cup-i-victory-over-avon/
| 2022-02-11T00:54:10
|
en
| 0.957634
|
TOP OF THE CROP
Boys basketball
1: (1) Brush 15-3
2: (2) Richmond Heights 16-4
3: (3) Gilmour 14-4
4: (5) Mentor 12-6
5: (4) Mayfield 15-5
6: (6) Perry 15-5
7: (8) Kenston 11-6
8: (7) Euclid 8-9
9: (9) Chardon 11-5
10: (NR) Cardinal 11-8
Dropped out: Chagrin Falls (10-8)
Watch list: Chagrin Falls, Madison (8-10), Cornerstone (14-1)
Crop comments: The top three hold steady despite Brush and Gilmour having their respective win streaks snapped. The Arcs fell to Akron SVSM, 71-63, but bounced back with a win over Warrensville the following day, 78-38. The Lancers saw their streak fall in close fashion to Lutheran East (62-57) and Garfield Heights (48-39). … Richmond Heights on the other hand turned its win streak up to 11 as it defeated Chagrin Falls and West Geauga. … Mentor jumps back into the four slot as it recorded a pair of wins against Euclid and another against Harvey. … Now for the elephant in the Crop: Despite its loss to Kenston, Mayfield remains ahead of the Bombers due to the Wildcats’ resume over the season compared to Kenston. While Kenston holds the tiebreaker over the Wildcats, Mayfield’s recent seven-game win streak is what keeps them in the top half of the Crop … Perry remained in the sixth slot as it recovered from a stumble against North with a win over Madison. The Pirates face off against the Bombers on Feb. 15 to close their regular season. … Euclid pushed Mentor and Walsh Jesuit in consecutive games, but fell in both. … Chardon ran its win streak to four as it defeated North and South in its own back-to-back games. The Hilltoppers look to find a way to play spoiler to Kenston and Mayfield as they have an outside shot to make it a three-way tie atop the Western Reserve Conference, as they play both in the coming week. … In the ever-changing 10 spot, Cardinal rides the momentum of a three-game win streak as it looks to sweep rival Berkshire as the Huskies look to find their way to their first conference title since 1993.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/boys-basketball-top-of-the-crop-for-feb-10/
| 2022-02-11T00:54:23
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en
| 0.948396
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The Browns on Feb. 10 were given the inaugural “John B. Wooten Award” by the Fritz Pollard Alliance in recognition of the team’s dedication to inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry is African-American. So is Vikings general manager Kwesi Odofo-Mensah, who was the Browns vice president of football operations before being hired by the Vikings.
Callie Brownson is Chief of Staff on Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff. She coached the tight ends in a game in 2020 and the running backs in a game in 2021. Defensive coordinator Joe Woods is African-American.
“It is a tremendous honor for the Browns to be the inaugural recipient of the John B. Wooten Award,” Berry said in a statement. “Diversity, equity and inclusion are priorities for us. We are deliberate in hiring and developing people who come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives. We believe success in the NFL comes from good people and good people come from all walks of life. We appreciate the recognition and look forward to continuing the work.”
J.W. Johnson accepted the award on behalf of the Browns during a ceremony at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles as part of Super Bowl week.
Wooten, 85, played left guard for the Browns from 1959-57. He retired as Chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a nonprofit organization comprised of scouts, coaches and front office personnel in the NFL as well as other sports professionals committed to equal opportunity in the industry, in 2019.
Kiffin returns
Chris Kiffin is back with the Browns as Stefanski’s defensive line coach. Kiffin left the Browns last month to join his brother, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, as co-defensive coordinator of the Rebels. Chris Kiffin changed his mind and decided to return to the Browns. Fortunately for him, the coaching vacancy wasn’t filled.
The Browns have two coaching vacancies. Assistant defensive line coach Jeremey Garrett and assistant special teams coach Doug Colman left the team following the 2021 season.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/browns-honored-with-john-b-wooten-award-recognizing-workplace-diversity/
| 2022-02-11T00:54:29
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en
| 0.966211
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Chardon Toastmasters Club 7039 will be hosting an open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Chardon Community Room, 107 South St., Suite 6, as well as online via Zoom.
The event is for anyone who wants to learn about Toastmasters and and how it might help in their careers, according to a news release.
Contact Nancy Temple at nancytemple17@gmail.com with any questions and for the Zoom meeting link.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/chardon-toastmasters-holding-open-house/
| 2022-02-11T00:54:35
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en
| 0.946882
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Mentor Public Library hosted an art show in January where the canvases were tiny but the talent was colossal, according to a release from the library.
Kids (ages 6 to 12) enjoyed a pint-sized paint night on Jan. 13, at library’s Main Branch.
Each young artist received a small canvas and easel to create their masterpiece. Afterward, their paintings were displayed for everyone to view in the Children’s Department of the library’s Main Branch.
The library hosts programs year round for all ages. To peruse its event calendar, visit www.mentorpl.org.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/children-get-creative-at-mentor-public-library/
| 2022-02-11T00:54:41
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en
| 0.977384
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Biden doing 'deep dive' on 'about 4' Supreme Court candidates
President Joe Biden appears to be narrowing his list of candidates for the Supreme Court, saying he's looking at "about four people" as Democrats who met with him Thursday say he wants a "persuasive" nominee in the mold of retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.
In an interview Thursday, Biden told NBC the White House is doing a "deep dive" on the candidates to see if there's anything in their background that would disqualify them. Biden has said his nominee will be a Black woman and he will decide by the end of February.
The comments came just before a meeting with 10 Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in which he told the senators, many of them his former colleagues, that he wants to nominate a woman in the mold of Breyer who will not only be able to persuade her colleagues but will write "stirring, compelling, lasting arguments," according to Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, one of the committee members who attended the meeting.
The senators said Biden would meet soon with candidates. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the meeting was half "friendly and light" and half serious as the president prepares to make history by nominating the first Black woman for the court.
The weekslong vetting process, and a gradual narrowing of candidates, is routine for Supreme Court nominations. In his NBC interview, Biden did not mention the names of any of the candidates but said he believes his eventual pick will get Republican votes.
"I'm not looking to make an ideological choice here," he said, adding that he wants someone like Breyer, "with an open mind, who understands how the Constitution, interprets it in a way that is consistent with the mainstream interpretation of the Constitution."
Biden and Senate Democrats have said they want his nominee to have significant Republican support.
Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, another Democratic member of the Judiciary panel, said after the meeting that he thinks Biden's pick will be a "reset" after partisan Supreme Court battles and the court's shift to the right under former President Donald Trump. Democrats vigorously opposed his three nominees, but they all now sit on the high court.
"This choice is historic not only because it will bring historic diversity of the court, but also the quality of the person whom the president will appoint, I think, will be historic, and will really help unite the country as well as the court," Blumenthal said.
Despite the Democrats' lofty bipartisan goals, it's unclear if Biden's nominee will be able to win any GOP votes. Most Senate Republicans have consistently voted against his lower court nominees.
One Republican who has voted for some of the lower court judges is is South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. He has said he is open to supporting Biden's nominee and is pushing a judge from South Carolina — U.S. District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs, who the White House said was under consideration for the job earlier this month.
Also under consideration are Ketanji Brown Jackson, who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger.
Other possible candidates include U.S. District Court Judge Wilhelmina Wright from Minnesota; Melissa Murray, a New York University law professor who is an expert in family law and reproductive rights justice; and Leslie Abrams Gardner, a U.S. district judge for the Middle District of Georgia and the sister of Stacey Abrams, a powerful voting rights activist and nominee for Georgia governor.
Biden told NBC his short list includes nominees who are "incredibly well qualified and documented. They are the honor students that come from the best universities they have experience, some on the bench, some in the practice of law."
Graham has said Childs is a good candidate partly because she did not go to Harvard or Yale, unlike all the justices currently on the bench.
After the meeting, Blumenthal predicted Biden will nominate someone "of such compelling personal story, of character and intellect that Republicans will have no choice but to support her in some number."
___
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
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https://www.wxii12.com/article/biden-supreme-court-candidate-pool-2022/39040433
| 2022-02-11T00:54:46
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en
| 0.973161
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Black members of Biden's Cabinet mark Black History Month
The six Black members of President Joe Biden's Cabinet on Thursday celebrated Black History Month by discussing their roles, some of which are historic firsts.
Actor Taraji P. Henson and athletes Sloane Stephens and Nneka Ogwumike also took part in a separate discussion on the importance of mental health and wellness among Blacks.
Cedric Richmond, a former congressman who also is Black and is a top adviser to the president, moderated a conversation about Black leadership with the Cabinet members who advise Biden on everything from the military to foreign affairs to the economy.
Michael Regan, the first Black man to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, said during the livestreamed event that Black leadership is "extremely important."
"Diverse leadership is extremely important because this is a democracy and, in order for a democracy to work, its leadership should reflect the people that it represents," he said.
Other participants included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first Black person in the post; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield; and Cecilia Rouse, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers. Rouse is the first Black woman to lead the council.
Also present was Shalanda Young, acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Young is awaiting a Senate vote on her nomination to become the agency's director. She would be the first Black woman to lead the office if confirmed, which is expected.
Biden promised the most diverse Cabinet in U.S. history.
The conversation with Cabinet members was followed by a separate livestreamed event on the importance of mental health and wellness in the Black community, hosted by Susan Rice, Biden's domestic policy adviser, and Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, head of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services.
Henson, tennis pro Stephens and Ogwumike of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks shared stories of their challenges with mental health and wellness.
Henson opened the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named for her late father, to help eliminate the stigma around mental health issues among African Americans and to provide resources.
The singer-actor said the foundation was borne "out of my own necessity" after her son's father died when the child was 9, followed soon after by the loss of her father, a Vietnam veteran who had struggled with his own issues.
"There’s trauma there," she said. "When it came time to address it, I didn't know where to go."
Stephens, who won the U.S. Open title in 2017, has been the target of racist abuse on social media after losing matches.
Biden designated February as National Black History Month, writing in a proclamation that the observance "serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America — our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations."
Biden and his wife, Jill, and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, and Cabinet members will host commemorative events throughout February focused on the theme of "Black Health and Wellness," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
The U.S. Secret Service hustled Emhoff out of a Black History Month event at Dunbar High School in Washington on Tuesday because of a bomb threat.
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https://www.wxii12.com/article/black-members-of-biden-s-cabinet-mark-black-history-month/39039875
| 2022-02-11T00:54:47
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| 0.967215
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'How do we help?': Winston Weaver fire impacting families, businesses more than a week after evacuations
Winston Weaver contributed $50,000 to Love Out Loud to help pay for the unexpected expenses the evacuation led to.
Winston Weaver contributed $50,000 to Love Out Loud to help pay for the unexpected expenses the evacuation led to.
Winston Weaver contributed $50,000 to Love Out Loud to help pay for the unexpected expenses the evacuation led to.
As community members and groups rally around individuals and families that have been impacted by the Winston Weaver fire, the need is only continuing to present itself.
“How do we help, really as much as we can, reimburse those expenses they weren’t expecting and also look at the larger picture of equity issues here in our town that run deeper,” said Chuck Spong, executive director of Love out Loud.
Winston Weaver contributed $50,000 to Love Out Loud to help pay for the unexpected expenses the evacuation led to. Spong said callers are asking about assistance to meet immediate needs and voicing concern about the long-term impact the fire will have on the neighborhood and the environment.
“There’s anxiousness on both of those things,” Spong said.
Spong said that while Love Out Loud is not the only organization supporting families following the fire, the organization had already helped roughly 200 households with reimbursements from the evacuation already.
While the needs of residents are beginning to be identified, business owner Contillus Archie-Myers, the owner of nearby Nu Dimensions Hair Studio, said she is concerned business owners who were forced to close are being left out of the support.
“It was very frustrating,” she said.
At the salon, she said, when she doesn’t have clients, she doesn’t get paid. The fire, she said, forced her to close for a week. Nu Dimensions is less than a mile from the fertilizer plant.
“No one is talking about the businesses that were closed or the businesses that were affected,” Archie-Myers said. “Are we important? That was my concern,” she said.
Archie-Myers said the pandemic has led to many challenges and that she is currently trying to hire new stylists for the salon. After 18 years at her location near the plant, she hoped resources would become available for other entrepreneurs like herself.
Spong said he anticipated the $50,000 would run out, but that efforts to fundraise more money were already underway.
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https://www.wxii12.com/article/how-do-we-help-winston-weaver-fire-impacting-families-businesses-more-than-a-week-after-evacuations/39039868
| 2022-02-11T00:54:51
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| 0.982684
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Trucker convoy could disrupt Super Bowl Sunday, Department of Homeland Security says
The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement across the country that a convoy of truckers protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates, similar to recent protests in Ottawa, Canada, could soon begin in the U.S. — with the potential to affect Sunday's Super Bowl in the Los Angeles area and cause other disruptions.
A DHS bulletin issued on Tuesday to state and local officials, obtained by CNN, said the agency "has received reports of truck drivers planning to potentially block roads in major metropolitan cities in the United States in protest of, among other things, vaccine mandates for truck drivers."
The DHS warning was first reported by Yahoo News.
"The convoy will potentially begin in California as early as mid-February and arrive in Washington, DC, as late as mid-March, potentially impacting the Super Bowl LVI scheduled for 13 February and the State of the Union Address scheduled for 1 March," the bulletin said.
"While there are currently no indications of planned violence, if hundreds of trucks converge in a major metropolitan city, the potential exists to severely disrupt transportation, federal government operations, commercial facilities, and emergency services through gridlock and potential counterprotests," the bulletin continued.
A DHS spokesperson told CNN in a statement that the department "is tracking reports of a potential convoy that may be planning to travel to several U.S. cities. We have not observed specific calls for violence within the United States associated with this convoy, and are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to continuously assess the threat environment and keep our communities safe."
A federal law enforcement official told CNN that early last week, authorities began seeing calls on a variety of online forums for the events in Ottawa to expand into the U.S. The official said that law enforcement and security officials guarding the Super Bowl in Inglewood, California, are preparing for any possible disruptions.
For nearly two weeks, Canadian truckers have been protesting a new rule that requires them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or face a two-week quarantine in their homes after they return across the U.S.-Canadian border. Others have joined to rally against mask mandates, lockdowns, restrictions on gatherings and other COVID-19 preventative efforts in the country.
Tensions stemming from protests have simmered to the point that traffic at key U.S. transit points has ground to a stop and a judge has temporarily banned demonstrators in the nation's capital from using horns.
DHS said it has worked for more than a year to support security measures around the Super Bowl and dedicated more than 500 individuals from the department to assist. The agency says it has also worked with federal, state and local partners to strengthen security around the U.S. Capitol.
President Joe Biden is set to deliver the annual State of the Union address to Congress on March 1.
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https://www.wxii12.com/article/trucker-convoy-disrupt-super-bowl/39029368
| 2022-02-11T00:54:51
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| 0.967482
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Venus glows like 'iron pulled from a forge' in new image
Beneath a thick cover of clouds, Venus is aglow.
The Parker Solar Probe mission, intended to study the sun, has revealed more about what lies beneath the thick atmosphere of Venus. The spacecraft captured its first visible light images of the planet's surface during a 2021 flyby.
As Parker approached Venus in February 2021, it was able to capture the red thermal glow exuded by Venus created by heat coming from the planet's surface.
"The surface of Venus, even on the nightside, is about 860 degrees," said lead study author Brian Wood, a physicist at the Naval Research Laboratory, in a statement. "It's so hot that the rocky surface of Venus is visibly glowing, like a piece of iron pulled from a forge."
The surface of Venus remains very much a mystery to scientists because it's hidden beneath thick clouds that prevent it from being seen.
The Parker Solar Probe has an imager, called WISPR, that was able to peer beneath this hazy cover while imaging the entire nightside of Venus in visible light that humans can see, as well as near-infrared light, which is otherwise invisible to us. The name WISPR is short for Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe.
The spacecraft has used gravity assists from Venus, where the probe essentially swings itself around the planet, to get increasingly closer to the sun. During those flybys in July 2020 and February 2021, Parker kept its imager on and aimed it at the dark side of Venus.
The imager was designed to detect faint features in the solar wind that streams out from the sun. The newly released images are part of a study that was published Wednesday in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
The images show that the Venusian surface exudes a faint glow, and features like plains, plateaus and continental regions can be distinguished. There is also a glowing halo of oxygen in the planet's atmosphere called airglow, a type of light that also exists in Earth's atmosphere.
"We're thrilled with the science insights Parker Solar Probe has provided thus far," said Nicola Fox, division director for the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters, in a statement. "Parker continues to outperform our expectations, and we are excited that these novel observations taken during our gravity assist maneuver can help advance Venus research in unexpected ways."
Venus is often called Earth's twin due to a similarity in size and structure between the two planets. Images like the ones captured by Parker can help scientists determine why one planet has temperatures hot enough to melt lead, and the other became a haven for life.
"Venus is the third brightest thing in the sky, but until recently we have not had much information on what the surface looked like because our view of it is blocked by a thick atmosphere," Wood said. "Now, we finally are seeing the surface in visible wavelengths for the first time from space."
Previous missions to Venus have shared insights about the planet using radar and infrared-detecting instruments that could penetrate the thick clouds, like NASA's Magellan mission in the early 1990s.
The new images can help scientists learn more about the geology and minerals present on Venus because they glow in unique wavelengths of light when heated.
Parker will continue to use gravity assists from Venus as it spirals closer to the sun, but the trajectory of the next flyby won't allow for imaging. The next opportunity to image Venus will be during the seventh and final flyby in November 2024.
The spacecraft's success with observing Venus while also revealing new insights about our sun has inspired the teams supporting other missions to gather images and data as they fly by Venus, like the BepiColombo mission to study Mercury and Solar Orbiter spacecraft.
Venus is the target of several upcoming missions later this decade like VERITAS and DAVINCI that will image and sample the Venusian atmosphere and create a new higher-resolution map of the surface in infrared light.
"By studying the surface and atmosphere of Venus, we hope the upcoming missions will help scientists understand the evolution of Venus and what was responsible for making Venus inhospitable today," said Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters, in a statement.
"While both DAVINCI and VERITAS will use primarily near-infrared imaging, Parker's results have shown the value of imaging a wide range of wavelengths."
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https://www.wxii12.com/article/venus-glows-in-new-image/39039822
| 2022-02-11T00:54:51
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| 0.959189
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After starting to review their budget for this year, Eastlake officials are already encouraged.
“We will be in a good place. We finished 2021 with a little over $5 million left over,” said City Council President John Meyers. “I don’t anticipate us having any problems in 2022, so financially, we should be fine.”
As part of 2022 plans for Eastlake, City Council recently chose a vendor to come in to do the installation of the lighting at Classic Park, home of the Lake County Captains minor league baseball team.
“We are allowed to use American Rescue Plan (ARPA) money for improvements of the stadium because Captains baseball falls under tourism and it’s an affected industry,” Meyers said. “What that will do is upgrade the lighting to Major League Baseball standards.”
The ARPA program provides eligibility for projects addressing negative economic impacts of the pandemic to industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality.
In 2020, the Captains’ stadium went dark as a result of the pandemic, canceling all minor league seasons. The Captains’ last games were played Labor Day weekend of 2019 and at that time, facility planning was in progress to stay in compliance with MLB, according to the Lake County commissioners.
The lighting upgrades is the third ARPA project approved by the commissioners since receiving the funds in the summer of 2021. The county will receive $44.7 million from the federal program, and all funds shall be obligated in accordance to Department of Treasury guidance by 2024 and spent by 2026.
Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley said the city and its residents have invested a lot of money into the stadium and are grateful that the commissioners are willing to help. The commissioners and the county have been working the last few months to reach completion.
“I look forward to our continued working relationship,” Morley said. “The stadium has been in need of new lights for the ballpark for years. We have made some improvements over the past few years and this will get us in compliance.”
The field lighting levels must be in compliance by 2023. The estimated cost of the upgrades are between $650,000 and $700,000 with a completion anticipated by Opening Day of the 2022 season.
“We’re looking forward to Opening Day and looking forward to them getting started,” Meyers said.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/eastlake-financially-ready-for-2022/
| 2022-02-11T00:54:53
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en
| 0.973128
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Nearly two years after it was postponed – and 4 ½ years after the incident itself – a Euclid police officer captured on video kicking and punching a black motorist during a traffic stop is scheduled to stand trial March 4.
Michael Amiott is facing two counts of assault and one count of interfering with civil rights, all misdemeanors, in Euclid Municipal Court. The trial was last scheduled to begin April 30, 2020, but was suspended due to the pandemic.
The charges stem from an Aug. 12, 2017, incident that began with a traffic stop for a suspended driver’s license. The incident was recorded by a witness and posted to social media, and now that video has been viewed millions of times on Facebook.
The Euclid Police Department later released dashcam footage of the traffic stop. That shows Amiott wrestling the driver, Richard Hubbard III, to the ground within seconds of ordering him to “face away” after Hubbard steps out of the car.
Hubbard was charged with resisting arrest, driving without a license and a traffic signal violation. Charges against him and his girlfriend Yolimar Tirado in Euclid Municipal Court were later dismissed.
Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail fired Amiott in October 2017, but his termination was overturned almost exactly a year later. Arbitrator Gregory P. Szuter found that the mayor did not have just cause to fire him.
Special Prosecutor Dominic Vitantonio was hired by the city in June 2019 to determine whether charges should be filed against Amiott. The charges were brought against the Euclid officer in August of that year, shortly before the statute of limitations ran out. Amiott was assigned to administrative duties following the announcement of the charges.
His jury trial is being overseen by visiting judge Guy L. Reese. The retired Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge was assigned to the case by the Ohio Supreme Court after Euclid Municipal Court Judge Patrick J. Gallagher recused himself.
Hubbard and Tirado filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in 2018 against Amiott, the city of Euclid and police officers Matt Gilmer and Kirk Pavkov over the incident. That case was settled in April 2021 for $450,000.
Euclid settled an unrelated lawsuit in 2019 over another incident involving Amiott.
Erimius Spencer said he was seriously injured in December 2016 by Amiott and another Euclid police officer who were moonlighting as apartment security. During an arrest for marijuana possession, Amiott allegedly kicked Spencer in the face and Spencer was later treated for a broken bone in his face.
Charges against Spencer were later dropped, and he received $40,000 as a part of the settlement. The city and the officers admit no liability and the payment is made “solely to terminate further controversy” related to the incident, according to the terms of the settlement.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/euclid-police-officer-michael-amiotts-trial-scheduled-for-early-march/
| 2022-02-11T00:54:59
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en
| 0.985601
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The Lake County Workforce Development Board has been awarded $250,000 from the Business Resource Network Subgrant funds through the state of Ohio, Lake County officials recently announced.
The partnership, based in Canton, is a collaborative and growing group of the region’s chambers of commerce, workforce training organizations, schools, colleges and universities, and government agencies that offer various types of business services.
According to the board, the purpose of the funding serves to creatively expand business service teams, outreach and employer engagement.
“As we continue to navigate through and out of the (novel coronavirus) pandemic, we are learning and embracing additional ways to attract employers,” said Commissioner John Hamercheck. “We hope to use these grant dollars to expand the knowledge and reach of the services at OhioMeansJobs Lake County.”
Commissioner John Plecnik echoed Hamercheck’s thoughts.
“I am excited to see the impact of this grant and the projects it will fund for Lake County as we continue to use economic development, and, specifically workforce development, to be a destination county in Ohio,” Plecnik said. “Having the flexibility in bringing in outside funding, and not burdening our taxpayers, is huge for the county in a time where getting jobs and job seekers aligned has become a new challenge.”
Additionally, the goal of the Business Resource Network application is to further connect with local employers to “provide exceptional and increased business services,” according to Cory Vojack, director of workforce development with the commissioners’ office and workforce development board.
“Last year’s job market laid the groundwork and foundation for what these services will be utilized for and this coming year will showcase the return on investment with workforce projects,” Vojack explained, noting the OMJ Business Services will use each project to provide the tools necessary to expand and provide exemplary services.
“Our objective will be to continue expanding companies in Lake County that still need our assistance to regain the workforce void created during the pandemic,” he said. “Outreach to local businesses, promotion of our career services and bolstering the workforce are essential to help drive our success with this important grant. We’re excited to have received this grant and look forward to putting some initiatives in action very soon that will help benefit the businesses in the area.”
Commissioner Ron Young added, “Meeting the ever-changing needs of our local business community will always be my priority, and I believe the department will use this (grant funding) to add to that solution.”
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/lake-county-workforce-development-board-awarded-250k/
| 2022-02-11T00:55:18
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en
| 0.953928
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A view of Lake Erie from Lake Metroparks Lakefront Lodge in Willowick Feb. 10. Erie’s ice coverage dipped from 75.69 percent on Feb. 8 to 68.44 percent Feb. 9, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Feb. 9 was the fourth straight day of declining ice levels after the lake reaching 90.41 percent coverage Feb. 5. The lake’s seasonal high ice coverage came Jan. 31 at 93.76 percent. (Andrew Cass — The News-Herald)
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/lake-eries-ice-coverage-lowering/
| 2022-02-11T00:55:24
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en
| 0.814442
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Several months ago, a 1-year-old white German shepherd was found as a stray and brought to a rescue in southern Ohio.
He was transferred from a partner rescue to Lake Humane Society to help him find his forever home. However, when he arrived, this dog, since named Ice, had difficulty walking and his affected leg was painful when touched by medical staff, according to a news release.
Ice had previously fractured his front leg and it failed to heal correctly.
Lake Humane Society’s medical team consulted with an orthopedic surgeon. It was determined that an amputation was necessary.
Ice is currently in his foster home awaiting surgery. Ice’s foster family describes him as sweet and eager to please.
The Humane Society said if he doesn’t undergo surgery, Ice will likely develop arthritis at an early age and need to be on pain medication and joint supplements for the rest of his life.
“This surgery will be a pivotal moment in Ice’s journey to a better life,” the Humane Society stated in the release.
His treatment will cost upwards of $2,500 and will cover the cost of the amputation surgery, medications and additional care following the surgery, as well as follow-up appointments to monitor Ice’s progress. Lake Humane Society relies on community donations and does not receive any county, state or federal funding to care for pets like Ice.
All donations made to Ice’s fundraising page will be designated to the Angel Fund, and 100% of any gift will help provide lifesaving medical care to Ice and other pets in need, according to the release.
Ice’s fundraising page can be found at lakehumane.org, or call 440-951-6122 for more information on how to help.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/lake-humane-society-seeks-donations-for-german-shepherd-in-need-of-surgery/
| 2022-02-11T00:55:30
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en
| 0.981458
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By LEANNE ITALIE
NEW YORK (AP) — Emily Taffel didn’t pull the password plug when she divorced her first husband, and she didn’t cut off the boyfriend who followed. Now remarried with four stepchildren, she continues as a model of civility when it comes to exes and logins.
The 41-year-old in Coral Springs, Florida, and her first husband didn’t have kids, much money or own a house when they divorced. What they did have were subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu.
“We each paid for one of them and share. That was literally our divorce agreement,” Taffel said. “It was written right in there. We’re still doing it.”
When boyfriend Sam came along but the romance ended three years later, they maintained close ties and joint custody of additional services, sharing logins and the cost to this day among themselves and Taffel’s ex-husband. Taffel and her current husband have added more and shared down the line over a decade after her first marriage ended.
“I know it seems crazy,” she said. “The ex-boyfriend and the ex-husband aren’t friends, but through me everybody is very amicable.”
In this era of cybersecurity concerns and calls for multifactor lockdown of all things digital, that approach points to a thorny issue when love goes wrong: What to do about the logins?
Nearly 8 in 10 Americans who are in a relationship share passwords across nearly every digital platform, ranging from social media to email and cell phone to mobile wallets, said Harold Li, vice president of the encryption service ExpressVPN.
“In the digital era, sharing passwords is a sign of trust and affection akin to the gift of a letterman jacket or an exchange of school locker combinations,” he said. “However, while it may seem like a romantic gesture at the moment, it poses serious risks to your personal privacy, which even the closest of relationships need.”
And when relationships end, whether romantic or of the friendship variety, he recommends a thorough “digital divorce.”
Sisi Cronin, 33, in Napa, California, is still logged in to her college boyfriend’s Netflix account, with her own profile. While they don’t live near each other, they remain friendly after going their separate ways when she was 23.
“One time about three years ago he sent me a kind of funny message saying, hey, Netflix has decided to limit how many people can be on, would you mind getting your own? And I just wrote back saying I’d rather not. We haven’t talked about it since,” she said. “When you’ve got all these different subscription platforms it’s ideal to not be paying for all of them yourself, right?”
Nick Leighton of the etiquette podcast “Were You Raised by Wolves” equates the changing of shared passwords after a breakup to returning the sweater left behind by the ex.
“Be mindful of the fact that when a person discovers their login no longer works, it’ll be a clear reminder that the relationship is indeed over, which may cause hurt feelings,” he said. “In a relationship, asking someone for their password can make some people uncomfortable, so it’s often better to wait until they volunteer to share rather than putting them on the spot. It should also be noted that sharing passwords might possibly violate the terms of service.”
Things don’t always go swimmingly when logins aren’t cut off post-breakup.
“Change the password. In the age of perpetual watch histories being widely available, nobody wants to know that their ex just watched `The Notebook’ on Netflix. It stirs up all sorts of emotions,” said John Capo, an assistant professor of communications at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
“Were they thinking about me when they watched it? Who did they watch it with? Why were they awake at midnight, anyway? Remember when we used to watch `The Notebook?’”
Brian Penny, 40, in Tucson, Arizona, doesn’t have the heart to leave an ex out in the cold on his HBO Max and Hulu accounts.
“She’s struggling with work and it doesn’t cost me anything, but it does show her name because she added herself as a profile,” he said. “I do wonder what the next girlfriend will think about seeing another woman’s name in my account. I’ve already reasoned I would say it’s a cousin or friend.”
Hari Ravichandran, founder and CEO of the digital safety provider Aura, noted the prevalence of password sharing among some, but warned against it.
“It’s no secret that password-sharing is a way for consumers to get around the cost of paying for multiple services,” he said in a statement. “What consumers aren’t considering is that these behaviors make them vulnerable to digital crime when people outside your household — even ones you trust — have your passwords on their devices.”
Researchers have found a variety of reasons people maintain streaming ties after a breakup — convenience, finances and post-breakup friendships among them. A downside: When a vindictive ex deliberately wreaks havoc with algorithms to mess up ads and suggested viewing, or creates a profile to rile up a current love interest. One sharer said the parents of an ex stayed logged into one of his sites for two years after they broke up and sent him a gift card out of the blue as thanks.
Chandler Sterling in Los Angeles shows up as a generic “guest” profile on the Netflix and Hulu accounts of a former long-term girlfriend. He also uses his parents’ cable TV subscription with his Apple TV for access to pretty much anything, including sports.
“Yes, I’m 34, and yes, I make over six figures at my job, but I won’t pay for something if I don’t have to,” he said. “My ex has never directly confronted me about the guest profile on Hulu. On Netflix, she changed the guest account’s profile picture to the guy from the show `Lucifer,’ so I think she’s sending me a message about how she feels. … I have zero guilt for all this cloak and dagger mooching.”
Penny said he wasn’t sure if or when he would remove his ex.
“Our relationship didn’t end well at all,” he said. “I think a part of me leaves it alone so she leaves me alone. The peace of mind is worth it.”
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Follow Leanne Italie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/litalie
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/love-and-logins-who-gets-custody-of-passwords-in-a-breakup/
| 2022-02-11T00:55:36
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en
| 0.966311
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The Lumineers are playing Lakeland Community College this summer.
The hugely popular folk-rock act, with hits including “Ophelia” and “Ho Hey,” is one of two headline acts announced recently for the Wonderstruck in Cleveland festival, set for July 9 and 10 at the school’s Kirtland campus. The Lumineers will close out the first day of music, while rockers Vampire Weekend will bring the festivities to a close, according to an email from the organizer, Elevation Festivals.
“The Lumineers and Vampire Weekend, both Grammy-honored bands, have headlined some of the largest festivals in the world,” said Denny Young, president of Elevation Festivals, in the email. “They are two of the great live musical acts of this era with some of the most passionate fans. We are beyond thrilled to present them — together — this summer in Cleveland.”
Day One also will feature All Time Low, 24kGoldn, Tai Verdes and others, while the second day’s lineup features, among other acts, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Dean Lewis and Saint Motel.
Tickets will go on sale at noon Feb. 11, with the email stating prices will never be as low as on this first day of sales. An all-weekend ticket for an adult will start at $199 before climbing to $219 on Feb. 12, with prices increasing a couple more times before peaking at $275 on July 4. A one-day ticket will journey from $129 to $185.
In previous years known as LaureLive and held at a different Northeast Ohio location, last year’s WonderStruck featured acts including Portugal. The Man, Walk the Moon, AJR and Third Eye Blind.
Get more information and buy tickets at wonderstruckfest.com.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/lumineers-vampire-weekend-to-headline-julys-wonderstruck-at-lakeland/
| 2022-02-11T00:55:42
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en
| 0.946202
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OTTAWA, Ohio — A man who wanted to join the protests in Canada’s capital over mask mandates called in a bomb threat so police would waste their time chasing it, authorities said, but he called the wrong Ottawa — a village in Ohio.
The man, a 20-year-old from Akron, Ohio, called the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office twice Monday, said sheriff’s Capt. Brad Brubaker.
The first time he made a bomb threat, and then in a second call he said he had been shot, Brubaker said. That’s when the man found out he was talking with someone in Ohio.
“He wasn’t paying attention and just called the first number he found,” Brubaker told The Lima News. “He said he was mad about mask mandates.”
The sheriff’s office said it would ask the county prosecutor to consider charges against the man.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/man-upset-over-canadas-mask-mandates-threatens-wrong-ottawa/
| 2022-02-11T00:55:48
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en
| 0.979654
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A fun, if also fairly silly, idea lies at the heart of “Marry Me.”
Bound for theaters and Peacock in time for Valentine’s Day and borrowing from “Roman Holiday” and “Notting Hill,” the pop music-fueled romantic comedy has a very famous woman becoming romantically entangled with an ordinary Joe.
And “Marry Me” is at its best when it’s at its most basic, the scenes in which music superstar Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) simply spends time with said regular guy Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson), a math teacher and single dad doing his best to stay connected with his tween daughter.
But in adapting the graphic novel of the same name by Bobby Crosby, a trio of writers and director Kat Coiro struggle to make much out of the themes that should help push the story narratively. It largely flounders around as it moves from Point A to Points B, C and D.
Coiro (“Dead to Me,” “It’s Aways Sunny in Philadelphia”) begins by introducing us to the movie’s Kat, a huge star who’s a comfortable fit for Lopez (“Hustlers,” “The Boy Next Door”), the artist also providing original songs for the movie. Although reasonably successful in the past, she’s reached new heights in her career after teaming up with Latin superstar Bastian (actual Latin music star Maluma, in his feature-film debut).
Their partnership is both professional and personal, as the pair is steamrolling toward a televised spectacle in which they not only will sing their megahit, “Marry Me,” but also will get hitched.
Although he doesn’t know much about pop music, Charlie, wanting to score points with daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman, “Big Little Lies”), accepts an invitation from outgoing coworker and close friend Parker (Sarah Silverman, “I Love You, America”), to attend the event.
Moments before the big duet, which is expected to be viewed on TV by 20 million people, a video leaks of Bastian being unfaithful to Kat. Rocked to her core, Kat goes on stage alone and begins talking to the audience. Already married three times, she talks about not wanting to make the same mistakes, about wanting to make a different choice.
Having asked to have the audience illuminated, she spots Charlie holding a large “Marry Me” sign — a sign he is merely holding for somebody else — she announces she will marry him. (The utterly perplexed facial expression by her manager, Colin — “Game of Thrones” staple John Bradley, who also has a significant role in the just-released “Moonfall” — is highly appropriate.)
Charlie also is confused by what is happening, but, after being nudged onto the stage by the fans around him, he does partake in a vague exchange of “I do”s with Kat.
While it is clear Charlie went along with the inspired insanity largely to be nice and expects nothing to come from the not-yet-official marriage, Kat begins to have other ideas. It would be best for her career, she decides, if they would spend at least a few months more or less together, getting to know each other, sure, but also appearing at media opportunities.
The carrot for Charlie to play along is a donation for the school math club, which he coaches and which he is desperate for Lou to join. Plus, you know, he’s just a solid dude.
And you know what? Kat is a really good person, too. She takes a sincere interest both in him and in Lou.
In fact, when Kat and Charlie are together — and, inevitably, grow closer — they each radiate a certain kindness that is easy on the soul.
The lukewarm conflict “Marry Me” has to offer comes largely from the fact that Bastian is never far out of frame, thanks largely to “Marry Me” continuing to burn up the charts even after the big break-up. Understandably, this is a greater and greater concern as Charlie begins to value the bond he has formed with Kat.
More disappointing, however, is the bungling Coiro — who will lead the directing team for “She-Hulk,” an upcoming Marvel Cinematic Show on Disney+ — does with a decent story element as Kat and Charlie begin to become a genuine item. He challenges this strong, capable woman to be more independent, to go without all her paid assistance, so much of which is designed to keep a constant social-media, product-pushing presence going to which he does not relate. She, in turn, challenges him to get on social media, in the name of furthering his math-education endeavors.
Also, the obligatory obstacle the couple faces as the movie’s second act gives way to the third is half-hearted at best.
Still, “Marry Me” more often is watchable than not, especially when Wilson (“Wedding Crashers,” “Wonder”) is on the screen. No one does lovable-in-an-almost-dopey-way quite like this actor.
“Marry Me,” too, is dopey but also lovable in spots. It just could have been something more.
‘Marry Me’
Where: Theaters and Peacock.
When: Feb. 11.
Rated: PG-13 for some language and suggestive material.
Runtime: 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Stars (of four): 2.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/marry-me-an-odd-and-uneven-but-also-often-sweet-rom-com-movie-review/
| 2022-02-11T00:55:54
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en
| 0.969021
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After making his Playhouse Square debut two years ago, Cleveland native Michael Cavanaugh can’t wait to get back.
“It was amazing. And it wasn’t just another gig, but I wouldn’t say I was nervous,” said Cavanaugh, calling from Hendersonville, Tennessee. “I was just excited. The sound in the room was different. We can hear the crowd usually before we go on stage, and we could really hear that crowd.
“They were pumped, so I had no reason to feel any other way than excited. To come to my hometown is always special. It’s somewhat of an emotional thing, and that show was everything I hoped it would be.”
While his “The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John” show was a sold-out affair at the Ohio Mimi Theatre, this time he’s performing at the KeyBank State Theatre. The show is set for Feb. 11.
With more than 100 Joel and John songs in his repertoire, Cavanaugh promised he’ll change the setlist up for his Cleveland show just enough while still keeping in the piano-rock legends’ greatest hits — “Piano Man,” “Rocket Man,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Movin’ Out,” “I’m Still Standing” and “My Life.”
Handpicked by Joel to star in hit Broadway musical, “Movin’ Out,” Cavanaugh received Tony and Grammy Award nominations for the lead role. After that, the talented musician took to the road performing the music of Joel.
Roughly three years ago, though, he added in the music of fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee John, who, fittingly, Cavanaugh met in the early ’00s when Joel and John’s “Face 2 Face” tour came through Cleveland.
“This new show started with symphony concerts we do performing the music of Billy Joel,” said Cavanaugh, 49, a 1990 graduate Midpark High School in Middleburg Heights. “We needed a second show. It was obviously, ‘Let’s do a music-of-Elton show. He’s another musical hero of mine, and they used to tour together.
“Usually if someone is a fan of one, they’re a fan of the other. It worked out great. Between the two of them, there are so many amazing classics — legendary songs.”
Ultimately, Cavanaugh is just a fan who has electricity in his voice when talking about pregaming to see his favorite artists in concert — such as Joel twice at the old Richfield Coliseum — by listening to all of their albums on vinyl while simultaneously reading the lyrics.
In fact, that’s what he recommends fans attending John’s concert this summer at Cleveland’s Progressive Field do ahead of time. As for the “Rocket Man” singer’s farewell tour, Cavanaugh hopes will end up being a long, long time.
“I’m not sure I believe that it’s his farewell tour,” Cavanaugh said. “I hope he goes forever. And he just might — you never know.”
Michael Cavanaugh
What: “The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John.”
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 11.
Where: Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Tickets: $39 to $100.
Info: 216-241-6000 or PlayhouseSquare.org.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/michael-cavanaughs-music-of-billy-joel-and-elton-john-at-playhouse-square-feb-11/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:00
|
en
| 0.965782
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By Mark Didtler and Ronald Blum
The Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says losing regular-season games to a work stoppage would be a “disastrous outcome,” yet spring training remains on hold as the threat to opening day increases.
With the second-longest work stoppage in baseball history stretching into its 71st day, Manfred said teams will make a “good-faith, positive proposal in a effort to move the process forward” when negotiations with the players’ association resume Feb. 12. It will be just the fifth economic bargaining session since the five-year labor contract expired.
MLB planned to move somewhat in the union’s direction, two people who attended the owners’ meeting told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because Manfred did not discuss details of the proposal.
“I am an optimist and I believe we will have an agreement in time to play our regular schedule,” Manfred said during a news conference Feb. 10 after three days of meetings. “I see missing games as a disastrous outcome for this industry, and we’re committed to making an agreement in an effort to avoid that.”
Spring training workouts had been scheduled to start on Feb. 16. Opening day is March 31.
“The status of spring training is no change right now,” Manfred said. “We’re going to have a conversation with the MLBPA about the calendar. We understand where the calendar is, but until we have that conversation and until we see how this session on Saturday goes, it’s no change.”
Whenever an agreement is reached, at least three weeks of workouts are needed.
“We thought, 20, 21 days, whatever we had in 2020 was a problem for us,” Manfred said, referring to the pandemic-shortened schedule. “The injury data supports that idea. We’d like to be 28. I’m trying not to be hard and fast. But we think more like four weeks makes sense.”
Before workouts can start, additional days are needed to gear up.
“We do have some logistics that would have to be handled between an agreement and actually opening the camps, the biggest of which is the players getting where they need to be,” Manfred said. “They have to ratify and we have to ratify and we won’t open until it’s ratified. But both of those activities can take place at the same time, concurrently. It’s a few days. It should all be able to be done in a few days.”
Manfred confirmed that testing players for steroids stopped when the lockout began.
“Our legal authority to conduct drug tests expired with the expired agreement,” he said. “It’s a topic of concern. Labor disputes make topics of concern. It’s another one caused by the dispute.”
Manfred also said the teams do not intend to use players with minor league contacts to play major league exhibition games.
Players, led by former All-Star first baseman Tony Clark, are angry over a decline in payrolls over the previous contract, what they say is a lack of competition by some teams and what they allege is service-time manipulation.
The union has proposed allowing the accrual of service time by rookies for awards and special accomplishments, a draft lottery, expanding arbitration eligibility to its level before 1986 and decreasing revenue sharing.
MLB says it will not increase arbitration eligibility or decrease revenue sharing.
The sides disagree on minimum salaries and the size of a draft lottery, and they also are far apart on luxury tax thresholds. MLB would increase tax rates; Manfred said he misspoke during the news conference when he said they were the same in the proposal.
The sides both would establish a bonus pool for pre-arbitration players but differ vastly on the amount.
MLB would expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 14, while the union is offering 12.
Manfred said MLB had agreed to expand the designated hitter to the National League and to eliminate draft-pick compensation for free agents, an issue that led to a 50-day midseason strike in 1981.
Based on minimum salaries and the bonus pool. Manfred said players would receive over the five-year term of a deal “in the hundreds of millions of dollars” more, plus more value from the DH expansion and free-agent compensation elimination.
“We have a proposed an agreement that is better in every respect than the expired contract,” Manfred said. “In total, the proposals we’ve made would move the agreement decidedly in the players’ direction. Where the clubs have been and remain unwilling to move is in response to player proposals that we believe will undermine the competitive balance in our game.”
MLB last week asked that a federal mediator join talks, but the union rejected the offer.
Some players have vilified Manfred for his role.
“What somebody says on social media really doesn’t affect my thinking,” he said. “It’s my responsibility to do everything we can to make an agreement that the industry can live with and keep the game on the field, and we are trying to do that.”
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/mlb-keeps-spring-camps-on-hold-missing-opener-disastrous/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:06
|
en
| 0.97551
|
Josh Petruccelli had plans for the winter heading into spring, but sometimes plans change.
With his football skill set, it’s understandable why Petruccelli isn’t ready to hang up his football cleats.
The record-setting running back from Mount Union who graduated from Perry was set to student-teach at Chagrin Falls High School the second half of this school season.
All-America RB @JoshPetr01 of @MountUnionFB was set to student-teach at Chagrin Falls this school year but is taking his shot at the NFL @NHPreps @Perry_Pirates @purpleraiders @d3football pic.twitter.com/D7tZTE0t7E
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) February 10, 2022
Thoughts of a possible career in pro football kept lingering in his mind. Petruccelli wants to teach and coach football one day, but right now he’s doing everything he can for a shot at an invite to an NFL camp this summer.
So one career path is on hold, and another is underway.
“It’s just simply, I think I can do it,” said Petruccelli. “I’m glad I’m giving it a try. Every little kid who plays football, it’s his dream to a professional player. Even if it doesn’t work, I won’t have any regrets.”
On Feb. 8, Petruccelli signed with agent Vince Calo, a graduate of West Geauga. Before then, Petruccelli had been working with a family friend who’s a personal trainer. This week, he began training with Tim Robertson, the John Carroll strength and conditioning coach who also operates Speed Strength Systems in Chester Township.
That’s where Petruccelli is training with other pro football hopefuls from John Carroll — quarterback Jake Floriea of Mentor and Tyshawn Jones of Euclid.
Petruccelli has plenty to offer to an NFL team in terms of production. He’s proven to be durable — he played 60 games at Mount. He’s been productive with 5,171 rushing yards (only the third running back at Mount with at least 5,000 yards) with 72 rushing touchdowns (77 total). He’s also shown the ability to catch the ball, with 91 career receptions, including 39 last fall.
The key — as always, and especially with small-college skilled-position prospects — is the 40-yard dash. Petruccelli can’t remember the last time he was clocked or ran a 40, but the goal from now until April is to work and improve in that specific drill.
With 102 rushing yds last week vs. Johns Hopkins, @MountUnionFB RB Josh Petruccelli (@JoshPetro5) of @Perry_Pirates is just 3rd player in school history to rush for at least 5,000 career yards. Joins Nate Kmic (8,074), Chuck Moore (5,871). @NHPreps Photo courtesy @purpleraiders pic.twitter.com/iCWcQ3SGLW
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) November 29, 2021
“The goal is somewhere in the low 4.5s or high 4.4 (seconds),” said Petruccelli. “I know I can do that.”
He will get his chance March 21 at the University of Toledo’s pro day. The invite came via his relationship with former Mount Union coach Vince Kehres, who’s currently the defensive coordinator for the Rockets.
.@JoshPetr01 works on his 20-yard shuttle at Speed Strength in Chester Township @purpleraiders @MountUnionFB @Perry_Pirates @NHPreps pic.twitter.com/a6CN8w9sFJ
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) February 10, 2022
“You’ve got to showcase what you can do while the (scouts) are watching,” said Petruccelli. “They want to see with their own eyes. Film can only show so much. They want to see how athletic and agile you are.”
Petruccelli’s height isn’t ideal for pro running backs at 5-foot-9, but his bulk (210 pounds) is more than adequate. When he and Calo met Feb. 9 to finalize their player-agent agreement, Calo said his plan for NFL teams is an analytical one in which he will market Petruccelli along the likes of former small-school running back Danny Woodhead — who was a solid back for the Chargers — and current Patriots back Rex Burkhead.
The Woodhead comparison might be the best-suited for Petruccelli. Woodhead played at Division II Chadron State and ran for 7,441 yards in four seasons. He wasn’t the tallest at 5-8, and his playing weight was a little more than 200 pounds, but he played a decade in the NFL with the Jets, Patriots, Chargers and Ravens.
That’s fine with Petruccelli, who knows all it will take is one team showing an interest.
“The league is a copycat,” said Petruccelli. “They get a certain type of running back, and as they get older, they look for guys they’ve had before with the same skill set, the same intangibles of guys they have had before.”
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/mount-union-running-back-josh-petruccelli-of-perry-puts-one-career-path-on-hold-to-chase-nfl-dream/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:12
|
en
| 0.96511
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Civicom Announces the Launch of New DIY Research Package MyQual™ for Independent Researchers
GREENWICH, Conn., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Civicom Marketing Research Services has launched its new Do-It-Yourself research package, MyQual™. Designed as an affordable all-in-one research platform for IDIs and focus groups, MyQual provides independent researchers with the toolset necessary to execute a complete qualitative research experience on their own.
MyQual can be used for online self-directed qualitative data gathering using three components: a secure web room for DIY interviews supported with a stimuli upload feature, recording, and private backroom chat, and crystal clear audio conferencing using Civicom Conferencing technology; project curation features with clipping and storyboarding; plus a mobile insights app for homework assignments.
As a leading provider of market research services globally, Civicom developed this robust DIY research toolset to support the needs of every independent insights professional. Designed exclusively for market research use, the MyQual package of tools and services provides independent researchers with control over their own research execution from start to finish.
MyQual is the latest addition to Civicom's exceptional suite of web-enabled qualitative solutions. True to their motto, "Your Project Success is Our Number One Priority", Civicom clients benefit from Civicom's 20 years of online facilitation expertise and experience with qualitative researchers through the introduction of MyQual.
About Civicom® Marketing Research Services
Civicom Marketing Research Services offers many options to enhance research for marketing research professionals. Civicom is the global leader in facilitating telephone and web-enabled in-depth interviews and focus groups using Civicom CyberFacility®. Civicom also offers CCam®focus, an in-person or in-facility research recording and streaming solution, Civicom Chatterbox®, an asynchronous research platform for online communities and bulletin boards, plus the Civicom ThoughtLight® Mobile Insights App, a mobile qualitative tool for collecting richer in-the-moment insights, useful for shopper insights, audio diaries and patient journeys.
Civicom operates in over 96 countries and offers extensive translation services for marketing researchers, as well as Civicom transcription services through TranscriptionWing™, and market research respondent recruiting through CiviSelect™. All of these services are available in Spanish, as well as English, and multiple other languages.
Civicom Marketing Research Services chooses to be as dynamic as it is innovative; always listening to and acting on clients' ideas and requests. This kind of relationship has paved the way for the development and roll-out of new services. To learn more, email Civicom® at [email protected] or call +1-203-413-2423.
SOURCE CIVICOM
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/civicom-announces-the-launch-of-new-diy-research-package-myqual-for-independent-researchers-301480348.html
| 2022-02-11T00:56:17
|
en
| 0.898844
|
Robbie Sevegen
North>>Girls basketball
Senior>>Post
On the court: In a 3-0 week, had a combined 21 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists and one steal. Shot 75 percent from the floor.
Off the court: Enjoys painting, reading and playing video games. “My favorite sports memory was when I went to a Cavaliers game a few years ago and I got to watch them win a big game after they went into overtime twice.” Convinced her dad to let her get a pot-bellied pig. Favorite subject is ceramics. Favorte good is chicken Alfredo. Favorite show is “Supernatural.”
Quinn Kwasniak
Cornerstone Christian>>Boys basketball
Freshman>>Shooter
On the court: In a 91-52 win at Lake Ridge Academy, had 21 points, including 7 of 14 on 3-pointers, five assists and seven rebounds. In a 60-42 win at Norton, had 25 points, including six 3-pointers. In a 76-60 win at Mapleton, scored 30 points, including seven 3-pointers. Was a combined 11 of 11 from the foul line in all three games.
Off the court: “Turtle” is a Chester Township resident. Favorite player is Steph Curry. Favorite teacher is Mr. Cook, who teaches math at Cornerstone. Favorite summer teams are Zaibas athletic club and MoKan Elite. “My favorite coach is my grandfather, “Poppa” Kwas. I like to lift weights, hang out with friends (Ryan, Billy, TJ, Cardy 1k) and get shots up with my little brother Logan.” His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Catherine Sieradzki
Riverside>>Gymnastics
Junior>>All-around
In the gym: In a seven-team invitational, won the beam with a personal-best 9.4. Also placed in the top five in the vault and all-around in helping Riverside to a season-high score.
Out of the gym: “Cat” started gymnastics when she was 9 and joined Riverside’s team her freshman year. “My favorite memory is when my team and I compete and spend the night in Cincinnati every year. Another favorite memory is getting to meet new people from different schools and being able to practice with them and cheer them on in competitions.” Hobbies include traveling and hanging out with my friends.
Brandon Lane
South>>Boys basketball
Senior>>Center
On the court: In a win over Kenston, had 26 points and 17 rebounds. In a win over Madison, had 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Off the court: “Big B” enjoys hanging out with friends and family. Favorite team is the Steelers. Favorite food is nachos. Favorite subject is math.
Vinnie D’Alessandro
Mayfield>Wrestling
Junior>>126 pounds
On the mat: Won by 2-1 decision over fellow state-ranked wrestler Kaden Jett of Brecksville in the regional duals. He is the third-ranked Division I 126-pounder in Ohio. He is 40-2 this season with 21 pins.
Off the mat: Plans on wrestling in college, at 125 or 133. Favorite sports memory is making the Ohio state finals in seventh grade and being on the 2018 Ohio All-Star team. Lists golf as a hobby. Also plays video games, watches YouTube and plays spike ball after practice. Can deadlift 325 pounds. Favorite class is engineering. Favorite food is crab legs. Enjoys watching the Big Ten Network. Enjoys listening to rap music. Favorite team is the New Orleans Saints. To get ready for the season, wrestles year-long, including freestyle and camps during the summer.
Uzonna Nzekwe
Beachwood>>Wrestling
Junior>>215 pounds
On the mat: He went 3-0 at the CVC tournament, and then won two more matches during this week to up his record to 31-0 with 26 pins.
Off the mat: “Uzo” says his favorite sports are wrestling and football. Lifts with Drew Keilin (165 pounds) and trains for football at Raw Talentas as hobbies.
Varsity coaches from all sports can nominate athletes for Players of the Week until 8 p.m. every Monday. They can be emailed to Scores@News-Herald.com. We do not take nominations via social media or text message.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/news-herald-players-of-the-week-for-feb-10/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:19
|
en
| 0.962948
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HUDSON — The mayor of an upscale city outside Cleveland is making headlines again for a remark at a recent City Council meeting that allowing ice fishing shanties on a city lake could lead to prostitution.
Hudson Mayor Craig Shubert during the meeting on Tuesday said he wanted to raise some “data points” during a discussion about whether to permit people to fish on the frozen lake.
“Does someone come back next year and say, ‘I want an ice shanty on Hudson Springs Park for x amount of time?’” Shubert said. “And if you then allow ice fishing with shanties, then that leads to another problem — prostitution. Now you’ve got the police chief and and the police department involved.”
Messages seeking comment were left with Shubert on Thursday.
Shubert issued a statement to WJW-TV in Cleveland saying his comment about ice shanties and prostitution stemmed from his experience as a television news reporter covering law enforcement agencies that have arrested people for prostitution in shanties.
“When discussing proposed legislation, it is wise to discuss the potential for unintended consequences,” Shubert said in the statement.
Shubert drew national attention last year when he called for Hudson school board members to resign over the use of a book of writing prompts for a college-level class at the high school that he called child pornography.
Hudson is roughly 30 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/ohio-mayor-concerned-ice-shanties-could-lead-to-prostitution/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:19
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en
| 0.963968
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Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated Announces Increased Fourth Quarter Dividend
FRANKLIN, Tenn., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE: CHCT) today announced that its Board of Directors has increased its common stock cash dividend for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. This dividend, in the amount of $0.4375 per share, is payable on March 1, 2022 to shareholders of record on February 22, 2022. This dividend rate equates to an annualized dividend of $1.75 per share. Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated has increased its dividend every quarter since its Initial Public Offering.
About Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated
Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (the "Company") is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services in our target sub-markets throughout the United States.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to the historical information contained within, the matters discussed in this supplemental operating and financial information package may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "may", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "intends", "plans", "estimates", "anticipates" or other similar words or expressions, including the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and can include future expectations, future plans and strategies, financial and operating projections or other forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Because forward-looking statements relate to future events, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the control of Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (the "Company"). Thus, the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Some factors that might cause such a difference include the following: general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of the Company's common stock, changes in the Company's business strategy, availability, terms and deployment of capital, the Company's ability to refinance existing indebtedness at or prior to maturity on favorable terms, or at all, changes in the real estate industry in general, interest rates or the general economy, adverse developments related to the healthcare industry, the degree and nature of the Company's competition, the ability to consummate acquisitions under contract, effects on global and national markets as well as businesses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the other factors described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this supplemental operating and financial information package and undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking g statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
CONTACT David H. Dupuy, 615-771-3052
SOURCE Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/community-healthcare-trust-incorporated-announces-increased-fourth-quarter-dividend-301480334.html
| 2022-02-11T00:56:23
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en
| 0.940478
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Waving their colorful handmade paper fans, Mrs. Haines’ second-grade students at Park Elementary dance the “Jasmine Flower Fan Dance” during music class with Mrs. Puterbaugh on Jan. 31.
They were accompanied by an educational video on the Lunar New Year and fan dancing.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/park-elementary-school-second-graders-celebrate-lunar-new-year/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:25
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en
| 0.94658
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Found Realty To Partner With eXp Realty
The partnership allows Found Realty to expand high-tech offerings to Houston area real estate professionals
HOUSTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Found Realty has always prioritized the human element of the real estate business. Now, the Houston-based brokerage is taking that a step further by partnering with eXp Realty, one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the country, to provide agents in Houston with high-tech virtual tools to better serve clients.
Founded in 2002, eXp Realty's in-depth virtual platform provides real estate professionals with robust growth and development tools, as well as access to a collaborative network of 73,000 agents. Found Realty owner, Jena Turner, believes this new partnership will be instrumental in helping aspiring local agents break into real estate faster and allow seasoned agents to level up existing skills.
"Real estate professionals are key to helping people navigate two of life's toughest decisions: buying or selling a home. By investing in the growth of our real estate professionals and providing them with the best tools possible, we'll be able to help more people through this important process," Turner said.
The number of agents on the Found Realty team has grown by more than 400% in the last year. Turner says eXp's platform will allow her organization to continue expanding while connecting more independent real estate professionals to shared resources.
"Being an independent realtor is challenging," Turner said. "I have great respect for anyone who operates with an entrepreneurial mindset and takes charge of their professional growth. At Found Reality, real estate professionals can focus on their growth while enjoying the shared resources that a partnership with eXp Realty offers." For more information, contact Jena Turner or Shenan Lopez at (713) 504-8660, [email protected] or [email protected].
About eXp Realty:
eXp Realty is the largest residential real estate brokerage by geography in North America. It is also one of the fastest-growing firms worldwide with more than 73,000 agents in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, India, Mexico, Portugal, France, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Italy and Hong Kong. Learn more at https://exprealty.com/.
Media Contact: Jena Turner or Shenan Lopez
Phone Number: (713) 504-8660
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: foundrealtyhouston.com
SOURCE Found Realty
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/found-realty-to-partner-with-exp-realty-301480347.html
| 2022-02-11T00:56:29
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en
| 0.928641
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Dave Rowan, Perry’s veteran wrestling coach, has a philosophy when it comes to wrestling in duals.
Dance with who brung ya.
Of course, it goes without saying Rowan — nor any team — can bring in wrestlers from the outside to represent them on a whim.
Rowan’s mantra is this: When it comes to this weekend’s Division II state dual meet tournament in Louisville, he and his Pirates aren’t recreating themselves.
They are who they are, and they’re going to find out where they stack up in the bracket involving the top eight dual-meet teams in Ohio.
“We do have some strategies, but I’m kind of old-school here,” Rowan said. “I believe we have a style of wrestling we teach. You know what’s coming. Some people can stop it; some people can’t. We’re going there to do our style the best we can. Try to stop it.”
The Pirates are the fifth seed in the tournament. They will face fourth-seeded Ashland in the first round, a match that will start at 9 a.m. at Louisville High School on Feb. 12.
Other first-round matchups, with seeds in parenthesis, are (1) St. Paris Graham vs. (8) Wilmington, (3) Aurora vs. (6) Beaver Local and (2) Louisville vs. (7) Miami Trace.
The winner of Perry and Ashland will face the winner of Graham and Wilmington. The losers will also wrestle each other in a consolation match.
“I think it’s an honor to be at this level,” Rowan said. “It’s a true testament to our program K-through-12. We’re a small-school Division II that doesn’t have open enrollment, and we qualified as one of the top eight in the state. That’s a big deal to us.”
Perry advanced to the state duals with a dominating 50-18 win over Woodridge in a regional tournament last weekend in Perry’s Spectator Gymnasium.
Ashland presents a tougher challenge. The Arrows boast nine state-ranked wrestlers (according to borofan.net), while Perry’s roster has nine as well.
Perry’s ranked wrestlers are Riley Rowan (12th at 106), Dominic Ciolli (21st at 113), Zach Bellissimo (third at 120), Brock Christian (12th at 132), Calvin Rowan (20th at 144), Domenick LaMacchia (23rd at 150), Ryan Brubaker (19th at 157), Ethan Hicks (13th at 165) and Kenny Walker (27th at 215).
If both Perry and Ashland put forth their regular starting lineups, with no weight-class bumping, there will be some interesting matchups between state-ranked wrestlers, including:
• Ciolli vs. 18th-ranked Korbyn Jones at 113;
• Bellissimo vs. 13th-ranked Roman Parobek at 120;
• Brubaker vs. sixth-ranked John Metzger at 157;
• Hicks vs. Angelo Seitz at 165; and
• Walker vs. 18th-ranked Cayden Spotts at 215.
But bumping weight class is part of the chess match in duals, so those matchups likely won’t all come to fruition.
“That’s part of the equation,” Rowan said of bumping. “Coach (Chris) Bezzeg is a chess player. He lays it out for us, and we make our choices from there.”
After the state duals, the Pirates will face Nordonia the following week in a dual. Then comes the sectional tournament, where Perry is the third seed in the region and will likely end up wrestling sectionals at Lake Catholic or Harvey when bracketing is completed.
But for now, Rowan & Co. is excited to see where they stack up.
“Last year we had a good year, too, but don’t think we got the recognition because of COVID,” Rowan said. “We were pretty strong. And we’ve got a lot of those back this year with the same attitude and work ethic.”
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/perry-wrestling-team-eager-for-shot-at-division-ii-state-duals-this-weekend/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:31
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en
| 0.935542
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MT. PLEASANT, Mich., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Isabella Bank Corporation (the "Corporation") (OTCQX: ISBA) has released positive earnings results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021. The Corporation reported net income of $4.8 million for the quarter and a record $19.5 million for the year. Both figures reflect increases over the same periods a year ago. Earnings per common share were $0.63 in the fourth quarter and $2.48 for the year 2021, also increases from the same periods of 2020.
2021 Highlights:
- Net income in 2021 reached a record $19.5 million, increasing 79%, compared to 2020.
- Net interest income in 2021 improved by $2.4 million compared to 2020, enabled by interest expense declining $6.4 million.
- Total assets reached a record $2 billion and total assets under management reached a record $2.8 billion at the end of 2021.
- Loans increased $62.7 million, or 5.1%, reaching a record $1.3 billion during 2021, driven by growth in the commercial and residential mortgage loan portfolios.
- Deposits increased $144 million, or 9.2%, during 2021, largely the result of new customer accounts, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and government stimulus funds.
- Successful subordinated debt issuance of $30 million at a rate of 3.25%.
- Completion of a tender offer during the fourth quarter, resulting in the Corporation purchasing 5% of outstanding shares at $27.00 per share for a total of $10.7 million.
"Our successful subordinated debt issuance in 2021 aligns with our strategic initiatives to deliver long-term shareholder value," said Jae A. Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer. "A portion of the proceeds from the issuance were used for our subsequent tender offer, and the remaining proceeds may be used to support continued stock repurchases and expansion activity.
"Our successful Dutch auction tender offer reduced ISBA shares outstanding and will likely improve several key metrics for shareholders," Evans said. "Our ongoing stock repurchase plan and this tender offer both align with our ongoing commitment to improve shareholder value.
"Overall, we continue to grow our customer base through trusted, quality service as an independent, community bank," Evans said. "Our 2021 results, which set multiple records, are a testament to our continued focus on meeting the needs of our customers while pursuing strategic initiatives that benefit our shareholders, customers and communities over the long-term."
Operating Results
Net income: Net income for the fourth quarter 2021 was $4.8 million, compared to a net loss of $723,000 in 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, net income was $19.5 million, compared to $10.9 million in 2020.
Net interest income, fourth quarter 2021: Net interest income for fourth quarter 2021 decreased $70,000 compared to the same period in 2020. While interest income declined $1.4 million due to continued low interest rates, interest expense also decreased $1.3 million, or 45.2%, largely due to a reduction in higher-cost borrowings over the last year. Provision for loan losses decreased $175,000 compared to 2020 and was the result of improvement in credit quality.
Net interest income: Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $2.4 million, or 4.7%, compared to the same period in 2020. Lower interest rates and a reduction in higher-cost borrowing benefited the Corporation with a $6.4 million, or 46.4%, decrease in interest expense during 2021. The decrease in interest expense outpaced a gross interest income decline of $4.1 million during 2021 caused by the lower interest rates and a pause in advances to mortgage brokers. The provision for loan losses also contributed to a positive net interest income result through a $2.2 million decrease compared to 2020, as a result of continued strong credit quality.
Noninterest income and expenses, fourth quarter 2021: Noninterest income decreased $511,000 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, driven by a reduction in gain on sale of loans. Noninterest expenses for the quarter decreased $7.4 million, attributed to a $7.6 million cost to extinguish $100 million of FHLB advances during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Noninterest income and expenses: Noninterest income of $13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased $601,000 compared to 2020. While service charges and fees increased $1.1 million when compared to the previous year, 2020 also included an additional $1.0 million related to gain on sale of loans and $620,000 related to gains from redemption of corporate owned life insurance policies. Noninterest expenses decreased for the year ended December 31, 2021 by $7.5 million compared to 2020, tied to the $100 million FHLB debt extinguishment in 2020.
Net yield on interest earning assets: The Corporation's fully taxable equivalent net yield on interest earning assets was 2.86% and 2.87% for the fourth quarter and year ended 2021, respectively, compared to 3.04% and 2.96% for the same periods in 2020. The net yield for 2021 reflected a full year's impact of the decline in interest rates that occurred in the first half of 2020.
Balance Sheet
Assets: Total assets were $2.0 billion and assets under management were $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2021, both record levels. Assets under management include loans sold and serviced of $278.8 million and investment and trust assets managed by Isabella Wealth of $516.2 million, in addition to assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Assets under management increased $124.5 million, or 4.6%, compared to December 31, 2020. Isabella Wealth also reached record levels during 2021 and increased 16.3% during the year.
Loans: During 2021, total loans increased $62.7 million and totaled a record $1.3 billion at December 31, 2021. As customer demand increased, along with advances to mortgage brokers, the commercial loan portfolio increased $50.8 million, or 6.7%, during 2021. Competition for agricultural loans continued to be strong in 2021 and the portfolio declined $6.5 million during the year. Residential mortgage loans increased $18.8 million, or 6.1%, during 2021, while consumer loans recorded a slight decline.
Deposits: Total deposits were a record $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2021, an increase of $144 million, or 9.2%, since December 31, 2020. Growth in 2021 was largely the result of new customer accounts, funding from PPP loans, and government stimulus funds.
Capital: The Bank is considered a "well-capitalized" institution, as its capital ratios exceeded the minimum designated requirements. As of December 31, 2021, the Bank's Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 8.54%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 12.91% and Total Capital Ratio was 13.60%. The minimum requirements to be considered well capitalized are a Tier 1 Leverage Ratio of 5.0%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 8.0% and Total Capital Ratio of 10.0%.
Dividend: During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Corporation paid a $0.27 per common share cash dividend. Based on the Corporation's closing stock price of $25.50 as of December 31, 2021, the annualized cash dividend yield was 4.24%.
About the Corporation
Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX: ISBA) is the parent holding company of Isabella Bank, a state chartered community bank headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Isabella Bank was established in 1903 and has been committed to serving the local banking needs of its customers and communities for 119 years. The Bank offers personal and commercial lending and deposit products, as well as investment, trust, and estate planning services through Isabella Wealth. The Bank has locations throughout seven Mid-Michigan counties: Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, and Saginaw.
For more information about Isabella Bank Corporation, visit the investors link at www.isabellabank.com. Isabella Bank Corporation common stock is quoted on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets Group, Inc.'s electronic quotation system (www.otcmarkets.com) under the symbol "ISBA." The Corporation's market maker is Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. (www.boenninginc.com) and its investor relations firm is Renmark Financial Communications, Inc. (www.renmarkfinancial.com).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements. To the extent that the foregoing information refers to matters that may occur in the future, please be aware that such forward-looking statements may differ materially from the actual results. Additional information concerning some of the factors that could cause materially different results is included in the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Forward Looking Statements" set forth in Isabella Bank Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference facilities and from its website at www.sec.gov.
AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST RATE, AND NET INTEREST INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
The following schedules present the daily average amount outstanding for each major category of interest earning assets, non-earning assets, interest bearing liabilities, and noninterest bearing liabilities. These schedules also present an analysis of interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated. All interest income is reported on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%. Loans in nonaccrual status, for the purpose of the following computations, are included in the average loan balances. Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) restricted equity holdings are included in other interest earning assets.
SOURCE Isabella Bank Corporation
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/isabella-bank-corporation-announces-strong-fourth-quarter-and-2021-earnings-301480341.html
| 2022-02-11T00:56:35
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en
| 0.959802
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Winter is thawing, midterms are on the horizon and beach travel deals are populating every other post on your social feeds. This can only mean one thing — spring break is coming.
Amid the daydreams of sun and relaxation, ski hills and hot tubs, or community service trips, college and graduate students might be weighing the pros and cons of spring break travel in the COVID-19 era.
If you choose to travel, getting a travel insurance policy can be a smart money move. This coverage can help protect not only you, but the money you prepay for trip expenses like flights, hotels or that must-see concert. In case your plans go awry (which, let’s face it, feels more likely now than ever before), this coverage can be your saving grace.
What kind of travel insurance is out there? Do you even need it? Here are a few important points to keep in mind when deciding whether to purchase travel insurance for spring break.
Seek travel insurance that includes COVID coverage
Regardless of if you’re traveling abroad or domestically, if you’re considering purchasing travel insurance, it’s wise to ensure it covers COVID-related losses. While it is tempting to buy cheap basic travel insurance, getting more comprehensive coverage will better protect you during the pandemic.
This is important for a few reasons:
- You’ll be covered for any medical costs incurred if you become sick with COVID during your trip.
- If you catch COVID a few days before departure and need to cancel your nonrefundable trip plans, COVID-related trip cancellation coverage will protect your down payments.
- If you test positive before your return flight home and need to quarantine, trip interruption insurance will kick in.
“If you or a traveling companion are individually ordered to quarantine before or during your trip because you were exposed to COVID-19, that can be a covered reason for trip interruption,” according to Allianz Travel Insurance policies that include COVID coverage.
In a scenario like this, the covered limits will vary. But generally, you can expect to be covered for extra hotel nights, transportation costs because of the interruption and the money needed to potentially cancel your existing flight and rebook a new one.
These last-minute costs can really add up, so a policy that protects you against these losses is helpful.
Not all bookings are nonrefundable
As a general rule, travel insurance is best for protecting nonrefundable trip plans. If your transport or stay is nonrefundable, trip insurance will help you get your money back if you need to cancel for a covered reason.
However, many travel companies, including most airlines and hotels, have loosened their change and cancellation policies in recent years. United, for instance, has “permanently gotten rid of change fees for most economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean.” Note that this doesn’t include its basic economy fares.
If your spring break trip can be changed or canceled without a penalty, decide if you still need the benefits of a comprehensive travel insurance policy. You might not.
You can buy specific policies a la carte
If you’re still worried about trip interruptions — such as potentially catching COVID while traveling — you can buy separate trip interruption and travel medical insurance policies a la carte. This can be cheaper than buying a comprehensive plan.
Another instance when you may not need a comprehensive policy is if you booked your spring break trip with a credit card that offers travel insurance. While the limits may be lower than on a comprehensive plan, it may be enough for you. Built-in credit card travel insurance typically includes trip interruption coverage but not medical emergency expenses.
So if you choose not to buy a travel insurance policy, consider getting a separate travel medical insurance plan for peace of mind.
Award travel cancellations are a slightly different ballgame
Some award travel bookings — that is, bookings made with points and miles — still incur out-of-pocket taxes or redeposit fees for cancellations. In instances of covered trip changes, travel insurance can cover those costs.
However, several airlines and hotels have also loosened their change and cancellation policies for award bookings, and many allow travel rewards to be reinstated without cost.
Some travel credit card issuers, like Chase, offer cardholders an online travel booking portal. If you book travel on the platform with the credit card that includes built-in travel insurance, your trip will be covered. However, if you transfer points to an airline or a hotel, you no longer get the coverage from your credit card.
If you’re nervous you’ll change your mind
What if you found a good spring break deal that you want to book, but you’re not sure whether you’ll want to travel when the time comes? In this case, weigh your options.
If the flight and hotel have a flexible cancellation policy or the plans are refundable, you don’t need to get travel insurance right away. If you end up going, you can always purchase a policy a few days before departure.
However, if it’s a nonrefundable booking, the only way you can cancel and get some of your money back for any reason is if you purchase a travel insurance policy and add on the optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage. CFAR will allow you to cancel a trip up to 48-72 hours before departure and gives back 75% of your nonrefundable deposits.
CFAR must be purchased at the same time as a comprehensive travel insurance plan, within 10-21 days of booking the trip, and must insure the entire amount of the trip.
Final thoughts on spring break travel insurance
If spring break travel is doodled in your planner, travel insurance can be useful for a variety of reasons — but it doesn’t make sense for every trip. Look at what coverage you have and comb through cancellation policies before booking. If you’re still nervous about the what-ifs, consider giving yourself more confidence in your travel plans and protect yourself with coverage.
It could be one less thing to worry about; plus, you’ll get an A in preparedness.
More From NerdWallet
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/should-you-get-travel-insurance-for-your-spring-break-trip/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:37
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| 0.940835
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There will be a Legislative Town Hall at 2:30 p.m., March 5, at Wickliffe Public Library, 113 Lincoln Road.
State Rep. Dan Troy, D-Willowick, will provide a legislative update, covering numerous important policy matters impacting the Lake County community, and field questions directly from constituents, according to a news release.
This free event is an opportunity for local residents and businesses to ask questions and offer input on ways to address the issues facing their communities, the release stated.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/state-rep-dan-troy-to-hold-legislative-town-hall-in-wickliffe/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:39
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en
| 0.930378
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By STAN CHOE, DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA
NEW YORK — Stocks slumped and bond yields moved sharply higher Thursday after a hot reading on inflation led to greater expectations that the Federal Reserve will have to move forcefully to cool down the economy by raising interest rates.
The hottest inflation reading since 1982 sent the S&P 500 down 1.8%. It also sent Treasury yields jumping, as traders built up bets the Fed may have to apply the brakes to the economy with a bigger-than-usual hike in interest rates next month. The yield on the 10-year Treasury topped 2% for the first time since August 2019, according to Tradeweb.
Volatile trading on has been the norm on Wall Street this year as investors try to gauge how much and how quickly the Fed will raise interest rates to tame surging inflation. The benchmark S&P 500 has fallen three out of the last five weeks and is now 6.1% below the all-time high it set Jan. 3.
More than 85% of the stocks in the S&P 500 closed lower after another day of sharp swings for the indexes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.5% and the Nasdaq composite slid 2.1%.
“We caution that markets could remain choppy for the coming months until either inflation stabilizes or the market is comfortable that the Fed is doing enough, but not too much,” said Matt Peron, director of research at Janus Henderson Investors. “The margin of error for the Fed is getting smaller, but our base case is that the markets will stabilize in the second half of this year.”
Inflation has been building over the last year as the economy roared back from the pandemic. Supply shortages and snags in global supply chains also pushed inflation higher, and prices at the consumer level were up 7.5% last month from a year earlier.
A separate report also said fewer workers filed for unemployment last week than expected. That’s encouraging for workers, but it could add more upward pressure on inflation.
The strong jobs market and high inflation have forced the Federal Reserve to make a hard pivot, and it’s said it’s ready to begin removing the massive aid it’s poured into financial markets. Such moves to raise interest rates could rein in inflation, but they would also put downward pressure on all kinds of investments, from stocks to cryptocurrencies.
Following the inflation report’s release, traders see a 95.7% chance that the Fed will raise short-term interest rates by half a percentage point at its meeting next month, double the traditional move. A day earlier, those same traders saw just a 24% probability of such a big move, according to CME Group. Whatever its size, it would be the first increase since 2018.
In the bond market, yields were jumping most for shorter-term Treasurys. The two-year yield leaped to 1.62% from 1.36% late Wednesday, a huge move. That rate tends to track expectations for what the Fed will do.
The 10-year yield also rose, up to 2.05% from 1.93% after earlier topping 2%, but not by as much as the two-year Treasury. It tends to move more on expectations for future inflation and economic growth.
“The fixed-income market itself has been flirting and really trying to break through that psychological 2% level, and it did so today,” said Megan Horneman, director of portfolio strategy at Verdence Capital Advisors.
The S&P 500 fell 83.10 points to 4,504.08. The Dow slid 526.47 points to 35,241.59. The Nasdaq lost 304.73 points to 14,185.64.
Small company stocks also fell. The Russell 2000 dropped 32.34 points, or 1.6%, to 2,051.16.
Expectations for higher rates helped send several Big Tech stocks lower, including a 2.8% drop for Microsoft. That’s been the usual reaction in the market recently, a mirror image to the preceding years when ultra-low rates helped send tech stocks to the market’s biggest gains.
Energy stocks, which can benefit from higher inflation as energy prices rise, and raw materials companies held up better than other sectors.
The Walt Disney Co. jumped 3.3% for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after it reported a rebound in theme-park attendance last quarter and said it added more subscribers to its Disney+ streaming service than analysts expected. Both its profit and revenue for the latest quarter topped Wall Street’s forecasts.
If companies can keep growing their profits, their stock prices could continue to rise even if higher interest rates limit how much stock investors are willing to pay for each $1 of earnings.
That’s why one of the big questions on Wall Street is how companies will navigate the higher inflation sweeping the world.
At Coca-Cola Co., Chairman and CEO James Quincey said the company will likely raise some prices to offset rising transportation and commodity costs. But Quincey said the company is treading carefully.
“While it’s easy to respond to inflation by putting up the prices, there is clearly __ as there is broad-based inflation __ going to be a squeeze on real incomes in a number of countries,” Quincey said Thursday during a conference call with investors. “We do not want to lose customers.”
Coca-Cola rose 0.6% after it reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected.
Cereal maker Kellogg expects to see double-digit inflation for ingredients as well as packaging cartons and cans this year. The company is also raising prices to offset the impact. Its shares rose 3.1%.
___
AP Business Writers Dee-Ann Durbin and Yuri Kageyama contributed. Veiga reported from Los Angeles.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/stocks-slump-bond-yields-soar-after-a-hot-inflation-reading/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:45
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en
| 0.954612
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The NFL is always trying to enhance and protect its social image. On every sideline and every end line in all 30 stadiums throughout the league are slogans such as “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “It Takes All of Us” and other similar signs to promote unity.
Some players wear the same noble messages on the padding at the back of their helmets in bold, black capital letters. The back of Baker Mayfield’s helmet has “It Takes All of Us” on it. Some proudly wear “Black Lives Matter” on their helmets. Since virtually every tight camera shot that doesn’t involve action shows the back of a player’s head, the messages are pounded into the brains of viewers for three hours in every game.
Fine. Seeking peace and harmony is a good thing.
“Come on, people now. Smile on your brother. Everybody get together. Try to love one another right now,” The Youngbloods sang in 1967.
So what I want to know is what was the NFL thinking when it decided to make rappers Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Eminem part of the Super Bowl halftime show?
These icons of musical entertainment tell their listeners to shoot policemen. It’s right there in the lyrics of their songs. No hidden meaning, no reading between the lines to draw a conclusion.
This is straight from a song titled “1-8-7” co-written by Dre and Dogg.
“I got the gauge, a Uzi and the (bleep)in’ 22
so if you wanna blast, n(bleep) we can buck ’em
If we stick ’em then we (bleep) ’em so (bleep) ’em!”
Yeah, and you don’t stop.
‘Cause it’s 1-8-7 on an undercover cop.
Yeah, and you don’t stop.
‘Cause it’s 1-8-7 on an undercover cop.”
I had to use Google to find out what 1-8-7 means. It is the California penal code for murder.
And these lines from a song, titled “Murder Murder,” are from Eminem.
“Left the keys in the van with a gat in each hand
Went up in Eastland and shot a policeman.”
It doesn’t matter that they will (probably) sing tamer selections at the Super Bowl.
It doesn’t matter that those disgusting songs are not recent.
Just by inviting Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem to perform on football’s biggest stage is Commissioner Roger Goodell choosing to associate himself with performers who endorse violence when commercials likely to air during the Super Bowl will show other celebrities talking about ending violence.
“I’m still thinking I’m in a dream because I can’t believe that they will let a real hip-hop artist grace the stage in an NFL Super Bowl,” Snoop Dogg said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We’re just going to wait for that moment and put something together that’s spectacular, and do what we’re known for doing and add on to the legacy.”
I know those in my demographic are not the ones advertisers try hardest to reach. I rounded that curve in the road on aging about 20 years ago. But I still find it hard to believe rap and hip-hop would be the music of choice of most Super Bowl viewers.
The league is obviously trying to reach a new audience. Doing so by paying performers who encourage listeners to murder police officers is a bad look for the image of the NFL “shield” Goodell works unceasingly to protect. Because Blue Lives Matter, too.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/super-bowl-halftime-rappers-who-endorse-killing-policemen-a-bad-look-for-nfl-jeff-schudel/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:51
|
en
| 0.939692
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Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A.: Information on the 2021 4th quarter result
Announcement to the Market
SÃO PAULO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. ("Company") announces to its shareholders and the market at large that the Complete Financial Statements and the Management Discussion and Analysis for the 4th quarter of 2021 ending December 31, 2021 are already available on the Investor Relations website (www.itau.com.br/investor-relations).
Virtual meeting on the result will be held on Friday, February 11 at 08:00 a.m. (EDT).
São Paulo – SP, February 10, 2022.
Renato Lulia Jacob
Group Head of Investor Relations and Market Intelligence
Itaú Unibanco – Corporate Communication
(11) 5019-8880 / 8881 – [email protected]
SOURCE Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A.
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/itau-unibanco-holding-sa-information-on-the-2021-4th-quarter-result-301480349.html
| 2022-02-11T00:56:53
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en
| 0.849853
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Texans general manager Nick Caserio is giving back to John Carroll in a big way.
Feb. 10, JCU announced Caserio — a former JCU and University School quarterback — will fund a newly created leadership program at his alma mater.
The title of Assistant Athletic Director for Leadership Development and Student-Athlete Success will “will focus on fostering a stronger connection between the playing field, academics and professional development, and John Carroll’s wide-ranging student support services for athletes on all 23 intercollegiate teams,” the school said.
Just Announced: JCU Athletics Hall of Famer and Texans GM Nick Caserio '98 funds @jcusports leadership position focused on connecting 700 student athletes to academic, professional, and campus support services. Read more: https://t.co/aQmYCaOrGz pic.twitter.com/em8GYTdhaf
— John Carroll University (@JohnCarrollU) February 10, 2022
Caserio will fund the position for four years beginning this summer.
“My teammates and friends at John Carroll are now leaders in every industry, and I want to ensure that the next generation of Blue Streaks continue to be equipped to face life’s challenges with integrity, experience, and a broad set of skills,” said Caserio in a statement.
Job responsibilities for the new position will included serving as a liaison between athletics and the Academic Success Center, academic advisors, and the University Counseling Center, plus aid JCU’s ongoing efforts toward inclusiveness and provide resources and “a modern approach to supporting under-served and underrepresented student populations by ensuring every student-athlete has the appropriate support system to thrive at John Carroll.”
The creation of the new position aims to be a positive for JCU, said Athletic Director Michelle Morgan: “Nick’s support of our new leadership position will enhance John Carroll’s ability to identify the support that our student-athletes need and connect them to campus resources.”
Caserio was named GM of the Texans in January 2021, and before landing the Houston post spent 20 years working for the Patriots, which won six Super Bowls during his time in New England.
At JCU, Caserio was a standout quarterback from 1995 to 1998, and a two-time captain. When he graduated, he was the school’s all-time leader in career passing yards, total offense and touchdown passes — records that have since been broken. The Blue Streaks were 33-7-2 with Caserio as a starter. In 1997, the team qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/texans-gm-john-carroll-grad-nick-caserio-to-fund-new-position-at-the-university/
| 2022-02-11T00:56:57
|
en
| 0.955587
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Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A.: Material Fact: Payment of Interest on Capital
SÃO PAULO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ITAÚ UNIBANCO HOLDING S.A. informs its stockholders that its Board of Directors, after examining and approving the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, has resolved, as of today, on the payment of interest on capital in the amount of R$0.013660 per share, with income tax withholding at a rate of 15%, resulting in net interest of R$0.011611 per share, with the exception of any corporate stockholders able to prove they are immune to or exempt from such withholding. Stockholders will be paid on March 11, 2022, with such amount to be calculated based on the final stockholding position recorded on February 21, 2022, with shares traded "ex-rights" as of February 22, 2022.
The Board of Directors has also approved the payment on March 11, 2022 of the interest on capital already declared on October, 14, 2021, in the net amount of R$ 0.224868 per share.
If you have any question, please access www.itau.com.br/relacoes-com-investidores as follows: services to investors > contact IR > IR services.
São Paulo (SP), February 10, 2022.
RENATO LULIA JACOB
Group Head of Investor Relations and Market Intelligence
Note: Interest on capital amounts are paid equally for common (ITUB3) and preferred (ITUB4) shares.
Itaú Unibanco – Corporate Communication
(11) 5019-8880 / 8881 – [email protected]
SOURCE Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A.
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/itau-unibanco-holding-sa-material-fact-payment-of-interest-on-capital-301480357.html
| 2022-02-11T00:56:59
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en
| 0.937078
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Once in TV journalism there were people called assignment editors and news directors. Among their responsibilities was to instruct reporters and camera crews which stories they were to cover that day. Their choices were based on several factors that included what they regarded as news, viewer interest (i.e., ratings) and much more subtly, their own biases. When I began my journalism career as a reporter, there were only three broadcast networks and local TV and radio stations. The radio stations played music and reported local news. The news was what these gatekeepers said it was. When the broadcast TV networks went from 15-minute newscasts to 30 minutes, some expressed fear there wouldn’t be enough news to fill the time.
Then, the news was considered serious business.
We would cover congressional hearings and presidential press conferences. There would be stories about crime, and news from Europe and Asia reported by “bureau chiefs” who were full-time correspondents. Mostly, though, it was subjects considered of importance to America, a type of “eat your vegetables” approach.
Yes, the times changed and much of the media today appears to be more opinion than facts, more infotainment than news.
In 1987, the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to present “fair and balanced coverage,” contributed to the rise of “alternative media.” These cable networks and some print publications began carrying stories ignored by the once dominant major media. They quickly attracted the loyalty of conservative political and religious people who felt their beliefs and values were being ignored.
The power to ignore is still the greatest power major media has, and few issues demonstrate that more than the trouble at our southern border.
Fox News and The New York Post have been the only media entities to consistently cover the flood of undocumented migrants entering the country illegally. Critics usually dismiss anything carried by these outlets as coming from “right-wing media” and thus inherently untrustworthy.
The latest example is reporting by Angie Wong in the Post. Wong traveled to Mission, Texas, and reported that after being “processed,” migrants are given color-coded folders to the city of their destination. She says she saw airplane tickets to Atlanta, Houston, Newark and New York. The folder, she writes, also includes “…a U.S. passport looking booklet, cash, prepaid credit cards, travel itineraries and an English translation card,” which asks people to help the migrant find the right flight.
Furthermore, observed Wong, each migrant receives “a set of clothing…a blanket, a pillow-sized bag of shelf-life food and a carry-on travel bag. Some have received cellphones.”
All of this is presumably paid for by American taxpayers.
Wong further notes “their handlers get through immigration and security with just a flash of documents, whereas all other passengers had to show identification.” She says she was told the handlers are members of non-government organizations (NGOs) and churches.
Why isn’t this news?
It is, of course, but it doesn’t fit the narrative of a media whose members are, according to numerous surveys over many years, predisposed to Democratic politicians. They ignore what in other circumstances might be called an invasion.
Again, ignoring something that is newsworthy is the greatest power they have. No wonder their trust level is, according to Gallup, at its second lowest level on record.
Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book “America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers and the Future of the United States” (HarperCollins/Zondervan).
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/the-power-to-ignore-cal-thomas/
| 2022-02-11T00:57:03
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en
| 0.977946
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NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Katten announced today that Deepro R. Mukerjee, partner and chair of the firm's global Intellectual Property practice, was recognized as an "Elite MVP All-Star" on BTI Consulting Group's 2022 Client Service All-Star list. This distinction identifies attorneys used by corporate counsel who deliver exceptional client service.
Mukerjee, who has a market-leading reputation for handling complex patent cases on behalf of multi-billion dollar corporations and some of the world's largest generic pharmaceutical companies, puts superior client service at the cornerstone of his practice. Survey participants stated that he "consistently provides timely and prompt service," "goes out of his way to treat us well and respectfully," and "always has our best interests in mind."
Mukerjee also advises clients in connection with inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. His sector knowledge spans pharmaceuticals, life sciences, biotechnology, botanicals, electrical circuits and voice recognition software. He serves on Katten's board of directors, where he is deeply committed to the firm's efforts to reflect racial and gender diversity both on the board and in leadership positions.
The BTI Client Service All-Stars is considered the gold standard used by corporate counsel and law firms alike to identify the attorneys delivering the absolute best levels of client service. Only 22 percent of all attorneys named to the All-Star list were honored as MVPs. All-Stars are defined as having the following qualities: practical, savvy, in-the-know, deals with complexity, available and nimble.
Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit katten.com.
SOURCE Katten
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kattens-deepro-mukerjee-named-a-2022-bti-client-service-all-star-301480360.html
| 2022-02-11T00:57:05
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en
| 0.94537
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By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV
MOSCOW — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday the Ukraine crisis has grown into “the most dangerous moment” for Europe in decades, while his top diplomat held icy talks with her Moscow counterpart who said the Kremlin won’t accept lectures from the West.
Amid the deadlock, Russian forces held sweeping maneuvers north of Ukraine in Belarus, part of a buildup of over 100,000 troops that has stoked Western fears of an invasion.
NATO also has stepped up military deployments to bolster its eastern flank, with the U.S. sending troops to Poland and Romania. A British Royal Air Force jet carrying 350 troops landed Thursday in Poland in a move that followed London sending anti-tank missiles to Ukraine to help boost its defenses.
“This is probably the most dangerous moment, I would say in the course of the next few days, in what is the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades, and we’ve got to get it right,” Johnson said at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Johnson, who later flew to Warsaw to meet with Poland’s prime minister, said he believes President Vladimir Putin has not yet decided what he might do with Ukraine, adding that the West must use “sanctions and military resolve plus diplomacy.”
“Poland and the U.K. won’t accept a world in which a powerful neighbor can bully or attack their neighbors,” he said before meeting the British soldiers in Poland.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeating an invitation to a series of talks on improving European security.
Lavrov set a stern tone for his talks in Moscow with U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who again warned Russia that attacking its neighbor would “have massive consequences and carry severe costs.” She urged the Kremlin to abide by international agreements that commit it to respecting Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
Lavrov rejected Western worries about the Russian troop buildup as “sheer propaganda” and noted that Moscow won’t stand for lectures.
“Ideological approaches, ultimatums and moralizing is a road to nowhere,” he said, noting that his talks with Truss marked the first meeting of the countries’ top diplomats in more than four years as Russia-U.K. ties have been ravaged by the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in England, along with other tensions.
Russia says it has no plans to invade Ukraine but wants the West to keep Ukraine and other former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons there and roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe. The U.S. and NATO flatly reject these demands.
Truss reaffirmed a call for Moscow to pull back its troops, while Lavrov rejected the demand as inappropriate and pointed to British and NATO military buildups in Eastern Europe.
At a frosty briefing afterward, Lavrov said he was disappointed with the meeting that he described as a “conversation between deaf and dumb.” He said Truss ignored Russian arguments, reflecting what he described as an “egoistic” stand.
He mocked claims that Russia was waiting for the ground to freeze to send tanks into Ukraine, saying the British side was as unreceptive to Moscow’s arguments as the frozen soil.
Russia’s top diplomat alleged that Western politicians were fanning tensions over Ukraine for domestic political gain. Russia has always planned to move back its troops after the maneuvers, Lavrov said, and once it does, “the West will raise an uproar and claim that it has forced Russia to de-escalate.”
“It’s selling hot air,” he snapped.
Russia’s buildup includes deploying troops on the territory of its ally Belarus for sweeping joint drills that entered a decisive phase Thursday. The Ukrainian capital is located about 75 kilometers south of the border with Belarus.
Ukraine on Thursday protested Russian naval drills in the Black and Azov seas, saying they have hampered commercial shipping. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov urged a strong Western response, tweeting that “when (Russian) ships can’t enter world’s ports, they’ll understand the price of their impudence.”
The Kremlin responded that the exercises are conducted in line with the international maritime law.
Amid the West’s invasion warnings, Ukrainian officials have sought to project calm, concerned that fears over war will further destabilize the country’s fragile economy.
“We believe that the concentration of troops near the border is part of psychological pressure from our neighbor,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a meeting of business leaders. “We have enough resources and weapons to protect our country.”
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when a popular uprising drove Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly leader from office. Moscow responded by annexing Crimea and then backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people.
A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped end full-scale hostilities, but frequent skirmishes have continued, and efforts to negotiate a political settlement have stalled. The Kremlin has accused Kyiv of sabotaging the peace agreement, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it would hurt their country.
Foreign policy advisers from Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine are holding more talks Thursday in Berlin to try to reach a common interpretation of the 2015 agreement and plan further steps.
The talks are part of renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met Lavrov in Geneva, while French President Emmanuel Macron met Putin in Moscow before heading to Kyiv this week.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to visit to Kyiv and Moscow on Feb. 14-15. He met Monday with U.S. President Joe Biden, who vowed that the Nord Stream 2 Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline would be blocked in the event of an invasion. Such a move against the pipeline, which has been completed but isn’t yet operating, would hurt Russia economically but also cause energy supply problems for Germany.
___
Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels, Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jill Lawless in London and Monika Scislowska in Warsaw, Poland, contributed.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/uks-johnson-cites-a-dangerous-moment-in-ukraine-crisis/
| 2022-02-11T00:57:09
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| 0.964221
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MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach Joins Second Phase, Two-Year Cohort of Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies
Miller Children's & Women's Hospital only children's and women's hospital to join collaborative effort to reduce Black maternal and infant health inequities in LA County
LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach has joined the second phase of Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies – a two-year cohort, with three other LA County hospitals, Communities Lifting Communities (CLC), the Public Health Alliance of Southern California (Alliance) and the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) — a collaborative effort to reduce Black maternal and infant health inequities in LA County.
Guided by data and grounded in Black women's experiences, this two-year cohort will bring together decision makers from local birth hospitals, public health departments, health plans and Black community leaders to co-design systems-change solutions across clinical, institutional and community systems.
"We are proud to be part of such important health inequity work that really impacts our community," says Susan Herman, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Miller Children's & Women's. "The data and the firsthand experiences of Black women prove that this is the time for change in birth equity. We owe this to the community we serve to create real action and improve outcomes."
In LA County, Black women and families continue to disproportionately experience higher rates of infant and maternal mortality and morbidity compared to other ethnic groups. The data is staggering: the rate of preterm birth among Black women is 50 percent higher than for white or Asian women (1); Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women; and Black women report experiencing discrimination when getting medical care more than other racial/ethnic groups (2).
Research shows that these inequities cannot be fully explained by factors such as income, education, or health status. Research points to systemic issues, including racism, toxic stress, and racial bias in health care as central drivers for these inequities.
"As a Black woman and an OB/GYN, the issues regarding birth equity resonate deeply," says, Lauren Yu, M.D., laborist, Miller Children's & Women's. "I will always remember the patient who expressed relief when she found out I would be the attending physician for her case because she stated she felt she would be heard. I feel strongly that we can get to a place where the patient of color and the patient who is underserved can truly be heard regardless of what ethnicity their provider may be. The work regarding addressing inequity on a multi-system level is critical and I am privileged to be a part."
Cherished Futures uses hospital data to help know where to start in tackling issues such as implicit biased, structural racism, trustworthiness and community engagement. Miller Children's & Women's has submitted the preceding year's data for select measures and will again at the end of the year.
Miller Children's & Women's has already taken the preliminary steps to help combat this birth care inequity. For the past two years, Miller Children's & Women's has participated in building a birth equity toolkit with the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). In addition, a patient survey tool is used to inform and monitor our equity work with a focus on awareness and reduction of implicit bias. In addition, over the past year, birth care and NICU physicians and staff have received electronic training sessions which provide evidence-based approaches to inclusion.
To date birth care equity work at Miller Children's & Women's is showing positive results. The BirthCare Center team reports data on Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex (NTSV) cesarean birth rate – first time pregnant person with a single term infant in a head down position who had a cesarean birth – is about to meet the statewide target of 23.6 percent. Just three years ago that rate hovered around 35 percent. The awareness and education to leaders, physicians and staff, along with initiatives like Commit to Sit, where the nurse takes the opportunity to sit and get to know her patient better and learn what her objectives and goals are for her labor and birth experience have made a difference.
The second phase of the Cherished Future landmark took place just prior to a Dec. 7 White House statement that identified reducing maternal mortality and morbidity as a strategic objective of the Biden-Harris Administration, and there was a presidential proclamation released during April 2021's Black Maternal Health Week.
About MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach:
MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach provides specialized pediatric care for children and young adults, as well as maternity care for expectant mothers. Only five percent of hospitals are children's hospitals, making them unique not only to children's health care needs in the community, but across the region. Miller Children's & Women's is one of only eight free-standing children's hospitals in California — treating more than 14,000 children each year — and has become a regional pediatric destination for more than 62,000 children, who need specialized care in outpatient specialty and satellite centers. With maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists available 24/7, Miller Children's & Women's cares for women with high-risk pregnancies and premature infants under one roof. Learn more millerchildrens.org.
- LA County Department of Public Health Maternal Child Health, 2016
- LA County Lamb Survey, 2016
SOURCE MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/memorialcare-miller-childrens--womens-hospital-long-beach-joins-second-phase-two-year-cohort-of-cherished-futures-for-black-moms--babies-301480340.html
| 2022-02-11T00:57:11
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| 0.951135
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By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER
WASHINGTON — Inflation soared over the past year at its highest rate in four decades, hammering America’s consumers, wiping out pay raises and reinforcing the Federal Reserve’s decision to begin raising borrowing rates across the economy.
The Labor Department said Thursday that consumer prices jumped 7.5% last month compared with 12 months earlier, the steepest year-over-year increase since February 1982. The acceleration of prices ranged across the economy, from food and energy to apartment rents and electricity.
When measured from December to January, inflation was 0.6%, the same as the previous month and more than economists had expected. Prices had risen 0.7% from October to November and 0.9% from September to October.
Shortages of supplies and workers, heavy doses of federal aid, ultra-low interest rates and robust consumer spending combined to send inflation leaping in the past year. And there are few signs that it will slow significantly anytime soon.
Wages are rising at the fastest pace in at least 20 years. Ports and warehouses are overwhelmed, with hundreds of workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation’s busiest, out sick last month. Many products and parts remain in short supply as a result.
Even when measured month to month, prices for a broad range of goods and services accelerated from December to January — and not just for items directly affected by the pandemic. Apartment rental costs rose 0.5% in January, the fastest pace in 20 years. Electricity prices surged 4.2% in January alone, the sharpest rise in 15 years, and are up 10.7% from a year earlier. Last month, household furniture and supplies rose 1.6%, the largest one-month increase on records dating to 1967.
Food costs, driven by pricier eggs, cereal and dairy products, increased 0.9% in January. New car prices, which have jumped during the pandemic because of a shortage of computer chips, were unchanged last month but are up 12.2% from a year ago. The surge in new-car prices has, in turn, accelerated used-car prices; they rose 1.5% in January and are up a dizzying 41% from a year ago.
The steady rise in prices has left many Americans less able to afford food, gas, rent, child care and other necessities. More broadly, inflation has emerged as the biggest risk factor for the economy and as a serious threat to President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats as midterm elections loom later this year.
The Fed and its chair, Jerome Powell, have pivoted sharply away from the ultra-low-interest rate policies that the Fed pursued since the pandemic devastated the economy in March 2020. Powell signaled two weeks ago that the central bank would likely raise its benchmark short-term rate multiple times this year, with the first hike almost surely coming in March. Investors have priced in at least five rate increases for 2022.
Over time, those higher rates will raise the costs for a wide range of borrowing, from mortgages and credit cards to auto loans and corporate credit. For the Fed, the risk is that in steadily tightening credit for consumers and businesses, it could trigger another recession.
Many large corporations, in conference calls with investors, have said they expect supply shortages to persist until at least the second half of this year. Companies from Chipotle to Levi’s have also warned that they will likely raise prices again this year, after having already done so in 2021.
Chipotle said it’s increased menu prices 10% to offset the rising costs of beef and transportation as well as higher employee wages. And the restaurant chain said it will consider further price increases if inflation keeps rising.
“We keep thinking that beef is going to level up and then go down, and it just hasn’t happened yet,” said John Hartung, the company’s chief financial officer.
Executives at Chipotle, as well as at Starbucks and some other consumer-facing companies, have said their customers so far don’t seem fazed by the higher prices.
Levi Strauss & Co. raised prices last year by roughly 7% above 2019 levels because of rising costs, including labor, and plans to do so again this year. Even so, the San Francisco-based company has upgraded its sales forecasts for 2022.
“Right now, every signal we’re seeing is positive,” CEO Chip Bergh told analysts.
Many small businesses, which typically have lower profit margins than larger companies and have struggled to match their sizable pay raises, are also raising prices. The National Federation for Independent Business, a trade group, said it found in a monthly survey that 61% of small companies raised their prices in January, the largest proportion since 1974 and up from just 15% before the pandemic.
“More small business owners started the new year raising prices in an attempt to pass on higher inventory, supplies and labor costs,” said Bill Dunkelberg, the NFIB’s chief economist. “In addition to inflation issues, owners are also raising compensation at record-high rates to attract qualified employees to their open positions.”
Those pay gains could eventually force additional price hikes as companies seek to cover the costs of the higher wages.
In the past year, sharp increases in the costs of gas, food, autos and furniture have upended many Americans’ budgets. In December, economists at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School estimated that the average household had to spend $3,500 more than in 2020 to buy an identical basket of goods and services.
___
AP Business Writers Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Anne D’Innocenzio in New York contributed to this report.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/us-inflation-jumped-7-5-in-the-past-year-a-40-year-high/
| 2022-02-11T00:57:15
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en
| 0.974512
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has awarded the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation-2 (ICESat-2) Mission Operations Center Support contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation of Dulles, Virginia.
This is a cost-plus award-fee contract that includes a nine-month base period and four one-year options with a total contract value of $33,348,387. The four-year, nine-month period of performance begins Monday, Feb 14. The work will be performed at the contractor's facility in Dulles, Virginia.
Under this follow-on contract, Northrup Grumman Space Systems will continue to provide ICESat-2 mission operations; data processing and analysis; mission planning; commanding; Solid State Recorder management and monitoring; orbit and attitude determination and control; flight software maintenance; anomaly identification and resolution; and delivery of science and engineering data products.
NASA's ICESat-2 mission, launched in 2018, allows scientists to investigate why and how much of the frozen parts of our world are changing as a result of climate change. All ICESat-2 data are housed and managed at the NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center (NSIDC DAAC).
For information about ICESat-2, visit:
https://icesat.gsfc.nasa.gov/icesat2/
SOURCE NASA
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-awards-mission-operations-center-support-contract-301480344.html
| 2022-02-11T00:57:17
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en
| 0.868281
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The Verisk Analytics Insurance Service Office recently completed an evaluation of the Public Protection Classification for Willoughby Hills Fire Rescue resulting in an increase of the PPC rating for Willoughby Hills and Waite Hill from class 4 to class 3.
The last full PPC improvement for these communities was in 1988 when the department moved up from a class 5 to a class 4.
“As a fire department, we are proud of our advancement and want the community to know we are dedicated to providing the highest level of service,” Fire Chief Robert Gandee stated in a news release. “We will continue to work towards finding ways improve our classification.”
A fire department’s PPC is determined by an insurance service office, who conducts an evaluation of a community’s fire protection approximately every five to seven years, the release stated Upon completion of their evaluation, they provide a classification from 1 to 10, with a PPC of “1” being the best possible rating.
The evaluation is based on four categories: Emergency Communications; Fire Department Staffing, Apparatus and Equipment; Water System; and Community Risk Reduction.
Some insurance companies use the PPC to determine fire insurance premium costs for commercial buildings and some homes. This improvement may possibly result in fire insurance premium savings for some members of the community, the release stated.
“This is great news for our community, not just because of the improved PPC, but because it shows that our community has become safer for our residents,” Willoughby Hills Mayor Andy Gardner said in the release. “I am very proud of the hard work that Chief Gandee and the members of the Willoughby Hills Fire Department have done and I am grateful to our partners at Central Communications and at Lake County Utilities for helping make our community safer.”
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/willoughby-hills-fire-department-sees-improved-rating/
| 2022-02-11T00:57:21
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en
| 0.953037
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has awarded three contracts under the on-ramp feature of the Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition IV (Rapid IV) contract. These multi-agency contracts are available to support all NASA centers and other federal agencies.
The awardees are:
- Lockheed Martin Corporation, Lockheed Martin Space, Littleton, Colorado
- QinetiQ Space NV, Kruibeke, Belgium
- Space Flight Laboratory, University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, Toronto, Canada
The work will be performed at the contractors' facilities at the locations listed above.
The Rapid IV multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts allow the U.S. government to place firm-fixed price delivery orders for spacecraft and related services. These contracts, which may support various NASA centers and other federal agencies, have a combined potential maximum value of $6 billion, with the ability to issue firm-fixed-price delivery orders. This value includes all the delivery orders issued from the Rapid IV contract and is not the order value to any one vendor. The period of performance begins Tuesday, Feb. 15, and runs through Aug. 31, 2025.
The on-ramp feature used with these contracts allows for the original solicitation to be periodically reopened to give new vendors the opportunity to propose flight proven spacecraft designs. This option also gives vendors already awarded a Rapid IV contract the opportunity to propose additional flight-proven spacecraft designs and/or update their existing catalog designs.
The Rapid IV contracts serve as a rapid and flexible means for the government to acquire spacecraft and related components, equipment, and services in support of NASA missions and/or other federal government agencies. The spacecraft designs, related items and services may be tailored, as needed, to meet the unique needs of each mission.
For more information regarding Rapid IV spacecraft vendors and their core spacecraft offered, visit the Rapid Spacecraft Development Office website at:
SOURCE NASA
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-awards-rapid-iv-on-ramp-ii-contracts-for-spacecraft-systems-301480350.html
| 2022-02-11T00:57:23
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| 0.904426
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Willoughby Hills Pancake Breakfasts are coming in March.
The first will be 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., March 6, and will be sponsored by Willoughby Hills Recreation Department. The second will be 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., March 13, and will be sponsored by Willoughby Hills Lions Club.
Both at Willoughby Hills Community Center, 35400 Chardon Road.
Breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes and French toast, (limited) sausage, applesauce and beverage. To go orders also will be available.
Cost for adults is $7 pre-sale and $8 at the door, for children 5-12 it’s $4 and for ages 4 and under it’s free. Tickets may be purchased at City Hall, The Community Center, or from any Willoughby Hills Recreation Commission member or by calling 440-975-3540.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/willoughby-hills-plans-pancake-breakfasts-in-march/
| 2022-02-11T00:57:27
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en
| 0.928654
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By Brian Mahoney
The Associated Press
In swapping James Harden for Ben Simmons, the Nets decided they needed to act now as they slide down the standings.
The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t do the same.
A number of deals were made Feb. 10 before the NBA’s trade deadline, topped by the blockbuster between the Nets and 76ers. Just 13 months after acquiring Harden, Brooklyn sent him to a division rival.
Kristaps Porzingis was also on the move, going from Dallas to a Washington team that was busy before the trade deadline. Most of the deals were still pending NBA approval and confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity by people with knowledge of the details.
In Brooklyn, Harden seemed to have soured on the situation with Kevin Durant hurt and Kyrie Irving only playing in home games because he won’t get vaccinated against the coronavirus. The trade gives the Nets a chance to turn things around.
“I feel like we’ve got versatile players so we’ll have to figure it out and figure out what works for us,” Durant said during an interview on TNT. “But I’m just happy that we got guys that want to be a part of this.”
The Nets have lost nine straight games, tumbling to eighth place in the tightly contested Eastern Conference.
That’s one spot ahead of where the struggling Lakers are in the West.
Los Angeles seems in desperate need of a move after falling to 26-30 with consecutive losses, getting handled easily by defending champion Milwaukee and falling to rebuilding Portland.
But the Lakers didn’t make any, raising the question how they plan to move forward with a roster that hasn’t worked. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have battled injuries and Russell Westbrook has been so inconsistent that he’s been benched down the stretch of some games.
While it was going to hard to move the former leave MVP for salary reasons, apparently the Lakers didn’t have any other players anybody wanted in deals. So, they will have to hope they can add players in the buyout market.
James said Feb. 9 after the loss in Portland the deadline felt like a fog hanging over the Lakers and they needed to see what was on the other side.
“We’ll see what happens,” James said. “We’ll see what happens as far as the deadline.”
For the Lakers, it was nothing.
Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said he was expecting the same for his team, having previously said the Nets weren’t planning to deal Harden.
But the team’s situation was getting worse, with Harden missing the last three games with a hamstring injury and playing poorly the last time he was on the floor.
In moving the three-time scoring champion, the Nets addressed some of their needs. Simmons is a top defender who can guard multiple positions despite his offensive shortcomings and not having played this season while seeking a trade.
Seth Curry gives Brooklyn outside shooting it’s missed with Joe Harris out following ankle surgery. Andre Drummond could start or play a key role off the bench for a team that has mostly played small.
The blockbuster deal adds even more intrigue to the already jumbled playoff race in the East, where Brooklyn was only 5 1/2 games out of first entering play Thursday night.
In other moves Thursday the Wizards were one of the busiest teams.
On the day injured Washington star Bradley Beal had wrist surgery, the Wizards broke apart a roster that had gotten off to a promising start this season. Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans were traded to Dallas in the deal for Porzingis. Washington also dealt Montrezl Harrell to Charlotte for veteran backup point guard Ish Smith, second-year forward Vernon Carey Jr. and a future second-round draft pick.
The Bucks were to land Serge Ibaka from the Clippers in a four-game trade that would land former No. 2 pick Marvin Bagley III in Detroit, ESPN.com reported.
Also, the Raptors got veteran forward Thaddeus Young from San Antonio, sending Goran Dragic and a first-round pick to the Spurs.
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https://www.news-herald.com/2022/02/10/with-harden-simmons-swap-nets-make-a-move-lakers-didnt/
| 2022-02-11T00:57:33
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| 0.972364
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Sabesp - Material Fact: Approval of the 30th Issue of Debentures
SÃO PAULO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo – Sabesp ("Company"), in compliance with the terms set forth in Resolution of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission ("CVM") No. 44, of August 23, 2021, hereby informs its shareholders and the market in general that, on this date, it was approved, in the 961st meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company, the 30th issuance of simple, unsecured and non-convertible debentures, in up to two series, for public distribution, with restricted placement efforts, pursuant to CVM Rule No. 476, dated as of January 16, 2009, as amended ("CVM Rule 476"), in the total amount of one billion reais (R$ 1,000,000,000.00) ("Issuance", "Debentures" and "Offer", respectively), on the respective issuance date, provided that it shall not be admitted partial distribution of the Debentures.
It shall be adopted the procedure for collecting the investment intentions of the potential professional investors (bookbuilding procedure) in the Debentures, in order to define together with the Company: (i) the number of series of the Offer; (ii) the number of Debentures to be placed in each series of the Offer, according to communicating vessels system; and (iii) the final interest to be used in connection to the remuneration of each series.
The Offer will target professional investors only, in compliance with Articles 11 and 13 of CVM Resolution 30, of May 11, 2021, and Article 2 of CVM Rule 476. According to Article 3 of CVM Rule 476, the Offer will be presented to a maximum of seventy-five (75) professional investors, though the Debentures may only be subscribed by a maximum of fifty (50) professional investors. The process of structuring the Offer and distribution of the Debentures will be undertaken by a consortium of financial institutions belonging to the Securities Distribution System.
The proceeds from the issuance and offering of the Debentures will be used to the refinance of its financial commitments maturing in 2022 and to replenish and reinforce the Company's cash position.
This Material Fact is disclosed by the Company exclusively for informative purposes, in accordance with current regulations, and should not be interpreted or considered, for all legal purposes, as a material or effort to sell or offer.
In accordance with the applicable regulations and according to the rules of conduct set forth therein, additional information about the Company and the Offer shall be viewed on CVM's website (http://www.gov.br/cvm) and the Company's website (https://ri.sabesp.com.br).
IR Contacts:
Mario Arruda Sampaio – (55 11) 3388-8664 ([email protected])
Angela Beatriz Airoldi – (55 11) 3388-8793 ([email protected])
SOURCE Sabesp
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sabesp--material-fact-approval-of-the-30th-issue-of-debentures-301480337.html
| 2022-02-11T00:57:35
|
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| 0.910271
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NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
If you own shares in any of the companies listed above and
would like to discuss our investigations or have any questions concerning
this notice or your rights or interests, please contact:
Joshua Rubin, Esq.
WeissLaw LLP
305 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(212) 682-3025
(888) 593-4771
[email protected]
SOC Telemed, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLMD)
WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of SOC Telemed, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLMD), in connection with the proposed acquisition of the company by Patient Square Capital ("Patient Square"). Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, TLMD's shareholders will receive $3.00 in cash for each share of TLMD common stock that they hold. If you own TLMD shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/tlmd
Zogenix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGNX)
WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Zogenix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGNX), in connection with the proposed acquisition of the company by UCB S.A. via a tender offer. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, ZGNX shareholders will receive $26.00 in cash, plus a contingent value right for a potential cash payment of $2.00, for each share of ZGNX common stock that they hold. If you own ZGNX shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/zgnx
Enterprise Diversified, Inc. (OTC: SYTE)
WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Enterprise Diversified, Inc. (OTC: SYTE), in connection with SYTE's proposed merger with CrossingBridge Advisors, LLC ("CrossingBridge"). At closing, SYTE and CrossingBridge will become wholly owned subsidiaries of a newly formed holding company, ENDI Corp. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the outstanding securities of each of SYTE and CrossingBridge will be exchanged for common stock of ENDI Corp., resulting in SYTE stockholders owning 52.5% of ENDI Corp. common stock. If you own SYTE shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/syte
Bottomline Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: EPAY)
WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Bottomline Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: EPAY), in connection with the proposed acquisition of EPAY by Thoma Bravo. Under the terms of the merger agreement, EPAY's shareholders will receive $57.00 in cash for each share of EPAY common stock that they hold. If you own EPAY shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/epay
SOURCE WeissLaw LLP
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shareholder-alert-weisslaw-llp-reminds-tlmd-zgnx-syte-and-epay-shareholders-about-its-ongoing-investigations-301480304.html
| 2022-02-11T00:57:53
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| 0.89513
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SIMPLER MEDIA GROUP, INC. NAMES DOM NICASTRO AS MANAGING EDITOR FOR CMSWIRE
Nicastro is a highly accomplished industry veteran with more than 15 years in the field
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Simpler Media Group (SMG), a leading B2B technology publisher and a producer of high impact research and events, has announced that Dom Nicastro is advancing to a new role as managing editor for CMSWire.
Mr. Nicastro joined SMG in 2014 as a reporter and has played a key role in shaping CMSWire's growth and its position as the leading source of information and insights into the evolution of digital customer experience.
"I've been incredibly privileged to be a part of SMG's growth," Nicastro said. "I'm also grateful for the relationships I've built with practitioners, thought leaders and vendors over the last eight years. These professionals work so hard at building their brands and crafting customer and employee experiences. I've enjoyed telling their stories, and can't wait to continue that mission in my new role."
A lifelong New Englander, Nicastro lives in the Boston area. He began his journalism career in the fifth grade at Fuller Elementary School in Gloucester, Mass., where he reported on sports for the school's newsletter. Dom eventually served as the editor of his hometown newspaper, the Gloucester Daily Times, before entering business-to-business media in 2007. Until his promotion to managing editor, he was senior reporter at SMG.
Dom will take the reins from Siobhan Fagan, who is moving full time to CMSWire's sister publication, Reworked. Launched in 2020, Reworked covers the rise of the digital workplace, the challenges and benefits of the hybrid workplace, and the evolution of employee experience practices, platforms and standards.
"After over 10 years at CMSWire, I am relishing this opportunity to focus fully on growing Reworked's coverage of the changing world of work," Fagan said. "It's without a doubt the most exciting, challenging and dynamic time to be covering this space."
Both appointments come at a time of rapid expansion for SMG, which has seen 75% growth across its lines of business over the past year. These appointments will further accelerate SMG's ability to drive sustained, long-term growth and scale the quantity and quality of its information services and market research. They also position the company to better serve its community of over 3 million digital customer experience and modern workplace professionals to advance their careers via top-tier knowledge and networking.
About Simpler Media Group Inc.:
Publishing
SMG is a B2B technology information and research services company serving a 3 million+ strong community of global digital business leaders. Our Mission: Advance the careers of our members via top-tier knowledge and networking.
Our flagship publication, CMSWire, is complemented by our Reworked publication and our Digital Experience Summit and Digital Workplace Experience conference series.
Research
Our research division produces a range of annual state of the industry reports, quarterly market segment guides and a range of focused industry insights briefs. We offer performance marketing, custom research, content development and custom event production services directly to our clients.
Events
Digital Experience Summit
The DX Summit virtual event series draws together the world's top enterprise digital customer experience professionals and provides unique visibility into the most successful teams, practices and technology stacks.
Digital Workplace Experience
The Digital Workplace experience virtual event series gathers the top enterprise workplace, learning and employee experience professionals for a unique opportunity to see inside the world's most advanced and successful workplaces.
Awards
Our awards include the "Employee Experience Leader of the Year" and "Customer Experience Leader of the Year" which recognize the important work and impact of senior employee and customer experience leaders.
Media Contact: Brad Schlachter, [email protected]
SOURCE Simpler Media Group
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simpler-media-group-inc-names-dom-nicastro-as-managing-editor-for-cmswire-301480339.html
| 2022-02-11T00:58:00
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| 0.954632
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THE CORDISH COMPANIES CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL PHILADELPHIA; CONTRIBUTES MORE THAN $325 MILLION TO LOCAL AND STATE ECONOMY
City of Philadelphia Declares Anniversary Date of February 11 as Live! Day, Economic and Community Impact Expected to Continue
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cordish Companies today celebrated the first anniversary of Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, the world-class gaming, hotel, dining and entertainment destination located in the heart of the Philadelphia Stadium District, announcing contributions of more than $325 million to the local and state economies. The festivities included an official proclamation from the City of Philadelphia declaring the anniversary date of February 11 as Live! Day.
Click here for photos
Click here for infographic
All Assets Courtesy of Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
The Cordish Companies' Chairman David Cordish, Principals Jon and Reed Cordish, and COO Zed Smith, along with Cordish Gaming Group President Rob Norton, and Executive Vice President Joe Billhimer were joined at a special media and community celebration by Philadelphia City Representative Sheila Hess and Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla (First District), and numerous business, tourism and community leaders from the region.
The celebration also featured special appearances by former Philadelphia Eagles long snapper and magician Jon Dorenbos, and Mummers champions, the South Philadelphia String Band. A highlight of the event included a giant four-tier anniversary cake created by Philly favorite Termini Brothers Bakery.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, which represents an investment of more than $700 million, was pleased to announce contributions of more than $325 million to the local and state economies during its first year of operation, including:
- More than $91 million in taxes to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Team Members were compensated with $51.9 million in wages
- The opening of the facility created over 1,300 new, permanent jobs, with over 54% of Team Members residing in the City of Philadelphia.
- Local businesses have also benefited, with Live! spending over $100 million with local, minority- and women-owned businesses.
- Guests were also on the winning side with more than $81.7 million in total jackpot payouts. Live! continues to invest in facility upgrades and is constantly incorporating customer feedback to ensure the casino has the newest, most exciting games.
In recognition of the significant impact Live! has had on the City of Philadelphia and its residents, City Representative Sheila Hess presented the company with a proclamation declaring the official anniversary date of February 11 to be known as LIVE! DAY.
"We're so proud of the positive impact that we've made on our local communities during our first year in business and thank the City of Philadelphia for their kind recognition," said David Cordish, Chairman, The Cordish Companies. "We kept our promise to create a world-class destination, which has also proven to be an economic driver for the Greater Philadelphia region."
COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
The Cordish Companies has long embraced a culture of giving and community service and their entry into the Philadelphia market was no exception. Charitable organizations across the Greater Philadelphia region received more than $454,000 in contributions through cash donations and in-kind support, with Team Members volunteering over 500 hours of community service.
Among the many beneficiaries were Philabundance, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, Jaws Youth Playbook, Darren Daulton Foundation, the Delaware Valley and Southeast Youth Athletic Leagues, and more.
"As a family-owned company, we consider the community to be extended members of the Live! family. We're proud to be able to provide jobs and support local businesses, in addition to contribute directly to the organizations helping to better the lives of those around us," said Joe Billhimer, Executive Vice President, Cordish Gaming Group. "We look forward to continuing this support during year two, and beyond."
During its inaugural year, the property was awarded the prestigious 'Best Overall Gaming Resort in Pennsylvania' by Casino Player Magazine readers, and received top accolades by USA Today readers, naming the Live! Rewards customer loyalty program and the award-winning steakhouse The Prime Rib as one of the Top 5 in the country for Best Players Club and Best Casino Restaurant in the 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
About Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Voted Best Overall Gaming Resort in Pennsylvania by Casino Player Magazine, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia has transformed the South Philadelphia Stadium District into a nationally unrivaled one-stop destination to enjoy the fast-paced action of four major professional sports teams, memorable entertainment, premier dining, well-appointed hotel accommodations and world-class gaming. Conveniently located off I-95 and I-76, the facility features more than 200 luxury hotel rooms that are Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED™ with Forbes Travel Guide, a FanDuel® Sportsbook and Lounge, over 2,100 slots and electronic table games, and 150 live action table games, including a dedicated poker room. New dining and entertainment options include the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse The Prime Rib®; Luk Fu, serving authentic Asian cuisine; Sports & Social Philly, a one-of-a-kind sports restaurant, gaming venue and social lounge; the 10th Street Market, a unique food hall featuring Guy Fieri's Taco Joint and Guy's Burger Joint; Philadelphia-favorites Lorenzo and Sons Pizza, Termini Bros. Bakery and Sang Kee Noodle Bar & Kitchen; Morty's Deli and Luckie's Liquor. A spirited nightlife scene at Center Bar and R Bar rounds out the Live! experience. The property offers more than 15,000-square-feet of customizable meeting and event space, as well as ample, secure parking. Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia was developed and remains owned and managed by Stadium Casino RE, LLC, an affiliate of The Cordish Companies, the premier developer of Live! dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. For reservations, call 1-833-472-5483 or visit Philadelphia.LiveCasinoHotel.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - @livecasinophl
About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies' origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Gaming; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; International Development; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies' Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed among the most successful casino hotel resorts in the world including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. Welcoming over 55 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family's core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships, and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter.
"The Cordish Companies," "The Cordish Company" and "Cordish" are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships ("Cordish Entities"). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names "Cordish," "The Cordish Companies" or "The Cordish Company" here or elsewhere.
SOURCE Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-cordish-companies-celebrates-first-anniversary-of-live-casino--hotel-philadelphia-contributes-more-than-325-million-to-local-and-state-economy-301480332.html
| 2022-02-11T00:58:06
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en
| 0.938806
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LEAWOOD, Kan., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Torch.AI, the leader in artificial intelligence (AI) powered ultra-high speed data processing, is proud to announce that, Amy Bradshaw, is joining the company as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A central member of the executive team, Bradshaw will drive the company's effective risk management and financial strategy, drawing from an extensive background in advanced technology and large-scale business.
"Torch.AI thrives on finding the most efficient and effective ways to solve problems, which is where I too find my motivation," said Bradshaw. "I'm excited to join the team during a time when the company is experiencing significant opportunity and growth. I look forward to helping the team create optimal results for the company, as well as each one of its clients."
Bradshaw's experience spans more than two decades, ranging from technology to service-focused companies, including positions at Arthur Andersen, Cerner, MarketSphere Consulting and mySidewalk. Most recently, she served as CFO for Kansas City-based law firm, DiPasquale Moore. While there, she led the implementation of multiple new systems and processes, enabling 25% revenue growth over each of the past two years. Prior to that, Bradshaw spent five years at Netsmart Technologies as vice president of financial planning and analysis, where she built a team to support the company's growth both organically and through acquisitions. Bradshaw played a key role in the process of selling the company in 2016 for nearly $1 billion.
Torch.AI has seen significant growth in both the commercial and public sectors from the adoption of its software platform, Nexus. Nexus is helping customers across a myriad of industries wrangle their complex data holdings and rapidly illuminate knowledge. This high-pace growth has led to a significant expansion of the Torch.AI leadership team.
"Amy is an amazing leader and has the exact experience we had been looking for: IPO, capital strategies, surviving extraordinary growth," says Brian Weaver, Chairman and CEO of Torch.AI. "After a thorough nationwide executive search, I'm honored to welcome Amy to the team. I've said it before, and Amy is further evidence yet again, we are building a dream team at Torch.AI."
About Torch.AI
We make data easier to use. Torch.AI's software changes the paradigm of data and digital workflows, forever solving core impediments caused by the ever-increasing volume and complexity of information. Customers enjoy a single unifying solution which begins by instantly deconstructing and extracting value from data using AI, in real-time.
Purpose built for massively scaled, ultra-high-speed data processing, the Nexus™ platform comes equipped with security features, flexible data workloads, compliance capabilities, and drag and drop functionality that is unrivaled in today's technology landscape. The company's solutions have helped to fight fraud, secure information, make better decisions of trust, evolve operational capabilities, and create better customer experiences.
To learn more about the company's vision for unifying AI, visit the website at Torch.AI
Media Contact:
[email protected]
SOURCE Torch.AI
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/torchai-hires-amy-bradshaw-as-chief-financial-officer-301480333.html
| 2022-02-11T00:58:12
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en
| 0.953939
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NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brain research and advocacy non-profit Cohen Veterans Bioscience (CVB) announces the publication of the fifth of six manuscripts resulting from its Brain Trauma Blueprint framework program.
Published in the Journal of Neurotrauma on January 21, 2022, the article, titled "A Framework to Advance Biomarker Development in the Diagnosis, Outcome Prediction, and Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury," focuses on the pressing need for multi-modal biomarkers (e.g., imaging, blood-based, physiologic) for traumatic brain injury (TBI), to guide the development of diagnostics and personalized, targeted therapies.
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/neu.2021.0099
Biomarkers enable researchers and clinicians to identify cellular injury, monitor clinical improvement (or deterioration), and make the most precise, effective treatment decisions. By understanding how TBI biomarkers change over time and as a measure of different mechanisms of TBI, clinicians and researchers can identify appropriate time windows and target populations for intervention as the injury evolves. This will allow more reliable prediction of outcomes and recovery time that could guide plans for return to normal activities and duties. TBI biomarkers that meet the critical criteria for clinical application have the potential to transform clinical practice and reduce the patient's risk for long-term symptoms and lasting deficits. The paper summarizes biomarkers currently under investigation and outlines essential steps to ensure robustness, validity, and reliability within a specified context of use. The article also provides a framework for future research and funding investments.
The Brain Trauma Blueprint is a framework that enables stakeholder groups across government, academia, foundations, and industry to advance precision diagnostics and treatments for brain trauma through a coordinated effort. The framework comprises a 12-step process to jointly identify unmet patient needs and associated research priorities, landscape the state of the science, identify research gaps and barriers, and provide recommendations for progress. In addition, the framework provides a call to action for funders and collaborators across the broader stakeholder community to engage in a transparent and coordinated network.
Co-author and founder of the Brain Trauma Blueprint, Magali Haas, MD, PhD, CEO and President, Cohen Veterans Bioscience states that "the discovery and validation of biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and response prediction is essential to drive a transformation of the TBI diagnostic and treatment model".
Advancing TBI Care Through a Research Roadmap
Authored by leading TBI experts, this six-part series published in the Journal of Neurotrauma lays the framework for a roadmap to advance TBI research based on a State of the Science consensus conference held in 2019 with >125 leaders in the field. The National TBI Precision Solutions Research Roadmap will guide the development of actionable research priorities that frame the next phase of the roadmap over the coming months.
Additional authors on the paper are Elizabeth Wilde, PhD (University of Utah); Ina Wanner, PhD (UCLA); Kimbra Kenney, MD (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences); Jessica Gill, PhD, RN, FAAN (John Hopkins University) ); James Stone, MD, PhD (University of Virginia); Seth Disner, PhD (University of Minnesota Medical School); Caroline Schnakers, PhD (UCLA); Restina Meyer, PhD (Delix Therapeutics); Eric Prager, PhD (Cohen Veterans Bioscience); and Andreas Jeromin, PhD (formerly of Cohen Veterans Bioscience).
About the Brain Trauma Blueprint
The Brain Trauma Blueprint is a framework to advance precision diagnostics and therapeutics for brain trauma through a process of community stakeholder consensus roadmapping and collaborative execution. More information can be found at www.braintraumablueprint.org.
About Cohen Veterans Bioscience
Cohen Veterans Bioscience is a non-profit 501(c)(3) biomedical research and technology organization dedicated to advancing brain health by fast-tracking precision diagnostics and tailored therapeutics.
SOURCE Cohen Veterans Bioscience
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/traumatic-brain-injury-a-framework-to-advance-biomarker-development-for-diagnosis-outcome-prediction-and-treatment-301480345.html
| 2022-02-11T00:58:18
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en
| 0.876297
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NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share on both its Class A and Class B Common Stock. The dividend will be payable on April 1, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2022.
At the same time, the Board of Directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.4375 per share on its 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The dividend will be payable on April 1, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2022.
About ViacomCBS
ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry's most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions.
For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacomcbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.
VIAC-IR
SOURCE ViacomCBS Inc.
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viacomcbs-declares-quarterly-cash-dividends-301480356.html
| 2022-02-11T00:58:24
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en
| 0.910568
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Sting is selling his music catalog, including hits he made with the Police and as a solo artist, joining a chorus of stars who are cashing in with investors who see value in licensing their songs.
Universal said Thursday that its music-publishing arm bought the catalog, including “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne" and “Fields of Gold.” Financial terms were not disclosed.
In recent months, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Stevie Nicks, Neil Young and others who sold millions of albums to Baby Boomers have sold their recordings, songwriting catalogs or both. Buyers typically get the permanent right to use the artist's songs or recordings in commercials, movies, television shows and other formats.
Prices are rarely disclosed, but music industry experts put Springsteen's sale to Sony Music Entertainment in December at $550 million and Dylan's deal the same month with Universal Music Publishing Group at between $300 million and $500 million.
Sting, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, helped form the Police in London in the 1970s as its lead singer, songwriter and bass guitar player. The band combined new wave rock, reggae and jazz, and was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Between his work with the group and as a solo artist, Sting has won 17 Grammy awards and numerous other honors. Universal said he has sold more than 100 million albums. In 2019, music-licensing agency BMI said “Every Breath You Take” had surpassed “You've Lost That Loving Feeling” to become the most-played song in its catalog.
Sting still performs live concerts and has acted in more than a dozen movies.
In statement issued by Universal Music Group, Sting said he wants his work used to connect with longtime fans in new ways and “to introduce my songs to new audiences, musicians and generations.”
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/entertainment/article/Every-song-he-made-Sting-sells-music-catalog-to-16849260.php
| 2022-02-11T00:59:27
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en
| 0.97847
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CHICAGO (AP) — Jerry Harris, former star of the Netflix documentary series “Cheer,” pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of receiving child pornography and soliciting sex from minors that could keep him in prison for decades.
During a change of plea hearing in federal court in Chicago, Harris pleaded guilty to one count of traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and one count of receiving child pornography, a U.S. attorney's office spokesman said.
Harris, 22, pleaded guilty to two of seven felony counts against him, one for persuading a 17-year-old to send him sexually explicit photographs for money and the other stemming from a trip he took to Florida for the purpose of “engaging in illicit sexual conduct” with a 15-year-old. Prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining five counts under a plea agreement.
The child pornography charge carries a sentence ranging from five to 20 years and the second charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years. Harris is scheduled to be sentenced June 28. He remains in custody at a federal detention facility.
Harris, who is from the Chicago suburb of Naperville, was arrested in September 2020 on a charge of production of child pornography. Prosecutors alleged at the time that he solicited videos and images from two 14-year-old brothers.
According to a complaint, federal prosecutors said that Harris admitted to repeatedly asking a minor teen for pornographic videos and images between December 2018 and March 2020.
Then in December of that year, he was indicted on more charges alleging misconduct in Illinois, Florida and Texas. According to the indictment, Harris allegedly solicited sex from minors at cheerleading competitions and convinced teenage boys to send him obscene photographs and videos of themselves.
Harris admitted to FBI agents to asking a teenage boy to send him lewd photographs of himself, and to requesting child pornography on Snapchat from at least 10 to 15 others he knew to be minors, according to the indictment.
“Cheer” was a huge success when it was released in January 2020 and Harris became wildly popular for his upbeat attitude and his encouraging “mat talk.” Harris even interviewed celebrities on the red carpet at the Academy Awards for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
The docuseries follows the competitive cheerleading squad from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/entertainment/article/Former-Cheer-star-pleads-guilty-in-child-16849059.php
| 2022-02-11T00:59:33
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en
| 0.97456
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BEIJING (NEXSTAR) — The Skeleton competition is a staple in the Winter Olympics and those who compete in the sport love it, but they say it’s not without its dangers.
Imagine lying face-first on a flat sled, millimeters above an icy track traveling up to 80 miles an hour. That’s Skeleton in a nutshell.
“Oh man, it’s an amazing sport,” says 2007 World Cup champion and 2010 Olympian Zach Lund. “It’s definitely an adrenaline rush. High speed, every run is a different challenge.”
The Olympian says the competition takes him back to his childhood.
“It’s kind of like when you were a kid,” explains Lund. “Just going up to the top of the hill in a sled, just in a lot more extreme way.”
Make no mistake, Skeleton is dangerous. It’s been dropped and reinstated twice since its Olympic debut in 1928.
“We tell people that it’s the best way to get people to watch our sport, we tell ’em how dangerous it is,” explains Brian McDonald, Skeleton coach and former competitor. “We look like we are kind of heroes going head first at 100 miles an hour.”
McDonald clarifies that while they may not be traveling at 100 miles per hour, the experience is worth the danger.
“I have been all over the world, I have met so many people,” says McDonald. “My experiences are a lifetime worth of memories so I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The Skeleton can take a toll on the competitor’s skeleton though, says Zach Lund.
“It’s really hard on your body. I have a fused neck, I had a lot of injuries over the years. It kicks your butt. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a lot more demanding than it looks like on TV.”
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https://www.fox44news.com/2022-olympics/no-bones-about-it-olympic-skeleton-competition-explained/
| 2022-02-11T00:59:33
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en
| 0.945021
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BEIJING (AP) — Tiananmen Square. The Forbidden City. The Great Wall. The Three Gorges Dam. Dozens of high-end malls in Beijing.
China has thousands of years of doing things in a really big way, reinforcing its perceived place in the world and the political power of its leaders — from emperors to Mao Zedong to the current leader, Xi Jinping.
Beijing becoming the first city to hold both the Winter and Summer Olympics may not be a feature on the actual landscape. But it's in the same realm for the world's most populous country, which has long framed itself at the center of the world, evident in its name in Chinese, “Zhongguo,” or “middle country.”
This affinity for bigness isn't new. It goes back to a dozen dynasties that ruled China for thousands of years — one of which re-created an entire army of terra cotta warriors to be buried with an emperor. It's a tradition of projecting large-scale power that was adopted by the Chinese Communist Party when it took over in 1949.
Writing in his book “Mandate of Heaven,” U.S. China scholar Orville Schell explained how Mao, who led China's communist revolution, expanded Tiananmen Square in the 1950s to make it the largest public square in the world — 100 acres.
That's five times larger than Moscow's Red Square. And Mao even went the Russians one better by adorning the square with Soviet-style architecture, the most famous of which is the Great Hall of the People. Eventually, after Mao's death in 1976, the square came to include his imposing mausoleum.
Schell wrote of Tiananmen, calling it “a propagandist’s dream come true. Everything about it was gargantuan.”
The colossal begins with the country's population of 1.4 billion and extends to public buildings all around China. Towering apartment blocks — some Soviet-inspired, others thrown up in a binge of modern development in the last few decades — are typically set far back from 10-lane avenues, shrinking the size of pedestrians on road-size sidewalks.
The vastness reaches to shopping malls, commercial spaces and to buildings like the Bird's Nest stadium, a 91,000-seat colossus put up for the 2008 Olympics and used a week ago for the opening ceremony of these Winter Games.
A shopping mall in the western city of Chengdu, the New Century Global Center, is billed as the largest building on Earth. How big? Three Pentagons could fit inside. Or at least 300 football fields.
The seven-story, block-long media center for these Olympics — a convention center in normal times — replaces another outsized building that's a block away and was used as the media center for the 2008 Games.
Add the Beijing headquarters of China Central TV, a 768-foot (234-meter), two-leg tower known around town as “Big Underpants" for its unusual design. Architect Rem Koolhaas famously said the building “could never have been conceived by the Chinese and could never have been built by Europeans. It is a hybrid by definition.”
Then there's 40,000 kilometers (25,000 miles) of high-speed rail lines, and the Belt and Road Initiative — often described as the New Silk Road. Many view it as the largest building project in history, stretching from China and East Asia to Europe and consisting of rail lines, ports, highways and other infrastructure projects to expand China's trade and influence. Critics warn of the unsustainable debt burden for many participating countries.
China’s attack on COVID-19 is fittingly mammoth, too, capable of locking down millions in a show of state power built partly on Orwellian surveillance architecture. Need a medical facility? During the pandemic, China built 1,000-bed hospitals in 10 days.
Maria Repnikova, a China specialist at Georgia State University, termed China’s policy of going large as the “politics of grandeur,” something that reaches beyond concrete to include scholarships for foreign students, exchanges, training, and economic aid.
“The idea is to give more to impress upon external audiences that we have so much to give you, that nobody else can compete with that,” Repnikova said in an interview.
“The first thing you see (in China) is the intensity of the scale, whether it’s the presidential buildings or whether it’s other sites or Olympic venues. That’s something that at first catches someone’s eye, and then it makes one wonder — how have they done it?”
But in the China context, what does big really mean? It's impressive and can literally change the landscape. Yet there's massive meaning, too, in the thinking behind it — particularly for a government that has long prized the projection of control outward to its sometimes disobedient hinterlands.
“Authoritarian use of political symbols and propaganda can serve two purposes: to persuade audiences of the regime’s legitimacy, and to demonstrate state power,” Sheena Greitens, who researches China at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote in an email.
“I suspect that Beijing will use both during the Olympics, presenting domestic and international audiences with humanizing stories about ordinary Chinese people while also making sure they witness impressive displays of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) and state power.”
Diana Fu, a China expert at the University of Toronto, said authoritarian states often build in a systematic way that she terms “spatial governance,” which helps them put down any protests or insurrections.
“Small, winding streets and dense neighborhoods can foster a sense of neighborly feelings and trust, which is critical for collective action,” Fu wrote to AP. “In contrast, large boulevards and predictably geometric patterns of streets and districts allow the state to better surveil and control its population. Authoritarian states like contemporary China are able to do so while facing little opposition from civil society."
For the 2008 Olympics, China even tried to control the weather, claiming to make rain to clear the polluted skies, and then drive rain away when it was called for. The rainmakers had installations outside Beijing, where peasants donned military fatigues and helmets and used anti-aircraft guns and rocket launchers to blast the sky with silver iodide, hoping to coax rain from the clouds.
That's going big.
Sixty years ago, during the Great Leap Forward, Mao Zedong made extravagant claims about new agricultural techniques that could lift China out of starvation. His plans to beat nature were based mostly on ideology and pseudo-science and caused widespread famine.
“Authoritarian parties and leaders try to create a sense of unassailability,” Alexander Dukalskis, who teaches international relations at the University of Dublin, wrote to AP. “Through symbols and displays of state power they communicate that their rule is inevitable and that challenges are bound to be fruitless."
He added: "Projections of state power are also useful for an international audience: They can convince other states or companies that if they step out of line, then they can be punished.”
___
AP Sports Writer Stephen Wade lived in Beijing for 2 1/2 years covering the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and their aftermath.
___
More AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/winter-olympics and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/living/article/Politics-of-grandeur-2-Olympics-and-China-s-16846768.php
| 2022-02-11T00:59:39
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en
| 0.958405
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(NEXSTAR) – Athletic brand Adidas caught Twitter users by surprise Wednesday when they posted a photo of 25 pairs of bare breasts, ranging in shapes and sizes. While it stirred some negative responses in the comment section, the company said the post was for a good reason.
The tweet includes the aforementioned photo with the caption, “We believe women’s breasts in all shapes and sizes deserve support and comfort.” Adidas then directs users to explore its new sports bra collection which offers 43 styles, available in 72 sizes, “so everyone can find the right fit for them.”
Adidas’s tweet received mixed reviews. Some applauded the brand’s move, with one user even calling out Facebook and Instagram for restricting “open, healthy, educational advertising or content.” Others disapproved of the post, to which Adidas responded by saying they “want to celebrate bodies in all their glory.”
“The gallery was designed to show just how diverse breasts are, featuring different shapes and sizes that highlight why tailored support is paramount,” the company said in a statement to Nexstar.
Twitter, as AdWeek points out, doesn’t have any guidelines regarding nudity. The social media giant’s terms of service instead says users “should only provide Content that you are comfortable sharing with others.”
“You understand that by using [Twitter], you may be exposed to Content that might be offensive, harmful, inaccurate or otherwise inappropriate, or in some cases, postings that have been mislabeled or are otherwise deceptive,” the company’s terms of service reads.
Twitter did not immediately respond to Nexstar’s request for comment.
According to Adidas, 90% of women aren’t wearing the right bra size.
“There is a sizeable data gap when it comes to sports bra development, so we worked with experts in breast health and biomechanics, University of Portsmouth, to challenge ourselves and drive forward our innovation to better meet the needs of our female athletic community,” said Amy Charlton, Senior Director Product at Adidas.
In addition to its tweet announcing the line, promotional images show the new sports bras being worn by an array of body types, AdWeek reports.
“At adidas, we believe everybody in sport deserves to be supported. That is why we tirelessly innovate to meet the needs of our diverse community, helping more people experience the life-changing benefits of sport. A sports bra is the single most important piece of workout apparel for those with breasts. The confidence and support it gives can have a significant impact on someone’s performance and ability to stick with sport. That is why we have re-engineered our entire portfolio, catering to more bodies and workouts than ever before,” the company’s statement to Nexstar continued.
The new line of bras Adidas is advertising will be released on Feb. 14.
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https://www.fox44news.com/news/heres-why-adidas-shared-a-photo-of-bare-breasts-on-twitter/
| 2022-02-11T00:59:40
|
en
| 0.950115
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "All or Nothing Evening" game were:
03-05-06-08-11-12-15-16-19-22-23-24
(three, five, six, eight, eleven, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, nineteen, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four)
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-All-or-Nothing-Evening-16849310.php
| 2022-02-11T00:59:46
|
en
| 0.861318
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CENTRAL TEXAS – This afternoon, Beto O’Rourke unveiled his policy proposals to further fix Texas’ electric grid. The Democratic candidate for Governor has criticized Governor Abbott for leaving some issues unresolved.
About 300 supporters came fired up to hear O’Rourke’s message.
O’Rourke sharply criticized the Governor for what he says is not enough accountability for the state’s power generators and natural gas suppliers.
He’s proposing to sue some of those energy companies that made billions during the week of the 2021 winter storm… if he becomes Governor.
O’Rourke also says he will send money back to rate payers who’ve seen higher utility bills since the storm.
“They didn’t cause the mess, but they’re being forced to pay for it right now…We’re going to find that money from those who illegally profited off of the winter storm last year, they made $11 billion over the course of five days, and it was against the law. And so we’re gonna take them to court, get that money back and return it to the rate payer.”
Governor Greg Abbott was also in San Antonio for a meeting with business leaders.
His campaign has accused O’Rourke of “Fear Mongering” with these grid-focused events.
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https://www.fox44news.com/news/latest/beto-orourke-keep-the-lights-on-campaign/
| 2022-02-11T00:59:47
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en
| 0.964738
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday afternoon's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Daily 4 Evening" game were:
7-2-5-6, FIREBALL: 7
(seven, two, five, six; FIREBALL: seven)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday afternoon's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Daily 4 Evening" game were:
7-2-5-6, FIREBALL: 7
(seven, two, five, six; FIREBALL: seven)
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-4-Evening-game-16849312.php
| 2022-02-11T00:59:52
|
en
| 0.844278
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WACO, Texas – The Waco Dewey Community Center kicked off it’s first mini African American Museum Thursday for Black History Month.
George Washington Carver, Madam C.J. Walker, and Barack Obama are some of the influential people being spotlighted.
Alvin Taylor among other visitors, browsed the tables at the mini museum observing the short summary next to each persons picture.
Taylor pointing to former President Barack Obamas picture in excitement saying, “Fine example, I don’t know when the next one will come, but during my era we had President Obama!”
Each table had props telling the stories of each individual. Like a mini ironing board that was invented by Sarah Boone who is also among the first African Americans to earn a patent.
Another table included a baseball and bat reflecting the life of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball.
Waco Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Cook says the community center started planning months in advance, with the goal of honoring the legacy of these individuals and educating each visitor that stops by.
“There are so many people that have made such contributions that this is a program you can do every year and really spotlight different individuals,” Cook said. “I mean you have the great Martin Luther King, what former President Obama did. Then looking even further back in history like George Washington Carver, Bessie smith, the list goes on.”
On the wall surrounding a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. children from the after school program filled out a paper sharing what they are dreaming of.
Taylor says the Black History display reminds him of how much African Americans have overcome.
“Without Jackie being in baseball where would we be?,” Taylor said. “Then you find out he had to go through some trials and tribulations, he had to stand for some thing that were not right, but he didn’t give up.”
The museum will be displayed until the end of the month.
The hours of operation are: Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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https://www.fox44news.com/news/local-news/local/mini-black-history-museum/
| 2022-02-11T00:59:53
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en
| 0.958559
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Here’s your bookend outlook for this weekend (including Valentine’s Day on Monday). A mostly sunny, warm, and breezy day is expected to end your week on Friday.
Temperatures will be well above normal with very low humidity and much of the area in some level of drought.
Elevated fire weather conditions will be possible both Friday and Monday. A strong cold front arrives Saturday with cloud, windy, and much cooler weather. Gusty north or northwest winds will result in highs only warming into the 50s with wind chills in the 40s.
The cold spell will be short-lived, however, as skies clear with Sunday with warmer temperatures mostly in the 60s, with similar conditions Monday with breezy west or southwest winds and highs back into the 70s.
A better chance for rain and a few thunderstorms arrives mid-late week with another strong system and cold front, but with better moisture for showers.
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https://www.fox44news.com/news/local-news/local/weather/thursday-evening-forecast-with-chief-meteorologist-mike-lapoint-83/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:00
|
en
| 0.961867
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Pick 3 Evening" game were:
8-8-2, FIREBALL: 3
(eight, eight, two; FIREBALL: three)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Pick 3 Evening" game were:
8-8-2, FIREBALL: 3
(eight, eight, two; FIREBALL: three)
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Evening-game-16849311.php
| 2022-02-11T01:00:04
|
en
| 0.912571
|
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s puppy Commander will make his TV debut on Super Bowl Sunday.
The German shepherd and Biden’s wife, Jill, will appear in a commercial airing before Sunday’s broadcast of “Puppy Bowl XVIII.” The first lady’s office tweeted the video.
Both contests will be held on the day before Valentine’s Day, which is Monday.
“Hi there. I’m Jill Biden, here at the White House with our new puppy Commander,” the first lady says. “You know, Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays because it’s all about love.”
The first lady, wearing a gray turtleneck sweater with “AMOUR” in pink letters across the front, is seated in the White House movie theater with Commander by her side.
“What’s so wonderful about having pets is they bring us unconditional love, joy and comfort every day,” she adds. “All of us are wishing you a very happy Valentine’s Day.”
Other footage in the ad shows the two frolicking in a White House hallway.
Last year, Jill Biden filmed a public service announcement focused on mask-wearing in a pandemic to air during Puppy Bowl XVII. She was surrounded in that ad by the family’s German shepherds, Champ and Major.
Champ died last year; Major now lives in Delaware after behaving aggressively at the White House.
The Bidens recently welcomed a cat named Willow to the White House.
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https://www.fox44news.com/sports/the-big-game/biden-dog-commander-to-appear-in-puppy-bowl/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:06
|
en
| 0.951402
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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson asked the state's attorney general and state police Thursday to investigate reports her office has received that an unnamed third party was allowed to access vote tabulator components and technology in Roscommon County.
Unauthorized access to machines is a breach of election security protocols and may have exposed the machines to vulnerabilities that render them unusable in future elections, Benson said in a news release.
At least one unnamed third party allegedly gained inappropriate access to tabulation machines and data drives used in Richfield Township and Roscommon County, which could require the equipment to be replaced at taxpayer expense, Benson said. Contracts with voting system vendors and state law restrict access to voting equipment to qualified personnel.
“Michigan law is clear about the security threats that emerge when anyone gains unauthorized access to our election machines or technology, and I will have no tolerance for those who seek to illegally tamper with our voting equipment,” Benson said.
An Associated Press review of every potential case of voter fraud in six battleground states that were disputed by former President Donald Trump found fewer than 475 — a number that would have made no difference in the 2020 presidential election.
Democrat Joe Biden won Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and their 79 Electoral College votes by a combined 311,257 votes out of 25.5 million ballots cast for president. The disputed ballots represent just 0.15% of his victory margin in those states.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Benson-requests-probe-of-possible-access-to-16849232.php
| 2022-02-11T01:00:10
|
en
| 0.968402
|
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One of the many communities excited about the Cincinnati Bengals being in Super Bowl LVI is quarterback Joe Burrow’s hometown of The Plains, Ohio.
“It feels like we’re higher than Georgia pines down here in The Plains,” said Travis Brand, the owner of Gigi’s Country Kitchen. “It’s crazy.”
Several people at Brand’s restaurant in the town of 3,000 were talking about Burrow and the Bengals as they dined.
“What he has brought to this area is amazing,” said resident Tammy Hogsett. “He has brought hope. He has brought laughter. He has brought joy to the children in this area. I could cry talking about it because he has given all of these children an opportunity to see that they could do whatever they want. They can be whatever they want, and when you come from an area like this sometimes that’s difficult.”
Sam Smathers was Burrow’s youth football coach when the quarterback was in the 3rd through 6th grades. Smathers said he still gets goosebumps thinking about how Burrow and his team won the AFC championship.
“We’ve come to expect certain things when Joe’s on the field,” he said. “The rest of the world sees it now.”
Super Bowl LVI will take place at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13.
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https://www.fox44news.com/sports/the-big-game/burrows-hometown-crazy-over-super-bowl-bound-bengals/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:12
|
en
| 0.978971
|
Autopsy confirms Kansas woman died from allergic reaction to COVID-19 vaccine
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW/Gray News) – Nearly a year after her death, a Kansas woman’s autopsy report has confirmed she died from an allergic reaction to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Jeanie Evans, 68, received her first round of the Moderna vaccine on March 23, 2021, at a vaccine clinic in Ozawkie.
According to the autopsy report obtained by the Topeka Capital-Journal, during the 15-minute post-vaccination waiting period, Evans began to complain that her airway felt blocked. She then began having difficulty breathing and speaking.
Evans was treated at the clinic with an EpiPen and then taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. She died the next day in the hospital.
The autopsy report lists Evans’ cause of death as “anaphylaxis due to COVID-19 vaccination.”
Evans had a history of medical problems and allergies, including hypertension, environmental allergies, allergic disorder, and reactive airway disease. The autopsy report said Evans had previously experienced previous an anaphylactic reaction to Albuterol, a drug used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in patients with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.
According to the CDC, anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination is extremely rare and has occurred in about five people per 1 million vaccinated in the United States, or .0005% of vaccinations.
Copyright 2022 WIBW via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wlbt.com/2022/02/10/autopsy-confirms-kansas-woman-died-allergic-reaction-covid-19-vaccine/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:14
|
en
| 0.966236
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Around 550 participating international companies: Energie Steiermark once again achieves top results in the GRESB rating
Leading Styrian company achieves excellent results with the highest five-star rating
One more step towards climate neutrality
100 percent score in the categories Leadership and Sustainability Goals
GRAZ, Austria, Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Energie Steiermark has been taking part in the annual "Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark Rating" (GRESB) since 2019. The rating forms the basis for systematic reporting, objective evaluation and peer benchmarking of ESG management and the performance of infrastructure assets worldwide. This year, Energie Steiermark built on its successes of recent years: with around 550 international companies taking part, they achieved the top five-star rating, once again ranking the company within the top 20 percent overall.
The leading Styrian company achieved 89 out of a possible 100 points in this year's GRESB rating and was thus able to significantly improve on its score in the previous year (85). Comparable companies in the same peer group scored an average of 80 points, with an overall GRESB average of 72 points. Ranked 106 out of around 550, Energie Steiermark achieved a 5-star rating, which reaffirms the company's progressiveness and its pioneering role in the sustainable energy sector.
Energie Steiermark achieved 100 percent in the category Leadership (including Sustainability Goals), and 99 percent in the categories Biodiversity and Habitat. The score in the Health and Safety category improved from 56 percent in the previous year to 90 percent in 2021.
"We have already made some important decisions with regard to climate neutrality in recent years. We were the first Austrian company to receive a EUR 90 million green loan from the EIB for sustainable projects. We are convinced that the implementation of green projects requires green capital. In this way, Energie Steiermark is playing a pioneering role throughout Europe. Our success in the current GRESB rating proves us right," say the Directors, Christian Purrer and Martin Graf.
Participation in the annual GRESB rating brings a multitude of benefits for participating companies. However, the focus is on self-evaluation of one's own ESG performance, which is becoming increasingly important, especially for investors and financiers. The GRESB rating also provides a globally standardised ESG assessment that makes it easy to compare companies around the world, and provides investors with a comprehensive risk assessment. Participating companies are also given the opportunity to identify areas of risk and opportunity, and to assess their own influence on infrastructure as far as possible. The GRESB network is extensive, and includes ING, Credit Suisse, J.P.Morgan and UBS as investors.
"We know that we still face many challenges in order to make our contribution to this global challenge. As an energy supplier and innovation driver, Energie Steiermark not only relies on strong local and regional partnerships, but is also active across national borders. The GRESB rating sends a strong ESG signal in terms of business models for partners and investors, including at an international level," conclude Directors Christian Purrer and Martin Graf.
About Energie Steiermark AG
As one of the largest service providers in Austria, Energie Steiermark focuses on energy efficiency and innovative services in the fields of electricity, natural gas, heat and mobility. Over 1,880 employees bring their experience and skills into a fair partnership with around 600,000 customers at home and abroad. In terms of generation, Energie Steiermark AG focuses exclusively on renewable energy from water, wind, sun and biomass. The state of Styria is the majority shareholder. Energie Steiermark achieved sales of 1.58 billion euro in 2020.
GRESB rating
Participants in the rating report their data annually, between 1st April and 1st July. These data are then subjected to a multi-layered validation process in order to be able to evaluate and compare them. Participating companies are assessed in the two areas Management and Performance, and can achieve a certain number of points in each. A GRESB rating is awarded when a submission is made for both areas. The result is high-quality data that investors and participants can use in their investment and decision-making processes.
Mag. (FH) Urs Harnik-Lauris
Leiter Konzern-Kommunikation / Head of Corporate Communications
Energie Steiermark AG
Leonhardgürtel 10
8010 Graz
Austria
Tel.: +43-316-9000-5926
Mobile: +43-664-1801780
Mail: [email protected]
Homepage: www.e-steiermark.com
SOURCE Energie Steiermark AG
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https://www.prnewswire.com/nl/persberichten/around-550-participating-international-companies-energie-steiermark-once-again-achieves-top-results-in-the-gresb-rating-837130940.html
| 2022-02-11T01:00:14
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en
| 0.918909
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ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers are advancing two measures meant to limit public school students' access to inappropriate or obscene materials.
On Thursday, a House Education subcommittee passed House Bill 1217, which is designed to tighten Georgia's standards preventing schoolchildren from accessing material harmful to minors using school computers or internet networks. It now awaits action by the full committee. On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed Senate Bill 226 on a split voice vote, creating a process for parents to demand removal of books and other materials. It moves forward for consideration by the full House.
The measures are part of a broader conservative push on school issues this year, including efforts to ban transgender girls from playing school sports and to give parents the right to examine instructional materials. Republicans also seek to ban critical race theory, a term stretched from its original meaning as an examination of how societal structures perpetuate white dominance to a broader indictment of diversity initiatives and teaching about race.
The internet filtering bill requires the state Department of Education to each year publish standards that districts must meet for using internet filters to block access to materials that are obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors. It also calls for using notification systems that will let a district employee know if a school computer or network is used to access such material.
The state also would be required to provide technical assistance, a list of acceptable vendors and training guidelines for school districts. Each school district or charter school would have to provide a copy of its acceptable use policy and filtering systems to the state for annual review, starting in fall 2022.
“This is a technology based bill that is to serve our families and to protect those youngest learners,” said the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Chris Erwin of Homer.
The bill as presented Thursday calls for any student or school employee who violates a school district's acceptable use policy to be disciplined, even if the violation was unintentional. Erwin said he would change the measure to only cover unintentional violations after an Associated Press reporter pointed out the language. The measure also allows parents to entirely opt their students out of using the internet.
The anti-obscenity measure would let parents file objections to material with a school’s principal, who would have seven business days to decide whether to remove or restrict access. Parents could appeal to their local school board.
“It’s giving parents and guardians a process to address concerns about materials in a K-12 environment,” Republican Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas told the committee on Wednesday.
Advocates said some local school boards refuse to take action on complaints, essentially ignoring them.
“The main concern is the parents who are not being heard,” said Taylor Hawkins of Frontline Policy Action, a conservative group. “Some schools have shut down parents’ concerns without ever hearing their concerns over these issues.”
Opponents said the measure will be used to ban books containing themes preparing teenagers for adulthood, including race, sexuality or violence.
“By doing a blanket ban on certain things, you’re not teaching a kid to use discernment,” said Desirrae Jones of the New Georgia Project “You’re teaching them to be afraid of things.”
The superintendent of the 53,000-student Forsyth County district announced earlier this year that the system had removed eight books from high school libraries including “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison.
Some anti-obscenity advocates want anyone, not just parents, to be able to make complaints. House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Chairman James Burchett, a Waycross Republican, said complaint rights should only rest with parents or guardians.
“We are not going to turn this bill into a weapon for every taxpayer to harass the school system," he said.
The measure, when originally introduced last year, proposed to make school librarians subject to criminal prosecution for obscenity.
___
Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Georgia-bills-seek-to-limit-inappropriate-school-16849276.php
| 2022-02-11T01:00:17
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| 0.95619
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(The Hill) — This coming Super Bowl Sunday in Los Angeles could be the hottest National NFL championship in history, as heat advisories continue to plague Southern California, The Washington Post reported.
High temperatures this weekend are expected to climb into the 90s in some areas, about 20 to 25 degrees above normal, according to the Post. This is the first time in California’s history the National Weather Service has issued heat advisories in February, with such warnings typically occurring between April and October, the Post reported.
Super Bowl LVI is slated to kick off at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time, featuring the Los Angeles Rams against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Super Bowl VII, which also took place in Los Angeles in 1973, ranks as the hottest NFL championship yet, with temperatures reaching 84 degrees Fahrenheit by kickoff, the Post reported.
(This story originally appeared in Equilibrium, a newsletter that tracks the growing global battle over the future of sustainability. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.)
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https://www.fox44news.com/sports/the-big-game/super-bowl-lvi-could-be-hottest-on-record/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:18
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| 0.945654
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Former ‘Cheer’ star pleads guilty in child pornography case
CHICAGO (AP) — Jerry Harris, former star of the Netflix documentary series “Cheer,” pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of receiving child pornography and soliciting sex from minors that could keep him in prison for decades.
During a change of plea hearing in federal court in Chicago, Harris pleaded guilty to one count of traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and one count of receiving child pornography, a U.S. attorney’s office spokesman said.
Harris, 22, pleaded guilty to two of seven felony counts against him, one for persuading a 17-year-old to send him sexually explicit photographs for money and the other stemming from a trip he took to Florida for the purpose of “engaging in illicit sexual conduct” with a 15-year-old. Prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining five counts under a plea agreement.
The child pornography charge carries a sentence ranging from five to 20 years and the second charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years. Harris is scheduled to be sentenced June 28. He remains in custody at a federal detention facility.
Harris, who is from the Chicago suburb of Naperville, was arrested in September 2020 on a charge of production of child pornography. Prosecutors alleged at the time that he solicited videos and images from two 14-year-old brothers.
According to a complaint, federal prosecutors said that Harris admitted to repeatedly asking a minor teen for pornographic videos and images between December 2018 and March 2020.
Then in December of that year, he was indicted on more charges alleging misconduct in Illinois, Florida and Texas. According to the indictment, Harris allegedly solicited sex from minors at cheerleading competitions and convinced teenage boys to send him obscene photographs and videos of themselves.
Harris admitted to FBI agents to asking a teenage boy to send him lewd photographs of himself, and to requesting child pornography on Snapchat from at least 10 to 15 others he knew to be minors, according to the indictment.
“Cheer” was a huge success when it was released in January 2020 and Harris became wildly popular for his upbeat attitude and his encouraging “mat talk.” Harris even interviewed celebrities on the red carpet at the Academy Awards for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
The docuseries follows the competitive cheerleading squad from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wlbt.com/2022/02/10/former-cheer-star-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-case/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:20
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| 0.971961
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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — After years of work, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to make it easier for victims of sexual harassment to get their day in court.
“The bill is going to help fix a broken system that protects perpetrators and corporations and ends the days of silencing survivors,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said.
Gillibrand sponsored the legislation that prevents forced arbitration for workers who are victims of sexual assault and harassment.
“No longer will survivors of sexual assault or harassment in the workplace come forward and be told that they are legally forbidden to sue their employer because somewhere buried in their employment contracts was this forced arbitration clause,” Gillibrand said.
The bill also voids any past forced arbitration clauses.
“Most people have no idea what they’re doing when they sign an employment contract,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said.
Graham emphasized their action will protect American workers.
“You’re going to have a chance to be heard differently and is long overdue,” Graham said.
Both Gillibrand and Graham thanked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for working across the aisle to get the bill to the Senate floor.
“People who were harassed will get their rights and have their own choice and their own decisions to make,” Schumer said.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) celebrated the outcome.
“It shows that Congress can work in a bipartisan way,” Grassley said.
The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
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https://www.fox44news.com/washington/washington-dc/senate-passes-legislation-ending-forced-arbitration-in-sexual-misconduct-cases-heads-to-presidents-desk/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:25
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| 0.960062
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‘Rest in peace, Sheriff Richard Jones’: Issaquena County sheriff dies
ISSAQUENA COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) - Issaquena County dispatch has confirmed that their sheriff passed away. Sheriff Richard Jones died Thursday.
The Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Department page reacted to the news on their Facebook page, saying that they are praying for the Issaquena County Sheriff’s Department at this time.
“Rest in peace, Sheriff Richard Jones,” they wrote. “We have the watch from here.”
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department also reacted to the news on social media, stating that they are sad to hear the news of Jones’ passing and that they will be praying for his family and his department.
Sheriff Greg Pollan of Calhoun County said that he “lost a brother Sheriff.”
“The other 81 sheriffs are like family, and it hurts when we lose one. RIP Sir,” he said.
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Copyright 2022 WLBT. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wlbt.com/2022/02/10/rest-peace-sheriff-richard-jones-issaquena-county-sheriff-dies/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:27
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| 0.964451
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WHL
All Times Local
Western Conference
B.C. Division
U.S. Division
Eastern Conference
East Division
Central Division
Note: Two points for a team winning in overtime or shootout; the team losing in overtime or shootout receives one which is registered in the OTL or SOL columns.
Tuesday's results
Edmonton 6 Regina 3
Prince Albert 5 Calgary 2
Wednesday's results
Saskatoon 4 Calgary 2
Lethbridge 2 Moose Jaw 1
Portland 9 Spokane 0
Tri-City 4 Kamloops 3
Vancouver at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday's results
Brandon at Winnipeg, 7 p.m.
Friday's games
Lethbridge at Saskatoon, 7 p.m.
Calgary at Regina, 7 p.m.
Prince Albert at Moose Jaw, 7 p.m.
Swift Current at Brandon, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Red Deer, 7 p.m.
Vancouver at Prince George, 7 p.m.
Tri-City at Kamloops, 7 p.m.
Portland at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
Everett at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Seattle at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday's games
Lethbridge at Prince Albert, 7 p.m.
Calgary at Moose Jaw, 7 p.m.
Swift Current at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Edmonton at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
Kamloops at Everett, 6:05 p.m.
Vancouver at Prince George, 7 p.m.
Portland at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
Seattle at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
Tri-City at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday's games
Brandon at Swift Current, 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw at Lethbridge, 7 p.m.
Red Deer at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Tri-City at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
Portland at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/HKO-WHL-Standings-16849282.php
| 2022-02-11T01:00:29
|
en
| 0.886463
|
Consider This: Fighting Crime in Jackson
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - We don’t always agree with Governor Reeves, but we did when he focused on the fighting crime right here in Jackson during his recent State of the State address.
In 2020, our capital city set a record of 130 murders. In 2021, it increased to over 150 murders. And just today, less than four blocks from where we sit, less than one block from the Governor’s Mansion, we had a shootout in the middle of the day.
That is unacceptable. Let’s put these numbers in perspective. In the city of Atlanta, there has been a historic crime wave. People there are rushing to reform – electing new city leadership promising to combat the violence. In Atlanta, they saw 158 murders in 2021. In Jackson, Mississippi, even though Atlanta is more than triple our size, we saw roughly the same number of murders last year.
The rate of killings in Jackson is three times worse than Chicago. It is worse than St. Louis, Baltimore, and Memphis. The violence scars families for generations. Our community is torn apart by senseless acts of mayhem. If our state is to thrive, we need a capital city of order. Governed by laws, not abandoned to daily violence. We all have an interest in stopping this deadly cycle.
That’s why I want to work with the legislature to get you the support you need. It’s why I proposed doubling the size of our Capitol Police, so there will be more boots on the ground as you perform your shifts in the Capitol Complex Improvement District.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we have a lot of brave men and women in blue – there’s just not enough of them. Doubling the size of our Capitol Police, is the first, most immediate action we can take within the State’s jurisdiction. We must have the ability to do it, and we must do it. We also know that alone is not enough. Capturing violent criminals does nothing if our criminal justice system puts them right back on the streets.
I am eager to work with the legislature to develop resources for targeted prosecution and conviction of violent felons here. Catch and release has caused nothing but record crime and chaos. All of us can agree on that. We need to find those who are leading the efforts to flood our capital with illegal drugs and guns—and put them behind bars where they belong.
We need to bring focused attention to those orchestrating these efforts. Not to catch more people speeding or loitering. But to arrest, charge, and eradicate the ringleaders who make life hell for the peaceful residents of Jackson.
Over the past month, the Jackson Police Department has stepped up its presence across the city, cracking down on speeding and setting up roadblocks, which has led to the arrest of people who are wanted for all sorts of crimes.
Its Policing 101 and we are glad to see the department getting back to the basics by implementing these new initiatives.
With the ramped up JPD efforts, and collaboration between city, county, state and federal agencies, for the first time in many, many years there is legitimate reason to be optimistic about the future of Jackson.
If the Governor holds true to his promises, and the legislature supports it, we could see a transformation in the capital city, creating a much safer place for the people who call Jackson home and the businesses that choose to operate there.
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2022 WLBT. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wlbt.com/2022/02/11/consider-this-fighting-crime-jackson/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:33
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| 0.960588
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RIDGELAND, Miss. (AP) — Attorneys for a Black delivery driver are calling for a federal hate crimes probe of the attempted shooting of the driver in Mississippi, saying it's another example of Black Americans facing danger simply for going about their daily activities.
The FedEx driver, 24-year-old Demonterrio Gibson, was not wounded in the Jan. 24 incident. One of his attorneys, Carlos Moore, said Thursday that he believes police are not taking the investigation seriously. Two white men are facing charges, but Moore said the state needs to upgrade those charges to attempted murder.
Moore said Gibson had done nothing wrong before two white men tried to stop him, with one of the men holding a gun.
“He was simply Black while working,” Moore said during a news conference.
A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the department received a request to look into the case and will review the request to determine any next steps.
Gibson said he was wearing a FedEx uniform and was driving an umarked van that FedEx had rented when he dropped off a package at a house in south Mississippi. He said as he was leaving, he noticed a white pickup truck pulling away from another house on the same large lot.
He said the pickup driver tried to cut him off as he left the driveway. Gibson swerved around him and then encountered a second man who had a gun pointed at the van and was motioning for him to stop. Gibson said the man fired as he drove away, damaging the van and packages inside. He said the white pickup chased him to the interstate highway near Brookhaven before ending the pursuit.
Two white men from Brookhaven, 58-year-old Gregory Charles Case and his son 35-year-old Brandon Case, were arrested and released on Feb. 1. Police told local news outlets that the elder Case was the suspected pickup driver, while Brandon Case was the man in the street. Gregory Charles Case is charged with conspiracy. Brandon Case is charged with aggravated assault.
The attorneys who represent the men — Terrell Stubbs for the father and Dan Kitchens for the son — did not immediately respond to two phone messages that the AP left for each of them Thursday. A person in Stubbs' office said he was in court, and a person in Kitchens' office said he was out of the office.
Gibson said Thursday that he is seeking mental health treatment and is on unpaid leave from his job.
“I have real bad anxiety since the incident,” Gibson said.
Jim Masilak, manager of media relations for FedEx, said in response to questions from AP Thursday: “FedEx takes situations of this nature very seriously, and we are shocked by this criminal act against our team member. ... The safety of our team members is our top priority, and we remain focused on his wellbeing. We will continue to support Mr. Gibson as we cooperate with investigating authorities.”
Nobody was injured but the chase and gunfire have sparked social media complaints of racism in Brookhaven, about 55 miles (90 kilometers) south of the state capital, Jackson. The local NAACP chairman has called on city's Black police chief to resign, but the chief says he has no intention to do so.
“I’m not going anywhere until God makes that decision,” Collins told the Daily Leader. “That’s between me and God. Until God calls me I’m not worried about what anybody says.”
Moore compares the incident to the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man who was running empty-handed through a Georgia subdivision in 2020 when three white strangers chased him down and blasted him with a shotgun. The white men, including a father and son, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Defense lawyers said they suspected Arbery had committed crimes in their neighborhood, but prosecutors said there was no evidence of that. The three still face a federal hate crime trial.
About 68% of Brookhaven's 12,000 residents are Black. The city is in Lincoln County, where District Attorney Dee Bates said information will be presented to a grand jury for a decision on charges once police complete their investigation of the Gibson incident. Witnesses, including Gibson, will be able to testify.
James A. Bryant II of Los Angeles, another of the attorneys representing Gibson, said Thursday that Gibson experiences pain knowing that people tried to harm him because he is Black.
“That has to be the most frightening experience one could face as a young Black man," Bryant said. "And then not only that — they continued to chase him until they got to the freeway. So what would have happened if they were able to cut him off?”
____
Associated Press writer Kevin McGill in New Orleans contributed to this report.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Hate-crime-probe-sought-in-Mississippi-attempted-16849218.php
| 2022-02-11T01:00:35
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| 0.985973
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JPD to citizens: Drive without a license and insurance, get ready to be arrested
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The Jackson Police Department is warning citizens of the city to always drive with their license and insurance on hand.
At the beginning of the year, JPD began conducting checkpoints around the city. The initiative is called TAT, (Tickets, Arrests, and Tow), and earlier this month netted 20 arrests and 50 citations at a single location.
“We’re informing our citizens here in Jackson, Mississippi today, if you are driving a vehicle and you do not have a driver’s license, you do not have insurance, you will be placed under arrest and your vehicle will be towed,” said Deputy Chief Deric Hearn at a press conference Thursday.
“So what if they have a driver’s license and not the insurance?” a journalist asked him.
“Goin’ to jail,” Hearn stated. “Vehicle gonna be towed. No exception.”
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2022 WLBT. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wlbt.com/2022/02/11/jpd-citizens-drive-without-license-insurance-get-ready-be-arrested/
| 2022-02-11T01:00:39
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en
| 0.955309
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HONOLULU (AP) — A Honolulu woman who pleaded guilty to taking classified documents while working at the U.S. Embassy in Manila was sentenced Thursday to 90 days in jail.
Asia Janay Lavarello pleaded guilty last year to one count of knowingly removing classified information, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
She removed “certain classified documents” from the embassy before hosting a dinner party in her hotel room, with guests including three American co-workers and two foreign nationals, her plea agreement said.
One of the Americans discovered documents marked “secret” in her bedroom during the party, according to the agreement filed in court.
Lavarello was a Department of Defense civilian employee working as the executive assistant to the Commander for the United States Indo-Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Operation Center, where she maintained top secret security clearance, court documents said.
In 2020, she took a six-month temporary duty assignment in the Philippines. She was also a student at National Intelligence University, according to her plea agreement.
Her attorney, Birney Bervar, said Lavarello apologizes and takes responsibility. He said she wasn't planning to do anything malicious with the documents, which he described as theses by other people that she was using as models for her own.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Hawaii-woman-gets-90-days-in-jail-in-embassy-16849594.php
| 2022-02-11T01:00:41
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en
| 0.980037
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The executive of a nonprofit regional planning commission that helps cities and counties apply for grants and plan economic development projects has been arrested for theft and forgery.
Court records show Timothy Ostroski of Creston, the executive director of the Southern Iowa Council of Governments was arrested Wednesday by Creston police.
Court documents indicate he's alleged to have used another person's name on four of the organization's checks without permission leading to four felony forgery charges.
The documents also allege he took more than $10,000 from the organization from 2002 through 2021 by writing checks for cleaning services that were never provided then depositing the checks in his own account.
An attorney representing Ostroski did not immediate respond to a message.
The SICOG website indicates Ostroski, 70, has been with the organization as its executive since 1984. The commission, which sometimes handles state and federal grant money through the state economic development agency, serves seven counties and 53 cities in southern Iowa.
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand said in a statement Thursday that he has opened an investigation into the allegations and that his office "is assisting in safeguarding SICOG records and will be working with Iowa Economic Development Authority to assure appropriate testing procedures are performed,” he said.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Iowa-local-nonprofit-planning-agency-CEO-arrested-16849196.php
| 2022-02-11T01:00:48
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| 0.971568
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MONROE, Mich. (AP) — A Ypsilanti man was sentenced to serve 25 to 50 years in prison Thursday under a plea agreement for a shooting that injured a Monroe police officer and put her in a coma.
Kordney McDonald, 21, pleaded no contest in November to charges of assault with intent to murder, carjacking and assaulting/resisting a police officer causing serious impairment.
Cpl. Renae Peterson was shot on a busy Monroe street on May 24, 2020, while investigating a carjacking. Two bullets struck Peterson below her protective vest. She underwent numerous surgeries and spent 17 days in a coma, Monroe County Prosecutor Michael Roehrig said.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Man-sentenced-for-shooting-Monroe-officer-who-16849280.php
| 2022-02-11T01:00:54
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| 0.955308
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BOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts contestant on “The Price Is Right” was hoping to win a getaway to some tropical locale during a recent appearance on the game show.
Instead she won a trip to neighboring New Hampshire.
Catherine Graham had already won a firepit and a love seat when she was picked to go on stage and play “Side By Side” with host Drew Carey.
Then she found out she'd be playing for a trip to New Hampshire, just across the border from Massachusetts. She won by correctly guessing the value of the prize was $7,696 instead of $9,676.
Graham confessed she was hoping for somewhere a bit more exotic than the “Live Free or Die” state, which she said she’s already visited “a million times.”
“I just wish it was Tahiti or some place, or Bora Bora. A cruise around the world maybe,” Graham told WBZ-TV, laughing.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Massachusetts-game-show-winner-gets-trip-to-New-16849209.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:00
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| 0.984975
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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A proposal to dredge a new, major lake along the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln drew a load of questions and no clear answers Thursday from cities, conservationists and a landowner who might be in the project's path.
Some of the organizations said they didn't outright oppose the idea but raised concerns about the potential lake's impact on the river and surrounding area. Conservationists said they were worried about the impact on wildlife and the environment, while water regulators from Omaha and Lincoln raised concerns about how it might affect their water supplies.
“Overall, there are simply too few details available about how the bill would change the hydrology and ecology of the river,” said Melissa Mosier, the Platte River manager for the conservation group Audubon Nebraska.
Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers, the measure's sponsor, acknowledged that more studies are needed before the state moves forward. Hilgers said the package already includes money to conduct those reviews, and cautioned that many things could derail the project before it begins.
“We need answers before we do a project of this magnitude,” he said in testimony to the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee.
The Omaha-Lincoln lake measure is part of a larger package, backed by Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts, that would spend an estimated $200 million on water projects around the state.
The proposal also calls for a marina and road improvements at Lake McConaughy State Recreational Area in western Nebraska, and a visitor’s lodge and other upgrades at Niobrara State Park. Both of those proposals won strong public support at Thursday's hearing, with one supporter calling the Niobrara plan a “slam dunk” for northeast Nebraska.
A special legislative committee endorsed the Omaha-Lincoln lake idea in January as a way to boost the state economy and promote tourism.
State officials haven't settled on an exact location, but the roughly 3,600-acre lake would likely sit near Mahoney State Park, a popular state campground, and reach 30 feet deep. One artist's rendering shows the lake between Gretna and Ashland, on the eastern side of the Platte River and north of Interstate 80.
Hilgers has said the lake could rival western Iowa's West Okoboji Lake, one of the state's biggest tourism destinations.
The Omaha-Lincoln lake would also require private investments, as state officials have said they aren't going to commit tax dollars to develop the area around it.
Rick Kubat, a lobbyist for Omaha's Metropolitan Utilities District, said the city water provider is concerned about the project's potential impact on drinking water.
“Its our contention that step one, the very first thing we should do, is take a deep dive into the consequences in terms of public water supply,” Kubat said.
Al Davis, a former state lawmaker and lobbyist for the Sierra Club in Nebraska, questioned the wisdom of the estimated $71.1 million project, saying it would likely benefit wealthier residents who could afford lakefront homes.
Davis said lamwakers “should really focus on the preservation of natural surroundings” and said the lake would likely get flooded by the Platte River unless officials build large levees along the river.
John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, said his group supports the development projects in western and northern Nebraska but said the Lincoln-Omaha lake “seems a lot more environmentally suspect.”
The project also worried Dan Bundy, a landowner whose property could be in the lake's path. Bundy said he and his neighbors quickly figured out that their properties would be submerged if the artist's rendering becomes a reality, and he raised concerns that the state wouldn't compensate him fairly.
“There is little doubt that there could be a huge windfall for the state of Nebraska and property owners who have property around the lake,” he said. “But what about those of us, including myself and my family, who would be under the lake?”
___
Follow Grant Schulte on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantSchulte
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/New-Nebraska-lake-proposal-draws-questions-16849429.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:06
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| 0.968321
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LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP) — Orange County sheriff's deputies shot and killed a man Thursday who charged at them with a knife after a standoff, authorities said.
Deputies answered a call just before midnight that a truck had hit several parked cars in a Lake Forest neighborhood.
The driver, who had a knife, locked the doors, refused to talk to the deputies and refused to leave the truck but they were able to call his cellphone, according to the Sheriff's Department.
Several neighbors were evacuated and a crisis negotiation team talked to the man for nearly three hours. At about 2:45 a.m., he got out of the car with a knife in his hand and ran at deputies, who opened fire, the Sheriff's Department said.
The man was struck several times. Despite lifesaving efforts he died at a hospital, authorities said. His name wasn't immediately released.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Orange-County-sheriff-s-deputies-kill-16849309.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:12
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| 0.993531
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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City police arrested a man Thursday after a standoff that began when officers realized the man had a gun inside a police car.
Police Chief Rex Mueller said officers had put the man in the patrol car near Sioux City Heelan High School because he was a possible suspect in an armed robbery.
When officers realized the suspect, 36-year-old Emanual Pleitez, had a micro gun, they backed away and began negotiations, the Sioux City Journal reported.
The standoff came as U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra was touring the Catholic school and he was kept inside the school, which was locked down.
During negotiations, the man became agitated, prompting officers to fire chemical weapons into the car. Mueller said the suspect fired several shots and then broke a window and attempted to climb out.
He was detained and then taken to a Sioux City hospital for treatment. No one suffered serious injuries.
Mueller said the state Division of Criminal Investigation will review the events, and the department will conduct its own investigation.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Sioux-City-standoff-after-man-gets-gun-into-16849259.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:19
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| 0.986377
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A super PAC backing former NFL player Jake Bequette's bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Boozman in the May Arkansas Republican primary spent more than $841,000 this week to air ads in the state.
The Arkansas Patriots Fund reported the ad buy in documents filed this week with the Federal Election Commission. The group was formed last year with a $1 million donation from shipping and supply company executive Richard Uihlein.
Documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission showed Boozman’s campaign has bought airtime for TV ads to run around the state starting Saturday.
Bequette, who played with the Arkansas Razorbacks and the New England Patriots, is one of three Republicans challenging Boozman. Hot Springs gun range owner Jan Morgan and Stuttgart pastor Heath Loftis are also seeking the GOP nomination.
Boozman, who was first elected in 2010 and won reelection in 2016, is running with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and the support of the state's top Republicans. Last month he reported having $3.5 million in the bank for his reelection bid, while Bequette had more than $411,000.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Super-PAC-spends-841K-on-TV-ads-backing-Bequette-16849203.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:25
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en
| 0.969694
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BEIJING (AP) — Some local fans are getting to watch the Beijing Games in person, though it’s not clear exactly how they were selected for a visit inside the tightly controlled Olympic bubble.
As part of the strict measures intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the Games, athletes, reporters and others are being limited to a “closed loop” of dedicated Olympic venues and hotels.
Plans to sell tickets to the general public were scrapped before the Games began. But organizers announced that about 150,000 local spectators including school children and foreign embassy staff would be allowed in some venues.
How they are selected is a bit of a mystery. Jiarong Yan, a representative for Beijing organizers, said they apply and are invited by community organizations, educational institutions and other groups. They're subject to protocols, including testing before they enter and health monitoring after they leave, but quarantining isn’t required. They are kept separate from others inside the bubble.
On Thursday, some fans sat spaced apart inside the Capital Indoor Stadium to watch the men's figure skating free skate. Cheers erupted for China's Jin Boyang and again when Nathan Chen of the U.S. delivered a free skate performance that won him the gold.
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https://www.theheraldreview.com/sports/article/BEIJING-SNAPSHOT-Local-fans-allowed-inside-16849905.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:31
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en
| 0.968007
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Kevin Huber completely understands how big a deal this really is.
He's living out the dream every Bengals fan has ever had. Including himself.
The 36-year-old punter has been rooting all his life for the only NFL team for which he has played. He grew up in Cincinnati, went to college there and daydreamed as a youngster in the stands at Riverfront Stadium about the Bengals winning the Super Bowl.
And now, the Bengals' longest-tenured player is one victory away from helping deliver Cincinnati that long-elusive title.
“It would be everything,” Huber said, shaking his head. “I mean, the city would just implode if we win this game.”
The showdown with the Rams in Los Angeles on Sunday marks the Bengals' third Super Bowl appearance, and first in 33 years — back when Huber's infatuation didn't go far beyond loving the tiger stripes on the bright orange helmets.
Among his first football memories are of Ickey Woods, the touchdown-loving running back with the unforgettable end zone dance. He didn't have one particular favorite player as a kid, but remembers being excited when Cincinnati drafted wide receiver Peter Warrick in 2000. The then-14-year-old Huber's copy of ESPN The Magazine with Warrick, LaVar Arrington and Courtney Brown on the cover was a prized possession.
But it wasn't long before Huber became well-versed in what it meant being a Bengals fan, with lofty expectations followed by so many frustrating finishes.
“A long time of just waiting for this moment,” Huber said. "You know, getting there a couple of times, but losing and then that long drought in between the last time they went and now, it would mean everything to the city. They would be just completely on cloud nine, just experiencing this, just excited, happy.
“I would assume the parade would be pretty epic.”
Huber has tried to not think about that this week, but that image has decorated his mind many times as a fan and as a player. So has the post-Super Bowl celebration, with confetti falling around jubilant — and sometimes crying — players to punctuate the NFL's ultimate accomplishment.
“You see it every year,” Huber said. “And you always wonder if you’ll get the chance to do that.”
That's coming from a guy who has the perspective of playing 13 years in the NFL and is tied with former cornerback Ken Riley for the most regular-season games played in franchise history with 207.
Huber, who insists his playing days aren't close to being done, also has those scars from his fandom for a franchise that isn't often in this position.
After the Bengals beat Las Vegas in Cincinnati in the wild-card round for their first playoff victory in 31 years, Huber gathered his thoughts for a piece published by The Player's Tribune. He chronicled how he was born and raised in Cincinnati, went to the University of Cincinnati and was drafted by the Bengals in the fifth round in 2009. Huber described the euphoria of the Bengals ending what had been the NFL's longest playoff victory drought, and how much it meant to him and the city he calls home.
“Once that article came out, I got reached out to on social media and also via texts from friends and family, just a lot of people that felt the same way,” he said. “And they were able to just kind of enjoy that article from the same perspective.”
A victory at Tennessee followed in the divisional round.
Next came the Bengals' overtime win at Kansas City for the AFC championship, with Huber the holder on Evan McPherson's 31-yard kick that sent Cincinnati to the Super Bowl.
“It took a couple of minutes to really set in,” Huber recalled with a smile. "And everybody’s running around and you don’t know who to hug or what to do, and you kind of feel lost. I feel like I was running around just hugging the most random people, and I have no idea what I was doing.
“I would love to see a camera on me just kind of running around in circles."
It seemed everyone he has ever met or known in Cincinnati shared in the moment.
“I think by the time the night ended, I had like a thousand messages,” Huber said with a laugh. “But I’m sorry, everybody, I didn’t get to respond to every single one, but I'll try to get some of them back.”
He'll have lots more if everything works out in the Bengals' favor Sunday.
“It’s cool to think that years from now,” Huber said, “our team will be looked at as some of the greats of the organization and the greats of the Bengals that have played.”
During the team's rally Monday night at Paul Brown Stadium, the franchise's home since 2000, the fired-up fans screamed for every player and coach that emerged from the tunnel onto the field.
Huber nearly brought the place down when he offered this to the 30,000 bundled up in the stands:
“Hopefully," he said, "we’ll be back next week for the after-party.”
It would be a big-time Bengals bash that has been in the planning stages for a few generations. And one Huber only imagined all those years ago.
“The whole city has been just really enjoying the ride and celebrating this,” Huber said. “I’m just happy for them to be able to experience this. You know, it’s been a long time coming.”
—
More AP Super Bowl coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
|
https://www.theheraldreview.com/sports/article/Bengals-Huber-grew-up-die-hard-fan-dreaming-of-16849980.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:37
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| 0.985046
|
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Charlie Moore's roundabout journey across college basketball just felt right during his two seasons at DePaul, returning to his native Chicago to be near his family.
With his father's mobility compromised by a 2015 stroke and his mother needing to work, his parents needed Moore around more than ever. And Curtis Moore attended all of his son's home games in his wheelchair.
“It worked. I feel like it brought a different energy, a different type of spirit to the household and my mom and my dad for those two years that I was there,” said Moore, who started at California, moved to Kansas, then DePaul and is now at Miami. “I feel like things are going much better now. I think my dad’s getting better as well.”
School-switching has never been more prevalent, thanks to the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA for the pandemic-limited 2020-21 season and the relaxed transfer rules that allow one-time moves for immediate eligibility instead of an automatic sit-out year.
An Associated Press review of rosters in the six major conferences (the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference) plus four programs from mid-major leagues that are currently ranked in the AP Top 25 poll (Gonzaga, Houston, Saint Mary's and Murray State) determined 29% of players across those 80 teams have switched four-year schools at least once. That doesn't include junior college transfers.
The Big 12 has the highest portion at 41%. Colorado and Stanford are the only programs without a single incoming transfer. And just five high-major teams didn't add a transfer for this season, Colorado, Connecticut, Purdue, Villanova and Stanford — the latter touting a transfer-free team for the 12th year in a row.
While there's talk about disrupting team chemistry and a lack of resiliency when it comes to the hyperactive transfer portal, there's a personal story behind each switch and it's usually more complex than simply hopping around for more minutes, TV time or wins.
Moore has been a catalyst for the Hurricanes, who’ve been at or near the top of the ACC all season.
“The school, the people around the school, my coaching staff, my teammates, they’ve all just been welcoming and warm and helping people trying to reach their goal. There’s no egos or anything like that. It’s just people trying to win,” Moore said this week in a video interview with the AP. “It’s been a great way to end my college career.”
Payton Willis has come full circle, transferring back to Minnesota last summer after spending two previous seasons there. He's is one of 10 players with Minnesota who have transferred at least once, the most among the high-major programs.
But the sixth-year guard felt like he never truly left.
Willis started at Vanderbilt, where coach Kevin Stallings was fired shortly before he arrived. After two years mostly coming off the bench, he made his first transfer to Minnesota.
“I knew how valuable a Vanderbilt degree is, how prestigious it is. I just felt at home there. But when it was done, it was done,” Willis said in an interview earlier this season, declining to go into more detail.
Willis had flashes of success in the 2019-20 season, but was often lost in the Big Ten shuffle, so he moved to the College of Charleston. But COVID-19 conditions created a rather minimalist experience during his single season.
“I probably walked two or three blocks like 90% of the time I was there,” Willis said, “or I was at the beach. I really didn’t get to see too much, because we didn’t have in-person classes. I was either at home or at the gym.”
Prepared for an overseas career, Willis put the pros on pause after a call from new Gophers coach Ben Johnson, who previously recruited him as an assistant. The opportunity to play point guard was appealing, so he came returned to Minnesota and started a master's program in youth and leadership development.
Moore and Willis are rare three-time transfers. They're joined by Jalen Coleman-Lands, who arrived at Kansas after Iowa State, DePaul and Illinois. Texas A&M forward Jalen Johnson tore his ACL in preseason practice after arriving from Mississippi State, having previously played at Saint Louis and Louisiana-Lafayette.
For Moore, the firing of coach Dave Leitao last year left him with yet another change to manage. With the confidence and peace gained from his father’s improvement, he chose Miami with encouragement from assistant coach Bill Courtney (they briefly overlapped at DePaul).
“I thought he was going to be good, but this guy’s been great, the way he gets our team to play together and the way he shares the ball,” Miami coach Jim Larranaga said of Moore recently.
Moore was Illinois' Mr. Basketball in 2016, playing at Morgan Park High School in Chicago. He initially committed to Memphis, but coach Josh Pastner left for Georgia Tech. Moore played one year at Cal, before coach Cuonzo Martin departed for Missouri.
He moved a little closer to home at Kansas, but after a sit-out year and a season in a reserve role, he felt unsettled — particularly with the struggles around his father's health.
“I just wanted to make things better," Moore said.
Now playing in his fourth major conference, the 5-foot-11 Moore helped key an upset of Duke last month and his half-court shot banked in at the buzzer to beat Virginia Tech a few weeks later.
Though the Gophers have struggled in Big Ten play, Willis has two Big Ten Player of the Week awards this season. In a win over Rutgers on Jan. 22 (the only Gopher victory in 11 games since Christmas), Willis had a career-high 32 points and tied the program record with eight 3-pointers.
The extra pandemic-year effect will linger for three more seasons, and Willis offered his advice for those eyeing at the transfer portal: caution and patience.
“Each time I did it, I looked at myself in the mirror: ‘Was it on me? Is this truly going to be the better route? Or is it going to be better for me to stay here and stick it out and fight through the challenges?'” Willis said. “Nowadays it’s so hard. So many people are in kids’ ears about what they should and shouldn’t do. It makes it difficult for them to decipher who they should listen to and what they should listen to at the end of the day.”
___
More AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
|
https://www.theheraldreview.com/sports/article/Final-transfer-Canes-Moore-Gophers-Willis-16849850.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:43
|
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| 0.983105
|
Kevin Durant wanted no part of James Harden on the day their partnership in Brooklyn ended.
Durant kept passing on Harden in the NBA All-Star Draft until LeBron James had to take him Thursday with the last pick, bringing some petty comedy to the process.
James had the first pick among players in the starters pool for the Feb. 20 game in Cleveland and drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo. Durant took Joel Embiid, whose Philadelphia 76ers agreed to the trade with Brooklyn that sent Ben Simmons to the Nets.
Durant had the first choice among reserves, going with Devin Booker of the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns. That meant James had the final pick and Durant made clear who was going to be left for him.
With his final pick, Durant took Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz, explaining with a straight face he needed size — even though defensive-minded players are hardly a need in an exhibition mostly about offense.
Holding a clipboard over his face to hide his laughter, James asked Durant if Harden was healthy enough to play. The three-time scoring champion and 2018 NBA MVP has missed the last three games with a left hamstring tightness.
“He got traded. He’s healthy now,” TNT analyst Charles Barkley responded.
James also drafted former MVPs Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic in the starter pool, along with Chicago's DeMar DeRozan. Durant took first-timers Ja Morant of Memphis and Andrew Wiggins of Golden State, and Boston's Jayson Tatum — who replaced him in the starters pool because Durant is injured and won't play.
The Team LeBron reserves: Luka Doncic, Dallas; Darius Garland, Cleveland; Chris Paul, Phoenix; Jimmy Butler, Miami; Donovan Mitchell, Utah; Fred VanVleet, Toronto, and Harden.
The Team Durant reserves: Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota; Zach LaVine, Chicago; Dejounte Murray, San Antonio; Khris Middleton, Milwaukee; LaMelo Ball, Charlotte, and Gobert.
James has been a captain every year since the NBA went to a format where the leading vote-getters draft teams, instead of Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference. His teams have gone 4-0.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
|
https://www.theheraldreview.com/sports/article/In-NBA-All-Star-draft-Durant-selects-anyone-16850024.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:49
|
en
| 0.95895
|
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Les Snead really doesn't mind if the public and the media think he's a wild risk-taker whose decade as the Rams' general manager is defined by his eagerness to mortgage Los Angeles' future so he can grab superstars of the present.
Snead's kids even gave him a mug that sits on his desk at the Rams' training complex. It's emblazoned with his own face from a well-known Twitter meme that profanely, precisely imagines how he must feel about draft picks.
But that's not the whole story — and it's simply not correct, according to the man doing the deals.
“There’s definitely risks, and we like to refer to it sometimes as being bold,” Snead said. “But being bold is a little bit more than just gambling.”
Although it's clearly more amusing than annoying to him, Snead feels the Rams' reputation is a lazy mischaracterization of the work and planning that go into his moves — and he feels that should be obvious from his success.
Yes, the Rams make bold moves with their draft capital. Yes, he values veteran stars and draft picks in different ways than the average GM.
That doesn't mean the Rams are built to burn brightly before fading into mediocrity.
“The shallow story would be the free agents, the stars,” Snead said. “And I get it. We’re in the entertainment business. I understand why that’s interesting content."
With ample help from coach Sean McVay, Snead has turned a longtime losing franchise into a consistent winner with a chance to claim its first Super Bowl victory of his tenure Sunday.
Their combined approach to their jobs is summed up in one of Snead's favorite mantras: “Wake up sprinting. Don’t be scared.”
And though he approached the season with the intensity inherent in a daily sprint, Snead flatly rejects the central thesis of most arguments about how the Rams ran to the Super Bowl twice in four years.
He doesn't feel the Rams have pushed all their chips into the middle of the table this season. He patiently details the Rams' solid homegrown talent base and player development successes that continue despite his dispersal of most of his high draft picks.
Yet even his organization has embraced the narrative: After the Rams got Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. at midseason, their social media team put out a tweet declaring: “We’re all in” — and then the Rams lost three straight games.
Snead can only chuckle.
“I was joking with a couple of people who were asking what we’re doing leading up to the Super Bowl ... and it’s preparing for the draft,” Snead said. "We couldn’t do what we do, we couldn’t have the team that we have, without the draft and those young players.”
Jalen Ramsey, Matthew Stafford, Miller and Beckham are all with the Rams because of audacious moves made by Snead. The first three acquisitions required parting with a combined four first-round picks, one second-rounder, two thirds and a fourth-round selection. LA also gave up a fifth- and a sixth-round pick to get Sony Michel.
But the Rams can do it because of their cost-effective contributors at other positions. The Rams even lost four defensive starters in free agency last season and only replaced them with internal candidates — and though they don't have the NFL's No. 1 defense this year, they're in the Super Bowl.
“We will always utilize whatever manner that’s available to acquire players to help us continue to be contenders,” Snead said. “We’ll try to use our picks in an innovative way, maybe a creative way.”
The Rams’ upcoming draft is a striking example of the consequences of Snead’s attitudes. They are likely to have eight picks in April, but five will be compensatory selections for people who left the team.
The highest pick they currently hold is at the back of the third round. Los Angeles traded its first-round pick to Detroit for Stafford, its second- and third-round picks to Denver for Miller, its fourth-rounder to Houston as incentive to take Brandin Cooks’ contract, and its sixth-round pick to New England for Michel.
But Snead conducts business with a different view of the value of draft capital. With his group's scouting combined with McVay's innovative coaching, the Rams believe they can remain winners indefinitely.
After five years together, McVay and Snead have formed a steadfast partnership anchored in mutual respect. According to McVay, it's a huge help that he has no interest in being a personnel guy, and Snead doesn't want to coach.
“Both he and I are not afraid to take risks, even if it means putting yourself out there for expectations,” McVay said. “I’m very appreciative to be with people who aren’t afraid to take their swings and shoot their shots."
Snead took over the front office of a 2-14 squad in St. Louis in 2012, and his approach to team-building has changed along with the Rams' growth. He built a foundation with solid draft picks — none bigger than Aaron Donald in 2014 — and after their return to Los Angeles, he added higher-profile names in his now-signature style, starting with the bold trade up to get Jared Goff in 2016.
“I’ve got the gene that I really, really appreciate trying to learn and apply and evolve,” Snead said.
One consequence of Snead’s style is a unique draft weekend experience: The Rams haven’t made a first-round pick since Goff in 2016, and they aren’t scheduled to have another until 2024.
“It really makes Thursday nights not stressful at all,” he said with a smile.
___
More AP Super Bowl coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
|
https://www.theheraldreview.com/sports/article/Rams-flashy-moves-grounded-in-solid-plan-says-16849257.php
| 2022-02-11T01:01:55
|
en
| 0.976981
|
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