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MONAHANS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) If you’ve been to or live in Monahans, one of the first things you’ll notice while you’re downtown are the empty buildings. Some are boarded up, others are filled with random items.
It has a lot of people who live there and visit/drive-through asking why.
“Downtown used to have a lot of good stores,” says Gilbert, a man who has lived in Monahans for 55 years. “Kids got nothing to entertain them.”
“I would like to see more things for us to do,” says 19-year-old Aryssa, who’s lived in Monahans her entire life.”
We talked to Monahans Economic Development Corporation about why a lot of the downtown buildings are empty. They say it’s because a lot of the ownership of the buildings are private.
“A lot of those people (owners) actually see it as being an easier expense to pay their taxes on that building and use that building as storage rather than sell out, sell it to business, sell it somebody to actually put a business in,” says Ashley Adauto, MEDC executive director. “That’s where the struggle lies.”
Adauto says the city is trying its best to Improve the downtown, but people I talked to in the area say it’s a slow fix.
“City council is very aware of what the citizens are wanting with downtown,” says local Marielena Saenz. “Everybody is aware, it’s just slowly getting that accomplished is the issue.”
Saenz owns PJ’s Coffee on the southeast part of town in Monahans. She owns the shop, as well as some connected buildings that she hopes to lease out to new businesses. She built Sandhills Plaza to bring more stuff for locals.
“It’s the risk and the investment,” says Saenz. “I think because it does take community members to risk and invest for our community. We have to reinvest in our community and it’s a lot of hard work, it’s a lot of time and effort.”
MEDC says it’s next goal is to clean up the downtown as much as possible to make it more attractive for potential property buyers to create new shops and restaurants.
Check out the video above for more on Monahans’ future. | 2022-05-12T03:28:38Z | www.yourbasin.com | Boarded-up buildings: What’s the future of Monahans? | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/boarded-up-buildings-whats-the-future-of-monahans/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/boarded-up-buildings-whats-the-future-of-monahans/ |
Severe Thunderstorm Warning near Big Bend UPDATE – 5-11-22
A severe thunderstorm has been located near Big Bend, tracking to the East at 15 MPH. This storm is currently producing Quarter-sized hail and damaging wind gusts up to 70 MPH. These strong wind gusts are capable of producing damage to trees, mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. Please remain indoors and avoid being near windows while this storm passes. | 2022-05-12T03:28:44Z | www.yourbasin.com | Severe Thunderstorm Warning near Big Bend UPDATE – 5-11-22 | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/weather/severe-weather/severe-thunderstorm-warning-near-big-bend-5-11-22/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/weather/severe-weather/severe-thunderstorm-warning-near-big-bend-5-11-22/ |
Midland High practicing with a purpose ahead of spring game
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Second-year head coach Thad Fortune runs his offense fast. Really fast.
It’s the only way he knows how, but he does it with a purpose.
“This is a practice sport where you practice ten times more than you play… you practice a lot more than you play,” said Fortune.
“You have to be very intentional and deliberate about what you do. We want to establish the things that we’re going to do every week regardless of how we’re playing or who we’re playing.”
“The fundamentals and techniques… we’ll need all year long and so that’s why I think spring ball is so important. These lives reps that the kids get you can’t replace those.”
After Fortune’s debut season at the helm, the coaching staff feels more entrenched this time around.
So do the players who will be running their familiar triple option on offense which is a big plus for those who got experience last year.
“I’ve never ran this type of offense before, I’ve never been a part of it and being a part of it these last two years… it’s pretty exciting to learn something new about the game that you thought you knew,” said quarterback Jake Cunningham.
“You can tell that we’ve had a year under our belts and the game has slowed down a little bit for us and you can tell we’re getting it more. We’re more successful at the things we do and the offense is running pretty well so far.”
The Bulldogs are working hard, but they’re always reminded about what they’re actually practicing for.
“The point of offseason isn’t to get great at offseason, it’s to get better and football,” said Fortune.
“When you put in a lot of work with that open mind, you like to see if you can prove yourself right.” | 2022-05-12T06:27:35Z | www.yourbasin.com | Midland High practicing with a purpose ahead of spring game | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/local-sports/midland-high-practicing-with-a-purpose-ahead-of-spring-game/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/local-sports/midland-high-practicing-with-a-purpose-ahead-of-spring-game/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Ector County ISD has been awarded a 2-year grant for more than $400,000 from the Texas Education Agency to provide training to educators for dyslexia and related disorders.
In a recent news release from ECISD, the grant titled “Do You See What I See?” is created to help educators in the district become more knowledgeable about dyslexia and how to aid students with the disorder. The news release states that according to the Texas Education Law, dyslexia is defined as “a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunity.”
There are several related disorders similar to dyslexia, including developmental auditory imperception, dysphasia, specific developmental dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and developmental spelling disability. According to the news release from ECISD, there are currently 32 dyslexia specialists across the entire district.
Leslie Wilson, Executive Director of Special Services, and Heidi Helferich, Dyslexia Supervisor at ECISD, said that there is a need for more widespread expertise in dyslexia for educators.
Wilson said, “We are excited to have received the Dyslexia Grant and want to thank the Texas Education Agency for the opportunity to increase ECISD’s capacity and knowledge in dyslexia. This grant will allow us to train teachers, intervention staff, and district employees to better serve students with dyslexia and related disorders in ECISD.”
The $462,802 grant will provide 320 teachers with a survey of research-based teaching strategies for students with dyslexia. For 48 special education teachers, in-depth “Reading by Design” training and related materials will be provided through the “Do You See What I See?” grant. Forums and programs about dyslexia will be provided as a resource to a total of 86 principals and assistant principals across the district.
Helferich stated in the news release, “The ECISD Dyslexia Department is elated that the Texas Education Agency has approved our dyslexia grant.”
To ensure that each individual staff member is receiving the proper training, Region 18 Education Service Center and district coaches will provide follow-up activities and additional training for each educator participating in the grant.
As stated in the news release from ECISD, the grant will pay for 8 teachers to receive a credential in a two-year program geared towards preparing dyslexia specialists to use multisensory, structured intervention techniques to help students with dyslexia develop independent reading abilities. The “Take Flight,” an Academic Language Therapy program offered by the Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital is the program being offered to 8 teachers in the district. | 2022-05-12T16:50:12Z | www.yourbasin.com | ECISD receives dyslexia training grant | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ecisd-receives-dyslexia-training-grant/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ecisd-receives-dyslexia-training-grant/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Things are heating up around the Basin as summer quickly approaches. The City of Odessa Parks and Recreation Department has a new way for you to stay fit while enjoying the sun.
Registration opened this week for any amateur volleyball players wanting to start a sand volleyball team. Before hitting the sandpit, you must have a group of 6 team members to participate in the 6 on 6 leagues.
Organizers say that the season is 8 games long and ends with a double-elimination tournament at the completion of the season under the Texas Armature Athletic Federation.
Participants will be expected to play games on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 pm, starting June 6th. Each game will take place at Sherwood Park located at 1210 East 49th Street in Odessa.
The deadline to register is May 27th. For more information on how you can sign up, click here. | 2022-05-12T16:50:25Z | www.yourbasin.com | Registration opens for sand volleyball league in Odessa | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/registration-opens-for-sand-volleyball-league/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/registration-opens-for-sand-volleyball-league/ |
TxDOT to install new traffic signals at major Pecos intersection
PECOS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – A new traffic signal paid for by the City of Pecos is going into operation this month. TxDOT reported that the traffic signals are at U.S. Highway 285 and Lincoln Street, which is a quarter-mile north of I-20 ramps that tie into Highway 285.
In a recent news release, the Pecos City Council requested that the lights go into all red flashing mode starting next week May 16th. The traffic signals are scheduled to go into regular green-yellow-red operation starting Monday, May 23rd. According to the news release, it cost $368,590 to design and install the traffic signals.
The City of Pecos handled the project from creation to completion and has been working with TxDOT since it is on a state-maintained road. | 2022-05-13T16:04:25Z | www.yourbasin.com | TxDOT to install new traffic signals at major Pecos intersection | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/txdot-to-install-new-traffic-signals-at-major-pecos-intersection/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/txdot-to-install-new-traffic-signals-at-major-pecos-intersection/ |
PERMIAN BASIN, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The West Texas Food Bank is giving back to the community one food drive at a time. This year the organization is participating in the National Association of Letter Carrier’s (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
The event has gone on for nearly 30 years, and each year the donations grow. In a recent news release, the CEO of the West Texas Food Bank, Libby Campbell expressed how much this event is able to help people across West Texas.
“This is always one of the largest food drives that happen in the Permian Basin. We are so grateful to the Letter Carriers who work really hard to make this a success, and I am always blown away by the support of our community for our neighbors in need,” said Campbell.
People living in both Midland and Odessa are encouraged to donate by filling up a sturdy bag with nonperishable and unexpired foods and leaving the bag out by their mailbox on May 14th.
According to the news release, the West Texas Food Bank continues to serve the community and even doubled its amount of families since the beginning of the pandemic. In its last fiscal year, the organization gave away almost thirteen million pounds of food. Sallie Moore, the NALC Stamp Out Hunger Coordinator, states that the food drive relies on its local and rural letter carriers to carry out the event, meaning that West Texans play a huge role in giving back through the food drive.
On Saturday, May 14th, your letter carrier will return the food to the post office where it will be donated to West Texas Food Bank. The West Texas Food Bank is also in need of volunteers for the afternoon of May 14th to help unload food at the post office.
For more information about the event call 432-580-6333 | 2022-05-13T16:04:31Z | www.yourbasin.com | West Texas Food Bank host stamp out hunger food drive | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/west-texas-food-bank-host-stamp-out-hunger-food-drive/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/west-texas-food-bank-host-stamp-out-hunger-food-drive/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Odessa man is behind bars after police said he attacked a man earlier this month. 49-year-old Frank Casas has been charged with Robbery.
According to an affidavit, on May 8, an officer with the Odessa Police Department responded to an apartment building in the 200 block of N Dixie Boulevard to investigate. At the scene, they found a victim who had been beaten and robbed.
The victim told police he had been at another apartment on 11th Street earlier in the day when Casas approached him and knocked him to the ground. The victim said Casas kicked him repeatedly with his steel toed work boots. According to the victim, Casas assaulted him over money he owed to Casas. He said that during the assault he was knocked unconscious and when he awoke, he found that Casas had stolen his wallet and cell phone.
Following the assault, the victim went to Medical Center Hospital for treatment and the officer stated the man had visible injuries that included a black eye, swollen and bruised ear, scrapes and cuts on his head and face, and several “golf ball” sized knots on his forehead.
A warrant was issued for Casas’ arrest, and he was taken into custody on May 11. He remained in jail as of Friday afternoon on a $35,000 bond. According to jail records, Casas has been arrested multiple times since 1999 on charges such as indecency with a child, drug possession, burglary, drunk driving, assault, theft, and parole violation. | 2022-05-13T18:27:08Z | www.yourbasin.com | Man assaulted, robbed over money owed, police say | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/man-assaulted-robbed-over-money-owed-police-say/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/man-assaulted-robbed-over-money-owed-police-say/ |
Sgt. Jose Renteria Diaz
BARSTOW, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Jose Renteria Diaz was a resident of Barstow, Texas when he was enlisted in the Army in 1968.
Sgt. Diaz was trained as a Light Weapons Infantryman and was sent to Vietnam. There he was attached to attached to 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, B Company. On April 12, 1969, at the age of 20, it was reported that Sgt. Diaz was killed in “hostile action by an explosive device” in South Vietnam, Quang Tri Province.
Jose is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 27w, Line 62. For his service and sacrifice he received the following accomodations:
★ Purple Heart
★ Combat Infantryman Badge
★ Marksmanship Badge
This Memorial Day, please remember Sgt. Jose Renteria Diaz who gave the ultimate sacrifice. | 2022-05-13T20:33:18Z | www.yourbasin.com | Honoring the fallen | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/community/honoring-the-fallen-2/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/community/honoring-the-fallen-2/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Today is Friday the 13th and that’s usually a day seen by most as unlucky, but for tattoo shops, they’re seeing the opposite.
The line outside Evil Ink Tattoo Shop in Odessa, went out of the shop and around the building and people began lining up for tattoos and piercings, since 11 in the morning.
Some of the customers from spoke about Friday the 13th, and why they said standing in line, in the sun, all day to get a tattoo or piercing, is totally worth it.
“I love tattoos, I want to get a lot of tattoos, I feel like it’s art, art on your body,” said Evil Ink customer Melissa Santoyo as she exited the shop.
Her friend, Adriana Lopez, also left with a new tattoo and said why not fully experience Friday the 13th by getting a tattoo, “I feel like pain is temporary, and swag is forever.”
Friday the 13th is notoriously known for being a day of bad luck, but for tattoo shops, it’s a day to celebrate.
Shops like Evil Ink in Odessa, get excited for every Friday the 13th as they provide major discounts to the community, which Evil Ink owner, Henry Carrasco said makes for a busy day.
“Come on bring it on, Friday the 13th, we’ll be out here all day,” said Carrasco.
People from all over Odessa made their way to the shop not only for the discounts but because they said Friday the 13th has now provided them with a great tradition.
“We came out today because Friday the 13th is awesome and in the tattoo industry it’s what you do, so we came out to, yeah it’s cheaper, it’s just fun, celebratory and us girls are all friends and we came to celebrate,” said Evil Ink customer, Bianca Burdette.
Some customers said getting a tattoo on any other day just isn’t as fun as a Friday the 13th.
Santoyo said, “I mean I can get tattoos any day, but it just makes it funner, like having a day, and like why not?”
Tattoo and piercing lovers said this day is and always will be a popular day for them.
Santoyo and Lopez screamed, “Happy Friday the 13th!!!!” | 2022-05-14T00:28:43Z | www.yourbasin.com | Tattoo shops extremely busy on Friday the 13th | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/tattoo-shops-extremely-busy-on-friday-the-13th/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/tattoo-shops-extremely-busy-on-friday-the-13th/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The City of Midland Parks and Recreation Division has announced the first date of the 2022 Movies in the Parks Series.
The first showing will be Jungle Cruise at Centennial Park on May 20th. The movie will start at dusk (around 8:30pm). Don’t forget your lawn chairs!
For a complete list of movies in the park for the summer of 2022 please visit www.midlandtexas.gov/movies. | 2022-05-16T19:12:54Z | www.yourbasin.com | Movies in the park: Opening May 20th | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/movies-in-the-park-opening-may-20th/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/movies-in-the-park-opening-may-20th/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Ector County Library will be kicking off their annual Summer Reading Program on May 26th in the Noel Heritage Plaza located next to the library.
The kickoff will start at 4:00 PM and will last until 6:00 PM. As part of the kickoff, the library will feature bouncy houses, face painting, snow cones, and much more.
Kids and young adults, through age 18, will be able to register for the Summer Reading Program at that time and start checking out books from the library right away. They are also offering post kickoff sign ups for those who are unable to attend this event. Local sponsors have provided coupons for every 15 books that are read. | 2022-05-16T21:27:51Z | www.yourbasin.com | Ector County Library to kick off Summer Reading Program | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/ector-county-library-to-kick-off-summer-reading-program/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/ector-county-library-to-kick-off-summer-reading-program/ |
Breaking Bread opens ‘cooling station’ amid heat wave
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Breaking Bread Ministries is doing its part to help people in the community escape the heat. The ministry announced on Facebook Monday that, in addition to its regular hours, it will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the 100 plus degree heat wave expected through Friday.
Additionally, the group said it will be delivering popsicles, water, and heat gear to its unsheltered neighbors to help keep them cool. The ministry said it has about a week’s worth of supplies left and is asking for help from the community to help keep the warm weather essentials in stock through the summer.
If you would like to donate, you may do so online here. Or swing by their location at 410 E Florida. | 2022-05-16T23:29:57Z | www.yourbasin.com | Breaking Bread opens ‘cooling station’ amid heat wave | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/breaking-bread-opens-cooling-station-amid-heat-wave/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/breaking-bread-opens-cooling-station-amid-heat-wave/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The West Texas Food Bank will receive two hand built playhouses from Pioneer Natural Resources.
The playhouses were built locally by members of the Pioneer team, and will be delivered to multiple community organizations, including the West Texas Food Bank.
“We are so excited to be the recipient of not one, but two of these special playhouses from Pioneer,” said Libby Campbell, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank. “So much of our programming revolves around children and their care. Any additions to our children’s play areas will make the kiddos feel special and will help them know that our community will always rally to provide for the children. We are so grateful to our friends at Pioneer for their continued support of our children’s programming through their sponsorship of our school pantry program and beyond!”
The community is invited to join them as the new play houses are delivered and installed at the West Texas Food Bank XTO Energy Innovative Gardens at the Midland Facility at 1:30 p.m. on May 17th. | 2022-05-16T23:30:03Z | www.yourbasin.com | Pioneer Natural Resources donates playhouses to West Texas Foodbank | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/pioneer-natural-resources-donates-playhouses-to-west-texas-foodbank/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/pioneer-natural-resources-donates-playhouses-to-west-texas-foodbank/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – It’s almost that time of year again! The summer is soon approaching and the Ector County Library is kicking it off with its Summer Reading Program. Children will be able to take part in a months-long educational program to enhance their reading skills.
The annual Summer Reading Program officially starts on May 26th and will take place from 4 pm – 6 pm at the Noel Heritage Plaza located next to the library. Organizers say that kids can expect to see bouncy houses, face painting, snow cones, and much more at the kickoff event.
School-age children or young adults, through the age of 18, will be able to register for the Summer Reading Program at the kick-off event and start checking out books from the library. If you’re unable to register at the event, you can contact the Ector County Library during its business hours for registration information. Local sponsors like Chick-Fil-A and Taco Villa and many more, have provided coupons for every 15 books that are read. | 2022-05-17T13:34:12Z | www.yourbasin.com | Ector County Library prepare for Summer Reading Program | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ector-county-library-prepare-for-summer-reading-program/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ector-county-library-prepare-for-summer-reading-program/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Law enforcement officers in West Texas have joined forces to put a stop to illegal racing and spread awareness of the danger it causes on our roadways. On Monday, May 16th the Odessa Police Department and Texas Highway Patrol worked together in an effort to put an end to illegal racing inside the city limits of Odessa.
The operation resulted in several traffic stops and citations. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a total of 38 traffic stops were made, along with 49 citations and 33 warnings issued for other traffic offenses. Officers that participated in the operation made a total of three arrests, 2 racing arrests, and 1 narcotics arrest.
Texas DPS said in a post on Facebook that this joint operation between OPD and THP will happen each month to try and stop illegal street racing and deadly conduct in Odessa. | 2022-05-17T13:34:18Z | www.yourbasin.com | Law enforcement officers team up to put an end to illegal racing | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/law-enforcement-officers-team-up-to-put-an-end-to-illegal-racing/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/law-enforcement-officers-team-up-to-put-an-end-to-illegal-racing/ |
PERMIAN BASIN, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The time is finally here! More than a hundred local non-profits are asking you to support the community, one donation at a time. You can choose between several types of organizations, each one provides services and resources to people living in West Texas.
The 117 participating non-profits can be found listed here. Donations are accepted now until midnight May 17th. Permian Basin Gives aims to encourage area residents to create meaningful impact through the nonprofits that serve our communities.
This year the goal is to raise $1,459,804 in 24 hours. You can donate to the non-profit of your choice online or over the phone.
We spoke with several participating non-profits like Gifts of Hope and Be The Change Permian Basin about how they plan on rallying the community together for this 24-hour day of giving back.
“It’s important that they know that there is something out there that can support them and that they can give back,” said Nadine Reyes, a recipient of services at Gifts of Hope.
To find out more information about how you can get involved and donate to local non-profits today, click here. | 2022-05-17T17:00:24Z | www.yourbasin.com | Permian Basin Gives Telethon kicks-off today | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/permian-basin-gives-telethon-kicks-off-today/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/permian-basin-gives-telethon-kicks-off-today/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Three men were arrested earlier this month after police received a tip saying they were stealing and selling cars as well as dealing drugs. Tony Gamble, 33, has been charged with three counts of theft, as well drug manufacturing and dealing. Travis Brown, 42, and Tony Davis, 35, have also been charged for their roles in the reported crime spree.
According to an arrest affidavit, in February, officers with the Odessa Police Department received a tip that the trio, living together in a home on N Ogilvy Avenue, were involved in several crimes. On May 9, officers executed a search warrant on the home.
Gamble was found with large amounts of methamphetamines along with a stolen trailer, a stolen Ford Mustang, and a stolen pickup truck. Gamble reportedly said he had helped another person, who is now in federal custody, steal at least one of the vehicles.
Davis was also found with a large amount of amphetamines in his room; he has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Another roommate, identified as Brown, was found with a set of blank and model keys along with lock picking and key measuring equipment. When asked about the equipment, Brown reportedly said he was a locksmith and that he didn’t need a license for the equipment because he had “been doing it for so long”. Brown admitted to police he was using the equipment to make keys for the stolen vehicles. Brown has been charged with Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument and Operating as a Locksmith Without a License.
All three were taken to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center. As of Tuesday afternoon, Gamble remained behind bars; his bond has been set at $87,500. Davis also remained behind bars on an $8,000 bond. Brown has been released on a $5,000 bond. Jail records indicated all three have a long history of arrests for crimes such a burglary, possession, assault, theft, and evading arrest.
Mug shots for Brown and Davis were not immediately available. | 2022-05-17T19:08:31Z | www.yourbasin.com | 3 arrested in car theft scheme | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/3-arrested-in-car-theft-scheme/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/3-arrested-in-car-theft-scheme/ |
Affidavit reveals more details about suspect’s arrest
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- 46-year-old Jose Antonio Sarinana is behind bars after being charged with Murder in the stabbing death of a 46-year-old mother from Lamesa. Cynthia Mendoza was found Monday afternoon dead inside a motel room at Parkway Inn just off E Highway 80.
According to an affidavit, earlier on Monday, officers with the Odessa Police Department responded to a home on Garden Lane after homeowners found a black backpack near their backyard containing a bloody knife and bloody clothes. A short time later, officers were called to Parkway Inn after a motel employee found Mendoza dead inside her room; she had been stabbed “repeatedly”, according to court documents.
Investigators said Mendoza and an unidentified suspect were caught on camera entering the motel room and that the couple could be heard arguing in the video. A short while later, the suspect was seen leaving the room and police said no one else entered or exited the room until maid service entered Monday afternoon. While processing the scene at Parkway Inn, officers lifted fingerprints off the victim’s vehicle; those prints led police straight to Sarinana, who was a match for the person caught on security video.
Sarinana was later found and taken to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center where he remained as of Tuesday afternoon on a $500,000 bond.
Now, family and friends of the victim are speaking out about their loved one, saying this never should have happened. They told us Mendoza and her killer were in a romantic relationship, and she was trying to “get away” from Sarinana in the days before her death.
Cynthia Mendoza
“I just wish that this didn’t happen to her, she didn’t deserve none of this…I pray for all her family and her friends,” said friend Sandra Iglesias.
“I would like to take this chance to say thank you to Cynthia, just for brightening our days with your shy smile; you were beautiful inside and out. I want to thank you for the wonderful love you gave so freely. We feel cheated that you were taken so violently from us,” said Mendoza’s cousin Lawrence Cazares.
Mendoza leaves behind three children, and her family said it will be hard because she loved her children so selflessly.
“She was a beautiful woman, inside and out…a lot of people are missing her because she was such a good person. She was a single mom…she loved her kids, and she always worked hard to support for her kids,” said her friend Rachael Baltazar.
“She was trying to change her ways…like anybody else, you know. She found her way back to God all the time, trying to get things together with her babies,” said her cousin Isabel Cazares. “I just can’t believe she’s gone.” | 2022-05-17T22:42:58Z | www.yourbasin.com | Family, friends remember victim stabbed to death by boyfriend | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/family-friends-remember-victim-stabbed-to-death-by-boyfriend/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/family-friends-remember-victim-stabbed-to-death-by-boyfriend/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) -The United States Postal Service in the Midland-Odessa area and several locations in the Permian Basin are looking to hire new employees for delivery positions this week. In a recent news release, the USPS states that the company is named one of the most trusted mailing companies in America.
For more than 245 years, USPS has delivered information, brought families together, and powered the engines of commerce and industry. According to the news release, future employees are eligible for competitive wages, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.
The USPS serving the Permian Basin is hosting the 2022 Odessa Job Fair to fill immediate openings for the positions of Rural Carrier Associate, Assistant Rural Carrier, and City Carrier Assistant.
A brief description of the roles that have immediate openings can be found here.
The job fair will be held Thursday, May 19th at the Ector County Coliseum in building A. USPS personnel will be on-site to provide detailed information about the positions and answer questions. Starting hourly rate is RCA/ARC – $19.06 and CCA – $18.92, paid bi-weekly.
Employees must be 18 years old at the time of appointment or 16 years old with a high school diploma, United States citizen or permanent resident, ability to pass a criminal background check and drug screening, and for driving positions, applicants must have a valid state driver’s license and safe driving record. | 2022-05-18T15:41:54Z | www.yourbasin.com | USPS to host job fair in Odessa | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/usps-to-host-job-fair-in-odessa/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/usps-to-host-job-fair-in-odessa/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The West Texas Food Bank is receiving a special delivery today and it’s all thanks to a one-of-a-kind meat company. Kiolbassa Smoked Meats Company is donating 5,000 pounds of Links of the Love special sausage to ensure that The West Texas Food Bank has enough meat to give to those in need.
Kiolbassa founder, Rufus Kiolbassa was a meat salesman during World War II, and having to make tough decisions about who in his family would receive meat rations, provoked him to open his own meat company in 1949 to enrich lives and from his compassion for fellow man, he’s kept a tradition of taking care of others that he’s continued for more than 70 years.
In a recent news release from The West Texas Food Bank CEO Libby Campbell, expressed how grateful the non-profit is to receive a generous donation from Kiolbassa Smoked Meats.
“Without partnerships like this one through Kiolbassa’s Links of Love, many of our neighbors would be going without these high-quality high protein meats. We cannot thank them enough for this donation.” said Campbell “We are so excited to receive this donation of protein at a time when the cost of pork products has skyrocketed due to inflation,”.
The Kiolbassa Smoked Meat packages are expected to arrive this morning and will soon be distributed to those in need. | 2022-05-18T15:42:00Z | www.yourbasin.com | West Texas Food Bank to receive 5,000-pound meat donation | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/west-texas-food-bank-to-receive-5000-pound-meat-donation/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/west-texas-food-bank-to-receive-5000-pound-meat-donation/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Several state senators (including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz R-Texas) sent a letter to President Biden’s Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo calling for the National Marine Fisheries Service to quickly issue permits required to bring additional production online from existing offshore federal oil and gas leases. These permits are currently delayed.
In the letter, the senators wrote the following:
While the Biden Administration and Members of Congress fault the domestic oil and gas industry for sitting idle on over 9,000 drilling permits and millions of acres in “inactive leases”, NMFS’s permitting delays represent one example of the Administration’s de facto ban on new drilling – impeding domestic oil and gas investment, exploration, and production.
The letter highlights that the delays are principally due to “three administration-made and admitted mistakes” caused by mathematic errors in calculating the number of endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico in a 2021 Final Rule governing offshore oil and gas exploration based on those faulty calculations.
The senators added:
It is unacceptable that agency miscalculations have restricted access to safe, secure, and reliable domestic oil and gas production through substantial, unnecessary, and arbitrary permitting delays.
Senator Cruz recently fought for increased oil and gas production and exports by blocking President Biden’s nominee to serve as assistant secretary at the Department of Energy, ultimately resulting in an agreement between the Biden administration and Senator Cruz to approve permits for two liquefied natural gas export terminals in Texas and Louisiana in exchange for the nominee’s confirmation.
The entirety of the letter can be found here.
FILE – This undated file photo provided by the California State Lands Commission shows Platform Holly, an oil drilling rig in the Santa Barbara Channel…
FILE – This undated file photo provided by the California State Lands Commission shows Platform Holly, an oil drilling rig in the Santa Barbara Channel offshore of the city of Goleta, Calif. (State Lands Commission via AP, File) | 2022-05-18T17:56:10Z | www.yourbasin.com | Cruz, Senators demand action to stop delays on existing oil and gas leases | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/cruz-senators-demand-action-to-stop-delays-on-existing-oil-and-gas-leases/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/cruz-senators-demand-action-to-stop-delays-on-existing-oil-and-gas-leases/ |
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Ector County ISD trustees unanimously approved pay raises, including an increase in starting pay for first year teachers, during Tuesday night’s meeting. ECISD said compensation is a key piece for recruiting and retaining employees and the district has focused on raising pay and improving benefits for all employees to remain competitive with other school districts.
The board has approved the following for the 2022-2023 school year:
3% (of midpoint) pay increase for all professional employees (campus-based and central office).
Starting teacher pay increase to $58,750 (from $57,000); all teachers will receive a $1,820 increase.
4% (of midpoint) pay increase for all hourly employees (school-based or central office).
Raise minimum wage to $15/hour (this is up from $10/hour two years ago).
If you would like to view the full 2022-23 Salary Schedule, you may do so here. | 2022-05-18T17:56:16Z | www.yourbasin.com | ECISD board approves pay raises | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ecisd-board-approves-pay-raises-2/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ecisd-board-approves-pay-raises-2/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A man is behind bars after police said he threatened a woman with a knife earlier this week. William Arnett, 57, has been charged with Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon and Public Intoxication.
According to court records, on May 16, officers with the Odessa Police Department responded to the intersection of 7th Street and Lettie Lee after a woman called 911 to report she’d been threatened by an unknown man wielding a knife. The victim said the suspect, later identified as Arnett, approached her while she was pulling weeds and began cussing at her and threatening her.
Officers stated they later found Arnett walking towards 8th Street. When police approached, Arnett reportedly placed his knife on the ground but remained “belligerent” when dealing with the police. According to an affidavit, Arnett smelled strongly of alcohol and had slurred speech at the time of his arrest.
Arnett was taken to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center where he remained behind bars as of Wednesday on a combined $25,312 bond. | 2022-05-18T17:56:28Z | www.yourbasin.com | Homeless man accused of threatening woman with knife | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/homeless-man-accused-of-threatening-woman-with-knife/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/homeless-man-accused-of-threatening-woman-with-knife/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland man was arrested earlier this week after police said he broke into a car and stole debit and credit cards. Julian Giles, 32, has been charged with auto burglary.
According to an affidavit, on May 16, officers with the Midland Police Department responded to Fairmont Condos in the 4700 block of Boulder Avenue to investigate after a woman called 911 to report the incident. At the scene, the woman met with officers and said she and a neighbor had seen the suspect break into her vehicle.
The victim said she came downstairs and saw a man near her vehicle, with her belongings scattered on the ground near him. She said she approached the suspect, later identified as Giles, and asked him if he’d committed the crime, but Giles reportedly said no and walked away.
Police later found Giles walking in an alley near the scene of the crime and detained him. Giles reportedly denied he’d committed a crime, but officers found the victim’s bank cards in Giles’ backpack.
Giles was taken to the Midland County Detention Center where he was later released on a $500 bond. | 2022-05-18T17:57:07Z | www.yourbasin.com | Suspected car burglar arrested | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/suspected-car-burglar-arrested/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/suspected-car-burglar-arrested/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland man was arrested late last week after police pulled him over for speeding and then discovered he was drunk behind the wheel. Jourvoyce Ingram, 25, has been charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Theft of a Firearm.
According to court documents, on May 13, a deputy with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office pulled Ingram over in the 7100 block of W Highway 80 after he was caught speeding. When the deputy approached Ingram, he discovered Ingram had been drinking. Several open containers of alcohol were seen in the suspect’s vehicle. After Ingram was placed in custody, deputies searched his vehicle and found a stolen firearm, $900 in cash, as well as packages of crack cocaine ready for distribution.
Ingram was taken to the Midland County Detention Center where he was later released on an unknown bond. Court records indicated Ingram has previously been convicted of multiple felony crimes, including Burglary, Aggravated Assault, and Abandoning/Endangering a Child.
Ingram’s passenger, who was not named in the affidavit, was also arrested for drug possession with the intent to sell, and possession of a stolen gun. | 2022-05-18T17:57:13Z | www.yourbasin.com | Traffic stop leads to arrest of suspected drug dealer | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/traffic-stop-leads-to-arrest-of-suspected-drug-dealer/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/traffic-stop-leads-to-arrest-of-suspected-drug-dealer/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Odessa man is behind bars after police said he got into an argument with his fiancé and later crawled through her car window to steal a cell phone. Joseph Galindo, 33, has been charged with Assault, Interfering with a 911 Call, Failure to ID/False Information, and Parole Violation.
According to an arrest affidavit, on May 16, officers with the Odessa Police Department responded to the 300 block of E Ann to investigate a disturbance. 911 operators told police someone called 911 and was overheard yelling “get off of me”.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man who said his name was “Louis”. He said he and his fiancé had been arguing when things escalated. “Louis” told police he had taken the woman’s cell phone during an argument and then walked away from their home. However, he denied that the argument ever got “physical”. “Louis” was found in possession of two cell phones when he was stopped by police.
Officers then spoke with a woman who said the suspect had taken her phone and that she had grabbed her daughter’s phone and gone after the suspect. The woman said the suspect later approached her vehicle, climbed through her window, punched her in the face, and grabbed her daughter’s phone from her hands while she was in the middle of calling 911.
“Louis” was taken to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center where jail staff fingerprinted him; that is when police discovered he had given them a fake name. Fingerprints identified the suspect as Joseph Galindo. During an interview, Galindo admitted he had given officers a fake name because he knew he had an outstanding warrant for a parole violation after he failed a drug test.
Galindo remained behind bars as of Wednesday afternoon, his bond has been set at a combined $6,500. Bond for the parole violation has not yet been set. Jail records indicated Galindo has been arrested multiple times since 2008 on charges such as burglary, violation of a protective order, drunk driving, drug possession, evading arrest, and various parole violations. | 2022-05-18T20:03:07Z | www.yourbasin.com | Wanted fugitive crawls through car window, steals cell phone, police say | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/wanted-fugitive-crawls-through-car-window-steals-cell-phone-police-say/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/wanted-fugitive-crawls-through-car-window-steals-cell-phone-police-say/ |
PECOS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A press release sent by the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD announced that the district has officially broke ground on its new 2nd-5th grade campus with funds from the May 2021 Bond.
The design of the campus started in June 2021 and included a collaborative process of
community members, administration, teachers, coaches, paraprofessionals, and students
working with VLK Architects. The campus will include a 1,000-foot drop-off lane to ease traffic in the area, a STREAM, music, and art rooms, focused learning nooks, and collaborative learning steps. Additionally, the
library/media center will be the core of the campus, so it is accessible to all students throughout
the school day.
“In designing the building, something the cohort really wanted to emphasize was the library
being the center of everything,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Karen Matt. “It will encourage
literacy to all students and give them the courage to explore the world through reading.”
The campus will also be two stories with large learning steps and a slide connecting the first and
second floor. Additionally, the campus will host a large play area and track and field.
“We are very excited to get construction for both new elementary schools moving,” said
Superintendent Brent Jaco. “It has been almost a year in the making and we can’t wait to get our
students and teachers into a new state-of-the-art learning center. These schools will be beautiful
learning spaces for our students.”
The campus is expected to open for the first day of school in August 2023. You can view the
animation video of the new campus at here. | 2022-05-18T22:04:23Z | www.yourbasin.com | P-B-T ISD breaks ground on second new school | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/p-b-t-isd-breaks-ground-on-second-new-school/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/p-b-t-isd-breaks-ground-on-second-new-school/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Families in Midland now have a 24-hour daycare facility available to them and we’re told it’s the only one in town.
It’s a big help to families who need an extra hand outside the typical work hours. Tender Steps Daycare and Preschool has been open for several months, but still new to our area.
It has been a long time coming.
“I’ve never heard of a daycare that stays open 24 hours [and] this day and age like with all the jobs you know ..it’s just really … it takes a weight off of parents’ shoulders,” said Taylor McKoy.
Working mothers’ like McKoy said it was extremely challenging to find daycare when she moved to the area.
“It’s either the price or it’s either they didn’t have room for the baby because I have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old,” said McKoy.
As a single mom and with unreliable daycare, she said she had no choice, but to many times miss work.
“It took me about two to three weeks to find daycare that fit in my budget,” she said.
After finally finding Tender Steps Daycare and Preschool, McKoy said her money is now getting put to good use.
“I’m a mother of five … way back in Nigeria when I got married … my husband and I decided one person works while one person watches the kids,” said Tender Steps Daycare and Preschool owner Flourish Oduibiyi.
Originally from Nigeria, Oduibiyi said she wanted to work, but it didn’t last long after experiencing her own difficulties finding adequate daycare for her children. She then decided to be at home with her kids.
“I started telling my friends okay I am a stay at home mom now,” said Oduibiyi.
After watching several kids at a time for free … she opened up her own daycare in Nigeria. The family eventually made the decision to move to the U.S.
Oduibiyi said the moment she came to the U.S. she inquired about starting a school. She said starting up a daycare has become more of a personal mission.
“Our kids should not be challenges … they are blessing, but you know in most cases it’s because of the children we are unable to get a job,” she said. “It’s because of them we are stuck in the house and I wanted to help because I went through that and it took me 11 years until I am able to open my daycare.”
With bumps in the road and taking about 11 years to complete the necessary requirements to own her daycare in U.S. Oduibiyi said she’s now the only 24-hour facility in Midland.
“In response to the 24 hours … people are still trying to settle with that, but we have had a bunch of inquiries,” she said.
So, does that mean the daycare can watch your child at any time? The answer is no.
“The shift does not overlap [and] I’ve had people call me [asking] oh, I work from 10 to 10, can I bring my child?” explained Oduibiyi. “I try to explain to them it’s two separate shifts”
The two shifts are required by Texas licensing standards to meet student ratio.
Oduibiyi said regardless of the time it has taken her to open up the daycare, the community has welcome her with open arms.
“The daycare is awesome and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said McKoy.
The daycare is still accepting applications. Please call the daycare for more questions about current services it offers.
The number is (432) 400-7973 and it’s located at 2215 Midland Dr. suite 4A, Midland, TX 79707. | 2022-05-19T03:30:00Z | www.yourbasin.com | 24-hour daycare opens in Midland | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/24-hour-daycare-opens-in-midland/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/24-hour-daycare-opens-in-midland/ |
A funeral mass will be held for Elijah this Friday, May 20th, at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Odessa at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. If you would like to pay your respects to the family by sending them flowers or plant a tree in memory of Elijah, follow this link: Elijah Madrid Barrera Obituary. | 2022-05-19T05:14:06Z | www.yourbasin.com | Family of motorcycle crash victim remembering lost loved one | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/family-of-motorcycle-crash-victim-remembering-lost-loved-one/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/family-of-motorcycle-crash-victim-remembering-lost-loved-one/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – One nurse from Odessa Regional Medical Center, is 1 of 3 nurses from the state of Texas this year to be awarded the “Circle of Excellence” award by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
In a recent news release, the criteria used to determine the candidates eligible for the award includes strong communication skills, effective decision making, the ability to address challenges and remove barriers to excellent patient care and achieve visible results through leadership, and the ability to transform thinking, structures and processes.
Denae Sims, Director of Critical Care Services at Odessa Regional Medical Center checked off each box to be considered for the “Circle of Excellence” award.
According to the news release, only 16 nurses, including Denae, received the 2022 Circle of Excellence award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Each nurse was recognized for their solution-oriented approaches to challenges, including reducing healthcare-associated infection rates, improving the work environment, and helping their organizations and communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carol Cates, Chief Nursing Officer at ORMC shared why she believes Sims is deserving of the award.
“Sims is a brand-new Director, but you would not know it. She is a natural leader. Staff satisfaction is high, turnover is low, and despite the pandemic, she has kept the quality metrics in her department exceeding the national average. She mentors her staff in the art of nursing: being a patient advocate and a lifelong learner. Sims’s colleagues respect her for her compassion, leadership, and skill.”
Cates went on to say that during the second wave of the pandemic, Denae worked countless hours to provide care to patients in the COVID unit at ORMC.
“Denae was first promoted to Interim Director of Critical Care at ORMC as the second wave of the pandemic was starting. She tirelessly worked to open an additional 16-bed COVID critical care unit, then another 10-bed COVID step-down unit, as well as manage the existing 10-bed critical care unit,” said Carol Cates, Chief Nursing Officer at ORMC
Denae along with the other recipients of the Circle of Excellence Award will be recognized during AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) in Houston, May 16-18. | 2022-05-19T16:20:54Z | www.yourbasin.com | ORMC nurse receives major achievement award | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ormc-nurse-receives-major-achievement-award/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ormc-nurse-receives-major-achievement-award/ |
ALPINE, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – In a recent news release from Sul Ross State University, longtime Sul Ross supporter and coach Dan Dunagan passed away earlier this week.
Athletic Director at SRSU, Amanda Workman expressed how saddened she is by the passing of Hall of Honor inductee, Dan Dunagan.
“We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Brother Dan,” said Workman.
Workman goes on to say how much of an important role Dan Dunagan played in SRSU Athletics.
“He has been an integral part of the Sul Ross Athletic Department and has had a tremendous impact on our student-athletes and coaches for years. He has spent countless hours mentoring, counseling, encouraging, and providing spiritual guidance. He will be greatly missed.”
The news release states that Dunugan passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 17th, and says that many people around Alpine and on-campus knew him as Brother Dan, “a staple of Sul Ross and Alpine for more than 30 years.”
Interim Head Coach at SRSU, Barry Derickson says that he was more than just a member of the football team, he was a trusted friend to many people in the community.
“He was a respected member of our football team, community, and our team chaplain,” said Derickson. “He was a former Lobo player, former Lobo football coach, Hall of Honor inductee at Sul Ross, and friend.”
According to the news release from SRSU, Dunagan received his Bachelor of Arts in Business from Sul Ross in 1974 and went on to manage Big Bend Coca-Cola Bottling Company for the next several years.
Dunagan became director of the Sul Ross Baptist Student Ministry in 1993 and held the position up until 2007.
During his time working at SRSU, he served as a huddle leader for the Sul Ross chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for the past five years, leading several groups on mission trips to Alaska where student-athletes participated in coaching youth basketball camps.
Former Head Football Coach, John Pearce, shared his experience of working alongside Dunagan for several years.
“I think he needed Sul Ross more than Sul Ross needed him,” said Pearce, “He was a proud Lobo that loved our school and all of our student-athletes.”
SRSU states that Dunagan also served as an offensive line coach in 2012, ultimately helping guide the Lobos to the number one offense in the nation in all three NCAA divisions.
President Pete P. Gallego said in the news release that Dunagan had a huge impact on students and athletes at SRSU.
“Brother Dan epitomized Christian principles of caring for and doing for others,” said President Pete P. Gallego. “A former SRSU college athlete, he was a tremendous source of help and inspiration to all SRSU student-athletes who followed him. His passing leaves a giant hole on our campus. He will be sorely missed, and his presence here will never be forgotten.”
The news release from Sul Ross State University goes on to say that ” To the student-athletes, Brother Dan was a tireless supporter of all athletic programs. He covered countless miles driving buses for teams and was a frequent attendee at all 12 of Sul Ross’ athletic programs, often leading prayer before games.”
Phot Credit: Sul Ross State University | 2022-05-19T19:14:22Z | www.yourbasin.com | Sul Ross Hall of Honor inductee passes away | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/sul-ross-hall-of-honor-inductee-passes-away/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/sul-ross-hall-of-honor-inductee-passes-away/ |
MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Midland County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help from the community to locate a wanted fugitive.
According to a Crime Stoppers post, 32-year-old Jose Villegas is wanted by MCSO on a charge of Indecency With a Child. If you know where Villegas can be found, please call Crime Stoppers at 432-694-TIPS. If your tip leads to an arrest, it could be worth a $500 reward. | 2022-05-19T21:50:07Z | www.yourbasin.com | MCSO searching for wanted fugitive | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/mcso-searching-for-wanted-fugitive/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/mcso-searching-for-wanted-fugitive/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Midland Police Department is asking for help from the community to identify a burglary suspect.
According to a Facebook post, on May 11, the man pictured below committed multiple burglaries in the 1400 block of S Colorado. If you can identify this man, please call Crime Stoppers at 432-694-TIPS. If your tip leads to an arrest, it could be worth a cash reward. | 2022-05-19T21:50:19Z | www.yourbasin.com | MPD searching for burglary suspect | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/mpd-searching-for-burglary-suspect-2/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/mpd-searching-for-burglary-suspect-2/ |
PECOS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Ahead of Memorial Day, we at ABC Big 2 News spoke with families of fallen soldiers from across the Basin about the importance of the holiday. One woman from Pecos said her brother, CWII Johnny V. Mata gave his life for his country nearly two decades ago.
Mata joined the United States Army in 1986 hoping to provide a better life for his family.
“He was a great brother,” Mata’s sister, Rosa Salinas said. “Strong. Always trying to make his siblings stronger in body and mind. He was very athletic and intelligent. He was needing to provide for his growing family and, coming from a small rural town, the military was his best option. He knew he could provide a good life for himself and his family.”
Mata served until 2003 when he was killed in the ambush of Nasariyah, Iraq.
Salinas said Mata “fought till the end and saved several lives from his maintenance company”. She called Mata an expert in his field and said his fellow soldiers considered him a leader and a friend. She also said it’s important to her that people remember her brother’s name.
“I would like to add that although Johnny was my brother, (all) military personnel should be thanked for their sacrifice to our country. Whether it be time spent away from their family and friends or by giving the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I could go on forever speaking about Johnny because he taught me so much in the short time we had, but most of all I want for people to never forget his name… CWII Johnny V. Mata.” | 2022-05-20T17:41:30Z | www.yourbasin.com | Honoring the fallen | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/community/honoring-the-fallen-3/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/community/honoring-the-fallen-3/ |
W.O. Rocky D. Armstead
MONAHANS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Every day is Memorial Day. This week we honor Warrant Officer Rocky D. Armstead who was born in Waco, McLennan County, Texas on March 30, 1946 and lived there until his early teens, when his family moved to Monahans, Texas. He was a 1964 graduate of Monahans High School.
In 1968 (during the conflict in Vietnam), Rocky joined the Army. Entered the service via Reserve Military. He began his tour on July 3, 1969. At this time, Armstead had earned the rank of Warrant Officer and his military occupation or specialty was Helicopter Pilot. W.O. Armstead was attached to 101st Airborne Division, 326th Medical Detachment.
On October 5, 1969 he was on the crew as the pilot of the medevac helicopter that was sent to pick up two injured American soldiers. Poor weather hampered their flight and they tried three times to make the trip.
On the final attempt they elected to fly at very low altitude in an effort to operate below the clouds. Their aircraft apparently rolled inverted and crashed, possibly as a result of weather-induced vertigo. All four men on the crew died in the crash. They included: Steven E Arnold (Combat Medic),Orval A Baldwin (Helicopter Pilot), Hubert D Sutton (Helicopter Repairman).
Rocky D Armstead is buried or memorialized at Monahans Memorial Cemetery, Monahans, Ward County, Texas as well as on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 17w, Line 39.
His Commendations include:
★ Bronze Star
★ Air Medal
★ Parachutist Badge
★ United States Aviator Badge | 2022-05-20T17:41:36Z | www.yourbasin.com | Honoring the fallen | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/community/honoring-the-fallen-4/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/community/honoring-the-fallen-4/ |
KERMIT, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – One woman is behind bars after police say she shot a man in the neck. According to Kermit Police Department, the shooting took place on May 15th, 2022.
Officers were sent to the 500 Block of South Polar where they discovered a man with a gunshot wound to the neck. The victim was medically treated and released from the hospital the same day the incident took place.
Kermit PD has identified the suspect involved as 20-year-old, Rebecca Sanchez. Sanchez was found on May 17th and taken into custody without incident, she’s being held in the Winkler County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond. | 2022-05-20T17:41:48Z | www.yourbasin.com | Kermit Police Department respond to a shooting | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/kermit-police-department-respond-to-a-shooting/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/kermit-police-department-respond-to-a-shooting/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)-Odessa College officially opened the OC Promise scholarship program this week for the class of 2024 high school graduates. The new program will ensure that students going to Odessa College can afford a college education without money standing in the way of their degree.
In a recent news release, Odessa College refers to the OC Promise program as a last-dollar-in scholarship opportunity that covers the cost of tuition and fees for the eligible class of 2024 high school graduates.
Odessa College considers eligible students, high school seniors who live in the Odessa College Service area, who will graduate in the high school class of 2024, and enrolled full-time in an associate degree or workforce certificate pathway. GED and home school students are also eligible for the OC Promise scholarship program if they are between the ages of 17-19 years of age after the year 2024. | 2022-05-20T17:43:15Z | www.yourbasin.com | Odessa College introduces new scholarship program | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/odessa-college-introduces-new-scholarship-program/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/odessa-college-introduces-new-scholarship-program/ |
35 years ago, the deadliest tornado in West Texas history damaged more than 80% of Saragosa, a town of less than 400 people at the time. May 22, 1987 changed countless lives, including two men whose paths crossed.
Jimmy Gallego, a Saragosa man who had his home rebuilt after the tornado, was home with his father that Friday evening near sunset. As they stepped outside to greet their family who returned from grocery shopping, the clouds darkened, and the winds picked up.
“And then all of a sudden, everything came to a still.”
The winds died down around 8:16 pm, and then…
“My dad said, ‘oh man, the tornado just formed. It’s already coming down.’”
Kent Porter, a Midland Reporter-Telegram photojournalist at the time, was only moments away from covering what would arguably be the most important event of his long career.
Kent then received a radio call that evening from a person who said…
“‘Oh…it hit Saragosa. We have, we have major damage. Send everybody.’”
After Jimmy and his father spotted the tornado nearby, the family ran for cover underneath The Toyah Creek Bridge just under a half a mile away. Soon after, the tornado grew to a half a mile wide and closed in on them towards the muddy creek.
“Ahh, it was just like two freight trains grinding up metal, metal, just bad.”
As the tornado strengthened to an F4 on The Original Fujita Scale with winds up to 207-260 miles per hour, the family was battered by flying debris.
Jimmy’s father struggled to hold on to one of the beams underneath the bridge.
“That wind would just whipping him like a, just like a rag. It had him up, taking him up and down up and down but, my dad was just…he was a big man, strong. He was holding on to that beam and…he survived it.”
As the tornado dissipated, Kent arrived in Saragosa. Despite the darkness, spotlights made things clear enough for him to realize that buildings were destroyed and people were dead.
“It’s been so long. But, but my first reaction was shock, shock and sorrow.”
Because a tornado siren was not in place, there was little warning when the tornado touched down during a pre-k graduation ceremony at Head Start Community Center, tragically accounting for 22 of the 30 deaths.
The Center has since been rebuilt, but those lives have not been forgotten.
Amidst the destruction that night, Kent met with Jimmy.
“We had that connection at what we saw. I think there were some unwritten words there about, an unwritten voice about, you know, ‘I know what you witnessed and I’m not going to ask you about it because I know it’s a painful memory.’”
After Jimmy and his family and hundreds of people were treated in hospital care, recovery efforts were already well underway.
Kent captured the devastation for a two-week span to make sure that the footage he took would inspire more people to help.
“Saragosa, ummmm…deserved that type of coverage. It just got to be, it just got to be almost overwhelming because you’ve seen, you saw so much grief that you just kind of have to take a step back, you know.”
We’ll always remember the 30 lives lost in Saragosa on this tragic day and all of those impacted by the devastating tornado.
Tornado Memorial Mass – Saragosa: (These 30 names below indicate the people who died from the F4 tornado that hit Saragosa on Friday, May 22, 1987. You can commemorate these victims by attending a 35th anniversary memorial mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church this Saturday at 4 pm). | 2022-05-20T17:43:27Z | www.yourbasin.com | Remembering Deadly Tornado – Saragosa 5-20-2022 | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/remembering-deadly-tornado-saragosa-5-20-2022/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/remembering-deadly-tornado-saragosa-5-20-2022/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Odessa man is behind bars after police said he was drunk behind the wheel and led officers on a brief high-speed chase. Rudy Moreno, 34, has been charged with drunk driving, evading arrest, resisting arrest, and driving without a valid license.
According to an affidavit, around 1:30 a.m. on May 19, an officer with the Odessa Police Department was heading east on 2nd Street when he saw the driver of a Chevrolet Impala, heading west on 2nd Street run a red light at the intersection of 2nd and Dixie Boulevard. The officer stated the driver, later identified as Moreno, was driving at a high rate of speed while also jerking his steering wheel back and forth, causing him to drift in oncoming lanes of traffic.
The officer stated he tried to pull Moreno over, but Moreno refused and continued driving westbound on 2nd Street to the 5800 block of W Interstate 20. While trying to evade the officer, Moreno reportedly ran multiple red lights and failed to maintain a single lane. According to court documents, Moreno continually veered into oncoming traffic before eventually driving off the roadway and into a guardrail.
The officer stated he followed Moreno with lights and sirens activated to try and warn approaching drivers of “impending danger”. Eventually, Moreno drove off the roadway again as he entered Interstate 20. Moreno then reportedly stopped his vehicle, exited, and began walking toward the Interstate.
At that point, several officers tried to take Moreno into custody, but he was combative; he reportedly pushed multiple officers away before he was taken down to the ground and eventually placed in custody. Once secured, the initial responding officer stated Moreno smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, enlarged pupils, as well as rapid and slurred speech. Additionally, Moreno was found to be “sweating profusely, paranoid, and hallucinating”.
When questioned, Moreno reportedly admitted he smoked two rocks of crack cocaine and consumed four beers before getting behind the wheel. The officer also discovered Moreno, a registered sex offender, has been convicted at least three other times for drunk driving; once in 2014, again in 2018, and then again in 2020.
Moreno was taken to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center where he remained as of Friday afternoon. His bond has been set at a combined $33,000. | 2022-05-20T21:00:42Z | www.yourbasin.com | Convicted drunk driver arrested after high-speed chase | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/convicted-drunk-driver-arrested-after-high-speed-chase/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/convicted-drunk-driver-arrested-after-high-speed-chase/ |
A memorial mass was held this weekend to honor the 30 people who died in the deadliest West Texas Tornado in history.
During the mass, tornado survivors and members of the community lit candles for each of their loved ones who lost their life.
Norma Rodriguez was a teacher at Head Start Community Center in Saragosa who lost six of her relatives.
Norma mentions how important it is that survivors should always remember their loved ones who died that tragic day.
“Well, they’re still remembering, every year and lighting a candle means lighting to their souls.”
Sam Brijalba, a man who was born and raised in Saragosa, lost two of his family members.
“It affected, uhh a lot of people’s lives. Uhh, and the survivors were also affected. Uhhh, many of them uhh were injured and they’re still dealing with those injuries. Uhh, it just, it just changed so many lives forever.”
One of the only two things that remained from the original church is a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The other, which isn’t shown here…a statue of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, which had the hands broken off.
It’s a faithful reminder to survivors that miracles can happen in times of tragedy.
For more on this mass and survivor stories from the tornado on May 22, 1987, visit https://www.yourbasin.com/news/remembering-deadly-tornado-saragosa-5-20-2022/.
Tornado Memorial Mass – Saragosa: (These 30 names below indicate the people who died from the F4 tornado that hit Saragosa on Friday, May 22, 1987. More than 40 people commemorated these victims by attending a 35th anniversary memorial mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 4 pm). | 2022-05-22T04:54:44Z | www.yourbasin.com | Tornado Memorial Mass – Saragosa 5-21-2022 | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/tornado-memorial-mass-saragosa-5-21-2022/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/tornado-memorial-mass-saragosa-5-21-2022/ |
The racecar goes by several names, including the Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield Legacy car, and “The Guardian.” It is sponsored by a myriad of businesses and organizations, including the American Valor Foundation. The Kyle family is part of that foundation, which helps first responders, military veterans, and their families.
For those interested in mental health services for veterans and suicide prevention efforts, you can find more information at 1tribefoundation.org. 1 Tribe Foundation is a nonprofit that lists its mission as creating “a community that raises awareness and combats suicide by empowering veterans, first responders, medical frontline workers and their families through traditional and non-traditional therapies.”
SHOW & TELL: Race car crew makes pit stop at Pecos High School for a lesson on auto technology | 2022-05-23T05:46:57Z | www.yourbasin.com | WATCH: Local veterans greeted by Chris Kyle Legacy Car at Odessa memorial | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/watch-local-veterans-greeted-by-chris-kyle-legacy-car-at-odessa-memorial/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/watch-local-veterans-greeted-by-chris-kyle-legacy-car-at-odessa-memorial/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – One person is dead after Odessa Police Department reported a rollover crash that took place early Saturday morning. Police say that the single-vehicle crash happened around 2:26 am, May 21st, 2022.
Odessa Fire Rescue and Odessa Police Department were sent to the 4600 block of Golder avenue. when they discovered a 2018 White Ram 1500 driven had gone off of the road. Officers say that the driver, Micah Womack was headed South on Golder when he failed to stay in a single lane and left the road, hitting a guardrail and causing the vehicle to roll.
Womack was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. | 2022-05-23T16:25:24Z | www.yourbasin.com | OPD investigate deadly rollover crash | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/opd-investigate-deadly-rollover-crash/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/opd-investigate-deadly-rollover-crash/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- In this week’s Powering the Permian, after six power generators that supply power to around 580,000 Texans went offline recently… Don Whaley of OhmConnect Energy explains the role record breaking heat plays in pushing the power grid to it’s brink.
Triple digits in May has resulted in a bit of a problem for ERCOT… and the maintaining of the state’s power grid but it’s not necessarily an increase in temperature that’s the problem, it’s when it’s happening.
“This time of year you normally have generational units that are down for maintenance. We’re just short of 20,000 megawatts of generation that’s offline that would normally come back on when we hit the summer heat and that’s part of the problem we’re experiencing.”
This increase in earlier onset heat has created a higher demand for power that companies wouldn’t typically see until mid-summer. The grid saw a forecast of 69,800 megawatts a couple of weeks ago in May which blew away the prior record of 67,000 megawatts. The all time high demand for the ERCOT grid was 74,000 megawatts.
However, a promising sign for the ERCOT grid and it’s future with being able to keep up with the increase in demand of energy supply far earlier on…
“right now the ERCOT grid is undergoing pretty substantial reformation in the wake of Uri from 2021… the likelihood of us having another Uri is fairly remote but were overhauling the system in anticipation for that.”
The general consensus of the energy industry is that energy generation will be able to meet increased demand as we continue to see these record heat temperatures so early on in what’s likely to be an even hotter summer ahead. | 2022-05-23T16:25:30Z | www.yourbasin.com | Heat and the Power Grid | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/powering-the-permian/heat-and-the-power-grid/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/powering-the-permian/heat-and-the-power-grid/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – This Friday, May 27th, the Odessa Police Department along with transportation workers, and local safety advocates are joining together for a press conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of TxDOT’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign, urging Texans to buckle up before hitting the road. Since its first launch in 2000, the campaign has saved nearly 6,972 lives and prevented about 120,000 serious injuries.
Drivers making long-distance trips or just headed a few miles down the road to a local store, as someone behind the wheel or even a passenger in the car, TxDOT says that wearing a seatbelt is the single most effective way to protect yourself from getting seriously hurt or killed in a crash. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign, officially kicks off today May 23rd and goes through June 5th, according to TxDOT it’s saved more than $26.3 billion in economic costs along with the lives of Texans.
Law enforcement officers are ramping up the campaign by enforcing the use of seatbelts for both drivers and passengers by ticketing those who are in the car unbelted. | 2022-05-23T19:10:10Z | www.yourbasin.com | Local law enforcement to host 20th anniversary ‘Click it or Ticket’ event | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-law-enforcement-to-host-20th-anniversary-click-it-or-ticket-event/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-law-enforcement-to-host-20th-anniversary-click-it-or-ticket-event/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Harmony Public Schools will offer a full virtual learning option to students in kindergarten through Grade 12 this fall.
Harmony will still offer in-person learning on campus. The virtual school, however – known as Harmony Virtual Academy – is intended for those families who either still need or prefer to learn online. Harmony educators intends to connect with scholars from across Texas in both real-time synchronous learning and student-led asynchronous lessons. Students also will have access to Harmony’s full range of support services, as well as an array of extracurricular activities.
Harmony Public Schools is a system of 58 Texas public charter schools (including Odessa) that provides rigorous, high-quality education focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The school aims to provide students from traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to excel through project-based learning. | 2022-05-23T19:10:11Z | www.yourbasin.com | Harmony Public Schools to offer virtual options for 2022-23 year | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/harmony-public-schools-to-offer-virtual-options-for-2022-23-year/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/harmony-public-schools-to-offer-virtual-options-for-2022-23-year/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- UT Permian Basin has announced it will be hosting several summer camp options.
The campus will have a variety of options for parents to choose from including several different sports, music, theatre, engineering, cyber security, biomedical research, and more.
You can find a full list of camps and registration links at utpb.edu/summercamps. | 2022-05-23T19:10:29Z | www.yourbasin.com | UTPB to offer summer camps | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/utpb-to-offer-summer-camps-2/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/utpb-to-offer-summer-camps-2/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The City of Odessa has announced that they will temporarily change the method used to disinfect the water supply. This change begins on June 2nd and is expected to run through July 1, 2022.
Residents may notice a bleach or chlorine like smell in the water, however, this is nothing to be alarmed about. During this interim period of approximately 30 days, the City will use only chlorine to disinfect the water supply instead of the usual combination of chlorine and ammonia to form Chloramines.
According to the city, this change is implemented as proactive maintenance in their distribution system to assist in maintaining adequate chlorine residuals. The City has performed this same proactive maintenance in past years with minimal impact to its customers.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has been notified of the change in the treatment of the water and concurs that it is the best method for ensuring that adequate chlorine residuals are maintained throughout the distribution system.
For more information please call Thomas Kerr, Director of Utilities, at 432.335.4634. | 2022-05-23T19:11:08Z | www.yourbasin.com | Odessa announces change in water disinfection | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/odessa-announces-change-in-water-disinfection/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/odessa-announces-change-in-water-disinfection/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A woman was arrested over the weekend after police said she kidnapped her girlfriend and assaulted her multiple times. Zion Niblett, 23, has been charged with Aggravated Kidnapping.
According to an arrest affidavit, around 1:00 a.m. on May 21, officers with the Midland Police Department responded to Renew North Park Apartments at 3600 W Loop 250 after a woman called 911 to report her friend had been assaulted by Niblett. At the scene, officers met with the woman who reported the disturbance and she told them that her friend and Niblett were locked inside a bathroom in her apartment.
When officers opened the bathroom door, they found the victim sitting on the toilet covered in blood with injuries to her face. They also found Niblett crouched in front of the victim with her arms wrapped around her. Officers then separated the victim from Niblett to interview each woman at the scene.
First, officers tried to speak with the victim, but she was crying and was too “distraught” to speak. Instead, officers spoke with the friend who called 911. The friend said the victim had come to her apartment earlier in the evening after having an argument with her girlfriend, identified as Niblett. She said shortly after her friend arrived at the apartment, Niblett knocked on the door. After opening the door, Niblett reportedly grabbed her victim by the throat and dragged her out of the apartment.
When the friend tried to stop Niblett, she reportedly told the woman to “stay out of it”. Niblett then pulled the victim over to her car and drove away. The pair returned a while later and when the friend saw the victim covered in blood, she called 911.
After the victim was tended to by paramedics, officers took her statement. She said Niblett made her get in the car and she did, but only because she was “too scared” to say no. The victim said Niblett drove around for a bit but eventually stopped her car and began punching her in the face. According to the victim, she begged Niblett to stop and asked her to take her back to her friend’s apartment. On the way back to the apartment, Niblett reportedly stopped the car again, and began assaulting the victim a second time before eventually returning her to the apartment. Officers at the scene stated the victim’s face was swollen and bleeding from the attack.
Niblett was taken to the Midland County Detention Center where she was later released on a $25,000 bond. | 2022-05-23T21:42:47Z | www.yourbasin.com | Midlander accused of kidnapping, assaulting girlfriend | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/midlander-accused-of-kidnapping-assaulting-girlfriend/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/midlander-accused-of-kidnapping-assaulting-girlfriend/ |
Only 3.5% of Midland voters headed to the polls during early voting
MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Election Day is Tuesday, and several key primary races are on the ballot, including the Republican runoff races for Attorney General and Railroad Commissioner, as well as the Democratic races for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. The winner of these races will then be up for election, or re-election, in November.
Early voting wrapped up last week, and of the 95,258 registered voters in Midland County, only 3.5% have already voted this round. But you still have a chance to cast your vote. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on May 24. Here are the voting locations around Midland: | 2022-05-23T23:58:03Z | www.yourbasin.com | Election Day is Tuesday | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/election-day-is-tuesday/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/election-day-is-tuesday/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – An entire community is mourning the loss of a local father, after a deadly crash over the weekend. The victim’s friends are devastated by this sudden loss.
Early Saturday morning, Odessa Police and Odessa Fire Rescue responded to a single car roll over crash in the 4600 block of Golder Avenue.
When officers arrived they found Micah Wommack had been ejected from his car and died at the scene after his vehicle had veered off the road and into a guardrail.
The family of Wommack is trying desperately to cling to each other as they process this difficult time.
Womack’s close friend Kenneth Rogers said his presence will be missed throughout the entire community, and Rogers himself just wishes he had the chance to say goodbye.
“I love you man, I really do. Didn’t get to say goodbye to you which hurt pretty bad but, it sucks that you’re not here no more and I love you man,” said an emotional Rogers.
Rogers also said that the family and friends of Wommack will have them in their hearts and minds forever and will carry his memory with them always.
OPD said Wommack was the only person in the vehicle and the crash is still under investigation. | 2022-05-23T23:58:09Z | www.yourbasin.com | Friends mourn sudden loss of Odessa man killed in deadly crash | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/friends-mourn-sudden-loss-of-odessa-man-killed-in-deadly-crash/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/friends-mourn-sudden-loss-of-odessa-man-killed-in-deadly-crash/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Odessa woman was arrested late last week after police said she left her young children home alone for at least 45 minutes. 38-year-old Juliet Uhegbu is facing two counts of Child Abandonment/Endangerment.
According to an affidavit, on May 19, officers with the Odessa Police Department responded to a “glass break” alarm at a home on E 50th Street. At the scene, officers found no signs of forced entry, but tried to speak with homeowners just to make sure everything was ok inside the home.
An officer stated he could hear a television and children inside the home, but that no one answered the door when he knocked. After about 15 minutes, the officer called the number provided by the alarm company, but no one answered the phone. Eventually, Uhegbu’s husband returned the call and said his wife should be home with their twin boys. A short time later, the dad called the officer back and said his wife was on her way home.
When Uhegbu arrived home, she told officers she left her kids at home so she could go buy some medicine. She said she had only been gone for 15 to 20 minutes, but officers stated they had been at the scene for 45 minutes. Uhegbu reportedly said she left her kids home alone because she wasn’t going far away and wouldn’t be gone for too long.
Uhegbu was taken to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center where she was later released on a combined $6,000 bond. | 2022-05-23T23:58:15Z | www.yourbasin.com | Mom charged after leaving kids home alone | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/mom-charged-after-leaving-kids-home-alone/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/mom-charged-after-leaving-kids-home-alone/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Odessa man has been arrested following a February crash that left his wife dead. Alan Valenzuela, 24, has been charged with one count of Intoxication Manslaughter and one count of Intoxication Assault.
Around 2:21 a.m. on February 6, troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the crash on FM 2020 at N Skylark Avenue and found four vehicles involved. Investigators said the vehicle Valenzuela was driving, a GMC Acadia, was traveling eastbound on FM 2020 behind a Honda CR-V. Valenzuela reportedly failed to slow down and hit the CR-V from behind. He then traveled across the center median and into the westbound lanes where he struck another vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, head-on. Another GMC Acadia then hit the Tahoe from behind.
Valenzuela’s passenger, his wife, Amairany Flores, 23, died in the crash. The driver of the Tahoe, as well as Valenzuela, were taken to Medical Center Hospital with serious injuries. At the hospital, Valenzuela supplied a blood sample and test results showed he had a blood alcohol content level of 0.214, according to an arrest warrant. The legal limit in Texas is .08.
Following the crash, Flores’ cousin, Leslie Ibarra, said the family was mourning the mother of four, but wanted the community to remember her cousin as a vibrant and joyful person.
“She was funny, outgoing, cheerful…her smile, she was always the life of the party,” Ibarra said.
In March, a warrant was issued for Valenzuela’s arrest and he was taken into custody early Tuesday morning. According to jail records, Valenzuela has been released on a combined bond of $75,000. A mugshot for Valenzuela was not immediately available. | 2022-05-24T19:52:14Z | www.yourbasin.com | Odessa man arrested following deadly February crash | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/odessa-man-arrested-following-deadly-february-crash/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/odessa-man-arrested-following-deadly-february-crash/ |
Police eventually found the mom, identified as Benitez, who said she had been in the parking lot arguing with her ex-boyfriend. Benitez had reportedly been drinking prior to the incident; according to the officer, she smelled of alcohol and had glassy eyes. Additionally, open containers of alcohol were found inside her car and officers later found Benitez had been driving with a suspended license. | 2022-05-24T19:52:20Z | www.yourbasin.com | Snyder mom arrested in Odessa for leaving kids in hot car | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/snyder-mom-arrested-in-odessa-for-leaving-kids-in-hot-car/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/snyder-mom-arrested-in-odessa-for-leaving-kids-in-hot-car/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Odessa College is inviting the community to an evening of music with the Little River Band. It’s all a part of the school’s 75th anniversary celebration.
The Music Masters Series event will start at 7:00 p.m. on June 1 at the historic and newly renovated Ector Theatre. The event is free, but you will need a ticket to attend. You can reserve your tickets here.
You can learn more about the band here. | 2022-05-24T21:40:43Z | www.yourbasin.com | Little River Band coming to Ector Theatre | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/little-river-band-coming-to-ector-theatre/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/little-river-band-coming-to-ector-theatre/ |
Severe Thunderstorm Warning (near Lovington) – 5-24-22
A severe thunderstorm has been located near Lovington and as of 1:59 pm MDT (2:59 pm CDT), the storm has been tracking to the east at 30 mph. This storm, according to Doppler Radar, has been producing damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph and ping pong-sized hail. Hail damage to vehicles and roofing is expected with this storm, so please remain indoors and avoid being near windows until at least 2:30 pm MDT (3:30 pm CDT) while this storm passes. | 2022-05-24T21:41:08Z | www.yourbasin.com | Severe Thunderstorm near Lovington- 5-24-22 | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/severe-thunderstorm-near-lovington-5-24-22/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/severe-thunderstorm-near-lovington-5-24-22/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Students inside the UTPB STEM Academy told ABC Big 2 the school is on “hold” and students are not being allowed to leave campus.
The school said in an email to parents:
“As a safety precaution the STEM campus went into a HOLD at 12:25 p.m. from the advice of the UTPB police Department in regards to a situation in a nearby neighborhood. This was only for the students on the STEM Academy Campus and not those participating in Boat Races on the main UTPB campus.”
The school went on to explain that a “hold” means students and staff remain in classrooms while they continue their lessons.
Meanwhile, employees at other businesses in the area said they have been evacuated from their buildings.
Witnesses reported a heavy police presence near Pizza Hut on E University across from the University of Texas Permian Basin. A police spokesperson has confirmed the Odessa Police Department is responding to a bomb threat made to a business in the area.
This is a developing story; we will update as more information becomes available. | 2022-05-25T18:19:06Z | www.yourbasin.com | UTPB STEM on “hold” as OPD responds to bomb threat | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/utpb-stem-on-hold-as-opd-responds-to-bomb-threat/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/utpb-stem-on-hold-as-opd-responds-to-bomb-threat/ |
H-E-B has announced it will commit $500,000 to aid Texans affected by this event. Also, starting today, H-E-B, Central Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop, and Mi Tienda customers can contribute by making monetary donations in store at the register for $1, $3, $5, $50, or $100 or at checkout in Curbside and Home Delivery orders.
Monetary gifts will go into the Spirit of Giving Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit H-E-B created in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and the Sutherland Springs tragedy. Additional donations to support the fund can be made at heb.com/donate. All funds collected from the donation campaign and gifted to the Spirit of Giving Fund will benefit the victims and families of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. | 2022-05-25T21:51:17Z | www.yourbasin.com | H‑E‑B to provide community support in response to tragedy in Uvalde | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/h%E2%80%91e%E2%80%91b-to-provide-community-support-in-response-to-tragedy-in-uvalde/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/h%E2%80%91e%E2%80%91b-to-provide-community-support-in-response-to-tragedy-in-uvalde/ |
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Ector County ISD has announced it has increased security on all campuses and will also increase security for Permian High and Odessa High graduations this week. This comes in response to a school shooting in Uvalde, where an armed 18-year-old shot and killed 19 elementary students, two teachers, and injured many others at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday.
“We are being extra vigilant,” Superintendent Dr. Scott Muri said during a media call.
He said that vigilance will remain through the last few days of school and includes extra officers from the ECISD Police Department as well as deputies from Ector County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Odessa Police Department.
“We are adding an extra layer of visibility…(officers) driving around campus and inside the halls as well,” Muri said.
In addition to the added security, Muri said all ECISD campuses already have “secure access procedures” in place. This means that visitors from outside each school are required to check in with an ID before being issued a pass that allows them to access the rest of the school. Historically, this has also included locked doors with only one entrance available to outside guests, especially on elementary campuses.
In addition to the extra police presence on campus, Muri said there will be a heightened police presence at Ratliff Stadium during graduation.
Aside from the extra security, Muri said the district has also stressed the importance of mental health services across all campuses throughout the remainder of the year to help students and staff process their emotions in the aftermath of such a horrific event.
“There are no appropriate words, or thoughts, or feelings,” Muri said. “As educators, we are horrified. When we heard…we activated our counselors…they are the experts, they know how to talk to children about traumatic events.”
Muri said the district learned a lot in the aftermath of a shooting nearly three years ago in Midland and Odessa that claimed the lives of seven people, including a student from Odessa High School, and injured 25 more. He said that is why the district understands the need for mental health services when things like Tuesday’s shooting happen.
“We learned from our own experiences…trauma doesn’t just go away in a couple of days, it takes time,” Muri said.
Even though the district has counselors available on campus, Muri said he also understands that parents need resources too, so that they can also have these hard conversations with their kids.
“Your child may not be ready to talk today or tomorrow or next week, but they will want to talk eventually. Our parents need to be equipped for the conversation,” he said.
As such, ECISD has information on its website for parents needing guidance. He called the information a “conversation starter” and said parents will find age-appropriate advice for young children as well as teens. You can find that information here on the righthand side of the website under the words “Talking with Children” . | 2022-05-25T23:31:23Z | www.yourbasin.com | ECISD talks campus security, mental health amid Uvalde shooting | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ecisd-talks-campus-security-mental-health-amid-uvalde-shooting/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ecisd-talks-campus-security-mental-health-amid-uvalde-shooting/ |
COAHOMA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The Coahoma Bulldogettes are preparing for their best-of-three regional finals series against the Holliday Eagles.
Game one will be on Thursday at 6:00 P.M. with game two on Saturday at 2:00 P.M. and if necessary game three will start 30 minutes after game two.
All games will be played at Abilene Christian Universtiy.
Watch the video above to hear from the team head of the regional finals. | 2022-05-26T04:25:25Z | www.yourbasin.com | Coahoma prepped for regional finals | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/local-sports/coahoma-prepped-for-regional-finals/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/local-sports/coahoma-prepped-for-regional-finals/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – In the wake of another deadly mass shooting, grief is widespread.
It’s expressed on social media, broadcasted on television, discussed in schools, workplaces, and homes.
The impact of Tuesday’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Ulvade is far-reaching. The murders of 19 children and 2 teachers have left countless others in mourning.
The shooting also renews the importance of how parents discuss grief and tragedy with their children. That conversation can help youths cope after traumatic events.
“Trauma affects youth by affecting their ability to function in their typical capacity,” said Chandra Coleman, program coordinator at the Family Resiliency Center of the Permian Basin (FRCPB). “It may be difficult for them to return to school, to interact with other people. Just to be in public places, sometimes, it can just feel, overwhelming to them, because they live in fear that something like that will happen again.”
The FRCPB was created after the mass shooting in Odessa on August 31, 2019. The center offers resources for families in times of crisis to help them cope with grief amid tragedy.
For those who experienced Odessa’s mass shooting, the shooting in Ulvade can create “re-traumatization.”
“They can actually relive the experience they had back in 2019 because of the similarities, which in this case, was simply, that it was a mass shooting,” Coleman said.
Coleman said it is important to recognize that adults must process grief, too. It can be an important first-step before helping children address grief.
“Before we tell them it’s okay not to be okay, that it’s okay to feel feelings of sadness, confusion, fear, anxiety, that we as adults take a moment and recognize we have these feelings and that we may need help to process,” Coleman said.
Coleman shared the following for parents to consider when speaking with their children:
Have honest and open conversations
Review safety emergency plans
Encourage kids to talk about feelings
Consider talking to a licensed professional about emotions
Recognize changes in adolescent behavior
Limit exposure to media during traumatic events
“They know the shooting happened. We don’t want to lie to them or pretend that it didn’t. We’re not distracting them from reality,” Coleman said. “We’re just giving them a place to allow their emotions to settle down a bit.”
Coleman also said it is important for families to find positive distractions for parents and children alike, whether it is music, journaling, sports, board games, or creative art. | 2022-05-26T05:59:56Z | www.yourbasin.com | Helping children cope with grief after tragedy | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/helping-children-cope-with-grief-after-tragedy/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/helping-children-cope-with-grief-after-tragedy/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Do you recognize the people in this photo? Odessa Police Department says that four suspects were caught on camera stealing several items early in the morning last week.
Officers say that the four suspects in this photo were caught on video stealing from the area of the 1200 block of E. 55th St. on May 20th, 2022.
If you recognize anyone in these photos or know anything about this incident, you’re asked to call the police. You can also make an anonymous tip to Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-8477 and reference case number #22-0008720. | 2022-05-26T13:44:45Z | www.yourbasin.com | OPD investigating multiperson theft | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/opd-investigating-multiperson-theft/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/opd-investigating-multiperson-theft/ |
For more Permian Basin weather…check here on https://www.yourbasin.com/weather/forecast/. It’s a seasonably cool morning with temperatures ranging from the upper 40’s, 50’s, to the 60’s across The Basin, but Meteorologist Ryan DePhillips predicts many areas to reach the upper 80’s and 90’s today with ample sunshine. Despite the rain-free conditions across the region, conditions will not be dry and breezy enough to promote high danger, so all in all, it will be a pleasant day. However, warmer, gustier, and even drier conditions will eventually elevate the fire danger risk in the coming days. | 2022-05-26T13:44:57Z | www.yourbasin.com | Heat is on its Way 5-26-2022 | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/weather/forecast/heat-is-on-its-way-5-26-2022/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/weather/forecast/heat-is-on-its-way-5-26-2022/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – To best support the growing size of its current program, Midland College is building a new facility to expand its pre-k academy and house its education program. The college will officially break ground for the new 60,000-square-foot, two-story structure on May 31st at 10 am.
In a recent news release, Midland College is increasing its main campus footprint with the new facility, a 12-month process that will increase the current pre-k academy partnership between MC and MISD. The existing education program includes a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood 3rd-grade teacher preparation.
The new building will increase the number of seats in the program through the partnership with MC and MISD from 68 seats to 288 seats. According to the news release, the new building will also provide a home for Midland College’s new Early Childhood Education bachelor’s degree program.
Completion of the building is set for the fall of 2023. Midland College President, Dr. Steve Thomas expressed his thoughts on the new facility being built.
“The Midland College Pre-K Academy and Center for Teaching Excellence address two major challenges facing our community—a shortage of quality early childhood opportunities and a shortage of teachers,” Dr. Thomas goes on to say “This project is evidence of Midland College’s commitment to providing education and training that help our community grow and prosper.”
In a recent news release, fundraising for the building is 90 percent complete with lead gifts of $10 million each from Permian Strategic Partnership and Scharbauer Foundation, Inc. Major donors include Abell-Hanger Foundation, The Beal Foundation, and Henry Foundation. The MC news release states that individuals, families, and businesses are providing additional financial support. | 2022-05-26T15:15:36Z | www.yourbasin.com | Midland College to break ground on new pre-k academy and teaching center | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/midland-college-to-break-ground-on-new-pre-k-academy-and-teaching-center/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/midland-college-to-break-ground-on-new-pre-k-academy-and-teaching-center/ |
GARDENDALE, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – There’s a lot of speculation that surrounds this home, but what’s the real story behind the mystery mansion? Well, it all starts with a man named Red Pruett.
Built more than 5 decades ago, family friends, and people who lived in the area say that the home was meant to be lived in by the Pruett family. Red Pruett, a well-known jeweler, started building a home for his entire family to live in someday. Bobby Scott, a longtime friend of Pruett’s says that the home is unique in the sense that Red Pruett hand-built the home brick by brick with the help of his family and friends.
“He was building a house at first just for him a house and a jewelry store and then he kept making it bigger thinking he would have his whole family live there if we had another great depression or something like that”, said Scott.
Goldie Beedy who grew up in Gardendale says that she can remember as a young girl, finding the house and being fascinated with the custom-made fixtures. Beedy stated that many people nowadays believe that the unfinished home holds some mystery as to why it was never completed, she says the answer to that is simple.
“He just kept adding on, he was never finished with it and he would’ve never been finished with it. His plans he was just gonna add on and add on until he just couldn’t work anymore” said Beedy.
According to an obituary from the Sunset Memorial Home, Red Pruett passed away before he could ever finish the home. Legal records from the Ector County Appraisal District show that the home has since been purchased by a new owner and it values at more than $50,000.
Bobby Scott tells us that the home used to be in better condition, but now people use it as an illegal dumping site and tourist-like attraction. Scott says that the home has little to no mystery behind it other than the one that many people have created, and he advises people to think twice before going inside due to the current condition of the home.
“There’s gonna be some mystery around the house and that’s awesome, it makes for a good story it makes for you know the good history around here and it’s all in good fun,” said Scott.
For on-lookers, this home will remain a spooky attraction but for the people of Gardendale, this is a piece of history with a story that will live on for years to come. | 2022-05-26T16:28:39Z | www.yourbasin.com | The Gardendale Mansion mystery revealed | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/the-gardendale-mansion-mystery-revealed/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/the-gardendale-mansion-mystery-revealed/ |
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- On Wednesday, an Ector County jury convicted 23-year-old Fabian Andres Ortega on one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, a first-degree felony. Today, that jury sentenced Ortega to 50 years behind bars for the crime.
In December of 2020, Ortega was indicted for the crime that took place in August of that same year. The investigation began when police were contacted that summer by a transgender woman from Del Rio who said she had met Ortega on a dating app.
The woman told police Ortega sent her sexually explicit photos on Snap Chat of a two-year-old relative. The woman stated that Ortega told her he spent time naked with the young child.
An affidavit stated Ortega admitted to a relative that he had assaulted his family member and the two-year-old was later examined. That examination reportedly showed evidence of the assault. | 2022-05-26T19:49:14Z | www.yourbasin.com | Convicted child sex offender sentenced to 50 years | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/convicted-child-sex-offender-sentenced-to-50-years/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/convicted-child-sex-offender-sentenced-to-50-years/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland man was arrested last weekend after police said he forced his way into a man’s home and started a fight. 36-year-old Daniel Delval has been charged with burglary with intent to commit assault.
According to an affidavit, on May 21, officers with the Midland Police Department were called to a home in the 1200 block of W New Jersey to investigate a disturbance. At the scene, officers met with several witnesses as well as the suspect, later identified as Delval.
The witnesses stated that they had been sitting in the back yard drinking beer when Delval walked through the through the gate and into the yard where he then entered a home on the back of the property. The witnesses said Delval was drunk and started trying to get them to fight him. He was reportedly asked to leave multiple times and eventually, Delval started fighting with the homeowner.
The homeowner said Delval punched him multiple times and described the fight as a “brawl”. He said he eventually was able to push Delval off the property, but Delval came back and started banging on the back fence and trying to get the men to fight him in the alley.
The officers stated the victim had visible injuries from the fight and that a room inside the home was littered with broken beer bottles and spilled liquid. Officers also found blood all over the floor and walls.
When officers spoke with Delval, they said his story changed multiple times. He initially told officers he had been invited into the house after he was found in the back yard. He then stated he was just there to get a cooler of beer. His story changed yet again when he said he had come to the home to collect money for an unpaid bar tab.
Delval was issued a criminal trespass warning and told he was not allowed to return to the home. He was then taken to the Midland County Detention Center where he remained as of Thursday afternoon; his bond has been set at $25,000. | 2022-05-26T22:50:15Z | www.yourbasin.com | Man arrested after starting drunken ‘brawl’ in victim’s home | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/man-arrested-after-starting-drunken-brawl-in-victims-home/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/man-arrested-after-starting-drunken-brawl-in-victims-home/ |
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland couple was arrested late last week after police said they left their two children home alone for several hours. Adrian Rodriguez Urquidi, 35, and his wife, Chasiti Marie Urquidi, 36, have both been charged with abandoning/endangering a child.
Around 9:54 p.m. on May 20, officers with the Midland Police Department were called to an apartment building in the 1400 block of N Fairgrounds Road to investigate a disturbance with weapons. At the scene, officers found the parents driving through the parking lot and detained them as a part of their investigation.
The couple was found to be intoxicated and were reportedly not cooperating with investigators but did admit they had been drinking. The pair said they’d been in an apartment when Adrian and another man began arguing. Adrian and Chasiti said the other man pointed a gun at them as they were exiting the apartment. However, witnesses around the complex said they saw Adrian pull out a gun and load his weapon before then pointing it at the man he had been arguing with inside the apartment.
Officers decided to charge the couple with public intoxication for their role in the disturbance. Once they were arrested, Adrian told police that his children, ages 12 and 6, were home alone.
Additional officers were dispatched to the Urquidi home and found the children alone. The children said they’d been dropped off after school, around 3:40 p.m., by a family friend and that they hadn’t seen their parents at all that evening. The kids said they’d had Cheerios for dinner. A family member was called to take custody of the children while their parents were in jail.
Adrian and Chasiti were taken to the Midland County Detention Center where they were each later released on a $7,500 bond. A mugshot for Chasiti was not immediately available. | 2022-05-26T22:50:21Z | www.yourbasin.com | Midland parents arrested after leaving kids home alone for hours | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/midland-parents-arrested-after-leaving-kids-home-alone-for-hours/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/midland-parents-arrested-after-leaving-kids-home-alone-for-hours/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Odessa Police Department has launched an investigation into the death of a man found earlier today. OPD said because of the state of the scene, officers are investigating the death as “suspicious”.
At 8:19 a.m. officers responded to a medical call at 822 N Adams. There, police found 55-year-old Jimmy Jimenez dead. Investigators found that just days before his death, the victim had been in a physical altercation with 48-year-old Anthony Jimenez.
OPD arrested Anthony on a warrant and charged him with Aggravated Assault involving serious injuries. Investigators said additional charges may follow depending on the investigation and information obtained during an autopsy. | 2022-05-26T22:50:34Z | www.yourbasin.com | OPD investigating suspicious death | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/opd-investigating-suspicious-death/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/opd-investigating-suspicious-death/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- High school students at the University of Texas Permian Basin STEM Academy set sail this morning during the school’s sixth annual boat races. While some boats fell apart in the water, the students said they had a great time, and learned a lot in the process.
Principal Cody Griffin said each year the 6th through 12th grade students are challenged to build a boat, made of cardboard and duct tape, that will ferry students across the UTPB pool. And it’s all part of the STEM model that focuses on project-based learning.
“We’re gonna give you cardboard and duct tape and we’re gonna ask you to build a boat that will get you from point A to point B,” Griffin said of the yearly challenge.
Senior Hagen Miller said the students work in teams and have two days to build their boats. Then, those boats are put to the test- will they support the weight of the students as they make their way across the pool? In some cases, the answer is no, but the students didn’t seem to mind.
Freshman Preston Miller said his group’s boat sank relatively quickly, but it wasn’t an unexpected outcome.
“This year we named our boat the Titanic because our boat sinks every year, but it’s ok, we have fun,” Preston said.
His brother Hagen’s team had a Penguins of Madagascar theme for their boat, it too sank, but the Miller brothers said the memories they’ve made during these yearly challenges are important, sink or swim.
The learning lessons are important too, the students said every year they walk away with a better understand of the engineering process. And for the educators, that means they’ve done their jobs well. | 2022-05-27T00:21:18Z | www.yourbasin.com | It’s sink or swim for STEM students as year comes to an end | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/its-sink-or-swim-for-stem-students-as-year-comes-to-an-end/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/its-sink-or-swim-for-stem-students-as-year-comes-to-an-end/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Locals are showing their solidarity with the community of Uvalde by offering words of support and their condolences.
“We offer our condolences and lift them up in prayer because this isn’t an easy time,” said Odessa resident Janae.
Janae and her son, Chase, are spending their afternoon together at Memorial Garden Park in Odessa. They know that hundreds of miles away, families in Uvalde are facing heartbreak, just days after a mass shooter claimed the lives of 21 innocent people.
“I think it’s important we come together as family, not even blood family, but family as a community and support each other,” Janae said. “During this time we support them. And we pray for them.”
Reporter Rob Tooke spoke with other locals at Memorial Garden Park who share a similar sentiment and have a message for Uvalde residents.
“We want you to know that you are in our hearts here in Odessa, Texas,” said Odessa resident Claudia.
Siblings, Bubba and Brianna, are thinking of those families and students who survived the horror and who lost loved ones.
“I’ll just say, stay strong and keep your head up,” Bubba said.
“Don’t give up and just know that they are looking down on you and they’ll forever be in your hearts,” Brianna said.
In Big Spring, Dylan Archer-Pauchet is planning a candlelight vigil for this upcoming weekend.
“When I first heard of the shooting, it literally broke my heart,” Dylan said.
Dylan is a substitute teacher in Big Spring ISD. Dylan said he has a daughter who will enter into the 6th grade the next school year.
“For this to happen to kids around her age, as a parent, that’s scary for me,” Dylan said.
As a devout Christian, Dylan said prayer is very strong. He wants to do something in his community of Big Spring to show support for Uvalde.
He’s organized and planned a candlelight vigil for 8:30 P.M. on Saturday. It’s set to happen at the Heart of the City Plaza in Big Spring, across from the Howard County courthouse. Dylan is inviting local musicians to play at the vigil. He asks that members of the public bring their friends and family to join them in prayer.
“I just want us to show our support for a fellow Texas town that has been rocked by this attack,” he said.
Because of potential fire danger, Dylan said he encourages anyone to bring a flameless candle to the vigil instead of traditional candles with wicks. | 2022-05-27T05:42:17Z | www.yourbasin.com | Locals express solidarity with Uvalde, weekend candlelight vigil planned | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/locals-express-solidarity-with-uvalde-weekend-candlelight-vigil-planned/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/local-news/locals-express-solidarity-with-uvalde-weekend-candlelight-vigil-planned/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The City of Odessa would like to remind residents of events taking place this weekend.
PARKS:
Movies in the Park starts today! Bring your family to a free movie screening of Sing 2. The movie will be playing at San Jacinto Park Tonight, May 27, 2022 at Dusk (when the sun goes down).
Free for the public to attend. Citizens are welcome to bring their snacks, chairs, and blankets. A concession stand will be available at the park.
The City of Odessa’s Parks and Recreation Department invites you and your family to the pool all summer long. Pools and Spraygrounds will open Saturday, May 28, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. General Admission to enter the aquatic centers is $4 per adult, $2.50 per child and Ages under 1 and over 65 are free. Floyd Gwin Pool is $1.50 per child and $3.00 per adult. The spraygrounds are open and FREE to the public and will operate daily. Each pool will close one day per week for maintenance and heavy-duty cleaning purposes.
City Offices: | 2022-05-27T23:07:44Z | www.yourbasin.com | City of Odessa: Weekend Rundown | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/city-of-odessa-weekend-rundown/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/city-of-odessa-weekend-rundown/ |
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – On Thursday, May 26, 2022, an Ector County jury found Joseph Richard Grondahl, Jr., 33, guilty of murder.
The jury sentenced him to life in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division.
Mr. Grondahl was arrested for the stabbing death of Austin Pasillas, 25, which occurred on December 13, 2020. He was formally indicted of first-degree Murder by an Ector County grand jury on April 19, 2021. | 2022-05-27T23:07:51Z | www.yourbasin.com | Joseph Richard Grondahl, Jr., found guilty of murder in Ector County | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/joseph-richard-grondahl-jr-found-guilty-of-murder-in-ector-county/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/joseph-richard-grondahl-jr-found-guilty-of-murder-in-ector-county/ |
West Texas Food Bank receives grant from Bank of America to support in a big way
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The West Texas Food Bank received a gift from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support food acquisition and distribution.
The West Texas Food Bank states that the $15,000 grant comes at a time when having cash on hand makes all the difference in being able to provide the services and sustenance the community needs. For every $5 donated, the food bank can provide 10 meals to West Texas residents.
“The continued support of Bank of America highlights the power of partnership at the local level,” said Libby Campbell, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank. “Although you might think of Bank of America as a large nationwide company, their boots on the groundwork in the Permian Basin really do help sustain the mission of the West Texas Food Bank.”
“The reality is that nearly 12 percent of the population in West Texas is food insecure, and pressures from Midland’s nation-leading inflation rates exacerbate the issue for many families in our area,” said Sean Low, senior vice president at Bank of America. “As food banks across the country grapple with this increased demand on top of higher food costs, the bank will continue to work with our nonprofit partners to address issues of food insecurity, nutrition and other associated health problems that ultimately impact success in our schools and workforce.”
The West Texas Food Bank serves 19 counties in the Permian Basin and Trans-Pecos areas. Their reach includes some of the largest and most rural counties in the state. They continue to be the main source of food distribution in those counties, and the Food Bank relies on donations like this to continue that mission.
For more information on the services the West Texas Food Bank provides, visit wtxfoodbank.org or call 432-580-6333. | 2022-05-27T23:08:41Z | www.yourbasin.com | West Texas Food Bank receives grant from Bank of America to support in a big way | Yourbasin | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/west-texas-food-bank-receives-grant-from-bank-of-america-to-support-in-a-big-way/ | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/west-texas-food-bank-receives-grant-from-bank-of-america-to-support-in-a-big-way/ |
Julia Poggensee and Nathan Rennolds,
Julia Poggensee.
Insider's Julia Poggensee gave up coffee for four weeks after developing hand tremors.
After two weeks, she said the tremors stopped and even her skin improved.
She added that the key to giving up was finding a good alternative drink.
Coffee is a big part of life for many people, especially during the working day. I love a cappuccino or a black coffee in the morning, and I have long drank one to two cups of coffee a day.
A coffee date with a friend in a café or on a walk is always a highlight of my week. It's the same for most of my friends. I think it's a big thing that connects almost all generations.
But lately I'd noticed my coffee consumption was increasing, and I had started to feel restless and agitated and my hands would shake.
Time to give up coffee
I ultimately decided to give up coffee for four weeks to see if it would help me feel more relaxed and stop the shakes.
Once I started, it wasn't long before I started to get big cravings for it in the afternoons. Enjoying a cappuccino or macchiato after lunch always felt like a little reward, and the caffeine boost had helped me to stay focused and concentrate.
After two days, I also started getting headaches, but they disappeared after a few more days went by.
Caffeine causes blood vessels in the brain to constrict, whereas withdrawal makes them dilate, which can lead to headaches as blood rushes to the brain.
Other symptoms of caffeine withdrawal can include nausea, fatigue, irritability, and depression.
But the biggest thing I missed was the social aspect that comes with coffee, as it's a huge part of the culture in Europe, bringing people together and building a sense of community.
I found alternatives to cope
I'd gotten into the habit of waking up early in the morning to prepare a French press. After giving up coffee, I missed this routine and the alluring aroma in the morning.
But since I also like to drink tea, I quickly found an alternative that allowed me to cut down on my caffeine intake.
An 8 oz cup of green tea contains about 35 milligrams of caffeine on average, while the same-size cup of coffee can contain 102 to 200 milligrams.
Black tea, Club-Mate, maté tea, and matcha tea are also good coffee alternatives that still contain some caffeine if you're just looking to cut down rather than give it up.
If you do want to do a real caffeine detox, it's better to switch to water — perhaps jazzed up with some lemon zest and ginger — cereal coffee, or herbal tea.
I definitely didn't feel as energetic drinking tea as I did with coffee, but I got used to it after a few days.
I felt better in the long run
After one to two weeks without drinking coffee, I felt awake and was highly productive. My hand tremors also stopped, and even my skin was clearer.
Moving forward, I've decided to cut down rather than give up coffee, as the social aspect is too important for me.
So I'll continue to have a cappuccino when I go for walks with friends, but, at home, I'm going to keep drinking alternatives like tea.
For those who are set on giving it up, the most important thing is to find a good alternative.
I've also realized that getting enough sleep, exercising, eating well, and cutting the time I spend using digital devices are better ways of feeling alert and energized.
Translation Team Nathan Rennolds Jack Sommers | 2022-11-22T11:10:25Z | www.businessinsider.com | I Gave up Coffee for 4 Weeks — Here's What Happened | https://www.businessinsider.com/give-up-coffee-caffeine-withdrawal-clear-skin-awake-hands-shaking-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/give-up-coffee-caffeine-withdrawal-clear-skin-awake-hands-shaking-2022-11 |
Elon Musk has been planning features for "Twitter 2.0."
The Verge obtained a recording of Elon Musk's meeting with employees on Monday.
During the meeting, Musk said he wanted to encrypt DMs for security, while adding voice and video chats.
The creator of messaging app Signal, a former Twitter employee himself, could help out with the plans.
Elon Musk told Twitter employees he wants to add video and voice call features plus secure direct-messaging, The Verge reported.
In a Monday meeting at the company's San Francisco office, Musk gave a presentation with slides titled "Twitter 2.0." He first used the term last Wednesday, when all staff were emailed an ultimatum to work "extremely hardcore" or be laid-off.
A recording of the meeting obtained by The Verge reveals some of Musk's plans to update Twitter, including secure communication. Under the plans, DMs will be encrypted, meaning the text can only be read by the participants, as is the case on other platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal.
Musk added that he had spoken with the creator of Signal Moxie Marlinspike, an ex-Twitter employee, who is "potentially willing to help out" with encrypting Twitter DMs.
Twitter Elon Musk Twitter DMs | 2022-11-22T11:14:46Z | www.businessinsider.com | Elon Musk Says Twitter Will Add Video and Voice Call, Encrypted DMs | https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-twitter-add-video-voice-call-secure-dms-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-twitter-add-video-voice-call-secure-dms-2022-11 |
Deep tech investor OTB Ventures raises $145 million for new fund and plans to expand into seed stage startups
Adam Niewinski and Marcin Hejka, OTB Ventures cofounders.
European deep tech investor OTB Ventures has raised over 90% of its second fund at first close.
OTB has raised 140 million euros ($145 million) of its 150 million euros ($155 million) target.
The Series A firm is expanding to seed-stage and is dedicating a third of its capital to space tech.
European venture capital firm OTB Ventures has raised over 90% of its new 150 million euros (around $155 million) second fund at first close.
The Amsterdam-based company, founded in 2017, will invest in 10 seed and 15 Series A-stage startups, writing checks of up to 1.5 million euros and 7 million euros respectively. Its sweet spot stake is around 10% to 15%, with a board seat.
"We don't want to be background noise," cofounder and managing partner Adam Niewinski told Insider.
OTB has secured over 140 million euros for what will be its second fund. The fund will focus on artificial intelligence, fintech infrastructure, cybersecurity, and space – with the latter expected to account for a third of the portfolio.
Niewinski said LPs had "doubled down" since its first 108 million euros fund, which was later topped up 30 million euros by the European Investment Fund. The firm also nabbed investment from the new InvestEU program, run by the European Commission and The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group).
OTB Ventures has returned 50% of its LPs' capital from its first fund, Niewinski said. It was able to do this thanks to two exits to date, with BabbleLabs and Minit being acquired by Cisco and Microsoft respectively.
"Those two exits allowed us to return half of the invested capital, which is pretty good," he said.
"Not only taking into account that it's still quite a young firm, pretty much a 2018 vintage, but also because some of our best companies are still in our portfolio – the ones that we really believe are going to be our fund returners are still in our portfolio."
It has stopped investing in new companies via fund one but has 20% of it left for follow-on rounds.
Fund one's focus on Series A meant the firm missed out on "good deals," Niewinski said. Fund two, which is already being deployed, widened this mandate to also include seed-stage startups.
The investor is bullish on space tech specifically and tapping into expertise at the European Space Agency and European Union Space Programme to assess startups. Until now, he has been focused on downstream analytics, such as internet of things, communications, and satellite monitoring. Going forward, Niewinski is excited about upstream analytics, where companies look out into space and owning their data.
"We see really good ideas coming, finally, from Europe," he said. However, barriers to entry are high as new companies will struggle to catch up with early movers, he added. For example, new launch providers trying to catch up with SpaceX could be priced out of the market.
With backing from InvestEU, OTB Ventures will also align itself with the European Union's policy priorities, including its climate goals. While climate tech is not a separate investment category, the firm is also looking at deals through that lens.
Niewinski expects that the firm will exceed its fundraising target, given it has already raised the bulk of it. It will stop taking commitments at the end of the year.
Startups Venture Capital Tech Insider | 2022-11-22T11:14:52Z | www.businessinsider.com | OTB Ventures Raises $145 Million for New Fund at First Close | https://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-deep-tech-otb-ventures-155-million-first-close-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-deep-tech-otb-ventures-155-million-first-close-2022-11 |
A number of Twitter sales staff who committed to Elon Musk's "Twitter 2.0" last week have now been laid-off.
Both Platformer and Bloomberg reported the news, saying cuts started on Sunday evening.
Bloomberg reported that Musk is trying to balance layoffs across the technical and sales sides of Twitter.
Some Twitter staff who signed up to stay at Elon Musk's "hardcore" Twitter 2.0 last week have since been laid off, Platformer's Casey Newton reported.
Some employees on Twitter's sales team have been given notice that they are being laid off since Sunday evening, despite having committed to Musk's ultimatum to work harder and longer under his leadership, Bloomberg reported.
Account managers and client partners on the sales team were part of the layoffs on Sunday evening, Platformer reported. | 2022-11-22T12:42:21Z | www.businessinsider.com | Twitter Staff Who Committed to Musk's 'Hardcore' Vision Since Laid-Off | https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-staff-committed-elon-musk-hardcore-vision-since-laid-off-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-staff-committed-elon-musk-hardcore-vision-since-laid-off-2022-11 |
How influencers are trying to recession-proof their businesses, from locking down long-term deals to testing out fan-paid revenue models
Amanda Perelli, Tanya Chen, and Sydney Bradley
Social-media influencers shared how they are planning for a potential sustained economic downturn.
Dobrila Vignjevic/Getty Images
As the economy continues on shaky footing, influencers are preparing for a sustained downturn.
With much unknown, some influencers are developing strategies to stay afloat.
Influencers shared how they are creating a cushion to protect their businesses.
Business started out strong this year for micro influencer Austen Tosone. Then summer hit, and deals began to slow down.
"I was anticipating the holiday season to be really big for me," Tosone said. "But I found that the offers weren't coming in to the degree that I expected them to."
Tosone, who has 13,000 Instagram followers, left her job to become a full-time content creator in April 2021.
Traditionally, brand deals have been the biggest income driver for Tosone. But this year has been different. Unless any last-minute deals arise, Tosone said platform incentives (like Instagram's bonus program) will overtake brand deals.
"I'm not surprised to see fewer offers and I'm grateful that I've pivoted to accommodate that so that I am not scrambling right now," Tosone said.
To boost her income, she's turning to courses and memberships — and also plans to keep a closer eye on her expenses through the end of this year to save more, like canceling subscriptions to services she doesn't regularly use.
Tosone's not the only influencer who has had a potential recession on top of their mind. During Q4, some creators said they had seen fewer companies reach out for branded content deals than they had expected, though others said they'd still seen high demand as the holiday season has ramped up.
"Influencer marketing certainly isn't immune to a potential budget pullback," Insider Intelligence analyst Jasmine Enberg said on a recent "Behind the Numbers: The Daily" podcast. "But what we've seen so far is that it has been more resilient than other types of digital marketing, and brands have continued to spend on their partnerships, particularly with long-term creator partners, throughout this volatile economic environment." Insider Intelligence forecasts companies will spend $6.16 billion on influencer marketing in 2023, up from 5 billion this year.
"I do expect that there will be brands that will tighten their budgets even further, but for now, it's among one of the better-growing digital marketing tactics," Enberg added.
Despite the relative resilience, many content creators said they had been prepping ways to prevail in the event of a sustained downturn. Insider spoke with influencers and talent managers about their strategies for facing a recession head-on.
"We are being very straightforward with all of our creators and letting them know the strategies that worked years ago — in terms of just posting whenever — it's not like that anymore," said Pamela Zapata, CEO of talent management firm Society18. "The space is super saturated."
Creators have been bracing for what a recession could do to their industry
Some creators and managers said they'd been planning for months for a sustained downturn.
Byron Ashley, the CEO of talent management firm Settebello Entertainment, said there was a moment this summer when his creators' rates were at an all-time high. But Ashley said he warned his team not to expect the boom to be a sign of a new normal.
"I'm operating as if we are going to be in a pretty deep recession, and preparing and thinking of alternatives for all of my clients to make sure that their businesses stay as on-track as possible," Ashley said.
For some creators, especially those on TikTok who saw an accelerated path to success over the last few years, audience growth could also plateau.
"The flood of creators who started over the past few years will begin to dry up some as people who entered expecting to get rich and famous quick end up realizing that it isn't as easy as it looked," said TikTok creator @speechprof, who prefers to go by his online moniker Professor Chesk.
Meanwhile, some creators said they thought an economic downturn would mean advertisers would become pickier about who they sponsor, and look more closely at the quality of the content.
"Brands that fuel our main sources of income will be taking a step back," said Ben Silver, a TikToker with over 265,000 followers.
Aisha Beau
Diversifying income streams is an 'insurance plan' for creators
As Zapata thinks about next year and how a recession could impact her business, she's looking to diversify her firm's offerings beyond influencer management, and expand into working with brands in helping them execute deals and campaigns, she said.
And for creators, Ashley said diversifying their businesses is the "best insurance plan."
Here are 5 ways creators are looking to diversify their businesses in the face of a potential recession:
1. Launching DTC products
For Aisha Beau Frisbey, a full-time lifestyle content creator with 36,000 Instagram followers and 30,000 YouTube subscribers, reconfiguring her business to accommodate economic uncertainty has been top of mind for several months.
"I have to get even more creative and think outside of the box," Frisbey told Insider earlier this year. One way she is expanding her income is by adding her own direct-to-consumer products. Her first product was a deck of affirmation cards, which she started selling in August.
When it comes to getting ahead of an economic downturn, Ashley sees this as an opportunity for creators to establish long-term deals to work with certain brands on a recurring basis.
"We turned to a lot of brands that work with our clients on a semi-recurring basis and tried to formalize those as long-term ongoing partnerships," Ashley said. "Even if there was a bit of discount we wanted to lock in rates and know that our clients would be working through the winter."
"People who have multi-year podcast deals where they get paid every month, book deals, and longer term partnerships with larger companies, are much more stable in this time," Ashley said.
Tosone has been including affiliate links for software companies that relate to her videos about tips for becoming a creator. These software companies pay a lot more per sign-up, compared to fashion and beauty affiliate links, Tosone added.
"Not only are they higher percentage-wise but also some of them are recurring," Tosone said. "That has become a bigger focus of mine where I'd rather make a YouTube video that's like '10 ways I use Canva as an influencer' and know that I am going to make both ad revenue and potentially affiliate revenue from that video."
Relying on affiliate marketing, however, can still be a risk. In July, crypto exchange platform Coinbase shut down its affiliate-marketing program for influencers, and some affiliate programs reduced rates early in the pandemic.
Tosone launched a Patreon membership and she's coaching other influencers on social-media strategy. She plans on launching a course with her advice for becoming a content creator next year, as well.
"I think the big thing about them, too, is when they get to a point where they become predictable monthly income," she said. "I know how many Patrons I have, so I know how much I am going to make from that community each month."
Influencers YouTuber | 2022-11-22T12:46:00Z | www.businessinsider.com | How Influencers Are Trying to Recession-Proof Their Businesses | https://www.businessinsider.com/how-influencers-are-prepping-for-recession-economic-downturn-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/how-influencers-are-prepping-for-recession-economic-downturn-2022-11 |
—Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) November 16, 2022
Greene's message appears to resonate with the Republican grassroots, half of whom said they favored cutting aid to Ukraine in a poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal late last month.
"No one put the Republicans in charge of the House to ban all abortions or cut off aid to Ukraine, or launch an endless series of investigations into Hunter Biden," he said, referring to some of the contentious policies associated with the Republican far-right. "They put the Republicans in control to do something about inflation, about crime and about border security," he said.
Republican Party Ukraine aide House of Representatives | 2022-11-22T13:16:22Z | www.businessinsider.com | House Republicans Could Seek to Restrict Aid to Ukraine | https://www.businessinsider.com/house-republicans-could-seek-to-restrict-aid-to-ukraine-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/house-republicans-could-seek-to-restrict-aid-to-ukraine-2022-11 |
Only a handful of psychedelics companies have gotten funding from established biotech investors. Here's what they've done right, according to a top VC.
Andrew Levin is partner and managing director at VC firm RA Capital and interim CEO of Lusaris.
RA Capital
RA Capital is one of the few mainstream biotech VCs wading into the psychedelics space.
The VC firm has invested in three psychedelics startups since 2021.
It's looking for companies with short acting drugs that can be given without extensive supervision.
The number of companies touting the benefits of psychedelics for healthcare is rapidly growing, but not all biotech investors are on board yet.
Boston, Massachusetts-based RA Capital has been an outlier among established biotech VCs; while its counterparts have largely hesitated to invest in the dozens of companies racing to develop psychedelic drugs to treat illnesses like depression and PTSD, RA has seemingly embraced the opportunity by investing in several companies focused on psychedelic treatments.
But RA isn't funding just any psychedelics company. According to Andrew Levin, partner and managing director at RA, biotech VCs are mainly interested in companies that are developing fast-acting and short-lasting drugs that don't require intense and lengthy supervision from expensive practitioners.
"It really comes down to access in our view," Levin told Insider. "Being able to administer these drugs in a safe setting within the existing infrastructure is critical."
Last year RA Capital made two investments into the psychedelics space
In 2021, RA made its first investments into the psychedelics space by funding two startups: GH Research and Delix Therapeutics. Dublin, Ireland-based GH Research is one of the only psychedelics companies to have garnered a flurry of interest from mainstream healthcare investors including RA Capital, RTW Investments, and BVF Partners.
Its lead compound, a synthetic version of 5-MeO-DMT, the psychoactive compound found in the Sonoran Desert toad and some plants, offers something most other psychedelic companies currently do not: a treatment that would take 30 minutes to two hours for a full treatment. The drug is being tested as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), or depression that doesn't improve with other treatments.
Boston-based Delix isn't developing short-acting psychedelic treatments, but it is focused on psychedelic-based medicines that don't have hallucinogenic effects. This would help eliminate the need intense supervision from licensed practitioners.
Meanwhile, the earliest entrants into the psychedelics space like Atai and Compass Pathways have largely focused on developing synthetic versions of existing psychedelic compounds including psilocybin and ibogaine, which for the most part have necessitated an intense and long experience that must be supervised by a trained professional like a therapist.
Dr. Stephen Ross, an associate director at the New York University Langone Health's Center for Psychedelic Medicine, previously told Insider that he estimated we could need tens of thousands of trained professionals when psychedelic medications come to market, which could create a bottleneck for patients.
But Levin said that companies like GH Research and Delix answer the looming question investors have in mind of how a treatment can be both effective and scalable.
Lusaris, a new company incubated by RA Capital, is already getting attention from biotech VCs
Earlier this month, RA announced another entry into the psychedelics space when it launched a new startup called Lusaris, which is also developing a version of 5-MeO-DMT. Lusaris' treatment is designed to be taken sublingually — placed under the tongue — for treatment-resistant depression. It, like GH's treatment, is expected to be fast-acting and short-lasting to treat TRD.
Lusaris’ cofounder and chief operating officer Neil Buckley.
Levin, who is also interim CEO of Lusaris, told Insider the drug's effects are expected to last between 15 and 20 minutes.
"The goal here really is to simplify the administration with an easy to use sublingual tablet and keep the duration of effects short so that ultimately it's shorter in clinic time and can be more widely used by patients and physicians," Lusaris' cofounder and chief operating officer Neil Buckley told Insider.
At its launch, the company announced a $60 million series A round financed by major healthcare investors in addition to RA including Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Deep Track Capital, and Boxer Capital.
The company is still in early stages. It plans to soon start an early stage study and release data mid-next year, followed by a mid-stage trial in 2023. | 2022-11-22T14:17:29Z | www.businessinsider.com | RA Capital on the Psychedelics Companies That Get Mainstream Investor Interest | https://www.businessinsider.com/ra-capital-psychedelics-investments-biotech-vc-investors-lusaris-gh-research-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/ra-capital-psychedelics-investments-biotech-vc-investors-lusaris-gh-research-2022-11 |
'No buyers in sight': A senior economist says home prices will fall by 25% as supply and demand dynamics in the housing market have created a perfect environment for declines
Home prices have gone a tear since early 2020.
But as the Federal Reserve tightens policy to cool inflation, demand for homes is falling.
Interactive Brokers' José Torres believes home prices are due for double-digit declines.
When Interactive Brokers Senior Economist José Torres said this July that he saw a 2008-sized crash in home prices coming, 30-year fixed mortgage rates were around 5.5% and the June reading of the S&P/Case-Shiller US National Home Price Index had just hit new highs.
Soon after, mortgage rates continued their surge this year, rising above 7%.
National home prices also officially started to fall.
Given the shifting data, consensus views on the housing market have generally become more bearish in recent months, swaying toward Torres' outlook.
But falling inflation may again mean a rosier outlook for investors and homeowners.
The Consumer Price Index cooled in October, with inflation hitting 7.7% year-over-year, down from 8.2% in September and 8.5% in August. Though the Federal Reserve has said they will continue tightening policy in the months ahead (and that they intend to keep it tight once they pause rate hikes) to bring down inflation, the CPI's downward trend has some anticipating that the central bank will be able to pivot back to dovish policy next year.
Mortgage rates — like bond yields — have started to fall over the past few weeks, which is good for demand.
But Torres disagrees with the notion that inflation will continue falling in a rapid manner and that the Fed will be able to pivot. These views are at the crux of his call, which he reiterated this week, that home prices will fall around 25% on the Case-Shiller Index by the second half of 2023.
Such a decline on a national scale would be similar to the home-price slump seen during the 2008 crisis, when the index fell 27% from its peak in July 2006 through its bottom in February 2012. Case-Shiller data, being an average of the prior three months, lags more than other home price data. But individual cities like Phoenix and San Francisco had it worse during the crisis, with price declines of up to 30%. As of September 2022, the average home price in Phoenix had dropped 10% from June, according to Realtor.com.
Torres told Insider that he expects the fed funds rate to peak at around 5.38%, whereas the market consensus is 5.13%. He also said inflation will stay high for longer than consensus because of the number of job openings that still exist and the elevated wages that employers will continue to have to pay. If inflation does fall quickly and the Fed pivots to dovish policy, the declines won't be as big, Torres said.
Supply and demand dynamics have created a 'perfect storm'
Torres believes supply and demand dynamics have moved in a way that will create significant declines ahead.
Affordability paints the picture for Torres' bearishness on demand, with the monthly housing costs historically high relative to incomes. The shift is thanks to skyrocketing home prices over the last couple of years coupled with the jump in mortgage rates since early this year. There are "no buyers in sight," Torres said about the market.
"In a similar fashion to the months leading up to the 2008 real estate market debacle, the percentage of average monthly payments to household income and personal income have been at record high levels throughout this year, which is creating demand for rental units among Americans who can't afford homes," Torres said in the note.
On the supply side, builders have raced to scale up to keep pace with steep demand. Inventory of new homes is up by around 25% since summer of last year to nearly one million homes, he said.
But now that demand has been axed by low affordability, homebuilders are going to have to offer lower prices to offload their inventory, which will trigger drops in existing home prices, Torres said.
"New home supply has risen significantly and homebuilders have resorted to discounts and concessions to make sales. Existing home supply, on the other hand, remains subdued, as owners who locked in low rates have little incentive to sell," Torres said. "At some point early next year, homeowners who need to sell will have to lower their prices to compete with prices of new homes."
He continued: "The macroeconomic backdrop for home builders continues to deteriorate and is likely to worsen as the Federal Reserve continues to raise rates and reduce its balance sheet, leading to higher borrowing costs, reduced credit availability and declining liquidity levels. This headwind is already causing home values to fall, with two consecutive months of price declines earlier this year."
Post-COVID-19 normalization in cities is also contributing to the fall in the high demand for more suburban properties seen during the pandemic, Torres said. Further, the crashes in other asset classes like stocks are bearish for housing demand, a phenomenon known as the negative wealth effect.
Investing housing market crash | 2022-11-22T15:48:59Z | www.businessinsider.com | Housing Market Crash: 25% Home Price Declines Coming, Economist Says | https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-market-crash-home-price-declines-coming-interactive-brokers-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-market-crash-home-price-declines-coming-interactive-brokers-2022-11 |
JPMorgan decides against prospective investment in open banking startup Yapily, sources say
JPMorgan has opted against a deal to back Yapily.
JPMorgan has cooled on a deal to back London fintech startup Yapily, Insider understands.
Discussions over a $25 million injection into the startup were at an advanced stage, sources say.
Yapily, founded in 2017, had been looking to raise new funding for a number of months.
JPMorgan has opted out of pursuing a strategic investment into London fintech Yapily, Insider understands.
Yapily, which is backed by Square and Wise investor Sapphire Ventures, operates in the burgeoning open banking sector. The startup licenses an API to a range of Fortune 500 companies that enables them to take payments from customers without having to go through card issuers like Visa and MasterCard.
The US financial giant had considered a deal that would have seen the bank inject around $25 million into the startup, one London-based source said. However, the bank has decided against investing in Yapily at this moment in time, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Talks between JPMorgan and Yapily were first reported by Bloomberg in September.
JPMorgan declined to comment when contacted by Insider. A spokesperson for Yapily said the startup did not comment on market speculation.
A deal between Yapily and JPMorgan had reached an advanced stage but the financial giant has opted not to invest in the business, one source said. For now, JPMorgan will work with US firm Finicity, which Mastercard bought for $825 million in 2020, and Tink, a European open banking startup that Visa acquired in 2021, the London-based source said.
The bank's decision to not invest in the fintech does not mean it will not look to partner with the British business in the future, a London-based source familiar with the matter said.
Yapily, which has raised $69 million from investors like Latitude and Sapphire Ventures to date, had been looking to raise funding for months and is believed to have thought the deal was going ahead. The bank's decision to change its mind late on in proceedings was described as "a kick in the teeth," by one investor who was close to the process. The startup's last funding round was a $51 million Series B in July 2021.
The JPMorgan deal could well have been contingent on a wider funding round with other investors taking shape, one London-based Yapily investor told Insider, meaning the bank might still participate in a future funding round should Yapily move to raise additional capital in the future.
Open banking startups sprang out of rule changes forcing banks and financial institutions to share customer data, with their permission, with third parties. Services like Yapily plug into a customer's bank account, then power services on behalf of other businesses such as loans, business payments, to financial management.
The deal's demise is thought to be an issue for Yapily but not something that will lead to significant problems for the business, the London-based source said. However, funding to fintech startups has plummeted in 2022. Startups in the industry raised $13.4 billion globally in Q3 2022, down 64% from its all-time high in Q4 2021, according to Dealroom.
Yapily previously acquired German competitor FinAPI and would likely have used some of the funding to continue its integration of the business given the regulatory and technical costs to such deals.
JPMorgan previously acquired UK wealth management startup Nutmeg and was reportedly on the lookout for other fintech acquisitions amid a slump in valuations for consumer-facing financial services companies in spaces like trading and savings.
fintechs Fintech | 2022-11-22T15:49:17Z | www.businessinsider.com | JPMorgan Cools on Deal to Back UK Fintech Startup Yapily | https://www.businessinsider.com/jpmorgan-cools-on-deal-to-back-uk-fintech-startup-yapily-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/jpmorgan-cools-on-deal-to-back-uk-fintech-startup-yapily-2022-11 |
One of the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar.
An American journalist said he was detained for wearing a rainbow t-shirt to a Qatar World Cup game.
Grant Wahl said guards told him to remove it, took his phone, and detained him for 25 minutes.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, but soccer officials have moved to limit criticism of the hosts.
A US sports writer said he was detained in Qatar for wearing a pro-LGBT rainbow t-shirt to a World Cup game in Qatar.
Grant Wahl said he went to the stadium's media entrance on Monday wearing the t-shirt, where "the security guards refused to let me in, detained me for 25 minutes and angrily demanded that I remove my t-shirt."
Wahl, a former Sports Illustrated soccer writer who now works independently, also shared a photo of himself wearing the shirt, showing a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow.
The rainbow is used as a symbol of LGBT rights and pride, and is contentious in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
Wahl wrote about what happened in a Substack post.
He said that he was first told by a guard that he was not "allowed" to wear the t-shirt and would have to remove it if he wanted to enter the stadium.
Wahl said he then tweeted what had happened, and a guard "forcibly ripped my phone from my hands."
Wahl said one guard told him the shirt was "political" and therefore disallowed, and that another told him to remove it.
He said that the guards also detained New York Times reporter Andrew Das when he walked by and Wahl told him what was happening, and that they released Das before they did Wahl.
A New York Times spokesperson told Insider "Andrew Das was stopped briefly after photographing Grant Wahl's detention by World Cup security."
Wahl said he was released when a "security commander" walked up, apologized, and said they were letting him go.
One of the guards then told Wahl that they were trying to protect him from any harm that might come to him for wearing a rainbow t-shirt inside the stadium, Wahl wrote.
"But the entire episode left me wondering: What's it like for ordinary Qataris who might wear a rainbow shirt when the world isn't watching here? What's that like?," Wahl said.
Qatar's LGBT rights record has marred this year's World Cup, sparking renewed protests about the decision to let the country host it.
The team captains of seven European nations, including England and Germany, planned on wearing rainbow armbands during their games to protest homosexuality being illegal in Qatar.
But the Football Associations said in a joint statement on Monday that they would no longer do so as they thought the players could be penalized for doing it.
Qatar also has poor media freedom. Wahl is not the only journalist who has had difficulty in covering the World Cup there.
A Danish journalist who was reporting on the tournament from Qatar before it started was seen being questioned by guards on video, and he later said "they told us if you continue filming we will break the camera."
NOW WATCH: Brazil spent an estimated $300 million on a World Cup stadium that now sits nearly abandoned
News UK Qatar World Cup | 2022-11-22T15:49:29Z | www.businessinsider.com | Qatar World Cup: US Journalist Says He Was Detained for Rainbow Shirt | https://www.businessinsider.com/us-sports-writer-says-detained-rainbow-shirt-qatar-world-cup-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/us-sports-writer-says-detained-rainbow-shirt-qatar-world-cup-2022-11 |
A simple guide to joining Mastodon, the decentralized social media platform that Twitter users are flocking to
Joining Mastodon isn't as simple as other social media sites.
Mastodon is a "decentralized" social media platform that's become a popular Twitter alternative.
To join Mastodon, sign up on the website or app and then pick a server (or "instance") to join.
Once you join, you can follow all your friends and see their posts too.
For almost two decades, Twitter has been a social media juggernaut. But nothing lasts forever, and some new competitors are starting to crawl out of the woodwork to take Twitter's spot.
One of the most popular Twitter alternatives is Mastodon. This social media platform works similarly to Twitter, but instead of everyone posting to a single public website, users are gathered in servers known as "instances." There aren't any ads, and it isn't run by any one company.
Here's how to join Mastodon and get started on the platform.
You can sign up for Mastodon using the website, or the official mobile app if you're on an iPhone, iPad, or an Android. But we recommend using the website first, since it'll show you the widest variety of available servers when you join. This guide also assumes you're using the website.
When you're ready, select Create account. You'll be brought to a page that lets you pick your first server.
Your server is sort of like your home base, and the majority of posts you see (at least in the beginning) will come from that server, so pick one that fits your interests. Every server has its own rules and moderation team. But don't worry: You can follow people no matter their server.
This page will suggest about 100 popular servers in a variety of categories.
Pick the server you want by finding it in the list of suggestions or searching for it, and select Apply for an account or Create account. Most servers require you to submit an "application" to join, but that application usually just asks for your name and email to make sure you're not a bot.
If you picked a server that requires an application, use the page that opens to make your Mastodon account by creating a username and password, and adding your email address. Some servers might also ask a question, like "Why do you want to join?"
If you picked an open server, click or tap the Create account button again at the side or top of the page, then create your display name, username, password, and put in an email address.
Not all Mastodon servers are open for anyone to join.
Universeodon; William Antonelli/Insider
The server will send you an email with a confirmation link. Open the email, and then open the link.
If you joined a server with an application process, you'll now need to wait for the server's owners to approve it. Depending on the size of the server, this can happen quickly or take a long time — especially considering how many people are flocking to Mastodon right now.
But if you picked an open server, you can start reading and posting right away. It'll also give you a list of other suggested Mastodon users to follow.
Finding your Twitter friends on Mastodon
If you're coming from Twitter, you'll be happy to know that there's a way to quickly track down the people you follow on Twitter on Mastodon.
To do this, head to the Debirdify website and click Authorize With Twitter, and then link it to your Twitter account. This tool will go through the users you follow and locate them on Mastodon, so you can quickly follow them again.
Link Debirdify to your Twitter account.
Just remember that the site is seeing a lot of users, so it might run slowly or give you errors. If this happens, just be patient and try again.
Once you've signed up and joined (or been accepted to) a server, you're ready to start posting, replying, and following friends.
Tap Publish at the top of the screen (if you're on mobile) or click the text box on the left side (if you're on a computer) to start writing a post. You can use the icons at the bottom of the text box to add images, a poll, choose the post's privacy level, add a content warning, or mark what language it's written in.
At the side of your screen, you'll find a few different ways to find other posts:
Home (the house icon) shows posts exclusively from people you're following
Local (the people icon) shows posts from the server you're located in
Federated (the globe icon) is a constantly updating timeline of every public post being published in your server, or by someone that a member of your server follows
You've also got Explore, which shows recent popular posts; Direct messages, which lets you have a private conversation with someone; and Favourites, which lets you save the best posts you've seen.
You've got multiple ways to view your Mastodon server.
Universeodon
To follow someone, search their name (or preferably username if you have it) using the search bar at the top of the screen.
Every post has a few icons at the bottom. Use these to reply, "boost" the post (share it to your own feed), favorite it, bookmark it, or share it.
TECH How to download your Twitter archive and get a full record of all your tweets, followers, and more
TECH How to remove followers on Twitter and manually approve new follow requests
Mastodon Twitter Twitter Alternatives | 2022-11-22T16:23:37Z | www.businessinsider.com | How to Join Mastodon and Start Posting | https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-join-mastodon | https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-join-mastodon |
A Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) serviceman stands in front of the entrance of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery in Kyiv on November 22, 2022.
Photo by SERGEI CHUZAVKOV/AFP via Getty Images
A top WHO official said half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been crippled.
This winter "will be about survival," Hans Kluge told reporters in Kyiv on Monday.
Russian forces have relentlessly attacked Ukraine's power grid over the last few weeks.
Russian attacks have crippled half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, a top World Health Organization official said, warning that the upcoming winter "will be about survival" for Ukrainians.
"This winter will be life-threatening for millions of people in Ukraine," Hans Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, said at a Monday press conference in Kyiv. "The devastating energy crisis, the deepening mental health emergency, constraints on humanitarian access, and the risk of viral infections will make this winter a formidable test for the [Ukrainian] health system."
"The country is facing a therma-crisis on top of a perma-crisis, brought on by the war and the [COVID-19] pandemic. Half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure is either damaged or destroyed," he continued. "This is already having knock-on effects on the health system and on the people's health. Put simply, this winter will be about survival."
Kluge said the WHO has verified over 700 attacks on health infrastructure since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. Continued attacks on health and energy infrastructure, he said, means healthcare facilities like hospitals can no longer be operational because they lack electricity, fuel, and water.
For weeks, Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces have used explosive suicide drones and missiles to target Ukraine's critical infrastructure, including the country's energy systems. Attacks have left millions of Ukrainians across the country without power and water, which has left Kyiv feeling uneasy as the weather gets colder and winter quickly approaches.
US and Western officials have echoed these warnings from the WHO. During a press conference last week, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said Russian strikes — rendering some hospitals only partially operational — have made it difficult for Ukraine to care for its sick and elderly populations.
"The deliberate targeting of the civilian power grid, causing excessive collateral damage and unnecessary suffering on the civilian population, is a war crime," Milley said. "With the onset of winter, families will be without power, and more importantly, without heat. Basic human survival and subsistence is going to be severely impacted and human suffering for the Ukrainian population is going to increase."
In the newly liberated southern city of Kherson, which had been under Russian occupation since the early days of the war, Ukrainian officials are even orchestrating voluntary evacuations for civilians because they fear that the city's battered power infrastructure will pull deadly freezes in the coming months.
With Ukraine's first snowfall of the season last week and temperatures dropping, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy encouraged people this week to limit their energy consumption in places where the system appears to feel the most strain.
"The systemic damage to our energy sphere by the attacks of Russian terrorists is so significant that all our people and businesses should be very frugal and spread consumption by hours of the day," he said Monday. | 2022-11-22T17:21:05Z | www.businessinsider.com | Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Crippled, Brutal Winter Ahead: WHO Official | https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-energy-infrastructure-crippled-russia-brutal-winter-who-official-says-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-energy-infrastructure-crippled-russia-brutal-winter-who-official-says-2022-11 |
Many Disney insiders are cheering Iger's return but still bracing for a tough January with cost cutting
Lucia Moses, Claire Atkinson, and Alison Brower
Bob Iger, CEO of Disney.
Bob Iger's return as Disney's CEO was met with surprise and relief by current and former employees.
Complaints ran high over predecessor Bob Chapek's reorganization that separated creative from distribution.
But there's still anxiety about layoffs and how Iger can deal with growing economic headwinds.
News of Bob Iger's return as Disney's CEO shocked the media world, but for many inside the company, the news touched off a mix of surprise as well as relief.
"People have been hypothesizing about this for a while, but it felt like a pipe dream," said one Disney executive, while a second insider was "stunned in a good way."
Insider spoke with eight current and recently departed Disney employees about their reactions, hopes, and concerns for what's next.
Iger replaces Bob Chapek, who became CEO in February 2020 after leading the parks division — and whose two-year tenure was rocked by both external and internal factors, from the effects of the pandemic to his handling of the company's response to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law.
Chapek's least popular move internally was a streaming-first reorganization that alienated both Disney creative executives, who lost control of their budgets in the move, and Hollywood power players outside the company.
"He's a bungler," one streaming employee said.
By contrast, insiders heralded the return of Iger, who previously spent 15 years in the role and is seen as a steady, charismatic leader with deep ties to the creative side of the business.
And while some analysts are quick to point out that Iger will have to make tough calls in the face of increasing economic headwinds, insiders said they were eager for him to smooth tension between the content and distribution sides that stemmed from Chapek's creation of a separate unit, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, to distribute content.
Insiders said DMED hindered collaboration and brought inefficiency to the process of distributing Disney's content on its various platforms — and that Kareem Daniel, the longtime Chapek consigliere put in charge of it, didn't have the experience required to run the all-important streaming business, making him unpopular with some.
"The biggest issue was just that creative felt it was impossible to get anything done," a fourth insider said. "There was an ongoing power struggle between who gets to decide what goes on streaming."
Iger sent a note to DMED employees Monday alerting them that Daniel would be leaving the company and that a team of executives would "work together on the design of a new structure that puts more decision-making back in the hands of our creative teams and rationalizes costs."
One theme park designer and former Disney employee, Taylor A. Baird, said he "almost cried" upon hearing about Iger's return because of his past success running the company. Baird said he was eager to see what moves Iger makes with the theme parks, which family and friends felt have lost an edge to Universal's resort — at least in Florida — and alienated some fans by charging for features that used to be included.
"Historically, under Mr. Iger's leadership, positive guest experiences in the Disney parks has been reinvigorated, and I hope he does it again," Baird said.
The first Disney employee said questions were swirling around how — and how many — DMED employees will be absorbed back into their creative business functions.
"There are still going to be layoffs, there are still going to be cuts," this person said.
But employees previously feared that layoffs could be executed before the end of the year, this person noted. Now, many are expecting such decisions to wait until early 2023. A hiring freeze remains in effect, however, and travel, internal holiday celebrations, and other such expenses are likewise at a halt.
Despite the general optimisim, some questioned the need to reinstall Iger.
"In the world of entertainment, they couldn't have found another person? Dana Walden is younger and smart, what happens to her?" a former Disney exec grumbled. And there's still worry about where cuts will hit and how deep, and what's in store for Disney's streaming business.
Iger's initial message didn't mention the flagship streamer Disney+ by name as it did Disney's other businesses, prompting some to wonder if that was a hidden message about the value Iger was placing on streaming.
"Iger still has all the problems Chapek had — the company is bleeding money," said the first Disney insider. "January is going to be tough." | 2022-11-22T22:07:20Z | www.businessinsider.com | Disney Insiders Cheer Iger's Return but Brace for Tough January | https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-insiders-surprised-relief-at-bob-iger-ceo-return-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-insiders-surprised-relief-at-bob-iger-ceo-return-2022-11 |
A Yeezy employee said Kanye West frequently compared shoes to sex: 'Something that you were so into that you would wanna have an intimate relationship'
Kanye West in Los Angeles, California last week.
A Yeezy employee said Kanye West frequently compared shoes to sex, according to Rolling Stone.
The employee said West made comments about a shoe that he could ejaculate into.
On Tuesday, former employees sent a letter to Adidas to address "the toxic and chaotic environment."
A Yeezy employee said Kanye West, now known as Ye, frequently compared shoes to sex, according to a new report by Rolling Stone, detailing West's alleged management style while working at the Adidas-run company.
Rolling Stone spoke with more than two dozen former staff members for Yeezy and Adidas. A high-ranking employee told the news outlet that during a job interview in 2018, West interrupted a candidate to tell her, "We create products of passion. I literally want to fuck my shoes. That's how good they are."
The candidate did not confirm or deny the story, but the employee said West made at least 10 comments to other colleagues about a shoe that West or a Yeezy consumer could ejaculate into. "Not a sex-toy sneaker but something that you were so into that you would wanna have an intimate relationship," she said.
"He'd be, like, 'literally fuck.' He would be very clear on what that meant."
The revelations follow a letter obtained by the news outlet and sent by former Yeezy employees to the executive board members and CEO of Adidas on Tuesday, asking them to address "the toxic and chaotic environment that Kanye West created" and "a very sick pattern of predacious behavior toward women."
In the letter, the employees claim West showed staff members porn, and explicit images of Kim Kardashian and controlled employees through fear and manipulation. The letter alleges that Adidas management was aware of the rapper's "problematic behavior" but "turned their moral compass off."
A spokesperson for Adidas provided Rolling Stone with a statement, saying the company "will not discuss private conversations, details, or events that lead [sic] to our decision to terminate the Adidas Yeezy partnership and decline to comment on any related speculation."
West began his nine-year relationship with Adidas in 2013, helping to create a string of products including the NMD, Ultra Boost, and West's Yeezy. On October 25, Adidas cut ties with West saying it "does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech," following his antisemitic rant on Twitter. | 2022-11-23T05:27:18Z | www.businessinsider.com | A Yeezy Employee Said Kanye West Frequently Compared Shoes to Sex: Report | https://www.businessinsider.com/yeezy-employee-said-kanye-west-frequently-compared-shoes-to-sex-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/yeezy-employee-said-kanye-west-frequently-compared-shoes-to-sex-2022-11 |
Bikini baristas, shot girls, and Vegas showgirls: 5 women who make huge tips in unconventional jobs share their most bizarre and frightening experiences at work
Grace Morris; Sierra Anderson; Carrie Orozco; Jenna Furio; Shay Harmon; IStock; Vicky Leta/Insider
Insider spoke with 5 women — a Vegas showgirl, 2 bikini baristas, a bottle girl, and a shot girl — about their jobs.
They said that while they have to deal with drunk customers and long shifts, the money is worth it.
The women said that the upsides include the huge tips, flexible hours, and creative freedom.
Women in unconventional service jobs are making thousands a month as showgirls, bikini baristas, bottle girls, and shot girls.
For some, the gig is a side hustle, and for others, a full-time job. But they all make a killing in tips, and they often have to deal with loud, aggressive, or drunk customers.
Insider spoke with five women who shared the most bizarre — or downright frightening— experiences they've had on the job. All of them said the chaos has been worth it for the money, perks, and freedom.
Grace Morris loves her job despite lewd behavior from men
Grace Morris.
Grace Morris used to keep her job a secret. Even though bikini barista stands have been popular in the greater Seattle area for decades, she was still worried she'd be judged for making coffee in her underwear for a living.
And the job isn't easy, either. During her first week, she said a customer drove up, and she quickly realized he was masturbating at the window. Terrified, she reached for the panic button (which would sound the alarm and alert the police) and he sped off.
Morris said that this behavior from male customers a normal part of the job; she's dealt with everything from lewd comments to stalkers — but doesn't plan on quitting anytime soon.
"A lot of customers ask me to take my top off or offer $20 to make their drink completely naked, and I have to explain to them, 'No, we don't do that here,' said Morris. "I think that a lot of men feel comfortable saying these things when they know no one else is around."
Read more: I'm a bikini barista who makes up to $800 in tips a day. Customers can be aggressive, but it's given me confidence to handle bizarre situations.
Jenna Furio says some people just can't handle Vegas
Jenna Furio.
Courtesy of Jenna Furio
Jenna Furio is a 36-year-old showgirl in Las Vegas who got started when the pandemic hit. Her agency doesn't pay an hourly wage, so her income comes from tips she makes on the Strip.
To her, the pros of the job include "the amazing outfits and headdresses," but she said customers can be reckless.
"People run out in the streets, throw up in front of you, or pass out on the sidewalk," Furio said. "And then there are those that just don't care what anybody thinks and will run their mouths and yell and do vulgar things. Some people really just can't handle Vegas."
To stay safe, she and the other showgirls perform in pairs, carry mace, and stay in areas where there are cameras or security.
"Everybody thinks it only takes a beautiful face and body to be a Las Vegas showgirl," she added. "That's absolutely false — you also need to be outgoing. You're putting on a show, in a way almost like an actress, but with extreme patience for people who may be drunk."
Read more: I'm a Las Vegas showgirl who dances on the Strip. I have to deal with rude customers and harsh weather, but the money can be amazing.
Carrie Orozco deals with throw up, cigarette burns, and sloppy customers
Carrie Orozco.
Carrie Orozco, 28, is a model cocktail waitress at Omnia Nightclub inside Caesars Palace who can make thousands of dollars in tips in a single night. She was shocked at how incredibly wealthy the customers are.
"You're getting the crème de la crème of rich people," she said. "When I started, my little 21-year-old self was blown away."
She said one of the job's main perks, other than the money, is that she's gotten to see artists like Celine Dion, Matchbox Twenty, and Iggy Azalea perform at private events for free.
Orozco's pet peeve is when drunk customers get sloppy — some have even accidentally burned her with cigarettes.
"I think the job is a lot grosser than people realize. There's throw-up, and glass breaks, and sometimes things like that are just unavoidable. I've never personally been thrown up on, but I know plenty of people who have been."
Read more: I do bottle service for a Las Vegas nightclub and can make thousands in tips each night — but the job is a lot grosser than people realize
Sierra Anderson doesn't hesitate to call security when male customers cross a line
Sierra Anderson.
Sierra Anderson
Sierra Anderson is a 23-year-old aftercare teacher who works as a shot girl at a bar in Dewey Beach, Delaware during the summer. Usually, she works 15-20 hour shifts, not leaving until 2 or 3 a.m. — and she said the job is mentally-taxing for other reasons.
"You're dealing with a lot of drunk men. They'll say very rude things and don't get the hint that you don't want them near you," she said. "Certain men become angry if you're not giving them the attention that they want. They'll ask for your number and call you a slut if you say no — they don't understand that you're there to do your job."
Anderson said that when customers cross a line or get physical with her and her coworkers, security guards on on standby will escort them out immediately.
"I sometimes feel like a piece of meat, but there are upsides to the job," she said.
Anderson has made thousands of dollars in tips in a single night, and she likes that it's not a strict 9-5 job that allows her to express herself creatively with makeup and fun outfits.
Read more: I've made thousands in tips as a 'shot girl' at a popular beach bar. Customers get creepy and even physical, but the job is worth the cash.
Shay Harmon keeps tasers and pepper spray nearby during her shift
Shay Harmon.
Shay Harmon
Shay Harmon started as a bikini barista right after high school. She was hesitant to take the job at first because she didn't want to be judged or looked down upon — now, four years later, she said it's been completely worth it.
Harmon has used the tip money she earned to buy a new car and go on trips to Las Vegas and Hawaii. Overall, she said she's had a positive experience with customers, but sometimes it can be uncomfortable.
"It can get a little scary at times, especially when it gets dark earlier in the day," said Harmon, "but most of the stands have panic buttons inside that you can press to immediately call the police. We also have tasers and pepper spray around the stand."
For the most part, though, Harmon said she feels safe on the job and loves the freedom it gives her.
Read more: I'm a bikini barista. The tips and customers are almost always great, but I keep tasers nearby just in case.
landing page contributor 2022 bikini barista | 2022-11-23T10:05:13Z | www.businessinsider.com | 5 Bikini Baristas and Shot Girls on Most Bizarre Experiences at Work | https://www.businessinsider.com/bikini-baristas-shot-girls-huge-tips-bizarre-frightening-work-experiences-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/bikini-baristas-shot-girls-huge-tips-bizarre-frightening-work-experiences-2022-11 |
Goldman Sachs says the S&P 500 will remain flat through 2023. Here's their 5-step playbook for finding returns — and avoiding crippling losses — next year.
While Goldman Sachs thinks any return from the broader market in 2023 is improbable, opportunities still remain, they say.
Goldman Sachs forecasts the S&P 500 will stay at around 4,000 in 2023.
But opportunities for returns still exist, said a team of strategists.
They shared specific sectors and stocks they think will outperform next year.
Strategists at Goldman Sachs don't have much faith in the stock market for 2023.
In a note to clients on Monday, the bank's Chief US Equity Strategist David Kostin and a team of his colleagues put a price target of 4,000 on the S&P 500 for next year, which is right around the index's current level.
Their call assumes the Federal Reserve can achieve a soft landing, where they succeed in bringing down inflation without sending the US economy into a recession. If a recession does unfold, however, Kostin sees the S&P 500 falling to 3,150.
Even though his base case is a soft landing, Kostin cited a likely decline in earnings due to rising interest rates as his reasoning for his neutral view for 2023. But while he thinks any return from the broader market is improbable, opportunities still remain, he said.
In the note, the strategists shared their five-part playbook for how investors should approach the market next year, including where to find returns and what to do to avoid losses.
Goldman's 5-part plan for investing in 2023
First, Kostin said investors should skew their portfolios toward defensive stocks that aren't vulnerable to rising interest rates.
Goldman recommends the healthcare, consumer staples, and energy sectors in particular.
The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV); the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC); and the iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) offer exposure to the above sectors.
Second, Kostin said he likes stocks that outperform when inflation is high but falling.
Sub-sectors that best fit that bill include medical equipment, semiconductors, consumer services, and software, among others.
Exposure to these areas of the market can be found in diversified funds like the First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV); the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH); the iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC); and the SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW).
Third, long-duration stocks that are unprofitable — typically these are growth stocks found in the tech sector — should be avoided, Kostin said.
"Unprofitable growth stocks will continue to face both elevated discount rate risk from a higher cost of capital and the additional risk from needing to source funding in an environment of tight financial conditions," he said.
Fourth, Kostin likes stocks that have growing profit margins despite the tightening economic conditions.
He shared a list of stocks with the most resilient profit margins over the last few year, and which are expected to grow margins next year. A few companies expected to grow margins the most next year include: Air Lease Corporation (AL) (4.29% profit margin growth expected in 2023); T-Mobile US (TMUS) (3.75%); and Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) (3.68%).
And finally, Kostin recommended avoiding stocks whose profit margin growth in recent years may have been due to a decrease in expenses as opposed to an increase in sales. Rising or normalizing expenses for these companies could chip away at profit margins.
A few companies whose expenses shrank the most, excluding research and development spending, since 2019 — and could therefore be at the highest risk of profit margin declines — include: Pfizer (PFE); Autodesk (ADSK); and Hologic (HOLX).
"The decline in SG&A as a share of sales accounted for at least half of the increase in net margins for every stock on the list, implying potential for downward margin pressure as the cost environment normalizes and demand slows," Kostin said about a list of stocks which included the three above. "SG&A" stands for selling, general, and administrative expenses.
"These stocks may lag if SG&A cost ratio normalization leads to negative EPS revisions," he added. | 2022-11-23T10:18:22Z | www.businessinsider.com | Stock Market Outlook, Goldman Sachs Playbook for Investing in 2023 | https://www.businessinsider.com/where-to-invest-2023-stock-market-find-returns-goldman-2023-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/where-to-invest-2023-stock-market-find-returns-goldman-2023-2022-11 |
The 11 most promising DevOps startups of 2022, according to VCs
Paayal Zaveri and Julie Bort
Abhinav Asthana, the CEO of Postman.
As companies look to digitally transform, more is required of developers.
That's giving rise to DevOps startups tackling issues that come with building cloud software.
Insider asked top venture capitalists which DevOps startups excited them the most this year.
As companies across industries adopt more digital tools, the need for software keeps growing. Tools for development and IT operations that can help developers build apps for the cloud are gaining momentum as a result.
In the second quarter of this year, early-stage DevOps startups raised a total of $654 million across 21 deals, according to PitchBook. While that's lower than years prior, as the number of deals has dropped overall, it was one of the tech categories that received the highest amount of funding, right after Web3 startups, PitchBook said.
DevOps tools are often "mission-critical" to businesses, a recent study from PitchBook found. Because developers manage complex tools that help businesses run, DevOps isn't an area where companies are likely to cut spending in a downturn.
Some of the most promising DevOps startups are tackling challenges like building applications in the cloud, helping developers work together remotely, and monitoring cloud infrastructure, venture capitalists told Insider. Many companies are also innovating in the container space, which refers to the standard way software is packaged and run in various computing environments. Another area of innovation is in helping developers build serverless applications.
Orchestration and managing infrastructure "is fairly complex, and a lot of dev teams are looking for ability to use all of these complex cloud-orchestration systems but abstracted away from it," Sandeep Bhadra, a Vertex Ventures partner, said. Vertex Ventures invests in early-stage DevOps and cloud startups.
Insider asked several VCs to pick the most promising DevOps startups both in and out of their portfolios. The list below reflects a variety of startups, from early- to midstage companies, across the globe. All company valuations and funding information are according to PitchBook unless otherwise noted.
Here are the DevOps startups investors say are worth betting on, from least to most capital raised:
The Gitpod cofounders Christian Weichel, Sven Efftinge, Johannes Landgraf.
Recommended by: Sandeep Bhadra, Vertex Ventures
Headquarters: Kiel, Germany
Valuation: Undisclosed
What it does: Gitpod is an open-source tool for software development. It allows developers to set up developer environments in the cloud and collaborate more easily.
Why it's on the list: Gitpod is helping developers respond to changes in how software development is done, collaboratively in the cloud. The German company was launched in 2020 and is quickly gaining momentum.
In early November, it raised a $25 million round led by the Github cofounder Tom Preston-Werner, with participation from existing investors. Gitpod's tools are essential to helping developers work remotely and asynchronously, Bhadra said.
"It actually helps remote code development," he said. "It is riding this wave of collaboration and remote and asynchronous work, which developers love."
LinearB
Ori Keren and Dan Lines, cofounders of LinearB.
Recommended by: Dharmesh Thakker, Battery Ventures
Headquarters: Santa Monica, California
What it does: LinearB is a developer-workflow platform. It uses data to create dashboards, reports, and alerts that allow engineering teams to predict and eliminate project delays, identify high-risk code, and prioritize.
Why it's on the list: As software becomes more complex, the process of developing it becomes more involved. Apps like LinearB are key to making the software-development process easier for all involved, Thakker said.
LinearB is geared toward helping individual developers, rather than a whole team, and there aren't a lot of other tools taking that approach, Thakker said. Developers can see the insights and data generated by the app and use it as they code.
"LinearB has focused on solving this problem by being the only solution built for the individual developer, while also making their data actionable to the broader engineering organization," Thakker said.
Jamie Turner, Convex's CEO.
Recommended by: Bucky Moore, Kleiner Perkins
Valuation: $128 million, according to Forbes
What it does: Convex makes technology to help front-end engineers access some back-end capabilities by managing the state of an app. It is intended to help software developers build serverless applications.
Why it's on the list: While there is a shortage of developers, tools like Convex are making it easier for software developers to build and manage apps. The founders, former Dropbox engineers, don't want developers to have to rely on databases when building apps.
The company raised a $25 million funding round in April, led by Andreessen Horowitz with participation from Netlify and existing investors including Neo and the solo investor Elad Gil.
Moore, a partner at Kleiner Perkins, said Convex was one to watch because it's offloading a lot of work from back-end engineers, which can smooth the process of developing and maintaining apps.
"Front-end teams rely on back-end engineers, who understand things like databases, queuing, and API servers in order to manage their application's state," he said. "Convex's product provides a way for front-end teams to manage state without back-end engineering support."
Anurag Goel, the founder and CEO of Render.
Anurag Goel
Recommended by: Matt Murphy, Menlo Ventures
What it does: Render is a cloud-hosting platform that helps developers build apps more easily by simplifying the infrastructure piece of it.
Why it's on the list: Render competes with the big three cloud companies, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, and simplifies the process. A developer tells the platform which type of service they want to deploy, and then Render handles the infrastructure piece of it.
Murphy said it's one to watch because it'd grown extremely fast with no marketing or sales spending. It also counts a variety of companies among its customer base, including Anker, the online developer community Indie Hackers, and the Web3 platform Near.
"Excited about the prospect of modern, next-gen Heroku to help companies get to market quickly who don't want to build out an entire DevOps/infra team," Murphy said.
Karri Saarinen, the CEO of Linear.
Recommended by: Oren Yunger, GGV Capital
Headquarters: Walnut, California
Valuation: $43 million
What it does: Linear is a workflow-management tool for developers that helps streamline software projects, tasks, and bug tracking.
Why it's on the list: It's aiming to help software-development teams work together more easily. While software tools like Jira have been around for years for tasks like management and tracking, they don't solve all the challenges developers face, Yunger, a partner at GGV Capital, said.
"Developers, especially in 2022, want easy-to-use products that work for them and not the other way around," he said. "Linear has been around for several years now gaining prominence at many leading brands who adopted the new way of managing software development, helping them reduce release cycles and improve overall engineering productivity."
Linear is used by companies like Cash App, Retool, and Loom. Investors include Sequoia Capital, which led both its seed and its Series A round, as well as Index Ventures.
The Prisma cofounders Johannes Schickling and Søren Bramer Schmidt.
Recommended by: Dan Cahana, GGV Capital
Headquarters: Berlin and San Francisco
What it does: As the number of coding languages increases, Prisma is making it possible for developers to write code in the languages they know, while making sure the tools work across a variety of applications and databases, regardless of the language they are written in. The company uses an open-source-based Prisma object-relational-mapping tool to make that possible.
Why it's on the list: Prisma launched in 2016 and raised a $40 million Series B round in May, led by Altimeter Capital Management with participation from Kleiner Perkins and others.
The company is one to watch because the way developers are building tools is changing and there are many more coding languages available now than there were a few years ago. But for those apps to talk to the databases they're reliant on, they need to use certain types of coding languages. Prisma helps bridge that gap.
"Prisma is helping those developers more easily leverage their data, which, in turn, is allowing them to build more complex and exciting apps," Cahana, a partner at GGV Capital, said.
Large tech companies like Google and Twitter have invested money toward internal tools trying to address this challenge, but Prisma is building tools for the companies that may not have the resources to do that.
Khawaja Shams, Momento's CEO and cofounder.
Recommended by: Arjun Chopra, Floodgate
Headquarters: Seattle
What it does: Momento is working on building a serverless cache. The goal is to allow developers to build serverless apps quicker and more reliably.
Why it's on the list: Momento was founded by the AWS alums Khawaja Shams and Daniela Miao, and they are working on building a serverless cache. A serverless cache can bring data to apps and databases faster and therefore allow developers to make cloud apps that run quicker.
The company is relatively new and emerged from stealth in early November with a $15 million seed funding round, led by Bain Capital Ventures. The funds will be used to grow its 25-person engineering team, build a go-to-market team, and expand to support clouds beyond AWS, TechCrunch reported.
It's one to bet on because of the expertise the founders bring to the space, Chopra, a partner at Floodgate, said.
"They enable developers to deploy caches very easily, and this dramatically increases application performance and results in a better user experience," he said. "The team has deep technical chops from AWS and are poised to ride the serverless wave."
Docker CEO Scott Johnston.
What it does: Docker makes tools to allow developers to run applications across any cloud or hardware and use containers more easily.
Why it's on the list: It gained prominence for its pioneering approach to containers, which allow developers to package applications to run across any cloud or hardware. But the hype soon died down, in part because of competition from Google's free open-source container-management tool, Kubernetes.
It ended up selling its enterprise businesses and refocusing on developers. That has resonated with customers and makes Docker a startup to watch, Bhadra said.
"It took them a while to figure out who the core customer is and what the core value proposition that Docker, the company, could bring on top of the open-source project that is Docker," he said. "So that iteration took a while, and then I think once it really hit very well, so they've been executing very strongly."
As part of its reinvention, Docker raised $105 million earlier this year, with a $2.1 billion valuation in a round led by Bain Capital Ventures.
Beyang Liu and Quinn Slack, the cofounders of Sourcegraph.
Recommended by: James Luo, CapitalG
What it does: Sourcegraph helps developers search through large amounts of code and glean insights. The tool is meant to help developers more quickly identify issues and improve overall productivity and collaboration on software-development teams.
Why it's on the list: Sourcegraph is addressing a core need within many software-developer teams, which is to improve productivity and collaboration. The search feature it provides helps developers work together, which is important when organizations are adopting more and more digital tools.
"Their robust advanced search, code insights, and security capabilities have won unsolicited endorsements from many of the developers we've spoken to who credit the product with empowering their development teams to collaborate and build faster," Luo, a partner at CapitalG, said.
Recommended by: Danel Dayan, Battery Ventures
Headquarters: San Francisco and Bangalore, India
Total funding: $433 million
What it does: Postman is a platform that helps developers unify all the application programming interfaces they need in one place. Most apps are built using APIs, which bring together data from multiple apps and allow them to "talk" to each other.
Why it's on the list: Postman has quickly gained popularity over the past few years, as it's filling a core need for software developers as APIs become increasingly important.
"Every software application today is either an API or uses an API," Dayan said. "The steady and growing demand for API tools formed the crux of our investment thesis in backing Postman, validated by the successes of large, verticalized software solutions like Stripe, Twilio, Plaid, and Auth0, all of which have built large businesses by exposing APIs for developers to build upon, with varying use cases."
Postman is also unique because it's based in Bangalore and one of the startups contributing to India's growing software-startup industry.
Jyoti Bansal, the CEO of Harness.
Unusual Ventures
What it does: Harness makes tools to simplify the software-delivery process. The platform uses machine learning to offer real-time delivery analytics and automation tools.
Why it's on the list: Harness was founded by the longtime entrepreneur Jyoti Bansal. He founded AppDynamics and sold the company to Cisco for $3.7 billion the week it was supposed to go public in 2017.
It closed a $230 million Series D round in April, bumping the company's valuation to $3.7 billion. It's one to watch because of how it's disrupting the software industry, Dayan said.
"Harness is disrupting the CI/CD space, enabling the 25 million software developers in the world to deliver code to end users quickly, reliably, and efficiently," he said. "Harness occupies a critical part of the software-development life cycle and has emerged as a leader in the category."
Software As A Service Features | 2022-11-23T11:36:40Z | www.businessinsider.com | The 11 Most Promising DevOps Startups of 2022, According to VCs | https://www.businessinsider.com/11-most-promising-devops-startups-2022-harness-postman-docker-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/11-most-promising-devops-startups-2022-harness-postman-docker-11 |
©PIRIOU / courtesy of TransOceanic Wind Transport
Shipping giants are racing to find scalable green alternatives to gas-guzzling container ships.
From rotor sails and giant kites to retractable wings, some firms are attempting to re-invent the sail.
Other shipping giants are betting big on green methanol fuel derived from agricultural waste.
With pressure from regulators to decarbonize international shipping, companies big and small are racing to identify green alternatives to the gas-guzzling container ships that account for an estimated 3% of global greenhouse emissions.
Many of the ideas floating around today leverage some form of high-tech sail, a futuristic take on the wind-powered voyages that have transported goods for as long as global trade has existed.
Geir Fagerheim, SVP of Marine Operations at the Swedish shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen, told Insider that a variety of factors need to be considered when designing a wind-powered cargo ship, including safety, functionality, crew comfort, and most importantly, speed.
Oceanbird.
Wallenius Marine
"There's big pressure on having the shortest possible transit times on the ocean," he said. "But obviously, when you're going to push the vessels very fast and drive down transit time, it also comes at a very high environmental cost in the form of fuel consumption and emissions."
In collaboration with several partners, Wallenius Wilhelmsen designed "Oceanbird," a cargo ship powered by retractable wing-like sails that the company claims will be able to carry 7,000 cars and reduce emissions by 90%.
Developing the tech behind any sustainable cargo ship is impressive in itself, Fagerheim said, as ocean-faring vessels must carry all the energy they need along with them, compared to say an electric vehicle that can stop on the road to charge up. Combined with the lack of emissions-free fuel, wind is positioned to be the industry's most accessible clean energy source.
Veer's clean cargo ship concept uses DynaRig sail technology and green hydrogen fuel cell engines to optimize speed.
Courtesy of Veer
But the real challenge, Fagerheim said, is convincing clients to get onboard with the boat's slower transit time compared to a traditional container ship. No matter how innovative the tech itself is, he explained, it doesn't matter unless companies buy into the idea that a slightly slower delivery time is a worthy tradeoff.
Together, the two challenges make maritime shipping "the hardest industry to abate in terms of carbon emissions," Fagerheim told Insider.
TOWT's "cargo sailboat" scheduled to launch in June 2023 will hold 1,100 tonnes. By comparison, conventional container ships can handle loads of over 38,000 tonnes.
But as more shoppers prioritize sustainability, some big name brands are pledging to use sustainable cargo ships once the designs become a reality.
In September, cosmetics giant Lush announced it would ship products on the first vessel built by Veer, a ship-builder aiming to have two 100% emissions-free container ships on the water by the end of 2024.
The start-up recently received an "approval in principal" from the American Bureau of Shipping, a classification that confirms the engineering behind untested technological concepts. Veer's cargo ship concept uses DynaRig sail technology and green hydrogen fuel cell engines to optimize transit times, and is designed to only carry lighter cargo.
"Speed is a critical part of this design," Danielle Doggett, the founder and CEO of Veer, told Insider. "If we're committed to being completely zero emissions regardless, why not go fast? Why not create a performance sailing vessel?"
"I want to create the fastest container sailing ship that we can create," she added.
Courtesy of Airseas
Building entire new fleets of ships can get expensive. One company's solution is a parasail-like kite that automatically unfurls through a ship's front bridge window at the press of a button, towing the ship forward.
The "Seawing" kite leads to a 20% decrease in gas emissions, according to Airseas. "K" Line, a Japanese shipping company, has signed a contract to purchase 50 of the automated kites over the next 20 years. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has also placed an order, the company says, though how many is unclear.
Norsepower's sea-cargo rotor sails create airflow through the "Magnus effect" and can fold up and down.
Courtesy of Sea-Cargo
Maersk, one of the world's largest shipping companies, is betting that green methanol fuel is the key to reaching its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
In October, the shipping giant ordered an additional six container vessels with dual-fuel engines able to operate on the sustainable fuel, bringing the total number to 19. The problem with methanol is that there isn't enough of the fuel to even account for 1% of the industry's yearly fuel consumption, as Grist reported last year.
A render of Maersk's new methanol vessels.
Palle Laursen, Chief Fleet & Technical Officer at Maersk, said green methanol is the best scalable sustainable fuel solution of the decade and that investing in its production "adds further momentum to the rapid scaling of availability needed to bring down the premium on the gas."
Container ship freight Supply Chain | 2022-11-23T11:36:46Z | www.businessinsider.com | See the Futuristic Boats Helping Shipping Giants Cut Emissions | https://www.businessinsider.com/cargo-ship-emissions-new-technology-sustainable-green-shipping-fuel-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/cargo-ship-emissions-new-technology-sustainable-green-shipping-fuel-2022-11 |
Happy Thanksgiving eve, readers. I'm Phil Rosen. If you happen to be in New York without Thursday morning plans, you could swing by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, where you can be hugged by thousands of people at once and still be cold.
But if you aren't in New York, don't sweat it — Macy's is also hosting a parade in the metaverse this year.
Personally, I'd rather see the giant Snoopy balloon in real life, but you could probably get away with a lighter coat if you go digital.
Before we get to the news, I want to highlight the story behind the story of FTX.
The collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried's empire put the spotlight on crypto news outlets like CoinDesk and The Block. Those trade publications have been able to not only capitalize on the moment with smart scoops, but fend off a broader ad slump that's plagued digital media of late.
Read the full story from Insider's Reed Alexander and Steven Perlberg.
Programming note: The Opening Bell newsletter will be off on Thursday and Friday. We'll see you on Monday.
1. FTX kicked off its bankruptcy trial on Tuesday, and the initial statements give Sam Bankman-Fried and company little to cheer.
James Bromley, counsel to FTX's new management, had choice words during the first day in the Delaware hearing. He spoke of the events leading up to the crypto exchange's swift implosion, its suspect leadership and associated entanglements.
"FTX was in the control of inexperienced and unsophisticated individuals, and some or all of them were compromised individuals," Bromley said.
Notable, too, was how the lawyer likened FTX, a global organization, to Bankman-Fried's "personal fiefdom."
Before the trial began, new CEO John J. Ray III — who famously oversaw the liquidation of Enron in 2001, the worst financial scandal of its time — had this to say:
Ray and his new management team's estimate of FTX's cash holdings has nearly doubled, a Saturday filing showed.
The discovery of an additional $564 million brings the company's total holdings to $1.24 billion — and furnishes Ray with more ammo to criticize FTX's lack of transparency and record keeping.
The appointment of Ray is meant to steer FTX out of what Bromley called "one of the most abrupt and difficult collapses in the history of corporate America and the history of corporate entities around the world."
Consider this tidbit from the initial bankruptcy filing: This company that, just weeks ago, was valued at $32 billion, did not have an accounting department.
Losses for FTX investors and customers are expected to go well into the billions, and experts say repercussions are going to be pervasive and long-lasting.
Company leadership now expects to have "millions of creditors" when the dust ultimately settles, though they plan to keep the identities of those parties secret for now.
All this is to say that as these bankruptcy hearings continue in Delaware, keep your eyes peeled for more details that redefine what it means to mismanage a multi-billion entity.
A float depicting the animated "Peanuts" characters Snoopy and Woodstock proceeds along 6th Ave as spectators watch from buildings during the 89th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the Manhattan borough of New York
2. US stock futures rise early Wednesday, as investors brace for the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting, which could shed light on the path of rate hikes. Here are the latest market moves.
3. On the docket: Nordstrom Inc, Xiaomi, and more, all reporting.
4. Avoid stocks and make these investments instead. As a recession approaches and interest rates peak, markets are set for more turmoil in 2023. PIMCO gave seven alternative places to put your money.
5. Sam Bankman-Fried issued an apology in a letter to former FTX employees. In the letter, seen by the Financial Times, Bankman-Fried said excessive borrowing by Alameda Research was responsible for FTX's collapse. "You were my family," he wrote. "I've lost that, and our old home is an empty warehouse of monitors. When I turn around, there's no one left to talk to." Read more here.
6. Larry Summers doesn't predict US interest rates will top 5%. The dual threats of high inflation and low economic growth mean it's likely that rates will stay between 2% and 5%, the former Treasury Secretary said. In his view, policymakers are juggling a "two-sided risk."
7. Russia's Gazprom threatened to halt gas flows to Europe via a pipeline in Ukraine. That would be the continent's last pipeline source of Russian gas — and Moscow could take it offline as soon as next week.
8. A senior economist said home prices will fall by 25%. Supply and demand dynamics in the housing market have created perfect conditions for declines, Jose Torrés explained. "At some point early next year, homeowners who need to sell will have to lower their prices to compete with prices of new homes."
9. FTX's swift downfall has led experts to forecast a choppy environment for digital assets. "This feels like chemotherapy, killing the cancer, and if the industry doesn't die with it, then we will only come out stronger," one investor said. Here's what five VCs expect in the years ahead for a faltering crypto industry.
10. Tesla has lost $670 billion of market value in the past year. Elon Musk's EV maker has seen its market cap plunge from a high of $1.2 trillion. Tesla's total losses are roughly equivalent to three Disneys, four Nikes, or six Starbucks. | 2022-11-23T11:37:22Z | www.businessinsider.com | Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX Bankruptcy Hearing: Everything to Know | https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-bankruptcy-hearing-ray-chapter-markets-crypto-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-bankruptcy-hearing-ray-chapter-markets-crypto-2022-11 |
SponsorUnited wants to be the 'Bloomberg terminal' for brand sponsorships. It used this 12-slide pitch deck to raise $35 million.
SponsorUnited has raised $35 million to become the 'Bloomberg terminal' for brand sponsorships.
The startup's platform helps brands see data on sponsorships across their respective industries.
Check out the 12-slide pitch deck it used to raise the funds in a Series A round.
SponsorUnited, a software startup helping global sports and entertainment brands use data to strike sponsorship and marketing partnerships, has raised $35 million in a Series A round.
The startup, launched in Stamford, Connecticut in 2018, wants to make data on the multibillion-dollar sponsorship industry more visible so that the roughly 3,000 global brands it works with including UEFA, ESPN and Toyota can make more informed decisions on who to target for partnerships.
According to the startup, which first worked with sports brands but has expanded to the entertainment and music sectors, key information such as who sponsors who is difficult to come by, particularly given the host of channels brands operate across both online and in person.
SponsorUnited's solution to this is a SaaS platform that it says tracks 1.1 million sponsorships across 250,000 brands and other intellectual property, using what it calls a blend of "machine intelligence and a global scouting network" to help brands track real-time sponsorship data.
"With the rapid expansion, diversification and increasing complexity of marketing partnerships, the need for a centralized platform that organizes all of the world's sponsorship and media partnerships is in high demand," said Bob Lynch, founder and CEO of SponsorUnited.
Lynch acknowledged that the market downturn that has accelerated this year means that "budgets will be tightened," but expects the platform, described as "the Bloomberg terminal of marketing partnerships," to see use from those seeking to "optimize current sponsorships" and discover new ones.
SponsorUnited's Series A round was led by Spectrum Equity, a private equity firm based in Boston, with additional investment coming from Marc Lasry, the owner of NBA team Milwaukee Bucks and Ron Fowler, a co-owner of MLB team San Diego Padres.
A source close to the firm said that the round puts the startup's valuation at north of $100 million, with the total now raised at $38.6 million since its launch.
Check out SponsorUnited's 12-slide pitch deck below:
Features ESPN | 2022-11-23T11:37:34Z | www.businessinsider.com | SponsorUnited: Brand Sponsorship Startup Raises $35 Million | https://www.businessinsider.com/sponsorunited-brand-sponsorship-startup-raises-35-million-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/sponsorunited-brand-sponsorship-startup-raises-35-million-2022-11 |
The Earth sets from the far side of the moon just beyond the Orion spacecraft in this video taken on the sixth day of the Artemis I mission.
One of Orion's four solar arrays deploys shortly after launch, high above Earth.
The Orion spacecraft with the moon beyond was captured by a camera on the tip of one of Orion's solar arrays.
A portion of the far side of the Moon looms large the day Orion makes its close approach.
The inside of the Orion crew module on flight day one of the Artemis I mission, with a "Moonikin" mannequin in the commander's seat.
NASA Moon Orion | 2022-11-23T13:08:43Z | www.businessinsider.com | NASA Artemis Mission: Spaceship Snaps Photos From Far Side of the Moon | https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-artemis-orion-spaceship-snaps-photos-from-moon-far-side-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-artemis-orion-spaceship-snaps-photos-from-moon-far-side-2022-11 |
McDonald's is testing the McPlant in the US.
Fast food chains have experimented with plant-based proteins for years with limited success.
McDonald's discontinued the McPlant test in 2022 and analysts reported slow sales.
Plant-based meat once seemed like the future of fast food, but 2022 showed it might be dead on arrival.
Despite some exceptions like Burger King's Impossible Whopper, plant-based fast food menu items have largely been featured as limited-time offerings. KFC sold plant-based nuggets and Chipotle added vegan chorizo. Taco Bell has run small tests of multiple plant-based proteins. Dunkin' added plant-based sausage to menus in 2019 to much fanfare, before quietly removing it from most locations in 2021.
Early 2022 looked promising, with McDonald's expanding its McPlant burger to 600 US locations. When the test ended after about six months, JP Morgan analyst Ken Goldman wrote that poor sales were to blame. Sales were especially slow in lower-income and rural areas, where some restaurants reported selling just three to five McPlants per day, according to BTIG analyst Peter Saleh.
Plant-based proteins in fast food are up against several obstacles that stopped them from ever fully taking off, Brian Yarbrough of Edward Jones told Insider. It's "very hard" to convert meat eaters to plant-based meat, he said. Part of the hesitancy is due to higher prices for plant-based proteins. An impossible breakfast sandwich at Starbucks in Rochester, New York is $1.50 more expensive than the equivalent with real sausage, a price increase of 35%.
Consumers have become more skeptical of health claims around plant-based meat, too. A September survey of 2000 people from Deloitte found that in 2022 consumers were less likely to believe that plant-based meat was healthier than standard meat and less likely to pay a higher price for plant-based. Potential customers are turned off by the long list of ingredients with unclear health benefits over real meat, Yarbrough told Insider.
Plant-based meat just doesn't fit in with larger fast-food menu trends in 2022. McDonald's, Taco Bell, and other chains focused on simplifying menus and cutting low-selling items since 2020, which can make kitchens more efficient and cut drive-thru times. Adding a new protein slows down operations and leads to longer waits for customers, which might not be worth it for relatively low-selling items like the McPlant.
Plant-based meat isn't likely to disappear from fast food menus, but it's also not going to replace beef. It's a "great product for a small subset of the population," Yarbrough said, but a "difficult sell for most consumers."
Retail analysis Fast Food | 2022-11-23T13:08:55Z | www.businessinsider.com | Plant Based Meat Didn't Match the Hype at McDonald's, Taco Bell, KFC | https://www.businessinsider.com/plant-based-meat-didnt-match-the-hype-at-mcdonalds-taco-bell-kfc-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/plant-based-meat-didnt-match-the-hype-at-mcdonalds-taco-bell-kfc-2022-11 |
Wall Street's trust issues with crypto won't be easily repaired in the wake of the FTX blowup
TGIW! Dan DeFrancesco checking in for this quasi-Friday ahead of the long holiday weekend. (If you have to work on Friday, apologies.)
Quick programming note: The newsletter will be off on Thursday and Friday, returning (most likely a few pounds heavier) on Monday.
Lots of interesting stories today, including why a top Wall Street firm got a rare "sell" rating, KKR cancels its plans for a new office, and a fun "Where are they now?" for our first set of rising stars.
But first, where do we go from here?
1. Trust me, I'm in crypto
FTX's list of creditors is a seemingly bottomless pit, growing from over 100,000 to more than a million to now "millions," according to a recent bankruptcy hearing.
It will take months, or even years, to sort through the wreckage and win back some of the billions of dollars that have gone missing, but there is one debt that is already long gone.
Trust in the crypto industry — be it with Wall Street firms, politicians, venture capitalists, or the general public — is destroyed thanks to FTX's downfall.
It's a bitter pill to swallow when one considers the hard-fought progress crypto had made on Wall Street in recent years.
But can one incident — albeit a big one — evaporate goodwill built up over all those years?
Insider's Morgan Chittum, Bianca Chan, Carter Johnson, Rebecca Ungarino, and Hayley Cuccinello (talk about a dream team!) canvassed more than a dozen Wall Street insiders to get a sense of where traditional firms stand on their crypto plans.
Their story, which you can read here, is an indication of how even those not financially impacted by the FTX blowup have still been battered and bruised.
Meanwhile, firms hoping to bridge the gap between Wall Street and crypto have been put in an impossible spot, answering for another's sins.
"Crypto has now fallen into what I would call a crisis of trust, a crisis of confidence. And that's directly because who was arguably ... the next J.P. Morgan, turned out to be an entire fraud. And so that has then had this unfortunate contagion that of course everybody else in crypto has to also be doing something nefarious, something untoward, etcetera," one crypto executive whose firm regularly deals with Wall Street recently told me.
It's a difficult position to be in, as crypto skeptics have been given the ultimate trump card. Like a toddler constantly asking their parent "Why?" those opposed to crypto have a simple rebuttal to any potential plans in the space.
"What about SBF and FTX?"
Click here to read more on how Wall Street is moving forward with its crypto plans in the wake of FTX.
PS- If you ever want to chat, drop me a line. You can find me on Twitter or shoot me an email.
2. Blackstone gets knocked. Credit Suisse research analyst Bill Katz assigned a rare "underperform" rating to the PE giant. Here's why.
3. Our rising stars have risen! It's been five years since our first class of rising stars on Wall Street. We checked in with 13 of them to see where they are at in their careers. From running high-profile hedge funds to retirement, here's what they're up to.
4. Meet the newest class of execs at Carlyle. The private-equity giant promoted 32 people to partner and 39 to managing director. Check out the full list here.
5. KKR is holding off on its new NYC digs. The firm is scrapping plans on a 300,000-square-foot space near Hudson Yards amid a broader slowing of hiring at the firm. Read more here.
6. When the FUD is for real. The FTX debacle has put crypto-focused media outlets in the spot. Here's how they navigated covering the industry's biggest story and how they deal with crypto evangelists who dismiss their coverage.
7. SocGen and Alliance Bernstein are teaming up. The joint venture between the French bank and the US investment firm is focused on global stocks and research, Reuters reports. Here's what we know about the tie up.
8. JPMorgan has reversed course on a potential investment in a UK fintech focused on open banking. The bank was in advanced stages to make a $25 million investment in Yapily, which helps companies facilitate payments, sources say. More on why the potential deal fell apart.
9. What does Bob Iger's return to Disney mean for ESPN? Experts break down three key takeaways about what the future holds for the so-called World Wide Leader in Sports.
10. An early investor in Robinhood with a new $300 million fund details what he looks for in young companies. Index Ventures' Jan Hammer shares thoughts on what stands out when it comes to early-stage startups and founders. | 2022-11-23T13:09:25Z | www.businessinsider.com | Wall Street Trust Issues With Crypto Will Have Wide Impact | https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-trust-in-crypto-digital-assets-bitcoin-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-trust-in-crypto-digital-assets-bitcoin-2022-11 |
Robert Leslie, Brittany Stephanis, and Kevin Reilly
Many flat-faced breeds like pugs and bulldogs have restricted airways, making it hard to breathe.
Recently, ownership of these dogs has skyrocketed. So has the number of bad breeders.
Kennel clubs and governments around the world are now taking action to encourage better breeding.
Flat-faced breeds like Frenchies, pugs, and English bulldogs are wildly popular, but they come with a long list of expensive health problems. | 2022-11-23T14:52:36Z | www.businessinsider.com | The True Cost of Extreme Breeding in Pugs and Bulldogs | https://www.businessinsider.com/true-cost-of-extreme-breeding-in-pugs-and-bulldogs-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/true-cost-of-extreme-breeding-in-pugs-and-bulldogs-2022-11 |
A 48-year old Airbnb host breaks down how she used Facebook and Instagram to bring in $25,000 through direct bookings
Amie Sommer's desert rental, which she purchased for $1.08 million.
Courtesy of Amie Sommer
Amie Sommer, an Alaska resident, rents out a $1 million Arizona home that sleeps 10.
When she launched her listing, she used Facebook to get direct bookings from family and friends.
Sommer uses Lodgify to coordinate bookings across platforms, including Airbnb and Vrbo.
Alaska resident Amie Sommer's first step for her new short-term-rental was to make a website. Though she would also list her Arizona pad on Airbnb and Vrbo, Sommer knew she wanted a diverse pool of prospective guests.
"I don't want all my eggs in one basket," she told Insider.
It's been a boon for Sommer's business. In her first year listing the $1.08 million desert-oasis home that sleeps 10, she's already landed $50,000 in bookings, which Insider verified through documentation. Half of those bookings she told Insider were from promoting her direct booking link on the social-media sites Facebook and Instagram.
An explosion of new listings has made the short-term-rental market more competitive, with some hosts worrying about an "Airbnbust." Recent data from the analytics site AirDNA showed demand climbed by 24% year over year in September but that occupancy fell 1.2% because of the glut of listings travelers could choose from.
To stand out, hosts are getting creative. Sommer believes her strategy is accessible to any host, even those who aren't quite tech-savvy.
"I'm not the most technically, technologically advantaged person in the universe, but I was able to get on there and do it," she said.
Sommer made a website and booked Facebook friends as her first guests
The interior of Sommer's rental.
Sommer started by setting up a simple website using Wix and then an account on the vacation-rental-software site Lodgify. She said she chose a $380-a-year plan because she preferred paying a flat fee to plans that took a 2 to 4% cut of all bookings.
Lodgify provides Sommer with a central calendar that syncs bookings between her website, Airbnb, and Vrbo. It's a one-stop shop that keeps her weeks in order and prevents double bookings, she said.
When it came time to book her first guests, Sommer was looking for "guinea pigs." She posted a link on her Facebook profile and offered some a friends-and-family discounted price of $350 a night, down from $550.
She said she was shocked at the interest and ended up nearly fully booking her first six weeks. She encourages other guests to search within their networks to find guests. A discount might be necessary, but this type of booking likely means fewer headache-inducing guests.
"If I know them, I know they're good people," she said.
Sommer uses Instagram to attract guests and brand her house as an experience
Sommer has already booked guests for the 2023 Super Bowl.
Sommer frequently traveled to Arizona and knew the area well before buying the home. As a visitor turned owner, she had a good idea of the types of tourists she wanted to attract.
The house is in northeast Scottsdale, close to the nightlife hubs around Phoenix. But Sommer said it's more suited for a quiet desert retreat.
"We're out in the country where you can walk down the road and pet a horse," she said.
She started branding the property as #LunaHouseAZ on Instagram and emphasizing in her website description its secluded nature. It seems to be working: one upcoming guest found her when searching for lodging for the 2023 Super Bowl in nearby Glendale, Arizona.
For just two nights, they are paying $3,000.
AirBnB Facebook Instagram | 2022-11-23T17:55:19Z | www.businessinsider.com | Airbnb Host Brought in $25,000 Using Facebook and Instagram | https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-host-brought-in-25-000-facebook-instagram-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-host-brought-in-25-000-facebook-instagram-2022-11 |
Biden extended the student-loan payment pause through June 30, 2023 at the latest.
The extension was in response to two federal courts that have blocked the debt relief.
Payments could resume earlier if lawsuits are resolved before June 30.
It has now been six times that President Joe Biden has extended the pandemic-era pause on student-loan payments. The move comes as his bigger plan to cancel student debt is in jeopardy.
After Biden announced in August up to $20,000 in student-debt relief for federal borrowers, a number of conservative lawsuits jumped up seeking to block the implementation of the loan forgiveness. And so far, two of the lawsuits have temporarily succeeded — a federal judge in Texas ruled the relief illegal on November 10, and four days later, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decided the temporary pause it placed on the relief in October should remain in place until a final decision on the legality of the program is made.
Given the legal proceedings could take months and it's unclear when, or if, borrowers will see reductions to their balances, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Tuesday announced he would be extending the student-loan payment pause yet again, through June 30, 2023 at the latest.
".@POTUS & I believe it's harmful & wrong to ask tens of millions of borrowers to resume payments on their student debt when they would be eligible for relief – if not for these meritless lawsuits," Cardona wrote on Twitter. "So today, @USEDGov is announcing an extension of the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections."
But there's a chance borrowers could be footing another monthly bill sooner than June 30. According to the Education Department, payments will resume 60 days after whichever one of the following scenarios happens first:
The lawsuits that have blocked the debt relief are resolved
Debt relief is implemented
The date is June 30, 2023
As Politico reported, once the suits are resolved, relief is implemented, or the June 30 deadline is hit, student-loan borrowers will then have 60 days until interest on their loans starts accruing again and they will have to resume payments, and that 60-day period "is the minimum time period before which a payment would be due," an Education Department spokesperson said. "There could be a range of due dates following the end of the 60-day period."
Even if the lawsuits are not resolved by June 30 and relief has not been permitted, borrowers will still have to resume student-loan payments 60 days after that date.
While borrowers now do not have to worry about resuming payments after December 31, when the previous pause was set to expire, the fate of their relief remains in legal limbo. Biden's administration asked the Supreme Court last week to revive its student-loan forgiveness plan, and while the Court has previously dismissed two other lawsuits that have sought to block the relief, it's unclear if it will decide to overrule the lower courts decisions. | 2022-11-23T17:55:49Z | www.businessinsider.com | Student-Loan Payment Resumption Depends on These 3 Things | https://www.businessinsider.com/when-do-student-loan-payments-resume-depends-on-three-things-2022-11 | https://www.businessinsider.com/when-do-student-loan-payments-resume-depends-on-three-things-2022-11 |
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