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HONOLULU (KITV4) - A 14-year-old and 51-year-old were both rescued Wednesday while climbing the Koko Head Trail in Hawaii Kai.
On April 6, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) was called to the Koko Head trail Wednesday morning, after a 14-year-old girl ascended the trail, and fell ill about three-quarters of the way up the trail. The hiker was airlifted to a nearby landing zone where medical care was transferred to Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
During her rescue operation, a second hiker on the Koko Head Trail was reported to be in need of HFD assistance. A 51-year-old female had fallen and suffered a minor injury. She was escorted to the top of the trail where she was transported to the landing zone. Medical care was transferred to EMS.
All HFD personnel were accounted for and no other injuries were reported.
Hiking Safety Tips:
● Never hike alone.
● Bring a cell phone, which can be a lifesaver during an emergency. Ensure that your
battery is full prior to your hike. We recommend packing an external back-up battery.
● Pack food, snacks and water.
● Stay hydrated and prepare for the unexpected.
● Know your physical abilities and limitations; select trails that can be enjoyed safely.
● Most accidents happen when hikers leave the established trail and disregard warning
signs. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost.
Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com
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https://www.kitv.com/news/local/two-hikers-rescued-from-koko-head-trail-on-wednesday/article_65e0cd68-b60c-11ec-a33e-33ee0fed4ecc.html
| 2022-04-07T05:07:37Z
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Captain Cook is a town on the Big Island south of Kona with a population of about 3,400 people.
But for Shane Akoni Nelson, he knows it as his ancestral home Ka'awaloa, which holds a special place nor only for his family, but for the 'awa root the nearby trees would grow.
"Used among royalty.. used among priests and even prized enough to offer to the Gods," he explains.
But in the 1900's, Ka'awaloa became Captain Cook, not necessarily in honor of the infamous explorer killed nearby, but because of a post office.
"The name wasn't to honor Captain Cook it was really because of the Coffee Company and the location where the mail was delivered for that particular town," he explains.
Now the tide of history is turning again. State Rep. Jeanne Kapela (D - Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua, Ocean View, Captain Cook) is behind a resolution to change the name of the town back to Ka'awaloa.
"The logistics are not only changing not only the post office name but changing the signage of places in the district that reference Captain Cook that would then be changed back to Ka'awaloa and so having the support of our county council is incredibly important because a lot of those changes happen at the county level," she says.
The change wouldn't erase the history of Captain Cook, the marker at Kealakekua Bay would still be there. But it would urge the U.S. Census Bureau to official change the town name itself, which would in turn impact mailing addresses and official designation from the federal government.
For many in the Native Hawaiian community, it's a step in the right direction, reversing a trend seen since statehood in 1959 of Hawaiian place names being replaced with English ones.
"It is of utter importance that we not consider this cancel culture but that we consider this restorative and reinstative culture," says Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu.
In some cases, that's easier said than done. Efforts to change the name of the Russian fort on Kaua'i back to Pa'ula'ula were met with resistance and even alleged interference from a Russian agent.
Other changes have gone a lot more smoothly. Central Middle School was recently renamed after Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani with a special ceremony.
But regardless of legal name changes, the simple choice to start referring to places by their Hawaiian names can go a long way. For examples, many locals have started to use Le'ahi for Diamond Head and Kalaeloa for Barbers Point.
"I look to everyone who lives in Hawaii to place some importance on honoring the history of my people and the history of these lands," Wong-Kalu says.
The resolution for Ka'awaloa will now go the State House floor for a full vote before making its way to the Senate.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/resolution-moves-forward-to-change-name-of-captain-cook-town-on-big-island/article_67b59674-b624-11ec-91b1-efd71d403953.html
| 2022-04-07T05:07:43Z
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Glenville State celebrates women’s basketball national championship win
First national title in program, school history; first national basketball title in the state
GLENVILLE, W.Va (WDTV) - After winning the program and school’s first national title on March 25, the Glenville State Lady Pioneers were celebrated by the community Wednesday for their championship efforts.
Local schools bussed in their students from at least four different counties, a testament to how the program has inspired youth around the state.
“We already do play basketball,” Lost Creek Elementary students Olivia Hitt and Audrey Burnside said. “It just makes you want to get to that point where you can win the national championship one day.”
For the current Glenville State athletes, being supported by their community just one more time this year meant everything to them, especially after their fandom all season long.
“One thing about Glenville is they’ll support you,” senior guard Abby Stoller said. “It’s a great feeling. It’s the best feeling in the world. I wouldn’t change this for the world.”
The Lady Pioneers participated in a meet and greet at the Waco Center, followed by a parade down Main Street in Glenville. The day culminated in the unfurling of the championship banner from the scoreboard above center court, and a special visit from WVU men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins.
The support extended beyond Gilmer County and Glenville, something the NCAA DII National Coach of the Years said matters most.
“That’s probably the best part, to be honest. Hearing people’s stories about where they were when they watched the game and what Glenville has meant to them, or them watching the kids when they were little or me when I was little,” head coach Kim Stephens said. “We didn’t have the easiest road last year but we worked really hard this year for it. To have the state’s support...again, that’s probably the best part. It speaks to West Virginia, it speaks to Gilmer County, it speaks to the people here who care about us, and women’s basketball.”
Copyright 2022 WDTV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/06/glenville-state-celebrates-womens-basketball-national-championship-win/
| 2022-04-07T05:50:53Z
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Sun Belt solidifies soccer
MU, WVU & UK to play on the pitch next fall in SBC
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - With Marshall athletics heading to the Sun Belt Conference this summer, the Herd soccer team has a home there as well. The SBC announced Wednesday afternoon the resumption of men’s soccer during a press conference after playing the sport between the years of 1975-1995 and 2014-2020.
There will be 9 teams in the conference now which include Marshall, West Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina, James Madison, Old Dominion, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern and Georgia State.
Marshall won the 2020 NCAA Men’s National Championship. WVU, Kentucky and South Carolina will be affiliate members.
Here are the conference schedules for the Herd, Mountaineers and Wildcats.
Marshall
Saturday, September 17 – at Kentucky
Saturday, September 24 – vs. West Virginia
Saturday, October 1 – at Coastal Carolina
Saturday, October 8 – at South Carolina
Saturday, October 15 – vs. Old Dominion
Wednesday, October 19 – at Georgia State
Sunday, October 23 – vs. Georgia Southern
Tuesday, November 1 – vs. James Madison
West Virginia
Saturday, September 17 – vs. Coastal Carolina
Saturday, September 24 – at Marshall
Saturday, October 1 – vs. South Carolina
Saturday, October 8 – at Old Dominion
Saturday, October 15 – vs. Kentucky
Wednesday, October 19 – at James Madison
Sunday, October 23 – vs. Georgia State
Friday, October 28 – at Georgia Southern
Kentucky
Saturday, Sept 17 – vs. Marshall
Saturday, Sept. 24 – at Georgia State
Saturday, October 1 – at James Madison
Saturday, October 8 – vs. Georgia Southern
Saturday, October 15 – at West Virginia
Wednesday, October 19 – vs. Coastal Carolina
Friday, October 28 – vs. Old Dominion
Tuesday, November 1 – at South Carolina
Copyright 2022 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/06/sun-belt-solidifies-soccer/
| 2022-04-07T05:51:00Z
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HIGHLIGHTS: Independence & Mount View baseball, Montcalm softball secure Wednesday wins
WVSSAC Baseball and Softball
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - Several high school baseball and softball games were in action on Wednesday.
It was a regional championship rematch at Bowen Field, as Bluefield hosted Independence. The Patriots grabbed the early lead and were able to hold on despite a late-inning effort from Bluefield. Independence wins: 8-5.
In Welch, the Mount View baseball team hosted Westside. The Renegades had the early lead and kept it for most of the game. The Golden Knights entered the bottom of the seventh, trailing 12-5. But Mount View pulled off a huge come-from-behind walk off. They put up eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to win: 13-12. Ryan Long hit the walk-off single.
The Mount View softball team also played at home Wednesday, hosting Montcalm for a double-header. The Lady Generals snagged the win in game one: 12-1. Game two was suspended due to weather in the top of the 5th, but Mount View had the slight edge: 13-12.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/highlights-independence-mount-view-baseball-montcalm-softball-secure-wednesday-wins/
| 2022-04-07T05:51:07Z
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US experts wrestle with how to update COVID-19 vaccines
WASHINGTON (AP) - More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. health officials are beginning to grapple with how to keep the vaccines updated to best protect Americans from the ever-changing coronavirus.
On Wednesday, a panel of vaccine advisers to the Food and Drug Administration spent hours debating key questions for revamping the shots and conducting future booster campaigns. They didn’t reach any firm conclusions.
The questions facing the experts included: How often to update the vaccines against new strains, how effective they should be to warrant approval and whether updates should be coordinated with global health authorities.
Last week, the FDA authorized a fourth dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for anyone 50 or older and for some younger people with severely weakened immune systems. It’s an effort to get ahead of another possible surge.
But the FDA’s vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks acknowledged at the meeting “we simply can’t be boosting people as frequently as we are.” He called the latest booster update a “stopgap” measure to protect vulnerable Americans while regulators decide whether and how to tweak the current vaccines.
Marks cautioned that waning vaccine protection, new variants and colder weather in the fall could raise the risk of more surges.
“Our goal here is to stay ahead of future variants and outbreaks and ensure we do our best to reduce the toll of disease and death due to COVID-19,” said Marks, adding that he expects more meetings of the vaccine panel in coming months.
Some of the key questions the panel discussed:
HOW SHOULD THE U.S. DECIDE WHEN TO LAUNCH FUTURE ROUNDS OF BOOSTER SHOTS?
One area where experts appeared to agree is that vaccines should be judged on their ability to prevent severe disease that leads to hospitalization and death.
“We need to focus on the worst case, which is severe disease, and we need to change strains when we’re losing that battle,” said Dr. Mark Sawyer of the University of California, San Diego.
By that measure, the current vaccines have held up remarkably well.
During the last omicron-driven surge, two vaccine doses were nearly 80% effective against needing a breathing machine or death — and a booster pushed that protection to 94%, federal scientists recently reported.
But only about half of Americans eligible for a third shot have gotten one. And many experts said it was unsustainable to continue asking Americans to get boosted every few months.
A panelist from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that the 80% protection from severe disease could become the standard for evaluating the vaccines.
“I think we may have to accept that level of protection and then use other alternative ways to protect individuals with therapeutics and other measures,” said Dr. Amanda Cohn, CDC’s chief medical officer.
Presentations at the meeting by government health officials and independent researchers underscored the challenges of predicting when the next major COVID-19 variant might appear.
Trevor Bedford, a disease modeler with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, said a major new strain like omicron could emerge anywhere from every 1.5 years to once a decade, based on currently available data. Given that unpredictability, researchers will need methods to quickly determine whether current vaccines work against emerging variants.
WHAT’S THE PROCESS FOR UPDATING VACCINES TO ADDRESS NEW VARIANTS?
All three COVID-19 vaccines now used in the U.S. are based on the original coronavirus version that emerged in late 2019. Updating the vaccines will be a complex task, likely requiring coordination between the FDA, manufacturers and global health authorities.
To speed the vaccines to market, the FDA relied on research shortcuts to judge effectiveness, mainly looking at their early impact on the immune system’s antibody levels. A number of panelists said Wednesday they wanted more rigorous data from studies that track patients over time to see who gets sick or dies.
But that approach would likely be too time consuming.
“We’re looking at a conundrum here in that it’s going to be hard to generate all the data we want in short order when a new variant emerges,” said Dr. Ofer Levy of Harvard Medical School.
A representative for the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority laid out the narrow window that manufacturers could face to reformulate, study and mass produce an updated vaccine by September.
“If you’re not on your way to a clinical trial by the beginning of May, I think it’s going to be very difficult to have enough product across manufacturers to meet demand,” said Robert Johnson, deputy assistant secretary of BARDA.
The process for updating annual flu vaccines offers one possible model, as laid out by a representative from the World Health Organization.
Twice a year, WHO experts recommend updates to flu vaccines to target emerging strains. The FDA then brings those recommendations to its own vaccine panel, which votes on whether they make sense for the U.S., setting the stage for manufacturers to tweak their shots and begin mass production.
But COVID-19 hasn’t yet fallen into a predictable pattern like the flu. And as the coronavirus evolves, different strains may become dominant in different regions of the world.
Several experts said they would need more meetings with more data and proposals from the FDA to decide on a strategy.
“We’ve never been here before. We’re all working together to do the best we can and it’s very complex,” said Oveta Fuller of the University of Michigan’s Medical School.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/us-experts-wrestle-with-how-update-covid-19-vaccines/
| 2022-04-07T05:51:13Z
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/community-is-invited-for-a-chat-over-a-cold-one/article_7514b731-9f30-50a5-aef2-83ce6be2e67b.html
| 2022-04-07T06:01:08Z
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ROCK SPRINGS -- The Woman's Club of Rock Springs GFWC monthly meeting was held on March 15th at White Mountain Library.
Lynn Mornar was the hostess for this potluck luncheon. Lindsey Travis, director of the Sweetwater County Library System spoke to the club.
Travis shared her journey to this point. She talked about the many services available in the 10 county libraries. She explained how the library is very relevant in many lives and will continue to look for ways to serve the community.
The business portion of the meeting was conducted by Marcia Volner.
Sue McGuire reported that their scarves and hats for the Winter Special Olympics held in Jackson had been mailed.
The nominating committee reported on the officers for next year which will be voted on at their April meeting.
Committees were formed to plan yard sales for this summer in Green River and Rock Springs. Sue Arguello will be taking charge of the club’s International Day booth this year.
Kimberly Kellum and Jacki Allison will be planning their booth at the Green River Farmer’s Market.
They will participate in the Rock Springs City Wide Clean-up in May at Exit 107. They have adopted this area due to planting the trees there many years ago.
The Rock Springs Women’s Club initiated their new member Nola Cutts.
Members attending were: Jacki Allison, Betty Jean Carter, Leslie Jo Gatti, Maggie Choate, Kimberly Kellum, Edna Larsen, Shirley Lundgren, Debra McGarvey, Sue Ann McGuire, Lynn Mornar, Marcia Volner, Brandy Potter, Susan Arguello, Jennie Malonek and Cutts.
A meeting is planned for Tuesday, April 12th, at 1 p.m. It will take place at 333 Broadway St., upstairs meeting room. The theme for the meeting is literature.
The next general meeting will be a potluck at White Mountain Library at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19. This will be a potluck lunch with Debora Soulé speaking and bringing student artwork for Youth Art Month. This artwork will be taken to GFWC Wyoming state convention in Thermopolis in April where it will be entered into a contest with artwork from across the state. Awards will be given and will be presented to the students at an award ceremony.
For membership information, contact them at their website gfwcrocksprings.org or message them on Facebook about this growing and community-oriented organization.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/womens-club-continues-to-support-community/article_d5dd713b-9283-5336-a300-c102fa149d00.html
| 2022-04-07T06:01:14Z
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US: 2 posed as agents, gave gifts to Secret Service officers
WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged two men they say were posing as federal agents, giving free apartments and other gifts to U.S. Secret Service agents, including one who worked on the first lady’s security detail.
The two men — Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 36 — were taken into custody as more than a dozen FBI agents charged into a luxury apartment building in Southeast Washington on Wednesday evening.
Prosecutors allege Taherzadeh and Ali had falsely claimed to work for the Department of Homeland Security and work on a special task force investigating gang and violence connected to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. They allege the two posed as law enforcement officers to integrate with actual federal agents.
Taherzadeh is accused of providing Secret Service officers and agents with rent-free apartments — including a penthouse worth over $40,000 a year — along with iPhones, surveillance systems, a drone, flat screen television, a generator, gun case and other policing tools, according to court documents.
He also offered to let them use a black GMC SUV that he identified as an “official government vehicle,” prosecutors say. In one instance, Taherzadeh offered to purchase a $2,000 assault rifle for a Secret Service agent who is assigned to protect the first lady.
Prosecutors said four Secret Service employees were placed on leave earlier this week as part of the investigation.
The plot unraveled when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began investigating an assault involving a mail carrier at the apartment building and the men identified themselves as being part of a phony Homeland Security unit they called the U.S. Special Police Investigation Unit.
Prosecutors say the men had also set up surveillance in the building and had been telling residents there that they could access any of their cellphones at any time. The residents also told investigators they believed the men had access to their personal information.
Taherzadeh and Ali are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. It was not immediately clear if they had lawyers who could comment on the allegations.
Authorities did not detail what, if anything, the men were aiming to accomplish by posing as law enforcement officers or by providing the gifts. Prosecutors said the investigation remains ongoing.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/us-2-posed-agents-gave-gifts-secret-service-officers/
| 2022-04-07T07:22:07Z
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HONOLULU (KITV4) -- Amy Rivo said she was given a notice of eviction as soon as the moratorium ended in October.
"They were essentially telling me I would be homeless a week before Christmas," she said.
But the single mother refused to leave and said she's now being charged double her rent -- $5,000 a month.
Rivo said she's received rental assistance since 2020, but now owes almost $22,000.
"What we're seeing is that a frustration and maybe eviction fatigue on the part of landlords who aren't as much interested in the rent and the money now," said Dan O'Meara, an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. "They'd rather just have the tenant out."
According to The Mediation Center of the Pacific, more than 2,000 eviction cases were opened since August on Oahu. But only 887 cases were mediated.
"There is a large number of tenants we don't know what happened to them, whether they moved out, whether they moved in with family members, whether some moved to the mainland, or whether they actually became homeless," said Tracey Wiltgen, the center's executive director.
Rivo said she participated twice in mediation, but is still facing eviction.
"It becomes a very intimidating position to be in when you are already very vulnerable financially and otherwise," she added. "And it it scares me. It scares me for other people. I'm a mother. I have a young daughter who does not know how serious of a situation it is."
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii expects the situation to only get worse as residents exhaust rent relief programs.
"There's people who never faced eviction before who are facing eviction," O'Meara said. "So if they've never faced it before it's extraordinarily dire."
Kristen joined KITV4 in March 2021 after working for the past two decades as a newspaper reporter. Kristen's goal is to produce meaningful journalism that educates, enlightens and inspires to affect positive change in society.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/eviction-cases-on-the-rise-as-hawaii-tenants-struggle-to-stay-in-their-homes/article_3449a726-b629-11ec-b557-6bdae68d5acf.html
| 2022-04-07T07:50:46Z
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(CNN) -- Millions of people across China's locked-down financial hub of Shanghai have been desperately seeking medical care and basic supplies like food. Parents have been forcibly separated from young children infected with Covid-19. And public anger is mounting, with no end in sight as China clamps down.
Since March, China has battled its biggest Covid wave yet, with Shanghai now the largest hotspot. All 25 million residents are under lockdown, with national health care workers and the Chinese military dispatched to boost the city's response.
On Wednesday, the country recorded close to 20,000 new cases -- far past the peak of Wuhan in 2020, at the onset of the pandemic.
Though this number is still far lower than in many other countries, it's a dramatic spike for China, which has adhered to a strict zero-Covid strategy that aims to stamp out all outbreaks and chains of transmission using border controls, mass testing, quarantines and stringent lockdowns.
The sustainability of that policy is now under question, as newer, highly infectious Covid variants continue to spread throughout the population.
Here's what you need to know about the latest outbreak.
What parts of China are being hit?
In early March, cases began rising in several provinces around the country including Shandong in the east, Guangdong in the south, and Jilin in the northeast.
By the end of the month, the virus had spread to 29 of China's 31 provinces, according to the National Health Commission (NHC). 90% of all cases identified in March came from Jilin and Shanghai, the two largest hotspots.
Several cities, collectively home to more than 37 million residents, were placed under varying levels of lockdown in March. Many of those lockdowns eased by early April -- leaving Shanghai the outlier, as authorities struggle to get its cases under control.
So far, only two Covid deaths have been officially reported during this wave, both coming from Jilin in March.
What is life under lockdown like?
Shanghai's measures have been expanded and prolonged as the situation deteriorated.
After denying for days that it had any plans for a citywide lockdown, the government announced on March 27 it would launch a staggered lockdown, first targeting one half of the city, then the other half.
By March 31, the government had abandoned its staggered approach, effectively imposing a citywide lockdown for all 25 million residents who were forbidden from leaving their neighborhoods except to get tested.
The mandatory citywide testing detected a surge in cases, officials said -- prompting them to extend the lockdown until further notice.
To enforce these measures and meet the demands of the entire locked-down population, more than 30,000 medics and 2,000 military workers have been dispatched to the city, according to state media and the People's Liberation Army.
But the restrictions have also seen a rare surge of public frustration and criticism toward the government, with residents describing challenges accessing basic supplies like food or medicine.
Anger swelled last month after an off-duty nurse in Shanghai died, after being turned away from an emergency ward at her own hospital that was closed for disinfection. Another Shanghai resident died after suffering a medical emergency in his home before being able to reach the hospital.
"We are not killed by Covid, but by the Covid control measures," noted one popular comment on the highly censored Chinese social media platform Weibo.
Recent images on social media showed cleaning workers sleeping in a garage in a neighborhood in Shanghai. A cleaning worker from the neighborhood told CNN the workers had been asked to live in the garage for almost a week after testing positive for Covid; after the surge of public attention and an online petition, all of the more than 40 workers were sent to quarantine hotels on Wednesday night.
There was also outrage over Shanghai's policy requiring all Covid-positive patients to be isolated in facilities -- even young children and babies. One mother told CNN she had been separated from her infected 2-year-old daughter on March 29, and was not allowed to enter the isolation ward to stay with her daughter until a week later.
On Wednesday, Shanghai health authorities said they would amend the policy, allowing parents who test negative to apply for permission to accompany Covid-positive children with "special needs." They did not specify what conditions would qualify as "special needs." Parents who test positive can also accompany their Covid-positive children in quarantine facilities.
And the outbreak in Shanghai is affecting other places in China, too. On Tuesday, two travelers from Shanghai went to the nearby city of Hangzhou, where they visited a shopping mall. After they later tested positive, the mall was immediately sealed off, with more than 2,000 people stranded inside overnight. Those two travelers have been detained for an official investigation.
What variant is spreading?
Omicron has been driving this surge, with identified cases showing both BA.1 -- the original Omicron -- and other descendant lineages, including BA.1.1 and BA.2.
BA.2, which was first detected in January, is now the main cause of Covid-19 globally and the dominant strain in the United States, according to the World Health Organization and US health authorities.
Since its rise, international case counts -- which had been declining since the first week of January -- have been rising again.
Studies also suggest BA.2 is far more contagious -- though researchers are still studying the severity of this variant. Some epidemiologists have said its basic reproduction number may be as high as 12, meaning each sick person infects an average of 12 others.
That would put it on par with measles, which also spreads through the air. The basic reproduction number for BA.1 is estimated to be about 8.
Will China stick to zero-Covid?
As the outbreak has stretched on, experts and international observers have speculated over whether this wave, the more transmissible variant, and China's mass vaccination campaign could bring about the end of zero-Covid.
As of March 31, more than 88% of the country's 1.4 billion population had been fully vaccinated, according to the NHC.
Before the outbreak, scientists and leaders had hinted they were re-examining the strategy, with one prominent epidemiologist writing on Weibo in early March that zero-Covid would "not remain unchanged forever."
But that now looks like a distant future, with Chinese authorities making clear they consider the alternative -- the virus running rampant nationwide, potentially overwhelming the health system -- the worse option.
Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Friday that China would "continue to focus on dynamic zero-Covid policy," according to state-run tabloid Global Times. The loosening of restrictions and opening of borders seen in other countries could "cause many problems such as (a squeeze on) medical resources and rising fatalities," he added.
And on Monday, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said in Shanghai that the city needed "a more determined attitude, more powerful actions, and more efficient coordination" to achieve zero-Covid.
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™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/local/public-anger-mounts-in-locked-down-shanghai-with-no-end-in-sight-heres-what-you/article_975dc95e-b639-11ec-949f-d73eba5dd960.html
| 2022-04-07T07:50:52Z
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KALAELOA, HAWAII (KITV4) - U.S. Vets Hawaii hosted a “welcome home” event for the first residents at Kama‘okū Kauhale, the new tiny homes community in Kalaeloa.
The project was created in collaboration with Lieutenant Governor Dr. Josh Green and the help from community members to build several tiny homes communities across the islands in order to combat the state's homeless population.
“I will always remind everyone that the people who suffer on the street have a big impact on society,” said Lieutenant Governor Josh Green. “Instead of being in the emergency room, they’re here and safe. We save millions of dollars by housing people."
US Vets Hawaii operates two shelters on Oahu and they provide shelter to families and veterans.
“There are two things that cause homelessness, poverty and lack of affordable housing. It’s about trying to end homelessness, not managing it. there are far more people living with substance abuse in their homes than living on the streets, so that shows the resource problem,” said Darryl Vincent, Chief Operating Officer at U.S. Vets.
Residents say they're thankful for this opportunity. Leayne Lindsey-Abordo says she was living shelter to shelter after becoming homeless. She says she is happy to live here temporarily until she can work to buy her own home.
“There are places and resources for people like us. We are apart of the Ohana in Hawaii. It is important for my friends that living on streets or at shelters to remember there are options, hope and a future for us,” said Leayne Lindsey-Abordo.
There are currently 36 homes on this property. Lieutenant Governor Green says the goal is to provide 10 to 12 of these tiny home communities all over the islands.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/u-s-vets-hawaii-hosts-event-for-tiny-home-residents-at-kama-ok-kauhale/article_0da15ea0-b63f-11ec-bf25-af3dd2f822f8.html
| 2022-04-07T07:50:58Z
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There are certain trends that the Rainbow Warrior baseball team hope to keep going into this week's series with UC Riverside.
Along with DallasJ Duarte's eight-game hitting streak (.364 with eight RBIs over that span), the Bows hope to extend a trend of winning games on Sunday and Monday (8-2 combined).
On the other side of the diamond, however, the Warriors have had a negative trend of losing series-opening games on Friday and Saturday (UH is just 1-6 on Fridays, 1-8 on Saturdays).
For Aaron Ujimori, always the glass-half-full optimist, he views this trend as a testament to his team's mental fortitude.
"Our bodies might be tired, but our minds definitely aren't tired and I think that's what separates us a lot, especially on Sundays. I think we have a really good record on Sundays because of that Sunday tough mindset," the infielder said. "I think we're right there, we're playing good baseball on Friday and Saturday, too so I'm not too worried about the results on Friday and Saturday."
Head coach Rich Hill, on the other hand, is not necessarily a fan of his team's Jekyll and Hyde performances. He says the key to performing on Friday and Saturday nights all comes down to figuring out the opposing team's starting aces.
"We have got to flip that and be able to execute against Friday Big West pitchers," Hill said. "The transition to hitting really good pitching--that's tough to do."
Hill admits that the Bows troubles have stemmed from their superior competition. Along with nationally-ranked Long Beach State and Vanderbilt, the Warriors have also faced talented rosters in UC Santa Barbara and Rutgers (22-6 this season) and came away with various wins.
But Hill wants folks to know he isn't making any excuses. The past 26 games are behind them and now it's time to hold this team and himself accountable.
"No more excuses, our second season begins today," Hill said. "Our mentality is not 'hey, it's the new coach, new philosophy,' we're putting that to the side. No we're the University of Hawaii baseball program, there is no other narrative other than running to the fight and doing everything we can to win games. It's not going to be 'let's try and compete, let's build a program," no. Let's go. We can matchup with everyone from here on in. Our season starts today."
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https://www.kitv.com/sports/hawaii-baseball-anxious-to-break-trend-of-series-opening-losses/article_3ddb4b3a-b63a-11ec-850f-dbeb5fb63344.html
| 2022-04-07T07:51:04Z
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ROCK SPRINGS – The songs of Twisted Sister, Van Halen, Whitesnake and other artists from the 80s scream out a story about rock star dreams in the Rock Springs High School production of “Rock of Ages.”
The tale takes place in Hollywood when neon colors and big hair took over the world.
Sherrie Christian, played by RSHS junior Emma Zanetti, left home to follow her dreams and meets Wolfgang Von Colt, played by RSHS junior Karson Hansen. Everything started out smoothly until a misunderstanding involving a famous rock star got in their way.
The stage in the theater at RSHS is turned into a mini rock arena as cast members play crazed fans for the four-member band playing rock anthems Generation X grew up with.
Mixing it up with energy, comedy and style, characters would express confusion, frustration and affection between songs.
Director Jacob Weber said he and Technical Director Rick Matlock wanted to bring a new style of music to the audience.
“It’s going to be a positive thing for the community because most of these folks are familiar with these songs and they’ll be really excited,” said Weber. “We just wanted to put on a real cool rock concert with the fog, cool lights and live music.”
This is Matlock’s second year at RSHS.
“I think I made it bigger than it should have been!” he chuckled. “I’m going to have to figure out how to build a bigger stage for next year!”
According to Matlock, having a live band on the stage was challenging for the directing crew at first since it has been over 20 years since they blended live music with a theater production.
“It’s 80s rock!” he exclaimed. “It will be a fun show.”
Weber officially became the RSHS drama instructor in January. He was the assistant director for “Little Shop of Horrors” last year. This is his first year directing a musical.
“The cast has been amazing,” he mentioned. “To have a cast that offers so much professionalism and heart - it’s just been a pleasure working with them.”
RSHS junior Jakob Burdette plays Lonny, the narrator. He has been acting since the seventh grade.
“I’m hoping the audience will feel nostalgic in a way,” Burdette shared. “And I hope this production just makes them happy.”
RSHS senior Cadence Ranger plays the laid-back bar owner, Dennis Dupree.
“I’m not used to playing a character from a totally different era but it’s been a lot of fun,” said Ranger. “I hope the audience will think it’s funny and enjoyable.”
“This is my first year as a drama student,” Hansen admitted. “I don’t want to say it’s overwhelming because I do practice some pressure management.
“It’s a lot of fun in a lot of ways.”
Zanetti says that it “feels really good” to be on the stage.
“I’ve been singing before I could talk,” she revealed. “Singing and acting is the perfect combination.
“I’ve been performing ever since I can remember.”
Brian Redmond, RSHS band instructor, coaches the drummer and three guitarists on stage.
“I was hesitantly excited to do it at first,” Redmond admitted. “It’s something I haven’t done since I’ve started teaching here and from what I heard it had been many years since they’ve worked a live band in a production.
“So I said, ‘Well, it will either go really, really well or it will go badly!’”
He added, “The kids are doing very well. They already have the experience for it from being in my guitar class and jazz band so I knew they can do it.”
At first, his students didn’t know how to react around the cast members as they started playing.
“It was a big shift for them,” he explained. “Seeing that kind of awakening from them as they realize they can have fun with it was amazing to see.
“At first, they were wondering if they can rock out to this. Now they’re having fun with it.”
The Rock Springs High School theater department will present “Rock of Ages” from Wednesday, April 13th to Friday, April 15th. The show starts at 7 p.m. The last two performances will take place on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for students and seniors. Admission for adults is $10. Tickets will be available at the door.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/rock-of-ages-rock-springs-high-school-theater-puts-a-new-spin-on-retro-musical/article_db1f1fb5-dbd5-5ab8-847e-e66dc849cd48.html
| 2022-04-07T08:02:50Z
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Doctors remove ‘miracle’ baby’s grapefruit-sized facial tumor
HAYWARD, Wis. (WCCO) - A Wisconsin family is celebrating their little boy’s first birthday. Doctors had to perform life-saving surgery on him before he was even born, due to a rare and potentially deadly birth defect.
Jagger Scalzo celebrated a hard-fought first birthday after dealing with a medical condition that surprised even experts.
Mycaela and Donovan Scalzo, parents to an almost 1-year-old girl, found out they were expecting a boy, but when they got an ultrasound, there was something they were not expecting: a congenital tumor.
“He had what’s called an oropharyngeal teratoma. They can be really small or quite large. His was huge,” said Dr. Joseph B. Lilligard, surgeon at Children’s Minnesota. “It’s a condition that happens in about one in 35,000 to one in 200,000 live births. They can block the airway, so the moment the baby is born, they wouldn’t have the ability to protect their airway or breathe.”
The Scalzo family decided to head to the Midwest Fetal Care Center in Minneapolis, a partnership between Children’s Minnesota and Allina Health.
“I think I cried almost every appointment up until he was there. It’s just so unknown,” Mycaela Scalzo said.
Lilligard and his coworkers knew what to do. It would require a C-section where the baby would be partially born while doctors removed the grapefruit-sized tumor from his mouth and face.
The surgery was risky for both baby and mother.
“I mean, we went into my C-section not knowing if he would be OK or if I would,” Scalzo said.
But thankfully, everything worked out.
“It’s pretty remarkable. You go from a really horrific-type scene to a quite normal, exciting, almost perfect outcome,” Lilligard said. “The sky’s the limit for Jagger. He can do anything.”
After conquering a brain bleed, Jagger was able to leave the hospital after 76 days.
“I cried the entire way from Minneapolis, and I was just so excited. His dad was driving and was like, ‘Are you just gonna stare at him the whole time?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I am.’ It was just so exciting for him to meet our daughter and see them finally realize that the other exists,” Scalzo said.
Jagger’s mother says he is doing well and getting stronger. He did have a recent setback when he had a brain bleed and was treated for hydrocephalus, but his family says he’s recovering.
“He’s a miracle, and I think that’s the best way any of us can describe it. He’s the perfect, happy, smiley, little miracle, and we are so grateful we ended up where we did,” Scalzo said.
She hopes Jagger won’t have another surgery for at least 20 years.
Copyright 2022 WCCO via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/doctors-remove-miracle-babys-grapefruit-sized-facial-tumor/
| 2022-04-07T08:54:42Z
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HONOLULU (KITV4) -- Hawaii's largest mall on Wednesday announced four new tenants.
Coming soon to Ala Moana Center: Kamukura Ramen, Meet Fresh, The Experience, and Yomie's Rice X Yogurt.
Kamukura Ramen is expected to open this summer at the Lanai @ Ala Moana Center. It serves its ramen with a French consommé-based soup. It was founded in Osaka in 1986 and now has nearly 70 restaurants throughout Japan.
Meet Fresh is expected to open next month on Street Level 1 in the Ewa Wing. It was established in 2014 in Irvine, CA, and specializes in freshly made Taiwanese desserts, including taro balls, taro pudding and jelly desserts.
The Experience is expected to open this spring on Level 3 in the Mauka Wing. The Search For Snoopy: A Peanuts Adventure will take fans on an adventure inside the Peanuts world.
Yomie's Rice X Yogurt is expected to open this month in the Center Court. While it got its start in Australia, Yomie's Rice X Yogurt is now one of the leading yogurt shop brands in Asia.
In addition, previously announced tenants opening soon at Ala Moana Center include: Himalayan Kitchen and Wahlburgers.
Himalayan Kitchen is expected to open this month on Street Level 1 in the Diamond Head Wing. The restaurant serves a blend of Nepali, Indian, and Tibetan cuisines.
Wahlburgers is expected to open next month on Mall Level 2 in the Ewa Wing. It's a casual dining restaurant & bar founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Chef Paul Wahlberg.
Marisa Yamane joined KITV4 in January 2022 as an anchor and executive producer. She is an award-winning veteran journalist, who’s spent most of her career in Hawaii. She’s a proud graduate of Iolani School and UCLA.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/business/ala-moana-center-announces-new-businesses-coming-soon/article_19fab67e-b644-11ec-9b14-7f630978e2ba.html
| 2022-04-07T10:13:23Z
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KIHEI, Hawaii (KITV4) – Kihei police officers arrested three people following an undercover drug bust at a drum circle at Poolenalena Beach on Maui on Sunday.
During the investigation, officers said they recognized two people at the event that were wanted on outstanding warrants. Those two people were identified as gary Gadient, 55, and Kayla Phelan, 26.
At approximately 7:13 p.m., Gadient was arrested and taken to the Kihei Police station. While Gadient was being processed, police said they found about 1/8 of an ounce of suspected crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on him.
Gadient would have been released pending investigation for a third degree drug complaint, however, police said he was being held violating a protective order. His bail set at $1,000 and police say he remains in custody at the Maui Community Correctional Center.
Phelan of Haiku was arrested and charged with promoting a dangerous drug in the first degree, promoting a controlled substance near a park, and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia. Her bail was set at $10,000 and police say she is out on supervised release pending her court hearing.
During the investigation, police say a 44-year-old Napili woman approached officers and offered “edible chocolates” containing “shrooms” (psilocybin mushrooms) for a “set price.”
The Napili woman was arrested and released pending investigation for promoting a dangerous drug in the first degree, promoting a detrimental drug in the first degree, and promoting a controlled substance near a public park.
Through further investigation, officers successfully recovered:
Nine pieces of wrapped chocolate containing suspected psilocybin mushrooms
Over an ounce of marijuana.
Nine homemade capsules with a suspected ecstasy
13 gold foil wrapped round pills of suspected ecstasy
One digital scale consistent with the sale and distribution of narcotics.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/crime/multiple-arrests-made-after-undercover-drug-bust-at-poolenalena-beach/article_d138bc84-b61a-11ec-9206-1f2ef8eb3913.html
| 2022-04-07T10:13:29Z
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(CNN) -- Prosecutors declined to file charges against the Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Amir Locke or any other officers involved in the no-knock warrant service that led to the 22-year-old Black man's death in early February.
An officer shot Locke within a few seconds of entering the apartment after prosecutors said Locke emerged from a couch with a handgun and raised it toward an officer. The officer, and others on the Minneapolis SWAT team, were there serving a warrant in a homicide investigation.
"After a thorough review of all available evidence ... there is insufficient admissible evidence to file criminal charges in this case," according to a statement from the county attorney and state attorney general released Wednesday.
At the time Locke was shot, he was in legal possession of the firearm, inside the apartment, according to prosecutors, but they said that wasn't relevant to the investigation. According to the statement from prosecutors, Locke's actions after officers entered the apartment "on a judicially authorized search warrant" constituted a "specifically articulable threat."
"These circumstances are such that an objectively reasonable officer in Officer (Mark) Hanneman's position would have perceived an immediate threat of death or great bodily harm that was reasonably likely to occur, and an objectively reasonable officer would not delay in using deadly force," according to the statement from Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman.
Jeff Storms, an attorney for Locke's family, said it was a "disappointing day for the family."
"They just have a very strong belief that the incredible wrong that happened to Amir is going to save other people's lives," Storms told CNN. "They're not going to let the lack of criminal charges slow them down one bit."
Locke's mother said he was working as a food delivery driver and had the gun for protection. She said her son was cremated because she didn't want her son's remains to stay in Minneapolis.
"Did you think I was gonna bury my son in the ground of the place that murdered him? No, wherever I go, my baby's going. I don't live in the Twin Cities. I left the Twin Cities. I took my son with me when I left the Twin Cities," Karen Wells said.
The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis praised the prosecutors' decision, saying Hanneman was "faced with a deadly threat and he had to make a split-decision decision" to protect himself and others.
"MPD SWAT was executing a search warrant signed by a judge who authorized the use of a 'no knock' warrant," the federation said in a statement Wednesday.
It added: "The use of deadly force by an officer is never taken lightly and weighs heavy on the officers involved. This incident was a tragedy for everyone involved and will have a lasting impact on many lives."
The shooting drew national attention, in part, because of Minneapolis' place as the epicenter of the country's most recent police-reform movement, prompted by an officer in the same department killing George Floyd by kneeling on him during an arrest in 2020. Video of that encounter went viral and led to protests across America, sometimes violent and often involving property destruction, and reignited a debate over the role of police in American society.
City officials didn't release a lot of information in the days after an officer shot Locke, other than 14 seconds of video that they said showed Locke with the gun. Locke wasn't named in the warrant; Locke's cousin was.
What video they did release showed an officer quietly sliding a key into the apartment's door. After the door opens, a group of officers enter, yelling commands. After officers keyed into the apartment, Locke looked over the back of the couch, ducked down under a blanket, lowered a handgun, and then raised it toward the officer who then shot him three times, according to the statement from prosecutors announcing their decision.
During a news conference Wednesday, Ellison and Freeman said they met with Locke's family in the morning to inform them of their decision.
"We expressed our personal sympathies and empathies with the family," said Freeman. "They, like us, are very frustrated with no-knock warrants."
Hanneman, the officer who shot Locke, was wearing a body-worn camera and provided a written statement to investigators.
"I felt in this moment that if I did not use deadly force myself, I would likely be killed," he wrote. "There was no opportunity for me to reposition myself or retreat. There was no way for me to de-escalate this situation. The threat to my life and the lives of my teammates was imminent and terrifying."
Hanneman returned to active duty on February 28, less than a month after shooting Locke, a city spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday. "Officer Hanneman was assigned to a role that fits the needs of the department and his service to the City of Minneapolis. That assignment does not include SWAT," according to the spokesperson.
Some renewed calls for an end to the practice of no-knock warrants following Locke's death, and many in leadership positions in departments and policing advocacy groups have said there are almost no circumstances where no-knock warrants are appropriate.
Ellison noted that his office was not allowed to evaluate the case "from the perspective of the victim," and that it would have been "unethical" to file charges in a case that would not be able to prevail, because the law does not support criminal charges.
In their statement, Freeman and Ellison said that Locke might be alive today "absent the no-knock warrant used in this case." But they also said their role in this investigation wasn't to evaluate the use of the warrant -- it was to look at the killing to determine whether criminal charges were warranted.
Storms said the family still plans to move forward with a civil lawsuit and the lack of criminal charges has "no impact" on that plan.
The shooting death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville during warrant service reintroduced the dangers of warrants into the American consciousness. Ellison said that the killing of Locke "calls for reform, and I think it's appropriate for community to engage to have a policy that's going to preserve life for everyone involved."
"I will add this, no-knock warrants aren't particularly safe for officers either. They have attendant risks on both sides, civilians and officers, so it's appropriate to investigate and come up with policy that works," Ellison said at the press conference.
The city garnered significant national media attention in November 2020 when it announced, amid a nationwide reckoning over police policies prompted in part by the murder of Floyd and the killing of Taylor, it was changing its policy. Some touted as an "accomplishment" that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey banned no-knock warrants. But the city did not outright ban no-knock warrants, and like most police department policies, its policy gives wide leeway to field supervisors to make decisions based on conditions they encounter and allows for no-knock warrants in certain situations.
A policy announced after Locke's death required the city's police chief to approve no-knock warrant service. But on Tuesday night, Frey's office said a new policy would prohibit officers from executing no-knock warrants in most cases. The policy will prohibit the MPD from requesting no-knock search warrants and from responding to requests of similar searches from other jurisdictions, according to a Tuesday statement from Frey's office.
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™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/local/no-charges-will-be-filed-in-fatal-police-shooting-of-amir-locke-killed-during-no/article_9fa5590c-b64c-11ec-b4d1-278afa1d2c2a.html
| 2022-04-07T10:13:35Z
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Senate poised to confirm Jackson to Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate is expected to confirm Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on Thursday, securing her place as the first Black woman on the high court and giving President Joe Biden a bipartisan endorsement for his historic pick.
Three Republican senators have said they will support Jackson, who would replace Justice Stephen Breyer when he retires this summer. While the vote will be far from the overwhelming bipartisan confirmations for Breyer and other justices in decades past, it will still be a significant bipartisan accomplishment for Biden in the narrow 50-50 Senate after GOP senators aggressively worked to paint Jackson as too liberal and soft on crime.
“It will be a joyous day,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as he announced Thursday’s vote late Wednesday evening. “Joyous for the senate, joyous for the Supreme Court, joyous for America.”
Jackson, a 51 year-old federal appeals court judge, would be just the third Black justice, after Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, and the sixth woman. She would join two other women, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, on the liberal side of a 6-3 conservative court. With Justice Amy Coney Barrett sitting at the other end of the bench, four of the nine justices would be women for the first time in history.
After a bruising hearing in which Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee aggressively interrogated Jackson on her sentencing record, three GOP senators came out and said they would support her. The statements from Maine Sen. Susan Collins, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney all said the same thing — they might not always agree with Jackson, but they found her to be enormously well qualified for the job.
Collins and Murkowski both decried the increasingly partisan confirmation process, which Collins called “broken” and Murkowski called “corrosive” and “more detached from reality by the year.”
Biden, a veteran of a more bipartisan Senate, said from the beginning that he wanted support from both parties for his history-making nominee, and he invited Republicans to the White House as he made his decision. It was an attempted reset from three brutal Supreme Court battles during President Donald Trump’s presidency, when Democrats vociferously opposed the nominees, and from the end of President Barack Obama’s, when Republicans blocked Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland from getting a vote.
Before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, the Jackson said her life was shaped by her parents’ experiences with lawful racial segregation and civil rights laws that were enacted a decade before she was born.
With her parents and family sitting behind her, she told the panel that her “path was clearer” than theirs as a Black American. Jackson attended Harvard University, served as a public defender, worked at a private law firm and was appointed as a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission in addition to her nine years on the federal bench.
“I have been a judge for nearly a decade now, and I take that responsibility and my duty to be independent very seriously,” Jackson said. “I decide cases from a neutral posture. I evaluate the facts, and I interpret and apply the law to the facts of the case before me, without fear or favor, consistent with my judicial oath.”
Once sworn in, Jackson would be the second youngest member of the court after Barrett, 50. She would join a court on which no one is yet 75, the first time that has happened in nearly 30 years.
Jackson’s first term will be marked by cases involving race, both in college admissions and voting rights. She has pledged to sit out the court’s consideration of Harvard’s admissions program since she is a member of its board of overseers. But the court could split off a second case involving a challenge to the University of North Carolina’s admissions process, which might allow her to weigh in on the issue.
Republicans spent the hearings interrogating her sentencing record on the federal bench, including the sentences she handed down in child pornography cases, which they argued were too light. Jackson pushed back on the GOP narrative, declaring that “nothing could be further from the truth” and explaining her reasoning in detail. Democrats said she was in line with other judges in her decisions.
The GOP questioning in the Judiciary committee stuck for many Republicans, though, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said in a floor speech Wednesday that Jackson “never got tough once in this area.”
Democrats criticized the Republicans’ questioning.
“You could try and create a straw man here, but it does not hold,” said New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker at the committee’s vote earlier this week. The panel deadlocked on the nomination 11-11, but the Senate voted to discharge it from committee and moved ahead with her confirmation.
In an impassioned moment during the hearings last month, Booker, who is also Black, told Jackson that he felt emotional watching her testify. He said he saw “my ancestors and yours” in her image.
“But don’t worry, my sister,” Booker said. “Don’t worry. God has got you. And how do I know that? Because you’re here, and I know what it’s taken for you to sit in that seat.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/senate-poised-confirm-jackson-supreme-court/
| 2022-04-07T10:27:16Z
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Ukraine seeks arms from NATO as fight looms on eastern front
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Ukraine told residents of its industrial heartland to leave while they still can and urged Western nations to send “weapons, weapons, weapons” Thursday after Russian forces withdrew from the shattered outskirts of Kyiv to regroup for an offensive in the country’s east.
Russia’s six-week-old invasion failed to take Ukraine’s capital quickly and achieve what Western countries say was President Vladimir Putin’s initial aim to oust the Ukrainian government. Russia’s focus is now on the Donbas, a mostly Russian-speaking region in eastern Ukraine.
In Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged NATO to provide more weapons for his war-torn country to help prevent further atrocities like those reported in Kyiv’s northern suburbs. Ukrainian authorities are working to identify hundreds of bodies they say were found in Bucha and other towns after Russian troops withdrew and to document what they say were war crimes.
“My agenda is very simple… it’s weapons, weapons and weapons,” Kuleba said as he arrived at NATO headquarters for talks with the military organization’s foreign ministers about Ukraine’s fight to defend itself.
“The more weapons we get and the sooner they arrive in Ukraine, the more human lives will be saved,” he said.
Some NATO nations worry they may be Russia’s next target, but the alliance is striving to avoid actions that might pull any of its 30 members directly into the war. Still, he NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged member nations to send Ukraine more weapons, and not just defensive arms.
WARNING: Videos in this story may contain graphic content.
“Ukraine is fighting a defensive war, so this distinction between offensive and defensive weapons doesn’t actually have any real meaning,” he said.
Western countries have provided Ukraine with portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, but they have been reluctant to supply aircraft or tanks plus any equipment that Ukrainian troops would have to be trained to use.
Asked what more his country was seeking, Kuleba listed planes, land-based missiles, armored vehicles and air defense systems.
A U.S. defense official speaking on condition of anonymity said Russia had pulled all of its estimated 24,000 or more troops from the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas in the north, sending them into Belarus or Russia to resupply, reorganize and likely prepare to return to fight in the east.
Growing numbers of Putin’s troops, along with mercenaries, have been reported moving into the Donbas, where Russia-backed separatists have fought Ukrainian forces for eight years and control two areas.
Ahead of its Feb. 24 invasion, Moscow recognized the Luhansk and Donetsk areas as independent states. Military analysts have said Putin also could be seeking to expand into government-controlled parts of the Donbas.
Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said at least five civilians were killed and another eight were wounded by Russian shelling on Wednesday. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk urged civilians to evacuate to safer regions before it was too late.
“Later, people will come under fire, and we won’t be able to do anything to help them,” Vereshchuk said.
Another Western official, also speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence estimates, said it may take Russia’s battle-damaged forces as much as a month to regroup for a major push on eastern Ukraine.
Oleksandr Shputun, spokesman for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, reported Thursday that near Donbas, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, remained blockaded. He said Russian forces also were carrying out “brutal measures” in the southern Kherson region, which they hold.
In his nightly address to the nation late Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine, too, was preparing for battle.
“We will fight and we will not retreat,” he said. “We will seek all possible options to defend ourselves until Russia begins to seriously seek peace. This is our land. This is our future. And we won’t give them up.”
In areas north of the capital, Ukrainian officials gathered evidence of Russian atrocities amid signs Moscow’s troops killed people indiscriminately before retreating.
Ukrainian authorities said the bodies of least 410 civilians were found in towns around Kyiv, victims of what Zelenskyy has portrayed as a Russian campaign of murder, rape, dismemberment and torture. Some victims had apparently been shot at close range. Some were found with their hands bound.
Western officials warned that similar atrocities were likely to have taken place in other areas occupied by Russian troops. Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of trying to cover up war crimes in areas still under their control, “afraid that the global anger over what was seen in Bucha would be repeated.”
“We have information that the Russian troops have changed tactics and are trying to remove the dead people, the dead Ukrainians, from the streets and cellars of territory they occupied,” he said in a nighttime video address. “This is only an attempt to hide the evidence and nothing more.”
Switching from speaking Ukrainian to Russian, Zelenskyy urged ordinary Russians “to somehow confront the Russian repressive machine” instead of being “equated with the Nazis for the rest of your life.”
He called on Russians to demand an end to the war, “if you have even a little shame about what the Russian military is doing in Ukraine.”
In reaction to the alleged atrocities outside Kyiv, the U.S. announced sanctions against Putin’s two adult daughters and said it is toughening penalties against Russian banks. Britain banned investment in Russia and pledged to end its dependence on Russian coal and oil by the end of the year.
The U.S. Senate planned to take up legislation Thursday to end normal trade relations with Russia, paving the way for higher tariffs on some imports, and to codify President Joe Biden’s executive action banning imports of Russian oil.
The European Union is also expected to take additional punitive measures, including an embargo on coal.
The Kremlin has insisted its troops have committed no war crimes and alleged the images out of Bucha were staged by the Ukrainians.
Bodies were still being collected in the city. On Wednesday, The Associated Press saw two in a house in a silent neighborhood. From time to time, the muffled boom of workers clearing the town of mines and other unexploded ordnance interrupted the silence.
Workers at a cemetery began to load more than 60 bodies into a grocery shipping truck for transport to a facility for further investigation.
Police said they found at least 20 bodies in the Makariv area west of Kyiv. In the village of Andriivka, residents said the Russians arrived in early March, taking locals’ phones and detaining and then releasing some people. Others met unknown fates. Some described sheltering for weeks in cellars normally used for storing vegetables.
“First we were scared, now we are hysterical,” said Valentyna Klymenko, 64. She said she, her husband and two neighbors weathered the siege by sleeping on stacks of potatoes covered with a mattress and blankets. “We didn’t cry at first. Now we are crying.”
In the southern port city of Mariupol, Mayor Vadym Boichenko said that of the more than 5,000 civilians killed during weeks of Russian bombardment and street fighting, 210 were children. Russian forces bombed hospitals, including one where 50 people burned to death, he said.
Boichenko said more than 90% of the city’s infrastructure was destroyed. The attacks on the strategic city on the Sea of Azov have cut off food, water, fuel and medicine and pulverized homes and businesses.
British defense officials said 160,000 people remained trapped in the city, which had a prewar population of 430,000. A humanitarian relief convoy accompanied by the Red Cross has tried to get into the city for days, without success.
Capturing Mariupol would allow Russia to secure a continuous land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014.
___
Oleksandr Stashevskyi and Cara Anna in Bucha, Ukraine, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Ukraine, and Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/ukraine-seeks-arms-nato-fight-looms-eastern-front/
| 2022-04-07T10:27:22Z
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‘Boucherie Feeds’ Delivers Healthy Meals to Low-Income Students
NEW ORLEANS — Boucherie’s executive chef and owner, Nathanial Zimet, announced the launch of Boucherie Feeds, a program dedicated to providing complete, nutritious and tasty meals to students in low-income areas throughout New Orleans.
In 2020, the pandemic forced Zimet to reduce hours to dinner service only, three nights a week, in order to survive. Even then he wasn’t sure if the restaurant would make it. But in the drastic change, Zimet said he saw an opportunity. With the additional days, he and his team dedicated themselves to furthering their school lunch programs (they deliver breakfast and lunch to a handful of NOLA schools close to the restaurant).
While New Orleans is known for its rich food history and culture, one in five New Orleanians live with food insecurity, and 64% of children in Orleans Parish are income-eligible for federal nutrition programs. In addition to Boucherie’s current school breakfast and lunch program, a recent partnership with the Healthy School Food Collaborative (the first in New Orleans) now gives Boucherie the opportunity to deliver nutritious meals to 500 public school students throughout the city—not just in school, but directly to their homes, seven days a week.
But Zimet said the goal is much bigger. Over the next three years, the team aims to serve 5,000 meals a day.
The program requires a lot of infrastructure and labor to cook, package and transport to schools and student’s homes. Boucherie Feeds is seeking donations to help enable it to reach as many students in need as possible. Donations can be made here: Make a Secure Donation (giveforms.com)
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/boucherie-feeds-delivers-healthy-meals-to-low-income-students/
| 2022-04-07T11:31:31Z
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Burkenroad Reports Investment Conference to be held April 29
NEW ORLEANS (press release) — Burkenroad Reports will present its 25th Annual Burkenroad Reports Investment Conference on Friday, April 29, at the Westin Hotel in New Orleans.
The annual event gives institutional investors and members of the public an opportunity to hear presentations from top executives from 18 public companies headquartered in six Southern states.
“This is an opportunity for institutional investors and individuals to hear from the people running these small-cap companies that are often under-followed by Wall Street,” said Peter Ricchiuti, Burkenroad Reports founder and director. “We’re excited to welcome everyone back in person this year after going virtual for the past two years due to the pandemic.”
Burkenroad Reports is a student stock research program at Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Since 1993 Burkenroad Reports has been producing investment research reports on dozens of small-cap companies, so-called “Stocks Under Rocks.”
This event, which is free and open to the public, coincides with the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Attendees are encouraged to make travel and lodging arrangements early.
Companies represented this year include:
Amerisafe (AMSF), Bristow Group (VTOL), Callon Petroleum (CPE), Cal-Maine (CALM), Crawford & Co. (CRD/A and CRD/B), Crown Crafts (CRWS), Daseke (DSKE), The First Bancshares Inc. (FBMS), First Guaranty Bancshares (FGBI), Business First Bancshares (BFST), Haverty Furniture (HVT), Marine Products (MPX), Odyssey Marine (OMEX), Pool Corporation POOL), Powell Industries (POWL), RPC Inc., (RES) and Sunnova Energy (NOVA).
The conference will feature a keynote by Thomas H. Lee, founder of Boston-based private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners. The full conference schedule is available here.
Registration is at www.burkenroad.org.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/burkenroad-reports-investment-conference-to-be-held-april-29/
| 2022-04-07T11:31:37Z
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DCHC and SHFB Offer Free Groceries
NEW ORLEANS, La. (press release) – DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC) is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) to distribute free groceries through a drive-thru food pantry at DCHC’s Carrollton Warehouse, 3201 Short Street (located behind the Carrollton health center), Friday, April 8, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The food giveaway is held the second Friday of each month and is open to everyone.
For more information, please call (504) 610-3157.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/dchc-and-shfb-offer-free-groceries/
| 2022-04-07T11:31:43Z
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Finnish Long Drink Announces Louisiana Distribution
NEW YORK (press release) — After launching in several other states across the country last year, The Finnish Long Drink will be distributed in Louisiana by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, marking the next stage of expansion as it becomes a national brand.
In Finland, long drink is the best selling category of liquor. The roots of the category go back to the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, when the country was still recovering from World War II. Concerned about how to serve drinks quickly enough to all the visitors, Finland commissioned the creation of a revolutionary new liquor drink that was both delicious and fast to serve—and so the first long drinks were born.
The Finnish Long Drink was founded by Finnish founders and friends Evan Burns, Sakari Manninen, Mikael Taipale and Ere Partanen – together with investors including Miles Teller, Kygo and Rickie Fowler. Their mission is to bring “the national drink of Finland” to America.
“We are proud to be bringing this signature aspect of Finland’s national happiness to Louisiana and we look forward to providing consumers with the invigorating and crisp taste of The Finnish Long Drink,” said co-founder, Sakari Manninen. “We chose to partner with Southern Glazer’s due to their extensive expertise in Louisiana, and this partnership will allow us to grow long lasting relationships with their connections, to ensure customers will be able to find The Finnish Long Drink in their favorite bars, restaurants and retailers statewide.”
The Finnish Long Drink was awarded top accolades including a Gold Medal (94 Rating) at the New York International Spirits Competition in 2019. It was recently named one of Shanken News’ Hot Brands and honored within the publication’s anticipated Impact Newsletter as one of 2022’s top performers in the spirits industry.
The Finnish Long Drink is distributed in 26 US markets, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Arkansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. It is easily available via Drizly and on thelongdrink.com. Further distribution markets are to be announced soon.
For more information please visit thelongdrink.com and follow on Instagram @longdrink.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/finnish-long-drink-announces-louisiana-distribution/
| 2022-04-07T11:31:49Z
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St. Bernard Receives Disaster Recovery Grant
ST. BERNARD PARISH, La. (press release) – The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) announced it has activated its Disaster Response & Restoration Fund in response to the recent tornadoes.
The fund provides grants that support local nonprofits leading short, medium, and long-term response and recovery efforts. The foundation has also provided immediate grants totaling $50,000 to five organizations that are coordinating their response with emergency managers.
In response to the tornadoes, GNOF has made five separate $10,000 grants to organization that are ready to provide emergency food and water, toiletries, shelter, and other assistance in coordination with local governments. The grants are being made to the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation, Community Center of St. Bernard, Sankofa Community Development Corporation, Second Harvest, and VIA Link 211.
“As a region and as a Foundation, we are not strangers to disasters, nor are we new to responding to them,” said Andy Kopplin, president and CEO of GNOF. “Yesterday’s tornadoes impacted our neighbors in multiple communities that are still recovering from Hurricane Ida. Our nonprofit partners are experts in responding to the localized and immediate needs caused by this extreme weather event.”
“As our city and region respond to (Tuesday’s) tornadoes, it is essential our nonprofits have the resources they need to lift up our residents after the storm,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “That is why I’m asking anyone that can contribute to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Disaster Response and Restoration Fund so our nonprofits have what they need to take care of our most vulnerable.”
“This funding will help us repair and rebuild our food pantry,” said Jamie Hornberger, executive director, Community Center of St. Bernard. “It also gives us the ability to provide crucial emergency resources to our Arabi Community.”
“As St. Bernard Parish and the region respond to the aftermath of the tornadoes, we’re grateful for the immediate support of the Greater New Orleans Foundation,” said St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis. “Our nonprofit partners are essential as we begin the recovery process and that is why we’re asking those who can contribute to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Disaster Response and Restoration Fund. This will ensure our nonprofits have the resources they need to get us on the road to recovery.”
“The foundation’s quick response and support of our organization is a testament to the generosity in our region,” said Meaghan McCormack, executive director of the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation. “This support will help us expand our reach and provide direct relief to our community.”
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/st-bernard-receives-disaster-recovery-grant/
| 2022-04-07T11:31:55Z
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U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $500K To Support Startups in New Orleans
WASHINGTON (press release) — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $500,000 grant to Idea Village in New Orleans to expand its entrepreneurial support programs. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.
This grant will grow and scale Idea Village’s idea-stage accelerator program, IDEAinstitute, to serve additional entrepreneurs and expand the program’s reach to underserved communities. The EDA investment will be matched with $125,000 in local funds.
“The American Rescue Plan provides tailored support to communities and regions as they recover and build a better America from the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will provide entrepreneurs with the resources they need to turn an idea into a scalable venture, helping them grow new businesses and create new jobs, which will lead to a diverse regional economy.”
“We know small companies can solve problems and change the world. The Idea Village is focused on the principle of supporting regional startups and big thinkers,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “We are excited that Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo has recognized the Idea Village as a leader in developing place-based entrepreneurial ecosystems and made this award.”
“We need to ensure that our impressive economic recovery from COVID-19 lifts all boats and leaves no one behind,” said Congressman Troy Carter. “This investment from the American Rescue Plan will allow Idea Village—an on-the-ground nonprofit—to uplift more underserved entrepreneurs in New Orleans than ever before, growing our small business ecosystem and training the business owners of tomorrow.”
This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/u-s-department-of-commerce-invests-500k-to-support-startups-in-new-orleans/
| 2022-04-07T11:32:01Z
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Gary Puls, assistant superintendent for the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historical Site in Laramie, has trouble holding onto a metal directional sign Wednesday. Puls was out checking the historic site’s many buildings for any signs of wind damage. The sign was pulled off of its stake during several days of high winds in the area.
Gary Puls, assistant superintendent for the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historical Site in Laramie, has trouble holding onto a metal directional sign Wednesday. Puls was out checking the historic site’s many buildings for any signs of wind damage. The sign was pulled off of its stake during several days of high winds in the area.
Carol Ryczek/For the Boomerang
A tree pulled down a power line after blowing over on Riverside Drive on Wednesday. Laramie saw gusts of up to 63 mph this week.
Laramie residents are checking for damage after strong sustained winds for more than two days with gusts reaching as high as 63 mph in the city.
The wind was even windier west of Laramie with a top gust of 94 mph recorded on a stretch of Interstate 80 near Arlington on Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Multiple locations around Laramie had property damage because of the wind. Part of a sign outside of the Wendy’s restaurant on Grand Avenue broke into pieces on Tuesday.
Also Tuesday, material from the roof of the Budget Inn near I-80 blew through the parking lot, despite staff efforts to anchor it down.
On Wednesday, a large tree blew blew over and across Riverside Drive, taking a section of a powerline with it. Rocky Mountain Power was called to the scene to make repairs.
The city of Laramie Public Works Department responded to two calls of heavy glass globes blowing off street lights on 4th and 5th streets near Grand Avenue, but reported little additional damage, said spokesperson Brooks Webb.
Winds should die down in Laramie today with gusts in the 40 mph range expected, the National Weather Service reports.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/a-windy-week/article_af07f778-dca4-5359-b478-f9145b4f90ad.html
| 2022-04-07T11:53:15Z
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THURSDAY
Laramie Building Authority meets: 10 a.m., via Zoom.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
Caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s/dementia: 3 p.m., meet for coffee, pie, understanding and comradeship at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 204 S. 30th St. For more information, call 307-745-6451.
Diabetes Support Group meets: 5:30-6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Email questions@ivinsosnhospital.org for the link.
Stitching the Past Together creative aging class: 6:30-8 p.m., Albany County Public Library large meeting room. Students will learn memory-based storytelling through beading techniques in this free course. Register at acplwy.org or at the circulation desk.
Lenten Taize worship services: 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1517 Canby St. Every Thursday through Easter.
UW Jazz Studies program presents the Art Lande trio Flex: 7:30 p.m., Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts. This is a free performance.
FRIDAY
Free stress relief clinic: Noon to 1 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
UW planetarium presents “Aurorae, Dancing Lights”: 7 p.m., UW Planetarium. For millennia our ancestors looked in awe at the “dawn in the north,” or Arora Borealis. What causes this display? Where does it happen? Do other planets have aurorae?
Good in All of Us fundraiser for Laramie Interfaith: 7-9 p.m., Eppson Center for Seniors, 1560 N. 3rd St. Will include a silent auction, mini-games and a trivia contest. Trivia teams of up to five members register for $100 a team at https://bit.ly/3KILsjb.
SATURDAY
Albany County 4-H Spring Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Albany County Fairgrounds.
Free cancer screenings: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ivinson Medical Group. Email questions@ivinsonhospital.org for more information.
Free stress relief clinic: 10-11 a.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
Bike Olympics sponsored by Laramie BikeNet: 1-5:50 p.m., Lincoln Community Center, 356 W. Grand Ave. Free entry, but BikeNet membership recommended. Visit Laramiebikenet.org for more information.
UW Cello Festival concert: 5 p.m., Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts. A free performance by participants of the 2022 UW Cello Festival.
UW planetarium presents “Max Goes to the Moon”: 7 p.m., UW Planetarium. Max the dog and a young girl named Tori take the first trip to the moon since the Apollo era.
An evening of Schubert with Kenneth Slowik (and friends): 7:30 p.m., Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets $10 general admission available at uwyo.edu/finearts.
MONDAY
Alcoholics Anonymous meets: Daily at various times in person or on Zoom. For more information, call 307-399-0590 or visit area76aawyoming.org or aa.org.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Hospice of Laramie House, 1754 Centennial Drive.
Women for Sobriety meet: 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. For meeting details, email 1093@womenforsobriety.org.
TUESDAY
Prayers & Squares Quilting Group meets: 9 a.m., Room 1 of Hunter Hall at St. Matthews Cathedral.
Laramie Rivers Conservation District meets: 10 a.m., 5015 Stone Road.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
Albany County Republican Party meets: 6 p.m., Albany County Public Library.
WEDNESDAY
Laramie Tai Chi and tea: Meets at 1:30 p.m. at the north end of the stadium in Laramie Plainsman Park, North 15th and Reynolds. For more information, visit laramietaichiandtea.org.
Ivinson Medical Group women’s health prenatal education: 5:30 p.m., Ivinson Memorial Hospital in the Summit Conference Room. Learn more or register at ivinsonhospital.org/childbirth.
April 14
Caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s/dementia: 3 p.m., meet for coffee, pie, understanding and comradeship at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 204 S. 30th St. For more information, call 307-745-6451.
Second Story Book Group discusses “Billionaire Wilderness” by Justin Farrell: 6:30-8 p.m., via Zoom. Call 786-877-3912 or email taninel@bellsouth.net for information.
Stitching the Past Together creative aging class: 6:30-8 p.m., Albany County Public Library large meeting room. Students will learn memory-based storytelling through beading techniques in this free course. Register at acplwy.org or at the circulation desk.
Lenten Taize worship services: 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1517 Canby St. Every Thursday through Easter.
April 15
Free stress relief clinic: Noon to 1 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
UW planetarium presents “Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life”: 7 p.m., UW Planetarium. Are we alone in the universe?
Laramie Tai Chi and tea: Meets at 1:30 p.m. at the north end of the stadium in Laramie Plainsman Park, North 15th and Reynolds. For more information, visit laramietaichiandtea.org.
April 16
Kiwanis Club of Laramie Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m., Kiwanis Park in West Laramie.
Free stress relief clinic: 10-11 a.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
Ester Extravaganza: 2-4 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church, 1270 N. 9th St.
UW planetarium presents “Distant Worlds — Alien Life?”: 2 p.m., UW Planetarium. For millennia our ancestors watched the stars and questioned the origin and nature of what they saw. Yet, Earth is the only planet we know for sure to be inhabited.
UW planetarium presents “Liquid Sky, Pop”: 7 p.m., UW Planetarium. Enjoy a custom playlist from today’s top artists.
April 17
Walk with a Doc: 1:30-2:30 p.m., UW Fieldhouse. Hear from health care professionals and get your steps in.
April 18
Alcoholics Anonymous meets: Daily at various times in person or on Zoom. For more information, call 307-399-0590 or visit area76aawyoming.org or aa.org.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Hospice of Laramie House, 1754 Centennial Drive.
Women for Sobriety meet: 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. For meeting details, email 1093@womenforsobriety.org.
April 19
Prayers & Squares Quilting Group meets: 9 a.m., Room 1 of Hunter Hall at St. Matthews Cathedral.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
UW planetarium presents “Wyoming Skies”: 7 p.m., UW Planetarium. What’s up in the sky around Wyoming?
Stitching the Past Together creative aging class: 6:30-8 p.m., Albany County Public Library large meeting room. Students will learn memory-based storytelling through beading techniques in this free course. Register at acplwy.org or at the circulation desk.
April 20
Laramie Rivers Conservation District meets: Noon, 5015 Stone Road.
Laramie Tai Chi and tea: Meets at 1:30 p.m. at the north end of the stadium in Laramie Plainsman Park, North 15th and Reynolds. For more information, visit laramietaichiandtea.org.
Award-Winning Author Jesmyn Ward speaks: 5 p.m., UW College of Arts and Sciences auditorium.
Ivinson Medical Group women’s health prenatal education: 5:30 p.m., Ivinson Memorial Hospital in the Summit Conference Room. Learn more or register at ivinsonhospital.org/childbirth.
April 21
Caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s/dementia: 3 p.m., meet for coffee, pie, understanding and comradeship at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 204 S. 30th St. For more information, call 307-745-6451.
Ivinson Medical Group women’s health prenatal education: 5:30 p.m., Ivinson Memorial Hospital in the Summit Conference Room. Learn more or register at ivinsonhospital.org/childbirth.
April 22
Albany County CattleWomen meet: 11:30 a.m., location tbd. Visit wyaccw.com in the week before the meeting for location and more information.
Free stress relief clinic: Noon to 1 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
UW planetarium presents “Earth Day”: 7 p.m., UW Planetarium. Observe our beautiful planet from the ground, sky and space as we learn about glaciers, atmospheric science, meteorology, extreme weather events and climate history.
Violin virtuoso Augustin Hadelich with UW Chamber Orchestra: 730 p.m., Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets available at uwyo.edu/finearts.
April 23
Free stress relief clinic: 10-11 a.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
UW planetarium presents “From Earth to the Universe”: 2 p.m., UW Planetarium. The night sky, both beautiful and mysterious, has been the subject of campfire stories, ancient myths and awe for as long as there have been people.
April 25
Alcoholics Anonymous meets: Daily at various times in person or on Zoom. For more information, call 307-399-0590 or visit area76aawyoming.org or aa.org.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Hospice of Laramie House, 1754 Centennial Drive.
Wyoming’s energy economy panel discussion: 6 p.m., online at uweconomists.eventbrite.com. Features four University of Wyoming economists.
Women for Sobriety meet: 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. For meeting details, email 1093@womenforsobriety.org.
America Sewing Guild Laramie Chapter meets: 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 1215 E. Gibbon St.
April 26
Prayers & Squares Quilting Group meets: 9 a.m., Room 1 of Hunter Hall at St. Matthews Cathedral.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
April 27
Laramie Tai Chi and tea: Meets at 1:30 p.m. at the north end of the stadium in Laramie Plainsman Park, North 15th and Reynolds. For more information, visit laramietaichiandtea.org.
April 28
Caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s/dementia: 3 p.m., meet for coffee, pie, understanding and comradeship at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 204 S. 30th St. For more information, call 307-745-6451.
Stitching the Past Together creative aging class: 6:30-8 p.m., Albany County Public Library large meeting room. Students will learn memory-based storytelling through beading techniques in this free course. Register at acplwy.org or at the circulation desk.
April 29
Free stress relief clinic: Noon to 1 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
UW planetarium presents “Mars”: 7 p.m., UW Planetarium. The red planet is host to many questions; did it used to be like Earth? Did it once harbor life? Could it still support life?
April 30
Free stress relief clinic: 10-11 a.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
UW planetarium presents “Mexica Archaeoastronomy”: 2 p.m., UW Planetarium. Illustrates the important role played by astronomical observation for the evolution of pre-Hispanic cultures in central Mexico.
UW planetarium presents “Liquid Sky, Electronica”: 7 p.m., UW Planetarium. Enjoy a custom playlist of music from today’s top artists.
May 2
Alcoholics Anonymous meets: Daily at various times in person or on Zoom. For more information, call 307-399-0590 or visit area76aawyoming.org or aa.org.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Hospice of Laramie House, 1754 Centennial Drive.
Women for Sobriety meet: 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. For meeting details, email 1093@womenforsobriety.org.
May 3
Prayers & Squares Quilting Group meets: 9 a.m., Room 1 of Hunter Hall at St. Matthews Cathedral.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 4
Laramie Tai Chi and tea: Meets at 1:30 p.m. at the north end of the stadium in Laramie Plainsman Park, North 15th and Reynolds. For more information, visit laramietaichiandtea.org.
Ivinson Medical Group women’s health prenatal education: 5:30 p.m., Ivinson Memorial Hospital in the Summit Conference Room. Learn more or register at ivinsonhospital.org/childbirth.
May 5
Caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s/dementia: 3 p.m., meet for coffee, pie, understanding and comradeship at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 204 S. 30th St. For more information, call 307-745-6451.
Diabetes Support Group meets: 5:30-6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Email questions@ivinsosnhospital.org for the link.
Stitching the Past Together creative aging class: 6:30-8 p.m., Albany County Public Library large meeting room. Students will learn memory-based storytelling through beading techniques in this free course. Register at acplwy.org or at the circulation desk.
May 6
Free stress relief clinic: Noon to 1 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 7
Free stress relief clinic: 10-11 a.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 9
Alcoholics Anonymous meets: Daily at various times in person or on Zoom. For more information, call 307-399-0590 or visit area76aawyoming.org or aa.org.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Hospice of Laramie House, 1754 Centennial Drive.
Women for Sobriety meet: 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. For meeting details, email 1093@womenforsobriety.org.
May 10
Prayers & Squares Quilting Group meets: 9 a.m., Room 1 of Hunter Hall at St. Matthews Cathedral.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
Albany County Republican Party meets: 6 p.m., Albany County Public Library.
May 11
Laramie Tai Chi and tea: Meets at 1:30 p.m. at the north end of the stadium in Laramie Plainsman Park, North 15th and Reynolds. For more information, visit laramietaichiandtea.org.
Ivinson Medical Group women’s health prenatal education: 5:30 p.m., Ivinson Memorial Hospital in the Summit Conference Room. Learn more or register at ivinsonhospital.org/childbirth.
May 12
Caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s/dementia: 3 p.m., meet for coffee, pie, understanding and comradeship at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 204 S. 30th St. For more information, call 307-745-6451.
Stitching the Past Together creative aging class: 6:30-8 p.m., Albany County Public Library large meeting room. Students will learn memory-based storytelling through beading techniques in this free course. Register at acplwy.org or at the circulation desk.
May 13
Free stress relief clinic: Noon to 1 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 14
University of Wyoming graduation ceremony: 8:30 a.m., UW Arena-Auditorium, undergraduate ceremony for the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engineering and Applied Science and School of Energy Resources.
Free stress relief clinic: 10-11 a.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
University of Wyoming graduation ceremony: 10 a.m., Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts, for the College of Law.
University of Wyoming graduation ceremony: 12:15 p.m., UW Arena-Auditorium, for master’s and doctoral students from colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business, Education, Engineering and Applied Science, Health Sciences and Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources.
University of Wyoming graduation ceremony: 3:30 p.m., UW Arena-Auditorium, for undergraduate ceremony for colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources and Office of Academic Affairs.
May 16
Alcoholics Anonymous meets: Daily at various times in person or on Zoom. For more information, call 307-399-0590 or visit area76aawyoming.org or aa.org.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Hospice of Laramie House, 1754 Centennial Drive.
Women for Sobriety meet: 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. For meeting details, email 1093@womenforsobriety.org.
May 17
Prayers & Squares Quilting Group meets: 9 a.m., Room 1 of Hunter Hall at St. Matthews Cathedral.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 18
Laramie Tai Chi and tea: Meets at 1:30 p.m. at the north end of the stadium in Laramie Plainsman Park, North 15th and Reynolds. For more information, visit laramietaichiandtea.org.
Ivinson Medical Group women’s health prenatal education: 5:30 p.m., Ivinson Memorial Hospital in the Summit Conference Room. Learn more or register at ivinsonhospital.org/childbirth.
May 19
Caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s/dementia: 3 p.m., meet for coffee, pie, understanding and comradeship at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 204 S. 30th St. For more information, call 307-745-6451.
Stitching the Past Together creative aging class: 6:30-8 p.m., Albany County Public Library large meeting room. Students will learn memory-based storytelling through beading techniques in this free course. Register at acplwy.org or at the circulation desk.
May 20
Albany County CattleWomen meet: 11:30 a.m., location tbd. Visit wyaccw.com in the week before the meeting for location and more information.
Free stress relief clinic: Noon to 1 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 21
Free stress relief clinic: 10-11 a.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 23
Alcoholics Anonymous meets: Daily at various times in person or on Zoom. For more information, call 307-399-0590 or visit area76aawyoming.org or aa.org.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Hospice of Laramie House, 1754 Centennial Drive.
Women for Sobriety meet: 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. For meeting details, email 1093@womenforsobriety.org.
America Sewing Guild Laramie Chapter meets: 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 1215 E. Gibbon St.
May 24
Prayers & Squares Quilting Group meets: 9 a.m., Room 1 of Hunter Hall at St. Matthews Cathedral.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 25
Laramie Tai Chi and tea: Meets at 1:30 p.m. at the north end of the stadium in Laramie Plainsman Park, North 15th and Reynolds. For more information, visit laramietaichiandtea.org.
May 26
Caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s/dementia: 3 p.m., meet for coffee, pie, understanding and comradeship at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 204 S. 30th St. For more information, call 307-745-6451.
Stitching the Past Together creative aging class: 6:30-8 p.m., Albany County Public Library large meeting room. Students will learn memory-based storytelling through beading techniques in this free course. Register at acplwy.org or at the circulation desk.
May 27
Free stress relief clinic: Noon to 1 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 28
Free stress relief clinic: 10-11 a.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
May 30
Alcoholics Anonymous meets: Daily at various times in person or on Zoom. For more information, call 307-399-0590 or visit area76aawyoming.org or aa.org.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Hospice of Laramie House, 1754 Centennial Drive.
Women for Sobriety meet: 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. For meeting details, email 1093@womenforsobriety.org.
May 31
Prayers & Squares Quilting Group meets: 9 a.m., Room 1 of Hunter Hall at St. Matthews Cathedral.
Free stress relief clinic: 1-2 p.m., Laramie Plains Civic Center Phoenix Ballroom.
Have an event for What’s Happening? Send it to Managing Editor Greg Johnson at gjohnson@laramieboomerang.com.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/announcements/whats-happening/article_da1470a3-bd53-5401-9443-4198e2aeef95.html
| 2022-04-07T11:53:21Z
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Laramie City Council has finally drawn a line on redrawing city ward boundaries.
The council voted this week to move forward with multiple initiatives that have been in the works for months, including a new ward boundary map. Affordability in housing and access to city resources also were discussed as part of a lengthy agenda for Tuesday's regular meeting.
Ward boundaries
After adopting various drafts of a ward boundary map, the City Council has given the green light for Map 1G with one “no” vote from council member Erin O’Doherty and two absences.
The map splits West Laramie between two wards, something that's been a point of contention with the council and some residents. Some argued that having more council members with constituents in the west neighborhood would increase representation. Others felt keeping the neighborhood whole would better serve the area by having a higher voter percentage of West Laramie residents in one ward.
The map was developed to alleviate concerns about voter privacy and small precincts that were part of a previous proposal to redraw the boundary lines.
“I feel like City Council needed one more meeting to totally hone in on a good map,” said council member Andrea Summerville, who brought Map 1G to the floor. “I feel like we were pushed into doing this over two weeks in a hurry due to aspects out of our control.”
There was some uncertainty involved in the process after the Wyoming Legislature took longer than expected to complete its redistricting process, which impacts how city wards can be drawn. Despite this, a decision had to be made in a timely manner to allow the Albany County Clerk’s Office to prepare for election season.
Zoning rules
The council moved forward with changes to zoning rules in areas zoned R1, LR and RR single-family.
Minimum lot and setback requirements were reduced and the requirement to build a garage along with a house was eliminated. While developers and homeowners can still build a garage or a large home, the change was meant to provide opportunity to build more affordable living spaces.
“This is mainly to increase flexibility for potential developers,” said Planning Division spokesperson Philipp Gabathuler of the changes to dimensional standards.
The new ordinance also expands the definition of an accessory dwelling unit so that homeowners in the area can build and potentially rent spaces either attached or detached from their homes to people outside their families.
“Zoning, if anything, is a promise that a neighborhood will be developed in a certain way,” said Laramie resident Brett Glass in objecting to the changes. “People invested their life savings in their homes assuming their neighborhoods will remain pretty much the same.”
The ordinance will go up for a third and final reading April 19.
Recreation Center fees
City Council approved changes to admission and membership prices at the Laramie Community Recreation Center that are part of a greater goal to reimagine the center’s usage.
Admission will be divided into three groups: youth, adult and senior. The fee for youth and seniors will be $4.50 for daily admission and $220 for an annual membership. For adults, the fee will be $6.50 for daily admission and $350 for an annual membership.
The center also made changes to its family pass policy. While previously the fees for a family plan were assessed on a household basis, the new plan is assessed based on number of people.
Members also will see more flexibility with altering their memberships to be year-long or month-to-month.
“We think this is more accommodating and will be more appealing to our community members,” Recreation Manager Jodi Guerin said about the changes.
Summerville raised concerns about the lack of a needs-based fee structure in the plan and the potential impact it could have on low-income families. The council plans to consider a needs-based plan in the future.
The fees will go into effect June 1, or at the end of the membership period for current members.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/council-gives-ok-to-new-ward-boundaries/article_1c0391d9-1351-5cc5-af16-c1e634c0c26b.html
| 2022-04-07T11:53:28Z
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WASHINGTON — By announcing they will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, three Republican senators are marking the historical moment by building legacies of their own.
The three GOP senators — Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney — have broken with their party at critical junctures, despite the political risks of standing alone.
The three said separately that they don’t expect to agree with all of Jackson’s rulings from the bench. President Joe Biden’s nominee to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer will likely join the liberal wing of the high court, and is not expected to tilt its 6-3 balance toward conservatives. But the senators also indicated the Harvard-educated judge is more than just likable, well-qualified and possessing the judicial temperament to do the job. They said she is deserving of confirmation.
As the other Republican senators line up to oppose Jackson, the support from the three outliers gives Biden the bipartisan backing he was seeking for the historic choice. It may do little to shield them from the blowback of party leaders and activists back home.
The votes from Collins, Murkowski and Romney also serve as a rejection of the soft-on-crime attacks leveled at Jackson, some tapping into conspiracy theories.
Voting for the “historic nomination,” Murkowski said it was worth the political risk. She described it as a rejection of a Senate process that “is growing worse and more detached from reality.”
It’s a measure of the nation’s polarizing times that what could be seen as a milestone for the country — the first time in the court’s 233-year history it won’t be made up of mostly white men — has devolved into a political brawl.
Jackson’s nomination is advancing through procedural hurdles, and is on a glide path to confirmation in the Senate by week’s end.
While Democrats hold a narrow majority in the 50-50 chamber, with Vice President Kamala Harris able to break a tie, her vote is unlikely to be needed.
“The confirmation of the nation’s first Black woman to the highest court in the land will resonate for the rest of our nation’s history,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday as he launched the weeklong procedural steps toward confirmation.
GOP concerns
It wasn’t always guaranteed that Jackson, who was confirmed by the Senate to be a federal appellate judge just a year ago, would win over Republicans this time.
One key Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who voted to confirm her for the lower court, led the opposition during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on her nomination.
Along with other Republicans, Graham saw political value in using Jackson’s hearing to dredge up complaints about the partisan treatment of previous Supreme Court nominees during the Donald Trump era — from Brett Kavanaugh, who faced accusations of sexual assault from his high school years that he strenuously denied during his 2018 confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court, to Amy Coney Barrett’s fervent Catholic faith.
“If we were in charge, she would not have been before this committee,” Graham said about the Republican side ahead of the panel’s deadlocked vote Monday. “You would have had somebody more moderate than this.”
But personal political legacies can be as strong a draw for senators, who like to think of themselves as one of the 100 distinct voices in the Senate.
Collins, Murkowski and Romney have all proven over long careers in Republican Party politics that they can be independent brokers.
Collins, who won re-election in 2020, has long gone her own way to vote for any president’s judicial nominees. An exception was Barrett, whose confirmation in October 2020 she said she could not support so close to the presidential election.
Collins expressed hope that the Senate could get back to a place where there is bipartisan support for qualified Supreme Court nominees “because it’s important for public confidence in the court. The court is not supposed to be a politicized institution.”
Romney, the party’s 2012 presidential nominee and the only Republican senator to vote to convict Donald Trump during both trials of the former president, has emerged as a new force in the Senate, helping to broker bipartisan deals on issues like infrastructure and COVID-19 aid. He declined to back Jackson just a year ago for the lower court, but once he had a chance to meet and review her record he said she “more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity.’’ He would run for re-election in 2024.
Murkowski faces perhaps the most precarious political climate because she is up for re-election this year in Alaska where Republican Party leaders have censured her over voting to convict Trump in impeachment over the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, among her other stances.
Alaska party leaders have endorsed Kelly Tshibaka, a Trump-backed candidate, ahead of the August primary. In the state’s new election system, the top four primary vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election where voters will rank their choices.
If anyone knows how to use political independence as a political currency, it’s Murkowski who in 2010 won a write-in campaign — voters had to write in M-u-r-k-o-w-s-k-i for Senate — after she lost the primary bid and party backing to a more conservative challenger.
Murkowski shrugged off the political attacks that could come from her decision to back Jackson as worth the risk.
“Is there any safe place in this polarized time?” she said.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/3-republicans-break-from-party-to-back-jackson-for-scotus/article_ca63d0d6-db97-529a-961c-31ba304fbf9e.html
| 2022-04-07T11:53:34Z
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JACKSON — Jackson Hole firefighter Sam Stein is trading in his warm bed for body armor and shipping out to Ukraine.
“There was an attack on a maternity hospital,” Stein said. “It’s just disgusting to watch, and I’m sleeping in my warm bed and I thought, ‘What am I doing here? There’s no reason to be sitting here.’”
The 28-year-old Jackson Hole Fire/EMS member signed on to join 11 other firefighters — nine from the U.S., one from Germany and one from Australia — for a two-week aid mission called Task Force Joint Guardian. The team will deliver donated firefighting equipment, train Ukranians on its proper use and assist with responding to fire calls and caring for the wounded.
Californian Eric Hille, an Army veteran and engineer with the San Miguel Fire Department, organized the all-volunteer relief mission to Ukraine, where Russia’s invasion is exacting a devastating toll on civilians. Hille’s call for qualified volunteers was posted on a news website, which then got passed around social media, where a friend forwarded it to Stein.
“So I sent Eric my resume about 30 days ago,” Stein said.
Stein has asked that his departure date be kept private for security reasons but confirmed the team expects to leave in early April. They will be flying into Poland for the operation.
“Everyone is donating equipment, but getting it in the country is actually really difficult,” Stein said. “People donate gear and then you don’t hear what happens to it. Our goal is to hand deliver that equipment.”
The equipment Stein will be delivering includes medical supplies, extrication equipment such as steel-cutting tools and lifting beams, as well as struts to help stabilize collapsed structures for search and rescue missions.
“The [Ukrainian firefighters] are running all these calls with no break,” Stein said. “Because this is all U.S. gear, we’ll be training them and helping them get used to it. We’ll also be going on calls with them.”
Urban search and rescue also will be a key piece of Stein’s role, responding to bombings and completing body recovery from collapsed buildings.
Notwithstanding the ballistic gear and body armor that the volunteers purchased for their own protection, all of the supplies have been donated.
“We’ve gotten over $300,000 in donated equipment so far,” Stein said. “We received a large number of new equipment donations from companies like Paratech and Holmatro.”
Private donors also have been especially generous. One wealthy individual is flying half the team members and their gear out on his private plane.
The cost of transport to Ukraine from Poland will be significant. The group has budgeted $1,000 in fuel costs.
Stein, a Chicago native, has lived in Wyoming for six years. About three years ago, he was hired at Jackson Hole Fire/EMS and works out of Station 1 as a full-time firefighter and medic.
Stein will be leaving earlier than the others to make sure the gear is loaded onto the plane correctly. He is part of only the first wave of firefighters Hille is hoping to send to Ukraine.
Stein is quick to warn against what he calls “Rescue Randys” who might do more harm than good.
“A lot of people are going there with unclear intentions,” he said. “‘Rescue Randys who don’t have the skill set and are posting on social media where they’re going.”
Stein said he won’t be putting anything on social media and cautions others on the ground to do the same.
“Russians are tracking social media posts to locate recruitment bases,” he said. “Potentially kidnapping foreign agents would be a strong bargaining chip.”
When speaking about the mission, there is one specific moment Stein is looking forward to most.
“Seeing the faces of the Ukrainian firefighters when we show up with gear and supplies and expertise they have been so short on,” he said. “Knowing that they’re not alone will hopefully improve their spirits and make a difference for the public safety workers who have been so gutted by the conflict.”
Inez Brunson has a direct line from Jackson to the bomb shelters in Kyiv: Her family is sheltered there.
Since Brunson, 24, last spoke to the News&Guide during a Town Square protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, her relatives have celebrated two birthdays from the relative safety of their apartment building’s basement. Her aunt, Svetlana Azizova, turned 64. Cousin Ella Yorovai celebrated her 40th with balloons and cake.
“They’re trying their best to make it as normal as possible,” said Brunson, who FaceTimes her cousins frequently and clings to updates on social media.
“By the grace of God they can still use their phones,” she said.
Brunson also calls a cousin living just outside the capital, whose wife and two young children she helped escape in a rental car. Continued fundraising, which Brunson spearheaded and drew many donations from Jackson Hole, allowed the family to buy a used car in Poland, which helps them make the 6-mile trek to the grocery store from their temporary abode.
By a rotten stroke of luck, a tree collapsed on the electrical system of the building where they are staying, Brunson said, stranding her family without power and hot water.
“As if their life could not be harder,” Brunson said, laughing through the strain of her anxiety. She and her mother, Olga, both massage therapists in Jackson, are trying to carry on with their daily routines while praying for their family members under siege.
They wear shirts with the Ukrainian flag in solidarity and to spread awareness.
“It makes me feel better about going through my day-to-day life, because it’s very much so a part of me and a part of what’s going on,” Brunson said. “At least people look at my shirt and they’re like, ‘Oh s--t, right, Ukraine.’”
While much of the world has moved on from images of Ukrainians sheltered in metro stations, the Russian bombardment hasn’t ceased.
“Although there has been talk about fighting dying down around the capital, my family and their friends are experiencing quite the opposite,” Brunson said March 31. “The bombing and fighting there has been the worst since the war began.”
Brunson’s family hasn’t been able to leave their apartment complex; there’s an unspoken curfew every evening.
Her aunt, Azizova, recently started going back upstairs to their apartment because she was getting sick from the basement air. In their unit they have three stocked refrigerators, which they share with a family they took under their wing, and cages full of rescued parrots that neighbors left behind.
“The bird noises bring a sense of calm to the home in between air raid sirens,” Brunson said. “I think that’s also part of the way that they feel as though they have more control over the situation because they’re able to help these other living creatures that are now like animals of war.”
After landing in Warsaw and crossing the border into Ukraine with an ambulance full of donated supplies including old Jackson Hole ski patrol jackets, David Craig is now waking up daily to the sound of gunfire in Kyiv.
“You’re only seeing half of it,” the 64-year-old Jackson resident said of war atrocities in Ukraine. “There’s absolutely no morals. ... They just basically killed everything in sight.”
Craig’s co-pilot for the ambulance was an American surgeon. His host, Alexi Vovk, is a fellow Spartan athlete who brought the popular obstacle course franchise to Ukraine. Through an eclectic global community of athletes, Craig is continuing to raise funds and deliver supplies from warehouses in Poland to shattered Ukrainian cities.
This week he’s headed into Bucha, where images of brutal murders sparked “global revulsion and accusations of war crimes” against Russia, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
Craig has a slightly more personal connection, having worked with Alina Sheikova, a Ukrainian living in Jackson, to gather donations before his departure. Sheikova lived in Bucha from age 10 to 23 and still has friends and family members in the region.
One of her childhood friends, a humanitarian volunteer, was killed by Russians in the recent attacks, she said.
“He was just helping people who were hiding, who couldn’t get supplies,” Sheikova said. “And they just stopped him, got him out of the car and just shot him dead. For no reason. He has two kids and a wife. ... I still can’t believe that he’s gone.”
Sheikova was inspired by Craig’s bravery and action, especially as she watches helplessly from the U.S.
“If I could, I would rather be there,” Sheikova said.
When he first got into the country, Craig heard medical gloves were needed, so he packed another ambulance with 12,500 pairs, purchased through his online fundraiser.
During his time in the city he has shored up statues and helped outfit pickup trucks with machine guns. Currently he’s working with veterans to order camouflage suits and military goggles.
“I want to give what I can give to these people,” he said Monday over FaceTime. “I don’t plan on leaving until the war is over,” he said.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/a-lifeline-to-ukraine-3-ways-jackson-hole-locals-are-getting-involved/article_cbf96e66-223e-5247-904e-e0090c5b6b1e.html
| 2022-04-07T11:53:40Z
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No charges brought in August 2021 gunshot death
SHERIDAN (WNE) – Sheridan County Attorney Dianna Bennett will not pursue charges against a man who fatally shot Leonard Laszlo, 46, in August 2021. Laszlo’s death, law enforcement officials said, was determined to be the result of reasonable self-defense.
Sheridan County law enforcement officials received reports of a shooting in the Bighorn Mountains shortly after midnight Aug. 5, 2021, Sheridan County Sheriff Allen Thompson said in a press release shortly after the incident.
Upon arrival on the scene, deputies found Laszlo dead from an apparent gunshot wound, Undersheriff Levi Dominguez said. Two eyewitnesses to the shooting and the shooter were also present at the scene. All three were seasonal workers in the Bighorns, cooperated with the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation and provided statements describing the incident.
The witnesses explained the shooting, which took place at the shooter’s residence, was the result of an altercation between Laszlo and the shooter, in which Laszlo was the aggressor, Dominguez said. After Laszlo pursued the shooter into the residence’s back bedroom — continuing to escalate the situation — the shooter fired a single shot from a handgun, resulting in Laszlo’s death.
“Early in the investigation, it was apparent that this was looking more like…self-defense,” Dominguez said.
Based on the initial investigation, Dominguez said investigators agreed the case was likely an incidence of self-defense. They decided not to arrest the shooter and told Bennett of their decision.
Idaho man charged with driving 132 in park pleads not guilty
JACKSON (WNE) — A man accused of driving more than 130 mph in Grand Teton National Park appeared in federal court Friday and was charged with 10 misdemeanors.
Jessie James Perry, 37, of Rigby, Idaho, was charged with reckless driving, failure to display a license plate, having an open alcoholic container, speeding, careless operation, driving under the influence, having expired temporary license permits, attempting to elude police officers, driving with a suspended license and lack of insurance coverage.
The charges stem from a March 27 incident on Highway 89/26/191, the park’s main thoroughfare. Perry is accused of driving a maximum speed of 132 mph near Moose. The speed limit on the road is 55 mph during the day and 45 at night.
Perry was arrested after a high-speed chase that involved five law enforcement officers and ended when Perry ran into traffic at the Gros Ventre Roundabout, park officials said. There were no injuries or damage reported.
Perry pleaded not guilty and was released on a $10,000 unsecured bail.
He has an Idaho driver’s license, although court documents list a Jackson Hole apartment as his residence.
High-speed chases are seldom seen in Grand Teton park.
“We do get people, as you’ve probably seen, speeding along the highway,” Teton park spokesman C.J. Adams said. “But at these rates is pretty rare.”
Man peeping into area backyards asks Douglas police to shoot him
DOUGLAS (WNE) — A suspicious-looking man looking into the backyards of residents’ homes in the 1200 block of Sweetwater Road was reported to Douglas police Monday around 7:21 a.m.
According to Douglas Police Chief Todd Byerly, the subject was “causing concern, as his behavior was reported as erratic.”
His name has not been released.
Police officers located the man, who “immediately presented a screwdriver in his hand and requested that officers shoot him,” Byerly said.
“Several requests and commands to drop the screwdriver were unsuccessful. After approximately 20 minutes of interaction with the subject, a Taser was deployed, and the subject was taken into custody for further evaluation,” he said.
Man gets prison for breaking probation for sex assault
CODY (WNE) — A former Cody man will receive 12-15 years in prison for breaking the probation he was granted after being found guilty of third-degree sexual assault of a minor. Michael Walker, 24, was sentenced to prison by District Court Judge Bill Simpson on March 9.
“Mr. Walker cannot be trusted to comply with terms of probation,” Park County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jack Hatfield said. “The one silver lining is, thank God we do not have another child victim here. What it comes down to is very simple – is this court willing to take the chance that Mr. Walker continues in his disregard for the law and orders of this court and risks the safety of another child? The State is not willing to recommend that.”
Walker was originally sentenced to 15 years supervised probation in June 2020 with a 12-15-year suspended prison sentence. He was charged in September 2018 after he was found in bed naked with a 8-9-year-old minor.
Hatfield criticized the original plea arrangement, which had been agreed to by former Park County Prosecuting Attorney Leda Pojman, that negated any immediate jail time for Walker. Despite Pojman’s no longer being with the county by the time Walker was sentenced, Wyoming law at that time required the State to uphold its original agreement with Walker.
“That plea was woefully inadequate,” Hatfield said. “The only reason we went with it is we were following our obligations. Unfortunately, the State was proven correct in this regard.”
Upon his release, Walker went to a homeless shelter in Casper. It was there he was found in violation of his probation in April 2021.
Man gets up to 15 years for trying to run over deputy
GILLETTE (WNE) — A Moorcroft man who was found guilty of trying to run into a sheriff’s deputy while fleeing from law enforcement in the spring of 2020 will serve up to 15 years in prison.
Last week, Nathan Schuerman, 42, was sentenced to 13.5 to 15 years for aggravated assault and possession of a deadly weapon.
In April 2020, Schuerman tried to drive his truck head-on into a deputy’s vehicle while fleeing law enforcement.
In a jury trial in December, Schuerman was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a deadly weapon and aggravated eluding, all felonies, as well as misdemeanor counts of destruction of property and reckless driving.
Schuerman also was sentenced to 180 days in jail each for the destruction of property and reckless driving. He’ll get credit for time served in both of those cases. At the time of his sentencing, Schuerman had been in jail for 607 days.
Schuerman said he was “sorry for losing control” that day. He was going through “a lot of stuff” but said that’s not an excuse for his actions.
“I still don’t know why I ran, but I did and I’ve got to deal with it,” he said, adding that he knows he “put a lot of people in danger that day. That wasn’t my intent.”
He said that spending nearly two years in jail has given him a lot of time to think and clear his mind.
Before he led officers on the pursuit, Schuerman had been drinking alcohol and using cocaine.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/cowboy-state-crime/article_2b438a45-3d11-57d1-8ab2-499199c96ba6.html
| 2022-04-07T11:53:46Z
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CHEYENNE — A jury on Monday found a Cheyenne day care worker guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Kristina Eileen Croy was charged in Laramie County District Court following the September 2019 death of an 8-month-old girl who was in her care at the time.
Croy pleaded not guilty to the charge in July 2020. Croy was accused of placing the infant in a too-small swaddling device against her mother’s wishes and against state guidelines. She was also accused of directing an employee of her day care to lie to police following the incident and of changing her story about the incident.
The infant, who was referred to during the trial and in court documents as “M.G.,” was identified by family members as Malia Gavagan.
Involuntary manslaughter, a felony, carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The jury came back with the guilty verdict around 4:30 p.m. Monday, following about five hours of deliberation. The trial began March 28, and closing arguments took place Monday morning.
Marcia Bean, the county and prosecuting attorney for Big Horn County, was appointed to prosecute the case.
The victim’s grandmother, Eileen Gavagan, worked for former Laramie County District Attorney Scott Homar and maintains a connection with current Laramie County DA Leigh Anne Manlove, who worked as a prosecutor in Homar’s administration.
Bean said Tuesday that the trial, which she said was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and filings by the defendant, was a long time coming. The prosecutor said she was “very happy” that the case was close to a resolution.
“I’m glad for the Gavagans, and I believe that it was an appropriate verdict. The jury worked hard, and so I’m satisfied with how it all came out,” Bean said in an interview.
Eileen Gavagan told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on Tuesday that “it was very difficult to remain quiet and emotionless” during the roughly five-day trial.
But as the jury’s guilty verdict was read, “finally we could breathe,” she said.
“The family members and those that loved Malia Gavagan are so grateful for the hard work of the prosecution team,” Eileen Gavagan wrote in an email. “We appreciated the jury’s attentiveness in the trial despite the very difficult circumstances and the emotions that arise when hearing about a child’s death, and seeing videos and photos of a deceased child.
“We are grateful that we had this precious child for 8 months (and) 21 days, and we will forever miss her,” she continued. “We hope for healing and peace and look forward to the sentencing hearing.”
Croy’s attorney, Dion Custis, gave a short statement to the WTE on Tuesday.
“It was an incredibly sad case — a very tough case for anyone to consider, including the jury,” he said.
In his opening argument in the trial, Custis called Malia’s death a “tragic accident,” and said Croy had not done anything criminal. Custis said Croy likely wouldn’t have taken the child into her care if she’d known about Malia’s “health issues,” which he said included being born premature and her mother’s use of marijuana while she was pregnant.
Croy’s attorney said the child was taking medication for acid reflux, but that Croy did not know this. He also referred to Malia as having “breathing issues” and “chronic lung disease.”
Custis said there was documentation that the child could not roll over on her own, meaning it would not have been unsafe to place her in a swaddling device, he said.
Regarding the accusation that Croy had changed her version of events, Custis said the day care worker had been “in a frantic state of mind” following the incident.
In Bean’s opening argument, she said Malia’s mother, Julianne Gavagan, stopped using marijuana when she found out she was pregnant.
Bean characterized the infant as “active” and “healthy” immediately before her death.
Croy remains free on bond pending sentencing.
Eileen and Julianne Gavagan also filed a wrongful death lawsuit in May 2021 in Laramie County District Court. The suit, which names Croy and her day care as defendants, has a scheduling conference set for May 9.
The criminal charge stemmed from a Sept. 25, 2019, incident.
The Cheyenne Police Department responded to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center that afternoon, following the report of a deceased infant, according to a probable cause affidavit written by CPD Detective Allison Baca.
Malia Gavagan had been in Croy’s care. Croy operated the day care “It’s a Child’s World They Matter,” which was licensed by the Wyoming Department of Family Services, the affidavit said.
Croy told law enforcement that she’d found Malia at about 1:20 p.m. that day face down on the living room floor. The child was not breathing and had no heartbeat.
Croy said she yelled for her then-18-year-old daughter to call 911.
Croy said that, at about 12:30 p.m., she’d put Malia in a “little sleeper,” which is described in the affidavit as a swaddling device that zips up to the neck with Velcro flaps, restraining a child’s arms. Croy told police she had to use the “swaddler” for prevention of sudden infant death syndrome.
The Mayo Clinic describes SIDS as “the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old.”
Croy said Malia’s mother knew she used the swaddling device, a version of events the parent contradicted.
After putting Malia in the device, Croy put the child on the floor on her back. She described looking over “a couple times” and seeing the infant had “dozed off.”
In at least one instance, Malia had rolled over, which Croy said she didn’t like, so she rolled the child onto her back. When she checked on the child again, Croy said Malia was lying face down and not breathing.
She said another day care employee stayed with the other children – 11 additional small children and infants – as her daughter called 911 and Croy began CPR. At this time, Croy said she heard Malia gurgling and noticed her lips were turning purple.
Croy said that, at the time of the incident, she was in the kitchen cleaning and doing paperwork, moving between the rooms.
Both Croy’s daughter and the second day care employee later contradicted Croy’s account in interviews with law enforcement, according to the affidavit. They said the second day care employee had been at lunch during the incident.
Croy’s daughter said a neighbor had come over to help watch the children while waiting for the employee to return.
The day care employee “immediately reported (in the police interview) that Croy had asked her to lie and say she was there at the time of the incident,” the affidavit said.
Croy contacted a Department of Family Services employee after the incident and asked her to come to the hospital. Croy initially gave the DFS worker similar information to what she provided to law enforcement, though she did not tell the DFS worker she’d found Malia face down, as she’d apparently told law enforcement.
Croy added that, although her home day care had cameras, she did not know if they’d been recording. Croy said she’d noticed the night before that the camera in the living room, where Malia had been at the time of the incident, was pointed toward the ceiling.
In an interview with the DFS worker about a month later, Croy changed her story, according to the affidavit.
She told the DFS worker that Malia could not roll over independently, and when she checked on Malia at one point, the infant’s head was “turned,” and she was not breathing.
Malia’s mother, Julianne Gavagan, told police the infant had no health problems and was not sick on the day she died.
Julianne added that Malia could sit up and “frequently rolled from her back to her stomach,” and had “on occasion” rolled from her stomach to her back, but that it was difficult for her, the affidavit said.
The swaddling device Malia was wearing the day she died had a sewn-in tag indicating it was for babies three to six months old and between 13-18 pounds. It measured 22.5 inches long. Also on the tag were the words: “STOP swaddling when your baby shows signs of rolling over or breaking out of the swaddle.”
At the time of her autopsy, the 8-month-old weighed 19 pounds and was 25 inches long.
An autopsy report concluded Malia died of positional asphyxia, meaning the infant’s position had prevented her from breathing properly.
The DFS worker provided Detective Baca with documentation that showed Croy had been trained in “safe sleep practices,” including that babies should not be swaddled “without a written statement and instructions from physician.”
Wyoming Child Care Licensing Rules say: “Sleeping infants shall not be swaddled without a licensed healthcare professional statement, including instructions and a time frame for swaddling an infant, on file. Swaddling is prohibited for infants that have the ability to roll over independently.”
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/jury-finds-day-care-worker-guilty-of-manslaughter/article_3620c60c-36d1-5793-ac28-cac3d0037918.html
| 2022-04-07T11:53:52Z
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Harmful algae season is months away, but Wyoming regulators are already gearing up to test for toxins at some of the state’s most vulnerable waters.
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality began tracking harmful algal blooms statewide in 2017. Every spring, the agency revisits the past year’s findings to refine its strategy for the next.
DEQ staff discussed their takeaways from the 2021 bloom season at a virtual public meeting on March 24. The DEQ continued to rely last year on information from citizen reports and satellite imagery to help with detecting and tracking blooms.
In collaboration with other state agencies, DEQ staff also began conducting routine monitoring at 20 popular recreation spots and introduced tiered health advisories — rather than blanket warnings — to distinguish potentially harmful blooms from ones actively producing toxins.
Now the agency must build the lessons from 2021 into its plans for 2022. It’s just starting to work out what that might look like.
“We’re trying to identify other water bodies that we want to do monitoring at — looking at what our resources are,” Lindsay Patterson, surface water quality standards supervisor at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, told the Star-Tribune.
Harmful algal blooms have become a growing concern across the country in recent years.
The tiny organisms that cause the blooms grow better in warmer water — an effect of climate change. And they thrive in water overloaded with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which rainwater carries from onshore sources, such as manure, to nearby lakes, ponds and streams.
Nutrients can be tough pollutants to regulate. The state is in the process of developing standards intended to lower nutrient levels in surface waters, but according to Patterson, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach the state can take.
“So much of addressing the problem of nutrients has to be driven by the local community,” she said. “That’s what’s going to be the most effective moving forward.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reiterated its commitment to supporting states’ nutrient pollution mitigation efforts in a policy memorandum issued Tuesday.
“Our nutrients memo is a call for scaling up the innovative approaches being used by farmers, ranchers, water agencies, local municipalities, industry, and communities to make progress,” Radhika Fox, EPA assistant administrator for water, said in a statement.
Wyoming regulators know a lot more about harmful algal blooms than they did in 2017.
The DEQ has counted more blooms every year it’s looked — almost certainly, Patterson said, because the agency has improved at finding them.
Last summer, the Wyoming Department of Health issued bloom advisories for 28 bodies of water and toxin advisories for eight of those.
There are “just more eyes on the ground,” Patterson said.
But the state still has plenty to figure out.
It knows, for example, that less than half of documented harmful algal blooms have been found to produce dangerous levels of toxins. But it isn’t sure why.
People exposed to those toxins while recreating in surface water could experience anything from gastrointestinal issues to rashes to cold-like symptoms, and may even need to be hospitalized.
Pets, meanwhile, tend to be more susceptible than humans. After exposure, they might cough or start to stumble. Their condition can quickly deteriorate and lead to death.
If humans or pets become sick after contact with water and a bloom was visible in the area, the illness should be reported to the DEQ, Patterson said.
Harmful algal blooms typically begin in Wyoming in mid-July and end around November. During those months, members of the public can check a map of bloom advisories maintained by the agency before recreating and look out for posted signs warning of toxin risk.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/state-officials-warn-of-more-algae-blooms/article_ecd065c0-d316-57c9-ae1c-2853b0a31083.html
| 2022-04-07T11:53:59Z
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Others can weigh in on Black Hills Energy's $258M transmission project
Five entities got the regulatory green light Tuesday to take part in a proceeding about a multimillion-dollar, multi-year power project envisioned by the local electric utility.
At the Wyoming Public Service Commission’s meeting on Tuesday, the PSC members quickly approved without much discussion the petitions to intervene in the proceeding about Black Hills Energy and its Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power's Ready Wyoming transmission expansion project. Staff of the agency recommended the commissioners approve these five petitions from outside parties.
As expected, there was no public or stakeholder discussion about these requests at the regulators' meeting.
Microsoft, a customer of Black Hills, was among those wanting to take part. Like the other stakeholders, it now can participate.
The others requesting and now being allowed to have similar involvement were Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Powder River Energy Corp., the Wyoming Municipal Power Agency and the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
For more information about Black Hills Energy's Ready Wyoming project, see blackhillsenergy.com/ready-wyoming.
To discourage vaping, schools install restroom sensors
POWELL (WNE) — Powell High School and Powell Middle School’s new vape sensors are fully online.
The sensors were bought through use of a federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant. The SAMHSA grant provides funds both for student mental health and also drug use prevention.
PHS Principal Tim Wormald stresses that the goal of the new restroom sensors is to be preventative, not punitive.
“Our whole approach to this is as a deterrent. We’re trying to be preventative, we’re not after trying to get kids in trouble. That’s not our goal with this, we’re trying to discourage the use of the devices at school,” Wormald said.
He and PHS made an announcement to students as well as sent out an email to parents with resources that talk about the harmful effects of vaping. The vape sensors also went online at the same time at PMS.
“A couple parents ... sent me an email and I’ve seen a few parents on the street and they just appreciate what we’re doing to try to curb kids from making poor choices,” PMS Principal Kyle Rohrer said.
The sensors do not have an alarm but will email the school when vapor is detected. Wormald says the school will look for a pattern in the alerts — meaning if a student enters the restroom multiple times and triggers the sensor each time, school administrators will proceed accordingly.
Students who are determined to be in possession of a vape on school property will be subject to the school’s alcohol and tobacco policy.
For any offense, if the student is under the age of 18, law enforcement will be contacted for criminal prosecution.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/worth-noting/article_ae4d0504-741e-56ea-a477-b1b96bf39962.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:05Z
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Wildlife managers have millions of dollars in new funding at their disposal to collect statewide movement and mortality data on mule deer, a species that has been in a prolonged decline in Wyoming and across the West.
Ultimately, data derived from GPS collars on 1,000-plus animals and increased deer herd population assessments will be used to help identify pilot projects to knock down numbers of large carnivores that eat muleys. The data could also shine light on where the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will strategically shrink elk herds, which compete with their smaller, less adaptable cervid cousins for habitat.
Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik told members of the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce in late March that he doesn’t see large-scale predator control as a silver bullet to turning the corner on mule deer numbers, which have fallen statewide from a high of over 500,000 in the early 2000s to just over 300,000 today. But it could be a useful tool in places, he said.
“We know we’re sharing our deer herds, in some places, with large carnivores,” Nesvik said. “Are there ways that we can make prescriptions and adjustments to wildlife management that will, at a localized level, provide more opportunity? In other words, share less of the deer resource with large carnivores.”
Other pilot projects will target elk, which have thrived and trended in the opposite direction as mule deer, growing from about 90,000 animals in the early 2000s to 110,000-plus today. Research by University of Wyoming Ecology Professor Kevin Monteith provides enough justification to test out using hunters to trim down elk herds — a decline mule deer could respond favorably to, Nesvik said.
Monteith, earlier in the same meeting, outlined preliminary results from an ungulate competition study south of Rock Springs in the Little Mountain area.
“Those [deer] that are further away from elk are gaining more fat over the summer,” Monteith said. “Those [deer] that are living closer to elk are gaining less fat over the summer.
“It’s certainly very convincing evidence that there’s potential competition between deer and elk given that relationship right there,” he added.
Specific pilot projects to help mule deer via killing elk and large carnivores are still in the planning phases and have not been identified, according to Game and Fish spokeswoman Sara DiRienzo. But the large carnivore species that the department has zeroed in on are primarily black bears and mountain lions, Nesvik said.
“There was no edict to create a war on mountain lions and black bears,” he said. “It’s not that.”
As for other predators: wolves in Wyoming are managed close to the lower limits required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for now grizzly bears are protected from hunting by the Endangered Species Act and coyotes can already be killed without limit throughout Wyoming.
Experimental predator control and elk reduction projects are just a couple of the possible outcomes of the infusion of mule deer research funds that the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission signed off on while meeting March 24 in Cody. The state agency’s seven commissioners OK’d a special allocation of $2.36 million for the five-year-study, called the “Mule Deer Monitoring Project.” All told, however, there’s $5.7 million projected to be sunk into the project, according to Game and Fish documents.
This project represents a separate effort from the 15-year-old ongoing Wyoming Mule Deer Initiative, which focuses on improving habitat, adapting hunting seasons and developing science to attempt to conserve deer herds throughout the state.
Millions of data points
There are three primary expenses to the new Mule Deer Monitoring Project, said Embere Hall, who supervises Game and Fish’s science, research and analytical support unit. One, the state is going to beef up its mule deer herd abundance surveys. Currently, she said, the state agency censuses just one deer herd a year, but the new funding will bring that total to seven or eight of Wyoming’s 37 recognized mule deer herds.
“So over the course of the five-year proposal,” Hall said, “we’ll have gotten a really robust estimate, potentially for every single herd in the state.”
Another big component will look closely at factors in mule deer mortality from five “focal herds” that will be selected from throughout the state — this is the portion that will most help inform predator control pilot projects. GPS collars will be used to monitor a total of 100 buck, doe and fawn deer from each herd, and when they die wildlife biologists and technicians will rush to the site to attempt to determine the cause.
Data analysis and presentation is the third big expense. On that front, Game and Fish is partnering with the University of Wyoming Quantitative Wildlife Ecologist Jerod Merkle. Approximately every three months, he told WyoFile, the 500 or so mule deer that are wearing GPS tracking collars in the five focal herds at any one time will output 1 million location points.
“We’re going to take in the millions of data points that are going to be collected, and turn them into something that can be used by field biologists and managers,” Merkle said.
The raw data will be sorted, analyzed and presented with apps and through other means by Merkle’s lab, the university’s new school of computing and the Wyoming Innovation Partnership. It’s a unique collaboration, he said.
“We’re trying to build all this data science expertise at the University of Wyoming,” Merkle said. “And here we are plugging that directly into the state needs of wildlife management.”
Of course, it remains to be seen if wildlife managers can use the fine-scale Wyoming mule deer data to help the species stage a comeback. Habitat quality, drought and winter severity — factors often out of wildlife managers’ control — typically drive mule deer populations.
“I think this gives the department and managers and the public the best tools that we can have to understand how our management actions are influencing populations,” Game and Fish’s Hall said. “Is it going to, at the snap of your fingers, return us to populations consistent with what we had 30 years ago? Probably not, but it can give us the information that we need to take the best steps in that direction.”
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/wyoming-to-target-elk-large-carnivores-to-aid-reeling-mule-deer/article_c3a02733-b78c-5f94-b980-9e6933567f5f.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:11Z
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Spring didn’t officially arrive in Wyoming until March 20, but you’d be forgiven for thinking it began a week earlier when we and the rest of the country (or most of it, at least) switched from standard to daylight saving time.
After getting past the grogginess and inconvenience associated with having to push our clocks and schedules forward an hour, there’s a certain joy that comes with getting that extra hour of daylight shifted to the evenings.
Still, it’s hard to get past the hassle of changing our clocks back and forth. In fact, in a day and age when it seems like Americans can’t agree on anything, there’s nearly universal disdain for the time changes.
Two years ago, the Wyoming Legislature passed a bill from Rep. Dan Laursen, R-Powell, that would put the Cowboy State on permanent daylight saving time. However, that change will only happen if at least four neighboring states agree to do the same thing — and if Congress OKs the move.
Now, there’s a chance the whole country will make the switch, as Congress is considering legislation that would put the entire country on permanent daylight saving time. The measure passed the U.S. Senate unanimously, though that reportedly was only because some senators didn’t realize the bill was being considered.
Whether the bill will clear the House remains to be seen; Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., told The Washington Post that the House may not take up the bill for months.
Pallone, who chairs the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, is an advocate for ending the twice-a-year time changes. In a recent statement he noted that, in the days following the falling back and springing forward, heart attacks, strokes and workplace accidents increase, productivity drops and children lose important sleep.
“I believe that any justifications for springing forward and falling back are either outdated or are outweighed by the serious health and economic impacts we now know are associated with the time changes,” Pallone said.
He also pointed to a 2019 poll that showed more than 70% of Americans want to stop changing their clocks.
Unfortunately, it’s more complicated than that. While everyone hates the time changes, public opinion remains split on which time is better. Many people like having plenty of sunlight left when they get off work (hence the existence of daylight saving time from March through November). However, many people also want it to be light when they leave for work or school (hence why standard time is used during the winter months, when the sun wouldn’t rise until nearly 8:30 a.m. in December).
The current set-up is a compromise that reflects the competing views. Consider the testimony presented to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce earlier this month.
University of Washington law professor Steve Calandrillo told the panel that daylight saving time should be made permanent, because it “saves lives and energy, and prevents crime.”
Driving in darkness is statistically more dangerous, and Calandrillo pointed to data showing that “darkness in the evening is far deadlier than darkness in the morning.”
He noted there are more drivers on the road, more drivers drinking and more children outside in the evenings. Calandrillo referenced a 2004 study that found a switch to daylight saving time would save the lives of 365 pedestrians and motor vehicle occupants every year.
Additionally, Lyle Beckwith of the National Association of Convenience Stores said data suggests people shop more during “daylight optimization time.”
Within the convenience industry, Beckwith said about $5 billion worth of incremental sales a year can be attributable to the extra hour of evening daylight.
“The current system of daylight saving is good for business, energy efficiency, and the prevention of vehicle accidents,” Beckwith told House committee members. “Preserving or extending these benefits are the only policy choices that make sense from our perspective.”
However, while agreeing that the United States should stop the unhealthy practice of changing its clocks, Dr. Beth Malow of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center contended it would be better to stick with permanent standard time. She compared daylight saving time to “living in the wrong time zone for almost eight months out of the year.”
“Standard Time is the healthy choice because it maximizes light in the winter mornings, when we need it to wake up and become alert, and minimizes light in the summer evenings, when it can work against our sleep,” Malow testified.
She also noted that a switch to permanent daylight saving time in the 1970s proved unpopular.
Rep. Pallone encapsulated the current dilemma in his opening remarks, saying that he hasn’t decided which time he wants the U.S. to stick with.
We’ve been on record saying that we prefer the extra evening sunshine offered by daylight saving time.
We could make that case again, but here’s the bottom line: If Americans aren’t OK with either going to work and school in the dark (under permanent daylight saving time) or losing an hour of evening light in the summers (under permanent standard time), we probably need to stop complaining and simply deal with the challenges of springing forward and falling back.
Powell Tribune
March 22
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/opinion/editorials/we-all-hate-springing-forward-but-do-we-really-want-to-stop/article_7fb15531-5f2a-5622-9fbb-e21addb2ce1a.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:17Z
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The walls evidently aren’t closing in on President Joe Biden.
Despite the mainstream press finally taking up the sleazy business dealings discussed in emails found on Hunter Biden’s laptop, the media’s lack of interest in the president’s knowledge or involvement in this lucrative part of the family business is palpable.
If President Donald Trump were caught up in similar circumstances, he’d be hounded at every press conference and during every walk to Marine One with the question of what he knew and when he knew it. It’d dominate cable news and the Sunday shows, newspaper editorials and op-ed pages.
While it’s nice that the laptop, once dismissed as Russian disinformation, is now finally considered a legitimate source of news by what are supposed to be news outlets, the reporting comes a year and half late and doesn’t add new information commensurate with the delay.
At this rate, the press will develop a keen interest in the Joe Biden angle to the story — the most newsworthy and consequential angle — sometime in late 2023.
The president’s son, Hunter, and his brother, Jim, have made a living from trafficking on their family name and political connections. The laptop is a guide to a particularly ripe example, a deal with CEFC China Energy, a cat’s paw of the Communist Party of China, that funneled nearly $5 million to Hunter and his uncle.
The president has said that he’s “never spoken” to Hunter about “his overseas business dealings.” Let’s stipulate that’s true. It still wouldn’t have taken much conversation for the then-vice president to understand why his son was hitching a ride on Air Force Two with him on a trip to China in 2013. It wasn’t for sightseeing.
Hunter met with banker Jonathan Li, whose private equity fund got approved by Chinese authorities shortly afterward. Hunter sat on the board.
Until they had a falling out over Hunter joining the board of the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma, Biden’s son was in business with John Kerry’s stepson, Chris Heinz. So, that’s two relations of Democrats who had run for president and occupied high government office coincidentally doing buckraking together.
How could Joe Biden and John Kerry, these sophisticated statesmen, not notice what was going on? Had they never encountered the phenomenon of relatives of government officials cashing in on proximity to power before?
Even if Joe Biden wanted to avert his gaze from Hunter, in the grip of a terrible addiction, what about his brother, Jim? Did Joe never talk to him about business either?
Even though we knew about it back in 2020, the CEFC deal remains jaw dropping. The company sought to extend Chinese influence as part of Beijing’s “Belt and Road” initiative. The founder of CEFC, Ye Jianming, roped in Hunter Biden, infamously giving him a 2.8 carat diamond after their first meeting. Everyone knew the score.
Hunter referred to another CEFC official as “the fing spy chief” and was under no illusions about his own value to the firm. He told Tony Bobulinski, recruited to structure the deal, that CEFC was “coming to be MY partner to be partners with the Bidens.”
The only one who didn’t understand the nature of this relationship was Joe Biden, who must have believed well-heeled Chinese companies sought out his son for his business acumen and sound judgment.
A notorious e-mail says that “the big guy,” identified by Bobulinksi as Joe Biden, was going to get a 10% cut of the deal. In a text, Hunter’s associate James Gilliar reminded Bobulinksi, “Don’t mention Joe being involved, it’s only when u are face to face.”
If Republicans take the House, they should make all of this a major focus of investigation. In the meantime, the press ought — out of shame, if nothing else — to bring more skepticism to assurances that Joe Biden knew nothing. Even the president’s fiercest critics don’t believe that he’s that clueless.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/opinion/guest_column/what-did-joe-biden-know-and-when-did-he-know-it/article_9b7252ca-a826-5759-a29a-e5b9dd6c7d99.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:23Z
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CHEYENNE – After serving constituents in House District 9 for three terms as a Republican, Rep. Landon Brown said he felt his allegiance to the party was brought into question.
Nonetheless, the Cheyenne lawmaker defended his political identity, values and his recent decision to run for a fourth term.
“It floors me that any party feels they can dictate whether or not you fit into their belief system,” he told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. “I’m a Republican, and I will continue to be a Republican. The state party doesn’t have that control over me.”
Brown has received criticism by Republicans not only for his more moderate views expressed on the floor of the Wyoming Legislature, but his stance on Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. He continues to be a vocal supporter of her role in the congressional committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riots, which resulted in her censure by the Wyoming GOP and Republican National Committee. The U.S. congresswoman was also condemned for her vote to impeach former President Donald Trump.
Brown said he doesn’t fear censure by the state party because they are not the ones electing him, nor is he afraid of association with Cheney.
“I’ve been called Liz Cheney 2.0 now probably a dozen times in the past couple of weeks,” he said. “And, to me, that’s an honor. Somebody that stands up and defends the Constitution the way she does, and the way that she fights for the sanctity of law, that’s what I want.”
Where his true concern lies, and what caused hesitation in his decision to seek re-election, is a decline in civility among legislators. He said instability has risen throughout the past term, and it is far worse than it has ever been. From receiving threats on his phone of violence to witnessing “vitriol and hatred” during the 2022 budget session, he said it felt like a tipping point.
“Wyoming used to be the gold standard when it came to civility and rising above all that,” he said. “Now, if anything, I view that we’ve gotten worse than even what many new members of Congress are doing.”
Following his own reflection with family, friends and colleagues, he said he knew he was strong enough to push past the hostility. He wants to be a part of the solution that keeps the state moving forward, especially after he said he has observed growth and success in other areas throughout the past six years.
Brown considers reducing the state budget by nearly a billion dollars, passing kindergarten-third grade reading assessment and intervention legislation and approving pay raises for state employees accomplishments by the Wyoming Legislature.
If he were elected for a fourth term, he said his next priorities would build on the progress made, but ultimately his focus is diversifying the tax base. This is based around moving away from minerals as a main source of income, removing exemptions and lowering taxes overall. Brown said he believes this would level the playing field and stabilize tax revenues.
He also plans to continue representing his constituents’ needs, while balancing the priorities of the entire state. Although he is a legislator in the most populous county in Wyoming and in the state’s Capital City, he said he did not want to end up like the Front Range of Colorado, where he alleged Denver dictates the entire state’s policies.
“Our job in the Legislature is not to cast what’s good for me, or good for my constituents all the time,” he said. “It’s what’s good for Wyoming.”
In representing the residents of the state, Brown said he wants legislators to concentrate on the important issues. His critique coming out of the session was that there were too many arguments about non-related issues in Wyoming, such as abortion and gun rights. Instead, he said he wants the upcoming 67th Legislature to develop a sound economy and strong education system.
“I do believe in the Second Amendment. I do believe in the Constitution. I do believe in the sanctity of life. I just don’t believe that we need to have those discussions every single session to promote that Wyoming is the most pro-life state or the most pro-gun state,” he said. “People know that. That’s why Wyoming is as right as it is, and it will continue to stay red.”
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/wyo-rep-brown-defends-decision-to-seek-re-election-as-a-republican/article_80e3ada9-f22c-5c40-8361-bf0d0dd630b1.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:30Z
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The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in the case of Brown v. Board of Education, the most-celebrated civil rights decision in our nation’s history, is a reminder of the unpredictable twists and turns that shape American constitutional law.
On May 17, 1954, the Court held that racial segregation of children in the public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Court’s denunciation of the separate-but-equal doctrine, which had provided the legal foundation for segregation in American life, began to open the gates of opportunity for Black Americans that had been closed since the dawn of the republic. No single judicial ruling could be expected to overcome the ills of racism, hundreds of years in the making, but Brown was a start. Indeed, it was a very good start.
Of all the remarkable dimensions of the Court’s ruling in Brown, perhaps the most remarkable was that it happened at all. But for the death of one chief justice, and the succession of a very different chief justice, the Court’s opinion in Brown v. Board of Education might well have upheld Plessy and the separate but equal.
Brown represented the consolidation of four cases, dispersed across the country, that raised the constitutionality of state-ordered segregation in public schools. The cases were argued before the Court in December of 1952, which meant that its ruling would have been delivered at the close of the Court’s term in June of 1953.
The Court, however, was deeply divided on the question. It emerged from the Conference discussion that four justices wished to uphold Plessy. At the head of that bloc was Chief Justice Fred Vinson, a former Treasury Secretary nominated to the Court by President Harry S. Truman. Vinson had written the Court’s earlier opinions striking down segregation in higher education, but he appeared to his colleagues to be opposed to extending the reasoning and rulings to public education.
Chief Justice Vinson’s presentation at the Conference on Dec. 13, 1952, ignored the fact that the separate but equal doctrine had provided the foundation for racial discrimination in the South. He was not prepared to overrule Plessy v. Ferguson, particularly because there was a significant “body of law back of us on separate but equal.”
Justice Felix Frankfurter, who wanted to overturn Plessy, persuaded the Court to hold another round of argument, scheduling it for the 1953 term, which would begin in October. Frankfurter hoped additional time and argument, accompanied by what he expected to be a supportive amicus brief from the incoming Eisenhower administration, might win over his recalcitrant colleagues on the high bench.
Frankfurter offered two plausible pretexts for the delay. First, the Conference had taken no vote, not even a tentative vote, on the segregation issue. Second, as Frankfurter pointed out, “no one on the Court was pushing” for a vote on the issue. Chief Justice Vinson was not eager to hold a vote that he might lose. And, even if a 5-4 majority could be mustered to overturn Plessy, such a thin margin would be regarded by the prevailing justices, and certainly by many in the South, as an insufficient victory, one that might not inspire respect and adherence, and perhaps one soon reversed by a subsequent Court, all of which would undermine a ruling to strike down separate by equal.
The Court’s lack of insistence on a vote, moreover, reflected the justices’ sensitivity to the cultural and political realities of life in the South that could not be ignored. Justice Hugo Black, born and raised in Alabama, predicted “violence and chaos” in the Deep South if the Court overturned Plessy.
The deeply divided Court thus faced not only the matter of deciding whether separate but equal violated the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, but also the great challenge of fashioning a remedy, should the Court decide to overturn Plessy. While the justices espoused varying doctrinal approaches to the task of constitutional interpretation, in this case, at least, they were all focused on the issue of the impact of their decision on the South.
Five weeks before oral argument, Chief Justice Vinson died suddenly from a heart attack. With his focus on the Brown case, Justice Frankfurter said in a private comment that since has become widely repeated, “This is the first indication I have ever had that there is a God.” (Note to readers: this is not how we should wish to be remembered by our colleagues.)
The twists and turns of life and death opened a vacancy on the Supreme Court to be filled by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. His nomination of Earl Warren, a former California governor and attorney general, and heralded as a conservative Republican, changed the direction of the Court and the future of the nation. We turn next week to the leadership of Chief Justice Warren in fashioning the Court’s unanimous decision to overturn Plessy v. Ferguson.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/opinion/guest_column/adler-the-brown-decision-twists-and-turns-shape-the-constitution/article_64377d72-7787-599d-83c4-706608491c0a.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:36Z
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When it comes to electing women, the Equality State has some work to do. In Wyoming, just 16 of 90 state legislators, 16 of 93 county commissioners and 19 of 99 mayors are women.
In fact, new data from the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) shows that the Equality State trails the national average for women in municipal office by 10 percentage points and ranks 48th overall for women in elected office.
These figures serve as a reminder that elected offices at the state and local levels – commonly the first steps toward higher office – are still largely male. The numbers have changed only minimally since 1992 – widely declared “The Year of the Woman.”
Why has so little changed in those three decades?
One reason is what researchers Danielle Thomson and Aaron King call the “gendered pipeline to power.” Their research shows that there are gatekeepers who have significant influence over who enters the pipeline.
For example, those who give heavily to politics have (not surprisingly) significant influence over who advances. Thomson and King write, “Women are as likely to vote as men, and report similarly high levels of political interest. [However, m]en are more likely to donate money, and they give far more than women.”
CAWP’s director, Jean Sinzdak, agrees that recruitment is one part of the solution. “Efforts have to be … intentional. Change just doesn’t happen on its own,” she said.
A lot of the early research into why more women don’t run for office focused on individuals. Researchers looked at whether women were as ambitious as men or if, instead, there was an “ambition gap.” Recent studies show that, contrary to lacking ambition, women actually have to be more ambitious – approximately five times more ambitious – than their male counterparts to overcome obstacles and enter the pipeline to power.
Another area of significant concern is the rising threat of violence.
We’ve seen that recently with threats against Sen. Nethercott, Rep. Brown, Rep. LeBeau and former Rep. Burlingame. While all candidates and elected officials are targets of abuse and attacks, both online and in person, the number and nature of those threats tend to be different for women than for men.
The Carnegie Endowment’s research shows that “[f]emale politicians are not only targeted disproportionately, but also subjected to different forms of harassment and abuse. Attacks targeting male politicians mostly relate to their professional duties, whereas online harassment directed at female politicians is more likely to focus on their physical appearance and sexuality, and include threats of sexual violence and humiliating or sexualized imagery.”
Abuse, harassment, alleged death threats. Unfortunately, the specter of violence against women in elected office is rising – even as the number of women in local and state office has plateaued.
We know that representative government benefits everyone because the policies that advance better reflect our communities. So, as we head into the candidate filing period – which opens May 12 and closes May 27 – what can we do to ensure more reflective leadership?
Encourage great candidates – and women, in particular – to run! Support those candidates with your time, your money and your vote. Support groups and PACs, like Cowgirl Run Fund, that support women and seek to build the pipeline to power.
Work to change the systems and support those that will lead to parity in the future. As Thomson and King write, “The gendered pipeline to power matters at least as much as rates of entry, if not more, for future prospects of gender parity.” Making donations to female candidates and supporting policies proven to improve representative government – such as multi-member districts and proportional representation – are two options.
Speak out against threats and hold elected officials accountable to do the same. Demand that leaders put transparent accountability mechanisms into place and call out abuse, harassment and threats of violence. They are all on the rise – especially for women, even right here in Wyoming – and they have a chilling effect on female candidates.
Despite its feel-good name, the Equality State has a long way to go to elect politicians who reflect our communities and to protect the women we do elect. We know that more voices are better for our democracy – reflective government benefits all of us. This year, we have a chance to make a difference for our communities and our state. We can advocate for better government, demand a zero-tolerance environment for threats and elect more women to usher in more representative leadership.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/opinion/guest_column/simon-the-equality-state-needs-to-do-a-better-job-of-electing-women/article_e719f676-ea39-5475-8449-34461c98456b.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:42Z
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Sheltering homeless children and their families is the mission of Family Promise of Cheyenne. To better achieve this mission, Family Promise of Cheyenne recently purchased the Natalie House from the Unaccompanied Student Initiative.
Traditionally, in the Family Promise model, families are housed by faith communities for a week at a time, where they are sheltered and fed and transported to school or employment as needed. But due to COVID, many church buildings were no longer open to families. When necessary, Family Promise contracted with local hotels and motels at discounted rates. Even an occasional Airbnb was utilized. But these measures became costly. The faith communities continued to generously support the homeless families with meals and meal cards during this time.
The Unaccompanied Student Initiative allowed Family Promise of Cheyenne to rent a house they owned during the last year or more of the pandemic. This house, the Natalie House, can shelter three families comfortably. Utilizing a loan from American National Bank, a grant through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Program and savings from the sale of another house in years past, Family Promise of Cheyenne was able to purchase the house, located at 386 Patton Ave. from USI.
Searching for a static site for multiple families was a long process. The Family Promise program is grateful for the assistance of many to make this possible. The board of directors and faith community volunteers will begin fundraising activities to pay off the loan with Thankful Thursday, April 7, at AM Vets at 3839 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne. Doors open at 4 p.m.
Once the pandemic has dissipated, Family Promise of Cheyenne hopes to resume sheltering homeless children and their families within faith communities again, allowing the program to expand its capacity from the three families currently served at the Natalie House.
The Family Program office continues to be located at Grace United Methodist Church, 2950 Spruce Drive, in Cheyenne. The intent is to remain in this location for the present time. If you would like to contact Family Program of Cheyenne for needs, information, to volunteer or to donate, please call 307-772-8770.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/family-promise-buys-natalie-house-holds-fundraising-event-tonight/article_82527769-b4e1-5446-8f44-801a79070733.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:48Z
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The University of Wyoming and Connecticut announced Wednesday that the two schools have agreed to a two-game, home-and-home football series.
The first game will be played in Laramie on Aug. 29, 2026, with the second set to take place in East Hartford, Connecticut on Sept. 15, 2029.
Wyoming and UConn played each other in football for the first time last season, with the Cowboys coming away with a 24-22 road victory over the Huskies. UConn is currently one of only seven Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams that are not aligned with a football conference and play as an independent.
Wyoming’s 2026 non-conference schedule will now feature three non-conference home games: Aug. 29 against UConn, Sept. 5 against North Texas and Sept. 12 against Northern Colorado. The Pokes’ lone non-conference road game in 2026 is scheduled at Central Michigan on Sept. 19.
In 2029, the Cowboys’ game at UConn will follow Wyoming’s home opener against the University of California. UW’s other scheduled non-conference game in 2029 is on the road at UTEP.
Patrick Azevedo ties for 23rd at Wyoming Cowboy ClassicWyoming redshirt freshman Patrick Azevedo tied for 23rd in a field of 128 individuals, while the Cowboys tied for 14th out of 25 teams as the 2022 Wyoming Cowboy Classic wrapped up Tuesday in Chandler, Arizona.
Azevedo improved in each of his three rounds of the tournament, opening with an even-par round of 72 on Monday, followed by rounds of 71 (-1) and 70 (-2) for a 54-hole total of 213 (-3). Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Dales posted the lowest round of the week for the Pokes when he fired a final round 66 (-6) on Tuesday to move into a tie for 58th at 218 (+2).
Finishing one stroke back of Dales was junior Tyler Severin, who recorded a three-round total of 219 (+3) to tie for 65th. Severin also improved every round of the tournament, shooting rounds of 74 (+2), 73 (+1) and 72 (even). Senior Bryce Waters and junior Kirby Coe-Kirkham tied for 75th at 220 (+4).
Three Cowboys also played as individuals in the tournament.
Freshman Cade McLaughlin finished with the second-lowest total for the Cowboys, posting an even-par total of 216 to tie for 40th. Fellow freshman Jaren Calkins tied Dales for 58th place with a 218 (+2), while junior Jared Edeen placed 127th with a score of 235 (+19).
“I feel like as a team we had some ebbs and flows this week,” UW coach Joe Jensen said. “I’m proud of the way Patty (Patrick Azevedo) and Jimmy (Dales) played. Jimmy didn’t feel well for much of the week, but he really played well in the final round. Tyler (Severin) also had a nice tournament. Bryce (Waters) and Kirby (Coe-Kirkham) had tough finishes, but with that being said they had both been playing well but just had a tough couple holes on the final nine.
“The teams in this tournament were good teams, who we had competed well against this season, but a few of them went on runs. We weren’t our sharpest, and didn’t finish the way we wanted to but we still finished under par at four under. The guys’ attitudes are good. We’ll learn from this and get ready for the BYU tournament in a couple weeks.”
The Cowboy Classic team champion was San Diego State, which defended its team title from 2021. The Aztecs won by 13 strokes over second place Long Beach State, breaking their own tournament record with a score of 825 (-39).
The individual champion was Isaac Rodea of Long Beach State, who fired a 203 (-13) total for 54 holes. Rodea fell just one stroke shy of the individual tournament record of 202 (-14), set in 2021 by Barclay Brown of Stanford. Rodea won this year’s Cowboy Classic by one stroke over Steve Sugimoto and Zihao Jin of San Diego State and Connor Jones of Colorado State, who all tied for second at 204 (-12).
Next up for the Cowboys is the PING Cougar Classic on April 22 and 23 in Provo, Utah. The tournament will be hosted by BYU at Riverside Country Club.
Cowgirls finish 17th at Wyoming Cowgirl Classic
The UW women’s golf team concluded play at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic on Tuesday, finishing 17th out of 22 teams in the event at AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona.
Freshman Kyla Wilde led the way for the Cowgirls, posting a final round of 78 (+6) to finish tied for 34th at 224 (+8). Morgan Ryan was the team’s second-highest finisher, shooting even-par on the final day to tie for 50th at 229 (+13).
Samantha Hui wrapped up the tournament with a three-round score of 238 (+22), finishing tied for 88th. Meghan Vogt and Jessica Zapf rounded out the Cowgirls’ lineup, finishing tied for 92nd and 100th, respectively.
Cristiana Caisca was the leading individual competitor for the Cowgirls, recording a three-round total of 229 (+13) to tie for 50th and set a new season-best. Also playing as individuals were Michelle Nguyen and Rachel Stoinski, who finished 96th and tied for 97th, respectively.
The Cowgirls shot a 927 (+63) as a team for the tournament, seven strokes ahead of 18th place Eastern Washington and four strokes back of 16th place CSU-Fullerton. Santa Clara took home the team title with a three-round score of 880 (+16), finishing three strokes ahead of second-place Long Beach State.
UW will return to action April 11-12 in University Place, Washington for the Chambers Bay Invitational.
Wyoming joins Jasmyne Cooper in fight against cancer
The University of Wyoming has partnered with track and field student-athlete Jasmyne Cooper to raise funds for her fight against cancer.
Cooper, who was recently diagnosed, is currently at home with her family in Oklahoma as she receives treatment. More information on how to contribute can be found at her GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/e90f2989.
“On behalf of Jasmyne, her family, her friends and the entire Wyoming Athletics community, we humbly ask you to support her as she begins her fight,” a UW spokesperson said in a news release.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/townnews/sport/cowboys-announce-home-and-home-series-with-uconn/article_4712637e-526c-51a2-9a49-12fdcf90878f.html
| 2022-04-07T11:54:54Z
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CHEYENNE – Mark Puev knew he probably could have sold his family on pulling up stakes so he could pursue his dream of working on college athletics somewhere outside Cheyenne.
Families frequently make such moves, even when they have a child in their freshman year of high school, like Puev’s son Andrew. He knew his family would support him, but Puev didn’t want to uproot them quite yet.
Puev found his job in college athletics without doing that.
The Cheyenne South athletics director accepted the same post at Laramie County Community College on Wednesday.
“I didn’t think I’d have this opportunity until Andrew graduates from high school,” said Puev, whose daughter Lexi is a freshman at Dickinson State (North Dakota) University. “I know families uproot kids in high school all the time, but I didn’t want to put my career above my family. I didn’t have to because this is a great fit.”
Puev expects to step into his LCCC post full time in June.
“I’ll make some cameos out at LCCC until then,” said Puev, who has been South’s AD for the past seven years. “But I want to see how things play out with the school year (at South) before going to LCCC. I want to make sure the table is set here for what we have going on right now and the person to be named later.
“We’ve done a good job here at South. It’s definitely a ‘we’ and not just me. We’ve done some great things, but I want to make sure the table is set before I move on.”
This is just Puev’s fourth job in the past 26 years. He started taking a deeper look into the LCCC post after seeing the strategic plan posted on the Golden Eagles’ athletics website. Puev found that the school’s vision for its future aligned with what he wanted.
“They have pillars of excellence (in the strategic plan) that I read up on,” he said. “There is potential for growth there, but I like their idea of making sure what we have being done right now is being done well before we do other things.
“Throughout the interview process, I felt like I was interviewing them just as much as they were interviewing me. I like that. We have to make sure it’s a fit on both sides as we move forward.”
Cynthia Henning has served as LCCC’s interim athletics director since Clark Rasmussen left the post in 2019 after a little more than a year on the job. At the time, school President Joe Schaffer said the decision to have Henning serve as the interim AD for a three-year period was intended to give Henning and LCCC an opportunity to craft a plan that would set the Golden Eagles up for perennial success.
Henning and Schaffer wanted to study some of the National Junior College Athletics Association’s most consistently successful programs and implement some of what they learned at the school on Cheyenne’s southern outskirts. LCCC’s strategic athletics plan specifically references some of the “benchmark institutions” it would like to emulate.
Henning was among the four finalists considered for the permanent post.
LCCC hired its first full-time athletics director in 2013. The position was previously held by employees who also served in other roles within athletics or the physical education department. Puev is the school’s fourth full-time AD.
In a news release, LCCC Vice President of Student Services Melissa Stutz said the school set out to find an individual who “believes in the mission and values of LCCC, and has the skills and leadership ability to grow LCCC Athletics, both athletically and academically well into the future.”
“(Puev) is an energetic, visionary leader who is well-respected by his peers and possesses the leadership skills and character traits we were seeking,” Stutz said in the release. “I am eager and excited to welcome Mark to the LCCC Golden Eagles.”
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/high_school/cheyenne_south/lccc-hires-souths-mark-puev-as-its-ad/article_24910f72-d2f1-50e9-ac03-114b466ab0dc.html
| 2022-04-07T11:55:00Z
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Baseball
CJL seeks umpires: Cheyenne Junior League baseball is looking for umpires for the upcoming season.
Applications can be completed during training. All applicants must be at least 15 years old.
Training will be held 6-7:15 p.m. April 19, 21, 26, 28 and May 5 at the Cheyenne Parks and Recreation building at the corner of Carey Avenue and Pershing Boulevard. Prospective umpires need to attend all scheduled trainings and one field clinic.
Training will cover USSSA youth baseball rules, CJL bylaws, mechanics, positioning and overall umpire responsibilities.
Umpires are paid $25-45 per game, based on experience.
For more information, contact Christopher Patterson at 970-518-2288 or cjlpresident@gmail.com.
Football
Adult flag league: Registration for the city of Cheyenne’s 7-on-7 adult flag football league starts April 18. The league is for athletes 16 and older.
Games will be played Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each team is guaranteed six games. The cost is $200 per team, and the season runs July 11 through Aug. 18.
For more information, contact David Contreras at 307-637-6425 or dcontreras@cheyennecity.org.
Youth tackle league: Registration for the city of Cheyenne’s youth tackle football league starts May 2.
The cost is $140 per player, with an equipment deposit of $150. Registration includes use of a helmet, shoulder pads, practice pants and jersey, team photos and a participation award.
Teams are based on school triads. Practices start Aug. 1, and games start Aug. 20.
For more information, contact David Contreras at 307-637-6425 or dcontreras@cheyennecity.org.
Youth tackle officials training: Anyone who wants to officiate the city of Cheyenne’s youth tackle football league this fall can register for training starting May 23.
The training covers proper mechanics, positioning and how to approach the game. It runs 6-8 p.m. Aug. 3.
For more information, contact David Contreras at 307-637-6425 or dcontreras@cheyennecity.org.
Kickball
Adult co-rec league: Registration for the city of Cheyenne’s adult co-recreational kickball league starts April 25.
The cost is $150 per team. Each team is allowed up to 20 players on its roster. Players must be at least 16 years old on July 5.
The league runs July 5-Sept. 2. Teams are guaranteed six games, plus a single-elimination postseason tournament. Games will be played at David Romero Park, 1317 Parsley Blvd.
For more information, contact David Mullen at 307-773-1039 or dmullen@cheyennecity.org.
Lacrosse
Youth fundamentals clinic: The city of Cheyenne and Cheyenne Lacrosse Club will partner for a co-rec youth lacrosse fundamentals camp for girls and boys in second through sixth grades.
Registration ends April 21.
The cost is $30 per player. The 12-lesson camp will be 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting May 17 in Sun Valley Park.
For more information, contact David Mullen at 307-773-1039 or dmullen@cheyennecity.org.
Pickleball
Summer 101 course: Registration for the city of Cheyenne’s adult summer Pickleball 101 course ends April 28.
The cost is $50 per player. The session runs 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 7-July 7 at the Martin Luther King Junior Park courts off Missile Drive.
For more information, contact David Contreras at 307-637-6425 or dcontreras@cheyennecity.org.
Soccer
Officials wanted: The Cheyenne Soccer Officials Association is looking for referees for the spring high school season, which starts in mid-March and ends in May.
Matches are available at all three Cheyenne high schools and Torrington. Pay ranges from $45-65 per match.
Anyone interested can reach out to George Oberstadt at georberstadt@comcast.net or 916-275-0961.
Softball
Adult early bird tournament: Registration for the city of Cheyenne’s early bird slow-pitch softball tournament ends April 28.
The cost is $250 for each USSSA-sanctioned team and $300 for non-sanctioned teams. The tournament will be held May 7 at the Brimmer and Converse softball complexes.
For more information, contact David Contreras at 307-637-6425 or dcontreras@cheyennecity.org.
Adult rec league: Registration for men’s and women’s softball leagues ends April 14.
The cost is $450 per team, a $20 fee per player, plus an additional $50 late fee. Regular season games start May 16 and will be played at the Brimmer and Converse softball complexes.
Registration can be done in person at 4603 Lions Park Dr. and registration forms are available online at www.cheyennerec.org. For more information, contact David Mullen at 307-773-1039 or dmullen@cheyennecity.org.
Girls rec umpire training: The city of Cheyenne will hold a training for anyone who wants to umpire youth fast-pitch softball April 30.
Registration for the free training is ongoing.
For more information, contact David Mullen at 307-773-1039 or dmullen@cheyennecity.org.
Soveroski Memorial tournament: Registration for the annual Lenny Soveroski Memorial slow-pitch softball tournament starts May 16.
The cost is $250 for USSSA-sanctioned teams and $300 for non-sanctioned teams. Proceeds benefit youth sports financial assistance programs.
The date for the tournament has not been determined.
For more information, contact David Contreras at 307-637-6425 or dcontreras@cheyennecity.org.
Tee ball
Cheyenne rec league: Registration for the city of Cheyenne’s tee ball league ends April 21.
The league is for children 3 to 6 years old. The cost is $55 per player. Each player will get a T-shirt, hat, team picture and participation medal.
Practices start May 30, and the season runs June 13 through July 14.
For more information, contact David Contreras at 307-637-6425 or dcontreras@cheyennecity.org.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/other_sports/community/community-sports-bulletin-board-for-april-7-2022/article_87dafd29-9a06-507f-9bb8-c9ecab51f4fd.html
| 2022-04-07T11:55:07Z
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LARAMIE – While an abundance of starting spots are up for grabs as the University of Wyoming gears up for its fifth practice of the spring, no position battle has a spotlight on it as bright as the one at quarterback.
When 2021 starters Sean Chambers and Levi Williams hit the transfer portal shortly after the season, such was to be expected. These departures spurred some uncertainty, but for those remaining in the quarterback room – as well as the newcomers behind center – the opportunity to take the reins of the offense has been a source of excitement.
Redshirt freshman Hank Gibbs, the most talked about returner at the position, says all of the Cowboys’ quarterbacks are hungry to win the starting job. However, he also indicates the primary focus of the group is doing their part to lead the Pokes to success.
“People want to play, but everybody is very supportive of each other,” Gibbs said. “We understand we’re playing for Wyoming. We don’t have names on the back of our jersey. It’s about playing for Wyoming and going out and getting a win on Saturday. That’s all that matters.”
Gibbs is joined by fellow returners Jayden Clemons and Gavin Beerup, as well as Utah State transfer Andrew Peasley and Snow College product Evan Svoboda, in the competition to claim the starting spot.
UW coach Craig Bohl hinted last week that it is unlikely the Cowboys will name a starter before the end of spring practice. However, the group has been an area of emphasis since they returned to the practice field late last month, with each quarterback receiving a significant share of reps.
“With the way we stage practice, those quarterbacks get quite a few throws,” Bohl said. “I really believe there’s nothing better than 11-on-11 practice reps. That’s something coach (Tom) Osborne taught me, and something coach (Bill) Parcells did when he was an NFL guy. It’s all part of this learning and maturation process.”
Gradual growth
Gibbs points to these shared opportunities to gain experience in practice as a driving force in his decision to walk on at Wyoming prior to the 2020 season, despite having scholarship offers to play at the FCS level.
After taking an official visit to Tarleton State, the Fayetteville, Arkansas, native felt he could play at a higher level. He also considered pursuing a collegiate baseball career, but the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit during his final semester of high school, threw a wrench into those plans.
There was already a UW connection through his father, Chris, who played at the school in the 1980s. And after catching the coaching staff’s attention at a satellite camp at Lindenwood University just outside St. Louis, he received an offer to walk on with the Cowboys.
“I came home from school one day, and I was like, ‘You know what? I want to go to Wyoming and at least try it out,’” Gibbs said. “I knew Gavin Beerup came in, and then Sean and Levi were the only other quarterbacks on the roster.
“I knew they were going to double-rep, which was huge for me. A lot of schools just have one team going, and as a walk-on quarterback, you’re not going to get in. Coach Bohl does a great job of allowing guys to get film and get coached.”
Gibbs was put on scholarship roughly a week after last year’s Brown and Gold game, something that has only further motivated him.
“I was excited whenever I heard that, but I felt like I could do more,” Gibbs said. “When I came here, I wanted to play. It wasn’t my goal to just get on scholarship and get some validation that way. I wanted to prove some people wrong.”
Bohl has noticed a difference in the young quarterback, particularly when it comes to his mobility.
“He’s done a really good job of taking his body and getting his core strength stronger, so he’s able to run better,” Bohl said. “He’s still not a 4.5 (40-yard dash) guy, which you would describe as a dual-threat guy. He looks like the NFL prototype.
“He stands about 6-foot-6, and he has a strong arm, but mobility is important in our league, so he’s continued to work on that. He’s really smart; I think he’s about a 4.0 (GPA) in school. He also has a good football IQ, so it’s been fun to see.”
UW’s pro-style concepts can create somewhat of a learning curve for quarterbacks, something Bohl has referenced throughout the start of spring practice.
Gibbs acknowledges that there are some challenges in this area. However, he also believes it will benefit him as he continues to work closely with offensive coordinator Tim Polasek on a daily basis.
“I’m taking it day by day and focusing on something to improve, whether it’s footwork or something mechanically throwing the ball,” Gibbs said. “Coach Polasek does a great job of working with us, and he teaches football at a high level.
“We’re learning stuff that a lot of NFL teams do, as far as protections and pointing. It’s a lot, but he always talks about being the CEO and making it your own. At that point, I won’t say it’s easy to play, but if you can get it down, you can really use it to your advantage.”
‘That’s why I left’
With 1,331 total yards and 10 touchdowns during four years at Utah State, Peasley is UW’s most experienced quarterback by a wide margin.
He seemed on track to compete for the starting job with the Aggies heading into last season. However, Logan Bonner followed new USU coach Blake Anderson from Arkansas State, and was ultimately named the starter.
Peasley says the chance to compete for the No. 1 quarterback spot was a major factor in his decision to transfer to Wyoming this offseason.
“That’s why I left,” Peasley said. “All I wanted was an opportunity to work for something and earn it.”
Bohl has praised Peasley over the past two weeks for his ability to quickly grasp the Cowboys’ offense, although the junior is still focused on improving in this area.
“I’ve been studying a lot, trying to get everything correct with execution,” Peasley said. “I know I can throw the ball, and I know I can run the ball, but execution and just being prepared to play (is my biggest focus).”
In addition to his understanding of UW’s scheme, Bohl has also been impressed with Peasley’s improvisation skills.
These were on full display in USU’s 49-45 win over Air Force last fall, as he averaged 13 yards per attempt, while compiling 224 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. They’ve also started to become apparent throughout the Pokes’ first two full-pads practices of the spring.
“He’s able to improvise and extend plays,” Bohl said. “This is one of the things when you do some of the 11-on-11 work, even though it’s not full-speed tackling to the ground, sometimes there are things that are not scripted. You see a quarterback have to improvise.
“Where he takes the football, he’s showing some maturity, and he’s able to command a huddle. But some of the things we’ve seen is just his ability to extend plays. I think that comes with some of his playing experience he had at Utah State.”
A new No. 17
Svoboda is another quarterback Bohl has mentioned on several occasions over the past two weeks, and did so again less than a minute into his news conference following Tuesday’s practice.
“Evan Svoboda is still in a learning process, but he really has an unbelievably strong arm,” Bohl said. “We have to keep moving him along. He’s a ways away from the other guys, but he has some pretty good ability.”
Having always played out of the shotgun prior to his arrival in Laramie, grasping UW’s system is one area where his coaches would like to see him improve. While not in his comfort zone, Svoboda has embraced the change in offensive style.
“I’ve been in gun my whole life, but it’s actually going really well,” he said. “I enjoy the pro-style offense. I actually like taking the snaps under center, and reading everything and being able to check stuff. ... It’s definitely going to open up some opportunities for us.”
With a powerful arm, underrated mobility and 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame, Svoboda was already bound to draw comparisons to Wyoming great, Buffalo Bills star and fellow junior college product Josh Allen. Donning the No. 17, just as Allen did with the Pokes, will only amplify this.
Svoboda says the number choice was a conscious decision, and one that will drive him to leave his own mark on the Cowboys.
“I believe I can really kind of step into what Josh did here, and hopefully fill those big shoes he had,” Svoboda said. “The legacy he left here is definitely motivating.”
Josh Criswell covers the University of Wyoming for WyoSports. He can be reached at jcriswell@wyosports.net or 307-755-3325. Follow him on Twitter at @criswell_sports.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/university_of_wyoming/football/wyoming-qbs-welcome-competition/article_aa25d491-48f2-528b-9e07-33664206c8d3.html
| 2022-04-07T11:55:13Z
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Rain showers are possible today; a winter-like weekend is on tap
Highs in the 30s and 40s with snow showers at times are expected this weekend
Rain showers will continue to move through the region this morning. Most of us should dry up as we head into the afternoon hours, however, a few showers are possible at times. Some breaks in the clouds may allow the sun to shine through this afternoon. Temperatures will be cooler with highs in the 50s.
Some more showers with locally heavy downpours possible will move in this evening. A few isolated showers are possible overnight but most should stay dry with partly cloudy skies. Lows will dip down into the upper 20s and 30s tonight.
Colder air moves in tomorrow as highs will only top off in the 40s for most. Rain will fall at times throughout the day but a washout is not expected. Some snow may mix in at times throughout the day. Rain and snow will fall overnight with lows in the 20s and 30s.
Rain and snow will continue to fall on Saturday and could be heavy at times. Precipitation will fall on and off throughout the day and into the overnight hours. Some snow squalls may reduce visibility at times on Saturday. Little snow accumulation, if any, is expected due to the warm ground and road temperatures. Some slick spots are possible, especially during any snow squalls that develop and in the higher elevations in western Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties.
We will stay chilly on Sunday with a few leftover snow showers possible in the morning. Temperatures will quickly warm up heading into next week with highs in the 60s and 70s. Make sure to stay tuned and catch the latest on WVVA.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/rain-showers-are-possible-today-winter-like-weekend-is-tap/
| 2022-04-07T11:58:11Z
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Turkey suspends trial of Saudi suspects in Khashoggi killing
ISTANBUL (AP) — A Turkish court ruled Thursday to suspend the trial in absentia of 26 Saudis accused in the gruesome killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and for the case to be transferred to Saudi Arabia.
Khashoggi, a United States resident who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed on Oct. 2, 2018, at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. He had gone into the consulate for an appointment to collect documents required for him to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. He never emerged from the building.
Turkish officials alleged that Khashoggi was killed and then dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate by a team of Saudi agents sent to Istanbul. The group included a forensic doctor, intelligence and security officers and individuals who worked for the crown prince’s office. His remains have not been found.
The Istanbul court’s decision comes despite warnings from human rights groups that turning the case over to the kingdom would lead to a cover up of the killing, which has cast suspicion on the crown prince.
It also comes as Turkey, which is in the throes of a deep economic downturn, has been trying to repair its troubled relationship with Saudi Arabia and an array of other countries in its region. Some media reports have claimed that Riyadh has made improved relations conditional on Turkey dropping the case, which had inflamed tensions between two countries.
The move would pave the way to a resolution of disputes between the two regional heavyweights since the 2011 Arab Spring, including Turkey’s support for Islamist movements like the Muslim Brotherhood, which Riyadh considers a terrorist group. Turkey also sided with Qatar in a diplomatic dispute that saw Doha boycotted by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Last week, the prosecutor in the case recommended that it be transferred to the kingdom, arguing that the trial in Turkey would remain inconclusive. Turkey’s justice minister supported the recommendation, adding that the trial in Turkey would resume if the Turkish court is not satisfied with the outcome of proceedings in the kingdom. It was not clear, however, if Saudi Arabia, which has already put some of the defendants on trial behind closed doors, would open a new trial.
During Thursday’s hearing, lawyers representing Cengiz asked the court not to move proceedings to Saudi Arabia, the private DHA news agency reported.
“Let’s not entrust the lamb to the wolf,” the agency quoted lawyer Ali Ceylan as telling the court, using a Turkish saying. “Let’s protect the honor and dignity of the Turkish nation.”
The court however, ruled to halt the trial in line with the Justice Ministry’s “positive opinion,” DHA reported. It also decided to lift arrest warrants issued against the defendants and gave the sides seven days in which to lodge any opposition to the court’s decisions.
Human rights advocates had also urged Turkey not to transfer the case to Saudi Arabia, arguing that justice for Khashoggi would not be delivered by Saudi courts.
“It’s a scandalous decision,” said Emma Sinclair-Webb, the Turkey director for the New York-based Human Rights Watch, asserting that the court had “rubber stamped” a political decision that would allow the government to repair its ties with Saudi Arabia.
“In the interest of realpolitik, Turkey is ready to sacrifice justice for an egregious crime on its own soil,” she told The Associated Press. “(The decision) opens the way for other countries to commit assassinations on Turkish territory and get away with it.”
Cengiz said she would continue to seek justice.
“We will continue this (judicial) process with all the power given to me, as a Turkish citizen,” she told reporters outside the courthouse.
“The two countries may be making an agreement, the two countries may be opening a new chapter ... but the crime is still the same crime,” she said. “The people who committed the crime haven’t changed. Governments and states must have a principled stance.”
At the time of the crime, Turkey apparently had the Saudi Consulate bugged and shared audio of the killing with the CIA, among others.
The slaying sparked international outrage and condemnation. Western intelligence agencies, as well as the U.S. Congress, have said that an operation of such magnitude could not have happened without knowledge of the prince.
Turkey, which had vowed to shed light on the brutal killing, began prosecuting the defendants in absentia in 2020 after Saudi Arabia rejected requests for their extradition. The defendants included two former aides of the prince.
Some of the men were put on trial in Riyadh behind closed doors. A Saudi court issued a final verdict in 2020 that sentenced five mid-level officials and operatives to 20-year jail terms. The court had originally ordered the death penalty, but reduced the punishment after Khashoggi’s son Salah, who lives in Saudi Arabia, announced that he forgave the defendants. Three others were sentenced to lesser jail terms.
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Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/turkey-suspends-trial-saudi-suspects-khashoggi-killing/
| 2022-04-07T11:58:20Z
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https://www.kitv.com/weather/forecast/thursday-weather-forecast/article_ef7ba8f6-b65a-11ec-8027-6f756a522e2f.html
| 2022-04-07T12:32:41Z
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Michigan governor sues to secure abortion rights, vacate ban
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sued Thursday to protect abortion rights, asking a Michigan court to recognize a right to abortion under the state constitution and to overturn a 176-year-old ban in the state that may take effect if the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling is vacated.
The Democratic governor’s preemptive lawsuit, which was filed in Oakland County against prosecutors in 13 counties with an abortion clinic, came as the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority considers allowing states to ban abortion much earlier in pregnancy and potentially overturning the right.
The governor, who is up for reelection this year, was expected to request that the Michigan Supreme Court quickly take the case rather than let it wind through lower trial and appellate courts.
“It was important for us to take action now, to ensure that women and providers across the state of Michigan know whether abortions will still be available in the state because it impacts their lives and our health care providers’ practices. It’s crucial that we take this action now to secure and ensure that the Michigan Constitution protects this right that we have had available for 49 years,” Whitmer told The Associated Press, saying nearly 2.2 million women may lose access to a safe, legal medical procedure.
Michigan is among eight states with an unenforced abortion ban that was enacted before the 1973 Roe decision legalized abortion nationwide. The 1931 law, which dates to an 1846 ban, makes it a felony to use an instrument or administer any substance with the intent “to procure the miscarriage” of a woman unless necessary to preserve her life.
Whitmer wants the Michigan Supreme Court to declare a state constitutional right to abortion and to strike down the 1931 law, which could go back into effect is Roe is overturned or weakened. The lawsuit argues that the law is invalid under the due process and equal protection clauses of the state constitution.
Michigan could soon be left with a near-total ban without even exceptions for rape and incest — “one of the most extreme laws in the country,” Whitmer said. Her call to repeal the law has gone nowhere in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
The state high court has four Democratic and three Republican justices.
Whitmer will ask that the court intervene in part to avoid legal uncertainty when the federal high court issues its ruling on Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
The complaint says that while the Michigan Supreme Court in 1973 ruled that Roe limited the effect of the state ban, the right to abortion has been undermined over 50 years of litigation in federal courts. The state’s high court has not said whether the state constitution protects the right. The Michigan Court of Appeals, in 1997, ruled there is no state constitutional right to abortion — a reason the Michigan Supreme Court should step in immediately, according to her office.
The lawsuit points to “substantial ambiguity” about what the state ban prohibits.
Abortion rights advocates have launched a ballot drive to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution but need about 425,000 voter signatures to put the initiative on the November ballot.
___
Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/michigan-governor-sues-secure-abortion-rights-vacate-ban/
| 2022-04-07T13:32:06Z
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Senate to vote on revoking Russia’s trade status, oil ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate will take up legislation Thursday to end normal trade relations with Russia and ban the importation of its oil, ratcheting up the U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amid reports of atrocities. Both bills have languished in the Senate.
“It’s a big, big deal that we are finally getting them done,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday. “Now, I wish this could have happened sooner, but after weeks of talks with the other side, it’s important that we have found a path forward.”
It’s been three weeks since the House passed the trade suspension measure that paves the way for President Joe Biden to enact higher tariffs on certain Russian imports. At the time, the legislation was billed as sending a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his allies about the economic isolation Russia will face for invading Ukraine.
The House vote in mid-March came one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Congress in a virtual speech that “new packages of sanctions are needed constantly every week until the Russian military machine stops.”
“They cannot just go kill a bunch of people, destroy cities, kill women and children, and then go back and have business as usual,” Ukrainian-born U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, a Republican from Indiana, said as the trade bill was debated in the House.
WARNING: Video contains graphic content.
Reports of civilians being tortured and killed in Ukraine, with streets on the outskirts of Kyiv being strewn with corpses, had some lawmakers this week questioning why the Senate had not yet taken action on the bill.
“What I’m telling the senators is that all this foot-dragging in the face of the atrocities that everybody saw this weekend is just really beyond imagination,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
House lawmakers concurred.
“It sends a message of weakness,” said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, on the Senate’s inaction. “It seemed like a pretty bipartisan, easy thing to do, just like not importing Russia energy, so it’s disappointing.”
There is overwhelming support for suspending preferential trade treatment for Russia. But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has objected to speedy consideration of the bill over concerns that its language on who can be sanctioned for human rights abuses is too broad, leaving it ripe for abuse. He blocked a request for a voice vote on the bill, which requires consent from all 100 senators. Schumer opted to let senators work it out rather than chew up floor time to overcome the filibuster.
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said, practically speaking, the impact of the delay on the trade bill is minimal “because there’s virtually no trade right now coming in from Russia.” Still, he said passage is important.
“Messaging is important here and showing action is important,” Cardin said. “You’ve got the Ukrainians on the battlefield every day. The least we can do is get these bills passed.”
Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said the delay in the Senate was hard to explain. But he placed the onus on Schumer.
“I think part of it really is just having leadership in the Senate that is going to manage the floor and is willing to do what it takes to get this thing done,” Thune said. “If this had been a priority, I think it would have been done.”
Democrats counter that going the route Thune suggested requires dedicating precious floor time for a bill that passed 424-8 in the House.
Rep. Kevin Brady, the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, said it was important for Schumer to get senators together and get the bill passed.
“We’ve been watching these atrocities. America needs to weigh in now and stop funding the war,” Brady said. “President Zelenskyy asked a month ago for this and here we are — still fussing around.”
The House also passed the oil ban about a month ago. The bill would codify restrictions on Russian oil that Biden has already put in place through executive action.
Schumer said Putin needed to be held accountable for what he said were war crimes against Ukraine. He also said Putin was guilty of genocide.
“Formally revoking normal trade relations with Russia is precisely the right thing for the Senate to do because it will land another huge blow to Putin’s economy,” Schumer said. “It’s a key part of any strategy for holding Putin accountable for his savage attacks on innocent civilians.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/senate-vote-revoking-russias-trade-status-oil-ban/
| 2022-04-07T13:32:13Z
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US Navy intends to decommission some of its newest warships
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Navy that once wanted smaller, speedy warships to chase down pirates has made a speedy pivot to Russia and China — and many of those recently built ships could be retired.
The U.S. Navy wants to decommission nine ships in the Freedom-class of littoral combat ships — warships that cost about $4.5 billion to build.
The Navy contends in its budget proposal that the move would free up $50 million per ship annually for other priorities. But it would also reduce the size of the fleet that’s already surpassed by China in sheer numbers, something that could cause members of Congress to balk.
Adm. Mike Gilday, chief of naval operations, defended the proposal that emphasizes long-range weapons and modern warships, while shedding other ships ill-equipped to face current threats.
“We need a ready, capable, lethal force more than we need a bigger force that’s less ready, less lethal, and less capable,” he said Monday at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space symposium in Maryland.
All told, the Navy wants to scrap 24 ships, including five cruisers and a pair of Los Angeles-class submarines, as part of its cost-cutting needed to maintain the existing fleet and build modern warships. Those cuts surpass the proposed nine ships to be built.
Most of them are older vessels. However, the littoral combat ships that are targeted are young. The oldest of them is 10 years old.
The littoral combat ship program was announced after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The ships topped 50 mph (80 kph) — fast enough to chase down pirates — and were highly maneuverable, even in shallow water, thanks to steerable waterjets instead of propellers.
The ships were supposed to be made versatile through plug-and-play mission modules for surface combat, mine-sweeping operations or anti-submarine warfare. But those mission modules were beset by problems, and the anti-submarine capability was canceled in the new budget.
And what about that speed? The fastest ship can’t outrun missiles, and firing up those marine turbines for an extra burst of speed turned the ships into gas guzzlers, analysts said. Early versions also were criticized as too lightly armed and armored to survive combat.
The speedy Freedom-class ships proposed for decommissioning feature a traditional steel hull. That entire class of ships suffers from a propulsion defect that will be costly repair. The Navy proposes keeping a second variant, the aluminum Independence class.
U.S. Senate Armed Services Chair Jim Inhofe said the program was plagued by troubles from the start, and that “moving forward the Navy must avoid similar acquisition disasters.”
U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Virginia, was more blunt, tweeting that it “sucks” to be decommissioning so many ships, especially newer ones.
“The Navy owes a public apology to American taxpayers for wasting tens of billions of dollars on ships they now say serve no purpose,” she said.
Some detractors proclaimed littoral combat ships to be the Navy’s “Little Crappy Ship,” but that’s not fair, said defense analyst Loren Thompson.
“It’s not a little crappy ship. It does what it was supposed to do. What it was supposed to do isn’t enough for the kind of threats that we face today,” said Thompson, from the Lexington Institute.
In the Navy’s defense, threats shifted swiftly from the Cold War to the war on terror to the current Great Power Competition in which Russia and China are asserting themselves, he said.
In the end, the Navy may be content with smaller numbers of Freedom-class ships for maritime security and small surface combatant operations, said Bryan Clark, defense analyst at the Hudson Institute.
Congress must sign off on the Navy’s proposal to decommission ships ahead of their projected service life.
The House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday grilled Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the proposal.
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia, suggested the ship cuts were “grossly irresponsible” when the U.S. Navy has dipped from 318 ships to 297, while the Chinese fleet has grown from 210 to 360 ships over the past two decades.
Milley said it’s important to focus on the Navy’s capabilities rather than the size of its fleet.
“I would bias towards capability rather than just sheer numbers,” he said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/us-navy-intends-decommission-some-its-newest-warships/
| 2022-04-07T13:32:19Z
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The Laramie County Community College Foundation will host the vocal ensemble Chanticleer on May 1, 2022, at 7 p.m. in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on the LCCC campus. RJ Muna This photo of the group was taken via screenshot from the their website on April 6, 2022.
CHEYENNE – The Laramie County Community College Foundation will host the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer on May 1 at 7 p.m. in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on the LCCC campus.
The performance, sponsored by the LCCC Foundation’s ANB Bank Performing Arts Series, will be the group’s second performance in Cheyenne and part of their 2022 Tour.
“We are excited the Foundation’s Cultural Series is able to host Chanticleer and provide our campus community and the Cheyenne community the opportunity to enjoy such an outstanding cultural experience,” said Lisa Trimble, associate vice president of institutional advancement at LCCC.
Founded in San Francisco in 1978 by singer and musicologist Louis Botto, Chanticleer quickly took its place as one of the most prolific recording and touring ensembles, selling over a million recordings and performing thousands of live concerts worldwide. Chanticleer has received critical acclaim for its wide-ranging repertoire.
The concert is open to the public and tickets can be purchased for $30 at lccc.wy.edu/culturalseries or by calling the LCCC Foundation at 307-778-1110. Advanced ticket purchases and masks are encouraged.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/lccc-to-host-grammy-award-winning-vocal-group-chanticleer/article_035723d4-72a5-50ba-8b2b-04c53cfcaac7.html
| 2022-04-07T13:41:56Z
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4th day of deliberations starts in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Jurors got a quick pep talk from a judge as they entered a fourth day of deliberations Thursday in the trial of four men charged with coming up with a scheme to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“We don’t have a lot to do except ring the opening bell and send you back to complete the work you’ve started or get as far as you can on it until you need us next,” U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said. “We wish you all the very best.”
The jury so far this week has not signaled how its deliberations are progressing, asking only for a definition of “weapon” and requesting trial transcripts, sticky notes and paperclips. Transcripts were turned down as is custom.
Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta are charged with a kidnapping conspiracy. Three of them also face additional charges, including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, namely an explosive.
The trial has covered 19 days since March 8, including 13 days of testimony.
The evidence included testimony from undercover agents, a crucial informant and two men who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and pointed a finger at the others. Prosecutors said the group was steeped in anti-government extremism and angry over Whitmer’s COVID-19 restrictions.
The men trained with a crudely built “shoot house” to replicate her vacation home in September 2020, according to testimony.
Defense lawyers, however, said any scheme was the creation of government agents who were embedded in the group and manipulated the men.
Croft is from Bear, Delaware, while the others are from Michigan.
Whitmer, a Democrat, rarely talks publicly about the plot, though she referred to “surprises” during her term that seemed like “something out of fiction” when she filed for reelection on March 17.
She has blamed former President Donald Trump for fomenting anger over coronavirus restrictions and refusing to condemn right-wing extremists like those charged in the case.
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Find AP’s full coverage of the Whitmer kidnap plot trial at: https://apnews.com/hub/whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial
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White reported from Detroit.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/4th-day-deliberations-starts-gov-whitmer-kidnap-plot/
| 2022-04-07T15:03:41Z
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House panel: Justice Dept. ‘obstructing’ Trump records probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional oversight committee on Thursday said the Justice Department is “obstructing” its investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of White House records by preventing the release of information from the National Archives.
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland accusing the Justice Department of impeding the panel’s expanded investigation into the 15 boxes of White House records that Trump took to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida after leaving office last year. The Archives in February revealed it had found classified material in the boxes and referred the matter to the Justice Department.
The letter from Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., the chairwoman of the Oversight Committee, outlines communications between the committee and the National Archives that took place between February to late March.
In those letters, Maloney made a series of requests for information she said the committee needs to determine if Trump violated federal records laws over his handling of sensitive and even classified information. In response, the general counsel for the archivist wrote on March 28 that “based on our consultation with the Department of Justice, we are unable to provide any comment.”
“By blocking NARA from producing the documents requested by the Committee, the Department is obstructing the Committee’s investigation,” Maloney wrote in the letter released Thursday.
Maloney added that while the committee is not looking to interfere with the department’s ongoing investigation, lawmakers have not received any explanation as to why the department is preventing the archivist from providing information about the contents of the boxes.
The House’s oversight panel has repeatedly cited its authority to investigate matters involving the Presidential Records Act, which was enacted in 1978 after former President Richard Nixon wanted to destroy documents related to the Watergate scandal.
Maloney had warned in December 2020 that she had “grave concerns” that the Trump administration was not complying with the federal records act, even writing in a letter to the archivist citing those concerns that the departing administration “may not be adequately preserving records and may be disposing of them.”
While federal law bars the removal of classified documents to unauthorized locations, it is possible that in this case, Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.
The former president has denied reports of tensions with the National Archives and his lawyers have said that “they are continuing to search for additional presidential records that belong to the National Archives.”
The attorney general has acknowledged that the department received the referral from the Archives, but it is longstanding Justice Department policy not to comment on investigations.
Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill may face a long wait for answers to their questions about specific investigations.
Generally, under Justice Department guidelines, details of investigations are supposed to remain out of the public view until charges are filed or warrants are filed. And, if grand juries are convened, the Justice Department is precluded under federal law from discussing specifics of a grand jury investigation before an indictment is handed down.
Garland has also made clear to prosecutors that the Justice Department won’t be influenced by outside political pressure.
The Oversight Committee asked Garland to respond by next week with either a green light for the National Archives to cooperate with their request or provide an explanation as to why the department is imposing such limitations.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/house-panel-justice-dept-obstructing-trump-records-probe/
| 2022-04-07T15:03:49Z
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Raleigh County Prevention Coalition to help previously incarcerated individuals register to vote
BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA) - This Saturday, April 9, the Raleigh County Prevention Coalition will join with Bechtel Law Office, the Human Rights Commission and WV ReEntry Councils to help previously incarcerated individuals register to vote.
Brian Akers, a coalition member who has personal experience with this issue, says he had no idea he had retained his right to vote following time in jail. He adds that he coordinated this weekend’s event to help raise awarness and increase participation in the democratic process.
“At first I was really, you know, self-centered about it,” he explained. “I was like, ‘Yes! I can get my right to vote back? I’m excited.’ And then it started- it came to, ‘I bet there’s a lot of other people that doesn’t. I’ve found at least a couple dozen that dont know that they can do this.”
Saturday’s event will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Beckley’s Shoemaker Square. Akers says that, in addition to helping people register to vote, they will be answering questions, connecting individuals with resource coordinators and more.
Unregistered citizens are also able to particiapte ahead of the April 19th cutoff date.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/07/raleigh-county-prevention-coalition-help-previously-incarcerated-individuals-register-vote/
| 2022-04-07T15:04:01Z
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CHEYENNE – Central High School graduates from the early 1970s who happened to tune into C-SPAN last month may have noticed a familiar name and face.
On March 24, Cheyenne native Jean Veta testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee during the Supreme Court nomination hearing of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. As the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit representative for the American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, Veta served as a principal evaluator for Jackson in ABA's review of the judge's professional qualifications.
Veta spoke with the Wyoming Tribune Eagle this week about the experience and how she reached this point in her career.
Jackson, who was nominated for the Supreme Court by President Joe Biden, would become the first Black woman named to the high court. Jackson is expected to be confirmed soon, following announcements by three Republican U.S. senators that they would vote for her confirmation.
Veta and Federal Circuit representative Joseph M. Drayton were the lead evaluators in the ABA Standing Committee's assessment of Jackson. The full committee is made up of 18 attorneys, with at least one representative for each federal circuit court of appeals.
While members of the Standing Committee are appointed by the ABA's president, the committee is independent of the ABA. Veta was appointed to the committee a year ago.
"We are a nonpartisan group where we take an oath, I can't make any political contributions while I'm on the committee, can't engage in any political activities. And we're the only peer-based review that focuses on a nominee's professional qualifications," Veta told the WTE.
Following an unanimous vote by members of the ABA Standing Committee, Judge Jackson received the highest-possible "well qualified" rating, according to testimony and a report on the committee's review.
About 250 judges and lawyers were interviewed, with a focus on those who had firsthand knowledge of Jackson's capabilities.
ABA review
In assessing federal judicial candidates, the Standing Committee looks at three factors, Veta testified: integrity, professional competence and judicial temperament.
"Reviewers describe (Jackson's) integrity as 'beyond reproach,' 'impeccable,' and 'of the highest caliber,'" Veta testified. "As one reviewer put it, 'You write the word 'integrity,' and then you put (Jackson's) initials next to it.' Another reviewer said: 'Judge Jackson has a well-deserved reputation for the highest level of ethics and integrity.'"
When it comes to professional competence, Veta testified that "a nominee for the Supreme Court must possess exceptional professional qualifications, including an especially high degree of legal scholarship, strong analytical and writing abilities and overall excellence."
And in considering judicial temperament, the Standing Committee set out to assess Jackson's "compassion, decisiveness, open-mindedness, freedom from bias and commitment to equal justice under the law," Veta testified.
"As part of our evaluation, we considered whether Judge Jackson demonstrated any bias that favored criminal defendants. Notably, no judge, defense counsel or prosecutor expressed any concern in this regard, and they uniformly rejected any accusations of bias," she continued. "Instead, prosecutors, like the other lawyers we interviewed, praised Judge Jackson as a judge who considers all arguments before coming to a decision."
Most recently, Jackson was confirmed to the D.C. Circuit in 2021, with bipartisan support. She served as a U.S. District Court judge in Washington.
Jackson also spent time as a federal public defender, and would be the first justice with this background. She also served as a law clerk for Justice Stephen Breyer, whom she would replace on the high court following his retirement.
Veta said she was very aware of continued allegations that Jackson was "soft on crime." In surveying Jackson's peers and those familiar with her career, Veta said she took care to speak with both defense attorneys and prosecutors who had had cases before Jackson during her time as a judge.
"They were uniformly of the view that she was in no way biased toward the defense or the prosecution," Veta told the WTE.
Just being before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Veta said, facing a panel of well-known politicians seated in front of a grand white marble wall, was "thrilling and humbling."
"Also, to be there testifying in connection with the nomination of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court and realizing how important our job is – to really, you know, call it like we see it," she added.
Cheyenne roots
Born and raised in Cheyenne, Veta graduated in 1973 as Central High's valedictorian. Her father's family came to Wyoming in the early 1900s, and her father, John, and mother, Margaret, were born and raised in Cheyenne. They ran the Western Ranchman Outfitters store here.
The Vetas and her mother's family, the Pasternacks, helped form the Jewish community in Cheyenne, she said.
Veta graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1977 from Tulane University in New Orleans, later graduating from the school's law program in 1981.
When looking for a job post-law school, Veta eyed Washington, D.C.
"I wanted to work at kind of the big-time, name-brand, corporate law firm, so that's what I did," she said.
She was a partner at D.C. law firm Covington & Burling for more than 30 years before earning the title "senior counsel." Veta said she represents banks and their leadership when they "get in trouble with the government, and/or advise them on compliance issues to help them stay out of trouble with their regulators."
From 1998 to 2000, Veta served as deputy general counsel for the U.S. Department of Education under former President Bill Clinton, and from 2000 to 2001 as the deputy associate attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice. She returned to Covington & Burling as a partner following her departure from the Clinton administration.
Veta credits her education in Cheyenne's schools with setting her up for later endeavors. She said she was active in speech and debate in high school, even making it twice to the national tournament. She loved the "analytical, logical thinking" it involved, and said she likes having to think on her feet.
These skills may have contributed to her interest in attending law school and, ultimately, a successful career in law.
"(My public education), without question, prepared me for additional steps I took academically and professionally," she said. "The ability to think and to understand how to learn was something that was clearly taught to me in the Cheyenne public schools.
"Growing up in Cheyenne taught me the importance of learning how we need to treat each other respectfully, even if we don't agree," Veta continued, "and to be open to hearing and listening to differing views."
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/cheyenne-native-testifies-in-judge-jackson-confirmation-hearing/article_0365f82b-479b-59b3-9e62-e58e99ca32e9.html
| 2022-04-07T15:26:18Z
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CHEYENNE – A leading wind farm operator has agreed to pay fines and other fees totaling just over $8 million, plus potentially spending millions of additional dollars, because its operations were linked to the deaths of at least 150 eagles over about a decade.
Partly at issue was whether the energy producer should have applied for permits before its operations killed the birds, or if the business should have taken other actions. The legal case points up the fact that responsible wind farm owners take additional steps to ensure their operations – including wind turbines, which can extend hundreds of feet into the air while also sweeping lower to the ground – do not kill many birds and other wildlife, a conservation expert told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
The federal government contends that ESI Energy Inc., which is affiliated with NextEra Energy, had not heeded federal recommendations regarding its wind farm operations in Wyoming's Carbon and Laramie counties and in New Mexico. ESI had agreed to plead guilty to killing and wounding eagles in its wind energy operations, violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the MBTA, "each based on the documented deaths of golden eagles due to blunt force trauma from being struck by a wind turbine blade" at the operations lacking necessary federal permits.
On Tuesday, the company was sentenced in Cheyenne for those violations, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. attorney for Wyoming announced, via a DOJ news release sent by email Wednesday. ESI faces a fine of $1.86 million, $6.21 million in restitution and a five-year period of probation in which it must adhere to an eagle management plan.
This plan requires up to $27 million in steps "intended to minimize additional eagle deaths and injuries, and payment of compensatory mitigation for future eagle deaths and injuries of $29,623 per bald or golden eagle," DOJ said. "ESI also must over the next 36 months apply for permits for any unavoidable take of eagles at each of 50 of its facilities where take is documented or, in the case of four facilities not yet operational, predicted."
The MBTA bars the “taking” of migratory birds without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Taking” includes killing such wildlife.
NextEra disagreed with how the government interpreted the law here, even though it said it signed on to the settlement to "resolve this dispute and focus our attention on continuing to develop, build, and operate emissions-free wind energy centers for a lower carbon America built by good-paying American jobs." The company noted that the violations it pleaded guilty to are misdemeanors.
In the company's legal reasoning, MBTA "does not require a permit to cover unintentional collisions that occur when eagles fly into properly developed wind energy facilities."
Wyoming operations
"Unfortunately, the federal government, at odds with many states and a number of federal court decisions, has sought to criminalize unavoidable accidents related to collisions of birds into wind turbines while at the same time failing to address other activities that result in far greater numbers of accidental eagle and other bird mortalities," the energy firm said. Its statement was issued by NextEra Energy CEO Rebecca Kujawa.
In a video on its website, NextEra calls itself "the nation’s leader in energy storage" and "the world’s largest generator of wind and solar energy."
The company would not answer most questions for this story, beyond confirming the location of its operations that were cited by the U.S. Nor would industry groups provide information about steps U.S. companies in general take to avoid inadvertently killing any species of birds.
In Wyoming, NextEra operations mentioned by the DOJ are its Cedar Springs Transmission multi-facility commercial wind power project in Converse County and, closer to Cheyenne, Roundhouse Renewable Energy facility in Laramie County. According to NextEra's website, it has made $729 million in capital investments in Wyoming and it has about 10 employees (or possibly 51, depending on which figure is used) in the state, where it has a 4.6% market share of electricity sold.
The company has a few hundred turbines at those two areas, and their total rated capacity is several hundred megawatts, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database, which is patly affiliated with the U.S. Department of the Interior. At the high end of that power range, that is more electricity than is used in Cheyenne. Throughout the country, according to the federal database, there are more than 70,000 turbines in 44 states, as well as Guam and Puerto Rico.
The other site involved in the settlement with the government involves ESI's FPL Energy New Mexico Wind, which DOJ said has wind power facilities in De Baca and Quay counties in that state. At around the end of December 2020, "two golden eagle carcasses were found near a wind turbine" at this facility, the federal agency said.
Back at the two wind farm sites in Wyoming, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had told ESI that, by building the turbine operations, it ran the risk of killing golden and bald eagles. Nonetheless, the company did not seek any of the take permits from FWS nor did it take cautionary actions, the government said. In some instances for some of the facilities, the agency had recommended that there not be any such development.
Killing birds
Some wind farms do take precautions so that they avoid killing birds, which can fly into their turbines, according to the government and an expert who spoke with the WTE.
In fact, the government said that ESI by not taking these measures got a leg up on rival energy producers that follow the rules.
"ESI and its affiliates received hundreds of millions of dollars in federal tax credits for generating electricity from wind power at facilities that it operated, knowing that multiple eagles would be killed and wounded without legal authorization, and without, in most instances, paying restitution or compensatory mitigation," the DOJ said.
FWS and other organizations like the conservancy have guidelines and such that wind farm operators can follow so they avoid killing birds, said the American Bird Conservancy's Joel Merriman. Such tools help identify areas where wind farm development would risk harming birds and areas where it is OK.
"There are good resources out there to steer wind energy developers toward the right locations," said Merriman, director of the bird conservancy's Bird-Smart Wind Energy Campaign. "We can have wind energy without undue impacts to wildlife."
Although there are a range of estimates researchers have reached over the years, the bird group estimates that more than half a million birds are killed each year in the U.S. due to wind turbines.
Eagles, for animal-developmental, migration and other reasons, are among the more vulnerable bird and raptor species to getting killed by turbines, Merriman said by phone.
"Eagles are particularly vulnerable to collisions with wind turbines," he said. "A lot of that is due to the fact that they spend a lot of time on the wing and they are essentially distracted fliers. They hunt while they are flying."
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/wind-farm-operator-paying-8m-following-eagle-deaths/article_16d9f79c-9272-5b25-883e-84395ac91b61.html
| 2022-04-07T15:26:24Z
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Years ago when my husband and I were dating I learned a powerful lesson. He would occasionally say something like, “I need a couple of days.”
What? I immediately took it personally and thought something was wrong. What did I do? What did I say? He must be angry at me. I would call him and stop by his house to see if he was OK. After all, I must have said or done something to upset him.
He would assure me I hadn’t and that it didn’t have anything to do with me or “us.”
I soon realized he was right. It didn’t have anything to do with me. It didn’t have anything to do with us. He was not angry. He was not upset. We just have different ways of recharging. He needs downtime, a quiet respite to rest, relax and regenerate. He needs to do this alone.
When I need recharging, however, being alone makes it worse. I feed on the energy of being with people. Talking, laughing and companionship regenerates me, so of course when he would tell me he needed time to himself I felt pushed away. I thought there must be a problem.
I took it personally.
How many times in life do we take things personally and the reality is that it has nothing to do with us? Whenever a stressful situation happens, many of us default immediately to the negative. We blame ourselves.
Let’s look at it differently. Let go of the immediate assumption and realize it isn’t always about us. It could always be something else that causes someone to be cranky, in a hurry or snap at another. It can always be another reason that someone needs time alone. It isn’t always about us.
Here is a trick to help with this self-inflicted internalization of blame and stress. Use this with your family, spouse, children and coworkers. Q-TIP it! Yes, Q-TIP it! Quit Taking It Personally!
As a reminder, take a couple of Q-tips and tape them to your computer, bathroom mirror or car visor. Look at them often and when something happens in life that sets off your internal blame game, remember to Q-TIP.
The lesson I learned from my now husband all those years ago has saved me from many hours of needless worry. It isn’t always about me. And guess what? Now we recharge using what works for both of us. We recharge together, laughing, talking and in the quiet space of each other’s companionship.
We practice of the art of Q-tipping it.
Pennie’s Life Lesson: “When the stress of life sets off your internal blame game, Q-TIP it! Quit Taking It Personally!”
Pennie Hunt is a Wyoming-based author, blogger and speaker. Contact her atpenniehunt@gmail.com.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rawlinstimes/opinion/guest_column/dont-take-it-personally-q-tip-it/article_db2ba934-dfe9-50a1-8876-8026c9b4d118.html
| 2022-04-07T15:26:30Z
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ROCK SPRINGS -- Harriet Hageman, a Republican candidate running for Congress in the state of Wyoming, hosted a town hall at Bitter Creek Brewing in Rock Springs on Tuesday, April 5.
“I grew up outside of Fort Laramie, Wyoming, which is a town on the east side of the state near Torrington. I come from a ranching family over there,” Hageman said. “I come from a large family.”
Hageman attended Casper College on a livestock judging scholarship in the early 1980s. She then attended the University of Wyoming where she received her bachelor’s degree and law degree.
“I graduated in 1989 and have been a trial attorney for over 30 years. Primarily, I work in the water and natural resources arena,” Hageman said.
Hageman was hired to work on the Wyoming v. Nebraska case.
“More recently, I took a position with a nonprofit law firm out of Washington, D.C.”
Hageman said that it is a civil rights law firm where they do all of the work pro bono.
“We only take cases that are constitutionally based; challenging administrative agencies that act unlawfully,” Hageman said. “We were one of the first law firms in the country to challenge vaccine mandates. We filed a lawsuit against vaccine mandates last August against Michigan State University.”
During the town hall, Hageman was asked about the “30x30” initiative.
"The 30x30 was an executive order that was issued by President Biden on Jan. 27, 2021; it was one of the very first things he did,” Hageman said. “He has instructed every agency in the government to be led by the Department of the Interior to identify 30% of our surface and water estate that can be taken over, or ‘conserved’ is the word they use, by the federal government by 2030.”
Hageman said that the next goal is 50% by 2050.
“This is a U.N. led effort. This is a globalist effort and the point of it is for the federal government to literally control about 30% of our surface estate.”
“The federal government, right now, owns 650 million acres, the vast majority of it in the Interior West. They own 48% of our surface estate, 68% of our mineral estate here in Wyoming alone,” Hageman said. “That is 12% of the land mass in this country.
“They want to more than double that. The land may stay in private hands or it may not. It may actually go to the federal government.”
Hageman said that it would “absolutely destroy our economy almost instantly when we start approaching that.”
“It’s going to make it astronomically expensive to grow food. It would be astronomically expensive to develop energy. It is bad policy,” Hageman said.
With her extensive history in Wyoming, Hageman said that she has deep ties to the state.
“My great-grandfather came here in 1879. My family has been here for 140 years,” Hageman said.
“From my standpoint, when Wyoming prospers, my family prospers. But when Wyoming suffers, my family suffers.”
Some of the other issues attached to Hageman’s platform include deregulating the administrative state, standing up for election integrity, controlling government spending and defending energy industries.
Additional information about Hageman’s campaign can be found on her website, www.hagemanforwyoming.com.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/congressional-candidate-hageman-hosts-town-hall/article_6408c6e8-9e3b-5641-a323-1fc5e44860b2.html
| 2022-04-07T15:26:36Z
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ROCK SPRINGS – The songs of Twisted Sister, Van Halen, Whitesnake and other artists from the 80s scream out a story about rock star dreams in the Rock Springs High School production of “Rock of Ages.”
The tale takes place in Hollywood when neon colors and big hair took over the world.
Sherrie Christian, played by RSHS junior Emma Zanetti, left home to follow her dreams and meets Wolfgang Von Colt, played by RSHS junior Karson Hansen. Everything started out smoothly until a misunderstanding involving a famous rock star got in their way.
The stage in the theater at RSHS is turned into a mini rock arena as cast members play crazed fans for the four-member band playing rock anthems Generation X grew up with.
Mixing it up with energy, comedy and style, characters would express confusion, frustration and affection between songs.
Director Jacob Webb said he and Technical Director Rick Matlock wanted to bring a new style of music to the audience.
“It’s going to be a positive thing for the community because most of these folks are familiar with these songs and they’ll be really excited,” said Webb. “We just wanted to put on a real cool rock concert with the fog, cool lights and live music.”
This is Matlock’s second year at RSHS.
“I think I made it bigger than it should have been!” he chuckled. “I’m going to have to figure out how to build a bigger stage for next year!”
According to Matlock, having a live band on the stage was challenging for the directing crew at first since it has been over 20 years since they blended live music with a theater production.
“It’s 80s rock!” he exclaimed. “It will be a fun show.”
Webb officially became the RSHS drama instructor in January. He was the assistant director for “Little Shop of Horrors” last year. This is his first year directing a musical.
“The cast has been amazing,” he mentioned. “To have a cast that offers so much professionalism and heart - it’s just been a pleasure working with them.”
RSHS junior Jakob Burdette plays Lonny, the narrator. He has been acting since the seventh grade.
“I’m hoping the audience will feel nostalgic in a way,” Burdette shared. “And I hope this production just makes them happy.”
RSHS senior Cadence Ranger plays the laid-back bar owner, Dennis Dupree.
“I’m not used to playing a character from a totally different era but it’s been a lot of fun,” said Ranger. “I hope the audience will think it’s funny and enjoyable.”
“This is my first year as a drama student,” Hansen admitted. “I don’t want to say it’s overwhelming because I do practice some pressure management.
“It’s a lot of fun in a lot of ways.”
Zanetti says that it “feels really good” to be on the stage.
“I’ve been singing before I could talk,” she revealed. “Singing and acting is the perfect combination.
“I’ve been performing ever since I can remember.”
Brian Redmond, RSHS band instructor, coaches the drummer and three guitarists on stage.
“I was hesitantly excited to do it at first,” Redmond admitted. “It’s something I haven’t done since I’ve started teaching here and from what I heard it had been many years since they’ve worked a live band in a production.
“So I said, ‘Well, it will either go really, really well or it will go badly!’”
He added, “The kids are doing very well. They already have the experience for it from being in my guitar class and jazz band so I knew they can do it.”
At first, his students didn’t know how to react around the cast members as they started playing.
“It was a big shift for them,” he explained. “Seeing that kind of awakening from them as they realize they can have fun with it was amazing to see.
“At first, they were wondering if they can rock out to this. Now they’re having fun with it.”
The Rock Springs High School theater department will present “Rock of Ages” from Wednesday, April 13th to Friday, April 15th. The show starts at 7 p.m. The last two performances will take place on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for students and seniors. Admission for adults is $10. Tickets will be available at the door.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/rock-of-ages-rock-springs-high-school-theater-shakes-the-stage-in-retro-musical/article_db1f1fb5-dbd5-5ab8-847e-e66dc849cd48.html
| 2022-04-07T15:26:43Z
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GRAPHIC: Officers race to save 4-year-old who survived 6-story fall
Published: Apr. 7, 2022 at 11:19 AM EDT|Updated: 32 minutes ago
NEW YORK (CNN) - A four-year-old New York boy who fell six stories from an apartment window Tuesday is listed in stable condition.
The New York Police Department released dramatic bodycam video of officers rushing to help the boy after the fall from a sixth-floor apartment window in the Bronx.
Police say he was alert and conscious after the fall.
Officers did not wait for an ambulance to arrive and rushed him to Lincoln Hospital in a squad car where he was immediately met by EMTs.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/graphic-officers-race-save-4-year-old-who-survived-6-story-fall/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:07Z
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Officer-involved shooting after vehicle pursuit in Bridgewater
Published: Apr. 7, 2022 at 10:20 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hours ago
BRIDGEWATER, Va. (WHSV) - Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson confirms there was an officer-involved shooting following a police pursuit of a suspect wanted on felonies.
The incident started after 9 a.m. Thursday, with a miles-long high speed chase through several communities in western Rockingham County.
The pursuit came to an end about three miles northwest of the town of Bridgewater. Shots were fired. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
There is a heavy police presence in Bridgewater for an investigation underway.
A section of Spring Creek Road is shut down from Sangersville Road to Thomas Spring Road intersection.
WHSV is on the scene. Stay with us on air and online as we learn more.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/heavy-police-presence-bridgewater/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:13Z
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House panel: Justice Dept. ‘obstructing’ Trump records probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional oversight committee on Thursday said the Justice Department is “obstructing” its investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of White House records by preventing the release of information from the National Archives.
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland accusing the Justice Department of impeding the panel’s expanded investigation into the 15 boxes of White House records that Trump took to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida after leaving office last year. The Archives in February revealed it had found classified material in the boxes and referred the matter to the Justice Department.
The letter from Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., the chairwoman of the Oversight Committee, outlines communications between the committee and the National Archives that took place between February to late March.
In those letters, Maloney made a series of requests for information she said the committee needs to determine if Trump violated federal records laws over his handling of sensitive and even classified information. In response, the general counsel for the archivist wrote on March 28 that “based on our consultation with the Department of Justice, we are unable to provide any comment.”
“By blocking NARA from producing the documents requested by the Committee, the Department is obstructing the Committee’s investigation,” Maloney wrote in the letter released Thursday.
Maloney added that while the committee is not looking to interfere with the department’s ongoing investigation, lawmakers have not received any explanation as to why the department is preventing the archivist from providing information about the contents of the boxes.
The House’s oversight panel has repeatedly cited its authority to investigate matters involving the Presidential Records Act, which was enacted in 1978 after former President Richard Nixon wanted to destroy documents related to the Watergate scandal.
Maloney had warned in December 2020 that she had “grave concerns” that the Trump administration was not complying with the federal records act, even writing in a letter to the archivist citing those concerns that the departing administration “may not be adequately preserving records and may be disposing of them.”
While federal law bars the removal of classified documents to unauthorized locations, it is possible that in this case, Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.
The former president has denied reports of tensions with the National Archives and his lawyers have said that “they are continuing to search for additional presidential records that belong to the National Archives.”
The attorney general has acknowledged that the department received the referral from the Archives, but it is longstanding Justice Department policy not to comment on investigations.
Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill may face a long wait for answers to their questions about specific investigations.
Generally, under Justice Department guidelines, details of investigations are supposed to remain out of the public view until charges are filed or warrants are filed. And, if grand juries are convened, the Justice Department is precluded under federal law from discussing specifics of a grand jury investigation before an indictment is handed down.
Garland has also made clear to prosecutors that the Justice Department won’t be influenced by outside political pressure.
The Oversight Committee asked Garland to respond by next week with either a green light for the National Archives to cooperate with their request or provide an explanation as to why the department is imposing such limitations.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/house-panel-justice-dept-obstructing-trump-records-probe/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:19Z
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JMU Board of Visitors hears proposed tuition and fees for 2022-2023 school year
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - The James Madison University Board of Visitors heard about possible tuition and fee increases for the 2022-2023 school year.
Tuition and E&G (Education and General) fees could go up for Virginia undergraduate students, non-resident undergraduate students, Virginia graduate students, and Virginia non-resident graduate students.
Towana Moore, the Interim VP of Administration and Finance at the university, gave a brief presentation to the Board of Visitors on Wednesday.
She explained some challenges moving forward, including transitioning out of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and enrollment uncertainty.
“We also have to be always aware of our enrollment, what our mix looks like... out-of-state, in-state,” Moore said. “Has COVID caused some people not to come? All of those sorts of things we have to watch out for when we’re setting our tuition for the following year.”
Some of the biggest cost factors, she said, are faculty and staff compensation, inflation, student support services, financial aid and scholarships.
Public comment was permitted at the April 6 meeting, but no one signed up to speak.
The university is still awaiting the completion of the legislative process and approval of the commonwealth’s 2022-2024 budget.
“Final state-mandated costs and institutional funding, which impact tuition and fee decisions, are unknown at this time, however, the university is optimistic that investment in higher education and JMU will remain a priority of the General Assembly and the Governor,” said a university notice published on April 5.
For planning purposes, James Madison University is considering the following Educational and General (E&G) tuition and mandatory auxiliary fee ranges for undergraduate and graduate students for the 2022-23 academic year and summer session 2023:
Academic Year 2022-2023
Tuition & E&G Fees
Virginia undergraduate students– Annual tuition and E&G fee increase within a range between $0 and $372 or 0% and 5.0%; upper range $186 per semester
- Non-resident undergraduate students– Annual tuition and E&G fee increase within a range between $0 and $486 or 0% and 2%; upper range $243 per semester
- Virginia graduate students– Annual tuition and E&G fee increase within a range between $0 and $23 per credit hour or 0% and 5.0%
- Virginia non-resident graduate students– Annual tuition and E&G fee increase within a range between $0 and $23 per credit hour or 0% and 2.0%
Auxiliary Mandatory Fee
- Virginia and non-resident undergraduate students– Annual mandatory auxiliary fee increase within a range between $0 and $254 or 0% and 4.9%; upper range $127 per semester
- Virginia and non-resident graduate students– Annual mandatory auxiliary fee increase within a range between $0 and $2 per credit hour or 0% and 4.3%
Summer Session 2023
Tuition & E&G Fees
- Virginia undergraduate students– Tuition and E&G fee increase within a range between $0 and $19 per credit hour or 0% and 5.0%
- Non-resident undergraduate students– Tuition and E&G fee increase within a range between $0 and $19 per credit hour or 0% and 2.0%
- Virginia graduate students– Tuition and E&G fee increase within a range between $0 and $22 per credit hour or 0% and 5.0%
- Virginia non-resident graduate students– Tuition and E&G fee increase within a range between $0 and $22 per credit hour or 0% and 2.0%
Auxiliary Mandatory Fee
- All students– Mandatory auxiliary fee increase within a range between $0 and $1 per credit hour or 0% and 4.0%
The JMU Board of Visitors will consider tuition and mandatory fees for the 2022-2023 academic year at its full board meeting currently scheduled for Friday, April 22.
For more information, click here.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/jmu-board-visitors-hears-proposed-tuition-fees-2022-2023-school-year/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:25Z
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Judge tosses Girl Scouts’ recruitment suit vs. Boy Scouts
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday tossed out a lawsuit in which the Girl Scouts claim that the Boy Scouts are creating marketplace confusion and damaging their recruitment efforts through their use of words such as “scouts” and “scouting.”
Manhattan Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ruled that the Boy Scouts of America can describe their activities as “scouting” without referring to gender and that the matter does not need to be put to a jury.
Hellerstein said his written decision caps a “serious, contentious and expensive” litigation and necessitates dismissal of the lawsuit brought by the Girls Scouts of the United States of America.
The lawsuit was filed in late 2018, a year after the Boy Scouts announced that boy scouting and cub scouting would be open to girls, leading the two organizations to compete for members after social trends and a rise in sports league participation drove down membership for decades. The pattern was worsened when the pandemic hit.
Hellerstein’s decision comes while the Boy Scouts are in bankruptcy proceedings in Delaware that began in February 2020. The Irving, Texas-based organization sought bankruptcy protection after it was named in hundreds of lawsuits brought by individuals claiming they were molested by scout leaders as minors.
Messages seeking comment left with lawyers in the case were not immediately returned.
In his decision, Hellerstein wrote that he was siding with the Boy Scouts because the Girls Scouts cannot prove that a likelihood of confusion was caused by the Boy Scouts’ use of the “scout” terms.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/judge-tosses-girl-scouts-recruitment-suit-vs-boy-scouts/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:31Z
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Michigan governor sues to secure abortion rights, vacate ban
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sued Thursday to protect abortion rights, asking a Michigan court to recognize a right to abortion under the state constitution and to overturn a 176-year-old ban in the state that may take effect if the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling is vacated.
The Democratic governor’s preemptive lawsuit, which was filed in Oakland County against prosecutors in 13 counties with an abortion clinic, came as the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority considers allowing states to ban abortion much earlier in pregnancy and potentially overturning the right. Planned Parenthood of Michigan and its chief medical officer filed a similar suit in the state Court of Claims to block enforcement of the 1931 law, which dates to an 1846 ban.
Whitmer, who is up for reelection this year, was expected to request that the Michigan Supreme Court quickly take her case rather than let it wind through lower trial and appellate courts. A favorable decision could enable abortions to continue in Michigan after the federal high court rules.
“It was important for us to take action now, to ensure that women and providers across the state of Michigan know whether abortions will still be available in the state because it impacts their lives and our health care providers’ practices. It’s crucial that we take this action now to secure and ensure that the Michigan Constitution protects this right that we have had available for 49 years,” the governor told The Associated Press, saying nearly 2.2 million women may lose access to a safe, legal medical procedure.
Michigan is among eight states with an unenforced abortion ban that was enacted before the 1973 Roe decision legalized abortion nationwide. States on both sides of the abortion issue have been taking a variety of steps to prepare for Roe being eroded or rescinded, including making it a crime to perform an abortion and banning legal action against people who aid or receive an abortion.
Michigan’s law makes it a felony to use an instrument or administer any substance with the intent “to procure the miscarriage” of a woman unless necessary to preserve her life.
Whitmer wants the Michigan Supreme Court to declare a state constitutional right to abortion and to strike down the 1931 law, which could go back into effect if Roe is overturned or weakened. The lawsuit argues that the law is invalid under the due process and equal protection clauses of the state constitution.
Michigan could soon be left with a near-total ban without even exceptions for rape and incest — “one of the most extreme laws in the country,” Whitmer said. Her call to repeal the law has gone nowhere in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
The state high court has four Democratic and three Republican justices.
Whitmer will ask that the court intervene in part to avoid legal uncertainty when the federal high court issues its ruling on Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
The complaint says that while the Michigan Supreme Court in 1973 ruled that Roe limited the effect of the state ban, the right to abortion has been undermined over 50 years of litigation in federal courts. The state’s high court has not said whether the state constitution protects the right. The Michigan Court of Appeals, in 1997, ruled there is no state constitutional right to abortion — a reason the Michigan Supreme Court should step in immediately, according to her office.
The lawsuit points to “substantial ambiguity” about what the state ban prohibits.
Abortion rights advocates have launched a ballot drive to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution but need about 425,000 voter signatures to put the initiative on the November ballot.
Also Thursday, seven Democratic county prosecutors who were named in the lawsuit pledged to not enforce the anti-abortion law.
“We cannot and will not support criminalizing reproductive freedom or creating unsafe, untenable situations for health care providers and those who seek abortions in our communities,” said the elected prosecutors in Wayne, Oakland, Genesee, Washtenaw, Ingham, Kalamazoo and Marquette counties. “Instead, we will continue to dedicate our limited resources towards the prosecution of serious crimes and the pursuit of justice for all.”
The other six elected prosecutors who were sued are Republicans.
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Associated Press writer Corey Williams in West Bloomfield, Michigan, contributed to this report.
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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/michigan-governor-sues-secure-abortion-rights-vacate-ban/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:37Z
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More rain before the weekend
Rain will be very beneficial to minor drought
THURSDAY: Scattered rain sticks around into the afternoon with patchy fog. Rumbles of thunder and lightning are possible. Rain wraps up around 2/3PM. Additional rainfall 0.25-0.5″ through Thursday afternoon. With the cold front passing through, temperatures will only rise a few degrees during the day as highs will be in the mid to upper 50s. Some sunshine arriving late in the day and into the early evening.
Some clouds for the evening and pleasant with temperatures in the 50s. Plenty of clouds heading into the overnight with a few passing showers before midnight. The Alleghenies will see snow showers mix in with the rain. Clearing late in the overnight. Cold with overnight lows in the mid to upper 30s.
FRIDAY: Plenty of sunshine to start the day with a few passing clouds and chilly with temperatures rising into the 40s. More clouds build in throughout the day and pleasant with highs in the mid to upper 50s. A few scattered showers for the afternoon but anything would be light and some will not see rain. The Alleghenies will continue to see snow showers mixed in with any rain. Breezy for the afternoon.
Plenty of clouds for the evening and pleasant with temperatures in the 50s. Scattered showers continuing until around midnight. A few snow showers mixing in with any rain showers across the Allegheny Mountains. Cold overnight with lows in the low to mid 30s.
SATURDAY: Some clouds to start and chilly. Temperatures rising into the 40s for the morning. Adding more clouds for the afternoon and turning pleasant with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s. Snow showers for the Alleghenies throughout the day and higher elevations could see a coating of snow. Some clouds with a few rain and snow showers continuing for the Alleghenies overnight and turning cold with overnight lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.
SUNDAY: A mix of sun and clouds to start the day and cold with temperatures in the 30s. Some clouds for the afternoon with sunshine and turning pleasant once again with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s. Snow showers continue for the Alleghenies. Keeping some clouds for the overnight and turning cold with lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.
MONDAY: A good amount of sunshine with some clouds to start and chilly with temperatures rising into the 40s. A warmer day than the weekend with highs in the mid to upper 60s with a mix of sun and clouds. Plenty of clouds overnight and turning chilly with lows in the low to mid 40s.
TUESDAY: Sunshine with some clouds to start and temperatures feeling pleasant rising into the 50s. A fair amout of sunshine with more clouds for the afternoon. A warm day with highs in the low to mid 70s! Some clouds for the night and turning chilly with lows in the mid to upper 40s.
WEDNESDAY: A pleasantly cool start with temperatures rising into the 50s and rather cloudy. More clouds than sun for the day but another warm afternoon with highs in the low 70s. A mild evening with temperatures in the 60s and pleasant overnight with lows in the low to mid 50s.
As always, you can get the latest updates by downloading and checking the WHSV Weather App.
**A reminder that spring wildfire season is underway for both Virginia and West Virginia. No outdoor burning before 4pm in Virginia until April 30th. No outdoor burning in West Virginia before 5pm through May 31.**
Copyright 2021 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/more-rain-before-weekend/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:43Z
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Newborn safely surrendered in a Safe Haven Baby Box
CARMEL, Ind. (Gray News) – A baby was safely surrendered this week to a Safe Haven Baby Box in Indiana.
According to the Carmel Fire Department, the baby was taken to the hospital for evaluation and is healthy.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are used to prevent the illegal abandonment of a newborn and offer a safe place for a mother-in-crisis to leave her infant.
The Safe Haven Baby Box at the Carmel Fire Department is set up in a way that provides complete anonymity to the person who is leaving the baby.
The person opens a door on the side of the department’s building that holds a bassinet, which triggers a silent alarm to alert firefighters that a baby has been placed inside. The exterior door automatically locks to protect the baby.
Authorities said firefighters were able to get to the surrendered newborn in less than a minute and provide it the care it needs before taking it to the hospital by ambulance.
“Our hope is that this baby boy will find a forever loving home the same way and find their forever family as well,” said Fire Chief David Haboush in a Facebook post for Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
According to the organization, 16 babies have been surrendered inside Safe Haven Baby Boxes since the first one was installed in 2016.
If you need help finding a Safe Haven location or to speak to a licensed counselor, call the National Safe Haven crisis hotline at 1-866-99BABY1.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/newborn-safely-surrendered-safe-haven-baby-box/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:49Z
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Pelosi positive for COVID-19, was at White House with Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tested positive for COVID-19, a day after appearing unmasked at a White House event with President Joe Biden.
Pelosi received a positive test result for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic, her spokesman Drew Hammill said Thursday in a tweet. He said she had tested negative earlier in the week.
“The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided,” Hammill said.
Pelosi will “quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly,” he said.
The 82-year-old Democratic leader’s announcement came ahead of her weekly press appearance on Capitol Hill, which was abruptly called off. The House is set to start a two week spring recess.
Pelosi also postponed a planned congressional delegation trip to Asia she was scheduled to lead.
Washington has experienced a rush of new COVID-19 cases as restrictions have lifted and more events and gatherings are happening across Washington, D.C.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced positive tests. The officials were among more than a dozen attendees of the Saturday night Gridiron Club dinner to test positive for the virus. Pelosi did not attend the dinner, her spokesman said.
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also announced Thursday that she tested positive for COVID-19 and would “work at home while following isolation protocols.”
Several lawmakers have announced positive test results and are isolating.
The Capitol reopened last week to some public tours for the first time since it was shuttered two years ago with the onset of the pandemic.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/pelosi-tests-positive-covid/
| 2022-04-07T15:52:55Z
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Senate poised to confirm Jackson to Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is expected to confirm Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on Thursday, securing her place as the first Black woman on the high court and giving President Joe Biden a bipartisan endorsement for his historic pick.
Three Republican senators have said they will support Jackson, who would replace Justice Stephen Breyer when he retires this summer. While the vote will be far from the overwhelming bipartisan confirmations for Breyer and other justices in decades past, it will still be a significant bipartisan accomplishment for Biden in the narrow 50-50 Senate after GOP senators aggressively worked to paint Jackson as too liberal and soft on crime.
“It will be a joyous day,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as he announced Thursday’s vote late Wednesday evening. “Joyous for the Senate, joyous for the Supreme Court, joyous for America.”
Jackson, a 51 year-old federal appeals court judge, would be just the third Black justice, after Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, and the sixth woman. She would join two other women, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, on the liberal side of a 6-3 conservative court. With Justice Amy Coney Barrett sitting at the other end of the bench, four of the nine justices would be women for the first time in history.
After a bruising hearing in which Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee aggressively interrogated Jackson on her sentencing record, three GOP senators came out and said they would support her. The statements from Maine Sen. Susan Collins, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney all said the same thing — they might not always agree with Jackson, but they found her to be enormously well qualified for the job.
Collins and Murkowski both decried the increasingly partisan confirmation process, which Collins called “broken” and Murkowski called “corrosive” and “more detached from reality by the year.”
Biden, a veteran of a more bipartisan Senate, said from the beginning that he wanted support from both parties for his history-making nominee, and he invited Republicans to the White House as he made his decision. It was an attempted reset from three brutal Supreme Court battles during President Donald Trump’s presidency, when Democrats vociferously opposed the nominees, and from the end of President Barack Obama’s, when Republicans blocked Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland from getting a vote.
Before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, Jackson said her life was shaped by her parents’ experiences with racial segregation and civil rights laws that were enacted a decade before she was born.
With her parents and family sitting behind her, she told the panel that her “path was clearer” than theirs as a Black American. Jackson attended Harvard University, served as a public defender, worked at a private law firm and was appointed as a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission in addition to her nine years on the federal bench.
“I have been a judge for nearly a decade now, and I take that responsibility and my duty to be independent very seriously,” Jackson said. “I decide cases from a neutral posture. I evaluate the facts, and I interpret and apply the law to the facts of the case before me, without fear or favor, consistent with my judicial oath.”
Once sworn in, Jackson would be the second youngest member of the court after Barrett, 50. She would join a court on which no one is yet 75, the first time that has happened in nearly 30 years.
Jackson’s first term will be marked by cases involving race, both in college admissions and voting rights. She has pledged to sit out the court’s consideration of Harvard’s admissions program since she is a member of its board of overseers. But the court could split off a second case involving a challenge to the University of North Carolina’s admissions process, which might allow her to weigh in on the issue.
Republicans spent the hearings interrogating her sentencing record on the federal bench, including the sentences she handed down in child pornography cases, which they argued were too light. Jackson pushed back on the GOP narrative, declaring that “nothing could be further from the truth” and explaining her reasoning in detail. Democrats said she was in line with other judges in her decisions.
The GOP questioning in the Judiciary committee stuck for many Republicans, though, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said in a floor speech Wednesday that Jackson “never got tough once in this area.”
Democrats criticized the Republicans’ questioning.
“You could try and create a straw man here, but it does not hold,” said New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker at the committee’s vote earlier this week. The panel deadlocked on the nomination 11-11, but the Senate voted to discharge it from committee and moved ahead with her confirmation.
In an impassioned moment during the hearings last month, Booker, who is also Black, told Jackson that he felt emotional watching her testify. He said he saw “my ancestors and yours” in her image.
“But don’t worry, my sister,” Booker said. “Don’t worry. God has got you. And how do I know that? Because you’re here, and I know what it’s taken for you to sit in that seat.”
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Follow the AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/ketanji-brown-jackson
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/senate-poised-confirm-jackson-supreme-court/
| 2022-04-07T15:53:02Z
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Senate to vote on revoking Russia’s trade status, oil ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate will take up legislation Thursday to end normal trade relations with Russia and ban the importation of its oil, ratcheting up the U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amid reports of atrocities. Both bills have languished in the Senate.
“It’s a big, big deal that we are finally getting them done,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday. “Now, I wish this could have happened sooner, but after weeks of talks with the other side, it’s important that we have found a path forward.”
It’s been three weeks since the House passed the trade suspension measure that paves the way for President Joe Biden to enact higher tariffs on certain Russian imports. At the time, the legislation was billed as sending a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his allies about the economic isolation Russia will face for invading Ukraine.
The House vote in mid-March came one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Congress in a virtual speech that “new packages of sanctions are needed constantly every week until the Russian military machine stops.”
“They cannot just go kill a bunch of people, destroy cities, kill women and children, and then go back and have business as usual,” Ukrainian-born U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, a Republican from Indiana, said as the trade bill was debated in the House.
WARNING: Video contains graphic content.
Reports of civilians being tortured and killed in Ukraine, with streets on the outskirts of Kyiv being strewn with corpses, had some lawmakers this week questioning why the Senate had not yet taken action on the bill.
“What I’m telling the senators is that all this foot-dragging in the face of the atrocities that everybody saw this weekend is just really beyond imagination,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
House lawmakers concurred.
“It sends a message of weakness,” said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, on the Senate’s inaction. “It seemed like a pretty bipartisan, easy thing to do, just like not importing Russia energy, so it’s disappointing.”
There is overwhelming support for suspending preferential trade treatment for Russia. But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has objected to speedy consideration of the bill over concerns that its language on who can be sanctioned for human rights abuses is too broad, leaving it ripe for abuse. He blocked a request for a voice vote on the bill, which requires consent from all 100 senators. Schumer opted to let senators work it out rather than chew up floor time to overcome the filibuster.
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said, practically speaking, the impact of the delay on the trade bill is minimal “because there’s virtually no trade right now coming in from Russia.” Still, he said passage is important.
“Messaging is important here and showing action is important,” Cardin said. “You’ve got the Ukrainians on the battlefield every day. The least we can do is get these bills passed.”
Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said the delay in the Senate was hard to explain. But he placed the onus on Schumer.
“I think part of it really is just having leadership in the Senate that is going to manage the floor and is willing to do what it takes to get this thing done,” Thune said. “If this had been a priority, I think it would have been done.”
Democrats counter that going the route Thune suggested requires dedicating precious floor time for a bill that passed 424-8 in the House.
Rep. Kevin Brady, the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, said it was important for Schumer to get senators together and get the bill passed.
“We’ve been watching these atrocities. America needs to weigh in now and stop funding the war,” Brady said. “President Zelenskyy asked a month ago for this and here we are — still fussing around.”
The House also passed the oil ban about a month ago. The bill would codify restrictions on Russian oil that Biden has already put in place through executive action.
Schumer said Putin needed to be held accountable for what he said were war crimes against Ukraine. He also said Putin was guilty of genocide.
“Formally revoking normal trade relations with Russia is precisely the right thing for the Senate to do because it will land another huge blow to Putin’s economy,” Schumer said. “It’s a key part of any strategy for holding Putin accountable for his savage attacks on innocent civilians.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/senate-vote-revoking-russias-trade-status-oil-ban/
| 2022-04-07T15:53:08Z
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Turkey suspends trial of Saudi suspects in Khashoggi killing
ISTANBUL (AP) — A Turkish court decided Thursday to transfer the trial of 26 Saudis accused in the gruesome killing of Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, raising fears that those responsible for the death of the Washington Post columnist won’t be brought to justice for a crime that drew international outrage.
The decision, which comes as Ankara is trying to repair relations with Saudi Arabia, was denounced as “scandalous” by a human rights group. It marked an abrupt reversal for Turkey, which had vowed to shed light on the killing and began prosecuting the defendants in absentia in 2020.
Khashoggi, a United States resident who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed Oct. 2, 2018, at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. He had gone into the consulate for an appointment to collect documents required for him to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, and never came out.
Turkish officials alleged that Khashoggi was killed and dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate by a team of Saudi agents sent to Istanbul. The group included a forensic doctor, intelligence and security officers and individuals who worked for the crown prince’s office. His remains have not been found.
The Istanbul court’s decision comes despite warnings from human rights groups that turning the case over to the kingdom would lead to a cover-up of the killing, which has cast suspicion on the crown prince.
Last week, the prosecutor in the case recommended its transfer to the kingdom, arguing that the trial in Turkey would remain inconclusive. Turkey’s justice minister supported the recommendation, adding that the trial in Turkey would resume if the Istanbul court is not satisfied with the outcome in Saudi Arabia.
It was not clear if the kingdom, which has already put some of the defendants on trial behind closed doors, would open a new trial, and there was no immediate reaction from Riyadh to the decision.
At Thursday’s hearing, lawyers representing Cengiz asked the court not to move the proceedings to Saudi Arabia, the private DHA news agency reported.
“Let’s not entrust the lamb to the wolf,” the agency quoted lawyer Ali Ceylan as telling the court. “Let’s protect the honor and dignity of the Turkish nation.”
But the court halted the trial in line with the Justice Ministry’s “positive opinion,” DHA reported. It also decided to lift arrest warrants issued against the defendants and gave the sides seven days to lodge any opposition.
Saudi Arabia had rejected Turkey’s requests to extradite the defendants, who included two former aides of the prince.
Some of the men were put on trial in Riyadh behind closed doors. A Saudi court issued a final verdict in 2020 that sentenced five midlevel officials and operatives to 20-year jail terms. The court had originally ordered the death penalty, but reduced the punishment after Khashoggi’s son, Salah, who lives in Saudi Arabia, announced he forgave them. Three others were sentenced to lesser jail terms.
At the time of the killing, Turkey apparently had the Saudi Consulate bugged and shared audio of the killing with the CIA, among others.
The slaying sparked international condemnation. Western intelligence agencies, as well as the U.S. Congress, said an operation of such magnitude could not have happened without the knowledge of the crown prince.
Human rights advocates had also urged Turkey not to transfer the case to Saudi Arabia, arguing that justice for Khashoggi would not be delivered by Saudi courts.
“It’s a scandalous decision,” said Emma Sinclair-Webb, the Turkey director for the New York-based Human Rights Watch, asserting that the court had “rubber-stamped” a political decision that would allow the Turkish government to repair its ties with Saudi Arabia.
“In the interest of realpolitik, Turkey is ready to sacrifice justice for an egregious crime on its own soil,” she told The Associated Press. “(The decision) opens the way for other countries to commit assassinations on Turkish territory and get away with it.”
Cengiz said she would continue to seek justice.
“We will continue this (judicial) process with all the power given to me, as a Turkish citizen,” she told reporters outside the courthouse.
“The two countries may be making an agreement, the two countries may be opening a new chapter ... but the crime is still the same crime,” she said. “The people who committed the crime haven’t changed. Governments and states must have a principled stance.”
Turkey, which is in a deep economic downturn, has been trying to improve its strained relationship with Saudi Arabia and an array of other countries in the region. Some media reports have claimed that Riyadh has made improved relations conditional on Turkey dropping the case, which had inflamed tensions between two countries.
The move would pave the way to a resolution of disputes between the two regional heavyweights since the 2011 Arab Spring, including Turkey’s support for Islamist movements like the Muslim Brotherhood, which Riyadh considers a terrorist group. Turkey also sided with Qatar in a diplomatic dispute that saw Doha boycotted by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/turkey-suspends-trial-saudi-suspects-khashoggi-killing/
| 2022-04-07T15:53:14Z
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US Navy intends to decommission some of its newest warships
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Navy that once wanted smaller, speedy warships to chase down pirates has made a speedy pivot to Russia and China — and many of those recently built ships could be retired.
The U.S. Navy wants to decommission nine ships in the Freedom-class of littoral combat ships — warships that cost about $4.5 billion altogether to build.
The Navy contends in its budget proposal that the move would free up $50 million per ship annually for other priorities. But it would also reduce the size of the fleet that’s already surpassed by China in sheer numbers, something that could cause members of Congress to balk.
Adm. Mike Gilday, chief of naval operations, defended the proposal that emphasizes long-range weapons and modern warships, while shedding other ships ill equipped to face current threats.
“We need a ready, capable, lethal force more than we need a bigger force that’s less ready, less lethal, and less capable,” he said Monday at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space symposium in Maryland.
All told, the Navy wants to scrap 24 ships, including five cruisers and a pair of Los Angeles-class submarines, as part of its cost-cutting needed to maintain the existing fleet and build modern warships. Those cuts surpass the proposed nine ships to be built.
Most of them are older vessels. However, the littoral combat ships that are targeted are young. The oldest of them is 10 years old.
The Navy envisioned fast, highly maneuverable warships capable of operating in near-shore, littoral waters when it announced the program a few months after Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The ships topped 50 mph (80 kph) — fast enough to chase down pirates — and utilized steerable waterjets instead of conventional propellers.
The ships were supposed to be made versatile through plug-and-play mission modules for surface combat, mine-sweeping operations or anti-submarine warfare. But those mission modules were beset by problems, and the anti-submarine capability was canceled in the new budget.
And what about that speed? The fastest ship can’t outrun missiles, and firing up those marine turbines for an extra burst of speed turned the ships into gas guzzlers, analysts said. Early versions also were criticized as too lightly armed and armored to survive combat.
The speedy Freedom-class ships proposed for decommissioning feature a traditional steel hull. That entire class of ships suffers from a propulsion defect that will be costly repair. The Navy proposes keeping a second variant, the aluminum Independence class.
U.S. Senate Armed Services Chair Jim Inhofe said the program was plagued by troubles from the start, and that “moving forward the Navy must avoid similar acquisition disasters.”
U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Virginia, was more blunt, tweeting that it “sucks” to be decommissioning so many ships, especially newer ones.
“The Navy owes a public apology to American taxpayers for wasting tens of billions of dollars on ships they now say serve no purpose,” she said.
Some detractors proclaimed littoral combat ships to be the Navy’s “Little Crappy Ship,” but that’s not fair, said defense analyst Loren Thompson.
“It’s not a little crappy ship. It does what it was supposed to do. What it was supposed to do isn’t enough for the kind of threats that we face today,” said Thompson, from the Lexington Institute.
In the Navy’s defense, threats shifted swiftly from the Cold War to the war on terror to the current Great Power Competition in which Russia and China are asserting themselves, he said.
In the end, the Navy may be content with smaller numbers of Freedom-class ships for maritime security and small surface combatant operations, said Bryan Clark, defense analyst at the Hudson Institute.
Congress must sign off on the Navy’s proposal to decommission ships ahead of their projected service life.
The House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday grilled Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the proposal.
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia, suggested the ship cuts were “grossly irresponsible” when the U.S. Navy has dipped from 318 ships to 297, while the Chinese fleet has grown from 210 to 360 ships over the past two decades.
Milley said it’s important to focus on the Navy’s capabilities rather than the size of its fleet.
“I would bias towards capability rather than just sheer numbers,” he said.
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| 2022-04-07T15:53:22Z
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Wilson Memorial High School teacher charged for touching students
Published: Apr. 7, 2022 at 10:15 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hours ago
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into the allegations involving various students being inappropriately touched by a teacher at Wilson Memorial High School.
As a result of this investigation, 47-year-old Michael Freeman of Waynesboro has been charged with one count of sexual battery, in violation of Virginia Code: 18.2-67.4, a Class 1 Misdemeanor.
Freeman has been released on bond and is currently awaiting court. No further information will be released by the sheriff’s office at this time.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/07/wilson-memorial-high-school-teacher-charged-touching-student/
| 2022-04-07T15:53:28Z
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NEW YORK, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 5WPR, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the U.S., is pleased to announce their work for client Ethique has been chosen as a finalist in the 2022 SABRE North America Awards within the Fashion & Beauty consumer goods category.
5WPR leveraged Earth Month to launch Ethique to the U.S. market as pioneers in the low-waste cosmetic category, educating the consumer landscape about the advantages of swapping traditional bottled products for plastic-free bars and concentrates without compromising results. The launch set in motion a year of record-breaking growth for the client, resulting in increased revenue state-side, and over 2.9 billion media impressions across 400+ media placements.
"5W has a passion for sustainable beauty, and we greatly value our partnership with Ethique and the opportunities to support their groundbreaking environmental efforts," said 5WPR CEO, Dara A. Busch. "Our beauty team has executed an exceptional campaign in an incredibly competitive industry, resulting in this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations to all the finalists."
The 2022 North American SABRE Awards includes around 350 campaigns on its shortlist, selected from among more than 2,000 entries. The campaigns were evaluated by a jury of industry leaders. Winners will be unveiled at the North American SABRE Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 4.
5W Public Relations is a full-service PR agency in NYC known for cutting-edge programs that engage with businesses, issues and ideas. With more than 250 professionals serving clients in B2C (Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, Nonprofit), B2B (Corporate Communications and Reputation Management), Public Affairs, Crisis Communications and Digital Marketing (Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, SEO). 5W was awarded 2020 PR Agency of The Year and brings leading businesses a resourceful, bold and results-driven approach to communication.
Media Contact
Dara A. Busch
dbusch@5wpr.com / 212.999.5585
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| 2022-04-07T15:53:34Z
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- Seasonally adjusted wholesale used-vehicle values in March continued a downward trend, falling for the second straight month to 223.5, down 3.3% from February.
- The non-seasonally adjusted Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) in March increased 0.6% from February, indicating a strengthening wholesale market with rising wholesale prices.
- Manheim Market Report (MMR) values increased in the last three weeks of March, a sign the spring bounce—nearly a month late due to a delayed tax refund season—is finally underway.
ATLANTA, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a mix-, mileage-, and seasonally adjusted basis) declined 3.3% month over month in March. This brought the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) to 223.5, an increase of 24.8% from a year ago. The non-seasonally adjusted price change in March increased 0.6% compared to February, leaving the unadjusted average price up 23.2% year over year.
"We anticipate the second quarter – and particularly April – will be the strongest part of the year for used vehicle sales and values," said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. "Once we get through the spring, we expect demand to wane somewhat and should see closer to normal price depreciation patterns for the rest of the year. That said, we think our call for not expecting a price crash in 2022 – just depreciation – is still very likely given continued challenges with supply conditions."
Manheim Market Report (MMR) values saw weekly price increases that accelerated in each full week of March after the first week saw the smallest decline thus far this year. MMR is a valuation tool used by tens of thousands of consignors and dealers to assess millions of trade-ins each month. It is designed to be highly stable and avoid overreacting to short-term market ups and downs to provide an accurate measure of vehicle valuations regardless of market conditions.
Over the last four weeks, the Three-Year-Old Index increased a net 1.2%. In the same period, daily MMR Retention, which is the average difference in price relative to current MMR, averaged 99.6%, which meant that market prices were slightly behind MMR values. The average daily sales conversion rate in March increased month over month to 57.1% but remained below the normal level for this time of year. For example, the sales conversion rate averaged 62.7% in March 2019. The lower conversion rate indicates that the month saw buyers with more bargaining power than is normal at this time of year, but the sales conversion rate increased as March progressed. A higher conversation rate signals more buyer interest and more competition for vehicles.
All major market segments saw seasonally adjusted prices that were higher year over year in March. Vans had the largest year-over-year gains, followed by compact cars, while pickups and luxury cars lagged the overall market. On a month-over-month basis, all major segments saw seasonally adjusted price declines, with pickups declining the most. The seasonal adjustment drove most of the declines. Most major market segments saw price gains from February, with midsize and compact cars increasing the most, while vans declined.
"Recent declines in the MUVVI are driven mostly by the seasonal adjustments. In fact, the wholesale used-vehicle market was gaining strength in the final weeks of Q1, a sign the spring bounce is finally here," said Chris Frey, senior manager of economic and industry insights, Cox Automotive. "We expect to see strengthening wholesale values in April and May, with an uptick in demand for used vehicles, driven in part by tax refunds putting more cash into the economy."
Delayed tax refunds lead to used sales being down in March
Leveraging a same-store set of dealerships selected to represent the country from Dealertrack, Cox Automotive estimates that used retail sales increased 37% in March from February but failed to show the typically larger seasonal increase driven by tax refund season. These estimates indicate that used retail sales were down 15% year over year.
The issuance of tax refunds is several weeks behind the normal pace. Based on IRS statistics through March 22, approximately 45% of this year's likely volume of tax refunds had been issued, when for the same week in 2019, 71% had been disbursed. The market will likely see a stronger April performance as the majority of refunds expected will have been distributed as the month begins, and the average refund amount is at a new record and up 12% year over year.
Using estimates of used retail days' supply based on vAuto Available Inventory data, March supply ended at 44 days, down from 53 days at the end of February but up from 32 days in March 2021. Leveraging Manheim sales and inventory data, the estimated wholesale supply ended March at 23 days, lower than 29 days at the end of February but higher than 18 days at the end of March 2021.
March total new-light-vehicle sales were down 22% year over year, with one less selling day compared to March 2021. By volume, March new-vehicle sales were up 19% over February. The March seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) came in at 13.3 million, a 24% decline from last year's 17.6 million, and down 5% from February's 15.0 million pace.
Combined sales into large rental, commercial, and government buyers were down nearly 4% year over year in March. Sales into rental were down 19% year over year, while sales into commercial fleets were up 19% and sales into government fleets were down 2%. Including an estimate for fleet deliveries into the dealer and manufacturer channels, the remaining retail sales were down an estimated 23% year over year in March, leading to an estimated retail SAAR of 11.3 million, which was down 27% from 15.4 million last March and down 7% from last month's 12.2 million rate.
Rental risk mileage holds steady
The average price for rental risk units sold at auction in March was up 30% year over year. Rental risk prices were down 1% compared to February. Average mileage for rental risk units in March at 62,800 miles was down 6% compared to a year ago but up 6% from February.
To download additional commentary and data on the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index from Cox Automotive, visit the Cox Automotive Newsroom.
About Manheim
Manheim® is the nation's leading provider of end-to-end wholesale vehicle solutions that help dealer and commercial clients increase profits and efficiencies in their used vehicle operations. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for decisioning, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. Operating the largest vehicle wholesale marketplace, Manheim provides clients with choices to connect and transact business how and when they want. With nearly 8 million used vehicles offered annually, Manheim team members help the company facilitate transactions representing nearly $80 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.
About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning, and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto®, and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents, and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com
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| 2022-04-07T15:53:40Z
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CHICAGO, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- John Wentz, a member of Alpha USA's executive leadership team for nearly seven years serving in a variety of roles, including developing training for Alpha International, is poised to take over the ministry's top U.S. position at the end of this month. The transition comes as outgoing Executive Director Craig Springer announces his calling and return to local church leadership.
"I am so grateful for Craig's leadership in these last few years as we have worked together to help grow Alpha USA into a healthy team and a force for good in the communities we serve," Wentz said. "I am excited about the future and look forward to seeing how God can use Alpha during this moment of global cultural change, equipping the Church to meet the unique challenges of our day with the power and goodness of the Kingdom of God."
Upon Springer's notification to the Alpha USA Board that he felt God was calling him back into the local church, the Board unanimously agreed that Wentz would be the perfect candidate to fill the position and provide for a seamless transition.
Wentz joined the Alpha USA staff in 2015, leading large segments of the national ministry strategy. He has overseen the development of regional networks, worked to grow context ministries (youth, prisons, Catholic) and improved training nationally and internationally. He has also led the hub church program and designed the core of Alpha USA's church engagement framework, which is now being implemented across the nation and the globe.
Global Alpha Pioneer Nicky Gumbel expressed his excitement for Wentz's new role. "We are thrilled that John Wentz has been appointed the new Executive Director of Alpha USA," Gumbel said. "He has a huge heart for evangelism and wonderful leadership qualities that we know will take Alpha USA forward in this new season. Pippa and I couldn't be more thrilled and excited for all that's to come."
About Alpha
Alpha equips and serves the Church in its mission to help people discover and develop a relationship with Jesus. For more than 30 years, Alpha has worked effectively across every major denomination, culture and context worldwide. Millions of people have tried Alpha in 169 countries, and in 112 different languages. See more at www.alphausa.org.
Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
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| 2022-04-07T15:53:46Z
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FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Concrete institute (ACI) announced the launch of NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete, at its Spring convention in Orlando, Florida, USA. NEU aims to collaborate globally to drive research, education, awareness, and adoption of carbon neutral materials and technologies in the industry.
Located at ACI Headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, NEU will focus on transforming the concrete industry into a proactive, unified group actively engaged in developing and employing both existing and new technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of the concrete industry. The ACI Board of Direction has approved funds for staffing and initial projects, including research to identify technologies that have the potential to significantly impact the carbon footprint of concrete. Additional core functions include technology acceleration, coordination with ACI committees, technology transfer and professional development, and technology assessment and validation.
NEU also announces Baker Concrete, Inc. as the center's Initial Member. Baker Concrete is the largest concrete contractor in the U.S. and specializes in pre-construction, construction, and project management services. They provide expertise in civil, commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-family residential, and mission-critical buildings, and have over 5,500 employees across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.
"NEU envisions a concrete industry where all stakeholders have access to technologies and the knowledge needed to effectively and safely produce and place carbon neutral concrete and concrete products," said Andrea Schokker, Executive Director, NEU. "Concrete plays a major role in a sustainable future and collaboration with members worldwide is critical to developing a comprehensive plan to help make the concrete industry carbon neutral by 2050".
For more than a decade, the American Concrete Institute has been convening the industry's brightest authorities to advance sustainability in the concrete industry. With ACI's stature as a standards-developing institution and one of the world's largest sources of consensus-based information on all facets of concrete construction, NEU: ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete, is uniquely positioned to serve as a catalyst in incorporating ACI's breadth of knowledge into the further acceleration of carbon-neutral concrete in the built environment.
To learn more about NEU's mission for a carbon neutral concrete industry and to get involved, visit neuconcrete.org.
For more information, contact:
José Carrasco
Marketing
p +1.242.848.3160
josé.carrasco@concrete.org
About NEU
NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete, was established in 2022 by the American Concrete Institute. The Center, based at ACI World Headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, collaborates globally to drive research, education, awareness, and adoption of the use of carbon neutral materials and technologies in the built environment, leveraging ACI's role as a world-leading authority and resource for the development, dissemination, and adoption of consensus-based standards for concrete design, construction, and materials. The Center's membership is open to government agencies, industries, technical societies, standard bodies, manufacturers, contractors, and professionals. To learn more, visit www.neuconcrete.org.
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| 2022-04-07T15:53:52Z
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ARLINGTON, Va., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear announced the federation has hired Megan Masitto as the organization's new chief financial officer.
"We are extremely lucky to be able to add someone with Megan's depth of expertise and breadth of experience to our leadership team at ATA," Spear said. "With a background that includes extensive work in the non-profit and association world, as well as in the private sector, I'm confident that she will help ATA move forward in pursuit of our strategic goals on behalf of our industry and our members."
Masitto comes to ATA with more than 25 years of experience, primarily in service of trade associations and their affiliates. At previous employers including the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, the Council on Foundation and the American Society for Training and Development, she modernized and oversaw the processes and tools used to manage organization's finances.
"I'm pleased to be joining such a dynamic leadership group, representing such a critical and essential industry," Masitto said. "I'm looking forward to supporting ATA's efforts at this exciting time for the association and industry."
Masitto holds an MBA from Liberty University and earned an undergraduate degree from Pensacola Christian College.
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.
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| 2022-04-07T15:53:58Z
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NEWPORT NEWS, Va., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- April is U.S. National Financial Literacy Month, and BayPort is inviting the community to learn the importance of saving money and living a financially-healthy life now and in the future. Participants can learn and earn by winning $5, $10, and $15 gift cards, $250 gas gift cards, and $1,000 to pay off their debt.
Zogo Financial Literacy Month Classroom – BayPort invites the community to earn and learn for cash prizes with Zogo, its financial literacy app. Simply join their Financial Literacy Month Classroom and play through the short modules to rack up points. At the end of April, five (5) players will be selected at random to win a $250 gas gift card. Click here to read more and join BayPort's Classroom.
Users are also welcome to play on their own, download the Zogo app, and enter the BAYPORT access code to earn $5, $10, and $15 gift cards from Amazon, Apple, Starbucks, Nike, and 10+ more.
$50,000 Debt Paydown Sweepstakes – BayPort kicked off its fourth annual sweepstakes earlier this year. BayPort will choose a total of 50 winners in 2022. Each month from February 1 to December 1, 2022, five (5) members will receive $1,000 to pay towards their existing balance on any BayPort debt. Members can enter in three steps: Register for the sweepstakes, sign up for Credit Score and make a minimum $1 deposit each month to a BayPort savings account. Click here to see official sweepstakes rules and learn how to enter.
Join a free workshop! – During April, join BayPort's free virtual workshops broadcast on Facebook Live and Zoom. Whether you want to start Saving SMART on your own or Saving Together as a family, BayPort has a tailored workshop for individuals and families. Click here to view their full calendar of available workshop dates and register today.
About BayPort
In 1928, nine shipyard workers from Newport News Shipbuilding formed an organization with a specific purpose as a low-interest source of loans and a trusted place to deposit money. Today, BayPort Credit Union is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial, managing $2.2 billion in assets and servicing nearly 148,000 individuals and businesses with 27 branch locations across the Virginia Peninsula and Southside communities. Visit us at www.bayportcu.org.
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| 2022-04-07T15:54:05Z
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Fintech Lower reveals tax returns can make up nearly a fifth of an average down payment for a home.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trying to save for a home? Your tax return could be just the boost your down payment needs. Lower, the multi-channel fintech aimed at building wealth through homeownership, found the average tax return makes up 19% of the down payment needed for a median priced home.
Current home prices are averaging $375,000. If you put 5% down for a home, that means the average return of $3,552 would make up nearly a fifth of what you need for your down payment. For first time homebuyers looking to put 3% down, that figure jumps to more than a third of their needed down payment.
"We know it's fun to take your tax return and splurge, but what could be better than investing in your future? A home is your greatest asset and using your tax return to boost your down payment will pay off significantly more than any other expense," said Director of Banking and Insurance, Maria Kamlowsky. "A healthy down payment will help you build more equity over time and boost your wealth."
While you're waiting for your dream home to come on the market, Lower urges consumers to place their down payment into a savings account to earn interest. Lower's HomeFund™ offers one of the highest APY's in the country at 0.75%.
"Saving smarter will help you afford more. There's no reason to let your money sit in an account that isn't going to allow you to earn interest," said Kamlowsky. "We're going to help you save 12.5 times faster than a regular savings account. Our goal is to get you into the home of your dreams and it all starts with the down payment you have available."
There is no minimum deposit required to start a HomeFund™ account. Lower will match consumers dollar for dollar, up to $500 in HomeCash, and there are additional opportunities to earn rewards to further build your down payment.
About Lower
Lower's multi-channel fintech platform helps consumers build wealth through homeownership, no matter where they are in their life's journey. Our products for mortgage, banking, insurance, and real estate provide customers with an intuitive ecosystem to simplify their homeownership goals, whether it's their first home or their last. Lower is a national and local best place to work, and the naming rights partner of Lower.com Field, home of the Columbus Crew.
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| 2022-04-07T15:54:11Z
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TORONTO, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Data Sentinel, a leader in sensitive data management innovation and provider of the Data Trust and Compliance platform for businesses, today announced that Brian Rayburn has joined the organization as Vice President of Sales.
Brian has led successful sales teams across North America for more than fifteen years, helping highly regulated organizations achieve their enterprise content management, digital transformation and technical resourcing objectives. He brings in-depth knowledge of the data compliance challenges faced by both the private and public sector in today's ever evolving digital workplace. Brian is a process-driven, passionate leader known for establishing trusted relationships and fostering a values-based team culture that is honest, creative and collaborative.
As Vice President of Sales at Data Sentinel, he will focus the team to accelerate and drive the growth of our business, new market development, sector leadership and scale the sales organization.
Prior to joining Data Sentinel, Brian spent three plus years as Vice President of Sales for Collabware focused on new SaaS sales of both on-premise and cloud-based content archive, discovery and compliance software as well as consulting and managed services.
"Our team, technology and focus has helped us to achieve 180% of our plan in Q1 of this year." said Mark Rowan, CEO of Data Sentinel. "With Brian's help, we are well setup to exceed our annual objectives as well."
About Data Sentinel
Data Sentinel is a data trust and compliance platform that helps businesses persistently manage their data privacy compliance, governance, and quality in real time. Data Sentinel's proprietary deep learning discovery technology illuminates the true nature of an organizations data across all sources and systems, monitoring and measuring the data to ensure compliance with company policies and evolving regulations. Led by industry veterans with extensive real-world experience, Data Sentinel has been built to help businesses produce trusted, correct, compliant, and well governed data.
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/brian-rayburn-joins-data-sentinel-vice-president-sales/
| 2022-04-07T15:54:17Z
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Casterion Premium Lounges are Coming to West Hollywood, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, Miami and Barcelona
LOS ANGELES, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Casterion, a high-end, recreational cannabis consumption lounge partnership, investment and management group, was announced to bring long awaited consumption lounges to major cities. Casterion was formed to be the global leader in premium immersive cannabis lounge experiences. The initial launch will be in West Hollywood, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, New York and Barcelona.
The leadership team and partners are industry experts in hospitality and delivering the most engaging experiences for guests. Founding co-partners: Cameron Forni, Frank Orenstein, and Jonathan Eisenberg are dedicated to creating an experience that combines outstanding physical, digital and experiences aligned via a deep understanding of what customers want and expect. By offering a social cannabis consumption venue that can be your virtual home, office, social and networking destination, Casterion is creating a new category in cannabis consumption that elevates the experience to a level only seen in the best hospitality brands across the world.
"As more states are legalizing recreational cannabis, many focus on retail and processing and cultivation… I am excited to work with a team to develop a safe, exciting, vibrant, social space for consumers," said Cameron Forni. "Who better to partner with than a team that understands luxury, cannabis and media - together we are going to set the standard in Consumption Lounge experiences across the globe."
"The fundamentals of excellence in hospitality are well known," said Frank Orenstein. "Applying these to a new sector, elevating the consumer proposition and delivering a memorable, compelling and recurring experience, is an exciting opportunity. The assembled team of international specialists will be a powerful catalyst for a new standard in Consumption Lounges, underpinned by an ambitious global growth-focused brand."
Casterion has an impressive leadership team that includes:
- Cameron Forni is known for his many wins and constantly pushing innovation in the cannabis industry, including the launch of Select Oil in 2016 and the design of the cartridges and components that later became the industry standard. In 2020, Forni had one of the most successful exits in cannabis history. Recently founded Hypescale Ventures to invest in cannabis businesses.
- Frank Orenstein, previously the brand co-founder and EVP of Business Development for the Four Seasons brand and concepts, his experience and understanding of luxury brands will set the standard. Frank has been responsible for the development of over a Billion dollars in hotel real estate and has raised in excess of $400 million for equity for various hospitality projects.
- Jonathan Eisenberg is a former Managing Director for Citicorp Capital, representing Citigroup on the Boards of listed companies and is also a former Partner of Tress Capital, a cannabis private equity group. Presently, Jonathan is Chairman of Grownetics, a cannabis cultivation analytics company, Board member of C2U, a cannabis cultivar branding platform and is a Board member of the Resource Innovation Institute, a USDA funded not for profit setting benchmarks for CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture).
Together, the team has the expertise in scaling with intention to vertically integrate businesses on the cannabis side with a hospitality lense that meets market demand.
For more information about Casterion, please visit www.casterion.com
About Casterion:
Casterion is a cannabis consumption management group that engages in and caters to premium cannabis lifestyle and experience. Casterion carefully curates locations strategically across the globe and properties that are beautifully designed, to engage customers with the most memorable cannabis consumption experience. The food and beverage experience will be contemporary, aligned with the property 'vibe'.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ida Bo Frazier
The Rose Group
ida@therosegrp.com
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| 2022-04-07T15:54:23Z
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DEARBORN, Mich., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carhartt, America's premium workwear brand since 1889, today announced the promotion of Katrina Agusti as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Agusti officially assumed the position on March 28, following the departure of John Hill who previously held the role. She will report to directly to Linda Hubbard, Carhartt's President and Chief Operating Officer.
As CIO, Agusti will work collaboratively with Carhartt's Senior Leadership team to provide guidance and strategic vision for information technology and digital efforts. She will identify technology solutions that meet the strategic needs of the organization, and will create an environment where a digital mindset becomes an integral component of company culture.
"We have experienced significant growth the last few years at Carhartt and our IT infrastructure and digital transformation is an increasingly important part of our consumer experience," said Linda Hubbard, Carhartt President and Chief Operating Officer. "Katrina has been an integral part of the Carhartt team for nearly 20 years and I am confident that she will bring valuable leadership and technical expertise, to this role."
Agusti joined Carhartt in 2003 and has held various position of increasing responsibility most recently serving as Vice President, Solutions Delivery for the company. In this position, she oversaw the development of the Information Technology (IT) roadmap to enable Carhartt's corporate strategies. Agusti was responsible for the definition, justification and delivery of strategic business IT initiatives, and leading a staff of IT associates and consultants. She played a key role in the identification and delivery of new business processes and solutions which enabled business functions and drive value.
Agusti earned her bachelor of arts degree in Management Information Systems from Davenport University and is a member of the NRF Tech Council and SAP ASUG Executive Exchange. In 2019, she was named as One to Watch by CIO Magazine and the CIO Executive Council.
About Carhartt, Inc.
Established in 1889, Carhartt is a global premium workwear brand with a rich heritage of developing rugged products for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with approximately 5,400 employees worldwide, Carhartt is family-owned and managed by the descendants of the company's founder, Hamilton Carhartt. For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.
Contact:
Amy Hellebuyck
Carhartt, Inc.
(313) 749-6322
AHellebuyck@carhartt.com
Wes Richter
Zeno Group for Carhartt
(312) 826-3582
Wes.Richter@zenogroup.com
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| 2022-04-07T15:54:29Z
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DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cattlemen's Heritage Beef Company has selected Gross-Wen Technologies, a leading algae-based wastewater treatment company based in rural Slater, Iowa to provide wastewater treatment at Company's new beef processing plant in western Iowa, Managing Partner Chad Tentinger said today.
The 500,000-square-foot Cattlemen's Heritage beef-harvesting plant, located in northern Mills County just south of Council Bluffs, will harvest 1,500 head per day and employ up to 750 people. Groundbreaking is scheduled for spring 2022.
"We were impressed with the GWT technology because it is the most sustainable and energy efficient way to treat wastewater. The algae-based system captures carbon dioxide while removing nutrients and biological loadings. GWT's technology will help us meet our facility's goals to be energy efficient and environmentally sustainable.", Chad Tentinger said.
This algae wastewater facility will recover nitrogen and phosphorus that are released at the harvesting facility before they get to the Missouri river. Once the nitrogen and phosphorus is recovered they will be re-used as a valuable fertilizer. In addition, this facility will capture and offset 2,377 tons of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere which will equivalent to avoiding the use of 242,000 gallons of gasoline every year.
GWT Co-Founder and President Dr. Martin Gross expressed his company's excitement to provide an innovative, sustainable treatment solution to this new facility.
"Chad and his team are determined to expanding beef processing in the upper Midwest to ensure that cattle producers receive a fair return on their financial investment and hard work," he said. "We're excited to play a part in that ambitious goal by providing a state of the art, innovative, environmentally sustainable and energy efficient wastewater treatment solution."
Dr. Gross noted this facility will be the largest algae-based wastewater treatment facility in the United States when operational in Q4 of 2023.
About Cattlemen's Heritage Beef Company: Cattlemen's Heritage Beef Company is a newly formed corporation led by project developer Chad Tentinger, founder, and owner of Ten Corp Inc. and an Iowa cattle producer. Tentinger hopes to provide a market for cattle raised by smaller, independent cattle producers, and plans to open the plant in late 2023.
About Gross-Wen Technologies: (www.algae.com) - GWT is a wastewater treatment technology company which uses algae instead of bacteria or chemicals to recover nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. Algae is considered the most sustainable way to treat wastewater. This is because during the treatment process algae is consuming CO2 from the atmosphere, then the CO2 containing algae is used as a slow-release fertilizer. What makes GWT unique is their algae-based treatment solution, called the revolving algal biofilm system (RAB), which is considered by many experts as the top algae treatment system in the world (6 issued patents). The company was founded by Dr. Martin Gross and Dr. Zhiyou Wen and is based on a technology they developed at Iowa State University.
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| 2022-04-07T15:54:35Z
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Cincinnati Innovation District, Lightship Foundation, Mortar, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. and Cincinnati Regional Chamber cited as leading the way
CINCINNATI, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cincinnati was nationally recognized today in a report published by the Brookings Institution for its efforts to advance inclusive economic growth.
The new study, Institutionalizing inclusive growth: Rewiring systems to rebuild local economies, was designed to understand public, private, and civic efforts to build inclusive local economies in Heartland cities. These efforts are called "systems rewiring" because they create new connections (i.e., wires) between organizations—and between organizations and the communities they support—to more systematically generate inclusive growth. In addition to Cincinnati, the authors of Brookings Metro's new report also studied Akron, OH, Birmingham, AL, St. Paul, MN and Syracuse NY, arguing that "older industrial cities are critical—yet overlooked—bellwethers for the nation's economic prosperity and social stability."
In Cincinnati, Brookings Metro profiled a range of organizations working to catalyze quality job growth and business creation, invest in inclusive talent development, and support connected, vibrant neighborhoods. Examples include: the University of Cincinnati's major investments in inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship via the Cincinnati Innovation District (CID); investment in underrepresented entrepreneurs operating promising tech-driven companies through Lightship Foundation and Mortar; 3CDC, a long-running effort to invest in downtown and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood; and how a new approach at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is improving job quality and talent through both the Workforce Innovation Center and the Minority Business Accelerator.
The University of Cincinnati powered an entire innovation ecosystem by developing the CID – now the model for the state. By building the place and connecting companies to talent, the CID's interconnected platform for industry, researchers and students has been integral in the rewiring of the system through its own evolution.
"Universities are in a unique position to bring together multiple constituents to solve challenges and seize opportunities in new and unexpected ways," said University of Cincinnati President Neville G. Pinto. "Having a dedicated innovation district enables us to do that; it's a space where these collisions can occur."
Adds David J. Adams, University of Cincinnati Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director, CID, "Place matters. The district itself is living proof of how close proximity and access to industry and innovation centers can improve the economic outlook and create new jobs."
Lightship Foundation, a non-profit foundation focused on providing tech entrepreneurs of color with meaningful guidance and funding, brings minority business leaders and creatives from all over the world to make Ohio the place where ideas are born and can thrive in the long term.
"We couldn't have done this anywhere else," said Candice Matthews Brackeen, Founder and CEO of Lightship Foundation. "Our partnership with the CID along with the presence of organizations like Mortar and the Chamber's Minority Business Accelerator are addressing the gap in resources for founders of color. Lightship is proud to be at the forefront of Cincinnati's inclusion focused growth."
The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), a private, non-profit real estate developer whose mission and strategic focus is to strengthen the core assets of downtown by revitalizing and connecting Cincinnati's Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, has played a direct role in more than $1.6 billion in development projects in these two neighborhoods. This investment has yielded 198 buildings restored, 49 new buildings constructed, 17 acres of restored civic space, and two civic buildings restored, among other accomplishments.
"3CDC's commitment to creating an inclusive local economy can be seen through its work developing affordable and supportive housing, working with minority- and woman-owned contractors on our development projects, and filling our street-level commercial spaces with minority- and woman-owned small businesses," Adam Gelter, Executive Vice President of Real Estate for 3CDC, said. "We're fortunate to be able to collaborate with so many great organizations in Cincinnati to make these important initiatives a reality."
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber has implemented effective initiatives to advance inclusion, including Apprenti Cincinnati, which encourages local businesses to adopt new pipelines for untapped talent; the Workforce Innovation Center, which creates tailored plans to help companies adopt inclusive and effective practices; and the Minority Business Accelerator, which works to grow, build, attract, and create minority-owned enterprises in the region.
"Great things are happening here in the region, and the Minority Business Accelerator looks forward to continuing to do its part to advance the collective business and economic interest of the community," said Darrin Redus, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Business Accelerator. "While there's much more work to be done to address ongoing economic disparities in the region, I believe this report exemplifies our strong foundation, great progress, and shared desire to create an inclusive economy that works for all of its citizens."
Audrey Treasure, Executive Director, Workforce Innovation Center, agrees. "This report demonstrates that the Cincinnati region is leading the way as a community dedicated to improving the economy for all people. The Workforce Innovation Center continues to help employers solve their most pressing talent issues with inclusive practices that work for their business and support their employees. The more employers adopt this approach, the more it puts Cincinnati on the map as a hub for inclusive capitalism."
Inclusive growth is a matter of civic and economic necessity and collaboration among a variety of institutions with a shared purpose is required to generate positive outcomes. "Every sector can contribute to systems rewiring," argues Brookings Metro Fellow and Director of Applied Research Joseph Parilla. "Now, armed with a once-in-a-generation infusion of federal dollars, local leaders can use this playbook to build the institutional and systemic capacity to ensure their economies are working for all."
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/cincinnati-institutions-notable-model-pursuing-inclusive-economic-growth-brookings-institution-study/
| 2022-04-07T15:54:42Z
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STOCKHOLM, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On 7th April 2022, an Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in Immunovia AB (publ), 556730-4299 at The Spark, Scheeletorget 1, Medicon Village, in Lund. Below is a summary of the resolutions made at the AGM.
Allocation of the company's available profits and discharge from liability
The AGM resolved that the company's available profits, SEK 458,865,596, shall be brought forward and that no dividend shall be made. The board of directors and the managing directors were discharged from liability for the financial year 2021.
Fees for the board and the auditor
The AGM resolved that the chairman of the board shall receive SEK 550,000 and each of the other members of the board shall receive SEK 240,000. Remuneration for committee work will amount to SEK 30,000 for members of the audit and remuneration committees, and SEK 50,000 for the chairmen of the audit and remuneration committees. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy. Lastly, the auditor's fees are to be paid as per approved invoice.
Election of board members, chairman of the board and auditors
The AGM resolved (i) that the number of board members shall be six, with no deputy members, (ii) to re-elect board members Carl Borrebaeck, Peter Høngaard Andersen, Hans Johansson, and Martin Møller, (iii) to elect Eric Krafft and Philipp von Hugo as a new board members and (iv) to re-elect Carl Borrebaeck as chairman of the board. Ann-Christine Sundell, Mimmi Ekberg and Christofer Sjögren had declined re-election. Lastly, the AGM resolved to re-elect chartered accountant Mats-Åke Andersson, HLB Auditoriet AB, as auditor of the company, with Martin Gustafsson, HLB Auditoriet AB as deputy auditor.
Remuneration report and guidelines for remuneration to management
The AGM approved the board's remuneration report, as well as the guidelines for remuneration to the company's management proposed by the board (after recommendation from the remuneration committee).
Authorization for the board to resolve on new issue of shares
The AGM authorized the board to resolve, on one or several occasions before the next AGM, on an issue of shares. Such issue may entail a deviation from the shareholders' preferential right to subscribe for new shares and also entail that payment of the new shares may be made in cash, by consideration in kind or by set-off. The issue may result in an aggregate increase in the share capital corresponding to the issue of a maximum of 20 percent of the number of shares as per the 2022 AGM.
Incentive program for key management, key employees and key consultants
The AGM resolved to (deviating from the shareholders' preferential right) issue 652,000 subscription warrants within the framework of an incentive program for key management, key employees and key consultants, and further authorised the board to resolve on an alternative cash based incentive program for key persons based in jurisdictions where use of subscription warrants for various reasons is not suitable.
Minutes from the AGM
Minutes from the AGM (in Swedish) will be published on the company's website, https://immunovia.com/sv/bolagsstamma/, not later than during week 15.
For more information, please contact:
Tobias Bülow
Senior Director Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Email: tobias.bulow@immunovia.com
Tel: +46 736 36 35 74
The information was submitted for publication on 7 April 2022, at 17.20 pm CET.
About Immunovia
Immunovia AB is a diagnostic company with the vision to revolutionize blood-based diagnostics and increase survival rates for patients with cancer.
Our first product, IMMray™ PanCan-d is the only blood test currently available specifically for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. The test has unmatched clinical performance. Commercialization of IMMray™ PanCan-d started in August 2021 in the USA and IMMray™ PanCan-d is offered as a laboratory developed test (LDT) exclusively through Immunovia, Inc. For more information see: www.immunoviainc.com.
Immunovia collaborates and engages with healthcare providers, leading experts and patient advocacy groups globally to make this test available to all high-risk pancreatic cancer groups.
The USA, the first market in which IMMray™ PanCan-d is commercially available, is the world's largest market for the detection of pancreatic cancer with an estimated value of more than USD 4 billion annually.
Immunovia's shares (IMMNOV) are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. For more information, please visit www.immunovia.com.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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| 2022-04-07T15:54:48Z
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SEATTLE, April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Colleges of Spokane has awarded a $2.18M contract to Millig Design Build for turnkey facility improvements at its Colville campus. As part of this contract, Millig will design and execute work aimed at reducing energy and maintenance costs, and improving air quality and comfort.
"We are committed to both saving money and preparing for a carbon-free future," said Clint Brown, director of capital projects, Community Colleges of Spokane. "This project is a great example of demonstrating you can make environmentally sound decisions in a manner that reduces future costs."
Currently classrooms at the Colville campus are inefficiently heated and cooled with hot water unit ventilators and window AC units. Millig Design Build will retrofit campus buildings to be in full compliance with Washington's Clean Buildings Performance Standard with high-efficiency heat pumps and condensing boilers with flex fuel capability.
"The buildings of the future are all-electric and carbon-free," said Devin Malone, senior project manager, Millig Design Build. "This project leverages the best available technologies to reduce building energy use and cut carbon emissions, while preparing the campus for full electrification in the future."
The project will be completed by fall 2022, at which time the college has plans to integrate heat pump system technology into their STEM curriculum.
About Millig Design Build
Millig Design Build is an integrated engineering, design, and construction firm specializing in facility improvements that address energy efficiency, building health and safety, and core infrastructure needs. Our mission is to create environments that promote sustainability, wellbeing, and opportunity for communities while efficiently delivering best-value solutions for owners. We have offices in Kansas; Colorado; Oregon; Washington; and Vancouver, Canada. For more information, visit www.milligdb.com.
Media Contact Information:
Amy McVey
Millig Design Build
Phone: 785-865-6054
E-mail: amcvey@milligdb.com
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/community-colleges-spokane-awards-millig-design-build-218m-energy-savings-performance-contract/
| 2022-04-07T15:54:54Z
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WASHINGTON, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The CPSC announces today the following recalls are posted in cooperation with the firms listed below. Recalls can be viewed at www.cpsc.gov.
Bestar Recalls Wall Beds Due to Serious Impact and Crush Hazards; One Adult Death Reported (Recall Alert)
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Bestar-Recalls-Wall-Beds-Due-to-Serious-Impact-and-Crush-Hazards-One-Adult-Death-Reported-Recall-Alert
Stokke Recalls Clikk High Chairs Due to Fall and Injury Hazards
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Stokke-Recalls-Clikk-High-Chairs-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
- Contact a media specialist.
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| 2022-04-07T15:55:00Z
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Cyberbank, the next-gen digital and core banking platform from Technisys, will enable Crediclub to accelerate the delivery of tailored financial products and redefine the customer experience
MIAMI, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crediclub, the financial company that specializes in microfinance and digital investments in Mexico, is partnering with Technisys, to implement the next-gen digital and core banking platform, Cyberbank. Crediclub's mission is to deliver exceptional customer experiences via tailored financial products and services, increase transactional capacity, boost scalability, and build a robust and secure digital ecosystem.
Crediclub always seeks to redefine traditional concepts, implement disruptive practices, and use leadingedge technology. During the platform selection process, Crediclub analyzed the market, evaluated leading suppliers on three continents, and chose Technisys.
"We followed the market analysts' recommendations, such as Gartner, and evaluated the world's best digital solutions providers for the financial sector. The decisive factor in choosing Technisys was their ability to deliver differentiated experiences and technology, which will provide our customers the best digital experience and service," said Gabriel Ruelas, Co-Founder and Deputy General Manager of Innovation and Technology Crediclub.
The unique, end-to-end digital backbone offered by Cyberbank Digital and Cyberbank Core - the white-label digital banking platform from Technisys - will natively support key business objectives proposed in Crediclub's strategic plan to transform the lives, for the better, for more than 200 thousand people, especially Mexican women.
"Cyberbank is designed to align technology with the personal needs of each business quickly. We carry a cloud-native, API-centric platform with open banking capabilities, enabling financial institutions to develop applications and services - in real time - to meet market needs," added German Pugliese-Bassi, Co-Founder and CMO of Technisys.
Juan Francisco Fernández, Co-founder and CEO of Crediclub, added: "For us, the Technisys merger with SoFi and Galileo is significant and decisive because it shows that Cyberbank is the technology of choice by prominent fintech companies in the world and will strengthen customer-centric innovation for many more years."
Crediclub is poised to create positive, intelligent, and empathetic, end-to-end digital experiences quickly and effectively with its new solution, establishing itself as one of the most innovative and promising financial institutions in Mexico.
About Technisys
Technisys is a leading next-gen digital and core banking platform that redefines the customer experience. As a best-inclass technology platform, Technisys uniquely delivers differentiation in two keyways. By empowering financial institutions to dynamically create tailored financial products at the speed of commerce, and by offering meaningful recommendations to customers at point of need. We use data-driven insights and integrate them with our unique technology that enables structural flexibility. A flexibility that allows financial institutions to create and tailor any financial product – in real time – to deliver a seamless digital experience at every customer touchpoint whether online, on the phone, or at a branch. Giving banks and fintechs the agility to tailor offerings that become integral to a customer's lifestyle in new and profound ways, down to the segment of one.
About Crediclub
Crediclub S.A. is a regulated financial institution, with more than 2.5 million credit operations and more than $2 billion of loans granted in the segments of productive microcredit, consumer credit, and credit to SMEs, in addition to being a precursor and leader in the part of savings and digital investment. Crediclub was founded by an entrepreneurial team with
high-impact academic and work experiences with the financial support of investors from Silicon Valley and Mexico and has evolved to incorporate high-level talent in both technology and finance. Since its inception, it has focused on solving problems in the financial life of its clients using state-of-the-art technology, combining internal developments with highlevel suppliers. Its technological focus is reflected in its high-efficiency rates and outstanding customer experiences, which has allowed it to grow rapidly with high levels of financial strength.
Contact details:
José Pablo Torres CrediClub
jose.torres@crediclub.com
Marilia Ribeiro Technisys
mribeiro@technisys.com
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| 2022-04-07T15:55:07Z
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SHANGHAI, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From April 8 to 17, the "415 Intra-City Shopping Festival" (the Festival) will be jointly launched on Dada Group's (Nasdaq: DADA) JDDJ and "Shop Now". For the first time in its history to be co-organized through both channels, the event will also reach its largest-ever scale with over 150,000 offline stores across over 1,700 cities and counties engaged, to provide consumers in China with products across all categories, deliverable within one hour.
Initiated by JDDJ 7 years ago, the event is largely known as the most important on-demand shopping spree in China. Shop Now, the service that integrates on-demand location-based retail capabilities of both Dada and JD.com, joins forces with JDDJ during the Festival to achieve better synergy in on-demand retail and delivery. This year, leading retailers such as Walmart, CR Vanguard, Yonghui, Carrefour, Apple authorized stores, Sephora, are engaged in selling products across all categories including supermarket groceries, fresh products, mobile phones and electronics, home appliances, cosmetics, fashion, maternal and baby products, medications, flowers and pastry.
Here is a sneak peek into this year's highlights ——
1. This is the Festival's first time in history to be co-hosted with JD.com, on both JDDJ and "Shop Now".
This year's edition is the very first time the Festival is held on both platforms of JDDJ and "Shop Now". In February, Dada Group and JD.com announced the update of an investment in Dada. Upon the closing of this transaction, Dada Group will get strategic resources from JD.com and further undertake its on-demand retail and delivery businesses.
Consumers can participate in the Festival using JDDJ's mobile App or WeChat mini program, and through "Nearby", a new tab on the homepage of the JD.com's mobile App, which facilitates customers' access to offline stores nearby. Products that are labeled with "Shop Now", are supported by Dada's "One-hour" delivery service that guarantees timely deliveries.
2. Leveraging JD.com's omni-channel marketing efforts and Dada's "One-hour" delivery service, the Festival becomes a prestigious occasion for brands to launch new products.
As a flagship event in China's on-demand retail market, the Festival is an ideal occasion for brand owners to launch new products. For instance, JD Super, JD.com's online supermarket business will launch new dairy and beverage products and provide one-hour delivery services for consumers' orders across various categories.
Leveraging the "One-hour" delivery service of Dada Now, the local on-demand delivery platform of Dada, products purchased on JDDJ or those with the label "Shop Now" can be fulfilled within an hour. This service primarily addresses consumers' needs for daily necessities such as fresh food and medications, now the service extends its coverage to new products of categories such as FMCG, electronics and cosmetics.
3. 8 first-tier domestic and international brands engaged to celebrate JDDJ's 7th anniversary
The name of the Festival, 415, is derived from the anniversary of JDDJ, which started on April 15, 2015. To celebrate JDDJ's 7th anniversary and to deepen its ties with brand owners, JDDJ will launch a Super Brand Day during the festival to engage Yili, Mengniu, Unilever, Jinlongyu, Dove, Wyeth, Nestle, and Chaoneng for online promotions.
4. Livestreaming on JDDJ empowers brands' and retailers' marketing practice, creating added value through more direct leads.
Livestream shopping, is a marketing strategy wherein a host promotes a product through a live video. JDDJ is seeing increasingly large volume of livestream promotional content generated by brands and retailers on its platform, and is leveraging its own resources to generate more content to help brands and stores achieve sales growth. This year, over 10,000 stores will kick off sales livestreaming on JDDJ, consumers can order simultaneously what they see from the livestream shows. A special duo featuring Mr Guo Yunlong, Vice President of China's leading dairy group Yili, and Mr He Huijian, Vice President of Dada Group and JD.com, will present a livestreaming session during the Festival to conduct promotions for consumers and help brands boost sales.
5. Digital, all-process fulfillment solution guarantees quality deliveries, with autonomous delivery service first applied.
In addition to improving efficiency and reducing costs for retailers and brands through its omni-channel technological empowerment, Dada also provides consumers with timely, stable and convenient delivery services. To achieve this, Dada Now continues this year to leverage its digital capabilities and resilient delivery network, to ensure and optimize fulfillment services for JDDJ and Shop Now, with its all-process on-demand fulfillment solution covering every step from depot management, going through pick-up, packing, dispatching, to delivery.
Worthy of note as well, is Dada's renowned autonomous delivery open platform, which is to be put into use for the first time in the Festival to alleviate delivery pressure coming along enormous numbers of orders during the shopping spree.
About Dada Group
Dada Group is a leading platform of local on-demand retail and delivery in China. It operates JDDJ, one of China's largest local on-demand retail platforms for retailers and brand owners, and Dada Now, a leading local on-demand delivery platform open to merchants and individual senders across various industries and product categories. The Company's two platforms are inter-connected and mutually beneficial. The Dada Now platform enables improved delivery experience for participants on the JDDJ platform through its readily accessible fulfillment solutions and strong on-demand delivery infrastructure. Meanwhile, the vast volume of on-demand delivery orders from the JDDJ platform increases order volume and density for the Dada Now platform. In June 2020, Dada Group began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the ticker symbol "DADA."
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/dada-group-scale-up-415-shopping-festival-with-over-150000-stores-autonomous-delivery-initiative-more/
| 2022-04-07T15:55:07Z
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FREMONT, Calif., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- THINK Surgical, Inc., an innovator in the field of orthopedic surgical robots, today announced the investment of $5 million dollars in THINK Surgical by David Dvorak. This investment was completed through Black Lake Expeditions, LLC, an entity for which Mr. Dvorak serves as managing director. Mr. Dvorak became THINK Surgical's Executive Chairman of the Board last year following an extensive search process.
Mr. Dvorak had a successful 16-year career at Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. where he most recently held the position of president and chief executive officer for a decade.
"Since becoming THINK Surgical's Chairman, I have gained a much deeper understanding of THINK's overarching strategy and vision, current product offering and future technology pipeline, as well as the strength of its leadership team," said Mr. Dvorak. "Given his track record of success over decades with Stryker Corporation, including his time as president of the Joint Replacement Division and his experience with Mako robotic-arm technology, Stuart Simpson is uniquely qualified to lead THINK. I am highly confident that under Stuart's leadership THINK will execute its compelling plans with precision and generate tremendous value for its stakeholders."
"It is incredibly gratifying and motivating to receive such a significant demonstration of support from David," said Stuart Simpson, president and chief executive officer of THINK Surgical. "David's decades of leadership experience in the orthopedic industry makes his investment a testament to the future growth potential of THINK Surgical."
About THINK Surgical, Inc.
THINK Surgical, Inc., a privately held U.S.-based medical device and technology company, develops, manufactures, and markets active robotics for orthopedic surgery. The TSolution One® Total Knee Application includes the only commercially available, active robot for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) utilizing an open implant library, supporting a variety of implant options. The core technology of the TSolution One has been used in thousands of successful total joint replacements worldwide.
THINK Surgical actively collaborates with healthcare professionals around the globe to refine our orthopedic products, improving the lives of those suffering from advanced joint disease with precise, accurate, and intelligent technology. Please refer to the instructions for use for the TSolution One Total Knee Application for a complete list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. For additional product information, please visit www.thinksurgical.com.
THINK Surgical, TSolution One, TPLAN and TCAT are registered trademarks of THINK Surgical, Inc. ©2022 THINK Surgical, Inc. All rights reserved.
Media Contact:
Charlie Seitz
cseitz@thinksurgical.com
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| 2022-04-07T15:55:14Z
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New study from MRM for Health, "The Truth About Our Relationships with Health," reveals five truths preventing people around the world from achieving a better relationship with their own health and with those along their health journeys, while spotlighting the significant role brands can fill to eliminate critical gaps.
NEW YORK, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MRM for Health, the dedicated healthcare practice of MRM, today released its first global study, "The Truth About Our Relationships with Health." In a time when 7 in 10 people worldwide are struggling or suffering in their lives, it unearths the difficulties and disparities impeding meaningful, effective, and widespread health delivery, while calling on brands to build bridges across vital connection points in our health relationships. A meta-analysis of existing quantitative, ethnographic, search, and social research conducted in more than 20 countries, the study supports McCann Worldgroup's commitment to a Well World and its continuing research connecting sustainability with wellness.
"It is with intent that we've launched our first global health study on World Health Day, a day dedicated to drawing attention to global health concerns," said Peter Rooney, Managing Director of MRM for Health. "Our study examines the causes and consequences of living in a world where healing has become separated from healthcare, and speaks to the opportunity for brands to help repair that divide by driving new and positive behaviors across health relationships — the kind that benefit all."
The study epitomizes the mission of MRM for Health to "decode the science of relationships to advance health for all." As the new global healthcare center of excellence for the MRM network, MRM for Health builds on the agency's 25-year heritage in the healthcare sector and rich history in data-driven marketing to partner with brands in the health space to impact, enhance, and evolve relationships across the entire spectrum of health.
Analyzing the world of health from both the structural and societal perspective, the study details five key truths beneath our fraying relationship with health:
Truth 01 – The Great "Healthcare Trust" Recession From patients to providers, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated growing distrust in the healthcare system, driving a credibility deficit at the worst possible time.
Truth 02 – Postal Code: A Better Predictor of Health than Genetic Code With up to 60% of health being governed by where we live, social determinants of health are playing a significant role, maybe the most significant, in predicting overall well-being.
Truth 03 – We Have Never Felt More Vulnerable Our renewed focus on health has led people to a heightened sense of vulnerability for themselves and those close to them, with search volume worldwide on stress, mental health, and related topics almost doubling between 2019 and 2020 — before doubling (and beyond) in the next 12 months.
Truth 04 – People are Recalibrating their Behaviors in Health From a general seeking of greater well-being to The Great Resignation, there's profound urgency on the need to find balance, but also uncertainty in how to achieve it — prompting both new behaviors and additional stresses.
Truth 05 – Data Technology & Distribution of Care are Widening the Divides While the power to track body temperature, sleep cycles, glucose, and other vital signs is increasingly in our own hands, there's a delta between the data patients may perceive to be valuable and how healthcare providers can realistically apply the information collected.
The full study and executive summary are available upon request. More information can be found HERE
We are the healthcare center of excellence for MRM, a leading, digital-first, global marketing agency that drives end-to-end business transformation. Spanning 30 countries, the MRM for Health team shares a commitment to creatively engineer Total Human Experiences that positively impact and enhance relationships between people, people and businesses, and businesses with each other.
MRM sits within McCann Worldgroup and is a proud subsidiary of Interpublic Group (IPG), one of the world's premier global advertising and marketing services companies. Through IPG, we can draw on the talent, tools, and capabilities of partner firms to deliver holistic business solutions for our clients.
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SOURCE MRM
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/despite-unprecedented-acceleration-knowledge-technology-data-across-health-landscape-reality-is-harsh-we-are-sicker-more-fatigued-more-disconnected-than-ever-before/
| 2022-04-07T15:55:20Z
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Conceive announces launch of public beta; applications now live
NEW YORK, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Conceive, the digital health platform on a mission to transform fertility, announced today that the public beta of its integrated solution is now live. Conceive's mission is to improve health outcomes by helping people become pregnant faster, reduce costs, and uncover diagnoses.
The company's launch is fueled by a $3.7M seed round led by Kindred Ventures, with participation from Founder Collective, Great Oaks, and 40+ founders and angels. The majority female and 42% BIPOC cap table includes the founders of Natalist, Tia, Forward, Cityblock, Pillpack, Dia&Co, along with the deep expertise from Inception Fertility, Alife, Spring Fertility, Overture, and many more.
Conceive is an outcomes-based health platform designed by tech executives from WW (formerly Weight Watchers), Omada Health, MasterClass, a16z, and health providers from Cornell and CCRM. Conceive combines three key elements — cohort-based community, evidence-based education, and 1:1 coaching — into a holistic program that helps members navigate and accelerate their fertility journey.
Infertility is a human health crisis. One in six struggle to conceive. While early education emphasizes avoiding pregnancy at all costs, the reality is there's only a 22% chance of conception per month in one's 20s. "And while infertility impacts men and women at the same rates, it is treated as existential for women and more of an afterthought for men," said Lauren Berson, Founder and CEO of Conceive. Berson was formerly VP of Strategic Growth and M&A at Weight Watchers, and Senior Partner at a16z.
"Current solutions aren't solving the problem, as they follow a one-size-fits-all, woman-focused playbook for a health challenge that involves two patients and is highly personalized," added Berson. This results in a haphazard and difficult-to-navigate journey, with the potential for common causes of infertility to go undiagnosed, that may add to the mental, physical, and financial trauma.
Conceive recently concluded an initial closed beta in which 54% of members became pregnant, 36% uncovered new diagnoses, and 90% felt very supported in their journey.
Applications to join the public beta are now open nationwide. When members join Conceive, they complete an onboarding questionnaire that helps to match them with the best peer group for their needs. Members meet once a week for 60-minute sessions, with access to their peer group and 1:1 coaching throughout the journey. They also get access to evidence-based resources to accelerate their paths to building a family. The program is eight weeks long, and costs $549; scholarships are available for those who can't afford it.
"Fertility is one of the few health areas that touches the entire population," said lead investor Kanyi Maqubela, Managing Partner of Kindred Ventures. "The clinical research is so young and underfunded, and consumer experiences are sorely lacking. For such an idiosyncratic pathology, there is still no great personalization in this market. With the right leader, this is as important and big an opportunity as I have ever seen; I think Lauren is that leader."
"The average patient at a fertility clinic visits with many specialists while navigating a very tricky journey," said Hunter Williamson Stitzer, RN, BSN, Conceive's Head of Clinical Ops, CEO of Fertility Compass, and RN at CCRM. "Isolation and loneliness often sends women and men into the Dr. Google 'rabbit hole,' which is exactly what we are all trying to avoid. Patients need trusted resources, access to experts, and a safe community during this isolating time. Conceive provides all of this, and is a great complement to the care we can provide in-clinic."
Later this year, Conceive also plans to launch additional fertility offerings for men, LGBTQ+ partners, and patients pursuing egg freezing.
To learn more and apply, visit weconceive.com.
About Conceive
Conceive is a digital health startup on a mission to transform fertility. Conceive is pioneering an integrated approach to reproductive health that combines cohort-based community, evidence-based education, and 1:1 coaching into a proven solution that changes health outcomes. By providing a personalized, patient-led approach to fertility that complements in-clinic care, Conceive aims to help people get pregnant faster, reduce costs, and identify diagnoses. Conceive was founded in 2021 by Lauren Berson.
Media contact: press@weconceive.com
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SOURCE Conceive
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/digital-health-startup-conceive-raises-37m-its-outcomes-oriented-fertility-solution/
| 2022-04-07T15:55:26Z
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- Results continue to reinforce safety and tolerability profile of DT-DEC01
- First look at functional outcomes in low dose cohort found improvements 3 months after DT-DEC01 administration
- Therapy not dependent on the genetic mutation of the DMD patient, thus making DT-DEC01 a universal therapy for all DMD patients
MIAMI and WARSAW, Poland, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dystrogen Therapeutics, Corp. the leader in chimeric cell therapies, today announced positive results from an ongoing study conducted in Poland under a hospital exemption protocol of DT-DEC01 (Dystrophin expressing chimeric (DEC) cells), the Company's investigational engineered cell therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Results include 1 to 3 month functional and safety data from three clinical trial participants in the low-dose cohort. During this period, no adverse events (AEs and SAEs) associated with DEC therapy were observed. DT-DEC01 is in development for the treatment of DMD, a devastating neuromuscular disease associated with a lack of dystrophin protein. DT-DEC01 is an engineered chimeric cell that engrafts in skeletal and cardiac muscle, delivering a full-length dystrophin gene and related components of a healthy muscle cell, the absence of which is closely associated with the progressive degeneration and a shortened lifespan characteristic of the disease.
"There are currently no approved treatments for people with DMD that result in a cure or significant attenuation of the disease – one that causes significant disability in boys and young men and usually leads to early mortality. It's very encouraging that we continue to see consistent, positive data from our investigational DT-DEC01 engineered cell therapy across several measures, as we know the community needs more options," said Maria Siemionow, M.D. Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Dystrogen Therapeutics. "The improvements in functional measures at 1 and 3 months in participants from the low dose cohorts who received DT-DEC01 are distinctly different from what an age-matched, natural history group would predict with DMD. When coupled with the strong and sustained dystrophin expression results in preclinical studies and encouraging safety profile seen to date, today's results increase our confidence in DT-DEC01 and provide additional supportive evidence for this approach as we advance to the higher dose cohort into the next stage of clinical testing."
The Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) reviewed the low dose (2 million DEC cells per kg) clinical cohort data and gave a positive opinion on the safety of DT-DEC01 therapy. The DSMB recommend initiating the 4M/kg cohort.
Cohort 1 (low dose):
Patient 02B. (7-year-old ambulatory with deletion Exon 3-12) 3 months post treatment demonstrating improvement on a number of subjective and objective tests. Improved EMG (objective test) when compared to pretreatment baseline. Improved 6MWD, improved 10-meter walk/run time, grip strength and others. Increased step count via activity tracker.
Patient 03B. (15-year-old non-ambulatory with deletion Exon 48-50) 2 months post treatment, increased activity level when compared to baseline. Improved grip strength, improved spirometry, improved upper extremity strength.
Patient 04B. (6-year-old ambulatory with nonsense mutation), 1 month post treatment, increased step count via activity tracker when compared to baseline.
About DT-DEC01
DT-DEC01 is a chimeric cell therapy. The advanced therapeutic medicinal product (ATMP) is made using Dystrogen's proprietary cell engineering technology which creates a DEC cell. Clinically, DEC cells have been shown to express CD56 at significantly higher levels than myoblasts from Duchenne patients. DEC cells express favorable HLA characteristics which carries multiple advantages. In preclinical studies, DEC cells have also been shown to express clinically significant levels of dystrophin when compared to controls. DEC cell therapy demonstrated significant functional improvement in cardiac, diaphragm, and other skeletal muscle strength and associated function in preclinical trials. Because DEC therapy is designed to prevent triggering an immune system response, a major advantage of DEC therapy is that it does not require immunosuppression. The therapy is not associated with any genetic manipulation and therefore involves no risk of off target mutation, does not use viral vectors, and its use is not dependent on the genetic mutation of the DMD patient, thus making DEC a universal therapy for all DMD patients.
About Dystrogen Therapeutics Corp
Dystrogen Therapeutics is a clinical-stage life sciences company committed to developing therapies for rare genetic diseases. The company was founded based on the pioneering work of Prof. Maria Siemionow, a world-renowned scientist and surgeon who led the team that performed the first near-total face transplantation in the United States. Professor Siemionow's research focused initially on the creation of chimeric cells which have a role in modulation of the immune system's response to a transplant. This led to the development of Dystrophin Expressing Chimeric (DEC) cell therapy that is designed to prevent the immune system from attacking the chimeric cells. DECs are engineered cells and belong to a family of therapeutic technologies called Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP). Using Dystrogen's patented cell engineering technology, DECs are made by combining a malfunctioning cell of the Duchenne patient with a normal, working cell from a healthy donor. This novel chimeric cell is composed of both the donor's and the recipient's cell structures but looks to the patient's immune system like his own cell and thus does not trigger an immune response while it functions (i.e., produces dystrophin) like the patients' normal cell. This offers a unique advantage and allows the patient's body and immune system to accept the chimeric cell without rejection. In such a way, Dystrogen has created dystrophin producing cells that can be delivered intraosseously and then systemically distributed to engraft in the patient's muscles (such as heart, diaphragm, skeletal muscles) and, as demonstrated in our research and related peer-reviewed publications, increase their dystrophin levels. Increased dystrophin levels have been shown to correlate with improved functional outcomes which was confirmed in preclinical studies of DEC.
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SOURCE Dystrogen Therapeutics Corporation
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/dystrogen-therapeutics-investigational-chimeric-cell-therapy-dt-dec01-treatment-duchene-muscular-dystrophy-shows-safety-functional-improvements/
| 2022-04-07T15:55:34Z
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From Timepieces and Calculators to Digital Pianos and Keyboards, Casio has Something for Every Bunny
DOVER, N.J., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Traditionally, April not only brings warmer weather but Easter as well – a time of renewal of both seasons and spirits. And with Easter comes the all-important tradition of prepping Easter baskets. There's no doubt about it, candy is the go-to basket filler for kids of all ages, but if you're looking for non-candy alternatives, Casio has you covered!
Give the gift of music with the Casiotone CT-S1. This ultra-portable digital keyboard offers 61 full-size keys and over 60 studio-quality tones, making it ideal for players of all ages and skill levels. Users can connect the CT-S1 with Casio's free Chordana Play app for advanced functionality, and with the optional WU-BT10 Bluetooth® MIDI/audio adapter, the unit can be used as a Bluetooth speaker when connected to any PC, Mac, iOS or Android device. For added portability, the CT-S1 features strap pins and can be powered with six AA batteries. The CT-S1 (MSRP: $219.99) is available in three color variations (white, black and red). For more information on Casio's full portfolio of electronic musical instruments, please visit CasioMusicGear.com.
Ideal for high school students and beyond, Casio's fx-9750GIII graphing calculator brings mathematics to life with user-friendly capabilities. To create a seamless learning experience, the fx-9750GIII (MSRP: $59.99) includes an improved keypad for fractions, standard-to-decimal conversion and scientific notation, as well as expanded menu options for programs and capabilities including Exam Mode, Spreadsheet, Python, Probability Simulator, Geometry and Physium, enabling users to easily reference the periodic table. In addition, its natural display feature allows for 2D-templates, fractions, roots and other functions to appear on the screen as they are written in the textbook. For more information on Casio's full portfolio of calculators and educational resources, please visit CasioEducation.com.
Looking for a stylish, timeless gift? Look no further than Casio's Vintage B640WMR-5AVT. Designed with a rose gold case and stainless-steel Milanese strap, The B640WMR-5AVT (MSRP: $69.95) can add a pop of color to any outfit. The timepiece is equipped with an EL backlight, digital display, 1/100 second stopwatch (24-hour), countdown timer (24-hour) and water resistance up to 50 meters. For additional information on Casio's Vintage collection of timepieces, please visit Casio.com/products/watches/vintage.
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casio.com/home.
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SOURCE Casio America, Inc.
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/egg-cellent-easter-basket-alternatives-casio/
| 2022-04-07T15:55:40Z
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Essent Continues to Broaden Its Highly Characterized, Low Passage Primary Cell Catalog
CENTENNIAL, Colo., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Essent Biologics™, a leading supplier of adult human-derived cell and scaffold materials, today announced it has launched a new line of primary cells: Wharton's jelly-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (hWJMSC), to its growing product portfolio.
Isolated from human umbilical cord tissue, Essent's hWJMSCs originate from a single donor and are proven to differentiate in vitro toward chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. In addition, these cells have a unique secretory profile with anti-inflammatory properties–making them extremely attractive for both research and therapeutics within the regenerative medicine and tissue engineering fields.
"Our strong partnership with AlloSource allows us access to donated placentas from their Placenta Donation Program, sourcing from women 30 years and younger," said Courtney Jurbala, Vice President of Business Operations. "We collect the cells from the research-consented donated placenta, after a new life has been born and the mother goes home with her baby. The miracle of life continues to advance the field of regenerative medicine with a simple donation."
Rigorously characterized to ISCT guidelines, Essent's hWJMSCs are validated to guarantee at least one million cells per vial post thaw at low passage. In addition, Essent offers flash-frozen origin tissue as a companion product for each lot of cells, the Essent Origin Sample™, so that researchers always know their source.
Essent's non-GMP hWJMSC are available immediately for purchase, with GMP available June 2022. Click to learn more and order today.
About Essent Biologics
Essent Biologics is setting a new standard in human-derived biomaterials and comprehensive data for research. The nonprofit biotechnology company provides low-passaged primary cells, research tissue and scaffold materials to advance regenerative medicine research from benchtop to bedside. Essent Biologics supplies products in small or large volumes and serves as a manufacturing partner by creating master cell banks and an inventory of custom products within a tailored specification. In order to ensure reliable product quality, safety and efficacy, all Essent Biologics products are developed using robust design control processes and produced under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). For more information, please visit essentbiologics.org.
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/essent-biologics-launches-whartons-jelly-derived-human-mesenchymal-stromal-cells-further-cell-therapy-research/
| 2022-04-07T15:55:47Z
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NEW YORK, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Finnish Long Drink - America's #1 long drink brand made with real liquor and sparkling citrus - has launched their first national, multi-platform, fully integrated ad campaign.
Finland was recently named the happiest country on earth for the fifth consecutive year by the World Happiness Report. To the Finnish founders of The Finnish Long Drink, this comes as no surprise - the reason is long drink - their country's best kept secret, and top selling liquor category.
As part of The Finnish Long Drink's mission to make America the happiest country on earth (having ranked outside of the top 10 every year since the report began in 2012), the dynamic new campaign captures the spirit of Finland's happiness via the country's own brand of humor; an immersive experience that brings viewers directly into the world of the brand. Follow protagonists as they are magically transported from the humdrum of the regular drinking experiences we have grown to endure, to the happiest place on earth - all via The Finnish Long Drink.
"As we roll out this platform agnostic approach, the goal of this campaign is to capture and share the happiness of Long Drinkers across America wherever it's happening throughout the year," said Tiffany Appleton, creative director, Technology Humans and Taste [THAT]. "Launching with an onslaught of video content, The Finnish Long Drinkers will soon realize that each film is filled with easter eggs and clues of so much more to come."
"Through The Finnish Long Drink - America's #1 long drink brand - the next generation of Finns are giving Finland's own liquor category a true identity with a stronger, bolder voice." Says Danny Mandelbaum, Vice President of Marketing at The Finnish Long Drink. "This multifaceted campaign captures the spirit of Finland and the joy of experiencing a refreshing, delicious long drink. It is the next part of our mission - for America to join Finland as the happiest country on earth."
The Finnish Long Drink's ad campaign is available now, streaming across TV and online platforms including YouTube and social media. The release runs parallel to its rapid expansion into multiple new markets across the country as The Finnish Long Drink becomes a national brand.
For more information visit thelongdrink.com and follow on social media @longdrink.
About The Finnish Long Drink
The Finnish Long Drink is a top selling category of alcohol in Finland – a legend that is now available in America. The roots of long drinks go back to the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, when the country of only 4 million people was still recovering from World War II. Concerned about how to serve drinks quickly enough to all the visitors, Finland commissioned the creation of a revolutionary new liquor drink that was both delicious and fast to serve – and so the first long drinks were born. Now this legend has finally been brought to America by the next generation of Finns who want the world to experience the refreshing and unique Finnish Long Drink.
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SOURCE The Finnish Long Drink
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/finnish-long-drink-launches-ad-campaign-bringing-finlands-secret-happiness-americans-far-wide/
| 2022-04-07T15:55:55Z
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AceVolt Launches Campower Specifically Made for Camping
Safe and portable LiFePO4 battery cell technology provides 2,500-time charge cycles
CARSON CITY, Nev., April 7, 2022 AceVolt today announced its launch as a new leader in portable power stations. The company is also pleased to debut its Campower (camp & power) portable power station that is specially designed for camping.
AceVolt Campower portable power stations provide the safest power and a 5-time longer lifecycle due to the efficiency of LiFePO4 battery cells, which deliver over 2,500 charge cycles compared to only 500 charge cycles from other brands. The LiFePO4 battery cells are ultra-stable and designed with advanced internal protection control and durability. These cells are also much safer than Li-ion batteries which have a reputation for overheating, accidental fires, and explosions.
"For life on the go, we developed the Campower portable power stations to give campers a long-lasting and safer electricity source for camping," said the founder of AceVolt. "The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed travel and vacationing, and we see so many more people exploring their 'backyards,' visiting family and friends, and camping in national parks. Campers and travelers need a strong power source that is safe and reliable for cooking, lights, and connectivity. This is why we created AceVolt Campower Solar Generators. Other portable power stations can be used during camping or for home emergencies, but AceVolt's safe and powerful solar-powered generators are specifically designed for camping and are also perfect for RV travel, tailgating, and more."
AceVolt invited more than 100 camping enthusiasts who wanted the best and most dependable camping power source to participate in the product R&D. The AceVolt Campower portable power station is monitored by a state-of-the-art battery management system(BMS) that prevents overheat, overload, short circuit, and other battery issues. Its battery pack is watertight and completely protected from the elements.
To learn more about AceVolt portable power stations and to sign up for their newsletter for pre-sale prices, visit acevolt.com.
AceVolt Power
media@acevolt.com
acevolt.com
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SOURCE AceVolt Power
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/first-portable-power-station-that-is-made-with-campers/
| 2022-04-07T15:56:01Z
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