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Krispy Kreme debuts Cinnamon Toast Crunch doughnuts
Published: Apr. 26, 2022 at 11:15 AM EDT|Updated: 47 minutes ago
(CNN) - If you’re looking for that morning sugar rush to kick off your day but can’t decide between a doughnut and cereal, why not have both?
Krispy Kreme just came out with Cinnamon Toast Crunch doughnuts.
The doughnut chain is offering three doughnuts featuring the classic cereal. One is a glazed doughnut covered in a cinnamon milk icing and bits of cinnamon toast crunch cereal, or you can get a glazed donut topped with either cream cheese icing or dulce de leche icing topped with pieces of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
The doughnuts are on sale now through May 5. You can get them individually or by the box.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/krispy-kreme-debuts-cinnamon-toast-crunch-doughnuts/
| 2022-04-26T16:03:01Z
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Lawsuit claims Wells Fargo discriminated against Black mortgage applicants
ATLANTA (WSB) - A class-action lawsuit alleges that Wells Fargo discriminated against Black borrowers at all stages of the home loan process.
“I pay on time, and my credit is good,” said Henry Umeana, a Wells Fargo customer.
An IT professional with a sterling credit score and down payment money ready to go, Umeana said there was no explanation for why his home loan with Wells Fargo, where he’s banked for two decades, was never approved.
“I keep waiting, and I push the closing date from April to May and from May to June, and meanwhile, I was still renting, you know,” Umeana said.
Umeana finally went elsewhere for the loan.
He’s one of the named plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit, alleging Wells Fargo discriminates against Black borrowers.
Attorneys behind the lawsuit gathered with clients Monday at the Mount Zion Second Baptist Church in Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward.
“They’re discriminating against Black people, and it’s systematic,” attorney Ben Crump said.
The lawsuit alleges Wells Fargo denies mortgages for Black borrowers more often, charges them higher interest rates, charges them higher costs and fees and offers them fewer re-financing options.
“I thought I was a shoe-in,” said Christopher Williams, an Atlanta resident and Wells Fargo customer.
Williams said he’s long worked in finance himself, and he said the real estate loan Wells Fargo offered him came with a much higher rate than it should have and that he found elsewhere.
“My credit score was just under 800 before I applied,” he said. “When they told me my credit score when I applied, they told me it was 100 points less.”
Wells Fargo characterizes the lawsuit as “unfounded attacks,” saying in a statement, “We are deeply disturbed by allegations of discrimination that we believe do not stand up to scrutiny. We are confident that we follow relevant government-sponsored enterprise guidelines in our decision making and that our underwriting practices are consistently applied regardless of a customers race or ethnicity.
“(It) seems like the only common denominator was the color of the applicant’s skin,” Crump said.
Attorneys said they have no way of knowing how many Black borrowers could be included in the class-action suit. They’re waiting to get discovery documents from Wells Fargo.
Copyright 2022 WSB via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/lawsuit-claims-wells-fargo-discriminated-against-black-mortgage-applicants/
| 2022-04-26T16:03:08Z
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Maryland assisted-living facilities ordered to pay $950K in back wages, penalties after paying health care workers less than min. wage
FULTON, Md. (Gray News) – Essential workers at four assisted-living facilities in Maryland fell victim to employers who failed to pay them all the wages they legally earned.
According to the Department of Labor, an investigation revealed caregivers and technicians who were working at one of four centers owned and operated by International Health Care Consultants, Inc. were paid less than the federal minimum wage.
IHCC paid some workers a day rate of $65 per day for 12 hours of work, the Department of Labor reports, which equals less than $5.42 per hour.
Other employees were paid $80 a day for 12 hours of work, less than $6.67 per hour.
Additionally, investigators found some employees were only paid a day rate for 12 hours when working overnight 24-hour shifts.
After nearly four years of litigation, a consent judgment was entered by the U.S. District Court on April 21, 2022, to resolve the violations, according to the Department of Labor.
A judge ordered IHCC to pay the employees $466,642 and an equal amount in liquidated damages, in addition to a $16,716 civil money penalty for overtime violations – a combined total of $950,000.
“The significant amount of money due to just 27 employees indicates that these employees worked very long hours, often with little or no sleep at all during their shifts,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Nicholas Fiorello, in Baltimore. “We remain steadfast in ensuring essential protections for essential workers, and providing clear, confidential compliance assistance to any worker or employer with questions.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/maryland-assisted-living-facilities-ordered-pay-950k-back-wages-penalties-after-paying-health-care-workers-less-than-min-wage/
| 2022-04-26T16:03:15Z
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Trial of 3 ex-officers in George Floyd death won’t be livestreamed
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge has ruled that the trial of three fired Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting George Floyd’s killing will not be livestreamed.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, who cited the threat of COVID-19 to allow livestreaming of last year’s murder trial of Derek Chauvin in Floyd’s death, wrote in an order filed Monday evening that the pandemic has receded to the point that he cannot override the other three officers’ objections to live audiovisual coverage.
The trial for former Officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng is set to begin with motions on June 13. Jury selection begins June 14 with opening statements set for July 5. Cahill said he expects the evidence phase to take four or five weeks, meaning the trial could last into early August.
Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back, Lane held his legs and Thao kept bystanders back as Chauvin, who is white, used his knee to pin Floyd, a Black man, to the pavement for 9 1/2 minutes on May 25, 2020, in a case that sparked protests around the world and a national reckoning on race.
Thao, Lane and Kueng were convicted in a separate trial in federal court in February of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Chauvin pleaded guilty in December to a federal charge of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Sentencing dates have not been set in those cases, which were not televised due to federal court rules.
Last year, Cahill sentenced Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in the murder case, which was viewed around the world. Prosecutors disclosed during a hearing two weeks ago that the other three former officers had rejected plea deals that would have averted the upcoming trial.
Prosecutors and a coalition of media organizations including The Associated Press had argued for allowing live televised coverage again, citing the continued intense public and media interest in the case, and the potential resurgence of the coronavirus.
But Cahill wrote that the “unusual and compelling circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic” at the time of the Chauvin trial have substantially abated, and court system rules in force at the time that mandated social distancing have been lifted. So, he said, he’s bound by Minnesota’s normal court rules, which allow cameras during most of a trial only if all parties consent.
“It is deeply disappointing that thousands of people interested in this important trial won’t be able to watch it,” said Leita Walker, an attorney for the media coalition, who noted in an email that an advisory committee to the Minnesota Supreme Court is considering whether the state court system should ease its restrictions on cameras. “Our Supreme Court needs to change the rule. They are working on it. I wish they could have worked faster.”
Cahill wrote that he agreed with prosecutors that livestreaming Chauvin’s trial “inspired public confidence in the proceedings and helped ensure calm in Minneapolis and across the country.” And he noted that he recommended to the committee that judges should have discretion to allow audiovisual coverage even if a party objects. But he said he has “no unfettered mandate” to ignore existing rules in the absence of compelling circumstances needed to prevent a “manifest injustice.”
News organizations will have to cover the upcoming proceedings mostly from a closed-circuit feed in one of at least three overflow courtrooms. Only two pool reporters can be present in the main courtroom. Only four members of the Floyd family and two members from each defendant’s family at a time may be in the courtroom. The general public can watch only from an overflow courtroom.
Cahill also ruled that the jury won’t be sequestered except for deliberations, but with security restrictions, similar to how he conducted Chauvin’s trial.
___
Find AP’s full coverage of the killing of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd
___
The story has been updated to correct that the order was filed Monday evening.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/trial-3-ex-officers-george-floyd-death-wont-be-livestreamed/
| 2022-04-26T16:03:23Z
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Authorities rescue 83 dogs kept in ‘deplorable’ conditions in Utah
UTAH COUNTY, Utah (Gray News) – Authorities in Utah rescued 83 dogs from captivity with many people involved in the operation saying the living conditions provided to the canines were “deplorable.”
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office said one of its Animal Control deputies was sent to a River Bottoms Road home in late March to respond to a report that there were dogs that were malnourished, lacking food and water and covered in feces there.
When he arrived, he said he was met by 38-year-old Staci Milligan Baker. He asked her about the report and said he noticed two distressed-looking puppies lying in feces in a small kennel on the kitchen floor.
The deputy said Baker told him she runs a breeding operation and sells the dogs.
When asked if the puppies were receiving treatment, the sheriff’s office said she lied about taking them to a vet and getting them medication.
The deputy learned that there was another call made to the same location and decided to wait by the road near a shed on the property when he responded. He said he saw multiple dogs in kennels, all of which appeared to be malnourished, and also detected the smell of feces coming from the building.
When following up, the deputy discovered multiple additional properties owned by Baker and her husband in Orem, Utah, and Provo, Utah. The dogs at all of the locations were kept in poor conditions.
During the investigation, the deputy learned that the owners did not have a kennel license for any of the three locations. He also discovered that Baker’s husband, Matthew Ambrose Baker, was wanted by the FBI. Agents with the agency told the deputy Matthew Baker was non-compliant and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
While executing a search warrant on one of the properties, the deputy was assisted with other deputies in arresting Matthew Baker.
A number of different state agencies responded to execute the search warrant on all three of the properties, including law enforcement agencies and local animal shelters.
Authorities recovered a total of 83 dogs, with two found at the Orem home, 26 at the Provo home and 55 at the River Bottoms Road home.
Those involved in the operation said many of the dogs had no regular access to food or water, and many got sick when responders gave them water.
Most of the kennels appeared to not have been cleaned for an extended period of time, if at all, and some were raised or had grated platforms in an effort to allow feces to fall through them to the floor.
Responders said many of the kennels had a mixture of feces and urine that made a muddy mixture running along the ground or floor.
Most of the dogs had nowhere to go when they would lie down, and would lie in the moldy urine-feces mixture.
Many of the dogs were covered in filth, and the sheriff’s office said the clothing of many responders had to be destroyed after coming into contact with the dogs.
The dogs were taken to the North and South Utah Valley Animal Shelters where staff members bathed and vaccinated all of them. After a few dogs tested positive for Giardia, all of the dogs were treated for it. Several also had eye infections.
The shelters hope to treat the dogs and have them adopted out. Visit the Utah County Animal Shelters website to learn more.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/24/authorities-rescue-83-dogs-kept-deplorable-conditions-utah/
| 2022-04-26T16:18:55Z
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County grants approval for Amazon’s helix-shaped HQ tower
Published: Apr. 24, 2022 at 3:17 PM EDT
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — The Arlington County Board has given unanimous approval to Amazon’s plans to build a unique, helix-shaped tower as the centerpiece of its emerging second headquarters in northern Virginia.
Amazon announced plans last year for the 350-foot tower. It will support a second headquarters for Amazon that is expected to welcome more than 25,000 workers when it’s complete.
The helix stands out among several office towers granted approval in the redevelopment plans.
The spiral design features a walkable ramp wrapping around the building with trees and greenery planted to resemble a mountain hike.
The County Board approved the project at its Saturday meeting.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/24/county-grants-approval-amazons-helix-shaped-hq-tower/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:03Z
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Dustin Lynch to perform at 2022 Rockingham County Fair
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - The 2022 Rockingham County Fair will be celebrating the theme ‘A Family Tradition’ the week of August 15-20 and the Grandstand lineup has been announced which includes a big name in country music.
Monday, August 15: Bluegrass in the Grandstand
o Russell Moore & lll Tyme Out with Nothin’ Fancy and Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run
o Gates Open at 5:00 p.m.
o Concert starts at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 16: Contemporary Christian Night
Festival Style Ticket $35; Grandstand Seating $25
o Zach William with special guest Riley Clemmings
o Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
o Concert starts at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 17: Dustin Lynch with special guest Drew Parker
Festival Style Ticket $35; Grandstand Seating $25
o Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
o Concert starts at 7:00 p.m.
· Thursday, August 18: Rodeo
Adult Tickets $12; Child Tickets $5
Friday, August 19: Demolition Derby
Adult Tickets $12; Child Tickets $5
o Gates open at 7:00 p.m.
o Derby at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 20: Interstate Tractor Pull
Adult Tickets $12; Child Tickets $5
o Farm & Tweaked Farm Tractor Pull at 3:00 p.m.
o Interstate Tractor Pull at 7:00 p.m.
You can find more information about the Grandstand and the Rockingham County Fair by clicking here.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/24/dustin-lynch-perform-2022-rockingham-county-fair/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:10Z
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McCrae Dowless, key figure in NC absentee ballot fraud probe, dies
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr., the key player in a North Carolina absentee ballot fraud probe that led to a do-over congressional election, has died.
His daughter, Andrea Dowless Heverly, wrote that her father “passed away peacefully” Sunday morning, according to a social media post. He had been diagnosed with an advanced form of lung cancer and died at his daughter’s home in Bladen County, his friend Jay DeLancy told The Associated Press in a brief interview. Dowless was in his mid-60s.
The political operative was set to go on trial this summer on more than a dozen state criminal counts related to absentee ballot activities for the 2016 general election and the 2018 primary and general elections. A half-dozen others were also charged.
Witnesses told state officials that Dowless, with help of his assistants, gathered hundreds of absentee ballots from Bladen County in 2018. Those workers testified they were directed to collect blank or incomplete ballots, forge signatures on them and even fill in votes for local candidates.
The 2018 general election results for the 9th Congressional District were ultimately thrown out and a new vote for the seat was ordered by the State Board of Elections, following an inquiry.
Dowless was working in the 2018 congressional race for then-Republican candidate Mark Harris. No charges were filed against Harris, who didn’t run in the subsequent election.
Dowless was later accused of charges related to the 2016 elections and the 2018 primary.
Dowless’ health had become an issue while receiving a six-month prison sentence for federal crimes involving benefits fraud that was tangentially related to the broader state probe.
A federal judge delayed Dowless’ reporting date from last December to April 1 after his defense attorney said Dowless had a stroke in August and learned in the fall about a potential cancer diagnosis.
Dowless’ federal attorney filed another motion in March that she requested be sealed “due to the inclusion of sensitive health information.” The Federal Bureau of Prisons never reported Dowless as being in custody.
Dowless’ state and federal attorneys didn’t immediately respond to emails on Sunday seeking comment. But with Dowless’ death, the absentee ballot case against him is now moot.
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said legal delays caused by COVID-19 contributed to the inability to bring Dowless to trial sooner.
While expressing condolences to Dowless’ family, Freeman said Sunday her office would move forward with the prosecution of other defendants, even though Dowless had been seen as the principal in the probe.
“All of the other cases to some degree were derived from what the state thought was his master plan and coordination,” Freeman told the AP. She said each individual case would be evaluated before deciding how to proceed.
Dowless declined to accept a plea agreement on the state charges in November. The charges against him included obstruction of justice, possessing absentee ballots and perjury.
DeLancy, who saw Dowless last week, said Dowless “wanted the chance to defend himself against the state’s indictments” and rejected the plea deal “in hopes of being given his day in court.”
Dowless was “a man who was quick to trust and even love others by his acts of service,” DeLancy said in a text message.
Dowless had pleaded guilty last June in federal court to obtaining illegal Social Security benefits while concealing payments for political work he performed.
___
This story has been corrected to show that Dowless declined a plea agreement in November, 2021, not that summer.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/24/mccrae-dowless-key-figure-nc-absentee-ballot-fraud-probe-dies/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:16Z
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‘She could have died’: Fight between two teen girls in school bathroom caught on camera
CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) - Two teens were caught on camera fighting inside a girl’s bathroom at a school in Ohio.
One of the girl’s grandparents, Kim Lewis is speaking out because she says her granddaughter isn’t safe at Gamble Montessori Junior High School and wants her to transfer.
“I am so mad,” Lewis said. “She can’t even go to school and be protected outside of her home... This is not right!”
Lewis is at her breaking point in the aftermath of the bathroom fight.
“She could have died that day,” Lewis said. “Like I told him, he lucky God has his hand on my baby. I’m so mad.”
Lewis says she’s spoken with the school principal and the school board several times about the fight. She says her granddaughter was suspended because of it last Monday, but now her granddaughter is back at school.
“So I don’t feel that my grandchild is safe at school for these next six weeks,” she said.
Lewis says her granddaughter had issues with another female student before spring break and that she worried her granddaughter would get jumped.
“I don’t know what to do,” she said. “We tried to get her into another school, but it was already third quarter.”
Lewis says school officials offered to change her lunch hour and encourage her to use the bathroom across from the principal’s office.
“I’m worried about my granddaughter’s well-being,” Lewis said.
WXIX reached out to Child Protective Services. They said appropriate disciplinary action was taken but they could not share specifics with regard to individual students.
WXIX also asked the school board whether Lewis’ granddaughter can switch schools or go virtual but have yet to hear back.
Meanwhile, Lewis says her granddaughter is behind on her school work because of the stress.
“How can you learn when you’re being threatened at a school and you have to watch your back?”
Copyright 2022 WXIX via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/24/she-could-have-died-fight-between-two-teen-girls-school-bathroom-caught-camera/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:23Z
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Veterans head to Washington as Honor Flight trips resume
BEDFORD, Va. (WDBJ) - A dozen veterans returned to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford over the weekend with a motorcycle escort and a warm welcome from a crowd of family and friends.
It was the first trip for the region’s Honor Flight organization since the pandemic began over two years ago.
The group of veterans included 11 men and one woman. They spent the weekend visiting memorials in Washington, DC, and making memories they said they would never forget.
“This trip will be one of the highlights of our entire lives,” one of the veterans told the audience.
“We’ve been treated with the most kindness and respect,” said another.
“We’re all one. We’re all one,” added a third.
It was also emotional for the ‘guardians’ who looked out for each of the veterans.
“There was just such an outpouring of love and respect,” said one of those who helped the veterans.
“I enjoyed it more than you will ever realize,” said another. “It was a trip of a lifetime for me.”
Organizers said they were happy to resume the trips that were suspended as the pandemic unfolded.
Martin Leamy is the President and CEO of Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight, a hub of the National Honor Flight Network.
“These trips are an opportunity for these veterans to heal, get closure and finally to get thanks for their service to the nation,” he said.
The regional organization makes two trips to Washington each year, with the next scheduled in October.
Copyright 2022 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/24/veterans-head-washington-honor-flight-trips-resume/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:30Z
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Great week to view the planets up in the sky
(WHSV) - The planet viewing stays hot heading into this week after seeing Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn all form a nice diagonal to view in the sky this past week. Plus, part of the world will be experiencing a partial solar eclipse this week.
Gaining Daylight
We will be gaining 15 minutes of daylight over the course of this week. By Monday, May 2nd, we’ll have 13 hours and 51 minutes of daylight and 10 hours and 9 minutes of nighttime. Sunrise moves from 6:25 am to 6:17 am while sunset moves from 8:01 pm to 8:08 pm.
ISS Viewing (Most Viewable)
Moon Phases & Next Full Moon:
Next Full Moon
The next full moon will be Monday, May 16th, at 12:14 am. May’s full moon is known as the Flower Moon, to represent flowers blooming. Other names for this full moon include Hare Moon, Corn Planting Moon, and Milk Moon.
Wait there’s more! In addition to the full moon occurring in mid-May, this moon will also be a Blood Moon. This is because a total lunar eclipse will occur! The total lunar eclipse turns the moon red during the event.
Other Interesting Events
On Monday, April 25th, the moon will help form a large triangle below Mars and Saturn before dawn in the southeastern sky. Venus and Jupiter will be to the lower left allowing for a nice display of planets up in the sky.
On Tuesday, April 26th, the moon will be a palm width’s below Mars in the east-southeast sky. Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn will still be all viewable together up in the sky before dawn.
On Wednesday, April 27th, the moon will be several finger widths below Venus in the east-southeast sky. Jupiter will be to the left of Venus which will create a nice view of the moon, Venus, and Jupiter all together before dawn.
On Thursday, April 28th, Mercury will reach its greatest angle from the sun which means the best visibility will be present with Mercury. You can catch Mercury in the west-northwestern sky just after sunset both Wednesday and Thursday evening. The ideal time to view Mercury will be around 8:15 pm.
On Saturday, April 30th, Venus will be located very close to Jupiter in the sky. You’ll be able to view the pair together with binoculars all week, but Saturday morning will be the closest that the two planets will be to each other. You can expect both planets to rise after 4:30 am and be viewed until sunrise.
Also on Saturday, April 30th, part of the world will experience a partial solar eclipse. The eclipse will only be viewable in southeast South America, some of the coast of Antarctica, and the South Pacific Ocean. The southern tip of Chile and Argentina will get the best view, as the sun will be about 52% covered in those locations at peak.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/great-week-view-planets-up-sky/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:39Z
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Greencroft Club hosts first pickleball tournament to benefit Alzheimer’s Association
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Teams from across the Commonwealth came out to Albemarle County this weekend to play pickleball.
The Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Virginia teamed up with the Greencroft Club to host its first ever pickleball tournament.
All of the money raised goes towards local Alzheimer’s care, support and research and The Longest Day campaign for the association.
“People have connected with people who live right down the street from them, but they never knew that they were going through the same Alzheimer’s journey,” Emily Rosenberger with the Alzheimer’s Association said. “I’ve heard a lot of personal stories myself, and we’ve been able to share resources with people who didn’t know our organization existed before this weekend.”
The Alzheimer’s association estimates it has already raised at least $2,000 from the tournament, and will tally up the total soon.
It will continue collecting for The Longest Day campaign until August.
Copyright 2022 WVIR. All rights reserved.
Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/greencroft-club-hosts-first-pickleball-tournament-benefit-alzheimers-association/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:46Z
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Guns were leading cause of death for children and teens in 2020
Published: Apr. 25, 2022 at 7:15 AM EDT
(CNN) - According to new data, guns were the leading cause of death in children and teens in 2020.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found more than 4,300 kids younger than the age of 20 died from firearm-related incidents that year.
That’s a nearly 30 percent increase from the year before.
The analysis was published in a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Health experts said this is further evidence that gun violence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, though the analysis doesn’t indicate what caused the increase.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/guns-were-leading-cause-death-children-teens-2020/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:52Z
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JMU baseball sweeps William and Mary in weekend series
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - James Madison baseball dominated William and Mary 10-3, completing a weekend sweep at Veterans Memorial Park.
This victory marked the Dukes’ first series sweep against the Tribe since 2018. JMU improves to 23-17 and 9-6 in conference play.
“I’m really proud of how we stayed in the game even though we scored a lot of runs early,” said head coach Marlin Ikenberry. “Our guys had the switch turned on all day.”
Sophomore Ryan Murphy earned his second win of the season. Murphy threw five innings, striking out five with no walks while giving up three runs.
“It’s nice to get the sweep this season,” said Murphy. “It was really nice that we put up 10 runs today because it made pitching a lot easier.”
Redshirt junior Carson Bell led the Dukes at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a home run, and three RBIs.
“We just want to win games,” added Bell. “We want to bring our energy every day we step out there.”
Softball
In softball, JMU completed a weekend sweep against Drexel with an 11-4 win in Philadelphia.
The Dukes improve to 21-21 and 10-5 in conference play. Redshirt junior Hallie Hall had four hits and recorded her second two-homer game of the season. Lauren Bernett and Jasmine Hall hit one home run each for the Dukes.
JMU faces Longwood on Wednesday evening for a doubleheader at Veterans Memorial Park.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/jmu-baseball-sweeps-william-mary-weekend-series/
| 2022-04-26T16:19:59Z
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US promises more Ukraine aid, Biden announces veteran envoy
NEAR THE POLISH-UKRAINIAN BORDER (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday after a secrecy-shrouded visit to Kyiv that Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy is committed to winning his country’s fight against Russia and that the United States will help him achieve that goal.
“He has the mindset that they want to win, and we have the mindset that we want to help them win,” Austin told reporters in Poland, the day after the three-hour face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy in Ukraine.
Austin said that the nature of the fight in Ukraine had changed now that Russia has pulled away from the wooded northern regions to focus on the eastern industrial heartland of the Donbas. Because the nature of the fight has evolved, so have Ukraine’s military needs, and Zelenskyy is now focused on more tanks, artillery and other munitions.
“The first step in winning is believing that you can win,” Austin said. “We believe that they can win if they have the right equipment, the right support, and we’re going to do everything we can ... to ensure that gets to them.”
Asked about what the U.S. sees as success, Austin said that “we want to see Ukraine remain a sovereign country, a democratic country able to protect its sovereign territory. We want to see Russia weakened to the point where it can’t do things like invade Ukraine.”
The trip by Blinken and Austin was the highest-level American visit to the capital since Russia invaded in late February.
They told Zelenskyy and his advisers that the U.S. would provide more than $300 million in foreign military financing and had approved a $165 million sale of ammunition.
“We had an opportunity to demonstrate directly our strong ongoing support for the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people,” Blinken said. “This was, in our judgment, an important moment to be there, to have face-to-face conversations in detail.”
Blinken said their meeting with the Ukrainians lasted for three hours for wide-ranging talks, including what help the country needs in the weeks ahead.
“The strategy that we’ve put in place, massive support for Ukraine, massive pressure against Russia, solidarity with more than 30 countries engaged in these efforts, is having real results,” Blinken said. “When it comes to Russia’s war aims, Russia is failing. Ukraine is succeeding. Russia has sought as its principal aim to totally subjugate Ukraine, to take away its sovereignty, to take away its independence. That has failed.”
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, praised the visit to Kyiv by Blinken and Lloyd and called them representatives of “the country that did more than any other country in the world.” Asked whether the new announcements went far enough, Kuleba said that “as long as Russian soldiers put a foot on Ukrainian soil, nothing is enough.”
“We appreciate everything that has been done, including by the United States,” Kuleba said. “We understand that, for some, what has been done is already a revolution, but this is not enough as long as the war continues.”
Kuleba warned that if Western powers want Ukraine to win the war and stop Russian President Vladimir Putin from going “deeper into Europe,” then they to speed up the delivery of the weapons requested by Ukraine. He said it takes longer for partner nations to decide to provide Ukraine with the most sophisticated equipment than it does for the Ukrainians to learn how to use it.
“It will be true to say that the United States now lead the effort in ensuring this transition of Ukraine to Western-style weapons, in arranging trainings for Ukrainian soldiers,” he said, “and I only regret that it didn’t happen a month or two months ago from the very beginning of the war.”
Meanwhile, as expected, President Joe Biden announced on Monday his nomination of Bridget Brink to serve as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Brink, a career foreign service officer, has served since 2019 as ambassador to Slovakia. She previously held assignments in Serbia, Cyprus, Georgia and Uzbekistan as well as with the White House National Security Council. The post requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
The announcement comes as American diplomats prepare to return to Ukraine this coming week, although the U.S. embassy in Kyiv will remain closed for now.
Journalists who traveled with Austin and Blinken to Poland were barred from reporting on the trip until it was over, were not allowed to accompany them on their overland journey into Ukraine, and were prohibited from specifying where in southeast Poland they met back up with the Cabinet members upon their return. Officials at the State Department and the Pentagon cited security concerns.
Austin and Blinken announced a total of $713 million in foreign military financing for Ukraine and 15 allied and partner countries; some $322 million is earmarked for Kyiv. The remainder will be split among NATO members and other nations that have provided Ukraine with critical military supplies since the war with Russia began, officials said.
Such financing is different from previous U.S. military assistance for Ukraine. It is not a donation of drawn-down U.S. Defense Department stockpiles, but rather cash that countries can use to purchase supplies that they might need.
The new money, along with the sale of $165 million in non-U.S.-made ammunition that is compatible with Soviet-era weapons the Ukrainians use, brings the total amount of American military assistance to Ukraine to $3.7 billion since the invasion, officials said.
Biden has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of genocide for the destruction and death wrought on Ukraine. Just on Thursday, Biden said he would provide a new package of $800 million in military aid to Ukraine that included heavy artillery and drones.
Congress approved $6.5 billion for military assistance last month as part of $13.6 billion in spending for Ukraine and allies in response to the Russian invasion.
From Poland, Blinken plans to return to Washington while Austin will head to Ramstein, Germany, for a meeting Tuesday of NATO defense ministers and other donor countries.
That discussion will look at battlefield updates from the ground, additional security assistance for Ukraine and longer-term defense needs in Europe, including how to step up military production to fill gaps caused by the war in Ukraine, officials said. More than 20 nations are expected to send representatives to the meeting.
___
Associated Press writer David Rising contributed to this report from Bangkok. AP writer Chris Megerian contributed from Washington.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/kyiv-blinken-austin-announce-aid-diplomatic-surge/
| 2022-04-26T16:20:06Z
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Spider monkey with ‘Batman’ markings born at Florida zoo
Published: Apr. 25, 2022 at 8:46 AM EDT
MELBOURNE, Fla. (CNN) – A spider monkey was born with “Batman” markings at the Brevard Zoo in Florida.
The mark on its face looks like the “bat-signal” -- the silhouette of a bat extending its wings. It’s used to call Batman when the bad guys are stirring up trouble in Gotham City.
Zookeepers aren’t sure yet if it’s a boy or girl, but the little one is doing well.
Black spider monkeys are classified as vulnerable to extinction because of the destruction of tropical rainforests and hunting.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/spider-monkey-with-batman-markings-born-florida-zoo/
| 2022-04-26T16:20:13Z
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UVA Health experts share insight on timing for COVID-19 booster
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - If you’re wondering when to get that next COVID-19 shot, you are not alone.
Experts at UVA Health are sharing insight on when exactly you should get that vaccine, given the state of the community transmission.
“COVID in our community is relatively low,” Dr. Costi Sifri with UVA Health said. “That could change in several weeks or a couple of months.”
Sifri has been studying COVID with UVA Health since the beginning of the pandemic. Though the timing of this next booster shot is difficult to nail down, he says ultimately it comes down to your personal situation.
“It is a complex discussion,” Sifri said. “I think because of those nuances, it really is sort of a conversation that needs to be individualized, I think in general.”
He says one thing they do know for sure is that immunity wanes.
“That period of time is shorter and shorter with repeated dosing at least so far,” Sifri said. “Whether it keeps going down or is going to sort of stabilize at a level of about three or four months, I think remains to be seen.”
He says if you’re not high risk now you may not need that next shot yet.
“It may be worthwhile waiting to get a booster until your risk for exposure, particularly due to the prevalence of COVID in the community, is higher than it is now,” Sifri said.
If you live with someone immunocompromised or have concerns about the impacts of long COVID then you may not want to wait.
He says since there is not a clear answer now, you should have a conversation with your primary care physician about your personal situation.
Copyright 2022 WVIR. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/uva-health-experts-share-insight-timing-covid-19-booster/
| 2022-04-26T16:20:20Z
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WATCH: Truck driver nearly hits school bus full of kids when brakes fail
MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WEWS) - A truck driver in Ohio narrowly missed hitting a school bus filled with children when he lost control and was unable to brake.
The Montville Police Department released dashcam footage from the Tuesday morning incident. It shows the moments a driver lost control of his tractor-trailer. The 80,000-pound vehicle was racing down the street, unable to brake, at 40 to 45 miles per hour.
The driver laid on the horn, as the truck neared a school bus stopped on the road to pick up elementary school students. The bus had its red lights flashing and its stop sign arm out.
In the dashcam video, the truck driver started yelling as he neared the back of the bus, “Stop. Stop. Stop. No!”
The bus driver, who was training a new driver, was alarmed by the sound of a horn behind her.
“Good God, he ain’t gonna make it,” she said on video from inside the bus.
Thankfully, the truck driver was able to weave between the bus and a pickup truck on the other side of the road.
The driver of the pickup truck, Josh Click, had to back up and into an SUV behind him to make room for the oncoming tractor-trailer.
“I’m just kind of sitting there. Next thing I know, I hear a horn blaring, and I look up and realize there is a tractor-trailer heading down my way, head on,” Click said. “So, I had to do what I had to do to protect myself and the kids. It was one of those moments where you realize things can happen in an instant.”
In video, after the truck sped past, one child on the bus can be heard asking, “What was that?”
“You don’t want to know,” replied one of the bus drivers, both shocked and relieved.
The truck continued about a quarter-mile down the road before it was able to stop.
The close call sent shivers down the spines of school district employees, parents and police.
Police Chief Matt Neil said this could have been a major disaster, potentially resulting in many injuries or fatalities.
“I’m just glad that crisis was averted. This could have been devastating to our community and to the whole county, the whole area,” Neil said. “He [The driver] handled everything in a very professional manner. In 15 seconds, he had to make a decision: Where am I putting this 80,000-pound truck?”
Police still have many questions about the incident. They were not initially aware of the potential brake failure, and the truck driver drove it back to a truck yard before officers had a chance to talk to him.
Police may consult with prosecutors about possible charges.
A motor carrier inspector is also part of the ongoing investigation.
Copyright 2022 WEWS via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/watch-truck-driver-nearly-hits-school-bus-full-kids-when-brakes-fail/
| 2022-04-26T16:20:27Z
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World’s oldest person dies at age 119
(Gray News) - Kane Tanaka, the world’s oldest person, has died in Japan at age 119, officials said.
She died on April 19, according to The Japan Times.
Tanaka was born on Jan. 2, 1903, in the city of Fukuoka, and has lived through many changes in the world, including two world wars and two pandemics, as well as the advent of the nuclear age and space travel.
The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed Tanaka’s passing in a Twitter post, saying she became the oldest living person in January 2019 and was the second-oldest person ever recorded behind Jeanne Calment, who lived to the age of 122.
Tanaka also survived two bouts of cancer, though recently she’d been in and out of the hospital, CNN reported.
At age 19, Tanaka married a rice shop owner and worked in the store until she was 103, CNN said. She had most recently been living in a nursing home in Fukuoka.
Tanaka was supposed to take part in the Olympic torch relay at the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics, but she didn’t participate because of COVID-19 concerns.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. CNN Newsource contributed to this report.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/worlds-oldest-person-dies-age-119/
| 2022-04-26T16:20:35Z
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Country
United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary
People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/police-look-for-missing-12-year-old-girl/article_0650be6b-a703-5685-9a20-3e322dffbba2.html
| 2022-04-26T16:59:05Z
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Delta to begin paying flight attendants during boarding
(AP) - Delta Air Lines, which has narrowly fought off several attempts to unionize its flights attendants, will begin paying cabin crews during boarding, a change that is expected to increase their wages by several thousand dollars a year.
It is a notable change for U.S. airlines, where pay for flight attendants starts when all the passengers are seated and the plane’s doors close.
Delta said the change will start June 2 on all flights. In a memo to flight attendants, the airline said the new pay “further recognizes how important your role is on board to ensuring a welcoming, safe and on-time start to each flight.”
The change comes as Delta plans to increase the boarding time for single-aisle or “narrowbody” planes from 35 minutes to 40 minutes, which the airline expects will increase the percentage of flights that depart on time.
Delta’s pilots are represented by a union, but several attempts to organize the flight attendants have failed in the face of fierce opposition by the Atlanta-based company. The Association of Flight Attendants, which has been gearing up an organizing campaign at Delta for more than two years, took credit for the boarding pay.
“This new policy is the direct result of our organizing,” the union said. “As we get closer to filing for our union vote, management is getting nervous.”
The union said Delta was also responding to employee anger over the longer boarding times, during which flight attendants currently don’t get paid.
Delta said the new boarding pay would be on top of 4% raises that it granted to flight attendants last month.
Unions represent upwards of 80% of workers at American, United and Southwest, but a far lower percentage at Delta.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/delta-begin-paying-flight-attendants-during-boarding/
| 2022-04-26T17:33:11Z
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Harris positive for COVID-19, Biden not ‘close contact’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, the White House announced, underscoring the persistence of the highly contagious virus even as the U.S. eases restrictions in a bid to return to pre-pandemic normalcy.
Harris press secretary Kirsten Allen said neither President Joe Biden nor first lady Jill Biden was considered a “close contact” of Harris in recent days. Harris had been scheduled to attend Biden’s Tuesday morning Presidential Daily Brief but was not present, the White House said. Because of their travel schedules, the last time Harris saw Biden was Monday, April 18.
The vice president returned on Monday from a weeklong trip to the West Coast.
Harris tested positive on both rapid and PCR tests but “has exhibited no symptoms,” the White House said. She will isolate at her residence but continue to work remotely, and will return to the White House only when she tests negative for the virus.
Harris, 57, received her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine weeks before taking office and a second dose just days after Inauguration Day in 2021. She received a booster shot in late October and an additional booster on April 1. Fully vaccinated and boosted people have a high degree of protection against serious illness and death from COVID-19, particularly from the most common and highly transmissible omicron variant.
Harris’ diagnosis comes a month after her husband, Doug Emhoff, recovered from the virus, as a wave of cases of the highly transmissible omicron subvariant has spread through Washington’s political class, infecting Cabinet members, White House staffers and lawmakers including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Allen said Harris would follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines “and the advice of her physicians.” It was not immediately clear whether she is being prescribed any antiviral treatments.
The White House has put in place strict COVID-19 protocols around the president, vice president and their spouses, including daily testing for those expected to be in close contact with them. Biden is tested regularly on the advice of his physician, the White House has said.
After more than two years and nearly a million deaths in the U.S., the virus is still killing more than 300 people a day in the U.S., according to the CDC. The unvaccinated are at a far greater risk, more than three times as likely to test positive and 20 times as likely to die from the virus than those who have received at least a primary dose of the vaccines, according to the public health agency.
Harris’ diagnosis comes as the Biden administration is taking steps to expand availability of the life-saving COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid, reassuring doctors that there is ample supply for people at high risk of severe illness or death from the virus.
Paxlovid, when administered within five days of symptoms appearing, has been proven to bring about a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/harris-positive-covid-19-biden-not-close-contact/
| 2022-04-26T17:33:17Z
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Teen gets house arrest after shooting stepdad in face with crossbow, attorneys say
CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) – An Ohio teenager charged with intentionally shooting his stepfather in the face with a crossbow is out of jail just one day later, placed on house arrest.
The stepfather suffered injuries but is alive.
The 17-year-old’s mother and stepfather supported the request from his public defender during his arraignment Monday morning.
Attorney Luis Godines stressed that the teen, who is a high school junior, has never been in trouble with the law aside from a traffic issue until Springfield Township police responded to the family home Sunday night.
According to a recording of the 911 call released to WXIX, the teen’s mother asked dispatchers for an ambulance and said, “My son shot my husband with a crossbow.”
When the dispatcher asked if the shooting was intentional or accidental, the teen’s mother said, “It was intentional.”
She began to cry, telling her husband to sit back, repeating her request for first responders to “hurry.”
The arrow, she told the 911 operator, “went through his mouth and it’s coming out the back.”
She told her 55-year-old husband, who was unable to speak, not to pull out the arrow.
“Where is your son now?” the dispatcher asked her.
“He’s sitting out in the street,” she said.
“Does he still have the crossbow in his hand?” the dispatcher asked her.
“Yes, he still has it,” she said.
“And do you know why he did this?” the dispatcher asked her.
“Anger,” she responded.
Then the teen fled the scene in a vehicle, according to a recording of the call. Police went out with stop sticks used to deflate tires and stop fleeing drivers.
Her son was in custody shortly after and, in an interview with police, admitted to shooting his stepfather in anger during a physical and verbal dispute, his arrest report shows.
The assistant prosecutor requested the teen be held at the juvenile detention center because of the nature of the crime. The prosecutor also expressed concern that the teen had access to weapons.
Hamilton County Juvenile Court Magistrate Liz Igoe, however, agreed with his public defender.
“Do you have any concerns about him returning home for your safety?” she asked his stepfather, who was released from the hospital in time to attend the hearing remotely.
“Nope,” the man responded, sitting up to answer and visible on camera with a large white bandage on his head.
“Do you have any concerns that if he were released to you, he would not follow the rules and reappear in court?” Igoe asked.
“I mean, that’s something you will have to talk to him about because he’s got a problem, you see what I’m saying?” his stepfather told the magistrate.
“Mmhmm,” she responded.
“I don’t have no problem with it, but that’s something that you’ll have to drill to his head, to do what he need to do,” the man said.
The house arrest comes with conditions that the teen is only allowed outside of the home to go to school or must be with his parents at all times close enough to touch, Igoe ordered.
She also said he must undergo mental health counseling and is being given a guardian ad litem – a guardian that a court appoints to watch after someone during a case.
Copyright 2022 WXIX via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/teen-gets-house-arrest-after-shooting-stepdad-face-with-crossbow-attorneys-say/
| 2022-04-26T17:33:24Z
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Vice President Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID-19
Harris has had no close contact with the president, per her office.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on both rapid and PCR tests, the White House reported Tuesday.
Vice President Harris is asymptomatic and planning to isolate and work from home, according to the statement from her office. The statement also said that she has had no close contact with President Biden or First Lady Jill Biden because of travel. Harris returned to Washington, D.C on Monday afternoon after spending the weekend in Los Angeles, California. She did not have any public events while in California.
The full statement reads:
Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on rapid and PCR tests. She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the Vice President’s residence. She has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules. She will follow CDC guidelines and the advice of her physicians. The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/vice-president-kamala-harris-tests-positive-covid-19/
| 2022-04-26T17:33:31Z
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WATCH: Suspect drags two officers on highway during arrest
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - Two Tennessee police officers suffered injuries after being dragged behind a car when the suspect of a traffic stop fled the scene over the weekend.
Franklin police said Officer Dustyn Stevens stopped 26-year-old Roy Nicholson while traveling on the Interstate 65 on Sunday morning, WSMV reported.
Police said that when Stevens asked Nicholson to step out of the vehicle, he noticed a gun in the car and smelled marijuana. Outside of the vehicle, police said Nicholson began actively resisting Stevens.
Police released a dashcam video that shows “Nicholson break away from the officer” before getting back into the car. The video then shows the car driving off with Stevens and assisting officer Matt Lamarr being dragged behind. Lamarr had run over to assist Stevens.
Witnesses who saw the incident followed the car. With their statements, investigators immediately located Nicholson outside the Franklin Walmart. Police charged Nicholson with two counts of aggravated assault against a first responder and felony evading. Police are expected to charge Nicholson with additional charges.
EMS took Stevens to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where police said he was treated and released. The injuries for Lamarr did not require immediate medical treatment.
Nicholson was released on a $40,000 bond. He is due in court June 9.
Copyright 2022 WSMV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/watch-suspect-drags-two-officers-highway-during-arrest/
| 2022-04-26T17:33:37Z
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Cat rescued from Ukraine reunited with owner in Arkansas
ARKANSAS (Gray News) – Humane Society International has been working on the ground in Poland, Romania, Germany and Italy helping people with pets of people fleeing the war when they learned about a cat in Ukraine that was separated from her owner.
Persik’s owner, Larysa, was in the United States when the war in Ukraine started, while her cat was staying with her cousin in Odessa.
According to Humane Society International, Larysa’s cousin managed to evacuate Persik, which means “Peach” in Ukrainian, with a friend who fled to Warsaw.
Persik was fully vaccinated, had a pet passport and was microchipped.
Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for Humane Society International, got special approval to carry the cat with her as she flew home to the U.S.
She was able to connect with Larysa in Arkansas and reunite Persik with its mom.
“This single story of one cat, Persik, is emblematic of what Humane Society International has seen through the chaos and trauma of this war: strangers and communities coming together to help one another however they can, including beloved animals,” Donithan said.
After nearly losing hope, Larysa said she was overcome with gratitude for those who helped save her cat from Ukraine.
“I had to make a lot of efforts in order to find a person in difficult circumstances during the hostilities in Ukraine who agreed to take the cat out of Ukraine, and now, by the grace of God, the cat is in my home with love and care,” Larysa said.
“It is a painful and horrific time, but all of these small acts of kindness are keeping and bringing families together when they need it most,” Donithan said. “Even during the darkest times, it is clear how much pets mean to their families.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/cat-rescued-ukraine-reunited-with-owner-arkansas/
| 2022-04-26T19:02:27Z
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CDC estimates 3 in 4 kids have had coronavirus infections
NEW YORK (AP) — Three out of every four U.S. children have been infected with the coronavirus and more than half of all Americans had signs of previous infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers estimated in a report Tuesday.
The researchers examined blood samples from more than 200,000 Americans and looked for virus-fighting antibodies made from infections, not vaccines. They found that signs of past infection rose dramatically between December and February, when the more contagious omicron variant surged through the U.S.
The most striking increase was in children. The percentage of those 17 and under with antibodies rose from about 45% in December to about 75% in February.
For Americans of all ages, about 34% had signs of prior infection in December. Just two months later, 58% did.
“I did expect it to increase. I did not expect it to increase quite this much,” said Dr. Kristie Clarke, co-leader of a CDC team that tracks the extent of coronavirus infections.
The older people were, the less likely they had evidence of past infections, the study found. For those 65 and older, 19% had signs of prior infection in December and 33% did in February. That may be because older adults have higher vaccination rates and they may be more likely to take other COVID-19 precautions, such as wearing masks and avoiding crowds, Clarke said.
Clarke said the tests can detect antibodies for one to two years after infection, and possibly longer.
Studies have shown previous infection can protect some people against severe disease and hospitalization, but CDC officials stressed that the previously infected should still get COVID-19 vaccines.
The study looked for any detectable level of antibodies; it did not distinguish how many people had antibody levels that might be protective. Scientists are still trying to understand what role these kinds of antibodies play in protection from future virus exposures.
Officials continue to urge Americans to get vaccines and boosters, which offer additional protection against COVID-19 for all, including those who were previously infected.
___
The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/cdc-estimates-3-4-kids-have-had-coronavirus-infections/
| 2022-04-26T19:02:34Z
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Daily aspirin provides little benefit, study says
(CNN) - For years, daily low-dose aspirin was recommended to prevent heart attack and stroke.
Scientists now say they see little benefit for most healthy people and say it may contribute to a risk of bleeding in your stomach or brain that goes up as you get older.
The latest recommendations are from the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force.
The group said people older than 60 shouldn’t start taking a daily aspirin for primary prevention of heart problems in most cases.
If you’re between 40 and 59 years old, the group leaves it up to you and your doctor to decide whether you should take a daily aspirin in specific circumstances.
If you’ve had a heart attack, a stroke or other heart or circulation problems and your doctor has put you on daily aspirin, don’t stop taking it.
Instead, talk with them about what the new recommendations mean for you.
The recommendations were published Tuesday in the medical journal JAMA.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/daily-aspirin-provides-little-benefit-study-says/
| 2022-04-26T19:02:41Z
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Officer’s job offer with police department revoked due to HIV diagnosis, DOJ says
CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (Gray News) – The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against a town in Indiana for discriminating against a police officer diagnosed with HIV.
According to the Department of Justice, the lawsuit alleges the police department in the town of Clarksville revoked a job officer to a qualified person based on his diagnosis.
The DOJ said the officer had been successfully working for the police department as a volunteer for over a year and was fully qualified for the position.
“Every day, we depend on law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “Those who are qualified and seek to serve their communities should not be subjected to unlawful discrimination.”
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from discriminating against anyone skilled for the position on the basis of disability.
“No qualified individual should lose a hard-earned career opportunity because of misguided views about their disability that are not supported by medicine or science,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit reflects the Justice Department’s firm commitment to protecting qualified workers, including those with HIV, from unlawful employment discrimination.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/officers-job-offer-with-police-department-revoked-due-hiv-diagnosis-doj-says/
| 2022-04-26T19:02:48Z
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Parents out on bond after being charged in deaths of 2 young children
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WITN/Gray News) – Two parents charged in the deaths of their two young children were released on bond Monday after appearing in court.
Rocky Mount police said the mother, 21-year-old Zharia Noel, and her boyfriend, 21-year-old Ahmene Butler, were arrested Saturday and each charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter due to negligence and two counts of felony child abuse because of the children sustaining bodily injuries.
Saturday morning, the Rocky Mount Police Department responded to a call where they located a 3-month-old boy, Kamryn Noel, and his 14-month-old sister, Amariah Noel, unresponsive inside a parked car.
The children were taken to UNC Nash Health Care, where they were both pronounced dead. Saturday evening, the investigation was upgraded from suspicious death to a homicide.
Noel and Butler each received a $100,000 unsecured bond by the magistrate and were released from custody. The parents had their first court appearances Monday morning.
Police said they will continue to investigate the deaths. Further charges await reports from the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s office.
Copyright 2022 WITN via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/parents-out-bond-after-being-charged-deaths-2-young-children/
| 2022-04-26T19:02:54Z
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Psychologist hired by Depp testifies about Heard’s health
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A forensic psychologist testified Tuesday that actor Amber Heard suffers from borderline personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder, as the civil lawsuit between her and ex-husband Johnny Depp continues to wallow in the couple’s personal issues.
Depp is suing Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post referring to herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.” The article doesn’t mention Depp by name, but his lawyers say the article contains “defamation by implication” because it clearly refers to allegations of domestic abuse made by Heard when she filed for divorce in 2016.
The psychologist, Shannon Curry, was hired by Depp’s legal team. She said she reached her diagnosis during 12 hours of interviews with Heard, as well as from reviewing her mental-health records.
Curry also testified that Heard does not suffer post-traumatic stress disorder from her relationship with Depp, as Heard has claimed.
Depp’s team hopes Curry’s testimony bolsters their contention that Heard was the aggressor in the couple’s troubled relationship. Depp just concluded four days on the witness stand and testified about Heard’s “need for conflict” and her tendency to hound and pursue him during arguments when he tried to walk away and disengage.
The two personality disorders are similar, Curry said. Borderline personality is a disease of instability, she said “driven by an underlying fear of abandonment.” She said people with the disorder “will make desperate attempts to prevent that from happening.”
Evidence introduced earlier at the trial includes audio clips of Heard begging Depp not to leave, and to stay with her after he indicated a desire to break up or separate.
She also said that borderline personality disorder “seems to be a predictive factor for women who implement violence against their partner.” Depp has said he is the one who was a victim of domestic violence, and that Heard hit him on multiple occasions and threw items like paint cans and vodka bottles at him.
Histrionic personality disorder, Curry said, is associated with “drama and shallowness,” and a need to be the center of attention.
She said there’s a correlation in the disorder with people who are physically attractive and “utilize their looks to get that attention.”
Curry will be cross-examined Tuesday afternoon.
While the libel lawsuit is supposed to center on whether Depp was defamed in the article, most of the trial has focused on ugly details of the couple’s brief marriage. Depp has denied ever striking Heard. Heard’s attorneys say Depp physically and sexually abused her and that Depp’s denials lack merit because he was often drunk and high to the point of blacking out.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/psychologist-hired-by-depp-testifies-about-heards-health/
| 2022-04-26T19:03:00Z
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...Near-Critical Fire Weather Today...
This is a special weather statement from the National Weather
Service Office in Cheyenne.
* WHAT...Near-Critical to briefly critical fire weather conditions
with low humidity in the teens to low 20s, elevated sustained
winds of 15 to 20 mph with occasional gusts at 25 to 30 mph
possible. Fuels remain dry in many areas, especially grasses.
* WHERE...High Plains of Southeast Wyoming, central and southern
Nebraska Panhandle, Laramie Valley, and Carbon County.
* WHEN...12pm through 8pm tonight.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Fires starts and spreadibility could be
increased today under these weather conditions. Outdoor burning
is discouraged, especially during the afternoon.
We believe everyone can give something to those in need, and when that happens, everyone benefits. That’s why we created “Everyone gives, Everyone gains,” a way to spotlight some of the ways you can help people in Laramie County. To have an item published, email Managing Editor Brian Martin at bmartin@wyomingnews.com or send it to Everyone gives, Everyone gains, c/o Brian Martin, Wyoming Tribune Eagle, 702 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001.
To give your money
CFD Old West Museum to hold BUNCO fundraising night
What: BUNCO Night, a fundraiser for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
When: 6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 28
Where: CFD Old West Museum Carriage Hall, 4610 Carey Ave., Cheyenne
Cost: $15 per person
More information: Grab your dice and join the fun because BUNCO Night is here! Come for a night of games, prizes, drinks and snacks. Admission gets you in the doors, three action-packed games and snacks. Additional games and drinks are available for purchase.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/everyone_gives/everyone-gives-everyone-gains-4-27-22/article_46e4e92a-1cc4-5743-92a2-28f180486ea6.html
| 2022-04-26T20:26:01Z
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CASPER – During a lengthy hearing here, there were signs that a legislative stalemate could be broken, or at least that discussions could advance, on how to help digital currency miners get more electricity and at lower rates.
Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle and stakeholders who testified Monday showed some openness to creating ways to serve the power-hungry cryptocurrency industry. At this interim work session held by the Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, there appeared to be more acceptance of the idea that some changes might be needed to interest Wyoming crypto companies in using scores of computers to virtually make these financial assets.
By contrast, when the bill up for discussion, Senate File 71, previously came up at Senate Minerals Committee hearings during the Legislature's regular session, the reception was more negative. Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, was the only lawmaker to have voted yes on SF 71. It would have created deregulated industrial power zones so that high-technology companies and others could strike alternative power deals that do not necessarily involve the incumbent utility.
"Our regulatory structure is great" 99% of the time, just not for crypto, Rothfuss said near the start of Monday's hearing. While his bill may not be the answer, he said that "if we leave our current system in place, I cannot imagine any company coming to Wyoming" and needing a lot of power.
Prospects to revive the same exact bill did not appear likely. All witnesses and legislators who spoke agreed that they did not necessarily want to pursue total deregulation of the state's power industry. Some did suggest this could be a backstop to keep in mind if the utilities can't work out some new approach to get crypto miners the electricity they want.
Statewide energy deregulation could take years, many testified. That could be too long for power-hungry virtual miners who say they each want dozens if not hundreds of megawatts of power quickly, sometimes approaching the amount that some of the state's largest cities such as Cheyenne consume.
For wide scale deregulation, "if you could do that in five years, I think that is pretty optimistic," said Wyoming Public Service Commission Chief Counsel John Burbridge. "I would imagine that it would be a pretty (extensive) endeavor. It is not something that could happen overnight."
Stakeholders are searching for ways to proceed that do not involve such big changes.
A way forward?
The difference between now and earlier this year, when SF 71 died in the Senate committee without getting a House-side hearing, is that lawmakers late Monday afternoon cleared the way for a process to try to resolve crypto-utility differences.
The way forward at least at this time is for an informal subcommittee or panel of members from the bicameral Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee to split off as a smaller group of lawmakers who have a keen interest in the issue, the joint committee's members told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
Typically when such a panel is appointed, it has a few members from each chamber, said Rep. Mike Greear, R-Worland. He helped run the hearing here and he is chairman of the House Minerals, Business and Natural Resources Committee.
"A couple legislators who are passionate about it" might be named to help helm the discussions, Greear said in an interview. With stakeholders, they could "spend a day on it" and not merely a few hours such as at this hearing, he added. The crypto portion began a little late and ended close to an hour and a half after its appointed start time.
Under the auspices of such a forthcoming panel, this is "where can we find common ground" and "try to get" the sides to "hash it out," Greear said. "And then bring some recommendations back" to the full joint committee, which could be the next step, he added.
One potential member is Rep. Danny Eyre, R-Lyman. His name came up because before retiring and eventually getting elected, he worked at the Bridger Valley Electric co-operative for some 35 years, including serving as general manager. That utility expertise could give him a useful perspective.
Asked after the meeting if he would serve on the panel if asked, Eyre said yes; he did not seek to put himself forward for it. Given his lengthy involvement in the state's power industry, he noted that there have long been discussions about carving out certain entities from the regulated power system. The new flavor is that crypto wants the carve out, he said.
Deregulation regrets elsewhere
Eyre said that of the approximately 15 states that enacted some form of energy industry deregulation, several may have regretted this while other states that did not take part might be thankful they sat this previous trend out. He wondered aloud whether this issue could be addressed without deregulation.
"It's very difficult to carve out industrial users without creating adverse impact for other ratepayers," Eyre told the WTE. "We need to be very careful that we don’t have negative impact on residential customers."
Another potential ad hoc panel member is Rothfuss. He is a proponent of attracting crypto to Wyoming, which he said the state was doing a good job on except for when it comes to energy. As one GOP member of the joint minerals panel could be heard remarking after the hearing, it's interesting that Rothfuss as a Democrat is helping to lead the push for deregulation. Usually, it's Republicans who take up the deregulatory mantle.
Regardless of who ultimately ends up on the energy group, it would aim to convene a meeting with all sides of the issue, lawmakers said in interviews and during the hearing. The goal would be for something to be discussed in time for the June 27-28 gathering in Casper of the full Minerals committee, which consists of state senators and representatives.
During the hearing, a PSC staffer suggested that the his agency could help provide a venue for getting the stakeholders together. Under what lawmakers envision, it is more likely that the PSC could participate like any other party in the stakeholder meeting, rather than acting as the convening authority, Greear told the WTE.
One local legislator spoke as a witness, advocating for ways to help satisfy virtual miners' sizable appetites for power. "The deregulated concept could work quite well for the large industrial users," said Rep. Pat Sweeney, R-Casper. He acknowledged concerns that crypto mining may not stick around in any area very long, and stakeholders noted that these mobile operations can easily move. "Whether cryptocurrency lasts, I hope it does."
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/legislative-stalemate-on-power-for-digital-currency-miners-could-be-addressed-via-panel-discussion/article_aeae02b5-9053-5ddc-93d0-ff6baf89f2b4.html
| 2022-04-26T20:26:08Z
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SWEETWATER COUNTY -- The Sweetwater Economic Development Coalition marks the week of May 9 to May 13, 2022, as the next Economic Development Week. During this week, communities across North America will celebrate and recognize the contributions made by professional economic developers to create more economically vibrant and livable communities.
Created in 2016 by International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest international professional trade association for economic developers, Economic Development Week aims to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere.
"Economic developers play essential roles in promoting the economic health and vitality of their communities — a fact that has only been proven further by the events of the past two years," said IEDC President & CEO Nathan Ohle. “The 2022 Economic Development Week will serve to recognize, honor and celebrate the ingenuity and leadership practitioners have shown in working to create a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone.”
“We have an exciting week planned for Economic Development Week; this week is all about educating and celebrating the business community of Sweetwater County. Our local business community is the heart and soul of our County. We have coordinated several free networking and educational opportunities to help them grow and sustain their businesses,” said Kayla McDonald, Economic Development Specialist for the Sweetwater Economic Development Coalition.
Visit the Sweetwater Economic Coalition’s Facebook page and website for more information on the events and registration is available online https://bit.ly/3kkRM4Z.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/sedc-to-celebrate-national-economic-development-week/article_32e356ab-e6c4-541d-8ba2-fee9afc579a9.html
| 2022-04-26T20:26:14Z
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ACROSS THE SEA: 61-year-old man to row solo from US to France
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WTKR) – A North Carolina grandfather has big plans that span the north Atlantic as he plans to row from Virginia to France nonstop. He will also be going solo.
Peter Harley plans to start the 4,000-mile trek from the Lynnhaven Marina in Virginia Beach, Virginia, next week, depending on the weather.
The 61-year-old isn’t taking a standard rowboat. He said he fortunately does not get seasick and isn’t worried about being lonely at sea.
“I’m rowing a boat that should really be rowed by two people,” Harley said. “It’s just who I am. I just do it the hard way.”
The rowboat has a camping setup, complete with sleeping quarters. It also had plenty of storage for his protein shakes, energy bars and occasional pasta.
“I’ve eaten only expedition food for nine months to test it out and get used to it,” Harley said.
The boat even converts salt water into drinking water and has waste accommodations, of a sort.
Harley is originally from South Africa and now lives in North Carolina. He’s a thrill-seeker who’s no stranger to the ocean.
“No hesitations whatsoever, absolutely zero,” he said. “I know what’s coming, and I’m happy to take it on. And I’m prepared. I’m prepared mentally and physically for it.”
His daughter, Bonnie Evans, will stay in the U.S. keeping in contact with her father through satellite communication. She plans to celebrate with him in France.
“It didn’t surprise me and I was all in, ready to support him in every way shape or form,” she said. “And yeah, just really, really excited and beyond proud.”
They’ve decided to make the event a fundraiser for several charities.
Harley said none of this is about fame.
“There are a few records that will come but that’s not the motivation at all,” he said. “The motivation is the physical and mental challenge.”
Harley said he will enjoy the time alone and the possibility of being greeted by sea life along the way.
“I’m sure I’ll see a lot of dolphins, a lot of birds,” he said. “Sharks, I’ll probably see sharks.”
The trek is expected to take up to four months. It all started for Harley after he watched a competition on TV.
“I think a lot of these events do start as dreams and crazy ideas,” Harley said. “It’s now or never. Do it now or don’t do it.”
Harley’s boat will have live-tracking capabilities, so you can send a message of support to Harley on his journey or make a donation.
Copyright 2022 WTKR via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/across-sea-61-year-old-man-row-solo-us-france/
| 2022-04-26T20:37:43Z
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AWAY looks forward to resuming fundraising at upcoming Causeacon
BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA) - After a two-year hiatus, Beckley’s Causeacon is returning this weekend. The pop-culture comic con for a cause is coming to the Beckley Armory- located at 200 Armory Drive.
Organizers say the event, which was first held in 2017, draws in people from all over with game tournaments, costume contests, panels, an artist alley and other offerings.
While the convention is a great time for the community, it also serves as a fundraiser for AWAY- formerly known as the Women’s Resource Center.
Because of the pandemic, the Causeacon was put on hold in 2020 and 2021, which impacted the center’s ability to serve women and men fight domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and more.
Erin Stone, Assistant Executive Director of AWAY, says, while they didn’t have to lessen any services due to a lack of funding, it will be nice to hold the event once more.
“We weren’t gonna let anyone suffer because we weren’t able to do this, but it’s definitely nice to replenish some funding and make sure we are able to continue doing this work.”
In 2019, 1,500 people visited Causeacon. This year, AWAY is hoping to see at least 2,000 come through the door between Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Causeacon will be open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, and from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/away-looks-forward-resuming-fundraising-upcoming-causeacon/
| 2022-04-26T20:37:50Z
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‘Encanto’ goes on tour with sing-along film concert this summer
(Gray News) – We all know “we don’t talk about Bruno,” but we can talk about Disney Concerts taking “Encanto” on tour this summer.
“Encanto: The Sing-along Film Concert” will be featured in 32 cities across the U.S. from July 18 to Aug. 28.
The film comes to life in the concert event and features the entire film on a huge screen, accompanied by an on-stage band playing hit songs from the soundtrack.
Live characters, however, do not appear as part of this event.
Tickets go on sale Friday, April 29 at 10 a.m. through Live Nation.
The full list of tour dates includes:
Jul 18 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Jul 19 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
Jul 21 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
Jul 23 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Jul 24 – San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Jul 26 – El Paso, TX – Plaza Theatre
Jul 27 – Lubbock, TX – The Buddy Holly Hall*
Jul 28 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Jul 29 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Jul 30 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP*
Jul 31 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
Aug 02 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater
Aug 03 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Aug 05 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Aug 06 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Aug 07 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Aug 09 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
Aug 10 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Aug 11 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap
Aug 12 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
Aug 13 – Greensboro, NC – White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Aug 14 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Aug 16 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann
Aug 18 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Aug 19 – Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre
Aug 20 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
Aug 21 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug 23 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Aug 25 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Aug 26 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Aug 27 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Aug 28 – Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/encanto-goes-tour-with-sing-along-film-concert-this-summer/
| 2022-04-26T20:37:56Z
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Fayette County schools show dangers of drunk driving ahead of prom season
FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WVVA) - Every 52 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies in a drunk driving accident. This amounts to 10,000 people each year.
Rachel Brandstatter, a Corporal with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and School Resource Officer at Midland Trail High School, says each and every one of these deaths can be prevented. To show this to Fayette County students this prom season, a wrecked car will serve as a visual reminder of what can happen if you drive while drunk, impaired, without a seatbelt or while texting.
“Losing just one child in Fayette County, no matter what school they attend, would affect the whole county, as a whole,” Brandstatter shared. “If we have 150 kids that go to prom, we want 150 kids to come home from prom.”
Brandstatter says she wants students to have fun but also make good choices and “arrive alive.”
“I would much rather get a phone call at two o’clock in the morning to go pick a child up who has made a bad decision versus having to knock on a mama’s door and tell them something has happened to their child.”
The car is currently sitting outside Midland Trail, but, on Sunday, it will be moved to Oak Hill High School, where it will remain for another week.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/fayette-county-schools-show-dangers-drunk-driving-ahead-prom-season/
| 2022-04-26T20:38:03Z
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Mold, major leaks, and other mistreatment detailed in Senate’s military housing report
The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released the results of its study on the privatized housing provider Balfour Beatty Communities Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released the results of its 8-month investigation into the mistreatment of military families in privatized housing on Tuesday.
The bipartisan subcommittee investigated complaints of housing hazards including mold, major leaks, and other housing hazards that were allegedly ignored by military contractor Balfour Beatty Communities.
Officials said they conducted dozens of interviews and looked at more than 11,000 pages of data regarding the company’s operations. During a hearing on Capitol Hill, lawmakers detailed the findings; continuing failures within the company, environmental hazards, and falsified records, that they said are putting the health and safety of military families at risk.
Balfour Beatty Communities houses military families on 55 installations across the country. The company pleaded guilty to major fraud following a Department of Justice investigation late last year. The company agreed to pay $65 million for lying and manipulating data from 2013 through 2019.
Subcommittee officials said the company’s poor management persisted following the Department of Justice investigation.
Since 2019, congressional investigators have been looking at housing conditions on Fort Gordon in Georgia and Fort Sheppard in Texas.
As detailed in this report released Tuesday, the subcommittee said they found a “steady stream of new complaints” where Balfour “failed to act.” They also uncovered management failures through falsified documents and mislabeled work orders.
Once confronted with the report during a hearing on Capitol Hill, Balfour representatives denied many of the accusations.
Richard C. Taylor, President, Facility Operations, Renovation & Construction for Balfour Beatty Communities said the company has worked to improve since 2019 and now has promising resident survey results.
But others, like Rachel Christian with Armed Forces Housing Advocates, want the military to show Balfour Beatty Communities the door.
“The only way forward for military families to feel safe in their homes is for the contracts to be ended with Balfour Beatty,” she said.
She also noted the military housing problems stretch far beyond one single company.
The blame is twofold,” said Christian. “It is the housing companies who are choosing profits over people repeatedly, and it’s the DOD for failing to contribute to any form of oversight that would stop them from committing such heinous acts against their own service members.”
Congress is not a criminal court. Subcommittee officials said they wanted to shine a light on military housing issues.
Military members are not typically required to live in base housing.
The Washington News Bureau reached out to Balfour for comment, but they denied the request.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/mold-major-leaks-other-mistreatment-detailed-senates-military-housing-report/
| 2022-04-26T20:38:09Z
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Nevada senator joins healthcare advocates in call for drug pricing reform
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) helped launch the “Push for Lower Prescription Prices” campaign.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - On Tuesday, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined healthcare advocates calling for drug pricing reform.
It was for the launch of the “Push for Lower Prescription Prices” campaign.
Cortez Masto along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are asking their colleagues in the Senate to pass a reconciliation package before Memorial Day that includes provisions to drive down drug costs.
David Mitchell, a cancer patient, and founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, led the campaign launch. “We’re here to advance historic legislation to lower the prices of prescription drugs and change the trajectory of drug pricing policy in America,” he said.
Cortez Masto said Americans are having to make difficult choices when it comes to prescription drugs.
“No one should have to ration life saving medication or choose between paying for food and affording medicine,” Cortez Masto told the crowd from behind a podium near the Capitol steps.
“It is time to force these pharmaceutical companies to really negotiate the cost of these prescription drugs and lower them, and it’s time to give Medicare that authority to do that with these pharmaceutical companies.”
The senator’s office said Cortez Masto has co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation dating back several years to address drug pricing concerns.
Senators and advocates said a reconciliation package should include drug pricing provisions already passed by the House.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/nevada-senator-joins-healthcare-advocates-call-drug-pricing-reform/
| 2022-04-26T20:38:16Z
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Ohio makes case to US Supreme Court on transporting death row inmate with bullet in his brain
In Twyford v. Shoop, lawyers suggest bullet fragments could impact Raymond Twyford’s competency and want the inmate tested in a hospital.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The State of Ohio is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule lower courts that said a death row inmate needs to be taken to a hospital for brain scans.
Raymond Twyford’s lawyers said Twyford attempted suicide he was 13, and it left him with bullet fragments in his brain. They want to know whether the fragments impact Twyford’s competency, something they said was never investigated during the original trial.
Twyford was convicted of murder in 1993, and lower courts have ruled that Ohio needs to transport him to a hospital for the neurological testing.
During Tuesday’s oral arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court, Ohio Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers said that the lower court rulings step on state’s rights and puts the public in danger.
Flowers argued, “The injury we’re suffering is the sovereign interference with our safe operation of our prisons. That we cannot remedy on appeal, plus the threat to public safety. Once we transport him, we have sustained all of those harms. There’s no unringing that bell after the fact.”
Raymond Tyword’s attorneys said that Twyford has been transported between the prison he’s being housed at, and the prison-style medical facility where the brain scan would be done, 16 times without incident. They also said the jury that convicted Twyford may not have had all the evidence.
Justice Clarence Thomas was the first to question Twyford attorney David O’Neil.
Justice Thomas asked, “Do you know whether you’re going to use whatever it is you find from the scan in a Habeas proceeding?”
O’Neil said, “The jury never heard any evidence about the effect of a point blank gunshot wound on Mr. Twyford’s cognition and therefore his culpability. They didn’t hear anything about that because counsel never bothered to investigate it.”
George Washington law professor Paul Schiff Berman said the Supreme Court’s conservative makeup may be the biggest factor in an eventual ruling. He said, “This may be yet another case that makes it harder and harder and harder for inmates to be able to challenge what they deem to be an unconstitutional conviction.”
The court is expected to rule on the case later this summer.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/ohio-makes-case-us-supreme-court-transporting-death-row-inmate-with-bullet-his-brain/
| 2022-04-26T20:38:23Z
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Pilots speak after mid-air plane swap stunt goes wrong in Arizona
ELOY, Ariz. (KTVK/KPHO/Gray News) - A Red Bull plane crashed in Arizona over the weekend during a stunt attempt called the “first of its kind.”
Two pilots tried to swap planes at 14,000 feet Sunday. Both pilots landed safely, one by plane and the other by parachute.
The planned stunt featured two skydivers, Luke Aikins and Andy Farrington. According to the Red Bull website, the two are cousins who have flown together several times.
Red Bull shared a video of the flight Monday, which shows both planes in the nosedive position. Video from Luke Aikin’s viewpoint shows him grabbing onto the aircraft, pulling himself inside, and landing safely.
“I mean, we proved that it was possible,” Aikin said. “We’re pushing boundaries out here, and what’s great is I jumped from one, I got in the other one, we landed, I landed safely.”
The stunt quickly went wrong when, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, one of the two single-engine planes spun out of control.
Farrington was forced to deploy a parachute in order to land safely.
“Yeah, I mean, we’re there. All the numbers matched up and everything like that. Everything should’ve been good to go,” Farrington said. “For some reason, it wasn’t that way, but at the end of the day, we’re both here. We’re both good to go, everybody’s safe and sound, and I guess that’s the important part.”
The FAA said in a statement it denied Red Bull’s request for a safety exemption.
According to Red Bull, the pilots had been training in California but decided the actual challenge would take place in Arizona.
The company also mentioned heat can affect the density of the air and could cause the aircraft to fall quicker, though it’s still unclear what caused the stunt to go wrong.
The FAA says it continues to investigate the crash.
Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/pilots-speak-after-mid-air-plane-swap-stunt-goes-wrong-arizona/
| 2022-04-26T20:38:29Z
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Police: Man charged in crash after running red light, killing pregnant woman, unborn baby
TULSA, Okla. (Gray News) - Police in Oklahoma are investigating a tragic crash that took the life of a woman and her unborn child earlier this year.
The Tulsa Police Department reports a Buick was speeding and ran a red light in the east part of town on Jan. 15. It slammed into a pickup truck at the intersection.
The driver of the pickup truck, identified by police as Michelle Rubalcava, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Police said she was nine months pregnant at the time of the crash.
Emergency surgery was performed, but Rubalcava and her unborn baby died from their injuries, according to Tulsa police.
Investigators report the driver of the Buick, Steven Johnson, was later found at fault for the crash with evidence of him being impaired by drugs at the time of the collision.
Tulsa police said Johnson recovered from his crash injuries and was charged on April 25 with two counts of first-degree manslaughter, causing a fatality accident without a valid driver’s license, driving under the influence of drugs and failure to stop at a red light.
Authorities also said their hearts go out to the family affected by the devasting crash.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/police-man-charged-crash-after-running-red-light-killing-pregnant-woman-unborn-baby/
| 2022-04-26T20:38:36Z
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Supreme Court considers Trump immigration policy reversal
The Biden v. Texas case involves a policy that made asylum-seekers wait in Mexico until their claims are heard.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Immigration was front and center at the Supreme Court Tuesday. The case surrounded a Trump-era policy that the Biden administration immediately tried to reverse. The nine justices heard oral arguments in Biden v. Texas. The high-profile case has to do with a Trump policy that made asylum-seekers wait in Mexico until their asylum claims are heard.
Trump instituted the Remain in Mexico program or Migrant Protection Protocol in 2019. President Biden tried to reverse the policy on his first day in office, with immigration advocates saying the policy put asylum-seekers in dangerous situations. Texas and Missouri sued, arguing the reversal by the Biden administration was illegal. Lower courts agreed. The case made its way to the Supreme Court.
“We’re arguing that the Biden administration, just like the rest of us, have to follow federal law. They either have to detain them or send them back to their country of origin,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-Texas).
Justices badgered Paxton’s team on terminology in immigration law with the two sides sparring over whether the administration is legally obligated to send asylum-seekers to Mexico.
Attorney General Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) said the Biden administration created a crisis at the border.
“We had a secure border. And the Migrant Protection Protocols and the Remain in Mexico Policy was a big part of that,” said Schmitt.
The Biden administration argued without the capacity to detain every asylum-seeker, releasing those considered not to be a threat into the U.S. on parole is a better option than sending them to dangerous conditions in Mexico.
Attorney Moses Silverman filed a brief to the court in support of the Biden administration conducting its own foreign policy.
“Not letting them in is easy but sending them back is a major diplomatic issue,” said Silverman.
Silverman said the policy requires buy-in from Mexico and that the U.S. cannot simply drop off immigrants there.
He argued this case will not solve immigration policy in the U.S., but it will have ramifications for executive branch policy-making and tens of thousands of immigrants impacted by the policy in question.
“We certainly are at the vanguard of a country that was created by bringing people from all over the world together and creating a national identity,” said Silverman.
An opinion from the court is not expected until late spring or early summer.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/supreme-court-considers-trump-immigration-policy-reversal/
| 2022-04-26T20:38:43Z
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NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fell in morning trading on Wall Street Tuesday as markets remain turbulent amid a busy week of earnings from some of the nation’s biggest companies.
The S&P 500 fell 1.5% as of 10:19 a.m. Eastern. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 330 points, or 1%, to 33,716 and the Nasdaq fell 2.5%.
The weak opening follows a similar start on Monday that turned into a late rally, partially led by technology stocks after Twitter agreed to sell itself to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The social media company fell 2.1% Tuesday.
Technology stocks were once again directing the broader market and had some of the biggest losses. Companies in the sector, with their pricey values, tend to push the market up or down more forcefully. Microsoft fell 2.1% and Apple shed 2%. Both companies will report their latest financial results later Tuesday.
Retailers and other companies that rely on direct consumer spending also fell broadly. General Motors, which also reports its latest results later Tuesday, slipped 2.8%. Tesla slumped 7.3% and Nike fell 2.9%.
General Electric fell 10% for one of the sharpest losses on the market after telling investors that inflation and other pressures are weighing on its profit forecast for the year.
Bond yields fell sharply. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.75% from 2.82% late Monday.
Energy companies gained ground along with a 1.6% rise in U.S. crude oil prices. Valero Energy rose 2.6%.
Earnings remain a key focus of Wall Street for the rest of the week. Airplane maker Boeing reports its results on Wednesday, along with Facebook parent, Meta. Industrial bellwether Caterpillar reports its results on Thursday, along with McDonald’s and Amazon.
Investors are closely reviewing the latest round of corporate report cards to get a better sense of how different industries are handling rising inflation, which has prompted many companies to raise prices. The results will also give a clearer picture of how consumers are reacting to higher prices on everything from food to clothing and gasoline.
Persistently rising inflation has prompted the Federal Reserve to shift its monetary policy in order to aggressively fight inflation. The chair of the Fed has indicated the central bank may hike short-term interest rates by double the usual amount at upcoming meetings, starting next week. It has already raised its key overnight rate once, the first such increase since 2018.
Economists and investors are concerned that the U.S. economy might slow sharply or even fall into a recession because of the big interest-rate increases the Fed is expected to push through.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/business/stocks-fall-ahead-of-earnings-from-big-tech-companies/article_445583b0-c56f-11ec-8ce0-5b94826af36a.html
| 2022-04-26T21:07:33Z
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Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday after returning from a weeklong trip to California, the White House announced.
"Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for Covid-19 on rapid and PCR tests. She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the vice president's residence," said Kirsten Allen, the vice president's press secretary, in a statement.
Allen added, "She has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules. She will follow CDC guidelines and the advice of her physicians. The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative."
Harris had been scheduled to receive her intelligence briefing at 10:15 am ET Tuesday at the White House alongside President Joe Biden, according to daily guidance sent to reporters Monday evening. She did not participate in any events or meetings at the White House on Tuesday, according to a White House official.
Harris' isolation will have immediate impact on Senate Democrats. Democratic Sens. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Ron Wyden of Oregon both also announced they had tested positive as well on Tuesday, meaning that their absences -- along with Harris -- will delay Democrats' plans to confirm a pair of high-profile nominees this week, a senior Democratic aide told CNN.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hoped to confirm Lisa Cook to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board and Alvaro Bedoya to be the chair of the Federal Trade Commission. But because there is broad Republican opposition to them, votes to process those nominations will be put off until Democrats, who narrowly control the 50-50 chamber, are back to full strength.
In a sign of the partisan combativeness that is so prevalent in the Senate, Republicans will still force a procedural roll call vote on Cook's nomination -- which will fail -- later Tuesday and force Democrats to go through the process of breaking a filibuster against her again. GOP senators could have given consent to waive the actual vote but didn't. Republicans have not said yet if they would do the same with Bedoya's nomination.
The Senate is set to confirm Lael Brainard to be the vice chair of the Fed Tuesday afternoon. Her nomination is not affected by the absences because she has bipartisan support.
Harris not a close contact of Biden
Harris arrived at the White House Tuesday morning, a White House official told CNN, and went straight to take a test. After testing positive on both PCR and rapid tests, she returned home to her residence at the Naval Observatory, where she will be isolating.
Separately, an official said Harris last saw Biden at the Easter Egg Roll on April 18. She left Washington for California that afternoon and didn't return until Monday night.
While in California last week, she held events on portfolio issues. In San Francisco on Thursday, Harris highlighted the Black maternal health crisis during events and was indoors talking to expecting mothers and health providers without a mask on. Masks are recommended, but no longer required, in most public indoor spaces in the city.
Harris held no public events over the weekend before returning to the nation's capital.
One official said Harris tested negative through her "regular" testing up until Tuesday. CNN has asked when the vice president last tested negative.
Harris completed her two-dose regimen of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in January 2021. She received her first booster dose in late October and a second booster vaccine on April 1.
Covid makes its way through elite Washington
The vice president's positive Covid-19 test comes as the US has largely lifted most of its Covid-19 mitigation measures after the Omicron variant spike over the winter.
In accordance with federal public health guidelines, officials and visitors have not been required to wear masks or socially distance at large White House events. Covid cases in Washington have declined since their peak in early January, when the country was facing a wave of Omicron variant cases, but have been rising recently.
Though the White House has continued to hold crowded indoor events where masks are optional and officials have forgone masks in public, the administration has said they are going beyond federal guidelines to detect Covid-19 in the building. There's mandatory testing for those who come into contact with Biden and social distancing during meetings, at least when it's possible.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in early April that the White House was not considering returning to pandemic-era restrictions.
"We are continuing to implement the return-to-work policy and feel we have the measures necessary to do that," she said at the time.
Officials have acknowledged that it's "possible" Biden will eventually contract the virus as Covid-19 has also been making the rounds among White House staff and among the Washington elite recently.
In late March, White House press secretary Jen Psaki cancelled her plans to travel with the President to Belgium and Poland after testing positive for Covid-19 for the second time. Her replacement on the Europe trip, White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, tested positive shortly after returning from the trip. Harris' husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, tested positive for Covid-19 earlier in March.
Following the Gridiron Club Dinner, an annual event with members of the press and prominent Washington officials that was held in early April, dozens of attendees tested positive, including two Cabinet members and Harris' communication director, Jamal Simmons. He was considered to be a close contact of the vice president. Harris was criticized in the wake of that close contact for her seeming disregard of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention masking guidance for those who were exposed to Covid-19, as she did not wear a mask during the Supreme Court confirmation vote for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/coronavirus/vice-president-kamala-harris-tests-positive-for-covid/article_30bb21da-02c8-52dd-b0ee-3530bff8e4c9.html
| 2022-04-26T21:07:39Z
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KANEOHE, Hawaii (KITV4) -- Robbers made off with cash and personal possessions after holding up two workers at Leonard’s Malasada Wagon in Kaneohe on Sunday.
The manager of the wagon sent KITV4 surveillance video of the robbery in progress as well as damage the robbers allegedly made to the truck – smashing out a passenger-side window.
According to the manager, the robbery happened while two employees were preparing to close for the day. The robbers broke the window before forcing their way inside, the manager said.
In the video, two robbers can be seen entering the truck and aiming a weapon at the employees who were out of frame. The thieves then allegedly made off with cash and other items off of the shelves inside the truck. The manager says they even stole a purse from one of the employees.
The manager told KITV4 that the window has already been repaired and said the truck will be back open for its regular hours – starting at 7 a.m.
KITV4 has reached out to police for any additional information about this case. So far, there has been no word of arrests or information about the suspects.
Matthew has been the digital content manager for KITV4 since September 2021. Matthew is a prolific writer, editor, and self-described "newsie" who's worked in television markets in Oklahoma, California, and Hawaii.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/crime/armed-robbers-hold-up-leonards-malasada-wagon-in-kaneohe/article_721957b6-c594-11ec-bd1c-736ccc0f2631.html
| 2022-04-26T21:07:45Z
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MAKAHA, Hawaii (KITV4) -- Balloons and banners lined Farrington Highway at sundown.
Kuulei Lincoln, a friend of Michelle McPeek for over 15 years, told KITV4 she had just spoken to McPeek's younger teenage son on the phone.
"He just talked to us. And I sent my love and condolences and told them if they ever need anything just call me. He said ok and that he loves me," Lincoln told KITV.
That love and support in the community was a refrain at the roadside memorial here on Farrington Highway where Michelle McPeek died allegedly at the hands of her eldest son, 19 year old Joshua.
One close friend told KITV4 addiction had been in a factor in family life. She revealed that Joshua had recently completed the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge.
"I feel like you got to go deeper than that. Like more therapy. These kids can do Youth Challenge but they got to get more therapy," Evanna Graham told KITV4.
The gathering ended by the water at Keaau Beach Park where friends shared how they are remembering McPeek.
"Friendly. Loving. In good spirit, was very friendly lovable. Willing to give her last dollar to anyone," Lincoln said.
Co-workers from Waianae Store gathered, some who had only known Michelle McPeek through the last year.
"When I first started Waianae store, she was the friend who told me to apply, nobody knew what was going on in her life. She was always smiling," Vika Milo said.
"She's good people. Take care of your kids and anybody else's kids around," Graham added.
Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com
Jeremy Lee joined KITV after over a decade & a half in broadcast news from coast to coast on the mainland. Jeremy most recently traveled the country documenting protests & civil unrest.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/local/mother-mourned-after-tragic-beating-death-on-farrington-highway/article_2bcc21ea-c53e-11ec-89b8-6f50d6cffe3e.html
| 2022-04-26T21:07:51Z
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HONOLULU (KITV4) - Morning showers will make way for partly sunny skies with scattered afternoon showers this Tuesday. Rainfall amounts will be highest over Maui and the Big Island. Highs will range from 81 to 87 degrees with trade winds gusting from 15 to 20 mph.
Tuesday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with windward and mauka showers and low temperatures ranging from 67 to 72 degrees. Trade winds will gust from 10 to 20 mph.
Breezy trades will persist through Tuesday night then trend down Wednesday into Thursday, before strengthening again Friday through the weekend.
Clouds and showers will favor windward and mountain areas, with a few showers spreading to leeward areas.
Increasing moisture combined with an upper disturbance settling southward into the area will result in better windward shower coverage Friday through early next week, with some reaching leeward areas at times.
Declining overall swell will lead to the lowering of both north and south facing shore surf through Wednesday. The falling northwest swell will cause north shore surf to fall below head high Tuesday with a gradual lowering into Wednesday.
The arrival of the next small northwest swell this weekend will provide a slight boost to north and west shore surf. A fading south swell will produce lower south facing surf through Wednesday.
A small, long period south southwest swell will build in this weekend may pick south surf up by an additional foot or two.
Rough east shore surf due to recently fresh to locally strong trade winds will slowly drop off through mid week in response to weakening trades. Re-strengthened trades later this week will pick up weekend east wind wave chop.
Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com
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https://www.kitv.com/news/local/tuesday-weather-a-mix-of-sun-and-clouds-with-scattered-showers-and-box-jellyfish/article_ebba7694-c56d-11ec-9937-fb95d7252187.html
| 2022-04-26T21:07:57Z
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"September," Earth, Wind & Fire's effervescent ode to the last night of summer, is an enduring jam for all seasons. Part of its alchemy lies in Andrew Woolfolk's jubilant saxophone.
Woolfolk, a longtime Earth, Wind & Fire member whose sweet signature instrument made songs like "September" impossible not to dance to, has died, group member Philip Bailey announced. Woolfolk was 71.
Bailey, co-lead singer of the genre-spanning band, said on Instagram that Woolfolk died after a six-year illness.
"I met him in High School, and we quickly became friends and band mates," Bailey wrote. "Great memories. Great talent. Funny. Competitive. Quick witted. And always styling."
Woolfolk joined the band in the early 1970s, according to the band's official roster. The EW&F lineup changed often throughout the years, but Woolfolk officially played the sax (as well as flute and percussion) with the group on and off until 1993.
But he hadn't originally planned on joining the band -- as Bailey describes in the 2014 memoir "Shining Star: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire," Woolfolk was studying music in New York when Bailey called him and asked him to join the group after the two had played together in Denver. Woolfolk became known as one of the "original nine," Bailey wrote.
When he toured with the band, Woolfolk would stop the concert cold with rip-roaring saxophone solos, commandeering the stage until the rest of his bandmates joined in. He wasn't the group's lead, but onstage, he possessed the unmistakable charisma of a star.
Offstage, Bailey wrote in his memoir, Woolfolk was a "jolly prankster" who "might fill your hotel room trash can with hot water and balance it atop your bedroom door, just waiting for you to return late at night."
Aside from EW&F albums, Woolfolk also recorded with Phil Collins and Bailey for the latter's solo efforts.
In 2000, Woolfolk was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with his fellow original Earth, Wind & Fire members. That evening, Woollfolk, the only member of the group dressed in a fiery red suit jacket, performed a victorious solo on "Shining Star."
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https://www.kitv.com/news/national/earth-wind-fire-saxophonist-andrew-woolfolk-dies-at-71/article_6e77bb0c-bf6a-5253-aeb4-cc89770d42cc.html
| 2022-04-26T21:08:03Z
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Germany has agreed to deliver anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, the German Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday, a move that underscores a major shift in its approach to providing military help to Ukraine.
The commitment to deliver the Gepard anti-aircraft systems was announced by defense minister Christine Lambrecht during a meeting of international defense officials at the Ramstein US Air Force base in Germany on Tuesday.
"We decided yesterday that we will support Ukraine with anti-aircraft systems ... which is exactly what Ukraine needs now to secure the airspace from the ground," Lambrecht said during the meeting at the base.
This is significant as it is the first time Germany has agreed to provide this type of heavy weaponry to Ukraine as it fights off the Russian invasion. The Gepard systems were phased out from active duty in Germany in 2010.
Germany initially resisted calls to provide weaponry to Kyiv, agreeing only to provide humanitarian help and medical equipment. That approach was in line with Germany's decades-long policy of not supplying lethal weapons to crisis zone.
Just months before Russian President Vladimir Putin order the invasion into Ukraine, the then new German government agreed to include the restrictive arms export policy into its coalition agreement.
But facing pressure from allies and the German public, the government was forced to overhaul the rules. By late February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Germany would start delivering some weapons to Ukraine, although at that point he insisted on calling them "defensive."
He also announced Germany would start pumping more money into its own armed forces.
First such investment was publicly confirmed last month when Germany announced it would buy 35 US-made F-35A fighter jets.
Just last week, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said that while "other partners are now providing artillery" to Ukraine, Germany would "help with training and maintenance."
Baerbock said that Germany could not provide further weaponry as the country had no weapons it could "deliver quickly and without delay right now."
She added that Germany had chosen not to make public all the weapons it had previously sent to Ukraine, but said: "We have supplied anti-tank weapons, Stingers [air defense systems] and many other weapons that we haven't spoken about in public," the minister said.
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https://www.kitv.com/news/national/germany-agrees-to-send-heavy-weapons-to-ukraine-after-major-policy-u-turn/article_7918a759-a019-5ada-9aa5-99f137d429a9.html
| 2022-04-26T21:08:09Z
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12 Startups Will Pitch at Idea Village ‘Demo Day’
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Idea Village, a nonprofit startup accelerator, will host Demo Day from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4 at the Mandeville Wharf in Crescent Park. Demo Day is the culmination of VILLAGEx, an accelerator program for technology-enabled, high-growth startups. This annual event will showcase all 12 of the 2022 VILLAGEx startups, whose founders have spent the last four months receiving hundreds of hours of mentorship from a network of over 120 entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and subject matter experts. As the climax of the 2022 accelerator season, this year broke records and put New Orleans’ startup community on the map. $750,000 was allocated through investment prizes at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week in March.
“By investing time and resources into these exciting companies, VILLAGEx creates a stronger startup community for our city,” said Jon Atkinson, Idea Village CEO. “Demo Day not only celebrates the growing startup movement of our region, but it also shows that founders are leaders in the community who will continue to create new jobs, bring new products and services to market and generate investment in and momentum for the region.”
The four-month intensive accelerator program selects the region’s top startups through a highly competitive process, focusing on those that leverage technology to pursue exponential growth. VILLAGEx provides value by connecting founders to the resources and expertise needed to become industry-leading ventures. Previous VILLAGEx and Demo Day participants include Lucid and Levelset, two tech startups that recently exited for a combined $1.6B and who remain leaders and major employers in New Orleans.
The founders and startups that will be featured on May 4 at The Idea Village’s Demo Day include:
- Brewsy, founded by Neal Shulman and Liam Meier, creates physical and digital products for anyone to explore fermentation socially, led by their flagship winemaking product with plans to expand into other digital hobby spaces. www.getbrewsy.com
- Claimly, founded by Tobias Patch and Chad Caldwell, is an insurance claims management platform for individuals recovering from property damage. www.getclaimly.com
- Cluey Consumer, founded by Maryclaire Manard, empowers consumers to make a greater impact through their everyday purchases using a searchable database that shows a brand’s social, environmental and political impacts, empowering the consumer to buy products that are more in line with their values. www.clueyconsumer.com
- DAWn Audio, founded by Diego Pinzon, Sam Matluck, Leo Simanonok and Jake Gus, is a web-based application that allows musicians and audio artists anywhere in the world to co-create in real time. Not a new Digital Audio Workstation, but a bridge between them all. www.dawn-audio.com
- Iconic Moments, founded by Chris Cummings, is the first NFT marketplace for the 450,000 museums & cultural institutions globally. www.iconicmoments.co
- Jamm Around, founded by Brent Craige, Donovan Williams and Marlon Butler, is an app that provides a social platform for artists to meet, collaborate, share and find music services. www.jammaround.com
- KidKred, founded by Claire Smith and Kristen Taft, is a peer-to-peer recognition and rewards platform that helps schools make sure their teachers are actively appreciated, visibly valued and meaningfully motivated. www.kidkred.com
- The Meetery, founded by Bayleigh Frickey and Stephanie Hilton, is a dating app solving the problem of inefficient partner pairing through safe, in-person speed dating, allowing users to chat less and meet more. www.themeetery.co
- Muse Engine, founded by Ben Legum, Jennifer Vondran and Jody Strausser, provides rapid manufacturing services using proprietary injection printing technology, which has the speed of 3D printing and the precision of injection molding. www.museengine.com
- My Sports Dietitian, founded by Ronnie Harper and Tavis Piattoly, makes the Eat2Win Nutrition App, a solution for improving an athlete’s performance, body composition and overall health through a food first approach. www.mysportsd.com
- Reimagine Fund, founded by Will Bradshaw and Daniela Rivero-Bryant, is creating technology that democratizes access to tax equity investments, aiming to address inequity by changing what real estate projects get financing and how. www.reimaginefund1.com
- WRSTBND, founded by Conway Solomon, uses an event technology ecosystem to streamline every operational aspect of an event, including access control, cashless payments and other custom solutions. www.wrstbnd.com
Cumulatively, these 12 companies have raised over $7M in capital to accelerate their growth, and several of the startups demonstrate an entrepreneur’s unique ability to innovate within a region’s long-standing industries. For example, the accelerator cohort contains companies building technology products in music production and composition, disaster recovery, entertainment & events, food & beverage and education technology.
“Founders are some of the most resourceful and creative problem solvers you will ever meet, and this group of entrepreneurs is no exception,” said Corey James, program director at the Idea Village. “With nearly $2.5B in exits across the region in the last 18 months, it also feels like the collective imagination of what’s possible has expanded significantly. These founders and the larger network of almost 130 brilliant, generous mentors can attest to this shift. We’re excited to give the broader community a taste of all that is to come on May 4.”
Demo Day is free and open to the public. Investors, business leaders, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the future of business in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding region are invited to attend.
For more information on how to attend Demo Day on May 4, please visit https://www.ideavillage.org/demoday22.
For more information on the VILLAGEx growth accelerator program, please visit www.ideavillage.org/villagex.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/12-startups-will-pitch-at-idea-village-demo-day/
| 2022-04-26T21:22:39Z
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All N.O. Pinkberry Locations to Close in September; Franchisees Focusing on Felipe’s
NEW ORLEANS — All three New Orleans-area Pinkberry frozen yogurt locations will close for good in September.
Pinkberry’s local franchise partners — Rob Stumm, Courtney Stumm, Celie Howard, Sibyl Lapeyre and Lon Nichols — said their agreement with Pinkberry expires that month and they don’t plan to extend it. That means the stores at 5601 Magazine Street, 300 Canal Street and 411 N. Carrollton Avenue will all discontinue operations.
“We have enjoyed our time as franchisees with Pinkberry; we have learned a great deal from the experience and established strong connections with our team and guests,” said Courtney Stumm in a statement.
“It helped us tremendously as managers,” said Nichols. “We learned the systems, the culture and the importance of hospitality. It’s been 12 years and it was a good run.”
Worldwide, consumer interest in frozen yogurt has waned, which may have been a factor in the decision.
The International Frozen Yogurt Association, which cited Google Trends data in a 2021 report, said that the treat’s pinnacle of popularity was five years ago. “Since 2017, interest declined gradually in 2018 and 2019 and more dramatically in March and April 2020, when many froyo shops were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic,” said the report’s authors.
Pinkberry launched in 2005 in West Hollywood, Calif. and now claims 260 stores in 20 countries. Kahala Brands, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., purchased Pinkberry in 2015.
The Pinkberry franchise partners said they will now focus on managing and expanding Felipe’s Taqueria, the Mexican restaurant concept that they own outright. The first Felipe’s opened more than 15 years ago on Calhoun Street, and now the owners operate seven locations spread across Louisiana, Florida and Maryland. The restaurants are known for “made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine and hand-squeezed margaritas.”
All current Pinkberry employees are being offered positions with Felipe’s, and Stumm said many plan to make the move.
The Pinkberry locations on Magazine and Canal will most likely be leased out to other businesses, but the N. Carrollton spot will be home to an expanded Felipe’s that will provide additional coffee, breakfast and dessert options.
“We will continue to offer a high-quality menu in a fun, welcoming, family-friendly environment,” said Celie Howard, the N. Carrollton location’s owner.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/all-n-o-pinkberry-locations-will-close-in-september-franchisees-focusing-on-felipes/
| 2022-04-26T21:22:45Z
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Cecilia Sanchez Joins Obatala Sciences
NEW ORLEANS — Obatala Sciences has announced that Cecilia Sanchez will serve as its chief scientific officer and VP for research and development. Sanchez received her PhD in the laboratory of Dr. Pierre Chambon, an international leader in transcriptional biology in Strasbourg, France, before moving to Tulane University for post-doctoral fellowships with both Dr. Melanie Ehrlich and Dr. Darwin Prockop. Upon completion of her training, Sanchez joined the Tulane Department of Medicine’s Pulmonary Division as a faculty member, where she was independently funded on projects relating to pulmonary fibrosis. In 2017, she and her family moved to Salt Lake City, where she was an innovative projects leader in Biomerieux, an international leader in the development of biomedical devices and assays.
Like all members of the New Orleans diaspora, Dr. Sanchez missed the ambience of Southeastern Louisiana, and Obatala was fortunate to recruit her in December 2021. In accordance with our transition plan, over the past few months, Dr. Sanchez has worked closely with Dr. Xiying Wu and Dr. Jeffrey Gimble to onboard into her new role. Drs. Wu and Gimble will remain as active members of Obatala Sciences. Dr. Gimble will now serve as the company’s Chief Medical Officer and Dr. Wu as a consultant.
Dr. Sanchez brings to Obatala a wealth of expertise in stromal stem cell biology, fibrosis models, GMP operations, and biotechnology product development. We are excited for her to assume her new leadership role in the company!
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/cecilia-sanchez-joins-obatala-sciences/
| 2022-04-26T21:22:51Z
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Children’s Hospital Welcomes Dr. Charles Hemenway
NEW ORLEANS – Children’s Hospital New Orleans welcomes Dr. Charles Hemenway, a board-certified pediatric hematologist oncologist, as service line chief for its Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Hemenway will serve as clinical lead over the nationally recognized and newly renovated and expanded center, which treats more than 1,100 children with cancer or blood disorders each year.
“We are honored to have Dr. Hemenway join our team here in New Orleans,” said John R. Nickens IV, the hospital’s president and CEO. “For more than 35 years, he has worked to advance the field of pediatric hematology oncology through research, teaching and training, and by providing specialized care for children to ensure the best possible outcomes. We are thrilled to bring that expertise to the children and families of the Gulf South.”
Hemenway most recently served as Director of the combined MD/PhD program at the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago. A graduate of Middlebury College and the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at University of Florida/Shands Hospital and his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Duke University Medical Center.
“Dr. Hemenway is an accomplished leader in the field of pediatric cancers and blood disorders and will amplify the talent of our existing team of outstanding providers,” said Mark W. Kline, MD, Physician-In-Chief and Chief Medical Officer. “We are thrilled that he has chosen to contribute his talent and passion to the hematology/oncology program here at Children’s Hospital New Orleans.”
The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital provides treatment and transplantation for children with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and other childhood cancers and blood disorders. Children’s Hospital is the only accredited pediatric facility in the state, performing bone marrow transplants and actively conducting cancer research on therapies at the forefront of medicine. The center also has the largest, most experienced group of pediatric cancer specialists in the region, staffed by faculty from LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane Pediatrics.
Children’s Hospital’s cancer program is accredited with Outstanding Achievement by the American College of Surgeons and is a long-time member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), a national study group of premier research institutes in the United States and Canada.
For more information about the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorder at Children’s Hospital, please visit chnola.org.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/childrens-hospital-welcomes-dr-charles-hemenway/
| 2022-04-26T21:22:57Z
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Episode 99: NOLA MusicTech Looks to Bring More of the Business Side of Music to the City
On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, NOLA MusicTech will host its first in-person conference at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on North Rampart Street. The conference is focused on providing more money and opportunities to New Orleans musicians. In this episode, the event’s two producers Melissa O’Brien and Christine Auten explain what music technology looks like and how our region can benefit from more of it.
about
Melissa O’Brien | Executive Producer of NOLA MusicTech
During her 20+ years at South by Southwest Conferences & Festivals, Melissa O’Brien did everything from managing a crew of 30 volunteers to managing over 900 speakers a year, ultimately serving as the head of the SXSW Music Conference from 2012 to 2017. Her vast knowledge of multiple music genres and music history allowed her to book a wide range of programming with numerous artists and music industry professionals. O’Brien now lives in the New Orleans area with her family, and is an executive producer at Five 24 Productions. Follow her on Instagram, where she posts way too many sunset and alligator photos: @melissaliz
Christine Auten | Producer of NOLA MusicTech
After nearly 20 years in film and commercial production, including over 10 years directing, writing and voicing English language ADR for foreign entertainment releases, Christine Auten went on to serve as a producer of the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin and SXSW V2V in Las Vegas for another 10 years. That’s a lot of years! In 2020 Auten and her husband, Andrew, formed The United Projects Alliance, LLC to oversee their various art and media ventures, which includes their production company Europa Engine and their Story and Picture project documenting their life as full-time RVers traveling around the United States. Later that year, Auten joined the NOLA MusicTech team, and in 2021 she signed on as the director of live events for Anime Houston and Anime Dallas.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/episode-99-nola-musictech-looks-to-bring-more-of-the-business-side-of-music-to-the-city/
| 2022-04-26T21:23:03Z
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Jazz Fest Visitors Can Help Restore Coastal Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS — From the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana:
People visiting New Orleans for the Jazz & Heritage festival are encouraged to join a volunteer project May 3 and 4 as part of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program. The volunteer opportunities will take place between Jazz Fest weekends and provide a way for visitors to be a part of the movement to save the state that has lost more than 2,000 square miles of coastal wetlands in less than a century.
The volunteers will meet in Violet, an easy drive from New Orleans, at CRCL’s shell pile and educational site. There, they will use tools to place oyster shell into marine-grade mesh bags that will eventually be placed into the waters of coastal Louisiana to construct an oyster reef. CRCL, the first statewide nonprofit dedicated to confronting coastal land loss, has recycled more than 10 million pounds of oyster shell since 2014 and used it to build four reefs. The shell, which provides habitat for new oysters to grow and also helps minimize coastal erosion and storm surge, would otherwise have ended up in landfills.
“Jazz Fest is one of the signature events for visitors who love Louisiana, and we hope to see large numbers of them helping us save as much of our state as possible,” said James Karst, CRCL’s director of communications and marketing. “Volunteers will get to see a different part of southeast Louisiana and actually help us solve our coastal land loss crisis.”
The shell will be used this fall to build CRCL’s fifth reef, this one in partnership with the Pointe-au-Chien Indian tribe to protect a historic cultural site in southeast Louisiana.
Oyster reefs built by CRCL have slowed shoreline erosion by up to 50 percent in south Louisiana. More than a dozen New Orleans restaurants participate in the program; there are also two sites in the city where residents can drop off their own shell for recycling. The program is supported by businesses and organizations including Henderson Hutter, Shell, Chef’s Brigade, TC Energy Foundation, Stolthaven Terminals, Phillips 66 and EMR Metal Recycling. Other sponsors are Meraux Foundation and Two C’s. Lowlander Center is also a supporter.
Lunch, snacks, drinks, sunscreen and all necessary equipment for the shell recycling project are provided by CRCL. Registration and more information are on CRCL’s events webpage.
To learn more about the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, visit the organization’s website.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/jazz-fest-visitors-can-help-restore-coastal-louisiana/
| 2022-04-26T21:23:10Z
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Korey Patty Joins New Orleans BioInnovation Center
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans BioInnovation Center has named Korey Patty regional economic competitiveness officer. He will be tasked with coordinating resources and facilitating collaboration within south Louisiana’s life sciences industry in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Health Sciences Corridor. NOBIC is a private, nonprofit business incubator that supports entrepreneurship and is dedicated to the development of bioscience innovation throughout Louisiana.
“Korey brings an array of experience in building strong relationships for the benefit of growing key economic sectors to the team,” said NOBIC Executive Director Kris Khalil. “He has experience in developing and executing strategic plans that will benefit the community and our efforts to continue moving the biosciences industry forward across the Gulf Coast.”
NOBIC, as lead of the Gulf Coast Health Sciences Corridor, was awarded an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge Phase I grant. This grant is designed to assist communities in accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. The Regional Economic Competitiveness Officer position was created to lead this effort.
“The future of the biosciences industry in south Louisiana is bright,” said Patty. “I look forward to working with public, private, academic and civic leaders to accelerate the collaboration necessary for expansion of this industry through the opportunity with the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge.”
Immediately prior to joining NOBIC, Korey served as the Executive Director of Feeding Louisiana, the state association of Louisiana’s five Feeding America food banks. In this role, Korey led Feeding Louisiana’s efforts to support member food banks in providing short-term food relief while seeking long-term solutions to hunger.
His experience also includes business and economic development for the state of Louisiana, as well as management, public policy and advocacy across a variety of industries.
A native of Baton Rouge, Korey is an alum of the University of Tulsa, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Marketing, and later completed an MBA at Louisiana State University.
Phase I of the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge awarded $500,000 to develop a plan to transform the region into a national leader in health sciences. The Build Back Better Regional Challenge assists communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. The challenge is the largest economic development initiative from the U.S. Department of Commerce in decades.
The coalition has committed to a focus on addressing acute, infectious, and chronic disease by creating economic opportunity through specialized workforce development with a focus on women, residents in rural areas, and people of color. Further, the coalition intends on strengthening the regions’ research development and commercialization pipeline through new infrastructure and collaborative efforts to leverage industry expertise and promote startup creation and investment. The coalition believes that a strategic investment in South Louisiana’s health services industry cluster will help to create a resilient and equitable regional economy and mitigate certain state health disparities.
Phase II finalists will compete for significant implementation assistance. The EDA will award 20 to 30 coalitions each up to $100 million to execute their plans in their communities. Learn more about the Build Back Better Regional Challenge at //eda.gov/arpa/build-back-better.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/korey-patty-joins-new-orleans-bioinnovation-center/
| 2022-04-26T21:23:16Z
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New Orleans Lawyer, Veteran Appointed to Board of Directors at West Point
NEW ORLEANS – President Joe Biden has appointed New Orleans attorney and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Roderick “Rico” Alvendia to the board of directors at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Biden selected Alvendia to serve a three-year term on the board. He will advise the president on the ongoing status and morale of the U.S. Military Academy.
Since 1802, West Point has educated and trained future officers to lead in the U.S. Army, and Alvendia will serve on its historic 200-year-old Board of Directors alongside senior members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator Richard Burr, and fellow Iraq War veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
“I am honored and humbled to serve our great nation once again on this important bi-partisan Board. I appreciate the trust and confidence of President Biden in selecting me for this opportunity, especially during such challenging times around the globe. The men and women of West Point are central to our country’s future leadership at home and abroad,” said Alvendia.
Alvendia served honorably as an Army Officer for 25 years and received the Bronze Star Medal for his service during combat operations in Iraq in 2005 with the Louisiana National Guard 256th Brigade Combat Team, where he was part of an international team of lawyers who assisted Iraqi prosecutors in their criminal trials against insurgents.
A Loyola Law School graduate, Alvendia dedicates his time to raising his son, Noah, and co-managing The Alvendia, Kelly and Demarest Law Firm, while also helping Louisiana Veterans in need. In 2013, together with other Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, Alvendia started the Legion of Mars Mardi Gras Krewe, the first New Orleans carnival organization established to honor U.S. military veterans and their families. Alvendia and the Mars Krewe have since helped thousands of local veterans while deployed or in financial hardship.
Alvendia stated that he is proud to represent his fellow New Orleanians and Louisianans and will continue to help local veterans as he serves on the Board of Visitors. Alvendia will continue working at his law firm and remain based in New Orleans while traveling to New York and Washington D.C. throughout his three-year Presidential Appointment.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/new-orleans-lawyer-veteran-appointed-to-board-of-directors-at-west-point/
| 2022-04-26T21:23:22Z
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Report: Inflation, Energy Costs Squeezing Small Businesses
NEW ORLEANS – From Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses:
Small business owners in Louisiana and across the country are reporting inflationary pressures are hurting their bottom line and adversely impacting their ability to hire and retain workers, according to new survey data of small business owners from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices. 91% of small business owners say broader economic trends, such as inflation, supply chain issues, and workforce challenges, are having a negative impact on their business. Further, nearly three quarters (73%) of all small business owners across all sectors said increasing energy costs are having negative impacts on their bottom lines.
The health of the economy is another worry, as 56% of small business owners say the economy has worsened since January 2022. And while hiring and retaining qualified workers remains the top challenge cited by small business owners, concern for inflationary pressures have increased over the last few months; 88% said inflationary pressures on their business have increased since January 2022. Previous worries have not abated: over that same period, 80% said supply chain challenges worsened or stayed the same and 88% said hiring challenges worsened or stayed the same. Only 5% believe both inflation and supply chain challenges will subside within the next six months.
“Small business owners are stuck between a rock and a hard place as inflation and an uneven economic recovery are impacting every part of our businesses with no end in sight,” said Brandon Smith, Owner of Flexicrew in New Orleans. “Small business owners need policymakers to understand that while most businesses in Louisiana have been fully reopened for some time, the road to a full recovery will be long – with new challenges around every corner.”
Inflation has contributed to workforce challenges, as the high costs of attracting and retaining employees is affecting small businesses’ bottom lines and ability to do business, according to the survey. 80% of small business owners say their business’ financial health has been negatively impacted by inflation over the past six months. Of those, 67% have increased wages to retain employees, while 61% have increased wages to attract new employees. To offset these increased costs, 60% have passed them through to the consumer by raising the prices of goods or services.
Small business owners believe it is a tale of two recoveries. 88% of respondents say small businesses are struggling relative to larger companies in their local communities. The feeling of a recovery favoring big business goes deeper, with:
- 42% reporting they have lost employees to larger businesses that are paying more
- 65% of businesses impacted by supply chain challenges saying it is a problem for their business that suppliers are favoring large businesses over small businesses
- 70% worry about employees leaving their businesses because larger businesses can offer higher pay and more generous benefits
Small business owners believe Congress can better support small businesses with more modern programs. 86% believe the federal government should do more to level the playing field so small businesses are better able to compete with larger companies, while 93% say the federal government should do more to tailor programs and services to better reflect the realities and needs of small businesses.
“Small businesses are sending a clear signal that the economy and the challenges they face – like inflation, workforce, supply chain and energy costs – are going from bad to worse,” said Joe Wall, National Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices. “It has been twenty-two years since Congress reauthorized the Small Business Administration. With small businesses struggling to compete with larger companies and suffering setbacks as they recover from the pandemic, it is time to modernize the Small Business Administration through reauthorization to meet the challenges of today’s economy.”
This data is based on a survey of 1,107 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses participants conducted by Babson College and David Binder Research from April 11-14, 2022. The survey included small business owners from 48 U.S. states and two U.S. territories.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/report-inflation-energy-costs-squeezing-small-businesses/
| 2022-04-26T21:23:28Z
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Find out who's running: 4 St. Clair County Board districts will see primary contests this August
Several districts for the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners will see competitive elections later this year, according to Republican and Democrat candidacy filings.
Three incumbents facing challengers in the same party on Aug. 2 said they hadn’t yet finalized goals or priorities ahead of the primary, and several candidates said they were just looking to serve the community.
But a few new faces and returning public figures cited the controversy over COVID-related public health orders — and the splitting and posting of Dr. Annette Mercatante’s positions at the county health department — earlier this year spurred them to get involved.
Three incumbents were the only candidates to file in both party for the deadline last week: Board Vice Chairwoman Jorja Baldwin, a Republican representing Burtchville Township, Fort Gratiot, and northern Port Huron in District 2; Democratic Commissioner Lisa Beedon for the rest of Port Huron in District 3; and Commissioner Dave Vandenbossche, a Republican in District 7, representing Algonac, Marine City, and China, Clay, and Cottrellville townships.
Board Chairman Jeff Bohm and Commissioners Duke Dunn and Dave Rushing are all facing challenges in the fifth, fourth, and sixth districts, respectively.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Greg McConnell did not file to run again in District 1, and two candidates of each party are vying to replace him.
The deadline to file a declaration of intent form to run for office in the August primary as a write-in candidate is July 22.
New candidates in separate parties inspired by Mercatante in District 6
Democrat John Pettinato filed to run in District 6. He has no challengers in August but will face the winning Republican in August.
A local artist and Memphis retiree, he considered himself to be principled, honest, and fair and said his “main reason for running is what was done to Dr. Mercatante,” adding he believed she was “disrespected.”
Commissioner Dave Rushing is the long-time incumbent for the board’s sixth district, which covers Memphis, Richmond, and Berlin, Casco, Columbus, Ira, Riley, and Wales townships. He spearheaded much of the discussion over the county’s response to health orders in late 2021 and in January, citing communication and roll-out issues, when Mercatante established a school mask mandate.
Last week, when asked about his goals for running again, Rushing said, “It’s way too early. We’ve got the primary in August, and I haven’t put any plans together.”
However, Bill Gilmer, who’s challenging Rushing in the Republican primary, said his personal connection to Mercatante did play a role in deciding to run, though he hopes to serve a broader role. A current member of Wales Township’s zoning board of appeals, he was a previous Port Huron city councilman, among other public positions, before retiring as a veteran broadcaster for Radio First and WPHM five years ago.
“Well, I think a lot of people know that Dr. Mercatante and I have been together for quite a number of years,” Gilmer said. “… Nobody wants to use the word fired, right? Her unwilling removal from office kind of inspired me. I’ve been thinking about working back in government in one form another for a number of years — be it township trustee or any number of things — since I’ve been out in Wales Township. And this question kind of came up. I said, ‘Yeah, go for it.’ Pushed me off the cliff, so to speak.”
Familiar faces to face off in District 1
When asked about stepping away from the county board, McConnell said he and his wife were looking to spend more time in Florida. He first took office seven years ago and retired five years ago.
“I did it for a few years where I flew back and forth, but we’re just ready to be able to leave and not come back on a monthly basis,” he said last week.
To replace him, Steve Simasko, a former county commissioner and prosecuting official, and Greenwood Township resident Carolyn Richards are filed to run as Republicans, while former drain commissioner Fred Fuller and county newcomer Tina Ritter field as Democrats.
Richards was a frequent public comment speaker when crowds packed county board meetings months ago amid the public health order controversy. In a message, she did not point to any particular local issue in looking to run but said she thought the government had “shifted away from” recognizing key constitutional rights at large.
“Lockdowns and quarantines of the healthy have infringed upon our right to peacefully assemble," she said. "(The government has) taken away our pursuit of life and happiness by closing down businesses, taken our freedom of religion by closing churches, (and) taken our right to bodily autonomy by forcing masks and vaccines.”
Simasko worked in the county prosecutor’s office for 18 years and served eight years on the board before resigning in early 2015 when the service meant he’d lose a chunk of his county pension. Since the minimum two years that’d allow a county retiree to return to service has passed, Simasko said he’s been looking back and saw an opportunity as McConnell planned to step away.
“Frankly, I think we’re going to be looking at some tough times ahead, so I felt I could do good. I felt I had the experience and the ability,” Simasko said. “I voted ‘no’ on a lot of things over the years when I was up there. Over the years, there were a lot of things (where I had) a more conservative approach, I think. With a new board, it’s going to be interesting to see the direction the board goes. It’s an opportunity to make a difference.”
Fred Fuller, also a former mayor in Yale, said he thought District 1 “deserves better representation than it has been getting in recent years.”
The Democrat, who was drain commissioner from the late ‘90s until 2008, unsuccessfully saw re-election in the position in 2020. He did not point to any recent issues in deciding to run for county board.
Tina Ritter, a former Kimball Township trustee, now lives in Clyde Township. She said she, too, was largely inspired to run by “how they handled Dr. Mercatante and Dr. Mercatante’s position.”
“I thought instead of sitting on the couch, whining about it, I’d throw my name in the hat,” she said.
Ritter also didn’t get too specific about county issues yet, though she said she considered herself a “republicrat,” adding, “I believe in both sides” in discussing common issues.
District 1 encompasses Capac, Emmett, and Yale, as well as the townships of Brockway, Clyde, Emmett, Grant, Greenwood, Kenockee, Lynn, and Mussey.
District 4 and 5 commissioners also face contests
Like Rushing, Dunn said it was a little soon to elaborate on plans for the board in running to retain his seat in the fourth district.
"I’d like to give it a little time to shake itself out," he said.
A former Marysville councilman, Dunn has been on the board for six years. In August’s primary, he’ll face fellow Republican Joi Torello.
Jessyca Fye filed to run as a Democrat in the district, which covers Marysville and Port Huron Township. She’ll face the Republican primary winner in November.
Neither Torello or Fye could be reached for comment.
Bohm is the county board’s current longest-sitting member and has been chairman of his last several terms. He said he’s faced competition in several past races and recognized his Republican challenger, Shawn Treadaway, from speaking up at meetings during the mandate controversy.
The board chairman has considered himself a big-picture elected official, more recently advocating for the reuse of vacant schools and spending millions in COVID stimulus funds to install infrastructure on 26 Mile Road to attract new development.
“The county’s doing extremely well,” Bohm said. “… So, when the next opportunities pose themselves, we’re ready to go.”
When asked about why he wants to challenge Bohm for the Republican nod in District 5, Treadaway pointed to a hope to uphold constitutional rights at the local level in a statement.
He referenced the 2020 Second Amendment resolution movement, which also saw residents pack the county board room to advocate for gun rights, roughly comparing it to the discussion about rights during the pandemic.
“A (Second) Amendment resolution was presented to the board and pulled from the agenda without discussion only to be returned to the board after overwhelming public concern,” he said. “The same goes for the fifth and 14th amendments, being sworn to uphold the constitutions of both this country and state require elected officials to uphold these rights. … I will not be one of those to allow that to happen again without, at least, the question of (the) legality of such orders and mandates.”
District 5 includes the city of St. Clair and the townships of East China, Kimball, and St. Clair.
Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.
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https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2022/04/26/4-st-clair-county-board-districts-see-primary-contests-august/7386512001/
| 2022-04-26T21:26:00Z
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New social district approved by Port Huron council, but not without one 'no' vote
The social district that will allow adults to consume alcohol in branded cups along the Thomas Edison Parkway boardwalk was approved by the Port Huron City Council Monday night.
But one council official voted against the measure.
“I’m not against the social district at all, but just for that peace, it’s just like we’re disturbing it,” Councilwoman Anita Ashford said after the meeting. “I don’t think there’s a real benefit per se, and it’s not like they need us as a city to come in because Freighters and the convention center are doing quite well.”
The Edison Social District marks the second district established after the one in downtown Port Huron was set in 2020 in response to new state rules designed to help boost local economies during the pandemic.
It begins at the northern end of the boardwalk and ends at the Huron Lightship, also encompassing the complex that includes the Blue Water Convention Center, DoubleTree Hotel, and Freighters Taproom & Eatery. Two liquor licenses are held in that area, and two contiguously-held licenses are required.
Although Ashford raised concerns about the broader impact of the district, other council members disagreed.
Mayor Pro Tem Sherry Archibald said it “could be monitored closely if it is disturbing neighbors or neighborhood” nearby.
Mayor Pauline Repp said she didn’t think it’d go that far. She also didn’t see people going back and forth to get new social district drinks once they left the affected convention center and hotel property.
“I don’t think it’s going to be droves of people all of a sudden with a party and alcohol and everything down there,” she said. “The part that’s probably enticing for someone is if they’re at Freighters for a meal or something like that and afterward, they say, ‘You know I think it’d just like to have a glass of wine. Well, I don’t want to take up this table when someone else wants to eat here. So, maybe I could just take my glass of wine and go across the street, drink it there and sit on a park bench.’ I don’t see a problem with that.”
How does the district work? The tap ends at midnight.
At Monday’s meeting, City Manager James Freed said both districts have been about leveraging existing assets, and like downtown’s, the latest would be a pilot district.
He emphasized it wasn’t “a bring your own beer type of situation.”
When asked about seating for those strolling along the St. Clair River with a cocktail, the city official said there weren’t immediate plans to put out tables, pointing to the benches already on the boardwalk.
According to the city, the Edison district would run seven days a week year-round. Social district beverages can not be sold by participating establishments after midnight, nor possessed in the common area along the water.
It takes effect June 1.
Could you consume alcohol visiting museum sites? No clear answer yet.
Archibald asked if social district participants would be able to take alcohol on board the Huron Lightship, as it’s technically included at the southern end.
Freed said it will be up to the Port Huron Museum, though the city owns both impacted museum properties.
The Thomas Edison Depot Museum, which is located along the parkway neighboring the convention center, is also technically within those boundaries.
Museum Executive Director Veronica Campbell said the question about alcohol on those sites will have to be reviewed, “so that’d be a conversation between the museum board and the city.”
Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.
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https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2022/04/26/new-district-allowing-branded-adult-drinks-okd-port-huron-council-but-not-without-one-no-vote/9537907002/
| 2022-04-26T21:26:06Z
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Richmond man dies after crash in Burtchville Township Monday
A 76-year-old Richmond man has died as a result of a one-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Burtchville Township.
According to the St. Clair County Sheriff Department, a vehicle was spotted driving erratically shortly before 2:30 p.m. heading northbound on M-25 south of Metcalf Road.
As law enforcement headed toward the area, Central Dispatch continued to receive calls about the vehicle crossing the road's centerline before a final call advised the vehicle had left the road.
Deputies found the vehicle on the east side of M-25, where the driver reportedly lost control, struck a fire hydrant and a utility pole, and rolled before coming to a rest in front of the Dollar General store in the 6900 block of Lakeshore Road.
Deputies on the scene reported the crash may have been caused by a medical-related issue, though it remains under investigation. The road had been closed for several hours due to electric wires down from the pole hanging across the roadway.
Burtchville Township and Fort Gratiot fire and rescue responded to the scene, where they extracted the man from the vehicle. Tri-Hospital EMS transported him to McLaren Port Huron, where he was pronounced dead.
St. Clair County Road Commission and DTE Energy also assisted at the scene of the crash.
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https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2022/04/26/richmond-man-dies-after-one-car-crash-burtchville-township-monday/9539792002/
| 2022-04-26T21:26:12Z
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Ketchum: Maybe Detroit sports need to pray
I am living proof that, as long as there are algebra tests and dodgeball games in Phys Ed. classes, there will be prayer in public schools.
I thought about that this week after I read an Associated Press story about Joseph Kennedy, a former high school football coach in Bremerton, Wash. When he served as coach, he would gather the team at the 50-yard line after the game and pray. Sometimes he’d give an inspirational talk.
This went on for several years until school district officials caught wind of it and asked him to stop. Joe refused, saying the First Amendment gave him the right to do what he was doing. Neither he nor school officials backed down, and so Joe lost his job.
Joe sued. The case awaits a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, where oral arguments were heard this week. With conservatives in the judicial driver’s seat, observers are betting the ex-coach will chalk up another win.
As I’ve said, as long as schools have algebra tests, dodgeball and religious football coaches, prayer will remain. Actually it’s pretty simple. You can pray anywhere you want any time. It is not illegal to pray in school. The only stipulation is that you cannot legally compel me to pray your prayer.
I hated Phys Ed. class because God did not endow me with much athleticism. I’d pray for an early exit from dodgeball. I’d willingly take one to the thigh so I would not have to take one to the face or any other portion of my anatomy. God was good.
When it came to algebra tests, not so much. I’d pray mightily to be led through the valley of the shadow of D-minuses. I’d still manage to lose my way. But I got to pray about it. And it was all legal.
In Coach Joe’s case, whichever way the high court rules, I think he sets an example that ought to serve as instructional for the four professional Detroit sports teams these days.
Since they all stink, why not start with a coach/manager-led prayer service before the start of each game. Heaven knows the Detroit Lions need all the help they can get. They’ve been rebuilding since their last championship season in 1957. That’s 65 years ago. Babies born that year can collect Social Security. Think about it.
The Tigers last went to a World Series in 2012. Each year since has started confidently with predictions of renewed greatness. That lasts until about the second week of the campaign when they hit their mid-season form and can’t play .500 baseball thereafter.
Manager A.J. Hinch needs to hold a prayer service at the pitcher’s mound before the first pitch. Maybe he should invoke the late great Ernie Harwell, asking Ernie to ask God for a few breaks and a couple of really high fly balls to left field. This could become a critical part of the team’s rebuild.
The Detroit Pistons’ best years were when the Bad Boys squad ran roughshod over everybody. Praying for more bad boys might not be entirely kosher, but not much else has worked since those great years. If you pray, the late coach Chuck Daly will listen.
The Red Wings are hopeless.
Maybe the four teams should hire Coach Joe to come to Detroit and work some of his spiritual magic. Otherwise, our guys haven’t got a prayer.
Jim Ketchum is a retired Times Herald copy editor. Contact him at jeketchum1@comcast.net.
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https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/2022/04/26/ketchum-maybe-detroit-sports-need-pray/9538981002/
| 2022-04-26T21:26:18Z
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Environmentalists, small farm advocates and local residents are pursuing a new tactic in their opposition to two industrial chicken plants planned for an area southeast of Salem.
They asked the state to ban large livestock operations on fertile farmland – everywhere in Oregon.
The advocacy groups Willamette Riverkeeper and the Center for Food Safety, and Farmers Against Foster Farms recently petitioned the state Department of Land Conservation and Development. It asked the agency to ban the construction of concentrated animal feeding operations on fertile farmland. Such operations, often referred to as CAFOs, raise hundreds of thousands of animals at a time in large facilities indoors. Opponents call them factory farms.
One of the industrial chicken operations would be located in Scio and another in the unincorporated community of Jordan. A third is planned near Aumsville. The first two, which have applied for CAFO permits, would produce millions of broiler chickens and thousands of tons of manure a year, according to their Oregon Agriculture Department applications.
If approved, they would be the largest industrial chicken plants in Oregon, the agency said. The plants would raise the birds for California-based Foster Farms, which contracts with producers in Oregon and Washington.
Before the plots were sold to the current owners, they were farmed, said Elisabeth Holmes, staff attorney at Willamette Riverkeeper. The group wants that use to continue.
“The community has really turned out against the siting and construction of these things,” Holmes said. “It’s a very different kind of ‘farming’ than what small farmers in the area do.”
The petition argues that the area consists of “high-value farmland” that should be conserved for crops.
“Only approximately 6% of Oregon’s land is high-value farmland soils. Yet at least three CAFOs are currently seeking local and state approvals to site, construct and operate on high-value farmland,” the petition said. “CAFOs, enormous barns, waste storage and stormwater ponds areas simply sit on top of precious high-value soils, hiding rich, productive soils from their highest and best uses.”
The petition argues that a CAFO on high-value farmland “robs the soil of its food-producing purposes, capabilities and carbon sequestration purposes.”
It says such farmland plays a “significant role” in storing carbon, considered the leading cause of climate change worldwide. “By covering up high-value farmlands, CAFOs further hinder our state’s ability to grapple with the effects of climate change,” the petition says.
It asked the department to follow its own precedent. In 2019, the agency drove a rule change limiting the construction of large solar farms on prime farmland because of the threat of soil erosion and compaction and the statewide goal of preserving agricultural land for growing food.
The Department of Land Conservation and Development has 90 days to respond to the petition.
Sadie Carney, spokeswoman for the agency, said it will decide whether to adopt a new rule as sought by the petition, a months-long process.
‘Illogical and irrelevant’
Supporters of the plants dismissed the petition.
“The solar farm argument is both illogical and irrelevant,” Tim Christopher, executive director of the Northwest Chicken Council, wrote in an email to the Capital Chronicle. “Solar farms do not feed Oregon families; farming locally raised chickens does.”
He said the state and country are facing food shortages.
“Our state needs new sources of local food production and processing. These farming sites represent opportunities to keep these lands in use for agricultural purposes and increase food production for Oregonians,” Christopher wrote.
“The proposed farming locations will have state-of-the art technology designed to keep animal welfare and environmental protections as a top priority,” he said.
Eric Simon, who plans to build 11 barns on 60 acres in Scio, said the opposition is misplaced.
“J-S Ranch will be very efficient with our land and resources,” Simon said in an email to the Capital Chronicle. “Our buildings will cover about 10 acres of the 60-acre farm. In total, we will be taking about 25 acres out of grass seed production. I will argue all day long that we are making that land much more productive than it ever has been.”
He said he will feed about 160,000 people a year and generate millions of dollars in economic activity in feeding and growing 580,000 chickens at a time, with six flocks a year.
Foster Farms will deliver chicks hatched in Oregon City to the plants, where they will spend about two months, growing to about 6.5 pounds. Foster Farms then will transport the adults to its plant in Kelso, Washington, for processing.
His operation also will produce 4,500 tons of manure a year. Simon said it would be cleared out of the barns and stored in a separate building, later to be sold to farmers for fertilizing their fields. He said manure is a valuable commodity and a key source of income.
Jason Peters, who’s applied for a CAFO permit for Evergreen Ranch in Jordan, expressed frustration with opponents.
“I’m so tired of hearing about all this,” Peters said. “We are following all the codes and guidelines. Period. We’re heavily regulated. What more can I do?”
He plans to construct 16 barns, raising 750,000 chickens at a time, with six flocks a year. He expects the chickens to produce 5,000 tons of manure annually. His CAFO application said it will be transported to another site.
Peters said opponents will buy the chicken meat in stores while spreading lies about Foster Farms’ facilities.
Simon expressed a similar sentiment: “The people that are opposing our project expect chicken to be on the shelves of the local grocery store for a good price but don’t want people actually growing the chickens. I am proud of the way we care for our birds and feed so many people so efficiently.”
Group seeks Brown’s help
More than 100 people have spoken out against the plants in public hearings and emails to the state. They include many small farmers in the area, said Kendra Kimbirauskas, who owns a 70-acre farm with her husband in Scio. Kimbirauskas is part Farmers Against Foster Farms, which hopes to block the facilities.
Opponents worry they will create dust, odors and flies while polluting the waterways in a flood-prone area. They say the runoff will contaminate a popular fishing hole and the nearby North Santiam River, killing fish and spoiling a popular recreational site.
“We’re calling on the governor to put a pause on the permitting process until we can have a real conversation in the Legislature,” Kimbirauskas told the Capital Chronicle.
The group paid for billboards with messages opposing the plants in Salem, and asked Gov. Kate Brown for a meeting. She has not met with them.
“At this point, the governor’s regional solutions staff and relevant policy staff are in contact with stakeholders on this issue, and they are working to coordinate information among state agencies and participate in discussions on this topic,” said Liz Merah, a Brown spokesperson.
The Northwest Chicken Council said the opponents were a “small but vocal minority.”
“Anti-animal production groups have a recent history of opposing new permits for agricultural operations in Oregon,” Christopher said. “These are the same special interests that seek to stop fishing, hunting and animal agriculture of any kind in Oregon.”
Simon said he understands the opposition.
“Nobody wants a subdivision yet we all live in subdivisions; nobody wants a big store, but we shop at big stores. People don’t want things in their area. They want it out of sight, out of mind.”
While awaiting his Agriculture Department permit, Simon also is working through the process to get a required permit from the state Department of Environmental Quality. The agency held a one-hour public meeting on a stormwater permit three weeks ago. A stream of locals testified against the permit. Plans for Evergreen Ranch have been approved by Linn County and its CAFO application is undergoing review by the Agriculture Department. The third plant, near Aumsville, is in the early stages, seeking approval from Marion County.
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/klamath/opponents-of-proposed-foster-farms-chicken-plants-ask-state-for-ban/article_8072e3dc-4e57-5a9a-b80f-200f5bca399c.html
| 2022-04-26T21:47:15Z
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Democrats in Yamhill and Polk counties ended a candidate forum Saturday after attendees began spamming the virtual meeting with graphic sexual images and racial slurs.
The county parties hosted a Zoom forum Saturday night with state Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, and Newberg City Councilor Elise Yarnell Hollamon. Neron is running unopposed in the primary for the 26th House District, and Yarnell Hollamon and Kriss Wright, chair of the Newberg planning commission, are vying for the chance to take on Rep. Anna Scharf, R-Amity, in the adjacent 23rd House District.
A news release sent by the chairs of the two county Democratic parties said people in the meeting used “false names, racial slurs and alignment with marginalized communities to further their bad-faith actions.”
Yamhill County Chair Omar Sandoval didn’t return a call or text message, and the email address Polk County Chair Beth Vaughn provided on the news release does not exist.
The forum was scheduled to run 90 minutes, but it couldn’t be readily determined how long it actually lasted.
In a statement, Vaughn said she didn’t know who was responsible but understood the intent was to “weaponize supposed alignment with marginalized communities for malicious purposes.”
“These actions harmed everyone who came together to participate in the democratic process, and the parties are collaborating to prevent interference in future events,” she continued. “At the end of the day, the Polk and Yamhill County parties are committed to democracy and will not be deterred.”
In their own joint statement, Neron and Yarnell Hollamon said the event was “Zoombombed by people using explicit language and imagery and weaponizing identities of marginalized community members under false names.”
“Councilor Yarnell Hollamon and I condemn racism, misogyny, and bigotry in all forms,” Neron said. “We believe everyone has a right to a safe and open discussion, free from people who are simply trying to destroy an event.”
Neron said via text that they didn’t want to perpetuate harm by describing the incident in detail.
Incidents of “Zoombombing” were prevalent early in the pandemic, when schools, government bodies and organizations quickly pivoted to video-based communication without using security features like requiring passwords or manually approving attendees. Internet trolls would find unsecure video meetings and take over, often showing lewd images or saying racist, obscene or otherwise offensive things.
New security features and greater familiarity with video conference tools have made this much less common, though it still occurs. A meeting of the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation was canceled last fall after someone began posting racist and homophobic slurs and committee members’ home addresses in the meeting’s chat.
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/klamath/oregon-democrats-end-candidate-forum-over-racial-slurs-graphic-images/article_3cd0e6f9-430a-50c0-8216-f846824581dc.html
| 2022-04-26T21:47:21Z
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In a surprising and rare judgment, both student-led teams competing for prize money in this year’s Klamath Community College Badger Venture contest were selected to advance to the state-level InventOR collegiate competition.
An annual entrepreneurial and innovation contest open to students and recent graduates of KCC, Badger Venture is a collaborative effort to nurture invention prototypes and business concepts. It is presented in partnership with Klamath IDEA, Business Oregon, and the Klamath Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
On April 20 on the KCC campus, Badger Venture teams presented in front of a public audience, and a panel of four judges comprised of local business leaders and entrepreneurs. This year’s judges included Todd Andres of Pacific Power and Klamath Falls City Council, Tricia Clemans of Vertue Lab, Ellsworth Lang of Kla-Mo-Ya Sleep Inn and Suites, and John Novak of Novak’s Auto Parts.
Prizes included “Best Business Development Concept” ($2,000), “Best Prototype Concept” ($2,000), “Entrepreneur in Action” ($500), “Best InventOR Prototype Concept” ($500), and an “Audience Choice” award ($250).
Following a welcome by KCC President Dr. Roberto Gutierrez, and Kat Rutledge, SBDC director, each team was given an opportunity to present their concept and answer the panel’s questions. Afterward, judges deliberated while audience members provided anonymous votes for the “Audience Choice Award.”
The Tayas Yawks team, comprised of Paul Monteith and Anthoney Rasdal, was awarded the “Best Business Development Concept,” and “Entrepreneur in Action” awards, totaling $2,500. The Diesel Weasels team, consisting of Charisse Wells and Austin Nunn, received the “Best Prototype Concept,” “Best InventOR Prototype Concept,” and “Audience Choice Award,” tallying $2,750.
Based on the innovative business pitches and potential societal impact of their respective concepts, judges announced both teams would advance to InventOR.
“These teams were perfect in what we are looking for with invention, and when I heard the other team’s (Tayas Yawks) social impact working in the community providing a second-chance opportunity – both are worthy of advancing,” said Juan Barraza, director of InventOR. “One of the things I like about KCC is students present prototypes that are tangible and show how they will impact the community – that is a big difference. Something that shows tangible results and could go to market quickly and have an immediate impact on the community. A lot of other concepts require a lot of research and development, we don’t know if they would make it to market, but these two are so close.”
Each Badger Venture team is matched with an instructor and mentor and spends much of the school year developing their concept while undergoing business model development in preparation for a pitch to judges serving as potential investors. The goal is to encourage competitors to identify problems that could be solved through a concept, prototype, or service developed in southern Oregon, with potential for economic growth.
Wells and Nunn of Team Diesel Weasels are both KCC Diesel Technology students. Wells, the lone female student in program, invented a new tool that allows wrenches to be coupled together, permitting torque and leverage in tight, unreachable spaces. Team Diesel Weasels presented their tool concept with a prototype in hand, while detailing plans to pursue a patent and sell the tool design to a branded manufacturer.
Team Tayas Yawks includes Monteith, a teaching assistant in the college’s welding program, and Rasdal, a KCC welding student. Monteith currently operates Tayas Yawks (translated as “medicine bag” in the Klamath language) as a nonprofit, providing peer support for individuals recently incarcerated or in recovery from drug addiction.
The team pitched their concept as an expansion of Tayas Yawks’ operations to include a fabrication shop that would supply full-time quality jobs and training for individuals in their program, building trailers as a means to provide a second opportunity in life.
InventOR welcomes around 40 collegiate teams annually to showcase their business and innovation concepts. Each team that advances to the semi-finals is given $2,500 to further develop their idea, while vying for $30,000 in prize money at the final competition, June 23-24 in Grants Pass.
Team Diesel Weasels and Tayas Yawks will compete alongside two teams from Oregon Tech which were selected at the Catalyze Klamath competition to also advance to InventOR: National Early Response Firefighting System (NERFS), and Klamath Angel Mobile Health. These teams consist of Oregon Tech students Graeme Wiltrout, Eddie Medina, Jemisha Vargas, Marcus Delamarter, Fletcher Stults, Toby Ruston, Chrys Chan, and Le Quynh Dao Nguyen.
Badger Venture organizers noted the event had arguably its largest public turnout to date, something Barraza noticed as well.
“The community support of students has been impressive,” Barraza said. “Klamath Falls has shown support for its students over the years. The effect of that support will reverberate for years to come with economic impact in the region from all of the KCC alumnus.”
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/klamath/two-klamath-community-college-teams-advance-to-state-entrepreneurial-and-innovation-contest/article_73e47cb6-fd34-5a6d-9a12-fadfff431ed4.html
| 2022-04-26T21:47:27Z
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Interstate 5 rollover crash kills one By Mike Sunnucks Herald & News Apr 26, 2022 1 hr ago Comments Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save A man died Monday in an Interstate 5 crash in after his red pickup truck left the roadway and rolled.Oregon State Police said the single-vehicle crash occurred at 2:28 p.m. near milepost 119 in Douglas County. A northbound Ford Ranger truck driven by Daniel Charon, 65 of Roseburg, left the highway, rolled and came to rest on its roof, according to police.Charon died from the injuries suffered in the crash, OSP said. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Tags Oregon Highway Crash Death Transports Motor Vehicle Daniel Charon Roseburg Roadway Truck Pickup Truck Interstate Trending Now Masked man robs Dutch Bros Coffee shop Two men arrested after child porn tips Police: Man on run for alleged cop assault nabbed in Nevada Cops seize Bentley, Maserati, BMX X6 and Range Rover in marijuana raid Cops: Bottles, cans thrown at police breaking up massive party before Oregon spring football game Latest e-Edition Klamath Falls Herald and News Read the latest edition of the Klamath Falls Herald and News. Local Survey As mask mandates come to an end in Oregon, how will you use them in future? You voted: Will never wear one again Will wear masks in busy places, like airports and stadiums Will wear if experiencing symptoms Will wear if requested by friend/store/municipality Vote View Results Back
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/oregon/interstate-5-rollover-crash-kills-one/article_3d321317-235b-5f5f-ba30-d6b09b343bc8.html
| 2022-04-26T21:47:33Z
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Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., chair of the Senate Finance Committee, talks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, have tested positive for the coronavirus. Both positive test results were announced Tuesday, April 25.
"Today I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines. I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted," Harris said in a statement.
The White House said Harris, 57, had not been in recent close contact with President Joe Biden, 79, and First Lady Jill Biden, 70.
"Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on rapid and PCR tests. She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the vice president’s residence. She has not been a close contact to the president or first lady due to their respective recent travel schedules. She will follow CDC guidelines and the advice of her physicians. The vice president will return to the White House when she tests negative," said Harris spokesperson Kirsten Allen on Tuesday.
Wyden is also fully vaccinated, according to his office. The Oregon Democrat chairs the influential Senate Finance Committee.
“As part of routine testing, Senator Wyden tested positive today for COVID-19. He is fully vaccinated and experiencing minor symptoms. He is in Washington, D.C. and working from his residence while following CDC guidance to quarantine.”
The senior Oregon senator was first elected to Congress in 1980 serving in the U.S. House until winning a Senate election in 1996.
Wyden, 72, joins a prominent list of U.S. elected officials who have tested positive for COVID — many of those have been breakthrough cases among the fully vaccinated.
U.S. Reps. Pete DeFazio, 74, and Earl Bluemenaur, 73, both Oregon Democrats, announced earlier this month they had also tested positive for the virus.
“After waking up with a sore throat and out of an abundance of caution I took a COVID-19 test. That test came back positive. I am feeling well and experiencing only minor cold-like symptoms. I will follow CDC guidance and quarantine. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted,” Bluemenaur said an April 11 statement.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports there have been more than 80.8 million COVID cases and 988,700 deaths attributed to the virus nationwide.
In Oregon, there have been 7,485 deaths attributed to the coronavirus and more than 716,400 cases overall, according to the state’s health authority.
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/oregon/wyden-kamala-harris-test-positive-for-covid/article_22be4e65-0d79-5fbf-8a83-a7b811a6b368.html
| 2022-04-26T21:47:39Z
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In Focus: Meeting the cast of Bluefield Universities Frozen Jr.
Published: Apr. 26, 2022 at 5:56 PM EDT|Updated: 12 minutes ago
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - On this edition of In Focus, we put the spotlight on another upcoming performance at Bluefield University (BU).
This performance has been two years in the making, but it was put on hold because of the Pandemic.
The BU Theater Department and Bluefield Youth theater, are finally ready to put on Disney’s “Frozen Jr.”
The show will begin on Thursday, April 28, and will go through Sunday May 1, with the final show beginning at 3 p.m.
In Focus is a community affairs show about people and events in the Two Virginias. It airs every Sunday on WVVA at 9 a.m. If you have an idea for a segment, please email evening anchor/content manager Melinda Zosh at mzosh@wvva.com
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/focus-meeting-cast-bluefield-universities-frozen-jr/
| 2022-04-26T22:08:58Z
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In Focus: Putting a spotlight on Madness in the Mountains
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - On this edition of In Focus, WVVA put a spotlight on an upcoming event for car lovers in the area.
Madness in the Mountains is an all day event that will be held on Saturday, May 14, at Bluefield City Park.
“So you’re going to get all kinds vehicles out there, if you have any desire to see the latest and greatest and some of our great history of american vehicles, it will be out there,” said Bluefield City Manager, Cecil Marson.
Proceeds from next months event will also benefit Bowen Field and the Ronald McDonald House.
Tickets for the event are $25 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information, please visit www.rockthevirginias.com.
In Focus is a community affairs show about people and events in the Two Virginias. It airs every Sunday on WVVA at 9 a.m. If you have an idea for a segment, please email evening anchor/content manager Melinda Zosh at mzosh@wvva.com
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/focus-putting-spotlight-madness-mountains/
| 2022-04-26T22:09:05Z
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Middle school student facing charges after racial incident, viral fight video, officials say
CASEY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - The Liberty Police Department said charges have been filed against a Casey County Middle School student after a video circulated on social media showed him assaulting another student.
As reported by WKYT, the video showed a white student putting a Black student in a chokehold while others watched in a school bathroom. The Black student then appears to pass out. A racial slur could also be heard during the assault.
The incident took place last week and on Monday, the Liberty police said the student who appeared to be the aggressor has since been charged with strangulation and assault.
“Every school deals with fights and altercations. Every one of them is different. I can’t say I have had a situation with strangulation at the school. That’s definitely a first,” said Jordan Buis with Liberty police.
Local parents and students at the school said they’ve known of other bathroom fights that got out of hand.
“I think it’s awful what happened. I don’t think they should have done that to that boy,” said student Kloe May.
Authorities said it’s currently up to the juvenile system to consider punishment for the student charged and weigh what role racial motivation may have played.
Casey County Schools also released the following statement after the incident:
“Casey County Schools is aware of the video circulating on social media involving an incident at Casey County Middle School.
The incident took place this past Friday, and the school administrators took immediate action with the support of a Liberty Police Department deputy who serves as the School Resource Officer (SRO).
The school administrators and the SRO have been in communication with the parents throughout the investigation. No further information can be released due to all parties involved are juveniles, and the investigation is still ongoing.”
Casey County School Supt. Barry Lee added:
“The behavior that occurred in the video will not be tolerated. The school administrators and the SRO took immediate action but we must continue to be proactive in helping our students to understand that this is not acceptable behavior in our schools or in our communities.”
Liberty police said their investigation continues along with checking with other students who were shown in the video.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/middle-school-student-facing-charges-after-racial-incident-viral-fight-video-officials-say/
| 2022-04-26T22:09:11Z
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Mom charged after baby nearly dies from starvation, sheriff’s office says
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Gray News) – A 21-year-old mother in Florida is facing charges after her baby nearly died from starvation because she found feeding the child “annoying,” according to officials.
The Baker County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that Haylee Kent was charged with multiple counts of child neglect with and without great bodily harm.
The investigation began when Kent’s grandmother took the baby to the hospital April 6 after she noticed that he was severely underweight. Medical staff notified the sheriff’s office that the child was “gravely ill due to life-threatening starvation.”
Hospital staff said the 8-month-old child was the average weight of a 2-month-old. The baby also had a skull fracture.
According to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Kent did not visit her baby at the hospital, and she did not cooperate with authorities during their investigation.
Several days later, Kent agreed to meet with detectives. They said Kent admitted that she felt the way her child needed to be fed was “sometimes annoying,” so she opted not to feed him.
Detectives said they discovered the child had suffered a pattern of neglect since the day he was born, including a lack of necessary medical attention, malnourishment and failure to provide a safe home environment. Kent was arrested April 19.
The sheriff’s office said despite the sad circumstances, the child is now recovering, gaining weight and has been placed in foster care.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/mom-charged-after-baby-nearly-dies-starvation-sheriffs-office-says/
| 2022-04-26T22:09:23Z
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N.C. Rep. Madison Cawthorn cited for having gun at airport
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., was issued a citation by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Tuesday for bringing a gun to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Police say Transportation Security Administration workers located the firearm in a bag at a security screening checkpoint.
Cawthorn, 26, from Hendersonville, was identified as the owner of the bag with the firearm. Police said he stated the gun was his and he cooperated with officers.
The congressman was issued a citation for possession of a dangerous weapon on city property, which is a city of Charlotte ordinance.
Cawthorn was released, and police took possession of the firearm as normal procedure.
In 2021, Cawthorn attempted to bring a gun through security at the Asheville Regional Airport.
He was also recently charged with driving while license revoked and is facing multiple speeding citations.
Copyright 2022 WBTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/nc-rep-madison-cawthorn-cited-having-gun-airport/
| 2022-04-26T22:09:30Z
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‘No one is immune or exempt’: Sheriff arrests his own daughter for meth trafficking
EASTPOINT, Fla. (Gray News) – A recent drug bust for one Florida sheriff is more personal than usual.
“Methamphetamine does not discriminate and neither do we,” Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith wrote in a post on the department’s Facebook page. “It does not matter who you are, no one is immune or exempt.”
The sheriff’s office conducted a narcotics investigation which led to the arrest of 38-year-old Kristen Kent and 25-year-old Bailey Adaire Lee on April 18.
The sheriff’s office charged Kent with trafficking methamphetamine 14 grams or over, drug equipment possession and/or use and cocaine possession. Lee was charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine 14 grams or over.
Smith later confirmed to The Miami Herald that Kent is his daughter.
“When you work in law enforcement, do not take things personally,” the sheriff wrote in a Facebook post a few days later. “There will be many challenging situations that you will face and you must rise above.”
The sheriff is known for cracking down on meth trafficking in his jurisdiction, and the sheriff’s department operates with the motto “We don’t meth around.”
The sheriff said he learned his daughter was involved in the trafficking when asked who sold the drugs.
Although he doesn’t take things personally as a part of his job, Smith told the Herald this news was “gut-wrenching.”
“Our hearts break over the grief meth causes all,” the sheriff’s Facebook post reads. “Whether you use it, sell it or love someone who is involved with it. If you want to break free from this lifestyle, we want to help you. Call Shannon at 850-653-5775.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/no-one-is-immune-or-exempt-sheriff-arrests-his-own-daughter-meth-trafficking/
| 2022-04-26T22:09:39Z
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OSHA: Shortfalls found in Amazon severe weather procedure
(AP) – U.S. regulators are calling on Amazon to improve its procedures dealing with severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes that could threaten workers at its warehouses dotted across the country.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent a “Hazard Alert Letter” to the Seattle-based e-commerce giant on Tuesday following the agency’s investigation into the deadly collapse of a company warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, in December. Six people died and another was critically injured in the tornado strike.
The investigation raised concerns about the potential risk to employees during severe weather emergencies,” according to the letter sent to Amazon that OSHA made public.
The agency said its inspection found that, while the company’s severe weather procedures had met minimal federal safety guidelines for storm sheltering, the company still needed to further protect its workers and contract employees. The letter requires Amazon to review its severe weather emergency procedures but the company won’t face any fines or penalties.
In interviews with Amazon and contract workers, OSHA officials found some employees couldn’t recall ever participating in severe weather drills, or the location of the facility’s shelter. Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, however, said employees receive emergency response training, which is “reinforced throughout the year.”
“OSHA’s investigation did not find any violations or causes for citations, but we’re constantly looking to innovate and improve our safety measures and have already begun conducting additional safety and emergency preparedness drills at our sites and will carefully consider any OSHA recommendation that we have not already,” Nantel said.
Amazon has noted workers at the warehouse, known as a “delivery station,” had little time to prepare when the National Weather Service declared a tornado warning on December 10. About 10 minutes before the tornado touched down, the agency said managers directed workers to go to a restroom in response to tornado warnings and other weather alerts.
But some employees unaware of the designated tornado shelter — a restroom located in the northern portion of the building — went to a separate restroom in the hard-hit south end, the agency said. All the injured and killed had taken shelter in the south side bathroom.
John Felton, Amazon’s senior vice president of global delivery services, had said in December that most of the 46 people in the warehouse headed to a shelter on the north side while a smaller group went to the south end, where the loading docks were located and delivery vehicles were parked.
“The tornado that hit our delivery station was extreme and very sudden, with winds that were much like the force of a category 4 hurricane, and we believe our team did the right thing, moving people to shelter as soon as the warning was issued,” Nantel said.
In the inspection, the agency said it also reviewed contractor safety and training records as well as the facility’s written “Emergency Action Plan.” Officials took issue with the plan, writing in the letter it “was not customized with specific instructions” for hazards expected at the Edwardsville site.
Though Amazon had posted evacuation maps at the facility showing the location of the designated shelter, officials found the written plan did not “specifically identify” the shelter’s location in the warehouse. Nantel said the company’s buildings have “emergency plans that identify exit routes and shelter areas.”
Separately, officials said a megaphone that was supposed to activate the site’s shelter-in-place procedure was locked in a cage and not accessible, resulting in managers verbally telling workers on where to take shelter.
“These tragic deaths have sparked discussions nationwide on the vital need for comprehensive workplace emergency plans,” William Donovan, OSHA’s regional administrator in Chicago, said in a statement. “Employers should re-evaluate their emergency plans for the safest shelter-in-place locations and prepare before an emergency to ensure workers know where to go and how to keep themselves safe in the event of a disaster.”
The agency has recommended Amazon makes its warning devices readily accessible, ensures all employees participate in drills for emergency weather events and include site-specific information in its emergency plans. It said it will also send hazard alert letters to three delivery service providers, who employed the injured worker and five of the employees who died.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/osha-shortfalls-found-amazon-severe-weather-procedure/
| 2022-04-26T22:09:46Z
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Sunshine returns Wednesday, but it won’t exactly be warm!
High temps into midweek will be below normal
As colder NW wind flow ramps up this evening, we’ll eventually drop into the 30s overnight tonight. While we will clear out quickly, fog and frost will be possible, especially in deeper sheltered valleys more insulated from the wind.
High pressure will take over into midweek, helping us to see plenty of sunshine tomorrow, but we will still be a bit brisk for this time of year! Highs will top off in the 50s Wednesday afternoon.
Winds at times however will be quite gusty though, hitting the 30-50 MPH range at times! Wind chills therefore will likely be in the 40s throughout much of the day.
Wednesday night will be cold and clear, with lows in the upper 20s-mid 30s. Protect any sensitive plants/vegetation!
Thursday, we’ll be sunny, dry, and seasonable, with highs in the upper 50s and low 60s. We look to slowly but surely warm up as we head toward the weekend.
By Sunday, showers look to be back on our doorstep. Stay tuned!
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) -
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/26/sunshine-returns-wednesday-it-wont-exactly-be-warm/
| 2022-04-26T22:09:52Z
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4-year-old girl killed by farm tractor in tragic accident, police say
WATERTOWN, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) – A 4-year-old girl in Connecticut died after she became “entangled” with a farming tractor Saturday afternoon, police said.
The Watertown Police Department identified the child as Ellie Kuslis.
Police said the girl had become entangled within a slice seeder that was attached to the rear of the tractor.
The girl’s father was operating the tractor at the time of the accident. The tractor was stationary at the time; however, the seeder remained engaged, according to police.
Emergency crews were called, but the child was pronounced dead on the scene.
An autopsy conducted Sunday determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma, and the death was certified as accidental.
“The Watertown Police Department extends our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the child and wishes to express our gratitude to the police officers, firefighters and neighbors who did all they could to help,” police wrote in a news release.
Copyright 2022 WFSB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/4-year-old-girl-killed-by-farm-tractor-tragic-accident-police-say/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:05Z
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COVID-19 data reported less often
(CNN) - States are scaling back on reporting COVID-19 data, and experts said they are worried that less frequent reporting could stall efforts to delay outbreaks.
One year ago, all 50 states were reporting new cases daily, but that has trailed off.
Half of states report once a week, and Florida is down to every two weeks.
At a federal level, the White House COVID-19 team still publishes its “community profile report” with trends and indicators.
And just this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services extended the public health emergency declaration for another three months.
COVID-19 data throughout the pandemic has been utilized by governments at all levels.
Experts also shared that even as severe outcomes for COVID-19 improve, they remain much worse than a bad flu season.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/covid-19-data-reported-less-often/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:11Z
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DMV’s new Mileage Choice Program set to begin July 1
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Virginians who own a fuel-efficient vehicle may be able to save money on their highway use fee by enrolling in the new Mileage Choice Program starting July 1.
According to the Virginia DMV, the program is a voluntary option for drivers of electric, hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicles who pay the Commonwealth’s highway use fee.
The fee is based on the number of miles the average Virginian drives in a year - which is 11,600 miles.
Customers who participate in the program would only pay for the actual number of miles they drive throughout the year instead of paying the fee up-front at registration.
The DMV said customers may enroll in the Mileage Choice Program when it is time to renew their vehicle registration and must sign up prior to renewing.
“The Mileage Choice Program not only gives customers options; it also serves as an innovative solution to help ensure road users are treated equitably,” said Acting DMV Commissioner Linda Ford. “By enrolling in the program, Virginians who drive less will pay less, and payment of their highway use fee will be spread throughout the year rather than paid in one lump sum annually.”
In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly set into motion the highway use fee to ensure drivers of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles contribute their fair share towards covering wear and tear on the Commonwealth’s highway system. The Mileage Choice Program was also created in this legislation as a mileage-based alternative that will never cost customers more than the annual highway use fee.
Customers who currently pay a highway use fee for one or more registered vehicles qualify to participate in the program.
For more information, click here.
Copyright 2022 WWBT. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/dmvs-new-mileage-choice-program-set-begin-july-1/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:18Z
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EMU Graduate and Winchester native creates Apple Blossom-inspired beverage
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - An EMU graduate and Winchester native will be supplying some fun beverages to the 95th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.
Brad Parkes and his wife BeBe own and operate an organic hard tea company called Masq Fusions. This year, they became involved with the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival after organizers of the event got a taste of their product.
The couple says they jumped at the opportunity to be involved.
“It’s obviously a fun time of year people from all different areas of Virginia come to visit the festival so for the brand it’s good cause a lot of people get to see it and sample and try it. And for us ya know it’s fun because a lot of really really big sponsors help with the festival,” Brad Parkes said.
Parkes adds the Grapefruit Rosemary flavor is their newest spring and summer seasonal flavor that is available in stores and during the duration of the festival.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/emu-graduate-winchester-native-creates-apple-blossom-inspired-beverage/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:25Z
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FDA approves Remdesivir to treat COVID in young children
Published: Apr. 25, 2022 at 4:22 PM EDT
(CNN) - There’s a new weapon approved to fight COVID-19 in small children.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Remdesivir to treat the virus in patients as young as 28 days old.
The antiviral drug is given as an injection.
It was previously approved for patients 12 years of age and older.
The FDA’s action makes it the first drug approved to treat COVID in kids younger than 12.
That’s important because there is still no vaccine for children under 5.
In order to receive Remdesivir, infected kids must either already be hospitalized or deemed at high risk for developing severe COVID.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/fda-approves-remdesivir-treat-covid-young-children/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:32Z
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Florida sheriff encourages residents to shoot intruders to ‘save taxpayer money’
PACE, Fla. (Gray News) – A sheriff in Florida is encouraging residents to learn how to shoot intruders to “save taxpayer money,” he said during a press conference Thursday.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson was holding a press conference in reference to the arrest of Brandon Joseph Harris, 32, who Johnson said was breaking into multiple homes Wednesday in Pace, located about 15 miles north of Pensacola.
Johnson said Harris has been known to law enforcement since he was 13 years old and since then has had 17 arrests. Harris spent more than six years in prison for home invasion.
According to Johnson, during Harris’ string of break-ins on Wednesday, one homeowner fired shots at him. The sheriff’s office is now trying to identify that homeowner and offered to train the person to be a more accurate shooter.
“Whoever that was, you’re not in trouble. Come see us, we have a gun safety class we put on every other Saturday, and if you take that, you’ll shoot a lot better and hopefully you’ll save taxpayers money,” Johnson said.
Johnson doubled down on his statements, reiterating that homeowners are well within their rights to shoot at someone who is breaking into their home.
“If somebody is breaking into your house, you’re more than welcome to shoot them in Santa Rosa County. We prefer that you do, actually,” Johnson said.
Johnson expressed disappointment that Harris was not injured during the encounter with the homeowner.
“Of course [Harris] didn’t get hit [with bullets], and now we have to pay for him,” Johnson said.
Deputies were able to corner Harris inside a home and arrested him. Johnson said Harris already had active warrants, and he is now facing seven additional charges for the events that unfolded on Wednesday.
“Some people don’t learn,” Johnson said. “For us, he is job security. I mean, we deal with him all the time.”
Harris was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. His bond is set at $157,500.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/florida-sheriff-encourages-residents-shoot-intruders-save-taxpayer-money/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:39Z
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French beans recalled for listeria risk
Published: Apr. 25, 2022 at 11:19 AM EDT
(CNN) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reporting a recall because of a potential listeria contamination.
The recalled products are one-pound packages of Hippie Organics French beans.
Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.
The company Alpine Fresh, located in Doral, Florida, voluntarily issued the recall isolated to one lot.
The beans are in clear plastic packages marked with lot number 313-626 on the back.
No illnesses linked to the beans have been reported.
The company says it is taking corrective action to prevent this from happening again.
Customers can return the product for a full refund.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/french-beans-recalled-listeria-risk/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:46Z
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Johnny Depp finishes 4 days on stand; filed lawsuit to ‘fight back’
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Actor Johnny Depp concluded a grueling four days on the witness stand Monday, telling jurors in a calm voice that he filed his libel lawsuit against his ex-wife because it was his best chance to reclaim his reputation, just hours after they heard audio clips of him berating his wife with coarse vulgarities.
“It was the only time I was able to fight back and use my own voice,” Depp said of his decision to sue Amber Heard for a 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post in which she refers to herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.”
He continued to deny that he ever hit Heard, and accused her of hitting him and throwing items including paint cans and vodka bottles at him. And jurors heard an audio clip of a conversation between Depp and Heard in which she seems to taunt him and suggests he won’t be believed or respected if he were to publicly cast her as an abuser.
“Tell them, I, Johnny Depp, I’m a victim of domestic abuse ... and see how many people believe or side with you,” Heard says on the recording.
Earlier Monday, though, they heard recordings in which Depp referred to the violence that could ensue if their arguments were allowed to escalate.
“The next move, if I don’t walk away ... it’s going to be a bloodbath, like it was on the island,” Depp says on the recording.
In other clips, Depp loudly shouts vulgarities at his wife, calling her a degrading name and yelling, “You stupid f—-” at her.
Depp winced on the stand as one of the clips was played; Heard appeared to fight back tears at several points as she listened to the recordings.
Heard’s op-ed never mentions Depp by name, but he argues that he was defamed nonetheless because parts of the piece clearly refer to allegations of abuse she made in 2016 when she filed for divorce and obtained a temporary restraining order.
The clips were part of a lengthy cross-examination of Depp that began last week and concluded late Monday morning.
Heard’s lawyers focused throughout the cross-examination on Depp’s drinking, drug use and charged interactions with Heard during their relationship.
During Monday’s cross-examination, Depp actually said very little. Most of the questioning consisted of Heard’s lawyer playing audio clips or reading vulgar text messages sent by Depp and asking Depp if he’d read them correctly.
Throughout the cross-examination, Depp showed his displeasure with Rottenborn’s questions. When Rottenborn interrupted one response, Depp said, “I was talking.” When Rottenborn said he considered the question to be fully answered, Depp responded, “as long as you’re happy.”
Depp also expressed disapproval as Rottenborn read headlines from a series of negative articles written about the actor, some dating back to 2014.
“These are all hit pieces. These are dreck,” Depp said.
Rottenborn introduced the articles to try to demonstrate that it was Depp’s long history of bad behavior, not the 2018 Post article, that damaged his reputation.
While the libel lawsuit is supposed to center on whether Depp was defamed in the article, most of the trial has focused on ugly details of the couple’s brief marriage. Heard’s attorneys say Depp physically and sexually abused her and that Depp’s denials lack merit because he was often drunk and high to the point of blacking out.
On redirect Monday afternoon, Depp sought to explain some of his coarse language. He said he was often speaking figuratively or making inside jokes with friends, but added, “I’m ashamed that that has to be spread on the world like peanut butter.”
And he again denied that he cut off his own finger during a fight with Heard, even though he told people as much at the time. He now says the finger was severed when Heard threw a vodka bottle at him.
“Why would I start lopping off digits in my 50s?” he said, showing his right hand to the jury. “I can’t take responsibility for what I now call Little Richard, my chopped finger.”
The jury has seen dozens of Depp’s texts to friends regarding his drinking, drug use and interactions with his then-wife, as well as his notes of contrition to Heard and her father.
He called the drug addiction accusations against him “grossly embellished,” though he acknowledged taking many drugs.
Depp says the Post article contributed to an unfairly ruined reputation that made him a Hollywood outcast and cost him his role in the lucrative “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchise. Heard’s attorneys say only Depp is to blame for his marred career.
___
Associated Press writer Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/johnny-depp-takes-stand-4th-day-libel-trial-against-amber-heard/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:53Z
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Local student starts GoFundMe for teacher, coach
AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) -
At Fort Defiance High School, a group of students is raising money to help one of their own. It comes after their tennis coach, better known as “Coach K”, had some serious car troubles with his car breaking down. His students say despite that, he still found a way to get to every single practice to support the kids.
Jay Turner, a member of the tennis team, is now hoping to raise enough money to buy a new or used car for the coach.
“He’s the best person that I have ever met. You should strive to be like him. He puts a smile on your face every time he walks into a room. He’s the guy I wanna be like, he’s a role model. He has been there for our school, not only just us, but the community. And it’s showing. In 39 hours we’ve got $3,000 and that’s not because of me...that’s because of how good he is as a person,” said Jay Turner.
Turner is a senior at Fort Defiance and the students on his team were planning on getting him a gift for graduation. Instead, he selflessly asked them to put the money they would have used into the car fund.
The tennis team started out without a coach. That’s where “Coach K” stepped in. He decided to help the kids even though he knew nothing about the sport.
”I’ve always kind of been that guy...I’ve coached 5 sports here now, I know about 1 of them. I just, I see the need I feel the need,” said Gary Kinzer, also known as “Coach K”.
The GoFundMe has a goal of $10,000. So far, the fundraiser has raised over $3,000 in just a few days.
To donate, click here.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/local-student-starts-gofundme-teacher-coach/
| 2022-04-26T23:25:59Z
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Loose pony running on interstate causes 7-car crash in South Carolina
Published: Apr. 25, 2022 at 12:42 PM EDT|Updated: Apr. 25, 2022 at 12:44 PM EDT
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) – A loose pony on the interstate caused a seven-vehicle crash in South Carolina late Saturday morning.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the pony was running down I-85 in the northbound lanes.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. One person suffered minor injuries, and the pony was safety rescued by animal control.
It’s unclear how the pony got on the interstate.
Copyright 2022 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/loose-pony-running-interstate-causes-7-car-crash-south-carolina/
| 2022-04-26T23:26:05Z
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Man charged with threatening to bomb Merriam-Webster over gender definitions
(Gray News) - Officials said a man has been arrested and charged with making death threats against dictionary maker Merriam-Webster over entries for the words “girl,” “woman” and “female.”
Jeremy David Hanson, a 34-year-old from California, was charged with one count of interstate communication of threats to commit violence, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, stated in a news release.
Officials allege Hanson’s online comments included multiple references to shooting and killing people and bombing offices.
“We believe Hanson sent a multitude of anonymous threatening and despicable messages related to the LGBTQ community that were intended to evoke fear and division,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins.
Springfield, Massachusetts-based Merriam-Webster, Inc. received the messages through its website’s “Contact Us” page and comments section between Oct. 2-8, the attorney’s office said. Authorities said they identified the sender as Hanson.
One example using the handle @anonYmous stated: “It is absolutely sickening that Merriam-Webster now tells blatant lies and promotes anti-science propaganda. There is no such thing as ‘gender identity.’ The imbecile who wrote this entry should be hunted down and shot.”
The company closed its offices in Springfield and New York for approximately five business days in response.
Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, said Hanson was accused of making hate-filled, violent threats “that crossed a line.”
“Everyone has a right to express their opinion, but repeatedly threatening to kill people, as has been alleged, takes it to a new level,” Bonavolonta said. “We are always going to pursue individuals who try to intimidate and isolate members of our community by inciting violent, hateful acts.
“Threats to life are most certainly not protected speech, and they cause real fear in victims.”
Officials said the investigation identified numerous related threats to organizations, businesses and individuals. They included the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Land O’ Lakes, Hasbro, Inc., IGN Entertainment, the President of the University of North Texas, professors at Loyola Marymount University and a New York City rabbi.
Hanson is scheduled to be in federal court Friday in Springfield, after an initial court appearance in his home state of California, the office stated.
The charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/man-charged-with-threatening-bomb-merriam-webster-over-gender-definitions/
| 2022-04-26T23:26:12Z
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Pfizer issues another recall of blood pressure medication over carcinogen levels
(Gray News) – Pfizer is voluntarily recalling several batches of another blood pressure medication due to high levels of a potentially cancer-causing impurity.
Five lots of Accupril (Quinapril HCl) tablets are being voluntarily recalled after testing showed elevated levels of nitrosamine, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Nitrosamine is common in water and food like cured and grilled meats, dairy and vegetables, but it could increase the risk of cancer if you’re exposed to too much for too long.
Though there haven’t been reports of anything happening to people who’ve taken this medication, Pfizer is recalling it just in case.
The drugs were distributed nationwide to wholesalers and distributors in the United States and Puerto Rico from December 2019 to April 2022.
Patients who are taking this product should consult with their healthcare provider or pharmacy to determine if they have the affected product.
Patients with the affected product should contact Sedgwick at 888-345-0481 for instructions on how to return their product and obtain reimbursement for their cost.
This is the second voluntary recall of blood pressure medication issued by Pfizer in a little over a month.
The drug company issued a voluntary recall of Accuretic in March, also because of elevated levels of nitrosamines.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/pfizer-issues-another-recall-blood-pressure-medication-over-carcinogen-levels/
| 2022-04-26T23:26:22Z
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Prescribed burn underway in Augusta County
AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Firefighters successfully completed firing operations on the 734-acre unit, called Block 3, in the Archer Knob prescribed burn on Sunday, April 24.
Fire officials are planning to begin aerial and ground ignitions Monday in Block 2 which is 2,691-acres.
The 5862-acre Archer Knob prescribed burn is located in Augusta County on Great North Mountain, 2.7 miles southwest of Craigsville and seven miles northwest of Deerfield.
These burns are conducted to maintain early successional species, which favor open grass and shrubland habitats as well as to eradicate invasive species, according to the forest service.
Road closures will occur for at least three days for the next two weeks while prescribed burn activities are underway. Phillips Lick Road (Forest Service Roads 381), Hite Hollow Road (Forest Service Road 82), Archer Run Road (Forest Service Road 382), and the Hite Hollow shooting range may be temporarily closed during the burn.
For your safety, please follow posted signs and comply with road closures when they occur.
Residents of Craigsville and Deerfield and travelers on Little Calfpasture River Road (State Highway 42) may see or smell smoke for several days, especially in mornings and evenings when smoke may settle in low-lying areas. Depending on wind direction, this prescribed burn may have lingering smoke effects.
For the most up-to-date information, click here.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/prescribed-burn-underway-augusta-county/
| 2022-04-26T23:26:32Z
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‘Remain in Mexico’ policy in the spotlight at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in Biden v. Texas starting Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Immigration is front and center at the Supreme Court this week. A case surrounding a Trump-era policy will be heard by the nine justices in Biden v. Texas. It boils down to a Biden administration decision to scrap a Trump-era rule that sent asylum-seeking immigrants back to Mexico to wait for their trials in the U.S.
On his first day in office, President Biden announced the reversal of the 2019 Trump rule, called the Migrant Protection Protocol or Remain in Mexico program. Immigration advocates argued the policy put asylum seekers in dangerous situations in Mexico.
But the states of Texas and Missouri sued, arguing reversing the policy is illegal. Lower courts agreed, keeping the measure in place as the Biden Justice Department appeals.
“You have the option to send them back to Mexico, you have the option to detain them, but you do not have the option to just release everybody,” said Julie Axelrod from the Center for Immigration Studies.
Axelrod submitted an amicus brief to the court supporting the states. She argues the security of the border is at stake. Axelrod thinks the Biden administration reversing the policy removes a deterrent that could prevent a rush of immigrants from seeking asylum in the U.S.
“What it’s done here is made basically a deliberate choice to sacrifice control over the border,” said Axelrod.
Karen Tumlin from the Justice Action Center argues it is well within the rights of the administration to abandon the policy.
“We know that tens of thousands of people were stranded, were harmed, were abused, were kidnapped while awaiting that day in court,” said Tumlin.
Tumlin said this case is a blockbuster with a lot at stake. She said the court will have to answer, ‘does a new president have the power to change a policy of a past president and the ability to execute mandates from voters?’
“The answer has to be ‘yes,’ right? The answer has to be, ‘of course.’ That’s how our democracy works. But that’s not what happened in the lower court rulings,” said Tumlin.
Oral arguments are expected to begin at 10 a.m. ET Tuesday. An opinion from the court is not expected to come until late spring or early summer.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/remain-mexico-policy-spotlight-supreme-court/
| 2022-04-26T23:26:38Z
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SVBC excited to see more biking opportunities in Harrisonburg area
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - A local nonprofit is excited to see more options for bicyclists in Harrisonburg and surrounding areas.
The Executive Director for the Shenandoah Valley Bike Coalition says the near-complete Friendly City Trail, built in partnership with the Department of Transportation and Harrisonburg Public Works, is just one project that helps provide a safe way for both beginner and advanced cyclists to get around the city.
“Trails like this like the Friendly City Trail as a greenway separate from traffic is really important so they feel safe they can bring their kids, they can bring their families, they can ride on it and feel like they’re not going to be hit by a car,” SVBC Executive Director Kyle Lawrence said.
The coalition also hosts weekly dirt trail builds in areas around the city, which are done completely by volunteers. Lawrence says it’s gratifying for everyone involved in the construction.
“It’s a great way to get people excited about their public lands and get them to have some ownership over what happens there and then they can come back and use those spaces and recreate on them and know that they had a part in making it happen,” Lawrence said.
He adds in honor of May being National Bike Month, the official grand opening of the Friendly City Trail will take place, along with other events throughout the month.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/svbc-excited-see-more-biking-opportunities-harrisonburg-area/
| 2022-04-26T23:26:46Z
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Tennessee governor signs transgender athlete penalty bill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee will soon add harsh penalties against public schools that allow transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports, under legislation recently signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Lee.
Lee quietly signed the proposal last Friday without comment. The governor had previously signed a measure last year mandating that student athletes must prove their sex matches that listed on the student’s “original” birth certificate. If a birth certificate was unavailable, then the parents must provide another form of evidence “indicating the student’s sex at the time of birth.”
This year, the GOP-controlled Legislature decided to add penalties to that ban — which is in effect even as a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality makes it way through court. A trial has been tentatively set for March 2023.
According to the bill, Tennessee’s Department of Education would withhold a portion of state funds from local school districts that fail to determine a student’s gender for participation in middle or high school sports. The measure does not specify exactly how much money should be withheld by the state.
The bill will go into effect July 1.
“Telling transgender students that they can’t participate as who they really are amounts to excluding them from sports entirely – depriving them of opportunities available to their peers and sending the message that they are not worthy of a full life,” said Henry Seaton, ACLU of Tennessee’s transgender justice advocate, in a statement.
Tennessee lawmakers are also advancing a separate bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating in female college sports. Republicans have also pushed to let teachers and school districts use the pronoun that a transgender student does not prefer, exempting teachers from facing employment punishment and protecting schools from civil liability. Both proposals are expected to clear the General Assembly.
Last year, no other state enacted more laws targeting transgender people than Tennessee. That included banning transgender athletes from playing girls public high or middle school sports.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/tennessee-governor-signs-transgender-athlete-penalty-bill/
| 2022-04-26T23:26:52Z
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Trial to begin in lawsuit over death of UVA lacrosse player
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — A man who was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2010 killing of a University of Virginia lacrosse player is headed back to court for a civil trial in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Jury selection is expected in Charlottesville Circuit Court on Monday in a trial that will seek to hold George Huguely liable in the death of Yeardley Love.
Both Huguely and Love were lacrosse players at UVA who were weeks away from graduation. A lawsuit filed by Yeardley’s mother seeks $29.5 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.
Huguely’s attorney said he will only be brought from prison to court on the day he is scheduled to testify, not on the other days of the trial.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/trial-begin-lawsuit-over-death-uva-lacrosse-player/
| 2022-04-26T23:26:59Z
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US Supreme Court to hear Ohio’s challenge to a death row inmate’s request
A death row inmate who wants neurological testing is taking his case to the nation’s highest court.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - An Ohio death row inmate, who wants neurological testing done, takes his case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tuesday, justices will hear arguments from lawyers representing Raymond Twyford and the State of Ohio. Twyford was convicted of murder in 1993, and his lawyers argue that there’s potential evidence left to be discovered.
Tywford was convicted of murdering a man who was accused of sexually assaulting two children whose mother Twyford lived with. Michael Benza, a Tywford attorney, said his client needs neurological testing.
Benza said, “When Ray was a teenager, he tried to kill himself by shooting himself in the head. And he has these 20 to 30 bullet fragments inside his brain.”
Benza wants to know whether those bullet fragments impact Tywford’s ability to process information or his competency. The testing can’t be done at the prison and would require the state transporting Tywford to a medical facility about an hour away. Lower courts gave the green light, but the State of Ohio is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn those decisions.
The state didn’t schedule an interview before our deadline, but we spoke with George Washington University law professor Paul Schiff Berman who analyzed the state’s argument, which is presented with Chillicothe Correctional Institute Warden Tim Shoop as the petitioner.
Schiff Berman said, “The warden is saying that he doesn’t have to do this because there’s no indication that the information that would be gained from the neurological exam will actually be admissible.”
Schiff Berman also notes that with the Supreme Court’s more conservative makeup, there’s a greater chance the court could overturn the lower court decisions.
Oral arguments are scheduled for Tuesday morning. Ohio Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers is listed as the counsel of record for the state.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/us-supreme-court-hear-ohios-challenge-death-row-inmates-request/
| 2022-04-26T23:27:06Z
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VDOT schedules sinkhole repairs on Interstate 81 Wedesday
AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - The Virginia Department of Transportation will repair a sinkhole located along the Interstate 81 northbound right shoulder at mile marker 212.4 in Augusta County.
The work zone setup will begin at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 and extend from mile marker 211.4 to mile marker 213.4. The right shoulder and right lane will be closed within the work zone area.
This location is between exit 205 at Route 606 in the Raphine area of Rockbridge County and exit 213 at Route 11 in the Greenville area of Augusta County.
Once the work zone is established, it will remain active until the repairs are complete. Repairs are anticipated to be complete before 6 a.m. but depending on the size, shape and location of the sinkhole, ongoing lane closures may be needed.
The sinkhole was discovered during routine maintenance work. VDOT crews have been monitoring the hole until repairs could be made.
Work to stabilize the hole includes determining its size and the stability of the surrounding ground before back-filling it and repairing any disturbed ground and roadway areas.
No detour is planned, but in the case of extensive traffic backups, traffic will be routed off of I-81 northbound at exit 205 and rejoin I-81 northbound at exit 213.
All work is weather permitting.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available here.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/vdot-schedules-sinkhole-repairs-interstate-81-wedesday/
| 2022-04-26T23:27:13Z
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Virginia COVID-19 cases rise by 946 Monday
13,406,427 total PCR tests have been run for the virus in Virginia, with 1,694,570 positive cases.
Due to the number of vaccinations across our region, we will no longer be updating the COVID-19 hotline.
As of Monday, April 25, Virginia has had 1,694,570 total cases of COVID-19, including confirmed lab tests and clinical diagnoses, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The Virginia Department of Health reports an 8.3% 7-day positivity rate for total PCR testing encounters.
Additional deaths were reported this Monday, leaving the death toll at 20,169.
For a comprehensive summary of COVID-19 cases and testing in Virginia, you can visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website and view their COVID-19 dashboard.
On Sunday, April 18, 2021, vaccine eligibility expanded to all individuals in the Commonwealth age 16 and above.
On Thursday, April 22, 2021, former Governor Northam announced an ease in some of the COVID-19 restrictions for social gatherings that began on Saturday, May 15:
- Social gatherings: The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase to 100 people for indoor settings and 250 people for outdoor settings. Social gatherings are currently limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- Entertainment venues: Indoor entertainment and public amusement venues will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity or 1,000 people, up from 30 percent capacity or 500 people. Outdoor venues will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity — up from 30 percent — with no specific cap on the number of attendees.
- Recreational sporting events: The number of spectators allowed at indoor recreational sporting events will increase from 100 to 250 spectators or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less. Outdoor recreational sporting events will increase from 500 to 1,000 people or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less.
- Alcohol sales: Restaurants may return to selling alcohol after midnight, and dining room closures will no longer be required between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday, May 13, 2021, vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a mask in most circumstances. On Friday, May 14, 2021, Former governor Ralph Northam announced the mask mandate in Virginia would be lifted, and capacity and social distancing restrictions will end on May 28.
Statewide case totals and testing numbers as of April 25
By April 25, the Virginia Department of Health had received reports of 1,216,368 confirmed cases and 478,202 probable cases of COVID-19 across the commonwealth.
Those positive test results are out of 13,406,427 total PCR tests administered in Virginia.
At this point, 49,733 Virginians have been hospitalized due to the disease caused by the virus, and at least 20,169 have died of causes related to the disease.
Where are our local cases?
Here’s a breakdown of cases for our region as of 10:00 a.m. April 25.
Central Shenandoah Health District: 67,390 total cases
Beginning March 10, 2022, the Locality dashboard is no longer being published. Cases by report date and cases by date of illness can be viewed by locality on the Cases dashboard.
Total PCR tests: 429,301
Lord Fairfax Health District: 54,644 total cases
Total PCR tests: 366,499
Northwest Total Outbreaks: 1,002 reported, including 322 in long term care facilities, 89 in K-12 settings, 73 in healthcare settings, 41 in correctional facilities, 330 in congregate settings, 65 in colleges/universities, and 82 in child care settings.
Note: VDH has changed the way it tracks outbreaks. They are now grouped by regions instead of health districts.
COVID-19 Vaccine in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health has launched a data dashboard showcasing the number of COVID-19 vaccines that have been distributed and administered throughout the commonwealth.
According to the data dashboard, as of April 25, 7,024,624 people have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 6,284,511 people are fully vaccinated.
18,884,225 total vaccine doses have been distributed throughout the state.
Recovery
The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association’s online dashboard indicates that, as of April 25, at least 107,968 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from the hospital.
Unlike the VDH data that reports cumulative hospitalizations, their data on hospitalizations reflects hospitalized patients confirmed positive for COVID-19, and that number is 176.
West Virginia updates
Here at WHSV, we cover Grant County, Hardy County and Pendleton County. The below information is the most recent data from each counties’ health department. You can find West Virginia’s COVID-19 dashboard here.
There are 500,228 total cases in West Virginia as of April 25.
Grant County: 3,778 total COVID-19 cases
Hardy County: 4,185 total COVID-19 cases
Pendleton County: 1,967 total COVID-19 cases
For the latest factual information on COVID-19, you’re encouraged to check both the Virginia Department of Health and the CDC.
Copyright 2021 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/virginia-covid-19-cases-rise-by-946-monday/
| 2022-04-26T23:27:19Z
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Virginia State Police searching for answers in 33-year-old cold case
COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia State Police is asking for the public’s help in identifying two sets of skeletal remains recovered in Caroline County 33 years ago.
On Nov. 10, 1988, two hunters walking through a wooded area near I-95 near mile marker 112 in the Ladysmith community came across skeletal remains.
Troopers responded to the scene and while conducting a forensic examination of the immediate area discovered a second set of skeletal remains.
Forensic analysis of the remains confirmed that both individuals were Hispanic men who went missing between 1987 and 1988. One of the men is estimated to have been between 40 and 60 years old at the time of his death. The other man is estimated to have been between 15 and 30 years old.
Troopers say a leather belt with the word “SILVANO” tooled into it - which may indicate a name or nickname was located with the older man.
“Despite more than three decades of actively working this case, we have still not been able to identify either individual,” said Captain Norman Gray, VSP BCI Richmond Field Office Division Commander. “We are still hopeful that someone will recognize these enhanced 3D models and help us, ultimately, find their families and let them know what happened to their loved one so many years ago.”
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and NAMEUS created facial reconstruction models of each man to help identify them.
Anyone with information about either individual is encouraged to call Virginia State Police at (804) 609-5656.
Copyright 2022 WWBT. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/virginia-state-police-searching-answers-33-year-old-cold-case/
| 2022-04-26T23:27:26Z
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Whiskey could soon be used to fuel cars, scientists say
(CNN) – A biofuel scientist has discovered a way to use the byproducts of whiskey to fuel your car.
According to Zero Waste Scotland, there is a huge amount of waste for every liter of whiskey.
The solid byproduct of whiskey is called draff.
Some is used for animal feed. Some goes to a landfill or is dumped in rivers or even the ocean.
A scientist used a fermentation process to transform the byproduct into biochemicals to replace some oil-based products, including diesel used in cars.
Biofuels are made from renewable, organic materials and are low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels.
The challenge would be the scale; biofuels only account for about 3% of fuel used globally.
There are actually already whiskey-fueled cars in Scotland. Using the whiskey byproduct reduces the trucks’ carbon emissions by 90%.
The scientist who made the discovery says whiskey waste can be used for more than just biofuels.
It can be an alternative to oil in plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, clothing and electronics.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/whisky-could-soon-be-used-fuel-cars-scientists-say/
| 2022-04-26T23:27:34Z
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Woman with legs tied survives fall from 8th floor, suspect charged
WASHINGTON (WJLA) - A woman is in critical condition after having her legs tied with rope and falling from an apartment building Thursday night.
Authorities said they believe the woman fell from the eighth floor of the building in Washington, D.C. during what police are calling a “domestic incident.”
Police said they found the woman conscious and breathing and took her to a hospital where she is now in critical condition.
The woman’s 1-year-old child was missing following the incident but was later found safe with a family member.
Police said the suspect fled the scene after the victim fell but arrived back on the scene during the investigation and was “distraught.” Kylee Jamal Palmer, 22, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
Police said their investigation is ongoing as they work to piece together what happened.
Copyright 2022 WJLA via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/25/woman-with-legs-tied-survives-fall-8th-floor-suspect-charged/
| 2022-04-26T23:27:43Z
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