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Where does the Storm land in our WNBA power rankings? | The WNBA tips off its 25th anniversary season on Friday with four games. The defending champion Storm hosts the Las Vegas Aces at noon Saturday at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett in a rematch of last years WNBA Finals. Heres a look at where teams rank heading into the 2021 season. 1. Las Vegas: Last season, the Aces finished with the No. 1 playoff seed without All-Star center Liz Cambage and point guard Kelsey Plum, the former Washington Huskies star, who return this season. Las Vegas also added three-time WNBA All-Star guard Chelsea Gray to pair with last seasons WNBA MVP Aja Wilson and two-time reigning Sixth Woman of the year Dearica Hamby. The Aces are loaded despite the loss of Angel McCoughtry, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during an exhibition game. 2. Seattle: The Storm tied with Las Vegas for the best record in the league last season, but Seattle lost several key contributors in the offseason, including Natasha Howard, Alysha Clark and Sami Whitcomb. It remains to be seen if a handful of newcomers led by Candice Dupree can fill the void. However, Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd make the Storm a title contender. 3. Chicago: The Sky made perhaps the biggest splash in free agency during the offseason while luring two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker away from Los Angeles. If the 35-year-old, 14-year veteran can still play at a dominant level in the post, then shell pair nicely with WNBA All-Star guards Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Diamond DeShields. Advertising 4. Minnesota: No team was more active in the offseason at upgrading its roster than the Lynx, which added free agents Kayla McBride, Aerial Powers, Natalie Achonwa and No. 9 overall WNBA draft pick Rennia Davis. Minnesota expects continued development from back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners Napheesa Collier and Crystal Dangerfield. Still, the Lynxs title chances hinges on 35-year-old Sylvia Fowles, who is the last holdover from the teams 2015 WNBA title, staying healthy. She played just seven games last season due to a calf injury. 5. Washington: Injuries and absences ruined the Mystics bid to defend their 2019 WNBA title and it looks as if the same troubles will plague them again this year. Former league MVP Elena Delle Donne underwent back surgery in December and is still listed as questionable for the opener. Meanwhile, 2019 WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman is expected to miss most of the season and Clark, the former 3-and-D standout from Seattle, is out due to an offseason foot injury. It remains to be seen if 32-year-old Tina Charles, who sat out last season, can return to her 2012 WNBA MVP form. The Mystics would be well served if Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins or Myisha Hines-Allen can emerge into All-Star caliber player. 6. Phoenix: The Mercury was a game away from the WNBA Finals three years ago before losing to the Storm in Game 5 of the conference finals, but it hasnt been a championship contender the past two years due to the team inability to provide stars Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner with a capable supporting cast. Adding Skylar Diggins-Smith last year provided much-needed firepower, but Phoenixs lack of depth has been detrimental. The Mercury potentially leveraged its future to acquire All-Star Kia Nurse and Megan Walker in exchange for the first-round draft picks this year and in 2022. 7. Los Angeles: The Sparks nine-year playoff streak appears to be in jeopardy as the team undergoes a major transition away from Parker-Gray era. LAs Big Three has been reduced to just Nneka Ogwumike who is now entrenched as the veteran star on a roster full of disparate pieces. Kristi Toliver and Chiney Ogwumike return after sitting out last year. The Sparks also added veterans Erica Wheeler and Amanda Zahui B. during the offseason. Still, there are plenty of questions that coach Derek Fisher will have to answer. Heres one bright spot, LA might have landed the steal of the 2021 draft in rookie forward Jasmine Walker, the No. 7 overall pick, has been impressive early on. 8. New York: Sabrina Ionescu, the 2020 No. 1 overall pick who played just three games last season in the WNBA bubble, makes her long-awaited Gotham City debut. The Liberty should push to snap a three-year playoff drought if Ionescu lives up to the hype and Howard returns to 2019 form when she was a MVP candidate with the Storm. 9. Connecticut: Coach Curt Miller worked miracles last season while leading an injury-depleted Suns team that finished 10-12 to Game 5 of the semifinals. Two-time WNBA All-Star Jonquel Jones returns after sitting out last season, but itll be difficult for Connecticut to overcome the loss of all-everything standout Alyssa Thomas, who is out for the season due to a torn Achilles. Advertising 10. Atlanta: The Dreams new ownership group fired general manager Chris Sienko during a turbulent offseason, which preceded coach Nicki Collen abruptly leaving for Baylor two weeks before the season opener. Despite the offcourt upheavals, the guard-heavy Dream has a relatively talented squad that includes Tiffany Hayes, Courtney Williams, Chennedy Carter, Odyssey Sims and 2021 No. 3 overall draft pick Ari McDonald. 11. Dallas: The Wings fired former Storm coach Brian Agler after 18-38 record the past two years and handed the reins to Vickie Johnson, who posted an 8-26 record during her one season as coach in 2017 in San Antonio. Dallas has loads of young talent, including the reigning scoring champ Arike Ogunbowale and 2021 No. 1 overall draft pick Charli Collier. 12. Indiana: Its unclear exactly what direction the Fever is headed after losing Dupree and promising young forward Kennedy Burke to Seattle in the offseason. Apparently, Indiana intends to build around Kelsey Mitchell, Tiffany Mitchell and center Teaira McCowan. The Fever added three expensive veterans (Jantel Lavender, Danielle Robinson and Jessica Breland), but the trio of former All-Stars isnt likely to carry a team thats missed the playoffs the past four years. | The WNBA tipped off its 25th anniversary season on Friday with four games. Here's a look at where teams rank heading into the 2021 season. The Storm are ranked No. 1 ahead of the Las Vegas Aces and the Minnesota Lynx. The Aces are loaded despite the loss of Angel McCoughtry. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/where-does-the-storm-land-in-our-wnba-power-rankings/ | 0.185463 |
Should the Florida Gators Pursue OSU DB Tyreke Johnson in Transfer Portal? | The former five-star safety, Tyreke Johnson, has decided to take his talents elsewhere after not receiving enough opportunities early with Ohio State. On Wednesday, one of the top recruits of the 2018 recruiting class, Ohio State defensive back Tyreke Johnson entered the transfer portal. After three years with the Buckeyes, Johnson's desire to leave came at no surprise as his playing time was incredibly limited over the years. He officially announced his intentions on Wednesday via social media. During his recruitment, Johnson was thought to be the No. 2 safety in the entire class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He was also seen as the No. 5 player in all of Florida, along with the No. 21 player nationally. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Johnson would play cornerback for the Buckeyes. He spent his freshman season as a redshirt and didn't play much his second season, overshadowed by the likes of Shaun Wade, Kendall Sheffield, Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah. The following year, Johnson was once again expected to get an opportunity but was once again overshadowed. This time by Wade once again, along with juniors Sevyn Banks and Cameron Brown. He simply couldn't get on the field and has played in just four games for the Buckeyes since his arrival. Now, he's entered the transfer portal, and there's perhaps some reason to believe the Gators could be one of the landing spots. Aside from hailing from Florida, Johnson was heavily recruited by Florida coming out of high school. He was originally offered by the team in Jan. 2015 and made multiple unofficial visits to the program in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He committed to the Buckeyes in December of 2017. Florida has been in need of help within its secondary for quite some time. While the team has successfully recruited high-ranked players such as five-star prospect Jason Marshall (2021), among others, the Gators still have plenty of room to grow, especially when other players such as junior cornerback Kaiir Elam leaves, as expected, following this season. Florida, and head coach Dan Mullen, hasn't been shy about bringing in talent via the transfer portal. Most recently, the team acquired two big men via the portal, defensive linemen Daquan Newkirk and Antonio Shelton, along with promising former five-star running back Demarkcus Bowman. UF has reportedly reached out to Johnson since he put his name in the proverbial transfer portal hat but is one of many schools to have done so rather immediately. Johnson may not add much playing experience to Florida's secondary should he elect to join the Gators this offseason, but he does offer the athletic upside to at least take the field on special teams and perhaps earn a shot on the backend. His three years in a college program could allow him to serve as a guide for UF's youthful group of defensive backs as well. While it remains to be seen where Johnson ultimately lands, it is certainly worth keeping an eye on as he makes his decision in the coming weeks. | Tyreke Johnson was one of the top recruits of the 2018 recruiting class. The defensive back entered the transfer portal on Wednesday. Florida has reportedly reached out to Johnson since he put his name in the transfer portal hat. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.si.com/college/florida/recruiting/florida-gators-recruiting-target-tyreke-johnson-transfer-portal | 0.231622 |
Should the Florida Gators Pursue OSU DB Tyreke Johnson in Transfer Portal? | The former five-star safety, Tyreke Johnson, has decided to take his talents elsewhere after not receiving enough opportunities early with Ohio State. On Wednesday, one of the top recruits of the 2018 recruiting class, Ohio State defensive back Tyreke Johnson entered the transfer portal. After three years with the Buckeyes, Johnson's desire to leave came at no surprise as his playing time was incredibly limited over the years. He officially announced his intentions on Wednesday via social media. During his recruitment, Johnson was thought to be the No. 2 safety in the entire class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He was also seen as the No. 5 player in all of Florida, along with the No. 21 player nationally. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Johnson would play cornerback for the Buckeyes. He spent his freshman season as a redshirt and didn't play much his second season, overshadowed by the likes of Shaun Wade, Kendall Sheffield, Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah. The following year, Johnson was once again expected to get an opportunity but was once again overshadowed. This time by Wade once again, along with juniors Sevyn Banks and Cameron Brown. He simply couldn't get on the field and has played in just four games for the Buckeyes since his arrival. Now, he's entered the transfer portal, and there's perhaps some reason to believe the Gators could be one of the landing spots. Aside from hailing from Florida, Johnson was heavily recruited by Florida coming out of high school. He was originally offered by the team in Jan. 2015 and made multiple unofficial visits to the program in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He committed to the Buckeyes in December of 2017. Florida has been in need of help within its secondary for quite some time. While the team has successfully recruited high-ranked players such as five-star prospect Jason Marshall (2021), among others, the Gators still have plenty of room to grow, especially when other players such as junior cornerback Kaiir Elam leaves, as expected, following this season. Florida, and head coach Dan Mullen, hasn't been shy about bringing in talent via the transfer portal. Most recently, the team acquired two big men via the portal, defensive linemen Daquan Newkirk and Antonio Shelton, along with promising former five-star running back Demarkcus Bowman. UF has reportedly reached out to Johnson since he put his name in the proverbial transfer portal hat but is one of many schools to have done so rather immediately. Johnson may not add much playing experience to Florida's secondary should he elect to join the Gators this offseason, but he does offer the athletic upside to at least take the field on special teams and perhaps earn a shot on the backend. His three years in a college program could allow him to serve as a guide for UF's youthful group of defensive backs as well. While it remains to be seen where Johnson ultimately lands, it is certainly worth keeping an eye on as he makes his decision in the coming weeks. | Ohio State defensive back Tyreke Johnson has entered the transfer portal. Johnson was one of the top recruits of the 2018 recruiting class. He has played in just four games over his three years with the Buckeyes. Florida has reportedly reached out to Johnson since he put his name in the transfer portal hat. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.si.com/college/florida/recruiting/florida-gators-recruiting-target-tyreke-johnson-transfer-portal | 0.297513 |
What Is 'Black Fungus'? And Why Is It Spreading Among India's COVID Patients? | Enlarge this image toggle caption Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images It's called the "black fungus" and it can be deadly. It's also adding to India's growing COVID woes at the moment. On May 9, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and India's Health Ministry issued an advisory calling for better awareness, screening and management of mucormycosis, a rare but dangerous fungal infection. "While exact numbers are not available, we're seeing a rise in cases in Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra," says Dr. Aparna Mukherjee, a scientist at the ICMR and one of the experts who wrote the advisory. About Goats and Soda Goats and Soda is NPR's global health and development blog. We tell stories of life in our changing world, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. And we keep in mind that we're all neighbors in this global village. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. The symptoms of mucormycosis are mild at first and can often be missed in the initial stages. Dr. Ronal Shukla, an ear, nose and throat doctor assigned to COVID care at the government-run LG Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, treated a 35-year-old male patient who recently recovered from COVID-19 after being administered oxygen for a week in the ICU. Several days after recovering from COVID, the patient was back, complaining of an intense headache, pain in the sinus area and the right eye, blurred vision and swollen cheeks. An endoscopic examination revealed that there was discoloration a blackened area around the nasal sinuses. The disease progresses rapidly and "attacks blood vessels and live tissues," says Shukla. "As it kills them, it turns them all black and that's where [the disease] gets the name 'black fungus.' " In just three days, it can spread to the eyes or the jawbone. In such cases, the only way to stop the spread to the brain is to surgically remove the infected eye or jawbone. "Once it spreads to the brain, the fatality rate is over 50%. It's sad to think that people who've gone through the immense distress of COVID now have to deal with this severe disability as well," he says. Mucormycosis isn't a new disease, says Shukla. It's caused by a group of molds, called mucormycetes. Individuals are infected after inhaling fungal spores that are found naturally in India's environment and soil. "For most people with a healthy immune system, exposure to the fungus really won't matter," he says. "They won't get sick." India's current battle with COVID-19 may be brewing many of the complications that are leading to an unprecedented rise in these cases, doctors suggest. India has reported a total of 23 million COVID-19 infections and a death toll of over 250,000 people, accounting for 1 in 5 active infections worldwide. "Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection," says Mukherjee. "Before COVID, people were far more likely to contract it only if they were in a situation where their immunity was weak, say after an operation, a prolonged hospital stay or [an organ] transplant, but today COVID-19 has weakened immunity considerably, leaving more people vulnerable to the disease," she says. Shukla says there are now 100 cases in public hospitals in Ahmedabad, when previously, there were only 2 to 3 cases a year. People who have gotten sick with mucormycosis have had three factors in common, says Dr. Devashish Palkar, a psychiatry resident now treating COVID patients in critical care at the government-run New Civil Hospital in Surat, Gujarat. Thirty cases of mucormycosis have been admitted to the hospital over the past week, he says, and new cases are popping up every day. "COVID-19 is the main culprit, followed by uncontrolled or newly diagnosed diabetes. And finally, the added effects of steroids which though are life-saving drugs can render you immunocompromised if used at higher doses than recommended or for a longer duration." "We need to find a way to moderate the drugs," adds Palkar, "but with such virulent attacks of COVID, the patient might die without the medication." Treatment for mucormycosis involves identifying the condition in infected patients quickly, removing all infected tissue through surgery and following up with an antifungal injection. Called Amphotericin B. The injection costs Rs 3000 ($40) in India. It has to be administered every day for 21 to 42 days. States like Mumbai are now making the injections available free of cost at public hospitals since their cases are rising, too. Rajesh Tope, the health minister of Maharashtra, says the state may have over 2,000 cases of mucormycosis. Timely intervention helped save his patient, Shukla says, and he did not suffer other complications. But as the pandemic rages in India, hospital hygiene will eventually need to come into scrutiny. "If the hygiene in hospitals isn't adequate, then the damp [and dirty] surfaces [such as hospital devices and equipment] can breed the fungal spores, exposing patients when their immunity is most compromised," says Shukla. COVID patients using oxygen concentrators are also at risk, says Shukla. The devices come equipped with a humidifier bottle to prevent the patient's airways from becoming too dry while breathing directly from the concentrator. But it's where fungal spores can thrive. "If the humidifiers are not properly cleaned or if they don't work, then the chances of contracting mucormycosis are higher," Shukla says. Even though it's an invasive disease, it can be treated, so there's nothing to panic about right now, says Mukherjee. The advisory was issued to create a greater awareness of the condition, among medical professionals who may not have seen many cases. "At the moment, we need to suspect it early and detect it early to save lives," she says. Kamala Thiagarajan is a freelance journalist based in Madurai, India, who has written for The International New York Times, BBC Travel and Forbes India. You can follow her @kamal_t. | Mucormycosis, a rare but dangerous fungal infection, is on the rise in India. India has reported a total of 23 million COVID-19 infections and a death toll of over 250,000 people. | bart | 1 | https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/05/13/996488271/what-is-black-fungus-and-why-is-it-spreading-among-indias-covid-patients | 0.117362 |
What Is 'Black Fungus'? And Why Is It Spreading Among India's COVID Patients? | Enlarge this image toggle caption Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images It's called the "black fungus" and it can be deadly. It's also adding to India's growing COVID woes at the moment. On May 9, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and India's Health Ministry issued an advisory calling for better awareness, screening and management of mucormycosis, a rare but dangerous fungal infection. "While exact numbers are not available, we're seeing a rise in cases in Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra," says Dr. Aparna Mukherjee, a scientist at the ICMR and one of the experts who wrote the advisory. About Goats and Soda Goats and Soda is NPR's global health and development blog. We tell stories of life in our changing world, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. And we keep in mind that we're all neighbors in this global village. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. The symptoms of mucormycosis are mild at first and can often be missed in the initial stages. Dr. Ronal Shukla, an ear, nose and throat doctor assigned to COVID care at the government-run LG Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, treated a 35-year-old male patient who recently recovered from COVID-19 after being administered oxygen for a week in the ICU. Several days after recovering from COVID, the patient was back, complaining of an intense headache, pain in the sinus area and the right eye, blurred vision and swollen cheeks. An endoscopic examination revealed that there was discoloration a blackened area around the nasal sinuses. The disease progresses rapidly and "attacks blood vessels and live tissues," says Shukla. "As it kills them, it turns them all black and that's where [the disease] gets the name 'black fungus.' " In just three days, it can spread to the eyes or the jawbone. In such cases, the only way to stop the spread to the brain is to surgically remove the infected eye or jawbone. "Once it spreads to the brain, the fatality rate is over 50%. It's sad to think that people who've gone through the immense distress of COVID now have to deal with this severe disability as well," he says. Mucormycosis isn't a new disease, says Shukla. It's caused by a group of molds, called mucormycetes. Individuals are infected after inhaling fungal spores that are found naturally in India's environment and soil. "For most people with a healthy immune system, exposure to the fungus really won't matter," he says. "They won't get sick." India's current battle with COVID-19 may be brewing many of the complications that are leading to an unprecedented rise in these cases, doctors suggest. India has reported a total of 23 million COVID-19 infections and a death toll of over 250,000 people, accounting for 1 in 5 active infections worldwide. "Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection," says Mukherjee. "Before COVID, people were far more likely to contract it only if they were in a situation where their immunity was weak, say after an operation, a prolonged hospital stay or [an organ] transplant, but today COVID-19 has weakened immunity considerably, leaving more people vulnerable to the disease," she says. Shukla says there are now 100 cases in public hospitals in Ahmedabad, when previously, there were only 2 to 3 cases a year. People who have gotten sick with mucormycosis have had three factors in common, says Dr. Devashish Palkar, a psychiatry resident now treating COVID patients in critical care at the government-run New Civil Hospital in Surat, Gujarat. Thirty cases of mucormycosis have been admitted to the hospital over the past week, he says, and new cases are popping up every day. "COVID-19 is the main culprit, followed by uncontrolled or newly diagnosed diabetes. And finally, the added effects of steroids which though are life-saving drugs can render you immunocompromised if used at higher doses than recommended or for a longer duration." "We need to find a way to moderate the drugs," adds Palkar, "but with such virulent attacks of COVID, the patient might die without the medication." Treatment for mucormycosis involves identifying the condition in infected patients quickly, removing all infected tissue through surgery and following up with an antifungal injection. Called Amphotericin B. The injection costs Rs 3000 ($40) in India. It has to be administered every day for 21 to 42 days. States like Mumbai are now making the injections available free of cost at public hospitals since their cases are rising, too. Rajesh Tope, the health minister of Maharashtra, says the state may have over 2,000 cases of mucormycosis. Timely intervention helped save his patient, Shukla says, and he did not suffer other complications. But as the pandemic rages in India, hospital hygiene will eventually need to come into scrutiny. "If the hygiene in hospitals isn't adequate, then the damp [and dirty] surfaces [such as hospital devices and equipment] can breed the fungal spores, exposing patients when their immunity is most compromised," says Shukla. COVID patients using oxygen concentrators are also at risk, says Shukla. The devices come equipped with a humidifier bottle to prevent the patient's airways from becoming too dry while breathing directly from the concentrator. But it's where fungal spores can thrive. "If the humidifiers are not properly cleaned or if they don't work, then the chances of contracting mucormycosis are higher," Shukla says. Even though it's an invasive disease, it can be treated, so there's nothing to panic about right now, says Mukherjee. The advisory was issued to create a greater awareness of the condition, among medical professionals who may not have seen many cases. "At the moment, we need to suspect it early and detect it early to save lives," she says. Kamala Thiagarajan is a freelance journalist based in Madurai, India, who has written for The International New York Times, BBC Travel and Forbes India. You can follow her @kamal_t. | Mucormycosis is a rare but dangerous fungal infection. India has reported a total of 23 million COVID-19 infections and a death toll of over 250,000 people. The disease progresses rapidly and "attacks blood vessels and live tissues" In just three days, it can spread to the eyes or the jawbone. | bart | 2 | https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/05/13/996488271/what-is-black-fungus-and-why-is-it-spreading-among-indias-covid-patients | 0.172559 |
Why Are We So Spiteful? | These conceptual confusions and truisms mar an otherwise promising exploration. In turning our attention to spite, McCarthy-Jones has identified an important element in the emotional climate of the present. Its no coincidence that the books most spirited sections include a lengthy replay of Brexit and the 2016 U.S. presidential election (examples of spite voting), and a consideration of why the torrents of bile that circulate on social media result in reputational rewards for the most vicious posters (social-media platforms encourage and normalize spite by making the cost of punishing others infinitesimal). During the lead-up to Brexit, Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, warned voters: Dont cut off your nose to spite your face. Some voters thought Britain would be economically worse off if it left the European Unionyet they voted to leave anyway to thumb their noses at the elites in London and the bureaucrats in Brussels. The spitefulness of our politics can be plausibly traced to a number of causes: fear and hatred of racial minorities; shocks due to technological change; disinformation campaigns by corporations and political actors; the collapse of local communities and institutions; fantasies about a now-irretrievable national past. What emerges from the evidence assembled in the book is a picture of spite as part of the corrosive effects of economic inequality. That spite wells up in response to inequality is suggested by the ultimatum game: Low offers provoke spiteful rejections. But the relationship between spite and social stratification is more intricate. Feelings of spite, it turns out, are intimately tied to judgments about status. People often act spitefully, McCarthy-Jones argues, to gain an advantage over a rival. In competitive contexts in which resources are limited, damaging someone elses status can rebound to our benefit. Evidence from laboratory games shows that players will often destroy each others chance at monetary gain not to restore equality, but to get ahead. Spite defends such motivated behavior as having equalizing effectstearing down the rich to make room for the poorthough it does so only half-heartedly. (The books focus on the upside of spite may be chalked up to the fact that popular social-science publishing all but requires a counterintuitive frame.) Spite is a symptom of social breakdown. But it is not a trustworthy guide to fair action. This ugly feeling is self-multiplying: It tends to lead not toward justice but toward more spite. Thats because the poor and the marginalized do not have a monopoly on spitefar from it. Posing as a victim is easy, as is claiming that ones efforts to humiliate others are serving the greater good. Today, nearly anyone can reframe petty sadism as punching up and find a receptive audience. (In a recent poll, 75 percent of Republicans said that conservatives face real discrimination in America; 49 percent said the same of Black people.) Researchers have shown that Americans on average dramatically underestimate how unequal American society is. (In wealth distribution, we are more unequal than China.) Thus, our judgments about who needs to be put in their place are frequently defective. A spiteful politics is one in which the immiserated majority fights for scraps while the rich carry on as usual. We cannot punish our way to a less punitive society. | Spite is a symptom of social breakdown, but it is not a trustworthy guide to fair action. The poor and the marginalized do not have a monopoly on spite. A spiteful politics is one in which the immiserated majority fights for scraps. | bart | 1 | https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/05/why-are-we-so-spiteful/618865/?utm_source=feed | 0.106889 |
Why Are We So Spiteful? | These conceptual confusions and truisms mar an otherwise promising exploration. In turning our attention to spite, McCarthy-Jones has identified an important element in the emotional climate of the present. Its no coincidence that the books most spirited sections include a lengthy replay of Brexit and the 2016 U.S. presidential election (examples of spite voting), and a consideration of why the torrents of bile that circulate on social media result in reputational rewards for the most vicious posters (social-media platforms encourage and normalize spite by making the cost of punishing others infinitesimal). During the lead-up to Brexit, Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, warned voters: Dont cut off your nose to spite your face. Some voters thought Britain would be economically worse off if it left the European Unionyet they voted to leave anyway to thumb their noses at the elites in London and the bureaucrats in Brussels. The spitefulness of our politics can be plausibly traced to a number of causes: fear and hatred of racial minorities; shocks due to technological change; disinformation campaigns by corporations and political actors; the collapse of local communities and institutions; fantasies about a now-irretrievable national past. What emerges from the evidence assembled in the book is a picture of spite as part of the corrosive effects of economic inequality. That spite wells up in response to inequality is suggested by the ultimatum game: Low offers provoke spiteful rejections. But the relationship between spite and social stratification is more intricate. Feelings of spite, it turns out, are intimately tied to judgments about status. People often act spitefully, McCarthy-Jones argues, to gain an advantage over a rival. In competitive contexts in which resources are limited, damaging someone elses status can rebound to our benefit. Evidence from laboratory games shows that players will often destroy each others chance at monetary gain not to restore equality, but to get ahead. Spite defends such motivated behavior as having equalizing effectstearing down the rich to make room for the poorthough it does so only half-heartedly. (The books focus on the upside of spite may be chalked up to the fact that popular social-science publishing all but requires a counterintuitive frame.) Spite is a symptom of social breakdown. But it is not a trustworthy guide to fair action. This ugly feeling is self-multiplying: It tends to lead not toward justice but toward more spite. Thats because the poor and the marginalized do not have a monopoly on spitefar from it. Posing as a victim is easy, as is claiming that ones efforts to humiliate others are serving the greater good. Today, nearly anyone can reframe petty sadism as punching up and find a receptive audience. (In a recent poll, 75 percent of Republicans said that conservatives face real discrimination in America; 49 percent said the same of Black people.) Researchers have shown that Americans on average dramatically underestimate how unequal American society is. (In wealth distribution, we are more unequal than China.) Thus, our judgments about who needs to be put in their place are frequently defective. A spiteful politics is one in which the immiserated majority fights for scraps while the rich carry on as usual. We cannot punish our way to a less punitive society. | Stephen McCarthy-Jones' new book, "Why Are We So Spiteful?" explores the issue of spite in the U.S. and around the world. He argues that spite is a symptom of social breakdown, but it is not a trustworthy guide to fair action. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/05/why-are-we-so-spiteful/618865/?utm_source=feed | 0.255503 |
Who decides if the world needs COVID-19 booster shots? | Article content Vaccine makers Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc, with its German partner BioNTech, have been vocal in their view that the world will soon need COVID-19 booster shots to maintain high levels of immunity. What is less clear, however, is who should make that decision and based on what evidence. THE MODEL FOR FLU VACCINES We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video Public health officials have a well-coordinated mechanism, first established in 1952, for determining when seasonal flu vaccines should be updated to cope with fast-mutating strains of influenza. The World Health Organizations Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System gathers data collected by national health authorities on circulating flu strains and, twice a year, uses that information to select the strains manufacturers should include in seasonal shots for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Some experts have suggested a similar model could be used to gather data on COVID-19 variants and advise drugmakers on what to include in vaccine updates. However, another approach could be to mimic what happens with updates of many other infectious disease vaccines where decisions are based primarily on what the drugmakers perceive is required. National health authorities are then free to assess clinical trial data and decide whether a particular version of a vaccine should be used in their country. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Currently, COVID-19 vaccine makers are taking this approach, making the call to develop and test variant-specific booster shots, and leaving it up to governments to buy them as they see fit. Some vaccine experts say there needs to be clear evidence that the current COVID-19 vaccines are failing to prevent infections and severe disease before countries embark on repeat nationwide vaccination campaigns. They argue the decision on booster shots should be guided by data showing how vaccines perform in people in clinical trials and real-world settings, as well as in lab studies showing declining levels of antibodies in blood samples from vaccinated people. So far, COVID-19 vaccine makers have shown that their shots offer strong protection for at least six months. But immunity may vary. Older people, for example, or those with compromised immune systems, may need boosters earlier than younger people with more robust immune systems. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Another important dataset known as correlates of protection evidence from clinical trials showing the threshold level of antibodies required for vaccines to be protective could help policymakers decide on whether boosters are needed, but this data is not yet available. ADAPTED FOR A COVID-19 WORLD Globally, the World Health Organization is putting together an expert advisory panel which would evaluate ongoing evidence on COVID-19 vaccine durability and emerging variants and then offer guidance for governments. Although some experts have noted possible similarities with the global mechanism for updating flu vaccines, they also stress that it will need to be adapted for a COVID-19 world. More likely, they say, is that global guidance will be adapted by nations or regions to target local needs. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is developing its own risk assessment framework to determine what evidence is needed to recommend a modified vaccine. The CDC and other U.S. health agencies have their own studies underway to assess vaccine efficacy, including in older populations and children, and monitor the impact of new variants. In Britain, Public Health England and the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control are working with global agencies on an Agility Project to track and test the impact of viral mutations and new variants on COVID-19 vaccine development. (Reporting by Kate Kelland in London and Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago Editing by Michele Gershberg and Peter Graff) Share this article in your social network Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Shopping essentials Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NP Posted Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Trending | Vaccine makers Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc, have been vocal in their view that the world will soon need COVID-19 booster shots to maintain high levels of immunity. | pegasus | 1 | https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/who-decides-if-the-world-needs-covid-19-booster-shots | 0.448608 |
Who decides if the world needs COVID-19 booster shots? | Article content Vaccine makers Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc, with its German partner BioNTech, have been vocal in their view that the world will soon need COVID-19 booster shots to maintain high levels of immunity. What is less clear, however, is who should make that decision and based on what evidence. THE MODEL FOR FLU VACCINES We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video Public health officials have a well-coordinated mechanism, first established in 1952, for determining when seasonal flu vaccines should be updated to cope with fast-mutating strains of influenza. The World Health Organizations Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System gathers data collected by national health authorities on circulating flu strains and, twice a year, uses that information to select the strains manufacturers should include in seasonal shots for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Some experts have suggested a similar model could be used to gather data on COVID-19 variants and advise drugmakers on what to include in vaccine updates. However, another approach could be to mimic what happens with updates of many other infectious disease vaccines where decisions are based primarily on what the drugmakers perceive is required. National health authorities are then free to assess clinical trial data and decide whether a particular version of a vaccine should be used in their country. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Currently, COVID-19 vaccine makers are taking this approach, making the call to develop and test variant-specific booster shots, and leaving it up to governments to buy them as they see fit. Some vaccine experts say there needs to be clear evidence that the current COVID-19 vaccines are failing to prevent infections and severe disease before countries embark on repeat nationwide vaccination campaigns. They argue the decision on booster shots should be guided by data showing how vaccines perform in people in clinical trials and real-world settings, as well as in lab studies showing declining levels of antibodies in blood samples from vaccinated people. So far, COVID-19 vaccine makers have shown that their shots offer strong protection for at least six months. But immunity may vary. Older people, for example, or those with compromised immune systems, may need boosters earlier than younger people with more robust immune systems. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Another important dataset known as correlates of protection evidence from clinical trials showing the threshold level of antibodies required for vaccines to be protective could help policymakers decide on whether boosters are needed, but this data is not yet available. ADAPTED FOR A COVID-19 WORLD Globally, the World Health Organization is putting together an expert advisory panel which would evaluate ongoing evidence on COVID-19 vaccine durability and emerging variants and then offer guidance for governments. Although some experts have noted possible similarities with the global mechanism for updating flu vaccines, they also stress that it will need to be adapted for a COVID-19 world. More likely, they say, is that global guidance will be adapted by nations or regions to target local needs. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is developing its own risk assessment framework to determine what evidence is needed to recommend a modified vaccine. The CDC and other U.S. health agencies have their own studies underway to assess vaccine efficacy, including in older populations and children, and monitor the impact of new variants. In Britain, Public Health England and the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control are working with global agencies on an Agility Project to track and test the impact of viral mutations and new variants on COVID-19 vaccine development. (Reporting by Kate Kelland in London and Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago Editing by Michele Gershberg and Peter Graff) Share this article in your social network Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Shopping essentials Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NP Posted Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Trending | Vaccine makers Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc, have been vocal in their view that the world will soon need COVID-19 booster shots to maintain high levels of immunity. Public health officials have a well-coordinated mechanism, first established in 1952, for determining when seasonal flu vaccines should be updated. | pegasus | 2 | https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/who-decides-if-the-world-needs-covid-19-booster-shots | 0.43043 |
Which Browns games are most interesting in 2021? | CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The opening week matchup against Kansas City is going to get the hype -- and rightfully so. The Chiefs are, well, the Chiefs and the Browns are an up-and-coming contender. Its a playoff rematch. Plus, its opening weekend and we always overreact to opening weekend, good or bad. Probably not. This is a team that lost 38-6 to a team in their division during last years opening weekend and they still went 11-5 and won a playoff game. Mary Kay Cabot, Doug Lesmerises, Scott Patsko, Ellis Williams and I went through the entire Browns schedule and talked about each games importance. We did it the best way we know how -- a draft. Listen to Thursdays Orange and Brown Talk Podcast to hear where we picked each game as far as importance, excitement and whatever other criteria we could cook up. You can listen using the player below or, if you cant see the player, by clicking here. You can also listen and subscribe to the podcast using the links below. You can listen to previous podcasts and subscribe on Apple podcasts or on Spotify. Get more info and get signed up here. - Browns playoffs shirts, hats for sale: Heres where Cleveland Browns fans can order shirts and hats celebrating the team qualifying for the 2020 NFL playoffs. Hey, Terry! Why Richard LeCounte III could become a draft day steal -- Film review 2021 opponent power rankings: Podcast | The Cleveland Browns face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Orange and Brown Talk looks at the importance of each game in the team's 2021 schedule. We pick the games with the most importance, excitement and more. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2021/05/which-browns-games-are-most-interesting-in-2021.html | 0.101705 |
Which Browns games are most interesting in 2021? | CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The opening week matchup against Kansas City is going to get the hype -- and rightfully so. The Chiefs are, well, the Chiefs and the Browns are an up-and-coming contender. Its a playoff rematch. Plus, its opening weekend and we always overreact to opening weekend, good or bad. Probably not. This is a team that lost 38-6 to a team in their division during last years opening weekend and they still went 11-5 and won a playoff game. Mary Kay Cabot, Doug Lesmerises, Scott Patsko, Ellis Williams and I went through the entire Browns schedule and talked about each games importance. We did it the best way we know how -- a draft. Listen to Thursdays Orange and Brown Talk Podcast to hear where we picked each game as far as importance, excitement and whatever other criteria we could cook up. You can listen using the player below or, if you cant see the player, by clicking here. You can also listen and subscribe to the podcast using the links below. You can listen to previous podcasts and subscribe on Apple podcasts or on Spotify. Get more info and get signed up here. - Browns playoffs shirts, hats for sale: Heres where Cleveland Browns fans can order shirts and hats celebrating the team qualifying for the 2020 NFL playoffs. Hey, Terry! Why Richard LeCounte III could become a draft day steal -- Film review 2021 opponent power rankings: Podcast | The Cleveland Browns face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Orange and Brown Talk looks at the importance of each game in the team's 2021 schedule. We pick the games with the most importance, excitement and whatever other criteria we could cook up. The Browns play their first game of the 2021 season against the Chiefs. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2021/05/which-browns-games-are-most-interesting-in-2021.html | 0.323216 |
Which Shahs of Sunset Co-Star Moved Next Door to Reza Farahan? | Watch : "Shahs of Sunset" Star Reza Farahan on Mending MJ Javid Friendship It's officially a Shah street! In this exclusive sneak peek at Sunday's all-new Shahs of Sunset, Reza Farahan has a new next door neighbor...and it's a familiar face for fans. The Bravo star is shown carrying a strawberry and blueberry pie over to a cute white house directly across the street from his before bellowing, "Welcome to the neighborhood!" And none other than co-star Destiney Rose opens the door! "A bitch moved in next door to Reza," Destiney jokes. "I'm like a high rise type of chick. I love the security," Destiney explains. "And then I started realizing, I got a lot of wigs, I got a lot of thigh-high boots and there's not a lot of space." Destiney hopes to "have a runway show by myself," do cartwheels and even "run around butt naked" in her new home. "Nobody can see me!" she laughs. That is, of course, her next door pal Reza. | In this exclusive sneak peek, Reza Farahan has a new next door neighbor. " A bitch moved in next door to Reza," co-star Destiney Rose jokes. "I'm like a high rise type of chick. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.eonline.com/news/1268677/see-which-shahs-of-sunset-co-star-moved-in-next-door-to-reza-farahan | 0.179614 |
Will Coinbases Move To Eliminate Salary Negotiations Serve As An Example To Reduce The Gender Pay Gap? | NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Coinbase Founder and CEO Brian Armstrong attends Consensus 2019 at the ... [+] Hilton Midtown on May 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images) Getty Images "How much money do you make?" For many people and workplaces, that question remains a taboo topic. While the National Labor Relations Act means it is legal to discuss your pay with your colleagues, those conversations often feel off-limits. Unless, of course, you work at software firm 10Pines, where your colleagues determine your salary. Or you work for Buffer, which has an open spreadsheet of salaries. But those approaches are outliers. Generally, there is a lack of transparency around pay, and this lack of transparency benefits employers and can also widen the gender pay gap. One experiment to reduce the gender pay gap Coinbase recently announced a new approach to compensation. While two of the three changes increasing compensation targets and annual equity grants are laudable, it is the third change that is most intriguing. Coinbase has decided to eliminate negotiations from the hiring process. Anyone hired into the same role will be paid the same. Why this move could help narrow the gender pay gap Negotiation research has found that men tend to achieve better outcomes in salary negotiations than women. Coinbase recognized that gender and a whole host of factors play into someone's initial salary and the differences in that first offer can follow employees around for their entire career. From the blog post: Traditionally people expect they need to negotiate for the best package after being hired in a new job. Those that do this well tend to be rewarded, and those that don't lose out. These negotiations can disproportionately leave women and underrepresented minorities behind, and a disparity created early in someone's career can follow them for decades. Granted, the parity in pay will not necessarily continue once hired. Performance, promotions, and other workplace markers of success will determine subsequent salary increases as employees progress through their career at Coinbase. Hopefully, Coinbase plans to measure their current gender pay gap, and then measure it again after this policy has been in place for six months to a year. The results of this data could be illuminating. After all, one of the best ways to reduce the gender pay gap is via policy changes and a policy to standardize pay is a good place to start. | Coinbase has decided to eliminate negotiations from the hiring process. Anyone hired into the same role will be paid the same. Men tend to achieve better outcomes in salary negotiations than women. Negotiations can disproportionately leave women and underrepresented minorities behind. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/lindsaykohler/2021/05/13/will-coinbases-move-to-eliminate-salary-negotiations-serve-as-an-example-to-reduce-the-gender-pay-gap/ | 0.217235 |
Will Coinbases Move To Eliminate Salary Negotiations Serve As An Example To Reduce The Gender Pay Gap? | NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Coinbase Founder and CEO Brian Armstrong attends Consensus 2019 at the ... [+] Hilton Midtown on May 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images) Getty Images "How much money do you make?" For many people and workplaces, that question remains a taboo topic. While the National Labor Relations Act means it is legal to discuss your pay with your colleagues, those conversations often feel off-limits. Unless, of course, you work at software firm 10Pines, where your colleagues determine your salary. Or you work for Buffer, which has an open spreadsheet of salaries. But those approaches are outliers. Generally, there is a lack of transparency around pay, and this lack of transparency benefits employers and can also widen the gender pay gap. One experiment to reduce the gender pay gap Coinbase recently announced a new approach to compensation. While two of the three changes increasing compensation targets and annual equity grants are laudable, it is the third change that is most intriguing. Coinbase has decided to eliminate negotiations from the hiring process. Anyone hired into the same role will be paid the same. Why this move could help narrow the gender pay gap Negotiation research has found that men tend to achieve better outcomes in salary negotiations than women. Coinbase recognized that gender and a whole host of factors play into someone's initial salary and the differences in that first offer can follow employees around for their entire career. From the blog post: Traditionally people expect they need to negotiate for the best package after being hired in a new job. Those that do this well tend to be rewarded, and those that don't lose out. These negotiations can disproportionately leave women and underrepresented minorities behind, and a disparity created early in someone's career can follow them for decades. Granted, the parity in pay will not necessarily continue once hired. Performance, promotions, and other workplace markers of success will determine subsequent salary increases as employees progress through their career at Coinbase. Hopefully, Coinbase plans to measure their current gender pay gap, and then measure it again after this policy has been in place for six months to a year. The results of this data could be illuminating. After all, one of the best ways to reduce the gender pay gap is via policy changes and a policy to standardize pay is a good place to start. | Coinbase has decided to eliminate negotiations from the hiring process. Anyone hired into the same role will be paid the same. Negotiation research has found that men tend to achieve better outcomes in salary negotiations than women. Performance, promotions, and other workplace markers of success will determine subsequent salary increases. | bart | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/lindsaykohler/2021/05/13/will-coinbases-move-to-eliminate-salary-negotiations-serve-as-an-example-to-reduce-the-gender-pay-gap/ | 0.247393 |
Should PFF Cite More Penn State Players on its Top-10 Lists? | Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker is among college football's top returning players, according to Pro Football Focus. Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker is among the nation's top returning college football players, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked the 10 best at each position. Brisker is the sole Penn State player named to PFF's top-10 lists, which the site stresses have "nothing to do with pro potential." Pro Football Focus raved over Brisker last season, when he was a third-team All-Big Ten selection after leading Penn State with six pass breakups. Here's how PFF assesses Brisker as the nation's No. 5 returning safety: After two years of stellar play at Lackawanna Community College, Brisker chose Penn State over Alabama and others in 2019. He has been one of the top safeties in the country ever since. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound safety has earned PFF grades of 82.0 and 82.8 in his two years as a Nittany Lion, forming one of the five best two-year marks in the FBS. Brisker also owns 85.0-plus grades against the run and in coverage over the last couple of years, something no other Power Five safety has managed. Hes rocked up and explosive and certified himself as one of the best tacklers at the position a year ago, missing just one tackle on 60 total attempts. That 1.7% missed tackle rate led all FBS safeties on the year and was the second-lowest rate we have ever seen in the PFF College era. But perhaps Brisker shouldn't be the only Penn State player on these lists. Jahan Dotson is not among the nation's top 10 returning wide receivers, according to PFF, which ranks four Big Ten receivers in its top 10. Dotson, named second-team All-Big Ten last season, led the conference in receiving yards with 884, albeit in a year when Penn State was one of two teams to play nine games. Dotson ranked third in receiving yards per game (98.4) behind Purdue's David Bell and Ohio State's Chris Olave. PFF also ranked Ohio State's Garrett Wilson and Indiana's Ty Fryfogle above Dotson. In addition, Penn State's Rasheed Walker isn't among the top 10 returning offensive tackles. Walker, a third-team All-Big Ten selection, will be a third-year starter for the Lions this season. Though PFF indicated that pro prospects don't factor into its rankings NFL Draft Bible lists Walker as the top-ranked tackle prospect of the future. NFL Draft Bible ranks Walker ahead of Ohio State's Thayer Munford, who is PFF's No. 1 returning tackle. Walker and Munford will meet Oct. 30 in Columbus. Check out PFF's full list of the top returning players in college football. Penn State QB commit Drew Allar accepts invite to All-American Bowl Penn State commit Kaden Saunders draws raves at Rivals camp | Jaquan Brisker is the only Penn State player named to PFF's top-10 lists. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-football-pro-football-focus-recognizes-jaquan-brisker | 0.477459 |
Should PFF Cite More Penn State Players on its Top-10 Lists? | Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker is among college football's top returning players, according to Pro Football Focus. Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker is among the nation's top returning college football players, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked the 10 best at each position. Brisker is the sole Penn State player named to PFF's top-10 lists, which the site stresses have "nothing to do with pro potential." Pro Football Focus raved over Brisker last season, when he was a third-team All-Big Ten selection after leading Penn State with six pass breakups. Here's how PFF assesses Brisker as the nation's No. 5 returning safety: After two years of stellar play at Lackawanna Community College, Brisker chose Penn State over Alabama and others in 2019. He has been one of the top safeties in the country ever since. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound safety has earned PFF grades of 82.0 and 82.8 in his two years as a Nittany Lion, forming one of the five best two-year marks in the FBS. Brisker also owns 85.0-plus grades against the run and in coverage over the last couple of years, something no other Power Five safety has managed. Hes rocked up and explosive and certified himself as one of the best tacklers at the position a year ago, missing just one tackle on 60 total attempts. That 1.7% missed tackle rate led all FBS safeties on the year and was the second-lowest rate we have ever seen in the PFF College era. But perhaps Brisker shouldn't be the only Penn State player on these lists. Jahan Dotson is not among the nation's top 10 returning wide receivers, according to PFF, which ranks four Big Ten receivers in its top 10. Dotson, named second-team All-Big Ten last season, led the conference in receiving yards with 884, albeit in a year when Penn State was one of two teams to play nine games. Dotson ranked third in receiving yards per game (98.4) behind Purdue's David Bell and Ohio State's Chris Olave. PFF also ranked Ohio State's Garrett Wilson and Indiana's Ty Fryfogle above Dotson. In addition, Penn State's Rasheed Walker isn't among the top 10 returning offensive tackles. Walker, a third-team All-Big Ten selection, will be a third-year starter for the Lions this season. Though PFF indicated that pro prospects don't factor into its rankings NFL Draft Bible lists Walker as the top-ranked tackle prospect of the future. NFL Draft Bible ranks Walker ahead of Ohio State's Thayer Munford, who is PFF's No. 1 returning tackle. Walker and Munford will meet Oct. 30 in Columbus. Check out PFF's full list of the top returning players in college football. Penn State QB commit Drew Allar accepts invite to All-American Bowl Penn State commit Kaden Saunders draws raves at Rivals camp | Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker is among the nation's top returning players, according to Pro Football Focus. Brisker is the sole Penn State player named to PFF's top-10 lists. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-football-pro-football-focus-recognizes-jaquan-brisker | 0.33094 |
Should PFF Cite More Penn State Players on its Top-10 Lists? | Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker is among college football's top returning players, according to Pro Football Focus. Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker is among the nation's top returning college football players, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked the 10 best at each position. Brisker is the sole Penn State player named to PFF's top-10 lists, which the site stresses have "nothing to do with pro potential." Pro Football Focus raved over Brisker last season, when he was a third-team All-Big Ten selection after leading Penn State with six pass breakups. Here's how PFF assesses Brisker as the nation's No. 5 returning safety: After two years of stellar play at Lackawanna Community College, Brisker chose Penn State over Alabama and others in 2019. He has been one of the top safeties in the country ever since. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound safety has earned PFF grades of 82.0 and 82.8 in his two years as a Nittany Lion, forming one of the five best two-year marks in the FBS. Brisker also owns 85.0-plus grades against the run and in coverage over the last couple of years, something no other Power Five safety has managed. Hes rocked up and explosive and certified himself as one of the best tacklers at the position a year ago, missing just one tackle on 60 total attempts. That 1.7% missed tackle rate led all FBS safeties on the year and was the second-lowest rate we have ever seen in the PFF College era. But perhaps Brisker shouldn't be the only Penn State player on these lists. Jahan Dotson is not among the nation's top 10 returning wide receivers, according to PFF, which ranks four Big Ten receivers in its top 10. Dotson, named second-team All-Big Ten last season, led the conference in receiving yards with 884, albeit in a year when Penn State was one of two teams to play nine games. Dotson ranked third in receiving yards per game (98.4) behind Purdue's David Bell and Ohio State's Chris Olave. PFF also ranked Ohio State's Garrett Wilson and Indiana's Ty Fryfogle above Dotson. In addition, Penn State's Rasheed Walker isn't among the top 10 returning offensive tackles. Walker, a third-team All-Big Ten selection, will be a third-year starter for the Lions this season. Though PFF indicated that pro prospects don't factor into its rankings NFL Draft Bible lists Walker as the top-ranked tackle prospect of the future. NFL Draft Bible ranks Walker ahead of Ohio State's Thayer Munford, who is PFF's No. 1 returning tackle. Walker and Munford will meet Oct. 30 in Columbus. Check out PFF's full list of the top returning players in college football. Penn State QB commit Drew Allar accepts invite to All-American Bowl Penn State commit Kaden Saunders draws raves at Rivals camp | Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker is among the nation's top returning players, according to Pro Football Focus. Brisker is the sole Penn State player named to PFF's top-10 lists. Jahon Dotson is not among the nation's top 10 returning wide receivers. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-football-pro-football-focus-recognizes-jaquan-brisker | 0.426657 |
Is Bengals Cornerback Mike Hilton Recruiting Former Pittsburgh Steelers Teammate Steven Nelson to Cincinnati? | CINCINNATI The Bengals bolstered their cornerback room by signing Chidobe Awuzie, Mike Hilton and Eli Apple in free agency this offseason. Despite the additions, they're reportedly interested in adding former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson to the roster. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Bengals are one of 14 teams that have expressed interest in Nelson and that the veteran is looking for the "right fit and opportunity." While the fit alongside Trae Waynes, Awuzie and Hilton is questionable at best, Nelson's former teammate might be recruiting him to Cincinnati. "Yo @Nelson_Island let me holla at you about something," Hilton tweeted on Wednesday. Waynes, Awuzie and Hilton are going to start. Nelson would be an upgrade over Apple or even Darius Phillips, but he's talented enough to land a starting job elsewhere. Either way, it's good to see Hilton potentially recruiting Nelson to Cincinnati. Adding proven veterans in free agency was important and is still a crucial part of the Bengals' quest to turn things around this season. For the latest Bengals news and coverage, bookmark AllBengals and check out some of our other articles below. ----- You May Also Like: Three Thoughts on the Bengals' 2021 Schedule Bengals Playing in One of the Best Games of 2021 According to One Analyst Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Schedule Revealed Watch: Tee Higgins Working Out With Adam "Pacman" Jones Justin Jefferson Brutally Honest About Joe Burrow vs Kirk Cousins Bengals Bringing in Former Arkansas Tight End for Rookie Minicamp Tryout Former Pro Bowl RG Trai Turner Reportedly Has Reasonable Asking Price New Bengals Defensive End Joseph Ossai Could Be a Problem For Opposing QBs Chad Johnson Refused to Fight Adam "Pacman" Jones in Boxing Match LOOK: Check out All 10 of the Bengals' Draft Picks in Their New Uniforms Bengals Expressing Interest in Free Agent Wide Receiver Dede Westbrook NFL Insider on Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase: "They Better Be Right" Locked on Bengals: Paul Alexander Discusses His Work With Jackson Carman Ja'Marr Chase Receives Big-Time Praise: He's a "Special Player" AllBengals Exclusive: Jim Breech Excited to Watch Evan McPherson Joseph Ossai Gives Fun Answer When Asked Which QB He Wants to Sack Most One Analyst Predicted Jackson Carman's Rise Up Draft Boards Bengals Release Nominees For Inaugural Ring of Honor A Pick-By-Pick Breakdown of the Bengals' 2021 Draft Class Bengals Invite Free Agent Speedster to Minicamp Former NFL Star Buying Stock in the Bengals' Offense Joe Mixon's Role Could Expand This Season Analyst Names Bengals' Best and Worst Draft Picks Chad Johnson is Getting in the Ring Former NFL Star Sees Bengals' Vision With Ja'Marr Chase The Lions Tried to Trade Up With the Bengals in 2021 NFL Draft Analyst Believes Bengals Have One of the Most Improved O-Line Rooms in the NFL Watch: A Quality Breakdown of New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson A Closer Look at the Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase Over Penei Sewell An Inside Look at the Bengals' Pursuit of Second Round OL Jackson Carman Draft Grades Are In: Here's What the National Media is Saying About the Bengals A Three Down Look at All Seven Bengals Day 3 Draft Picks Track EVERY Bengals Undrafted Free Agent Signing Here Chris Evans Worked on 'The Mixon' At Michigan Bengals Add Giovani Bernard Replacement at Running Back Watch: New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson Made One of the Best Kicks Ever LSU Reunion: Bengals Take BIG Tyler Shelvin in Round Four Bengals Bolster Pass Rush With Cam Sample in Fourth Round Former Bengals Coach Has HIGH Praise for Jackson Carman Willie Anderson Gives Stamp of Approval on Bengals 2nd Rounder Jackson Carman Ja'Marr Chase Gives Shoutout to Bengals Super Fan Passing on Penei: Here's Why Ja'Marr Chase Was the Right Pick Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Reacts to Emotional Letter From Parents Ja'Marr Chase Makes BOLD Statement on Draft Night ----- Be sure to keep it locked on AllBengals all the time! Subscribe to the AllBengals YouTube channel Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals Like and follow AllBengals on Facebook | The Bengals are reportedly interested in adding former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson. Nelson's former teammate Mike Hilton might be recruiting him to Cincinnati. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/is-bengals-cornerback-mike-hilton-recruiting-former-pittsburgh-steelers-teammate-steven-nelson-to-cincinnati | 0.341504 |
Is Bengals Cornerback Mike Hilton Recruiting Former Pittsburgh Steelers Teammate Steven Nelson to Cincinnati? | CINCINNATI The Bengals bolstered their cornerback room by signing Chidobe Awuzie, Mike Hilton and Eli Apple in free agency this offseason. Despite the additions, they're reportedly interested in adding former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson to the roster. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Bengals are one of 14 teams that have expressed interest in Nelson and that the veteran is looking for the "right fit and opportunity." While the fit alongside Trae Waynes, Awuzie and Hilton is questionable at best, Nelson's former teammate might be recruiting him to Cincinnati. "Yo @Nelson_Island let me holla at you about something," Hilton tweeted on Wednesday. Waynes, Awuzie and Hilton are going to start. Nelson would be an upgrade over Apple or even Darius Phillips, but he's talented enough to land a starting job elsewhere. Either way, it's good to see Hilton potentially recruiting Nelson to Cincinnati. Adding proven veterans in free agency was important and is still a crucial part of the Bengals' quest to turn things around this season. For the latest Bengals news and coverage, bookmark AllBengals and check out some of our other articles below. ----- You May Also Like: Three Thoughts on the Bengals' 2021 Schedule Bengals Playing in One of the Best Games of 2021 According to One Analyst Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Schedule Revealed Watch: Tee Higgins Working Out With Adam "Pacman" Jones Justin Jefferson Brutally Honest About Joe Burrow vs Kirk Cousins Bengals Bringing in Former Arkansas Tight End for Rookie Minicamp Tryout Former Pro Bowl RG Trai Turner Reportedly Has Reasonable Asking Price New Bengals Defensive End Joseph Ossai Could Be a Problem For Opposing QBs Chad Johnson Refused to Fight Adam "Pacman" Jones in Boxing Match LOOK: Check out All 10 of the Bengals' Draft Picks in Their New Uniforms Bengals Expressing Interest in Free Agent Wide Receiver Dede Westbrook NFL Insider on Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase: "They Better Be Right" Locked on Bengals: Paul Alexander Discusses His Work With Jackson Carman Ja'Marr Chase Receives Big-Time Praise: He's a "Special Player" AllBengals Exclusive: Jim Breech Excited to Watch Evan McPherson Joseph Ossai Gives Fun Answer When Asked Which QB He Wants to Sack Most One Analyst Predicted Jackson Carman's Rise Up Draft Boards Bengals Release Nominees For Inaugural Ring of Honor A Pick-By-Pick Breakdown of the Bengals' 2021 Draft Class Bengals Invite Free Agent Speedster to Minicamp Former NFL Star Buying Stock in the Bengals' Offense Joe Mixon's Role Could Expand This Season Analyst Names Bengals' Best and Worst Draft Picks Chad Johnson is Getting in the Ring Former NFL Star Sees Bengals' Vision With Ja'Marr Chase The Lions Tried to Trade Up With the Bengals in 2021 NFL Draft Analyst Believes Bengals Have One of the Most Improved O-Line Rooms in the NFL Watch: A Quality Breakdown of New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson A Closer Look at the Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase Over Penei Sewell An Inside Look at the Bengals' Pursuit of Second Round OL Jackson Carman Draft Grades Are In: Here's What the National Media is Saying About the Bengals A Three Down Look at All Seven Bengals Day 3 Draft Picks Track EVERY Bengals Undrafted Free Agent Signing Here Chris Evans Worked on 'The Mixon' At Michigan Bengals Add Giovani Bernard Replacement at Running Back Watch: New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson Made One of the Best Kicks Ever LSU Reunion: Bengals Take BIG Tyler Shelvin in Round Four Bengals Bolster Pass Rush With Cam Sample in Fourth Round Former Bengals Coach Has HIGH Praise for Jackson Carman Willie Anderson Gives Stamp of Approval on Bengals 2nd Rounder Jackson Carman Ja'Marr Chase Gives Shoutout to Bengals Super Fan Passing on Penei: Here's Why Ja'Marr Chase Was the Right Pick Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Reacts to Emotional Letter From Parents Ja'Marr Chase Makes BOLD Statement on Draft Night ----- Be sure to keep it locked on AllBengals all the time! Subscribe to the AllBengals YouTube channel Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals Like and follow AllBengals on Facebook | The Bengals are reportedly interested in signing former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson. Nelson's former teammate Mike Hilton may be recruiting him to Cincinnati. Nelson would be an upgrade over Apple or even Darius Phillips, but he's talented enough to land a starting job elsewhere. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/is-bengals-cornerback-mike-hilton-recruiting-former-pittsburgh-steelers-teammate-steven-nelson-to-cincinnati | 0.480773 |
Is Bengals Cornerback Mike Hilton Recruiting Former Pittsburgh Steelers Teammate Steven Nelson to Cincinnati? | CINCINNATI The Bengals bolstered their cornerback room by signing Chidobe Awuzie, Mike Hilton and Eli Apple in free agency this offseason. Despite the additions, they're reportedly interested in adding former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson to the roster. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Bengals are one of 14 teams that have expressed interest in Nelson and that the veteran is looking for the "right fit and opportunity." While the fit alongside Trae Waynes, Awuzie and Hilton is questionable at best, Nelson's former teammate might be recruiting him to Cincinnati. "Yo @Nelson_Island let me holla at you about something," Hilton tweeted on Wednesday. Waynes, Awuzie and Hilton are going to start. Nelson would be an upgrade over Apple or even Darius Phillips, but he's talented enough to land a starting job elsewhere. Either way, it's good to see Hilton potentially recruiting Nelson to Cincinnati. Adding proven veterans in free agency was important and is still a crucial part of the Bengals' quest to turn things around this season. For the latest Bengals news and coverage, bookmark AllBengals and check out some of our other articles below. ----- You May Also Like: Three Thoughts on the Bengals' 2021 Schedule Bengals Playing in One of the Best Games of 2021 According to One Analyst Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Schedule Revealed Watch: Tee Higgins Working Out With Adam "Pacman" Jones Justin Jefferson Brutally Honest About Joe Burrow vs Kirk Cousins Bengals Bringing in Former Arkansas Tight End for Rookie Minicamp Tryout Former Pro Bowl RG Trai Turner Reportedly Has Reasonable Asking Price New Bengals Defensive End Joseph Ossai Could Be a Problem For Opposing QBs Chad Johnson Refused to Fight Adam "Pacman" Jones in Boxing Match LOOK: Check out All 10 of the Bengals' Draft Picks in Their New Uniforms Bengals Expressing Interest in Free Agent Wide Receiver Dede Westbrook NFL Insider on Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase: "They Better Be Right" Locked on Bengals: Paul Alexander Discusses His Work With Jackson Carman Ja'Marr Chase Receives Big-Time Praise: He's a "Special Player" AllBengals Exclusive: Jim Breech Excited to Watch Evan McPherson Joseph Ossai Gives Fun Answer When Asked Which QB He Wants to Sack Most One Analyst Predicted Jackson Carman's Rise Up Draft Boards Bengals Release Nominees For Inaugural Ring of Honor A Pick-By-Pick Breakdown of the Bengals' 2021 Draft Class Bengals Invite Free Agent Speedster to Minicamp Former NFL Star Buying Stock in the Bengals' Offense Joe Mixon's Role Could Expand This Season Analyst Names Bengals' Best and Worst Draft Picks Chad Johnson is Getting in the Ring Former NFL Star Sees Bengals' Vision With Ja'Marr Chase The Lions Tried to Trade Up With the Bengals in 2021 NFL Draft Analyst Believes Bengals Have One of the Most Improved O-Line Rooms in the NFL Watch: A Quality Breakdown of New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson A Closer Look at the Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase Over Penei Sewell An Inside Look at the Bengals' Pursuit of Second Round OL Jackson Carman Draft Grades Are In: Here's What the National Media is Saying About the Bengals A Three Down Look at All Seven Bengals Day 3 Draft Picks Track EVERY Bengals Undrafted Free Agent Signing Here Chris Evans Worked on 'The Mixon' At Michigan Bengals Add Giovani Bernard Replacement at Running Back Watch: New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson Made One of the Best Kicks Ever LSU Reunion: Bengals Take BIG Tyler Shelvin in Round Four Bengals Bolster Pass Rush With Cam Sample in Fourth Round Former Bengals Coach Has HIGH Praise for Jackson Carman Willie Anderson Gives Stamp of Approval on Bengals 2nd Rounder Jackson Carman Ja'Marr Chase Gives Shoutout to Bengals Super Fan Passing on Penei: Here's Why Ja'Marr Chase Was the Right Pick Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Reacts to Emotional Letter From Parents Ja'Marr Chase Makes BOLD Statement on Draft Night ----- Be sure to keep it locked on AllBengals all the time! Subscribe to the AllBengals YouTube channel Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals Like and follow AllBengals on Facebook | The Bengals are reportedly interested in signing former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson. Nelson would be an upgrade over Eli Apple, Darius Phillips or Trae Waynes. The Bengals signed Chidobe Awuzie, Mike Hilton and Eli Apple in free agency this offseason. Click here for the latest Bengals news. | bart | 2 | https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/is-bengals-cornerback-mike-hilton-recruiting-former-pittsburgh-steelers-teammate-steven-nelson-to-cincinnati | 0.340645 |
Do higher taxes really drive millionaires to flee? | Millionaires are mobile. Millionaires are used to zapping their money across borders and asset classes in perpetual pursuit of higher returns. Millionaires would rather give up their Gulfstreams than pay one cent more in taxes than they must, which is why if rates rise in one locale they react by directing their pilot to the nearest tax haven. At least that's a common perception when it comes to America's rich, who are seen as being more attached to money than to place. And elements of that narrative are true, notably the near-frictionless flight of capital around the globe these days. But one strand of the story is dead wrong, it turns out: Millionaires in the U.S. are neither likely to pick up stakes nor to flee their state of residence just to lower their taxes. "The general impression that top income earners are very geographically mobile is really untrue," said Cristobal Young, a professor of sociology at Stanford University and co-author of a new study that examines whether higher tax rates in one state lead millionaires to decamp for tax-friendlier states. Young and his fellow researchers -- Charles Varner, a sociologist and an associate director of Stanford's Center on Poverty and Inequality, and Ithai Lurie and Richard Prisinzano, financial economists at the U.S. Department of Treasury -- found that the six-zero set is, in fact, less likely to migrate to other parts of the country than people lower down the income ladder. "The most striking finding of this research is how little elites seem willing to move to exploit tax advantages across state lines in the United States," they wrote in the study, published Thursday in the June issue of the American Sociological Review. A number of U.S. states, their coffers drained by the recession, have imposed so-called millionaire taxes to boost revenue. Globally, some countries have sought to counteract the effects of rising income inequality by lifting taxes on millionaires, while both Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders have proposed hiking rates on top earners. Opponents of these policies say higher tax rates have unintended consequences, driving wealthy people away and, especially at the state level, reducing revenue and causing fiscal havoc. That was the claim recently when billionaire hedge fund manager David Tepper left New Jersey, which has the fifth-highest state income tax in the nation, and relocated to zero-tax Florida. But Young's research -- which examined the tax records of every U.S. millionaire over more than a decade, some 3.7 million filers -- makes clear just how rarely millionaires in the U.S. actually move, whether to take advantage of lower taxes or for any other reason. Of the roughly 500,000 households per year that report at least $1 million in income on their tax returns, only 2.4 percent, or 12,000 millionaires, migrate to another state; that compares with 2.9 percent for the population at large. Of the top income earners who do leave a state, only a sliver -- just over 2 percent -- seem to be spurred by a wish to cut their taxes, according to the study. Because for most millionaires, getting and staying rich is intimately connected to where they live. Precious professional and social connections, often nurtured over years in a given industry, tend to bind the wealthy to where they live. So does family, since 90 percent of millionaires are married (compared with 58 percent for the general population) and are more likely to have children. Perhaps it's not surprising, then, that millionaires who own a business have a migration rate of only 2 percent, versus 2.6 percent for non-business owners. "When you reach this level of success, moving to a different state is a disruption," Young said. He also notes that corporate executives, doctors and other high-paid professionals, who make up the lion's share of millionaires in the U.S., typically reach their maximum income only for a few years. "It's a small window when they're at the peak of their careers, and to make a big, potentially disruptive move is not something that makes a lot of sense." Not that millionaires never fly the coop in search of lower taxes. The study found that in the average state, which on an annual basis has a millionaire population of about 9,000, a 1 percent income tax increase could be expected to result in 23 top earners high-tailing it to a lower-tax state. But the vast majority, tethered to their communities by the same links that tie less wealthy people to their humbler abodes, remain firmly grounded. It follows, then, that states with higher tax rates don't have fewer millionaires. On the contrary, the state with the highest density of millionaires is Connecticut, which ranks No. 13 in state income taxes (rounding out the top five jurisdictions: the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts). The one state that does seem to attract millionaires from higher-tax states is Florida; other low-tax states, such as New Hampshire, Nevada and Texas, don't have that drawing power. First, the specter of millionaire tax flight is largely a myth. That suggests state policymakers have little to fear in raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans as one way to close budget gaps and reduce inequality. Second, the study challenges ingrained cultural beliefs about America as a land of endless opportunity for anyone with the gumption -- and a bus ticket -- to go after it. If that's the country we once had, we inhabit it no longer. After all, one group does show a greater inclination to move than the rest of us -- the poor. The highest rate of migration in the U.S., at nearly double the rate of millionaires, is found among people who earn around $10,000, the study shows. If trying to escape poverty often means moving away, in other words, then getting rich usually means staying put. Said Young: "We have this idea of mobility and migration as part of America, but it's less and less true." | Study: Millionaires in the U.S. are neither likely to pick up stakes nor to flee their state. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/do-higher-taxes-really-drive-millionaires-to-flee/ | 0.110039 |
Do higher taxes really drive millionaires to flee? | Millionaires are mobile. Millionaires are used to zapping their money across borders and asset classes in perpetual pursuit of higher returns. Millionaires would rather give up their Gulfstreams than pay one cent more in taxes than they must, which is why if rates rise in one locale they react by directing their pilot to the nearest tax haven. At least that's a common perception when it comes to America's rich, who are seen as being more attached to money than to place. And elements of that narrative are true, notably the near-frictionless flight of capital around the globe these days. But one strand of the story is dead wrong, it turns out: Millionaires in the U.S. are neither likely to pick up stakes nor to flee their state of residence just to lower their taxes. "The general impression that top income earners are very geographically mobile is really untrue," said Cristobal Young, a professor of sociology at Stanford University and co-author of a new study that examines whether higher tax rates in one state lead millionaires to decamp for tax-friendlier states. Young and his fellow researchers -- Charles Varner, a sociologist and an associate director of Stanford's Center on Poverty and Inequality, and Ithai Lurie and Richard Prisinzano, financial economists at the U.S. Department of Treasury -- found that the six-zero set is, in fact, less likely to migrate to other parts of the country than people lower down the income ladder. "The most striking finding of this research is how little elites seem willing to move to exploit tax advantages across state lines in the United States," they wrote in the study, published Thursday in the June issue of the American Sociological Review. A number of U.S. states, their coffers drained by the recession, have imposed so-called millionaire taxes to boost revenue. Globally, some countries have sought to counteract the effects of rising income inequality by lifting taxes on millionaires, while both Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders have proposed hiking rates on top earners. Opponents of these policies say higher tax rates have unintended consequences, driving wealthy people away and, especially at the state level, reducing revenue and causing fiscal havoc. That was the claim recently when billionaire hedge fund manager David Tepper left New Jersey, which has the fifth-highest state income tax in the nation, and relocated to zero-tax Florida. But Young's research -- which examined the tax records of every U.S. millionaire over more than a decade, some 3.7 million filers -- makes clear just how rarely millionaires in the U.S. actually move, whether to take advantage of lower taxes or for any other reason. Of the roughly 500,000 households per year that report at least $1 million in income on their tax returns, only 2.4 percent, or 12,000 millionaires, migrate to another state; that compares with 2.9 percent for the population at large. Of the top income earners who do leave a state, only a sliver -- just over 2 percent -- seem to be spurred by a wish to cut their taxes, according to the study. Because for most millionaires, getting and staying rich is intimately connected to where they live. Precious professional and social connections, often nurtured over years in a given industry, tend to bind the wealthy to where they live. So does family, since 90 percent of millionaires are married (compared with 58 percent for the general population) and are more likely to have children. Perhaps it's not surprising, then, that millionaires who own a business have a migration rate of only 2 percent, versus 2.6 percent for non-business owners. "When you reach this level of success, moving to a different state is a disruption," Young said. He also notes that corporate executives, doctors and other high-paid professionals, who make up the lion's share of millionaires in the U.S., typically reach their maximum income only for a few years. "It's a small window when they're at the peak of their careers, and to make a big, potentially disruptive move is not something that makes a lot of sense." Not that millionaires never fly the coop in search of lower taxes. The study found that in the average state, which on an annual basis has a millionaire population of about 9,000, a 1 percent income tax increase could be expected to result in 23 top earners high-tailing it to a lower-tax state. But the vast majority, tethered to their communities by the same links that tie less wealthy people to their humbler abodes, remain firmly grounded. It follows, then, that states with higher tax rates don't have fewer millionaires. On the contrary, the state with the highest density of millionaires is Connecticut, which ranks No. 13 in state income taxes (rounding out the top five jurisdictions: the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts). The one state that does seem to attract millionaires from higher-tax states is Florida; other low-tax states, such as New Hampshire, Nevada and Texas, don't have that drawing power. First, the specter of millionaire tax flight is largely a myth. That suggests state policymakers have little to fear in raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans as one way to close budget gaps and reduce inequality. Second, the study challenges ingrained cultural beliefs about America as a land of endless opportunity for anyone with the gumption -- and a bus ticket -- to go after it. If that's the country we once had, we inhabit it no longer. After all, one group does show a greater inclination to move than the rest of us -- the poor. The highest rate of migration in the U.S., at nearly double the rate of millionaires, is found among people who earn around $10,000, the study shows. If trying to escape poverty often means moving away, in other words, then getting rich usually means staying put. Said Young: "We have this idea of mobility and migration as part of America, but it's less and less true." | A new study examines whether higher tax rates in one state lead millionaires to decamp for tax-friendlier states. Millionaires in the U.S. are neither likely to pick up stakes nor to flee their state of residence. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/do-higher-taxes-really-drive-millionaires-to-flee/ | 0.287697 |
Do higher taxes really drive millionaires to flee? | Millionaires are mobile. Millionaires are used to zapping their money across borders and asset classes in perpetual pursuit of higher returns. Millionaires would rather give up their Gulfstreams than pay one cent more in taxes than they must, which is why if rates rise in one locale they react by directing their pilot to the nearest tax haven. At least that's a common perception when it comes to America's rich, who are seen as being more attached to money than to place. And elements of that narrative are true, notably the near-frictionless flight of capital around the globe these days. But one strand of the story is dead wrong, it turns out: Millionaires in the U.S. are neither likely to pick up stakes nor to flee their state of residence just to lower their taxes. "The general impression that top income earners are very geographically mobile is really untrue," said Cristobal Young, a professor of sociology at Stanford University and co-author of a new study that examines whether higher tax rates in one state lead millionaires to decamp for tax-friendlier states. Young and his fellow researchers -- Charles Varner, a sociologist and an associate director of Stanford's Center on Poverty and Inequality, and Ithai Lurie and Richard Prisinzano, financial economists at the U.S. Department of Treasury -- found that the six-zero set is, in fact, less likely to migrate to other parts of the country than people lower down the income ladder. "The most striking finding of this research is how little elites seem willing to move to exploit tax advantages across state lines in the United States," they wrote in the study, published Thursday in the June issue of the American Sociological Review. A number of U.S. states, their coffers drained by the recession, have imposed so-called millionaire taxes to boost revenue. Globally, some countries have sought to counteract the effects of rising income inequality by lifting taxes on millionaires, while both Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders have proposed hiking rates on top earners. Opponents of these policies say higher tax rates have unintended consequences, driving wealthy people away and, especially at the state level, reducing revenue and causing fiscal havoc. That was the claim recently when billionaire hedge fund manager David Tepper left New Jersey, which has the fifth-highest state income tax in the nation, and relocated to zero-tax Florida. But Young's research -- which examined the tax records of every U.S. millionaire over more than a decade, some 3.7 million filers -- makes clear just how rarely millionaires in the U.S. actually move, whether to take advantage of lower taxes or for any other reason. Of the roughly 500,000 households per year that report at least $1 million in income on their tax returns, only 2.4 percent, or 12,000 millionaires, migrate to another state; that compares with 2.9 percent for the population at large. Of the top income earners who do leave a state, only a sliver -- just over 2 percent -- seem to be spurred by a wish to cut their taxes, according to the study. Because for most millionaires, getting and staying rich is intimately connected to where they live. Precious professional and social connections, often nurtured over years in a given industry, tend to bind the wealthy to where they live. So does family, since 90 percent of millionaires are married (compared with 58 percent for the general population) and are more likely to have children. Perhaps it's not surprising, then, that millionaires who own a business have a migration rate of only 2 percent, versus 2.6 percent for non-business owners. "When you reach this level of success, moving to a different state is a disruption," Young said. He also notes that corporate executives, doctors and other high-paid professionals, who make up the lion's share of millionaires in the U.S., typically reach their maximum income only for a few years. "It's a small window when they're at the peak of their careers, and to make a big, potentially disruptive move is not something that makes a lot of sense." Not that millionaires never fly the coop in search of lower taxes. The study found that in the average state, which on an annual basis has a millionaire population of about 9,000, a 1 percent income tax increase could be expected to result in 23 top earners high-tailing it to a lower-tax state. But the vast majority, tethered to their communities by the same links that tie less wealthy people to their humbler abodes, remain firmly grounded. It follows, then, that states with higher tax rates don't have fewer millionaires. On the contrary, the state with the highest density of millionaires is Connecticut, which ranks No. 13 in state income taxes (rounding out the top five jurisdictions: the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts). The one state that does seem to attract millionaires from higher-tax states is Florida; other low-tax states, such as New Hampshire, Nevada and Texas, don't have that drawing power. First, the specter of millionaire tax flight is largely a myth. That suggests state policymakers have little to fear in raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans as one way to close budget gaps and reduce inequality. Second, the study challenges ingrained cultural beliefs about America as a land of endless opportunity for anyone with the gumption -- and a bus ticket -- to go after it. If that's the country we once had, we inhabit it no longer. After all, one group does show a greater inclination to move than the rest of us -- the poor. The highest rate of migration in the U.S., at nearly double the rate of millionaires, is found among people who earn around $10,000, the study shows. If trying to escape poverty often means moving away, in other words, then getting rich usually means staying put. Said Young: "We have this idea of mobility and migration as part of America, but it's less and less true." | Study: Millionaires in the U.S. are neither likely to pick up stakes nor to flee their state of residence. A number of U.S. states, their coffers drained by the recession, have imposed so-called millionaire taxes. Globally, some countries have sought to counteract the effects of rising income inequality by lifting taxes on millionaires. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/do-higher-taxes-really-drive-millionaires-to-flee/ | 0.183744 |
Will shareholders halt the inexorable rise of CEO pay? | L AST YEAR was a terrible one for travel of any sort. You would not know it from the way some American chief executives trousered pay. Annual filings show that Larry Culp, boss of GE , whose jet-engine business stalled as aviation nosedived, earned $73m, almost triple his total pay in 2019. Christopher Nassetta, CEO of Hilton, a hotel chain, enjoyed a 161% pay boost, receiving $55.9m. Norwegian Cruise Line, which described 2020 as the hardest year in its history, more than doubled the compensation of its CEO , Frank Del Rio, to $36.4m. All three were among the corporate titans who grandly took cuts in their basic pay and/or bonuses during the pandemic. They pocketed far more than they gave up. They did so thanks to a nifty conjuring trick performed in boardrooms across America last year. In effect, many boards airbrushed away the impact of covid-19 on performance-based pay either by removing a quarter or two of bad numbers in order to meet bonus targets, changing the metrics mid-course, oras with Messrs Culp, Nassetta and Del Rioby issuing new share grants after the pandemic gutted the previous ones. (Mr Culp and Mr Del Rio also got contract extensions.) The result was a continuation of the inexorable rise of CEO pay in America during a year that, for mere mortals, was one of massive job losses, furloughing and government support. According to MyLog IQ , a data gatherer, the median pay of nearly 450 CEO s running firms in the S & P 500 that have reported so far was $13.2m last year, an increase for the fifth year running. It said Mr Nassetta and Mr Del Rio were among two dozen bosses in that group who got a pay rise even though their firms lost money. So far this year, shareholders have used say-on-pay votes at annual general meetings to censure an unusually large number of Americas biggest firms for gerrymandering pay policies, including GE , AT & T , a telecoms giant, IBM , a tech firm, and Walgreens Boots Alliance, a pharmacy business. Pay consultants report that those CEO s yet to face combative shareholder meetings are sweating it. That is no bad thing if it suggests that institutions are so fed up with the stratospheric rewards on offer that they convince boards to put an end to them. But dont bet on it. Shareholders remain in as much of a muddle over high pay as company directors. To be fair, its a tricky issue. There is a widely held view in America that executive pay, like the stockmarket, always rises. Thats not strictly accurate. During the second world war pay fell, and for 30 years after barely budged. But since then, CEO pay inflation has been a fairly reliable assumption: the average level has risen about tenfold since the mid-1970s, vastly outpacing the income of average workers. It is a phenomenon that extends well beyond chief executives. Superstars from J.K. Rowling, an author, to Cristiano Ronaldo, a footballer, also earn spectacularly more than their counterparts would have done in ages past, notes Alex Edmans of the London Business School. In such a competitive global market, high pay may be justified to recruit and keep the best people. Yet its merits are undermined when bosses reap the windfalls from extraordinarily good times, such as a stockmarket boom, but are spared the consequences of misfortune, such as a pandemic. As Mr Edmans puts it: If youre letting CEO s benefit from the upside, they have to feel the pain on the downside. Boards tend to ignore that. Perhaps they, too, gain from perpetuating a system that keeps their own salaries high. For whatever reason, they threw around the painkillers last year like smarties. Pliant boards are not the only problem. Pusillanimous investors are part of it, too. Until the pandemic, the average vote supporting management on say-on-pay proposals was 90% or more, says Semler Brossy, a pay consultancy. Thats a whopping approval rate. By contrast, Cal PERS , Americas most outspoken public-pension fund, in 2019 and 2020 voted against more than half of them, usually because the rises were not justified by mediocre market performance. Things appear to be changing. MyLog IQ says that the share of companies in the S & P 500 that have failed say-on-pay votes so far this year is running at 6.1%, almost three times the level for the whole of 2019. Institutions claim that the issue has become more pressing because the heads-I-win, tails-you-lose approach to pay screams inequality. Yet their protest votes on pay remain relatively few, they are non-binding, and the number of pay recalibrations last year were unusually high, suggesting their fury on the issue may yet cool. Say-on-pay censure alone will not end Americas fat-cat era. It is hard to imagine what will. Many shareholders instinctively cringe at the thought of taxation and pay caps, an option floated by left-wing Democrats. Yet their own collective efforts to modify the system are also feeble. Calls to lengthen the period executives hold shares to, say, five or ten years have so far gone nowhere. Efforts to stop boards benchmarking CEO s against lavishly paid members of peer-group companies have also flopped. Doing well by doing good | Many boards airbrushed away the impact of covid-19 on performance-based pay. The result was a continuation of the inexorable rise of CEO pay in America. Shareholders remain in as much of a muddle over high pay as company directors. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.economist.com/business/2021/05/15/will-shareholders-halt-the-inexorable-rise-of-ceo-pay | 0.314377 |
Would an Arizona GOP-sponsored bill fine teachers $5,000 for promoting anti-racism? | If Republicans in the Arizona Legislature get their way, public school teachers could be fined $5,000 for advocating a less racist society. Of course, thats not how the supporters of Senate Bill 1532 see it. They see it as a way of keeping something called Critical Race Theory out of schools. Well, Arizona State University associate professor Rashad Shabazz says its not about trying to make white people feel bad, but to undermine and destroy white supremacy. Im no education professional but Id guess the without giving deference requirement would be a little tricky with a subject like racism. And the term controversial issues is very, VERY broad and covers almost everything. The bill also says that a violation of the prohibition on controversial issues could lead to a $5,000 fine. Like I said, Im no education professional. But from what I can tell, if this bill becomes law then among the many controversial issues it may be illegal for a teacher to discuss is the law passed by the Legislature that makes it illegal to discuss controversial issues. Unless, of course, a teacher could find a way to do so from diverse and contending perspectives. But theres a problem. That's crazy Choosing which side gets to make its argument first in such discussion would, itself, be controversial. Which means, I suppose, that the teacher would first need to find a way to discuss from diverse and contending perspectives which side of the argument involved in the discussion about the law making it illegal to discuss controversial topics gets to go first. See no knowledge, hear no knowledge Although, perhaps teachers could get around that by allowing those on opposing sides of the who should go first discussion to speak at the same time. Then again, in order for that to be presented fairly and equitably from diverse and contending perspectives, as required by the law, the opposing individuals would need to speak with the same volume, pitch, articulation, pronunciation and fluency. Good luck finding two voices like that. And even if a teacher found a pair of identical vocal presenters the controversial aspect of the discussion would switch to the students, since there is no guarantee that each of the young people will be able hear what is spoken with the same auditory efficiency as others in the class. And even if they could, intellects vary and not every student will be able to comprehend what is going on in a way that allows him or her to recognize the diverse and contending perspectives. All of which could mean the teacher would be in violation of the law. Which could lead to a $5,000 fine. Which could lead teachers to simply remain mute about everything. Which would leave our students uninformed and ignorant. Which seems to be what lawmakers want. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. | Public school teachers in Arizona could be fined $5,000 for advocating a less racist society. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2021/05/13/would-arizona-bill-fine-teachers-anti-racism/5069367001/ | 0.381594 |
Would an Arizona GOP-sponsored bill fine teachers $5,000 for promoting anti-racism? | If Republicans in the Arizona Legislature get their way, public school teachers could be fined $5,000 for advocating a less racist society. Of course, thats not how the supporters of Senate Bill 1532 see it. They see it as a way of keeping something called Critical Race Theory out of schools. Well, Arizona State University associate professor Rashad Shabazz says its not about trying to make white people feel bad, but to undermine and destroy white supremacy. Im no education professional but Id guess the without giving deference requirement would be a little tricky with a subject like racism. And the term controversial issues is very, VERY broad and covers almost everything. The bill also says that a violation of the prohibition on controversial issues could lead to a $5,000 fine. Like I said, Im no education professional. But from what I can tell, if this bill becomes law then among the many controversial issues it may be illegal for a teacher to discuss is the law passed by the Legislature that makes it illegal to discuss controversial issues. Unless, of course, a teacher could find a way to do so from diverse and contending perspectives. But theres a problem. That's crazy Choosing which side gets to make its argument first in such discussion would, itself, be controversial. Which means, I suppose, that the teacher would first need to find a way to discuss from diverse and contending perspectives which side of the argument involved in the discussion about the law making it illegal to discuss controversial topics gets to go first. See no knowledge, hear no knowledge Although, perhaps teachers could get around that by allowing those on opposing sides of the who should go first discussion to speak at the same time. Then again, in order for that to be presented fairly and equitably from diverse and contending perspectives, as required by the law, the opposing individuals would need to speak with the same volume, pitch, articulation, pronunciation and fluency. Good luck finding two voices like that. And even if a teacher found a pair of identical vocal presenters the controversial aspect of the discussion would switch to the students, since there is no guarantee that each of the young people will be able hear what is spoken with the same auditory efficiency as others in the class. And even if they could, intellects vary and not every student will be able to comprehend what is going on in a way that allows him or her to recognize the diverse and contending perspectives. All of which could mean the teacher would be in violation of the law. Which could lead to a $5,000 fine. Which could lead teachers to simply remain mute about everything. Which would leave our students uninformed and ignorant. Which seems to be what lawmakers want. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. | Public school teachers in Arizona could be fined $5,000 for advocating a less racist society. If Senate Bill 1532 becomes law, it may be illegal for a teacher to discuss controversial issues. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2021/05/13/would-arizona-bill-fine-teachers-anti-racism/5069367001/ | 0.463775 |
Would an Arizona GOP-sponsored bill fine teachers $5,000 for promoting anti-racism? | If Republicans in the Arizona Legislature get their way, public school teachers could be fined $5,000 for advocating a less racist society. Of course, thats not how the supporters of Senate Bill 1532 see it. They see it as a way of keeping something called Critical Race Theory out of schools. Well, Arizona State University associate professor Rashad Shabazz says its not about trying to make white people feel bad, but to undermine and destroy white supremacy. Im no education professional but Id guess the without giving deference requirement would be a little tricky with a subject like racism. And the term controversial issues is very, VERY broad and covers almost everything. The bill also says that a violation of the prohibition on controversial issues could lead to a $5,000 fine. Like I said, Im no education professional. But from what I can tell, if this bill becomes law then among the many controversial issues it may be illegal for a teacher to discuss is the law passed by the Legislature that makes it illegal to discuss controversial issues. Unless, of course, a teacher could find a way to do so from diverse and contending perspectives. But theres a problem. That's crazy Choosing which side gets to make its argument first in such discussion would, itself, be controversial. Which means, I suppose, that the teacher would first need to find a way to discuss from diverse and contending perspectives which side of the argument involved in the discussion about the law making it illegal to discuss controversial topics gets to go first. See no knowledge, hear no knowledge Although, perhaps teachers could get around that by allowing those on opposing sides of the who should go first discussion to speak at the same time. Then again, in order for that to be presented fairly and equitably from diverse and contending perspectives, as required by the law, the opposing individuals would need to speak with the same volume, pitch, articulation, pronunciation and fluency. Good luck finding two voices like that. And even if a teacher found a pair of identical vocal presenters the controversial aspect of the discussion would switch to the students, since there is no guarantee that each of the young people will be able hear what is spoken with the same auditory efficiency as others in the class. And even if they could, intellects vary and not every student will be able to comprehend what is going on in a way that allows him or her to recognize the diverse and contending perspectives. All of which could mean the teacher would be in violation of the law. Which could lead to a $5,000 fine. Which could lead teachers to simply remain mute about everything. Which would leave our students uninformed and ignorant. Which seems to be what lawmakers want. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. | Public school teachers in Arizona could be fined $5,000 for advocating a less racist society. If Senate Bill 1532 becomes law, it may be illegal for a teacher to discuss controversial issues. The opposing individuals would need to speak with the same volume, pitch, articulation, pronunciation and fluency. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2021/05/13/would-arizona-bill-fine-teachers-anti-racism/5069367001/ | 0.58589 |
What could a new system for taxing multinationals look like? | F OR YEARS governments have grumbled, simmered and raged as multinational companies have shifted profits out of tax collectors grasp and into low-tax havens. The OECD , a club of mostly rich countries, estimated in 2015 that avoidance robs public coffers of $100bn-240bn, or 4-10% of global corporation-tax revenues a year. Now the fiscal fallout from covid-19 is adding urgency to governments efforts to claw some money backmost notably in America, where President Joe Biden plans to raise taxes on corporate profits, including foreign income. Mr Bidens proposals will grind their way through Congress. Finance ministers from the G 7 group of countries are likely to discuss global tax reform when they meet in London on June 4th-5th. And later in the summer 139 countries will discuss changing the system for taxing multinational companies. The confluence of a political shift in America and a global push to raise more tax revenue to pay for the pandemic means a degree of optimism is in the air. The proposals under discussion may initially raise only a modest amount of revenue, but they still represent a big break with the past. The foundations of the global corporate-tax system were laid a century ago. It recognises that overlapping taxes on the same slice of profits can curb trade and growth. As a result, taxing rights are allocated first to wherever profits are produced (the source) and then to wherever the parent company is headquartered (or resident). A multinational based in America but with an affiliate in Ireland, for example, typically pays taxes in both places. Where the company makes its sales is irrelevant. Payments between an individual firms various legal affiliates are recorded using the arms-length principle, supposedly on terms equivalent to those found on the open market. These principles, now baked into thousands of bilateral tax treaties, have had two unintended consequences. First, they have encouraged governments to compete for investment and revenue by offering tantalisingly low tax rates (see chart 1). In 1985 the global average statutory corporation-tax rate was 49%; in 2018 it was 24%. Ireland boasts a statutory rate of just 12.5%; Bermuda, 0%. Second, tax competition has encouraged companies to shuffle their reported profits to low-tax places. In 2016 around $1trn of global profits were booked in so-called investment hubs. These include the Cayman Islands, Ireland and Singapore, which apply an average effective tax rate of 5% on the profits of non-resident companies. There is a huge mismatch between where tax is paid and where real activity takes place. Analysis by the OECD suggests that multinationals report 25% of their profits in investment hubs, although only 11% of their tangible assets and less than 5% of their workers are based there. Parents can allocate paper profits to affiliates in tax havens by having them hold intellectual property that is then licensed to other affiliates in high-tax places. The problem seems to have worsened over time, perhaps because more firms make money from intangible services, from software to streaming videos. The share of American multinationals foreign profits booked in tax havens has risen from 30% two decades ago to about 60% today. Most investors and bosses view firms tax bills as a black box that only a few lawyers and tax experts truly understand. One way of capturing the scale of manipulation is to examine what would happen if there were a single common tax rate. A recent study by Thomas Torslov of Kraka, a Danish think-tank, and Ludvig Wier and Gabriel Zucman of the University of California, Berkeley, tried to quantify this. A staggering $670bn in paper profits, which are unconnected to things like factories, would have moved in 2016almost 40% of multinationals foreign earnings. Big Western countries are losers from the current system: profits in America and France, for instance, are depressed by around a fifth (see chart 2). By comparison, havens collect more revenue, as a share of GDP, despite their rock-bottom effective rates. Hong Kong collects a third of its corporate-tax receipts by attracting profits from high-tax countries; Ireland, over half. The rise of Silicon Valley has added fuel to the fire. Some governments gripe at giant firms serving customers without any physical presence in their country and while paying no tax. The problems posed by the tech firms are not in fact new: pharmaceutical companies have long held mobile and hard-to-value intellectual property; exporters do not incur tax liabilities where they sell. Still, digital services have become a target. More than 40 governments, from France to India, are either levying or planning to levy digital-services taxes on the revenue of firms such as Amazon, Google and Facebook. The growing sense of anarchy over how to tax Silicon Valley, the global desire to raise more tax revenues and a more conciliatory White House all mean the scene is set for a global deal. The OECD s forthcoming summit is not the first time it has tried to orchestrate reformsit helped pass changes to the transfer-pricing regime in 2015. But this time two more ambitious proposals are under discussion. The first would reallocate taxing rights so that a slice of profits could be levied according to, say, the location of a companys sales. That right could be incurred even if the company had no physical presence in the country. Mr Bidens negotiators have proposed a reallocation that would apply to the 100 biggest and most profitable companies worldwide; in return, the Biden administration wants all the digital-services taxes to be dropped. The second element would apply a minimum rate of corporation tax, putting a floor on the race to the bottom. The Biden administration is gunning for a global minimum tax rate on foreign earnings of 21%, applied to profits within each jurisdiction separately. The proposal for profit reallocation has been broadly welcomed by other big rich economies. Yet there is still plenty of scope for disagreement on the details. Assessing the location of sales made by one business to another, if it then goes on to make sales in a different country, is tricky. Some governments also still want to turn the screws on Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and the like: the European Union seems to be preparing to go ahead with a digital levy regardless of the outcome at the OECD . That in turn could cause some American lawmakers to eschew global co-operation. Meanwhile, many tax havens may resist higher minimum tax rates that eliminate the advantage for companies of booking profits there. As a result any deal will involve compromises. The amount of profit that is reallocated in order to resemble economic reality more closely could be capped. For example, the OECD s blueprint does take the radical step of considering companies as a whole, rather than separated into affiliates. Still, most profits would remain taxed as they are. The right to tax, say, 20% of profits above a routine rate of 10% of revenues would be reallocated according to a formula that could be based on sales. Meanwhile Americas preferred minimum rate of 21% is unlikely to be agreed on more widely, as countries sniff about tax sovereignty. A rate of 10-15% is much more realistic. The reallocation plan, as it stands, aims to raise a puny $5bn-12bn in annual revenues. The OECD reckons that a minimum rate of 12.5% would raise $23bn-42bn directly through the higher rate, and another $19bn-28bn by reducing profit-shifting. These figures are not particularly impressive, although they might let governments crank up domestic tax rates without worrying as much about the danger of capital flight. Still, an agreement on new principles could leave the door open to bolder changes later. Carlos Protto, one of Argentinas representatives in the OECD talks, says that focusing only on the biggest multinationals helps build consensus now, but also notes that many countries expect the scope of any reforms to be broadened eventually. America will forge ahead with reforms to its domestic taxes, including provisions that could unilaterally increase the tax load of American subsidiaries of foreign companies that pay skimpy tax bills globally. Meanwhile digital-services taxes could spread like wildfirepotentially incurring American tariffs in retaliation. On May 10th the United States Trade Representative held a fourth day of hearings on retaliating against foreign digital-services taxes. Overhaul or not, tax bills will rise. A version of this article was published online on May 10th, 2021 | G 7 finance ministers are likely to discuss global tax reform when they meet in London on June 4th-5th. A new system for taxing multinationals could help claw back some money. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2021/05/13/what-could-a-new-system-for-taxing-multinationals-look-like | 0.125355 |
What could a new system for taxing multinationals look like? | F OR YEARS governments have grumbled, simmered and raged as multinational companies have shifted profits out of tax collectors grasp and into low-tax havens. The OECD , a club of mostly rich countries, estimated in 2015 that avoidance robs public coffers of $100bn-240bn, or 4-10% of global corporation-tax revenues a year. Now the fiscal fallout from covid-19 is adding urgency to governments efforts to claw some money backmost notably in America, where President Joe Biden plans to raise taxes on corporate profits, including foreign income. Mr Bidens proposals will grind their way through Congress. Finance ministers from the G 7 group of countries are likely to discuss global tax reform when they meet in London on June 4th-5th. And later in the summer 139 countries will discuss changing the system for taxing multinational companies. The confluence of a political shift in America and a global push to raise more tax revenue to pay for the pandemic means a degree of optimism is in the air. The proposals under discussion may initially raise only a modest amount of revenue, but they still represent a big break with the past. The foundations of the global corporate-tax system were laid a century ago. It recognises that overlapping taxes on the same slice of profits can curb trade and growth. As a result, taxing rights are allocated first to wherever profits are produced (the source) and then to wherever the parent company is headquartered (or resident). A multinational based in America but with an affiliate in Ireland, for example, typically pays taxes in both places. Where the company makes its sales is irrelevant. Payments between an individual firms various legal affiliates are recorded using the arms-length principle, supposedly on terms equivalent to those found on the open market. These principles, now baked into thousands of bilateral tax treaties, have had two unintended consequences. First, they have encouraged governments to compete for investment and revenue by offering tantalisingly low tax rates (see chart 1). In 1985 the global average statutory corporation-tax rate was 49%; in 2018 it was 24%. Ireland boasts a statutory rate of just 12.5%; Bermuda, 0%. Second, tax competition has encouraged companies to shuffle their reported profits to low-tax places. In 2016 around $1trn of global profits were booked in so-called investment hubs. These include the Cayman Islands, Ireland and Singapore, which apply an average effective tax rate of 5% on the profits of non-resident companies. There is a huge mismatch between where tax is paid and where real activity takes place. Analysis by the OECD suggests that multinationals report 25% of their profits in investment hubs, although only 11% of their tangible assets and less than 5% of their workers are based there. Parents can allocate paper profits to affiliates in tax havens by having them hold intellectual property that is then licensed to other affiliates in high-tax places. The problem seems to have worsened over time, perhaps because more firms make money from intangible services, from software to streaming videos. The share of American multinationals foreign profits booked in tax havens has risen from 30% two decades ago to about 60% today. Most investors and bosses view firms tax bills as a black box that only a few lawyers and tax experts truly understand. One way of capturing the scale of manipulation is to examine what would happen if there were a single common tax rate. A recent study by Thomas Torslov of Kraka, a Danish think-tank, and Ludvig Wier and Gabriel Zucman of the University of California, Berkeley, tried to quantify this. A staggering $670bn in paper profits, which are unconnected to things like factories, would have moved in 2016almost 40% of multinationals foreign earnings. Big Western countries are losers from the current system: profits in America and France, for instance, are depressed by around a fifth (see chart 2). By comparison, havens collect more revenue, as a share of GDP, despite their rock-bottom effective rates. Hong Kong collects a third of its corporate-tax receipts by attracting profits from high-tax countries; Ireland, over half. The rise of Silicon Valley has added fuel to the fire. Some governments gripe at giant firms serving customers without any physical presence in their country and while paying no tax. The problems posed by the tech firms are not in fact new: pharmaceutical companies have long held mobile and hard-to-value intellectual property; exporters do not incur tax liabilities where they sell. Still, digital services have become a target. More than 40 governments, from France to India, are either levying or planning to levy digital-services taxes on the revenue of firms such as Amazon, Google and Facebook. The growing sense of anarchy over how to tax Silicon Valley, the global desire to raise more tax revenues and a more conciliatory White House all mean the scene is set for a global deal. The OECD s forthcoming summit is not the first time it has tried to orchestrate reformsit helped pass changes to the transfer-pricing regime in 2015. But this time two more ambitious proposals are under discussion. The first would reallocate taxing rights so that a slice of profits could be levied according to, say, the location of a companys sales. That right could be incurred even if the company had no physical presence in the country. Mr Bidens negotiators have proposed a reallocation that would apply to the 100 biggest and most profitable companies worldwide; in return, the Biden administration wants all the digital-services taxes to be dropped. The second element would apply a minimum rate of corporation tax, putting a floor on the race to the bottom. The Biden administration is gunning for a global minimum tax rate on foreign earnings of 21%, applied to profits within each jurisdiction separately. The proposal for profit reallocation has been broadly welcomed by other big rich economies. Yet there is still plenty of scope for disagreement on the details. Assessing the location of sales made by one business to another, if it then goes on to make sales in a different country, is tricky. Some governments also still want to turn the screws on Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and the like: the European Union seems to be preparing to go ahead with a digital levy regardless of the outcome at the OECD . That in turn could cause some American lawmakers to eschew global co-operation. Meanwhile, many tax havens may resist higher minimum tax rates that eliminate the advantage for companies of booking profits there. As a result any deal will involve compromises. The amount of profit that is reallocated in order to resemble economic reality more closely could be capped. For example, the OECD s blueprint does take the radical step of considering companies as a whole, rather than separated into affiliates. Still, most profits would remain taxed as they are. The right to tax, say, 20% of profits above a routine rate of 10% of revenues would be reallocated according to a formula that could be based on sales. Meanwhile Americas preferred minimum rate of 21% is unlikely to be agreed on more widely, as countries sniff about tax sovereignty. A rate of 10-15% is much more realistic. The reallocation plan, as it stands, aims to raise a puny $5bn-12bn in annual revenues. The OECD reckons that a minimum rate of 12.5% would raise $23bn-42bn directly through the higher rate, and another $19bn-28bn by reducing profit-shifting. These figures are not particularly impressive, although they might let governments crank up domestic tax rates without worrying as much about the danger of capital flight. Still, an agreement on new principles could leave the door open to bolder changes later. Carlos Protto, one of Argentinas representatives in the OECD talks, says that focusing only on the biggest multinationals helps build consensus now, but also notes that many countries expect the scope of any reforms to be broadened eventually. America will forge ahead with reforms to its domestic taxes, including provisions that could unilaterally increase the tax load of American subsidiaries of foreign companies that pay skimpy tax bills globally. Meanwhile digital-services taxes could spread like wildfirepotentially incurring American tariffs in retaliation. On May 10th the United States Trade Representative held a fourth day of hearings on retaliating against foreign digital-services taxes. Overhaul or not, tax bills will rise. A version of this article was published online on May 10th, 2021 | G 7 finance ministers are likely to discuss global tax reform when they meet in London on June 4th-5th. A new system for taxing multinationals could help claw back some money from tax havens, says the OECD. The OECD estimates that avoidance robs public coffers of $100bn-240bn. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2021/05/13/what-could-a-new-system-for-taxing-multinationals-look-like | 0.153308 |
Why are COVID-19 vaccine side effects sometimes more intense after the second dose? | Mild side effects are common after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, but for people who receive two-dose regimens, stronger symptoms are more commonly experienced after the second shot. Side effects may include a headache, fatigue, achiness, fever and nausea. Theyre usually mild and go away on their own within a few days, according to federal health officials. Health experts say it has to do with how the immune system responds to the virus. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the two-dose shots that are available, are mRNA vaccines that work by using genetic code to teach the body how to make a protein that sets off an immune response that helps generate antibodies. When people who have never been exposed to COVID-19 before are vaccinated, their immune systems recognize the protein as foreign and mounts a response to it but not a very strong one, said Dr. Beth Kassanoff, an internal medicine physician with North Texas Preferred Health Partners and president of the Dallas County Medical Society. With the second dose of the vaccine, a persons immune system remembers the protein and responds more aggressively. When you get the second vaccine, then you have a much more robust immune response because your body already has some of these antibodies, she said. Theyre ready to fight off the infection. Although that response can cause flu-like symptoms, thats actually a good sign and means the vaccine is doing its job. But at the same time, people who dont have side effects dont need to worry, Kassanoff said. A lack of side effects doesnt mean your body isnt responding to the shot. Ive seen people of all ages, some of whom got pretty significant achiness, low-grade fever, fatigue, she said. And then one of my partners, who is 50, had zero side effects from the second one. He was actually a little worried about it at first, but subsequently checked his antibodies and he responded just fine. It was just very interesting, you cant really predict it. Health experts are still learning more about why some people experience more intense side effects than others, but they say age and past exposure to COVID-19 are factors. One pattern that were consistently seeing is older people have less side effects than younger people. We dont really know why, said Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist at the UTHealth School of Public Health in Dallas. The other pattern were seeing is those that have had COVID before and get the vaccine have more severe side effects. That makes sense because that means they have some level of immunity and the bodys recognizing the antibodies in that vaccine and reacting. Kassanoff said shes heard reports of COVID-19 long haulers, or people who have symptoms that linger long after they no longer test positive for the virus, having their symptoms somewhat resolve after theyre vaccinated. But health experts say the specifics of those trends arent known yet. I take care of whole families of people, like parents and adult children and all that kind of stuff, and everybody just has a completely different response, Kassanoff said. Even within the same family, even of roughly the same age, even of roughly the same genetics, sometimes people just respond more. That trend is not specific to the COVID-19 shot even with other vaccines, some people respond differently than others, she said. As more people get vaccinated, more information about the specifics of vaccine side effects will become known, health experts say. Although Jetelina said second-dose side effects may seem intimidating, people shouldnt let them discourage them from getting vaccinated. Its daunting, I will say, to sign up to get sick, she said. Not everyone gets sick and honestly the majority of people do not get sick, we just hear about these terrible people or cases where people do get sick. What I say is suck it up, take a Tylenol and take the day off and it will clear up. I promise you itll clear up. | The second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine triggers a stronger immune response. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2021/05/13/why-are-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects-sometimes-more-intense-after-the-second-dose/ | 0.411673 |
Why are COVID-19 vaccine side effects sometimes more intense after the second dose? | Mild side effects are common after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, but for people who receive two-dose regimens, stronger symptoms are more commonly experienced after the second shot. Side effects may include a headache, fatigue, achiness, fever and nausea. Theyre usually mild and go away on their own within a few days, according to federal health officials. Health experts say it has to do with how the immune system responds to the virus. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the two-dose shots that are available, are mRNA vaccines that work by using genetic code to teach the body how to make a protein that sets off an immune response that helps generate antibodies. When people who have never been exposed to COVID-19 before are vaccinated, their immune systems recognize the protein as foreign and mounts a response to it but not a very strong one, said Dr. Beth Kassanoff, an internal medicine physician with North Texas Preferred Health Partners and president of the Dallas County Medical Society. With the second dose of the vaccine, a persons immune system remembers the protein and responds more aggressively. When you get the second vaccine, then you have a much more robust immune response because your body already has some of these antibodies, she said. Theyre ready to fight off the infection. Although that response can cause flu-like symptoms, thats actually a good sign and means the vaccine is doing its job. But at the same time, people who dont have side effects dont need to worry, Kassanoff said. A lack of side effects doesnt mean your body isnt responding to the shot. Ive seen people of all ages, some of whom got pretty significant achiness, low-grade fever, fatigue, she said. And then one of my partners, who is 50, had zero side effects from the second one. He was actually a little worried about it at first, but subsequently checked his antibodies and he responded just fine. It was just very interesting, you cant really predict it. Health experts are still learning more about why some people experience more intense side effects than others, but they say age and past exposure to COVID-19 are factors. One pattern that were consistently seeing is older people have less side effects than younger people. We dont really know why, said Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist at the UTHealth School of Public Health in Dallas. The other pattern were seeing is those that have had COVID before and get the vaccine have more severe side effects. That makes sense because that means they have some level of immunity and the bodys recognizing the antibodies in that vaccine and reacting. Kassanoff said shes heard reports of COVID-19 long haulers, or people who have symptoms that linger long after they no longer test positive for the virus, having their symptoms somewhat resolve after theyre vaccinated. But health experts say the specifics of those trends arent known yet. I take care of whole families of people, like parents and adult children and all that kind of stuff, and everybody just has a completely different response, Kassanoff said. Even within the same family, even of roughly the same age, even of roughly the same genetics, sometimes people just respond more. That trend is not specific to the COVID-19 shot even with other vaccines, some people respond differently than others, she said. As more people get vaccinated, more information about the specifics of vaccine side effects will become known, health experts say. Although Jetelina said second-dose side effects may seem intimidating, people shouldnt let them discourage them from getting vaccinated. Its daunting, I will say, to sign up to get sick, she said. Not everyone gets sick and honestly the majority of people do not get sick, we just hear about these terrible people or cases where people do get sick. What I say is suck it up, take a Tylenol and take the day off and it will clear up. I promise you itll clear up. | The second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine triggers a more aggressive immune response, experts say. People who have had the vaccine before have more severe side effects, they say. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2021/05/13/why-are-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects-sometimes-more-intense-after-the-second-dose/ | 0.572173 |
Why are COVID-19 vaccine side effects sometimes more intense after the second dose? | Mild side effects are common after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, but for people who receive two-dose regimens, stronger symptoms are more commonly experienced after the second shot. Side effects may include a headache, fatigue, achiness, fever and nausea. Theyre usually mild and go away on their own within a few days, according to federal health officials. Health experts say it has to do with how the immune system responds to the virus. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the two-dose shots that are available, are mRNA vaccines that work by using genetic code to teach the body how to make a protein that sets off an immune response that helps generate antibodies. When people who have never been exposed to COVID-19 before are vaccinated, their immune systems recognize the protein as foreign and mounts a response to it but not a very strong one, said Dr. Beth Kassanoff, an internal medicine physician with North Texas Preferred Health Partners and president of the Dallas County Medical Society. With the second dose of the vaccine, a persons immune system remembers the protein and responds more aggressively. When you get the second vaccine, then you have a much more robust immune response because your body already has some of these antibodies, she said. Theyre ready to fight off the infection. Although that response can cause flu-like symptoms, thats actually a good sign and means the vaccine is doing its job. But at the same time, people who dont have side effects dont need to worry, Kassanoff said. A lack of side effects doesnt mean your body isnt responding to the shot. Ive seen people of all ages, some of whom got pretty significant achiness, low-grade fever, fatigue, she said. And then one of my partners, who is 50, had zero side effects from the second one. He was actually a little worried about it at first, but subsequently checked his antibodies and he responded just fine. It was just very interesting, you cant really predict it. Health experts are still learning more about why some people experience more intense side effects than others, but they say age and past exposure to COVID-19 are factors. One pattern that were consistently seeing is older people have less side effects than younger people. We dont really know why, said Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist at the UTHealth School of Public Health in Dallas. The other pattern were seeing is those that have had COVID before and get the vaccine have more severe side effects. That makes sense because that means they have some level of immunity and the bodys recognizing the antibodies in that vaccine and reacting. Kassanoff said shes heard reports of COVID-19 long haulers, or people who have symptoms that linger long after they no longer test positive for the virus, having their symptoms somewhat resolve after theyre vaccinated. But health experts say the specifics of those trends arent known yet. I take care of whole families of people, like parents and adult children and all that kind of stuff, and everybody just has a completely different response, Kassanoff said. Even within the same family, even of roughly the same age, even of roughly the same genetics, sometimes people just respond more. That trend is not specific to the COVID-19 shot even with other vaccines, some people respond differently than others, she said. As more people get vaccinated, more information about the specifics of vaccine side effects will become known, health experts say. Although Jetelina said second-dose side effects may seem intimidating, people shouldnt let them discourage them from getting vaccinated. Its daunting, I will say, to sign up to get sick, she said. Not everyone gets sick and honestly the majority of people do not get sick, we just hear about these terrible people or cases where people do get sick. What I say is suck it up, take a Tylenol and take the day off and it will clear up. I promise you itll clear up. | The second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine triggers a more aggressive immune response, experts say. People who have had the vaccine before have more severe side effects, they say. The side effects are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days, health officials say. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2021/05/13/why-are-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects-sometimes-more-intense-after-the-second-dose/ | 0.636476 |
Will Liz Cheney's would-be successor face a Republican rival? | Yesterday morning, House Republicans ousted Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from her position as chair of the House GOP Conference, creating a vacancy in the party's leadership team. For now, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is the only announced candidate for the job, and she's secured endorsements from the top Republican leaders. All Stefanik has to do now is wait to see if any rivals step up. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is backing the New York congresswoman, but he's also opened the door to a competitive process. [McCarthy] said he welcomes other Republicans who want to challenge Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) for the third-ranking spot in GOP leadership, but said he expects she has the support to win.... He added, "Anybody can run." McCarthy later reiterated that it was an open race, telling CNN reporter Ryan Nobles that "competition is good." Whether there will be any competition is unclear. Politico, citing "multiple Republican sources," reported yesterday that Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a Freedom Caucus member and former staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), is considering the leadership race, and may have an opening. The article said some conservative members have expressed concerns that GOP leaders are "moving too quickly to anoint" Cheney's successor. To that end, Roy sent a memo to every House Republican this week, making the case against elevating Stefanik to the #3 position in the GOP leadership. "We must avoid putting in charge Republicans who campaign as Republicans but then vote for and advance the Democrats' agenda once sworn in, he wrote, adding, "[W]ith all due respect to my friend, Elise Stefanik, let us contemplate the message Republican leadership is about to send by rushing to coronate a spokesperson whose voting record embodies much of what led to the 2018 ass-kicking we received by Democrats." In comments to reporters yesterday, the Texan added, "I don't believe there should be a coronation. I believe that if the leader wants us to be united, then he should take the time to do this the right way." If Roy is serious about seeking the position, he'll have to decide quickly: House Republicans have scheduled a forum for prospective conference chairs for this evening. Complicating matters a bit, the forum will be led by Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La. ), the vice chair of the House Republican Conference, who's already received some support as another possible Cheney successor. "I would proudly support Mike Johnson in the race for conference chair if he decides to run," Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) said this week. "He is a powerful conservative mind who is a happy warrior and the leader we need." It's very unlikely that Johnson would get the gig -- there's already a far-right Louisiana Republican in the House Republican leadership -- but the fact that there's even talk along these lines suggest some GOP members are still eyeing alternatives to Stefanik. In fact, a handful of notable House Republicans, including Colorado's Ken Buck and California's Tom McClintock, have said the New Yorker isn't conservative enough for them. If I were a betting man, I'd put money on Stefanik getting the job when House Republicans vote tomorrow on their new chair. But a lot can happen in a day. Postscript: For what it's worth, Chip Roy, unlike Liz Cheney, opposed the impeachment resolution against Donald Trump in January. That said, the Texas Republican did say on the House floor in January that he had a problem with Trump demanding that then-Vice President Mike Pence overturn the election on his behalf. "The president of the United States deserves universal condemnation for what was clearly, in my opinion, impeachable conduct, pressuring the vice president to violate his oath to the Constitution," Roy said at the time. I mention this, of course, because if pro-Trump forces are weighing their options, and Cheney's support for Trump's impeachment was a problem, Roy may yet have a related problem. | House Republicans ousted Liz Cheney from her position as chair of the House GOP Conference. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is the only announced candidate for the job. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/will-liz-cheney-s-would-be-successor-face-republican-rival-n1267262 | 0.149905 |
Will Liz Cheney's would-be successor face a Republican rival? | Yesterday morning, House Republicans ousted Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from her position as chair of the House GOP Conference, creating a vacancy in the party's leadership team. For now, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is the only announced candidate for the job, and she's secured endorsements from the top Republican leaders. All Stefanik has to do now is wait to see if any rivals step up. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is backing the New York congresswoman, but he's also opened the door to a competitive process. [McCarthy] said he welcomes other Republicans who want to challenge Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) for the third-ranking spot in GOP leadership, but said he expects she has the support to win.... He added, "Anybody can run." McCarthy later reiterated that it was an open race, telling CNN reporter Ryan Nobles that "competition is good." Whether there will be any competition is unclear. Politico, citing "multiple Republican sources," reported yesterday that Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a Freedom Caucus member and former staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), is considering the leadership race, and may have an opening. The article said some conservative members have expressed concerns that GOP leaders are "moving too quickly to anoint" Cheney's successor. To that end, Roy sent a memo to every House Republican this week, making the case against elevating Stefanik to the #3 position in the GOP leadership. "We must avoid putting in charge Republicans who campaign as Republicans but then vote for and advance the Democrats' agenda once sworn in, he wrote, adding, "[W]ith all due respect to my friend, Elise Stefanik, let us contemplate the message Republican leadership is about to send by rushing to coronate a spokesperson whose voting record embodies much of what led to the 2018 ass-kicking we received by Democrats." In comments to reporters yesterday, the Texan added, "I don't believe there should be a coronation. I believe that if the leader wants us to be united, then he should take the time to do this the right way." If Roy is serious about seeking the position, he'll have to decide quickly: House Republicans have scheduled a forum for prospective conference chairs for this evening. Complicating matters a bit, the forum will be led by Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La. ), the vice chair of the House Republican Conference, who's already received some support as another possible Cheney successor. "I would proudly support Mike Johnson in the race for conference chair if he decides to run," Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) said this week. "He is a powerful conservative mind who is a happy warrior and the leader we need." It's very unlikely that Johnson would get the gig -- there's already a far-right Louisiana Republican in the House Republican leadership -- but the fact that there's even talk along these lines suggest some GOP members are still eyeing alternatives to Stefanik. In fact, a handful of notable House Republicans, including Colorado's Ken Buck and California's Tom McClintock, have said the New Yorker isn't conservative enough for them. If I were a betting man, I'd put money on Stefanik getting the job when House Republicans vote tomorrow on their new chair. But a lot can happen in a day. Postscript: For what it's worth, Chip Roy, unlike Liz Cheney, opposed the impeachment resolution against Donald Trump in January. That said, the Texas Republican did say on the House floor in January that he had a problem with Trump demanding that then-Vice President Mike Pence overturn the election on his behalf. "The president of the United States deserves universal condemnation for what was clearly, in my opinion, impeachable conduct, pressuring the vice president to violate his oath to the Constitution," Roy said at the time. I mention this, of course, because if pro-Trump forces are weighing their options, and Cheney's support for Trump's impeachment was a problem, Roy may yet have a related problem. | House Republicans ousted Liz Cheney from her position as chair of the House GOP Conference. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is the only announced candidate for the job, and she's secured endorsements from the top Republican leaders. Whether there will be any competition is unclear. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/will-liz-cheney-s-would-be-successor-face-republican-rival-n1267262 | 0.236357 |
Can Elon Musks Bitcoin Betrayal Expose the Grift of Cryptocurrency? | Bitcoin, though lacking a marketing department, resembles a multi-level marketing scheme. Its a promise sold to the faithful, of great riches if only you investand invest again. As with an MLM, coiners recommend addressing adversitya decline in Bitcoins valueby recommitting to the program. Buy the dip, goes a common bit of advice, which serves as a half-ironic rallying cry when the market turns bear. (Weve heard a lot of buy the dip in the last eighteen hours.) Driven by celebrity hype, Bitcoin is also an excellent example of the Greater Fool theory, in which to make a profit you simply have to convince the next person to come along that your asset is worth more than what you paid for it. Another term for this might be a confidence game, a grift. Many coiners claim they are HODLing, or holding onto Bitcoin for the long term, meaning years or even decades, but treating the asset with this kind of generational reverence is another way of attempting to artificially infuse it with meaning and value. If you project the asset as rising in value into the endless future, then the only risk is not buying in soon enough. This is why Musks about-face is such a threat to the veritable house-of-cards thats been built to prop up the Bitcoin cult. (As if to confirm the importance of Muskand prominent influencersin the crypto market, the top 10 most traded cryptocurrencies all went into the red after Musks tweets.) | Elon Musks Bitcoin Betrayal Expose the Grift of Cryptocurrency, says John Sutter. Sutter: Bitcoin is a promise sold to the faithful, of great riches if only you investand invest again. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://newrepublic.com/article/162387/bitcoin-price-cryptocurrency-mining-environment-elon-musk | 0.321341 |
Who is George Kliavkoff, the new Pac-12 commissioner? | So you have no idea who George Kliavkoff is. Youre not alone. The new Pac-12 commissioner, who was appointed Thursday, has almost no experience in college sports, but sports fans, especially in the Pac-12, are familiar with his business. Among his wide-reaching responsibilities as MGM Resorts president of entertainment and sports, Kliavkoff oversaw operations for venues such as T-Mobile Arena and Mandalay Bay Events Center, which hosted the Pac-12 mens and womens basketball tournaments, respectively, this year. He sat on the board of BetMGM, one of the three largest U.S. sports betting companies. Advertisement Until MGM sold the Las Vegas Aces in 2021, Kliavkoff also served on the WNBA board of governors. The 54-year-old executive joined MGM in 2018 after serving as CEO of Jaunt Inc., a virtual reality start-up. His other roles included co-president at Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, chief digital officer at NBC Universal and executive vice president of business for Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Kliavkoff will be tasked with rebuilding Pac-12 credibility and directing its next TV deal after former commissioner Larry Scott who, like Kliavkoff, didnt have college sports experience before coming to the conference stepped down this year. Kliavkoffs appointment was supported by a unanimous vote of all Pac-12 presidents and chancellors. His five-year contract begins July 1. | George Kliavkoff is the new Pac-12 commissioner. He was previously the MGM Resorts president of entertainment and sports. | bart | 0 | https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-05-13/who-is-george-kliavkoff-the-new-pac-12-commissioner | 0.543861 |
Who is George Kliavkoff, the new Pac-12 commissioner? | So you have no idea who George Kliavkoff is. Youre not alone. The new Pac-12 commissioner, who was appointed Thursday, has almost no experience in college sports, but sports fans, especially in the Pac-12, are familiar with his business. Among his wide-reaching responsibilities as MGM Resorts president of entertainment and sports, Kliavkoff oversaw operations for venues such as T-Mobile Arena and Mandalay Bay Events Center, which hosted the Pac-12 mens and womens basketball tournaments, respectively, this year. He sat on the board of BetMGM, one of the three largest U.S. sports betting companies. Advertisement Until MGM sold the Las Vegas Aces in 2021, Kliavkoff also served on the WNBA board of governors. The 54-year-old executive joined MGM in 2018 after serving as CEO of Jaunt Inc., a virtual reality start-up. His other roles included co-president at Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, chief digital officer at NBC Universal and executive vice president of business for Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Kliavkoff will be tasked with rebuilding Pac-12 credibility and directing its next TV deal after former commissioner Larry Scott who, like Kliavkoff, didnt have college sports experience before coming to the conference stepped down this year. Kliavkoffs appointment was supported by a unanimous vote of all Pac-12 presidents and chancellors. His five-year contract begins July 1. | George Kliavkoff is the new Pac-12 commissioner. He was previously the MGM Resorts president of entertainment and sports. He oversaw operations for venues such as T-Mobile Arena and Mandalay Bay Events Center. His five-year contract begins July 1. | bart | 2 | https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-05-13/who-is-george-kliavkoff-the-new-pac-12-commissioner | 0.644284 |
How did Cowboys schedule release video compare to other NFL teams? | Every year, the NFL schedule release always brings some fun and exciting content in the form of promotional videos for every team. Dallas is no slouch in that conversation this year, pairing with platinum-selling artist and Cowboys fan Post Malone this year to make a short video where Jerry Jones is throwing out tickets like its money with the pop music star. The video also made sure to have some advertisements in it as well, flashing the SeatGeek logo a few times to make sure fans know where to buy their Cowboys tickets. Some teams included Hall of Famers, some made fun of their opponents for 2021. Watch all of the videos and decide if Dallas had the best promo. Dallas Cowboys https://twitter.com/dallascowboys/status/1392631044680081409?s=20 Denver Broncos https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1392626927966425094?s=20 Carolina Panthers https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/1392627203083542536?s=20 Washington Football Team https://twitter.com/WashingtonNFL/status/1392627220926111753?s=20 New York Giants https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1392628482526568448?s=20 New York Jets https://twitter.com/nyjets/status/1392626895225692160?s=20 Baltimore Ravens https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/1392627608232288256?s=20 Cleveland Browns https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1392638928109412354?s=20 Cincinnati Bengals https://twitter.com/Bengals/status/1392626940985626627?s=20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1392626895192211458?s=20 Los Angeles Chargers https://twitter.com/Chargers/status/1392626956521246721?s=20 New England Patriots https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1392628482945994752?s=20 Green Bay Packers https://twitter.com/packers/status/1392626948933832707?s=20 Houston Texans https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1392627350928560129?s=20 Los Angeles Rams https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1392626903350054914?s=20 Kansas City Chiefs https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1392626895141867520?s=20 Story continues Buffalo Bills https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1392630846121725954?s=20 Pittsburgh Steelers https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1392630468886024199?s=20 Chicago Bears https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1392626895460605952?s=20 Arizona Cardinals https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/1392626995939344387?s=20 Miami Dolphins https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1392627009709281286?s=20 Tennessee Titans https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1392626895204855811?s=20 San Francisco 49ers https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1392627544050978816?s=20 Seattle Seahawks https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/1392626997180829697?s=20 Detroit Lions https://twitter.com/Lions/status/1392636309961908229?s=20 Indianapolis Colts https://twitter.com/Colts/status/1392630716014473218?s=20 Philadelphia Eagles https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1392626912829349888?s=20 Minnesota Vikings https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1392627360684515334?s=20 New Orleans Saints https://twitter.com/Saints/status/1392628231329693699?s=20 Jacksonville Jaguars https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/1392631177836601345?s=20 Atlanta Falcons https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1392626905073999878?s=20 Las Vegas Raiders https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1392627198507376640?s=20 1 1 | The Dallas Cowboys released a video with Post Malone to promote their schedule. The video had advertisements in it as well. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://sports.yahoo.com/did-cowboys-schedule-release-video-174941664.html?src=rss | 0.143509 |
How did Cowboys schedule release video compare to other NFL teams? | Every year, the NFL schedule release always brings some fun and exciting content in the form of promotional videos for every team. Dallas is no slouch in that conversation this year, pairing with platinum-selling artist and Cowboys fan Post Malone this year to make a short video where Jerry Jones is throwing out tickets like its money with the pop music star. The video also made sure to have some advertisements in it as well, flashing the SeatGeek logo a few times to make sure fans know where to buy their Cowboys tickets. Some teams included Hall of Famers, some made fun of their opponents for 2021. Watch all of the videos and decide if Dallas had the best promo. Dallas Cowboys https://twitter.com/dallascowboys/status/1392631044680081409?s=20 Denver Broncos https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1392626927966425094?s=20 Carolina Panthers https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/1392627203083542536?s=20 Washington Football Team https://twitter.com/WashingtonNFL/status/1392627220926111753?s=20 New York Giants https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1392628482526568448?s=20 New York Jets https://twitter.com/nyjets/status/1392626895225692160?s=20 Baltimore Ravens https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/1392627608232288256?s=20 Cleveland Browns https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1392638928109412354?s=20 Cincinnati Bengals https://twitter.com/Bengals/status/1392626940985626627?s=20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1392626895192211458?s=20 Los Angeles Chargers https://twitter.com/Chargers/status/1392626956521246721?s=20 New England Patriots https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1392628482945994752?s=20 Green Bay Packers https://twitter.com/packers/status/1392626948933832707?s=20 Houston Texans https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1392627350928560129?s=20 Los Angeles Rams https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1392626903350054914?s=20 Kansas City Chiefs https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1392626895141867520?s=20 Story continues Buffalo Bills https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1392630846121725954?s=20 Pittsburgh Steelers https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1392630468886024199?s=20 Chicago Bears https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1392626895460605952?s=20 Arizona Cardinals https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/1392626995939344387?s=20 Miami Dolphins https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1392627009709281286?s=20 Tennessee Titans https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1392626895204855811?s=20 San Francisco 49ers https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1392627544050978816?s=20 Seattle Seahawks https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/1392626997180829697?s=20 Detroit Lions https://twitter.com/Lions/status/1392636309961908229?s=20 Indianapolis Colts https://twitter.com/Colts/status/1392630716014473218?s=20 Philadelphia Eagles https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1392626912829349888?s=20 Minnesota Vikings https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1392627360684515334?s=20 New Orleans Saints https://twitter.com/Saints/status/1392628231329693699?s=20 Jacksonville Jaguars https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/1392631177836601345?s=20 Atlanta Falcons https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1392626905073999878?s=20 Las Vegas Raiders https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1392627198507376640?s=20 1 1 | The NFL schedule release always brings some fun and exciting content in the form of promotional videos for every team. Dallas is no slouch in that conversation this year, pairing with platinum-selling artist and Cowboys fan Post Malone. Some teams included Hall of Famers, some made fun of their opponents for 2021. | pegasus | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/did-cowboys-schedule-release-video-174941664.html?src=rss | 0.162604 |
How many violations will be enough for Gov. Wolf to pull the plug on Mariner East? | Sunocos Mariner East pipeline system spans 350 miles and 17 counties. The aim is to carry natural gas liquids from fracking areas in eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook, Delaware County, to be processed and exported. The pipelines route crosses through residential areas, near peoples homes a scary prospect considering that natural gas is volatile and explosive. Case in point: In 2018, the Revolution pipeline, also operated by Sunoco, exploded in Beaver County after being in service just a week, killing animals and forcing residents to evacuate. READ MORE: Sunoco failed to disclose some risks of Mariner East pipeline, was negligent in response to concerns, judge rules There is little reason for residents living close to Mariner East to feel confident this pipeline is safer. It has been riddled with violations since construction started in 2017. The state Department of Environmental Protections website lists 120 violation notices issued to Sunoco for this project, most for spills of drilling fluids that include unknown chemicals. Some spills were in residential areas, and others in areas designated as exceptional value wetland. The project also led to sinkholes on residential properties and cracks in a highway. Amid these risks, Sunoco has been less than candid with Pennsylvanians. A Public Utility Commission administrative law judge ruled in late April that the company failed to disclose the risks posed by a potential leak or rupture and was intentional and negligent in response to local concerns issues raised in a Spotlight PA investigation into emergency plans around the pipeline published last fall. In a statement to this board, a Sunoco spokesperson said: We are committed to safely completing construction of the Mariner East pipeline system while adhering to our permits and maintaining a focus on the safety of the environment, our people, and the communities through which we pass. READ MORE: Sunoco floats Mariner East 2 pipeline reroute plan to avoid more Marsh Creek Lake spills Yet those assurances have a hard time competing with the projects track record. A PUC judge found Sunoco negligent. The FBI launched an investigation into the states approval of the project, specifically whether Wolf administration officials pushed DEP staff to ignore shortcomings and approve construction permits. Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Delaware County are also investigating allegations of criminal misconduct related to Mariner East. Chester Countys district attorney put Sunoco on notice in court via a consent decree this year. State Sen. Katie Muth whose district includes Marsh Creek Lake, a drinking-water reservoir contaminated with thousands of gallons of drilling fluid from the project called on the DEP to pull Mariner East permits. The DEP itself acknowledged that trusting Sunoco has come back to bite us on numerous occasions. Sunoco has absorbed the millions in fines, violations, and remedy plans as the cost of doing business. Currently it doesnt look as if Pennsylvania has control over a project that could have detrimental effects for large swaths of the commonwealth. If it is not time to pull the plug on Mariner East now, the minimum that Gov. As risks mount, this answer is paramount to the safety of Pennsylvanians. | Sunoco's Mariner East pipeline system spans 350 miles and 17 counties. It has been riddled with violations since construction started in 2017. A judge found Sunoco negligent for failing to disclose risks posed by a potential leak or rupture. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/mariner-east-ii-pipeline-sunoco-dep-permit-tom-wolf-lng-20210513.html | 0.11822 |
How many violations will be enough for Gov. Wolf to pull the plug on Mariner East? | Sunocos Mariner East pipeline system spans 350 miles and 17 counties. The aim is to carry natural gas liquids from fracking areas in eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook, Delaware County, to be processed and exported. The pipelines route crosses through residential areas, near peoples homes a scary prospect considering that natural gas is volatile and explosive. Case in point: In 2018, the Revolution pipeline, also operated by Sunoco, exploded in Beaver County after being in service just a week, killing animals and forcing residents to evacuate. READ MORE: Sunoco failed to disclose some risks of Mariner East pipeline, was negligent in response to concerns, judge rules There is little reason for residents living close to Mariner East to feel confident this pipeline is safer. It has been riddled with violations since construction started in 2017. The state Department of Environmental Protections website lists 120 violation notices issued to Sunoco for this project, most for spills of drilling fluids that include unknown chemicals. Some spills were in residential areas, and others in areas designated as exceptional value wetland. The project also led to sinkholes on residential properties and cracks in a highway. Amid these risks, Sunoco has been less than candid with Pennsylvanians. A Public Utility Commission administrative law judge ruled in late April that the company failed to disclose the risks posed by a potential leak or rupture and was intentional and negligent in response to local concerns issues raised in a Spotlight PA investigation into emergency plans around the pipeline published last fall. In a statement to this board, a Sunoco spokesperson said: We are committed to safely completing construction of the Mariner East pipeline system while adhering to our permits and maintaining a focus on the safety of the environment, our people, and the communities through which we pass. READ MORE: Sunoco floats Mariner East 2 pipeline reroute plan to avoid more Marsh Creek Lake spills Yet those assurances have a hard time competing with the projects track record. A PUC judge found Sunoco negligent. The FBI launched an investigation into the states approval of the project, specifically whether Wolf administration officials pushed DEP staff to ignore shortcomings and approve construction permits. Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Delaware County are also investigating allegations of criminal misconduct related to Mariner East. Chester Countys district attorney put Sunoco on notice in court via a consent decree this year. State Sen. Katie Muth whose district includes Marsh Creek Lake, a drinking-water reservoir contaminated with thousands of gallons of drilling fluid from the project called on the DEP to pull Mariner East permits. The DEP itself acknowledged that trusting Sunoco has come back to bite us on numerous occasions. Sunoco has absorbed the millions in fines, violations, and remedy plans as the cost of doing business. Currently it doesnt look as if Pennsylvania has control over a project that could have detrimental effects for large swaths of the commonwealth. If it is not time to pull the plug on Mariner East now, the minimum that Gov. As risks mount, this answer is paramount to the safety of Pennsylvanians. | Sunoco's Mariner East pipeline system spans 350 miles and 17 counties. It has been riddled with violations since construction started in 2017. A judge found Sunoco negligent for failing to disclose the risks posed by a potential leak or rupture and was intentional and negligent in response to local concerns. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/mariner-east-ii-pipeline-sunoco-dep-permit-tom-wolf-lng-20210513.html | 0.133282 |
What time and what channel is Ohio State footballs 2021 home opener against Oregon? | COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State football team will face Oregon for the ninth time in program history when the Ducks come to Columbus on Sept. 11. The game will serve as the home opener for the Buckeyes and will have a noon kick-off as part of FOXs BIG NOON SATURDAY game of the week. OSU has won all nine games in this series with the latest being a 42-20 win in Arlington, Texas. That victory crowned the Buckeyes as the first national champion of the College Football Playoff era. Today on @TheHerd, FOX Sports' @mulvihill79 revealed an important weekend of programming this fall:@OhioStateFB hosts @oregonfootball on September 11 for @CFBONFOX Big Noon Saturday, followed that night by @Yankees at @Mets on FOX and Sunday's Week 1 @NFLonFOX doubleheader. pic.twitter.com/C1f5KUs7R4 FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) May 13, 2021 The game was initially part of a home-and-home series between the two programs with Oregon hosting the first game in 2020. But following the breakout of the coronavirus the Big Ten and Pac-12 canceled all non-conference games. Both conferences followed by canceling their seasons before reviving them later that fall. Ohio State went on to have a 7-1 record, win a fourth consecutive Big Ten title and reach the national title game before losing to Alabama. Oregon went 4-3 and closed out its season with a 34-17 loss to Iowa State in the Fiesta Bowl. This will be the seventh time the two teams have met during the regular season with all but one meeting being in Columbus. Neutral site games include the 2015 title game, the 2010 Rose Bowl and the 1958 Rose Bowl. - Fields Bears jersey: Ohio State football fans can purchase Justin Fields new Chicago Bears jersey here. Its available in white, blue and orange and in mens, womens and youth sizes. Theres also a cheaper T-shirt option. More Buckeyes coverage J.T. C.J. Saunders gets NFL opportunity in Atlanta mini camp Saunders joins The Spring League developmental program Top-rated 2023 RB Tre Wisner on why OSU is in top five: Recruiting Roundup | The Ohio State football team will face Oregon for the ninth time in program history. The game will serve as the home opener for the Buckeyes. It will have a noon kick-off as part of FOXs BIG NOON SATURDAY game of the week. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2021/05/what-time-and-what-channel-is-ohio-state-footballs-2021-home-opener-against-oregon.html | 0.10065 |
Who are the Milwaukee Bucks likely to draw in the first round of the NBA playoffs? | With the NBA regular-season reaching the finish line, the Milwaukee Bucks still face a number of scenarios when it comes to playoff positioning. There are basically six potential first-round opponents, though if everything had stopped before Thursday's games, it would be the New York Knicks coming to Fiserv Forum for a first-round battle. Here's what's left to consider: What do the Bucks need to do to get the No. Winning out would help. Bucks remaining schedule: at Pacers (33-36), Heat (38-31) and at Bulls (29-40) Nets remaining schedule: Bulls (29-40), Cavaliers (22-48) The Nets lead the Bucks by 1 games, but if the teams wound up tied, Milwaukee would get the higher seed on tiebreaker. The Nets need to lose at least one of those two remaining games for the Bucks to catch up, and both games are in Brooklyn. The Bucks would need to win all three games to tie if Brooklyn dropped one. If Brooklyn dropped both, Milwaukee would need to win two of three. It's not over, but it's looking awfully likely that the Bucks are going to be the No. 3 seed (they've already clinched at least that much), which means they'll get paired with the No. 6. If the Bucks do match or bypass the Nets, they'd get the winner of the No. 7 or No. 8 seed game in the play-in tournament. That could be, at this point, the Celtics, Hornets, Pacers or (highly unlikely, but possible) Wizards. Isn't there a teeny chance the Bucks can still get the No. Yes, if they win out and Philadelphia loses its final three, plus Brooklyn has to lose once. Philly still gets to play Orlando twice so don't hold your breath. So who's likely to be the No. Three teams are battling for spots 4-6: Atlanta (39-31, with two games left), Miami (38-31, three games left) and New York (38-31, three games left). Yep, they're basically all tied up. Since Miami owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over New York and, everyone woke up Thursday with the Knicks as the sixth seed. But that could change by the day. The three teams are entangled when it comes to head-to-head tiebreakers, too. Atlanta has the edge over Miami. Miami has the edge over New York. But New York has the edge over Atlanta. If it's a three-way tie, the order goes Atlanta, Miami and New York. That's another indication that it could very well be the Knicks who face the Bucks in the first round. It's almost certainly not going to be Atlanta The Hawks' final two games are both at home against the Magic (21-48) and Rockets (16-54), two of the worst teams in the league. It would be stunning if Atlanta didn't win at least one, if not both. It certainly gives the Hawks a leg up to the 4-5 series, especially since they own the three-way tiebreaker. If they win both, they're guaranteed the No. 4 spot, leaving Miami and New York in the mix for 5 and 6. If they win one, they're only slightly at risk to become the No. 6; New York would need to win at least two of its three remaining games AND the Heat would have to win all three of theirs. The Knicks have three games remaining against the Spurs (33-36), Hornets (33-36) and Celtics (35-35), all at Madison Square Garden, but all against opponents who have playoff aspirations. So it's not going to come easily for New York. The Heat have a tougher road, hosting the 76ers (47-22), at the Bucks (44-25) and at the Pistons (20-50). Let's just assume the Heat win the last one; with a split of the 76ers and Bucks, the Knicks would then need to win out to finish ahead of Miami (since the Heat have the tiebreaker). Of course, a split is no guarantee against two of the top three teams in the East. So, if Miami finishes with that Pistons win but losses to Philly and Milwaukee, New York would only need to win two of three to finish ahead of the Heat. We should have a little more clarity by game time; the Bucks, Heat and Knicks will have all played an additional game by then. If the Bucks lose Thursday, they'll still have a chance at the No. 2 seed, but it's going to require four different outcomes to go right. So it's understandable if fans leery of the Heat after last year's playoff debacle surrender to the likelihood of a No. 3 seed and root for the outcome that keeps Miami out of the path. If the Heat lose to the 76ers on Thursday, then yes, that win against Milwaukee will be pretty important for Miami to stay ahead of New York (especially if the Knicks beat the Spurs on Thursday). In fact, if Philly beats Miami and New York beats San Antonio on Thursday, then a subsequent Milwaukee win over Miami would leave the Knicks needing just one win in their final two games to clinch a higher spot. The Bucks are 1-2 against the Knicks, but one of those losses came with a lineup that featured just one regular starter (Brook Lopez). The Bucks split two games on back-to-back nights with Miami, but that was back in late December. JR Radcliffe can be reached at (262) 361-9141 or jradcliffe@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRRadcliffe. | Milwaukee Bucks still face a number of scenarios when it comes to playoff positioning. There are basically six potential first-round opponents, though if everything had stopped before Thursday's games, it would be the New York Knicks. | bart | 1 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/05/13/who-milwaukee-bucks-face-round-1-nba-playoffs/5073393001/ | 0.206105 |
Does Liz Cheney really care about democracy? | Cheney was removed Wednesday from her position as Republican conference chair for repudiating former president Trumps Big Lie about the 2020 presidential election and blaming him for inciting the deadly Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. Defiant to the end, the longtime congresswoman said she could not sit back and watch in silence while others lead our party down a path that abandons the rule of law and joins the former presidents crusade to undermine our democracy. Soldiers had chased away people who were lined up to vote, she said. A few hours later they came streaming back in, risking further attack, undaunted in their determination to exercise their right to vote. Her reminiscence was part of a larger point Cheney was making about standing up for democracy and the sanctity of voting. On the night before she was excommunicated from the House Republican leadership, Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming recalled witnessing Kenyans gathered outside a schoolhouse-turned-polling-place in 1993. If Cheney really cares about democracy, she should fight against the GOPs aggressive voter suppression tactics. Advertisement She can start with her home state. Governor Mark Gordon of Wyoming last month signed a new voter ID law requiring acceptable identification for in-person voting. State Representative Chuck Gray, the bills sponsor, called it a necessary function . . . to provide our citizens with confidence that our elections are secure, fair, and valid. There isnt a lick of evidence that the last election was anything other than secure, fair, and valid. Of course, thats not stopping the passage of so-called election integrity laws to make it harder to vote, especially in Black and brown communities. This year, new restrictive voting measures have passed in 11 states, and there are dozens more that GOP officials hope will ultimately wind up with a governors signature. Advertisement Based on Trumps mendacious claim that the 2020 election was riddled with voter fraud, the Big Lie has gone viral in Republican-led legislatures, with lawmakers pushing extreme solutions to nonexistent problems. Buoyed by the GOPs cultish devotion to a one-term, twice-impeached former president, these measures threaten to disenfranchise democracy. After this nation suffered through a presidency built on deception, racism, grifting, and dictatorial aspirations, the bar is so low that Cheney is garnering praise for stating the obvious that President Biden won the election. Dont measure Cheney for that halo yet. This is the same woman who said that the FBI investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election sounds an awful lot like a coup and it could well be treason, echoing one of the former presidents favorite talking points. For four years, Cheneys House votes sided with Trumps position nearly 93 percent of the time. She voted against his first impeachment. She voted against police reform legislation. She voted against supplemental disaster relief for Puerto Rico. She supported Trumps ban on transgender people serving openly in the military. And when she could have defended democracy, Cheney opposed restoring some parts of the Voting Rights Act that were gutted by a catastrophic Supreme Court decision in 2013. One cannot stand for democracy and against protecting voting rights. Last month, Cheney did not support the For the People Act, a sweeping Democrat-sponsored bill that could expand voter registration and access. Throughout her political career, Cheney has been no more of a champion of democracy than the man whose thrall she is finally resisting. Advertisement She may reject Trumpism but not the cynical strategies of race-baiting and fomenting white fears that animated Trumps campaign and, as president, his assaults on democracy. Now expelled from her leadership role, Cheney said during a Today show interview Thursday, I wont let a former president or anybody else unravel the democracy. If she means it, she needs to do more than just rebuke Republican lies of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Recalling her visit to Kenya nearly 30 years ago, Cheney claimed she found communion with voters willing to risk their lives for democracy. Lets see if shell find that same fellowship with Americans whose most sacred right is being attacked by her own party. Rene Graham can be reached at renee.graham@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @reneeygraham. | Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from her position as Republican conference chair. She repudiated former president Trumps Big Lie about the 2020 presidential election and blamed him for inciting the deadly Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. If Cheney really cares about democracy, she should fight against the GOPs aggressive voter suppression tactics, writes Julian Zelizer. | bart | 2 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/13/opinion/does-liz-cheney-really-care-about-democracy/ | 0.289683 |
Why doesnt Boston have its own WNBA franchise? | In fact, no signs can be detected that Boston is anywhere close to landing a WNBA team, and thats even with the league expected to entertain expansion prospects next year and womens sports hitting whats perceived to be a growth spurt. Count it also as the 25th consecutive year that supposedly sports-crazy Boston is without its own WNBA franchise. Experts cite a couple of chief reasons: The WNBAs Connecticut Sun are too close at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville (about 100 miles from Boston), and TD Garden is too big a venue and there is no suitable arena nearby. Advertisement Combine that with the lack of a sustained elite womens college basketball program that could help breed a loyal fan base. The WNBA hasnt even been given a chance to show whether it would fail in Boston. Thats a question thats yet to be answered in the affirmative at this point, said Warren Zola, executive director of the Boston College Chief Executives Club, a program of the Carroll School of Management. One would hope that the Boston market could support a professional womens team, and basketball probably has as much chance of success as any other sport. The WNBA is backed by the NBA. And while some of the 12 franchises are privately owned, theres little doubt the NBA is invested in the notion that whats good for the WNBA is also good for the NBA. That puts the Celtics ownership group, which has been in place since 2002, at the top of the list for most logical owners of a Boston WNBA franchise. But in a statement, the Celtics threw cold water on that logic: We remain greatly supportive of our friends and colleagues in the WNBA. We enjoy a close relationship with the Connecticut Sun, who do an excellent job providing a rich experience for fans of the womens game in New England. We are not considering hosting a WNBA team at this time, as we remain intently focused on bringing championships to Celtics fans. Advertisement Acquiring a WNBA franchise is among the options the Fenway Sports Group is exploring as part of its growth strategy, a source familiar with their thinking has said, but thats not at all an endorsement of a Boston team. FSG has been making noise about owning teams, but they seem to be after the high-margin opportunities, said Zola. Theres no obvious benefactor or investor I can see. The only other way to do a WNBA franchise here would be if the league itself decides to dedicate investment into the league. While the WNBA Finals and the womens NCAA Tournament saw growth in viewership from 2019 numbers, the average household rating in Boston, per ESPN, for both the Final Four and the WNBA Finals was 0.3, a very small showing Where a Boston team would play is a key component to the citys candidacy, and theres no perfect answer. With capacity at 19,000-plus for Celtics games, TD Garden would be too cavernous; average attendance for a WNBA game is less than 7,000. The Los Angeles Sparks lead the WNBA in attendance, averaging more than 10,000 per game over the last three seasons in the Staples Center; the upper deck is closed off, keeping capacity around 13,000. Advertisement If TD Gardens capacity were reduced for the WNBA, the other main concern would be availability. The short answer is, its available. Even though the early-summer start to the WNBA season could bump against the NBA and NHL postseason schedules, a TD Garden spokesperson said that any scheduling conflicts are surmountable, and that the facility is open to discussions. Playing in a smaller arena such as Conte Forum at Boston College or Boston Universitys Agganis Arena presents its own set of issues, with the schools having to weigh a lease agreement against the negative impact on student availability of their facility. An owner could always construct a new arena, but for a host of Boston-only real estate reasons, the chances of that ever happening are remote. Finding a spot in, say, the Route 128 belt would be relatively easier, but without mass transit and strong data to suggest WNBA fans would flock to it, that option seems a stretch. So does locating a franchise in either of Massachusettss next-biggest cities, Worcester and Springfield, each of which is significantly closer than Boston to Mohegan Sun. Luke Bonner, a former professional basketball player who now heads PWRFWD, an e-commerce platform that connects fans to athletes through apparel and other goods, does not buy Bostons near-apathy for college sports as an excuse. Advertisement I dont know how relevant that is, he said. There are some WNBA markets that dont have that, and you also see success in a market where theres no NBA team, like Las Vegas and Seattle. Everyones looking at not just the WNBA but womens sports at large right now as a high-growth industry. Its not just for social good or charity, its good business to be in womens sports right now. The US womens basketball and soccer teams are expected to again grab the spotlight and likely the gold in this summers Olympics, and the WNBA appears rejuvenated with new sponsorship and media-rights deals. Without citing specific markets where it could expand, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters last month that the league will likely start the expansion conversation in earnest in 2022. If we have a very successful season this year, this time next year we can certainly start talking about what expansion would look like, how many, and the time frame over which that would occur, she said. Right now, the thought that those talks will generate a spark of interest from anyone around Boston is hard to imagine. Chad Finn of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeSilvermanBB. | The WNBA hasn't even been given a chance to show whether it would fail in Boston. Experts cite a couple of chief reasons: The WNBAs Connecticut Sun are too close at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville. | bart | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/13/sports/why-doesnt-boston-have-its-own-wnba-franchise/ | 0.206939 |
Why doesnt Boston have its own WNBA franchise? | In fact, no signs can be detected that Boston is anywhere close to landing a WNBA team, and thats even with the league expected to entertain expansion prospects next year and womens sports hitting whats perceived to be a growth spurt. Count it also as the 25th consecutive year that supposedly sports-crazy Boston is without its own WNBA franchise. Experts cite a couple of chief reasons: The WNBAs Connecticut Sun are too close at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville (about 100 miles from Boston), and TD Garden is too big a venue and there is no suitable arena nearby. Advertisement Combine that with the lack of a sustained elite womens college basketball program that could help breed a loyal fan base. The WNBA hasnt even been given a chance to show whether it would fail in Boston. Thats a question thats yet to be answered in the affirmative at this point, said Warren Zola, executive director of the Boston College Chief Executives Club, a program of the Carroll School of Management. One would hope that the Boston market could support a professional womens team, and basketball probably has as much chance of success as any other sport. The WNBA is backed by the NBA. And while some of the 12 franchises are privately owned, theres little doubt the NBA is invested in the notion that whats good for the WNBA is also good for the NBA. That puts the Celtics ownership group, which has been in place since 2002, at the top of the list for most logical owners of a Boston WNBA franchise. But in a statement, the Celtics threw cold water on that logic: We remain greatly supportive of our friends and colleagues in the WNBA. We enjoy a close relationship with the Connecticut Sun, who do an excellent job providing a rich experience for fans of the womens game in New England. We are not considering hosting a WNBA team at this time, as we remain intently focused on bringing championships to Celtics fans. Advertisement Acquiring a WNBA franchise is among the options the Fenway Sports Group is exploring as part of its growth strategy, a source familiar with their thinking has said, but thats not at all an endorsement of a Boston team. FSG has been making noise about owning teams, but they seem to be after the high-margin opportunities, said Zola. Theres no obvious benefactor or investor I can see. The only other way to do a WNBA franchise here would be if the league itself decides to dedicate investment into the league. While the WNBA Finals and the womens NCAA Tournament saw growth in viewership from 2019 numbers, the average household rating in Boston, per ESPN, for both the Final Four and the WNBA Finals was 0.3, a very small showing Where a Boston team would play is a key component to the citys candidacy, and theres no perfect answer. With capacity at 19,000-plus for Celtics games, TD Garden would be too cavernous; average attendance for a WNBA game is less than 7,000. The Los Angeles Sparks lead the WNBA in attendance, averaging more than 10,000 per game over the last three seasons in the Staples Center; the upper deck is closed off, keeping capacity around 13,000. Advertisement If TD Gardens capacity were reduced for the WNBA, the other main concern would be availability. The short answer is, its available. Even though the early-summer start to the WNBA season could bump against the NBA and NHL postseason schedules, a TD Garden spokesperson said that any scheduling conflicts are surmountable, and that the facility is open to discussions. Playing in a smaller arena such as Conte Forum at Boston College or Boston Universitys Agganis Arena presents its own set of issues, with the schools having to weigh a lease agreement against the negative impact on student availability of their facility. An owner could always construct a new arena, but for a host of Boston-only real estate reasons, the chances of that ever happening are remote. Finding a spot in, say, the Route 128 belt would be relatively easier, but without mass transit and strong data to suggest WNBA fans would flock to it, that option seems a stretch. So does locating a franchise in either of Massachusettss next-biggest cities, Worcester and Springfield, each of which is significantly closer than Boston to Mohegan Sun. Luke Bonner, a former professional basketball player who now heads PWRFWD, an e-commerce platform that connects fans to athletes through apparel and other goods, does not buy Bostons near-apathy for college sports as an excuse. Advertisement I dont know how relevant that is, he said. There are some WNBA markets that dont have that, and you also see success in a market where theres no NBA team, like Las Vegas and Seattle. Everyones looking at not just the WNBA but womens sports at large right now as a high-growth industry. Its not just for social good or charity, its good business to be in womens sports right now. The US womens basketball and soccer teams are expected to again grab the spotlight and likely the gold in this summers Olympics, and the WNBA appears rejuvenated with new sponsorship and media-rights deals. Without citing specific markets where it could expand, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters last month that the league will likely start the expansion conversation in earnest in 2022. If we have a very successful season this year, this time next year we can certainly start talking about what expansion would look like, how many, and the time frame over which that would occur, she said. Right now, the thought that those talks will generate a spark of interest from anyone around Boston is hard to imagine. Chad Finn of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeSilvermanBB. | It's the 25th consecutive year that Boston is without a WNBA franchise. The WNBA's Connecticut Sun are too close at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville. TD Garden is too big a venue and there is no suitable arena nearby. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/13/sports/why-doesnt-boston-have-its-own-wnba-franchise/ | 0.381629 |
What Is the Average Grocery Bill? | Age/Gender Groups Thrifty Plan Low-Cost Plan Moderate-Cost Plan Liberal Plan Single Male: 19-50 years $44.90 $58.40 $72.90 $89.40 51-70 years $41.00 $55.10 $68.70 $83.00 71+ years $41.10 $53.90 $67.20 $83.10 Single Female: 19-50 years $39.80 $50.60 $61.90 $79.30 51-70 years $39.50 $49.30 $61.30 $74.20 71+ years $38.50 $48.50 $60.50 $72.90 Family of 2 (Male & Female) 19-50 years $93.20 $119.90 $148.40 $185.50 51-70 years $88.60 $114.80 $143.00 $172.90 Family of 4 (Male & Female age 19-50) Children 2-3 and 4-5 years $136.10 $174.30 $214.90 $265.90 6-8 and 9-11 years $156.20 $206.10 $256.70 $311.50 #tablepress-428 from cache Lets take a closer look at the moderate-cost plan figures. Image Via Dreamstime The average weekly cost of groceries for one adult is: $67 for those ages 19-50 $65 for those ages 51-70 Example: Let's say you're between the ages of 51 and 70 and your weekly grocery bill falls under a moderate-cost plan. A male would spend $68 a week. Meanwhile, a female in that same age group would spend just $61 a week, according to the USDA. For one child on a moderate-cost plan, you can add anywhere from $34 to $65 more a week onto your total depending on the childs age. Image Via Dreamstime The average weekly grocery bill for two people between the ages of 19 and 50 is $148, according to the USDA. For couples ages 51 to 70, you're spending $143, the agency says. If the couple has two children ages 2-3 and 4-5 years old, the household's weekly grocery total is $214 under a moderate-cost plan. If the two children are 6-8 and 9-11 years old, the total is $256, according to the USDA. Try this free grocery budget calculator. How To Lower Your Grocery Bill Food is an essential piece of every persons budget, but it doesnt mean there arent ways to save. Here at Team Clark we want you to scrutinize your spending to see if you can keep some of that money in your pocket. If youre interested in lowering your grocery bill, here are some ways to do it. 1. Many retailers will include a sales flyer near the front of the store or in grocery baskets. Better yet, visit the grocery store's website to see the sales flyer <em>before</em> you get to the store. That way, you can get a better idea of how to plan your grocery list based on what's on sale. 2. Compare Unit Prices Before you put a food item in your basket, take a look at the unit price and compare it to a similar item or another brand. Just because an item may come in a larger quantity doesnt necessarily mean that the cost per unit is cheaper. Along with comparing the unit prices of different sizes and brands as you shop, make sure you also: Compare the table of nutritional facts located on the side of the box or package. Look at the "good-by" and/or expiration date. Examine the condition of the package (damaged or dented?). If you bring the damaged container to the attention of a manager, you may get a break on the price of that item. 3. Use a Cash Back Credit Card Money expert Clark Howard says you should always use a credit card, if you can pay your balance in full every month. When it comes to groceries, you can save money by using a cash back credit card. Clark says you should read the fine print to find out how card issuers classify certain retailers who sell food as well as the cash back limits. Each card issuer has exclusions and limitations on the type of cash back you get. Its in the mice type, which is completely different from the colorful brochure you get from them, Clark says. Here are 20+ more ways to save money on your groceries. appeared first on Clark Howard. | The average weekly cost of groceries for one adult is: $67 for those ages 19-50 $65 for those ages 51-70. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.ajc.com/news/what-is-the-average-grocery-bill/TNEUH75R25BZZNOPIQXUBPM5AA/ | 0.349868 |
What Is the Average Grocery Bill? | Age/Gender Groups Thrifty Plan Low-Cost Plan Moderate-Cost Plan Liberal Plan Single Male: 19-50 years $44.90 $58.40 $72.90 $89.40 51-70 years $41.00 $55.10 $68.70 $83.00 71+ years $41.10 $53.90 $67.20 $83.10 Single Female: 19-50 years $39.80 $50.60 $61.90 $79.30 51-70 years $39.50 $49.30 $61.30 $74.20 71+ years $38.50 $48.50 $60.50 $72.90 Family of 2 (Male & Female) 19-50 years $93.20 $119.90 $148.40 $185.50 51-70 years $88.60 $114.80 $143.00 $172.90 Family of 4 (Male & Female age 19-50) Children 2-3 and 4-5 years $136.10 $174.30 $214.90 $265.90 6-8 and 9-11 years $156.20 $206.10 $256.70 $311.50 #tablepress-428 from cache Lets take a closer look at the moderate-cost plan figures. Image Via Dreamstime The average weekly cost of groceries for one adult is: $67 for those ages 19-50 $65 for those ages 51-70 Example: Let's say you're between the ages of 51 and 70 and your weekly grocery bill falls under a moderate-cost plan. A male would spend $68 a week. Meanwhile, a female in that same age group would spend just $61 a week, according to the USDA. For one child on a moderate-cost plan, you can add anywhere from $34 to $65 more a week onto your total depending on the childs age. Image Via Dreamstime The average weekly grocery bill for two people between the ages of 19 and 50 is $148, according to the USDA. For couples ages 51 to 70, you're spending $143, the agency says. If the couple has two children ages 2-3 and 4-5 years old, the household's weekly grocery total is $214 under a moderate-cost plan. If the two children are 6-8 and 9-11 years old, the total is $256, according to the USDA. Try this free grocery budget calculator. How To Lower Your Grocery Bill Food is an essential piece of every persons budget, but it doesnt mean there arent ways to save. Here at Team Clark we want you to scrutinize your spending to see if you can keep some of that money in your pocket. If youre interested in lowering your grocery bill, here are some ways to do it. 1. Many retailers will include a sales flyer near the front of the store or in grocery baskets. Better yet, visit the grocery store's website to see the sales flyer <em>before</em> you get to the store. That way, you can get a better idea of how to plan your grocery list based on what's on sale. 2. Compare Unit Prices Before you put a food item in your basket, take a look at the unit price and compare it to a similar item or another brand. Just because an item may come in a larger quantity doesnt necessarily mean that the cost per unit is cheaper. Along with comparing the unit prices of different sizes and brands as you shop, make sure you also: Compare the table of nutritional facts located on the side of the box or package. Look at the "good-by" and/or expiration date. Examine the condition of the package (damaged or dented?). If you bring the damaged container to the attention of a manager, you may get a break on the price of that item. 3. Use a Cash Back Credit Card Money expert Clark Howard says you should always use a credit card, if you can pay your balance in full every month. When it comes to groceries, you can save money by using a cash back credit card. Clark says you should read the fine print to find out how card issuers classify certain retailers who sell food as well as the cash back limits. Each card issuer has exclusions and limitations on the type of cash back you get. Its in the mice type, which is completely different from the colorful brochure you get from them, Clark says. Here are 20+ more ways to save money on your groceries. appeared first on Clark Howard. | The average weekly cost of groceries for one adult is: $67 for those ages 19-50 $65 for those ages 51-70. For one child on a moderate-cost plan, you can add anywhere from $34 to $65 more a week onto your total depending on the childs age. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.ajc.com/news/what-is-the-average-grocery-bill/TNEUH75R25BZZNOPIQXUBPM5AA/ | 0.401871 |
Is Xbox Series X Dolby Vision Gaming About To Give Even Cutting Edge TVs Another Big Headache? | If youve looked at the Xbox Series Xs 4K TV Details screen recently, you may have noticed something new on there. Where once there used to be a single check for whether your TV supported the premium Dolby Vision HDR format or not, now there are two separate, more specific Dolby Vision checks: One to show whether your TV can support Dolby Vision in 4K at 60Hz, and one to show whether your TV can support Dolby Vision in 4K at 120Hz. These new options, of course, reflect the fact that the new Xbox consoles are soon going to be getting support for Dolby Vision gaming. Excitement among gamers at another sign that this potentially great new feature is on its way has taken a bit of a knock, though, with the discovery that even the most cutting edge new gaming-friendly TVs dont seem to support Dolby Vision gaming at 4K/120Hz. The new Xbox consoles now check for Dolby Vision support at both 4K/60 and 4K/120 refresh rates. Photo: John Archer Particularly eye-catching among the TV models that are currently showing a not compatible cross against Dolby Vision at 4K/120Hz are LGs latest OLEDs. The South Korean brands OLED TVs have been ahead of the next-gen gaming curve since 2019s 9 series models, and theyve built on that reputation impressively with the ensuing 2020 X and new 2021 1 series models. Even though all LG OLEDs since 2019 have supported 4K at 120Hz and Dolby Vision separately, however, owners of 2020 and 2021 LG OLEDs are telling me that for some reason the Xbox Series X is currently saying that enjoying Dolby Vision and 4K/120 together isnt possible. (If anyone reading this can confirm the situation with 2019s 9 series OLEDs, please let me know via my Twitter account. Also, please contact me if you happen to have a TV that DOES show compatibility with Dolby Vision 4K/120Hz on the Xbox Series X 4K TV Details screen.) I can confirm that Sonys most gaming-friendly 2020 TVs, the XH9005s, cant. Though actually its long been known that Sonys TVs cant simultaneously support 4K at 120Hz and any sort of Dolby Vision from Xbox; its always been an either/or situation. So the red cross next to Dolby Vision at 4K/120Hz (and, actually, at 60Hz) on these TVs isnt a surprise. Dolby Vision support for gaming is coming to the new Xbox consoles soon. Photo: Microsoft Samsung doesnt support Dolby Vision on its TVs at all, of course, and were still waiting for new, more gaming-friendly 2021 models to arrive from the likes of TCL, Hisense, Vizio and (in Europe) Philips and Panasonic. But with these brands all really playing catch up with LG when it comes to gaming, it would be quite a coup if any of them ended up being able to deliver Dolby Vision at 4K/120Hz when LGs latest sets - on current evidence, at least - cannot. Its entirely possible, of course, that LG and other brands may be able to fix any Xbox Dolby Vision compatibility issues via a firmware update. Or maybe theres something Microsoft might be able to do at the console end to sort things out. As things stand, though, I cant help but remember the compatibility issues that occurred with a number of supposedly Dolby Vision-capable TVs when Dolby Vision was first added to Xbox Ones back in August 2018 (as covered in this earlier story). Hopefully this time round the story will have a more comprehensively happy ending. Keep an eye on my Forbes channel for more updates on the Dolby Vision on Xbox situation in the coming days. Related Reading Xbox Series X HDMI Bug Fix Announced For Denon And Marantz Receivers New PS5 System Update Fixes 4K 120Hz Issue With Samsung TVs PS5 Update Fixes Second Major 4K HDR Bug | The Xbox Series X now checks for Dolby Vision support at both 4K 60Hz and 4K/120Hz refresh rates. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnarcher/2021/05/13/is-xbox-series-x-dolby-vision-gaming-about-to-give-even-cutting-edge-tvs-another-big-headache/ | 0.121865 |
Is Xbox Series X Dolby Vision Gaming About To Give Even Cutting Edge TVs Another Big Headache? | If youve looked at the Xbox Series Xs 4K TV Details screen recently, you may have noticed something new on there. Where once there used to be a single check for whether your TV supported the premium Dolby Vision HDR format or not, now there are two separate, more specific Dolby Vision checks: One to show whether your TV can support Dolby Vision in 4K at 60Hz, and one to show whether your TV can support Dolby Vision in 4K at 120Hz. These new options, of course, reflect the fact that the new Xbox consoles are soon going to be getting support for Dolby Vision gaming. Excitement among gamers at another sign that this potentially great new feature is on its way has taken a bit of a knock, though, with the discovery that even the most cutting edge new gaming-friendly TVs dont seem to support Dolby Vision gaming at 4K/120Hz. The new Xbox consoles now check for Dolby Vision support at both 4K/60 and 4K/120 refresh rates. Photo: John Archer Particularly eye-catching among the TV models that are currently showing a not compatible cross against Dolby Vision at 4K/120Hz are LGs latest OLEDs. The South Korean brands OLED TVs have been ahead of the next-gen gaming curve since 2019s 9 series models, and theyve built on that reputation impressively with the ensuing 2020 X and new 2021 1 series models. Even though all LG OLEDs since 2019 have supported 4K at 120Hz and Dolby Vision separately, however, owners of 2020 and 2021 LG OLEDs are telling me that for some reason the Xbox Series X is currently saying that enjoying Dolby Vision and 4K/120 together isnt possible. (If anyone reading this can confirm the situation with 2019s 9 series OLEDs, please let me know via my Twitter account. Also, please contact me if you happen to have a TV that DOES show compatibility with Dolby Vision 4K/120Hz on the Xbox Series X 4K TV Details screen.) I can confirm that Sonys most gaming-friendly 2020 TVs, the XH9005s, cant. Though actually its long been known that Sonys TVs cant simultaneously support 4K at 120Hz and any sort of Dolby Vision from Xbox; its always been an either/or situation. So the red cross next to Dolby Vision at 4K/120Hz (and, actually, at 60Hz) on these TVs isnt a surprise. Dolby Vision support for gaming is coming to the new Xbox consoles soon. Photo: Microsoft Samsung doesnt support Dolby Vision on its TVs at all, of course, and were still waiting for new, more gaming-friendly 2021 models to arrive from the likes of TCL, Hisense, Vizio and (in Europe) Philips and Panasonic. But with these brands all really playing catch up with LG when it comes to gaming, it would be quite a coup if any of them ended up being able to deliver Dolby Vision at 4K/120Hz when LGs latest sets - on current evidence, at least - cannot. Its entirely possible, of course, that LG and other brands may be able to fix any Xbox Dolby Vision compatibility issues via a firmware update. Or maybe theres something Microsoft might be able to do at the console end to sort things out. As things stand, though, I cant help but remember the compatibility issues that occurred with a number of supposedly Dolby Vision-capable TVs when Dolby Vision was first added to Xbox Ones back in August 2018 (as covered in this earlier story). Hopefully this time round the story will have a more comprehensively happy ending. Keep an eye on my Forbes channel for more updates on the Dolby Vision on Xbox situation in the coming days. Related Reading Xbox Series X HDMI Bug Fix Announced For Denon And Marantz Receivers New PS5 System Update Fixes 4K 120Hz Issue With Samsung TVs PS5 Update Fixes Second Major 4K HDR Bug | Even the most cutting edge new gaming-friendly TVs dont seem to support Dolby Vision gaming at 4K/120Hz. The Xbox Series Xs 4K TV Details screen now check for Dolby vision support at both 4K and 120Hz. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnarcher/2021/05/13/is-xbox-series-x-dolby-vision-gaming-about-to-give-even-cutting-edge-tvs-another-big-headache/ | 0.35139 |
Will Schools Requirement That Students Be Fully Vaccinated Against Covid Further Oppress Marginalized Students? | Stony Brook, N.Y.: Freshman Alana Gill receives the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at Stony Brook ... [+] University on April 6, 2021. (Photo by Raychel Brightman/Newsday RM via Getty Images) Newsday via Getty Images As colleges and universities break for summer, many are also preparing to welcome students back in the fall and making the proper provisions for continuing the fight against Covid-19. One of the most recent precautions that some institutions have made is the requirement that students be fully vaccinated before returning to campus in the fall. Over the past month, only a handful of colleges and universities announced their new Covid vaccination policies, and now a growing list of other colleges have decided to follow suit. But this requirement has not come without controversy. Some are beginning to ask about accommodations that can be made for students who cannot get vaccinated due to religious or medical reasons. Or students who have opted not to take the vaccine as a personal choice. This week, New York states public colleges and universities have joined the list of private schools on the east coast to require that students be fully vaccinated before the start of the fall semester. On the west coast, the California State University and University of California school systems have also followed suit a decision that could impact one million students, faculty, and staff. According to Lynn Pasquerella, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, even more, institutions are likely to follow. As eligibility and access for Covid vaccines expands, schools must consider how a vaccine mandate can help higher education get back on track, Pasquerella said. However, critics of the requirement argue that colleges and universities should also consider how their new vaccine policies might impact student groups who already face marginalization. Today, 118 million Americans are fully vaccinated, which is about 36% of the population. Experts say those numbers will continue to rise significantly over the summer as vaccine enthusiasm continues to grow. However, certain groups of people will more than likely not get the vaccine due to religious or medical reasons. Other groups of Americans are choosing not to get the vaccine for various other reasons. A recent NPR/Marist poll found that one in four Americans said they would refuse a coronavirus vaccine if offered, and another 5% indicated that they were "undecided" about getting vaccinated. Several factors outside of pre-existing medical conditions and religion have caused some Americans to be less than enthusiastic about the vaccine. Side effects, safety, barriers, and lack of information and access are among other factors. A recent study found that Blacks and Latinos are more likely than whites to be concerned about missing work due to side effects and about having to pay out-of-pocket for the vaccine although it is free. Additionally, 45% of Latino adults say they do not have enough information about when they can get vaccinated. A similar number of Latinos have also shared that they are unsure whether they are currently eligible to receive the vaccine in their state although eligibility is now open to all U.S. residents. Other studies have shown Black and Latino people to be more skeptical of the vaccines than the overall U.S. population due to historic mistreatment in medicine. Previous incidents of egregious and heinous medical maltreatment, such as the Tuskegee Experiments, in which Blacks were used as guinea pigs in the name of medical advancement, have helped fuel the skepticism and distrust that many feel about the vaccine. Making matters worse, Blacks and Latinos continue to face various health disparities and exposure to racism in the healthcare system and with some medical providers. Yet and still, most medical experts continue to push for the vaccine and argue that getting vaccinated is the only way students can safely return to school and the fastest way for Americans to return to their everyday normal lives. "What most of us want is a safe return to something that looks more normal. That to me means 80% to 85%, vaccination," says Samuel Scarpino, who follows the coronavirus outbreak at Northeastern University. | A growing list of colleges and universities are requiring students to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before returning to campus in the fall. Critics of the requirement argue that colleges should also consider how their new vaccine policies might impact student groups who already face marginalization. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/2021/05/13/will-schools-requirement-that-students-be-fully-vaccinated-against-covid-further-oppress-marginalized-students/ | 0.304768 |
Whats the status of the DART Silver Line from Plano to DFW Airport? | After three decades of planning, Dallas Area Rapid Transits $1.2 billion Silver Line from southeast Plano to DFW Airport is set to open in summer 2023. Heres what you need to know about the 26-mile rail line. It was originally supposed to open in 2022. There were delays caused by manpower issues, construction schedules, DART spokesman Gordon Shattles told The Dallas Morning News this month. Those were the two big ones. In 1990, DART bought the Silver Lines route, the Cotton Belt Corridor, a 52-mile railway running between Fort Worth and Wylie. Building a DART route along the corridor was part of the agencys original transit plan. The ride from 12th Street in Plano to DFW Airport is 59 minutes, Shattles said. The Silver Line station will be at Terminal B, Shattles said, while the Orange Line station is located at Terminal A. Shattles said DART leases the Tarrant County section of the Cotton Belt Line to Trinity Metro, which operates the TEXRail line from DFW Airport to downtown Fort Worth. Shiloh Road in Plano 12th Street in Plano CityLine/Bush in Richardson UT Dallas Knoll Trail in Dallas Addison Downtown Carrollton Cypress Waters in Dallas, near Coppell DFW Airport North DFW Airport Terminal B The DART Silver Line plans to open in the summer of 2023. Shattles said the agency is constructing dual-sided walls to absorb sound, as well as using a train that he said is quiet to begin with. In addition to that, weve actually installed wheel skirts, a panel that actually covers the wheels, he said. Most noise on a train that goes by is the sound of the wheels making contact with the rail. The model, known as a FLIRT, or a Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train, is developed by a Swiss company called Stadler. The first FLIRTs in the U.S. were used on Tarrant Countys TexRail line, according to Metro Magazine. The company secured a $119 million contract with DART to assemble eight FLIRT trains as part of the Silver Line project, the magazine reported. The vehicles can hold 240 seated and 225 standing passengers. Related links Plano receives 16,000 feet of additional rail for DART Silver Line construction Addison gets all aboard DARTs new Silver Line with plans for $500 million project DARTs Silver Line from Plano to DFW Airport moves forward as rails arrive for construction As DART plans more work for Cotton Belt line, Far North Dallas residents continue pushback UT Dallas DART station in Richardson to feature 8-foot high sculpture of university logo DART receiving $229 million in CARES Act relief to boost operations during pandemic | Dallas Area Rapid Transit's Silver Line from southeast Plano to DFW Airport is set to open in 2023. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2021/05/13/whats-the-status-of-the-dart-silver-line-from-plano-to-dfw-airport/ | 0.335104 |
Whats the status of the DART Silver Line from Plano to DFW Airport? | After three decades of planning, Dallas Area Rapid Transits $1.2 billion Silver Line from southeast Plano to DFW Airport is set to open in summer 2023. Heres what you need to know about the 26-mile rail line. It was originally supposed to open in 2022. There were delays caused by manpower issues, construction schedules, DART spokesman Gordon Shattles told The Dallas Morning News this month. Those were the two big ones. In 1990, DART bought the Silver Lines route, the Cotton Belt Corridor, a 52-mile railway running between Fort Worth and Wylie. Building a DART route along the corridor was part of the agencys original transit plan. The ride from 12th Street in Plano to DFW Airport is 59 minutes, Shattles said. The Silver Line station will be at Terminal B, Shattles said, while the Orange Line station is located at Terminal A. Shattles said DART leases the Tarrant County section of the Cotton Belt Line to Trinity Metro, which operates the TEXRail line from DFW Airport to downtown Fort Worth. Shiloh Road in Plano 12th Street in Plano CityLine/Bush in Richardson UT Dallas Knoll Trail in Dallas Addison Downtown Carrollton Cypress Waters in Dallas, near Coppell DFW Airport North DFW Airport Terminal B The DART Silver Line plans to open in the summer of 2023. Shattles said the agency is constructing dual-sided walls to absorb sound, as well as using a train that he said is quiet to begin with. In addition to that, weve actually installed wheel skirts, a panel that actually covers the wheels, he said. Most noise on a train that goes by is the sound of the wheels making contact with the rail. The model, known as a FLIRT, or a Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train, is developed by a Swiss company called Stadler. The first FLIRTs in the U.S. were used on Tarrant Countys TexRail line, according to Metro Magazine. The company secured a $119 million contract with DART to assemble eight FLIRT trains as part of the Silver Line project, the magazine reported. The vehicles can hold 240 seated and 225 standing passengers. Related links Plano receives 16,000 feet of additional rail for DART Silver Line construction Addison gets all aboard DARTs new Silver Line with plans for $500 million project DARTs Silver Line from Plano to DFW Airport moves forward as rails arrive for construction As DART plans more work for Cotton Belt line, Far North Dallas residents continue pushback UT Dallas DART station in Richardson to feature 8-foot high sculpture of university logo DART receiving $229 million in CARES Act relief to boost operations during pandemic | DART Silver Line from southeast Plano to DFW Airport is set to open in summer 2023. The 26-mile rail line is expected to cost $1.2 billion. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2021/05/13/whats-the-status-of-the-dart-silver-line-from-plano-to-dfw-airport/ | 0.422046 |
Whats the status of the DART Silver Line from Plano to DFW Airport? | After three decades of planning, Dallas Area Rapid Transits $1.2 billion Silver Line from southeast Plano to DFW Airport is set to open in summer 2023. Heres what you need to know about the 26-mile rail line. It was originally supposed to open in 2022. There were delays caused by manpower issues, construction schedules, DART spokesman Gordon Shattles told The Dallas Morning News this month. Those were the two big ones. In 1990, DART bought the Silver Lines route, the Cotton Belt Corridor, a 52-mile railway running between Fort Worth and Wylie. Building a DART route along the corridor was part of the agencys original transit plan. The ride from 12th Street in Plano to DFW Airport is 59 minutes, Shattles said. The Silver Line station will be at Terminal B, Shattles said, while the Orange Line station is located at Terminal A. Shattles said DART leases the Tarrant County section of the Cotton Belt Line to Trinity Metro, which operates the TEXRail line from DFW Airport to downtown Fort Worth. Shiloh Road in Plano 12th Street in Plano CityLine/Bush in Richardson UT Dallas Knoll Trail in Dallas Addison Downtown Carrollton Cypress Waters in Dallas, near Coppell DFW Airport North DFW Airport Terminal B The DART Silver Line plans to open in the summer of 2023. Shattles said the agency is constructing dual-sided walls to absorb sound, as well as using a train that he said is quiet to begin with. In addition to that, weve actually installed wheel skirts, a panel that actually covers the wheels, he said. Most noise on a train that goes by is the sound of the wheels making contact with the rail. The model, known as a FLIRT, or a Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train, is developed by a Swiss company called Stadler. The first FLIRTs in the U.S. were used on Tarrant Countys TexRail line, according to Metro Magazine. The company secured a $119 million contract with DART to assemble eight FLIRT trains as part of the Silver Line project, the magazine reported. The vehicles can hold 240 seated and 225 standing passengers. Related links Plano receives 16,000 feet of additional rail for DART Silver Line construction Addison gets all aboard DARTs new Silver Line with plans for $500 million project DARTs Silver Line from Plano to DFW Airport moves forward as rails arrive for construction As DART plans more work for Cotton Belt line, Far North Dallas residents continue pushback UT Dallas DART station in Richardson to feature 8-foot high sculpture of university logo DART receiving $229 million in CARES Act relief to boost operations during pandemic | DART Silver Line from southeast Plano to DFW Airport is set to open in summer 2023. The 26-mile rail line is expected to cost $1.2 billion to build and $1 billion to maintain. The Silver Line will be the first DART line to use a FLIRT train. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2021/05/13/whats-the-status-of-the-dart-silver-line-from-plano-to-dfw-airport/ | 0.514315 |
Did Tarrant water district directors violate open meetings law when they discussed manager? | The Tarrant Regional Water District, which supplies raw water and controls flooding, is looking for a new general manager. yyossifor@star-telegram.com The Tarrant Regional Water District may have violated the open meetings law by not providing clarity on why the board went into a closed door session during a special meeting, according a retired attorney who urged the board to discuss hiring a top executive in public. But legal counsel for the district contends no violation occurred. The board of directors are in the midst of selecting a new general manager to replace Jim Oliver, who is retiring after 30 years. Board president Jack Stevens has said he wanted to make that selection before any newly elected members are seated. On Tuesday the board met to certify the election, but not before spending a little more than an hour in executive session to deliberate on personnel matters, according to the agenda which did not note the position or personnel being discussed. Don Richards, a media law lawyer who teaches on the subject at Texas Tech, said there is no doubt the board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act if the general managers position was discussed during the closed door meeting. Texas courts have made it clear that discussion of high-level executive positions must be spelled out on agendas, even when the discussion is executive session, he said. Richards also provides legal counsel through the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas hot line. When were talking about the top management positions, like superintendent of a school, football coach, the public has a high level of interest, Richards said. And the general manager of any authority would be in that category where they would should give specific notice. An attorney with the law firm that represents the water district said matters discussed during executive session could not be disclosed, but that the board absolutely did not violate the open meetings act. Obviously I am not at liberty to disclose the discussions at any executive session, but if, as and when the Board deliberates the selection of a new General Manager, it will be posted on the meeting notice, Lee Christie, an attorney with Fort Worth firm Pope, Hardwicke, Christie, Schell, Kelly and Taplett, wrote in an email. The board is overseeing the $1.17 billion Panther Island project, which would create an island north of downtown by cutting a channel between the Clear and West forks of the Trinity River. Board members previously decided to funnel questions about the hiring process through Leah King, who is on the search committee with fellow board member Marty Leonard. King, in an interview with the Star-Telegram, didnt provide specifics about the executive session, but confirmed the she and Leonard provided an update on the hiring process to the rest of the board. Jim Lane, a long time water district board member, told the Star-Telegram last week he didnt expect the board to vote on a new hire during the special meeting, but he did expect to talk about it during a closed-door session. I think in that executive session the search committee will tell us what their recommendation is and then then next week everybody will find out because its my understanding well vote in open session, he said at the time. Board member-elect Mary Kelleher, who ousted Stevens in the May 1 election, attended the meeting but was shut out of the executive session because she has not been sworn in. Austin-based Lehman Associates, the firm conducting the search for a new general manager, was asked to updated Kelleher on the process, King said Two speakers raised concerns about the vague agenda item, but the board moved into executive session anyway. Jackee Cox, calling into the meeting, said the cloudy nature of the executive session was frustrating. She pointed the the Texas Attorney Generals Open Meeting Handbook and said it was clear the board needed to note if the discussion would be on the general manager position. Cox, a retired lawyer, noted that during the recent campaign multiple board members committed to improving transparency at the water district. She asked the board to refrain from discussing hiring a replacement for Oliver until proper notice could be given to the public. Former state Rep. Lon Burnam called in to support her comments. I do ask that you be sensitive going forward to the fact that you are elected officials, and theres supposed to be a channel of open communication between you and the public when you get ready to do something of the magnitude of hiring an executive director, Cox said. Cox told the Star-Telegram after the meeting she hoped the Tarrant Regional Water District would move beyond sloganeering about transparency and become more open to the public. She contrasted the hiring of the water district general manager to Fort Worths recent process for hiring a new police chief. The city made a short list of finalists public, along with their backgrounds and conducted public forums with the candidates. The water district has not done that. Regarding any potential open meetings act violation, Richards said there likely wasnt much that could be done. If they board had discussed the general manager behind closed doors and then voted on a replacement, an interested party could sue to block the hiring, he said, but the board took no action. King told the Star-Telegram she understood the concerns of the callers who spoke Tuesday. The board will likely be altering the process for how agenda items are worded after Kelleher is sworn in, she said. Stevens, as the board president, and legal counsel work with staff on agenda wording, but in the future, King said, it is likely the whole board would have input. We all know for sure is that there will be a lot of change, King said, adding latter: Im pretty confident that the way that processes worked just over the recent past will likely be updated anyway just, if nothing else, by virtue of having, you know, a new person in that seat. | The Tarrant Regional Water District is looking for a new general manager. The board of directors spent an hour in executive session to deliberate on personnel matters, but did not note the position or personnel being discussed. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article251364533.html | 0.17361 |
Did Tarrant water district directors violate open meetings law when they discussed manager? | The Tarrant Regional Water District, which supplies raw water and controls flooding, is looking for a new general manager. yyossifor@star-telegram.com The Tarrant Regional Water District may have violated the open meetings law by not providing clarity on why the board went into a closed door session during a special meeting, according a retired attorney who urged the board to discuss hiring a top executive in public. But legal counsel for the district contends no violation occurred. The board of directors are in the midst of selecting a new general manager to replace Jim Oliver, who is retiring after 30 years. Board president Jack Stevens has said he wanted to make that selection before any newly elected members are seated. On Tuesday the board met to certify the election, but not before spending a little more than an hour in executive session to deliberate on personnel matters, according to the agenda which did not note the position or personnel being discussed. Don Richards, a media law lawyer who teaches on the subject at Texas Tech, said there is no doubt the board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act if the general managers position was discussed during the closed door meeting. Texas courts have made it clear that discussion of high-level executive positions must be spelled out on agendas, even when the discussion is executive session, he said. Richards also provides legal counsel through the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas hot line. When were talking about the top management positions, like superintendent of a school, football coach, the public has a high level of interest, Richards said. And the general manager of any authority would be in that category where they would should give specific notice. An attorney with the law firm that represents the water district said matters discussed during executive session could not be disclosed, but that the board absolutely did not violate the open meetings act. Obviously I am not at liberty to disclose the discussions at any executive session, but if, as and when the Board deliberates the selection of a new General Manager, it will be posted on the meeting notice, Lee Christie, an attorney with Fort Worth firm Pope, Hardwicke, Christie, Schell, Kelly and Taplett, wrote in an email. The board is overseeing the $1.17 billion Panther Island project, which would create an island north of downtown by cutting a channel between the Clear and West forks of the Trinity River. Board members previously decided to funnel questions about the hiring process through Leah King, who is on the search committee with fellow board member Marty Leonard. King, in an interview with the Star-Telegram, didnt provide specifics about the executive session, but confirmed the she and Leonard provided an update on the hiring process to the rest of the board. Jim Lane, a long time water district board member, told the Star-Telegram last week he didnt expect the board to vote on a new hire during the special meeting, but he did expect to talk about it during a closed-door session. I think in that executive session the search committee will tell us what their recommendation is and then then next week everybody will find out because its my understanding well vote in open session, he said at the time. Board member-elect Mary Kelleher, who ousted Stevens in the May 1 election, attended the meeting but was shut out of the executive session because she has not been sworn in. Austin-based Lehman Associates, the firm conducting the search for a new general manager, was asked to updated Kelleher on the process, King said Two speakers raised concerns about the vague agenda item, but the board moved into executive session anyway. Jackee Cox, calling into the meeting, said the cloudy nature of the executive session was frustrating. She pointed the the Texas Attorney Generals Open Meeting Handbook and said it was clear the board needed to note if the discussion would be on the general manager position. Cox, a retired lawyer, noted that during the recent campaign multiple board members committed to improving transparency at the water district. She asked the board to refrain from discussing hiring a replacement for Oliver until proper notice could be given to the public. Former state Rep. Lon Burnam called in to support her comments. I do ask that you be sensitive going forward to the fact that you are elected officials, and theres supposed to be a channel of open communication between you and the public when you get ready to do something of the magnitude of hiring an executive director, Cox said. Cox told the Star-Telegram after the meeting she hoped the Tarrant Regional Water District would move beyond sloganeering about transparency and become more open to the public. She contrasted the hiring of the water district general manager to Fort Worths recent process for hiring a new police chief. The city made a short list of finalists public, along with their backgrounds and conducted public forums with the candidates. The water district has not done that. Regarding any potential open meetings act violation, Richards said there likely wasnt much that could be done. If they board had discussed the general manager behind closed doors and then voted on a replacement, an interested party could sue to block the hiring, he said, but the board took no action. King told the Star-Telegram she understood the concerns of the callers who spoke Tuesday. The board will likely be altering the process for how agenda items are worded after Kelleher is sworn in, she said. Stevens, as the board president, and legal counsel work with staff on agenda wording, but in the future, King said, it is likely the whole board would have input. We all know for sure is that there will be a lot of change, King said, adding latter: Im pretty confident that the way that processes worked just over the recent past will likely be updated anyway just, if nothing else, by virtue of having, you know, a new person in that seat. | The Tarrant Regional Water District is looking for a new general manager. The board of directors spent an hour in executive session to deliberate on personnel matters, according to the agenda which did not note the position or personnel being discussed. Legal counsel for the district contends no violation occurred. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article251364533.html | 0.275848 |
How Green Is Tesla, Really? | Elon Musk, Chairman, CEO and Product Architect of Tesla Motors. (Photo by Visual China Group via ... [+] Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images) Visual China Group via Getty Images On May 13, Elon Musk said Tesla would no longer accept bitcoin because of its heavy energy consumption. Yet the company ranks well behind General Motors and Ford in reporting carbon emissions and setting carbon-reduction targets. Those concerned with the fate of the planet have long lauded Tesla for its efforts To accelerate the worlds transition to sustainable energy. The company says that the faster the world stops relying on fossil fuels and moves towards a zero-emission future, the better. While founder and CEO Elon Musk caused alarm among environmentalists in early 2021 by endorsing bitcoin, whose annual carbon emissions are equivalent to that of a small country, he reversed this position with a tweet on May 13. Responding in part to a tweet from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance calling bitcoins energy usage insane, Musk said that Tesla would no longer transact in bitcoin because of its heavy reliance on fossil fuels and its great cost to the environment. There is no denying that Tesla has disrupted the auto industry by making exclusively electric vehiclesand maybe more importantly, by making them sexy. When the Model 3 was released in 2017, corporate elites and tree-huggers alike put their names on the wait list. Tesla succeeded in electric cars where its American competitors, General Motors and Ford, had failed. But Teslas story about being green is not as black-and-white as it may seem. A recent study conducted by Arabesque (not publicly available) found that the car company is among the 15% of the worlds largest companies, across 14 indices, that do not disclose their overall greenhouse-gas emissions. General Motors and Ford, meanwhile, are far more transparentabout both the emissions they create in making their vehicles and their targets for reducing those emissions. Arabesques Research Arabesque is an asset-management company that uses ESG (environmental, social and governance) and sustainability criteria in allocating capital. It argues that ESG policies signal the strength of a companys strategy, corporate purpose, and management qualities. In terms of carbon emissions, Arabesque expects corporations to report two pieces of data: Specific and separate numbers, in tonnes, for Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect, owned) emissions across all its operations Clear carbon-reduction targets The data must also be from a reporting period within the past two years in order to be considered sufficiently timely. Arabesque believes that disclosing these specific data and targets allows company executives to be held accountable by shareholders and climate activists, as well as raising awareness among company employees and prompting them to actively seek ways to reduce carbon. I was too. Tesla Lags Behind Ford and GM in Disclosure and Targets Arabesque ranked Tesla well behind Ford and General Motors (GM)two of Teslas fiercest American competitors, which have built their success on carbon-intensive combustion engines. Tesla shows its carbon emissions in graphs, which means they do not disclose the exact numbers. As well, they do not offer details, such as Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions, or the percentage of operations that these graphs cover. Whats more, the companys data are not timely: the figures in its 2019 report are for 2017. The company also has failed to commit to carbon targets, making its decision to trade cars for the energy-intensive bitcoin an understandable oversight. GM and Ford, on the other hand, are willing to air their dirty laundry. Not only do both companies disclose their carbon emissions, they have also set ambitious targets to get to net-zero carbon. General Motors uses science-based targets and plans to be carbon-neutral in products and operations by 2040. It will offer only electric vehicles by 2035. To get there, the company is investing an additional $27 billion in autonomous and electric-vehicle research and development, over and above what it invests in gas and diesel vehicles. Ford also uses science-based targets and plans to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Further, it offers very specific targets for its Scope 3 emissions (the emissions related to its products, such as their cars). It too also plans to invest heavily in electrification: $22 billion through to 2025. Staying silent on its carbon emissions helps Tesla dodge public scrutiny of lapses in its ESG. In 2018, for example, the company was fined $139,500 by the Bay Area Quality Management District because of malfunctioning burners at its Fremont plant that had emitted high levels of nitrogen oxide between 2013 and 2016. As well, the Environmental Protection Agency is currently investigating Tesla for failing to provide records demonstrating compliance with certain requirements under the applicable National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants under the Clean Air Act of 1963, as amended, relating to Surface Coating of Automobiles and Light-Duty Trucks regulations. Carbon Commitments Versus Low-Carbon Business Models Granted, even though Tesla does not disclose the specifics of its carbon emissions, it has disrupted the auto sectors reliance on combustion engines. And the company is seeking not to just move a single part of the transportation industry, but the entire transportation and energy ecosystem. For example, Tesla provides both businesses and homeowners an opportunity to generate solar energy through solar panels and store them in a Powerwall battery. Tesla also claims to be seeking to extend its battery life and ensure they are recycled responsibly. Remarkably, it has also opened up its patentsa bold move in an industry that works hard to protect its intellectual capital in order to capitalize on research-and-development investments. Despite all these positiveeven revolutionarymoves, Teslas lack of transparency regarding its carbon emissions and targets should raise questions about its commitment to a sustainable future. As much as we all love a good story of the maverick that disrupts the way we do things, we need to take a long breath before we say that Tesla is deep green. If Tesla is truly committed to low carbon emissions, it should, at the very least, be willing to report them. If it had done so, maybe it wouldnt have committed to using bitcoin in the first place. | Tesla ranks well behind General Motors and Ford in reporting carbon emissions and setting carbon-reduction targets. Tesla is among the 15% of the worlds largest companies that do not disclose their overall greenhouse-gas emissions. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/timabansal/2021/05/13/how-green-is-tesla-really/ | 0.108218 |
Will Mycah Pittman establish himself as Oregon Ducks primary Z receiver? | With spring practice over, The Oregonian/OregonLive is reviewing Oregons depth chart position by position. We continue the 25-part series by looking at the Z receivers. The receiver position that saw the most fluctuation in the spring was the Z receiver. Jaylon Redds foot injury forced some pieces to move around and Mycah Pittman, who spent more of last season outside, was more in the slot. Johnny Johnson III, who can play either outside spot, saw a lot of time at Z with Devon Williams at X. This is all to say that while Oregon has options at the top of the depth chart at both outside spots and depth at Y as well, its not totally settled at this point. Post-spring depth chart Mycah Pittman: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, sophomore OR Johnny Johnson III: 6-foot, 199 pounds, senior Donte Thornton: 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, true freshman OR Josh Delgado: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, sophomore Isaah Crocker: 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, redshirt-sophomore Mario Cristobals take Mycah Pittman has had a great spring. We move him around a lot Mycahs a smart guy; you can put him in different spots. Oregon wide receiver Mycah Pittman (4) runs as Iowa State defensive back Datrone Young (2) defends during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)AP Co-starter Pittman was limited to just eight catches for 123 yards in just four games of real action last season and over two years hes still played in just 12 games. Yet hes probably the Ducks receiver with the highest upside in terms of NFL potential. He has great hands, not withstanding an uncharacteristic few drops in the spring game that he apologized for unprompted. Pittmans potential is huge. Hes versatile, agile, has a good game IQ, quick and runs good routes. His lack of experience comes out at times though, whether in run blocking see the Cal game last season or his lack of consistent production, which isnt entirely his own fault. In a crowded receiving corps, Pittmans ability to play both Z and Y will help him see the field more. But his greatest opportunity for production may still be a year away. Oregon wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) pulls in a catch next to Arizona State's Chase Lucas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) APAP Co-starter Johnson can play anywhere Oregon needs him. In the spring, he, Williams and Pittman were the top three on the field. When Redd gets back the rotation will change from play to play and all four can take the field in four-wide sets. But if Williams is going to assert himself as the lead X, and hes built to do that, Johnson is going to be on the move. Establishing a consistent role for him before the season will be key or hell run the risk of erratic target numbers from week to week like what happened last season. Oregon freshman wide receiver Josh Delgado (#83) secures the ball after a catch as the Ducks hold their fifth practice of fall football camp in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Sean Meagher/Staff Next wave Donte Thornton and Troy Franklin both showed theyre capable of making immediate impacts. Thornton began at the Z position in the spring and had three catches for 89 yards with a 44-yard touchdown during the spring game. Both freshmen will have work to do to see the field for more than 15 plays per game in the early going but as the season goes on theres no question they might be able to ascend. Josh Delgado can play Z or Y and depending on where Pittman is lined up, might be best fit for the slot. Isaah Crocker has been at the bottom of the receiver depth chart for quite some time, but he made the most of his opportunities in the spring. Having said that, hes seemingly slipped behind multiple players who are younger than him and thats never an easy place to be. Summer arrivals Isaiah Brevard will arrive in the summer and will likely open in the slot at the Y position. Quotable Its been really good to see those young guys come in and be able to compete right away and do well in those situations. Obviously they still have a long way to go. Thats something that we constantly work on in our room, to go out there and be able to beat man to man, especially in those critical situations, because thats what youre going to be called to do at the receiver position. - receivers coach Bryan McClendon | Mycah Pittman, Johnny Johnson III, Josh Delgado and Isaah Crocker are Oregon's top three Z receivers. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2021/05/will-mycah-pittman-establish-himself-as-oregon-ducks-primary-z-receiver.html | 0.218087 |
Will Mycah Pittman establish himself as Oregon Ducks primary Z receiver? | With spring practice over, The Oregonian/OregonLive is reviewing Oregons depth chart position by position. We continue the 25-part series by looking at the Z receivers. The receiver position that saw the most fluctuation in the spring was the Z receiver. Jaylon Redds foot injury forced some pieces to move around and Mycah Pittman, who spent more of last season outside, was more in the slot. Johnny Johnson III, who can play either outside spot, saw a lot of time at Z with Devon Williams at X. This is all to say that while Oregon has options at the top of the depth chart at both outside spots and depth at Y as well, its not totally settled at this point. Post-spring depth chart Mycah Pittman: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, sophomore OR Johnny Johnson III: 6-foot, 199 pounds, senior Donte Thornton: 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, true freshman OR Josh Delgado: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, sophomore Isaah Crocker: 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, redshirt-sophomore Mario Cristobals take Mycah Pittman has had a great spring. We move him around a lot Mycahs a smart guy; you can put him in different spots. Oregon wide receiver Mycah Pittman (4) runs as Iowa State defensive back Datrone Young (2) defends during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)AP Co-starter Pittman was limited to just eight catches for 123 yards in just four games of real action last season and over two years hes still played in just 12 games. Yet hes probably the Ducks receiver with the highest upside in terms of NFL potential. He has great hands, not withstanding an uncharacteristic few drops in the spring game that he apologized for unprompted. Pittmans potential is huge. Hes versatile, agile, has a good game IQ, quick and runs good routes. His lack of experience comes out at times though, whether in run blocking see the Cal game last season or his lack of consistent production, which isnt entirely his own fault. In a crowded receiving corps, Pittmans ability to play both Z and Y will help him see the field more. But his greatest opportunity for production may still be a year away. Oregon wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) pulls in a catch next to Arizona State's Chase Lucas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) APAP Co-starter Johnson can play anywhere Oregon needs him. In the spring, he, Williams and Pittman were the top three on the field. When Redd gets back the rotation will change from play to play and all four can take the field in four-wide sets. But if Williams is going to assert himself as the lead X, and hes built to do that, Johnson is going to be on the move. Establishing a consistent role for him before the season will be key or hell run the risk of erratic target numbers from week to week like what happened last season. Oregon freshman wide receiver Josh Delgado (#83) secures the ball after a catch as the Ducks hold their fifth practice of fall football camp in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Sean Meagher/Staff Next wave Donte Thornton and Troy Franklin both showed theyre capable of making immediate impacts. Thornton began at the Z position in the spring and had three catches for 89 yards with a 44-yard touchdown during the spring game. Both freshmen will have work to do to see the field for more than 15 plays per game in the early going but as the season goes on theres no question they might be able to ascend. Josh Delgado can play Z or Y and depending on where Pittman is lined up, might be best fit for the slot. Isaah Crocker has been at the bottom of the receiver depth chart for quite some time, but he made the most of his opportunities in the spring. Having said that, hes seemingly slipped behind multiple players who are younger than him and thats never an easy place to be. Summer arrivals Isaiah Brevard will arrive in the summer and will likely open in the slot at the Y position. Quotable Its been really good to see those young guys come in and be able to compete right away and do well in those situations. Obviously they still have a long way to go. Thats something that we constantly work on in our room, to go out there and be able to beat man to man, especially in those critical situations, because thats what youre going to be called to do at the receiver position. - receivers coach Bryan McClendon | Mycah Pittman, Johnny Johnson III, Josh Delgado and Isaah Crocker are Oregon's top three Z receivers. The Z receiver position saw the most fluctuation in the spring. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2021/05/will-mycah-pittman-establish-himself-as-oregon-ducks-primary-z-receiver.html | 0.257819 |
Will Mycah Pittman establish himself as Oregon Ducks primary Z receiver? | With spring practice over, The Oregonian/OregonLive is reviewing Oregons depth chart position by position. We continue the 25-part series by looking at the Z receivers. The receiver position that saw the most fluctuation in the spring was the Z receiver. Jaylon Redds foot injury forced some pieces to move around and Mycah Pittman, who spent more of last season outside, was more in the slot. Johnny Johnson III, who can play either outside spot, saw a lot of time at Z with Devon Williams at X. This is all to say that while Oregon has options at the top of the depth chart at both outside spots and depth at Y as well, its not totally settled at this point. Post-spring depth chart Mycah Pittman: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, sophomore OR Johnny Johnson III: 6-foot, 199 pounds, senior Donte Thornton: 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, true freshman OR Josh Delgado: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, sophomore Isaah Crocker: 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, redshirt-sophomore Mario Cristobals take Mycah Pittman has had a great spring. We move him around a lot Mycahs a smart guy; you can put him in different spots. Oregon wide receiver Mycah Pittman (4) runs as Iowa State defensive back Datrone Young (2) defends during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)AP Co-starter Pittman was limited to just eight catches for 123 yards in just four games of real action last season and over two years hes still played in just 12 games. Yet hes probably the Ducks receiver with the highest upside in terms of NFL potential. He has great hands, not withstanding an uncharacteristic few drops in the spring game that he apologized for unprompted. Pittmans potential is huge. Hes versatile, agile, has a good game IQ, quick and runs good routes. His lack of experience comes out at times though, whether in run blocking see the Cal game last season or his lack of consistent production, which isnt entirely his own fault. In a crowded receiving corps, Pittmans ability to play both Z and Y will help him see the field more. But his greatest opportunity for production may still be a year away. Oregon wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) pulls in a catch next to Arizona State's Chase Lucas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) APAP Co-starter Johnson can play anywhere Oregon needs him. In the spring, he, Williams and Pittman were the top three on the field. When Redd gets back the rotation will change from play to play and all four can take the field in four-wide sets. But if Williams is going to assert himself as the lead X, and hes built to do that, Johnson is going to be on the move. Establishing a consistent role for him before the season will be key or hell run the risk of erratic target numbers from week to week like what happened last season. Oregon freshman wide receiver Josh Delgado (#83) secures the ball after a catch as the Ducks hold their fifth practice of fall football camp in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Sean Meagher/Staff Next wave Donte Thornton and Troy Franklin both showed theyre capable of making immediate impacts. Thornton began at the Z position in the spring and had three catches for 89 yards with a 44-yard touchdown during the spring game. Both freshmen will have work to do to see the field for more than 15 plays per game in the early going but as the season goes on theres no question they might be able to ascend. Josh Delgado can play Z or Y and depending on where Pittman is lined up, might be best fit for the slot. Isaah Crocker has been at the bottom of the receiver depth chart for quite some time, but he made the most of his opportunities in the spring. Having said that, hes seemingly slipped behind multiple players who are younger than him and thats never an easy place to be. Summer arrivals Isaiah Brevard will arrive in the summer and will likely open in the slot at the Y position. Quotable Its been really good to see those young guys come in and be able to compete right away and do well in those situations. Obviously they still have a long way to go. Thats something that we constantly work on in our room, to go out there and be able to beat man to man, especially in those critical situations, because thats what youre going to be called to do at the receiver position. - receivers coach Bryan McClendon | Mycah Pittman, Johnny Johnson III, Josh Delgado and Isaah Crocker are Oregon's top three Z receivers. The Z receiver position was the one that saw the most fluctuation in the spring. Pittman has the most NFL potential, but his greatest opportunity for production may still be a year away. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2021/05/will-mycah-pittman-establish-himself-as-oregon-ducks-primary-z-receiver.html | 0.279878 |
Does Zdeno Chara know inside information that could beat the Bruins? | Not really any schematic secrets you can try, John Carlson, the Capitals top offensive defenseman, said early Thursday afternoon after practice. WASHINGTON On-ice secrets are few in the NHL, perhaps scarcer than ever this season, what with the schedule pared by roughly one-third to 56 games. The Bruins and Capitals will face each other for a ninth time since Jan. 30 when they face off here Saturday night in Game 1 of the playoffs. Advertisement Nonetheless, the Capitals will enter the series with their resident 6-foot-9-inch Bruins cheat sheet, Zdeno Chara, hired this season after 14 years 1,023 games, and 1,001 practice sessions (give or take a maintenance day) on the Boston backline. Big Z stands tall possibly as the Capitals one-man secret decoder ring. Chara saw it all in Boston. Big Z, for years considered an extension of the Boston coach staff, knows every nuance, every subtlety in the Black and Gold lineup. And now hes on the other side. His other-side-of-the-wall intel was one of the inherent risks when the Bruins let Chara walk as a free agent, convinced their lineup didnt have enough work to keep the former Norris Trophy winner busy. In the proud Charas universe, it was akin to the moon being told it no longer held sway over the oceans tides. You probably could have guessed it was going to play out this way, said former teammate Brad Marchand, who joined the Bruins amid Charas fourth season in Black and Gold. Obviously it adds another story line to the series. According to Marchand, he witnessed Chara sharing Bruins-specific traits with Capitals teammates during the clubs regular-season matchups. Chara, Marchand said, knows what the Bruins do on certain plays and knows all the code names that we use. Advertisement You could see him talking to the guys about the plays we were going to do, added Marchand. So it definitely can cause some challenges at times, but its the playoffs, youve got to work through that just another element of the series that will make it fun and entertaining. Whatever Bruins wisdom he can impart on his red-white-and-blue teammates, Charas game alone has spoken volumes here in the District. The Bruins told him he would not dress in the season-opening lineup and he would be spotted in (maybe) as needed in a No. 7 or 8 reserve role. Yeah, hold my pilsner, the Slovak star no doubt muttered to himself as he drove out of the North End at the end of December to begin his late-in-life kick at the Cup. Teamed here all season with No. 3 partner Nick Jensen, Chara played in all but one regular-season game for coach Peter Laviolette, averaged a healthy 18:19 in ice time, and led the club with an average 2:41 on the penalty kill. Same ol Z, albeit the age-44 version, relying ever more on his expansive wingspan and abundant situational smarts than whatever youthful jazz there is left to squeeze out of his tall oak legs. I think hes delivered everything he said he was going to do, Laviolette said in a recent Zoom session. He was going to come here and he was going to be a factor on the ice. He was going to be a positive influence in the locker room, a leader in the locker room. He was going to lead by example by the way he lives his life the way he plays the game and prepares for the game. At no point has he disappointed us in what hes delivered this year. Advertisement Mike Milbury, the general manager on Long Island when Chara broke into the league as an Islander only after the invention of the wheel, is not one to believe that Big Zs dossier full of Boston intel can have a significant impact on the series. I suppose if theres anything he can give them, mused Milbury, the ex-Boston blue liner, coach and assistant GM, its maybe how to push somebodys button, like, say, how to get under Marchands skin, or something like that. More significant, believes Milbury, is what the Trencin Tower of Power can still deliver on the ice. I mean, [Patrice] Bergerons been around the league a long time, people know him. People know Marchand. People know [David] Krejci, said Milbury. I doubt theres any secrets he can reveal that you cant see on a videotape. But I think his presence as a leader in the locker room and his presence on the ice, as a big body that can shut people down, is much more important that any kind of leaks that he might provide. NBCs Pierre McGuire disagrees. He believes Chara can inform teammates about fixed plays off faceoffs, as well as penalty-killing and forechecking schemes. In the loser-goes-home-for-good playoffs, McGuire believes any tidbit is helpful. Advertisement He knows everything about Krejci and Bergeron and Marchand, noted McGuire, whose ice-level post allows him close-up scrutiny of every players move. Hell have tendencies to give to the defensemen in particular, about moves they like to perform or different ways they attack the net. Now, obviously he wont know as much about Taylor Hall or about Craig Smith, but hell know a lot about the rest of that lineup. McGuire recalled his one season (1991-92) on the Penguins staff, when coach Scotty Bowman would plumb roster players for info on their old teams. Sometimes it bore fruit and sometimes it didnt, McGuire said. But I would say in Charas case, because of the longevity of the player, the leadership abilities of the player, and the fact that he was an extension of the Boston coaching staff for years, I think that makes him very valuable to the Washington Capitals in this series. Bruins president Cam Neely playfully scoffed at Marchand noting that Chara knew Bruins code words on the ice. Theres no code words! said a chuckling Neely. Nonetheless, Neely acknowledged, the Bruins are well aware of the years Chara logged in the Hub of Hockey and that he knows some tendencies. Also on the flip side, guys certainly know how Zdeno is going to play and what to expect from him, added Neely, and how to exploit that a little bit, as well. Advertisement Factored into the Bruins telling Chara that they viewed him as a part-timer was the fact that he had slowed. No one in the organization doubted his toughness, his will, his reach, his want. But organizationally they wanted to push the pace from the back end, feeling it was high time to draw rookies Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril into the mix. Lauzon and Zboril, left shots like Chara, proved to have their fits and starts. In large part to patch over their deficiencies, general manager Don Sweeney was forced to hire Jarred Tinordi (via waivers) and Mike Reilly (via April 12 trade) to fill the void that would not have been there had Chara simply been made to feel more needed during offseason talks. Meanwhile, Chara played with standard metronomic efficiency with his new team, the Caps needing to suit up only eight blue liners all season. The scrambling Bruins were forced to suit up a bakers dozen, with their newbies clearly needing more time in the oven. Milbury, channeling a bit of Neely, figures the Bruins can try to make use of their intel on Chara in this series. They know hes a touch slower Milbury: No surprise at his age and they know he can be forced into tough situations on stickhandling plays deep in his zone, in the corner, along the rear wall. No one 6-9, with a stick longer than Tom Wilsons rap sheet, wants to be stuffed into a phone booth. I dont know if pounding him is going to make any kind of a difference, said Milbury, eschewing the idea of trying to wear down Chara down with heavy hits off dump-in plays. But you know his assets, his size, is also a little of a liability occasionally when you get on him quickly, because its tough for him to maneuver. So putting pressure on him is always something I would have suggested. Get to him fast. Make him try to move the puck. The puck is about to drop on the playoffs. The Bruins and Chara, for years as intertwined as the spokes and B on the iconic Boston logo, have gone their separate ways. Now the divorce decree becomes official, amid some parting icy stares and a few muttered secrets. Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeKPD. | Zdeno Chara knows every nuance, every subtlety in the Black and Gold lineup. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/13/sports/does-zdeno-chara-know-inside-information-that-could-beat-bruins/ | 0.116867 |
Does Zdeno Chara know inside information that could beat the Bruins? | Not really any schematic secrets you can try, John Carlson, the Capitals top offensive defenseman, said early Thursday afternoon after practice. WASHINGTON On-ice secrets are few in the NHL, perhaps scarcer than ever this season, what with the schedule pared by roughly one-third to 56 games. The Bruins and Capitals will face each other for a ninth time since Jan. 30 when they face off here Saturday night in Game 1 of the playoffs. Advertisement Nonetheless, the Capitals will enter the series with their resident 6-foot-9-inch Bruins cheat sheet, Zdeno Chara, hired this season after 14 years 1,023 games, and 1,001 practice sessions (give or take a maintenance day) on the Boston backline. Big Z stands tall possibly as the Capitals one-man secret decoder ring. Chara saw it all in Boston. Big Z, for years considered an extension of the Boston coach staff, knows every nuance, every subtlety in the Black and Gold lineup. And now hes on the other side. His other-side-of-the-wall intel was one of the inherent risks when the Bruins let Chara walk as a free agent, convinced their lineup didnt have enough work to keep the former Norris Trophy winner busy. In the proud Charas universe, it was akin to the moon being told it no longer held sway over the oceans tides. You probably could have guessed it was going to play out this way, said former teammate Brad Marchand, who joined the Bruins amid Charas fourth season in Black and Gold. Obviously it adds another story line to the series. According to Marchand, he witnessed Chara sharing Bruins-specific traits with Capitals teammates during the clubs regular-season matchups. Chara, Marchand said, knows what the Bruins do on certain plays and knows all the code names that we use. Advertisement You could see him talking to the guys about the plays we were going to do, added Marchand. So it definitely can cause some challenges at times, but its the playoffs, youve got to work through that just another element of the series that will make it fun and entertaining. Whatever Bruins wisdom he can impart on his red-white-and-blue teammates, Charas game alone has spoken volumes here in the District. The Bruins told him he would not dress in the season-opening lineup and he would be spotted in (maybe) as needed in a No. 7 or 8 reserve role. Yeah, hold my pilsner, the Slovak star no doubt muttered to himself as he drove out of the North End at the end of December to begin his late-in-life kick at the Cup. Teamed here all season with No. 3 partner Nick Jensen, Chara played in all but one regular-season game for coach Peter Laviolette, averaged a healthy 18:19 in ice time, and led the club with an average 2:41 on the penalty kill. Same ol Z, albeit the age-44 version, relying ever more on his expansive wingspan and abundant situational smarts than whatever youthful jazz there is left to squeeze out of his tall oak legs. I think hes delivered everything he said he was going to do, Laviolette said in a recent Zoom session. He was going to come here and he was going to be a factor on the ice. He was going to be a positive influence in the locker room, a leader in the locker room. He was going to lead by example by the way he lives his life the way he plays the game and prepares for the game. At no point has he disappointed us in what hes delivered this year. Advertisement Mike Milbury, the general manager on Long Island when Chara broke into the league as an Islander only after the invention of the wheel, is not one to believe that Big Zs dossier full of Boston intel can have a significant impact on the series. I suppose if theres anything he can give them, mused Milbury, the ex-Boston blue liner, coach and assistant GM, its maybe how to push somebodys button, like, say, how to get under Marchands skin, or something like that. More significant, believes Milbury, is what the Trencin Tower of Power can still deliver on the ice. I mean, [Patrice] Bergerons been around the league a long time, people know him. People know Marchand. People know [David] Krejci, said Milbury. I doubt theres any secrets he can reveal that you cant see on a videotape. But I think his presence as a leader in the locker room and his presence on the ice, as a big body that can shut people down, is much more important that any kind of leaks that he might provide. NBCs Pierre McGuire disagrees. He believes Chara can inform teammates about fixed plays off faceoffs, as well as penalty-killing and forechecking schemes. In the loser-goes-home-for-good playoffs, McGuire believes any tidbit is helpful. Advertisement He knows everything about Krejci and Bergeron and Marchand, noted McGuire, whose ice-level post allows him close-up scrutiny of every players move. Hell have tendencies to give to the defensemen in particular, about moves they like to perform or different ways they attack the net. Now, obviously he wont know as much about Taylor Hall or about Craig Smith, but hell know a lot about the rest of that lineup. McGuire recalled his one season (1991-92) on the Penguins staff, when coach Scotty Bowman would plumb roster players for info on their old teams. Sometimes it bore fruit and sometimes it didnt, McGuire said. But I would say in Charas case, because of the longevity of the player, the leadership abilities of the player, and the fact that he was an extension of the Boston coaching staff for years, I think that makes him very valuable to the Washington Capitals in this series. Bruins president Cam Neely playfully scoffed at Marchand noting that Chara knew Bruins code words on the ice. Theres no code words! said a chuckling Neely. Nonetheless, Neely acknowledged, the Bruins are well aware of the years Chara logged in the Hub of Hockey and that he knows some tendencies. Also on the flip side, guys certainly know how Zdeno is going to play and what to expect from him, added Neely, and how to exploit that a little bit, as well. Advertisement Factored into the Bruins telling Chara that they viewed him as a part-timer was the fact that he had slowed. No one in the organization doubted his toughness, his will, his reach, his want. But organizationally they wanted to push the pace from the back end, feeling it was high time to draw rookies Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril into the mix. Lauzon and Zboril, left shots like Chara, proved to have their fits and starts. In large part to patch over their deficiencies, general manager Don Sweeney was forced to hire Jarred Tinordi (via waivers) and Mike Reilly (via April 12 trade) to fill the void that would not have been there had Chara simply been made to feel more needed during offseason talks. Meanwhile, Chara played with standard metronomic efficiency with his new team, the Caps needing to suit up only eight blue liners all season. The scrambling Bruins were forced to suit up a bakers dozen, with their newbies clearly needing more time in the oven. Milbury, channeling a bit of Neely, figures the Bruins can try to make use of their intel on Chara in this series. They know hes a touch slower Milbury: No surprise at his age and they know he can be forced into tough situations on stickhandling plays deep in his zone, in the corner, along the rear wall. No one 6-9, with a stick longer than Tom Wilsons rap sheet, wants to be stuffed into a phone booth. I dont know if pounding him is going to make any kind of a difference, said Milbury, eschewing the idea of trying to wear down Chara down with heavy hits off dump-in plays. But you know his assets, his size, is also a little of a liability occasionally when you get on him quickly, because its tough for him to maneuver. So putting pressure on him is always something I would have suggested. Get to him fast. Make him try to move the puck. The puck is about to drop on the playoffs. The Bruins and Chara, for years as intertwined as the spokes and B on the iconic Boston logo, have gone their separate ways. Now the divorce decree becomes official, amid some parting icy stares and a few muttered secrets. Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeKPD. | Zdeno Chara knows every nuance, every subtlety in the Black and Gold lineup. The Capitals will enter the series with their resident 6-foot-9-inch Bruins cheat sheet. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/13/sports/does-zdeno-chara-know-inside-information-that-could-beat-bruins/ | 0.204309 |
Does Zdeno Chara know inside information that could beat the Bruins? | Not really any schematic secrets you can try, John Carlson, the Capitals top offensive defenseman, said early Thursday afternoon after practice. WASHINGTON On-ice secrets are few in the NHL, perhaps scarcer than ever this season, what with the schedule pared by roughly one-third to 56 games. The Bruins and Capitals will face each other for a ninth time since Jan. 30 when they face off here Saturday night in Game 1 of the playoffs. Advertisement Nonetheless, the Capitals will enter the series with their resident 6-foot-9-inch Bruins cheat sheet, Zdeno Chara, hired this season after 14 years 1,023 games, and 1,001 practice sessions (give or take a maintenance day) on the Boston backline. Big Z stands tall possibly as the Capitals one-man secret decoder ring. Chara saw it all in Boston. Big Z, for years considered an extension of the Boston coach staff, knows every nuance, every subtlety in the Black and Gold lineup. And now hes on the other side. His other-side-of-the-wall intel was one of the inherent risks when the Bruins let Chara walk as a free agent, convinced their lineup didnt have enough work to keep the former Norris Trophy winner busy. In the proud Charas universe, it was akin to the moon being told it no longer held sway over the oceans tides. You probably could have guessed it was going to play out this way, said former teammate Brad Marchand, who joined the Bruins amid Charas fourth season in Black and Gold. Obviously it adds another story line to the series. According to Marchand, he witnessed Chara sharing Bruins-specific traits with Capitals teammates during the clubs regular-season matchups. Chara, Marchand said, knows what the Bruins do on certain plays and knows all the code names that we use. Advertisement You could see him talking to the guys about the plays we were going to do, added Marchand. So it definitely can cause some challenges at times, but its the playoffs, youve got to work through that just another element of the series that will make it fun and entertaining. Whatever Bruins wisdom he can impart on his red-white-and-blue teammates, Charas game alone has spoken volumes here in the District. The Bruins told him he would not dress in the season-opening lineup and he would be spotted in (maybe) as needed in a No. 7 or 8 reserve role. Yeah, hold my pilsner, the Slovak star no doubt muttered to himself as he drove out of the North End at the end of December to begin his late-in-life kick at the Cup. Teamed here all season with No. 3 partner Nick Jensen, Chara played in all but one regular-season game for coach Peter Laviolette, averaged a healthy 18:19 in ice time, and led the club with an average 2:41 on the penalty kill. Same ol Z, albeit the age-44 version, relying ever more on his expansive wingspan and abundant situational smarts than whatever youthful jazz there is left to squeeze out of his tall oak legs. I think hes delivered everything he said he was going to do, Laviolette said in a recent Zoom session. He was going to come here and he was going to be a factor on the ice. He was going to be a positive influence in the locker room, a leader in the locker room. He was going to lead by example by the way he lives his life the way he plays the game and prepares for the game. At no point has he disappointed us in what hes delivered this year. Advertisement Mike Milbury, the general manager on Long Island when Chara broke into the league as an Islander only after the invention of the wheel, is not one to believe that Big Zs dossier full of Boston intel can have a significant impact on the series. I suppose if theres anything he can give them, mused Milbury, the ex-Boston blue liner, coach and assistant GM, its maybe how to push somebodys button, like, say, how to get under Marchands skin, or something like that. More significant, believes Milbury, is what the Trencin Tower of Power can still deliver on the ice. I mean, [Patrice] Bergerons been around the league a long time, people know him. People know Marchand. People know [David] Krejci, said Milbury. I doubt theres any secrets he can reveal that you cant see on a videotape. But I think his presence as a leader in the locker room and his presence on the ice, as a big body that can shut people down, is much more important that any kind of leaks that he might provide. NBCs Pierre McGuire disagrees. He believes Chara can inform teammates about fixed plays off faceoffs, as well as penalty-killing and forechecking schemes. In the loser-goes-home-for-good playoffs, McGuire believes any tidbit is helpful. Advertisement He knows everything about Krejci and Bergeron and Marchand, noted McGuire, whose ice-level post allows him close-up scrutiny of every players move. Hell have tendencies to give to the defensemen in particular, about moves they like to perform or different ways they attack the net. Now, obviously he wont know as much about Taylor Hall or about Craig Smith, but hell know a lot about the rest of that lineup. McGuire recalled his one season (1991-92) on the Penguins staff, when coach Scotty Bowman would plumb roster players for info on their old teams. Sometimes it bore fruit and sometimes it didnt, McGuire said. But I would say in Charas case, because of the longevity of the player, the leadership abilities of the player, and the fact that he was an extension of the Boston coaching staff for years, I think that makes him very valuable to the Washington Capitals in this series. Bruins president Cam Neely playfully scoffed at Marchand noting that Chara knew Bruins code words on the ice. Theres no code words! said a chuckling Neely. Nonetheless, Neely acknowledged, the Bruins are well aware of the years Chara logged in the Hub of Hockey and that he knows some tendencies. Also on the flip side, guys certainly know how Zdeno is going to play and what to expect from him, added Neely, and how to exploit that a little bit, as well. Advertisement Factored into the Bruins telling Chara that they viewed him as a part-timer was the fact that he had slowed. No one in the organization doubted his toughness, his will, his reach, his want. But organizationally they wanted to push the pace from the back end, feeling it was high time to draw rookies Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril into the mix. Lauzon and Zboril, left shots like Chara, proved to have their fits and starts. In large part to patch over their deficiencies, general manager Don Sweeney was forced to hire Jarred Tinordi (via waivers) and Mike Reilly (via April 12 trade) to fill the void that would not have been there had Chara simply been made to feel more needed during offseason talks. Meanwhile, Chara played with standard metronomic efficiency with his new team, the Caps needing to suit up only eight blue liners all season. The scrambling Bruins were forced to suit up a bakers dozen, with their newbies clearly needing more time in the oven. Milbury, channeling a bit of Neely, figures the Bruins can try to make use of their intel on Chara in this series. They know hes a touch slower Milbury: No surprise at his age and they know he can be forced into tough situations on stickhandling plays deep in his zone, in the corner, along the rear wall. No one 6-9, with a stick longer than Tom Wilsons rap sheet, wants to be stuffed into a phone booth. I dont know if pounding him is going to make any kind of a difference, said Milbury, eschewing the idea of trying to wear down Chara down with heavy hits off dump-in plays. But you know his assets, his size, is also a little of a liability occasionally when you get on him quickly, because its tough for him to maneuver. So putting pressure on him is always something I would have suggested. Get to him fast. Make him try to move the puck. The puck is about to drop on the playoffs. The Bruins and Chara, for years as intertwined as the spokes and B on the iconic Boston logo, have gone their separate ways. Now the divorce decree becomes official, amid some parting icy stares and a few muttered secrets. Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeKPD. | Zdeno Chara knows every nuance, every subtlety in the Black and Gold lineup. The Capitals will enter the series with their resident 6-foot-9-inch Bruins cheat sheet. Chara saw it all in Boston, and now he's on the other side. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/13/sports/does-zdeno-chara-know-inside-information-that-could-beat-bruins/ | 0.188429 |
Are Israel and Palestine on the brink of another war? | Oliver Holmes, the Guardians Jerusalem correspondent, talks to Rachel Humphreys about the violence that has broken out between Israel and Palestine. In recent weeks there has been a sharp escalation in anger over Israels half-century occupation, its ever-deepening military grip over Palestinian life and a wave of evictions and demolitions. In Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians have been wounded in near-nightly protests that escalated over the weekend and spread to other areas of Israel and the occupied West Bank. Following weeks of intense violence in Jerusalem, Hamas, the Islamist group that holds power inside Gaza, fired a barrage of rockets towards Jerusalem on Monday evening. Since then, it has launched hundreds more at Israeli towns nearby, and Israel has conducted dozens of airstrikes, including hits on residential buildings. More than 80 people, including at least 17 children, have been killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry. In Israel, seven people, including two children, have been killed. Israels political leaders have said violent street clashes between Jews and Arabs inside the country pose a bigger threat than the escalating military conflict with Gaza. Despite international calls for calm, there are fears that Israel and Palestine are on the verge of another war. Archive: CNBC; Twitter; Kan - Israel Public Broadcasting; Al Jazeera; BBC News; CN International; The Sun; Global News; DW News; Sky News; Ruptly; NBC News; TPS; Daily Mail | There are fears that Israel and Palestine are on the verge of another war. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2021/may/14/are-israel-and-palestine-on-the-brink-of-another-war | 0.304082 |
Is AstraZeneca obsolete in Newfoundland and Labrador? | As recently as a week ago, AstraZeneca vaccine clinics for anyone aged 55-64 in Newfoundland and Labrador were being booked solid almost as fast as they could be announced. On Wednesday, that all stopped. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said the province will no longer offer AstraZeneca unless its specifically indicated for those who have an allergy to the contents of the two available mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna. It came as a backdoor announcement, a response to a reporters question after Fitzgerald had announced the immediate expansion of the mRNA vaccination program to anyone over 40. Given that were able to open up mRNA to those younger than that age group, we will not be offering AstraZeneca for first doses at this point, she replied. Certainly, we will still have some doses on hand for people who may not be able to receive an mRNA vaccine or choose not to, but by and large, right now, the evidence supports using an mRNA vaccine in that age group. The age limit to book vaccines drops to 30 and above on Friday, followed by a totally open invitation Monday for all eligible residents 12 and above to book a vaccination. It appears the move to the final phase of vaccinations will arrive at least a week earlier than expected, and Fitzgerald said the province is still expected to hit the target of one shot in every willing arm by Canada Day. AstraZeneca has had a bumpy ride from the beginning. It got especially rocky when some European countries started noticing a few cases of a rare condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenia, an odd combination of blood clots and a low platelet count that can be very serious. An estimated two in five sufferers have died from it. By March, advisory committees in Europe and North America concluded the connection is real, and the condition became known as vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Most provinces in Canada still offered it to varying degrees, citing the fact that only about one in 100,000 people ever come down with the condition. In May, however, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issued a controversial recommendation that anyone who can afford to should wait for the preferred mRNA vaccines. Provinces soon fell like dominos. Alberta explained that supply was the main issue it was halting first doses. Fitzgerald revealed it as an afterthought, saying the quick move to full eligibility for mRNA shots essentially made AstraZeneca obsolete. On Tuesday, Ontario officials were perhaps a little more forthright in saying the VITT risk was an important factor. There are increasing indications that the answer to that is no, unless you prefer it. Canadas chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam says studies show that mixing vaccines is a viable option. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Early indications are looking favourable towards use of an mRNA vaccine if you had a first AstraZeneca vaccine, Tam told CTV News this week. Well be providing advice, hopefully hearing from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization shortly. It may sound at first like a potential toxic brew, but it has been done with other vaccines. As Kezia Parkins wrote in Clinical Trials Arena last month, most experts describe vaccines as vehicles delivering cargo. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the cargo is the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus. The vehicles may be different, and they may drop off their payloads by different means, but the spike protein cargo is the same, Parkins wrote. Because the cargo is identical, the vaccines should, in theory, work well together. The most promising evidence is coming out of a U.K. study, where researchers presented preliminary findings this week. So far, theyve found that mixing vaccines may result in slightly more pronounced minor side-effects such as fever and headache. A possible reason may be that some vaccines generate slightly different elements of the spike protein to spark an immune response. But many experts remain skeptical, and the question as to whether mixing doses could cause other unwanted complications has not been answered. The U.K. teams final report is due next month, although Canadas NACI may have new recommendations before that. In the meantime, Fitzgerald says those who have received AstraZeneca already should not feel buyers remorse. I think people who got AstraZeneca need to feel reassured that they got an effective vaccine and a safe vaccine, she said. There are some potential side-effects that are serious, but those are still quite rare. | Newfoundland and Labrador will no longer offer AstraZeneca for first doses. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/13/is-astrazeneca-obsolete-in-newfoundland-and-labrador.html | 0.381309 |
Is AstraZeneca obsolete in Newfoundland and Labrador? | As recently as a week ago, AstraZeneca vaccine clinics for anyone aged 55-64 in Newfoundland and Labrador were being booked solid almost as fast as they could be announced. On Wednesday, that all stopped. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said the province will no longer offer AstraZeneca unless its specifically indicated for those who have an allergy to the contents of the two available mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna. It came as a backdoor announcement, a response to a reporters question after Fitzgerald had announced the immediate expansion of the mRNA vaccination program to anyone over 40. Given that were able to open up mRNA to those younger than that age group, we will not be offering AstraZeneca for first doses at this point, she replied. Certainly, we will still have some doses on hand for people who may not be able to receive an mRNA vaccine or choose not to, but by and large, right now, the evidence supports using an mRNA vaccine in that age group. The age limit to book vaccines drops to 30 and above on Friday, followed by a totally open invitation Monday for all eligible residents 12 and above to book a vaccination. It appears the move to the final phase of vaccinations will arrive at least a week earlier than expected, and Fitzgerald said the province is still expected to hit the target of one shot in every willing arm by Canada Day. AstraZeneca has had a bumpy ride from the beginning. It got especially rocky when some European countries started noticing a few cases of a rare condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenia, an odd combination of blood clots and a low platelet count that can be very serious. An estimated two in five sufferers have died from it. By March, advisory committees in Europe and North America concluded the connection is real, and the condition became known as vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Most provinces in Canada still offered it to varying degrees, citing the fact that only about one in 100,000 people ever come down with the condition. In May, however, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issued a controversial recommendation that anyone who can afford to should wait for the preferred mRNA vaccines. Provinces soon fell like dominos. Alberta explained that supply was the main issue it was halting first doses. Fitzgerald revealed it as an afterthought, saying the quick move to full eligibility for mRNA shots essentially made AstraZeneca obsolete. On Tuesday, Ontario officials were perhaps a little more forthright in saying the VITT risk was an important factor. There are increasing indications that the answer to that is no, unless you prefer it. Canadas chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam says studies show that mixing vaccines is a viable option. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Early indications are looking favourable towards use of an mRNA vaccine if you had a first AstraZeneca vaccine, Tam told CTV News this week. Well be providing advice, hopefully hearing from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization shortly. It may sound at first like a potential toxic brew, but it has been done with other vaccines. As Kezia Parkins wrote in Clinical Trials Arena last month, most experts describe vaccines as vehicles delivering cargo. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the cargo is the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus. The vehicles may be different, and they may drop off their payloads by different means, but the spike protein cargo is the same, Parkins wrote. Because the cargo is identical, the vaccines should, in theory, work well together. The most promising evidence is coming out of a U.K. study, where researchers presented preliminary findings this week. So far, theyve found that mixing vaccines may result in slightly more pronounced minor side-effects such as fever and headache. A possible reason may be that some vaccines generate slightly different elements of the spike protein to spark an immune response. But many experts remain skeptical, and the question as to whether mixing doses could cause other unwanted complications has not been answered. The U.K. teams final report is due next month, although Canadas NACI may have new recommendations before that. In the meantime, Fitzgerald says those who have received AstraZeneca already should not feel buyers remorse. I think people who got AstraZeneca need to feel reassured that they got an effective vaccine and a safe vaccine, she said. There are some potential side-effects that are serious, but those are still quite rare. | Newfoundland and Labrador will no longer offer AstraZeneca for first doses of mRNA vaccines. The move was made as an afterthought, saying the quick move to full eligibility for mRNA shots essentially made Astra Zeneca obsolete. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/13/is-astrazeneca-obsolete-in-newfoundland-and-labrador.html | 0.586028 |
Is AstraZeneca obsolete in Newfoundland and Labrador? | As recently as a week ago, AstraZeneca vaccine clinics for anyone aged 55-64 in Newfoundland and Labrador were being booked solid almost as fast as they could be announced. On Wednesday, that all stopped. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said the province will no longer offer AstraZeneca unless its specifically indicated for those who have an allergy to the contents of the two available mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna. It came as a backdoor announcement, a response to a reporters question after Fitzgerald had announced the immediate expansion of the mRNA vaccination program to anyone over 40. Given that were able to open up mRNA to those younger than that age group, we will not be offering AstraZeneca for first doses at this point, she replied. Certainly, we will still have some doses on hand for people who may not be able to receive an mRNA vaccine or choose not to, but by and large, right now, the evidence supports using an mRNA vaccine in that age group. The age limit to book vaccines drops to 30 and above on Friday, followed by a totally open invitation Monday for all eligible residents 12 and above to book a vaccination. It appears the move to the final phase of vaccinations will arrive at least a week earlier than expected, and Fitzgerald said the province is still expected to hit the target of one shot in every willing arm by Canada Day. AstraZeneca has had a bumpy ride from the beginning. It got especially rocky when some European countries started noticing a few cases of a rare condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenia, an odd combination of blood clots and a low platelet count that can be very serious. An estimated two in five sufferers have died from it. By March, advisory committees in Europe and North America concluded the connection is real, and the condition became known as vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Most provinces in Canada still offered it to varying degrees, citing the fact that only about one in 100,000 people ever come down with the condition. In May, however, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issued a controversial recommendation that anyone who can afford to should wait for the preferred mRNA vaccines. Provinces soon fell like dominos. Alberta explained that supply was the main issue it was halting first doses. Fitzgerald revealed it as an afterthought, saying the quick move to full eligibility for mRNA shots essentially made AstraZeneca obsolete. On Tuesday, Ontario officials were perhaps a little more forthright in saying the VITT risk was an important factor. There are increasing indications that the answer to that is no, unless you prefer it. Canadas chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam says studies show that mixing vaccines is a viable option. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Early indications are looking favourable towards use of an mRNA vaccine if you had a first AstraZeneca vaccine, Tam told CTV News this week. Well be providing advice, hopefully hearing from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization shortly. It may sound at first like a potential toxic brew, but it has been done with other vaccines. As Kezia Parkins wrote in Clinical Trials Arena last month, most experts describe vaccines as vehicles delivering cargo. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the cargo is the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus. The vehicles may be different, and they may drop off their payloads by different means, but the spike protein cargo is the same, Parkins wrote. Because the cargo is identical, the vaccines should, in theory, work well together. The most promising evidence is coming out of a U.K. study, where researchers presented preliminary findings this week. So far, theyve found that mixing vaccines may result in slightly more pronounced minor side-effects such as fever and headache. A possible reason may be that some vaccines generate slightly different elements of the spike protein to spark an immune response. But many experts remain skeptical, and the question as to whether mixing doses could cause other unwanted complications has not been answered. The U.K. teams final report is due next month, although Canadas NACI may have new recommendations before that. In the meantime, Fitzgerald says those who have received AstraZeneca already should not feel buyers remorse. I think people who got AstraZeneca need to feel reassured that they got an effective vaccine and a safe vaccine, she said. There are some potential side-effects that are serious, but those are still quite rare. | Newfoundland and Labrador will no longer offer AstraZeneca for first doses of mRNA vaccines. The move was made as an afterthought, saying the quick move to full eligibility for mRNA shots essentially made Astra Zeneca obsolete. The province is still expected to hit the target of one shot in every willing arm by Canada Day. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/13/is-astrazeneca-obsolete-in-newfoundland-and-labrador.html | 0.672379 |
Are Liberal Cities Turning Against Their Progressive Prosecutors? | Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the police union has unsuccessfully sued its old foe, Larry Krasner, for publishing a police misconduct disclosure database. They are now backing his opponent, Carlos Vega, a career prosecutor whom Krasner fired from the district attorneys office, in the primary. Philadelphias Democratic Party has also declined to endorse Krasner. In San Francisco, Chesa Boudin is facing a well-financed recall campaign spearheaded by some of San Franciscos tech billionaires. One of the biggest donors to the campaign, former PayPal executive David Sacks, has taken aim at Boudin for supporting a radical decarceration agenda that is making San Francisco and California less safe. In volatile times like these, trend lines are not secure. As unemployment, homelessness, and homicide have spiked during the pandemic, the traditional enemies of reform clearly see an opening. The homicide rate across major metropolitan areas rose 30 percent between 2019 and 2020. But as law and economics scholar John Pfaff has shown, the increase was consistent across 69 major municipalities, regardless of whether the county had a progressive district attorney. (In fact, the homicide rate in San Francisco is now lower than it was in 2017.) In short, there is no evident correlation between the recent rise in violent crime and criminal justice reform. But the battle over public perception is just beginning. Even though reformers have scored genuine victories over the past several years, getting tough is itching for a comeback. This will be one of the most consequential political battles of the coming period. We often hear of the more than two million people in prison in the United States. But we hear less about the staggering 74 million who now have a criminal arrest record. That statistic is the direct result of a system of criminal punishment that metastasized and became part and parcel of a more broadly unequal and coercive society by the late 1970s. At the time, Irving Kristol wrote that liberals, mugged by reality, were moving to the right on national security and law and order issues. That same year, 1979, newly appointed Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker decreed that the standard of living of the average American needed to fall, and set himself the task of restoring fiscal discipline. Many date the origins of the neoliberal era to these two shifts in perception and public policy. But few see how entwined they really were. For bond vigilantes whose power stemmed from Volckers attack on inflation, imposing municipal austerity was inseparable from unleashing police power to tame rising crime. | John Avlon: Liberal cities are turning against their progressive prosecutors. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://newrepublic.com/article/162275/san-francisco-philadelphia-progressive-district-attorneys-crime | 0.203701 |
Are Liberal Cities Turning Against Their Progressive Prosecutors? | Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the police union has unsuccessfully sued its old foe, Larry Krasner, for publishing a police misconduct disclosure database. They are now backing his opponent, Carlos Vega, a career prosecutor whom Krasner fired from the district attorneys office, in the primary. Philadelphias Democratic Party has also declined to endorse Krasner. In San Francisco, Chesa Boudin is facing a well-financed recall campaign spearheaded by some of San Franciscos tech billionaires. One of the biggest donors to the campaign, former PayPal executive David Sacks, has taken aim at Boudin for supporting a radical decarceration agenda that is making San Francisco and California less safe. In volatile times like these, trend lines are not secure. As unemployment, homelessness, and homicide have spiked during the pandemic, the traditional enemies of reform clearly see an opening. The homicide rate across major metropolitan areas rose 30 percent between 2019 and 2020. But as law and economics scholar John Pfaff has shown, the increase was consistent across 69 major municipalities, regardless of whether the county had a progressive district attorney. (In fact, the homicide rate in San Francisco is now lower than it was in 2017.) In short, there is no evident correlation between the recent rise in violent crime and criminal justice reform. But the battle over public perception is just beginning. Even though reformers have scored genuine victories over the past several years, getting tough is itching for a comeback. This will be one of the most consequential political battles of the coming period. We often hear of the more than two million people in prison in the United States. But we hear less about the staggering 74 million who now have a criminal arrest record. That statistic is the direct result of a system of criminal punishment that metastasized and became part and parcel of a more broadly unequal and coercive society by the late 1970s. At the time, Irving Kristol wrote that liberals, mugged by reality, were moving to the right on national security and law and order issues. That same year, 1979, newly appointed Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker decreed that the standard of living of the average American needed to fall, and set himself the task of restoring fiscal discipline. Many date the origins of the neoliberal era to these two shifts in perception and public policy. But few see how entwined they really were. For bond vigilantes whose power stemmed from Volckers attack on inflation, imposing municipal austerity was inseparable from unleashing police power to tame rising crime. | David Rothkopf: Liberal cities are turning against their progressive prosecutors. He says there is no evident correlation between the recent rise in violent crime and criminal justice reform. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://newrepublic.com/article/162275/san-francisco-philadelphia-progressive-district-attorneys-crime | 0.452117 |
Are Liberal Cities Turning Against Their Progressive Prosecutors? | Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the police union has unsuccessfully sued its old foe, Larry Krasner, for publishing a police misconduct disclosure database. They are now backing his opponent, Carlos Vega, a career prosecutor whom Krasner fired from the district attorneys office, in the primary. Philadelphias Democratic Party has also declined to endorse Krasner. In San Francisco, Chesa Boudin is facing a well-financed recall campaign spearheaded by some of San Franciscos tech billionaires. One of the biggest donors to the campaign, former PayPal executive David Sacks, has taken aim at Boudin for supporting a radical decarceration agenda that is making San Francisco and California less safe. In volatile times like these, trend lines are not secure. As unemployment, homelessness, and homicide have spiked during the pandemic, the traditional enemies of reform clearly see an opening. The homicide rate across major metropolitan areas rose 30 percent between 2019 and 2020. But as law and economics scholar John Pfaff has shown, the increase was consistent across 69 major municipalities, regardless of whether the county had a progressive district attorney. (In fact, the homicide rate in San Francisco is now lower than it was in 2017.) In short, there is no evident correlation between the recent rise in violent crime and criminal justice reform. But the battle over public perception is just beginning. Even though reformers have scored genuine victories over the past several years, getting tough is itching for a comeback. This will be one of the most consequential political battles of the coming period. We often hear of the more than two million people in prison in the United States. But we hear less about the staggering 74 million who now have a criminal arrest record. That statistic is the direct result of a system of criminal punishment that metastasized and became part and parcel of a more broadly unequal and coercive society by the late 1970s. At the time, Irving Kristol wrote that liberals, mugged by reality, were moving to the right on national security and law and order issues. That same year, 1979, newly appointed Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker decreed that the standard of living of the average American needed to fall, and set himself the task of restoring fiscal discipline. Many date the origins of the neoliberal era to these two shifts in perception and public policy. But few see how entwined they really were. For bond vigilantes whose power stemmed from Volckers attack on inflation, imposing municipal austerity was inseparable from unleashing police power to tame rising crime. | David Rothkopf: Liberal cities are turning against their progressive prosecutors. He says there is no evident correlation between the recent rise in violent crime and criminal justice reform. Rothkin: The battle over public perception is just beginning, and will be one of the most consequential political battles. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://newrepublic.com/article/162275/san-francisco-philadelphia-progressive-district-attorneys-crime | 0.606953 |
Does the end of Ohios coronavirus restrictions mean big tax losses for cities? | CLEVELAND, Ohio While Ohioans consider how their lives might change after Gov. The issue has hovered over cities, including Cleveland and Columbus, since the start of the pandemic, when the Ohio legislature passed a wide-ranging law permitting municipalities to continue taxing people working remotely, until 30 days after the state of emergency declaration is lifted. So, when DeWine announced Wednesday night that Ohioans would no longer be required to wear masks or practice social distancing, cleveland.com wondered if that news constitutes an end to the state of emergency -- and the practice of taxing people who have been working from home for months. The answer appears to be no, according to DeWines spokesman, who clarified that while the public health orders will soon be lifted, the state of emergency declaration remains. But that doesnt mean cities and villages that rely on commuters income taxes can breathe easy. Under current Ohio law, cities abilities to tax remote workers who live and work outside of their borders could expire as soon as August, Kent Scarrett, executive director of the Ohio Municipal League, said during an interview. Were still under the gun, Scarrett said. The clock is getting louder and louder as it ticks. Millions of dollars are potentially at stake, particularly if remote workers, who dont live in the same cities where their jobs are based, continue to work from home rather than return to their offices after the emergency declaration ends. Heres a look at the current status of the income tax issue, and why it shouldnt be affected by DeWines Wednesday announcement. Under the pandemic law passed in early 2020, people working from home continue to be taxed by the city where they were working prior to the pandemic. So, a suburban resident whose office is in downtown Cleveland is still paying Cleveland taxes even if they havent stepped foot in the city for over a year. But that provision expires 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, meaning tax laws would revert to the pre-pandemic normal in which workers are generally taxed based on the location of their jobs. State law gives the governor the authority to declare a state of emergency that, among other things, allows Ohio to receive emergency aid from the federal government, such as FEMA funding, Scarrett said. A different portion of Ohio law grants the state health department the power to issue public health orders intended to protect people, such as the mask mandate and social distancing requirements. Those public health orders are what DeWine said will end on June 2, spokesman Dan Tierney stated in an email. The governor could roll back the emergency declaration at any point. But so far, hes made no announcements about it. The difference is key when it comes to income tax rules. Both Scarrett and Jay Carson of The Buckeye Institute a conservative, Ohio-based think-tank that is challenging the tax legislation in court said DeWines announcement left them questioning whether the rollback would also apply to the emergency declaration. The Ohio Municipal League, a statewide non-profit representing cities and villages, spoke with DeWines administration after the announcement and confirmed it only applied to health orders, Scarrett said. In March, the Ohio legislature passed a bill limiting the governors authority to issue health orders. Within the legislation, lawmakers gave themselves the ability to strike down emergency declarations issued by the governor. Under those new powers, the declaration of emergency could be struck down as early as July 23, Scarrett said. And 30 days after that, the temporary withholding provision [for income taxes] will end, he said. Carson, a senior litigator with The Buckeye Institute, agreed with Scarretts interpretation of current laws and said he assumes any tax withholdings after that 30-day window would be refundable. The institute has filed lawsuits in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Columbus, arguing that it is illegal to tax people where they neither live nor work. A Franklin County judge dismissed the Columbus case, but the institute is appealing that ruling, and the other cases are still pending. If the emergency declaration is lifted and the income tax provision expires before the cases are resolved, Carson said his organization might adjust the relief it seeks from the courts. Rather than asking for an end to the provision, the institute would only seek to allow taxpayers to recover the taxes they paid to a city while working elsewhere, he said. | Gov. DeWine says public health orders will end on June 2. But that doesn't mean cities and villages that rely on commuters' income taxes can breathe easy. Under current Ohio law, cities' abilities to tax remote workers could expire in August. Millions of dollars are potentially at stake, particularly if remote workers continue to work from home. | bart | 2 | https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/05/does-the-end-of-ohios-coronavirus-restrictions-mean-big-tax-losses-for-cities.html | 0.129435 |
Will the GOP Scaremonger Us Out of Child Care and Family Leave? | Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Get The Nations Weekly Newsletter Fridays. The best of the week. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Fridays. The best of the week. Thank you for signing up for The Nations weekly newsletter. Join the Books & the Arts Newsletter Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. Thank you for signing up. For more from The Nation, check out our latest issue Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Support Progressive Journalism The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. Sign up for our Wine Club today. Flailing Republicans are having a hard time figuring out how to oppose President Joe Bidens popular proposals. They couldnt stop the American Rescue Plan, targeted at helping the nation recover from the pandemic. Now Biden is pushing a big infrastructure bill that includes some old-fashioned priorities Abraham Lincoln would have recognized, especially rail, but also some things, like broadband and long-term care, that Lincoln, bless him, might not have imagined. Dwight Eisenhower built out the interstate highway system, but he couldnt see broadband coming either. Republicans tried to make the argument that the bill goes beyond its proper scope as an infrastructure measure. But polling shows that the pushback hasnt worked very well. The proposals are popular, some measures more than others, some even with Republicans. So are the proposals in Bidens American Families Plan, which would expand child tax credits and provide universal 3K and pre-K, free community college, and paid family leave. So the new GOP arguments arent looking at the American present or future; theyre looking way back. Fifty years ago, the US Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill that could have made many of the proposals in Bidens American Families Plan unnecessary. The 1971 Comprehensive Child Development Act would have made a $2 billion investment in a vast expansion of state-funded preschool and child care programs. Sponsored by the late Senator Walter Mondale, based on months if not years of research and legislative arm-wrestling, it had remarkable bipartisan support. For a while, it seemed possible that President Richard Nixon would sign it. In a speech to employees at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, he said all the right things: What happens to the child from a nutritional standpoint, from an educational standpoint, from an environmental standpoint in the years between 1 and 5 may affect that child for the balance of his life regardless of what may happen after that time. In fact, Nixons staff had helped draft the bill. Related Article Joe Biden Wants to Transform Care Work in America Mike Konczal But Nixon vetoed it anyway. In part, my long-ago Hardball buddy Pat Buchanan happened. Aware that Nixon was open to signing the bill, he hit him with, for Nixon, an insult too deep to reject: The bill had its origins, Buchanan claimed, in Soviet Russia. It was ridiculous. Yes, in 1929, a Soviet sociologist claimed that the traditional family will be sent to a museum of antiquities so that it can rest next to the spinning wheel and the bronze axe, by the horse-drawn carriage, the steam engine, and the wired telephone. Forty-two years later, Buchanan knew that hadnt happened. But he had visited Soviet day care centers, and he described his horror: We went to see the Young Pioneers, where these little kids four, five, and six years old were being instructed in Leninist doctrine, reciting it the way I used to recite Catechism when I was in the first grade, he said. Buchanan got to Nixon and greased the veto. Good public policy requires that we enhance rather than diminish both parental authority and parental involvement with children, Nixons stinging veto message said. For the Federal government to plunge headlong financially into supporting child development would commit the vast moral authority of the National Government to the side of communal approaches to child rearing over against the family-centered approach. Congress could not override his veto, and the bill died. A top Mondale aide told NPR in 2016, dejectedly, about the veto: It totally surprised us. MORE FROM Joan Walsh Cheney vs. Stefanik Isnt About Loyalty to Donald Trump May 12, 2021 Virginias Shrunken GOP Electorate Finally Picks a Nominee for Governor May 11, 2021 Virginia Republicans Are Disenfranchising Their Own Voters May 5, 2021 Author page Today Biden faces a brigade of Buchanans lamenting his proposals as social engineering. Insurrection-supporting Senator Josh Hawley denounced lefty social engineering paid for by mortgaging the future of my children and my grandchildren. Senator Marsha Blackburn argued in a Fox Business Network interview that the proposals would incentivize women to rely on the federal government to organize their lives. Later that night, she tweeted a link to a 1974 New York Times story about the prevalence of affordable child care in the Soviet Union, adding, You know who else liked universal day care. Hillbilly venture capitalist and amateur philosopher J.D. Vance, who is reportedly considering a run for one of Ohios Senate seats, insisted that Bidens proposal put the preferences of our ruling-class elites above those of average Americans. They want strangers to raise their kids, but middle-class Americans, whatever their station in life, they want more time with their children, he said. Well, as a wealthy venture capitalist, he would know what elites want. Not so much his potential constituents. I didnt want strangers to raise my kids; I wanted some help, because I needed to work. When I read things like that, I realize Vance knows fewer parents who struggle with balancing work and child care than I do. We need these programs now more than ever, because during the pandemic, the labor-force participation of women with children has dropped sharply. Thats hurting women, their families, and the economy. If Democrats dont steamroll these Republican objections, theyre facing a session in which they cant prove to voters that the Democratic Party can improve their lives. And that would mean well almost certainly wind up with a GOP House and Senate next year. | Mike Konczal: GOP trying to scare us out of child care and family leave. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/american-jobs-families-biden/ | 0.216881 |
Will the GOP Scaremonger Us Out of Child Care and Family Leave? | Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Get The Nations Weekly Newsletter Fridays. The best of the week. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Fridays. The best of the week. Thank you for signing up for The Nations weekly newsletter. Join the Books & the Arts Newsletter Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. Thank you for signing up. For more from The Nation, check out our latest issue Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Support Progressive Journalism The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. Sign up for our Wine Club today. Flailing Republicans are having a hard time figuring out how to oppose President Joe Bidens popular proposals. They couldnt stop the American Rescue Plan, targeted at helping the nation recover from the pandemic. Now Biden is pushing a big infrastructure bill that includes some old-fashioned priorities Abraham Lincoln would have recognized, especially rail, but also some things, like broadband and long-term care, that Lincoln, bless him, might not have imagined. Dwight Eisenhower built out the interstate highway system, but he couldnt see broadband coming either. Republicans tried to make the argument that the bill goes beyond its proper scope as an infrastructure measure. But polling shows that the pushback hasnt worked very well. The proposals are popular, some measures more than others, some even with Republicans. So are the proposals in Bidens American Families Plan, which would expand child tax credits and provide universal 3K and pre-K, free community college, and paid family leave. So the new GOP arguments arent looking at the American present or future; theyre looking way back. Fifty years ago, the US Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill that could have made many of the proposals in Bidens American Families Plan unnecessary. The 1971 Comprehensive Child Development Act would have made a $2 billion investment in a vast expansion of state-funded preschool and child care programs. Sponsored by the late Senator Walter Mondale, based on months if not years of research and legislative arm-wrestling, it had remarkable bipartisan support. For a while, it seemed possible that President Richard Nixon would sign it. In a speech to employees at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, he said all the right things: What happens to the child from a nutritional standpoint, from an educational standpoint, from an environmental standpoint in the years between 1 and 5 may affect that child for the balance of his life regardless of what may happen after that time. In fact, Nixons staff had helped draft the bill. Related Article Joe Biden Wants to Transform Care Work in America Mike Konczal But Nixon vetoed it anyway. In part, my long-ago Hardball buddy Pat Buchanan happened. Aware that Nixon was open to signing the bill, he hit him with, for Nixon, an insult too deep to reject: The bill had its origins, Buchanan claimed, in Soviet Russia. It was ridiculous. Yes, in 1929, a Soviet sociologist claimed that the traditional family will be sent to a museum of antiquities so that it can rest next to the spinning wheel and the bronze axe, by the horse-drawn carriage, the steam engine, and the wired telephone. Forty-two years later, Buchanan knew that hadnt happened. But he had visited Soviet day care centers, and he described his horror: We went to see the Young Pioneers, where these little kids four, five, and six years old were being instructed in Leninist doctrine, reciting it the way I used to recite Catechism when I was in the first grade, he said. Buchanan got to Nixon and greased the veto. Good public policy requires that we enhance rather than diminish both parental authority and parental involvement with children, Nixons stinging veto message said. For the Federal government to plunge headlong financially into supporting child development would commit the vast moral authority of the National Government to the side of communal approaches to child rearing over against the family-centered approach. Congress could not override his veto, and the bill died. A top Mondale aide told NPR in 2016, dejectedly, about the veto: It totally surprised us. MORE FROM Joan Walsh Cheney vs. Stefanik Isnt About Loyalty to Donald Trump May 12, 2021 Virginias Shrunken GOP Electorate Finally Picks a Nominee for Governor May 11, 2021 Virginia Republicans Are Disenfranchising Their Own Voters May 5, 2021 Author page Today Biden faces a brigade of Buchanans lamenting his proposals as social engineering. Insurrection-supporting Senator Josh Hawley denounced lefty social engineering paid for by mortgaging the future of my children and my grandchildren. Senator Marsha Blackburn argued in a Fox Business Network interview that the proposals would incentivize women to rely on the federal government to organize their lives. Later that night, she tweeted a link to a 1974 New York Times story about the prevalence of affordable child care in the Soviet Union, adding, You know who else liked universal day care. Hillbilly venture capitalist and amateur philosopher J.D. Vance, who is reportedly considering a run for one of Ohios Senate seats, insisted that Bidens proposal put the preferences of our ruling-class elites above those of average Americans. They want strangers to raise their kids, but middle-class Americans, whatever their station in life, they want more time with their children, he said. Well, as a wealthy venture capitalist, he would know what elites want. Not so much his potential constituents. I didnt want strangers to raise my kids; I wanted some help, because I needed to work. When I read things like that, I realize Vance knows fewer parents who struggle with balancing work and child care than I do. We need these programs now more than ever, because during the pandemic, the labor-force participation of women with children has dropped sharply. Thats hurting women, their families, and the economy. If Democrats dont steamroll these Republican objections, theyre facing a session in which they cant prove to voters that the Democratic Party can improve their lives. And that would mean well almost certainly wind up with a GOP House and Senate next year. | The GOP is trying to scare us out of child care and family leave, says Mike Konczal. But the GOP failed in the 1970s with a bill that could have made many of the proposals unnecessary, he says. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/american-jobs-families-biden/ | 0.409695 |
Will the GOP Scaremonger Us Out of Child Care and Family Leave? | Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Get The Nations Weekly Newsletter Fridays. The best of the week. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Fridays. The best of the week. Thank you for signing up for The Nations weekly newsletter. Join the Books & the Arts Newsletter Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. Thank you for signing up. For more from The Nation, check out our latest issue Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Support Progressive Journalism The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. Sign up for our Wine Club today. Flailing Republicans are having a hard time figuring out how to oppose President Joe Bidens popular proposals. They couldnt stop the American Rescue Plan, targeted at helping the nation recover from the pandemic. Now Biden is pushing a big infrastructure bill that includes some old-fashioned priorities Abraham Lincoln would have recognized, especially rail, but also some things, like broadband and long-term care, that Lincoln, bless him, might not have imagined. Dwight Eisenhower built out the interstate highway system, but he couldnt see broadband coming either. Republicans tried to make the argument that the bill goes beyond its proper scope as an infrastructure measure. But polling shows that the pushback hasnt worked very well. The proposals are popular, some measures more than others, some even with Republicans. So are the proposals in Bidens American Families Plan, which would expand child tax credits and provide universal 3K and pre-K, free community college, and paid family leave. So the new GOP arguments arent looking at the American present or future; theyre looking way back. Fifty years ago, the US Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill that could have made many of the proposals in Bidens American Families Plan unnecessary. The 1971 Comprehensive Child Development Act would have made a $2 billion investment in a vast expansion of state-funded preschool and child care programs. Sponsored by the late Senator Walter Mondale, based on months if not years of research and legislative arm-wrestling, it had remarkable bipartisan support. For a while, it seemed possible that President Richard Nixon would sign it. In a speech to employees at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, he said all the right things: What happens to the child from a nutritional standpoint, from an educational standpoint, from an environmental standpoint in the years between 1 and 5 may affect that child for the balance of his life regardless of what may happen after that time. In fact, Nixons staff had helped draft the bill. Related Article Joe Biden Wants to Transform Care Work in America Mike Konczal But Nixon vetoed it anyway. In part, my long-ago Hardball buddy Pat Buchanan happened. Aware that Nixon was open to signing the bill, he hit him with, for Nixon, an insult too deep to reject: The bill had its origins, Buchanan claimed, in Soviet Russia. It was ridiculous. Yes, in 1929, a Soviet sociologist claimed that the traditional family will be sent to a museum of antiquities so that it can rest next to the spinning wheel and the bronze axe, by the horse-drawn carriage, the steam engine, and the wired telephone. Forty-two years later, Buchanan knew that hadnt happened. But he had visited Soviet day care centers, and he described his horror: We went to see the Young Pioneers, where these little kids four, five, and six years old were being instructed in Leninist doctrine, reciting it the way I used to recite Catechism when I was in the first grade, he said. Buchanan got to Nixon and greased the veto. Good public policy requires that we enhance rather than diminish both parental authority and parental involvement with children, Nixons stinging veto message said. For the Federal government to plunge headlong financially into supporting child development would commit the vast moral authority of the National Government to the side of communal approaches to child rearing over against the family-centered approach. Congress could not override his veto, and the bill died. A top Mondale aide told NPR in 2016, dejectedly, about the veto: It totally surprised us. MORE FROM Joan Walsh Cheney vs. Stefanik Isnt About Loyalty to Donald Trump May 12, 2021 Virginias Shrunken GOP Electorate Finally Picks a Nominee for Governor May 11, 2021 Virginia Republicans Are Disenfranchising Their Own Voters May 5, 2021 Author page Today Biden faces a brigade of Buchanans lamenting his proposals as social engineering. Insurrection-supporting Senator Josh Hawley denounced lefty social engineering paid for by mortgaging the future of my children and my grandchildren. Senator Marsha Blackburn argued in a Fox Business Network interview that the proposals would incentivize women to rely on the federal government to organize their lives. Later that night, she tweeted a link to a 1974 New York Times story about the prevalence of affordable child care in the Soviet Union, adding, You know who else liked universal day care. Hillbilly venture capitalist and amateur philosopher J.D. Vance, who is reportedly considering a run for one of Ohios Senate seats, insisted that Bidens proposal put the preferences of our ruling-class elites above those of average Americans. They want strangers to raise their kids, but middle-class Americans, whatever their station in life, they want more time with their children, he said. Well, as a wealthy venture capitalist, he would know what elites want. Not so much his potential constituents. I didnt want strangers to raise my kids; I wanted some help, because I needed to work. When I read things like that, I realize Vance knows fewer parents who struggle with balancing work and child care than I do. We need these programs now more than ever, because during the pandemic, the labor-force participation of women with children has dropped sharply. Thats hurting women, their families, and the economy. If Democrats dont steamroll these Republican objections, theyre facing a session in which they cant prove to voters that the Democratic Party can improve their lives. And that would mean well almost certainly wind up with a GOP House and Senate next year. | The GOP is trying to scare us out of child care and family leave, says Mike Konczal. But the GOP failed in the 1970s with a bill that could have made many of the proposals unnecessary, he says. Konczals: The GOP should look to the past and not to the future. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/american-jobs-families-biden/ | 0.491308 |
How has Matthew Stafford fared against each of the Rams 2021 opponents in his career? | Matthew Stafford has been in the NFL for 12 seasons and though hes missed some time with injuries, hes still managed to face every team in the league at least once except the Detroit Lions, of course. That gives us a lengthy history to comb through when looking at how hes performed against the Rams 2021 opponents. Hes faced each team the Rams will play in 2021 at least twice (except Detroit) and while hes played well against some, other teams have had his number. Heres a look at how hes performed against the Rams 14 upcoming opponents during his career. Chicago Bears (record: 11-9) 63.7% completion rate, 272 yards per game, 32 touchdown passes, 23 interceptions, 86.3 rating Stafford's numbers are almost reflective of his team's success. They're not bad, but they're also not great and it's part of the reason the Lions were just barely above .500 against the Bears in Stafford's 12 years. He did miss four games against Chicago in his career but an 11-9 record is still pretty good. In last year's opener, the Lions blew a 23-6 fourth-quarter lead, a game Stafford started. Indianapolis Colts (1-2) Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports 64.6%, 329.7 YPG, 8 TDs, 2 INTs, 102.8 rating Stafford hasn't played the Colts much, but he's put up huge numbers against them. He's thrown for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns in each of his three games against Indianapolis, including a 336-yard, three-touchdown performance in 2020. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports 71.3%, 262.2 YPG, 10 TDs, 7 INTs, 98.2 rating Stafford owns a winning record against the Bucs and a respectable touchdown-to-interception ratio. His completion rate of 71.3% is particularly impressive, and it was helped by a 36-for-44 showing in 2017 when he threw for 381 yards in a 24-21 win in 2017. That's the 16th-most yards he's had in his career. Arizona Cardinals (3-4-1) (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Story continues 62.2%, 242.9 YPG, 12 TDs, 8 INTs, 84.3 rating Surprisingly, Stafford's numbers against Arizona aren't all that great. He's only topped 300 yards once in eight games against the Cardinals, a 385-yard, three-touchdown performance in 2019, which ended in a 27-27 tie. In three games against Arizona, Stafford has thrown for fewer than 200 yards and the Lions scored 17 points or fewer four times. Seattle Seahawks (1-3) (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) 64.5%, 267.0 YPG, 7 TDs, 7 INTs, 79.1 rating As has been the case for most quarterbacks, the Seahawks have given Stafford some trouble. He's just 1-3 against them and has thrown as many touchdowns as interceptions in those four games. His most recent game against Seattle was in 2018, a 28-14 loss despite Stafford's 310 yards and two touchdowns. New York Giants (3-2) Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports 66.9%, 261.0 YPG, 7 TDs, 4 INTs, 94.6 rating Stafford has looked fairly comfortable against the Giants, though he was blanked in the touchdown column twice in five games. In 2019, Stafford led the Lions to a 31-26 win over New York thanks to his 342 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception all despite being sacked four times. Detroit Lions: N/A (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) The only team in the NFL Stafford hasn't faced is the team he spent 12 years with. Week 7 will be the first time ever he faces the Lions, a game that will be played at SoFi Stadium. There's no bad blood between the two sides as the Lions did right by Stafford to trade him, but he'll surely want to win that one. Houston Texans (0-3) Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports 59.7%, 325.3 YPG, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 86.5 rating Stafford's stat line against the Texans is bizarre. He's only completed about 60% of his passes against them, but he averages 325.3 yards per game and only has one interception and an 0-3 record. The Lions' three losses to Houston under Stafford were 34-31, 20-13 and 41-25, so the defense didn't exactly do him any favors. Tennessee Titans (0-3) Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports 67.5%, 263.3 YPG, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 92.4 rating Another AFC South team Stafford is 0-3 against, the Titans' three wins against the Lions since 2012 are mostly about Detroit's defense coming up short. The Titans scored 44, 16 and 46 points in their three games against the Lions, while Stafford has had middling production and only one touchdown pass in each meeting. San Francisco 49ers (1-3) (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) 64.0%, 292.8 YPG, 8 TDs, 1 INT, 96.8 rating Good news: Stafford has strong numbers against the 49ers, who he will face twice a year with the Rams. He was especially impressive in his last two games against San Francisco, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in 2015 and another 347 yards with three touchdowns and zero picks in 2018. Green Bay Packers (7-13) Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports 61.5%, 283.7 YPG, 37 TDs, 20 INTs, 89.9 rating Stafford and Aaron Rodgers dueled a bunch during their time together in the NFC North and they'll battle again in Week 12 so long as Rodgers is still in Green Bay. Stafford's carer-high in passing yards (520) came against the Packers in 2012, a game the Lions lost 45-41 despite the quarterback's five touchdown passes also tied for a career-high. Green Bay has sacked Stafford 47 times in 20 games, including four times in each game last season. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-0) Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports 67.0%, 262.0 YPG, 1 TD, 1 INT, 90.8 rating Somehow, Stafford is 3-0 against the Jaguars with two double-digit wins despite never topping 300 yards and only throwing one total touchdown pass in three games. In last year's 34-16 win over Jacksonville, Stafford had one touchdown and an interception, throwing for 223 yards but only completing 19 of 31 passes. It's a bizarre stat line given the team's record. Minnesota Vikings (8-13) Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports 63.1%, 246.5 YPG, 31 TDs, 11 INTs, 89.5 rating Needless to say, Stafford likes playing against the Vikings. He has almost a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and although he only averages 246.5 yards per game against Minnesota, he does a good job avoiding turnovers. In his last three games against the Vikings, Stafford has eight touchdown passes and four interceptions with no fumbles and an average of 289.3 yards per game. Unfortunately, the Lions allowed 116 points in those three games and Stafford has lost six straight to Minnesota. Baltimore Ravens (0-2) Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports 66.7%, 263.5 YPG, 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 76.6 rating It's only been two games, but Baltimore has played well against Stafford. The Ravens beat the Lions 18-16 in 2013 and 44-20 in 2017, as Stafford threw just one touchdown pass in each loss with four total interceptions. He completed 82.8% of his passes in that 2017 loss and had a passer rating of 105.7, but the defense gave up 44 points and Stafford was sacked three times. 1 1 | Matthew Stafford has faced each team the Rams will play in 2021 at least twice (except Detroit) Stafford has played well against some teams, while other teams have had his number. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/matthew-stafford-fared-against-rams-121900946.html?src=rss | 0.300636 |
How has Matthew Stafford fared against each of the Rams 2021 opponents in his career? | Matthew Stafford has been in the NFL for 12 seasons and though hes missed some time with injuries, hes still managed to face every team in the league at least once except the Detroit Lions, of course. That gives us a lengthy history to comb through when looking at how hes performed against the Rams 2021 opponents. Hes faced each team the Rams will play in 2021 at least twice (except Detroit) and while hes played well against some, other teams have had his number. Heres a look at how hes performed against the Rams 14 upcoming opponents during his career. Chicago Bears (record: 11-9) 63.7% completion rate, 272 yards per game, 32 touchdown passes, 23 interceptions, 86.3 rating Stafford's numbers are almost reflective of his team's success. They're not bad, but they're also not great and it's part of the reason the Lions were just barely above .500 against the Bears in Stafford's 12 years. He did miss four games against Chicago in his career but an 11-9 record is still pretty good. In last year's opener, the Lions blew a 23-6 fourth-quarter lead, a game Stafford started. Indianapolis Colts (1-2) Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports 64.6%, 329.7 YPG, 8 TDs, 2 INTs, 102.8 rating Stafford hasn't played the Colts much, but he's put up huge numbers against them. He's thrown for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns in each of his three games against Indianapolis, including a 336-yard, three-touchdown performance in 2020. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports 71.3%, 262.2 YPG, 10 TDs, 7 INTs, 98.2 rating Stafford owns a winning record against the Bucs and a respectable touchdown-to-interception ratio. His completion rate of 71.3% is particularly impressive, and it was helped by a 36-for-44 showing in 2017 when he threw for 381 yards in a 24-21 win in 2017. That's the 16th-most yards he's had in his career. Arizona Cardinals (3-4-1) (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Story continues 62.2%, 242.9 YPG, 12 TDs, 8 INTs, 84.3 rating Surprisingly, Stafford's numbers against Arizona aren't all that great. He's only topped 300 yards once in eight games against the Cardinals, a 385-yard, three-touchdown performance in 2019, which ended in a 27-27 tie. In three games against Arizona, Stafford has thrown for fewer than 200 yards and the Lions scored 17 points or fewer four times. Seattle Seahawks (1-3) (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) 64.5%, 267.0 YPG, 7 TDs, 7 INTs, 79.1 rating As has been the case for most quarterbacks, the Seahawks have given Stafford some trouble. He's just 1-3 against them and has thrown as many touchdowns as interceptions in those four games. His most recent game against Seattle was in 2018, a 28-14 loss despite Stafford's 310 yards and two touchdowns. New York Giants (3-2) Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports 66.9%, 261.0 YPG, 7 TDs, 4 INTs, 94.6 rating Stafford has looked fairly comfortable against the Giants, though he was blanked in the touchdown column twice in five games. In 2019, Stafford led the Lions to a 31-26 win over New York thanks to his 342 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception all despite being sacked four times. Detroit Lions: N/A (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) The only team in the NFL Stafford hasn't faced is the team he spent 12 years with. Week 7 will be the first time ever he faces the Lions, a game that will be played at SoFi Stadium. There's no bad blood between the two sides as the Lions did right by Stafford to trade him, but he'll surely want to win that one. Houston Texans (0-3) Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports 59.7%, 325.3 YPG, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 86.5 rating Stafford's stat line against the Texans is bizarre. He's only completed about 60% of his passes against them, but he averages 325.3 yards per game and only has one interception and an 0-3 record. The Lions' three losses to Houston under Stafford were 34-31, 20-13 and 41-25, so the defense didn't exactly do him any favors. Tennessee Titans (0-3) Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports 67.5%, 263.3 YPG, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 92.4 rating Another AFC South team Stafford is 0-3 against, the Titans' three wins against the Lions since 2012 are mostly about Detroit's defense coming up short. The Titans scored 44, 16 and 46 points in their three games against the Lions, while Stafford has had middling production and only one touchdown pass in each meeting. San Francisco 49ers (1-3) (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) 64.0%, 292.8 YPG, 8 TDs, 1 INT, 96.8 rating Good news: Stafford has strong numbers against the 49ers, who he will face twice a year with the Rams. He was especially impressive in his last two games against San Francisco, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in 2015 and another 347 yards with three touchdowns and zero picks in 2018. Green Bay Packers (7-13) Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports 61.5%, 283.7 YPG, 37 TDs, 20 INTs, 89.9 rating Stafford and Aaron Rodgers dueled a bunch during their time together in the NFC North and they'll battle again in Week 12 so long as Rodgers is still in Green Bay. Stafford's carer-high in passing yards (520) came against the Packers in 2012, a game the Lions lost 45-41 despite the quarterback's five touchdown passes also tied for a career-high. Green Bay has sacked Stafford 47 times in 20 games, including four times in each game last season. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-0) Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports 67.0%, 262.0 YPG, 1 TD, 1 INT, 90.8 rating Somehow, Stafford is 3-0 against the Jaguars with two double-digit wins despite never topping 300 yards and only throwing one total touchdown pass in three games. In last year's 34-16 win over Jacksonville, Stafford had one touchdown and an interception, throwing for 223 yards but only completing 19 of 31 passes. It's a bizarre stat line given the team's record. Minnesota Vikings (8-13) Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports 63.1%, 246.5 YPG, 31 TDs, 11 INTs, 89.5 rating Needless to say, Stafford likes playing against the Vikings. He has almost a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and although he only averages 246.5 yards per game against Minnesota, he does a good job avoiding turnovers. In his last three games against the Vikings, Stafford has eight touchdown passes and four interceptions with no fumbles and an average of 289.3 yards per game. Unfortunately, the Lions allowed 116 points in those three games and Stafford has lost six straight to Minnesota. Baltimore Ravens (0-2) Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports 66.7%, 263.5 YPG, 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 76.6 rating It's only been two games, but Baltimore has played well against Stafford. The Ravens beat the Lions 18-16 in 2013 and 44-20 in 2017, as Stafford threw just one touchdown pass in each loss with four total interceptions. He completed 82.8% of his passes in that 2017 loss and had a passer rating of 105.7, but the defense gave up 44 points and Stafford was sacked three times. 1 1 | Matthew Stafford has faced each team the Rams will play in 2021 at least twice (except Detroit) Stafford's numbers are almost reflective of his team's success, but they're also not great and it's part of the reason the Lions were just barely above.500 against the Bears in Stafford's 12 years. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/matthew-stafford-fared-against-rams-121900946.html?src=rss | 0.354619 |
Is a French drain the solution for a wet crawl space? | Q: I live on a low-lying lot. My crawl space is always wet, even though I have a dehumidifier and a sump pump down there. People have suggested I use French drains; one said exterior ones, another interior. In this area, one company pretty much has a monopoly, and its backed up for months. A: Yes, French drains do work in combination with other measures. On a slope, where water is moving underground toward a house, an exterior French drain across the property, uphill of the house, can sometimes redirect the flow around the building enough to keep a crawl space or basement dry. Landscapers typically install this type of drainage system. On a low-lying lot, however, the drainage system usually needs to completely surround the house. An exterior system has the benefit of keeping the water outside, and its easy and inexpensive to install when a house is being built. Retrofitting it into an existing house is difficult and expensive, however. Installers need to excavate down to the level of the crawl space or basement, even where driveways, walkways or established plants are located. And if the system ever clogs, its not easy to repair. For solving the problem of a wet basement or crawl space in an existing house, an interior French drain system is much more common. Installers cut through the concrete or dig into the dirt just inside the foundation wall, creating a trench for perforated pipe and gravel that directs any water that seeps in toward a pit for a sump pump. Or, depending on how a house is laid out, they might slope different parts of the trench to more than one sump pump. You mention that you already have a sump pump, but a pump alone often isnt enough. Just because they have a sump pump doesnt mean the water can get to it, said Bill Anderson, owner of DryZone in Ellendale, Delaware. And even if you could regrade the crawl-space floor to direct all the water to the sump-pump pit, water would still be flowing across the space to get to it. A perimeter trench captures water where it flows in. But installing an interior French drain probably isnt all you will need to do. Anderson said fixing a damp crawl space is often a four-step process, with adding the drain system being the first step. The second involves sealing off the soil using thick plastic that he compares to a pool liner. It extends down from the foundation walls, across the floor, and up and around any interior columns, with special tape to secure all seams. The liner encapsulates the space and keeps moisture from moving through the soil and into the crawl-space air. Advertising The third step involves blocking humid outside air from getting into the crawl space. Installers close off the foundation vents, seal piping or other penetrations, and replace leaky access doors. This runs counter to the crawl-space ventilation requirements of past decades, but building scientists now recognize that enclosing the crawl space usually works better than ventilating it with outdoor air, especially where air conditioners run in humid weather. Otherwise, the humid air in the crawl space hits the cold floor, causing condensation that allows mildew to take hold. Anderson said he often recommends taking down insulation on the floor and instead installing rigid foam insulation on the foundation walls. The final step is adding a dehumidifier, but one designed to turn on and off automatically and run only when the air gets too humid. With these measures in place, your crawl space should stay dry, and the rest of your house should be protected from the issues mildew smells, rotting wood that can occur when a crawl space stays damp. But theres one more step you might want to add, because the protections work as long as the power stays on. Especially if you live where tree limbs often knock out power in windstorms, you might want to invest in a battery backup for the sump pump. Any company you hire to install the system should be able to add that. Anderson said bills from his company have ranged from $3,000 to $30,000, depending chiefly on the size and layout of the house, with a majority of jobs in the $8,000 to $10,000 range. His company typically has a backlog of two to three months. | French drains do work in combination with other measures. A French drain can sometimes redirect the flow around the building enough to keep a crawl space or basement dry. But installing an interior French drain is much more common. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/at-home/is-a-french-drain-the-solution-for-a-wet-crawl-space/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 0.395193 |
Is a French drain the solution for a wet crawl space? | Q: I live on a low-lying lot. My crawl space is always wet, even though I have a dehumidifier and a sump pump down there. People have suggested I use French drains; one said exterior ones, another interior. In this area, one company pretty much has a monopoly, and its backed up for months. A: Yes, French drains do work in combination with other measures. On a slope, where water is moving underground toward a house, an exterior French drain across the property, uphill of the house, can sometimes redirect the flow around the building enough to keep a crawl space or basement dry. Landscapers typically install this type of drainage system. On a low-lying lot, however, the drainage system usually needs to completely surround the house. An exterior system has the benefit of keeping the water outside, and its easy and inexpensive to install when a house is being built. Retrofitting it into an existing house is difficult and expensive, however. Installers need to excavate down to the level of the crawl space or basement, even where driveways, walkways or established plants are located. And if the system ever clogs, its not easy to repair. For solving the problem of a wet basement or crawl space in an existing house, an interior French drain system is much more common. Installers cut through the concrete or dig into the dirt just inside the foundation wall, creating a trench for perforated pipe and gravel that directs any water that seeps in toward a pit for a sump pump. Or, depending on how a house is laid out, they might slope different parts of the trench to more than one sump pump. You mention that you already have a sump pump, but a pump alone often isnt enough. Just because they have a sump pump doesnt mean the water can get to it, said Bill Anderson, owner of DryZone in Ellendale, Delaware. And even if you could regrade the crawl-space floor to direct all the water to the sump-pump pit, water would still be flowing across the space to get to it. A perimeter trench captures water where it flows in. But installing an interior French drain probably isnt all you will need to do. Anderson said fixing a damp crawl space is often a four-step process, with adding the drain system being the first step. The second involves sealing off the soil using thick plastic that he compares to a pool liner. It extends down from the foundation walls, across the floor, and up and around any interior columns, with special tape to secure all seams. The liner encapsulates the space and keeps moisture from moving through the soil and into the crawl-space air. Advertising The third step involves blocking humid outside air from getting into the crawl space. Installers close off the foundation vents, seal piping or other penetrations, and replace leaky access doors. This runs counter to the crawl-space ventilation requirements of past decades, but building scientists now recognize that enclosing the crawl space usually works better than ventilating it with outdoor air, especially where air conditioners run in humid weather. Otherwise, the humid air in the crawl space hits the cold floor, causing condensation that allows mildew to take hold. Anderson said he often recommends taking down insulation on the floor and instead installing rigid foam insulation on the foundation walls. The final step is adding a dehumidifier, but one designed to turn on and off automatically and run only when the air gets too humid. With these measures in place, your crawl space should stay dry, and the rest of your house should be protected from the issues mildew smells, rotting wood that can occur when a crawl space stays damp. But theres one more step you might want to add, because the protections work as long as the power stays on. Especially if you live where tree limbs often knock out power in windstorms, you might want to invest in a battery backup for the sump pump. Any company you hire to install the system should be able to add that. Anderson said bills from his company have ranged from $3,000 to $30,000, depending chiefly on the size and layout of the house, with a majority of jobs in the $8,000 to $10,000 range. His company typically has a backlog of two to three months. | Q: My crawl space is always wet, even though I have a dehumidifier and a sump pump down there. French drains do work, in combination with other measures. A: Fixing a damp crawl space is often a four-step process. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/at-home/is-a-french-drain-the-solution-for-a-wet-crawl-space/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 0.132986 |
What is the current Israel-Gaza crisis about and where is it heading? | The current crisis between Israelis and Palestinians, like so many before, has complex roots in the foundation of Israel in 1948 and after the six-day war in 1967 when Israel captured then Arab-controlled parts of Jerusalem, including the Old City and its holy sites. A key source of tension this time has been Jewish settlement in the east of Jerusalem. While Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, this is not recognised by a majority of the international community and is rejected by Palestinians who claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The issue came to a head in the climax of a decades-long attempt by Jewish groups to use the courts to evict Palestinian residents from Sheikh Jarrah, which lies at the heart of East Jerusalem. The Palestinians, numbering more than 70, come from families who relocated to East Jerusalem after fleeing their homes in west Jerusalem during the foundation of Israel in 1948. Settler groups say the land where the threatened families have their houses was owned by Jews prior to 1948. Israeli law allows Jews to reclaim such lands but has no similar provision for the many Palestinians dispossessed in the same conflict, even if they still reside in areas controlled by Israel. An Israeli supreme court ruling due on Monday 10 May was postponed the day before amid mounting protests by supporters of the Sheikh Jarrah families. That same day, a series of combustible events coincided dangerously, as Israeli nationalists marked the anniversary of the capture of Jerusalem in 1967 with their annual and highly provocative flag march, and police fired teargas and stun grenades on stone-throwing Palestinians marking Ramadan at the Haram-al Sharif compound, home to al-Aqsa mosque. Perceived threats to al-Aqsa mosque are a hugely sensitive issue and have triggered outbreaks of deadly violence between Palestinians and Jews for decades, including a massacre of dozens of Jews in Hebron in 1929 and the second intifada. There is also a background of intra-Palestinian rivalry between the Fatah movement of the ageing Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who governs the West Bank, and Hamas, which rules in the coastal enclave of Gaza. Abbas surprised many by calling elections in which Hamas was expected to do well. But citing the inability of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in East Jerusalem to vote, he cancelled the vote. Hamas has often attempted to take a lead in Palestinian opinion when al-Aqsa is seen as threatened, presenting itself as the defender of the holy sites, and the cancellation of the elections was seen by some as playing a part in its calculations. Other factors include the change of leadership in Washington with the departure of the strongly pro-Israel Donald Trump; shifting power dynamics among the Gulf states that followed that change in the US; and an ongoing political crisis in Israel, which Hamas may have seen as presenting an opening into which to interpose itself. Hamass short ultimatum to Israel to remove security forces from in and around al-Aqsa, followed by the first barrage of heavy missile fire, appeared designed to deliver a surprise to Israel. Israel appears not to have anticipated the risk of such a rapid and serious escalation, or indeed noted how effectively Hamas and Islamic Jihad had rearmed inside the Gaza Strip since the last 2014 Gaza war. Two new factors will be influencing Israeli thinking: the use of what Hamas has described as heavy rockets targeting Tel Aviv and other major population centres, and the sheer number of rockets being fired simultaneously. A hole in a wall of a residential building in Ashkelon caused by a rocket launched from Gaza. Over the years neither Hamas nor the Israeli political leadership have shown any clear strategic vision for where this ends. Israeli security policy relating to Gaza since the first Gaza war in 2008-09 has been to fight periodic conflicts to bring periods of temporary calm, despite occasional calls by some on the Israeli right to fully invade the coastal strip. Those calls have generally been rejected as it would involve Israel taking full responsibility for Gaza, with its impoverished population of 2 million and devastated infrastructure, which most balk at. Hamas, under a years-long joint Israeli and Egyptian blockade, has used the intermittent periods of conflict to reassert its relevance, despite the very heavy cost to Gazas civilian population. Despite both Israel and Hamas being acutely aware of the risks involved, the approach is probably best defined as recklessness in pursuit of limited ambitions. Where things might be different this time is that Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been far more effective in delivering an element of surprise in the initial rocket barrage, and in finding a way to overwhelm Israels much-vaunted Iron Dome anti-missile system, leading some commentators to ask whether Israels security policy has too long been dependent on the effectiveness of technology rather than finding real political solutions. For Hamas, its initial success (in its own terms) is likely to be a double-edged sword as it will push Israeli military and political leaders to disarm Hamas and Islamic Jihad more effectively than during the past three major conflicts. The wild card in the last week has been the scenes of communal violence between Israelis and Israeli citizens of Palestinian origin, sometimes known by the shorthand of Israeli Arabs. While previous conflicts in Gaza have seen sometimes violent protests in the occupied Palestinian territories and demonstrations by Israeli Arabs within the so-called Green Line area, this has been different. Both Jews and Israeli Arabs, as well as their businesses, homes and places of worship, have been targeted by mob violence, which the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared a more dangerous threat than the rockets from Gaza. While the biggest fear of Israeli security officials has always been a two-front war involving Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the serious civil violence that has emerged has recast the crisis, with Israeli editorial writers and commentators worrying about what the communal violence means for Israels fragile social compact. On the Israeli-Arab side the grievances are as long lived as many of those behind the issues in Sheik Jarrah, going back to the foundation of the state, including political representation, poverty and high levels of crime. On the Israeli side, a gradual normalisation of far-right politics has created the space for virulently anti-Arab groups such as Lehava, La Familia and the most extreme elements in the settler movement to assert themselves on the streets. Egypt and the US, traditional interlocutors between the two sides, have diminished standing on the Palestinian side. The Trump administrations approach was to persuade the Palestinians they were beaten while rewarding Israel. (Trump took Jerusalem off the table so it would no longer be an issue.) That marginalised the Palestinian leadership under Abbas in Arab capitals while strengthening Hamas. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the Biden administration has not had its eye on the ball and has yet to appoint a new ambassador to Israel. On the Egyptian side, Hamas has in the past seen conflict with Israel as a way to leverage relief from the blockade through its southern border. But the smuggling of arms and other goods in Gaza through Egypt turned into a security headache for Cairo in the northern Sinai, seen as contributing to its own Islamist insurgency there. Previous rounds of fighting suggest the likely outcome is bleak. The US and other countries will back Israel in a military campaign until the civilian human cost becomes unbearable, and only then will there be meaningful pressure for an end to the bloodletting. And, if history is anything to go by, a return to the grim status quo. | The current crisis between Israelis and Palestinians has complex roots in the foundation of Israel in 1948. A key source of tension this time has been Jewish settlement in the east of Jerusalem. | bart | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/14/what-is-the-current-israel-gaza-crisis-about-and-where-is-it-heading | 0.150325 |
What is the current Israel-Gaza crisis about and where is it heading? | The current crisis between Israelis and Palestinians, like so many before, has complex roots in the foundation of Israel in 1948 and after the six-day war in 1967 when Israel captured then Arab-controlled parts of Jerusalem, including the Old City and its holy sites. A key source of tension this time has been Jewish settlement in the east of Jerusalem. While Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, this is not recognised by a majority of the international community and is rejected by Palestinians who claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The issue came to a head in the climax of a decades-long attempt by Jewish groups to use the courts to evict Palestinian residents from Sheikh Jarrah, which lies at the heart of East Jerusalem. The Palestinians, numbering more than 70, come from families who relocated to East Jerusalem after fleeing their homes in west Jerusalem during the foundation of Israel in 1948. Settler groups say the land where the threatened families have their houses was owned by Jews prior to 1948. Israeli law allows Jews to reclaim such lands but has no similar provision for the many Palestinians dispossessed in the same conflict, even if they still reside in areas controlled by Israel. An Israeli supreme court ruling due on Monday 10 May was postponed the day before amid mounting protests by supporters of the Sheikh Jarrah families. That same day, a series of combustible events coincided dangerously, as Israeli nationalists marked the anniversary of the capture of Jerusalem in 1967 with their annual and highly provocative flag march, and police fired teargas and stun grenades on stone-throwing Palestinians marking Ramadan at the Haram-al Sharif compound, home to al-Aqsa mosque. Perceived threats to al-Aqsa mosque are a hugely sensitive issue and have triggered outbreaks of deadly violence between Palestinians and Jews for decades, including a massacre of dozens of Jews in Hebron in 1929 and the second intifada. There is also a background of intra-Palestinian rivalry between the Fatah movement of the ageing Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who governs the West Bank, and Hamas, which rules in the coastal enclave of Gaza. Abbas surprised many by calling elections in which Hamas was expected to do well. But citing the inability of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in East Jerusalem to vote, he cancelled the vote. Hamas has often attempted to take a lead in Palestinian opinion when al-Aqsa is seen as threatened, presenting itself as the defender of the holy sites, and the cancellation of the elections was seen by some as playing a part in its calculations. Other factors include the change of leadership in Washington with the departure of the strongly pro-Israel Donald Trump; shifting power dynamics among the Gulf states that followed that change in the US; and an ongoing political crisis in Israel, which Hamas may have seen as presenting an opening into which to interpose itself. Hamass short ultimatum to Israel to remove security forces from in and around al-Aqsa, followed by the first barrage of heavy missile fire, appeared designed to deliver a surprise to Israel. Israel appears not to have anticipated the risk of such a rapid and serious escalation, or indeed noted how effectively Hamas and Islamic Jihad had rearmed inside the Gaza Strip since the last 2014 Gaza war. Two new factors will be influencing Israeli thinking: the use of what Hamas has described as heavy rockets targeting Tel Aviv and other major population centres, and the sheer number of rockets being fired simultaneously. A hole in a wall of a residential building in Ashkelon caused by a rocket launched from Gaza. Over the years neither Hamas nor the Israeli political leadership have shown any clear strategic vision for where this ends. Israeli security policy relating to Gaza since the first Gaza war in 2008-09 has been to fight periodic conflicts to bring periods of temporary calm, despite occasional calls by some on the Israeli right to fully invade the coastal strip. Those calls have generally been rejected as it would involve Israel taking full responsibility for Gaza, with its impoverished population of 2 million and devastated infrastructure, which most balk at. Hamas, under a years-long joint Israeli and Egyptian blockade, has used the intermittent periods of conflict to reassert its relevance, despite the very heavy cost to Gazas civilian population. Despite both Israel and Hamas being acutely aware of the risks involved, the approach is probably best defined as recklessness in pursuit of limited ambitions. Where things might be different this time is that Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been far more effective in delivering an element of surprise in the initial rocket barrage, and in finding a way to overwhelm Israels much-vaunted Iron Dome anti-missile system, leading some commentators to ask whether Israels security policy has too long been dependent on the effectiveness of technology rather than finding real political solutions. For Hamas, its initial success (in its own terms) is likely to be a double-edged sword as it will push Israeli military and political leaders to disarm Hamas and Islamic Jihad more effectively than during the past three major conflicts. The wild card in the last week has been the scenes of communal violence between Israelis and Israeli citizens of Palestinian origin, sometimes known by the shorthand of Israeli Arabs. While previous conflicts in Gaza have seen sometimes violent protests in the occupied Palestinian territories and demonstrations by Israeli Arabs within the so-called Green Line area, this has been different. Both Jews and Israeli Arabs, as well as their businesses, homes and places of worship, have been targeted by mob violence, which the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared a more dangerous threat than the rockets from Gaza. While the biggest fear of Israeli security officials has always been a two-front war involving Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the serious civil violence that has emerged has recast the crisis, with Israeli editorial writers and commentators worrying about what the communal violence means for Israels fragile social compact. On the Israeli-Arab side the grievances are as long lived as many of those behind the issues in Sheik Jarrah, going back to the foundation of the state, including political representation, poverty and high levels of crime. On the Israeli side, a gradual normalisation of far-right politics has created the space for virulently anti-Arab groups such as Lehava, La Familia and the most extreme elements in the settler movement to assert themselves on the streets. Egypt and the US, traditional interlocutors between the two sides, have diminished standing on the Palestinian side. The Trump administrations approach was to persuade the Palestinians they were beaten while rewarding Israel. (Trump took Jerusalem off the table so it would no longer be an issue.) That marginalised the Palestinian leadership under Abbas in Arab capitals while strengthening Hamas. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the Biden administration has not had its eye on the ball and has yet to appoint a new ambassador to Israel. On the Egyptian side, Hamas has in the past seen conflict with Israel as a way to leverage relief from the blockade through its southern border. But the smuggling of arms and other goods in Gaza through Egypt turned into a security headache for Cairo in the northern Sinai, seen as contributing to its own Islamist insurgency there. Previous rounds of fighting suggest the likely outcome is bleak. The US and other countries will back Israel in a military campaign until the civilian human cost becomes unbearable, and only then will there be meaningful pressure for an end to the bloodletting. And, if history is anything to go by, a return to the grim status quo. | The current crisis between Israelis and Palestinians has complex roots in the foundation of Israel in 1948. A key source of tension this time has been Jewish settlement in the east of Jerusalem. While Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital this is not recognised by a majority of the international community. | bart | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/14/what-is-the-current-israel-gaza-crisis-about-and-where-is-it-heading | 0.189656 |
Should Philadelphia have open primary elections? | Pennsylvanias next primary election is Tuesday, May 18, with statewide judicial and Philadelphia district attorney candidates on the ballot. Our state is one of just nine with closed primaries, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can weigh in on their respective partisan races, and independents just get a say on the ballot questions. State Rep. Chris Quinn (R., Delaware County) has introduced legislation to open primaries to the nearly 900,000 independent and nonpartisan voters in the state, but that wouldnt open primaries for those already registered to a party. READ MORE: 2021 primary election: Endorsement guide Some argue that primaries should be fully open for a democratic system, while critics counter that such an approach wont lead to the strongest candidates to represent constituents. Yes: Everyone should get to vote in Philadelphia elections Over 6,200 Philadelphia Republicans switched parties ahead of the district attorneys race. While its hardly new to see otherwise staunchly Republican voters register as Democrats in order to vote in local elections, this years influx is bigger than ever, representing roughly two-thirds of Beth Grossmans 2017 primary vote, per city data. While many progressive Philadelphians may see these voters as unwelcome party guests, the party switchers are behaving according to Philadelphias political reality: If you want a meaningful say in who governs you, who writes your laws, or who sits on the bench, you need to belong to the Democratic Party. In the last 30 years of the citys general elections, only 1999s John F. Street vs. Sam Katz and their 2003 rematch have qualified as genuinely contested citywide contests. In the others, while the Republican Party may have been able to secure a candidate, they simply havent had the civic stature or funding to create a competitive race. This is not likely to change anytime soon. Defenders of the current system say that political primaries are private party events where outsiders shouldnt have a voice. They would also note that antiurban sentiment emanating from conservative media and anti-Philadelphia rhetoric from Republicans in Harrisburg are driving forces behind the GOPs marginalization in the city. Thats fair. But local Republicans arent exactly in a position to change any of that. Theres only one Philly Republican in Harrisburg, representing the farthest periphery of the city. Even the Charter-designated seats for minority parties that are meant to serve as a voice for local Republicans have been lost to a faction of local progressives. Philadelphias at-large system had previously succeeded in offering city Republicans a roughly proportional voice in local government: three seats out of 17, or 17.6% of the seats on City Council, for a party that routinely takes about 17% of the vote. But Working Families Party member Kendra Brooks won one of the seats that typically goes to a Republican, leaving the City GOP with 2 for 17. In Philadelphia, this would mean that instead of just Democrats choosing our next DA, the entire city would be invited to decide. Daniel Pearson Of course, none of this would be necessary if Philadelphia used a system for local elections that included all voters regardless of party. In states as different as California and Georgia, voters can pick between all options, with the top two candidates going on to a runoff in which the entire electorate can choose between them. In Philadelphia, this would mean that instead of just Democrats choosing our next DA, the entire city would be invited to decide. Not only would this be more democratic for the citys Republican, nonaffiliated, and third party voters it would also ensure that citywide candidates actually secure a majority of the vote in the election that matters. As things stand, candidates can win with less than 40% of the vote. In any self-professed democracy, let alone the cradle of liberty, it is important that all people have an equal chance to be heard, shape public policy, and elect representatives who can voice their concerns. Philadelphia Republicans are looking at a future where their only opportunity to do any of this is a general election that is a foregone conclusion. Philadelphia should find a system that enfranchises all of its citizens, not just its Democrats. Daniel Pearson is a staff writer for The Inquirers opinion team. No: Fully open primaries wont select the best candidates. Its a bummer to be a Republican in Philadelphia. Chances are your vote wont be the one that decides an election. Philadelphia is a one-party town: Since the city adopted the Home Rule Charter in 1951, no Republican has been elected mayor, and the last time Philadelphia had a Republican district City Council member who wasnt Brian J. ONeill was in 1990. Philadelphia incumbents are very confident in reelection no mayor has lost their bid since the charter. The city is also corrupt, with some pointing to party in-dealing as the reason. Probably not. Primaries are a party, not state, function and there is value in that. In primaries for competitive general election races such as the 2020 presidential Democratic primary party members have a chance to vet candidates and ideas, and develop a bench of future candidates. READ MORE: Philly and Pittsburgh primaries are referendums on progressive politics | Opinion Proponents of open primaries argue that, on the state level, closed primaries lead to more extreme candidates. But looking at Pennsylvania-wide elected officials Tom Wolf, Bob Casey, Pat Toomey, Josh Shapiro the word extreme doesnt come to mind. Another argument in favor of open primaries is that they will give an opportunity for Republicans to participate meaningfully in city elections. Maybe they would be able to tilt the balance toward candidates they prefer. I do see the value of a partially open primary for unaffiliated voters, in which people who are independent can participate. That is a way to protect peoples privacy and include those who dont support a partys apparatus. But partisans should stay in their lane or switch parties. As a noncitizen who cant vote, I get what it is like to feel left out of the process. But the last thing that politics needs is more incentive for voters to vote strategically instead of with their conscience. That is a recipe for disaster. Philadelphia Republicans shouldnt get to have an opportunity before the general election to act as spoilers. If there is a candidate that they deeply support in the Democratic primary, they should change their party registration a relatively quick process that many chose to do this year. If local Republicans were willing to invest in this level of political organizing, maybe Philadelphia wouldnt be a one-party town. Abraham Gutman The numbers also dont really add up. In the 2019 primary, Mayor Jim Kenney won about 84,000 more votes than the Democratic runner-up, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams. The Republican on the ballot, Bill Ciancaglini, won 17,000 votes in his primary. To influence this election, nearly five times more Republican voters would have had to come out and vote and all for Williams. In the low turnout 2017 Philadelphia DA race, one many Republicans would have loved to shift, the Republican on the ballot got 9,500 primary votes. Had Republicans coordinated to vote in unison for the Democratic candidate endorsed by the Fraternal Order of the Police, Rich Negrin, they would have had to persuade nearly 40,000 voters to show up, without a single one voting for another candidate. If local Republicans were willing to invest in this level of political organizing, maybe Philadelphia wouldnt be a one-party town. But most fundamentally, if Republicans want to win power in Philadelphia, they should question the gap between their platform and the Philadelphia electorate. If the party continues to be anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-gun control, or anti-trans rights, to name a few issues, they wont win Philly elections no matter the system. Abraham Gutman is a staff writer for The Inquirers opinion team. | Pennsylvania is one of just nine states with closed primaries. Over 6,200 Philadelphia Republicans switched parties ahead of the district attorneys race. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-open-primaries-philadelphia-district-attorney-20210514.html | 0.132929 |
Should Philadelphia have open primary elections? | Pennsylvanias next primary election is Tuesday, May 18, with statewide judicial and Philadelphia district attorney candidates on the ballot. Our state is one of just nine with closed primaries, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can weigh in on their respective partisan races, and independents just get a say on the ballot questions. State Rep. Chris Quinn (R., Delaware County) has introduced legislation to open primaries to the nearly 900,000 independent and nonpartisan voters in the state, but that wouldnt open primaries for those already registered to a party. READ MORE: 2021 primary election: Endorsement guide Some argue that primaries should be fully open for a democratic system, while critics counter that such an approach wont lead to the strongest candidates to represent constituents. Yes: Everyone should get to vote in Philadelphia elections Over 6,200 Philadelphia Republicans switched parties ahead of the district attorneys race. While its hardly new to see otherwise staunchly Republican voters register as Democrats in order to vote in local elections, this years influx is bigger than ever, representing roughly two-thirds of Beth Grossmans 2017 primary vote, per city data. While many progressive Philadelphians may see these voters as unwelcome party guests, the party switchers are behaving according to Philadelphias political reality: If you want a meaningful say in who governs you, who writes your laws, or who sits on the bench, you need to belong to the Democratic Party. In the last 30 years of the citys general elections, only 1999s John F. Street vs. Sam Katz and their 2003 rematch have qualified as genuinely contested citywide contests. In the others, while the Republican Party may have been able to secure a candidate, they simply havent had the civic stature or funding to create a competitive race. This is not likely to change anytime soon. Defenders of the current system say that political primaries are private party events where outsiders shouldnt have a voice. They would also note that antiurban sentiment emanating from conservative media and anti-Philadelphia rhetoric from Republicans in Harrisburg are driving forces behind the GOPs marginalization in the city. Thats fair. But local Republicans arent exactly in a position to change any of that. Theres only one Philly Republican in Harrisburg, representing the farthest periphery of the city. Even the Charter-designated seats for minority parties that are meant to serve as a voice for local Republicans have been lost to a faction of local progressives. Philadelphias at-large system had previously succeeded in offering city Republicans a roughly proportional voice in local government: three seats out of 17, or 17.6% of the seats on City Council, for a party that routinely takes about 17% of the vote. But Working Families Party member Kendra Brooks won one of the seats that typically goes to a Republican, leaving the City GOP with 2 for 17. In Philadelphia, this would mean that instead of just Democrats choosing our next DA, the entire city would be invited to decide. Daniel Pearson Of course, none of this would be necessary if Philadelphia used a system for local elections that included all voters regardless of party. In states as different as California and Georgia, voters can pick between all options, with the top two candidates going on to a runoff in which the entire electorate can choose between them. In Philadelphia, this would mean that instead of just Democrats choosing our next DA, the entire city would be invited to decide. Not only would this be more democratic for the citys Republican, nonaffiliated, and third party voters it would also ensure that citywide candidates actually secure a majority of the vote in the election that matters. As things stand, candidates can win with less than 40% of the vote. In any self-professed democracy, let alone the cradle of liberty, it is important that all people have an equal chance to be heard, shape public policy, and elect representatives who can voice their concerns. Philadelphia Republicans are looking at a future where their only opportunity to do any of this is a general election that is a foregone conclusion. Philadelphia should find a system that enfranchises all of its citizens, not just its Democrats. Daniel Pearson is a staff writer for The Inquirers opinion team. No: Fully open primaries wont select the best candidates. Its a bummer to be a Republican in Philadelphia. Chances are your vote wont be the one that decides an election. Philadelphia is a one-party town: Since the city adopted the Home Rule Charter in 1951, no Republican has been elected mayor, and the last time Philadelphia had a Republican district City Council member who wasnt Brian J. ONeill was in 1990. Philadelphia incumbents are very confident in reelection no mayor has lost their bid since the charter. The city is also corrupt, with some pointing to party in-dealing as the reason. Probably not. Primaries are a party, not state, function and there is value in that. In primaries for competitive general election races such as the 2020 presidential Democratic primary party members have a chance to vet candidates and ideas, and develop a bench of future candidates. READ MORE: Philly and Pittsburgh primaries are referendums on progressive politics | Opinion Proponents of open primaries argue that, on the state level, closed primaries lead to more extreme candidates. But looking at Pennsylvania-wide elected officials Tom Wolf, Bob Casey, Pat Toomey, Josh Shapiro the word extreme doesnt come to mind. Another argument in favor of open primaries is that they will give an opportunity for Republicans to participate meaningfully in city elections. Maybe they would be able to tilt the balance toward candidates they prefer. I do see the value of a partially open primary for unaffiliated voters, in which people who are independent can participate. That is a way to protect peoples privacy and include those who dont support a partys apparatus. But partisans should stay in their lane or switch parties. As a noncitizen who cant vote, I get what it is like to feel left out of the process. But the last thing that politics needs is more incentive for voters to vote strategically instead of with their conscience. That is a recipe for disaster. Philadelphia Republicans shouldnt get to have an opportunity before the general election to act as spoilers. If there is a candidate that they deeply support in the Democratic primary, they should change their party registration a relatively quick process that many chose to do this year. If local Republicans were willing to invest in this level of political organizing, maybe Philadelphia wouldnt be a one-party town. Abraham Gutman The numbers also dont really add up. In the 2019 primary, Mayor Jim Kenney won about 84,000 more votes than the Democratic runner-up, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams. The Republican on the ballot, Bill Ciancaglini, won 17,000 votes in his primary. To influence this election, nearly five times more Republican voters would have had to come out and vote and all for Williams. In the low turnout 2017 Philadelphia DA race, one many Republicans would have loved to shift, the Republican on the ballot got 9,500 primary votes. Had Republicans coordinated to vote in unison for the Democratic candidate endorsed by the Fraternal Order of the Police, Rich Negrin, they would have had to persuade nearly 40,000 voters to show up, without a single one voting for another candidate. If local Republicans were willing to invest in this level of political organizing, maybe Philadelphia wouldnt be a one-party town. But most fundamentally, if Republicans want to win power in Philadelphia, they should question the gap between their platform and the Philadelphia electorate. If the party continues to be anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-gun control, or anti-trans rights, to name a few issues, they wont win Philly elections no matter the system. Abraham Gutman is a staff writer for The Inquirers opinion team. | Pennsylvania is one of just nine states with a closed primary system. Daniel Pearson: Philadelphia should open its primaries to all voters regardless of party. He says it would be more democratic for the city's Republican, nonaffiliated, and third party voters. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-open-primaries-philadelphia-district-attorney-20210514.html | 0.395385 |
Should Philadelphia have open primary elections? | Pennsylvanias next primary election is Tuesday, May 18, with statewide judicial and Philadelphia district attorney candidates on the ballot. Our state is one of just nine with closed primaries, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can weigh in on their respective partisan races, and independents just get a say on the ballot questions. State Rep. Chris Quinn (R., Delaware County) has introduced legislation to open primaries to the nearly 900,000 independent and nonpartisan voters in the state, but that wouldnt open primaries for those already registered to a party. READ MORE: 2021 primary election: Endorsement guide Some argue that primaries should be fully open for a democratic system, while critics counter that such an approach wont lead to the strongest candidates to represent constituents. Yes: Everyone should get to vote in Philadelphia elections Over 6,200 Philadelphia Republicans switched parties ahead of the district attorneys race. While its hardly new to see otherwise staunchly Republican voters register as Democrats in order to vote in local elections, this years influx is bigger than ever, representing roughly two-thirds of Beth Grossmans 2017 primary vote, per city data. While many progressive Philadelphians may see these voters as unwelcome party guests, the party switchers are behaving according to Philadelphias political reality: If you want a meaningful say in who governs you, who writes your laws, or who sits on the bench, you need to belong to the Democratic Party. In the last 30 years of the citys general elections, only 1999s John F. Street vs. Sam Katz and their 2003 rematch have qualified as genuinely contested citywide contests. In the others, while the Republican Party may have been able to secure a candidate, they simply havent had the civic stature or funding to create a competitive race. This is not likely to change anytime soon. Defenders of the current system say that political primaries are private party events where outsiders shouldnt have a voice. They would also note that antiurban sentiment emanating from conservative media and anti-Philadelphia rhetoric from Republicans in Harrisburg are driving forces behind the GOPs marginalization in the city. Thats fair. But local Republicans arent exactly in a position to change any of that. Theres only one Philly Republican in Harrisburg, representing the farthest periphery of the city. Even the Charter-designated seats for minority parties that are meant to serve as a voice for local Republicans have been lost to a faction of local progressives. Philadelphias at-large system had previously succeeded in offering city Republicans a roughly proportional voice in local government: three seats out of 17, or 17.6% of the seats on City Council, for a party that routinely takes about 17% of the vote. But Working Families Party member Kendra Brooks won one of the seats that typically goes to a Republican, leaving the City GOP with 2 for 17. In Philadelphia, this would mean that instead of just Democrats choosing our next DA, the entire city would be invited to decide. Daniel Pearson Of course, none of this would be necessary if Philadelphia used a system for local elections that included all voters regardless of party. In states as different as California and Georgia, voters can pick between all options, with the top two candidates going on to a runoff in which the entire electorate can choose between them. In Philadelphia, this would mean that instead of just Democrats choosing our next DA, the entire city would be invited to decide. Not only would this be more democratic for the citys Republican, nonaffiliated, and third party voters it would also ensure that citywide candidates actually secure a majority of the vote in the election that matters. As things stand, candidates can win with less than 40% of the vote. In any self-professed democracy, let alone the cradle of liberty, it is important that all people have an equal chance to be heard, shape public policy, and elect representatives who can voice their concerns. Philadelphia Republicans are looking at a future where their only opportunity to do any of this is a general election that is a foregone conclusion. Philadelphia should find a system that enfranchises all of its citizens, not just its Democrats. Daniel Pearson is a staff writer for The Inquirers opinion team. No: Fully open primaries wont select the best candidates. Its a bummer to be a Republican in Philadelphia. Chances are your vote wont be the one that decides an election. Philadelphia is a one-party town: Since the city adopted the Home Rule Charter in 1951, no Republican has been elected mayor, and the last time Philadelphia had a Republican district City Council member who wasnt Brian J. ONeill was in 1990. Philadelphia incumbents are very confident in reelection no mayor has lost their bid since the charter. The city is also corrupt, with some pointing to party in-dealing as the reason. Probably not. Primaries are a party, not state, function and there is value in that. In primaries for competitive general election races such as the 2020 presidential Democratic primary party members have a chance to vet candidates and ideas, and develop a bench of future candidates. READ MORE: Philly and Pittsburgh primaries are referendums on progressive politics | Opinion Proponents of open primaries argue that, on the state level, closed primaries lead to more extreme candidates. But looking at Pennsylvania-wide elected officials Tom Wolf, Bob Casey, Pat Toomey, Josh Shapiro the word extreme doesnt come to mind. Another argument in favor of open primaries is that they will give an opportunity for Republicans to participate meaningfully in city elections. Maybe they would be able to tilt the balance toward candidates they prefer. I do see the value of a partially open primary for unaffiliated voters, in which people who are independent can participate. That is a way to protect peoples privacy and include those who dont support a partys apparatus. But partisans should stay in their lane or switch parties. As a noncitizen who cant vote, I get what it is like to feel left out of the process. But the last thing that politics needs is more incentive for voters to vote strategically instead of with their conscience. That is a recipe for disaster. Philadelphia Republicans shouldnt get to have an opportunity before the general election to act as spoilers. If there is a candidate that they deeply support in the Democratic primary, they should change their party registration a relatively quick process that many chose to do this year. If local Republicans were willing to invest in this level of political organizing, maybe Philadelphia wouldnt be a one-party town. Abraham Gutman The numbers also dont really add up. In the 2019 primary, Mayor Jim Kenney won about 84,000 more votes than the Democratic runner-up, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams. The Republican on the ballot, Bill Ciancaglini, won 17,000 votes in his primary. To influence this election, nearly five times more Republican voters would have had to come out and vote and all for Williams. In the low turnout 2017 Philadelphia DA race, one many Republicans would have loved to shift, the Republican on the ballot got 9,500 primary votes. Had Republicans coordinated to vote in unison for the Democratic candidate endorsed by the Fraternal Order of the Police, Rich Negrin, they would have had to persuade nearly 40,000 voters to show up, without a single one voting for another candidate. If local Republicans were willing to invest in this level of political organizing, maybe Philadelphia wouldnt be a one-party town. But most fundamentally, if Republicans want to win power in Philadelphia, they should question the gap between their platform and the Philadelphia electorate. If the party continues to be anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-gun control, or anti-trans rights, to name a few issues, they wont win Philly elections no matter the system. Abraham Gutman is a staff writer for The Inquirers opinion team. | Pennsylvania is one of just nine states with a closed primary system. Daniel Pearson: Philadelphia should open its primaries to all voters regardless of party. He says it would be more democratic for the city's Republican, non-affiliated, and third party voters to have a voice. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-open-primaries-philadelphia-district-attorney-20210514.html | 0.410581 |
Where Does U.S. Natural Gas Production Go From Here? | NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 15: The New York Stock Exchange stands in lower Manhattan on April 15, ... [+] 2021 in New York City. After major companies reported strong earnings and new economic data points to a rebound in consumer spending, U.S. stocks climbed to record levels on Thursday. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Surging U.S. natural gas production via fracking has been the key gas story globally since the shale revolution took flight in 2008. From 2008 to 2019, U.S. output increased nearly 70% to 34 trillion cubic feet (Figure). The U.S. now produces about a quarter of the worlds gas and a staggering 35% more than second place Russia. In turn, Americans have enjoyed likely the lowest natural gas prices in the world, averaging under $3.00 per MMBtu since 2012, compared to over $7.00 from 2000-2009. What goes under-appreciated is that much lower prices should actually be working to curtail output because they drop revenues and make more resources less available for extraction. Indeed, it goes routinely forgotten that, just like renewables, the U.S. shale industry is constantly evolving and deploying more efficient technologies. Since early-2020, however, it has been a rough ride for U.S. gas producers through the destruction of Covid-19. After annual increases of 13% in 2018 and 11% in 2019, U.S. gas production in 2020 fell 1-2%. But this was bound to be the case: in 2020, crude oil prices dropped 30% to average below $40 per barrel and gas prices averaged just $2.05, their lowest level in decades. And freeze offs from the great Texas energy crisis in February triggered the largest monthly decline in U.S. gas production on record. Over the past 16 months, U.S. gas production has more or less stagnated, averaging ~91 Bcf/d (right now being a maintenance time of the year). The U.S. Department of Energy expects this to continue in 2021 but rise to over 93 Bcf/d next year, as prices are forecast at well above $3.00. June 2020 gas prices collapsed to below $1.50 but current June 2021 prices are nearly double that. And just as importantly, much higher oil prices should help bring on more U.S. associated gas that comes along as a byproduct of crude oil, a really big deal in Texas. In fact, the Permian basin in West Texas, which usually has a zero or just one gas-directed rig count, yields over 17.3 Bcf/d, 20% of U.S. supply and more than any foreign nation except Russia and Iran (it is about equal to Qatar). Rystad Energy estimates that the U.S. shale industry is set for record revenues this year if WTI crude can average $60 per barrel, right where it has been for 2021 thus far. Higher natural gas liquids prices are also supporting the industry. Producers could then expect $195 billion before factoring in hedges. One hedging analysis reports that the average swap price for natural gas is $2.69 in 2021 and $2.58 for 2022, with the average put price (non-three way) for the same years at $2.54 and $2.50, respectively. Especially since inflation is now at highs not seen since 2008, the $2.50 natural gas price stands as a hard floor and held for the previous three years prior to the obvious anomaly year of 2020. U.S. natural gas production has been surging since 2008, but has been flat through the pandemic. EIA; JTC Yet still, U.S. shale gas (and oil) producers must be cautious to not overproduce. The days of double-digit annual percentage increases should be over. Pioneer Natural Resources PXD CEO Scott Sheffield thinks that the shale industry should consolidate more to maintain operational and curb volume increases from smaller producers firms that need more production to pay down debt. Moreover, the smaller players are less tangled in the ESG web and typically go under the radar of environmental groups obsessed with Big Oil: Energy Giants Ditch Oil and Coal Projects. Smaller Rivals Want Them. Looking forward, one of the main reasons why gas futures are still quite low is the optimism around production. For example, as of now (mid-May), gas prices for winter 2029-2030 are $3.00. The U.S. Department of Energys National Energy Modeling System has generally had domestic production outpacing domestic demand by a 2-1 margin for many years, or even decades, to come. And with prices so low and the infrastructure already installed (at 530,000 MW, gas accounts for 45% of total U.S. power generation capacity), gas clearly will remain a cornerstone. President Bidens climate goal is to half the countrys greenhouse gas output in 2030 from 2005 levels, which equates to needing to cut nearly 2.9 billion tons of gross annual emissions. This potentially could mean a 70-80% reduction in greenhouse emissions from the power sector. Coal is probably the low-hanging fruit because it still generates 20% of U.S. power. Reality check: in most markets, the electricity competition is still between gas and coal, not gas and renewables. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy predicts a 20% boom in U.S. coal power generation this year specifically because of higher natural gas prices. Very importantly, even in renewables-obsessed, much higher cost Europe, where population growth and incremental energy needs are small-scale, the Union recently included more natural gas as part of its climate plans to reach net-zero carbon. The U.S. gas industry, however, knows that it must continue to make progress on slashing methane emissions and leaks crucial for enhancing its ESG positioning. After all, while methane is a greenhouse gas, natural gas is 95% methane, meaning that methane is a product that the industry naturally wants to capture. And an oil and gas price spike could loom on the horizon to lift revenues even more: a lack of upstream investments in new supply is bound to collide with rebounding demand. Higher prices this year are having material benefits: Dont Tell Anybody, But Frackers Went on a Hiring Spree. Quietly the largest U.S. gas producer, Pittsburgh-based EQT EQT just announced a transformative $2.9 billion purchase of Alta Resources. The liquefied natural gas export build-out will also incentivize new domestic gas production, evolving into an increasingly sustainable product to reach climate conscious buyers in Europe and elsewhere. To conclude, the U.S. shale revolution has been in full force for 12 years, but I think that the industry just now might be waking up to the fact that we could have much higher prices and Americans would still require massive amounts of oil and gas. The Colonial pipeline attack just demonstrated how entrenched these commodities really are in our daily lives - not nearly as replaceable as some suspiciously insist that you think. | U.S. natural gas production has more or less stagnated, averaging 91 Bcf/d. Department of Energy expects this to continue in 2021 but rise to over 93 BCF/d next year, as prices are forecast at well above $3.00. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/judeclemente/2021/05/14/where-does-us-natural-gas-production-go-from-here/ | 0.24053 |
What is the Basketball Africa League? | Delayed by Covid for over a year, the continent's new pan-African basketball league will finally tip-off on Sunday 16 May. BBC Sport Africa has been taking a closer look: Africa's top basketball club sides are set to face off from Sunday in the Rwandan capital Kigali in a new professional competition designed to promote the sport, drive economic growth and unearth the best up and coming talent. Such aims are part of the reason for the involvement of the NBA, which is helping to organise a league outside of the United States for the first time. "We're here in Africa because we think we can have the biggest impact," said Adam Silver, the Commissioner for the NBA. "We see an opportunity on the continent with well over a billion people (and) an amazing affinity for basketball." Former NBA player and Nigeria international Ben Uzoh will be playing for Nigerian club River Hoopers at the Basketball Africa League. Basketball's world governing body Fiba is also involved in the hunt for the next Joel Embiid (Cameroon) or Pascal Siakam (Congo). "Africa is a continent full of secrets and treasure and I think all this treasure is going to be found," basketball great Dikembe Mutombo told BBC Sport Africa. "As this game is about to start, there will be more players coming out from the continent that we haven't seen before." The competition replaces the old Africa Basketball League, another pan-African club tournament, which had been running since 1971. The BAL was supposed to start in March last year, but Covid put a stop to that, meaning tip-off will finally arrive some 14 months late. Well, you can think of it as being a bit like football's Champions League in Europe. There are 12 teams involved and for the inaugural season, the national champions from Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia were all guaranteed a spot. The other six teams had to go through qualifying - with representatives from Algeria, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Rwanda all making it through. Teams have been divided into three groups - with the top two, plus the two best third-placed sides overall, qualifying for the knock-out phase, which starts with the quarter-finals. There will be 26 games in total, with the first set to tip-off on Sunday 16 May, with the final two weeks later on the 30th. The format has been adjusted, with fewer games than originally planned, because of Covid, with league organisers saying they will have robust safety protocols in place to combat the virus. Group A Group B Group C GNBC (Madagascar) Petro de Luanda (Angola) GSP (Algeria) Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria) FAP (Cameroon) Zamalek (Egypt) Patriots BBC (Rwanda) AS Police (Mali) Ferrovirio de Maputo (Mozambique) US Monastir (Tunisia) AS Sale (Morocco) AS Douanes (Senegal) Venue The Kigali Arena in Rwanda will host the inaugural Basketball Africa League Matches were originally set to be played in seven cities across Africa - Cairo (Egypt), Dakar (Senegal), Lagos (Nigeria), Luanda (Angola), Tunis or Monastir (Tunisia), Rabat (Morocco) and Kigali (Rwanda). However, due to the coronavirus pandemic everything will now take place at the Kigali Arena. Brian Kirungi, the president of local - and new - BAL side Patriots, believes the arena will greatly boost local enthusiasm for the sport. "Now they can touch and feel basketball in their own arena," Kirungi told BBC Sport Africa. "They're going to see all these ex-NBA players, current NBA players and top European basketballers in Rwanda playing locally. "I see a huge potential - attract more investment, more partners, the corporate world in Africa to say: 'look, we are taking ourselves from an amateur to a professional stage'." Prior to the pandemic, BAL organisers had insisted that every country wanting to become a part of the league would need to build a stadium fit for the modern day. "You have to meet the same criteria of the stadium that we have in the United States," said DR Congo-born Mutombo, adding that he never believed the NBA would stage such a competition in Africa. Squads Each team will have 12 players on its roster. Eight have to come from the home country - with only four foreign players allowed, two of whom must come from other African countries. That means that a minimum of 120 of the 144 players involved will be African. "It's a pleasure to make my dream come true," said Patriots player Sedard Segamba. "Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to play in the African league. Africa is going to be on the map." The Future During an 18-year career, Mutombo played for six NBA teams and is widely regarded as one of the league's greatest ever defensive players, ranking second on the all-time list for most shot blocks. Having only taken up basketball after being spotted while studying to become a doctor at an American university, the eight-time NBA All Star believes the BAL will create a far clearer pathway to the top for African talent. "It will change (the standard of African basketball)," he said. "Because our goal is to see some of these best talents come play in the NBA or our G-League (the NBA's development league). "The only way they will get there is by working with the NBA coaches or NBA development coaches, learning the NBA skills and NBA techniques." And the NBA ambassador believes BAL can boost African teams' fortunes at both world championships and Olympic Games, where the continent's top sides have often struggled to make an impact. "The reason that we have not been able to go far in the Olympics is this," Mutombo explained. "American players play four games a week, European players practice twice a day, seven days a week, and play one game a week, but African players play once a week or once every two weeks and practice twice a week because of lack of transportation, lack of funds. "Now we are talking about building more practice facilities where each team will have a place they call home. The NBA, with its investment, is going to change that." Organisers will be hoping he's right and that the Basketball Africa League, after a difficult start, will soon start inspiring the hoop dreams of millions of young Africans for years to come. | Basketball Africa League is the continent's first professional basketball league. | bart | 0 | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/57098873 | 0.564244 |
What is the Basketball Africa League? | Delayed by Covid for over a year, the continent's new pan-African basketball league will finally tip-off on Sunday 16 May. BBC Sport Africa has been taking a closer look: Africa's top basketball club sides are set to face off from Sunday in the Rwandan capital Kigali in a new professional competition designed to promote the sport, drive economic growth and unearth the best up and coming talent. Such aims are part of the reason for the involvement of the NBA, which is helping to organise a league outside of the United States for the first time. "We're here in Africa because we think we can have the biggest impact," said Adam Silver, the Commissioner for the NBA. "We see an opportunity on the continent with well over a billion people (and) an amazing affinity for basketball." Former NBA player and Nigeria international Ben Uzoh will be playing for Nigerian club River Hoopers at the Basketball Africa League. Basketball's world governing body Fiba is also involved in the hunt for the next Joel Embiid (Cameroon) or Pascal Siakam (Congo). "Africa is a continent full of secrets and treasure and I think all this treasure is going to be found," basketball great Dikembe Mutombo told BBC Sport Africa. "As this game is about to start, there will be more players coming out from the continent that we haven't seen before." The competition replaces the old Africa Basketball League, another pan-African club tournament, which had been running since 1971. The BAL was supposed to start in March last year, but Covid put a stop to that, meaning tip-off will finally arrive some 14 months late. Well, you can think of it as being a bit like football's Champions League in Europe. There are 12 teams involved and for the inaugural season, the national champions from Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia were all guaranteed a spot. The other six teams had to go through qualifying - with representatives from Algeria, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Rwanda all making it through. Teams have been divided into three groups - with the top two, plus the two best third-placed sides overall, qualifying for the knock-out phase, which starts with the quarter-finals. There will be 26 games in total, with the first set to tip-off on Sunday 16 May, with the final two weeks later on the 30th. The format has been adjusted, with fewer games than originally planned, because of Covid, with league organisers saying they will have robust safety protocols in place to combat the virus. Group A Group B Group C GNBC (Madagascar) Petro de Luanda (Angola) GSP (Algeria) Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria) FAP (Cameroon) Zamalek (Egypt) Patriots BBC (Rwanda) AS Police (Mali) Ferrovirio de Maputo (Mozambique) US Monastir (Tunisia) AS Sale (Morocco) AS Douanes (Senegal) Venue The Kigali Arena in Rwanda will host the inaugural Basketball Africa League Matches were originally set to be played in seven cities across Africa - Cairo (Egypt), Dakar (Senegal), Lagos (Nigeria), Luanda (Angola), Tunis or Monastir (Tunisia), Rabat (Morocco) and Kigali (Rwanda). However, due to the coronavirus pandemic everything will now take place at the Kigali Arena. Brian Kirungi, the president of local - and new - BAL side Patriots, believes the arena will greatly boost local enthusiasm for the sport. "Now they can touch and feel basketball in their own arena," Kirungi told BBC Sport Africa. "They're going to see all these ex-NBA players, current NBA players and top European basketballers in Rwanda playing locally. "I see a huge potential - attract more investment, more partners, the corporate world in Africa to say: 'look, we are taking ourselves from an amateur to a professional stage'." Prior to the pandemic, BAL organisers had insisted that every country wanting to become a part of the league would need to build a stadium fit for the modern day. "You have to meet the same criteria of the stadium that we have in the United States," said DR Congo-born Mutombo, adding that he never believed the NBA would stage such a competition in Africa. Squads Each team will have 12 players on its roster. Eight have to come from the home country - with only four foreign players allowed, two of whom must come from other African countries. That means that a minimum of 120 of the 144 players involved will be African. "It's a pleasure to make my dream come true," said Patriots player Sedard Segamba. "Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to play in the African league. Africa is going to be on the map." The Future During an 18-year career, Mutombo played for six NBA teams and is widely regarded as one of the league's greatest ever defensive players, ranking second on the all-time list for most shot blocks. Having only taken up basketball after being spotted while studying to become a doctor at an American university, the eight-time NBA All Star believes the BAL will create a far clearer pathway to the top for African talent. "It will change (the standard of African basketball)," he said. "Because our goal is to see some of these best talents come play in the NBA or our G-League (the NBA's development league). "The only way they will get there is by working with the NBA coaches or NBA development coaches, learning the NBA skills and NBA techniques." And the NBA ambassador believes BAL can boost African teams' fortunes at both world championships and Olympic Games, where the continent's top sides have often struggled to make an impact. "The reason that we have not been able to go far in the Olympics is this," Mutombo explained. "American players play four games a week, European players practice twice a day, seven days a week, and play one game a week, but African players play once a week or once every two weeks and practice twice a week because of lack of transportation, lack of funds. "Now we are talking about building more practice facilities where each team will have a place they call home. The NBA, with its investment, is going to change that." Organisers will be hoping he's right and that the Basketball Africa League, after a difficult start, will soon start inspiring the hoop dreams of millions of young Africans for years to come. | Basketball Africa League is the continent's first professional basketball league. The league was supposed to start in March last year, but Covid put a stop to that. There are 12 teams involved in the competition, with 26 games in total. | bart | 1 | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/57098873 | 0.587897 |
What is the Basketball Africa League? | Delayed by Covid for over a year, the continent's new pan-African basketball league will finally tip-off on Sunday 16 May. BBC Sport Africa has been taking a closer look: Africa's top basketball club sides are set to face off from Sunday in the Rwandan capital Kigali in a new professional competition designed to promote the sport, drive economic growth and unearth the best up and coming talent. Such aims are part of the reason for the involvement of the NBA, which is helping to organise a league outside of the United States for the first time. "We're here in Africa because we think we can have the biggest impact," said Adam Silver, the Commissioner for the NBA. "We see an opportunity on the continent with well over a billion people (and) an amazing affinity for basketball." Former NBA player and Nigeria international Ben Uzoh will be playing for Nigerian club River Hoopers at the Basketball Africa League. Basketball's world governing body Fiba is also involved in the hunt for the next Joel Embiid (Cameroon) or Pascal Siakam (Congo). "Africa is a continent full of secrets and treasure and I think all this treasure is going to be found," basketball great Dikembe Mutombo told BBC Sport Africa. "As this game is about to start, there will be more players coming out from the continent that we haven't seen before." The competition replaces the old Africa Basketball League, another pan-African club tournament, which had been running since 1971. The BAL was supposed to start in March last year, but Covid put a stop to that, meaning tip-off will finally arrive some 14 months late. Well, you can think of it as being a bit like football's Champions League in Europe. There are 12 teams involved and for the inaugural season, the national champions from Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia were all guaranteed a spot. The other six teams had to go through qualifying - with representatives from Algeria, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Rwanda all making it through. Teams have been divided into three groups - with the top two, plus the two best third-placed sides overall, qualifying for the knock-out phase, which starts with the quarter-finals. There will be 26 games in total, with the first set to tip-off on Sunday 16 May, with the final two weeks later on the 30th. The format has been adjusted, with fewer games than originally planned, because of Covid, with league organisers saying they will have robust safety protocols in place to combat the virus. Group A Group B Group C GNBC (Madagascar) Petro de Luanda (Angola) GSP (Algeria) Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria) FAP (Cameroon) Zamalek (Egypt) Patriots BBC (Rwanda) AS Police (Mali) Ferrovirio de Maputo (Mozambique) US Monastir (Tunisia) AS Sale (Morocco) AS Douanes (Senegal) Venue The Kigali Arena in Rwanda will host the inaugural Basketball Africa League Matches were originally set to be played in seven cities across Africa - Cairo (Egypt), Dakar (Senegal), Lagos (Nigeria), Luanda (Angola), Tunis or Monastir (Tunisia), Rabat (Morocco) and Kigali (Rwanda). However, due to the coronavirus pandemic everything will now take place at the Kigali Arena. Brian Kirungi, the president of local - and new - BAL side Patriots, believes the arena will greatly boost local enthusiasm for the sport. "Now they can touch and feel basketball in their own arena," Kirungi told BBC Sport Africa. "They're going to see all these ex-NBA players, current NBA players and top European basketballers in Rwanda playing locally. "I see a huge potential - attract more investment, more partners, the corporate world in Africa to say: 'look, we are taking ourselves from an amateur to a professional stage'." Prior to the pandemic, BAL organisers had insisted that every country wanting to become a part of the league would need to build a stadium fit for the modern day. "You have to meet the same criteria of the stadium that we have in the United States," said DR Congo-born Mutombo, adding that he never believed the NBA would stage such a competition in Africa. Squads Each team will have 12 players on its roster. Eight have to come from the home country - with only four foreign players allowed, two of whom must come from other African countries. That means that a minimum of 120 of the 144 players involved will be African. "It's a pleasure to make my dream come true," said Patriots player Sedard Segamba. "Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to play in the African league. Africa is going to be on the map." The Future During an 18-year career, Mutombo played for six NBA teams and is widely regarded as one of the league's greatest ever defensive players, ranking second on the all-time list for most shot blocks. Having only taken up basketball after being spotted while studying to become a doctor at an American university, the eight-time NBA All Star believes the BAL will create a far clearer pathway to the top for African talent. "It will change (the standard of African basketball)," he said. "Because our goal is to see some of these best talents come play in the NBA or our G-League (the NBA's development league). "The only way they will get there is by working with the NBA coaches or NBA development coaches, learning the NBA skills and NBA techniques." And the NBA ambassador believes BAL can boost African teams' fortunes at both world championships and Olympic Games, where the continent's top sides have often struggled to make an impact. "The reason that we have not been able to go far in the Olympics is this," Mutombo explained. "American players play four games a week, European players practice twice a day, seven days a week, and play one game a week, but African players play once a week or once every two weeks and practice twice a week because of lack of transportation, lack of funds. "Now we are talking about building more practice facilities where each team will have a place they call home. The NBA, with its investment, is going to change that." Organisers will be hoping he's right and that the Basketball Africa League, after a difficult start, will soon start inspiring the hoop dreams of millions of young Africans for years to come. | Basketball Africa League is the continent's first professional basketball league. The league was supposed to start in March last year, but Covid put a stop to that. There are 12 teams involved in the inaugural season, with 26 games in total. The format has been adjusted due to the coronavirus pandemic. | bart | 2 | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/57098873 | 0.636463 |
What are so-called COVID nails? | A new term is circulating after a scientist in the U.K. said he was receiving anecdotal reports of COVID nails, or horizontal lines appearing across the nails of coronavirus survivors several months after infection. Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at Kings College London, is one of the experts behind the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app, and first flagged that users were reporting "COVID nails" on his Twitter page. "Do your nails look odd?" he wrote on May 3. "COVID nails are increasingly being recognized as the nails recover after infection and the growth recover leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless." In response, Spector said he was "getting some nice COVID nail pictures," and additional reports of "nail ridges 4-8 weeks post-vaccine." He later told a follower that the nail ridges, also known formally as Beaus lines, can occur after any infection, trauma, or disease "that upsets the immune system." NEW YORK AMONG STATES WAITING TO LIFT MASK MANDATE FOR VACCINATED PEOPLE Beaus lines are grooves that run horizontally across the nail and can occur when growth at the area under the cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness, according to the MayoClinic. Previous conditions associated with the occurrence include uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia. It can also signal zinc deficiency. There is no specific treatment for the phenomena, and it usually self-resolves if the underlying condition is cleared. Others have documented nail changes associated with COVID-19 infection, like the Canadian Medical Association, which published a case report on the occurrence in its Sept. 2020 journal. In the report, researchers detailed a 45-year-old man who presented with a horizontal groove over his fingernails and toes. Three and half months prior to documenting the change, he had been diagnosed with COVID-19. His multiple symptoms included a fever but he did not require hospitalization. EXPERT SAYS HE FOUND WHY SOME COVID-19 VACCINES TRIGGER CLOT ISSUE The researchers concluded that "the distance of the Beau lines from the proximal nail fold in our patient reflects the timing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection." Spector said its not clear if the occurrence correlates to disease severity, "but it would be more helpful if it wasnt," he told Business Insider. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE "If we get enough numbers that are associated with asymptomatic COVID-19, thats a cheap antibody test," he told the news outlet. "People just need to look down at their nails." | "COVID nails" are horizontal lines appearing across the nails of coronavirus survivors. | bart | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/health/what-are-covid-nails | 0.616693 |
What are so-called COVID nails? | A new term is circulating after a scientist in the U.K. said he was receiving anecdotal reports of COVID nails, or horizontal lines appearing across the nails of coronavirus survivors several months after infection. Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at Kings College London, is one of the experts behind the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app, and first flagged that users were reporting "COVID nails" on his Twitter page. "Do your nails look odd?" he wrote on May 3. "COVID nails are increasingly being recognized as the nails recover after infection and the growth recover leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless." In response, Spector said he was "getting some nice COVID nail pictures," and additional reports of "nail ridges 4-8 weeks post-vaccine." He later told a follower that the nail ridges, also known formally as Beaus lines, can occur after any infection, trauma, or disease "that upsets the immune system." NEW YORK AMONG STATES WAITING TO LIFT MASK MANDATE FOR VACCINATED PEOPLE Beaus lines are grooves that run horizontally across the nail and can occur when growth at the area under the cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness, according to the MayoClinic. Previous conditions associated with the occurrence include uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia. It can also signal zinc deficiency. There is no specific treatment for the phenomena, and it usually self-resolves if the underlying condition is cleared. Others have documented nail changes associated with COVID-19 infection, like the Canadian Medical Association, which published a case report on the occurrence in its Sept. 2020 journal. In the report, researchers detailed a 45-year-old man who presented with a horizontal groove over his fingernails and toes. Three and half months prior to documenting the change, he had been diagnosed with COVID-19. His multiple symptoms included a fever but he did not require hospitalization. EXPERT SAYS HE FOUND WHY SOME COVID-19 VACCINES TRIGGER CLOT ISSUE The researchers concluded that "the distance of the Beau lines from the proximal nail fold in our patient reflects the timing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection." Spector said its not clear if the occurrence correlates to disease severity, "but it would be more helpful if it wasnt," he told Business Insider. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE "If we get enough numbers that are associated with asymptomatic COVID-19, thats a cheap antibody test," he told the news outlet. "People just need to look down at their nails." | A scientist in the U.K. said he was receiving anecdotal reports of COVID nails, or horizontal lines appearing across the nails of coronavirus survivors several months after infection. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/health/what-are-covid-nails | 0.151865 |
What are so-called COVID nails? | A new term is circulating after a scientist in the U.K. said he was receiving anecdotal reports of COVID nails, or horizontal lines appearing across the nails of coronavirus survivors several months after infection. Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at Kings College London, is one of the experts behind the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app, and first flagged that users were reporting "COVID nails" on his Twitter page. "Do your nails look odd?" he wrote on May 3. "COVID nails are increasingly being recognized as the nails recover after infection and the growth recover leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless." In response, Spector said he was "getting some nice COVID nail pictures," and additional reports of "nail ridges 4-8 weeks post-vaccine." He later told a follower that the nail ridges, also known formally as Beaus lines, can occur after any infection, trauma, or disease "that upsets the immune system." NEW YORK AMONG STATES WAITING TO LIFT MASK MANDATE FOR VACCINATED PEOPLE Beaus lines are grooves that run horizontally across the nail and can occur when growth at the area under the cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness, according to the MayoClinic. Previous conditions associated with the occurrence include uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia. It can also signal zinc deficiency. There is no specific treatment for the phenomena, and it usually self-resolves if the underlying condition is cleared. Others have documented nail changes associated with COVID-19 infection, like the Canadian Medical Association, which published a case report on the occurrence in its Sept. 2020 journal. In the report, researchers detailed a 45-year-old man who presented with a horizontal groove over his fingernails and toes. Three and half months prior to documenting the change, he had been diagnosed with COVID-19. His multiple symptoms included a fever but he did not require hospitalization. EXPERT SAYS HE FOUND WHY SOME COVID-19 VACCINES TRIGGER CLOT ISSUE The researchers concluded that "the distance of the Beau lines from the proximal nail fold in our patient reflects the timing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection." Spector said its not clear if the occurrence correlates to disease severity, "but it would be more helpful if it wasnt," he told Business Insider. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE "If we get enough numbers that are associated with asymptomatic COVID-19, thats a cheap antibody test," he told the news outlet. "People just need to look down at their nails." | "COVID nails" are horizontal lines appearing across the nails of coronavirus survivors. Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at Kings College London, is one of the experts behind the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app. There is no specific treatment for the phenomena and it usually self-resolves. | bart | 2 | https://www.foxnews.com/health/what-are-covid-nails | 0.703591 |
Is Marylands Larry Hogan a unicorn among Republican governors? | Theres something slightly ridiculous about feeling the need to praise Marylands Republican governor for taking rational steps and making reasonable statements before national media, as if his actions represent some sort of singular, unicorn moment. But given that much of that partys faithful has, in just the past five months, tried to: overturn the presidential election, overthrow the government, gaslight voters and, now, is in the process of ostracizing members who fail to show proper fealty to Donald Trump and his Big Lie baloney, many of Larry Hogans moves and comments so far this May suggest a sparkly horn could indeed sprout from his pate at any moment. First came his vaccine incentive program for state workers, offering $100 payments to those who get inoculated against COVID-19 and agree to receive booster shots as recommended over the next 18 months. To be fair, I should note that West Virginias Republican governor came up with a $100 incentive plan first, and the figure is not exactly a life-changing amount. But compared to Republican politicians in other states who are shunning the vaccine (including Kentucky Sen. Rand throw your mask away Paul and Wisconsin Sen. Ron what do you care if your neighbor [is vaccinated] or not? Johnson), Hogans embrace of it is refreshing. It might even encourage a few folks who had been putting off the shot to schedule an appointment, though adoption is already high in Maryland. I dont see it making much difference to the vast majority of Republicans who oppose coronavirus vaccination on political grounds, however, which is a shame, given that the single most important thing we can do right now to help ourselves and one another is put an end to this pandemic as fast as possible. This American Life ran a frightening (yet fascinating) episode last month, called The Herd that showed what it would take to change the minds of the roughly 40% of Republicans whove said they have no intention of getting the COVID-19 vaccination, and its close to an act of God. The mistrust of government and misunderstanding of the medicine is huge among this group, along with a general resistance to being told what to do for the so-called public good. Public service messages from politicians, in particular, were ineffective. What moved the needle in the focus group the show focused on were the right facts delivered in the right way (We want to be educated, not indoctrinated, said one participant), and appealing to a persons emotional side. Thats a lot of one-on-one work ahead, and Id encourage the governor to think bigger in his approach and to use facts and emotions as his guides. This weekend, Hogan also made national headlines for two separate acts. On Saturday, he issued full posthumous pardons to 34 Black victims of lynching in Maryland between the years 1854 and 1933. He was rather self-congratulatory about the move, which could be described as both common sense and way-too-little-too-late (more on that in a minute), telling listeners at his news conference that with this decision the state was once again leading the way in civil rights. That seems to ignore a whole lot of history in which Maryland desperately wanted to be part of the South, resisted desegregation and furthered all kinds of inequities we still grapple with today. But the real issue I have is in the use of the pardon itself. It suggests that these 34 people, one as young as 13, had undergone some kind of fair due process and justly been found guilty of the crimes for which theyd been accused before being seized (in one case by a mob of masked men), beaten and then hanged or shot. It appears, of course, that for most the real crime was simply being Black in Maryland. And thats not something that should require a pardon. Hogan should have known that tool wasnt the right one for this reckoning, but Im glad he recognizes the value in acknowledging the wrongs of the past, even if it was, as the states NAACP has charged political posturing. Advertising And then, on Sunday, Hogan took on the whole Republican Party, telling NBCs Chuck Todd on Meet the Press that forcing members to swear fealty to the dear leader or get kicked out represents a sort of a circular firing squad where were just attacking members of our own party instead of focusing on solving problems or standing up and having an argument that we can debate the Democrats on. Amen to that. While Ive found fault with many of our governors policies that hit close to home, particularly regarding education in Baltimore City, he clearly has aspirations for political life on a bigger stage, and separating himself from Donald Trump is a national strategy I can appreciate. Hes reading the tea leaves and finding his niche. Its been said that Hogan rarely makes a move without polling first, and if thats even half true, it means hes asking people what they want and then giving it to them. Thats not a bad tack for a politician as long as his sample is wide. | John Avlon: Maryland's Larry Hogan is a rarity among Republican governors. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/is-marylands-larry-hogan-a-unicorn-among-republican-governors/ | 0.275722 |
Is Marylands Larry Hogan a unicorn among Republican governors? | Theres something slightly ridiculous about feeling the need to praise Marylands Republican governor for taking rational steps and making reasonable statements before national media, as if his actions represent some sort of singular, unicorn moment. But given that much of that partys faithful has, in just the past five months, tried to: overturn the presidential election, overthrow the government, gaslight voters and, now, is in the process of ostracizing members who fail to show proper fealty to Donald Trump and his Big Lie baloney, many of Larry Hogans moves and comments so far this May suggest a sparkly horn could indeed sprout from his pate at any moment. First came his vaccine incentive program for state workers, offering $100 payments to those who get inoculated against COVID-19 and agree to receive booster shots as recommended over the next 18 months. To be fair, I should note that West Virginias Republican governor came up with a $100 incentive plan first, and the figure is not exactly a life-changing amount. But compared to Republican politicians in other states who are shunning the vaccine (including Kentucky Sen. Rand throw your mask away Paul and Wisconsin Sen. Ron what do you care if your neighbor [is vaccinated] or not? Johnson), Hogans embrace of it is refreshing. It might even encourage a few folks who had been putting off the shot to schedule an appointment, though adoption is already high in Maryland. I dont see it making much difference to the vast majority of Republicans who oppose coronavirus vaccination on political grounds, however, which is a shame, given that the single most important thing we can do right now to help ourselves and one another is put an end to this pandemic as fast as possible. This American Life ran a frightening (yet fascinating) episode last month, called The Herd that showed what it would take to change the minds of the roughly 40% of Republicans whove said they have no intention of getting the COVID-19 vaccination, and its close to an act of God. The mistrust of government and misunderstanding of the medicine is huge among this group, along with a general resistance to being told what to do for the so-called public good. Public service messages from politicians, in particular, were ineffective. What moved the needle in the focus group the show focused on were the right facts delivered in the right way (We want to be educated, not indoctrinated, said one participant), and appealing to a persons emotional side. Thats a lot of one-on-one work ahead, and Id encourage the governor to think bigger in his approach and to use facts and emotions as his guides. This weekend, Hogan also made national headlines for two separate acts. On Saturday, he issued full posthumous pardons to 34 Black victims of lynching in Maryland between the years 1854 and 1933. He was rather self-congratulatory about the move, which could be described as both common sense and way-too-little-too-late (more on that in a minute), telling listeners at his news conference that with this decision the state was once again leading the way in civil rights. That seems to ignore a whole lot of history in which Maryland desperately wanted to be part of the South, resisted desegregation and furthered all kinds of inequities we still grapple with today. But the real issue I have is in the use of the pardon itself. It suggests that these 34 people, one as young as 13, had undergone some kind of fair due process and justly been found guilty of the crimes for which theyd been accused before being seized (in one case by a mob of masked men), beaten and then hanged or shot. It appears, of course, that for most the real crime was simply being Black in Maryland. And thats not something that should require a pardon. Hogan should have known that tool wasnt the right one for this reckoning, but Im glad he recognizes the value in acknowledging the wrongs of the past, even if it was, as the states NAACP has charged political posturing. Advertising And then, on Sunday, Hogan took on the whole Republican Party, telling NBCs Chuck Todd on Meet the Press that forcing members to swear fealty to the dear leader or get kicked out represents a sort of a circular firing squad where were just attacking members of our own party instead of focusing on solving problems or standing up and having an argument that we can debate the Democrats on. Amen to that. While Ive found fault with many of our governors policies that hit close to home, particularly regarding education in Baltimore City, he clearly has aspirations for political life on a bigger stage, and separating himself from Donald Trump is a national strategy I can appreciate. Hes reading the tea leaves and finding his niche. Its been said that Hogan rarely makes a move without polling first, and if thats even half true, it means hes asking people what they want and then giving it to them. Thats not a bad tack for a politician as long as his sample is wide. | John Avlon: Maryland's Larry Hogan is a rarity among Republican governors. He says Hogan is right to offer incentives to state workers to get the coronavirus vaccine. But he says it won't change the minds of most Republicans who oppose it. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/is-marylands-larry-hogan-a-unicorn-among-republican-governors/ | 0.38618 |
Is Marylands Larry Hogan a unicorn among Republican governors? | Theres something slightly ridiculous about feeling the need to praise Marylands Republican governor for taking rational steps and making reasonable statements before national media, as if his actions represent some sort of singular, unicorn moment. But given that much of that partys faithful has, in just the past five months, tried to: overturn the presidential election, overthrow the government, gaslight voters and, now, is in the process of ostracizing members who fail to show proper fealty to Donald Trump and his Big Lie baloney, many of Larry Hogans moves and comments so far this May suggest a sparkly horn could indeed sprout from his pate at any moment. First came his vaccine incentive program for state workers, offering $100 payments to those who get inoculated against COVID-19 and agree to receive booster shots as recommended over the next 18 months. To be fair, I should note that West Virginias Republican governor came up with a $100 incentive plan first, and the figure is not exactly a life-changing amount. But compared to Republican politicians in other states who are shunning the vaccine (including Kentucky Sen. Rand throw your mask away Paul and Wisconsin Sen. Ron what do you care if your neighbor [is vaccinated] or not? Johnson), Hogans embrace of it is refreshing. It might even encourage a few folks who had been putting off the shot to schedule an appointment, though adoption is already high in Maryland. I dont see it making much difference to the vast majority of Republicans who oppose coronavirus vaccination on political grounds, however, which is a shame, given that the single most important thing we can do right now to help ourselves and one another is put an end to this pandemic as fast as possible. This American Life ran a frightening (yet fascinating) episode last month, called The Herd that showed what it would take to change the minds of the roughly 40% of Republicans whove said they have no intention of getting the COVID-19 vaccination, and its close to an act of God. The mistrust of government and misunderstanding of the medicine is huge among this group, along with a general resistance to being told what to do for the so-called public good. Public service messages from politicians, in particular, were ineffective. What moved the needle in the focus group the show focused on were the right facts delivered in the right way (We want to be educated, not indoctrinated, said one participant), and appealing to a persons emotional side. Thats a lot of one-on-one work ahead, and Id encourage the governor to think bigger in his approach and to use facts and emotions as his guides. This weekend, Hogan also made national headlines for two separate acts. On Saturday, he issued full posthumous pardons to 34 Black victims of lynching in Maryland between the years 1854 and 1933. He was rather self-congratulatory about the move, which could be described as both common sense and way-too-little-too-late (more on that in a minute), telling listeners at his news conference that with this decision the state was once again leading the way in civil rights. That seems to ignore a whole lot of history in which Maryland desperately wanted to be part of the South, resisted desegregation and furthered all kinds of inequities we still grapple with today. But the real issue I have is in the use of the pardon itself. It suggests that these 34 people, one as young as 13, had undergone some kind of fair due process and justly been found guilty of the crimes for which theyd been accused before being seized (in one case by a mob of masked men), beaten and then hanged or shot. It appears, of course, that for most the real crime was simply being Black in Maryland. And thats not something that should require a pardon. Hogan should have known that tool wasnt the right one for this reckoning, but Im glad he recognizes the value in acknowledging the wrongs of the past, even if it was, as the states NAACP has charged political posturing. Advertising And then, on Sunday, Hogan took on the whole Republican Party, telling NBCs Chuck Todd on Meet the Press that forcing members to swear fealty to the dear leader or get kicked out represents a sort of a circular firing squad where were just attacking members of our own party instead of focusing on solving problems or standing up and having an argument that we can debate the Democrats on. Amen to that. While Ive found fault with many of our governors policies that hit close to home, particularly regarding education in Baltimore City, he clearly has aspirations for political life on a bigger stage, and separating himself from Donald Trump is a national strategy I can appreciate. Hes reading the tea leaves and finding his niche. Its been said that Hogan rarely makes a move without polling first, and if thats even half true, it means hes asking people what they want and then giving it to them. Thats not a bad tack for a politician as long as his sample is wide. | John Avlon: Maryland's Larry Hogan is a rarity among Republican governors. He says Hogan is right to offer incentives to state workers to get the coronavirus vaccine. But he says it won't change the minds of Republicans who don't want to get it, which is a shame. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/is-marylands-larry-hogan-a-unicorn-among-republican-governors/ | 0.4005 |
Could Mizzou land another in-state target in Marquis Gracial? | One of the St. Louis area's top football recruits makes his college decision Friday. Marquis Gracial, a four-star defensive tackle at St. Charles High, will announce his verbal pledge at 5:30 p.m. at his school. Gracial is down to five finalists: Alabama, Arizona State, Iowa State, Missouri and Oregon. I can honestly say he hasn't told anybody, not even me, St. Charles coach Bob Leonard said Friday. "He's quit answering the phone for anybody just to have a peaceful week. He said, 'They're wearing me out.' I told him, 'At 5:30 I'm going to be happy no matter where you go.'" Whoever lands Gracial, Leonard knows what theyre getting: a massive 6-foot-4, 310-pound linemen with unique speed for his size hes been electronically timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.92 seconds and versatility along the line of scrimmage. As a sophomore, Gracial played nose tackle in St. Charles 3-4 scheme and was regularly double- and triple-teamed. Last fall he played defensive end and occasionally on two feet as an edge rusher. In 10 games last season, he finished with 61 tackles, including 29 for losses and three sacks. Hell also play some tight end for the Pirates, catching four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown last year. | Marquis Gracial is down to five finalists: Alabama, Arizona State, Iowa State, Missouri and Oregon. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/could-mizzou-land-another-in-state-target-in-marquis-gracial/article_d530438c-1af1-58f7-8cec-820e903b839f.html | 0.216622 |
Could Mizzou land another in-state target in Marquis Gracial? | One of the St. Louis area's top football recruits makes his college decision Friday. Marquis Gracial, a four-star defensive tackle at St. Charles High, will announce his verbal pledge at 5:30 p.m. at his school. Gracial is down to five finalists: Alabama, Arizona State, Iowa State, Missouri and Oregon. I can honestly say he hasn't told anybody, not even me, St. Charles coach Bob Leonard said Friday. "He's quit answering the phone for anybody just to have a peaceful week. He said, 'They're wearing me out.' I told him, 'At 5:30 I'm going to be happy no matter where you go.'" Whoever lands Gracial, Leonard knows what theyre getting: a massive 6-foot-4, 310-pound linemen with unique speed for his size hes been electronically timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.92 seconds and versatility along the line of scrimmage. As a sophomore, Gracial played nose tackle in St. Charles 3-4 scheme and was regularly double- and triple-teamed. Last fall he played defensive end and occasionally on two feet as an edge rusher. In 10 games last season, he finished with 61 tackles, including 29 for losses and three sacks. Hell also play some tight end for the Pirates, catching four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown last year. | Marquis Gracial, a four-star defensive tackle at St. Charles High, will announce his verbal pledge at 5:30 p.m. Gracial is down to five finalists: Alabama, Arizona State, Iowa State, Missouri and Oregon. In 10 games last season, he finished with 61 tackles, including 29 for losses and three sacks. | bart | 2 | https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/could-mizzou-land-another-in-state-target-in-marquis-gracial/article_d530438c-1af1-58f7-8cec-820e903b839f.html | 0.174115 |
What Is a Solo 401(k) and How Does It Work? | A solo 401(k) is really special because you have the option of putting aside so much money for your future, money expert Clark Howard says. Youre able to take a huge amount of what you earn, if you can afford to, and put it in a solo 401(k). Rules & Limits Solo 401(k) Version Eligibility No age/income restrictions; can't have qualifying employees Employee Contribution Limit $19,500 Catch-Up Contribution Limit $6,500 (for those 50 or older) Total Contribution Limits $58,000 (plus catch-up contributions) Contributions Employee and employer Taxes Depends on whether your account is traditional, Roth or both #tablepress-420 from cache Although it's similar to a traditional 401(k) retirement account, a solo 401(k) is unique: You can contribute as an employer <u>and</u> as an employee. It also imposes fewer rules and requires less paperwork than a typical 401(k) plan. The other brilliant thing about solo 401(k) plans is that, at least in theory, they offer a Roth option (more on that later). Unless you're in a high tax bracket, Clark wants you to contribute your solo 401(k) funds into a Roth option. If youre a freelancer, you operate a side hustle or you own your own business, a solo 401(k) can be a great way to save and invest for retirement. The only requirements are: You must make self-employment income. You cannot have any "qualified" employees. In this case, a qualified employee is someone who has worked for your company for at least one year and has worked at least 1,000 hours per year. Once someone working for you reaches qualified employee status, you must incorporate a non-discrimination test. That involves more paperwork and tasks to meet legal compliance. At that point, it's likely that a SEP IRA or a SIMPLE IRA are better options for you than a solo 401(k). As a business owner, in terms of 401(k) contributions, youre the employer as well as the employee. As an employee, you can contribute up to a total of $19,500 of your income to your 401(k) accounts in 2021. If youre at least 50 years old in 2021, you can add another $6,500 in catch-up contributions. You can also make company (employer) contributions to yourself. I'll go into more detail about how that works in the section on solo 401(k) contribution limits. Other than yourself, the only people who can make or receive contributions within your solo 401(k) plan are: Your spouse. He or she must earn income from your business in order to qualify. By rule, your spouse must receive "employer" contributions as well. He or she must earn income from your business in order to qualify. By rule, your spouse must receive "employer" contributions as well. Your business partners. If you have a business with multiple owners and zero employees, all the owners can open a shared solo 401(k) plan. The Two Types of Solo 401(k) Plans The way your solo 401(k) works will depend on what type of plan you open. There are two main types: Brokerage based. You do business with an investment firm such as Fidelity, Schwab or Vanguard. Self-directed or "checkbook control." You become your own trustee, either by working with a third-party company (typically not a brokerage) or simply by doing it all yourself. Brokerage-Based Solo 401(k) Plans Clark prefers the brokerage-based option because of the complexity of the do-it-yourself option. He'd rather you spend time on what's making you money than on managing your solo 401(k). Brokerage-based plans involve less paperwork for you, but theyre often limiting, even at the major investment firms. For example, the solo 401(k) plans offered by Fidelity and Schwab dont support Roth options or 401(k) loans. If you cant find the Roth version of a solo 401(k) at your first choice of company, then you should maybe look at a different company that offers that as an option, Clark says. Vanguards solo 401(k) option happens to support a Roth option, but it doesnt allow 401(k) loans and restricts investment options to Vanguard funds. Brokerage-based solo 401(k) plans often are free or close to it. Vanguard charges $20 per year for every Vanguard fund that you invest in through your solo 401(k). If you invest in five different Vanguard funds, you'll pay $100 annually. However, you can get those fees waived if you invest at least $50,000 with Vanguard. Self-Directed Solo 401(k) Plans With a self-directed plan, you agree to take on much more responsibility in terms of compliance, paperwork and bookkeeping. This is in exchange for more flexibility and features. There are some third-party companies (not brokerages) that employ accountants that specialize in retirement plans for the self-employed. Those companies will offer guidance on the do-it-yourself version of a solo 401(k) plan for a fee. Self-directed plans open up a world of investment possibilities. In addition to stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds, your investment options can include real estate, private business investments, private loans, cryptocurrencies, precious metals basically anything but collectibles. With a self-directed solo 401(k) plan, you can typically take out a loan from your 401(k). You also usually get the option to make employee contributions to a Roth solo 401(k). Often, neither of those things are available through brokerage-based plans. You can also roll over a 401(k), 457(b), 403(b) or traditional IRA into your solo 401(k) plan if its self-directed. You cant roll a Roth IRA into a solo 401(k). Many of the free brokerage-based plans restrict certain rollover options. With a self-directed plan, you can also make voluntary after-tax contributions, which may not be the case with a brokerage-based plan. However, a self-directed plan requires much more paperwork and bookkeeping. If you fund your solo 401(k) with money youve rolled over from another account and/or you have a Roth component to your plan, youll need to keep track of those separate money buckets. Solo 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2021 Type Of Contribution Solo 401(k) Contribution Limit Employee $19,500 (+$6,500 for 50 and older)* Employer (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC) 20% of net income^ Employer (S Corporation, C Corporation) 25% of gross (W-2) income% Total $58,000 (+$6,500 for 50 and older)# #tablepress-421 from cache <em>*This limit applies across all 401(k) plans to which you have access. If you make less than $19,500 in self-employed income, your contribution limit is 100% of what you earn.</em> <em></em><em>^This requires a calculation, which you can outsource to a tax specialist. If you want to do it on your own, you'll need to use the rate table worksheet in Chapter 6 of </em><em>IRS Publication 560</em><em>. You can also make the calculation via another IRS document called "</em><em>Calculating Your Own Retirement Plan Contribution</em><em>. "</em> <em>%You can use a maximum of $290,000 in compensation for these purposes. Anything you make beyond $290,000 isnt eligible for additional employer contributions.</em> <em></em><em>#Employer contribution limits aren't comprehensive like employee limits.</em> <em>You can get up to $58,000 in total from multiple employers.</em> Solo 401(k) Employee Contribution Limits and Rules As an employee, you can contribute up to $19,500 a year. If youre 50 or older in 2021, you can contribute an additional $6,500 in what are called catch-up contributions. Those amounts are total across all 401(k) plans. For example, if you run your own business and youre a W-2 employee at another company, you dont get to contribute $39,000. Your 401(k) employee contribution limit is still $19,500 total. If your solo 401(k) plan rules allow, you can decide to make employee contributions to a Roth or a traditional solo 401(k). If you have a spouse, he or she can contribute only up to the amount they earn from the business. Employee contributions are due by Dec. 31 each year. Solo 401(k) Employer Contribution Limits and Rules Youll calculate your employer contribution limit differently depending on whether your business is incorporated. If youre not incorporated, youll need to calculate your net income. Its a good idea to consult with a tax specialist if you find that calculation to be challenging. If you have a spouse, he or she must get the same contribution from the company that you do. In other words, if your employer (company) contribution is 15% per year and your spouse participates in your solo 401(k), you must give them 15% per year as well. The same is true for business partners: You must all get the same employer contribution percentage. Employer contributions can be made only to a traditional solo 401(k). These contributions are tax deductible for your business. Employer contributions are due by the time your business files its tax returns. If your solo 401(k) account value exceeds $250,000, you'll have to start filing Form 5500 EZ annually. That adds an extra layer of complexity to your solo 401(k). You can roll over some of your 401(k) funds into an IRA to avoid triggering that requirement. How To Open and Set Up a Solo 401(k) Here are the steps to open a solo 401(k): Make sure you're eligible to open a solo 401(k). You need to make self-employment income and you can't have any qualified employees. Make sure you have enough self-employment income to justify the administrative tasks of opening and maintaining a solo 401(k). "If you know you're not going to put aside more than $6,000 a year for retirement, don't worry about starting a solo 401(k). Just do a Roth IRA," Clark says. Decide on a brokerage-based or self-directed solo 401(k) plan. Clark recommends brokerage-based plans. However, many brokerage-based plans don't offer benefits such as a Roth option or broader investing options. Fill out the necessary paperwork and potentially start your own trust checking account. If you choose the self-directed option, you'll do more work during this step. Determine whether you'll make Roth or traditional employee contributions for the year. If you have the option and you're not in one of the highest tax brackets, Clark advises you to contribute to a<em> Roth</em> solo 401(k). Fund your solo 401(k) through contributions and/or rollovers. You need to pay yourself self-employment income and make a contribution into your plan within the first year you open the account. Make your investments. Clark loves target date funds. He says you can put every dollar of your retirement portfolio into a target date fund. If you can't bring yourself to do that, his next recommendation is to buy a mix of low-cost index funds: total stock market, international and bond. Solo 401(k) Withdrawal Rules When were young, 16 (drivers license), 18 (voting age) and 21 (drinking age) are milestone ages within the legal system. But if youre older than 21, youve still got some special ages worth celebrating. One of those is 59. At that age, youre allowed to withdraw from any retirement account without paying a 10% early withdrawal penalty to the IRS. That includes a solo 401(k). The only exception: If you have a Roth account of any kind, you must wait five years from the day you open it before you can make penalty-free withdrawals even after youre 59. If you dont take any money out of your solo 401(k) into your 70s, the government starts to wonder if it will get any tax revenue, especially from your traditional 401(k) funds. Whether you contributed to a Roth 401(k), a traditional 401(k) or both, when you're 72 years old, you'll need to start taking what are called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). There are rules that determine exactly how much you need to withdraw each year after your 72nd birthday. If youre still working at 72 years old, you can delay taking RMDs from your current 401(k). Advantages of a Solo 401(k) Here are some of the top benefits of a solo 401(k) plan: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan if you're self-employed. You don't have to be a W-2 employee at a large company to get access to a 401(k). If you're self-employed, a solo 401(k) gives you another option. You don't have to be a W-2 employee at a large company to get access to a 401(k). If you're self-employed, a solo 401(k) gives you another option. Can make employee and employer contributions. A SEP IRA, which is the biggest alternative to a solo 401(k) for the self-employed, allows only employer contributions. A SEP IRA, which is the biggest alternative to a solo 401(k) for the self-employed, allows only employer contributions. Much higher contribution limits than an IRA. If you contribute to an Individual Retirement Account, you're allowed to put in a maximum of $6,000 per year ($7,000 if you're at least 50 years old). With a solo 401(k), you can set aside up to $58,000 per year in a tax-advantaged retirement account. If you contribute to an Individual Retirement Account, you're allowed to put in a maximum of $6,000 per year ($7,000 if you're at least 50 years old). With a solo 401(k), you can set aside up to $58,000 per year in a tax-advantaged retirement account. Potential for a range of attractive features. Depending on the specifics of your solo 401(k) plan, you may be able to contribute to a Roth solo 401(k), access a huge range of investment options and take out a loan from your 401(k). Clark strongly advises against taking out a loan against your 401(k). Disadvantages of a Solo 401(k) Here are some of the drawbacks of a solo 401(k) plan: No employees allowed. If you have an employee who has worked for your company for at least one year (12 months and 1,000 hours), you're no longer eligible to maintain a solo 401(k) plan unless that employee is your spouse. If you have an employee who has worked for your company for at least one year (12 months and 1,000 hours), you're no longer eligible to maintain a solo 401(k) plan unless that employee is your spouse. Can create significant administrative work. A solo 401(k) plan isn't as time-consuming as a full-scale corporate 401(k). But it can be a significant resource drain. This is especially true if you select the do-it-yourself option and open an account on your own, outside of a brokerage firm. A solo 401(k) plan isn't as time-consuming as a full-scale corporate 401(k). But it can be a significant resource drain. This is especially true if you select the do-it-yourself option and open an account on your own, outside of a brokerage firm. Need decent income before it becomes worthwhile. If you're not planning to set aside more than $6,000 per year into a retirement account perhaps a decent amount more than $6,000 opening a solo 401(k) probably isn't worth the effort. If you're not planning to set aside more than $6,000 per year into a retirement account perhaps a decent amount more than $6,000 opening a solo 401(k) probably isn't worth the effort. Some of the nuances and rules are especially dense. Personally, I find that solo 401(k) plans to be one of the most complex types of retirement accounts. Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA If youre self-employed and you want access to a tax-advantaged retirement account, you have three options: Solo 401(k) SEP IRA SIMPLE IRA Theres nothing simple about a SIMPLE IRA, Clark says. The paperwork is brutal. Its straight-jacketed with a lot of inflexible rules. I never, ever recommend a SIMPLE to anybody. So in my opinion, which could be wrong, I think it really is a choice between the SEP and the solo 401(k). Heres a look at some of the similarities and differences between solo 401(k) and SEP IRA plans: Attribute SEP IRA, Solo 401(k) or Both Employer contributions Both Employee contributions Solo 401(k) Catch-up contributions Solo 401(k) Roth option Solo 401(k) Loan option Solo 401(k) Allowed to have employees SEP IRA Less administrative work SEP IRA Flexible contributions SEP IRA #tablepress-413 from cache Solo 401(k) plans <em>can</em> offer many more features. But if you open a solo 401(k) with a brokerage, as Clark suggests, you may not get access to all those features. However, the brokerage version of solo 401(k) plans is not as much of an administrative undertaking as the do-it-yourself version. At any rate, a SEP IRA Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account is simpler. You can also operate a SEP IRA even if you have employees, in theory, although that can get expensive quickly. Final Thoughts If you operate your own business and dont have any employees, a solo 401(k) can help you stash a lot of money into a tax-advantaged retirement account. Solo 401(k) plans probably should be more popular than they already are, but researching how they work and digging into the rules can be tedious. However, its worth taking the time to set up a solo 401(k) plan if youre eligible and make enough self-employed income to justify it. appeared first on Clark Howard. | A solo 401(k) allows you to contribute as an employer and as an employee. It also imposes fewer rules and requires less paperwork. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.ajc.com/news/what-is-a-solo-401-k-and-how-does-it-work/4L65JO3K75F6BPM24KCB7DNVBE/ | 0.316774 |
What Is a Solo 401(k) and How Does It Work? | A solo 401(k) is really special because you have the option of putting aside so much money for your future, money expert Clark Howard says. Youre able to take a huge amount of what you earn, if you can afford to, and put it in a solo 401(k). Rules & Limits Solo 401(k) Version Eligibility No age/income restrictions; can't have qualifying employees Employee Contribution Limit $19,500 Catch-Up Contribution Limit $6,500 (for those 50 or older) Total Contribution Limits $58,000 (plus catch-up contributions) Contributions Employee and employer Taxes Depends on whether your account is traditional, Roth or both #tablepress-420 from cache Although it's similar to a traditional 401(k) retirement account, a solo 401(k) is unique: You can contribute as an employer <u>and</u> as an employee. It also imposes fewer rules and requires less paperwork than a typical 401(k) plan. The other brilliant thing about solo 401(k) plans is that, at least in theory, they offer a Roth option (more on that later). Unless you're in a high tax bracket, Clark wants you to contribute your solo 401(k) funds into a Roth option. If youre a freelancer, you operate a side hustle or you own your own business, a solo 401(k) can be a great way to save and invest for retirement. The only requirements are: You must make self-employment income. You cannot have any "qualified" employees. In this case, a qualified employee is someone who has worked for your company for at least one year and has worked at least 1,000 hours per year. Once someone working for you reaches qualified employee status, you must incorporate a non-discrimination test. That involves more paperwork and tasks to meet legal compliance. At that point, it's likely that a SEP IRA or a SIMPLE IRA are better options for you than a solo 401(k). As a business owner, in terms of 401(k) contributions, youre the employer as well as the employee. As an employee, you can contribute up to a total of $19,500 of your income to your 401(k) accounts in 2021. If youre at least 50 years old in 2021, you can add another $6,500 in catch-up contributions. You can also make company (employer) contributions to yourself. I'll go into more detail about how that works in the section on solo 401(k) contribution limits. Other than yourself, the only people who can make or receive contributions within your solo 401(k) plan are: Your spouse. He or she must earn income from your business in order to qualify. By rule, your spouse must receive "employer" contributions as well. He or she must earn income from your business in order to qualify. By rule, your spouse must receive "employer" contributions as well. Your business partners. If you have a business with multiple owners and zero employees, all the owners can open a shared solo 401(k) plan. The Two Types of Solo 401(k) Plans The way your solo 401(k) works will depend on what type of plan you open. There are two main types: Brokerage based. You do business with an investment firm such as Fidelity, Schwab or Vanguard. Self-directed or "checkbook control." You become your own trustee, either by working with a third-party company (typically not a brokerage) or simply by doing it all yourself. Brokerage-Based Solo 401(k) Plans Clark prefers the brokerage-based option because of the complexity of the do-it-yourself option. He'd rather you spend time on what's making you money than on managing your solo 401(k). Brokerage-based plans involve less paperwork for you, but theyre often limiting, even at the major investment firms. For example, the solo 401(k) plans offered by Fidelity and Schwab dont support Roth options or 401(k) loans. If you cant find the Roth version of a solo 401(k) at your first choice of company, then you should maybe look at a different company that offers that as an option, Clark says. Vanguards solo 401(k) option happens to support a Roth option, but it doesnt allow 401(k) loans and restricts investment options to Vanguard funds. Brokerage-based solo 401(k) plans often are free or close to it. Vanguard charges $20 per year for every Vanguard fund that you invest in through your solo 401(k). If you invest in five different Vanguard funds, you'll pay $100 annually. However, you can get those fees waived if you invest at least $50,000 with Vanguard. Self-Directed Solo 401(k) Plans With a self-directed plan, you agree to take on much more responsibility in terms of compliance, paperwork and bookkeeping. This is in exchange for more flexibility and features. There are some third-party companies (not brokerages) that employ accountants that specialize in retirement plans for the self-employed. Those companies will offer guidance on the do-it-yourself version of a solo 401(k) plan for a fee. Self-directed plans open up a world of investment possibilities. In addition to stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds, your investment options can include real estate, private business investments, private loans, cryptocurrencies, precious metals basically anything but collectibles. With a self-directed solo 401(k) plan, you can typically take out a loan from your 401(k). You also usually get the option to make employee contributions to a Roth solo 401(k). Often, neither of those things are available through brokerage-based plans. You can also roll over a 401(k), 457(b), 403(b) or traditional IRA into your solo 401(k) plan if its self-directed. You cant roll a Roth IRA into a solo 401(k). Many of the free brokerage-based plans restrict certain rollover options. With a self-directed plan, you can also make voluntary after-tax contributions, which may not be the case with a brokerage-based plan. However, a self-directed plan requires much more paperwork and bookkeeping. If you fund your solo 401(k) with money youve rolled over from another account and/or you have a Roth component to your plan, youll need to keep track of those separate money buckets. Solo 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2021 Type Of Contribution Solo 401(k) Contribution Limit Employee $19,500 (+$6,500 for 50 and older)* Employer (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC) 20% of net income^ Employer (S Corporation, C Corporation) 25% of gross (W-2) income% Total $58,000 (+$6,500 for 50 and older)# #tablepress-421 from cache <em>*This limit applies across all 401(k) plans to which you have access. If you make less than $19,500 in self-employed income, your contribution limit is 100% of what you earn.</em> <em></em><em>^This requires a calculation, which you can outsource to a tax specialist. If you want to do it on your own, you'll need to use the rate table worksheet in Chapter 6 of </em><em>IRS Publication 560</em><em>. You can also make the calculation via another IRS document called "</em><em>Calculating Your Own Retirement Plan Contribution</em><em>. "</em> <em>%You can use a maximum of $290,000 in compensation for these purposes. Anything you make beyond $290,000 isnt eligible for additional employer contributions.</em> <em></em><em>#Employer contribution limits aren't comprehensive like employee limits.</em> <em>You can get up to $58,000 in total from multiple employers.</em> Solo 401(k) Employee Contribution Limits and Rules As an employee, you can contribute up to $19,500 a year. If youre 50 or older in 2021, you can contribute an additional $6,500 in what are called catch-up contributions. Those amounts are total across all 401(k) plans. For example, if you run your own business and youre a W-2 employee at another company, you dont get to contribute $39,000. Your 401(k) employee contribution limit is still $19,500 total. If your solo 401(k) plan rules allow, you can decide to make employee contributions to a Roth or a traditional solo 401(k). If you have a spouse, he or she can contribute only up to the amount they earn from the business. Employee contributions are due by Dec. 31 each year. Solo 401(k) Employer Contribution Limits and Rules Youll calculate your employer contribution limit differently depending on whether your business is incorporated. If youre not incorporated, youll need to calculate your net income. Its a good idea to consult with a tax specialist if you find that calculation to be challenging. If you have a spouse, he or she must get the same contribution from the company that you do. In other words, if your employer (company) contribution is 15% per year and your spouse participates in your solo 401(k), you must give them 15% per year as well. The same is true for business partners: You must all get the same employer contribution percentage. Employer contributions can be made only to a traditional solo 401(k). These contributions are tax deductible for your business. Employer contributions are due by the time your business files its tax returns. If your solo 401(k) account value exceeds $250,000, you'll have to start filing Form 5500 EZ annually. That adds an extra layer of complexity to your solo 401(k). You can roll over some of your 401(k) funds into an IRA to avoid triggering that requirement. How To Open and Set Up a Solo 401(k) Here are the steps to open a solo 401(k): Make sure you're eligible to open a solo 401(k). You need to make self-employment income and you can't have any qualified employees. Make sure you have enough self-employment income to justify the administrative tasks of opening and maintaining a solo 401(k). "If you know you're not going to put aside more than $6,000 a year for retirement, don't worry about starting a solo 401(k). Just do a Roth IRA," Clark says. Decide on a brokerage-based or self-directed solo 401(k) plan. Clark recommends brokerage-based plans. However, many brokerage-based plans don't offer benefits such as a Roth option or broader investing options. Fill out the necessary paperwork and potentially start your own trust checking account. If you choose the self-directed option, you'll do more work during this step. Determine whether you'll make Roth or traditional employee contributions for the year. If you have the option and you're not in one of the highest tax brackets, Clark advises you to contribute to a<em> Roth</em> solo 401(k). Fund your solo 401(k) through contributions and/or rollovers. You need to pay yourself self-employment income and make a contribution into your plan within the first year you open the account. Make your investments. Clark loves target date funds. He says you can put every dollar of your retirement portfolio into a target date fund. If you can't bring yourself to do that, his next recommendation is to buy a mix of low-cost index funds: total stock market, international and bond. Solo 401(k) Withdrawal Rules When were young, 16 (drivers license), 18 (voting age) and 21 (drinking age) are milestone ages within the legal system. But if youre older than 21, youve still got some special ages worth celebrating. One of those is 59. At that age, youre allowed to withdraw from any retirement account without paying a 10% early withdrawal penalty to the IRS. That includes a solo 401(k). The only exception: If you have a Roth account of any kind, you must wait five years from the day you open it before you can make penalty-free withdrawals even after youre 59. If you dont take any money out of your solo 401(k) into your 70s, the government starts to wonder if it will get any tax revenue, especially from your traditional 401(k) funds. Whether you contributed to a Roth 401(k), a traditional 401(k) or both, when you're 72 years old, you'll need to start taking what are called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). There are rules that determine exactly how much you need to withdraw each year after your 72nd birthday. If youre still working at 72 years old, you can delay taking RMDs from your current 401(k). Advantages of a Solo 401(k) Here are some of the top benefits of a solo 401(k) plan: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan if you're self-employed. You don't have to be a W-2 employee at a large company to get access to a 401(k). If you're self-employed, a solo 401(k) gives you another option. You don't have to be a W-2 employee at a large company to get access to a 401(k). If you're self-employed, a solo 401(k) gives you another option. Can make employee and employer contributions. A SEP IRA, which is the biggest alternative to a solo 401(k) for the self-employed, allows only employer contributions. A SEP IRA, which is the biggest alternative to a solo 401(k) for the self-employed, allows only employer contributions. Much higher contribution limits than an IRA. If you contribute to an Individual Retirement Account, you're allowed to put in a maximum of $6,000 per year ($7,000 if you're at least 50 years old). With a solo 401(k), you can set aside up to $58,000 per year in a tax-advantaged retirement account. If you contribute to an Individual Retirement Account, you're allowed to put in a maximum of $6,000 per year ($7,000 if you're at least 50 years old). With a solo 401(k), you can set aside up to $58,000 per year in a tax-advantaged retirement account. Potential for a range of attractive features. Depending on the specifics of your solo 401(k) plan, you may be able to contribute to a Roth solo 401(k), access a huge range of investment options and take out a loan from your 401(k). Clark strongly advises against taking out a loan against your 401(k). Disadvantages of a Solo 401(k) Here are some of the drawbacks of a solo 401(k) plan: No employees allowed. If you have an employee who has worked for your company for at least one year (12 months and 1,000 hours), you're no longer eligible to maintain a solo 401(k) plan unless that employee is your spouse. If you have an employee who has worked for your company for at least one year (12 months and 1,000 hours), you're no longer eligible to maintain a solo 401(k) plan unless that employee is your spouse. Can create significant administrative work. A solo 401(k) plan isn't as time-consuming as a full-scale corporate 401(k). But it can be a significant resource drain. This is especially true if you select the do-it-yourself option and open an account on your own, outside of a brokerage firm. A solo 401(k) plan isn't as time-consuming as a full-scale corporate 401(k). But it can be a significant resource drain. This is especially true if you select the do-it-yourself option and open an account on your own, outside of a brokerage firm. Need decent income before it becomes worthwhile. If you're not planning to set aside more than $6,000 per year into a retirement account perhaps a decent amount more than $6,000 opening a solo 401(k) probably isn't worth the effort. If you're not planning to set aside more than $6,000 per year into a retirement account perhaps a decent amount more than $6,000 opening a solo 401(k) probably isn't worth the effort. Some of the nuances and rules are especially dense. Personally, I find that solo 401(k) plans to be one of the most complex types of retirement accounts. Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA If youre self-employed and you want access to a tax-advantaged retirement account, you have three options: Solo 401(k) SEP IRA SIMPLE IRA Theres nothing simple about a SIMPLE IRA, Clark says. The paperwork is brutal. Its straight-jacketed with a lot of inflexible rules. I never, ever recommend a SIMPLE to anybody. So in my opinion, which could be wrong, I think it really is a choice between the SEP and the solo 401(k). Heres a look at some of the similarities and differences between solo 401(k) and SEP IRA plans: Attribute SEP IRA, Solo 401(k) or Both Employer contributions Both Employee contributions Solo 401(k) Catch-up contributions Solo 401(k) Roth option Solo 401(k) Loan option Solo 401(k) Allowed to have employees SEP IRA Less administrative work SEP IRA Flexible contributions SEP IRA #tablepress-413 from cache Solo 401(k) plans <em>can</em> offer many more features. But if you open a solo 401(k) with a brokerage, as Clark suggests, you may not get access to all those features. However, the brokerage version of solo 401(k) plans is not as much of an administrative undertaking as the do-it-yourself version. At any rate, a SEP IRA Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account is simpler. You can also operate a SEP IRA even if you have employees, in theory, although that can get expensive quickly. Final Thoughts If you operate your own business and dont have any employees, a solo 401(k) can help you stash a lot of money into a tax-advantaged retirement account. Solo 401(k) plans probably should be more popular than they already are, but researching how they work and digging into the rules can be tedious. However, its worth taking the time to set up a solo 401(k) plan if youre eligible and make enough self-employed income to justify it. appeared first on Clark Howard. | A solo 401(k) is unique: You can contribute as an employer and an employee. It also imposes fewer rules and requires less paperwork than a typical 401(K) plan. | bart | 1 | https://www.ajc.com/news/what-is-a-solo-401-k-and-how-does-it-work/4L65JO3K75F6BPM24KCB7DNVBE/ | 0.354827 |
What Is a Solo 401(k) and How Does It Work? | A solo 401(k) is really special because you have the option of putting aside so much money for your future, money expert Clark Howard says. Youre able to take a huge amount of what you earn, if you can afford to, and put it in a solo 401(k). Rules & Limits Solo 401(k) Version Eligibility No age/income restrictions; can't have qualifying employees Employee Contribution Limit $19,500 Catch-Up Contribution Limit $6,500 (for those 50 or older) Total Contribution Limits $58,000 (plus catch-up contributions) Contributions Employee and employer Taxes Depends on whether your account is traditional, Roth or both #tablepress-420 from cache Although it's similar to a traditional 401(k) retirement account, a solo 401(k) is unique: You can contribute as an employer <u>and</u> as an employee. It also imposes fewer rules and requires less paperwork than a typical 401(k) plan. The other brilliant thing about solo 401(k) plans is that, at least in theory, they offer a Roth option (more on that later). Unless you're in a high tax bracket, Clark wants you to contribute your solo 401(k) funds into a Roth option. If youre a freelancer, you operate a side hustle or you own your own business, a solo 401(k) can be a great way to save and invest for retirement. The only requirements are: You must make self-employment income. You cannot have any "qualified" employees. In this case, a qualified employee is someone who has worked for your company for at least one year and has worked at least 1,000 hours per year. Once someone working for you reaches qualified employee status, you must incorporate a non-discrimination test. That involves more paperwork and tasks to meet legal compliance. At that point, it's likely that a SEP IRA or a SIMPLE IRA are better options for you than a solo 401(k). As a business owner, in terms of 401(k) contributions, youre the employer as well as the employee. As an employee, you can contribute up to a total of $19,500 of your income to your 401(k) accounts in 2021. If youre at least 50 years old in 2021, you can add another $6,500 in catch-up contributions. You can also make company (employer) contributions to yourself. I'll go into more detail about how that works in the section on solo 401(k) contribution limits. Other than yourself, the only people who can make or receive contributions within your solo 401(k) plan are: Your spouse. He or she must earn income from your business in order to qualify. By rule, your spouse must receive "employer" contributions as well. He or she must earn income from your business in order to qualify. By rule, your spouse must receive "employer" contributions as well. Your business partners. If you have a business with multiple owners and zero employees, all the owners can open a shared solo 401(k) plan. The Two Types of Solo 401(k) Plans The way your solo 401(k) works will depend on what type of plan you open. There are two main types: Brokerage based. You do business with an investment firm such as Fidelity, Schwab or Vanguard. Self-directed or "checkbook control." You become your own trustee, either by working with a third-party company (typically not a brokerage) or simply by doing it all yourself. Brokerage-Based Solo 401(k) Plans Clark prefers the brokerage-based option because of the complexity of the do-it-yourself option. He'd rather you spend time on what's making you money than on managing your solo 401(k). Brokerage-based plans involve less paperwork for you, but theyre often limiting, even at the major investment firms. For example, the solo 401(k) plans offered by Fidelity and Schwab dont support Roth options or 401(k) loans. If you cant find the Roth version of a solo 401(k) at your first choice of company, then you should maybe look at a different company that offers that as an option, Clark says. Vanguards solo 401(k) option happens to support a Roth option, but it doesnt allow 401(k) loans and restricts investment options to Vanguard funds. Brokerage-based solo 401(k) plans often are free or close to it. Vanguard charges $20 per year for every Vanguard fund that you invest in through your solo 401(k). If you invest in five different Vanguard funds, you'll pay $100 annually. However, you can get those fees waived if you invest at least $50,000 with Vanguard. Self-Directed Solo 401(k) Plans With a self-directed plan, you agree to take on much more responsibility in terms of compliance, paperwork and bookkeeping. This is in exchange for more flexibility and features. There are some third-party companies (not brokerages) that employ accountants that specialize in retirement plans for the self-employed. Those companies will offer guidance on the do-it-yourself version of a solo 401(k) plan for a fee. Self-directed plans open up a world of investment possibilities. In addition to stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds, your investment options can include real estate, private business investments, private loans, cryptocurrencies, precious metals basically anything but collectibles. With a self-directed solo 401(k) plan, you can typically take out a loan from your 401(k). You also usually get the option to make employee contributions to a Roth solo 401(k). Often, neither of those things are available through brokerage-based plans. You can also roll over a 401(k), 457(b), 403(b) or traditional IRA into your solo 401(k) plan if its self-directed. You cant roll a Roth IRA into a solo 401(k). Many of the free brokerage-based plans restrict certain rollover options. With a self-directed plan, you can also make voluntary after-tax contributions, which may not be the case with a brokerage-based plan. However, a self-directed plan requires much more paperwork and bookkeeping. If you fund your solo 401(k) with money youve rolled over from another account and/or you have a Roth component to your plan, youll need to keep track of those separate money buckets. Solo 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2021 Type Of Contribution Solo 401(k) Contribution Limit Employee $19,500 (+$6,500 for 50 and older)* Employer (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC) 20% of net income^ Employer (S Corporation, C Corporation) 25% of gross (W-2) income% Total $58,000 (+$6,500 for 50 and older)# #tablepress-421 from cache <em>*This limit applies across all 401(k) plans to which you have access. If you make less than $19,500 in self-employed income, your contribution limit is 100% of what you earn.</em> <em></em><em>^This requires a calculation, which you can outsource to a tax specialist. If you want to do it on your own, you'll need to use the rate table worksheet in Chapter 6 of </em><em>IRS Publication 560</em><em>. You can also make the calculation via another IRS document called "</em><em>Calculating Your Own Retirement Plan Contribution</em><em>. "</em> <em>%You can use a maximum of $290,000 in compensation for these purposes. Anything you make beyond $290,000 isnt eligible for additional employer contributions.</em> <em></em><em>#Employer contribution limits aren't comprehensive like employee limits.</em> <em>You can get up to $58,000 in total from multiple employers.</em> Solo 401(k) Employee Contribution Limits and Rules As an employee, you can contribute up to $19,500 a year. If youre 50 or older in 2021, you can contribute an additional $6,500 in what are called catch-up contributions. Those amounts are total across all 401(k) plans. For example, if you run your own business and youre a W-2 employee at another company, you dont get to contribute $39,000. Your 401(k) employee contribution limit is still $19,500 total. If your solo 401(k) plan rules allow, you can decide to make employee contributions to a Roth or a traditional solo 401(k). If you have a spouse, he or she can contribute only up to the amount they earn from the business. Employee contributions are due by Dec. 31 each year. Solo 401(k) Employer Contribution Limits and Rules Youll calculate your employer contribution limit differently depending on whether your business is incorporated. If youre not incorporated, youll need to calculate your net income. Its a good idea to consult with a tax specialist if you find that calculation to be challenging. If you have a spouse, he or she must get the same contribution from the company that you do. In other words, if your employer (company) contribution is 15% per year and your spouse participates in your solo 401(k), you must give them 15% per year as well. The same is true for business partners: You must all get the same employer contribution percentage. Employer contributions can be made only to a traditional solo 401(k). These contributions are tax deductible for your business. Employer contributions are due by the time your business files its tax returns. If your solo 401(k) account value exceeds $250,000, you'll have to start filing Form 5500 EZ annually. That adds an extra layer of complexity to your solo 401(k). You can roll over some of your 401(k) funds into an IRA to avoid triggering that requirement. How To Open and Set Up a Solo 401(k) Here are the steps to open a solo 401(k): Make sure you're eligible to open a solo 401(k). You need to make self-employment income and you can't have any qualified employees. Make sure you have enough self-employment income to justify the administrative tasks of opening and maintaining a solo 401(k). "If you know you're not going to put aside more than $6,000 a year for retirement, don't worry about starting a solo 401(k). Just do a Roth IRA," Clark says. Decide on a brokerage-based or self-directed solo 401(k) plan. Clark recommends brokerage-based plans. However, many brokerage-based plans don't offer benefits such as a Roth option or broader investing options. Fill out the necessary paperwork and potentially start your own trust checking account. If you choose the self-directed option, you'll do more work during this step. Determine whether you'll make Roth or traditional employee contributions for the year. If you have the option and you're not in one of the highest tax brackets, Clark advises you to contribute to a<em> Roth</em> solo 401(k). Fund your solo 401(k) through contributions and/or rollovers. You need to pay yourself self-employment income and make a contribution into your plan within the first year you open the account. Make your investments. Clark loves target date funds. He says you can put every dollar of your retirement portfolio into a target date fund. If you can't bring yourself to do that, his next recommendation is to buy a mix of low-cost index funds: total stock market, international and bond. Solo 401(k) Withdrawal Rules When were young, 16 (drivers license), 18 (voting age) and 21 (drinking age) are milestone ages within the legal system. But if youre older than 21, youve still got some special ages worth celebrating. One of those is 59. At that age, youre allowed to withdraw from any retirement account without paying a 10% early withdrawal penalty to the IRS. That includes a solo 401(k). The only exception: If you have a Roth account of any kind, you must wait five years from the day you open it before you can make penalty-free withdrawals even after youre 59. If you dont take any money out of your solo 401(k) into your 70s, the government starts to wonder if it will get any tax revenue, especially from your traditional 401(k) funds. Whether you contributed to a Roth 401(k), a traditional 401(k) or both, when you're 72 years old, you'll need to start taking what are called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). There are rules that determine exactly how much you need to withdraw each year after your 72nd birthday. If youre still working at 72 years old, you can delay taking RMDs from your current 401(k). Advantages of a Solo 401(k) Here are some of the top benefits of a solo 401(k) plan: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan if you're self-employed. You don't have to be a W-2 employee at a large company to get access to a 401(k). If you're self-employed, a solo 401(k) gives you another option. You don't have to be a W-2 employee at a large company to get access to a 401(k). If you're self-employed, a solo 401(k) gives you another option. Can make employee and employer contributions. A SEP IRA, which is the biggest alternative to a solo 401(k) for the self-employed, allows only employer contributions. A SEP IRA, which is the biggest alternative to a solo 401(k) for the self-employed, allows only employer contributions. Much higher contribution limits than an IRA. If you contribute to an Individual Retirement Account, you're allowed to put in a maximum of $6,000 per year ($7,000 if you're at least 50 years old). With a solo 401(k), you can set aside up to $58,000 per year in a tax-advantaged retirement account. If you contribute to an Individual Retirement Account, you're allowed to put in a maximum of $6,000 per year ($7,000 if you're at least 50 years old). With a solo 401(k), you can set aside up to $58,000 per year in a tax-advantaged retirement account. Potential for a range of attractive features. Depending on the specifics of your solo 401(k) plan, you may be able to contribute to a Roth solo 401(k), access a huge range of investment options and take out a loan from your 401(k). Clark strongly advises against taking out a loan against your 401(k). Disadvantages of a Solo 401(k) Here are some of the drawbacks of a solo 401(k) plan: No employees allowed. If you have an employee who has worked for your company for at least one year (12 months and 1,000 hours), you're no longer eligible to maintain a solo 401(k) plan unless that employee is your spouse. If you have an employee who has worked for your company for at least one year (12 months and 1,000 hours), you're no longer eligible to maintain a solo 401(k) plan unless that employee is your spouse. Can create significant administrative work. A solo 401(k) plan isn't as time-consuming as a full-scale corporate 401(k). But it can be a significant resource drain. This is especially true if you select the do-it-yourself option and open an account on your own, outside of a brokerage firm. A solo 401(k) plan isn't as time-consuming as a full-scale corporate 401(k). But it can be a significant resource drain. This is especially true if you select the do-it-yourself option and open an account on your own, outside of a brokerage firm. Need decent income before it becomes worthwhile. If you're not planning to set aside more than $6,000 per year into a retirement account perhaps a decent amount more than $6,000 opening a solo 401(k) probably isn't worth the effort. If you're not planning to set aside more than $6,000 per year into a retirement account perhaps a decent amount more than $6,000 opening a solo 401(k) probably isn't worth the effort. Some of the nuances and rules are especially dense. Personally, I find that solo 401(k) plans to be one of the most complex types of retirement accounts. Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA If youre self-employed and you want access to a tax-advantaged retirement account, you have three options: Solo 401(k) SEP IRA SIMPLE IRA Theres nothing simple about a SIMPLE IRA, Clark says. The paperwork is brutal. Its straight-jacketed with a lot of inflexible rules. I never, ever recommend a SIMPLE to anybody. So in my opinion, which could be wrong, I think it really is a choice between the SEP and the solo 401(k). Heres a look at some of the similarities and differences between solo 401(k) and SEP IRA plans: Attribute SEP IRA, Solo 401(k) or Both Employer contributions Both Employee contributions Solo 401(k) Catch-up contributions Solo 401(k) Roth option Solo 401(k) Loan option Solo 401(k) Allowed to have employees SEP IRA Less administrative work SEP IRA Flexible contributions SEP IRA #tablepress-413 from cache Solo 401(k) plans <em>can</em> offer many more features. But if you open a solo 401(k) with a brokerage, as Clark suggests, you may not get access to all those features. However, the brokerage version of solo 401(k) plans is not as much of an administrative undertaking as the do-it-yourself version. At any rate, a SEP IRA Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account is simpler. You can also operate a SEP IRA even if you have employees, in theory, although that can get expensive quickly. Final Thoughts If you operate your own business and dont have any employees, a solo 401(k) can help you stash a lot of money into a tax-advantaged retirement account. Solo 401(k) plans probably should be more popular than they already are, but researching how they work and digging into the rules can be tedious. However, its worth taking the time to set up a solo 401(k) plan if youre eligible and make enough self-employed income to justify it. appeared first on Clark Howard. | A solo 401(k) allows you to contribute as an employer and as an employee. It also imposes fewer rules and requires less paperwork than a typical 401(K) plan. There are two types of solo 401('k') plans: Brokerage-based and self-directed. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.ajc.com/news/what-is-a-solo-401-k-and-how-does-it-work/4L65JO3K75F6BPM24KCB7DNVBE/ | 0.36409 |
Does Zach Plesacs latest start show the Cleveland Indians are getting closer to a no-hitter? | Register for Indians Subtext to hear your Tribe questions answered exclusively on the show. Send a text to 216-208-4346 to subscribe for $3.99/mo. CLEVELAND, Ohio Zach Plesac nearly ended 40 years of frustration on Thursday when he came within six outs of the first Indians no-hitter since Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. On Fridays Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at the reasons why its been so long between no-nos for the Indians and which pitcher on the current roster they expect to throw the next one. Click here. We have an Apple podcasts channel exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe to it here. You can also subscribe on Google Play and listen on Spotify. Search Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast or download the audio here. - New Indians face masks for sale: Heres where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity. Podcast Indians still working through details of increased attendance Why its a big deal that Indians witness debut of two Seattle prospects Rosario getting comfortable in center, heating up at plate Indians-Mariners series preview, pitching matchups Amed Rosarios walk-off single beats Cubs, 2-1 Bieber searching for his slider, but hes still dominating Hernandez, the reluctant leadoff hitter, shows Indians the way | Zach Plesac came within six outs of the first Indians no-hitter since Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/05/does-zach-plesacs-latest-start-show-the-cleveland-indians-are-getting-closer-to-a-no-hitter.html | 0.319012 |
Does Zach Plesacs latest start show the Cleveland Indians are getting closer to a no-hitter? | Register for Indians Subtext to hear your Tribe questions answered exclusively on the show. Send a text to 216-208-4346 to subscribe for $3.99/mo. CLEVELAND, Ohio Zach Plesac nearly ended 40 years of frustration on Thursday when he came within six outs of the first Indians no-hitter since Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. On Fridays Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at the reasons why its been so long between no-nos for the Indians and which pitcher on the current roster they expect to throw the next one. Click here. We have an Apple podcasts channel exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe to it here. You can also subscribe on Google Play and listen on Spotify. Search Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast or download the audio here. - New Indians face masks for sale: Heres where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity. Podcast Indians still working through details of increased attendance Why its a big deal that Indians witness debut of two Seattle prospects Rosario getting comfortable in center, heating up at plate Indians-Mariners series preview, pitching matchups Amed Rosarios walk-off single beats Cubs, 2-1 Bieber searching for his slider, but hes still dominating Hernandez, the reluctant leadoff hitter, shows Indians the way | Zach Plesac came within six outs of the first Indians no-hitter since 1981. Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at the reasons why its been so long between no-nos. | bart | 1 | https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/05/does-zach-plesacs-latest-start-show-the-cleveland-indians-are-getting-closer-to-a-no-hitter.html | 0.330385 |
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