Anna Garraway

Smart Living: The Good Side Of Gaming – KPLC https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/smart-living-the-good-side-of-gaming-kplc/ ORLANDO, FL. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – On average, teens speed an hour a day playing video games. And if you have a teen in your home, you probably worry that they are spending too much time shooting things up or living in a virtual world. But it’s not all bad. According to a Saint Edward’s University study, playing video games two hours a day improves peer relationships and increases sociality. “I like creative games like Roblox or Minecraft,” said 17-year-old David Correa. He says he’s an avid gamer who spends three to four hours a day connected to his screen, “It helps with de-stressing.” Now, new research shows video games can help young people with problem-solving. According to the American Psychological Association, people who play shooter games like Call of Duty improve their capacity to think about objects in three dimensions just as well as school classes that are designed to enhance the same skill. The more teens reported playing strategic video games, such as role-playing games, the more they improved in problem-solving and school grades the following year. Some research even showed that children’s creativity was also enhanced. “It triggers something in your head that makes you feel more reactive and more snappy,” said David. Another stereotype the research challenges is the socially isolated gamer. In fact, more than 70% of gamers play with a friend. “I meet a lot of friends usually,” David explained. “I met my girlfriend playing…We started talking and now we’ve been dating for over a year and a half now.” The research also showed that video games are effective tools for learning resilience in the face of failure. By learning to cope with ongoing failures in games, the authors suggest that children build emotional resilience they can rely upon in their everyday lives. Keep in mind, investigators also found that no more than nine hours of gaming a week for kids 7 to 11 is recommended and that exceeding that amount could be linked to social and behavioral problems. Contributors to this news report include: Joe Rehmet and Marsha Lewis, Producers; Roque Correa, Videographer and Editor. Copyright 2022 KPLC. All rights reserved.

Texas Sheriff Certifies That Migrants Flown To Martha’s Vineyard Were Victims Of A Crime – KSNT News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/texas-sheriff-certifies-that-migrants-flown-to-marthas-vineyard-were-victims-of-a-crime-ksnt-news/ (The Hill) – Texas Sheriff Javier Salazar on Thursday certified that the group of migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., last month by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) were victims of a crime, qualifying them to obtain a visa. Salazar, the Bexar County sheriff, submitted certification documents that will allow the nearly 50 migrants to apply for U visas, which grant crime victims nonimmigrant status in the U.S. to ensure that they are available as witnesses during investigations or trials. “Based upon the claims of migrants being transported from Bexar County under false pretenses, we are investigating this case as possible Unlawful Restraint,” Salazar said in a statement to GBH News. The Venezuelan nationals transported to Martha’s Vineyard were reportedly given false information about where they were going and the support they would receive at the destination. The certification comes a day after the Department of the Treasury announced that it would investigate DeSantis’s usage of COVID-19 relief money and the “allowability” of funding migrant transportation with that money or interest earned on it. Salazar opened an investigation into the Martha’s Vineyard incident soon after it occurred, claiming that the migrants were “lured” under “false pretenses.” The sheriff told Massachusetts news station WGBH that his office has identified suspects in the investigation but is not releasing names publicly as the probe proceeds. The Hill has reached out to Salazar for comment. Immigration attorneys, including Rachel Self, are working with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office to interview the migrants as part of the criminal investigation. “Since the day they landed on Martha’s Vineyard, it has been clear to all who spoke to them that the migrants had been preyed upon and victimized,” Self wrote to The Hill in a statement.  “These certifications will ensure that the migrants can continue to help our law enforcement officials, and that they will be able to process and heal from the incredibly traumatic experiences they have suffered as a result of the cruel, heartless acts committed against them.” The migrants have also filed a class action lawsuit against DeSantis based on allegations of “fraud” and “misrepresentation.” “Defendants manipulated them, stripped them of their dignity, deprived them of their liberty, bodily autonomy, due process and equal protection under law, and impermissibly interfered with the Federal Government’s exclusive control over immigration in furtherance of an unlawful goal and a personal political agenda,” reads the lawsuit, referring to its plaintiffs.

How To Take The Ultimate Vacation In Tulum, Mexico – HuffPost https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/how-to-take-the-ultimate-vacation-in-tulum-mexico-huffpost/ Take A Break is your ultimate guide to the perfect trips to recharge, rediscover yourself and your relationships, and reengage with the world. We’ll cover shopping stops, great bars, restaurants worth your money, photo opportunities, memorable drives and experiences, and other important details you need before you book. Below, we chat with Caroline Bologna, senior travel and culture reporter at HuffPost, about why you’ll want to put Tulum on your bucket list. What drew you to Tulum as a place to visit or explore? Tulum has become an extremely popular tourist destination over the past 10 or so years, so I was familiar with the lush green landscape and beautiful beaches from social media and travel publications. When a friend decided to celebrate his 30th birthday in Mexico and ultimately selected Tulum, I jumped at the opportunity to visit the Yucatán Peninsula’s famous Riviera Maya. I even flew down a couple of days early so that I could explore a bit on my own. What are the best times of year to visit? I went in early December, and it felt like the perfect time to visit. The weather was perfectly warm, not too hot, and other than one rainy afternoon, there was pure sunshine. I’ve read that late October through mid-December is an ideal time for visiting Tulum, as it’s less crowded just before peak season ― which runs from late December through March. Hurricane season runs from mid-summer until early fall, so you might want to avoid those months. What’s your best tip for getting there? How can you make the travel as stress-free as possible? Probably the most common way to reach Tulum from the United States is to fly to Cancun International Airport and then take a shuttle, taxi or rental car for a roughly one hour and 40-minute drive. Make sure you arrive with pesos to make the payment process simpler and avoid high exchange rates or ATM fees. I found the arrival process simple enough, though flying back out of the airport was a bit more chaotic. I recommend arriving with plenty of time before your departing flight so that you can navigate each step without any added stress. Caroline Bologna/HuffPost From left to right: the beach at sunset, Palma Central, view from the room at Aloft. Where do you recommend staying when you go? My trip was split between a rental property on the beach and Aloft Tulum near the city center. As much as I enjoyed the easy access to the water, the hotel portion was particularly nice because it was an easy walk or bike ride into town, and I loved exploring the local shops and eateries. Aloft also had its own rooftop bar, which was a nice way to close out the evenings. If you’re looking to stay by the beach, however, you’ve got ample options. In addition to rental properties, there are a number of hotels, including The Beach Tulum, Las Palmas Maya, Sanara Tulum, Mezzanine and Olas Tulum. What are your go-to restaurants or foods to eat while you’re there? Everything I ate in Tulum was delicious. The dining options range from casual roadside stands to more upscale restaurants like Hartwood and Arca. I tried delicious tacos at Taqueria Honorio, ceviche at El Camello Jr., burritos at Burrito Amor, smoothie bowls at Raw Love and pastries at Italdo Pasteleria. What bars or entertainment spots do you make sure to hit? What’s good to drink there or what else should people know? Tulum has a vibrant bar and club scene. I love trying new cocktails, so I went to Batey to try their famous mojitos. Other drink stops included El Grifo and Casa Jaguar. Gitano is another popular Tulum nightlife spot, and although I’d been to the one in New York, it was still nice to check out the original location. Caroline Bologna/HuffPost From left to right: a starter at Arca, ceviche at El Camello Jr. and tacos at Taqueria Honorio. What are your favorite shops and what do you look for when you’re there? I found wonderful souvenirs at Mixik, World by Hand, La Tiendita and Auras. People love Josa for dresses. Even if you aren’t looking to buy anything, it’s nice to explore all the shops along the jungle-shaded road in the hotel zone. There are lots of wonderful handcrafted wares, apparel and more. What’s your single favorite spot to go for photos and why? My favorite spot to take photos was the Tulum archaeological zone. The Mayan ruins were tremendously impressive and interesting to walk around. And it’s hard to beat the beautiful coastal views there. What tourist attraction should people skip and what should they do instead? I’m always in favor of taking advantage of what is unique about a destination, so I try to avoid places that exist elsewhere. With that in mind, I’d recommend passing on chain clubs and restaurants like Bagatelle in favor of more local fare. Where do you feel the most relaxed, calm or happy? Maybe it’s cliché, but there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting on a scenic beach, especially around sunrise or sunset. Tulum is a popular destination for beach yoga, so you can even amplify the relaxation factor during your beach time. What scenic spots do you recommend checking out? Tulum’s cenotes are world-famous for good reason. With their crystal clear water and limestone formations, these natural sinkholes are stunning places to swim, snorkel, dive or even just admire from dry footing. Additionally, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is a UNESCO World Heritage Site nature park just south of Tulum, which makes for a beautiful boating excursion one day during your visit. Caroline Bologna/HuffPost From left to right: Mayan ruins, Raw Love and Christmas decorations going up in the town center. What’s one thing you make sure to pack if you’re going and why? I recommend packing reef-friendly sunscreen. Tulum is part of the Mesoamerican Reef System, and traditional chemical sunscreens have been shown to cause severe damage to coral reefs, so best to steer clear. Make sure to bring pesos so you’re prepared to pay in the local currency without being charged premium exchange rates. ATMs are not in abundant supply either. What are some specific planning tips to know before you go so you’re not stressed? It’s understandable if you want to visit Tulum during the summer for better hotel rates, fewer crowds, and better restaurant availability. But understand that you’ll be there during hurricane season. Try to make refundable bookings and be prepared for potential disruptions in plans. What surprised you about Tulum when you went the first time? I was surprised by the prices compared to other parts of Mexico. Tulum is not necessarily inexpensive. Taxis and certain restaurants and activities can be pricy. Consider renting a bike to get around for cheaper. Anything else visitors should know? Tulum has become a popular tourist destination, but don’t forget you’re on sacred and historic lands. Be considerate of the local community and environment by recycling, avoiding single-use plastics, respecting the wildlife and following all rules in place to preserve and protect the beauty of Tulum.

Danone To Shed Russian Dairy Business With 1 Bln Euro Write-Off – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/danone-to-shed-russian-dairy-business-with-1-bln-euro-write-off-reuters/ French food group Danone logo is seen at the company headquarters in Rueil-Malmaison near Paris, France, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Danone to transfer control of dairy business in Russia Russian dairy unit accounts for 90% of Russian operations Danone may keep stake in dairy business – source Many Western food cos continue to supply basic goods to Russia PARIS, Oct 14 (Reuters) – French food company Danone (DANO.PA) will shed control of its dairy food business in Russia in a deal that could lead to a write-off of up to 1 billion euros ($978 million), it said on Friday. Joining a lengthening list of global companies making costly exits from Russia over the war in Ukraine, Danone will be offloading a business representing about 90% of its operations in Russia, where it will retain its infant nutrition unit. “This is the best option to ensure long-term local business continuity,” a Danone statement said, adding that the Russian dairy unit accounted for about 5% of the group’s net sales in the first nine months of the year. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com A source close to the matter said Danone could retain a stake in the dairy business, Russia’s biggest. “The board has just started a process that will lead to a transaction that could be a full sale or a partial sale,” the source said, adding that the aim is to no longer operate the business. Many Western food and consumer goods companies including Nestle (NESN.S) and Procter & Gamble (PG.N) have continued to provide essential food and medicine to Russia while also facing pressure from consumers and activists to cut all ties with Moscow. Shares in Danone rose more than 1% in early trading, with analysts welcoming the news and saying it could herald a wider of reshuffle of its operations. Chief Executive Antoine de Saint-Affrique, who took the helm in September last year, said the company would part with non-performing businesses under a turnaround plan he launched this year. “Russia is clearly an asset they had to exit from,” Pierre Tegner, analyst at broker Oddo BHF, said in a note. “It is not only because Russia is a low-margin business with poor growth. It is mainly because this asset has generated a lot of distraction over the last 11 years for top management.” Other areas where the group could review non-core operations include liquid milk and basic dairy products in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Morocco, Tegner said, as well as organic milk in United States, baby meals in France and Italy, plus small water operations in Spain and Poland. The French company is the world’s largest yoghurt producer and controls Russian dairy brand Prostokvashino. In March the company said it would continue to produce essential dairy and infant nutrition products in Russia but had cut other ties with the country over its war in Ukraine. At the time, it said it had ended all investments in Russia and would not take any cash, dividends or profits from its business there. Danone did not disclose to whom its Essential Dairy and Plant-based (EDP) division – which has 7,200 employees and 12 production sites – would be transferred. The move is the second such announcement this week from a major Western company, coming after Nissan offloaded its assets to the Russian state, taking a loss of around $687 million. ($1 = 1.0224 euros) Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Tassilo Hummel, Silvia Aloisi and Richa Naidu Editing by David Goodman and Josephine Mason Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Richa Naidu Thomson Reuters London-based reporter covering retail and consumer goods, analysing trends including coverage of supply chains, advertising strategies, corporate governance, sustainability, politics and regulation. Previously wrote about U.S. based retailers, major financial institutions and covered the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Couple Achieves Significant Weight Loss Without Surgery – Sanford Health News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/couple-achieves-significant-weight-loss-without-surgery-sanford-health-news/ A simple push is often what it takes to begin an incredible journey. “The final push last July was, my A1C was climbing. I was very, very close to being fully diabetic,” said John Vodochodsky, of Sioux City, Iowa. Vodochodsky started doing some research, and in December of 2021, started the Sanford Weight Management program. It started with a meeting at the Talley building in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with Dr. Adeem Abdulwahab, who is a family medicine provider at Sanford Health. “We are all board certified in obesity medicine, we’re able to prescribe FDA-approved medication for weight loss to help patients lose weight safely and effectively, and not only lose the weight, but keep it off. That sometimes can be the struggle,” she said. Find long-term success: Weight management at Sanford Health In addition to board certified obesity medicine physicians like Dr. Abdulwahab, the weight management center has registered dietitians, health coaches and offers counseling to those who need it. Dr. Abdulwahab worked with John one-on-one to create a personalized approach to his non-surgical weight loss plan. “We’ll talk about what I need to do, what I need to change, and I’ll adapt those changes accordingly,” Vodochodsky said. Following his doctor’s diet and exercise plan caused the pounds to start shedding quickly. “Well, I started at 415 pounds, and today I’m just under about 234.5 now,” he said. A transformation beyond physical appearance According to the CDC, losing 5% of your total body weight can reduce the risk for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular events, and other risk factors related to obesity. “So, by losing 5%, which could be as simple as eight to 10 pounds, that could impact your health greatly,” said Dr. Abdulwahab. The weight loss is transforming Vodochodsky’s health. “I’m off my cholesterol medication. I’m off my blood pressure medication. So my health has taken a 180-degree turn,” he said. At his last checkup, his A1C was a healthy level, and his prediabetes diagnosis has been reversed. Inspiring others Vodochodsky’s success in the program inspired Marty Vodochodsky, his wife of 31 years, to take a step of faith. “You can only do so much cheering. Sometimes you have to jump both feet, heart and soul, and get your team put together and run with it,” she said. For a few months, she traveled the 85 miles to Sioux Falls from Sioux City with John Vodochodsky for his appointments at the Sanford Weight Management Center. After that, Marty Vodochodsky too signed up for the program and made an appointment with Dr. Abdulwahab. They worked together to first defy common misconceptions when it comes to weight loss. “In high school they’d tell you, ‘You want to lose weight? Stop eating.’ With Sanford’s program it’s been intelligent, and it’s been sustainable,” said Marty Vodochodsky. Today she’s lost more than 65 pounds. “I’m actually the weight I was in college. It’s the first time I’ve been this low in 30 years.” Following her personalized weight loss plan has made for significant milestones in just a few short months. “I was ecstatic the minute I was able to walk into the standard size women’s department and buy the standard size clothes. I was so happy and so ecstatic, I probably danced my way up to the cashier and out the store,” Marty Vodochodsky said. Dr. Abdulwahab says results come with hard work and dedication to the program. “You can feel the struggles that patients go through sometimes, but you provide support, be there for them, make yourself open to suggestions, and tweak and change your plan if you feel you’re hitting a wall sometimes,” she said. With the support of each other and their care team at Sanford Health, John and Marty Vodochodsky will continue on the journey of health that is before them. “Don’t be afraid to start,” said John Vodochodsky. “Use whatever motivation you need to use to contact this program and ask the necessary questions.” Learn more ‘Exercise is Medicine’ helps lose pounds, gain confidence Podcast: Importance of heart and vascular screenings Free senior program helps patient overcome prediabetes … Posted In Family Medicine, Healthy Living, Weight Loss

Today In Sports History, Oct. 14: Gretzky Scores His First NHL Goal – Cumberland Times-News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/today-in-sports-history-oct-14-gretzky-scores-his-first-nhl-goal-cumberland-times-news/ Oct. 14 1945 — The Chicago Cardinals snap the longest losing streak in NFL history at 29 games with a 16-7 victory over the Chicago Bears. 1951 — Detroit’s Jack Christiansen returns two punts for touchdowns, but the Lions still lose, 27-21, to the Los Angeles Rams. 1962 — Houston’s George Blanda throws six touchdown passes to lead the Oilers to a 56-17 rout of the New York Titans. 1967 — The Los Angeles Kings, led by Brain Kilrea, beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 in their NHL debut. The game is held at Long Beach (Calif.) Arena. Kilrea scores two goals, including the first one in Kings history. 1978 — Darryl Sittler of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets seven assists in a 10-7 victory over the New York Islanders. 1979 — Edmonton’s Wayne Gretzky scores his first NHL goal in a 4-4 tie with the Vancouver Canucks. Gretzky beats goaltender Glen Hanlon with the game-tying power-play goal with 1:09 remaining in the third period. 1990 — Joe Montana passes for career highs of 476 yards and six touchdowns and Jerry Rice ties an NFL record with five scoring receptions as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Atlanta Falcons 45-35. 1991 — New York Rangers right wing Mike Gartner scores his 500th career goal in the first period of a 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals. 2005 — Ryan Newman sets a NASCAR record by winning his fifth consecutive Busch Series race, the Charlotte 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. 2006 — Mats Sundin scores his 500th career goal, completing a hat trick with a short-handed overtime game-winner and giving Toronto a 5-4 victory over Calgary. The third goal is Sundin’s 15th in overtime — the most in NHL history. 2007 — Tom Brady of New England passes for 388 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in a 48-27 win over previously unbeaten Dallas. The five TDs gives Brady the NFL mark with at least three in each of the first six games of the season. 2011 — Japan’s Kohei Uchimura becomes the first man to win three titles at the world gymnastics championships in Tokyo. Uchimura finishes with 93.631 points in the men’s all-around, more than three points ahead of Germany’s Philipp Boy. 2012 — Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers sets a career high and ties a franchise record with six touchdown passes, three to Jordy Nelson, and the Packers rout the Houston Texans 42-24. Rodgers completes 24 of 37 passes for 338 yards and ties Matt Flynn’s single-game record for TD passes, set in last year’s regular-season finale against Detroit. 2015 — Sylvia Fowles has 20 points and 11 rebounds as the Minnesota Lynx capture their third WNBA title in five years with a 69-52 victory over the Indiana Fever in Game 5. 2018 — Stephen Gostkowski hit a 28-yard field goal as time expires, and the New England Patriots beat the Kansas City Chiefs 43-40 after blowing a big halftime lead. Tom Brady passes for 340 yards and a touchdown and runs for another score in his 200th victory as a starting quarterback, tops in NFL history. With New England leading 24-9 at halftime, Patrick Mahomes directs an impressive rally by Kansas City in the second half. He finishes 23 of 36 for 352 yards in his first loss as a starting quarterback, with three of his four TD passes going to Tyreek Hill. 2020 — The NFL cancels the Pro Bowl scheduled for January, 31, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Ad Of The Day: Elizabeth Banks Mocks The Metaverse In Archer Roose Spot – The Drum https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/ad-of-the-day-elizabeth-banks-mocks-the-metaverse-in-archer-roose-spot-the-drum/ Archer Roose Wines pokes fun at the metaverse in its latest ad that features actor Elizabeth Banks. ‘Into the Metaverse’ begins with Banks, who is also the brand’s co-owner and chief creative officer, in her kitchen wearing a pair of funky glasses as she states that everything around her looks ‘so real.’ As her confused friend joins her in the kitchen, she asks why the Hunger Games actress is wearing her sunglasses. Adding to the hilarity, Banks hands her friend a vase – or as she calls it, a non-fungible token. It’s a tongue-in-cheek campaign that plays on the fact that not a lot of people can pinpoint what the metaverse actually is, and positions Archer Roose as a product that’s best enjoyed in the real world with real-world people. Credits Client: Archer Roose Agency: Colossus Executive creative director/copywriter: Greg Almeida Executive creative director/art director: Travis Robertson Art director: Tyler Sugg and Armeen Shaidani Copywriter: Jillian Apatow Executive producer: Nicole Hollis-Vitale Associate Producer: Samantha Derderian Managing director: Jon Balck Account director: Hayley Richards Account coordinator: Sebastian Molina Production company: Community Films Director: Nat Prisco Executive producer: Carl Swan and Lizzie Schwartz Line producer: Nessie Clarke DP: Don Davis Photographer: Kim Newmoney Stills production: RedEye Reps/Kim Newmoney Photography Line producer: Lucia Tran Edit: Forage Edit Editor: Kelly Hansen Finishing: Zero VFX Color correct: Company3 Colorist: Tim Masick Executive Producer: Ashley McKim Producer: Kevin Breheny Mix and sound design: Mike Secher at Soundtrack Boston

Grab Yourself This 8-In-1 Maglight Utility Flashlight With 33% Off And Live The Convenience – The Inventory https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/grab-yourself-this-8-in-1-maglight-utility-flashlight-with-33-off-and-live-the-convenience-the-inventory/ 8-In-1 Maglight Utility Flashlight | $20 | StackSocial If you, or someone you know, loves the kind of tool that has a multitude of uses in one little package, then you’ll be overjoyed to hear that this 8-In-1 Maglight Utility Flashlight is on sale today with 33% off, and it’s got some big old functions y’all. The 8-In-1 Maglight Utility Flashlight is, at its core, a super bright flashlight that provides 800 lumens at maximum power, has four light modes to fit whatever you want to do, has a built-in kickstand so it’s hands-free, has a carabiner, a long-lasting rechargeable battery, a bottle opener, and something called a mounting hole. It’s great for garages, outdoorsy types, and just people who like cool little gadgets.

Tamadoge NFTs Rank #1 On OpenSea As FOMO Builds – Here’s What You Need To Know – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/tamadoge-nfts-rank-1-on-opensea-as-fomo-builds-heres-what-you-need-to-know-cryptonews/ Tamadoge OpenSea Ranking (OpenSea.com) Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com.  Tamadoge has been turning heads recently after selling out its $19 million dollar presale and soaring in value from a listing price of $0.03 to a high of $0.197. Now, the Tamadoge ultra-rare NFT collection has made it to the number 1 spot on OpenSea showing that the project can perform well across the whole crypto space.  What is Tamadoge Tamadoge is a cryptocurrency project with aims to reshape the current crypto gaming landscape by creating a rewarding, engaging, NFT-based game with a focus on gameplay rather than convoluted earning mechanics.  Tamadoge Splash (Tamadoge.io) At the core of the Tamadoge game is a unique Metaverse world known as the Tamaveres. Within this virtual land, players can explore, interact with one another, and view their 3D-animated Tamadgoge pets. Each pet is tokenized as an NFT, allowing them to be easily bought, sold, and upgraded.  In order to earn Dogepoints and increase their leaderboard ranking, players can train a Tamadoge pet and provide it with items from the in-game store. The higher ranked a player is on the in-game leaderboard, the larger their share of the rewards pool. This incentives players to purchase items from the Tamadoge store, in turn, triggering a 5% burn on revenue.  The Tamadoge NFT Collection October 6th saw the release of the first official Tamadoge NFT collection. The series contained 100 ultra-rare pet NFTs that boast increased stats and excellent artwork. The ultra-rare NFT collection has been a huge hit with investors, soaring to the number 1 spot on OpenSea’s trending tab and commanding a floor price of 8 ETH. However, if you weren’t able to snag a Tamadoge NFT during the ultra-rare auction, don’t worry. A collection consisting of 1,000 rare Tamadoge NFTs is set to drop on October 17th with the auction running until October 24th. This will later be followed by the release of 20,000 common NFTs, giving investors another chance to get their hands on a Tamadoge pet.  In addition to providing its holders with an investment opportunity and a character for the upcoming Tamadoge arcade games, owners of any ultra-rare, rare, or common Tamadoge NFT will receive a puppy version for use in the main Tamadoge game once it’s released.  While it’s true that the TAMA token has been performing exceptionally well, the ultra-rare NFT collection has achieved an equally as impressive feat. Based on the project’s performance to date it seems as though nothing will be able to stop the accent of Tamadoge.  As such, it’s worth checking out the project today before prices are pushed higher as the hype around Tamadoge builds to insurmountable levels. Join the Tamadoge Telegram to hear about any updates before anyone else.  Visit Tamadoge Related News and Analysis  Here’s Why Tamadoge Could Overtake Dogecoin Tamadoge $100,000 Giveaway 12 Best Cheap NFTs

Oil Stable As OPEC+ Quotas Offset Low Chinese Demand – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/oil-stable-as-opec-quotas-offset-low-chinese-demand-reuters/ Brent and WTI contracts on track for weekly decline Distillates drawn down, U.S. crude stockpiles surge OPEC+ output target will keep inventories low, says analyst LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) – Oil prices were stable on Friday as support from a large cut to the OPEC+ supply target and a weaker dollar were countered by global recession fears and weak oil demand in China. Brent crude futures were down 31 cents, or 0.3%, at $94.26 a barrel at 0924 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $88.86. The Brent and WTI contracts both oscillated between positive and negative territority on Friday but were down about 4% over the week after two weeks of gains on concern over the global economy. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The U.S. dollar this week dropped from recent highs, making dollar-denominated commodities cheaper for holders of other currencies. China, the world’s largest crude oil importer, has been fighting COVID flare-ups after a week-long holiday ahead of a Communist Party Congress where President Xi Jinping is expected to extend his leadership. The country’s infection tally is small by global standards, but it adheres to a zero-COVID policy that is weighing heavily on economic activity. The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Thursday cut its oil demand forecast for this and next, warning of a potential global recession. On the bullish side, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies, together known as OPEC+, last week announced a 2 million barrel per day (bpd) cut to oil production targets. Underproduction among the group means this will probably translate to a 1 million bpd cut, the IEA estimates. “The prospect of a decrease of around 1 million bpd from next month onwards will sharply reduce a previously expected build in critically low oil inventories over the coming months,” said PVM analyst Stephen Brennock. Saudi Arabia and the United States, meanwhile, have clashed over the decision. Oil prices were also supported by a steep drawdown in U.S. distillate stocks (USOILD=ECI), though there has been a larger than expected surge in U.S. crude oil in storage. ​ Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Shadia Nasralla Additional reporting by Emily Chow in Singapore Editing by David Goodman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Shadia Nasralla Thomson Reuters Writes about the intersection of corporate oil and climate policy. Has reported on politics, economics, migration, nuclear diplomacy and business from Cairo, Vienna and elsewhere.

Sabien Technology Loss Widens As Costs Mount And Revenue Falls | Financial News – London South East https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/sabien-technology-loss-widens-as-costs-mount-and-revenue-falls-financial-news-london-south-east/ (Alliance News) – Sabien Technology Group PLC on Friday reported a widened loss and falling revenue as the company faced increasing costs of doing business. In the year ending June 30, Sabien Technology’s pretax loss widened to GBP743,000 from GBP509,000 the year before. This resulted from a widening cost of sales, which widened to GBP231,000 from GBP153,000, and administrative expenses, which increased to GBP1.3 million from GBP1.2 million the year before. The London-based boiler efficiency products company’s revenue decreased to GBP679,000 from GBP971,000 the year before. Although revenue fell, Sabien Technology will carry GBP290,000 of revenue into 2023. Going into 2022 the equivalent figure was GBP40,000. The forward revenue consists of deferred revenue unable to be completed in 2022 due to delayed supply chain caused by the worldwide semiconductor shortage, forward orders, and a growing level of recurring revenue from the M2G Cloud rollout. Sabien Technology’s M2G Cloud allows customers to review energy usage. During the year, 293 M2G Cloud Solutions were sold compared to none in 2021. Of these, 262 occurred in the second half of the year. Executive Chair Richard Parris said: “Sabien is a microcosm of the challenges and opportunities facing the world today. The group has developed, and is developing, a series of operations whose purpose and growth are both strong now and likely to strengthen further in the medium term. The board of Sabien has prepared for this growth through acquiring selectively, partnering constructively and managing prudently. We look forward to the future with greater confidence than we have for some time.” Shares in Sabien Technology were trading 3.2% lower at 9.92 pence each in London on Friday morning. By Chris Dorrell; chrisdorrell@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

The Xbox App For Windows Finally Brings Cloud Gaming To Arm Devices – XDA Developers https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-xbox-app-for-windows-finally-brings-cloud-gaming-to-arm-devices-xda-developers/ This week brought an onslaught of Microsoft news across the Surface event and the Ignite conference, including a beautiful new Surface Pro 9 and the announcement of iCloud integration in the Windows 11 Photos app. There was a major piece of news that got lost in the shuffle, however. This week, Microsoft also announced that the Xbox app for Windows finally supports Arm-powered devices, such as the Surface Pro X and the new Surface Pro 9 with 5G. That means you can now use the Windows app to play games using Xbox Cloud Gaming, effectively making it possible to use thin and light Arm devices as gaming machines. The Xbox app for Windows has supported cloud gaming for a while now, but unfortunately, the app only runs on x86-based PCs. If you had a Windows PC with an Arm processor, you were forced to use a browser, because the Xbox app wouldn’t even run on Arm devices through emulation. And if you’re using a browser, the only ones optimized for Arm devices are Microsoft Edge and Firefox, which aren’t ideal for everyone. Thankfully, now you can use the Xbox app, with an updated version rolling out this week with support for Arm devices. Xbox Cloud Gaming gets you access to “hundreds” of games that are rendered remotely and streamed to you over the internet. That means you don’t need an incredibly powerful device to enjoy popular titles, including free access to games like Fortnite, making them even more accessible. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you also get a lot of paid titles, including major launches from Xbox Game Studios such as Halo Infinite or Microsoft Flight Simulator. Windows devices powered by Arm processors have faced a number of hurdles that make them feel like they’re not quite ready for mass adoption, despite first making their debut five years ago. In our recent review of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, Rich Woods noted that many apps still don’t work or aren’t well-optimized, which makes these devices hard to recommend. At the time, the Xbox app was one such example, but thankfully that’s no longer the case. Beyond Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft has been making strides towards making Windows on Arm devices more appealing in general recently. Built-in Windows 11 apps like the Camera and Calculator have recently added native support for Arm, PowerToys also supports the architecture, and even Visual Studio is getting updated with native Arm support. Microsoft is also working on Project Volterra, an Arm-based Windows development machine. Source: Microsoft

Texas Sheriff Starts Probe Into Martha’s Vineyard Flights – Law360 https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/texas-sheriff-starts-probe-into-marthas-vineyard-flights-law360/ By Dave Simpson (October 13, 2022, 10:19 PM EDT) — A Texas sheriff’s department announced on Thursday that it is investigating, for the possible crime of unlawful restraint, the high-profile transport of dozens of migrants from the Lone Star State to Martha’s Vineyard last month, an act for which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took credit…. Stay ahead of the curve In the legal profession, information is the key to success. You have to know what’s happening with clients, competitors, practice areas, and industries. Law360 provides the intelligence you need to remain an expert and beat the competition. Access to case data within articles (numbers, filings, courts, nature of suit, and more.) Access to attached documents such as briefs, petitions, complaints, decisions, motions, etc. Create custom alerts for specific article and case topics and so much more! TRY LAW360 FREE FOR SEVEN DAYS

DAC7 Is Coming: Are You Sure That Your Business Is Not In Scope? – Lexology https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/dac7-is-coming-are-you-sure-that-your-business-is-not-in-scope-lexology/ European Union October 13 2022 The DAC7 rules, which apply as of 1 January 2023, impose new obligations on Platform Operators. Platform Operators will have to collect, validate, store and report certain information about (Relevant Activities of) the sellers using their platform. The definitions of Platform Operator and Relevant Activity are not clearcut and can result in a broad range of situations falling under DAC7. In this website article we have included practical examples to illustrate situations where DAC7 could apply. DAC7 requires Platform Operators to collect, validate, store and report certain information about (Relevant Activities of) the sellers using their platform. A Platform Operator for DAC7 purposes is an operator of a website, a mobile application or any type of software that allows sellers to be connected to other users for the purpose of carrying out a Relevant Activity. A Relevant Activity is any of the following: sale of (tangible) goods, rental of immovable property, rental of any mode of transport or provision of personal services. As the definitions of Platform Operator and Relevant Activity are not clearcut, we have included some practical examples to illustrate situations where DAC7 could apply. 1. Multi-sided businesses connecting sellers and users A Marketplace Y operates a website that allows Webshop Owner X to connect and sell its tangible goods to Business Client Z and others. Marketplace Y would be considered a Platform for DAC7. The website of Marketplace Y allows sellers (Webshop Owner X) to connect with customers (Client Z and others) for the sale of (tangible) goods. Jobs Platform B enables House Owner C to contract Gardener A to conduct gardening activities at his house. Jobs Platform B would be considered a Platform for DAC7. The website of Jobs Platform B allows seller (Gardener A) to be connected with a customer (House Owner C). Members of Fitness Club B can book personal training sessions with independent Personal Trainer A through the website of Fitness Club B.Fitness Club B would be considered a Platform Operator for DAC7. The website of Fitness Club A allows sellers (Personal Trainer A) to be connected with customers (Fitness Club Members). 2. Businesses ‘buying-in’ and re-selling services from third parties Taxi Operator B uses its website to on-sell taxi services supplied by Taxi Company A to Consumer CTaxi Operator B might have to be considered a Platform Operator for DAC7.The website of Taxi Operator B allows sellers (Taxi Company A) to be connected with customers (Client C). According to the OECD Model Rules, a Platform also exists whenever the Platform Operator first purchases the relevant services from the seller and then offers these services in its own name to the users.The DAC7 definition of a Platform seems to require that sellers are registered on the website as to be connected to users. In that case, if Taxi Company A is not required to register on the website of Taxi Operator B as to be connected to Consumer C, Taxi Operator B would not be a Platform under DAC7. 3. Entities within a group facilitating the sale of goods or services from/to third parties Group Company Y operates the global website of the group. Clients can order goods through this website. A Local Operating Company X of the group concludes the sales of the goods with the clients.It is unclear whether Group Company Y qualifies as a Platform Operator. This is because, to be deemed as a Platform, Group Company Y would need to allow Sellers to be connected to other users for the purpose of carrying out a “Relevant Activity”. Although activities “carried out by a seller acting as an employee of the Platform Operator or a related entity of the Platform Operator” are not regarded as a Relevant Activity under DAC7, it is not clear if all activities of a related entity or, rather, if merely activities of sellers who are employees of the related entities are excluded. A Procurement Company X within a multinational group operates software that allows third party service providers from all over Europe to register and offer their personal services to EU group entities.Depending on the interpretation of the DAC7 provision referred to in the previous example, The Procurement Company X could be considered a Platform for DAC7 as it allows sellers (third party contractors and service providers) to be connected with EU group entities. Company X operates the global website of a global Fast Food group. Clients can order their hamburgers through this website. The Local Franchise Companies conclude the sales of the fast food with the clients.Company X would be considered a Platform for DAC7, as the website of Company X allows third party sellers (Local Franchise Companies) to be connected with customers (Clients). 4. Businesses intermediating in the rental of immovable property Holiday Park Operator A provides vacation accommodation to Customers. Some of these dwellings are owned by Third Parties. Holiday Park Operator A facilitates the rental of these vacation accommodation owned by Third Parties to individual clients via its website.Holiday Park Operator A would be considered a Platform for DAC7 when it intermediates in the rental of accommodation. Pursuant to the OECD Model Rules, Holiday Park Operator A might also have to be considered a Platform for DAC7 when it on-sells the rental of vacation accommodation. 5. Businesses with mix activities and several service lines Bank A offers several financial services via an app. Through the same app Clients can buy goods from Merchants with loyalty points.Bank A is a Platform Operator for DAC7, as it connects the clients with the Merchants for sales of goods via its app. An Online Seller of consumer electronics sells its own goods via its website. At the checkout, it offers customers the possibility to buy an additional guarantee for the purchased goods from Insurance Company B.It is not clear if insurance services qualify as a Personal Service for DAC7. If this would be the case, the Online Seller would be a Platform Operator in respect of the guarantees sold by Insurance Company B. Travel Client A books his vacation, including flight and hotel accommodation offered by third parties, through the website of Travel Agent B.Travel Agent B would be considered a Platform Operator for DAC7. The website of Travel Agent B allows sellers (e.g. accommodation or tourist services providers) to be connected with Travel Client A for the provision of different Relevant Activities. Conclusion Besides online marketplaces and app stores, business in traditional industries can also fall within the scope of DAC7. This is the case if they connect third party sellers and users through their website for the performance of Relevant Activities. Companies will have to perform a DAC7 analysis of the business models and business lines applied. Loyens & Loeff can help you understand if your business is impacted by DAC7 and, if so, help you prepare to be compliant to the obligations imposed by DAC7.

Seattle DJC.com Local Business News And Data – News – Architects West – Seattle Daily Journal Of Commerce https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/seattle-djc-com-local-business-news-and-data-news-architects-west-seattle-daily-journal-of-commerce/ Oct 14, 2022 Summit Bank Moreland Jenny Bennett, market president for Summit Bank, announced that Megan Moreland has joined the Eugene & Springfield Lending team as a business client advisor. Moreland is a native of Alaska and comes to Summit from SELCO Community Credit Union, where she had eight years of experience in commercial banking. Prior to SELCO, she was a personal banker with Chase Bank for three years. Moreland graduated from the University of Oregon. She serves on the board of directors of Kids FIRST, the Springfield Twin Rivers Rotary Club, and is a past board member of the Eugene Active 2030 Club. Summit Bank has offices in Eugene, Central Oregon, and downtown Portland. SirionLabs Seattle-based SirionLabs, a global provider of AI-powered contract lifecycle management, announced the expansion of its Customer Success team as it positions itself to scale operations for its accelerated growth plans following its recent infusion of $85 million in funding. The new members of the executive team will report directly to Sirion COO Madhukar Yarra. Naveen Mehta has come on board as senior vice president and will be responsible for EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) portfolio growth. Mehta has 25 years of experience spanning technology, product and business operations. Most recently he was vice president and head of sales for Europe and Asia at Conduent. Manish Chhabra joins Sirion as vice president. He brings experience as a global leader in customer success and analytics at organizations including Sprinklr, Amazon, Dell and Accenture. Stephen Brickley joins as vice president for key accounts in North America. Brickley is a growth-oriented SaaS executive with over 20 years of experience leading customer success teams in privately funded enterprise SaaS companies, including iRise and Blueprint Software Systems. Sirion also brought in key members to both its business strategy and its marketing teams. Executive veteran Gordon Thompson has come on board as executive vice president of pre-sales & business strategy. Thompson brings more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software and SaaS applications, most recently as senior vice president of pre-sales & business transformation at Mindtickle. Spearheading the company’s global marketing initiative, Hiro Notaney joined Sirion earlier this year as chief marketing officer. Notaney has over twenty years of experience with industry leaders such as Oracle and Deloitte, and more than five in contract management. Building Transparency Building Transparency announced a new influx of pilot partners and that Stacy Smedley is joining the organization full-time as executive director. Building Transparency’s latest pilot partners are in the manufacturing and architecture, engineering, and construction sectors and are committed to material transparency and clean procurement. Building Transparency’s latest partners include: American Wood Council, Softwood Lumber Board, The Tile Council of North America, TK Elevator and WoodWorks. As partners, these organizations are driving the continued support and development of EC3, a tool that allows benchmarking, assessment, and reductions in embodied carbon and focuses on the upfront supply chain emissions of construction materials. The partnership enables companies to support material transparency, while also improving carbon accounting efforts to make it easier to set and achieve emission reduction targets. Prior to serving in a full-time capacity, Smedley served in two roles, her position at Building Transparency and as senior sustainability director at Skanska, one of the companies responsible for co-conceiving, funding and piloting the EC3 tool. In addition, Steve Clem, senior vice president of project planning services and head of green function at Skanska, will join Building Transparency as a board member and treasurer. Building Transparency is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides open access data and tools that support action across the building industry in addressing embodied carbon’s role in climate change. Formed in 2020, Building Transparency is headquartered in Seattle. Oct 13, 2022 Wizards remains in Renton Several recent office reports from various brokers agree that Wizards of the Coast is moving its headquarters in Renton, where the game company was founded 32 years ago. It has leased 110,947 square feet at Southport, representing the biggest tenant signed there to date. Landlord Seco Development confirmed the lease last month with Puget Sound Business Journal; CBRE brokers the space for Seco. Wizard’s many popular titles include Dungeons & Dragons and Magic, the Gathering. Its currently based in the old Landmark office park a little south of Interstate 405. Based on that old lease, it may be shedding a little space, but it also has 28,000 square feet in Bellevue’s Eastgate Office Park. BH Properties McLaughlin BH Properties recently announced that Hughes McLaughlin has joined the firm as managing director. He’ll be tasked with leading acquisitions in the Pacific Northwest, with an emphasis on value-add deals and opportunistic real estate. He makes the move from Cushman & Wakefield. He’s a 20-year veteran in our market. He said in a statement, “My role is to find fundamentally strong real estate assets that are suffering from today’s market dislocation. One of the things that attracted me to BH is that they are self-funded and require little to no leverage to close on even the most complex transactions. This also allows us to deploy capital in scenarios where traditional joint ventures wouldn’t.” BH is based in Santa Monica, Calif. and has an office in Seattle. The privately held firm now has about 100 properties under management, which total about 10 million square feet. Brokers both bearish and bullish? Beddard Nov. 16 marks the next NAIOP monthly breakfast, to be held at Hyatt Regency Seattle at 8 a.m. The panel discussion will consist of office brokers trying to forecast a very cloudy 2023 ahead. Interest rates, work-from-home, the ascendancy of industrial and life science, the cratering of office and the durability of apartments will all likely enter into the discussion. Alison Beddard of Cushman & Wakefield will moderate the discussion among CBRE’s Laura Ford, Thad Mallory of Newmark and Chris Moe of Kidder Mathews. Details and registration: naiopwa.org. Orchard sprouts downtown As traditional office leases are decreasing in size and duration, hybrid work and co-work spaces are picking up some of the slack. Thus, JLL is expanding its Orchard Workspace by JLL platform, it recently announced. That expansion, marking its second location in the U.S. after Brooklyn, recently opened with 35,000 square feet on two floors at Westlake Tower, at 1601 Fifth Ave., overlooking the monorail. Jacob Bates, the head of Flex by JLL, said in a statement, “We are excited to activate the Seattle location and add the space to JLL’s growing network of flex locations around the world. With hybrid work, flex is becoming a significant part of employers’ flexible work strategies, and our new Seattle location serves to effectively implement these plans.” F5 Budnik F5 appointed Marianne Budnik to its board of directors. Budnik has extensive marketing and cybersecurity expertise, as well as more than 25 years of operating experience in the technology sector. Budnik currently serves as chief marketing officer for Talon Cyber Security. Previously, she served as chief marketing officer for CrowdStrike, where she also oversaw the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Budnik’s prior roles include chief marketing officer for CyberArk, as well as leadership roles with SimpliVity, Acme Packet, CA Technologies, and EMC Corp. Budnik earned an M.B.A. from Boston University and currently serves on the board of directors for Cerence, Inc. With Budnik’s appointment, F5’s board expands to 12 members, 11 of whom are independent. Headquartered in Seattle, F5 is a multi-cloud application services and security company. The Beer Institute Crawford The Beer Institute, one of the nation’s oldest trade associations representing brewers, beer importers and beer industry suppliers, appointed Brian Crawford as president and chief executive officer of the trade association. Crawford joins the Beer Institute from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), where he is executive vice president of government affairs. The position of president and chief executive officer has been vacant since May, after the departure of Jim McGreevy. Celebrating its 160th anniversary, Crawford will lead and represent the Beer Institute before lawmakers, regulators, news media and in public forums. Crawford came to AHLA following eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives, having served five as chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney. He previously served as the deputy chief of staff for Florida Congressman Ric Keller, and held senior roles in other national trade associations. Genuine Auto Glass Safelite Group, owner of Safelite AutoGlass, announced an agreement to acquire the assets of Genuine Auto Glass in Seattle. Genuine Auto Glass will leverage Safelite’s operational systems, safety system recalibration expertise, distribution network, global purchasing power and insurance and commercial relationships. Safelite Group is a vehicle glass and claims management service organization based in Columbus, Ohio, and operates facilities in 50 states. The company, which has been in business since 1947, includes Safelite AutoGlass and Safelite Solutions, which offers fleet and insurance claims management services for vehicle glass and other claims. The company employs over 16,000...

FREE Support To Live A Healthier Life – North Somerset Council https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/free-support-to-live-a-healthier-life-north-somerset-council/ Free, personalised support to improve health and wellbeing is now available to adults living in Weston-super-Mare and nearby villages, thanks to a partnership between North Somerset Council and Pier Health Primary Care Network (PCN). Five new Healthy Lifestyle Advisors have recently been recruited by the council’s Public Health team, partly funded by Pier Health PCN. They are on hand to provide 12 weeks of free support to help people form healthier habits and reach healthy lifestyle goals, as part of the council’s ongoing commitment to improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. Residents are being offered tailored support to get active, eat well, lose weight and stop smoking. Guidance provided to residents is personalised and follows evidence and best practice guidance from official health bodies. The 12-week support is client-focused, non-judgmental and free. It can be given in a one-to-one or group setting, face to face at the Town Hall, over the phone or via video call. It is available to anyone who is aged 18 and over, and who lives in Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding villages. Residents in those areas can request support by completing the simple online health MOT available on the Better Health North Somerset website at www.betterhealthns.co.uk. Practitioners supporting local residents can also refer people for support via the practitioner page at www.betterhealthns.co.uk/practitioners. More than 400 people have already completed a health MOT since the website went live in the summer. The five new recruits join an existing team who already offer heathy lifestyle support to people across North Somerset. More information about the help available can be found on the Better Health North Somerset website which is full of advice, tips and real stories from other North Somerset residents who have been supported by the team. Cllr Mike Bell, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and executive member with responsibility for health, said: “We’re a council that cares and wants to empower people and communities to live healthy, happy lives. Our Healthy Lifestyle Advisors play a vital role in supporting people to make healthy choices and form new habits to improve both physical and mental health. “I’m delighted that with this part funding from Pier Health Primary Care Network, the team of advisors has grown and will be able to offer 12 weeks of free, tailored support to people living in and around Weston. This is such an important service, particularly at a time when cost of living is increasing, and people may be worried about how they can afford to live more healthily. “This support is free, it’s personalised and it’s there for you to use, so please visit the Better Health North Somerset website or get in touch with the team and find out how they can help you.” For help and support to lead a healthier lifestyle go to www.betterhealthns.co.uk People can also contact the Healthy Lifestyles team for support by calling 01934 427 661 or emailing healthylifestyles@n-somerset.gov.uk. The photograph shows Carmen, a Healthy Lifestyle Advisor who’s been helping North Somerset residents live healthier lifestyles for six years, welcoming the newest recruits who’ll be working in and around Weston. From left to right Aleks, Naomi, James, Carmen, Alexis and Lucilla.

Cambria Vets Office To Meet Today | News, Sports, Jobs – Altoona Mirror https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cambria-vets-office-to-meet-today-news-sports-jobs-altoona-mirror/ Event is second of four offered Cambria County Veterans Services Office will have a veteran information meeting at 1 p.m. today at the Patton Library, 444 Magee Ave., Patton. This is the second of four meetings scheduled in Cambria County. The department will hold similar meetings for veterans and their families at: — 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at South Fork Library, 320 Main St., South Fork — 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Portage Library, 704 Main St., Portage. Discussion topics will include benefit claims, PACT Act, Camp Lejeune water and survivor benefits, followed by a question and answer session. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

What Marketers Must Know About The Metaverse: Alvin Wang Graylin Of HTC Leads Panel Oct. 20 – MarTech Series https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/what-marketers-must-know-about-the-metaverse-alvin-wang-graylin-of-htc-leads-panel-oct-20-martech-series/ What is the Metaverse? And how will marketers compete in it? Don’t miss this American Marketing Association panel when Alvin Wang Graylin, China President at HTC, and other leaders in Metaverse technology forecast the future of communications and marketing. The thought-leadership panel will be moderated by Ben Kunz of Mediassociates and held via Zoom at 7 p.m. Eastern U.S. time Thursday, Oct. 20, sponsored by the American Marketing Association and Mediassociates. Metaverse marketing explained by Alvin Wang Graylin of HTC in AMA Panel Marketing Technology News: Unstoppable Domains Integrates With Fantom to Deliver Simplified Crypto Transactions Panelists will include Alvin Wang Graylin, lead panelist. Alvin Wang Graylin has been China President at HTC, leading all aspects of HTC VIVE VR and smartphone businesses from 2016 and this year just added the role of Global VP of Corporate Development, driving key partnership engagements for the company. He is also currently Vice-Chairman of the Industry of Virtual Reality Alliance with 300+ company members, president of the $18B Virtual Reality Venture Capital Alliance and oversees the VIVE X VR Accelerator program in Beijing, Shenzhen and Tel Aviv. Under his leadership, HTC has been voted top VR company in China at the World VR Industry Conference for three of the last four years, and Graylin has been recognized as the most influential person in XR in China the last five years. Ely Santos, Founder Metavertising. Santos produces and hosts one of the leading podcasts on Metaverse technology and Web3 development, and is founder of the strategy communications firm Metavertising out of São Paulo, Brazil. Adam Ragsdale, CEO and Co-founder of Voca and the Zero Gravity Club. A visionary in the Metaverse space, Ragsdale created the Zero Gravity Club to tell stories in virtual reality with a community involved in a science-fiction odyssey. Ben Kunz, moderator, EVP of Strategy at Mediassociates, a leading media planning, media buying and analytics agency. Marketing Technology News: MarTech Interview with Alexa Kilroy, Head of Brand at Triple Whale PR Newswire, a Cision company, is the premier global provider of multimedia platforms and distribution that marketers, corporate communicators, sustainability officers, public affairs and investor relations officers leverage to engage key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry over 60 years ago, PR Newswire today provides end-to- end solutions to produce, optimize and target content — and then distribute and measure results. Combining the world’s largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire powers the stories of organizations around the world. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific regions.

Check Out How The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Smoothens Productivity Hassles With These Cool Features – Gadgets Now https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/check-out-how-the-galaxy-tab-s6-lite-smoothens-productivity-hassles-with-these-cool-features-gadgets-now/ There are times when you wish you could read a research article and write an email at the same time while ending the last slide of that PPT on an impactful note. The present-day hybrid work culture lays greater emphasis on multitasking. Tech giant Samsung has continued to offer gadgets that are stepping up to this need and enabling you to get more done throughout the day. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a super portable note-taking companion. Slim and light, this tablet comes with the iconic S Pen. Whether you are on a team call, working on a spreadsheet, or clearing emails, this is the tablet that will help you power through your routine. Remote work calls made easy with superlative video and sound quality If you are on a video call, you can now enjoy better clarity as smaller bezels indicate a bigger display of 10.4’’ on a compact tablet. Additionally, you can get a rich sound profile thanks to the dual speakers that deliver 3D sound. So no more endless ‘Am I audible’ callouts during that super important meeting. The ever-reliable S Pen The S Pen has the prowess of several writing instruments. Its natural grip, low latency, and pressure sensitivity make it a go-to for everything from doodling to writing and editing. Due to the tablet’s magnetic holder, you can quash away any worries about misplacing the S Pen. Smooth work routines for better productivity Gadget lags can really slow your pace through the day, but the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite loads quickly run smoothly, and stay connected while grabbing fast Wi-Fi speeds. Its 7040mAh battery also ensures that you don’t get disconnected from your meetings. And with storage of 64GB along with expandable storage of up to 1TB, you need not feel the last-minute worry of deleting a large chunk of files for more space. Stay in touch even when you are out The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite helps you stay connected when your phone is out of reach. It seamlessly syncs with your Galaxy smartphone. You need not miss a call or replying to an urgent text. Tap the icon in the Quick Panel for a seamless connection, and you won’t be out of the loop. And if you have been putting in too many hours, explore the Dark Mode in One UI 2 to reduce the strain on your eyes. This further helps in saving battery, too. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the support you need while you juggle deadlines. It is also a great companion to help you play with ease after a long day of work. Whether binge-watching the latest shows or a long gaming session, the tablet’s versatile functionalities ensure that it has your back at every step. To know more about the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, click here. Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Samsung by Times Internet’s Spotlight team. FacebookTwitterLinkedin

Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Nears $20k; Uniswap, XRP And Shiba Inu Rally Up To 12% – Economic Times https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/crypto-price-today-bitcoin-nears-20k-uniswap-xrp-and-shiba-inu-rally-up-to-12-economic-times/ Synopsis US consumer prices in September slowed from the prior month, the Labor Department reported, but the inflation rate was still faster than what economists had predicted. China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) reached the milestone of US$13.9 billion worth of transactions amid a slowdown in uptake, South China Morning Post reported, citing People’s Bank of China data. Reuters New Delhi: Crypto tokens were back in action on Friday after the inflation numbers, though remained in the range prior to the data. However, the digital asset market recovered from their initial cuts. Bitcoin inched towards the $20,000 mark, whereas Ethereum reclaimed $13,000-levels. Trading volume has spiked suddenly which supported the gains in the crypto assets. All the crypto tokens were trading higher on Friday. Uniswap zoomed more than 12 per cent, whereas XRP and Shiba Inu rallied 7 per cent each. Bitcoin, Ethereum and Polygoon added 4 per cent each. The global cryptocurrency market cap was trading higher at $915.55 billion, jumping more than 3 per cent in the last 24 hours. However, the total trading volume jumped more than 91 per cent, almost doubled, to $86.66 billion. What’s cooking in India Police in the Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh, have announced an initiative that will put public complaints on a blockchain. The project is the first of its kind in India and is powered by Polygon, a scaling tool looking to facilitate lower-cost crypto transactions and uses the Ethereum blockchain. Experts Take Bitcoin and other altcoins rose in the past 24 hours after the release of the US Consumer Price Index data, which was higher than expected, said Edul Patel, CEO and co-founder, Mudrex. “The price action correlated with the equities even though the magnitude was not the same, as buyers entered the crypto market mid-day. The coming days would remain range-bound for the crypto spectrum,” he added. Global Updates Either reached a ‘post-Merge milestone’ this week as it became deflationary for the first time since the Ethereum blockchain switched to proof-of-stake (PoS), crypto exchange Coinbase said in a report. Stablecoin issuer Tether has reduced its commercial paper holdings to zero, replacing those holdings with US Treasury bills, the company announced in a blog post. US consumer prices in September slowed from the prior month, the Labor Department reported, but the inflation rate was still faster than what economists had predicted. China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) reached the milestone of US$13.9 billion worth of transactions amid a slowdown in uptake, South China Morning Post reported, citing People’s Bank of China data. Tech view by BuyUcoin cryptocurrency exchange Uniswap (UNI) has proved to be one of the best-performing crypto assets in the last 24 hours with a massive surge of 12.30 per cent. The positive news around the series B fundraising by Uniswap labs may have sparked investors’ interest in the coin ET CONTRIBUTORS The latest fundraise of $165 million values the company at a whopping $1.66 billion. The latest fundraiser will be used by the company to add new products and services which will prove highly beneficial for the growth of their native token. UNI looks like a good buy at the moment but investors should do so as per their risk appetite. The overall crypto market conditions look shaky due to the high inflation numbers reported by big economies around the globe. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times) (What’s moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips and expert advice on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News. …moreless Pick the best stocks for yourself Powered by

Raj Chetty Discusses Inequalities In U.S. – Inside Higher Ed https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/raj-chetty-discusses-inequalities-in-u-s-inside-higher-ed/ The United States’ innovation rate would quadruple if universities could deliver societywide equity in education, Harvard University economist Raj Chetty has calculated. Chetty, a professor of public economics at Harvard known for his data-driven examinations of societal inequity, opened the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit with a look at how the sector is contributing to the problem. Examples covered by his presentation included a variety of ways that societal advantages—in wealth, race and gender—still play out in career success in the U.S., such as students being more than twice as likely to become a patent-holding inventor if their family was in the top fifth of incomes than if it was not. More generally, Chetty said, students born to the wealthiest U.S. families have a nearly 100 percent likelihood of going to college. Those born to the poorest families have about a 30 percent chance. “Higher education is actually not on net a great engine of economic opportunity,” said the professor, one of the youngest tenured faculty in the history of Harvard’s department of economics. “It’s actually serving to stratify society.” During its three days, Times Higher Education’s chief annual gathering, hosted this year by New York University, featured worldwide academic leaders exploring the ability of the sector to meet rising societal demands in the aftermath of COVID-19. Chetty led it off with some stark reminders, particularly for the sector’s more elite institutions, about their overall shortfalls on equity, noting that advantages conveyed through education have major persistence across generations. He listed leading potential solutions for universities to consider, such as programs that encourage low-income students to apply, revisiting the practice of favoritism in admissions for children of alumni and increasing student financial aid. Another analysis showed that among students scoring at least 1500 on the SAT, most have about a 20 percent chance of gaining acceptance from an “Ivy-plus” institution. Those odds, however, jump rapidly for students from families in the top one-fifth of incomes, reaching about 50 percent odds of entry for students from the highest-income families. That kind of inequity, Chetty said, can be addressed by institutions in their admissions processes. Chetty also held out successful examples, with one list showing the top U.S. colleges as measured by the percentage of students who come from families in the nation’s bottom fifth by income who ended up in the top fifth. Topping that list by a wide margin is California State University, Los Angeles, with about 10 percent of its students making that leap. Even that perspective got some pushback at the summit, over questions of the wisdom of promoting income-based measures of student success. “It will inevitably privilege those careers that give you access to the 1 percent,” Gabrielle Starr, the president of Pomona College, said in recalling Chetty’s analysis at a subsequent session of the conference. In response, Chetty told THE that he agreed with Starr “that money is not the only yardstick for success” for students. “But other outcomes of interest—health, innovation, etc.—are often correlated with money,” he said, “and at least at the lower end of the income distribution, achieving a better life in terms of living standards is often a priority for students attending college.”

Redmi A1 Launched In India: Check Price, Features, And Specifications – The Indian Express https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/redmi-a1-launched-in-india-check-price-features-and-specifications-the-indian-express/ Redmi A1 has launched in India for Rs 7,499. (Image credit: Xiaomi) Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi has launched a new smartphone in India today for the masses called the Redmi A1+. The main selling point of this phone, aside from the very compelling price tag of Rs 7,499, is its software. Running stock Android, the phone is reminiscent of the original Mi A series, which participated in the Android One program and did not come with the MIUI skin. Redmi A1+: Specifications The Redmi A1+ comes with a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with an HD resolution of 720 x 1600 and a peak brightness of 400 nits. It is powered by the 12nm Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22, which is a quad-core CPU. The chip does not support 5G. At the rear is an 8MP dual camera setup, while the front features a 5MP selfie snapper. The battery is sized 5000mAh and it supports 10W charging, with the charger being included in the box. Covering it is a sleek leather texture design back, resistant to fingerprint smudges. The dimensions measure 164.9 x 76.75 x 9.09 mm and the whole thing weighs 192g. The phone boots into Android 12 Go Edition out of the box, which is a slimmed-down version of stock Android designed for faster performance. Pricing and availability Unlike the Redmi A1 that was launched last month, the Redmi A1+ comes in two variants – there’s the 2GB RAM + 32GB storage model priced at Rs 7,499 and then there’s the 3GB RAM + 32GB storage that’ll cost you Rs 8,499. Colour options are Black, Light Green, and Light Blue. The device will retail on Flipkart, mi.com, Mi Home, and retail outlets starting October 17, 12 noon. Early buyers will be able to pick up the phone for Rs. 6,999 and Rs. 7,999 respectively, as a part of the introductory offer. This offer is valid until October 31. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd First published on: 14-10-2022 at 01:33:46 pm

Overwatch 2’s Junker Queen Is Female Representation In Gaming Done Right – Dexerto https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/overwatch-2s-junker-queen-is-female-representation-in-gaming-done-right-dexerto/ Overwatch 2’s Junker Queen, and the game’s generally diverse hero roster, are inspiring inclusions and an example of just how far the gaming space has come in regards to nuanced and fully-realized female representation and diversity in their characters. As a queer female-identifying gamer, finding video game characters that I can relate to hasn’t been the easiest thing in the world. More often than not, when I did find a female character in a game that was compelling, they were either in the game for a very limited amount of time or oversexualized. Overwatch may not be perfect, but it has created a roster of diverse characters in a way many other games are still unable to do. It reflects the gaming community as a whole. It has been documented for years now that the ratio of female and male gamers is almost one-to-one. However, developers are still struggling to catch up when it comes to making sure their characters embody who it is by picking up the controllers. While I’m not the biggest online multiplayer gamer, Overwatch appealed to me from the early days because of how different and real their characters were. Not only do they have female characters, characters of color and LGBTQ+ heroes, Overwatch has playable figures who are more than just the typical body type and characterization I’ve come to expect from diverse characters. Blizzard Entertainment The three new heroes added for Overwatch 2 are all female-presenting. Overwatch 2 adds even more diversity to its roster The new release of Overwatch 2 has built upon the diverse roster even more so, with the likes of Junker Queen, Sojourn, and Kiriko all great examples of the way female-presenting characters have evolved to be more than just one body type, one complexion, and one personality.  In particular, Junker Queen has been a character that, from initial community response, is resonating with the masses. For voice actor Leah de Niese, taking on the role and having her character be more than just a one dimensional figure was something of great importance. “It’s wild,” de Niese told Dexerto. “I really do have a very strong goal as an artist. To represent women, to be a strong female voice. That has just become more and more prominent for me in the last 5-10 years, to the point where I’m sort of switching off when things are very male-heavy, from a male lens.”  “So to come into this world, where the gender divide could be seen as being there, female characters, just gotta get those big boobs on them and make them look sexy.” Unfortunately, this concern of de Niese isn’t unwarranted. Some of the oldest and more well known female characters in gaming have been oversezualized for decades. Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft is the most obvious example. Lara Croft has a checkered history when it comes to her portrayal in the gaming space. The recent trilogy did a fantastic job of stripping away those preconceived notions and portraying the character in a new light, but older gaming fans will still know her for her tiny shorts and, thanks to some great old school graphics, triangular breasts. For de Niese, having the chance to portray a female-identifying character that breaks this mold. “Junker Queen, she’s such an important female. That strength she has, and she’s sexy, we can be strong and sexy. And she’s rough as guts, she smashes any male that comes across her path. So that’s a really exciting position for me to be in, giving a voice to strong women.” Junker Queen is much more than a stereotypical female character To de Niese’s point, that is part of what is so exciting about having a character like Junker Queen be in many ways one of the new biggest faces of Overwatch 2. She’s tough and more masculine presenting, but also a character that embodies and owns her femininity.  As someone who has always been more masculine presenting myself, I felt that even when I did have the chance to play as a female character I was still unable to relate to them. What’s more, the Overwatch 2 community is loving Junker Queen — a character many had lofty expectations for given her importance in lore. Having overtly sexualized female characters paired up with male characters in appropriate clothing always sent me the wrong message about being a woman in the gaming space. Especially when considering that these characters were largely created and designed by men.  So why is it that the gaming space still struggles with diversity? It’s important to note that when we have this discussion, not all video game franchises are being targeted. As well as Overwatch, series such as Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Valorant all have a great roster of female characters. Junker Queen builds on Overwatch 2’s already diverse roster. However, the issue the gaming space seems to still be grappling with is how older gaming franchises evolve into a more inclusive space. The controversy surrounding GTA 6’s female protagonist — and the sexist comments made in response to that leak — are an example of how an older and more established gaming series is trying to be better but is being held back by fans and gamers. Thankfully, Overwatch doesn’t have that issue and from the sounds of it, a character like Junker Queen is set to play a big part in the sequel going forward. “Of course you can expect more,” concluded de Niese. “The Queen is such a huge, exciting part of Overwatch 2. Not to say the other heroes aren’t, we all are, but we’re so excited for what we’ve got in store for the queen.”

George W. Bush And Laura Bush To Receive World AIDS Day Honor In D.C. – Axios https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/george-w-bush-and-laura-bush-to-receive-world-aids-day-honor-in-d-c-axios/ Former President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush during a 2021 U.S. naturalization ceremony in New York City. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Former President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush will be honored for their “extraordinary leadership” in tackling HIV/AIDS at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., next month, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition announced Thursday. Driving the news: The Bushes will receive the Global Leadership Award on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day at the USGLC’s annual Tribute Celebration for launching the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) 20 years ago, per a statement from the coalition. What they’re saying: Liz Schrayer, the USGLC’s president and CEO, said in the statement the Bushes were being recognized for their “transformational leadership” and “continued inspiration and commitment over the years that has helped save over 21 million lives.” The big picture: “The PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation in history to address a single disease, with unparalleled success enabled by strong bipartisan support across four presidential administrations and 10 congresses,” per the USGLC. The USGLC is a nonprofit coalition of business, military, faith and political leaders that aims to strengthen U.S. investments in global development and diplomacy.

US Short-Term Rental Market Poised For Further Growth | By Adam Zarczynski – Hospitality Net https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/us-short-term-rental-market-poised-for-further-growth-by-adam-zarczynski-hospitality-net/ Over the past decade, the short-term rental industry has taken the world by storm, affecting not just where people stay while traveling, but also how they vacation in general. Before 2008, short-term rental websites existed, but Airbnb revolutionized the home-sharing concept and essentially created a new category of rental housing. Similar platforms emerged, and in a relatively short period, this alternative lodging market has evolved to become a widely accepted, mainstream industry valued at approximately $115 billion worldwide in 2019. The short-term rental segment is comprised mainly of private accommodation bookings. This includes private holiday homes and houses as well as short-term rental of private rooms or flats via portals such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. In recent years there has been a convergence between traditional hospitality companies expanding into the short-term market, and short-term rental companies operating more like hotels. Companies such as Sonder have expanded upon the short-term rental model by operating traditional apartment units like hotel rooms. Sonder was founded in Montreal in 2014 and today operates properties in more than 40 cities worldwide. Sonder offers a more traditional hotel experience than individual short-term rental properties while enhancing the guest experience through technology. Everything from check-in to service requests to check-out can be handled on the app and the goal is to make the guest stay a seamless experience. The increased competition in alternative lodging has also pushed traditional hotel companies to innovate, evidenced by Marriott International’s entry into this space with its alternative brand, Homes and Villas. According to a July 2022 mid-year update on the U.S. short-term rental industry by AirDNA, there were 1,059,541 available units on various listing platforms in 2021, which was a slight increase from the number of listings in 2020 but still down 9.9% from the number of available listings in 2019. The following table provides short-term rental data from 2019 to 2021 along with forecasts for 2022 and 2023. Source: CoStar In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inundated many short-term rental hosts with cancellations. However, while listings declined by 11.5% and demand for short-term rentals dropped 16.2% overall for the year, some vacation rental locations saw a surge in new bookings. As early as late March, those who wanted to travel but were looking for safety and seclusion began flocking to rural, drive-to getaways. During the pandemic, more travelers were choosing to stay at larger homes in destination markets, with higher average rates, leading to overall ADR growth in 2020 and 2021. In May 2022, there were 88,000 new short-term rentals added to the overall supply, leading to an all-time high in total listings, per AirDNA. Although demand is projected to increase by more than 20% in 2022, occupancy is projected to decline due to the amount of new supply. In its initial forecast for 2022 prepared in December 2021, AirDNA forecasted a decline in ADR for 2022; however, due to inflation and strong demand during peak times, AirDNA now forecasts ADR to finish at $277.53 for 2022. Looking ahead to 2023, AirDNA forecasts continued growth in terms of the available listings, but occupancy is once again expected to decline due to supply outpacing demand growth. Property Types According to a 2020 CBRE Research study, houses and apartment/condo/loft units make up about 96% of all the properties available for rent in the U.S. on short-term rental distribution channels. The other 4% includes unique units — such as lighthouses, boats, and tents — bed and breakfasts, hotels, and hostels. The following table shows the short-term rental supply for the entire U.S. by property type and listing type in 2019. Source: CoStar By 2019, house rentals had grown at a significantly higher rate than apartment/condo/loft units and accounted for 54.5% of the total U.S. supply. Shared spaces, hotel/hostel units, and bed and breakfasts represented only 3.7% of the total supply. Research data from AirDNA has shown that short-term renters are looking for larger rentals that can accommodate groups and families. As demonstrated in the following chart, the average number of rooms for booked properties has grown consistently over the last five years and jumped considerably in 2020 as guests avoided smaller urban properties in favor of larger homes in destination locations. Source: CoStar Although the size of the rental is an important factor, guests are also interested in unique experiences, no matter the size. As the following table shows, tiny houses were the fastest-growing short-term rental property type, growing 27% in 2021 to 9,402 listings. Source: CoStar Hosts In recent years, there has been a growing trend of people utilizing short-term rentals to help pay their mortgage and other living expenses as most short-term rentals found on booking platforms such as Airbnb are individual owners. According to the 2022 Airbnb annual survey of hosts and guests, approximately 45% of hosts reported that income from renting their property helped them continue to afford their homes’ expenses, while more than 20% of hosts stated their rental income kept them from having their property foreclosed or being evicted. The average host reported earning approximately $13,800 in 2021, which was an 85% increase from 2019. Some homeowners are now specifically looking for properties with rental potential when searching for homes to purchase to help cover some of their living expenses. This could include purchasing a duplex, a home with an outbuilding, a finished basement or attic space, and other options. While some of these owners are looking for long-term rental potential, others prefer the short-term model as it provides them with more flexibility. Price and Location Local interaction, home-like amenities, more space, and/or unusual experiences are some of the factors that motivate consumers to choose short-term rental accommodations. Price and location, however, remain the primary motivators. Short-term rentals can provide affordable options to tourists visiting cities in which hotels have disproportionately high prices, plus the typical home or apartment unit offers cost-saving benefits, such as kitchen and laundry facilities. According to CBRE, short-term rentals offered a discount of about 5% across the top 30 markets, and in the more urban U.S. cities the discount was as high as 20% to 30%. After price, location is generally the most likely reason travelers choose to book a short-term rental. A CBRE analysis of hotel and short-term rental unit location data shows that more than 35% of short-term rental properties are located more than a mile from the closest hotel. That increases to 57% for rural locations. Recent growth of short-term rentals has primarily occurred in suburban and rural areas. Though the supply of units in urban locations grew by 17% in 2019, these locations dropped to 21% of total short-term rental supply, down from 46% in 2014. As of 2019, 57% of units were located outside of large cities. According to CBRE’s 2020 study, most of the change in share resulted from large increases in resort and rural locations that primarily serve destination-vacation travel. Units for rent along the beach, at lakes, and at ski/mountain resorts accounted for 42% of units outside of urban areas. ADR growth for short-term rentals has seen the sharpest increase for properties in smaller to midsized markets. In a recent article, CoStar highlighted the top 10 markets for demand change from year-to-date June 2022 versus June 2019. The data showed that of these 10 markets, the biggest ADR growth for short-term rentals was in the smaller markets of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Panama City Beach, Florida; and the Wisconsin Area. In each of these markets, the ADR growth for short-term rentals has been noticeably higher than the ADR growth for hotels. One notable large market is Houston, Texas, where short-term rentals have experienced a 36% increase in ADR during this period, while hotels have only seen a 3% increase. Impact on Traditional Hotels While short-term rental platforms have seen much greater demand in recent years, one question that has remained is how many travelers are leaving traditional hotels behind in favor of short-term rentals. A 2021 survey conducted by ValuePenguin found that 72% of all survey participants preferred to stay at a hotel or resort compared to a vacation rental. This does not hold true among all demographics, however, as another survey conducted by YPulse found that 24% of millennials would prefer to stay at either an Airbnb or rental house compared to 12% who preferred an all-inclusive resort and 12% who preferred a national hotel chain. Per iPropertyManagement, 51% of all Airbnb bookings are generated from travelers between the ages of 18 and 34. In contrast, the fastest-growing demographic for new hosts on the Airbnb platform are seniors, who total more than 400,000 worldwide. While there are many factors that influence a traveler’s decision, the survey conducted by ValuePenguin found that some of the biggest factors for preferring a hotel stay included more amenities, a more simplified booking experience, higher staffing levels and dining options at the property. Travelers who are combining business and leisure trips, known colloquially as bleisure travelers, are more concerned with having strong internet performance, which gives traditional hotels a slight advantage as internet service varies widely between vacation rentals. Another factor for guests preferring hotels was the rewards progra...

PRESS DIGEST- New York Times Business News – Oct 14 – Yahoo Finance https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/press-digest-new-york-times-business-news-oct-14-yahoo-finance/ Oct 14 (Reuters) – The following are the top stories on the New York Times business pages. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. – U.S. grocery giants Albertsons Companies Inc and Kroger Co are in talks to combine in a deal that would be one of the industry’s largest in years, creating a colossal food retailer aimed at taking on Walmart Inc. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared a nationwide shortage of Adderall, a medication used to treat A.D.H.D. that has had surging demand in recent years. – The Federal Communications Commission is poised to block the sale of new telecommunications equipment from Chinese companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp in the United States. – The shares of Digital World Acquisition Corp, the SPAC that seeks to merge with former President Donald J. Trump’s social media company, surged on Thursday after Google said it would allow Trump Media & Technology Group’s flagship product to appear in its app store. (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)

Local Briefs | News, Sports, Jobs – The Express – Lock Haven Express https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/local-briefs-news-sports-jobs-the-express-lock-haven-express/ CPI to hold an open house on Oct. 20 PLEASANT GAP — The Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) is pleased to announce that it is hosting an Open House event to the public on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 4-7 p.m. Parents, business/industry, future students, and anyone interested in career and technical education are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be available through our Culinary Arts Program and guests can also participate in a chili cook-off. “It is great to open our doors to the public again so that people can see and experience the many exciting things going on at CPI” said Todd Taylor, Vice President of Post Secondary Education. “Our faculty and staff will have many demonstrations and activities going on to engage the community” said Taylor. Visitors will have the opportunity to see many of our secondary and adult education program areas, participate in hands-on demonstrations in the various program areas, meet our instructors, and speak with current CPI students about their experiences. Further, CPI’s heavy equipment and CDL simulators will be open and available for the public to try. Free financial aid information will be available from CPI’s in-house experts to help those thinking about grants and aid for college. CPI is located at 540 Harrison Road in Pleasant Gap. If you have questions, please call 814-359-2793 or visit cpi.edu. Penn State Extension offers four programs to help with Alzheimer’s and dementia LOGANTON — Individuals who are interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s and dementia are encouraged to participate in four workshops offered by Penn State Extension. These workshops include “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s,” “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body” and “Dementia Conversations” Program dates: — Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Friday, Oct. 28, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. — 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s: Friday, Nov. 4, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. — Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Friday, Nov. 11, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. — Dementia Conversations: Friday, Dec. 2, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend these programs, which will be held at the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, 242 East Main St., Loganton. For more information or to register, email Dawn Jeffries at djeffries@svrcs.org or call 570-367-1351. If you need a special accommodation prior to attending any of the workshops, please contact Dawn. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Tech Hockey Blanks Alaska – Friday Sports Wrap – Keweenawreport.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/tech-hockey-blanks-alaska-friday-sports-wrap-keweenawreport-com/ Click on the highlighted scores for more game details. High School In volleyball last night… • Calumet v Westwood – no report. • Hancock blanked Ishpeming 3-0. • Lake Linden-Hubbell stopped Baraga 3-0. • Jeffers downed Bessemer 3-1 (25-23, 25-18, 18-25, 25-9). Kaeda Rajala led the team with 12 kills and Mia Nordstrom added 7.. • Ontonagon v Wakefield-Marenisco – no report. Today… • L’Anse plays at Dollar Bay-Tamarack City. Tomorrow… • Houghton, Calumet and Hancock compete at the WestPAC Tournament at Iron Mountain. Listen for coverage on KBear 102.3. Houghton swept the team championships at the WestPAC cross country meet yesterday… • On the boys side, Negaunee placed second, and Westwood third. Judge Anderson of the Miners placed first individually. Isaiah Lawson and Cyrus Hamlin of the Gremlins finished second and third. Dane Anderson of the Copper Kings placed fifth. • In the girls meet, Calumet came in second, followed by Hancock and Negaunee. Individually, Tessa Rautiola of the Gremlins finished first, with Claire Filpus and Lily Ross third and fourth. Kiira Berg of the Copper Kings placed sixth. Rayna Towles of the Bulldogs was eighth. • See full results here. The WestPAC All-Conference team includes… • For girls, Tessa Rautiola, Claire Filpus, Lily Ross, Ayla Miller, Jewel Laux, Katie Sarau and Kiira Niska from Houghton; Kiira Berg from Calumet, Rayna Towles, Ella Keranen and Liana Berg from Hancock; Lola Korpi from Ishpeming; Endla Harris from Negaunee; and Retta Boburka from Westwood. • For boys, Isaiah Lawson, Cyrus Hamlin, Birk Seagren, Colin Van Karsen, Carter Campioni and Ben Hemmer from Houghton; Dane Anderson from Calumet; Judge Anderson, Simon Jaklin, James Dank and Michael Slawinski from Negaunee; Levi Nicholls from Ishpeming; Thomas Jenkins from Gwinn; and Patrick Klumpp from Westwood. At the Copper Mountain Conference cross country championship at Ironwood yesterday… • Jeffers won the boys title, followed by Dollar Bay-Tamarack City, Ironwood, Chassell and Republic-Michigamme. Amos Norland of the Blue Bolts took first place individually, a minute better than Tavin Larson and Landon Larson of the Jets, and just shy of a record. • Gogebic won the girls team title, with Chassell second and Dollar Bay-Tamarack City third. Natalie Stone of the Miners finished first individually, and Taryn Maki of the Blue Bolts placed third. In football tonight… • Houghton entertains Negaunee. Coverage will begin at 6:40 on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf. • Calumet plays at Hancock. Coverage will start at 6:40 on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3. • L’Anse travels to Manistique. • Ontonagon hosts North Dickinson. Tomorrow… • Lake Linden-Hubbell welcomes Gogebic. College Hockey The Michigan Tech hockey team claimed a 2-0 victory at Alaska last night. Logan Pietila and Ryland Mosely scored for the Huskies. Blake Pietila made 31 saves, and set a new school record with his 11th shutout. Those teams skate in Fairbanks again tonight. Northern Michigan skates at Notre Dame tonight and Sunday. College Volleyball The Michigan Tech volleyball team plays at the Midwest Regional Crossover this weekend. The Huskies will open against Ashland this afternoon, and Indianapolis this evening. The Finlandia volleyball team is in Minneapolis today for a triangular with Crown College and North Central University. College Soccer The Tech soccer team hosts Parkside tonight at 7:00, and Purdue Northwest Sunday at noon. The Finlandia men’s soccer team entertains Wisconsin-Eau Claire this afternoon. Coverage begins at 2:10 on the Voice of the Lions, 99.3 The Lift. Both Finlandia soccer teams host Maranatha Baptist tomorrow. NHL The Red Wings open regular-season play at home against the Canadiens tonight. Coverage will begin at 6:45 on 99.3 The Lift. NBA The Pistons finished a winless preseason with a 126-111 loss to the Grizzlies last night. Saddiq Bey led Detroit with 17 points. The Pistons begin their regular season Wednesday at home against the Magic. Listen for selected Pistons games this season on 99.3 The Lift. MLB In the American League Divisional Series yesterday… • The Astros got past the Mariners 4-2. Houston leads that set 2-0. • The Guardians and Yankees were rained out. That game will be played this afternoon in New York. The Yankees lead the series 1-0. On the National League schedule today… • The Braves visit the Phillies. That set is tied 1-1. • The Padres host the Dodgers. That series is tied 1-1. NFL In last night’s NFL contest… • The Commanders held off the Bears 9-7.  On Sunday… • The Packers host the Jets in a 1:00 game. • The Lions have the weekend off. Junior Hockey The Copper Country Junior Hockey Association will proceed with a girls division this winter. Teams will be organized for 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U divisions. The first on-ice session will be held this evening at 6:45 at the Houghton County Arena. Full protective equipment is required. Girls who have already signed up for CCJHA hockey do not need to sign up again. Girls who have not yet signed up can do so online here. Before you sign up locally, you must also register with USA Hockey. There’s a link on the CCJHA registration page, along with details about cost and equipment. Upcoming local sports broadcasts: Today – Finlandia men’s soccer hosts Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Coverage will begin at 2:10 on 99.3 The Lift. Tonight – Calumet football plays at Hancock. Coverage will begin at 6:40 on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3. Tonight – Houghton football entertains Negaunee. Coverage will begin at 6:40 on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf. Tomorrow – Calumet and Houghton compete at the WestPAC tournament in Iron Mountain. Listen for coverage on KBear 102.3. Monday – Calumet volleyball plays at Houghton. Coverage will begin around 6:10 on the Voice of the Gremlins, 99.3 The Lift. Email sports news and scores to mornings@up.net.

Metaverse: Passing Fad Or Next Big Thing? – RTE.ie https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/metaverse-passing-fad-or-next-big-thing-rte-ie/ Facebook’s parent company Meta made a series of announcements this week on the development of the ‘metaverse’, a virtual reality world that allows people to meet and interact in interconnected 3D digital spaces. At the company’s annual Connect Conference on Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced new virtual reality headsets, upgraded graphics, partnerships with tech giants and legs for the avatars that represent users in the metaverse. Last year, Facebook announced that it was changing its name to Meta to reflect its focus on developing the metaverse. Mr Zuckerberg is betting it will be the next big thing and has invested billions of dollars into the technology, but there is a lack of enthusiasm in the tech world and among the wider public. “Most people haven’t heard of it, don’t care about it and aren’t really interested,” said Elaine Burke, editor of Silicon Republic. Accenture staff using headsets to enter the metaverse “A lot of us are getting used to having Zoom meetings and seeing each other on screens but it is seen as a compromise. It is something you do when the option to meet in person is too difficult, but I don’t think it’s the preferred construct of meeting people, I think we still understand the benefits that come from meeting in person.” “The metaverse adds even more layers to that – it’s not just a screen, you have to wear a headset and hold hand controls,” she said. Some businesses in Ireland have started using the metaverse to train staff and facilitate remote working. Accenture is partnering up with Meta to help develop the technology and uses it in day-to-day operations. New recruits are ‘on-boarded’ or introduced to the company via the metaverse. Around 500 new hires in Ireland have spent their first days on the job at Accenture in a virtual reality world called the ‘Nth Floor’. Mark Zuckerberg’s avatar looking at his legs in the metaverse “For us as a business, it gives us new ways to collaborate and new ways for our employees to experience work, to get together with colleagues from across the world, to innovate and to create in a new and different format,” said Aisling Campbell, head of HR for Accenture in Ireland. “It gives staff a chance to experience the metaverse for when they are working with clients or with colleagues and provides us with another space where people can participate and engage,” Ms Campbell said. Brian Smyth is the Metaverse Lead at Accenture, and predicts that the technology will evolve over the next decade. “Today the headsets are fairly large but in ten years’ time they will look very different,” he said. “They’ll look more like reading glasses or contact lenses that can bring us into immersive worlds,” Mr Smyth added.

10 Cool New Gadgets To Keep On Your Radar – Gear Patrol https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/10-cool-new-gadgets-to-keep-on-your-radar-gear-patrol/ For more of the latest and greatest product releases, check out our full collection of the best new gear. A lot happened this week. Amazon had its second annual Prime Day — and there are many gadgets still on sale. Microsoft held its big Surface event this week where it announced its next-gen computers (you can read more on those below). And Kodak apparently can’t keep up with the demand for film. There were a bunch of new other products announced, too. Here’s what you need to know. KEF Mu7 Courtesy KEF announced its first pair of wireless headphones with active noise-cancellation — the Mu7 — and at $300, they’re designed and priced to compete with other flagship noise-canceling headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Mu7 sport custom 40mm drivers and support for aptX HD for high-end sound. They get their unique industrial design (made out of aluminum) thanks to partnership with Ross Lovegrove, who has helped KEF design a number of its super expensive loudspeakers. Available in two different shades of grey: silver or charcoal. Price: $400 LEARN MORE Beyerdynamic Xelento Courtesy Beyerdynamic announced second-generation models of its Xelento Remote (pictured, $999) and Xelento Wireless ($1,199), which are wired and wireless (neckband-style) in-ear headphones, respectively. And they don’t come cheap. The two models pack the same 11mm dynamic drivers, gold-plated connectors and silver-plated cables. The Xelento Wireless support Bluetooth 5.2 and promise 14 hours of playtime. Price: $999 (Remote); $1,199 (Wireless) LEARN MORE Microsoft Surface Studio 2 Plus Courtesy The Surface Studio 2 Plus is an updated version of its fancy all-in-one desktop, which is notable for its 28-inch touchscreen display that can also fold nearly flat on your desk (so it’s easier to draw on). This new version has updated chipsets (both CPU and GPU), which Microsoft claims doubles its performance, and it has three Thunderbolt 4 ports on its back. And no, it doesn’t come cheap. It’ll be available on October 25. Price: $4,300 LEARN MORE Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Courtesy The Surface Laptop 5 is pretty modest update over its predecessor, the Surface Laptop 5, as Microsoft has given it new Intel processors — although there’s no option for AMD chip like before —and USB-C ports with support for Thunderbolt 4. You’ll be able to order it in either 13.5- or 15-inch models. And it’ll be available on October 25. Price: $999+ Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Courtesy The Surface Pro 9 is Microsoft’s newest 2-in-1 tablet. It’s very similar to the Surface Pro 8, but it packs newer Intel (12-gen) or ARM chipsets and can be purchased with in color aluminum finishes; previously with the Surface Pro 8, you could spruce it up with a colorful keyboard and other accessories. It has the same 13-inch display as its predecessor. It’ll be available on October 25. Price: $1,000+ LEARN MORE Acer Swift Edge Courtesy Acer is claiming that its Swift Edge is the lightest 16-inch OLED laptop in the world; it weighs 2.58 pounds, which is actually lighter than Apple’s newest 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, which weighs 2.73 pounds — and that’s pretty nuts. The most notable thing on the inside is that the Swift Edge packs a new AMD Ryzen processor, which is supposed to be more energy efficient than Intel’s latest processors, and it’s going to need that efficiency to power such big and bright OLED display. Price: $1,500 LEARN MORE Meta Quest Pro Courtesy The Quest Pro is the company’s highest-end and most expensive virtual reality headset to date. Compared to the $399 Quest 2, the Quest Pro is better in just about every way — better display, better processor, more memory and it comes with significantly improved controllers— but it’s also being positioned as more of a productivity device than for gaming. It has a new full-color passthrough feature for mixed reality experiences, so you can see the real world with real-time graphics, alerts and notifications. Price: $1,499 LEARN MORE Roku Smart Home Courtesy Roku has announced its own ecosystem of smart home devices to compete with likes of Google Home, Amazon’s Alexa and Apple HomeKit. It’s called the Roku Smart Home and it consists of indoor and outdoor security cameras, a video doorbell, smart lights and smart plugs. All these devices will work with Roku’s voice assistant, Roku Voice, and be compatible with Roku’s new Smart Home app. They will be compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, as well, so buying into Roku’s ecosystem doesn’t completely lock you in either. Price: Depends on the device LEARN MORE Acer Chromebook 516 GE Courtesy The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is really the first Chromebook that’s designed for gaming. It has a 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a RGB keyboard because, well, it’s a gaming laptop. It lacks the souped up processor and graphics card of real gaming laptops, however, and instead depends on a fast internet connection (supports Wi-Fi 6E) for cloud gaming. Price: $650 LEARN MORE Sony ZV-1F Courtesy The Sony ZV-1F is the company’s newest compact camera for vlogging. It’s just $500, which is its cheapest option to date, and it’s designed for entry-level vloggers looking to upgrade from their smartphone. The Sony ZV-1F is essentially a more budget-friendly option to the Sony ZV-1 ($748); it has a similar 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor, but has 20mm f/2 lens, which is less versatile than the ZV-1’s 24-70mm lens. Price: $500 LEARN MORE