Benton County News Now

NFL Week 2: Reasons To Watch Each Game – Texans Wire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/nfl-week-2-reasons-to-watch-each-game-texans-wire/ Week 1 provided plenty of excitement, from thrilling upsets by the Steelers and Seahawks to the Saints’ fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Falcons. Many of the projected top teams established themselves as just that, including the Bills, Chiefs, Chargers and Bucs, but there’s still a long way to go this season. Heading into Week 2, there are plenty of intriguing matchups for fans to watch. The Packers and Bears will square off in a rivalry game in the NFC North, and the Chiefs will take on the Chargers with an early lead in the AFC West on the line. Here’s why you should watch each of the 16 games on the slate in Week 2. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Chargers – Whenever Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes face off, it’s must-see television. All three of their matchups have gone down to the wire, with two of them being in overtime. In Week 1, the Chargers’ defense held on against Raiders’ Derek Carr and Davante Adams, amassing six sacks and three turnovers. The Chiefs’ defense had an impressive showing in the season opener against the Cardinals, considering all the new faces and youth. This divisional showdown should have all the fireworks between two teams with Super Bowl aspirations. – Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire Chiefs – Everyone questioned the Chiefs’ offensive identity following the offseason departure of Tyreek Hill. They answered those questions by being the only team in the NFL in Week 1 to score 40 or more points. This week, you’re going to get a quarterback duel for the ages in an early divisional showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert on “Thursday Night Football.” The winner earns sole possession of first place in the AFC West, so there is quite a bit riding on this game early. – Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Patriots – The Patriots still don’t completely know what they’re doing on offense, and the Steelers just turned Joe Burrow and the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals into an after school snack. It’s going to be an interesting challenge in seeing how Matt Patricia handles the offensive play-calling against one of the most aggressive defensive fronts in all of football. Here’s to hoping left tackle Trent Brown has his caffeine before this game because another lackluster performance like he had against the Miami Dolphins could get Mac Jones (assuming he plays) hurt, again. – Jordy McElroy Patriots Wire Steelers – The Steelers showed they can beat a really good team when the offense absolutely stunk. This isn’t something they can maintain for the long term but I do expect Pittsburgh to ride the wave of last week and give the home fans something to cheer about with a home win. Even with T.J. Watt out, the rest of the Steelers defense understands they must step up and that includes guys like defensive tackle Cam Heyward and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The offense has to be more efficient and quarterback Mitch Trubisky must do a better job making decisions with the football and make much better use of his weapons. – Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK Panthers – Well, for starters, it’ll definitely be interesting to see if quarterback Baker Mayfield can fumble less than four snaps this time around. But seriously, the Panthers—specifically head coach Matt Rhule—may need a come-to-Jesus moment here in Week 2. With all due respect to the 1-0 Giants, another ugly loss to another mediocre team could set off some dire consequences from owner David Tepper. So, if nothing else, tune in to see if this group answers to the early pressure and snaps an NFL-worst eight-game losing streak. – Anthony Rizzuti, Panthers Wire Giants – Saquon Barkley. Allow me to repeat that: Saquon Barkley. The Giants’ offense still has quite a bit of work to do, especially in the area of pass protection, but their run blocking is sound and Barkley is healthy. That combination makes for some exciting, old school kind of football. After compiling nearly 200 yards from scrimmage in Week 1, Barkley will return home on Sunday and run in front of the MetLife Stadium crowd for the first time this season. The Giants may also see the return of Azeez Ojulari and the debut of Kayvon Thibodeaux. – Dan Benton, Giants Wire Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Jets – It’s almost difficult to find a reason to watch the Jets after last week’s debacle against the Ravens. But after what we learned about CB D.J. Reed on Monday, he is alone is reason enough to watch. Reed gained many fans by being so raw on Monday by sharing the story that his father died just before Reed took the field Sunday. His celebration after his fourth-quarter interception was dedicated to his late father. So that alone can give you a reason to root for Reed and watch him on Sunday. – Billy Riccette, Jets Wire Browns – Statuesque Joe Flacco meets record-seeking Myles Garrett. Garrett had two sacks and was the highest graded player by PFF in the NFL on Sunday of Week 1. In Week 2, with New York being without a few of their offensive lineman, Garrett seeks Cleveland’s career sack mark. Just two away from topping Clay Matthews, Garrett can get it done in front of the home crowd on Sunday. That alone will be worth tuning in for as the Browns seek a 2-0 start to the year. – Jared K. Mueller, Browns Wire Colts – The Colts talked all offseason how the Week 18 loss in Jacksonville—one that kept them out of the playoffs—left a sour taste in their mouths. They haven’t won a game in Duval County since the 2014 season. Even though each time it has seemed nearly impossible to lose on the road in Jacksonville, the Colts have done it for nearly a decade. If the Colts are to be legit playoff contenders, they have to come out dominant. They may be favored, but this game could very well come down to the wire yet again. – Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire Jaguars – Finishing Week 1 with a loss screams ‘same old Jaguars,’ but there were a ton of reasons for optimism. Top draft pick Travon Walker looked incredible with a sack and a pick in his debut, and the new-look Jaguars offense had explosive moments via Christian Kirk and Travis Etienne. Jacksonville was a few missed plays away from putting together its best offensive performance in years. A matchup against the Colts will be a litmus test that shows if a corner is being turned by the Jaguars, or if it’ll be another season in the AFC South cellar. – Adam Stites, Jaguars Wire (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Dolphins – The Dolphins defense was impressive in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, taking the ball away three times. QB Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens present a completely different challenge that Miami was able to solve last season. Between Jackson’s dual-threat ability and the talent of TE Mark Andrews, Josh Boyer’s unit will have their hands full. If they’re able to slow down the former MVP, this could be the building block to a great season. – Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire Ravens – Baltimore was able to overcome a slow start against the New York Jets in Week 1, mainly due to their passing game and a strong defensive performance. QB Lamar Jackson threw for three touchdowns, while a new addition in S Marcus Williams led the team in tackles while also coming up with an interception. In Week 2, the Ravens will have to defend the electric WR duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, which should make for must-see television. – Kevin Oestreicher, Ravens Wire Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Buccaneers – There aren’t many things Tom Brady hasn’t been able to do in Tampa Bay, but beating the Saints in the regular season is one of them. While the GOAT got the one that mattered most, a road win in the divisional round of the playoffs en route to another Super Bowl win, the Bucs have been swept by the Saints in each of the last two regular seasons. Tampa Bay’s all-time leading passer, Jameis Winston, will be quarterbacking their bitter division rivals, and Mike Evans vs. Marshon Lattimore is always must-see TV. – Luke Easterling, Bucs Wire Saints – These Saints-Bucs games are always exciting, even when the New Orleans defense pitches a rare shutout against Tom Brady in front of a national audience. But most of the attention will be drawn to the Saints offense as they look to get up to speed faster than they did in Week 1’s fourth-quarter comeback. Jameis Winston still hasn’t notched a win as the starter against his old team after a cheap shot ended his season last year. New Orleans’ home opener is a huge opportunity to improve your 2-0 and take an early lead in the race for a division title. – John Sigler, Saints Wire Kirthmon F. Dozier-USA TODAY NETWORK Commanders – QB Carson Wentz put on a show in Week 1 in his debut for the Commanders. Wentz had a big first half, then seemingly fell apart in the second half before coming alive again in the fourth quarter, passing for two touchdowns to lead Washington to a win. On the day, Wentz passed for 313 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Wentz and WRs Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel have made the Commanders’ passing game exciting. Washington scored 28 points last, the Lions scored 35 and allowed 38. This game should be fun. – Bryan Manning, Commanders Wire Lions – Head coach Dan Campbell’s Lions put on a show in Week 1, scoring 35 points in front of a raucous sellout home crowd. RB D’Andre Swift was fantastic, WR DJ Chark made an awesome TD reception and the offense really clicked after some early struggles. Detroit’s offense will be fun to watch. Can the defense step up after allowing 38 points? Great week to watch LBs Malcolm Rodriguez and Alex Anzalone to see if they learned from their largely brutal debut and can contain Commanders QB Carson Wentz and RB Antonio Gibson – Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports Seahawks – Seatt...

Everything You Need For A Memorable Vacation To South Africa – Energeticcity.ca https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/everything-you-need-for-a-memorable-vacation-to-south-africa-energeticcity-ca/ Cape Town is the southernmost city in Africa and is worth exploring. As the second-largest town in South Africa, this coastal gem displays centuries of history in its architecture, cuisine, and cultural attractions. Prepare for beautiful wildlife, moving displays of political and personal perseverance, and diverse neighbourhoods celebrating cultures worldwide. When to Go Anytime you visit South Africa, you’ll find special events and a mild climate. Plan on shopping around for airfare and booking tours and accommodations early for this popular destination. Travelling in September and October is an ideal time to enjoy perfect temperatures around 70 degrees and slightly less-crowded tourist hot spots. How to Get There and Get Around Flights to Cape Town are frequent from New York City and Los Angeles. Using your favourite discount airfare site can help you narrow down the best routes and times to buy. If you have any reason to travel to Europe, flights to South Africa departing overseas can be less expensive and worth tacking on to the end of another trip. Once in Cape Town, you’ll find that Ubers are plentiful and generally cheaper than taxis. When you’re in the city center, you can easily walk or bike to visit some of the sites. Photo: Jaturun phuengphuttharak via 123RF What to Do and Eat Cape Town is full of beautiful sights and intriguing neighbourhoods. If you only have limited time, check out these must-do activities off your list before heading home. Hike Table Mountain Table Mountain is one of the most iconic South African locations and a must-see for visitors to the country. Its flat-top feature makes for stunning photographs, and the wildlife in the area is diverse and abundant. You can take the aerial tram to the top if you’d rather not hike, so there’s no excuse to miss this site! Visit Boulders Beach Travelling with kids or avid swimmers? Head to Boulders Beach, where the calm waters are perfect for taking a dip. One of the best parts of this beach location is the colony of penguins living there. Because of these fun local friends, the beach is often crowded, but visiting in the fall gives you the best chance to have a slightly less-crowded area. Explore the Company Gardens Tourists often overlook this location. That means it’s likely less crowded than other parks. You can stroll the lanes, admiring the wildlife and trees, or stop at one of the museums to learn more about the country’s colonial past. These gardens were planted to grow fruits and vegetables for passing ships during colonial days, so there’s plenty of history for the curious tourist. Tour Robben Island It’s hard to escape the political past when you visit South Africa, and visiting Robben Island gives you a firsthand look at some of the consequences of apartheid. Many tour guides you’ll encounter are former political prisoners, giving you the chance to ask for personal accounts of their time on the island. Visit The Old Biscuit Mill For a one-stop dining location, head to this refurbished 19th-century mill and taste various offerings from the many shops and restaurants in its “village” area. This is an excellent spot for casual dining that doubles as sightseeing. Grab Some Seafood in Paternoster For fresh, local seafood and a quaint atmosphere, take the 90-minute drive to nearby Paternoster and explore the area on foot. Paternoster is one of South Africa’s oldest fishing villages. You can find lobster and other seafood the locals catch right in front of your eyes. Whale Watch in Hermanus Hermanus is about two hours from Cape Town. During peak whale-mating season (which ends in late October), you can see mothers and calves swimming from your vantage point on the white sandy beaches. Experience Fine Dining at The Test Kitchen The Test Kitchen is Cape Town’s most upscale restaurant, serving a 16-course dinner with experimental offerings like homemade gummy bears. This location is the hottest spot in the city, so make sure to have a reservation in place three months in advance. Stay in the Gardens Suburb Gardens is an inner-city Cape Town suburb. It’s an excellent place to stay to be close to the action and feel like you’re getting some local flavour. You can easily walk to museums, clubs, shops, and galleries. Plus, the accommodation prices are more reasonable than in some other neighbourhoods. If you’ve always wanted to visit South Africa, start planning today for the adventure of a lifetime! %

Idaho Tax Collections Dip Below Expectations For August – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/idaho-tax-collections-dip-below-expectations-for-august-69news-wfmz-tv/ BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho’s individual income taxes, sales taxes and corporate income taxes all fell slightly below monthly projections for August, the state budget office reported Tuesday. The $38.5 million dip below expectations is still a tiny fraction of the state’s $6 billion budget. But it’s noteworthy for a state that in recent years has more often seen monthly revenue greatly exceed projections, spurred by a combination of fast population growth and three influxes of federal COVID-19 rescue money that has heated up the state’s economy. The August revenue projections had been revised upward in the early part of that month by the Division of Financial Management. The actual revenue numbers released Tuesday by the Legislative Services Office ended up slightly below those higher projections, but are still above what lawmakers worked with when they set the state’s budget during the legislative session earlier this year. Division of Financial Management Administrator Alex Adams, Republican Gov. Brad Little’s budget chief, said there has been economic volatility but some key indicators show the state heading in the right direction. Among those is a long-term trend of increased revenue. “In general, we feel good about where we’re at,” he said. “We’ll keep evaluating and keep making those conservative good government budget decisions that Gov. Little is known for and why we got a triple-A credit rating.” Fitch, a leading international credit ratings agency, announced in November that it upgraded Idaho to the best credit rating a state can achieve. Additionally, Idaho’s unemployment rate has for months been back at pre-pandemic levels, currently at 2.6%. Overall, the state remains in sound financial shape with revenue that is $20 million ahead of projections this fiscal year, which started in July. The state also has $600 million left over from last year and has a projected budget surplus this year of about $1 billion. But elected officials are concerned about economic headwinds, primarily high inflation that Little cited in calling a special session of the Legislature earlier this month. During that one-day session, lawmakers passed a $500 million income tax rebate as well as an ongoing individual and corporate income tax cut of more than $150 million by creating a 5.8% flat tax. Lawmakers also set aside $410 million for education. August income taxes came in at $149 million, about $15 million below expectations. But that wasn’t a surprise because of an income tax cut passed by lawmakers in January. Sales tax came in at about $215 million, about $10 million below expectations. Corporate income taxes for August were $22 million, $17.5 million less than expected. Idaho’s big revenue months are January, when sales taxes from the Christmas shopping season start showing up, as well as April, when income taxes are due, and June, when travel season kicks in and revenues jump, bolstered in part by tourist money and the state’s 6% sales taxes. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Facing Cancer: How To Turn Stress Into Strength – SurvivorNet https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/facing-cancer-how-to-turn-stress-into-strength-survivornet/ Dealing With the Mental Challenges After a Cancer Diagnosis Cancer can be a major mental challenge as well as a physical one. Different approaches to managing stress and anxiety will work for different patients. Some patients benefit a great deal from traditional therapy, while others seek comfort in support groups or confiding in a trust friend. Psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman says learning to recognize and play up your natural strengths can be a great help in the face of these anxious feelings. Getting a cancer diagnosis and going through the treatment process can be incredibly stressful. It’s completely normal to feel anxious, scared, sad, and so much more. The disease is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. One way to get your mental health back in check after a diagnosis is to try to play up your strengths, Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, tells SurvivorNet. “I sometimes will ask patients, tell me about yourself when you were at your best,” she explains. “Using that story, trying to figure out what strengths come to mind … is it patience? Is it appreciation of beauty? It is perseverance? [Then we can] use those strengths in constructive ways to navigate their cancer journey.” Dr. Boardman says another way to approach harnessing the strength you already have is tapping into your values. This could be family, close friendships, spirituality, commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Reminding yourself of what your values are and how you are living accordingly is another way to unleash that inner strength. Lastly, patients shouldn’t underestimate the value of simply opening up, Dr. Boardman says. This could mean speaking to a close family member or friend, or it could mean seeking support in other ways — by finding a therapist that meets your needs or looking into joining a support group. Questions to Ask Your Doctor What activities can I do at home if I’m feeling especially stressed? Are there any support groups you can recommend? Should I consider seeing a therapist? What can I do if I’m very stressed before treatment? Dr. Samantha Boardman is a New York-based psychiatrist and author. Read More Dealing With the Mental Challenges After a Cancer Diagnosis Cancer can be a major mental challenge as well as a physical one. Different approaches to managing stress and anxiety will work for different patients. Some patients benefit a great deal from traditional therapy, while others seek comfort in support groups or confiding in a trust friend. Psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman says learning to recognize and play up your natural strengths can be a great help in the face of these anxious feelings. Getting a cancer diagnosis and going through the treatment process can be incredibly stressful. It’s completely normal to feel anxious, scared, sad, and so much more. The disease is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. One way to get your mental health back in check after a diagnosis is to try to play up your strengths, Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, tells SurvivorNet. Read More “I sometimes will ask patients, tell me about yourself when you were at your best,” she explains. “Using that story, trying to figure out what strengths come to mind … is it patience? Is it appreciation of beauty? It is perseverance? [Then we can] use those strengths in constructive ways to navigate their cancer journey.” Dr. Boardman says another way to approach harnessing the strength you already have is tapping into your values. This could be family, close friendships, spirituality, commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Reminding yourself of what your values are and how you are living accordingly is another way to unleash that inner strength. Lastly, patients shouldn’t underestimate the value of simply opening up, Dr. Boardman says. This could mean speaking to a close family member or friend, or it could mean seeking support in other ways — by finding a therapist that meets your needs or looking into joining a support group. Questions to Ask Your Doctor What activities can I do at home if I’m feeling especially stressed? Are there any support groups you can recommend? Should I consider seeing a therapist? What can I do if I’m very stressed before treatment? Learn more about SurvivorNet’s rigorous medical review process. Dr. Samantha Boardman is a New York-based psychiatrist and author. Read More

Maccabi Haifa Vs. PSG Result: Messi, Mbappe, Neymar Combine For First Time Ever In Champions League – Sporting News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/maccabi-haifa-vs-psg-result-messi-mbappe-neymar-combine-for-first-time-ever-in-champions-league-sporting-news/ The hosts started brightly in Israel, troubling PSG throughout a frenetic first 45 minutes, but it was not to be as PSG outclassed Maccabi Haifa in a 3-1 win to stay perfect through two Champions League group stage games. It marks the first time ever that Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar all found the back of the net in the same Champions League match. That proved too much for Maccabi Haifa, whose spirited first half simply ran out of gas. Tjarron Chery put Haifa in front before the half-hour mark, sending a boisterous Sammy Ofer Stadium into a frenzy, and sending PSG shockingly down a goal. Haifa goalkeeper Josh Cohen stood tall on a number of occasions to protect the early lead, but would eventually succumb to one of the greatest players of all-time. Messi found PSG’s equalizer on 37 minutes, receiving great service from a shifty Mbappe, giving PSG something to savor after an otherwise shaky first-half that saw the hosts run PSG ragged. After the break, PSG eventually wore Haifa down with pure class and skill. Mbappe would find PSG’s second on a great vertical ball by Messi, and Neymar put the game away late after latching onto a long-ball from Marco Verratti. The overall performance from Maccabi Haifa, especially in the first half, deserves plaudits as they troubled one of the world’s best teams for the full 45 minutes, but they just couldn’t keep up the tempo all game, succumbing to a supremely talented squad. MORE: 2022/23 Champions League group stage standings & schedule The Sporting News followed the Maccabi Haifa-PSG match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened. Maccabi Haifa vs. PSG final score   1H 2H Final Maccabi Haifa 1 0 1 PSG 1 2 3 Goals: 24th min — MHA — Tjarron Chery 37th min — PSG — Lionel Messi 69th min — PSG — Kylian Mbappe 88th min — PSG — Neymar Maccabi Haifa vs. PSG post-match analysis Can PSG keep out-classing teams? We all know that PSG, on paper, have one of the best teams in the world. They’ve proven as much time and time again, doing so on yet another occasion today in Israel. Kyilan Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar are an unstoppable force up front. Still, it does feel like PSG are beating teams on talent instead of on cohesion, chemistry, or tactics. The Parisians were second-best through significant periods in both their Champions League matches to date. Against Juventus, they took an early 2-0 lead before crumbling late and barely hanging on, while today they were troubled consistently through the first half by Maccabi Haifa. Surely at some point, if this continues, a better team like Man City, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich will put PSG to the sword during these spells of trouble, and the Parisians won’t be able to simply flex their muscles and come out in front after 90 minutes. Competitive goals involvements for PSG in 2022-23 so far: Neymar: 18 in 10 apps Messi: 13 in 10 apps Mbappé: 10 in 8 apps pic.twitter.com/90Lh2SI7oK — The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 14, 2022 Maccabi Haifa can be proud It was a spectacular performance from the hosts today in every facet of the game. Maccabi Haifa were not afraid to venture forward, holding long spells of possession and forcing PSG to defend in earnest. They attacked the PSG penalty area and put the visiting defenders under pressure. At the other end, the defense played bravely, throwing their bodies in front of shots and remaining tactically organized. They didn’t back down from 50/50 challenges, and often bested PSG in the air. The goalkeeper stood tall on a number of occasions, only beaten when the defensive line broke down in full. Even the crowd mightily impressed, singing in full voice for the entire 90 minutes, even when PSG scored and celebrated in their faces. A performance the entire Haifa community can be proud of, even in defeat. Maccabi Haifa vs. PSG live updates, highlights, commentary 88th min: GOAL! PSG! This one is over, as PSG outlast Haifa. Neymar the one to close the door, with Verratti pinging a brilliant switch to the opposite flank. The Haifa defense completely lost track of Neymar at the far end, and he’s wide open to receive the ball and bury the chance. PSG just too much class in this one! Watch in the USA: — CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 14, 2022 For some reason, the official is having a VAR check, and is completely surrounded by the PSG players. Neymar is booked in the aftermath, and replay shows its for a rude celebration, mocking the Haifa players or supporters with an gesture. Silly from the Brazilian, who’s withdrawn by Galtier almost immediately. 85th min: Verratti clips an opponent at the top of the PSG penalty area, and this is a dangerous set-piece for the hosts. Imagine if this finds the back of the net? Sammy Ofer Stadium would explode! It’ll be Chery, the Haifa goalscorer, to take the free-kick with his left, with Haziza also standing over it. Haziza departs, so it’s Chery’s to take…he hits it well but it goes a few feet over the crossbar. 83rd min: Well, we knew this game couldn’t keep up the pace for a full 90 minutes. It’s all gotten a bit messy now. Mbappe’s fouled in midfield and PSG will kill some more time, as Achraf Hakimi comes on in place of Mukiele, who’s upset with being withdrawn. Maccabi Haifa appear to be running out of steam. 75th min: Marquinhos goes down emphatically after Pierrot technically puts a hand on the Brazilian’s face. Yellow card for the Haifa striker. It’s all a bit soft, really. 72nd min: The game has opened up a bit since the goal. There’s more action in the Haifa 18-yard box, with Mbappe and Messi continuing to probe, but the home defenders are there to clear. PSG will bring Vitinha off, with Fabian Ruiz entering the pitch. Haifa counter bringing Din David on for Atzili. 69th min: GOAL! PSG! Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Kylian Mbappe scores after being sent free by Lionel Messi! A vertical ball from Messi breaks the Maccabi Haifa back line, and Mbappe is clean through after getting by Seck. The French superstar makes no mistake, finding the gap between a diving Cohen and the far post. Watch in the USA: Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi connect again, this time Messi with the assist, Mbappe with a delicious finish. pic.twitter.com/OhwK9Ifi1X — CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 14, 2022 64th min: Chance, PSG! A HUGE DOUBLE STOP! First Josh Cohen saves brilliantly, diving down to his left after Messi got free. Then Cornud recovers well to reach the ball first, with a sliding clearance to deny Mukiele who was charging down the rebound. PSG starting to turn the screw, but the hosts are so far up to the task! Josh Cohen said he wanted to make a big save on Lionel Messi, and he just made two.#UCL — Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) September 14, 2022 63rd min: The Haifa defense continues to stand tall. A rip from Mbappe is blocked very bravely by the substitute Abdoulaye Seck, while Messi’s follow-up from a tight angle is saved by Cohen. 60th min: Kylian Mbappe is a menace, and he very nearly earns a penalty, going down under a challenge from Haziza right on the edge of the penalty area. The referee points for a free-kick and shows Haziza a yellow card. Mbappe wanted a penalty, but replay shows that not only was the location of the foul correct, but it’s also a very soft foul, and a bit of a flop. Still, PSG have a dangerous free-kick…and it’s into the wall from Neymar. Mbappe sends it back in from the other end, but it’s cleared well by the Haifa defense. 58th min: The game has slowed in pace, mostly because Haifa have taken the air out of the ball. They’re holding heavy possession and PSG are forced to chase the ball. A few deep shots fail to trouble Donnarumma, but his goal kicks are giving the ball right back to the hosts. 52nd min: Chance, Haifa! A long-range effort by Cornud is SO NEARLY redirected in by a streaking Pierrot, but the ball whizzes over the bar! Donnarumma was fooled, and Pierrot should have scored. A missed chance for Haifa! As play stops, the trainers are out for Sundgren, and it looks a concerning one. Unsure what happened, but the Swedish international will have to come off holding h is chest, with Haifa forced into the game’s first substitution. Trainers are taking their time with Sundgren, who’s clearly shaken up. 49th min: Like they were in the first half, PSG remain very sloppy in possession. Atzili takes a shot from distance on a counter, but it’s collected well by Donnarumma who goes down low to smother the ball. In the aftermath, Atzili gets a deserved yellow card after getting worked by Vitinha in midfield. 46th min: The second half is under way in Haifa! It will be fascinating to see how Christophe Galtier tactically counters what Maccabi Haifa threw at PSG in the first half. We’ll be lucky to be treated to another 45 minutes of similar energy and pace! HALFTIME: Maccabi Haifa 1-1 PSG It’s a brilliant first half from the hosts, utterly spectacular. They were brimming with confidence and swagger through the entire 45 minutes, and seemed to catch PSG on their heels. The opening goal was wonderfully executed, and they’ve locked down PSG for the most part. To the Parisians’ credit, they were unlucky to not earn a penalty as Josh Cohen took down Neymar, and Lionel Messi is inevitable. The match is indeed very much there for the taking in the second half, and the visitors very well could assert their dominance, but it will take plenty of hard work to break down the extremely energetic home side. 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗: Lionel Messi has now scored a Champions League goal against a 39 different teams: Lionel Messi: 39 Cristiano Ronaldo: 38 Karim B...

ANZ Banking Group Plans For Metaverse – Finance – Software – ITnews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/anz-banking-group-plans-for-metaverse-finance-software-itnews/ ANZ banking services lead Nigel Dobson is taking a keen interest in the metaverse as a place where some of the bank’s customers want to be and transact in, but sees “really key questions” that need answers as the space takes off. Speaking during a Trans-Tasman Business Circle panel, Dobson said the metaverse, a connected network of virtual communities built on blockchain platforms, is “one that traditional supporters of the digital economy like banks should be planning for”. Dobson predicted that while current excitement about the metaverse will “flatten out eventually, the hype precedes the genuine foundation of business models” and is an opportunity to find a business model “that makes sense”. However, he said the metaverse is “just an exponential version of what’s already happening on the internet” with “technology leading regulation”, creating “a classic problem we’ve been trying to catch up with and deal with for many decades now”. In particular, he said that current notions of digital identity “are probably not sufficient to appropriately govern and manage the safety [of participants] in the metaverse.” “I’m no expert in the space, but I think there’s a lot of work that needs to be done in that space to ensure that we do bring some sort of trade-off between anonymity and privacy to accountability,” he said. Dobson said information sharing arrangements across blockchains would become important so as to “allow individuals in their virtual form to move between various worlds and potentially even transfer assets between those worlds.” “In order to do that, you’ve got to have an underpinning set of standards [and] have an underpinning sense of governance and a well woven together legal frameworks that span the globe,” he said. “Now, most countries do not make global laws – and yet we are dealing with a borderless phenomenon here in decentralised venues, or the metaverse.” “That’s one of the things that the regulators will have to catch up with” as they seek a best practice approach to standards-setting “across these different worlds”. “These are all questions I have no good answers to… the regulators need to stand in front of this” to clearly define regulation jurisdictions, he said. “Otherwise, we will not move forward and the metaverse will become a dangerous place. Which if it does, then commerce will cease to exist. While “that’s making a very definitive statement”, Dobson said “those sorts of questions need to be answered” if the metaverse is to ever scale. Transaction enablement Dobson added “the use of smart contracts on-chain secured with native coins that can be issued by a bank is a really important development.” “At ANZ, have already created a stablecoin that can interact on a range of blockchains called A$DC. “It’s a tokenised version of Australian dollars and it’s built to interact with digital assets like NFTs”. Dobson highlighted ANZ Worldline Payment Solutions, the bank’s joint venture with European payments company Worldline, as an example of “how we’re working with customers” as it recently established beverage maker “Naked Life in Decentraland and set them up as a merchant in the virtual world”. “Wherever your customers want to do business, you should be interested in,” said Dobson. ‘Fundamentally, if the business models that you recognise are transitioning to a different operating model that your customers feel comfortable in those environments, then we want to be there and we want to be testing and learning alongside them.”

Use Your IPhone’s Mail App To Schedule Emails That Auto-Send At Specific Dates And Times – Gadget Hacks https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/use-your-iphones-mail-app-to-schedule-emails-that-auto-send-at-specific-dates-and-times-gadget-hacks/ You no longer have to resort to a third-party email client on your iPhone to schedule messages to send whenever you want. Apple built the scheduling functionality into its Mail app, and it works with any email client you use, whether iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or another service. To try it out, ensure your iPhone is running iOS 16. The change also appears on iPadOS 16 for iPad and macOS 13 Ventura for Mac, which are still in beta. Start or open a draft in the Mail app from any email account. When you’re ready to schedule it to send later, long-press the send button. From the menu, you can choose preset times like “Send Tonight” and “Send Tomorrow” or use “Send Later” to pick your own date and time. When you use Send Later, just hit “Done” after setting the date and time. Don’t Miss: Your iPhone Just Got a Massive Feature iCloud and macOS Had Forever No matter what date and time you choose, you can view your scheduled emails from the new “Send Later” folder on your mailboxes list. In the folder, you should see the date and time it will auto-send each message. If you don’t want to send the email anymore, you can delete it like any other draft. If you want to change the date and time, open the draft and hit “Edit” next to “This email will be sent [date] at [time].” The same Send Later interface will appear for you to reschedule it. You can tap “Cancel Send Later” to delete it altogether (it won’t revert to a draft) or “Done” to save your changes. Send Later does not sync to iCloud or any of your email accounts since it’s an on-device feature, meaning it only works from the originating device. For Mail to send the scheduled message successfully, your iPhone needs a network connection at the scheduled time to ensure delivery. If your iPhone doesn’t have an internet connection at the scheduled time, Mail will move your email from the Send Later folder to your “Outbox” folder. The message will then auto-send as soon as your iPhone connects to the internet — it won’t cancel the email altogether. Keep Your Connection Secure Without a Monthly Bill. Get a lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited for all your devices with a one-time purchase from the new Gadget Hacks Shop, and watch Hulu or Netflix without regional restrictions, increase security when browsing on public networks, and more. Buy Now (80% off) Other worthwhile deals to check out: 41% off a home Wi-Fi analyzer 98% off a learn to code bundle 98% off an accounting bootcamp 59% off the XSplit VCam video background editor Cover photo and screenshots by Justin Meyers/Gadget Hacks

Crypto Traders In Wait-And-See Mode In Countdown To Ethereum Merge – CoinDesk https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/crypto-traders-in-wait-and-see-mode-in-countdown-to-ethereum-merge-coindesk/ Crypto markets appeared to be in suspension on Wednesday as traders awaited the Ethereum blockchain’s historic Merge – the network’s transition to proof-of-stake (PoS) network, expected to take place in about 12 hours. Bitcoin (BTC) was in a choppy trading range around $20,000 while ether (ETH) changed hands just above $1,500. Bitcoin price chart shows a choppy trading range between $19,000 and $20,000 on Wednesday. (CoinDesk) Stocks and cryptocurrencies sank Tuesday after August’s U.S. consumer price index showed that inflation remains hot. But there hasn’t been much follow-through on the downside. Alex Tapscott, managing director of the digital asset group at alternative investment manager Ninepoint Partners, said bitcoin still looks bright in the long term. “Bitcoin’s simplicity is maybe its biggest drawback because it can’t be programmed to do lots of different things, but it’s also the greatest asset, in my opinion,” Tapscott told CoinDesk in a video interview. “I think[of bitcoin] as a simple, immutable, highly secure store of value that is completely decentralized and almost impossible to capture by any single force, whether it’s a government or company.” As Ethereum’s Merge approaches, Tapscott said he has a bullish outlook on ether that “has lots of potential but many more risks.” “I think that the contrast is kind of poetic that this is happening as we move with Ethereum to proof-of-stake, and Bitcoin is simultaneously becoming its most secure ever,” he said. Ethereum price chart shows a climb in the past seven days. (CoinDesk) ETH rose 2.4% in the past seven days but was down 17% over the past 30 days and remains well off its 30-day high of $1,951. Crypto market watchers are eyeing the Merge, which is expected to reduce Ethereum’s energy consumption by 99%. A Bank of America research report last week said this could attract more institutional investors who were barred from buying tokens that run on blockchains that use the proof-of-work (PoW) consensus system. “If you’re a big company and you’re planning on investing millions of dollars in Web3 opportunities, whatever those might be, you want to know that the technology you’re building on is going to be consistent over time,” Tapscott said. “Ethereum is clearly the leader of smart contracting platforms through a community-driven effort. And if all of a sudden there’s a deluge of big companies [that] are building on this new platform, you might think that seems like a pretty good investment opportunity.” Oanda Senior Market Analyst Craig Erlam said in a note Wednesday that some suggest the Merge may have contributed to the rebound in ether’s price. “That could equally compound the sell-off if it becomes a ‘Buy the rumor, sell the fact’ event,” he said. “Time will tell.” CORRECTION (Sept. 14, 2022 20:45 UTC): Changes price update to ether (ETH) from ethereum classic (ETC). Sign up for First Mover, our daily newsletter putting the latest moves in crypto markets in context. By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG .

U.S. Senators Introduce Bill To Designate Russia State Sponsor Of Terrorism – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-senators-introduce-bill-to-designate-russia-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-reuters/ U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) speak during an interview with Reuters, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 7, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Democratic and Republican U.S. senators introduced legislation on Wednesday that would designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, a label pushed for by Ukraine but opposed by President Joe Biden’s administration. “The need for this measure is more pressing now than ever before,” Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of the bill’s sponsors, told a news conference, citing the killings of civilians and other “brutal, cruel oppression” in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, another bill sponsor, said the designation would send a strong signal of support for Ukraine to Kyiv but also to U.S. allies, while imposing stiff penalties on Russia like allowing it to be sued in U.S. courts for its actions in Ukraine and tightening sanctions. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com It was not immediately clear when or whether the measure might come up for a vote. But the two senators have been advocating for the designation for months, visiting Kyiv in July to promote it. read more They have been joined by other lawmakers in voicing support for the idea. Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in July the designation was “long overdue.” Biden has said he does not plan such a designation for Russia. Administration officials say they do not feel that the designation is the most effective way to hold Russia accountable and that it could hinder deliveries of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. State Department spokesman Ned Price told a news briefing that the administration was discussing with lawmakers measures “analogous” to those that would be imposed on Russia’s economy by the designation. read more “We have to take into account the consequences, intended and unintended” by such a designation, he said. “We are engaging with Congress on tools that would continue to have analogous implications for the Russian economy, for the Russian government, that would not have those unintended consequences.” Moscow has told Washington that diplomatic ties would be badly damaged and could even be broken off if Russia were added to the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, which currently includes Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Syria. Blumenthal and Graham’s bill includes a provision that would allow a U.S. president to waive the designation for national security reasons after certifying to Congress that Russia is no longer supporting acts of international terrorism. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Jonathan Landay and Simon Lewis; Editing by Bill Berkrot Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Compass Minerals Picks Lithium Extraction Technology To Supply Ford, Others – Kitco NEWS https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/compass-minerals-picks-lithium-extraction-technology-to-supply-ford-others-kitco-news/ Reuters Wednesday September 14, 2022 16:30 Sept 14 (Reuters) – Compass Minerals International Inc (CMP.N) said on Wednesday it will use a lithium extraction technology developed by EnergySource Minerals LLC to produce the electric vehicle battery metal for Ford Motor Co (F.N) and others. Washington has been pressing for U.S. companies to find greener ways to boost domestic production of battery metals and lessen the country’s reliance on China. Compass chose EnergySource’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology over four rivals and plans to use it alongside existing evaporation ponds to remove the battery metal from Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Compass said it spent more than two years studying EnergySource’s technology and is confident it can begin producing 10,000 tonnes of lithium annually by 2025. “This is the right technology for this resource,” Compass executive Ryan Bartlett told Reuters. Compass also on Wednesday said it would sell shares worth $252 million to Koch Industries Inc and use proceeds to fund its lithium project. Compass has lithium supply deals with Ford and LG Energy Solution Ltd (373220.KS). The partnership is the first technology license by privately held EnergySource, which counts oilfield giant Schlumberger NV (SLB.N) and mining investment firm TechMet as investors. EnergySource technology relies on an adsorbent that separates lithium from impurities in brine. EnergySource is developing its own DLE project in California’s Salton Sea, but warned in June that a recently enacted state lithium tax could force it to invest elsewhere. Eric Spomer, EnergySource’s chief executive, said the Compass partnership was not linked to the California tax, but added: “There are a lot of brine resources in North America.” Elsewhere, several DLE partnerships have recently soured. Lake Resources NL (LKE.AX) plans to seek arbitration to settle a dispute with Bill Gates-backed Lilac Solutions Inc. And officials in Bolivia, which holds the world’s largest lithium resource, parted ways with EnergyX. Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by David Gregorio Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

A-State Announces List Of Graduates At Summer 2022 Commencement – Arkansas State University https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/a-state-announces-list-of-graduates-at-summer-2022-commencement-arkansas-state-university/ JONESBORO – Arkansas State University has announced the list of students who completed degree requirements to graduate at Summer Commencement, held Aug. 12 in First National Bank Arena. The list includes graduates from 38 states and 11 other countries. Provost Allan Utter presented diplomas at the associate, bachelor, master, specialist and doctoral levels, along with various program certificates, as awarded through the various colleges: Agriculture, Neil Griffin College of Business, Education and Behavioral Science, Engineering and Computer Science, Liberal Arts and Communication, Nursing and Health Professions, Sciences and Mathematics, and University College. Undergraduates with a 4.0 GPA are designated as graduating Summa Cum Laude.  Those with a GPA of 3.8-3.99 graduated Magna Cum Laude, and those with a GPA of 3.6-3.79 graduated Cum Laude. The graduates are listed by state or territory, county and hometown, followed by international students and students graduating at Campus Querétaro in Mexico, with degree, major, and honors as verified by the Registrar’s Office. Alabama Alabama (Baldwin), Lillian: Alisha Holder Richardson, Master of Science in Education, Reading Alabama (Etowah), Rainbow City: Rebekah A Gulley, Master of Science in Education, Reading Alabama (Tuscaloosa), Tuscaloosa: Scot Kirby, Master of Science, Sport Administration Alaska Alaska (Kenai Peninsula), Kasilof: Shilo Michelle McManus, Specialist in Education, Reading Alaska (Petersburg), Kake: Arthur Daniel Johnson, Master of Science in Education, Reading Arizona Arizona (Maricopa), Chandler: David A. Fluellen Jr., Master of Science, Sport Administration Arizona (Pima), Tucson: Melissa Marie Slade, Master of Science, Sport Administration Arizona (Yuma), Yuma: Michael Patrick Broskowski, Master of Science, Sport Administration Arkansas Arkansas (Arkansas), DeWitt: Taylor Christopher Koen, Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science Arkansas (Arkansas), DeWitt: Karli Ann Rieves, Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science, Magna Cum Laude Arkansas (Arkansas), DeWitt: Caitlyn A. Baker, Associate of Applied Science, Paramedic Arkansas (Arkansas), DeWitt: Kyla M Patterson, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Adv Medical Imaging and Therapy Arkansas (Arkansas), Stuttgart: Erin Briley Carlin, Associate of Arts, A.A. En Route Arkansas (Ashley), Crossett: Ali D’Laine Tran, Master of Public Administration, Public Administration Arkansas (Ashley), Hamburg: Nicholas Grant Roberson, Associate of Science, A.S. En Route Arkansas (Baxter), Calico Rock: Falyn N. Farmer, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Arkansas (Baxter), Cotter: Bailey G. Thompson, Associate of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant Arkansas (Baxter), Lakeview: Alia A. Dewey, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Arkansas (Baxter), Mountain Home: Katie D. Criner, Master of Science in Education, School Counseling Arkansas (Baxter), Mountain Home: Stephanie A. Dement, Master of Science in Education, School Counseling Arkansas (Baxter), Mountain Home: Alisia Ellen Ivy Fawcett, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Arkansas (Baxter), Mountain Home: Brandon H. Johnston, Bachelor of Arts, Criminology Arkansas (Benton), Bella Vista: Jennifer Henning, Master of Public Administration, Public Administration Arkansas (Benton), Bella Vista: Rebecca Heinen, Master of Science in Education, Special Education Gifted Talented and Creative Arkansas (Benton), Bella Vista: Elizabeth Leigh Self, Associate of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant Arkansas (Benton), Bella Vista: Katherine N. Leis, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Arkansas (Benton), Bentonville: Nicholas James Fernandez, Master of Science in Education, Education Theory and Practice Arkansas (Benton), Bentonville: Allison Maria Overdorf, Master of Science in Education, Reading Arkansas (Benton), Bentonville: Tina Marie Spaeth, Master of Science in Education, Special Education Gifted Talented and Creative Arkansas (Benton), Bentonville: Pamela Louise Sweeney, Master of Science in Education, Reading Arkansas (Benton), Cave Springs: Kathleen Anne Porter, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Arkansas (Benton), Lowell: Claire Marie Hopper, Master of Science in Education, Reading Arkansas (Benton), Rogers: Michelle Rene Allder, Master of Science in Education, Reading Arkansas (Benton), Rogers: Zachariah Paul Brown, Master of Science in Education, Education Theory and Practice Arkansas (Benton), Rogers: Wendy Leigh Fewell, Master of Science in Education, Reading Arkansas (Benton), Rogers: Ramona K. Sivils, Master of Science in Education, Reading Arkansas (Benton), Rogers: Patricia N. Rivera, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing Arkansas (Benton), Siloam Springs: Julie Ann Kelly, Master of Science, Sport Administration Arkansas (Benton), Siloam Springs: Xitlali Aracely Estrada, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Cum Laude Arkansas (Benton), Springdale: Lacey E. Abner, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing Arkansas (Boone), Everton: Kimberly Ann Drewry, Master of Science in Education, Reading Arkansas (Boone), Harrison: Jessica Dale Dove, Master of Science in Education, School Counseling Arkansas (Boone), Harrison: Nina C. Ramsey, Bachelor Science Education, Mid-Level Education Arkansas (Bradley), Hermitage: McKenzie P. Lewis, Bachelor of General Studies, General Studies Arkansas (Bradley), Warren: Courtney Symone Atkins, Bachelor of Science, Marketing Arkansas (Bradley), Warren: Abigail Clarisa Torres, Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science, Radiologic Sciences Arkansas (Clark), Arkadelphia: Lori Pauline Corter, Master of Science in Education, Special Education Gifted Talented and Creative Arkansas (Clay), Knobel: Carley June Vallance, Associate of Arts, A.A. En Route Arkansas (Clay), Piggott: Sarah E. Tom, Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science, Radiologic Sciences, Cum Laude Arkansas (Clay), Piggott: Presley Raye Tullos, Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science, Radiologic Sciences, Magna Cum Laude Arkansas (Clay), Piggott: Sarah E. Tom, Certificate of Proficiency, Computed Tomography, Cum Laude Arkansas (Clay), Piggott: Presley Raye Tullos, Certificate of Proficiency, Computed Tomography, Magna Cum Laude Arkansas (Clay), Success: Alexeia Racquel Haywood, Bachelor of Science, Clinical Laboratory Science Arkansas (Cleburne), Heber Springs: Victoria Elesabeth Ware, Master of Science, College Student Personnel Services Arkansas (Cleburne), Heber Springs: Eric Matthew Hight, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Arkansas (Cleburne), Heber Springs: Soundra Nichole Rogers, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Arkansas (Cleburne), Higden: Hunter Douglas Hartwick, Bachelor of Science, Management Arkansas (Cleburne), Wilburn: Emma Rose Hansson, Associate of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant Arkansas (Cleveland), Rison: Peyton L Penland, Associate of Science, A.S. En Route Arkansas (Columbia), Waldo: Amy Watkins, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing Arkansas (Conway), Plumerville: Tiffany Dawn Watts, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing Arkansas (Craighead), Bono: Jaden Rich, Master of Science, Strategic Communications Arkansas (Craighead), Bono: Ashley Renea Arnold, Associate of General Studies, General Studies Arkansas (Craighead), Bono: Rebecca K. Hazelwood, Associate of Science, A.S. En Route Arkansas (Craighead), Bono: Gavin Chase Williams, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design Arkansas (Craighead), Bono: Kaitlyn Rose Langley, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design Arkansas (Craighead), Bono: Seth Hunter Ishmael, Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science Arkansas (Craighead), Brookland: Emily N. Tilley, Master of Science in Education, Special Education Gifted Talented and Creative Arkansas (Craighead), Brookland: Wakonda Lakisa Cox, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Arkansas (Craighead), Brookland: Meredith B. Greathouse, Bachelor of General Studies, General Studies Arkansas (Craighead), Brookland: Alyssa L. D. Brockway, Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Magna Cum Laude Arkansas (Craighead), Brookland: Taylor N Hammett, Bachelor of Science, Finance Arkansas (Craighead), Brookland: Joshua S. Redden, Bachelor of Science, Clinical Laboratory Science Arkansas (Craighead), Brookland: Stephanie Camp, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing Arkansas (Craighead), Brookland: Ashton Cathelean Chaplain, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Hannah Belle Aldridge, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Erica Jasmine Bacsa, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Faith Nicole Jones, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Faith Caroline Kenley, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Moira Ann O’Keefe, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Matthew Lavaughn Farmer, Master of Arts, English Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Guy A. Riggins, Master of Arts, Communication Studies Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Annah Cynclaire Halford, Master of Athletic Training, Athletic Training Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Taylor Dayle Galloway, Master of Business Administration, Business Administration Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Sarah Grace Pitts, Master of Business Administration, Business Administration Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Victor Ayomide Omowonuola, Master of Engineering Management, Engineering Management Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Natalie Erin Neal, Master of Public Administration, Public Administration Arkansas (Craighead), Jonesboro: Valencia Eyonna Dawson, Master of Science, Media ...

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky Says Competitors Have The Travel Marketing Funnel All Wrong – Skift Travel News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-says-competitors-have-the-travel-marketing-funnel-all-wrong-skift-travel-news/ The common wisdom in the travel industry for many years has been that the marketing “funnel, starting with inspiration, research and discovery, booking, and then retention, should be centered around flights because that’s where travelers start their trip planning. Enter Airbnb chairman and CEO Brian Chesky who thinks online travel competitors — his exact words were “a lot of people” — have that flight focus at the top of the funnel all wrong, and that instead marketing should revolve around the destination, and presumably accommodations. Alas, it should be pointed out, Airbnb doesn’t offer flights. “A lot of people think that the way to be top of the funnel in travel is to sell flights because flights is the [ first ] purchase you make,” Chesky said during an interview at a Goldman Sachs technology conference earlier this week. “I actually think the top of funnel isn’t flights, it’s inspiring people where to travel to. That’s the first decision you make. Where should I travel?” Consumer travel writers often advise people to book flights first because of the volatility in airfares, and in some cases they booking an accommodation at the last minute might bring some cost savings if demand isn’t strong, and you are price-conscious. On the other hand, when demand is surging, the accommodation may not be available in a desired location if the traveler waits too long. But Chesky said travelers have new flexibility with remote work, and Airbnb can inspire them where to vacation or work, and that’s why the company several months ago launched an expanded list of accommodations categories, ranging from Islands to the Arctic, OMG!, and Tiny Homes. He said these search features have been used more than 180 million times since the launch in May. “You see when people come to [ Airbnb ] and they’re flexble where to travel, we can inspire them to where to go,” Chesky said. “And this allows us to be top of funnel and be in the inspiration business.” Airbnb CEO Chesky, Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel and Expedia CEO Peter Kern will all be speakers at Skift Global Forum Sept. 19-21. Chesky said the company uses performance marketing, public relations (writers penned a half a million articles about Airbnb in 2021), and brand marketing to broadcasts its messages, and he was disparaging about rivals who need to play arbitrage in their paid search engine marketing. “And so if travel is so aspirational, then why is it sold like a casino?” Chesky asked. “And I really feel like, first of all, the positioning for travel to get back to that kind of golden age, it could be much more about something that is not just about direct like performance marketing, but it could be supplemented with like the reason people are traveling in the first place. And so what we’ve decided to do is we have a very different approach to marketing.” Expedia’s Marketing Funnel Was More Like a Sieve However wonky, marketing funnels have been very much in the conversation this week. In a separate interview at the Goldman Sachs conference, Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern said that traditional approaches to performance marketing haven’t worked. “And a lot of our business, the industry has been built on, a lot of throughput, a lot of just customers [going] through the machine. We joked that we didn’t have a funnel. We had a sieve. Everything just came through and went out the other end. And we’re much more focused now on customer retention, trying to buy as best we can the right kinds of traffic, the high-value traffic, keeping them longer.” Expedia, Kern said, is now emphasizing loyalty and retention. “What we want is for you to become a member, get the app, get all the best tools, get all the sticky stuff you can use,” Kern said. “And then we have a much higher likelihood of you becoming a high-value, long-term member, so long-term customers.” Changes will take time, however. That’s for sure. In the second quarter of 2022, Airbnb allocated 18 percent of its revenue toward sales and marketing, while Expedia Group and Booking Holdings each spent more than half of their revenue on sales and marketing. Airbnb to Invest in Experiences After 2-Year Pause In other news, Chesky said Airbnb will begin to invest in its experiences business again in 2023 after a two-year pause cause by the pandemic. “It’s ready to invest like significantly in this business again,” he said. Trotting out another e-commerce buzzword after discussing funnels, namely “flywheels,” Chesky argued that Airbnb’s homes and experiences businesses would invigorate each other. “We have some really exciting things in the roadmap,” Chesky said, including for 2023. “And I think that experience is a great flywheel for homes because, again, the number one thing in travel is you want to have direct traffic, booking something unique that you can’t find anywhere else.” Booking.com: Attractions Won’t Be a ‘Huge Money Spinner’ Booking Holdings Chief Financial Officer David Goulden, speaking at an Evercore technology conference September 8, noted that the company transitioned from a “homegrown acquisition strategy” for tours and activities — when it acquired Fareharbor in 2018 — to a partnerships model, such as through deals with TUI Musement and Viator. He added that the market size and transaction values for attractions are not as substantial as for accommodations or flights. “So I don’t think it will be a huge money spinner for us, but it’s certainly something that will create, I think, a lot of value for our customers, therefore, something we want to continue to focus on,” Goulden said. %

California Sues Amazon, Alleging Antitrust Law Violations | Business News | Wfmz.com – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/california-sues-amazon-alleging-antitrust-law-violations-business-news-wfmz-com-69news-wfmz-tv/ NEW YORK (AP) — California is suing Amazon, accusing the company of violating the state’s antitrust and unfair competition laws by stifling competition and engaging in practices that push sellers to maintain higher prices on products on other sites. The 84-page lawsuit filed Wednesday in San Francisco Superior Court mirrors another complaint filed last year by the District of Columbia, which was dismissed by a district judge earlier this year and is now going through an appeals process. But officials in California believe they won’t encounter a similar fate, partly due to information collected during a more than two-year investigation that involved subpoenas and interviews with sellers, Amazon’s competitors as well as current and former employees at the company. In the lawsuit, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said Amazon used contract provisions to effectively bar third-party sellers and wholesale suppliers from offering lower prices for products on non-Amazon sites, including on their own websites. That, in turn, harms the ability of other retailers to compete. The suit maintains merchants that do not comply with the policy could have their products stripped from prominent listings on Amazon and face other sanctions such as suspensions or terminations of their accounts. It alleges Amazon’s policy essentially forces merchants to list higher prices on other sites, helping the retail giant maintain its e-commerce dominance. Among other things, the California lawsuit seeks to stop Amazon from entering into contracts with sellers that harm price competition. It also seeks a court order to compel Amazon to pay damages to the state for increased prices. State officials did not say how much money they are seeking. Seattle-based Amazon controls roughly 38% of online sales in the U.S., more than that of Walmart, eBay, Apple, Best Buy and Target combined, according to the research firm Insider Intelligence. About 2 million sellers list their products on Amazon’s third-party marketplace, accounting for 58% of the company’s retail sales. During a news conference on Wednesday, Bonta said some vendors have expressed they would offer lower prices on other sites with lower seller fees, but don’t do so to avoid punishment from Amazon. “Amazon has stifled its competition for years, not by successfully competing, but by blocking competition on price,” Bonta said. “As a result, California families paid more, and now Amazon must pay the price.” He said the lawsuit is also a message to other companies who “illegally bend the market at the expense of California consumers, small business owners and the economy.” Amazon did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The company has said in the past that sellers set their own prices on the platform. It has also said it has the right to avoid highlighting products that are not priced competitively. Despite that defense, Amazon’s market power has been a subject of scrutiny from lawmakers and advocacy groups calling for stricter antitrust regulations. Earlier this year, congressional lawmakers urged the Justice Department to investigate if the company collects data on sellers to develop competing products and offer them more prominently on its site. Critics have also lambasted the increasing fees imposed on sellers, which makes it more difficult for merchants to enter the market. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been pushing bipartisan legislation aiming to limit Amazon and other Big Tech companies, including Apple, Meta and Google, from favoring their own products and services over rivals. The bill has cleared key committees but has languished in Congress for months amid intense pushback from the companies. Meanwhile, regulators have also been looking into Amazon’s business practices and deals. In July, the company offered concessions to settle two antitrust investigations in the European Union, including a promise to apply equal treatment to all sellers when ranking product offers on the site’s “buy box,” a coveted spot that makes items more visible to shoppers. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission is investigating Amazon’s $3.9 billion acquisition of the primary health organization One Medical as well as the sign-up and cancellation practices of Amazon Prime, the company’s paid subscription service that offers deals and faster shipping. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

News In Brief August 2022 – Vermont Biz https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/news-in-brief-august-2022-vermont-biz/ (Roundup of news from August 2022) S&P affirms and upgrades credit outlook for State of Vermont bonds S&P Global Ratings has affirmed the State of Vermont’s AA+ (the second highest) general obligation bond ratings and revised the rating outlook from negative to stable. Vermont is still the highest rated New England state. In the ratings report, S&P wrote that the improved outlook is attributed to recent shifts in demographic trends, “retirement reforms designed to significantly reduce unfunded liabilities,” and historical credit strengths including “regular forecast updates, annual midyear budget adjustments, consistent reserve levels across economic cycles, and debt affordability oversight.” Vermont received the highest score possible in the financial management category. The state’s bond rating was downgraded by Moody’s and Fitch from triple A status in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and the assignment of a “negative outlook” by S&P in 2020. State tax revenues again greater than expectations The State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund (T-Fund), and Education Fund receipts in July were a combined $227.0 million, or 2.8%, above monthly consensus expectations. The General Fund, Education Fund and even the Transportation Fund all finished the month with revenues above target, marking a strong start for the new fiscal year. The sales tax, which feeds the Ed Fund, was particularly strong (plus 8.5%). General Fund revenues collected for the month totaled $136.6 million, $0.6 million above the monthly consensus cash flow revenue target. The corporate income was particularly strong (plus 18.25%), while the personal income, which has been very robust, had a more modest month (plus 3.1%). The tourism-related rooms & meals tax, which also has been strong, was below targets (minus 3.55%) as set by state economists. Revenues into the Transportation Fund exceeded monthly consensus expectations, bringing in $23 The Education Fund revenues were $4.9 million, or 7.9%, above the monthly consensus cash flow target, having collected $66.8 million in July. Strong performance was to be expected given the still largely positive pace to retail and visitor activity in Vermont. Vermont’s unemployment rate falls to 2.1 percent in July Vermont’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth in July 2022 to 2.1 percent. All three major metrics showed positive results, as the labor force and number of employed increased and the number of people looking for work decreased. In addition, the civilian labor force participation rate rose to 61.7 percent in July, up one-tenth from June. The jobless rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the labor force is still far behind and some 20,000 available jobs in Vermont are still unfilled. Vermont has the fifth lowest jobless rate in the nation. Healthy Living Market receives Deane Davis Business of the Year Award VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce announced August 17 that Healthy Living Market and Café is the winner of the prestigious and highly anticipated Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award, 2021. This annual award honors a Vermont business that shows an outstanding history of sustained growth while displaying an acute awareness of what makes Vermont unique. The award, named for the former governor of Vermont, was created 32 years ago by VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce to recognize and honor the state’s best companies. Scott issues 10-point public safety enhancement and violence prevention action plan framework Governor Phil Scott has issued his 10-point public safety enhancement and violence prevention action plan, laying out the framework of a comprehensive response to address violent crime and other public safety concerns across the state. To begin, Governor Scott has directed the commissioner of Public Safety and other agency and department executives – in partnership with other law enforcement entities, prosecutors, and the judiciary – to implement a 10-point plan focused on three core goals: To reinforce frontline law enforcement capacity and prioritize immediate reduction, prevention and prosecution of violent crime statewide; To expand prosecution capacity and help the courts address a backlog of cases; and To prioritize long-term violence prevention policies, systems, and services. GMCB approves health insurance rates hikes of 11.7% for Blue Cross and 18.3% for MVP The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) is requiring Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Plan, Inc to lower the premiums they wanted to charge individuals and small businesses for health insurance plans in 2023. BCBSVT asked for a 15.4% increase and got 11.7% in the small group (business) plan; MVP asked for a 23.4% increase and got 18.3%. The increase in rates for individuals were similar (see below). Despite the reductions, the rates are still the highest approved since August 2019. AOE and VDH provide recommendations on COVID-19 for the start of school The Vermont Agency of Education and the Department of Health has issued a joint memo to school nurses for the opening of school relative to COVID-19. The memo gives school nurses recommendations on how to manage symptomatic individuals, implement testing protocols, and suggests communication strategies including the need to work closely with local medical practices. The memo puts emphasis on the clinical judgment of school nurses in determining if a student or staff member with mild symptoms is well enough to attend school. The memo puts emphasis on the clinical judgment of school nurses in determining if a student or staff member with mild symptoms is well enough to attend school. Schools will be provided a supply of both antigen and LAMP tests to implement the protocol outlined in the memo. Both in-school and take-home testing will be available. Decisions about when to test, and what test to use, will rely on the expertise of school nurses. Court approves plan to sell Jay Peak for $58 million A Park City, Utah, resort company has offered to acquire Jay Peak Resort for $58 million. Jay Peak Receiver Michael Goldberg will accept this bid for Vermont’s northern-most ski resort unless a higher bid comes in over the next month. Goldberg announced the bid by Pacific Group Resorts Inc in a filing to the US District Court in Miami. The court granted Goldberg’s motion on August 4. The Pacific Group bid is binding, according to Goldberg, regardless of any other bid. However, if there is another bid, at the receiver’s discretion, an auction could be triggered to generate a higher offer for the resort. The receiver would then make the final determination on the winning bid, with the minimum offer being $58 million. According to the resort, since the initial offer other bidders have emerged, though no stated bidder or offer has been made public. A final bid is expected to be announced by the end of this year. AOT receives $12.5 million in E-Bus funding and public transit improvements The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has received two new grants through the Federal Transportation Agency (FTA) totaling $12.5 million. These awards will bring nine new e-buses to Vermont and allow for a new building and facility improvements to the Marble Valley Regional Transit District. The first grant award of $9.2 million is through the FTA’s Low and No Emissions Bus and Bus Facility Grant program and will bring nine new e-buses to Marble Valley Regional Transit District (MVRTD) and Green Mountain Transit (GMT). Five of these buses will be medium-sized transit vehicles from a new manufacturer, Letenda, located in Longueuil, Quebec. Five towns commit ARPA funds to build high-speed internet Select boards in Groton, Hardwick, Peacham, Ryegate, and Walden have voted to allocate a total of $328,050 in American Rescue Plan Act funding towards constructing additional high-speed broadband infrastructure within their communities. The funds pledged by the five Caledonia County towns will be matched by both NEK Broadband and the Vermont Community Broadband Board. The combined total of $984,150 will accelerate the construction of the initial framework of infrastructure referred to as the “backbone” of the project. By building the backbone sooner than planned, NEK Broadband expects to bring new high-speed internet to portions of 90% of the towns in the Northeast Kingdom over the next two years. The ARPA funding also enables NEK Broadband to build new infrastructure sooner to three additional towns: Danville, Lyndon, and Saint Johnsbury. AOT grant program for 2023 municipal highway and stormwater mitigation projects The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has announced a grant funding opportunity for 2023 municipal highway and stormwater mitigation projects, as part of the Agency’s ongoing commitment to improve the quality of state waters and provide financial assistance to municipalities in these efforts. The enabling legislation that determines eligibility states: Any environmental mitigation activity, including pollution prevention and pollution abatement activities and mitigation to address stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff. Delegation applauds funding of over $34 million in three transportation projects Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Representative Peter Welch (D) and state and local officials have announced that the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded Vermont three Rebuilding American Infrastructure With Sustainability And Equity (RAISE) grants totaling $34,624,624 for Fiscal Year 2022. The grants will support three projects in Vermont: replacing the Winooski River Bridge; construction of the Federal Street Multi-Modal Connector in St. Albans; ...

Bookie Q&A: BetMGM’s Jason Scott Dishes On US Sports Betting – Gaming Today https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/bookie-qa-betmgms-jason-scott-dishes-on-us-sports-betting-gaming-today/ BetMGM’s Jason Scott (second from left) at BetBash 2 in Las Vegas. Also pictured are Doug Kezirian (ESPN), Robert Walker (US Bookmaking), Adam Bjorn (Plannatech), Jeff Davis (Circa) Relocating from Brisbane, Australia to Jersey City, New Jersey in December 2019, Jason Scott took over bookmaking operations at BetMGM as the US sports betting industry was hitting its stride. Prior to his move to the US, Scott served as CEO of sportsbook giant Ladbrokes Australia, and he once made his living as a professional bettor, working for the world’s largest horse racing syndicate. It took Scott just over a year of the northeast’s dicey climate before he sought sunnier environs. He now calls Las Vegas home. “I’m an Australian guy, and I needed to feel the sun on my back,” Scott said. “I also had a team out in Vegas, so I moved here in January ’21, and I’ve been here since. Give me the sun over the snow.” Scott – who is off to a fine start in Bookies Battle 2022 with 10 winners in Week 1 – spent some time on the phone with Gaming Today on Tuesday. We discussed the record handle and “ridiculous” hold percentage BetMGM saw in the first weekend of NFL betting, why he doesn’t bet much anymore, what has surprised him about the US market, why traditional American sports are perfectly-suited for in-game wagering, his worst bad beat he shares with many gamblers, and much more. Gaming Today: (Besides the climate) what else do you miss about Australia? Scott: It’s probably the horse racing. I really love the racing. So I do miss that. I really haven’t had time to get into the US racing properly. Gaming Today: Have you had a chance to visit any tracks in the US? Scott: I went to Del Mar for the Breeders Cup last year for a couple of days, and I went down for the two days of the Kentucky Derby this year. Both of them were spectacularly good – well-run organizations, well-run events. It’s a pity we can’t get that sort of interest in racing 52 weeks of the year that we had in those two days. But they were both fantastic. Gaming Today: There’s been of lot of talk about fixed-odds (horse racing) over the last few years. What kind of impact do you think that will have on US horse racing? Scott: It’s the only way for it to grow. We have customers who bet with us six figures in sport, and they want to bet on horses, and they can only have $2,000 and $3,000 bets because the pools are so small. I have a couple of customers that might turn over $2 million a week on their own – that’s $100 million a year if they can bet to limits they want to bet. They bet sport because they can get amounts that interest them. We found everywhere else in the world, customers want to understand and know what price they’re going to get. In most of the meetings here, the pools are really small. The professional syndicates bet late, and the price that you’re getting paid is nothing like (the odds at the time of the wager) because so much money’s going in in the last minute. I’ve said it before publicly, it’s the only way to reinvigorate the US market. I understand Churchill’s point – they’re scared of margin, and they call themselves a high-margin business. But they’re misguided. … We’ve seen it everywhere in the world — where fixed odds come in, horse racing just doubles and triples in handle. Gaming Today: Have you become a fan, since you moved here, of American sports, particularly American football? Scott: I’ve always loved football and baseball. The sport that surprised me that I’ve enjoyed the most is hockey. It doesn’t get a lot of coverage at home, but I’ve been to several arenas, I watch quite a lot on TV. It’s probably the game that’s growing on me the most. Gaming Today: We’re coming off NFL Week 1, it just closed last night (Monday). How did it go for the book? Scott: Look, no one wants to hear a bookmaker brag, but we had a spectacular week. We had a record week for us. I think it was our biggest college football Saturday ever, our second biggest NFL Sunday ever, beaten only by a Super Bowl. And then last night was the dream from heaven for a bookmaker — the results there were enormous … with the Broncos losing. Gaming Today: Biggest in terms of handle or hold, or both? Scott: Handle and hold. Handle makes sense, because we’re getting more states coming in. Obviously, New York joined in the playoffs last year; Illinois is going, we’ve joined their digital market; Louisiana, Kansas weren’t there for last football season. So it makes sense that the handle would be the biggest, but the hold percentage was ridiculously good. Gaming Today: What was the biggest bet you wrote in Week 1? Scott: The biggest bets we wrote were actually baseball, but in terms of football, we wrote several $220,000 bets to win $200,000. The Ravens was one that won, the Titans lost, the same bet we received last night on the Broncos, and the other one was on the Colts. Gaming Today: What was the baseball bet? Scott: We had $275,000 on the Mets that lost (Monday at -400), and we had someone buying money during the weekend with $600,000 – I can’t remember the game – but it was to win $200,000. Register to Wager at BetMGM: Use Bonus Code TODAY for $1,000 Risk-Free Bet Any Bets of His Own? Gaming Today: You’ve worked on both sides of the counter as a bookmaker and a bettor. Are you still active as a bettor? Scott: I don’t do much. If I bet, it tends to be the horses. I realized a long time ago when I got into bookmaking, if I’m gonna have $400 or $500 (thousand) on it, and I’m cheering for my $500, and then the business has got a million-dollar liability, I just end up conflicted and confused. Certainly, if I’m going to a game, I might have a bet, but very rarely. It’s simpler just to cheer for one thing, rather than have to worry about two things going around in your mind. Gaming Today: Can you recall the worst beat of your gambling career? Scott: It’s definitely Malcolm Butler. I’d been betting the Seahawks – they started the season badly (2-3) and got injuries after winning the Super Bowl the year before – I think I took 15-to-1, 12-to-1, 10-to-1, and 8-to-1. I’d been going for a fortune for me. Yeah, that pass killed me. Gaming Today: I was on the Seahawks that day, too.  … What’s your Super Bowl prediction (for this season)? Scott: I think I’m with the majority here. I can’t see the NFC being a factor, so I’ve probably got it down to three. I think it’ll be the Bills, the Chiefs, or the Chargers. I’ve got a ticket on the Chargers; actually, I’ve also got a ticket on the Eagles. I think there’s a chance that someone does a Bengals from last year and makes a run. I’ve got a ticket there at 40- and 50-to-1, so possibly with the potential to hedge if they do make the Super Bowl. Yeah. But I think it comes down to Bills, Chargers, and Chiefs, in no particular order. A Peak Inside the Sports Betting Industry Gaming Today: What has been the biggest surprise to you so far of the US sports betting market? Scott: I’m not surprised about the scale. I think it is the demand for sports outside the norm, the business that we’re seeing on table tennis on tennis, on soccer right through Europe, on Russian and European basketball and hockey. There is a demand to be betting – rather than just on the big five sports, the college sports, and the pro sports – there is genuine interest in global sports. And we write a lot of bets on lacrosse and on MLS.  Soccer and tennis probably are the two that have really shocked me how valuable and prevalent they are. Gaming Today: How about in-game betting? What percentage of your handle could you estimate that as of now, and how do you see that growing? Scott: It is growing. I’ve been here three years, and it’s grown every year. A little bit of that has to do with the product offerings improving. Baseball and football probably suit themselves to in-game betting more than any other sport on the planet. A basketball game, a hockey game, a soccer game, it’s moving too fast. By the time you try and bet, there’s been another bucket or goal or whatever. Baseball and football have the breaks – to me, they’re the huge options for both in-play betting and micro-betting in-play.  You know, next pitch, next drive, will the next play be a run or pass, those kind of things. I think that’s where we’re getting to. The offering on these in-play bets on those sports is just going to increase and increase. Gaming Today: The current expression of odds in the US – +200, +250, -350 – do you think that’s here to stay? Scott: It’s a delicate point. The rusted-on US sports bettors, the Vegas guys, they’d throw a fit if we changed it. (But) it’s completely confusing to new sports bettors. So it’s really interesting. I’d say 95% of our customers would prefer to see a digital thing that they understand, but that might only equate to 50% of the handle. The people that are used to betting, they prefer the traditional way. I was in Australia when we moved from fractional to digital, and initially, I was completely against it. I was used to saying 5-to-4, 11-to-8, 13-to-8, whatever price it was, and didn’t like going ‘two dollars 15’ (2.15), ‘two dollars 25’  (2.25), but I learned that it brought a whole new market in, a whole new bunch of people that were too scared to bet because they didn’t exactly know what they’re betting into. So to bring sports betting into the greater portion of the population, eventually it will go digital. I’m not sure it’ll happen soon, but I think it will happen. Sports Betting Advice Gaming Today: What’s the best piece of advice you could offer someone new to sports betting? Scott: You’ve got to make a decision: Are you here because you’re really trying to make money, or are you sports betting because you enjoy it and it’s part of your ent...

Futureworlds 2022 Announced As First In-Person Metaverse Conference In Los Angeles – EIN News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/futureworlds-2022-announced-as-first-in-person-metaverse-conference-in-los-angeles-ein-news/ www.futureworlds.co Nov. 12, 2022 Conference Features Metaverse Professionals From Music, Retail Brands, Fashion, Real Estate, IP And More We’re at a convergence point in the creation & adoption of a new level of technology that will massively change the way we live, engage & experience – as important as establishing the internet itself.” — Steve Stewart LOS ANGELES, USA, September 14, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Futureworlds LLC announced today that metaverse conference Futureworlds 2022 (www.futureworlds.co) will take place on Nov. 12, 2022 at Playa Studios in Culver City, CA, bringing together creatives, thought leaders and artists to build community in the fast-growing metaverse space. Futureworlds 2022 is the first in-person metaverse conference to be held in the Los Angeles area, and features more than 40 speakers – including a number of exhibitors introducing cutting-edge advances in metaverse hardware and software platforms. The conference will be live-streamed for virtual attendees from around the world. Panel topics include: Music, Retail/Brands, Fashion/Digital Products, Virtual Real Estate, IP/Rights, Tech Development and an Artist panel featuring some of the most active artists in the metaverse. The event appeals to creatives and businesses working in the metaverse, and those interested in networking and learning the current state-of-the-art in metaverse development, as well as the many retail and entertainment opportunities becoming available. A partial list of confirmed speakers includes: Jessica Powell (CEO, Audioshake), Kimberly Knoller (CMO, Pixelynx), DJ Skee (CEO, DASH Radio), Michael Patterson (producer/mixer – Notorious B.I.G., Diddy, Beck, Duran Duran), and Jeremy Welt (President, Invisible Robot), with more being announced shortly. Interest in the metaverse has exploded after initial adoption by leaders in the online gaming community (Fortnite, Roblox, Axie Infinity, etc.) led to platforms like Decentraland, The Sandbox, VRChat and Meta’s Horizon Worlds emerging recently. Major recording artists such as Steve Aoki, Travis Scott, Marshmellow, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande have jumped in with virtual concerts, digital merchandise and NFT drops. Fashion brands Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Burberry and Givenchy have all developed initial placements in various aspects of the metaverse, and understand the value proposition for dressing the digital world. Fashion Week saw more than 100,000 attend its metaverse show this past March in Decentraland, and Black Pink recently won MTV’s new Video Music Award category for “Best Performance In The Metaverse.” Futureworlds Co-Founder, Steve Stewart, stated, “We’re at a convergence point in the creation and adoption of a new level of technology that will massively change the way we live, engage and experience – as important as establishing the internet itself. We’re excited to bring together as many leaders as we can to build community among the many aspects of the metaverse, as we know it so far.” About Futureworlds: Founded by Joe Berman and Steve Stewart as a creative development agency with years of experience in the entertainment and technology sectors, Futureworlds works with IP right holders of iconic properties, destinations and brands to develop virtual worlds inspired by landmark locations, definitive eras, notable figures, culture, nightlife, fashion music and art. Futureworlds also curates live events and conferences, bringing together thought leaders, creators and influencers to build community and share knowledge and expertise in the metaverse space. For tickets and sponsorship information, please visit: www.futureworlds.co Steve Stewart Futureworlds +1 424.222.9580 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Other You just read: EIN Presswire’s priority is source transparency. We do not allow opaque clients, and our editors try to be careful about weeding out false and misleading content. As a user, if you see something we have missed, please do bring it to our attention. Your help is welcome. EIN Presswire, Everyone’s Internet News Presswire, tries to define some of the boundaries that are reasonable in today’s world. Please see our Editorial Guidelines for more information. Submit your press release

Buggwatch Reviews: Does Buggwatch Really Work? – UrbanMatter https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/buggwatch-reviews-does-buggwatch-really-work-urbanmatter/ Buggwatch Review was compiled by our best reviewers who found out this amazing new piece of technology that promises to be the next big thing in insect pest control. It is a simple watch that is worn but functions effectively to scare those nasty mosquitoes and bugs away from where the wearer is. This Buggwatch Review goes into specifics concerning the workings of the watch, how to use it, its pros and cons and where to get the watch. If you’re interested in this device, it will be a very good idea to quickly peruse the contents of this review before making a decision on buying or not buying this Buggwatch. Mosquitoes and other flying insects are increasing in number as summer approaches and temperatures rise. These insects, particularly mosquitoes, have the potential to make us dread one of the most tranquil times of the day: the night. Mosquitoes can be very upsetting, regularly interrupting your sleep and leaving you exhausted and very irritable all morning. These arthropod creatures not only disrupt peaceful times, but they also carry pathogens that you’d rather not have around.  One myth regarding mosquitoes is that they are merely a minor irritation, similar to house ants and flies. In truth, mosquito bites can actually be pretty harmful. The majority of mosquitoes do not spread diseases, so being bitten by one will probably only be a little inconvenience on an otherwise lovely day in the sun. However, some mosquitoes can transmit harmful viruses. The West Nile virus, dengue, malaria, and the Zika virus are some of the most well-known illnesses spread by mosquitoes. Malaria, one of the most dreadful diseases of the world right now that has succeeded in killing millions of people is also spread by mosquitoes. The pesky little creatures, apart from constituting a nuisance and disrupting otherwise perfect nights, are vectors of deadly diseases. They are usually a source of concern for campers and hikers who have to pass through or camp at open grounds where mosquitoes breed and infest. Most campers usually always look for devices to keep mosquitoes at bay so they can enjoy the camping or the hike. Therefore, the question is: Is it feasible to eliminate mosquitoes without actually pursuing them? Even if you have free time, you should invest your energy in more fulfilling pursuits because that is a lot of work. It is not even reasonable to rely on physically keeping the mosquitoes away. There are other methods of mosquito control but most of them involve using chemicals on your body or your environment that are sometimes harmful to you and your environment. This is the rationale behind the creation of the Buggwatch device. It helps you get all the uninterrupted slumber you require while keeping mosquitoes at bay. While other similar devices focus on eliminating mosquitoes, Buggwatch is a product that makes the claim that it has been enhanced and now has greater functions. With summer approaching, it has gained popularity, and this Buggwatch review will study it. Let us see what the device is all about, anyway. What Is Buggwatch – Buggwatch Reviews Buggwatch is a powerful ultrasonic device that is designed like a watch you can wear to keep away insects especially mosquitoes who like to bite and suck human blood. Buggwatch uses ultrasonic waves to scare away mosquitoes and other annoying bugs like gnats. The sound isn’t audible to humans, but it hits just the right frequency to drive mosquitoes mad and make them stay far away from the sound. The watch has zero side effects or smell, and it’s safe for anyone to wear. You never have to replenish or buy more like creams and sprays, since one watch is all you need to last. The Buggwatch works using advanced ultrasonic technology to prevent mosquitoes from biting you when you wear the watch. This is very important as these mosquitoes transmit their diseases and mix their saliva with human blood when they bite humans and feed on human blood. This can quickly turn fatal as they mostly transmit viruses and parasites that cause fatal diseases.  Meanwhile, when you wear your Buggwatch, you can go about your activity outdoors without any fear of any disease or pesky, irritating mosquito bite. All Buggwatch Reviews found out that this device is non-toxic and chemical-free. This is in direct contrast to most of the conventional methods of mosquito control. The Buggwatch uses advanced ultrasonic technology to keep mosquitoes away.  You will agree with us that most of the conventional creams, sprays, and rubs used to repel mosquitoes contain harmful chemicals that can easily irritate the skin or lungs and cause even more problems. A lot of people with sensitive skin cannot use most of these creams. They tend to cause rashes that can be very irritating and darken the skin where they touch. It is generally not advisable to be rubbing those creams on your skin to keep mosquitoes away.  The Buggwatch, however, is safe for everyone to use. This is because the working principle the device uses in keeping mosquitoes away does not include any harmful or toxic chemicals. This principle using ultrasonic waves only affects the insects and bugs it is made for but it is very safe for humans as humans cannot even perceive the sound it emits. This makes the Buggwatch safe for you and your family who you would also want to be protected from mosquitoes. The device has no side effects and you can use it whether you have sensitive skin or any other condition. Buggwatch saves you a lot of money too. How? When you use creams or sprays to repel mosquitoes, you will keep making multiple trips to the store to replace the cramps or refill the sprays. These multiple trips you make year in, year out will set you back a lot of money in the end. This is in contrast to the Buggwatch, which you just have to buy once. The device is made with such high quality that you can use it for years before you need another one. You just have to recharge it and switch it on and you’re set each time. Buying this device now will definitely save you a lot of money in the long run. CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR BUGGWATCH FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY  Specifications – Buggwatch Reviews Battery: Polymer Battery 100 mAh 3.7V (6-month standby; be continuously used for 7 days after it is fully charged); Frequency: 34 Hz – 70 KHz Charge: Micro USB 5V / 1A Significant reduction of mosquitoes biting activity rate by 80% – 90% The outdoor mode suppresses the activity of mosquitoes and its effect radius is 3 m2 Charging time: 30 minutes Continuous use time: 5 – 6 days How Does Buggwatch Really Work? The working principle of this ultrasonic device is super simple. The device emits higher frequencies of sound waves which are undetectable to the human ear but are unbearable for these bugs. These high frequency, unobtrusive sound waves create a sonic barrier that protects you from mosquito bites wherever you are. Buggwatch Reviews confirm that the device automatically adjusts the frequency of ultrasonic waves emitted to prevent adaptation.  The aforementioned principle is scientifically proven. There are multiple studies and researches that show that the ultrasonic technology is actually effective in repelling mosquitoes. They irritate the insects so much that they start flying haphazardly and lose control momentarily until they get away from where the sound is emanating from. This is why it is very effective, even more effective than some of the more conventional methods. It uses two proven methods to achieve this; Physical Drive – Buggwatch adopts microcomputer ultrasonic frequency, enables the transmission of 360° ultrasonic wave, electromagnetic wave and bionic wave that can interfere with the auditory and nervous system of mosquitoes so as to drive them.  Researches show that female mosquitoes bite humans or animals during breeding season to nurse their eggs. Meanwhile, they hate contact with male mosquitoes. Smart mosquito repellent simulates oscillating waves frequency emitted by male mosquitoes to drive mosquitoes. Additionally, this smart mosquito repellent doesn’t contain any chemical agent and is environmentally healthy. Buggwatch will not kill the insect but will keep it from coming in the first place or repel it if it is already there and keep it from coming back. To achieve absolute mosquito control, continued use is recommended.  Does Buggwatch Outperform Similar Ultrasonic Devices? Up until recently, there have been quite a number of conventional methods used to achieve pest control. These include mechanical methods, chemical methods and biological methods. Mechanical methods are things like laying mouse traps, squishing that spider, clapping your palms to crush that mosquito. These methods require a lot of effort, are unsafe and to a large extent, unreliable. Chemical methods include the use of pesticides, rodenticides and insecticides. These chemicals are uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst. They are foul-smelling and require constant application to maintain pest control.  Biological methods involve the use of certain animals to ward off pests. Like the use of cats to pursue mice and rats. This method is absolutely unreliable. Buggwatch is a technological advancement and improvement on these already existing methods. It uses ultrasonic technology to achieve bug control. It has been noted on the Buggwatch official website as the most advanced bug repellent in 2022.  It uses safe and effective high frequency sound waves to ward off mosquitoes and bugs. This method is miles ahead of the other methods as it has no bad smells, does not require refilling and has no side effects. Also, it is safe to use for everyone since it doesn’t have any chemicals or side effects. When you purchase the Buggwatch, it is a one-tim...

Top 5 Trends Shaping Crypto Mining Future: What Awaits Miners – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/top-5-trends-shaping-crypto-mining-future-what-awaits-miners-cryptonews/ Source: Google As the Ethereum blockchain awaits the Merge and its full transition to proof-of-stake (PoS), a broader discussion about miners and their future has emerged. As things stand, the Ethereum blockchain market is incredibly fragmented. The Merge is expected to usher in a new era in which validators and coin stakers replace miners. Miners who have spent much resources on ETH mining equipment may be rendered obsolete. Recent discussions about proof-of-work (PoW) mining and its benefits and drawbacks make it worth considering the market’s future. How will mining change in the coming years, and what can miners do to prepare? Here are a few trends that cryptocurrency miners should be aware of: Renewable Energy Application  Although it may sound like a buzzword, the shift to renewable energy is gaining traction in the mining industry. Mining rigs consume a significant amount of power. Large-scale mining operations employ thousands of miners at the same time. Much has already been written about the energy consumption associated with cryptocurrency mining. According to one report, crypto mining consumes up to 110 terawatt-hours of energy per year – the same amount of energy as a small country. Since Tesla stopped accepting Bitcoin payments last year, there has been a broader discussion about mining and its carbon footprint. As a result, many in the mining industry advocate for more carbon-neutral mining operations. Indeed, one of the reasons for the Ethereum blockchain’s transition to PoS is environmental concerns. One of the most significant trends in the mining industry is the shift away from carbon-based power and toward renewable energy sources. This pattern will likely continue, particularly as market participants seek to disprove industry skeptics. Miner Obsolescence  Perhaps the most significant consequence of many coin developers’ shifting to PoS is that miners may soon become obsolete. It’s an unpleasant truth. Many coin developers are abandoning the PoW model. Miners are becoming obsolete as a result of this shift. Stakeholders and validators have taken their place. This pattern is likely to continue in the future. Miners will have to find new ways to stay profitable. But with mining becoming less appealing, miners’ future does not look promising. Increasing Hashrates  The hashrate measures the resources needed to conduct mining operations and secure the Bitcoin blockchain. According to industry experts, the hashrate of the Bitcoin network will significantly increase over the next year. Chinese miners who left the space last year are expected to gradually return, moving out of the country to other countries that welcome miners. At the same time, new market entrants are expected, particularly once the market downturn has passed and coins become more profitable. All of this means that mining difficulty will rise significantly, possibly exceeding the all-time high of 248.11 EH/s, set earlier this year. Reduced Margins  Miners will most likely have difficulty logging profits from their activity as mining difficulty and hashrate rise. However, this will depend on the Bitcoin price moving consistently over time. If this occurs, rewards could be cut in half, with competition eventually eating away at the high margins that miners have enjoyed thus far. This means businesses that can keep costs low and use the most efficient machines will survive in the long run. Smaller margins will disproportionately affect new individual miners, potentially leading to the rise of mining pools. Chip Shortages Finally, there is expected to be a severe shortage of chip availability in the future. Mining rigs are built with the same semiconductor chip used to build electric cars, mobile phones, and other devices. Since 2019, demand for these semiconductor chips has surged by 17%. Increased production of electric vehicles, tablets and smartphones, artificial intelligence devices, and other items has resulted in a surge in demand, and mining rigs are catching up. Even though semiconductor manufacturers reportedly produce at 90% capacity, supply has not increased to meet demand. Because of this disparity, mining industry players cannot afford to make short-term decisions at this time. Mining companies will need to plan their operations at least a year in advance, place orders early, and wait the period out. According to a report by the US Department of Commerce, the primary bottlenecks appear to be thin production capacity – which will necessitate long-term solutions. Chip shortages are expected to persist until those solutions are found.

Bill Addressing U.S. Lawmakers’ Stocks Imminent In House -Speaker Pelosi – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/bill-addressing-u-s-lawmakers-stocks-imminent-in-house-speaker-pelosi-reuters/ Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Proposed legislation to tighten rules on U.S. lawmakers’ stock holdings and trades should come together later this month, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday. While Pelosi characterized the unfinished legislation as “very strong,” she did not say during a weekly news conference whether congressional staff would be included under its provisions. She gave no details on what the measures will contain. A House vote on the legislation would follow months of committees trying to put together a bill. Lawmakers will go on a long break next month in the run-up to the Nov. 8 mid-term elections. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The bill’s goal is to make lawmakers’ financial dealings more transparent and impose new limits in order to tamp down possible conflicts of interest. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) answers questions during a news conference about her recent Congressional delegation trip to the Indo-Pacific region, on Capitol Hill in Washington, August 10, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Early on, Pelosi voiced some reluctance to go ahead with measures that could possibly ban members of Congress from buying and selling stocks and tightening controls on other financial transactions. But later she said the House would at some point advance a bill. In July, some stock trades executed by Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, drew attention when he sold his shares of chipmaker Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O) days before the House was expected to consider legislation providing subsidies and tax credits worth over $70 billion to boost the U.S. semiconductor industry. Paul Pelosi sold 25,000 shares of Nvidia for about $4.1 million, suffering a loss of $341,365, according to financial reports. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Richard Cowan and Susan Heavey in Washington Editing by Kanishka Singh and Matthew Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Accenture Acquires Manufacturing And Supply Chain Management Consulting Firm – ChannelE2E https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/accenture-acquires-manufacturing-and-supply-chain-management-consulting-firm-channele2e/ by Ty Trumbull • Sep 14, 2022 Accenture is acquiring the manufacturing and supply chain management consulting business from Stellantis for an undisclosed amount. This is technology M&A deal number 792 that ChannelE2E has covered so far in 2022. See more than 2,000 technology M&A deals involving MSPs, MSSPs & IT service providers listed here. See more than 120 Accenture acquisitions listed here. Accenture: Acquiring Critical Competencies The acquisition is part of Accenture’s overall growth strategy, which has seen it acquire what the company views as critical competencies in key markets, the company said. The business unit, named World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Training & Consulting, will be integrated into Accenture’s solutions to help its clients improve the efficiency of their production and supply chain networks, the company said. The business unit was used to optimize production at the former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles plants in Italy and around the world over the past twenty years. WCM also supports businesses in the aerospace and defense, automotive, consumer goods and still industries. Mauro Macchi, market unit lead for Accenture in Italy Mauro Macchi, market unit lead for Accenture in Italy, commented: “The current macro-economic environment has increased the urgency to optimize business processes, particularly in manufacturing and supply chain. We help our clients digitally transform business processes to maintain business continuity, achieve growth and become more sustainable. The team of WCM specialists will bolster our capabilities in this area by bringing a certified methodology and over 30,000 best practices to Accenture that can help our clients achieve tangible benefits faster. This approach also aligns with recent guidelines from Italy’s Ministry for Economic Development regarding investments in Transition 4.0 under the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (PNRR).” Accenture’s M&A Activity Accenture estimated that it spent about $2.5 billion on acquisitions during the company’s 2022 fiscal year, which ended on August 31, 2022. Already in fiscal 2023, Accenture acquired The Beacon Group, a Fortune 500 growth strategy consultancy, supply chain management consultancy MacGregor Partners, climate change and sustainability consultancy Carbon Intelligence and Oracle supply chain management consultancy Inspirage.

OnPoint Credit Union, Fred Meyer Offer Smart Shopping Tips To Save On Groceries – KTVZ https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/onpoint-credit-union-fred-meyer-offer-smart-shopping-tips-to-save-on-groceries-ktvz/ PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — To help Oregonians and Washingtonians make the most of their food budgets, OnPoint Community Credit Union has partnered with Fred Meyer Stores to share a list of smart shopping tips to help people in local communities save on groceries and reduce food waste. “It’s no secret that food prices are at record highs,” said Amy Reeves, Vice President and Southwest Washington Area Manager, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “As precious—and pricey—as food can be, many of us make the mistake of wasting it, contributing to high food spending. The good news is that with a little pre-planning, you and your family can save considerable amounts of money and waste less food.” The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 8.3% from August 2021 to August 2022, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) yesterday. The report indicated that while inflation slowed for a second straight month with declining gasoline prices, consumer prices remain near 40-year highs as the cost of groceries and rent offset decreases in the energy sector. While consumers can’t control escalating food prices, they can control how much food they throw away. Consider that Oregon households throw away an average of 6.3 pounds of food per week, according to a 2019 report by Community Environmental Services, a research and service unit of Portland State University. Of that waste, 71% was once edible. “From establishing a sustainable meal prep routine to tracking sales and fuel points, there are many strategies customers can employ to create savings in their grocery budget,” said Jeffery Temple, Director of Corporate Affairs for Fred Meyer Stores. “We are proud to build on our partnership with OnPoint and equip our shared communities with tools that will help put money back in their wallets.” As the price of food and energy continues to impact family budgets, OnPoint and Fred Meyer released their 10 tips to save money at checkout and throw away less food: Inventory your pantry, refrigerator and freezer, and shop with a list. Create an inventory list that includes expiration dates and quantities of all food and household items you have on hand. Update your list as you use each item and then add them to your grocery list. This will help you avoid buying too many of one item or not enough of another, saving you additional trips to the store that will cost you more money.   Be methodical when buying in bulk. While buying in bulk can cost more initially, it can save you money in the long-term if you are shopping strategically. Bulk items can limit trips to the store, saving you time, money and gas. However, bulk items don’t pan out if you don’t purchase and preserve them properly. Nonperishable bulk items like pasta and spices are generally cheaper per unit versus nonperishables like produce, dairy and meat because they have a longer shelf life. If you do buy perishables in bulk, look at the expiration date and be realistic about whether you can consume the product before it expires. If not, think twice about your purchase or be sure to wash, package and freeze your items before they go bad.    Create a sustainable meal prep routine. Spending time every week planning your meals is good for your physical and financial health—a true win-win. Create a sustainable meal plan by starting small, making it enjoyable and maximizing your ingredients. If you are new to meal prepping, begin with planning a few meals and snacks, and build momentum from there. Make meal planning fun by engaging the whole family, from choosing the menu to preparing the meal. Choose ingredients that can be used in other meals. For example, if you’re making spaghetti one night, save some sauce and make lasagna. Pre-portion snacks for kids. Growing children can eat a lot. Prepare your fridge and your budget by cutting up fruit and veggies, a cheaper and healthier alternative to packaged snacks. Purchase value packs of cured meats, cheeses and crackers and make portioned baggies. Keep water and healthy non-perishable snacks like trail mix or jerky in your car. Having water and snacks on hand can limit portions and cut down on last-minute trips to the drive-through. Use your freezer. Everything from cheese and lunch meat to nuts and pre-cooked meals has a freezer life. Freeze perishable items to extend their shelf life. If you are making a casserole, soup or other freezable meal, double or triple your recipe and freeze additional meals for another time. Avoid wasting food. Being a good steward of food saves you money. Keep your fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid over-freezing vegetables or undercooling meats and dairy. Store vegetables, fruit, meat and butter in their specific compartments. Store items like pasta, coffee and grains in a dark, cool, dry place so they don’t grow mold. Keep bananas, tomatoes, peppers and other items that emit gas in your pantry. If a food item doesn’t have a long shelf life, don’t purchase it until right before you’re going to eat it. Check the unit price of your item. Check the unit price for the item you’re about to purchase (it’s always on the shelf tag or listed on the product page online). A larger package size could have a smaller per-unit item price. Keep an eye out for sales and opt-in to digital savings. From weekly deals and savings events to “Must Buy” deals, each Fred Meyer offer is a little different. Double-check the coupon to ensure you are taking full advantage of the savings. Stay on top of every savings and special sales event by checking that your digital account preferences are set up to receive every email. Explore Fred Meyer’s mobile app to uncover additional digital savings, then clip coupons directly to your loyalty card for your next shop. Keep track and earn fuel points. Don’t let those points expire! Using your Fuel Points to fill up at a local Fred Meyer can save you up to $1.25 per gallon. Discover more ways to save, such as filling prescriptions at Fred Meyer pharmacies, using Kroger Ship for big purchases, joining the Fred Meyer Boost membership program, and taking advantage of extra earning events. Create a mindful budget with help from the pros. With costs going up, it’s crucial to be mindful of where your money is going. For help creating a sustainable grocery budget, visit one of OnPoint’s 55 locations (including 20 locations inside Fred Meyer stores) where branch teams can help you create a realistic financial roadmap that includes responsible monthly grocery expenditures.   OnPoint and Fred Meyer’s partnership began when the 90-year-old credit union announced it would open 20 new branches within the grocer’s stores, which was the largest branch expansion of any credit union in the country in 2021. Since then, OnPoint has helped members, Fred Meyer shoppers and employees conveniently build financial wellness. Visit onpointcu.com/locations-atms to view a full list of OnPoint’s 55 branch locations.   ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 489,000 members and with assets of $9.3 billion. OnPoint membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 800-527-3932. ABOUT FRED MEYER STORES Fred Meyer Stores, based in Portland, Ore., offers one-stop shopping at its 132 multi-department stores in four western states. More than 39,000 Fred Meyer associates help customers fill their food, apparel, and general merchandise needs in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Stores range in size from 65,000 to 200,000 square feet and carry more than 250,000 products under one roof. Additionally, Fred Meyer contributes $5 million to communities across the Northwest each year through grants from the Fred Meyer Foundation as well as product donations, cash donations and sponsorships. Fred Meyer also donates 5 million pounds of food to local food banks each year via the Food Rescue Program. Fred Meyer Stores is a division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR).  For more information, please visit our Web site at www.fredmeyer.com.

The Great Airplane Debate: Should You Ever Switch Seats? – The Washington Post https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-great-airplane-debate-should-you-ever-switch-seats-the-washington-post/ Benét J. Wilson isn’t sure what makes her a magnet for seat-swapping requests. “I don’t know if I have that face that people think I will just do it,” said the longtime aviation journalist and aisle seat aficionado. “But it’s ridiculous. It’s almost become comical.” Some people want to sit with a spouse or friend. Some are trying to stay close to children. Others just don’t want a middle seat. As someone who uses her frequent flier status — or pays extra — to choose a seat near the front Wilson is typically unmoved. Unless it’s a parent-and-child situation, “because I’ve been there and done that,” Wilson said, her answer is a short and simple “no.” “I’m sure there are good reasons, but in the end that’s not my problem,” she said. The scenario can become a problem, or at least a major annoyance. Social media posts and news accounts frequently provide examples of cheeky seat-swapping requests and rude responses — or completely reasonable requests and understandable responses, depending on whose side you take. “It’s a stressful situation for everyone involved in the actual switch and everyone seated around the people trying to make the switch and the crew,” said Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and host of the syndicated travel talk show “The Jet Set.” An Irish model and TV personality made headlines in August after using profanity on her podcast to describe a man who initially didn’t want to trade so her family could be together after she booked a wrong seat. In response, Daily Mail columnist Jaci Stephen wrote that she always refuses to give up her seat for families. “Here’s the simple fact: if you want to travel as a family or in a group, book your seats together beforehand,” she wrote. “Your incompetency in failing to do so is no one else’s responsibility and you should certainly not be making others feel uncomfortable when they want to stick to their probably well organized plans.” I just watched a man agree to switch his aisle seat for a middle seat on this plane and now I’m mad on his behalf. — NJ’s Glen Tickle (@glentickle) July 28, 2022 At least three Reddit threads this year, most recently in early September, have explored the question of whether a passenger was in the wrong because they wouldn’t change seats for families. (They were all validated.) There are clearly strong feelings on both sides of the issue. When it’s appropriate to ask Etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach and a former flight attendant, said an acceptable reason to ask for a swap is if a traveler is separated from someone who depends on them for care. “Unless you have a minor child or perhaps even an elderly parent or someone you’re caring for that needs some special attention … I really don’t see where it’s mandatory or where you should ask to be moved,” she said. And there are no guarantees, especially since many airlines charge to select certain seats. “As a family you have to accept that maybe you’re not going to sit together because those people who have paid for those seats don’t want to give them up,” Whitmore said. When someone does have a valid reason to request a new seat, Whitmore said they should ask the airline before boarding. “You go to the gate, say, ‘This is the situation, is there anything you can do to help us out?’” she said. “When you wait until you’re on the plane, it puts everybody in a precarious position.” Laurie said if someone is sitting in a bulkhead seat behind a divider, they may be asked to give that up for a passenger who is traveling with a service animal because the legroom is more generous. Many fliers who responded to a Washington Post query on Twitter say they usually try to accommodate a family with kids — though some included the caveat that they would not move from the front to the back of the plane or switch to a middle seat. The U.S. Transportation Department issued a notice to airlines in July urging them “to do everything in their power to ensure that children who are age 13 or younger are seated next to an accompanying adult with no additional charge.” Despite her strict switching policy, Wilson said she was once moved to voluntarily give up her aisle seat when she noticed an extremely tall man board. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, I cannot in good conscience allow this guy to be crammed into the middle seat for 3½ hours,’” she said. Several optimistic travelers said they would happily abandon their economy seat for one in business class or first class. Some fliers said it would be no big deal to make an even trade — aisle for aisle, window for window — in the same section, as long as they were flying solo that day. “I guess it’s always okay to ask, but it’s never okay to be mad if someone says no,” Laurie said. To allow families with young children or the elderly or immobile to sit together, sure. But now that you have to pay extra for any seat that’s not in the last/lav row, that family better be SUPER cute and buy me a drink as thanks. — Joshua Crouthamel (@JoshOnTheBus) September 13, 2022 No one should expect another passenger to give up their window or aisle for a dreaded middle seat; don’t even think about asking. Asking someone to leave the front of the plane for the back is another hard sell. A nearly impossible mission: swapping a free seat in the main cabin for any selection that required a surcharge — especially one with extra legroom or in a higher fare category. And don’t expect another passenger to leave their group so you can be with yours. Laurie said no one should expect the answer to their request will be “yes.” “If you go in with that assumption, you go in kind of with that attitude that you deserve it and that person needs to give it to you,” he said. “That’s not a polite way of asking someone to give up what they planned for or what they were expecting.” The worst approach, Whitmore said, is to preemptively sit in a seat that doesn’t belong to you. “People make mistakes all the time, but if you intentionally sit in someone else’s seat, that’s wrong — that’s rude,” she said. “Then the flight attendant has to get involved. Then the flight attendant has to make you go back to your original seat. It’s causing delays.” She said people who don’t plan their seat selection have to be prepared to either sit apart from each other, arrive early to talk to a gate agent or pay for an upgrade when they get to the airport. Still, experts agree there may be circumstances when travelers are split up for reasons that don’t amount to cheap behavior or careless planning. Maybe they booked last-minute because of an emergency, or perhaps they were rebooked on a plane with a different layout after a cancellation and lost the seats they chose. Sometimes passengers don’t realize they booked the most restrictive fare that doesn’t allow for seat selection or guarantee all members of a party sit together. “You don’t know if they’re going on vacation, you don’t know if they’re going to a funeral, you don’t know if they’re going to a wedding,” Laurie said. “It’s always best to just remember that we’re all in this together, we should all treat everybody the way you want to be treated.” I beg y’all, stop asking people to switch seats with you on a plane and just pay extra to pick your seat if it’s that serious to sit next to your person — Indy (@MsIndyBabii) July 4, 2022 Politeness is key, Laurie said. “Lead with the fact that you know it would be an inconvenience on the person you’re asking, understanding the position you’re putting them in,” he said. He said it’s also okay to ask for a flight attendant to facilitate if the request is being made on the plane; they can sometimes help make the decision easier if the need to swap is extreme. Laurie said on one United flight when he was asked to change seats, he was offered a $25 credit. He swapped. Other travelers told The Post on Twitter that they had agreed to switch and then got upgraded or were given free drinks or food for their good deed. Gary Leff, author of the travel blog View from the Wing, said on Twitter that “good trade bait” was important. “Don’t expect to trade a middle seat in back for an extra legroom aisle,” he wrote. “Offer a compelling reason. Ask nicely. Offer cash or gift cards.” %

Rising Prices Lead To Bargain Hunting, Decreased Unit Sales – Food Business News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/rising-prices-lead-to-bargain-hunting-decreased-unit-sales-food-business-news/ CHICAGO — The rising costs of goods continues to shape consumers’ decisions as they choose to eat in and spend less at the store, according to recent data from recently merged market research firms IRI/NPD. Bargain hunting has become a favored consumer practice after store prices rose a total of 13.4% through the 52-week period ended on Aug. 28, with the butter/margarine/spreads category seeing the largest increase at 30%. Between July 2022 and August 2022, prices increased 1.6%. Carbonated beverages and fresh fruit prices led the way, each rising 5.3%, IRI said. “With inflation hitting 8.5% in July, it’s no surprise that consumers are trading down to lower-priced options and opting for more value,” said Krishnakumar Davey, president of thought leadership for IRI. Food away-from-home costs have risen less than store costs since 2021, an increase of 7.6%, but eating out remains the most expensive option, costing nearly 3.5 times more. Consumers have responded accordingly, leading to a 3% decline in foodservice traffic as of July 2022. When they do eat out, consumers are more likely to choose value options like quick-service restaurants. “While the pandemic and recent inflationary pressures shifted demand, restaurants and foodservice outlets offering value, convenience and at-home indulgence are top of mind for consumers,” Mr. Davey said. The increased prices have resulted in declining unit sales in most food and beverage products, according to other recent IRI data. Dollar sales have grown, but this growth is a result of price increases, as overall retail food and beverage sales have decreased 4.5% in the past year and volume sales have declined 4% over the same period. Volume decreases have been sharpest in categories with large price increases, including frozen dinners, cookies and coffee, which rose 18.6% over the past year. “We’re seeing signs of consumer stress, particularly among low-income households,” Mr. Davey said. “Consumers are buying less in discretionary food and beverage categories, and are shopping more frequently in search of better prices.” Mainstream and value brands have become consumers’ primary preference, focusing on quick trips to the store instead of stocking their pantries. Recent data from a June 2022 consumer outlook survey suggests these costs will continue to remain at the forefront of consumers’ minds, ranking rising food prices as their No. 1 concern.

Kourtney Kardashian Is Really Into Eating Healthy, And Her Son Is Not A Happy Camper He Can’t Have McDonald’s Fries – CinemaBlend https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/kourtney-kardashian-is-really-into-eating-healthy-and-her-son-is-not-a-happy-camper-he-cant-have-mcdonalds-fries-cinemablend/ (Image credit: E!) Kourtney Kardashian is obsessed with healthy living. So much so that The Kardashians star even has a health and wellness brand called Poosh, which offers products that help one live a healthy lifestyle like she does. In turn, Kardashian likes to instill clean eating habits in her children. However, kids will be kids, and Kardashian’s son, Mason, may not be as excited about the lifestyle, as he’s missing his McDonald’s fries. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, the reality TV star talked about her healthy lifestyle choices and how she’s received pushback from her children regarding some of the practices she enforces. Mason has apparently fought Kourtney Kardashian on some of the restrictions put in place and has asked for fast food instead. Kardashian recounts:  Today I was having my one-on-one time with my son [Mason] and he said, ‘Mom, I need McDonald’s french fries today, please. It’s been a year since I’ve had it.’ I was like, ‘Today’s not the day, sorry.’ Looks like the mom of three is laying down the law when it comes to smart eating choices. At least very least, one can appreciate that she practices what she preaches. The media personality is constantly promoting eating well on her Instagram, where she shares meals she and her new husband, Travis Barker, eat together. She tries to eat vegan most of the time and has gravitated towards gluten-free meals for two years. See one of her favorite dishes below: (Image credit: Kourtney Kardashian Instagram Story) She has even adapted some classic dishes to correspond with her vegan diet. Check out this next spread: (Image credit: Kourtney Kardashian Instagram Story) Kourtney isn’t afraid to get creative either, considering the unique snack down below: (Image credit: Kourtney Kardashian Instagram Story) I think it’s awesome that Kourtney Kardashian promotes choosing healthy options, and shows creative and tasty ways that one can make good choices, while also enjoying food. Clearly the limitations of a good diet don’t have to stop you from having some super yummy meals. However, I totally understand where Mason is coming from, sometimes you just want McDonald’s fries, and that’s okay, too. He isn’t the only member of the family who feels that way, either. Kim Kardashian’s daughter, North West, quipped earlier this year that the vegetables put out for Easter looked disgusting. Aside from toting positive eating habits, Kourtney Kardashian’s lifestyle brand Poosh has promoted a variety of unique products that you may not associate with health. Famously, Poosh teamed up with Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, Goop, for a line of NSFW candles. I’m not sure how this contributes to a healthy lifestyle, but it’s worth giving a try! Kardashian is also a big proponent of sexual health, which she was incredibly open about. (That includes her attempts to deal with her fertility issues.) If you want to see more of Kourtney Kardashian’s healthy food options, you can follow her on her Instagram. She will also be returning for Season 2 of the reality series The Kardashians, which premieres on September 22 and streams exclusively for Hulu subscribers. She will most likely be making many of her famous salads, and talking about her lavish wedding with Travis Barker. All of the drama should be very juicy, but I will personally be waiting for her to finally take Mason on a McDonald’s run. Writer, podcaster, CinemaBlend contributor, film and television nerd, enthusiastic person. Hoping to bring undying passion for storytelling to CinemaBlend.

Bears Improve To 7-0 With Win Over Sabers | News, Sports, Jobs – Maui News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/bears-improve-to-7-0-with-win-over-sabers-news-sports-jobs-maui-news/ The Maui News Ku’ulei Manaois had eight kills, three digs and two aces to lead the Baldwin High School girls volleyball team to a sweep of Maui High in a Maui Interscholastic League Division I match Tuesday night at Izumi “Shine” Matsui Athletic Center in Kahului. With the 25-20, 26-24, 25-19 victory, the Bears improved to 7-0. The Sabers fell to 3-3. Amanda and Ariana Naipo each added six kills for Baldwin; Amanda also had three aces and Ariana also had 10 digs and an ace. Setter Lilinoe Paschoal dished out 19 assists and also had three kills and a block. ***** MIL Girls Volleyball DIVISION I STANDINGS W L Pct. GB Baldwin 7 0 1.000 — Kamehameha Maui 4 2 .667 2 1⁄2 Maui High 3 3 .500 3 1⁄2 King Kekaulike 1 5 .167 5 1⁄2 Lahainaluna 0 5 .000 6 DIVISION II STANDINGS W L Pct. GB Hana 5 0 1.000 — Lanai 4 0 1.000 1⁄2 Seabury Hall 2 0 1.000 1 1⁄2 Maui Prep 2 2 .500 2 1⁄2 Molokai 2 4 .333 3 1⁄2 St. Anthony 1 4 .200 4 Haleakala Waldorf 0 6 .000 5 1⁄2 Tuesday’s Results Baldwin def. Maui High 25-20, 26-24, 25-19 Kamehameha Maui def. King Kekaulike 25-14, 27-25, 25-20 Today’s Matches Haleakala Waldorf vs. St. Anthony at Haliimaile Gym, 6 p.m. Maui Prep at Seabury Hall, 6:30 p.m. Thursday’s Matches Lahainaluna at Kamehameha Maui, 6:30 p.m. Maui High at King Kekaulike, 6:30 p.m. Friday’s Matches Seabury Hall at Hana, 6 p.m. Maui Prep at Molokai, 7 p.m. St. Anthony vs. Lanai at Haliimaile Gym, 7 p.m. Saturday’s Matches Seabury Hall at Hana, 10 a.m. Maui Prep at Molokai, 10 a.m. St. Anthony vs. Lanai at Haliimaile Gym, 10 a.m. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Gadget Watch: Ginko Rotating Levitating Moon Lamp – Electronics Weekly https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/gadget-watch-ginko-rotating-levitating-moon-lamp-electronics-weekly/ It’s quite the desktop objet d’art. Not only is it eye-catching and strangely arresting but I like the way it seems to represent a detailed map of the Moon’s surface. Could we count it as educational? (And tax-deductible?…) We’re in the realm of magnetic forces again – using a powerful built-in magnet, the moon is suspended and floats in mid-air. And you can interact with the spinning to slow it down or speed it up. As you may expect, it doesn’t come cheap, being priced at 139 of his Majesty’s pounds. Note, however, that you would be supporting a UK business – the (award winning) family business is based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. The makers write: “The sphere, with its textured surface imitating that of the moon, slowly rotates in the space above your choice of wooden base: walnut or white ash. Using a powerful built-in magnet, the moon is suspended and floats in mid-air, creating a stunning and functional piece of design.” “By gently touching the base, you can choose from three different light modes; warm yellow, cool white or warm white, something to suit every taste.” They also highlight the eco-friendly aspects of the lamp: it is made with safe and completely biodegradable PLA material and reclaimed wood. Specification Product Material: walnut, white ash, and black wood base with PLA 3D printed moon Size of wood base: 120x120x30 mm Moon Diameter size: 140mm Product weight: 800g Power input: 12V- 1A AC/DC adapter (included) LED power: 1.5 watts only Note that there are three modes of operation, in terms of Moon light colour temperature: warm white (3500k), white (5000k) and yellow warm (2700k). You touch the base to make the selection. It comes in a premium gift box. But enough of words, let’s get back to the turning. Check out the video below: See also: ESA infographic – The race to the Moon is on “The bisque coloured clouds carry their own light, Marshalled by unseeing stars, And, above them all, lies the silent sensing Moon.”

3 Big Things The Merge Will Change About Ethereum – CoinDesk https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/3-big-things-the-merge-will-change-about-ethereum-coindesk/ David Z. Morris is CoinDesk’s Chief Insights Columnist. He holds Bitcoin, Ethereum, and small amounts of other crypto assets. At press time, estimates are that Ethereum’s Merge, or the transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake-based transaction validation and settlement, will happen around 1 a.m. ET, or 5 a.m. UTC, on Sept. 15. It’s probably the most significant piece of crypto news since the collapse of Three Arrows Capital in June. The Merge is, thankfully, much more positive. If you’re looking for a fundamental explainer or some last-second insights into how to trade the Merge, we’ve got you. But my job is the big picture, so here are the three most important things the Merge will change – and the one important thing it will not. This article is excerpted from The Node, CoinDesk’s daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news. You can subscribe to get the full newsletter here. The most important thing the Merge WON’T accomplish is reducing transaction fees on Ethereum. It’s certainly what many users would have wished for, and lower fees may eventually be enabled by infrastructure changes made in the Merge. But it won’t happen immediately. That means, above all, there’s still going to be a serious place in the crypto world for alternate layer 1 blockchains like Solana and Near, as well as for layer 2s like Optimism and Polygon, which save user’s fees by “rolling up” batches of transactions to post to Ethereum. Somewhat ironically, Ethereum fees have actually jumped by around 25% to an average of over $3 per transaction since Tuesday, likely in part thanks to traders and holders repositioning for the Merge. Fees are still quite low historically, but if you’re reading this earlyish Wednesday take care of your moves soon because those fees are likely to rise further as the day goes on. By removing computationally intensive proof-of-work mining from Ethereum, the Merge is expected to reduce the network’s overall energy consumption by more than 99%. For at least five years, the ecological impact of proof-of-work mining has been a major headwind for blockchain adoption in general, and the transition has at least two specific catalytic implications for Ethereum. First, as a recent Bank of America report argued, some institutions or other investors who were reluctant or unable to invest in proof-of-work systems will now be free to stake Ethereum. That’s not necessarily going to be an instant sea change given the bear market but could have huge upside implications for crypto’s next bull cycle. Second, and I think more important, the shift to proof-of-stake totally transforms the playing field for non-fungible tokens (NFT). As silly as things got during the last bull cycle, NFTs are one of the clearest cases of real, end-user product-market fit on Ethereum, and I’m extremely bullish on the concept long term. But a lot of artists and consumers seem to have a general antipathy to blockchains tied up in environmental concerns. That’s not their only gripe, but removing that issue will be huge for the appeal of digital art on Ethereum in the long term. Just three weeks before the expected date of the Merge, financial regulators at the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) dropped a bomb on the crypto world with the sanctioning of the Ethereum-based Tornado Cash mixer. There remain a lot of unknown implications, but many developers and node operators decided they needed to protect themselves by unilaterally censoring transactions associated with Tornado Cash. The Merge makes moments like this far more worrisome, for a variety of complex reasons. Proof-of-stake-based settlement is widely expected to concentrate more power in the hands of the biggest Ethereum stakers, including very public entities like Jump Trading. These entities may, in turn, be more susceptible to pressure from entities like OFAC, which could lead to “base layer censorship,” or systemwide refusal to process transactions associated with entities sanctioned by governments. This is a worst-case scenario and, hopefully, it won’t happen. But the fact that it’s possible, and would undermine the system neutrality that should be part of any blockchain’s core value proposition, is a real cause for long-term concern and vigilance. The network state of ETHistan Luckily, the fourth big consequence of the Merge is much more upbeat: It’s one of the first big examples of a globally coordinated network transition in crypto. Bitcoin has had its own drama around upgrades and forks, but never anything quite like the Merge. While it’s true that Ethereum has a significant advantage given the leadership role of the Ethereum Foundation and co-creator Vitalik Buterin, it is still a huge, global ecosystem whose stakeholders have all had to stay on the same page through the complex process of the Merge. It’s a tentative, partial example, but in this light the Merge looks a bit like Balaji Srinivasan’s concept of “the Network State.” Very broadly, Srinivasan believes that digital communities, some organized around blockchains, will begin to mimic some of the features of the offline governance units we think of as “nations” now. Bitcoin already has many features of a network state, but Ethereum’s much richer technological underpinnings may form a more fitting foundation for the many complex potentials of a network state. The Merge, assuming it’s successful, could be seen as a moment of “national unity” for Ethereans, strengthening the community as much as anything technological. Of course, not everyone has gotten on board with the Merge, particularly a few folks trying to keep proof-of-work Ethereum going. Frankly, it’s hard to see that effort as anything but a short con intended to fleece the naïve, but even if it were sincere it’s arguably the exception that proves the rule. You can’t have a nation, after all, without a few dissenters. At the risk of overstating the case, from this perspective the Merge could be an important display of unity and power by the Ethereum “nation.” That may be particularly important for some of the looming fights around base-layer censorship and the regulation of utility-focused tokens. As with most things Merge, it’s less about what happens in the darkness tonight than about what will be possible tomorrow morning. Sign up for The Node, our daily newsletter bringing you the biggest crypto news and ideas. By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG . David Z. Morris is CoinDesk’s Chief Insights Columnist. He holds Bitcoin, Ethereum, and small amounts of other crypto assets. David Z. Morris is CoinDesk’s Chief Insights Columnist. He holds Bitcoin, Ethereum, and small amounts of other crypto assets.

U.S. House Democrats Probe PR Firms Work For Oil, Gas Companies – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-house-democrats-probe-pr-firms-work-for-oil-gas-companies-reuters/ The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2022. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Public relations firms go beyond their traditional task of marketing to help their oil and gas clients fight off climate policies and mislead the public about climate change, U.S. congressional Democrats said at a hearing on Wednesday. The House Natural Resource Committee’s oversight panel, led by U.S. Representative Katie Porter of California, held a hearing about the role of public relations firm in preventing climate action and released a report detailing “deceptive” and “misleading” tactics they use for their client campaigns. The report, which was based on its review of documents like submissions for industry awards, said PR firms helped oil companies fend off climate policies and mislead the public about their green claims by “engineering astroturf ‘citizen’ groups to advocate for industry interests and defeat legislative proposals, and using unscrupulous tactics to sabotage genuine policy solutions and attack community advocates.” Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com PR firms declined to attend the hearing about whether they helped the fossil fuel industry spread disinformation about climate change, according to the House of Representatives panel holding the event. “Of note, PR firms Singer Associates, Story Partners, and Pac/West Communications were invited but refused to attend,” Committee spokesperson Lindsay Gressard said on Tuesday. Gressard said FTI Consulting (FCN.N) , another PR firm the committee is investigating, will not testify because it is working with the committee to turn in documents that the panel requested earlier this summer. While public scrutiny around energy companies’ “greenwashing” claims has grown, the marketing agencies behind the campaigns have largely escaped scrutiny. Hearing witness Christine Arena, a former Edelman PR executive who now works in social impact filmmaking, told the hearing that PR firm campaigns on behalf of oil companies no longer deny climate change. “Fossil fuel marketers have shifted from denying or minimizing the science behind climate change to falsely suggesting that oil and gas are a central part of the climate-solutions mix,” she said in her testimony, adding that 60% of energy company ads touted a green claim. Anne Lee Foster, another witness on the panel who led a ballot initiative campaign in Colorado to ban fracking, told the committee about how local oil companies used a PR firm to create local citizens groups to counter fracking opponents and prevent them from get support for their petition. “I personally suffered from what I feel is stalking or harassment in a number of other circumstances throughout this campaign,” she said. Republicans on the panel have criticized the hearing and said that advertising and public relations are out of the natural resource committee’s jurisdiction. Colorado pro-fracking advocate Amy Cooke, head of Colorado’s free market Energy and Environmental Policy Center for the Independence Institute, told the panel that she worked to oppose the effort to ban fracking in Colorado and said that supporters are entitled to “free speech.” “We don’t have to raise our voices or shut down speech with which we disagree,” she said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Richard Pullin, Susan Heavey and Marguerita Choy Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

IT Services M&A: SkyePoint Decisions Buys SNR – ChannelE2E https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/it-services-ma-skyepoint-decisions-buys-snr-channele2e/ by Sharon Florentine • Sep 14, 2022 SkyePoint Decisions, Inc. has acquired SNR Government IT Services LLC (SNR GITS), a subsidiary of Arrowpoint Corporation. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This is technology M&A deal number 817 that ChannelE2E has covered so far in 2022. See more than 2,000 technology M&A deals involving MSPs, MSSPs & IT service providers listed here. SkyePoint Acquires SNR Government IT Services SkyePoint, founded in 2009, is based in Dulles, Virginia. The company has 81 employees listed on LinkedIn. SkyePoint’s areas of expertise include cybersecurity, cybersecurity architecture and engineering, critical infrastructure and operations, applications development and maintenance, system and network optimization, remote access and enterprise messaging. SkyePoint is an established ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and CMMI for Services Level 3 business with operations across the U.S., the company said. SNR GITS, founded in 2006, is based in Ashburn, Virginia. The company has 16 employees listed on LinkedIn. SNR’s areas of expertise include systems engineering and implementation, IT program management, network engineering and cybersecurityin support of the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of the Army. SkyePoint acquired all assets from SNR GITS, including its DLA JETS, Army RS3 and Army ITES-3S information technology and cybersecurity services contract vehicles, the companies said. As a division of SkyePoint, SNR GITS will operate as the defense sector arm for SkyePoint’s continued growth and investment, the companies said. Frank Sturek, president, SkyePoint Decisions SkyePoint president Frank Sturek commented on the news: “This acquisition reflects SkyePoint’s determined and unrelenting focus on growth and delivering excellence to our federal government customers. Our ability to provide meaningful solutions to Federal agencies, anytime, anywhere now further expands SkyePoint’s reach to the DOD as a Prime contractor. We look forward to working with our technology and industry services partners to deliver SkyePoint’s proven cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, data analytics, and application development solutions.” Government IT M&A Activity Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity involving government-focused IT service providers (ITSPs), MSPs, MSSPs, cybersecurity and technology consultancies has been steady to strong. Indeed, numerous first-time buyers, private equity firms and strategic investors have jumped into the market. Here’s a look at all government IT consulting M&A deals that ChannelE2E has tracked. Some example deals we’ve tracked include Ernst & Young (EY)’s acquisition of government technology consultancy Cambria Solutions in August 2022. In June 2022, Thrive acquired government data protection firm DSP. In May 2022, Westview Capital Partners invested in Summit 7 Systems, the Carlyle Group acquired ManTech International and Axiologic acquired Data Intelligence Technologies.

Tech Moves: Microsoft’s Former Enviro Chief Joins Gaming-Focused Private Equity Firm – GeekWire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/tech-moves-microsofts-former-enviro-chief-joins-gaming-focused-private-equity-firm-geekwire/ Lucas Joppa. (LinkedIn Photo) Lucas Joppa, Microsoft’s first-ever chief environmental officer, is leaving the software, cloud and gaming giant for a role at a new private equity firm called Haveli Investments. Haveli was created by Brian Sheth, the billionaire co-founder of Austin-based Vista Equity Partners. The firm is focused on video gaming and has raised more than $500 million towards an initial $750 million fund, according to Axios. Under Joppa’s leadership, Microsoft announced ambitious climate plans and established itself as a corporate leader in the space. In early 2020, the Redmond, Wash.-based company announced that it would become carbon negative by 2030 and it created its $1 billion Climate Innovation Fund to invest in climate technologies. The question now is if Joppa can replicate that success elsewhere. In a Bloomberg article today announcing his role at Haveli, Joppa said that by being an investor, it will provide him the opportunity to help shape sustainability initiatives at multiple companies at the same time. With private equity, Joppa told Bloomberg, “it’s a longer duration of engagement, a deeper engagement model and an engagement model that allows you to think about corporate operations and governance and ownership at the same time.” Haveli is expected to make investments in numerous, largely established gaming studios, “to help them retain talent and take creative risks,” Axios reported last month. Joppa will be Haveli’s chief sustainability officer and a senior managing director. Taking this position will also allow him to help build a company from scratch, which Joppa said has been a long-standing ambition. He joined Microsoft in 2010 as a computational ecologist, and was named chief environmental scientist in 2017 before taking his current role in 2018. Other key personnel moves across the Pacific Northwest tech industry: NetBase Quid, a Bay Area social media analytics company, promoted Seattle-based exec Lei Li to chief technology officer and executive vice president. Eve Riskin, a longtime engineering professor at the University of Washington and faculty director for the UW’s STARS program, was named dean of undergraduate education at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Jud Heugel, a former director at 98point6, joined medical diagnostics startup Wavely Diagnostics as chief medical officer.