Benton County News Now

Local Business: Delhi Store Features Art Supplies, Classes – Oneonta Daily Star https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/local-business-delhi-store-features-art-supplies-classes-oneonta-daily-star/ Partners Kelli Cain and Brian Crabtree are adding some color to downtown Delhi. The pair launched Luck Dragon, an art supply store and workshop space at 100 Main St., in late August. Cain, 43, said Luck Dragon grew from their shared artistic backgrounds. “We’ve been in Delhi for 14 years; we bought a farm in Delhi and started there, and the business used to be on the farm in a barn,” she said. She said they make electronic music instruments for computer music, but wanted to do more. “We’ve done that for a long time, but Brian and I met in art school, where we studied music and experimental stop-motion animation (at) the California Institute of the Arts. “Since then, we’ve taken on many different practices and projects … and we both still make music and I do ceramics, so we’ve been in the arts for a while,” Cain continued. “We purchased this building and renovated it for four years. When Delhi Paint & Paper retired in March, we decided … we would move down into the space and move the synthesizer business, (Monome), but we always wanted a teaching, classroom space; just something to offer the community. Since we know about art supplies and art projects, we just picked some of our passions and decided to concentrate on that and have a store. Artware (in Oneonta) closed, and that left a huge gap, and we missed it. The town needs a retail space that people can enter — anyone can enter — and feel good.” Though specific Cain said, Luck Dragon’s inventory is varied. “We thought seeing art supplies and craft supplies and paint colors and books about color in person was … meaningful and worthwhile,” she said. “We’re really passionate about color, a great pen, really nice fabric. We carry a lot of really beautiful fabric for making clothes. We wanted to explore more and share with the community in a way that many people could benefit. “We carry a lot of mending items … and we have classes for that,” Cain continued, speaking of the popularity of Sashiko threads. “Our Mora Knil carving knives for whittling have become quite popular. The whole project is really based on, ‘let’s all have ways to use our hands and explore space and time (without) staring at a screen. We also carry the standards: Holbein oil paints, Holbein acrylics and watercolors and a lot of different kinds of paper. We have a wide selection of our favorite books about color, which is pretty exciting, and people are gravitating toward, and (inventory) will expand as we carry different classes.” Upcoming workshops include soldering, sewing, natural dying, block-printing, spoon carving, garden design, still life drawing and more. Cain said locals and visitors are exploring their creative sides. “Delhi has a little bit of tourism still happening because of the farmers’ market, so I’d say (patronage) is all over the place,” she said. “It’s very much Delhi and people from outside of Delhi. It’s a lot of locals, which is nice, and we’re hoping to draw more artists. The closest places are Arlene’s (Artist Materials) in Albany and Catskill Art Supply in Kingston, so we’d like to get more artists to buy their paint here. “There’s so many artists (locally),” Cain continued. “I’ve been shocked at how many people were at home working on things — painting or sewing or making clothes. It’s been really inspiring, and Delhi is a very creative community. I continue to be astounded.” Locals, Cain said, are especially happy to see the space revived. “I think people are really enthusiastic about the renovation,” she said. “It’s a very special building. The renovation feels really good in the space, and the workshop is really lovely. It’s a good space to teach classes and learn things; it’s very open and very inviting, and people have been very generous and kind with their words, so we’ve been really lucky in that way.” Cain said she and Crabtree hope to broaden Luck Dragon’s offerings. “We are slowly but surely increasing our inventory, so that feels really good, and we’re adding new things all the time and considering new classes,” she said. “We’re expanding slowly; we want to be good at it before everyone comes. This is our second month in and now we feel like we’re going to start to spread the word.” Luck Dragon is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, with classes happening during and outside of store hours. There are also, Cain said, open “hangout nights.” For a list of workshops and events, visit luckdragon.space.

Gray Whales Continue To Wash Up Dead And Emaciated, But Causes Remain Elusive – Los Angeles Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/gray-whales-continue-to-wash-up-dead-and-emaciated-but-causes-remain-elusive-los-angeles-times/ When gray whales began washing up dead in large numbers in 2019, many scientists hoped it was just a short-term phenomenon, and that the leviathans would quickly recover and rebound. But three years later, the die-off continues for gray whales living and migrating along North America’s Pacific coast. The population is down almost 40% from its peak in 2016. And in a report released Friday, federal scientists said the number of calves born last year was the lowest they’ve seen since they started observations in 1994. “Given the continuing decline in numbers since [the peak in] 2016, we need to be closely monitoring the population to help understand what may be driving the trend,” said David Weller, director of the Marine Mammal and Turtle Division at NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center, in a statement. “We have observed the population changing over time, and we want to stay on top of that.” In 2019, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared an “unusual mortality event” after an alarming number of gray whales began washing up along the shore from Mexico to Alaska. Then and now, the cause of the die-off remains elusive, but it appears that something has drastically altered the food web of these large, bottom-feeding cetaceans. A gray whale pushes her calf to the surface in Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) Every year, gray whales migrate from the warm, protected lagoons of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula to the cold waters of the Arctic and sub-Arctic, where they feed for months on small, shrimp-like creatures that dwell in the mud. Then they return to Mexico, where they mate, give birth and nurse their calves. It’s a 12,000-mile round trip migration that leads the whales past North America’s busy coast line — through shipping lanes, around fishing vessels, near crowded and intrusive tourist boats and occasionally into the maws of hungry orcas. Gray whales have had population contractions in the past. Between 1999 and 2000, the population declined by about 25%. However, it quickly rebounded, peaking in 2015-2016. Researchers pointed to unusually cold temperatures as a likely cause of that contraction. The frigid temperatures during that period expanded the reach of Arctic sea ice making it difficult for the whales to access their traditional prey items of amphipods and other shrimp-like creatures on the ocean floor of the Chukchi, Northern Bering and Beaufort Seas. Two gray whales feed in the sediment not far from Pasagshak Bay off of Kodiak Island, Kodiak, Alaska. (GEMM Lab / Oregon State University /NOAA) This time, scientists say there are likely multiple causes, including a prolonged period of warm temperatures — a consequence of climate change — a loss of sea ice and the subsequent movement and changes in the whales’ prey items. Many of the whales they encounter and observe appear skinny, while the bulk of whales that have stranded since 2019 — roughly 600 — have been malnourished. However, that’s not the case for all of the whales. Some were clearly killed by ship strikes, or drowned after being entangled by fishing line and nets, or shredded and eaten killer whales. Others may have died of disease. “There is no one thing that we can point to that explains all of the strandings,” said Deborah Fauquier, Veterinary Medical Officer in NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. “There appears to be multiple factors that we are still working to understand.” And the mothers that are having calves seem to be healthy and adequately fed, said Aimee Lang, a fisheries biologist with NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center who leads the field teams that count the whales as they migrate. While population counts for gray whales are typically conducted over the course of a two-year period, this year NOAA is adding a third year. Observers will watch from points along California’s central coast — at Granite Point for the southward migration and Piedras Blancas for the northward. Lang said they work in teams of two and watch for whales as they swim by; they also send drones out to capture data regarding their size and health. Elsewhere, whale watchers have noticed gray whales exhibiting unusual feeding behaviors, including this past summer in San Francisco Bay where the Marine Mammal Center’s Tim Markowitz and others saw gray whales lunge feeding — a behavior typical for humpbacks, in which they open their jaws wide, and lunge across the water’s surface scooping up fish and krill. “When I heard they were doing that, I figured the stories were wrong. It must have been humpbacks, ” said Markowitz in a July interview about a bonanza of anchovy in the Bay. “But then I saw it, and I was like ‘whoa!’ Gray whales don’t do that.” Elsewhere, gray whales have been observed feeding in areas they have historically avoided, including the shallow lagoons of the Baja Peninsula and the muddy, sandy shores of San Francisco Bay and Long Beach Harbor. A whale-watching group gets a closeup view of a gray whale in Laguna San Ignacio. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) Gray whales have been called the “jeeps” of the ocean, because of their opportunistic feeding habits (although they prefer foods that live on the ocean floor, they will eat krill and other critters in the water column and on the surface). They’ve also been called the “sentinels” — because if something starts happening to them, it’s likely you’ll see it elsewhere. And that’s what has so many worried — if gray whales are having a hard time, a lot of others are, as well. “What we hope to see in the next few years is that the abundance stabilizes and then starts to show signs of increase,” said Lang. “We will be watching closely.” In May 2021, three gray whales washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay Area, where visitors to Muir Beach look at a decomposing gray whale. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)

No City Tax Hike, Attorney Moving On | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/no-city-tax-hike-attorney-moving-on-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer/ OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas presents his budget proposal for 2023 Friday at City Hall. Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas has proposed a 2023 budget with no property tax increase. At his Friday presentation, he also announced that city attorney Richard Morrisroe gave his notice, effective at the end of the year. Rosas said the city will be unable to attract a competent lawyer if it pays the previous attorney salary of $45,000. He suggested that even the $60,000 he budgeted for 2023 might not be enough, though he called it a “start in the right direction.” Rosas’ budget also calls for the addition of a human resources director. “When I came into office, one of the first things that I realized was we are in desperate need of an HR director,” he said. “We have many issues we deal with routinely. While we have a very competent personnel administrator, he is not qualified to take on the duties and responsibilities of an HR director. Those duties are very important and could cost city taxpayers a ton of money.” The total proposed budget is $26,376,325, a 6% increase from 2022. The mayor said the water and sewer rates will also be unchanged, in addition to the tax rate. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Tech Tracker: Starbucks Enters The Metaverse – Nation’s Restaurant News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/tech-tracker-starbucks-enters-the-metaverse-nations-restaurant-news/ Starbucks is entering the metaverse. The Seattle-based coffee giant in September announced the creation of Starbucks Odyssey, a Web3 experience launching in late 2022. With Odyssey, Starbucks Rewards members can buy and trade collectible limited-edition NFTs to unlock new rewards benefits and complete interactive activities to earn NFT digital badges known as “journey stamps.” With this announcement, Starbucks joins its other colleagues that have also experimented with interactive NFT trading and games in the metaverse, including Chipotle, Wendy’s and most recently, Taco Bell. Starbucks is following the recent metaverse trend of lowering the barrier to entry for those without crypto know-how: the Starbucks Odyssey experience will not require users to use an Oculus Quest 2 (or any other special equipment) and it can be entered through the Starbucks Rewards app. Users also don’t need to have a crypto wallet to purchase the collectible NFTs. According to Starbucks, the interactive games will encourage users to collect these digital badges, which will also be assigned points values based on their rarity and can be bought or sold on the blockchain to unlock benefits like a virtual espresso martini-making class, access to exclusive merchandise, invitations to events at Starbucks Roasteries and even international vacations, like a trip to the Starbucks coffee farm in Costa Rica. Each NFT will feature original artwork created by Starbucks partners and outside artists, and a portion of the proceeds of each NFT sale will go toward unspecified causes.

The Best Early Prime Day Wellness Deals To Get Excited For This Holiday Season – Sports Illustrated https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-best-early-prime-day-wellness-deals-to-get-excited-for-this-holiday-season-sports-illustrated/ The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. The Sports Illustrated editorial team is not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here. Prime Day is on its way back around. Coming later this October, Amazon is back with major savings that you won’t find at your average retailer. So far, we know that Prime Day will take place over the weekend of October 11. You can expect to see plenty of big discounts on everything from laptops to sheets and beyond. Come dive in with us as we take a look at the best early Prime Day deals, so you can get a head start on all the discounts and sales happening in this Amazon sales event. Amazon Prime Day Fitness Deals Best Stair Stepper: Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper Stair Stepper Exercise Equipment with Resistance Bands (9% off) Sunny Health This stair stepper from Sunny Health & Fitness is a sturdy and completely adjustable total body fitness device, providing upper-body resistance for your arms, back, shoulders and chest, while simultaneously providing a quick-step mini workout for your legs. Get 9% off Best Massage Gun: Bodi-Well Muscle Massage Gun (63% off) Bodi-Well For a powerful full-body massage, the Bodi-Well Muscle Massage gun provides a brushless motor performance for effective post-workout relief. At more than 63% off, you can take advantage of this portable and low-noise massage gun. Get 63% off Best Portable Gym Set: Gonex Portable Home Gym Workout with14 Accessories (39% off) Gonex Score a great deal on this all-in-one home gym equipment system from Gonex. Get everything you need to get a full-body workout at home, including an ab roller, push-up handle bar, post-landmine sleeve, three-section bar plus 30- and 50-pound resistance bands. Get 39% off Best Exercise Bike: Sunny Health & Fitness Endurance Indoor Cycling Bike with Magnetic Resistance (38% off) Sunny Health Enjoy the freedom and ease of a smooth riding experience with the Sunny Health & Fitness Endurance Indoor Cycling Bike. With magnetic resistance, Smart Bluetooth Connectivity and an optional fitness app, you get everything you need to enjoy a versatile cardio workout from the comfort of your own home. Get 38% off Best Resistance Bands: Allvodes Bands Resistance Band Set (27% off) Allvodes With Prime membership, you can take advantage of a sale on this high-quality five-piece resistance band set, which has multi-colored bands ranging from 5-50 pounds in resistance. This set also comes with a waterproof carry bag, a single door anchor, two cushion handles, two ankle straps, one figure-eight sport rope and an exercise guide. Get 27% off Best Kettlebell: Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell (25% off) Bowflex Prime members can enjoy the versatility and space-saving design of the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell, which has enough resistance to replace six kettlebells with a range from 8-40 pounds. The ergonomic handle and weight selection dial make switching between exercises easier than ever and great for getting a flow going through your total-body workout. Get 25% off Best Exercise Mat: BEAUTYOVO Puzzle Exercise Mat with 12/24 Interlocking Foam Tiles (25% off) BEAUTYOVO No matter where you’re planning on building your home gym, you can use this BEAUTYOVO Puzzle Exercise Mat to protect your flooring and provide thick padding to place all of your workout equipment down. With a seamless look and a simply assembly, it’s easy to move if you ever need to rearrange your space. Get 25% off Best Treadmill: Bowflex Treadmill Series (25% off) Bowflex With a 22” HD touchscreen console, a motorized incline and decline design, and streaming capabilities (essentially giving you your own smart TV) the Bowflex Treadmill Series is one of the highest-quality treadmills on the market today. With 25% off the regular $3,599 price, you can save BIG on one of our favorite early Prime day deals. Get 25% off Best Indoor Cycling Bike: Schwinn Fitness Indoor Cycling Bike (25% off) Schwinn The Schwinn Indoor Cycling Bike is one of the best Amazon deals happening during Prime Day. The 40-pound flywheel, dual SPD pedals, fully-adjustable weight seat and standard LCD console found on these Schwinn bikes makes them some of the best exercise bikes on the market right now. Get 25% off Best Foldable Fitness Exercise Bike: Davcreator Foldable Fitness Exercise Bike (24% off) DavCreator Forget Black Friday and hop on this 2-in-1 exercise bike deal, which provides indoor cycling for a lower-body cardio workout and two-arm toner resistance bands for sculpting your upper muscles. This silent and sturdy bike provides ten levels of magnetic resistance, an LCD monitor and a pulse sensor that measures your heart rate to give you burned calories in real-time. Get 24% off Best Dumbbell Set: CAP Barbell 150 LB Dumbbell Set with Rack (23% off) CAP Barbell The CAP Barbell 150 LB Dumbbell Set includes six pairs of dumbbells rangng from 5-25 pounds. The compact A-frame design is durable and reliable, while the rubber hex-shaped heads on the dumbbells prevent rolling and protect your floors in case they’re dropped. Get 23% off Best Adjustable Dumbbell Set: PowerBlock EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (22% off) Powerblock Take your fitness and performance to the next level with 5-50 pounds per hand. These portable and compact adjustable dumbbells are not your everyday fitness gadgets, as they are super innovative strength training tools that provide an easy-to-use fitness solution. Get 22% off Best Home Gym: Bowflex Xceed Home Gym (20% off) Bowflex This compact home gym is one of the best early Prime Day deals, delivering more than 65 gym-quality exercises. The resistance ranges from 5-210 pounds, helping you hit every muscle on your body, from arms, core to your legs. Get 20% off Best Folding Treadmill: RUNOW Folding Treadmill with Incline (17% off) RUNOW If you enjoy at-home cardio, but you don’t have the room for large fitness equipment like your standard treadmill, you might consider the RUNOW Folding Treadmill. Even with its budget-friendly price, it comes with an 18” LED Monitor, 40 fitness programs, a shock-absorbing system and a lightweight, portable design. Get 17% off Best Recumbent Bike: Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike (14% off) Sunny Health For a completely adjustable at-home cycling experience, we highly recommend checking out the Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike from Sunny Health & Fitness. The large seat and back cushion provides plenty of comfort, while the adjustable, self-leveling pedals and straps make pedaling easy, no matter your height. Get 14% off Best Compact Treadmill: SereneLife Folding Digital Display Electric Treadmill (14% off) SereneLife A quality portable treadmill can be difficult to find, though this low-profile folding electric treadmill from SereneLife offers all the perks of a regular treadmill, including digital LCD touchscreen controls and easily adjustable speeds. Plus, with a lightweight design, you can easily dismantle it and place it in your hall closet when you’re done. Get 14% off Best Yoga Mat: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat (12% off) Manduka Manduka produces some of the highest-quality yoga mats on the market. With an Amazon Prime membership, you can get the best price on this top-of-the-line, eco-friendly mat. At 71 inches long, the Manduka Pro Yoga Mat provides ultra-dense cushioning, stability, support and a chemical-free design. Get 12% off Best Powder Coated Kettlebells: Yes4All Powder Coated Kettlebells (11% off) Yes4All Made with solid cast iron for durability, a flat base for easy, upright storage and slightly textured handles for excellent grip, the Yes4All Powder-Coated Kettlebells provide all you need for a versatile workout. Get the lowest price on these kettlebells this October on Prime Day! Get 11% off Amazon Prime Day Sleep Deals Best Sheets: Hotel Sheets Direct 100% Bamboo Sheets (57% of select sizes and styles) Hotel Sheets Direct Bamboo sheets are great for providing a cooling and relaxing sleep experience. Hotel Sheets Direct has a wide variety of colors to choose from, deep elastic pockets that fit all kinds of mattresses and moisture-wicking materials to keep you from sweating. Get 57% off Best Cooling Pillow: Sealy DuoChill Cooling Memory Foam Pillow (54% off select sizes and styles) Sealy With Sealy’s patented Perfect Chill Technology, this comfortable memory foam pillow keeps you cool throughout the night. Take advantage of this more than half-off sale and get ahold of this quality and easy-to-care-for pillow, which comes in several sizes for different beds. Get 54% off Best Mattress Topper: Mellow 1.5” 5-Zone Memory Foam Mattress Topper (5% off select sizes) Mellow Add breathable comfort to the top of your mattress with this aloe vera-infused memory foam mattress topper from Mellow. With multiple points of contact and five body zones, this unique mattress topper promotes sleep by limiting tossing and turning. Get 5% off Best Mattress Foundation: ZINUS 5” Metal Smart Box Spring (46% off select sizes) Zinus Using a durable, low-profile design that can support up to 700 pounds, the ZINUS 5” Metal Smart Box Spring is one of the highest quality box springs that you can get for an unbeatable price. This Prime Day, enjoy the strong steel interior frame and knitted polyester cover for almost half off regular price. Get 46% off Best Luxury Pillow: Tempur-Pedic Symphony Pillow (44% off select sizes) TEMPUR-Pedic Enjoy a luxury-style sleep with this 100% polyester, dual-sided memory foam pillow that blends two u...

Lakers News: How Long Will Crypto.com Be Able To Sponsor Crypto.com Arena? – Sports Illustrated https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/lakers-news-how-long-will-crypto-com-be-able-to-sponsor-crypto-com-arena-sports-illustrated/ Are the Lakers’ new arena sponsors Crypto.com, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, already in trouble? Less than a year after Crypto.com shelled out an estimated $700 million for the naming rights to the home venue for the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks and Kings in downtown Los Angeles, it appears that the company is facing a tenuous long-term future. The locale had been named the Staples Center since its debut in 1999. Staples as a brand now is a mere shell of its former self, so a change in sponsorships did feel in retrospect like it was en route. The switch to the glitzy crypto fad felt a bit risky, which has now proved to be an accurate appraisal. Asa Hiken of Ad Age reports that, thanks in part to some excessive spending to build brand awareness, Crypto.com reached an impressive tally of 50 million users right before the cryptocurrency market crashed and interest fizzled this past spring. Since then, the firm has “quietly downsized” or even tried to cancel several of its partnership deals. It has bailed on its previous arrangements with Angel City F.C., Twitch Rivals, and the UEFA Champions League. Scroll to Continue Crypto.com has reportedly lost 30-40% of its pre-crash workforce through layoffs and departures (but mostly layoffs), with sources telling Hiken that sum represents 2,000 employees. For now, the Venue Formerly Known As Staples Center remains Crypto.com Arena. Just how long that moniker will hold is now anyone’s guess, with what has proven to be a volatile market potentially on the precipice of further collapse. So how will Crypto.com respond to its cutbacks? Has the bubble fully burst, or is this moment merely a blip? With a lot of layoffs reportedly happening in and around its marketing department, will we be seeing more “We going to the league” ads with Lakers All-Star forward LeBron James talking to a creepy digital interpretation of his younger self?  We can only hope so, dear readers.

U.S. Adds China’s YMTC And 30 Other Firms To ‘unverified’ Trade List – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-adds-chinas-ymtc-and-30-other-firms-to-unverified-trade-list-reuters/ WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) – The United States on Friday added China’s top memory chipmaker YMTC and 30 other Chinese entities to a list of companies that U.S. officials have been unable to inspect, ratcheting up tensions with Beijing and starting a 60 day-clock that could trigger much tougher penalties. The new listings were the first of a slew of new restrictions announced on Friday on exports of technology to China aimed at blocking military advances. The crackdown included curbs on access to chipmaking tools for Chinese firms including Yantze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC), as reported by Reuters a day earlier. read more U.S. senators from both parties have been calling for YMTC, China’s fast-growing chip manufacturer, to be placed on a trade blacklist known as the “entity list.” The company, founded in 2016, poses a “direct threat” to U.S. chip companies, according to the Biden administration. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com YMTC and the Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment. YMTC is under investigation by the Commerce Department over whether it violated U.S. export controls by selling chips to blacklisted Chinese telecommunications company Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. Its chips also are being evaluated by Apple Inc for inclusion in some of its iPhones in China, a major concern for U.S. lawmakers and the Biden administration. Companies are added to the unverified list because the United States could not complete on-site visits to determine whether they can be trusted to receive sensitive technology exports from the United States. U.S. inspections of Chinese companies require the approval of China’s commerce ministry. U.S. exporters must conduct additional due diligence before sending goods to entities placed on the “unverified list,” like the 31 added on Friday, and may have to apply for more licenses. Under the Biden administration’s new policy, if a government prevents U.S. officials from conducting site checks at companies placed the unverified list, Washington will start the process for adding them to the entity list after 60 days. Entity listing YMTC would further escalate tensions with Beijing and force its U.S. suppliers to seek difficult-to-obtain licenses from the U.S. government before shipping them even the most low-tech items. Not all the measures announced on Friday were bad news for China. The United States removed a unit of Wuxi Biologics, maker of ingredients for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, from the unverified list. Reuters reported last summer that U.S. officials had been able to conduct an inspection at the Wuxi city site, a stepping stone to removal from the list. A Wuxi Biologics spokeswoman said the company was pleased the Wuxi site was removed from the list, given the inspection in June. The company looks forward to scheduling an inspection of its Shanghai subsidiary, which also was placed on the unverified list in February, she added. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Chris Gallagher, Chris Sanders, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Porter and Richard Chang Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Fairfield Startup Company Works On New Technology That Deactivates Ingested Button Batteries – News 12 Bronx https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/fairfield-startup-company-works-on-new-technology-that-deactivates-ingested-button-batteries-news-12-bronx/ Oct 07, 2022, 9:19pmUpdated 12m ago By: News 12 Staff A Fairfield startup company is working on a solution to prevent accidents in which young children swallow button batteries. The company CEO says at least 3,500 button battery ingestion injuries happen in the U.S. each year. Trista Hamsmith, whose 18-month-old Reese Hamsmith died after swallowing one, says she supports this new technology. “What I can tell you as a parent that has lost a child, paying an extra dime for a safer battery is a no-brainer. Reese’s Purpose supports a safer battery and looks forward to seeing it available to consumers as an integral part of the solution,” she says. Reese’s Law, which is named after Hamsmith’s baby, was signed into law by President Joe Biden in August. It requires safer standards for the packaging of small batteries found in everyday items.

Body Found In Columbia Identified, Cops Now Say It’s A Homicide – Newstalk870.am https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/body-found-in-columbia-identified-cops-now-say-its-a-homicide-newstalk870-am/ BCSO recovering the remains (BCSO) BCSO recovering the remains (BCSO) loading… The body found in the Columbia River on Tuesday, September 27th is that of 34-year-old Brandy Ebanez.    Kennewick Police say it’s a homicide investigation now A fisherman found the human remains floating in the river on Tuesday, just south and east of the Cable Bridge. The Benton County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies assisted in retrieving the remains. Ebanez (Tri Cities Most wanted and Crime news facebook page) Ebanez (Tri Cities Most wanted and Crime news facebook page) loading… Kennewick Police Sgt Jose Santoy released a statement on Friday, October 7th by way of Public Information Officer Aaron Klem, that the body was positively identified: “On 9-29-2022, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Kennewick Police Department confirmed Brandy was a Kennewick resident who resided at an apartment complex in the 3700 block of W Kennewick Ave. Evidence collected thus far confirms this was not a random incident and detectives with Kennewick PD and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office are actively investigating this as a homicide.” More information is expected to be released soon, anyone who may have any information about this incident, or knew the victim, you’re urged to call (509)-628-0333. All leads can be confidential. The KPD is leading the investigation based on the location of where the remains were found. Police did not reveal how long she had been in the river, or when she was last seen. 25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today? Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they’ve been left standing.)

The Best Miami Vacation Rentals – Hotels Above Par https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-best-miami-vacation-rentals-hotels-above-par/ America’s got no shortage of extravagantly themed hotels that transport its guests to another time or another place. But to discover the truly offbeat and quirky properties dishing up heaping servings of kitsch, here’s where you need to go. Art Deco Dream Starting Nightly Rate: $229 | Website | Neighborhood: Mid-Beach 2 | 1 | 1 WiFi; Washing machine and dryer; Air conditioning; Central heating; Pet friendly; Full-equipped kitchen Set in Miami Beach’s Mid-Beach neighborhood — a buzzy spot with a slew of swanky bars and restaurants — Plum Guide’s Art Deco Dream rental is exactly how it sounds: a naturally sunlit home hosted in a classic Art Deco-style building. Notice the spacious, open layout between the bedroom, living room, and fully-equipped kitchen dressed in tropical-themed wallpaper. Tropicana Trees Starting Nightly Rate: $295 | Website | Neighborhood: Coral Way 6 | 2 | 2 WiFi; Full-equipped kitchen; Washing machine and dryer; Pet friendly; Outdoor balcony; Air conditioning This bright two-bed-and-bath apartment is dressed in pops of color: blood orange, red, sunshine yellow, and lime green ooze Miami-style vibrance. Start the morning here sipping a cup of coffee on your private balcony, overlooking banyan and palm trees. Coconut Grove — an upscale neighborhood lined with chic restaurants and trendy boutiques — is a short walk away. If in the mood for a boat day, drive eight minutes east, and you will hit Biscayne Bay’s sailboat-dotted waters. At the Boardwalk Starting Nightly Rate: $459 | Website | Neighborhood: Bal Harbour 2 | 1 | 1 WiFi; Air conditioning; Full-equipped kitchen; Washing machine and dryer; Outdoor terrace; Beach essentials Modern vacation rental At the Boardwalk fronts the ocean in Miami Beach’s Bal Harbour area. With a clean design imbuing white-tiled floors, dark wood furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows, this apartment is chic to its core. When in the mood to soak up the Floridian sun, a smattering of options await, from the backyard lounge chairs to the complex’s crystal blue outdoor swimming pool, and its for-use each-cruiser bikes eliciting the perfect boardwalk ride. An Ode to the Stars Starting Nightly Rate: $515 | Website | Neighborhood: North Bay Village 4 | 2 | 2 WiFi; Air conditioning; Full-equipped kitchen; Balcony; Outdoor pool; Fitness center Effortlessly combining old-age Miami glamour with contemporary style, this snazzy apartment is naturally sunlit with floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The two-story rental sports modern touches throughout the space: clean lines, neutral tones, high ceilings, and a Frank Lloyd Wright-style staircase, are just a few of many. Located in North Bay Village, an isle between Miami and Miami Beach, guests can revel at the fact that Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra frequently enjoyed the area’s renowned nightlife scene decades ago. (Fun fact: Sinatra frequently stayed at a luxury condo referred to as “The Surf Club” not far from this apartment.)  Vice Vice Baby Starting Nightly Rate: $222 | Website | Neighborhood: Coral Way 4 | 1 | 1 WiFi; Air conditioning; Full-equipped kitchen; Outdoor terrace; Daily cleaning; Pet friendly This 70s boho-chic decorated apartment (think: lush house plants, patterned rugs, and wicker chairs) is a charming stay sitting on the iconic Coral Way. Expect cool, gray-stone floors that complement classic orange and brown accents, making this stay exude total “retro vibes.” The wall-to-wall windows peering out at the resident palm-tree lined street are a nice plus, too. Coconut Grove is a short drive away from this rental. Guests who want to immerse themselves in Miami’s Cuban culture, enjoy local restaurants such as Versailles for a piping-hot Cuban sandwich (only a five-minute drive away!). Miami Mood Starting Nightly Rate: $235 | Website | Neighborhood: Bayshore 3 | 1 | 1 WiFi; Air conditioning; Full-equipped kitchen; Near the beach; Hair dryer; Complimentary toiletries Located in Miami’s Bayshore neighborhood, this vacation rental places relaxation at the center of its design with cool-toned decor and comfortable furnishings. A five-minute walk from the beach, guests staying at this rental can soak up Florida’s famed sun and sand in the blink of an eye. For those wanting to sightsee, a medley of cultural spots such as The Bass Museum of Art — which sits directly across the street from the building — and Miami’s Art District — a gallery lover’s dream —  are only a five-minute car ride away. Lucky Number Seven Starting Nightly Rate: $298 | Website | Neighborhood: Wynwood Art District 4 | 1 | 1 WiFi; Air conditioning; Full-equipped kitchen; Washing machine and dryer; Fitness center; Outdoor pool Walking into the Lucky Number Seven vacation rental, guests will feel transported into a natty arcade: an authentic popcorn maker, quirky slot machine, and large TV make this apartment the ultimate entertainment pad. Spend the day enjoying the complex’s suave rooftop pool, replete with lounge chairs, or cruising down to the nearby eye-catching street murals at Wynwood Walls. (Hint: this is your Instagrammable photo opportunity moment.) Other articles you may like:  The Best Affordable Boutique Hotels in Miami This Miami Beach Hotel Mixes Art Deco Stylings With European Elegance The Miami Restaurants You Need to Dine at During Your Next Trip %

BEE Well Clinic Celebrates New Location In Alexandria – Voice Of Alexandria https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/bee-well-clinic-celebrates-new-location-in-alexandria-voice-of-alexandria/ (Alexandria, MN)–BEE Well Clinic held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 6th to celebrate its new location at 510 22nd Ave. E, Ste. 202A in Alexandria. BEE Well Clinic is owned by family nurse practitioner Dr. Donna Piotter. The clinic offers a modern holistic approach with a focus on health care prevention and wellness as opposed to sick care, addressing not just your immediate concerns but thinking ahead to your overall well-being. Services BEE Well Clinic offers includes nutritional wellness, preventive care – holistic counseling, virtual care and house calls, IV nutrient infusion, everyday care – medical and urgent, and more. It also has a sensory deprivation float tank, cocoon deluxe fitness pod, and an infrared 4-person sauna. Learn more by visiting beewellclinic-medspa.com. Ribbon Cuttings are a service offered by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. To learn more, email info@alexandriamn.org or call 320-763-3161.

Jennie Garth Recalls Daughter Lola’s Arthritis Diagnosis At 5 Years Old – PEOPLE https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/jennie-garth-recalls-daughter-lolas-arthritis-diagnosis-at-5-years-old-people/ Jennie Garth was faced with every mother’s worst nightmare when her daughter Lola, now 19, was suffering from unwanted pain at only 5 years old, and there was nothing she could do. “She actually had a rare type of inflammatory arthritis called Still’s Disease,” the 50-year-old tells PEOPLE exclusively while partnering with Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel and their CareWalks initiative. “Seeing my daughter suffer was one of the hardest things I ever had to go through.” According to the Arthritis Foundation, Still’s Disease, or Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, is the most common arthritis found in children. It affects not only the joints but sometimes other parts of the body, including the liver, lungs and heart. Lola isn’t the only one who’s had to deal with arthritis in the family. The mom of three recently spoke to PEOPLE about her own battle with arthritis, which she didn’t know she had until she was 45. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. “I was sort of shocked to hear that news from my doctor after going in and complaining about some pain in my knees and my hips and different places around my body and wondered what was going on,” Garth shares. “And I was shocked to hear the word arthritis come out of his mouth. Because I kind of associate arthritis with… I’m not old enough to have arthritis. Let’s put it that way. You can have arthritis at any age and I wasn’t really aware of that,” she explains. Her daughter Lola’s condition got so bad that she sought medical treatment in the hospital. As Garth searched for answers, the 90120 alum’s entire family felt the discomfort while she did her best to balance taking care of her other kids who were at home, too. “It was definitely a hard time for our whole family,” Garth admits. “She was in the hospital for quite a number of days and received treatment there.” The actress’ other two daughters, Fiona, 16, and Luca, 25, who she shares with ex-husband Peter Facinelli, didn’t have the same health issues as their sister. While there was nothing the former couple could’ve done to prevent Lola’s arthritis journey, Garth always instilled the importance of health at home as a good diet can sometimes make a difference. “It’s not something that usually occurs in other family members,” the former Melrose Place star says of the condition. “But I’ve always fed my girls extremely healthy diets. They grew up plant-based and continue to live a healthy lifestyle, even out of the nest.” Lola is now off on her own and living a pain-free life, and Garth couldn’t feel more relieved. “She’s doing great now!” Garth says. “She’s off at college with no signs whatsoever of any recurrence of her symptoms.”

This Week In MIL Football | News, Sports, Jobs – Maui News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/this-week-in-mil-football-news-sports-jobs-maui-news-2/ Ofa Falekaono of Maui High School runs down a Baldwin runner during the Sabers’ 43-0 win last weekend. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo Tonight, King Kekaulike Stadium, 7 p.m. Overview Both teams need a win to keep their slim second-round hopes alive. This game will feature the top two running teams and five of the top six rushers in the MIL. Maui High won the first matchup 24-0. The Sabers rank third in the MIL on offense, second on defense. Na Alii are first on offense, third on defense. Sabers at a glance Maui High’s defense has three MIL shutouts and four on the season. The Sabers have allowed just 37 points in seven games. Piercen Evans (604 yards) is the No. 2 rusher in the league. Joe Cariaga is sixth in rushing and fourth in passing. Na Alii at a glance King Kekaulike is likely headed to a playoff against Kamehameha Maui for the MIL D-II state berth. Kalelepono Wong tops the MIL in rushing (665 yards) and scoring (10 TDs), Tysin Zackious is No. 3 and Kalani Puu No. 4 in rushing. Quotable “These guys are definitely making me smile a lot more than I did in the past … I think these guys really have that family-oriented ilk and they always pick each other up and find a way to keep moving forward.” — King Kekaulike coach Tyson Valle at practice Tuesday ***** Kamehameha Maui at Lahainaluna Saturday, Sue Cooley Stadium, 7 p.m. Overview Depending on who wins Friday, this game will be a chance to clinch: A Maui High win means Kamehameha Maui can nail down the MIL D-II second round; if King Kekaulike wins, Lahainaluna can clinch the MIL D-I state berth. Lahainaluna won the first matchup 21-14 on Sept. 3 in terrible weather Upcountry. Warriors at a glance Kamehameha has won two games in a row after losing its first four. The Warriors are fourth on offense, fourth on defense. Makana Kamaka-Brayce’s 658 passing yards are more than the next three QBs combined on the MIL list. Lunas at a glance Lahainaluna is No. 2 in team offense, No. 1 in team defense and have won 36 MIL games in a row. At this point, they appear to be playing for one of the two byes in the six-team D-I state tournament. Kaulana Tihada is No. 5 in MIL rushing. Quotable “It’s like anything else, you take what people give you, but in the previous two games I don’t think that our timing was there — it seemed like we were just missing things. The idea is not to panic.” — Ulima Afoa, KSM coach prior to last week’s win over King Kekaulike ***** MIL standings (Overall MIL records in parentheses) DIVISION I W L Pct PF PA Lahainaluna (5-0) 1 0 1.000 17 7 Maui High (4-2) 1 1 .500 50 17 Baldwin (0-6) 0 2 .000 13 70 DIVISION II STANDINGS W L Pct PF PA KS Maui (2-3) 1 0 1.000 30 16 King Kekaulike (3-3) 1 1 .500 43 43 Friday, Sept. 30 Kamehameha Maui 30, King Kekaulike 16 Saturday, Oct. 1 Maui High 43, Baldwin 0 Today’s Game Maui High at King Kekaulike, 7 p.m. Saturday’s Game Kamehameha Maui at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 Baldwin at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 Maui High at Kamehameha Maui, 7 p.m. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Meta Wants Its Employees To Fall In Love With The Metaverse – WinBuzzer https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/meta-wants-its-employees-to-fall-in-love-with-the-metaverse-winbuzzer/ No company has thrown itself behind the Metaverse quite like Meta. In fact, Facebook went through a whole rebranding to become Meta to signal its focus for the future. The company is also actively seeking the best talent – including from other companies – to help achieve its metaverse goals. However, it seems engagement amongst employees around Horizon Worlds is not what Meta wants it to be. Horizon Worlds is essentially Meta’s digital world game, its version of the metaverse. Despite plenty of talk, a lot of money, and a willingness to throw itself completely into the project, it is unclear how Meta’s solution differs from other digital world concepts. Memos obtained by The Verge show employee engagement in the project. In a memo from September 15, Meta’s VP Metaverse Vishal Shah is trying to stir more interest amongst engineers and other staff. It seems feedback from creators and gameplay testers for the project has not been positive. There are bugs and employees in the company are not engaging with the project. Shah suggests employees must fall in love with the project for it to succeed. “For many of us, we don’t spend that much time in Horizon and our dogfooding dashboards show this pretty clearly. Why is that? Why don’t we love the product we’ve built so much that we use it all the time? The simple truth is, if we don’t love it, how can we expect our users to love it?” Love It By September 30 the situation did not seem resolved as another memo from Shah claimed metrics were not improving. He says Meta is creating plans to “hold managers accountable” and force their teams into using Horizon Worlds every week (seemingly, even in their downtime). Again, he makes it clear employees must love the project: “Everyone in this organization should make it their mission to fall in love with Horizon Worlds. You can’t do that without using it. Get in there. Organize times to do it with your colleagues or friends, in both internal builds but also the public build so you can interact with our community.” Speaking to The Verge, a Meta spokesperson says the wording of the memo has been taken out of context: “[Meta is] confident that the metaverse is the future of computing and that it should be built around people. [Meta is] always making quality improvements and acting on the feedback from our community of creators. This is a multiyear journey, and we’re going to keep making what we build better.” Tip of the day: When using your Windows 10 laptop or convertible with a mobile hotspot you might want to limit the Internet bandwidth your PC uses. In our tutorial we are showing you how to set up a metered connection in Windows 11 or Windows 10 and how to turn it off again, if needed.

This Pregnant Mom Accidentally Let Her Toddler Watch Her IPad All Night & Reddit Gave Her The Sweetest Encouragement – Yahoo Life https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/this-pregnant-mom-accidentally-let-her-toddler-watch-her-ipad-all-night-reddit-gave-her-the-sweetest-encouragement-yahoo-life/ All moms mess up sometimes, and I’ll be the first to admit it. I’ve yelled at my kids in moments of sheer frustration, forgotten to attend an event for my Kindergartner, bribed my kids with candy and screen time — it happens. One mom on Reddit recently shared a parenting mistake she made with her toddler, and our hearts go out to her. It’s so hard to try to be a perfect mom all the time! In the Parenting subreddit, a mom shared her story of how she “messed up so bad” last night. More from SheKnows A Woman Who Fell Into Default ‘Mom Duties’ With Her Partner & His Kid is Asking Reddit if She Made the Right Move “I’m 13 weeks pregnant and last night I was so tired I crawled into bed with my 3-year-old and told her we could watch a show on the iPad for bit,” the mom wrote. “We started watching PJ Masks and i fell asleep. Woke up at 5 am and she was still awake and still watching the iPad.” Yikes! Her toddler probably thought she hit the jackpot — hours of unmonitored, uninterrupted screen time! What kid wouldn’t stay up all night to soak it up? Click here to read the full article. “I can’t believe it. Today is going to f*ck with her sleep schedule so bad. Ugh,” the mom added. The mom probably felt awful when she woke up and saw her toddler still awake, so she wrote this quick post as a way to vent. Little did she know, Reddit would come through with the most surprisingly helpful words of encouragement. “If that’s your worst mess up, you’re doing great!” one person wrote, before offering some helpful advice. “Put the iPad/show on a timer next time if you’re able so if the kiddo is still awake when the show turns off they will either go to bed or wake you up and you can decide what to do next. :)” What a compassionate, helpful comment. We understand needing to turn to the iPad to help your toddler fall asleep (pregnancy exhaustion on top of regular mom exhaustion is so, so hard!), and this person offered a creative solution that would help monitor screen time and let the mom get some rest. We love to see it! Others were nice in their suggestions too. “Or set a nightly alarm for all your devices twenty minutes before her bedtime,” one person wrote. “Best case scenario you just swipe it away, worst case scenario you are saved from any extended snuggle naps.” Another suggested “turning the brightness down all the way” and putting the sound on mute to put kids to sleep. Someone else found “on Netflix you can also make it go super slow, I set ours to half speed on Cocomelon. Everything is basically a lullaby.” Genius! Other sympathetic parents shared their experiences with iPad use during pregnancy. “My second pregnancy was so brutal – nonstop nausea and puking and severe pelvic floor pain during a heatwave,” one mom wrote. “I spent a lot of afternoons sleeping on my bed while my four-year-old watched Paw Patrol on his iPad. I felt like an absolute garbage mom. He later told me he had the best summer ever because we got to snuggle and watch tv together on the bed. You’re doing your best and your kiddo totally fell asleep at one point. Good luck! You’ve got this.” Others agreed that it’s likely the 3-year-old did get some sleep throughout the night. “Nah, a 3-year-old would eventually crash,” one person wrote. “When my kids were that age they’d fall asleep in the weirdest places and poses because they’d just crash. I highly doubt a 3-year-old could pull an all nighter.” “100% she just woke up before you, that’s all,” someone else said. “Even if she hadn’t, this is one night, one time. Kid was always safe and happy. Could have been a lot worse.” At the end of the day, parents are all just doing the best we can, and one TV night (even if it’s all night!) won’t change anything. “Oh honey. Lol, she will be fine. Just bump up nap time a little then get her to run herself out afterwards,” one person wrote. “Give yourself a break, you’re pregnant and tired I’m sure. This isn’t a f*ck up, it’s ok. One night shouldn’t mess up her schedule.” Someone else wrote, “You are doing just fine as a parent. She is going to remember it as the best night of her life spent with her cool momma who let her watch PJ Masks ALL night! Trust me, it’s going to be a story she tells for many years … You are doing great Momma!” In the wise words of Hannah Montana, “Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has those days.” It’s going to be OK! Before you go, check out our gallery on the coolest tech gadgets & laptops for back-to-school! best tech gadgets Launch Gallery: The Worst Mother-in-Law Horror Stories from Reddit’s AITA Best of SheKnows The Worst Mother-in-Law Horror Stories from Reddit’s AITA It’s Never Too Early to Snag Matching Family Holiday PJs — & New Collections Are Dropping Daily Our Favorite Photos of Angelina Jolie Enjoying Life As a Mom to Her 6 Kids Sign up for SheKnows’ Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Bitcoin Whales Accumulating BTC At Current Prices – What Do They Know? – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/bitcoin-whales-accumulating-btc-at-current-prices-what-do-they-know-cryptonews/ Source: Santiment/Twitter Bitcoin (BTC) whales are again accumulating BTC, with more and more traders now asking themselves what these whales know that the rest of us don’t. According to data from the crypto analytics platform Santiment, the so-called Bitcoin whales, defined as wallet addresses holding between 100 BTC and 10,000 BTC, have added a total of 46,173 BTC to their holdings since September 27. In a tweet published earlier this week, Santiment called the increase a “sustained accumulation” by whales and noted that this has been “a rarity in 2022.” The firm added that the increase in BTC holdings has come as large holdings of the stablecoin Tether (USDT) have dropped. The finding indicates that some of the largest players in the Bitcoin ecosystem are using stablecoins to add to their BTC holdings. This also means that any price rallies seen in recent days have most likely been stablecoin-driven, without support from a significant level of fiat inflows. It is widely believed in the crypto community that large inflows of fiat currency into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is necessary for a new bull market to establish itself in a sustainable way. Still, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that whales are among the first to position themselves for potential future rallies in the Bitcoin price. As a result, the positioning seen in the past few days could be a sign that the wealthiest Bitcoin holders are now betting that macroeconomic conditions will improve going forward and that this will ultimately help BTC move higher. Meanwhile, the news that whales are now accumulating BTC comes after Santiment in late September reported that whale holdings of Bitcoin had dropped to the lowest level in 29 months, making up only 45.72% of the circulating BTC supply. In a tweet at the time, the firm attributed the fall in whale investment interest to “fears of inflation and a world recession […].”

U.S. Imposes Foreign Direct Product Rule On China For AI And Supercomputing – The Washington Post https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-imposes-foreign-direct-product-rule-on-china-for-ai-and-supercomputing-the-washington-post/ The Biden administration on Friday announced its most aggressive measures to date aimed at limiting China’s access to advanced computer chips and chip-making equipment, saying that the technology is supporting China’s military modernization and even its development of weapons of mass destruction. The administration said it was focusing solely on the chips, activities and entities of “greatest national security concern” in China to minimize harm to the American chip industry — foundational to the U.S. economy — and disruptions to the global supply chain. The move represents a clear flexing of U.S. muscle in its strategic competition with China, with analysts saying it amounts to a new strategy of high-tech containment. But officials also acknowledged the effort could backfire without buy-in from foreign partners and allies. “We recognize that the unilateral controls we’re putting into place tomorrow will lose effectiveness over time if other countries don’t join us, and we risk harming U.S. technology leadership if foreign competitors are not subject to similar controls,” said a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the rules with reporters. National security adviser Jake Sullivan last month said the administration was seeking to shed the old approach of maintaining a “relative” advantage in key technologies to blowing open “as large of a lead as possible.” The export controls imposed on Russia by the United States and 37 other countries earlier this year showed such tools can do more than just prevent gains, Sullivan said. “They can be a new strategic asset in the U.S. and allied tool kit to impose costs on adversaries, and even over time degrade their battlefield capabilities,” he said in a speech at a global technologies summit. But that collective effort’s success only underscores the need for similar support from allies with this action, said William Reinsch, a senior Commerce official in the Clinton administration now at the Center for Strategic and International Security. “This won’t work unless the affected governments and companies are willing to cooperate,” said Reinsch. “You’re always walking a fine line between controlling too much and too little. If you control too much, then you’re kneecapping your own guys — their ability to invest in new technologies.” The rules were released by the Commerce Department Friday. The Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents nearly all of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and almost two-thirds of non-U. S. chip firms, said in a statement it was “assessing the [rules’] impact” and would work with members to ensure compliance. “We understand the goal of ensuring national security and urge the U.S. government to implement the rules in a targeted way — and in collaboration with international partners — to help level the playing field and mitigate unintended harm to U.S. innovation,” the statement said. Some critics say the Commerce Department has been too timid in using its authorities to curb the Chinese government’s efforts to harness industry to aid its massive military buildup, out of deference to American industry. “This should have been done a year ago,” said one former U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity. The administration official defended Commerce’s approach. “There’s no balancing national security with commercial interests,” the official said. “We respond to national security threats.” Among the new measures, the administration is deploying a draconian trade rule that has global sweep, aimed at stopping chipmakers not just in the United States but overseas from supplying advanced chips to China for use in artificial intelligence, supercomputers, and supercomputing related activities. Use of the foreign direct product rule will prevent companies anywhere in the world from selling advanced chips to Chinese firms or organizations engaged in AI and supercomputing activities without a U.S. government license if the companies use American technology to make the chips, as nearly every semiconductor company globally does. The administration is also taking steps to try to slow China’s ability to produce its own high-end chips. For now, China still lags behind Taiwan, South Korea and the United States. These controls would essentially bar exports of American-made tools needed for high-end chip production in China, and of U.S. tools or components to Chinese factories capable of making chips above or below a certain threshold. Most of these thresholds are two to three generations behind state-of-the-art chip technology, but reflect where China is today, experts said. Commerce will also be barring “U.S. persons” — including American factories, and Americans who work in foreign factories overseas — from providing support without a license to the development or production of such chips for China. “My north star at [the Commerce’s Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, which enforces export controls] is to ensure that we are appropriately doing everything in our power to protect our national security and prevent sensitive technologies with military applications from being acquired by the People’s Republic of China’s military, intelligence, and security services,” said undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez in a statement Friday. The technologies fueled by these chips also are used for mass surveillance and to enable human rights abuses, senior administration officials said. Beijing, for its part, has railed against the Biden administration’s efforts to limit access to chip technology, accusing the United States of wielding trade rules to suppress Chinese development. Washington “weaponizes tech and trade issues … in an attempt to monopolize the world’s advanced technologies,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin last month following a U.S. decision to restrict high end sales of Nvidia chips to China.

Hilton Partners With Peloton In Latest Example Of How Hotels Are Using Technology To Help Guests Stay Fit | – Hotel Technology News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/hilton-partners-with-peloton-in-latest-example-of-how-hotels-are-using-technology-to-help-guests-stay-fit-hotel-technology-news/ The new agreement will see Peloton’s bikes and treadmills placed in all Hilton properties, making it easier for guests to stay fit while on the road. By Debbie Gelner – 10.7.2022 According to the CDC, only about one in three adults get the recommended amount of activity each week. From fitness trackers to in-room air quality monitors, there are a variety of ways that hotels are using technology to improve guest health. For example, some hotels are now offering fitness trackers to guests so they can stay on top of their fitness goals while on vacation. Others are using in-room air quality monitors to ensure that guests are breathing clean air. A good example of how hotels are using technology to help guests stay fit is Hilton Worldwide‘s Five Feet to Fitness program. The simple concept — just walk around your hotel room for five minutes a day — resonates with busy travelers who may not have time for a formal workout. And best of all, it doesn’t cost anything to participate. Guests can use the digital app to track their progress and earn rewards like free nights and upgrades. With interest in the program higher than ever, it’s clear that Americans are ready to get moving. Now, Peloton Interactive Inc., the maker of popular at-home exercise equipment, is partnering with Hilton to feature its bikes across the hotel operator’s U.S. portfolio. The agreement will see Peloton’s bikes and treadmills placed in all Hilton properties, making it easier for guests to stay fit while on the road. The move is a major coup for Peloton, which has been working to expand its reach beyond its core base of at-home users. By joining FitnessOnDemand, hotels can enhance their fitness offerings and give guests another reason to choose their property. Not only will they receive a touch screen digital kiosk, but they’ll also get a media hub which integrates easily with any existing video display. The partnership with Hilton will give Peloton a significant presence in the hospitality market, and could potentially lead to similar agreements with other hotel chains (in fact, Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, began offering Peloton bike-equipped guest rooms almost five years ago). For Hilton, the partnership is another way to differentiate its properties and offer guests an enhanced experience. fitness center. The agreement between Peloton and Hilton reflects the growing trend of hotel operators partnering with fitness companies to offer guests more options for staying active while traveling. Some hotels are now offering virtual experiences that can help guests stay healthy while still enjoying the amenities of a luxury property. From on-demand fitness classes to 360-degree tours of exotic locations, these experiences can provide a much-needed break from the everyday grind. And for those who are looking to reconnect with nature, some hotels are even offering virtual reality experiences that simulate hiking or fishing in scenic locations. FitnessOnDemand, a global leader in the collection, curation and provision of high-quality, premium digital fitness content from some of the world’s leading names and experts in personalized fitness, is a particularly compelling option of technology-enabled exercise that more hotels are deploying. Their on-site kiosks offer hotel guests access to hundreds of on-demand fitness classes, so guests can work out even when the studio is closed. And because the classes are self-service, guests don’t have to worry about scheduling conflicts or cancellations. As more travelers seek ways to stay healthy and fit while on the road, we can expect to see more hotels teaming up with fitness brands like Peloton and FitnessOnDemand. Thanks to these types of partnerships, hotel guests can now enjoy access to world-class workouts without ever having to leave their rooms. And with more and more travelers seeking out health-conscious options, it’s likely that we’ll see even more hotel-fitness collaborations in the future.

SBC Offering Free Webinars In October – Mount Airy News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/sbc-offering-free-webinars-in-october-mount-airy-news/ The Small Business Center at Surry Community College will be offering multiple online webinars in October free of charge. The Small Business Center at Surry Community College will be offering multiple online webinars in October free of charge. These webinars cover a variety of topics that are intended to help individuals gain valuable skills for working with a small business. The webinar Canva: Advanced Design Skills will be held Oct. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This seminar, led by Melanie Diehl, will go into a deep-dive of Canva and will include hands-on design time and screen-sharing for feedback. Pre-requisites include a Canva account and working knowledge of Canva. A paid Canva Pro subscription is highly recommended. The webinar How to Write a Business Plan will be held Oct. 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This seminar will teach you the important components of a business plan and help you lay the foundation for long-term success. The webinar Desktop QuickBooks will be held Oct. 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This seminar will teach the basics of navigating this software installed directly on your computer and show you how to increase productivity and reduce tax-related mistakes. The webinar Website Building for Small Businesses will be held Oct. 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This seminar can help you quickly and efficiently design a website for your business with little technical knowledge. The webinar LinkedIn for Businesses will be held Oct. 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This seminar will teach you how to create an “online presence” that will attract customers to you, as well as how to increase your visibility on LinkedIn. The webinar Financing Your Small Business will be held Oct. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This seminar will get to the heart of business financing and explore the advantages and disadvantages of different types of funding sources. To register for upcoming virtual seminars or to view a complete listing of the upcoming Small Business Center offerings, visit www.surry.edu/sbc. After registering for a webinar, a link to join the event will be emailed to you. For information about confidential, one-on-one counseling and resource referrals, contact SBC Director Mark Harden at hardenm@surry.edu or call (336) 386-3685. The Small Business Center provides seminars, workshops, resources and counseling to prospective business owners and existing business owners. The SCC Small Business Center has facilities in Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy, Pilot Mountain, and Yadkinville.

I ‘dated Up’ To Meet Rich Hotshot Men Who Treated Me Like A Princess – Insider https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/i-dated-up-to-meet-rich-hotshot-men-who-treated-me-like-a-princess-insider/ Amber Lucas said she was tired of dating men who took advantage of her generosity. She told Insider she “dated up” by raising her expectations and meeting successful men. This is Lucas’ story, as told to Jane Ridley. Loading Something is loading. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Amber Lucas. It has been edited for length and clarity I spent a lot of last year reevaluating my life. The most important thing I had to change was the type of guys I dated. Most of them were emotionally immature and financially irresponsible. I’d bail them out. One guy wanted money because he couldn’t make rent. He couldn’t afford it because he’d spend his whole salary on weed. Another guy left his rusty, old car at my home for three weeks. He couldn’t afford the maintenance. It was leaking oil. He used my AAA insurance to have it towed. I wanted to meet better men Those experiences made me want to meet more stable men — someone mature who could make interesting conversation and approached relationships with a generous mindset, a man with a handle on his life. I wanted to “date up.” A friend told me about the dating website Seeking. It specializes in matching “successful” and “attractive” people. I joined in August 2021. There are tiers of membership. The top tier costs $275 a month. People can post their income, net worth, and lifestyle budget when they join at the highest level. I wanted to meet men who shared my interest in travel and exploring new things. I’m in the process of establishing my own business. I also thought it would be good to be among people who knew how to negotiate and reach targets. I hoped they’d advise or mentor me.  Lucas has enjoyed the high life since she started “dated up” and met more successful men than those she’d dated in the past. Courtesy of Amber Lucas I talked to a few guys on the site. They were mostly in their 50s. I met one, who lived in my home city of San Francisco. He was super kind and intelligent. He brought his dog to the date, which I thought was sweet. But we didn’t really see each other again. Then, in the fall, I dated an international businessman. He was 53, about 14 years older than me. We’d been on several dates when I told him that I was going on a trip to France. It’s one of my favorite countries. “Do you want to visit me?” I asked, somewhat jokingly. He said he “absolutely” would like to come and asked when I was leaving. I said I hadn’t bought my tickets yet. “Will you let me do that for you?” he said.  “I would love to support you in your travel to France.” It took my breath away. In my prior relationships, I had to be independent, save up my money, and plan every last detail of a trip. Here was someone who saw that I had a passion for France and wanted to support me in that passion. I thought about it for a bit. Then I said, “OK, yes. Thank you.” He hovered over my shoulder when I booked the business-class flights. He said, “I don’t want to remove the power, so I’ll give you the credit card and we can do it together.” The moment the price came up, he said, “Don’t get sticker shock.” I thought, “These tickets could pay off my car.” Lucas decided against purchasing this Christian Dior handbag. She chose an $11,000 Chanel bag instead. Courtesy of Amber Lucas I lived in Paris for three months. He came to visit, usually when he was on a business trip in Europe. We’d visit places like the vineyards of the Loire Valley. Christmas and New Year’s were beautiful. We stayed at a chateau in Bordeaux with a private chef and massage therapist. Otherwise, we had the whole place to ourselves. We played hide-and-seek at midnight. He took me to London and bought me my first Chanel bag. It cost about $11,000. “Are we at a point in our relationship when it’s OK for me to buy you a bag?” he asked. He told me to take my time choosing the right one. I was tempted to buy Christian Dior but decided on Chanel. I thought, “I’m so glad that I’m dating you. How many men would just march off and buy any bag without thinking twice?” We split up because our work got in the way We had some great talks about business. He gave me advice and refined my business idea.  In April, we came to a fork in the road. We broke up. It was “right person, wrong time.” We had a lot going on in our work. We parted as friends. I dated a couple of more guys on Seeking. They were smart and interesting. But I connected with a man who lived in the Bay Area, too. He was in his mid-50s. Lucas enjoyed her visit to London, courtesy of her multimillionaire date. Courtesy of Amber Lucas He asked if I’d like to join him on a business trip to Seattle. We stayed at a five-star hotel near the city center. I did my own thing when he was in meetings. He gave me his credit card and told me to book stuff for us to do for when he finished working. He told me to have a spa day and go shopping — with everything on him. I asked ahead of time if I could buy a bag. He said yes. So I purchased a Celine bag that cost a few thousand dollars.  He also paid for me to fly first class to see my family on the East Coast. I think first class is a waste of money when you travel domestically but not on an international flight. You get to your destination looking alive, not half dead. I’m going to have to work hard to become an amazing entrepreneur to afford it. I don’t know whether I could ever go back to economy. We had a lot of fun. He’s a self-made millionaire who didn’t always have it easy. He was raised in a single-parent household. He’d pulled himself up by his bootstraps. We’re no longer dating, but I learned some useful things from him. I found that patience is not a common trait among highfliers I’ve worked in corporate America for almost 10 years. I’m not ignorant about business dealings. I’ve done a lot of reading. It was nice to meet someone with the same intellect. I worried that people who were super successful would be intimidating. But I had a peek behind the curtain. They get lonely and want company, just like everyone else. As for the sex, over the past year or so, I have never had such good sex. It’s been communicative and respectful, with no exceptions. There’s a slight drawback with these businessmen, however. Patience is not their strongest suit. They’re used to people saying yes to everything they want and when they want it. I’ve learned that it’s OK to say no. If they can’t handle that, they’re not the person I’m trying to partner with. Do you have a fascinating story to share with Insider? Please send details to jridley@insider.com. %

LIVE : CBI Files Charge Sheet Against Lalu Yadav, In Land-For-Job Scam – Hindustan Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/live-cbi-files-charge-sheet-against-lalu-yadav-in-land-for-job-scam-hindustan-times/ Live Updated on Oct 07, 2022 09:45 PM IST Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Welcome to hindustantimes.com updates platform where you can find breaking news from India and across the world. Find fast updates about the latest news as it breaks. Follow all the updates here: Oct 07, 2022 09:45 PM IST Thailand govt buildings flew half-mast flags to mourn 34-people deaths due to knife and gun rampage  Thailand government buildings flew flags at half mast to mourn the death of 34 people, including 23 children, after an ex-policeman burst into a daycare center in a knife and gun rampage that left the nation shocked and seeking answers, according to news agency Reuters. Oct 07, 2022 09:07 PM IST NCB and Indian Navy together apprehended suspicous vessel with over 200 kgs narcotics in Kerala Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Indian Navy on Friday apprehended a suspicious vessel carrying more than 200 kgs of narcotics in Kerala, Indian Navy said. The boat with its crew has been taken to Kochi for further investigation. Oct 07, 2022 08:19 PM IST CBI files chargesheet against RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, wife Rabri Devi and others in connection with land-for-job scam CBI files chargesheet against RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, wife Rabri Devi and others in connection with land-for-job scam.  Oct 07, 2022 08:11 PM IST Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma chairs review meeting over Assam floods Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chairs a review meeting over the Assam floods at Guwahati. Oct 07, 2022 07:45 PM IST Harbhajan Singh alleges illegal activities by Punjab Cricket Association Former Indian Cricketer Harbhajan Singh alleges illegal activities by Punjab Cricket Association, writes letter to stakeholders, reports ANI. Oct 07, 2022 07:41 PM IST Delhi police arrest two Iran nationals at IGI airport  IGI airport unit of Delhi Police today arrested two Iran nationals, Hamed Hemmati & Feissal Shirazinia, for cheating people on the pretext of posing themselves as officers of the Delhi police crime branch, police said to ANI. Oct 07, 2022 06:29 PM IST MoS MEA Meenakashi Lekhi will visit Georgia & Kazakhstan from Oct 10 to Oct 13 : MEA Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi will be on an official visit to Georgia on October 10&11 and Kazakhstan on October 12 &13, External Affairs Ministry stated on Friday. During the visit to Georgia, MoS will be meeting the country’s foreign minister & other senior signitaries. She’ll also interact with Indian students there. Oct 07, 2022 06:00 PM IST Dumka woman who was set on fire by man seeking to marry her dies A woman in Jharkhand’s Dumka succumbs to her injuries after she was set on fire by a man seeking to marry her. She was brought dead to RIMS, Ranchi, according to ANI. Oct 07, 2022 05:48 PM IST Mother and sister of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh who was murdered in 2017 joins Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra Indira Lankesh and Kavitha Lankesh – mother and sister of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh who was murdered in 2017 – walk with Rahul Gandhi, as they participate in Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra. Oct 07, 2022 05:15 PM IST Watch | Thane faces waterlogging due to heavy rainfall #WATCH | Maharashtra: Several parts of Thane face waterlogging due to incessant heavy rainfall. Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai has issued Yellow Alert for Thane for the next 5 days (till Oct 11th) pic.twitter.com/8WErUSTOWw — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2022 Several parts of Thane in Maharashtra face waterlogging due to incessant heavy rainfall. A Yellow Alert in Thane has been issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai for the next 5 days (till Oct 11th). Oct 07, 2022 04:48 PM IST Rajnath Singh arrives at Gurugram’s hospital to pay visit to Mulayam Singh Yadav Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaches the Medanta hospital in Gurugram to visit the ailing former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav admitted there. Oct 07, 2022 04:32 PM IST Delhi HC reserves order on AAP MLA Amanatullah’s plea challenging Delhi police order  Delhi High Court on Friday reserved order on the plea of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan challenging the Delhi police order declaring him a bad character, according to news agency ANI. Oct 07, 2022 04:13 PM IST RBI says e-rupee will bolster India’s digital economy, pilot launch soon Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday issued concept paper on digital currency and said will soon launch pilot e-rupee for specific use cases, according to news agency PTI.  Oct 07, 2022 04:09 PM IST Areas in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district receive fresh snowfall Nabi & Kuti villages and other areas along Om Parvat & Adi Kailash Yatra route in  Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh receive fresh snowfall. Oct 07, 2022 03:27 PM IST Uttarkashi Avalanche: 26 bodies recovered till now, search operation under for the remaining 3 trainees Totally, 26 bodies have been recovered till now in the Uttarkashi Avalanche that hit a team of mountaineering trainees and instructors from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) on Tuesday. The institute said in a statement that search and rescue operation is in progress for the remaining three trainees. Oct 07, 2022 02:45 PM IST Gyanvapi row: On plea over ‘carbon dating of Shivling’, Varanasi court asks Muslim side to file response by Oct 1 1 Gyanvapi mosque row: On plea over ‘carbon dating of Shivling’, Varanasi court asks Muslim side to file response by Oct 11 when matter would be heard next. Oct 07, 2022 02:35 PM IST Nobel Peace Prize 2022 awarded to Belarus human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski, and organisations from Russia, Ukraine amid war The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize to human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organisation Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organisation Center for Civil Liberties. Oct 07, 2022 02:19 PM IST 2 soldiers killed, 1 injured in T-90 tank barrel burst near Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh; probe ordered 2 soldiers killed, 1 injured in T-90 tank barrel burst near Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh; probe ordered Oct 07, 2022 01:59 PM IST 10-year-old from Gujarat youngest Mallakhamb player in National Games 2022 Oct 07, 2022 01:31 PM IST India’s ranks 34th in WEF’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index: Govt Oct 07, 2022 12:51 PM IST Sri Lanka crisis: Top court allows proceedings against former President Rajapaksa, others Sri Lanka’s top court has granted permission for proceedings against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, its former finance minister and two of its former central bank governors, the rights group – which filed the case seeking accountability for the island nation’s worst financial crisis in over 70 years said in a statement on Friday, as per Reuters. Oct 07, 2022 12:14 PM IST Maha govt allocates ₹513 cr for Diwali package scheme for 1.5 cr ration card holders Maharashtra government has issued a government resolution and allocated ₹513 crores for the Diwali package scheme for 1.5 crore ration card holders of the state, reported news agency ANI. Oct 07, 2022 11:39 AM IST Centre forms 9-member task force to monitor cheetahs introduced in Kuno National Park Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change constitutes a 9-member task force for monitoring Cheetah introduction in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh and other suitable designated areas. Read more Oct 07, 2022 11:09 AM IST Stalker sets Jharkhand woman on fire for refusing to marry him A 19-year-old woman was battling for her life after a stalker allegedly barged into her home and set her afire in Jharkhand’s Dumka district late on Thursday for refusing to marry him, police said on Friday. Read more. Oct 07, 2022 10:41 AM IST Chief Justice of India UU Lalit asked by govt to name his successor: Sources The government has written to Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit to name his successor, sources said on Friday. Read more. Oct 07, 2022 10:21 AM IST MP principal suspended for construction of ‘mazar-like platform’ on campus A school principal has been suspended in Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha over the alleged illegal construction of a “mazar-like platform” on campus, refusal to allow an idol of goddess Saraswati and stopping students from singing the national song and anthem. Read more. Oct 07, 2022 09:43 AM IST Rupee opens at record low against US dollar of 82.20/$ for the first time Rupee on Friday opened at a record low against US dollar of 82.20/$ for the first time. Oct 07, 2022 09:15 AM IST Excise policy case: ED raids in Delhi, Punjab In Delhi excise policy case, raids by Enforcement Directorate being carried out in national capital, Punjab, reports ANI. Read more. Oct 07, 2022 09:04 AM IST With 1,997 Covid fresh infections in last 24 hours, India’s daily tally down by 22% in a day India reported 1,997 fresh Covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours taking the total registered cases to 4,46,06,460.  Oct 07, 2022 08:43 AM IST NCB seizes drugs worth ₹120 cr in international market from Mumbai godown: Reports Narcotics Control Bureau seized 50 kg mephedrone worth ₹120 cr in international market from Mumbai godown and has arrested two including former Air India pilot, reported news agency PTI quoting official. Oct 07, 2022 08:08 AM IST Karnataka: 9 booked for allegedly trespassing into madrasa and performing puja Karnataka’s Bidar police booked nine people for allegedl...

Agreement Signed Between City Of Weyburn And SHA – DiscoverWeyburn.com https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/agreement-signed-between-city-of-weyburn-and-sha-discoverweyburn-com/ The City of Weyburn and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) recently signed a five-year agreement, outlining the details of a rehabilitation program at the Credit Union Spark Centre.   The City will help facilitate the SHA’s Chronic Disease Management – Quality Improvement Program.  “This new partnership is exciting for the City of Weyburn,” Andrew Crowe, director of Leisure Services said. “Providing a space to improve the health and well-being of the community is a priority for the Leisure Services department. The Credit Union Spark Centre is a wonderful asset to the community, and this partnership is another example of how the new facility will benefit the various demographics within our community and surrounding area.”    Representatives from the SHA were at the Spark Centre yesterday to talk about the new program.  Dana Renwick, a Nurse Educator with Primary Healthcare said since partnering with the City they have revamped the chronic disease programming that they had before.  “Now we’re calling it all Healthy Living Program, and the first program we started with is cardiac rehabilitation,” she said. “We get a referral out of Regina, someone may have had a heart attack or some sort of heart event and then we book them in with our program and they have a one-on-one with me and I would provide education and just kind of clear them for exercise and things like that.”  “Saskatchewan Health Authority is dedicated to providing team-based primary care through our health networks to improve the health of Saskatchewan people,” Trevor Tessier, director of Primary Health Care for Weyburn Primary Health Services said. “We’re grateful to collaborate with the City of Weyburn to deliver this work.”  Tessier added the sessions focus on mental health and stress management associated with living with a chronic disease.  “The intent of the Healthy Living Program and what we do is to empower the participants within, so they have the tools to deal with their chronic disease.”  The pre-registered clients are elderly patients or have chronic conditions.   The agreement allows these participants to use the Credit Union Spark Centre as a safe space where they can exercise with their healthcare team encouraging them by their side.  A $7,500 recumbent fitness trainer was purchased through the collaboration. The Weyburn Credit Union Community Fund provided $5,000, and the Grow Your Community Grant from the South East Sport, Culture and Recreation District gave $1,000. Anyone can use the fitness trainer, which is located on the second floor of the Credit Union Spark Centre.  Facilitators of the chronic disease management program can utilize the centre’s multi-purpose room, first aid room, mini gym, and exercise track.

Fantasy Football Today: Toughest Lineup Decisions For Every Week 5 Game Plus Recap Of Ugly Colts’ TNF Win – CBS Sports https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/fantasy-football-today-toughest-lineup-decisions-for-every-week-5-game-plus-recap-of-ugly-colts-tnf-win-cbs-sports/ Help with close calls for your lineup for Week 5 plus some bad TNF Oct 7, 2022 at 11:09 am ET • 25 min read USATSI Scoring was down through the first four weeks of the NFL season, from 23.49 points per team per game last season to just 21.93 in 2022, and Thursday’s game between the Colts and Broncos isn’t going to help that. Let’s just hope that 12-9 (overtime!) Colts win isn’t a harbinger for more bad offense to come. Because the offense was so bad Thursday. Neither the Colts nor the Broncos looked particularly competent on that side of the ball, and while the defenses deserve some credit for that state of affairs, the respective quarterbacks should shoulder even more of the blame. If you were hoping for big production from anyone in this game, you were let down in a big way.  And you probably have some ground to make up, so let’s make sure the rest of your lineup decisions turn out better. I’ve got my Week 5 previews for the rest of the schedule ready for you in today’s newsletter, and we’ve got more help where that came from. Send any questions you might have my way at Chris.Towers@ViacomCBS.com with the subject line “#AskFFT” and they’ll get included in my Sunday morning mailbag. Plus, you can catch our YouTube stream Sunday morning at 11:30 am where Adam Aizer, Frankl Stampfl and I will be answering all of your lineup questions.  Get ready for Week 5 with all of our preview content here:   Week 5 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em: QB | RB | WR Starts, sits and sleepers for every game Cheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPR Week 5 Position Previews:  QB | RB | WR | TE Week 5 Rankings: Jamey | Dave | Heath My rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE And here’s what the rest of today’s newsletter has in store to help you get ready for Week 5: TNF Fantasy Recap: Colts 12, Broncos 9 Week 5 Game Previews: Injury updates and lineup dilemmas TNF Recap: Colts 12, Broncos 9 Injuries: Nyheim Hines (concussion) — Hines got two touches to open the game, but took a big hit on the second and it was immediately clear he was not OK as he stumbled off the field. It was a scary sight. He’ll have to clear the concussion protocol before being allowed to play, though the extra time off between now and Week 6 does give him a chance.  Winner: Anyone who had other plans that didn’t include watching this game. Now, me, I am contractually obligated to watch the games, though I was also doing some laundry throughout, and that was a slightly less painful experience. Deon Jackson and Mike Boone showed flashes of life as the No. 2 backs, and for Boone, that could actually matter with Javonte Williams out for the season. Melvin Gordon was still the primary runner, with Boone getting more opportunities as the game went on — though, notably, Gordon was in when the Broncos were looking to move the ball in overtime after Boone took over on a late fourth-quarter drive. Given how bad this Broncos offense continues to look, there isn’t much to get excited about in a backfield split here, though Gordon should be an RB2 moving forward.  Loser: Russell Wilson. Matt Ryan was just as bad as Wilson, but we didn’t expect much from him this season anyway. With Wilson, we thought he might have a chance at career-best numbers away from the Seahawks conservative offense, but maybe they were just protecting him from himself. I don’t know how much I believe that explanation, but there’s no doubt about it that Wilson has been a disaster so far. He continues to fall apart in the red zone, he lost his starting left tackle in this game, and he was just 8-19 targeting Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. They could figure things out eventually, but right now this Broncos offense looks like one of the worst in the league, and it isn’t the offense holding Wilson back this time.  One more thing: Courtland Sutton’s final numbers were OK — five catches for 74 yards on 11 targets — but that’s sort of an illusion because 51 of Sutton’s 74 yards came on a weird play where he basically took the ball away from teammate Montrell Washington on a deep shot, and it’s not clear which player was even the target. There was also an official knocked down and tripping a defender as part of the play, the Broncos biggest of the game. In a game this ugly, we’ll take points where we can get them.  By submitting my email I agree to receive the “Fantasy Football Today Newsletter” and other marketing and promotional emails from CBS Sports, which may include information from our affiliates and/or partners’ offers, products and services. For more information about our data practices consult our Privacy Policy Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error processing your subscription. Week 5 Game Previews There’s something to watch in every game on the NFL schedule every week, even if you have to squint to see it sometimes. Here’s a look ahead at every Week 5 game, with some notes on what Vegas is expecting to see, some lineup help and one thing to watch for from each game: All odds are via Caesars Sportsbook. Giants “at” Packers Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Line: Packers -8; 41 O/U  Implied totals: Packers 24.5-Giants 16.5 Remember, we have another 9:30 am EST start this week, and hopefully we can avoid any surprise inactives for this one. The Giants are dealing with injuries at both quarterback and wide receiver, and you probably don’t need to play anyone in this offense any mind besides Saquon Barkley.  Toughest lineup decision: AJ Dillon — Start. Dillon hasn’t found the end zone since Week 1, and he hasn’t had a great Fantasy game since then as a result. However, he’s averaging 15.7 carries and 2.7 targets per game in the past three, and that kind of workload is going to make him an RB2 moving forward. Yes, Aaron Jones presents some pretty significant competition for high-value touches, and the emergence of Romeo Doubs and Allen Lazard could make them less reliant on the running backs. However, in this one, I think there’s going to be plenty of room for both Jones and Dillon to thrive.  Injuries: Daniel Jones (ankle) — Jones has been limited both days of practice so far, but I kind of hope he doesn’t play — this could be an even uglier offense if Jones isn’t able to take advantage of his mobility. Tyrod Taylor (concussion) has yet to practice, so it could be a Davis Webb game. Yuck … Kadarius Toney (hamstring) — Toney got back to practice Wednesday but may have suffered a setback, because he wasn’t out there Thursday. It’s been an incredibly frustrating situation going back to training camp, and while I do think Toney is still worth stashing, it’s hard to justify given his constant setbacks here … Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) — Robinson has been limited both days so far this week, so he has a chance to play. And, with so many injuries in the Giants receiving corps, he might be worth using in your deeper leagues. At the very least, it’s worth watching him to see if he can get on the field and take advantage of a big opportunity, with Kenny Golladay (knee) and Richie James (ankle) dealing with injuries as well.  Steelers at Bills Sunday, 1:00 p.m. Line: Bills -14; 46.5 O/U Implied totals: Bills 30.25-Steelers 16.25 It’s hard to imagine a tougher situation for a rookie QB to make their first NFL start in than this one. The Bills have the sixth-highest pressure rate in the league and have allowed the sixth-lowest yards per attempt through the air, with the second-highest sack rate. And it’s on the road. Kenny Pickett is going to have an incredibly high degree of difficulty in his first start.  Toughest lineup decision: Diontae Johnson — Start. I’ve seen some folks on Twitter arguing that George Pickens is the Steelers new No. 1, based on, I guess, the fact that Pickens got four targets from Pickett and Johnson only got two. I am, admittedly skeptical — Johnson has been a high-volume target earner for several Steelers quarterbacks, so it’s going to take a lot more than one half of football with a QB taking over at halftime for me to change my expectation. If you’re sitting Johnson, it should be because the Bills are an incredibly tough matchup and we don’t know exactly what to expect from Pickett, not because you’re starting Pickens ahead of him.  Injuries: Diontae Johnson (hip) — Johnson was added to the injury report Thursday, and the mid-week additions are always a concern, so this is something to watch … Isaiah McKenzie (concussion) — McKenzie has progressed to a limited practice Thursday, a sign that he has a chance to play. With Jamison Crowder (ankle) out for this week, McKenzie could have a bigger role this week and is in the WR3/4 discussion if he plays … Dawson Knox (foot/hamstring) — Knox has been unable to practice this week which is a concern. He’s been beat up all season but has played through various issues, so far. Knox is a TE2 if he plays, but a touchdown-or-bust one.  Chargers at Browns Sunday, 1:00 p.m. Line: Chargers -3; 47.5 O/U Implied totals: Chargers 25.25-Browns 22.25 Jacoby Brissett and the Browns passing game came back to earth in Week 4, and that’s more what we expect from them moving forward. They’re going to try to control the clock in this one, but if the Chargers offense gets going, it could get them out of whack. Nick Chubb is an obvious must-start option, but his continued lack of a role in the passing game means there’s always some risk of disappointment if the game script skews pass-heavy.  Toughest lineup decision: Amari Cooper — Start. Cooper is neither a must-start nor must-sit player, which reflects the inconsistency we’ve seen so far — he has 101 yards and a touchdown on the nose in two...

2B3D Will Include Curriculum Content From WeNFT Metaversity In The 2B3D “VRME” Metaverse Beta – GlobeNewswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/2b3d-will-include-curriculum-content-from-wenft-metaversity-in-the-2b3d-vrme-metaverse-beta-globenewswire/ October 07, 2022 11:46 ET | Source: 2B3D Educational content around web3 subject matter will be available to visitors of 2B3D’s metaverse platform during the beta launch in January 2023 Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via NewMediaWire — 2B3D, a military veteran-operated mental health technology solutions firm specializing in VR, Gaming, NFTs, developing metaverse solutions for PTSD and addiction treatment, today announced it will include curriculum content from WeNFT Metaversity in the upcoming beta launch of its Virtual Reality Medical Environment (VRME), slated for January, 2023. WeNFT Metaversity leverages subject matter expertise, educational theory (pedagogy), and the help of its community to drive the creation of high-quality course content around topics in web3, such as “NFT Trading” and “Staking and Lending Crypto.” Each course offering has a corresponding micro-community for students to interact and engage with each other about the course topic. 2B3D plans to include various types of relevant, helpful resources for visitors to discover as NFTs inside its beta metaverse platform launch, which can be picked up by the visitor’s avatar. Prior to this partnership with Metaversity, 2B3D recently announced a similar partnership with BioCorRx to incorporate that firm’s cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) course modules as the primary addiction treatment resource in the environment.  Robert Bell, CEO of 2B3D, said, “Keeping in mind that our beta is an environment for military veterans, we want to provide resources for those that are new to the technologies, ecosystems, and concepts involved in our project. WeNFT will help visitors to our VRME feel supported in their learning journey in this space.” Jesse Crawford, Founder WeNFT Metaversity, said, “The 2B3D project is close to all of our hearts at WeNFT Metaversity. We all know someone who has suffered through the trauma of PTSD. Rob and the 2B3D team are seriously disrupting the PTSD and addiction treatment space and we are so proud to have partnered with them on such a noteworthy, game changing, treatment platform.” The VRME beta launch in January 2023 will be open to a select number of military veterans experiencing conditions ranging from PTSD to substance use disorder.   Visit 2B3D.com for more info on its beta platform launch in January, and info on its upcoming NFT drop this October. About 2B3D Virtual reality succeeds where video conference calls fail. In 2B3D’s metaverse, military veterans will be able to reach out to mental health professionals using a customized avatar for more personalized online interactions. 2B3D is developing VRx to be more than just a portal to access VR therapy. This is where veterans can rally, regroup, play games, and spend time with friends and family, no matter where they are in the world. About Metaversity WeNFT Metaversity offers numerous WEB3 courses, curriculum and content to Students, and Businesses, in a social-fi environment. The students meet daily and socialize, discuss course content and interact with each other while they Play to (L)earn from our game-fi approach to education. Students who complete the 4-6 week course receive a diploma that is proof that they are WEB3 proficient and can join our job placement service where they can work on WEB 3 projects or even start their own business. Jonathan Phillips 704.942.1557 2B3D@PhillComm.Global

Smell Twice As Nice With Buff City Soaps Now Open In Texarkana – Kkyr.com https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/smell-twice-as-nice-with-buff-city-soaps-now-open-in-texarkana-kkyr-com/ Great news Texarkana! Buff City Soap is now open next door to Target in the Richmond Ranch Shopping Center. Grand Opening Specials Buff City Soap in Texarkana is having its Grand Opening this weekend and Buff City is giving away one free bar of soap per month to the first 50 people through the door for a year. This offer is good Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Right now, customers get 20 percent off their total purchase, or 30 percent off if they spend $100 or more. Laundry soaps are 50 percent off and include BOGO Buy One Get One. Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… While it lasts, customers can get free laundry soap samples under the tent at the front entrance of the store. Make Some Soap Buff City Soap is a one-of-kind retail store and a soap makery all rolled into one which means you can make create your own handmade products. Buff City Soaps are free of harsh chemicals, detergents, and animal fats, making scent plant-based soap that is easy on your skin and it smells terrific too. Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Each bar of soap is specially crafted just for you with the fragrances of your choice. Choose from a variety of scents herbal, fruity, floral, sweet, clean, masculine, and unscented if you prefer. Seasonal Line of Soaps Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… They even have a seasonal line of soaps which includes the ever-popular Pumpkin Spice or Whispering Woods. Local Line of Soaps Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Be sure and check out their local line of soaps that represent Texarkana such as Twice as Nice, Red River Sandalwood, and Friday Night Lights. I personally bought a bar of Twice as Nice so that I can smell twice as good! Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Whether you are buying for yourself or giving the soap as a gift, each soap is customized to fit the customer’s specifications that match their personality. With so many varieties of soaps and liquids, you certainly should find something you will like. Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Buff City Soaps also has a great variety of other products like body scrubs, lotion, moisturizers, and body and face soaps, with a full range of bath, and shower products, and accessories including laundry soap, and kid’s soaps. Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Men’s Products Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Fellas, Buff City didn’t forget about you they have men’s products like beard oil, beard balm, lotions, and soaps. I really like the bar of soap they call Commando and Kraken. Mario Garcia, TSM Mario Garcia, TSM loading… Don’t miss the Grand Opening happening now at Buff City Soap, please visit their website or Facebook page. Texarkana is going to smell Twice as Nice with natural plant-based soap at Buff Cty Soap! 15 Iconic Retail Stores That Don’t Exist Anymore (But We Totally Miss Shopping At)

Crypto News Summary: Visa Report Says $400M Stolen From Crypto Bridges, Bitstamp To Assists Mt. Gox Repayment Process, Solana Reveals A Bug – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/crypto-news-summary-visa-report-says-400m-stolen-from-crypto-bridges-bitstamp-to-assists-mt-gox-repayment-process-solana-reveals-a-bug-cryptonews/ Source: AdobeStock / prima91 Get your daily, bite-sized digest of cryptoasset and blockchain-related news – investigating the stories flying under the radar of today’s crypto news. __________ Security news A new Visa report found that, beyond attacks on traditional currency, threat actors are employing new tactics to defraud cryptocurrency users, including new malware focused on browser extension wallets for crypto users as well as innovation in phishing and social engineering schemes. Crypto bridge services are also a target. From January through February 2022, three sizeable thefts exploiting vulnerabilities in various bridge services netted cyber thieves over $400 million, they said. Legal news Bitstamp announced that it was appointed by Mt. Gox Trustee as one of four designated crypto exchanges to assist in the repayment procedures to Mt. Gox creditors. Bitstamp has released a complete description of how those affected can register to reclaim their digital assets through the exchange. Per the announcement, a creditor of Mt. Gox can choose their preferred cryptocurrency exchange and register as a user for the receipt of the relevant assets according to the repayment procedures under the Rehabilitation Plan. Blockchain news A report by the Solana Foundation said that the Solana (SOL) blockchain downtime on September 30 was caused by a bug in the blockchain’s code and triggered by a malfunctioning hot-spare node that resulted in duplicate blocks. Exchange news Cryptocurrency exchange FTX is collaborating with Visa to launch debit cards in 40 countries, with initial rollouts across Latin America, followed by Europe and Asia. The FTX-branded Visa debit cards will be linked directly to a user’s FTX accounts and will initially be offered in the US, according to PYMNTS. Web3 news Fantom (FTM), a layer-1 blockchain platforms, today announced its integration with Unstoppable Domains, a platform for Web3 digital identity with more than 2.5 million registered non-fungible token (NFT) domains. Starting today, Unstoppable Domains will support the Fantom network, and allow Fantom’s more than 3.5 million users to benefit from the movement of digital assets via human-readable wallet addresses, an announcement said. One of the biggest Ethereum Merge staking providers Lido Finance announced that it has launched on two layer-2 networks, Arbitrum and Optimism. CBDC news The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s central bank, has published a concept note for the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the country. It said that “we are at the forefront of a watershed movement in the evolution of currency that will decisively change the very nature of money and its functions.” Investment news Orca, a Solana-based liquidity platform, has announced the launch of the Orca Climate Fund. The fund is reflective of its mission to combat climate change and promote sustainable practices in crypto, said a press release. The Orca Climate Fund evolved from Orca’s Impact Fund which was born in August 2021. Since 2021, Orca has allocated a portion of fees on every trade to the fund. The Orca Climate Fund will focus on promoting change at the intersection of climate and Web3, they said. Mining news Bitcoin (BTC) miner Marathon Digital revealed exposure of $81.3 million in the now-bankrupt data center Compute North. Per a monthly report, it had invested $10 million in convertible preferred stock and $21.3 million in unsecured senior promissory notes in Compute North, and also paid it approximately $50 million as operating deposits for hosting services. Crypto mining company Argo Blockchain plans to sell 3,400 mining machines for cash proceeds of £6 million ($6.8 million). It will also raise approximately $27 million via a proposed subscription with a strategic investor, it said in a release, and it amended an existing agreement for equipment financing, releasing $5.7 million of restricted cash. The moves were made to ensure it “has the working capital necessary to execute its current strategy and meet its obligations over the next twelve months,” it added.

US Army Readies Latest Batch Of Advanced Networking Gear – C4ISRNet https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/us-army-readies-latest-batch-of-advanced-networking-gear-c4isrnet/ WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is nearly finished fielding an initial package of communications upgrades and networking enhancements known as Capability Set 21, and officials said they are preparing to dispatch the next iteration, Capability Set 23, beginning this fall. The improvements are meant to make battlefield communications more intuitive and more reliable, with size, weight, cybersecurity, bandwidth and advanced cellular technology, like 5G, chief among the considerations. Capability Set 21 focused on infantry, whereas Capability Set 23 focuses on Strykers amid a return to the division as the unit of action. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division in Alaska is the final unit to receive the Capability Set 21 integrated tactical network. The package is comprised of radios, variable height antennas and small satellite terminals. “The ITN creates a resilient network that allows tactical commanders the ability to communicate with joint and coalition partners, provides a robust primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency plan for both line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight, allows the battalion to operate independently of the brigade and provides situational awareness down to the platoon level,” Jerry Harper, a product manager at the Army’s Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical, said in a statement. Hands-on training kicked off in August. Once complete, soldiers will use the upgraded kit in multiple military exercises, including a bilateral one in India known as Yudh Abhyas. Fielding of Capability Set 23 will begin with a brigade combat team in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, according to Paul Mehney, the PEO C3T communications director. The gear was also sent to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Germany, where it has undergone live-fire testing. The Army in April completed a critical design review for Capability Set 23, signifying the gear was relevant, conceptually sound and cost effective. The approval also greenlighted procurement. RELATED “With each one of the design reviews, there are four things we take a look at,” Army Maj. Gen. Robert Collins said during a media demonstration at Fort Myer, Virginia. “We look at the requirements, we look at the concepts, the technology maturity and the affordability.” Network modernization is a focus for the Army as the service transitions to multidomain operations — the ability to deter and defeat an enemy, with help from others, in any location — and contends with communication environments jeopardized by adversaries such as China and Russia. Elements of Capability Set 23 will be included in the 2022 iterance of Project Convergence, an Army effort meant to advance the Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept by putting cutting-edge tech to the test and evaluating how well U.S. forces can exchange information with allies and partners, like the U.K. and Australia. Lessons gleaned from the experiment, officials said, will inform the armor-focused Capability Set 25 more so than 23. The capability set initiative kicked off in fiscal 2021, with compounding upgrades expected in 2023, 2025, 2027 and beyond. Army leaders in 2019 likened the stepwise approach to Apple’s iPhone strategy: newer, better hardware rolling out shortly after the last release. Collins, who is now in an acquisitions role at the Pentagon, months ago said those working on network modernization have their hands full. “I would say right now, we have four of our capability sets that are going on in parallel,” Collins told C4ISRNET at the time. “The Capability Set 21 effort has provided us a tremendous amount of feedback as we get ready to head on into, and embark upon, the Capability Set 23 fielding process.” Colin Demarest is a reporter at C4ISRNET, where he covers military networks, cyber and IT. Colin previously covered the Department of Energy and its National Nuclear Security Administration — namely Cold War cleanup and nuclear weapons development — for a daily newspaper in South Carolina. Colin is also an award-winning photographer.

Michigan Tech Board Of Trustees Votes To Adopt New Campus Master Plan – Michigan Technological University https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/michigan-tech-board-of-trustees-votes-to-adopt-new-campus-master-plan-michigan-technological-university/ The Board of Trustees for Michigan Technological University has voted unanimously to adopt a new campus master plan to guide the University in its growth to 2035 and beyond. After two years of community input and discussion, the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees voted to adopt the University’s campus master plan at its meeting Friday, Oct. 7. According to the resolution presented to the Board, the plan represents a “collection of ideas that establishes a flexible, realistic, and multiple-decade framework for coordinating facility improvements across the institution.” While adjustments to the plan are anticipated as a natural facet of long-range planning, and while initiation of specific projects will remain individually subject to Board approval, the campus plan will serve as a beacon to guide Tech as it continues its steady rise as Michigan’s flagship technological university.  Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek said the campus master plan is a necessary vision document for the University, which is on track to meet its goals for measured growth, including increases in student enrollment, faculty recruitment and research expenditures, along with a $300 million endowment. “The campus master plan presents a collective vision from our students, staff and faculty about the future of Michigan Tech and the facilities we will put in place to support that vision,” said Koubek. “We are grateful to the Board of Trustees for their support and confidence as we implement this plan for Michigan Tech.” The news comes just weeks after Michigan Tech welcomed its second-largest incoming class of first-year students since 1984, who boast the highest academic credentials in school history. Likewise, Tech recorded its second-highest fundraising total ever last year, along with the highest number of research expenditures in University history, projected to be up 16% from last year’s record. Also, since its official groundbreaking in April, construction is well underway on the new H-STEM Complex, which will house state-of-the-art teaching and research labs for health-related STEM studies and will, like the Great Lakes Research Center before it, serve as a model for future transdisciplinary educational centers constructed on campus.  The collaborative two-year process included multiple campus visits from representatives of SmithGroup, a five-decade partner of Michigan Tech since authoring the University’s initial campus master plan in 1966. The inclusive design process facilitated by SmithGroup involved 25 stakeholder listening sessions, a student life survey that garnered 919 responses, a campuswide survey that garnered 2,281 responses, a virtual town hall with over 275 participants, an online forum and many meetings of the MTU steering and advisory committees.  Among the opportunities identified in the plan development was the desire among stakeholders to align the University’s facilities with its sterling reputation and create spaces for collaboration that put technology on display. To make the most of these opportunities, the plan encourages efficient use of limited land. The outcome will be a sustainable, innovative Michigan Tech campus with state-of-the-art facilities designed to celebrate outdoor space, create a public realm and engage the waterfront.  The campus master plan will be implemented in phases, beginning with extensive renovations of existing classrooms and laboratories. “During the planning process, we heard from our community that upgrading the educational and instructional environment for our students and faculty was of primary importance,” said Dave Reed, Michigan Tech’s vice president for research. “We listened, and we worked with SmithGroup to get renovations of classrooms and classroom labs to the top of the priority list.”  Reed said the renovation program for classrooms and classroom laboratories will be the first phase, and will be financed by a University bond issue. “Advancement is also working with a number of individuals and organizations to support various components of the campus plan implementation as well,” added Reed.  One highlight in the plan is the Center for Convergence and Innovation, which will house the College of Computing and the College of Business. “By co-locating computing and business in the same building, the Center for Convergence and Innovation will serve as the cornerstone of Michigan Tech’s efforts to meet the workforce demands and entrepreneurial innovations in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Dennis Livesay, dean of the College of Computing. “As the world’s markets and economies continue to respond to digitalization, there will be an increasing need for digitally savvy and agile workers who are able to design and implement solutions to emerging problems. The Center for Convergence and Innovation helps position Michigan Tech as a national leader in the training of computing and business professionals who seamlessly integrate both domains.” To address the additional housing needs of a growing university, the campus plan calls for a new residence hall to be constructed. “Our plan calls for smart, measured enrollment growth that responds to both the increasing number of students wanting to enroll and the enthusiasm from employers who hire our graduates,” said John Lehman, vice president for university relations and enrollment. “This plan includes considerations to expand on-campus housing in the same smart, measured manner.” The campus master plan is one of four key initiatives Michigan Tech will launch this year, including a national student recruitment campaign, a hiring initiative for faculty and staff, and the initiation of a capital campaign. The plan will be presented in various forums across campus this fall.  Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. A view of the west gateway into campus in Michigan Tech’s new campus master plan.

A Worthy Cast – Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/a-worthy-cast-northwest-arkansas-democrat-gazette/ We can only assume he was fully vetted. Seven and a half feet of bronze Harry S. Truman has been unveiled inside the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. And it’s been a long time coming. Whether micro-offenses are eventually uncovered to sufficiently cancel Harry Truman, we’ll just have to wait and see. But in this era of political toxicity, it was refreshing to hear politicians from both sides of the aisle heap praise on this particular man from Missouri. The Truman statue will be the 10th presidential tribute standing in the rotunda. Mr. Truman’s likeness is flanked by those of Presidents George Washington and Ulysses Grant, forming quite the exclusive statuary ZIP code. News of statues these days generally depicts their toppling. But this bronze work of art will represent one of Missouri’s two statues at the U.S. Capitol. Each state gets two of them to honor famous natives, and Truman’s will replace one of longtime Missouri U.S. Sen. Thomas Hart Benton, which had stood since 1899. Arkansas is sending two new statues to Washington, too — worthy subjects, both: Daisy Lee Gatson Bates and Johnny Cash. The Arkansas statues will sit inside the National Statuary Hall. President Truman, however, will reside in the ritziest neighborhood for U.S. statues, the rotunda. A worthy address for a man who had the presidency thrust upon him at the most critical time the world had yet known. A veteran, farmer, small businessman and county judge who represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate for 10 years, Mr. Truman had served as vice president for just 82 days when FDR died; World War II was all but over in Europe, but still raged in the Pacific. His first few years in office were as eventful as any in history. President Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan in August of 1945, just months after being sworn in as president, ended the war. In its aftermath, Mr. Truman was instrumental in the creation of the United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He desegregated U.S. armed forces and the federal workforce; he recognized the state of Israel; and he helped lead the world’s response to the growing threat of the Soviet Union. At the unveiling ceremony, Clifford Truman Daniels, Give-Em-Hell-Harry’s grandson, said of all his grandfather’s accomplishments, the most significant was “reminding us that a farmer, a citizen soldier, a small businessman can rise to the highest office in this land and do a better job of it than almost anyone else.” Harry Truman will be remembered for his decision to drop the bombs. Which was a horrible decision to make, with unspeakable results, and the only worse decision we can think of is not making it. The A-bombs saved hundreds of thousands of American lives. And not just American lives. In 1948, addressing fellow Democrats in Milwaukee, the man himself explained the rationale behind that decision: “As president of the United States, I had the fateful responsibility of deciding whether or not to use this weapon for the first time. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make. But the president cannot duck hard problems — he cannot pass the buck. I made the decision after discussions with the ablest men in our government, and after long and prayerful consideration. I decided that the bomb should be used to end the war quickly and save countless lives — Japanese as well as American.” The buck indeed stopped with President Truman. A refreshing concept, when one thinks about it. And now, a bronze cast of the 33rd president of the United States appropriately stands in the Capitol rotunda, next to other great leaders of our nation.

Celestyal Cruises Moves To Two-Tier Pricing Structure – Travel Market Report https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/celestyal-cruises-moves-to-two-tier-pricing-structure-travel-market-report/ Celestyal Cruises has become the latest cruise line to switch to a two-tier fare structure, one with more inclusions and discounts than the other. The line also unveiled its 2023/24 itineraries, which include longer stays in popular destinations and new ports of call. “We are in constant communication with our guests and our valued travel advisor partners, and they have shared with us a desire for more flexibility and customization,” said Leslie Peden, Celestyal’s chief commercial officer. “We also know that our core guest is more of an explorer and true traveler. In response to this feedback we are charting a new course for Celestyal next year with a flexible pricing model that gives guests more choice and freedom in creating a truly customized vacation experience. We are also reimagining our positioning, itineraries and shore excursion experiences to be aligned with the expectations of our guests, which is none other than to immerse themselves in the destinations we serve.” Fare Choices The entry level “inclusive” fare offers complimentary dining and select drinks with meals, entertainment, daily activities, port charges and gratuities. This entry level fare also comes with a pre-bookable shore excursion discount of $80 per person. “Inclusive” experiences start as low as $339 per person for a three-night sailing. For clients wishing to upgrade their experience, travel advisors can offer Celestyal’s “enhanced” tier with an unlimited premium drinks package, daily hour of complimentary Wi-Fi, 25% discount on specialty dining, and a pre-bookable shore excursion discount of $160 per person. “Enhanced” vacations begin at $479 per person for a three-night sailing.  At the same time, there are several additional commission-earning opportunities for travel advisors and discounts for clients by pre-booking various drink and shore excursion packages.  Expanded Time in Santorini and Mykonos In response to guest feedback, Celestyal is lengthening its port calls to Santorini and Mykonos. For instance, on its seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary, the ship will now arrive early morning in Santorini for an extended whole-day visit, along with late departures in both Mykonos and Santorini. New “Legendary” Itineraries Celestyal is also adding several new “Legendary” itineraries, both five- and four-night options. The five-night version includes a visit to Samos, a lesser-visited Greek isle, and a port call in Istanbul. Other port calls include Santorini and Rhodes. The four-night option calls on Chios and Kos, both new to Celestyal. Other ports visited include Mykonos and Istanbul. And for the first time, clients can sail these Legendary Aegean itineraries as open-jaw sailings between Istanbul and Athens if they prefer. Also new is a five-night “Legendary Ionian” itinerary that visits Kotor in Montenegro, along with Corfu and Crete. Celestyal also returns to the Middle East in 2023 with its seven-day “Three Continents” itinerary calling on Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Cyprus. Also returning in 2023 is the line’s seven-day “Steps of Paul” itinerary with visits to Thessaloniki, Kavala and Patmos in Greece, along with Istanbul, Dikili and Kusadasi in Turkey. A one-time 19-night Christmas sailing will call on Thessaloniki, Volos, Rhodes and Crete in Greece; Izmir, Kusadasi, Antalya, and Istanbul in Turkey; Limassol, Cyprus; Alexandria, Egypt; and overnight in Haifa, Israel. The itinerary can also be split into eight- or 11-night itineraries. %