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30 Smart Things Trainers Use To Make Dogs Behave Better – Bustle https://collincountynewsonline.com/30-smart-things-trainers-use-to-make-dogs-behave-better-bustle/ Dogs are the best. (Sorry, cat people.) Setting aside that they’re cute, loyal, and protective of their owners, the fact of the matter is that they make every day better just by being around. Naturally, you want the best for them in turn, whether that means feeding them only organic food, bathing them with shampoo that’s more expensive than yours, or sacrificing an hour of your time each day to go for a walk. Sometimes, though, your pup might exhibit some unseemly behaviors. Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take to help your pooch behave better, and you just need a few inexpensive tools to get started. Read on to see expert-recommended toys, snacks, and accessories from Amazon designed to turn your good dog into the best dog. 1 This Training Whistle That’ll Help Teach Behavioral Commands If you find that your dog isn’t really responding to voice commands, try a training whistle, like this one by SportDOG. Dr. Amanda Takiguchi, a veterinarian, dog trainer, and founder of the blog Trending Breeds, swears by one. “The only ‘tools’ I ever need to train my dogs are a collar, a lead, a whistle, and me!” she says. “I train my dogs to working trials standard. Tracking, searching, obedience, and agility.” Although this whistle is high-pitched (hence why your dog is more likely to respond to it), it doesn’t have a little ball inside, so it won’t make that annoying trill sound. Also, you can adjust your volume to be quieter when your pup is close to you. 2 A Set Of Clickers To Help Your Dog Listen & Learn When your dog learns how to sit and stay, ideally the moment won’t be filled with shouting. Keep things under control with one of these training clickers, which comes in a pack of two. “The clicker can be used to mark the moment when the dog has performed an action, or it can be used as a reward for good behavior,” explains Jen Jones, a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist. Thus, this gadget both teaches your puppy new behaviors and reinforces already practiced good behaviors. “I recommend using a clicker for teaching and then using a verbal marker to remind the dog of what he did,” Jones, the founder of Your Dog Advisor, adds. Through this type of operant conditioning, your dog will become so well-mannered, Cesar Millan would be impressed. 3 This Long Leash That Allows For Exploration When you’re in public places with your furry friend, you want to keep them relatively close for their own safety. But Andy Ramshaw, the owner of Venture Dog Training, suggests getting a longer leash for when it’s just the two of you. “I recommend one 30 feet long that you can put onto your dog in a safe environment, like the woods or a beach,” he says. “They give your dog the opportunity to sniff and explore while the owner still has control.” This woven leash is a great option, as it comes in multiple lengths, including 30 and 50 feet. It has a double-layered handle to help you maintain a strong grip, and it’s made of a rope-like material that doesn’t tangle no matter how far your dog strays. 4 A Toy That Provides Stimulation & Helps Your Dog Expend Energy If your pup doesn’t have a KONG yet, you’re both missing out. This rubber toy, which comes in six sizes, holds food and treats, providing both dinner and entertainment. “Feeding this way gives the dog an opportunity to chew (fulfilling a natural calming function) whilst also rewarding the dog for lying down, chewing, not barking, and being calm,” Ramshaw says. He explains that placing the toy in your dog’s crate is also a great way to help them get used to spending time alone. In essence, the KONG is useful for multiple things, including teething, alleviating separation anxiety, and avoiding boredom. 5 This Set Of Rubber Mats That Soothe Nerves & Make Eating More Enjoyable Feeding time will be exciting for your dog regardless of what you serve their food in. These textured mats, however, offer a challenge and generate more excitement than the standard doggy bowl. “Lickimats […] are dimpled rubber mats that can be used to spread soft foods onto for the dog to lick,” Ramshaw says. You can get two for just $15, and they’re reusable. “Licking is repetitive and is calming for dogs,” Ramshaw adds. If you have an anxious pup, this product will take their mind off of troubling thoughts and provide a distracting task during meal time. 6 These Treats That Take Longer To Consume Than Traditional Biscuits Letting your dog discover different types of treats is exciting. Do they prefer soft chews? Jerky? Freeze-dried meat? Ramshaw recommends keeping some bully sticks in your rotation, in addition to other “perishable chews that the dog can safely consume.” These sticks contain only one ingredient, so they’re free of preservatives and artificial flavors. Bully sticks will also keep your pooch occupied for a good while. “Supervision is always advised when dogs are chewing anything,” Ramshaw adds. 7 A Mat That Hides Kibble, Forcing Your Dog To Fish It Out Another way to keep your dog entertained is to hide their food or treats in one of these snuffle mats. Ribbon tendrils conceal the bits, so your pet has to actively sniff them out and look for them. “This replicates the natural behavior of sniffing and scavenging for dogs and can be an excellent way to exercise their brain,” Ramshaw says. “Mental exercise is twice as tiring as physical exercise for dogs.” The cool thing about this mat is that you can expand it to any size you want. Keep it smaller for puppies, or increase its circumference for larger dogs. In any case, your canine is going to have a waggin’ good time with this product. 8 This Harness That Will Help Your Hound Breathe Easier On Walks A common mistake is to attach your dog’s leash to their collar before going for a walk. Instead, you should get this padded harness for maximum comfort. “A harness is preferable to a collar because if the dog has a tendency to pull, the pressure caused will be distributed across the dog’s chest and back, which are strong,” Ramshaw clarifies. “Rather than its neck, (which) contains softer organs.” This harness is available in 14 cute colors and four sizes, plus it has two buckles that make it easy to slip on and off. Most importantly, though, it’ll prevent your dog from choking or becoming short of breath during strolls. 9 This Training Platform That Helps Discourage Unwanted Behaviors Certified dog trainer Erin Askeland swears by using a dog training platform such as this one to dissuade begging, jumping, and other problem behaviors. “Platforms make for a great training tool because it helps put a dog in the right position and makes it super obvious where they should be,” says Askeland, an animal health and behavior expert at Camp Bow Wow. “It creates a visual aid that is clear and precise to help a dog focus during a training session.” The Klimb platform has a secure base and rubbery surface to keep your pet safely situated on top. Although it can hold up to 500 pounds, the platform itself is lightweight and easily transportable. After all, there’s never a wrong place or time to instill some manners. 10 A Microfiber Mat That Does More Than Just Prevent Muddy Floors This absorbent mat would make a great addition to the front entryway so your pups can wipe their muddy paws before stepping onto the floors. Its microfiber surface and non-slip backing make for long-lasting durability. But Askeland says there’s more than one possible use with this product. “A mat is a portable version of a platform that you can use when going out to train in public or different locations,” she explains. “One with a good, nonskid back is helpful to stay in place while in use.” This product checks all the necessary boxes. 11 This Target Stick That Makes Training Sessions Less Tiring For You Tap into your headmaster persona with this expandable target stick. The device helps outline a dedicated training area for your dog, Askeland says. This particular one can fit in your pocket when not in use, making it easily portable. “A target stick can help train things like leash-walking or tricks that require a certain body position or movement,” Askeland shares. “While you can also use your hand, a target stick … is often easier to move around than having to manipulate your own hand and arm.” 12 This Toy That Makes Crate Training Less Of A Hassle It’s important for your pet to be able to stay in a crate when you’re not around to supervise. Unfortunately, teaching them to do so can create feelings of stress and anxiety. That’s where the Groov toy comes in. “This toy really helps a dog to like being in their crate by providing them with an activity to do while spending time in confinement,” says Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA, and lead trainer and behavior specialist at Dog Savvy Los Angeles. All you have to do is smear the toy with something creamy, such as peanut butter, attach it to the side of the crate, and let your dog go to town while learning to stay there without feeling nervous. 13 A Playpen That Helps Your Dogs Frolic Outside Safely Those without a fenced-in backyard will appreciate this metal playpen, whose bendable panels allow you to create multiple configurations. With this barrier, you can leave your dogs to play in the yard with minimal supervision. “It can both keep a dog out of trouble and prevent potty accidents in the wrong spot,” Bassett notes. The pen’s frame is covered in a rust-proof coating. That, coupled with its sturdy foundation, will allow you to use this product for years to come. It also comes in six different sizes, so no worries if your yard is on the smaller side. 14 These Reusable Pee Pads For Uncomplicated Potty Training You might’ve used pee pads inside the house before your puppy learned to relieve themselves outs...

Crypto Billionaires Are Disappearing: Casualties Of The Bear Market – BeInCrypto https://collincountynewsonline.com/crypto-billionaires-are-disappearing-casualties-of-the-bear-market-beincrypto/ Crypto billionaires are becoming a rare breed. When Vitalik Buterin revealed he was no longer a billionaire in May, the Ethereum cofounder spoke for many of the ultra-rich in cryptocurrency. A number of the wealthiest founders have lost billions of dollars in net worth to the 2022 bear market, or “crypto winter”. According to Forbes, the number of crypto billionaires on The Forbes 400 list of the richest people in the U.S. dropped from seven in 2021 to four this year. Their combined wealth fell similarly, from $55.1 billion to $27.3 billion, it says. It comes as cryptocurrency holdings have been hit hard by a sharp decline in prices following the collapse of the Terra blockchain in May. Bitcoin (BTC) is down more than 70% from its record closing high of $69,000 in Nov. 2021. Every other cryptocurrency of significance fell alongside bitcoin. Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest digital asset, has slumped 75% from its all-time high. Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA) and Binance Coin (BNB) are all in the red. In total, the value of all crypto assets has dropped from over $3 trillion in November to $967 billion as of writing, per Coinmarketcap data. This year’s bear market is unprecedented in some ways. It represents a combination of difficult macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical tensions, and dubious projects/decisions by crypto founders. The Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index, a tool that tracks momentum levels in the industry, is currently reading “extreme fear.” Crypto billionaires and their declining fortunes In June, bitcoin dropped to under $18,000 – and with it the fortunes of a few crypto founders and backers. Sam Bankman-Fried, the cofounder and CEO of crypto exchange FTX, is down 23% since his fortune hit $22.5 billion over the past year, according to Forbes. With a net worth of $17.2 billion, Bankman-Fried remains the richest person in crypto. He is ranked at number 41 on The Forbes 400 list. Sam Bankman-Fried, the cofounder and CEO of crypto exchange FTX, is down 23%. The 30-year old made big moves this year. He gave away $16 million to super PACs in April, making him one of the top donors. He also plans to give between $100 million and $1 billion during the next U.S. presidential election to support Democrats. In crypto, Bankman-Fried has become some sort of messiah. In June, he loaned $400 million to BlockFi through FTX. There was an option to buy the troubled crypto lender outright for up to $240 million. He also provided a $500 million loan to bankrupt lender Voyager Digital through one of his companies Alameda Research. Bankman-Fried is planning more acquisitions, according to industry media, cheered on by a cashpile of around $2 billion at FTX. Ripple’s Chris Larsen Chris Larsen, cofounder and chairman of crypto payments firm Ripple Labs, saw his wealth fall from $6 billion to $2.8 billion over the last year. The 62-year-old’s net worth slumped after Ripple’s XRP native token crashed by 75% since last year. Ripple has also been impacted by its long-running legal battle against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It won the case a few days ago. Over the past two weeks, the price of XRP has soared more than 30% to $0.4595 at press time. Larsen stays on Forbes’ rich list at number 380. The business executive and angel investor has shied away from making public comments on the SEC lawsuit, although he continues to engage publicly about Bitcoin. Considered Bankman-Fried’s right-handman, Gary Wang cofounded both Alameda Research and FTX. The 29-year-old old software engineer is worth $4.6 billion. He makes the Forbes 400 rich list at number 227. Wang owns 16% of FTX, where he is chief technology officer. He worked at Google “where he formulated systems that were meant to aggregate prices for millions of flights.” While Wang maintains a private life, he is credited with spearheading FTX’s growth jas much as Bankman-Fried. The fall from grace Coinbase Global’s Brian Armstrong, 39, and cofounder Fred Ehrsam, 34, were once worth a combined $15 billion. They have seen their fortunes collapse to $2.7 billion and $1.1 billion as shares of the firm plunged 80% since its initial public offering in April last year. While Armstrong retains his place in the Forbes 400 rich list at number 388, the founder may have seen one of the biggest declines in fortunes. Last year this time he was worth $11.5 billion. Ehrsam, who left Coinbase in 2017, dropped from the rich list after his worth fell from $3.5 billion. The bear market has taken a toll on Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange. Quarterly trading volume almost halved to $277 billion during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to the previous three months. The exchange makes money from charging fees on trades. Coinbase also laid off 18% of its workforce in June, citing the possibility of a recession that could lead to a prolonged bear market. “We grew too quickly,” Armstrong said at the time. “Our employee costs are too high to effectively manage this uncertain market. The actions we are taking today will allow us to more confidently manage through this period even if it is severely prolonged.” Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss saw their fortunes fall to $2.2 billion each, from as high as $4.3 billion apiece. With markets crashing, the 40-year-old twin founders of crypto exchange Gemini have taken on music. They’ve gone on tours with their rock band, Mars Junction. Both have dropped from the Forbes 400 rich list. Geminin announced in June that it would cut around 10% of its stuff due to unfavourable market conditions. Crypto billionaires: Will they recover their wealth? There are several crypto tycoons who remain billionaires not included on Forbes 400 list of wealthy people. Founders such as Changpeng Zhao of Binance, Mike Novogratz of hedge fund Fortress Investment Group and others, have lost billions from the market downturn. However, bear markets are not a rare occasion in the digital markets spectrum. Therefore, it’s not surprising that crypto fanatics maintain that the events are only temporary – just as much they remain hopeful things will turn for better in the near future. Buterin, the Ethereum confounder, has previously suggested he would welcome lower crypto prices. In February, he told Bloomberg News: “The people who are deep into crypto, and especially building things, a lot of them welcome a bear market.” Fred Ehrsam, the Coinbase cofounder and board member, tweeted: “One thing most people don’t fully grasp: it takes years, often decades, to go from a new infrastructure-level technology breakthrough (like crypto) to a vibrant ecosystem of mainstream applications.” One thing most people don’t fully grasp: it takes years, often decades, to go from a new infrastructure-level technology breakthrough (like crypto) to a vibrant ecosystem of mainstream applications. — Fred Ehrsam (@FEhrsam) June 20, 2022 The Winklevoss twins, say their investments are long term. “It’s all about perspective and HODLing for the long game,” Cameron Winklevoss wrote on Twitter in May. Got something to say about crypto billionaires or anything else? Join the discussion in our Telegram channel. You can also catch us on Tik Tok, Facebook, or Twitter. Disclaimer All the information contained on our website is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Any action the reader takes upon the information found on our website is strictly at their own risk.

Iran’s Release Of Iranian-American Not Conditioned On Asset Unfreezing, U.S. Says. – The Washington Post https://collincountynewsonline.com/irans-release-of-iranian-american-not-conditioned-on-asset-unfreezing-u-s-says-the-washington-post/ An Iranian American jailed in Iran for nearly seven years on widely discredited espionage charges was temporarily released Saturday while Iran also lifted a travel ban on his ailing father, who had been imprisoned after traveling to the country to plead for his son’s release. Siamak Namazi, 51, and Baquer Namazi, 85, are among a growing list of U.S. and European nationals who have been held by Iran as political pawns, according to western officials. Tehran claimed Saturday that following the Namazis’ release Washington would unfreeze $7 billion in Iranian assets held in South Korea due to U.S. sanctions. “With the finalization of negotiations between Iran and the United States to release the prisoners of both countries, $7 billion of Iran’s blocked resources will be released,” State News Agency IRNA said Sunday. A U.S. State Department spokesperson denied that any assets would be transferred as part of a deal. The spokesperson, unnamed per State Department protocol, told The Washington Post that Washington was still working to secure the full release of Siamak Namazi, as well as several other U.S. nationals jailed in Iran. “We remain committed and determined to securing the freedom of all Americans unjustly detained in Iran and elsewhere,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement Saturday. Price also thanked “U.S. allies and partners who have worked tirelessly to help the Namazis, including the U.N. Secretary General, Switzerland, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and the United Kingdom.” Iranian media reported Saturday that an unnamed “regional country” helped to facilitate the deal. An informed source, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, told The Post that Iraq had a key role in mediating between Iran and U.S. and British counterparts. Washington and Tehran cut off diplomatic relations shortly after the 1979 revolution that brought Iran’s ruling clerics to power. But the two countries have most recently been engaged in now stalled indirect talks to revive the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal that Washington left in 2018. Iran has billions of assets frozen in banks around the world due to western sanctions. A return to the deal would include U.S. sanctions relief needed to revive Iran’s collapsed economy. Reports by state-affiliated media in Iran emphasized that the release of the Namazis has coincided with the lack of progress around the nuclear deal. The younger Namazi, a businessman, was arrested in 2015 while visiting Iran and has been held in the notorious Evin prison. An Iranian court convicted him in 2016 of espionage charges, which he denied. Namazi’s furlough is for one week, during which he will stay with his family, Jared Genser, the family lawyer, told Reuters. It remains unclear if the furlough will be extended. The elder Namazi, a former U.N. official, traveled to Iran in 2016 to plead for his son’s release. He was subsequently detained and convicted of “collaboration with a hostile government.” Authorities furloughed him from prison in 2018 due to health conditions and closed his case in 2020, though he remained under a travel ban. “The Secretary-General is grateful that, following his appeals to the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, our former colleague Baquer Namazi has been permitted to leave Iran for medical treatment abroad,” a spokesperson for U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said Saturday in a statement. “This is a critical first step but of course we will not rest until the entire family is able to return to the United States and their long nightmare is finally over,” Genser, the family lawyer, told Reuters. Former political prisoners have described being subject to abuse, torture and forced confessions of such offenses as spying , while in prison. Iran has falsely blamed “foreign enemies” for fomenting more than two weeks of nationwide anti-government protests sparked last month by the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, while in police custody. Authorities said Friday that they arrested nine European nationals for their role in the protests in a move likely to increase tensions with the west. U.S., European and U.N. officials have condemned Iran’s crackdown on demonstrators, which has included using live fire and cutting off internet access. At least 52 protesters have been killed, and hundreds more injured and arrested, according to London-based Amnesty International. The demonstrations, which have pulled people from a cross-section of ethnic, geographic and class groups, are the biggest surge of unrest since a wave of protests in 2019 triggered by economic grievances. In a separate case, Venezuela, another U.S. adversary, said Saturday that it had freed seven Americans held for nearly five years. The detainees, who included five oil company executives, were exchanged for two nephews of President Nicolás Maduro’s wife jailed in the United States for drug smuggling. John Hudson contributed reporting from Washington; Mustafa Salim contributed reporting from Baghdad.

We Are Validating Old Knowledge With New Technology To Enhance Mental Performance:Nimrod Mon Brokman, Behavi.. – ETHealthWorld https://collincountynewsonline.com/we-are-validating-old-knowledge-with-new-technology-to-enhance-mental-performancenimrod-mon-brokman-behavi-ethealthworld/ Shahid Akhter, editor, ETHealthworld, spoke to Nimrod Mon Brokman, Co-Founder, Behavioural Foresight, Partner at PHD (Potential Health Development) and Consultant for Indo-Israel Commerce, to find out about their approach to improving mental health by using innovative techniques. Your views on ‘Mental Health’ in India I arrived in India in 2016 and started familiarizing myself with the mental health sector in Bangalore. In India, every region, and every place, is different, and there is a taboo around mental health issues. When we approached clients, they would often feel awkward and uncomfortable. Their reactions ranged from, “What are you saying? Why are you speaking like that? Why are you classifying me like that?”. It took us around 2 years to build a relationship of trust with our clients regarding mental health, to make them understand that it’s not a disorder that we are talking about, but rather a performance issue. When I say performance, it can be athletic, it can be at an executive level or even in our day-to-day lives… how you live your life, how you conduct yourself from morning to evening – such things are by themselves contributing to your performance. In 2019-20, when Covid hit, and the focus was more on the physical aspect, people suddenly started speaking more comfortably about mental health. As the situation devolved to become more extreme and challenging for an increasing number of people globally, they realized that mental health issues are not always considered as severe disorders. The feeling of burnout, immense stress, overwhelming emotions, etc. were all contributing to them being cognitively less effective than usual. How Important is the collaboration between India and Israel? A significant part of my journey comes from Israel, the country of innovation, to India, the country of wellness and mental health, to try and bridge the gap between the two and bring about a change. To support more people with the right practices, but also with the right evidence. In Israel today, there are a lot of innovations unknown to the world – from military and hospitals to educational institutes, all aimed to improve the day-to-day quality of life. Indians today want to embrace their old ancestral practices, complemented by technological innovations. They are happy to adopt such practices as they enjoy doing them, see progress, and don’t feel like they are wasting their time, dealing with things that are irrelevant. Innovation is one of the main things that Israel can attribute and contribute to the Indian market. What are the risks with long term stress? Stress is a big factor in today’s world. You can look at the statistics, although it often reflects as heart issue, since it’s actually stress that affects the heart, causing many problems. In diabetes too, the main factor is stress or unregulated emotions. As part of the ecosystem of Connect Ventures, we decided to incorporate mental health with physical health and nutrition, to bring about a holistic solution. What is Behavioural Foresight bringing in to improve the quality of life? We founded Behavioural Foresight to give people an opportunity to enhance their mental capabilities, and become more economical in their behaviours, by using different practices. Although we are using a lot of ancient philosophy, from breathwork to meditation, we are also curating new protocols with new sciences -complementing old knowledge and validating it with technology to design and procure programs and protocols for different types of people. From training kids on how to play while learning all the life-skills required to be the best human being that they can be, to training athletes on how to support the Indian ecosystem of athleticism and improve their results, while also improving their quality of life, as the sports industry is a demanding one. We are working with different corporations on extremely innovative programs to support their employees and leaders, by bringing together Israeli technology with innovative protocols. These programs do not stop them from following their individual routines but enable them to continue with their lifestyle while improving on it. Our experience across different sectors over the years finally led to the development of EZUN – an experiential mind-simulated training, combining Israeli tech, gamification and science. Our mission is to power for excellence, by utilising minimum mental capacity for maximum mental performance through impactful gamification and fun protocols. We are also working with the Indian military to give them the x-factor to perform and operate in the most challenging environments, in the most efficient manner. Can gaming be beneficial and healthy for better mental capacity? After almost 4 years in India, we had gathered significant learnings from the Indian market and applied it to the way we functioned. We wanted to enable more people to enjoy our process through a lighter approach. That’s when we realised that it was important to gamify the whole process. The moment you play, you enjoy and have fun. Automatically there is less judgement, less restriction, less resistance, and thereby, way more neuroplasticity (mental adaptation). At the same time, we wanted to make it more scientific, and related to data so we had evidence that our methods were providing value to our clients. This is how we came up with our simulation room, Ezun. Ezun in Hebrew means fundamental balance, where we train one to be able to stay constantly in balance. Balance is not stagnancy. It keeps on changing and one should be able to re-balance themselves and maintain this balance constantly during the day. This is what we have developed with EZUN. Each experiential training protocol has been designed to fit perfectly to EZUN – state-of-the-art simulation training by our experts. We aim to enhance a sustainable learning experience of down and up regulation of somatic sensations and behaviours, to master the highest levels of economy over one’s personal mental currency. We have Israeli technology that allows one to assess how their physiology reacts to different stressors. Along with this stress profiling, we also use respiratory assessment to understand how the breathing functions. This is a very critical tool to change one’s state of mind, as well as to observe and evaluate someone. We are also using a test to measure cortisol levels. These 3 parameters give us a stress profile to understand how someone is functioning physiologically in the day to day, and how they react naturally. With this baseline, we curate different programs. With all the programs, the person just plays computer and action games, while the data gets accumulated constantly from their physiology. Connecting these two, we can see how one functions, with the goal being, how efficiently can one function. Again, what is the economics of their behaviour, can they be efficient and spend very little to gain a lot, or are they wasting and spending a lot to gain very little. Your vision to democratize Behavioural Foresight innovations? We are collaborating with our food division to understand how everyone can gain from the right gut and brain function. We are extending our services to educational institutes, as well as corporates and their workforce to enjoy EZUN training and our food at their facilities on the go. They can do this without changing their lifestyles, and without having to ignore their work to focus on their health. With just small changes and micro adjustments, we can create a huge impact on their day to day living. Follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube

Shreveport-Bossier Gaming Market Not Rolling Over In Defeat Despite Oklahoma Casino Competition – KTBS https://collincountynewsonline.com/shreveport-bossier-gaming-market-not-rolling-over-in-defeat-despite-oklahoma-casino-competition-ktbs/ SHREVEPORT, La. — In Louisiana, the state’s 24 casinos brought in $2.9 billion from 2020 to 2021. But here in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, there’s been a noticeable decline.   The local market is currently down about 13% compared to 2021.  La. Gaming Board of Control Director Ronnie Johns It’s an issue watch closely by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, according to board Chairman Ronnie Johns. He says competition from casinos in nearby states is having an impact in the Shreveport-Bossier area.  Johns says the pressure on the local market has increased with the of the construction of Choctaw Landing, the $238 million state-of-the-art gaming facility being built in Hochatown near Broken Bow, Okla.   “There’s no doubt that the Oklahoma market is definitely taking away revenue in Shreveport-Bossier,” says Johns.    The Choctaw Nation’s newest casino project, located three hours northwest of Shreveport, is aimed at sharing tribal culture and capitalizing on tourism.  Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton At the groundbreaking in June, Chief Gary Batton reflected on the goal of the new casino saying the tribe hopes to host “people from all over the world” in southeastern Oklahoma.  Hochatown is the site of a historic Choctaw village, with some tribe members still living in the area. The local culture makes it a perfect place to display the legacy if the Choctaws.   Choctaw senior executive officer Janie Dillard says attention to detail and an emphasis on nature and culture will set the new casino apart from competitors.  Choctaw Senior Executive Officer Janie Dillard “I think it’s the location. I think it’s outdoorsy. I think it’s the nature,” Dillard said of the place where the massive project will occupy. Dillard says gamers and families will be drawn out of the concrete jungle and up the scenic routes to the centrally-located gaming facility that promises everything from lavish hotels to concert venues, to spas, to kid zones.  The four-story, 200,000 square-foot entertainment destination will feature 100 hotel rooms, 600 slot machines, eight table games, restaurants and bars, a pool, an outdoor venue with an amphitheater, a beer garden and a family friendly game zone.  These amenities are certainly enough to draw travelers from Shreveport and Bossier City, according to April Roberts, Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce vice president. The Broken Bow area already attracts tourists from surrounding areas because of the beautiful surrounding lakes and scenery. While tourism and beauty grow in the Broken Bow and Hochatown areas, so does the Choctaw Nation’s power in the gaming industry.   The Choctaw Nation also benefits from not having to pay state taxes.  Broken Bow Chamber Vice President April Roberts “That also gives them a huge advantage in terms of marketing their property, offering amenities, offering free comps and do the things that the other casinos they’re competing with cannot do,” says chairman Johns of the advantages of Native American casinos over the average casino.  However, the competition up north hasn’t caused the Shreveport-Bossier gaming industry to roll over and accept defeat.  Johns says he’s proud of how the market has reacted to the impact of the Oklahoma market.   “It’s not, ‘Oh woe is me,’ and we’re going to fold our check and go home,” said Johns.  The chairman says nearly every property in the Shreveport-Bossier market is working to bring new amenities, including new Sportsbook operations like the one that recently opened in the Horseshoe Casino.  When it comes to the future of gaming, can you still bet on the local market? Johns say, “Yes.” “The properties are still optimistic. What I’m excited about is that they are doing something about it,” he added. Johns also cited over saturation in the local casino market as a factor in its decline.   He says a solution to the issue is not as simple as picking up properties and moving them around. He says legislation would have to be put in place to remedy any over saturation in the market.   The fate of the Diamond Jacks casino is also a topic worth noting. Johns says the casino, that has become an eye-sore over the years, is about to undergo significant changes.   Current owner Peninsula Pacific Entertainment was given a deadline by the Louisiana Gaming Board to either reopen the gaming venue or sell it. The operator chose to sell to Mississippi-based Foundation Gaming — a regional casino operator.  “We’ve accepted their petition to buy Diamond Jacks. They want to do away with the legacy riverboat and move to a land-based property which they are allowed to do now by state law here in Louisiana,” Johns says.  Johns says not to expect any changes overnight, but hopefully the promised changes will be worth the wait.  With an optimistic grin, Johns declared good luck over the future of gaming locally: “Foundation has a good reputation in other states that they work in, so we’re excited about having them and I think that they’re going to bring a first-class experience to the Shreveport-Bossier market.”

Baylor Notebook: Cowboys Put Halt To Bears’ McLane Winning Streak – Waco Tribune-Herald https://collincountynewsonline.com/baylor-notebook-cowboys-put-halt-to-bears-mclane-winning-streak-waco-tribune-herald/ Baylor proved last season that the path to the Big 12 championship game was protecting its own turf. The Bears went 7-0 at McLane Stadium, dropping both losses in a 12-2 season on the road to Oklahoma State and TCU. With two home wins this year, the Bears stretched their streak to nine straight. So losing Saturday’s 36-25 decision to the Cowboys at home was difficult to take. Baylor’s last home loss was a 42-3 blowout by the Cowboys to end the 2020 COVID-19 ridden season. “A loss is tough to handle,” said Baylor linebacker Dillon Doyle. “You don’t like losing on the road, you don’t like losing at home. We obviously take great pride in defending McLane and every time we cross the river and play over here, it’s important.” Bears nab one pick, but Sanders gets last laugh Baylor’s defensive thieves didn’t exactly rob Spencer Sanders’ blind, but they picked his pocket once. The Oklahoma State quarterback has historically struggled against Baylor. Coming into Saturday’s game, he had thrown 10 interceptions in four meetings with the Bears, including seven in two games last year. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders celebrates with Cowboy fans after OSU’s 36-25 win over Baylor at McLane Stadium. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Baylor made that 11 picks of Sanders in the second half when Christian Morgan broke in front of the QB’s intended target for the takeaway. But Sanders was accurate and effective overall, playing easily his best game against Baylor. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a team-high 75 yards and another score. “That’s a great defense over there,” Sanders said. “They made some wonderful plays, and we just happened to make a little more than they did. But that’s a great team to win against, especially on the road in their own house.” Baldwin delivers career day Baylor sophomore receiver Monaray Baldwin enjoyed a big day as he set career highs with seven catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores came in the third quarter as Baldwin caught a 49-yard touchdown pass on a perfectly thrown ball from Blake Shapen before they connected again on a 70-yarder. Baldwin’s previous highs were in the season opener against UAlbany as he made four catches for 84 yards and a score. Getting the explosive Baldwin back to full speed is important for the Bears after he missed Baylor’s last home game against Texas State with a head injury. Doyle: Bring on ‘beautiful’ bye week With a bye week coming up, it’s a little like returning to preseason camp. Bring it on, said Dillon Doyle. The Baylor linebacker said that the Bears could stand to focus on the little things and tweak their technique before they travel to Morgantown to play West Virginia on Oct. 13. “That something beautiful about a bye week is that you get to focus on the fundamentals and go back to what makes you a good player,” said Doyle, who led the Bears with 10 tackles. “The first four weeks of football season is camp, and that’s all about fundamentals. “Now we’ve been in, I don’t know, four weeks of mostly scheme-oriented meetings and defensive talk and things like that. We’re kind of going back into that camp mindset for this bye week, so that we can get back on top of our fundamentals.” PHOTOS — Baylor falls to Oklahoma State: Oct. 1, 2022 Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron picks up yardage as Oklahoma State cornerback Jabbar Muhammad tries to bring him down. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders tries to slip the tackle of Baylor linebacker Dillon Doyle. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Baylor running back Richard Reese gets tripped up by Oklahoma State linebacker Mason Cobb on a fourth-and-two play. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin hauls in a touchdown pass in front of Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II in the second half. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin has Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II beat as he gets into the end zone in the second half. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Baylor safety Christian Morgan intercepts a pass intended for Oklahoma State wide receiver Brennan Presley in the second half. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin outruns Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II for a touchdown in the second half. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State safety Thomas Harper intercepts a pass that bounced off Baylor wide receiver Gavin Holmes in the second half. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II grabs a pass intended for Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron as Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy, center, reacts to the play in the fourth quarter. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin works against Oklahoma State linebacker Mason Cobb for a catch. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald The Baylor student section gets fired up against Oklahoma State. Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State wide receiver Bryson Green pulls in a first half touchdown over Baylor defensive backs AJ McCarty and Devin Neal, left, in the first half. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State wide receiver Bryson Green elevates his game to pull in a first half touchdown over Baylor defensive backs AJ McCarty and Devin Neal, left, in the first half. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State’s Brock Martin sacks Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen in the second half of the Cowboys’ 36-25 win. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State’s Jaden Nixon returns the second-half kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown to spark the Cowboys’ 36-25 win. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders passed for 181 yards and a touchdown and ran for 75 yards and a score in the Cowboys’ win. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Baylor sophomore running back Richard Reese is tackled by Oklahoma State linebacker Mason Cobb (top) for a safety in the first half. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State running back Jaden Nixon runs the opening kickoff back for a touchdown against Baylor in the second half. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen threw for a career-high 345 yards against the Cowboys, but suffered a pair of fourth quarter interceptions. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Baylor’s Dave Aranda encourages his defense in the second half. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State safety Thomas Harper, left, celebrates his key fourth-quarter interception with cornerback Jabbar Muhammad. Jose Yau, Tribune-Herald Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen eyes his downfield options against Oklahoma State in the second half. Jose Yau, Tribune-Herald Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen picks out a downfield target against Oklahoma State in the second half. Jose Yau, Tribune-Herald Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin eases into the end zone on a touchdown pass from Blake Shapen after beating Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II in the second half. Ernesto Garcia, Tribune-Herald Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin has Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II (25) beat on a touchdown catch in the second half. Ernesto Garcia, Tribune-Herald Baylor running back Richard Reese (center left) celebrates a rushing touchdown against the Oklahoma State defense in the second half. Ernesto Garcia, Tribune-Herald Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin grabs a touchdown pass while being defended by Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II in the second half. Ernesto Garcia, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders celebrates with Cowboy fans after OSU’s 36-25 win over Baylor at McLane Stadium. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State wide receiver Brennan Presley shakes hands with Baylor head coach Dave Aranda following the game. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Mike Gundy takes in the postgame scene after his Cowboys beat Baylor 36-25 at McLane Stadium. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Baylor head Dave Aranda, left, shakes hands with OSU’s Mike Gundy following their game at McLane Stadium. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Baylor head coach Dave Aranda, left, shakes hands with Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy following their game at McLane Stadium. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) avoids Baylor linebacker Tyrone Brown (36) and looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Gareth Patterson, Associated Press Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Keldon Johnson Loses 21 Pounds, Could Be Spurs’ New Small Forward – San Antonio Express-News https://collincountynewsonline.com/keldon-johnson-loses-21-pounds-could-be-spurs-new-small-forward-san-antonio-express-news/ HOUSTON — The man they call “Big Body” arrived for the start of training camp last week with his body not quite as big. Keldon Johnson said he dropped 21 pounds over the offseason, a weight-loss outcome that could portend a change in position. Having played mostly as an undersized power forward for his first three NBA seasons, Johnson is prepared to move to the small forward spot in 2022-23. “He is really a wing player,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s not really a ‘four’, so this is putting him more at his natural position.” The team’s leading returning scorer at 17 points per game, Johnson shot a career-best 39.8 percent from 3-point range last season. The 6-foot-5 Johnson will play this season listed at 210 pounds. “He is quicker, he moves better and he tells me he looks better, too,” Popovich said with a laugh. Johnson, 22, said he could feel the difference early in training camp. “I’m definitely slimmer, faster, stronger and just prepared for a big season,” he said. Spurs veteran Doug McDermott has been in the NBA for eight years, and has some advice for the three rookies on the San Antonio roster: “You just have to stay even-keeled.” Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer Johnson will have to wait a bit to show off his new physique. Spurs vs. Magic When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday; AT&T Center. TV/radio: Spurs app; 1200 AM, 1350 AM (Spanish). Though Johnson has been going through non-contact work in camp while recovering from a dislocated shoulder, he was not active for Sunday’s preseason opener in Houston. Second-year guard Josh Primo was also sidelined while dealing with a knee sprain. Both projected starters are expected to be ready for the Oct. 19 regular-season opener at home against Charlotte. “I just want to be the best Keldon Johnson I can be,” Johnson said. “Be a leader, be there for the young guys and just learn as much as I can from the rest of the coaches.” Asked if his new slimmed down figure might mean a change in nickname is in order. Johnson maintained he is still “Big Body” at heart. On ExpressNews.com: Sochan, Spurs rookie class ready for grand unveiling “Of course,” he said. “100 percent.” Richardson all the rage in Paris for Fashion Week With COVID having put a damper on his summer travel plans in previous years, Spurs guard Josh Richardson decided he needed to go big when it came to his 2022 offseason vacation. So he went to Paris for Fashion Week, fulfilling a lifelong bucket list item. “I just like fashion, I like clothes, I like traveling,” the 29-year-old Richardson said. “I hadn’t got to travel in four or five years. I made up my mind to do it.” Somewhat of fashion maven himself, Richardson said the trip to Paris was the best part of his summer. “I had a good time out there, just watching the show,” Richardson said. McDermott delivers some sage advice to rookies Spurs guard Doug McDermott had sage advice for his younger teammates as their NBA careers unofficially kicked off Sunday in Houston. On ExpressNews.com: Doug McDermott likes Spurs’ fast pace The most important skill a rookie can learn is how to weather the down days, McDermott said. “I have learned there are so many ups and downs,” said the 30-year-old McDermott, who is entering his ninth NBA season. “In college, you only play 30 games. In the NBA, you play 82. So there are going to be a lot of high moments, a lot of down moments, and you just have to stay even-keeled.” It is a lesson McDermott says he will continue to impress on the Spurs’ large crop of rookies, including 2022 first-round picks Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. He expects the Spurs’ youngsters will figure things out given increased playing time on a rebuilding roster. It is a different scenario than what McDermott faced as a rookie in Chicago, when he appeared in only 36 games. “I thought for me it took at least a year, a year and a half, because a lot of rookies don’t get a chance to play right away,” McDermott said. “With the situation here, they are going to get the opportunity because we have a lot of young guys they want to see play together and grow together.” jmcdonald@express-news.net Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Dow Futures Rise As Bear Faces Third Leg Down – Investor’s Business Daily https://collincountynewsonline.com/dow-futures-rise-as-bear-faces-third-leg-down-investors-business-daily/ Access to this page has been denied because we believe you are using automation tools to browse the website. This may happen as a result of the following: Javascript is disabled or blocked by an extension (ad blockers for example) Your browser does not support cookies Please make sure that Javascript and cookies are enabled on your browser and that you are not blocking them from loading. Reference ID: #54b90bdf-42af-11ed-96b8-686c59556c4e

Child Tax Credit 2022 — Three $250 Direct Payments Going Out This Month – See How Many You’ll Get… – The US Sun https://collincountynewsonline.com/child-tax-credit-2022-three-250-direct-payments-going-out-this-month-see-how-many-youll-get-the-us-sun/ Live Blog MONEY MAKER Updated: 20:00 ET, Oct 2 2022 DIRECT payments of $250 are being sent out this month to residents in several states with similar tax rebate programs. And the checks are only able to be claimed for a maximum of three children. In Rhode Island, families will get $250 per child and a maximum of $750 total for up to three children with direct payments going out beginning in October. Families in Connecticut can also claim $250 per child. The payments, which are capped at three children for a total of $750, started rolling out in late August. Meanwhile, New Yorkers claiming the Empire State child credit, which is based on income, will be mailed their checks automatically and can expect to receive them by the end of October. Read our child tax credit live blog for the latest news and updates… The mission of child care credit The child and dependent care credit is designed to provide financial relief for working parents and guardians in raising a child or a disabled dependent.  The credit is dependent on the taxpayer’s income and the expenses used to provide for the child or dependent. It ultimately reduced the federal income taxes, which means people can receive a higher refund.  Thousands have gotten up to $1,700 in Maine Maine has been sending out rebate checks worth $850 per individual and $1,700 for an average family. Governor Janet Mills’ office said that checks will continue to go out on a rolling basis through the end of 2022. The state distributed the majority of payments in June and July. To qualify for the checks, an individual must not exceed $100,000, while heads of the household and couples can make up to $150,000 and $200,000, respectively. These will be based on 2021 tax returns, which must be filed no later than October.  Pennsylvania’s $25million Child Care Tax Credit Governor Tom Wolf visited Kiddie Space Heights stating that the state’s CTC will provide $180 to $630 families. Nearly 221,000 families are expected to benefit from the program. Pennsylvanians paying for child care services can claim the credit when filing state taxes starting in 2023. Families could be eligible for: $180 (one child) or $360 (two or more children) for households earning above $43,000 $315 (one child) or $630 (two or more children) for households earning less than $43,000 Child Health Day 2022 President Biden announced that Monday, October 3, 2022, will be known as Child Health Day. In the statement, Mr Biden said his administration is working towards providing children with quality health care, child care, and proper education. “To win the competition for the future, we must continue building a healthier and safer Nation for our children,” Mr Biden said in the statement. Scope of the proposed Family Security Act 2.0 The act includes cuts to the earned income tax credit and eliminated the ability to file as a head of household, CNBC reports. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, about 7 million families earning less than $50,000 would lose money under the new plan. The act will also phase in more quickly and eliminates the current $1,500 refund cap. What recipients spent money on, part two According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 19 percent of those that go the Child Tax Credit, and make less than 35,000 per year spent the money on car payments, and 17 percent paid down debt. Sixteen percent spent funds on childcare, and 8 percent put the money toward investments. Only 4 percent of recipients spent the money recreationally. What CTC recipients spent money on According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 91 percent of families making less than $35,000 per year are using their monthly Child Tax Credit payments for food, clothing, shelter, and utilities — or education.  To break it down, 40 percent of families used their payments to pay for school books and supplies, tuition, after-school programs, and transportation to and from school Fifty-nine percent bought food and 52 percent spent funds on utilities, while 44 percent purchased clothes. USDA partnerships offer benefits for families The US Department of Agriculture partnered with 26 states and Puerto Rico to offer children temporary food benefits. Children will be eligible for the program if they receive free or reduced lunch at school, or if they’re under the age of 6 and live in a household that receives SNAP benefits. An estimated 13million children will benefit from the program. Benefits will be loaded onto a debit card that can be used to buy food. Idaho child tax credit will expire in the coming years Starting in 2018, Idaho residents were eligible for nonrefundable dependent credits worth up to $205. Eligible recipients must have children under the age of 17 to qualify for the payments. The payments are set to expire in January 2026. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Passed in 2021, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was created to stop discrimination towards pregnant workers. The law states that employers cannot force pregnant workers off of the job. Plus, they cannot deny them reasonable accommodations that would allow them to continue working while maintaining healthy pregnancies. Alabama offers school choice tax credit Parents in Alabama can receive tax credits to help cover the costs of transferring their child from a “failing public school” to another public or private school. Eligibility is based on the state’s evaluation of a particular school based largely on standardized test scores. The average credit amount is $2,940 and the credit is fully refundable. Federal government aid programs Funding for schools comes from several states and local governments, but recently the federal government has started providing aid to schools. According to the New America Foundation, the federal government issues over $40billion to elementary and secondary schools for the following: To help create and sustain programs Provide meals for students Prepare children to attend school and other functions or activities Public schools in California get free lunch Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, all public school students will be eligible for school lunches. The funding comes from the state and is the first to implement the Universal Meals Program, according to the California Department of Education. It’s designed to build off of the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). IRS could seize your child tax credit There are two groups that may have their credits seized by the IRS on their tax return or be obligated to pay back the agency. If you did not opt-out of the monthly payments when you were no longer eligible, you will most likely have to pay back the IRS. To qualify for the full payments, couples must have made less than $150,000, while single parents who file as heads of households needed to make under $112,500. Eligibility was determined by the Internal Revenue Service based on 2019 or 2020 tax returns. Claiming your Child Tac Credit, continued And if your child’s other parent claimed the credit in 2020 but you normally alternate years, you can get the full tax credit you’re entitled to on your tax return even if the other parent received advance payments. And luckily for nonfilers, a tool just reopened that will allow families to claim up to $3,600. Called GetCTC, it is being run in collaboration with the White House and nonprofit tech organization, Code for America.Meanwhile, the child tax credit is set to revert back to $2,000 as Congress has failed to extend the boost. Claiming your Child Tax Credit Claiming is made easier as the IRS has a handy tool to see if you qualify. Couples and individuals who claimed a dependent for 2020 and received advance payments will need to reconcile the amount they received with the full credit amount they’re eligible for. This will result in repaying some of that money or claiming the remaining credit balance.If you claimed a dependent in 2020 but the child’s other parent is claiming them for 2021 and you didn’t opt out of advance payments, you’ll need to repay the credit unless you qualify for repayment protection. Both parents claiming CTC, continued For those who claimed a dependent on their 2020 taxes automatically received advance payments, unless they opted out. That means in situations where parents alternate claiming their child as a dependent each year, both parents may receive the child tax credit this year. However, both parents may not be able to benefit from the credit. If you claimed your child as a dependent in 2020 and received advance payments in 2021, you may be required to return those advance payments if your co-parent plans to claim the full credit on their tax return. Both parents claiming CTC Typically, only one parent can claim a dependent on their taxes. Technically, married couples filing a joint return are both “claiming” the credit, as they share the benefits. If a married couple files separately, one parent can claim half of the child tax credits and split the benefit. Divorced, separated, or unwed couples must determine which parent will claim the child as a dependent each year. Faith leaders urge lawmakers to expand CTC Over 50 faith leaders joined Reverend Dr. William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign and pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in urging congress to move on three actions. During a briefing on Capitol Hill, the faith leaders advocated for passing voting rights legislation, a $15 minimum wage, and a permanent Child Tax Credit expansion.“Poverty is a policy choice,” Reverend Barber said. Biden c...

Packers Vs. Patriots Score: Live Updates, Game Stats, Highlights; Brian Hoyer Ruled Out With Head Injury – CBS Sports https://collincountynewsonline.com/packers-vs-patriots-score-live-updates-game-stats-highlights-brian-hoyer-ruled-out-with-head-injury-cbs-sports-2/ Season Leaders passing M. Jones786 YD, 2 TDS, 5 INTS M. Jones786 YD, 2 TDS, 5 INTS A. Rodgers684 YD, 4 TDS, 2 INTSA. Rodgers684 YD, 4 TDS, 2 INTS rushing D. Harris35 ATT, 160 YD, 2 TDSD. Harris35 ATT, 160 YD, 2 TDS A. Jones32 ATT, 217 YD, 1 TDA. Jones32 ATT, 217 YD, 1 TD receiving N. Agholor11 REC, 179 YD, 1 TDN. Agholor11 REC, 179 YD, 1 TD R. Doubs14 REC, 137 YD, 1 TDR. Doubs14 REC, 137 YD, 1 TD See New Posts Pinned Matt Judon owned his matchup against Jenkins and applied pressure on Rodgers. Somehow he was able to keep himself upright long enough to throw the ball away, which saved about 13 yards.  Pinned Aaron Rodgers is 3-8-1 in his career in games that go to overtime (including playoffs) Pinned Nugget: Bailey Zappe is the first player to ever make his NFL debut as a visitor at Lambeau Field and throw a TD pass in that game (Lambeau opened in 1957) Pinned And we’re heading to overtime. Little curious to see Rodgers and the Packers offense opt for a short school-yard play in the final seconds instead of a hail mary.  Pinned Massive punt coming up here for Jake Bailey. If you pin the Packers back far enough, this could be heading to overtime.  Pinned Pinned Pinned Perfect ball by Rodgers but Doubs can’t survive the ground and the would-be touchdown is ruled incomplete.  Pinned That’s a rookie mistake there by Zappe. Nothing is there in coverage and that’s when you have to throw it away or dump it off to Harris.  Pinned Pinned Pinned Bailey Zappe has shown some great poise. Not easy for a third-stringer to be thrust into a game against Aaron Rodgers in Lambeau Field and he’s making some nice throws.  Pinned Pinned Little chess game between Aaron Rodgers and Bill Belichick before the field goal. Rodgers was trying to get New England to go offsides, saw that he could get them for too many men, and snapped the ball. Belichick realized that and called a timeout to avoid the penalty.  Pinned Pinned Pinned As the broadcast notes, Bailey Zappe is the first rookie quarterback to throw a touchdown pass this season.  Pinned The Patriots got a gift from the officials. New England should have been flagged for a delay of game penalty and it never came. Instead, Zappe hits Parker for the 25-yard touchdown to go up 17-14.  Pinned Marcus Cannon is in at right tackle to begin the second half. Isaiah Wynn out.  Pinned Nice ball by Rodgers on the touchdown to Tonyan. Packers retake the 14-10 lead on what was their best offensive drive of the afternoon.  Pinned Pinned Really impressive catch there by Lazard. Felt like it was a really tight window and was able to extend to make the grab. He’s looked good since missing the start of the season.  Pinned Aaron Rodgers: 2nd home pick-six of career in 104 home starts (also 2017 vs CIN) Pinned Pinned Patriots say that Jonnu Smith is questionable to return with an ankle injury.  Pinned Aaron Rodgers has dropped back just eight times and has completed three passes today.  Pinned Smith is now limping to the locker room.  Pinned Injuries keep plaguing the Patriots. Jonnu Smith limped off on that last drive and went into the medical tent. Hunter Henry is the only other TE on the roster.  Pinned Felt like Watson had a step on his defender. Rodgers looked his way, but the ball sort of sailed to the sideline. Once they get their timing, this duo will be good for at least one chunk play a game.  Pinned Watched Zappe a ton during camp. He has a pretty powerful arm, but he did struggle with some of his touch passes out in the flat and shorter routes. Something to watch as he takes over with Hoyer out.  See More

Millions Visit Nikeland As Brands Fashion A Future In The Metaverse – The Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/millions-visit-nikeland-as-brands-fashion-a-future-in-the-metaverse-the-times/ Nike has attracted tens of millions of visitors to its virtual store in the metaverse as it moves to make “deep consumer connections” online. More than 21 million people explored Nikeland, the vast digital world built by the sportswear giant inside a popular gaming platform called Roblox. The platform’s young users have been flocking to the company’s buildings, fields and arenas to compete in a variety of games such as dodgeball, basketball and “The Floor is Lava”. Crucially to the brand’s digital strategy, they can also browse a showroom and buy virtual products including shoes, bags and hats. The items can be used to dress their digital avatars, which become walking adverts for the company’s latest products that can be bought in the real world.

Best Hodinkee Comments Of September 2022 – HODINKEE https://collincountynewsonline.com/best-hodinkee-comments-of-september-2022-hodinkee/ We’re back with another edition of the hottest Q&A in town, The Conversation. This week some of HODINKEE’s finest editors (just kidding, they’re all fine) answer some of the stand-out comments of the past two weeks. So buckle up and prepare to enter whatever you call an extremely polite version of the Thunderdome.  Cartier Says ‘Screw This’ The comment: “Wanted to ask the experts a question about the screws on the bracelet and face of the watch. What is the experience with these? Any report of them coming loose and falling out? Are any of them functional?” – unce_turbo_997 The response: The screws on the bezel are completely functional. Besides keeping the bezel in place, they put pressure on the crystal and gasket below, adding to the water-resistance of the Santos. The bracelet screws are purely ornamental and, in my humble opinion, the perfect touch on the two-tone models. I have seen a watch lose a bezel screw, but it wasn’t a Santos. Cartier uses blue 243 Loctite to keep both sets of screws in place, so those suckers aren’t going anywhere. –Mark Hackman  The comment: “Great article, James. How does the Bracelet wear compared to other metal bracelets? It begs the question about which four watches would you put on the Mt. Rushmore of Polar Watches. I’d start with the Explorer II 216570 as the George Washington of Polars – it is the most distinctive of the Explorers with the orange accent over white. It’s also on the Mt Rushmore of legibility.” – wildblue94 The response: While I can’t speak to the B&R’s bracelet, as I have yet to be hands-on with the watch (this was just an introduction), I do enjoy the idea of a Mt. Rushmore of polar (white-dialed) watches. My lineup would likely include the 16570 Explorer II (which I’m fortunate to own), plus the Speedmaster Alaska Project, the first-gen Patek Philippe 5270g with the silver/white opaline dial and black accents, and the short-lived Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 25554BA with a white dial. Talk about a four-watch collection… only three to go. –James Stacey  The comment: “I was really pleased that AP produced a watch without exposed screws… until I saw the obverse. They just can’t resist steampunk. The AP craftsmanship shows through (yes, intentional pun) and as usual, detail, detail and detail. I again, raise my weariness with skeleton dials. As one of long tooth and poor eyes, these designs, while showing off the workings, make the hands and functions indecipherable. I thought that was why open casebooks were so popular.” –OldCossack The response: There’s a time and a place for refined elegance, but not every watch is meant to be a traditional three-handed dress watch. You can buy a Calatrava for that. A Royal Oak was also meant to be sport watch, and the Code 11.59 is a bit of a hybrid. I think one disservice AP did in the original Code 11.59 launch was including the time-and-date with the other more complicated watches – if they’d focused solely on the chronograph, tourbillon, and chiming models, it would have indicated a collection focused on haute horlogerie and complicated watchmaking rather than the confusing mixed bag that the collection started its life as. That said, if we consider the Code 11.59 to be a platform for AP’s most progressive designs and complications, then I welcome all the bright-blue bridges and flying tourbillons we can get. –Logan Baker  It’s Time To Put Some Respect On The Laureato’s Name The comment: “I try to understand why Laureato failed while the Nautilus and the RO are a great success. Is it in the name? Girard Perregaux is no more awkward as a name than Patek Phillipe or Audemar Piguet. Perhaps Laureato is not as good a name as Nautilus or Royal Oak. Why call your watch a student? Who wants a student watch? It is far more inspiring to be associated with something majestic like the ocean. Being sold to Kering didn’t help either. These people have no appreciation of horology. The moment GP and UN underperformed, they dumped them. The green dial Laureato is a great watch. I hope it will be fully appreciated one day.” – yesman The response: Ultimately this comes down to brand recognition. Audemars Piguet and Patek Phillipe are both brands with mass market appeal, while Girard-Perregaux exists, for the most part, in the watch enthusiast space. My friend and founder of RollieFest, Geoff Hess, recently explained to me that certain criteria must be checked in order for a watch to endure a lasting legacy: It must be widely known and instantly recognizable by a critical mass of collectors, there must be a memorable and easy to understand story which compliments the design, and the watch must be copied by other brands. I think what the Laureato misses here is a widely known story and design. I also firmly believe that watch brands who run independently of a holding group have more power and control over the story they want to tell. It can also feel more authentic if the story is coming straight from the source. I very much enjoy your Laureato hypothesis. Some even speculate that the watch was named after the 1967 film starring Dustin Hoffman. And I agree that the green dial Laureato is a sleeper hit. Hopefully, we can help to spread the word! –Malaika Crawford.  To Customize Or Not To Customize The story: In a Second Opinions essay, Nick Marino argues that custom watches are awesome and should no longer be taboo. The story is a precursor to his Talking Watches episode with Cooper Zelnick, whose company Cloister Watch Co. lovingly modifies vintage pieces. The comment: “I just read your editorial today and I might be late to the party (over 100 comments), but I would like to make some comments that I think you seriously missed in this piece.  First, and most importantly, a watch is not a pair of jeans or an Apple gadget (one could argue that Apple does not allow customizations either with their software but that is for another conversation), there is a reasoning, a tradition, a history that comes with a watch. Things are made this way because they have always been made this way. There are no rational explanations in the 21st century as to why things should remain the same, but these values and methods are deeply anchored into the European psyche. From the color of an umbrella, to the recipe of a macaron, or the numerals on a dial, tradition and history have a huge and heavy influence on why these products (and the companies that make them) have survived for centuries. I do realize, having lived for thirty years in the United States, a country where where individuality and consumption are king, that it is difficult to accept that a watch was not made for you specifically, but was, instead made to outlast you. The design of a timepiece is not up to the individual imagination of the consumer. It is, instead, the product of a long tradition belonging to watchmaking.  Authenticity is another important reason why watchmakers will not allow personalization. If, instead, everyone was modifying everything to their liking, it would become nearly impossible to verify that a product was indeed produced by the original maker. Any auction house expert will tell you how frustrating it is to establish that a unique watch truly originated from the manufacture and was not instead modified along the way by its purchaser. Allowing personalization would make it much easier for counterfeit goods to pass as authentic. If anything goes for a Royal Oak, then what is a Royal Oak?  Watchmaking has nothing to do with fashion and have never been part of that dialogue. Watches are, instead, scientific objects, tools, art and a heritage that we try to preserve.” – WilliamMassena The response: To begin, I should say that it’s wonderful to have an eminent watchmaker like William Massena engaging with our stories. Even though we disagree, William, I appreciate you weighing in. Another commenter, 8ball, capably addressed your thoughts on tradition and authenticity, so I’ll focus on your last point – the assertion that watchmaking has nothing to do with fashion. With all due respect (and trust me, the respect is very real), I’m afraid the evidence is stacked against you here. Wristwatches are, in fact, inextricably tied to fashion – and have been for ages, perhaps even since their invention. They are, at a basic level, beautiful objects worn on the body as functional adornment. They come in and out of style, just like clothes. They are produced by fashion houses from Chanel to Gucci. Watchmakers themselves have long promoted their own fashionability. Check out these vintage advertisements, courtesy of Nick Federowicz, aka the archival Instagrammer @adpatina. The folks at Omega wouldn’t have picked Cindy Crawford as a brand ambassador in 1995 if they weren’t interested in fashion. Rolex wouldn’t have aligned with Gernreich if it didn’t care about style. The AP advertisement sums the whole thing up: Watches perform “the art of self expression.” If that ain’t a succinct definition for the role of fashion in our culture, I’m not sure what is. Nevertheless, I appreciate all the conversation around my essay and subsequent video. Starting a conversation was the whole point – and continuing it is the point of this follow-up post. I totally understand why purists can’t stomach the idea of altering a factory original watch. But that shouldn’t stop the rest of us.  This hobby is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be about, as Audemars Piguet might say, the art of self expression. Nobody ought to dictate what you can and can’t do with your watch (or your clothes, for that matter). Taste is personal. Wear what you like – even if that means you have to design it yourself. –Nick Marino The HODINKEE Shop has a variety of pre-owned and vintage models from the brands mentioned here. Explore here.

9 Out Of The Top 12 Crypto Assets Are Down 70% To 90% Lower Than The All-Time Highs Recorded Last Year – Markets And Prices Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://collincountynewsonline.com/9-out-of-the-top-12-crypto-assets-are-down-70-to-90-lower-than-the-all-time-highs-recorded-last-year-markets-and-prices-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ 274 days or roughly nine months ago, the crypto economy was worth $2.34 trillion and at $967 billion the aggregate value of all 13,192 crypto assets is $1.48 trillion less. Most of the top digital currencies tapped an all-time price high in November 2021 and today, a great majority of the top crypto assets are down between 70% to 90% in value against the U.S. dollar. 9 Out of 12 Crypto Assets Have Lost Significant Value Since Last Year’s Price Highs It’s almost a year later since the world’s top crypto assets tapped all-time highs in 2021, and a great number of digital currencies have lost considerable value. The following is a look at the top crypto assets by market capitalization, in order to see how much USD value each coin has lost. BTC/USD on October 2, 2022. The leading crypto asset by market valuation bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading for prices between $19,078 to $19,377 per unit during the last 24 hours. Bitcoin is down today, 72.1% lower in USD value than the all-time high ($69,044 per unit) printed on November 10, 2021. Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest crypto coin by market cap, is trading at prices between $1,289 to $1,317 per unit on Sunday. ETH has lost 73.2% in USD value since reaching an all-time high (ATH) of $4,878 per unit on the same day as BTC’s ATH. ETH/USD on October 2, 2022. The top ten crypto asset positions have two stablecoins in the third and fourth positions in terms of today’s crypto market caps, which include USDT and USDC. BNB is the fifth largest crypto asset and today’s 24-hour price range has been between $279 to $286 per BNB. The crypto asset BNB has lost 58.3% from the crypto’s ATH posted on May 10, 2021. At the time last year, BNB was exchanging hands for $686 per unit that day. The crypto asset xrp (XRP) did not reach a lifetime price high in 2021, as XRP’s ATH was recorded on January 7, 2018. XRP has been trading for prices between $0.45 to $0.47 per unit on Sunday, and the price is down 86.4% lower than the ATH recorded four years ago. SOL/USD on October 2, 2022. The seventh position in the top ten crypto market caps today is occupied by the stablecoin BUSD. The eighth largest crypto asset is cardano (ADA), which is exchanging hands today for $0.42 to $0.43 per unit. ADA has lost 86.1% in USD value since September 2, 2021, back when ADA reached an ATH of $3.09 per unit. Solana (SOL) is trading for $32.31 to $33 per SOL on October 2, 2022, and since the $259 per coin ATH on November 06, 2021, 11 months ago, SOL is down 87.4%. The tenth largest crypto asset is the meme coin dogecoin (DOGE), which has traded for $0.059 to $0.0609 per unit. DOGE has lost 91.8% since the ATH recorded on May 8, 2021, when dogecoin reached $0.731 per DOGE over a year ago. The eleventh largest crypto asset polkadot (DOT) is trading for $6.20 to $6.32 per DOT. Roughly 11 months ago on November 4, 2021, DOT was 88.5% higher in USD value at $54.98 per DOT. Lastly, the twelfth largest crypto asset by market valuation, shiba inu (SHIB) is swapping for $0.00001094 to $0.00001122 per unit. SHIB has lost around 87.1% in value against the U.S. dollar after it was trading for $0.00008616 on October 28, 2021. Tags in this story all-time highs, ATH, Bitcoin (BTC), bnb, BUSD, cardano (ADA), crypto assets, Dogecoin (DOGE), Ethereum (ETH), Last Year, Market Valuations, Markets, November 2021, polkadot (DOT), Price ATHs, Prices, shiba inu (SHIB), Solana (SOL), U.S. dollar prices, USDC, USDT, XRP What do you think about the top 12 crypto asset market caps and how much they have lost since their all-time price highs? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below. Jamie Redman Jamie Redman is the News Lead at Bitcoin.com News and a financial tech journalist living in Florida. Redman has been an active member of the cryptocurrency community since 2011. He has a passion for Bitcoin, open-source code, and decentralized applications. Since September 2015, Redman has written more than 6,000 articles for Bitcoin.com News about the disruptive protocols emerging today. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons

Major Military Exercises Show US, NATO Interest In Southeastern Europe – Business Insider https://collincountynewsonline.com/major-military-exercises-show-us-nato-interest-in-southeastern-europe-business-insider/ The US and other militaries held major aviation and special-operations drills in Greece this spring. The exercises were held amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an attack that upended Europe’s security. The drills show how the US and NATO are investing in access and influence in southeastern Europe. Loading Something is loading. Tensions in Europe with Russia have remained high since Moscow launched its unprovoked attack on Ukraine in February, but Russian influence is still strong in some parts of the continent. Countries in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean region have always had a delicate relationship with Moscow, partly because of shared kinship, as in Serbia and Bulgaria, and partly because of shared religion, as in Greece. The Balkans has been steadily moving away from Moscow, however. Several countries there have joined NATO in recent years, including North Macedonia, the alliance’s newest member. As Russian tanks were advancing on Kyiv earlier this year, to the south the US and other countries were taking part in two large-scale exercises, involving dozens of aircraft and hundreds of special operators, in Greece. Those major air combat and special-ops drills show how the US and its partners are trying to lock down an important part of Europe amid increasing competition with Russia. Iniochos and Orion 22 A Greek pararescue member descends from an AW-139 helicopter during Iniochos 22 on April 5. US Air Force/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow Iniochos is fast becoming one of the largest and most important air exercises in the region, with air forces from Europe and the Middle East joining other NATO militaries for the annual event. Iniochos 22, which began in late March, involved dozens of aircraft from 10 countries, including Israeli F-16Is, Italian A-200As, French Rafale F3, US F-15Es and F/A-18s, and Greek F-16Cs, F-4Es, and Mirage 2000-5BGs. The US also flew MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles. This year’s iteration of the Greece-hosted exercise also included drills on several different mission sets, including offensive counter-air operations, air defense, airborne reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, time-sensitive target missions, high-value airborne asset missions, and counter surface-force operations. A US Green Beret dives from a Greek C-130 on March 30 during an operation to prepare for Exercise Orion. US Army/Sgt. Hannah Hawkins As Iniochos 22 was wrapping up in early April, more than 1,000 pilots, maintainers, and special operators from six countries were coming together in Greece for Orion 22 to conduct realistic joint special-operations exercises. US Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets, Navy Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen, Air Force Combat Controllers, and Air Force Pararescuemen participated in the exercise. “It is so impressive to see the way in which the Hellenic Armed Forces has been able to deepen its partnership with the US Special Forces Community, including the SEALS and Army Operators who are here today as part of this exercise,” the US ambassador to Greece at the time, Geoffrey Pyatt, said following the exercise. Commandos from the US, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Israel, and France trained for air, sea, and land operations in 22 locations across Greece. The operators were supported by 32 fighter-jet sorties and 64 helicopter missions as a part of drills simulating close air support. Special-operations troops from Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Israel, and the US during Exercise Orion 22 on April 7. US Army/Sgt. Hannah Hawkins Iniochos and Orion 22 also took place amid rising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish leaders have directed harsh rhetoric against Greece and Cyprus, including a veiled threat to invade Greece, with which Turkey has longstanding disputes. The rising tensions between NATO members on the alliance’s important southeastern flank come at a time when leaders on both sides of the Atlantic have sought unity in the face of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. Security partner of choice SOCEUR commander Maj. Gen. David Tabor, left, and Pyatt, right, with Greek military leaders during Exercise Orion 22 on April 7. US Army/Sgt. Hannah Hawkins Pyatt, who stood down as ambassador this spring and is nominated for another US State Department post, also said after Orion 22 that Greece is “a security partner of choice” in the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Balkan regions. In recent years, the US has upgraded its security alliance with Greece. In 2018, the US military’s European Command decided to prioritize the military partnership with Greece, recognizing it as one of NATO’s key members. Greece has benefited considerably from the upgraded military alliance with the US. In just a few years, the Greek military has received Mark V Special Operations Craft, OH-58 Kiowa light attack and reconnaissance helicopters, M1117 Guardian armored security vehicles. US troops have also been a more visible presence in Greece. “I am very confident that that partnership is going to continue to accelerate and deepen into the future because it rests on the basis of shared interests but also our shared democratic values,” Pyatt said this spring. Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. He is working toward a master’s degree in strategy and cybersecurity at the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies.

FEATURE: A Conversation With Our Broadcast Team – Texas Tech Red Raiders – TexasTech.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/feature-a-conversation-with-our-broadcast-team-texas-tech-red-raiders-texastech-com/ You’re going to hear and see them all season again. Their voices coming through the radio during Texas Tech basketball games, relaying what’s happening, providing context and increasing excitement. Their interviews and twitter posts bringing you insight into the coaches and players that go beyond stats and results. They connect with the program because they’re part of the program. For the seventh season, Chris Level and Geoff Haxton will be calling Red Raider basketball games together. Level, who arrived in Lubbock as a Tech student in 1994 is entering his 13th season as the program’s analyst, called his first game in 2010; Haxton, who graduated from Oklahoma State in 2001 and called games for Oral Roberts before moving his family to Texas, came down for the 2016-17 season. Like our athletes. Like our coaches. Level and Haxton have their own unique stories of how they got to where they’re at. This isn’t their biography. That isn’t our point here. They developed a passion for sports in their youth long before they discovered their talents for broadcasting. Combine the two and it brings us here, a place where they’ve been connecting with Red Raider Nation audiences ever since. Haxton: My love of all things sports is directly connected to my father. Our relationship was built around running routes in the front yard. We had about half an acre of land just west of Duncan, Oklahoma out in the country. He would come home from being a CPA and we would run routes or hit off the tee. We would always play catch and he also bought us a soft-toss machine. No one else had that back then in the 80s where I was from. That was pretty cool to have a machine like that where you hit it into the net. My moments growing up with my dad built the love I for sports. Level: My grandfather’s love of the Dallas Cowboys is probably where I began loving sports. Tom Landry was the coach. I realized sports was like a religion and had a huge impact on people. I used to sit at home when I was young and even in high school and memorize the sports pages in the newspaper. I’d read it over and over. Why? I have no idea. I’d read the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News every day like there was a test coming. Haxton: I grew up always wanting to be a Division I baseball player. Never thought about being a professional player. Being a Division I baseball player was my goal. It hit me like a freight train when I was 17 that I wasn’t going to be good enough. That was a crushing day. I knew I still wanted to be involved with sports and started thinking of ways to stay around the games. My dad was a coach but I didn’t want to do that. It seemed like a struggle. I found out about broadcasting and thought it was something interesting that I could do and it would keep me in the game. One dream ended. But another started. Level: I remember playing basketball in the YMCA league. They would give these little stickers that were of a missile. If you made a basket, you got a missile sticker. I remember wanting to get as many stickers as I could. That’s third or fourth grade. I loved basketball even before then, but that really motivated me for some reason. I wasn’t tall yet but I loved the game and being around my friends. Haxton: My family needed the radio badly back in the 80s to listen to games. We had three television stations where I grew up and games were rarely on. You could catch the occasional game but there wasn’t much. We’d point the antenna towards Wichita Falls, Lawton or Oklahoma City to try and catch games. It started getting better as the years went on. The radio is where I connected to sports growing up though. Level: There really wasn’t a time in my life where broadcasting was something I knew was going to be my career. I watched everything. Brad Sham and Eric Nadel were big for me because I grew up in the Metroplex. Broadcasting wasn’t why though. It was the game. Haxton: Bob Barry, Sr. was a really big influence on me. He was huge in Oklahoma. Inevitably, people get asked about their inspirations and most of the times broadcasters point to big national names. I didn’t know those guys existed. I listened to local radio and hoped our antenna would pick up some games for the tv. College athletics was everything to me. Bill Teegins was my mentor in college before he died in the OSU plane crash and Rex Holt. Those were my guys that I looked up to. Level: I’ve never really been star struck by much, but one year we played in Kansas and Bill Raftery was doing the national broadcast. I went up to him and shook his hand. That was a nerdy thing, but he is someone I had always looked up to. Same with Ernie Johnson when we met him at the Final Four. They do a tremendous job. Haxton: We had a class in college that really got me going in this. It was very rudimentary. It was called Broadcast Play-By-Play Practicum. We would record into a cassette player. My first game ever was an Oklahoma State basketball game. It was at Gallagher-Iba Arena and I climbed up into the gondola that overlooked the floor. You were hanging right over the court back then. It was Oklahoma State against Nebraska. We just called it like we were on a real radio station. That’s the first time I put on the headset. I took that cassette and played it in my car. I heard myself and the crowd noise. I knew it was what I wanted to do. Level: My first radio job was with Robert Giovannetti in 2005. I also used to go on Jack Dale’s show. He would interview me about football and basketball. In October of 2005, we got the call asking if we wanted to start a radio show. That was a one-hour show on a news talk station. We had a great time doing it and loved getting to talk about Texas Tech athletics. This is my first year not doing a radio show after 17 years every day. Haxton: The first game over the air I did was in 1999. Medford versus Timberlake. Class C 8-man football. It was the state championship in Enid, Oklahoma. It was rainy, sleeting and just a really cold day. The press box windows kept fogging up. I had never been on the radio before. They needed someone to fill in and I was available. It was a really cool experience. My dad had come with me to support me. I was nervous and he knew that. He told me after that he thought I could be pretty good at it. That meant a lot to me. We drove home and I remember thinking that it was a lot of fun and that I wanted to get better at it. Level: Andy Ellis had been doing my job before me. I had never done it before and never really thought about doing it. He just told me to say what I see. My brain didn’t work like that then. I felt like I wasn’t going to be prepared. Kind of just jumped into it. My first game was the Texas Tech season opener in 2010 (an 86-67 win over Louisiana-Monroe). I was extremely nervous and just tried to do the best I could. I didn’t know what I was doing but I did have fun. It was the first time I had ever called a game. Not sure if I’d want to go back and listen to that game again though. Haxton: Texas Tech rolled in the first game I called for the program (a 93-67 win over Houston Baptist on Nov. 11, 2016). Honestly, I felt like I had rolled too. I got some nice feedback right away that made me feel comfortable and welcomed. That’s important in this job. There was a really cool moment for me when I first got to the table where I was supposed to sit. It had my name on a sheet. That was a big deal to me from where I’ve come from. It was a great night. Level: That non-conference win against Nevada a few years ago is one of my favorites. Zach Smith went up and blocked a shot right in front of me. I think it won the game. Nevada was a top-10 at the time. It was a big even though maybe we all really didn’t understand at the time. It really sparked all the success we’ve been having. Haxton: The win at Iowa State in 2019 was really big for me. It was their senior night. If we won we knew we’d share the Big 12 championship. That was a huge game. The team got of to a sluggish start and then Davide hits a 3 before the halftime buzzer. Then you power through to win and get the hardware. All of us were standing in the back of the plane taking photos with the trophy. That was a true honor for me. Level: The win at Kansas was awesome too. I was starting to think there would never be a day where Texas Tech went into Kansas and won on their home court. We did it though. It wasn’t a fluke either. I’ve called games there were we lost by 40 or 50 points, so that was a day I was pinching myself when we got back in the bus. Haxton: Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would call one game in Madison Square Garden. I’m a country boy and it felt like I had made it. I graduated with 30 people in my high school and 11 years at Oral Roberts after six years of being a news director at KNID in Enid. We’ve been back multiple times now and I still can’t believe it. Level: I can’t forget about playing Duke at Madison Square Garden either. That was a big stage and a lot of fun. Jimmy Butler was sitting over there. Duke with all those dudes on their team that are now in the NBA. Haxton: The NCAA Tournament games we had in Tulsa were emotional for me. They were where I had worked for so long and to be on that stage back there was special for me. Being a part of a special program like this there are so many big ones that we are allowed to do. Keenan Evans hit a step back at the top of the key was one of the calls I’ll never forget. ‘Horns Down, Horns Down’. There was also ‘Winner, Winner, Cardinal Dinner’ after they beat No. 1 Louisville. ‘Best in the West’ to make the Final Four while our equipment was falling apart is memorable for me. I also said ‘Bang’ at ORU after a 3. When I got here I started thinking o...

NFL Week 4 Early Games: Ravens Jump Out To Big Lead Over Bills, But Josh Allen Battles Back – Yahoo Sports https://collincountynewsonline.com/nfl-week-4-early-games-ravens-jump-out-to-big-lead-over-bills-but-josh-allen-battles-back-yahoo-sports/ AdWhich home security do experts recommend in 2022? This brilliant new system keeps watch for you around-the-clock. Fast police dispatch is under $1/day. And you can see everything right from your app. AdPrime Is Now $139, But Few Know This Saving Trick Think you’re getting the best deal when you shop online? Don’t buy a single thing until you try this — you won’t regret it. ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports John Harbaugh on sideline exchange with Marcus Peters: Emotions run high, I love him Moments before Bills kicker Tyler Bass kicked a game-winning field goal to beat the Ravens on Sunday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and cornerback Marcus Peters could be seen screaming at each other on the sideline. Other members of the team got between the two men before the 23-20 loss was officially in the books [more] Ad2022 Electric Cars You Must See (Not Just Tesla) 2020 New Electric Cars Are Turning Heads. Their price can be really surprising, check them out! Ad7 Ways to Retire Comfortably With $500k How long will your portfolio last in retirement? For those with a $500k portfolio, get this guide and ongoing insights. ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports Chris Jones fined $10,069 for language used against Matt Ryan Last Sunday, referee Shawn Smith threw a flag that quite likely influenced the outcome of the Chiefs-Colts game. The man who was penalized has also been fined. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones was fined $10,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct. The conduct, however, was verbal. It’s still not publicly known [more] AdInternet Without Landline: Prices May Surprise You Seniors, you can have a special price for Internet without a landline! Surf cheaper and faster! AdTime To Upgrade Your Mattress? From Firm To Soft In All Sizes – See What Mattress Is The Perfect Fit For You. Shop From A Wide Selection, All For a Great Price! ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports Daniel Jones: I’m feeling good, will listen to doctors and go from there It looked like Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was done for the day when he hurt his ankle in the second half, but another injury forced the Giants to put Jones back on the field. Tyrod Taylor suffered a head injury, which led to Jones returning to action for the final minutes of a 20-12 win. [more]

Northern Kids Heading South For College – Southern College Admissions Boom – Town & Country https://collincountynewsonline.com/northern-kids-heading-south-for-college-southern-college-admissions-boom-town-country/ In the fall of 2019, Brennan Vincent was a junior at Mamaroneck High School. Located in the groaningly wealthy suburbs of New York City, Mamaroneck is a top-ranked public school where, during college admissions season, “everyone’s competitive, trying to get into the same five schools,” Vincent said recently. Indeed, during Vincent’s junior year it was a given that her peers hired independent college counselors and worked with essay coaches to pave the way to acceptance letters from Cornell, Brown, and other top-rated schools, most of which are located in the Northeast. “It was a ‘Who do you know?’ or ‘Who do you know who knows someone?’ type of thing.” The process, Vincent says, was affecting her friends’ mental health, and she was vehemently turned off. So when her father, who went to college in the South, suggested she consider Auburn, a public university in eastern Alabama, she did. Within seconds of setting foot on Auburn’s lush, rolling campus—where stately brick buildings coexist with such world class amenities as a $72 million athletic facility with a huge, paw-shaped hot tub (Auburn’s mascot is a tiger)—she was smitten. “Out of all the campuses I toured it was easily the most beautiful. The number of people playing spike ball, throwing a frisbee, having picnics…” She also noted that back home it was much chillier. “Everyone just looked so happy” at Auburn. “I was like, This is where I need to go.” Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Replay Photos Vincent, who enrolled the following year in Auburn’s Honors College, where she’s studying engineering, may sound like a quirky outlier: a New Yorker who decides to go rogue and attend a college in a deep red state that has a respectable 99 ranking among national universities on the sacrosanct U.S. News and World Report college list. But she is part of a growing trend among high school students in liberal hubs like New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago who are deciding to forgo the competitive, cutthroat environments of Colgate and Columbia for the more rah-rah vibe of places like Auburn, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Clemson, the University of Miami, and other Southern institutions that have traditionally been written off by coastal snobs as football-and-frat-party schools that let anyone with a measurable GPA in their doors. 57% Fall 2021 freshmen at TCU who came from out of state— up from 30 percent in 2008. Some Southern universities—Tulane, Emory, and Vanderbilt, for example—have long attracted a steady stream of non-­Southerners thanks to reputations as rigorous schools in cool places. Emory is considered a kind of Williams College located in a hip part of Atlanta as opposed to the Berkshires. Vanderbilt, in the heart of Nashville, is a work-hard-play-hard sibling to Dartmouth. (Some refer to “Vandy” as “the Harvard of the South” due to its brick-and-ivy campus.) And the University of Texas at Austin, a public Ivy located in the proudly left-of-center Texas capital, “is the UCLA of the South,” says Jennifer Kaifesh, an independent college counselor in Los Angeles. North Carolina has its own widely appealing, and highly selective, gems in the form of Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. These schools are not thought of as Southern Southern; the biggest subset of Tulane’s class of 2026—30 percent—is from the Northeast. What’s different now is that lower-tier Southern schools have started to enter this desirable group. Fifty-seven percent of the incoming freshman class at Texas Christian University, a midsize school in Fort Worth—where students walk around in cowboy boots on the mornings of school football games and down BBQ and queso at the Stockyards, a preserved Western district in town—are from out of state. Seventeen percent of those hail from California. Compare that to 2008, when more than 70 percent of TCU’s incoming freshmen were from Texas. Thirty miles down the road, at Southern Methodist University, a $79,000-a-year, Tara-like oasis in the middle of Dallas famous for boulevarding (high-class tailgating) and alums like Bumble co-founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd, 62 percent of this year’s incoming freshmen are from out of state. The honors programs at Southern schools are also drawing out-of-staters. Sarah Langford, an independent college counselor in Chicago, says a student she worked with recently turned down an Ivy to attend the Honors College at the University of South Carolina, where the admitted students have an average weighted GPA of 4.7. “She wanted the full college experience but still wanted to get the excellent academics.” Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. SeanPavonePhoto There are clear and practical reasons for this shift. It’s no secret how prohibitive entry into selective schools has become, particularly as so many went test-optional during the Covid pandemic, sending application numbers soaring. Harvard’s acceptance rate sank to an all-time low of 5 percent in 2021. Even the University of Southern California, once dubbed the University of Spoiled Children, is now a Top 30 school that says yes to just 16 percent of those who apply. The result is that schools like SMU, which accepts approximately half of its applicants, are no longer considered safety schools for competitive students but have become “possible” and even “reach” choices. Ditto for TCU, which had a 53 percent acceptance rate in 2021. Jill Stuart, a USC alum living in Los Angeles, says that when her twin sons were applying to college they didn’t even consider her alma mater, because “it’s gotten so difficult to get into, and my kids were not at that academic caliber. It would have been some sort of deferred or transfer-in situation, and they very much wanted to set foot in a dorm the fall of their freshman year.” Her sons both enrolled at TCU. These schools hit the sweet spot of being easier to get into than the Ivies but not easy, according to Langford. “I think anything with that 45 percent acceptance rate or higher—but not 80 percent—makes students feel like, Okay, I’m going to a really good school that I can maybe get into,” she says. There are also more nuanced reasons behind the new Southern migration. Students in places with the strictest Covid protocols, such as the Northeast and California, spent almost a full year of high school on Zoom, missing out on proms and IRL graduations. Colleges and universities in those areas also went online for extended lengths of time. But in the South, where policies were far less stringent and face masks became a lightning rod issue (and a symbol of the raging culture divide in this country), many college campuses were only briefly closed. By the time Vincent arrived at Auburn in the fall of 2021, she says she was going to football games “with 90,000 people.” Life “felt like it was 2019 all over again.” National Championship Game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Auburn Tigers at the Rose Bowl, 2014. Kevork Djansezian The culture wars were manifest in more fraught ways as well. As protests about the murder of George Floyd rocked the nation in the spring and summer of 2020, and broad discussions about racial equity became part of the national discourse, many secondary schools, particularly elite independent institutions, rethought their curricula. Books that were deemed culturally insensitive were taken off reading lists, and a new focus was put on examining and discussing racism. Some conservative families felt that it all went too far. The battle bled into headlines: There was the Brearley dad who yanked his daughter out of the school and wrote a letter to other parents urging them to similarly withdraw their children from a place that was “brainwashing” kids with a “woke ideology.” This dynamic has begun to infiltrate the college admissions cycle, as conservative families consider what type of environments they want for their kids after high school. Liberal elite colleges, as they see it, promise only more wokeism. Why not send their children to a place that’s more about Greek life than social justice seminars? Christopher Rim, founder and CEO of Command Education, an independent college consulting company with offices in New York and Miami, says that a family with children at the prestigious Dalton School in Manhattan recently shifted their focus away from schools like Stanford, Duke, and Georgetown to Washington University in St. Louis, Emory, and SMU. “They say they want a school where ‘You see a sense of community and where you’re really able to have debates and have conversations with opposing viewpoints and not be canceled,’ ” says Rim, whose rate is $1,500 an hour. “I’ve never sent kids to visit SMU before, unless they lived in Texas,” he adds. “Now we have kids from Dalton applying.” $450M Amount SMU is raising to increase need- and merit based scholarships. Rim’s experience illustrates how much the culture wars are affecting discussions about higher education. These conversations have become all the more heated as eruptions over race, gender identity, and freedom of speech have been rocking college campuses. In 2017 protests at UC Berkeley over an appearance by right-wing commentator and Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos turned into riots involving Molotov cocktails and pepper spray. Earlier this year at Yale Law School, a panel attended by conservative constitutional rights litigator Kristin Waggoner was disrupted by jeers and what Waggoner described as “physical intimidation.” The effect, though, can be complicated. For some families a total escape from so-called liberal thought pockets is the goal. But there are also students who, while seeking a less politically charged (or just ...

Top 10 Magnificent Beaches To Visit In Fort Lauderdale – TheTravel https://collincountynewsonline.com/top-10-magnificent-beaches-to-visit-in-fort-lauderdale-thetravel/ The Venice of America is home to wonderful beaches, amazing shorelines, and tall palms. Here are 10 magnificent must-visit beaches in Fort Lauderdale. Shutterstock Known as the Venice of America, Miami’s calmer and more elegant cousin, Fort Lauderdale is best known for its magnificent beaches covering over seven miles and winding intra-coastal waterway. Wanderers come from all over the world to visit the yachting capital of the world and are involved in many water activities and adventures, such as kite surfing, snorkeling, and witnessing sea turtles nesting. This beautiful city offers a unique gateway to amazing shorelines, wonderful wave walls, sparkling turquoise water, sun-kissed white sand, and tall waving palms, and is definitely conserving a glimpse of the old Hollywood and the wild west. It can be quite hard to choose from the top beaches in Fort Lauderdale, so here are 10 magnificent spots to visit in Fort Lauderdale for a memorable experience. 10 Fort Lauderdale Beach Home to 4 miles of the cleanest, whitest sand and stunning coastline, Fort Lauderdale is a public beach and one of the most magnificent in Fort Lauderdale. People head to celebrate this beautiful gem on Florida’s southeastern coast, swim in crystal clear and shallow waters, and enjoy water activities like diving, snorkeling, and fishing. For those who want to take a break from the hot sand and experience other exciting entertainments, there is a unique place nearby featuring in-line skaters, cyclists, runners, and walkers, along with a variety of cafés and amusing and exclusive shops. Accommodation: Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort Address: 909 Breakers Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Amenities: Centrally Located, Day Spa, Concierge 9 North Ocean Park Lying about 12 miles north of Fort Lauderdale and located in Pompano Beach, the North Ocean Park is a lesser-popular beach than the others in FL but is perfect for fishing, relaxing, and swimming in the clear water. People will spot colored kites lining the water of North Ocean Park since it is famous for wind-driven sports such as kite surfing. This pretty beach is calmer than others and ideal for enjoying a tranquil getaway away from the crowds. Accommodation: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort And Spa Address: 1200 North Ocean Boulevard, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 Amenities: Private Beach, Outdoor Pool, Fitness Center 8 Lauderdale By The Sea Charming Lauderdale by the Sea is a unique beach town located on an island only five miles away from Fort Lauderdale. From every section of the beach, people can see the famous Anglins Fishing Pier, which offers fishing experiences, snorkeling, and a spectacular setting for a sunrise. It’s also home to a low-key restaurant, the Beach Café serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Visitors usually grab dinner nearby and enjoy live music in a fun, entertaining ambiance every Friday night. Accommodation: Blue Strawberry by the Sea Address: 4208 North Ocean Drive, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308 Amenities: Free WiFi, Free Parking, Outdoor Pool 7 Hillsboro Beach Located in Broward County, Hillsboro Beach is a magnificent spot situated south of Pompano Beach. Lined by the Hillsboro Lighthouse, this charming, tranquil place is perfect for vacation pictures and water adventures, such as watching nesting turtles. Near the lighthouse lies the region’s most popular tourist attraction, the famous Barefoot Mailman, which is a Florida iconic symbol represented by a statue in memory of the barefoot mail carriers who walked for miles to deliver mail from Palm Beach to Miami. Accommodation: Hillsboro Beach Resort Address: 1159 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach, FL 33062 Amenities: Private Beach, Fitness Center, Beachfront 6 Sebastian Street Beach Located between Sebastian Street and the A1A, this unique spot features the most beautiful white sand and fancy boardwalk anyone could expect from a Fort Lauderdale beach. Named the area’s “gay beach,” the crowd is cool, free, fun, and exciting, and of course, open to every visitor wishing to park their beach chairs and enjoy the sun in this section. It is also easy to find equipment to rent, like chairs and umbrellas. A whole new, fun, and practical experience! Accommodation: AC Hotel by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach Address: 3029 Alhambra Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Amenities: Snorkeling, Beachfront, Free WiFi 5 Palm Beach Only 45 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach is a luxurious destination, lined with insane mansions and frequented by rich and famous elites such as Kennedy, Trump, and Pulitzer. Visitors enjoy the white-colored sand and the clear and warm water and walk along the large expanse of the beach. Since it is difficult to gain access to Palm’s private beaches, it is recommended to visit one of the two “public” sections of the beach at Phipps Ocean Park and Midtown. Accommodation: Hyatt Place West Palm Beach Downtown Address: 295 Lakeview Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Amenities: Fitness Center, Free WiFi, Business Center 4 Hollywood Beach Voted one of the 10 best beaches in the area, Hollywood Beach offers a glitz and glam experience to its guests. This elegant, wide South Florida beach is lined with tall palms waving beautifully in the ocean breezes and features silk sand and blue sky. People pack their beach chairs and umbrellas and stay for the day. The boardwalk is where people find the most entertainment, from rollerbladers, dog walkers, runners, and stroller pushers. Accommodation: Diane Motel Address: 1300 North Boardwalk, Hollywood, FL 33019 Amenities: Beachfront, Free WiFi, Free Toiletries 3 Las Olas Beach Lining Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Beach is a busy section just off Las Olas Boulevard. This beautiful beach is close to beach resorts, restaurants, and shops. Since it can get busy during weekends and high seasons, it is recommended to arrive in the early morning. The beach has fewer high-rise buildings, which makes the experience more authentic. People have facilities at the shores like beach chairs, umbrellas, and water sports equipment rentals, which makes the overall journey very agreeable. Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach Address: 440 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Amenities: Private Beach, Fitness Center, Free WiFi 2 Hallandale Beach Lying 13 miles south of Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach is a popular giant and colorful beach-ball-shaped water tower featuring fishing and outdoor sports, like boating, swimming, kite surfing, SUPing, and kayaking. At Hallandale Beach, one will meet pleasant and friendly people from different backgrounds. Those who are not into sports can enjoy luxurious and calm sand comforts, swim in the warm and calm water, and chill by the beach under the tall shady trees. Also, restaurants, shops, and malls are also close-by. Accommodation: Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale Address: 100 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Amenities: Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Free WiFi 1 Pompano Beach Located 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach is a dream vacation spot. The area features incredible views, warm and clear water, and a tranquil environment for fishing, spotting sea turtles, and marine life from the shores. This spot is great for families but also perfect for couples’ romantic photos. The journey to Pompano Beach wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Lucky Fish restaurant situated on the south side of the pier and overlooking spectacular views, where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and other treats. They also offer food to go for those who’d rather enjoy lunch from their beach chair. Accommodation: Club Wyndham Santa Barbara Address: 1301 South Ocean Boulevard, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 Amenities: Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Free WiFi

Windfall Tax On Crude Reduced, Export Duty On Diesel Halved – The Indian Express https://collincountynewsonline.com/windfall-tax-on-crude-reduced-export-duty-on-diesel-halved-the-indian-express/ The benchmark Singapore’s gross refining margin (GRM) was trading in the range of $8-12 per barrel since August. Diesel cracks have been in the range of $25-50 per barrel and ATF cracks were around $25-50 per barrel. (File) Effective sunday, the government cut the windfall tax on domestically-produced crude oil to Rs 8,000 per tonne from Rs 10,500, and halved the levy on export of diesel to Rs 5 per litre. It also scraped a levy of Rs 5 per litre on export of jet fuel, at the sixth fortnightly review of the one-off taxes on oil companies. The taxes were introduced on July 1, as the Centre felt that elevated crude prices were allowing oil companies to make windfall profits, and that the exchequer must get a share of such gains. The reduction in tax rates follows the easing of crude oil prices in international markets. In the previous review a fortnight ago, the Centre had slashed the windfall tax on domestic crude by 21 per cent and cut the special levies on export of diesel and ATF by 37 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively, citing a moderation of refining margins. While private refiners Reliance Industries and Rosneft-based Nayara Energy are the principal exporters of diesel and ATF, the windfall levy on domestic crude targets producers like state-owned ONGC and Vedanta-controlled Cairn. The benchmark Singapore’s gross refining margin (GRM) was trading in the range of $8-12 per barrel since August. Diesel cracks have been in the range of $25-50 per barrel and ATF cracks were around $25-50 per barrel. © The Indian Express (P) Ltd First published on: 03-10-2022 at 03:22:46 am

Shoppers Can’t Get Over The ‘Amazing Transformation’ This $7 Curl Spray Left To Their Damaged Hair – SheKnows https://collincountynewsonline.com/shoppers-cant-get-over-the-amazing-transformation-this-7-curl-spray-left-to-their-damaged-hair-sheknows/ October 2, 2022 at 3:37pm PM EDT If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. Calling all curly-haired Queens: we may have the solution to detangling those curls and making your hair as bouncy as ever (without breaking the bank!) Whether you’re looking for something for you to achieve your hair goals or help your child gain haircare habits, it’s never too early (or too late!) to get started. Thanks to Amazon, we can get the shiny, healthy curls of our dreams for only $7. The SoCozy, Curl Spray LeaveIn Conditioner is a powerful detangling spray that’s perfect for conditioning curls of any kind for kids and adults alike. Made with olive oil, keratin, and plum seed oil, this softening and restorative spray has garnered a cult-like following. Both hydrating and cleansing, this multi-purpose spray is so easy to use! Per the brand, you apply this multi-purpose spray onto newly washed hair and work it through with a wide-tooth comb. With over 20,000 reviews on Amazon at 4.5 stars, people can’t get over the insane before and after photos. One reviewer couldn’t get over the “amazing transformation,” saying, “Amazing!! I had NO idea that my frizzy-haired little I girl had beautiful curls… My mind has been blown!! This has changed our lives. It smells so good!” Related story Jackie Kennedy Used This Effective Beauty Tool to Extend the Life of Her Blowouts & It’s Only $8 Another shopper had the same sentiments, saying, “This leaves my daughter’s hair feeling so soft, and it smells AMAZING. I also use it on my curls, and my hair LOVES it. This is great for detangling in between protective styles.” Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

NASCAR At Talladega Results: Chase Elliott Seals Spot In Round Of 8 With Daring Final Lap Move – Sporting News https://collincountynewsonline.com/nascar-at-talladega-results-chase-elliott-seals-spot-in-round-of-8-with-daring-final-lap-move-sporting-news/ Sunday’s race at Talladega was fairly clean, with only a handful of caution flags being waved over the course of the day. So, when Daniel Hemric’s No. 16 car stalled out on pit road with six laps to go, the pressure was on for those at the front of the pack. In the end, it was Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott battling for that checkered flag. And although it looked like it was Blaney’s race to lose for much of the day, it was Elliott who made all the right moves in the final two laps. And it was the Hendrick Motorsports driver who rolled into victory lane, sealing his spot in the Round of 8. For all of Elliott’s exploits, Sunday’s victory wasn’t just on him. Erik Jones gave him a strong push in the final lap, giving him just the momentum he needed to outpace Blaney. Ross Chastain and Todd Gilliland offered additional support in the outside lane, something Elliott desperately needed to pass Blaney on the back stretch. An overhead look at how Chase Elliott got by Ryan Blaney for the win. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/48SvS2ZreA — NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 2, 2022 To Blaney’s credit, he ran about as clean a race as one could expect at the ‘Dega. Elliott just had a few more tricks up his sleeve to get the job done. — NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 2, 2022 Sitting with the second-most playoff points (32 points above the cut line), Blaney is in solid shape heading into the final Round of 12 race. Still, it could have all been so much different, if not for Elliott’s impressive final-lap antics. The Sporting News tracked live updates from Sunday’s playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway. Below are all the highlights and results from the YellaWood 500 as they happened. NASCAR at Talladega live updates, results, highlights (All times Eastern) 5:20 p.m.: Blaney’s out in front! Elliott trying to make a move on the outside! It’s a big push from Jones and it’s Blaney and Elliott looking for it with one lap left. They’re on the stretch and it’s Elliott with the lead. It looks like Elliott is going to do it…and he does! Chase Elliott wins at Talladega and gets himself a spot in the next round of the playoffs. 5:19 p.m.: Two laps left, race restart on the horizon and lots and lots of dirty air. Time to get clutch. 5:11 p.m.: Jones and Blaney are going back-and-forth for first place. Jones has the edge at the moment. However, looks like a caution flag was waved for Daniel Hemric’s No. 16 car, whose car is stuck in pit road. That’s great news for Blaney, who can get some gas in his whip. Six laps left and the first caution flag in ages. Things are about to get spicy. 5:08 p.m.: What a race for Todd Gilliland, but the way! He’s in fourth place and looks well-positioned for a career-best showing in a Cup Series race. Not too shabby for the talented 22-year old. 5:05 p.m.: Interesting thing to look out for: the driver who is up front is apparently using more fuel. It could get very unchy for Blaney in the final few laps. Remember, Reddick was leading for much of Stage 2 before running out of fuel in the final lap. 5:03 p.m.: Chastain making a move for the inside lane. However, Blaney got the block in, keeping his lead in the process. It is tight with 16 laps left. 4:57 p.m.: Keselowski headed to pit road. Getting wide out at the back of the pack. However, it’s still Blaney and Chastain sitting out in front as we head to lap 166. 4:55 p.m.: Lead drivers are headed to pit road. It’s Larson, Elliott, and Hamlin among those who pitted. 26 laps left? Is that enough time for drivers to last? 4:45 p.m.: Blaney takes the lead! Looks like the No. 12 car was riding up the track. Keselowski, who sat in third, was delicate in his pushing with Blaney, forcing Chastain to relinquish his spot to block Hamlin, who was making his dash to the front. One move can change everything at Talladega. 4:42 p.m.: Bell, who once sat as far back as 33rd place, has rebounded fairly well in Stage 2. He’s up to 15th place and surging, putting himself in for a chance at a top-ten finish. 4:36 p.m.: Chastain still holds the lead. However, Hamlin is slowly but surely edging up the pack in the inside lane. Looks like more and more drivers are mimicking Hamlin’s movements in an effort to put themselves in decent position come the final few laps of the race. 4:31 p.m.: Hamlin sat right behind Bubba Wallace, who is currently in eighth. Both drivers are in the inside lane and trying to make a move for the front of the pack. However, at the moment it’s Chastain leading the chase, followed by Blaney and Keselowski — all of whom are on the outside lane at the moment. 51 laps to go. Plenty of time to make a move. 4:28 p.m.: Chastain and Blaney are duking it out for first place at the moment. Currently, it’s Chastain who holds the advantage. However, Blaney is within a tenth of a second, so not much between the drivers. 4:26 p.m.: Here’s how things stand in the playoff standings after Stage 2. Much to consider but it’s been an underwhelming run so far for Byron and Bell. Points after second stage (not incl where they run as far as points for finish): Logano +36, Larson +27 Blaney +25, Chastain +23, Elliott +22, Hamlin +17, Suarez +11, Briscoe +1, Cindric -1, Byron -9, Bell -26, Bowman -27 — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 2, 2022 4:24 p.m.: The final stage is underway at Talladega! Elliott, Jones and Larson leading the pack! 4:11 p.m.: Reddick and Larson are even with a little less than a lap left. Looks like Larson is being pushed by Elliott. Reddick pushed into the wall! It’s between Elliott and Larson and…it’s Elliott who takes the green flag! Chase Elliott to the outside for the Stage 2 win! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/rU6oChmWWo — NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 2, 2022 4:10 p.m.: Larson, Elliott and Reddick are the top three with two laps to go. Nice and tight in the back straightaway. This is going to be fun. 4:05 p.m.: Larson and Reddick battling for first place with seven laps to go. Very tight up front. Further back in the pack, one to watch is Christopher Bell. Nearly wrecked at pit road and is currently locked in 30th place. He’s down a lap, but with just a few laps left before the end of Stage 2, he will get another chance to pit soon enough and should get back on the lead lap fairly soon. Could have been so much worse for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver. 3:57 p.m.: It looks like the last set of drivers are headed to pit road. That includes Almirola, who has led for much Stage 2. Looks like Tyler Reddick will pull into the front. 3:54 p.m.: Bell losing some serious draft in pit road. His tires got to stalling as he pulled into pit road, spinning out as he made his entry. He’ll be penalized for going into pit road too fast and looks unlikely to nab any stage points in Stage 2. That’s big for a racer who entered today’s race outside of the cut line. 3:50 p.m.: Almirola still setting the pact through 37 laps of the second stage. Lots of stage left, but interestingly enough: only three playoff drivers currently sit in the top-ten (Larson in 4th, Chastain in 7th and Elliott in 9th). Seems postseason participants are hoping the conservative approach pays dividends at the ‘Mega. 3:41 p.m.: Almirola back out in front. Harvick is a little less than .1 seconds behind him. 34 laps to go in Stage 2. Plenty of time for sparks to fly at Talladega Superspeedway. 3:31 p.m.: Things are getting wild at the front of the pack. Blaney shrugged into Brad Keselowski, who proceeded to clip the wall. Blaney and Keselowski have decided to drop down the field ever so slightly. Seems experienced drivers are sensing a wreck could be coming soon. 3:30 p.m.: Blaney is doing a great job blocking cars off out front. He’s doing exactly what he need to do to keep his lead. 3:26 p.m.: Blaney has followed up his strong Stage 1 showing with a solid display through the first nine laps of Stage 2. He’s got a .06-second lead over Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 car. Things are quite competitive early in the second stage. 3:25 p.m.: Stage 2 is off and it’s Kyle Larson who is running up front. 3:14 p.m.: And it’s Ryan Blaney who takes Stage 1! Impressive run on the final lap by the Team Penske driver. He made a dash for the front after Turn 4 and slipped beyond Hamlin’s grasp by a couple of feet. — NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 2, 2022 Byron, who stayed near the top for much of the opening stage, finished 11th. That means he won’t get any stage points. 3:12 p.m.: Hamlin takes it back! Gave Byron two bumps, who bizarrely proceeded to move out the way and let Hamlin get out in front. Two laps to go and it’s Hamlin with the lead! 3:11 p.m.: Byron takes the lead! He crossed over into the inside line, pacing past Hamlin in the process. Looks like the Hendrick Motorsport driver is making his move for the front. 3:08 p.m.: Hamlin and Byron still going back-and-forth for first place. Seven laps left before the end of Stage 1 and sides are still looking for that all-important track position.  2:53 p.m.: It’s been an enthralling first 43 laps. Hamlin has a .1-second lead over Byron, but it seems both are working with one another to move themselves up the pack. Racing culture is so interesting. 2:48 p.m.: Hamlin into the lead! Denny came out of nowhere to pace past Almirola to take first place. William Byron lurking one spot away. Could be something to watch given the feud between Hamlin and Byron last week. 2:45 p.m.: Kyle Busch is making his mark early. The No. 18 car is locked in competition with Suarez, Elliott and Aric Almirola for first place. Solid stuff for the non-playoff driver. 2:43 p.m.: Suarez with the early lead after the race restart. He’s got the slightest of edges over Hendrick Mot...

Facebook, Beware: The Metaverse Is Flat – The Japan Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/facebook-beware-the-metaverse-is-flat-the-japan-times/ In the coming weeks, Mark Zuckerberg will announce a new virtual reality headset from Meta Platforms Inc. Embarrassingly, we already know what it will look like. A video of the purported device has been doing the rounds online after someone found one in a hotel room. Yet none of that should matter because whizzy VR headsets are becoming too much of a distraction and aren’t that integral to the early growth of the so-called metaverse, a 3D version of the internet that many see as its next chapter. It turns out flat screens are doing the job just fine. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. SUBSCRIBE NOW

The New OPPO A17: Top Features And Specifications To Observe While Buying The Phone – The Tech Outlook https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-new-oppo-a17-top-features-and-specifications-to-observe-while-buying-the-phone-the-tech-outlook/ Analyzing a smartphone and its features is important. This time, we have brought to your screen a new phone namely OPPO A17. It is considered one of the most effective phones in the affordable smartphone category. Here presented are its features, specifications, and more. Features of OPPO A17 Recently released on September 26, 2022, the phone has been on the market for only a few days. It is now available in the Indian market for sale and is powered by GSM/HSPA/LTE network technology. It has a facility to store dual sim cards, both of which must be Nano sim cards. The display type is IPS LCD. Its weight is 189 g only. It is an Android 12 phone. It has an octa-core processor. The chipset is MediaTek MT6765 Helio G35. It has a camera quality of 50 MP and a video camera quality of 1080 p. It also has 4 GB RAM. Mainly, we must observe that it has a 5000 mAh battery. However, it is non-removable. OPPO A17 is considered to be faster and more effective than the previous OPPO A16. It is available in awesome colors such as Midnight Black as well as Lake Blue. So, you may go for it if you like the features and specifications mentioned. This Dassehra, brings home OPPO A17, an effective as well as budget-friendly phone. It is a smartphone that can elevate your mood and make your life a happier place to be. OPPO A17 is a good choice if you want to gift gadgets to your loved ones. The phone is expected to be launched in the Indian market by October 20th, 2022. Price OPPO A17 The price is around 130 to 140 Euros only. The expected price of this phone according to the Indian market will be approx. Rs. 12499.

Packers Vs. Patriots Score: Live Updates, Game Stats, Highlights; Brian Hoyer Ruled Out With Head Injury – CBS Sports https://collincountynewsonline.com/packers-vs-patriots-score-live-updates-game-stats-highlights-brian-hoyer-ruled-out-with-head-injury-cbs-sports/ Season Leaders passing M. Jones786 YD, 2 TDS, 5 INTS M. Jones786 YD, 2 TDS, 5 INTS A. Rodgers684 YD, 4 TDS, 2 INTSA. Rodgers684 YD, 4 TDS, 2 INTS rushing D. Harris35 ATT, 160 YD, 2 TDSD. Harris35 ATT, 160 YD, 2 TDS A. Jones32 ATT, 217 YD, 1 TDA. Jones32 ATT, 217 YD, 1 TD receiving N. Agholor11 REC, 179 YD, 1 TDN. Agholor11 REC, 179 YD, 1 TD R. Doubs14 REC, 137 YD, 1 TDR. Doubs14 REC, 137 YD, 1 TD See New Posts Pinned Aaron Rodgers: 2nd home pick-six of career in 104 home starts (also 2017 vs CIN) Pinned Pinned Patriots say that Jonnu Smith is questionable to return with an ankle injury.  Pinned Aaron Rodgers has dropped back just eight times and has completed three passes today.  Pinned Smith is now limping to the locker room.  Pinned Injuries keep plaguing the Patriots. Jonnu Smith limped off on that last drive and went into the medical tent. Hunter Henry is the only other TE on the roster.  Pinned Felt like Watson had a step on his defender. Rodgers looked his way, but the ball sort of sailed to the sideline. Once they get their timing, this duo will be good for at least one chunk play a game.  Pinned Watched Zappe a ton during camp. He has a pretty powerful arm, but he did struggle with some of his touch passes out in the flat and shorter routes. Something to watch as he takes over with Hoyer out.  Pinned Rookie Christian Watson with the 15-yard touchdown run for the Packers. Takes his first Lambeau Leap. Packers 7, Patriots 3 Pinned QB Brian Hoyer is downgraded to out with a head injury according to the Patriots. It’s Zappe’s show now. Pinned Zappe’s first pass as an NFL QB falls short. Patriots will be forced to punt from their own end zone.  Pinned Hoyer being evaluated for a concussion after being sacked on the last series.  Pinned Hoyer now headed to the locker room so we will get another rookie QB debut after Kenny Pickett made his for the Steelers today.  Pinned QB Brian Hoyer is in the medical tent and rookie Bailey Zappe is warming up. Pinned Huge sack for the Packers on third-and-10, knocks Patriots out of field goal range. Big play after the fumble to force a punt.  Pinned The Pats will get the ball back after recovering a fumble by rookie Romeo Doubs. New England takes over at midfield. Pinned The Patriots opening drive results in a 37-yard field goal by Nick Folk. Brian Hoyer was 3-for-4 on the drive for 33 yards.  Pinned As a road underdog the Patriots are 4-6, -260 and the Packers are 13-6, +640 ATS as a home favorite. The Packers are committing 1.04 fewer turnovers per simulation. When they commit fewer turnovers the Packers are 10-1, +890 ATS and the Patriots are 1-9, -890 ATS when they commit more turnovers.

These Crypto Executives Have Stepped Down Since The Market Crash In May – CryptoPotato https://collincountynewsonline.com/these-crypto-executives-have-stepped-down-since-the-market-crash-in-may-cryptopotato/ Change is in the air as the crypto space continues to see top executives step down from their roles amid the market crisis that stemmed from the Terra Luna fiasco and the Federal Reserve’s continuous interest rate hike, which negatively impacted the global financial market. The change in crypto-related executive leadership started with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey stepping down from the company’s board of directors in May. While Twitter is not a crypto-focused firm, Dorsey is a renowned Bitcoin proponent. He got the social media giant involved in such matters, such as integrating crypto hashtags and launching an NFT collection. Compass Mining Lost Two Key Executives As the crypto winter intensified in June, bitcoin mining hosting and brokerage services firm Compass Mining (CMP) lost two of its top executives. CEO Whit Gibbs and Chief Financial Officer Jodie Fisher resigned on the same day due to multiple setbacks and disappointments within the company. That same month, Binance Labs, the venture arm of the world’s leading crypto exchange Binance, lost its leader when Bill Qian submitted his resignation a few weeks after executive director Nicole Zhang left the firm. On July 1, Peng Zhong, the CEO of Ignite, the development firm behind the Cosmos blockchain, announced his departure. The resignation came a few months after the company rebranded from Tendermint to Ignite as part of its restructuring plan. According to reports, other top executives at Ignite left the firm after Zhong’s unexpected exit. Towards the end of July, G. Steven Kokinos, the CEO of blockchain company Algorand, stepped down after spending nearly four years at the firm. Despite his resignation, Kokinos will continue to advise Algorand until next year. A Surprising August August started with a big bang as Bitcoin proponent Michael Saylor announced that he resigned from his role as CEO of MicroStrategy after serving as executive officer for over three decades. Nonetheless, Saylor’s resignation as CEO allows him to focus on the firm’s Bitcoin strategy. During his time as CEO, Saylor led MicroStrategy in investing in Bitcoin. Today, the company holds 130,000 BTC bought for $3.98 billion, topping the list of publicly traded entities with Bitcoin investments. Still in August, Michael Moro exited his position as CEO of Genesis after the crypto brokerage firm slashed 20% of its workforce to cut costs amid the bear market. Shortly after, Alameda Research, the principal trading firm of Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto exchange FTX, lost its co-CEO after Sam Trabucco resigned from the company to focus on personal matters. Kraken and Celsius CEOs Join the Train On September 21, Kraken’s founder Jesse Powell joined the list of crypto executives stepping down from their position. He served the crypto exchange for over a decade and will continue to do so as board chairman. Shortly after, FTX US President Brett Harrison and Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky followed in Powell’s footsteps, leaving their positions at their respective firms. Sharing the news on Twitter, Harrison noted that he would be moving to an Advisory role to continue his service for the exchange. The outgoing president, who has worked for the firm for more than 18 months, said he helped transform FTX US from a three-person team to a workforce of more than 100 dedicated employees from tech, business development, legal, and customer service. Celsius’ Creditors Demanded CEO’s Exit On the other hand, Mashinsky’s departure came a couple of months after Celsius filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection at the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York due to a severe liquidity crunch during the Terra fiasco. Shortly after Mashinsky stepped down from his role at Celsius, reports emerged that his resignation might have stemmed from pressure from the company’s creditors. According to a recent court filing, the creditors represented by the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (UCC) had requested the Special Committee of Celsius Network to remove its CEO and take other necessary precautions to ensure the smooth restructuring of the firm. The UCC noted that after reviewing the information presented by Mashinsky in “furtherance of the Committee’s investigation,” it would be unacceptable to allow him to continue as CEO. Meanwhile, it is unclear which top crypto executives will step down next, but it would be interesting to see how long this trend will continue. SPECIAL OFFER (Sponsored) Binance Free $100 (Exclusive): Use this link to register and receive $100 free and 10% off fees on Binance Futures first month (terms). PrimeXBT Special Offer: Use this link to register & enter POTATO50 code to receive up to $7,000 on your deposits.

A New Justice At The U.S. Supreme Court, And An Idaho Wetlands Case Up First – Maryland Matters https://collincountynewsonline.com/a-new-justice-at-the-u-s-supreme-court-and-an-idaho-wetlands-case-up-first-maryland-matters/ When the U.S. Supreme Court opens its fall term on Monday, a few things will be different. A Black woman, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, will hear oral arguments for the first time ever. And the public will be allowed into the room for the first time since early 2020. The content of the term’s first case, though, will be familiar to many who have followed federal water policy for the past several years. The case is a challenge to the definition of “waters of the United States,” which delineates which wetlands the federal government can regulate under the Clean Water Act. The case, brought by an Idaho couple, could further restrict the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate environmental protections, just as one of the last decisions by the conservative majority in the most recent term curbed the agency’s power to regulate greenhouse gases. A history-making day Monday will be the first day Jackson joins the ritual of oral arguments in the ornate chamber as one of nine Supreme Court justices. Jackson, a Harvard Law School grad and former federal judge who grew up in Miami, took the oath of office in June following an often–contentious Senate confirmation process. On Friday, she took part in an investiture ceremony, which mirrors stylistic aspects of the swearing-in. The investiture, though, is purely symbolic. Jackson has been a member of the court since taking her oath of office. Although the event was only symbolic, President Biden and a handful of top White House staff members, along with several Democratic members of Congress attended the six-minute event. U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican who sits on the Judiciary Committee, was the only senator who voted against Jackson’s confirmation to attend Friday’s ceremony. His presence seemed intended to make a point about the need to respect institutions, even amid good-faith disagreement with individuals. In a statement, Sasse, who is white, said that he disagreed with Jackson’s judicial philosophy but that their disagreement was respectful and impersonal. He urged members of both parties not to attack the court itself. “Right now, there’s a lot of sound and fury about whether or not the Supreme Court has lost legitimacy,” Sasse said in the statement. “It’s a load of bunk. The Court’s legitimacy comes from its constitutional role, not the popularity of its opinions. I’m certain that I won’t agree with all of Justice Jackson’s opinions, but I’m not going to attack the credibility of the Court when we see things differently, and I wish more of my colleagues would take a similar approach.” During the March hearings at the Judiciary Committee, Sasse avoided the most salacious attacks on Jackson launched by other Republicans and bemoaned publicity-seeking “jackassery” in the chamber. Court’s legitimacy Jackson is not expected to affect the court’s ideological balance, as she replaced Stephen Breyer, who’d been among the court’s liberal minority before his retirement. With three justices appointed by former President Trump, the court’s last term was its most conservative in decades, culminating with a ruling overturning Roe. v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that guaranteed the right to an abortion nationally. The three liberal justices, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and the since-retired Breyer, wrote a scathing dissent that the decision “undermines the Court’s legitimacy.” The court’s departure from its own precedent in the Dobbs case “calls into question this Court’s commitment to legal principle,” they wrote. “It makes the Court appear not restrained but aggressive, not modest but grasping. In all those ways, today’s decision takes aim, we fear, at the rule of law.” Americans’ opinions of the court have declined over the past two years, along with its rightward shift. A nationwide Marquette Law School poll conducted in September found 60% of respondents disapproved of the court, while only 40% approved. The results represented a 53-point drop in net favorability from the same survey in 2020, when twice as many respondents held favorable views as those with unfavorable views. Other events have also threatened the court’s reputation. Justice Clarence Thomas did not recuse himself from a case about the House Jan. 6 committee’s access to presidential records and was the sole justice to vote in favor of restricting those records. The records later showed that his wife, Nebraska native Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, had exchanged several texts with then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows spreading false claims that the election was stolen. Additionally, a draft of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked to news media months before it was published in what several experts said was an “unprecedented” breach of the court’s protocol that launched an internal investigation. New court rules, old issue Monday will mark the first time since March 2020 that the court will allow the public to attend oral arguments. Masks will be optional. The court will continue to live-stream audio from oral arguments, a practice the staid court only adopted while it limited attendance during the pandemic. The first oral arguments made under the new rules involve the EPA’s authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate “waters of the United States.” The 1972 law changed the criteria for what constituted a federally protected waterway away from one that is navigable to any “waters of the United States.” That definition has shifted since the law was passed, and particularly as the last three presidential administrations have enacted rules to define it. In 2015, President Obama’s administration issued a definition that some, especially Republicans, viewed as expanding federal jurisdiction. His successor, Trump, took steps to loosen the definition in 2020, but a federal court vacated that move in 2021. Last year, under Biden, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers said they would interpret the phrase consistent with a pre-2015 definition while they worked on updating a more permanent version. A Supreme Court ruling will likely come before that rule is finalized. An Idaho couple, the Sacketts, own a parcel of land near Priest Lake in the state’s panhandle. Their land is within 30 feet of a tributary to the lake. The EPA has claimed that parcel is within its jurisdiction to regulate as a navigable waterway, and the Sacketts disagree. The Sacketts are among the many farmers and other private landowners seeking a reprieve from federal regulation of wetlands on their property. A federal appeals court ruled last year in favor of the federal agency, but the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case could mean it will overturn the lower court’s ruling.

UTSA Falls In Sunday Match To Louisiana Tech – UTSA Athletics https://collincountynewsonline.com/utsa-falls-in-sunday-match-to-louisiana-tech-utsa-athletics/ SAN ANTONIO – Kelsey Carpenter tallied eleven kills and Mekaila Aupiu had 27 assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters left San Antonio with a 3-0 victory over UTSA on Sunday afternoon.   UTSA (6-9, 1-2) dropped its second Conference USA game of the young season as it fell it in three straight sets to Louisiana Tech (8-10, 2-2). The Lady Techsters snapped a two-game skid in San Antonio as it earned its third three-set victory of the season.   First Set (La Tech: 36-34: UTSA) Louisiana Tech controlled the early momentum of the set, eventually going up 17-11. Following the Lady Techsters’ largest lead of the set, UTSA called timeout and began to rally. UTSA used a 10-4 run out of the timeout to knot the set at 21-all. The Roadrunners had La Tech at set point, 24-23, but the Lady Techsters fought it off and sent the set to free volleyball. The two schools traded points back and forth, each staving off set point until eventually, La Tech claimed the first set 36-34. Cansu Günaydin led UTSA with five kills in the set while four other Roadrunners tallied three apiece.   Second Set (La Tech: 28-26: UTSA) The second set played out similarly to the first as La Tech held the momentum and a lead throughout most of the set. UTSA trailed throughout the whole set until eventually claiming a 26-25 lead. To get there though, the Roadrunners had to rally from six down and fight off set point to eventually claim a lead. The Lady Techsters responded though and fought off a set point of their own, scoring three straight to up-end UTSA 28-26 and take a 2-0 lead. Carpenter had a set-high six kills to lead both teams.   Third Set (La Tech: 25-19: UTSA) Louisiana Tech was able to finish off the Roadrunners in the third set, claiming a 5-4 lead early and never relinquishing it. The Roadrunners were held to just a .079 hitting percentage in the set as Louisiana Tech claimed the third and final set.   Up Next Following a two-game home stretch, UTSA will hit the road for a two-game road trip. The Roadrunners will be back in action next Friday, Oct. 7, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. and the action will be streamed on CUSA.tv.      – UTSA –

Hunt A Killer & Moose Games Reveals Multi-Year International Deal – Bleeding Cool News https://collincountynewsonline.com/hunt-a-killer-moose-games-reveals-multi-year-international-deal-bleeding-cool-news/ | The creators behind the Hunt A Killer series announced that they have agreed to a multi-year international deal with Moose Games. This new deal will bring the series of mystery titles to consumers through new international channels as they will be branching out to new parts of the world in different languages. We have more info about the deal below, along with a couple of quotes from the parties involved, as we’re guessing this deal will really kick off sometime in 2023. Credit: Moose Games Hunt A Killer will be distributed immediately by Moose Games in the UK and Australia, with greater global retail expansion planned for the coming years. The current deal excludes distribution in the US and Canada. The agreement will see Moose Games distributing Hunt A Killer‘s popular all-in-one retail games, including Death At The Dive Bar, Dead Below Deck, Body On The Boardwalk, and Murder At The Motel. With all of Hunt A Killer‘s standalone retail games, players become the detectives and are immersed into each unique storyline. In every box, players receive all the clues needed to solve a thrilling mystery. “We couldn’t have found a better partner to help us realize our international growth potential,” said Ryan Schuman, Senior Director of Retail at Hunt A Killer. “We are thrilled to reach international retail markets and Moose Toys will now have new products for its customers. We couldn’t be happier or more excited to work with Moose Games, and they will be a great partner in the years to come.” “We are always looking for new and innovative products, and new experiences for our customer base,” said David Norman, General Manager, Moose Games. “We have high standards for products sold through our channels and Hunt A Killer has an incredible portfolio of games that we know our retail partners and their customers will love.” Enjoyed this? Please share on social media! About Gavin Sheehan Gavin is the current Games Editor for Bleeding Cool. He has been a lifelong geek who can chat with you about comics, television, video games, and even pro wrestling. He can also teach you how to play Star Trek chess, be your Mercy on Overwatch, recommend random cool music, and goes rogue in D&D. He also enjoys hundreds of other geeky things that can’t be covered in a single paragraph. Follow @TheGavinSheehan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vero, for random pictures and musings. Latest by Gavin Sheehan Indie developer and publisher Multiverse Studios revealed that they will be offering up new cosmetics for Earth From Another Sun. The creators behind the Hunt A Killer series announced that they have agreed to a multi-year international deal with Moose Games. GIANTS Software released a new update for Farming Simulator 22 this past week as players now have Pumps N’ Hoses. Pearl Abyss has launched their annual Heidel Ball event into Black Desert and revealed some new content on the way. Graffiti Games confirmed this week that they will be bringing a free demo of World’s Worst Handyman to Steam Next Fest. NCSOFT is gearing up for the release of their next MMORPG Throne & Liberty by showing off new gameplay footage to everyone. Latest in Games Indie developer and publisher Multiverse Studios revealed that they will be offering up new cosmetics for Earth From Another Sun. The creators behind the Hunt A Killer series announced that they have agreed to a multi-year international deal with Moose Games. GIANTS Software released a new update for Farming Simulator 22 this past week as players now have Pumps N’ Hoses. Dragon Ball Super Card Game’s latest set Dawn of the Z-Legends includes Super Rares featuring Hirudegarn and Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta. Pearl Abyss has launched their annual Heidel Ball event into Black Desert and revealed some new content on the way. Graffiti Games confirmed this week that they will be bringing a free demo of World’s Worst Handyman to Steam Next Fest.

North Texas Man Accused Of Murdering 22 Elderly Women Back On Trial Monday – WBAP News/Talk https://collincountynewsonline.com/north-texas-man-accused-of-murdering-22-elderly-women-back-on-trial-monday-wbap-news-talk/ Posted on October 2, 2022 49-year old Billy Chemirmir is the accused; Dallas county prosecutors believe he stalked and killed the women for their jewelry. He was found guilty of capital murder in the death of an 81-year old woman, and police believe he stalked victims living at assisted or independent community living centers. A 91-year old woman survived an attempt at smothering her, and told police she knew she was in trouble when she opened her door to the man identified as Chemirmir, wearing rubber gloves. Collin County prosecutors are sitting on nine capital murder cases against Chemirmir as well (Copyright, All Rights Reserved, WBAP/KLIF 2022)

Ian Live Updates: Death Toll Rises As Rescuers Search For Survivors – The New York Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/ian-live-updates-death-toll-rises-as-rescuers-search-for-survivors-the-new-york-times/ Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker