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The Best Extension Cords For Your Home And Garage In 2022 – National Today https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-best-extension-cords-for-your-home-and-garage-in-2022-national-today/ Extension cords are popular among homeowners and DIYers as they provide an easy way to add more outlets or power to your home or garage. These cords are often overlooked in favor of more high-tech electrical gadgets, but they’re an essential part of keeping your home or garage running smoothly. When shopping for an extension cord, it’s important to consider the length and gauge of the cord. It’s also important to consider the amount of electrical current the cord can carry so that you can power power-intensive appliances. If you’re looking for an extension cord that’s high-quality, durable, and affordable, look no further. Our selections are perfect for any home or garage. You can rest easy knowing that our picks are made from quality materials and each one boasts additional features that guarantee longevity and efficiency. How We Picked Length The length of the extension cord is a crucial feature because it determines how far away you can plug in appliances without having to re-wire. A long cord can help you cover more ground by making it easier to reach an outlet from across the room. Durability This feature is a good indicator of how long an extension cord will last. A good cord should be made from the highest quality material and carry a decent amount of current. This is the simplest way to ensure that you don’t replace your cord every other day. Flexibility If you plan on adding outlets to hard-to-reach places like underneath cabinets or behind furniture, an extra-flexible extension cord might be better for your needs than one that is rigid and stiff. Cost-Effectiveness Not all extension cords are made equal. Some are more expensive than others, so it is important to look into the features of each one and compare them with their prices. This will help you pick an extension cord that provides great quality without causing a dent in your budget. Our Top Picks Best Pick Iron Forge Outdoor Extension Cord Sometimes you just need more length – and that’s where this heavy-duty extension cord comes in. This extension cord is the longest and most dependable of our choices, and it checks all the essential and extra boxes. Buy Now for $77.99 Widely regarded as one of the most reliable extension cords on the market, this product’s capability is evidenced by numerous positive reviews. Endorsed by the electric appliance community on Amazon, it boasts excellent quality, durability, and ease of use. Runner Up US Wire and Cable 74050 The power source end has a little LED that lights up when the cord is in use. This 50-foot cord is sufficiently flexible to move across a double carport, run between two rooms inside, or stretch profoundly into a yard or garage. Buy Now for $34.30 ($0.69 / Foot) The US Wire and Cable 74050 50-Foot Extension Cord is a high-quality connecting device that lives up to its considerable hype. It guarantees perfect connectivity and regulated electricity transfer. It is also weather-resistant and great for outdoor use. An extension cord that is a great fit for the job — ensuring high-quality dependence and preventing fire hazards from weak or unregulated power connectivity. Who This Is For These extension cords are designed for use in your home and garage, as well as in other areas where you need extra power. They are also ideal for use in areas where you need to run a lot of appliances at once. Some homeowners may need an extension cord that has multiple outlets or is heavy-duty enough to handle the weight of a power tool. Others may only need a light-duty extension cord that can handle basic tasks such as plugging in lamps without any issues whatsoever. Whichever power capacity you need, whether you need a cord to connect two outlets or an extension cord that can support an entire room’s worth of appliances, we have the right one for your needs! How do extension cords work? An extension cord can be a lifesaver when you need to plug in something that’s out of reach. Whether it’s for added length between your wall plug and the outlet in the garage or a power strip that needs to stretch from one end of your workbench to the other, there are cords for your home and garage that can help. They are useful when you need to use multiple appliances and devices in one room, such as a hair dryer, a computer system, a refrigerator, a television set, or an air conditioner, depending on the power capacity of the extension cord. Extension cords have two parts: a cord and an adapter. The cord plugs into one end of the adapter, while the other end plugs into an outlet in your home or garage, allowing you to connect multiple devices at once. An extension cord provides extra length, so it can be used anywhere within a socket’s reach. Extension cords come in various lengths, but their main purpose is to connect two outlets. Each line on an extension cord has either two or three prongs, depending on its size. The larger the number of prongs, the greater the current carrying capacity of the cord will be. To provide power to the connected device, extension cords use one or more wire connections. These wires transfer electric current from the socket to the appliance or device. The current travels through each wire in succession until it reaches its destination. If there are multiple connected appliances and devices on the extension cord, each one will receive its share of electricity from the socket. Are extension cords weatherproof? While extension cords can be made out of various materials, the best ones are weatherproof and durable. This means that they won’t break or fail under extreme conditions like rain or snow — just like your home’s electrical system needs to be protected from the elements. In addition to being durable, weatherproof extension cords have a high level of quality control. They are tested by independent laboratories before being released onto the market so that you know exactly what kind of materials were used in their construction and how they will perform when exposed to harsh elements like rain, heavy wind, or snow in your garage. By choosing one of our recommended weatherproof extension cords, you can be assured that it will last through many years of use while protecting your home’s wiring system from damage caused by water or other elements. What are the maximum amp and wattage an extension cord can handle Maximum Amperage is the maximum amount of electricity an extension cord can carry safely. Most extension cords have this listed on their packaging or on the product itself. The higher the amperage, the more powerful the extension cord will be able to do its job. On the other hand, maximum wattage is another term for power — it is how much energy a tool can use at one time. Again, most extension cords have this information listed somewhere on their packaging or product itself so you don’t have any surprises when it comes time to plug in that high-power electric lawnmower to your extension cord! The maximum wattage an extension cord can handle also depends on where it’s being used and how much electricity you’re using at once. The best extension cords for your home and garage are those that have a rating of at least 15 amps and 5,000 watts. This means that they will be able to handle the most powerful appliances and tools you have in your home or garage. However, make sure the extension cord you choose has an amp rating equal to or higher than the appliance it is being used with. For example, if you’re planning on using an extension cord with a 12-volt air compressor, make sure it has an amp rating of at least 15 amps. If it does not have this rating, then it may not be able to handle the current from the air compressor. You should also avoid using extension cords that have too low of an amp rating because they won’t be able to provide enough power for the job at hand without overheating or increasing their resistance due to excessive heat buildup within them over time. Why You Should Trust Us Extension cords are a necessity for many homeowners and renters. They are used to connect multiple appliances, such as lights, heaters, and power tools, to one outlet. Extension cords can be used to extend the length of an electrical cord by several feet for your convenience. If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve probably already got a bunch of discarded extension cords — that have failed in durability or lack important and additional features — laying around your home. If you’re still not sure where to start, then let us help! We know you want to get the most for your money, and that’s why we’ve made this list of our top picks. We’ve researched for you and have the necessary information you need to make an informed decision on which cords are best for you. How We Picked While conducting in-depth research, we avidly considered certain necessary features and factors to pick the best and most-impressive extension cords that are up to the task. Length It is important to know how long your extension cord will be, so you can ensure it will reach all of the electrical devices you would like to connect to it. Additionally, if you’re using an extension cord that is plugged into a socket in one room but is needed to power a tool or appliance in another room or a more distant location in your garage, then the length of the extension cord must be long enough to go around corners and reach its destination. You should look for an extension cord with a maximum length of 20 feet or more. Durability Durable extension cords are designed to last longer than their counterparts and make sure that you don’t have to worry about them failing on you at a crucial moment. A durable extension cord can be used to power high-energy tools and other appliances in your garage or home within its wattage ran...

Chinese Court Approves Crypto Trading While Thailand Bans Lending And Staking Services – Kitco NEWS https://collincountynewsonline.com/chinese-court-approves-crypto-trading-while-thailand-bans-lending-and-staking-services-kitco-news/ Editor’s Note: With so much market volatility, stay on top of daily news! Get caught up in minutes with our speedy summary of today’s must-read news and expert opinions. Sign up here! (Kitco News) – The regulatory landscape in China just got a little more complicated as a Chinese court has ruled that citizens can still trade cryptos despite the country’s ban on digital asset services and cryptocurrency trading.  According to a recent ruling from the Beijing Number One Intermediate People’s Court, investors are allowed to trade cryptocurrencies but indicated that they should be treated as virtual assets instead of currencies.  The ruling arose from a case involving a crypto loan that was made using Litecoin (LTC) back in 2015. Zhai Wenjie indicated that he loaned his friend Ding Hao 50,000 Litecoin with the agreement that Hao would pay 1,000 LTC in monthly interest.  According to the court, since Litecoin is not issued by a monetary authority and lacks backing from legal and financial frameworks, it cannot be treated as a currency.  “According to real administrative regulations and cases, our country only denies the monetary attributes of virtual currency and prohibits its circulation as currency, but the virtual currency itself is a virtual property protected by the law,” the court ruled. The judge on the case cited a lack of laws prohibiting the perception of Litecoin as an illegal asset, which led the judge to rule in favor of the plaintiff and ordered Hao to return the LTC to Wenjie.  Despite the ban on cryptocurrency services in China, recent data from Chainalysis shows that Chinese citizens have been increasingly utilizing centralized services to get access to crypto, which suggests the ban is being loosely enforced. China currently ranks tenth globally in terms of crypto adoption.  SWIFT explores the use of blockchain technology to improve efficiency Thailand bans crypto lending and staking products Meanwhile, In Thailand, a Thursday press release from the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indicates that the regulator has prohibited cryptocurrency companies from offering digital asset lending and staking products or depository services.  The reason for the decision is to protect traders and the general public from business risks associated with companies offering these services and to protect users from utilizing services that they think meet regulatory requirements – but do not.  This ruling follows the collapse of several notable lending, staking and depository platforms, including the decentralized finance protocol Terra, and the centralized finance providers Celsius and Voyager.  The SEC cited a widespread lack of risk management from crypto stakers and liquidity issues that have led some providers to stop their services and suspend the withdrawal of digital assets as reasons why this ruling was needed. Authorities in Thailand have been tightening their control over the crypto industry in the country since being criticized for failing to protect local investors at Zipmex, a licensed crypto exchange that temporarily suspended withdrawals in July.    Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Former USC Water Polo Coach Wins New U.S. College Admissions Scandal Trial – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/former-usc-water-polo-coach-wins-new-u-s-college-admissions-scandal-trial-reuters/ FILE PHOTO – Jovan Vavic, a former water polo coach at the University of Southern California, arrives at the federal courthouse for the trial for his role in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com BOSTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) – A federal judge has set aside the conviction of a former University of Southern California water polo coach charged with participating in a vast U.S. college admissions fraud and bribery scheme and on Thursday ordered a new trial. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston said the prosecution during closing arguments misstated what it needed to prove for jurors to find Jovan Vavic guilty of accepting bribes to help wealthy parents’ children gain admission to USC. Vavic’s lawyers and the prosecution did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com His trial was the second to result from the “Operation Varsity Blues” investigation, which exposed how wealthy parents went to extremes to secure spots for their children at schools like Stanford, Yale and USC. They did so with the help of William “Rick” Singer, a California college admissions consultant who admitted in 2019 to facilitating college entrance exam cheating and bribing coaches to secure his clients’ children’s admission as phony athletes. Prosecutors had claimed that in exchange for about $200,000 bribes, Vavic misled USC admissions officials into believing that unqualified high school students belonged on his championship water polo team. Because prosecutors much of that money, $100,000, was to designate the son of a private equity financier as a fake athletic recruit, Talawani said the government needed to prove the money benefited Vavic while harming USC’s interests. But Talwani said a prosecutor misstated the law by arguing during closing arguments that jurors could convict Vavic based solely on a misrepresentation and professional benefits he gained from bringing in money and nothing more. “And, however distasteful, there is nothing inherently illegal about a private institution accepting money in exchange for a student’s admission,” Talwani said. Fifty-three other people have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial, including actors Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman. Two parents were convicted in one trial, while another was acquitted in June. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston Editing by Josie Kao Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Nate Raymond Thomson Reuters Nate Raymond reports on the federal judiciary and litigation. He can be reached at nate.raymond@thomsonreuters.com.

Missouri S&T – News And Events – Carbon-Capture Research Wins $1.7 Million Grant – Missouri S&T News And Research https://collincountynewsonline.com/missouri-st-news-and-events-carbon-capture-research-wins-1-7-million-grant-missouri-st-news-and-research/ Researchers at Missouri S&T will develop a system to capture carbon dioxide and use it for blended cement, ultimately contributing to the decarbonization of the cement industry. The National Science Foundation awarded a $1.7 million grant for the project. “Our goal is to deliver an innovative, integrated and adaptable capture-and-conversion system while producing valuable cement supplements from waste CO2,” says Dr. Fateme Rezaei, The Linda and Bipin Doshi Associate Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Missouri S&T. “Waste CO2 in industrial flues is considered a valuable resource for a variety of products, including chemicals and fuels.” Rezaei, an internationally known expert in carbon capture, is working with a team of S&T researchers, including Dr. Hongyan Ma, associate professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering; Dr.Kwame Awuah-Offei, chair of mining and explosives engineering; and Dr. Joseph Smith, the Wayne and Gayle Laufer Chair of Energy and professor of chemical and biochemical engineering. The research team also includes Chengquing Qi, technical center director at Ash Grove Cement Company of Overland Park, Kansas, which is a corporate partner. Rezaei says the United States produces about 90 million metric tons of cement each year, emitting about the same amount of CO2. Portland cement dominates the market, and she says that if no sustainable alternatives cements are invented, the most promising strategy for decarbonizing the cement industry is to developed additives to make blended cement. Portland cement contains clinker, a material made by liquifying limestone and clay under intense heat in a kiln, mixing it with gypsum and grinding it into a fine powder to use as a binder. “The White House goal of cutting America’s carbon emissions in half by 2020 requires investment in carbon-intensive industrial sectors like cement manufacturing that are hard to decarbonize,” says Rezaei. “This strategy could replace clinker in commodity cement with carbon-efficient – or even carbon-negative – minerals.” The team will explore the fundamental chemistry needed to develop economically viable technology to convert the captured CO2 to blended cement. Rezaei says the research could be applied to other industries that emit CO2. It can also be used to extract CO2 directly from air. The NSF award begins Jan. 1. About Missouri University of Science and Technology Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of approximately 7,000 students. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System and located in Rolla, Missouri, Missouri S&T offers 101 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top 10 universities for return on investment, according to Business Insider. S&T also is home to the Kummer Institute, made possible by a $300 million gift from Fred and June Kummer. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.

SMU – The Dallas Morning News https://collincountynewsonline.com/smu-the-dallas-morning-news/ By Joseph Hoyt 11:00 AM on Sep 15, 2022 CDT SMU vs. Maryland When: 6:30 p.m. at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, MD. Records: SMU (2-0, 0-0 in AAC), Maryland (2-0, 0-0 in Big Ten) Last meeting: Maryland defeated SMU 7-0 on Sept. 22, 1962, in College Park, MD. TV: FS1 What’s at stake? Make no mistake: every chance SMU has against a Power Five team is a chance to show they belong. That’s what made last year’s win over TCU — sans the obvious Battle for the Iron Skillet details — so important for the Mustangs. Going on the road and doing the same thing to a Big Ten team would render the same feeling. For SMU, it’s also a litmus test opportunity. The Mustangs, almost flawlessly, dominated UNT in the season opener before sluggishly doing the same against Lamar in the home opener. First-time head coach Rhett Lashlee has said that everything is new this season, especially early on. Each week is a chance for the Mustangs to learn, and a chance for those on the outside to find a better answer to this question: what, exactly, are the capabilities of this team? Answers will be revealed on Saturday. When SMU has the ball All offseason, the talk about SMU was about senior receiver Rashee Rice and his intention of becoming the next great Mustangs receiver. He bulked up, acted like a professional and dominated in practice. Through two weeks, he’s backing it up. He has 17 receptions so far and is third in the nation in receiving yards (298). So, if SMU is going to have success, it starts and ends with Rice getting open or drawing double teams to get other SMU receivers schemed open. Another thing that’ll help get receivers open: a good running game. SMU has four starting-caliber running backs and potentially five – with the most tantalizing in five-star recruit Camar Wheaton, who has the chance to take the next step in his development on Saturday. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai will also have the chance to add a signature performance with a good game against the Terrapins. When Maryland has the ball Taulia Tagovailoa – the right-handed younger brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa – is a quarterback the Mustangs certainly respect. Tagovailoa is graded in the top-10, according to Pro Football Focus’ national grades. He also has plenty of weapons at his disposal, as well, led by former five-star recruit Rakim Jarrett. The key for SMU’s defense this game is unlocking an area of their game that they haven’t utilized in their dominant start so far: the pass rush. The Mustangs have four sacks through two games and have done so without a ton of effort, in terms of blitz scheme. The Mustangs might have to ramp up the pressure against Tagovailoa. More importantly, if they get there, they have to ensure they can bring him down. Prediction On paper, this is a game between two very even teams. Two talented quarterbacks with a ton of weapons versus two defenses that have shown potential, but have yet to be truly tested. So what could be the difference? Takeaways. SMU has five so far in two games. Maryland, on the other hand, has yet to record a turnover on defense. SMU true freshman kicker Collin Rogers has been perfect so far. The Mustangs could use him in this game, as well. Prediction: SMU 34, Maryland 31 +++ Find more SMU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here. Joseph Hoyt, Staff Writer. Joseph covers SMU, college sports and the Texas Rangers for The Dallas Morning News. Previously he covered high school sports for The News. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2016, Joseph interned at The News before working for The Ames Tribune and KOIN-TV in Portland. He returned to The News in Nov. 2018. joseph.hoyt@dallasnews.com /JosephHoytDMN @joejhoyt

How To Save On Holiday Travel This Year – Forbes https://collincountynewsonline.com/how-to-save-on-holiday-travel-this-year-forbes/ Getty Images Inflation is real and so are the looming holidays. If your winter plans are still pending, it’s time to start seriously thinking about where you want to go and when this holiday season. And before you start stretching your budget, take into account new data from Expedia, which can help Travelers avoid the busiest holiday travel days to save an average of 5-15%. Here’s how to travel hack the most wonderful (and expensive) time of the year. Book your Thanksgiving flights days ahead of the holiday According to Expedia flight data for Thanksgiving 2022, travelers departing Sunday, Monday or Tuesday instead of Wednesday the week of Thanksgiving can save an average of 5% on airfare. For some destinations, the savings are even bigger – average ticket prices for Las Vegas, for example, drop from around $550 to $380 just by changing the departure date to earlier in the week. Take an extended Christmas vacation For Christmas 2022, Expedia flight data shows travelers can save an average of 15% by departing the first half of the week instead of Thursday or Friday before Christmas. For some destinations, the savings are 30-35%. Roundtrip flights to Cancun, for example, are $200 cheaper if you depart Mon-Weds instead of Thursday or Friday. WireImage Book about a month ahead of your trip You still have a bit of flexibility in scheduling your holiday plans. Expedia’s historical data from 2019 indicates travelers get the best price on holiday flights by booking around four weeks in advance of their travel date. This year, given pricing and demand trends from the summer, Expedia analysts recommend booking even earlier. Stay on top of your alerts Opt in for price alerts for flights to get notified when prices go up or down via Expedia or other travel booking sites. Expedia’s Price Match Promise, an optional add-on, automatically refunds the price difference if your flight prices decrease on Expedia prior to travel. Capital One Travel offers a similar guarantee, if prices book for your flight within 10 days of payment. ·Anticipate changes Certainty for anything and everything pretty much went out the window in 2020, and we’re still learning to live and travel with that. Select flexible flight options with no change fees and free cancellations, which can save money in the long run as plans can (unfortunately) change. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

People And Business News — 9/22 – Applied Clinical Trials Online https://collincountynewsonline.com/people-and-business-news-9-22-applied-clinical-trials-online/ People News Clinovo appointed Nandish Poluru as Chief Executive. Allucent, announced the appointment of Steffany Cox as its chief marketing officer. Susan Robbins joined HeartcoR Solutions as its director of training. Additionally, Michelle Mills has joined the organization as director of ECG analysis and quality control. MMS Holdings Inc. announced the appointment of Kelly J. Hill to Chief Strategy Officer. Florence Healthcare has hired Kristin Surdam, who will lead the company’s thought leadership team and efforts to engage sponsors and contract research organizations, and Gunnar Esiason, who will lead patient-facing strategies. Elligo Health Research announced Chief Scientific Officer Rebecca Kush, PhD, was recently elected Chair of the Vulcan Advisory Council. Promontory Therapeutics Inc. announced the appointments of Helene Shea, PhD, as Vice President of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls, and Kate Hogg Call as Vice President of Clinical Operations. Parexel promoted Peyton Howell to the newly created role of Chief Operating and Growth Officer and Amy McKee, MD, to Chief Medical Officer and Global Head, Oncology Center of Excellence. Business News Strata Oncology, Inc. announced that Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) has joined the Strata Precision Indications for Approved THerapies (Strata PATH) trial. Recognition Jumo Health announced it has made Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list. LaQuinta Jernigan, Chief Operating Officer for mdgroup, has been recognized as one of 100 most inspiring people in life sciences. WCG’s Vice President, Patient Advocacy and Clinical Research Diversity, Lori Abrams, has been named a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion.

Southwest Virginia: Best Services Winner 2022 – VirginiaLiving.com – Virginia Living https://collincountynewsonline.com/southwest-virginia-best-services-winner-2022-virginialiving-com-virginia-living/ HEALTH Alternative Medicine 1st: Blue Ridge Center for Chinese Medicine 2537 Floyd Hwy. N., Floyd BRCCM.org, 540-745-4144 The Blue Ridge Center for Chinese Medicine specializes in drug-free pain relief. The acupuncturists at BRCCM work with many different traditional Chinese herbs and formulate mixtures specifically for each client. The practice also offers Tui Na and Gua Sha massage therapies, cupping, and heat therapy. 2nd: Balance Wellspace Integrative Medicine, Roanoke BalanceWellspace.com, 540-824-1014 3rd: Acupuncture Center of Roanoke AcupunctureOfRoanoke.com, 540-344-3286 Counseling or Therapy Practice 1st: Blue Mountain Therapy Locations in Abingdon, Wytheville BlueMountainTherapy.com, 276-525-6043 Blue Mountain Therapy was founded in 2013 and today offers home health therapy, early intervention therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, and other physical and behavioral therapy services, both in home and outpatient settings. One happy client said, “They changed my family’s life and they can do the same for you.” 2nd: Dandelion Counseling LLC, Martinsville Facebook: @DandelionCounseling, 276-634-8304 3rd: Comprehensive Counseling Services, Roanoke ComprehensiveCounselingServices.com, 540-343-0004 Dental Practice 1st: Brown Dental Associates 915 W. Main St., Abingdon BrownDentalAssociates.com, 276-628-9507 Whether you need a simple, routine cleaning or a wisdom tooth removal, the doctors and staff at Brown Dental Associates will have your smile looking good again in no time. Their loyal customer base speaks to their skill, professionalism, and family-friendly attitudes. 2nd: Cross, Lavinder, Quinn, & Park Family Dentistry of Roanoke DentistRoanoke.com, 540-989-1170 3rd: Blue Ridge Dental Group, Multiple locations BlueRidgeDentalGroup.com, 540-904-4969 Home Health Provider 1st: Interim HealthCare of Southwest Virginia 1013 E. Main St., Salem InterimHealthCare.com, 540-774-8686 Interim HealthCare was founded in 1966 and now comprises over 300 independently owned franchises nationwide. The staff at Interim provides comprehensive home care services, whether you’re recovering from a stay in the hospital or simply need some support to continue living independently. 2nd: Carilion Clinic Home Care, Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-964-9300 3rd: Home Nursing Service of Southwest Virginia, Abingdon TheCliftonCompanies.com, 276-628-2666 Hospital 1st: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital 1906 Belleview Ave. SE, Roanoke CarilionClinic.org, 540-981-7000 The Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital first opened in 1900 as the Roanoke Hospital and joined Carilion in 1996. One of the largest hospitals in the state and the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, Roanoke Memorial is dedicated to improving the health of the communities it serves and training tomorrow’s physicians. 2nd: Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, Christiansburg CarilionClinic.org, 540-731-2000 3rd: Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital CarilionClinic.org, 276-988-8700 Obstetrics and/or Gynecology Practice (OB/GYN) 1st: Carilion Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-422-8482 Carilion Clinic Obstetrics and Gynecology offers excellent gynecologic, prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care to new parents in the Southwest region. Screening mammograms and Pap smears are available to all women, regardless of the ability to pay. For prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care, the Carilion team gives mom the birthing experience she and her family desire. 2nd: Abingdon OB/GYN BalladHealth.org, 276-628-4335 3rd: Drs. Moore & Stockstill, Roanoke MooreAndStockstill.com, 540-904-7710 Ophthalmology/Optometry Practice 1st: Eye Physicians of Southwest Virginia Multiple locations EyePhysiciansOfSWVa.com, 276-628-3118 Eye Physicians of Southwest Virginia have four locations and have been serving the area since 1982. They offer adult and pediatric eye exams, as well as surgeries like glaucoma and cataract surgeries. No matter your vision issue, they offer comprehensive eye care for the entire family. 2nd: Vistar Eye Center, Multiple locations VistarEye.com, 540-855-5100 3rd: Eye Care & Surgery, Multiple locations EyeCareSurgery.com, 800-650-7313 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice 1st: Carilion Clinic Cosmetic Center Locations in Blacksburg, Roanoke CarilionCosmetic.com, 540-853-0510 Carilion Clinic Cosmetic Center is dedicated to providing patients with safe, effective surgical and non-surgical treatments for all areas of the body. Focused on building trusting relationships between staff and patients, Carilion ensures that patients are fully informed, fully prepared, and fully empowered to make aesthetic choices that meet their expectations and improve quality of life. 2nd: Blacksburg Smiles BlacksburgSmiles.com, 540-509-0112 3rd: Aesthetic & Family Dental of Martinsville 276-638-3265 Orthodontic Practice 1st: Jones & DeShon Orthodontics 25 Cleveland Ave., Suite E, Martinsville DavidJonesOrthodontics.com, 276-638-8888 Founded in 1978 by Dr. David C. Jones, the practice specializes in traditional braces and Invisalign services. With a mission to provide the best quality smiles one patient at a time, the practice is the largest provider of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen in Southwest Virginia and is proud to serve the community they love. 2nd: Dr. Dennis Vaughan, Radford Facebook: Vaughan Orthodontics – Radford, 540-639-3002 3rd: Dr. Paul C. Kaiser Orthodontics, Roanoke KaiserOrthodontics.com, 540-362-1097 Orthopedic Practice 1st: Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org/GeneralOrtho, 540 510-6200 The team of surgeons at Carilion Clinic Orthopedic are proud to provide care at the Institute for Orthopaedics and Neurosciences throughout the Southwest region. Their board-certified, fellowship-trained reconstruction surgeons evaluate and treat thousands of patients annually with a vision of collaboration, innovation, and a team-based approach to healing efficiently. 2nd: Blue Ridge Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Abingdon BalladHealth.org, 276-258-1760 3rd: Lewis Gale Orthopedics, Salem LGPhysicians.com, 540-772-3400 Pediatric Practice 1st: Carilion Children’s Pediatric Medicine Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-422-8482 Based in Roanoke, Carilion Clinic serves nearly one million Virginians from several different locations. Carilion Children’s Pediatric Medicine offers routine checkups, immunizations, nutritional counseling, physicals, newborn care, minor injury treatment, and more. Carilion’s sole focus is to improve the health of the communities it serves. 2nd: Children First Pediatrics of Virginia, Martinsville ChildrenFirstPediatricsOfVa.com, 276-638-5437 3rd: Carilion Clinic Family Medicine, Christiansburg CarilionClinic.org, 540-381-6000 Physical Therapy Practice 1st: Carilion Clinic Therapy and Rehabilitation Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-422-8482 Based in Roanoke, Carilion Clinic serves nearly one million Virginians from several different locations. Their rehabilitation staff are highly trained in speech, occupational, and physical therapy treatments, among others. Three Carilion locations offer “Swing Bed” programs, which provide 24-hour nursing care with a rehabilitation focus. 2nd: Bassett Physical Therapy, Stanleytown BassettPT.com, 276-622-3636 3rd: Advanced Physical Therapy of Virginia, Salem APTOfVa.com, 540-444-0291 Primary Care Practice 1st: Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Multiple locations CarilionClinic.org, 800-472-8482 Based in Roanoke, Carilion Clinic Family Medicine works together with a comprehensive network of hospitals and specialty practices to provide quality care close to home for nearly one million Virginia residents. The practice seeks to advance family health care through medical education, community health and safety, and low costs. 2nd: Cave Spring Family Practice, Roanoke LGPhysicians.com, 540-777-4000 3rd: Community Health Center of the New River Valley, Christiansburg CHCNRV.org, 540-381-0820 BEAUTY Cosmetic Surgery Practice 1st: Alouf Aesthetics 1602 Apperson Dr., Salem AloufAesthetics.com, 540-215-0286 Having served the Roanoke Valley since 2004, Alouf Aesthetics offers both surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic services. Surgical services include facial surgery and body contouring, while nonsurgical services include injections, facials, and micro-needling. Dr. Alouf and his team will take care of whatever cosmetic needs you have. 2nd: Carilion Clinic Cosmetic Center, Locations in Blacksburg, Roanoke CarilionCosmetic.com, 540-853-0510 3rd: Plastic Surgery Specialists, Abingdon PLSurgery.com, 757-345-5599 Dermatology Practice 1st: Dermatology Associates and Cosmetic Center 143 Woodland Dr. SW, Wise CEDWise.com, 276-365-8071 Drs. Autumn and Christopher Starnes started this dermatological practice in 2011. They have surgical services for skin cancer but also provide services such as hair removal, botox, fillers, tattoo removal, and microneedling. Clients love the professional and educational staff at Cutting Edge Dermatology. 2nd: Derm One, Multiple locations DermOneVa.com, 276-326-3376 3rd: Dermatology Practice of Roanoke DermatologyPracticeOfRoanoke.com, 540-562-8873 Hair Salon or Barber Shop 1st: Cuttin’ Up Hair Salon 500 E. Main St., Abingdon Facebook: @CuttinUpHairSalon, 276-628-2688 Cuttin’ Up Hair Salon has friendly and talented stylists that can meet any and all of your hair needs. The salon also employs an esthetician and a massage therapist if you’re ever in need of more than just a haircut. Customers have nothing but kind words for all of the stylists at this salon. 2nd: Corporate Image Barbersho...

School Report Cards Released Today | News, Sports, Jobs – Youngstown Vindicator https://collincountynewsonline.com/school-report-cards-released-today-news-sports-jobs-youngstown-vindicator/ The Ohio Department of Education this morning released the 2022 Ohio School Report Cards, providing performance evaluations for districts, schools, community schools, Career Technical Planning Districts and schools around Ohio. The ODE announced that Districts and schools this year will not receive overall ratings, but the report cards will include five rated components and various report-only data. The five components will receive ratings from one to five stars. This newspaper is working to analyze the results of Valley schools, and a complete breakdown will be published in Friday’s print and online editions. Specific data on districts and individual Ohio schools can be accessed by CLICKING HERE. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

RENOVI To Bring Buildathons, Marketplaces And Custom-Built Stores And Events To The Aftermath Islands Metaverse – GlobeNewswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/renovi-to-bring-buildathons-marketplaces-and-custom-built-stores-and-events-to-the-aftermath-islands-metaverse-globenewswire/ RENOVI’s partnership with Aftermath Islands will extend opportunities for 3D creators and innovators to participate in the Metaverse. September 15, 2022 12:31 ET | Source: Aftermath Islands Metaverse Limited Bridgetown, Barbados, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  RENOVI, a leading platform for creating interactive marketplaces, buildathons with 3D architects, custom virtual creations for eCommerce, and brand engagement, has partnered with blockchain-based virtual reality platform Aftermath Islands Metaverse, a Barbados-based company, to bring their expertise to the growing virtual community. Aftermath Islands Metaverse is built using the Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) platform, creating fully realistic graphics together with GPU cloud-based serving technology and pixel streaming to create a Metaverse that does not require any download and can be played on virtually any mobile, tablet, or computer. With GPU cloud services and pixel streaming, there is no need to create heavy device downloads, allowing users to participate in the Aftermath Islands Metaverse without the need for heavy graphics or device computing. For brands, eCommerce, and interactive commercial programs, the Aftermath Islands Metaverse provides high resolution graphics with realistic representation of digital goods and services. Aftermath Islands Metaverse is already showcasing its Alpha platform privately and is expected to open its early-stage Beta version of its first virtual island in the coming weeks. Aftermath Islands is also launching its FREE Play to Earn (P2E) game, Lost Kingdom of T’Sara, allowing players to engage in an easy “clicker” style game to earn resources that can be converted to NFTs that can be used inside the Aftermath Islands Metaverse. This game can be played both on mobile devices and computers. Players will first have to create a Meta Park Pass, allowing them to anonymously verify themselves as a real person to play on the P2E platform and the Aftermath Islands Metaverse. RENOVI and Aftermath Islands Metaverse are working to develop an interactive industry event, or buildathon, that will encourage 3D architects for buildings, event spaces, wearables, and interior design elements to create submissions that will be judged by an esteemed group of industry professionals for a host of great prizes. The partners are exploring the creation of a joint Marketplace program that will allow the transfer of items crafted, branded, and internally produced in Aftermath Islands Metaverse in the form of NFTs, internally and externally. The partners will also provide creative services for brands and other commercial operators to develop their realistic presence in Aftermath Islands. RENOVI is a leading Metaverse marketplace and design studio working with a multitude of global brands and businesses to help create, develop and implement their Web3 strategies. The NFT marketplace connects architects, 3D designers and digital landowners, providing the opportunity to purchase ready-made designs to be used across all Metaverse worlds and VR platforms. Renovi Studios has already become an established business in the Web3 space – developing and building Metaverse and NFT strategies for leading brands in the fashion, entertainment, sports, and hospitality sectors. Regarding the partnership, David Lucatch, Managing Director of Aftermath Islands, said: “We are excited to partner with RENOVI to enhance our creative and building programs and to support our creator and innovator community and assist them to create new revenue opportunities from the Metaverse. One of our primary goals at Aftermath Islands is to partner with great organizations like RENOVI to offer a wider range of services and offerings for our players and our growing community of developers.” Andy Charalambous, Co-Founder, Renovi, said: “Our goal is to make the Metaverse as beautiful, functional, and effective as possible. We do this using custom-built and designed NFTs, art, and related virtual assets. The opportunity to do exactly this within the immersive, aesthetic, high-definition worlds within Aftermath Islands is perfect for architects, 3D designers, and creators. We look forward to showcasing all that we have to offer over the coming weeks and months.” According to Gartner, the Metaverse is one of the top five emerging tech trends for 2022. Global spending on Metaverse technologies is expected to grow almost five-fold from about $15 billion today to almost $73 billion by 2024. JPMorgan has even called the Metaverse “the next trillion-dollar opportunity,” with industry leaders in gaming, retail, education, the arts, healthcare, business solutions, and blockchain all investing in this rapidly evolving and emerging ecosystem. Citi has stated that the Metaverse may be in its infancy, but it could represent a revenue opportunity of as much as $13 trillion and have a major impact on not just key tech players, but also cryptocurrencies. About Aftermath Islands Metaverse Limited Aftermath Islands Metaverse Limited is a Barbados corporation that is 50% owned and is controlled by Oasis Digital Studios Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc (CSE:LQID / OTC: LQAVF / FRA: 4T51. Aftermath Island Token Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aftermath Islands Metaverse Limited, is a British Virgin Islands corporation Aftermath Islands Metaverse is an open-world, realistic graphic virtual world where users can buy, develop, trade, and sell Virtual Land (VL), property, and items using in-game collectible NFTs. From play-to-earn games to online experiences, collaboration, immersive entertainment, and more, Aftermath Islands brings live streaming, high-definition graphics, exemplary interactivity, real-world mechanics, and countless new services and experiences to players all around the world. The platform is built on the philosophy of decentralization and economic inclusivity and promises to provide captivating experiences that allow people around the world to earn their way into virtual land ownership. Learn about Aftermath Islands’ virtual worlds here and read about how the project is reimagining Metaverse experiences in the future in the project light paper and sizzle reel. About RENOVI RENOVI is a leading Metaverse marketplace and design studio working with a multitude of global brands and businesses to help create, develop and implement their Web3 strategies. Since its inception in 2021, the company has already received significant investment and endorsement from some of the world’s leading digital funds and VC’s including GDA Capital, a leading digital asset firm, and the Metaverse Group, the world’s first vertically integrated real estate company. For more information, please visit: www.renovi.io RENOVI Social Media Medium | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Telegram Media Contact: Aftermath Islands Robert Penington Robert@thronepr.comRenovi Piers Zangana piers.zangana@susacomms.com Via KISS PR Press Release

Essentials Fall 100: The IRobot Roomba I7+ Is Our Best Selling Robot Vacuum – CBS News https://collincountynewsonline.com/essentials-fall-100-the-irobot-roomba-i7-is-our-best-selling-robot-vacuum-cbs-news/ CBS Essentials Fall cleaning is so important. Falling leaves, windy days and lots of rain mean you may be tracking in more dirt and debris into your home this season. It’s time to invest in a robotic vacuum with powerful suction that will clean your space while you’re out living your best fall life.  Top products in this article: iRobot Roomba i7+, $730 (reduced from $1,000) iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum, $250 (reduced from $274) iRobot Roomba j7+ self-emptying robot vacuum with Braava Jet M6 robot mop, $1,079 (reduced from $1,250) If your fall schedule is so packed you can’t find time to vacuum, it’s time for an iRobot Roomba i7+, a CBS Essentials bestseller. The cleaning device sucks up dirt, debris and pet hair on carpet and hardwood floors. This top-rated robot vacuum features expert navigation that learns the layout of your home and avoids large items such as pet bowls and toys. The home gadget can be controlled entirely by your smartphone or with a compatible voice assistant. The iRobot Roomba i7+ can perform scheduled cleanings and send you personalized cleaning recommendations and seasonal suggestions to help keep your floors clean year-round. Don’t worry about constantly emptying your new robot vacuum’s dustbin. The iRobot Roomba i7+ is equipped with a cleaning base with automatic dirt disposal that allows the i7+ to empty itself for up to two months. This 4.4-star-rated iRobot Roomba is on Amazon right now for a great deal. This affordable Roomba will clean your space while you’re returning to the office, in the yard dealing with fall leaves, out shopping for the best fall boots or getting cozy on the couch to stream the best fall TV.  iRobot Roomba i7+ Amazon The Roomba i7+ is one of the more advanced robot vacuum models you can buy. It features a three-stage cleaning system with strong suction power great for picking up pet hair, dust and dancer. It’s smart enough to learn the layout of your home and clean in neat rows, while staying out of areas you don’t want it to go. This CBS Essentials reader-favorite vacuum is low maintenance, too: The included cleaning base requires emptying only once every 60 days. iRobot Roomba i7+, $730 (reduced from $1,000) Shop more fall deals on iRobot Roombas We’ve found even more deals on top-rated robot vacuums from iRobot. Keep reading to discover slashed prices on robot vacuums that will clean most floor types (including wood floors and carpet) while you’re busy doing literally anything else.  iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum Amazon The budget-minded Roomba 694 is Wi-Fi-enabled. Control the vac with your connected smartphone or device via the iRobot Home app. The Roomba 694 has a 90-minute run time before it automatically docks and recharges. On Amazon, one reviewer praised the iRobot device’s ability to keep a pet-friendly household clean. “We have two dogs, one that sheds moderately,” the customer wrote. “I purchased in hopes that it at least would help between regular vacuuming. I vacuumed first with my Dyson then set it free.  “When it was done with the job, I didn’t expect much in the dust trap… I was wrong! It was full! Super impressed.”  iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum, $250 (reduced from $274) iRobot Roomba j7 (7150) robot vacuum iRobot via Amazon The Roomba j7 is 19% off at Amazon right now. The robot vacuum uses smart sensors to navigate under and around furniture and to protect itself from falling down stairs. The iRobot Roomba j7 is smart phone and voice assistant compatible. Use a compatible device to schedule multiple cleanings and designate keep-out areas. iRobot Roomba j7 (7150) robot vacuum, $487 (regularly $600) iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO robot vacuum with automatic dirt disposal Amazon The iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO uses smart-mapping tech to learn the layout of your home. Use your connected phone to direct the Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuum to clean any room you want. You can even schedule a future clean. This Roomba is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.       The smart appliance learns your cleaning habits, and can suggest extra cleanings during peak pollen and pet-shedding seasons. And don’t even worry about dumping your dustbin. The Roomba i3+ EVO features iRobot’s “Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal” system, and empties your accumulated dirt into an enclosed bag.  iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO robot vacuum with automatic dirt disposal, $499 (reduced from $550) iRobot Roomba i4+ EVO (4552) robot vacuum with automatic dirt disposal iRobot via Amazon The iRobot Roomba i4+ EVO has all the same smart features as the i3+ EVO. But the i4+ EVO boasts a 20% larger battery.  “The i4+ is extremely quiet as it moves, and the SmartMap feature is really cool,” wrote an Amazon customer who purchased the device. “I am able to direct my Roomba to clean common areas with more frequency than say, my bedroom. The i4+ isn’t a bumper car the way that other models were, and the cleaning pattern is very neat.  “I can also see exactly where was cleaned on a post-cycle map.” iRobot Roomba i4+ EVO (4552) robot vacuum with automatic dirt disposal, $509 (regularly $650) iRobot Roomba j7+ self-emptying robot vacuum with Braava Jet M6 robot mop iRobot via Amazon Amazon has this 4.4-star-rated floor robot vacuum and robot mop bundle on sale now. It includes the iRobot Roomba 7+ and the Braava Jet M6 robot mop. The iRobot Roomba 7+ uses an edge-sweeping brush to get into corners. It features dual, multi-surface rubber brushes that flex to adjust to different floor types — and help prevent them from getting tangled with pet hair. Billed as a self-cleaning vac, the Roomba 7+ automatically empties into enclosed bags. The Braava Jet M6 robot mop, also by iRobot, delivers a jet spray that helps tackle messes on finished hard floors of stone, tile, wood and more. iRobot Roomba j7+ self-emptying robot vacuum with Braava Jet M6 robot mop, $1,079 (reduced from $1,250) The CBS Essentials Fall 100 Want the secret to the perfect fall? The shopping experts at CBS Essentials (that’s us!) have compiled the first-ever Essentials Fall 100, a list of the 100 most essential products of fall 2022.  These must-have items include bestsellers, seasonal favorites, top-rated products and hotly anticipated new gadgets, including the Apple iPhone 14 and Apple AirPods Pro 2. Before you buy anything this season, check out the CBS Essentials Fall 100 list for the best in tech, kitchen gadgets, home appliances, smart cleaning tools, must-have apparel, cozy furniture, fall decor, Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving turkeys and more.  We’ll be updating this list all season long. Be sure to check back and see what top-rated products make our Essentials Fall 100. Related content from CBS Essentials  Essentials Fall 100: Why the Apple iPhone 14 is our first-ever must-have fall essential pick Essentials Fall 100: The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the must-have earbuds for fall Everything you need to know about the Apple iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple AirPods Pro 2, available for preorder AirPods, Apple Watch 7, iPads and more: The best deals on Apple tech Apple AirPods are on sale: The best deals on AirPods you can get right now Don’t want the Apple iPhone 14? You can save $250 on the Google Pixel 6 Pro now Best new refrigerator features in 2022 Best new washer and dryer features in 2022, including the new Samsung Bespoke line

US Treasury Sanctions Russian Paramilitary Group Crowdfunding Ukraine War With Crypto – CoinDesk https://collincountynewsonline.com/us-treasury-sanctions-russian-paramilitary-group-crowdfunding-ukraine-war-with-crypto-coindesk/ Nikhilesh De is CoinDesk’s managing editor for global policy and regulation. He owns marginal amounts of bitcoin and ether. Danny is CoinDesk’s deputy business editor. He owns BTC, ETH and SOL. The U.S. Treasury Department added five crypto addresses to its sanctions blacklist Thursday, all tied to a Russian entity dubbed “Task Force Rusich.” The addresses – two bitcoin, two ether and one tether – saw thousands of dollars in crypto flow through, sometimes to exchanges such as Binance and KuCoin, according to data from Nansen. Some of the addresses have been active as recently as this week. Telegram records indicate that at least four of the addresses are linked to a military hardware crowdfunding campaign to help resupply pro-Russian troops that retreated during Ukraine’s offensive in the northeast. The units took heavy casualties during their retreat, one of the posts said. The sanctions were part of a broader list of additions to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)’s Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list tied to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The tether address is tied to USDT issued on the Tron blockchain. According to the Treasury Department, Task Force Rusich is a “neo-Nazi paramilitary group” that has been in combat in Ukraine. “In 2015, Rusich mercenaries were accused of, and filmed, committing atrocities against deceased and captured Ukrainian soldiers. Rusich is associated with OFAC-designated groups Private Military Company Wagner and Interregional Social Organization Union of Donbas Volunteers,” Treasury said in a press release. Treasury also sanctioned a number of other individuals tied to Russia’s invasion. Sign up for State of Crypto, our weekly newsletter examining the intersection of cryptocurrency and government By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG . Nikhilesh De is CoinDesk’s managing editor for global policy and regulation. He owns marginal amounts of bitcoin and ether. Danny is CoinDesk’s deputy business editor. He owns BTC, ETH and SOL. Nikhilesh De is CoinDesk’s managing editor for global policy and regulation. He owns marginal amounts of bitcoin and ether. Danny is CoinDesk’s deputy business editor. He owns BTC, ETH and SOL.

U.S. Space Command Chooses UA As Inaugural Partner In New Program – Arizona Public Media https://collincountynewsonline.com/u-s-space-command-chooses-ua-as-inaugural-partner-in-new-program-arizona-public-media/ In August 2020, workers at the University of Arizona unionized. A growing number of workers in white-collar industries have formed unions in recent years. AZPM The University of Arizona’s reputation for research has landed it a prestigious new program. The United States Space Command, or USSPACECOM, has selected the UA as the inaugural member of its Academic Engagement Enterprise. USSPACECOM, established the new program to increase research and innovation related to space and national security, advance space-applied research and innovation, and to engage and prepare future workers. USSPACECOM,established the Academic Engagement Enterprise, or AEE, on Sept. 1 to engage the future workforce, advance its space-applied research and innovation programming, expand space-focused academic partnerships, and increase dialogue between the agency and academia. “U.S. Space Command recognizes the incredible collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership opportunities the University of Arizona presents to our command and workforce,” said Col. Doug Drake, U.S. Space Command Chief of Training and Education. “With the full spectrum of space-science programs and degrees, the University of Arizona and its faculty provide an academic standard for others to emulate. We look forward to leveraging the University of Arizona’s scientific, technical and academic prowess in support of USSPACECOM as we meet our National Security and National Defense responsibilities.” UA’s relationship with USSPACECOM will provide a forum for students, faculty and university partners to collaboratively address pressing challenges in human security, exploration, development and settlement of space. “With our long and well-established leadership and expertise in planetary science, astronomy, astrophysics and space technology, the University of Arizona is perfectly positioned to partner with and support the U.S. Space Command in many areas of research, operations and student engagement,” said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins. “It is an honor to be selected as the agency’s first academic partner.” The United States relies heavily on its space assets, including GPS, weather forecasting and communication satellites to permit essential day-to-day activity, said Jekan Thanga, a UA associate professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering. The volume of space traffic is expected to increase with the introduction of mega-constellations – new space stations and on-orbit servicing facilities – into cislunar space, which is the space between Earth and the moon. If not properly managed, the increased traffic could stifle future growth prospects and limit access to space. “The expected wider expansion into space will require mastery in living and working within cislunar space,” Thanga said. “The university, through long experience-spanning space missions, technology and habitats, will be developing a multiprong education program and skillset that will equip USSPACECOM personnel tackle these challenges.” Thanga will coordinate with the university’s various space-related entities to establish a formal, graduate-level program in space research, addressing needs identified by USSPACECOM. “The University of Arizona has a rich history with NASA dating back to the 1960s, in which it has taken on some of the nation’s toughest space challenges and delivered proven results to NASA,” Thanga said. “In that same spirit, we seek to be problem solvers for the next wave of challenges that inevitably come with wider expansion into space.” The National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development survey ranks the University of Arizona as No. 1 in astronomy and astrophysics

Tech Tracker: Picnic Announces More Plans To Automate Kitchens – Nation’s Restaurant News https://collincountynewsonline.com/tech-tracker-picnic-announces-more-plans-to-automate-kitchens-nations-restaurant-news/ Automation technology is king these days, from flashy robots to Starbucks’ recent announcement that they would be investing in more automation to help cut down drink-making time. Not only can automation help with the ongoing labor crisis, but human-free tech can also improve speed and convenience: two consumer needs that have become more important in the post-pandemic world. This month, the robot tech news keeps rolling in as pizza robot-maker Picnic, announced multiple new partnerships, including one with Domino’s International and one with Minnow Technologies to introduce an automated pickup pod. In other news this month, DoorDash is adding a new merchant suite to help boost small businesses and Lunchbox is introducing a new integration network that helps solve the age-old problem, “why won’t these tech vendors play nicely together?” Tech Tracker rounds up what’s happening in the technology sector of the restaurant industry, including news from restaurants, vendors, digital platforms, and third-party delivery companies. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know and why: Picnic picks up more partnerships with Minnow Technologies, Domino’s, and more Robot technology company Picnic has been busy this month. The pizza automation company announced a partnership with Seattle-based Minnow Technologies, which developed a self-service pickup pod (aka smart food lockers) for foodservice operators. Both companies envision the partnership working especially well for end-to-end automation in commercial kitchens, large franchises, sports stadiums and universities. A customer will be able to place a mobile order, which is then picked up and created by Picnic’s pizza-making technology and placed inside a heated pickup pod for the customer to retrieve at their convenience. But that’s not all: Picnic also announced a partnership with Seattle-based Moto — a pan-style pizzeria known for its unique pizza concepts like clam chowder and chop cheese — to deploy the Picnic pizza station Otis inside the burgeoning pizzeria. “Moto was founded on the notion that our food should be nutritious and sourced near us to deliver the highest quality meal,” Lee Kindell, Founder of Moto said in a statement. “With more and more people desperate to get their hands on [our pizzas], we’re looking forward to Picnic helping us produce a higher volume of the peculiar pizza Seattle desires, without any sacrifice to taste.” Perhaps one of the most intriguing partnerships Picnic announced is with Domino’s International, where the company will be testing the kitchen of the future at a Domino’s store in Berlin, Germany. While this is just a test demonstration, the Picnic partnership with international franchisee, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd., Is a multi-year partnership that could lead to more automation solutions for the company in the future. DoorDash launches a new merchant suite to boost indie restaurant performance Following in the trend of third-party delivery companies expanding beyond their original capabilities, DoorDash has launched a new merchant suite meant to help boost performance of neighborhood restaurants. This reorganization of DoorDash’s current merchant capabilities lets operators easily see the solutions available to them in one place based on needs like “grow online” “attract new customers,” or “increase order volume.” Customers will also have access to customer data, like a heat map of locations and zip codes of where their biggest customers are located. Limited access to customer data has long-been a criticism of third-party delivery companies and they are slowly trying to change their reputation for being possessive of merchant data. DoorDash also is launching a learning center where operators can learn skills and methods for how to increase their online orders. “Our goal is to give restaurants more opportunities to grow, be more profitable, and operate efficiently in today’s online convenience economy,” Tom Picket, chief revenue officer at DoorDash said in a statement.  “We’re only successful when our partners are successful — we hope this new framework gives them the guidance they need to grow.” Lunchbox introduces a new integration network As the number of tech vendors continue to multiply, it can become more and more challenging to figure out how to get them to play nicely with one another. Lunchbox’s latest capability — Lunchbox Open — claims to take vendor integration to the next level with a singular platform that integrates features from many of the major vendor companies including Toast, all major DSPs, Square, Facebook, Google Ads, Brink, and LevelUp. The integrative technology also removes block on entry from legacy providers like Olo. “Our mission is to help restaurants in every avenue and the best way to do that is by giving them access to pick and choose the integrations that make sense for them and their restaurant,” Lunchbox cofounder Hadi Rashid said in a statement. “We’re also opening up the race for integration partners.” Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant enters the metaverse The metaverse isn’t just for hot membership clubs or fast-food integrations anymore. Chicago-based Scott Harris Hospitality is launching an NFT membership program at Michelin bib Gourmand-recommended restaurant Joe’s Imports. The digital NFT artwork will pay homage to the eponymous, late Joe Fiely, or “Smiley Joe Fiely” and will give partial proceeds of the NFT purchases back to the community. Like many of the NFTs we’re seeing lately, the Joe’s Imports membership program will be a membership program, offering three levels of participation, ranging from $100  to $1,750 per year. Membership will include access to VIP events, discounts on meals and wine, free happy hours, exclusive events, and a private locker inside the Joe’s Imports wine cellar. The latest batch of tech vendor funding In the world of technology startup funding, virtual workforce company, Bite Ninja continues to be popular with another round of funding: this $11.3 million bridge funding round brings the company’s total raised to date to $15.4 million. The funding will be used to help expand the company’s technology capabilities, and key investors this time around included Manta Ray Ventures, Owl Ventures, Agfunder, Pioneer Fund and TRAC Unicorn fund.   Byte Kitchen, a restaurant technology company that helps scale restaurants through virtual food halls, just closed a $6 million round of funding. This fundraising round was led by Crosslink Capital, Emergent Ventures and Kevin Mahaffey, and will be used to expand locations, invest in the technology, and grow the team. ConverseNow — a technology company known for creating voice-based AI ordering assistants — received a $10 million investment in partnership with Danny Meyer-founded private equity firm, Enlightened Hospitality Investments. Combined with their $15M Series A funding, which closed last year in partnership with Craft Ventures, that brings ConverseNow’s total funding to $28.8M. The company currently operates its technology in 1,200 restaurants across the country, including Domino’s Pizza, Fazoli’s and Blake’s Lotaburger.

New Projects In North Texas For Sept. 13 – Dallas Business Journal – The Business Journals https://collincountynewsonline.com/new-projects-in-north-texas-for-sept-13-dallas-business-journal-the-business-journals/ New projects in North Texas for Sept. 13 – Dallas Business Journal  The Business Journals

Avalon Waterways To Debut New Douro-Exclusive Ship, Avalon Alegria, In 2024 – TravelPulse https://collincountynewsonline.com/avalon-waterways-to-debut-new-douro-exclusive-ship-avalon-alegria-in-2024-travelpulse/ Avalon Waterways will begin sailing Portugal’s Douro River in 2024 with the debut of its Douro-specific all-suite ship, the Avalon Alegria. The ship’s name means “happiness” in Portuguese. The Avalon Alegria will offer a Sky Deck pool, 14 Deluxe Staterooms and 37 Panorama Suites, with a maximum total of 102 guests and 33 crew members. Avalon Waterways’ debut Douro itinerary is the 8-day Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages itinerary, which includes “Classic,” “Discovery and “Active” excursions options for all types of travelers. A 3-night pre-cruise stay in Lisbon, Portugal is an optional extension. A rendering of the Panorama Suite onboard the Avalon Alegria. (photo via Avalon Waterways) The itinerary begins in Porto and visits Guimaraes, Porto Antigo, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, the small village of Freixo de Numao, Barca d’Alva, a choice between Freixo de Espada a Cinta or Salamanca in Spain and then a few extra days back in Porto. “We’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to add Portugal to our robust vacation portfolio and that day has finally arrived,” said Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “Inviting our guests to sail the Douro for the first time, we’re bringing the Suite Ships of Avalon, the grandest views in cruising and whim-powered itineraries to Southwestern Europe. And we couldn’t be more excited.” For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Wall Street Opens Lower, Railroads Climb As Strike Averted – 69News WFMZ-TV https://collincountynewsonline.com/wall-street-opens-lower-railroads-climb-as-strike-averted-69news-wfmz-tv/ NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening moderately lower on Wall Street, leaving major indexes well in the red for the week following the biggest pullback for the market in more than two years on Tuesday. Railroad operators were mostly higher after a tentative labor agreement was reached, averting a strike across the country that could have been devastating to the economy. Software maker Adobe fell sharply after announcing a $20 billion acquisition of a design company and issuing a forecast for the current quarter that fell short of what investors were expecting. The S&P 500 was down half a percent in the early going Thursday. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — Futures on Wall Street shifted between small gains and losses as investors turned their attention to an upcoming retail sales report after the White House announced early Thursday morning that a tentative railway labor agreement has been reached, averting a strike that could have been devastating to the economy. Futures for the Dow Jones industrials inched up less than 0.1% and futures for the S&P 500 were down less than 0.1%. Global markets were mixed and oil prices fell less than 1%. Railroads and union representatives had been in negotiations for 20 hours at the Labor Department on Wednesday to hammer out a deal, as there was a risk of a strike starting on Friday that could have shut down rail lines across the country. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would cost the economy more than $2 billion a day. President Joe Biden announced the deal just after 5 a.m., calling it an “important win for our economy and the American people.” The stocks of major railroads involved in the talks — which included BNSF, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and the U.S. operations of Canadian National — rose between 2% and 4% on news of the tentative agreement before U.S. markets opened. Wall Street now waits for another update on inflation’s latest impact on spending when the government releases its retail sales report for August on Thursday. A report on inflation at the wholesale level released Wednesday showed that prices are still rising rapidly, with pressures building underneath the surface, even if overall inflation slowed. It echoed a report on inflation at the consumer level Tuesday, which raised expectations for interest-rate hikes and triggered a rout for markets. Investors worry rate hikes by the Federal Reserve to cool surging prices could go too far in slowing the U.S. economy and send it into a recession. The Fed is trying to avoid that outcome, but the latest inflation reports suggest that is becoming a more difficult task. But markets appeared to have settled after Tuesday’s sell-off. Traders now see a 1-in-4 chance the Fed may hike its benchmark rate by a full percentage point next week, quadruple the usual move, according to the CME Group. The central bank has already raised its benchmark interest rate four times this year, with the last two increases by three-quarters of a percentage point. The aggressive action on interest rates is designed to try to cool the hottest inflation in four decades. Tuesday’s report on high prices jolted markets with signs that inflation is entering a more stubborn phase that could require an already resolute Fed to do more. The broader U.S. economy has been slowing, but consumers have remained resilient and the job market remains strong. The Labor Department will issue its weekly unemployment applications report Thursday. In Europe, Germany’s DAX added 0.1%, while the CAC 40 in Paris slipped 0.3% and Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.4%. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index gained 0.2% to 27,875.91. Japan reported a record trade deficit for the month of August, driven by high costs for imports of energy and other commodities and a weak yen. But analysts said they expect a rebalancing in coming months. “Motor vehicle production should continue to normalize as supply chain disruptions ease, while commodity price growth has eased even further,” Darren Tay of Capital Economics said in a commentary. The Shanghai Composite index lost 1.2% to 3,199.92, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.4% to 18,930.38. China’s central bank left its benchmark lending rate unchanged. While other major economies are raising rates to cool inflation, the world’s second-largest economy has been slowing and price increases have been moderate. The Kospi in Seoul shed 0.4% to 2,401.83, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.2% to 6,842.90. In other trading Thursday, U.S. benchmark crude oil lost 44 cents to $88.04 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It jumped $1.17 on Wednesday to $88.48 per barrel. Brent crude, the pricing basis for international trading, fell 46 cents to $93.64 per barrel. The dollar rose to 143.32 Japanese yen from 143.16 yen late Wednesday. The euro was trading at 99.87 cents, up from 99.77 cents. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 added 0.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched 0.1% higher. The Nasdaq gained 0.7% and the Russell 2000 picked up 0.4%. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Islamic Solidarity Fund For Development (ISFD) Funds Maternal, Neonatal, And Child Health In Tajikistan – African Business https://collincountynewsonline.com/islamic-solidarity-fund-for-development-isfd-funds-maternal-neonatal-and-child-health-in-tajikistan-african-business/ The Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) (https://ISFD.IsDB.org), with IsDB representatives and other donors visited Tajikistan in support of the country’s health sector. The visit focused on the “Improving Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) in the Republic of Tajikistan’’ project which is funded by ISFD in addition to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the King Salman Humanitarian Aid, Relief Center (KSRelief), and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).  The project is implemented through the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) and executed by the Republic of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MHSP). The project aims at saving the lives of mothers and their newborns and children under 5 years of age in four districts of the Khatlon region with a population of nearly 5 million.  The Project components include, i) Provision of equipment, medical supplies, and development of health facilities infrastructure; ii) Development of institutional and human resource capacity through inter-related studies and training courses; iii) Mobilization of community and support to awareness campaigns. By 2030, the planned impact of this project include: reducing maternal mortality from 45 to 25 per 100,000 live births (LB), under 5 years mortality from 43 to 25 per 1000 LB, infant mortality from 34 to 20 per 1000 LB, and neonatal mortality from 19 to 16 per 1000 LB. On 5th September, the donors’ representatives, including ISFD, visited 2 districts in the Khatlon region namely Danghara, and Norak where they followed on project implementation on the ground. The visit focused on rural health centers and health houses benefitting from equipment and training, as well as the construction and renovation sites for the Danghara polyclinic and the Norak Central District Hospital. The ISFD and other donors also interacted with the local communities and sought their opinion about the services provided under the project within these densely populated and yet geographically challenging environments. Dr. Hiba Ahmed, Director General for Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) stated: “Despite being still in the implementation phase, the LLF project in Tajikistan has made remarkable forward steps towards enhancing maternity conditions and reducing child mortality and morbidity rates in the Khatlon Region. The project complements the country’s efforts in developing an effective health sector that can realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially Goal 3 of “ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages”.  ISFD looks forward to seeing the project being fully implemented with positive and far-reaching impacts on the lives of beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas and the hard-to-reach communities.” Dr. Hiba Ahmed also expressed the appreciation of ISFD and IsDB to the Government of Tajikistan, the different stakeholders, and ministries supporting this very important project, especially the Ministries of Finance, Health, and Economic Development & Trade. The country’s hospitality made this visit a great success. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD). This Press Release has been issued by APO. The content is not monitored by the editorial team of African Business and not of the content has been checked or validated by our editorial teams, proof readers or fact checkers. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

New England Patriots News 9/15/22 – – Pats Pulpit https://collincountynewsonline.com/new-england-patriots-news-9-15-22-pats-pulpit/ Daily news and links for Thursday If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Sologenic Originals: Own A Unique 3D Avatar For Metaverse & Gaming – GlobeNewswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/sologenic-originals-own-a-unique-3d-avatar-for-metaverse-gaming-globenewswire/ DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After an eventful Q2 with various ecosystem updates and new components, Sologenic announced the launch of its flagship original NFT collection. A limited batch of 14 avatars professionally 3D-modelled by the Anonymous Astronauts team for use in metaverse and gaming applications. Driving the marketplace catalogue into utility-based NFT use cases, the collection of unique characters will include an asset package for each holder to render and use their 3D avatar in multiple online experiences. The downloadable package will include a full-body high-resolution render of the avatar in the form of an FBX File; a format often used for game development and animation projects. “In an era driven by online experiences, having an online identity that reflects our personality is fundamental. Avatars become our identity in the virtual world, an extension of our personality that can now be captured in a 100% unique and customizable character as an NFT,” Favio Velarde (Sologenic’s Head of Growth) With the launch of the Original Series, Sologenic is introducing an on-chain solution for owner-exclusive content, very similar to token gated features commonly used on Discord community servers. The asset package will only appear as available on the page of each NFT to the verified wallet that owns it. Additionally, individual object files of the avatar’s clothing and accessories will be provided as Sologenic aims to release clothing NFT collections for the avatars in partnership with well-known brands with the aim to improve and excel in the customization of the virtual avatar online. Considering the recent news about the XLS-20 amendment set to unlock native NFT functionalities on the XRPL, the Sologenic team is prepared and remains in constant improvement by working on new features for the NFT Marketplace to remain the best platform for minting and trading digital collectables on the Ledger. About Sologenic Sologenic is disrupting the asset trading industry by offering: Tokenized Securities, Crypto Assets and NFTs in a decentralized ecosystem. The Sologenic Development Foundation is formed by independent developers who maintain, build and expand the Sologenic ecosystem. More information can be found on www.sologenic.org Contact Favio Velarde press@sologenic.org A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ec09081-c8dc-42cb-b4d9-8c85ea0c2cb7 Sologenic Originals The most exclusive NFT collection of avatars lands on the XRPL.

8 Roguelikes Available On PS Plus Extra – TheGamer https://collincountynewsonline.com/8-roguelikes-available-on-ps-plus-extra-thegamer/ The definition for what makes a roguelike game is becoming more muddied and has grown to become something else entirely from its early humble retro roots. Nowadays, good roguelike games usually contain endless procedurally generated levels, unique loot that affects each run, permadeath, and some element of meta-progression. Roguelikes have dominated the indie scene for a while now, but it has become so popular that it has begun to permeate flashy triple-A blockbusters too. With Sony’s PS Plus service’s growing list of games, there are quite a few options for you to experience the deeply compelling gameplay loop of the roguelike genre. There are plenty of roguelikes on PS Plus Extra, but which are worth your time? 8 Fury Unleashed Fury Unleashed takes the gameplay elements from the frenetic side-scrolling bullet-hell platformers of old and chucks them straight into a procedurally generated comic-book-inspired world, with all the meta-progression upgrades you can imagine. The game is like a fun mix between Contra and Dead Cells, and includes an intriguing combo system that offers rewards for unbroken chains of kills. It all helps to keep the action flowing while increasing your score. The moment-to-moment gameplay feels great as you have access to an impressive arsenal, with plenty of dashes and double jumps to keep the combo going. The game also allows you to bring a buddy along for co-op, which makes for twice the bombastic fun. 7 Everspace Most games set in space tend to go for a slower-paced and more explorative type of experience as you delve into the vast lonely depths of the unknown. Everspace does away with all that tranquil nonsense and looks to emulate the action-packed space shooters of old, in addition to introducing a cool story and some interesting roguelike elements. It is a solitary experience that has you engaging in run after run of hair-raising combat, which can change quite dramatically based on the type of ship and upgrades you’ve opted for. The story is told in quite a simplistic way, but the fact that it’s there at all is a welcome surprise as it will keep you engaged enough to see it through. 6 Moonlighter Has it ever crossed the minds of all those warriors committing heroic deeds what the humble town merchant gets up to when they’re off on their world-saving adventures? Moonlighter looks to answer that very pertinent question and will broaden your understanding of what it means to be an unsuspecting merchant. After inheriting a modest shop as part of the family business, you must delve into dark dungeons to find various trinkets and treasures to sell in order to maintain a healthy profit. Moonlighter is part shop-management sim and part roguelike dungeon crawler, which echoes the likes of The Legend of Zelda and The Binding of Isaac. What follows is an engaging loop of heading into the dungeons to find loot at night, then returning home to sell your plunder during the day. These two genres feed into each other in such a complimentary fashion, that it’s hard to believe it hasn’t been done before. 5 Children Of Morta Children of Morta bucks the ever-pervasive trend of roguelikes having a barely non-existent story by including a very well-thought-out narrative with a cast of lovably unforgettable characters. You take control of the noble Bergson family as they fight to uncover the mystery of the growing Corruption that is taking over the land. In addition to having distinct personalities with their own backstories and character arcs, each family member has unique abilities that can be boosted between runs. You have the option to permanently upgrade damage and armor, but there’s also a huge variety of other boons and pickups that will help you along the way. After dying, you’ll be rewarded with some deeper narrative insights, giving further detail into the background of each character and their relationships with each other. It’s a refreshingly unique take on the genre, and the delightfully colorful pixel-art graphics are a treat for the eyes. 4 Deathloop Arkane Studios pulled another one out of the bag when it released Deathloop, a stylish high-octane first-person shooter that has you vying to assassinate a variety of nasty baddies in a continual time loop. Arkane has definitely taken inspiration from their popular Dishonored series, as the combat is just as polished and slick. Admittedly, this isn’t a traditional roguelike game, as it incorporates mechanics from a variety of different genres. Where it does share its similarities is with its continual repetition of the same levels, where you will learn to improve your skills to better tackle each run. The environments vary depending on the time of day, allowing you to plan the best route possible for the most stylishly effective form of assassination, sort of like the Hitman series. Although not the most traditional of roguelike experiences, it shares enough with the genre to give its fans a good time, and the game is a fantastic experience in its own right. 3 Enter The Gungeon The tremendous success of Dodge Roll’s Enter The Gungeon is very well deserved as it’s one of the very best roguelike twin-stick shooters ever made. The number of guns you have at your disposal is tantalizingly overwhelming, with each weapon having its own unique abilities and distinct gameplay quirks, including a gun that shoots literal black holes. At its heart, the game is its dungeon (or gungeon) crawling, with each procedurally-generated level spawning a variety of bullet-themed enemies, items, and lore to discover. Each of the eight playable characters feels distinct and have their own perks and abilities, which helps to keep runs fresh. The game is very tough and will likely take you many playthroughs to get to the end bosses – although it’s such a joy to play, you probably won’t even notice. 2 Dead Cells With a slew of free updates, four sizable chunks of paid DLC, and a variety of continually added levels, bosses, and enemy types, there really is no end in sight for Dead Cells’ reign as king of the 2D roguelike. It is so much more than a simple action platformer by cleverly borrowing from Soulslikes and Metroidvanias. While navigating the procedurally generated levels, you’ll jump and dodge-roll your way through the game’s punishing combat. During each run, you are given the option to spec your character according to your chosen play style. You have access to a huge assortment of weapons and gadgets, making each play-through feel unmistakably different from the last. This is a roguelike experience that will likely be enjoyed by gamers for years to come, and if you’ve yet to get your hands on it, picking it up on PS Plus is a no-brainer. 1 Returnal Returnal was the first game that truly showcased what the PS5 is capable of, by flaunting its impressive 3D audio and the DualSense’s impressive adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. By drawing on its experience with frantic twin-stick indie shooters, developer, Housemarque’s, first foray into the triple-A space is a thrilling, bullet-dodging ascent into hell. With every death, you start again at your crashed ship to face the challenge anew, with access to a whole host of weapons and upgrades to aid you in your journey. In true Housemarque style, the shooting feels phenomenal, and the snappy traversal feels great when weaving in and out of the constant onslaught of bullets. It’s one of the most polished roguelike games out there, with a rich and engaging story that will have you happily die again and again to solve the mystery contained within. Anyone who owns a PS5 owes it to themselves to give this one a try. Next: Best Co-Op Games On PS Plus Extra

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Crypto News And Price Data – CoinDesk https://collincountynewsonline.com/bitcoin-ethereum-crypto-news-and-price-data-coindesk-3/ “First Mover,” CoinDesk TV’s flagship show, gives investors the top global market, business and regulatory news stories impacting digital assets. Hosted by CoinDesk’s Christine Lee, Lawrence Lewitinn and Emily Parker, “First Mover” features daily dispatches from CoinDesk reporters and partners around the world and high-profile guests including top newsmakers, influencers, analysts, traders and trend watchers at crypto exchanges.

U.S. Consumer Watchdog Plans To Regulate ‘buy-Now, Pay-Later’ Companies – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/u-s-consumer-watchdog-plans-to-regulate-buy-now-pay-later-companies-reuters/ Signage is seen at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Sept 15 (Reuters) – The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) plans to start regulating “buy-now, pay-later” (BNPL) companies like Klarna and Affirm Holdings (AFRM.O) due to worries their fast-growing financing products are harming consumers, the agency said on Thursday. The watchdog, which does not currently oversee BNPL companies or products, will issue guidance or a rule to align sector standards with those of credit card companies, it said. The agency also said it would implement appropriate supervisory examinations. The development will be a blow for the sector, which is already under pressure due to rising funding costs and lower American consumer spending during soaring inflation. read more Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com It also marks a major offensive for CFPB director Rohit Chopra, who has pledged to scrutinize tech-driven companies as they increasingly encroach on the traditional financial sector. “In the U.S., we have generally had a separation between banking and commerce, but as big tech-style business practices are adopted in the payments and financial services arena, that separation can go out the door,” he told reporters. PANDEMIC POPULARIZED BUY-NOW, PAY LATER COMPANIES BNPL services, which allow consumers to split purchase payments into installments, exploded in popularity as Americans turned to online shopping during the coronavirus pandemic. Providers charge online retailers a fee for each transaction. Following an inquiry last year, the CFPB found that BNPL providers Affirm Holdings, Block’s (SQ.N) Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal (PYPL.O) and Australia’s Zip Co (ZIP.AX) originated a combined 180 million loans in 2021, totaling $24.2 billion, a more than 200% increase from 2019. read more The CFPB in its report, however, said it was concerned their products could pose risks to consumers, highlighting a lack of standardized disclosures across the five companies surveyed and the potential for consumers to become overextended. In particular, the CFPB said because BNPL providers do not give data to credit reporting agencies, lenders might have an incomplete picture of a borrower’s liabilities, including BNPL loans at rival companies. The agency also pointed to customer data collection as a consumer risk, and said it would start identifying data surveillance practices BNPL companies should avoid. In a statement, a spokesperson for Affirm said its top priority is “empowering consumers by providing a safe, honest and responsible way to pay over time with no late or hidden fees.” “Today represents a big step forward for consumers and honest finance, and we are encouraged by the CFPB’s conclusions following their review,” the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for Klarna said the company “is committed to financial wellbeing and protecting consumers through industry innovation and proportionate regulation.” The other BNPL providers included in the CFPB’s December inquiry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The CFPB was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to crack down on predatory lenders, such as mortgage companies and payday lenders. While the agency has not traditionally overseen BNPL companies, Chopra told Reuters in July he believes he has the power to regulate companies’ activities when they are similar to those of traditional financial services firms. BNPL companies are likely to fight that assertion, however. Share prices of public “buy-now, pay-later” companies have been under pressure this year, with Affirm down more than 75% and Zip down 79%. Klarna’s valuation plunged around 85% in July. read more Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Michelle Price, Josie Kao and Jonathan Oatis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Hughes To Provide High-Throughput Internet Service Through ISRO Satellites – The Indian Express https://collincountynewsonline.com/hughes-to-provide-high-throughput-internet-service-through-isro-satellites-the-indian-express/ Home Technology Tech Hughes to provide high-throughput internet service through ISRO satellites Hughes Communications India has launched what it claims is India’s first high-throughput satellite internet service aimed at connecting remote regions of the country. The new service should be able to provide high-speed internet to remote locations and enable solutions like Wi-Fi hotspots for community internet access, backhaul to extend mobile network reach and satellite internet for small businesses. (Illustrative image)(Image credit: Pixabay) Hughes Communications India (HCI) has launched India’s first commercial high-throughput satellite (HTS) broadband service. Hughes will provide the HTS broadband using the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) GSAT-11 and GSAT-29 satellites. You have exhausted your monthly limit of free stories. To continue reading,simply register or sign in Already have an account? Sign In You need a subscription to read on. Buy one for as low asRs. 2.50 per day. *Conditions Apply Already a subscriber? Sign In This premium article is free for now. Register to continue reading this story. Already have an account? Sign In This content is exclusive for our subscribers. Subscribe to get unlimited access to The Indian Express exclusive and premium stories. This content is exclusive for our subscribers. Subscribe now to get unlimited access to The Indian Express exclusive and premium stories. Already a subscriber? Sign In “With the new HTS capabilities powered by ISRO satellites, we are confident that HCI will continue to deliver excellent quality satellite broadband services and further enhance the connectivity experience that accelerates India’s digital transformation. With its inherent advantages and ubiquitous nature, the new HTS service will play a pivotal role in extending broadband connectivity to the remotest locations, difficult to reach otherwise, and create economic opportunities to boost the local economy,” said S Somanath, ISRO Chairman, in a Hughes press statement. The new service should be able to provide high-speed internet to remote locations and enable solutions like Wi-Fi hotspots for community internet access, backhaul to extend mobile network reach and satellite internet for small businesses. “Available countrywide, HTS broadband from Hughes underscores our long-standing commitment to bridging the digital divide, delivering multi-megabit high-speed broadband at affordable rates. This new broadband service will address connectivity gaps, improve network performance, and support the high bandwidth requirements of government organisations, financial companies, cellular operators, mining and energy companies, among other businesses, large and small, helping to connect India to a limitless future,” said Partho Banerjee, president and managing director, HCI, in the press statement. Elon Musk’s SpaceX offers a similar service with Starlink, which uses a constellation of low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed satellite internet connectivity. Starlink had plans to expand its business to India and even registered a business unit in India before it hit regulatory roadblocks. It is unclear whether Hughes’ two-satellite solution will offer internet connectivity as fast as Starlink, which offers median speeds of around 90 Mbps in the regions where it is available. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd First published on: 15-09-2022 at 07:06:56 pm

All The Food Festivals And Galas In Dallas Fall 2022 – Eater Dallas https://collincountynewsonline.com/all-the-food-festivals-and-galas-in-dallas-fall-2022-eater-dallas/ Dallas loves to get out in a fancy outfit (or the Insta fit of the day) and dig into a delicious plate of food while doing good. Our inbox is flooded with fundraisers, fancy dress parties, dinners, and special events just as fall starts to creep in. Here are a few worth adding to your calendar and all the relevant details. Addison Oktoberfest • September 15-18 The city of Addison has been throwing this shindig for 35 years, with no signs of stopping. Stop by to do a little chicken dancing to live polka and eat all the Bavarian food. A press release from the city teases a “massive Hoi-Hoi’s,” which will serve schnitzel sandwiches, jumbo-stuffed Reuben tater kegs and a smoked jalapeno cheddar bratwurst on a pretzel bun. Plus, chocolate for the sweets lovers from Denmore Delights, shrimp tacos from Velvet Taco, I Fratelli pizzas, frozen pops (including the boozy variety) from Pop Parlour, and Paulaner bier. Get tickets at $40 for a pass that includes one commemorative stein, two Paulaner biers, and one commemorative lapel pin. Or pay $10 admission on Friday and Saturday. Reserved tables can be purchased on Friday and Saturday for $300. Thursday and Sunday are free. Location: Addison Circle Park Grapevine’s Grapefest • September 15-18 This is the largest wine festival in the Southwest — right over in Grapevine. Try the best Texas wines alongside bottles from California and Italy. Craft beers, hard seltzers, and ciders are available if you want to bring a non-wine lover in your life along as your plus one. Get tickets at $10 per day or grab a weekend pass for $20. There are upgrades at a higher price for special tastings, experiences, and a VIP package. Location: various places around Grapevine Jewel of Dallas Gala • October 13 Friends of White Rock Lake might consider buying a ticket for this dinner to benefit the maintenance and improvement of the lake and feature dishes by local chefs. Junior Borges of Meridian in The Village, Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin of Loro, Ross Demers of Cry Wolf, Peja Krstic of Môt Hai Ba, Irwin of Sfuzzi, and Michael of Sundown at Granada are all cooking. Get tickets for $110 each or $250 for VIP tickets. Location: Granada Theater Dallas Brew Festival • October 15 It’s the first year for this beer fest, featuring drinks from 60 local breweries and over 200 beers plus food trucks, live music by local bands, and lawn games. Get tickets starting at $50 for general admission, with $65 early admission tickets giving an additional hour of access ad $90 VIP tickets offering two extra hours plus access to VIP areas, limited release beers, and bathrooms, plus a commemorative mug. Location: Old City Park Chefs for Farmers • November 2-6 It’s the 11th year of this favorite local festival, and this year benefits the Seed Project Foundation, which aims to eliminate hunger in Collin County with fresh, organic produce. There are numerous events, from dinners to larger public festivals, to support. This year features an 80-person dinner with food from Andrea Shackelford from Harvest Seasonal Kitchen in McKinney, and Andy Knudson from Camp Lucy hosted at Water Boy Farms in Lucas, TX; an “ultimate bite night” event at The Exchange Hall in Downtown Dallas; a 100-person farm tour with stops in McKinney, Princeton, and Lucas for bites and cocktails; and its main event food festival at Old City Park. Get tickets for the events. Prices vary. World Food Championships • November 13-19 This live cooking competition will feature over a thousand chefs for its tenth anniversary, cooking food like barbecue, bacon, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, soup, steak, and desserts. The event has a five day barbecue block party planned, during which 5,000 pounds of the stuff will be served. There are daily competitions planned to keep attendees entertained and samples and tastings galore. Get tickets, daily general admission is $10 a person or snag a five-day pass for $25. There are also upgrades to VIP tickets and special experiences. Location: Centennial Hall at Fair Park Harvest 112 East Louisiana Street, , TX 75069 (214) 726-0251 Visit Website The Exchange Hall 211 South Akard Street, , TX 75202 (972) 268-7605 Visit Website

Turkish Airlines Offers A Free Hotel Stopover Perk In Istanbul – Fodor’s Travel https://collincountynewsonline.com/turkish-airlines-offers-a-free-hotel-stopover-perk-in-istanbul-fodors-travel/ Turkish Airlines’ offers an incredibly generous stopover perk. Travelers lament over a long layover. A considerable break in the journey—whether you’re excitedly heading for a vacation or anxiously awaiting your return home—is hardly ideal. Some airports, like Singapore Changi or Doha International, have become playgrounds for people to sleep, eat, shop, and entertain, but even so, spending hours at an airport can be tedious and a quick stop in the city can be expensive. But for savvy travelers, a voluntary stopover squeezes in an additional destination to an itinerary like a tiny bonus vacation. One European airline and hub city that recognizes that potential is Turkish Airlines and Istanbul. The airline offers a host of benefits for travelers connecting through. In fact, the stopover program is so generous that not taking advantage of it would be a disservice to travelers en route! You Can Get a Free Stay in Istanbul Based in Istanbul, Turkish Airlines connects 340 destinations around the world. The airline consistently wins awards for its services, hospitality, and fleet, and it has become a dependable airline for globetrotters as it keeps adding new routes. Due to the unique position of its hub at the crossroads between east and west, the airline is strategically positioned to connect more than 80 destinations within a three-hour flight​. And if you do connect through Istanbul, you’ll find that the new $12 billion international airport offers two new lounges, one for business class passengers and the other for Miles&Smiles members, with buffets, game consoles, nursery, cinema, meeting rooms, showers, and day beds.  Continue Reading Article After Our Video Recommended Fodor’s Video If you have a layover of 20 hours or more, the airline will offer a complimentary one-night stay in a four-star hotel for economy passengers or a two-night stay in a five-star hotel for business class passengers. But lavish lounges and hospitality aside, there’s an even more fantastic way to make the most of your layover in Istanbul. The flagship carrier of Turkey has resumed its incredibly generous Stopover Service after a break during the pandemic. If you have a layover of 20 hours or more, the airline will offer a complimentary one-night stay in a four-star hotel for economy passengers or a two-night stay in a five-star hotel for business class passengers. You can also book other hotel stays contracted by the airline for $49 and make the most of your stopover. That’s like a bonus trip for your travels! Wait, there’s more. For those who have more than six hours to kill before their international connection, Turkish Airlines’ will be happy to organize a complimentary tour of Istanbul. If your layover is between six and 24 hours, contact the Hotel Desk for Touristanbul when you land, and you’ll be whisked away in a chauffeured car to see the sights of the ancient city with modern delights. Check if you need a visa to exit the airport before you arrive. A group visit via Touristanbul, credit: Turkish Airlines There’s one more benefit for business class travelers when they book Turkish Airlines. In 20 destinations, they get a free private pick up and drop off in a limo within 35 miles—confirm terms and conditions and travel in style with Exclusive Drive. This sort of stopover perk feels like a bonus vacation for anyone who With its central location between Europe, Asia, and Africa, it’s easy to find yourself transiting through Istabul. For savvy travelers who’d rather skip the airport and earn a bonus city-stay instead, Turkish Airlines stopover benefits seem like a total no-brainer. What to Do in Istanbul Even with limited time in Istanbul, you can tick off many sights off your sightseeing list. The 1,500-year-old mosque of Hagia Sophia is one of the most popular attractions on the European side. If you’re a fan of Dan Brown’s Inferno, you won’t want to miss a tour of the mosque. The 17th-century Blue Mosque is adorned with thousands of blue tiles, so the striking interiors bathed in natural light are a sight to behold. Another must-see area beats in the heart of the city: Taksim Square. You can easily spend a day here strolling along the streets to discover alleys (like the beautiful flower passage of Çiçek Pasajı), treating yourself to a cup of Turkish coffee or ice cream at a street side cafe, riding the brick-red vintage tram on Istiklal Street, and seeing the medieval Galata Tower that stands sentinel in the area. For shopping, you have the Grand Bazaar for knick-knacks, ceramics, lamps, and local handicrafts, and the fancy Zorlu Centre for big brand stores and boutiques. Have more time? Cross the Bosphorus and see the other side of the city in two continents. Your first stop should be Kadıköy. The once secret neighborhood is a hangout for the young since colorful markets, cool cafes and bars, and artsy boutiques and galleries are now mushrooming here. There are bakeries, coffee shops, and museums and cultural centres on this side. If nothing else, take the ferry for the beautiful views from the Asian side of Istanbul.  And if a free night’s stay or curated tour isn’t motivation enough, well, you’ll still certainly enjoy the airport. Related: How to Spend Three Days in Istanbul, the Transcontinental City Where East Meets West

EU Lawmakers Assail Hungary For Attacking Democratic Values – 69News WFMZ-TV https://collincountynewsonline.com/eu-lawmakers-assail-hungary-for-attacking-democratic-values-69news-wfmz-tv/ BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union lawmakers on Thursday said that Hungary’s nationalist government is deliberately trying to undermine the bloc’s democratic values and they deplored the failure of the 26 other EU countries to take action that would bring the country back into line. In a resolution that passed in a 433-123 vote, with 28 abstentions, the parliamentarians raised concerns about Hungary’s constitutional and electoral systems, judicial independence, possible corruption, public procurement irregularities, LGBTQ+ rights, as well as media, academic and religious freedoms. The lawmakers also condemned “the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the Union.” The vote is highly symbolic in that it sets Hungary apart from other EU countries in its alleged failure to uphold values enshrined in the EU treaty like “respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.” But the vote, which came during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, doesn’t impose any penalty on Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government, nor does it bind other EU countries into taking any particular action. In their resolution, the lawmakers said that the Hungarian government — which Orban characterizes as an “illiberal democracy” — has become “a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy.” In part, they blame EU member countries for this, for turning a blind eye to possible abuses. Lawmakers opposing a report that contains the resolution said that it contains “subjective opinions and politically biased statements, and reflects vague concerns, value judgements and double standards.” Still, Hungary has long been on a collision course with its European partners. It has routinely blocked joint statements, decisions and events. These range from high-level NATO meetings with Ukraine, to an EU vote on corporate tax, and a common EU position on an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire. The government in Budapest has opposed some EU sanctions against Russia, notably a freeze on the assets of Russia’s Orthodox Church patriarch, as well as energy-related measures against Moscow. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

2022 GenNext Awards Honors Young Professionals Reimagining Grocery – Progressive Grocer https://collincountynewsonline.com/2022-gennext-awards-honors-young-professionals-reimagining-grocery-progressive-grocer/ 09/15/2022 Food retail’s future is bright with these honorees determining the industry’s direction for years to come By Progressive Grocer Staff A chance to reimagine the future of grocery is at hand, and it begins with the 2022 class of Progressive Grocer’s GenNext honorees. This year’s GenNexters, all under the age of 40, are showcasing the most promising talent in the food and consumables industry, and it is PG’s honor to shine a light on these fresh faces with such promise.  Our honorees come from the retailer, supplier and solution provider companies that make up the grocery industry, and they are making a push to define the future of food retail in America. The new capabilities and technologies they have worked on are making a big mark on an array of diverse fields in grocery, from omnichannel marketing to fraud investigations to digital fulfillment to curbside pickup to sustainable food supply chains. Each honoree’s vision is unique, but they all show a deep commitment to inspiring and serving shoppers and their communities.  The grocery industry is facing tremendous challenges, including inflation, supply chain snags and the endless complexities of digital transformation. But it’s also grappling with a persistent labor crisis that shows no sign of fading away. So it’s comforting to know that there’s a pipeline of leaders emerging to help companies overcome the obstacles associated with all of this change.  There has never been a more exciting time to be an emerging leader in the grocery industry. While no one can predict the future, we know that this next generation of innovators has the power to design a post-pandemic future that is more customer-centric, more inclusive, more sustainable and more profitable. PG believes that it has never been more important to support the people across the industry who are committing their lives to making a difference in grocery. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the GenNexters shaping the future of this essential industry. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees below. Clara Douglas Grocery Clerk, AGS Vermont Inc./Jericho Market Age 25 Douglas is described as a versatile associate who’s adept at many roles within the store. Since joining AGS Vermont in 2016, however, she’s become known for her willingness to jump right into initiatives, like the launch of the grocer’s first e-commerce program in 2019. Under her leadership, e-commerce at that location grew from 10 to more than 80 orders a week and led to the program’s expansion to all of the retailer’s stores. Following that rollout, she tackled another effort, starting cross-training in more departments. While eager to contribute, she’s also patient and calm, bonus qualities amid the intensity of the pandemic. Joseph Asaro VP of Customer Development, Botticelli Foods Age 27 He may be a fourth-generation owner, but Asaro has also worked at other companies, including Chobani and Advantage Solutions, to gain broad insight and knowledge. Returning to Botticelli Foods to lead the retail sales team in 2020, he leveraged his experience to keep products in stock, widen distribution from 5,000 to 15,000 stores and triple the company’s sales revenue. Botticelli is now a national brand, and its authentic premium Italian foods are available at Walmart, Albertsons and Kroger stores, among many food retailers. While growing the business, Asaro values his roots, expressing gratitude to work with his father, the president and CEO.  Johnathan Kroeger Senior Product Marketing Manager, Innovation, Bowery Farming Age 36 Tasked with product innovation, Kroeger went above and beyond traditional leafy greens to spearhead the launch of Bowery’s Strawberry Duopack featuring two separate berry cultivars grown indoors without pesticides. The unique item was an immediate hit, with retail partners regularly selling out of the products or limiting the items to one per customer. In addition to product innovation, he successfully delved into package updates, helping the company launch a peel-and-reseal film lid that reduced plastic use by 45%. As a leader, Kroeger is described as inspiring, creative and collaborative in his efforts to democratize access to fresh produce. Macaela LeClair Assistant Category Manager of Floral, Brookshire Grocery Co. Age 30 LeClair has put up some big numbers since starting her position less than two years ago. She generated record-breaking floral sales for key holidays and led strategies that boosted revenues from $12 million to more than $20 million. Her secret? Staying on top of consumer and market trends and working closely with vendors and partners. Through those collaborations, LeClair continues to innovate, launching a new fresh-cut program that included several Brookshire-exclusive items and opening a new store with a totally different high-end program that’s now the retailer’s top floral department. Her colleagues call her uplifting, ambitious and empowering. Rebekka Price Partner Development Supervisor, Brookshire Grocery Co. Age 27 Viewed by her colleagues as dynamic, adaptable and authentic, Price balances those traits to enhance training programs at Brookshire. The dynamic and ambitious parts of her business personality are evident in the quick pace at which she has elevated training, from improving the onboarding process for all new corporate partners and leaders, to rolling out a new applicant-tracking system for the entire organization, to creating weekly training and coaching communications. Price’s authenticity shone particularly brightly when she helped found the grocer’s store director leadership academy and when she mentored a new team of trainers with backgrounds in education.  JJ Sanders Produce Category Manager, Brookshire Grocery Co. Age 31 If there’s such a thing as career destiny, Sanders exemplifies it. He fell in love with produce at a young age, setting up displays and meeting with mentors who would help hone his passion. Sanders was Reasor’s youngest department director in company history when he became its director of produce. Now at Brookshire, he recently created a new produce department staffed by knowledgeable experts and designed to feel like a farmers market, remodeling every store within two years. Sanders also strives to create new leaders by creating a culture that encourages others to achieve their professional goals. Reed Immer Co-Founder and Sales Director, CT Food Launch Pad/Chabaso Bakery Age 32 It’s a testament to his versatility and multifaceted retail acumen that Immer works as sales director at Chabaso Bakery and as the founder of the incubator CT Food Launch Pad (CTFLP). He excels in both roles, rebuilding Chabaso’s sales team to make the company’s artisan bakery products available in almost all major retailers in the Northeast, and leveraging his experience to help small Connecticut food startups like a Ghanaian hot sauce brand get on the shelves at Stop & Shop. Thanks to Immer, Chabaso grew its business by double digits in 2021 and 2022, while CTFLP has secured additional funding from the Nutmeg State. Kenzie Steel Omnichannel Marketing Director, Daily Crunch Age 30 Steel proves the point that internships are valuable for both parties. She helped build the snack company Daily Crunch during her internship in 2020, at a dynamic time in the COVID-affected marketplace. After receiving her MBA from Vanderbilt University, Steel became the firm’s first official employee and subsequently assisted in growing the business tenfold through her efforts in digital advertising, website design, traditional marketing, email marketing and more. A native Texan, she helped secure a new account at Texas-based Central Market and is described as a strategic leader who will “go the extra mile on everything she does.” Jessica Bernheim Director of Brand Marketing, Daring Age 28 You might say that Bernheim has been branching out in bringing plant-based brands to life. Following a successful stint as head of new product development at Upfield — where she launched that company’s Country Crock plant butter and plant-based whipping cream, among other items — she joined Daring. At the plant chicken company, Bernheim leads strategy and innovation and has already made great inroads, as Daring recently completed a Series C funding round and expanded its presence in Walmart stores. The Williams College graduate is also committed to uplifting people and communities in other ways, including her support of nonprofit organizations fighting food insecurity.  Amber Roberts VP, Enterprise, Drinks.com Age 39 This former head of marketplace at Kroger got into the wine delivery business at a pivotal time, meeting the needs of consumers who were still largely at home. Running Drinks.com’s e-commerce programs for some of the country’s largest companies, she leads a team that creates and maintains strategic partner relationships. Roberts recently oversaw the launch of four new branded nationwide wine programs, expanded existing partner programs to accelerate orders nearly 70% year over year and streamlined client communications. Her nominators call her innovative, creative and obsessed — in a good way — with helping partners gain competitive advantages. Zachary Lane Director of Retail Systems, Fareway Stores Age 35 With a clear command of the complexities involved in supporting a 130-store retail chain, Lane has demonstrated leadership throughout the planning and implementation of Fareway’s employee discount program. He was integral in the design of a lean yet reliable solution to achieve the requirements in a manner that surpassed expectations. His leadership also proved valuable on a PayPal/Venmo deployment...

Today In Sports History: Sept. 15 | National News | Wfmz.com – 69News WFMZ-TV https://collincountynewsonline.com/today-in-sports-history-sept-15-national-news-wfmz-com-69news-wfmz-tv/ In 1978, Muhammad Ali becomes the first three-time heavyweight champion with a unanimous 15-round decision over Leon Spinks. See more sports moments from this date. 1973: Triple Crown winner Secretariat keeps on winning Updated 1 hr ago 1973 — Three-year-old Secretariat wins the Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap in the then-world record time of 1:45 2-5 for 11/8 miles. Triple Crown winner Secretariat, right, leads Riva Ridge on way to victory in the $250,000 Marlboro Cup event at Belmont Race Track in Elmont, New York on Sept. 15, 1973. Ron Turcotte is up on Secretariat and Riva Ridge is being guided into second place by jockey Eddie Maple. (AP Photo) AP FILE 1973: Archie Griffin starts NCAA record string of 31 games rushing for at least 100 yards Updated 1 hr ago 1973 — Archie Griffin of Ohio State starts his NCAA record string of 31 games of rushing for at least 100 yards, leading the Buckeyes to a 56-7 rout of Minnesota in Columbus. Ohio State’s Archie Griffin picks up some of his game-high 163 yards in 30 carries during the game with Michigan at Ann Arbor, Nov. 26, 1973. (AP Photo) AP FILE 1978: Muhammad Ali becomes first three-time heavyweight champion Updated 1 hr ago 1978 — Muhammad Ali becomes the first three-time heavyweight champion with a unanimous 15-round decision over Leon Spinks at the Superdome in New Orleans. Referee Lucien Joubert goes to break up a Clinch between Muhammad Ali, left, and Leon Spinks in their heavyweight title match at New Orleans? Superdome on Friday, Sept. 15, 1978. Ali defeated Spinks in a 15-round unanimous decision, becoming the first man to gain the heavyweight crown three times. (AP Photo) AP FILE 2002: Sam Hornish Jr. wins his second straight IRL title Updated 1 hr ago 2002 — Sam Hornish Jr. wins another incredible race at Texas Motor Speedway, and his second straight IRL title. Hornish side-by-side with Helio Castroneves for many of the last 25 laps in the season-ending Chevy 500, crosses the finish line 0.0096 seconds — only a few inches — ahead of the other driver in contention for the season championship. Hornish wins his IRL-record fifth race of the season and becomes the first driver to win two IRL championships. In this Sept. 15, 2002, file photo, 2002 Indy Racing League Champion Sam Hornish Jr., holds up his fingers signifying his two consecutive IRL championships following his Chevy 500 win, Sunday Sept. 15, 2002, at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File) AP FILE 2012: Ryan Blaney becomes youngest winner in NASCAR Trucks history at 18 years, 8 months Updated 1 hr ago 2012 — Ryan Blaney becomes the youngest winner in NASCAR Trucks history at 18 years, 8 months, taking the caution-filled race at Iowa Speedway in his third series start. Blaney, the son of Sprint Cup driver Dave Blaney, breaks the age record of 20 years, 18 days set by Kyle Busch in 2005 at Charlotte. Ryan Blaney smiles as he answers questions during a news conference after practice for a NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky., Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Garry Jones) AP FILE 2013: Aaron Rodgers throws for career-high 480 yards in win over Washington Updated 1 hr ago 2013 — Aaron Rodgers throws for a career-high 480 yards and James Jones has a career-best 178 yards receiving in Green Bay’s 38-20 win over the Washington Redskins. Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers throws his towel to some fans after an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 38-20. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) AP FILE 2013: Peyton Manning becomes third QB in NFL history to reach 60,000 passing yards Updated 1 hr ago 2013 — Denver’s Peyton Manning passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos’ 41-23 win over the New York Giants. Manning (60,256) becomes the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 60,000 career passing yards, joining Brett Favre and Dan Marino. Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) shakes hands with his brother New York Giants’ Eli Manning (10) after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Broncos won the game 41-23. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) AP FILE 2017: Cleveland’s 22-game winning streak stopped by Kansas City Royals Updated 1 hr ago 2017 — Cleveland has its AL record run stopped at 22 straight games as the Indians are beaten 4-3 by the Kansas City Royals, who become the first team to conquer the defending league champions since Aug. 23. The Indians came within four of matching the overall record held by the 1916 New York Giants. Cleveland Indians’ Francisco Lindor, left, slides safely into second base for a steal as Kansas City Royals’ Whit Merrifield is late with the tag in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer) AP FILE

Can OSHA Regulate The Metaverse? – Health & Safety – United States – Mondaq https://collincountynewsonline.com/can-osha-regulate-the-metaverse-health-safety-united-states-mondaq/ 15 September 2022 Holland & Knight To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. We’re supposed to stand more and sit less. That’s good advice for your health, but maybe not always when you’re wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset, which present certain workplace health and safety issues. The most obvious hazard is getting too carried away and, e.g., crashing through your television set. But there are other potential risks. Some are short-term such as headaches, neck aches, nausea and eye discomfort. Others may be longer term, including concerns about myopia brought on by the disconnect between a screen inches from your eyes yet depicting virtual objects miles away. Very, very smart people are working on that one. Can the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulate these potential risks? Perhaps some more than others. The principal risk is one we’re all aware of: disorientation followed by a fall or a crash. OSHA can likely regulate this hazard under the “general-duty clause,” a broad provision of law that requires employers to maintain a workplace free of serious recognized hazards. Where VR sets are used, employers need to make sure that employees are secure in their space and can’t hurt themselves or others. When it comes to problems brought on by wearing the headset, such as headaches, neck pain or back pain, that is arguably an ergonomics issue and thus less susceptible to OSHA regulation. OSHA attempted to require attention to ergonomics in the workplace at the end of the Clinton Administration, but that effort was reversed by Congress. Ever since, OSHA has relied on the general-duty clause for ergonomic hazards. Conceivably, VR headsets that fit poorly, are too heavy or are worn too long could become a hazard under the general-duty clause, but an official OSHA standard on the subject could be legally difficult. How about other common complaints, like eye strain, headaches, dizziness or nausea? The general-duty clause only covers hazards likely to result in death (not applicable) or “serious physical harm.” The kinds of complaints described above may not meet that threshold, especially if they’re not recurring or require medical treatment. However, if the complaints continue, if they result in lost work time or if they are indicators for more serious health problems caused or exacerbated by too much VR time, then OSHA might be able to step in under the general-duty clause. Consider, too, VR headsets’ effects on employees’ eyes and ears. OSHA doeshave a standard requiring employers to protect employees from certain levels of noise exposure, regardless of resultant harm. And there’s also the potential claim that VR time resulted in damage to eyes or ears, though it may be difficult for OSHA – or an employee in a civil suit – to prove that any consequent diminishment in hearing or vision was brought on by extended use of a VR headset, when the earphone market is growing 20 percent per year and the average American adult stares at screens for at least 11 hours per day. Finally, OSHA recordkeeping requirements might apply to VR injuries and illnesses. Every employer must report workplace deaths and certain extremely serious injuries and illnesses. This includes injuries and illnesses that happen while working from home. Many low-risk industries are exempt from recording other injuries and illnesses – though industries of every kind are embracing VR and other metaverse technologies. The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. POPULAR ARTICLES ON: Employment and HR from United States EEOC Updates Guidance Concerning COVID-19 Testing Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton As more employees return to the workplace after the Labor Day holiday, employers should be aware of the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission’s updated COVID-19 Guidance.