Collin County News Online

Severe Drought Remains Across Region | News | Roysecityheraldbanner.com – Royse City Herald Banner https://collincountynewsonline.com/severe-drought-remains-across-region-news-roysecityheraldbanner-com-royse-city-herald-banner/ The arrival of cooler fall weather conditions has been a pleasant change from the sweltering summer heat, but one things hasn’t changed, the severe drought across the region. Lower humidity and occasional gusty winds out of the north are increasing the potential threat of grass fires in Hunt and Rockwall counties and much of North Texas. Rockwall County and neighboring Collin County remained under bans on outdoor burning as of Tuesday and the Texas A&M Forest Service has included much of the region under predictions of “high” levels of fire danger. All of the counties were already listed under “critically dry” conditions and are likely to grow even drier, as no precipitation was included under the National Weather Service forecast through the end of the week. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index — which monitors soil moisture levels and is an indicator of the potential for grass fires — showed much of the Hunt and Rockwall county region was under significant drought conditions Tuesday. A reading of “zero” under the index means the soil is saturated, while 800 is the highest reading on the index, meaning that it would take eight or more inches of rainfall to bring the soil to saturation. As of Tuesday, readings under the index for Hunt County ranged from 479 to 725, with a countywide average of 637. Readings for Rockwall County were listed between 473 to 634, with a countywide average of 541. Readings higher than 600 under the index are often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence and intense, deep-burning fires with significant downwind spotting can be expected. The ban on outdoor burning was lifted for Hunt County on Sept. 2, but the Hunt County Fire Marshal’s office is reminding residents that while they can burn household trash, untreated wood, brush and trees, controlled burns cannot be conducted inside an incorporated city. Burning is permitted only from sunup to sundown and a responsible person must always be present during the burning. Campfires and cooking on an open flame or fire pit is permitted. However, burning is not allowed if the wind speed is 23 mph or greater and some items are never allowed to be added to a burn pile, including electrical insulation, tires, shingles, treated lumber,  heavy oils or asphalt materials, plastic, rubber, metal, mattresses and furniture and potentially explosive materials or chemicals. Anyone needing additional information on preparing for a controlled burn can contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-408-4282.

Five K-Celeb Friends Have Vacation Fun ‘In The Soop: Friendcation’ – Forbes https://collincountynewsonline.com/five-k-celeb-friends-have-vacation-fun-in-the-soop-friendcation-forbes/ Disney+ Actors Park Seo-joon of Itaewon Class, Choi Woo-shik of Our Beloved Summer, Park Hyung-sik of Soundtrack 1, rapper Peakboy and BTS member V just happen to be good friends. They enjoy spending time together in real life and that includes taking the occasional trip. There’s no need to wonder what kind of vacation fun the famous friends might enjoy because a new Disney+ program, invites viewers to tag along as the five very likable celebrities share some quality time. The travel reality series, In The Soop: Friendcation, takes the stars on a surprise trip, offering them a chance to explore nature and indulge in favorite pastimes in the soop (in the forest). Thanks to the four-episode series, the celebrity friends get to take a well-earned break from the pressures of day-to-day stardom. In The Soop: Friendcation is a spinoff of the South Korean reality series In The Soop, which stars BTS members taking a break from their hectic schedule. For k-pop fans Disney+ also offers BTS: Permission To Dance On Stage – LA, a concert film featuring BTS’ live performance in Nov. 2021 at Los Angeles’ Sofi Stadium. In The Soop: Friendcation airs on Oct. 19. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

Business Over Breakfast With Kwik Trip Director | Oconomowoc Business News | Gmtoday.com – Greater Milwaukee Today | GMToday.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/business-over-breakfast-with-kwik-trip-director-oconomowoc-business-news-gmtoday-com-greater-milwaukee-today-gmtoday-com/ OCONOMOWOC — The Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce will hold Business over Breakfast from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 at Oconomowoc Community Center, 220 West Wisconsin Ave. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here Kwik Trip Director of Corporate Communications, Leadership Development, and Training John McHugh will travel from La Crosse to share information with Oconomowoc businesses about Kwik Trip’s culture of employee engagement and how it contributes to their success. Happy and engaged employees create genuine connections with customers, turning them into loyal customers. Visit https://business. oconomowoc.org/ for more information.

Wellframe And Linkwell Health Launch Wellsquared To Close The Gap Between Health Plans And Their Members – GlobeNewswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/wellframe-and-linkwell-health-launch-wellsquared-to-close-the-gap-between-health-plans-and-their-members-globenewswire/ Wellsquared helps health plans communicate with members through their preferred channels to build relationships and improve engagement September 29, 2022 09:00 ET | Source: Wellframe BOSTON, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today Wellframe and Linkwell Health announced the launch of Wellsquared, a new product designed to deepen engagement with members and help health plans deliver the modern healthcare experience members expect. Wellsquared is a partnership between Wellframe, the market leader in member experience solutions for health plans, and Linkwell Health, the premier consumer engagement technology and content company serving health plans and health services organizations. Wellsquared will enable health plans to seamlessly onboard members, better educate them about their health plan and care options, and empower them to more effectively activate and utilize their benefits. Health plans have long struggled to engage members effectively and have been slow to evolve their marketing approach to meet the rising expectations of the modern health plan member. A recent Wellframe consumer survey of over 1,000 health plan members found that only 33% of individuals fully understand their health plan communications with a full 10% saying they’re “always” confused by them. Those new to insurance (33%) and long-term insurance members (29%) are almost equally confused about their health plan benefits. The survey provided a clear picture that members don’t understand or know the full benefits their health plans offer due to the lack of structured communications provided by their insurer. Wellsquared addresses this challenge head-on, and health plans and members alike will benefit. Health plan members will experience a significant change in how their health plans communicate with them, making it easier to learn how to take advantage of all the benefits plans offer. Wellsquared offers health plans the following new services: Easy integration into other health plans’ communication channels, including email, social media, SMS, and print. Branded-content hosting for more active, measurable member outreach. Customization of content according to the plan’s marketing and engagement goals. Development of engagement journeys to drive members through the funnel and provide the proper support through their health journey. Creation of targeted content for response-driven omnichannel programs, accounting for any necessary regulatory needs. Shifting behavior is key to creating change, especially as 43% of members say they don’t understand their health or benefits coverage, and 88% say they often ignore phone calls from businesses or unknown numbers. “The consumer survey we conducted was reassurance that clear and consistent communication with health plan members is a big area of opportunity,” said Alyssa Alsheimer, senior vice president of marketing and engagement at Wellframe. “Wellsquared is the right solution that will provide the strategy, resources, and support for our health partners and members.” “Wellsquared’s new member engagement model takes advantage of high-quality content distributed on multiple channels and published on health plan-branded content destinations to improve awareness, engagement, and utilization,” said Nathan Adams, president and chief executive officer of Linkwell Health. “Members will develop greater trust in their health plan and be more receptive to its programs when they receive content that is contextual, action-oriented, and meets them where they are on their individual health journey.” To learn more about Wellsquared and how this new service increases trust between members and health plans, visit www.wellframe.com/member-marketing. About Wellframe Wellframe, a HealthEdge company, strategically partners with health plans nationwide to reimagine the relationship between plans and members. Our digital health management solutions enable a level of care and support that empowers people and organizations to achieve their best. By combining innovative technology, strategic partnership, and passionate conviction, Wellframe creates measurable impact on lives, at scale. Wellframe’s solutions, Digital Care Management and Digital Customer Service, form the base of a Member Advocacy service model. With an Advocacy model, health plans can address member needs holistically and proactively using technology. About Linkwell Health Linkwell Health, the premier consumer experience technology company serving health plans and health services companies, creates healthy experiences for consumers by guiding them to take actions to improve their well-being. Linkwell’s technology platform, the Healthy Living Engine, seamlessly delivers our world-class content and engagement solutions to the right audience in the right channel at the right time, building deep trust and loyalty and ultimately driving consumers to engage with the programs, benefits, and care they need. Linkwell’s expertise with acquisition, onboarding and retention, quality metrics, and brand engagement and satisfaction is unparalleled in the healthcare space, with its content reaching more than 55 million consumers each year. For more information, visit linkwellhealth.com. Media Contacts: Ali Nix (339) 227-0583 wellframe@highwirepr.com

Prep Football Top 10 (Sept. 29, 2022) | Sports | News-Gazette.com – News-Gazette https://collincountynewsonline.com/prep-football-top-10-sept-29-2022-sports-news-gazette-com-news-gazette/ RK., SCHOOL REC. PREV. COMMENT 1. Mahomet-Seymour 5-0 1 Bulldogs stormed past Charleston on homecoming week, face an intriguing non-league foe next in Quincy Notre Dame. 2. Centennial 5-0 2 Chargers outlasted Danville in a defensive slugfest. Upcoming visit to Bloomington is club’s first road trip since Week 1. 3. Prairie Central 5-0 3 Hawks crusied past Chillicothe IVC to set up an all-unbeaten Week 6 Illini Prairie game at Paxton-Buckley-Loda. 4. Paxton-Buckley-Loda 5-0 4 Panthers blitzed Rantoul to remain perfect in Illini Prairie play and overall. Prairie Central will challenge that on Friday. 5. BHRA 5-0 5 Blue Devils racked up 60 points in a win against Oakwood, heads to Catlin this week to face a solid Salt Fork squad. 6. Unity 4-1 6 Rockets drubbed Bloomington Central Catholic and will look to have more fun with a trip north to Pontiac this week. 7. Tuscola 4-1 10 Warriors bounced back from first loss by shutting out Central A&M, are gearing up for homecoming tilt versus Clinton. 8. Danville 3-2 7 Vikings missed opportunity to knock Centennial from unbeaten ranks. No time to pout with Normal Community on tap. 9. St. Joseph-Ogden 3-2 NR Spartans return to the poll on a two-game win streak, most recently beating Nokomis. Bloomington CC is on deck. 10. Monticello 3-2 NR Sages also back in the fold following a 45-0 win against Pontiac. They’ll visit Rantoul before a two-game homestand.

Epazz Slims VR Glasses And Metaverse Software Solutions Will Be Used In ZenaDrone 1000 For Bridge Inspections – GlobeNewswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/epazz-slims-vr-glasses-and-metaverse-software-solutions-will-be-used-in-zenadrone-1000-for-bridge-inspections-globenewswire/ September 29, 2022 08:00 ET | Source: Epazz, Inc. Bridge experts can use Epazz Slims and Metaverse Software Solutions integrated with ZenaDrone 1000 technology to simulate bridge inspections Chicago, IL, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via NewMediaWire – Epazz Inc. (OTC Pink: EPAZ), a mission-critical provider of metaverse solutions, blockchain cryptocurrency mobile apps, and cloud-based business software solutions, announced today that its first Metaverse software program, “On-Site Remote Assist,” will be used in bridge inspections to create a virtual reality environment for bridge experts to view live bridge inspections from a drone operations team. ZenaDrone is an Epazz spin-off company that launched its drone as a service in Ireland. The drones will be used for intelligent farming and bridge inspections.  The Metaverse software allows multiple parties to join an augmented reality environment to view the bridge as if they were there upfront. This service combines various technology levels to carry out the project. The drone uses a 4K camera to record the event, as the Metaverse software compiles the images to create a Metaverse environment. The remote expert in the back office sees the on-site situation and can interact with the technician via voice, video, and augmented reality. On-Site Remote Assist feature can integrate with the Field Service Management Solutions to utilize data from maintenance, repair, or service orders. If unforeseen difficulties happen or lack experience in certain situations, it is a great advantage to involve an expert impromptu to solve problems via live video.  Epazz Founder, Director, and CEO Dr. Shaun Passley commented: “We are combining multiple technologies to create new solutions that very few can offer at an affordable price.”  About Epazz Inc. (https://www.epazz.com/) Epazz Inc. is a mission-critical provider of metaverse solutions, blockchain cryptocurrency mobile apps, and a cloud-based software company that provides customized cloud applications to the corporate world, higher-education institutions, and the public sector. Epazz is developing Metaverse business solutions that enable people to collaborate in real time through virtual reality. Epazz is upgrading its business solutions to fully integrated into the Metaverse. Epazz will be manufacturing low-cost smart glasses for Metaverse. SAFE HARBOR The “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking languages, such as “may”; “expect”; “intend”; “estimate”; “anticipate”; “believe”; “continue”; the negative thereof, or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from future results or those implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Epazz Inc. assumes no obligation and has no intention of updating forward-looking statements. It has no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Epazz Inc. Investors are encouraged to review Epazz Inc.’s public filings on SEC.gov and otcmarkets.com, including its unaudited and audited financial statements and its OTC Markets filings, which contain general business information about the company’s operations, results of its operations, and risks associated with the company and its operations. Contact For more information, please contact  Investor Relations  investors@epazz.net  312-955-8161  www.epazz.com

After-Hours Events, Concerts And Tours At Washington. D.C.. Museums – The Washington Post https://collincountynewsonline.com/after-hours-events-concerts-and-tours-at-washington-d-c-museums-the-washington-post/ On a recent Thursday night in the National Gallery of Art’s East Building, I watched from a railing at the edge of the mezzanine level as crowds on the floors beneath flocked between exhibits and bars and perched with drinks at colorfully lit tables. Patrons collected sketch pads from museum staff and set about creating gesture drawings of two elegantly dressed models, not far from where DJ Heat had coaxed lines of dancers into enthusiastically doing the wobble. In the galleries, groups posed for selfies next to paintings by Wayne Thiebaud and Amy Sherald, while 20-somethings wandered through the crowd, phones held high in their extended arms, capturing the scene for TikTok. Where did all these people come from? After-hours parties began returning to Washington museums in the spring, once again drawing locals with a mix of culture and mingling, drinks and hands-on activities. But in recent weeks, interest has exploded. The Phillips Collection’s Phillips After 5 and National Gallery Nights sold out of tickets for their September dates, as did some of the Library of Congress’s weekly Live! at the Library events, such as one featuring a conversation with author Ian McEwan. More than 3,300 people passed through the National Gallery on Sept. 8, which Sherri Williams, the manager of community programs, says is “on par with our highest attendance ever” — around 800 to 1,000 more people than the pre-pandemic average. And while passes are free, letting patrons reserve them without fear of commitment, “more people are showing up, redeeming their pass,” Williams says. The attrition rate was about 35 percent in September, below what organizers would usually expect for a free event. Also surprising: The first wave of free tickets was snatched up in less than three minutes, faster than some of this summer’s popular Jazz in the Garden events. Museum after-hours parties have been part of D.C.’s cultural fabric since the mid- to late 2000s, when events like Hirshhorn After Hours and Phillips After 5 became cultural phenomena, drawing crowds very different from the ones that visited during the day. “Looking at the 2,800 partygoers, it was hard to imagine that a single, good-looking, under-30 District resident was left beyond the museum’s plaza walls,” wrote a Post reporter when electronic artist Dan Deacon headlined a raucous event at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in 2008. But large crowds and cool vibes (and funds raised by alcohol and ticket sales) aren’t the only reason museums are glad to host these events. The Library of Congress conceived the weekly Live! at the Library series as a way to engage local residents, explains Katie Klenkel, the library’s chief of visitor engagement. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and “we were just missing out on a huge part of our audiences who worked during the day Monday through Friday and just didn’t have a chance to come see our great exhibits or experience what we have to offer,” Klenkel says. Keith Costas, the Phillips Collection’s director of special events, was part of the group that helped create Phillips After 5 as a weekly, and then monthly, event back in the summer of 2008. To date, the gallery — the first museum of modern art in the U.S. — has hosted, by Costas’s count, 155 After 5s. “Everyone has always said to me, ‘Keith, you’re just throwing a party.’ I said, ‘Well, no, that’s not the case.’ You know, my purpose is really just to bring people in, to get them to learn about the collection, our special exhibitions, and to walk away having an enriched cultural experience.” Yes, he says, there will always be people “having a glass of wine, listening to music, engaging, conversing with people, you know, going on a date.” But for the staff who created and continue to plan the event, he says, “it was always about the art and making it a cultural and learning experience.” Beyond a good time, these after-hours events are about inviting Washingtonians to think of art as part of their lives — an after-work social experience as natural as going to happy hour or rounding up friends to catch up over dinner. And if you learn something about Lou Stovall’s museum workshop, or decide to come back another day to continue gazing at modern art, so much the better. Phillips After 5 at the Phillips Collection The Phillips Collection began in Duncan Phillips’s home, and even though the building has been extended and modernized numerous times, Phillips After 5 still gives off house-party vibes. One minute, you’re upstairs in an exhibition space, browsing the brightly colored silk-screen prints in “Lou Stovall: The Museum Workshop,” listening to a spotlight tour where guest curator Will Stovall is delving into the history of the posters his father created for concerts at Bohemian Caverns, his more activist work and the prints made for Washington Color School pioneers such as Gene Davis. Then you head down the curvaceous spiral staircase to the lobby. There’s a beer tasting with D.C.’s own Soul Mega happening in the gift shop. Go through a set of doors and you’re out in the courtyard, where hands are in the air and bodies are bouncing while local jazz-meets-go-go stars the JoGo Project cover UCB’s “Sexy Lady.” Do the people singing along with the chorus notice the site-specific Ellsworth Kelly sculpture behind the band? Maybe, maybe not. Groove for a bit, then wander back inside and head downstairs, where a silk-screen demonstration is teaching visitors the basic principles of Stovall’s art and they’re making a tote bag to take home. And did I mention that Ben’s Chili Bowl is serving half-smokes? D.C. art, D.C. music, D.C. food and a hands-on experience that brings it back to the art: That kind of synergy is what Nehemiah Dixon III, the Phillips’s senior director of community engagement, is looking for when Phillips After 5 is in the planning stages. “I think everything paired well,” he says after the “We’re Back! Let’s Go-Go” event in early September. “You can tell the excitement, the buzz of people being back in the museum at that capacity.” The nature of the Phillips’s exhibitions is something that Dixon relishes: “We’re in a unique place where our walls change fairly consistently,” he says. “And with each new exhibition, with each new show, there’s a new opportunity to sort of experiment and play” with the themes of After 5. Next month, though, the focus is on the most iconic painting in the collection: Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party.” The Phillips draws a slightly older crowd than the National Gallery and some Smithsonian events — I’m willing to bet the $20 ticket price has something to do with the demographics — and guests seem fairly split between those who are focused on the music and the art. But that’s fine with Dixon. “Whether it’s a painting on the wall or a program that you’re attending, our goal is always, you know, let’s create these pockets of joy for our community.” When: The first Thursday of the month from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Next up: “Oktoberfest” on Oct. 6, featuring tours and talks focused on Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party” and the opportunity to take a photo in a 3D version of the painting; jazz from the Carr/Keys quintet; hard cider from Capitol Cider House and German Oktoberfest beers. 1600 21st Street NW. Live! at the Library at the Library of Congress If some other after-hours events come across as eager to party, the Library of Congress is the refined older relative, befitting its setting in the grand marble building across the street from the Capitol. Since its first event in May, Live! at the Library has allowed visitors to gawk at the magnificent dome and sculptures in the historic Reading Room, which is surely one of the most beautiful indoor spaces in D.C. Events have given visitors a chance to see Abraham Lincoln’s life mask, celebrate Juneteenth with the Gullah band Ranky Tanky and ask Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle about the books that spurred his love of reading, as well as to explore ongoing exhibits. The series attracts locals interested in the subject of the week, but also a Hill crowd and, given the location, plenty of tourists. The lack of access to exhibits for locals working 9-to-5 jobs had been part of the inspiration for the series, but Katie Klenkel, the chief of visitor engagement, explains that there was also a desire to consolidate the library’s calendar. Between author talks, film screenings, concerts, lectures and other events, “we do so many programs at the library on so many different disparate topics” that sometimes potential audience members didn’t know that something they’d be interested in was happening. “And so we were trying to create a through line for people so they could anticipate that kind of cultural programming on a specific date, specific time, every Thursday,” Klenkel says. “It makes it easier than having things on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday evenings.” So after beloved radio producers and podcasters the Kitchen Sisters donated their entire archive to the library’s American Folklife Center, it was a natural fit to have them as guests at Live! at the Library in mid-September, interviewed by Academy Award winner Frances McDormand. Ditto author Ian McEwan, who discussed his latest novel, “Lessons,” on Sept. 22, or journalist James Kirchick, who celebrated Pride Month by talking about his book “Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington” while the library displayed items from its collection that Kirchick used in his research. But there’s an element of surprise, too, when the library can pull out that Lincoln life mask, show off a selection of items from the Harry Houdini collection or display vintage Star Wars trading cards that may...

Victims Of TerraUSD UST Collapse Speak Out – Will Do Kwon Be Arrested? – Cryptonews https://collincountynewsonline.com/victims-of-terrausd-ust-collapse-speak-out-will-do-kwon-be-arrested-cryptonews/ Source: Screenshot/Terra/YouTube Victims of the collapse of the Terra ecosytem, which wiped out over $60 billion of investors’ funds, have been speaking up and calling for Do Kwon and entities related to him to be brought to justice.  In a Twitter thread, ‘FatManTerra,’ a pseudonymous finance investor who has been providing updates on the Terra situation, shared several stories about the experience of victims of the wipeout.  In several of the cases, the victims reckoned that even when they had doubts about the investments, they did not exit their positions due to assurances made by Kwon. One such assurance often noted was his tweet for the community to “hold steady” as he was “deploying more capital” to maintain the UST peg to $1.  He also alleged that amid the debacle, Kwon, TFL, and LFG cashed out “hundreds of millions of dollars through the liquidity fraudulently generated by roping retail investors into a ‘savings product.'” The analyst pointed out that each of these stories points to not just lost savings, but human lives lost, lost time, and also lost relationships.  Describing the sad tales to be Do Kwon’s legacy of fraud, FatManTerra implored the crypto founder to come forward to face his arrest warrant and court cases.  “The fallen will not be forgotten. I, we, will do everything in our power to bring Do Kwon to justice. We implore him to come forward and face his arrest warrants and court cases. If Do Kwon is free to scam again, then there is no justice in crypto,” FatManTerra wrote.   Do Kwon and Terra executives continue to claim innocence FatManTerra is notably the leader of the class action suit investors filed in the U.S. against Terraform Labs (TFL), Jump Crypto, Jump Trading LLC, Republic Capital, Republic Maximal LLC, Tribe Capital, DeFinance Capital/Definance Technologies Oy, GSR Markets Limited, and Three Arrows Capital Ptd Ltd. (collectively, the “Luna Foundation Guard”), as well as individual defendants Nicholas Platias and Do Kwon.  The investors are being represented by U.S.-based attorneys Scott+Scott. In a recent development, the suit has been joined by a group of Terra investors from India.  Amid the allegations, Do Kwon and entities related to the debacle including TFL and Luna Foundation Guard (LFG) have maintained that no fraud was committed in the crash. In a recent statement, Kwon called the reports around the case ‘misinformation.’  Similarly, TFL told the Wall Street Journal that it considers the actions of prosecutors in South Korea targeting the company and its executives to be overreach as Luna was not legally a security and hence is not covered by South Korea’s capital markets law.

Column: U.S. Gas Exports Squeeze Domestic Supply: Kemp – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/column-u-s-gas-exports-squeeze-domestic-supply-kemp-reuters/ LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) – U.S. gas production will need to increase significantly to continue growing exports while ensuring fuel remains affordable for domestic power producers, households and industrial users. Production of dry gas (stripped of natural gas liquids) totalled 17,329 billion cubic feet in the first six months of the year, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Dry gas output was up by 944 billion cubic feet compared with the same period in 2019, the last year before the pandemic (“Monthly energy review“, EIA, Sept. 27). Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Domestic consumption increased by 440 billion cubic feet, with electricity generators accounting for 382 billion. But exports surged by 1,408 billion cubic feet largely as a result of the commissioning of large new liquefaction terminals. The massive increase in LNG exports has significantly tightened the availability of gas for domestic users and put upward pressure on prices. As a result, inventories depleted by 876 billion cubic feet in the first six months of 2022 compared with just 246 billion in the first six months of 2019. The drawdown was the second-largest on record and 65% higher than the average over the previous 10 years. Chartbook: U.S. gas production, consumption and exports OUTPUT GROWTH To maintain and grow exports U.S. gas producers will need to increase their output significantly in both the short and longer term. The number of rigs employed drilling for gas has already increased to 160, up from 99 at the same point last year, but is only slightly higher than the 146 at this point in 2019, according to field services company Baker Hughes. A significant share of natural gas output is associated gas produced as a by-product of crude oil production from crude oil wells. The number of rigs drilling for oil has increased to 602, up from 421 last year, but still well below the 713 at the same point in 2019. Raw rig counts can be a misleading indicator of production except in the very short term because of changes in drilling efficiency over time. Current rigs are likely to produce more gas than a similar-sized fleet three years ago because technology has improved, enabling faster drilling, longer underground laterals and a tighter focus on the most gas-rich areas. But the industry will likely need an even more rigs to meet the high demand for gas from domestic users and export markets in Europe and Asia. Futures prices for gas delivered in January 2024 have retreated to $5.60 per million British thermal units from $6.50 at the start of September but still far above $3.65 this time last year and $2.90 in 2019. The rise in gas prices will help reduce the shortage, but the more recent downturn in the price of oil is likely to prove unhelpful because it will tend to reduce oil-directed drilling and associated gas output. The challenge for the industry is to overcome supply chain constraints and scale up output profitably in order to satisfy domestic demand as well as its ambition to remain the primary supplier of the world’s fast-growing gas market. Related columns: – U.S. gas producers struggle to meet demand (Reuters, Sept. 16) – U.S. power producers are consuming near-record volumes of gas (Reuters, Aug. 2) – U.S. gas prices climb as stocks fail to rebuild fast enough (Reuters, July 29) – U.S. gas production must accelerate to meet LNG export demand (Reuters, June 1) John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Editing by David Evans Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Opinions expressed are those of the author. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias. John Kemp Thomson Reuters John Kemp is a senior market analyst specializing in oil and energy systems. Before joining Reuters in 2008, he was a trading analyst at Sempra Commodities, now part of JPMorgan, and an economic analyst at Oxford Analytica. His interests include all aspects of energy technology, history, diplomacy, derivative markets, risk management, policy and transitions.

Worldwide G Suite Technology Services Industry To 2030 – Retail Remains As The Key End-User Segment – ResearchAndMarkets.com – Business Wire https://collincountynewsonline.com/worldwide-g-suite-technology-services-industry-to-2030-retail-remains-as-the-key-end-user-segment-researchandmarkets-com-business-wire/ DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The “G Suite Technology Services Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2022 to 2030” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The market for G Suite technology services is expected to raise at a CAGR of 21% during the forecast period 2022 to 2030. Companies Mentioned SADA Systems Agosto Inc Maven Wave Partners LLC Capgemini SE Perpetual West Inc The market for G Suite technology services is projected to be driven by two key factors such as the increased emphasis on the use of business productivity tools and the ongoing cloud migration across industries, etc. In addition, small and medium-sized businesses are utilising cost-effective business solutions and locating collaborative technologies that aid in boosting staff efficiency. The ongoing industrial transformation is driving cloud migration, digitization, and the installation of cognitive AI solutions at premises. The workforce’s improved proficiency with mobile and digital technology has led to a rapid uptake of digital technologies, which has revolutionised workplace digitalization and the way that employees engage with their workplaces. Businesses and organisations are utilising the G Suite technological services to boost employee happiness and corporate effectiveness. Additionally, the use of these services creates a more efficient, centralised, and flexible working environment that is suited for employees. Businesses are moving to cloud-based ecosystems where projects are managed through team communication and problems are resolved by active participation in an effort to improve customer relations. Services for Training and Support Leads the Services Market for the G Suite Businesses use training and support services as a critical tool to increase corporate productivity. The use of G Suite technology services for virtual and in-person training is growing among employees. In order to meet end-user demand and provide a better user interface experience, it also provides training and support services. Businesses focusing on training and support are using G Suite technology services. This is because G Suite customers have access to a number of different training and support services. Retail Remains as the Key End User Segment G Suite technology is projected to see significant demand in the retail during the forecast period. 20% of the market is currently (2021) accounted for by the retail sector. The market for retail G Suite technology services is expanding due to factors including improved customer experience, increased operational efficiencies, and more employee engagement with adaptable and practical retail collaboration solutions. More than Half of the Revenues are Generated by Large Business Small and medium-sized businesses and large businesses make up the two market segments based on the size of the organisations. Large businesses currently control 55% of the worldwide market. This is attributable to the increased importance placed on employee happiness as well as the availability of support and training services both in-person and online. However, due to the rising use of G Suite technology services in organisations to satisfy unique requirements and to improve customer relationships, small and medium-sized enterprises are predicted to grow at a higher CAGR than large enterprises. North America to Dominate and Europe to Follow By accounting for almost 25% of the global market for G Suite technology services, North America remained as the global leader in 2021. The growth of small and medium-sized businesses in North America is a significant factor that is motivating the market growth in this region. Market Segmentation By Service Type (2020-2030; US$ Million) Advisory Services Migration Services Change Management Services Training & Support Services Integration Services Design & Deployment By Organization Size (2020-2030; US$ Million) Small & Medium Enterprises Large Enterprises By End-Use Industry (2020-2030; US$ Million) Retail Industry Manufacturing Industry IT & Telecom Industry Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry Government Industry BFSI Industry Education Industry Real Estate & Construction Industry Transportation and Logistics Industry Media and Advertising Industry Region Segment (2020-2030; US$ Million) North America U.S. Canada Europe and UK UK Germany Spain Italy France RoE Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea RoAPAC Latin America Brazil Mexico RoLATAM Africa GCC Africa RoME Key questions answered in this report What are the key micro and macro environmental factors that are impacting the growth of G Suite Technology Services market? What are the key investment pockets with respect to product segments and geographies currently and during the forecast period? Estimated forecast and market projections up to 2030. Which segment accounts for the fastest CAGR during the forecast period? Which market segment holds a larger market share and why? Are low and middle-income economies investing in the G Suite Technology Services market? Which is the largest regional market for G Suite Technology Services market? What are the market trends and dynamics in emerging markets such as Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa? Which are the key trends driving G Suite Technology Services market growth? Who are the key competitors and what are their key strategies to enhance their market presence in the G Suite Technology Services market worldwide? For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/aahahk

Returnal Leak Reveals Gaming PC Settings And Nvidia DLSS Support – PCGamesN https://collincountynewsonline.com/returnal-leak-reveals-gaming-pc-settings-and-nvidia-dlss-support-pcgamesn/ A Returnal PC port is likely in the works, as a new leak provides a glimpse at its settings and Nvidia DLSS support. In addition, the third-person roguelike appears to boast AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution compatibility, but it’ll seemingly stick with FSR 1.0. Shared in an icon-era forum post, the Returnal leak reveals the PS5 port’s gaming PC settings menu. The list includes options for shadows, lighting, and ray tracing, alongside an additional “screen optimisations” toggle. Naturally, the DLSS graphics option says you’ll need an Nvidia GeForce graphics card like the RTX 3090, but players will be able to use FidelityFX Super Resolution to boost fps on any GPU. However, the menu’s description labels the tool as a ‘spatial upscaler’, meaning it likely won’t pack FSR 2.0 support. That’s not to say FSR 2.0 is off the cards for Returnal, as AMD is working on expanding its compatible games list. DLSS 3.0 could also end up part of the port’s toolkit, as the new RTX 4000 exclusive feature will debut alongside Nvidia’s next-gen RTX 4090 GPU next month. Sony hasn’t made an official PC port announcement yet, so Returnal system requirements aren’t a thing. However, DLSS and FSR might help even cheap gaming PC builds run the game, while additional scaling options, like Nvidia NIS, should facilitate higher frame rates on the best gaming monitor. This isn’t the first Returnal PC leak to surface online, as developers Housemarque accidentally revealed the port during a GDC 2022 talk. Of course, even if a Steam and Epic Game Store release is on the cards, we’d advise ingesting insider information with a grain of salt, particularly when it comes to early builds and settings menus.

Sachse Man Arraigned On Two Charges Of Attempted Capital Murder – Farmersville Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/sachse-man-arraigned-on-two-charges-of-attempted-capital-murder-farmersville-times/ A Sachse resident, Josiah Perez, 25, has been arraigned on two charges of attempted capital murder for his role in a shooting of two Sachse police officers Sept. 2, according to information released by the Sachse Police Department earlier this week. Perez was arraigned following his recovery from a gunshot wound sustained in the incident.  On Sept. 2, two Sachse police officers were parked in the parking lot of MedPost Urgent Care, located at 7760 S. State Highway 78, in a police vehicle when Perez allegedly fired a shotgun into the vehicle striking both officers. One of the officers in the vehicle managed to fire his gun, wounding Perez as well.  Both officers sustained non-life threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital and later released. Department officials said their recovery continues to progress and they are anticipated to return to duty in the coming weeks. The department has not identified a motive for the shooting. According to the news release, the Texas Rangers will continue investigating the case and file the two charges with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office. As of Wednesday, Sept. 28, Sachse PD has not revealed the identities of the two officers.

Weekend In Asheville: Hip, Artsy Enclave In The Blue Ridge Mountains Beckons Visitors With Food, Beer, Browsi – Cleveland.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/weekend-in-asheville-hip-artsy-enclave-in-the-blue-ridge-mountains-beckons-visitors-with-food-beer-browsi-cleveland-com/ ASHEVILLE, North Carolina – Asheville was an afterthought, a last-minute addition at the end of a nearly weeklong trip to neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rookie mistake. This mountain town in far western North Carolina deserves top billing on its own itinerary, filled with gallery hopping and top-rated restaurants, a quirky drum circle and comedy bus tour. And did I mention the beer? The city, population 95,000, is perhaps best known for being home to the Biltmore Estate, the elaborate former home of George and Edith Vanderbilt, the largest private residence in the United States, open daily for touring. Read more: The Biltmore, America’s most elaborate private residence, is fit for a king Its best attribute, however, is its location – surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, with parkland on all sides. The region’s stunning beauty has made Asheville a long-time magnet for artists and adventurer seekers, who collectively give the town a cool, authentic vibe, all of which also happens to make it a great place to visit. If you’ve never been here — or even if you have — it’s worth the trip, all on its own. Downtown window shopping in Asheville.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Comedic guide Cookie Carter entertains a bus full of tourists on the LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour in Asheville.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Wicked Weed Brewing, one of more than 30 brewpubs in Asheville.Courtesy ExploreAsheville.com Laughing at the city’s past To get my bearings, I signed up for the LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour, a 90-minute, PG-13 romp through town in a retrofitted school bus that covers much of the city’s history, from a frontier outpost in the late 1790s to the arrival of the Vanderbilts a century later to Asheville’s first designation as Beer City USA in 2010. We motored by downtown’s former 75-foot-tall memorial (“the erection at the intersection”) to Civil War-era governor Zebulon Vance, dismantled last year; and the Asheville Civic Center, where Elvis Presley played three shows in July 1975, including one when he famously exited the stage for seven minutes to use the restroom (“Sometimes, the king needs to sit,” he reportedly said). We passed the Asheville Masonic Temple, built in 1915 and used as a hospital for Black residents during the Spanish flu, “the worst pandemic in history,” according to comedic guide Cookie Carter. (“Whoops,” she added. “I think we need to update the script.”) And we drove by the former Highland Hospital, a psychiatric facility turned wedding venue, where Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, died in a fire in 1948. An accomplished painter, writer and dancer, Zelda Fitzgerald may have also been the uncredited source of much of her husband’s work, according to Carter. Described as schizophrenic and possibly bipolar, Carter said, “Maybe she was just an independent woman in the 1920s.” Halfway through the tour, we stopped for an adult beverage at Green Man Brewery, founded in 1997 and among the oldest brewpubs in the city’s beer-focused South Slope neighborhood (“bro-muda triangle on sunny Saturday afternoons,” according to Carter). We also wheeled through the River Arts District, just southwest of downtown along the French Broad River, where dozens of former factories and warehouses have been turned into galleries, and the Montford historic district, filled with beautiful old homes. I made a mental note of all the places I wanted to revisit. Gallery-hopping in Asheville’s River Arts District.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Medina County native Kevin Giriunas recently opened a studio in Asheville’s River Arts District.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Exploring the neighborhoods My visit coincided with the River Arts District’s Second Saturday gallery walk, with demonstrations, workshops and entertainment in and around the neighborhood’s studios and galleries. My husband and I meandered through a dozen-plus spaces, perusing hundreds of pieces of art whimsical and serene – glass, pottery, painting, jewelry and more. Locals (and visitors) can take classes at the studios and watch artists in action. During my browsing, I met Kevin Giriunas, a Medina County native who recently relocated to Asheville and opened a painting studio on Roberts Street. “Asheville has a vibrant big city feel in a small mountain town,” said Giriunas, a former engineer who is now working full-time as an artist. “The art scene is awesome.” From River Arts, we headed back downtown, where there are many more galleries to explore – including the Woolworth Walk, inside a former F.W. Woolworth Co. store, now filled with mini exhibits featuring the works of more than 100 local artists. Also here: the store’s recreated Soda Fountain, featuring ice cream, sandwiches and salads. (One historical note: The actual lunch counter here was the subject of civil rights protests in the 1950s, as high school students in Asheville sought to emulate the college protesters in nearby Greensboro.) Downtown Asheville features some of the best, most eclectic shopping I’ve experienced anywhere – terrific stores in a relatively compact, easily walkable space. Other downtown stops: * Grove Arcade, a four-story retail and office complex that was built in 1929 and billed as America’s first indoor shopping mall (but we Clevelanders know that our Arcade, which opened in 1890, was, in fact, the first). During World War II, the arcade here was taken over by the federal government for wartime planning. * French Broad Chocolate Lounge, with exquisite chocolate drinks, pastries and candies to consume on site or take with you (or, even better, both). You can also take a tour of their production facility just north of downtown. * The Asheville Bee Charmer, a story devoted to honey, with a tasting bar and more; Malaprop’s Books, Voltage Records; the Center for Craft and many others. The historic Grove Arcade in Asheville.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com The honey tasting bar at downtown’s Asheville Bee Charmer.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Every Friday, April through October, a group gathers at Asheville’s Pritchard Park to play drums, dance and hang out.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Dining and drinking Downtown is also the epicenter of the highly regarded dining scene in Asheville, which is routinely cited among the nation’s best foodie cities. On our first night in town, my husband and I headed to Chai Pani, a casual Indian eatery that was recently named “America’s most outstanding restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation. Prepare to wait an hour or more for a table – the place doesn’t take reservations – and it wasn’t accepting any more additions to its waiting list by the time we arrived. We dined instead at Red Ginger, with terrific small plates and sushi, across from Pritchard Park, home every Friday night (April through October) to the city’s quirky drum circle, a feel-good Asheville tradition since 2001. Other places we ate: The Rhu for brunch, a sister restaurant and bakery to the more upscale Rhubarb; and Nine Mile, with terrific Caribbean fusion fare in the Montford historic district. We also got a primer on sour beer at Funkatorium, an outpost of Wicked Weed Brewing, where our bartender explained the effects of a longer fermentation period on what we were about to drink. “It’s like when you let a bottle of wine age,” she said. “It tastes better.” On our tasting flight: mouth-puckering samples of Silencio, barrel-aged with coffee and vanilla, and Sandiaca, a tasty concoction fermented with watermelon and basil. Where to stay We stayed at the Carolina Bed and Breakfast, a large, luxurious inn in the historic Montford neighborhood, just north of downtown. The house, along with numerous others in the neighborhood, was designed by Richard Sharp Smith, who was the supervising architect of the Biltmore Estate following the death in 1895 of primary architect Richard Hunt Morris. Smith, along with numerous other creative types, stuck around Asheville after the Biltmore was completed and helped the town evolve into the arts-focused community that it is today. “We have more culture than a yeast infection,” quipped guide Cookie Carter. Don’t take her word for it. Put Asheville at the very top of your next vacation itinerary, and go see for yourself. The Carolina Bed and Breakfast in Asheville’s historic Montford neighborhood.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com If you go: Asheville, North Carolina Where: Asheville, in far western North Carolina, is about an eight-hour drive from Cleveland, along I-77 south, I-81 south and I-26 south. Asheville Regional Airport, south of town, is the closest airport. Nearby: The city is adjacent to to Pisgah National Forest, close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is near the southern terminus of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, the scenic drive that connects the Smoky Mountains with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Where to stay: We stayed at the Carolina Bed and Breakfast in the historic residential Montford neighborhood, just north of downtown. Rates start at about $230 a night. See carolinabb.com More information: exploreasheville.com Read more: Dodging the crowds and clouds at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most popular Overnighting at LeConte Lodge, the only inn inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park (but first, you have to get there) Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

Memphis Business News: Promotions, Hirings, Achievers And Company News – Commercial Appeal https://collincountynewsonline.com/memphis-business-news-promotions-hirings-achievers-and-company-news-commercial-appeal-2/ From submitted press releases Here’s a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene: Saint Francis Healthcare recently named Ryan Nelson as market chief financial officer. In this role, he will guide financial operations for Saint Francis-Memphis and Saint Francis-Bartlett. He most recently was chief financial officer at Woodland Heights Medical Center, a part of Community Health Systems, in Lufkin, Texas. Nelson is pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is a graduate of Leadership Memphis, the Baptist Executive Leadership Institute through Baptist Memorial Health Care and a member of the Health Care Financial Management Association. In addition, Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis named radiation oncologist Dr. Matthew Ballo as medical director of the hospital’s radiation oncology program. He also serves as medical director of Radiation Oncology at West Cancer Center and Research Institute. In June 2021, West Cancer Center and Saint Francis announced a partnership that would include the area’s first urgent care clinic for oncology patients, to be housed at Saint Francis-Memphis, a dedicated oncology floor within the hospital and a joint commitment to providing patients with access to advanced technology. Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh recently announced Christopher Campbell has been selected for inclusion into The National Black Lawyers Top 100 Black Lawyers in Tennessee. Campbell’s primary practice areas include health care liability defense, construction defense, insurance defense, transportation and carrier defense, and municipality/educational defense. This honor is given to only the top 100 Black lawyers in each state or region with reputations for providing excellent legal representation in their respective practice areas. Membership into The National Black Lawyers is by invitation only and is based on current member referrals and independent research. Justin Joy, a shareholder in Lewis Thomason’s Memphis office, has been named a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Fellows are chosen based on their devoted and distinguished service to the legal profession and the administration of justice and their adherence to the highest standards of professional ethics and personal conduct. Joy leads the firm’s cybersecurity practice group, providing counsel to clients in a variety of industries in the area of information privacy and cybersecurity. He specifically counsels covered entities and business associates on a variety of matters pertaining to HIPAA Privacy Rule, Security Rule and Breach Notification Rule compliance. The Women’s Business Center South, a partnership between the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South and the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced Angelita Parham has joined the organization as program manager. In her new role, Parham will plan and implement programs for women entrepreneurs across the region to help them start, sustain and grow their businesses. She brings more than 10 years of entrepreneurial and nonprofit experience in development and administration to WBC South. Previously, Parham spent two years at the Memphis Education Fund, as the front office coordinator supporting the executive team, and also served as a virtual learning coordinator partnering with local schools on technology integration. Lehman-Roberts and its sister company Memphis Stone & Gravel, a leader in the highway paving, construction, asphalt and aggregate industry, appointed Andrew Haste as IT support specialist and Tom Peterson as data specialist. As IT support specialist, Haste will serve as the front line for all IT support and requests. Before joining the team, he was an advance repair agent with Geek Squad and a customer service supervisor for Best Buy. In his role as data specialist, Peterson will be responsible for collecting and analyzing construction equipment data in support of the company fleet operation and maintenance programs. Peterson has a master’s degree in Special Education from Middle Tennessee State University. He has served more than two decades in the home healthcare and petrol-chemical fields. Arrow Creative has added Erika Cain as its acting chief operations officer. She transitioned from Arrow’s board of directors in late July to this role and will work closely with co-founder and executive director Abby Phillips to facilitate overall operations and management of Arrow and its mission of supporting creative entrepreneurs and art enthusiasts. As founder of brand consulting firm Erika Cain & Co., she has more than two decades of experience in business management, communications and brand design. Noteworthy Literacy Mid-South has launched a new campaign, Read901, to ensure every child and adult in Memphis has the resources they need to read, write, and communicate clearly with others. A Harvard study shows that people who grow up in communities with higher literacy rates live longer. Read901 is a coalition of partners who have come together to provide as much support as possible to normalize literacy in the Mid-South. Read901 has an online portal with free resources for everyone, whether you’re a parent, teacher, mentor or friend. They offer both child and adult tutoring resources including reading and math tools, citizenship and job readiness prep, financial and digital literacy, resources for learning disabilities and more. Alongside the Read901 campaign launch, the organization has unveiled an innovative new way to put books in hands immediately. Two book vending machines have been placed at Scenic Hills Elementary and For The Kingdom, providing free, on-the-spot reading material for Memphis residents of all ages and literacy levels. Visit www.read901.org to find out where the Read901 Book Vending Machines are headed next. — Compiled by Daniel Ginsburg Email information and photos in JPEG format, at least 1MB in size, for People in Business to cabiznews@commercialappeal.com.

Nutrileads Investigates Consumer’s Nutraceutical Perceptions Through The Pandemic – Nutraceutical Business Review https://collincountynewsonline.com/nutrileads-investigates-consumers-nutraceutical-perceptions-through-the-pandemic-nutraceutical-business-review/ 29-Sep-2022 A NutriLeads consumer insights report has shown that consumer perceptions fundamentally changed through the pandemic NutriLeads, a health ingredients company, has announced the results of a new consumer insights report which shows that consumer views on immune health have changed fundamentally in the wake of COVID-19. The report draws on extensive data gathered by research company FMCG Gurus through consumer surveys conducted with 45,000 consumers from 15 countries across 2019, 2020, and 2022. According to the report, not only is immune health significantly more important to consumers, but immune health is also perceived to have a far-reaching impact on long-term health and wellbeing. Two-thirds of consumers worldwide say immune health is their top health priority over the next 12 months—more than digestive health, heart health, or any other health issue. In addition, some 78% of consumers view poor immune health as being easily susceptible to long-term health problems. This research shows us that the experience of living with the pandemic is likely to have a lasting effect “It’s clear that during the pandemic, consumers have been paying attention to their immune health more than ever before,” said Joana Carneiro, NutriLeads CEO. “This research shows us that the experience of living with the pandemic is likely to have a lasting effect. Consumers are more knowledgeable about immune health and place more importance on improving it on the longer term.” Among the trends highlighted in the report is the greater number of consumers (40%) who are taking a proactive approach to their immune health even if they believe they are in good health. What’s more, consumers are taking a holistic approach to their wellbeing, incorporating exercise and fresh food in their lifestyle, and paying attention to digestive health and mental wellbeing. At the same time, consumers expect more from immune health products. Eight in 10 global respondents to the survey say the top three claims they want to see on the label of immunity products are scientifically validated and clinically-proven (82%), multifunctional benefits (79%), and helps lead a healthy lifestyle (79%). Companies Nutrileads

Tyson Fury Sets Anthony Joshua Another New Deadline | ‘Get This Contract Signed Today’ – Sky Sports https://collincountynewsonline.com/tyson-fury-sets-anthony-joshua-another-new-deadline-get-this-contract-signed-today-sky-sports/ Tyson Fury has returned to negotiations for the all-British heavyweight super-fight with Anthony Joshua. But Fury has set his rival another deadline and called for him to sign the contract for their showdown today. “My promoter Frank Warren convinced me to let Queensberry carry on negotiating with your team this week, despite me knowing that you were never going to do this fight,” Fury said. Tyson Fury: Let’s find out if Joe Joyce can beat me Joe Joyce: I’d get to Oleksandr Usyk! Wilder expects fourth Fury fight Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Fury believes Joe Joyce is currently the second-best heavyweight in the world and admits he could fight his fellow Brit in the future Both Fury and Joshua are aligned with different broadcasters. Bringing those networks to an agreement on a TV deal was seen as a key stumbling block in the negotiations for this fight. But Fury has claimed that the rival broadcasters are “all happy with the terms”. “So the deadline was Monday,” Fury said. “I allowed Frank to continue doing meetings with your team and your broadcasters and all that. Now we have BT, DAZN and ESPN all on the same page. They are happy with everything, they are all ready to rock and roll. “You guys ask for a lot of stuff, you want to be co-promoters when you’re a voluntary challenger. Guess what, I said give it them, let them be co-promoters. “You wanted full transparency, even though you’re not an equal shareholder in this party. You know what I said? Give them full transparency, I’ve got nothing to hide, I’m not trying to rob anybody, I’ve not robbed anybody of a penny in my life. “So now you’ve got full transparency, everything is clean and fair. Now Joshua, the ball is really in your court son.” Joshua has previously insisted that he would sign the contract, but it had to go through his lawyers and management team. In a direct challenge to him, Fury declared, “Everybody is done. If you’re a man, and if you’ve got any sort of dignity and pride about you, you’ll get this contract signed today. This is it. There is no more days, weeks, months, you’ve had the contract now for over two weeks and you still haven’t signed it. “Show the public that you’re really the big coward that I know you are, and don’t sign it. I don’t care either way if you sign it or you don’t, it makes no difference to me at all. You’re a beaten man and I’m a world champion. I’m chucking you a massive bone, but I know I can punch a face in so I’m willing to give you an opportunity. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Dillian Whyte says he’d be happy to fight Joshua in December if his proposed fight with Fury doesn’t get made “There’s nothing more to do, everyone is happy. Get your team onto mine, they will be available all day, like they’ve been available the last two weeks. Get this contract signed! “Let the British fans have what they want. There is no running, you have to fight me. You cannot escape. The Fury is coming.” Usyk expects to fight Fury early next year Anthony Joshua is no longer a world champion after losing the IBF, WBO and WBA titles to Oleksandr Usyk last year. Usyk defended his unified championship when he won last month’s rematch against Joshua. The Ukrainian star was initially Fury’s target for an undisputed title clash. But when Usyk revealed that injury would prevent him boxing again this year, the WBC titlist’s attention shifted to the negotiations with Joshua. Usyk’s team however believes that his fight with Fury will still happen. Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter, told Sky Sports that: “There won’t be Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua.” He expects Fury to be Usyk’s next fight early in 2023.

The Metaverse: What Virtual Reality Platforms Will Mean For Safeguarding Children And How Family Practitioners Can Best Prepare For That – Family Law https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-metaverse-what-virtual-reality-platforms-will-mean-for-safeguarding-children-and-how-family-practitioners-can-best-prepare-for-that-family-law/ Grace Robertson, New Court Chambers The metaverse might not exist in its full science-fiction envisioned entirety, but what is already very real is that even in its current infantile state concerns have arisen in respect of children’s use and interaction with the metaverse. The concerns can be grouped into three categories which will sadly be all too familiar for family practitioners (1) online grooming (2) exposure to explicit material (3) sexual abuse. The additional risk in the metaverse is that it intends to look and feel real. With a visual headset and haptic vest technology, online predators are no longer confined to 2D chatrooms or video calls. They can instead seem to approach a child user, really appear to be there with them, talk to them and offer them gifts instantaneously in the form of digital assets. What remains from older forms of social media is the protective shroud of online anonymity. Family practitioners need to understand the metaverse so it is not a shock or a foreign language when it begins to appear on thresholds. Early understanding of this oncoming technological phenomena and potential protective measures is required to ensure that the Internet 3.0 is safe for the children of the 21st century and beyond. The full article will be published in the August issue of Family Law.  Find out more or request a free 1-week trial of Family Law journal. Please quote: 100482.

National Coffee Day 2022: Coffee Maker, Nespresso, Cold Brew, More – Tennessean https://collincountynewsonline.com/national-coffee-day-2022-coffee-maker-nespresso-cold-brew-more-tennessean/ — Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Break out your mugs and get ready to celebrate with some delicious news to start the day—today, September 29, is National Coffee Day! What is National Coffee Day? A way for coffee lovers to make sure they get the ultimate caffeine fix, of course. While you can grab a latte on the road, there are also countless gadgets to help you make that perfect brew right at home. Coffee shops around the country are freebies and deals in honor of the special day. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, International Coffee Day is in just a few short days on Saturday, October 1. Coffee aficionados are in for some tasty drinks this week. Get expert shopping advice delivered to your phone. Sign up for text message alerts from the deal-hunting nerds at Reviewed. At Reviewed, we test products year-round to recommend to you the best and, boy, we have some coffee recommendations for you. Here are 11 products to take your morning coffee to the next level.  ►National Coffee Day 2022: Celebrate National Coffee Day with the best gifts for coffee lovers 1. The perfect drip coffee makers If we can say one thing about coffee makers, it’s to never underestimate the power of drip coffee. There are thousands of brewers available on the market, which can make it tough to narrow down your choices. But don’t worry—we’ve tested the most popular full-size drip brewers to find the best one. The results: The Technivorm Moccamaster KBG reigned supreme for its fast brewing speed, well-made design and ability to brew smooth coffee. While it’s on the pricier side, it brews a complex pot of coffee, enough to serve multiple people (or refill your mug multiple times), giving you quality coffee for your morning commute or afternoon pick-me-up. For something a little more budget-friendly, we love the Black & Decker 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker. It makes brew-tifully smooth and flavorful coffee and is very simple to use. This coffee maker even outperformed some of the high-end brands we tested it against, proving to be an affordable staple for the kitchen. $329 at Amazon  $83.72 at Amazon 2. The best bean roaster Roasting coffee beans yourself can help you make the perfect brew by ensuring that your beans are as dark as you want. Based on thorough market research, we determined that the Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Roaster is the best roaster you can buy online. The Nuvo Eco combines form with function, as the beautiful ceramic roaster efficiently heats up to 70 coffee beans at once. The eco-friendly material can get very hot, but thanks to the heat-blocking handle, you’ll be protected from nasty burns. $30 at Amazon 3. Our favorite coffee grinders While the convenience of pre-ground coffee surely can’t be beaten, there’s a reason coffee aficionados prefer to grind their own beans right before brewing. Soon after coffee beans are exposed to air, the beans and their flavor begin to dissipate, even if the coffee comes in a vacuum-sealed bag. That’s why buying a good coffee grinder is key for the perfect cup. Out of all the coffee grinders we’ve tested, the Baratza Encore gave us perfect beans both for a fine grind for an espresso machine and a coarse grind for a French press. The machine is durable and simple to use. Plus, it features 40-grind settings to choose from, making it a pick above the rest. While a blade grinder can’t produce as much coffee grinds at once, they don’t overheat beans and they provide a very even grind. We prefer the Krups Fast Touch Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder when it comes to blade grinders. It’s easy to use, doubles as a spice grinder and is a lot easier on the wallet than most coffee grinders.  $170 at Amazon $22 at Target 4. Our favorite Nespresso machines If convenience is key for you, pod-operated coffee makers can be a life-saver. And if you don’t want to skimp on quality, Nespresso machines have found a way to beautifully combine convenience and high-quality coffee. We’ve tested a wide array of Nespresso machines and found the Nespresso VertuoPlus by Breville machine to be our favorite single-serve coffee maker. This compact machine packs a punch, offering fast brewing and plenty of coffee options from regular coffee to double espresso drinks.  For a more affordable single-serve machine, the Nespresso Lattisima Plus by De’Longhi is an all-in-one coffee maker that allows you to make quality espresso shots, lattes or cappuccinos with just a touch of the button. The machine itself is very easy to clean, with some of the parts being dishwasher-friendly. $157.24 at Amazon $320 at Amazon 5. Our favorite coffee percolator While nothing beats the convenience of drip makers or pod machines such as Keurig, there are instances when the seasoned coffee percolator outshines its automated brethren. If you fancy your coffee dark and strong, you can’t go wrong by using a percolator. A percolator is especially helpful if you’re looking to make a large brew as they typically boast larger capacities.  After extensive testing, we found the best coffee percolator to be the Maxi-Matic Elite Platinum EC-120 12 Cup Percolator. It offers modern safety features, can be lifted off of the heating element for easy serving and, most importantly, makes flavorful, delicious coffee (up to 12 cups at once!). $48 at Amazon 6. An affordable yet high-performing milk frother Frothy, foamy milk—it’s necessary for making the perfect latte or cappuccino. We’ve tested several milk frothers available on the market and found the Instant Milk Frother to be the best option out there at a surprising $30 sticker price. This milk frother that is made by the same brand that gave us the Instant Pot easily creates foam no matter what temperature or type of milk (such as almond or oat milk) that you use. $38 at Amazon 7. A coffee subscription to help you discover new beans If you’re a self-described coffee snob, then you’re probably always looking for the best coffee beans you can get your hands on. Thankfully, coffee subscriptions can help you discover and explore new coffee beans from across the world. Our favorite coffee subscription service that we’ve ever tested is from Counter Culture Coffee. The brand is totally transparent when it comes to its beans, giving information about the origin, altitude and roasting date. The subscription changes constantly, offering new beans and plenty of chances to expand your coffee palate.  Another great coffee subscription service comes from Atlas Coffee Club. What we like about Atlas is the fact that each delivery brings you roasts from a different country of origin. With Atlas Coffee Club, you’ll experience the wide range of flavors that the globe has to offer. Shop Counter Culture Shop Atlas Coffee Club 8. Our favorite French press While French presses require a little more work than other coffee makers, the fruits of their labor are so, so tasty. It’s no surprise that baristas and coffee enthusiasts love the French press. After testing plenty of French presses, Reviewed ranked the SterlingPro SS Double Wall Cafetiere as our favorite stainless-steel french press. Its lightweight, double-wall design provides amazing insulation, keeping the coffee hot and the exterior cool to the touch. The press also features a large capacity, holding a whopping six cups of coffee (where the average is about four). $37 at Amazon 9. A stellar cold brew maker Cold brew coffee is all the rage at local and chain coffee shops alike. It’s basically an extra-strength cup of iced coffee that offers less bitterness, while still maintaining tons of flavor. The downside: buying it out all the time is an expensive habit. You can save some serious dough by making your own cold brew right at home. All it takes is steeping coffee grinds in cold or room temperature water for an extended period of time and you’ve got a smooth, powerful brew. Our favorite device to make cold brew is the Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker. We tested it against several other models on the market and found it to be easy to use, easy to clean (it’s dishwasher safe!) and it yielded around four servings of perfectly balanced coffee—not too acidic nor watered down. Not to mention, it won’t break the bank and will save you money in the long run.  $28 at Amazon 10. A reliable mug for home When you’re sipping coffee from the comfort of your home, you want a mug that’s both convenient and allows you to appreciate your drink as you take in the flavor. For this, we recommend adding the Bodum Bistro Coffee Mug to your cupboard. It’s one of the best coffee mugs for home use as its insulation helps keep your drink warm longer. The Bodum Bistro mug is most notable for its transparent glass, which allows you to easily tell how much is left. If you’re looking for the mug of the future, then look no further than the Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug. It maintains your coffee’s perfect temperature and alerts you when your drink is ready to sip. $38 at Amazon $144 at Amazon 11. A solid travel mug Drinking your cup o’ joe on the go? You’ll want a travel mug that’s easy to carry, simple to store and, most importantly, keeps your coffee piping hot as long as possible. After testing a variety of travel mugs, judging mugs on heat retention and spill-proof mechanisms, the 16 oz. Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug rose to the occasion. When it comes to retaining temperature, it does an incredible job—it actually rose in temperature by 6 degrees over half an hour. If you need a new go-to travel mug, consider this your best option. $30 at Amazon There’s a lot more where this came from. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all our...

Billionaire Stan Druckenmiller Predicts Bright Future For Cryptos Amid Recession Forecasts – Cryptonews https://collincountynewsonline.com/billionaire-stan-druckenmiller-predicts-bright-future-for-cryptos-amid-recession-forecasts-cryptonews/ Source: Stan Druckenmiller, CNBC (YouTube screenshot) U.S. billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller believes that the crypto markets could experience a “renaissance” if central banks lose the trust of the public amid gloomy forecasts for the global economy. Speaking at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha Investor Summit in New York City, the businessman was quoted by the broadcaster as saying he “could see cryptocurrency having a big role in a Renaissance because people just aren’t going to trust the central banks.” Druckenmiller also said that efforts by the Federal Reserve (FED), America’s central bank, to swiftly unwind the excesses it helped build up during the past years with easy monetary policy did not bode well for the U.S. economy. “So our central case is a hard landing by the end of ’23.  But I don’t know, I’ve been wrong on a lot of things. I could be wrong on this, but since I do it for a living, that’s our forecast, which is a recession in ’23,” the legendary investor said. The entrepreneur’s track record includes managing George Soros’s Quantum Fund and later serving as the president of Duquesne Capital Management before shutting down his company in 2010.  Druckenmiller cautioned he could not “rule out something really bad” happening for the country’s economy in the near future, as the past decade’s extraordinary quantitative easing and zero interest rates have spurred an asset bubble. “[A]ll those factors that cause a bull market, they’re not only stopping, they’re reversing,” Druckenmiller said. “When you make a mistake, you’ve got to admit you’re wrong and move on. That nine or ten months that they just sat there and bought 120 billion in bonds, I think the repercussions of that are going to be with us for a long, long time,” he stated.

U.S., South Korea Are Working To ‘rectify The Problems’ On EV Subsidies, South Korea Trade Minister Says – CNBC https://collincountynewsonline.com/u-s-south-korea-are-working-to-rectify-the-problems-on-ev-subsidies-south-korea-trade-minister-says-cnbc/ South Korean and U.S. officials are working toward a “concrete proposal” to resolve their differences over electric vehicle subsidies, South Korea’s trade minister told CNBC. “We’ve established a specific dialogue channel to address this particular issue, and we are glad that the U.S. government wholeheartedly engaged with us to rectify the problems,” Ahn Duk-geun told CNBC’s Chery Kang on Wednesday. He was referring to concerns over EV subsidies that would put South Korean automakers at a disadvantage, with some South Korean officials calling the move a “betrayal” of the bilateral trust between the two countries. The $430 billion climate and energy bill, or the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), was signed into law by President Joe Biden in mid-August. It includes federal tax credits offering consumers up to $7,500 in credit for those purchasing new electric vehicles assembled in the U.S. – and those purchasing cars made by foreign carmakers like Kia and Hyundai will not be eligible. Hyundai is the second-biggest EV sellers in the U.S. after Tesla. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met in Seoul to discuss bilateral relations after officials from two countries engaged in talks regarding the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a provision that Seoul claims could hurt South Korea’s automakers. SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg | Getty Images “We are disappointed to see in particular this provision [was] included in the IRA without much prior consultations,” Ahn said, adding the South Korean government is preparing for “all possibilities,” including proposing legislative amendments to Washington. His comment were not as strong as the heated rhetoric from Seoul officials in recent weeks. Kamala Harris in Seoul U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was in Seoul on Thursday where she met South Korea’s President Yoon Seok-yeol, to discuss the concerns faced by South Korean automakers. A White House readout following the two leaders’ meeting said the U.S. vice president understood the raised concerns and that both pledged to “continue to consult” on the matter. Yoon’s office cited Harris as saying she would “look into ways to relieve South Korea’s concerns in the process of enforcing the law,” according to a statement on the same meeting. Breach of WTO rules? South Korean and European officials have said the tax credit provisions in the IRA are a breach of rules under the World Trade Organization, Reuters reported. We are disappointed to see in particular this provision [was] included in the IRA without much prior consultations. Ahn Duk-geun trade minister, South Korea South Korea’s industry ministry confirmed with CNBC that Seoul will be reviewing whether to file a formal complaint to the WTO over such concerns. Last week, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which represents workers from South Korean domestic companies including Kia and Hyundai, slammed the U.S. measures as “unilateral” and “U.S.-centric,” and said they could worsen the uncertainties surrounding the current state of the global economy. China is ‘important trading partner’ Ahn noted that South Korea’s export-reliant economy is indeed “experiencing the decoupling phenomenon” as a result of heightened U.S.-China trade tensions. He did not elaborate further. South Korea is facing a continued trade deficit problem due to a rise in energy prices, and that Beijing holds a strategically significant role for the country, he added. “China is still [a] very important trading partner of Korea,” Ahn said. “I think the stabilization of this trade relationship will play a very important role to secure the global supply in these turbulent and uncertain economic circumstances.”

IBS Software Celebrates 25 Years At The Helm Of Travel Technology Innovation – PR Newswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/ibs-software-celebrates-25-years-at-the-helm-of-travel-technology-innovation-pr-newswire/ As the company reaches a landmark anniversary, Founder and Chairman V K Mathews reflects on IBS Software’s ongoing mission to redefine the travel industry , /PRNewswire/ — This month marks the 25th anniversary since IBS Software was founded by V K Mathews, with a team of 55 engineers and a vision to transform the travel industry through digital technology. Over the last 25 years the company has made good on its mission, providing innovative technology to the aviation, cargo & logistics, cruise, hospitality and loyalty industries, supporting businesses to digitise their operations as travel and customer expectations rapidly evolve. V K Mathews, Chairman, IBS Software With a workforce of over 3,500 employees spread across 40 countries, IBS Software has not only developed a sophisticated suite of products, it has fostered and encouraged communities of customers and partners to discuss critical topics that inform the development of solutions that make a difference to their businesses. It has grown its customer base since the pandemic, with 14 of the top 20 airlines, six of the top 15 hotel chains and six of the top cruise lines choosing IBS Software to support their digital transformation journeys. V K Mathews, Chairman, IBS Software, reflects, “After 25 years, our goal at IBS Software remains clear; to help businesses grow their revenue and market share, reduce their cost of operation and enable them to offer best-in-class customer experience.” “The travel industry was an early adopter of technology, but re-engineering highly used IT systems is complex, and progress has historically been held back by the shackles of legacy technologies. Now, travel businesses must liberate themselves. COVID 19 catalysed a significant shift from supply to demand, putting travelers in the driving seat and a pressure on the industry to offer hyper-personalised choices to its customers.” “Today, any travel business also needs to be a technology business and IBS Software can help them on that journey as a disruptor and trusted partner for the next 25 years and beyond.” Hear how VK’s vision to redefine the travel industry became a reality and his predictions for the future in this short video. About IBS Software IBS Software is a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, managing mission-critical operations for customers in the aviation, tour & cruise and hospitality industries. IBS Software’s solutions for the aviation industry cover fleet & crew operations, aircraft maintenance, passenger services, loyalty programs, staff travel and air cargo management. IBS Software also runs a real-time B2B and B2C distribution platform providing hotel room inventory, rates and availability to a global network of hospitality companies and channels. For the tour and cruise industry, IBS provides a comprehensive, customer-centric, digital platform that covers onshore, online and on-board solutions. IBS Software is a Blackstone portfolio company and operates from 15 offices across the world. For further information, please visit https://www.ibsplc.com/. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1910791/VK_Mathews.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1169353/IBS_Software_Logo.jpg SOURCE IBS Software

Verizon Pre-Announces Razer Edge 5G Android Gaming Handheld – TrustedReviews https://collincountynewsonline.com/verizon-pre-announces-razer-edge-5g-android-gaming-handheld-trustedreviews/ American network operator Verizon has effectively pre-announced the Razer Edge 5G, a new Android-powered gaming handheld with 5G connectivity. Calling it “The world’s first 5G gaming handheld”, Verizon claims that the Razer Edge 5G will be “built on top of the Snapdragon G3X Gen 1 Gaming Platform and designed for high-performance gaming on the move”. We also received the above teaser image, which appears to be an extreme close-up of the D-pad for the new handheld. Even more revealingly, Verizon released a teaser video offering a more complete look at the console. Are those three shoulder buttons we see on the left hand edge, presumably mirrored on the right hand edge for a total of six? Seems so. We got a glimpse of what would turn out to be the Razer Edge 5G at the end of 2021 when the gaming peripheral maker, in conjunction with Qualcomm, revealed a concept handheld device. This previous reveal also told us that the device would run on a new Snapdragon G3X chip, so there’s nothing new on that front. Verizon’s announcement fills in some of the details, however, including the name of the device. We also learn that the device will be able to play downloaded games locally, streamed from your console, or accessed directly from the cloud using 5G (or, presumably, Wi-Fi). That’s it for fresh information, but Verizon does confirm that we’ll be getting a proper Razer Edge 5G announcement at RazerCon on October 15.

The North Texas Housing Market Is Down – Local Profile https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-north-texas-housing-market-is-down-local-profile/ A new Zillow report shows an ongoing downward shift in the housing market. The decrease might make it easier for future homeowners to find a home, but more difficult for sellers trying to move.  AXIOS Dallas reported that real estate agents believe the shift is a attributed to a combination of higher prices since the pandemic and an increase in interest rates over the past several years. Many homes for sale in North Texas are spending more time without offers and having to take a price-cut. The Zillow report shows that the average listing now takes 16 days to go pending, up from 10 days at this time last year. But recent volatility in mortgage rates makes it difficult for borrowers to qualify for any loans. “Substantial week-to-week rate movements mean that many potential buyers are able to qualify for a loan one week, but not the next, or vice versa,” Zillow explained. The report also shows that the average home prices fell for the second month straight in August and are down 2.5% from June. According to the Dallas Morning News, home prices in Collin County have dropped the most, but the median home price was still at a high $540,000, which is the most expensive in North Texas.  The decrease in home values is not a good thing for those looking to sell, but it does mean there are more opportunities for prospective home buyers. However, for renters, prices still continue to climb. The Zillow report showed that rent is up 13.5% since August of last year and the average rent is around $1,882.  Whether you are a seller, buyer or just browsing your options, the housing market is down and may remain that way for some time. Zillow has not yet said when the study for September will yet be released.

How To Properly Prepare And Bring Back Great Gifts From A Vacation – Travel Daily News International https://collincountynewsonline.com/how-to-properly-prepare-and-bring-back-great-gifts-from-a-vacation-travel-daily-news-international/ Daily travel & tourism news portal for the international travel trade market since 1999

Here’s Where Social Security’s 2023 COLA Ranks, Historically | Business News | Wfmz.com – 69News WFMZ-TV https://collincountynewsonline.com/heres-where-social-securitys-2023-cola-ranks-historically-business-news-wfmz-com-69news-wfmz-tv/ For Social Security’s more than 65 million beneficiaries — and especially its 48.1 million retired workers — the most important day of the year is only two weeks away. On Oct. 13, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. ET, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will announce September’s inflation data, which is the last puzzle piece needed to calculate Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2023. Since the vast majority of seniors receiving Social Security rely on this income to make ends meet during retirement, knowing how much they’ll be paid on a monthly basis is important. Image source: Getty Images. How is Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) determined? The easiest way to think of the COLA is the “raise” passed along most years to account for the rising price of goods and services (more commonly known as inflation). In order for our nation’s retired workers to maintain the same cost-of-living from one year to the next, Social Security checks should, ideally, rise in lockstep with inflation. The COLA is the payout increase that does just that. However, note that I’ve put “raise” in quotation marks. Unlike a “raise” an employer would provide to help an employee get ahead of inflation, the COLA is strictly designed to keep pace with inflation. It’s only a “raise” in nominal-dollar terms. Calculating Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment is pretty straightforward. The average third-quarter reading (July-September) of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) in the current year is compared to the average third-quarter reading of the CPI-W in the previous year. If the average CPI-W reading increases from one year to the next, inflation has occurred and beneficiaries are in line for a higher payout in the upcoming year. The amount of the “raise” equates to the year-over-year percentage increase in the average third-quarter CPI-W reading, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. Once the September inflation data is reported by the BLS on October 13, we’ll have the last data point needed to officially calculate COLA for 2023. Here’s where the 2023 COLA ranks, historically Based on CPI-W readings from July and August, the cost-of-living adjustment for 2023 is pacing 8.8%. However, Social Security policy analyst Mary Johnson of the nonpartisan senior advocacy group The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) estimates the final COLA figure will come in at a historic 8.7%. For the average retired worker, this works out to about a $146/month increase to their Social Security check. A $146 per-month lift for retired workers would, unquestionably, be the largest nominal-dollar increase in the history of the program. But on a percentage basis, Social Security’s 2023 COLA is “historic” depending on how wide you set the lens. Since 1975, Social Security’s COLA has been tethered to the CPI-W and calculated annually. If we assume that Johnson’s forecast is correct, here’s how the 2023 COLA shapes up next to other years: Year COLA Year COLA Year COLA 1975 8% 1991 3.7% 2007 2.3% 1976 6.4% 1992 3% 2008 5.8% 1977 5.9% 1993 2.6% 2009 0% 1978 6.5% 1994 2.8% 2010 0% 1979 9.9% 1995 2.6% 2011 3.6% 1980 14.3% 1996 2.9% 2012 1.7% 1981 11.2% 1997 2.1% 2013 1.5% 1982 7.4% 1998 1.3% 2014 1.7% 1983 3.5% 1999 2.5% 2015 0% 1984 3.5% 2000 3.5% 2016 0.3% 1985 3.1% 2001 2.6% 2017 2% 1986 1.3% 2002 1.4% 2018 2.8% 1987 4.2% 2003 2.1% 2019 1.6% 1988 4% 2004 2.7% 2020 1.3% 1989 4.7% 2005 4.1% 2021 5.9% 1990 5.4% 2006 3.3% 2022 8.7% (est.) Data source: Social Security Administration, save for 2022, which is an estimate provided by The Senior Citizens League. As you can see, an 8.7% COLA would be the fourth-largest “raise” in the modern era (i.e., since the CPI-W became the program’s inflationary measure). It would also represent the biggest percentage increase in 41 years. But this doesn’t tell the full story. Prior to 1975, cost-of-living adjustments were passed along on an arbitrary basis by special sessions of Congress. In the 35 years between the first payout (Jan. 1, 1940) and the adoption of the CPI-W as the program’s inflationary tether, 11 COLAs were passed by Congress: October 1950: 77% COLA October 1952: 12.5% October 1954: 13% February 1959: 7% February 1965: 7% March 1968: 13% February 1970: 15% February 1971: 10% October 1972: 20% April 1974: 7% July 1974: 11% Altogether, that’s 59 cost-of-living adjustments (including the upcoming year) since the first benefit was paid in 1940. If beneficiaries are on track for an 8.7% COLA in 2023, it would mark the 12th largest in history, dating back to inception. Image source: Getty Images. Seniors continue to get the short end of the stick Superficially, the 12th largest cost-of-living adjustment is liable to leave some beneficiaries wide-eyed with glee. Unfortunately, there’s more to the program’s COLA than meets the eye. For instance, the only reason next-year’s benefit increase is expected to be so large is because the U.S. inflation rate hit a more than four-decade high of 9.1% in June. This suggests that beneficiaries are going to be kissing most or all of their payout boost goodbye as they cover the higher costs of shelter, medical care, food, and other expenses. What’s been even more worrisome is the persistent loss of purchasing power seniors have been dealing with since the start of the century. A May report from TSCL notes that the purchasing power of Social Security income has plunged by 40% since 2000. In other words, what $100 in Social Security income used to be able to buy can now purchase only $60 worth of those same goods and services 22 years later. The reason for this ongoing decline in purchasing power can be traced back to the CPI-W. As its full name suggests, the CPI-W tracks the spending habits of “urban wage earners and clerical workers.” Urban and clerical workers aren’t usually seniors and spend their money very differently than retired workers. The end result is that the CPI-W gives added weighting to unimportant costs, such as apparel and education, while underweighting key expenditures for seniors, like shelter and medical care. Over a 22-year stretch, this has led to a 40% loss of purchasing power on Social Security income. No matter how historically high Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment is in 2023 or in the years to follow, it simply won’t be enough to offset this persistent loss of purchasing power. The $18,984 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you’re like most Americans, you’re a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known “Social Security secrets” could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $18,984 more… each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we’re all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

NutriLeads Consumer Insights Report Shows Consumer Perceptions Fundamentally Changed Through The Pandemic – GlobeNewswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/nutrileads-consumer-insights-report-shows-consumer-perceptions-fundamentally-changed-through-the-pandemic-globenewswire/ WAGENINGEN, The Netherlands, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NutriLeads BV, a health ingredients company, launched a new consumer insights report today which shows that consumer views on immune health have changed fundamentally in the wake of COVID-19. The report draws on extensive data gathered by research company FMCG Gurus through consumer surveys conducted with 45,000 consumers from 15 countries across 2019, 2020, and 2022. According to the report, not only is immune health significantly more important to consumers, immune health is also perceived to have a far-reaching impact on long-term health and wellbeing. Two-thirds of consumers worldwide say immune health is their top health priority over the next 12 months—more than digestive health, heart health, or any other health issue. In addition, some 78% of consumers view poor immune health as being easily susceptible to long-term health problems. “It’s clear that during the pandemic, consumers have been paying attention to their immune health more than ever before,” says Joana Carneiro, NutriLeads CEO. “This research shows us that the experience of living with the pandemic is likely to have a lasting effect. Consumers are more knowledgeable about immune health and place more importance on improving it on the longer term.” Among the trends highlighted in the report is the greater number of consumers (40%) who are taking a proactive approach to their immune health even if they believe they are in good health. What’s more, consumers are taking a holistic approach to their wellbeing, incorporating exercise and fresh food in their lifestyle, and paying attention to digestive health and mental wellbeing. At the same time, consumers expect more from immune health products. Eight in 10 global respondents to the survey say the top three claims they want to see on the label of immunity products are scientifically validated and clinically-proven (82%), multifunctional benefits (79%), and helps lead a healthy lifestyle (79%). NutriLeads develops natural, plant-derived ingredients that are scientifically and clinically proven to strengthen human health. The company’s first product is BeniCaros®. To read the consumer insights report and learn more, visit www.benicaros.com. About NutriLeads BV NutriLeads is a private company developing a proprietary technology platform based on naturally bioactive fibers known as RG-I (rhamnogalacturonan-I) found in select crops. The company’s first commercial ingredient for functional foods, beverages and supplements is BeniCaros®, a novel immune-support ingredient that has received several industry awards for research since its market introduction last year. NutriLeads has other products in development to protect the gut barrier and improve metabolic health through gut microbiome modulation. The company is dedicated to developing natural, eco-friendly ingredients that meet the highest clinical and scientific standards for quality, safety and effectiveness. For more information, visit NutriLeads and BeniCaros. Contact: Deanne Beattie Convince Agency deanne@convinceagency.com +31 6 3164 7031

Here Is The Latest Big Ten Conference Sports News From The Associated Press – Beckley Register-Herald https://collincountynewsonline.com/here-is-the-latest-big-ten-conference-sports-news-from-the-associated-press-beckley-register-herald/ ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The administrators who’ve been given the task of expanding the College Football Playoff from four to 12 teams left their latest in-person meetings outside Chicago with the biggest question unanswered: How soon? The CFP management committee is scheduled to convene again Oct. 20 in Dallas. The members expect to get some work done before then by video conference. But whether the logistical hurdles can be cleared to implement a new format as soon as 2024 is unclear. The playoff will definitely expand by 2026, but the management committee has been tasked with trying to flip the format for the 2024 and ’25 seasons. MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Illinois’ Bret Bielema wants to keep the focus off himself as the former Wisconsin coach returns to Camp Randall Stadium with an opposing team for the first time since his surprising exit a decade ago. Bielema posted a 68-24 record at Wisconsin from 2006-12 before leaving to take over Arkansas’ program at the end of the 2012 regular season as the Badgers were preparing to play in the Rose Bowl. Bielema’s departure caused hard feelings among Wisconsin’s fan base that might become apparent Saturday when the Fighting Illini visit the Badgers. UNDATED (AP) — For a few ranked teams, the first month of the season was all about home sweet home. No. 4 Michigan, No. 9 Oklahoma State and No. 15 Washington will play their first road games of the season this weekend. The Cowboys have a big one against Big 12 rival and No. 16 Baylor. The Wolverines and Huskies face unranked but potentially formidable conference foes in the year’s first road trips. Michigan goes to Iowa and Washington faces UCLA on a short week. Their first road tests are among this week’s five most intriguing games. EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern unveiled plans to build a new Ryan Field and replace the current 97-year-old football stadium with a state-of-the-art facility featuring a reduced seating capacity and greater emphasis on the fan experience. The school said the stadium would seat 35,000, down more than 12,000 from the current Ryan Field, and feature a canopy designed to keep noise and light focused on the field. It would include cutting-edge technology and scoreboards, as well as concessions with food from local restaurants. Northwestern said the stadium would achieve Gold LEED certification, and “set a new standard” for accessibility. The plan calls for plazas outside, a community park and other green spaces. Northwestern said it is also considering hosting “a limited number” of concerts. UNDATED (AP) — The early portion of the season hasn’t exactly gone smoothly for the Big Ten. No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Michigan, No. 11. Penn St. and No. 21. Minnesota are all 4-0 with some impressive nonconference wins. It has been a bit dicey for the rest of the conference.  It’s fair to wonder if the top teams might be in for some headaches late in the year. After all, strength of schedule could come into play if they are jockeying for College Football Playoff berths and spots in New Year’s Six bowls. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State announced that beer will be available for sale to the general public at Beaver Stadium beginning Saturday when the Nittany Lions host Northwestern. Penn State becomes the ninth Big Ten school to sell beer to the general public at football games. The ones that don’t are Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin. Beer will be sold in all areas of the stadium, except near the student section. Fans can buy two cans of beer at one time, and sales will stop at the end of the third quarter. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is getting creative with a deep unit that’s built to create game-changing plays. So far, nearly 30 players have rotated in and out of a unit that’s fourth nationally in turnover margin at plus-8. Diaz’s defense has recovered five fumbles and picked off four passes and the Nittany Lions lead the country with 41 pass breakups, 16 more than second-place Illinois. Eleventh-ranked Penn State will put its solid defensive foundation to the test when it faces Big Ten rival Northwestern on Saturday. COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Maryland lost 34-27 to No. 4 Michigan. But there was a lot of progress in that defeat for a program that’s been average at best by Big Ten standards. This was against a team the Terrapins lost to by 41 points last year. This time they had the ball and a chance to tie the game with 6:28 remaining. Now Maryland needs to use October to build on that progress. The Terps face Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana and Northwestern. Those are all winnable games, and three of them are at home. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

VA Corp. Teams With EBS To Make Metaverse Service – The Korea JoongAng Daily https://collincountynewsonline.com/va-corp-teams-with-ebs-to-make-metaverse-service-the-korea-joongang-daily/ Metaverse developer VA Corporation signed an MOU with the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) to develop educational metaverse content for children. [VA CORPORATION]   Metaverse developer VA Corporation signed an MOU with the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) to develop educational metaverse content for children, the companies said Thursday.   The companies will produce not only interactive content tailored to different students but also a new metaverse service using EBS’s expertise in education and VA Corporation’s technology.   As a part of the deal, a talk show program will be produced on how the world could change with new advancements in science and technology. The show will be broadcast by EBS in November.   “We will keep on expanding our metaverse ecosystem in social, economic, cultural and educational fields,” said Kim Dong-eon, CEO of VA Corporation, in a press release.   The company is currently constructing a content production studio in Paju, Gyeonggi, scheduled for completion by next year. BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]

Secret Energy Drains In The Home: Top Ways To Reduce Energy Usage At Home – PropertyWire https://collincountynewsonline.com/secret-energy-drains-in-the-home-top-ways-to-reduce-energy-usage-at-home-propertywire/ It is fair to assume that no one is looking forward to 1st October when the dreaded energy price cap will increase to £2,500 per year. Though this cap is a welcome decrease on the £3,549 that was originally announced by Ofgem on 26th August, households up and down the country will certainly still feel the sting. To give a small helping hand, home improvement experts at Stormclad have some tips and advice on how households can reduce their energy usage at home. Managing director at Stormclad, John Evans, said: “There is no question that the latest energy price increase will have sent a rippling wave of worry through households all over the UK. Living costs are at an all-time high so it is very easy to feel unsettled and overwhelmed with everything going on. “It is important to remember that there are things, though small, we can do as individuals that will not only help towards reducing our energy usage but will mentally help us feel like we are in more control. Times are tough right now but little acts and choices that we make towards saving energy could add up and make all the difference. Plus, these little energy-saving acts will go towards helping our planet become greener, so that is a takeaway too. “We’d recommend everyone getting more energy-saving-savvy, so that means keeping a close eye on meter readings, turning off gadgets when they’re not being used, and cutting out those now everyday luxuries knowing that in the long-run, it will pay off – literally.” So, what is eating up the most energy in your home? White goods are unsurprisingly the hungriest for power. According to Carbon Footprint1, an A spec fridge-freezer is the main culprit, guzzling up 408 kWh per year. Other leading consumers include tumble dryers, electric hobs (0.62 kWH more than a gas hob), dishwashers, ovens, lights, televisions and, you guessed it, kettles (though we will say, replacing just your kettle and your kettle alone this year will not make an overwhelming difference to your energy bill…). Your kettle is costing you around £48 a year and your TV – for an average of six hours a day – is costing you approximately £1302. What can you do to help reduce usage? Here are some ideas: We’ll start with the obvious – turn off those lights We all want to leave the odd light on around the house to create a bit of ambience when we’re at home but, when you think about it, some lights can be left on in rooms for hours on end without anyone actually needing them. So, turn those lights off and consider investing in some energy saving bulbs where you can, especially if you do tend to leave one on for security when you pop out – every little helps. 4% of your energy bill is spent powering kitchen appliances3 Microwaves are generally more efficient than ovens due to the fact that, as the Energy Saving Trust points out, they only heat the food and not the air space around it, so it is worth trying to make more use of your microwave, or perhaps invest if you don’t own one. The same goes for fridge-freezers – it’s a good idea to read up on which are the highest rated and then sum this up against what you can afford. Generally, the smaller the appliance, the better – if you can manage with a smaller fridge-freezer, opt for it. And don’t over-stuff them either otherwise they will have to work twice as hard to keep everything cool – plus, they can stop working sooner if you do this and that’s just money down the drain. Finally, try not to overfill your kettle so you are only boiling the water you need – waste not, want not. Is it a sunny day? Get the washing line out! It always seems like a faff to peg the washing outside to dry but if you consider the number of times you take your clothes out the dryer and find that you have to air them out a little anyway, you may as well save yourself some money and make use of the sunshine – plus, it’s greener. Always remember to not put the washing machine on if you haven’t got a full load – shout around the house to see who’s got some dirty pants you can chuck in with yours, this is no time to be picky! Also, make sure to make use of the “eco” button if you have one and wash at a lower temperature. How many things do you have on “standby”? According to EcoCostSavings4, the average modern TV uses 58.5 watts while you’re using it and 1.3 watts while you leave it on standby – that works out at about £11 a year, and that’s just one telly. How many do you have? It can become alarming when you think about how many appliances you leave on standby, and then the amount of time that actually goes by between uses. Whether it’s your TV, radio, charger, microwave, coffee machine, computer or Playstation, if you’re not using them, and especially if you’re not using them frequently, switch them off – over time, we guarantee you will see a difference. Home improvements – how insulated are your windows? As home-improvers ourselves, we can’t not mention the importance of insulation. If you have yet to invest in double glazing windows, we strongly recommend you do so. Over 80% of homes in England now have double glazing and we aren’t surprised as it can save you up to £110 a year on energy bills, at the same time as increasing your overall property value by 10% – bonus. Make sure to also draught-proof your doors and windows – no use in paying to heat up your home and make it nice and toasty to then have the warmth escape through little crevices.

First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Holds Strong Over $19K; Why Is The Dollar Dominating? – CoinDesk https://collincountynewsonline.com/first-mover-asia-bitcoin-holds-strong-over-19k-why-is-the-dollar-dominating-coindesk/ James Rubin is CoinDesk’s U.S. news editor based on the West Coast. Good morning. Here’s what’s happening: Prices: Bitcoin, ether and other major altcoins surge. Insights: The dollar’s recent strength in the face of the U.S.’s steep inflation seems illogical, but is it? (CoinDesk columnist David Z. Morris) Catch the latest episodes of CoinDesk TV for insightful interviews with crypto industry leaders and analysis. And sign up for First Mover, our daily newsletter putting the latest moves in crypto markets in context. ● Bitcoin (BTC): $19,417 +4.4% ● Ether (ETH): $1,338 +4.8% ● CoinDesk Market Index (CMI): $960 +2.5% ● S&P 500 daily close: 3,719.04 +2.0% ● Gold: $1,662 per troy ounce +2.4% ● Ten-year Treasury yield daily close: 3.71% −0.3 Bitcoin, ether and gold prices are taken at approximately 4pm New York time. Bitcoin is the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index (XBX); Ether is the CoinDesk Ether Price Index (ETX); Gold is the COMEX spot price. Information about CoinDesk Indices can be found at coindesk.com/indices. Bitcoin Remains Resilient Amid Macroeconomic Uncertainty Say this for bitcoin: It’s resilient. Three weeks ago, before the U.S. central bank raised interest rates a hawkish 75 basis points, before bond yields rose to 15-year highs and the British pound tanked, before the Dow Jones Industrial Average sank into bear market territory, Russia escalated its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the prospects of a severe global recession increased exponentially, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization was trading above $19,000. On Wednesday, BTC was still trading comfortably above $19,000, up more than 4% over the past 24 hours and seemingly impervious to the increasingly volatile macroeconomic environment. How long bitcoin holds above this threshold remains uncertain as is its previously considered role as an inflation hedge. “There are a few things that we don’t know,” Defiance ETFs co-founder and CEO Sylvia Jablonski told CoinDesk TV’s First Mover program. “We thought crypto would be this great inflation hedge. It would be the new gold and that didn’t play out. It turned out crypto was highly correlated with equities, particularly with high growth stocks, Nasdaq.” Ether showed similar toughness as it hovered near $1,340, up nearly 5% from a day earlier. Other major cryptos spent the day solidly in the green with BNB and XRP recently up close to 5% and 4%, respectively, although the CoinDesk Market Index (CMI), a broad-based market index that measures performance across a basket of cryptocurrencies, was roughly flat. Still, crypto price gains tracked equity indexes yet again with the tech-heavy Nasdaq, S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) all closing up about 2%. The S&P and DJIA had plummeted the previous six days with the latter falling into bear market territory, meaning that it is down at least 20% from its previous peak. Asian indexes were largely up in early Thursday trading with the Hang Seng recently rising about 1.8%. Investors seemed buoyed by the Bank of England (BOE) announcement that would it would purchase U.K. government bonds to address a liquidity crunch in the market. The move also spurred hopes that other central banks might soon abandon their current aggressive monetary policies through which they hope to tame inflation. Early in the day, BOE Deputy Governor Jon Cunliffe told an audience at the Operations, Post Trade, Technology and Innovation Conference in London that financial regulations should be extended to crypto before the industry becomes large enough to potentially threaten broader financial stability. Cunliffe has previously said that regulators should accelerate efforts to establish clear rules for crypto. And in the ongoing saga of Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, the company said South Korean prosecutors overextended their authority in seeking a warrant for his arrest, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, citing a statement sent by Terraform. Defiance ETFs’ Jablonski said that cryptos current pricing may offer a buying opportunity, albeit long-term. “I’m definitely feeling the headwinds in my face every time I turn on the news on a daily basis, but…crypto has been oversold since August.” She added: “It’s not a buying opportunity if you’re looking for returns in the next two months. But if you have a holding period of 12, 18 months out, I’m more than happy to dip in here. I’m going to be very happy in a couple of years, and I’m going to feel a lot of pain if I look at it on a daily basis.” Biggest Gainers Biggest Losers Why Is the Dollar Crushing Global Currencies if Inflation Is so Bad? While the declining domestic buying power of a dollar dominates headlines in the United States, American inflation is having a surprising impact around the globe: Nearly every major currency has fallen dramatically against the dollar over the past six months. That seems like a challenge to the relentless focus on monetary supply that is widespread among cryptocurrency adherents. China’s yuan has lost 12% against the dollar since April, and traditionally stronger currencies including the euro and yen have seen similar drops. Controversial financial decisions by new U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss have driven the British pound down even more sharply in recent days, for a cumulative 18% drop since April. This article is excerpted from The Node, CoinDesk’s daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news. You can subscribe to get the full newsletter here. These moves may be particularly surprising for those whose financial thinking has been shaped by discussions in cryptocurrency circles. You might argue the tail has wagged the dog on crypto’s understanding of inflation: Bitcoin’s fixed supply has been aggressively marketed as a long-term inflation hedge, leading to an emphasis on so-called monetary inflation. Monetary inflation occurs when more monetary units compete for the same amount of real-world goods, driving prices up. Or, as a coronavirus pandemic-era meme elegantly simplified it, “money printer go brrrrr.” But if the money supply were the beginning and end of the American inflation story, the dollar should be losing value against world currencies. The U.S., after all, had the second-largest fiscal response to the COVID-19 crisis of any industrialized nation, much of it debt financed. But if America has been borrowing and printing more money than Japan or China, shouldn’t the yen and yuan be gaining relative value on global markets?…. Smartcon Web3 Chainlink Conference (New York) In case you missed it, here is the most recent episode of “First Mover” on CoinDesk TV: Bitcoin has tumbled back down to around $19,000 again after crossing $20,000 yesterday. “First Mover” discussed the crypto markets with Defiance ETFs CEO Sylvia Jablonski. Education Week continued with guest Alex Dwek of Nas Company. Plus, CoinDesk’s Nikhilesh De explained the unusual case of the CFTC serving papers to a DAO via an online members forum. Steve Cohen-Backed Firm Invests $10M in Web3 Game Marketplace AQUA: The hedge fund billionaire has invested in crypto projects since 2018. FTX Ventures, Jump Crypto Lead $20M Fundraise for Executable NFT Wallet: The wallet, a forthcoming project from Solana developer Coral, will give users ownership of application code. India’s Enforcement Directorate Freezes $1.5M in Bitcoin in Gaming App E-nuggets Case: The agency has been conducting several search operations related to an “illegal loan apps” scam with China links. Crypto VC Pantera Capital Looks to Raise $1.25B for Second Blockchain Fund: Report: Founder Dan Morehead said at a conference in Singapore that the fund will invest in digital tokens and equity Sign up for Crypto Long & Short, our weekly newsletter featuring insights, news and analysis for the professional investor. 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 . James Rubin is CoinDesk’s U.S. news editor based on the West Coast. James Rubin is CoinDesk’s U.S. news editor based on the West Coast.