Denton County News Online

High Levels Of A Toxic Chemical Discovered In Sports Bras – KYW https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/high-levels-of-a-toxic-chemical-discovered-in-sports-bras-kyw/ Photo credit Getty Images Study after study shows that women make less money than men for the same job, do a higher percentage of childcare and housework than men in co-parenting relationships, and now there’s this: sports bras were just linked to a toxic chemical. The Center for Environmental Health tested sports bras sold by Athleta, PINK, Asics, The North Face, Brooks, All in Motion, Nike, and FILA and found elevated levels of BPA, an industrial chemical linked to increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among other health concerns. The sports bras tested could expose wearers to up to 22 times the safe limit of BPA, based on standards set in California. The CEH, a non-profit consumer advocacy group focused on exposing the presence of toxic chemicals in consumer products, conducted the tests over the last six months. The CEH said in a press release it has sent legal notices to the companies, which will have 60 days to work with the center to remedy the violations before the group files a complaint in California state court that would force them to act. The tests linked the BPA to polyester-based clothing containing spandex. “We want brands to reformulate their products to remove all bisphenols including BPA. In the interim, we recommend limiting the time you spend in your activewear by changing after your workout,” the group said. Athleta, Nike, Reebok, The North Face and Victoria’s Secret did not respond to CNN’s request for comment. For consumers, several experts agreed the best advice is to take off sports bras as soon as you can after working out. Experts at Motherly also recommended: Natural-fiber fabrics over polyester when possible; washing sports bras and athletic shirts on cold and line drying only; and wearing cotton sports bras. “The problem with BPA is it can mimic hormones like estrogen and block other hormone receptors, altering the concentration of hormones in our bodies, and resulting in negative health effects,” said Dr. Jimena Díaz Leiva, Science Director at CEH.  “Even low levels of exposure during pregnancy have been associated with a variety of health problems in offspring. These problems include abnormal development of the mammary glands and ovaries that can increase the likelihood of developing breast or ovarian cancer later in life. These effects occur even at low levels of exposure like those seen in people today.” Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images

How To Build A Metaverse, Part 4: Why Build A World? – Reply All | Gimlet https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/how-to-build-a-metaverse-part-4-why-build-a-world-reply-all-gimlet/ Second Life never went mainstream. But just because the platform wasn’t for everyone doesn’t mean it wasn’t for anyone. In part 4 of our series, we talk to longtime Second Life users about the lives they’ve built in the metaverse and what virtual worlds have to offer.

New Phoenix Theatre Opens Its 2022-23 Season With A Production Of The Musical “Jekyll & Hyde” Just In Time For The Halloween Season – WGCU https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/new-phoenix-theatre-opens-its-2022-23-season-with-a-production-of-the-musical-jekyll-hyde-just-in-time-for-the-halloween-season-wgcu/ New Phoenix Theatre opens its 2022-23 season with Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn’s adaptation of Robert Louise Stevenson’s 1886 gothic thriller “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” The dark musical stars Ryan Craig in the dual roles of mild-mannered scientist Henry Jekyll and his chemically-induced “id” driven alter ego, Edward Hyde. The female leads are played by Tricia Hennessy as Lucy Harris, the prostitute who engages in an unsuspecting romantic triangle with the two personalities, and Cassy Terwilliger, who plays Dr. Jekyll’s unsuspecting fiancée, Emma Carew. Tom Hall, WGCU / Actors Tricia Hennessy and Ryan Craig rehearse a scene as Lucy and Hyde in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of the musical “Jekyll & Hyde.” This is a musical that will appeal not just to fans of the horror genre, but to anyone who has seen and fallen in love with “Phantom of the Opera” or “Sweeney Todd.” Like “Phantom” and “Sweeney Todd,” the music is consuming, mesmerizing and tinged with the macabre. It’s one of the reasons that Director Scott Carpenter saw the show on Broadway five times and is excited to bring it now to the New Phoenix stage. New Phoenix Theatre / Director of New Phoenix Theatre’s production of the musical “Jekyll & Hyde” “Frank Wildhorn’s music is very addictive. When I first heard the concept album for “Jekyll & Hyde,” I was immediately in love with the entire score…He’s just a great score writer and musician and makes these abundantly luscious scores,” said Carpenter. Classically trained, Tricia Hennessy especially appreciates the influences of opera and classical music that Wildhorn incorporates into his score. “The music is some of the most gorgeously written, robust music that I’ve had the privilege of singing in musical theater,” said Hennessy. “It has a little bit of the influences of opera in how some of the pieces are written. There are tinges of classical music with the variations on the themes in the songs where it will continue the idea, but you still know it’s the same song, but it’s slightly different each time.” With a background in opera and a flair for the dramatic, Ryan Craig is the perfect choice to play Jekyll and Hyde. Tom Hall, WGCU / Cast members in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde.” “As Hyde I channel Christopher Lee, who played Saruman in “Lord of the Rings” and so many other good things. It’s very deep and resonant and has a very ominous English accent and my opera training comes in handy for that since I can make it a lot more resonant and then I can go into musical theater for Jekyll,” said Craig. He engages in soaring duets with both Terwilliger, as his devoted fiancée Emma, and Hennessy, as Lucy. However, it’s two other duets that audiences will be talking about long after the final curtain. The first is Jekyll’s duet with Hyde in the song “Confrontations.” In this number, Craig is not only required to change voice and cadence as he switches back and forth between the two characters, but demeanor and facial expressions as well. The second is Terwilliger and Hennessy’s soulful ballad “In His Eyes,” where Emma and Lucy independently come to the realization that they should walk away – and gladly – from the man who’s captivated their hearts and imaginations. (His eyes) They’re like an open book (His eyes) But most of all the look that that hypnotizes If I’m wise I will walk away, and gladly But sadly, I’m not wise It’s hard to tuck away the memories That you prize Love is worth forgiving for Now I realize Everything worth living for Is there in his eyes Love is worth forgiving for Now I realize Everything worth living for Is there in his eyes Terwilliger points out what makes this duet so poignant. “What’s really great about that song is that it’s two characters singing together that never meet that are going through very similar emotions over the same man… even though it’s not the same man,” said Terwilliger. Tom Hall, WGCU / Actor Cassy Terwilliger performs the role of Emma Carew in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde” “Lucy has no idea who Hyde is. She has no idea that he’s actually Jekyll. She’s not caught on to it. And Emma in turn does not know that Hyde exists … In that one moment, it’s like the only moment that we really connect even though we never meet and it’s kind of magic.” “Jekyll & Hyde” also features amazing solos, like Lucy’s hopeful Act Two refrain “A New Life.” A new life What I wouldn’t give to have a new life One thing I have learned as I go through life Nothing is for free along the way A new start That’s the thing I need to give me new heart Half a chance in life to find a new part Just a simple role that I can play A new hope Something to convince me to renew hope A new day Bright enough to help me find my way A new chance One that maybe has a touch of romance Tom Hall, WGCU / Tricia Hennessy belts out the song “A New Life” as Lucy Harris in a rehearsal of New Phoenix Theatre’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde” ““A New Life” … is probably one of the hardest songs I have sung in the last 30 years of doing theater. It is just emotionally draining, … but also vocally, it has an enormous range and it is a powerful song,” said Hennessy. “Linda Eder was probably my biggest inspiration going into it. She can belt like no other and just makes it seem so effortless, but trying to come close to that going forward; it’s just a lot of work, but it’s a gorgeous song and I absolutely adore singing it.” Bricusse and Wildhorn’s book and score express a legion of pithy themes and social commentary, ranging from the duality of the human psyche to a distrust of science and scientists who, too often, fail to stop and ask themselves whether the dangers posed by their discoveries outweigh the good they may provide. As the case of Dr. Jekyll amply illustrates, ego and arrogance too often supplant lofty intentions and the purest motivations. These legitimate concerns lie at the heart of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, which was written at the advent of the industrial revolution; a time when a powerful few ran roughshod over the masses, who they regarded as little more than pawns. To press the latter point, Director Scott Carpenter and New Phoenix Theatre founder Brenda Kensler have incorporated a steampunk theme into their production of the musical, which Hennessy finds particularly appropriate. New Phoenix Theatre / New Phoenix Theatre founder Brenda Kensler also serves as costume designer for the company’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde.” “The steampunk style is based on the Victorian era and Victorian dress, which typically “Jekyll & Hyde” is set in that era, but it plays on the industrial revolution and the mechanics and almost a robotic type of persona,” said Hennessy. “You’ll see a lot of gears and gadgets; kind of futuristic in a way. Think “Mystery Science Theater” meets the Victorian era, I guess, a little bit. So we still have those really distinguishable pieces from the Victorian era but a completely different twist that you don’t expect.” New Phoenix Theatre’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde” promises to be a tour de force. The cast is superlative. The leads have tremendous voices and the ensemble is comprised of phenomenal singers. Carpenter’s set is a study in steampunk architecture, and Kensler’s costumes are something to behold. Actor Ryan Craig points out this is also the perfect show for the Halloween season. “We’re going to put on a really good show and it’s going to be really fun and it’s pretty scary,” said Craig. “Come support your local theater. It’s going to be really interesting and really cool.” “Jekyll & Hyde” runs Thursdays through Sundays Oct. 20-30 and Nov. 10-13. Go here for play dates, times and a full cast list. Fast Facts: “Jekyll & Hyde” enjoyed a four-year run on Broadway that began in 1997 and included 1,543 performances at Plymouth Theatre. Since then, numerous productions in various languages have since been staged across the globe, including two subsequent North American tours, two tours in the United Kingdom, a concert version, a revamped U.S. tour in 2012, a 2013 Broadway revival featuring Constantine Maroulis, and an Australian concert version in 2019. Assuming the role of Costume Designer, Brenda Kensler will be outfitting the characters in steampunk. Drawing its inspiration from 19th century Victorian clothing and industrial machinery, men’s steampunk fashion commonly features long coats, tailcoat tuxedos, brocade waistcoats, tweeds, vest coats, pantaloons and jerkins. Women’s steampunk fashion typically features corsets, petticoats, riding jackets, carriage coats, ruffle bottom skirts, long skirts, high waist skirts and retro leggings. But it’s the accessories that really complete a steampunk outfit. These come in the form of innovatively-designed top hats, bowlers, brass aviators, ocular goggles, pocket watches, fingerless gloves, shoulder armor and vintage walking sticks. Southwest Florida theater-goers will be holding their collective breath waiting to see what Kensler has in store for this production. “As someone who’s done community theater and regional theater all over the country, this is one of the most talented casts I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of,” said Tricia Hennessy. “Our ensemble members are phenomenal singers. They’ve got an exceptional amount of vocal talent. Our leads are just fantastic. Having the chance to sing with Ryan and with Cassy is just a pleasure to get on stage with them.” Julie Carver provides musical direction choreography by Carling Witt. The record is replete with instances...

8 Best Crypto Private Sales To Invest In Now – Cryptonews https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/8-best-crypto-private-sales-to-invest-in-now-cryptonews/ Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com.  In the world of cryptocurrency, investing in a project before the masses is perhaps the best way to earn a profit. While finding private crypto sales can be a great way to achieve this, locating the best crypto private sales is far easier said than done.  Throughout this guide, we’ll be taking a look at eight of the best crypto private sales, discussing what a private crypto sale is, and explaining how they work. Let’s get started.  The Top 8 Crypto Private Sales to Buy in 2022 Below, we’ve included an overview of the very best crypto private sales as well as seven other projects that offer almost as much in the way of upside potential.  IMPT – The Overall Best Crypto Private Sale to Invest in WeSendit – Blockchain-Powered Gateway to Decentralized Storage Leap – New Project Providing a Platform for Sports People to Get Scouted WeSleep – Earn Crypto Rewards for Sleeping Panaroma – Private Crypto Sale Creating an Investor-Focused Exchange VitalVeda – Utilizing the Blockchain and Virtual Reality to Create a Metaverse Gym Stackspace – Crypto Private Sale Creating the Next Generation of Digital Marketplace Calvaria – Unique Play-to-Earn Crypto Card Game Analyzing the Best Private Token Sales  To provide investors with ample information, we’ve included detailed reviews of the best crypto private sales below. We’ve included projects that span a wide range of sectors and networks in order to provide the most comprehensive guide possible.  1. IMPT – The Overall Best Crypto Private Sale to Invest in With aims to disrupt a multi-billion dollar industry while benefiting the entire planet, IMPT is one of the most exciting crypto private sales on the market right now. To achieve its goals, the project plans to tokenize credits equal to offsetting 1 ton of carbon (carbon credits). This approach will drastically improve transparency in the sector, potentially boosting widespread adoption.  As it stands today, despite being worth a combined $273 billion, the voluntary and mandatory carbon offset sectors lack transparency, hurting buyer confidence and hindering global adoption. However, by making carbon credits verifiable and only working with organizations that have been audited by a third party, IMPT could change the status quo for the better.  In order to provide everyone with the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, IMPT will offer a couple of different ways to acquire carbon credits. They will, of course, be available to purchase on the IMPT platform but that’s not all. People will also be able to earn IMPT tokens to exchange for carbon credits simply for shopping with a long list of 10,000+ partner brands.  With the mandatory carbon offset market already worth over $270 billion, it’s no surprise that IMPT has created a system for a company to offset its carbon. As stated in the IMPT whitepaper, any business can partner with IMPT to allocate a portion of its sale margin to certified environmental organizations, benefiting the environment and hitting regulatory obligations with ease.  IMPT is one of the best crypto presales right now. Its currently in the first of three phases with 600 million tokens selling for $0.018 at the private sale stage. The price of IMPT will then increase to $0.023 for the next 660 million tokens, before climbing to $0.028 for the final 540 million tokens during the second and third phases. IMPT is a massively exciting project that has the potential to increase in value substantially once released on the open market. Check out the IMPT presale today to snag some tokens for the lowest price possible and join the IMPT Telegram group to hear about the latest updates before anyone else. The private sale stage has already raised over $4m in under two weeks, so make sure you check it out before it’s too late. Visit IMPT Presale  2. WeSendit – Blockchain-Powered Gateway to Decentralized Storage WeSendit (WSI) is one of the best upcoming ICO (initial coin offering) projects on the market. The team behind the project aims to revolutionize the data storage sector by providing users with easy access to a wide range of established platforms that provide decentralized data storage services. The private sale is ongoing on the WeSendit website. WeSendit aims to improve privacy in the data storage sector through the use of decentralization. With the project being an established player in the sector for an impressive 10 years, WeSendit certainly has the experience necessary to perform well. The project will allow users to access a range of providers like Filecoin and Storj without hassle, making life far easier for users.  Overall, WeSendit is one of the most interesting private sales currently ongoing. The project has been spoken about in a number of well-known publications including G2.com and with a fully doxed team, WeSendit is doing well on the transparency front. With that said, only time will tell how the WSI token performs on the open market.  3. Leap – New Project Providing a Platform for Sports People to Get Scouted Leap (LEAP) is an innovative new cryptocurrency project that aims to change the way new talent is scouted in the sports industry via the creation of a platform that centers fans, talent, and decision-makers in a single location. The Leap private sale is expected to launch on October 31st with whitelist registration currently ongoing.  With the sports industry being worth hundreds of billions, a project with the potential to improve it could end up as one of the best long-term crypto projects out there. While the core functionality of Leap is still in the works, LEAP token holders will be able to stake their tokens for rewards, vote on decisions regarding the project’s future, and get early access to the platform.  While we’ll have to wait and see how the Leap platform develops, the project is unique and does show promise. With that said, private sales are risky investments so it’s always imperative to perform ample research before investing.  4. WeSleep – Earn Crypto Rewards for Sleeping Building on the various x-to-earn concepts that have become popular in the crypto space over the past year, WeSleep is a new project that allows its users to earn crypto rewards simply for sleeping. The project features two different tokens, $ZZZ (for rewards) and $WEZ (for everything else). The WeSleep private crypto sale is currently open for registration.  The project was created on the Solana blockchain, helping to keep fees low and settlement speed high. In order to engage users, the project will reward users with WEZ for completing various tasks which can then be staked to earn ZZZ. Similar to StepN, the rate of earnings will be based on the attributes of upgradable WeSleep NFTs.  Investors looking for the best private token sales in 2022 should keep an eye on WeSleep. The project seems to be well-designed and features a fairly unique concept, meaning it could perform similarly to StepN and become one of the best altcoins soon after its release. 5. Panaroma – Private Crypto Sale Creating an Investor-Focused Exchange Panaroma (PANA) is a new project aiming to build a crypto exchange that puts investors first. To achieve this, Panaroma aims to increase transparency within the sector, providing users with the lowest possible fees and access to a variety of exclusive crypto assets. Registration for the project’s private sale is currently ongoing. The project aims to create a new breed of investing platform by building both a centralized and decentralized exchange, an NFT marketplace, and even a launchpad for the best IEO cryptos.  The PANA token will power the entire ecosystem with holders receiving exclusive access to certain projects and reduced fees, similar to the FTT token from FTX.  While there is a wide range of different exchanges out there, few offer the number of features touted by Panaroma. As such, the project is up there with the best crypto private sales but as always its imperative to perform the proper due diligence before investing.  6. VitalVeda – Utilizing the Blockchain and Virtual Reality to Create a Metaverse Gym VitalVeda (VVG) is another project worthy of consideration for investors on the hunt for the best crypto private sale. The project will utilize blockchain technology, the Metaverse, and virtual reality in order to create a virtual gym of sorts, allowing people all over the world to come together and get fit. The founder has been KYC verified by IDOPresales and the private sale is ongoing.  Throughout the pandemic, people struggled to stay healthy as the typical avenues, such as gyms, fitness classes, etc were all closed. However, VitalVeda aims to get a platform that can help people achieve their fitness goals from the comfort of their own homes. To incentivize exercise, the project will reward holders of any VVSW NFT with crypto for staying fit.   While move-to-earn projects have become rather prevalent, VitalVeda has a much larger focus on helping people with specific goals (e,g, building strength and losing fat). With personal trainers costing upward of $30 per hour, VitalVeda could end up being the best crypto private sale within the fitness sector.  7. Stackspace – Crypto Private Sale Creating the Next Generation of Digital Marketplace Stackspace (STSP) is a project aiming to create the largest and most diverse digital market within the crypto space. The project is focused on NFTs in all forms but will specialize in gaming/Metaverse-related assets. The Stackspace private sale is open for registration and will run until November 12th.  To appeal to a larger audience Stackspace will be a multi-chain marketplace, allowing a h...

U.S. Senate Democrats Cite Insufficient Election Workers Ahead Of Midterms – Reuters https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/u-s-senate-democrats-cite-insufficient-election-workers-ahead-of-midterms-reuters/ WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) – A group of U.S. Senate Democrats sounded the alarm over a lack of election workers ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm voting, citing threats and harassment as hurdles to recruiting crucial staff. In an Oct. 6 letter to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 13 Senate Democrats and two independents aligned with Democrats called for the federal agency to step up efforts to support states in recruiting workers needed to run next month’s midterm elections. Voters will cast ballots across the United States in races for Congress, governor and many other state and local positions. Republicans are optimistic of seizing control of the U.S. House of Representatives and possibly even the Senate, which are narrowly controlled by Democrats currently. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com “Recruitment efforts have been further hampered by the increase in threats and harassment targeting election workers,” the letter stated. “We urge you to take additional actions to ensure election officials have the information and resources necessary to address these ongoing shortages.” The letter cited states such as Texas, which have been forced to close polling stations due to a lack of staff. Threats against poll workers have sharply increased since the lead up to the 2020 election, when former President Donald Trump began making unfounded claims about massive election fraud. Since then, numerous court cases, non-partisan audits and even Trump’s Department of Justice rejected his claims. At least ten states are considering stronger protections for election administrators who have faced a campaign of terror inspired by Trump’s baseless claims of a “stolen” election in 2020. Reuters documented more than 850 threats and hostile messages to election workers and officials nationwide in a series of investigative reports. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Moira Warburton in Washington; Editing by Richard Cowan and Alistair Bell Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Students Encouraged To Submit Energy Technology Ideas As Part Of EnergyTech National Competition – Syracuse University News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/students-encouraged-to-submit-energy-technology-ideas-as-part-of-energytech-national-competition-syracuse-university-news/ The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions recently launched the second round of the American-Made EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP), an engaging competition that challenges multidisciplinary student teams to develop and present a business plan that leverages high-potential energy technologies. Student teams in the EnergyTech Up competition will have the opportunity to compete for a total of $370,000 in cash prizes as they present their plans to a panel of industry judges. The Syracuse Center of Excellence (CoE) is once again hosting the DOE’s EnergyTech UP’s innovative prize, which asks student teams to identify an energy technology, assess its market potential and then develop a strategy for commercialization. Student teams will have the opportunity to compete for a total of $370,000 in cash prizes as they present their plans to a panel of industry judges. Syracuse CoE was selected as one of 15 EnergyTech UP Regional Convening Partners, as part of a collaboration with NYSERDA and CenterState CEO’s Clean Tech Center. Syracuse is hosting the Regional Explore Event, where students have an opportunity to build their leadership and entrepreneurial skills while providing exposure to all of the innovative energy technologies waiting to be commercialized. Any interested students or faculty are encouraged to start following EnergyTech UP to stay current on submission deadlines and requirements, prize rules and more. Prize administrators are holding an informational webinar to share details about the $370,000 available to students, inspire ideas around energy technologies, and answer questions from potential participants. Register now for the webinar, which takes place at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 26.

Woman Helped Denton County Cultivate Vegetables, Avoid Hunger – Denton Record Chronicle https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/woman-helped-denton-county-cultivate-vegetables-avoid-hunger-denton-record-chronicle/ While World War I raged, hunger stalked Europeans whose countries were at war. Americans also suffered the consequences of military requisitions and naval blockades. Food shortages included butter, margarine, cooking fat, sugar, potatoes, coffee, tea, fruit and meat because of insufficient cattle feed. The U.S. government introduced voluntary rationing in 1918; it became mandatory during World War II. Denton County had a powerful ally in the effort in Edna Westbrook Trigg, who helped ease local food shortages. A 1945 Denton Record-Chronicle photo shows Edna Westbrook Trigg (seated), daughter Eloise Trigg Johnson (standing), granddaughter Eloise Grumbine (on floor), with great-granddaughter Suzanne Grumbine, at Trigg’s house at 602 W. Parkway St. in Denton. DRC file photo ANNETTA RAMSAY, Ph.D., has lived and worked in Denton for many years.

Ballerific Travel: Vacation Planning Tips To Help Your Trip Finally Make It Out Of The Group Chat – Balleralert.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/ballerific-travel-vacation-planning-tips-to-help-your-trip-finally-make-it-out-of-the-group-chat-balleralert-com/ Traveling in a large pack seldomly works out. A group chat of 15 can quickly dwindle to 2 or 3 when it’s time to board the plane. No matter how much proper planning goes into a trip, it’s hard to keep people on the same page, whether it’s money problems, timing issues, or disagreements. There are many reasons a group trip doesn’t go as planned. But don’t sweat because it’s possible to get the trip from the group text achieved using these helpful tips. Have a designated person for the whole trip or certain parts of it. If one person is willing to handle everything, that’s great. Or if each person is assigned to take a particular area, that can work too. For example, someone can be in charge of the hotel, another for the flights, and another for excursions. This assigns a point of contact so there is no confusion among the group. Agree on a budget. Everyone will have a different amount of money they feel comfortable spending on the trip. Everyone should weigh in on a reasonable amount they want to spend and then compromise and adjust their travel plans to include everyone. Everyone’s pockets aren’t the same, and it’s not uncommon for people to back out because of financial woes. Having a budget everyone agrees on helps eliminate financial problems down the line. Choose a destination. Let everyone say a place they think will be fun. A few people will likely want to go to the same place. From there, agree to a voting system, maybe choose the most mentioned destination or draw from a hat. Book flights ahead of time. Some airlines offer group rates and a payment plan. For example, Delta lets groups of 10 or more book 240 days before departure. “Delta Group Specialists customize Delta flight itineraries for groups of 10 or more passengers traveling on the same flight. You’ll get the advantage of competitive fares, flexible ticketing options, and support in booking and managing your group’s travel. Your booking will be secured with a booking fee and deposit as outlined in your contract,” its website reads. Book your accommodations. Figuring out where the group will stay is one of the main things on the trip. Large hotels are always an option, but an Airbnb may be a better stay. Smaller hotels, resorts, villas, and rented homes help keep the group together. Make these arrangements in advance to reserve whatever accommodations the group needs. Organize payment. Decide who will handle the payments and when payments will be due. Thanks to CashApp, Zelle, and other payment systems, sending money is easier. If you choose a responsible person to collect money and pay, it helps keeps things in order. Set plans while also leaving room for individual time. Nobody wants a trip that is structured from start to finish. Of course, plan some group activities like excursions and dinners. But make sure to leave some time for people to do their own thing so no one gets burned out. Enjoy!

Three Questions With First Hawaiian Bank’s Cameron Nekota – Pacific Business News – The Business Journals https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/three-questions-with-first-hawaiian-banks-cameron-nekota-pacific-business-news-the-business-journals/ Three questions with First Hawaiian Bank’s Cameron Nekota – Pacific Business News  The Business Journals

Tips For Managing Food Bills – Tower Hamlets https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/tips-for-managing-food-bills-tower-hamlets/ MENU There are plenty of ways in which you can manage your food bills during the cost of living crisis. 1. Meal prep A lot of money is wasted on groceries that aren’t used and are just thrown out. Meal prepping is planning your meals out in the week – this helps you know exactly what you need to buy and in what quantity, reducing the size of your grocery shop, saving money and meaning less wastage. All you need to do is sit down with a pen and paper, make a seven day chart and choose what meals will be made each day. You can use websites like ‘BBC Good Food’ and ‘Cooking on a Bootstrap’ to help with ideas, recipes and accessing quantities. More on healthy eating on a budget here. 2. Supermarket reduced ‘yellow sticker’ discounts ‘Yellow sticker’ discounts are when items have been reduced to clear, and have got a yellow sticker on them. The first yellow stickers tend to appear mid-morning, and price reductions begin early evening, when stores cut prices by 75% and more, but timings depend on the supermarket. 3. Use a free app to find end-of-day discounts at cafés, restaurants & supermarkets Too Good To Go aims to reduce food waste and save you money at the same time. It links you to local restaurants, supermarkets, cafés and bakeries which have leftover food at the end of the day, and lets you buy it at a discounted rate. Plus food-sharing app Olio links you with others nearby who have surplus grub to give away, so it’s not wasted – like Freecycle does for unwanted furniture and other items. 4. Changing supermarkets Consider changing supermarkets for budget ones like Lidl and Aldi for cheaper groceries. A handy comparison tool, Trolley, lets you compare the cost of products at the major supermarkets. 5. Own brand or ‘Value’ groceries Consider switching the brands you use. Rather than buying branded goods, get the supermarket’s own brand version which will save you some money. Do this for each product and you could find your grocery bill down by a third or even more. 6. Loyalty schemes Make the most of supermarket loyalty schemes and discounts. 7. Cut out non-essentials Cut out non-essentials such as snacks, fizzy drinks and unnecessary food. 8. Use by dates VS Best before dates A use-by date on food is about safety. Never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok, as it could make you ill. However, the best before date (BBE) is about quality and not safety. Foods with a best before date indicate it will be safe to eat after this date but its flavour and texture might not be as good. If something is past its best-before date, you don’t necessarily need to throw it away – use its appearance and taste to decide. 9. Tools to use up fridge/cupboard leftovers To stop wasting food that you don’t know what to do with, use special sites that suggest recipes for the items left over in your fridge or cupboard. E.g  SuperCook or BigOven – just input what items are in your fridge or cupboard and they will suggest a recipe for them from thousands. Alternatively, just go to this site’s Old Style Recipe Index and scroll down to the relevant ingredient. 10.  Get free food from signing up for apps/offers Make sure you supplement these supermarket shopping tips by making the most of all the food freebies available, usually by signing up for a newsletter or app. The likes of Krispy Kreme, Burger King and Taco Bell offer freebies to get you through the door, yet often you don’t need to spend anything to get the freebie. See this guide for more detail on which apps/offers are available. 11.  Check out supermarket schemes Check out supermarket schemes for places kids can eat free or for as little as £1: https://www.towerhamletshomes.org.uk/news/places-kids-can-eat-free https://www.thch.org.uk/news/kids-eat-for-free-summer-2022-996/

This Week In MIL Football | News, Sports, Jobs – Maui News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/this-week-in-mil-football-news-sports-jobs-maui-news-4/ Lyrik Kahula of Lahainaluna High School throws a touchdown pass against Kamehameha Maui last Saturday. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo Tonight, Sue Cooley Stadium, 7 p.m. Overview Baldwin is trying to avoid its first winless, tieless season since going 0-9 in 1954, according to football historian Stacy Kaneshiro. The Lunas can clinch the MIL D-I title and state berth with a win — they won the first meeting 42-0. Lahainaluna is first in MIL team offense and defense, Baldwin is last in both. Bears at a glance Baldwin has settled on sophomore Antone Sanches at QB, and he has made strides during this rebuilding season. He is fifth in MIL passing. Joseph Randolph is eighth in MIL rushing and averages 13.5 yards per catch. Lunas at a glance At 7-0 overall, the Lunas are pushing for a bye in the D-I state tournament. Lyric Kahula is third in MIL passing as fellow quarterback Noa Gordon recovers from injury. Kaulana Tihada and Ian-Jay Cabanilla are Nos. 5-6 in MIL rushing. Quotable “It would be nice to have those guys back, but if not the players that we have now understand their role and that’s the reason they’re here — it’s next man up. I think they’re prepared for that challenge.” — Dean Rickard, Lunas co-head coach on his team’s injury situation ***** Maui High at Kamehameha Maui Saturday, Kanaiaupuni Stadium, 7 p.m. Overview The Warriors can nail down the MIL D-II second-round title with a win, which would guarantee a playoff game at King Kekaulike on Oct. 29. The Sabers are playing their final game, looking to send 20 seniors out on a high note. The Sabers are third on offense, second on defense; the Warriors are fourth in both. Sabers at a glance Maui High has recorded five defensive shutouts this season. Joe Cariaga is second in MIL passing, No. 7 in MIL rushing. Piercen Evans leads the league in rushing. Keoni James Ihu-Rodrigues and Braden Albrecht are Nos. 4-5 in receiving. Warriors at a glance Makana Kamaka-Brayce leads the league in passing — his 10 scoring passes are one less than the rest of the league combined. Frank Abreu, Po’o Aiu, Heno Stone-Han and Dylan Schnitzer are 1-2-3-6 in receiving. Quotable “What we’re pushing for is next week and make sure our seniors get out of here on a really good note. Kamehameha is really tough and we will work on that this week. … We want to get more of the kids involved.” — Aylett Wallwork, Maui High head coach last week ***** MIL standings SECOND ROUND (Overall MIL records in parentheses) DIVISION I W L Pct PF PA Lahainaluna (6-0) 2 0 1.000 52 14 Maui High (5-2) 2 1 .667 77 24 Baldwin (0-6) 0 2 .000 13 70 DIVISION II STANDINGS W L Pct PF PA KS Maui (2-4) 1 1 .500 37 51 King Kekaulike (3-4) 1 2 .333 50 70 Friday, Oct. 7 Maui High 27, King Kekaulike 7 Saturday, Oct. 8 Lahainaluna 35, Kamehameha Maui 7 Today’s Game Baldwin at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m. Saturday’s Game Maui High at Kamehameha Maui, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 Baldwin at Kamehameha Maui, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 Lahainaluna at King Kekaulike, 7 p.m. End of regular season Lyrik Kahula of Lahainaluna High School throws a touchdown pass against Kamehameha Maui last Saturday. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Say It Ain’t So! Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Legs Were Apparently Staged – Futurism https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/say-it-aint-so-mark-zuckerbergs-metaverse-legs-were-apparently-staged-futurism/ As if the keynote wasn’t underwhelming enough. Pulling Our Leg Facebook-turned-Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took to the stage during a conference earlier this week to show off the company’s progress in fleshing out its metaverse. Despite having spent $15 billion building out its virtual reality playground so far, the company’s vision has been widely criticized, including by insiders. One of the more exciting new features Zuckerberg demoed at the event was that the company’s hideous Horizon VR avatars will be getting legs. But even that may have been too good to be true, as The Verge reports. A spokesperson told the publication that Zuckerberg’s awkward VR legs may have “featured animations created from motion capture” meant to “enable this preview of what’s to come.” In other words, Zuckerberg’s legs may have been pre-rendered and not a direct VR translation of the movement of his real legs — despite the CEO heavily implying otherwise at the event. Foot Locker As if Tuesday’s keynote wasn’t underwhelming enough. Apart from announcing that Horizon’s pixelated — and frankly ugly — avatars will get a facelift and a pair of legs, the company also showed off a new VR headset called the Oculus Quest Pro, which has an eyewatering price tag of $1,500. With that kind of price, the Quest Pro is unlikely to convince very many people to spend more time inside Meta’s metaverse. But that’s exactly what Meta needs to be working on most of all, as Meta advisor John Carmack, creator of the blockbuster video game “Doom,” told audiences at the conference. So where does that leave us? Zuckerberg’s doubling down — but the company is bleeding money and the project’s future is anything but certain. READ MORE: Did Mark Zuckerberg’s little dance actually show us real metaverse legs? [The Verge] More on the event: Top Facebook Consultant Admits That the Metaverse Is Absolutely Terrible

20+ Best Dog Gifts For Dogs To Buy Ahead Of Black Friday – Detroit Free Press https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/20-best-dog-gifts-for-dogs-to-buy-ahead-of-black-friday-detroit-free-press/ Camryn Rabideau  |  Reviewed — Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. If you consider your dog a member of the family, chances are you get them gifts for the holidays—we at Reviewed certainly do! Even if you just get your four-legged friend a new toy or bone, they’re sure to be excited to have a present waiting for them under the tree, and you’ll be excited to know many of these dog gifts are already on sale now ahead of Black Friday. Get on the nice list. Sign up for our newsletter to get all the best gift guides, deals and holiday planning advice. Whether you’re looking for something small and inexpensive or want to go all-out for your pup, we’ve got a wide range of amazing holiday gifts for dogs to choose from, including options for every type of dog—active, adventurous, couch potato and more. The following are 20 gifts to give your pet this year, including one of our top-rated dog cameras, a super-cozy dog bed and a delicious dog cookie subscription box! Gifts for dogs on sale now ahead of Black Friday On sale! Embark Dog DNA Test at Amazon $140 (Save $60) On sale! Outward Hound Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy $15 (Save $13) On sale! FluentPet Dog Talking Button Kit $35 (Save $10) On sale! Dash Dog Treat Maker $25 (Save $5) On sale!  Zeaxuie 9 Pack Luxury Puppy Toys at Amazon $16 (Save $10) On sale!  AFP Automatic Dog Ball Launcher at Amazon $115 (Save $11) On sale!  Tinaco Luxurious Calming Dog Mat at Amazon $44 (Save $6)  On sale!  Petsta Dog Puzzle at Amazon $15 (Save $5) On sale!  PetPrime Dog Plush Sleeping Anxiety Buddy at Amazon $27 (Save $9) ►Holiday gift guides 2022: Shop for everyone on your list with this ultimate gift guide 1. For the dog who loves sleeping: Casper Dog Bed If your dog loves nothing more than a good mid-day nap, treat them to the splurge-worthy Casper Dog Bed this holiday season. Our testers love that this dog bed is extremely supportive and well-made—not to mention comfortable for your pup! It comes in three sizes to fit any dog breed, and it comes in three colors to match your decor. The cover of the bed is easy to remove and wash if it ever gets dirty, and it can withstand years of rough play and digging.  $169 at Casper 2. For the dog who was extra good this year: Goody Box Did your dog make it onto Santa’s “Nice List” this year? If so, your good boy or girl definitely deserves a Goody Box! These curated boxes from Chewy get two paws up from our reviewers, as they’re packed full of top-rated toys and treats from the brand. Each box contains five or more items at a discounted price, and Chewy frequently introduces fun seasonal boxes for both large and small dogs, as well as puppies. $18+ at Chewy 3. For the adventurous dog: Fi Smart Dog Collar  If you and your dog frequently go hiking or camping together, we highly recommend the Fi Smart Dog Collar. This collar keeps track of your dog’s daily activity levels and sleep patterns, and it also doubles as a GPS tracker if your dog ever gets lost. When we tested this smart collar, we loved that it has a sleek, stylish design, and its battery also lasts much longer than other smart collars, only needing to be charged once every few months.  $149 at Fi 4. For the dog who hates being alone: Eufy Pet Camera We’ve tested several of the best smart pet cameras available today, and our favorite is the Eufy Pet Camera. This gadget allows you to see what your pet is up to at any time of the day, streaming 1080p video right to your smartphone, and we love that it has a 170-degree wide-angle view and can rotate up to 270 degrees, letting you see the whole room. The camera is equipped with two-way audio and is able to toss treats to your pet, and unlike many other options, there’s no monthly subscription fee. $200 at Amazon 5. For the dog who loves balls: KONG Jumblr  Your dog is sure to go crazy for this cool ball-in-a-ball toy. The KONG Jumblr is made up of a large outer ball with a tennis ball that rattles around inside. The outer shell has handles on each side, making it easy for your pup to pick up and carry around, and it even squeaks when squeezed to keep your dog engaged for longer. The unique design is sure to provide hours of entertainment for your pup, and it might even become their new favorite toy. $15 at Tractor Supply 6. For the dog that always needs a bath: A personalized dog robe Every pampered pooch deserves a custom robe for bath time! The WhiskersWorld Personalized Dog Robe is available in three sizes and a wide range of colors to match your dog’s style, and it’s made from an absorbent polyester-microfiber blend with velcro closures that wrap around your dog’s chest and stomach. You can have the robe embroidered with your dog’s name for a sweet personal touch, and they’ll love running around in it after their at-home spa session. $28 at Etsy 7. For the dog who loves treats: Wüfers Cookie Club If you have to spell out C-O-O-K-I-E to prevent your dog from racing over to the treat jar, we know the perfect gift for them. The Wüfers Cookie Club is a subscription box designed just for the special dog (or dogs) in your life, and each box contains an array of delicious gourmet dog cookies with a fun seasonal theme. You’ll get tasty pumpkin cookies in the fall, the brand’s signature advent cookie calendar during the holidays and so much more. You can choose a month-to-month subscription or to pay for a full year in advance, but either way, your dog will definitely thank you for this special treat!  $40/month at Wüfers 8. For the dog who loves puzzles: Nina Ottosson Puzzle Toy You can make mealtime more interesting for your dog with the help of the Nina Ottosson Interactive Treat Puzzle Toy. These top-rated puzzles are a must-have for smart pups, as they’ll keep your pet stimulated and help to tire them out. While there are a wide variety of puzzles available from the brand, this particular design is a ball that your dog has to roll around to dispense treats or food. It’s a great brain-buster for rainy days, and who can resist the reasonable price? $10 at Amazon 9. For the super-smart dog: FluentPet Talking Buttons If you’re on Instagram or TikTok, you may have seen Bunny, the super-smart sheepadoodle who uses a set of buttons to communicate with her parents. Sounds cool? You can talk to your dog, too, with the FluentPet Dog Talking Button Kit—the exact buttons that Bunny uses! This starter set includes two non-slip floor tiles and two buttons that you can use to record words you want to teach your pup. The buttons are suitable for dogs of all sizes, and the floor tiles have extra slots to add more buttons in the future, if you choose.  $35 at Amazon 10. For the athletic dog: Agility equipment set The Better Sporting Dogs Deluxe Agility Equipment Set is the perfect activity for any dog who has endless amounts of energy. The at-home agility kit includes two bar jumps, a tire jump, six weave poles, a 10-foot-long tunnel, a chute tunnel and a pause box, allowing you to set up a full obstacle course for your pet. The components break down into compact, easy-to-store forms, complete with carrying cases, and the set will provide hours of entertainment as you teach your pup how to navigate each task. $185 at Amazon 11. For the dog who likes homemade treats: Dash Dog Treat Maker With the Dash Dog Treat Maker, it’s quick and easy to whip up homemade treats for your spoiled dog. This gadget works just like a waffle iron—you simply pour in batter, and in a matter of minutes, you’ll have eight bone-shaped treats to entice your pup. We love that this treat maker comes with recipes that are easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and we’re betting your dog will give the homemade treats two big paws up. $25 at Amazon 12. For the dog in training: A custom treat jar If your pup is still learning good behaviors, the Pottery Barn Mason Stoneware Pet Treat Canister is a great spot to stash their favorite treats. The jar is available in white or black finishes, and it comes with a tight-fitting acacia wood lid. The sleek design has a little bone shape on the side, and we love that you can even have it personalized with your dog’s name. It will look adorable sitting on your kitchen counter, and your pet will quickly learn that good behavior = a trip to the cookie jar! $40 at Pottery Barn 13. For the dog who wanders: Apple Airtag + Airtag case Does your dog tend to wander off when you’re not looking? If so, you can give yourself peace of mind with an Apple Airtag and the FuniteStore Dog Airtag Case. The Airtag pairs up with your iPhone, allowing you to quickly pinpoint its location and locate your missing pup, and the special Airtage case is designed to attach right to your dog’s collar. You can even have the case customized with your dog’s name and your phone number to ensure your dog will always find their way home. $29 at Best Buy  $8 at Etsy 14. For the dog who loves camping: Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag Is your dog your faithful camping companion? Then they deserve their very own sleeping bag for your outdoor adventures. The Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag is designed specifically for pets, with a circular shape that your dog can curl up in on cold nights. It has a padded bottom to provide cushioning against the hard ground, and the shell is water-resistant and quick-drying. Plus, the sleeping bag comes with a convenient compression sack that makes it easy for you to carry as you hike.  $100 at REI 15. For the city dog: Fable Carrier Bag For those with small dogs—we’re talking 15 pounds or less—you’ve got to get them the chic Fable Carrier...

DynaSets: Eagerly Anticipated Crypto Trading Tool Officially Launches – Business Wire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/dynasets-eagerly-anticipated-crypto-trading-tool-officially-launches-business-wire/ RIO DE JANEIRO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SingularityDAO, an organisation creating top-tier trading tools for everyday people, has just announced the official launch of its crypto trading tool ‘DynaSets’. The launch follows an extremely successful beta period, which saw its Bitcoin and Ethereum products generate growth in holdings of the underlying assets by 61% and 111% respectively. DynaSets are baskets of crypto tokens dynamically managed using advanced data-science based signals, indicators and in-house AI, that can monitor market sentiment, economic events, politics and other influencing factors to execute trades. Marcello Mari, CEO of SingularityDAO, said: “This is an exciting period for both SingularityDAO and the crypto community. DynBTC and DynETH have gone through multiple rounds of rigorous testing and we’re confident that they’re ready to be used by a wide audience.” The official launch of DynBTC and DynETH will be accompanied by a new DynaSet entering open-beta testing. The ‘Leveraged DynaSet’, dynDYDX, will deposit users’ funds on the dYdX exchange, borrowing money from the broker to trade with. Along with the DynaSets launch, SingularityDAO will be launching new branding and an improved user interface. Mari added: “The crypto market is volatile and difficult for participants to navigate. They need tools to assist their decision making, but reliable portfolio management tools are only accessible to the wealthy and institutions. DynBTC and DynETH have proven successful and our new Leveraged DynaSet is the next step in our mission.” Users will have a two week window to contribute to all three DynaSets before they start trading. The contribution window opened on the 11th October at 12pm UTC and closes on the 25th October at 12pm UTC. To take part, a minimum of $500 is required. Interested parties can learn more here. -ENDS- About SingularityDAO SingularityDAO is bringing world leading DeFi portfolio management tools to the crypto space, but without the barriers that prevent the masses from participating. SingularityDAO also has access to the full breadth of knowledge and experience offered by SingularityNET, which within their own team of 100+ people includes numerous world famous AI scientists, including their CEO Ben Goertzel. SingularityDAO has all the pieces in place to change the face of DeFi and Cryptocurrency forever and an ethos that guides them towards inclusion for all on their road to creating a beneficial singularity. For more information visit www.singularitydao.ai.

Readout Of Secretary Raimondo’s Meeting With Singapore Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam – US Department Of Commerce https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/readout-of-secretary-raimondos-meeting-with-singapore-senior-minister-tharman-shanmugaratnam-us-department-of-commerce/ Today, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo thanked Singapore Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam for Singapore’s cooperation on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), including providing ideas on how to deliver tangible benefits and achieve high-standard outcomes. Secretary Raimondo emphasized her desire to continue to work expeditiously and make concrete progress. She also welcomed the upcoming U.S.-Singapore Partnership for Growth and Innovation (PGI) annual dialogue, which will be led by the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago and Singapore Permanent Trade Secretary Gabriel Lim, and will take place on October 27 in Washington, D.C. U.S. and Singaporean companies interested in participating in the annual dialogue can register at itamatch.com/event/ussgpgi.

Pensacola Downtown Technology Park To Be Used As Soccer Practice Field – Pensacola News Journal https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/pensacola-downtown-technology-park-to-be-used-as-soccer-practice-field-pensacola-news-journal/ After sitting unused for more than a decade, Pensacola’s Technology Campus will be getting some use as a soccer practice field. The Pensacola City Council unanimously approved an agreement between the city and the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission to allow the 9-acre property to be used as a soccer practice field until the PEDC finds a developer for the property. The technology park has sat vacant since it was constructed in 2012 with a $2 million grant from the Economic Development Administration to be a “shovel ready” site meant to attract information technology businesses to Pensacola. FloridaWest and the PEDC have since tried the market the property to a broader base of industries, but so far, no potential developers for the property have been announced. Mayor Grover Robinson signed the agreement with the PEDC Chairman Lewis Bear on Sept. 27, and the vote Thursday was an affirmation of the agreement. The agreement allows youth sports teams with agreements with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to use the property for practice fields. No bids on Tech Park: FloridaWest receives no proposals from developers for downtown Technology Park property Here to stay: Permanent e-scooters win unanimous approval of Pensacola City Council Mayor committed to veteran bathrooms: With state funds in limbo, Pensacola mayor still pursuing Veterans Memorial Park restroom Pensacola Parks and Recreation Director Adrian Stills told the council that the property would be used for youth soccer teams. Stills said the city would set up temporary safety net structures to keep any stray soccer balls from the busy East Chase Street that runs along the north side of the property. Under the agreement, the city will also be responsible for the maintenance of the grassy areas of the entire technology park and must repair any damage that occurs at the park as a result. Practice must end at sunset, and no lights will be installed in the park, according to the agreement. Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier asked Still about the cost of the maintenance of the park to use as practice fields, which were given to the council as $34,377 a year. Stills said the space is needed because there is a lack of practice fields for youth soccer in the city. “It’s a good problem to have,” Stills said. “We have 900 or so youth just wanting to participate in soccer, and we have no place for them to go.” Jim Little can be reached at jwlittle@pnj.com and 850-208-9827.

Texas Gasoline Prices Increase To An Average Of $3.32 Per Gallon – KRLD https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/texas-gasoline-prices-increase-to-an-average-of-3-32-per-gallon-krld/ Texas gasoline prices are up this week at $3.32 per gallon compared to $3.17 last month. A year ago it was $2.92 in Texas and $3.30 nation-wide. AAA Texas reports that the highest prices in the state today are in West Texas and the Panhandle. It’s $3.92 in Brewster County in the Big Bend region, the highest in the state. North Texas prices are lower than that. The three county area of Tarrant, Collin and Denton are all averaging $3.36 and it’s $3.82 in Dallas County. Related LISTEN on the Audacy App Tell your Smart Speaker to “PLAY 1080 KRLD” Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

VISIT FLORIDA Launches Marketing Campaign For Hurricane Ian Recovery – TravelPulse https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/visit-florida-launches-marketing-campaign-for-hurricane-ian-recovery-travelpulse/ VISIT FLORIDA, the official destination marketing organization for the state of Florida, launched a new campaign on October 13 to promote tourism to the state’s unaffected areas following Hurricane Ian. The new $2.7-million campaign, featuring footage shot in fourteen different destinations across the state, emphasizes its message that the “Sun’s Shining in Florida.” The campaign will run through the end of October across digital and social platforms in the United States. Trending Now “Tourism is Florida’s top economic driver and VISIT FLORIDA is committed to safeguarding our industry,” said Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO. “Our marketing programs will help protect Florida’s tourism brand and demonstrate to visitors that Florida offers infinite vacation options. We appreciate Governor DeSantis’ leadership and support as we launch this innovative new campaign and invite visitors from around the world to our great state.” The destination marketing organization is also creating recovery packages for the tourism industries of the places impacted most by Hurricane Ian when they are once more able to sustain tourism. “As the islands of Sanibel and Captiva recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ian, we are so grateful for Governor DeSantis and VISIT FLORIDA’s efforts to protect our tourism economy,” said John Lai, VISIT FLORIDA Second Vice Chair and President and CEO of Sanibel – Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. “This new campaign will let visitors know that Florida is still the No. 1 vacation destination in the world, and will be key for building back our tourism community better than ever.” For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Board To Sue Over Contamination That Closed Vermont School – 69News WFMZ-TV https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/board-to-sue-over-contamination-that-closed-vermont-school-69news-wfmz-tv/ BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The school board in Vermont’s largest city plans to sue the manufacturer of chemicals that forced the closure of Burlington High School, officials said. Burlington School District officials on Thursday announced plans to sue agro-chemical giant Monsanto after PCBs were found in the existing building and soil during renovations, forcing the closure of the school, which also housed the Burlington Technical Center. In a statement, Bayer, which now owns Monsanto, said Monsanto “voluntarily stopped producing PCBs 45 years ago and its conduct has been appropriate at all times.” “Until the company terminated their production, PCBs were lawfully used in a number of commercial products that were manufactured by other companies,” the statement said. “We will assess and respond to a complaint if one is filed.” School officials now are planning to demolish the existing building and build a new school and technical center in the same area. Burlington voters will cast ballots next month on a proposed $165 million bond, but the city estimates the total cost of the improvements could be $190 million. Burlington Board Chair Clare Wool said the lawsuit could mean long-term financial compensation for the district, but to move forward with the plans for the new school they still need to have the bond approved. “Even though we plan to pursue this course of environmental lawsuit zealously and aggressively, we are viewing this as a long-term strategy and are anticipating that this work could consume a number of years,” Wool said in a statement. The city did not say when it planned to file its lawsuit. Students have been attending classes at a former Macy’s department store. Over the years, a number of state and local governments have sued Monsanto, which was purchased by Bayer in 2018, over PCB contamination. In one example, last winter the state of New Hampshire reached a $25 million settlement with Monsanto over what the state said was widespread PCB pollution in waterways and other state-owned property. PCBs are toxic industrial chemicals, now banned, that have accumulated in plants, fish, birds and people for decades. PCBs were used in many industrial and commercial applications, including in paint, coolants, sealants and hydraulic fluids. Monsanto, based in St. Louis, produced them from 1935 until 1977, two years before they were banned by Congress. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Press Release: GEHA And The Baltimore Ravens Launch Purple Ticket To Health – BaltimoreRavens.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/press-release-geha-and-the-baltimore-ravens-launch-purple-ticket-to-health-baltimoreravens-com/ On Sunday, September 18th, in conjunction with the team’s first home game of the 2022 season, Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (GEHA), Novo Nordisk and the Baltimore Ravens launched the Purple Ticket to Health (PTTH) program. The PTTH program was created to encourage members of the Ravens Flock to take steps toward implementing a healthier lifestyle. By completing an online health questionnaire, provided by MedStar Health, Ravens fans can learn about preventative health practices while simultaneously being entered to win exclusive prizes and experiences from the Ravens. Prizing will include VIP gameday hospitality experiences, passes to exclusive Ravens events and autographed memorabilia. “Medical conditions like obesity and diabetes have major impacts on families and individuals, including poor quality of life, financial burden, and shortened lifespans,” Art Nizza, GEHA president and chief executive officer stated. “Programs like Purple Ticket to Health help raise awareness and provide education to help people understand and manage their conditions. By partnering with the Baltimore Ravens and Novo Nordisk, we will also offer diabetes and obesity screenings to improve the overall health of the community.” Throughout the season, fans can visit the Purple Ticket to Health tent on RavensWalk at select Ravens home games, and at non-gameday events, such as A Purple Evening on October 17th. In addition, the partnership will feature program awareness through in-stadium signage, presence on Ravens’ digital channels and media support throughout the season “Having accessibility to health-related resources that promote education and awareness is essential to leading a healthy lifestyle,” Ravens senior vice president & chief sales officer Kevin Rochlitz stated. “The Ravens champion healthy living, and through our partnership with GEHA and Novo Nordisk and the launch of the Purple Ticket to Health program, we’ll continue amplifying the importance of taking preventative health measures, as well as making such resources easily available to Ravens fans.” GEHA and Novo Nordisk, with the support of MedStar Health, are committed to providing resources for Ravens fans. The Purple Ticket to Health program offers an avenue for our partners to learn more about the fanbase and encourage participants to take the next step toward achieving a healthier lifestyle. For more information on the Purple Ticket to Health programming, and to participate in the questionnaire, please visit www.baltimoreravens.com/purpleticket.

Sanibel Transmission Line Expected Be Energized Today | News, Sports, Jobs – Sanibel-Captiva Islander https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/sanibel-transmission-line-expected-be-energized-today-news-sports-jobs-sanibel-captiva-islander/ LCEC officials reported that LCEC and FPL crews and support workers, supported by efforts from the governor’s office, are expected to energize the transmission line on Sanibel some time today, Oct. 14. It is still early for an estimated restoration time, officials reported. LCEC serves nearly 11,000 customers on Sanibel and Captiva. Officials reported that the goal is to restore power as quickly and safely as possible to those able to receive power and ensure the infrastructure is available for those who will rebuild homes or businesses destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Officials reported that travel to and from the island has been a challenge without the option of vehicular traffic. Mobilization by barge began last week but was not without challenges due to the timing of the tides, weight restrictions, the quantity and size of the equipment and materials, and the number of workers traveling to the island. Earlier this week, a convoy of hundreds of utility and support trucks and vehicles reached the island through a one-time emergency roadway access. This expedited staging and allowed crews to begin preliminary work on the transmission and substation infrastructure. Assessment, testing and scrubbing of critical equipment was required before energizing, officials reported. Simultaneously, crews began working to set poles and prepare installation of wire and other facilities to energize the backbone of the system. Officials reported that in addition to hundreds of FPL line workers, the restoration operation on the island includes LCEC substation electricians, design engineers, warehouse workers, base camp coordinators, logistics experts, emergency operations representatives and safety personnel.

Hello, Metaverse: Google Fiber To Launch Even Faster Broadband (8 Gigabits) In 2023 – WRAL TechWire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/hello-metaverse-google-fiber-to-launch-even-faster-broadband-8-gigabits-in-2023-wral-techwire/ by WRAL TechWire — October 14, 2022 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Google Fiber plans to quadruple its fiber internet service offerings to as high as 8 gigabits – and it’s looking for people to test the higher speeds. But not right now in the Triangle, unfortunately. Currently its fastest offering is 2 gigabits. Xfinity offers the fastest service nationally at 6 gigabits, according to a CNET survey. Two gigabits is the fasts available speed in the Triangle from a variety of providers. Google Fiber announced this week plans to begin offering 5 gigabit and 8 gigabit service early next year – with those speeds available for download as well as upload. Early testers of the service are being sought in Utah, Kansas City and Des Moines, Iowa. The fiber provider also plans to include a Wi-Fi router plus as many as two “mesh extenders” for wireless access and installation. The upgrades come as Google Fiber expands in service footprint in the Triangle and Charlotte. It’s also facing more competition with broadband providers expanding across the state, often boosted into areas lacking service by government grants. “Google Fiber brought you 1 Gig in 2010, 2 Gig in 2020, and 5 and 8 Gig in 2022 (and we’re already testing 20,000 megabits in the field) … the future is fast, and it’s about to get faster,” says Amalia O’Sullivan, Director of Product Management at Google Fiber. Broadband provider investing $50M for ultra fast internet in Durham, Orange counties A promise of “less lag” Why so much speed? Think metaverse – and beyond. “While 2 Gig answered the call for many gamers and power streamers,  5 Gig and 8 Gig are designed for even heavier internet users — creative professionals, people working in the cloud or with large data, households with large shared internet demands,” O’Sullivan explains in a blog post. “People who create and utilize large files need the ability to transfer them efficiently. For those who work on the cloud or in real time, like with financial transactions, it’s helpful to know there’s less lag between pushing send and making something happen. 5 Gig and 8 Gig can help these customers take on whatever they need online and be ready for whatever is coming next.” Prices are $150 a month for 8 gigabits and $125 a month for 5 gigabits. Current prices are $100 a month for 2 gigabit and $70 a month for one gigabit. Google Fiber also says there are no contracts required, no data caps, and no installation fees. Fiber network firm Brightspeed launches operations, plans to hire more workers

Scrubbing Your Oven With A Dishwasher Tablet Tops Best Cleaning Hacks List – Yahoo Entertainment https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/scrubbing-your-oven-with-a-dishwasher-tablet-tops-best-cleaning-hacks-list-yahoo-entertainment/ It’s time to re-think your cleaning methods. (Getty Images) Are you after some foolproof cleaning hacks? It seems you’re not alone, with Google searches for ‘cleaning tips’ up 200% this year. While none of us love taking the bins out or washing up, it has to be done, which is why we’re all keen to get the job done in a way that saves time and money, especially in the current climate. This helps to explain why the average household uses three ‘self-created’ cleaning hacks and spends an hour each week on social media searching for the most effective tips for housework, decorating and DIY, and gardening, according to Wilko-led research. But look no further, as the top 10 cleaning hacks have now been revealed by the brand, with the best advice collated from its in-house team, influencers and customers, ready to share with guests (and now you) as it hosted the world’s first cleaning festival this week. Read more: Woman shares time-saving life hack she uses when hanging out washing Cleaning doesn’t have to be a a mountainous task. (Getty Images) The number one tip is to use a dishwasher tablet to clean the oven. Alll you need to do is dampen the tablet and then give the inside of the oven a good scrub to gently but effectively de-grease and remove food stains. Remember to rinse the inside of the stove a couple times afterwards with a damp cloth. The next hack is to soak a paper towel in a little scented disinfectant and pop it underneath the black bin-liner bag at the bottom of the bin. This will keep it smelling fresher for longer, and while it might not make changing it enjoyable, it will definitely improve the experience. For all the parents out there, the third top hack is to make sure you shop for washable paint. This easy switch will allow you to get rid of any marks or scuffs from excitable play times with complete ease. Say goodbye to paint-stained walls. Read more: ‘GBBO’ viewers shocked by contestant’s unusual avo hack: Can you peel an avocado? Switch up the way you clean your oven. (Getty Images) Completing the top five hacks, Wilko also advises washing salad drawers in the dishwasher and using a cotton but to tackle trapped dirt or dust in the rubber seal, as well as lining them with kitchen paper to throw away leftover veggies or food debris with ease (if you’ve missed your chance to use them for something else, that is). Other hacks on the list (found below) include creative tips to clean the carpet, transform washing up and save money in multiple ways. “Everyone loves finding a new way to tackle a job around the house; be it a way to make it more fun, simpler to sort or more affordable, and I really enjoyed sharing my own advice with guests as well as getting some inspiration for new tips and tricks,” Lynsey Crombie, The Queen of Clean, said at the festival. Read more: How to stop arguing about the heating and keep your home warm this winter Lynsey Crombie, Queen of Clean, at the wilko ‘Clean Fest’ in Leeds, 12 October. (wilko) Here is the full list compiled by Wilko, ready for you to get stuck into today (if you can face it….): Top 10 cleaning hacks Use a dishwasher tablet to clean the oven. Simply dampen the tablet, then scrub the oven interior for a gently abrasive clean that gets rid of grease and food stains. Don’t forget to rinse the inside of the stove a few times afterwards with a damp cloth Soak a paper towel in scented disinfectant to keep bin fresher. Just pop it beneath the black bag at the bottom of the bin Shop for washable paint if you have kids. It means getting rid of any marks or scuffs from boisterous play will be a doddle Make light work of keeping the fridge clean. Wash salad drawers in the dishwasher and use a cotton bud to lift any dirt or dust that’s trapped in the rubber seal Line the salad drawers with kitchen paper. This is so it’s easy to dispose of any inedible vegetable debris and save you scooping out that gunk After hoovering, slip on a rubber glove and wipe it along the carpet. This will quickly pick up any remaining hair (although a specific pet hair cleaner or dustpan and brush with rubber bristles is much more effective for a deep clean) For smaller patches of damp, use moisture absorbers. This is as an alternative to dehumidifiers, which can be expensive to run. Using damp seal can also help to effectively disguise any patches of discolouration ahead of decorating with paper or fresh paint Keep central heating working at its best and save money on energy bills. You just need to remember to bleed radiators at least twice a year using a key Wash dishes heavy in starch or dairy in cold water. Soak something that’s had a shepherd’s pie, for example, this way rather than in hot water as you would for other dishes. The cool water reacts with the ingredients to better lift them from the cooking equipment Add a drop of laundry disinfectant if washing clothes at a lower temperature or on a cold wash. This will help you make an energy bill saving, as the liquid will kill germs without the need to switch to an option that’s set at 30 degrees or more Watch: Make the most of an old toothbrush with these cleaning hacks

This Week In Crypto News: Inflation Slows, SushiSwap Horseplay & LUNA – BeInCrypto https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/this-week-in-crypto-news-inflation-slows-sushiswap-horseplay-luna-beincrypto/ Checking if the site connection is secure beincrypto.com needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.

Stocks Give Up Early Gain And Slide On Friday As Market Volatility Continues – CNBC https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/stocks-give-up-early-gain-and-slide-on-friday-as-market-volatility-continues-cnbc/ Inflation expectations rise among consumers The University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment report showed one-year inflation expectations rose to 5.1% from a previous reading of 4.7%. “Last month, long run inflation expectations fell below the narrow 2.9-3.1% range for the first time since July 2021, but since then expectations have returned to that range at 2.9%. After 3 months of expecting minimal increases in gas prices in the year ahead, both short and longer run expectations rebounded in October,” Surveys of Consumers director Joanne Hsu wrote. The overall consumer sentiment index rose slightly to 59.8 from 58.6 in September. However, the index of consumer expectations fell to 56.2 from 58. — Fred Imbert Stocks rise Friday, look to continue Thursday’s historic rebound Stocks opened higher Friday as the market looked to build on Thursday’s historic rebound rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 215 points, or 0.72%. The S&P 500 gained 0.63%, and the Nasdaq Composite ticked up 0.87%. The Nasdaq led gains, with the consumer staples sector outperforming. —Carmen Reinicke Citigroup shares rise despite profit decline Shares of Citigroup ticked up 1% in premarket trading after the bank’s third-quarter revenue topped analyst expectations. Profits, however, fell 25% year over year as Citigroup bulked up its credit loss provisions. It is unclear if Citi’s earnings per share of $1.63 was comparable to analyst estimates. The bank continued its restructuring under CEO Jane Fraser, with a gain on the sale of its Philippines consumer business a primary driver of revenue growth. Personal banking revenue also climbed 10% year over year. — Jesse Pound Stock futures rise ahead of market open Stock futures rose ahead of the market open Friday, after wavering on mixed bank earnings results. The move higher looks to continue a historic rebound rally that took place in markets Thursday. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 314 points, or 1.05%. S&P 500 futures gained 1.10%, and Nasdaq 100 futures ticked up 1.20%. —Carmen Reinicke Retail sales flat in September Retail sales in September were flat after ticking up 0.4% in August, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Friday. On the year, retail sales were up 8.2%. Stripping out the price of automobiles, the measure of consumer spending rose 0.1% in September, its first increase since June. “Bottom line, the strength in the US dollar is helping to keep import prices more subdued and as seen in yesterday’s CPI figure, the rate of price increase in core goods continues to moderate,” said Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Financial Group. “Yesterday’s figure was the lowest since May 2021. So, the inflation debate from here is how much quicker does this slow and how much is it offset by the continued acceleration in services prices, mostly led by rents.” —Carmen Reinicke Kwasi Kwarteng fired as U.K.’s finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked as the United Kingdom’s finance minister on Friday after just six weeks in the role. “The economic environment has changed rapidly since we set out the Growth Plan on 23 September,” he wrote in his resignation letter, confirming that Prime Minister Liz Truss asked him to step down. “In response, together with the Bank of England and excellent officials at the Treasury we have responded to those events, and I commend my officials for their dedication.” The announcement came as Kwarteng made an early exit from the International Monetary Fund’s meetings held in Washington. Kwarteng has been criticized in recent weeks for his controversial mini-budget, which included a slew of unfunded tax cuts that rattled markets and pushed the British pound to hit a record low. It also sparked a sell-off of long-dated government bonds that forced the Bank of England to intervene with an emergency bond-buying plan to prevent pension funds from collapsing. The pound last traded down more than 1% against the dollar at $1.12 following news of the firing. — Elliot Smith, Samantha Subin Higher interest rates smack Wells Fargo mortgage business Wells Fargo said its home lending revenue fell 52% in the third quarter as the pace of mortgage originations slowed. Home lending originations were down 59% from the year-ago period to $21.5 billion. The Federal Reserve has been hiking interest rates in a bid to tame stubbornly high inflation. The effort has pushed the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate to a 20-year high of 6.92% — more than doubling in the past year. Wells Fargo is the most mortgage-dependent of the six biggest banks. The company’s stock was up more than 1% in premarket trading after its third-quarter results. —Christina Cheddar Berk, Yun Li Near-term pain to remain for investors, Subramanian says Though today’s bear market represents attractive opportunities for long-term investors, there will likely be more pain ahead, according to Savita Subramanian, equity strategist at Bank of America. “While the S&P 500 fell below our year-end target of 3600, we continue to expect volatility in the market,” she wrote in a Friday note. “Our bull market signposts continue to suggest that the market hasn’t yet bottomed, with only 20% triggered today vs. 80%+ before prior market bottoms.” At the same time, there is hope in the long-term. The Bank of America long-term valuation model is forecasting 6% annual price returns for the next decade, the highest since May 2020. With 2% dividends, this implies roughly 8% in total returns. In the meantime, Subramanian recommends high quality stocks with strong free cash flow. —Carmen Reinicke JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo rise after earnings Shares of JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo rose in the premarket after the banking giants posted their latest quarterly figures. JPMorgan Chase earned $3.36 per share on revenue of $33.49 billion, topping a Refinitiv forecast of $2.88 per share. The company’s revenue was above an estimate of $32.1 billion. Read more here. Wells Fargo, meanwhile, posted third-quarter revenue of $19.51 billion, beating a forecast of $18.78 billion. Read more here. JPMorgan traded more than 2% higher in the premarket, while Wells Fargo rose 1.6%. — Fred Imbert S&P 500’s Thursday reversal a signal of what’s to come The S&P 500 staged a major rebound along with the Dow and Nasdaq on Thursday, surging more than 2% after being down more than 2% at intraday lows. At the close, the index had jumped more than 5% from lows of the day. That’s a clue for how markets will trade going forward. A similar pattern was seen in the S&P 500 in March 2009, December 2018 and March 2020, all dates that represented lows before rallies out of a bear market, according to Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group. It also signals how the index may trade today. In its own analysis, Bespoke Group points out that Thursday’s rally was just the fifth time since 1993 that the index has posted a turnaround of such magnitude. The next day, the S&P 500 fell three out of four times. But, for the next week and month, the index was up all four times. —Carmen Reinicke UnitedHealth earnings and revenue beat, shares rise Shares of UnitedHealth rose nearly 1% in the premarket after the health insurance giant posted earnings and revenue that beat expectations. UnitedHealth earned $5.79 per share on revenue of $80.89 billion. Analysts expected earnings of $5.42 per share on revenue of $80.5 billion. — Fred Imbert European markets rise on UK fiscal U-turn hopes European markets jumped on Friday as speculation abounded that the U.K. government could be about to U-turn on its controversial fiscal policies. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.8% in early trade, having more than halved its opening gains. Utilities added 2% while tech stocks were the only sector in the red, shedding 0.7%. U.K. Finance Minister Kwasi Kwarteng flew home early from the International Monetary Fund in Washington on Thursday night as ministers convened to address the nation’s economic chaos. – Elliot Smith U.S. unemployment will overshoot on continued rate hikes, economist With the Federal Reserve expected to undertake more aggressive interest rate hikes, unemployment in the U.S. will rise higher than forecast, RBC Capital Markets chief U.S. economist Tom Porcelli says. Porcelli expects three more 75 basis-point hikes and predicts the Fed will get to a terminal rate of 4.75%. “But I do not believe that, you know, putting three additional 75 basis point hikes in the system is going to sort of quell near term inflationary dynamics,” he said on CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia on Friday. “What it will do is raise the unemployment rate meaningfully higher than what they’re forecasting for next year, which is to say, 4.4%,” he said. “There’s no way you will have a 4.4% unemployment rate with a Fed that aggressive.” At 4.75%, unemployment would be at 5% which equates to about 2 million job losses, Porcelli adds. The current U.S. unemployment rate is 3.5%. — Su-Lin Tan China’s September consumer price index grows at fastest pace since April 2020 China’s September consumer price index grew annually at 2.8%, the fastest pace since April 2020, pushed higher by food costs. Food prices rose by 8.8% annually. The nation’s CPI rose by 0.3% in September from August, missing estimates of 0.4% in a Reuters poll. The producer price index for the month grew 0.9% compared to a year ago, also missing expectations of 1% that economists surveyed by Reuters predicted. — Jihye Lee CNBC Pro: Stocks in this key market are outperforming the S&P 500 — and it’s not where you might expect The S&P 500 has lost 25% of its value so far this year, but could still fall by “another easy 20%,” JPM...

Will Darth Vader Live Forever Because Of AI? – News @ Northeastern – Northeastern University https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/will-darth-vader-live-forever-because-of-ai-news-northeastern-northeastern-university/ Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images News @ Northeastern Homepage Will Darth Vader live forever because of AI? 0% “Luke, I am your father” are five of the most famous words ever spoken on screen. When Darth Vader shattered Luke Skywalker’s world in “The Empire Strikes Back,” he sent shivers down the spines of audiences everywhere—in large part because of actor James Earl Jones’ famous baritone. Now, Jones, 91, has announced he is hanging up the mask and retiring as the voice of one of the most infamous cinematic villains. But don’t despair: Although Jones will no longer record new lines for Star Wars projects, the character—and Jones’ voice—will live on thanks to artificial intelligence. As first reported by Vanity Fair, Respeecher, a Ukrainian voice synthesis company, will use a combination of archival recordings, voice acting and AI technology to continue bringing Darth Vader to the screen.  This is just the latest example of how vocal AI is making its way into Hollywood—and reshaping the industry in the process. Respeecher has already used this technology in the Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi to create a Darth Vader that was closer to the version of the character in the original Star Wars trilogy. And Sonantic, another voice synthesis company, recently worked to recreate Val Kilmer’s voice for an emotional moment in “Top Gun: Maverick.” As use of the technology has expanded, it has also raised questions about how AI will impact actors and their work, the entertainment industry and its reliance on well-known intellectual property—and our understanding of the human voice in general. Rupal Patel, professor of communication sciences and disorders at Northeastern. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University When it comes to Respeecher, concerns about humans vs. machines are a little more complicated. The company uses what is called a speech-to-speech approach, as opposed to text-to-speech. This technique involves layering a human actor’s voice performance to modulate an AI voice engine that has been trained on archival audio of a specific voice. In this case, the result is a voice that sounds like Jones’ Darth Vader but has the inflection and melody of a human voice actor.  “STS models don’t require a famous talent to generate the final audio, but they do require someone whose delivery can be used to ‘breathe’ life into the voice model,” says Rupal Patel, professor of communication sciences and disorders at Northeastern. Like Darth Vader, this approach is a melding of human and machine that sits somewhere in between. Contrary to concerns about automating the acting industry, Patel is optimistic the technology can be used as a new creative tool, not unlike autotune. “Just like autotune and touch ups didn’t remove the need for singers or makeup artists, I think speech synthesis—TTS and STS—will be powerful tools for creatives to entertain and bring us into new imaginary worlds,” Patel says. Outside of labor concerns, the technology also raises deeper ethical questions about what viewers can “trust” on screen, says Rébecca Kleinberger, assistant professor with a joint appointment in Northeastern’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the College of Art, Media and Design. Rébecca Kleinberger, assistant professor with a joint appointment in Northeastern’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the College of Art, Media and Design. Photo by Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University Can an AI trick viewers who have been listening to Jones’ voice for decades? That day is probably not far away, but despite rapid advancements in technology, there is still some element of the uncanny valley in these performances, Kleinberger says. “What you often are going to have when you use a synthesized voice or try to fool the brain or, in this specific case, try to make people think it’s the same person, you’re going to first create some slight uncanny feeling that something is not completely right,” Kleinberger says.  The strange mental disconnect is not always from the voice, she says. Kleinberger is quick to point out that Darth Vader was, from his very inception, a creative collaboration between Jones, sound designer Ben Burtt and David Prowse, the actor in the suit. The idea of disconnecting the voice and body behind Vader is not new, but filtering another actor’s vocal performance through an AI model could provide additional layers of disconnection between voice and physicality and the audience.  It also doesn’t help that the human brain is also very good at detecting details from voices, especially familiar ones. “From a fraction of a second, you can detect roughly the age, the gender, or at least the hormonal identity, of the person you talk to and their health level,” Kleinberger says. “Your brain actually detects some elements of their facial structure, the size of their nose. You detect a lot of elements of their emotion, their intent.” For a voice researcher like Kleinberger, an AI-voiced Darth Vader is a helpful way to broach broader philosophical questions about aspects of the voices we take for granted. Like the idea that the voice changes over time with age, with sickness, even with time of day. By taking ownership of this version of Jones’ voice, Disney is fixing it in time to create some level of consistency for the character.  “This litheness of voice, which also comes with the fact that it’s embodied, is really what makes a voice a voice,” Kleinberger says. “What does that mean to fix a voice in time? Well, it allows us to do a lot of things for entertainment businesses, but what does that mean for the actor who will continue to age or continue to have a voice?” Looming over all of these questions is the specter of deepfakes and other non-consensual uses of someone’s voice or likeness. The misuses of this technology are just as important as its potential uses, which is why groups like Northeastern’s AI Ethics Advisory Board are looking for ways to chart a more responsible future for AI. “I believe that all new technology faces these issues and that rather than cast a shadow over it, we need to spark the dialogue about the ethics and work with industry leaders, consortiums, and all stakeholders to educate, understand and formulate a path forward that leverages the technology without compromising our shared values and humanity,” Patel says. With more Hollywood studios using vocal AI, Kleinberger is also hopeful that cases like this can inspire the general public to talk about the value of the human voice, something that is often taken for granted. “I’m glad that this brings some discussion around the voice that makes people aware of what they actually possess when they have a voice and what we’re actually giving up or letting go of when we talk to Alexa or when we talk to all those systems that record our voice 24/7,” Kleinberger says. “Maybe if that makes us aware of what IP, and the value, we have by each having a voice, that might be a silver lining.” For media inquiries, please contact media@northeastern.edu.

School Board Awards Bids For New Lighting And Bleachers At DCHS Football Stadium (View Video Here) – Wjle.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/school-board-awards-bids-for-new-lighting-and-bleachers-at-dchs-football-stadium-view-video-here-wjle-com/ October 14, 2022 By: Dwayne Page New lighting and bleachers will be in place at the DeKalb County High School Football stadium within the next few months. During the regular monthly meeting Thursday night, the Board of Education voted to purchase LED lights and poles from Musco Sports Lighting based in Cincinnati, Ohio at a bid price of $151, 951. Installation will be done by the school district’s maintenance crew. The existing six poles and lights will be replaced with four poles and a total of 28 brighter LED lights (seven lights per pole). A show light entertainment package is included with a control and monitoring cabinet and touch screen for onsite theatrical light show effects. The new lights are expected to be in place by graduation next May. The board also awarded a bid to Toadvine Enterprises based in Fisherville, Kentucky in the amount of $477,123 for the purchase and installation of new aluminum handicapped accessible bleachers with a section of VIP seating at the DCHS football field which includes the relocation of a portion of the existing bleachers to the high school soccer field and to make them handicapped accessible. The new bleachers are to be in place by the start of the football season next year. Currently the total stadium seating capacity is 994 including over 600 on the home side and the rest on the visitor side of the field. With the new bleachers, the stadium home seating capacity would more than double to over 1,300 stretching almost the length of the field. There would be no bleacher seating expansion on the visitor side. The benches will also be powder coated providing opportunities to display school colors. A concrete base will be put down to support the new set of bleachers. Bid specifications for the new bleachers include the following: elevated 15/5 row x 218 feet long; total seats 1,305; fully closed shot blasted slip and stain resistant walk surfaces; powder coated riser boards in school colors; powder coated riser closure below front walkway in school colors; (14) ADA notches; 40 inch elevation at walkway; (3) entry stairs; (1) ADA ramp; 8 inch rise x 24 inch spacing at bench seats and right and left sections; 5 rows x 69 feet long VIP section; 10 inch rise x 33-5/8 inch at VIP rows; VIP colosseum vented chairback seats. In other business, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps gave his monthly report on personnel. Those employed since last month are Jennifer Adcock, Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School, Katie Denton, Educational Assistant at DeKalb Middle School, Tavia Gilbert, Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School, and Tanya Howard will replace Dean Broadhead at Smithville Elementary School. Dean Broadhead has been transferred to an Educational Assistant position at DCHS. Employees granted a leave of absence as requested are Suzanne Gash, Tina Gash, Emily Harville, Janda Hendrixson, Danielle Horton, Shelia McMillen, Carol-Ann Tripp, Mary-Margaret Tripp, Celia Whaley, and Elizabeth Wright. Kenderly Cripps has resigned as bookkeeper at the central office and Ethan VanHook has resigned as an educational assistant at DeKalb Middle School. The school board meeting began with a moment of silence for the family of Eli Harvey, a 4-year-old DeKalb West School Pre-K student who died after a tragic accident on his family’s property earlier this week. Board member Danny Parkerson asked that the board consider recognizing the child and his family and others in the future who die while still enrolled in the school system. Director Cripps agreed adding that the child will be remembered as part of his graduation class when that time comes years from now. Director Cripps asked the community to keep in prayer the Harvey family as well as the DeKalb West School family who are going through a difficult time with the loss of Eli. Director Cripps also recognized a Northside Elementary School student, Ace Tarpley who was featured in a story on NewsChannel 5 recently. Tarpley will be part of an upcoming Murfreesboro production of “Peter Pan,” a play that gives children with disabilities a chance to shine on stage. Ace has spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The play will be presented in January at the Murfreesboro Mills-Pate Arts Center. The board also authorized an application for an Innovative School Models Grant to provide four-year funding for the high school, middle school, and the west school to boost opportunities for career readiness and student success. The “Innovative School Models” grant opportunity expands on the state department’s initial ESSER investment of $30 million with an additional $500 million investment of state funds designed to eliminate structural barriers that exist between middle and high school, workforce, and post-secondary opportunities. These models allow students the ability to seamlessly make connections earlier and graduate high school prepared to successfully complete a post-secondary credential or excel in a career pathway of their choice.

Q&A: What Does Sunwing Mean By “More, More, More?” CMO Samantha Taylor Explains – PAX News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/qa-what-does-sunwing-mean-by-more-more-more-cmo-samantha-taylor-explains-pax-news/ More value, more experiences. That’s the message behind a new creative campaign Sunwing launched on Thursday (Oct. 13) entitled “More, More, More,” which hones in on what customers “really want” from their all-inclusive getaways. The vibrant commercial, reflective of the carefree vibe of the 1970s (and appropriately set to the 1976 disco hit “More, More, More” by Andrea True Connection), aims to show how Canadians can “do more, explore more and celebrate more in destination.” While Sunwing has always maintained an element of fun in its marketing, the ad spot represents a reimagining of the tour operator’s value proposition and brand persona as it responds to a changed marketplace shaped by eliminated COVID-19 border measures and travel-ready Canadians. “With so much change over the past two years, it was important for us to listen to our customers and find out what matters most to them as we prepared for our winter season,” Samantha Taylor, chief marketing officer at Sunwing Travel Group, said yesterday. READ MORE: Sunwing’s catchy new ad promotes “More, More, More” value, experiences The new campaign launches almost one month after Sunwing announced à la carte airline pricing aimed at reducing costs for customers by ensuring they pay only for services they want and need. What does Sunwing mean, exactly, by offering customers More, More, More? PAX followed up with Taylor to get all the answers. PAX: What’s driving the market’s desire to “get more” from an all-inclusive vacation?  Samantha Taylor (ST): Coming out of the past two-plus years, there’s a strong desire among Canadians to maximize their time on vacation, and soak up as much of the destination as possible. This includes doing more, experiencing more and celebrating more – the perfect recipe for a truly unforgettable vacation experience, and we’re proud to be able to overdeliver on that at Sunwing. PAX: Sunwing’s new campaign emphasizes value. What does this say about the direction Sunwing is going? How does Sunwing define the word “value.”  ST: Value is not just about price – it’s about price and MORE. We are already well known for offering accessibly priced all-inclusive vacations and that will not change. But value also goes beyond price – it’s about the experience you get when you travel with Sunwing, and the excitement and energy that comes with doing more on your hard-earned getaway. Sunwing offers over 700 top-rated hotels and resorts down south, along with more than 100 top-ranked excursions across 30-plus destinations. When customers travel with us, they are getting more at every step. PAX: The cost of travel is going up. How is Sunwing tackling this issue and staying competitive?  ST: Offering more affordable travel has always been in our DNA and that will not change. Although inflation is a growing concern for Canadians, it has only served to reinforce that our value proposition is very important. Canadians want value, and that includes not only price but opportunities to do more, experience more and celebrate more in destination. PAX: On promising more value and experiences: is Sunwing changing the way its packages are built? Is the company introducing new products or services?  ST: We are continuously innovating to provide customers with greater value and experiences. Our new positioning is all about helping Canadians save on upfront costs so they can really unlock the most value while in destination. With that in mind, we are always looking for ways to evolve our products and services to better serve our customers and this includes looking at ways to offer more Sunwing-exclusive perks with our partner resorts, from discounts on spa packages to room upgrades, special offers for weddings and groups, and more! PAX: In comparing 2019 to now, what’s changed about the way sun vacations are marketed and sold? ST: After a difficult few years, Canadians are craving experiences more than ever before. They want to have fun, enjoy life and soak up as much as they can while on vacation, from trying out different excursions to taking advantage of room upgrades, indulging in spa treatments – and more. PAX: What’s your advice to travel advisors as the winter season rolls in?  ST: Demand for travel is surging, and we are already seeing capacity increase by more than 140 per cent over last year. We value our relationships with travel advisors and know that our mutual customers rely on them for information on the best deals, resorts and destination tips. With demand for winter travel continuing to increase, we encourage travel advisors to help customers book their upcoming vacations in advance so they can unlock the most value on their next Sunwing vacation. Don’t miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.

LIVE: In Gyanvapi Case, Varanasi Court Rejects Hindu Side’s Plea – Hindustan Times https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/live-in-gyanvapi-case-varanasi-court-rejects-hindu-sides-plea-hindustan-times/ Live Updated on Oct 14, 2022 05:41 PM IST Breaking news October 14, 2022, live updates: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Welcome to hindustantimes.com updates platform where you can find breaking news from India and across the world. Find fast updates about the latest news as it breaks. Follow all the updates here: Oct 14, 2022 05:41 PM IST UK finance minister Kwarteng resigns Britain’s finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng said on Friday that he had resigned after Prime Minister Liz Truss asked him to stand aside. Oct 14, 2022 05:21 PM IST Maharashtra: Thunderstorm with lightning, moderate spells of rain with gusty winds likely to occur at isolated places As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), thunderstorm with lightning and moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph is very likely to occur at isolated places in Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Hingoli, Latur, Nasik, Aurangabad during next 3-4 hours. Oct 14, 2022 04:55 PM IST India successfully test-fires submarine-launched ballistic missile from INS Arihant India on Friday successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from INS Arihant. Oct 14, 2022 02:55 PM IST Gyanvapi row: Varanasi court rejects plea seeking carbon-dating of ‘Shivling’ in mosque complex The Varanasi court on Friday rejected the demand for carbon dating of a “Shivling”, claimed to be found on the Gyanvapi mosque premises. Oct 14, 2022 01:56 PM IST Fifth Vande Bharat train to start ops from Nov 10 The fifth Vande Bharat train will begin operations from November 10 between Chennai- Bengaluru- Mysore. Oct 14, 2022 01:24 PM IST Centre defends electoral bonds scheme, SC to hear case in detail on Dec 6 Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that electoral bond is an absolutely transparent mode of political funding in wake of a series of petitions filed against it. The next hearing is on December 6 when the apex court will hear the case in detail. Oct 14, 2022 01:07 PM IST CJI dismisses request for urgent hearing on ‘freebies’ promised by parties during poll campaigns The CJI on Friday quashed a request for urgent hearing before it on a plea against “freebies” promised by political parties during poll campaigns. The advocate said that as poll schedule for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will soon be announced, parties have already begun making such promises. But the CJI asked the advocate to send the files to his chamber. Oct 14, 2022 12:09 PM IST Annual rate of inflation on WPI eases to 10.7% in Sept against 12.41% in August: Govt Annual rate of inflation based on all India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) eases to 10.7 per cent for September 2022 against 12.41 per cent recorded in August 2022, government said on Friday. Oct 14, 2022 11:28 AM IST Centre upgrades Assam CM’s security cover from Z-category in NE region to Z+ on all-India basis Centre upgrades Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s security cover from Z-category in the north-eastern region to Z+ on an all-India basis. Read more. Oct 14, 2022 11:07 AM IST Bombay HC acquits ex-DU professor in Maoist links case Bombay high court on Friday acquitted former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba in alleged Maoist links case. It allowed his appeal against conviction and life sentence. The Nagpur bench of the high court heard his case. Read more. Oct 14, 2022 10:34 AM IST ECI to hold press briefing at 3pm today, will announce poll schedule of Guj, Himachal polls The Election Commission of India (ECI) is scheduled to hold a press meet at 3pm today, where it will announce the schedule of assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Oct 14, 2022 09:30 AM IST BSF guns down drone at India-Pak border in Amritsar, The BSF personnel on Friday shot down a drone that entered the Indian territory near the Ramsas village in Amritsar, Punjab. Following the incident, which happened at around 4pm, the personnel found a rope attached to the drone. The area is being searched by a heavy BSF and Punjab Police forces under the DIG’s investigation. Read more. Oct 14, 2022 09:02 AM IST India’s Covid tally sees slight dip with 2,678 new infections India on Friday logged as many as 2,678 new Covid-19 cases, a marginal dip from 2,786 the day before, the health ministry’s morning bulletin revealed. The active case count now stands at 26,583, accounting for 0.06 per cent of the cumulative tally of 44,623,997. Oct 14, 2022 08:03 AM IST Delhi Police gets bomb call on Moscow-Delhi flight, probe on after aircraft lands safely & everyone deboarded Delhi Police on Friday said that a call about a bomb on a flight coming to the capital from Moscow was received last night. They added that the flight landed in Delhi at around 3.20am, after which all passengers and crew members were deboarded safely and now the aircraft is being checked and a probe into the matter is underway, ANI reported. Read more. Oct 14, 2022 07:05 AM IST Earthquake of 4.8 magnitude hits Chhattisgarh region early Friday An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 happened today at around 5.28 am 65km WNW of Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh, the National Center for Seismology said. “The depth of the earthquake was 10km below the ground,” it added. Oct 14, 2022 05:52 AM IST Elon Musk probed by US authorities over his Twitter buyout deal Tesla CEO Elon Musk is under a federal investigation by United States authorities over his $44 billion buyout deal of social media giant Twitter, the company said in a court filing made public on Thursday. Twitter said it had requested Musk’s advocates for months to produce their communications with federal authorities, but they had not complied, and so they asked a Delaware judge to order the attorneys to provide the documents. Read more. Subscribe to our best newsletters HT This Day: October 16, 1946 — Goering cheats the gallows Published on Oct 14, 2022 04:55 PM IST “Hermann Wilhelm Goering took his life at 10-45 p.m. (local time) on October 15, 1946. The Minister President of Bavaria, Dr Wilhelm Hoogner, and the Chief Prosecutor of Nuremberg, Dr Friedrich Leisner, attended in their official capacities as witnesses for the German people and viewed the corpse of Hermann Goering.” HT This Day: October 16, 1946 — Goering cheats the gallows Kerala: Speeding train kills wild elephant in Palakkad Published on Oct 14, 2022 04:38 PM IST The deceased jumbo was around 20 years old, forest officials said, adding that they searched nearby areas to find out whether more elephants were injured Himachal polls 2022: Covid not much of a concern, EC recommends 5-fold strategy Updated on Oct 14, 2022 04:48 PM IST The assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh will be held on November 12 and the results will be declared on December 8. Himachal Pradesh elections on November 12, results on December 8: EC Updated on Oct 14, 2022 04:16 PM IST Himachal Pradesh has 68 assembly constituencies, with 17 reserved for Scheduled Castes and three for Scheduled Tribes Fifth Vande Bharat Express to commence operations from November Updated on Oct 14, 2022 03:08 PM IST The train starting from Chennai to Mysore via Bengaluru will leave the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) for a trial run on November 5 Gyanvapi row: Varanasi court rejects plea seeking carbon-dating on ‘Shivling’ Updated on Oct 14, 2022 05:19 PM IST Gyanvapi mosque row: The court has held several hearings on the matter. Catch the screening of new Italian movies in these Indian cities till October 15 Published on Oct 14, 2022 02:32 PM IST ‘Italian Screens – New Italian cinema in India’ is screening six films nominated for the David di Donatello, an award instituted by the Academy of Italian Cinema in 1955 to honour the best Italian and foreign films released each year, at theatres in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata from October 12-15 Story Saved New Delhi 0C Friday, October 14, 2022

Kelly Gale In Bathing Suit Is “Drop Dead Gorgeous” — Celebwell – Celebwell https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/kelly-gale-in-bathing-suit-is-drop-dead-gorgeous-celebwell-celebwell/ Presley Ann/Getty Images Kelly Gale is an extremely successful model, and frequently espouses the benefits of healthy living. Her Instagram account is full of swimsuit photos and stylish photoshoots. Gale just shared highlights this week. In the photos, Gale posed in a magenta strapless bathing suit by the pool. She also enjoyed a coconut in the photos, and captioned the post with a coconut emoji. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Kelly Gale stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don’t miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos! Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Gale has amazing abs, and she makes sure to work them out regularly. She shared her go-to ab workout on Instagram. Gale does four different ab circuits each day, for eight minutes. “8 min ab workout. 4 exercises. 30 seconds each. Repeat 4 sets.” Gale’s ab exercises include single leg crunches on each side, leg raise crunches, and raised leg crunches.  Gale revealed some of her fitness and health secrets to W Magazine. She says that she enjoys working out, which helps her stay in shape. “I think a lot of people assume that fitness only means going to the gym, but to me it’s always been about finding anything active that I enjoy, and finding the balance with having fun,” Gale explained. “I’m very lucky because fitness has also ended up being a huge part of my work, which I think of as a great luxury to have something I’m so passionate about organically integrated into my professional life. Having that love for wellness makes staying dedicated far easier as well, everything is harder when we view it as an obligation rather than a pleasure.” Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images Gale makes sure to workout on a regular basis. She revealed some of her favorite exercises to stay in shape to W Magazine. Gale says that she does a lot of different things. “Usually on my days off, and sometimes before going to set – I end up heading to pilates, boxing or jump rope,” she says. “When that gets boring, I go rock climbing with friends or find some other activity we can tackle.” In addition to working out, Gale also pays attention to her diet. She tells W Magazine that she eats healthy, and enjoys clean and organic food better. “I think it also takes a while to get used to healthier foods if you’re used to eating crap, or if you have been brought up eating a certain kind of way. To me, almost everything clean and healthy taste good and you can always play around and make it taste even better.” Gale tells W Magazine that she has completely removed some things from her diet, and cites a specific ingredient. “I also have a hard rule against eating any cane sugar,” Gale revealed. “My mom is a doctor and cancer researcher, and has spoken to me too many times about the harm sugar has on one’s health for me to not completely cut it out. My diet generally consists of fresh, organic produce (all veggies, nuts, seafood, occasional.)” Anna Bechtel Anna Bechtel is a freelance writer currently based in Hamden, CT. Read more