Denton County News Online

Vivo Polishing Continuous Optical Zoom Technology | SPARROWS NEWS – Sparrows News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/vivo-polishing-continuous-optical-zoom-technology-sparrows-news-sparrows-news/ Vivo Continuous Optical Zoom Technology The Weibo blogger Digital Chat Station revealed that domestic cell phone brands are following up on continuous optical zoom technology. Vivo is progressing at the fastest pace and may become the first domestic cell phone brand to commercialize continuous optical zoom technology. At last year’s OPPO future image technology conference, OPPO released a continuous optical zoom technology. This optical zoom is achieved by adjusting the distance of the lens within the periscope lens, as a way to achieve the equivalent of 85mm-200mm focal length of continuous zoom. Oppo Retractable Camera Phone Demo This is almost 3x~7x continuous zoom, which is just like the telephoto lens of a DSLR camera. The advantage of this optical zoom is that no matter how you zoom in, it can still maintain the same level and color accuracy. After all, it is a lens internal optical zoom shot, there is certainly no different. After OPPO, Sony successfully commercialized the continuous optical zoom technology in mass production, the first model is Xperia 1 Mark 4. It is worth noting that Sony is not as aggressive as OPPO, and the continuous optical zoom focal length of the Xperia 1 IV only achieves full coverage from 85mm to 125mm. Correspondingly, there is a lossless magnification between 3x and 5x. Compared with the traditional digital zoom, the sample pictures taken by the continuous optical zoom are still very clear. Now Vivo is also following up the continuous optical zoom technology, and from the blogger, and digital chat station breaking news, Vivo’s progress is quite fast, it is likely to become the first domestic cell phone commercial use of the technology brand, worth looking forward to. Source

Granite Bears, Runnin’ Patriots Take Part In Millennium Meet – Mount Airy News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/granite-bears-runnin-patriots-take-part-in-millennium-meet-mount-airy-news/ Mount Airy’s Caden Ratcliff, left, and Surry Homeschool’s Lindsay Easter are seen competing in the Millennium Charter cross country meet at Fisher River Park. Cory Smith | The News DOBSON — Well over 100 runners from 23 schools competed in the second Millennium Charter Academy Cross Country Meet on Sept. 8. Eighty high school-aged boys and fifty girls competed in 5,000-meter runs on Thursday. Public, private and home schools ranging from Independence, Va., to Jamestown, N.C. competed in the meet. Elkin, Mount Airy, Surry Homeschool and White Plains Christian School represented Surry County in the meet. Other local schools competing included East Wilkes, Starmount, South Stokes and North Stokes. Though Millennium Charter hosted the event, the Lions did not have any competitors in the high school races. The boys ran first and Oak Hill Academy (Va.) came away with the team victory. Among schools with at least five boys competing, Oak Hill had finishes in the Nos. 3, 6, 8, 10 and 14 spots for a total of 41 points. Forsyth Home Educators finished second with 56 points, Elkin was third with 57 points and Surry Home Educators finished fourth with 127 points. Elkin’s Connor Ball had the highest finish of any local competitor, taking third place with a time of 18:32.61. Mount Airy junior Caden Ratcliff wasn’t far behind at fourth with a 5K time of 18:49.33. Of the 80 runners in the boys race, only five finished in less than 19 minutes and only seven finished in less than 20 minutes. Mount Airy freshman Freddy Hernandez also beat the 20-minute mark with a seventh-place finish at 19:49.41. Wheatmore’s Zach Hazelwood won the race with a time of 18:05.71, followed by High Point Christian’s Cole Johnson in second 18:19.08. Results for local competitors in the boys race are listed below. Results are listed by finish, name, grade, school and then time. 3 Connor Ball 12 Elkin 18:32.61 4 Caden Ratcliff 11 Mount Airy 18:49.33 7 Freddy Hernandez 9 Mount Airy 19:49.41 8 Luke Altemueller 9 Elkin 20:23.54 10 Kirk Cleary 12 Starmount 20:44.22 13 Mason Day 9 Elkin 20:56.77 15 Nathan Luther 9 Surry Home E 21:00.45 21 Connor Allen 12 Elkin 21:48.16 22 Ware Viers 10 Mount Airy 21:54.04 23 Steven Hendrickson 11 Surry Home E 21:59.86 25 Carson White 12 South Stokes 22:05.13 28 Landon Sale 11 East Wilkes 22:17.74 30 Praden Hatley 9 East Wilkes 22:29.94 32 Joshua Rice 11 South Stokes 22:43.31 33 Taylor Thornton 11 South Stokes 22:57.79 34 Lucas Lankford 9 North Stokes 23:06.08 36 Andrew Hawks 12 White Plains 23:19.20 39 Rowan Robinson 9 Elkin 23:56.64 40 William Tilley 11 South Stokes 24:22.94 44 Alan Lopez 12 East Wilkes 25:02.60 47 Nathan Hawks 10 White Plains 25:20.75 48 Alex Leiva 10 Mount Airy 25:23.02 49 Sam Steinbruegge 9 Surry Home E 25:29.69 51 Isaac Richland 9 Surry Home E 25:37.97 52 James Hill 11 White Plains 25:41.17 54 Lucas Sparks 9 Elkin 26:17.39 59 Hayden Tate 9 Elkin 26:46.39 60 Noah Richland 9 Surry Home E 27:13.24 63 Caleb Luther 11 Surry Home E 27:54.59 64 Charles Shaffer 9 South Stokes 27:56.59 65 Daniel Bunke 10 Surry Home E 28:06.89 68 Landen Wright 12 Starmount 28:23.24 79 Jordan Kahn 10 North Stokes 31:52.87 80 Michah Purdue 10 White Plains 31:55.20 Forsyth Home Educators won the girls team competition with 47 points. South Stokes was second with 66, followed by Wheatmore at 99 at Mount Airy at 103. Forsyth also had a runner take the top spot. Senior Sami Portman was the only runner to finish in less than 22 minutes by crossing the finish line at 21:54.85. A pair of Surry County runners rounded out the podium. Mount Airy freshman Brooke Haynes finished second at 22:49.29, and Elkin junior Ragan Speer finished third at 23:06.40. Only nine girls finished before the 25-minute mark. In addition to Haynes and Speer, there were three other local girls to meet this standard: South Stokes’ Hayley Fultz at 24:12.22, Mount Airy’s Emilee Corn at 24:13.06, and Surry Homeschool’s Lindsay Easter at 24:44.39. Results for local competitors in the girls race are listed below. Results are listed by finish, name, grade, school and then time. 2 Brooke Haynes 9 Mount Airy 22:49.29 3 Ragan Speer 11 Elkin 23:06.40 6 Hayley Fultz 10 South Stokes 24:12.22 7 Emilee Corn 10 Mount Airy 24:13.06 9 Lindsay Easter 9 Surry Home E 24:44.39 10 Abby Hatley 10 East Wilkes 25:02.12 11 Annika Bell 12 East Wilkes 25:09.82 14 Rebekah Amos South Stokes 25:51.69 16 Kera Simmons 12 South Stokes 25:58.60 19 Savannah Wilson 10 South Stokes 27:06.14 22 Alyssa Davis 10 Elkin 27:16.74 23 Olivia Amos South Stokes 28:08.92 30 Lydia Jarrard 12 Surry Home E 29:10.72 31 Ali Arnder 11 Mount Airy 29:26.13 39 Chloe Andrews 10 East Wilkes 31:19.98 40 Grace Harrison 12 Elkin 31:47.63 41 Carlie Utt 11 Mount Airy 31:52.25 44 Hannah Khuri 11 Mount Airy 32:26.63 46 Maddie Gambill 9 Surry Home E 32:49.80 48 Dani Rodriguez 10 Elkin 35:40.29 49 Bella Teague 9 Elkin 35:44.66 50 Alie Gullion 10 Surry Home E 35:56.08

Disney & Pixar Release New Movie Trailers For Upcoming Films – The DIS https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/disney-pixar-release-new-movie-trailers-for-upcoming-films-the-dis/ During the Disney and Pixar panel at the D23 Expo, attendees were shown new movie trailers and/or film posters for Hocus Pocus 2, Disenchanted, Peter Pan and Wendy – coming in 2023, Haunted Mansion, Mufasa (a live-action prequel to The Lion King) – coming in 2024, Beauty and the Beast – A 50th Celebration, Snow White (live-action) – coming in 2024, and The Little Mermaid (live-action). Not all of the movie trailers shown to the guests in the panel are publicly available, but we’ve shared the ones below that are. This Halloween Season, some legends never die. Hocus Pocus 2, an Original movie event, streaming September 30 on Disney Plus. Walt Disney Studios Jackie Gailey Senior Editor for The DIS and DCL Fan | Disney Vacation Club Member | Thrilled to have been a ’13/’14 Disney Parks Moms Panelist (now planDisney) | Lover of all things Disney; the Magic of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line | ºoº RELATED POSTS: Tiana’s Place Restaurant and Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets coming to Disneyland Disney Parks and Experiences Wonderful World of Dreams Pavilion Features Toontown and Journey of Water D23 Set to Reveal New Walt Disney Statue for EPCOT and A Preview of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Marvel Panel Lineup Announced for 2022 D23 Expo

Dutch Queen Learns About Flood Control During Houston Visit – 69News WFMZ-TV https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/dutch-queen-learns-about-flood-control-during-houston-visit-69news-wfmz-tv/ HOUSTON (AP) — A visit to Houston on Friday by the Dutch queen highlighted a long friendship between Texas and the Netherlands that grew from their fight against a mutual enemy: flooding. While meeting with Houston’s mayor, Queen Maxima learned how the Netherlands has worked with local officials on efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding following the deadly destruction that Hurricane Harvey wreaked on the city in 2017. Harvey dumped more than 50 inches (127 centimeters) of rain on parts of the Houston area. The storm caused $125 billion in damage in Texas. The queen also met with state and federal officials and heard about how Dutch engineers and academics have been helping Texas in the development of what could be the largest storm surge barrier in the world. The coastal barrier system in nearby Galveston, which has been in discussion since Hurricane Ike in 2008 battered the Texas Gulf Coast, was inspired by structures in the Netherlands. Queen Maxima, who also visited the San Francisco Bay Area and Austin, Texas, this week, said she was impressed that the two countries’ strategies for flood mitigation could preserve the economy and the environment, “but also (produce) knowledge to actually help the rest of the world.” “We need you, so thank you very much and I hope you continue this fantastic cooperation,” she said. Texas and the Netherlands are natural partners in the fight against flooding. Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, floods frequently because it doesn’t have sufficient infrastructure to handle heavy rain. Development of the area has sharply reduced the natural wetlands that previously soaked up storm water runoff. Every hurricane season, the Texas Gulf Coast faces potentially devastating storms. Hurricane-fueled storm surges can pose a flooding danger to the Houston Ship Channel, which is home to 40% of the nation’s petrochemical industry. The Netherlands is a global leader in flood-management design and initiatives. About 26% of its 17 million people live below sea level and the country has spent billions of dollars to build a system of dams, levees and storm surge barriers. Michael Braden, chief of the mega-project division with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, said his agency’s efforts to build the barrier system along the Texas Gulf Coast would not be where they are today without help from the Dutch. The barrier system, which borrows from a similar project nicknamed the “Ike Dike” and was first proposed by a Galveston professor, is expected to soon get final approval by Congress before being forwarded to President Joe Biden for his signature. Funding for the nearly $31 billion project, which could take up to 20 years to build, would have to be approved separately. “We’re addressing a regional issue here with the coastal project, but the things we learn in the design and the construction will eventually be needed by coastal communities all around the world,” Braden said. Dutch and U.S. officials said Friday that their efforts to tackle flooding have become more important because global warming has made torrential rainfall and stronger hurricanes more common. A United Nations report released in March warned that states along the Gulf of Mexico, including Texas, are under serious threat from rising seas, collapsing fisheries and toxic tides due to climate change. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said many of the flood mitigation strategies that have been developed with the help of the city’s Dutch partners, including prairie conservation efforts that will help reduce water runoff and neighborhood resilience plans, will soon be implemented. “But we want our community not only to respond and to recover but to grow and to thrive, to build forward from recovery. We don’t want to build back. Building back is building for failure. We want to build forward,” Turner said. Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

‘Zombie’ Cells May Hold Clues To Improving Old Age – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/zombie-cells-may-hold-clues-to-improving-old-age-the-washington-post/ In an unfinished part of his basement, 95-year-old Richard Soller zips around a makeshift track encircling boxes full of medals he’s won for track and field and long-distance running. Without a hint of breathlessness, he says: “I can put in miles down here.” Steps away is an expensive leather recliner he bought when he retired from Procter & Gamble with visions of relaxing into old age. He proudly proclaims that he has never used it; he has been too busy training for competitions, such as the National Senior Games. Soller, who lives near Cincinnati, has achieved an enviable goal chased by humans since ancient times: staying healthy and active in late life. It’s a goal that eludes so many that growing old is often associated with getting frail and sick. But scientists are trying to change that — and tackle one of humanity’s biggest challenges — through a little-known but flourishing field of aging research called cellular senescence. It’s built upon the idea that cells eventually stop dividing and enter a “senescent” state in response to various forms of damage. The body removes most of them. But others linger like zombies. They aren’t dead. But as the Mayo Clinic’s Nathan LeBrasseur puts it, they can harm nearby cells like moldy fruit corrupting a fruit bowl. They accumulate in older bodies, which mounting evidence links to an array of age-related conditions such as dementia, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. But scientists wonder: Can the zombie cell buildup be stopped? “The ability to understand aging — and the potential to intervene in the fundamental biology of aging — is truly the greatest opportunity we have had, maybe in history, to transform human health,” LeBrasseur says. Extending the span of healthy years affects “quality of life, public health, socioeconomics, the whole shebang.” With the number of people 65 or older expected to double globally by 2050, cellular senescence is “a very hot topic,” says Viviana Perez Montes of the National Institutes of Health. According to an Associated Press analysis of an NIH research database, there have been about 11,500 projects involving cellular senescence since 1985, far more in recent years. About 100 companies, plus academic teams, are exploring drugs to target senescent cells. And research offers tantalizing clues that people may be able to help tame senescence themselves using the strategy favored by Soller: exercise. Although no one thinks senescence holds the key to super-long life, Tufts University researcher Christopher Wiley hopes for a day when fewer people suffer fates like his late grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s and stared back at him as if he were a stranger. “I’m not looking for the fountain of youth,” Wiley says. “I’m looking for the fountain of not being sick when I’m older.” Leonard Hayflick, the scientist who discovered cellular senescence in 1960, is himself vital at 94. He’s a professor of anatomy at the University of California at San Francisco, and continues to write, present and speak on the topic. Before him on the living room table are numerous copies of his seminal book, “How and Why We Age,” in various languages. He discovered cellular senescence by accident, cultivating human fetal cells for a project on cancer biology and noticing they stopped dividing after about 50 population doublings. This wasn’t a big surprise; cell cultures often failed because of things like contamination. What was surprising was that others also stopped dividing at the same point. The phenomenon was later called “the Hayflick limit.” The finding, Hayflick says, challenged “60-year-old dogma” that normal human cells could replicate forever. A paper he wrote with colleague Paul Moorhead was rejected by a prominent scientific journal, and Hayflick faced a decade of ridicule after it was published in Experimental Cell Research in 1961. Scientists are careful to note that cell senescence can be useful. It likely evolved at least in part to suppress the development of cancer by limiting the capacity of cells to keep dividing. It happens throughout our lives, triggered by things such as DNA damage and the shortening of telomeres, structures that cap and protect the ends of chromosomes. Senescent cells play a role in wound healing, embryonic development and childbirth. Problems can arise when they build up. Experimental drugs designed to selectively clear senescent cells have been dubbed “senolytics,” and Mayo holds patents on some. In mice, they’ve been shown to be effective at delaying, preventing or easing several age-related disorders. Possible benefits for people are just emerging. LeBrasseur and colleagues did a pilot study providing initial evidence that patients with a serious lung disease might be helped by pairing a chemotherapy drug with a plant pigment. Another pilot study found the same combination reduced the burden of senescent cells in the fat tissue of people with diabetic kidney disease. At least a dozen clinical trials with senolytics are now testing whether they can help control Alzheimer’s progression, improve joint health in osteoarthritis and improve skeletal health. Some teams are trying to develop “senomorphics” that can suppress detrimental effects of molecules emitted by senescent cells. And a Japanese team has tested a vaccine on mice specific to a protein found in senescent cells, allowing for their targeted elimination. Amid the buzz, some companies market dietary supplements as senolytics. But researchers warn they haven’t been shown to work or proved safe. Today, LeBrasseur, who directs a center on aging at Mayo, says exercise is “the most promising tool that we have” for good functioning in late life, and its power extends to our cells. Research suggests it counters the buildup of senescent ones, helping the immune system clear them and counteracting the molecular damage that can spark the senescence process. A study LeBrasseur led last year provided the first evidence in humans that exercise can significantly reduce indicators, found in the bloodstream, of the burden of senescent cells in the body. After a 12-week aerobics, resistance and balance training program, researchers found that older adults had lowered indicators of senescence and better muscle strength, physical function and reported health. A recently published research review collects even more evidence — in animals and humans — for exercise as a senescence-targeting therapy. Soller says exercise keeps him fit enough to handle what comes his way — including an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for his wife of 62 years. They sometimes stroll neighborhood streets together, holding hands. “Do as much as you can,” he says. “That should be the goal for anyone to stay healthy.”

Carlos Alcaraz Vs. Frances Tiafoe Live Score, Results, Highlights From 2022 US Open Semi-Final – Sporting News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/carlos-alcaraz-vs-frances-tiafoe-live-score-results-highlights-from-2022-us-open-semi-final-sporting-news/ US Open semi-finals don’t get much more exciting than this with Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe to face off for a spot in the decider.  Neither have reached a Grand Slam final to date and loom as two talents set to entertain for years to come.  Spaniard Alcaraz arrived at Flushing Meadows as the third-seed and backed that up with impressive five-set wins against Marin Cilic and Jannik Sinner.  American Tiafoe has had an even more memorable run, beating Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 before sweeping past Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the quarter-finals.  The Sporting News will be following the semi-final match live with live scores updates, highlights and commentary provided below.  Carlos Alcaraz vs. Frances Tiafoe live score   1st Set 2nd Set 3rd Set 4th Set 5th Set Carlos Alcaraz 6         Frances Tiafoe* 6         *denotes server Carlos Alcaraz vs. Frances Tiafoe live blog, updates, highlights First set, Alcaraz holds 6-6: Alcaraz races to 30-0 up. He is really going for his shots. But Tiafoe gets it back to 30-30. An Alcaraz error earns a set point for Tiafoe but a quality serve doesn’t allow the American a chance to win it. Alcaraz holds with one of the best points you will ever see. Wow. Tiebreak here we come. First set, Tiafoe holds 6-5: Despite struggling to get his first serve in, Tiafoe holds to love. The third point saw a 102mph forehead winner. First set: STAT – Alcaraz would be the first teenager to be world No.1 if he wins the US Open. Lleyton Hewitt was the youngest top-ranked player at 20 years of age. First set, Alcaraz holds 5-5: Tiafoe wins the first point courtesy of a loose Alcaraz backhand. At 15-15, an Alcaraz volley just catches the edge of the line. A double fault makes it 30-30. The Spaniard blasts his way to game point and holds. pic.twitter.com/gJaTmgvDov — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2022 First set, Tiafoe holds 5-4: Alcaraz is playing some incredible tennis. High risk. He gets 15-30 up and then has an air-swing at a Tiafoe serve. The American then gets a let cord to go 40-30 up. He holds but he is definitely under more pressure on his service games. First set: STAT – Alcaraz has only lost four points on his service in four holds so far. First set, Alcaraz holds 4-4: It’s a fairly even match so far. The winner of this set will be a massive moment. Tiafoe attacked early to win the first point but Alcaraz comfortably rolls off the net four points. First set, Tiafoe holds 4-3: Alcaraz gets 0-30 up. Tiafoe composes himself to serve an ace. Alcaraz earns two break points but Tiafoe saves both, with the second on his second serve. The American then closes the game out in the first deuce. Impressive steel there. First set, Alcaraz holds 3-3: Tiafoe nabs the first point but then Alcaraz strikes the line once again and reels off four consecutive points to hold. Alcaraz closes it at the net with another on-point volley. pic.twitter.com/yBIOc1xbmb — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2022 First set, Tiafoe holds 3-2: But the American puts his own display of quality hitting in his service game. He looks calm as well. Tiafoe holds to 15. First set, Alcaraz holds 2-2: Some huge hitting in this match so far. You just know there is going to be some unbelievable tennis. Alcaraz hitting the lines too. He holds to love. First set, Tiafoe holds 2-1: Comfortable hold for Tiafoe. Alcaraz going for his shots early. No nerves apparent from either player. First set, Alcaraz holds 1-1: The teenager was 15-30 down but works his way out of it. Some promising striking in this match early. First set, Tiafoe holds 1-0: Alcaraz attacks Tiafoe’s second serve early. But the American manages to hold after one deuce. The crowd is behind him. First set: We are underway at Arthur Ashe Stadium with Tiafoe serving. Pre-match: Both players have made their way on to court. It’s 7:28pm local time and we should get underway in about 10 minutes. Pre-match: The winner of today’s match will meet Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final. If Carlos Alcaraz progresses, the final will also be a shootout to see who becomes world No.1. Pre-match: The crowd is filling up here at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It’s 7:17pm local time and the players aren’t on court yet. Pre-match: Not sure who to back in this match? Check out our preview with betting odds and form for both players.   Pre-match: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of what looms to be an epic US Open semi-final clash between Carlo Alcaraz and France Tiafoe.  Carlos Alcaraz vs. Frances Tiafoe head-to-head results Date Winner Score Event April 2021 Tiafoe 6-4 7-6 (2) Barcelona Open What time does Carlos Alcaraz vs. Frances Tiafoe start? The US Open semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and France Tiafoe will be played on September 9 and is expected to start at 19:00 (local time).  The match will follow on from the other semi-final between Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov so could be delayed as a result.    US Canada UK Australia Date September 9 September 8 September 10 September 10 Time 19:00 (ET) 19:00 (ET)  00:00 (BST) 09:00 (AEST) How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Frances Tiafoe US US Open matches will be carried by ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPN+ and Tennis Channel. Matches can be streamed on ESPN+, the ESPN app and fuboTV – which offers a free trial. Canada TSN will carry matches in Canada, with TSN.ca and the TSN App providing live streaming options. United Kingdom Amazon Prime customers in the UK can watch the action on Prime Video for no additional fees. Non-Prime members can take a 30-day free trial of Prime for £7.99 per month or £79 a year. If you just want Prime Video, that costs £5.99 a month and will also provide live coverage, highlights and analysis throughout the tournament. Australia Channel Nine have the broadcast rights for the US Open in 2022 with this match to be shown live and free on 9Gem.  The US Open will also be streamed on both 9Now and Stan Sport in Australia.

DLA Piper Takes ArentFox Metaverse And Digital Assets Leader In Los Angeles | The Recorder – Law.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/dla-piper-takes-arentfox-metaverse-and-digital-assets-leader-in-los-angeles-the-recorder-law-com/ Premium Subscription With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas. View Now Team Accounts Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team. View Now Bundle Subscriptions Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same. View Now From Data to Decisions Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends. Exclusive Depth and Reach. Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else. Big Pictures and Fine Details Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events. California Legal Awards 2022 November 03, 2022 San Francisco, CA The Recorder recognizes California law firms, legal departments & women instrumental to the state’s thriving technology sector. Learn More MCOMBER & MCOMBER ESQS 08/29/2022 NJLJ Web McOmber McOmber & Luber: Our New Associates Ashley E Malandre and Rachel C. Krupnick are providing accomplished representation for : Employment Law, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Personal Injury, Collections, Real Estate, Land Use & Zoning, Business View Announcement ›

DUKW (Duplex Universal Karrier, Wheeled),The Ingenious Amphibious Vehicle – SOFREP https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/dukw-duplex-universal-karrier-wheeledthe-ingenious-amphibious-vehicle-sofrep/ The DUKW amphibious vehicle is arguably the most phenomenal innovation during World War II. It’s remarkably ingenious and highly versatile, and the timing of its emergence it’s just *chef’s kiss* perfect. Do you need a capable vehicle to transport troops? DUKW. Do you need to transport supplies from a ship to the shores? DUKW. Do you need to ferry wounded soldiers on the ground into hospital ships without having to move them at all? DUKW. The only thing it couldn’t do was fly! DUKW was the perfect transport and support vehicle on the battlefield. An Ingenious Solution For A Challenging Problem Amphibious assaults were among the most challenging offensive to pull off, particularly if you’re coming in against a well-defended beachhead. However, despite weeks of thorough planning, things could still array, especially if the execution wasn’t as meticulous as expected. The British Army learned this lesson the hard way during the First World War when troops conducted an offensive on Turkey’s shores. It wasn’t poor planning and execution that led troops to their bloody demise (well, it was one factor) but rather the lack of viable transportation that could safely ferry dozens of its men from their naval warships to the beachhead. Following the bombings in Pearl Harbor that catapulted the United States into joining the war, the concept of developing an amphibious vehicle became a top priority. At first, military engineers thought of wrapping a huge tarp under a standard Army truck to make it float and propel it using oars, which immediately got thrown out of the window because 1) the idea was obsolete and 2) there was no way it could win in the modern warfare. (Screenshot from History Channel) So, they returned to the drawing board to develop a more seaworthy design, tapping into the help of the well-respected sailor and naval architect Rod Stephens Jr. of Sparkman & Stephens, Inc. With a team of four, Stephens converted the two-and-a-half-ton General Motors Corporation (GMC) CCKW military truck, commonly used for transporting ammunition and other supplies, into an amphibian vehicle. The small team worked around the clock and completed the project in a record time of just 38 days. The new machine rolled into the light of day, and everyone was in awe at the strange-looking vehicle that some GIs began calling the “Duck.” It didn’t really have an official name as it was introduced using the GMC code letters DUKW, which stands for: D – the 1942 production series U – for Utility K – for front-wheel drive, and W – for rear axles (Image source: Encyclopædia Britannica) The Duck endearment, however, stuck. The First of its Kind The Duck was the first of its kind. It followed most of the GMC CCKW designs and components with the additional watertight hull and a propeller to make it traverse ashore and float on water, respectively. It was powered by a GMC Model 270 straight-six engine that generated up to 91 horsepower. It measured 31 ft long, 8 ft 3 in wide, and 7 ft 2 in high with the folding-canvas top-down and 8 ft 9 in high with the top-up. It weighed 5,900 kg (empty) and carried up to 24 troops. On the road, the Duck can operate up to 80 km/h, while on the water, it can propel up to 5.5 knots or 10.2 km/h. If holes breached its thin hull, a high-capacity bilge pump system would keep the Duck afloat. Overall, the DUKW was a phenomenal piece of mechanical equipment. (Screenshot from History Channel) But the military remained skeptical about the usefulness of the amphibious vehicle—they weren’t sure if it could do its job, especially under the immense pressure on the battlefield. The production of the DUKW, however, pushed through but was only limited to 200 units, with most of them kept away in storage. Proving its Seaworthiness How can one know one’s limits if not tested, amirite? I’d like to think Stephens thought the same, too, because in a last-ditch effort to keep the DUKW project afloat—to prove to the military that the Duck has what it takes to be in combat—he asked to demonstrate and test its capabilities in a series of trials located off the New England coast. By a stroke of luck, a violent storm hit the area days before the trials commenced that wrecked a coast guard vessel on a sandbar offshore. The incident may have been unfortunate for the stranded crew, but it was the opportunity Duck needed to prove its seaworthiness. When all rescue attempts failed, the DUKW was given a chance to save the stranded men, surprising everyone that it actually did. All seven of the crew were rescued hours before the wreck vanished. Senior military chiefs who initially snubbed the amphibious vehicle now wanted to commission it; even then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt was impressed. And Stephens couldn’t be happier. The once thought ugly duckling, previously expected to become either a lame duck, a sitting duck, or a dead duck, finally received the spotlight it deserved. Additional vehicle production ensued, increasing the stocks to over 2,000. “Quack” Corp Assemble Soon after the DUKW was commissioned into the US Marine Corp, special operating companies were formed, dubbed the “Quack Corp,” which led to confusion in the ranks. I would, too, because what the heck are ducks doing in the corp? Read Next: SOFREP Pic of the Day: Amphibious assault vehicle prepares to hit the waves The unit would be designated and responsible for operating, manning, and maintaining the amphibious vehicle, spending five weeks training before it was shipped to war to ensure that the drivers and the assisting crew would be as versatile as the DUKW. While in training, the Marines learned and familiarized the ropes around operating the vehicle, including its gadgets and emergency toolkit—did you know it can haul itself out if stuck on sand without towing? Pretty cool, right? Throughout the training, they also discovered weaknesses that were quickly resolved. The tires needed a specific amount of pressure for different types of surfaces. At first, a crew had to make manual adjustments, but it was soon upgraded, allowing the driver to remotely adjust the tire pressure from inside the cab. For hard surfaces such as roads, the tires need to be fully inflated, while less air was applied when transiting over softer surfaces like the beach sand—adding versatility to the vehicle. This feature would soon become a standard on many military vehicles, even today. (Screenshot from History Channel) British Army adored the beloved Duck, too, as soon as it was introduced to them and had immense respect for the ingenious vehicle. Doubts surrounding the combat capability of the DUKW were further squashed when it had proven its usefulness and effectiveness in the Guadalcanal campaign in the Asiatic-Pacific theater in 1942, in the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) in 1943, and most prominently on the D-Day beaches of Normandy in 1944. The Duck successfully delivered supplies to the troop and, at some point, repurposed as an ambulance for wounded men, ferrying them directly into hospital ships without having to unload and load them a couple of times like its counterparts. A Prolonged Service, A Long-lasting Impact After the war, several DUKWs remained in service while the others were transferred to a couple of civilian organizations, usually rescue units like the police and fire departments. The US Army reactivated more than a hundred Ducks back to service when the Korean War broke out. It deployed to deliver supplies onshore and ferried troops during amphibious assaults. Finally, in 2012, the Ducks were honorably retired entirely in service and replaced by newer, more sophisticated amphibian vehicles capable of retaliation with outfitted powerful armaments. Nevertheless, it remained serving as a tour bus for some tourists company, steering through harbors and river cities across the globe. You can watch the full documentary about the DUKW below.

Netflix Expected To Ban Crypto, NFTs In Upcoming Ad Tier – Digital Music News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/netflix-expected-to-ban-crypto-nfts-in-upcoming-ad-tier-digital-music-news/ Photo Credit: Mollie Sivaram Netflix is expected to ban crypto ads and NFTs in the company’s upcoming ad-supported tier. In an effort to boost revenues, Netflix announced in July that it would be launching a cheaper subscription-based tier that features commercials. Ahead of the ad-supported subscription tier’s scheduled November launch, Netflix has banned cryptocurrency-related commercials, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The new tier will reportedly not run advertising campaigns relating to politics, pharmaceuticals, gambling, or cryptocurrency. Additionally, the new tier will not run ads selling products to children. Netflix has moved up the timeline to November for the launch of its ad-supported tier in a move to compete with Disney+, which is releasing its own similar plan on December 8. According to Variety, Netflix had initially planned to launch its ad-based tier at the beginning of 2023. “We are still in the early days of deciding how to launch a lower-priced, ad-supported tier and no decisions have been made,” a representative from Netflix stated. The decision to ban crypto ads for Netflix makes sense from a regulatory perspective, though. The company is asking for a minimum $10 million commitment in annual ad spending from agencies, according to a source reported by Variety. Netflix is locking in its ad buys by September 30 in order to meet the November 1 launch date for the new subscription tier in several regions, including the US and Canada, the UK, Germany, and France.  The company’s global subscribers have been declining throughout consecutive quarters, and the new ad-supported service will release in a move to boost revenues. The streaming giant lost over a million subscribers, with 200,000 dropping out in just the first three months of 2022. In June, Netflix announced cost-cutting to keep margins at 20% in the face of slowed revenue growth. The regulatory scrutiny surrounding cryptocurrencies makes Netflix’s stance an unsurprising one. In 2018, Facebook banned crypto ads across the platform before reinstating them later that year. Google reversed a ban on crypto-related advertisements in 2021, enabling crypto exchanges and wallet operators to resume promoting their services on the search engine.

U.S. Open Live Updates: Frances Tiafoe Vs. Carlos Alcaraz – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/u-s-open-live-updates-frances-tiafoe-vs-carlos-alcaraz-the-washington-post/ Frances Tiafoe returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz in the first set of their U.S. Open semifinal. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Updated September 9, 2022 at 8:21 p.m. EDT|Published September 9, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. EDT Frances Tiafoe takes on Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of the U.S. Open on Friday. Follow along for the latest updates. What to know When: After 7 p.m. Where: Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York TV: Coverage is on ESPN. You can also stream the match on ESPN Plus. Carlos Alcaraz fails to convert double break Return to menu Throughout the first set, Frances Tiafoe has been shaky on first serves. But Carlos Alcaraz, who struggled with break points against Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinal, failed to convert a double break with Friday’s first set tied at three games apiece. Tiafoe leads five games to four. Despite his break point inefficiency, Alcaraz has shown no signs of fatigue after the five-hour 15-minute quarterfinal marathon that ended early Thursday morning. He also has been effective at the net and beaten Tiafoe through some beautifully played drop shots. Frances Tiafoe takes early lead over Carlos Alcaraz Return to menu Frances Tiafoe leads Carlos Alcaraz three games to two in the first set. Settling in after some early nerves, Tiafoe held serve in the first game despite a late push by Alcaraz. Tiafoe cruised through Game 5 in a match that has yet to feature a break point. In attendance for Friday’s semifinal are several celebrities, including former first lady Michelle Obama, former NFL receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal. Casper Ruud advances in first men’s singles semifinal Return to menu The winner of Friday’s semifinal between Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe will face Casper Ruud, the Norwegian No. 5 seed who defeated Karen Khachanov, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, earlier Friday. Ruud will play in his second Grand Slam final of 2022 after falling to Rafael Nadal at the French Open. If Tiafoe defeats Alcaraz, Ruud will leave New York as the world No. 1 regardless who wins the final. If Alcaraz wins, he will vie for the top spot against Ruud. How Frances Tiafoe improved his fitness to make U.S. Open semifinals Return to menu Wayne Ferreira has stressed fitness since becoming Tiafoe’s coach in February 2020, but this year, Ferreira and others on Tiafoe’s team have noticed a shift in the way Tiafoe has dedicated himself to injury prevention stretches and exercises in the gym. Consistency has been key, his team says. “I think he just has a much better day-to-day routine,” Ferreira said. “Even before matches, he’s doing a little workout.” This is an excerpt from a full story. As Tiafoe soars, so does the pride of his Prince George’s fans Return to menu Tiafoe already has his fans in the county where he was born and raised. In College Park, dozens of players gathered at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTTC) to watch the tennis academy’s most famous alumnus. The JTCC was a second home for Tiafoe, the son of immigrants from Sierra Leone who as a 5-year-old boy got a free spot in the JTCC’s beginner tennis clinics through his father’s work as the center’s maintenance man. Into the solemn world of tennis, Frances Tiafoe brings the noise Return to menu A tennis racket is just a toy again in the hands of Frances Tiafoe. No one at the U.S. Open has carried himself more lightly or playfully through this tournament of such weighty, climactic encounters. Watch him as he beckons the crowd, ushers it to standing ovations with the call of his fingertips, as if to say: “Join me in the fun. Don’t forget to find the game in all this tremendous pressure and action.” This is an excerpt from a full story. How Carlos Alcaraz got to the semifinal Return to menu For fans at the U.S. Open, the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner match that may have begun with beer and snacks Wednesday night ended with strong coffee and a bagel as the two battled through five sets and over five hours in the latest (or earliest, depending on your point of view) finish ever at the Open. At 2:50 a.m., Alcaraz, Spain’s 19-year-old prodigy, advanced to a semifinal against Frances Tiafoe with a 6-3, 6-7 (9-7), 6-7 (7-0), 7-5, 6-3 victory. This is an excerpt from a full story. How Frances Tiafoe got to the semifinal Return to menu Tiafoe played with two mighty emotions fueling him Wednesday in what was either the biggest or the second-biggest match of his career, depending on how Monday’s win fits into his pantheon. A feeling of freedom and self-belief helped power him to a 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0), 6-4 win over world No. 11 Andrey Rublev, putting him in the first Grand Slam semifinal of his career. This is an excerpt from a full story.

Lab: Arsenic Readings In Public Housing Water Were Incorrect – The Associated Press – En Español https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/lab-arsenic-readings-in-public-housing-water-were-incorrect-the-associated-press-en-espanol/ NEW YORK (AP) — A lab that said it found higher than acceptable levels of arsenic in drinking water at a New York City public housing complex said Friday those results were incorrect. Tenants at the 1,700-unit Jacob Riis Houses in Manhattan’s East Village were told not to drink or cook with the water from their taps over the recent holiday weekend. But on Friday, Environmental Monitoring and Technologies said it had retested the original sample using a different method and found that the results for arsenic reported on Aug. 26 and Sept. 1 were incorrect. The tests were ordered after tenants reported seeing cloudy water coming from their taps. “Based on our investigation, we believe any contamination for arsenic found in these specific samples to be at trace levels, well below” the federal maximum contaminant level, the company said in a statement. A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams said the city was still urging residents to refrain from using the water for cooking or drinking out of an abundance of caution, while results from separate tests are pending. Initial tests have come back negative. “Needless to say, neither NYCHA nor any other city agency will test water through Environmental Monitoring and Technologies any longer, and the city intends to pursue all available legal options on behalf of the residents of Riis Houses,” spokesperson Fabian Levy said in a statement.

Eads: Law Enforcement Career One Of Public Service – The Cross Timbers Gazette https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/eads-law-enforcement-career-one-of-public-service-the-cross-timbers-gazette/ Law enforcement is facing some of the toughest challenges to date as many departments see fewer hires, increased resignations and significantly more retirements. In a study conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), law enforcement agencies experienced a 5 percent decrease in hiring rates, an 18 percent increase in resignation rates, and a 45 percent increase in retirement rates in a period from April 2019 to March 2020. Our Denton County Sheriff’s Office is among the agencies affected by this phenomenon we are seeing across our country. For the first time in decades, we have 183 vacancies in our Detention Officers, leaving 40 percent of our existing staff to cover the duties inside our detention facilities. These figures do not include the vacancies among other positions throughout the Sheriff’s Office. As a result, we have proposed increasing the pay scale of our Detention Officers by 10 percent in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget to bring salaries to a competitive rate. We have also thought of other opportunities to enhance the number of people applying for these positions. If you are interested in joining our ranks at the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, please check out our openings at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/dentoncounty. What many may not realize is that a number of our law enforcement staff started their careers as Detention Officers where they learned the operations, applied for their Basic Peace Officer licenses and launched lifelong careers in an industry that serves the public in many ways. When anyone dials 9-1-1 in an emergency, law enforcement personnel are the very people who come to your home or business to ensure your safety and investigate whatever incident you experienced, be it a burglary, a suspicious individual hanging around your house, or during a major rainstorm by helping firefighters rescue you from your flooded vehicle. Our men and women in blue are dedicated to policing our streets, highways, neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties. They follow a strict code of honor, undergo continual training, and must be willing to put their lives on the line. It is a profession that has continued in families for generations and one I sincerely hope will continue for generations to come. A world without these men and women in blue would be a place I believe none of us would want to live in. Their existence allows us to enjoy peaceful, safe lives that many of us take for granted. I hope our current generation coming into adulthood will consider a career in law enforcement as it will provide them with a lifelong sense of accomplishment and pride in knowing they are making a difference. From the lives they save, even with issuing a speeding ticket to someone whose actions could have resulted in a fatal accident, they watch our backs. We should watch theirs. As we near the 21st anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, when many of our first responders lost their lives, we should take a few minutes to thank them for all they do for us day in and day out. Thank you to all Denton County law enforcement and first responders. We greatly appreciate your service to all residents in our great county. You help keep us #DentonCountyStrong. Connect With Us: If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. My email is [email protected], and my office number is 940-349-2820. For more information, register for my newsletter at www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup

This Joshua Tree Estate Wants Give You A Country Club Experience In The Middle Of The California Desert – Robb Report https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/this-joshua-tree-estate-wants-give-you-a-country-club-experience-in-the-middle-of-the-california-desert-robb-report/ You are cordially invited to California’s newest “country club”—located in the middle of the desert. This week, the Joshua Tree Country Club opened its doors, offering discerning travelers an arid getaway of pampering and sunbathing amid the state’s starkest terrain.  The modern property was designed to be the ultimate desert playground for a family or a small group of friends. With four bedrooms and three and a half baths, it can accommodate up to eight guests.  Upon entering the spacious living room, guests can gaze upon the safari-inspired artwork and golden accents from the ceiling light to the the framed photographs lining the walls. For guests looking to catch up on some rest during the day, the cozy beds are made up with Matouk sateen linens in all the rooms.  The house offers a host of amenities designed to let you take advantage of the dry, sun-drenched SoCal location. A private saltwater pool comes with cabana-style daybeds ideal for sunbathing. For those who want to get a little exercise in, you can take advantage of a tournament-size tennis court. There’s also a three-hole putting green so you can work on your short game, and a 1000-square-foot grassed croquet court, because why not?  To give your vacation the soundtrack it deserves, Sonos speakers are located throughout the property, and can be connected your devices via Bluetooth. So best start working up that desert playlist now. Living room.  Joshua Tree Country Club Adventurers who want to explore the area can take advantage of several walking paths on the nine-acre property, not to mention a slew of nearby hiking trails. In the end, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere in complete privacy (and, it should be said, luxury)—even though you’re only about a five-minute drive from town. Because no one wants to get bogged down in planning on vacation, the property provides a personal concierge during your stay. They can arrange everything from private chef dinners—with menus customized to your food preferences—to massage appointments or private sound bath healing sessions. Bedroom with two queen beds.  Joshua Tree Country Club “We are thrilled to add yet another unique, elevated adventure that blends playful, nostalgic elements that are key to Foxden’s identity,” Dale Fox, founder and CEO of Foxden Hospitality, said in a press statement. “Our goal with Joshua Tree Country Club and all of our properties is to create extraordinary, unforgettable experiences that our guests regard as a true escape from the mundane.”  For those interested in a private escape to the desert, the house is available for reservations via Airbnb. The first 50 guests will be immortalized with your name hand-lettered on the wall of the secret room library. Of course, you’ll have to find the room first.  Rates for the Joshua Tree Country Club start at $893 per night.  Click here to see the Joshua Tree Country Club in photos. Joshua Tree Country Club

Natty Bumppo’s Celebrates A Year In Cooperstown | Business News | Thedailystar.com – Oneonta Daily Star https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/natty-bumppos-celebrates-a-year-in-cooperstown-business-news-thedailystar-com-oneonta-daily-star/ Natty Bumppo’s in Cooperstown just celebrated its one-year anniversary, but owner Ian Porto spent decades in the industry before striking out. The Cooperstown resident launched Natty Bumppo’s at 8 Hoffman Lane in Cooperstown on Aug. 25, 2021. Previously, Porto said, he and his wife owned Tin Bin Alley on Main Street in the village. “I worked all through college waiting tables and so on, so I guess I enjoy the industry,” Porto said. “I had not (owned a restaurant), but I’ve worked in a lot of them, corporate and private. I like the pace, I like working with the public and people and it’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.” Porto said Natty Bumppo’s specializes in Latin-American fusion, but offers “a mixture of it all.” “My chefs are great at coming up with different specials on the weekend and, when we started, we were Latin fusion, but we’re getting away from that a little bit,” he said. “The menu is opening up and we’re trying new things now that we’re in our second year. We’re trying to break the mold as we move forward. I don’t want to pigeonhole it — we’re tacos and burritos, but we’ve got burgers and steaks on the weekend. “We’re not Mexican,” Porto continued. “We’re trying to be unique. It’s definitely fresh and we work with a lot of local farmers; right now, we’ve got street corn coming out of local farms and everything is made fresh to order.” Customer favorites, he said, include empanadas, margaritas, the blackened chicken burrito, pineapple-mango shrimp tacos and cannoli nachos. Natty Bumppo’s serves lunch and dinner. Porto said customers, too, represent a mix. “It’s really a little bit of everything,” he said. “We’ve definitely got the families coming in with kids and, on weekends, people coming in for date night. And we’ve got a nice-sized bar, so there are people coming in for good conversation. It’s all ages, especially with the way Cooperstown is and people coming in for travel. “The community response has been great,” Porto continued. “We’ve gotten a lot of good local support and built up some regulars. People are very receptive to the food. Summer was good, but I’m definitely looking forward to getting my locals back. It’s nice when the same crew comes in on a Friday night; it’s like seeing your family.” As the seasons shift, Porto said, he plans to bring back brunch and other attractions. “We brought (brunch) in mid-November of last year, and that did well for us,” he said. “We’ll start getting our brunch going again, now that we’re going into fall. It was our first summer, so it’s been a whirlwind. And we’re hoping to do bands again. We (had bands) last fall, every other Saturday, and we’re a unique setting. I’ve got indoor and outdoor seating and, this year, we’re taking off as far as hosting parties and catering events. That’s going really well for us, and we have a bunch booked into the fall.” The band Mostly Dead, Porto said, will kick off autumn’s musical lineup on Sept. 30. Porto said he’s hopeful for growth, while remaining committed to keeping Natty Bumppo’s distinct. “We’re really just growing and learning as the days go on, what works and what doesn’t work, and creating different specials and staying true to being unique,” he said. “It’s early to tell right now, but we’ve got to keep making sure we have the right staff and finding staff — that’s definitely a challenge right now — and making sure we can run things the way they should be run so people are getting the proper service. Each day is definitely different and you’ve got to watch every cent you’re spending, but I guess I like the challenge and we’ll see what the fall brings and what the future holds.” For more information, or to apply for a position, visit nattybumppos.com, find “Natty Bumppo’s” on Facebook or follow @nattybumppos on Instagram. Weekly fall specials will also be featured on the restaurant’s social media channels. Natty Bumppo’s is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 11:30 to 9, Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday.

‘Living A Healthy Life’ Course To Be Offered Online – The Marshall Democrat-News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/living-a-healthy-life-course-to-be-offered-online-the-marshall-democrat-news/ Care Connection for Aging Services is accepting enrollment for a free, online, six-week program to help older adults learn to live well with chronic ailments. The “Living a Healthy Life” course will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Mondays, beginning Sept. 19, online on the Zoom platform. This class is designed to help manage health conditions by improving life habits and behaviors. The course is offered at no cost to people 60 and older and their caregivers. Topics include nutrition, decision making, exercise, stress management, medication use, communication with family and health professionals, and evaluations of new treatments. The class will be taught live by an instructor over Zoom. Materials, including a textbook, a journal, and a cookbook, will be provided. Participants make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help each other solve problems they encounter in creating and carrying out their selfmanagement program. “Living a Healthy Life” includes six weekly sessions of about two and a half hours each. Advanced registration is required by calling 1-800-748-7826 or visiting goaging.org/events. The workshop uses proven practices based on an ongoing series of studies conducted by Stanford University School of Medicine to provide a path for older adults to enjoy life with common health conditions such as heart ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic pain. Care Connection for Aging Services, a nonprofit area agency on aging serving people 60 and older, operates 21 locations in 13 West Central Missouri counties: Bates, Benton, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Henry, Hickory, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Saline, St. Clair, and Vernon. The agency mission is to provide opportunities to create positive aging experiences. For more information, visit www.goaging.org.

Alabama Vs. Texas Live Stream, Watch Online, TV Channel, Kickoff Time, Football Game Odds, Picks, Prediction – CBS Sports https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/alabama-vs-texas-live-stream-watch-online-tv-channel-kickoff-time-football-game-odds-picks-prediction-cbs-sports/ No. 1 Alabama takes its 2022 redemption tour on the road to battle Texas in hostile Austin, Texas, on Saturday in the first meeting between the two college football powers since the 2010 BCS Championship Game. The Crimson Tide are fresh off of a 55-0 trouncing of Utah State, while the Longhorns topped ULM 52-10 in the first game with redshirt freshman and former five-star prospect Quinn Ewers under center. This matchup is a huge game for Texas and its goal to burst back onto the national scene under second-year coach Steve Sarkisian. The former Alabama offensive coordinator is looking to become just the third former Nick Saban assistant to top the legendary coach after Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher and Georgia’s Kirby Smart became the first two coaches to accomplish that feat when they handed Saban his only two losses of the 2021 season. You won’t want to miss this one. Here’s how to watch one of the biggest out-of-conference matchups of the season on Saturday.  How to watch Alabama vs. Texas live Date: Saturday, Sept. 10 | Time: Noon ET Location: DKR Texas Memorial Stadium — Austin, Texas TV: Fox | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free) Alabama vs. Texas: Need to know How will Ewers handle the pressure?: This is just the second meaningful game of Ewers’ career, and they don’t get much bigger than this. A big question heading into the matchup is how Ewers will handle relentless pressure from a Crimson Tide defense that had five tackles for loss last week vs. the Aggies. He had 225 yards, two touchdowns and one interception last week vs. the Warhawks and completed 66.7% of his passes. How will he handle a face full of superstar EDGE threat Will Anderson Jr.? He’s got the weapons outside to get the job done, but his offensive line gave up five tackles for loss last game — tied for sixth in the Big 12 after Week 1.  Bryce Young’s Heisman sequel: The star Crimson Tide quarterback got off to a great start against Utah State when he threw for 195 yards, tossed five touchdowns, rushed for 100 yards and punched in one score on the ground. It was a stellar opener for Young, but it wasn’t like it was a big stage. This game will be different. The entire college football world will be tuning into this one, and it’s a perfect place for Young to make another statement considering the struggles the Longhorns have had on the defensive side of the ball during the first year-plus of the Sarkisian era. A program-defining game? Sarkisian downplayed the importance of this game in regard to his 2022 goal of making the Big 12 Championship Game since it won’t count toward his conference record. He did, however, leave the door open that this could be a program-defining game. What does that mean, though? It’s simple. “Texas is back” has become a sarcastic joke since it had been “down” essentially since it lost to the Tide in the title game more than a decade ago. However, a win over the defending SEC champs and the top-ranked team in the country — especially considering the two will be conference foes in the near future — will make a massive statement to the rest of the college football world. Alabama vs. Texas prediction, picks Featured Game | Texas Longhorns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide This one comes down to one simple question: Can Texas’ defense rattle Young? The Alabama offensive line has been a consistent problem, and it’s hard to tell if it’s been fixed after one game vs. Utah State. With that said, the Longhorns defense has been brutal for quite some time but only gave up 4.05 yards per play and had eight tackles for loss last week. I have more faith in Young than I do Texas’ defense, and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner should lead the Crimson Tide to a cover … even if it’s in garbage time late in the fourth quarter. Prediction: Alabama -20 Which college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 2, and which favorites will go down hard? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a proven computer model that has returned almost $3,500 in profit over the past six-plus seasons — and find out.

A Minecraft-Style Crypto School Just Launched In The Metaverse — Play, Learn, And Earn NFTs – Laptop Mag https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/a-minecraft-style-crypto-school-just-launched-in-the-metaverse-play-learn-and-earn-nfts-laptop-mag/ Home News (Image credit: The SandBox) As we reported in April, crypto hardware wallet leader Ledger teamed up with The Sandbox, a popular metaverse platform, to set up an education hub in the simulated social world. At the time, it was just a concept. Now, it’s a reality. Not only did the Ledger team set up shop in The Sandbox, but it launched a Minecraft-style school that gamifies cryptocurrency education. Players can learn about the blockchain, and its perils, while earning NFTs along the way — and they don’t need a crypto wallet to get started. Ledger’s Minecraft-style ‘School of Block’ The Minecraft-inspired education hub is called “School of Block,” a nod to the blockchain, a technology that serves as the underlying engine behind many crypto assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and NFTs. Ledger and SandBox (Image credit: Future) According to a Ledger rep, School of Block throws gamers into fun challenges that teach them how to protect themselves from rising crypto scams. It’s a gamified twist to education that teaches users how to be “metaverse ready.” Although Web 3.0 is brimming with innovative protocols that could cause an explosive change in our society, the space is also crawling with cybercriminals who take advantage of ill-informed users. As such, with School of Block, Ledger discovered a fun, interactive way to teach the masses about the dangers of the crypto world. On top of diving into challenges that heighten your crypto knowledge, you’ll go on a series of adventures to earn exclusive NFTs. Sweet! As mentioned, School of Block is launching in The SandBox, a blockchain-based game fueled with a token called SAND. Users can get SAND from cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase (opens in new tab) — and use it to purchase NFTs, including real estate plots in the metaverse. Users can trade these simulated lands on OpenSea (an NFT marketplace).   Ledger is no stranger to helping people stay secure in the crypto world. The company offers popular hardware wallets such as the Ledger Nano S Plus and the Ledger Nano X, which lets users fortify the proverbial security walls that surround their treasured digital assets. Interested in playing School of Block? Click here. Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master’s degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire’s business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she’s finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!

Paper Girls Season 2 Not Happening At Amazon; Series Will Be Shopped – Bleeding Cool News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/paper-girls-season-2-not-happening-at-amazon-series-will-be-shopped-bleeding-cool-news/ | While the adventures of Riley Lai Nelet‘s (Altered Carbon) Erin Tieng, Sofia Rosinsky‘s (Fast Layne) Mac Coyle, Camryn Jones‘ (Cherish the Day) Tiffany “Tiff” Quilkin, and Fina Strazza‘s (A Christmas Melody) KJ Brandman may continue on, they won’t continue on at Amazon’s Prime Video. Deadline Hollywood has confirmed exclusively that the streamer’s adaptation of Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Ex Machina) and Cliff Chiang‘s (Wonder Woman, Human Target) best-selling graphic novel Paper Girls will not be returning for a second season. According to the DH report, the move came despite how well-received the series was (90% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes and 88% with viewers). Legendary Television is looking to shop the series to a new home. Image: Amazon Here’s a look back at the official trailer for the series we desperately hope finds a new home: In the early morning hours after Halloween 1988, four paper girls—Erin, Mac, Tiffany, and KJ—are out on their delivery route when they become caught in the crossfire between warring time-travelers, changing the course of their lives forever. Transported into the future, these girls must figure out a way to get back home to the past, a journey that will bring them face-to-face with the grown-up versions of themselves. While reconciling that their futures are far different than their 12-year-old selves imagined, they are being hunted by a militant faction of time-travelers known as the Old Watch, who have outlawed time travel so that they can stay in power. In order to survive, the girls will need to overcome their differences and learn to trust each other, and themselves. Mac Coyle (Rosinsky): A working-class Catholic girl, Mac is the first paperboy in Stony Stream who isn’t a boy. Mac inherited the paper route from her older brother, someone for whom she has undying loyalty and love… which might be the wrong place to put it. Mac’s toughness however is no act, she has a sharp tongue and quicker fists. Like most bullies, Mac is perhaps masking a deep well of insecurity. Usually a loner by choice, events conspire to cast Mac as the unlikely leader of our Paper Girls on Hell Day 1988. Tiffany Quilkin (Jones): The only child of success-oriented, mixed-race parents, Tiffany has big plans for her future and no intention of seeing them derailed. While she is at times willing to improve on the truth when in a tight spot, there is no denying that Tiffany is crazy smart. She boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, a love of gadgets and technology. She has been delivering papers for a little over a year. Erin Tieng (Nelet): A dutiful daughter, sister, and yes, newly-minted newspaper employee, Erin often feels caught between worlds. On the one hand, she’s a dual-language immigrant with deep Chinese roots, on the other, she’s an All-American kid on the verge of her teenage years who desperately wants the TV-perfect life she often sees depicted in the Western culture all around her. KJ Brandman (Strazza): KJ is one of the only Jewish girls in Stony Stream and comes from the wealthiest family in town, two things nobody will let her forget. It is perhaps only when playing field hockey that she feels truly seen – an image that conflicts starkly with her mother’s desires for her. KJ is guarded, sensitive and underneath her veneer, emotionally roiling. She doesn’t need the paper-delivery job, but it makes her feel free. Image: Amazon In addition, Ali Wong (Always Be My Maybe) played the Adult Erin, the woman twelve-year-old Erin Tieng (Nelet) grows up to become. When the two Erins finally come face-to-face, they are forced to confront the gap between their childhood hopes, dreams, ambitions, and the reality of their grown-up life. Nate Corddry (For All Mankind) played Larry, a bit of a recluse with rusty social skills who has devoted his life to being a member of the Underground, a secret organization devoted to helping one side win the Time War. After an encounter with the time-traveling paper girls, Larry must decide how much, if anything, he’s willing to sacrifice for the war and for the girls. Christopher C. Rogers (Halt and Catch Fire) serves as showrunner, with Stephany Folsom, Christopher Cantwell, and Rogers served as executive producers. Enjoyed this? Please share on social media! About Ray Flook Serving as Television Editor since 2018, Ray began five years earlier as a contributing writer/photographer before being brought onto the core BC team in 2017. Latest by Ray Flook Based on what series star Amy Smart had to share, it appears fans of The CW’s DC’s Stargirl will know the show’s fate by the end of the month. ABC’s Big Sky: Deadly Trails releases a new key art poster; showrunner Elwood Reid on the new threat that Jenny, Cassie & Beau are facing. Amazon isn’t moving forward on Season 2 of its series adaptation of Brian K. Vaughan & Cliff Chiang’s graphic novel Paper Girls. HBO Max’s Titans director Nicholas Copus shared two looks from production & confirm today’s the final day of Season 4 finale filming. At D23 Expo, Lucasfilm & Disney+’s Willow hosted a display of costumes, weapons, production designs, and more to preview the series. Series creator Don Mancini teased a tough start for our leads when Season 2 begins, and that’s before Chucky comes looking for bloody revenge. Latest in TV It’s time for the first big panel of the 2022 D23 Expo, and we are in the room to live blog. It’s time to talk Disney Animation, Pixar, and Disny Live Action. Our preview for tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX sees the Blue Brand return of Braun Strowman as well as the official debut of Solo Sikoa. Based on what series star Amy Smart had to share, it appears fans of The CW’s DC’s Stargirl will know the show’s fate by the end of the month. ABC’s Big Sky: Deadly Trails releases a new key art poster; showrunner Elwood Reid on the new threat that Jenny, Cassie & Beau are facing. After years of enduring CM Punk chants to disrespect his beloved WWE, The Chadster has his revenge! Also: a preview of AEW Rampage. Amazon isn’t moving forward on Season 2 of its series adaptation of Brian K. Vaughan & Cliff Chiang’s graphic novel Paper Girls.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Crypto News And Price Data – CoinDesk https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/bitcoin-ethereum-crypto-news-and-price-data-coindesk-7/ Frederick Munawa is a Technology Reporter for Coindesk. He covers blockchain protocols with a specific focus on bitcoin and bitcoin-adjacent networks. Crypto investment firm Paradigm published a nuanced legal argument amid concerns of potential sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that would target blockchain base layer participants such as miners and validators. The post was published on Thursday and comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by users who believe OFAC exceeded its authority when it sanctioned Tornado Cash smart contract addresses last month. Paradigm acknowledged that sanctions can be an important tool to preserve national security, but said it believes base layer participants merely record and order data (which may include sanctioned addresses), but do not actively control sanctioned assets. Paradigm further suggested that stringent regulation would eventually push blockchain innovation offshore, making it more difficult to track crypto transactions for legitimate national security purposes. Paradigm explained that a blockchain “base layer” is essentially a “communications protocol and technology infrastructure,” much like the internet. As such, the base layer must be free from censorship and preserve neutrality in order to maintain its utility as a public good. “It is widely accepted that the public switched telephone network and the switching centers that allow telephones around the globe to communicate are not expected to filter communications and exclude sanctioned persons. The same argument applies to the infrastructure of the internet. Crypto’s base layer is no different,” the post read. Sign up for State of Crypto, our weekly newsletter examining the intersection of cryptocurrency and government By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG . Frederick Munawa is a Technology Reporter for Coindesk. He covers blockchain protocols with a specific focus on bitcoin and bitcoin-adjacent networks. Frederick Munawa is a Technology Reporter for Coindesk. He covers blockchain protocols with a specific focus on bitcoin and bitcoin-adjacent networks.

India Opts Out Of Trade Talks With US-Led Indo-Pacific Group – Bloomberg https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/india-opts-out-of-trade-talks-with-us-led-indo-pacific-group-bloomberg/ We’ve detected unusual activity from your computer network To continue, please click the box below to let us know you’re not a robot.

Tech Zone To Empower Dentists To Use Technology To Enhance Their Practices Digital Brands – American Dental Association https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/tech-zone-to-empower-dentists-to-use-technology-to-enhance-their-practices-digital-brands-american-dental-association/ New this year to SmileCon is the Tech Zone, where dentists can discover how technology is changing dentistry today and shaping the industry’s future. In the Tech Empowerment Hub Powered by the ADA Member App — part of the Tech Zone in Dental Central — dentists can get expert technology advice and a full digital brand assessment. Dentists will work one on one with technology advisers to vet out the right technology solutions for them and learn the latest tips and tricks. They will also explore how to enhance their digital brand by improving their social media presence, managing their online reputation on Google Business and Yelp, engaging with their professional network, and creating relevant content. ADA members can download the reimagined ADA Member App and receive support in the hub to navigate it. The app is designed to meet the needs of dentists at every stage of their careers, with a particular emphasis on early-career dentists just entering the profession. The app will feature member-to-member chat, personalized content, career path information, a digital wallet for vital documents and access to the new ADA podcast “Dental Sound Bites.” In the Elevator Pitch Station of the Tech Zone, dentists can elevate their brand by creating a short, customized video to show potential patients. The Tech Theater will offer continuing education courses and spotlight exhibitors for dentists looking to learn more about using technology in their practices, including augmented intelligence. Courses on the main stage include: • The Optimal Operatory (5126), presented by physical therapist Timothy Caruso, from 10-11 a.m. Oct. 13. • “It’s (Medically) Complicated!”: Pharmacology for Treating Medically Complex Dental Patients (6121), presented by Thomas Viola, Dr.P.H., founder and CEO of Pharmacology Declassified, from 10-11 a.m. Oct. 14. • Augmented Intelligence: Transforming How We Diagnose, Communicate, and Deliver Care (6153), presented by Gregory Zeller, D.D.S., professor emeritus of oral health practice at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry; Christopher Balaban, D.M.D., clinical director of Overjet; and Robert Faiella, D.M.D., chief dental officer of Overjet and past president of the ADA, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 14. • The Age of Precision Dentistry: Augmented Intelligence and Implementation (7138), presented by Dr. Faiella and Cindy V. Roark, D.M.D., senior vice president and chief clinical officer of Sage Dental Management, from 10-11 a.m. Oct. 15. • AI-Powered Technologies in Dental Care Delivery: The Informed Clinician Perspective (7137), presented by Drs. Faiella, Balaban, Zeller and Roark, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Exhibitor spotlights on the main stage include: • Exhibitor Spotlight: PreXion Incorporating 3D Imaging Diagnostics Into Practice (6137), 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 14. • Exhibitor Spotlight: DGShape — Same-Day Dentistry 2.0: It Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated (6134), 1-2 p.m. Oct. 14. Dentists can learn more about how dentistry uses AI in the Tech Zone’s AI Lounge, where they can access resources using QR codes found around the lounge. This year’s SmileCon is a joint meeting with the 2022 Texas Dental Association Meeting and the 2023 Greater Houston Dental Society’s Star of the South Dental Meeting. It will take place Oct. 13-15 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The Tech Zone will be in Hall C, Booth 2002 of Dental Central. To learn more and register, visit SmileCon.org.

Roblox Wants To Advertise To Gamers Ages 13 And Up In The Metaverse – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/roblox-wants-to-advertise-to-gamers-ages-13-and-up-in-the-metaverse-the-washington-post/ Roblox, the online game platform with metaverse ambitions that targets tweens, is introducing a host of new features aimed at making its experiences more age-appropriate and profitable for the company. In the coming weeks, Roblox will introduce age guidelines for individual experiences or games, Chief Product Officer Manuel Bronstein said, helping its 52 million daily users better navigate the games hosted on the site. The games will be marked as either appropriate for all ages, suitable for those nine and older or those 13-and-older. “Our platform is aging up now,” said Bronstein. “More than 50 percent of our users are 13 plus, and our fastest growing demographic is 17 to 24. So it makes sense for people to have control over what experiences they’re going to access.” Roblox’s platform comprises user-generated games, many created by children and teens, some of whom have made millions of dollars for themselves. The company declined to share exact percentages of how many users are under the age of 13. Last year, it said 54 percent were under the age of 13. Roblox notes that about 90 percent of the developers of its top 1,000 games by earnings are above the age of 18. The platform has over 12 million game developers. Content approved for all ages could contain infrequent mild violence or light, unrealistic blood, according to the company, while the gated content for 13 and above could feature moderate violence and light, realistic blood. Roblox says it doesn’t allow romantic or sexual content on its platform. The San Mateo, Calif.-based company went public in March 2021, at $64.50 per share. At the time, Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki told The Washington Post he envisioned Roblox helping build and grow the metaverse, or a next version of the internet akin to a 3D world wide web, a confluence of music, games, films and more. The company posted a net loss of $176 million in the quarter ending in June, compared to a $140 million loss in the same time period last year. Roblox has looked to add certain features already popularized by other major tech companies, though the platform faces more challenges given its younger user base. Roblox plans to add a facial animation feature, making avatars change expression based on facial recognition — a feature popularized by Apple’s Memojis. The company said people will be able to chat with each other using the feature in a testing phase soon, and it has plans for a full release early next year. The gaming platform has also been rolling out a spatial voice feature since last November, which works similarly to one offered by Meta, formerly Facebook, via their Oculus VR headset. While Roblox looks to expand, it still has to deal with a major threat to its business. Unlike many other games, Roblox titles are often aimed at children under the age of 13 and can be multiplayer, allowing users to interact with strangers online. That opens up the platform to a lot of responsibilities, including setting strong parental controls and giving parents education on how to use them. “Much of Roblox’s user base is simply too young to understand the nuance of features like these when it comes to data and safety, and I don’t think we should ignore that many children use platforms like Roblox unsupervised, either,” said Alisha Karabinus, a games researcher at Grand Valley State University in Michigan who has children ages nine and 14. “So many children are given the same warning when it comes to navigating online worlds: Don’t share personal or private information with strangers; don’t share photos. But what’s more personal or private than your face?” Roblox requires users to verify they are 13 or older to use the voice chat feature by submitting a government ID or verifying their phone number. It relies on users to report bad actors, in lieu of complete real-time moderation from employees or artificial intelligence, which has traditionally been extremely challenging for in-game voice communications. Bronstein points out that users can also mute individuals or everyone. “In the future, we may have technology that could eventually do some level of real-time filtering, but that’s not in place anywhere in the world right now,” Bronstein said. “So what you can do is do a lot of good real-time moderation and give users control.” Voice recordings may be used in the future to support users’ reports of bad behavior. Bronstein said that Roblox was mindful of data privacy. “First of all, we let people know that when they’re using voice, their voice could be recorded for moderation and abuse reports and then those files after a certain period of time just disappear,” Bronstein said. “We don’t have any plans to store users’ voice for a long period of time.” Roblox has also been testing a new version of text chat that would give users above the age of 13 more freedom. The chat filter would keep those under the age of 13 from seeing acronyms like “LMAO,” but allow those over 13 to see the words and acronyms. Next year, Roblox plans to introduce immersive ads, a way to tap into a new revenue stream in addition to its existing subscriptions and in-game transactions. Warner Bros. and the shoe company Vans have tested ads out on the platform. “This is going to be our take on what advertising in the metaverse looks like,” Bronstein said. “This is a big area that we’re excited about from an innovation standpoint because I don’t think this has been figured out. We’re thinking about interactive formats, where if there’s a billboard, promoting a beautiful item, like say, a pair of shoes, you can tap on the billboard and immediately you are in the dressing room where you can try on those shoes and complete the transaction.” The ads will be gated to those ages 13 or older. But gaming experts cautioned against tailoring ads to children, and the harmful effects that could have. “Even an aging user base is still a young one, and Roblox’s profits are reaped from children. That merits more attention — or should,” Karabinus said, citing studies showing a link between junk food advertising to children and childhood obesity. Creators on Roblox can already earn profit by selling items, and sometimes limited-edition virtual items that drive up demand. When asked if this meant Roblox was considering getting into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are also digital and collectible, Bronstein said the company didn’t need to get on the blockchain. “We are not looking into NFTs right now,” he said. “I read about this space and I like it. I like technology, and I like to understand what’s going on. But we think that we get a lot of the value or utility without necessarily having to get into the blockchain. We are the platform where if you buy an item, you will have an avatar or a place to use it. You will have 50 million other people to see it.” To grow more profitable, the company has expanded into Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Russia and China. It launched LuoBuLeSi, the Chinese version of its platform, in July of 2021, only to shut it down six months later, saying it was working on a relaunch. Last year, the company had listed the venture as a risk factor, as it could be hurt by U.S.-China politics. “Currently, we have paused services and are focused on making the necessary investments, including investments in our data architecture, in order to realize our long-term vision for LuoBuLeSi,” said Desiree Fish, vice president of global communications at Roblox. “We’re hoping over time, more and more of our leading developers are coming from China. … There’s also a lot of really amazing content from our global developer base that we believe will do very well in China,” Baszucki told The Washington Post in March 2021. Last July, Vice reported on leaked Roblox internal documents detailing how it planned to abide by Chinese censorship rules to launch successfully in China, noting that players had national IDs and real names, making it easier to find child predators. Roblox said in a statement: “Roblox has been actively investigating a phishing incident, which involved a Roblox employee being targeted by cyber criminals through social engineering tactics and using highly personalized scare tactics. These stolen documents were illegally obtained as part of an extortion scheme that we refused to cooperate with.”

5 Save-The-Day Items Everyone Needs In Their Bag At The State Fair – TravelAwaits https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/5-save-the-day-items-everyone-needs-in-their-bag-at-the-state-fair-travelawaits/ Activities and Interests Festivals and Special Events News and Tips Travel Products Show Page Contents Hide Page Contents All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. We may earn commission when you click on or make a purchase via our links. Going to the state fair is exciting and adventurous, but it can be a long and dreadful day if you aren’t properly prepared. To make sure that you are ready from sun up to sun down, and to get the most out of your time at the state fair, we rounded up the top five must-have items to help save the day! Editor’s Note: To find your state fair’s 2022 schedule, click here. 1. Sunscreen Shop Now $8.97 Nothing is worse than being sunburnt and tired from the sunlight, so we put sunscreen at the top of our list. Neutrogena’s ultra sheer sunscreen is water resistant, has an SPF of 70, and is made with a non-greasy formula. Available on Amazon and eligible for free Prime member shipping, this 3-fluid-ounce bottle is recommended by dermatologists to help protect your skin from the sun’s harsh UVA rays. Not to mention, it can be used on both your face and body! For a higher SPF and sunscreen that comes in a spray bottle, try Banana Boat’s broad spectrum sunscreen spray. It has an SPF of 100 and is resistant to both sweat and water for up to 80 minutes. 2. Sun Hat Shop Now $25.99 Another way to protect yourself from the sun at the fair this year is by wearing a hat. Furtalk’s sun straw hat has a UPF of 50 that helps waid off the sun instantly. It is made with high-quality paper straw that makes for a great accessory to any state fair outfit! If you are inside and need to take a break, just fold up this hat and put it in your bag until you need it again. If a straw hat isn’t quite the look you’re going for, but you’re still wanting sun protection for your head, try Mission’s cooling bucket hat. Not only does it have a UPF of 50, but when the hat gets wet (with water or sweat), it cools to 30 degrees below average body temperature in under 30 seconds! What better way to stay cool and protected from the sun at the same time. 3. Personal Fan Shop Now $16.99 If being overheated at the state fair is a worry of yours, this mini fan can help alleviate those worries. This fan is small enough to fit in a bag, and better yet, your pocket! Its long battery life — 21 hours on one full charge — will last you the whole day at the state fair. To recharge it, plug the charger into the USB port and plug it into the wall. Possibly the best feature of this fan is that it doubles as a flashlight, making it a handy gadget to have when it turns dark at night. With over 27,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this item is one you will not want to pass up. 4. Refillable Water Bottle Shop Now $22.95 The portable mini fan will help you from getting overheated, but one of the best ways to avoid this is to start by staying hydrated. Iron Flask water bottles, available on Amazon, can help you achieve this by keeping water cold for up to 24 hours. Not to mention, refilling this water bottle and not buying one-use plastic water bottles is a win-win for both you and the Earth! This insulated water bottle is made with stainless steel and comes in over 20 different colors, making sure that everyone can find a color and style they like. It does feature a collapsible straw top that makes drinking easy and efficient. If a straw isn’t your favorite way to drink water, try a Nalgene. This water bottle has a twistable top that is leak-proof and can hold up to 32 ounces of water. This water bottle is made out of plastic and is 100-percent BPA-free. The loop top makes it easy to hook onto a backpack or harness. Both of these water bottles are great options to stay hydrated this year and both are available on Amazon. 5. Hand Sanitizer Shop Now $14.41 Our final item to be well prepared for the state fair, believe it or not, is hand sanitizer. Over the last few years, hand sanitizer has been a staple of going out anywhere. There’s no exception for the fair; after touching all of the different rides and before you eat that third corndog, sanitizing your hands is a must. Our favorite hand sanitizer is Purell’s variety pack. This set includes an eight pack of 1-ounce bottles with a gel strap to make carrying it easy and convenient — available on Amazon. It’s never a bad idea to be prepared for the state fair, and having these items will ensure just that; all while making your day both fun and safe!

The SEC Doubles Down On Its Promise To Regulate The Crypto Industry – Kitco NEWS https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/the-sec-doubles-down-on-its-promise-to-regulate-the-crypto-industry-kitco-news/ Editor’s Note: With so much market volatility, stay on top of daily news! Get caught up in minutes with our speedy summary of today’s must-read news and expert opinions. Sign up here! (Kitco News) – The Securities and Exchange Commission sought to reinforce its stance on cryptocurrency regulation on Friday by sending out Gurbir Grewal, the agency’s enforcement director, to deliver the following message to cryptocurrency investors – “We’re not giving crypto a pass.”  Grewal made the comment while speaking at a forum hosted by the Practising Law Institute, a legal education nonprofit, and stressed that the financial regulator intends to continue to investigate crypto firms despite the SEC’s reputation for “picking winners and losers” and “stifling innovation” in the crypto asset space. The enforcement director directly addressed those who feel that the agency should give crypto “a pass from the application of well-established regulations and precedents,” emphasizing that the SEC has been given the important job of remaining neutral and applying the same regulatory practices regardless of the industry.  “Were we not to investigate and bring appropriate cases just as we always have simply to duck criticism or difficult questions, we’d be acting with both fear and favor. We’ve been given a hard, but important job: to impartially enforce the laws and rules on the books for the benefit of investors and our markets,” Grewal said. “Non-enforcement of the most fundamental rules underlying our regulatory structure would be a betrayal of trust and not an option for us.” Moving forward, Grewal indicated that the SEC will not be deterred in its mission to regulate the cryptocurrency industry or any other industry where regulation is required in order to protect investors in the market.  “We will continue to bring actions regardless of what label is used or technology is involved (or not). Failure to do so would constitute an abdication of our responsibilities, and an abandonment of the investors who have been harmed in those markets, including through being denied essential disclosures and protections.” Grewal’s remarks were followed by comments from SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, who took the stage after a panel on SEC enforcement to address the notion of “regulation by enforcement,” which Uyeda sees as inferior to the SEC’s process for rulemaking.  “Taken to an extreme, everything everywhere is securities fraud,” Uyeda said. “The commission should avoid issuing new interpretations through enforcement actions.” These comments come the day after SEC chair Gary Gensler spoke at the same conference and suggested that he supports the idea of Congress giving more power to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to regulate cryptocurrencies, specifically Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), “as long as it doesn’t take away power from the SEC” or “inadvertently undermine securities laws.”   Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Stock Market Today Live: Dow Gains Over 300 Points, U.S Stocks Snap Three Straight Weeks Of Losses – The Wall Street Journal https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/stock-market-today-live-dow-gains-over-300-points-u-s-stocks-snap-three-straight-weeks-of-losses-the-wall-street-journal/ About this page Last Updated: Sep 9, 2022 at 4:17 pm ET Follow The Wall Street Journal’s full markets coverage.

PowerSchool Recognized As Winner Of Tech & Learning Awards Of Excellence: Back To School – Business Wire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/powerschool-recognized-as-winner-of-tech-learning-awards-of-excellence-back-to-school-business-wire/ FOLSOM, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PowerSchool (NYSE: PWSC), the leading provider of cloud-based software for K-12 education in North America, received three awards from Tech & Learning’s Awards of Excellence program, “The Best Tools for Back to School.” PowerSchool’s Unified Classroom® was recognized as a winner in the primary category, and PowerSchool’s Unified Talent and Naviance were selected as winners in the secondary category. “We are proud to be recognized by Tech & Learning as we continue to partner closely with our over 15,000 customers to provide exceptional education technology solutions for schools nationwide,” said Marcy Daniel, Chief Product Officer at PowerSchool. “Our top priority is to support students and educators with unified technology that helps them realize their full potential from pre-K through high-school and beyond.” The 2022 Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence recognized PowerSchool’s Unified Talent and Naviance for exceptionally supporting teaching and learning, along with PowerSchool Unified Classroom® for helping educators deliver personalized, whole child instruction, with a focus on supporting educators and students’ social emotional learning needs. The Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence “The Best Tools for Back to School” is an annual program celebrating educational technology that exceptionally supports teachers and students in K-12 and higher education settings. The Back to School Awards recognize products that offer schools versatility, value, and solutions to specific problems to support innovative, effective teaching and learning. About PowerSchool PowerSchool (NYSE: PWSC) is the leading provider of cloud-based software for K-12 education in North America. Its mission is to power the education ecosystem with unified technology that helps educators and students realize their full potential, in their way. PowerSchool connects students, teachers, administrators, and parents, with the shared goal of improving student outcomes. From the office to the classroom to the home, it helps schools and districts efficiently manage state reporting and related compliance, special education, finance, human resources, talent, registration, attendance, funding, learning, instruction, grading, assessments, and analytics in one unified platform. PowerSchool supports over 45 million students globally and more than 15,000 customers, including more than 90 of the top 100 districts by student enrollment in the United States, and sells solutions in more than 90 countries. Visit www.powerschool.com to learn more.

Teen Calls 911 After Father Takes Her Gaming System Away – Midland Daily News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/teen-calls-911-after-father-takes-her-gaming-system-away-midland-daily-news/ Tereasa Nims, Midland Daily News Sep. 9, 2022Updated: Sep. 9, 2022 3:59 p.m. A vehicle is towed away from the scene of a collision at the intersection of Rodd and Carpenter Monday, March 16, 2020 in Midland. Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims. Thursday Sept. 9 10:16 p.m. Police were called to the 2000 block of Bayliss for a domestic assault. 9:41 p.m. – A deputy was dispatched to a Mills Township business for a report of loud music. The deputy contacted an employee at the business and the music was turned off for the night. 8:53 p.m. – An unknown person failed to pay $37.25 in gas at Warren Township gas station. 8:52 p.m. – Deputies responded to a Greendale Township residence regarding a third-party report of 24-year-old man who was having suicidal thoughts. A deputy transported the man to the Midland ER for an evaluation. A mental health petition was completed. 5:49 p.m. – A 22-year-old man reported losing a black toolbox out of his truck in Sanford. 3:08 p.m. Deputies responded to a chair in the roadway. The chair was gone when deputies arrived. 3:07 p.m. – A deputy assisted Midland Township fire with a lift assist. 12:48 p.m. – An animal control officer received a call regarding several goats loose and near the road in Lee Township. Deputies checked the area, and the goats were not in or near the roadway. 12:20 p.m. – A Deputy responded to a two-vehicle personal injury accident in Midland Township. A 31-year-old woman struck the back of a 32-year-old woman’s vehicle. The 32-year-old woman was transported by her parents to a local hospital for a check-up. 11:56 a.m. –  The Coleman Community Schools Resource Officer conducted a wellbeing check on a 9-year-old student at Coleman Elementary School with the assistance of the school social worker. The SRO contacted the complainant to advise the child was present in school and appeared well. 11:53 a.m. – A deputy was dispatched to a Jasper Township residence to speak with a 78-year-old man regarding a fraud. The 78-year-old man stated that he was the victim of a $7,300 fraud. Unknown suspect. 11:36 a.m. – Police responded to Swede Avenue and Hillgrove Parkway for a property damage crash. 11:35 a.m. – Police were called to Eastman Avenue and Harcrest Drive for a property damage crash. 10:59 a.m. – Deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township residence regarding a 24-year-old Warren Township man alleging that he was assaulted by his 56-year-old neighbor. A report is being sent to prosecutor. 10:22 a.m. – A deputy responded to a Geneva Township residence after a 13-year-old girl called 911 because her father took her phone and video game system away. Law enforcement was not needed. 9:10 a.m. – A deputy assisted with catching a loose horse in Warren Township. The horse was turned over to its owners. 1:13 a.m. – Deputies responded to a Mills Township residence reference a suspicious vehicle parked in the caller’s driveway. Prior to Deputies arrival, they were disregarded by dispatch because the suspicious vehicle left without incident. 12:41 a.m. – Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township business regarding a suspicious man who was loitering in the parking lot. A deputy spoke with the man and determined he was there to use a portable restroom on the property. The man left the area on his bicycle. 12:04 a.m. – A deputy observed a disabled all-terrain vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway in Jerome Township and it was causing a traffic hazard. The operator was identified as a 15-year-old Edenville Township boy. The boy’s mother arrived at the scene and took custody of her son and the ATV. The deputy issued warnings and both parties were informed of ATV laws.

A Weekend Guide To Puerto Rico, Where To Play, Eat, And Stay – UPROXX https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/a-weekend-guide-to-puerto-rico-where-to-play-eat-and-stay-uproxx/ Puerto Rico is the birthplace of some of the world’s most prized masterpieces – the piña colada, sexy salsa music, Bad Bunny. Where would we be without them? While I’ve long been a lover of these party-centric cultural contributions, what I learned on my recent trip to the little Caribbean island is that its charm goes far beyond just the hits. Puerto Rico is also home to a vibrant community, lush landscapes, and pristine beaches — as well as a food and drinks scene that’s rooted in history while rapidly evolving. The best part? You don’t even need your passport to get there! One of the best things about Puerto Rico is that it feels like you’re in a far-out tropical paradise even though you’re still in a United States territory. And with the infamous passport delays and international airport nightmares over the past year, staying somewhere closer to home can be the most reliable option for travel as fall weather starts turning cold on the mainland. All you really need is a few days in Puerto Rico to enjoy your time there, too. I only spent a long weekend in town and was able to adventure in the outdoors, relax by the beach, and indulge in the local delicacies. If you’re in the market for a tropical island vacation without the hassle of international crossings, Puerto Rico should be your go-to destination. Read on for my top recommendations on where to play, eat, drink, and stay. Chloe Caldwell ALSO READ: An Island-Hopping Guide To Turks And Caicos Travel Writers And Influencers Share Their All-Time Favorite Beaches In The US A Guide To Fort Myers: Florida’s Surprisingly Cool Beachside Oasis Hotels We Love: Surfhouse In Encinitas (CA) Is A Beach Lover’s Dream A Solo Traveler’s Guide To Kauai: Where To Eat, Stay, And Play PART I — Where to Play Visit El Yunque National Forest Chloe Caldwell All I can say about Puerto Rico’s tropical landscape is wow. The island’s mountainous and hilly terrain, in many places, is covered in lush flora that looks especially bright green in contrast to the crystal blue sea and sky. The best place to experience and learn more about Puerto Rico’s stunning natural scenery is by visiting El Yunque National Forest. It’s the only tropical rainforest in the US, making it a must on your itinerary. Much of the public forest area is still closed due to lasting damage from Hurricane Maria, but there is still plenty of land and trails to explore. To start, stop by the visitor center for a guided informational tour. This is a great way to get familiar with the different plants and animals you might see before exploring on your own. From there, you can drive up the winding two-lane road that takes you to various trailheads, observation points, and historic sites throughout the forest. You’ll stumble across natural waterfalls, doable hikes (there are also overnight hikes for the avid adventurers), swimming holes, and awe-inspiring views. My favorite stop along the way, which had what I believe might be one of the best accessible views on the entire island, was at the Yokahú Tower. It’s an old lighthouse-looking building in which you can climb up a winding staircase to the top. What you’ll find once you make your way up is an unobstructed sweeping view of the forest and the island beyond. You can see for miles, from the luscious rainforest canopy to the distant Caribbean waves. Learn more about El Yunque National Forest here. Go for a Sunset Sail What’s a trip to the Caribbean without some boating? The best way to wind down after a long day of exploring and feasting on fried Puerto Rican food (more on this later) is by going for a sunset sail with Sail Old San Juan. The sunset tour fits up to six people, so grab your travel crew, throw on your nicest vacation getup, and celebrate by toasting with complimentary bubbly. It’s nothing but carefree, laidback vibes out there on the water. Your US Coast Guard licensed Captain will take you through the San Juan harbor and past the city of Old San Juan. You’ll get a glimpse of the area’s famous historic sites, such as the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a citadel built between the 16th and 18th centuries and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The sail lasts for about two hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the cool ocean breeze (savor it — Puerto Rico is hot) and gawk at the sun setting over the horizon. Overall Sail Old San Juan is an excellent way to take in the historical monuments from the water, admire the stunning sunset views, and relax at sea. Your captain might even let you steer the boat! Book a sunset sail or another boating excursion with Sail Old San Juan here. PART II — Where to Eat & Drink Kioskos de Luquillo Chloe Caldwell If you want to indulge in the goodness that is authentic Puerto Rican food, you need to make a trip to Kioskos de Luquillo — but be prepared for a serving of fried everything. Kioskos de Luquillo is a long street side row of about 60 family-owned kiosks selling food, drinks, and souvenirs. Some traditional Puerto Rican meals include mofongo, tostones, arroz con gandules, and coquito. Mofongo is one of the most recognized Puerto Rican dishes, made with plantains as its main ingredient — the plantains are typically fried and then mashed with salt, garlic, broth, and olive oil in a wooden pilón. Being that Puerto Rico is surrounded by clear Caribbean waters, there’s an abundance of good seafood options (for the most part, these are also fried). Kioskos de Luquillo is an ideal lunch spot, especially if you spent the morning exploring El Yunque, as it’s only a short drive away from the forest. Plus, you’ll need to burn off some energy and get hungry before coming here. Like I said, there are 60 food stalls, bars, and shops to explore, so it’s best to come with a big appetite. Learn more about the many family-owned food stalls here. La Factoría Chloe Caldwell If you’re looking for a place to party it up on a weekend in Puerto Rico, head back to Old San Juan. There are tons of bars on the heavily trafficked San Sebastian Street, all located within walking distance of each other. The best place to start is at La Factoría. This low-lit, speakeasy experience has been named one of the world’s 50 best bars numerous times, and for good reason. Beyond the main entrance, which appears to be more of a small dive bar, there are “secret” doors and passages to six other bars with their own unique ambiance and drink menus. I stayed in the main “Facto” bar area and ordered the Lavender Mule, a tart and tasty concoction made with Ketel One, ginger tea, lavender, and citrus. Whether you want to sip on craft cocktails, dance late into the night, or just chill with your squad for a quick nightcap, it’s safe to say you can find what you’re looking for on a night out at La Factoría. You can basically start and end your night here exploring the different rooms, or bar hop down the lively and colorful stretch of Old San Juan. View the full Facto menu here. PART III — Where to Stay Margaritaville Vacation Club Chloe Caldwell I know, Margaritaville. But seriously, it’s well worth staying here on your trip to Puerto Rico. The Margaritaville Vacation Club at Wyndham Rio Mar offers oceanfront suites, apartment-style accommodations (since it’s a timeshare property that’s available to book for short-term stays), poolside restaurant and bar service, and easy access to the beach — it’s just steps from the sand and sea. It’s pretty much what you’d expect from most “resort” properties, but that might be exactly what you want and need for a relaxing and somewhat secluded weekend away (as opposed to the bustle of Old San Juan). It’s definitely what I needed, and nothing helped me unplug and relax more than savoring a cup of fresh coffee on my oceanview balcony each morning. The best part is the property’s proximity to El Yunque National Forest and Kioskos de Luquillo. It’s right down the street from both, so if these are top activities on your Puerto Rico to-do list, you can’t beat Margaritaville Vacation Club’s location. Book your stay at Margaritaville Vacation Club at Wyndham Rio Mar here. Chloe Caldwell Hotel El Convento If you’re looking for a more boutique yet still luxury experience, book a room at Hotel El Convento, a historic hotel in the heart of San Juan. It’s located just steps away from the historic landmarks and nightlife of the city, so this is ideal if you’re looking to be immersed in the action. Built in 1646, this property offers old-time charm combined with modern amenities and comfort — including high-end, vintage-inspired rooms, an open-air restaurant, courtyard bar, fitness center, and a pool with an ocean view. Book a stay at Hotel El Convento here. Uproxx was hosted for this story by Puerto Rico Tourism. However, they did not review this story. You can learn more about the Uproxx Press Trip policy here.

Storm’s Fierce Winds Complicate California Wildfire Fight | Business News | Statesville.com – Statesville Record & Landmark https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/storms-fierce-winds-complicate-california-wildfire-fight-business-news-statesville-com-statesville-record-landmark/ 1 of 26 Firefighters battle the Mosquito Fire along Mosquito Ridge Rd. near the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. A hand crew prepares to battle the Mosquito Fire along Mosquito Ridge Rd. near the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Viewed from the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., a plume rises from the Mosquito Fire on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. A dog rides through the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., as the Mosquito Fire burns on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Seen from the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., a plume rises from the Mosquito Fire on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. While battling the Mosquito Fire, a firefighter watches vegetation burn along Mosquito Ridge Rd. near the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. A firefighter rubs his face while battling the Mosquito Fire along Mosquito Ridge Rd. near the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Brian Johnson hoses down his cousin’s home as the Mosquito Fire burns toward the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Brian Johnson hoses down his cousin’s home as the Mosquito Fire burns toward the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Firefighters and residents in the Foresthill community of Placer County, Calif., watch the as a plume rises from the Mosquito Fire on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Resident Chad Mackay watches from the Foresthill community of Placer County, Calif., as a plume rises from the Mosquito Fire on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Viewed from the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., an air tanker drops retardant on the Mosquito Fire as it burns near Volcanoville on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Viewed from the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., an air tanker drops retardant on the Mosquito Fire as it burns near Volcanoville on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Seen from the Foresthill community in Placer County, Calif., a plume rises from the Mosquito Fire on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Firefighters in the Foresthill community of Placer County, Calif., watch the as a plume rises from the Mosquito Fire on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. The Mosquito Fire burns along a ridge top in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. The Mosquito Fire burns along a ridge top in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. An air tanker drops retardant while trying to stop the Mosquito Fire from spreading along Chicken Hawk Rd. in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. A destroyed structure rest in a clearing as the Mosquito Fire burns along Michigan Bluff Rd. in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. Firefighters battle the Mosquito Fire burning on Michigan Bluff Rd. in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. A flag flies behind a scorched outbuilding as the Mosquito Fire burns along Michigan Bluff Rd. in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. Scorched vehicles rest in a clearing as the Mosquito Fire burns along Michigan Bluff Rd. in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. Firefighter Stephanie Endsley battles the Mosquito Fire burning near the Michigan Bluff community in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. A firefighter battles the Mosquito Fire burning near the Michigan Bluff community in unincorporated Placer County, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. Caltrans workers remove a fallen tree blocking transit on SR-79 between Paso Picacho Campground and Lake Cuyamaca on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 in San Diego, Calif. A surge of clouds and showers associated with Tropical Storm Kay off Mexico’s Baja California peninsula knocked the edge off temperatures in Southern California at times but also were a potential problem for solar generation. The storm was downgraded from a hurricane Thursday evening. A fallen tree blocks transit on SR-79 between Paso Picacho Campground and Lake Cuyamaca before Caltrans workers removed it on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 in San Diego, Calif. A surge of clouds and showers associated with Tropical Storm Kay off Mexico’s Baja California peninsula knocked the edge off temperatures in Southern California at times but also were a potential problem for solar generation. The storm was downgraded from a hurricane Thursday evening. By JULIE WATSON and JOHN ANTCZAK – Associated Press SAN DIEGO (AP) — A tropical storm nearing Southern California on Friday brought fierce mountain winds, high humidity, rain and the threat of flooding to a region already dealing with wildfires and an extraordinary heat wave that has stressed the electrical grid. In a mix of bad and good, firefighters feared powerful winds could expand the massive Fairview Fire 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of San Diego, while forecasters said the change in weather would finally end California’s heat wave. Tropical Storm Kay, downgraded from hurricane status, was expected to continue northward off Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and then veer west without making landfall in Southern California but still have a strong impact there. The moisture was forecast to then surge farther north into the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada, where the dangerous Mosquito Fire is burning, bringing both significant cooling and the possibility of thunderstorms during the weekend. The tropical conditions added a swelter to the heat wave, which offered little overnight relief. The San Diego airport was 89 degrees (31.6 degrees Celsius) with rain at 5 a.m. Friday. “Living in San Diego, it’s odd to see skies overcast and rain and go outside into a wall of humidity as if it were South Carolina,” said city spokesperson Anthony Santacroce. City officials were posting warning signs in low-lying coastal areas and making sandbags available to the public. Crews were on standby to deal with any flooding. Windspeeds reached 109 mph (175 kph) on San Diego County’s Cuyamaca Peak, the National Weather Service said. The gusts made driving to work difficult for Rhonda Young, office manager of the Julian Pie Company in Julian, a mountain town 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of San Diego that is known for its apple orchards. “It’s pretty crazy out there,” she said. “There are definitely a lot of trees down.” The winds added a major concern on the fire lines. The Fairview Fire covered about 43 square miles (111 square kilometers) of Riverside County and was just 5% contained. Two people died while fleeing on Monday and at least 12 structures have been destroyed. More than 18,000 homes were threatened. To the north in the Sierra Nevada, the Mosquito Fire burned out of control, scorching at least 22 square miles (57 square kilometers) and threatening 3,600 homes in Placer and El Dorado counties, while blanketing the region in smoke. Flames jumped the American River, burning structures in the mountain hamlet of Volcanoville and moving closer to the towns of Foresthill, home to about 1,500 people, and Georgetown, population 3,000. Fire spokesperson Chris Vestal called the fast-moving blaze an “extreme and critical fire threat.” The fire’s cause remained under investigation. Pacific Gas & Electric notified the state Public Utilities Commission that the U.S. Forest Service placed caution tape around the base of a PG&E transmission pole but no damage could be seen. PG&E said unspecified “electrical activity” occurred close in time to the report of the fire on Sept. 6. Positive news was reported from the Radford Fire near the Big Bear Lake resort area in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. Evacuation orders were reduced to warnings as containment grew to 59% with just under 2 square miles (5 square kilometers) burned. While rain could help quell the fires, the storm raised new risks. Riverside County officials warned that some areas including wildfire burn scars could get up to 7 inches (17.7 centimeters) of rain, bringing the threat of flash flooding and mud and debris flows. “Based on forecasts, this appears to be a dangerous storm,” Bruce Barton, director of the Emergency Management Department, said in a statement. Southern California Edison advised that it was considering cutting power to some areas due to the weather. Public safety power shutoffs are used to prevent fires from igniting if winds bring down or damage power lines and electrical equipment. Operators of California’s power grid issued another “Flex Alert” call for voluntary cuts in use of electricity between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., the hours when demand on the system is at its peak and solar generation is dropping off. With record demand on power supplies across the West, California snapped its record energy use around 5 p.m. Tuesday with 52,061 megawatts, far above the previous high of 50,270 megawatts set July 24, 2006. An emergency appeal for conservation that was sent to Californians’ cellphones was credited with an immediate drop in demand on the electrical grid Tuesday evening. Up the West Coast, Oregon utilities began shutting down power to thousands of customers on Friday as dry easterly winds swept into the region, raising the risk of wildfire danger. Portland General Electric halted power in the Columbia River Gorge and around Mount Hood and a second power company was poised to do the same Friday. More than 40,000 customers were likely lose power in planned shutoffs as winds of up to 60 mph (97 kph) hit some areas. Authorities urged residents to charge cellphones ...

First Responders And Mental Health: When Heroes Need Rescuing – Psychiatric Times https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/first-responders-and-mental-health-when-heroes-need-rescuing-psychiatric-times/ As September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, this article focuses on the exposure and affect regarding those who have been charged with protecting the population’s health and preserving a community’s population—namely, first responders. In 2022, the world has been challenged by several unprecedented large-scale crisis events such as increases in mass shootings, increases in violence, and pernicious natural disasters. Although first responders have been trained to engage in extreme conditions amid rapid onset of change circumstances, such trainings do not comprehensively address or provide resources for the post-response mental health needs of these professionals. In fact, because of the pandemic, alongside a host of other various social ingressions like public insurrections and aggressive social discord over the past 2 years, the mental health needs of first responders have gained more attention. In this, a larger scope of questions predominates, such as: What happens to those same professionals who continuously endure the gross impact of such phenomena beyond their psychological and physical capabilities? Additionally, what is being done to assist first responders regarding assessment and remediation of mental health issues? Finally, how prevalent are things like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other pathologies that may result from being a first responder? Definitive trends also underscore these kinds of questions regarding first responders and the pathos-defined issues that have emerged from studies that depict PTSD, suicide, depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse as most predominant among this group of professionals.1 Although this observation was made nearly a decade ago, current research shows these same trends have negatively increased in 2022. As well, more sobering statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that occupational stress in first responders can be associated with increased risk of serious mental health issues including hopelessness, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and suicidal behaviors such as suicidal ideation and actualized attempts.2 The following article presents a purview and inquiry into how society, policy makers, and government agencies can begin to synthesize the current trends regarding the mental health issues of first responders, as well as their compromised and vulnerable realities, and emotional valance. Additionally, this article examines a few of the current promising psychological preventatives being tested with first-responder populations and the future prospects to be considered for building mental health resources for this group. The Role of the First Responder To more clearly define “first responders,” one must consider the cross-segment of industry categorized as helping professionals, where the primary role is first-line contact in any emergency situation. For the purposes of this article, the author will refer to such a role primarily as “first responder”; however, this reference can be somewhat arbitrary, and first responders may also be characterized as “emergency response providers” or “public health workers.” Either way, first responders are those who must meet the challenging demands of their front-line status within roles that represent a collection of various helping professions. Under the umbrella of those considered first responders are police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Given their occupational demands, these helping professionals are the ones who are also the most chronically exposed to stress and traumatic scenes in the line of duty on a daily basis. To expand on this, according to Title VI from the Domestic Security of the US Code, the term “emergency response providers” might also include federal, state, and local governmental and nongovernmental emergency public safety, fire, law enforcement, emergency response, emergency medical (including hospital emergency facilities), and related personnel, agencies, and authorities.3 The next section provides a look at some of the emergent literature that has been documented concerning the mental health sequelae of first responders and the psychopathology that may perseverate. This may include the artifacts of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and a host of other variants. Statistics on First-Response Personnel Some statistics provided on first responders and their mental health have been documented by the US Department of Healthin a supplement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Help for Heroes Program.4 The statistics reveal the following associated with firefighters, police officers, and EMS professionals5-7: “It is estimated that 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions including, but not limited to, depression and [PTSD], as compared with 20% in the general population. In a study about suicidality, firefighters were reported to have higher attempt and ideation rates than the general population. In law enforcement, the estimates suggest between 125 and 300 police officers commit suicide every year.” These are staggering results compared to those in other professions. If one reflects on the nature of each of these roles and what they are called to do to preserve life and community, the possibility of such tremendous role strain will always have some psychological implications. In looking at the work of firefighters, for example, these professionals are often the first on the scene in an emergency response call. “The nature of their work, including repeated exposure to painful and provocative experiences, and erratic sleep schedules, can impose significant risks to their mental health.”8 Thus, repeated exposure to hard circumstances that arise from crises are, by nature, psychically scarring and elevate the risk for future traumatic sequelae. To this end, one may add yet another insidious element of risk to be considered: intrinsic barriers that bar them from seeking help because of stigma, diminished capacity on the job, informal codes of silence, and treatment costs. As with most exposure to extreme stressors, the elevated risk of things like anxiety, suicidal ideation, PTSD symptomology, and other issues may become more acute. Using the following example, according to research by Stanley et al, “over 50% of firefighter deaths are due to stress and extreme exhaustion.”8 In addition, “the suicidality of firefighters in yet another study revealed markedly greater elevated levels of posttraumatic stress from the profession, while career firefighters reported higher levels of PTSD.”8 In turn, according to Bentley et al, an estimated 69% of EMS providers report not having enough recovery time between traumatic incidents.9 As most EMS providers are expected to be on duty for strenuous amounts of time—up to and beyond 24 hours—the duration and intensity of being on-call, engaging in extremely stressful situations, and having little opportunity for rest in between incidents becomes an unbalanced centrifuge of extraordinary circumstances to contend with that can lead to negative outcomes for the individual. Also, EMS workers typically experience greater noted degrees of problematic alcohol and drug use—more so than the general population.6 Like firefighters and police officers, most EMS personnel are reluctant to seek care due to fears of stigma, irrational codes of silence, and fear of possible disciplinary action such as being put on leave or desk duty indefinitely.10 In a number of studies, first responders showed disturbingly clear outcomes in reference to suicidal ideation. According to the studies, there was a 28% lifetime prevalence rate of feeling as though life was not worth living, 10.4% had more extreme instances of suicidal ideation, and 3.1% revealed past suicide attempts. As well, 37% of the first responders surveyed for 2 primary studies had contemplated suicide nearly 10 times more than the typical American adult. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation among police officers was revealed to be 25% in female officers and 23% for male officers. Suicide attempt rates among police officers ranged from 0.7% to 55% in studies based on extensive literature reviews.11 As well, international analysis concerning suicides among law enforcement and their proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs)—or more so, the ratio of death count for this occupation compared to the expected number of deaths in all occupations combined—appeared significantly higher for all races and sexes combined (all law enforcement PMR equals 169%).12 In the wake of the pandemic, the volatility and precarious nature of widescale crises only added to the extreme pressures of first responders. As we begin to uncover more data and evidence from the impact of the pandemic, much more will be learned about just how devastating and long-lasting those impacts have become. In the following section we look at some of the current resources being developed and implemented to address the needs of these professionals. What Is Being Done Part of the issue concerns the gap in research concerning a more comprehensive understanding of first-responder suicides. However, there have been several initiatives underway to help close this gap so that more enhanced resourcing is prevalent. One of the first steps was the construction of an interagency team of researchers composed from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), alongside the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).2 This aggregated team of researchers is now analyzing and gathering more data around suicides of firs...