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☆ Layoffs rise to the highest for any February since 2009, Challenger says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Layoff announcements in February hit their highest level for the month since the global financial crisis, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. From a historical perspective, this was the worst February since 2009, which saw 186,350 announcements as the worst of the financial crisis was seemingly coming to an end. "As we navigate the start of 2024, we're witnessing a persistent wave of layoffs," said Andrew Challenger, the firm's labor and workplace expert. Layoff announcements at financial firms have risen 56% compared with the first two months of 2023. It's worth noting that last year alone, AI was directly cited in 4,247 job reductions, suggesting a growing impact on companies' workforces," Challenger reported.

Persons: Andrew Challenger Organizations: Wall, Challenger Locations: Lake Forest , CA

The tiny, half-pint cartons of milk served with millions of school lunches nationwide may soon be scarce in some cafeterias, with districts across the country scrambling to find alternatives. The problem is not a shortage of milk itself, but the cardboard cartons used to package and serve it, according to dairy industry suppliers and state officials. The shortage is affecting the company’s ability to “fully supply some school milk orders,” according to Matt Herrick, spokesperson for the International Dairy Foods Association. In Clarence, New York, local school district officials told parents they plan to provide “small bottles of water or cups of milk with lids” if the cartons run out. In Everett, Washington, school officials told parents to expect a disruption in cafeteria milk supply that could “range up to several months.”Herrick said U.S. milk processors are working with other package suppliers to resolve the shortage.

Persons: North America ”, “, Matt Herrick, —, Jayme Taylor, ”, ” Herrick Organizations: International Dairy Foods Association . School, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Nutrition Service, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Lake Forest , Illinois, North America, New York , Pennsylvania, California, Washington, U.S, Clarence , New York, Lake Stevens , Washington, Seattle, “, Everett , Washington

CNN —Authorities in Tennessee are searching for the son of Nashville’s police chief as a suspect in the Saturday shooting of two suburban police officers. “Despite my efforts and guidance in the early and teenage years, my son, John Drake Jr., now 38-years-old, resorted to years of criminal activity and is a convicted felon,” the chief said. “He has not been a part of my life for quite some time.”Police say the shooting happened during an altercation Saturday night in La Vergne, a suburb of Nashville. During that investigation, they made contact with a subject,” La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews said at a Saturday press conference. One officer was released Saturday evening and the other remains in the hospital in stable condition, the city of La Vergne said in a statement.

Persons: Nashville’s, John Drake Jr, John Drake, “, Drake, ”, Christopher Moews, Moews, La Vergne, there’s Organizations: CNN, Authorities, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Metro Nashville Police, ” Police, Vergne Police, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Locations: Tennessee, La Vergne, Nashville, La, Lake Forest

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Bears quarterback Justin Fields is not expected to need surgery for his dislocated right thumb, coach Matt Eberflus said Friday. As expected, Fields was ruled out for Sunday's game against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders (3-3). It appears that Fields, at least for now, will avoid injured reserve, Eberflus said. He’ll be week to week and we’ll know more Monday. That’s where it is right now with Justin.”Fields needs to be able to achieve specific benchmarks in his recovery before returning.

Persons: Justin Fields, Matt Eberflus, Fields, Tyson Bagent, Eberflus, ” Eberflus, He’ll, Justin, ”, ” Bagent, Bagent, DJ Moore, Luke Getsy, ” Getsy, “, Getsy, he’s, Eddie Jackson, Jackson, Darnell Wright, Jaquan Brisker, Brisker, ___ Organizations: Ill, — Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago, That’s, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Bears, Division, Shepherd University, rookie's Senior Bowl Locations: LAKE FOREST

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have placed running back Khalil Herbert on injured reserve along with wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown. The Bears announced the moves two days before their home game against the Minnesota Vikings. Chicago also signed quarterback Nathan Peterman from the practice squad to the active roster. Herbert hurt his right ankle in a Thursday night game against the Washington Commanders. Herbert was leading the Bears with 272 yards rushing.

Persons: Khalil Herbert, Brown, Nathan Peterman, Herbert Organizations: Ill, Chicago Bears, The Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago, Washington, Bears, Associated Press Locations: LAKE FOREST, St

☆ Marilyn Lovell, Astronaut’s Wife in the Spotlight, Dies at 93
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Alex Traub | More About Alex Traub | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Marilyn Lovell, who, as an object of fascination for the news media, the inspiration for movie and TV characters and a figure in history books, incarnated for many Americans the hardships and glamour of being an astronaut’s wife, died on Aug. 27 in Lake Forest, Ill. She was 93. Her death was announced by the Wenban Funeral Home of Lake Forest. Her husband, Jim Lovell, once the most experienced astronaut in the United States, was captain of perhaps the nation’s most dramatic spaceflight: Apollo 13. It was launched on April 11, 1970, with the goal of returning astronauts to the surface of the moon for the third time. Mr. Lovell and Fred Haise were the designated moon walkers; Jack Swigert was supposed to remain in orbit.

Persons: Marilyn Lovell, Jim Lovell, Lovell, Fred Haise, Jack Swigert, “, we’ve, Mr, Houston Locations: Lake Forest, United States, “ Houston

… The earth is screaming at us," Washington state Governor Jay Inslee said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." Washington state is switching to electric-powered ferries and stopping the sale of internal combustion cars after 2035, said Inslee. Palm Springs Mayor Grace Elena Garner, who also spoke on "This Week," highlighted the need for further resources from the federal government. She emphasized more funds for housing development are needed to ensure residents don't have to live outside in worsening environmental conditions. The U.S. must lead the climate fight "not just from a moral standpoint, but from [its] self-interest standpoint," Inslee said.

Persons: Bill Forte, Jay Inslee, Joe Biden's, Grace Elena Garner, Garner, Inslee Organizations: North Sky Communications Locations: Pacific, Lake Forest Park , Washington , U.S, U.S, Washington, Springs, Palm Springs

☆ Opinion | The Power of Community, Religious and Secular
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Richard HolmerLake Forest, Ill.To the Editor:Rabbi David Wolpe’s essay strikes a number of chords, one of which is to affirm the value of affiliating with a house of worship. Faith institutions offer individuals and families the opportunity to be an integral part of a community, sharing times of joy and sadness. Reuven H. TaffSacramentoTo the Editor:Rabbi David Wolpe writes with his usual grace, eloquence and wisdom. Idealistic people who join together in furtherance of social goals often create supportive and nurturing associations. A union can create a sense of community, as can a group like the Masons or a sports club.

Persons: Richard, David Wolpe’s, Wolpe, Reuven H, David Wolpe Organizations: Public Religion Research, Taff Sacramento, Masons Locations: Lake Forest

☆ People Can't Get Ozempic, New Weight-Loss Drugs Because of Broken Healthcare System
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Wegovy is just one of a wave of revolutionary weight-loss drugs, which also includes the buzzy Ozempic, that represents a watershed moment for obesity treatment. Demand for weight-loss drugs is surgingDoctors and healthcare professionals searched for a healthy, safe, and effective weight-loss solution for years before the drugs, known collectively as GLP-1 agonists, exploded on the scene. If there is one key that could unlock access to expensive weight-loss drugs for Americans, it's Medicare. Expanding coverage for Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs for just a small segment of the population could cost Medicare up to $26.8 billion a year. Patients lose outYears from now, patients may have an easier time getting their hands on weight-loss drugs.

☆ Workers are clamoring for pricey new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. Companies are grappling with how to respond.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Companies that pay for workers' health insurance are grappling with how to cover the pricey drugs. Medicare, the federal program that provides health coverage for people 65 and older, doesn't cover weight-loss drugs. ArcBest already has a program to help workers lose weight through behavior changes and nutrition. Krutsch said he wants to build on that, covering the weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Saxenda for employees who aren't able to lose weight without medication. The new weight-loss drugs were in short supply in 2022, and that gave employers time to figure out how to handle them, he said.

☆ Southern Baptists Expel Saddleback Church Over Female Pastor
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Adolfo Flores | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Saddleback Church lead Pastor Andy Wood and his wife, Stacie Wood, meet with a congregant in Lake Forest, Calif. The Southern Baptist Convention on Tuesday expelled Saddleback Church, the California megachurch founded by influential evangelical pastor Rick Warren, and four other churches from the denomination because they had female pastors. The decision to remove or “disfellowship” the churches came after the convention’s executive committee determined that the five churches were “not in friendly cooperation” with the denomination, said Jared Wellman, executive committee chairman, in a statement.

☆ ATP finds 'insufficient evidence' on abuse allegations against Zverev
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 31 (Reuters) - The ATP will not take any action against former world number two Alexander Zverev following allegations of domestic abuse against the German, the men's tennis governing body said on Tuesday. "A major independent investigation into Alexander Zverev has found insufficient evidence to substantiate published allegations of abuse. "LFG conducted extensive interviews with both Sharypova and Zverev, and 24 other individuals including family and friends, tennis players, and other parties involved with the ATP Tour." After the 15-month investigation, which involved going through material on Zverev's electronic devices, the ATP said they were unable to substantiate allegations of abuse or determine that any player offences took place. "Zverev has consistently denied all allegations and supported ATP's investigation."

☆ People with diabetes struggle to find Ozempic as it soars in popularity as a weight loss aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Berkeley-Lovelace-Jr.Jpg | Berkeley Lovelace Jr. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

For the past two years, she's managed the condition using a drug called Ozempic, which helps people with diabetes keep blood sugar levels in check. "It's been very frustrating," Largent-Phillips, of Florida, said of the shortage, adding that her blood sugar levels have been fluctuating as she's had to change medications. If the body doesn't use it well, that sugar stays in the blood, resulting in high blood sugar levels. His wife, Gerilynn, who is a nurse, said his blood sugar levels have gone back up since being off Ozempic. Largent-Phillips, of Florida — who has been documenting her experience on TikTok — said that for now, she has to be vigilant about monitoring her blood sugar levels.

☆ The US Navy spent 4 weeks blasting one of its aircraft carriers to figure out how to keep enemies from sinking them
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Harrison Kass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In May 2005, the US Navy sank the decommissioned aircraft carrier America in the Atlantic Ocean. The USS America (CV-66) was one of three Kitty Hawk-class carriers built in the 1960s. Building the USS America of the Kitty Hawk-classUSS America in the Indian Ocean on April 24, 1983. The career of the USS AmericaA U-2 reconnaissance aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS America. A declassified image of USS America sinking after four weeks of live-fire weapons damage tests in May 2005.

☆ What Is Ozempic and Why Is It Getting So Much Attention?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Ozempic, a drug used to treat diabetes, keeps gaining attention as celebrities, a tech mogul and TikTok influencers have described taking it to lose weight in short time frames. Elon Musk, when asked about how he looked “fit, ripped and healthy,” tweeted that he was taking Wegovy. On TikTok, the hashtag #Ozempic has been viewed over 273 million times, with people alternately expressing shock over their supposed medication-induced weight loss and swapping stories about side effects. Ozempic and Wegovy are not the only medications gaining popularity for their weight loss effects. Dr. Narang herself has seen patients “who have somehow gotten their hands on this,” taking the medication off-label, she said.

Persons: TikTok, Elon Musk, ”, Andy Cohen, “, Ozempic, Eli Lilly, Disha, Narang Organizations: Drug Administration, Variety, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, Novo Nordisk Locations: Britain, Northwestern, Ozempic

☆ The Visions of Octavia Butler
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Lynell George | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +27 min

As a science fiction writer, Butler forged a new path and envisioned bold possibilities. Mural with a portrait of Octavia Butler and her name, composed of dots of various densities in 3-D space. In 1995, she became the first science fiction writer to be awarded a MacArthur “genius” grant. “‘Kindred’ was a story of ordinary people trapped in fantastic circumstances,” Butler wrote in a 1988 notebook. Her point of view was one not traditionally found in science fiction and, simply by writing, she demanded a larger world.

☆ A 1990s relic, floppy disks get second life at California warehouse
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Phil Lavelle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Who buys floppy disks in an age when more sophisticated storage devices like CD-ROMS, DVDs and USB flash drives have been made increasingly obsolete by internet and cloud storage? Despite being a relic in the modern world, Persky says floppy disks have several redeeming qualities. "Floppy disks are very reliable, very stable, a very well understood way to get information in and out of a machine," he says. Persky ended up in the floppy disk business after working in software development for a tax company in the 1990s that duplicated its software onto floppy disks. "When I see the 'save' icon, I see a floppy disk.

California high school senior Landon Jones, 18, said he’s been bullied by his classmates since the fifth grade. “Does Landon live here?” the young man can be heard saying. His dad responds, “Yes, why?”“Someone said to come up here,” the young man can be heard mumbling, before loudly yelling, “because he’s a faggot!” and running off the property. Jones’ dad said the young man ran off and got in on the passenger side of a black Lincoln Navigator before it drove off. LGBTQ middle school students reported higher instances of bullying (65%) than those in high school (49%).

☆ With Interest Rates Rising, Companies Look to Unload Pension Liabilities
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Rising interest rates are boosting corporate pension plans, providing finance chiefs with an option to lighten their companies’ balance sheets and transfer obligations to insurers. PREVIEWWhen interest rates rise, liabilities for defined-benefit plans—a type of pension plan that promises fixed amounts to participants—shrink. They can also move just a portion of their pension obligations, but that still requires a high funding status. “If interest rates level off or decrease, the funded status could fall pretty quickly,” said Matt McDaniel, a partner at Mercer who advises companies on pension risk transfers. Recent stock market declines have hurt some defined-benefit pension plans invested in publicly traded equities, Mr. McDaniel said.

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☆ 23 Black leaders who are shaping history today
▼ + stars: | 2021-02-01 | by ( Courtney Connley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +39 min

Following the lead of trailblazers throughout American history, today's Black history-makers are shaping not only today but tomorrow. —Cory StiegRosalind Brewer, 58, Walgreens' next CEO and only Black woman to currently lead a Fortune 500 firmWalgreens' next CEO Rosalind Brewer. When she steps into this new role, she will be the only Black woman currently leading a Fortune 500 firm, and just the third Black woman in history to serve as a Fortune 500 CEO. "When you're a Black woman, you get mistaken a lot," she said during a 2018 speech at her alma mater, Spelman College. —Tom Huddleston Jr.Jason Wright, 38, first Black president of a National Football League teamWashington Football Team president Jason Wright.

Persons: Shirley Chisholm, John Lewis, Maya Angelou, Mary Ellen Pleasant, Kamala Harris, Gene Kim, Harris, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Shyamala, —, — Cory Stieg Rosalind Brewer, Rosalind Brewer, Ursula Burns, Mary Winston, Brewer, Kimberly, Clark, she's, — Courtney Connley, Kizzmekia, Corbett, Kizzmekia Corbett, Anthony Fauci, Fauci, Dr, — Cory Stieg Victor J, Glover , Jr, Victor Glover, Amanda Gorman, Joe Biden, Gorman, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr, Lady Jill Biden, Robert Frost, Oprah, Angelou, — Jennifer Liu, Amanda Gorman's, Raphael Warnock, Georgia's, Kelly Loeffler, Warnock, Ebenezer Baptist Church —, — Abigail Johnson Hess Rashida Jones, Rashida Jones, Jones, Kristen Welker, Carole Simpson, Nicolle Wallace's, Dorothy Tucker, Brown, — Taylor Locke Sandra Lindsay, Sandra Lindsay, Lindsay, She's, I'm, Jade Scipioni Nicholas Johnson, Princeton's, Nicholas Johnson, Princeton University's, Johnson, William Massey, — Abigail Johnson Hess Cynthia, Cynt, Marshall, Cynthia Marshall, Cynt Marshall, George Floyd, Marshall —, Mark Cuban, Scipioni, Cynthia Marshall's, Dallas Mavericks Cori Bush, Missouri's, Missouri, Cori Bush, Michael Brown, Ferguson, William Lacy Clay Jr, Bush, Essence.com, I've, he's, Louis, Clay, — Jennifer Liu Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon's, Jeff Bezos Alicia Boler Davis, Alicia Boler Davis, Boler Davis, Jeff Bezos, alums, Jennifer Liu, Noah Harris, Harvard Noah Harris, Harvard's, It's, we've, Fentrice Driskell, Du Bois, — Abigail Johnson Hess, Harvard Mellody Hobson, Mellody Hobson, Ariel Investments, Hobson, — Courtney Connley Sydney Barber, Sydney Barber, Barber, Ms, Janie Mines, wasn't, Mines, Jesse Collins, Collins, Indiewire, " Collins, Jennifer Liu Nia DaCosta, Nia DaCosta, Marvel, DaCosta, Nora Ephron, Jordan Peele, Peele, — Tom Huddleston Jr, Aicha Evans, Zoox, Evans, Jason Wright, Wright, He's, Dan Snyder, — Emmie Martin Dana Canedy, Dana Canedy, Simon, Simon & Schuster, Dana Canedy's, Canedy, Denzel Washington, Alicia Adamczyk, Schuster Bozoma Saint John, Saint John, Beyonce, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Michael Jackson, — Courtney Connley Cheick Camara, Ermias Tadesse, Cornell University's, Cheick Camara, Ermias Organizations: CNBC, White, South, Latina, Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Democrat, United States Senate, U.S, Walgreens, Fortune, Starbucks, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Xerox, Bed, Sam's, Walmart, Nonwovens, Spelman College, Moderna, National Institute of Allergy, National Urban League, FDA, Vaccine Research, University of North, Space Station, NASA, Capitol, LA, Poet, Harvard, Georgia, Black, Morehouse College cum, Ebenezer Baptist Church, United, MSNBC, University of Missouri's School of Journalism, NBC, ABC News, National Association of Black Journalists, Jewish Medical Center, Northwell, Long, Pfizer, Pew Research Center, Princeton, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NBA Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, Mavericks, Congress, Senate, Democratic, Green New Deal, General Motors Institute, GM, Amazon, Employees, Amazon's, Ariel Investments, Ariel, Financial Planning's Diversity, Princeton University, JPMorgan, Lucas Family Foundation, Hobson College, Naval, U.S . Naval Academy, U.S . Naval, Naval Academy, Academy, Super, Super Bowl, Jesse Collins Entertainment, ViacomCBS Cable Networks, BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount Network, VH1, Marvel, Marvel Studios, Marvel Universe, Tribeca, Wall Street, George Washington University, Intel, Financial, Automotive News, National Football League, Washington Football, Washington Football Team, National Football, NFL, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, University of Chicago, McKinsey & Company, Washington, Morning, Simon &, New York Times, Jordan, Crown Publishers, New Yorker, Netflix, Saint, Longtime, Endeavor, Uber, Apple, PepsiCo, BlackGen Capital, Cornell, BlackGen Locations: United States, Oakland , California, India, America, White, California, University of North Carolina, Chapel, Los Angeles, Georgia's, Savannah , Georgia, Ebenezer, Long, New York, Queens , New York, Jamaica, Princeton, Montreal, Canada, Spring, Missouri, Louis, St, Detroit, Hattiesburg , Mississippi, Florida, Chicago, U.S, Lake Forest , Illinois, Sydney, mull, Senegal, Zoox, Charlottesville , VA

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