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☆ Black bear killed while trying to get to pancakes along Tennessee highway
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | Rebecca Cohen Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A black bear was hit by a car and killed on a Tennessee highway after it found a delicious snack on the side of the road while it was bulking up for winter, officials with the Appalachian Bear Rescue said on Facebook. The rescue group, or ABR, said it received a report of an adult black bear that had been struck and killed on Highway 321 coming into Townsend, Tennessee, on Tuesday. While inspecting the bear's remains, they then saw what drew the bear to the busy highway in the first place — a platter of pancakes. "With fall hyperphagia in full swing, the male bear probably saw the pancakes as an easy, high caloric meal." The agency reminded residents to live responsibly in the area, where black bears are common.

Persons: ABR Organizations: Appalachian Bear, Facebook Locations: Tennessee, Townsend , Tennessee

After the positive flu result, health care workers started using more personal protective gear around the patient. Separately, as part of routine flu surveillance and not because doctors suspected anything unusual in the patient’s case, the hospital sent the patient’s flu sample to be tested for H5, which is the bird flu virus strain. Officials found that during the patient’s time at the hospital, 112 health care workers had interacted with them. After exposure to the bird flu virus, people typically develop symptoms within 3 to 5 days. All of that additional information on the health workers will be secondary to the blood tests results, Rivers said, and whether they show signs of a previous infection.

Persons: Demetre Daskalakis, Daskalaskis, wouldn’t, Michael Osterholm, Osterholm, ”, Daskalakis, Caitlin Rivers, ” Rivers, ” Daskalakis, Rivers Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, CDC’s National Center, Infectious Disease, University of Minnesota, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, CDC Locations: Missouri, Baltimore, United States, California

FEMA has dedicated disaster relief money that cannot be used for other purposes. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts,” FEMA said in its post. “Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts.”FEMA added: “FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. However, that program called the Shelter and Services Program, or SSP, is separate from FEMA’s disaster relief fund which is more than $20 billion. A spokesperson for Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, said any claims of disaster funds going to illegal immigrants are false.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, “, ” Trump, Alejandro Mayorkas, Helene, ”, Mayorkas, Hurricane Helene, Jim Jordan, Elon Musk, ” Mayorkas, Karine Jean, Pierre, Joe Biden Organizations: FEMA, Customs, Protection, Trump, Homeland, Disaster Relief Fund, Services, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Congress, Homeland Security, Air Force Locations: U.S, Saginaw , Michigan, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Ohio, Hurricane

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday left in place Biden administration regulations aimed at curbing oil and gas facility emissions of methane, a major contributor to climate change. In a separate action, the court also rejected a bid to block a regulation aimed at curbing emissions of mercury and other toxic pollutants from coal-fired power plants. A separate emergency application seeking to block Biden regulations concerning greenhouse gas emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants remains pending. The mercury regulation has less sweeping impacts, according to the EPA. In that case, the court rejected an emergency request filed by conservative states and industry groups that want to block the EPA regulation issued this year.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Biden, Elizabeth Prelogar, ”, Obama, “ Organizations: Litigation, Biden, Environmental Protection Agency, Republican, Act, EPA Locations: Oklahoma

In the gun case, Mexico officials say gun companies should be held accountable for violent crime across the border involving their products. Circuit Court of Appeals revived the case, saying that the liability shield did not extend to Mexico’s specific claims. Lower courts, including the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, ruled for the state agency, but Ames then turned to the Supreme Court. The Texas litigation is the latest salvo in a long-running series of fights over where to store nuclear waste.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, — Smith, Marlean Ames, Ames, ” Ames, Gregg Abbott, Obama, Ruben Gutierrez, Gutierrez Organizations: Wesson, Glock, Colt, Arms, Circuit, Appeals, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Civil, Supreme, New, Regulatory Commission, Partners, Gov, NRC, Atomic Energy Locations: Mexican, Mexico, Boston, Cincinnati, Texas, New Orleans, Andrews County , Texas, , Nevada

It’ll be more covered than his typical rally these days,” a Trump ally who has worked in Pennsylvania predicted. Karoline Leavitt, a campaign spokesperson, said the former president “looks forward to returning to Butler, Pennsylvania to honor the victims from that tragic day.”“The willingness of Pennsylvanians to join President Trump in his return to Butler represents the strength and resiliency of the American people,” she said. Butler County is a GOP stronghold in western Pennsylvania, a mix of rural communities and suburbs just north of Pittsburgh. McCormick, who plans to attend Trump’s rally Saturday, said the July attack helped reinforce the “strength” of the Republican ticket — and the down-ballot candidates who were there that day. Because it is that last real opportunity that he has for sure.”Allan Smith reported from New York City and Dasha Burns from Butler.

Persons: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, “, It’ll, ”, Trump, Sen, JD Vance, Corey Comperatore, Thomas Crooks, Karoline Leavitt, Butler, Harris, ” “, it’ll, — Trump, Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s, ” Dave McCormick, McCormick, Josh Shapiro, —, you’re, Trump’s, Byron Donalds, he’s, Mike Kelly, Joseph Meyn, ” Pam Olthof, Leslie Osche, ” Osche, ” Adam Reed, Reed, Donalds, Ryan Wesley Routh, Elise Stefanik, ” “ I’m, Biden, Kamala Harris ’, “ There’s, Tim Walz, Harris ’, “ I’m, we’re, ” Allan Smith, Dasha Burns Organizations: Trump, Republican, GOP, NBC News, Democrats, Rep, Service, Pennsylvania State Police, Minnesota Gov Locations: Butler , Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, R, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Butler, —, Butler County, Palm Beach , Florida, Vance, Minnesota, New York City

☆ Trump-endorsed Bibles meet requirements laid out for Oklahoma schools
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Daniel Strauss | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Oklahoma is soliciting bids for Bible suppliers to provide their wares for the state’s education department – and the specific requirements fit Bibles endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The RFP requirements also say that the Bibles must have the Old and New Testaments, and include copies of the US Constitution. The Bibles sell for $60 online and, through his endorsement, the former president receives some of the proceeds, according to Oklahoma Watch. The RFP from superintendent Ryan Walters is part of his ongoing push to put Bibles in every classroom. In a statement, Oklahoma State Department of Education Director of Communications Dan Isett said the RFP was consistent with the “norms of state procurement.

Persons: Donald Trump, Lee Greenwood’s, Greenwood, “, ”, Ryan Walters, Communications Dan Isett, Walters, ” Isett, Colleen McCarty, ” McCarty, “ Ryan Walters, ” Walters, Trump, Alicia Andrews, ” Andrews, he’s Organizations: CNN, Oklahoma Watch, Trump, Oklahoma State Department of Education, Communications, Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, The New York Times, Conservative, Liberty, Prosperity, Oklahoma Democratic Party Locations: Independence, New Testaments, Oklahoma

☆ Helene’s survivors shoulder catastrophic loss and destruction after storm leaves at least 213 dead
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Community volunteers carry gas at a relief area and community coordination center in Bills Creek, North Carolina, on Thursday. Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty ImagesMen remove items from a fine arts business in Marshall, North Carolina, on Thursday. Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty ImagesA volunteer helps clean out a flooded crawlspace under a home impacted by Hurricane Helene in Cruso, North Carolina, on Thursday. In North Carolina, guard members have been dropping in supplies from the air and airlifting people and pets to safety. President Joe Biden visits an area affected by Hurricane Helene in Keaton Beach, Florida, on Thursday.

Persons: Helene, Joe Dancy, CNN’s Laura Coates, ” Helene, Allison Joyce, Polly Trottenberg, Frank Matranga, ” Matranga, Melissa Sue Gerrits, Hurricane Helene, Jonathan Drake, Helene ., Jaclyn Rothenberg, we’re, Alejandro Mayorkas, Matranga, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Mandel Ngan, Joe Biden's, Tom Brenner, Eddie Hunnell, Hunnell, Phil Worth, Leslie, couldn’t, Phil, “, ” Hunnell, ”, Leslie Worth, “ Leslie, “ I‘d, CNN Hunnell, CNN’s Kayla Tausche, Sam Fossum, Haley Talbot, Sara Smart, Emma Tucker, Andy Rose, Steve Almasy Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, Community, Getty, US Transportation Department, Reuters Cell, National Guard, FEMA, Homeland, Reuters Local, Small, Republicans, SBA Locations: Virginia, Carolina’s Buncombe County, Asheville, tatters, Swannanoa , North Carolina, United States, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Bills, , North Carolina, AFP, Marshall , North Carolina, Cruso , North Carolina, Hurricane, Keaton Beach , Florida, Grassy Creek , North Carolina, Worth

Minneapolis CNN —One state audit found that bonus checks intended for frontline workers during the pandemic were handed out to undeserving recipients. Another criticized a Minnesota state agency for failing to ensure there were no conflicts of interest in taxpayer-funded mental health and addiction programs. His fans were easy to find last month at the Minnesota State Fair, which drew nearly 2 million people this year. Republican state Sen. Mark Koran, second from right, speaks with constituents at the Minnesota State Fair. “We are troubled by MDE’s decision,” the auditor’s report said, using the acronym for the Minnesota Department of Education.

Persons: Tim Walz, Judy Randall, –, Walz, Randall, “, ”, Lisa Demuth, Elizabeth Flores, Sen, Mark, Governor Walz, Rick Hansen, Erik Biever, ” “ Tim Walz, Stephen Maturen, Willie Jett, Jett –, ” Walz, “ There’s, Mark Koran, CNN “ They’ve, they’ve, Dan Myers, ’, Blois Olson, he’s, “ They’re, ” Olson, Olson, Aimee Bock, Bock, Bock –, MDE, ” Andrew Luger, Glen Stubbe, Andrew Luger, ” Luger, Walz’s, Heather Mueller –, Jett, Ann, Keith Ellison, Scott Jensen, ” Jensen, “ Who’s, ” Miriam Ackerman, ” Randall, Democrat Mark Dayton –, Lisa Demuth CNN Walz, haven’t, Bill Walsh, Randall “, … you’re Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Democratic Gov, CNN, of Public, Democratic, GOP, Twin Cities, Star Tribune, Getty, Republican, ”, Randall’s Office, Legislative, Minnesota State Fair, Gov, Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Star Tribune, Congressional Republicans, Democrats, Minnesota, Fair, University of Minnesota, Republicans, White, Democrat, FBI, Feds, Minneapolis TV, –, Department of Human Services, DHS, of, American Locations: Minneapolis, Minnesota, unaccountability, East

☆ US Supreme Court to decide if Mexico may sue gunmakers for border violence
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Tierney Sneed | John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The US Supreme Court will decide whether a federal law prevents Mexico from suing gun distributors for allegedly facilitating the flow of firearms to drug cartels. The court had already agreed to hear cases on President Joe Biden’s regulation of “ghost guns” and vaping. Mexico says gunmakers are recklessIn its lawsuit, Mexico alleged the manufacturers and distributors were aiding and abetting the purchase of their firearms by dealers known to supply drug cartels. At the heart of the dispute before the Supreme Court is the 2005 federal law passed by a GOP-led Congress. Lawyers for Mexico, which asked the court not to disturb the 1st Circuit’s ruling, defended the ruling’s rationale and argued that it was premature for the Supreme Court to take up the case.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, gunmakers, Marlean Ames, Ames, ”, Biden, Ruben Gutierrez, Escolastica Harrison, Marcellus Williams, Felicia Gayle, Williams, CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, Smith & Wesson, Arms, GOP, Circuit, Twitter, ISIS, Lawyers, Department of Youth Services, Appeals, Nuclear Regulatory, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Storage Partners Locations: Mexico, Mexico’s, Cincinnati, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma

☆ The influencer middle class is getting squeezed as marketers turn to superstar creators and celebs
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Dan Whateley | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Influencer marketers are moving away from campaigns with micro influencers and back to big stars. AdvertisementA few years ago, influencer marketers were ditching their plans to hire celebrity content creators for brand deals in exchange for influencers with smaller audiences. Micro influencers as a category of work dropped from 74% to 62% between 2023 and 2024, while nano influencer work fell from 37% to 28%. One micro influencer, Bethany Everett-Ratcliffe, said she'd felt this impact on her business. Other marketers have reported up to 20% cost increases among micro influencers between 2023 and 2024.

Persons: —, Kim Kardashian, influencers, Linqia, Bethany Everett, Ratcliffe, she'd, Keith Bendes, Bendes, James Nord, Sabrina Carpenter's, Michael Cera's, Olivia McNaughten, Jonathan Chanti Organizations: Service, Blank, Viral, UGC Locations: Linqia, Everett

☆ Impact Plastics: Tennessee factory says workers had time to flee Helene’s floodwaters. Their families disagree
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Alisha Ebrahimji | Caroll Alvarado | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The 56-year-old grandmother was one of 11 Tennessee plastics plant workers swept away by Hurricane Helene’s deadly floodwaters after they tried to leave the facility. Impact Plastics has forcefully denied those claims, saying late Thursday the allegations are false, and no employee was stopped from leaving. Supervisors “did not prohibit its employees from leaving” and “did not threaten anyone with discharge from employment,” Impact Plastics said. The agency, who is working with TBI to investigate, hadn’t yet received a fatality report from Impact Plastics as of Wednesday evening. Now Jarvis just has one question for Impact Plastics: “Why’d you make us work that day?

Persons: Elías Ibarra Mendoza, “, ” Ibarra Mendoza, Bertha Mendoza’s, Mendoza, Francesco Guerrero, Guadalupe Hernandez, Saul Young, Hurricane Helene –, Helene, Supervisors “, Greg Coleman, CNN’s, Kaitlin Collins ”, ” Coleman, “ We’ve, let’s, ” Gerald O’Connor, WCYB, Jacob Ingram, Hurricane Helene, Ingram, WVLT, ”, Water, O’Connor, TOSHA, Bertha, Guillermo Mendoza, “ That’s, “ We’re, ” Guillermo Mendoza, we’re, Monica Hernandez, Elizabeth Ramirez, Robert Jarvis, Jarvis, , texted, Erwin, ” Jarvis Organizations: CNN, Univision, Hurricane, Plastics, Associated Press, Impact Plastics, News Sentinel, USA, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Supervisors, WVLT, Impact Plastics Inc, National Weather Service, “ Employees, Senior, O’Connor, Employers, Emergency Management Agency, National Guard Locations: Tennessee, Erwin, Erwin , Tennessee, Florida, Southern, Hurricane, ”, Mendoza

☆ Drone deliveries, slow to take flight, come to Silicon Valley
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Mike Gagliardi | Mike Gagliardi Is A Researcher With The Nbc News Network Desk. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Samaras said his research indicated that drone delivery, compared to fossil-fuel truck delivery, consumes up to 90% less energy per package. Zipline, the world’s largest drone delivery service, is among the companies that have received that permission in several states. The company plans to go nationwide with drone delivery in 2026. A spokesperson for Amazon’s Prime Air drone-delivery program told NBC News it hopes to be delivering 500 million packages per year by the end of this decade. The FAA told NBC News that there are currently more than 383,000 drones registered for commercial purposes.

Persons: Samaras, ” Eric Watson, Watson, Yanfeng Ouyang, “, ” Ouyang, ” Organizations: Federal Aviation Administration, NBC, Amazon’s Prime, FAA, NBC News, University of Illinois Locations: Arkansas, Utah, Dallas, University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign

☆ Helene recovery could cost $34 billion. Here's who might pay for it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

An aerial picture taken on September 28, 2024, shows storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Georgia. The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States could cost upwards of $34 billion, according to early estimates from Moody's Analytics. The Moody's report, released as Helene was making landfall last week, estimated that property damage could cost between $15 billion to $26 billion. And the resulting economic slowdown could cost $5 billion to $8 billion in productivity losses. Only about 6% of U.S. homeowners have flood insurance through either a private company or the congressionally funded National Flood Insurance Program, despite 90% of natural disasters involving flooding, he said.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Helene, Mark Zandi, Zandi, Mark Friedlander, Friedlander, Joe Biden, Wiley Nickel, Florida Republican Sen, Rick Scott, Mark Amodei Organizations: Moody's, CNBC, Insurance, Flood Insurance, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Disaster Relief Fund, Capitol, Florida Republican Locations: Hurricane, Valdosta , Georgia, United States, Florida , Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Appalachia, Washington

☆ Unwashed poppy seeds: Opioid overdose from tainted tea prompts proposed bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( David Hilzenrath | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

People have died after drinking tea brewed from unwashed poppy seeds. Members of the House of Representatives and Senate have proposed legislation “to prohibit the distribution and sale of contaminated poppy seeds in order to prevent harm, addiction, and further deaths from morphine-contaminated poppy seeds.” The bill was one of several on the agenda for a September 10 House hearing. On the other hand, tea made from large quantities of unwashed poppy seeds could lead to addiction and overdose, doctors said. The US Drug Enforcement Administration said unwashed poppy seeds can kill when used alone or in combination with other drugs. The US Department of Justice has brought criminal prosecutions over the sale of unwashed poppy seeds.

Persons: “, “ It’s, Elke Scholiers, ”, Steve Hacala, Courtney Rhodes, CSPI, Eva Greenthal, It’s, Irving Haber, Benjamin Lai, Lai, ‘, Steve Hacala’s, Stephen Hacala, Stephen Hacala’s, Betty, David Rousseau, Jamie Silakowski, Silakowski, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, Joe’s, Sen, Tom Cotton, Steve Womack Organizations: Health, Marshall, US Department of Defense, Doping, Workers, for Science, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Mayo Clinic, Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, KFF Health, Restaurant Brands, Burger, Washington Post, US Drug Enforcement Administration, US Department of Justice, Senate, Republican, KFF Locations: Chittorgarh, India, Rochester , Minnesota, Arkansas, South Korea

☆ Additives to food often bypass FDA oversight, critics say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Soon, Daily Harvest had narrowed its internal investigation to a new ingredient used for its high-protein content: tara flour. Tara flour is one of two products made from the seed pods of a thorny shrub native to Peru. The pods of the tara plant are used to make tara gum and tara flour. As some consumers had discovered, tara flour was not safe, the FDA decreed in May 2024 — nearly two years after the ingredient sickened hundreds. During that time, however, other manufacturers could have used the now-“unapproved food additive.”“This incident shows how broken our food regulatory system is.

Persons: Gwyneth Paltrow, Serena Williams, “ I’ve, ” Cory Silverstein, Silverstein, Luke Wesley Pearson, tara, we’ve, Rachel Drori, GRAS, —, It’s, ”, Pieter Cohen, Cohen, “, Tara, Tragically, Alexi Giannoulias, Sarah Gallo, “ GRAS, ” Gallo, Sarah Silbiger, Melanie Benesh, BVO, Giannoulias, Benesh, ” Benesh, Jim Jones, ” Jones, Thomas Galligan Organizations: CNN, Leek Crumbles, Harvest, CNN Business, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Daily Harvest, Daily, Cambridge Health Alliance, The New England, of Medicine, Consumer Brands Association, Office, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental, Industry, Union, Illinois Food Safety, Illinois Senate, Getty, European Union, Human Foods, Center for Science, “ Locations: Peru, United States, Somerville , Massachusetts, The, California, Illinois, Jena

☆ A week after Helene struck the Southeast, power outages and impassable roads stymie recovery as death toll reaches 200
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Steve Almasy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

In some Georgia counties and one in North Carolina, utilities say more than 90% of their customers are still in the dark. Friends help Sam Soughail, third from left, clear out his Casablanca Cigar Bar in Asheville, North Carolina, on Tuesday, October 1. Mike Stewart/AP Emily Ogburn, right, hugs her friend Cody Klein after he brought her a meal in Swannanoa, North Carolina, on Wednesday. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Hurricane Helene is seen in a satellite photo Thursday afternoon. Marco Bello/Reuters In pictures: Hurricane Helene unleashes its fury Prev NextHundreds of roads remain closed, hampering efforts to send aid to hard-hit communities.

Persons: Helene, ”, Sam Soughail, Melissa Sue Gerrits, Mike Stewart, Jonathan Drake, Emily Ogburn, Cody Klein, Van Hutchins, Dennis Rector, Josh Morgan, Hurricane Helene, Andy Brown, Jeffrey Collins, Len Frisbee, Jeff Roberson, Christian Monterrosa, Ashley Dillinger, Marco Bello, Reuters Linda Bandy, Carissa Sheehan, Kathy Kmonicek, Janice Whitley, Terry Wilson, Sean Rayford, Melinda, Kathleen Flynn, Paul Hennessy, Gerald Herbert, Elmira Glover, Joe Raedle, John Falchetto, Cassandra Randall, Jessica Downey, Greg Lovett, Hailey Morgan, Phelan M, Megan Varner, Sarah Cribbins, Michael, Luis Santana, Miguel J, Rodriguez Carrillo, Richard Burkhart, Mike Carlson, Candice Ocvil, Jibri Tolen, Erik S, Cristobal Herrera, Candace Redwine, Guy Ford, George G, Tapper, Ricardo Arduengo, Joe Burbank, Carol Poulson, Andrew West, Cynthia Centeno, Reuters Charles Starling, Stephen M, Dowell, Chandan Khanna, Thomas Simonetti, Pete Beach, Ramon Espinosa, Paola Chiomante, it’s, “, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, Katie Button’s, Button, José Andrés, “ We’re, ” Button, ” ‘ We’ve, Robert Gaudet, We’ve, Helene Media, Hurricane, ” Gaudet, ” Starlink, Deanne Criswell, CNN’s Jim Acosta, Criswell, ” Criswell Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, Duke Energy, Georgia county, Getty, Homes, AP, Reuters, & Sons Department, USA, AP Local, New York Times, Town, Anadolu, Workers, North Carolina Department of Transportation, . North Carolina Department of Transportation, Tampa Bay Times, AFP, East, Savannah Morning, United States Coast Guard, Walt Disney, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune, Service, Fairview Middle School, Fishel, State Emergency Operations Center, Washington Post, NOAA, La, Cajun Navy, Maxar Technologies, Technologies, Twitter, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency Locations: Florida, Gulf, North Carolina, United States, Georgia, Carolinas, Asheville , North Carolina, Rock , North Carolina, Barnardsville , North Carolina, Lure , North Carolina, Swannanoa , North Carolina, Marshall , North Carolina, Lure, Columbus , North Carolina, Hurricane, Augusta , Georgia, Springs , North Carolina, Old Fort , North Carolina, Bat Cave, Morganton , North Carolina, Old Fort, Fletcher , North Carolina, Steinhatchee , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Steinhatchee, Boone , North Carolina, Asheville, ., Treasure Island , Florida, Horseshoe Beach , Florida, Boone, Valdosta , Georgia, AFP, Horseshoe Beach, Laurel, Vilas , North Carolina, Crystal River , Florida, Crystal River, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, , Florida, Savannah , Georgia, Savannah, Shore, St . Petersburg , Florida, Key , Florida, Tarpon Springs , Florida, Watauga, Sugar Grove , North Carolina, Port Saint Joe , Florida, Bay Lake , Florida, St . Petersburg, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Tallahassee, Leon County , Florida, Eastpoint , Florida, Villages, Tallahassee , Florida, Gulfport , Florida, St, Cross City , Florida, Guanimar, Cuba, Panacea , Florida, Puerto Juarez, Mexico, Clearwater , Florida, Weaverville, Fort Liberty, South Carolina, La Bodega, Maui

☆ Philippines levies 12% VAT tax on digital services by Amazon, Netflix and Disney
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A level playing field produces better products and services," Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui said in a statement. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed into law on Wednesday the imposition of VAT on non-resident digital service providers such as streaming services and online search engines. The Philippines will impose a 12% value-added tax on digital services offered by tech giants such as Amazon , Netflix , Disney , and Alphabet , in a move that will level the playing field with domestic brick and mortar players, the internal revenue agency said on Thursday. Only domestic digital service providers are now subject to paying the 12% VAT, the agency said. Digital services provided by foreign firms are considered rendered in the Philippines if the digital services are consumed in the Southeast Asian nation, the revenue agency said.

Persons: Romeo Lumagui, Ferdinand Marcos Jr Organizations: Internal, Netflix, Disney, Google Locations: Philippines, Asia, Pacific, Philippine, Southeast Asia

☆ Deadly shooting of Kentucky judge at courthouse was captured on video
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Antonio Planas | Antonio Planas Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

In security video that captured the courthouse slaying of a Kentucky judge, the sheriff charged in the death appears to shoot at the judge multiple times while the judge crawled on the floor, scrambling for cover. The video, which was played in court this week, and appears to show former Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines confronting Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins in Mullins' chambers in Whitesburg on Sept. 19. Mullins, 54, was shot multiple times and died at the scene. An image from video appears to show former Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, right, in the office, facing Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins. Kentucky Court of JusticeMullins can be seen putting both hands up shortly before Stines appears to shoot at him multiple times.

Persons: Mickey Stines, Kevin Mullins, Mullins, Stines, Justice Mullins, Andy Beshear, Jeremy Bartley Organizations: NBC News, Kentucky, Justice, Kentucky State Police Locations: Kentucky, Letcher County, Letcher, Whitesburg

☆ The CIA is soliciting secret tips from informants in the national languages of Iran, North Korea and China
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Central Intelligence Agency is releasing instructions in Farsi, Mandarin and Korean to allow people to share information with the agency without running afoul of authoritarian regimes. The instructions, in a text-only video and infographic, were posted online across multiple social media platforms and sites on the dark web, the agency said. In 2023, the CIA announced it had posted instructions in Russian on how to access a site on the dark web accessible only through a Tor internet browser, which unlike most browsers has encryption protections. The spy agency’s director, William Burns, has said that disaffection in Russia after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has created a “once-in-a-generation” recruiting opportunity for the CIA. Once a message lands at the agency, the CIA will evaluate it, the agency said.

Persons: “, William Burns, Moscow’s, ” Organizations: Central Intelligence Agency, CIA Locations: Iran, China, Russia, Ukraine

Haze and a chlorine odor will likely descend upon Atlanta on Thursday, as officials struggle to contain the fallout from a Georgia chemical lab fire that ignited Sunday. With weather models predicting a wind shift, there is a high likelihood that people across metro Atlanta will wake up on Thursday morning seeing haze and smelling chlorine, GEMA/HS said in the release. While the air quality findings announced Wednesday were above the action level for chlorine, GEMA/HS says workers on site have continued to make progress in neutralizing the product. Periodic increases in chlorine levels around the facility are expected as this process continues, the agency said. GEMA/HS says chlorine levels in the air sit at safe levels.

Persons: Haze, BURNS, Thomas Chastain, Chastain Organizations: Georgia Emergency Management, Homeland Security Agency, U.S . Environmental Protection Agency, Georgia Poison Center Locations: Atlanta, Georgia, Conyers , Georgia, Conyers, Rockdale County, Rockdale, GEMA

In Detroit as in the rest of the U.S., the violent crime rate has dropped and is near historic lows. Last month, new FBI numbers showed that murder declined 11.6% in 2023, the largest single year drop on record. But Trump and his allies have also cherrypicked statistics and falsely told supporters that FBI crime data can’t be believed. Crime data skeptics also have attributed declining crime numbers to “woke prosecutors” who are failing to file charges. But Trump uses these low 2020 and 2021 victim survey numbers, despite the doubts cast on them, to argue that violent crime has spiked significantly during the Biden-Harris administration.

Persons: Donald Trump, “ That’s, James White, “, there’s, ” White, carjackings, Trump, ” Trump, ”, Doubters, —, Harris, ” Kevin Scott, ” Jeff Asher, Jordan Thornhill, Criminologist Alex Piquero, Venecca Thornhill, Andre Thornhill, “ Jordan, ” Andre Thornhill, Jordan Thornhill’s, we’re, We’ve, we’ve Organizations: NBC News, Detroit police, Detroit Police, NBC News Detroit, New York Police Department, Detroit, FBI, Department, Trump, Biden, of Justice Statistics, CIA, University of Miami, University of, Cities, Police, Chiefs Association, Michigan State, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, ATF, Michigan State University Locations: America, Detroit, United States, U.S, New York City, Thornhill, ”

☆ Everyone's talking about RTO. Here's why a leading expert thinks remote work is 'here to stay.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Nora Redmond | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Amazon's RTO order has people questioning the future of remote work. Employees respondong to his surveys ranked the right to work from home equal to an 8% pay increase. AdvertisementThe pandemic-prompted right to remote work may be in trouble — Amazon hit headlines last month when it ordered all corporate employees back to the office five days a week from January. But Nick Bloom, a leading expert in remote work, said working from home was "here to stay" as he shared the latest developments in his 20-year research. Bloom concluded his presentation by saying remote work was "here to stay," citing big steps in technology that facilitate it, such as video calls and virtual reality.

Persons: Nick Bloom, —, Amazon's, Bloom Organizations: Service, Stanford University Locations: WFH, COVID

☆ It’s time to get flu and Covid-19 shots
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Vaccines for Covid-19, flu and RSV are available now. Covid-19 vaccinesThe CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a Covid-19 vaccine this season to stay up to date. Flu vaccinesThe CDC also recommends a seasonal flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. Unlike the flu and Covid-19 vaccines, the RSV vaccine is one-time dose. The CDC says it’s also acceptable to get Covid-19, flu and RSV shots at one time, for those who are eligible.

Persons: Janet Hamilton, “ We’re, ” Hamilton, “, There’s, it’s, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, Respiratory, of State, Territorial, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Moderna, Pfizer, —, CNN Health Locations: United States

☆ Certain college grads can now be air traffic controllers immediately
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Pete Muntean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Federal Aviation Administration says that graduates of two college air traffic control programs can now bypass the agency’s backlogged training academy. The new announcement is the FAA’s latest move to tackle air traffic controller shortages that have plagued the air travel system, triggering flight delays and a burned-out controller corps. “The FAA is working to hire and train more air traffic controllers, in order to reverse the decades-long decline in our workforce and ensure the safety of the flying public,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. Graduates of Tulsa Community College and the University of Oklahoma can “begin immediate facility training,” skipping the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy at Oklahoma City. CNN previously reported in May that the agency netted an increase of only 160 controllers during a recent hiring cycle.

Persons: Mike Whitaker, ” Organizations: CNN, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Tulsa Community College, University of Oklahoma, FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy, Oklahoma City

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