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☆ Possible tornadoes reported as storms push through Midwest and South
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Dennis Romero | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Another round of thunderstorms was taking aim at the same area affected by severe weather that killed 32 people from the South to the Midwest over the weekend. Severe storms were possible into Wednesday across an area from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, the National Weather Service said. The weather service office in Lincoln, Illinois, warned of a tornado in an area north of Bryant, a village about 42 miles outside Peoria. In Chicago, the fire department said it responded to at least three reports of roof damage after a "localized but high wind force storm" passed through the city. No injuries were reported, but trees were felled and power poles were also damaged, it said.

☆ Hey, Bing, Help Me Overcome My Fear of College Basketball
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

I’m still learning so I appreciate your understanding and patience.🙏Do you know a lot about college basketball, and do you enjoy talking about it? Why are people so obsessed about the college basketball brackets? I've never filled out a college basketball March Madness bracket, and I heard that it's virtually impossible to do completely accurately, even if you predict the winner. When filling out my college basketball bracket, should I just guess according to what team names I like the best? :)I’m afraid I can’t fill out a March Madness bracket, as I’m just a chat mode of Microsoft Bing search.

“This is a major life decision that should involve the parents,” Circuit Judge Paul Niemeyer said as the panel heard arguments in the case before it makes a decision. Steven Fitschen, the group's president, said in an email that he anticipates filing more lawsuits challenging school policies barring the disclosure of students' gender identity. At least 168 U.S. school districts with more than 3.2 million students have such policies, according to conservative group Parents Defending Education. Parents have filed lawsuits challenging similar policies adopted by school districts in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Virginia and Iowa, among other states. Quattlebaum and Circuit Judge Allison Rushing, who rounded out the panel, are appointees of Republican former President Donald Trump.

☆ Ron DeSantis' past views could come back to bite him in Iowa, a critical state for any GOP challenger to Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Ron DeSantis' potential bid to dethrone former President Donald Trump could hit a critical snag in Iowa, home to the first-in-the-nation caucuses. "If you come to Iowa, you're going to talk about agriculture," Monte Shaw, the executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, told Insider. DeSantis won't be alone in facing questionsTrump's own administration was hammered over its handling of the renewable fuel standard. Like Iowa's senators, he was also deeply frustrated by how Trump's EPA enforced the renewable fuel standard. Chris Carlson/APTexas Sen. Ted Cruz was hammered for months on the campaign trail for wanting to phase out the Renewable Fuel Standard.

☆ Monster Beverage is making booze that tastes just like its energy drinks, and you can already buy it in these 6 states
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Beast Unleashed contains 6% alcohol by volume and flavors inspired by its energy drinks. Called The Beast Unleashed, the drinks are made with malt alcohol and contain 6% alcohol by volume, though no caffeine or energy-inducing ingredients. But the Beast beverages are its latest attempt to diversify its business. Beast Unleashed, which the company announced in early 2022, is the company's first alcoholic beverage that uses the Monster brand. The launch marked the first alcoholic beverage that the cola maker sold in the US.

☆ Watch live: Nikki Haley kicks off 2024 presidential campaign in South Carolina
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Please refresh the page if you do not see a video above at that time.) Nikki Haley is set to kick off her campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in Charleston on Wednesday morning. Haley announced her White House bid a day earlier, making her the first major challenger to former President Donald Trump, who launched his campaign in November. Haley, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, is now his direct rival — and his only real one, until more candidates jump into the Republican primary field. After Haley's first campaign event in Charleston, she's headed to hit the campaign trail with stops in the key primary states of New Hampshire and Iowa.

Haley, 51, dug into the difference in ages between 80-year-old President Joe Biden and her challenger Trump, who's 76. She enters the race trailing Trump and other would-be challengers in public polls. A Morning Consult poll on Tuesday, for instance, shows Trump backed by 47% of Republican primary voters, while just 3% of respondents said they would pick Haley. Haley's widely anticipated announcement makes her just the second candidate in what's likely to become a wide Republican primary field. "Haley's entrance officially kicks off a messy 2024 primary race for the MAGA base that has long been brewing," it said.

☆ New Hampshire Governor Sununu 'definitely thinking' about White House run
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu speaks at the "Curbing the Opioid Epidemic" session at the National Governors Association summer meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S., July 13, 2017. Sununu, who has served as governor of the small New England state since 2017, underscored the need for new leadership. His father John Sununu, himself a former New Hampshire governor, served as White House chief of staff under Republican President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1991. Describing his political philosophy, Chris Sununu told ABC: "I'm kind of that 'live free or die' individual liberty. And we've done it really, really well here in New Hampshire."

☆ 2024 GOP presidential primary starts to take shape as Trump's potential rivals Haley, Scott, Pence make moves
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"It's definitely going to be a Great Day in South Carolina!" Later on Wednesday, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., announced through his office he will soon deliver remarks in South Carolina and Iowa, both of which are key states in the presidential primary cycle. Pence, Haley, Scott and other possible 2024 GOP contenders are also set to speak at an Austin, Texas, conference on Feb. 24, the Texas Tribune reported earlier Wednesday. With his rivals looking more likely than ever to challenge his perch atop the GOP, Trump has taken some newer, harder swipes on social media. Trump said over the weekend that he had spoken to Haley on the phone and encouraged her to run.

☆ Americans would pay over $27,000 to be rid of insomnia forever, new survey finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Can you imagine simply writing a check and being rid of health conditions like Covid-19, acne and insomnia forever? Across the board, people in most states were willing to spend the highest amount to get a good night's sleep. Some states were outliers, including residents of Hawaii and Iowa, who were willing to pay the most money to avoid acne forever. And those from Pennsylvania say they'd spend as much as $60,918 to never have allergies again. Here's the full list of different conditions that Americans across the country would be willing to pay to never deal with again, and how much they'd be willing to spend.

☆ CNH Industrial union workers end strike at two U.S. plants with deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 22 (Reuters) - Members of two local unions at CNH Industrial NV (CNHI.MI) factories in Wisconsin and Iowa reached an agreement over a new labor contract on Saturday, ending a strike that has been ongoing since last May, the United Auto Workers union said. The contract, which was voted on as an improved "last, best, and final offer" by CNH Industrial workers, included wage increases, shift premium increases, classification upgrades and as other improvements, the UAW said in a statement. The UAW, which represents more than 1,000 hourly workers at the two plants, did not disclose details of the vote. More than 1,000 union members in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, walked off their equipment-making jobs in May after a six-year contract expired at the facilities. The agreement came after the local unions had this month rejected a tentative contract.

☆ CNH Industrial union workers at two U.S. plants reject proposed contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Bianca Flowers | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Still, union members said the proposed contract failed to provide enough of a raise to combat inflation, additional vacation days or better healthcare coverage. The UAW represents about 1,000 workers at the plants, and union officials had warned a rejection of the latest offer was likely. With a tightening labor market, union workers in the industrial sector for companies such as Boeing (BA.N) and Deere & Co (DE.N) have gone on strike in recent years. For CNH workers, who last struck the company in 2004, some have taken second jobs to augment strike pay they receive from the UAW. Reporting by Bianca Flowers in Racine, Wisconsin; Editing by Leslie Adler, Ben Klayman, William Mallard and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Alfalfa sprouts recalled in 3 states due to potential salmonella contamination
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A Nebraska company is recalling alfalfa sprouts sold in three states due to potential salmonella contamination as state health officials investigate a “cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses” caused by the bacteria. SunSprout Enterprises, based in Fremont, Nebraska, announced Thursday that it is voluntarily recalling four lots of raw alfalfa sprouts. SunSprout Enterprises alfalfa sprouts. "This voluntary recall is a result of a preliminary investigation by the State of Nebraska in connection with CDC of an outbreak of illness likely associated with alfalfa sprouts," the company said. State Epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Donahue praised local and state health officials for quickly narrowing down the cause of the illnesses.

☆ Blizzard, cold temperatures threaten to disrupt U.S. travel before Christmas
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Tyler Clifford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It does not look like a good day to be traveling across the Midwest on Friday," said Greg Carbin, chief of forecast operations at the NWS Weather Prediction Center. The biggest risk exists in the states of Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, as well as parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Southern states could have rainfall and thunderstorms through Thursday, after which temperatures could drop significantly. The NWS also warned of "bone-chilling" cold in parts of Washington state through the Northern Plain states, including Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas. Parts of Montana could see the thermometer register below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 C) on Tuesday, according to the NWS.

☆ Pelosi backs adding TikTok government device ban to funding bill
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supports adding legislation passed by the Senate this week, which would bar federal government employees from using Chinese-owned TikTok on government-owned devices, to a government funding bill. It was the latest action by U.S. lawmakers to crack down on Chinese companies amid national security fears that Beijing could use them to spy on Americans. Many federal agencies, including the White House and the Defense, Homeland Security and State departments, already ban TikTok from government-owned devices. If the House approves its TikTok provision, the Senate would have to add a similar ban to its version of the spending bill before sending it on to President Joe Biden for his signature. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday declined to say whether Biden would support TikTok legislation.

☆ Pelosi undecided if U.S. House will take up TikTok government device ban
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter Pelosi "should immediately allow an up-or-down vote" on the TikTok government device bill. It said the Senate bill "will do nothing to advance the national security of the United States." White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre Thursday declined to offer a view on whether Biden would support the TikTok legislation. Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Tuesday unveiled bipartisan legislation to ban TikTok altogether in the United States. At a hearing last month, FBI Director Chris Wray said TikTok's U.S. operations raise national security concerns.

☆ College Football Might Be Headed for the Ugliest Bowl Season Ever
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Laine Higgins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Music City Bowl’s pairing of Kentucky and Iowa, a pair of 7-5 teams that coincidentally also met in a bowl game last season, was hardly cause for college football fans to set a calendar reminder for its New Year’s Eve kickoff. But what has happened since the matchup was announced earlier this month might be cause to simply delete the game from their schedule altogether. Kentucky’s quarterback and top running back are sitting out to prepare for the NFL draft. Iowa is so gutted by injuries and transfers that its offense will be run by a third-string quarterback who has yet to play a down in two college seasons.

☆ Pelosi undecided if U.S. House will take up TikTok government device ban bill
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The House would need to pass the Senate bill before next week's expected end of the congressional session. TikTok said on Thursday the Senate bill "does nothing to advance U.S. national security interests." Many federal agencies including the Defense, Homeland Security and State departments already ban TikTok from government-owned devices. Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Tuesday unveiled bipartisan legislation to ban TikTok altogether in the United States. At a hearing last month, FBI Director Chris Wray said TikTok's U.S. operations raise national security concerns.

☆ Senate passes bill to bar federal employees from using TikTok on government devices
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate late on Wednesday passed by voice vote a bill to bar federal employees from using Chinese-owned short video-sharing app TikTok on government-owned devices. Stanislav Kogiku / Sipa via AP fileDuring the last Congress, the Senate in August 2020 unanimously approved legislation to bar TikTok from government devices. Many federal agencies including the Defense, Homeland Security and State departments already ban TikTok from government-owned devices. “TikTok is a major security risk to the United States, and it has no place on government devices,” Hawley said previously. At a hearing last month, FBI Director Chris Wray said TikTok’s U.S. operations raise national security concerns.

☆ U.S. Senate passes bill to bar federal employees from using TikTok on government-owned devices
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate late on Wednesday passed by voice vote a bill to bar federal employees from using Chinese-owned short video-sharing app TikTok on government-owned devices. During the last Congress, the Senate in August 2020 unanimously approved legislation to bar TikTok from government devices. Many federal agencies including the Defense, Homeland Security and State departments already ban TikTok from government-owned devices. "TikTok is a major security risk to the United States, and it has no place on government devices," Hawley said previously. At a hearing last month, FBI Director Chris Wray said TikTok's U.S. operations raise national security concerns.

☆ North Dakota, Iowa ban TikTok from state-owned devices
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - North Dakota and Iowa have joined a growing number of U.S. states in banning the Chinese-owned short-video-sharing app TikTok from state-owned devices, citing national security concerns. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued directives prohibiting executive branch agencies from downloading the app on any government-issued equipment. TikTok has said the concerns are largely fueled by misinformation and are happy to meet with policymakers to discuss the company's practices. "We're disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok that will do nothing to advance the national security of the United States," the company said Wednesday. At a hearing last month, FBI Director Chris Wray said TikTok's U.S. operations raise national security concerns.

☆ Mitch McConnell could've tried to block a bill to protect same-sex marriage. He stayed silent about it instead.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Mitch McConnell never publicly offered his position on a bill to protect same-sex marriage. Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina on amendments to the bill, told Insider. "You know, the leader has to look at his conference," Tillis told Insider, referencing his own time as the Speaker of the North Carolina House. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a conservative opponent of the bill, told Insider that "of course" he wished McConnell had taken a vocal position on the bill. As Sinema stood up to embrace the Iowa Republican, McConnell rose from his seat and voted no.

Democratic leaders in New Hampshire and Iowa quickly responded that they plan to ignore the DNC, follow state law and hold their nominations as planned. A New Hampshire law explicitly sets the state's primary date ahead of any DNC calendar. The changes could ease Biden's path to re-election by reshuffling the calendar to favor states that supported his nomination, in particular South Carolina. Biden's 2020 presidential campaign was struggling until he won South Carolina and went on to gain the party's nomination. "Joe Biden's political career was defined when South Carolina Democrats essentially handed him the Democratic Party nomination and the presidency," said Scala.

☆ Democrats’ plan to give Iowa the boot from top primary spot is great news
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Joshua Spivak | Joshua Spivak Is The Author Of | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

This year, it’s the Democrats with a noteworthy shakeup to the 2024 primary and caucus calendar. Biden finished a distant fourth in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire and was seen as dead in the water. Perhaps what makes Iowa even more problematic for Democrats is that it has moved out of the political center. In 1988’s Democratic caucus, it is still arguably unknown who really won: the declared winner, Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt, or Illinois Sen. Paul Simon. Perhaps what makes Iowa even more problematic for Democrats is that it has moved out of the political center.

☆ 'Battle-hardened' food banks and pantries are already struggling to cope even before the recession finally arrives
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Families are turning to food banks and pantries for support, but many are struggling to meet demand. "Families and food banks are facing a perfect storm," says Stephanie Sullivan of Food Bank for the Heartland. Feeding America's most recent survey found that 60% of US food banks reported an increase in demand. It is one of just six US food banks to have such a facility, which it calls a "huge step" towards fighting food insecurity. After much hesitation, the woman finally paid her local food pantry a visit.

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