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☆ Oklahoma governor wages war on PBS station after claiming it is indoctrinating children with LGBTQ content
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —America’s most-watched PBS station is on the verge of going dark. The Republican governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, recently vetoed a bill that would have renewed the license and provided millions in funding for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, the statewide PBS network that reaches more than 650,000 viewers a week. The fundamental goal of PBS KIDS remains supporting children as they learn and grow through programming they have come to know and love. While the Oklahoma station receives $6.3 million in funding from donors and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, $2.9 million comes from the state government. It produces and airs the “Oklahoma News Report,” the only state news program that reaches every county in Oklahoma.

☆ MLB roundup: Cards' Willson Contreras stars in return to Chicago
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

[1/5] May 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (40) celebrates team's win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Colorado starter Kyle Freeland (3-4) gave up two runs and seven hits in seven innings, with four strikeouts and three walks. Cease went five-plus innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out six. Miami's Braxton Garrett (1-2) was charged with four runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. San Francisco starter Anthony DeSclafani (3-2) got through seven innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits.

Russian service members rehearsing last week for the military parade in Moscow on Tuesday, when Russia celebrates the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. More recently, he has tried to wrap Ukraine into that narrative, falsely depicting it as a Nazi redoubt. The parade is likely to be subjected to closer scrutiny than usual, both inside Russia and beyond its borders. This year, the jets have skipped their usual practice runs over Moscow, raising questions about whether they will participate. Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said the march was canceled as a “precautionary measure” against possible attacks.

☆ When a Walkable City Becomes a Death Trap
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Ginia Bellafante | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Last year saw 257 traffic fatalities in the city; just one fewer than there had been nine years ago, when Vision Zero began. The pandemic managed both to confirm and undermine New York’s reputation as the most walkable city in the country. Speeding and reckless driving were the leading causes of traffic deaths, and in 2021 they reached their highest point in the Vision Zero era. Nationally, there were more pedestrian deaths in 2021 than there had been in 40 years. Under Vision Zero, the Department of Transportation was tasked with identifying “priority corridors” — those stretches where pedestrian deaths and serious injuries are most concentrated.

☆ MLB roundup: Astros drop Rays to 14-1 at home
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +13 min

Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run homer, Ke'Bryan Hayes a two-run double and Carlos Santana and Austin Hedges an RBI single apiece for the Pirates. Texas built a six-run lead before Nick Senzel put Cincinnati on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the seventh inning. Ruiz's homer and Joey Meneses' RBI single in the third against Jose Butto (0-1) provided an early cushion for Gray. The Brewers got single runs in the third and fourth, then pulled within 4-3 when Rowdy Tellez opened the sixth with his eighth homer. With two outs during Chicago's four-run eighth, Gomes lined an RBI single to right field for his fifth career four-hit game.

☆ Paralympics TikTok account uses 'edgy and unique content' but has been critiqued by some for lack of sensitivity
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Social media is awash with memes and GIFs and, at times, ‘edginess,’ but it can be a difficult balancing act as the official Paralympics TikTok account is discovering. The account is run by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the organization which organizes and manages the Paralympic Games. In the comments, the official Paralympic account replied: “This is Brad Snyder. Mixed reactionsAs a result, the videos posted on the official account have received a mixed reaction, with commentators on many of them left disbelieving that the content published there is permitted. “Looking through that whole account, I might have seen one or two [videos] where the athlete actually does something successfully.

☆ Sudan Live Updates: Civilians Feel Strain as Blasts Rock Capital
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

A policeman in 2011 in Abyei, a dividing line between northern and southern Sudan that was the site of a long-running standoff. For decades, Sudan’s military has waged brutal conflicts in the south, east and west of the country. The two sides ultimately negotiated a peace agreement that split the country in 2011 after southerners voted in a referendum for South Sudan to become a new nation. Image Celebrations in Juba, Sudan, on the eve of independence for South Sudan in 2011. Credit... Tyler Hicks/The New York TimesWithin South Sudan, infighting in the government led to clashes in 2013 and ultimately triggered a violent feud between the two biggest ethnic groups. Nuba Mountains conflictClashes between government forces and rebel Nuba fighters in Sudan’s South Kordofan State broke out in the aftermath of South Sudan’s secession, with Nuba fighters supporting South Sudan.

☆ Republicans in battleground states sidestep endorsing Trump as they eye 2024 Senate bids
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Republicans weighing 2024 Senate bids in key states haven't settled on Donald Trump for 2024. "As Senate Republican's primary dynamics get messier by the day, Senate GOP candidates are in a lose-lose situation when it comes to Trump," said Nora Keefe, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Representatives for the three GOP prospects and the Senate GOP campaign arm either did not elaborate or respond when asked for comment. Rep. Mike Gallagher, a potential Senate candidate in another battleground state, Wisconsin, has repeatedly said he would not support Trump since the Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in the January 6 insurrection. I stand by what I said," he said during an Axios forum when asked if he would support Trump if he becomes the nominee.

☆ MLB roundup: Ryan Mountcastle's 9 RBIs propel Orioles to win
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Austin Hays also homered and went 4-for-5 as the Orioles won for the second night in a row. Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run and Bryson Stott added two hits and two RBIs for Philadelphia. Guardians starter Hunter Gaddis (0-1) allowed eight runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks in three-plus innings. Blue Jays 9, Tigers 3Alejandro Kirk hit a three-run home run and had four RBIs as Toronto won its home opener, beating Detroit. Detroit right-hander Matt Manning (1-1) allowed four runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts in six innings.

☆ Missouri officials refuse to work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, saying all federal 'so-called' gun laws are unconstitutional
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Officials in Camden County, Missouri are refusing to cooperate with the ATF, according to local reports. Officials cited a since-struck-down state law that kept police from enforcing federal gun laws. Six top elected officials in Camden County signed a letter to the ATF saying as much, according to NPR affiliate KCUR 89.3. Last month, a federal judge struck down the 2021 law, which prohibited local police from enforcing federal gun laws, calling it "invalid, null, void, and of no effect." "Any and all federal firearms laws, so-called laws, in my opinion, and many others' opinion, are unconstitutional," Skelton told KCUR.

A Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Donald Trump, possibly over a "hush-money" payment. Here's a timeline of Trump and Daniels' alleged relationship, the $130,000 payment to keep Daniels silent, and the testimonies leading to a possible indictment. Markus Schreiber/APManhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg convened a grand jury in mid-January of this year to consider an indictment against Trump. And Trump's former fixer and lawyer Michael Cohen, prosecutors' key witness, has made repeated visits to the DA's office and to the grand jury. Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesThe Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Trump on Thursday, March 30.

☆ Buying a home is only going to get harder this spring as hopeful house hunters get thwarted by fewer options and still-high prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But buyers won't have many homes to pick from, which can lead to competition that keeps prices high. Owners are reluctant to sell because they would have to give up locked-in low mortgage rates. Considering growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will stop, or even reverse, its benchmark rate hikes this year, mortgage rates may fall further in the weeks to come. Owners happy with their homes and low, locked-in mortgage rates, aren't moving much. More competition, or demand, for a smaller number of homes, or supply, usually keeps prices high.

☆ Trump 'hush money' grand jury back to work Monday after week-long hiatus: sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Manhattan grand jury will be back Monday afternoon on the Trump 'hush-money' case, sources tell Insider. It is unknown if the secret grand jury will hear from additional witnesses or is nearing a vote. It's unclear whether the grand jury, which meets in the afternoon, will hear additional witnesses Monday, or if they are nearing a vote. The grand jury last met on Monday, March 20, when it heard testimony by a rebuttal witness at the request of Trump's defense team. The grand jury is believed to have heard from two former Trump advisors, Hope Hicks, and Kellyanne Conway, who may have knowledge of the payment from their time on the 2016 campaign.

☆ Going to war? Good news! The United States is 13 years behind in ammunition production.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Since production capacity changed after the Cold War, the US can no longer keep up with wartime demands. In fulfilling those promises, The New York Times reported the US has sent Ukraine so many stockpiled Stinger missiles that it would take 13 years of production at recent capacity levels to replace them. US officials in January proposed a production increase up to 90,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition each month to keep up with demand. The United States has rarely seen production shortages in ammunition and missiles to the degree the country currently faces. While improvements to production facilities have been budgeted for going forward, the US is currently pushing suppliers to capacity to meet current wartime demands in Ukraine and keep pace with China's production.

☆ Fact Check-Ainsley Harriott sausage product with curse word is fake
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An image showing British celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott-branded sausage packaging carrying an inflammatory pun is fabricated and there is no evidence it was sold in Ireland. Online accounts share the chef's purported "special recipe sausages" in red packaging with the slogan in white text (here). Reuters found no evidence the product was sold in supermarkets. Photos of packages of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s sausages have also surfaced online with the same satirical slogan superimposed (here). The image of Ainsley Harriott-branded sausages is fake, according to the chef’s representative.

A Manhattan grand jury weighing evidence for a possible Donald Trump "hush-money" indictment. Here's a timeline of Trump and Daniels' alleged relationship, the $130,000 payment to keep Daniels silent, and the testimonies leading to a possible indictment. Markus Schreiber/APManhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg convened a grand jury in mid-January of this year to consider an indictment against Trump. And Trump's former fixer and lawyer Michael Cohen, prosecutors' key witness, has made repeated visits to the DA's office and to the grand jury. What could happen nextThe final witnesses were scheduled to testify before the grand jury on March 20, though it is unclear when the panel may vote.

☆ Not so fast. A New York grand jury will hear a final surprise witness on Monday and won't vote on Trump indictment until it's over.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Manhattan grand jury will continue hearing evidence Monday in the Trump hush-money investigation. A final witness must testify before the panel can deliberate and then vote on a possible indictment. News of a Monday grand jury witness was first reported by CNN. The surprise final witness provides an updated clue to the timing of a possible indictment of Trump and of any co-defendants. Experts who have described the Manhattan grand jury process to Insider say there are several steps between the final testimony and the vote.

☆ Banking crisis differs from Texas banking crash, says Academy Sports and Outdoors' Hicks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBanking crisis differs from Texas banking crash, says Academy Sports and Outdoors' HicksKen Hicks, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. CEO, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss signs of consumer stress, signs of a slowing economy and takeaways from the Texas banking crash.

☆ Biden wants $886 billion defense budget with eyes on Ukraine and future wars
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The total amount of the 2024 budget proposal is $28 billion more than last year's $858 billion. Congress has passed an annual defense budget for more than 60 years. Biden's budget request also speeds the Department of Defense's pace for buying the stealthy F-35 fighter jet to 83. The 2023 budget request asked for 61 F-35 jets made by Lockheed Martin and Congress increased that number to 77. The budget would benefit the biggest U.S. defense contractors including Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) and General Dynamics Corp (GD.N).

☆ Inside the Trump grand jury room — '40s-era furniture, linoleum-topped desks, and a looming indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Instead, the grand jury room where Donald Trump could become the first former president to be criminally indicted is a drab, un-Trumplike space, seemingly too ordinary for its purpose. After each presentation, she'd wait, seated on one of those same chairs, as grand jurors deliberated behind closed doors. "And yes, sometimes there are people who will drive the other 22 grand jurors crazy with off-the-wall questions." There needs to be at least 16 grand jurors present out of the originally selected 23 to have a voting quorum. The prosecutor, meanwhile, will sit on that old, uncomfortable wooden chair just outside the grand jury room, and wait for the buzzer.

☆ Michael Cohen to testify at Trump 'hush money' grand jury next week in last step before a possible indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Laura Italiano | El Calabrese | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Michael Cohen is set to testify next week before the Trump "hush money" grand jury in Manhattan. It could be a final step before a vote on an indictment charging Trump with falsifying business records. Bragg must authorize his prosecutors to request a grand jury vote before an indictment could be voted on. A lawyer for Trump declined to comment on the grand jury or on the possibility of an indictment. Bragg's office has remained mum on the grand jury process and the continuing probe.

☆ Trump was invited to testify before a New York grand jury, suggesting an indictment could be near, New York Times reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Laura Italiano | Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Prosecutors offered Trump a chance to testify before a grand jury next week, per The New York Times. Such invitations are rarely accepted, but signal a grand jury may be close to voting on an indictment. In a statement to ABC News's John Santucci, a Trump spokesperson said: "The Manhattan District Attorney's threat to indict President Trump is simply insane. President Trump was the victim of extortion then, just as he is now. It's standard to offer the target of a grand jury the opportunity to voluntarily testify.

☆ Michael Cohen predicts 'liar' Trump won't testify as Manhattan hush-money indictment looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( El Calabrese | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Cohen took a shot at 'liar' Trump before meeting Friday with Manhattan 'hush-money' prosecutors. "It's another thing to turn around and lie before a grand jury," Cohen said. "Donald Trump, as a private citizen, right before the election, directed Michael Cohen to pay hush money that Michael Cohen went to prison for," Davis said. "Now there's no dispute that it was Donald Trump's Justice Department that wrote that in a sentencing memo and in their information filed against Michael Cohen," Davis said. "So if he directed Michael Cohen to do a crime, according to his Justice Department — go look it up it's a public document — then how is it possible that he's not guilty, if he directed Michael Cohen to pay the hush money."

☆ They moved abroad hoping to save money — here’s what they found out
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Chris Dwyer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

She is able to save money because she has embraced a style of travel that minimizes spending while on the road, she said. Her advice for people who want to move abroad and save money? "Is it possible to save money compared to the U.S.? Martin Penner said you can "absolutely" save money while traveling full time, but he cautions that short-term rental prices have increased. Elledge-Penner advises those who want to save money to avoid Europe in the summertime.

☆ Kellyanne Conway meets again with Manhattan district attorney as Trump hush-money probe barrels toward possible indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ex-Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway was back for a 2nd meeting with Manhattan prosecutors Wednesday. She directly links Trump to a 2016 hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels, Michael Cohen has alleged. A Manhattan grand jury is hearing evidence relating to the illegal, election-eve payment. Conway "said she'd pass along the good news" to Trump, Cohen wrote. Getting little to no traction," Cohen texted Hicks as the hush-money payment to Daniels was being negotiated, federal filings say.

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