DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

About 240,000 people are expected to be eligible for the settlement, Chris Seeger, a lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, said at a press conference. The money will be paid out from 2023 to 2029, and $1 billion will be in the form of 3M stock, the company said in a statement. Some analysts' estimates of the company's potential liability from the earplug litigation had been as high as $10 billion. The Combat Arms earplugs were made by Aearo Technologies, a company 3M acquired in 2008. Aearo filed for bankruptcy in July 2022, with 3M pledging $1 billion to fund its liabilities stemming from the earplug lawsuits.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Chris Seeger, Seeger, Bryan Aylstock, Clayton Clark, M, Casey Rodgers, Aearo, Rodgers, Brendan Pierson, Kannaki, Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, U.S, 3M, Aearo Technologies, District, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Minnesota, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pensacola , Florida, New Yorkk, Bengaluru

The 3M logo is seen at its global headquarters in Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S. on March 4, 2020. The Combat Arms earplugs were made by Aearo Technologies, a company 3M acquired in 2008. They were used by the U.S. military in training and combat from 2003 to 2015, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. Aearo filed for bankruptcy in July 2022, with 3M pledging $1 billion to fund its liabilities stemming from the earplug lawsuits. 3M argued that the mass tort litigation was unfair because Rodgers had kept scientific evidence favorable to the company out of trials and allowed thousands of "unvetted" claims to swell the court's docket.

Persons: Nicholas Pfosi, M, Casey Rodgers, Aearo, Rodgers, Brendan Pierson, Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, Aearo Technologies, 3M, District, Thomson Locations: Maplewood , Minnesota, U.S, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pensacola , Florida, New York

☆ Florida baseball team lists entire stadium on Airbnb for $5,000 a night
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Celebrities have been taking big swings with their Airbnb listings lately, but one out-of-the-box stay on the platform is a home run. Since 2020, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos have listed their entire Double-A baseball stadium on the home rental site. And unlike the one-time offers from Hollywood A-listers, anyone can book the unique beach town stay. Blue Wahoos Stadium costs $5,143 per night, and includes two queen beds and four bunk beds. Guests are even allowed into the team's clubhouse, which features TVs, couches, ping pong tables and padded chairs normally reserved for ballplayers.

Organizations: Pensacola, Hollywood, Wahoos

☆ A Multiracial, Hip-Hop-and-Bluegrass Band Wants to Fix Hate in America - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( Farah Stockman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The free publicity, complete with an online post by Donald Trump, spurred a surge in record sales. I recently spent two days with Gangstagrass, a band that is making music that actually unites us, and reflecting on why it isn’t better known. A version of the group produced the theme song of the TV drama “Justified.” (The song, “Long Hard Times to Come,” was nominated for an Emmy in 2010.) The multiracial band was created by Rench, a Brooklyn-based musician and producer. When he isn’t making music, Mr. Whitener is a stay-at-home dad.

Persons: Jason Aldean’s, ”, Aldean’s, Donald Trump, “, M.C, Dan Whitener, Farrow, Whitener, Dolio Organizations: Gangstagrass, Times, Phillies, Adidas Locations: Brooklyn, Pensacola, Fla, New Jersey, Omaha

“We’re horrified that something like this could happen, not only to us, but to anyone,” Saffrine Duggan told her supporters. Former US fighter pilot Daniel Duggan is in custody in Australia pending extradition to the US on charges including that he trained Chinese military pilots. Courtesy Saffrine DugganTraining Chinese pilotsDuggan doesn’t deny training Chinese pilots, but he maintains they were civilians – plane enthusiasts seeking to improve their skills or prospective members of China’s then rapidly expanding aviation industry. And a spokesperson for New Zealand’s Defence Force confirmed to Reuters that four of its former military pilots had been recruited by the company. It’s the wrong type of approach and landing.”In its statement to CNN, TFASA denied teaching aircraft carrier approach and landing techniques to Chinese military pilots.

Persons: Daniel Duggan, Duggan, Duggan’s, “, ”, Saffrine, “ We’re, ” Saffrine Duggan, Paul Devitt, Duggan –, –, ” Duggan, Saffrine Duggan, TFASA, they’re, Duggan doesn’t, China’s, Glenn Kolomeitz, ” “ Dan, Richard Marles, It’s, Constant, Daniel Duggan's, Mike Burgess, Ben Hancock, ” Hancock, Hancock, hasn’t, Dan didn’t, “ TFASA, he’s, Xi Jinping, reunify, Joe Biden, Ng Han Guan, Xi, Donald Trump, “ Don’t Organizations: Australia CNN —, Marine Attack Squadron, Intelligence, Security, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Lithgow Correctional Centre, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC, US Marines, US State Department, of Defense Trade, Test Flying Academy of South, CNN, TFASA, Embassy, Former, Saffrine Duggan Training, Australian Defence Force, RAF, UK Defence Ministry, UK Armed Forces, Australia’s, New Zealand’s Defence Force, Reuters, Marles, ASIO, Buckeye, Marine Corps, US Navy, Aircraft, Training Squadron, US Department of Defense, Harrier, Getty, Pacific Locations: Brisbane, Australia, United States, Yuma , Arizona, China, Beijing, Lithgow, Sydney, Australian, Test Flying Academy of South Africa, Tasmania, South Africa, Former US, New South Wales, Persian, Asia, Townsville, Pensacola, Fla, Western, Taiwan, AFP

☆ The top 10 U.S. cities for retirees — No. 1 isn’t in Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Many cities in Florida remain popular retirement destinations, but a Pennsylvania city ranks as the best place to spend your post-work years. A second Pennsylvania city, state capital Harrisburg, is No. It's clear Pennsylvania and Florida dominate the top spots on the list of best places to retire. Florida doesn't tax income and Pennsylvania doesn't tax retirement pensions and distributions from 401(k)s, IRAs or Social Security, according to Kiplinger. Here are the top 10 U.S. cities for retirees, according to U.S. News & World Report:Lancaster, Pennsylvania Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Pensacola, Florida Tampa, Florida York, Pennsylvania Naples, Florida Daytona Beach, Florida Ann Arbor, Michigan Allentown, Pennsylvania Reading, PennsylvaniaWhile lists like these can be helpful while researching potential retirement locations, remember that everyone's ideal retirement is unique and shaped by different priorities.

Persons: Lancaster, Warren Buffett Organizations: U.S . News, U.S ., . News, U.S . Census, Tax Foundation, Louis Federal Reserve Bank, Pensacola, Security, Kiplinger Locations: Florida, Pennsylvania, Lancaster , Pennsylvania, U.S, Puerto Rico, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Lancaster , Pennsylvania Harrisburg , Pennsylvania Pensacola, Florida Tampa , Florida York, Pennsylvania Naples, Beach , Florida Ann Arbor , Michigan Allentown , Pennsylvania Reading

☆ These are the 3 best markets for long-distance real-estate investors to capitalize on both strong cash flows and property value appreciation, according to an expert who's written multiple books on inv
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

David Greene says Alabama, Southern Georgia, and Northern Florida are ripe markets for appreciation. I do think appreciation is likely to be experienced later because of the increasing population that's moving there," Greene said on the podcast. According to Census Bureau data compiled by the National Association of Realtors, Florida's population grew the most in absolute terms out of any US state in 2022, while Georgia grew the sixth-most and Alabama grew the ninth-most. Cities they found where the population grew above 6% last year include Ocala, Florida; Tallahassee, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; and Deltona, Florida. National Association of RealtorsData also shows that median home prices in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida are cheaper than the national median of $436,800.

Persons: David Greene, bullish, Greene, Southern Georgia Daniela Duncan, Austin Organizations: Alabama, Florida Bown Media, Getty, National Association of Realtors, NAR, US Postal Service, National Association of Realtors Data, Rocket Mortgage Locations: Alabama, Southern Georgia, Northern Florida, Phoenix, Nashville, Austin, Alabama Montgomery , Alabama, Northern Florida Pensacola, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Birmingham, Bentonville , Arkansas, Florida's, Georgia, Ocala , Florida, Tallahassee , Florida, Savannah , Georgia, Deltona , Florida, Alabama , Georgia

☆ US South blanketed with oppressive heat ahead of holiday weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A combination of high humidity and temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius)could push heat index values above 115 in some parts of the South this weekend, contributing to atmospheric instability and creating conditions ripe for more harsh storms, weather service meteorologist Matt Mosier said. The agency issued excessive heat warnings affecting millions of people in parts of southern Louisiana and Texas, saying the heat index could reach 110 degrees. South Florida and Mississippi were under heat advisories for Friday. While Southern states are accustomed to high heat, extreme weather conditions have become more frequent across the country and with more intensity, driven by climate change, scientists say. At least three people were killed and dozens injured by tornadoes in Perryton, Texas, on Thursday.

Persons: Matt Mosier, It's, Power, Poweroutage.us, Davis Wood, Tyler Clifford, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, National Weather Service, Thomson Locations: Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Perryton , Texas, Pensacola , Florida, Escambia County, Warrington, New York

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jeffrey Graham in Indianapolis had dismissed Aearo Technologies' bankruptcy on Friday, finding that it was "fatally premature." Despite the "staggering" number of earplug lawsuits, Aearo has significant financial support from 3M and enjoys a "greater degree of financial security than warrants bankruptcy protection," Graham ruled. 3M and Aearo had argued that the earplug litigation had spiraled out of control and could be resolved only in bankruptcy. The case is Aearo Technologies LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, No. Read more:US judge rejects 3M effort to resolve earplug lawsuits in bankruptcy3M foes act fast to capitalize on J&J’s talc bankruptcy defeat3M earplug bankruptcy creates "corrosive" tension with other courts, attorney saysBankruptcy as MDL escape hatch?

Persons: Jeffrey Graham, Aearo, Graham, Chad Husnick, Kirkland & Ellis, Melanie Cyganowski, Bryan Aylstock, Christopher Seeger, Seeger Weiss, David Molton, Brown Rudnick, Michael Tuchin, Kevin Maclay, Read, Dietrich Knauth Organizations: Aearo Technologies, 3M, Bankruptcy, Southern, Southern District of, Kirkland &, KTBS, Caplin, Drysdale, Thomson Locations: U.S, Indianapolis, Pensacola , Florida, Southern District, Southern District of Indiana, Kirkland, Witkin

☆ Barbiecore? Mermaidcore? A Grown-Up’s Guide to Summer’s Viral Trends
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Faran Krentcil | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Barbiecore “ignites my soul,” makeup artist Victoria Lyn recently told her 5.3 million TikTok followers from her Pensacola, Fla., studio. For the uninitiated, Barbiecore is a pink-drenched fashion craze that pranced into the zeitgeist last year after hot-pink collections from Valentino and Versace appeared on celebrities and on-set images from Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” film (out July 21) emerged online. Lyn claimed the trend “is here to slay for the summer.” Considering #Barbiecore currently has over 350 million views on TikTok, her prediction might well come to pass.

Persons: Victoria Lyn, Valentino, Versace, Greta Gerwig’s “ Barbie, Lyn Locations: Pensacola, Fla, TikTok

☆ US judge rejects 3M effort to resolve earplug lawsuits in bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Dietrich Knauth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Friday dismissed the bankruptcy of 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies, rejecting an effort to resolve nearly 260,000 lawsuits alleging that 3M military earplugs caused hearing loss for veterans and U.S. service members. 3M and Aearo had argued that the earplug litigation had spiraled out of control and could be resolved only in bankruptcy. Graham acknowledged that the earplug litigation was “staggering,” representing 30% of all cases currently pending in the federal district courts. Those appeals could “fundamentally change the trajectory” of the earplug lawsuits, 3M said. 3M’s bankruptcy strategy mirrors a similar effort by Johnson & Johnson, which has attempted to resolve lawsuits through the bankruptcy of a newly created subsidiary, LTL Management.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Jeffrey Graham, Aearo, Graham, Bryan Aylstock, Chris Seeger, ” “, ” Aylstock, Seeger, Johnson, J, LTL Organizations: YORK, Aearo Technologies, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, 3M, Aearo, U.S, Circuit, Johnson, LTL Management Locations: U.S, New York City, Indianapolis, Pensacola , Florida, Florida

☆ Penguin Random House and Florida parents sue school district over book bans
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A selection of books including "The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison, that have been the subject of complaints from parentsPenguin Random House, authors, parents and an advocacy group filed a lawsuit Wednesday against a Florida school district for removing 10 books related to race and the LGBTQ community after a high school teacher complained. In addition to the publishing house, PEN America, a nonprofit group that advocates for free expression in literature, five authors whose books have been removed from the district, and two parents whose children go to school in the district filed the suit against the Escambia County School District and the Escambia County School Board in Pensacola, Florida. "The clear agenda behind the campaign to remove the books is to categorically remove all discussion of racial discrimination or LGBTQ issues from public school libraries. Neither the district nor the school board immediately returned requests for comment. More than 100 other titles are restricted and require parental approval for access.

☆ Woman arrested after reportedly throwing drink at Matt Gaetz, with the Florida congressman insisting on pressing charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A woman intentionally threw a drink at Rep. Matt Gaetz during an event on Saturday, police said. Gaetz decided to press ahead with criminal charges against the woman. A previous case of a drink being thrown at Gaetz resulted in a woman serving 15 days in prison. A woman with Chambers told police that she was actually the one who cursed at Gaetz as they walked past, according to the Pensacola News Journal. This is the second time Gaetz has had a drink thrown at him resulting in criminal charges, with the first incident leading to a prison sentence.

☆ I'm an Air Force mechanic. It's a very stressful job, but I love it — here are the best and worst parts.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Paul Krantz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Raymond Pendergraph has served all over the world as an E6 technical sergeant in the US Air Force. My dad was in the military, so moving around and living on Air Force bases was part of my life growing up. My first duty station was at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. International assignments brought me to South Korea, Japan, and ItalyI spent a year working on Osan Air Base in South Korea. In the military, working hours really depend on your positionPeople working in administration or finance have pretty standard, set schedules.

March 8 (Reuters) - A federal judge in Florida on Wednesday agreed with the state's Republican attorney general that the policy of President Joe Biden's administration to release many people who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexican border rather than detaining them violates U.S. immigration law. Republican critics have called the policy "catch and release." The judge agreed with the argument made by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who challenged the policy. Moody sued DHS in 2021, claiming its policy, officially known as Parole Plus Alternative to Detention, violates a U.S. law called the Immigration and Nationality Act. Federal immigration law allows DHS to "parole" migrants rather than detaining them "on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit."

☆ The cheapest and most expensive U.S. airports to fly out of—JFK, LAX didn't make either list
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CivMetrics ranked the cheapest and most expensive airports in the U.S. based on average flight costs. Among the busiest airports, Ted Stevens Anchorage International in Alaska was the most expensive, with an average flight price of $540. On the other end, St. Pete Clearwater International in Florida, where flight costs average around $147, ranked as the cheapest airport. Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, came in third place. The Ted Stevens International Airport is a critical supply chain hub.

The case for falling rentSomething strange is happening in the apartment market. More than 971,000 apartment units were under construction across the US at the end of 2022, the second-largest number on record. There's only so much people are willing to pay,'" said Jon Leckie, a researcher for Rent, a platform that helps landlords market their properties. For now, though, the wave of supply that's already underway should keep rents in check over the next couple of years. Now, as landlords shift their focus from jacking up rents to filling up units, renters can once again look ahead to better days.

☆ A woman who found a cockroach in her husband's food at a Slim Chickens in Florida says she had to battle with the manager to get a refund
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A woman found a cockroach in her husband's chicken tender at Slim Chickens on their anniversary. Haile Kirkland said she tried to "quietly" address the problem, but had to battle to get a refund. The restaurant's owner sent her an email to apologize and asked her to remove a social media post. He told her to look at it and Kirkland saw "the cockroach cooked into the side of the chicken." Slim Chickens didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider made outside normal working hours.

☆ Florida's new education bill would force state colleges to shut down diversity programs and remove some majors entirely
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Florida's new bill would force state colleges to shut down diversity programs and some majors. The bill is the latest effort from Florida GOP to restrict statewide education. If passed, the bill would force state colleges to remove "from its programs any major or minor in Critical Race Theory, Gender Studies, or Intersectionality, or any derivative major or minor of these belief systems." Universities would also be prohibited from funding or supporting any "programs or campus activities" that "espouse diversity, equity, and inclusion or Critical Race Theory," the bill says. Ron DeSantis' recent budget, which he calls the 'Framework for Freedom," would block state universities from using funding to support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

☆ Fact Check-Company affiliated with Matt Gaetz had $482,321 in PPP loans forgiven
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz owned corporate stock in a company that received nearly $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans forgiven in 2020, but users online are claiming that he personally received PPP loan forgiveness without owning a company. A Twitter post said: “Don’t forget, Matt Gaetz had $482,321 in PPP loans forgiven despite the fact that he doesn’t own a company. The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), which was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), includes a dashboard to search for all the PPP loans forgiven (here). A search for Caregivers, Inc. on the PRAC PPP dashboard shows that it received $482,321 in PPP loans forgiven to cover payroll, which matches the amount in the social media posts (see the “PPP Details” section). U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz did not personally receive $482,321 in PPP loans forgiven, but he owned stock in a company that received loan forgiveness during the pandemic.

☆ Trump sues Bob Woodward and publisher for $50 million over use of his interview recordings
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Former President Donald Trump sued famed journalist Bob Woodward on Monday over the release of audio recordings of his interviews with Trump, who claims he never agreed to allow those tapes to be sold to the public. The suit seeks $50 million or more which it says is based on an estimate that the audiobook, "The Trump Tapes," sold more than two million copies at $24.99 apiece. Woodward then "decided to exploit, usurp, and capitalize upon President Trump's voice by releasing the Interview Sound Recordings of their interviews with President Trump in the form of an audiobook," the complaint alleges. Woodward interviewed Trump over the phone and in person 19 times between December 2019 and August 2020, according to the lawsuit. Trump sued Woodward, who is one-half of the legendary reporting duo that reported on the Nixon-era Watergate scandal, as he ramps up his 2024 presidential campaign.

☆ Florida man and Insider global editor-in-chief Nich Carlson wondered what the heck was going on in his home state. Sunshine State readers unloaded on him.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

They expressed polarizing opinions about the state's housing, taxes, weather, politics, and more. Rising housing costs and traffic, for instance, drew almost universal disdain, while opinions on the state's weather, politics, taxes, and overall cost of living were mixed and highly polarized. Insider's Global Editor-in-Chief Nicholas Carlson (left), who grew up in Tampa, at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in January 2022. The state's politics are unsurprisingly divisiveFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis at a press conference after Hurricane Ian passed through the Cape Coral area. Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesSome Floridians love the state's politics, some aren't fans, and some don't care all that much.

Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality TV franchise "Chrisley Knows Best," reported to federal facilities Tuesday to begin their years-long prison sentences after their fraud convictions, officials said. Todd Chrisley surrendered to the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Pensacola in Florida, while Julie Chrisley arrived at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Lexington in Kentucky, according to the Bureau of Prisons. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years, wife Julie Chrisley got 7 years. The downfall of Todd and Julie Chrisley came at about the same time as "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah faced federal prosecution before she pleaded guilty to wire fraud. "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" is on Bravo, which is also an NBCUniversal property.

☆ How to get reimbursed for hotels and alternative transportation if your Southwest flight was canceled
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Between Wednesday and Monday, the Dallas-based carrier canceled 8,305 flights, amounting to 36% of its operation, according to FlightAware data. On Monday alone, Southwest canceled 74% of its operation and it is struggling to get back on track with 63% of flights already canceled as of 11:00 a.m on Tuesday. For comparison, the US' second-worst offender between Wednesday and Monday was Delta Air Lines with 1,865 flights canceled, which was 12% of its operation, according to FlightAware. Email Southwest for reimbursementJonathan Weiss/ShutterstockIn some cases, travelers will decide to receive a refund for a canceled flight and rebook their own transportation, like a flight on a different carrier, a rental car, or a train. Contact your credit card issuerDavid Slotnick/Business InsiderTravelers should also check if their credit card comes with trip insurance.

☆ DeSantis is often described as 'Trump without the baggage,' but there are plenty of differences between the two Republicans. How they play up their contrasts will decide who wins in 2024, GOP insiders
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

DeSantis could end up running for president in 2024, and he's widely viewed as similar to Trump. He's "Trump without the baggage," "Trump with a brain," Trump "without the drama," and "Trump's Mini Me." The pile on is a problem for both men should DeSantis join Trump in the ring for the 2024 nomination contest. "We know what we get with President Trump," he said. In Florida, DeSantis pushed the legislature to limit ballot collection by non-family members.

Search resuls for: "Pensacola"

25 mentions found