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☆ What is the 'Ballerina Farm controversy?' Some viewers feel an influencer's rustic homesteading videos don't add up with her family's stratospheric wealth
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

As her TikTok channel Ballerina Farm grew in popularity, controversy has also stirred. When Ballerina Farm pretends their reality is reality, those people are erased." Who is Ballerina Farm? The creator @caroclaireburkeeen has critiqued Ballerina Farm in several videos starting at the beginning of this year. Ballerina Farm did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Persons: Hannah Neeleman, —, Hannah Neeleman —, sourdough, David Neeleman, Neeleman, Dean Martin, Farm's homemaking, Anne Helen Peterson, Meg Conley, Daniel, it's, She's, @caroclaireburkeeen, @thecopperpony, Ballerina Organizations: Juilliard grad, Service, Azul, JetBlue, Breeze Airways, Reuters, Juilliard, Vox Locations: Kamas , Utah

☆ The Best Holiday Storage Solutions, According to Pro Organizers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Korin Miller | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

We asked professional organizers for the holiday storage solutions they use and suggest to clients when it’s that time of year. Brenna Peyton, owner and lead organizer of One Organized Girl, likes this tree storage bag for its durability and ease of use. “You simply wrap the wires around the storage and put it into a storage container to keep it in great shape for the following year,” she says. Best storage for holiday dishesHoliday-themed dinnerware is prone to breakage, making it important to get your storage right. Best general holiday storageIt’s difficult to have a designated storage container for every single holiday item.

Persons: Korin Miller, Brenna Peyton, ”, Naeemah Ford, ” Peyton, Peyton, Goldson, Goldston, “, Leigh Achenbach, “ They’re, Achenbach Organizations: Elm Locations: Balsam, West Elm

☆ See inside a tiny-home village that gives homeless people $200-a-month houses — and has a waiting list of 700 people
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Millionaire Marcel LeBrun is building a tiny-home village in Canada, just north of the Maine border. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's been nearly two years since 12Neighbours, a tiny-home village in Canada, welcomed its first resident. Marcel LeBrun at the 12Neighbours tiny-home village. Take a look inside the 12Neighbours tiny-home village. A resident of the 12Neighbours tiny-home village.

Persons: Millionaire Marcel LeBrun, —, Marcel LeBrun, LeBrun, " LeBrun, 12Neighbours, Marcel LeBrun LeBrun, Marcel LeBrun Every, Randy, Mark Osborne didn't, Marcel LeBrun Samantha Seymour, Marcel LeBrun 12Neighbours, who've, we're, Seymour Organizations: Residents, Service, Fraser Institute, Brunswick, Marcel LeBrun Village, Canadian Broadcasting Company, CBC, New, New Brunswick Housing Locations: Canada, Maine, Fredericton , New Brunswick, Maine , New Brunswick, Fredericton , New, New Brunswick, overpriced, 12Neighbours

☆ Tapestry bets on high prices as Coach parent cuts 2024 sales view
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A signage is seen in the offices of Tapestry, Inc., in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 19, 2021. Shares of the Coach parent rose 6% in early trading, as its profit beat market expectations. Sales at Coach, Tapestry's biggest brand, grew 3%, as demand for its Tabby shoulder bags nearly doubled from last year. It expects 2024 revenue of about $6.7 billion, lower than its prior target of nearly $6.9 billion, weighed by a stronger dollar. Net sales were flat at $1.51 billion in the quarter ended Sept. 30 from last year.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Joanne Crevoiserat, Crevoiserat, Savyata Mishra, Juby Babu, Arun Koyyur Organizations: Tapestry, Inc, REUTERS, Capri, U.S . Federal, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York, U.S, North America, China, Bengaluru

“We’re trying to make robots that can operate in human spaces.”Do we even need humanoids? Seemingly farther along is Tesla's Austin, Texas-based neighbor Apptronik, which unveiled its Apollo humanoid in an August video demonstration. “That led to development of a new robot that was not really a humanoid, but had several characteristics of a humanoid,” he said via an emailed message. Walking is "not the hardest problem to solve in humanoid robotics," said Geordie Rose, co-founder and CEO of British Columbia, Canada-based startup Sanctuary AI. “Forever more, human- centric robots like that are going to be part of human life.

Persons: hasn’t, Jonathan Hurst, “ We’re, Hurst, There’s, Brett Adcock, Elon Musk, —, “, Marc Raibert, Raibert, ”, Geordie Rose, Rose, ” Rose, Tye Brady, Damion Shelton, ” Shelton, Haleluya Hadero Organizations: Agility Robotics, tote, Amazon, Agility, Boston Dynamics, carmaker Hyundai, Robotics Locations: Oregon, Sunnyvale , California, Austin , Texas, British Columbia, Canada, Seattle

CNN —In the not-so-distant future, human-like robots will be as ubiquitous as the automobile or smartphone – if Agility Robotics’ vision of the future comes to life. “This is really an inflection point in history,” said Jonathan Hurst, co-founder of Agility Robotics, a Silicon Valley firm that showed off its humanoid, “Digit” to investors and press Tuesday. Agility Robotics' robot Digit showcased its ability to operate autonomously in front of a small audience Tuesday night. Due to safety regulations implemented by Agility Robotics, humans must also stay six feet away from Digit. Less than two weeks ago, Amazon announced it will begin testing Digit in a Seattle warehouse (Amazon is an investor in Digit’s parent company Agility Robotics.)

Persons: ”, Jonathan Hurst, Hurst, “, Veronica Miracle, couldn’t, That’s, ” Hurst, Melonee Wise Organizations: CNN, Agility Robotics, Robotics, Amazon, tote, Hollywood, Writers Guild of America, Technology Locations: Silicon, Seattle, Oregon

[1/2] Argentina's presidential candidate Sergio Massa gestures during a press conference a day after the first round of Argentina's presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 23, 2023. Local media reported similar though more informal campaigns in some hospitals, and the energy secretary warned the price of subsidized gas could double. 'CHAINSAWING' THE WELFARE STATE? "At the other end of the chainsaw he totes at rallies are the pocketbooks of millions of Argentines," he added. Additional reporting by Candelaria Grimberg and Lucinda Elliott; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Cristina Sille, Sergio Massa's, Javier Milei, Massa, Milei, Amparo Anzaldi, Benjamin Gedan, Wilson, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Ana Monclus, meanwhile, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Candelaria Grimberg, Lucinda Elliott, Adam Jourdan, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, Argentine Economy, Peronist, Massa, Local, International Monetary Fund, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Argentine

A spokesperson from the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union told CNN that they support the organizers planning a walkout and protests. “We support all health care workers who are organizing and taking a stance to improve staffing.”A Walgreens pharmacy store in Austin, TX. In a statement to CNN, Walgreens said about 20 stores out of about 9,000 had “disruptions over three days,” Oct. 9-11. Walgreens walkout organizers told CNN that their tally is much higher, with about 600 employees participating. The following three Walgreens employees told CNN their reasons for walking out.

Persons: Shane Jerominski, Renée Saldaña, Mohammad Khursheed, Tim Wentworth, Wentworth, ” Fraser Engerman, Engerman, “, ” ‘ We’ve, ”, “ We’ve Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, Workers, CNN, United Food, Commercial Workers International Union, SEIU, United Healthcare Workers, West Health, Reuters Organizers, “ Locations: New York, West, Austin , TX, Friday’s, Oregon, Wisconsin, Oklahoma

☆ Amazon's latest warehouse robot is cute, but it's definitely not going to quell workers' fears of being replaced
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Kylie Kirschner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Amazon says Digit is designed to "work collaboratively" with employees, not replace them. AdvertisementAdvertisementAmazon recently began testing a new robot in its warehouse operations — meet Digit, a humanoid bipedal robot with a turquoise torso and smiley eyes. However, most of the other warehouse robots have been cart-shaped or robotic arms, not humanoid like Digit. Unlike the company's other warehouse robots, Amazon says Digit is better designed to operate in spaces designed for humans. In community forums, warehouse workers discussed the possibility that Sparrow might result in empty warehouses, with only small teams of human employees to repair the robots.

Persons: —, they'll, — Bert, Ernie, Scooter, Kermit Organizations: Robotics, Service, Agility Robotics, Amazon, Innovation, tote, Workers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. The state’s 25-year-old Gift Ban Act prohibits public employees such as Pritzker from accepting presents, with broad exceptions. Therefore, the high-priced hooch delivered compliments of the Japanese embassy and three bottles of tequila valued at $450 have remained untapped. Together, they comprise 4 1/2 years of gratuities totaling 561 gifts valued at $16,890.14, according to a log provided to The Associated Press in response to a public records request. Jim Edgar, the Gift Ban Act was the first major ethics reform in Illinois since post-Watergate campaign-finance disclosure laws.

Persons: J.B . Pritzker, Pritzker, hooch, ” Pritzker, “, Jordan Abudayyeh, John Bel Edwards, Sen, Paul Simon, Barack Obama, Jim Edgar, “ It’s, ”, David Melton, Tiffany Kuhl, Shimon Peres, Sidney Blumenthal, Bill Clinton, Abraham Lincoln, Ralph Nader, Mark Green, Donald Trump’s, Jody Coss, ” Coss, Mike’s, Jennifer Farrar Organizations: Ill, —, Democratic, Associated Press, Louisiana Gov, Hotel, Forbes, Republican Gov, Illinois, National Bobblehead Hall of Fame, Museum, Loyola University, Stephenson County Democratic Party, Associated Locations: SPRINGFIELD, — Illinois, Springfield, Chicago, Louisiana, Mardi Gras, U.S, Illinois, Swiss, Milwaukee, Victoria ”, Freeport, Stephenson County, Rockford, New York

☆ A woman said her 85-year-old Israeli grandmother was whisked away by Hamas on a buggy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Photos published by the AP show an elderly woman driven in a buggy by gun-toting militants. Dozens of people were taken hostage by Hamas on Saturday in a wave of surprise attacks. AdvertisementAdvertisementA woman has been asking social media for information after seeing a photo of her 85-year-old grandmother being driven away by Hamas fighters. The photos show an elderly woman wrapped in floral garb sitting in the vehicle, as a militant behind her totes a rifle. US State Secretary Antony Blinken said on Sunday that the US is working to verify reports of Americans being among those killed or taken hostage by Hamas.

Persons: —, Adva Adar, Yaffa, Hatem Ali, Adar, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken Organizations: AP, Service, Hamas, Facebook, Associated Press, Times, Reuters Locations: Israeli, Kfar, Gaza, Times of Israel, Israel, Syria, Lebanon

☆ Meet Apollo, the ‘iPhone’ of humanoid robots
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The design for Apptronik’s latest humanoid robot, named Apollo, was unveiled on Wednesday. Apollo is Apptronik's latest humanoid robot. Rather than highly specialized robots that can only serve one purpose, Apptronik wanted Apollo to be the “iPhone of robots,” Cardenas said. Courtesy ApptronikBefore Apollo, Apptronik focused on what it called a Quick Development humanoid robot. To the moon and beyondApptronik serves as one of NASA’s partners that works on humanoid robot designs.

Persons: Argodesign, Apollo, “, ”, Jeff Cardenas, Bill Stafford, ” Cardenas, Shaun Azimi, NASA’s, Cardenas, Apptronik, Nick Paine, ” Paine, Paine, ” Azimi, Artemis VI, Azimi Organizations: Austin , Texas CNN, Austin, University of Texas, NASA, JSC, DARPA, Space Center, International Locations: Austin , Texas, Houston, Australia, uncrewed, Apptronik

The list of the best Fitbit devices is headed up by two distinct flagship wearables: the Versa 4 and the Sense 2. Fitbit Versa 4 The Fitbit Versa 4 disappoints as a fourth-generation smartwatch as it lacks third-party app support, has issues with fitness tracking, and doesn’t allow for music storage. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Smartwatch performanceOne of the main nitpicks I have with these watches is their disappointing lack of smartwatch capability. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Health and fitness trackingFitness tracking features are available on both devices, but the Sense 2 seems to be more reliable. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Battery lifePerhaps the best feature native to both the Sense 2 and the Versa 4 is their battery life, which lasts roughly six days depending on how it's used.

Persons: Rick Stella, they're, There's, Grey, That's Organizations: iOS Battery, Alexa, Google, Apple Watch, Versa

☆ I've been delivering hundreds of Amazon packages for Prime Day. It's hot and the job is draining. I don't think I'll do this again.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Yeji Jesse Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Around Amazon's Prime Day, delivery drivers are faced with long shifts and mountains of packages. He described what it's like working Amazon's massive Prime Day sale, which took place on July 11 and 12. I don't think it's as bad as it could be, but I mean, I'm just speaking for myself. I think it's a nice touch, but I mean, I don't think it's anything major, you know? I just don't think for the amount that we get paid, that the work is really worth it sometimes.

Persons: didn't, We've, we're, I've, I'm, We're Organizations: Service, Amazon Locations: Wall, Silicon, New York

☆ Some restaurants are now adding $10,000 tiny stools for luxury handbags
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Some middle-tier restaurants are now stocking stools for diners to place their luxury handbags on. One restaurant in Paris even stocks Hermés stools that cost almost $10,000 a piece. Priced at $9,150, the stools are more expensive than many luxury handbags. "Fine-dining-only service points have made their way into more mainstream restaurants as service, generally, has become elevated across the industry." Such shoppers are generally more likely to be the target market for expensive restaurants touting their handbag stools.

Persons: Le, Shingo, Shingo Akikuni Organizations: Service, Bloomberg Locations: Paris, Wall, Silicon, Europe, Harbor, Massachusetts, Coral Gables, Circana

☆ Gen Z and millennial shoppers are swapping handbags for fanny packs and totes
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Gen Z and millennial shoppers are ditching handbags for fanny packs and tote backs. The pandemic made remote working a norm and this popularized casual wear for various occasions. According to new data from consumer behavior analysis firm Circana – which tracks the online and in-store purchases of 150,000 US consumers – Gen Z and millennial consumers aged between 18 and 34 are buying fewer handbags than older shoppers. "Versatile, hands-free options, including backpacks and fanny packs, have proven to be very desirable," she added. Fanny packs have had a comeback in recent years among younger generations because they're small enough to hold essential items when going clubbing or to a festival.

Persons: Z, fanny, —, Gen Z, Millennials, Beth Goldstein, Circana Organizations: tote, Service

☆ This Clever Crossbody Bag Is My Secret to Stress-Free Travel Days
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Hannah Selinger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Until, that is, a friend familiar with my travel-purse struggles surprised me with the gift of my new travel savior: the July “Carry Me” Bag. My small, handy purse helped me navigate a new-to-me place with ease, thanks to its clever construction. The Carry Me bag, available in seven different colors—I prefer the Clay hue—is no ordinary travel bag; I’ve had plenty of those. On hot days on my trips to both Turks & Caicos and Türkiye, being able to quickly open my bag and reach for my sunnies was essential. The Carry Me Bag also comes with a detachable, adjustable strap—an essential for my traveling purposes.

Persons: Hannah Selinger, fanny, it’s, I’m Locations: Caicos , New York, Türkiye, Istanbul, Australian

Finding the perfect beach bag can be a lifelong pursuit. Unable to find something just right for herself, Melissa Morris decided to design a suite of beach-ready totes for her London-based accessories brand, Métier. The new Cala collection offers carryalls in a checkerboard straw weave Morris developed with artisans outside of Florence. “We wanted to elevate the classic raffia bag, which can be heavy and stiff,” says Morris. View ThisRF Alvarez’s Paintings of Queer Intimacy in the American West

Persons: Melissa Morris, Morris, “, ” Locations: London, Florence, métier.com

☆ Deinfluencing, explained: Forget the influencers. Here come the 'deinfluencers'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Faith Karimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Their messages are simple and straightforward: These items are overhyped, you don’t need them, and here’s why. Courtesy John O'DonnellIt comes as social media has become crucial for marketing products and services – especially to younger consumers. “Rather than saying buy this, they are saying – don’t buy this. Aria Connor, 36, creates lifestyle content on social media and says some deinfluencers are not in it for the right reasons. But social media advice on what to buy or what not to buy is not all that meaningful, she says.

Persons: ”, Kris Ruby, John O'Donnell, –, ’ ” Ruby, deinfluencing, haves ”, Louis, who’s, “, ” Michelle Skidelsky, ” Skidelsky, Michelle Skidelsky, Aria Connor, Connor doesn’t, Connor “, ‘, Ruby, Victoria Sola, deinfluencers, Sola Organizations: CNN, Ruby Media, Brands, “, Victoria Locations: Mains, Mikayla Mains, Canadian, influencers

☆ Hundreds of activists packed Atlanta's City Hall to protest 'Cop City', but lawmakers approved $67 million in funding for it anyway
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( R.J. Rico | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Hundreds of activists packed Atlanta's City Hall to protest the funding of "Cop City." But the City Council approved $67 million in funding for the police training center anyway. Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via APThe training center was approved by the City Council in September 2021 but required an additional vote for more funding. Though more than 220 people spoke publicly against the training center, a small handful voiced support, saying they trusted Dickens' judgment. Protestors gather in the atrium of Atlanta City Hall to protest the proposed police training center on Monday, June 5, 2023.

Persons: —, Andre Dickens, Dickens, Jason Getz, Manuel Paez Terán, Matthew Johnson, Johnson, Arvin Temkar, Councilmembers, Natrice Miller, Sen, Raphael Warnock, Devin Franklin, Franklin, Sara McClintock, councilmembers, McClintock, It's Organizations: Council, Service, ATLANTA, Atlanta City Council, City Council, Atlanta Police Foundation's, Atlanta, Beloved Community, Protesters, Hall, Atlanta Police Foundation, Atlanta City Hall, AP, Atlanta Solidarity Fund, Prosecutors, Democratic, Civil Rights Movement, Southern, For Human, City Hall, Emory University Locations: Atlanta, DeKalb County, City

Fitbit Versa 4 The Fitbit Versa 4 disappoints as a fourth-generation smartwatch as it lacks third-party app support, has issues with fitness tracking, and doesn’t allow for music storage. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Smartwatch performanceOne of the main nitpicks we have with these watches is their disappointing lack of smartwatch capability. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Health and fitness trackingRick Stella/InsiderThe biggest difference between the Versa 4 and the Sense 2 comes down to their individual health and fitness tracking performance. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Battery lifePerhaps the best feature native to both the Sense 2 and the Versa 4 is their battery life, which lasts roughly six days depending on how it's used. However, due to the Versa 4's shortcomings in both smarts and fitness tracking, it pales in comparison to the Sense 2.

☆ To Curb Drunk Driving, More States Consider .05 Limit on Blood Alcohol Level
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Jimmy Vielkind | Photographs Adrienne Grunwald For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

ALBANY, N. Y.—Alisa McMorris totes a wagon filled with leaflets and a picture of her son Andrew, who was killed by a drunken driver in 2018, as she makes the rounds in the state capitol. The 49-year-old Long Island woman, a member of the advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is pressing legislators to pass a new state law that she says could decrease such tragedies: lowering the legal threshold for what constitutes driving under the influence of alcohol.

☆ Consumers spend billions on frozen food. Freezer technology needs to get a lot better
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

One of the changes in consumer behavior during the pandemic that is sticking is frozen food purchasing. According to the American Frozen Food Institute, the supermarket frozen food department was one of the biggest generators of sales growth in 2022, with a whopping $72.2 billion spent. All of that food — frozen seafood, processed meat, snacks, and ice cream are just some of the items — has to maintain proper temperature throughout a long cold-chain storage pipeline before reaching the home. But this refrigeration technology, critical to the food supply, is often outdated, especially in an era of advanced semiconducting applications across electronics. The company leases these reusable totes to grocery stores and retailers, which can use them to bifurcate a payload into three independent temperature zones.

☆ Dollar General's stores are so overrun with merchandise that fire marshals are closing them
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some Dollar General stores have temporarily closed because they are overcrowded with goods. But some Dollar General stores appear to be unloading truck deliveries directly onto sales floors. Insider identified the stores using local media reports, interviews with local officials, and public records of Dollar General store inspections. Dollar General stores with too much inventory sitting in the aisles can violate fire safety codesIn Pittsylvania County, located in Southern Virginia, county officials ordered two Dollar General stores to close temporarily last fall. But the county still hears from customers about how packed Dollar General stores in Pittsylvania are, he added.

☆ Glossier, Ugg, Le Creuset: Product releases this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Krystin Arneson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

There are a ton of great products that drop every week — and we’re here, as always, to keep you up to date on the best of them. This week brings the launch of Otherland’s ’90s-inspired candle collections, Ikea’s stunning collab with Sabine Marcelis and Le Creuset’s new matte navy cookware. Shop our favorite new releases below, but be fast — they’re prone to selling out. The $90 device comes in black, white, brushed steel and brass, so it’s also easy to match to your kitchen fixtures. Loungewear-meets-streetwear from the expertsUggIf anyone knows a thing or two about creating comfortable things to wear, it’s Ugg.

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