DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Matt Schlapp slapped with a lawsuit after an allegation of fondling a GOP operative
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan-Allen-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Jonathan Allen | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

In an interview with NBC News earlier this month, the operative said Schlapp invited him to meet at an Atlanta bar. As the operative drove Schlapp to a hotel near the Atlanta airport at the end of the night, Schlapp put his hand on operative's leg, the operative said. Eventually, the operative said in a video he recorded later that night, Schlapp "grabbed my junk and pummeled it at length." When Schlapp texted to say he was in the lobby ready to be driven, the operative replied with language suggested by campaign officials. I would appreciate it,” Schlapp texted, according to the suit.

☆ President Biden to give sermon at Martin Luther King's church in Atlanta
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Steve Holland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan 15 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden will become the first sitting American president to speak at a Sunday service at Martin Luther King Jr.'s church in Atlanta as he seeks to bolster support among African Americans ahead of an expected run for re-election in 2024. Marking the national holiday celebrating the slain civil rights leader, Biden will deliver a sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church at the invitation of its pastor, Democratic U.S. King was pastor of Ebenezer church from 1960 until his death. Many presidents, including Biden, have visited Ebenezer to honor King, usually during events around the time of his birthday. The Atlanta visit comes as Biden girds for what is expected to be an announcement of his re-election bid in the weeks ahead.

☆ Black rappers call out double standard of using hip-hop lyrics as evidence in rapper Young Thug’s criminal trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Safia Samee Ali | Safia Samee Ali Is A Reporter For Nbc News Digital | Based In Chicago. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

Authorities had no physical evidence or weapon that linked Phipps to the shooting, and the then 22-year-old had no criminal record. Through her research Kubrin has found bias against rap music and artists, she said, adding that much of that bias is racialized. That means using lyrics from rap music, a historically Black genre, can infect jurors with anti-Black racism regardless of whether the defendant himself is Black, she said. Defending the practiceFulton County prosecutor Fani Willis, whose office is trying the case against Young Thug and other YSL members, has defended using music lyrics in trials. Gavin Newsom signed the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, which made it the first state to restrict the use of rap lyrics as evidence in state court.

☆ 96% of workers are looking for a new job in 2023, poll says: What to know before you job hop
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In fact, the difference in wage growth for job switchers relative to those who stay in their current role is at a record high. The latest data shows job switchers have seen 7.7% wage growth as of November, while workers who have stayed in their jobs have seen 5.5%, according to Daniel Zhao, lead economist at Glassdoor, citing data from the Atlanta Federal Reserve. watch nowAlthough there is a chance that the job market will cool as recession fears take hold, recent government data shows the U.S. labor market is still strong, with a record low unemployment rate of 3.5%. Key considerations before taking a new jobThere are other things to consider besides salary before accepting a new position, Safani said. Workers can have both — a higher salary and a positive, healthy work environment.

☆ Delta decided against using ‘fairly old’ backup system during FAA outage
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Gregory Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Delta Air Lines has a backup to the federal aviation safety system that failed this week, but the airline decided against using it, CEO Ed Bastian said Friday. Bastian described the Delta’s secondary system as “fairly old backup technology” involving the notices known as NOTAMs distributed by the Federal Aviation Administration alerting pilots of obstacles, closures, and other information. Delta’s backup system collects data from the NOTAM database. But a new labor deal with its pilots union will trim profitability going forward. The main headwind: a new tentative labor agreement with its pilots union, reached a month ago, that will increase pay by 34% over the life of the contract.

☆ Atlanta to host potential AFC Championship between Bills, Chiefs
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The National Football League (NFL) has selected Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to host a potential AFC Championship game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, the league said on Thursday. The agreement to contest an AFC Championship between the Bills and Chiefs on a neutral site was designed to "mitigate the competitive inequities" created by the cancellation of the Week 17 game. "We are also grateful to Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons for agreeing to host the AFC Championship Game in Atlanta should the Bills and Chiefs advance." The Bills are expected to play the Miami Dolphins in their Wild Card game on Sunday, while the Chiefs enjoy a playoff bye week. The AFC Championship will take place Jan. 29, at 6:30 p.m.

☆ NBA roundup: Bucks survive scare, finally solve Hawks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Jaren Jackson Jr. (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Steven Adams (11 points, 18 rebounds) recorded double-doubles. Jakob Poeltl (17 points, 12 rebounds) added his ninth double-double of the season. Bojan Bogdanovic supplied 27 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Killian Hayes had 18 points and nine assists. Jaden Ivey contributed 18 points and eight assists and Hamidou Diallo also scored 18 points. Immanuel Quickley scored 11 points off the bench for the Knicks, who have won five of their last six games overall.

☆ A Gen Z entrepreneur made $119,000 in vending-machine sales since graduating college. How she built her business.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Maya Ray started her vending-machine business a month after graduating college in 2020. She gave her tips for starting a vending-machine business. There she found Marcus Gram, who was selling a course on how to start a vending-machine business. Ray shared her tips for starting a vending-machine business and explained how she grew her business. Efficiency is keyTo scale her business, Ray learned to maximize her time by making regular tasks more efficient.

The world’s best-known female conductor, Marin Alsop, revealed that she’s “offended” by her best-known fictional counterpart: Lydia Tár. It’s about women as leaders in our society,” Alsop, the chief conductor of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and a MacArthur “genius award” winner, told the Sunday Times. Now, there is just one: Stutzmann, who took the podium at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in October. While “Tár” may have struck a nerve with Alsop, it appears to have had the opposite effect on film critics. Focus Features, the U.S. distributor of "Tár," did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment.

The special purpose grand jury is different than a typical grand jury — it submits its findings in a report to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who then decides whether to present evidence to a grand jury for criminal indictments. Willis called for the special grand jury last year because the panel had the power to issue subpoenas to force witnesses to testify. Because we won the state,” Trump said in the call. Trump has maintained he did nothing wrong in the Raffensperger call and described it as “perfect.”It's unclear when the grand jury report might become public. McBurney's order said the grand jury "certified that it voted to recommend that its report be published."

☆ Bills ride emotional win into NFL postseason
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With 19 teams still in the postseason hunt entering the final weekend, there was no shortage of gridiron suspense unfolding across the United States. At every stadium before kickoff there was an announcement acknowledging Hamlin and the first responders and medical caregivers. But the Bills that provided Hamlin with the best tribute of all, harnessing their emotions to secure a victory and the AFC second seed. "We just wanted to come out and play free, play loose, play for (Damar)," said Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who also threw three touchdown passes. Despite the loss, the Giants also qualify for the postseason, moving on to the wildcard, where they will face the Minnesota Vikings.

☆ If you want higher pay, your chances are better now than in 6 months, says expert: 'Make your moves as soon as possible'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Higher pay has been needed to keep up with inflation. Wage growth, based on average hourly earnings, is up 4.6% from a year ago. watch now"People who switch jobs are much more likely to be getting a raise above inflation than people who are staying in their jobs," Zhao said. But with a possible economic downturn looming, workers seeking higher pay face a more complex decision as to whether to stay or go. With pay rates so competitive now, even some laid-off workers are finding higher offers than what they were earning before, according to Pollak.

☆ A Georgia special grand jury finished its report into Trump's attempts to overturn 2020 election results. Another grand jury has to decide whether to indict him.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Georgia special grand jury finished its report on Donald Trump's alleged 2020 election interference. The special grand jury recommended making its report public. The 26-member special grand jury had the power to subpoena evidence and witnesses, but not to bring indictments. Now, Willis must decide whether to send that report to another grand jury, which will decide whether to bring criminal indictments. Willis has moved swiftly and fought court battles to enforce the grand jury's subpoenas and bring a parade of high-profile witnesses before the special grand jury, including Gov.

☆ Conservative leader Matt Schlapp is accused of fondling a male campaign staffer in Georgia
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan-Allen-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Jonathan Allen | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

"He reached in between my legs and fondled me," the former Walker staffer told NBC News in a telephone interview Thursday night. Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union, is married to former Trump White House aide Mercedes Schlapp. A senior official on the Walker campaign confirmed that the aide shared the allegation with his supervisors at the time. "The whole thing makes me physically ill," said the senior Walker campaign official. Both the staffer and the senior campaign official said the Walker campaign made legal counsel available to the staffer to discuss his legal options and indicated the campaign would support whatever decision he made.

☆ Herschel Walker staffer accuses CPAC head Matt Schlapp of 'groping' and 'fondling' him without consent
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A staffer for Herschel Walker's Senate campaign has accused CPAC head Matt Schlapp of groping him, per NBC and the Daily Beast. "Matt Schlapp of the CPAC grabbed my junk and pummeled it at length." The next morning, Schlapp texted the staffer, who was set to also drive him that following day. "I did want to say I was uncomfortable with what happened last night," the staffer texted Schlapp. "If he had made a polite pass at me and left it that," the staffer told NBC News.

☆ December's jobs report fuels optimism that the economy could still pull off a soft landing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Patti Domm | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Mike Blake | ReutersDecember's strong job growth combined with slowing wage inflation is fueling optimism that the economy might just see a soft landing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy added 223,000 jobs in the final month of 2022, less than the 256,000 in November. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, said the report is encouraging and confirms his expectation that there will be a soft landing for the economy. While many economists expect a recession, Zandi points to strong growth even with a slowdown in the housing sector. Zandi notes wage growth is a full percentage point slower than when it peaked in the spring.

☆ Utility Company Southern Names Chris Womack President, CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Colin Kellaher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Southern Co. on Thursday said it has designated Chris Womack to succeed Thomas Fanning as president and chief executive of the utility holding company. The Atlanta-based outfit said Mr. Womack, who currently serves as chairman, president and CEO of its Georgia Power unit, will become president of Southern Co. on March 31. He’ll add the title CEO following the conclusion of the 2023 annual shareholder meeting.

The group of hard-line Republicans standing firm in opposing Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s bid for speaker has coalesced around an alternative: Rep. Byron Donalds, a conservative two-term lawmaker from Florida who is considered a rising star in the GOP but is still relatively unknown nationally. Donalds said the incident inspired him to change his life and eventually emerge from businessman to politician. In 2021, Donalds was denied membership in the Congressional Black Caucus and insisted it was because of his conservative views. Donalds’ wife, Erika Donalds, with whom he has three children, is also a conservative Republican and involved in state politics. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., center right, speaks with a colleague in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol, on Wednesday.

☆ Delta will start offering free Wi-Fi on its planes this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Delta Air Lines will be the first US global carrier to offer free Wi-Fi on most domestic mainline flights. JetBlue Airways, which is considered a low-cost airline, already offers free Wi-Fi on all of its planes. As of now, only Delta-operated aircraft will offer free Wi-Fi — this does not apply to its codeshare or regional partners. The new offering is in partnership with T-Mobile, which already offers free internet onboard many Delta flights to users of its cellular network. Delta, which has been regularly praised for its on-time performance, safety record, and cabin products, is bringing more than just free Wi-Fi to its planes this year.

☆ Fed officials see higher rates for 'some time' ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON – Federal Reserve officials are committed to fighting inflation and expect higher interest rates to remain in place until more progress is made, according to minutes released Wednesday from the central bank's December meeting. The minutes reflected those sentiments, noting that no FOMC members expect rate cuts in 2023, despite market pricing. Markets currently are pricing in the likelihood of rate increases totaling 0.5-0.75 percentage point before pausing to evaluate the impact the hikes are having on the economy. Fed officials, however, have expressed doubt repeatedly about any loosening of policy in 2023. While some of the recent inflation metrics have shown progress, the labor market, a critical target of the rate increases, has been resilient.

☆ Final farewell: From Sidney Poitier to Pope Emeritus Benedict a look back at the influential figures who died in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +55 min

Other world leaders who died in 2022 include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who died in August. The final days of 2022 saw the loss of some exceptionally notable figures, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2022 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___Dan Reeves, 77. A Cuban-born artist whose radiant color palette and geometric paintings were overlooked for decades before the art world took notice. A prolific character actor best known for playing villains and tough guys in “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Ocean’s Eleven” and other films.

☆ U.S. appeals court upholds Florida high school's transgender bathroom ban
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Dec 30 (Reuters) - A sharply divided federal appeals court on Friday upheld a Florida high school's policy forbidding transgender students from using bathrooms that accord with their chosen identities. Lawyers for the school board did not immediately respond to requests for comment. All seven judges in the Atlanta-based appeals court majority were appointed by Republican presidents, including six by Donald Trump, while the four dissenting judges were Democratic appointees. Two other federal appeals courts have ruled that transgender students can use bathrooms that accord with their identities. In June 2021, that court let stand one of the earlier appeals court rulings, in a case from Virginia.

☆ Here are 22 of the top LGBTQ news stories of 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

Here are 22 of our top LGBTQ news stories of the year. Ron DeSantis signed the controversial Parental Rights in Education law — or what critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — on March 28. 'It’s already having an impact': LGBTQ people fear abortion rights reversalA supporter of gay marriage waves a flag in front of the Supreme Court on June 25, 2015. Nicola Goode / Prime VideoAmazon’s “A League of Their Own” series, which debuted Aug. 12 and was inspired by the 1992 cult classic by director Penny Marshall, brought much-needed representation to the screen for lesbians and other queer women, who celebrated how “gay, gay, gay” it was. Biden signs same-sex marriage bill at White House ceremonyPresident Joe Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act on the South Lawn of the White House on Dec. 13.

☆ Appeals Court Upholds Florida School Board’s Transgender Bathroom Policy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Laura Kusisto | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

In recent years, federal courts have generally affirmed the rights of transgender students to use a bathroom consistent with their gender identity. A federal appeals court ruled a Florida school district can require that students use bathrooms according to their biological sex, rejecting a legal challenge by a transgender student and teeing up the issue for potential review by the Supreme Court. The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 7-4 that the St. Johns County school board’s decision to segregate bathrooms by sex passes constitutional muster because it advances a legitimate objective of protecting students’ privacy and shielding their developing bodies from the opposite sex.

☆ Cardinals defensive end Watt calls time on career
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 27 (Reuters) - Three-times Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt announced his retirement from the National Football League (NFL) on Tuesday, saying on social media that he had played his last home game. All but assured a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Watt is widely considered among the greatest-ever defensive players and was set to become a free agent after his contract with the Arizona Cardinals expired in 2023. But Watt, who previously played for the Houston Texans, said Sunday's 19-16 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be his last game on home turf. "My last ever NFL home game," said Watt, 33, who added that it was the first game his infant son Koa had attended. The defensive end, who was selected to the Pro Bowl five times, has two games left with the Cardinals, on the road against the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers, amid a disappointing 4-11 season.

Search resuls for: "The Atlanta"

25 mentions found