DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ NBA roundup: Hornets come out firing, blow out Bucks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 26 points and Tobias Harris had 22 points and 11 rebounds. Romeo Langford added 15 points for San Antonio, with Malaki Branham hitting for 14 and Jeremy Sochan 10. Daniel Gafford had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Kristaps Porzingas added 14 points and 10 rebounds. John Wall had 14 points and eight assists, and Moses Brown produced 14 points and 11 rebounds. Bam Adebayo recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds and Jimmy Butler added 20 points and six assists for the Heat.

☆ I make 6 figures as a virtual assistant and now teach others how to do the same — here's how I got started
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Sasha Weilbaker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Erin Booth is a virtual assistant who coaches others, sells courses, and runs a YouTube channel. Her advice for getting started as a virtual assistant is to reach out to past colleagues for work. She ended up being my first virtual assistant client, and she hired me to do a few easy personal tasks for her, like organizing her Google Drive. I asked myself "What kind of skills or training did I wish I had when I first started as a virtual assistant?" Are you a virtual assistant who wants to share your story?

☆ Fed Official Says Inflation Remains Too High
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Gabriel T. Rubin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Federal Reserve’s Lisa Cook is wary of placing too much faith in newish economic data. NEW ORLEANS—Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook noted recent signs that inflation has cooled, but said it has to fall much more to reach acceptable levels. “Inflation remains far too high despite some encouraging signs lately, and is therefore of great concern,” Ms. Cook said in remarks prepared for delivery Friday at the Allied Social Science Associations conference here.

Nearly 165 million people were either in jobs or looking for them last month, a record high that showed a long-hoped-for improvement in labor supply. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe jobs report is "the embodiment of the soft landing narrative - this idea that can you have a strong labor market with slowing wage growth," said Simona Mocuta, chief economist at State Street Global Advisors. Ideally, she said, that should allow the Fed to slow and soon pause its interest rate hikes. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsTraders took the report as evidence the Fed's work is near to being done. Still, she said, "inflation remains far too high, despite some encouraging signs lately, and is therefore of great concern."

☆ Raphael Bostic says Fed needs to 'stay the course' despite lower wage gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"It doesn't really change my outlook at all," Bostic told CNBC's Steve Liesman during a live interview at a conference in New Orleans. Still, Bostic said he expects another rate increase of either a quarter or half percentage point when it releases its decision Feb. 1. Bostic is a nonvoting member this year of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee; he will vote again in 2024. Fed officials at their December meeting expressed concern that the public might misinterpret the Fed's move to a small rate hike — 0.5 percentage point from four straight 0.75 percentage point moves — as an easing in policy. Bostic emphasized that the Fed can't "claim victory prematurely" and needs not only to keep pushing rates higher, but to keep them there.

Louisiana parishes (which are similar to counties) have pretty consistent borrowing limits for mortgages. As a result, you can compare potential new homes in two distinct parishes without factoring in borrowing limits as much. Louisiana borrowing limits in 2023 by parishesParish Conforming mortgage borrowing limit (single-family home FHA mortgage borrowing limit (single-family home) Acadia Parish $726,200 $472,030 Allen Parish $726,200 $472,030 Ascension Parish $726,200 $472,030 Assumption Parish $726,200 $472,030 Avoyelles Parish $726,200 $472,030 Beauregard Parish $726,200 $472,030 Bienville Parish $726,200 $472,030 Bossier Parish $726,200 $472,030 Caddo Parish $726,200 $472,030 Calcasieu Parish $726,200 $472,030 Caldwell Parish $726,200 $472,030 Cameron Parish $726,200 $472,030 Catahoula Parish $726,200 $472,030 Claiborne Parish $726,200 $472,030 Concordia Parish $726,200 $472,030 De Soto Parish $726,200 $472,030 East Baton Rouge Parish $726,200 $472,030 East Carroll Parish $726,200 $472,030 East Feliciana Parish $726,200 $472,030 Evangeline Parish $726,200 $472,030 Franklin Parish $726,200 $472,030 Grant Parish $726,200 $472,030 Iberia Parish $726,200 $472,030 Iberville Parish $726,200 $472,030 Jackson Parish $726,200 $472,030 Jefferson Parish $726,200 $472,030 Jefferson Davis Parish $726,200 $472,030 Lafayette Parish $726,200 $472,030 Lafourche Parish $726,200 $472,030 La Salle Parish $726,200 $472,030 Lincoln Parish $726,200 $472,030 Livingston Parish $726,200 $472,030 Madison Parish $726,200 $472,030 Morehouse Parish $726,200 $472,030 Natchitoches Parish $726,200 $472,030 Orleans Parish $726,200 $472,030 Ouachita Parish $726,200 $472,030 Plaquemines Parish $726,200 $472,030 Pointe Coupee Parish $726,200 $472,030 Rapides Parish $726,200 $472,030 Red River Parish $726,200 $472,030 Richland Parish $726,200 $472,030 Sabine Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Bernard Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Charles Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Helena Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. James Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. John the Baptish Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Landry Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Marin Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Mary Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Tammany Parish $726,200 $472,030 Tangipahoa Parish $726,200 $472,030 Tensas Parish $726,200 $472,030 Terrebonne Parish $726,200 $472,030 Union Parish $726,200 $472,030 Vermilion Parish $726,200 $472,030 Vernon Parish $726,200 $472,030 Washington Parish $726,200 $472,030 West Baton Rouge Parish $726,200 $472,030 West Carroll Parish $726,200 $472,030 West Feliciana Parish $726,200 $472,030 Winn Parish $726,200 $472,030Note: You'll need to get a jumbo loan if you want to borrow more than $726,200, regardless of where you want to live in Louisiana. How to determine which mortgage is right for youYou may want to consider an FHA mortgage if you don't think you'll meet the requirements for a conforming mortgage. A conforming mortgage may be a good choice if you plan on getting a home that costs more than the FHA borrowing limit in your county.

Millions of football fans held their breath for close to 20 long minutes Monday night when Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin had a cardiac arrest after making a routine tackle. In the largest study conducted on the subject, 99% of former NFL players showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated head trauma. Another key study showed that 40% of retired NFL players have traumatic brain injury, with no correlation between the number of concussions and the severity of the injury. Seau’s death brought the issue of traumatic brain injury to a boiling point, and yet the league’s steps to address the issue appear to be little more than Band-Aids. He raised his hands in an unnatural movement that can be a sign of traumatic brain injury.

☆ Facial recognition tool led to mistaken arrest, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

His attorney, Tommy Calogero, said authorities erroneously linked Reid to purse thefts in Jefferson Parish and Baton Rouge. I said, ‘What is Jefferson Parish?’” Reid said. Reid’s case brings renewed attention to the use of facial recognition tools in Louisiana and elsewhere. Under the latest city rules, all possible matches must undergo a peer review by other facial recognition investigators. Legislation to restrict the use of facial recognition statewide died in a 2021 legislative session.

☆ Damar Hamlin’s Toy Drive Raises Over $5 Million in Less Than a Day
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Damar Hamlin ‘s charitable toy drive has raised more than $5 million in less than a day since the Buffalo Bills player collapsed in the middle of Monday night’s game. More than 170,000 people had donated to Mr. Hamlin’s GoFundMe fundraiser by Tuesday evening. The list includes New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton and professional wrestler Chris Jericho . Individual donations ranged from as much as $20,000 to as little as $3, a nod to Mr. Hamlin’s jersey number.

Millions of people in the South and the Southeast are at risk of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash floods Tuesday and Wednesday, while a messy winter storm is expected to hit the Midwest and a separate storm slams California later this week. Threats of severe thunderstorms, flash floodsAs many as 20 million people from southeast Louisiana to south-central Alabama are at risk for severe thunderstorms Tuesday that could bring damaging wind gusts, large hail and some strong tornadoes, classified as having winds of more than 111 mph. The thunderstorms are expected to continue through the day and last into the overnight hours. In addition to the severe thunderstorms, flash flooding will also be a threat. St. Louis could see a high in the early 70s Tuesday before expected highs plunge to the high-30s and the mid-40s the rest of the week.

☆ Southwest Airlines is sued for not providing refunds after meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Shelby Tauber/File PhotoNEW YORK, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) has been sued by a passenger who said it failed to provide refunds to passengers left stranded when an operational meltdown led the carrier to cancel more than 15,000 flights late last month. Capdeville, a Marrero, Louisiana resident, is seeking damages for passengers on Southwest flights canceled since Dec. 24, and who did not receive refunds or expense reimbursements. The meltdown at Dallas-based Southwest has been blamed on staffing shortages and outdated flight scheduling software. The carrier largely restored normal operations on Dec. 30, several days after other airlines had recovered from the storm. The case is Capdeville v Southwest Airlines Co, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, No.

☆ NFL roundup: 49ers clip Raiders in OT, win 9th straight
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

Jones completed 19 of 24 passes for 177 yards and had 11 carries for a team-high 91 rushing yards. Buccaneers 30, Panthers 24Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes to Mike Evans and orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback as Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South by beating visiting Carolina. Jerick McKinnon caught two touchdown passes and Blake Bell also made a scoring grab for the Chiefs (13-3). Cooper caught touchdown passes of 46 and 33 yards and running back Nick Chubb had 104 yards on 14 carries. Seahawks 23, Jets 6Geno Smith threw two touchdown passes as Seattle remained in the playoff race with a win against visiting New York.

☆ 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.

☆ CNN missed its NYE countdown in the Central time zone, accidentally ringing in 2023 with 'Back That Azz Up'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Kit Gillet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

CNN missed the New Year's Eve countdown in Central time zone. Instead it rang in 2023 with footage of crowds dancing to Juvenile's 'Back That Azz Up'CNN barred on-air talent from drinking this year, following concerns over past NYE coverage. But it was not to be, as the network completely missed the countdown in the Central time zone, instead ringing in 2023 with on-screen footage of host Don Lemon and revelers in New Orleans dancing to Juvenile's "Back That Azz Up." Split screen footage, meanwhile, showed muted images of fireworks and celebrations in Nashville, where revelers and organizers had not missed the moment. Either way, the footage will likely join the long list of past epic New Year's Eve broadcast fails.

☆ NBA roundup: Luka Doncic posts 51 in win over Spurs
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 30 points, while Sochan added 20. Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points and 14 rebounds, and Clarkson netted 22 points in Utah's fourth consecutive loss. Kevin Love added 20 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who survived a rough night from star Donovan Mitchell. Randle added 12 rebounds and six assists for the Knicks, who were without starters Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett. LaMelo Ball's 23 points and 11 assists and Mason Plumlee's 22 points and 10 rebounds led the Hornets.

☆ Meet the team behind CNN’s ‘New Year’s Eve Live’
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Tricia Escobedo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

ET as Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen co-host CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live” from New York City’s Times Square. CNN —Every New Year’s Eve, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen host four-and-a-half hours of live television, joined by celebrity guests and performers, as they count down to the new year. “New Year’s Eve Live” is created by “a patchwork team of CNN employees from different show teams, bureaus and units from around the globe,” Hall explained. Here’s what Doft and Hall told us about the live special and what we can look forward to Saturday night:This is the 20th year that Anderson Cooper has hosted ‘New Year’s Eve Live’ on CNN. In fact, it’s why he chooses to anchor “New Year’s Eve Live” — to make sure the audience has a place to go and to fill people with hope, laughter and love.

The Coast Guard suspended its search for a helicopter that went down near New Orleans, officials said Friday, dimming hopes for rescuing four people who were on board. "Once a case is suspended it basically means that we will stop searching until we find any new information that would actually help us with the search," Coast Guard Petty Officer Jose Hernandez told NBC News on Friday. No bodies were immediately found, but the Coast Guard on Thursday released images of debris — several cylindrical yellow objects bobbing in the water. The Coast Guard sent an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot Response Boat that searched 180 square miles for eight hours, officials said. “It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search,” Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr.

☆ The most—and least—expensive U.S. cities to spend New Year's Eve
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But plenty of Americans instead choose to get dressed up, attend parties or travel in celebration of New Year's Eve. The majority of Americans (70%) plan to spend at least $50 on their New Year's Eve plans, WalletHub found. Still, Irvine, California, beats those cities as the most expensive place to spend New Year's Eve:Irvine, Calif. Miami New York Honolulu New Orleans Seattle Oakland, Calif. San Francisco Washington, D.C. Henderson, Nev. The survey found over 80 million Americans are planning to travel for New Year's Eve, with nearly half expecting to drive. While several of the best-rated cities also find themselves on the most expensive list, the least expensive cities aren't inherently less fun.

☆ A woman drove for 10 hours to pick up her 78-year-old mom who got stranded for 5 days by the Southwest chaos, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A woman drove for 10 hours through torrential rain to pick up her 78-year-old mom in Oakland. Tracy Hurst told The Mercury News her mother was stranded for 5 days by the Southwest chaos. A Southwest flight attendant located Kelly and they shared a hotel room on Monday night while her mother made the lengthy drive from Oregon in poor weather, the report added. Shobi Maynard, a 22-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, told Insider his Southwest flight got canceled right before Christmas, so he rented a car with three strangers and drove 20 hours home. Hurst, Southwest Airlines and Oakland International Airport didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider.

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" will kick off at 8 p.m. You can watch it on ABC, or livestream it via services like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Here's how to stream "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," along with a full breakdown of performers. Where to watch 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2023'You can watch "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" on ABC at 8 p.m. Who is performing at 'New Year's Rockin' Eve 2023'?

☆ NBA roundup: Zion Williamson's career night propels Pelicans
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsDecember 29 - Zion Williamson scored his team's final 14 points as part of a career-high 43-point night as the host New Orleans Pelicans came from behind to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-118 on Wednesday night. Trey Murphy III added 21 points, CJ McCollum scored 20, Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Naji Marshall scored 12 points as New Orleans won its fourth straight. Nikola Jokic had 40 points, Bones Hyland scored 20, Michael Porter Jr. 19 and Zeke Nnaji 14 for the Nuggets. Saddiq Bey poured in 28 points and added eight rebounds and four assists, while Bojan Bogdanovic had 14 points with five assists. LeBron James matched Butler for a game-high of 27 points, and also added nine rebounds with six assists, but committed six turnovers.

☆ NBA roundup: Nets sink Cavs for 9th straight win
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

While Garland made 14 of 20 shots and finished with his fourth 40-point game of his career, Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points. Kevin Durant scored 32 points but fouled out for the sixth time in his career when he bumped Garland with 1:54 remaining. Isaiah Stewart had 21 points, Killian Hayes tossed in 18 with 10 assists and Jalen Duren added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin put up 15 points and Myles Turner scored 14 to lead the Pacers, who finished a 2-1 road trip. Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 32 points and 12 rebounds.

☆ NFL roundup: Packers dump Dolphins, extend playoff push
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Dec 25, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) reaches for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins (8-7) dropped their fourth in a row but still would clinch an AFC wild-card berth if they win their last two games. Jaire Alexander, De'Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas each had fourth-quarter interceptions of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to help the Packers put the game away. Tagovailoa threw a career-high three interceptions in a game, completing 16 of 25 passes for 310 yards and an 84-yard touchdown to Jaylen Waddle. Trace McSorley completed 24 of 45 passes for 217 yards and an interception in his first career start.

☆ Baby, it's cold outside: Teams, fans adapt as deep freeze hits U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY SportsDec 24 (Reuters) - The National Football League (NFL) was hit by the cold that pummeled the United States on Saturday as fans bundled up to watch late-season showdowns in punishing conditions. Cities from Pennsylvania to Georgia were expected to experience their coldest-ever Christmas Eve as an arctic blast gripped much the United States, roiling travel plans during the busy holiday season. "We are exploring every possibility to minimize non-essential power around the stadium," the team said in a statement on Twitter. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Airbnb has banned 30 listings where slaves lived or worked, but travelers and the company itself say the platform has other bias issues to address
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The move comes about four months after the company received backlash for listing an 1830s slave cabin in Mississippi. Some travelers and experts say the company still has work to do to reduce instances of bias and discrimination. But some say there are other bias issues on Airbnb’s platform that still need to be addressed. Airbnb defined its booking success rates as a measure of how often people from different perceived racial backgrounds can successfully reserve an Airbnb listing where the host must confirm the booking. The audit sampled 750,000 random reservation requests and found that Black travelers had a 91.4% booking success rate compared to 93.4% for Latinos and 94.1% for Whites.

Search resuls for: "Orléans"

25 mentions found