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☆ A boy in north Georgia went for a walk. It landed his mother in jail
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-22 | by ( Thomas Lake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

CNN —It was near the end of an unusual day for the four Patterson children when the deputies came to arrest their mother. Robertson called the boy’s mother and tried to get some answers. In a phone interview, he said the Patterson case was “a complete misuse and a stretch of the statute.”It was not the first time authorities used this law in relation to parenting. She called to her son, the one whose spontaneous walk had started all this, and told him to call her mother. “Call Daddy and tell him they’re takin’ me to jail,” Patterson said.

Persons: Patterson, Kaylee Robertson, Blossom, Hey, ”, Brittany Patterson, “, ” Patterson, ” Robertson, “ We’re, —, ’, Patterson wasn’t, Robertson, Emma Harper, David DeLugas, DeLugas, “ It’s, you’re, ” Harper, Frank Wood, he’d, he’ll, he’s, she’d, Dane Kirby, Major Keith Bosen, Brittany Patterson Michael Bixon, Rosalind Hall, Hall, ‘, cuffed, ” Brittany Patterson, they’re, Henry, It’s Organizations: CNN, Powerpuff Girls, “, Google, Fannin County Sheriff's, Atlanta Braves, Georgia Division, Family & Children Services, Wrestling Locations: Blue Ridge , Georgia, Hey Brittany, Fannin County, Georgia, “, Appalachia, Atlanta, Daytona Beach , Florida, Ellijay, Mineral, ” Fannin County, Mineral Bluff , Georgia, Mineral Bluff, Blue

☆ Suspect in Germany auto attack that killed 5, injured 200 self-identified as Islamophobic and anti-immigrationist
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Freddie Clayton | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan_Dienst_Byline.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Two senior U.S. officials familiar with the matter identified al-Abdulmohsen as the suspect. He has aligned himself with far-right movements such as Germany’s anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, while praising figures like Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders. Police have not released a motive in the Christmas market attack, but two senior U.S. officials told NBC News authorities are investigating whether the incident is terrorism-related. In 2019, al-Abdulmohsen told the newspaper FAZ that he left Islam in his early 20s after pretending he was still a Muslim. He had previously reposted the tech billionaire, who expressed his support for AfD last week, writing on X: “Only the AfD can save Germany.”

Persons: Taleb, ”, Geert Wilders, “, —, Alice Weidel, Angela Merkel, Abdulmohsen, Wilders, Adolf Hitler’s “ Mein, Islam, Elon Musk Organizations: Police, U.S, NBC, NBC News, ”, Party for Freedom, Twitter, Secular Refugees, Secular Refugee Locations: Saudi Arabia, Magdeburg, Berlin, Germany, “ Germany, Europe, Dutch, Bernburg, Saudi

☆ Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Blake Lively accused her co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment on the set of “It Ends With Us,” and then trying to ruin her reputation after she expressed her concerns, according to a complaint she filed. During one alleged incident, Baldoni improvised numerous kisses during a scene, the complaint says. Another incident alleges that Baldoni did not act in character while they filmed a slow dance scene that did not require sound. Baldoni was caressing Ms. Lively with his mouth in a way that had nothing to do with their roles. According to the complaint, Baldoni hired a crisis communications team to launch a “retaliatory social manipulation campaign” against Lively during the film’s promotion to destroy her reputation.

Persons: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, ”, ” Lively, Baldoni, Ryan Reynolds, Bryan Freedman, Freedman, “ Mr, Ms, Lively, ‘ I’m, Jamey Heath, Wayfarer, Heath, Jenny Slate, Colleen Hoover’s, Lily Bloom, Ryle Kincaid, Allysa Kincaid, Ryle’s Organizations: California Civil Rights Department, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Wayfarer Studios, NBC News, TMZ, Sony, Baldoni, Wayfarer Locations: Baldoni

Jeff and Mellissa Rupnow married and divorced twice, during which their daughter Natalie Rupnow would at times travel between her parents’ homes every few days and attend therapy. They married in 2011 and divorced for the first time in 2014, according to court documents. Mellissa and Jeff Rupnow again agreed to share custody of Natalie, but this time she would spend “equal time with both parents,” the court documents show. The FBI detained Alexander Paffendorf, 20, in California earlier this week and ordered him to temporarily surrender his firearms after he allegedly communicated with Natalie Rupnow. Natalie’s mother agreed to connect with her therapist and “participate in therapy to the extent recommended by the therapist,” according to the court documents.

Persons: Jeff, Mellissa Rupnow, Natalie Rupnow, Natalie, Mellissa, Jeff Rupnow, ”, Samantha, Erin M, Rubi P, Vergara, Alexander Paffendorf, Paffendorf, Jamie Kelter Davis, Natalie Rupnow’s, Dane, “, Natalie’s, ” Jeff, Shon Barnes, ” Barnes, Trish Kilpin, ” Kilpin, Jeff Rupnow’s, ” Selina Guevara, Chloe Atkins, Daniella Silva Organizations: NBC News, NBC, Christian School, FBI, Authorities, New York Times, Dane County Family, Services, Parent, . Madison Police, Wisconsin’s, of School Safety Locations: MADISON, Wis, —, Wisconsin, Madison , Wisconsin, California, Madison, Dane County, New York City

A fifth of Americans reside in rural areas, and on average they live three years less than their urban counterparts, largely due to heart disease and strokes. Hypertension, diabetes and obesity have all been rising among younger adults over the past decade, with rural areas disproportionately affected, said Longenecker. John Trembly Sr.John used to clean rental houses during the day and businesses at night, his father said. Another supplies ultrasound machines to community health workers so that they can check patients for heart disease. An uncertain futureBetter health care delivery will certainly help address rural cardiovascular disparities but won’t necessarily address the underlying socioeconomic drivers.

Persons: Ephraim Trembly, John, John Trembly Sr, overdosed, Rishi Wadhera, Beth, ” Wadhera, Chris Longenecker, ” Trembly, “ It’s, That’s, George Sokos, John Trembly Jr, Trembly, “, ” Sokos, “ We’re, ” Longenecker, ” Telehealth, Jeremiah Hayanga, Hayanga, “ They’ve, Longenecker, ” Organizations: American College of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical, University of Washington, West Virginia University, West Virginians, ”, ” West Virginia University, WVU, Black, Cherokee, Virginians, “, Republican Party Locations: Maryland, Terra Alta , West Virginia, Covid, Boston, Seattle, America, ”, U.S, Uganda, United States, barbershops, South —

☆ How false claims that the Madison school shooter was transgender spread online
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( David Ingram | David Ingram Is A Tech Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

Only 38 minutes after a Madison, Wisconsin, teacher called 911 to report Monday’s school shooting, the lies began to spread. The first one, in a post on X, said simply: “Taking bets on another trans shooter.” The post didn’t pick up much traction. Without the context, dozens of X accounts used the Townhall video to speculate that the shooter was transgender. His post received only about 47,000 views, compared to the millions of views the false claim got on the platform. One X account said “the trans thing is obvious” from comments on an X account that appeared to belong to her.

Persons: Alex Jones, ” Jones, Jones, Townhall, Shon Barnes, ”, Barnes, Ian Miles Cheong, didn’t, Cheong, nonbinary, Mark Bryant, Bryant, Matt Gaetz, Mark Pocan, Henry Fradella, —, Mikael Landén, Sarah Kate Ellis, ” Ellis, Natalie Rupnow, Samantha, Rupnow, TikTok, Elon Musk, Musk, Sam Hyde Organizations: Conservative, Madison Police, Police, Congressional, Caucus, Arizona State University, NBC News, American, of Public Health, GLAAD, Wisconsin, Meta Locations: Madison , Wisconsin, Houston, Philadelphia, Uvalde , Texas, Sweden

WASHINGTON — The Democratic-led Senate confirmed the 235th federal judge nominated by President Joe Biden, marking a milestone for the outgoing occupant of the White House by giving him one more than former President Donald Trump secured. The latest confirmation Friday could be Biden's last, meaning he will leave office having secured one Supreme Court justice, 45 appeals court judges, 187 district court judges and two judges on the U.S. Court of International Trade. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer heralded the vote as “historic” as the gavel fell to some applause in the Senate chamber. “The majority has now confirmed more judges under President Biden than any majority has confirmed in decades. “These men and women have the power to uphold basic rights or to roll them back,” the White House said in a fact sheet.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, Biden, ”, “, Trump, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, “ We’re, ” Biden's, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ted Cruz, Chuck Grassley, “ They’re, ” Grassley, Trump’s, John Cornyn, ” Cornyn, Republicans don’t, John Kennedy, Kennedy, ” Kennedy, that’s, ” Blumenthal, ” “ I’m Organizations: Democratic, Senate, U.S . Court of International Trade, Biden, White, “, Biden’s, NBC News, Trump, GOP, Republicans, ’ Locations: Texas, Iowa

☆ The smart ring explosion is here — a sign that fitness trackers are moving from wrists to fingers in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The smart ring market is exploding, with options available at Costco and Walmart. But 2025 may just be the year that smart rings become the "it" tracker for the masses. Every smart ring has a different competitive claimSamsung's ring has a charging case that looks like something you'd pack an engagement ring inside. A smart ring is also "considered a little premium," Jeffrey Kim, Samsung America's senior product lead for the Galaxy smart ring, told BI. Smart ring vs smartwatchSmart ring prosSmall, inconspicuous, and unobtrusiveGreat for sleep trackingLong-lasting battery (~1 week)Smart ring cons

Persons: Tom Hale, Oura, They've, Oura Oura, There's, we've, David Sinclair, Oura's Hale, Daniel Kraft, that's, Kraft, Andrew Huberman, Jeffrey Kim, Ultrahuman, Smart, Umbereen, Nehal hasn't, Mohit Kumar, it's, she's, they're Organizations: Costco, Walmart, Business, Samsung, BI, Galaxy, Verizon, Department of Defense, CGM, US Army, Medicare Locations: Finnish, Oura

☆ 'Deliberate Indifference' Standard Halts Serious Prison Abuse Lawsuits
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Nicole Einbinder | Hannah Beckler | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +41 min

The court unanimously ruled that prison officials were liable for Eighth Amendment violations only if they acted with "deliberate indifference" to a prisoner's suffering. "And when this is true of prison officials, no constitutional liability may lie, however 'soul-chilling' the conditions." As long as prison officials assert that they didn't know about the risk, he said, a federal court will rarely find an Eighth Amendment violation. Prison officials weren't aware of the altercation, according to an incident report, until Hodges' then-fiancée called the prison, concerned about his safety. She disagreed with how her colleagues assessed the question of mindset, writing that a committee finding alone should not release prison officials from liability.

Persons: Dario Bonga, James Vandevender's, Bonga, Mark Latimer, Latimer, Latimer saunters, Vandevender's, Vandevender, —, Peggy Vandevender, he'd, Joseph Gomm, Gomm's, Jim, Shelby Tauber, Aaron Swanum, Tim Gravette, Latimer couldn't, Paul Schnell, Schnell, It's, Farmer, Brennan, David Souter, Souter, Sharon Dolovich, Alyssa Schukar, Lawrence Piersol, Jason Dunkelberger, Dunkelberger, Piersol, couldn't, didn't, Donovan Frank, Frank, Mark Bradford, I'm, Judge Jane Kelly, David Fathi, Katie Hobbs, Ryan Thornell, David Shapiro, J.W, Gamble, hadn't, Thurgood Marshall, Marshall, John Boston, Ronald Reagan ramped, Dee Farmer, Farmer's, Elizabeth Alexander, Drew Days III, Michelle Alexander, Harry Blackmun, Blackmun, Alexander, James Loken, Trina Murray, David Hodges, Patience Zalanga, Hodges, Murray, Courtney Osgood, Osgood, fiancée, Gene Olson, Jeffrey Titus, Rush, Olson, Osgood didn't, Ashlee Berts, Berts, Wilhelmina Wright, Wright, Marc Bakambia, Craig Shipp, Mitchell Marbury, Robin Rosenbaum, Kelly, Fathi, James Vandevender, khakis, Mike, He's, Ashley Christen, Peggy, he's, Latimer bludgeoned, dreads Organizations: Rush, longtime Rush City, BI, Minncor Industries, Rush City, Business, Minnesota Department of Corrections, UCLA, South, Penitentiary, South Dakota Department of Corrections, District of, pitchfork, Supreme, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, ACLU, Chicago Lawyers, Committee, Civil Rights, Civil Rights Movement, ', New York, Legal Aid Society, Prisons, Minnesota Correctional, Medical, Circuit, Mississippi Department of Corrections Locations: Minnesota, Rush City, Vandevender, Rush, Chisago County, Euless , Texas, Minncor, Farmer, South Dakota, District of Minnesota, Vandevender's, New York, Arizona, Michigan, York, Alabama, Texas, knifepoint, Lino, Minneapolis, Africa, Osgood, Moose, Arkansas, Mississippi, Utah, Dallas

☆ How Penn State dashed SMU’s Cinderella dreams with ease: Takeaways from a Playoff rout
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( The Athletic College Football Staff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

6 seed Penn State used two first-half interception returns for touchdowns to jumpstart a 38-10 blowout of No. The Mustangs laid an egg against Penn State, but a terrible performance doesn’t negate the body of work that got them to this point. This was an elite Penn State defense playing in front of 100,000 home fans. Stopping Ashton JeantyIt will be the Penn State defense against the Heisman Trophy runner-up in the Fiesta Bowl — a destination where both Penn State (7-0) and Boise State (3-0) are undefeated with storied histories in the game. AdvertisementThere are a few other storylines of note for the Broncos when they meet Penn State in a quarterfinal on Dec. 31.

Persons: Audrey Snyder, Chris Vannini, Justin Williams, Dominic DeLuca, Tony Rojas, Kevin Jennings, Pla, o., Kay, ove, e and, abi l, off. Bu, SMU stu, Jen, aga, Jay Organizations: Penn State, SMU, College Football, Beaver, The Nittany Lions, Boise State, Penn, Nittany Lions, PENN STATE, e, eff, abl, unt, pla, ACC, adv Locations: Happy

☆ Nursing has become a new frontier for gig work, and it's creating the same issues that Uber drivers face
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Gig work has expanded to include nurses at hospitals and medical facilities, per a new report. Nursing represents a high-stakes use case of gig work apps, one of the researchers said. The interviewees all used at least one gig work app to find nursing shifts. The nursing apps often charge a fee for access, and workers bid with their pay rates. Advertisement"At most hospitals and medical facilities, no orientations are required for gig nurses and nursing assistants," the report reads.

Persons: Uber, Katie Wells, Wells, Funda Ustek, Spilda, ShiftMed, Todd Walrath, Walrath, ShiftKey Organizations: Nursing, Roosevelt Institute, King's College London, University of Oxford's Oxford Internet, Workers Locations: Oregon, Spilda

☆ How common are false rape allegations like the Duke scandal? Not enough to justify withholding support from victims, advocates say
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Alaa Elassar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A majority of sexual assaults, an estimated 63%, are never reported to the police, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Rape victims are also significantly more likely to later have drug- and alcohol-related problems and experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Rape victims are 13 times more likely than non-crime victims to attempt suicide, according to a study by the National Violence Against Women Prevention Research Center. The College of William & Mary later changed its policy to require school officials to suspend students found guilty of sexual assault. Editor’s note: Anyone affected by sexual violence can reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit online.rainn.org to receive support via confidential online chat.

Persons: Katie Koestner, Koestner, of William & Mary, Duke, Crystal Mangum, Mangum, ”, Scott Berkowitz, ” Koestner, “, ” Jennifer Simmons Kaleba, ” Berkowitz, Berkowitz, Jeremy Drey, Kaleba, ” Kaleba, online.rainn.org Organizations: CNN, The, of William &, Duke University, Violence, Center, National, Prevention Research, Penn State Berks, MediaNews, Getty Locations: Virginia, That’s, Princeton, Texas

☆ Durbin uses new report to accuse Justices Thomas and Alito of violating disclosure laws
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A top Senate Democrat on Saturday accused conservative Supreme Court justices of violating federal disclosure laws in a lengthy report that caps a monthslong investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee and comes weeks before Republicans take control of the chamber. Both Thomas and Alito have cited the “personal hospitality” exemption from annual reporting requirements, which they said relieved them of any obligation to report the trips. In response to the outcry over the Thomas trips, the Supreme Court adopted its first-ever code of conduct a year ago, but the document quickly faced criticism because it includes no enforcement mechanism. Durbin’s report also recounts a scandal this year involving two controversial flags – including an upside-down US flag – hoisted over properties that Alito owns. Republicans, including Trump, have defended Thomas and Alito and have accused Democrats of trying to delegitimize the court’s conservative majority by focusing on ethics.

Persons: Sen, Dick Durbin, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, ”, ” Durbin, Durbin –, Thomas ’, Thomas, Alito, –, Thomas “, Ginni Thomas, Donald Trump, Durbin Organizations: CNN, Senate, Committee, GOP, Federal, Trump, Republicans, White Locations: Illinois

☆ Teamsters expand strike against Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Chris Isidore | Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But Amazon continues to insist the strike is not affecting shipments to customers, as it only affects a handful of its network of distribution centers. The Staten Island facility, and the seven other locations where drivers who make deliveries for Amazon are on strike, are a small fraction of Amazon’s massive network. But the Staten Island distribution center, known as JFK8, is a major one for Amazon. History of conflict between Amazon, unionsUntil Saturday, all the Teamsters strikers were drivers who work for outside contractors employed by Amazon for its dedicated delivery service. Despite that certification of the vote, Amazon continues to challenge it in court.

Persons: ” Valerie Strapoli, we’re, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Teamsters, Amazon, Boeing, Detroit, Hollywood, Staten, Amazon Labor Union, National Labor Relations Board, NLRB Locations: New York, Staten Island , New York, New York City, Staten Island, Staten, unionize

☆ How a teenager’s holiday romance became prison time in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Holiday romances are the stuff of rom-coms and chick-lit — but not for 18-year-old Marcus Fakana, who is facing a one-year prison sentence for his summer fling. But when the 17-year-old girl returned to the United Kingdom, her mother discovered the relationship and reported Fakana to Dubai police. I wasn’t allowed to call anyone, including my parents,” Fakana told CNN in a written statement shared by his legal advisory team, Detained in Dubai. Marcus Fakana, 18, was handed a one-year prison sentence in Dubai on December 11, 2024. Towey, who lived in Dubai for one year, says her partner became physically abusive after they moved in together.

Persons: Marcus Fakana, Fakana, ” Fakana, ”, “, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Radha Stirling, City of Gold, Stirling, Azaan Salahuddin, Salahuddin, David Lammy, Keir Starmer, Marcus, ” Tori Towey, Ann Flynn, Caroline, David Young, Tori Towey, ” Towey, Towey, wasn’t, “ It’s, Fakana’s, “ I’ve, it’s, ” Stirling, there’s Organizations: CNN, Dubai police, United, United Arab Emirates, monarchy’s, Al, Foreign, British, Dublin Airport, Emirates, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, Dubai Central Locations: London, Dubai, British, United Kingdom, United Arab, City of, Stirling, UAE, Northern Irish, “, Fakana’s, Tottenham

☆ 4 ways artificial intelligence revealed the unexpected in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The Herculaneum scrolls, as they are known, still remain unopened, but thanks to the powerful tool that is artificial intelligence, their contents now lie within reach. Artificial intelligence encompasses a range of computational techniques: using data sets to train and improve machine learning algorithms and enabling them to spot patterns and inform predictions. When visualized with artificial intelligence, previously unseen coda patterns emerged in what the researchers described as akin to phonetics in human communication. Jambajantsan wasn’t involved in the Nazca research but uses an AI model to identify burial mounds in Mongolia based on satellite imagery. AlphaFold is only the most high-profile of a number of AI tools being deployed in biomedical fields.

Persons: Julius Caesar’s, ”, Brent Seales, It’s, John Hopfield, Geoffrey Hinton, ” Seales, “, Reinhard Dirscherl, Brenda McCowan, Masato Sakai, IBM’s Thomas J, Amina Jambajantsan, Jambajantsan wasn’t, ” Jambajantsan, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, ” Anna Wedell, Mindy Weisberger, Taylor Nicioli Organizations: CNN, Computer, University of Kentucky, Nature, Royal Society, University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Japan’s Yamagata University, Watson Research, Yamagata University Institute of, Max Planck Institute, Geoanthropology’s, Google, Karolinska Institutet, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Locations: Vesuvius, Rome, Greece, Caribbean, Yorktown Heights , New York, Jena , Germany, Mongolia, London, Karolinska, Sweden

☆ Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conduct
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of Supreme Court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct. The court adopted its first code of ethics in 2023, but it leaves compliance to each of the nine justices. "This entire investigation was never about 'ethics' but about trying to undermine the Supreme Court," Paoletta said in a statement posted on X. The new ethics code does explicitly require it, and Thomas has since gone back and reported some travel. "The number, value, and extravagance of the gifts accepted by Justice Thomas have no comparison in modern American history," according to the report.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Thomas, Harlan Crow, Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, Crow, Ginni, Mark Paoletta, Trump, Paoletta, Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Stephen Breyer, Justice Thomas, Samuel Alito, Alito, Donald Trump, Ginni Thomas, Democrat Joe Biden, Sonia Sotomayor, Biden, Elena Kaganhas, Neil Gorsuch, Gorsuch Organizations: Democratic, New York, Illinois, Crow, Republican, Democrat, Judicial Conference, Chief Locations: Washington , DC, Adirondacks, New, New York City, Alaska, Colorado

WASHINGTON — Just days before the height of the holiday season, a government shutdown could throw hundreds of thousands of federal workers into the lurch by putting future paychecks in jeopardy. Federal employees’ paychecks for their work from earlier in December would not be delayed, according to guidance from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Federal employees who were furloughed or required to work will be paid retroactively, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, federal contractors often do not receive back pay. Contreras said his union represents around 2,400 federally contracted workers, including security officers, cleaners and food service workers.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Everett Kelley, ’ paychecks, Johnny Jones, Jones, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Musk, " Jones, Joe Shuker, you’ve, Jaime Contreras, Contreras, shutdowns, Bonita Williams, Williams, You've, Megan Lebowitz, Daniel Arkin Organizations: American Federation of Government Employees, U.S ., Personnel Management, Transportation Security Administration, Dallas, Fort Worth International, Trump, Elon, TSA, Philadelphia International Airport, Employees, Federal Budget, SEIU, D.C, State Department, Washington , D.C Locations: Washington, Washington ,, New York City

“It’s like crying wolf over and over again,” said Bobbi Scopa, with Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, an advocacy organization. Some 11,200 federal firefighters received a salary boost in 2021 of either $20,000 or 50% of their base pay under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Federal firefighters undergo rigorous training that is a step above what private, state and local crews teach. “Yet, federal wildland firefighters are frequently subjected to inconsistent compensation despite their essential role in protecting lives, communities, and wildlife. “It’s just unacceptable.”Frustrated by ongoing problems, federal firefighters have continued to leave the U.S. Forest Service for higher wages at state and local departments.

Persons: “, ”, Bobbi Scopa, Steve Gutierrez, Donald Trump, Trump, Tim Sheehy, Brian Fennessy, Joe Biden, Mike Simpson, Lori Chavez, Simpson, “ They’re, ” Scopa, “ It’s, exoduses, ” Gutierrez Organizations: Grassroots, Firefighters, Law, U.S . Forest Service, National Federation of Federal Employees, Fox News, Republican, Orange County Fire Authority, ” Firefighters, Union, Idaho Rep, Interior Locations: U.S, California, Montana, Orange County

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing America's three largest banks, accusing the institutions of failing to protect customers from fraud on Zelle, the payment platform they co-own. “The nation’s largest banks felt threatened by competing payment apps, so they rushed to put out Zelle,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra in a statement. “The CFPB’s attacks on Zelle are legally and factually flawed, and the timing of this lawsuit appears to be driven by political factors unrelated to Zelle," Jane Khodos, Zelle spokesperson, said in an emailed statement. "Zelle leads the fight against scams and fraud and has industry-leading reimbursement policies that go above and beyond the law." "The CFPB is now overreaching its authority by making banks accountable for criminals, even including romance scammers," the bank said.

Persons: ”, Rohit Chopra, Zelle, Jane Khodos, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Trump Organizations: Consumer Financial, JPMorgan, Wells, Bank of America Locations: fraudsters, Connecticut

“The lines of communication have been reopened,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told reporters as he left a meeting with House Democrats, without committing support. "This is a defining moment for his career as speaker," said Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., a Johnson critic. Senate Democrats have called on Johnson to return to the bipartisan deal that Trump and Musk blew up. It’s time the House votes on our bipartisan CR [continuing resolution],” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Friday on the floor. “Put simply, we should not let an unelected billionaire rip away research for pediatric cancer so he can get a tax cut.”

Persons: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Musk —, Mike Johnson, Thomas Massie, Johnson, Joe Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, Rich McCormick, Andrew Harnik, Jeffries, Trump, Musk, “, Chuck Schumer, we’re, Patty Murray, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON — House Republican, Trump, Senate, House Democrats, White, GOP, Democrats Locations: tanked, Ky, D

According to the family, the chain of events started on Sept. 13, when the twins were born at 35 weeks. The family was told on the phone that the immigration hearing would be rescheduled, Arellano stated in his affidavit. During a press conference Monday, Arellano told reporters in Houston his wife missed the Oct. 9 hearing because she was told by doctors to recover at home. We didn’t have anything with us," Salazar-Hinojosa told Noticias Telemundo. According to Salazar-Hinojosa, her husband begged immigration authorities to please not take his family away from him.

Persons: Ashley, Allison, Salazar, Hinojosa, ” Salazar, Hinojosa's, Federico Arellano, Arellano, Federico, Yitzel, Cristina Geraldyn Salazar, Isaias Torres, Arellano's, " Salazar, ”, Torres, WOAI, Silvia Mintz, Cristina, Mintz, KHOU Arellano, “, ” Torres, Joe Biden, Donald Trump's, Trump, Tim Homan, — Organizations: Telemundo, NBC, Arellano, Noticias Telemundo, Hinojosa Immigration, NBC News, Enforcement, ICE, U.S, Justice Department's, Immigration Review, DOJ, Republicans, Migration Policy Institute, ”, Press, Office, GAO Locations: Texas, Mexico, Houston, Spanish, U.S, Mexican, Greenspoint , Texas, Rio Grande Valley, United States

☆ Kerry Washington's 'Six Triple Eight' shows the important role Black women played in WWII
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-20 | by ( Ronda Racha Penrice | Atlanta-Based Writer Ronda Racha Penrice Is The Author Of | Black American History For Dummies. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The real-life efforts of the 855 women of the Women Army Corps’ 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion are captured in Tyler Perry’s latest film, “Six Triple Eight,” streaming now on Netflix. But while Black women were admitted to the military, they were segregated from white women and given very little to do. Because top military brass deemed Black people generally inferior, many doubted a successful outcome to clearing endless piles of mail. To play 17-year-old Lena Derriecott, Perry tapped Ebony Obsidian, who stars in his long-running series “Sistas” on BET. How would it impact my resonance and my need to be heard by these women so that they felt seen and heard by me?

Persons: Charity Adams, Tyler Perry’s, Kerry Washington, Adams, ” Washington, ” Mary McLeod Bethune, Franklin Roosevelt’s “, ”, Oprah Winfrey, Perry, Nicole Avant, Lena Derriecott Bell King, King, Lena Derriecott, Ebony Obsidian, Lena, Barry Jenkins, Beale, Wu, “, Washington, Obsidian Organizations: Women Army Corps ’ 6888th, Postal, Battalion, Triple, Netflix, NBC News, “, National Council of Negro Women, National Association of Black Military, 6888th, BET, Army, Wilberforce University Locations: Atlanta, Washington, Adams ’, Carolina, Ohio, ” Washington, ”

☆ ‘Stranger Things 5’ has wrapped. Judging from the emotional cast and crew tributes, we are so not ready
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-20 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —It’s hard to believe that it’s been over eight years since viewers were first introduced to the mysterious and intriguingly retro show “Stranger Things,” and even harder to believe that it’s soon all coming to an end. Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers on “Stranger Things” and was the first to experience the nefarious “Upside Down” in Hawkins, Indiana back in Season 1, wrote a tribute on Instagram. Sharing a photo of himself with his castmates as youngsters from the first season, Wolfhard wrote that he’s “still in shock” about his work on the final season coming to an end. A bunch of goofy young people making something they think is cool but really have no clue what’s to come,” Wolfhard wrote. See you all next year.”Schnapp ended his tribute with a heartfelt note of gratitude, writing, “‘Stranger Things’ was more than a job; it was a lifelong dream.

Persons: CNN —, it’s, Noah Schnapp, Will Byers, I’ve, ” Schnapp, ”, Ross Duffer, They’ve, — they’ve, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Mike Wheeler, Will’s, Wolfhard, he’s, I’ll, ” Wolfhard, “, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Sadie Sink, Priah Ferguson, Joseph Quinn, Maya Hawke, Jamie Campbell Bower Organizations: CNN, Netflix Locations: Hawkins , Indiana

☆ How Elon Musk made SpaceX take off by giving employees stock options
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-20 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

SpaceX employees worked grueling hours and gritty conditions in the company's early days. Elon Musk offered workers SpaceX stock options to poach top talent and keep them motivated. Stock options are a toss-up. The promise of those stock options gave SpaceX a competitive edge in recruiting top engineering talent. AdvertisementFor some employees, Berger found, the stock was icing on the cake.

Persons: Elon Musk, Eric Berger, Berger, Jorge Martin, Martin, he's, Jeff Bezos, " Berger Organizations: SpaceX, Bloomberg, Elon, JP, Workplace Solutions, Workers, NASA

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