Datasets:

sc2qa

/

sc2qa_commoncrawl

like 0

Can Strong Memory Aid Lam Research (LRCX) in Q2 Earnings?

Lam Research Corporation LRCX is slated to report second-quarter fiscal 2019 results on Jan 23. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 4.67%. Lam Researchs surprise history has been pretty impressive. The company surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average being 9.70%. Shares of Lam Research have lost 31% in the past year compared with its industrys decline of 28.5%. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement. Factors to Consider Lam Research has a high exposure in the memory segment, which is likely to witness notable growth in the coming quarters, driven by cloud computing, big data, mobile devices and IoT. The company is doing well of late and expects to flourish in areas such as device architecture, process flow and advanced packaging technology inflections. It continues to witness increased adoption rates for 3D NAND technology, FinFETs and multi-patterning. The company has undertaken cost-reduction activities as well as density scaling for 3D NAND, and new memory technologies. All these factors are likely to positively impact the top line of the company. For the quarter to be reported, the company expects revenues to be approximately $2.5 billion (+/- $150 million). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $2.50 billion. However, volatility in the PC market remains a major concern. Weakness in the PCs may offset the expansion in the 3D NAND, impacting its fiscal second-quarter results. Also, the company faces significant competition in all its product and service categories in the semiconductor capital equipment market. Lam Research Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Lam Research Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Lam Research Corporation Quote Earnings Whispers Our proven model shows that Lam Research is unlikely to beat estimates in the to-be-reported quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below. Earnings ESP: The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: Currently, Lam Research has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Strong Sell) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is witnessing negative estimate revisions. Stocks to Consider You may consider the following stocks with a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank: Amazon.com Inc. AMZN has an Earnings ESP of +0.68% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. KeyCorp KEY has an Earnings ESP of +0.80% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Waters Corporation WAT has an Earnings ESP of +2.45% and holds a Zacks Rank #3. Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Waters Corporation (WAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research

Lam Research Corporation LRCX is slated to report second-quarter fiscal 2019 results on Jan 23. Lam Research has a high exposure in the memory segment, which is likely to witness notable growth in the coming quarters, driven by cloud computing, big data, mobile devices and IoT.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/strong-memory-aid-lam-research-135601173.html

Can Medical Devices Strength Drive Abbott (ABT) Q4 Earnings?

Abbotts ABT Medical Devices business has been going strong of late on solid sub-segmental performance. We expect this strength to get reflected in fourth-quarter 2018 results, which are scheduled for release on Jan 23, before the market opens. Click here to know how the companys overall Q4 performance is expected to be. Medical Devices in Focus Abbotts Medical Devices segment presently comprises the new Cardiovascular and Neuromodulation, Heart Failure, Electrophysiology, Structural Heart, Rhythm Management, Vascular businesses along with the Diabetes Care business. Management expects high single-digit growth in Medical Devices fourth-quarter 2018 sales along with continued double-digit growth in certain sub-segments. Abbott Laboratories Price and EPS Surprise Abbott Laboratories Price and EPS Surprise | Abbott Laboratories Quote The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Medical Devices revenues in the United States of $1.29 billion indicates a rise of 6.6% from the year-ago quarter. Internationally, the consensus estimate of $1.63 billion shows growth of 6.5%. In the last quarter, sales improvement at the segment was driven by double-digit growth in Electrophysiology, Structural Heart and Diabetes Care. Moreover, the company received approvals for a few products alongside achieving clinical trial milestones. Let's see how things are shaping up within these sub-segments before the fourth-quarter results. Electrophysiology, which accounted for 14.4% of Medical Devices revenues in third-quarter 2018, has been gaining strongly from strength in cardiac mapping and ablation catheters. The trend is expected to continue in the fourth quarter. The company is expected to gain from continued solid demand for its Confirm Rx Insertable Cardiac Monitor this quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Electrophysiology revenues of $430 million indicates an increase of 12.9% from a year ago. The company is expected to keep gaining from this business. The Structural Heart business has maintained an impressive top-line performance. In the last reported quarter, this business accounted for 10.8% of total revenues under the broader Medical Devices segment. The upside was led by strong performances from MitraClip and AMPLATZER PFO Occluder. Last September, Abbott presented positive clinical results from its COAPT study supporting the efficacy of MitraClip for select patients with functional mitral regurgitation. This positive development is expected to boost the uptake of the product and top-line contributions from this sub-segment in the to-be-reported quarter. Our estimate for Structural Heart revenues of $345 million indicates a rise of 19% from the year-ago quarter. In Diabetes Care, international sales growth of 42% on a reported basis in the prior quarter was driven by Abbotts FreeStyle Libre. The company has initiated the launch of FreeStyleLibre in the United States as well. Proceeding with initiatives to boost this arm, the company received FDA approval for its FreeStyle Libre 14 day sensor in August 2018. In October, Abbott was granted CE Mark for its next-generation product with optional real-time alarms FreeStyle Libre 2 system. Following the developments, Abbott is expected to keep gaining from the continued uptake of the FreeStyle Libre in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Diabetes Care revenues of $544 million indicates a surge of 31.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Abbott's Medical Devices business has been going strong of late on solid sub-segmental performance. The strength is expected to get reflected in fourth-quarter 2018 results, which are scheduled for release on Jan 23.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/medical-devices-strength-drive-abbott-134401598.html

Can Medical Devices Strength Drive Abbott (ABT) Q4 Earnings?

Abbotts ABT Medical Devices business has been going strong of late on solid sub-segmental performance. We expect this strength to get reflected in fourth-quarter 2018 results, which are scheduled for release on Jan 23, before the market opens. Click here to know how the companys overall Q4 performance is expected to be. Medical Devices in Focus Abbotts Medical Devices segment presently comprises the new Cardiovascular and Neuromodulation, Heart Failure, Electrophysiology, Structural Heart, Rhythm Management, Vascular businesses along with the Diabetes Care business. Management expects high single-digit growth in Medical Devices fourth-quarter 2018 sales along with continued double-digit growth in certain sub-segments. Abbott Laboratories Price and EPS Surprise Abbott Laboratories Price and EPS Surprise | Abbott Laboratories Quote The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Medical Devices revenues in the United States of $1.29 billion indicates a rise of 6.6% from the year-ago quarter. Internationally, the consensus estimate of $1.63 billion shows growth of 6.5%. In the last quarter, sales improvement at the segment was driven by double-digit growth in Electrophysiology, Structural Heart and Diabetes Care. Moreover, the company received approvals for a few products alongside achieving clinical trial milestones. Let's see how things are shaping up within these sub-segments before the fourth-quarter results. Electrophysiology, which accounted for 14.4% of Medical Devices revenues in third-quarter 2018, has been gaining strongly from strength in cardiac mapping and ablation catheters. The trend is expected to continue in the fourth quarter. The company is expected to gain from continued solid demand for its Confirm Rx Insertable Cardiac Monitor this quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Electrophysiology revenues of $430 million indicates an increase of 12.9% from a year ago. The company is expected to keep gaining from this business. The Structural Heart business has maintained an impressive top-line performance. In the last reported quarter, this business accounted for 10.8% of total revenues under the broader Medical Devices segment. The upside was led by strong performances from MitraClip and AMPLATZER PFO Occluder. Last September, Abbott presented positive clinical results from its COAPT study supporting the efficacy of MitraClip for select patients with functional mitral regurgitation. This positive development is expected to boost the uptake of the product and top-line contributions from this sub-segment in the to-be-reported quarter. Our estimate for Structural Heart revenues of $345 million indicates a rise of 19% from the year-ago quarter. In Diabetes Care, international sales growth of 42% on a reported basis in the prior quarter was driven by Abbotts FreeStyle Libre. The company has initiated the launch of FreeStyleLibre in the United States as well. Proceeding with initiatives to boost this arm, the company received FDA approval for its FreeStyle Libre 14 day sensor in August 2018. In October, Abbott was granted CE Mark for its next-generation product with optional real-time alarms FreeStyle Libre 2 system. Following the developments, Abbott is expected to keep gaining from the continued uptake of the FreeStyle Libre in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Diabetes Care revenues of $544 million indicates a surge of 31.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Abbotts ABT Medical Devices business has been going strong of late on solid sub-segmental performance. We expect this strength to get reflected in fourth-quarter 2018 results, which are scheduled for release on Jan 23, before the market opens.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/medical-devices-strength-drive-abbott-134401598.html

Will The IRS Be Able To Deliver On Its Promise Of A Normal Tax Season?

Tax filing season is due to begin in 10 days, and the Trump Administration says the IRS will be able to process returns as usual even though the service is subject to the partial government shutdown. It may depend on who you are. If you use a paid preparer or commercial tax software, have no reason to contact the IRS for assistance, and if your return raises no red flags, filing should be routine. By contrast, if you do try to get help directly from the agency, count on refundable tax credits to pay the bills, or if your return contains an error, filing season may get very frustrating, very fast. Many victims will be low-income tax filers who rely on free IRS assistance and whose claims for the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit may run into delays. Pretty normal Practitioners say that for manyperhaps mostfilers, tax season is likely to be manageable, though their refunds may take a bit longer than in the past. By deciding to bring back about 60 percent of IRS employees, the administration may have avoided some shutdown-related problems. The IRS should have sufficient staff to process routine returns, including refunds, relatively quickly. The agency has completed most testing of its systems, and its now-recalled IT teams should keep the computers running. Says one former senior IRS staffer, Filing season will be pretty much normal. But that doesnt mean everything will run smoothly. Filing seasons inevitably hit glitches even in the best of circumstances, and this years tax season is not that. Last year, the agency was unable to process returns at all during part of Tax Day. Limiting some services This year, taxpayers surely will run into problems. And the agencys cobbled-together shutdown plan hamstrings some key services that are important to many do-it-yourself taxpayers. The most obvious will be limited access to any human at the IRS who can answer questions. Last year, staffers at 371 IRS service centers helped 3.3 million taxpayers file their returns, though the centers often have been plagued by long lines and limited hours. But this year, those facilities will be shuttered-- at least until the agency gets funding. By contrast, IRS call centers will operate. However, there is a real question about how useful they will be. In a typical year, the IRS gets roughly 100 million phone calls and the centers are a critical source of help for those without computers or broadband service. Last year, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate,only about 40 percent of taxpayers who called actually got through to a live staffer and the average wait time was 23 minutes. It may be worse this season. Temporary workers In past tax seasons, the IRS hired more than 10,000 temporary workers to answer phones and process some returns. With a tight labor market, it would have been hard enough to hire these low-wage staffers. But this year it will be especially difficult because the IRS wont be able to pay them until the shutdown ends. The agency could fill the gap by reassigning permanent staff (who currently are not being paid) to respond to phone calls. The agency also must train these workers, a process that has been delayed, and one that is even more difficult because of the many changes made by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. IRS morale has been low for years. This is likely to make it worse. Adding to the challenge: Many taxpayers with very simple tax situations used to file Forms 1040 A or 1040 EZ. The IRS has dropped both, so that these filers will have to learn the Form 1040. Refundable credits Taxpayers who cant get answers from the IRS are more likely to make mistakes, and if their returns have errors, staff shortages may slow processing and delay refunds. Already, it appears that those claiming the EITC and CTC will have to wait longer than in the past to receive refunds. The law requires the IRS to hold their refunds until mid-February, but this year the delay may last at least a month. Volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sites are another source of assistance for many low-income taxpayers. While those IRS-certified programs will be open for business, fewer than 5 percent of the IRS staffers the volunteers rely upon for support are being recalled to work. The IRS should be able to process uncomplicated e-filed returns with relatively few problems. But if your return includes data that does not match what is reported on information returns such a W2, if it is bounced due to errors, fraud, or because it is caught by an identity theft filter, the IRSs ability to process those returns may be delayed. By figuring out a way to get 60 percent of its staff back to work, despite the partial government shutdown, the IRS will process returns and deliver refunds this year, but dont be surprised if taxpayer services slow and filing is tougher, especially for those least able to rely on professional assistance.

The IRS says it will be able to process returns as usual during the shutdown.

ctrlsum

https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2019/01/18/will-the-irs-be-able-to-deliver-on-its-promise-of-a-normal-tax-season/

Will The IRS Be Able To Deliver On Its Promise Of A Normal Tax Season?

Tax filing season is due to begin in 10 days, and the Trump Administration says the IRS will be able to process returns as usual even though the service is subject to the partial government shutdown. It may depend on who you are. If you use a paid preparer or commercial tax software, have no reason to contact the IRS for assistance, and if your return raises no red flags, filing should be routine. By contrast, if you do try to get help directly from the agency, count on refundable tax credits to pay the bills, or if your return contains an error, filing season may get very frustrating, very fast. Many victims will be low-income tax filers who rely on free IRS assistance and whose claims for the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit may run into delays. Pretty normal Practitioners say that for manyperhaps mostfilers, tax season is likely to be manageable, though their refunds may take a bit longer than in the past. By deciding to bring back about 60 percent of IRS employees, the administration may have avoided some shutdown-related problems. The IRS should have sufficient staff to process routine returns, including refunds, relatively quickly. The agency has completed most testing of its systems, and its now-recalled IT teams should keep the computers running. Says one former senior IRS staffer, Filing season will be pretty much normal. But that doesnt mean everything will run smoothly. Filing seasons inevitably hit glitches even in the best of circumstances, and this years tax season is not that. Last year, the agency was unable to process returns at all during part of Tax Day. Limiting some services This year, taxpayers surely will run into problems. And the agencys cobbled-together shutdown plan hamstrings some key services that are important to many do-it-yourself taxpayers. The most obvious will be limited access to any human at the IRS who can answer questions. Last year, staffers at 371 IRS service centers helped 3.3 million taxpayers file their returns, though the centers often have been plagued by long lines and limited hours. But this year, those facilities will be shuttered-- at least until the agency gets funding. By contrast, IRS call centers will operate. However, there is a real question about how useful they will be. In a typical year, the IRS gets roughly 100 million phone calls and the centers are a critical source of help for those without computers or broadband service. Last year, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate,only about 40 percent of taxpayers who called actually got through to a live staffer and the average wait time was 23 minutes. It may be worse this season. Temporary workers In past tax seasons, the IRS hired more than 10,000 temporary workers to answer phones and process some returns. With a tight labor market, it would have been hard enough to hire these low-wage staffers. But this year it will be especially difficult because the IRS wont be able to pay them until the shutdown ends. The agency could fill the gap by reassigning permanent staff (who currently are not being paid) to respond to phone calls. The agency also must train these workers, a process that has been delayed, and one that is even more difficult because of the many changes made by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. IRS morale has been low for years. This is likely to make it worse. Adding to the challenge: Many taxpayers with very simple tax situations used to file Forms 1040 A or 1040 EZ. The IRS has dropped both, so that these filers will have to learn the Form 1040. Refundable credits Taxpayers who cant get answers from the IRS are more likely to make mistakes, and if their returns have errors, staff shortages may slow processing and delay refunds. Already, it appears that those claiming the EITC and CTC will have to wait longer than in the past to receive refunds. The law requires the IRS to hold their refunds until mid-February, but this year the delay may last at least a month. Volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sites are another source of assistance for many low-income taxpayers. While those IRS-certified programs will be open for business, fewer than 5 percent of the IRS staffers the volunteers rely upon for support are being recalled to work. The IRS should be able to process uncomplicated e-filed returns with relatively few problems. But if your return includes data that does not match what is reported on information returns such a W2, if it is bounced due to errors, fraud, or because it is caught by an identity theft filter, the IRSs ability to process those returns may be delayed. By figuring out a way to get 60 percent of its staff back to work, despite the partial government shutdown, the IRS will process returns and deliver refunds this year, but dont be surprised if taxpayer services slow and filing is tougher, especially for those least able to rely on professional assistance.

Filing season is due to begin in 10 days. The IRS will be able to process returns as usual even though the service is subject to the partial government shutdown. Many victims will be low-income tax filers who rely on free IRS assistance.

bart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2019/01/18/will-the-irs-be-able-to-deliver-on-its-promise-of-a-normal-tax-season/

Will The IRS Be Able To Deliver On Its Promise Of A Normal Tax Season?

Tax filing season is due to begin in 10 days, and the Trump Administration says the IRS will be able to process returns as usual even though the service is subject to the partial government shutdown. It may depend on who you are. If you use a paid preparer or commercial tax software, have no reason to contact the IRS for assistance, and if your return raises no red flags, filing should be routine. By contrast, if you do try to get help directly from the agency, count on refundable tax credits to pay the bills, or if your return contains an error, filing season may get very frustrating, very fast. Many victims will be low-income tax filers who rely on free IRS assistance and whose claims for the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit may run into delays. Pretty normal Practitioners say that for manyperhaps mostfilers, tax season is likely to be manageable, though their refunds may take a bit longer than in the past. By deciding to bring back about 60 percent of IRS employees, the administration may have avoided some shutdown-related problems. The IRS should have sufficient staff to process routine returns, including refunds, relatively quickly. The agency has completed most testing of its systems, and its now-recalled IT teams should keep the computers running. Says one former senior IRS staffer, Filing season will be pretty much normal. But that doesnt mean everything will run smoothly. Filing seasons inevitably hit glitches even in the best of circumstances, and this years tax season is not that. Last year, the agency was unable to process returns at all during part of Tax Day. Limiting some services This year, taxpayers surely will run into problems. And the agencys cobbled-together shutdown plan hamstrings some key services that are important to many do-it-yourself taxpayers. The most obvious will be limited access to any human at the IRS who can answer questions. Last year, staffers at 371 IRS service centers helped 3.3 million taxpayers file their returns, though the centers often have been plagued by long lines and limited hours. But this year, those facilities will be shuttered-- at least until the agency gets funding. By contrast, IRS call centers will operate. However, there is a real question about how useful they will be. In a typical year, the IRS gets roughly 100 million phone calls and the centers are a critical source of help for those without computers or broadband service. Last year, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate,only about 40 percent of taxpayers who called actually got through to a live staffer and the average wait time was 23 minutes. It may be worse this season. Temporary workers In past tax seasons, the IRS hired more than 10,000 temporary workers to answer phones and process some returns. With a tight labor market, it would have been hard enough to hire these low-wage staffers. But this year it will be especially difficult because the IRS wont be able to pay them until the shutdown ends. The agency could fill the gap by reassigning permanent staff (who currently are not being paid) to respond to phone calls. The agency also must train these workers, a process that has been delayed, and one that is even more difficult because of the many changes made by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. IRS morale has been low for years. This is likely to make it worse. Adding to the challenge: Many taxpayers with very simple tax situations used to file Forms 1040 A or 1040 EZ. The IRS has dropped both, so that these filers will have to learn the Form 1040. Refundable credits Taxpayers who cant get answers from the IRS are more likely to make mistakes, and if their returns have errors, staff shortages may slow processing and delay refunds. Already, it appears that those claiming the EITC and CTC will have to wait longer than in the past to receive refunds. The law requires the IRS to hold their refunds until mid-February, but this year the delay may last at least a month. Volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sites are another source of assistance for many low-income taxpayers. While those IRS-certified programs will be open for business, fewer than 5 percent of the IRS staffers the volunteers rely upon for support are being recalled to work. The IRS should be able to process uncomplicated e-filed returns with relatively few problems. But if your return includes data that does not match what is reported on information returns such a W2, if it is bounced due to errors, fraud, or because it is caught by an identity theft filter, the IRSs ability to process those returns may be delayed. By figuring out a way to get 60 percent of its staff back to work, despite the partial government shutdown, the IRS will process returns and deliver refunds this year, but dont be surprised if taxpayer services slow and filing is tougher, especially for those least able to rely on professional assistance.

Filing season is due to begin in 10 days. The IRS will be able to process returns as usual even though the service is subject to the partial government shutdown. Many victims will be low-income tax filers who rely on free IRS assistance. The agencys cobbled-together shutdown plan hamstrings some key services.

bart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2019/01/18/will-the-irs-be-able-to-deliver-on-its-promise-of-a-normal-tax-season/

Why is winning different to a New Orleanian?

The last time the Saints made a deep run in the playoffs like this, my daughter was not yet born. She turns 8 next week. Its funny how a kid can change your perspective by asking a simple, yet thought-provoking question. Why is it so important? After attempting to parent on the run, I dropped her off at school and have been pondering this philosophical inquiry since. Like many New Orleanians, I grew up as a Saints fan. Fittingly, the first Saints game I can recall attending was with my dad and brother on Dec. 18, 1983, against the L.A. Rams. The Saints were 8-7 and needed to win to advance to the playoffs for the first time and achieve their first winning season ever. The Rams didnt score a single offensive point until there were six seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was then that I experienced the first of many sports-related heartbreaks, when Mike Lansford kicked a 42-yard field goal to beat the Saints 26-24. I was devastated as I walked down the ramps of the inner belly of the Dome. Decades later, in the post-Katrina fog, the Saints became an emblem of hope for New Orleans and our region. Saints football was for all of us, for each other we needed it. Now I realize those wins had less to do with Katrina, with tragedy and rebirth, and more to do with who we really are as a community. Winning is important to a New Orleanian not because we want to brag about having a great football team but because of something much bigger. Make no mistake. Eagles fans, Giants fans heck, even Falcon fans are just as passionate about their teams. Every NFL franchise has a loyal fan base. But to those fans, football starts and ends with winning or losing, and then its over. In New Orleans, however, everyone who makes up the fabric of our community embraces this experience year-round. The Saints touch everywhere, from schools and the clergy to workplaces and governmental bodies. The Saints, especially when they are winning, enrich our community and human experience. In New Orleans, it isnt uncommon for a total stranger who has season tickets in the row behind you to become a close family friend, attending family funerals, weddings and major life events. The Saints have a new anthem. For Choppa, it's a whole new world When opponents come to town, were known to welcome them to the Dome by buying them a beer and giving them friendly advice about where to eat. We almost always thank them for spending the weekend and their money in our charmed city. We dance together. We celebrate together. Saints fans caravan out to Airline Drive after road games to thank our players, even if its after midnight, even if its freezing and even if we lost. We get to know the players personally, and they get to know us. Saints fandom is a true family in every sense of the word. When I think about it, I cant name another NFL city in which the players are more a part of the everyday fabric of the community than the Saints are in New Orleans. Our team does New Orleans they ride in our parades, they frequent our local establishments, they hold up our culture and celebrate our musical legends, they go to church with us and they even participate in debates about how to make New Orleans better. Then they retire, and many continue to live here, invest here and grow their families here. The spirit of community around the Saints is infectious. Or consider recent Congressional Gold Medal honoree and New Orleans legend Steve Gleason, a man who embraced being a New Orleanian and its virtues by showing the world what that means through his transformative fight against ALS. Many professional athletes have done incredible things with their fame and fortune, dont get me wrong. The difference is that our gridiron heroes do so as New Orleanians first, and in such a way that brings fans and the entire community along for the experience. To be a New Orleanian and experience what she has to offer is not a birthright. We welcome non-natives; we have no walls, just levees. Some people, like my dad, come for a weekend and stay for a lifetime. Others, like my mom, have New Orleans roots spanning generations. There are no social or economic requirements to dance at an impromptu second line before, during or after a Saints game. We are capable of celebrating multiple genres, such as Jimmy Buffett and Choppa, in the same collective breath. That is what makes us who we are, and that is ultimately what makes us different. We dont want this experience to end. The togetherness with new and old friends. The dance-offs some good, some not so good, but we dont care. The random post-touchdown hugs with complete strangers. We want two more weeks of it. Then well find a way to celebrate for another 10 years. Because dat is who we are. Christopher J. Kane is an attorney in New Orleans.

Choppa: Winning is important to a New Orleanian not because of having a great football team.

ctrlsum

https://www.nola.com/opinions/2019/01/why-is-winning-different-to-a-new-orleanian.html

Why is winning different to a New Orleanian?

The last time the Saints made a deep run in the playoffs like this, my daughter was not yet born. She turns 8 next week. Its funny how a kid can change your perspective by asking a simple, yet thought-provoking question. Why is it so important? After attempting to parent on the run, I dropped her off at school and have been pondering this philosophical inquiry since. Like many New Orleanians, I grew up as a Saints fan. Fittingly, the first Saints game I can recall attending was with my dad and brother on Dec. 18, 1983, against the L.A. Rams. The Saints were 8-7 and needed to win to advance to the playoffs for the first time and achieve their first winning season ever. The Rams didnt score a single offensive point until there were six seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was then that I experienced the first of many sports-related heartbreaks, when Mike Lansford kicked a 42-yard field goal to beat the Saints 26-24. I was devastated as I walked down the ramps of the inner belly of the Dome. Decades later, in the post-Katrina fog, the Saints became an emblem of hope for New Orleans and our region. Saints football was for all of us, for each other we needed it. Now I realize those wins had less to do with Katrina, with tragedy and rebirth, and more to do with who we really are as a community. Winning is important to a New Orleanian not because we want to brag about having a great football team but because of something much bigger. Make no mistake. Eagles fans, Giants fans heck, even Falcon fans are just as passionate about their teams. Every NFL franchise has a loyal fan base. But to those fans, football starts and ends with winning or losing, and then its over. In New Orleans, however, everyone who makes up the fabric of our community embraces this experience year-round. The Saints touch everywhere, from schools and the clergy to workplaces and governmental bodies. The Saints, especially when they are winning, enrich our community and human experience. In New Orleans, it isnt uncommon for a total stranger who has season tickets in the row behind you to become a close family friend, attending family funerals, weddings and major life events. The Saints have a new anthem. For Choppa, it's a whole new world When opponents come to town, were known to welcome them to the Dome by buying them a beer and giving them friendly advice about where to eat. We almost always thank them for spending the weekend and their money in our charmed city. We dance together. We celebrate together. Saints fans caravan out to Airline Drive after road games to thank our players, even if its after midnight, even if its freezing and even if we lost. We get to know the players personally, and they get to know us. Saints fandom is a true family in every sense of the word. When I think about it, I cant name another NFL city in which the players are more a part of the everyday fabric of the community than the Saints are in New Orleans. Our team does New Orleans they ride in our parades, they frequent our local establishments, they hold up our culture and celebrate our musical legends, they go to church with us and they even participate in debates about how to make New Orleans better. Then they retire, and many continue to live here, invest here and grow their families here. The spirit of community around the Saints is infectious. Or consider recent Congressional Gold Medal honoree and New Orleans legend Steve Gleason, a man who embraced being a New Orleanian and its virtues by showing the world what that means through his transformative fight against ALS. Many professional athletes have done incredible things with their fame and fortune, dont get me wrong. The difference is that our gridiron heroes do so as New Orleanians first, and in such a way that brings fans and the entire community along for the experience. To be a New Orleanian and experience what she has to offer is not a birthright. We welcome non-natives; we have no walls, just levees. Some people, like my dad, come for a weekend and stay for a lifetime. Others, like my mom, have New Orleans roots spanning generations. There are no social or economic requirements to dance at an impromptu second line before, during or after a Saints game. We are capable of celebrating multiple genres, such as Jimmy Buffett and Choppa, in the same collective breath. That is what makes us who we are, and that is ultimately what makes us different. We dont want this experience to end. The togetherness with new and old friends. The dance-offs some good, some not so good, but we dont care. The random post-touchdown hugs with complete strangers. We want two more weeks of it. Then well find a way to celebrate for another 10 years. Because dat is who we are. Christopher J. Kane is an attorney in New Orleans.

Choppa: Winning is important to a New Orleanian not because we want to brag about having a great football team but because of something much bigger. Saints football was for all of us, for each other we needed it.

ctrlsum

https://www.nola.com/opinions/2019/01/why-is-winning-different-to-a-new-orleanian.html

Why is winning different to a New Orleanian?

The last time the Saints made a deep run in the playoffs like this, my daughter was not yet born. She turns 8 next week. Its funny how a kid can change your perspective by asking a simple, yet thought-provoking question. Why is it so important? After attempting to parent on the run, I dropped her off at school and have been pondering this philosophical inquiry since. Like many New Orleanians, I grew up as a Saints fan. Fittingly, the first Saints game I can recall attending was with my dad and brother on Dec. 18, 1983, against the L.A. Rams. The Saints were 8-7 and needed to win to advance to the playoffs for the first time and achieve their first winning season ever. The Rams didnt score a single offensive point until there were six seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was then that I experienced the first of many sports-related heartbreaks, when Mike Lansford kicked a 42-yard field goal to beat the Saints 26-24. I was devastated as I walked down the ramps of the inner belly of the Dome. Decades later, in the post-Katrina fog, the Saints became an emblem of hope for New Orleans and our region. Saints football was for all of us, for each other we needed it. Now I realize those wins had less to do with Katrina, with tragedy and rebirth, and more to do with who we really are as a community. Winning is important to a New Orleanian not because we want to brag about having a great football team but because of something much bigger. Make no mistake. Eagles fans, Giants fans heck, even Falcon fans are just as passionate about their teams. Every NFL franchise has a loyal fan base. But to those fans, football starts and ends with winning or losing, and then its over. In New Orleans, however, everyone who makes up the fabric of our community embraces this experience year-round. The Saints touch everywhere, from schools and the clergy to workplaces and governmental bodies. The Saints, especially when they are winning, enrich our community and human experience. In New Orleans, it isnt uncommon for a total stranger who has season tickets in the row behind you to become a close family friend, attending family funerals, weddings and major life events. The Saints have a new anthem. For Choppa, it's a whole new world When opponents come to town, were known to welcome them to the Dome by buying them a beer and giving them friendly advice about where to eat. We almost always thank them for spending the weekend and their money in our charmed city. We dance together. We celebrate together. Saints fans caravan out to Airline Drive after road games to thank our players, even if its after midnight, even if its freezing and even if we lost. We get to know the players personally, and they get to know us. Saints fandom is a true family in every sense of the word. When I think about it, I cant name another NFL city in which the players are more a part of the everyday fabric of the community than the Saints are in New Orleans. Our team does New Orleans they ride in our parades, they frequent our local establishments, they hold up our culture and celebrate our musical legends, they go to church with us and they even participate in debates about how to make New Orleans better. Then they retire, and many continue to live here, invest here and grow their families here. The spirit of community around the Saints is infectious. Or consider recent Congressional Gold Medal honoree and New Orleans legend Steve Gleason, a man who embraced being a New Orleanian and its virtues by showing the world what that means through his transformative fight against ALS. Many professional athletes have done incredible things with their fame and fortune, dont get me wrong. The difference is that our gridiron heroes do so as New Orleanians first, and in such a way that brings fans and the entire community along for the experience. To be a New Orleanian and experience what she has to offer is not a birthright. We welcome non-natives; we have no walls, just levees. Some people, like my dad, come for a weekend and stay for a lifetime. Others, like my mom, have New Orleans roots spanning generations. There are no social or economic requirements to dance at an impromptu second line before, during or after a Saints game. We are capable of celebrating multiple genres, such as Jimmy Buffett and Choppa, in the same collective breath. That is what makes us who we are, and that is ultimately what makes us different. We dont want this experience to end. The togetherness with new and old friends. The dance-offs some good, some not so good, but we dont care. The random post-touchdown hugs with complete strangers. We want two more weeks of it. Then well find a way to celebrate for another 10 years. Because dat is who we are. Christopher J. Kane is an attorney in New Orleans.

Choppa: Winning is important to a New Orleanian not because we want to brag about having a great football team but because of something much bigger. The Saints touch everywhere, from schools and the clergy to workplaces and governmental bodies. Saints football was for all of us, for each other we needed it.

ctrlsum

https://www.nola.com/opinions/2019/01/why-is-winning-different-to-a-new-orleanian.html

Did pregnant Jessica Simpson just win the #10yearchallenge with a foot photo?

An expecting Jessica Simpson in New York City on Oct. 11, 2018. (Photo: Brian Ach/Getty Images) No doubt your social feeds have been inundated with #10yearchallenge posts, where people post photos taken a decade apart, mostly, in our opinion, to show how they are immune to the ravages of time. I mean, just look at Reese Witherspoon. Its amazing. Time sure does fly when you are having fun!! #10YearChallengepic.twitter.com/gruONFaDDn Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) January 15, 2019 MORE: Mariah Carey, Ellie Kemper and more stars share shocking transformations with the #10YearChallenge We, however, are partial to those who are making us chuckle with this annoying viral challenge. And Jessica Simpson just made us laugh out loud. The celebrity used her #10yearchallenge post to poke fun at the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms shes been dealing with. A week ago, Simpson, who's pregnant with her third child, posted a photo of a severely swollen foot and asked her Instagram followers, Any remedies?! Help!!! ! (According to the Mayo Clinic's website, foot and ankle swelling is common for pregnant women and typically goes away after the woman gives birth.) MORE: Pregnant celebrities 2019: Who's due, baby bump pics and gender reveals Now, the singer posted the same photo next to an older one showing her wearing daisy dukes shorts with non-puffy feet daintily tucked into sky-high wedges. She captioned it simply, #tenyearchallenge. Well played, Mama. Well played. Connect with us on Facebook. MORE: Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/allthemoms/2019/01/18/pregnant-jessica-simpson-10-year-challenge-foot-photo/2613287002/

Jessica Simpson used her #10yearchallenge post to poke fun at the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms she's been dealing with. A week ago, Simpson posted a photo of a severely swollen foot. According to the Mayo Clinic's website, foot and ankle swelling is common for pregnant women.

pegasus

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/allthemoms/2019/01/18/pregnant-jessica-simpson-10-year-challenge-foot-photo/2613287002/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatoday-lifetopstories

Is It Considered Unethical For Doctors To Profit From Pharmaceutical Companies?

originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by David Chan, MD from UCLA, Stanford Oncology Fellowship, on Quora: Many doctors work directly for biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as medical device companies full time. They are doing research, product development or management. In fact, some of them are owners of the companies. Thats fine. They are not in the practice of medicine. For other doctors, they are sometimes consultants who are paid for their time in advising a company about drug or device development. I think that is fine too as long as the reimbursement is standard rates per hour of work. Its unethical for doctors who are paid as consultants to not reveal that relationship prior to presenting data at scientific meetings or education symposia. Doctors definitely should not be getting kickbacks or fees for using a medical device or for prescribing a drug. Doctors should also not be making money by withholding treating. There are small areas of the US in an HMO system where cancer drugs are completely capitated. That means the contracted oncology group is payed a global fee for care that is all inclusive including the cost for any cancer drug used. These drugs are incredibly expensive. Any given treatment is a direct cost to the cancer specialist and withholding a treatment is a direct financial benefit. Most people find that kind of arrangement disturbing. Probably the most ethical financial arrangement is salarying physicians. A large number of medical specialists are now affiliated with healthcare delivery systems and are salaried. This takes the financial incentive to treat or not treat out of the equation. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:

Many doctors work directly for biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as medical device companies full time.

bart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/18/is-it-considered-unethical-for-doctors-to-profit-from-pharmaceutical-companies/

Is It Considered Unethical For Doctors To Profit From Pharmaceutical Companies?

originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by David Chan, MD from UCLA, Stanford Oncology Fellowship, on Quora: Many doctors work directly for biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as medical device companies full time. They are doing research, product development or management. In fact, some of them are owners of the companies. Thats fine. They are not in the practice of medicine. For other doctors, they are sometimes consultants who are paid for their time in advising a company about drug or device development. I think that is fine too as long as the reimbursement is standard rates per hour of work. Its unethical for doctors who are paid as consultants to not reveal that relationship prior to presenting data at scientific meetings or education symposia. Doctors definitely should not be getting kickbacks or fees for using a medical device or for prescribing a drug. Doctors should also not be making money by withholding treating. There are small areas of the US in an HMO system where cancer drugs are completely capitated. That means the contracted oncology group is payed a global fee for care that is all inclusive including the cost for any cancer drug used. These drugs are incredibly expensive. Any given treatment is a direct cost to the cancer specialist and withholding a treatment is a direct financial benefit. Most people find that kind of arrangement disturbing. Probably the most ethical financial arrangement is salarying physicians. A large number of medical specialists are now affiliated with healthcare delivery systems and are salaried. This takes the financial incentive to treat or not treat out of the equation. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:

Many doctors work directly for biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as medical device companies full time. Doctors definitely should not be getting kickbacks or fees for using a medical device or for prescribing a drug. Doctors should also not be making money by withholding treating.

bart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/18/is-it-considered-unethical-for-doctors-to-profit-from-pharmaceutical-companies/

Is It Considered Unethical For Doctors To Profit From Pharmaceutical Companies?

originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by David Chan, MD from UCLA, Stanford Oncology Fellowship, on Quora: Many doctors work directly for biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as medical device companies full time. They are doing research, product development or management. In fact, some of them are owners of the companies. Thats fine. They are not in the practice of medicine. For other doctors, they are sometimes consultants who are paid for their time in advising a company about drug or device development. I think that is fine too as long as the reimbursement is standard rates per hour of work. Its unethical for doctors who are paid as consultants to not reveal that relationship prior to presenting data at scientific meetings or education symposia. Doctors definitely should not be getting kickbacks or fees for using a medical device or for prescribing a drug. Doctors should also not be making money by withholding treating. There are small areas of the US in an HMO system where cancer drugs are completely capitated. That means the contracted oncology group is payed a global fee for care that is all inclusive including the cost for any cancer drug used. These drugs are incredibly expensive. Any given treatment is a direct cost to the cancer specialist and withholding a treatment is a direct financial benefit. Most people find that kind of arrangement disturbing. Probably the most ethical financial arrangement is salarying physicians. A large number of medical specialists are now affiliated with healthcare delivery systems and are salaried. This takes the financial incentive to treat or not treat out of the equation. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:

Many doctors work directly for biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as medical device companies full time. Doctors definitely should not be getting kickbacks or fees for using a medical device or for prescribing a drug. There are small areas of the US in an HMO system where cancer drugs are completely capitated.

bart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/18/is-it-considered-unethical-for-doctors-to-profit-from-pharmaceutical-companies/

What Is Netflix's Outlook For Q1 And 2019?

Netflixs Q4 earnings per share beat consensus estimates but revenues fell short of market expectations. The company reported net streaming additions of 8.86 million in the quarter. In Q4, the companys revenues grew a robust 27% year-over-year (y-o-y) to $4.2 billion, driven by growth in subscribers across both the U.S. and international streaming markets. The international subscriber base continued to increase at a rapid pace (40% y-o-y) once again, while the domestic subscriber base growth stabilized in the low double digits. Further, the streaming giants operating margin fell to 5.2% in Q4 from 7.5% from an year ago quarter, as higher marketing costs and more titles being introduced were absorbed. For the full-year 2018, Netflix recorded $7.5 billion in content amortization and expects this amount to grow further. The company also reported negative cash flow of $3 billion for 2018 and expects a similar level in 2019. Netflix saw its stock gain nearly 20% over the course of 2018. We have a $376 price estimate for Netflixs stock, which is almost 10% ahead of the current market price. We have created an interactive dashboard on what to expect from Netflixs Q1, which outlines our forecasts for the company in the next quarter. You can modify our forecasts to see the impact any changes would have on the companys earnings and valuation. Below we outline the key takeaways from Netflixs Q4 as well as its outlook going forward. Streaming Business Continues To Grow Streaming revenues increased 30% y-o-y to $4.1 billion as the companys subscriber base grew across both U.S. and international streaming services. U.S. Streaming revenues increased by 22% y-o-y to $2 billion. U.S. streaming memberships grew by 11% to 60.5 million (5.8 million addition y-o-y, 2 million sequentially), while the contribution margins for the U.S. Streaming business decreased to 29.6% from 30.9%. International Streaming revenues grew 36% y-o-y to 2.1 billion. In Q4, total memberships for international streaming services grew to 87.9 million (25 million addition y-o-y, 9.3 million sequentially), while paid subscribers grew to 80.8 million (22.9 million addition y-o-y, 7.3 million sequentially). Additionally, the contribution margins grew to 3.9% from a 2.5%, largely due to the timing of content deals that have been pushed back to later quarters. Overall, Netflixs paid memberships were 139.2 million at the end of the quarter, while its total memberships grew to 148.4 million. Q1 Expectations In Q1, Netflix expects 8.9 million global net additions (1.6 million net adds in the U.S. and 7.3 million internationally), compared to an 8.5 million consensus estimate. The company also expects an operating margin of 8.9% in Q1. Further, the company is also raising its prices in Q1 in the U.S. and some Latin American markets. We forecast Netflix to reach 62 million subscribers in the U.S. with an average monthly fee per subscriber of just over $11, translating into $2.1 billion in domestic streaming revenues for Q1. In addition, we also estimate close to 95 million subscribers in international markets with an average monthly fee per subscriber of $8.28, translating into about $2.4 billion in international streaming revenues in the same period. Netflix has been growing its subscribers by leveraging its original content slate, and we expect this to continue in the near term as well. On the other hand, Netflixs DVD business is expected to continue to lose steam, and its revenues will likely decline to just below $80 million. Overall, we expect the company to report revenues of around $4.5 billion, based on strong adoption in international markets. Furthermore, we anticipate that the total subscriber base for both international and U.S. streaming services could grow to over 157 million during the quarter. Netflixs new pricing in the U.S. will be phased in for existing members over Q1 and Q2, and its U.S. prices for new members are increasing across the board the Standard plan (two HD streams) is increasing from $10.99 to $12.99 per month; the Premium plan (up to four Ultra HD streams) is increasing from $13.99 to $15.99 per month; and the Basic plan (with a single non-HD stream) is increasing for the first time, from $7.99 to $8.99 per month. This will help boost the companys average revenue per customer over the coming quarters. Explore example interactive dashboards and create your own.

Netflixs Q4 earnings per share beat consensus estimates but revenues fell short of market expectations. In Q1, Netflix expects 8.9 million global net additions (1.6 million net adds in the U.S. and 7.3 million internationally), compared to an 8.5 million consensus estimate.

ctrlsum

https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2019/01/18/what-is-netflixs-q1-outlook/

What Are The Most Common Mistakes First-Time Entrepreneurs Make?

originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Patrick Mathieson, software investor at Toba Capital, on Quora: The most common mistakes made by first time entrepreneurs: Over-weighting the opinions of investors/VCs. Raising money from investors you dont trust/raising money from investors who dont truly believe in the founding team. Not impacting the market frequently enough (for example, waiting to start selling until v1.0 is completely finished). Over-complicating their messaging (assuming that the average person will give them more than 0.1 seconds of their attention). Not thinking enough about sales velocity & whether their clients have the desire & ability to buy quickly. Not identifying the types of customers who will buy at a high enough price point to support the business model. Thinking that selling to one enormous client will solve all of their problems. Poor prioritization & working on way too many initiatives at once. Not spending enough time cultivating allies (its better to have 1 industry ally who is obsessed with your product/service than 10 who are merely aware of you). Over-obsessing about PR and looking like a hot startup in general. Waiting too long to fire people. Hiring risky or mediocre people among your first dozen hires. Working somewhere that is inherently distracting. Not getting any sleep. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:

The most common mistakes made by first time entrepreneurs are over-weighting the opinions of investors/VCs.

ctrlsum

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/18/what-are-the-most-common-mistakes-first-time-entrepreneurs-make/

What Are The Most Common Mistakes First-Time Entrepreneurs Make?

originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Patrick Mathieson, software investor at Toba Capital, on Quora: The most common mistakes made by first time entrepreneurs: Over-weighting the opinions of investors/VCs. Raising money from investors you dont trust/raising money from investors who dont truly believe in the founding team. Not impacting the market frequently enough (for example, waiting to start selling until v1.0 is completely finished). Over-complicating their messaging (assuming that the average person will give them more than 0.1 seconds of their attention). Not thinking enough about sales velocity & whether their clients have the desire & ability to buy quickly. Not identifying the types of customers who will buy at a high enough price point to support the business model. Thinking that selling to one enormous client will solve all of their problems. Poor prioritization & working on way too many initiatives at once. Not spending enough time cultivating allies (its better to have 1 industry ally who is obsessed with your product/service than 10 who are merely aware of you). Over-obsessing about PR and looking like a hot startup in general. Waiting too long to fire people. Hiring risky or mediocre people among your first dozen hires. Working somewhere that is inherently distracting. Not getting any sleep. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:

The most common mistakes made by first time entrepreneurs: Over-weighting the opinions of investors/VCs. Not impacting the market frequently enough. Not getting any sleep.

ctrlsum

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/18/what-are-the-most-common-mistakes-first-time-entrepreneurs-make/

What Are The Most Common Mistakes First-Time Entrepreneurs Make?

originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Patrick Mathieson, software investor at Toba Capital, on Quora: The most common mistakes made by first time entrepreneurs: Over-weighting the opinions of investors/VCs. Raising money from investors you dont trust/raising money from investors who dont truly believe in the founding team. Not impacting the market frequently enough (for example, waiting to start selling until v1.0 is completely finished). Over-complicating their messaging (assuming that the average person will give them more than 0.1 seconds of their attention). Not thinking enough about sales velocity & whether their clients have the desire & ability to buy quickly. Not identifying the types of customers who will buy at a high enough price point to support the business model. Thinking that selling to one enormous client will solve all of their problems. Poor prioritization & working on way too many initiatives at once. Not spending enough time cultivating allies (its better to have 1 industry ally who is obsessed with your product/service than 10 who are merely aware of you). Over-obsessing about PR and looking like a hot startup in general. Waiting too long to fire people. Hiring risky or mediocre people among your first dozen hires. Working somewhere that is inherently distracting. Not getting any sleep. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:

The most common mistakes made by first time entrepreneurs are: Over-weighting the opinions of investors/VCs. Not impacting the market frequently enough and not thinking enough about sales velocity & whether their clients have the desire & ability to buy quickly. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge.

ctrlsum

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/18/what-are-the-most-common-mistakes-first-time-entrepreneurs-make/

Will federal shutdown delay $1.3 million Covington lead project?

CLOSE Lead is a naturally occurring element in our environment. Its past and current use in several products mean we can be exposed to it from several sources. Lead is particularly dangerous for children under 6 years old. The Enquirer/Mike Nyerges Covington won a $1.37 million grant that will fund a program later this year to protect children from lead-based paint in older homes. That's the good news. The ongoing federal shutdown could delay the start of the project. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program, and Covington is the only local government in Kentucky to be awarded money under the grant. The city expects to receive the funds by March 31 and begin implementing a program later this summer, said Jeremy Wallace, the citys federal grants manager. But the program could hit a delay if the shutdown continues, according to city spokesman Dan Hassert. As soon as the government reopens, HUD will contact us to begin negotiating the final terms of the grant. That will take approximately three months, he said. There shouldn't be any risk of losing the grant unless the government never reopens. Covington has a large number of housing units at risk for lead poisoning, based on the age of the paint and the condition of the house. (Photo: Provided) Breathing the lead-paint dust or swallowing tiny chips of lead paint can cause health problems in young children, including damage to the brain and other vital organs. Factors such as the age of citys housing stock and the number of children under age 6 living in low-income households, helped the city qualify for the grant. HUD estimated that 1,760 housing units in Covington - or over 10 percent of those in the city - would be eligible for the program. SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe now and get access to all our coverage Its a big problem in Covington because we have so many older homes, because some of them are in bad condition, with the paint chipping and peeling, and because we have a large number of children in low-income households living in such homes, Wallace said. The cost for making any individual housing unit lead-safe is typically about $15,000 to $20,000, Wallace said. He said the city estimates the program will remove lead hazards at about 45 homes during the three-year program, he said. The city will work with outside partners to identify houses and rental units where children are already suffering from lead poisoning, based on elevated blood levels, and to assess other homes at high risk for the presence of lead-based paint. Outside partners working with the city are: Northern Kentucky Health Department Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Children Inc. The Center for Great Neighborhoods Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky The Covington Neighborhood Collaborative Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/18/federal-shutdown-delay-1-3-million-covington-lead-project-hud-grant-award-protect-children/2613922002/

The federal shutdown could delay the start of a $1.3 million Covington lead project.

ctrlsum

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/18/federal-shutdown-delay-1-3-million-covington-lead-project-hud-grant-award-protect-children/2613922002/

Will federal shutdown delay $1.3 million Covington lead project?

CLOSE Lead is a naturally occurring element in our environment. Its past and current use in several products mean we can be exposed to it from several sources. Lead is particularly dangerous for children under 6 years old. The Enquirer/Mike Nyerges Covington won a $1.37 million grant that will fund a program later this year to protect children from lead-based paint in older homes. That's the good news. The ongoing federal shutdown could delay the start of the project. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program, and Covington is the only local government in Kentucky to be awarded money under the grant. The city expects to receive the funds by March 31 and begin implementing a program later this summer, said Jeremy Wallace, the citys federal grants manager. But the program could hit a delay if the shutdown continues, according to city spokesman Dan Hassert. As soon as the government reopens, HUD will contact us to begin negotiating the final terms of the grant. That will take approximately three months, he said. There shouldn't be any risk of losing the grant unless the government never reopens. Covington has a large number of housing units at risk for lead poisoning, based on the age of the paint and the condition of the house. (Photo: Provided) Breathing the lead-paint dust or swallowing tiny chips of lead paint can cause health problems in young children, including damage to the brain and other vital organs. Factors such as the age of citys housing stock and the number of children under age 6 living in low-income households, helped the city qualify for the grant. HUD estimated that 1,760 housing units in Covington - or over 10 percent of those in the city - would be eligible for the program. SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe now and get access to all our coverage Its a big problem in Covington because we have so many older homes, because some of them are in bad condition, with the paint chipping and peeling, and because we have a large number of children in low-income households living in such homes, Wallace said. The cost for making any individual housing unit lead-safe is typically about $15,000 to $20,000, Wallace said. He said the city estimates the program will remove lead hazards at about 45 homes during the three-year program, he said. The city will work with outside partners to identify houses and rental units where children are already suffering from lead poisoning, based on elevated blood levels, and to assess other homes at high risk for the presence of lead-based paint. Outside partners working with the city are: Northern Kentucky Health Department Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Children Inc. The Center for Great Neighborhoods Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky The Covington Neighborhood Collaborative Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/18/federal-shutdown-delay-1-3-million-covington-lead-project-hud-grant-award-protect-children/2613922002/

The federal shutdown could delay the start of the Covington lead project. The city expects to receive the funds by March 31 and begin implementing a program later this summer.

ctrlsum

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/18/federal-shutdown-delay-1-3-million-covington-lead-project-hud-grant-award-protect-children/2613922002/

Will federal shutdown delay $1.3 million Covington lead project?

CLOSE Lead is a naturally occurring element in our environment. Its past and current use in several products mean we can be exposed to it from several sources. Lead is particularly dangerous for children under 6 years old. The Enquirer/Mike Nyerges Covington won a $1.37 million grant that will fund a program later this year to protect children from lead-based paint in older homes. That's the good news. The ongoing federal shutdown could delay the start of the project. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program, and Covington is the only local government in Kentucky to be awarded money under the grant. The city expects to receive the funds by March 31 and begin implementing a program later this summer, said Jeremy Wallace, the citys federal grants manager. But the program could hit a delay if the shutdown continues, according to city spokesman Dan Hassert. As soon as the government reopens, HUD will contact us to begin negotiating the final terms of the grant. That will take approximately three months, he said. There shouldn't be any risk of losing the grant unless the government never reopens. Covington has a large number of housing units at risk for lead poisoning, based on the age of the paint and the condition of the house. (Photo: Provided) Breathing the lead-paint dust or swallowing tiny chips of lead paint can cause health problems in young children, including damage to the brain and other vital organs. Factors such as the age of citys housing stock and the number of children under age 6 living in low-income households, helped the city qualify for the grant. HUD estimated that 1,760 housing units in Covington - or over 10 percent of those in the city - would be eligible for the program. SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe now and get access to all our coverage Its a big problem in Covington because we have so many older homes, because some of them are in bad condition, with the paint chipping and peeling, and because we have a large number of children in low-income households living in such homes, Wallace said. The cost for making any individual housing unit lead-safe is typically about $15,000 to $20,000, Wallace said. He said the city estimates the program will remove lead hazards at about 45 homes during the three-year program, he said. The city will work with outside partners to identify houses and rental units where children are already suffering from lead poisoning, based on elevated blood levels, and to assess other homes at high risk for the presence of lead-based paint. Outside partners working with the city are: Northern Kentucky Health Department Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Children Inc. The Center for Great Neighborhoods Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky The Covington Neighborhood Collaborative Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/18/federal-shutdown-delay-1-3-million-covington-lead-project-hud-grant-award-protect-children/2613922002/

The federal shutdown could delay the start of the Covington lead project. The city expects to receive the funds by March 31 and begin implementing a program later this summer. The project will remove lead hazards at about 45 homes during the three-year program, the city says.

ctrlsum

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/18/federal-shutdown-delay-1-3-million-covington-lead-project-hud-grant-award-protect-children/2613922002/

Why is a Meter missing from the Jazz Fest 2019 poster?

The 2019 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival poster is intended as a sort of family portrait of the New Orleans musical stars whove appeared at the fest, plus a few forefathers of jazz. I count 55 faces in the colorful crowd. From the start, the poster producer art4now acknowledged that there would be some omissions. Thats no surprise. But a colleague of mine pointed out a particularly head-scratching absence. Though four members of the legendary funk band The Meters are present (Art Neville, Cyril Neville, George Porter and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste), the fifth member, guitar maestro Leo Nocentelli is missing. It was no accident. Nocentelli said that he was originally included among the musicians on the 2019 poster, but was later removed. Nocentelli declined to go into great detail about why he was erased, except to say: They took me off because what I stood for was self-respect and respect for all the other great artists. We werent going to receive that respect. Its not about me; I was fighting for all the great artists in New Orleans. Nocentelli believes that his omission makes the poster historically incorrect. You do not put the Meters in that setting incomplete, Nocentelli said. Just like you dont put in the Beatles without Paul McCartney. Leo Nocentelli performs with the Meters on the Gentilly Stage during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sunday, May 7, 2017. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune) Worse yet, Nocentelli said, is the crucial absence of R&B pioneer David Louis Bartholomew. Nocentelli said that the original concept for the poster, as he understood it, was something similar to Art Kanes 1958 historic group photo, a Great Day in Harlem that gathered so many of the master musicians of the era. Nocentelli said he admires the artistry of the new poster, which was designed by Scott Guion, but the underlying concept went off the rails. In a peeved Instagram post, Nocentelli called the poster a fake and accused the artist of misrepresenting the reason he was removed. Im not telling anyone not to buy this poster, Nocentelli wrote, However you will be buying a disgrace to the musical heritage of my great city and the heritage of the great New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival." Nocentelli pointed out that his personal relationship with Jazz Fest goes back to before there was a Jazz Fest. Nocentelli said that festival producer Quint Davis discussed the concept of a jazz and heritage festival with him and Modeliste before helping found the event. NOLA.COM See every Jazz Fest poster from 1970 to 2019 Weve written to art4now for an explanation of the absence but havent heard back. NOLA.com readers who commented on the poster suggested that Deacon John, Bobby Blue Bland, members of the Batiste family, Marcia Ball and Bruce Brice (the artist who drew the very first Jazz Fest poster) should have been included. Others suggested that placing Jimmy Buffett in the New Orleans musical pantheon was a bit of a stretch. Id add that Big Freedia is representing a whole lot of New Orleans rap and bounce heritage all by herself. The 2019 Jazz Fest poster includes everyone from Buddy Bolden to Big Freedia Heres a list of all the stars on the 2019 poster, as provided by art4now. Left top: Philip Frazier, Kermit Ruffins, Joseph Pierre "Big Chief Monk" Boudreaux, Uncle Lionel Batiste, Big Chief Theodore Emile, Big Chief "Bo" Dollis and Matthew Fats Houston. Riding the streetcar: Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Mahalia Jackson and Ernie K-Doe. Second line (left section): Charles Neville, Aaron Neville, Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville, George Porter, Jr. and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, with Art Poppa Funk Neville in front. Front line: Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Antoine Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong, Henry Roeland Professor Longhair Byrd, Malcolm Dr. John Rebennack, and Harry Connick Jr. Line above front line: The Dixie Cups (Barbara Ann Hawkins, Rosa Lee Hawkins and Joan Marie Johnson), Ben Jaffe, Alois Maxwell Al Hirt, Louis Prima, Stanley Joseph Buckwheat Zydeco Dural Jr., and James Booker III. Second line (right section): Jon Batiste, Pierre Dewey Pete Fountain LaFontaine Jr., Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews, Freddie Big Freedia Ross, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, James William Jimmy Buffett, and Clifton Chenier. Balcony: Documentary photographers Jules Cahn and Michael P. Smith, festival progenitors Allison Miner, Quint Davis, Joyce Wein and George Wein. Statues: Buddy Bolden, Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe Jelly Roll Morton. The prints (an edition of 13,600) sell for $95 to $995 dollars, depending on the autographs included). The publisher art4now began accepting orders for the print at 12:01 a.m. Friday (Jan. 18). Doug MacCash has the best job in the world, covering art, music and culture in New Orleans. Contact him via email at dmaccash@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter at Doug MacCash and on Facebook at Douglas James MacCash. As always, please add your point of view to the comment stream.

Guitar maestro Leo Nocentelli is missing from the 2019 New Orleans Jazz Fest poster. He says he was originally included on the poster, but was later removed. He believes that his omission makes the poster historically incorrect.

bart

https://www.nola.com/entertainment/2019/01/why-is-a-meter-missing-from-the-jazz-fest-2019-poster.html

Why is a Meter missing from the Jazz Fest 2019 poster?

The 2019 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival poster is intended as a sort of family portrait of the New Orleans musical stars whove appeared at the fest, plus a few forefathers of jazz. I count 55 faces in the colorful crowd. From the start, the poster producer art4now acknowledged that there would be some omissions. Thats no surprise. But a colleague of mine pointed out a particularly head-scratching absence. Though four members of the legendary funk band The Meters are present (Art Neville, Cyril Neville, George Porter and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste), the fifth member, guitar maestro Leo Nocentelli is missing. It was no accident. Nocentelli said that he was originally included among the musicians on the 2019 poster, but was later removed. Nocentelli declined to go into great detail about why he was erased, except to say: They took me off because what I stood for was self-respect and respect for all the other great artists. We werent going to receive that respect. Its not about me; I was fighting for all the great artists in New Orleans. Nocentelli believes that his omission makes the poster historically incorrect. You do not put the Meters in that setting incomplete, Nocentelli said. Just like you dont put in the Beatles without Paul McCartney. Leo Nocentelli performs with the Meters on the Gentilly Stage during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sunday, May 7, 2017. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune) Worse yet, Nocentelli said, is the crucial absence of R&B pioneer David Louis Bartholomew. Nocentelli said that the original concept for the poster, as he understood it, was something similar to Art Kanes 1958 historic group photo, a Great Day in Harlem that gathered so many of the master musicians of the era. Nocentelli said he admires the artistry of the new poster, which was designed by Scott Guion, but the underlying concept went off the rails. In a peeved Instagram post, Nocentelli called the poster a fake and accused the artist of misrepresenting the reason he was removed. Im not telling anyone not to buy this poster, Nocentelli wrote, However you will be buying a disgrace to the musical heritage of my great city and the heritage of the great New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival." Nocentelli pointed out that his personal relationship with Jazz Fest goes back to before there was a Jazz Fest. Nocentelli said that festival producer Quint Davis discussed the concept of a jazz and heritage festival with him and Modeliste before helping found the event. NOLA.COM See every Jazz Fest poster from 1970 to 2019 Weve written to art4now for an explanation of the absence but havent heard back. NOLA.com readers who commented on the poster suggested that Deacon John, Bobby Blue Bland, members of the Batiste family, Marcia Ball and Bruce Brice (the artist who drew the very first Jazz Fest poster) should have been included. Others suggested that placing Jimmy Buffett in the New Orleans musical pantheon was a bit of a stretch. Id add that Big Freedia is representing a whole lot of New Orleans rap and bounce heritage all by herself. The 2019 Jazz Fest poster includes everyone from Buddy Bolden to Big Freedia Heres a list of all the stars on the 2019 poster, as provided by art4now. Left top: Philip Frazier, Kermit Ruffins, Joseph Pierre "Big Chief Monk" Boudreaux, Uncle Lionel Batiste, Big Chief Theodore Emile, Big Chief "Bo" Dollis and Matthew Fats Houston. Riding the streetcar: Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Mahalia Jackson and Ernie K-Doe. Second line (left section): Charles Neville, Aaron Neville, Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville, George Porter, Jr. and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, with Art Poppa Funk Neville in front. Front line: Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Antoine Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong, Henry Roeland Professor Longhair Byrd, Malcolm Dr. John Rebennack, and Harry Connick Jr. Line above front line: The Dixie Cups (Barbara Ann Hawkins, Rosa Lee Hawkins and Joan Marie Johnson), Ben Jaffe, Alois Maxwell Al Hirt, Louis Prima, Stanley Joseph Buckwheat Zydeco Dural Jr., and James Booker III. Second line (right section): Jon Batiste, Pierre Dewey Pete Fountain LaFontaine Jr., Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews, Freddie Big Freedia Ross, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, James William Jimmy Buffett, and Clifton Chenier. Balcony: Documentary photographers Jules Cahn and Michael P. Smith, festival progenitors Allison Miner, Quint Davis, Joyce Wein and George Wein. Statues: Buddy Bolden, Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe Jelly Roll Morton. The prints (an edition of 13,600) sell for $95 to $995 dollars, depending on the autographs included). The publisher art4now began accepting orders for the print at 12:01 a.m. Friday (Jan. 18). Doug MacCash has the best job in the world, covering art, music and culture in New Orleans. Contact him via email at dmaccash@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter at Doug MacCash and on Facebook at Douglas James MacCash. As always, please add your point of view to the comment stream.

Guitar maestro Leo Nocentelli is missing from the 2019 New Orleans Jazz Fest poster. He says he was originally included on the poster, but was later removed. He believes that his omission makes the poster historically incorrect. NOLA.com readers suggested that Deacon John, Bobby Blue Bland should have been included.

bart

https://www.nola.com/entertainment/2019/01/why-is-a-meter-missing-from-the-jazz-fest-2019-poster.html

Is the stock market open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Monday was a positive day for the broad U.S. markets. All of the major exchanges had a solid performance despite the Dow and the S&P 500 starting out negative. Crude oil made another solid gain in the session. The S&P 500 sectors were almost entirely positive. (Photo: xijian / Getty Images) U.S. stocks markets will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Foreign financial markets will be open. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will resume normal trading hours on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association also recommends that the U.S. bond market close on Monday. The next market holiday is Washington's Birthday, which falls on Monday, Feb. 18. CLOSE After 19 years covering the stock market for USA TODAY, Adam Shell gives his best advice on how to successfully invest in the market. USA TODAY Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/18/stock-market-mlk-day-closed-holiday/2613060002/

U.S. stocks markets will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

ctrlsum

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/18/stock-market-mlk-day-closed-holiday/2613060002/

Is the stock market open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Monday was a positive day for the broad U.S. markets. All of the major exchanges had a solid performance despite the Dow and the S&P 500 starting out negative. Crude oil made another solid gain in the session. The S&P 500 sectors were almost entirely positive. (Photo: xijian / Getty Images) U.S. stocks markets will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Foreign financial markets will be open. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will resume normal trading hours on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association also recommends that the U.S. bond market close on Monday. The next market holiday is Washington's Birthday, which falls on Monday, Feb. 18. CLOSE After 19 years covering the stock market for USA TODAY, Adam Shell gives his best advice on how to successfully invest in the market. USA TODAY Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/18/stock-market-mlk-day-closed-holiday/2613060002/

U.S. stocks markets will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will resume normal trading hours on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

pegasus

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/18/stock-market-mlk-day-closed-holiday/2613060002/

Is the stock market open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Monday was a positive day for the broad U.S. markets. All of the major exchanges had a solid performance despite the Dow and the S&P 500 starting out negative. Crude oil made another solid gain in the session. The S&P 500 sectors were almost entirely positive. (Photo: xijian / Getty Images) U.S. stocks markets will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Foreign financial markets will be open. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will resume normal trading hours on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association also recommends that the U.S. bond market close on Monday. The next market holiday is Washington's Birthday, which falls on Monday, Feb. 18. CLOSE After 19 years covering the stock market for USA TODAY, Adam Shell gives his best advice on how to successfully invest in the market. USA TODAY Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/18/stock-market-mlk-day-closed-holiday/2613060002/

U.S. stocks markets will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will resume normal trading hours on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The next market holiday is Washington's Birthday, which falls on Monday, Feb. 18.

pegasus

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/18/stock-market-mlk-day-closed-holiday/2613060002/

Could Tottenham's Season Implode Without Harry Kane?

In the final seconds of Manchester Uniteds 1-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday evening the England defender managed to tread on Harry Kanes ankle. As the final whistle blew, Kane slumped to the turf and was quickly attended to by the Tottenham physio, but the striker could not help but wear an expression of weary resignation. He knew. It soon transpired Kane had damaged ligaments in his ankle and was ruled out for an estimated six weeks until at least the start of March. Kane will now be on the sidelines for a crucial phase in Tottenhams season, missing up to seven fixtures in the Premier League, both legs of their last sixteen tie against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, the fourth round FA Cup tie at Crystal Palace, and the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Chelsea next week. Should Tottenham triumph at Stamford Bridge, Kane appears destined to miss the League Cup final against Manchester City at the end of February, which would represent the clubs best chance to win a trophy for over a decade. It is undeniably grim for Tottenham and Kane, who will now be on crutches when his club needed him on the pitch in these four competitions. The fear inside Tottenham is the inopportune timing of this injury could undermine their whole season, which until now had looked very promising. By the time Kane recovers from his injury Tottenham might be out of the FA Cup, Champions League, League Cup, and have even slipped out of the top four in the Premier League. Kanes absence really could make that big a difference. Since Mauricio Pochettino became Tottenham manager in 2014, Kane has scored 119 Premier League goals, more than a third of the clubs total of 333. To add insult to Kanes injury, Tottenham will also be denied the services of Son Heung-min, who is now at the Asian Cup with South Korea in the UAE, and could be there until the final at the beginning of February. Between them, Kane and Son have scored 22 goals in the Premier League for Tottenham this season, which equates to nearly half of the clubs goals. Tottenhams visit to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday will have a strange feel to it for since Son joined the club in the summer of 2015, either he or Kane has featured in every Premier League game. The task of coping without these players, especially Kane, will severely test Pochettino over the coming weeks. After failing to spend any money in the transfer market last summer, Tottenham do not have a squad equipped to deal with such crucial absences. When Romelu Lukaku was out injured, and then out of form, Manchester United could turn to Alexis Sanchez and latterly Marcus Rashford, who scored the winner last Sunday, but Tottenham do not have that luxury. Instead Pochettino must decide between Tottenhams cast of back-up strikers Lucas Moura, Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen. The Tottenham manager has already dismissed the claims of Janssen, who has not played for the club since August 2017, and tersely announced that he was not in his plans. The forgotten man will stay forgotten. Spanish striker Llorente represents the most obvious stand-in for Kane, having scored 4 goals in 13 games so far this season, and scored a hat-trick for Tottenham against Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup two weeks ago. Llorente is a threat in the air, and can be clinical in front of goal, but simply lacks Kanes guile, work-rate and awareness around the penalty box. The Brazilian Lucas is another obvious option; he has already played through the middle as a striker this season, and has scored 8 goals, but he is currently unavailable and coming back form a knee injury at the moment. As we are now in January, Pochettino could enter the market to boost his options, but any striker knows they would only be handed a stand-in role until Kanes return, and this naturally limits the quality of any signing. Were always were open to improving our squad but I think Harrys injury is not going to put pressure on us to sign players, the Tottenham manager has said to dampen expectations. We know very well the market now is so difficult, and the circumstances that we have. It is clear Tottenham will not carry the same threat in Kane's absence, and now will be desperately hoping they can safeguard their season until his return.

Harry Kane injured his ankle in Tottenham's 1-0 win over Manchester United. The striker is expected to be out for six weeks and could miss the League Cup final against Manchester City at the end of February. Tottenham could be out of the FA Cup, Champions League and League Cup by the time Kane returns.

ctrlsum

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sampilger/2019/01/18/could-tottenhams-season-implode-without-harry-kane/

What's Behind the Rise in Soybean ETF?

Soybeans prices jumped double digits on Jan 17 after the production outlook for Brazil was tapered. Celeres, a Brazilian consultancy, lowered its soybean output forecast amid inclement weather conditions to 117.2 million metric tons. The USDA also pegged output for the country at 122 million tons last month. A Commodity Weather Group report shows that temperatures that have been hovering in the low- to mid-90s range in central and northeastern Brazil might worsen through Friday, making things worse for the crop. If that was not enough, cues of settlement of the U.S.-China trade dispute should support soybean prices. Agricultural products like yellow and black soybean faced a 25% retaliatory tariff from China. Notably, China purchases about half of the U.S. soybean and is the second-largest buyer of American cotton (read: US Farm Belt at Risk on China Tariffs: ETFs in Focus). Per the Wall Street Journal, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been mulling over a proposal to lift some or all U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods in order to push trade talks between the United States and China a step ahead. Though the more hawkish members of President Donald Trump's trade team, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the lead negotiator with Beijing, is not supportive of such a move, President himself is reportedly asking for a benign approach to U.S.-Sino trade relations at the current level. Weak import data from the key consumer China is a threat to the price rally.Soybean shipments offloaded in China this year fell about 37% from the first two weeks of 2018, according to tanker-tracking firm ClipperData. China has reportedly turned to Brazil and other exporters for its supplies due to trade tensions with United States. The trade fear has weighed on prices, with soybean shedding more than a quarter of its value between the 2017 high in March and the low in September. While prices recovered a bit from easing trade tensions, any false alarms would correct the price. Against this backdrop, investors may be interested in keeping a close tab on the pure-play soybean ETF Teucrium Soybean ETF SOYB. Below we highlight the fund in detail. SOYB in Focus The underlying index looks to reflect the daily changes of a weighted average of the closing prices for three futures contracts for soybeans that are traded on the CBOT. The three contracts will be: (1) 2nd-to-expire contract, weighted 35%, (2) the 3rd-to-expire contract, weighted 30%, and (3) the contract expiring in the November following the expiration month of the 3rd-to-expire contract, weighted 35%. SOYB was designed to reduce the effects of rolling contracts (and contango and backwardation) by not investing in front-month (spot) futures contracts and thus limiting the number of contracts rolls each year. The expense ratio is 1.74%. The fund was up about 1.5% on Jan 17 and has gained about 1.9% in the year-to-date frame (as of Jan 17, 2019). Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Soybeans prices jumped double digits on Jan 17 after production outlook for Brazil was tapered.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/whats-behind-rise-soybean-etf-180006695.html

What's Behind the Rise in Soybean ETF?

Soybeans prices jumped double digits on Jan 17 after the production outlook for Brazil was tapered. Celeres, a Brazilian consultancy, lowered its soybean output forecast amid inclement weather conditions to 117.2 million metric tons. The USDA also pegged output for the country at 122 million tons last month. A Commodity Weather Group report shows that temperatures that have been hovering in the low- to mid-90s range in central and northeastern Brazil might worsen through Friday, making things worse for the crop. If that was not enough, cues of settlement of the U.S.-China trade dispute should support soybean prices. Agricultural products like yellow and black soybean faced a 25% retaliatory tariff from China. Notably, China purchases about half of the U.S. soybean and is the second-largest buyer of American cotton (read: US Farm Belt at Risk on China Tariffs: ETFs in Focus). Per the Wall Street Journal, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been mulling over a proposal to lift some or all U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods in order to push trade talks between the United States and China a step ahead. Though the more hawkish members of President Donald Trump's trade team, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the lead negotiator with Beijing, is not supportive of such a move, President himself is reportedly asking for a benign approach to U.S.-Sino trade relations at the current level. Weak import data from the key consumer China is a threat to the price rally.Soybean shipments offloaded in China this year fell about 37% from the first two weeks of 2018, according to tanker-tracking firm ClipperData. China has reportedly turned to Brazil and other exporters for its supplies due to trade tensions with United States. The trade fear has weighed on prices, with soybean shedding more than a quarter of its value between the 2017 high in March and the low in September. While prices recovered a bit from easing trade tensions, any false alarms would correct the price. Against this backdrop, investors may be interested in keeping a close tab on the pure-play soybean ETF Teucrium Soybean ETF SOYB. Below we highlight the fund in detail. SOYB in Focus The underlying index looks to reflect the daily changes of a weighted average of the closing prices for three futures contracts for soybeans that are traded on the CBOT. The three contracts will be: (1) 2nd-to-expire contract, weighted 35%, (2) the 3rd-to-expire contract, weighted 30%, and (3) the contract expiring in the November following the expiration month of the 3rd-to-expire contract, weighted 35%. SOYB was designed to reduce the effects of rolling contracts (and contango and backwardation) by not investing in front-month (spot) futures contracts and thus limiting the number of contracts rolls each year. The expense ratio is 1.74%. The fund was up about 1.5% on Jan 17 and has gained about 1.9% in the year-to-date frame (as of Jan 17, 2019). Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Soybeans prices jumped double digits on Jan 17 after the production outlook for Brazil was tapered. Investors may be interested in keeping a close tab on the pure-play soybean ETF Teucrium Soybean ETF SOYB.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/whats-behind-rise-soybean-etf-180006695.html

What's Behind the Rise in Soybean ETF?

Soybeans prices jumped double digits on Jan 17 after the production outlook for Brazil was tapered. Celeres, a Brazilian consultancy, lowered its soybean output forecast amid inclement weather conditions to 117.2 million metric tons. The USDA also pegged output for the country at 122 million tons last month. A Commodity Weather Group report shows that temperatures that have been hovering in the low- to mid-90s range in central and northeastern Brazil might worsen through Friday, making things worse for the crop. If that was not enough, cues of settlement of the U.S.-China trade dispute should support soybean prices. Agricultural products like yellow and black soybean faced a 25% retaliatory tariff from China. Notably, China purchases about half of the U.S. soybean and is the second-largest buyer of American cotton (read: US Farm Belt at Risk on China Tariffs: ETFs in Focus). Per the Wall Street Journal, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been mulling over a proposal to lift some or all U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods in order to push trade talks between the United States and China a step ahead. Though the more hawkish members of President Donald Trump's trade team, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the lead negotiator with Beijing, is not supportive of such a move, President himself is reportedly asking for a benign approach to U.S.-Sino trade relations at the current level. Weak import data from the key consumer China is a threat to the price rally.Soybean shipments offloaded in China this year fell about 37% from the first two weeks of 2018, according to tanker-tracking firm ClipperData. China has reportedly turned to Brazil and other exporters for its supplies due to trade tensions with United States. The trade fear has weighed on prices, with soybean shedding more than a quarter of its value between the 2017 high in March and the low in September. While prices recovered a bit from easing trade tensions, any false alarms would correct the price. Against this backdrop, investors may be interested in keeping a close tab on the pure-play soybean ETF Teucrium Soybean ETF SOYB. Below we highlight the fund in detail. SOYB in Focus The underlying index looks to reflect the daily changes of a weighted average of the closing prices for three futures contracts for soybeans that are traded on the CBOT. The three contracts will be: (1) 2nd-to-expire contract, weighted 35%, (2) the 3rd-to-expire contract, weighted 30%, and (3) the contract expiring in the November following the expiration month of the 3rd-to-expire contract, weighted 35%. SOYB was designed to reduce the effects of rolling contracts (and contango and backwardation) by not investing in front-month (spot) futures contracts and thus limiting the number of contracts rolls each year. The expense ratio is 1.74%. The fund was up about 1.5% on Jan 17 and has gained about 1.9% in the year-to-date frame (as of Jan 17, 2019). Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Soybeans prices jumped double digits on Jan 17 after the production outlook for Brazil was tapered. China purchases about half of the U.S. soybean and is the second-largest buyer of American cotton. Investors may be interested in keeping a close tab on the pure-play soybean ETF Teucrium Soybean ETF SOYB.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/whats-behind-rise-soybean-etf-180006695.html

Does the Texas anti-Israel boycott law pass constitutional muster?

Seeking to preserve a politically-charged state law that bars governmental entities from doing business with contractors who support a boycott of Israel, Texas officials are mobilizing this month at the courthouse and the Capitol. In legal filings and legislative proposals, they argue that the law should be applied to companies and not individuals. But some legal experts say the strategy may run afoul of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that expand certain corporate speech rights, raising questions about whether shutting out companies that support the Israel boycott is constitutionally kosher. Supporters of the law, however, say it's in keeping with a tradition of political leaders deciding whether to do business with companies whose activity might conflict with public policy. The latest efforts to preserve the law, which state officials say protects the economy of Texas' No. 4 trading partner, come after government contractors alleged in a pair of lawsuits that language in their contracts violates their free speech rights. Elementary school speech pathologist Bahia Amawi sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Pflugerville school district in federal court in December after the school district refused to renew her annual contract. She had declined to sign an oath saying she does not boycott Israel and will not boycott the nation during the term of the contract. The Pflugerville district included the oath in her contract following passage of the 2017 law that prohibits governmental entities from contracting with and investing in companies that boycott Israel. The law is a response to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement that seeks to change Israeli policy toward Palestinians. Texas ban on contracting with any boycotter of Israel constitutes viewpoint discrimination that chills constitutionally-protected political advocacy in support of Palestine, Amawi, who is Palestinian-American, said in her suit. Subsequently, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of four people against Paxton, two universities and two school districts. Among the four is Zachary Abdelhadi, a Palestinian-American student at Texas State University, who, according to the suit, has had to forgo opportunities to judge high school debate tournaments as well as potential income that he would have used to pay for college because he boycotts Israel. The plaintiffs seek to block the state from enforcing the law. In a brief filed this week in the Amawi case, Paxton argued that Texas law applies to companies, not individuals. These individuals personal economic decisions to avoid products made in or affiliated with Israel, or their right to express views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, do not constitute company action under the Texas government code, Paxton argued suggesting the law wasn't meant to be applied to Amawi. The argument echoes a bill filed by state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, this month. That legislation proposes amending the original law that King authored to require the anti-Israel-boycott oath only in government contracts worth at least $100,000 with companies of at least 10 employees. In response to the Pflugerville case, King said, it is not unusual for there to be a misapplication of a new statute. The new bill is meant to alleviate any confusion to Texas anti-BDS law, King said, adding that the bill is meant to address companies involved in discriminatory commercial activity. But changing the target from a person to a company may not survive a legal challenge, according to Larry Sager, former dean of the University of Texas law school. The Supreme Court has made it clear that First Amendment speech and First Amendment religion rights do apply to at least closely-held corporations, companies whose stock is held by a small number of people, not publicly traded Sager said. In the 2010 Citizens United case, which applies to campaign contributions made by corporations, the Supreme Court treated corporations and individuals similarly under the First Amendment. And in the 2014 Hobby Lobby case, the court maintained that closely-held, for-profit corporations can be exempt from a regulation to which its owners religiously object in this case, the right to opt out of the contraceptive insurance mandate, again broadening the First Amendment rights of companies. People living, doing their business through a corporate structure theyre still people, and they still have rights, Sager said. Whether a speech pathologist is "simply a contract employee on her own, or doing business as an LLC," said Sager, "clearly shouldn't matter." Nor should it matter if the company is comprised of more than 10 people: "The partners who own and manage the group are constitutionally entitled to boycott Israel, and the partnership or limited corporation inherits their rights," he continued. "The instinct behind Hobby Lobby and Citizens United is not some fanciful vision of the abstract corporate entity having rights, but rather of flesh and blood members of the political community who carry their rights into mutual endeavors, some of which are commercial and some of which are undertaken in corporate legal structures." But Eugene Kontorovich, law professor at George Mason University who served as an advisor on the drafting of the Texas state law as well as similar ones in other states, said the oath is about conduct, not speech. And he suggested the boycott of Israeli products produced in the occupied West Bank amounted to discrimination against a group of people. Amawi, he told the American-Statesman, would be 100 percent eligible for the contract if she hung a sign on her office saying death to Israel, so long as her company did not engage in conduct that discriminates against Israelis. Businesses have speech rights, but not everything businesses do is speech, he continued. The fundamental bottom line is refusing to do business with people because they are members of some group one does not like Israelis, for example is not speech. It is commercial conduct and can be regulated. Furthermore, Kontorovich said the state can decide that a company that boycotts Israel puts politics ahead of business considerations in a way that "may not provide the best services" to the government. Bipartisan support The Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates to before the creation of Israel in 1948 and centers on disputed land and holy sites in the Middle East. Despite stated goals on both sides to create two states an independent Palestine alongside Israel, as envisioned in a series of accords Palestinian territory remains under Israeli control, leading to claims of rights violations. The Palestinian BDS National Committee calls for a boycott of all Israeli products, though its major campaigns are against Israeli companies that operate in the West Bank, land seized by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and home to 2.8 million Palestinians. Organizers say they were inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement to call for boycotts as a form of nonviolent pressure on Israel. In 2017, Texas lawmakers, as part of a national wave of legislation to undercut Israel boycotts, took up Kings anti-boycott measure. At a hearing that spring before the House State Affairs Committee, Sandra Hagee Parker of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund, said the BDS movement amounted to "economic anti-Semitism" and is a "manifesto devoid of any ideology other than hatred." The state Senate approved the bill 26-5, and no House member voted against the bill. Abbott signed the bill into law at the Jewish Community Center in Northwest Austin. "As Israel's No. 1 trading partner in the United States, Texas is proud to reaffirm its support for the people of Israel and we will continue to build on our historic partnership," Abbott said at the time. "Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies, and we will not tolerate such actions against an important ally." List of companies As part of the law, the Legislature instructed the Texas comptrollers office to keep a running list of companies that advocate for the boycott of Israel. There are three companies on the Texas list: Co-Operative Group Limited, a British supermarket chain; KLP, a Norwegian insurance company; and DNB ASA, a Norwegian financial services company. The companies did not return requests for comment. The Statesman has filed an open records request for the states contracts with the two companies, MSCI ESG and ISS, that maintain the list. The Texas comptrollers office has said it would not release the information because the contracts were marked confidential by vendors. The matter is under review by state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Neither MSCI ESG nor ISS returned requests for comment about how they determine whether companies sponsor the Israel boycott. The companies also provide similar services for other states with similar anti-boycott laws. Comptroller spokesman Chris Bryan said the contracts total less than $50,000 but he would not specify how much they cost. Boycotting boycotters Announcing his filing this week, Paxton said that Texas law simply provides that if you choose to engage in nationality-based discrimination, then you may be choosing to forgo the privilege of receiving taxpayer money. The state of Texas has the right to boycott boycotters in this instance. Doing so does not suppress protected speech or expression. The law supports a long-established principle of non-discrimination. That argument has not fared well with other federal judges who have ruled on similar state laws. In February 2018, for example, Paxton signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief in U.S. District Court in Arizona as the state faced a challenge to its version of the Texas law. The judge blocked the Arizona law. Paxtons argument that you have a right to free speech but not a right to be paid by the government is precisely what the public employee-public contractor cases reject, Sager said. And his argument that public entities have their own right to speak doesnt give on to the view that they may speak by silencing their employees or contractors. Pflugerville district spokeswoman Tamra Spence told the Statesman in December that the school district is committed to educating all students to be productive members of a diverse community, but like all governmental entities, is bound by state law to include the contract language. Unfortunately, Pflugerville ISD and all Texas school districts are at the mercy of the state and the regulations printed into law, she said. In situations such as this, we are forced to spend time on state political issues and not on our core mission, which is educating students. Although Pflugerville ISD is the focus of the lawsuit, this is a state issue that affects all Texas public school districts and should be addressed at the state level. John Pluecker, one of the plaintiffs in the ACLU case he refused to accede to an anti-BDS clause in a University of Houston contract to translate an essay for the university's art museum, thus missing out on $1,500, and had to forego a $250 honorarium to speak at a university event told the Statesman that since the lawsuit he has heard from many people who faced the same dilemma he had. "Many of these people have either lost work, because they refused to sign, or signed reluctantly because they could not afford to lose the work," he said. "All were very supportive and appreciative of the lawsuits recently filed in Texas to try to change this unjust law that restricts our First Amendment rights." Still, at the Capitol the anti-boycott laws have proven popular. After Amawi filed her suit, Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted: Texas stands with Israel. Period.

A Texas law bars governmental entities from doing business with companies that support a boycott of Israel. Some legal experts say the strategy may run afoul of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

pegasus

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190118/does-texas-anti-israel-boycott-law-pass-constitutional-muster

Does the Texas anti-Israel boycott law pass constitutional muster?

Seeking to preserve a politically-charged state law that bars governmental entities from doing business with contractors who support a boycott of Israel, Texas officials are mobilizing this month at the courthouse and the Capitol. In legal filings and legislative proposals, they argue that the law should be applied to companies and not individuals. But some legal experts say the strategy may run afoul of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that expand certain corporate speech rights, raising questions about whether shutting out companies that support the Israel boycott is constitutionally kosher. Supporters of the law, however, say it's in keeping with a tradition of political leaders deciding whether to do business with companies whose activity might conflict with public policy. The latest efforts to preserve the law, which state officials say protects the economy of Texas' No. 4 trading partner, come after government contractors alleged in a pair of lawsuits that language in their contracts violates their free speech rights. Elementary school speech pathologist Bahia Amawi sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Pflugerville school district in federal court in December after the school district refused to renew her annual contract. She had declined to sign an oath saying she does not boycott Israel and will not boycott the nation during the term of the contract. The Pflugerville district included the oath in her contract following passage of the 2017 law that prohibits governmental entities from contracting with and investing in companies that boycott Israel. The law is a response to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement that seeks to change Israeli policy toward Palestinians. Texas ban on contracting with any boycotter of Israel constitutes viewpoint discrimination that chills constitutionally-protected political advocacy in support of Palestine, Amawi, who is Palestinian-American, said in her suit. Subsequently, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of four people against Paxton, two universities and two school districts. Among the four is Zachary Abdelhadi, a Palestinian-American student at Texas State University, who, according to the suit, has had to forgo opportunities to judge high school debate tournaments as well as potential income that he would have used to pay for college because he boycotts Israel. The plaintiffs seek to block the state from enforcing the law. In a brief filed this week in the Amawi case, Paxton argued that Texas law applies to companies, not individuals. These individuals personal economic decisions to avoid products made in or affiliated with Israel, or their right to express views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, do not constitute company action under the Texas government code, Paxton argued suggesting the law wasn't meant to be applied to Amawi. The argument echoes a bill filed by state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, this month. That legislation proposes amending the original law that King authored to require the anti-Israel-boycott oath only in government contracts worth at least $100,000 with companies of at least 10 employees. In response to the Pflugerville case, King said, it is not unusual for there to be a misapplication of a new statute. The new bill is meant to alleviate any confusion to Texas anti-BDS law, King said, adding that the bill is meant to address companies involved in discriminatory commercial activity. But changing the target from a person to a company may not survive a legal challenge, according to Larry Sager, former dean of the University of Texas law school. The Supreme Court has made it clear that First Amendment speech and First Amendment religion rights do apply to at least closely-held corporations, companies whose stock is held by a small number of people, not publicly traded Sager said. In the 2010 Citizens United case, which applies to campaign contributions made by corporations, the Supreme Court treated corporations and individuals similarly under the First Amendment. And in the 2014 Hobby Lobby case, the court maintained that closely-held, for-profit corporations can be exempt from a regulation to which its owners religiously object in this case, the right to opt out of the contraceptive insurance mandate, again broadening the First Amendment rights of companies. People living, doing their business through a corporate structure theyre still people, and they still have rights, Sager said. Whether a speech pathologist is "simply a contract employee on her own, or doing business as an LLC," said Sager, "clearly shouldn't matter." Nor should it matter if the company is comprised of more than 10 people: "The partners who own and manage the group are constitutionally entitled to boycott Israel, and the partnership or limited corporation inherits their rights," he continued. "The instinct behind Hobby Lobby and Citizens United is not some fanciful vision of the abstract corporate entity having rights, but rather of flesh and blood members of the political community who carry their rights into mutual endeavors, some of which are commercial and some of which are undertaken in corporate legal structures." But Eugene Kontorovich, law professor at George Mason University who served as an advisor on the drafting of the Texas state law as well as similar ones in other states, said the oath is about conduct, not speech. And he suggested the boycott of Israeli products produced in the occupied West Bank amounted to discrimination against a group of people. Amawi, he told the American-Statesman, would be 100 percent eligible for the contract if she hung a sign on her office saying death to Israel, so long as her company did not engage in conduct that discriminates against Israelis. Businesses have speech rights, but not everything businesses do is speech, he continued. The fundamental bottom line is refusing to do business with people because they are members of some group one does not like Israelis, for example is not speech. It is commercial conduct and can be regulated. Furthermore, Kontorovich said the state can decide that a company that boycotts Israel puts politics ahead of business considerations in a way that "may not provide the best services" to the government. Bipartisan support The Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates to before the creation of Israel in 1948 and centers on disputed land and holy sites in the Middle East. Despite stated goals on both sides to create two states an independent Palestine alongside Israel, as envisioned in a series of accords Palestinian territory remains under Israeli control, leading to claims of rights violations. The Palestinian BDS National Committee calls for a boycott of all Israeli products, though its major campaigns are against Israeli companies that operate in the West Bank, land seized by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and home to 2.8 million Palestinians. Organizers say they were inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement to call for boycotts as a form of nonviolent pressure on Israel. In 2017, Texas lawmakers, as part of a national wave of legislation to undercut Israel boycotts, took up Kings anti-boycott measure. At a hearing that spring before the House State Affairs Committee, Sandra Hagee Parker of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund, said the BDS movement amounted to "economic anti-Semitism" and is a "manifesto devoid of any ideology other than hatred." The state Senate approved the bill 26-5, and no House member voted against the bill. Abbott signed the bill into law at the Jewish Community Center in Northwest Austin. "As Israel's No. 1 trading partner in the United States, Texas is proud to reaffirm its support for the people of Israel and we will continue to build on our historic partnership," Abbott said at the time. "Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies, and we will not tolerate such actions against an important ally." List of companies As part of the law, the Legislature instructed the Texas comptrollers office to keep a running list of companies that advocate for the boycott of Israel. There are three companies on the Texas list: Co-Operative Group Limited, a British supermarket chain; KLP, a Norwegian insurance company; and DNB ASA, a Norwegian financial services company. The companies did not return requests for comment. The Statesman has filed an open records request for the states contracts with the two companies, MSCI ESG and ISS, that maintain the list. The Texas comptrollers office has said it would not release the information because the contracts were marked confidential by vendors. The matter is under review by state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Neither MSCI ESG nor ISS returned requests for comment about how they determine whether companies sponsor the Israel boycott. The companies also provide similar services for other states with similar anti-boycott laws. Comptroller spokesman Chris Bryan said the contracts total less than $50,000 but he would not specify how much they cost. Boycotting boycotters Announcing his filing this week, Paxton said that Texas law simply provides that if you choose to engage in nationality-based discrimination, then you may be choosing to forgo the privilege of receiving taxpayer money. The state of Texas has the right to boycott boycotters in this instance. Doing so does not suppress protected speech or expression. The law supports a long-established principle of non-discrimination. That argument has not fared well with other federal judges who have ruled on similar state laws. In February 2018, for example, Paxton signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief in U.S. District Court in Arizona as the state faced a challenge to its version of the Texas law. The judge blocked the Arizona law. Paxtons argument that you have a right to free speech but not a right to be paid by the government is precisely what the public employee-public contractor cases reject, Sager said. And his argument that public entities have their own right to speak doesnt give on to the view that they may speak by silencing their employees or contractors. Pflugerville district spokeswoman Tamra Spence told the Statesman in December that the school district is committed to educating all students to be productive members of a diverse community, but like all governmental entities, is bound by state law to include the contract language. Unfortunately, Pflugerville ISD and all Texas school districts are at the mercy of the state and the regulations printed into law, she said. In situations such as this, we are forced to spend time on state political issues and not on our core mission, which is educating students. Although Pflugerville ISD is the focus of the lawsuit, this is a state issue that affects all Texas public school districts and should be addressed at the state level. John Pluecker, one of the plaintiffs in the ACLU case he refused to accede to an anti-BDS clause in a University of Houston contract to translate an essay for the university's art museum, thus missing out on $1,500, and had to forego a $250 honorarium to speak at a university event told the Statesman that since the lawsuit he has heard from many people who faced the same dilemma he had. "Many of these people have either lost work, because they refused to sign, or signed reluctantly because they could not afford to lose the work," he said. "All were very supportive and appreciative of the lawsuits recently filed in Texas to try to change this unjust law that restricts our First Amendment rights." Still, at the Capitol the anti-boycott laws have proven popular. After Amawi filed her suit, Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted: Texas stands with Israel. Period.

A Texas law bars governmental entities from doing business with companies that support a boycott of Israel. Some legal experts say the strategy may run afoul of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings. Supporters of the law say it's in keeping with a tradition of political leaders deciding whether to do business with companies.

pegasus

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190118/does-texas-anti-israel-boycott-law-pass-constitutional-muster

Can Costco Tap A Streaming-Video Niche That Netflix, Amazon Have Ignored?

Costco, the membership warehouse retailer, is considering launching a streaming service for "average Americans," an audience Costco's leadership believes is underserved despite the billions of dollars of content served up annually by Netflix and Amazon, according to a report by CNBC. The news comes in a week when several other streaming services were announced or launched, including Comcast's NBCUniversal venture (coming in 2020), Sinclair's STIRR and Amazon's IMDb Freedive. And we're still awaiting the arrival of announced services from WarnerMedia and Disney, plus whatever Apple is planning for its $1 billion or so in new shows. Costco is talking with Mark Greenberg, the same entertainment executive who had been in discussions last year with one of Costco's biggest rivals, Walmart, about creating a new streaming service there. Talks between Walmart and Greenberg have ended, with the retailing giant now focused on beefing up its existing Vudu transactional and ad-supported on-demand service. But it suggests that Greenberg is shopping for a deep-pocketed partner with strong ties in Flyover Land, where sensibilities may not match well with spiky shows such as Amazon's Homecoming or the burgeoning array of foreign fare on Netflix. Indeed, Netflix released its latest quarterly earnings Thursday after trading hours, numbers that suggest some possible domestic vulnerability. The streaming giant substantially surpassed its own guidance on subscriber growth, with nearly 9 million new accounts (it's now at 139 million, after a change in its counting that no longer includes those on trial memberships). But all but about 1 million of those new subs came from 191 countries other than the United States, suggesting that Netflix may be nearing maximum penetration in the country of its birth. Currently, the company has around 59 million U.S. subscribers, slightly more than half of all U.S. households. Even given the many accounts shared across generations or friends, the relatively slow growth in Netflix's biggest market suggests that most people who want to pay for a Netflix subscription may already be doing so. Add in a just-announced price hike of up to 18 percent on all Netflix plans, and it may be indeed creating an opportunity for a lower-priced, differently focused service, as suggested by a new study from The Diffusion Group that linked an 8 percent drop in subscriptions to every $1 hike in monthly fees (the Standard plan is rising $2 per month). Amazon doesn't generally release subscriber numbers for either its Prime subscription service or for the subset who use Prime Video. But Amazon continues to experiment with different video business models, as suggested not just by last week's launch of Freedive but also by the arrival of non-gamer content on the live-streaming Twitch and the lucrative subscription add-ons through Channels. Amazon Studios under new chief Jennifer Salke is also making a big pivot in its programming. Founding studio head Roy Price had concentrated on awards-driven fare (i.e., likely to appeal to audiences on the urban coasts) such as Mozart in the Jungle, Man in the High Castle and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. As Price was departing, Jeff Bezos famously marched into the Studios' offices and declared he wanted his own Game of Thrones, a wide-ranging hit that can draw in millions of viewers. The result was a reported $500 million to buy rights and make a new series based on Lord of the Rings. All of which suggests that, once again, Costco, Walmart and Amazon may be locked in battle. It's just that this battle, over which streaming-video business model and programming style will appeal for their respective millions of customers, is a long way from what we think of in retailing or even e-commerce. When you get big enough, everything is a possible market.

Costco is considering a streaming service for "average Americans," a report says. The warehouse retailer's leadership believes the audience is underserved. Netflix released its latest quarterly earnings Thursday after trading hours. Amazon continues to experiment with different video business models.

pegasus

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dbloom/2019/01/18/costco-video-streaming-service-mark-greenberg-netflix-amazon-walmart/

How Darren Lee Fits In The Jets' New Defense, Plus Which Free Agents Should They Keep?

Two plays in the second half of the Jets loss to Tennessee last month summed up Darron Lees career with the Jets thus far. First, the good Darron Lee: On a first-and-goal from the Jets 5-yard-line, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota decided to run. Lee pursued him across the field and tackled him near the left sideline for a 1-yard loss. And now, the bad: Earlier in the half, on first-and-goal from the 1, Titans tight end Jonnu Smith engaged Lee and completely walled him off from running back Derrick Henry, pushing him far enough out of the play so that Henry could avoid traffic, cut back and score the touchdown. The 6-1, 232-pound Lee can run from sideline to sideline, but was particularly exposed last year as a weak link in the Jets 3-4, not stout enough to fend off single blockers on rushing plays. Opposing teams, much like on the Henry TD, were able to run right at Lees area of the defense for touchdowns and big plays. And Lees season went from bad to worse when he missed the final four games of 2018 while serving an NFL-imposed suspension for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy. But the hiring of Adam Gase as head coach and of Gregg Williams this week as defensive coordinator could be a major turning point for Lee. Its a game of inches and dollars. Get the latest sports news and analysis of valuations, signings and hirings, once a week in your inbox, from the Forbes SportsMoney Playbook newsletter. Sign up here. Williams defensive philosophy includes running a base 4-3 defense, something the Jets havent done since Herm Edwards was the head coach from 2001-05, and his preferred defense was the so-called Tampa 2, a 4-3. Succeeding Jets head coaches Eric Mangini, Rex Ryan and Todd Bowles all used variations of the 3-4. Williams scheme is more of an attacking 4-3 than the more conservative Tampa 2, which seeks to prevent big gains and force teams to string together short and steady gains in order to score. Lee played inside in Bowles base defense of four linebackers, but most likely will move outside in Williams scheme, with fellow inside linebacker Avery Williamson remaining as the lone middle linebacker. In the 4-3, an outside linebacker must be able to pursue and make tackles in the open field. He is less likely to be encumbered by blockers as would a 3-4 inside backer. He still needs to up his game, but Williams' arrival should help him. Williamson sometimes struggled in pass coverage last season, something he also had trouble with when he was with the Tennessee Titans. But as the lone inside linebacker in the new scheme, his duties likely would include less pass coverage and more run support, something he is better at. Outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, a third-round pick in 2016, had a career-high seven sacks last season. He said in an interview this week that he played in a 4-3 in high school and part of the time at Georgia. He has the speed and quickness to make the transition to the 4-3. As for Leonard Williams, an end in the 3-4, he likely would move inside, where his speed and strength will be more of an advantage. The 6-5, 291-pound Williams hasnt posted the gaudy numbers the Jets had been hoping for when they selected him with the third overall pick in 2015. He has 17 sacks, including five last season. But keep in mind that 3-4 end isnt always a sack-heavy position in that defense, and there were many times last season in which the 6-5, 291-pound Williams disrupted the timing of a running play or pushed the passing pocket, enabling someone else to get a tackle or sack. There has been rampant speculation about the Jets perhaps trading Williams, but they first should see how he fits in the other Williams defense before exploring such possibilities. Here are the defensive unrestricted free agents for the Jets, and a recommendation on whether or not to re-sign each one. DE Henry Anderson: The 6-6, 300-pound end was a revelation with a career-high seven sacks after being acquired from Indianapolis for a seventh-round draft pick. But he was jettisoned by the Colts precisely because he wasnt a fit in their 4-3 scheme, which, like Williams base defense, is predicated on slightly smaller and quicker ends. Anderson showed a non-stop motor with the Jets and perhaps could be useful in a reserve role, but probably will have more value to teams that play 3-4. After his breakout season, he likely will get better offers from 3-4 teams. CB Morris Claiborne: He became a liability in coverage in terms of the penalties he incurred, and he and expensive Rams import Trumaine Johnson were not a good cornerback tandem. Johnson, who signed a five-year deal with $34 million guaranteed as a free agent last off-season, had his problems in coverage in his first season with New York. He also missed the finale because he was benched by Bowles for missing a practice earlier in the week because he overslept. But Johnson had career-highs in interceptions (seven) and passes defensed (17) in 2015 with the Rams when Gregg Williams was the defensive coordinator. If Williams defense can put more consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, that should help Johnson, who has good technique but lacks closing speed. The Jets are kind of stuck with Johnson for now, unless they can swing a trade, but they should move on from Claiborne. Brandon Copeland: The outside linebacker had a career year in 2018 with five sacks in the 3-4. The 4-3 might not be as good a fit, but he did play in one with Detroit in 2016 before missing the 2017 campaign because of injury. Copeland, who played the 2018 season on a one-year, $1 million prove-it deal, certainly proved he can play. He wants to come back and its up to the Jets to decide if he fits. It wouldnt be a reach to bring him back in a reserve role. Neville Hewitt: Hewitt got more playing time at inside linebacker after Lee was suspended, and showed promise. He probably should have had more of a role even while Lee was available. Hewitt, signed by the Jets as a free agent last March, might be worth bringing back at the right price. Buster Skrine: The Jets should have moved on from this underachieving slot cornerback a while ago. For some reason, the laissez-faire Bowles never benched Skrine despite him continuously blowing coverages and getting called for penalties. The Jets drafted Parry Nickerson of Tulane in the sixth round last year, and although he was inconsistent in limited playing time, they should not re-sign Skrine and instead give Nickerson a chance as the slot corner. Steve McLendon: The veteran nose tackles play slipped somewhat in 2018, perhaps from the years of wear-and-tear and constant pounding any interior defensive tackle suffers. McLendon, who turned 33 earlier this month, was a 3-4 nose tackle for several seasons with the Steelers too and fits better in that scheme. The Jets should move on without him. Rontez Miles: Miles was pressed into starting duty because of injuries at safety with mixed results, but he is a hard-hitting, high-motor player who is very good on special teams. The Jets should re-sign him if the price is right. Josh Martin: The outside linebacker missed all but one game in 2018 because he suffered two concussions in just over a five-week span, including one in a loss to Jacksonville. He was re-activated off injured reserve late in the season but didnt appear in any games after being reinstated. It probably would be best for the Jets to move on and perhaps for Martin himself to evaluate whether he wants to continue playing given his concussion hitory. Jeremiah Attaochu: Attaochu, also an outside linebacker, missed the final three games of the season because of a concussion suffered at Buffalo on Dec. 9. He recorded two sacks in 11 games. Attaochu has played most of his five-year NFL career in 3-4 schemes, so he might not be a good fit in Williams defense.

Darron Lee was exposed last year as a weak link in the Jets' 3-4 defense. The new defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, will run a base 4-3 defense.

ctrlsum

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jppelzman/2019/01/18/how-darren-lee-fits-in-the-jets-new-defense-plus-which-free-agents-should-they-keep/

How Darren Lee Fits In The Jets' New Defense, Plus Which Free Agents Should They Keep?

Two plays in the second half of the Jets loss to Tennessee last month summed up Darron Lees career with the Jets thus far. First, the good Darron Lee: On a first-and-goal from the Jets 5-yard-line, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota decided to run. Lee pursued him across the field and tackled him near the left sideline for a 1-yard loss. And now, the bad: Earlier in the half, on first-and-goal from the 1, Titans tight end Jonnu Smith engaged Lee and completely walled him off from running back Derrick Henry, pushing him far enough out of the play so that Henry could avoid traffic, cut back and score the touchdown. The 6-1, 232-pound Lee can run from sideline to sideline, but was particularly exposed last year as a weak link in the Jets 3-4, not stout enough to fend off single blockers on rushing plays. Opposing teams, much like on the Henry TD, were able to run right at Lees area of the defense for touchdowns and big plays. And Lees season went from bad to worse when he missed the final four games of 2018 while serving an NFL-imposed suspension for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy. But the hiring of Adam Gase as head coach and of Gregg Williams this week as defensive coordinator could be a major turning point for Lee. Its a game of inches and dollars. Get the latest sports news and analysis of valuations, signings and hirings, once a week in your inbox, from the Forbes SportsMoney Playbook newsletter. Sign up here. Williams defensive philosophy includes running a base 4-3 defense, something the Jets havent done since Herm Edwards was the head coach from 2001-05, and his preferred defense was the so-called Tampa 2, a 4-3. Succeeding Jets head coaches Eric Mangini, Rex Ryan and Todd Bowles all used variations of the 3-4. Williams scheme is more of an attacking 4-3 than the more conservative Tampa 2, which seeks to prevent big gains and force teams to string together short and steady gains in order to score. Lee played inside in Bowles base defense of four linebackers, but most likely will move outside in Williams scheme, with fellow inside linebacker Avery Williamson remaining as the lone middle linebacker. In the 4-3, an outside linebacker must be able to pursue and make tackles in the open field. He is less likely to be encumbered by blockers as would a 3-4 inside backer. He still needs to up his game, but Williams' arrival should help him. Williamson sometimes struggled in pass coverage last season, something he also had trouble with when he was with the Tennessee Titans. But as the lone inside linebacker in the new scheme, his duties likely would include less pass coverage and more run support, something he is better at. Outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, a third-round pick in 2016, had a career-high seven sacks last season. He said in an interview this week that he played in a 4-3 in high school and part of the time at Georgia. He has the speed and quickness to make the transition to the 4-3. As for Leonard Williams, an end in the 3-4, he likely would move inside, where his speed and strength will be more of an advantage. The 6-5, 291-pound Williams hasnt posted the gaudy numbers the Jets had been hoping for when they selected him with the third overall pick in 2015. He has 17 sacks, including five last season. But keep in mind that 3-4 end isnt always a sack-heavy position in that defense, and there were many times last season in which the 6-5, 291-pound Williams disrupted the timing of a running play or pushed the passing pocket, enabling someone else to get a tackle or sack. There has been rampant speculation about the Jets perhaps trading Williams, but they first should see how he fits in the other Williams defense before exploring such possibilities. Here are the defensive unrestricted free agents for the Jets, and a recommendation on whether or not to re-sign each one. DE Henry Anderson: The 6-6, 300-pound end was a revelation with a career-high seven sacks after being acquired from Indianapolis for a seventh-round draft pick. But he was jettisoned by the Colts precisely because he wasnt a fit in their 4-3 scheme, which, like Williams base defense, is predicated on slightly smaller and quicker ends. Anderson showed a non-stop motor with the Jets and perhaps could be useful in a reserve role, but probably will have more value to teams that play 3-4. After his breakout season, he likely will get better offers from 3-4 teams. CB Morris Claiborne: He became a liability in coverage in terms of the penalties he incurred, and he and expensive Rams import Trumaine Johnson were not a good cornerback tandem. Johnson, who signed a five-year deal with $34 million guaranteed as a free agent last off-season, had his problems in coverage in his first season with New York. He also missed the finale because he was benched by Bowles for missing a practice earlier in the week because he overslept. But Johnson had career-highs in interceptions (seven) and passes defensed (17) in 2015 with the Rams when Gregg Williams was the defensive coordinator. If Williams defense can put more consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, that should help Johnson, who has good technique but lacks closing speed. The Jets are kind of stuck with Johnson for now, unless they can swing a trade, but they should move on from Claiborne. Brandon Copeland: The outside linebacker had a career year in 2018 with five sacks in the 3-4. The 4-3 might not be as good a fit, but he did play in one with Detroit in 2016 before missing the 2017 campaign because of injury. Copeland, who played the 2018 season on a one-year, $1 million prove-it deal, certainly proved he can play. He wants to come back and its up to the Jets to decide if he fits. It wouldnt be a reach to bring him back in a reserve role. Neville Hewitt: Hewitt got more playing time at inside linebacker after Lee was suspended, and showed promise. He probably should have had more of a role even while Lee was available. Hewitt, signed by the Jets as a free agent last March, might be worth bringing back at the right price. Buster Skrine: The Jets should have moved on from this underachieving slot cornerback a while ago. For some reason, the laissez-faire Bowles never benched Skrine despite him continuously blowing coverages and getting called for penalties. The Jets drafted Parry Nickerson of Tulane in the sixth round last year, and although he was inconsistent in limited playing time, they should not re-sign Skrine and instead give Nickerson a chance as the slot corner. Steve McLendon: The veteran nose tackles play slipped somewhat in 2018, perhaps from the years of wear-and-tear and constant pounding any interior defensive tackle suffers. McLendon, who turned 33 earlier this month, was a 3-4 nose tackle for several seasons with the Steelers too and fits better in that scheme. The Jets should move on without him. Rontez Miles: Miles was pressed into starting duty because of injuries at safety with mixed results, but he is a hard-hitting, high-motor player who is very good on special teams. The Jets should re-sign him if the price is right. Josh Martin: The outside linebacker missed all but one game in 2018 because he suffered two concussions in just over a five-week span, including one in a loss to Jacksonville. He was re-activated off injured reserve late in the season but didnt appear in any games after being reinstated. It probably would be best for the Jets to move on and perhaps for Martin himself to evaluate whether he wants to continue playing given his concussion hitory. Jeremiah Attaochu: Attaochu, also an outside linebacker, missed the final three games of the season because of a concussion suffered at Buffalo on Dec. 9. He recorded two sacks in 11 games. Attaochu has played most of his five-year NFL career in 3-4 schemes, so he might not be a good fit in Williams defense.

Darron Lee was exposed as a weak link in the Jets' 3-4 last season. The hiring of Adam Gase as head coach and of Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator could be a major turning point for Lee. Lee played inside in Bowles base defense of four linebackers, but most likely will move outside in Williams scheme.

bart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jppelzman/2019/01/18/how-darren-lee-fits-in-the-jets-new-defense-plus-which-free-agents-should-they-keep/

Who gets to decide when a 14-year-old wants to change gender? The child, the hospital, the battling parents?

In many ways, Max is a typical 14-year-old. He eschews soft music in favour of rock and heavy metal, likes to wear hoodies, giggles when hes nervous and has a flair for drawing animals. He can be opinionated and sarcastic one moment, shy and withdrawn the next. His insecurities, however, run deeper than run-of-the-mill teenaged angst. I have a male brain that doesnt match up with the body Im in, says the Grade 9, Surrey, B.C., student, who was the female gender at birth. Its like being trapped in a cage. Max is now at the centre of a complicated legal fight over who gets to decide the course of treatment for his gender dysphoria. Max and his mom, Sarah, with the support of the gender clinic at B.C. Childrens Hospital, want to proceed with a treatment plan that would involve injecting Max with testosterone a key step, they say, in Maxs desire to transition from a female to a male body. But Maxs father, Clark, who is separated from Sarah and shares joint custody of Max, believes things are moving too fast and worries about the treatments risks. The case raises difficult questions about parental rights, about child autonomy, about how young is too young to make serious medical decisions. The result is a messy ethical and legal tangle, where a number of deeply interested parties all with competing points of view on this issue, and all with the childs best interest in mind are at odds over how to proceed. I have a male brain that doesnt match up with the body Im in The hospital maintains the decision about treatment is ultimately Maxs to make and Maxs alone. That was a staggering notion for the father, which led him to file an application in B.C. provincial court to block the treatment. On Monday a family law judge agreed to adjourn the case for two weeks to allow Sarah time to hire a lawyer; for the time being the hospital cannot carry out any treatments. None of the family members real names are being used in this story. The Provincial Court Act in B.C. prohibits the identification of any child or party to a family or childrens matter before the court. Sarah and Max had wanted to be identified using their real names. If Im not named, itd be like Im hiding, Max says. While such legal disputes are rare, experts say family conflicts over proposed treatments and parental consent are likely to increase as more young people are referred to gender clinics across the country. Clark insists he is not anti-transgender; he bought Max a transgender pride flag last Christmas. He just worries Max is being steered down a path without considering all the options. I just want to do whats best for Max. And sometimes thats tough love. Clark added later: I have no animosity towards Sarah on this issue. I think we both believe we are doing the right thing. And I believe we both have Maxs best interest in mind. *** For as long as he can remember, Max has always preferred hanging around boys. He never played with female gender-stereotypical toys, such as dolls. His family chalked it up to him being a tomboy. Maxs coming out moment came in Grade 7 when he stumbled across a video on YouTube. Titled Boy, the Danish short film documents the struggles between Emilie, a transgender boy, and his mother. The film opens in a clothing store. The mom picks out a dress for Emilie, but Emilie prefers military-style clothes. It just kind of clicked right away, Max says. After watching the film, Max stood in front of the mirror just as Emilie does in the film and cut his hair, which at the time stretched to the middle of his back. By the time he started Grade 8, Max had undergone a complete overhaul of his identity, Sarah says. School staff were notified that he preferred to be known by his chosen name, not by the female name he was given at birth. Max had also started binding his chest. While these changes helped, Max says the transformation still felt incomplete. Even if Im open with who I am, Im still insecure. There are times, he says, when hell go silent because his voice comes out sounding too effeminate. He often gets distracted by how girlie his hands look. I didnt quite understand transgenderism, didnt know if I fully believed in it Sarah says the dysphoria has led Max to try to take his own life and engage in self-harm. I didnt quite understand transgenderism myself, didnt know if I fully believed in it. But having gone through the experience Ive gone through with my son I fully believe that, yes, it is very possible that transgenderism does exist and there are people wandering around feeling excruciatingly uncomfortable in their own skin. A clinical psychologist assessed Max about a half-dozen times over a period of several months, beginning in Grade 8. By the end of those sessions, Sarah says the psychologist deemed Max to be a good candidate for testosterone therapy. According to B.C. health guidelines, Max needed to have demonstrated to the psychologist a long-lasting and intense pattern of gender non-conformity or gender dysphoria, among other things. The only other thing Max needed was a referral from a family doctor, which his father agreed to obtain. In August, Sarah and Max attended the B.C. Childrens Hospitals gender clinic, one of the busiest in North America. There they met with a team of people, including a paediatric endocrinologist, a social worker and a nurse, who laid out in plain language what the treatment would entail and all the pros and cons. A three-page informed consent form spelled out the risks of testosterone therapy, including that the treatment in young adolescents is a newer development, and the long-term effects are not fully known. The form indicated that testosterone use would likely lead to permanent changes such as a lower-pitched voice, facial hair and thicker hair on the arms, legs and torso even if the treatment stopped. Taking testosterone could also lead to elevated risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It is not known, the form says, what the effects of testosterone are on fertility. You may or may not be able to get pregnant in the future. Despite the risks, Sarah and Max signed the form that day and agreed to proceed with the treatment. After three years, Sarah says she had come to a clear conclusion: Max wasnt going through some phase. If this is what alleviates my child experiencing this dysphoria, Id rather move forward. If it happens to have side effects down the road, were OK to handle that at least our child would still be alive. *** Hospital staff were ready to begin injections that same day, Sarah says but she felt it would only be fair to let Clark, who did not attend the meeting, weigh in on the decision. Clark, whose legal challenge was first reported in the alternative news website The Post Millennial, told the National Post he didnt want to miss work that day and thought the visit to the gender clinic was exploratory. He says he was shocked to hear how quickly things were moving. I thought it was a long process and nothing drastic was going to really happen, at least without consent, he says. Clark did not sign the form. He felt the potential medical ramifications were too serious for someone Maxs age to take on. You dont just jump them into things they cant change back, he says. When shes 18 and she does it, Ill support her 100 per cent. (During his conversations with the Post, Clark referred to Max as his daughter and used female pronouns.) Clark says a hospital social worker tried to persuade him to come in to talk but he declined; all the information he needed was on that form. He also sent hospital staff a copy of his separation agreement, which includes a stipulation that he and Sarah get to jointly exercise all parental responsibilities including giving, refusing or withdrawing consent to medical, dental and other health-related treatments for the child. Last month, however, Clark received a letter from the hospital. It stated that under the B.C. Infants Act, as long as a health care provider is satisfied a child understands the nature, consequences, benefits and risks of the proposed treatment and concludes that the treatment is in the childs best interests, the right to consent belongs to the child alone. Maxs healthcare team has concluded that he possesses sufficient maturity and intelligence to be capable of consenting to his own medical care, notwithstanding the fact that he is only 14 years old. Furthermore, the team agrees that the proposed course of treatment is in his best interests. We've got to make sure Max makes the right decision The letter goes on to state that while staff always strive to get parents onboard with a proposed course of treatment, under these circumstances we are of the view that it is ultimately up to Max to give or withhold consent to his own medical care; neither you nor his mother can make this decision for him. At Mondays court hearing, Herb Dunton, the lawyer representing Clark, said they take the position Max cannot be rushed into treatment and no injections should happen until both parents consent, Max turns 18 or the court orders treatment. Weve got to make sure Max makes the right decision now, Dunton told the court. If they start the treatment the damage is done. Dunton said the credentials of the professionals recommending hormone treatment need to be evaluated and the recommendations peer-reviewed. In adjourning the case for two weeks, the judge acknowledged he hadnt encountered a case like this before and did not immediately know whether the provincial law that recognizes Maxs rights to give informed consent trumps family law and the parents joint responsibilities for caring for Max, per their separation agreement. One legal scholar suggested Clark may face an uphill battle. The (Supreme Court of Canada) has clearly articulated the law on minors capacity to consent, said Karen Busby, a law professor at the University of Manitoba. Busby was referring to a 2009 decision, AC v Manitoba, that basically said if minors can demonstrate mature and independent judgment and have shown they understand the potential consequences of their decision their views about medical treatments ought to be respected. The top court, however, did allow for some wriggle room, saying, the more serious the nature of the decision and the more severe its potential impact on life or health, the greater the degree of scrutiny required. *** The number of referrals to the gender clinic at the B.C. Childrens Hospital rose from seven in 2007 to 80 in 2017. The transgender youth clinic at Torontos Hospital for Sick Children now sees over 200 referrals each year, while the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario saw 180 in the last year. With an increasing number of referrals to gender clinics, one would expect and we are seeing a proportionate number of families and youth who may have discordant views on their care, says Dr. Joey Bonifacio, an adolescent medicine specialist at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto. It is not uncommon for parents to have different views on how to care for their child with gender dysphoria, between them and their child. It is also not uncommon to see disagreement between parents. B.C. Childrens Hospital said it couldnt comment on the ongoing legal challenge. But it and other clinics in Canada say before any treatment is administered, mental health practitioners will have done an exhaustive screening of the patient. This includes extensively exploring issues around coexistent autism, family issues, eating disorders and suicidality, B.C. Childrens Hospital said. The adolescent also has to demonstrate a long-lasting and intense pattern of gender nonconformity or gender dysphoria. Once assessed, some choose to start treatment immediately while others discuss other options. Not all clinics, however, will start right away with hormone therapy. At the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Dr. Margaret Lawson says its been her practice to recommend hormone suppression medication sometimes referred to as puberty blockers for six months in youth under 16 and one year for those under 15, before starting them on hormones. Because the effects of puberty blockers are reversible, this is a more gradual way to transition and helps the patient and parents to be sure of what the youth wants and the parents to be comfortable supporting the start of hormones for their child, Lawson said. Dr. Brenden Hursh of B.C. Childrens Hospital confirmed in an email there is some variation in practice in this regard at different centres. We do not require (puberty blockers) in all children below a set age cut-off, but we would certainly use it if we felt there was benefit to the youth, he wrote. Torontos Hospital for Sick Children and the Alberta Childrens Hospital in Calgary say hormone suppression is optional at their clinics, as well. According to updated guidelines published in 2017 by the international medical organization The Endocrine Society, when it comes to sex hormone treatment, the society recommends adolescents should initially undergo treatment to suppress pubertal development. Hormone treatment shouldnt begin until the adolescent has sufficient mental capacity to give informed consent, which most adolescents have by age 16 years. That said, we recognize that there may be compelling reasons to initiate sex hormone treatment prior to the age of 16 years. Clinics told the Post they strive to obtain consensus among all family members prior to treatment. When conflicts arise, staff do all they can to work with family members to reach an agreement. Certainly, in some cases, parents and other family members are at different stages of acceptance and support at different times, but these differences usually resolve over time with repeat visits and discussions in clinic, said Dr. Mark Palmert of Torontos Hospital for Sick Children. When serious conflicts persist, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends, if circumstances permit, the proposed intervention should be delayed while an attempt at a resolution is made. This could involve referrals for a second medical opinion, consultations with social workers, a bioethicist or bioethics committee. At the Alberta Childrens Hospital, Dr. Jonathan Darwant says if one parent is adamantly opposed to treatment, they would likely arrange a second assessment by a mental health expert. If that second expert agrees the teenager would benefit from treatment, the next step would be to convene a hospital ethics team to weigh all the points of view. Delays, however, cant go on forever and Lawson acknowledged there may be times when she starts treatment without the full consensus of family because its in the childs best interests. A lot of parents are afraid about what this means and the child will have regrets or blame them, Lawson said. But in the long-term, having done this for 14 years, its amazing to see how kids blossom and become comfortable in their own skin. In time, parents come to accept their childs gender identity and realize that their child is the same person they have always loved. A lot of parents are afraid While adolescents dont necessarily have carte blanche decision-making power, it is a time when they begin to make autonomous decisions, Bonifacio said. If the medical team deems the youth capable to make that particular decision then that decision is respected. Elizabeth Saewyc, a professor at the UBC school of nursing and principal investigator of the first nationwide trans youth survey, said putting off treatment can create long-term distress on the adolescent. I have seen in some circumstances where young people have had health care delayed and denied because everybody wasnt on board. One parent is supportive, and one is not, and nothing happens. That can be a problem, she says. If the clinicians, the psychologists, the endocrinologists, the family doctor, if all of them have done the assessment and have determined that this is medically necessary, then its important to actually pay attention to the expertise. Saewycs survey found more than one-third of respondents had attempted suicide in the past year and nearly two-thirds reported self-harm. Experts acknowledge there is a dearth of rigorous, long-range studies of children and adolescents who have undergone hormone therapy. However, an analysis by Cornell University of 56 peer-reviewed articles from 1991 to 2017 of gender transition in the general population found a robust international consensus that gender transition, including medical treatments such as hormone therapy and surgeries, improves the overall well-being of transgender individuals. The literature also indicates that greater availability of medical and social support for gender transition contributes to better quality of life for those who identify as transgender. Maxs father, Clark, says he cant get over the question: What if? A different question nags at Sarah: I dont want it on my conscience knowing that if this is all it took to alleviate that dysphoria from my child then why didnt we follow through with it? For Max, the biggest challenge facing him now: Waiting. Email: dquan@postmedia.com | Twitter: dougquan

A 14-year-old in Surrey, B.C., wants to transition from a female to a male body. He is at the centre of a complicated legal fight over who gets to decide the course of treatment for his gender dysphoria. The hospital maintains the decision about treatment is ultimately Max's to make and Max's alone.

ctrlsum

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/who-gets-to-decide-when-a-14-year-old-wants-to-change-gender

Why did women turn up to the tennis in wedding dresses?

TV footage of two women in wedding dresses sitting side by side in Margaret Court Arena has caused quite an episode at the Australian Open. Many viewers on Friday night took to social media to applaud the display, interpreting their presence as a cunning takedown of Aussie tennis legend Court, who famously campaigned against the same-sex marriage postal vote and eventual marriage equality legislation change. However, it emerged soon after during Nine's coverage of Alex de Minaur's clash with Rafael Nadal that the two women were planted in the crowd in their wedding dresses as part of a Channel 9 promotion for upcoming series 'Married At First Sight'. A Channel 9 spokesman has since released a statement to confirm the entire episode of having two brides sit side by side inside Court's stadium was all a misunderstanding and that the promotion did not seek to make any form of political statement. Advertisement The two brides were spotted throughout various Melbourne Park venues during the Friday night session at the Australian Open including Margaret Court Arena. Tennis fans on social media earlier in the night quickly spread the Channel 9 footage of the two women, applauding them as social activists throwing shade at the Aussie tennis icon. Channel 9 has since shut that theory down. "To promote the upcoming series of Married at First Sight we had two promotional models dressed as brides at tonight's Australian Open, who were moved to various parts of the Melbourne Park precinct," a Channel 9 spokesman said in a statement. "Their seating at Margaret Court Arena was in no way meant to be interpreted as a political statement." Speculation surrounding the identities and the motives of the two young women sporting the pearly white threads in the stands briefly threatened to overshadow the action on court on Friday night. However, many were left deflated by the realisation that the whole scene was simply a misfiring TV promotion. Two women in wedding dresses sitting together in Margaret Court Arena, which bears the name of one of the loudest and most vitriolic voices on the losing side of Australia's gay marriage debate. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/i7oPQy9MAe Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 18, 2019 This is iconic! Margaret Court has been vocally homophobic and anti gay marriage. Two women in wedding dresses in this stadium is such a clapback ! #AusOpen https://t.co/QUOUwcer53 Asmita (@asmitaghosh18) January 18, 2019 Court's outspoken views on marriage equality continue to be one of the most prickly issues at the Open following calls from legends, including Martina Navratilova, for the iconic Melbourne Park stadium to be re-named. Court has for the second year stayed away from the Open, but said in an interview last week that she hopes the Australian public accepts the arena being named in her honour and continue to remember her legendary achievements on the court, including 24 grand slams. The honour awarded to Court remains an issue in the spotlight, especially while Aussie star Ash Barty remains so impacted by the discussion. Barty is good friends with Aussie great Casey Dellacqua, who revealed she was deeply hurt by Court's outspoken views towards marriage equality and gay players on the WTA Tour. Dellacqua - who has two children in an openly gay relationship, has previously rejected suggestions for players to boycott the No. 2 Australian Open venue to protest Court's views. While Dellacqua has been reticent to criticise the Aussie legend, Navratilova has been open with her criticism recently. In a letter, published by Fairfax Media, tennis royalty Martina Navratilova said while Court was entitled to free speech that didn't mean her words were free of consequence. She also said Court's views on linking the LGBTI community to Nazism were "sick and dangerous." "It is now clear exactly who Court is: an amazing tennis player, and a racist and a homophobe. Her vitriol is not just an opinion. She is actively trying to keep LGBT people from getting equal rights (note to Court: we are human beings, too). She is demonising trans kids and trans adults everywhere," Navratilova wrote.

The two brides were spotted throughout various Melbourne Park venues during the Friday night session at the Australian Open. The two women were planted in the crowd in their wedding dresses as part of a Channel 9 promotion.

ctrlsum

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12192917

Could Marie Kondo Slow Down Fast-Fashion?

Netflix sparked joyas well as social media buzz, memes, and possibly sales trends with its recent debut of Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. Inspired by Kondos KonMari method for decluttering and organizing living spaces with an emphasis on sentimental value, the feel-good show is striking a connection with viewers, not only inspiring them to purge their closets, but perhaps rethink their spending habits beyond just New Years resolutions. The Kondo Effect is bringing minimalism to the forefront of consumerism from clothing and home dcor to books and nutrition. Searches related to Kondo, KonMari, and even folding shirts hit breakout levels in conjunction with the Netflix release, based on Google Trends data. Assuming the shows continued popularity (and Netflixs fondness for renewing many of its programs for subsequent seasons), theres a real possibility that Kondos influence could push consumers toward fewer, higher-quality investment pieces. While this might spark mental and financial relief for consumers, its not joyful for retailersespecially those in fast fashion, such as H&M, Zara, and Forever 21. Were now in a time of transformation, and we see the trend towards slow fashion away from fast fashion as much more powerful than a fad, says Jen Redding, a senior equity research analyst at Wedbush Securities. A still from the Netflix series "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" Denise CrewNetflix Kondo, of course, isnt the only change agent here. Fast fashion looks to have lost its luster, Redding says. Its being displaced as Millennials place growing value on experiences, environmental, and human rights issues than in recent generations before it. Fast fashion wreaked havoc in retail over the last decade, Redding explains, and consumers are now less interested in cheap, disposable clothing. Thats not to say all mid-market fashion retailers can expect declines in 2019. Redding cited direct-to-consumer wunderkind Everlane as one example of newer retailers promising better-made apparel fit for any season. And for all the purported benefits of downsizing, not everyone sees the Kondo effect as havinga sufficiently broad enough impact on the U.S. consumer base to materially affect retail sales over the long term. In the recent past, a cultural shift of this magnitude was usually the result of an extreme external event, such as global war, says Cullen Finnegan, an associate at Transwestern, a national commercial and retail real estate firm. And while Kondo, herself, might suggest rounding up old books for resale or donation, her first title, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, is experiencing a resurgence on the sales charts, returning to the New York Times bestseller list after being published five years ago. It has since sold over seven million copies in more than 40 languages. A version of this article appears in the February 2019 issue of Fortune with the headline The KonMari Economy.

The Kondo Effect is bringing minimalism to the forefront of consumerism. Searches related to Kondo, KonMari, and even folding shirts hit breakout levels. Fast fashion looks to have lost its luster, analyst says.

bart

http://fortune.com/2019/01/18/marie-kondo-konmari-retail/

Can the Rams' Andrew Whitworth win a 5th championship inside the Superdome?

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. There might not be a football player with more championships won inside the Superdome than Andrew Whitworth. The product of West Monroe High School played in four Louisiana state championship games there and won three. While in college at LSU, the offensive lineman helped the Tigers win a BCS championship game against Oklahoma. Now deep into his 13th NFL season, the second-round selected Whitworth finally knows what it feels like to win a playoff game the Rams' win Saturday against the Cowboys was his first in eight postseason visits as he seeks a conference championship in the Dome against the New Orleans Saints. The Superdome is probably, to me, the place that Ill always have the best emotional ties just because of my athletic career there, he said. So, Im excited for this opportunity because its going to be a challenge. But man, thats why you play the game. The 37-year-old with specks of grey in his beard played his first 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and reached the playoffs six times without experiencing a victory. Three losses came at home. Then, following another home playoff loss while with the Rams last season, the 6-foot-7 left tackle finally experienced the joy of advancing in the postseason. Whitworth briefly celebrated on the field with his wife and four children letting each of them run into his arms as he crouched on the sideline at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before retreating to the team locker room to remind his team after that 30-22 victory they still had another two games to win. What a moment @awhitworth77 celebrates his first playoff win in eight trips. #FootballisFamily pic.twitter.com/j5xuNIDaCc Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 13, 2019 Whitworth has experienced more postseason disappointment than he would care to recollect. The focus here is on the future, toward what could come Sunday for the Rams if he and the rest of the offensive line continue with what they did last week against the Cowboys. In that game, the Rams became the first team with two 100-yard rushers in a single postseason game since 1997, and they did that with Whitworth at his best. He looked fresh, McVay said. He looked healthy. He was explosive, finishing blocks in the run game. He was patient and used his hands in protection. Its really incredible. If you look at the numbers ... theres only a few guys that have ever done it in the history of this league. For one, no active offensive lineman has more career starts than Whitworths 195. His next regular season game will be the 200th of his career. Another season of 16 starts would tie him with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater for the 12th most among any lineman since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. Whitworth has been recognized as one of the best in the game over the last four seasons, reaching the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons before this one. He twice has earned first-team All-Pro recognition during that span, first in 2015 while still with the Bengals and then in 2017 with the Rams. The Rams signed him to a three-year deal worth a reported $33.75 million before the 2017 season. For as much as his skill level is appreciated hes played more than 12,000 career snaps, he says so is his expertise. I didnt play offensive line," said McVay, who at 32 is the youngest coach in the league. But some of the things tips, tells or just based on his overall vantage point and experience that hes able to give you that you dont have unless youre a player, make you more in-tune with some things as a coach. Rams defensive line coach Bill Johnson, a Monroe native like Whitworth, remembered Whitworth as a high school player because of how highly regarded he was as a college prospect. After winning those state titles with West Monroe in 1997, 1998 and 2000, Whitworth went to LSU and played on the 2003 team that won the national championship. He finished at LSU with a school-record 52 starts, missing only one practice in all that time so he could attend his graduation ceremony. All these years later, he shows no signs of slowing. Hes got the energy of a 25-year-old, Johnson said. The only player on the field Sunday with more playing experience is the 40-year-old Drew Brees. Whitworth is four years older than his next-oldest teammate, 33-year-old center John Sullivan. Rams starting center is the same one Vikings had for 2009 NFC title game vs. Saints More than most players, Whitworth can appreciate some of what has kept Brees at the top of his game for as long as he has. For Whitworth, continuing to play has meant staying active during the offseason, when hes not playing. Working out, walking, hiking, he said. Im finding every way possible to keep my body active, just finding different ways to keep yourself at a high level, in shape year-round instead of just in football season. He keeps an offseason home in Colorado with his family, he said, where he also does altitude training to enhance his conditioning. Quick enough? Whitworth said. Just being active. For this week, being active has meant continuing to play football. Should the Rams win Sunday, hell have another championship earned inside the Dome. Soon after that, his message will be the same as it was last week. Only that time, there will be only one game to win.

Andrew Whitworth is seeking his fifth championship inside the Superdome. The Rams offensive lineman has played in eight postseason games.

ctrlsum

https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/01/can-the-rams-andrew-whitworth-win-a-5th-championship-inside-the-superdome.html

Can the Rams' Andrew Whitworth win a 5th championship inside the Superdome?

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. There might not be a football player with more championships won inside the Superdome than Andrew Whitworth. The product of West Monroe High School played in four Louisiana state championship games there and won three. While in college at LSU, the offensive lineman helped the Tigers win a BCS championship game against Oklahoma. Now deep into his 13th NFL season, the second-round selected Whitworth finally knows what it feels like to win a playoff game the Rams' win Saturday against the Cowboys was his first in eight postseason visits as he seeks a conference championship in the Dome against the New Orleans Saints. The Superdome is probably, to me, the place that Ill always have the best emotional ties just because of my athletic career there, he said. So, Im excited for this opportunity because its going to be a challenge. But man, thats why you play the game. The 37-year-old with specks of grey in his beard played his first 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and reached the playoffs six times without experiencing a victory. Three losses came at home. Then, following another home playoff loss while with the Rams last season, the 6-foot-7 left tackle finally experienced the joy of advancing in the postseason. Whitworth briefly celebrated on the field with his wife and four children letting each of them run into his arms as he crouched on the sideline at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before retreating to the team locker room to remind his team after that 30-22 victory they still had another two games to win. What a moment @awhitworth77 celebrates his first playoff win in eight trips. #FootballisFamily pic.twitter.com/j5xuNIDaCc Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 13, 2019 Whitworth has experienced more postseason disappointment than he would care to recollect. The focus here is on the future, toward what could come Sunday for the Rams if he and the rest of the offensive line continue with what they did last week against the Cowboys. In that game, the Rams became the first team with two 100-yard rushers in a single postseason game since 1997, and they did that with Whitworth at his best. He looked fresh, McVay said. He looked healthy. He was explosive, finishing blocks in the run game. He was patient and used his hands in protection. Its really incredible. If you look at the numbers ... theres only a few guys that have ever done it in the history of this league. For one, no active offensive lineman has more career starts than Whitworths 195. His next regular season game will be the 200th of his career. Another season of 16 starts would tie him with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater for the 12th most among any lineman since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. Whitworth has been recognized as one of the best in the game over the last four seasons, reaching the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons before this one. He twice has earned first-team All-Pro recognition during that span, first in 2015 while still with the Bengals and then in 2017 with the Rams. The Rams signed him to a three-year deal worth a reported $33.75 million before the 2017 season. For as much as his skill level is appreciated hes played more than 12,000 career snaps, he says so is his expertise. I didnt play offensive line," said McVay, who at 32 is the youngest coach in the league. But some of the things tips, tells or just based on his overall vantage point and experience that hes able to give you that you dont have unless youre a player, make you more in-tune with some things as a coach. Rams defensive line coach Bill Johnson, a Monroe native like Whitworth, remembered Whitworth as a high school player because of how highly regarded he was as a college prospect. After winning those state titles with West Monroe in 1997, 1998 and 2000, Whitworth went to LSU and played on the 2003 team that won the national championship. He finished at LSU with a school-record 52 starts, missing only one practice in all that time so he could attend his graduation ceremony. All these years later, he shows no signs of slowing. Hes got the energy of a 25-year-old, Johnson said. The only player on the field Sunday with more playing experience is the 40-year-old Drew Brees. Whitworth is four years older than his next-oldest teammate, 33-year-old center John Sullivan. Rams starting center is the same one Vikings had for 2009 NFC title game vs. Saints More than most players, Whitworth can appreciate some of what has kept Brees at the top of his game for as long as he has. For Whitworth, continuing to play has meant staying active during the offseason, when hes not playing. Working out, walking, hiking, he said. Im finding every way possible to keep my body active, just finding different ways to keep yourself at a high level, in shape year-round instead of just in football season. He keeps an offseason home in Colorado with his family, he said, where he also does altitude training to enhance his conditioning. Quick enough? Whitworth said. Just being active. For this week, being active has meant continuing to play football. Should the Rams win Sunday, hell have another championship earned inside the Dome. Soon after that, his message will be the same as it was last week. Only that time, there will be only one game to win.

Andrew Whitworth is seeking his fifth championship inside the Superdome. The Rams offensive lineman has played in eight playoff games. Whitworth has been named to three Pro Bowls in the last four seasons.

ctrlsum

https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/01/can-the-rams-andrew-whitworth-win-a-5th-championship-inside-the-superdome.html

Can the Rams' Andrew Whitworth win a 5th championship inside the Superdome?

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. There might not be a football player with more championships won inside the Superdome than Andrew Whitworth. The product of West Monroe High School played in four Louisiana state championship games there and won three. While in college at LSU, the offensive lineman helped the Tigers win a BCS championship game against Oklahoma. Now deep into his 13th NFL season, the second-round selected Whitworth finally knows what it feels like to win a playoff game the Rams' win Saturday against the Cowboys was his first in eight postseason visits as he seeks a conference championship in the Dome against the New Orleans Saints. The Superdome is probably, to me, the place that Ill always have the best emotional ties just because of my athletic career there, he said. So, Im excited for this opportunity because its going to be a challenge. But man, thats why you play the game. The 37-year-old with specks of grey in his beard played his first 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and reached the playoffs six times without experiencing a victory. Three losses came at home. Then, following another home playoff loss while with the Rams last season, the 6-foot-7 left tackle finally experienced the joy of advancing in the postseason. Whitworth briefly celebrated on the field with his wife and four children letting each of them run into his arms as he crouched on the sideline at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before retreating to the team locker room to remind his team after that 30-22 victory they still had another two games to win. What a moment @awhitworth77 celebrates his first playoff win in eight trips. #FootballisFamily pic.twitter.com/j5xuNIDaCc Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 13, 2019 Whitworth has experienced more postseason disappointment than he would care to recollect. The focus here is on the future, toward what could come Sunday for the Rams if he and the rest of the offensive line continue with what they did last week against the Cowboys. In that game, the Rams became the first team with two 100-yard rushers in a single postseason game since 1997, and they did that with Whitworth at his best. He looked fresh, McVay said. He looked healthy. He was explosive, finishing blocks in the run game. He was patient and used his hands in protection. Its really incredible. If you look at the numbers ... theres only a few guys that have ever done it in the history of this league. For one, no active offensive lineman has more career starts than Whitworths 195. His next regular season game will be the 200th of his career. Another season of 16 starts would tie him with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater for the 12th most among any lineman since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. Whitworth has been recognized as one of the best in the game over the last four seasons, reaching the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons before this one. He twice has earned first-team All-Pro recognition during that span, first in 2015 while still with the Bengals and then in 2017 with the Rams. The Rams signed him to a three-year deal worth a reported $33.75 million before the 2017 season. For as much as his skill level is appreciated hes played more than 12,000 career snaps, he says so is his expertise. I didnt play offensive line," said McVay, who at 32 is the youngest coach in the league. But some of the things tips, tells or just based on his overall vantage point and experience that hes able to give you that you dont have unless youre a player, make you more in-tune with some things as a coach. Rams defensive line coach Bill Johnson, a Monroe native like Whitworth, remembered Whitworth as a high school player because of how highly regarded he was as a college prospect. After winning those state titles with West Monroe in 1997, 1998 and 2000, Whitworth went to LSU and played on the 2003 team that won the national championship. He finished at LSU with a school-record 52 starts, missing only one practice in all that time so he could attend his graduation ceremony. All these years later, he shows no signs of slowing. Hes got the energy of a 25-year-old, Johnson said. The only player on the field Sunday with more playing experience is the 40-year-old Drew Brees. Whitworth is four years older than his next-oldest teammate, 33-year-old center John Sullivan. Rams starting center is the same one Vikings had for 2009 NFC title game vs. Saints More than most players, Whitworth can appreciate some of what has kept Brees at the top of his game for as long as he has. For Whitworth, continuing to play has meant staying active during the offseason, when hes not playing. Working out, walking, hiking, he said. Im finding every way possible to keep my body active, just finding different ways to keep yourself at a high level, in shape year-round instead of just in football season. He keeps an offseason home in Colorado with his family, he said, where he also does altitude training to enhance his conditioning. Quick enough? Whitworth said. Just being active. For this week, being active has meant continuing to play football. Should the Rams win Sunday, hell have another championship earned inside the Dome. Soon after that, his message will be the same as it was last week. Only that time, there will be only one game to win.

Andrew Whitworth is seeking his fifth championship inside the Superdome. The Rams offensive lineman has played in eight postseason games. Whitworth has been named to three Pro Bowls in his 13th NFL season. The 37-year-old has more career starts than any active offensive lineman.

ctrlsum

https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/01/can-the-rams-andrew-whitworth-win-a-5th-championship-inside-the-superdome.html

Can Oregon Ducks complete weekend sweep at Arizona State?

TEMPE, Ariz. Oregon will try to continue its incredible week by capping it off with weekend sweep at Arizona State. The Ducks (11-6, 2-2 Pac-12) were able to steer out of what could have been a debilitating loss to UCLA and rebound with a dominant showing over USC on Sunday and then opened their weekend trip with a gritty, grinding 59-54 win at Arizona on Thursday. We took that (UCLA) loss out of our head; we took what we learned form it and we moved on from it, said Paul White, who is leading Oregon in scoring (15.8 points) over the last five games. To me, we were coming off a high going into (the Arizona) game and its really not going to be anything different. We understand we have to be a lot more focused going into Tempe, make sure we take care of the ball and that we stay together as a team, staying true to our principles. Always a strong defensive team under Dana Altman, Oregon has amplified its prowess on that end while also lengthening its offensive possession in order to maximize offensive efficiency and stay competitive despite being shorthanded. With Kenny Wooten back in the lineup the Ducks got a boost on the defensive end and add to their inside presence for offensive rebounds. Offense is where Altman was focused on improving after Oregon shot just 38.6 percent from the field, including 37.5 percent from 2-point range, against Arizona. You go on the road, you win guarding and rebounding, he said. If you hit a few more shots offensively we were not very smooth. We missed some good looks. We missed some looks right around the basket that I thought we would hit. Payton (Pritchard) got to the hole a couple of times, (Victor Bailey Jr.), we just didnt get them down. "It wasnt like offensively we were really sharp and we missed some key free throws. We made just enough plays and Payton hit those four free throws late which really sealed it for us. White has raised his level of play on offense while also taking five charges over the last three games on defense. Louis King has also become the major contributor he was expected to be and leading the Ducks in scoring in conference play. He had 10 points and nine rebounds against the Wildcats. Were living by our motto: Sometimes you, sometimes me, always us, White said. Lou has been huge in these last couple of games and even in (Thursday) nights game ... those rebounds that he had throughout the game was tremendous. It was huge for us. Arizona State (12-5, 3-2 Pac-12) will look to push the pace against Oregon tonight at Wells Fargo Arena (6:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network). The Sun Devils are coming off a 70-67 win over Oregon State and play at third-fastest tempo in the Pac-12, according to KenPom. We got to keep at it (with) the same energy, even more energy going into Arizona State, Bailey Jr. said. Their crowd is always a big factor too, so we got to keep our foot on the gas pedal.

Oregon will try to complete weekend sweep at Arizona State. The Ducks beat USC on Sunday and Arizona on Thursday.

ctrlsum

https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2019/01/can-oregon-ducks-complete-weekend-sweep-at-arizona-state.html

Can Oregon Ducks complete weekend sweep at Arizona State?

TEMPE, Ariz. Oregon will try to continue its incredible week by capping it off with weekend sweep at Arizona State. The Ducks (11-6, 2-2 Pac-12) were able to steer out of what could have been a debilitating loss to UCLA and rebound with a dominant showing over USC on Sunday and then opened their weekend trip with a gritty, grinding 59-54 win at Arizona on Thursday. We took that (UCLA) loss out of our head; we took what we learned form it and we moved on from it, said Paul White, who is leading Oregon in scoring (15.8 points) over the last five games. To me, we were coming off a high going into (the Arizona) game and its really not going to be anything different. We understand we have to be a lot more focused going into Tempe, make sure we take care of the ball and that we stay together as a team, staying true to our principles. Always a strong defensive team under Dana Altman, Oregon has amplified its prowess on that end while also lengthening its offensive possession in order to maximize offensive efficiency and stay competitive despite being shorthanded. With Kenny Wooten back in the lineup the Ducks got a boost on the defensive end and add to their inside presence for offensive rebounds. Offense is where Altman was focused on improving after Oregon shot just 38.6 percent from the field, including 37.5 percent from 2-point range, against Arizona. You go on the road, you win guarding and rebounding, he said. If you hit a few more shots offensively we were not very smooth. We missed some good looks. We missed some looks right around the basket that I thought we would hit. Payton (Pritchard) got to the hole a couple of times, (Victor Bailey Jr.), we just didnt get them down. "It wasnt like offensively we were really sharp and we missed some key free throws. We made just enough plays and Payton hit those four free throws late which really sealed it for us. White has raised his level of play on offense while also taking five charges over the last three games on defense. Louis King has also become the major contributor he was expected to be and leading the Ducks in scoring in conference play. He had 10 points and nine rebounds against the Wildcats. Were living by our motto: Sometimes you, sometimes me, always us, White said. Lou has been huge in these last couple of games and even in (Thursday) nights game ... those rebounds that he had throughout the game was tremendous. It was huge for us. Arizona State (12-5, 3-2 Pac-12) will look to push the pace against Oregon tonight at Wells Fargo Arena (6:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network). The Sun Devils are coming off a 70-67 win over Oregon State and play at third-fastest tempo in the Pac-12, according to KenPom. We got to keep at it (with) the same energy, even more energy going into Arizona State, Bailey Jr. said. Their crowd is always a big factor too, so we got to keep our foot on the gas pedal.

Oregon will try to complete a weekend sweep at Arizona State. The Ducks beat USC on Sunday and Arizona on Thursday. Arizona State plays at the third-fastest tempo in the Pac-12.

ctrlsum

https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2019/01/can-oregon-ducks-complete-weekend-sweep-at-arizona-state.html

Can Oregon Ducks complete weekend sweep at Arizona State?

TEMPE, Ariz. Oregon will try to continue its incredible week by capping it off with weekend sweep at Arizona State. The Ducks (11-6, 2-2 Pac-12) were able to steer out of what could have been a debilitating loss to UCLA and rebound with a dominant showing over USC on Sunday and then opened their weekend trip with a gritty, grinding 59-54 win at Arizona on Thursday. We took that (UCLA) loss out of our head; we took what we learned form it and we moved on from it, said Paul White, who is leading Oregon in scoring (15.8 points) over the last five games. To me, we were coming off a high going into (the Arizona) game and its really not going to be anything different. We understand we have to be a lot more focused going into Tempe, make sure we take care of the ball and that we stay together as a team, staying true to our principles. Always a strong defensive team under Dana Altman, Oregon has amplified its prowess on that end while also lengthening its offensive possession in order to maximize offensive efficiency and stay competitive despite being shorthanded. With Kenny Wooten back in the lineup the Ducks got a boost on the defensive end and add to their inside presence for offensive rebounds. Offense is where Altman was focused on improving after Oregon shot just 38.6 percent from the field, including 37.5 percent from 2-point range, against Arizona. You go on the road, you win guarding and rebounding, he said. If you hit a few more shots offensively we were not very smooth. We missed some good looks. We missed some looks right around the basket that I thought we would hit. Payton (Pritchard) got to the hole a couple of times, (Victor Bailey Jr.), we just didnt get them down. "It wasnt like offensively we were really sharp and we missed some key free throws. We made just enough plays and Payton hit those four free throws late which really sealed it for us. White has raised his level of play on offense while also taking five charges over the last three games on defense. Louis King has also become the major contributor he was expected to be and leading the Ducks in scoring in conference play. He had 10 points and nine rebounds against the Wildcats. Were living by our motto: Sometimes you, sometimes me, always us, White said. Lou has been huge in these last couple of games and even in (Thursday) nights game ... those rebounds that he had throughout the game was tremendous. It was huge for us. Arizona State (12-5, 3-2 Pac-12) will look to push the pace against Oregon tonight at Wells Fargo Arena (6:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network). The Sun Devils are coming off a 70-67 win over Oregon State and play at third-fastest tempo in the Pac-12, according to KenPom. We got to keep at it (with) the same energy, even more energy going into Arizona State, Bailey Jr. said. Their crowd is always a big factor too, so we got to keep our foot on the gas pedal.

Oregon will try to complete a weekend sweep at Arizona State. The Ducks beat USC on Sunday and Arizona on Thursday. Arizona State plays at the third-fastest tempo in the Pac-12, according to KenPom.com. The Sun Devils have won three of their last four games.

ctrlsum

https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2019/01/can-oregon-ducks-complete-weekend-sweep-at-arizona-state.html

Who are the best NFL broadcasting teams of all time?

Tony Romo and Jim Nantz (AP Photo/Morry Gash) And you thought the political divide was nasty. If you really want to start a fight, check politics at the proverbial door, turn on the TV and watch an NFL game and listen to the broadcast teams. On Sunday, Jan. 20, the Fox team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call the NFC Championship; on CBS, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will call the AFC Championship. Everyone loves them. Except for all the people who hate them. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. (Photo: (Photo: Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images)) (As an aside, evidently being a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is a good way to secure a spot in an NFL broadcast booth.) Thats how it goes with broadcast teams. Ask someone how they feel about Cris Collinsworth. The usual caveats apply. This is my list. Yours can, and should, differ substantially. Ill give brief explanations for each choice, but what I liked about, say, Hank Stram, you might despise. This is the nature of any list. The argument is part of the fun. Contemporary broadcasters are not well-represented here, because well, this is an all-time list. Staying power has a little to do with it. To each their own. But these are my favorites. 10. Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Lets take a trip in the way-back machine. Gowdy was the voice of sports for a time in the 1960s matter-of-fact, play it as it lays. DeRogatis knew his stuff. But they have historical import: They not only called the infamous Heidi game, but Super Bowl III, in which Joe Namaths New York Jets defeated the mighty Baltimore Colts and basically established the AFL as a going concern. 9. Kevin Harlan and Sam Wyche Harlan is one of my favorite play-by-play announcers you can still hear him on radio. Wyche was the coach of the Cincinnati Bengals and led them to a Super Bowl appearance. He ticked off Cleveland fans (look it up). Which matters because, as an announcer, he was basically a crank. He wont be the last one on this list. I kind of loved to hear him complain about officiating, play calls, a quarterbacks decision, etc. And Harlan was a strong-enough lead to keep him in line. 8. Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen Oh, my! Lets get Enbergs signature call out of the way out front. He was one of those broadcasters who, truly, could call almost anything and did. But there was a comfort to hearing his football calls. As for Olsen, hes got to be one of the most-underrated color commentators, ever. He was a great football player, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And yes, he was an actor, appearing in Little House on the Prairie. But he was also a former player who really knew his stuff, bringing an analytical approach to his work. A smooth voice didnt hurt. 7. Jack Buck and Hank Stram Jack Buck giving his famous speech at Busch Stadium after Major League Baseball resumed play after the 9/11 terror attacks. (Photo: Flickr user majorvols) Buck is better known, of course, as a baseball announcer (I dont believe what I just saw!), and as Joe Buck's dad, but he was a terrific football play-by-play man. As for Stram, well, he was a Hall of Fame, Super Bowl-winning coach who made Wyche sound like Mr. Rogers. Cranky, you might say, with a nasal delivery that accentuated that aspect of his personality. (Personal aside: I called him at home once to get a quote, and while he was clearly not happy to be bothered during dinner, he gave me the information I needed. Points for that, in my book.) 6. Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy Costas has his detractors, but I think hes an all-time great. His exit from NBC has made some news this week; thats NBCs loss. He is whip-smart and clever, perhaps too much by half. He should probably be the commissioner of major-league baseball, but he was a sneaky-good football play-by-play announcer. Trumpy always sounded annoyed to be there, and mad at everyone on the field and, sometimes, Costas. Theres a kind of sick beauty to that. But its admittedly an acquired taste. 5. Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth Cris Collinsworth, left, with his broadcast partner Al Michaels. (Photo: NBC Photo: Justin Lubin) Michaels is probably the best play-by-play man, ever. And he knows it. Collinsworth is also confident in his abilities, you might say. Plus, since taking over the NBC Sunday night game, almost always the best game on the schedule for the week, hes become a lot more self-serious. There was a time when he was fun, and not afraid to rip players and coaches. That time has passed. But dang, are they professional. 4. Marv Albert and Paul Maguire Now this was fun booth. Albert is just great. Hes the best NBA play-by-play announcer, ever. But hes hugely underrated a football broadcaster. And that voice YESSS! Silk. A lot of people dont like Maguire, but I think he blended the bitterness of Wyche and Stram with a self-aware cynicism he knew he sounded cranky sometimes, and he laughed about it. Maybe the best thing you could say about this bunch is that if you were having a party, these two definitely would be on the guest list. Television personality Marv Albert looks on during a Premier Boxing Champions bout in the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 7, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo: Harry How, Getty Images) 3. Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier A big part of me wanted to make this the No. 1 pairing. Summerall was great, of course (at calling tennis, too) the rare former player who transitioned to play-by-play instead of color commentary. Smooth, a pros pro he said what he had to say and got out of the way. Brookshier also was a former player, and he sounded more like one. He brought a gruff realism to the equation. (He also had a quirk of, at least once a broadcast, referring to a player only by his jersey number, not by name, as if the player were a NASCAR car or something. No. 23 makes the kind of play wed expect.) These were the voices of football when football started to become an obsession, and theyre somewhat underrated because of the next pairing. 2. Pat Summerall and John Madden This Jan. 20, 2002, file photo shows Pat Summerall, left, and John Madden, right, in the FOX broadcast booth before the NFC divisional playoff in St. Louis. (Photo: The Associated Press) Weve talked about Summerall. Madden, in case you did not know, is not just someone for whom a video game is named. He was a brilliant coach and, yes, a terrific color commentator. His BAM! exclamations belied an unmatched knowledge of the game. Hes also more of a renaissance man than you might think. Hes a big fan of all sports, a big Springsteen fan. And theres almost no way to calculate the impact of Madden Football. They took opposite approaches, but blended perfectly. This is the best duo for NFL games, ever. 1. Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell The ABC Monday Night Football commentators, from left, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford. (Photo: STEVE FENN, AP) This isnt the original Monday Night Football crew they came together the second year. But they made it iconic. In a world in which you can watch some kind of sport every night, its simply impossible to appreciate the impact this broadcast and this crew had not just on sports, but on culture. They extended the weekend a day. They hosted John Lennon. Cosell told the world of Lennons death. It was the perfect mix in the booth. Gifford was a straightforward play-by-play man. Meredith was the sneaky savvy comic relief. (Both were terrific players.) Cosell was the love-him-or-hate-him lightning rod. They were the rare broadcast team that was bigger than the game. In a lot of ways, they made the game. This kind of crew, with this kind of impact, will never be repeated. Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. MORE FROM GOODYKOONTZ: WATCH: GOODYKOONTZ'S MEDIA WISHLIST FOR 2019 CLOSE azcentral film critic Bill Goodykoontz gives his top three wishes for the media in 2019. Brian Snyder, Arizona Republic Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/01/18/best-nfl-broadcast-teams-all-time/2601082002/

The best NFL broadcast teams of all time are Joe Buck and Troy Aikman and Jim Nantz and Tony Romo and Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis. To each their own, these are my favorites.

ctrlsum

https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/01/18/best-nfl-broadcast-teams-all-time/2601082002/

Who are the best NFL broadcasting teams of all time?

Tony Romo and Jim Nantz (AP Photo/Morry Gash) And you thought the political divide was nasty. If you really want to start a fight, check politics at the proverbial door, turn on the TV and watch an NFL game and listen to the broadcast teams. On Sunday, Jan. 20, the Fox team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call the NFC Championship; on CBS, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will call the AFC Championship. Everyone loves them. Except for all the people who hate them. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. (Photo: (Photo: Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images)) (As an aside, evidently being a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is a good way to secure a spot in an NFL broadcast booth.) Thats how it goes with broadcast teams. Ask someone how they feel about Cris Collinsworth. The usual caveats apply. This is my list. Yours can, and should, differ substantially. Ill give brief explanations for each choice, but what I liked about, say, Hank Stram, you might despise. This is the nature of any list. The argument is part of the fun. Contemporary broadcasters are not well-represented here, because well, this is an all-time list. Staying power has a little to do with it. To each their own. But these are my favorites. 10. Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Lets take a trip in the way-back machine. Gowdy was the voice of sports for a time in the 1960s matter-of-fact, play it as it lays. DeRogatis knew his stuff. But they have historical import: They not only called the infamous Heidi game, but Super Bowl III, in which Joe Namaths New York Jets defeated the mighty Baltimore Colts and basically established the AFL as a going concern. 9. Kevin Harlan and Sam Wyche Harlan is one of my favorite play-by-play announcers you can still hear him on radio. Wyche was the coach of the Cincinnati Bengals and led them to a Super Bowl appearance. He ticked off Cleveland fans (look it up). Which matters because, as an announcer, he was basically a crank. He wont be the last one on this list. I kind of loved to hear him complain about officiating, play calls, a quarterbacks decision, etc. And Harlan was a strong-enough lead to keep him in line. 8. Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen Oh, my! Lets get Enbergs signature call out of the way out front. He was one of those broadcasters who, truly, could call almost anything and did. But there was a comfort to hearing his football calls. As for Olsen, hes got to be one of the most-underrated color commentators, ever. He was a great football player, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And yes, he was an actor, appearing in Little House on the Prairie. But he was also a former player who really knew his stuff, bringing an analytical approach to his work. A smooth voice didnt hurt. 7. Jack Buck and Hank Stram Jack Buck giving his famous speech at Busch Stadium after Major League Baseball resumed play after the 9/11 terror attacks. (Photo: Flickr user majorvols) Buck is better known, of course, as a baseball announcer (I dont believe what I just saw!), and as Joe Buck's dad, but he was a terrific football play-by-play man. As for Stram, well, he was a Hall of Fame, Super Bowl-winning coach who made Wyche sound like Mr. Rogers. Cranky, you might say, with a nasal delivery that accentuated that aspect of his personality. (Personal aside: I called him at home once to get a quote, and while he was clearly not happy to be bothered during dinner, he gave me the information I needed. Points for that, in my book.) 6. Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy Costas has his detractors, but I think hes an all-time great. His exit from NBC has made some news this week; thats NBCs loss. He is whip-smart and clever, perhaps too much by half. He should probably be the commissioner of major-league baseball, but he was a sneaky-good football play-by-play announcer. Trumpy always sounded annoyed to be there, and mad at everyone on the field and, sometimes, Costas. Theres a kind of sick beauty to that. But its admittedly an acquired taste. 5. Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth Cris Collinsworth, left, with his broadcast partner Al Michaels. (Photo: NBC Photo: Justin Lubin) Michaels is probably the best play-by-play man, ever. And he knows it. Collinsworth is also confident in his abilities, you might say. Plus, since taking over the NBC Sunday night game, almost always the best game on the schedule for the week, hes become a lot more self-serious. There was a time when he was fun, and not afraid to rip players and coaches. That time has passed. But dang, are they professional. 4. Marv Albert and Paul Maguire Now this was fun booth. Albert is just great. Hes the best NBA play-by-play announcer, ever. But hes hugely underrated a football broadcaster. And that voice YESSS! Silk. A lot of people dont like Maguire, but I think he blended the bitterness of Wyche and Stram with a self-aware cynicism he knew he sounded cranky sometimes, and he laughed about it. Maybe the best thing you could say about this bunch is that if you were having a party, these two definitely would be on the guest list. Television personality Marv Albert looks on during a Premier Boxing Champions bout in the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 7, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo: Harry How, Getty Images) 3. Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier A big part of me wanted to make this the No. 1 pairing. Summerall was great, of course (at calling tennis, too) the rare former player who transitioned to play-by-play instead of color commentary. Smooth, a pros pro he said what he had to say and got out of the way. Brookshier also was a former player, and he sounded more like one. He brought a gruff realism to the equation. (He also had a quirk of, at least once a broadcast, referring to a player only by his jersey number, not by name, as if the player were a NASCAR car or something. No. 23 makes the kind of play wed expect.) These were the voices of football when football started to become an obsession, and theyre somewhat underrated because of the next pairing. 2. Pat Summerall and John Madden This Jan. 20, 2002, file photo shows Pat Summerall, left, and John Madden, right, in the FOX broadcast booth before the NFC divisional playoff in St. Louis. (Photo: The Associated Press) Weve talked about Summerall. Madden, in case you did not know, is not just someone for whom a video game is named. He was a brilliant coach and, yes, a terrific color commentator. His BAM! exclamations belied an unmatched knowledge of the game. Hes also more of a renaissance man than you might think. Hes a big fan of all sports, a big Springsteen fan. And theres almost no way to calculate the impact of Madden Football. They took opposite approaches, but blended perfectly. This is the best duo for NFL games, ever. 1. Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell The ABC Monday Night Football commentators, from left, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford. (Photo: STEVE FENN, AP) This isnt the original Monday Night Football crew they came together the second year. But they made it iconic. In a world in which you can watch some kind of sport every night, its simply impossible to appreciate the impact this broadcast and this crew had not just on sports, but on culture. They extended the weekend a day. They hosted John Lennon. Cosell told the world of Lennons death. It was the perfect mix in the booth. Gifford was a straightforward play-by-play man. Meredith was the sneaky savvy comic relief. (Both were terrific players.) Cosell was the love-him-or-hate-him lightning rod. They were the rare broadcast team that was bigger than the game. In a lot of ways, they made the game. This kind of crew, with this kind of impact, will never be repeated. Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. MORE FROM GOODYKOONTZ: WATCH: GOODYKOONTZ'S MEDIA WISHLIST FOR 2019 CLOSE azcentral film critic Bill Goodykoontz gives his top three wishes for the media in 2019. Brian Snyder, Arizona Republic Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/01/18/best-nfl-broadcast-teams-all-time/2601082002/

The best NFL broadcast teams of all time are Joe Buck and Troy Aikman and Jim Nantz and Tony Romo and Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis. To each their own, this is an all-time list; yours can, and should, differ substantially.

ctrlsum

https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/01/18/best-nfl-broadcast-teams-all-time/2601082002/

Isn't it time to stop talking about Kyrsten Sinema's inauguration dress?

Opinion: We're still talking about her inauguration dress weeks later, and that sends an annoying message about what we value most. Every inch of fabric has been dissected repeatedly, on both sides of the aisle, as if it were an extension of the woman. Some said it was inappropriate sleeveless! With fur! And all that pink! while others said it was a fierce statement of independence, a welcome middle finger to the D.C. establishment. Good grief, people. It was just a dress. Look, I know people are going to react (often negatively) to what women wear. Its human nature to judge a book by its cover, and no matter how evolved we think we are, we still tend to do this a lot more with women than men. I have been duly schooled about my frumpy blue sweaters). But it annoys me that we cant seem to let it go. When both sides assign this much value to a dress, were saying that what a woman wears matters as much as what she says or does. If only we were nearly as passionate about what Sinema thinks would end the shutdown as we were about the message she intended to send with that giant flower on her skirt. Reach Allhands at joanna.allhands@arizonarepublic.com. READ MORE: Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/joannaallhands/2019/01/18/kyrsten-sinema-dress-does-not-deserve-much-debate/2617831002/

Joanna Allhands: Kyrsten Sinema's inauguration dress was just a dress. She says it's annoying that we can't seem to let it go. Allhands says it sends a message about what we value most, and that's what we should care about.

ctrlsum

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/joannaallhands/2019/01/18/kyrsten-sinema-dress-does-not-deserve-much-debate/2617831002/

Did Trump order Michael Cohen to lie to Congress? Will it matter if he did?

Opinion: There is a good chance it won't bother his supporters or his enablers in the Senate. Michael Cohen and Donald Trump (Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP/Getty Images) A report in BuzzFeed says that President Donald Trump directed his then-attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. The article reads in part: The special counsels office learned about Trumps directive for Cohen to lie to Congress through interviews with multiple witnesses from the Trump Organization and internal company emails, text messages, and a cache of other documents. Cohen then acknowledged those instructions during his interviews with that office. This revelation is not the first evidence to suggest the president may have attempted to obstruct the FBI and special counsel investigations into Russias interference in the 2016 election. But Cohen's testimony marks a significant new frontier: It is the first known example of Trump explicitly telling a subordinate to lie directly about his own dealings with Russia. It calls for up to five years in prison CLOSE The report by BuzzFeed, citing two unnamed law enforcement officials, says that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress and that Cohen regularly briefed Trump on the Moscow project. The Associated Press has not independently confirmed the report. (Jan. 18) AP Thats the heart of it, and the part that must have proof. If there is documentation, if there are multiple witnesses two VERY big ifs then Trump is in real trouble. With the law, anyway. According to federal law: "Whoever procures another to commit any perjury is guilty of subornation of perjury, and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both." With Trump, impeachment would be the more likely course. But thats not the ultimate question. I dont think so. No. Trump is responding by smearing Cohen, of course, tweeting: Kevin Corke, @FoxNews Dont forget, Michael Cohen has already been convicted of perjury and fraud, and as recently as this week, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that he may have stolen tens of thousands of dollars.... Lying to reduce his jail time! Watch father-in-law! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2019 Its true that Cohen has admitted his crimes. But speak to prosecutors about most of their cases. They will tell you that individuals testifying against criminal defendants are not often the nicest people themselves. Just the opposite. Getting one participant in a criminal enterprise to turn on another participant is common practice. Sadly, not unprecedented It's how many criminals are brought to justice. Youd like to think, for our sake, for the sake of our children, that such things wouldnt happen among people at the White House. Then again, it has happened before so ... Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. MORE BY MONTINI: Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/18/donald-trump-michael-cohen-impeachment-buzzfeed/2617610002/

Report: Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. E.J. Montini: If there is documentation, Trump is in real trouble.

bart

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/18/donald-trump-michael-cohen-impeachment-buzzfeed/2617610002/

Did Trump order Michael Cohen to lie to Congress? Will it matter if he did?

Opinion: There is a good chance it won't bother his supporters or his enablers in the Senate. Michael Cohen and Donald Trump (Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP/Getty Images) A report in BuzzFeed says that President Donald Trump directed his then-attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. The article reads in part: The special counsels office learned about Trumps directive for Cohen to lie to Congress through interviews with multiple witnesses from the Trump Organization and internal company emails, text messages, and a cache of other documents. Cohen then acknowledged those instructions during his interviews with that office. This revelation is not the first evidence to suggest the president may have attempted to obstruct the FBI and special counsel investigations into Russias interference in the 2016 election. But Cohen's testimony marks a significant new frontier: It is the first known example of Trump explicitly telling a subordinate to lie directly about his own dealings with Russia. It calls for up to five years in prison CLOSE The report by BuzzFeed, citing two unnamed law enforcement officials, says that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress and that Cohen regularly briefed Trump on the Moscow project. The Associated Press has not independently confirmed the report. (Jan. 18) AP Thats the heart of it, and the part that must have proof. If there is documentation, if there are multiple witnesses two VERY big ifs then Trump is in real trouble. With the law, anyway. According to federal law: "Whoever procures another to commit any perjury is guilty of subornation of perjury, and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both." With Trump, impeachment would be the more likely course. But thats not the ultimate question. I dont think so. No. Trump is responding by smearing Cohen, of course, tweeting: Kevin Corke, @FoxNews Dont forget, Michael Cohen has already been convicted of perjury and fraud, and as recently as this week, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that he may have stolen tens of thousands of dollars.... Lying to reduce his jail time! Watch father-in-law! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2019 Its true that Cohen has admitted his crimes. But speak to prosecutors about most of their cases. They will tell you that individuals testifying against criminal defendants are not often the nicest people themselves. Just the opposite. Getting one participant in a criminal enterprise to turn on another participant is common practice. Sadly, not unprecedented It's how many criminals are brought to justice. Youd like to think, for our sake, for the sake of our children, that such things wouldnt happen among people at the White House. Then again, it has happened before so ... Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. MORE BY MONTINI: Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/18/donald-trump-michael-cohen-impeachment-buzzfeed/2617610002/

Report: Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. E.J. Montini: If there is documentation, Trump is in real trouble. He says impeachment would be the more likely course. But thats not the ultimate question.

bart

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/18/donald-trump-michael-cohen-impeachment-buzzfeed/2617610002/

Did Trump order Michael Cohen to lie to Congress? Will it matter if he did?

Opinion: There is a good chance it won't bother his supporters or his enablers in the Senate. Michael Cohen and Donald Trump (Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP/Getty Images) A report in BuzzFeed says that President Donald Trump directed his then-attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. The article reads in part: The special counsels office learned about Trumps directive for Cohen to lie to Congress through interviews with multiple witnesses from the Trump Organization and internal company emails, text messages, and a cache of other documents. Cohen then acknowledged those instructions during his interviews with that office. This revelation is not the first evidence to suggest the president may have attempted to obstruct the FBI and special counsel investigations into Russias interference in the 2016 election. But Cohen's testimony marks a significant new frontier: It is the first known example of Trump explicitly telling a subordinate to lie directly about his own dealings with Russia. It calls for up to five years in prison CLOSE The report by BuzzFeed, citing two unnamed law enforcement officials, says that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress and that Cohen regularly briefed Trump on the Moscow project. The Associated Press has not independently confirmed the report. (Jan. 18) AP Thats the heart of it, and the part that must have proof. If there is documentation, if there are multiple witnesses two VERY big ifs then Trump is in real trouble. With the law, anyway. According to federal law: "Whoever procures another to commit any perjury is guilty of subornation of perjury, and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both." With Trump, impeachment would be the more likely course. But thats not the ultimate question. I dont think so. No. Trump is responding by smearing Cohen, of course, tweeting: Kevin Corke, @FoxNews Dont forget, Michael Cohen has already been convicted of perjury and fraud, and as recently as this week, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that he may have stolen tens of thousands of dollars.... Lying to reduce his jail time! Watch father-in-law! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2019 Its true that Cohen has admitted his crimes. But speak to prosecutors about most of their cases. They will tell you that individuals testifying against criminal defendants are not often the nicest people themselves. Just the opposite. Getting one participant in a criminal enterprise to turn on another participant is common practice. Sadly, not unprecedented It's how many criminals are brought to justice. Youd like to think, for our sake, for the sake of our children, that such things wouldnt happen among people at the White House. Then again, it has happened before so ... Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. MORE BY MONTINI: Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/18/donald-trump-michael-cohen-impeachment-buzzfeed/2617610002/

Report: Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. E.J. Montini: If there is documentation, Trump is in real trouble. He says impeachment would be the more likely course. But thats not the ultimate question, Montini says.

bart

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/18/donald-trump-michael-cohen-impeachment-buzzfeed/2617610002/

Can Trudeaus government convince First Nations to allow the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion?

OTTAWAIts all a bit rich to Chief Lee Spahan. The Canadian government wants to build another pipeline through his reserve. But he says it doesnt have permission for the one thats already there. Spahan was talking about the Trans Mountain pipeline, of course the 1,100-km tube that has carried Alberta crude from the oilsands to the B.C. coast. since it was built in 1956, and that Ottawa hopes to expand by building a twin line along the existing route, tripling capacity. Back in the 50s, Coldwater granted a pipeline right-of-way, in exchange for $2,417 and annual property tax payments, court records show. Theyre trying to move on the expansion pipeline before they even deal with us on the first one, he said. The pipeline is in trespass right now, Spahan told the Star by phone this week from the Coldwater reserve in the British Columbia interior, just south of the town of Merritt. The government, by then owners of Trans Mountain, ordered the National Energy Board to finish a new environmental review by Feb. 22, and started a fresh round of Indigenous consultations in December. The current situation stems from a Federal Court of Appeal decision last August that quashed the Trudeau governments approval for the expansion project. The court said Ottawa failed to consider the impacts of the sevenfold increase in oil tanker traffic, and ruled that talks with First Nations needed to be more than note-taking sessions and include two-way dialogue where efforts are made to accommodate concerns about the expanded oil pipeline. Its just one wrinkle in the complex undertaking the Liberal government has embarked upon to convince Canadas courts it has done what is necessary to build the Trans Mountain expansion. One major aspect of that is to fulfil the constitutional duty to meaningfully consult First Nations along the pipeline route many of which, like Coldwater, are flat-out against the pipeline in the first place. In 2017, a court in Canada struck down a government decision to transfer the right-of-way to Kinder Morgan, the Texas-based oil giant that bought Trans Mountain more than a decade ago and sold it to Ottawa last year for $4.5 billion. The court ruled Ottawa failed to assess the impacts of Coldwaters right to use and enjoy its lands, and asked the government to reconsider the decision to green-light the right-of-way for the pipelines new owners. We are following the direction of the court, and the court has said we can resolve these issues, Sohi told the Star this week. The goal of the new process, said Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi, is to satisfy the courts and move forward on this project in the right way a tricky political effort to show major resource projects are possible while staying true to Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus lofty aims of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and a credible push to fight climate change. Its good for our economy to make sure that we move forward in a way that the pipelines that we build can stand the test of the day, he said. To do that, the government has revamped its consultation process to meet what it believes the court wants to see. The Liberals recruited former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci to help design the new process. Starting last December, Iacobucci held a series of roundtables with First Nations along the pipeline route. He will also report to the government at the end of the new process, issuing judgment on whether he believes the new consultations were robust enough to satisfy Canadas legal requirements. Meanwhile, a new unit was created in the Natural Resources department with officials from various branches of government, including fisheries, the environment and Crown-Indigenous relations. Eight consultation teams with five members each are relegated to different regions along the pipeline route, and an effort has been made to ensure they have members who have identified as Indigenous, government officials told the Star in a background briefing this week. Last time, in the round of consultations that failed to pass the court, there were three of these teams. But the major difference this time around, Sohi said, is that these consultation groups are empowered to offer solutions during talks with Indigenous groups a key component of the two-way dialogue the court ruled was absent during the failed consultations. As the officials explained, this can mean discussions on issues like changing the depth of the proposed pipeline, or to consider altering the route to go around environmentally sensitive areas like salmon breeding grounds, or culturally significant sites like burial grounds or where there is a tradition of community berry-picking. These discussions are easier now that Trans Mountain is a Crown corporation, the officials said; they participate in consultations alongside the government teams. Sohi stressed, however, that the governments view is that it must only accommodate reasonable concerns, and that Indigenous communities dont have a veto over whether the project goes forward. Its a two-way dialogue, and making every sincere effort to accommodate the concerns that have been identified, Sohi said. Thats what meaningful consultation means. Its not to achieve consent. Its making efforts to achieve consent. Thats where things fall apart for some Indigenous leaders. Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwamis Chief Bob Chamberlin, a vocal pipeline opponent who is vice-president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, said Canadas support of the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Peoples means resources projects on First Nations territory can only proceed with free, prior and informed consent. Whats more, the consultation process was designed by the government, with the final decision on the pipeline expansion reserved for Trudeau and his cabinet. Here in B.C., its unceded land, Chamberlin said, referring to how most Indigenous groups in the province have never signed treaties with the Crown. When the government maintains that level of control, there is no consent or recognition of our peoples inherent jurisdiction and authority in our lands, he said. Of course, not all Indigenous communities along the Trans Mountain pipeline oppose the expansion project. When Kinder Morgan owned the line, it signed 43 mutual benefit agreements with First Nations, deals to ensure communities get a slice of money from the revenues of the new infrastructure. Leaders in Alberta who represent First Nations with oil and gas assets met this week to discuss trying to buy Trans Mountain from Ottawa, though Sohi told the Star the Liberals are focused on satisfying the courts to approve the expansion before they move to sell the pipeline. But another complication is that some Indigenous leaders question the authority of First Nations band councils to consent to the project a situation similar to that which played out in Wetsuweten territory this month, where hereditary chiefs supported a blockade of a natural gas pipeline that is supported by elected band councils in the region. Our elders are very clear with us. They said theres no such thing as band territory, said Chief Judy Wilson of the Neskonlith First Nation. Our (land) title is held collectively by the proper title holders, which is our people, she said. For its part, officials say the government isnt closed-minded about consulting only with elected band councils; efforts are made to ensure talks are held with the appropriate group, the officials said. But for Chief Spahan from Coldwater First Nation, theres an element of respect thats missing from the discussions. He said hes asked Sohi and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett to visit his community in person. Instead, later this month, the government is sending a lawyer to sit down with him. With hanging disagreements over the existing pipeline, and worries about the expansion that he wants addressed, Spahan said he hasnt yet noticed much difference in this new round of government consultations. Its very hard to trust them, he said. The honesty is broken. Alex Ballingall is an Ottawa-based reporter covering national politics. Follow him on Twitter: @aballinga

The Canadian government wants to build a twin line along the existing route of the Trans Mountain pipeline. Many First Nations along the pipeline route are flat-out against the pipeline in the first place. The government has revamped its consultation process to meet what it believes the court wants to see.

ctrlsum

https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/01/18/can-trudeaus-government-convince-first-nations-to-allow-the-trans-mountain-pipeline-expansion.html

How Much Has Antarctica's Ice Mass Loss Increased Since 1979?

It's easy to forget about Antarctica's problems. After all, most people will never visit there, and the other continents are home to many more problems than can be feasibly lessened or fixed. In this connected world, however, what might seem like a problem that's restricted to a frozen, isolated part of the globe is bound to spread. A recent report, which constitutes the longest-ever assessment of remaining Antarctic ice mass, revealed the depth of the Antarctica's mass loss problem. According to the study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), between 1979 and 2017, the continent's yearly ice mass loss increased sixfold. Here are the numbers: From 1979 to 1990, on average, approximately 40 gigatons (or 40 billion tons) worth of ice mass were lost each year. By the final time period (2009 to 2017) discussed in the study, the approximate average yearly ice mass loss had skyrocketed to 252 gigatons. The researchers assessed the continental ice discharge of 176 basins in a total of 18 regions, as well as the surrounding islands, using an annual time series of ice sheet velocity, ice thickness, reconstructed surface mass balance, drainage inventory and high-resolution topography data. That collection of data includes "more complete mapping of glacier thickness than in the past due to new data," new velocity data and "a newer reconstruction of surface climate compared to what our group published in 2011, so the estimates we obtain are of higher quality," lead study author Eric Rignot, an Earth-systems scientist for the University of California at Irvine and NASA, wrote in an email. "Data was derived from fairly high-resolution aerial photographs taken from a distance of about 350 meters via NASAs Operation IceBridge; satellite radar interferometry from multiple space agencies; and the ongoing Landsat satellite imagery series, begun in the early 1970s," a news release notes. To estimate the ice sheet mass balance, the team utilized a technique called the component method, which compares snowfall accumulation occurring over the interior basins with glacial ice discharge across the grounding line. "Our technique examines each glacier and the exact partitioning between the surface climate and the glacier dynamics, so we can understand the physical processes driving the mass changes," Rignot noted. The mathematics used to evaluate data for this study included "very simple to calculate fluxes at gates (integration) and error analysis," according to Rignot. "The mass loss from West Antarctica is three to four times larger than that from East Antarctica and the [Antarctic] Peninsula, respectively," the researchers wrote in the study, adding "We find that the Antarctic Ice Sheet has been out of balance with snowfall accumulation the entire period of study, including in East Antarctica." The finding about East Antarctica is particularly surprising. "Our observations challenge the traditional view that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is stable and immune to change," the researchers wrote. That traditional view was based on the knowledge that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet "stands on higher ground, hence [it's] colder; and most of the ground is above the water line, hence protecting the ice from the influence of the ocean," Rignot noted. Since 1979, the average contribution to sea level rise stemming from Antarctica was about 3.6 millimeters per decade. What's more, Antarctica has contributed a total of about 14 millimeters to sea level rise in the last 40 years. "Evolution of the glaciers and surrounding ice shelves is consistent with a strengthening of the westerlies caused by a rise in greenhouse gas levels and ozone depletion that bring more CDW [circumpolar deep water] on the continental shelf," the researchers wrote. After analyzing their mass balance assessment (along with prior surveys), the team noted that future contributions to sea level rise from one sector of Antarctica alone (between the Cook, Ninnis and West ice shelves) may contribute multimeter sea level rise "with unabated climate warming." "Our outlook is that we have a lot of leakage of ice from many different regions of Antarctica, so we need to take the melting of Antarctica very seriously," Rignot said. Specific collection of data related to East Antarctica's ice thickness, as well as further validation of the team's mass balance model is needed, he noted.

Between 1979 and 2017, Antarctica's yearly ice mass loss increased sixfold.

ctrlsum

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelcrowell/2019/01/18/how-much-has-antarcticas-ice-mass-loss-increased-since-1979/

How Much Has Antarctica's Ice Mass Loss Increased Since 1979?

It's easy to forget about Antarctica's problems. After all, most people will never visit there, and the other continents are home to many more problems than can be feasibly lessened or fixed. In this connected world, however, what might seem like a problem that's restricted to a frozen, isolated part of the globe is bound to spread. A recent report, which constitutes the longest-ever assessment of remaining Antarctic ice mass, revealed the depth of the Antarctica's mass loss problem. According to the study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), between 1979 and 2017, the continent's yearly ice mass loss increased sixfold. Here are the numbers: From 1979 to 1990, on average, approximately 40 gigatons (or 40 billion tons) worth of ice mass were lost each year. By the final time period (2009 to 2017) discussed in the study, the approximate average yearly ice mass loss had skyrocketed to 252 gigatons. The researchers assessed the continental ice discharge of 176 basins in a total of 18 regions, as well as the surrounding islands, using an annual time series of ice sheet velocity, ice thickness, reconstructed surface mass balance, drainage inventory and high-resolution topography data. That collection of data includes "more complete mapping of glacier thickness than in the past due to new data," new velocity data and "a newer reconstruction of surface climate compared to what our group published in 2011, so the estimates we obtain are of higher quality," lead study author Eric Rignot, an Earth-systems scientist for the University of California at Irvine and NASA, wrote in an email. "Data was derived from fairly high-resolution aerial photographs taken from a distance of about 350 meters via NASAs Operation IceBridge; satellite radar interferometry from multiple space agencies; and the ongoing Landsat satellite imagery series, begun in the early 1970s," a news release notes. To estimate the ice sheet mass balance, the team utilized a technique called the component method, which compares snowfall accumulation occurring over the interior basins with glacial ice discharge across the grounding line. "Our technique examines each glacier and the exact partitioning between the surface climate and the glacier dynamics, so we can understand the physical processes driving the mass changes," Rignot noted. The mathematics used to evaluate data for this study included "very simple to calculate fluxes at gates (integration) and error analysis," according to Rignot. "The mass loss from West Antarctica is three to four times larger than that from East Antarctica and the [Antarctic] Peninsula, respectively," the researchers wrote in the study, adding "We find that the Antarctic Ice Sheet has been out of balance with snowfall accumulation the entire period of study, including in East Antarctica." The finding about East Antarctica is particularly surprising. "Our observations challenge the traditional view that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is stable and immune to change," the researchers wrote. That traditional view was based on the knowledge that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet "stands on higher ground, hence [it's] colder; and most of the ground is above the water line, hence protecting the ice from the influence of the ocean," Rignot noted. Since 1979, the average contribution to sea level rise stemming from Antarctica was about 3.6 millimeters per decade. What's more, Antarctica has contributed a total of about 14 millimeters to sea level rise in the last 40 years. "Evolution of the glaciers and surrounding ice shelves is consistent with a strengthening of the westerlies caused by a rise in greenhouse gas levels and ozone depletion that bring more CDW [circumpolar deep water] on the continental shelf," the researchers wrote. After analyzing their mass balance assessment (along with prior surveys), the team noted that future contributions to sea level rise from one sector of Antarctica alone (between the Cook, Ninnis and West ice shelves) may contribute multimeter sea level rise "with unabated climate warming." "Our outlook is that we have a lot of leakage of ice from many different regions of Antarctica, so we need to take the melting of Antarctica very seriously," Rignot said. Specific collection of data related to East Antarctica's ice thickness, as well as further validation of the team's mass balance model is needed, he noted.

Between 1979 and 2017, Antarctica's yearly ice mass loss increased sixfold. Since 1979, the average contribution to sea level rise stemming from Antarctica was about 3.6 millimeters per decade.

bart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelcrowell/2019/01/18/how-much-has-antarcticas-ice-mass-loss-increased-since-1979/

How Much Has Antarctica's Ice Mass Loss Increased Since 1979?

It's easy to forget about Antarctica's problems. After all, most people will never visit there, and the other continents are home to many more problems than can be feasibly lessened or fixed. In this connected world, however, what might seem like a problem that's restricted to a frozen, isolated part of the globe is bound to spread. A recent report, which constitutes the longest-ever assessment of remaining Antarctic ice mass, revealed the depth of the Antarctica's mass loss problem. According to the study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), between 1979 and 2017, the continent's yearly ice mass loss increased sixfold. Here are the numbers: From 1979 to 1990, on average, approximately 40 gigatons (or 40 billion tons) worth of ice mass were lost each year. By the final time period (2009 to 2017) discussed in the study, the approximate average yearly ice mass loss had skyrocketed to 252 gigatons. The researchers assessed the continental ice discharge of 176 basins in a total of 18 regions, as well as the surrounding islands, using an annual time series of ice sheet velocity, ice thickness, reconstructed surface mass balance, drainage inventory and high-resolution topography data. That collection of data includes "more complete mapping of glacier thickness than in the past due to new data," new velocity data and "a newer reconstruction of surface climate compared to what our group published in 2011, so the estimates we obtain are of higher quality," lead study author Eric Rignot, an Earth-systems scientist for the University of California at Irvine and NASA, wrote in an email. "Data was derived from fairly high-resolution aerial photographs taken from a distance of about 350 meters via NASAs Operation IceBridge; satellite radar interferometry from multiple space agencies; and the ongoing Landsat satellite imagery series, begun in the early 1970s," a news release notes. To estimate the ice sheet mass balance, the team utilized a technique called the component method, which compares snowfall accumulation occurring over the interior basins with glacial ice discharge across the grounding line. "Our technique examines each glacier and the exact partitioning between the surface climate and the glacier dynamics, so we can understand the physical processes driving the mass changes," Rignot noted. The mathematics used to evaluate data for this study included "very simple to calculate fluxes at gates (integration) and error analysis," according to Rignot. "The mass loss from West Antarctica is three to four times larger than that from East Antarctica and the [Antarctic] Peninsula, respectively," the researchers wrote in the study, adding "We find that the Antarctic Ice Sheet has been out of balance with snowfall accumulation the entire period of study, including in East Antarctica." The finding about East Antarctica is particularly surprising. "Our observations challenge the traditional view that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is stable and immune to change," the researchers wrote. That traditional view was based on the knowledge that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet "stands on higher ground, hence [it's] colder; and most of the ground is above the water line, hence protecting the ice from the influence of the ocean," Rignot noted. Since 1979, the average contribution to sea level rise stemming from Antarctica was about 3.6 millimeters per decade. What's more, Antarctica has contributed a total of about 14 millimeters to sea level rise in the last 40 years. "Evolution of the glaciers and surrounding ice shelves is consistent with a strengthening of the westerlies caused by a rise in greenhouse gas levels and ozone depletion that bring more CDW [circumpolar deep water] on the continental shelf," the researchers wrote. After analyzing their mass balance assessment (along with prior surveys), the team noted that future contributions to sea level rise from one sector of Antarctica alone (between the Cook, Ninnis and West ice shelves) may contribute multimeter sea level rise "with unabated climate warming." "Our outlook is that we have a lot of leakage of ice from many different regions of Antarctica, so we need to take the melting of Antarctica very seriously," Rignot said. Specific collection of data related to East Antarctica's ice thickness, as well as further validation of the team's mass balance model is needed, he noted.

Between 1979 and 2017, Antarctica's yearly ice mass loss increased sixfold. Since 1979, the average contribution to sea level rise stemming from Antarctica was about 3.6 millimeters per decade. "Our observations challenge the traditional view that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is stable and immune to change," researchers wrote.

bart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelcrowell/2019/01/18/how-much-has-antarcticas-ice-mass-loss-increased-since-1979/

Did Tate Martell make the right decision to leave Ohio State for Miami?

Quarterback Tate Martell is heading to Miami to play for the Hurricanes after the Ohio State Buckeyes picked up Justin Fields from Georgia. Many are criticizing him from running from a challenge, saying he should have stayed and competed for the starting job. Others understand his predicament and don't mind him leaving. PERSPECTIVES Martell looks weak for this move. That's not what competitors do. If he's confident in his ability, he should have stayed and earned that starting spot. He's spent a year learning under Ohio State's new head coach, Ryan Day, and already has a head start on Fields. Everyone raves about Martell's competitiveness. He should have stayed and fought. Just going to pack up and run. Ok. Don't swing and miss twice. -- WcharsnEx (@St3v3Wilds) January 10, 2019 Everyone jumping on this kid has no idea what he's going through. The coach that recruited him quit, and now he's stuck with a head coach that obviously likes Fields. There is no way it will be a fair fight for Martell, even though he spent a year under Day. Transferring to a Miami will give him a real opportunity. He made the right decision leaving Ohio State. There is more politics in D1 football than in DC. Most likely a good move on his part. If the new coach and said QB guru that coached both Haskins and Fields are eye to eye then Martell will NOT get a fair shot. #FACTS -- Rodney Cummings (@Govols4Rodney) January 10, 2019 Martell arrived at Ohio State at the wrong time as a run-first QB The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.

Many are criticizing Tate Martell for leaving Ohio State to play for Miami. Others say he should have stayed and competed for the starting job.

ctrlsum

https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2019/01/did_tate_martell_make_the_righ.html

Did Tate Martell make the right decision to leave Ohio State for Miami?

Quarterback Tate Martell is heading to Miami to play for the Hurricanes after the Ohio State Buckeyes picked up Justin Fields from Georgia. Many are criticizing him from running from a challenge, saying he should have stayed and competed for the starting job. Others understand his predicament and don't mind him leaving. PERSPECTIVES Martell looks weak for this move. That's not what competitors do. If he's confident in his ability, he should have stayed and earned that starting spot. He's spent a year learning under Ohio State's new head coach, Ryan Day, and already has a head start on Fields. Everyone raves about Martell's competitiveness. He should have stayed and fought. Just going to pack up and run. Ok. Don't swing and miss twice. -- WcharsnEx (@St3v3Wilds) January 10, 2019 Everyone jumping on this kid has no idea what he's going through. The coach that recruited him quit, and now he's stuck with a head coach that obviously likes Fields. There is no way it will be a fair fight for Martell, even though he spent a year under Day. Transferring to a Miami will give him a real opportunity. He made the right decision leaving Ohio State. There is more politics in D1 football than in DC. Most likely a good move on his part. If the new coach and said QB guru that coached both Haskins and Fields are eye to eye then Martell will NOT get a fair shot. #FACTS -- Rodney Cummings (@Govols4Rodney) January 10, 2019 Martell arrived at Ohio State at the wrong time as a run-first QB The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.

Many are criticizing Tate Martell for leaving Ohio State to play for Miami. Others say he should have stayed and competed for the starting job. The move is likely a good one for Martell, some say.

ctrlsum

https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2019/01/did_tate_martell_make_the_righ.html

Did Tate Martell make the right decision to leave Ohio State for Miami?

Quarterback Tate Martell is heading to Miami to play for the Hurricanes after the Ohio State Buckeyes picked up Justin Fields from Georgia. Many are criticizing him from running from a challenge, saying he should have stayed and competed for the starting job. Others understand his predicament and don't mind him leaving. PERSPECTIVES Martell looks weak for this move. That's not what competitors do. If he's confident in his ability, he should have stayed and earned that starting spot. He's spent a year learning under Ohio State's new head coach, Ryan Day, and already has a head start on Fields. Everyone raves about Martell's competitiveness. He should have stayed and fought. Just going to pack up and run. Ok. Don't swing and miss twice. -- WcharsnEx (@St3v3Wilds) January 10, 2019 Everyone jumping on this kid has no idea what he's going through. The coach that recruited him quit, and now he's stuck with a head coach that obviously likes Fields. There is no way it will be a fair fight for Martell, even though he spent a year under Day. Transferring to a Miami will give him a real opportunity. He made the right decision leaving Ohio State. There is more politics in D1 football than in DC. Most likely a good move on his part. If the new coach and said QB guru that coached both Haskins and Fields are eye to eye then Martell will NOT get a fair shot. #FACTS -- Rodney Cummings (@Govols4Rodney) January 10, 2019 Martell arrived at Ohio State at the wrong time as a run-first QB The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.

Many are criticizing Tate Martell for leaving Ohio State to play for Miami. Others say he should have stayed and competed for the starting job. The move is likely a good one for Martell, some say. The Tylt is a place where people gather to share their opinions.

ctrlsum

https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2019/01/did_tate_martell_make_the_righ.html

Which Coyotes players could be on the move at the trade deadline?

Coyotes winger Richard Panik has a shot blocked by Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell during the second period of a game Jan. 16 at Gila River Arena. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic) With the NHL trade deadline about five weeks away, its never too early to start wondering how certain teams will approach one of the most anticipated days of the year. Given the clogged nature of the bottom of the Western Conference, the Coyotes are among several teams who could look to either buy or sell at the deadline depending on where they stand on Feb. 25. I dont think were really looking to be a deadline team in the sense that we need to make moves at the deadline, Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka said. Obviously you cant make those type of moves after that, but were trying to improve our group in both the short term and the long term then were going to do that. Were always having discussions and Im not going to delay those discussions just because theres a deadline in place. If we can do something now that improves our group in both ways, Id definitely be looking to do that. That being said, heres a look at some Coyotes players who could be involved in deadline discussions: Richard Panik Coyotes right wing Richard Panik misses the net during a penalty shot on Capitals goaltender Pheonix Copley (1) during the second period of a game Dec. 6 at Gila River Arena. (Photo: Matt Kartozian, Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports) Regardless of what the Coyotes try to do at the deadline, Richard Panik is probably the most likely Coyotes player to be traded. Hes one of just four pending unrestricted free agent skaters on the roster and it seems unlikely the Coyotes would bring him back this offseason. In terms of value, Panik could be viewed by teams as a top-six scoring winger who can play on both the power play and penalty kill. For a high-end contender looking for scoring help such as the Boston Bruins, Panik could come in as a really solid third-line wing. Given his somewhat inconsistent play with the Coyotes since being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in January 2018, some might be surprised that Panik is actually tied with Clayton Keller for the team lead in goals (18) over that span. Richard, for me, for the last couple weeks Ive been playing him a lot, Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said. And we need him to play a lot. My biggest thing with him is hes been inconsistent. If he can somehow get hold of his consistency in his game, he could be a very good hockey player. Thats something hes struggled with in the past and its something were trying to help him with. I think the last two to three weeks hes starting to find his identity a bit, but hes always struggling with consistency and thats something he has to work on. Panik comes with a $2.8-million cap hit this season, so keep that in mind when trying to find a good fit. The Bruins would certainly make sense with $3.8 million in space, and other teams such as the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild make some sense. If the Coyotes are looking for a comparable return a la Max Domi for Alex Galchenyuk a swap with the Washington Capitals could make sense. Andre Burakovsky has frequently been a healthy scratch for the defending Stanley Cup champions, and Arizona might be a nice change of scenery for the 23-year-old. Going back, Panik could provide some valuable secondary scoring and more of a veteran presence for the Capitals in their quest for a repeat title. Chayka has said he does not intend to make a deal simply for the sake of making one at the deadline, but he did acknowledge that Panik has recently played a key role for the Coyotes. That being said, Paniks value might be reaching its ceiling. Weve asked a lot of him, Chayka said of Panik. He plays a lot of minutes and he plays heavy minutes. Its only those elite players that can do it consistently, so hes had some inconsistencies but hes also been extremely productive. And not only productive in terms of goals and assists, but hes played on our penalty kill which is the leagues No. 1 unit right now. He plays on the power play, hes out in tight games so hes a guy thats brought a lot to our team and done a nice job. I think (Rick) Tocchets done a nice job, too, of putting him in the best position for success. Its worked out well from a trade with (Anthony) Duclair that needed a change of scenery and there wasnt the market for him that maybe some others had expected, but it was a chance to get a piece that really came in and complemented our group well. Alex Goligoski Alex Goligoski comes complete with a deal that includes a full no-move clause and a $5.475-million cap hit, but the fact that hes inked until 2021 could interest some teams. The kicker is, obviously, that Goligoski would have to be willing to go to that team. That makes it unlikely that Goligoski finds himself traded. At 33 years old, Goligoski is still a reliable defenseman who can provide occasional offense at 5-on-5 and as a second-unit anchor on the man-advantage. Goligoski is on pace for perhaps the worst offensive season of his career with just 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) through 40 games this season. Still, a contending team might be willing to take on Goligoskis money in order to add a veteran presence to their blue line. Niklas Hjalmarsson Coyotes' Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) checks Blues' Robby Fabbri (15) during the first period at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on December 1, 2018. (Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic) Like Goligoski, Niklas Hjalmarsson could have some value to a team needing a steady, veteran presence on the blue line. After all, the former three-time Stanley Cup champion is still regarded as one of the best shot blockers and stay-at-home defensemen in the NHL. However, Hjalmarsson does come with a no-move clause in which he submits 10 teams he would be willing to join. He also has a $5-million cap hit. It should also be noted that Hjalmarsson waived a previous no-move clause to join the Coyotes and signed a two-year extension with Arizona this offseason. It would seem that he would prefer to stay in the desert. Jordan Weal Although Jordan Weal was just acquired this very month from the Philadelphia Flyers, Weal is still a pending unrestricted free agent on a Coyotes team that, when healthy, features a surplus at the center position. Granted the Coyotes might want to invest in as much depth down the middle given their injury situation this season, Weal doesnt exactly fit on a potential 2019-20 lineup that will feature Nick Schmaltz, Derek Stepan, Christian Dvorak and Brad Richardson at center. Weal finds himself with a good situation with the Coyotes in that he is currently centering a line with Clayton Keller and Christian Fischer. If Weal starts to put up points in the next several weeks, Chayka might be able to flip him for some decent value. Jordan Oesterle Jordan Oesterle is the third of four pending unrestricted free agent skater on the Coyotes roster, but doesnt find himself with nearly as much trade talk as Panik. Still, it stands to reason that Oesterle could have some value at the deadline. Teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers and others are in need of puck-moving defensemen such as Oesterle and could probably strike a low-cost deal with the Coyotes in order to quench that need. MORE COYOTES Richard Morin covers the Coyotes and Diamondbacks for azcentral sports. He can be reached at rmorin@arizonarepublic.com and by phone at 480-316-2493. Follow him on Twitter @ramorin_azc.

The NHL trade deadline is about five weeks away. The Coyotes are among several teams who could look to either buy or sell at the deadline depending on where they stand. Richard Panik is probably the most likely Coyotes player to be traded.

pegasus

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2019/01/18/which-arizona-coyotes-players-could-move-trade-deadline/2616443002/

Which Coyotes players could be on the move at the trade deadline?

Coyotes winger Richard Panik has a shot blocked by Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell during the second period of a game Jan. 16 at Gila River Arena. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic) With the NHL trade deadline about five weeks away, its never too early to start wondering how certain teams will approach one of the most anticipated days of the year. Given the clogged nature of the bottom of the Western Conference, the Coyotes are among several teams who could look to either buy or sell at the deadline depending on where they stand on Feb. 25. I dont think were really looking to be a deadline team in the sense that we need to make moves at the deadline, Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka said. Obviously you cant make those type of moves after that, but were trying to improve our group in both the short term and the long term then were going to do that. Were always having discussions and Im not going to delay those discussions just because theres a deadline in place. If we can do something now that improves our group in both ways, Id definitely be looking to do that. That being said, heres a look at some Coyotes players who could be involved in deadline discussions: Richard Panik Coyotes right wing Richard Panik misses the net during a penalty shot on Capitals goaltender Pheonix Copley (1) during the second period of a game Dec. 6 at Gila River Arena. (Photo: Matt Kartozian, Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports) Regardless of what the Coyotes try to do at the deadline, Richard Panik is probably the most likely Coyotes player to be traded. Hes one of just four pending unrestricted free agent skaters on the roster and it seems unlikely the Coyotes would bring him back this offseason. In terms of value, Panik could be viewed by teams as a top-six scoring winger who can play on both the power play and penalty kill. For a high-end contender looking for scoring help such as the Boston Bruins, Panik could come in as a really solid third-line wing. Given his somewhat inconsistent play with the Coyotes since being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in January 2018, some might be surprised that Panik is actually tied with Clayton Keller for the team lead in goals (18) over that span. Richard, for me, for the last couple weeks Ive been playing him a lot, Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said. And we need him to play a lot. My biggest thing with him is hes been inconsistent. If he can somehow get hold of his consistency in his game, he could be a very good hockey player. Thats something hes struggled with in the past and its something were trying to help him with. I think the last two to three weeks hes starting to find his identity a bit, but hes always struggling with consistency and thats something he has to work on. Panik comes with a $2.8-million cap hit this season, so keep that in mind when trying to find a good fit. The Bruins would certainly make sense with $3.8 million in space, and other teams such as the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild make some sense. If the Coyotes are looking for a comparable return a la Max Domi for Alex Galchenyuk a swap with the Washington Capitals could make sense. Andre Burakovsky has frequently been a healthy scratch for the defending Stanley Cup champions, and Arizona might be a nice change of scenery for the 23-year-old. Going back, Panik could provide some valuable secondary scoring and more of a veteran presence for the Capitals in their quest for a repeat title. Chayka has said he does not intend to make a deal simply for the sake of making one at the deadline, but he did acknowledge that Panik has recently played a key role for the Coyotes. That being said, Paniks value might be reaching its ceiling. Weve asked a lot of him, Chayka said of Panik. He plays a lot of minutes and he plays heavy minutes. Its only those elite players that can do it consistently, so hes had some inconsistencies but hes also been extremely productive. And not only productive in terms of goals and assists, but hes played on our penalty kill which is the leagues No. 1 unit right now. He plays on the power play, hes out in tight games so hes a guy thats brought a lot to our team and done a nice job. I think (Rick) Tocchets done a nice job, too, of putting him in the best position for success. Its worked out well from a trade with (Anthony) Duclair that needed a change of scenery and there wasnt the market for him that maybe some others had expected, but it was a chance to get a piece that really came in and complemented our group well. Alex Goligoski Alex Goligoski comes complete with a deal that includes a full no-move clause and a $5.475-million cap hit, but the fact that hes inked until 2021 could interest some teams. The kicker is, obviously, that Goligoski would have to be willing to go to that team. That makes it unlikely that Goligoski finds himself traded. At 33 years old, Goligoski is still a reliable defenseman who can provide occasional offense at 5-on-5 and as a second-unit anchor on the man-advantage. Goligoski is on pace for perhaps the worst offensive season of his career with just 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) through 40 games this season. Still, a contending team might be willing to take on Goligoskis money in order to add a veteran presence to their blue line. Niklas Hjalmarsson Coyotes' Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) checks Blues' Robby Fabbri (15) during the first period at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on December 1, 2018. (Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic) Like Goligoski, Niklas Hjalmarsson could have some value to a team needing a steady, veteran presence on the blue line. After all, the former three-time Stanley Cup champion is still regarded as one of the best shot blockers and stay-at-home defensemen in the NHL. However, Hjalmarsson does come with a no-move clause in which he submits 10 teams he would be willing to join. He also has a $5-million cap hit. It should also be noted that Hjalmarsson waived a previous no-move clause to join the Coyotes and signed a two-year extension with Arizona this offseason. It would seem that he would prefer to stay in the desert. Jordan Weal Although Jordan Weal was just acquired this very month from the Philadelphia Flyers, Weal is still a pending unrestricted free agent on a Coyotes team that, when healthy, features a surplus at the center position. Granted the Coyotes might want to invest in as much depth down the middle given their injury situation this season, Weal doesnt exactly fit on a potential 2019-20 lineup that will feature Nick Schmaltz, Derek Stepan, Christian Dvorak and Brad Richardson at center. Weal finds himself with a good situation with the Coyotes in that he is currently centering a line with Clayton Keller and Christian Fischer. If Weal starts to put up points in the next several weeks, Chayka might be able to flip him for some decent value. Jordan Oesterle Jordan Oesterle is the third of four pending unrestricted free agent skater on the Coyotes roster, but doesnt find himself with nearly as much trade talk as Panik. Still, it stands to reason that Oesterle could have some value at the deadline. Teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers and others are in need of puck-moving defensemen such as Oesterle and could probably strike a low-cost deal with the Coyotes in order to quench that need. MORE COYOTES Richard Morin covers the Coyotes and Diamondbacks for azcentral sports. He can be reached at rmorin@arizonarepublic.com and by phone at 480-316-2493. Follow him on Twitter @ramorin_azc.

The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 25. The Coyotes are among several teams who could look to either buy or sell at the deadline depending on where they stand. Richard Panik is probably the most likely Coyotes player to be traded. Panik is one of just four pending unrestricted free agent skaters on the roster.

pegasus

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2019/01/18/which-arizona-coyotes-players-could-move-trade-deadline/2616443002/

Are the Cubs still in on Bryce Harper sweepstakes?

originally appeared on nbcsportschicago.com On Thursday's edition of the "At The Yard Podcast", Philadelphia Insider Jim Salisbury stated that he still feels the Yankees, Cubs and Dodgers are the three teams that are all still in the Bryce Harper and/or Manny Machado sweepstakes. Scroll to continue with content Ad He called all three franchises "very interested bystanders in one or both of these guys." Salisbury also mentioned that the St. Louis Cardinals could get in on the Manny Machado free agency if the figures for his alleged contract offer from the White Sox was correct, as reported this week. This comes just days after Cubs skipper Joe Maddon said "not going to happen" in regards to the North Siders going after Harper. And at the Cubs Convention, Tom Ricketts said "we didn't have the flexibility this year to go sign a huge free agent and I'm not sure we would have anyway, to be honest." All signs-coming from the Cubs at least-point to them not being in on Harper with all of their current financial commitments, yet reports continue to pour out stating that the Cubs are still monitoring his situation closely. On time will tell, but it certainly seems foolish to count Chicago out at this point. According to Salisbury, the Cubs have made it very clear to Harper's representatives that after he receives all of his final offers from teams, he should make sure to "check back with us [the Cubs]."

The Yankees, Cubs and Dodgers are the three teams that are all still in the Bryce Harper and/or Manny Machado sweepstakes.

bart

https://sports.yahoo.com/cubs-still-bryce-harper-sweepstakes-000326502.html?src=rss

Are the Cubs still in on Bryce Harper sweepstakes?

originally appeared on nbcsportschicago.com On Thursday's edition of the "At The Yard Podcast", Philadelphia Insider Jim Salisbury stated that he still feels the Yankees, Cubs and Dodgers are the three teams that are all still in the Bryce Harper and/or Manny Machado sweepstakes. Scroll to continue with content Ad He called all three franchises "very interested bystanders in one or both of these guys." Salisbury also mentioned that the St. Louis Cardinals could get in on the Manny Machado free agency if the figures for his alleged contract offer from the White Sox was correct, as reported this week. This comes just days after Cubs skipper Joe Maddon said "not going to happen" in regards to the North Siders going after Harper. And at the Cubs Convention, Tom Ricketts said "we didn't have the flexibility this year to go sign a huge free agent and I'm not sure we would have anyway, to be honest." All signs-coming from the Cubs at least-point to them not being in on Harper with all of their current financial commitments, yet reports continue to pour out stating that the Cubs are still monitoring his situation closely. On time will tell, but it certainly seems foolish to count Chicago out at this point. According to Salisbury, the Cubs have made it very clear to Harper's representatives that after he receives all of his final offers from teams, he should make sure to "check back with us [the Cubs]."

The Yankees, Cubs and Dodgers are the three teams that are all still in the Bryce Harper and/or Manny Machado sweepstakes. This comes just days after Cubs skipper Joe Maddon said "not going to happen" in regards to the North Siders going after Harper.

bart

https://sports.yahoo.com/cubs-still-bryce-harper-sweepstakes-000326502.html?src=rss

Is First Solar a Buy in 2019?

A stock as volatile as First Solar's (NASDAQ: FSLR) is bound to create some polarizing opinions. On the one hand, you have one of the top manufacturers of solar panels that's been one of the best in the business at turning a profit. On the other hand, you have a company in a highly cyclical business, where industry prospects can swing wildly based on government decisions. Those bullish on the industry can point to the incredible growth prospects and rapid cost reductions for the industry, while bears can point to the past decade of growth that has left investors with little to show for it. With all of this in mind, let's take a look at where First Solar stands today and whether investors should consider buying this stock. Construction workers installing solar panels. More Image source: First Solar. Management is expecting a strong showing in 2019 and beyond 2018 wasn't a great year for the solar industry in general. Tariffs for imported panels muted demand for panels somewhat, but a large driver of industry weakness was China's decision to slow down its renewable energy investments by reducing feed-in tariffs and capping distributed generation projects. On paper, these two events shouldn't impact First Solar's business that much. First Solar's thin-film panels were exempt from U.S. tariffs, and its sales in China are minimal. These two events ended up having a significant impact on its business, though, because many U.S. solar developers bought panels in 2017 to avoid tariffs, which pulled forward a lot of demand into 2017. Also, China's slowing demand created an oversupply of panels, which drove down selling prices and deeply impacted margins. These events came at an inconvenient time for First Solar because it was in the middle of ramping up production at several of its facilities and operating costs were exceptionally high. Management thinks that the worst is behind it and expects better things this year. Those higher operating costs for new production means the company will increase production from less than 3 gigawatts in 2018 to a record 5.2-5.5 gigawatts in 2019. That will help to boost revenue to $3.25 billion to $3.45 billion for the year. While one could argue that its margin outlook still doesn't look great, the positive takeaway here is that the company should get back to generating respectable profitability after slipping into negative territory in 2017 for the first time in over a decade.

First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) is one of the top manufacturers of solar panels. The company slipped into negative territory in 2017 for the first time in over a decade. Management is expecting a strong showing in 2019 and beyond.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/first-solar-buy-2019-004900682.html

Is First Solar a Buy in 2019?

A stock as volatile as First Solar's (NASDAQ: FSLR) is bound to create some polarizing opinions. On the one hand, you have one of the top manufacturers of solar panels that's been one of the best in the business at turning a profit. On the other hand, you have a company in a highly cyclical business, where industry prospects can swing wildly based on government decisions. Those bullish on the industry can point to the incredible growth prospects and rapid cost reductions for the industry, while bears can point to the past decade of growth that has left investors with little to show for it. With all of this in mind, let's take a look at where First Solar stands today and whether investors should consider buying this stock. Construction workers installing solar panels. More Image source: First Solar. Management is expecting a strong showing in 2019 and beyond 2018 wasn't a great year for the solar industry in general. Tariffs for imported panels muted demand for panels somewhat, but a large driver of industry weakness was China's decision to slow down its renewable energy investments by reducing feed-in tariffs and capping distributed generation projects. On paper, these two events shouldn't impact First Solar's business that much. First Solar's thin-film panels were exempt from U.S. tariffs, and its sales in China are minimal. These two events ended up having a significant impact on its business, though, because many U.S. solar developers bought panels in 2017 to avoid tariffs, which pulled forward a lot of demand into 2017. Also, China's slowing demand created an oversupply of panels, which drove down selling prices and deeply impacted margins. These events came at an inconvenient time for First Solar because it was in the middle of ramping up production at several of its facilities and operating costs were exceptionally high. Management thinks that the worst is behind it and expects better things this year. Those higher operating costs for new production means the company will increase production from less than 3 gigawatts in 2018 to a record 5.2-5.5 gigawatts in 2019. That will help to boost revenue to $3.25 billion to $3.45 billion for the year. While one could argue that its margin outlook still doesn't look great, the positive takeaway here is that the company should get back to generating respectable profitability after slipping into negative territory in 2017 for the first time in over a decade.

First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) is one of the top manufacturers of solar panels. The company slipped into negative territory in 2017 for the first time in over a decade. Management is expecting a strong showing in 2019 and beyond. The stock is volatile, but investors should consider buying this stock.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/first-solar-buy-2019-004900682.html

Is Jagmeet Singh capable of tapping into modern left-wing populism?

Open this photo in gallery NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh crosses a street while door knocking for his by-election campaign, in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday Jan. 12, 2019. DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press Earlier this month, Jagmeet Singh celebrated his 40th birthday by posting on Instagram and Twitter a photo of himself as a newborn baby, with one eye closed. There followed an assessment by Mr. Singh of what his wink might have meant, which culminated in the leader of the New Democratic Party speaking in the voice of his one-day-old self: My name will be Jagmeet Singh and it means friend to the world. Im here to say hi and that I care about you. My secret is I think deep down we all care about each other and together were going to build a better world. Most Canadians probably didnt notice any of this; some who did found it cute. Certainly it didnt rank among the most obvious contributors to Mr. Singhs struggles, like his recent confusion during a television interview when asked about Chinas ambassador accusing Canada of white supremacy. Story continues below advertisement Yet Mr. Singhs saccharine social media post seemed to epitomize something beyond occasionally being poorly briefed, and perhaps harder to change that some New Democrats find unsettling about their leader and his ability to compete in next Octobers federal election. That discomfort has to do with whether Mr. Singh, even if he gets a boost next month by winning the by-election in British Columbia in which he is competing, is suited to the current political moment. It does not require great imagination to envision populist waves that have swept over most other Western countries hitting Canada. Arguably they already have, in provincial elections in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. While much of that energy has been on the right, there is potential for it on the left, especially among younger voters who feel robbed of previous generations economic security and fearful about the planets future due to climate change. It is also not unimaginable that an NDP leader could successfully paint Mr. Trudeau as someone who talks a good game about such anxieties but is too disconnected from day-to-day realities and beholden to the political establishment to take them seriously enough. But that would require striking a contrast through bold policy positions delivered with urgency and a hint of anger. And Mr. Singh has not exactly been the equivalent of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, the rookie U.S. congressional representative who has recently been at the forefront of a movement pushing the populist left into the political mainstream. He has recently fished in some of the right policy waters, talking lots about housing affordability. But so far his proposed solutions more investment in co-op housing, and unspecified targeting of real-estate speculation have not been earth-shattering. And he has struggled to deliver the obvious message youre being priced out of cities becoming playgrounds for the rich, and other politicians dont care with the forcefulness needed for a third-party leader to break through. More perplexing has been his mildness on oil pipelines. Opposing the expansion of the Trans Mountain line was a tough call, because it alienated Albertas NDP government. Instead he scarcely made any noise at all. But then, righteous indignation has never been Mr. Singhs stock-in-trade. Despite the mixed-martial arts background he often invokes, his nature based on interactions during his time in Ontario politics, and observations of those who have worked closely with him is nonconfrontational. Some politicians hone in on precise words that will tap into voters anger; he tends more toward appealing to better angels with aspirational generalities. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement Nor did Mr. Singh promise much populism when he won the NDPs leadership, with Love and Courage as his catchphrase. His appeal was that he would out-Trudeau Mr. Trudeau cooler, sunnier, more representative of generational and cultural change. The problem, New Democrats seem to have since concluded, is that voters who grow disillusioned with Mr. Trudeau wont be looking for a variation of him. So the new campaign team with which he has surrounded himself, after his underwhelming start on the job, has been trying to steer him toward a grittier image. That means some of Mr. Singhs hipster flourishes flashy clothes, bespoke bicycles will likely be played down leading up to Octobers election. The word love is not likely to appear in as many of his scripts. Assuming he wins his by-election and remains leader, the aim will be to present him with a more common touch that, combined with a rollout of ambitious policies, make Mr. Trudeau look isolated, complacent and self-satisfied by comparison. Mr. Singh could grow into that identity. But its hard for any politician attempting some version of modern populism to succeed without being authentic. Maybe he was being cloying with that baby-photo post, and needs to get that sort of thing out of his repertoire. Maybe it was a truer reflection of who he is than the rebranding that is supposed to be under way.

Jagmeet Singh is the leader of the New Democratic Party in Canada. The party is seeking to win a by-election in Burnaby, B.C., on January 12. Peter Bergen asks: Is Singh capable of tapping into modern left-wing populism? He says there is potential for it, especially among younger voters.

ctrlsum

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-is-jagmeet-singh-capable-of-tapping-into-modern-left-wing-populism/

Can genetic engineering save disappearing forests?

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Jason A. Delborne, North Carolina State University (THE CONVERSATION) Compared to gene-edited babies in China and ambitious projects to rescue woolly mammoths from extinction, biotech trees might sound pretty tame. But releasing genetically engineered trees into forests to counter threats to forest health represents a new frontier in biotechnology. Even as the techniques of molecular biology have advanced, humans have not yet released a genetically engineered plant that is intended to spread and persist in an unmanaged environment. Biotech trees genetically engineered or gene-edited offer just that possibility. One thing is clear: The threats facing our forests are many, and the health of these ecosystems is getting worse. A 2012 assessment by the U.S. Forest Service estimated that nearly 7 percent of forests nationwide are in danger of losing at least a quarter of their tree vegetation by 2027. This estimate may not sound too worrisome, but it is 40 percent higher than the previous estimate made just six years earlier. In 2018, at the request of several U.S. federal agencies and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine formed a committee to examine the potential use of biotechnology to mitigate threats to forest tree health. Experts, including me, a social scientist focused on emerging biotechnologies, were asked to identify the ecological, ethical, and social implications of deploying biotechnology in forests, and develop a research agenda to address knowledge gaps. Our committee members came from universities, federal agencies and NGOs and represented a range of disciplines: molecular biology, economics, forest ecology, law, tree breeding, ethics, population genetics and sociology. All of these perspectives were important for considering the many aspects and challenges of using biotechnology to improve forest health. A crisis in US forests Climate change is just the tip of the iceberg. Forests face higher temperatures and droughts and more pests. As goods and people move around the globe, even more insects and pathogens hitchhike into our forests. We focused on four case studies to illustrate the breadth of forest threats. The emerald ash borer arrived from Asia and causes severe mortality in five species of ash trees. First detected on U.S. soil in 2002, it had spread to 31 states as of May 2018. Whitebark pine, a keystone and foundational species in high elevations of the U.S. and Canada, is under attack by the native mountain pine beetle and an introduced fungus. Over half of whitebark pine in the northern U.S. and Canada have died. Poplar trees are important to riparian ecosystems as well as for the forest products industry. A native fungal pathogen, Septoria musiva, has begun moving west, attacking natural populations of black cottonwood in Pacific Northwest forests and intensively cultivated hybrid poplar in Ontario. And the infamous chestnut blight, a fungus accidentally introduced from Asia to North America in the late 1800s, wiped out billions of American chestnut trees. Its complicated Although there are many potential applications of biotechnology in forests, such as genetically engineering insect pests to suppress their populations, we focused specifically on biotech trees that could resist pests and pathogens. Through genetic engineering, for example, researchers could insert genes, from a similar or unrelated species, that help a tree tolerate or fight an insect or fungus. Its tempting to assume that the buzz and enthusiasm for gene editing will guarantee quick, easy and cheap solutions to these problems. But making a biotech tree will not be easy. Trees are large and long-lived, which means that research to test the durability and stability of an introduced trait will be expensive and take decades or longer. We also dont know nearly as much about the complex and enormous genomes of trees, compared to lab favorites such as fruit flies and the mustard plant, Arabidopsis. In addition, because trees need to survive over time and adapt to changing environments, it is essential to preserve and incorporate their existing genetic diversity into any new tree. Through evolutionary processes, tree populations already have many important adaptations to varied threats, and losing those could be disastrous. So even the fanciest biotech tree will ultimately depend on a thoughtful and deliberate breeding program to ensure long-term survival. For these reasons, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee recommends increasing investment not just in biotechnology research, but also in tree breeding, forest ecology and population genetics. Oversight challenges The committee found that the U.S. Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology, which distributes federal oversight of biotechnology products among agencies such as EPA, USDA and FDA, is not fully prepared to consider the introduction of a biotech tree to improve forest health. Most obviously, regulators have always required containment of pollen and seeds during biotech field trials to avoid the escape of genetic material. For example, the biotech chestnut was not allowed to flower to ensure that transgenic pollen wouldnt blow across the landscape during field trials. But if biotech trees are intended to spread their new traits, via seeds and pollen, to introduce pest resistance across landscapes, then studies of wild reproduction will be necessary. These are not currently allowed until a biotech tree is fully deregulated. Another shortcoming of the current framework is that some biotech trees may not require any special review at all. The USDA, for example, was asked to consider a loblolly pine that was genetically engineered for greater wood density. But because USDAs regulatory authority stems from its oversight of plant pest risks, it decided that it did not have any regulatory authority over that biotech tree. Similar questions remain regarding organisms whose genes are edited using new tools such as CRISPR. The committee noted that U.S. regulations fail to promote a comprehensive consideration of forest health. Although the National Environmental Policy Act sometimes helps, some risks and many potential benefits are unlikely to be evaluated. This is the case for biotech trees as well as other tools to counter pests and pathogens, such as tree breeding, pesticides and site management practices. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report suggests an ecosystem services framework for considering the various ways that trees and forests provide value to humans. These range from extraction of forest products to the use of forests for recreation to the ecological services a forest provides water purification, species protection and carbon storage. The committee also acknowledged that some ways of valuing the forest do not fit into the ecosystem services framework. For example, if forests are seen by some to have intrinsic value, then they have value in and of themselves, apart from the way humans value them and perhaps implying a kind of moral obligation to protect and respect them. Issues of wildness and naturalness also surface. Paradoxically, a biotech tree could increase and decrease wildness. If wildness depends upon a lack of human intervention, then a biotech tree will reduce the wildness of a forest. But perhaps so would a conventionally bred, hybrid tree that was deliberately introduced into an ecosystem. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but they remind us of the complexity of decisions to use technology to enhance nature. This complexity points to a key recommendation of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report: dialogue among experts, stakeholders and communities about how to value forests, assess the risks and potential benefits of biotech, and understand complex public responses to any potential interventions, including those involving biotechnology. These processes need to be respectful, deliberative, transparent and inclusive. Such processes, such as a 2018 stakeholder workshop on the biotech chestnut, will not erase conflict or even guarantee consensus, but they have the potential to create insight and understanding that can feed into democratic decisions that are informed by expert knowledge and public values. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation.com/can-genetic-engineering-save-disappearing-forests-109793.

The threats facing our forests are many, and the health of these ecosystems is getting worse. Nearly 7 percent of forests nationwide are in danger of losing at least a quarter of their tree vegetation by 2027. Through genetic engineering, researchers could insert genes, from a similar or unrelated species, that help a tree tolerate or fight an insect or fungus.

pegasus

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Can-genetic-engineering-save-disappearing-forests-13543851.php

Is winter miserable for wildlife?

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Bridget B. Baker, Wayne State University (THE CONVERSATION) While the weather outside may indeed get frightful this winter, a parka, knit hat, wool socks, insulated boots and maybe a roaring fire make things bearable for people who live in cold climates. Anyone whos walked their dog when temperatures are frigid knows that canines will shiver and favor a cold paw which partly explains the boom in the pet clothing industry. But chipmunks and cardinals dont get fashionable coats or booties. In fact, wildlife can succumb to frostbite and hypothermia, just like people and pets. In the northern United States, the unfurred tails of opossums are a common casualty of cold exposure. Every so often an unusual cold snap in Florida results in iguanasfalling from trees and manatees dyingfrom cold stress. Avoiding the cold is important for preserving life or limb (or, in the opossums case, tail) and the opportunity to reproduce. These biological imperatives mean that wildlife must be able to feel cold, in order to try to avoid the damaging effects of its extremes. Animal species have their own equivalent to what human beings experience as that unpleasant biting mixed with pins-and-needles sensation that urges us to warm up soon or suffer the consequences. In fact, the nervous system mechanisms for sensing a range of temperatures are pretty much the same among all vertebrates. One winter challenge for warm-blooded animals, or endotherms, as theyre scientifically known, is to maintain their internal body temperature in cold conditions. Interestingly though, temperature-sensing thresholds can vary depending on physiology. For instance, a cold-blooded that is, ectothermic frog will sense cold starting at a lower temperature compared to a mouse. Recent research shows that hibernating mammals, like the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, dont sense the cold until lower temperatures than endotherms that dont hibernate. So animals know when its cold, just at varying temperatures. One solution: Slow down and check out Many cold-climate endotherms exhibit torpor: a state of decreased activity. They look like they are sleeping. Because animals capable of torpor alternate between internally regulating their body temperature and allowing the environment to influence it, scientists consider them heterotherms. During harsh conditions, this flexibility offers the advantage of a lower body temperature remarkably in some species, even below the 32 degrees Fahrenheit freezing point that is not compatible with many physiologic functions. The result is a lower metabolic rate, and thus lower energy and food demand. Hibernation is a prolonged version of torpor. Torpor has energy conservation benefits for smaller-bodied wildlife in particular think bats, songbirds and rodents. They naturally lose heat faster because the surface area of their body is large compared to their overall size. To maintain their body temperature within normal range, they must expend more energy compared to a larger-bodied animal. This is especially true for birds who maintain higher average body temperatures compared to mammals. Unfortunately, torpor is not a perfect solution to surviving frigid conditions since it comes with trade-offs, such as a higher risk of becoming another animals lunch. Adaptations that help Unsurprisingly, animals have evolved other adaptations for weathering the winter months. Wildlife species at northern latitudes tend be larger-bodied with smaller appendages than their close relatives closer to the tropics. Many animals have evolved behaviors to help them beat the cold: herding, denning, burrowing and roosting in cavities are all good defenses. And some animals experience physiological changes as winter approaches, building fat reserves, growing thicker fur, and trapping an insulating layer of air against the skin beneath the fur or feathers. Nature has devised other neat tricks to help various animals deal with conditions that people, for instance, would be unable to endure. The secret is the close proximity of the arteries and veins in their extremities that creates a gradient of warming and cooling. As blood from the heart travels to the toes, the warmth from the artery transfers to the vein carrying cold blood from the toes back to the heart. This countercurrent heat exchange allows the core of the body to remain warm while limiting heat loss when the extremities are cold, but not so cold that tissue damage occurs. This efficient system is used by many terrestrial and aquatic birds and mammals, and even explains how oxygen exchange occurs in the gills of fish. Luckily, ice floats because water is most dense as a liquid, allowing fish to swim freely in not-quite-freezing temperatures below the solidified surface. Additionally, fish may lack the cold-sensing receptor shared by other vertebrates. They do, however, have unique enzymes that allow physiologic functions to continue at colder temperatures. In polar regions, fish even have special antifreeze proteins that bind to ice crystals in their blood to prevent widespread crystallization. Another secret weapon in mammals and birds during long periods of cold exposure is brown adipose tissue or brown fat, which is rich in mitochondria. Even in people, these cellular structures can release energy as heat, generating warmth without the muscle contractions and energy inefficiency involved in shivering, another way the body tries to heat up. This non-shivering heat production probably explains why people in Anchorage can contentedly wear shorts and t-shirts on a 40 degrees Fahrenheit spring day. Of course, migration can be an option though its expensive in terms of energetic costs for wildlife, and financially for people who want to head closer to the equator. As a species, human beings have the ability to acclimate to an extent some of us more than others but were not particularly cold-adapted. Maybe thats why its hard to look out the window on a frigid day and not feel bad for a squirrel hunkered down as the winter wind whips through its fur. We may never know if animals dread winter its difficult to gauge their subjective experience. But wildlife do have a variety of strategies that improve their ability to withstand the cold, making sure they live to see another spring. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation.com/is-winter-miserable-for-wildlife-108734.

Wildlife can succumb to frostbite and hypothermia, just like people and pets. Avoiding the cold is important for preserving life or limb and the opportunity to reproduce.

pegasus

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Is-winter-miserable-for-wildlife-13543844.php

Is winter miserable for wildlife?

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Bridget B. Baker, Wayne State University (THE CONVERSATION) While the weather outside may indeed get frightful this winter, a parka, knit hat, wool socks, insulated boots and maybe a roaring fire make things bearable for people who live in cold climates. Anyone whos walked their dog when temperatures are frigid knows that canines will shiver and favor a cold paw which partly explains the boom in the pet clothing industry. But chipmunks and cardinals dont get fashionable coats or booties. In fact, wildlife can succumb to frostbite and hypothermia, just like people and pets. In the northern United States, the unfurred tails of opossums are a common casualty of cold exposure. Every so often an unusual cold snap in Florida results in iguanasfalling from trees and manatees dyingfrom cold stress. Avoiding the cold is important for preserving life or limb (or, in the opossums case, tail) and the opportunity to reproduce. These biological imperatives mean that wildlife must be able to feel cold, in order to try to avoid the damaging effects of its extremes. Animal species have their own equivalent to what human beings experience as that unpleasant biting mixed with pins-and-needles sensation that urges us to warm up soon or suffer the consequences. In fact, the nervous system mechanisms for sensing a range of temperatures are pretty much the same among all vertebrates. One winter challenge for warm-blooded animals, or endotherms, as theyre scientifically known, is to maintain their internal body temperature in cold conditions. Interestingly though, temperature-sensing thresholds can vary depending on physiology. For instance, a cold-blooded that is, ectothermic frog will sense cold starting at a lower temperature compared to a mouse. Recent research shows that hibernating mammals, like the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, dont sense the cold until lower temperatures than endotherms that dont hibernate. So animals know when its cold, just at varying temperatures. One solution: Slow down and check out Many cold-climate endotherms exhibit torpor: a state of decreased activity. They look like they are sleeping. Because animals capable of torpor alternate between internally regulating their body temperature and allowing the environment to influence it, scientists consider them heterotherms. During harsh conditions, this flexibility offers the advantage of a lower body temperature remarkably in some species, even below the 32 degrees Fahrenheit freezing point that is not compatible with many physiologic functions. The result is a lower metabolic rate, and thus lower energy and food demand. Hibernation is a prolonged version of torpor. Torpor has energy conservation benefits for smaller-bodied wildlife in particular think bats, songbirds and rodents. They naturally lose heat faster because the surface area of their body is large compared to their overall size. To maintain their body temperature within normal range, they must expend more energy compared to a larger-bodied animal. This is especially true for birds who maintain higher average body temperatures compared to mammals. Unfortunately, torpor is not a perfect solution to surviving frigid conditions since it comes with trade-offs, such as a higher risk of becoming another animals lunch. Adaptations that help Unsurprisingly, animals have evolved other adaptations for weathering the winter months. Wildlife species at northern latitudes tend be larger-bodied with smaller appendages than their close relatives closer to the tropics. Many animals have evolved behaviors to help them beat the cold: herding, denning, burrowing and roosting in cavities are all good defenses. And some animals experience physiological changes as winter approaches, building fat reserves, growing thicker fur, and trapping an insulating layer of air against the skin beneath the fur or feathers. Nature has devised other neat tricks to help various animals deal with conditions that people, for instance, would be unable to endure. The secret is the close proximity of the arteries and veins in their extremities that creates a gradient of warming and cooling. As blood from the heart travels to the toes, the warmth from the artery transfers to the vein carrying cold blood from the toes back to the heart. This countercurrent heat exchange allows the core of the body to remain warm while limiting heat loss when the extremities are cold, but not so cold that tissue damage occurs. This efficient system is used by many terrestrial and aquatic birds and mammals, and even explains how oxygen exchange occurs in the gills of fish. Luckily, ice floats because water is most dense as a liquid, allowing fish to swim freely in not-quite-freezing temperatures below the solidified surface. Additionally, fish may lack the cold-sensing receptor shared by other vertebrates. They do, however, have unique enzymes that allow physiologic functions to continue at colder temperatures. In polar regions, fish even have special antifreeze proteins that bind to ice crystals in their blood to prevent widespread crystallization. Another secret weapon in mammals and birds during long periods of cold exposure is brown adipose tissue or brown fat, which is rich in mitochondria. Even in people, these cellular structures can release energy as heat, generating warmth without the muscle contractions and energy inefficiency involved in shivering, another way the body tries to heat up. This non-shivering heat production probably explains why people in Anchorage can contentedly wear shorts and t-shirts on a 40 degrees Fahrenheit spring day. Of course, migration can be an option though its expensive in terms of energetic costs for wildlife, and financially for people who want to head closer to the equator. As a species, human beings have the ability to acclimate to an extent some of us more than others but were not particularly cold-adapted. Maybe thats why its hard to look out the window on a frigid day and not feel bad for a squirrel hunkered down as the winter wind whips through its fur. We may never know if animals dread winter its difficult to gauge their subjective experience. But wildlife do have a variety of strategies that improve their ability to withstand the cold, making sure they live to see another spring. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation.com/is-winter-miserable-for-wildlife-108734.

Bridget B. Baker: Wildlife can succumb to frostbite and hypothermia, just like people and pets. She says animals must be able to feel cold, in order to try to avoid the damaging effects of its extremes. Many cold-climate endotherms exhibit torpor: a state of decreased activity.

ctrlsum

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Is-winter-miserable-for-wildlife-13543844.php

Whats up with the fairy doors all around Healdsburg?

For more stories like this, check out The Chronicles weekly Travel newsletter! Sign up here. Healdsburg is known for great wine and top-notch restaurants. Some, however, hold the city in high regard for another reason: its resident fairies. No one ever has seen the fairies, mind you. But the doors to their homes are all over town literally. Sometime in 2017, local business owners started noticing the doors 5-inch-tall portals adorned with different details appearing on the sidewalks in front of their shops and propped up on the sides of buildings downtown. Dozens of them. Local officials figured someone from the community would come out and take credit for the phenomenon. But nobody has. More than a year later, the doors have become a mainstay of the downtown experience. Take a stroll around Healdsburg Plaza, and youll almost certainly notice them. Part of the magic behind the fairy doors is the mystery of who is creating them, says Mark Themig, the citys director of community services. While no local businesses have installed or affixed the doors on their own, many have embraced the challenge of decorating the doors once they appear. The city has embraced the fairy portals with open arms, putting together a map for anyone curious to spot them. Copies are available at the Chamber of Commerce office near the Mill Street roundabout and a handful of other places around town. The fairy door at the Camellia Inn appeared just before St. Patricks Day last year, says owner Lucy Lewand. Fairies painted on the door, placed near the inns fishpond, are depicted with a boat and a little car; perhaps they like to fish or swim, Lewand says. She has questions about the tiny creatures who live behind the door. What do they spend their time on? Lewand wonders. On the other side of town, staffers at the Healdsburg Museum add different decorative details to their fairy door at different times of year. In December, for instance, Executive Director Holly Hoods and her staff outfitted the door with a tiny wreath, a diminutive sled full of presents, a small Christmas tree and mini garland. We were thrilled when (the door) appeared one day, Hoods says. We have embraced it and have promoted it on social media. Healdsburg isnt the only Bay Area city to receive fairy doors out of the blue; theyve popped up in Cloverdale (two towns to the north) and Alameda recently; some have emerged in San Franciscos wooded Glen Canyon Park as well. In one fell swoop. Set aside an hour or two, grab a map, and head out to spot as many as you can. If youve got young kids in tow, challenge them to record their observations along the way. Just be sure to have them keep their eyes peeled for fairies. Because you never know.

Healdsburg, California, is known for great wine and top-notch restaurants. Some, however, hold the city in high regard for its resident fairies. The doors to their homes are all over town literally. Take a stroll around Healdsburg Plaza, and you'll almost certainly notice them.

bart

https://www.sfchronicle.com/travel/article/What-s-up-with-the-fairy-doors-all-around-13544915.php

Who Is North Korean Diplomat Kim Yong-Chol?

MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: We want to take a closer look now at the man who met with President Trump today - Kim Yong Chol. For that, we are joined by Jean Lee, who opened the Pyongyang bureau of The Associated Press and who is now at the Wilson Center. Welcome, Jean Lee, to our studio. JEAN LEE: Great. Glad to be here. KELLY: So I have seen Kim Yong Chol referred to - we just called him the top negotiator. I've seen him referred to as the former spy chief, as a diplomat. I noticed the BBC just had a profile of him calling him Kim Jong Un's right-hand man. LEE: All of those titles apply. KELLY: That's a whole lot of titles. LEE: Exactly. We should remember, though, that even though he's here as Kim Jong Un's chief envoy, he is a man with an intelligence background, a military background and wears many, many different hats inside North Korea. But one thing that I pay attention to is the bulk of his career has been in intelligence and in the military and overseeing some of the strategy related to reunifying the Korean Peninsula. And when I see Kim Yong Chol, it brings to mind that he has a certain mission, and that is probably to really press the point that North Korea wants to have some sort of discussion about this piece declaration. KELLY: This is something North Korea really wants - to formally end the Korean War. LEE: Exactly. And there are several different reasons for that. I do think that Kim Jong Un does need to tell his people that they are ready to move past this Korean War that has been unresolved since 1953. Remember that they signed a cease-fire with the United States and the United Nations. And that ideology of the Korean War being a central fight and focus for the North Korean people has been such a preoccupation. And I do think that he wants to move past that. And it's a way to perhaps decouple the U.S.-South Korean alliance. And so there are pros and cons to whether this is a good idea. But I do think he has multiple reasons for why he wants to move past this and turn his attention to North Korea's economy. KELLY: To pick up on something else you just said, his intelligence background. This is a guy with military intelligence in his background. He was director until fairly recently of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, North Korea's spy agency. LEE: Absolutely. And he oversaw some extremely destabilizing incidents, including the 2010 sinking of a South Korean warship, the Cheonan, that killed 46 South Korean sailors and really compelled South Korea to institute what are the toughest bilateral South Korean sanctions on North Korea, the May 10 sanctions. And, of course, some of the cyber warfare that I think is a very dangerous arm of North Korea's asymmetrical military tactics. KELLY: There were reports that he was involved with the hacking of Sony Pictures. LEE: He certainly would have been aware and overseen elements of that operation. But we could also point out that we too have a former spymaster, Mike Pompeo... KELLY: Who was at the table today. Fair point, indeed. LEE: Oh, he certainly does go way back with Kim Jong Un. He has close ties to the Kim family. I think, you know, I also think of him as somebody who's tough. And in my dealings with the North Koreans, there was always somebody I called the bulldog. There was somebody who was charming, and there was always a bulldog. He's the bulldog in this equation. He's the tough guy. And it's interesting because obviously he is - the one thing we didn't mention is that - his diplomacy background. He is not a diplomat. And certainly we have other people that we've been dealing with who are very seasoned, very worldly - he is not. KELLY: Well, he certainly extracted something that North Korea wants today, which is a second sit-down between President Trump and Kim Jong Un that appears to be on. LEE: Is it a victory. Of course, another summit would help propel this process and give Kim Jong Un another opportunity for that kind of propaganda and the legitimacy that he craves and the chance to really move this process forward. But the challenge - what I'm focused on is more that the challenge lies for the working-level group, for the working - the negotiators to nail down that road map that we heard earlier. That's the challenge. KELLY: We will see what happens there. Jean Lee, North Korea expert with the Wilson Center. Thanks so much. LEE: Thank you. Copyright 2019 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record.

Jean Lee: Kim Yong Chol is a man with an intelligence background, a military background and wears many, many different hats inside North Korea.

bart

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/18/686696849/who-is-north-korean-diplomat-kim-yong-chol?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=world

Who Is North Korean Diplomat Kim Yong-Chol?

MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: We want to take a closer look now at the man who met with President Trump today - Kim Yong Chol. For that, we are joined by Jean Lee, who opened the Pyongyang bureau of The Associated Press and who is now at the Wilson Center. Welcome, Jean Lee, to our studio. JEAN LEE: Great. Glad to be here. KELLY: So I have seen Kim Yong Chol referred to - we just called him the top negotiator. I've seen him referred to as the former spy chief, as a diplomat. I noticed the BBC just had a profile of him calling him Kim Jong Un's right-hand man. LEE: All of those titles apply. KELLY: That's a whole lot of titles. LEE: Exactly. We should remember, though, that even though he's here as Kim Jong Un's chief envoy, he is a man with an intelligence background, a military background and wears many, many different hats inside North Korea. But one thing that I pay attention to is the bulk of his career has been in intelligence and in the military and overseeing some of the strategy related to reunifying the Korean Peninsula. And when I see Kim Yong Chol, it brings to mind that he has a certain mission, and that is probably to really press the point that North Korea wants to have some sort of discussion about this piece declaration. KELLY: This is something North Korea really wants - to formally end the Korean War. LEE: Exactly. And there are several different reasons for that. I do think that Kim Jong Un does need to tell his people that they are ready to move past this Korean War that has been unresolved since 1953. Remember that they signed a cease-fire with the United States and the United Nations. And that ideology of the Korean War being a central fight and focus for the North Korean people has been such a preoccupation. And I do think that he wants to move past that. And it's a way to perhaps decouple the U.S.-South Korean alliance. And so there are pros and cons to whether this is a good idea. But I do think he has multiple reasons for why he wants to move past this and turn his attention to North Korea's economy. KELLY: To pick up on something else you just said, his intelligence background. This is a guy with military intelligence in his background. He was director until fairly recently of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, North Korea's spy agency. LEE: Absolutely. And he oversaw some extremely destabilizing incidents, including the 2010 sinking of a South Korean warship, the Cheonan, that killed 46 South Korean sailors and really compelled South Korea to institute what are the toughest bilateral South Korean sanctions on North Korea, the May 10 sanctions. And, of course, some of the cyber warfare that I think is a very dangerous arm of North Korea's asymmetrical military tactics. KELLY: There were reports that he was involved with the hacking of Sony Pictures. LEE: He certainly would have been aware and overseen elements of that operation. But we could also point out that we too have a former spymaster, Mike Pompeo... KELLY: Who was at the table today. Fair point, indeed. LEE: Oh, he certainly does go way back with Kim Jong Un. He has close ties to the Kim family. I think, you know, I also think of him as somebody who's tough. And in my dealings with the North Koreans, there was always somebody I called the bulldog. There was somebody who was charming, and there was always a bulldog. He's the bulldog in this equation. He's the tough guy. And it's interesting because obviously he is - the one thing we didn't mention is that - his diplomacy background. He is not a diplomat. And certainly we have other people that we've been dealing with who are very seasoned, very worldly - he is not. KELLY: Well, he certainly extracted something that North Korea wants today, which is a second sit-down between President Trump and Kim Jong Un that appears to be on. LEE: Is it a victory. Of course, another summit would help propel this process and give Kim Jong Un another opportunity for that kind of propaganda and the legitimacy that he craves and the chance to really move this process forward. But the challenge - what I'm focused on is more that the challenge lies for the working-level group, for the working - the negotiators to nail down that road map that we heard earlier. That's the challenge. KELLY: We will see what happens there. Jean Lee, North Korea expert with the Wilson Center. Thanks so much. LEE: Thank you. Copyright 2019 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record.

Jean Lee: Kim Yong Chol is a man with an intelligence background, a military background and wears many, many different hats inside North Korea. Lee: He has a certain mission, and that is probably to really press the point that North Korea wants to have some sort of discussion about this piece declaration.

bart

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/18/686696849/who-is-north-korean-diplomat-kim-yong-chol?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=world

Why does Texas still have an official holiday to commemorate Confederate soldiers?

On Monday, the nation will remember the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., but first, Texas' official calendar has a very different state holiday Confederate Heroes Day. Texas established Confederate Heroes Day in 1973 to counter national demands for an official holiday honoring Martin Luther King's birthday. Not by happenstance, Confederate Heroes Day is four days after King's birthday and sometimes falls on Martin Luther King Day. This session, the Texas State Legislature needs to remove Confederate Heroes Day. Confederate Heroes Day implicitly and unavoidably suggests it is heroic to die defending the enslavement of African-Americans. Some argue the holiday is not honoring the Confederacy's defense of slavery, but the defense of state rights. The Confederates were fighting for the right to deny African-Americans recognition as people so they could maintain them as property. This is clear from Texas' 1861 Declaration of Causes for seceding from the Union, which stated that: "All white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations; while the destruction of the existing relations between the two races, as advocated by [the Union]." While there may have been more to the Confederate cause, it remains undeniable that Confederates fought to maintain slavery. Today, it is indefensible to celebrate their efforts. I have been told by some of my fellow Texans that removing Confederate Heroes Day would erase our history, and I agree that the danger of erasing history is a legitimate concern. However, Confederate Heroes Day does not protect our history. In fact, celebrating Confederate soldiers as heroes erodes the reality of our history; these soldiers were insurrectionists attacking the United States of America, not heroes. By celebrating them, we prevent our state from coming to grips with the truth of our past and prevent our country from moving forward as a united nation. Furthermore, it is not necessary to formally honor history in order to remember it. At least 78 Texans are known to have died at Pearl Harbor, but Texas does not have a state holiday honoring them. Surely not. Georgia no longer celebrates a holiday honoring the Confederacy, and yet, I doubt anyone has forgotten that Georgia was a Confederate state. History books and classes are necessary to remember our past, not holidays. A couple of Texas lawmakers recently sought to rename the holiday as "Civil War Remembrance Day." While I respect their intentions and applaud their effort, the holiday would be redundant. Memorial Day was originally established to honor fallen Confederate and Union soldiers in the Civil War and, therefore, serves the purpose of honoring all fallen Civil War soldiers. Michael Stanley is a policy specialist in Washington and a former intern for President Donald Trump. He wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.

Texas established Confederate Heroes Day in 1973 to counter national demands for an official holiday honoring Martin Luther King's birthday.

bart

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/01/19/texas-still-official-holiday-commemorate-confederate-soldiers

Why does Texas still have an official holiday to commemorate Confederate soldiers?

On Monday, the nation will remember the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., but first, Texas' official calendar has a very different state holiday Confederate Heroes Day. Texas established Confederate Heroes Day in 1973 to counter national demands for an official holiday honoring Martin Luther King's birthday. Not by happenstance, Confederate Heroes Day is four days after King's birthday and sometimes falls on Martin Luther King Day. This session, the Texas State Legislature needs to remove Confederate Heroes Day. Confederate Heroes Day implicitly and unavoidably suggests it is heroic to die defending the enslavement of African-Americans. Some argue the holiday is not honoring the Confederacy's defense of slavery, but the defense of state rights. The Confederates were fighting for the right to deny African-Americans recognition as people so they could maintain them as property. This is clear from Texas' 1861 Declaration of Causes for seceding from the Union, which stated that: "All white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations; while the destruction of the existing relations between the two races, as advocated by [the Union]." While there may have been more to the Confederate cause, it remains undeniable that Confederates fought to maintain slavery. Today, it is indefensible to celebrate their efforts. I have been told by some of my fellow Texans that removing Confederate Heroes Day would erase our history, and I agree that the danger of erasing history is a legitimate concern. However, Confederate Heroes Day does not protect our history. In fact, celebrating Confederate soldiers as heroes erodes the reality of our history; these soldiers were insurrectionists attacking the United States of America, not heroes. By celebrating them, we prevent our state from coming to grips with the truth of our past and prevent our country from moving forward as a united nation. Furthermore, it is not necessary to formally honor history in order to remember it. At least 78 Texans are known to have died at Pearl Harbor, but Texas does not have a state holiday honoring them. Surely not. Georgia no longer celebrates a holiday honoring the Confederacy, and yet, I doubt anyone has forgotten that Georgia was a Confederate state. History books and classes are necessary to remember our past, not holidays. A couple of Texas lawmakers recently sought to rename the holiday as "Civil War Remembrance Day." While I respect their intentions and applaud their effort, the holiday would be redundant. Memorial Day was originally established to honor fallen Confederate and Union soldiers in the Civil War and, therefore, serves the purpose of honoring all fallen Civil War soldiers. Michael Stanley is a policy specialist in Washington and a former intern for President Donald Trump. He wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.

Texas established Confederate Heroes Day in 1973 to counter national demands for an official holiday honoring Martin Luther King's birthday. Michael Stanley: Confederate Heroes Day implicitly and unavoidably suggests it is heroic to die defending the enslavement of African-Americans.

pegasus

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/01/19/texas-still-official-holiday-commemorate-confederate-soldiers

Why does Texas still have an official holiday to commemorate Confederate soldiers?

On Monday, the nation will remember the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., but first, Texas' official calendar has a very different state holiday Confederate Heroes Day. Texas established Confederate Heroes Day in 1973 to counter national demands for an official holiday honoring Martin Luther King's birthday. Not by happenstance, Confederate Heroes Day is four days after King's birthday and sometimes falls on Martin Luther King Day. This session, the Texas State Legislature needs to remove Confederate Heroes Day. Confederate Heroes Day implicitly and unavoidably suggests it is heroic to die defending the enslavement of African-Americans. Some argue the holiday is not honoring the Confederacy's defense of slavery, but the defense of state rights. The Confederates were fighting for the right to deny African-Americans recognition as people so they could maintain them as property. This is clear from Texas' 1861 Declaration of Causes for seceding from the Union, which stated that: "All white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations; while the destruction of the existing relations between the two races, as advocated by [the Union]." While there may have been more to the Confederate cause, it remains undeniable that Confederates fought to maintain slavery. Today, it is indefensible to celebrate their efforts. I have been told by some of my fellow Texans that removing Confederate Heroes Day would erase our history, and I agree that the danger of erasing history is a legitimate concern. However, Confederate Heroes Day does not protect our history. In fact, celebrating Confederate soldiers as heroes erodes the reality of our history; these soldiers were insurrectionists attacking the United States of America, not heroes. By celebrating them, we prevent our state from coming to grips with the truth of our past and prevent our country from moving forward as a united nation. Furthermore, it is not necessary to formally honor history in order to remember it. At least 78 Texans are known to have died at Pearl Harbor, but Texas does not have a state holiday honoring them. Surely not. Georgia no longer celebrates a holiday honoring the Confederacy, and yet, I doubt anyone has forgotten that Georgia was a Confederate state. History books and classes are necessary to remember our past, not holidays. A couple of Texas lawmakers recently sought to rename the holiday as "Civil War Remembrance Day." While I respect their intentions and applaud their effort, the holiday would be redundant. Memorial Day was originally established to honor fallen Confederate and Union soldiers in the Civil War and, therefore, serves the purpose of honoring all fallen Civil War soldiers. Michael Stanley is a policy specialist in Washington and a former intern for President Donald Trump. He wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.

Texas established Confederate Heroes Day in 1973 to counter national demands for an official holiday honoring Martin Luther King's birthday. Michael Stanley: Confederate Heroes Day suggests it is heroic to die defending the enslavement of African-Americans. He says celebrating Confederate soldiers as heroes erodes the reality of our history.

pegasus

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/01/19/texas-still-official-holiday-commemorate-confederate-soldiers

Do I Have to Put Social Security on My Tax Return?

Tax season is about to start, and many taxpayers hope that new tax reform laws will help them pay less in tax this year than in the past. In particular, retirees who rely on Social Security to supplement their savings and provide them with a regular source of income are looking forward to any break they can get from the IRS. However, one thing that Social Security recipients need to understand as they prepare their returns for the 2018 tax year is that they may have to include some of their benefits as income on their tax returns. Even though the laws governing taxation of Social Security benefits have been on the books for decades, that fact comes as a shock to retirees each and every year, and the structure of the tax seems to snare more and more people every year. Magnifying glass on top of a 1040 tax return. More Image source: Getty Images. The tax laws don't make everyone put their Social Security on their tax returns. Instead, there's an income tax that determines whether you'll end up including a portion of your benefits as taxable income. The rules governing exactly how much of your Social Security gets taxed involve complex calculations. First, you'll need to come up with your combined income. That includes your adjusted gross income from sources other than Social Security and any nontaxable interest from municipal bonds. It also includes one-half of what you get from Social Security. So if you have $10,000 in income from work and get $24,000 in Social Security benefits, then your combined income will be $10,000 plus half of $24,000. That works out to $22,000. You'll then have to figure out if your combined income is larger than the thresholds for taxing Social Security. The chart below has the key numbers you'll need to know, depending on your filing status. Filing Status 50% Taxation Threshold 85% Taxation Threshold Single, Head of Household, Qualifying Widow(er) $25,000 $34,000 Married Filing Jointly $32,000 $44,000 Source: IRS. If your combined income is above the number in the 50% column, then you might have to treat as much as 50% of your Social Security as taxable income. If it's above the number in the 85% column, then the taxable portion rises to as much as 85%. However, the key words there are "as much as." Often, the amount you have to treat as taxable income is much less than those percentages. For instance, the rules that govern the 50% threshold say that the taxable amount is also limited to 50% of the amount by which your combined income exceeds the threshold. So if you're single and your combined income was $25,100 in 2018, then the most you'll have to include as taxable Social Security benefits is half of the $100 amount by which $25,100 is above the $25,000 threshold. That amounts to just $50 of taxable income, no matter how much Social Security you received. If you want to run some numbers, the easiest way to do it is by using a calculator. This Social Security income tax calculator lets you consider any scenario you want and then helps you figure out the tax consequences. Why the problem could get worse One oddity about Social Security taxation is that the threshold numbers above aren't indexed for inflation. Instead, they've remained basically unchanged since their enactment. Meanwhile, income levels have gradually increased, and as that's happened, more people have to pay taxes on a portion of their Social Security every year. Unfortunately, since you have limited control over income, it's hard to do much planning to affect the taxation of your Social Security. Just about the only thing you can do is to try to time taxable distributions from retirement accounts in order to keep your combined income under the thresholds, or to put off getting Social Security until your other income won't be as large. Because so many people don't have that level of financial flexibility, more and more taxpayers will find their Social Security benefits subject to tax as time goes by. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Social Security recipients may have to include some of their benefits as income on their tax returns.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/put-social-security-tax-return-121700211.html

Do I Have to Put Social Security on My Tax Return?

Tax season is about to start, and many taxpayers hope that new tax reform laws will help them pay less in tax this year than in the past. In particular, retirees who rely on Social Security to supplement their savings and provide them with a regular source of income are looking forward to any break they can get from the IRS. However, one thing that Social Security recipients need to understand as they prepare their returns for the 2018 tax year is that they may have to include some of their benefits as income on their tax returns. Even though the laws governing taxation of Social Security benefits have been on the books for decades, that fact comes as a shock to retirees each and every year, and the structure of the tax seems to snare more and more people every year. Magnifying glass on top of a 1040 tax return. More Image source: Getty Images. The tax laws don't make everyone put their Social Security on their tax returns. Instead, there's an income tax that determines whether you'll end up including a portion of your benefits as taxable income. The rules governing exactly how much of your Social Security gets taxed involve complex calculations. First, you'll need to come up with your combined income. That includes your adjusted gross income from sources other than Social Security and any nontaxable interest from municipal bonds. It also includes one-half of what you get from Social Security. So if you have $10,000 in income from work and get $24,000 in Social Security benefits, then your combined income will be $10,000 plus half of $24,000. That works out to $22,000. You'll then have to figure out if your combined income is larger than the thresholds for taxing Social Security. The chart below has the key numbers you'll need to know, depending on your filing status. Filing Status 50% Taxation Threshold 85% Taxation Threshold Single, Head of Household, Qualifying Widow(er) $25,000 $34,000 Married Filing Jointly $32,000 $44,000 Source: IRS. If your combined income is above the number in the 50% column, then you might have to treat as much as 50% of your Social Security as taxable income. If it's above the number in the 85% column, then the taxable portion rises to as much as 85%. However, the key words there are "as much as." Often, the amount you have to treat as taxable income is much less than those percentages. For instance, the rules that govern the 50% threshold say that the taxable amount is also limited to 50% of the amount by which your combined income exceeds the threshold. So if you're single and your combined income was $25,100 in 2018, then the most you'll have to include as taxable Social Security benefits is half of the $100 amount by which $25,100 is above the $25,000 threshold. That amounts to just $50 of taxable income, no matter how much Social Security you received. If you want to run some numbers, the easiest way to do it is by using a calculator. This Social Security income tax calculator lets you consider any scenario you want and then helps you figure out the tax consequences. Why the problem could get worse One oddity about Social Security taxation is that the threshold numbers above aren't indexed for inflation. Instead, they've remained basically unchanged since their enactment. Meanwhile, income levels have gradually increased, and as that's happened, more people have to pay taxes on a portion of their Social Security every year. Unfortunately, since you have limited control over income, it's hard to do much planning to affect the taxation of your Social Security. Just about the only thing you can do is to try to time taxable distributions from retirement accounts in order to keep your combined income under the thresholds, or to put off getting Social Security until your other income won't be as large. Because so many people don't have that level of financial flexibility, more and more taxpayers will find their Social Security benefits subject to tax as time goes by. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Social Security recipients may have to include some of their benefits as income on their tax returns. You'll have to figure out if your combined income is larger than the thresholds for taxing Social Security.

pegasus

https://news.yahoo.com/put-social-security-tax-return-121700211.html

Do I Have to Put Social Security on My Tax Return?

Tax season is about to start, and many taxpayers hope that new tax reform laws will help them pay less in tax this year than in the past. In particular, retirees who rely on Social Security to supplement their savings and provide them with a regular source of income are looking forward to any break they can get from the IRS. However, one thing that Social Security recipients need to understand as they prepare their returns for the 2018 tax year is that they may have to include some of their benefits as income on their tax returns. Even though the laws governing taxation of Social Security benefits have been on the books for decades, that fact comes as a shock to retirees each and every year, and the structure of the tax seems to snare more and more people every year. Magnifying glass on top of a 1040 tax return. More Image source: Getty Images. The tax laws don't make everyone put their Social Security on their tax returns. Instead, there's an income tax that determines whether you'll end up including a portion of your benefits as taxable income. The rules governing exactly how much of your Social Security gets taxed involve complex calculations. First, you'll need to come up with your combined income. That includes your adjusted gross income from sources other than Social Security and any nontaxable interest from municipal bonds. It also includes one-half of what you get from Social Security. So if you have $10,000 in income from work and get $24,000 in Social Security benefits, then your combined income will be $10,000 plus half of $24,000. That works out to $22,000. You'll then have to figure out if your combined income is larger than the thresholds for taxing Social Security. The chart below has the key numbers you'll need to know, depending on your filing status. Filing Status 50% Taxation Threshold 85% Taxation Threshold Single, Head of Household, Qualifying Widow(er) $25,000 $34,000 Married Filing Jointly $32,000 $44,000 Source: IRS. If your combined income is above the number in the 50% column, then you might have to treat as much as 50% of your Social Security as taxable income. If it's above the number in the 85% column, then the taxable portion rises to as much as 85%. However, the key words there are "as much as." Often, the amount you have to treat as taxable income is much less than those percentages. For instance, the rules that govern the 50% threshold say that the taxable amount is also limited to 50% of the amount by which your combined income exceeds the threshold. So if you're single and your combined income was $25,100 in 2018, then the most you'll have to include as taxable Social Security benefits is half of the $100 amount by which $25,100 is above the $25,000 threshold. That amounts to just $50 of taxable income, no matter how much Social Security you received. If you want to run some numbers, the easiest way to do it is by using a calculator. This Social Security income tax calculator lets you consider any scenario you want and then helps you figure out the tax consequences. Why the problem could get worse One oddity about Social Security taxation is that the threshold numbers above aren't indexed for inflation. Instead, they've remained basically unchanged since their enactment. Meanwhile, income levels have gradually increased, and as that's happened, more people have to pay taxes on a portion of their Social Security every year. Unfortunately, since you have limited control over income, it's hard to do much planning to affect the taxation of your Social Security. Just about the only thing you can do is to try to time taxable distributions from retirement accounts in order to keep your combined income under the thresholds, or to put off getting Social Security until your other income won't be as large. Because so many people don't have that level of financial flexibility, more and more taxpayers will find their Social Security benefits subject to tax as time goes by. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Social Security recipients may have to include some of their benefits as income on their tax returns. The rules governing exactly how much of your Social Security gets taxed involve complex calculations. If your combined income is above the number in the 50% column, then you might have to treat as much as 50% of Social Security as taxable income.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/put-social-security-tax-return-121700211.html

Is The Power Of The Flour Really The Secret To Baking The Perfect Biscuit?

Enlarge this image toggle caption Brett Flashnick/The Washington Post/Getty Images Brett Flashnick/The Washington Post/Getty Images Cheryl Day makes hundreds of biscuits a day, churning them out by hand at Back In The Day Bakery in Savannah, Ga. Tall and golden, with flaky layers and a lightly crunchy exterior, people come from miles around to eat them each morning, slathered with pepper jelly, stuffed with eggs and bacon, or simply smeared with a little butter. "Biscuits are the croissants of the South," says Day, an award-winning baker and cookbook author. "They're more complicated than you think, and they keep me busy every day." Once upon a time, Day would've asserted that the best biscuits are made with White Lily Flour, her grandmother's favorite. The fans of White Lily, a silky low-protein, low-gluten flour made with soft red winter wheat, are legion, declaring that it is nigh impossible to bake a good biscuit without it. The argument was recently bolstered by a 2018 article in The Atlantic that lamented the lack of good biscuits north of the Mason-Dixon Line, suggesting that a bag of the storied flour, which is not widely available across the U.S. except online, is the key to success. Robert Dixon Phillips, a retired professor of food science at the University of Georgia, tells The Atlantic that soft wheat flour "has less gluten protein and the gluten is weaker, which allows the chemical leavening the baking powder to generate carbon dioxide and make it rise up in the oven." But the flour isn't actually that critical, according to Day even though she loves White Lily Flour. "I used to swear by it," she says, "but then I realized that lots of people don't have White Lily at their local grocery store." Even at her own bakery, Day's husband, Griff, now makes their own blend of pastry flour and all-purpose flour. For many biscuit bakers, the brand of flour is not the defining factor; it's about the other ingredients such as buttermilk and fat and plain old technique. Chef Carla Hall (full disclosure, I work for her as a culinary producer) jumped off the soft wheat flour bandwagon in 2016 when she was running her former restaurant, Carla Hall's Southern Kitchen, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Biscuits and fried chicken were two signature items on the menu, requiring two different kinds of flour: soft wheat for the biscuits and hard wheat the high-protein kind found in common all-purpose flour for coating the chicken. "The staff kept mixing up the flours," recalls Hall, "so we decided one day to just do a taste test." They made biscuits and chicken with each type of flour and, surprisingly, the hard wheat flour won for both. "The biscuit had a darker color, it had more structure, it was more crunchy, but still soft with layers inside," says Hall. "It was everything I like in a biscuit, plus I only had to purchase one kind of flour for the restaurant, which was more cost-effective." For Chadwick Boyd, a recipe developer and brand consultant who also organizes the annual International Biscuit Festival in Knoxville, Tenn., flour is simply not the key ingredient. "A home cook is going to have three or four different varieties at the grocery store to choose from," Boyd says. "The notion that if you pick one over the other is going to determine the success or failure of your biscuits is just wrong." For Boyd, Day and Hall, a good biscuit is born from practice. "We can teach you how to make a biscuit," says Boyd, "It's just a few ingredients. I believe that peoples' issues with baking unsuccessfully is because it's something they don't do regularly, so when they do it, they're excited. They keep opening the door to the oven, they pull the biscuits out too early. Just bring it all together and let the ingredients do the work." In order to help the biscuits rise, all the experts agree that the fat whether butter, shortening or margarine needs to be cold, and there should still be visible chunks of that fat in the dough. Don't overmix. If the fat is fully integrated into the dough, then fewer air bubbles will form, leading to a flatter biscuit. "Keeping fat cold is key," says Megan Meyer, director of science communication at the International Food Information Council Foundation, a nutrition science and education nonprofit. "When fat melts in the oven, an air pocket is created. Air pockets are then expanded by the leavening agents that are already in the dough, like baking soda and baking powder, leading to a fluffy texture." Fat is also important because it adds tenderness to the dough; full-fat buttermilk and European-style butter can help with texture, but "full-fat" is the critical point sour cream, olive oil, and nut milks can all be used to create successful biscuits, provided they have a high-fat content. Then technique takes center stage, where a light hand in mixing and shaping helps keep the dough soft; overworking the dough develops too much gluten, resulting in a tough biscuit. "Biscuit dough comes together very quickly," Hall says, "unlike a bread dough." Mix the dough, shape it into a rectangle on the counter, fold it like a letter to create layers, then pat it out and repeat two more times before cutting. The texture should be soft, barely sticky, somewhat akin to lumpy mashed potatoes, she says. Also, when cutting the biscuits, be careful not to twist the cutter because that pinches the edges of the biscuit and can inhibit the rise. Just press down and pull straight up. Pop those beauties in a hot oven usually at 425 or 450 degrees and then resist the urge to open the door until the biscuits are risen and golden, which usually takes 12 to 15 minutes. "I have been to small towns throughout the American South, the most remote areas where they don't have access to high quality ingredients," says Boyd, "and I've had people make me delicious biscuits from whatever they had on hand. " So don't worry about what kind of flour you've got. Just roll up your sleeves and start baking those biscuits. Practice makes perfect. Kristen Hartke is a food writer based in Washington, D.C. who also works with chef Carla Hall.

The power of the flour is being touted as the secret to making the perfect biscuit.

ctrlsum

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/01/19/686579106/is-the-power-of-the-flour-really-the-secret-to-baking-the-perfect-biscuit?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr

Is The Power Of The Flour Really The Secret To Baking The Perfect Biscuit?

Enlarge this image toggle caption Brett Flashnick/The Washington Post/Getty Images Brett Flashnick/The Washington Post/Getty Images Cheryl Day makes hundreds of biscuits a day, churning them out by hand at Back In The Day Bakery in Savannah, Ga. Tall and golden, with flaky layers and a lightly crunchy exterior, people come from miles around to eat them each morning, slathered with pepper jelly, stuffed with eggs and bacon, or simply smeared with a little butter. "Biscuits are the croissants of the South," says Day, an award-winning baker and cookbook author. "They're more complicated than you think, and they keep me busy every day." Once upon a time, Day would've asserted that the best biscuits are made with White Lily Flour, her grandmother's favorite. The fans of White Lily, a silky low-protein, low-gluten flour made with soft red winter wheat, are legion, declaring that it is nigh impossible to bake a good biscuit without it. The argument was recently bolstered by a 2018 article in The Atlantic that lamented the lack of good biscuits north of the Mason-Dixon Line, suggesting that a bag of the storied flour, which is not widely available across the U.S. except online, is the key to success. Robert Dixon Phillips, a retired professor of food science at the University of Georgia, tells The Atlantic that soft wheat flour "has less gluten protein and the gluten is weaker, which allows the chemical leavening the baking powder to generate carbon dioxide and make it rise up in the oven." But the flour isn't actually that critical, according to Day even though she loves White Lily Flour. "I used to swear by it," she says, "but then I realized that lots of people don't have White Lily at their local grocery store." Even at her own bakery, Day's husband, Griff, now makes their own blend of pastry flour and all-purpose flour. For many biscuit bakers, the brand of flour is not the defining factor; it's about the other ingredients such as buttermilk and fat and plain old technique. Chef Carla Hall (full disclosure, I work for her as a culinary producer) jumped off the soft wheat flour bandwagon in 2016 when she was running her former restaurant, Carla Hall's Southern Kitchen, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Biscuits and fried chicken were two signature items on the menu, requiring two different kinds of flour: soft wheat for the biscuits and hard wheat the high-protein kind found in common all-purpose flour for coating the chicken. "The staff kept mixing up the flours," recalls Hall, "so we decided one day to just do a taste test." They made biscuits and chicken with each type of flour and, surprisingly, the hard wheat flour won for both. "The biscuit had a darker color, it had more structure, it was more crunchy, but still soft with layers inside," says Hall. "It was everything I like in a biscuit, plus I only had to purchase one kind of flour for the restaurant, which was more cost-effective." For Chadwick Boyd, a recipe developer and brand consultant who also organizes the annual International Biscuit Festival in Knoxville, Tenn., flour is simply not the key ingredient. "A home cook is going to have three or four different varieties at the grocery store to choose from," Boyd says. "The notion that if you pick one over the other is going to determine the success or failure of your biscuits is just wrong." For Boyd, Day and Hall, a good biscuit is born from practice. "We can teach you how to make a biscuit," says Boyd, "It's just a few ingredients. I believe that peoples' issues with baking unsuccessfully is because it's something they don't do regularly, so when they do it, they're excited. They keep opening the door to the oven, they pull the biscuits out too early. Just bring it all together and let the ingredients do the work." In order to help the biscuits rise, all the experts agree that the fat whether butter, shortening or margarine needs to be cold, and there should still be visible chunks of that fat in the dough. Don't overmix. If the fat is fully integrated into the dough, then fewer air bubbles will form, leading to a flatter biscuit. "Keeping fat cold is key," says Megan Meyer, director of science communication at the International Food Information Council Foundation, a nutrition science and education nonprofit. "When fat melts in the oven, an air pocket is created. Air pockets are then expanded by the leavening agents that are already in the dough, like baking soda and baking powder, leading to a fluffy texture." Fat is also important because it adds tenderness to the dough; full-fat buttermilk and European-style butter can help with texture, but "full-fat" is the critical point sour cream, olive oil, and nut milks can all be used to create successful biscuits, provided they have a high-fat content. Then technique takes center stage, where a light hand in mixing and shaping helps keep the dough soft; overworking the dough develops too much gluten, resulting in a tough biscuit. "Biscuit dough comes together very quickly," Hall says, "unlike a bread dough." Mix the dough, shape it into a rectangle on the counter, fold it like a letter to create layers, then pat it out and repeat two more times before cutting. The texture should be soft, barely sticky, somewhat akin to lumpy mashed potatoes, she says. Also, when cutting the biscuits, be careful not to twist the cutter because that pinches the edges of the biscuit and can inhibit the rise. Just press down and pull straight up. Pop those beauties in a hot oven usually at 425 or 450 degrees and then resist the urge to open the door until the biscuits are risen and golden, which usually takes 12 to 15 minutes. "I have been to small towns throughout the American South, the most remote areas where they don't have access to high quality ingredients," says Boyd, "and I've had people make me delicious biscuits from whatever they had on hand. " So don't worry about what kind of flour you've got. Just roll up your sleeves and start baking those biscuits. Practice makes perfect. Kristen Hartke is a food writer based in Washington, D.C. who also works with chef Carla Hall.

The power of the flour is being touted as the secret to making the perfect biscuit. But for many biscuit bakers, the brand of flour is not the defining factor.

ctrlsum

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/01/19/686579106/is-the-power-of-the-flour-really-the-secret-to-baking-the-perfect-biscuit?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr

Is The Power Of The Flour Really The Secret To Baking The Perfect Biscuit?

Enlarge this image toggle caption Brett Flashnick/The Washington Post/Getty Images Brett Flashnick/The Washington Post/Getty Images Cheryl Day makes hundreds of biscuits a day, churning them out by hand at Back In The Day Bakery in Savannah, Ga. Tall and golden, with flaky layers and a lightly crunchy exterior, people come from miles around to eat them each morning, slathered with pepper jelly, stuffed with eggs and bacon, or simply smeared with a little butter. "Biscuits are the croissants of the South," says Day, an award-winning baker and cookbook author. "They're more complicated than you think, and they keep me busy every day." Once upon a time, Day would've asserted that the best biscuits are made with White Lily Flour, her grandmother's favorite. The fans of White Lily, a silky low-protein, low-gluten flour made with soft red winter wheat, are legion, declaring that it is nigh impossible to bake a good biscuit without it. The argument was recently bolstered by a 2018 article in The Atlantic that lamented the lack of good biscuits north of the Mason-Dixon Line, suggesting that a bag of the storied flour, which is not widely available across the U.S. except online, is the key to success. Robert Dixon Phillips, a retired professor of food science at the University of Georgia, tells The Atlantic that soft wheat flour "has less gluten protein and the gluten is weaker, which allows the chemical leavening the baking powder to generate carbon dioxide and make it rise up in the oven." But the flour isn't actually that critical, according to Day even though she loves White Lily Flour. "I used to swear by it," she says, "but then I realized that lots of people don't have White Lily at their local grocery store." Even at her own bakery, Day's husband, Griff, now makes their own blend of pastry flour and all-purpose flour. For many biscuit bakers, the brand of flour is not the defining factor; it's about the other ingredients such as buttermilk and fat and plain old technique. Chef Carla Hall (full disclosure, I work for her as a culinary producer) jumped off the soft wheat flour bandwagon in 2016 when she was running her former restaurant, Carla Hall's Southern Kitchen, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Biscuits and fried chicken were two signature items on the menu, requiring two different kinds of flour: soft wheat for the biscuits and hard wheat the high-protein kind found in common all-purpose flour for coating the chicken. "The staff kept mixing up the flours," recalls Hall, "so we decided one day to just do a taste test." They made biscuits and chicken with each type of flour and, surprisingly, the hard wheat flour won for both. "The biscuit had a darker color, it had more structure, it was more crunchy, but still soft with layers inside," says Hall. "It was everything I like in a biscuit, plus I only had to purchase one kind of flour for the restaurant, which was more cost-effective." For Chadwick Boyd, a recipe developer and brand consultant who also organizes the annual International Biscuit Festival in Knoxville, Tenn., flour is simply not the key ingredient. "A home cook is going to have three or four different varieties at the grocery store to choose from," Boyd says. "The notion that if you pick one over the other is going to determine the success or failure of your biscuits is just wrong." For Boyd, Day and Hall, a good biscuit is born from practice. "We can teach you how to make a biscuit," says Boyd, "It's just a few ingredients. I believe that peoples' issues with baking unsuccessfully is because it's something they don't do regularly, so when they do it, they're excited. They keep opening the door to the oven, they pull the biscuits out too early. Just bring it all together and let the ingredients do the work." In order to help the biscuits rise, all the experts agree that the fat whether butter, shortening or margarine needs to be cold, and there should still be visible chunks of that fat in the dough. Don't overmix. If the fat is fully integrated into the dough, then fewer air bubbles will form, leading to a flatter biscuit. "Keeping fat cold is key," says Megan Meyer, director of science communication at the International Food Information Council Foundation, a nutrition science and education nonprofit. "When fat melts in the oven, an air pocket is created. Air pockets are then expanded by the leavening agents that are already in the dough, like baking soda and baking powder, leading to a fluffy texture." Fat is also important because it adds tenderness to the dough; full-fat buttermilk and European-style butter can help with texture, but "full-fat" is the critical point sour cream, olive oil, and nut milks can all be used to create successful biscuits, provided they have a high-fat content. Then technique takes center stage, where a light hand in mixing and shaping helps keep the dough soft; overworking the dough develops too much gluten, resulting in a tough biscuit. "Biscuit dough comes together very quickly," Hall says, "unlike a bread dough." Mix the dough, shape it into a rectangle on the counter, fold it like a letter to create layers, then pat it out and repeat two more times before cutting. The texture should be soft, barely sticky, somewhat akin to lumpy mashed potatoes, she says. Also, when cutting the biscuits, be careful not to twist the cutter because that pinches the edges of the biscuit and can inhibit the rise. Just press down and pull straight up. Pop those beauties in a hot oven usually at 425 or 450 degrees and then resist the urge to open the door until the biscuits are risen and golden, which usually takes 12 to 15 minutes. "I have been to small towns throughout the American South, the most remote areas where they don't have access to high quality ingredients," says Boyd, "and I've had people make me delicious biscuits from whatever they had on hand. " So don't worry about what kind of flour you've got. Just roll up your sleeves and start baking those biscuits. Practice makes perfect. Kristen Hartke is a food writer based in Washington, D.C. who also works with chef Carla Hall.

The power of the flour is being touted as the secret to making the perfect biscuit. But for many biscuit bakers, the brand of flour is not the defining factor; it's about the other ingredients, such as buttermilk and fat. For more information, visit biscuitfestival.org.

ctrlsum

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/01/19/686579106/is-the-power-of-the-flour-really-the-secret-to-baking-the-perfect-biscuit?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr

Will Cannabis Products Drive Shoppers to DSWs Stores?

Last fall footwear retailer DSW (NYSE: DSW) tested out sales of Green Growth Brands' Seventh Sense CBD-infused muscle balms, body lotions, body washes, and foot creams at ten of its stores. CBD is the non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana which treats pain. DSW stated that 74% of Seventh Sense's products that were placed on its shelves were sold. Based on that strong initial demand, DSW plans to sell nearly 55,000 more units of Seventh Sense's CBD products across 96 of its 515 U.S. stores. The recent passage of a U.S. farm bill legalizing CBD derived from hemp allows retailers like DSW to test out sales of new CBD products in their stores. A marijuana leaf on a table. More Image source: Getty Images. DSW CEO Roger Rawlins cited North America's "widespread adoption" of CBD-infused products as an example of shifting consumer behavior across the retail industry. DSW doesn't need CBD to survive In recent years DSW struggled against tough competition from bigger retailers and e-tailers, the bankruptcies of major footwear retailers, and top footwear brands launching their own brick-and-mortar stores and direct-to-consumer channels. DSW tried to offset that slowdown with acquisitions, but many of those purchases failed to generate sustainable returns. DSW realized that it needed to streamline its business to survive. It divested weaker subsidiaries like the e-commerce site EBuys, the footwear chain Gordmans, and Town Shoes' namesake brand (but retained its Shoe Company and Shoe Warehouse stores). It renovated its stores, offered a wider selection of shoes, and tested out shoe repair, manicure, and pedicure services at several locations to bring in more shoppers. A woman shops for shoes. More Image source: Getty Images. DSW also expanded its e-commerce ecosystem and loyalty program, which now reaches over 25 million members. All those efforts clearly paid off over the past year, as its comps growth accelerated and its gross margins expanded. Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Q3 2018 Comps growth 1.3% 2.2% 9.7% 7.3% Gross margin 26.5% 28.9% 32.1% 32.6% Operating margin 4.7% 5.4% 3.1% 6.4% Source: DSW quarterly reports. DSW's growth is especially remarkable compared to that of its industry peers. In their most recent quarters, Shoe Carnival's (NASDAQ: SCVL) comps rose 4.5% with a gross margin of 30.2%, while Foot Locker (NYSE: FL) reported 2.9% comps growth with a gross margin of 31.6%. Analysts also have a much rosier outlook for DSW than Shoe Carnival or Foot Locker.

DSW plans to sell nearly 55,000 more units of Seventh Sense's CBD products across 96 of its 515 U.S. stores. The recent passage of a U.S. farm bill legalizing CBD derived from hemp allows retailers like DSW to test out sales of new CBD products in their stores.

pegasus

https://news.yahoo.com/cannabis-products-drive-shoppers-dsw-131600718.html

Can China Make Its Trade Surplus with the U.S. Disappear?

Bloomberg reported Friday that Chinese trade negotiators have put forth a proposal to Trump administration counterparts that would eliminate Chinas trade surplus with the United States by 2024. The report, if accurate, suggests an astonishing breakthrough in trade talks between the two countries. In 2018, Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. topped $323 billion, a 17% jump from the previous year. Global markets rallied in response to the prospect that the worlds two largest economies were closing in on a trade truce. Ive argued previously in this space that reducing Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. to zero is mathematically improbable, if not impossibleat least in the short term. Thats so even if China were to dramatically ramp up purchases of big-ticket U.S. imports such as Boeing jets, soy beans, and natural gas. The math is less daunting over a six-year horizon. But the Bloomberg report says Trump insists hell refrain from slapping even higher tariffs on U.S. imports from China only if Beijing promises to eliminate the trade surplus within two years. Trumps fixation with the bilateral trade balance between the U.S. and China is silly for many reasons, which I wont belabor hereexcept to note that it contradicts his other, more worthy trade goals. Trump has argued Beijing should stop meddling in Chinas economy, abandon Xi Jinpings Made in China 2025 industrial policy for Chinas tech sector, stop channeling cheap capital to unproductive state-owned enterprises, and give way to free markets and private firms. But his demands that China eliminate its bilateral trade surplus with the U.S. within two years will require forceful intervention in Chinas economy by central government plannersstrengthening the role of the state in Chinas economy rather than allowing it to wither away. Meanwhile, theres been very little new information about what China would do to curb theft of U.S. technologies and eliminate requirements for U.S. companies to surrender proprietary technologies as the price of entry into the Chinese market. Derek Scissors and Daniel Blumenthal, analysts at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, recently offered this proposal outlining what a rules-based U.S. trade policy focused on intellectual property protection rather than an outcomes-based policy focused on the bilateral U.S-China trade balance might look like. They argue that comprehensive tariffs, which harm American consumers and workers unnecessarily, are not the right reaction. U.S. government intervention in trade policy, they contend, should be limited to areas that are genuinely vital to national security, prosperity and democratic values. More China news below.

Bloomberg reports China has proposed eliminating its trade surplus with the U.S. by 2024.

pegasus

http://fortune.com/2019/01/19/can-china-make-its-trade-surplus-with-the-u-s-disappear/

Can China Make Its Trade Surplus with the U.S. Disappear?

Bloomberg reported Friday that Chinese trade negotiators have put forth a proposal to Trump administration counterparts that would eliminate Chinas trade surplus with the United States by 2024. The report, if accurate, suggests an astonishing breakthrough in trade talks between the two countries. In 2018, Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. topped $323 billion, a 17% jump from the previous year. Global markets rallied in response to the prospect that the worlds two largest economies were closing in on a trade truce. Ive argued previously in this space that reducing Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. to zero is mathematically improbable, if not impossibleat least in the short term. Thats so even if China were to dramatically ramp up purchases of big-ticket U.S. imports such as Boeing jets, soy beans, and natural gas. The math is less daunting over a six-year horizon. But the Bloomberg report says Trump insists hell refrain from slapping even higher tariffs on U.S. imports from China only if Beijing promises to eliminate the trade surplus within two years. Trumps fixation with the bilateral trade balance between the U.S. and China is silly for many reasons, which I wont belabor hereexcept to note that it contradicts his other, more worthy trade goals. Trump has argued Beijing should stop meddling in Chinas economy, abandon Xi Jinpings Made in China 2025 industrial policy for Chinas tech sector, stop channeling cheap capital to unproductive state-owned enterprises, and give way to free markets and private firms. But his demands that China eliminate its bilateral trade surplus with the U.S. within two years will require forceful intervention in Chinas economy by central government plannersstrengthening the role of the state in Chinas economy rather than allowing it to wither away. Meanwhile, theres been very little new information about what China would do to curb theft of U.S. technologies and eliminate requirements for U.S. companies to surrender proprietary technologies as the price of entry into the Chinese market. Derek Scissors and Daniel Blumenthal, analysts at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, recently offered this proposal outlining what a rules-based U.S. trade policy focused on intellectual property protection rather than an outcomes-based policy focused on the bilateral U.S-China trade balance might look like. They argue that comprehensive tariffs, which harm American consumers and workers unnecessarily, are not the right reaction. U.S. government intervention in trade policy, they contend, should be limited to areas that are genuinely vital to national security, prosperity and democratic values. More China news below.

Bloomberg: Chinese trade negotiators have put forth a proposal that would eliminate Chinas trade surplus with the United States by 2024. The report suggests an astonishing breakthrough in trade talks between the two countries.

bart

http://fortune.com/2019/01/19/can-china-make-its-trade-surplus-with-the-u-s-disappear/

Can China Make Its Trade Surplus with the U.S. Disappear?

Bloomberg reported Friday that Chinese trade negotiators have put forth a proposal to Trump administration counterparts that would eliminate Chinas trade surplus with the United States by 2024. The report, if accurate, suggests an astonishing breakthrough in trade talks between the two countries. In 2018, Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. topped $323 billion, a 17% jump from the previous year. Global markets rallied in response to the prospect that the worlds two largest economies were closing in on a trade truce. Ive argued previously in this space that reducing Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. to zero is mathematically improbable, if not impossibleat least in the short term. Thats so even if China were to dramatically ramp up purchases of big-ticket U.S. imports such as Boeing jets, soy beans, and natural gas. The math is less daunting over a six-year horizon. But the Bloomberg report says Trump insists hell refrain from slapping even higher tariffs on U.S. imports from China only if Beijing promises to eliminate the trade surplus within two years. Trumps fixation with the bilateral trade balance between the U.S. and China is silly for many reasons, which I wont belabor hereexcept to note that it contradicts his other, more worthy trade goals. Trump has argued Beijing should stop meddling in Chinas economy, abandon Xi Jinpings Made in China 2025 industrial policy for Chinas tech sector, stop channeling cheap capital to unproductive state-owned enterprises, and give way to free markets and private firms. But his demands that China eliminate its bilateral trade surplus with the U.S. within two years will require forceful intervention in Chinas economy by central government plannersstrengthening the role of the state in Chinas economy rather than allowing it to wither away. Meanwhile, theres been very little new information about what China would do to curb theft of U.S. technologies and eliminate requirements for U.S. companies to surrender proprietary technologies as the price of entry into the Chinese market. Derek Scissors and Daniel Blumenthal, analysts at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, recently offered this proposal outlining what a rules-based U.S. trade policy focused on intellectual property protection rather than an outcomes-based policy focused on the bilateral U.S-China trade balance might look like. They argue that comprehensive tariffs, which harm American consumers and workers unnecessarily, are not the right reaction. U.S. government intervention in trade policy, they contend, should be limited to areas that are genuinely vital to national security, prosperity and democratic values. More China news below.

Bloomberg: Chinese trade negotiators have put forth a proposal that would eliminate Chinas trade surplus with the United States by 2024. The report suggests an astonishing breakthrough in trade talks between the two countries. In 2018, Chinas trade deficit with the U.S. topped $323 billion, a 17% jump from the previous year.

bart

http://fortune.com/2019/01/19/can-china-make-its-trade-surplus-with-the-u-s-disappear/

What players will fill the leadership void on the Cleveland Indians for 2019?

Tribe needs leaders and talent for 2019 season CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The talent drain on the Indians has been immense this offseason. The same goes for leadership. It's funny how many of the departed Indians possessed both qualities, but that's how it usually works. A team's best players are usually its best leaders because this is a game measured by daily production. A leader on a baseball team doesn't need to pound his chest and scream and shout. That can be exhausting not only to the player, but those around him. All he needs to do is show up every day and do his job. It's hard to say how much the Indians are going to miss players such as Michael Brantley, Yan Gomes, Andrew Miller, Lonnie Chisenhall, Rajai Davis, Edwin Encarnacion, and Yonder Alonso. Hard to say because they can't be replaced. The latest loss came Friday when Cody Allen agreed to a one-year deal with the Angels. Allen, the franchise leader in saves, was the definition of a late-inning reliever. He was durable, never turned down the ball and always put the team first. From a reporter's standpoint he never ducked a tough question and was always at his locker after he pitched. It didn't matter if he saved a game or lost a lead, he was always there. If the Indians couldn't afford to match the Angels' one-year offer to keep Allen, it's hard to believe they're going to be able to fill the rest of the holes on this roster without a making a big trade. If you can't keep your franchise leader in saves on a one-year deal, ownership has definitely changed the combination on the vault set aside for baseball operations. Then again it was clear from the start of the offseason that the Indians were not going to keep keep any of their high-profile free agents. Brantley, Allen, Miller, Chisenhall and Josh Donaldson have all signed elsewhere. Outfielder Brandon Barnes is the only free agent to re-sign and he did so on a minor league deal. Talent is easy to spot. Right now the Indians are loaded at one position -- starting pitching. The rest of the roster looks like a rusted out Chevy in front of a crumbling farm house. There are a few pieces of chrome that reflect a ray of sunshine, but the rest consists of chipped paint and mud. Leadership is harder to spot. Recently Mike Clevinger, who reached 200 innings and 200 strikeouts for the first time last year, was asked who would be the new leaders on the Indians. He pointed to Francisco Lindor, the All-Star shortstop. Clevinger said he talked to Lindor after the Indians lost Game 1 of the ALDS to Houston in October. He didn't like the vibe in the clubhouse and suggested Lindor say something. Lindor did before Game 2. It didn't matter. Churchill could have talked to the Indians and they still would have been rolled by the Astros in three games. It's not a surprise that Lindor would emerge as a leader in the wake of so much loss. Talent drips off him. The guy who made the suggestion is another story. Rarely does leadership come barging through the door. It comes through the team itself, and the players with enough feel to absorb what has been left behind by those who have come and gone before them. In a winter where so much has been lost, and so little gained, that is a bright spot.

Cody Allen agreed to a one-year deal with the Angels on Friday. The franchise leader in saves, he was durable and always put the team first. The talent drain on the Indians has been immense this offseason. The Tribe needs leaders and talent for the 2019 season.

pegasus

https://www.cleveland.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/01/ff73e4ad8e9112/what-players-will-fill-the-leadership-void-on-the-cleveland-indians-for-2019.html

Can Britains butchers survive the vegan boom?

Beleaguered by the rise of meat-free lifestyles and the decline of the high street, some in the trade are fighting back What a time to be a butcher. With Veganuary in full swing and scientists delivering an onslaught of post-Christmas advice about the perils of meat eating, butchers are under pressure from all sides, caught in the cleft of consumer demands for better quality food at ever cheaper prices. Take Robert Byford. A year ago, his shop in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was one of four serving a population that was enthusiastic about steak and bacon. Now Byford Food Hall is the last one standing. Where we are, three butchers have closed in the last 12 months, Byford said, ticking them off: One in Rayleigh is up for sale, another in Leigh has shut and theres a third gone from Southend. They might sell it, but it seems unlikely. I think well see more and more of this happening, just like the bakers and the fishmongers. Britain had about 15,000 butchers shops in 1990, a number that declined rapidly during the BSE crisis in the following decade and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. By 2010 there were just 6,380, according to the Office for National Statistics, and now there are 5,830. About 100 shops a year are closing down without being replaced. That decline may be speeding up again, and it certainly isnt hindered by dietary advice such as that issued last week in the Lancet, by scientists suggesting people reduce their weekly red meat intake by 50%. In November, Crawshaws, a chain of Midlands butchers, announced it was shutting 39 stores and went into administration to save the remaining 19. A month earlier Bristol lost JD Brittan, which opened in 1814 and served soldiers returning from the Napoleonic wars. Other losses include CD Field in Sedgley, West Midlands, gone after 116 years, Ron Reddy in Blackpool after 50 years and MS King in Bournemouth after 54 years. Everyone has a different explanation. Some blame vegans Pat Jenkins, a butcher of 60 years standing, thinks anti-meat publicity will see the end of her family-run shop in Bournemouth. Miranda Ballard agrees her Muddy Boots chain of five premium butchers in London shut down just over a year ago. Vegetarianism was definitely part of it, she said. I was a big fan of meat-free Mondays, because I wanted people to buy better meat less often. We thought people wanted what they say they wanted, which is to pay more for great quality meat, but in the end their decisions are really about price and convenience. Every single time we opened a new shop, someone would come in and say Id forgotten what good meat tastes like. That was great to hear, but it should have rung alarm bells for me. If people had forgotten, they werent going to come out of the supermarket to us. Facebook Twitter Pinterest A queue forms outside Hill & Szrok meat shop in Hackney, London its a restaurant in the evenings. Photograph: Jenny Matthews/Alamy Others point to the familiar problems that beset the high street: rising rents, power bills and business rates, staff costs, the growing influence of the discounters Aldi and Lidl and the dominance of supermarkets. People dont have the money, said Asif Khan, who has worked at Pak Butchers in Walthamstow for five years. In the last year people have started crying about the price. They never did that three or four years ago. They import meat from Holland and other parts of Europe. Prices have gone up. Its Brexit. Perhaps the most worrying sign for the trade is the ageing profile of independent butchers. A survey by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Boards (AHDB) beef and lamb division in 2015 showed that 75% of butchers had been working for more than 20 years. Often what happens is someone wants to retire, their family dont want to take it on and the shop shuts, Robert Byford said. Fortunately, were still going strong and my sons involved in the business so when I retire hell take it on. Like many remaining butchers, Byford has moved away from tripe and offal to offer a touch of luxury. You cant beat the supermarkets on price, he said. We go for the quality end of the market. We do homemade pies. We cure our own bacon and smoke it in the shop. On Sundays we cook peoples joints for them, so they can go shopping and pick up their dinner on the way home. We need to remind people that meat has a lot of minerals and nutrients that its hard to get elsewhere Matt Southam, AHDB The butcher-bistro is increasingly popular. Hill & Szrok in Hackney, London, is a butchers during the day and a restaurant at night, while Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge created the Butchers Tap pub in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, with beef chillers turned into displays in the pub windows. The butchers that are left now are the good ones, the ones that fit with new consumer demands, said Matt Southam of the AHDB. Theres a lot of butchers doing rare breeds that you cant get in a supermarket. Were seeing a bigger link with farm shops too. Its about connecting the supply chain from the farm gate to your plate. Despite the decline in butchers shops, the meat industry is still healthy, the AHDB says. While meat consumption has dropped by about 5% since 1995, last year saw a slight rise, with Britons spending 18.3bn. Those buying new vegan products such as bleeding burgers and faux fish and chips tend to be meat eaters. When you get down to the pure numbers of people that are vegan, the numbers are very, very small, Southam said. (The Vegan Society said in 2018 there are 600,000 vegans in the UK, just above 1% of the population; however, their numbers are growing.) What is having an effect is flexitarianism those making a reduction, maybe one less meal a fortnight or one less meal a month. We just need to remind people that meat has minerals and nutrients that its hard to get elsewhere and its part of a healthy, balanced diet.

There are 5,830 butchers shops in Britain, down from 15,000 in 1990. Some blame the rise of vegans, while others blame the high street.

ctrlsum

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/19/can-britains-butchers-survive-vegan-boom

Can Britains butchers survive the vegan boom?

Beleaguered by the rise of meat-free lifestyles and the decline of the high street, some in the trade are fighting back What a time to be a butcher. With Veganuary in full swing and scientists delivering an onslaught of post-Christmas advice about the perils of meat eating, butchers are under pressure from all sides, caught in the cleft of consumer demands for better quality food at ever cheaper prices. Take Robert Byford. A year ago, his shop in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was one of four serving a population that was enthusiastic about steak and bacon. Now Byford Food Hall is the last one standing. Where we are, three butchers have closed in the last 12 months, Byford said, ticking them off: One in Rayleigh is up for sale, another in Leigh has shut and theres a third gone from Southend. They might sell it, but it seems unlikely. I think well see more and more of this happening, just like the bakers and the fishmongers. Britain had about 15,000 butchers shops in 1990, a number that declined rapidly during the BSE crisis in the following decade and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. By 2010 there were just 6,380, according to the Office for National Statistics, and now there are 5,830. About 100 shops a year are closing down without being replaced. That decline may be speeding up again, and it certainly isnt hindered by dietary advice such as that issued last week in the Lancet, by scientists suggesting people reduce their weekly red meat intake by 50%. In November, Crawshaws, a chain of Midlands butchers, announced it was shutting 39 stores and went into administration to save the remaining 19. A month earlier Bristol lost JD Brittan, which opened in 1814 and served soldiers returning from the Napoleonic wars. Other losses include CD Field in Sedgley, West Midlands, gone after 116 years, Ron Reddy in Blackpool after 50 years and MS King in Bournemouth after 54 years. Everyone has a different explanation. Some blame vegans Pat Jenkins, a butcher of 60 years standing, thinks anti-meat publicity will see the end of her family-run shop in Bournemouth. Miranda Ballard agrees her Muddy Boots chain of five premium butchers in London shut down just over a year ago. Vegetarianism was definitely part of it, she said. I was a big fan of meat-free Mondays, because I wanted people to buy better meat less often. We thought people wanted what they say they wanted, which is to pay more for great quality meat, but in the end their decisions are really about price and convenience. Every single time we opened a new shop, someone would come in and say Id forgotten what good meat tastes like. That was great to hear, but it should have rung alarm bells for me. If people had forgotten, they werent going to come out of the supermarket to us. Facebook Twitter Pinterest A queue forms outside Hill & Szrok meat shop in Hackney, London its a restaurant in the evenings. Photograph: Jenny Matthews/Alamy Others point to the familiar problems that beset the high street: rising rents, power bills and business rates, staff costs, the growing influence of the discounters Aldi and Lidl and the dominance of supermarkets. People dont have the money, said Asif Khan, who has worked at Pak Butchers in Walthamstow for five years. In the last year people have started crying about the price. They never did that three or four years ago. They import meat from Holland and other parts of Europe. Prices have gone up. Its Brexit. Perhaps the most worrying sign for the trade is the ageing profile of independent butchers. A survey by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Boards (AHDB) beef and lamb division in 2015 showed that 75% of butchers had been working for more than 20 years. Often what happens is someone wants to retire, their family dont want to take it on and the shop shuts, Robert Byford said. Fortunately, were still going strong and my sons involved in the business so when I retire hell take it on. Like many remaining butchers, Byford has moved away from tripe and offal to offer a touch of luxury. You cant beat the supermarkets on price, he said. We go for the quality end of the market. We do homemade pies. We cure our own bacon and smoke it in the shop. On Sundays we cook peoples joints for them, so they can go shopping and pick up their dinner on the way home. We need to remind people that meat has a lot of minerals and nutrients that its hard to get elsewhere Matt Southam, AHDB The butcher-bistro is increasingly popular. Hill & Szrok in Hackney, London, is a butchers during the day and a restaurant at night, while Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge created the Butchers Tap pub in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, with beef chillers turned into displays in the pub windows. The butchers that are left now are the good ones, the ones that fit with new consumer demands, said Matt Southam of the AHDB. Theres a lot of butchers doing rare breeds that you cant get in a supermarket. Were seeing a bigger link with farm shops too. Its about connecting the supply chain from the farm gate to your plate. Despite the decline in butchers shops, the meat industry is still healthy, the AHDB says. While meat consumption has dropped by about 5% since 1995, last year saw a slight rise, with Britons spending 18.3bn. Those buying new vegan products such as bleeding burgers and faux fish and chips tend to be meat eaters. When you get down to the pure numbers of people that are vegan, the numbers are very, very small, Southam said. (The Vegan Society said in 2018 there are 600,000 vegans in the UK, just above 1% of the population; however, their numbers are growing.) What is having an effect is flexitarianism those making a reduction, maybe one less meal a fortnight or one less meal a month. We just need to remind people that meat has minerals and nutrients that its hard to get elsewhere and its part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Britain had 15,000 butchers' shops in 1990, a number that declined rapidly. By 2010 there were just 6,380, and now there are 5,830. About 100 shops a year are closing down without being replaced. Some blame vegans, others blame the decline of the high street.

pegasus

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/19/can-britains-butchers-survive-vegan-boom

Why Is Neogen (NEOG) Up 9.4% Since Last Earnings Report?

Neogen (NEOG) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Neogen (NEOG). Shares have added about 9.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Neogen Sees Q2 Revenue Growth on Strong Food Safety Business Neogen reported earnings per share (EPS) of 31 cents in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 30 cents. However, EPS declined 6.1% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues increased 4.6% on a year-over-year basis to $107.1 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $109 million by 1.7%. Per Neogen, growing revenues from key food safety products, including tests for foodborne pathogens and sanitation, contributed to the top line. The company also witnessed strength in the natural toxin product lines. Also, continued growth in the companys global animal genomics business boosted the top line. Revenues in Detail Food Safety Segment: Revenues at the segment totaled $53.8 million, up 9.3% on solid overall organic growth. Sales of the foodborne pathogen detection tests, like Listeria and Salmonella, rose 24% year over year in the reported quarter. Revenues also included contribution from Neogens Listeria Right Now test system. The company also witnessed a 20% rise in sales of general microbiology tests, which include tests to detect spoilage and indicator microorganisms (for instance yeasts and molds) in food and other consumer products. Animal Safety Segment: The segment recorded revenues of $53.3 million, reflecting a 3.5% rise from the year-ago quarter. Strength in the global biosecurity products, including a 22% rise in sales of agricultural insecticides and a 15% increase in Preserve disinfectants sales led the upside. The worldwide genomics business unit recorded an 8% increase in the reported quarter. Per management, this growth is partly attributable to the September 2017 buyout of the University of Queensland Animal Genetics Laboratory in Australia. Also, the upside is backed by robust revenues from the companys beef genomics business, both for beef breed associations and commercial producers. Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months. VGM Scores At this time, Neogen has a subpar Growth Score of D, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with an F. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Neogen has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research

Neogen (NEOG) reported earnings 30 days ago. Shares have added about 9.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Neogen Sees Q2 Revenue Growth on Strong Food Safety Business.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/why-neogen-neog-9-4-143002357.html

Why Is Neogen (NEOG) Up 9.4% Since Last Earnings Report?

Neogen (NEOG) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Neogen (NEOG). Shares have added about 9.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Neogen Sees Q2 Revenue Growth on Strong Food Safety Business Neogen reported earnings per share (EPS) of 31 cents in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 30 cents. However, EPS declined 6.1% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues increased 4.6% on a year-over-year basis to $107.1 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $109 million by 1.7%. Per Neogen, growing revenues from key food safety products, including tests for foodborne pathogens and sanitation, contributed to the top line. The company also witnessed strength in the natural toxin product lines. Also, continued growth in the companys global animal genomics business boosted the top line. Revenues in Detail Food Safety Segment: Revenues at the segment totaled $53.8 million, up 9.3% on solid overall organic growth. Sales of the foodborne pathogen detection tests, like Listeria and Salmonella, rose 24% year over year in the reported quarter. Revenues also included contribution from Neogens Listeria Right Now test system. The company also witnessed a 20% rise in sales of general microbiology tests, which include tests to detect spoilage and indicator microorganisms (for instance yeasts and molds) in food and other consumer products. Animal Safety Segment: The segment recorded revenues of $53.3 million, reflecting a 3.5% rise from the year-ago quarter. Strength in the global biosecurity products, including a 22% rise in sales of agricultural insecticides and a 15% increase in Preserve disinfectants sales led the upside. The worldwide genomics business unit recorded an 8% increase in the reported quarter. Per management, this growth is partly attributable to the September 2017 buyout of the University of Queensland Animal Genetics Laboratory in Australia. Also, the upside is backed by robust revenues from the companys beef genomics business, both for beef breed associations and commercial producers. Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months. VGM Scores At this time, Neogen has a subpar Growth Score of D, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with an F. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Neogen has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research

Neogen (NEOG) reported earnings 30 days ago. Shares have added about 9.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Neogen reported revenues of $53.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.7%.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/why-neogen-neog-9-4-143002357.html

Why Is BlackBerry (BB) Up 4.1% Since Last Earnings Report?

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for BlackBerry (BB). Shares have added about 4.1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. BlackBerry Q3 Earnings Top Estimates on Lower Expenses BlackBerry reported healthy third-quarter fiscal 2019 (ended Nov 30, 2018) financial results, primarily driven by growth in software and services business, and lower operating expenses. Net Loss On a GAAP basis, net loss for the reported quarter was 1 cent per share compared with a loss of 52 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year improvement was mainly due to lower total operating expenses. Non-GAAP net income came in at $28 million or 5 cents per share compared with $16 million or 3 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted earnings for the quarter were 3 cents per share which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents. Revenues Quarterly GAAP revenues remained stable year over year at $226 million. Software and services revenues were $217 million, up 14.2%. Non-GAAP revenues were $228 million compared with $235 million in the year-earlier quarter. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $213 million. Geographically, North America generated revenues of $151 million compared with $133 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenues from Europe, Middle East and Africa were $56 million, down 18.8% year over year, while revenues from other regions totaled $19 million, down 20.8%. Segmental Performance Non-GAAP revenues from Enterprise software and services decreased 7.5% year over year to $98 million. BlackBerry Technology Solutions non-GAAP revenues increased 23.3% to $53 million, primarily driven by BlackBerry QNX. Software development license, services and royalty revenues have grown double-digit percentage across various applications in the automotive and general embedded market, underscoring an increase in the number of design wins as the company was chosen by customers from around the world. Non-GAAP revenues from Licensing, IP and other were $68 million, up 36% year over year. The company did not generate any non-GAAP revenues from Handheld devices in the reported quarter, while generating $9 million in the year-earlier quarter. SAF (service access fees) non-GAAP revenues continued its downtrend and decreased to $9 million from $27 million in the year-earlier quarter. Other Quarterly Details Gross profit was $170 million or 75.2% of revenues compared with $168 million or 74.3% of revenues in the year-ago quarter. Total operating expenses decreased to $112 million from $426 million reported in the prior-year quarter. This was primarily due to lower arbitration charges, selling, marketing and administration expenses, and favorable adjustment of debentures fair value. Operating income improved to $58 million against operating loss of $258 million in the prior-year quarter, mainly due to lower operating expenses. Non-GAAP operating income was $27 million compared with $16 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $44 million compared with $35 million in the prior-year quarter. During the quarter, BlackBerry has inked an agreement to acquire Cylance, an artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity leader. The buyout will help to boost the companys future software and services business growth as it will provide additional cyber security capabilities with advanced AI and machine learning technology. Cash Flow During the first nine months of fiscal 2019, BlackBerry generated $82 million of cash from operations compared with $866 million in the year-ago period. In the fiscal third quarter, free cash flow before considering the impact of restructuring and legal proceedings was $39 million. Liquidity As of Nov 30, 2018, BlackBerry had $1,084 million of cash and cash equivalents and $665 million of long-term debt. The companys total cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments were $2.4 billion as of the same day. Fiscal 2019 Outlook BlackBerry has reiterated its outlook for fiscal 2019. The company continues to expect total software and services revenue growth to be in the range of 8-10% year over year. It expects total software and services billings growth to be in double-digits. The company anticipates non-GAAP earnings per share to be positive. Free cash flow for the full fiscal is also expected to be positive. Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BlackBerry Limited (BB) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research

Shares of BlackBerry (BB) have added about 4.1% since the last earnings report. BlackBerry reported healthy third-quarter fiscal 2019 (ended Nov 30, 2018) financial results.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/why-blackberry-bb-4-1-143002417.html

Why Is BlackBerry (BB) Up 4.1% Since Last Earnings Report?

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for BlackBerry (BB). Shares have added about 4.1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. BlackBerry Q3 Earnings Top Estimates on Lower Expenses BlackBerry reported healthy third-quarter fiscal 2019 (ended Nov 30, 2018) financial results, primarily driven by growth in software and services business, and lower operating expenses. Net Loss On a GAAP basis, net loss for the reported quarter was 1 cent per share compared with a loss of 52 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year improvement was mainly due to lower total operating expenses. Non-GAAP net income came in at $28 million or 5 cents per share compared with $16 million or 3 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted earnings for the quarter were 3 cents per share which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents. Revenues Quarterly GAAP revenues remained stable year over year at $226 million. Software and services revenues were $217 million, up 14.2%. Non-GAAP revenues were $228 million compared with $235 million in the year-earlier quarter. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $213 million. Geographically, North America generated revenues of $151 million compared with $133 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenues from Europe, Middle East and Africa were $56 million, down 18.8% year over year, while revenues from other regions totaled $19 million, down 20.8%. Segmental Performance Non-GAAP revenues from Enterprise software and services decreased 7.5% year over year to $98 million. BlackBerry Technology Solutions non-GAAP revenues increased 23.3% to $53 million, primarily driven by BlackBerry QNX. Software development license, services and royalty revenues have grown double-digit percentage across various applications in the automotive and general embedded market, underscoring an increase in the number of design wins as the company was chosen by customers from around the world. Non-GAAP revenues from Licensing, IP and other were $68 million, up 36% year over year. The company did not generate any non-GAAP revenues from Handheld devices in the reported quarter, while generating $9 million in the year-earlier quarter. SAF (service access fees) non-GAAP revenues continued its downtrend and decreased to $9 million from $27 million in the year-earlier quarter. Other Quarterly Details Gross profit was $170 million or 75.2% of revenues compared with $168 million or 74.3% of revenues in the year-ago quarter. Total operating expenses decreased to $112 million from $426 million reported in the prior-year quarter. This was primarily due to lower arbitration charges, selling, marketing and administration expenses, and favorable adjustment of debentures fair value. Operating income improved to $58 million against operating loss of $258 million in the prior-year quarter, mainly due to lower operating expenses. Non-GAAP operating income was $27 million compared with $16 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $44 million compared with $35 million in the prior-year quarter. During the quarter, BlackBerry has inked an agreement to acquire Cylance, an artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity leader. The buyout will help to boost the companys future software and services business growth as it will provide additional cyber security capabilities with advanced AI and machine learning technology. Cash Flow During the first nine months of fiscal 2019, BlackBerry generated $82 million of cash from operations compared with $866 million in the year-ago period. In the fiscal third quarter, free cash flow before considering the impact of restructuring and legal proceedings was $39 million. Liquidity As of Nov 30, 2018, BlackBerry had $1,084 million of cash and cash equivalents and $665 million of long-term debt. The companys total cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments were $2.4 billion as of the same day. Fiscal 2019 Outlook BlackBerry has reiterated its outlook for fiscal 2019. The company continues to expect total software and services revenue growth to be in the range of 8-10% year over year. It expects total software and services billings growth to be in double-digits. The company anticipates non-GAAP earnings per share to be positive. Free cash flow for the full fiscal is also expected to be positive. Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BlackBerry Limited (BB) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research

Shares of BlackBerry (BB) have added about 4.1% since the last earnings report. BlackBerry reported healthy third-quarter fiscal 2019 (ended Nov 30, 2018) financial results, primarily driven by growth in software and services business, and lower operating expenses. The company has inked an agreement to acquire Cylance.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/why-blackberry-bb-4-1-143002417.html

Is Illinois Tool Works a Buy?

That's the question that faces investors and potential investors in Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW). Unlike shares of a peer such as 3M Company (NYSE: MMM), there's still a strong case to be made for buying Illinois Tool Works' stock. Here it is. Illinois Tool Works has near-term headwinds Along with much of the industrial sector, the stock was sold off aggressively in 2018 on fears of an upcoming cyclical slowdown in the economy. Moreover, it was a particularly brutal year for companies with significant exposure to the automotive industry, given that U.S. light vehicle sales looked like they'd passed cyclical peak, and end-market conditions are likely to get worse in 2019. For reference, Illinois Tool Works' automotive OEM (original equipment manufacturer) segment generated more than one-fifth of operating income in the first nine months of 2018: ITW Chart More ITW data by YCharts. Moreover, if prices for commodities (particularly oil) remain relatively low, then some of the company's businesses with exposure to heavy industries (such as welding, and test and measurement) are likely to come under pressure. Throw in any negative impact from the China-U.S. trade dispute, and it's clear that the company faces some cyclical risk in 2019. As a consequence, analysts have been downgrading the stock. Clearly, there are question marks around the company's prospects in 2019, but there are two reasons why the stock is still attractive. Illinois Tool Works stock looks like a good value First, the company's valuation gives it a significant margin of safety to deal with any disappointment. For example, the chart below shows how its price-to-FCF (free cash flow) valuation started to drop significantly as FCF improved and the stock price dropped in 2018. In contrast, 3M is looking expensive, even as it faces many of the same cyclical headwinds as Illinois Tool Works: ITW Price to Free Cash Flow (TTM) Chart More ITW Price to Free Cash Flow (TTM) data by YCharts. To put this into context, the company's FCF expectation for 2018 puts it at a price-to-FCF valuation of around 17. Even if Illinois Tool Works generates zero growth in FCF in 2019, it's still a good value. For 2019, management is currently forecasting organic revenue growth of 2% to 4%, and EPS (earnings per share) growth of around 6%.

Illinois Tool Works stock was sold off aggressively in 2018 on fears of an upcoming cyclical slowdown in the economy. It was a particularly brutal year for companies with significant exposure to the automotive industry. However, there's still a strong case to be made for buying Illinois Tool Works' stock.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/illinois-tool-works-buy-150400235.html

Why Is Accenture (ACN) Up 4.8% Since Last Earnings Report?

Accenture (ACN) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Accenture (ACN). Shares have added about 4.8% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Accenture Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates Accenture plc reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2019 results wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Adjusted earnings of $1.96 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12 cents and came ahead of the year-ago figure by 17 cents. The bottom line benefited from higher revenues and operating results, lower effective tax rate and lower share count. These were, however, partially offset by higher non-operating expense. Net revenues of $10.6 billion beat the consensus mark by $131.9 million and increased 7% year over year on a reported basis and 9.5% in terms of local currency. Net revenues came within managements guided range of $10.35-$10.65 billion. Revenues Details On the basis of type of work, Consulting revenues (56% of net revenues) of $5.97 billion increased 8% year over year on a reported basis and 10% in terms of local currency. Outsourcing revenues (44%) of $4.64 billion increased 7% year over year on a reported basis and 9% in terms of local currency. Among the operating segments, Communications, Media & Technology revenues (20% of net revenues) of $2.13 billion increased 11% year over year on a reported basis and 14% in terms of local currency. Financial Services revenues (20%) of $2.12 billion decreased 1% year over year on a reported basis as well as in terms of local currency. Health & Public Service revenues (17%) of $1.75 billion increased 4% year over year on a reported basis and 5% in terms of local currency. Products revenues (28%) of $2.93 billion increased 8% year over year on a reported basis and 10% in local currency. Resources revenues (15%) of $1.65 billion increased 18% year over year on a reported basis and 21% in terms of local currency. Geographically, revenues from North Americas (46% of net revenues) of $4.86 billion increased 9% year over year on a reported basis and 10% in terms of local currency. Revenues from Europe (35%) of $3.71 billion increased 4% year over year on a reported basis and 6% in terms of local currency. Revenues from Growth Markets (19%) of $2.04 billion increased 10% year over year on a reported basis and 17% in terms of local currency. Booking Trends Accenture reported new bookings worth $10.2 billion. Consulting bookings and Outsourcing bookings for the reported quarter totaled $5.9 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively. Operating Results Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net revenues) for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 increased 10 basis points (bps) to 31.1%. Operating income was $1.63 billion, up 9% year over year. Operating margin for the reported quarter expanded 20 bps. Balance Sheet & Cash Flow Accenture exited first-quarter fiscal 2019 with total cash and cash equivalents balance of $4.36 billion compared with $5.06 billion at the end of the prior quarter. Long-term debt was $19.9 million compared with $19.7 million at the end of the prior quarter. Cash provided by operating activities was $1.03 billion in the reported quarter. Free cash flow came in at $950 million. Dividend Payment On Nov 15, Accentures board of directors paid a semi-annual cash dividend of $1.46 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on Oct 18. The total cash dividend paid was $933 million in the reported quarter. This dividend payment reflects an increase of 10% over the previous semi-annual dividend declared in March. Share Repurchases In line with its policy of returning cash to shareholders, Accenture repurchased 4.9 million shares for $788 million in the fiscal first quarter. The company had approximately 638 million total shares outstanding as of Nov 30. Guidance Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 For second-quarter fiscal 2019, Accenture expects revenues to be in the range of $10.10- $10.40 billion, which reflects 6-9% growth in local currency. The assumption is inclusive of a negative foreign-exchange impact of 4%.

Shares of Accenture (ACN) have added about 4.8% in that time frame. Accenture reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2019 results wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/why-accenture-acn-4-8-143002047.html

Why Is Cintas (CTAS) Up 16.3% Since Last Earnings Report?

Cintas (CTAS) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Cintas (CTAS). Shares have added about 16.3% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Cintas Tops Q2 Earnings Estimates, Raises FY19 View Cintas reported better-than-expected second-quarter fiscal 2019 (ended November 2018) results. Earnings/Revenues Quarterly adjusted earnings came in at $1.76 per share, up 34.4% year over year. The bottom line also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.72. Revenues in the reported quarter improved 7% year over year to $1,718.2 million. The metric also improved 7% year over year organically. Additionally, the top-line numbers surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,695 million. Segmental Break-Up The Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment generated $1,390.8 million revenues in the fiscal second quarter, up 6.3% year over year. The First Aid and Safety Services segments top-line performance improved 10.3% year over year to $153.3 million. Aggregate revenues from Other businesses came in at $174.1 million, up 9.3% year over year. Costs/Margins Aggregate cost of sales in the fiscal second quarter was $943.1 million, up 6% year over year. Gross profit margin improved 50 basis points (bps) year over year to 45.1% in the fiscal second quarter. Selling and administrative expenses flared up 5% year over year to $491.7 million in the reported quarter. G&K Services, Inc. (acquired in March 2017) integration expenses tanked 40% year over year to $7.8 million. Operating margin in the reported quarter was 16%, up 140 bps year over year. Balance Sheet/Cash Flow Exiting the fiscal second quarter, Cintas had cash and cash equivalents of $88.5 million, down from $138.7 million recorded as of May 31, 2018. Long-term debt stood at $2,536.4 million, as against $2,535.3 million recorded at the end of fiscal 2018. In first-half fiscal 2019, the company generated $344.6 million cash from operating activities, down 9.1% year over year. Capital expenditures were $137.6 million, up 3.9% year over year. In the six months of fiscal 2019, Cintas repurchased common stock worth $447 million, under its buyback program. Notably, the companys latest dividend payout of $2.05 per share (Dec 7, 2018) was 26.5% higher than the previous years dividend. Outlook Cintas is poised to enhance its competency on the basis of the successful G&K Services integration and effective implementation of its strategic enterprise resource planning system. The company also remains on track to boost its shareholders remuneration over time. The company raised its revenue guidance for fiscal 2019 (ending May 2019) from $6.80-$6.855 billion to $6.87-$6.91 billion. Also, adjusted earnings view for the fiscal has been raised from $7.19-$7.29 per share to $7.30-$7.38 per share. G&K Services integration expenses are predicted to lie within $18-$22 million in fiscal 2019. Fresh estimates followed an upward path over the past two months. VGM Scores At this time, Cintas has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Cintas has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Cintas Corporation (CTAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Cintas (CTAS) reported better-than-expected second-quarter fiscal 2019 (ended November 2018) results. Shares have added about 16.3% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. The company raised its revenue guidance for fiscal 2019.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/why-cintas-ctas-16-3-143002145.html

Why Is Carnival (CCL) Up 10.2% Since Last Earnings Report?

Carnival (CCL) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Carnival (CCL). Shares have added about 10.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Carnival Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Lag Carnival has reported mixed fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein earning surpassed estimates but revenues lagged the same. Earnings were 70 cents per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents and improved 11.1% year over year. Revenues of $4,456 million lagged the consensus mark by $4,459 million but increased 4.6% year over year. This year-over-year top-line improvement can be attributed strength in passenger tickets, and onboard and other as well as tour and other businesses. Net revenue yields rose 3.7% year over year on a constant-currency basis. The upswing was primarily driven by higher net ticket, and net onboard and other yields that increased 2.7% and 6.4%, respectively, in constant currency. Segmental Revenues Carnival generates revenues from Passenger Tickets business, and Onboard and Other as well as Tour and Other segments. Revenues at the Passenger Tickets business segment increased 3.4% year over year to $3,236 million. Onboard and Other revenues totaled $1,170 million, up 7% year over year. Tour and Other revenues rose 42.9% year over year to $50 million. Expenses Net cruise costs (in constant dollar) per available lower berth day (ALBD), excluding fuel, declined 1.8%. Gross cruise costs (including fuel) per ALBD in current dollars increased 2.4%. Balance Sheet Carnival exited the fiscal fourth quarter with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $982 million, up from $395 million as of Nov 30, 2017. Trade and other receivables summed $358 million, up from $312 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Long-term debt amounted to approximately $7,897 million. Cash from operations totaled $1,113 million in the quarter under review. Carnival spent $966 million on capital expenditure and $352 million on dividends in the same period. First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Outlook Carnival expects EPS to be 40-44 cents in the fiscal first quarter. Net revenue yields are expected to be flat compared with the prior fiscal year. Net cruise costs (excluding fuel) per ALBD in constant currency for the fiscal first quarter are expected to increase by roughly 2% compared with the prior fiscal year. Fiscal 2019 Guidance Carnival expects 2019 EPS to be $4.50 to $4.80 compared with adjusted earnings per share of $4.26 recorded in fiscal 2018. The company expects full-year net cruise costs (excluding fuel) per ALBD to be up approximately 0.5% compared with the prior fiscal year. Moreover, management expects net cruise revenues to be up 5.5%, with capacity growth of 4.6% and higher net revenue yields by 1%. It turns out, fresh estimates flatlined during the past month. The consensus estimate has shifted -8.49% due to these changes. VGM Scores At this time, Carnival has an average Growth Score of C, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with an A. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Carnival has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Carnival (CCL) reported earnings 30 days ago. Shares have added about 10.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Carnival has reported mixed fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/why-carnival-ccl-10-2-143002783.html

Why Is Carnival (CCL) Up 10.2% Since Last Earnings Report?

Carnival (CCL) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Carnival (CCL). Shares have added about 10.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Carnival Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Lag Carnival has reported mixed fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein earning surpassed estimates but revenues lagged the same. Earnings were 70 cents per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents and improved 11.1% year over year. Revenues of $4,456 million lagged the consensus mark by $4,459 million but increased 4.6% year over year. This year-over-year top-line improvement can be attributed strength in passenger tickets, and onboard and other as well as tour and other businesses. Net revenue yields rose 3.7% year over year on a constant-currency basis. The upswing was primarily driven by higher net ticket, and net onboard and other yields that increased 2.7% and 6.4%, respectively, in constant currency. Segmental Revenues Carnival generates revenues from Passenger Tickets business, and Onboard and Other as well as Tour and Other segments. Revenues at the Passenger Tickets business segment increased 3.4% year over year to $3,236 million. Onboard and Other revenues totaled $1,170 million, up 7% year over year. Tour and Other revenues rose 42.9% year over year to $50 million. Expenses Net cruise costs (in constant dollar) per available lower berth day (ALBD), excluding fuel, declined 1.8%. Gross cruise costs (including fuel) per ALBD in current dollars increased 2.4%. Balance Sheet Carnival exited the fiscal fourth quarter with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $982 million, up from $395 million as of Nov 30, 2017. Trade and other receivables summed $358 million, up from $312 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Long-term debt amounted to approximately $7,897 million. Cash from operations totaled $1,113 million in the quarter under review. Carnival spent $966 million on capital expenditure and $352 million on dividends in the same period. First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Outlook Carnival expects EPS to be 40-44 cents in the fiscal first quarter. Net revenue yields are expected to be flat compared with the prior fiscal year. Net cruise costs (excluding fuel) per ALBD in constant currency for the fiscal first quarter are expected to increase by roughly 2% compared with the prior fiscal year. Fiscal 2019 Guidance Carnival expects 2019 EPS to be $4.50 to $4.80 compared with adjusted earnings per share of $4.26 recorded in fiscal 2018. The company expects full-year net cruise costs (excluding fuel) per ALBD to be up approximately 0.5% compared with the prior fiscal year. Moreover, management expects net cruise revenues to be up 5.5%, with capacity growth of 4.6% and higher net revenue yields by 1%. It turns out, fresh estimates flatlined during the past month. The consensus estimate has shifted -8.49% due to these changes. VGM Scores At this time, Carnival has an average Growth Score of C, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with an A. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Carnival has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Carnival (CCL) reported earnings 30 days ago. Shares have added about 10.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Carnival has reported mixed fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results. Earnings were 70 cents per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents.

bart

https://news.yahoo.com/why-carnival-ccl-10-2-143002783.html

Is Apple's Walled Garden Crumbling?

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been one of the most successful companies of all time, and with good reason. The tech giant introduced the iPod and the iTunes Store, which revolutionized the music industry. Not content to stop there, the company developed the groundbreaking iPhone, changing how people interact with devices. One of the strategies that has served Apple well over the years is that of the "walled garden," a closed ecosystem enabling the company to regulate not only the hardware, but also the software, apps, and services on its devices -- effectively controlling every aspect of the user experience. Apple's meticulous attention to detail and reputation for quality kept consumers coming back for more. However, slowing iPhone sales, and Apple's increasing dependence on services for growth, are forcing the company outside its walled garden for the first time in its storied history. A crumbling garden wall with lush grass and a spreading tree More Apple's walled garden is beginning to crumble. Image source: Getty Images. Cracks in the wall Several recent developments show how Apple is beginning to abandon some of its long-standing practices, as it transitions from primarily being a device maker to a heavier reliance on services and subscriptions. In November, Apple struck a deal to sell a number of its products directly on Amazon's e-commerce site. A highlight of that deal brought Apple Music to Amazon's Echo devices, a remarkable shift for a company that had released its own HomePod speaker less than a year earlier. Even more telling was the announcement that Apple Music would be coming to other Alexa-powered devices made by Sonos and Logitech. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, a wide array of television manufacturers including LG, Sony, and Vizio announced that key products would be compatible with Apple's AirPlay 2 technology. The system lets you share videos, photos, and music from Apple devices to the Apple TV and a wide assortment of popular speakers, and soon to a range of products from the above-mentioned manufacturers. Samsung went a step further, revealing that it will include a new app on some TV models that will allow viewers to log directly into their Apple accounts and stream TV series and movies from iTunes. Setting a precedent These alliances aren't that unexpected. Apple has had a long history of partnerships to develop apps and systems for its devices, although those still gave the company a modicum of control. Collaboration with IBM in 2014 resulted in the development of a new class of business apps and brought the company's data analytics to the iPhone and iPad. This helped push Apple further into the enterprise market, but it still had input into the final product. What is surprising is Apple's willingness to expand the availability of its services and subscriptions to a growing list of products from a wide variety of manufacturers. This signals the importance of services to Apple's future growth. It also illustrates its need to abandon a long history of self-reliance in order to make access to its services more ubiquitous, and available across a greater swath of devices than just its own. The writing is on the wall Apple investors have long feared a slowdown in the sale of iPhones, and those concerns have finally been realized. In a letter to shareholders earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook revised guidance for the important holiday quarter, saying that disappointing sales of the iconic device would result in a revenue decline of 5% -- just two months after guiding for year-over-year growth of 0.8% to 5.3%.

Apple's "walled garden" is beginning to crumble. The tech giant is increasingly relying on services for growth.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/apple-apos-walled-garden-crumbling-140200891.html

Is Apple's Walled Garden Crumbling?

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been one of the most successful companies of all time, and with good reason. The tech giant introduced the iPod and the iTunes Store, which revolutionized the music industry. Not content to stop there, the company developed the groundbreaking iPhone, changing how people interact with devices. One of the strategies that has served Apple well over the years is that of the "walled garden," a closed ecosystem enabling the company to regulate not only the hardware, but also the software, apps, and services on its devices -- effectively controlling every aspect of the user experience. Apple's meticulous attention to detail and reputation for quality kept consumers coming back for more. However, slowing iPhone sales, and Apple's increasing dependence on services for growth, are forcing the company outside its walled garden for the first time in its storied history. A crumbling garden wall with lush grass and a spreading tree More Apple's walled garden is beginning to crumble. Image source: Getty Images. Cracks in the wall Several recent developments show how Apple is beginning to abandon some of its long-standing practices, as it transitions from primarily being a device maker to a heavier reliance on services and subscriptions. In November, Apple struck a deal to sell a number of its products directly on Amazon's e-commerce site. A highlight of that deal brought Apple Music to Amazon's Echo devices, a remarkable shift for a company that had released its own HomePod speaker less than a year earlier. Even more telling was the announcement that Apple Music would be coming to other Alexa-powered devices made by Sonos and Logitech. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, a wide array of television manufacturers including LG, Sony, and Vizio announced that key products would be compatible with Apple's AirPlay 2 technology. The system lets you share videos, photos, and music from Apple devices to the Apple TV and a wide assortment of popular speakers, and soon to a range of products from the above-mentioned manufacturers. Samsung went a step further, revealing that it will include a new app on some TV models that will allow viewers to log directly into their Apple accounts and stream TV series and movies from iTunes. Setting a precedent These alliances aren't that unexpected. Apple has had a long history of partnerships to develop apps and systems for its devices, although those still gave the company a modicum of control. Collaboration with IBM in 2014 resulted in the development of a new class of business apps and brought the company's data analytics to the iPhone and iPad. This helped push Apple further into the enterprise market, but it still had input into the final product. What is surprising is Apple's willingness to expand the availability of its services and subscriptions to a growing list of products from a wide variety of manufacturers. This signals the importance of services to Apple's future growth. It also illustrates its need to abandon a long history of self-reliance in order to make access to its services more ubiquitous, and available across a greater swath of devices than just its own. The writing is on the wall Apple investors have long feared a slowdown in the sale of iPhones, and those concerns have finally been realized. In a letter to shareholders earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook revised guidance for the important holiday quarter, saying that disappointing sales of the iconic device would result in a revenue decline of 5% -- just two months after guiding for year-over-year growth of 0.8% to 5.3%.

Apple's strategy of a "walled garden" is beginning to crumble. The tech giant is increasingly partnering with other companies to expand its services. Apple's reliance on services for growth is forcing the company outside its walled garden.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/apple-apos-walled-garden-crumbling-140200891.html

Is Apple's Walled Garden Crumbling?

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been one of the most successful companies of all time, and with good reason. The tech giant introduced the iPod and the iTunes Store, which revolutionized the music industry. Not content to stop there, the company developed the groundbreaking iPhone, changing how people interact with devices. One of the strategies that has served Apple well over the years is that of the "walled garden," a closed ecosystem enabling the company to regulate not only the hardware, but also the software, apps, and services on its devices -- effectively controlling every aspect of the user experience. Apple's meticulous attention to detail and reputation for quality kept consumers coming back for more. However, slowing iPhone sales, and Apple's increasing dependence on services for growth, are forcing the company outside its walled garden for the first time in its storied history. A crumbling garden wall with lush grass and a spreading tree More Apple's walled garden is beginning to crumble. Image source: Getty Images. Cracks in the wall Several recent developments show how Apple is beginning to abandon some of its long-standing practices, as it transitions from primarily being a device maker to a heavier reliance on services and subscriptions. In November, Apple struck a deal to sell a number of its products directly on Amazon's e-commerce site. A highlight of that deal brought Apple Music to Amazon's Echo devices, a remarkable shift for a company that had released its own HomePod speaker less than a year earlier. Even more telling was the announcement that Apple Music would be coming to other Alexa-powered devices made by Sonos and Logitech. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, a wide array of television manufacturers including LG, Sony, and Vizio announced that key products would be compatible with Apple's AirPlay 2 technology. The system lets you share videos, photos, and music from Apple devices to the Apple TV and a wide assortment of popular speakers, and soon to a range of products from the above-mentioned manufacturers. Samsung went a step further, revealing that it will include a new app on some TV models that will allow viewers to log directly into their Apple accounts and stream TV series and movies from iTunes. Setting a precedent These alliances aren't that unexpected. Apple has had a long history of partnerships to develop apps and systems for its devices, although those still gave the company a modicum of control. Collaboration with IBM in 2014 resulted in the development of a new class of business apps and brought the company's data analytics to the iPhone and iPad. This helped push Apple further into the enterprise market, but it still had input into the final product. What is surprising is Apple's willingness to expand the availability of its services and subscriptions to a growing list of products from a wide variety of manufacturers. This signals the importance of services to Apple's future growth. It also illustrates its need to abandon a long history of self-reliance in order to make access to its services more ubiquitous, and available across a greater swath of devices than just its own. The writing is on the wall Apple investors have long feared a slowdown in the sale of iPhones, and those concerns have finally been realized. In a letter to shareholders earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook revised guidance for the important holiday quarter, saying that disappointing sales of the iconic device would result in a revenue decline of 5% -- just two months after guiding for year-over-year growth of 0.8% to 5.3%.

Apple's strategy of a "walled garden" is beginning to crumble. The tech giant is increasingly partnering with other companies to expand its services. Apple's reliance on services for growth is forcing the company outside its walled garden for the first time in its storied history.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/apple-apos-walled-garden-crumbling-140200891.html

Will Arizona be crucial 38th state to ratify Equal Rights Amendment?

CLOSE State Sen. Victoria Steele, D-Tucson, talks about her support for the ERA during a rally at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 18, 2019. Dustin Gardiner, The Republic | azcentral.com One more state. That's how close proponents of the Equal Rights Amendment say they are to crossing the 38-state threshold needed to put it into the U.S. Constitution. The question might sound far-fetched given the ERA has failed in the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature numerous times before. But changes in the Legislature's makeup could make the fight a toss-up. ERA supporters, who held a rally at the state Capitol complex Friday morning, said the momentum for this year's legislative session has moved in their favor. Closer fight expected this year State Rep. Pam Powers Hannley, D-Tucson, sponsored an ERA resolution last year, but Republicans in House refused to allow debate on the measure, which would broadly guarantee equal rights between men and women. The amendment includes three brief sections: Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification. "It's time for us to make history. We could be the last state to ratify the ERA in 2019. It's time to do this!" @P2Hannley demands equality for women across AZ, equal pay for equal work! pic.twitter.com/I2NKMECKWD Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) January 18, 2019 Powers Hannley said she feels a "change in the air" this session given Democrats picked up seats in the November election and there are new Republican members. At least two Republican female legislators support it. "It's time for us to make history," Powers Hannley said Friday as she spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of about 100 women, many wearing purple-white-and-green ERA sashes. "There is no time limit on equality." The math for ERA passage in Arizona is better than it has been in decades. MONTINI: Arizona lawmakers can honor Justice O'Connor by passing the Equal Rights Amendment Democrats hold more seats in the Arizona House than they have since 1966, with a 31-29 split. They picked up four seats, so they only need to sway two moderate Republicans go along for ERA ratification. So excited! I just signed my bill to ratify the proposed amendment to the constitution of the United States providing equal rights for men and women. pic.twitter.com/6Jm7g7NgNf Victoria Steele (@VictoriaLSteele) January 18, 2019 Meanwhile, the score is even closer in the Senate. Two new state senators, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, and Heather Carter, R-Cave Creek, previously co-sponsored the resolution when they were in the House. Both switched chambers this year. Their move means the Senate is at least split 15-15 on the ERA, so only one moderate Republican is likely needed to pass it there. Key role in revived national fight State Sen. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, is expected to block the Equal Rights Amendment bill from being heard in Judiciary Committee. (Photo: Cheryl Evans, The Republic) In other words, advocates nationwide will be watching Arizona's debate, given that it could be the linchpin for ratification. Congress sent the ERA to the states in 1972, when women's equality issues were at the forefront of a national debate. The movement lost steam after not obtaining the approval from 38 states by the 1982 deadline Congress had set. But the issue was revived in 2017, when Nevada became the 36th state to ratify the amendment. Illinois followed and became the 37th state last year. Opponents of the ERA argue the debate is pointless because Congress' self-imposed deadline has passed. However, supporters argue that isn't a barrier because the Constitution sets no deadline for ratification. If Arizona becomes the 38th state, that issue will likely be fought in court or in Congress. Other states also are in contention to be the next to ratify the ERA. On Jan. 15, the Virginia Senate voted for ratification, though the issue faces an uphill fight in the House there. Florida, North Carolina and Utah have also debated ratification in recent years. Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment attend a rally at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 18, 2019. (Photo: Dustin Gardiner) Critics of the ERA contend the measure isn't needed because other areas of federal law already prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender. Among them is state Sen. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, who chairs the powerful Judiciary Committee, where it likely would be heard. "If you have people that are paying less money based on gender, they are already breaking the law," Farnsworth said when the bill was debated last year. "Enforce the law." Farnsworth, who didn't respond to a request for comment, is expected to block the bill from being heard in his committee. That could mean Democrats and ERA supporters must use a procedural move to try to force a floor debate. Powers Hannley did that last year, on Equal Pay Day, April 10, the day on the calendar when the average woman's earnings catch up to what a male peer earns. Farnsworth argued during floor debate that the ERA could have unintended consequences and be used to remove abortion restrictions. Supporters aim for bipartisan win State Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, an anti-abortion conservative, said she joined the cause anyway because she realized apprehensions about the ERA are misconceptions. (Photo: Sean Logan, The Republic) Supporters said their campaign will dispel old arguments against the ERA. Conservatives rallied to defeat the amendment in the 1980s because they argued it would undermine traditional family roles. They also said it would guarantee access to abortion. ERA advocates say that argument is a distraction because the Supreme Court has established that the procedure is legal. Ugenti-Rita, an anti-abortion conservative, said she was initially wary to take up the ERA fight, knowing it would lead to attacks from within her party, evidenced by her bitter primary race last year. She said she joined the cause anyway because she realized apprehensions about the ERA are misconceptions. "It's a little scary for Republicans to get on this issue ... you may get vilified in your own district," Ugenti-Rita told ERA supporters Friday. "We want to give them that space and walk them through that." She said the ERA's actual language isn't remotely controversial to most Republican women she's talked about the issue with. Ugenti-Rita said she wants to return to the days when the ERA was part of the Republican Party's platform, before it was removed in 1980. CLOSE State Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottdale, explains her support for the ERA during a rally at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 18, 2019. Dustin Gardiner, The Republic | azcentral.com Powers Hannley said the idea that women don't still face inequalities is just wrong. One area that still needs to be confronted, she said, is the gender-pay gap: Nationally, women earn about 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. In Arizona, women earn about 82 cents for every dollar. "This is wage discrimination and it hurts not only these women and their children, but it hurts our state's economy," Powers Hannley said. "Over a lifetime, most women will lose a half a million dollars. I want my money back." READ MORE: CLOSE Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, actress Alyssa Milano and others rallied Monday for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA was passed by Congress in 1972, but is still one state short of the 38 needed to ratify the amendment. Click here to subscribe to azcentral.com. Go to connect.azcentral.com for a staff list, for more information about the newsroom and for details about upcoming events. Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/01/19/equal-rights-amendment-why-arizona-could-state-put-over-top/2605903002/

Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment say they are close to crossing the 38-state threshold. The ERA has failed in the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature numerous times before. But changes in the Legislature's makeup could make the fight a toss-up.

bart

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/01/19/equal-rights-amendment-why-arizona-could-state-put-over-top/2605903002/

Will Arizona be crucial 38th state to ratify Equal Rights Amendment?

CLOSE State Sen. Victoria Steele, D-Tucson, talks about her support for the ERA during a rally at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 18, 2019. Dustin Gardiner, The Republic | azcentral.com One more state. That's how close proponents of the Equal Rights Amendment say they are to crossing the 38-state threshold needed to put it into the U.S. Constitution. The question might sound far-fetched given the ERA has failed in the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature numerous times before. But changes in the Legislature's makeup could make the fight a toss-up. ERA supporters, who held a rally at the state Capitol complex Friday morning, said the momentum for this year's legislative session has moved in their favor. Closer fight expected this year State Rep. Pam Powers Hannley, D-Tucson, sponsored an ERA resolution last year, but Republicans in House refused to allow debate on the measure, which would broadly guarantee equal rights between men and women. The amendment includes three brief sections: Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification. "It's time for us to make history. We could be the last state to ratify the ERA in 2019. It's time to do this!" @P2Hannley demands equality for women across AZ, equal pay for equal work! pic.twitter.com/I2NKMECKWD Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) January 18, 2019 Powers Hannley said she feels a "change in the air" this session given Democrats picked up seats in the November election and there are new Republican members. At least two Republican female legislators support it. "It's time for us to make history," Powers Hannley said Friday as she spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of about 100 women, many wearing purple-white-and-green ERA sashes. "There is no time limit on equality." The math for ERA passage in Arizona is better than it has been in decades. MONTINI: Arizona lawmakers can honor Justice O'Connor by passing the Equal Rights Amendment Democrats hold more seats in the Arizona House than they have since 1966, with a 31-29 split. They picked up four seats, so they only need to sway two moderate Republicans go along for ERA ratification. So excited! I just signed my bill to ratify the proposed amendment to the constitution of the United States providing equal rights for men and women. pic.twitter.com/6Jm7g7NgNf Victoria Steele (@VictoriaLSteele) January 18, 2019 Meanwhile, the score is even closer in the Senate. Two new state senators, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, and Heather Carter, R-Cave Creek, previously co-sponsored the resolution when they were in the House. Both switched chambers this year. Their move means the Senate is at least split 15-15 on the ERA, so only one moderate Republican is likely needed to pass it there. Key role in revived national fight State Sen. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, is expected to block the Equal Rights Amendment bill from being heard in Judiciary Committee. (Photo: Cheryl Evans, The Republic) In other words, advocates nationwide will be watching Arizona's debate, given that it could be the linchpin for ratification. Congress sent the ERA to the states in 1972, when women's equality issues were at the forefront of a national debate. The movement lost steam after not obtaining the approval from 38 states by the 1982 deadline Congress had set. But the issue was revived in 2017, when Nevada became the 36th state to ratify the amendment. Illinois followed and became the 37th state last year. Opponents of the ERA argue the debate is pointless because Congress' self-imposed deadline has passed. However, supporters argue that isn't a barrier because the Constitution sets no deadline for ratification. If Arizona becomes the 38th state, that issue will likely be fought in court or in Congress. Other states also are in contention to be the next to ratify the ERA. On Jan. 15, the Virginia Senate voted for ratification, though the issue faces an uphill fight in the House there. Florida, North Carolina and Utah have also debated ratification in recent years. Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment attend a rally at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 18, 2019. (Photo: Dustin Gardiner) Critics of the ERA contend the measure isn't needed because other areas of federal law already prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender. Among them is state Sen. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, who chairs the powerful Judiciary Committee, where it likely would be heard. "If you have people that are paying less money based on gender, they are already breaking the law," Farnsworth said when the bill was debated last year. "Enforce the law." Farnsworth, who didn't respond to a request for comment, is expected to block the bill from being heard in his committee. That could mean Democrats and ERA supporters must use a procedural move to try to force a floor debate. Powers Hannley did that last year, on Equal Pay Day, April 10, the day on the calendar when the average woman's earnings catch up to what a male peer earns. Farnsworth argued during floor debate that the ERA could have unintended consequences and be used to remove abortion restrictions. Supporters aim for bipartisan win State Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, an anti-abortion conservative, said she joined the cause anyway because she realized apprehensions about the ERA are misconceptions. (Photo: Sean Logan, The Republic) Supporters said their campaign will dispel old arguments against the ERA. Conservatives rallied to defeat the amendment in the 1980s because they argued it would undermine traditional family roles. They also said it would guarantee access to abortion. ERA advocates say that argument is a distraction because the Supreme Court has established that the procedure is legal. Ugenti-Rita, an anti-abortion conservative, said she was initially wary to take up the ERA fight, knowing it would lead to attacks from within her party, evidenced by her bitter primary race last year. She said she joined the cause anyway because she realized apprehensions about the ERA are misconceptions. "It's a little scary for Republicans to get on this issue ... you may get vilified in your own district," Ugenti-Rita told ERA supporters Friday. "We want to give them that space and walk them through that." She said the ERA's actual language isn't remotely controversial to most Republican women she's talked about the issue with. Ugenti-Rita said she wants to return to the days when the ERA was part of the Republican Party's platform, before it was removed in 1980. CLOSE State Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottdale, explains her support for the ERA during a rally at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 18, 2019. Dustin Gardiner, The Republic | azcentral.com Powers Hannley said the idea that women don't still face inequalities is just wrong. One area that still needs to be confronted, she said, is the gender-pay gap: Nationally, women earn about 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. In Arizona, women earn about 82 cents for every dollar. "This is wage discrimination and it hurts not only these women and their children, but it hurts our state's economy," Powers Hannley said. "Over a lifetime, most women will lose a half a million dollars. I want my money back." READ MORE: CLOSE Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, actress Alyssa Milano and others rallied Monday for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA was passed by Congress in 1972, but is still one state short of the 38 needed to ratify the amendment. Click here to subscribe to azcentral.com. Go to connect.azcentral.com for a staff list, for more information about the newsroom and for details about upcoming events. Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/01/19/equal-rights-amendment-why-arizona-could-state-put-over-top/2605903002/

Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment say they are close to crossing the 38-state threshold needed to put it into the U.S. Constitution. The ERA has failed in the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature numerous times before. But changes in the Legislature's makeup could make the fight a toss-up.

bart

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/01/19/equal-rights-amendment-why-arizona-could-state-put-over-top/2605903002/

How Safe Is Eaton and Its Dividend?

Eaton (NYSE: ETN) is offering investors a generous 3.7% yield today, well above what you'd get from an S&P 500 index fund. The stock, however, is down 16% over the past year. Earnings have been good lately, but the company operates globally in the industrial sector, which is highly cyclical. With investors increasingly concerned about worldwide economic growth, it's time to see if Eaton can sustain that dividend if it hits a rough patch. The business Eaton operates five main businesses: Electrical products (around 33% of revenue), electrical systems and services (28%), vehicle (16%), hydraulic (12%), and aerospace (9%). It started up a sixth division in 2018 called eMobility to serve the electric vehicle market, but it remains tiny at just 1.5% of revenue. The key takeaway here, however, is that Eaton has a fairly diversified business, with operations that do well at different points in the economic cycle. That's not to suggest that a downturn won't hurt, but that the company's business is built to weather such storms. Two men looking at blueprints above a factory floor More Image source: Getty Images. Eaton is also fairly well diversified globally, with about 54% of revenue from the United States, 22% from Europe, 12% from the Asia-Pacific region, 7% from Latin America, and 5% from Canada. Clearly the economic ups and downs in North America will have the biggest impact on Eaton's business. However, it has a broad reach that, when combined with its portfolio, should allow it to get through downturns in relative stride. Eaton is simply too large and diverse a company to get into every nook and cranny, but that's the point. It has its business spread well enough that there's little reason to be concerned about any one segment. This also gives management the ability to actively manage its portfolio via acquisitions and dispositions, adjusting the business over time so it is positioned for long-term growth. This is a common theme throughout the company's 100-plus-year history. To put some numbers on the results of all of this, during the deep 2007 to 2009 recession, earnings dipped into the red in just a single quarter. Trailing-12-month earnings, however, stayed in positive territory throughout the downturn. In other words, Eaton got hit by an economic hurricane and survived without too much pain because it is specifically built to withstand such blows. Surviving a downturn is one thing; continuing to pay a dividend throughout a soft patch is another. Eaton is currently working on a nine-year streak of annual dividend increases. It has a history of regular annual hikes stretching much further back, though. Its prior streak ended when management paused dividend hikes about a decade ago to work through the recession. Notably, though, it didn't cut the dividend. So there's a clear desire on management's part to reward investors with regular dividend increases.

Eaton's dividend is 3.7%, but the stock is down 16% over the past year.

ctrlsum

https://news.yahoo.com/safe-eaton-dividend-163100415.html