As the Philadelphia 76ers head into the postseason and prepare for their Round 1 opponent in the Toronto Raptors, all eyes will be on James Harden as he looks to make a big impact in his first Philadelphia playoff run.

The Sixers are entering the playoffs as the No. 4 seed and after acquiring Harden at the deadline back on Feb. 10, things have been choppy.

In 21 games with the Sixers, he averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists, and 7.1 rebounds, but he shot just 40.2% from the floor and 32.6% from the 3-point line. Those arent prime Harden numbers and coach Doc Rivers admitted that he and the Sixers are still trying to work things out.

I think hes getting it, said Rivers. I dont think any of us are there yet, but were working on it. Were a work in progress.

Rivers wont go into any specific details on how much work the Sixers need, but he did add that the team knows and understands where they are and what needs to be done.

We know as a group we need work and things we need to work on, Rivers added. A lot of it is continuity, a lot of it is spacing, we know exactly what we need to do.

Harden did admit after their most recent loss to Toronto that spacing is something that is bothering him in terms of being able to get to the basket. Luckily for he and the Sixers, they are having a weeks worth of practice to get this done and figure everything out.

Due to the play-in tournament, Rivers has a week with his team to figure it all out. Normally, teams would jump right into it, but not now with everything going on.

I think this is really good, said Rivers. Maybe if I had a team that we had been together. If youre Golden State or Milwaukee, Im sure they would love to jump right into it. They already know what theyre doing, but in this case, honestly, I think its good for us so I like it.

Helping Harden become a catch-and-shoot player is something that is going to eventually have to come to light. In Philadelphia, Harden doesnt need to be that guy to have the ball in his hands all the time, and helping him become a catch-and-shoot player is an emphasis in practice.

He does it every day, said Rivers. Ive never been a player who had the ball for this many years in a row, you still have the ball a lot, now the balls being swung to you a lot too. Its amazing. You watch, and he doesnt miss a shot, but its not natural for somebody swinging him the ball.

The thing is, the Sixers are keeping tabs on his shooting in practice. The challenge now is for Harden to bring it out in a game.

We keep percentages on all of it, hes one of the highest guys on catch-and-shoot on those, Rivers finished. In the game, it comes and he puts it on the floor a lot so I dont know what that is getting comfortable with it, but hes putting the work in. Thats all you can ask.

This post originally appeared onSixers Wire! Follow us onFacebook!

Excerpt from:

Doc Rivers admits James Harden, Sixers are still a work in progress - Sixers Wire

Wednesday, Ime Udoka reiterated the Celtics do not anticipate Robert Williams returning in the first round of the playoffs; it's the same message he delivered before the regular-season finale against the Grizzlies.

"Doing a little bit more every day. He's looking good and in good spirits. We're happy with the progress, but at the same time, we understand it's going to take time and probably be a full series without him. He's out on the court. Doing some shooting drills, some touch work. We're still preparing for a series without him."

Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who also spoke with the media on Wednesday, talked about what it's been like playing without Williams. "We definitely miss him. He's so important to our team on both ends of the floor, so everybody's trying to adjust and pick up the slack when he's not out there."

Williams, who underwent a partial left knee meniscectomy to address a left knee meniscal tear, is on a 4-6 week timetable. Game 5 between the Celtics and Nets is on Apr. 27, four weeks from his surgery.

While that leaves the door open for the Timelord to return in Round 1, as Udoka has stated consistently, that's unlikely, and Boston is preparing to play the entire series without him.

Scroll to Continue

Further Reading

The Schedule is Set for Celtics' First-Round Series Against Nets

Nets Beat Cavs, Securing Playoff Rematch with the Celtics

Celtics Earn 2-Seed; Showdown with Nets Likely Awaits

Ime Udoka on the Celtics' Plan for Season Finale: "Let's do what we do and let the chips fall where they may"

Gary Payton Endorses Marcus Smart for Defensive Player of the Year

[Film Room] In Sunday's Win Against the Wizards, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's Growth as Facilitators was Evident

Continue reading here:

Ime Udoka Says He's "Happy with the Progress" Robert Williams is Making, But Reiterates it'll "probably be a full series without...

Mekhi Becton arrived in New York almost three years ago with sky-high expectations. The mammoth offensive tackle oozed potential and was viewed as the Jets left tackle of the future and it looked like he was on his way to that point during his rookie season.

Bectons path to stardom has been derailed by injuries, though. The No. 11 pick in the 2020 NFL draft played just one game last season after suffering a season-ending dislocated kneecap in Gang Greens opener. Injuries were also an issue for Becton during his standout rookie year, and his lack of consistent availability prompted Robert Saleh to announce that he would have to win back his starting left tackle job in January.

Joe Douglas said last month that the Jets are operating as if Becton is one of their two starting tackles, but his place in the pecking order is no longer as solidified as it was when he was a high-profile rookie. Becton is going to have to stay healthy if he wants to stay in the starting lineup.

Controlling his weight will go a long way in ensuring that happens.

Becton, who weighed 363 pounds at the 2020 combine, got up to at least 400 pounds while rehabbing his knee injury, according to ESPNs Rich Cimini. However, Becton is working his way back into shape with the help of a new nutritionist, and the Jets might be able to reap the benefits next season.

Ann Claiborne, Bectons nutritionist, told Cimini that Bectons weight is back down to the 300s. The two started working together during training camp in August and Claiborne helped Becton get down to 360 pounds before undergoing surgery on his knee.

Becton has hired a personal chef under Claibornes guidance. His diet is now anti-inflammatory, alkaline and free of processed foods. Becton eats lots of fruits and vegetables three times the amount he was consuming beforehand, according to Claiborne.

Becton has drawn criticism for his weight before.The Jets are hoping his efforts result in a significant and sustained difference this time around. Zach Wilson could use his larger-than-life blindside protector on the field, after all.

Read this article:

Jets OT Mekhi Becton making progress with new nutritionist - Jets Wire

On Marchs final evening, a stolen car made its fourth pass down a quiet Brooklyn block and slowed to a stop before a row of neat brick homes. A gunman braced in the sunroof, then opened fire on three cousins having dinner in a parked car.

At least eight shots slammed into the Toyota Camry on the roadside in East Flatbush, killing a 12-year-old honor-roll student named Kade Lewin. Jenna Ellis, 20, was critically wounded in the drivers seat, but survived, and an 8-year-old girl in the back seat was uninjured.

Police said the gunman likely mistook Kade for someone else. That fatal error prompted Mayor Eric Adams to hold aloft, at a news conference four days later, the boys white Nike sneakers with blue swooshes, making their absent owner a symbol of the need to end shootings that have upended hard-won progress reducing killings in Black and Latino neighborhoods.

As whiter, more affluent areas rebound from the pandemics ravages, renewed gun violence is complicating the recovery of vulnerable places like East Flatbush, a middle-class Black enclave with deep ties to the Caribbean.

You just felt like everything was getting better, said Louis Straker Jr., pastor of Reflections Church on Utica Avenue and a native of the neighborhood. During the pandemic, all hell broke loose.

East Flatbush had made long strides since the citys most dangerous era. The neighborhood routinely saw 50 or more killings a year during the 1990s, when the city recorded more than 2,000 annual murders. When crime fell to its lowest point since the 1950s in the years before the pandemic, East Flatbush remained one of the deadliest areas. Then, in 2018, murders fell to only six from 17 the year before, according to police statistics for the 67th Precinct, which serves the neighborhood.

The pandemic brought a sobering reversal. Murders last year reached their highest level in a decade, and at least 103 people have been killed so far this year. As of last week, the 67th Precinct was leading the city with seven murders so far this year, up from two over the same period in 2021.

Theres no doubt that we took a step back, said Deputy Inspector Gaby Celiba, the 67th Precinct commander since January 2021. He said he sees reason to be optimistic as officers make more gun arrests: Were going to get it where we need it to be.

East Flatbush became predominantly Black in the 1960s as real-estate agents used the fear of integration to drive out Italian and Jewish residents and replaced them with Afro-Caribbeans and African Americans who, with few desirable options, snapped up its one- and two-family homes at inflated prices. Today, major corridors like Church Avenue are lined with beauty supply shops, small hair and nail salons, Pentecostal and Adventist churches with vibrant signs and aromatic restaurants serving dishes like stew chicken, oxtails and callaloo.

Violence in East Flatbush was long contained among people involved in gangs, entangled in the drug trade and in hot spots in the neighborhoods periphery. Now, police say that criminals have become more brazen.

Patricia Black, 53, has raised a family and run a salon in her house on East 56th Street since the 1990s, and never worried about harm coming to either. Then Kade was killed in front of her home. Stray bullets flew through her salon, located in her basement, shattering a mirror and lodging in the wall.

I would leave my door open, Ms. Black said. Now, I dont know what its becoming.

Fahd Muthana, who owns and manages M&M Grocery, a deli on Nostrand Avenue, said the violence around East Flatbush today reminded him of the conditions in 1990 when he immigrated to the city from Yemen. Last November, his 18-year-old son, Zayid, was shot in the head and critically wounded while trying to stop two masked thieves from leaving the store.

Zayid had surgery to remove the bullet and after a period of recovery returned to school part-time, Mr. Muthana said, but has to take blood thinners to reduce the risk of clotting and give up his dream of playing football in college.

Mr. Muthana said the police have identified Zayids shooter from the stores security camera footage and from a debit card that the gunman dropped during the attack, but that they needed more evidence to make an arrest. Deputy Inspector Celiba declined to discuss the investigation.

Mr. Muthana, who lives in Sheepshead Bay, said he would feel safer with more police around East Flatbush. We want more safety, because its crazy outside, he said.

Despite the violence, many residents said they still feel safe. A block and a half from the deli, Ceazer Stephens and Maine Gray chatted on a recent weekday evening next to a playground at the edge of Flatbush Gardens.

The rent-stabilized complex of courtyard apartment buildings, originally called Vanderveer Estates, was once notorious for drugs and violence. Residents called the intersection of Foster and Nostrand avenues the front page, because it was the site of murders that generated sensational headlines.

I feel safe here, because this is my community, Mr. Stephens, 30, originally from Trinidad, said. The most that may happen is some type of unfortunate soul lost to drugs is going to ask you for a dollar. Thats about it. But nobodys going to bother you or try to rob you. That doesnt happen like that any more.

Still, as violence rose throughout the pandemic, so did calls to address it. Mr. Adams was elected on a promise to restore public safety and has since revived police tactics that had fallen out of favor during the era of low crime. State lawmakers rewrote a slate of changes to the criminal-justice system passed in 2019 with the aim of reducing mass incarceration after critics blamed them for the rise in violence.

Jumaane Williams, the citys public advocate and a former councilman for East Flatbush, said that he supports some of the mayors proposals, like a plan to make all agencies responsible for addressing gun crime.

But he said that the city does not need to return to policies and practices abused under previous mayors. New York, he said, pushed crime down before the pandemic in part by relying on community anti-violence workers and less aggressive, more focused police work.

Whats most frustrating is seeing the gains that weve made slowly start going backwards, Mr. Williams said. Instead of addressing social inequities that fuel gun violence, he added, were going back to models that are primarily focused on law enforcement and incarceration.

Yul Hicks, the chief operating officer of Elite Learners, an enrichment organization that works with young people in central Brooklyn, said that the city needs to increase outreach and support for young people who may be susceptible to gangs and violence.

People at large may think that the community tolerates it or has accepted it as part of the culture no, its hurtful to all of us, he said. But some of these young guys are not being reached.

Last week, at the intersection of East 56th Street and Linden Boulevard, where Kade was killed, a Police Department van parked across from a makeshift memorial on the sidewalk. A balloon tied to a tree branch carried a simple apology: Im sorry.

Kade was a student at K763 Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy, four blocks from where he was killed. Councilwoman Farah Louis, whose district includes part of East Flatbush, visited the school after Kades death and talked to classmates, who described him as a deeply compassionate child who loved to play football and basketball.

David and Jenell Walcott picked up their son, David Jr., from the school the Monday after Kade died and found the boy sullen. He told them that he had been building a friendship with Kade over their mutual interest in architecture and video games like Fortnite and Minecraft.

He said hes nervous and anything can happen now, Mr. Walcott said. To have that realization at such a young age is heartbreaking. I think a little piece of his childhood left.

Alain Delaqurire contributed research.

View original post here:

A Rise in Murders Upends a Sense of Progress in Brooklyns East Flatbush - The New York Times

From next month, Yelp will cover expenses for employees and their dependents who have to travel out of state to access abortion services.

The business aggregator company says it already covers abortion care in its health insurance policy but is now expanding its services as reproductive rights are being placed in peril across America. Announced Tuesday, travel benefits for U.S. Yelp employees who need to access abortion services by traveling can now use their health insurance to cover such charges. This will extend to employees who aren't able to procure abortions due to any current or future action that would come in the way of accessing the procedure.

The action comes as a response to Texas banning abortion procedures after six weeks of pregnancy, a bill that was put into effect in September 2021.

We've long been a strong advocate for equality in the workplace, and believe that gender equality cannot be achieved if womens healthcare rights are restricted," Yelp's chief diversity officer, Miriam Warren, said in a statement to Mashable.

"As a remote-first company with a distributed workforce, this new benefit allows our U.S. employees and their dependents to have equitable access to reproductive care, regardless of where they live.

The Supreme Court decision in Texas has since prompted other major tech companies like Apple, Match Group (Tinder's parent company), and dating app Bumble to implement similar travel reimbursements for employees. Uber and Lyft said they will pay legal fees for any drivers who are sued under the Texas abortion law. Software company Salesforce has gone further, offering employees help to move out of the state. More recently, Citigroup became the first major financial institution to cover travel costs for their workers who are affected by the ban in Texas.

Yelp, which is headquartered in San Francisco, has over 200 employees in Texas. The company has offered the benefit to employees in other states that restrict abortion access, such as Oklahoma. This past week, the latter's governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill that makes performing an abortion illegal except in medical emergencies, with punishments of up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison.

Yelp has also made efforts to remove any misinformation or redirection on their own website when it comes to abortion care. In 2018, the company's User Operations team manually reviewed over 2,000 Yelp listings including businesses and clinics, to ensure that abortion services and crisis pregnancy centers would fall under the correct category, and weren't deceiving anyone with alternative practices. Think: the crisis pregnancy centers trying to steer women away from abortion, as John Oliver outlined in a 2018 episode of Last Week Tonight.

These efforts from tech companies such as Yelp are welcome as America's laws on reproductive health move in a terrifying direction. However, Jezebel points out that some of these corporations extending their healthcare benefits are often the same companies donating to politicians and groups behind laws to restrict reproductive rights. According to OpenSecrets, a nonprofit research group charting money in U.S. politics, Citigroup, Uber, Lyft, and Yelp are among these companies. Yelp, for instance, is listed as having donated to Republican politician Benjamin Sasse, whose campaign against reproductive rights is well-documented.

It should be noted that Yelp and Citi have also donated to Democratic groups and candidates.

So while these employee benefits are fundamental for women and pregnant people to have autonomy over their reproductive rights, to truly ensure and expand abortion access will take more progress. Corporations making promises to employees should support only those in power who align with their rhetoric if they must donate all.

See the original post:

Yelp will cover travel expenses for abortion access, but there's still progress to be made - Mashable

New York, USA, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acute Kidney Injury Pipeline to Progress with Novel and Emerging Drugs for Treatment, Analyzes DelveInsight

Acute Kidney Injury takes place if the kidneys stop the filtration of the waste products from human blood. There are 25+ companies involved in the development of novel therapies for the treatment of acute kidney injury. The key players operating in the Acute Kidney Injury treatment market include Atox Bio, AM-Pharma, Angion Biomedica, Astellas Pharma, Guard therapeutics and several others.

DelveInsights 'Acute Kidney Injury Pipeline Insight 2022' report provides comprehensive global coverage of available, marketed, and pipeline Acute Kidney Injury therapies in various stages of clinical development, major pharmaceutical companies are working to advance the pipeline space and future growth potential of the Acute Kidney Injury pipeline domain.

Key Takeaways from the Acute Kidney Injury Pipeline Report

Request a sample and discover the recent breakthroughs happening Acute Kidney Injury pipeline landscape in @ Acute Kidney Injury Pipeline Outlook

The Acute Kidney Injury pipeline report provides detailed profiles of pipeline assets, a comparative analysis of clinical and non-clinical stage Acute Kidney Injury products, inactive and dormant assets, a comprehensive assessment of driving and restraining factors, and an assessment of opportunities and risks in the Acute Kidney Injury pipeline landscape.

Acute Kidney Injury Overview

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), commonly known as Acute Renal Failure (ARF), is a condition characterized by progressive azotemia with or without oliguria over several hours or days. Acute Kidney Injury is typically characterized as a sudden loss in renal function, clinically manifested as a reversible acute rise in nitrogen waste products evaluated by blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels over hours to weeks. Acute Kidney Injury causes a sudden decrease in renal function, resulting in waste product retention, electrolyte abnormalities, and volume status changes. There are three Acute Kidney Injury stages: prerenal, postrenal, and intrinsic renal.

Many people with Acute Kidney Injury are asymptomatic, while others have generalized non-specific Acute Kidney Injury symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, lower back pain, passing less urine than usual, unexplained loss of appetite, feeling sick or vomiting, feeling short of breath, and swelling of the legs or other body parts.

Acute Kidney Injury diagnosis is generally based on an increase in serum creatinine and/or a decrease in urine output.

Find out more about Acute Kidney Injury medications @ Acute Kidney Injury Guidelines

A snapshot of the Acute Kidney Injury Pipeline Drugs mentioned in the report:

Learn more about the novel and emerging Acute Kidney Injury pipeline therapies @ Acute Kidney Injury Clinical Trials

Acute Kidney Injury Therapeutics Assessment

TheAcute Kidney Injury Pipelinereport proffers an integral view of the Acute Kidney Injury emerging novel therapies segmented by Stage, Product Type, Molecule Type, Mechanism of Action, and Route of Administration.

Scope of the Acute Kidney Injury Pipeline Report

Dive deep into rich insights for drugs for Acute Kidney Injury, visit @ Acute Kidney Injury Emerging Therapies

Table of Contents

For further information on the Acute Kidney Injury pipeline therapeutics, reach out@ Drugs for Acute Kidney Injury

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AboutDelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant, and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports Pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platformPharmDelve.

For more insights, visit Pharma, Healthcare, and Biotech News

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Acute Kidney Injury Pipeline to Progress with Novel and Emerging Drugs for Treatment, Analyzes DelveInsight - GlobeNewswire

The op-ed Pa. communities should be allowed to choose clean energy (April 7, TribLIVE) neglected to mention just why the United States has led the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fails to mention the costs of burdensome government mandates and mischaracterized legislative proposals.

First, Pennsylvanias embrace of competitive markets has resulted in the second-largest reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the power generation space among any state since 2005, and, economywide, Pennsylvania has reduced its emission across all sectors more than all states combined that participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In Pennsylvania, the private sector is deploying billions of dollars into low-and zero-carbon energy technology every year. Empowering businesses and individuals to choose the energy resource that makes the best sense for them will result in faster and more cost-effective environmental progress.

Second, bills to preserve this ability pending in the Legislature ensure consumers continue to have energy options. These policies will ensure that property owners will have access to install the energy resource that fits their needs.

Finally, according to a study conducted by ICF, banning natural gas use in homes would increase households annual costs by nearly 50% while only reducing overall emissions by 1%. Such a mandate also would add as much as $15,000 to the cost of building a new home.

Inflation is eroding the paychecks of Pennsylvania families, hurting low-income families the most. Innovation and competitive markets not costly government red tape and energy taxes are more effective approaches to energy policy.

Kevin Sunday

Harrisburg

Kevin Sunday is director of government affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

See more here:

Letter to the editor: Energy choice means progress on environment, economy - TribLIVE

PORTSMOUTH, Va. Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover delivered his State of the City address at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel Wednesday.

Glover delivered an upbeat and optimistic address, but curbing crime remains in the forefront for change in the city.

The mayor highlighted ways theyre fighting gun violence and touched on other initiatives he says will make the city stronger and safer.

Glover said city leaders are applying for more crime-fighting grants, adding that money alone wont fix the issues.

We must reverse trend on violent crime, Glover said. There is no quick fix; it will take steadfast, unrelenting tenacity. We will implement proven strategies.

Strategies currently in place include Project Safe Neighborhoods to help put criminals behind bars and calling on community leaders, faith-based and grassroots organizations to step up.

Reducing violent crime is a shared responsibility, said Glover. Its all about engagement.

So far, Police Chief Renado Prince said their tactics are working.

I think what were doing is point-on, he said. Were showing results already, and thats based on the statistics. Im optimistic about the future of Portsmouth.

Prince said the number of 911 calls for shots fired are down compared to this same time last year. This month, thereve been 25 calls versus 41 last April.

A pay hike for new policemen and women is helping to bridge the gap in the department that a few weeks ago was down 80 officers.

Mayor Glover also expressed hope during his State of the City address.

Our goal is to bring hope and opportunities to our communities, said Glover.

The mayor looked back on the citys accomplishments while highlighting the progress of the offshore wind project and Rivers Casino thats expected to create an economic boom and jobs.

Dirt is flying all over the city with new development and business ventures, said Glover.

Mayor Glover said his hope going forward is to continue building relationships within the community to reduce crime, attract more people and create more business opportunities.

News 3 streamed the address in this story. You can watch it above.

Read more:

Mayor touts progress in Portsmouth State of the City address - News 3 WTKR Norfolk

On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council agreed in a split 3-2 vote to fly the Pride Progress flag at Antioch City Hall for the remainder of the year.

The move came after the March 22, 2022, where public comments were received regarding homophobic and transphobic attitudes experienced in the community of Antioch. As an expression of opposition to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, two agenda items were subsequently prepared for City Council action.

The city council approved the proclamation in a 5-0 vote followed by a vote to display the Pride Progress Flag in a 3-2 vote in which Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica and Councilmember Lori Ogorchock were opposed.

Barbanica explained his no vote after he spoke to several people over the past few weeks to help him come to a decision noting he had no issue with the flag.

The only problem I do have is that were doing this for an entire year. I was contacted by some veterans that said what about us in November for Veterans Day? explained Barbanica. Some police officers said what about us? Spoke to a firefighter yesterday, what about us? I wish e would have done this for Pride Month and I would have been making the motion lets support this and lets move forward. My issue with this is the entire year. Its not the flag, its not what it represents, its not the people. I feel everybody in this community should feel welcome and safe, I just wish we would have done this differently and included everybody.

Councilmember Ogorchock said she agreed with Barbanica.

If we fly this flag until the end of the year, there is no other flags that can be put up on the flag pole so for those reasons I am going to vote no on this, explained Ogorchock.

Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe responded that they have a flag policy.

Organizations have a right to request flying the flag, that doesnt change, said Thorpe. Our young people out there need to see a strong stance of solidarity. Particularly those who are transgender, looking at the recent surveys of suicide rates among youth related to this topic. Folks are going to say things, but when you are a self-proclaimed community leader calling individuals delusional is just wrong and we need to be firm in making sure that our young people understand we will not tolerate that. I am perfectly comfortable voting for this.

Here is the RESOLUTION:

IN HONOR OFLGBTQI+ SOLIDARITY

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch embraces diversity and stands firmly against any form ofdiscrimination and hate based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression;

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch values the uniqueness of our residents and stands with theyouth, and their families, who deserve to be who they are, treated withdignity, and to receive equal treatment and protection;

WHEREAS, discrimination against the transgender community is not based in science and isintended to sow division and instill animosity toward our fellow Americans; and

WHEREAS, the City condemns any attack on the transgender community and reaffirms ourcommitment to being an inclusive environment;

WHEREAS, the Progress Pride flag was designed by Daniel Quasar who adapted the originalPride flag of the rainbow and represents a concerted move towards a moretolerant and intersectional LGBTQI+ community; and

WHEREAS, the black and brown lines of the Progress Pride flag represent marginalizedpeople of color within the queer community, while the pink, blue and whitearrow shape represents the transgender community.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LAMAR A. THORPE, Mayor of the City of Antioch,hereby condemn violence against the transgender and nonbinary community inall forms and commit to advocating for the well-being and safety ofthe transgender and nonbinary community.

APRIL 12, 2022_________________________________LAMAR A. THORPE, Mayor

March 22 City Council meeting commentary:

During the meeting, Robyn Kuslits, chair of the Rainbow Community Center. stated she was representing the LAMBDA Democratic Club and was responding to comments made by a former Antioch City Councilmember while also calling on the City of Antioch to submit to the human rights campaign for the Municipal Equality Index (MEI):

I grew up in Antioch and I was so proud when the city council voted a few years ago to raise the PRIDE flag. Recently, a former city councilmember shared disparaging remarks towards a transgender public official on social media and it reminded me there is more work to be done to create a welcoming environment to the LGBTQ+ community. I am excited to bring your awareness to a free tool from the human rights campaign called the Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are of LGBTQ+ people live and work there. Cities are ranted based on non-discrimination laws, municipal as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. Despite the index being in existence for 10-years now, Antioch has yet to submit their score. Transgender people are under attack all across the nation and Antioch is not immune as shown by the recent social media comments. Antioch has an opportunity to put action behind their words with laws and policies proven to be inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community. The first step and my ask of council tonight is commit to submitting Antiochs score to the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index for this year. Once this score is submitted, I am committed to working with the city of Antioch to raise the score to the highest level of 100 points. Together, I believe we can show the world that the city of Antioch lives its values and continues to be a community that provides an opportunity to live, learn, work, work and play in a safe, stimulating and diverse community

During the council meeting, Thorpe closed the meeting with the following comments:

Robyn I am sorry, you are not delusional, you served your country, you are one of my shipmates, I am proud of you and I am proud of who you are. No one deserves to be treated the way our friends in the transgender community have said Thorpe. Please know that this city stands with you and everybody in the LGBTQ+ community. I want you to know that the next agenda item that will be coming to the council is we are going to raise that PRIDE Flag for the rest of the year. We will not tolerate that. This is an open city. Everybody is welcome here.

Thorpe continued stating there is no room for homophobic and/or transphobic rhetoric or behavior in the new Antioch; especially by those who purport to be leaders in our community.

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Antioch City Council Agrees to Fly Progress Pride Flag Through End of Year - EastCountyToday

Iconic moment shines light on acceptance of those with differing abilities

April 13, 2022

By Tom McLaughlin

At the 94th annual Academy Awards, Troy Kotsur accepted the Oscar for best actor in a supporting role for his portrayal of Frank Rossi in the film CODA. For the longtime actor and director, the win was the first time that a deaf male actor won the supporting actor award and the first time that a deaf actor won an Oscar in more than 35 years. Before a crowd collectively signing applause, Kotsur dedicated his win to the deaf and CODA communities, acknowledging, This is our moment.

Looking on from home, Rutgers UniversityCamden researcher Sam Rabinowitz knew the win was a sign of the times. It brought a happy tear to my eye, said the distinguished service professor. Rabinowitzs research has focused on work attitudes toward those with differing abilities, as well as on accommodating employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If society has progressed in entertainment, its meant that a film like CODA has deaf adults who are playing roles in a story about deaf adults. That is definitely evidence of societal improvement.

Troy Kotsur at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27 at Dolby Theater in Los Angeles

Rabinowitz said that first all the credit in the world goes to Marlee Matlin for being the baton carrier for the deaf community since winning the Academy Award for best actress in 1987 in her role as Sarah Norman in the romantic drama film Children of a Lesser God. He noted that being representative of people with a differing ability can put an inordinate amount of pressure on anyone. However, Matlin has continued a long string of acting successes, including the role of Jackie Rossi in CODA. She could just as easily crashed and burned since winning that award, said Rabinowitz, but shes not showing any signs of slowing down.

On a more personal level, Rabinowitz said, its hard not to see Kotsurs historic win through the eyes of his son, Richard, who was born profoundly hearing impaired and has a cochlear implant. He said that watching Richard grow older has made him especially attuned to how accepting people are of those with differing abilities. His son who graduated with a bachelors degrees in economics and sociology and a masters degree in city and regional planning from Rutgers University learned English through reading books and closed captioning on TV. He read text before texting, he said, adding that Richard now works as a transportation planner for the State of New Jersey.

Just as he had once told his son, Rabinowitz posited, Everyone at some point in time is an O in a group of Xs, meaning that everyone can be an exception to the norm. In Kotsurs case, that has meant taking on the challenge of often being the only deaf person in a room of hearing people in order to pursue his dreams in the entertainment industry. He noted that, in addition to appearing in Star Wars: The Mandalorian, the award-winning actor even developed a variant of sign language for his role a major accomplishment in itself. He has contributed in multiple capacities in the industry, proving that hes an actor who happens to be deaf, not a deaf person who happens to act, said Rabinowitz.

The RutgersCamden researcher acknowledged that he doesnt know if Kotsurs historic win or the focus of the movie itself will further change peoples attitudes towards those with differing abilities, but it does bring an added level of openness to the discussion. For children growing up, he said, They can point to Kotsur and say, Theres one more role model with the same differing ability as me.

Sam Rabinowitz

Rabinowitz has similarly worked to open the discussion on campus. As a member of the RutgersCamden Disability Advisory Council, he co-wrote and led training sessions to increase the understanding and awareness of accommodations to meet the needs of students with differing abilities. The initiative is detailed in the paper Disability Awareness, Training, and Empowerment: A New Paradigm for Raising Disability Awareness on a University Campus for Faculty, Staff, and Students, published in the journal Social Inclusion.

The greater societal message, he added, is to be aware that everyone is different and everyone has differing degrees of abilities in different areas. Dont prejudge; get to know the individuals beyond what you perceive their differing abilities to be, said Rabinowitz. We are all three-dimensional.

Excerpt from:

Sign of the Times: Kotsur's historic Oscar win evidence of progress, says RutgersCamden researcher : Rutgers-Camden Campus News - Rutgers-Camden...

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

A huge crowd came out to the Clark County Fair on Saturday afternoon. It was a banner return for the Fair after two years of restrictions shuttered the communitys biggest annual event. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

After two years of going dark due to the COVID pandemic, the Clark County Fair roared back to life last week with an event for the record books.

The attendance number came in at 109,000 over the five-day event, according to Fair Executive Director Todd Robison. That destroys the previous attendance record of around 88,000 set in 2008.We were very pleased with how things went this year, said Robison in an interview on Monday morning. It was a great reset button for us to push and get going again. We couldnt be more grateful.

The weather was nearly perfect over the five days of the event. There was some wind on Wednesday. But after that, the winds largely went away and mild sunshine prevailed.Robison said that the weather can play a vital part of what the attendance is at the Fair.

Of course, you always plan for a bad day here and there, Robison said. You just hope that you dont have multiple bad days, or even worse, lose a big day like Saturday. But this year we were pretty fortunate.

Ivan Wollenzien, working at the Great Basin Cooking Company vendor booth hands a BBQ Turkey leg to a customer during the Fair. Vendors did a brisk business last week as crowds swelled at the event. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

But this year, the reaction to nearly two years of restrictions and quarantines played a part in attendance as well, Robison said.When you look at what people have gone through over the past couple of years, Robison said. They want to get out and live their lives. There is no doubt that there is a strong market for these kinds of events.

Robison said that he was particularly impressed by the demeanor of the crowd. In years past, when the attendance was high at the fair, the emergency personnel have been kept busy with managing altercations between people, or emergency medical situations. This year, despite the numbers, there was none of that, Robison said.I was impressed with the patience people showed and the general good attitude among attendees, Robison said. It was not confrontational at all and everyone was very respectful.

A young man makes friends with an emu in the Agricultural Barn at the Clark County Fair last week.

The PRCA Rodeo event was well attended. We sold out the rodeo three nights in a row: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Robison said. It was a phenomenal rodeo crowd this year!

Robison said that the huge crowds, especially on the weekend, stretched the contracted service providers to the limits.Because we had been off for two years, we saw a high turnover this year on the service people that we do business with, Robison said. Some of them got pretty overwhelmed on Saturday.

Robison specifically mentioned the janitorial services provider which by Saturday evening had become buried in the crowds.It wasnt that they were inexperienced, Robison said. They do events like this in California all the time. But they werent prepared for this magnitude of crowd.

Young audience members are amazed at what they see at the Ultimate Dog Show on the grounds at the Clark County Fair last week. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

Robison said that the owner of the janitorial contractor came to him apologetically early on Sunday feeling like they had let him down because volunteers had had to step in and help get things cleaned up the night before.I told them that we could have never known that it was going to be like this, Robison said. How could we expect them to understand how overwhelmed it would get?

Robison said that most of the vendors did a brisk business at the fair. Much of the feedback he received from vendors was good. They hammered it pretty good, Robison said. And they expected to do well. If the weather holds good, the people come. And they definitely came.

Robison expressed sincere gratitude for the community support that this years fair received.I am just truly grateful to live in this community, he said. It just says a lot of the character of the people to give the most precious asset that they have, which is time, and support this community event. It is humbling.

Local dancing groups were featured in performances on the Showcase Stage at the Clark County Fair. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

Robison said that it was a successful event this year. But he stopped short of saying that it was an overwhelming financial triumph for the overall budget.Some people say that the Fair just rakes in the bucks, but you have to look at it on the average, Robison said. It all averages in. We have had years where we have lost some hard dollars.

The year 2020, when the fair had to be cancelled within a month before the event was one of those. I dont hide the fact that COVID really hurt us, Robison said. We lost something around $167,000 that month that we could never get back. So you really have to look at it year to year and see it as an average. Some years are good and other are not so good.

But this years success has definitely put the fair back on its feet, Robison said. We had good weather, great volunteers, the largest attendance ever, he said. There is no doubt that we will have another fair next year.

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A Banner Year! - The Progress - mvprogress

A Meet the Candidates public forum was held in the auditorium of Lexington High School on Monday, April 11, 2022.Photo by: Blake Franklin / The Lexington Progress

Article by W. Clay Crook-

The Meet the Candidates public forum, sponsored by Lexington Broadcasting WZLT-99.3 and The Lexington Progress, was held at the Lexington High School auditorium at 6:00 p.m., Monday evening, March 11, 2022. The master of ceremonies for the event was Lexington attorney Sam Hinson. On behalf of Z-99 and The Lexington Progress Id like to thank everyone for attending, Hinson said. The format follows a three minute opening statement, and then a question and answer session. Position to speak was determined by lot beforehand, and rotated.

Brad Atkinson began the opening three minute address. He said that he wanted to start off by clearing up some rumors that he was replacing the entire crew with one of his own. He does not plan to fire anyone doing their job, and has no plans to replace everyone with his own crew. Atkinson said that he started out law enforcement with the Lexington Police Department, and was there for four years. In 2004, he went to the THP where he currently now serves. He has specialized in narcotics seizures, which he learned under Todd Bowman while with the LPD. Fentanyl, he said, is deadly, and can kill thousands even in small doses, and is a severe concern in our area. His track record over the last year has cleared this and many other drugs off the streets. His plans are to create a special team to work narcotics, and he will personally be the leader of this team.

Sheriff Brian Duke said that he has served in the office for the last sixteen years, and is a graduate of UT- Martin, and has served in many law enforcement in many capacities over the last thirty years. He wants to continue to work with the commission so that each of the county schools can have their own resource officer. He also wants to have the re-entry program become a permanent part of the Sheriffs Department, which will reduce the recidivism rate, and provide gainful employment.

There were two sheriff candidate questions, what are your plans for safer schools and more resource officers, and the second question was about their plans to reduce

For the complete story, see the April 13th edition of The Lexington Progress.

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The Lexington Progress and Lexington Broadcasting WZLT 99.3 Hosts Meet the Candidates Forum Lexington Progress - lexingtonprogress.com

PRovoke Media and NowGoCreate, in conjunction with FleishmanHillard, are launching the eighth edition of their landmark survey into creativity in the PR industry.

This year's study comes two years since theoutbreak of Covid-19, which formed the focus of last year's Creativity in PR study.

With the PR profession more important than ever in helping governments, brands and individuals communicate, the 2022 studywill renew the focuson how creativity has changed during the past two years. Specifically, it aims to examine whether the industry is consolidating the creative gains it made during the first 12 months of the Covid-19 crisis, and how the trends driving earned first creative are changing.

The survey will also continue to analyze the PR industry's efforts to win the war for ideas, in a world where traditional boundaries between brand-building disciplines are breaking down fast. And it will investigate creative talent and hiring trends in detail.

The10-minute survey can be accessed here all respondents are welcome.Final deadline is 2 May.

The study is co-authored by PRovoke Media and creative training consultancy Now Go Create.

Follow this link:

Survey: Help Us Understand PR Industry's Creative Progress - PRovoke Media

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

Overton resident Barbara Erwin with her tandem skydiver Giulianno Scotti parachuted far above the Moapa Valley in an experience of a lifetime last month.

It was finally time to check off an important bucket list item for one Overton woman last month. And it might never have been done if not for the support of a good neighbor and dear friend.

For a long time now, 75-year-old Linda Erwin of Overton has wanted to do something unusual for her age: go sky-diving. And on Saturday, March 26, she got her chance.

We had seen the jumpers all the time from our house coming down over the airport, Linda said in an interview with The Progress last week. It always looked like it would be so much fun. So I was like, Oh my gosh, I would really like to do that!.

But the idea proved much more difficult than expected. The local touring company Skydive Fyrosity, which offers tandem skydives out of Perkins Field Airport in Overton, usually takes people up two at a time. And Linda felt like she would prefer the support of a friend going along. But it was difficul finding anyone to go with her.Most people think you are crazy when you invite them to do something like that, she said.

Barbara Erwin (right) and her friend Nathalie Gottschalk (left) pose for a photo in the Skydive Fyrosity hangar before their skydive experience out of Perkins Field Airport.

A little over two years ago, Linda finally found a neighbor friend who agreed to jump with her. The two made an appointment with Skydive Fyrosity to make the jump together on the same day. But the bells of fate struck an unexpected blow that week.

We were due to jump on a Saturday afternoon, Linda said. And about 24 hours prior to our jump, on a Friday at 1 pm, the Governor announced a shut down of all non-essential businesses due to COVID. We were so disappointed!

Lindas bucket list item was put on hold. In the meantime, the neighbor moved away. So Linda was left to search for another jumping partner.

That is where Overton resident Nathalie Gottschalk came into the story. Nathalie was a former neighbor, and a friend to Linda. They ran into each other at Christmas time last year.I was just going by her house to deliver some Christmas cookies, Nathalie said of Linda. And somehow all of this started in motion!

During the visit, Linda told Nathalie about her dilemma: that she wanted to fulfill this long-held wish, but couldnt find a partner.She expressed concern that she was getting older and there was a very limited window for her to do it, Nathalie said. And she couldnt do it by herself. She needed someone to support her.

Now, Nathalie was clear that skydiving was never something that she had ever yearned to do. It was not on my bucket list at all, she said. I always said that there was no way I would do that. These people are crazy!

But something in the way that Linda asked her, made Nathalie soften a bit about it. I told her to call me when it started getting warmer and, if she still couldnt find anyone, we could think about it.

Nathalies husband Jean was very supportive of her having this experience. He kept encouraging me and telling me not to worry about it; that I should do it, Nathalie said. He said that this could be my birthday present. But I said, Yeah, but I want something else for my birthday present, not this!

Even so, when Linda contacted her earlier this year, Nathalie made up her mind to support her friend in realizing her long-held dream.

The two met at the airport on the day of the jump. Lindas husband and a large number of her friends and neighbors came to see her make the jump. Nathalies family came as well.

The two women were met by Skydive Fyrosity owner Sammy Vassilev who gave them instruction and got them equipped to go. Then they set off in the small airplane that would take them to jumping altitude.It took maybe 15-20 minutes to get high enough to make the jump, Linda explained. That was probably the longest part of the experience.

Nathalie admitted that she was pretty nervous. It was very hard for me, she said. But I just tried to focus on being supportive to Linda.

Finally it was time to take the jump. Nathalie and Sammy were the first to go, followed shortly by Linda and her instructor, a Brazilian skydiver named Giulianno Scotti.

Linda said that the experience was like nothing she had ever experienced before. You drop for maybe a minute or so and then they open the parachute, she said. Then you just float down from all that way up there for maybe 6-7 minutes. The views are just incredible from up there!

Linda said that she would definitely do it again if she had the chance. I dont know why anyone would not want to do it, she said. I would recommend it to anyone.

Nathalie was a little less eager to repeat the performance. But she added that skydiving was an unexpected pleasure for her.I wasnt expecting it to be so peaceful out there, she said. I mean you can breathe normally, and I could just feel the air around me. I cant describe it. But it was a beautiful experience!

Both women praised the Skydive Fyrosity operation and how well they were treated throughout the experience. They are so competent and you can tell that they are very safety conscious, Linda said. Sammy was wonderful! I would really recommend this experience for people because it is just really cool!

Linda was overjoyed to find that Nathalie had a good experience with the jump. She expressed gratitude to have such a good friend who would join her in the adventure.It was like a dream come true for me, Linda said. And I was so pleased that Nathalie was willing to do it with me.

The rest is here:

Two Friends Have Bucket List Experience - The Progress - mvprogress

Hope to see you soon, she has him sign off, affectionately. Your Odysseus.

Directed by Emily Maltby for the York Theater Company, with music direction and orchestrations by David Hancock Turner, Penelope paints its title character as the author of The Odyssey. Its a promising twist, and it builds on an established idea that The Odyssey, a work abundant with substantial female characters Penelope, Athena, Calypso, Circe, even the sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis is not a male creation.

The novelist and critic Samuel Butler, in the 1890s, theorized that a woman must have written it. The classicist Robert Graves whose Butler-inspired 1955 novel, Homers Daughter, imagines a Sicilian princess as the author of The Odyssey called it a poem about and for women, its hero notwithstanding.

Penelope, at the Theater at St. Jeans on Manhattans Upper East Side, feels like a musical about and for men. In its cast of 10, there are just three women, including Britney Nicole Simpson, who makes a lovely Off Broadway debut in the title role. It is not through any shortcoming of hers that this ostensibly female-centric show, as a program note puts it, is so enamored of its male characters: the five tiresome suitors; Penelope and Odysseuss son, Telemachus; and especially Odysseus. Penelope snaps into focus only in Act 2, when the wandering king returns and takes over a plot that had always been about his absence anyway.

If you are looking for a vividly written Penelope, you would do better with Madeline Millers 2018 novel Circe, in which Penelope is indelible, and surprising, in a small supporting role. Here, though, the story that Kellogg (book and lyrics) and Weiner (music) tell suffers from a failure of imagination, as if making her a weaver of tales rather than of cloth gives her definition enough. (In The Odyssey, she promises to wed as soon as she finishes a weaving project, then unravels her work each night.) She does have Odysseuss nurse, Eurycleia (an expert Leah Hocking), to conspire with, but wheres the rest of her orbit?

If, on the other hand, you are looking for an old-fashioned, comfort-food kind of musical with goofball humor, unpretentious songs and a heroine who is just fine with the world never knowing that she wrote one of its classics (I, for one, had trouble swallowing that concession), Penelope may be a good fit.

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Penelope Review: Adrift Between Ithaca and Progress - The New York Times

The world needs to work better and collaborate with sectors beyond health to implement the Global Vector Control Response 20172030 (GVCR), which aims to prevent and control diseases that are transmitted by vectors, particularly mosquitoes.

It is time that vector control programmes work jointly with city planners, environmentalists, engineers and sectors that manage water and sanitation, said a leading expert during a WHO-hosted webinar on Reducing the burden and threat of vector-borne diseases to achieve the NTD road map targets, as we face the prospect of 7 out of 10 people living in cities and urban areas globally by 2050.

One of the things which is critical as we build out future cities we really need to do better in the area of prevention reducing the habitats of all mosquito species, said Steve Lindsay, panellist and former Professor at Durham University, United Kingdom.

This implies reducing the breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes that transmit vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and malaria by enhancing access to piped water, constructing houses with built-in screens to block mosquito entry, clearing waste, improving drainage and keeping the environment clean.

These measures, as advocated by GVCR, can be implemented in present-day towns and smaller cities that will eventually expand in two to three decades into sprawling cities. So, working locally with city mayors and communities can make a big difference and build resilience in preventing mosquito-borne diseases.

During the webinar, panellists highlighted progress and challenges in implementing GVCR since its launch in 2017. A joint action group is coordinating implementation globally, and many WHO regions have developed vector control policies and strategies.

While the GVCR is on track for some activities, amounting to an almost 10% reduction in global mortality over the past 5 years, for many other activities targets have not been reached, with only 27% of countries completing a vector control needs assessment, well below the 2020 goal of 50%.

Other challenges include lack of entomological capacity, COVID-19 disruptions to programmes and lack of funding to implement GVCR. A progress report outlining achievements and challenges will be submitted to the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly in May 2022.

Other panelists spoke of vector control in several parts of the world, including in Africa where integrated vector management (IVM) has been pioneered, and in other countries where GVCR has boosted implementation of IVM and increased levels of preparedness against arboviral diseases.

Challenges facing vector control in WHOs Eastern Mediterranean Region were also highlighted. Invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that primarily transmit dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever have spread, and Aedes albopictus is now prevalent in many countries. Much is being done to strengthen surveillance, monitoring and control response with stronger community engagement.

Panellists also spoke of the need to build more entomological capacity. In India, for example, considerable progress has been made with the launch of major government initiatives to eliminate malaria and lymphatic filariasis. The country is poised to defeat visceral leishmaniasis through a reinvigorated vector control and surveillance programme. Furthermore, the Vector Control Research Centre in Puducherry trains several local entomologists through a competitive process but also offers seats to foreign students.

The webinar also heard of progress and challenges in WHOs European and Americas, which are facing increased emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases.

More than half the worlds population is at risk of infection from vector-borne diseases, especially dengue, leishmaniasis and malaria.

Vector-borne diseases affect more than 1 billion people and cause the death of an estimated 1 million people globally.

Vectors are responsible for transmitting many neglected tropical diseases, mostly among the poorest populations where there is a lack of access to adequate housing, safe drinking-water and sanitation.

Malnourished people and those with weakened immunity are especially susceptible to vector-borne diseases.

During the past two decades, many vector-borne diseases have emerged or re-emerged, spreading to new parts of the world.

Other factors, such as environmental changes, increased international travel and trade, changes in agricultural practices and rapid, unplanned urbanization have facilitated the spread of many vectors worldwide.

Addressing the burden of diseases transmitted by these vectors is critical.

You can access a recording of the full webinar at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OKXvHu_e4U

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Genuine intersectoral collaboration is needed to achieve better progress in vector control - World Health Organization

Date: Thursday, April 7, 2022Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today announced several actions the Department is taking to advance its work on wildlife corridors. The Departments efforts will focus on conservation and restoration of wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity in a way that supports conservation outcomes, honors private landowner rights, and encourages collaboration with other federal agencies, state and local governments, Tribes and other stakeholders.

To maintain healthy species populations and ecosystems, fish and wildlife must have the freedom to move and migrate. But as habitats and migration routes continue to be impacted by climate change and become fragmented by roads, fences, energy development and other man-made barriers, wildlife are struggling to reach the necessary areas to feed, breed, and find shelter, said Secretary Haaland. Enhancing wildlife migration corridors and habitat connectivity is a top conservation priority, and were committed to cultivating strong partnerships and providing the resources and tools necessary to support healthy wildlife populations across the country.

Secretary Haaland made todays announcements during a virtual event today with representatives from the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Secretary Haaland announced $2.5 million in grants, which have been matched by another $7 million in contributions, that will be distributed to seven states and three Tribes for a total of 13 projects through the Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big Game Migration Corridors and Habitat Connectivity program. The grant program, initially established after Secretarys Order 3362, is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and receives funding from the Interior Department, the Department of Agriculture, and private partners.

The Secretary also announced a first-of-its-kind agreement between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society to coordinate support, involvement and utilization of the National Conservation Training Center to meet conservation needs, such as improving wildlife corridors and connectivity. The Service has pledged to fund this work with an initial commitment of $450,000.

The U.S. Geological Survey, working in collaboration with state and Tribal wildlife agencies, also published the second volume of its Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States report. The report provides detailed maps of corridors, stopovers, routes and winter ranges so that migration can be taken into account by state and federal transportation officials, land and wildlife managers, planners, and other conservationists working to maintain big-game migrations in the western states.

During her remarks, Secretary Haaland also outlined how the Interior Department will advance its work on wildlife corridors through a number of steps, including:

On May 6, 2021, the Biden-Harris administration outlined the America the Beautiful initiative, an ambitious vision for how the United States can work collaboratively to achieve a locally led, nationwide goal of conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Enhancing wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity is an early focus of this effort and serves as an opportunity to embrace the voluntary conservation efforts of farmers, ranchers, and forest owners; the leadership of sovereign Tribal Nations; the contributions and stewardship traditions of Americas hunters, anglers, and fishing communities; and the collaboration between states, local communities, and federal agency partners.

Additionally, President Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Great American Outdoors Act, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund provide important opportunities for investments in collaborative conservation. These restoration and conservation investments will expand the capacity of the Department to enhance wildlife corridors and catalyze effective and meaningful conservation outcomes including for migration corridors.

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Secretary Haaland Announces Progress Toward Conservation and Restoration of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity - US Department of the...

COVIDBoston Mayor Michelle Wu. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Mayor Michelle Wu lauded the citys progress toward a vaccinated workforce, while recognizing the pushback shes received from city workers who are opposed to getting a shot, during an interview with Radio Boston host Tiziana Dearing on WBUR.

On Sunday, Wu extended the deadline for city workers to satisfy Bostons COVID-19 vaccination mandate. No employees will be placed on leave or disciplined between Jan. 25 and Jan. 30, according to a statement from the mayors office.

We did see tremendous progress in boosting our vaccination rate and closing those gaps, even over the last week, the mayor said on Radio Boston. Weve now had more than 1,600 additional city workers get vaccinated, since we announced this policy would be going into effect.

Wu said she extended the deadline to give people more time to comply with the policy. She said the city is close 94 percent of employees are vaccinated.

The goal of this was not to punish anyone for how they feel about vaccination, but to ensure our workers are safe and that anyone interacting with city workers is safe, Wu said during the interview.

Workers who oppose the policy have taken to protesting. On Monday, 100 firefighters protested the mandate outside City Hall as Wu spoke about extending the vaccination deadline. Protestors have also become a fixture outside her Roslindale home.

During the interview on WBUR, Wu said that the citys policy concerning showing proof of vaccination at public venues, such as restaurants and gyms, is going smoothly.

She also touched on a variety of other topics, from housing insecurity, the Green New Deal, and the need for more affordable public transportation.

She also noted the need to address mental health issues in the city.

There is a whole pandemic after the pandemic, of us needing to pay attention to mental health, and invest in the resources for people to feel supported and safe and feel connected to the community again, Wu said.

Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com

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Wu talks about vaccination progress and pushback, on WBUR - Boston.com

4:47 PM ET

Jeff PassanESPN

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association plan to meet again Tuesday after a Monday bargaining session led to the first sliver of progress between the sides since the league locked the players out Dec. 2, sources told ESPN on Monday.

In the face-to-face meeting, which lasted about two hours, the union offered a broad proposal in which it dropped its request for age-based free agency and significantly cut the amount of revenue sharing it asked the league to funnel away from small-market teams, according to sources.

The day before the lockout, MLB had asked the union to remove three items from its list of desires: changing the six-year reserve period before free agency, lowering arbitration eligibility to two years and adjusting revenue sharing. When the MLBPA declined to do so, negotiations ended and the league implemented the lockout, the sport's first work stoppage in more than a quarter century.

During Monday's meeting, the union rejected three MLB proposals from the first post-lockout meeting between the sides 11 days ago, sources said. MLB offered a formula-based salary system for players between two and three years of service time, a draft-pick reward for success by players who started on Opening Day rosters and a slight tweak to a draft lottery in which all non-playoff teams would be eligible to receive a top-three pick.

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The players remained steadfast in a number of their positions Monday, sources said, including raising the minimum salary from $570,500 a year to $775,000, bumping the competitive balance tax threshold from $210 million to $245 million and instituting a draft lottery among non-playoff teams for the first eight picks.

Dropping the request for age-based free agency, which would make some players eligible for free agency before the current six-year standard, helped set the stage for Tuesday's meeting. After requesting smaller-market teams receive $100 million less in revenue sharing in an earlier proposal, the union cut its ask to $30 million, according to sources.

The small meeting of four people from each party included MLB's Dan Halem and the MLBPA's Bruce Meyer, the lead negotiators, as well as longtime reliever and union leader Andrew Miller and Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort, who is head of the league's labor relations committee.

Time is quickly becoming a factor in the negotiations, with spring training set to start in mid-February. While a delay of spring training is unlikely to significantly change the trajectory of talks, the specter of losing regular-season games -- which begin March 31 -- is expected to play a role.

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MLB, players' association plan to meet again Tuesday after sides make progress, sources say - ESPN

Firefighters are gaining control of a brush fire called the Colorado Fire that erupted Friday along the Big Sur coast, with the blaze now 35 percent contained and about 700 acres still burning.

While evacuation orders remain in place, the emergency shelter in Carmel closed Monday morning.

About 500 people live within the Colorado Fire evacuation zone, but Maia Carroll with Monterey County Office of Emergency Services said only a couple of people stayed at the emergency shelter set up at Carmel Middle School this weekend.

Big Sur residents are pretty resilient and are used to fires," Carroll said. "When they have to evacuate, they dont always use the evacuation centers and shelters.

Carroll said because they know many people decided not to evacuate, there is a boil your own water notice for those in the evacuation zone who are not California American Water company customers and power outages are expected to continue.

There is a dumpster at the north bound shoulder of Highway 1 and Pfeiffer Ridge Road for people to bring spoiled food.

Cari Dighton with the Red Cross said although theyve closed the emergency shelter due to lack of use, people in the evacuation zone can still seek help by calling 2-1-1.

2-1-1 will be a great resource for people looking for hotel accommodations," Dighton said. " I know there are some area hotels that have made some special accommodations for those that have been affected.

As firefighters continue battling the blaze, Highway 1 continues to stay closed from Garrapata Creek to Point Sur.

Carroll with Monterey County Emergency Services said she understands people may be frustrated by the road closures, since they cant go back into their homes yet.

As frustrating as it may be, respect the closures, take a breath," Carroll said. "We are looking at some really good progress on the fire, according to Cal Fire. So hopefully those road blocks will be done away with soon.

Dighton with the Red Cross said although a blaze like this in winter is unusual, it's becoming more common, and she urges people in fire risk zones to have to-go bags ready all year around.

Over the last couple years, weve seen an increase in the number of major disasters that happen across the nation and in our own state," Dighton said. "They are more frequent, they are more impactful and a lot of people are at risk of facing a disaster of this nature.

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Firefighters making progress on winter wildfire burning in Big Sur, but evacuation orders remain - KCBX