California Aims to Use 100% Renewable Energy by 2045 – Futurism

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In BriefCalifornia is quickening its pace in its plan to achieve 100%renewable energy now by 2045. If the law is passed as expected,California's influence on clean energy and climate change will growand the state will become the nation's de facto leader. Clean Energy In California

California is striding closer to a future that includes100 percent renewable energy, faster than ever before. California Senate President Kevin de Len (D) has proposed a bill which would simultaneously limit Californias hydrocarbon consumption and increase its consumption of renewables according to several goals, and the bill has, as of now, officially cleared the committee stage. Experts feel it is likely to be signed into law by Governor Brown, and when it is, it will push California to produce 50 percent renewable energy from 2030 to 2026, and set new goals for 60 percent renewable energy by 2030, and 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.

This comes at a critical time in the US. President Trump has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Agreement and significantly weakened the EPA and other relevant agencies. Now is a crucial time for states, especially larger states with strong economic chops like California, to show leadershipagainst climate change. Jerry Brown and the California state legislature are making it known that they are committed to doing just that. Should the bill pass, California and Hawaii will be the only two states with legal requirements for 100 percent renewable energy use by 2045, although Massachusetts is considering a goal of 100 percent renewable energy use by 2050.

Several procedural hurdles remain before this bill is signed into law, but these are dwarfed by the infrastructural and fiscal challenges that the state will face in making the law work. Currently, California imports more than one-fourth of its electricity from outside the state, and although coals share of Californias total megawatt hours of power dropped from 1 percent in 2007 to only 0.2 percent in 2015, some estimate that six percent of its imported electricity comes from coal. In 2010, California imported only 25 percent, so the trend is not dropping as hoped.

California is also the third largest state producer of oil and gas, generating about 560,000 barrels of oil every day,as of January 2015, behind only Texas and North Dakota. This means that the state will need to eliminate an entire industry by 2045 and abandon hydrocarbon resources that are both lucrative and accessible. Second, the rest of the nation will miss the production from California at the pumps, paying higher prices for gas and oil across the board. This also means a loss of approximately 456,000 jobs and $38 billion in salaries, about 3.4 percent of Californias GDP. The state will also need to modify or replace more than 50 percent of its infrastructure to support the use of renewables.

Still, if any state can succeed in this its probably California, which has an existing installed solar capacity of 18,296 megawatts as of 2016 thats sufficient to bring power to more than 4 million homes. Californias clean energy sector keeps smashing records, as clean energy jobs in California alone outnumber coal jobs nationwide by an order of magnitude. In March, solar supplied more than half of the states power for a few hours.

Even California utility companies are seeing the light with renewables, for the most part. San Diego Gas and Energy (SDG&E) communications manager Joe Britton told KPBSthat 43 percent of the power provided by the utility in 2016 came from sources that do not advance climate changeone of the highest percentages nationwide. Furthermore, investor-owned utilities in the state are already meeting 27.6 percent of their load with renewable energy sources, and eight California cities have joined a total of 37 cities in the US that have pledged to transition to 100% renewables.

Perhaps most striking is that Californians want this bill. They have come out en masse to support it, and with this kind of public support and commercial potential, the bill has a great chance of success.

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California Aims to Use 100% Renewable Energy by 2045 - Futurism

An Alliance Upholding the Paris Agreement Now Represents a Third of the US Population – Futurism

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In Brief U.S. President Donald Trump decided to back out of the Paris climate deal two months ago. This doesn't mean, however, that the nation has hung up the gloves in the global fight against climate change. A group of states is taking the lead. The Will to Fight

When a door closes, a window opens, says an old adage. Well, for a number of states and their effort to fight climate change, its not enough to open a window theyre keeping the door open. Almost immediately after U.S. President Donald Trump decided to withdraw the countrys commitment to the historic Paris Climate Agreement, the United States Climate Alliance was born.

First there were three California, New York, and Washington State. I dont believe fighting reality is a good strategy not for America, not for anybody, California governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. previously said in a statement. If the President is going to be AWOL in this profoundly important human endeavor, then California and other states will step up.

Now, the alliance boasts a membership of 13 states and Puerto Rico representing a bi-partisan coalition committed to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions [26-28 percent from 2005 levels] consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Latest to join the group is Colorado, after governor John Hickenlooper passed an executive order to cut the states greenhouse gas emissions before 2025.

So far, the U.S. Climate Alliance represents more than 33 percent of the U.S. population. Thats roughly $7.16 trillion of the nations GDP. The 14 members also cover a total of 1.3 million clean energy jobs. This is a grassroots-based movement, Gov. Hickenlooper said in a statement, the Denver Post reported. That groundswell will build into a national movement.

Clearly, the alliance is not something that can be ignored or easily dismissed and theyve been showing it. Each of the governors of these states have firmed up efforts in their respective states to make sure they meet the goals set by the Paris accords.

Above all, what these states represent is hope for a cleaner future. At the very least, it means that the U.S. currently the second largest contributor to greenhouse gasses, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists isnt letting up on efforts to save our planet, despite the seeming absence of federal support.

As Washington state governor Jay Inslee said, Our collective efforts to act on climate will ensure we maintain the [United States] commitment to curb carbon pollution while advancing a clean energy economy that will bring good-paying jobs to Americas workers.

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An Alliance Upholding the Paris Agreement Now Represents a Third of the US Population - Futurism

IBM Announces Record Breaking New Data Storage Device – Futurism

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In Brief IBM and Sony have successfully developed a magnetic tape storage cartridge capable of containing more than 300 terabytes of data. This device, which comes in the smallest format there is, could revolutionize data storage even in cloud platforms. On a Roll

Magnetic tape drives have been around for more than six decades now. Its commercial use has been mostly for storing data, such as tax documents and health care records, from mainframe computers. From the first 2-megabyte tape drives in the 1950s, todays versions are now capable of storing up to 15 terabytes. IBM has been pushing it further.

In partnership with Sony Storage Media Solutions, IBM has broken its previousrecord for the worlds densest tape drive, announcing a product capable of storing 330 terabytes of uncompressed data. Thats more storage than the worlds biggest hard drives, capable of holdingabout 330 million books. The tape drives cartridge could fit into the palm of a persons hand.

The results of this collaboration have led to various improvements in the media technology, such as advanced roll-to-roll technology for long sputtered tape fabrication and better lubricant technology, which stabilizes the functionality of the magnetic tape, IBM fellow Evangelos Eleftheriou said in a statement, The Verge reported.

To achieve such storage capacity, IBM researchers had to develop new technologies, including advanced nanotech and new signal-processing algorithms. The end result was a tape that had an areal surface capable of storing 31gigabits per cm (201 gigabits per in). Details of the devices development was published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.

The end goal, of course, is commercial use. Specifically, IBM is looking to expand magnetic tape use to applications in the cloud. Tape has traditionally been used for video archives, back-up files, replicas for disaster recovery, and retention of information on premise, but the industry is also expanding to off-premise applications in the cloud, Eleftheriou said according to reporting from The Verge.

While sputtered tape is expected to cost a little more to manufacture than current commercial tape, the potential for very high capacity will make the cost per terabyte very attractive, making this technology practical for cold storage in the cloud, he added.

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IBM Announces Record Breaking New Data Storage Device - Futurism

Tim Cook Hints That Apple Is Working on Autonomous Systems But Not Just for Cars – Futurism

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In Brief Apple CEO Tim Cook just confirmed that the company has a "large project" involving autonomous systems, but it's not limited to self-driving cars. Cook declined to elaborate any further on what other applications he had in mind during the company's earnings call on Tuesday,

The rumors that Apple may be building an autonomous systemreceived an update yesterday. During a conference call with investors on Tuesday afternoon, CEO Tim Cook hinted at the work Apple is doing with such systems as well as with artificial intelligence (AI).

[Autonomous] systems can be used in a variety of ways, Cook said. A vehicle is only one, but there are many different areas of it. And I dont want to go any further with that.

There you have it, folks. While it seems thatApple may be building a vehicle and even receivedapproval to test one in Californian roads whats clear is that its developing an autonomous system that could be used in more than just cars. This shouldnt come as a surprise, especially now that Apple has been actively pursuing AI development.

We are very focused on autonomous systems, Cook added. We do have a large project going, and are making a big investment in this. From our point of view, autonomy is sort of the mother of all AI projects.

Much of the focus to this point has been the application of autonomous systems in cars, and for good reason. Autonomous vehicles are heralded as the future of safer driving. By eliminating the cause of most major accidents human error self-driving cars could save some 40,000 lives each year in the U.S.

But what is the potentialof such systems beyond the automotive example? If anyone could think of exciting new ways to use AI and autonomous systems, its the creative minds at Apple. Hopefully they wont keep us waiting too long to learn what new tech they are cooking up.

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Tim Cook Hints That Apple Is Working on Autonomous Systems But Not Just for Cars - Futurism

In The Future, Your Car Will Read Your Biology to Make Decisions for You – Futurism

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Next-Level Integration

As automakers like Tesla, Toyota, and Volvo focus on developing vehicles that can interact autonomously with their environments, Ari Teman is exploring ways the cars of the future could interact with you. The inventor, designer, and technologist told Futurism he sees biometrics, which is the ability for a vehicle, an environment, or a service to recognize who you are and how you are, as one of the biggest developments in transportation in recent years.

Though the tech may sound futuristic, biometrics are already a part of our everyday lives the fingerprint sensor you use to unlock your smartphone or the voice recognition software that lets you command your tech via speech are two fairly prevalent examples. While the use of biometrics in the automotive sector isnt as common, it is predicted to grow steadily over the next few years, and a report by Frost & Sullivans Intelligent Mobility Team predicts that a third of new cars will incorporate biometric sensors by 2025.

Teman is currently working with Deutsche Telekoms datacom division to take biometric technology to the next level. He envisions a future in which cars are able to do far more than simply transport passengers from point A to point B. This smart transportation experience will begin before you even enter the car, he predicts.

Your vehicle will recognize you as you approach, says Teman. Theres no driver whos going to look out the window and go, Oh, its Neil. Its going to be a camera, and its going to say, I have to pull up to Neil, whos standing on the sidewalk, and not Joe, whos standing 10 feet away from him.

As soon as a rider enters the vehicle, the cars biometric sensors will go to work. Once youre in the car, were reading your vitals, and were reading your neurological signs, asserts Teman. Everything from how a car operates to the route it chooses can be automatically adjusted based on this information to best suit the passenger.

The car may notice that every time it makes a turn, your heart rate rises, Teman explains. The vehicle could interpret this information as a sign that youre nervous and that it should make an adjustment. The car will think Maybe I should slow down or Maybe theres something in this neighborhood that is bothering this passenger, and it will consider taking a detour or different route next time, says Teman.

He thinks the biometric-equipped car of the future will even be able to make subtle environmental changes based on the biological data it collects: If the car sees youre tired, it can dim the lights. If it sees youre shivering, it can turn up the heat.

While the technology Teman is working on is still on the horizon, several companies have already demonstrated examples of how biometrics can be applied to the transportation sector to make driving safer and more comfortable today.

At the 2017 Consumer Electronics Showcase in Las Vegas, German automaker Continental debuted theirBiometric Access System. Drivers in cars with the system must provide fingerprint authentication to start the engine, helping prevent theft. Meanwhile, an interior camera uses facial recognition software to adjust the cars settings based on the driver, ensuring a more comfortable, personalized experience.

At the same event, electronics company Gentex revealed theirbiometric system. This iris-scanning technology can be incorporated into a vehicles rear-view mirror and is 99.9 percent accurate at confirming a drivers identity. If the person in the car isnt recognized, the system can text the cars owner or limit functionality. If the driver is recognized, everything from the seat to the radio can be adjusted automatically to suit their preferences.

Other companies are taking a focus on safety with their biometric innovations.

Two firms are currently developing car headrests with built-in electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors to tell if a driver is distracted or even falling asleep. If one of these systems notices a problem, it can trigger the cars steering wheel or seat to shake to return the drivers attention to the road.

Meanwhile, Olea Sensor Networks has created a device that attaches to the seat belt in a car to monitor the driver or passengers vital signs. In the case of an accident, it can even automatically notify first-responders, letting them know the passengers identities and conditions.

These innovations are just the beginning. The relationship between ourselves and our cars is poised to shift dramatically in the coming years, transitioning from one in which we dictate the transportation experience into one in which we are quite literally along for the ride.

This interview has been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.

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In The Future, Your Car Will Read Your Biology to Make Decisions for You - Futurism

Buzz Aldrin: We Will Have Humans on Mars in the Next 20 Years – Futurism

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The Quest For Another Earth

Humankind is eager to step out into the cosmos and wander across the deserted plains of the Red Planet. According to most reports, Elon Musk is leading the way with SpaceX; however, a number of other orginizationsNASA, Chinas Space Agency, The Mars Societyare training, deploying prototypes, and working on the plethora of questions and challenges that we will face when attempting to bring the first human beings to Mars.

But, as much as it might seem natural to get entrenched in the details of how we will actually get humans off of planet Earth (and keep them mentally and physically healthy throughout the duration), it is critical that we remember why were going in the first place.

In a recent interview, Buzz Aldrinthe renowned astronaut, engineer, and (of course) the second human to ever step foot on the Moonexplained why exploration and discovery are so important, touching upon why we should (and why we will) have humans on Mars in 20 years

Aldrin begins by stating that, from both a scientific and technological perspective, we are at the perfect juncture to push the boundaries of exploration. He asserts that, thanks to recent advancements, for the first time in human history, voyaging to other worlds is truly within our reach: Now is the time to start thinking seriously about what life on Mars might look like. We have never been closer to knowing and exploring another planet.

When asked just how close we really are to achieving this feat, Aldrin was quick to respond with his timeline, saying that we could have the first Human Martians at Mars by 2040.

Aldrin continued by segueing into a discussion of why venturing to other worlds is important, noting that, in many ways, our planet is ancient and familiar and the other bodies in our solar system are, for all intents and purposes, virgin territory: Space travel and exploration represents the final frontier weve now surveyed and scrutinized almost every inch of this planet, but there is so much we have yet to learn.

However, Aldrin states that the most notable aspects of this quest are about far more than just acquiring knowledge for the sake of knowledge or conquering new worlds. The journey to Mars will bring with it reignited excitement for science and innovation,creating a generation of young people who have ingrained within them a thirst for understanding and exploration.

When Buzz stepped onto the Moon in 1969, countless youth were captivated by the story and went on to pursue careers in STEM fields, hoping to achieve monumental feats of similar proportions.

Indeed, Aldrin is very aware of the impact that action in science has on the youth, stressing that, we can only get there [to Mars] if we start investing in future generations. Ultimately, as previously noted, he says that this investment is the key to long-term success: In 1903, man learned to fly airplanes. Only 66 years later, we walked on the Moon. In order to help the next generation to make giant leaps like these, we must educate, enable and inspire them to be passionate about subjects like science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Aldrin notes that he has devoted himself to helping foster such a desire in young people, saying, Thats the mission of the SpaceShare Foundation, and its one I wholeheartedly support.

Aldrins Space Share Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to inspiring childrens passions for science and technology by providing educational tools to educators across the country at no cost. The goal of this work is to ensure that all young people are given the resources that they need to live up to their potential. After all, one never knows who the next Carl Sagan could be.

As Former President Barack Obama noted in a speech at the Frontiers Conference, America is about Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothersbut were also the place you can grow up to be a Grace Hopper, or George Washington Carver, or a Katherine Johnson, or an Ida B. Wells. We dont want somebody with a brilliant idea not in the room because theyre a woman. We dont want some budding genius unavailable to cure cancer or come up with a new energy source because they were languishing in a sub-standard school as a child. Because were going to be a better team if we got the whole team.

Aldrin echoes these ideas, noting that, while reaching Mars in the next 20 years is extremely likely, it will only happen if we ensure that young people are given every opportunity to be the best that they can be: Sometimes I cant believe this lucky kid from New Jersey got to land and walk on the Moonwork hard and keep reaching for the stars.

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Allies of Jeremy Corbyn urge him to commit to EU freedom of movement – The Independent

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Allies of Jeremy Corbyn have publicly urged the Labour leader to commit to retaining the free movement of workers between Britain and the European Union as the partys Brexit stance comes under increasing scrutiny.

Senior figures on the left of the party have set up a new grouping, the Labour Campaign for Free Movement, and issued an ultimatum to the leadership that says Labour must be the party of all working people, regardless of where they were born.

Labour MPs and MEPs including Clive Lewis and David Lammy are backing the new group, as well as left-wing trade union chiefs and members of the partys ruling National Executive Committee.

Union general secretaries endorsing the new campaign include Manuel Cortes, of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, Sally Hunt of the University and College Union, and Ronnie Draper of the Bakers Food andAllied Workers Union figures usually considered allies of Mr Corbyn. Journalists and campaigners such as Owen Jones, Dawn Foster and Neal Lawson have also signed a statement in support of the group.

The group says that Labour, like the UK in general, isat a crossroads in its relationship with the world and that the party should respond with clarity, humanity, and solidarity.

The latest intervention is significant because it mostly comes from the Corbyn-allied left of the Labour Party in contrast to calls to remain in the single market, which have mostly, though not entirely, been championed by Labour centrists.

Matt Zarb-Cousins: The idea that young voters will turn on Corbyn over Brexit is pie in the sky

However, the issue of the single market and free movement are broadly linked,with single market access effectively contingent on free movement.

Labours manifesto was vague on the issue of Brexit, stating that freedom of movement will end when Britain leaves the EU as if it were a matter of fact. However, many countries remain outside the EU but have free movement with the bloc, such as Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.

The party has walked a delicate balancing act to neutralise immigration as an issue.

Theresa May has said she will end free movement but not given any concrete suggestions of what system might replace it.

We fought the last general election arguing against such scapegoating, and celebrating the contributions of migrants to our society. That tone must now translate into policy, the joint statement says.

Michel Barnier seeks clarification over key issues in Brexit talks

Migrants are not to blame for falling wages, insecurity, bad housing and overstretched public services. These are the product of decades of underinvestment, deregulation, privatisation, and the harshest anti-union laws in Europe. On the contrary, migrant workers have been on the front line of fighting for better pay and working conditions. Labour is the party of all working people regardless of where they were born.

A system of free movement is the best way to protect and advance the interests of all workers, by giving everyone the right to work legally, join a union and stand up to their boss without fear of deportation or destitution.

Clive Lewis is among MPs to have backed the new campaign (PA)

Curtailing those rights, or limiting migrants access to public services and benefits, will make it easier for unscrupulous employers to hyper-exploit migrant labour, which in turn undermines the rights and conditions of all workers.

Mr Corbyn saidlast month that he would not allow the wholesale importation of EU workers to undercut wages a sharp contrast to the tone he took last year when he said he did not think there were too many EU migrants in Britain.

As with the Government, it is not clear what Labours actual post-Brexit policy on free movement would be though barring an early general election the party is unlikely to actually be directly involved in creating a new system.

Michael Chessum, an organiser for the Labour Campaign for Free Movement, said: Labours immigration stance has for far too long been dominated by pandering to the idea that immigration is to blame for a fall in living standards. This isnt just factually wrong, its also self-defeating because we need a narrative that is clear and honest about the fact that neoliberalism and exploitation are the real problem.

That has to be backed up with policy, not just sentiment. We beat the Tories when were principled and offer alternatives thats the lesson of the general election.

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Allies of Jeremy Corbyn urge him to commit to EU freedom of movement - The Independent

Lakeland man convicted in murder as teen gets taste of real freedom decades later – The Ledger

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For the first time in nearly 30 years, Johnny Johnson knows true freedom thanks to the prosecutor who convicted him.

LAKELAND For the first time in nearly 30 years, Johnny Johnson knows true freedom.

Five years after taking the rare step of releasing the convicted murderer from prison after serving only his mandatory 25-year sentence, the states parole commissioners now have voted unanimously to end the Lakeland mans parole, as well.

Laura Tully, director of field services for the Florida Commission on Offender Review, said she can recall only a few times in her 17 years with the commission that a parolee was released after just a few years on supervision.

Its a rarity, especially for a capital felony, she said.

While elated, Johnson, 46, said the moment was bittersweet. Hed expected to share it with the lawyer whod been instrumental in his release the same lawyer, the late John Aguero,whod convinced a jury to convict him in 1988.

Johnson was 16 when he stood before that jury and later as he was sentenced to life imprisonment. A year earlier, hed run away from home and soon befriended 32-year-old Charles Carter, who had long hair and reminded him of his father.

A couple of weeks later, as they sat on Millie Wordens couch hatching a plan to rob the frail grandmother, Johnson felt trapped, he would later say.

He and Carter had been hitchhiking on Sept. 22, 1987, when she picked them up and took them to her home in Winter Havens Jan Phyl Village.

Four days after that, a passerby would find Worden's bound and gagged body at an abandoned house in Alturas.

Maybe I could have done something if I wasnt scared, Johnson said later, but I was scared, and I didnt think I could overpower him.

So he did what he was told, he said.

Even so, Johnson threw up in Wordens bedroom while Carter strangled her with a cord from her television. Her daughters said they found his vomit the next day while checking on their mother.

Former Assistant State AttorneyAguero argued the case in the trial in which Johnson was convicted.

Then the prosecutor turned to Johnson for help.

The very next day after he was convicted, I went to the jail and talked to him about testifying against Carter, and he did it, Aguero said in 2012. Thats the only time Ive ever talked to a defendant I have convicted.

That testimony helped to convict Carter, whos serving life imprisonment.

In his career spanning three decades, Aguero won convictions in 60 of the 64 first-degree murder cases he prosecuted, said former State Attorney Jerry Hill.

Yet he never forgot Johnson or the power Carter held over him.

This case stayed with him, former State Attorney Jerry Hill said Wednesday. I think John Aguero, somewhere, had a concern about putting this kid in prison for life.

"He talked about testifying for him at a parole hearing long before (Johnsons) 25 years was up," he said. "He had kept up with him in prison, and he truly thought this kid was going to make it.

"Once again, John Aguero was spot on, Hill said.

When Aguero testified for Johnson at the 2012 hearing that led to his release from prison, it was a first for the veteran prosecutor, who more often stood before the commission challenging a potential parole.

After Johnsons release, Aguero advised him on steps he should take to modify or end his parole, and he planned to attend Johnsons July 26 parole hearing in Tallahassee.

But earlier that month, Aguero was taken ill while visiting his daughter in Morocco. He died July 7.

Hill said he wasnt going to let Johnsons case fall through the cracks, even though he thought the chances were slim that the commission would release him from parole so soon.

I didnt think we stood the chance of a snowball in the Promised Land, he said. As a general rule, its a nibble process with parole. They may give you a little break and theyll bring you back a couple years later and give you a little more.

"They never release somebody after just four years. It just doesnt happen, he said.

But Hill told the commission hes convinced Johnson will make it.

This is a guy that Id take to the house with me, Hill said Wednesday. Id have him for my neighbor.

He said Johnson was paralyzed at the prospect of unknowingly violating his parole.

It was like he was in another kind of prison, he said. This guy was afraid to go out the door for fear hed stub his toe and get violated, and hed never had a problem while he was in prison.

"I told the commission, I will guarantee that if this monkey gets off his back, hes going to improve, Hill said.

Tully said no one opposed Johnsons release from parole. Wordens two daughters had challenged his release from prison, but not this. Neither of them could be reached for comment Wednesday.

Johnson said his nerves consumed him as the commissioners considered his future.

I was on edge, wanting to make sure they knew the situation, Johnson said this week. When they voted to approve it, so many things went running through my head we can go anywhere we want. Im not restricted by the county line.

"Even now, I know Im free, but it hasnt really set in yet, he said.

Johnson said he still has a hard time talking about the 26 years he spent behind bars, including the year awaiting trial.

Depression haunted him, but he found positive moments that gave him hope. He met his future wife through his mother in 1993 and married her in a prison ceremony four years later.

He received his high school equivalency diploma, and picked up courses in plumbing and electrical wiring.

Eventually, he said, he might pursue work in one of those fields. But for now, he spends his time caring for his wife, who battles health issues, at the rural home theyve made in the Kathleen area.

She took care of me for all those years, he said, now its my time to take care of her.

Suzie Schottelkotte can be reached at suzie.schottelkotte@theledger.com or 863-533-9070. Follow her on Twitter @southpolkscene.

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Lakeland man convicted in murder as teen gets taste of real freedom decades later - The Ledger

Freedom earn split with Rascals, return home for weekend series against Southern Illinois Miners – User-generated content (press release)…

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Facing a series deficit, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, bore down for a combined two-hit shutout of the River City Rascals in a 5-0 win on Thursday at CarShield Field that gave the Freedom a four-game series split.

Making a spot start, Sam Brunner walked five batters over two and two-thirds innings but held River City (38-33) baserunners in check by inducing weak contact and recording two strikeouts. Enrique Zamora (2-1) earned the win in relief, allowing only one hit over two and one-third innings. Mike Anthony turned in his longest outing of the season for the Freedom (44-26) by tossing scoreless sixth and seventh frames before giving way to Jamal Wilson and Pete Perez, who pitched one inning each.

The offense provided plenty of run support, beginning with a third-inning two-run homer by Jose Brizuela, his team-leading thirteenth of the season, to right field off Tim Koons (4-4) in the top of the third. Florence added two runs in the eighth when, after a Taylor Oldham single and a Brizuela ground-rule double, Andre Mercurio drove a double into the right-field corner for a 4-0 lead. Jordan Brower scored the final run in the ninth, leading off with a walk and eventually scoring on an Austin Wobrock groundout.

Koons lasted seven and two-thirds innings and struck out five, but was responsible for four of the five Florence runs.

The shutout was the second of the season by the Freedom, and the teams first since May 20 at Normal.

The Freedom will open a three-game series at home against the Southern Illinois Miners on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at UC Health Stadium. Tony Vocca (6-4) will start for the Freedom against Chris Washington (1-3) for the Miners.

The Florence Freedom are members of the independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY.The Freedom can be found online at FlorenceFreedom.com, or by phone at 859-594-4487.

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Freedom Run recordbook – Quad-Cities Online

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-- Started in 2013 as a fundraising salute to the Armed Forces and local military families in need. NOTE: The Men's 5K winner in 2013, Garrett Kenyon, from Colorado, and a Creighton teammate of Sherrard's Michael Holdsworth, used the TV character name "Shawn Spencer" before the ruse was discovered.

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CHAMPIONS

Men's 5K:

2017: Phil Young 15:54 (record)

2016: Brandon Cooley 16:17

2015: Keith Sands 16:03

2014: Keith Sands 16:34

2013: Garrett Kenyon 16:06

Women's 5K:

2017: Maddy Minard 20:28

2016: Kelsey Allbaugh 20:16

2015: Agok Ayuen 19:48 (record)

2014: Brooke Ashcraft 19:54

2013: Christine Eden 20:19

Men's 6-mile ``Double-Time'':

2017: Tommy Ries Jr. 31:27

2016: Aaron Golding 36:14

2015: Devin Allbaugh 30:56 (record)

2014: Julius Cortez 34:39

2013: Brock Detoye 36:11

Women's 6-mile ``Double-Time'':

2017: Michelle Dearmond 40:28

2016: Michelle Mangelsdorf 46:01

2015: Kelli Grubbs 42:36

2014: Brendelyn Juergens 38:31 (record)

2013: Susie Cunningham 41:57

===

PARTICIPATION

5K finish (M/W) 6-mile finish (M/W)

2017: 992 (419, 573) 135 (86, 49)

2016: 814 (360, 454) 107 (63, 44)

2015: 982 (411, 571) 142 (86, 56)

2014: 905 (407, 498) 143 (74, 69)

2013: 721 (353, 368) 105 (58, 47)

===

YEAR-BY-YEAR RECAP

2017: at Downtown East Moline, Aug. 3

-- NOTE: 992 5K finishers (419 men, 573 women) and 135 6-milers (86 men, 49 women).

Men's 5K:

1. Phil Young 15:54 (record)

2. Tanner Osing 16:15

3. Anthony Pena 17:01

4. Kyle Riege 17:14

5. Dalton Martin 17:29

Women's 5K:

1. Maddy Minard 20:28

2. Maddie Miller 21:42

3. Katharine Jackovich 21:55

4. Brinley Rodgers 22:18

5. Alex Branham 23:08

Men's 6-mile ``Double-Time'':

1. Tommy Ries Jr. 31:27

2. Christian Haydel 34:55

3. Aaron Golding 35:31

4. Dan Bischoff 35:48

5. Christian Esparza 38:19

Women's 6-mile ``Double-Time'':

1. Michelle Dearmond 40:28

2. Morgan Meseke 41:55

3. Jill Naab 42:05

4. Breann Hirst 42:18

5. Julie Haronik 42:38

===

2016: at Downtown East Moline, Aug. 4

-- NOTE: 814 5K finishers (360 men, 454 women) and 107 6-milers (63 men, 44 women).

Men's 5K:

1. Brandon Cooley 16:17

2. Phil Young 16:37

3. Isaac Trostle 16:39

4. Kyle Riege 16:44

5. Michael Holdsworth 17:08

Women's 5K:

1. Kelsey Allbaugh 20:16

2. Clare Anne Dasso 21:36

3. Maddy Minard 21:38

4. Faith Dasso 21:59

5. Maddie Miller 22:24

Men's 6-mile ``Double-Time'':

1. Aaron Golding 36:14

2. Eli Soliz 36:51

3. Dan Bischoff 37:09

4. Timothy Knobloch 37:43

5. Adam Roll 39:10

Women's 6-mile ``Double-Time'':

1. Michelle Mangelsdorf 46:01

2. Yvonne Regan 46:06

3. Nicole Callahan 46:21

4. Autumn Vergeyle 48:00

5. Eve Reynolds 48:19

===

2015: at Downtown East Moline, Aug. 6

-- NOTE: 982 5K finishers (411 men, 571 women) and 142 6-milers (86 men, 56 women).

Men's 5K:

1. Keith Sands 16:03

2. Kyle Riege 16:45

3. Allan Daly 17:09

4. Johnathon Quinn 17:19

5. Anthony Pena 17:32

Women's 5K:

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Freedom Run recordbook - Quad-Cities Online

Artist spreads the message of freedom in Hull with 12m sign on Hull School of Art and Design – Hull Daily Mail

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Artist Bob and Roberta Smith has installed a 12 metres long sign on the roof of Hull School of Art and Design.

It reads: "This is a Freedom of Expression Centre".

In a joint project with the school, and as part of the Hull 2017 Look Up programme of public art installations, the sign heralds month of activity exploring the nature of modern protest, the role that art and arts education have in reinforcing the democratic process and the freedom and restrictions that artists experience around the world.

This is a Freedom of Expression Centre encompasses an exhibition, including a new Bob and Roberta Smith artwork that is more than 14 metres long, plus workshops, talks and a special performance by the artist's Apathy Band on Saturday, September 2.

During the Freedom Festival, there will also be a conversation between Bob and Roberta Smith and Blair Imani on Sunday, September 3.

Bob and Roberta Smith said: Its a huge honour to show this new work. This is a Freedom of Expression Centre has been inspired by two key experiences of mine.

"Firstly, the past five years as an advocate for the arts, exploring why democratic societies generally support and defend the arts, while repressive regimes curb them.

The second experience was an interview I conducted with a Black Lives Matter activist, Blair Imani, while making a BBC 4 programme on protest.

"You can see Blairs inspiring interview in the exhibition. Blairs interview took us on a journey from New York to Louisiana and into the heart of a story that is rarely revealed in the news media.

Work in the exhibition by fine art students at Hull School of Art and Design will include installation and process-based participative pieces resulting from a Bob and Roberta Smith presented to them earlier this year during a talk by the artist.

Martin Green, director of Hull 2017, said: 'Hull has a long history of championing human rights and freedom. At a time of change in the UK Bob and Roberta Smiths This is a Freedom of Expression Centre is a reminder of the important role that art and artists have in commenting on issues of the day and challenging the status quo and will be a thought-provoking part of our Freedom season."

The Freedom of Expression Centre at Hull School of Art and Design will run until Sunday, September 3.

To find out more visit the City of Culture website.

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Artist spreads the message of freedom in Hull with 12m sign on Hull School of Art and Design - Hull Daily Mail

‘Gene editing’ poses threat of eugenics, ethicist warns – Catholic Culture

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Catholic World News

August 04, 2017

The director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre in England has raised the alarm about recent experiments in genetic editing of human embryos, saying that the procedure involves the acceptance of eugenics.

David Albert Jones remarked that the experiment also involved the reproductive exploitation of women who contributed eggs for the research and the experimentation on and destruction of embryos in the process.

While the genetic editing experiments have been hailed as a means of preventing disease, Jones pointed out that the procedure aims not to make people better but to make better people. He explained that in the editing technique, a modified embryo is created; since the embryo did not exist before the modification, the procedure cannot be said to be therapy.

Jones warned: Instead of treating existing human beings in ways that respect their rights and do not pose excessive risks to them or to future generations, we are manufacturing new human beings for manipulation and quality control, and experimenting on them with the aim of forging greater eugenic control over human reproduction

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'Gene editing' poses threat of eugenics, ethicist warns - Catholic Culture

Editing the human genome brings us one step closer to consumer eugenics – The Guardian

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Where genetic engineering really can do something that embryo selection cannot is in genetic enhancement better known as designer babies. Photograph: Roger Bamber / Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Stock Photo

Hope for families with genetic conditions, and scientific breakthrough: that is how headlines are proclaiming a project that modified human embryos to remove mutations that cause heart failure. But anyone who has concerns about such research is often subjected to moral blackmail. We are regularly lumped in with religious reactionaries or anti-abortion campaigners.

The medical justification for spending millions on such research is thin: it would be better spent on developing cures

I am neither. If you peel away the hype, the truth is that we already have robust ways of avoiding the birth of children with such conditions, where that is appropriate, through genetic testing of embryos. In fact, the medical justification for spending millions of dollars on such research is extremely thin: it would be much better spent on developing cures for people living with those conditions. Its time we provided some critical scrutiny and stopped parroting the gospel of medical progress at all costs.

Where genetic engineering really can do something that embryo selection cannot is in genetic enhancement better known as designer babies. Unfortunately, thats where its real market will be. We have already seen that dynamic at work with the three-parent IVF technique, developed for very rare mitochondrial genetic conditions. Already, a scientist has created babies that way in Mexico (specifically to avoid US regulations) and a company has been set up with the aim of developing the science of designer babies.

Scientists who started their careers hoping to treat sick people and prevent suffering are now earning millions of dollars creating drugs to enhance cognitive performance or performing cosmetic surgery. We already have consumer eugenics in the US egg donor market, where ordinary working-class women get paid $5,000 for their eggs while tall, beautiful Ivy League students get $50,000. The free market effectively results in eugenics. So its not a matter of the law of unintended consequences or of scaremongering the consequences are completely predictable. The burden of proof should be on those who say it wont happen.

Once you start creating a society in which rich peoples children get biological advantages over other children, basic notions of human equality go out the window. Instead, what you get is social inequality written into DNA. Even using low-tech methods, such as those still used in many Asian countries to select out girls (with the result that the world is short of more than 100 million women), the social consequences of allowing prejudices and competitiveness to control which people get born are horrific.

Most enhancements in current use, such as those in cosmetic surgery, are intended to help people conform to expectations created by sexism, racism and ageism. More subtly, but equally profoundly, once we start designing our children to perform the way we want them to, we are erasing the fundamental ethical difference between consumer commodities and human beings. Again, this is not speculation: there is already an international surrogacy market in which babies are bought and sold. The job of parents is to love children unconditionally, however clever/athletic/superficially beautiful they are; not to write our whims and prejudices into their genes.

Its for these reasons that most industrialised countries have had legal bans against human genetic engineering for the last 30 years. Think about that for a moment: its pretty unusual for societies that normally put technological innovation at the centre of their policies to ban technologies before theyre even feasible. There have to be very good reasons for such an unprecedented step, and its not to do with protecting embryos. Its to do with the social consequences.

Genetically modified crops are a good comparison. Faced with a similarly irresponsible absolutism from the scientific community as well as with the obvious competition for fame and profit the green movement and the left felt they had to take the issue of GM food into their own hands. Now it looks like its time to campaign for a global ban on the genetic engineering of people. We must stop this race for the first GM baby.

Dr David King is a former molecular biologist and founder of Human Genetics Alert, an independent secular watchdog group that supports abortion rights

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Editing the human genome brings us one step closer to consumer eugenics - The Guardian

Cris Cyborg wants to fight Holly Holm at UFC 218 at Little Caesars Arena – Detroit Free Press

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Brandon Folsom, Special to Detroit Free Press Published 6:14 p.m. ET Aug. 3, 2017 | Updated 6:16 p.m. ET Aug. 3, 2017

Cris (Cyborg) Justino spoke to reporters at MGM Grand Detroit on Thursday, August 3, 2017, ahead of the Claressa Shields-Nikki Adler weigh-in. Video by Brandon Folsom/Special to DFP

Cris (Cyborg) Justino takes questions before the Claressa Shields-Nikki Adler weigh-in at MGM Grand Detroit on Thursday, August 3, 2017.(Photo: Brandon Folsom Special to DFP)

Cris (Cyborg) Justino wants her next fight to be in Detroit.

Justino (18-1) beat Tonya Evinger for the featherweight championship at UFC 214 on Saturday in Anaheim, Calif. Now the 32-year-old is looking for her next fight, and she's eyeing Holly Holm (11-3), who's most famous for beating then-undefeated champion Ronda Rousey in 2015.

"I would like it," said Justino before a weigh-in for Claressa Shields and Nikki Adler today at MGM Grand Detroit. "I asked to fight Holly Holm, and I think it would be perfect.

"I'm asking for it. Let's see what's going to happen. Maybe it could be in Detroit. That would be nice."

Little Caesars Arena will host UFC 218 in December.

This was Justino's first visit to Detroit, but she's no stranger to Michigan fighting fans.

(Photo: Matt Roberts USA TODAY Sports)

Shields trained with Justino in July to help prepare for UFC 214. Shields taught her hand-combat training and how to get the most out of sparring when two fighters are on their feet at the same time. Justino said Shields' fans cheered for her alongside her own fan base, "Cyborg Nation," in Anaheim.

The two have developed a strong relationship, which is why Justino is spending the weekend in the Motor City. She wants to root on Shields, who fights Adler for the WBC and IBF super middleweight titles Friday in Detroit (10:30 p.m., Showtime).Justino will escort Shields to the ring.

More: Claressa Shields focuses on weight as her opponent Nikki Adler arrives

"I followed her before when she went to Brazil for the Olympics in 2016, and people loved her in Brazil," Justino said. "I started to watch her more and read more about her. I think we have a lot in common. She fights with her heart, and I think she had a hard time when she was a teenager, too."

Cris (Cyborg) Justino takes questions before the Claressa Shields-Nikki Adler weigh-in at MGM Grand Detroit on Thursday, August 3, 2017.(Photo: Brandon Folsom Special to DFP)

Whenever Justino signs the deal for her next fight, she said she's going to visit Shields in Flint for more hand-combat training.

"I don'treally train with girls. I train more with guys," Justino said. "She was the first girl I've trained with, and I think she was a challenge for me. I think we can better each other.

"I think it'll improve a lot of my game. It'll be a lot of good experience for me."

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Cris Cyborg wants to fight Holly Holm at UFC 218 at Little Caesars Arena - Detroit Free Press

Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, Cris Cyborg and the Continued Overlap Between UFC and WWE – Bleacher Report

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Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Talk of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones potentially stepping into the WWE spotlight shouldn't surprise anyone. The two worlds have long bled into each other.

UFC 214, in particular, was a reminder of that. Two of the bigger talking points to emerge from the July 29 pay-per-view related. Featherweight Cris Cyborg was busy challenging SmackDown's Becky Lynch to a match at SummerSlam before kneeing Tonya Evinger into oblivion.

And after the night's main event, Jones stood triumphantly in the Octagon with the light heavyweight title around his waist with a new target in his sights:WWE universal champBrock Lesnar.

Bones called out The Beast Incarnate, daring him to come back to UFC:

That potential superfight, though, may not be Jones' only connection to the squared circle.Hall of Fame pro wrestling announcer Jim Ross stirred up talk of the otherworldly MMA talent working with WWE at some point.

Ross wroteon his blog, "Wordon the street is that Jones is also interested in a WWE payday some day in the future which adds some irony to the Bones-Brock UFC scenario."

Perhaps it would be connected to his UFC battle with Lesnar. If that's the case, he may just need to show his face to create buzz.

John Cantonof UPROXX wrote, "I can see a scenario where he's seated at ringside at the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania and they can have an altercation that gets people talking that way."

But perhaps Jones is contemplating adding pro wrestling to his resume once he's done in the Octagon.

He wouldn't be the first to make that jump. A pair of icons from UFC's earliest days both did so in the '90s. Ken Shamrock followed one of his UFC stints with a WWE tenure that saw him face The Rock, Undertaker and others. Dan Severn also wrestled for the sports entertainment giant, performing at both the 1998 King of the Ring tournament and the 1999 Royal Rumble.

The WWE paychecks lured the fighters in. They brought an aura of legitimacy and toughness to the product, one the company certainly welcomed.

That applies to Ronda Rousey, too.

The pioneer for women in UFC didn't wrestle for WWEbut still crossed over to the worked sport. She showed up at WrestleMania 31 and took down both Stephanie McMahon and Triple H in one of the event's most talked about moments.

Rousey's friend and former UFC fighter Shayna Baszler is going much further.

She has made a full-on transition into pro wrestling. Most recently, WWE signed her for its inaugural women's tournament, the Mae Young Classic.

Perhaps Cyborg will eventually join Baszler as the next UFC fighter to work for WWE.

She and Lynch have been trading shots on Twitter for a long time. It doesn't matter that they aren't part of the same sport. They both clearly want to collide at SummerSlam.

And they have been campaigning hard to do just that.

For both the athletes and the companies involved, this merging of worlds is mutually beneficial. WWE welcoming Jones would bring added eyes and increased media attention.

We've seen that play out with Lesnar, who is among the biggest draws in UFC history.

The beastly powerhouse left WWE in 2004 and eventually ended up in the Octagon where he became the UFC heavyweight champion. When Lesnar got the itch to fight again, he took on Mark Hunt at UFC 200 while still under contract with WWE.

UFC fans and company president Dana White may want to dismiss pro wrestling as fake, but the dollars he generated with Lesnar thanks in part to WWE were anything but.

The same was true for CM Punk.

The former WWE champ's foray into fighting created a wealth of headlines. While he was 0-0 in MMA, he was a bonafide star. UFC didn't shy away from using Punk's wrestling name and gave him a shot at the big timebased on his stardom, not his prowess.

UFC and WWE will always scratch each other's backs.

Just as WWE was eager to use Rousey's name by spotlighting her taking in the Mae Young Classic,UFC was happy to welcome WWE's Eva Marie to talk UFC on Fox.

Conor McGregor has borrowed Ric Flair's swagger and Vince McMahon's strut. WWE wrestlers commonly implement MMA moves from the keylock to the triangle choke into their in-ring repertoire.

There is enough in common with the two enterprises to make for logical transitions back and forth. There are millions of dollars waiting to be made on both sides of the table. Star power is shared, audiences meld into each other, and the symbiotic relationship rolls on.

Should Jones start doing his spin kicks in the squared circle, he'd simply be carrying on a tradition.

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Jon 'Bones' Jones, Cris Cyborg and the Continued Overlap Between UFC and WWE - Bleacher Report

Cat Zingano angling for title fight with new UFC champ Cristiane … – MMAjunkie.com

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Not many fighters are publicly pushing for a matchup with new UFC womens featherweight champion Cristiane Justino. So, when someone like Cat Zingano begins to poke at Cyborg, its a notable.

Zingano (9-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), a former UFC womens bantamweight title challenger, has expressed interest in fighting Justino (18-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the past. The matchup has been discussed for multiple dates, but its never come to fruition.

Although Zingano has been inactive in recent years fighting just twice since September 2014 she believes she has what it takes to end Brazilians more than 12-year winning streak, and shes made it known (via Twitter):

Zingano, No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA womens bantamweight rankings, has competed at flyweight and bantamweight during her career, but shes never found her way up to the 145-pound division. She wants to give it a try, though, and hopefully make the best of a potential second UFC title shot afterRonda Rousey submitted her in just 14 seconds at UFC 184 in February 2015.

Alpha hasnt seen action since UFC 200 in July 2016, when she suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Julianna Pena. Prior to her current skid, Zingano earned a third-round TKO win over current 135-pound champ Amanda Nunes at UFC 178. Shes the only one to defeat Nunes in UFC competition.

Despite Justino, who claimed UFC gold with a third-round TKO of Tonya Evinger at UFC 214 this past weekend, looking near-flawless during the majority of her career, Zingano believes there are holes she can exploit, as she told The MMA Hour earlier this week.

With Cyborg, this is a winnable fight for me. When Im healthy, none of these girls (can) deal with me, not one, so thats what Im looking for. Going into a fight with Cyborg, you need to be as on point as possible. Shes got her advantages whatever, arguably fair or unfair and I just know that If Im at 100 percent, she probably cant even touch me, and those are things that are in consideration when trying to achieve my goal.

Justino recently expressed interest in a fight with Zingano, as well, but warned her potential future opponent that she should have taken advantage of the chance to fight sooner.

(She) should have fought me at 140 (pounds), Justino said. Im the best Ive ever been in my career with my return to 145 and am ready for either next.

For more on UFC 214, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

The Blue Corner is MMAjunkies official blog and is edited by Mike Bohn.

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Cat Zingano angling for title fight with new UFC champ Cristiane ... - MMAjunkie.com

South Carolina Beaches, Beaches in South Carolina, South …

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The state of South Carolina is home to many great beaches along its Atlantic shoreline. Myrtle Beach takes the cake as one of the longest and cleanest stretches of open beachfront in the south. Areas such as Charleston and Hilton Head also have their own great South Carolina beaches. Beaches in South Carolina are busiest between the months of June and September, when the weather is warm and folks pack themselves into cars and head for the shore for vacations. Many families and larger groups traveling together find great deals on accommodation by renting South Carolina beach rentals for their stay rather than hotel rooms.

South Carolina beaches in Myrtle Beach are among some of the most widely visited in the state. The coastline here is known as the Grand Strand and stretches for over 280 miles. The beaches in South Carolina in Myrtle Beach have a festival, family-oriented feel. This is one of the most popular towns in the country for family vacations, and as such the beach is usually full in the summer of families and children. The Myrtle Beach Amusement Park is also found here in town and is a major favorite among children. Parents tend to enjoy trips to Myrtle Beach resorts as an alternative to more expensive resort areas such as Disney World.

In Hilton Head, South Carolina beaches are thought by many to be the most beautiful in the state and among the best in the world. Hilton Head is an island just off of the coast of the mainland, and all of the beaches here are public, meaning that they are open free of charge to any who would like to use them. Even the Hilton Head resorts do not have any exclusive rights to the beaches. One of the most popular beaches in South Carolina in Hilton Head is Coligny Beach, a public access site which has showers, toilets and changing rooms. There is also a playground here, and as such this beach is generally full during the summer. Folks looking for a somewhat quieter beach experience might try heading north of Coligny to Folly Field Beach, which also has showers but is generally not as busy as some of the other beaches in Hilton Head.

Although the resort towns are popular places for beaches, Charleston is also just a 30 minute drive from miles of coastline. Two of the most popular are the Isle of Palms and Sullivans Head beaches, a major destination for beachcombers from Charlestons urban center. South Carolina beach rentals abound here and are available for rent throughout most of the summer. Windsurfing is also great from Sullivans Head in particular, and this is also a good place to launch a jet ski. Kiawah Island is also a popular spot from Charleston and in particular, Beachwalker County Park is a favorite. The park is located just to the east of US Highway 17 in Charleston. To find the best deals on South Carolina beach rentals, be sure to book at least a few months in advance. Beach rentals do fill up in the summer, so booking early is also essential for getting a good spot.

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South Carolina Beaches, Beaches in South Carolina, South ...

2 Macomb County Beaches Closed This Weekend Due To E. Coli – CBS Detroit

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August 4, 2017 10:52 AM

ST. CLAIR SHORES (WWJ) The forecast calls for a beautiful weekend but take note before you head to the beach.

Officials at the Metroparksadministrative office announced the closure ofLake St. Clair Metropark Beach last week,aftertests conductedat the popular beach (also known as Metro Beach), off Metro Parkway inHarrison Township, found high levels of e. coli bacteria.

Further testing this week found e. coli levels were still too high.

The rest of the park remains open during regular hoursbut the water and beach area areoff-limits. Lake St. Clair Metropark has a swimming pool and water slides for those who wanttocool off.

St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach, at Veterans Memorial Park off Jefferson Ave., is also closed after testing this week found the same issue. The park does have a swimming pool, water slide (paid admission required) and a splash pad which remain open.

Macomb County health officials say e. coli bacteria sometimes gets into the water from improper waste connections to storm sewers, sewer overflows and storm runoff which cold present a healthriskto swimmersand thosewho come in contact with lake water close to the shore.

Its unclear at this time when the two beaches will reopen.

In addition, theKensington Metropark Splash n Blast is temporarily closed, according to a tweet. This is not connected to the problems with bacteria. (Check Twitter for updates).

Check which Macomb County beaches are open and which are closed anytimeat this link. Get Metroparks maps, hours and more informationatmetroparks.com.

Headed Up North or elsewhere in the state? Check for all Michigan beach closures HERE.

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2 Macomb County Beaches Closed This Weekend Due To E. Coli - CBS Detroit

E. coli outbreak closes all beaches in this gated community – Sacramento Bee

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Sacramento Bee
E. coli outbreak closes all beaches in this gated community
Sacramento Bee
All beaches in the Nevada County community of Lake Wildwood have now been closed after water testing revealed E. coli at three locations, according to the Nevada County Public Health Department. County authorities closed off the gated community's Main ...

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E. coli outbreak closes all beaches in this gated community - Sacramento Bee

Margate beaches reopen for the weekend as commissioners go into negotiations with NJ DEP and Army Corps of … – Shore News Today

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MARGATE The Board of Commissioners will continue an executive session at 10 a.m. this morning that was started following last nights lengthy public meeting. The commissioners met in closed session last night to discuss a strategy going into court-ordered negotiations with the NJ DEP and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday morning.

All beaches, except for Huntington Avenue will be opened and staffed by lifeguards over the weekend.

Commissioner John Amodeo said Thursdays executive session started at 6:30 p.m. and lasted more than an hour before it was continued to Friday morning. It was held after 2 1/2 hours of public testimony at the regular commission meeting that started at 4 p.m.

It will be more of a strategy and goal setting meeting, Amodeo said in a telephone interview early Friday morning. We need to see what we can get accomplished. I dont think our goal will ever be met, but we can consider a best-case scenario.

At Thursdays meeting, the board appropriated $100,000 for expenses it might incur in the city's latest battle to get the state and federal government to fix ponding and drainage problems created by the dune building project. Amodeo said it was merely an appropriation for expenses, which could include engineering studies and expert fees should an extended court battle ensue. The board also approved a contract with attorney Jordan M. Rand of Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg, LLP of Philadelphia not to exceed $25,000.

The contractor building the dune across all of Absecon Island, Weeks Marine, Inc. of Cranford excavated several feet of sand to lower the beach and create a drainage basin between the dune and existing bulkhead, which resulted in several feet of water collecting behind the dune rendering much of the beach inaccessible. The area was supposed to percolate within 24-36 hours, but water stagnated as beach access was cut off. As much as 2-feet of water festered for days until Weeks Marine was ordered by the NJ DEP to pump the water into the ocean.

As a precaution and to protect swimmers, Commissioner of Public Safety John Amodeo closed the beach from the citys border with Ventnor at Fredericksburg Avenue to Gladstone Avenue where fetid pools of water were pumped into the ocean. Most of the standing water has been pumped away, but wet spots remain.

Amodeo reopened those beaches for the weekend after all ocean water quality tests proved bacterial levels are in the acceptable range.

We had our beach raker out there and will have all the lifeguard stations manned for the weekend, Amodeo said. Water quality tests show we are in good shape.

The latest results from Atlantic County Water Quality Program, which tests ocean water in three spots in all Atlantic County shore towns every Monday, show water quality in Margate for the week of July 31 was in the excellent range, with a reading of 6. A bacteria count above 104 would require beaches be closed to swimmers.

The beach at Huntington Avenue behind the Margate Library and Bloom Pavilion will remain closed because it is being used as a staging area for Weeks Marines heavy equipment during a 7-day work stoppage period ordered by Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez Thursday afternoon.

There are still workers on site, Amodeo said. If it rains over the weekend, they will have to pump out the water. They own the job and are responsible for everything that happens there until the job is done.

Mendez called the ponding problems that developed behind the newly built dune following a 5-inch rainstorm horrendous, and ordered the parties to meet every day to hammer out a solution before their next court-ordered appearance before Mendez 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11.

He said the city and its residents and businesses are suffering irreparable harm and the situation must be rectified.

The defendants have until noon Wednesday, Aug. 9 to file briefs on short and longterm solutions to all the drainage problems, Mendez said.

The judge is expecting a resolution, Amodeo said. If its not, then he will rule as he sees fit.

Amodeo said the commissioners would discuss a strategy going into negotiations, which could be contentious.

They want us to share costs. We didnt ask for these dunes. It was a state mandate from Gov. Chris Christie. It was forced on us. Why should we have to pay for anything? If its a state mandate, then all expenses should be paid for by the DEP, Amodeo said.

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Margate beaches reopen for the weekend as commissioners go into negotiations with NJ DEP and Army Corps of ... - Shore News Today