Monthly Archives: February 2022

Arkansas Food Hall of Fame winners announced in ceremony at Ron Robinson Theater – Arkansas Times

Posted: February 9, 2022 at 2:04 am

Arkansas Heritages 6th annual Arkansas Food Hall of Fame ceremony was held virtually and in person at Rob Robinson Theater in downtown Little Rock last night. Stacy Hurst, secretary of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, gave the opening remarks and then introduced Governor Asa Hutchinson who appeared in a pre-recorded video announcement, offering praise to the restaurant industry here in Arkansas. Hutchinson introduced local author and food historian Rex Nelson who hosted event, which lasted a little more than an hour.

Nominations were received from all 75 counties in the state.

I gotta tell you, these last six years if they have shown us anything, they have shown us that the people of Arkansas love their local food establishments, they are an important part of our culture and they want to celebrate them and share them with Arkansas, Nelson said.

Aside from the Peoples Choice Award, winners were selected by a committee of Arkansans food authors, historians and chefs. In addition to Hurst, committee members include Paul S. Austin, Jimmy Bryant, Chip Culpepper, Quantia Key Fletcher, Cindy Grisham, Montine McNulty, Rex Nelson, Tim Nutt, Kat Robinson, Stephanie Wade, David Ware and Stanley Young.

Nelson said that almost half of the nominations received were in the Peoples Choice category. To be eligible an establishment has to to be at least a year old and not be part of a chain. The 2022 winner La Casa De Mi Abuelita Maw Maws House food truck was nominated for the first time this year and is the first food truck to claim this award or any award from the Hall of Fame, Nelson said.

There were 86 nominees for the Gone But Not Forgotten category, designed to honor the collective culinary legacy of a once and always influential Arkansas restaurant that has since ceased operations. The Food Hall of Fame Committee narrowed it down to five finalists.

Coys Steak House (Garland County)Cajuns WharfMrs. Millers Chicken and Steak House (Garland County)The Villa Italian RestaurantJames at the Mill (Washington County)

The Food Themed Event must be held annually in Arkansas every year and must have a history dating back at least five years. There were 78 nominees in this category and three finalists selected.

Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry (Yell County)Magnolia Blossom Festival & World Championship Steak Cook-Off (Columbia County)World Championship Duck Gumbo Cook-Off (Arkansas County)

There were 433 nominations for the Proprietor of the Year category and the committee narrowed it down to six.

Jim Keet, JTJ Restaurants (Petit & Keet, Cypress Social, Tazikis)Jamie McAfee, Pine Bluff Country ClubRob Nelson, Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville)Capi Peck and Brent Peterson, TriosDavid Stobaugh, Stobys (Conway)James Woods, Woods Place (Camden)

The Hall of Fame class of 2022 had 15 Finalists and three were inducted. In order to be eligible, restaurants must be owned and operated in Arkansas, cannot be part of a chain and must have been in business for 25 years or more. There were more than 400 nominations.

Baileys Dairy Street (Hot Springs)Brunos Little ItalyThe Bulldog Restaurant (Bald Knob)Colonial Steak House (Pine Bluff)Dairy King (Portia)Daisy Queen (Marshall)Dixie Pig (Blytheville)The Faded RoseHermans Ribhouse (Fayetteville)K. Hall & Sons ProduceKream Kastle (Blytheville)Lindseys Bar-B-Q & Hospitality House (North Little Rock)Neals Cafe (Springdale)The Ohio Club (Hot Springs)Stobys Restaurant (Conway)

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Arkansas Food Hall of Fame winners announced in ceremony at Ron Robinson Theater - Arkansas Times

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Northwest Cedar Hill captures third consecutive district team title – STLtoday.com

Posted: at 2:04 am

WILDWOOD Junior Lily Shaffrey felt the wave of momentum.

The two-time defending district champion, Northwest Cedar Hill trailed in the team standings Monday and was in danger of qualifying only one wrestler to the state tournament.

Northwest won five matches in rapid succession in the blood round, and Shaffrey's victory in her third-place match sewed up the program's third consecutive district championship in the District 1 girls wrestling tournament at Lafayette.

With six state qualifiers, Northwest scored 153 points to edge Lafayette (148.5). Summit (120), Eureka (110) and Sikeston (106) rounded out the top five.

The wave started with senior Anna Haas (159), went to senior Olivia Buckley (174), splashed into senior Madi Stichling (235), traveled to junior Shaffrey (141) and eventually crashed into senior Taylor Accardi (149).

We had some big upsets, and we were screaming and getting fired up. That aura really helped our team, Shaffrey said.

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Northwest is 68-0 in dual meets since the inception of the program four years ago, but that excellence has not yet translated to dominance at the state level. The highest team place at state for Northwest is eighth, and Shaffrey is one of only two state medal winners for the program, third place in 2020.

This group has been with me for four years, and were senior-loaded, so hopefully we can make some noise at state, Northwest coach Ron Wilhelm said.

The top four wrestlers at district qualified for the state meet, scheduled for Feb. 17-19 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

Lafayette placed second and crowned three champions. Senior Seraphina Blackmon avenged a state semifinal loss by defeating Mehlville senior Naida Abdijanovic 4-1 in the 149-pound final. Blackmon was surprised and a little nervous to see Abdijanovic had re-entered her weight class.

I was kind of worried seeing her, but I am very proud of the way I defended everything and how I used my front headlocks. I feel a lot more confident going to state. Im not nervous anymore, Blackmon said.

Three-time defending state champion Faith Cole raised her career record to 114-0, but equally as impressive may be the effect she is having on the younger Lancers, including freshman Hannah Henderson, who won the 100-pound title 3-1 over Festus junior Lee Ann Dobbs.

Faith is amazing, I practice with her, and she helps me out and really helps out every girl on the team, Henderson said.

A different Faith put an end to an undefeated streak.

Fox junior Faith Spicer won a 10-9 decision against Sikeston junior Alayna Ray, a fourth-place state medalist last season who entered the match with an unblemished 16-0 record.

Spicer also made the state tournament last season after a surprising postseason and has used that experience to become a district champion.

I wasnt totally sure of myself last year, but I pushed myself to my limits. Ive really built up my confidence, Spicer said.

Two other undefeated seasons remained pristine.

Parkway West defending state champion Paige Wehrmeister raised her record to 46-0 with a major decision over Parkway South junior Janiah Jones at 135 pounds, while Summit freshman Madeline Haynes upped her record to 42-0 with a shutout of Festus junior Lauren Mills at 130.

Marquette junior Rebecca Strong became her program's first district champion with a 7-0 victory over Sikeston senior Lila Eckert in the 141-pound championship.

Strong joined the Marquette wrestling team for fun as a freshman, but when she decided to take the sport more seriously a year later, the coronavirus pandemic slowed her progress.

We couldnt do any tournaments, I got quarantined two times, so I missed a bunch of practice, but in the summer, I was determined to keep practicing, be as strong as I can and achieve my goals, Strong said.

De Soto sophomore Ella Bradley had pinned every tournament opponent before the title match but entered the third period with Seckman sophomore Destiny Brown in a scoreless tie. After Brown escaped, Bradley pounced for a quick takedown and earned a 4-1 victory.

We worked some re-attacks in practice and I knew what I had to do. I wanted it, and I knew I had it in me, Bradley said.

Webster Groves junior Talia Lee (25-2) qualified for state for the third time with a district title at 125 pounds, Festus senior Kirsten Klein returns for the second time as a district champion at 115 pounds and Lindbergh sophomore state runner-up Audrey Scherer repeated as district champion at 105 pounds.

Other winners included Jackson junior Mallorie Metzger (120), Poplar Bluff freshman Zoe Freeman (174) and North County junior Brooke Bennett (194).

Pacifics Zoe Fisher is hugged by teammate Scarlet Boyer after a consolation semifinal match during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Northwest Cedar-Hill celebrate winning the team title after the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Northwest Cedar-Hill celebrate winning the team title after the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Consolation matches continue during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

McCluers Ahkia Holloway attempts to throw her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Northwest Cedar-Hill coach Ron Wilhelm celebrates with Madi Stichling after a match during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Cape Centrals Laniaa Brown attempts to get a pin during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lafayettes Seraphin Blackmon celebrates after a match during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lafayettes Faith Cole (left) hugs Parkway Wests Paige Wehrmeister after a match during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Parkway Wests Paige Wehrmeister hugs Parkway Souths Janiah Jones after a match during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lafayettes Faith Cole prepares to throw her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lindberghs Audrey Scherer grapples with her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

De Sotos Hannah Eberhardt watches a match during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

De Sotos Hannah Eberhardt gets her arm raised during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Seckmans Shelby Lundstrom gets a pin during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Northwest Cedar Hills Lily Shaffrey scores points against eurekas Faith Ruoff during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

De Sotos Hannah Eberhardt scores points during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

De Sotos Ella Bradley scores a takedown during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Summits Jaylah Walker during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

The Summit coaching staff calls out moves during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Northwest Cedar Hills Abigail Chandler attempts to pin her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lafayettes Hannah Henderson grapples with her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lindberghs Audrey Scherer is congratulated after a match during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lafayettes Faith Cole prepares to throw her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Webster Groves Talia Lee scores points during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Summts Madeline Haynes circles her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Parkway Wests Paige Wehrmeister attempts to score points during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Marquettes Rebecca Strong gets her arm raise during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lafayettes Seraphin Blackmon grapples with her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Seckmans Andrea Karagiannis circles her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Northwest Cedar Hills Madi Stichling hugs her coach Ron Wilhelm during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Northwest Cedar Hills Madi Stichling prepares to throw her opponent during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

Lafayettes Jayla Jones grapples with Eurekas Harper Wood during the District 1 girls wrestling championship on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. Paul Halfacre, STLhighschoolsports.com

STLHighSchoolSports.com is the most comprehensive source of stats, scores and stories from any and all area high schools.

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Northwest Cedar Hill captures third consecutive district team title - STLtoday.com

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Washington, DC Shut Down This Restaurant Over Vaccine Passports. I Showed Up to Protest Along with Senator Rand Paul | Hannah Cox – Foundation for…

Posted: at 2:04 am

I arrived in Washington, DC early this week to provide testimony before the US Senate. Over two years into the pandemic, the city still feels muted. Theres fewer people, less noise, and more parking. There are also more tents littering the city streets as the city faces a growing homelessness epidemic and rising violent crime.

But is the government solving these problems? No. It has bigger fish to fry. Namely, local businesses like the restaurant and bar Big Board.

Big Board, which is owned by a veteran, was stripped of its liquor license and then shut down by the city this week. Why? They were busted for not making their employees wear masks and for refusing to enforce the citys absurd vaccine passport mandate.

Some people werent having it, including Senator Rand Paul and Representative Thomas Massie who showed up to protest.

I dropped by to protest as well and was thrilled to see the place was packed with people refusing to bow to the governments gross infringement on citizens basic rights.

Its time for mass, peaceful noncompliance. When one restaurant stands up, its easy for the government to go after them. But if ten, fifteen, fifty did this the laws would quickly be overturned. Lets expose these lawmakers as the bullies they are and refuse to cooperate with their silly laws and regulations.

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Washington, DC Shut Down This Restaurant Over Vaccine Passports. I Showed Up to Protest Along with Senator Rand Paul | Hannah Cox - Foundation for...

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Online Casino Strategies that can help you make money – nativenewsonline.net

Posted: at 2:03 am

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Casino customers approach gambling in different ways. Some throw caution to the wind and whatever happens is all taken in their stride. Most others are more methodical and careful when it comes to online casino betting. These types of gamblers are also known as strategists, they approach gambling in a meticulously thought-out manner.

This involves the careful consideration of the odds for and against them winning and patterns in certain games are also studied in great detail. However, strategies only really work on certain casino games as most gambling games produce random results and this makes applying strategies more difficult when you play online casino.

You can apply strategies to sports betting such as horse racing far easier than other casino products. This is because you can study the form of the horses, the handicap weight allocations, the distance of the race, and the breeding of each animal, in fine detail. When it comes to games like Blackjack and Poker, you can apply strategy to your gameplay here as well. Video Poker makes things a little harder than face-to-face live Poker at a table. Here you can use psychology and other strategies to outmanoeuvre your opponents, giving you a better chance of walking off with the entire prize fund.

When it comes to table games, Blackjack has the smallest house edge of all casino games, this means that punters stand more of a chance of winning on this than any other games. Choosing a gambling game with the smallest house edge is a strategy within itself.

Some individuals have been accused of counting cards when winning at Blackjack. However, if you have no card counting devices on you and you're not part of an organized card counting gang, then if you are naturally gifted at keeping track of the cards being dealt during a round of Blackjack, this strategy cannot be deemed as being unlawful, whether it is at a land-based casino or an online live casino setting. Therefore, the casino must pay you your winnings.

Slot games are the most popular form of gambling and this is despite them having the highest house edge of any casino game. They are also incredibly hard to apply a winning strategy to because all the results from each spin are created by a Random Number Generator. With randomness at the very heart of all slot spin results, strategies may seem useless. However, there are still some things gamblers can do to increase the odds of then making money on slot machines at online casinos.

The most common and most popular strategy with slot players is to choose games that have a high RTP score. This is also known as the Return to Player percentage. In simple terms, games with an RTP score of over 96%, tend to be more generous with returning winning spins to customers, and this makes them a far better proposition for winning money than their low RTP scoring counterparts. High RTP games also come with a low volatility setting and playing games that are not highly volatile in nature, can also help you make money at online casinos.

DISCLAIMER: Branded Voices features paid content from our marketing partners. Articles are not created by Native News Online staff. The views and opinions expressed in the Branded Voices are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Native News Online or its ownership. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

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Online Casino Strategies that can help you make money - nativenewsonline.net

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Some of the Best Developers Work in Gaming – nativenewsonline.net

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The gaming industry features some of the best software developers around. These developers are behind the table games, immersive slots, and live dealer games you play at your favourite online casino. Currently, these developers are working on making games more immersive by incorporating the latest technology, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

While online casinos like Casino Dreamz.com continue to thrive, the developers responsible for their success rarely get a mention. Seen as they're the ones who create the diversity of games and fantastic casino technology we see today, thats hardly fair. Here are the top five casino developers working right now that you should know.

One of the more innovative developers in the industry, NetEnt has been around since 1996. It largely focuses its efforts on slots, and for the two and a half decades its been in business, the company has revolutionised the entire online casino industry. Known as a leader in casino games development, NetEnt is a respected company around the world. Their games, which are aimed at both new and experienced players, use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure they provide excitement to players.

The Swedish developer launched onto the scene in 2006. A designer of some of the best online gaming solutions around, Evolution is mainly known for its live casino games. Working with both small and large operators, the developer helps its clients with integration and even provides free consultation. Perhaps the best thing about Evolution is that it provides simple gameplay and instructions that gamers can pick up within a few minutes.

Another developer thats been around since the 90s, the developer with its headquarters based in the Isle of Man started out in 1999. The versatile Playtech has since launched a wide range of products. The developer is regarded as being one of the largest casino software providers in the world with a long list of casinos using its products. With around 170 licenses to provide its authenticity, including UKGC and MGA licenses, Playtech is authorised to operate in over 30 jurisdictions. It also employees more than 6,000 staff to ensure it can continue to deliver amazing service. Casino developers need staff in several different areas. As long as you get a decent education or training and there are opportunities for Native Americans to do that it's possible to secure a career working for a casino game developer.

Another old-timer thats been around since 1998, RealTime Gaming offers an amazing gaming catalogue. The developer works with some superstar individuals to design and create some of the most exciting products in the industry. With an emphasis on the U.S. market, Realtime works with a skilled and passionate workforce that makes the most out of the companys hi-tech equipment. In fact, Realtime has come up with several innovations over the years, completely transforming the industry in the process. Its adaptable products can be played on different devices, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. Not only that, but their games' responsive controls and captivating themes make for some truly effortless game operation.

Were going way back with this one, as IGT got started all the way back in 1990. The companys intention was to produce the very best online casino solutions around, and since then has provided the industry with some great slots and gaming technology. By 2015, the company has over 12,000 staff around the world, with a huge number of amazing games in its catalogue. IGT's games are easy to both launch and operate, and every one of their products has been engineered by skilled developers using state-of-the-art technology.

DISCLAIMER: Branded Voices features paid content from our marketing partners. Articles are not created by Native News Online staff. The views and opinions expressed in the Branded Voices are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Native News Online or its ownership. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

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Some of the Best Developers Work in Gaming - nativenewsonline.net

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Casino Guru launches News website to expand coverage of the gambling industry – PRNewswire

Posted: at 2:03 am

Casino Guru began as a means to offer expert information for the online gaming community. The lack of a reliable source for verifying operators and industry players served as the foundation for the platform's launch. Casino Guru has expanded its scope to encompass more educational and responsible gambling initiatives. It's in the process of developing a global self-exclusion platform, which would be the first in the industry. Casino Guru was also an early adopter of a global complaints system for users. The latter gives anyone the ability to lodge an official complaint against a gaming platform, with Casino Guru's experts doing everything they can to help get the issue resolved fairly.

The inclusion of Casino Guru News is a logical progression of the site's umbrella coverage of the casino industry. Topics cover the gambit of everything relevant to global gaming. Responsible gambling, new regulations, mergers and acquisitions, innovation and much more. The goal is to enhance the user experience and ensure industry insiders and players can stay abreast of the changing industry. This is delivered in the same location where they can learn everything they need to know about the good, the bad and the ugly of iGaming operators.

A team of writers has been hand-picked to cultivate the news content. They are guided by Casino Guru News' chief editor, Erik Gibbs, who has extensive experience as a journalist and analyst in the industry. Following his lead, the writers produce content that's both informative and entertaining. The coverage is also designed to be thought-provoking and, on occasion, may even be a little controversial.

Gibbs stated, "Casino Guru News is a wonderful addition to the portfolio of services Casino Guru provides to the gambling industry. With so much happening in the space, there's always some exciting twist, and I'm thrilled to be part of the team."

Daniela Kianicov[emailprotected]

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Casino Guru launches News website to expand coverage of the gambling industry - PRNewswire

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Italy Faces Reduction in Betting Shops, Arcades, Bingo Halls Through Gambling… – Casino.Org News

Posted: at 2:02 am

Posted on: February 8, 2022, 10:19h.

Last updated on: February 8, 2022, 11:37h.

Efforts to jumpstart gambling reforms in Italy are getting a boost. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance is taking over, ready to start an overhaul.

Italy has been working on methods of updating its gambling laws for years. It has made small steps here and there, but talk of a major reform never gained traction. Late last year, it seemed as though something was about to be done. But then everyone went silent. The countrys Ministry of the Economy and Finance (MEF) wants to change that.

Growing a little impatient with the lack of progress, the MEF has grabbed the bull by the horns. It is launching a reorganization plan that, if approved, it says will lead to significant changes in market safeguards.

The new Budget Law for 2022 should have included gambling reforms, according to several lawmakers. However, with gambling absent from the new framework, any changes to the market wouldnt likely occur until 2023.

The only real recent measure to advance gambling laws in the country was last November. The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM, for its Italian acronym) turned on a new tracking app to help reduce black market operations.

That didnt go far enough, though. There has been a call for the number of betting shops and bingo parlors to be reduced, with some wanting a 50% reduction. The ADM and the MEF both want this to happen. At the very least, the shops will only operate in designated and controlled areas.

The MEF has presented a draft measure that would facilitate this change. Its part of a larger territorial reorganization plan that will upend the current land-based gaming operations. That is part of the reason for the continued delays, as industry supports clap back at the changes.

In addition to becoming proactive on the shutdown of certain gambling operations, the MEF has a few other changes in mind. It wants to launch a new central database for players that all operators land-based and online would have to adopt. The database is a complete registry of players that could also be used to facilitate self-exclusion selections.

Through the system, retail operators would receive identification verification measures to ensure gamblers are free to access properties, whether retail or online. The system would also provide a mechanism for certifying individual devices for online gambling. How this would work is still under wraps.

More efforts to target black market operations will arrive through the MEFs policies. Increased powers would be given to a number of law enforcement and other agencies in order to make it easier to track activity. The Ministry also wants to increase the penalties for those platforms that offer their services without a license.

Provided there is enough support for the reforms, the MEF contends that the policies can become active in no more than 18 months, possibly sooner. The Parliament can handle approvals through one or two legislative decrees, it asserts.

Eighteen months is a long time, and its even longer considering the state of gaming concessions in Italy. Existing concessions are running out of time, with extensions provided last year about to expire.

Federico Freni, the Treasury undersecretary, has asserted that there wont be new concessions without reform. Given that some licenses expire this June those for gaming machines and certain betting activities the MEF plan doesnt provide an adequate solution. However, Freni has also said that additional extensions are possible.

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Italy Faces Reduction in Betting Shops, Arcades, Bingo Halls Through Gambling... - Casino.Org News

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RUSH STREET INTERACTIVE’S BETRIVERS SPORTSBOOK IS THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE NBA’S NEW ORLEANS PELICANS – PRNewswire

Posted: at 2:02 am

CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rush Street Interactive, Inc. (NYSE: RSI) ("RSI"), a leading online sports betting and casino company in the United States, today announced that its award-winning BetRivers Sportsbook is an official partner of the New Orleans Pelicans.

To demonstrate RSI's support for Louisiana's NBA team, BetRivers signage appears throughout the Smoothie King Center including the front row of courtside seats. The exclusive Chairman's Club, for courtside ticket holders, has been rebranded to become the BetRivers Chairman Lounge and updated with live odds boards.

"The Pelicans partnership and BetRivers Chairman Lounge is an RSI investment to enhance fans' watching and wagering experiences inside the Smoothie King Center, as well as emphasize our commitment to Louisiana sports throughout the state," said Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of RSI. "We are thrilled to have our BetRivers sportsbook in the Bayou State and are proud to be the official partner of the New Orleans Pelicans, with its core of young, talented players and exciting future."

"New Orleans and Louisiana are home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the country, and it was important for us to partner with an online sportsbook such as BetRivers that delivers the high-quality experience that these fans expect and deserve," said Dennis Lauscha, president of the New Orleans Pelicans. "We appreciate the support of RSI and BetRivers and look forward to their increased presence in the Smoothie King Center."

BetRivers is also pleased to welcome to its family of sportsbook Brand Ambassadors two Louisiana natives: former NFL wide receiver and winner of two Super Bowls, Brandon Stokley, and Louisiana media veteran, Jimmy Ott.

Stokley, who hails from Lafayette, Louisiana, brings with him a wealth of NFL and College football knowledge. The former wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Giants provides football analysis and betting content to the BetRivers sports betting fans. The former four year letterman for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin' Cajun football team currently hosts a daily three-hour sports radio show in Denver.

Ott is an LSU Alumnus and has been a Baton Rouge sports radio and television personality since 1990. He currently hosts Jimmy Ott's Gametime presented by BetRivers on ESPN Radio Baton Rouge. Ott provides handicapping content to football fans.

"We are excited to establish such strong local partnerships in Louisiana," said Schwartz. "We have a commitment to our sports betting enthusiasts to provide hometown sportsbooks with valuable and entertaining analysis from talent known locally, and we will continue to do that by building partnerships within each market where we have online sportsbooks."

As of this past Friday, January 28th, sports fans aged 21 and over can now register and bet at BetRivers Sportsbook in Louisiana. RSI is offering a $250 first deposit match bonus to all new customers.

About RSI

RSI is a trusted online gaming and sports entertainment company focused on regulated markets in the United States and Latin America. Through its brands,BetRivers.comandPlaySugarHouse.com, RSI was an early entrant in many regulated jurisdictions and is currently live with real-money mobile, online operations in thirteen U.S. states: Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, Colorado, Iowa, West Virginia, Arizona and Louisiana. RSI is also active internationally, having been recognized as Sportsbook Operator of the Year at the SBC Latinoamrica Awards 2021, where it offers its online casino and sportsbook in the regulated gaming market of Colombia on RushBet.co. RSI offers, through its proprietary online gaming platform, some of the most popular online casino games and sports betting options in the United States. Founded in 2012 in Chicago by gaming industry veterans, RSI was named the 2020 Global Gaming Awards Digital Operator of the Year and the 2021 EGR North America Awards Casino Operator of the Year, Customer Services Operator of the Year and Social Gaming Operator of the Year. RSI is committed to industry-leading responsible gaming practices and seeks to provide its customers with the resources and services they need to play responsibly. For more information, visitwww.rushstreetinteractive.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. RSI's actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, RSI's expectations about its arrangements with the New Orleans Pelicans, Brian Stokley and Jimmy Ott, what RSI's anticipated offerings and benefits arising from those arrangements will include and its future performance with respect to those arrangements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside RSI's control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, changes in applicable laws or regulations, unanticipated product or service delays, and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in RSI's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including those under "Risk Factors" therein, and in RSI's other filings with the SEC. RSI cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. RSI cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. RSI does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

SOURCE Rush Street Interactive

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RUSH STREET INTERACTIVE'S BETRIVERS SPORTSBOOK IS THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE NBA'S NEW ORLEANS PELICANS - PRNewswire

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‘Sister Wives’ Season 16 One On One Part 2 Recap-Feb. 6 – TV Shows Ace

Posted: at 2:01 am

Last week on part one of Sister Wives: One on One, Kodys relationship with Meri was addressed. It was revealed that she is staying for family. Though they have not been intimate in a decade, she still has hopes they can be one again. However, his trust is completely gone in Meri but Kody says he will take care of her forever. Meri opened up about Janelle and Christine having come in as wives. She admitted she was jealous and who she was most jealous of. The catfishing incident was revisited and this week, Robyn discusses being a target. Kody also opens up about his relationship with his sons after the pandemic.

Sukanya Krishnan is back with the wives and Kody to discuss the pandemic rules Kody had set forth. They show Christines initial reaction to discovering that Robyn and Kody had a nanny. She wanted to know what exactly did the nanny do that enabled her to be allowed in their home. To be clear, this was spawned because Ysabel wanted to see her siblings and couldnt. Yet an outside nanny was welcomed. Christine felt like she was untrusted when she had been fully transparent with her daily operations.

Sukanya asks Robyn why the nanny rules were not out sooner. She claims she asked sooner but Kody was very grumpy. He also claimed no one would have followed the rules, especially the kids. Christine said she did not care to get back together with everyone. However, she knew her kids did so she would do whatever it took. Kody would come by for a few hours every week. It was not enough so they would go out of town where they were filled with love. In Kodys mind, he had two households that would not abide by his rules.

In Robyns home, everyone, including the nanny complied. The other wives chose their children and wanted to protect them. Kody still maintains the wives should have not protected their kids 18+. Janelle did feel she had to choose and did not want to force them out into the world during a pandemic. Whats going on with Kody, Gabe, and Garrison?

He is currently not speaking to Gabe and Garrison. They speak occasionally but that is it. Kody feels he was severely disrespected by his sons. They should have moved out in order for him to move back in. Admittedly, Kody thinks they all need therapy. In Janelles opinion, the boys dont necessarily feel they want to give respect to their dad. It is not owed and it is a two-way street. Kody also did not always trust Gabe and Garrison when they said they were following the rules. The truth is they would say they were following his rules when they were in fact lying. They have since moved out.

Janelle admits several of Kodys kids are at odds with him over his pandemic rules. He does want his kids around him, but he does not believe they respect his leadership. It now circles back to everyone getting the rules so they can gather for the holidays 2020. Christine and Janelle decided to go to Utah for Thanksgiving instead. Kody claims he did not know how he felt. Christine thinks Kody was sad and frustrated at the moment. Meri was frustrated because she had been asking for it.

Janelle says the rules came out ten days to two weeks prior to the holiday and her boys said they were not doing it. Sukanya asks why Kody did not follow Janelle when she got up and angrily left. She was so mad because she felt Kody did not trust her. Yet, Kody felt there was no loyalty on her behalf so he was not about to chase her.

Kody says Janelle was passive with the boys whereas Christine was just moving out. He proceeds to call them jackwagons. Circling back to Thanksgiving, Christine had other kids she needed to see and that was all she cared about. In regards to her relationship with Janelle, they made it no secret that they hung out during the pandemic. Christine chose Janelle over Kody because they just had a special relationship. Kody equated them to a clique and his negativity was making Janelle crazy.

Janelle admitted she went where she and her family were wanted. Everyone was welcomed but they did not want to be there because Janelle and Christine were not compliant. Initially, they did not get along because Janelle thought Christine was a princess. She was a buffer for Janelle and Meri though because it was no longer Meri against Janelle which was great. Sukanya asks Christine if there are parallels between Janelle and Kodys marriage if she is happy with Kody.

Christine asked Janelle if she will stay and she said he is a great dad and has no plans on leaving. Kody says they are not in sync and they do not partner well. They are good friends and get along well, it is a committed relationship. Is he in love with Janelle? Admittedly, neither one of them would say they were if they were being honest. Janelle says they are best friends.

Asking if they are intimate, Janelle claims they are fine and leaves it at that. Christine claims she does not think Janelle needs him to fill her tank. She is a strong woman and needs things different than Christine does. Christine needs to be intimate with her husband. Seemingly, that is not important for Janelle. Onto Christine being a basement wife. This is something she addressed over the past two seasons. She lived downstairs in their polygamy home in Utah while raising their kids.

Christine put everyone first and when she took it up with Kody, he said she was breaking the agreement. Apparently, she never brought it up to anyone but Kody. Robyn admits she and her kids have never fully felt accepted by Janelle, Christine, and their kids. Kody claims Robyn has picked up the slack for where Christine has shrugged. However, Christine was the one who did so much for about ten years. She did not just immediately drop off.

Robyn claims her youngest does not remember the names of her siblings and adds she is an easy target. Mainly because she gets along with Kody. When she joined the family, she told her kids they would accept the other wives as mothers. They would also follow all of the rules and such.

Robyn says it is hard to get phone calls from the kids blaming her for the rules. She would help the kids be with their father or do what they needed any time. Then she claims she has never cried so much in an interview before. In her life, she has never felt so much unsafe space as she has this past year. Aside from Meri, Kody does not think the other women would want to be Robyns friend. Robyn actually called Janelle and asked if they could develop a good sister wife relationship. She said she would have to think about that.

Janelle admits she felt she was put on the spot. With Christine, it was just natural as they were raising kids together. Admittedly, she is the only one having a fully functioning relationship with Kody. That cannot be easy for the other wives to watch. Robyn keeps breaking down and wonders how she will get through this interview. As for Christine, Robyn has always wanted her and Kodys relationship to be strong. She wishes Christine had kept trying and claims they are divorced.

Robyn says they are not because the marriage was done by their church officials and it has not been properly granted. According to Christine, she left that church a long time ago and God is fine if she just wants to be happy. Kody says she is free of that yolk of bondage and Christine maintains they are divorced.

Next week on part three of Sister Wives: One on One, Kody admits he is questioning his own polygamy as is Janelle and Meri. Kody finally watches the footage of Christine choosing to say goodbye to him as the divorce fully comes to light. Watch it Sunday on TLC.

Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade. She holds a BA in politics and an MA in Communications. Her passions include music, animals, Disney, iced coffee, summer, and bad reality TV, especially Housewives and Vanderpump Rules.

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'Sister Wives' Season 16 One On One Part 2 Recap-Feb. 6 - TV Shows Ace

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Happy birthday to the great Ayn Rand – Press-Enterprise

Posted: at 2:00 am

Today marks the birthdate of one Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum, best known to the world as Ayn Rand.

Rand was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905, witnessing the tremendous upheaval caused by war and communist revolution firsthand,

In 1926, she immigrated to the United States and pursued the classic American dream of becoming a screenwriter in Hollywood. Though she had limited success on the film and theatrical scene, she found her calling as a novelist.

In her early novels like We The Living, Anthem and The Fountainhead, she explored themes that would come to define her: the tyranny of the state against the individual, the menace of collectivistic philosophies and the will of individuals to triumph over oppression.

Her magnum opus Atlas Shrugged was published in 1957. The more than 1,000-page book tells the story of heroic, productive individuals and entrepreneurs suppressed by meddling bureaucrats. It was through this novel that Rand extensively spelled out her core philosophy celebrating rational self-interest, reason and individualism.

Its an approach perhaps best summarized by a key line in the novel, I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.

Atlas Shrugged would go on to become an international success and a major influence on free market-minded conservatives and libertarians.

Until her death in 1982, Rand continued to write and appear on television programs valiantly defending individualism and capitalism, which she understood was essential to freeing individuals to put their creative energies to use.

Capitalism was the only system in history where wealth was not acquired by looting, but by production, not by force, but by trade, the only system that stood for mans right to his own mind, to his work, to his life, to his happiness, to himself, she wrote in Capitalism: The New Ideal.

While Rand is certainly a polarizing figure, with collectivistic progressives who usually havent read a single page of her work seemingly the most bothered by her, Rands personal story and extensive intellectual contributions to the cause of liberty are worthy of respect and critical engagement.

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Happy birthday to the great Ayn Rand - Press-Enterprise

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