Monthly Archives: May 2023

Opinion | ‘America First’ reasons why the U.S. should support Ukraine – The Washington Post

Posted: May 31, 2023 at 7:52 pm

Russian adventurism is a drain on U.S. resources. By decimating the Russian military threat, Ukraine is reducing the amount of money the United States will have to spend defending Europe without risking American lives to do it.

Russia might never regain the strength it has spent against Ukraine. Its military has suffered more combat deaths in Ukraine than in all of its wars since World War II combined. Russia has lost about 2,000 tanks more than half its operational fleet plus thousands of other pieces of military equipment, including combat aircraft, combat vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, radar and antiaircraft systems, and at least 18 Navy ships. The British defense ministry estimates that 97 percent of the Russian army is now committed to Ukraine. For every Russian tank, plane and infantry division the Ukrainians eliminate, the United States will have to spend that much less to deter Russian aggression in the decades to come.

The impact will go beyond Europe. During the Obama administration, Russia intervened militarily in Syria on behalf of Iran and the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Today, the war in Ukraine has flipped the script: Russia has been forced to reduce its presence in Syria and redeploy critical military hardware to Ukraine. And instead of Russia helping Iran, Iran is now shoring up Russia with weapons, including military drones.

Vanquishing Russia in Ukraine will produce a Russian defeat dividend, allowing the United States to redeploy resources from Europe to the Pacific theater to counter China. A Ukrainian victory will also create conditions of peace and stability in Europe that will expand trade and investment with our largest trading partners. Over time, it will allow the United States to supplant Russia as the primary energy supplier to Europe. The financial benefits to Americans will be enormous.

On the other hand, for the United States, the costs of a Russian victory in Ukraine would be astronomical. After absorbing Ukraine, Putin would likely absorb Belarus in a Russia-Ukraine-Belarus confederation, former national security advisor Stephen Hadley tells me. This new Russian empire would threaten the borders of Romania, Slovakia and Poland. Putin would likely move against Moldova, the Baltic states, and maybe even Poland, Hadley says, perhaps setting his sights on establishing a land bridge across NATO territory to the isolated Russian Baltic region of Kaliningrad. The Black Sea would essentially become a Russian lake, allowing Putin to threaten southern Europe.

This new map would require the deployment of more U.S. troops to Europe, and massive increases in overall U.S. defense spending because the United States would now have to defend Europe from a growing Russian threat while also preparing to defend its partners, allies and its own territory in the Pacific from Chinese aggression. In other words, arming Ukraine is a bargain compared with the alternative.

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Opinion | 'America First' reasons why the U.S. should support Ukraine - The Washington Post

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How to terraform Mars, without nukes, on a budget – Freethink

Posted: at 7:51 pm

If humanity is going to colonize other planets, we probably have to start with Mars. But the North Pole is balmy by comparison with the Red Planet, and the surface of Mars makes Earths radioactive Lake Karachay look like a country spa. The solution, some futurologists and scientists believe, is to terraform Mars transform the planet until it is more capable of supporting human life.

Its a mammoth task. Mars is lethal in multiple ways. If you were to be teleported this moment to Mars, in the clothes youre wearing now, the gas in your bloodstream would turn into bubbles. Like a shaken can of Coke, you would fizz to death. If somehow you avoided that, you would soon die of oxygen deprivation, cold exposure, or radiation poisoning.

Ultimately, a terraformed Mars would need a strengthened magnetosphere the protective magnetic layer that shields Earth from the Suns ultraviolet radiation and a thicker atmosphere. That atmosphere is currently almost entirely composed of carbon dioxide, with negligible amounts of oxygen. The planet would also need to be much warmer; its surface temperature is, on average, -81 degrees Fahrenheit.

If we managed to warm the planet up, wed release frozen CO2 reserves at the planets polar caps and elsewhere. That would help thicken the atmosphere, making it possible for water, rather than ice, to exist on the surface conditions that would make it easier to introduce plants, which produce oxygen. But how would we even start that warming process?

Musk proposes a continuous stream of very low fallout nuclear fusion explosions above Mars.

Elon Musk has repeatedly suggested that we nuke Mars. Wed do this, he suggests, by creating a continuous stream of very low fallout nuclear fusion explosions above the atmosphere to create artificial suns. This could warm the planet, melt the frozen CO2 ice caps, and thicken the atmosphere, causing even more warming. Even if there were enough frozen CO2 to melt, this strategy would involve an almost infeasible number of nuclear weapons.

There are other proposed strategies for Martian global warming, such as the diversion of asteroids into the poles, and the production, on a massive scale, of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) potent greenhouse gasses that are horrible for Earths ozone layer but which would help heat Mars. Another idea involves the creation of a huge space mirror as large as the side of Mars, reflecting vast amounts of additional sunlight onto the Red Planet.

These proposals involve huge costs and inventing new technologies.

These proposals would require huge costs and significant upgrades in human technological capabilities. Is there a cheaper, easier way of beginning the terraforming process? Casey Handmer thinks so.

Handmer, formerly of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is now the founder of a startup that seeks to create carbon-negative natural gas by sucking CO2 out of Earths atmosphere. He also publishes a space blog, where he outlined a proposal that he argues could, at the modest cost of $10 billion, make significant progress towards terraforming Mars.

Speaking to Freethink, Handmer explained his idea: mass producing small solar sails. Solar sails are an existing (albeit nascent) technology; they use the Suns light to propel themselves just as a ship sail uses wind.

The sail devices would be launched up into low Earth orbit, and would then fly themselves to Mars. There they would reflect sunlight onto the night side of the planet. A decade of these launches could, according to Handmers calculations, result in a 1% temperature increase.

You could mass-produce relatively inexpensive solar sails using cell phones supply chain.

It seemed to me that you could mass-produce relatively inexpensive solar sails using cell phones supply chain, he argues. We produce hundreds of millions of them per year.

Why cell phone factories? These solar sails, he writes, would, like phones, need a processor, a camera (for navigation), and the ability to transmit data. In harnessing cell phone electronics, they would resemble Nasas existing PhoneSat project, which takes the form of small satellites that use cell phone technology.

The sails would also need an LCD panel to steer the sail by shining light into it, as well as a solar photovoltaic cell to power it. And, of course, each of these devices would require the sail itself: a thin space blanket that would weigh a kilogram and would, when unfurled, span about the size of two basketball courts.

Building these devices on Earth sidesteps the multiple engineering challenges that would affect manufacturing on Mars. If you can solve the problem on Earth, you should solve the problem on Mars, says Handmer.

Starship would be more than capable of launching essentially arbitrary quantities of these

Aside from taking advantage of the modern worlds efficient cell phone industry, Handmers proposal relies on the tumbling cost of bringing cargo into space. A launch vehicle like Falcon Nine, Falcon Heavy or Starship would be more than capable of launching essentially arbitrary quantities of these (solar sail devices) into higher ends of low Earth orbit, he says.

Would this plan enable us to terraform Mars, to a significant extent, within our lifetimes? Handmer says, The short answer is No. I think if you put enough money into solar sails, you can make it warm and possibly wet.

Quite aside from the feasibility of such a massive project, any terraforming plan opens a host of thorny ethical questions. Who gets to decide whether to do it, or how? Who counts as a stakeholder? What if theres indigenous microbial life that the terraforming activities would disturb or kill? Handmer, however, sees terraforming as a mission whose importance outweighs other considerations.

I think its pure upside to expand the scope of our ambition, of what we are prepared to achieve, and basically leave a more expanded range of human experiences and possibilities for our descendants, rather than for example, saying, Well, we could, but we wont, so f it, and then, in three generations or so, losing that ability, or forgetting how to do it. That would be pretty dismal, I think.

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How to terraform Mars, without nukes, on a budget - Freethink

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Experience the future of sci-fi strategy gaming: ‘Space Gears … – msnNOW

Posted: at 7:51 pm

Provided by We Got This Covered

This article is sponsored by 2bytes.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA May 31, 2023 Pentapeak Studios, the game development subsidiary of 2bytes Corp., is excited to unveil its upcoming title, Space Gears, a next-generation sci-fi strategy game. Space Gears is the collective effort of South Korean developers with a passion for sci-fi and RTS games. The game is set to shake up the gaming world with its unique blend of RTS and MOBA elements, intense battles, and intricate mech designs. The developers aim to bring a fresh take to strategy gaming that isnt confined by the traditional RTS label.

Space Gears is set in the 22nd century, where players are tasked with terraforming Mars amidst a backdrop of competition for Martian resources. Players take on the role of pioneers and commanders, mining resources, conducting research, and assembling powerful mechs. With the unique blend of RTS and MOBA gameplay elements, the game creates a dynamic battlefield that promises to offer players an engaging and immersive experience.

The gameplay involves intense, action-packed battles that echo the endgame fights of classic RTS titles. Each mech in the game boasts intricate and visually stunning designs, created by a dedicated team of artists from across the globe. Players will also get to engage in terraforming missions, real-time battles, and build their Mars bases, adding further depth to the gameplay.

Executive producer of Pentapeak Studios In-won Lee recently shared his excitement about the project, saying, After a year of development, we are thrilled to bring Space Gears to strategy fans around the world.

To ensure the highest quality gameplay, Space Gears is developed with the Unity 2022 (HDRP) engine, producing stunning graphics for the Martian environment, bases, and mechs. It is not only a game for fans of RTS, strategy, battle, and sci-fi games, but its also being developed as an original IP. With the global playtest and Steam Next Fest, the team at 2bytes Corp. aims to build awareness and attract players to Wishlist and play Space Gears during these events.

Space Gears is a reflection of Pentapeak Studios mission to develop and present games of complex genres that havent been attempted in Korea in recent years, targeting the global game market. The game is slated to hold a global playtest from June 2 to June 5, 2023, participate in Steam Next Fest in June, and offer Early Access on Steam during Q3 this year.

For more information about Space Gears and its upcoming events, check it out on Steam, Twitter, YouTube, Discord, and the official website.

2bytes is a global game services startup founded by seasoned industry professionals with a track record of launching successful PC and mobile games worldwide. The company has become a reliable partner for game developers and publishers, offering a range of services such as localization, QA, game operations, community management, and voiceovers.

Pentapeak Studios was founded by 2bytes to develop new in-house titles. The studio is manned by industry veterans of South Korean game developers including Nexon, NCsoft, and WeMade, among others. Pentapeak Studios currently has two titles under development: Stellar Tales, a meta, match-3 puzzle game, and Space Gears.

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PRCC’s Cooper Cooksey and Logan Walters named All-Region 23 … – Picayune Item

Posted: at 7:51 pm

Published 11:56 am Wednesday, May 31, 2023

POPLARVILLE, Miss. One week after being named First Team All-MACCC, Pearl River baseballsCooper Cooksey(Waveland; Bay) andLogan Walters(Petal) have been named to the All-Region 23 squad.

COOPER COOKSEY A South Alabama signee, Cooksey turned in a 2023 campaign for the ages. He finished the season with a 9-1 record on the mound and tossed a team-high 68 1/3 innings. He tallied 64 strikeouts against just 29 walks. Cookseys 1.32 ERA set the school record for pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched, topping the previous mark of 1.84 set in 2005.

What an incredible year for Coop, Pearl River coach Michael Avalon said. After the injury coming out of high school, his determination and work ethic allowed him to perform at an unbelievable level with the lowest ERA in one of the most offensive conferences in the country.

LOGAN WALTERS Walters was remarkable in his redshirt sophomore season. The left fielder was a force in the middle of the Wildcat lineup, ending the year with a .354 batting average, a .464 on-base percentage and a .574 slugging percentage. He was an RBI machine, finishing the year with a team-leading 65. Walters also tacked on 20 doubles, 12 homers and two triples. He racked up 70 hits which were the second most on the team. The right-handed hitter also drew 28 walks and stole nine bags.

Were so proud of Logan and his patience on focus on working to become the best player he could, Avalon said. He waited his turn and then made a huge impact. Its awesome to see this recognition for our captain and his family.

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).

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These Mississippi Coast water parks are open for summer 2023. Heres the list. – Yahoo News

Posted: at 7:51 pm

Summer 2023 is almost here, but water parks and community splash pads open on or before Memorial Day to kick off family fun across the Mississippi Coast.

There are water parks in Waveland, Gulfport and Wiggins. All of them are popular with locals and tourists, as they are a quick drive from Hattiesburg, New Orleans, Mobile and the Louisiana Northshore.

Heres a list of Mississippi Coast water parks open for the 2023 season and all of the details, including amenities and cost:

This water park is right off Interstate 10 in the largest city on the Coast and has slides, kid pools and a lazy river for floating. They also host events all summer long. Adjacent to the water park is Zip N Fun Adventure Park, with ropes courses and ziplines for adults and children.

Pricing: Season passes cost $64.99 per person and get you unlimited access to the water park. Daily tickets for people over 42 inches in height are $46.99, and its $29.00 for anyone under 42 inches tall. You can also buy tickets online and reserve your date for a discount.

Hours and availability: Gulf Islands is open from 10a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through July 31. The park is open weekends in August (Saturdays until 6 p.m. and Sundays until 5 p.m.) and closes Sept. 3. Check the Gulf Island online calendar for more times and additional information.

Address: 17200 16th St., Gulfport

Phone: 228-328-1266

Known by locals as the Wave Pool, Buccaneer Bay was rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina and has views of the Waveland beach. Its open to the public but is also part of Buccaneer Bay camp ground, so you can plan a weekend trip to enjoy this water park thats about 45 minutes away from New Orleans.

The parks wave pool can generate eight wave patterns, from deep ocean swells to body surfing waves. Ride six-foot waves on an innertube at Pirates Lagoon wave pool, or speed down one of the waterslides. Lil Smugglers Cove kiddie pool is for young children.

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Buccaneer Bay added new attractions for summer 2023, including three new waterslides and a climbing tower and pirate ship.

Pricing: A ticket for someone over 4 feet tall is $19; tickets for those under 4 feet tall are $13 each. Twilight passes (from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) are available at a discounted rate. Group and season passes are available at the water park.

Hours and availability: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labor Day

Address: 1150 South Beach Boulevard, Waveland

Phone: 228-467-3822

Flint Creek Water Park is on a campground in Wiggins, about 35 minutes north of Gulfport. The water park, known as Watertown USA, is open to the public and has waterslides and tube rides using water from the lake. The 650-acre lake is popular for swimming, boating and water skiing.

Pricing: General access is $12. Observers and children 3 and under get access for $3.

Hours and availability: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: 1216 Parkway Drive, Wiggins

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These Mississippi Coast water parks are open for summer 2023. Heres the list. - Yahoo News

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Science on the Geaux – Picayune Item – Picayune Item

Posted: at 7:51 pm

Published 11:36 am Tuesday, May 30, 2023

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Science on the Geaux Library Visits

Calling all animal and science lovers! Starting June 1, Science on the Geaux will be visiting a library near you.

Science on the Geaux believes that environmental and life science can be fun and engaging, so [they] take an interactive approach to teach whether that involves doing a live animal program, dissecting owl pellets, testing for water quality, going on hikes, or looking for water critters under a microscope. June 27, Science on the Geaux will be visiting the Poplarville Public Library and Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library at 900 Goodyear Blvd in Picayune, MS. For more information, please contact Poplarville Public Library at (601) 795-8411 or Crosby Memorial Library at (601) 798-5081

They will also be visiting the following locations:

6/1- Kiln, MS

6/2- Waveland, MS

6/6- Pearlington, MS

6/13- North Kenner, LA

6/20- Garyville, LA, and Edgard, LA

6/21- LaPlace, LA, and Reserve, LA

6/28- Wagner, LA, and East Bank Regional Library in Metairie, LA

6/30- West Bank Regional

7/12- River Ridge, LA

7/13- Belle Terre, LA, and Gretna, LA

7/19- Terrytown, LA, and Live Oak, LA

7/20- West Baton Rouge

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Health Ministry rebukes Elon Musk for ‘fake news’ about COVID-19 – The Times of Israel

Posted: at 7:51 pm

The Health Ministry rebukes Twitter chief Elon Musk for fake news about COVID-19.

Musk tweets zero inresponse to an article saying Israeli data found that zero young healthy individuals died of COVID-19,

The Health Ministry responds with an English statement.

Elon, unfortunately this is not what the whole data shows. Fake news is dangerous, the Health Ministry says. Israel Ministry of Health was asked on chronic disease data and explained that we dont have access to clinical records.

We provided the limited data available if something was shared during epidemiological investigation this data was available for only 27 people 7.5% of the 356 young people who died of COVID In Israel.

We know from clinicians that young healthy people did die from COVID and hopefully data on that will be available on the near future from our HMOs.

The exchange is the latest in several between Musk and Israels government on Twitter.

Earlier this month, the Foreign Ministry accused Musk of stoking antisemitism after he compared George Soros to a comic book villain.

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli then came to Musks defense, saying Israelis saw him as a role model.

Late last year, Musk complimented Israels Twitter prowess, after the countrys official channel responded to a Kanye West post with a Taylor Swift joke.

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20 Cities in Kentucky In 2023 – Travel2Next

Posted: at 7:51 pm

Kentucky is a Southern state drenched in history, culture and the great outdoors that borders some of the most interesting cities and scenic state parks in the United States. The state is famous worldwide thanks to a certain colonel who invented his famous fried chicken recipe here in 1930, however, theres plenty more to the Commonwealth of Kentucky than just greasy food and Southern hospitality.

Kentuckys storied cities and charming towns are interesting destinations, with each one offering travellers something new and unique to do and experience. From the streets of Louisville, where boxings all-time great grew up to the underground passageways in Maysville, where thousands of slaves escaped to freedom, there is no other state quite like Kentucky.

In the states north on the banks of the Ohio River, Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky and one of the Souths most iconic destinations.

Louisville has a population of more than 1.4 million people and was named after King Louis XVI, the last French monarch to rule before the French Revolution.

The city is best known to sports fans as the birthplace of the late great Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and the Kentucky Derby host city, a horse racing spectacle in North America.

Louisville might not be Kentuckys official capital city, but it is undoubtedly the Bluegrass States cultural, economic and entertainment hub, placing Louisville right at the top of must-see destinations in Kentucky.

Whenever you find yourself near Louisville, check out the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Churchill Downs, the Speed Art Museum and the Muhammad Ali Center for the ultimate Louisville experience.

Recommended tours:

The second-largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the unofficial Horse Capital of the World, Lexington is as colourful and interesting a city as youre ever likely to come across in the South.

Lexington earned its nickname due to the many equine businesses outside the downtown area and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, whose headquarters are in the city centre.

The city is roughly 77 miles (124 km) from Louisville and forms part of the states famous Bluegrass region and Bourbon Trail, making Lexington a popular tourist destination in the state.

Lexingtons Henry Clay Estate, Mary Todd Lincoln House, Kentucky Horse Park and Waveland State Historic Site are fantastic places to stop by, making Lexington the perfect horse-lovers vacation destination in Kentucky.

Recommended tours:

Despite not being the largest or most well-known city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Frankfort is the Bluegrass States official capital and an influential destination thats more than worthy of checking out, especially if youre a history buff.

Frankforts name is derived from Franks Fort, named after frontiersman Stephen Frank who perished during an altercation between the colonists and a band of Native Americans.

The city has cultural institutions and other attractions, including the Lexington Opera House, the Kentucky State Capitol, and the Clyde E. Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary.

Recommended tours:

With its assortment of historic buildings, art festivals and trendy restaurants, Berea is among the most popular cities to live in Kentucky.

Berea is known as the Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky and its population is roughly 15,500 people, many of whom are talented artists and artisans perfecting and showcasing their works throughout Bereas many art galleries.

The city is 40 miles (64 km) south of downtown Lexington and borders the scenic Daniel Boone National Forest, which offers avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts plenty of outdoor recreational activities.

Bereas list of places to visit includes the Berea College Forestry Outreach Center, the Kentucky Artisan Center, the Berea Craft Festival and Battlefield Park, making the city a top-tier tourist attraction in the Bluegrass State.

Situated in the Commonwealth of Kentuckys south, roughly 64 miles (103 km) north of Nashville, Bowling Green was the former provincial capital of Confederate Kentucky during the American Civil War.

Bowling Green was officially settled in 1798 and was either named after Bowling Green, New York, or Bowling Green, Virginia, depending on who you ask, with the exact origins of the citys name a hotly debated subject.

The city has a population of around 72,000, enough to secure Bowling Green the title of Kentuckys third-largest city behind Louisville and Lexington.

Theres no shortage of entertaining attractions throughout the city, ranging from the one-of-a-kind National Corvette Museum to the underground boat tours at the Lost River Cave.

Skip the line and book your tickets to the National Corvette Museum here.

Elizabethtown is a charming mid-sized city in Kentuckys north-central region.

It is a popular place to visit because its affordable and easy to access, a two-hour drive from Nashville, Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington.

The city was established in 1797 by local land owner Andrew Hynes and named in honour of Hynes wife, Elizabeth Warford Hynes.

It was the first home of newlyweds Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, the parents of President Abraham Lincoln.

Today, Elizabethtown is rife with historical and cultural landmarks, including the Brown-Pusey House, the Elizabethtown Nature Park and the Swopes Cars of Yesteryear Museum, making Elizabethtown a fantastic addition to any Kentucky itinerary.

The self-described Barbecue Capital of the World, Owensboro in western Kentucky is the fourth-largest city in the Bluegrass State and very much western Kentuckys cultural, economic and entertainment hub.

Owensboro is 37 miles (59 km) from Evansville, Indiana, and 134 miles (216 km) from Nashville, Tennessee, making this centrally-located city an excellent city to visit if you plan to see the sights beyond Kentucky.

Theres plenty to explore throughout this down-to-earth city on the banks of the Ohio River, such as the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.

Newport is a beautiful and richly historic city on the banks of the Ohio River within a stones throw from downtown Cincinnatis world-class entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and attractions.

The city is home to the Commonwealth of Kentuckys second-largest historical area, the worlds largest swimming bell, and numerous other one-of-a-kind venues to take in, making it a popular attraction in the state.

Newport is a popular alternative for travellers wishing to experience Cincinnati without staying in Cincy.

Stop by the Newport Aquarium, the Purple People Bridge, the World Peace Bell and the East Row neighbourhood for an all-encompassing Newport experience.

Recommended tours:

The fourth-largest city in Kentuckys Bluegrass region and the seventh-largest in the state, Richmond is a youthful city with a deeply historic past and an excellent destination in east-central Kentucky.

Richmond was settled in 1798 by British-American Colonel John Miller, who promptly named his city after his hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

The city is 27 miles (43 km) from downtown Lexington and offers access to attractions such as the Battle of Richmond Visitor Center and the EKU Center for the Arts.

Steeped in tales of the American Civil War and featuring the lively campus of the University of Eastern Kentucky, Richmond is a splendid city in Kentucky to visit.

Playing host to the annual World Chicken Festival during the last weekend of September, London is a quirky tourist destination in southeast Kentucky thats beloved for its unique attractions and stunning natural beauty.

The city dates back to 1826, named after the more famous English capital and is the second-largest city in the United States named London.

London is nestled right along the foothills of the scenic Daniel Boone National Forest, which treats travellers to 708,000 acres (286,517 ha) of unblemished nature to enjoy.

If youre done eating fried chicken from the worlds largest skillet and hiking through one of Kentuckys most picturesque forests, stop by the Laurel County History Museum and the Camp Wildcat Battlefield to cap off your visit.

Stretching along the Ohio River in northeast Kentucky, roughly 62 miles (100 km) from Cincinnati, Maysville was once a significant point along the infamous Underground Railroad that slaves used to escape to freedom in the North.

Maysville has a population of about 8,800 people and was officially established in 1886 by Simon Kenton, a frontiersman who fought in the western battles of the American Revolution.

This Kentucky city is a great place to catch a live concert or performance at the Washington Opera House and the Russell Theatre.

Maysville also features intriguing attractions such as the National Underground Railroad Museum, the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center and the EAT Gallery, making it a worthy addition to any Kentucky itinerary.

Famous throughout Kentucky for its unmissable Florence Yall water tower, Florence is regularly ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the state and an up-and-coming tourist destination with plenty to offer travellers.

Florence is in northern Kentucky and forms part of the Greater Cincinnati Metro Area, making it a great alternative when visiting Cincy and southwest Ohio.

Theres plenty to see, do and experience in and around this fascinating Southern city, including Thomas More Stadium, the Big Bone Lick State Historic Site and Turfway Park, making for an exciting trip to Maysville.

Situated in northern Kentucky and conveniently located within an hours drive from either Lexington or Cincinnati, Williamstown is a charming and low-key destination home to unique attractions you wont find anywhere else.

Williamstown is best known for being the home of a life-size replica of the biblical Noahs Ark, which measures a staggering 510 feet long (155 m), 85 feet wide (26 m) and 51 feet tall (16 m).

Known as the Ark Encounter, the Ark is as much an iconic landmark as a fully-fledged tourist attraction; its a theme park with zip lines, a restaurant and a petting zoo to entertain visitors.

Theres more to Williamstown than just the Ark Encounter, though, with places such as the William Arnold Log Home, the Old Friends Farm and the Salato Wildlife Education Center.

With a population of about 7,800 people, Corbin is the birthplace of the global fast food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), as it was in Corbin where Colonel Harland Sanders opened his first restaurant in 1930.

The seemingly inconspicuous city has certainly cashed in on the success of its world-famous former resident, with several attractions in Corbin dedicated to the beloved colonel and his famous fried chicken recipe.

Theres a Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum, the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and the Pinball Museum of Corbin, so be sure to check out this colourful city in southeast Kentucky.

Home to various festivals, restaurants and art galleries, Winchester is a low-key city with a big personality situated just 18 miles (29 km) east of downtown Lexington.

Winchester has a population of more than 20,000 people and is a relatively large economic and cultural hub in the central region, making it one of the states top day-trip destinations for city slickers from Lexington and Louisville.

Stop by the Bluegrass Heritage Museum, the Leeds Theatre and the Fort Boonesboro State Park to get the most out of your trip to this delightful central Kentucky city.

One of only six recognised Kentucky Cultural Districts, Danville is a historical city in the Bluegrass States central region with bucket loads of Southern charm and hospitality.

The nearest post office west of the Allegheny Mountains was built in Danvilles Constitution Square.

This city in Kentucky was also where pioneering 19th-century surgeon Ephraim McDowell performed the first successful laparotomy in 1809.

Danvilles Main Street is littered with several excellent restaurants and shops.

It has been awarded the Great American Main Street Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, cementing its reputation as one of Kentuckys must-visit cities.

Situated just across the Ohio River from Evansville, Indiana, Henderson is a quaint and picturesque city that has been inhabited by the Mississippian people, Shawnee, Yuchi and Cherokee Native American tribes in the past.

Henderson was officially established in 1797 and was named after pioneer and landowner Richard Henderson, best remembered for his failed efforts to create the Transylvania Colony in modern-day Kentucky during the 1770s.

The city is a popular destination in western Kentucky for history buffs, as it has a range of interesting sites to visit, such as the John James Audubon State Park, the Preston Arts Center and the Henderson Riverwalk.

Boasting a population of about 13,500 people and often touted as one of Kentuckys most picturesque cities, the self-described Bourbon Capital of the World that is Bardstown is one of central Kentuckys most serene tourist destinations to visit.

Bardstown was named after the Bard brothers, who established the city in 1780, making it one of the oldest cities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Attractions include My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Wickland Mansion and the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History.

Featuring a 20-block downtown area listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Paducah is an incredibly charming small city completely designed by one of early Americas greatest adventurers.

The city was settled in 1821 and was planned by William Clark, the second member of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition westward.

Paducah treats travellers to a thriving music and arts scene and a collection of impressive landmarks and attractions to stop by, such as the National Quilt Museum, the William Clark Market House Museum and the Floodwall Murals.

The mid-sized city of Harrodsburg is among the oldest cities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is right in the heart of Kentuckys Bluegrass region.

Harrodsburg was founded in 1774 and was recognised by former President Franklin D.Roosevelt as the oldest permanent settlement in America west of the Appalachian Mountains.

The city has a population of roughly 9,000 people.

It features many places to visit and sights to behold, such as the Old Fort Harrod State Park, the Beaumont Inn and the Harrodsburg Historical Society.

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20 Cities in Kentucky In 2023 - Travel2Next

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Elon Musk Is Flirting With a Fake AOC Twitter Account – The New Republic

Posted: at 7:51 pm

Walshs career at this point is mainly dedicated to whipping up vicious conspiracy theories about LGBTQ people. Hes so far deep that in the aftermath of a mass shooting at a Colorado gay nightclub last year, which left five people dead and another 25 injured, Walsh didnt express much concern at all for the actual victims of the hate crime. He instead threw a fit about some fictitious liberal agenda to use the mass shooting to force people to accept the sexualization of children (the logic, supposedly: Being gay means sexualizing children).

Earlier this week, Walsh menacingly said hes excited for Pride Month, saying, We have big plans.

The plush toy sale, and Walshs eagerness for Pride Month, comes as the far right has increased its attacks on LGBTQ people and culture. This week, its new target has been Target, for selling clothes with rainbows on them. Its issue is that one specific brand also makes a shirt that says, Satan respects pronounssomething not sold in Target. Nevertheless, figures like Walsh, Benny Johnson, Ben Shapiro, and others have targeted Target (and their minimum-wage workers) anyhow.

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Elon Musk Is Flirting With a Fake AOC Twitter Account - The New Republic

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Fake news is only getting worse | News | mymcr.net – Monroe County Reporter

Posted: at 7:51 pm

Its been several months since Ive discussed Fake News, not because its gone away. It hasnt. With President Trump out of the White House, fake news (FN) has gotten worse. At least Trump highlighted the omnipresent fake news.

Most FN is not flat out bogus information (though thats getting more common) such as giving wrong numbers/figures that information is easily proven false. Most FN is when the media omits critical information that results in a false idea of the truth thats fake news by omission. Dan Bongino says the most powerful tool the media has is the power to omit - as in omitting key information such as conveniently neglecting Bidens lies about Covid, neglecting to report the inflation rate, neglecting to report the crime rate in Democrat controlled cities the result being the reader doesnt know the actual truth about Covid, inflation or crime. Such omission is intentional. Dems need the public to have a false idea of reality, and their media complies.

On May 10, we had the perfect example of multiple networks engaging in FN by omission. What happened? Before I answer that question, answer this one. Whats a bigger scandal, a lone congressman getting arrested for election crimes or the president of the United States, along with his entire family, engaging in bribery, influence peddling, conspiracy and other high crimes? Think of it this way, if the Dems and their media had documented proof that President Trump, and his children, sold access and influence to China, Russia, Romania, and Ukraine, would major news networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, etc.) and major newspapers (the NY Times and Washington Post) report on that corruption? Of course they would. If the media had bank records proving Trumps children received $$$Millions transferred from foreign corporations, and additional documents showing $$$Millions more distributed to other Trump relatives, all while hes president; the networks would broadcast such corruption continuously for weeks and months as they should. Trump wouldnt be able to do anything without being hounded by reporters asking about money transfers from Russia or Ukraine to his children, and asking how his children managed to secure high paying corporate positions on foreign businesses they know nothing about.

Thats precisely what happened on May 10. Rep. Comer (R-KY) held a press conference, with other Congressmen, and laid out proof of Biden family corruption exactly as described above. Rep. Mace (R-SC) said the evidence against Biden is the tip of the iceberg. Comers committee has documents that prove foreign corporations (such as Burisma) hired Biden family members (son Hunter and brother James) for no-show jobs for which they have NO qualifications other than being related to Joe; documents proving million$ in bank transfers, for the sole purpose of buying influence with Joe Biden. Also, Tony Bobulinski, a business associate of Hunter Biden, has verified every part of this Biden influence peddling. Bobulinski confirmed million$ were paid by foreign corporations to the Bidens. Actually, Bobulinski first came forward in October 2020 about Biden corruption, but his testimony was buried by the FBI and ignored by media (fake news by omission). May 10, I watched network news and NO network bothered to report Comers proof of Bidens influence peddling scandal. Its almost like major media conspired to omit a valid news story. Instead, the networks covered the arrest of Rep. George Santos (R-NY) for wire fraud and money laundering.

I go back to my questions. On May 10, Fake News by omission was committed by Democrat media networks by failing to report anything about the Biden family scandal while giving endless coverage to the arrest of a lone Republican representative. For full coverage of the Biden crime scandal, go to Breitbart, Newsmax or any other conservative website.

Another example of FN by omission is the medias refusal to cover the crisis at the southern border. Simply put the southern border no longer exists. Biden lies about it; his press secretary lies about it; and Democrat Congress members lie when they say the border is secure. Democrat media (ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, etc.) lies by refusing to cover the situation. Democrat media refuses to hold Bidens regime accountable. Remember when that same media screamed about how Trump separated families and locked kids in cages when there were around 20,000 illegals entering every month. Now, under Biden, were pushing 200,000+ illegals every month (10X higher than under Trump) and the media, for the most part, is silent. Just as bad is the percent of illegals expelled. When Trump was president, roughly 90% of illegals were expelled; under Biden the expulsion rate is around 35%. Again, FN by omitting key information.

I could give endless other examples of FN. Heres one more that occurred during CNNs May 11 townhall with President Trump. At the townhall, Trump said the November 2020 election was rigged. The host immediately said Trumps accusation of a rigged election had been debunked. Thats a lie. The 2020 election was rigged. How so? The Constitution clearly says that election procedures are made by state legislatures period. Well, for the 2020 election, in almost every state, the election procedures were changed by some bureaucratic official who claimed Covid made voting in person too dangerous. In Georgia, the Secretary of State (SofS) allowed Stacey Abrams to put unsupervised ballot drop boxes in Democratic districts. That violated Georgia election law (and the Constitution) but the SofS allowed it to happen. Almost every state did something similar. During the same townhall, the uninformed host continued the debunked claim that the Jan. 6 protest in Washington DC was an insurrection. That insurrection claim is a lie. The FBI concluded that January 6th was not an insurrection. It was a protest that got out of hand. However, the major media wants us viewers to stay uninformed. Its working; most democrat voters are woefully ignorant.

Final Thought: I know a retired Mercer professor who smugly brags how informed he is because he watches MSNBC, listens to NPR, and reads the NY Times. I laughed to his face and told him hes receiving the same fake news three different ways, making him 3Xs more ignorant. He wasnt happy.

Sloan Oliver of Bolingbroke is a retired Army officer who writes a weekly column in the Reporter.

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Fake news is only getting worse | News | mymcr.net - Monroe County Reporter

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