#sentinel 9.4

[got-into-worm-by-mistake]

I wonder what Coil (I'm guessing Coil) told Chariot that made him say 'I'm in' specifically once someone from the Wards came. Probably a series of lies and half-truths about the Wards that Kid Win accidentally managed to reinforce.

Though I'd say that Kid Win's little schtick was actually pretty well done. I'd be sold.

[ganurath]

I feel like Kid Win's arrival on the tenement where Chariot's family lived doesn't get enough analysis, because there are so many untold stories and implications squeezed into the four lines and two paragraphs that go from Kid Win's arrival at the building to meeting Chariot's mom at the door to the family's apartment.

[allwormdiet]

Sentinel 9.4

Back in the saddle again

You know, I'm not sure if tinkers actually are "supposed" to be smart. The other examples we have to work off of besides Kid Win are Bakuda (constant state of fucking around and finding out until it killed her), Armsmaster (he of the dumbfuck raid boss solo plot), and Dragon (actually no notes on Dragon's relative intelligence), plus Chariot in just a minute here who literally only succeeds at being a mole because the Protectorate allows him to succeed as a ploy

I'll concede that they're adept engineers and scientists, sure, but you can know how to build a nuclear reactor and still be dumb enough to build it in your backyard. There's no single measure of intelligence that everyone measures high on, that's just not how it goes.

Then again like two-thirds of this chapter are lowkey about Kid having self-esteem issues so like, I get that he's being hard on himself. I feel like half the cape POVs we've gotten so far have self-esteem issues, never mind Taylor Hebert Queen of Self-Image Problems

I'm gonna skim over a lot of this fight like I had in 9.3, but while this can't feel good for one's confidence, honestly I'd mostly just be relieved. Like, yes, let the villains whose powers are Railgun and The Fucking Sun take it easy on me, that's fine, I like my body parts staying in the configuration they have.

Thank God he actually has a chance to feel like he's contributing, without the horror of accidentally killing someone

Wow, Trickster sucks. Why do they put up with this guy?

So, somehow I doubt he's somehow lacking in a specialty, but from the description of his apparent focus issues (plus the fact that taking medication to help with focus nearly took him out) I wonder if the way his tinker stuff goes involves having a bunch of little things, if the lack of focus is somehow a sign of what his specialty actually is.

Oh fucking boy

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay (sarcastic)

Also I don't know why they specifically would go to cities that have already been Endbringered but there's a real "kick them while they're down" energy to it that I do not care for. Goddamn jackals.

Is it the "another tinker" thing or the "that wasn't Armsmaster" thing that he's more excited about lmao

Weld's adapting a little better to his role, and Clockblocker is able to keep his mouth shut and play along, so things are improving.

I dunno man, it's a citywide apocalypse, does bedtime matter anymore?

Hey what the

Fuck

is going on here

Tinker-to-tinker communication

Y'know, now I'm curious what the wages are for a non-Tinker Protectorate member. Obviously Tinkers can have it made if they've got something the higher-ups want, but is Miss Militia making enough to own a house? Is your income tied to merch sales?

Think this is the first time someone has outright said triggering as a parahuman rewires your brain to some extent. Curious to see further elaboration on that.

I think if you're gonna hire a mole, you should make sure they can lie convincingly. That feels like step two.

(Step one is "make sure you can trust this person to be a mole for you")

Fucking gottem

Well hey Kid, looks like you're pulling your weight after all

Current Thoughts

I do think Sentinel is a neat arc but I'll admit, in recounting and rereading this it lost me a little bit. That might just be the Travelers fight though, I could feel the lack of stakes to the fight like a gap between my teeth.

Kid seems like a solid character, classic impulsive inventor with an actual exploration of what that impulsiveness does to his work ethic and self-worth. I'm glad he gets a chance to shine here and I hope he figures out his exact specialization so he can stop being so down on himself

The Wards do seem to be coalescing into more of a team as things progress, sure would be a shame if the resident lone wolf was to fall for obvious bait and disrupt that or something.

[spacenutspod]

Sea level rise is affecting coastal communities around the world, especially those like Honolulu, pictured, that are located on islands.NOAA Teacher at Sea Program, NOAA Ship HI’IALAKAI A long-term sea level dataset shows ocean surface heights continuing to rise at faster and faster rates over decades of observations. Global average sea level rose by about 0.3 inches (0.76 centimeters) from 2022 to 2023, a relatively large jump due mostly to a warming climate and the development of a strong El Niño. The total rise is equivalent to draining a quarter of Lake Superior into the ocean over the course of a year. This NASA-led analysis is based on a sea level dataset featuring more than 30 years of satellite observations, starting with the U.S.-French TOPEX/Poseidon mission, which launched in 1992. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich mission, which launched in November 2020, is the latest in the series of satellites that have contributed to this sea level record. The data shows that global average sea level has risen a total of about 4 inches (9.4 centimeters) since 1993. The rate of this increase has also accelerated, more than doubling from 0.07 inches (0.18 centimeters) per year in 1993 to the current rate of 0.17 inches (0.42 centimeters) per year. This graph shows global mean sea level (in blue) since 1993 as measured by a series of five satellites. The solid red line indicates the trajectory of this increase, which more than doubled over the past three decades. The dotted red line projects future sea level rise.NASA/JPL-Caltech “Current rates of acceleration mean that we are on track to add another 20 centimeters of global mean sea level by 2050, doubling the amount of change in the next three decades compared to the previous 100 years and increasing the frequency and impacts of floods across the world,” said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, director for the NASA sea level change team and the ocean physics program in Washington. Seasonal Effects Global sea level saw a significant jump from 2022 to 2023 due mainly to a switch between La Niña and El Niño conditions. A mild La Niña from 2021 to 2022 resulted in a lower-than-expected rise in sea level that year. A strong El Niño developed in 2023, helping to boost the average amount of rise in sea surface height. La Niña is characterized by cooler-than-normal ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Niño involves warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Both periodic climate phenomena affect patterns of rainfall and snowfall as well as sea levels around the world. “During La Niña, rain that normally falls in the ocean falls on the land instead, temporarily taking water out of the ocean and lowering sea levels,” said Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “In El Niño years, a lot of the rain that normally falls on land ends up in the ocean, which raises sea levels temporarily.” To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This animation shows the rise in global mean sea level from 1993 to 2023 based on data from a series of five international satellites. The spike in sea level from 2022 to 2023 is mostly a consequence of climate change and the development of El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio A Human Footprint Seasonal or periodic climate phenomena can affect global average sea level from year to year. But the underlying trend for more than three decades has been increasing ocean heights as a direct response to global warming due to the excessive heat trapped by greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere. “Long-term datasets like this 30-year satellite record allow us to differentiate between short-term effects on sea level, like El Niño, and trends that let us know where sea level is heading,” said Ben Hamlington, lead for NASA’s sea level change team at JPL. These multidecadal observations wouldn’t be possible without ongoing international cooperation, as well as scientific and technical innovations by NASA and other space agencies. Specifically, radar altimeters have helped produce ever-more precise measurements of sea level around the world. To calculate ocean height, these instruments bounce microwave signals off the sea surface, recording the time the signal takes to travel from a satellite to Earth and back, as well as the strength of the return signal. The researchers also periodically cross-check those sea level measurements against data from other sources. These include tide gauges, as well as satellite measurements of factors like atmospheric water vapor and Earth’s gravity field that can affect the accuracy of sea level measurements. Using that information, the researchers recalibrated the 30-year dataset, resulting in updates to sea levels in some previous years. That includes a sea level rise increase of 0.08 inches (0.21 centimeters) from 2021 to 2022. When researchers combine space-based altimetry data of the oceans with more than a century of observations from surface-based sources, such as tide gauges, the information dramatically improves our understanding of how sea surface height is changing on a global scale. When these sea level measurements are combined with other information, including ocean temperature, ice loss, and land motion, scientists can decipher why and how seas are rising. Learn more about sea level and climate change: https://sealevel.nasa.gov/ News Media Contacts Jane J. Lee / Andrew WangJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-354-0307 / 626-379-6874jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov / andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov 2024-031 Share Details Last Updated Mar 21, 2024 Related TermsOceansClimate ChangeEarthJet Propulsion LaboratorySentinel-6 Michael Freilich SatelliteTOPEX / Poseidon (ocean TOPography EXperiment) Explore More 5 min read US, Germany Partnering on Mission to Track Earth’s Water Movement Article 2 days ago 5 min read NASA Study: Asteroid’s Orbit, Shape Changed After DART Impact Article 2 days ago 3 min read Student-Built Robots Clash at Competition Supported by NASA-JPL Article 3 days ago

[mistonki]

Sentinel node

SENTINEL NODE SKIN

SENTINEL NODE TRIAL

The STROBE guidelines were followed to report the findings. Analyses were conducted using SAS version 9.4. Factors assessed were age, sex, type of practice, years of practice, number of invasive melanomas diagnosed in a year, ARIA, SEIFA and exposure to articles or talks about SLNB. Univariable and multivariable prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Poisson regression models to examine factors associated with familiarity with Australian melanoma clinical practice guidelines and knowledge about and attitudes towards SLNB. Postcodes were classified using the Accessibility Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) 13 and Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 14 classifications. The questionnaire data were managed using REDCap. The questionnaire was completed on paper or electronically and consisted of 24 items covering demographic characteristics, knowledge of melanoma guidelines, clinical management of melanoma, referral patterns, and attitudes to SLNB and shared care. Questionnaire and interview guide developmentĪ cross-sectional questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide (Supplementary file available online only) were developed from a literature review and discussion with a multidisciplinary team of melanoma clinicians and researchers. Of these, 23 also completed an interview and were reimbursed $100 for their time. Overall, 231 GPs completed a questionnaire. GPs were eligible to participate in the study if they had practised in Australia in the previous year.

SENTINEL NODE SKIN

Recruitment of GPs was conducted at two Australian GP meetings: the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) annual conference in Queensland in October 2018, and a GP skin cancer–focused continuing medical education workshop in Sydney in December 2018 participants were also recruited through other GP professional communications. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected in the form of questionnaires and interviews. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of GPs regarding the role of SLNB in the management of patients with invasive primary melanomas, to assist development of and adherence to guidelines. 10,11 Potential reasons for low uptake of SLNB include confusion about the evidence, lack of awareness of the guidelines, and individual preferences of GPs and patients. 7 There have been conflicting interpretations of the results from MSLT-I and other studies examining the benefits of SLNB in relation to the therapeutic value 8,9 and survival benefit of SLNB.

SENTINEL NODE TRIAL

6 The Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT-I) showed improved disease-free survival but not overall melanoma-specific survival following SLNB. Data from the NSW Melanoma Patterns of Care study indicated that SLNB was undertaken for 45% of patients diagnosed with a melanoma >0.8 mm Breslow thickness who were potentially eligible for SLNB. 5 Historically, adherence to SLNB guidelines has not been optimal, allowing for patients who may refuse or not be suitable for SLNB. 5 SLNB should be performed at the time of the primary tumour wide excision. 1 The NSW Melanoma Patterns of Care study, 2 a population-based survey of in situ and invasive melanoma management in NSW in 2006–07, found the initial melanoma diagnosis was managed in general practice for 36% of patients, in skin cancer clinics (usually staffed by GPs) for 17%, in dermatology practices for 26%, by surgeons for 13% and by others for 1 mm in thickness and for patients with melanoma >0.8 mm in thickness with other high-risk pathological features. Some GPs with a special interest in skin cancer also perform wide excisions and flap repairs. A GP is therefore the person who will most often make a preliminary diagnosis, take the first biopsy and, following pathological confirmation of melanoma, decide on the need for referral for specialist care. In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) are the first point of contact for the majority of patients who develop melanoma.

[imasallstars]

What is this and will it affect my account?

They are revising their terms of sevice and saying that if you don’t agree with the new ones, then you should not be using their services ( like pretty much every other thing = agree to ToS to join, if not don’t ) 

From what i’ve seen the one that do affect us is:

9.4 お客様は、本サービスを日本国外で利用することはできません。

9.4 The customer can not use this service outside Japan.

The above most probably meant that you should at least be in Japan to download the game, or at the very least, avoid tinkering with the GPS to get special Japan-only stuff ( see: cygames suspending gbf accounts who tinkered with their GPS while the anime airs to access the sky compass )

This isn’t a new rule so things won’t change

Everything that is based off a violation is up to their judgment and other legal stuff. I’ll translate everything from article 9, which is the things they prohibit under the cut. Most of them are general no-nos like don’t break the law and etc.

▼ Violations of Laws and Regulations

Acts that violate laws, court rulings, decisions or orders, or regulatory binding administrative measures

Acts contrary to public order and morals

Acts that give benefit to anti-social forces ( any bad groups )

Acts that violate intellectual property rights, portrait rights, privacy, honor or other rights or interests of the Company or a third party

▼ Transmission of inappropriate information

Acts of sending, posting or publicizing the information specified below (including acts of sending, communicating, posting or disclosing such information using homonyms, sentinels, letters, letters or links)

Excessive violence

Obscene and sexual things

Information that may adversely affect minors

Information intended for encounter with an unfamiliar third party or obscene act regardless of sex or gender

Information including expressions that induce, solicit or promote suicide or self-injury

Information on trading of drugs or dangerous drugs or information including expressions that promote inappropriate use of drugs or dangerous drugs

Information on religious acts or political activities

Information on the promotion, publicity or solicitation of religious groups, political groups and other organizations

Information aimed at promotional publicity

Information on advertisement, publicity or solicitation of infinite chain lectures or network business

Spam

Viruses

Personal Info

Defects or misconducts of the service ( i assume if you see a bug go email them immediately instead of posting there’s a bug )

False information

Other information that we deem inappropriate

An act of collecting personal information, credit card number or account information, etc. or soliciting offer of such information

▼ Commercial behavior

· Commercial behavior using this service

You account is yours, no gaining money from it

Acts of recruiting or giving out donations, campaigns, donations or contributions

▼ Unauthorized Access Act, etc.

The act of invalidating or breaking our encryption technology or security measures (including the act of trying it)

The act of illegally acquiring or using all or part of the account (including the act of illegally acquiring or using the account in whole or in part by using the defect of this service etc.)

Using acts of unauthorized access to servers, etc. of this service, data theft, acts of using a program to cause software to perform unauthorized processing, acts or tools to acquire information using tools, etc illegally Actions to advance games favorably

Act that brings benefit to yourself or third parties by using trouble etc of this service or acts that bring disadvantage to us or third parties

The act of putting an excessive burden on the server etc. of this service (Including the act of accessing this service by using tools etc., placing a burden on the server etc.)

Acts of decompiling, disassembling, reverse engineering or other analyzing or duplicating (including reproduction), editing, alteration or adaptation etc. regarding data or programs etc. of this service

Creating multiple accounts ( a.k.a just have one )

An act of avoiding such measures by recreating an account or the like despite receiving restrictions on use functions of the account and measures for suspension of use etc.

▼ Interfering acts

 Any act that obstructs use of this service by another customer or hinders the use

Including improper inquiries or requesting acts (including repeating similar or identical inquiries or requiring acts more than necessary) beyond legal liability to the Company (including our customer service personnel etc.) or third parties I will.

Nuisance to other customers, our company or third parties (including stalking acts) or harassing

Acts of soliciting or inducing other customers to other services

▼ Other misbehavior, etc.

Requesting a refund with no justifiable reason or proof

Act of spoofing our company, officers or employees of our company or third parties

Acts contrary to the purpose or purpose of this agreement, guidelines or this service

Acts contrary to these Terms or Guidelines

Request, promotion, mentoring or assisting prohibited acts prescribed in these Terms or Guidelines

Other acts that we deem inappropriate

9.2 If you get found out doing these things, your account may be losing items ( include paid currency ) without a heads up. If it repeats, then you’re account will be suspended.

9.3 In the event that you receive an indefinite account suspension procedure, you will not be able to use this service at all. In that case, we will not refund cash or exchange for cash vouchers etc, including the termination of this service, such as paid application special currency or other digital items.

9.4 The customer can not use this service outside Japan.

[theultimatefan]

A Near-Mint Copy of ‘Captain America Comics’ No. 1 Storms Historic Comics Auction This April

The first issue of Captain America Comics, which introduced super soldier Steve Rogers, his sidekick Bucky and their Nazi nemesis Red Skull, sold nearly 1 million copies upon its publication at the beginning of 1941. But few copies Captain America Comics No. 1 are in better condition today than the one that serves as a centerpiece offering in Heritage Auctions’ superpowered April 7-10 Comics & Comic Art Signature® Auction.

The copy of Cap’s debut featured in the April auction hails from the historic San Francisco Pedigree Collection and bears a grade of Near Mint 9.4 from Certified Guaranty Company. It’s the finest copy Heritage Auctions has offered in two decades.

Yet that platinum piece from comicdom’s Golden Age isn’t the lone Cap capstone available in this auction.

For the first time at auction, here, too, is the entirety of Captain America’s first solo Silver Age story – all 10 pages of original art, offered separately, from August 1964’s Tales of Suspense No. 59. This is the only time in 20 years when every single page of a truly key Silver Age story has been offered for sale at the same time.

“We couldn’t dream up two better auction lots if we tried,” says Heritage Auctions Vice President Barry Sandoval. “It’s the best of the Golden Age meets the best of the Silver Age bound up in the red, white and blue of one of comics’ most beloved characters – a near-mint copy of one of the most important comics ever from one of the most famous pedigreed collections, and the fresh-to-the-market original art of a story everyone remembers.”

It doesn’t get more historic than this: “Stan Lee, Author. Jack Kirby, Illustrator.” And there’s Cap crashing through the splash page that heralds, “The Marvel Age of Comics Reaches a New Peak of Glory with Captain America, The Most Enthusiastically Requested Character Revival of All Time!”

The story involves Cap fending off a gang of intruders looking to ransack Avengers Mansion – easy work for the man who took on Hitler on the cover of his first issue. But he was a little rusty by the mid-1960s, having been out of commission for a decade: The super soldier was last seen in 1954’s Captain America No. 78, billed as a “Commie Smasher,” before Marvel, then called Atlas Comics, retired Steve and Bucky. Cap finally returned to comics in January 1964, discovered in a “frozen, petrified” state in The Avengers No. 4, whose cover blared that “Captain America Lives Again!”

With The Avengers and the solo stories that followed, “the Star-Spangled Sentinel of Liberty set off to the races,” Marvel’s Jim Beard wrote in 2017 to commemorate King Kirby’s 100th birthday. “It seemed like Jack had never stopped drawing him in action.”

[krixwell-liveblogs]

End of Sentinel 9.4

This was neat. We did get to see the end of the Traveler fight, learned who might be (and probably are) behind the corpses they found in 9.3, got to know Kid Win a bit better, and uncovered a possible wrestler Reverse Taylor plot in the making.

Shame Kid Win’s excellent recruiting skills are probably going to waste.

I mean, it’d be a hell of a thing if they pulled a Tattletale and invited him in with everyone being fully aware of his apparent real alignment. I doubt Piggot would allow that kind of shenaniganry, though. And, honestly, it sounds like the kind of thing one of them might suggest and then have everyone else immediately shoot down... maybe Tattle was right to keep it to herself.

Next chapter, we’ll probably learn what the Wards intend to do about this. I’m going to guess that Vista is our next POV character, which sounds like a good time. :)

There’s only her and Shadow Stalker left, so assuming we’re covering everyone, it’s just a question of which one comes first. Maybe we’ll also throw in a Piggot chapter, but that seems less likely.

So far, I really appreciate this Arc. It’s nice to get to know the Wards a bit better without having to cram it all into one Interlude, and we’re getting to see how they all deal with the situation after Leviathan’s visit, while also introducing new subplots involving characters like the Slaughterhouse Nine and Chariot. Hopefully the latter two aren’t connected. I don’t know much about them yet, but I feel like the Slaughterhouse Nine are among the last ones you’d want trying to infiltrate the Wards.

So yeah. See you next time!

[juniperpublishers-crdoj]

Antidepressant Prescription Practices among Primary Health Care Providers for Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Authored by Bartlett G

Abstract

Purpose: Depression is a common comorbidity in people with diabetes that increases the risk of poor diabetes control and diabetes- related complications. While treatment of depression is expected to help, some antidepressants have been associated with impaired glucose metabolism. Evidence is lacking in the scope of this problem for people with diabetes. The objective of this study is to describe the prescription of antidepressants for diabetic patients with a focus on medications suspected to impair glucose control.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of electronic medical record data from 115 primary care practices in the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prescription of antidepressants for people with diabetes between 2009 and 2014.

Results: From the sample, 17,258 diabetic patients were prescribed at least one antidepressant (AD) between 2009 and 2014. In terms of pharmacological class, the greatest proportion of people were prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (46.2%), followed by serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (24.3%) and tricyclic antidepressants (23.8%). The most frequently prescribed medications were Citalopram (16.6%), Amitriptyline (16.2%), Venlafaxine (15.7%), Trazodone (14.2%), Escitalopram (12.4%) and Bupropion (9.2%). Almost half of diabetics were prescribed ADs potentially associated with impaired glucose metabolism (SNRIs or TCAs).

Conclusion: The present study provides a description of AD prescription in primary care for people with diabetes by class and medication. The findings indicate that the issue of glucose impairment has little impact on selection of ADs for people with diabetes. Further research is needed to determine the health impact of these practices.

Keywords: Diabetes; Antidepressants; Depression; Primary care; Electronic health records; Pharmacoepidemiology

Abbreviations: AD: Antidepressant; ATC: Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical; CPCSSN: Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network; COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; EMR: Electronic Medical Records; MAOI: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Noradrenergic; NaSSA: Specific Serotonergic Antidepressant; NDRI: Norepinephrine-dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors; SARI: Serotonin Antagonist and Reuptake Inhibitor; SSRI: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor; SNRI: Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor; T1DM: Type 1 diabetes mellitus; T2DM: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; WHO: World Health Organization  

    Introduction

Depression is a common comorbidity in people with diabetes mellitus which increases the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications [1-3]. The relationship between depression and diabetes is bi-directional. People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from depression compared to those without diabetes [4] and depression is associated with poor glycemic control in people with diabetes [5,6]. Treatment of depression is expected to break this cycle, but recent evidence suggests that some classes of antidepressants (AD) are associated with impaired glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of poor glycemic control [7,8]. Specifically, clinical trials suggest that Tricyclic antidepressants and Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors may be associated with poor glucose control [8-10]. Given the risk ADs may pose, especially for people with diabetes, knowledge about the prescription of ADs for people with diabetes is needed.

At present, there is a lack of observational research describing the prescription frequency of ADs for people with diabetes [11]. In a recent cross-sectional study, Wong et al. [12] describe the prescription of ADs in a pan-Canadian primary care population with a history of depression [12]; however, AD prescription is grouped by pharmacological class. As ADs within the same pharmacological class may differ in terms of their impact on glucose metabolism [13], information on the prescription of individual AD agents is needed. The prescription frequency of individual ADs is reported for the province of Quebec [14], but it is unknown whether AD Whether AD prescription in a general Canadian population or a smaller provincial study is the same as prescription of ADs for people with diabetes. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to describe the prescription of ADs for people with diabetes, which particularly focus on medications that may impact blood glucose control.

    Methods

Methods Data source and study population

The present cross-sectional study was conducted using primary care data extracted for public health surveillance and research purposes by the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN). At the time of the extraction, (September 30 2014), the CPCSSN database comprised health records from 115 primary care practices in 7 Canadian provinces and 1 territory. The electronic medical records (EMR) of 985,176 patients were extracted, anonymized, cleaned, coded and centralized by the CPCSSN [15]. The present study sample comprises all adult (18 years of age and over) patients (n=66,617) with diabetes in the CPCSSN database at the time of extraction. From this sample, 5 annual cross-sections of diabetic patients prescribed ADs between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2014 (n=17,258) were generated. This was further reduced to the 2014 cross-section (n=10,152) to reflect current prescription practices.

Diabetes

Diabetes cases were identified using the validated CPCSSN algorithm that detects cases using a combination of information from patients' problem list, medication prescription records, laboratory results and billing [16]. The diabetes case definition includes both type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The case definition for diabetes has a sensitivity of 95.6 95% CI: 93.4-97.9 and a specificity of 97.1 95% CI (96.3-97.9) [16]. The study sample comprises patients identified as having diabetes at the time of data extraction.

Depression

Cases of depression were identified using a validated case detection algorithm developed by the CPCSSN which combines information from patients' problem list, prescription records and billing. The case definition for depression includes depressive, bipolar and manic disorders. The algorithm detects lifetime depression-at least one occurrence of one of the above mood disorders (hereafter "history of depression"). The CPCSSN case definition for depression has a sensitivity of 81.1 95% CI: (77.2-85.0) and a specificity of 94.8 95% CI: (93.7-95.9) [16].

Antidepressants

Medications in the patient health records were assigned World Health Organization (WHO) Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) codes. Medications classed as antidepressants (ATC N06A) by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology [17] were included. The pharmacological classes reported here are: tricyclics (TCA); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI); serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI); serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitors (SARI)- comprising only Trazodone; monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI); norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI) and noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSA). ADs are classified according to the drug's molecular structure and/or the way they interfere with the serotonergic and norepinephrine neurotransmitter systems, rather than in terms of their receptor affinity and mechanisms of action [13]. Therefore, the action of AD agents within the same pharmacological class can differ greatly and their impact on glucose metabolism may be distinct. AD prescription is therefore reported in terms of individual medication as well as by pharmacological class.

Other variables of interest

Patients are characterized in terms of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), concurrent health conditions, and diabetes medication prescription. Age at the date of extraction was computed using patients’ dates of birth. A median BMI was computed for each patient using all BMI measures listed in their files. The median BMI was selected as a more reliable value (less susceptible to outliers) than the most recent measure or mean, given that a number of measures were suspected to be in error (outside the expected range and/or computed using weight in pounds rather than kilograms). Since BMI does not generally change a great deal over time [18], use of a fixed BMI measure is justifiable. The concurrent health conditions reported consist of conditions for which validated case definitions were developed by the CPCSSN: hypertension, depression, osteoarthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Diabetes medication prescription was identified using ATC classification. This information was categorically transformed to approximate diabetes type and severity: insulin only (T1DM), oral diabetes medications only (non-insulin-dependent T2DM), and both insulin and oral diabetes medications (insulin-dependent T2DM).

Statistical analyses

The sample population is described using frequencies and proportions, and means and standard deviations, as appropriate. First, the characteristics of the sample of patients with diabetes and prescribed ADs in 2014 (n=10,152), stratified by sex, are reported. Second, AD prescription frequencies and proportions (by pharmacological class and individual AD agent) for the 2014 cross-section, stratified by sex and history of depression, are reported. Finally, as a sensitivity analysis, the frequencies and proportions of AD prescriptions are described through a 5-year comparison of annual cross-sections of patients prescribed ADs between 2009 and 2014. Analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4.

Ethics

The CPCSSN received ethics approval from the research ethics boards of all host Universities for all participating networks and from the Health Canada Research Ethics Boards. The present study received ethics approval from the McGill University Faculty of Medicine Institutional Research Board.

    Results

Population characteristics

Table 1 provides description of characteristics of diabetic patients prescribed ADs in 2014 (n=10,152), stratified by sex. This sample is described according to age, BMI, presence of co-morbidities and anti-diabetic medication prescription. In the cohort of diabetic patients prescribed ADs in 2014, more of the patients were female than male. Among those with BMI measurements (n=7, 387; 27.2% missing), almost all were overweight and nearly two thirds were obese (BMI>30kg/ m2). History of depression was identified in over half of the sample. With regard to other comorbidities, hypertension was most frequent, followed by osteoarthritis and COPD. Regarding prescription of anti-diabetic medication, most were prescribed oral medications, followed by a combination of oral medications and insulin, and less than 10% were prescribed insulin alone. In over¼ of the diabetic patients, no prescription of diabetes medications was identified.

*Group mean of individuals' median BMI values

**None of the conditions for which CPCSSN case definitions were developed

Characteristics of males and females in the sample were generally comparable, with a few exceptions. Mean age and mean BMI (group mean of the individuals’ median values) were comparable between the sexes. Males were only slightly older than females, and slightly more females were obese than males. Very slight differences in diabetes medication prescription were observed, with more males than females prescribed insulin (either alone or in combination with oral medications).

Antidepressant prescription

Table 2 presents the frequency and proportion of ADs prescribed for the 2014 cross-section of diabetic patients, in terms of pharmacological class and individual medication, stratified by sex and history of depression. The most frequently prescribed AD classes given to people with diabetes were SSRI, followed by SNRI, TCA, SARI, NDRI, NaSSA and MAOI. A trend was observed in which the prescription of certain ADs for patients with a history of depression differed from those without. For diabetics with a history of depression, the most commonly prescribed classes were SSRI, followed by SNRI, TCA, SARI, NDRI and NaSSA. The most frequently prescribed classes of AD given to diabetic patients without depression were TCAs, followed by SSRIs, SNRIs, SARIs, NDRI and NaSSA.

The most frequently prescribed AD agents given to diabetic patients with a history of depression were Citalopram, Escitalopram, Venlafaxine, Trazodone, Bupropion, Amitriptyline and Sertraline. For diabetic patients without a history of depression, the most frequently prescribed ADs were Amitriptyline, Trazodone, Venlafaxine, Nortriptyline, Duloxetine, Citalopram and Bupropion. In people with diabetes and a history of depression, more females than males were prescribed ADs in general. The proportion with which individual ADs were prescribed were generally comparable between the sexes, with a few exceptions. Amitriptyline and Venlafaxine were more often prescribed for females than males, and Mirtazapine was more often prescribed for males than females.

For diabetic patients without a history of depression, larger differences were observed. The prescription frequency was higher for females than males for each of the individual SSRIs; Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline and Venlafaxine were more frequently prescribed for females than males; and Bupropion was more prescribed for males than females. Table 3 provides a comparison of 5 annual cross-sections of diabetic patients prescribed ADs between 2009 and 2014. Across the 5-year span, the relative proportions with which the pharmacological classes were prescribed remained stable. Changes in proportions were observed for individual medications within the classes, however. Increases in relative prescription frequency was observed for Escitalopram, Duloxetine, Bupropion, Mirtazapine and Trazodone. A decrease was observed for Citalopram, Paroxetine, Venlafaxine and Amitriptyline.

    Discussion

Interpretation

The present study provides a description of AD prescription in Canada for people with diabetes. This appears to be the first epidemiological study of primary care practices describing the prescription of ADs for people with diabetes in Canada. Additionally, very few studies to date have described the prescription of ADs in terms of individual medication.

This study's findings regarding the proportion with which the different classes of ADs were prescribed for people with diabetes and a history of depression are consistent with other research using CPCSSN data but described the prescription of ADs in a Canadian primary care population with a history of depression (with and without diabetes) [12]. The finding that SSRIs are most frequently prescribed class of AD is consistent with literature suggesting SSRIs are the standard of care for depression [19]. Evidence from clinical trials suggests SSRIs and NDRIs may be associated with improved glucose metabolism [7,20,21] and that TCAs and SNRIs may be associated with impaired glucose metabolism [8-10]. The mechanisms explaining these findings are inconclusive, but research suggests that the ADs binding profiles (the transporter and receptor affinity) play an important role [13,22,23]. The present study shows that almost half of diabetics prescribed ADs were given SNRIs or TCAs. While evidence so far is inconclusive, the frequency with which these ADs are prescribed may be cause for concern as it appears that primary healthcare providers are not aware of the negative impact of these medications with regard to glucose metabolism. Given the similarity in prescription patterns for the general primary care population with a history of depression [12] and diabetic patients with a history of depression, it appears that health care providers’ AD prescription choices are not affected by current evidence regarding the risks certain ADs pose for people with diabetes.

This study found that over half of the diabetic patients prescribed ADs had a history of depression. History of depression was used to define those for whom ADs were prescribed for the treatment of depression. The prescription of ADs for people with depression tended to differ from those without. This is to be expected as ADs are prescribed for a number of other conditions than depression, including: general anxiety or panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders; and clinically accepted off-label indications include insomnia, tobacco-cessation, headaches, neuropathic pain and chronic pain [24]. In patients without a history of depression (and those with a history of depression but were prescribed an AD for the treatment of another condition), the ADs were more likely prescribed for other conditions. The trend of differing prescription frequencies between males and females for specific ADs is largely related to the frequency with which these conditions are presented and treated in primary care.

Between 2009 and 2014, an increase in AD prescription frequency was observed; however, this may be a reflection of gradual increases participating clinics as well as their data capture. Increases in relative prescription frequency were observed for Trazodone, Bupropion and Mirtazapine, for which little research on their effect on glycemic control has been published. Citalopram and Paroxetine (SSRIs) decreased in frequency, while Escitalopram, an alternate SSRI, increased; and Duloxetine (SNRI) decreased while Venlafaxine, an alternate SNRI, increased. A slight decrease in prescription frequency was observed for Amitriptyline (TCA), relative to an increase in the prescription of Nortriptyline, an alternate TCA. Despite growing evidence that TCAs are associated with impaired glucose metabolism [7,8,25,26] no change in proportional frequency was observed over the course of the five-year observation period.

Limitations

One limitation is that the sample is only somewhat representative ofthe general Canadian population. In comparison with 2011 Canadian census data, the CPCSSN population in 2013 over-represented older adults and under-represented younger adults; and the CPCSSN population comprised significantly fewer young adult males than the general Canadian population [27]. Furthermore, given that the practices participating in the CPCSSN were not randomly selected, the population may not be generalizable to the Canadian primary care population [27]. Participating practices tended to be those affiliated with the practice-based research networks involved in the project and those more engaged in chronic disease surveillance. Nevertheless, the trends observed with this sample are expected to compare to those in a wider population. Future research should seek to confirm this hypothesis.

Second, the case detection algorithms for depression has a relatively high false positive rate. The case definition for depression detects lifetime depression, and includes manic disorders and bipolar mood disorders. Lifetime depression was used in this study to approximate the prescription of ADs for the treatment of depression as AD dose and reason for prescription were not consistently recorded or could not be coded. Patients with a history of depression may be given ADs for other conditions. For instance, TCAs are more commonly prescribed insomnia and chronic pain, Mirtazapine is more commonly prescribed for smoking cessation and Trazodone is more often prescribed in low doses as a hypnotic [28,29]. Given the number of ADs prescribed to people with depression, use of lifetime depression as an approximation over-estimates the number of ADs prescribed for the treatment of depression.

A third limitation of this study pertains to the use of health records for research. While primary care EMRs permit the naturalistic examination of prescriptions and health conditions over time, some values may be missing (not entered or could not be coded) and some fields may differ between EMR products or may not be used in a standardized manner by primary health care providers. Were the data available, AD dose, refer to psychotherapy and diagnoses for other health conditions for which ADs are prescribed would have been included to better describe depression treatment practices in primary care patients living with diabetes.

    Conclusion

The present research study provides information on the prescription of ADs for people with diabetes in primary care practices. This information is valuable as it provides insight into the implications of research evaluating the impact of ADs on glycemic control in people with diabetes. As new and more conclusive evidence on the effects of ADs on blood sugar emerges, or as new clinical recommendations are introduced, this study provides the means of estimating the number of patients that will be affected.

    Acknowledgement

JG received a travel award for this research from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) and a travel award from the McGill University Department of Family Medicine. SSD is Chercheur-BoursierClinicien, supported by a Fonds de Recherche Quebec Sante award. This research was part of the CPCSSN initiative, which is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) under a contribution agreement with the College of Family Physicians of Canada on behalf of 9 practice- based research networks associated with departments of family medicine across Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the PHAC.

To Know More About Current Research in Diabetes & Obesity Journal  Please click on: https://juniperpublishers.com/crdoj/index.php

To Know More About Open Access Journals Please click on: https://juniperpublishers.com/index.php

[shooktim-blog]

A few months ago, I had the great opportunity to visit the Mighty Five National Parks of Utah, which includes Zion National Park. The trip was part of an ongoing project with Marriott International, The Americas, to highlight some incredible places around the country, including our national parks. Few would disagree that there is something almost magical about America’s National Parks. Often called America’s Best Idea, each park is the result of years of tireless work on behalf of concerned citizens who wanted lands they felt to be unique and undeniably special to be protected forever. The National Park System represents the North American model of conservation, which itself was a hard concept to introduce to the general public more than a century ago but today is the standard by which similar parks around the world are judged. Reserving lands for posterity was not a popular idea at the time, but thanks to a handful of forward-thinking individuals, we as a country have now saved some of the planet’s most incredible natural and cultural wonders, including Zion. To help inspire you to visit or just better plan your own trip, here are a few things you should know about Zion National Park.

Zion National Park & Getting There

Exploring the Park in a Day

One of the many reasons why I love visiting the National Parks is how accessible they are even if you don’t have a lot of time to visit. Sure, you could spend many days exploring Zion but that’s not a luxury everyone can afford. Just because you don’t have a lot of time doesn’t mean you can’t see the best of the parks. Decades ago a concerted effort was made to create driving loops in almost every National Park to allow visitors to easily and quickly see the best or most popular features of each park. So, if you just have two or three hours yes, you can still experience the best of Zion with ease. One thing to keep in mind about the National Parks of the West though is just how big they are. Even though driving loops exist, the vast size of the parks themselves means you still have a lot of driving to do even if only to see the highlights. Before the trip I purchased a National Parks Annual Pass, which is honestly a smart thing to do if you plan on visiting two or more parks in a year. Not only did it save me money, but it made getting in and out of the parks easier as well. Before exploring the park though, I stopped off at the visitor’s center to learn more about Zion and which stops along the route I thought made the most sense for me to see.

Zion is the most popular of the Mighty Five parks, and its location is a key reason why. Just about two-hours from Las Vegas, Zion can be visited on a day trip; although that’s certainly not recommended. It’s also close to St. George, Utah, which is a popular outdoor recreation hub, and still other visitors include it on their circuit of the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Since it is so popular – about 4.5 million people journey there every year – the process of visiting is a little different from the other Mighty Five National Parks, but the majesty of the scenery is no less impressive.

Like most of the Parks in this part of the country, Zion is massive but is set up in such a way that makes it very easy to explore even if you’re light on time. Zion National Park is unlike any place I’ve ever been, a feeling that has been common among visitors since the time of the Native Americans. Zion first became popularized in the early 20th century when paintings and magazine articles about this natural wonder began to circulate around the country. In 1909 it was named a National Monument and in 1919 it became Utah’s first National Park. What makes it so special has to be felt in order to be properly understood, but at the heart of the experience is Zion Canyon. Here you’ll find a sandstone canyon etched by the Virgin River, creating not only a number of natural formations along the way, but different life zones that have in turn created a sort of Eden through the millennia.

There’s a lot to love about exploring Zion National Park, but some of my favorite activities include:

The Shuttle System

Over the decades, the small town of Springdale has grown up around Zion as the park’s popularity grew. There you’ll find everything you need to spend a few days or longer including hotels, restaurants, shops, cafes and associated services. There’s also a free shuttle system connecting the hotels with the National Park, so you don’t have to worry about finding a spot in the park itself. If you’re not staying in Springdale, you’ll need to arrive at the park early in the day as the free parking at Zion tends to fill up fast and early. Signs are posted throughout Springdale with the current parking status. Another byproduct of the park’s popularity is the fact that visitors can’t self-drive around the scenic driving route. Instead they must use the complimentary shuttle system that starts at the Visitor’s Center and continues through the Canyon, featuring many stops along the way. This is actually a great way to get around Zion and the shuttles run with such regularity that I never waited for longer than a few minutes. If you’re like me, then you’ll want to stop at almost every spot to admire the beauty of the park, including some of my favorite features:

Zion Human History Museum – This is an interesting stop to learn more about the park’s history but it’s also a good spot to find restrooms and has access to the Pa’rus Trail.

Weeping Rock – This is an easy walk up to dripping springs that have created hanging gardens over the years. You also have views of Angels Landing and Big Bend, as well as access to the Hidden Canyon and Observation Point Trails.

Canyon Junction – Most people stop here to access the Pa’rus Trail, but you can also enjoy sweeping views of the Virgin River and Zion Canyon.

Court of the Patriarchs – This may be a minor stop, but the rock formations known as the Patriarchs have been important to visitors since the beginning of human history here. At this stop you can make the short walk up to enjoy views of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Peaks, Mount Moroni and The Sentinel.

The Grotto – If you’re one of the many intrepid souls looking to tackle the infamous Angels Landing Trail, this is your starting point. There are also views of the Virgin River and Angels Landing itself. There’s a shaded picnic area here, making it a nice spot for a leisurely break.

Big Bend – This is a sweeping bend in the Virgin River with massive cliffs towering above. You can enjoy views of the river along with Angels Landing and The Great White Throne rock formation.

Temple of Sinawava – This is the last stop on the shuttle system and also where hikers can access The Narrows. It’s a well-maintained paved walk down to the Narrows, which makes this a popular and incredibly scenic short hike.

Day Hikes

Zion Canyon is the most visited part of Zion National Park and a big reason for that are the many day hikes available to all skill levels. Just because they’re popular though doesn’t mean they’re not without risk or effort. Be sure to check with the Visitor’s Center before embarking on any hike to see what the current conditions are like and any obstacles that may have been reported. Some favorite hikes include these notable walks through the park.

Pa’rus Trail – This is an easy hike and was one of my favorites from my time in Zion. It starts at either shuttle stop 1 or 3 and is 3.5 miles round trip, although I just did it one way from the Human History Museum back to the Visitor’s Center. It’s a paved trail that follows the Virgin River and is the only trail in the park that allows bikes and leashed dogs. It also features some incredible views, especially of The Watchman, and I strongly recommend adding this one to your to-do list.

Lower Emerald Pool Trail – This is a popular trail, but was partly closed when I visited due to rockfall. This really emphasizes the importance of checking trail conditions before setting out for the day – you just never know what will happen. The trail itself is paved and has minor drop-offs as it leads to the Lower Emerald Pool and waterfalls. It also connects to the Kayenta and Upper Emerald Pools Trails.

Grotto Trail – This is a short half-mile trail that starts at Zion Lodge and ends at the Grotto trailhead. Rather than take the shuttle between stops, I hiked this completely level trail as it followed the canyon floor through a beautiful meadow. It’s a nice stroll and a great introduction to the park.

Riverside Walk – This is one of the most popular hikes in Zion, and with good reason – it’s amazing. It starts at the Temple of Sinawava stop and is a 2.2-mile round trip paved hike along the Virgin River. Along the way you’ll see the best of Zion as you follow the path of river, ending at the entrance to the more strenuous (and wet) Narrows hike.

Angels Landing via West Rim Trail – Although this is a very popular hike, it’s also one of the most strenuous in the park. Zion defines strenuous not only in terms of length (it’s 5.4 miles round trip) or climbing, but mentally difficult as well. A trail like this one requires planning and ensuring you have everything you need, like water, before starting. Angels Landing though is so popular thanks to the incredible views at the end. The trail follows the narrow spine to the final viewpoint roughly 1500 feet above the canyon floor. Given the long drops, this is not recommended for kids or anyone with a fear of heights, which is one reason of many why I didn’t even try this one.

The Narrows via Riverside Walk – Another strenuous hike, this one does interest me but when I visited the high water levels meant no one was allowed to even attempt it. Starting at the Temple of Sinawava, you follow the Riverside Walk and then continue up through the river itself to see the best narrows sections of the river. You must be prepared though. It’s 9.4 miles round trip and much of it is spent wading, walking and sometimes even swimming in the river. Getting through it is rough and conditions are cold and slippery. You must do your research in advance and spend some time chatting with rangers before attempting it.

Springdale

A travel editor once told me to never use the word “cute” when writing, and yet that’s all that comes to mind when I think about Springdale. It was originally founded in the 19th century by Mormon farmers, but today it exists for one reason – to cater to the millions who visit Zion National Park every year. Just 500 people call this their permanent home, meaning it’s a strange place to spend time, but a fun one. As I mentioned, there are any number of places to eat, sleep and relax, but there are other experiences to enjoy aside from the restaurants, art galleries and National Park.

There are a number of local adventure outfitters who can set you up for hikes or even tubing on the Virgin River. There’s also the ghost town of Grafton, which shares a different side to the region’s history. If you use Springdale as a home base, you can also visit other impressive natural wonders like Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Red Cliffs Recreation Area, Snow Canyon State Park and Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument.

Where to Stay

Springdale, and even neighboring towns, are chock full of places to stay but from my experience, these are some notable properties to patronize when you visit Zion National Park.

SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park

Designed to blend in with the red rocks of the area, the SpringHill Suites in Springdale is the ideal home for your visit to Zion. It’s in the heart of Springdale, which means almost everything is walkable and there’s even a shuttle stop for Zion right in front. Add in the spacious rooms and incredible service for which SpringHill Suites are so well known, and this is a hotel that’s hard to beat.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Virgin Zion National Park

When visiting Zion, I actually stayed in nearby Virgin, Utah at a very brand new Fairfield Inn & Suites. When I say brand new, I mean it – you can practically still smell the paint and I loved it. Since it was just opened, this property has all of the modern conveniences in a setting that is peaceful and breathtaking. The common areas are large and comfortable and there’s even a pool area so you can relax after a long day of adventuring. This was a welcome haven for me and I loved every second of staying there.

Zion National Park is one of the country’s great natural treasures and it should be a place everyone has on their travel bucket list. No matter how you choose to experience the park, just make sure you take the time to experience its grandeur in person for a trip you’ll never forget.

To learn more about Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks, please be sure to listen to the episode of the Explore the World Travel Podcast I devoted to them.

The post Zion National Park: What to Know & Why Everyone Should Visit appeared first on LandLopers.

[nbatrades]

Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Nate Wolters In 2013 Draft

On June 27th, 2013, the Milwaukee Bucks traded the draft rights of Ricky Ledo and a 2014 second round draft pick (Nemanja Dangubic) to the Philadelphia 76ers for the draft rights of Nate Wolters.

Nate Wolters had a whirlwind of a 2013 NBA Draft. From South Dakota State, Wolters was initially selected 38th in the second round of the draft by the Washington Wizards. Soon after, he was packaged with the 54th pick in the draft (Arsalan Kazemi) in a trade for the draft rights of the 35th pick in the draft, Glen Rice, Jr. 

That would not be Wolters’ final stop on the draft night trade caravan. Wolters’ final stop would be Milwaukee where he was dealt to the Bucks for the draft rights of the 43rd pick in Ricky Ledo and a second round draft pick in the next year.

A four-year player at South Dakota State, Wolters departed the Jackrabbits basketball program with school records in scoring (2,353 points), assists (663) and free throws made (644). He once scored 53 points in a game during his senior year and finished up as a third-team All-American.

After the draft, Wolters joined the Bucks for NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he put up 9.4 PPG on 40.9% from the field, 3.2 RPG and 2.8 APG in five games. Wolters later signed with the Bucks on a three-year, $2.3 million deal with the final year non-guaranteed. In his rookie season, Wolters was not expected to play heavy minutes, but injuries to point guards Luke Ridnour and Brandon Knight early in the season gave him an opportunity to start a handful of games.

Wolters showed some impressive skills early on. He had slick handles that allowed him to penetrate into the paint for drives. He was also a good decision maker, finishing fifth in assist to turnover ratio (3.28). Wolters had some clear weaknesses. His outside shot was lacking (29% from three).

Wolters ended up contributing 7.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.2 APG and 0.6 SPG in 58 appearances (31 starts) and 22.6 MPG. His season was cut short after he fractured his left hand in March. 

Milwaukee dealt with numerous injuries throughout the 2013-14 season and though they had hopes for playoff contention, a 2-13 start doomed their season. Milwaukee ended up with the worst record in the NBA at 15-67.

In the offseason, the Bucks drafted Duke forward Jabari Parker with the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. The team also fired head coach Larry Drew, replacing him with Jason Kidd. Wolters went to Las Vegas for NBA Summer League for the second time with Milwaukee. He appeared in five contests and managed 8.4 PPG on 45% from the field, 3.0 RPG, 1.6 APG and 1.0 SPG in 22.5 MPG.

After the hiring of Kidd and the addition of point guards Jerryd Bayless and Kendall Marshall, Wolters found himself on the outside of Kidd’s backcourt rotations looking in. He appeared in just 11 of the team’s first 37 games, averaging 2.3 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.9 APG and 0.5 SPG in 12.9 MPG. At that point, the Bucks waived Wolters to make room for free agent signee Kenyon Martin. He later signed a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Wolters ended his time in Milwaukee with a stat line of 6.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.9 APG and 0.6 SPG in 69 career games. He shot 43% from the field, 27% from three and 64% from the free-throw line.

On the same night, Philadelphia rerouted Ledo to the Dallas Mavericks, trading the wing for a 2014 second round pick. The 2014 second rounder that Milwaukee sent to Philadelphia ended up 54th in the 2014 draft. The Sixers selected 6′8″ Serbian guard Nemanja Dangubic and traded his draft rights to the San Antonio Spurs for the draft rights to guard Jordan McRae.

Nate Wolters on his draft situation (via Bucks.com):

“It was a pretty wide-open draft, especially in my range. I didn’t really know what to expect. Those were a crazy couple of minutes. I didn’t know where I was going. But I’m sure glad it was the Milwaukee Bucks.”

On joining the Bucks:

“Being drafted to play in the NBA is a dream that I’ve worked my entire life to achieve. Milwaukee is a great organization and I am very appreciative for this opportunity. I can’t wait to start my career as a Buck.”

John Hammond on acquiring Wolters (via Bucks.com):

“To get Nate in the second round, pardon me for saying it because we always say it, but I’m going to say it again: We had him on the board as a first-round pick. There were other teams, probably, saying the same things about their second-round picks, but we’re really excited to have Nate. 

“To have a big guard – he’s a 6′4″ point guard – he scored at South Dakota State because his team needed him to do that. But has a great feel for the game and a great knowledge of how to play the game.”

On drafting both Giannis Antetokounmpo (taken in first round) and Wolters (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel):

“It’s a pretty simple description, the guys who can pass and catch. You can't do one well without the other. If you’re a good passer, you usually have good hands and you can catch the ball. I think we added two guys who know how to play and have a great feel for the game. And one with Nate, we think is a player who can get on the floor and play for us immediately. And I don’t want to say that Giannis cannot do that. Who knows?”

Image via Getty Images/David Liam Kyle

[alxndrasplace]

(NASA)  Australian desert

This spectacular image captured by Sentinel-2A on 13 July features Lake Amadeus, in Australia’s Northern Territory.

It shows the variety of the sandy, rocky and salty formations within the lake. Around 180 km long and 10 km wide, Amadeus is the largest salt lake in the Northern Territory, just 50 km north of Uluru/ Ayers Rock.

Lake Amadeus contains up to 600 million tonnes of salt. However, harvesting is not feasible because of its remote location.

Owing to the aridity of the area, the surface of Lake Amadeus is often a dry salt crust. When rainfall is sufficient, it becomes part of an east-flowing drainage system that eventually connects to the Finke River.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks, Uluru/Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock formation standing 348 m high, rising 863 m above sea level and with a circumference of 9.4 km.  

Also clearly visible in the lower-central part of the image are the Petermann Ranges. These mountains run 320 km across the border between Western Australia and the southwest corner of the Northern Territory.

Their highest point is 1158 m above sea level. The range was formed about 550 million years ago as compression folded a section of Earth’s crust.

[paulbenedictblog]

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Usa today Bounty of bags, parrot false alarm, virtual hike: News from around our 50 states

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Tuscaloosa: Litter crews gathered bigger than 113 hundreds roadside litter in the Tuscaloosa arena on my own in 2019, officials yell. If the litter had been measured in plastic bottles, it might per chance well most likely per chance stretch from Tuscaloosa to Dallas “with a few miles to spare,” says John McWilliams, a spokesman for the Alabama Division of Transportation’s West Central Negate. The train’s charges to neat up roadside litter agree with reached $200,000 in Tuscaloosa County and $6.8 million statewide. Negate officials agree with highlighted complications with roadside litter in the previous and launched a statewide litter awareness campaign in 2018, naming it “Trash Costs Money.” It incorporated public provider messages on social media websites, television and radio.

Usa today Alaska

Anchorage: A rural train senator has known as on Gov. Mike Dunleavy to survey a prolong in the implementation of True ID driver’s licenses. Sen. Donny Olson, D-Golovin, on Thursday acknowledged Dunleavy ought to utilize his affect with President Donald Trump to prolong the True ID requirement, scheduled to make a selection out enact Oct. 1. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to raise driver’s license security standards. Starting Oct. 1, Alaskans must agree with a True ID or one more rep of federal identification, equivalent to a passport, to circulate thru security at airports and diverse federally secured areas. Alaskans without the REAL ID driver’s license might per chance well additionally very successfully be barred from hotfoot. Olson approved in a assertion that the train Division of Administration is in quest of $60,000 in donations from Alaskans for an outreach program that will per chance reduction those without Division of Motor Car offices of their communities designate REAL ID driver’s licenses.

Usa today Arizona

Phoenix: The train goes thru a critical shortage of blood after donations fell all over the vacations, the train’s vital blood vendor acknowledged Friday because it issued an pressing call for donors. Arizona has less than a day’s supply of the universal blood kind, O-destructive, and less than a two-day supply of O-particular, which is able to be outmoded on somebody with a particular blood kind, per Vitalant, the group formerly is named United Blood Companies. The neighborhood provides blood for 62 Arizona hospitals. There are shortages of quite loads of blood kinds as successfully. Blood provides continually descend all over the vacations, the slowest duration for donations, but this year’s shortage is more extreme than conventional, says Sue Thew, a spokeswoman for Vitalant. “It’s scandalous ample to have other folks being in the clinical institution this time of year,” Thew says. “They shouldn’t must distress about having an gargantuan blood supply.”

Usa today Arkansas

Minute Rock: The train’s finance administrative center says increased-than-expected sales and corporate earnings tax collections in December helped preserve the train’s earnings above forecast for the hot fiscal year. The Division of Finance and Administration reports the train’s obtain available traditional earnings in December totaled $547.6 million, which became $6 million above December 2018 and $5.6 million above forecast. The train’s obtain available earnings up to now for the fiscal year that started July 1 totals $2.9 billion, $93.1 million above forecast. Arkansas’ sales tax collections in December totaled $225 million, which became $9.4 million above the same month the old year and $1.3 million above forecast. The train’s corporate earnings tax collections totaled $74.1 million, $13.5 million decrease than the same month the old year but $7 million above forecast.

Usa today California

Los Angeles: A skeleton found by hikers this descend attain the train’s 2d-highest prime, Mount Williamson, became identified Friday as a Japanese American artist who had left the Manzanar internment camp to paint in the mountains in the waning days of World Warfare II. The Inyo County sheriff outmoded DNA to identify the remains of Giichi Matsumura, who succumbed to the ingredients all over a freak summer season blizzard while on a hiking day out with assorted participants of the camp. Matsumura had apparently stopped to paint a watercolor while the assorted males continued toward a lake to fish. His body wasn’t found for one more month, and the tragedy became overshadowed in the quick days after his Aug. 2, 1945, disappearance when the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb, hastening Japan’s resign in the struggle. Matsumura became one in every of larger than 1,800 detainees who died in the 10 detention center camps in the West, despite the proven truth that it’s one in every of the more habitual deaths.

Usa today Colorado

Large Junction: Demonstrators agree with welcomed the original Bureau of Land Management headquarters in opposition of the performing department director as his appointment became extended. U.S. Division of the Inner Secretary David Bernhardt signed an define Thursday extending the appointment of performing department director William Perry Pendley until April no topic criticism, the Day-to-day Sentinel reports. Pendley has drawn criticism for positions he held sooner than joining the department including his pork up of promoting public lands, officials acknowledged. Dozens of parents showed up to the headquarters dwelling in Large Junction to wave indicators and enlighten their concerns, officials acknowledged. The department is guilty for managing public lands, but Pendley is an “anti-public-lands suggest at the helm of an company that belongs to us,” rally organizer Cody Perry acknowledged.

Usa today Connecticut

North Haven: A college laboratory started assessments Friday on skeletal remains found underneath an 18th-century home in the hopes of figuring out the three other folks believed to be troopers killed all over the Revolutionary Warfare. In December, while house owners had been renovating their home in Ridgefield, the remains had been realized in a grave below the muse. “These bones are so unheard of, they’re dense, they’re thick with muscle attachments, (and) they’re prolonged,” says Prick Bellantoni, emeritus train archaeologist of the Connecticut Museum of Natural History. Whereas primary remains unknown, researchers imagine the remains belonged to males and per chance date to the Fight of Ridgefield in April 1777. The manner the males had been buried in a haphazard grave additionally lends credibility to the knowing that that they had been victims of the Fight of Ridgefield. If confirmed, Bellantoni says they would per chance per chance be the first remains from a Revolutionary Warfare soldier recovered in Connecticut.

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Wilmington: At her investiture to the train Supreme Court on Friday, Tamika Sir Bernard Law-Reeves’ remarks had been fat of gratitude. She thanked her family, mentors and colleagues for supporting her. She thanked the governor and lawmaking body for nominating and confirming her to the bench. And she thanked the gang in the Howard Excessive College auditorium for coming to interrogate the historic 2d. “I make no longer in actual fact feel in the slightest degree entitled to be sitting in front of you,” she acknowledged. At 38, the long-established vice chancellor is no longer simplest the youngest person to take a seat down on Delaware’s Supreme Court bench but additionally the first African American Supreme Court justice in the train’s historical previous. Sir Bernard Law-Reeves’ likelihood to take the match at Howard Excessive became an intentional nod to Delaware’s civil rights historical previous: At the discontinue of the 19th century, the college became one in every of simplest two alternatives for sunless college students to obtain a secondary education in Delaware.

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Washington: Anti-struggle protesters gathered out of doorways the White Condo on Saturday to oppose any struggle against Iran or Iraq, WUSA-TV reports. Brian Becker, nationwide director of the ANSWER Coalition, acknowledged the message from demonstrators became that they need peace, no longer struggle. “There’s no motive the US desires to act as the policeman of the arena,” Becker acknowledged, joined by what looked as if it'd be loads of hundred assorted protesters who blocked streets as they made their manner from the White Condo to the Trump World Hotel. Protesters held indicators calling for the elimination of troops from Iran and Iraq. Native climate activist Jane Fonda became additionally at the demonstration. She acknowledged other folks ought to wrestle native climate change and peace simultaneously. “The younger other folks here ought to know the total wars which were fought since you had been born had been fought over oil,” Fonda acknowledged.

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Lake Price Seaside: When any individual heard chilling cries and the phrases “Let me out!” they dialed 911. Minute did the gorgeous neighbor know the cries had been that of a 40-year-long-established parrot named Rambo. After the call, four Palm Seaside County Sheriff’s deputies pulled up and questioned a man who looked as if it'd be repairing a car in his driveway. The Palm Seaside Put up reports that after the deputies outlined their concerns, the man smiled, then suggested deputies he’d introduce them to the perpetrator. When he returned with the parrot, the deputies burst out laughing. The person suggested officers that he taught Rambo to bawl “Let me out!” when he became a small bit one and Rambo lived in a cage. PBSO officials might per chance per chance no longer be reached for more cramped print. The company did tweet a link to a video Saturday, announcing, “Our deputies in Lake Price Seaside got here to the help of any individual screaming for reduction. Hilarity ensued.”

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Atlanta: Metropolis leaders are preparing for one more are attempting by lawmakers to set up the arena’s busiest airport below the train’s management. Some excellent politicians yell organising a true and goal inspector traditional train might per chance well additionally very successfully be key to staving off a train takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta World Airport, The Atlanta Journal-Structure reports. The inspector traditional train is viewed by some as key to combating Metropolis Hall corruption – and critical in maintaining airport operations below native management. The Metropolis Council in November solidified its opposition to a train takeover of the airport. They are saying that’s a major function when the Georgia Total Meeting begins its session later this month. The council has additionally sponsored regulations to set the inspector traditional train.

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Wailuku: Authorities will begin towing autos operated by other folks on Maui arrested for riding below the affect of alcohol or tablets. Maui County Council passed the DUI tow law and Mayor Michael Victorino signed it into regulations in December, The Maui Recordsdata reports. Maui Police Division officials demand to enforce the original regulations by the discontinue of the month, authorities acknowledged. “We’re attempting to change habits to conclude underneath the affect of alcohol riding,” acknowledged Lt. William Hankins, commander of the police Traffic Share. The regulations permits police to tow autos operated by drivers who are arrested for riding below the affect, riding without a license, or riding after their license is suspended or revoked for impaired riding, authorities acknowledged. The registered owner of the auto might per chance per chance be guilty for paying the towing and storage expenses.

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Bonners Ferry: The tracks agree with reopened after a put collectively derailment Wednesday stranded locomotives and precipitated gasoline spills in a river in northern Idaho. BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas acknowledged the tracks reopened Saturday afternoon after three locomotives and six rail autos derailed in the a long way away arena 10 miles east of Bonners Ferry on the main line. Nobody became injured. Melonas acknowledged crews had been quiet attempting to resolve discover how to make a selection out away two locomotives quiet at the scene, including one on the banks and one more in the water of the Kootenai River. Melonas acknowledged the derailment became precipitated by a rock dart. The only access to the arena is by put collectively or boat, he acknowledged. Forty trains utilize the notice day after day, including firm freights and Amtrak passenger trains traveling between Seattle and Chicago, Melonas acknowledged.

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Chicago: Efforts to make a selection out away invasive plant species at eight arena wooded arena preserves seem like paying off, per a volunteer restoration project. A project by the Centennial Volunteers has been focusing on river-edge websites in Prepare dinner County. Workforce officials yell native vegetation seem like returning to the areas, which encompass Clayton Smith Woods attain Niles and Miami Woods attain Morton Grove, which saw its native plant coverage jump from 56% in 2016 to 68% in 2019. Invasive vegetation can have an effect on native growth and block sunlight hours from reaching the ground, which is able to hurt soil stipulations and habitat for natural world, per the neighborhood. The eradicated invasive species encompass buckthorn and honeysuckle. Funding for the project comes from a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Basis. The volunteer project became started in 2014 by loads of organizations including Company of the Chicago River and the Forest Preserves of Prepare dinner County.

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Seymour: Rocker John Mellencamp has donated $50,000 to his southern Indiana fatherland for building of a plaza attain a mural that pays homage to the singer-songwriter and his 1980s hit “Diminutive Metropolis.” Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman announced Mellencamp’s reward final week at the discontinue of a municipal board assembly sooner than reading a letter from the singer-songwriter, who grew up in the metropolis about 60 miles south of Indianapolis. Mellencamp wrote in the letter that the money is earmarked for creation of a plaza in a automobile parking role adjacent to the mural, which is painted on the facet of This Extinct Guitar Tune Retailer, the Seymour Tribune reports. The mural celebrating Mellencamp’s profession became carried out final descend by Indianapolis artist Pamela Bliss and parts a 35-foot image of Mellencamp leaning on a guitar, plus a smaller image of him carrying a Seymour FFA jacket.

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Des Moines: The names of car owners ticketed by computerized flee cameras are no longer a public file, a divided Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday. The courtroom became brooding about a lawsuit filed by a protracted-established Ottumwa police sergeant who became ticketed while riding a metropolis-owned car in Also can 2016 by the metropolis’s flee digital camera. Price Milligan filed an begin files request after he became given the stamp as the motive force. On the total such citations bound to the auto’s owner. He wanted to interrogate the names of car owners caught on digital camera and ticketed and those caught rushing by the computerized digital camera but no longer given a stamp. Many cities make no longer enforce the computerized fines against public officials riding authorities autos. The metropolis denied his request arguing that the names of parents ticketed are confidential below the federal Driver’s Privacy Safety Act passed in 1994 and a identical train regulations designed to present protection to internal most files maintained by train transportation officials.

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Wichita: Gov. Laura Kelly says a jumpy unit internal a train clinical institution for the mentally sick is “no longer a therapeutic ambiance” and has promised adjustments. Kelly talked about the most up-to-date complications at Osawatomie Negate Scientific institution on Thursday after federal inspectors again threatened to tug Medicare funding, The Wichita Eagle reports. Kelly acknowledged the power’s 60-bed Adair Acute Care unit is “manner too cramped to agree with 60 other folks with some critical mental successfully being points in that one train.” She acknowledged the Kansas Division for Aging and Disability Companies, which oversees train hospitals, is working on development plans to diminish the selection of patients in the unit and supply beds in completely different places. The Kansas Division for Aging and Disability Companies has filed a notion to just the complications, promising to rep more individualized therapy for patients.

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Louisville: The Louisville Zoo family has two original participants. The original 1-year-long-established male and female two-toed sloths are “getting acclimated to their original environment” and might per chance per chance be available to meet the public starting this spring, per the zoo’s web arena. The yet-to-be-named sloths will hang out in the South The us zone by the Chilean flamingos, per the Louisville Zoo. The original demonstrate became that you just might per chance well additionally imagine thanks to funding from the Company of the Louisville Zoo and diverse donors. The Linneaus’s two-toed sloths hail from South American wooded arena cowl and might per chance well even be demonstrate in Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, and the greater Amazon Basin of Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. The nocturnal, solitary sloths are known for their tiring actions and tendency to hold upside down in trees.

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New Orleans: A hotel that partially collapsed, killing three other folks, won’t be fully demolished until the discontinue of the year, metropolis officials acknowledged Friday. Metropolis officials suggested native media that the developers who possess the building submitted updated demolition plans that enormously changed when the demolition route of would rep underway. Demolition is now expected to begin in Also can as an alternate of the discontinue of February, pushing attend the expected completion date to December. New Orleans Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell acknowledged the approach goes to be more labor intensive than had been beforehand knowing. The fire chief acknowledged metropolis officials are no longer glad with the longer timeline, and the metropolis is urging the firm that owns the building to search out a means to flee things along. The Interesting Rock Hotel on the perimeter of the French Quarter became below building when it partially collapsed Oct. 12.

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Portland: A developer has announced plans to make utilize of a protracted-established monastery to home newly arrived asylum-seekers. Josh Soley says he’ll supply leases in a boardinghouse-style project, which accommodates communal kitchens and toilets. He says there will most certainly be 40 devices available. “Many of my mates in the true property industry are building high-discontinue condos,” Soley acknowledged. “But there’s no longer lots of parents that in actual fact invent on the decrease discontinue of the market, and I mediate there’s tidy need for that.” Maine is home to hundreds of African newbies, lots of them asylum-seekers, and an influx this previous summer season in short overwhelmed native shelters. The metropolis has no longer issued the permits wanted for the building, and it is no longer sure when the devices would become available, The Portland Press Herald reports.

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Annapolis: Original feedback from the head of the Environmental Safety Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program about air pollution limits designed to toughen the successfully being of the bay agree with sparked disaster amongst environmental teams and a few train officials. EPA’s bay program Director Dana Aunkst acknowledged at a convention final week in Annapolis that 2025 air pollution targets dwelling forth in 2010 for Chesapeake Bay states and the District of Columbia are “an aspiration” and no longer an enforceable closing date, per The Capital. Will Baker, president of the Chesapeake Bay Basis, acknowledged in a assertion that train “ought to set up ache in the hearts of all who care about neat water.” He known because it a sign that President Donald Trump’s administration is withdrawing from the bay cleanup effort.

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Boston: Plans to set up a plaque at the Statehouse to sign the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s address to lawmakers in the building in 1965 are spirited forward. Masslive.com reports the train Condo of Representatives on Dec. 23 passed a rep to the underside of filed early final year by Democratic train Rep. Bud Williams, of Springfield, that would authorize the set up of a plaque in the Condo chamber. The address became delivered April 22, 1965, to a joint session of the Legislature all over King’s two-day consult with to Boston that incorporated a march by hundreds from Roxbury to the Boston Total the following day to yelp segregation in faculties and in assorted areas of life. After he became refused entrance to the William Boardman College in Roxbury, King acknowledged, “I'm here to make a selection out away segregation from every arena of life in Boston.” The measure has been referred to the Committee on Senate Solutions.

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Detroit: For the previous few months, company at Detroit Metro Airport agree with had the likelihood to buckle down and do security and send off their loved ones or greet them at the gate. Now, the notice will continue into the original year and per chance beyond, the airport announced. The DTW Destination circulate program, by which non-ticketed company can access the put up-security facet of the McNamara and North terminals, became presented as a pilot half in October and became scheduled to discontinue Jan. 5. On the other hand, officials with the Wayne County Airport Authority agree with extended the initiative indefinitely, the company acknowledged in a news free up. Detroit Metro is one in every of the few airports in the nation to agree with this kind of program, as the notice of allowing other folks to assist at the gate has been terrible since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist assaults.

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Walker: Organizers agree with canceled the World Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake, announcing the economics and diverse restrictions on the birthday celebration of the train’s ugliest fish no longer work. The organizers acknowledged Thursday that they would per chance per chance no longer attain an agreement on a form of terms with the Cass County officials. So they canceled what would were the 41st annual match, which had been deliberate for Feb. 20-23. Previous gala's agree with introduced bigger than 12,000 other folks to the northern Minnesota town for four days of out of doorways iciness activities. Cass County Administrator Josh Stevenson acknowledged he wasn’t attentive to the “impasse” cited by organizers. He questioned whether or no longer they'll additionally need been glossing over assorted points, equivalent to the unpredictability of the climate and the train’s plans to impose limits on what number of eelpout anglers can beget.

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Philadelphia: A arena is being cleared for a original navy monument eight months after a twister destroyed a monument to the fallen troopers of Neshoba County. Col. Ray Crocker, vice chairman of the Fallen Troopers Monument Committee, suggested the Meridian Megastar that the prep work in Deweese Park incorporated taking away the long-established monument and tree stumps. Organizers are in the approach of elevating $100,000 for the original monument. “Half of that, which buys the total granite, might want to be raised by the discontinue of February, so we can bound forward and train the define in time to dedicate the monument in Also can of 2020 on Memorial Day,” Crocker acknowledged. He acknowledged the monument’s original originate will most certainly be low to the ground, making it sturdier in scandalous climate. The peak is calculated to invent the names viewed from a wheelchair and for oldsters which can well additionally very successfully be standing.

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St. Louis: Residents living in the metropolis’s terrible, segregated neighborhoods are at a increased threat of cancer from air contaminants, and proximity to congested web roar visitors makes up a critical fragment of that vulnerability, per a learn from Washington College. Christine Ekenga, an assistant professor of public successfully being at the college and the learn’s lead author, suggested the St. Louis Put up-Dispatch the air pollution that conferred the glorious dangers had been web roar visitors-connected. “The closer a neighborhood became to a critical interstate motorway, the more elevated their threat became,” she added. “African American neighborhoods had been more likely to be in these hotspot areas.” The findings pork up the college’s assorted most up-to-date learn that cramped print how St. Louis is plagued by inequalities. The metropolis’s stark racial divide makes it one in every of essentially the most segregated in the U.S. and contributes to differing outcomes across a huge series of environmental successfully being concerns.

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Missoula: The Crimson Execrable of Montana seeks more drivers to transport donated blood, plasma and platelets. The group has dwelling a function of recruiting 20 more drivers to preserve donations spirited from donor centers to a testing lab and hospitals. Donated blood has gorgeous 33 hours to invent it from donor centers to the Crimson Execrable’ simplest Montana testing lab in Broad Falls, the Missoulian reports. “Platelets simplest dwell viable for approximately 5 days, so there’s continually a huge question for them, whether or no longer it’s treating sure illnesses or cancers. Crimson blood cells provide you with a small bit more time with three weeks, but there’s continually a real need,” donor and volunteer driver Phil Carlos says. The Crimson Execrable provides practising and a car for all possible drivers, who must hold a sound driver’s license, Crimson Execrable spokesman Matt Ochsner says.

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York: An nameless $3 million donation will reduction York College renovate the oldest surviving contemporary building on campus, Hulitt Hall. Constructed in 1903, the corridor will most certainly be remodeled correct into a level of interest for company and a hub for pupil products and companies, college officials acknowledged. Preliminary renovation plans call for building of a original entryway and loads of interior parts to invent the building follow the Americans with Disabilities Act. Hulitt Hall has served as the college’s song conservatory after which as a dormitory until 1972. It’s been outmoded mostly for offices and lecture rooms since then. It became named for John Hulitt, who donated $5,000 toward the $15,000 price of creating.

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Reno: Gov. Steve Sisolak and the train’s entire congressional delegation are attempting to steer the Air Force to invent the Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno the home for a original regional air squadron to answer to emergencies and failures. Sisolak and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen led a letter to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett on Friday touting the Reno wicked as the glorious dwelling for the deliberate growth of the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. They are saying the wicked’s 152nd Airlift Cruise is uniquely suited to home the squadron partly thanks to its proximity to the West Fly and the Airlift Cruise’s trip in pure anxiousness and clinical emergency response. Only four such devices are currently located west of the continental divide. The officials yell placing the 10th unit in Reno would reduction mitigate the disproportionate allocation of the devices in the East.

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Harmony: A program that trains volunteers to advertise natural world conservation and wooded arena stewardship in the train is ready for original contributors. The New Hampshire Coverts Venture, sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension and New Hampshire Fish and Recreation, is accepting functions for its workshop to be held Also can 13-16. The 25 contributors will spend four days finding out about ecology, habitat management, land conservation and efficient outreach. There might per chance be a $50 registration price, but the program’s sponsors cowl lodging, meals and diverse expenses. Participants must decide to spend in any case 40 hours in the following year volunteering and motivating others to become natural world and wooded arena stewards.

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Sandy Hook: A species is making a comeback along the Jersey coastline. Seabeach amaranth, an Atlantic Fly native as soon as knowing extirpated from the train, has rebounded no topic prolonged odds, Division of Environmental Safety Commissioner Catherine McCabe says. Seabeach amaranth, a threatened species, is gorgeous one in every of six federally endangered or threatened vegetation in New Jersey. It’s an annual plant with short bunches of spinach-like leaves trimmed in gentle crimson, supported by stout crimson stalks. Biologists from the train and the Conserve Wildlife Basis of New Jersey counted 7,195 vegetation – a 600% elevate – all over the 2019 interrogate, conducted on beaches south of Sandy Hook. Bigger than 1,500 of the vegetation had been found at Ocean County’s Island Seaside Negate Park, train officials acknowledged. Appropriate 300 had been found at the park in 2018.

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Albuquerque: Animal advocacy teams agree with filed complaints with federal officials about the therapy of monkeys and diverse animals at a learn facility in New Mexico. The Ohio-primarily based fully neighborhood Discontinue Animal Exploitation Now outlined its claims against the Lovelace Respiratory Study Institute in a letter despatched Thursday to the U.S. Agriculture Division. The neighborhood accuses the lab of a sample of negligence and carelessness that resulted in the deaths of monkeys. The neighborhood is asking for U.S. regulators to study the lab and ache penalties for what it claims are violations of federal regulations. Participants for the Ethical Treatment of Animals despatched its possess letter to the National Institutes of Health on Friday asking that the lab’s public successfully being provider animal welfare assurance be withdrawn. Both teams pointed to a November inspection file that outlined inadequate veterinary care and circulate animal handling.

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Lockport: An upstate college district has begun the utilize of facial recognition expertise to interrogate for threats, over the objection of civil rights advocates who yell it compromises pupil privacy. The Lockport Central College District acknowledged it activated the machine Thursday after assembly stipulations dwelling by train education officials, including that no college students be programmed into the machine’s database. Superintendent Michelle Bradley acknowledged on the district’s web arena that the Aegis machine is succesful of alerting workers to guns as well to other folks who pose a possible threat, including level 2 or 3 sex offenders, suspended workers participants, and other folks flagged by regulations enforcement or prohibited by courtroom define. The district initially deliberate to encompass sure college students but backed off amid privacy concerns raised by the New York Negate Education Division.

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Charlotte: Ninety years after its opening, the metropolis’s simplest historic hotel is in the midst of a bigger than $2 million facelift. Summit Hospitality Workforce, which owns the 10-memoir Dunhill Hotel in uptown, started the renovations final month in a project expected to price between $2 million and $2.5 million. The adjustments encompass replacing the carpets, wallpaper, lights and a long way of the furnishings in the guest rooms, as well to updating one of the critical critical furnishings in the assembly rooms. Some of the existing vintage furnishings will most certainly be incorporated into the original originate, acknowledged Meredith Zingrass, project manager for renovations and construction at Summit. The Raleigh-primarily based fully hotel and restaurant management firm expects the revamp to be entire in February. The hotel will dwell begin all over the upgrades.

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Fargo: An nameless donor gave Fargo Public Faculties bigger than $28,000 to pay the lunch debt of all college students for the first semester of classes. Superintendent Rupak Gandhi suggested KFGO-AM that no pupil is denied a hot lunch, but the district must quiet preserve notice of expenses for the rationale that meals are federally subsidized. “We had an person step up, and additionally they had been going to address all excellent lunch debt that we agree with now from the first half of this year, from the first semester,” Gandhi acknowledged. He acknowledged the district is working with community organizations to placed on fundraisers to cowl any future lunch debts. For the leisure of this college year, loads of organizations agree with already agreed to cowl any lunch debt, Gandhi acknowledged.

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Akron: A fashioned original series is in the bag at the College of Akron. Roughly 12,000 bags – fabricated from paper, plastic, metal and even glass – and bag-connected pieces invent up the Lee L. Forman Assortment of Bags. The huge batch of baggage donated to UA involves shopping bags autographed by artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein and in any case one bag from every presidential election since 1948. There’s a cheeseburger bag signed by Elvis Presley and a 100-year-plus saddle bag made to take a seat down on a horse. On occasion Forman, who lived in McLean, Virginia, and died in 2009, had a free definition of bag – the assemblage involves a 45 rpm file sleeve signed by all four Beatles. “Bags are an on a common basis item that another folks don’t have,” acknowledged Jodi Kearns, director of UA’s Institute for Human Science and Tradition. “But they are this kind of critical half of our cultural lives.”

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McAlester: Police are investigating the slaying of a excellent native suggest for transgender rights who became shot and killed on New one year’s Day while riding a cab. Dustin Parker, 25, became found unimaginative early Wednesday in the motive force’s seat of the cab he became riding in McAlester, acknowledged Preston Rodgers, a police sergeant in the metropolis about 105 miles southeast of Oklahoma Metropolis. Police are shopping for a suspect or somebody with knowledge about the killing, he acknowledged. Rodgers acknowledged it became quiet early in the investigation, and police agree and not using a longer sure whether or no longer Parker’s gender identification had the leisure to make with why he became killed. Brian West, the owner of Rover Taxi and a longtime buddy, acknowledged Parker had a associate and four childhood, ages 2 to 13. Parker became infamous in the LGBTQ community and helped found a local chapter of Oklahomans for Equality in McAlester. Per the Washington, D.C.-primarily based fully Human Rights Marketing campaign, Parker is the first transgender person killed in the U.S. in 2020.

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Salem: Metropolis officials agree and not using a longer fulfilled a promise to begin 140 homeless safe haven beds after a public tenting ban became enacted bigger than two weeks up to now. The metropolis had no longer opened any original safe haven beds as of Friday after in the origin promising progress by Jan. 1, KGW-TV reports. There are currently 330 safe haven beds available every night, and metropolis church buildings agree with the power to begin one more 256 beds when the temperature drops to 32 levels Fahrenheit or underneath, metropolis officials acknowledged. On the other hand, opening those extra beds depends on volunteer availability, officials acknowledged. Metropolis Council has authorized funding pork up to preserve the existing community of safe haven available in frigid temperatures with the intent so that you just can add more beds to the program, but they had been unable to meet the extra need, officials acknowledged. There are about 1,800 homeless other folks living in Salem, officials acknowledged.

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Philadelphia: A man says he carried his mom down 10 flights of stairs to flee an in a single day fire at a senior living facility. Officials yell one person became handled at the scene after a fireplace broke out on the fourth ground of Brith Sholom Condo in the Wynnefield Heights half of the metropolis early Saturday. Shawn Smith tells WPVI-TV that he lives at the power as his mom’s caregiver. He says they started smelling smoke on their 10th ground hallway following the 1: 40 a.m. fire. Smith says he set up his mom on his shoulder and carried her the total manner appropriate down to flee. Fire officials yell they had the fire below management in about 20 minutes.

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Providence: Secretary of Negate Nellie Gorbea is files superhighway web arena hosting a ceremony to sign the 100th anniversary of the train ratifying the 19th Amendment giving ladies folk the suitable to vote. The Democrat has deliberate the match for 10 a.m. Monday at the Statehouse Library. In commemoration of girls folk’s suffrage, Gorbea will bellow programs and activities to be supplied in some unspecified time in the future of the train this year to raise civic literacy and engagement, including original belongings for educators and a original partnership with the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. “The anniversary of the 19th Amendment is a highly efficient alternative to take hold of Rhode Islanders, namely our childhood, in critical conversations about the advanced historical previous of the ladies folk’s suffrage run and how that historical previous pertains to their very possess civic engagement at the present time,” Gorbea acknowledged in a assertion.

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Pickens: A virtual fact project is letting other folks trip a unheard of hike at a train park in a subject of minutes and without taking a step. Many of us aren’t ready to invent the strenuous 3.6-mile plod that climbs 2,000 feet to the head of Table Rock Mountain thanks to mobility or successfully being restrictions, Negate Park Carrier Director Paul McCormick suggested The Put up and Courier. The 5-minute virtual fact trip, the first of its kind for the train’s parks, permits them to make a selection out it in from a chair in the visitor center. They'll gaze the waterfall at Carrick Creek, a safe haven marking the halfway point, as well to the views from Governor’s Rock and the head of the mountain. McCormack acknowledged the reactions from the roughly 40 other folks that tried it after it became unveiled Wednesday had been “overwhelmingly particular.”

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Rapid Metropolis: The metropolis dwelling a file final year for the price of creating permits, per officials. The Rapid Metropolis Journal reports in relation to $330 million in initiatives had been approved by the metropolis, the fourth straight year it has topped $300 million. Last year’s figure became bolstered by the enable for a original $111.5 million arena, scheduled to be carried out in 2021. The metropolis issued a entire of three,968 permits, the 2d-highest since 2014. Metropolis officials acknowledged 30 of the permits generated two-thirds of the total valuation. Diversified prime permits went for a original Rapid Farm Retail Retailer at bigger than $20 million, the Rapid Metropolis Economic Style for Ascent Innovation’s original facility at bigger than $9 million, and Rapid Metropolis Regional Scientific institution renovations at $7.5 million.

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Chattanooga: The Tennessee Valley persevered its 2d-highest rainfall entire on file in 2019, 2d simplest to the rains persevered in 2018, per a federal utility. The Tennessee River Basin averaged nearly 15.5 inches above traditional final year, including its wettest February recorded, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports, citing the Tennessee Valley Authority. The river basin saw 66.47 inches of rain final year, as compared to 67.02 inches in 2018, per the utility’s River Forecast Heart. One other wetter-than-traditional climate is forecast for the following three months, a River Forecast Heart legitimate acknowledged. The Tennessee Valley Authority is the largest public utility in the U.S., spanning 10 million other folks across Tennessee and aspects of six assorted southeastern states. The utility additionally makes utilize of 49 dams on the Tennessee River and its tributaries to avert flood hurt.

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Dallas: A man who became is named the “affluenza teen” for his habitual defense at a 2013 manslaughter trial became dwelling to be released from penal advanced after prosecutors raised questions Friday about a drug test that triggered an alleged probation violation. Ethan Sofa, 22, evaded detention center following his initial conviction for killing four other folks while riding underneath the affect of alcohol. He became as an alternate sentenced to 10 years of probation after a trial by which a psychologist testified that Sofa – 16 at the time of the smash – became struggling from “affluenza,” or irresponsibility precipitated by family wealth. Sofa became arrested Thursday after probation officers reported that a drug monitoring patch he wears returned a “outdated skool particular” consequence for THC, the psychoactive substance demonstrate in marijuana, District Attorney Sharen Wilson acknowledged in a assertion. But it unquestionably is that you just might per chance well additionally imagine the patch became suggested by just CBD oil, and it will select extra testing to invent sure, she acknowledged.

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Salt Lake Metropolis: Health officials notion to award pharmacy licenses to 10 firms to dispense clinical marijuana at 14 websites across the train, a critical construction in the program’s imminent begin. The chosen websites announced Friday by the Division of Health are largely in metro Salt Lake Metropolis or in completely different places in northern Utah but additionally encompass two in southern Utah and one in rural jap Utah. In conjunction with more than one websites in Salt Lake Metropolis, assorted northern Utah websites encompass West Bountiful, Ogden, Logan, Park Metropolis, Provo, Linden, Springville, and a dwelling that will per chance be Field Elder County, Morgan County or Prosperous County. The southern websites are Cedar Metropolis and St. George, while the sole arena in jap Utah is Vernal. Eight websites might per chance well additionally begin as early as March, while others would begin by July, the department acknowledged.

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West Rutland: The fire department is getting a original Chief Skaza. Joseph Skaza, who has served as the chief of the West Rutland Fire Division for 28 years, announced his retirement. The department’s participants unanimously chosen First Assistant Chief Michael Skaza to become chief, succeeding his father. Joseph Skaza, who started with the department in 1972, acknowledged his father served for 30 years as a firefighter. Joseph Skaza oversaw the modernization of the department’s rapid and the building of a original fire train. “At the discontinue of a call, coming attend to the train and lustrous you helped someone – that gave you a good feeling,” Joseph Skaza suggested the Rutland Herald. “I'd assist one of the critical critical young fellas to rep fascinating. It’s so no longer easy to search out volunteers at the present time.”

Usa today Virginia

Richmond: Gov. Ralph Northam is promising sweeping adjustments to the train’s legal justice reforms that encompass decriminalizing marijuana, softening the penalties for oldsters caught stealing smaller-greenback objects, and reducing the selection of Virginians whose driver’s licenses are suspended. Northam, a Democrat, acknowledged Friday that he wants Virginia to scheme legal justice with compassion, fairness and mercy. “Civilized societies must agree with regulations and punishments for oldsters that break them,” Northam acknowledged at OAR Richmond, a center that provides products and companies to adults newly released from penal advanced or detention center. “But justice ought to be gorgeous and equitable, and the punishment ought to fit the crime.” The equipment unveiled Friday is half of an audacious agenda Democrats agree with promised to circulate after a success legislative elections two months up to now.

Usa today Washington

Seattle: A train lawmaker has announced plans to introduce regulations that would cap insulin charges at $100 a month. Negate Sen. Karen Keiser presented the bill final month after a file showed patients agree with spent thrice more on insulin increasing from $231 to $736 between 2002 and 2013, KING-TV reports. The measure mandates that successfully being plans issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2021 must cap insulin copayments, deductibles and diverse kinds of price sharing at $100 for every 30-day supply, officials acknowledged. Keiser additionally presented more than one assorted payments in December that be conscious of accelerating medication charges, including one developing a price monitoring board and one more developing a work neighborhood to interrogate at allowing a single statewide insulin purchaser, officials acknowledged.

Usa today West Virginia

Wheeling: Registered Republican voters in the train agree with increased since Donald Trump won administrative center but quiet scoot Democrats coming into a presidential election year, per voter registration figures from the secretary of train’s administrative center. Total registration numbers in West Virginia agree with fallen as residents continue to circulate away the train and as elections officials agree with eradicated invalid registrations, The Intelligencer and Wheeling Recordsdata-Register reports. There were 488,148 registered Democrats in the train at the discontinue of December, a 14.5% descend since November 2016. Within the meantime, there became a 3.2% elevate in registered Republicans to 411,872 since the election of Trump, per secretary of train figures. There additionally had been 278,851 registered voters without a occasion affiliation, a 4.4% jump from the 2016 election.

Usa today Wisconsin

Milwaukee: The Centers for Illness Support an eye on and Prevention has elevated the train to a high flu category after a dramatic elevate of conditions at Teenagers’s Scientific institution. Wisconsin had been in the low flu category, but the CDC made the change Thursday. Teenagers’s Wisconsin Scientific institution acknowledged 829 pediatric flu conditions had been reported in December, which is a upward thrust of in relation to 9,000% from December 2018. WISN-TV reports the clinical institution had nine flu conditions and four hospitalizations in December final year. This December, 46 of 829 flu conditions agree with required hospitalizations. “It’s been fairly busy in the emergency department,” Aurora West Allis Scientific Heart Dr. Michael Becker acknowledged.

Usa today Wyoming

Cheyenne: A portrait of long-established Gov. Dave Freudenthal has joined those of quite loads of previous governors in the Capitol. Freudenthal and diverse contemporary and long-established elected officials took half in an unveiling match Friday in the Capitol rotunda. The portrait now hangs in the no longer too prolonged up to now restored building’s east cruise, joining those of nearly every assorted long-established governor who served in any case one fat term. The exception is Republican Gov. Matt Mead, who served two terms from 2011 to 2019 and whose portrait is quiet in the works, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports. A Democrat, Freudenthal served two terms from 2003 to 2011. Freudenthal and his family unveiled the portrait by Michele Rushworth, who has painted loads of governors.

From USA TODAY Network and wire reports

Be taught or Share this memoir: https://www.usatoday.com/memoir/news/50-states/2020/01/06/bounty-bags-parrot-false-fright-virtual-hike-news-around-states/40948393/

[juditmiltz]

Citizens to increase rates by 8.2% statewide

(Credit: iStock)

Citizens Property Insurance is planning to increase rates, yet again.

The state-backed insurance company’s board of governors approved a rate increase averaging 8.2 percent in across all of the company’s insurance lines, according to the Sun Sentinel. The rate hike would begin in September 2019.

South Florida homeowners will see some of the biggest rate increases in the state. Rates for homeowners insurance will increase 9.9 percent in Broward County, 9.4 percent in Miami-Dade and 7.0 percent in Palm Beach County, according to the Sun Sentinel.

The rate hike is due to the high costs from litigation that the insurance company is having to bear, according to Citizens. Citizens contends it is being excessively billed by plaintiffs lawsuits due to an issue called assignment of benefits.

Citizens is referred to as the insurer of last resort, providing an option to people who can’t get insurance elsewhere. Nearly a decade ago the number of policyholders neared 1.5 million. But the state sought to push people on to other private insurers to try to reduce the cost burden on the government. Citizens now has about 435,000 policies.

Citizens’ board of governors voted 8-1 for the rate increase, the Sun Sentinel reported. The rate hikes still need approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. [Sun Sentinel] — Keith Larsen

from The Real Deal Miami https://therealdeal.com/miami/2018/12/13/citizens-to-increase-rates-by-8-2-statewide/ via IFTTT

[northernnba]

Milwaukee Bucks raise scoreboard for new arena - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks raise scoreboard for new arena Milwaukee Journal Sentinel At a slow pace of 3 feet per minute, the massive scoreboard for the new Milwaukee Bucks arena was lifted to the rafters Tuesday morning. 9.4 million LEDs: New Daktronics scoreboard hoisted into place in ...fox6now.com all 11 news articles »

[timomaraus]

August 2, 2017

Special to the blog from correspondent Pat Katsky in Scotts Valley, CA Santa Cruz Sentinel Dead come alive every Sunday (Editor's Note: Not if they're listening to the sermon at St. Cecelia's on Bainbridge Island. More likely the reverse.) BBC News Apology to priests mistaken for stag party at pub (Editor's Note: Apology? Are you kidding me? That's the most exciting thing to happen to those guys since they entered the seminary.) CNN Without leaks, we wouldn't know about the lies (Editor's Note Multiple Choice: A) Without lies, we wouldn't need the leaks. B) That's not correct. These guys are such poor liars that either fact check or a simple recording of what they said 3 hours ago exposes the lies.) CNN Trump backs radical change in US immigration (Editor's Note: Is there some new radical change? Because building a $20 billion wall seemed pretty radical to me.) CNN North Korean missile tests could pose a risk to passenger planes (Editor's Note: And Chicago. A jet is a small target, moving at 400+ mph, with several hundred passenger. Chicago is a really big space, stationary, with 9.4 million people. I think Chicago might be the bigger risk.) CNN GOP, Trump weigh split on health care (Editor's Note: In Trump's case, I'm guessing the split is banana, and he'll be about 260 at the weigh-in.) CNN Kushner: Our team too disorganized to collude with Russia (Editor's Note: To be fair, this is the most plausible explanation they've come up with yet.) CBS News After traffic violation, Ohio mom of 4 deported to danger zone (Editor's Note: Has anyone alerted Kenny Loggins to this?) CBS News Boy Scouts disputes Trump's "greatest ever" claim about his speech (Editor's Note: The Boy Scouts say Trump lied. And you know, under the Boy Scout oath, the "being morally straight" part says "to live your life with honesty." And based on the record, who has more credibility here?)