A business park in South San Jose. Jack London Square in Oakland. The San Diego bank. In addition to a highschool in Santa Barbara County.

Large battery storage systems are planned throughout California and built faster than somewhere within the USA at dozens of locations. They are a critical a part of the state's plans to expand renewable energies by storing electricity that may use solar parks and wind turbines later if the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow.

But now, after a large fire last month with certainly one of the most important battery storage values ​​on this planet – Moss Landing in Monterey County – caused the evacuation of 1,200 people, closed the Highway 1 for 3 days and solved poisonous heavy metals over the encompassing landscape. New limits to maintain the rapidly growing technology away from populated areas.

According to the California Energy Commission, there are 187 battery systems in California in California – from only 17 in 2019. Battery storage has increased by 1,340% up to now six years, from 928 megawatts to 13,391 Megawatt today. A megawatts are enough electricity to operate 750 houses.

“We need these facilities,” said the meeting woman Dawn Addis, a democrat from Morro Bay, where the voters rejected a battery warehouse by the ocean in November. “But we have now to construct trust with regards to our future of fresh energy. We would love to watch out after we are and be sure that we usually are not vulnerable to school children, local business owners and residents. “

Addis, whose district of Moss Landing, has introduced a draft law in state laws that will ban recent battery storage systems inside 3,200 feet by houses, schools, firms and hospitals. Under your invoice from 303News are also prohibited within the coastal zone of the state, on earthquake errors, first -class arable land, wetlands, dangerous waste stands and in very high focus zones with high fire races on Cal Fire Maps.

The invoice would also prevent the battery storage systems from approving of state officials from California Energy Commission in 270 days, even when local cities and counties take off the projects. These rules were created in 2022 when governor Gavin Newsom signed an invoice to hurry up the pace of renewable energies in California. So far, six projects have applied. It has not yet been approved.

Addis receives a return from the industry for renewable energies, the unions and another Democrats.

“We share the goal of wanting to do an incident like Moss Landing to never pass again,” said Alex Jackson, California director of the American Clean Power Association, an industry group. “We just don't agree on the approach. This calculation focuses on organizing recent facilities. We shouldn't be concentrated here. “

Jackson and other industry leaders say that the Moss Landing plant is exclusive. The battery storage system was in-built 2019 when the technology was in its infancy and was in-built an enormous concrete camp with a former PG & e-oil and gas burning power plant from the Fifties from the Fifties. The lithium-ion batteries were stacked and comprised of older chemistry with nickel, manganese and cobalt, which may cause fires which were lit when ignited.

He noticed newer plants, use lithium iron-phosphate batteries which might be less vulnerable to fires. The units are sometimes arranged outside the outdoor area and housed in individual metal containers, each in regards to the size of an 18-wheel trailer. So when a hearth begins, the probability of propagation could be very low.

Jackson said that after the Moss Landing Fire, the state should check the older battery systems as a substitute of blocking recent ones which might be needed to cover rising electricity requirements because more people drive electric vehicles and require artificial intelligence more data centers.

“We don't have to choose between the clean energy and security of the community,” he said. “The technology is proven. It's protected. The corresponding answer is to take a look at a few of these legacy institutions that usually are not representative of state-of-the-art species. “

A challenge is the lightning speed at which the battery storage spreads throughout the state. No state agency has a public list that shows what number of more are planned, where and after they are expected to be built.

But a review of the Bay Area News Group of A US Ministry of Energy Database Of all planned energy projects nationwide, there are no less than 96 recent battery storage systems in California or are to be built by 2027.

These include the 75-megawatt Hummiingbird project within the 6321 San Ignacio Ave. In South San Jose, near the Highways 85 and 101. It needs to be opened next month.

Another is planned near the Jack London Square in Oakland. Visstra Energy, the Texas company that belongs to the Moss Landing, also has an aging dynegy power plant in Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The company has been planning for several years to construct a 43 megawatt battery plant on the location by May 2027.

The largest 275 megawatt Kola Energy Center eight miles east of Livermore on the Patterson Pass Road. It is to be opened this summer.

In the south, the painter energy storage project in Santa Barbara County is built by the Carpinteria High School on the opposite side of the road. In San Diego, several plants are planned and in-built the country, and one which is known as the Peregrine Energy Storage system is under construction for a mile south of Petco Park.

Local officials near Moss Landing say that further borders are obligatory for brand new plants.

“Moss Landing was approved because we were promised that it would be safe,” said Glenn Church of Monterey County. “This promise couldn’t be met. If people wish to get concerns about health and security of their neighborhoods, what's incorrect with it? “

The fire has brought environmental groups which have supported the battery technology and their legislative champions in a difficult place.

Senator John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, is the previous secretary for natural resources under governor Jerry Brown. He said he had serious concerns about Addis Bill. New technology is best than Moss Landing, he said, and the state should think about older plants as a substitute of limiting recent ones.

“We have three goals here,” said Laird. “To keep the sunshine, to deduct fossil fuels and to be protected. We just can't sacrifice for the opposite. We have to satisfy all three. “

The Whole Foods staff in Philadelphia voted 130-100 in favor of union formation. What can we find out about your symptoms?

As far as I understand, these staff felt that Compensation, services And Working conditions Were not what you have to be. Some are long -time employees and say they fight to realize their basic needs.

Why was the union's effort now and was successful in Philly?

The union's organization has increased previously five years. There are numerous reasons for this. First, the job market is. Low unemployment Encourages the employees to take the chance of organizing a union. If staff consider that your employer cannot replace you or which you could easily get an analogous job, you might be less afraid to upset the employer by trying to arrange.

The second reason is that the bid administration was a work-friendly administration-maybe essentially the most in history. The US President appoints a majority of members to the National Labor Relations Boardthat interprets and interspers the labor law that organizes. Under bids, the NLRB usually issued decisions that offered more protection for workers And the employers were held accountable once they violated worker rights. During Republican administration, the choices of the Board of Directors are generally economical and offer staff less protection. So the employees had the wind within the back on this regard.

This also shows the most recent surveys 70% of the Americans agree unionsCompared to lower than half of the Americans 15 years ago. The generally favorable view of the unions creates a more supportive environment for the organization.

And the last factor is that Generation Z, the youngest team of workers, is clearly wants to return out more of your work and your employment than earlier generations. So we see a number of young staff across the country who organize themselves at Starbucks. Trader JoePresent Apple And now with Full value food And other shops.

Why Philadelphia? Philadelphia is a comparatively strong union city. The percentage of the workforce, which is represented by a union Higher in Philadelphia than in most cities and areas of the country. If staff express interest within the organization in Philadelphia, they receive a number of support. Other unions could emphasize members for his or her rallies, put the corporate under pressure, to not oppose the organizational drive and offer other help and support.

The starting wage within the Philadelphia Whole Foods Store is US $ 16 per hour. Is that considered low if the town's minimum wage is simply $ 7.25 per hour?

The minimum wage in Philadelphia is $ 7.25, as that is the federal minimum wage. States can arrange a better minimum wage when you want, but Pennsylvania is one among the few northeast states that don’t have any longer passed a better minimum wage than the Federal Minimum. The minimum wages in New JerseyPresent latest York And MassachusettsFor example, are $ 15 or higher.

However, the minimum wage in Pennsylvania is sort of irrelevant as a result of today's labor market. Unemployment is low and lots of employers must offer rather more than the minimum wage to get employees.

And the minimum wage is alleged to be a starting wage for staff with little experience or service. What staff want is an existential wage. After With livelihood wage calculatorA single person in Philadelphia has to earn around 24 US dollars an hour to cover the essential costs of life. And Whole Foods is a profitable business. It is a component of Amazon, One of essentially the most profitable and largest firms on the planet. I believe staff of those firms consider that they play a very important role in achieving these profits as a result of their work. And you’re thinking that you must get an affordable proportion of those profits.

How could the employees of the Whole Foods expect the corporate to defend themselves?

When employees win an organizational alternative just like the Whole Food staff, they’ve won a fight, not the war. The purpose of the formation of a union is to enhance wages and benefits and dealing conditions, and also you do that by negotiating a contract with the corporate. This is the following step in the method. However, the law only requires that employers negotiate with the staff – to satisfy at reasonable times and to exchange suggestions. It doesn’t force them to agree.

The typical strategy of firms which have aggressive against their staff is simply too Pull off your feet in negotiations and don’t sign a contract. This is technically illegal, but labor law within the USA is comparatively weak and you’ll be able to negotiate with good legal advice for a really very long time.

We saw that with that Starbucks campaign. The first Starbucks store Union union in 2021. Over 540 shops have organized since then. And Starbucks staff in these shops still don’t have any contract.

Could the brand new Trump administration have an effect on how this happens in Philly?

The proven fact that the Trump administration has taken over gives firms more confidence within the strategy for the usual delay.

On January 28, 2025 President Donald Trump Jennifer Abruzzo, the General Counsel of the NLRB, fired. General Counsel is the officer of the board, who principally forced this National Labor Relations Act. Abruzzo was very aggressive in holding employers to account in the event that they violate the law and to guard the rights of employees who tried to arrange themselves.

Trump's approach to labor law in his first 4 years in office was extremely extreme in the opposite. He was appointed General Counsel Peter RobbWho was regarded as considered far less aggressive in protecting worker rights And his interpretations of the law were rather more economical.

As a part of the bidet management, if an organization got here to the negotiating table every month and doesn’t comply with the one which NLRB would eventually occur And quote the employer because he just isn’t negotiated in good faith. The NLRB could possibly be guilty of the employer due to unfair labor practices and really put pressure on it to barter a contract.

Based on the Board campaigns through the first Trump governmentThe board in the following few years will most probably enable firms to delay and delay a contract.

What levers do the staff of the Whole Foods have?

You can get on the strike. But Amazon has the resources to finish a strike ceaselessly in a Whole Foods Store.

Other whole foods may consider union trips. The more business organizes, the more dynamics the Philadelphia Store could have. But for the time being these staff in Philly could have their work cut out for them.

That means you won't be alone. The organized employee throughout the food with the organized with the UFCW Local 1776Which is essentially a nationwide union that has been around for a long time. It has many resources and experienced and expert managers in addition to the resources of the National UFCW. So it should be born on this fight, and these staff can even have a number of support from the remainder of the working group in Philadelphia.

At the start of this month, three congress representatives from Pennsylvania wrote a letter Jason Buechel, the CEO of Whole Foods, and Jeff Bezos, the founding father of Amazona, commented on their concerns concerning the efforts to suppress the Union drive. Is this support typical?

It just isn’t unusual. However, there isn’t a legal basis for chosen civil servants to intervene in a piece management dispute. I’d put this under the heading of community support.

You have many progressive chosen officials in Philadelphia who’re Support unionsAnd that's right in Pennsylvania to the governor.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Something seemed somewhat off. DeMarvion Overshown blitzed and the running back caught him. But after the 2 collided, the back let go of the Dallas Cowboys linebacker.

And that's where Overshown modified the sport.

The second-year linebacker raised his right arm, grabbed the short pass intended for the running back and hurled it near the New York Giants' 25-yard line. Overshown then finished the run, keeping the ball within the air near the 5-yard line as he bumped into the top zone.

The play helped give the Cowboys a 13-7 lead early within the second quarter, they usually never looked back, defeating the Giants 27-20 on Thursday at AT&T Stadium.

“I really just thought, 'Just blow that play up,'” Overshown said. “It was a lightning bolt with my number on it. I just knew I had to make an impactful play or at least cause some confusion back there. When the running back let go of me, I thought, 'Some bullshit is going on.' And then the quarterback threw the ball and I thought, 'That's my play.'”

The quarterback was Drew Lock, who played in place of the injured Tommy DeVito. The running back was Devin Singletary. On the Fox game broadcast, Tom Brady pointed out that the Giants called the screen a “low-risk play” and were certainly not anticipating a potential turnover.

“Lock doesn’t even think about an interception,” Brady said. “You think I made an easy throw. But Overshown’s length ultimately makes for a game-changing play.”

The crowd at AT&T Stadium, which has understandably booed the house team several times this season, was about as loud because it has been all season when Overshown ended the run.

What a chunk from Overshown.

: #NYGvsDAL on FOX
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– NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2024

“I was able to inject some nitrous and after that we were dancing in the end zone,” Overshown said. “As soon as I got the ball, I knew I was going to score. So I asked myself, “What dance can I do today?”

“It couldn't have come at a better time. Thanksgiving, the world is watching.”

The start of Thursday's game looked much like previous Cowboys home games this season. The offense was unimpressive and the defense struggled to stop the Giants' offense, which managed only one meaningless late touchdown in a 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

But after the overshown game there was a momentum that was missing at home. Dallas entered the sport having trailed significantly entering the fourth quarter in its last five home games, all of them decisive losses. It was a wierd situation for a team that had been on a 16-game home winning streak over the past two seasons. The Cowboys led 27-10 at the top of the third quarter.

“This is our home,” Overshown said. “This is our castle. Teams should be afraid to play against us when they come here. The series of defeats wasn't pretty for us either. It's nice that this place rocks like it's supposed to. Now we have to move on.”

The Cowboys have won two straight games and improved their record to 5-7. But they’re removed from realistically discussing the playoffs. Winning against the Washington Commanders and Giants is actually no reason to discount the beginning of this disappointing season. Even Jerry Jones, the team owner and general manager, who is often half full, didn't need to discuss playoff possibilities after the sport.

But Overshown's game is a reason to be optimistic concerning the future. It also makes you wonder what might have been last season when his rookie 12 months resulted in Dallas' second preseason game. Would a play just like the one he made Thursday have made a difference in the course of the season, or maybe even within the playoffs, if he hadn't suffered a torn ACL in his left knee?

“I told y’all from the beginning that he was going to be a guy,” Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons said. “Before the injury, I said, 'This is going to be a Pro Bowl-type All-Pro player.' Well, he's not yet (No. 11), that's Agent 0. He's not trying to be like me; he is his very special specimen. He is a wildcat in the field. Man, I love playing next to him.”

Overshown delivered flash plays early in the season but has been more consistent over the course of this year. Playing alongside a veteran like Eric Kendricks helped. The two met on Thursday in another important defensive game.

On the opening series of the third quarter, Kendricks sacked Lock, depriving him of the ball in the process. Overshown recovered. Six plays later, Dallas scored, making the score 20-10.

“D-Mo is a great player,” Kendricks said. “He’s one of the best I’ve ever been with. His attitude is just pure. He loves the game. I love watching it. And it motivates me to be in my 10th year. It motivates me to see a sophomore like him, especially what he brings to the field.

“He’s getting better every game. He knows he has things he needs to work on. He takes it seriously. The sky is the limit. I'm excited to see what he has in store. Expect more big games from him this year.”

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy had similar thoughts after the sport, saying Overshown's interception was one among the highlights of the season for Dallas. He also sees higher days ahead for last 12 months's third-round pick.

“I’m very grateful,” Overshown said. “Right before the game I said to myself, 'This time last year I was just waiting to show people what I said.' “When I get back on the sector, I'm going to indicate what God has really put into me: to go on the market, encourage me and play the best way I do. “All I can hope for is to be healthy on the field. “

Local News

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced On Friday, she made a series of major changes to the state's overwhelmed shelter system as her administration tries to become familiar with costs and space constraints exacerbated by the high cost of living in Massachusetts and the influx of migrants.

The administration will implement a two-track system for eligible families: one offering homeless and migrant families a 30-day stay in a shelter and the opposite a six-month stay. The state may even begin “phasing out” the usage of hotels and motels to accommodate families in need of shelter.

The protection system, expected to cost nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal 12 months 2025, has change into “increasingly unsustainable” in recent times, Healey said. Despite “significant action” and “tangible results,” the changes announced Friday are needed to contain costs and help more families find stable housing, she said.

“More must be done to ensure Massachusetts taxpayers do not continue to be responsible for this federal problem. The changes we are making will reduce costs, phase out the use of hotels and better meet the needs of all families,” Healey said in an announcement.

When the shelter system reached capability last 12 months, authorities arrange a series of emergency shelters across the state. In August, Healey introduced a brand new prioritization system for families, limiting stays on the overflow sites or “temporary recovery centers” to 5 days for those not prioritized. Now, families placed at these sites may have the choice to remain for 30 days under the two-track system.

Starting December 10, families applying for shelter might be “assessed based on risk and need” and assigned to either the Rapid Shelter Track or the Bridge Shelter Track. Families cannot choose from routes.

The Rapid Track is meant for families the state believes are well placed to quickly secure self-sufficient everlasting housing. You are offered 30 working days within the respite centers, although a certain extension is feasible.

The bridge route might be reserved for “high-risk families” and folks with “complex needs,” reminiscent of individuals with mental or developmental disabilities or women with late-term pregnancies. Those admitted on this direction are entitled to a six-month stay, subject to legislative approval.

In the spring, the legislature limited the length of stay for accommodation to nine months. The Healey administration now desires to lower that cap to 6 months.

“We want to make it clear to the families: We are looking for six [months] So no one feels like they don’t have the right expectations,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll . “We believe six months is achievable. I assume that if people find an apartment sooner than six months, they will accept it.”

Driscoll chaired the Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs, which issued a detailed report through the shelter system on Tuesday. Friday's announcement was made based on the recommendations set out in that report, the federal government said.

According to the info, almost half of the 7,115 families within the shelter system were staying in hotels and motels on Thursday Condition data. However, contracting with hotels has been the “most expensive accommodation model” and doesn’t provide a super environment for those looking for accommodation, officials said. Therefore, the usage of hotels might be slowly phased out in fiscal years 2025 and 2026. The administration didn’t provide detailed explanations of how it will occur, but said the approach might be based on “discussions with providers” and that families might be notified of advance payment.

The government says it is targeted on expanding current programs to assist more families exit the shelter system. The commission's report found an “extraordinary increase” in monthly emergency shelters last 12 months, from a low of 163 in September 2023 to a high of 475 last September. A vital tool to assist families secure their housing is HomeBASEa program that gives money to cover rent, moving costs, utilities and furniture.

State officials at the moment are proposing legislative changes to HomeBASE that might increase temporary rental subsidies. Currently, families are eligible for a complete of $30,000 over two years or $45,000 over three years. The proposed changes would allow families to secure $25,000 per 12 months in rental assistance for 2 years.

Celebrities born on today: Taylor Tomlinson, 31; Matthew McConaughey, 55; Ralph Macchio, 63; Kathy Griffin, 64.

Happy Birthday: Set goals, press play, and keep going until you get the outcomes you wish. A positive attitude, creativity and data gathering promote self-confidence and success. Sign up for talks that provide insight into your possibilities and also you'll find a singular plan and path forward. Don't limit what you’ll be able to achieve and don't let anyone stop you from achieving your dream. Immerse yourself and thrive. Their numbers are 4, 12, 23, 29, 32, 38, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Notice what's happening around you. Observation and conversations turn out to be a possibility that may change your life eternally. Refrain from pushing aside what you’ll be able to do now; The momentum you muster will result in success. Physical and emotional changes will boost your morale. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep an eye fixed in your spending. Impress people together with your wisdom, your ability to maneuver from one thing to a different, and your practical approach to getting things done on time. Solidify your position, align yourself with someone you admire, and commit fully to what you suspect in. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Only conform to the changes that profit you. Distance yourself from anyone who pressures you to do something that would jeopardize your position, budget, or popularity. Open a dialogue that encourages addressing issues which will come back to haunt you. Clear the air, breathe calmly and follow the instructions. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Enjoy freedom and use your ingenuity to see what is offered and works best for you. Be open about what you wish and the way you would like to achieve your dreams. Enjoy the ride and construct a foundation that best supports your talents, budget and timeline. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-August 22): Put your energy into your ideas. Go where the motion is and step into the highlight. An aggressive and colourful display will attract attention and encourage positive contributions from people desperate to aid you achieve your goals. Networking events will open doors and private gain is promising. 5 stars

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Keep your thoughts to yourself. Someone will happily use what you reveal against you. Join us and work behind the scenes to perfect your goals. Commitment and loyalty bring the very best returns. A gathering, business trip, or conference will aid you determine the next move. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stop procrastinating and get the ball rolling. If you hesitate, you miss a possibility or lose the suitable to come to a decision for yourself. Embrace life, offer your insights, and let your charm, intelligence, and connections propel you forward. Be proactive; Weakness will attract cheaters, liars and cheaters. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A positive transformation will attract attention. When you deal with what you wish, it is feasible to rethink your outlook on life, update your style and appearance, and use your insights to attain financial advantages. Rely in your intuition when coping with negative influences or individuals who wish to hinder your progress. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21): Invest time, talent and money in yourself and what you would like to pursue. Take your time; Showcase your skills, reach out to people who find themselves interested or have something to contribute, and explore partnership possibilities. Go through the suitable channels and go for a signature as a substitute of a handshake. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Assess situations and make changes that follow the trail that results in inner peace. Distance yourself from anyone who doesn't give anything in return or tries to benefit from you. Truth and trust are necessary; Stick with those you enjoy coping with, but don't reveal any secrets. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An open mind becomes a portal to something exciting. Attend events that provide insight right into a latest approach that encourages you to rework your insights into something unique to you, your situation and your prospects. The possibilities are limitless and love is on the rise. 4 stars

PISCES (February 19-March 20): Take a step back, adjust your position and reconsider your path. Let go of what drains you and luxuriate in what brings you peace of mind. Distance yourself from bad influences, indulgent behavior, and anyone who uses emotional manipulation to benefit from you. Choose to place yourself first. 2 stars

Birthday Boy: You are entertaining, generous and opportunistic. They are artistic and convincing.
1 star: avoid conflict; Work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can achieve something, but don't depend on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll achieve your goals. 4 stars: High goals; start latest projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; Get gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com or follow Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

NEW YORK — When her husband activates the tv to look at news concerning the upcoming presidential electionsFor Lori Johnson Malveaux this is usually a signal to go away the room.

It can get an excessive amount of. She often goes to the TV in one other room to look at a movie on the Hallmark Channel or BET. She longs for something comforting and entertaining. And she has company.

While about half of Americans say they follow political news “extremely” or “very” closely, about 6 in 10 say they must limit the quantity of knowledge they eat about government and politics to avoid feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, in line with a brand new survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research And USAFacts.

Don't worry: Malveaux plans to vote. She at all times does. “I'm just getting to the point where I don't want to hear the rhetoric anymore,” she said.

The 54-year-old Democrat said what bothers her most is hearing people on the news tell her that something she saw along with her own eyes – corresponding to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 – didn't really occur.

“I feel like I'm being manipulated. That's one way of putting it,” she said.

Sometimes it seems like a bombardment

Caleb Pack, 23, a Republican from Ardmore, Oklahoma, who works in the data technology industry, tries to maintain up with news through his phone's news feed, which is full of a wide range of sources, including CNN, Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press.

But sometimes, says Pack, it seems like a bombardment.

“It's good to know what's going on, but both sides are going a little bit to extremes,” he said. “It just feels like it's a topic of conversation everywhere, and it's hard to escape it.”

Media fatigue shouldn’t be a brand new phenomenon. A Pew Research Center Survey conducted at the top of 2019 found that about two in three Americans feel fatigued by the flood of reports. That's concerning the same as a survey from early 2018. During the 2016 presidential election campaign, about six in 10 people felt overwhelmed by the flood of reports.

But this may be particularly acute with regards to political news. The AP-NORC/USAFacts poll found that half of Americans feel the necessity to limit their consumption of knowledge about crime or conflict abroad, while only about 4 in 10 limit their consumption of reports concerning the economy and the job market.

This is simple to know, as television channels corresponding to CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC provide a wealth of political discussion, and the Internet offers a wide selection of political news, sometimes complicated by disinformation.

“There's a flood of information,” says Richard Coffin, USAFacts' research and advocacy director, “and people are having a hard time figuring out what's true and what's not.”

Women usually tend to feel that they should limit media use

In the AP-NORC poll, about 6 in 10 men said they follow election and political news a minimum of “very” closely, compared with about half of girls. For all kinds of reports, not only political, women were more likely than men to say they’d to limit their media consumption, the poll found.

According to the survey, white adults are also more likely than black or Hispanic adults to imagine they should limit their media consumption related to politics.

“If it shows up on my page, when I'm on social media,” he said, “I just scroll past it.”

---

Sanders reported from Washington. David Bauder writes about media for AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder.

The AP poll of 1,019 adults was conducted July 29-August 8, 2024. The sample got here from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.

Originally published: September 12, 2024 at 21:48

In a letter to California schools, Governor Gavin Newsom urged teachers to right away restrict cellphone use on campus when students return to classrooms.

“Excessive smartphone use among teens is linked to increased anxiety, depression and other mental health problems,” Newsom said within the letter.

He cited a Pew Research Institute survey that found 72 percent of highschool teachers and 33 percent of middle school teachers say cellphone distractions are a serious problem. Newsom also cited a Common Sense Media survey that found 97 percent of scholars use their phones for a median of 43 minutes in the course of the school day.

Newsom had already passed a law in 2019 that empowers school districts to limit or ban students' cellphone use at school. In July, he said he desired to further restrict student cellphone use based on that law (AB 272), but didn’t explain how he plans to accomplish that.

In his letter Tuesday, Newsom urged school administrators to make use of AB 272 to limit students' smartphone use on campus.

“As I work with lawmakers to further restrict student smartphone use on campus, there is no reason for schools to wait,” he said. “The evidence is clear: reduced cell phone use in the classroom leads to better concentration, better academic outcomes and improved social interactions.”

Newsom in his letter praised California schools and college districts — including Santa Barbara Unified, Bullard High in Fresno and Los Angeles Unified — for already implementing smartphone restrictions on school campuses. Los Angeles Unified voted in July to ban students from using cellphones starting in 2025. San Mateo High School became a phone-free campus in 2019.

But many Bay Area schools remain divided over Newsom's proposal to expand existing laws restricting smartphone use on school grounds.

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District says cell phones are a part of the culture and obligatory for a lot of families. The district said last month that it is concentrated on teaching students how one can use smartphones respectfully and responsibly.

And Don Austin, superintendent of the Palo Alto Unified School District, stressed in July that it is mindless to limit or ban cellphone use in districts that provide students with computers and Wi-Fi access.

According to Politico, Newsom's eldest child, Montana, is scheduled to start her freshman yr in the autumn on the Branson School, a personal academy in Ross where the Newsom family owns a house. Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, also attended the academy.

According to the varsity's website, the academy considers technology to be a very important part of scholars' education. The school offers a “Bring your own Apple device” program, which allows students to bring their personal devices to class. Such policies typically include the usage of laptops in school.

The California School Boards Association said last month that while it encourages school districts to think about the potential dangers posed by phone and social media use on campus, district leaders should determine for themselves whether to implement restrictions.

“Given the significant demographic, topographic and ideological differences among California's 940 school districts and 58 county school boards, we should not leave this issue to lawmakers in Sacramento but address it at the local level,” Troy Flint, the association's communications director, said in July.

In his letter Tuesday, Newsom said reducing phone use within the classroom results in improved concentration and higher academic outcomes and social interactions.

“Every classroom should be a place of focus, learning and growth,” he said. “By working together, educators, school administrators and parents can create an environment where students can fully focus on their education, free from the distractions of phones and the pressures of social media.”

Quantum information science uses the physics that describes the smallest particles – equivalent to electrons or photons – to potentially revolutionize computing and related technologies. This recent field might be used for a big selection of applications, from developing recent devices To Data encryption.

As the potential applications of quantum information science move ever closer to reality, quantum information science courses at universities and secondary schools are expanding at a rapid pace.

We are a gaggle of physics educators who Student performance in physics and the way Quantum information science is taught And learned.

We are currently checking Quantum Information Science Education. One query we ask is: Who has access to training in quantum information science? And related to that, what impact might this have on who gets involved on this field?

New courses that introduce students to the basics of quantum information science are being developed at Schools across the country from highschool to graduation. For example, the Center for Quantum Systems through Entangled Science and Technology in Colorado. However, it isn’t known whether these recent programs shall be equally accessible to everyone.

Inequalities in higher education

It is well-known that not everyone has the privilege of attending college or university. Inequalities in access to resources equivalent to well-funded education on the K-12 level, financial support from family, and folks of their lives who can assist them navigate this complex process. These inequalities are even greater within the scientific fields where Mentoring and preparation gaps can prevent students from ever pursuing a scientific profession, and disadvantaged Students who try it.

For example, Introduction to Physics is required for many science courses at university and is understood to be demanding, fast-paced and involve a high level of mathematics. Students with lower than excellent math skills in highschool or who first generation For college students, these courses might be overwhelming they usually may haven’t any one to show to for help.

However, in the brand new field of quantum information science, scientists and educators now have a singular opportunity to deal with equity from the beginning. If education on this field can reach all students, there may be a likelihood to deal with among the systemic inequalities that currently plague our education systems.

Nationwide training in quantum information science

We investigated whether students of all backgrounds within the United States have equal access to a quantum information science education. To do that, we collected information in regards to the Distribution of quantum information Courses at 456 universities (as of autumn 2022).

Our goal was to seek out out whether the sort of institution, funding sources, and geographic location are related to the likelihood that that institution offers courses in quantum information science. We found that these courses usually tend to be offered at large, private universities with a necessary research focus and are situated in highly urbanized states – equivalent to Colorado. In general, these large, research-oriented universities are likely to be quite expensive for a four-year degree, which is commonly required for quantum research or development.

In addition, attending an urban school requires rural students, leave their homesmust travel long distances and adapt to significantly increasing living costs. Taken together, this implies that existing quantum information science courses and programs are less prone to reach low-income and rural students.

Some may imagine that it’s natural to seek out these cutting-edge courses at large, wealthy institutions before they’re offered at smaller institutions and people with fewer resources. But so long as these programs proceed to be available only to pick out students, there may be a risk of perpetuating a system during which the advantages of a science degree—equivalent to access to a well-paying, secure job market—usually are not available to students. not evenly distributed across social and economic groups.

In addition, recent technologies bring many benefits, but often also unexpected damageWithout the involvement of individuals of all backgrounds, such harms could affect certain groups greater than others.

Recommendations for fair quantum education

We hope that our study will prompt policy makers, educators, and researchers to guage the accessibility of their quantum information science efforts.

Based on our findings, we recommend targeted investments in constructing quantum information science education and research programs at predominantly undergraduate and rural institutions. Such efforts can construct on the success of existing programs targeting quantum education at institutions serving minority populations, equivalent to IBM – Quantum Center for Historically African-American Colleges and Universities.

Investing in rural education might be a promising opportunity that might gain bipartisan support.

We also call on the National Center for Education Statistics and similar organizations to gather and publish more comprehensive data on student enrollment in quantum information science degree and certificate programs. This will give policymakers the knowledge they should make sure that the advantages of quantum information science reach all parts of the country.

In a 2:1 vote on June 3, 2024, a panel of The US Court of Appeals for the eleventh Circuit ruled that the Fearless Foundation, the charitable arm of enterprise capital firm Fearless Fund, must suspend its Strivers Grant Contest. The competition is restricted to black women who’re majority owners of corporations.

The conversation asked Angela R. Logana scholar of non-profit management and variety, equality and inclusion policy, to elucidate the importance of this case, American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund Managementand what’s at stake.

What is the Fearless Fund?

Ayana Parsons And Arian Simonetwo experienced black entrepreneurs, founded the Fearless Fund in 2018 to supply financial and technical support to businesses run by other black women.

The Fearless Fund also runs a charity, the Fearless Foundation. Among other things, it runs the Strivers Scholarship Competitionwhich provides 4 winners with $20,000 and mentorship to assist them grow their businesses.

The Fearless Foundation received 332,000 USD turnover and had only $141,560 in net price in 2022, the newest yr for which this information is on the market. In other words, it is extremely small. Large US foundations have Foundation assets within the billions.

What is the American Alliance for Equal Rights?

The American Alliance for Equal Rights says it filed this lawsuit since it believes that denying non-blacks the chance to win a contract through a competitive process is a violation of their civil rights.

The group, led by former stockbroker and activist Edward Blum, is best known for using legal means to dam the promotion of minorities in higher education.

In June 2023, a majority of the Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States decided two cases brought by the Alliance on behalf of Asian-American students, which attend Harvard University and that University of North CarolinaThe court ruled that race-based college admissions were unconstitutional. Abolition of positive discrimination in admission to schools and universities.

Unlike of their education cases, not one of the plaintiffs Blum's group is representing on this latest case actually entered the Fearless Fund grant competition because they believed they might not receive funding. They are also anonymous.

The American Alliance for Equality reacted to the decision The organization expressed its “gratefulness” for the court's decision, adding: “Our country's civil rights laws do not allow for racial discrimination because some groups are overrepresented in various areas while others are underrepresented.”

What does the ruling say concerning the status of DEI efforts?

This case sets a very important precedent by alleging that the Fearless Foundation’s contest violated a federal law established under the Civil Rights Act of 1866: 42 USC Section 1981This law prohibits racial discrimination in contracts.

This law, which was passed immediately after the Civil War, was intended specifically to Emancipation of blacks from discrimination.

In my opinion, divided by leading philanthropic organizationsThe Alliance distorts the racial history of the United States through the use of this law as an argument that it’s unconstitutional, Black businesswomen overcome their lack of access to capital.

This litigation can also be problematic since it runs counter to the standard role that nonprofits play within the United States. By providing services that for-profit corporations and the federal government don’t, nonprofits bridge gaps. They have an extended and successful history of helping people on the margins of society: immigrant communities, individuals with various physical and mental abilities, and other people living in poverty.

And because this case could set the stage for larger, more aggressive actions to Efforts towards diversity, equality and inclusion in corporationsI consider that this ruling has dealt one other blow to attempts to make the country's economy and society fairer and more inclusive.

Why is that necessary?

It is amazingly difficult for Black women using startups to construct their businessesFor all black-led startups, financial support has steadily declined since its sharp rise in summer 2020.

Black and Latino women-owned businesses receive lower than 1% of all enterprise capital financing.

Not way back, it seemed as if this trend could be reversing.

Following the outrage over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020 the private sector and nonprofits alike sought to extend their donations and supply other varieties of support for Black people. Although the Fearless Fund was founded before Floyd’s murder, it too saw increasing interest and support – especially in 2021.

But with the waning of public attention and interest in justice for black Americans have these obligations.

This declining commitment coincided with the restriction and even outright prohibition of DEI efforts in some states at public colleges and universities, including Florida And TexasAt least seven other states have passed similar laws restricting DEI programs and racial justice-related instruction, and bills have been introduced proposed in one other 15 states.

This ruling could now make foundations wary of constructing contributions to nonprofit organizations that support women and other people of color for fear of being sued.

Where do you think that this case will lead?

I feel this case will ultimately go to the Supreme Court.

When that happens, I hope the judges recognize that opportunities for entrepreneurs of color remain limited. I consider they need to recognize the necessity for initiatives just like the Fearless Fund and its Strivers Grant Contest that aim to extend equal opportunities for Black women.