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Darius Jackson has to tread lightly on the Internet due to his divisive relationship with Keke Palmer and the scandals that they faced . With that in mind, we have no idea why he would choose to reveal via his Instagram Story that he almost forgot their son Leodis' birthday. "Took Leodis to his doctor's appointment back in September & barely knew his date of birth.." Jackson wrote. "His mom was on speed dial & the nanny also helped answer the other questions. But we got it done! Which is all that matters." It was back in September, Darius; why do you do this to yourself?! Jokes aside, people took this a lot more seriously than they probably should, thanks to the context of Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson's relationship. "It got so out of control ," the former told PEOPLE of their extinguished bond. "The only way I knew how to bring order was through the court. [...] Not just with my romantic relationships, but with family and friends, [my fame has] always become a burden. Too many voices get in. It can make everybody else not trust you. It’s hard to explain." Read More: Darius Jackson Net Worth 2024: What Is The Actor Worth? However, it's important to note that Darius Jackson and Keke Palmer are in a much better place now and are very happy for each other in the public eye. In fact, it seems like the two want to commit to a healthy and cooperative coparenting relationship when it comes to their baby boy Leodis, as they went out for a zoo trip earlier this year after their public falling-out. Of course, fans continue to debate whether these signs of goodwill owe themselves to a genuine desire to heal or to their wishes to clean up their act on social media. But frankly, that's an irrelevant conversation that's none of our business. The important thing is that Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson seemingly moved past the more serious parts of their allegations against each other and feel comfortable with supporting each other through this new phase of their intertwined lives. Let's just hope that they don't lose their memory any more than they seemingly already have... Read More: Keke Palmer Sends Shannon Sharpe Into Hysteria By Bringing Up Sex Tape MishapTeck Releases First Integrated Report on Climate Change and NatureWASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the , U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s move on Monday to abandon the against Trump means jurors will likely never decide whether the president-elect is criminally responsible for his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 campaign. The decision to walk away from the election charges and the separate against Trump marks an abrupt end of the Justice Department’s unprecedented legal effort that once threatened his liberty but appears only to have galvanized his supporters. The abandonment of the cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats he was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump’s political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. “We always knew that the rich and powerful had an advantage, but I don’t think we would have ever believed that somebody could walk away from everything,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. “If there ever was a Teflon defendant, that’s Donald Trump.” While prosecutors left the door open to the possibility that federal charges could be re-filed against Trump after he leaves office, that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s presidential victory has thrown into question the future of the two state criminal cases against him in New York and Georgia. Trump was supposed to be sentenced on Tuesday after his , but it’s possible the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office, and the defense is pushing to dismiss the case altogether. Smith’s team stressed that their decision to abandon the federal cases was not a reflection of the merit of the charges, but an acknowledgement that they could not move forward under longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face Trump’s presidential victory set “at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: On the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Trump accused prosecutors of bringing the charges in a bid to keep him out of the White House, and he promised revenge on his perceived enemies if he won a second term. “If Donald J. Trump had lost an election, he may very well have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Vice President-elect JD Vance, wrote in a social media post on Monday. “These prosecutions were always political. Now it’s time to ensure what happened to President Trump never happens in this country again.” After the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters that left more than 100 police officers injured, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and several other Republicans said it was up to the justice system to hold Trump accountable. The Jan. 6 case brought last year in Washington alleged an increasingly desperate criminal conspiracy to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s 2020 loss, accusing Trump of using the angry mob of supporters that attacked the Capitol as “a tool” in his campaign to pressure then-Vice President and obstruct the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. Hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters — many of whom have said they felt called to Washington by Trump — have pleaded guilty or been convicted by juries of federal charges at the same courthouse where Trump was supposed to stand trial last year. As the trial date neared, officials at the courthouse that sits within view of the Capitol were busy making plans for the crush of reporters expected to cover the historic case. But Trump’s argument that he from prosecution quickly tied up the case in appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. The high court ruled in July that , and sent the case back to the trial court to decide which allegations could move forward. But the case was dismissed before the trial court could get a chance to do so. Related Articles The other indictment brought in Florida accused Trump of at his Mar-a-Lago estate sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities, enlisting aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showing off a Pentagon “plan of attack” and classified map. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon . Smith appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but abandoned that appeal on Monday. Smith’s team said it would continue its fight in the appeals court to revive charges against Trump’s two co-defendants because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” In New York, jurors spent weeks last spring hearing evidence in a state case alleging a Trump scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through who said the two had sex. New York prosecutors recently expressed openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term, while Trump’s lawyers are fighting to have the conviction dismissed altogether. In Georgia, a trial while Trump is in office seems unlikely in a state case charging him and more than a dozen others with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The case has been on hold since an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist equestrian Charlotte Dujardin was suspended from all competition for one year Thursday by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), following its investigation into a video that shows Dujardin repeatedly whipping the legs of a horse during a coaching session. Dujardin was provisionally suspended by the FEI, the sport’s international governing body, on July 23 and withdrew from the Paris Games when news of the video first emerged. It shows Dujardin conducting a lesson with a young rider mounted atop a horse. The British equestrian follows alongside, whipping the horse’s legs more than 20 times in a minute. The FEI’s suspension Thursday backdates to July and includes a fine of about $11,300. The organization said Dujardin’s behavior constituted horse abuse and “conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport ... into disrepute. “Given the gravity of the offence and the relevant mitigating circumstances, including Dujardin’s prior clean disciplinary record and her voluntary withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the FEI proposed a one-year suspension and a 10,000 (Swiss Franc) fine.” Dujardin has won six Olympic medals in team and individual dressage across the London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo Games, including three gold, one silver and two bronze medals. In accepting the sanctions, she apologized on social media. “I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today,” she wrote. “As the federation has recognised, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologise again. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.” Dutch attorney Stephan Wensing submitted the video of Dujardin to the FEI on behalf of an unnamed client. Following its decision Thursday, Wensing told the BBC his client was pleased with the investigation’s outcome. “My client is very happy that the FEI has taken this so seriously and this is a good message for the whole dressage world,” Wensing said. “She is also happy that Charlotte Dujardin has taken this seriously, and has taken responsibility and accepted her punishment.”Shadow chancellor Mel Stride has suggested a future Conservative government could axe the triple lock on pensions. In a controversial move that prompted Labour to accuse the Conservatives of betraying pensioners, he said the commitment was unsustainable in the very long term. Introduced by then-chancellor George Osborne during David Cameron's coalition government, the triple lock guarantees the state pension rises in line with average earnings, inflation or 2.5%, whichever is highest. That means the current state pension of £221,20 a week will rise by £472 a year from April 2025, in line with the latest growth in wages, which have risen by 4.1%. Follow latest: Live politics updates Mr Stride's highly significant signal of possible pension reforms if the Conservatives win the next election came during a speech and Q&A with political journalists in Westminster. He was asked about remarks he made when he was Work and Pensions Secretary under Rishi Sunak , when he was reported as saying the triple lock was unsustainable. More on Pensions UK pension scheme called 'deeply irresponsible' for investing in Bitcoin Rachel Reeves to create pension 'mega funds' to invest in infrastructure State pension to rise by more than £400 a year in April - double some winter fuel payments Related Topics: pensions He replied: "I'm widely reported as having said, as you phrased it, it's unsustainable. What I actually said was that in the very, very long term, it is unsustainable. Now that is just a mathematical reality." He said the reason for this was that the cost of the state pension would spiral over many decades under the triple lock if it continued indefinitely. "So the answer to your question, though, is we will be looking at every single aspect, including policies around pensioners and so on, as we go forward," he continued. "But - and I think it's fair to say that as a party we have always stood up for and always worked to protect pensioners." Read more politics news: What are Starmer's milestones? Tory co-chair accuses Musk of trying to 'buy' Reform party Visa delays crippling lives of hundreds of UK migrants Follow our channel and never miss an update. Responding to Mr Stride's latest remarks, a Labour spokesperson said: "Mel Stride has let slip that the Tories are planning to betray pensioners and ditch the triple lock. "In government, the Tories broke the triple lock and left pensioners worse off. Now they're planning to do it all over again. The Conservatives haven't listened and they haven't learned. "This Labour government is committed to raising living standards and giving pensioners the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. "Millions are set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock and our Plan for Change means investment and reform to grow the economy to put more money in people's pockets."Marpai has secured a number of significant new accounts for 2025 TAMPA, Fla. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marpai, Inc. ("Marpai" or the "Company") (OTCQX: MRAI), a technology platform company, operates as a national Third-Party Administrator (TPA) through its subsidiaries. Marpai is transforming the $22 billion TPA market by offering affordable, intelligent, healthcare solutions to self-funded employer health plans. Traditionally, TPAs target about 80% of their new business and renewals for January 1 st ; with the addition of our new sales team in early 2024, the Company is pleased to report that it has secured several new major clients for 2025. Some of the new clients include: a 4,000 employee life restaurant group, a 6,000 employee life multi-location hospital group and a few housing industry clients with approximately 3,400 employee lives that are set to transition over the course of 2025. The additional sales, along with the continued execution on efficiencies and cost reductions, keep the Company on track for expected break-even performance in early 2025. "Our sales team has excelled in leveraging Marpai Saves to deliver immediate value to our targeted industries," commented Damien Lamendola , Marpai CEO and Director. "Additionally, our focus on cost efficiency and productivity keeps us on track for an expected break-even in early 2025. It's been a busy but successful year." About Marpai, Inc. Marpai, Inc. (OTCQX: MRAI) is a technology platform company which operates subsidiaries that provide TPA and value-oriented health plan services to employers that directly pay for employee health benefits. Primarily competing in the $22 billion TPA sector serving self-funded employer health plans representing over $1 trillion in annual claims. Through its Marpai Saves initiative, the Company works to deliver the healthiest member population for the health plan budget. Operating nationwide, Marpai offers access to leading provider networks including Aetna and Cigna, industry leading Reference Based Pricing (RBP) solutions and all TPA services. For more information, visit www.marpaihealth.com , the content of which is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Investors are invited to visit https://www.ir.marpaihealth.com . Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified through the use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "guidance," "may," "can," "could", "will", "potential", "should," "goal" and variations of these words or similar expressions. For example, the Company is using forward looking statements when it discusses new business, future opportunities, that the new client contracts are set to transition over the course of 2025 and its expected break-even potential in early 2025. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect Marpai's current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from Marpai's current expectations depending upon a number of factors. These factors include, among others, adverse changes in general economic and market conditions, competitive factors including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions, uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and market changes, risks associated with managing the growth of the business. Except as required by law, Marpai does not undertake any responsibility to revise or update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More detailed information about Marpai and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in Marpai's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marpai-announces-general-updates-for-q4-302317017.html SOURCE Marpai
Pardon Jon Stewart for going long on the Hunter Biden pardon
Trump encounters Senate GOP limits with failed Gaetz AG push
SANTA ANA, Calif.—Janet Nguyen was sworn in as Orange County’s newest supervisor Wednesday to finish out the term of former Supervisor Andrew Do, who resigned after pleading guilty to a federal bribery charge. Nguyen will fill out the last month of the term of Do, who was scheduled to be termed-out of office before he stepped down. In January, Nguyen will be sworn in for the full term she won in November over Democrat Frances Marquez on a 61.24 percent to 38.76 percent vote. Orange County Board Chairman Don Wagner’s office has been running Do’s office since his resignation Oct. 31. The Orange County Registrar on Tuesday certified the election results, but it wasn’t done in time to have Nguyen sworn in on that day, so the supervisors met Wednesday in special session to approve the certification of the election results, allowing Nguyen to take office. “The only reason to do it early to allow now-Senator Nguyen to be sworn in is so she can take over running the district for balance of Supervisor Do’s term,” Wagner told City News Service. “Then her new term and my new term will start in January. It’s just a way to get that seat filled a little sooner than otherwise.” Nguyen’s swearing-in on Wednesday was private, with a more public one planned in January, Wagner said. At the special meeting Wednesday, dozens of residents, many of whom regularly criticize the elections process to the board, questioned the results in this year’s election. Orange County Registrar Bob Page told the board he was required by law to wait until Dec. 1 to certify the election results. He also made it clear that the board only votes to accept the results and has no other authority beyond that. “The board is merely being asked to receive my certification and to declare the winner of the 1st District Supervisor contest,” Page said. Supervisor Katrina Foley praised Page’s office. “Every different phase of an election is an enormous challenge,” Foley said. “And we appreciate the employees who worked so hard and so diligently with such a commitment to the county’s election integrity.” Foley suggested that some of the complaints were based on not liking the result. “I supported some candidates that lost and I supported some candidates who won,” she said. “I mean, that’s politics, right? So I think that we have to accept the election results.” Wagner asked Page what he would tell the election skeptics. “When I have someone who has doubts or doesn’t trust us, my first place to go is always to invite them to come and observe and we'll answer their questions,” Page said. Wagner repeatedly had to threaten to clear the room or eject some people in the audience who interrupted Page. “We also have a very robust proactive approach to educate the public about what we do,” Page said, pointing to newsletters, social media accounts and public speaking events to community groups. “I see it as my obligation to make sure the public understands everything they can on how elections are conducted in California,” Page said. But Page said some of the changes that some residents desire, such as going back to previous election processes, are up to state lawmakers. Nguyen previously served on the Board of Supervisors from 2007 through 2014 until she was elected to the state Senate. State Sen. Tom Umberg defeated her in 2018, but she returned to Sacramento as an Assemblywoman in 2020 and served in that position until 2022 when she was elected to the state Senate again. Do, who had been Nguyen’s chief of staff until they had a falling out and he ran to succeed her on the board, admitted in his plea deal that, in exchange for more than $550,000 in bribes, he cast votes on the Board of Supervisors beginning in 2020 that directed more than $10 million in COVID relief funds to the Viet America Society, where his daughter Rhiannon worked, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Do is scheduled to be sentenced March 31. On Tuesday, the supervisors agreed to seek bids to hire an outside auditor to comb through all of the county’s contracts starting in January 2019 through August of this year. Wagner voted against the idea. The proposal from Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento triggered a discussion about whether the project was too broad and expensive. Orange County CEO Michelle Aguirre said the review would be “hundreds if not thousands” of contracts. “My intent was to look at all the contracts the supervisor touched,” Sarmiento said. Foley said state officials usually do a sampling of contracts. “They’re not going to be doing some type of audit of every single contract,” Foley said of state lawmakers. “That’s not how it works. They do a sampling. If you’re looking at all the contracts ever entered into in the county of Orange—even if we didn’t vote on it—that is going to be thousands and thousands of contracts. The state, when they do an audit, they don’t do that broad of an approach. ... I’m just trying to help us narrow the focus ... so the staff can get to work getting this important information to us and not take a two-year period of time.” Sarmiento said he was more concerned with accomplishing a “thorough scrubbing” of the contracts. “We’re starting a year and two months before [the pandemic began] even,” Wagner said. Wagner said it was more important to find ways to encourage staffers and whistleblowers to speak up. He also argued that an exhaustive forensic audit would discourage contractors going forward. “We need to empower our staff to say something,” Wagner said. “That’s what really needs to be done, frankly. And I would welcome a state audit. It would be a lot more focused, less expensive and less burdensome. None of our offices have anything to hide.” Internal Auditor Aggie Alonso said, “We’re going to have to develop an inventory of all these contracts. ... These things take a large amount of time.” Alonso suggested doing the work in “phases,” to narrow down the problematic contracts. “We’re looking at a two-year process,” he said. When asked if it would cost $1 million, he said, “I think that’s low. It will be over $1 million.”Boston Celtics superstars Jayson Tatum and Derrick White will be playing tonight, per Bobby Manning . However, star bench forward Sam Hauser has been scratched due to personal reasons. Superstar Jaylen Brown may return as well, but it will be a gametime decision after his shooting warm ups. The Celtics were going into tonight thinking their entire superstar cast was going to be possibly out , so this is a welcome surprise. Tatum and White are the team’s first and third leading scorers, so it makes it easier for the rest of the team to fill in the gaps. If Brown returns, he’s the second leading scorer, which makes it all the better. However, losing Hauser hurts. He is one of the best 3&D players in the league, and his stats prove it. He provides eight points per game off the bench off of 35% from deep. Hopefully his personal reasons don’t make him take too much time off, but he should take as much time as he needs to get sorted. The game against the Miami Heat begins tonight at 7:30pm EST. MORE CELTICS CONTENT: Celtics' former 6MOTY gives classy answer about his feelings on getting traded Former NBA champion apologizes to Celtics superstar for not including him in more conversations Celtics possibly missing entire superstar cast in tonight's game vs Heat NBA insider gives three interesting trade targets to help Celtics get under second luxury tax apron Former Celtics center drawing trade interest from multiple teams
SUPER Bowl winner Jason Kelce has announced he is having a fourth child with wife Kylie Kelce. Kylie shared a touching post on Instagram today announcing they are welcoming another girl into the family. The post saw their trio of daughters all wearing pink sweaters with the words "Big Sister" written across them. It was captioned: "I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. "At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page." Ex-NFL star Jason and Kylie already have Wyatt, Elliotte and Bennett with the youngest, Bennett, looking less than impressed with the new arrival. Wyatt, 5, can also be seen with her hands on her head in the snap. Elliotte seems to be the only one pleased with having a new sister as she has a grin on her face. Kylie is a charity worker and has been married to Jason for over six years. The couple infamously met on Tinder as he retold the story on Jason 's Prime Video documentary Kelce. Kylie admitted that she didn't know about his NFL legacy when they started dating and that the former Philadelphia Eagles center even fell asleep on their first date. Despite the initial mishap, the couple soon went Instagram official in November 2015 before getting married in April 2018. Eldest Wyatt, was born less than a year later on October 2, 2019. Then Elliotte came along on March 4, 2021. Last year, the youngest Bennett arrived on February 23, 2023. The family are all very close, with Kylie saying that she and her husband always put their daughters first. She said: "Jason is emotionally, mentally present for his girls and I think that’s so important." "Family is everything. It’s who you come home to, it’s home." Jason retired from football in March of this year and has spent the last few months enjoying life as a full time husband and father. JASON Kelce didn't stay retired in the NFL for long. The former Philadelphia Eagles lineman called it quits after the 2023 season. But he will be part of ESPN's coverage on Monday Night Football in 2024. Kelce will appear on Monday Night Countdown from 6pm-8pm ET every week as well as during the halftime show. “Turns out, it was a short retirement!" he joked. "ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports. "To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment. "And, I mean it’s freaking Monday Night Football! and I’m ready for some football."None
'Your situation is a tragedy': Former Penn Hills basketball standout sentenced in killing
NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart's sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are re-evaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups. The changes announced by the world's biggest retailer on Monday followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The retreat from such programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump's incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher at the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches -- the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President -- are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the October survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associate at Pew, called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI," Glasgow said. "The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Walmart says its U.S. businesses sourced more than $13 billion in goods and services from diverse suppliers in fiscal year 2024, including businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America's top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart's announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart's need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company has no explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer's ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart." Walmart's announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.What we can VERIFY about Enron’s return to the internetUnsure of what to gift someone close to you this holiday season? Last minute stocking-stuffers have you in a pinch? Lottery tickets, scratch-offs or a few pull-tabs might seem like an easy solution, but a solution that should be thought deeply about as it could lead your loved one down a path to developing a gambling problem. Although pull-tabs and scratch-offs may seem fun to your child, it is important to remember that these gifts are not meant for those under the age of 21. “In fact, research has shown that early exposure to any form of gambling can lead to problem gambling later in life,” yourlifeiowa.org reported. Did you know many young people report their first gambling experience occurs around 9-11 years of age? According to data found by Your Life Iowa, 4-6% of adolescents presently have a serious problem with gambling, and 10-14% of adolescents are at risk for developing a problem with gambling. Putting it all into perspective, adult gambling disorder prevalence rates are about 1-2% of the population. These are all important facts found by the National Council on Problem Gambling as well as Your Life Iowa and something to keep in mind this holiday season when picking out those last-minute gifts for those around you. The holidays are a joyful and fun time for all ages! Please remember the statistics and think carefully before gifting any form of gambling or lottery products to those in your life. If you are interested in any prevention services offered by ASAC, email prevention@asac.us or call (319) 390-4611. Your Life Iowa can be reached by calling (855) 581-8111, texting (855) 895-8398, or going online to www.yourlifeiowa.org to find resources.CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams hit the six-month mark in space Thursday with two more to go. The pair rocketed into orbit on June 5 , the first to ride Boeing's new Starliner crew capsule on what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight. They arrived at the International Space Station the next day, only after overcoming a cascade of thruster failures and helium leaks . NASA deemed the capsule too risky for a return flight, so it will be February before their long and trying mission comes to a close. While NASA managers bristle at calling them stuck or stranded, the two retired Navy captains shrug off the description of their plight. They insist they're fine and accepting of their fate. Wilmore views it as a detour of sorts: "We're just on a different path." NASA astronauts Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore stand together for a photo June 5 as they head to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for their liftoff on the Boeing Starliner capsule to the International Space Station. "I like everything about being up here," Williams told students Wednesday from an elementary school named for her in Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown. "Just living in space is super fun." Both astronauts lived up there before, so they quickly became full-fledged members of the crew, helping with science experiments and chores like fixing a broken toilet, vacuuming the air vents and watering the plants. Williams took over as station commander in September. "Mindset does go a long way," Wilmore said in response to a question from Nashville first graders in October. He's from Mount Juliet, Tennessee. "I don't look at these situations in life as being downers." Boeing flew its Starliner capsule home empty in September, and NASA moved Wilmore and Williams to a SpaceX flight not due back until late February. Two other astronauts were bumped to make room and to keep to a six-month schedule for crew rotations. Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams pose for a portrait June 13 inside the vestibule between the forward port on the International Space Station's Harmony module and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Like other station crews, Wilmore and Williams trained for spacewalks and any unexpected situations that might arise. "When the crews go up, they know they could be there for up to a year," NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free said. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio found that out the hard way when the Russian Space Agency had to rush up a replacement capsule for him and two cosmonauts in 2023, pushing their six-month mission to just past a year. Boeing said this week that input from Wilmore and Williams was "invaluable" in the ongoing inquiry of what went wrong. The company said it is preparing for Starliner's next flight but declined to comment on when it might launch again. NASA also has high praise for the pair. "Whether it was luck or whether it was selection, they were great folks to have for this mission," NASA's chief health and medical officer, Dr. JD Polk, said during an interview with The Associated Press. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, both Expedition 71 flight engineers, make pizza Sept. 9 aboard the International Space Station's galley located inside the Unity module. Items are attached to the galley using tape and Velcro to keep them from flying away in the microgravity environment. On top of everything else, Williams, 59, had to deal with "rumors," as she calls them, of serious weight loss. She insists her weight is the same as it was on launch day, which Polk confirms. During Wednesday's student chat, Williams said she didn't have much of an appetite when she first arrived in space. But now she's "super hungry" and eating three meals a day plus snacks, while logging the required two hours of daily exercise. Williams, a distance runner, uses the space station treadmill to support races in her home state. She competed in Cape Cod's 7-mile Falmouth Road Race in August. She ran the 2007 Boston Marathon up there as well. She has a New England Patriots shirt with her for game days, as well as a Red Sox spring training shirt. "Hopefully I'll be home before that happens — but you never know," she said in November. Husband Michael Williams, a retired federal marshal and former Navy aviator, is caring for their dogs back home in Houston. As for Wilmore, 61, he's missing his younger daughter's senior year in high school and his older daughter's theater productions in college. The astronauts in the video seemed to be in good spirits with one stating, “It’s gonna be delicious.” (Scripps News) "We can't deny that being unexpectedly separated, especially during the holidays when the entire family gets together, brings increased yearnings to share the time and events together," his wife, Deanna Wilmore, told the AP in a text this week. Her husband "has it worse than us" since he's confined to the space station and can only connect via video for short periods. "We are certainly looking forward to February!!" she wrote. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, left, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, left, gives a thumbs up as they leave the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Launch Complex 40 for a mission to the International Space Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla., (AP Photo/John Raoux) In this image from video provided by NASA, Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, left, and astronaut Nick Hague travel inside a SpaceX capsule en route to the International Space Station after launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (NASA via AP) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of two lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Falcon 9's first stage booster returns to Landing Zone 1 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of two lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov leave the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to the launch pad 40 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, talks to his family members as Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov looks on after leaving the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to the launch pad 40 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Two astronauts are beginning a mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Get local news delivered to your inbox!
