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Spending squeeze ‘could cost more than 10,000 Civil Service jobs’(BPT) - The holidays bring a whirlwind of excitement, sales, and unfortunately also scams. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Week mean increased online transactions, e-commerce traffic, and a heightened focus on fulfilling customer orders — all of which make small businesses, especially micro-businesses, prime targets for cybercriminals. According to Bank of America's Small Business Owner's Report , more than half of small business owners said cybersecurity threats have impacted their business. Unlike larger corporations with dedicated IT departments, many small and micro businesses lack proper security infrastructure, leaving them more vulnerable to and harmed by threats. A single scam or breach can be costly and can put a business behind during the busy holiday season. Scammers know how to exploit the season's hustle and bustle. But don't let the Grinch steal your seasonal success — arm yourself with these tips from the pros at Norton Small Business to stay protected and keep the holiday cheer intact. The Naughty List: Common Holiday Cyber Scams In today's digital-first world, cybersecurity is no longer optional — it's a necessity. With cyber threats evolving constantly, safeguarding your business requires vigilance, informed employees, and robust practices. Investing in cybersecurity tools is a simple way to address these concerns. The Nice List: 7 Cyber Safety Tips for the Holidays In a world where scams are harder to detect it is good to have extra help. Owners and employees can check in real time if something might be a scam with the free Norton Genie app . With a simple screen shot, this AI-powered scam detection tool can tell you if a text message, social media post, email or website message is likely to be a scam, what makes the content suspicious, and what to do next. Beyond just protecting your systems, it's essential to build trust with your customers by showing them that your business takes cybersecurity seriously. Displaying security badges on your website, being transparent about how customer data is protected, and offering secure payment options can go a long way in fostering customer confidence and retention. The holidays are a time of opportunity for both small businesses and scammers. By adopting these best practices, you can protect your business, your customers, and your peace of mind this season. Think of Norton Small Business as your holiday helper, protecting your devices and data while you focus on operating your business. With easy setup and robust features, it's your always-on IT department working 24/7 to protect your business and employees. Visit https://us.norton.com/products/small-business for more information.
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The NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union Thursday following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by the Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood. Burglars have entered through side doors, via balconies, or second-floor windows. They’ve targeted homes in secluded areas and focus on master bedrooms and closet areas. Players were warned to avoid updating any social media with check-ins or daily activities until the end of the day. Posting expensive items on social media is discouraged. The homes of Mahomes and Kelce were broken into within days of each other last month, law enforcement reports show. The break-ins happened just before and the day of Kansas City’s 26-13 home victory over the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7, where Kelce’s superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift watched from the stands. No injuries were reported in either case.Comparing Gravenberch and Bellingham's Stats From Liverpool vs Real Madrid
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Caleb McCullough was there for the dark times at Arizona State, when the losses piled up and the cloud of an NCAA investigation was hovering over the program. The senior linebacker opted to stick around, believing in coach Kenny Dillingham's vision for a better future. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
NoneA 47-year-old accountant lost Rs7 lakh after clicking on an unknown link, which directed her to a fake investment WhatsApp group. The members regularly shared information about stock market seminars and lucrative profit opportunities, making her believe that they were genuine. According to the Matunga police, the complainant, Sitalakshmi Iyer, has basic knowledge of the stock market and has even made a few investments. In March, she received a link on her phone and got added to a WhatsApp group after clicking on it. The group's administrator, Priya Patel, lured Iyer to invest in the market, promising her 200-300% returns. Initially, the complainant transferred Rs4.8 lakh and subsequently gave the remaining amount after seeing her profits rise to Rs10 lakh on a bogus digital platform. However, when Iyer tried to withdraw the funds, she was asked to deposit additional money. She then requested the scammers to deduct the commission from the profits and give back the amount which she invested, but they refused. Iyer and her husband attempted to contact the scammers multiple times through calls and messages, but received no response.
Guwahati: Lauding Assam’s 32-year-old Ittisha Sarah , Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out her efforts to transform the Sangti Valley in Arunachal Pradesh into a waste-free zone , especially a zero-plastic zone . The valley houses approximately 1,500 members of the Monpa tribe. Addressing the 116th Mann Ki Baat programme, the PM said that Sarah – who had abandoned the corporate rat race – is an exemplar of how modest efforts can yield remarkable outcomes. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom IPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team Squads “After leaving the corporate world, she is dedicated to cleansing the Sangti Valley in Arunachal. Substantial plastic waste began accumulating there due to an influx of tourists in the region. The once-pristine river became contaminated due to plastic waste. Sarah is collaborating with locals for its cleansing.” he said, adding that her group members enlighten tourists and install bamboo waste bins throughout the valley to collect plastic waste. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that it was a moment of pride for Assam as Sarah’s inspiring journey received recognition in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episode. “Her initiatives in addressing plastic waste alongside the local community are ideal examples for all to follow,” he added. Meanwhile, Sarah told TOI that receiving mention in the Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is an ‘acknowledgement and distinction for her work’. In 2018, she discovered the secluded valley as a tour guide for schoolchildren from Assam as a part of a social design course at Delhi’s Ambedkar University, which evolved into an aspiration she pursued two years later. This culminated in the Sangti Project — an initiative harmonising development with sustainability. She said, “A colleague managing a nascent travel enterprise approached me for assistance, and I participated as a tour instructor, guiding school students at a summer camp. This place possessed something distinctive, evoking déjà vu. Nevertheless, waste remained a visible concern.” Utilising her expertise in waste management and social design, she addressed the environmental challenges observed in Sangti. “We coordinated a cleanup drive with the students’ assistance. For the village, it was unprecedented witnessing outsiders collecting their waste,” she added. We also published the following articles recently PM lauds Assam woman for transforming Arunachals Sangti Valley into a waste-free zone Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Ittisha Sarah, a 32-year-old from Assam, during his Mann Ki Baat address for her work in transforming Arunachal Pradesh's Sangti Valley into a waste-free zone. Sarah, who left her corporate job, has been collaborating with the local Monpa tribe to tackle plastic waste, inspiring tourists and implementing sustainable waste management solutions. IIT-Hyderabad develops tech to transform plastic waste into products Researchers at IIT Hyderabad have developed a groundbreaking technology to tackle plastic waste. Using nanocatalysts, they successfully converted PET plastic bottles into valuable chemical building blocks. These components can be used to create biodegradable plastics and other useful materials. This innovation offers a promising solution for reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability. Fire engulfs old dump yard, reduces heaps of plastic waste to ashes A fire engulfed Coimbatore's old dump yard in Kavundampalayam, incinerating mounds of plastic waste and shrouding the area in dense smoke. The blaze, battled by numerous firefighters and tenders, prompted health concerns among residents. While the cause is under investigation, locals allege ongoing illegal dumping might be a factor.
ATLANTA (AP) — Ethan Vasko threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth as Coastal Carolina became bowl eligible by beating Georgia State 48-27 for its sixth win of the season in the regular season finale on Saturday. The Chanticleers evened their season record at 6-6 with the win and finished 3-5 in the Sun Belt East. The loss leaves Georgia State (3-9) with just one win in eight conference games. Vasko threw 10 yards to Senika McKie for the game's first score midway through the first quarter, but the Panthers got a Liam Rickman 28-yard field goal and a 19-yard touchdown run by Freddie Brock to take a 10-7 second-quarter lead. Vasko threw his second TD pass, this one a five-yard strike to Zach Courtney to take the lead and Kade Hensley booted a 43-yard field goal as time expired to put Coastal Carolina up 17-10 at halftime. Christian Washington ran 18-yards for a touchdown to open up a 24-10 lead four minutes into the third quarter. Vasko hit McKie for their second touchdown, this one from 31-yards out and Vasko ran 10 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to make it 38-10 with under 10 minutes to play. Vasko was 13 of 17 passing for 200 yards and carried 13 times for another 68. Washington carried 20 times for 124 yards. McKie caught five passes for 81 yards Georgia State amassed 428 yards of offense, but the Panthers turned the ball over six times. Christian Veilleux completed 15 of 26 passes for 205 yards but was picked off four times and fumbled. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
SoFi stock soars to 52-week high, hits $16.09 amid robust growth7 Steps to Help Keep Your Small Business Cyber Safe This Holiday Season
Police deny sitting on evidence as Netflix doc brings renewed attention to JonBenet Ramsey's killing50 Cent trolls Jay-Z and Diddy again with AI-generated arrest video after child rape lawsuitThe holiday season is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated times of the year, both for consumers and brands. During this period, the market transforms into a stage filled with opportunities, where companies offering holiday products play a crucial role in the economy, creating experiences, and strengthening emotional connections with consumers. McDonald’s joins this festive spirit of giving with a limited-time Happy Meal featuring two toys. McDonald’s is one of the most prominent and well-known brands worldwide. According to its annual report, the fast-food giant recorded 13.6 thousand restaurants in the United States alone in 2020. The brand is famous for its “Happy Meal,” which debuted in 1979 in Kansas City, USA. Initially, this package included one of its iconic burgers, fries, a drink, cookies, and a surprise gift, which was typically a promotional item aimed at children. Later, the meal package was tailored specifically for kids, featuring smaller portions and a toy. The design of the cardboard box, now widely recognized as the “Happy Meal,” was inspired by cereal boxes that included a toy as a gift. The concept was created by renowned American advertising executive Bob Bernstein. McDonald’s embraces the gift-giving spirit by introducing a limited-time Happy Meal that includes two toys. The company announced that it would sell “Pet Simulator Happy Meals” with two toys at participating restaurants nationwide starting Tuesday. One of the toys will be wrapped as a gift, according to the fast-food chain. These limited-time Happy Meals are a collaboration with the popular game created by BIG Games, played on the online platform Roblox. The debut of the Pet Simulator Happy Meals arrives just two days before Thanksgiving and a week ahead of Giving Tuesday, an annual day focused on generosity. “We hope this special Happy Meal inspires kids to share during this season of giving,” said Jennifer Healan, a McDonald’s executive, in a statement. “Whether they choose to give their extra toy to a family member, make a friend smile, or show kindness to a neighbor, it’s about helping kids feel the joy of giving this holiday season.” McDonald’s locations in the U.S. will offer the Pet Simulator Happy Meals while supplies last through December 16. The Pet Simulator Happy Meal features 18 different toy options. Additionally, a holiday-inspired sticker sheet included in the package allows kids to add their personal touch to the toys. The Happy Meal, a popular choice among children, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. This highlights how brands are increasingly adopting new strategies and launching products themed around special occasions. Starbucks also demonstrated this by introducing its holiday merchandise collection, which includes cups, tumblers, and even a special menu. Cancela en cualquier momento Acceso exclusivo a rankings y radiografías. Análisis profundos y casos de estudio de éxito. Historial de la revista impresa en formato digital. ¡Disfruta de lo mejor del marketing sin costo alguno por unmes!
No. 21 Arizona State on the rise in Kenny Dillingham's second season as coachNone
WASHINGTON — For years, Pat Verhaeghe didn’t think highly of Donald Trump as a leader. Then Verhaeghe began seeing more of Trump’s campaign speeches online and his appearances at sporting events. There was even the former president’s pairing with Bryson DeChambeau as part of the pro golfer’s YouTube channel series to shoot an under-50 round of golf while engaging in chitchat with his partner. “I regret saying this, but a while ago I thought he was an idiot and that he wouldn’t be a good president,” said the 18-year-old first-time voter. “I think he’s a great guy now.” Verhaeghe isn’t alone among his friends in suburban Detroit or young men across America. Although much of the electorate shifted right to varying degrees in 2024, young men were one of the groups that swung sharply toward Trump. More than half of men under 30 supported Trump, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters, while Democrat Joe Biden had won a similar share of this group four years earlier. White men under 30 were solidly in Trump’s camp this year — about 6 in 10 voted for him — while young Latino men were split between the two candidates. Most Black men under 30 supported Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, but about one-third were behind former President Trump. Young Latino men’s views of the Democratic Party were much more negative than in 2020, while young Black men’s views of the party didn’t really move. About 6 in 10 Latino men under 30 had a somewhat or very favorable view of the Democrats in 2020, which fell to about 4 in 10 this year. On the other hand, about two-thirds of young Black men had a favorable view of the Democrats this year, which was almost identical to how they saw the party four years ago. “Young Hispanic men, and really young men in general, they want to feel valued,” said Rafael Struve, deputy communications director for Bienvenido, a conservative group that focused on reaching young Latino voters for Republicans this year. “They’re looking for someone who fights for them, who sees their potential and not just their struggles.” Struve cited the attempted assassination of Trump during a July rally in Pennsylvania as one of the catalyzing moments for Trump’s image among many young men. Trump raised his arm afterword and repeated, “Fight! Fight!” The image was quickly emblazoned on T-shirts. Trump, Struve said, was also able to reach young men more effectively by focusing on nontraditional platforms such as podcasts and digital media outlets. “Getting to hear from Trump directly, I think, really made all the difference,” Struve said of the former president’s appearances on digital media platforms and media catering to Latino communities, including town halls and business roundtables he attended in Las Vegas and Miami. Not only did Trump spend three hours on Joe Rogan’s chart-topping podcast, but also he took up DeChambeau’s “Break 50” challenge for the golfer’s more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers. Trump already had an edge among young white men four years ago, although he widened the gap this year. About half of white men under 30 supported Trump in 2020, and slightly less than half supported Biden. Trump’s gains among young Latino and Black men were bigger. His support among both groups increased by about 20 percentage points, according to AP VoteCast. It wasn’t just Trump. The share of young men who identified as Republicans in 2024 rose as well, mostly aligning with support for Trump across all three groups. “What is most alarming to me is that the election is clear that America has shifted right by a lot,” said William He, founder of Dream For America, a liberal group that works to turn out young voters and supported Harris’ presidential bid. With Trump’s bombastic demeanor and a policy agenda centered on a more macho understanding of culture, he framed much of his campaign as a pitch to men who felt scorned by the country’s economy, culture and political system. Young women also slightly swung toward the former president, though not to the degree of their male counterparts. It’s unclear how many men simply did not vote this year. But there’s no doubt the last four years brought changes in youth culture and how political campaigns set out to reach younger voters. Harris’ campaign rolled out policy agendas tailored to Black and Latino men, and the campaign enlisted a range of leaders in their communities to make the case for the vice president. Her campaign began with a flurry of enthusiasm from many young voters, epitomized in memes and the campaign’s embrace of pop culture trends like the pop star Charli XCX’s “brat” aesthetic. Democrats hoped to channel that energy into their youth voter mobilization efforts. “I think most young voters just didn’t hear the message,” said Santiago Mayer, executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, a liberal group that engages younger voters. Mayer said the Harris campaign’s pitch to the country was “largely convoluted” and centered on economic messaging that he said wasn’t easily conveyed to younger voters who were not already coming to political media. “And I think that the policies themselves were also very narrow and targeted, when what we really needed was a simple, bold economic vision,” said Mayer. Harris’ campaign included pitches from an array of pop culture, sports and music stars, including Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo and Oprah Winfrey. Trump also embraced pop culture by appearing at UFC fights, football games and appearing alongside comedians, musicians and social media influencers. His strategists believed that the former president’s ability to grab attention and make his remarks go viral did more for the campaign than paid advertisements or traditional media appearances. Trump’s campaign also heavily cultivated networks of online conservative platforms and personalities supportive of him while also engaging a broader universe of podcasts, streaming sites, digital media channels and meme pages open to hearing him. “The right has been wildly successful in infiltrating youth political culture online and on campus in the last couple of years, thus radicalizing young people towards extremism,” said He, who cited conservative activist groups like Turning Point USA as having an outsize effect in online discourse. “And Democrats have been running campaigns in a very old-fashioned way. The battleground these days is cultural and increasingly on the internet.” Republicans may lose their broad support if they don’t deliver on improving Americans’ lives, Struve said. Young men, especially, may drift from the party in a post-Trump era if the party loses the president-elect’s authenticity and bravado. Bienvenido, Struve said, will double down in the coming years to solidify and accelerate the voting pattern shifts seen this year. “We don’t want this to be a one-and-done thing,” he said. Brown writes for the Associated Press. Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Mich., and AP polling editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed to this report.
NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Protara Therapeutics, Inc. TARA , a clinical-stage company developing transformative therapies for the treatment of cancer and rare diseases, today announced the closing of its underwritten public offering of 13,690,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $6.25 per share and pre-funded warrants to purchase 2,325,372 shares of common stock at a price of $6.249 per pre-funded warrant, which represents the per share price for the common stock less the $0.001 per share exercise price for each such pre-funded warrant. In addition, Protara has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,402,305 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $100 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by Protara and excluding any exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares and the exercise of any pre-funded warrants. Protara intends to use the net proceeds received from the offering to fund the clinical development of TARA-002, as well as the development of other clinical programs. Protara may also use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. TD Cowen, Cantor, LifeSci Capital, Oppenheimer & Co. and Scotiabank acted as joint book-running managers of the offering. The shares of common stock and the pre-funded warrants were issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-275290) that was declared effective on November 14, 2023 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from the offices of TD Securities (USA) LLC, 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, New York 10017, by email at TD.ECM_Prospectus@tdsecurities.com or by telephone at (855) 495-9846; Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., 110 East 59th Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Capital Markets, or by email at prospectus@cantor.com; or LifeSci Capital LLC, 1700 Broadway, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10019, or by email at compliance@lifescicapital.com . This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the applicable securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. Forward-looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Protara may, in some cases, use terms such as "predicts," "believes," "potential," "proposed," "continue," "designed," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should" or other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected use of proceeds therefrom, are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including Protara's expectations related to the use of proceeds from the offering. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements, including additional risks and uncertainties, are described more fully under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Protara's filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Protara undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Company Contact: Justine O'Malley Protara Therapeutics Justine.OMalley@protaratx.com 646-817-2836 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
CROTON, N.Y. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday threw out a defamation lawsuit against Fox News by a former Donald Trump supporter who said he received death threats when the network aired false conspiracy theories about his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection . Raymond Epps, a former Marine, was falsely accused by Fox of being a government agent causing trouble near the Capitol that day so that it would be blamed on Trump fans. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall in Delaware granted, without comment, Fox's motion to dismiss the case. Epps was the subject of a “60 Minutes” interview in 2023, shortly before filing his lawsuit. He claimed that he and his wife sold an Arizona ranch where they lived and moved because of the harassment they faced because of the reports. Epps had named Tucker Carlson, who was fired from Fox in April 2023 for reasons never fully explained, as being the most active promoter of the conspiracy theory. At the time, Carlson hosted Fox's most popular show. In a statement, Fox News on Wednesday cited two other defamation lawsuits against the company that were also recently dismissed. They involved former Biden administration disinformation expert Nina Jankowicz and Tony Bobulinski, one of Hunter Biden's former business partners. “Following the dismissals of the Jankowicz, Bobulinski and now Epps cases, Fox News is pleased with these back-to-back decisions from federal courts preserving the press freedoms of the First Amendment,” the network said. The Associated PressMost Valuable Promotions released a statement Monday regarding the growing controversy that Jake Paul's unanimous decision victory over Mike Tyson was fixed, calling the allegations "illogical and inane." The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Paul, 27, dominated the iconic former heavyweight champion in their Nov. 15 clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event was a massive success with an $18.1 million gate, the largest for any U.S. fight outside of Las Vegas, and was streamed on Netflix with over 108 million live global viewers. However, the 58-year-old Tyson delivered a lackluster performance with skeptics questioning the fight's integrity. Amid the swirling controversy, MVP -- led by Paul and Nakisa Bidarian -- has responded to those questioning whether the fight was fixed for Paul to win. "Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight," the statement read. "There were absolutely no restrictions -- contractual or otherwise -- around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations) boxing rules." Social media was flooded with posts suggesting the fight was scripted, with a fake script even being circulated. While the script was debunked, doubt about the legitimacy of the fight persists. Paul's admission that he took his foot off the gas in the middle rounds, rather than pursue a knockout, only fueled suspicions of a rigged fight. "It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world's biggest streamer -- an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson -- would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition," the statement continued. Bidarian has remained adamant in many interviews following the fight that there was no foul play in his business partner's victory. "This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way," said Bidarian. "From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities -- unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he continues to set historic records that speak for themselves. "This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage. As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt -- it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success."Snowflake students complain after uni rowing club ranks members’ abilities by comparing them to willies
A developer’s plan to build on the empty lot at the corner of E 3rd Street and River Drive in downtown Davenport hit a roadblock on Tuesday evening. Davenport City Council denied a tax incentive that would have provided the developers a portion of the city’s hotel-motel taxes for 15 years after it’s completed. The agreement also included an Urban Renewal Tax Exemption, which offers temporary tax breaks on increases in property value resulting from new construction. The vote was voted 5-4-1, but the issue needed 6 votes to pass. At-Large Ald. Jazmine Newton abstained from voting, saying she did not get requested information back in time to fully review it. “At this point in time, I don’t feel that I have sufficient information,” Newton said. If she were to have voted against the proposal, Mayor Mike Matson would had the power to break the tie. Those who voted no were alderpersons Rick and Tim Dunn, Jade Burkholder and Tim Kelly. Alderpersons Marion Meginnis, Ben Jogben, Kyle Gripp, Mhisho Lynch and Paul Reinartz voted in favor. A rendering of a proposed new hotel, restaurant, office space and event center at 227 LeClaire St., Davenport. The agreement primarily focused on the hotel portion of the project though it included both projects. A group of developers, led by Pete Stopulos, have proposed two buildings at 227 LeClaire Street . One is a $19 million, 88-room, four-story Marriott TownePlace Suites Hotel with a pool and rooftop patio. The hotel is designed to be an extended stay hotel with kitchenettes in the rooms. The second building is an $11 million four-story commercial building with a restaurant, two floors of office space and an event center on the top floor. A rendering of a proposed new restaurant and event center at 227 LeClaire St., Davenport. The two buildings will have different owners. For the first 10 years of the tax incentive, the developers would have been rebated 75% of the city’s portion of hotel-motel taxes generated from that specific hotel. In years 11 through 15, half of the taxes generated would be collected. Stopulos said they knew this site was going to be challenge but there is a plan in place. He brought up other developments he had a hand in helping development that faced significant challenges such as The Last Picture House. “These things happen because we make sure we do our developments the right way and that everything is accounted for throughout the process,” Stopulos said. “You got to trust me when I say we do it the right way — the proof is in the pudding.” Stopulos told the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus that they do plan on exploring all other options. “We are resolute in our desire to get this project done,” he said. The lot was once home to the site of a hotel before it was demolished nearly a decade ago and has been used as a parking lot and for staging equipment. An empty lot at LeClaire and Third streets on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in Davenport. Kyle Carter, Downtown Davenport Partnership director, told the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus that there is still an opportunity to work with council to get this done because it is a “welcome mat” to downtown Davenport for people who come here on the riverboat cruises. It’s also rare, he said, that someone comes forward to develop one of the most difficult parcels of land in the city. “I’m hopeful they can find a resolution to get this project done,” Carter said. Rick Dunn, 1st Ward, and Burkholder, 4th Ward, shared concerns about having uncertainty of both buildings being built. “I’m not against the project,” Dunn said. “But we were told that two projects would get done.” Burkholder shared similar sentiments, saying she was having a difficult time with these incentives they are being asked for now that they are two separate projects. No upfront cash incentive was being asked for in the project proposal, and the hotel-motel tax rebate would not have started until after the hotel was built and operating. Paul Reinartz, 8th Ward, voted in favor and said it’s a big mistake to only look at the tax base and that the project would bring in a secondary revenue stream associated with occupancy. People are going to come in, spend money in Davenport’s restaurants, casino and wherever else and that money will come back to the city. At-Large Ald. Kyle Gripp said there is no risk to the city with this project and that if the developer is successful, they are successful. If the developer is unsuccessful, then they either try a different method to develop it or sell to somebody else to take a stab at it. “I think this is a good project and one the city should support,” Gripp said. “I think it makes a lot of sense financially from a tax revenue standpoint and this is a highly visible parcel of land in the city and one that a lot of people kind of measure the progress of the city on.” Community and Economic Director Bruce Berger said the hotel-motel tax is only attributable to the hotel but both projects can apply for the Urban Renewal Tax Exemption. If the second building as proposed doesn’t happen, Berger said, it is possible that something else can be built. The Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus previously reported that in the 1980s, environmental work identified as “coal tar” — sludgy material that contained benzene — on the current site of the Quad-City Times building, 500 E. 3rd St., across the street from the proposed development. Dunn and Burkholder also shared concerns with potential contaminants and environmental hazards at the site. According to a city memo about the project, city staff spoke with Mel Pins with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources earlier this month and Pins categorized the site as “garden variety” and that is only has “residual contamination,” based on data previously submitted about the site and the Quad-City Times building site. City staff said liability is of minimal concern if the developers were to encounter any contamination on the site because nothing in the agreement would transfer ownership to the city. Floodwaters from the Mississippi River and other environmental hazards have also posed a challenge for redevelopment. The city was awarded federal funding to raise portions of LeClaire and E. 3rd Street and to improve the intersection adjacent to the project, all which is expected to complicate construction timing, according to the agreement. In response to her colleagues environmental concerns, Mhisho Lynch, 7th Ward, said the environmental facet of the project is no concern to her. “I could not fathom that a project as exuberant as this one, as in your face of downtown Davenport as this one, that the professional firms that are hired to do their jobs are not going to do them,” Lynch said. Reporter Sarah Watson contributed to this story. Kids dance hand in hand to Diplomats of Solid Sound's performance at the Skybridge Courtyard during Alternating Currents on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. The band encouraged the audience to dance for its physical and mental benefits. Scenes from Alternating Currents on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. A young boy is geared up Alternating Currents on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Diplomats of Solid Sound performs at the Skybridge Courtyard on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Kids fill out the "Before I die I want to..." blackboard on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. A couple dances to Diplomats of Solid Sound's performance at the Skybridge Courtyard on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Alexa Deen interprets Diplomats of Solid Sound's performance at the Skybridge Courtyard on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Diplomats of Solid Sound preforms at the Skybridge Courtyard on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. A man records Diplomats of Solid Sound's performance at the Skybridge Courtyard on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Regan Hatfield of American Devil Sound performs at Kaiserslautern Square on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Regan Hatfield of American Devil Sound performs at Kaiserslautern Square on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Regan Hatfield of American Devil Sound performs at Kaiserslautern Square on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos fans crowd out Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos perform at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos perform at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. A Post Sex Nachos fan models her t-shirt at Alternating Currents on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos before their performance at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos pose for a portrait after their Daiquiri Factory performance on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos relax after their Daiquiri Factory performance on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Kids dance to Diplomats of Solid Sound's performance at the Skybridge Courtyard on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. Belt performs at Armored Gardens at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. Belt plays at Armored Gardens at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. Belt performs at Armored Gardens at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. CJ Parker performs Friday, Aug. 16, at Quad Cities' Got Talent at the Redstone Room at Common Chord in Davenport. A look at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. Comedian Kristin Lytie performs Friday, Aug. 16, at Quad Cities' Got Talent at the Redstone Room at Common Chord in Davenport. Luke Swinney, the casting producer for "America's Got Talent," watches Quad Cities' Got Talent on Friday, Aug. 16, at the Redstone Room at Common Chord in Davenport. Comedian Chris Schlichting performs Friday, Aug. 16, at Quad Cities' Got Talent at the Redstone Room at Common Chord in Davenport. Soutru performs at Quad Cities' Got Talent on Friday, Aug. 16, at the Redstone Room at Common Chord in Davenport. Belly Dancing Samantha performs Friday, Aug. 16, at Quad Cities' Got Talent at the Redstone Room at Common Chord in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos before their performance at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos perform at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos relax after their Daiquiri Factory performance on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Belt performs at Armored Gardens at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos before their performance at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos perform at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos relax after their Daiquiri Factory performance on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Belt performs at Armored Gardens at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos before their performance at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos perform at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos relax after their Daiquiri Factory performance on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Belt performs at Armored Gardens at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos before their performance at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos perform at Daiquiri Factory on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Post Sex Nachos relax after their Daiquiri Factory performance on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. Belt performs at Armored Gardens at Alternating Currents on Friday, August 16, in Davenport. Alexa Deen interprets Diplomats of Solid Sound's performance at the Skybridge Courtyard on Saturday, August 17, in Davenport. The new Fairmount Community Center, near the Fairmount Library in Davenport, is complete. The City held a ribbon cutting for the community center on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2024. It features a half-court gym, activity space, and kitchenette. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Multimedia Editor/Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
It may not be Black Friday yet, but the holiday shopping blitz is already well underway with some significant discounts on games and gaming devices. Steam is in the middle of its Autumn Sale that runs until December 4 and includes a discount on the LCD Steam Deck. No, it’s not the OLED Steam Deck, but Steam is offering the 512GB Steam Deck with a 25 percent discount that brings the price down to $336.75. Steam’s sale also offered the smaller 64GB LCD model with a 15 percent discount for less than $300 but they’ve already run out of stock. This may be the best time to pick up a Steam Deck since last summer . In June, Steam knocked down the price of the 64GB variant to just under $300 and the 512GB version for under $400. The 64 and 512GB models are discontinued and won’t be available once Steam runs out of stock. The 256GB LCD model is sticking around for a little while longer for those gamers who can’t afford the fancier versions. If you’re going to buy a Steam Deck, you’ll need some games to play on it. Steam Autumn Sale also includes some sweet deals on games like Baldur’s Gate 3 for $47.99 and Total War: Warhammer III for $23.99 and early access to Supergiant’s Hades II for $26.99. Steam also has some cool discounts on older games that you’ve been meaning to play like Double Fine’s Psychonauts 2 and Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey for $6 each, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order for $4 and Cities Skylines for $3.