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WGA strike: Talks kickstart Friday between writers, Hollywood studios

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

The Writers Guild of America will resume contract talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers tomorrow, the first official negotiating session since the union went on strike May 2.Related: How ‘hot labor summer’ strikes broke down wealth, class barriersIn an email to its members, the WGA negotiating committee wrote that it was asked by AMPTP President Carol Lombardini to meet with AMPTP negotiators on Friday.“We expect the AMPTP to provide responses to WGA proposals,” according to the message sent to WGA members. “Our committee returns to the bargaining table ready to make a fair deal, knowing the unified WGA membership stands behind us and buoyed by the ongoing support of our union allies.”Related linksThe writers strike has hit 100 days with no end in sightHahn urges $25 minimum wage for workers at large LA County hotels, theme parksHotel workers may receive new safeguards in LA County unincorporated areasLA city workers launch one-da...

Travelers return to L.A. area from Maui amid devastating fires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

Travelers are returning to the Los Angeles area from Maui, where devastating wildfires continue to burn, claiming at least 36 lives.Evacuations of thousands of visitors continued Thursday as Hawaii search and rescue teams were out in devastated areas. Maui surveys the burned wreckage caused by the deadliest U.S. wildfire in years The fires, which started Tuesday, were fueled by a strong winds from a passing hurricane.Travelers were taken by surprise as fires burned through dry brush in the popular tourist and historic town of Lahaina.As of Wednesday, 2,000 travelers were sheltering at an airport on the island trying to return home.Several flights arrived at LAX Thursday morning, with more scheduled throughout the day.Some told KTLA they cut their trip short. Some indicated they were without food and power on the island.Travelers described the airport in Maui as chaotic as people tried to leave. Red Cross can help track down potentially missing loved ones in Hawaii Sam Lloyd, who...

'King of the Hill' voice actor Johnny Hardwick dead at 64

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

Johnny Hardwick, a comedian and star of the long-running animated show "King of the Hill," has died at age 64, according to multiple reports. Hardwick's death was confirmed by the medical examiner's office in Austin, Texas, according to USA Today. He died at his home, and while no cause of death was provided, foul play is not suspected, according to Deadline.For 13 seasons on the comedy created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, Hardwick played Dale Gribble, a chain-smoking, paranoid exterminator who lives next door to the titular Hill family in fictional Arlen, Texas.He was part of the team that won an Emmy in 1999 for outstanding animated program.Though "King of the Hill" ended its run in 2010, Hardwick's performance as Dale Gribble has lived on through internet memes, including his comical use of "pocket sand" to escape confrontation.He also was set to be part of the "King of the Hill" revival at Hulu, which was announced earlier this year. Judge paid tribute to Hardwick on Instagra...

New data show historic rise in food costs plaguing California restaurants, consumers 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

A reality check might be accompanying your next restaurant bill. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the cost of food-away-from-home, or restaurant food, was nearly 8% higher nationwide in June 2023 than it was in June 2022. California ranked second in the nation on a list of states that spend the most on dining out, with $140.29 being spent per consumer on restaurant food in a two-week period, a USA Today study found. The only state where diners pay more in a two-week period is Hawaii, where an average of $149.36 is spent per person at restaurants over two weeks -- which actually marks a 3% decrease in costs associated with dining out compared to the previous year.Eateries are beginning to suffer the consequences of the rising costs; data from restaurant booking service OpenTable found that since February 2023, reservations across California decreased 5%, which ranked among the largest decreases in the nation. That 5% decrease in reservations followe...

Red Cross can help track down potentially missing loved ones in Hawaii

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

People hoping to connect with their loved ones who live or recently visited Hawaii can turn to the Red Cross for help.Hawaii’s Red Cross branch encourages people to call 1-800 Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) and select option 4 to receive assistance in locating a potentially missing family member or friend, according to its website. Maui surveys the burned wreckage caused by the deadliest U.S. wildfire in years Callers should follow the voice prompts and provide as much detail as possible to assist Red Cross agents so they can help you locate your loved one.Here are some additional tips for connecting to loved ones through Red Cross, according to the organization.Call during off-peak hours for the best chance of getting through.Send a text message, which may go through when phone calls can’t.Check your loved one’s social media pages, as they may have already gone online to tell their story.Send an emailCall friends and relatives who may have already been in contact with your loved one...

Revolutionizing Digital Marketing: LeadOrigin’s Data-Powered Approach Delivers Billion-Dollar Results

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

Successful marketing demands an artistic flair, a certain creativity, a special something that establishes an identity, a personality, a brand.But in the digital age, marketing must also rely heavily on data-driven results if clients and agencies are to reach customers with maximum effect.This is where LeadOrigin enters the picture with a proven track record of success. Over the last seven years, LeadOrigin has helped more than 1,800 small and midsize companies generate more than three quarters of a billion dollars in revenue.“Developing the data and understanding consumer demand and behavior—that’s all it is,” said Zohaib Patoli, who along with his brother, Bilal, co-founded LeadOrigin. “You don’t have to be artsy and all this stuff, you just have to use the data to see what people like, and then use that data to build it.”Far from simply an advertising platform, LeadOrigin is a management platform helping companies transition to the digital age. With its emphasis on ma...

Stuart Ross Carlson: The Last Rose of Quirky Musical Brilliance Blooms Amidst Streaming Symphony

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

The panorama of entertainment has recently grown a little bit more vibrant, a little bit more crazy, and considerably more enjoyable. Stuart Ross Carlson, a master of good times and an expert of variety, has released a melodic bombshell named “The Last Rose of Summer.” And I’ll tell you right now that this rose isn’t your typical garden kind; rather, it’s a blossoming bouquet of surprising sounds.Carlson is rewriting the rules of music with a pen dipped in whimsy. He’s not afraid to mix genres, much like a chef experimenting with pickles and peanut butter. contemporary and classical fusion? Check. symphonic and soulful combined.Carlson’s masterpiece is additionally sweeping the airways; it is also permeating every corner of the digital soundscape. With the help of a Spotify promotion, “The Last Rose of Summer” will be heard by more people. This incredible piece of melody does not simply come tapping on your front door; instead, i...

Charting a Path to Renewal: Trauma Therapy’s Crucial Role in Restoring Domestic Violence Survivors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

Domestic violence casts a long, stifling shadow on its survivors, leaving them entangled in a labyrinth of past torment and emotional burdens. Amid this backdrop, the beacon of trauma therapy emerges, spearheaded by the commendable efforts of Jessica Renner founder of Acorn & Oak Counseling PLLC, a respected figure holding both LCPC and LSOTP titles focused on trauma therapy. As a seasoned helm at a cutting-edge therapeutic institution, Renner provides insights into the pivotal role trauma therapy plays, addressing not only immediate pain but also untangling the intricate roots of psychological scars, granting survivors the compass to chart their way to a brighter horizon.Viewed through Renner’s informed prism, trauma therapy transcends mere palliative care. It delves into the intricate structures of coercion and dominance that fuel violence. At the therapy’s heart is the confluence of cognitive and physiological healing, where survivors recalibrate their reactions t...

The USDT Price and Its Influence on Crypto Trading

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

The cryptocurrency market is known for its high volatility and unpredictable trends. Sometimes, this volatility can result in heavy returns but can also lead to irreversible losses. Traders seeking to navigate these turbulent waves with a safe anchor can rely on a stablecoin that may not promise huge returns but a steady rock to safeguard their digital assets. Tether (USDT) is one such stablecoin that has gained popularity over the last few years for its unique features. It is the third-largest cryptocurrency globally by market capitalization.The name of this cryptocurrency instantly reminds us of stalwarts in this space, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, the value of these giants may sway with the market volatility, but Tether prices have remained stable throughout. The value of this stablecoin is intentionally pegged to the U.S. dollar in a 1-to-1 ratio. This means that regardless of the market condition, the value of 1 Tether will be equal to a U.S. dollar. This unique featu...

US suicides reached an all-time high in 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:58 GMT

By Mike Stobbe | Associated PressNEW YORK — About 49,500 people took their own lives last year in the U.S., the highest number ever, according to new government data posted Thursday.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which posted the numbers, has not yet calculated a suicide rate for the year, but available data suggests suicides are more common in the U.S. than at any time since the dawn of World War II.“There’s something wrong. The number should not be going up,” said Christina Wilbur, a 45-year-old Florida woman whose son shot himself to death last year.“My son should not have died,” she said. “I know it’s complicated, I really do. But we have to be able to do something. Something that we’re not doing. Because whatever we’re doing right now is not helping.”Experts caution that suicide is complicated, and that recent increases might be driven by a range of factors, including higher rates of depression and lim...