Aging Energy Infrastructure Plus Climate Change Are a Growing Risk
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
Aging Energy Infrastructure Plus Climate Change Are a Growing Risk
Aging Energy Infrastructure, Plus Climate Change, Are a Growing Risk.
NPR reports that Texas investigators say that a power pole , "that appeared to be decayed at the base", was the cause of the worst wildfire in the state's history.
Xcel Energy, the state's electric
utility, said in a statement that , "its facilities appear to have been involved
in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire.".
Rob Gramlich, president of consulting firm
Grid Strategies, warns that many of the U.S.'s
power lines were built 60 to 70 years ago.
.
According to Gramlich, most electric utility providers
in the U.S. lack the technology to let them know
when power lines are overheating or sagging.
Combined with increased temperatures
and drier vegetation, this aging infrastructure
could spark larger, more intense wildfires.
There are some utilities
that are really leaders and
are getting ahead of the risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
And then there are others
that we look at and think are
walking into a catastrophe, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
According to experts, wildfire prevention
can not only impact safety, but also the
cost of energy bills across the nation.
We cannot afford – literally,
in terms of our pocketbooks –
to have utilities be perceived
by their investors as high risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
There is a set of practices
that utilities can take that
do not cost an arm and a leg
that can dramatically cut
the risk of outcomes
like we saw in Texas, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR
How to Be , a Better Neighbor.
You don't even know
your neighbors, do you?.
Per a Pew Research study conducted in 2018, only a quarter of adults under 30
said they know even one of their neighbors.
A fostered sense of community may be what's missing in your young life.
A fostered sense of community may be what's missing in your young life.
Here are a few ways to
become a better neighbor:.
Say
Hello.
Obvious, yes, but the logical first
step to becoming a better neighbor
is to introduce yourself.
Don't do anything grandiose so you
don't come on too strong.
You don't have to show up with a fresh apple pie or anything like that. , Chris Loggins, supervising producer
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, via NPR.
You don't have to show up with a fresh apple pie or anything like that. , Chris Loggins, supervising producer
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, via NPR.
Small Acts
of Kindness.
Show your neighbors that you can
be a kind and generous person.
Always clean up after your pets,
and don't litter.
Connect.
Often it may feel easier to just go home, but experts believe human connection is worth the effort.
Overcoming the initial anxiety may trouble you, but meeting new people could increase your happiness
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Biden Is Giving $6 Billion , to Micron Technology , for Semiconductor Production.
On April 25, President Biden will travel to Syracuse, NY, to announce over $6 billion in federal grants that his administration is awarding to Micron Technology, NPR reports. .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was heavily involved in enacting the CHIPS and Science Act, issued a statement about the investment. .
This is the federal government taking back the reins, putting money where its mouth is when we say we want the future of tech to be stamped: 'Made in America.', Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Micron will invest $100 billion of the funds to construct a manufacturing facility in Syracuse.
Schumer referred to the plan as "quite a
great return" on the government's investment.
A factory will also be built in
Boise, Idaho, NPR reports. .
That facility is expected to be ready for production by 2026, while two New York factories will likely be ready by 2028 and 2029.
The White House estimates that
the projects could create 20,000 jobs
in construction and manufacturing.
in addition to "tens of thousands of
indirect jobs in the regions," NPR reports. .
The CHIPS and Science Act has also provided funding for Intel, TSMC and Samsung
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Are You in a Creative Rut? , Here's How to Stay Inspired.
Have you had a hard time accessing the creative part of your brain lately?.
Maybe you're hoping for a magical breakthrough
like something you'd see in a movie.
Experts say it may not be so easy, but it's still possible to pull yourself out of a creative rut if you keep these things in mind:.
Creativity Is for Everyone.
Most folks are creative, and experts
say you don't have to be a genius
to harness the power.
I think we are already
creative beings and
how you use that
[creativity] is
up to you, Sarah Urist Green, producer of
'The Art Assignment,' via NPR.
You don't need to have particular skills; you don't need to have
particular materials. , Sarah Urist Green, producer of
'The Art Assignment,' via NPR.
Take a Break.
Experts say allowing your brain to de-stimulate is great practice
if your schedule allows. .
What our brains actually need is periods of destimulation, Rahaf Harfoush, host of 'The Thought Experiment,' via NPR.
which means no screens, no emails, no audiobooks. , Rahaf Harfoush, host of 'The Thought Experiment,' via NPR.
Don't Force
Yourself.
Experts say don't use stress as a tool
to get things done.
Being overly reliant on pressure and stress may deepen your creative rut.
It could also increase chances of
anxiety attacks and depression
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
How to Be , More Timely.
Have you been rolling out
of bed with minutes to spare?.
Maybe you've been wondering to yourself: "where does all the time go?".
Strive to be on time with these helpful tips:.
Timeliness is
a Sign of Respect.
Being timely can project respect for ourselves and others.
I think it's very important to be on time. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
You can always let time pass, but you can't
get it back once it's already gone. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
Plan Ahead.
For the chronically late, experts
say it helps to have a plan.
There's a lot of steps
that I think people just don't consider. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
There's a lot of steps
that I think people just don't consider. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
Help yourself by picking out tomorrow's outfit today. Pack your bag, and confirm appropriate directions before you depart.
Be Honest With Yourself and Others.
Everybody is late for something now and then. True character is how you respond to it.
If you know you're going to be late to something, the very best thing you can do is communicate right away, Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
If you know you're going to be late to something, the very best thing you can do is communicate right away, Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
It's not thinking about it and then calling or texting
30 minutes later.
It means right at that moment. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR.
It's not thinking about it and then calling or texting
30 minutes later.
It means right at that moment. , Rashelle Isip, professional organizer-productivity consultant, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Walmart Reverses Course, , Closes Down Its , Walmart Health Division.
NBC reports that Walmart has announced
it will close all 52 of the doctor-staffed
health clinics the company operates.
The announcement comes as
part of the company's decision to
shut down its Walmart Health Initiative.
Clinics that will close down are located in
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Texas. .
On April 30, the company also said it would
begin winding down its virtual care service.
The decision to end the Walmart Health Initiative
will not reportedly impact Walmart
pharmacies and vision centers.
Walmart said that it will work to direct current patients
to other providers covered by their insurance
networks to ensure they continue to receive care.
NBC reports that the news comes as a swift
reversal of Walmart's plan to expand its number
of doctor-staffed clinics to 70 by the end of 2024.
Through our experience managing
Walmart Health centers and
Walmart Health Virtual Care,
we determined there is
not a sustainable business
model for us to continue, Walmart statement, via NBC.
Other nontraditional health care
providers have also been forced to
reconsider their plans in recent years. .
Last month, Walgreens announced that it would
close 140 of the company's primary care clinics,
along with plans to shut down 20 more.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Galveston, TX is returning fire after Charles Barkley took a shot at their "dirty" beaches on national television ... with the city clapping back, saying.. TMZ.com
Selena Quintanilla's brother, A.B., III is offering up an apology after losing it on fans this weekend during a music festival in Texas ... and he's blaming the.. TMZ.com
10 Reasons Why Walking Is
Beneficial to Your Health.
1. A 2016 study from the
National Institutes of Health says
walking can put you in a "better mood.".
2. Another report in 'JAMA Psychiatry'
says it can also help prevent depression.
3. According to a Stanford University analysis,
walking pumps more oxygen into your brain,
therefore increasing alertness.
4. A 2014 study from the California college
adds that your creative output will
receive a boost as well.
5. A University of Missouri study found that
walking reduces stress by increasing blood flow.
6. Researchers from the National Cancer Institute
say walking an hour on a daily basis
can increase longevity.
7. A study from Appalachian State University adds that your immune system can be boosted
by moving 30 to 45 minutes each day.
8. According to the
American Cancer Society,
walking every day lowers
your risk of getting cancer.
9. A 2011 study from the
'International Journal of General Medicine'
adds that it also helps with digestion.
10. Have painful inflammation?
The Arthritis Foundation says
walking can even help with joint pain
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Controversial Grand Canyon , Uranium Mining , to Continue Despite Concerns.
Fox News reports that the United States' largest
uranium producer is ramping up mining operations
just south of the Grand..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EU Risk Assessment , Warns Continent Unprepared , For Climate Threats.
On March 11, the European Environment Agency released
its first-ever risk assessment for the EU, warning that
the bloc is..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
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