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Susan Musgrave, Ocean Vuong nominated for revamped Griffin Poetry Prize

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

Canadian mainstays and international darlings are among the wordsmiths longlisted for the newly revamped Griffin Poetry Prize. Benefactor Scott Griffin announced last year that the long-standing award would consolidate its Canadian and international categories — which each carried a $65,000 purse — into one global long list, whose winner will receive $130,000.Among the Canadian contenders are California-born, British Columbia-based writer Susan Musgrave, for her first book of poetry in 11 years, “Exculpatory Lilies,” and Manolis Aligizakis, who translated Tasos Livaditis’ “Poems, Volume II” from the original Greek.If a translated book is to win, the translator will receive 60 per cent of the prize, while the original poet will get 40 per cent.Among the international nominees is American Robyn Creswell, who is being recognized for his translation of Egyptian-Canadian poet Iman Mersal’s “The Threshold,” which was originally written in Ar...

Spain’s unions back government public pension reform

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain’s left-wing government won the backing of unions to reform the nation’s public pension system on Wednesday, in stark contrast with neighboring France, where plans to raise the retirement age have led to waves of strikes and mass protests.The leaders of Spain’s two main labor unions, UGT and CC.OO., appeared alongside Minister of Social Security José Luis Escrivá in Madrid to christen the plan the union heads both deemed “historic.”CC.OO. secretary general Unai Sordo said that the reform would be key to ensuring pensions for Spain’s retired population which he said is expected to increase from 10 to 15 million people by 2048.“This is about maintaining a pillar of our social welfare system,” Sordo said.It is very different across the border in France, where labor unions on Wednesday held another round of massive street protests against the push by President Emmanuel Macron to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, a move that he says is neces...

Tyson Foods closing 2 plants, impacting nearly 1,700 workers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Tyson Foods has announced that the company is planning to close two of its plants, which together employ a total of nearly 1,700 people.Tyson said its plants in Van Buren, Arkansas, and Glen Allen, Virginia, will be closing in May."After careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our Van Buren, Arkansas plant effective May 12, 2023, and shift demand to other Tyson Foods facilities," said Tyson in its announcement concerning the Arkansas plant. "While the decision was not easy, it reflects our broader strategy to strengthen our poultry business by optimizing operations and utilizing the full available capacity at each plant."A statement issued on the closing of the Virginia plant suggested its closure was due to "inability to economically improve operations."Tyson said there are plans to work with employees affected by the closures to help them relocate to other Tyson facilities. The company also said it would coordinate with stat...

PHOTOS: Florida police rescue young manatee from red tide

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) – As red tide continues to impact beaches along Florida's gulf coast, authorities have been rescuing animals caught up in the harmful algal blooms.Over the past weekend, Marine Units with the Venice Police Department Marine Unit, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the Florida Fish Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office all assisted in the successful rescue of a juvenile manatee.Credit: Venice Police Department Credit: Venice Police Department Credit: Venice Police Department Credit: Venice Police Department Credit: Venice Police Department Credit: Venice Police Department Credit: Venice Police Department The 700-pound manatee was in distress due to red tide, according to VPD. Marine Officers and biologists had to get in the water and help hold the young manatee's head above water so it could breathe until additional personnel arrived. Red tide, a toxic algae bloom that occurs naturally in the Gulf of Mexico, is worsened by t...

Postal worker sentenced to 9 months for stealing mail in Morgan Park

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A former postal worker was sentenced to nine months in federal prison for stealing mail in Morgan Park.Diamante Williams, 25, of Chicago, was previously indicted by a grand jury in March 2022 on three counts of mail theft. In September of last year, he pleaded guilty in an agreement to one count of mail theft.He admitted that on around March 28, 2018, he stole mail on his route in Morgan Park, including financial items. 2 postal service mailboxes broken into in Elmhurst Williams admitted to stealing a check in the amount of $1,274 intended for a company.He was sentenced to nine months in prison.

New law restricts electric car stores in Mississippi

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

JACKSON, Miss (AP) — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed a bill Tuesday restricting electric car manufacturers from selling vehicles in person unless they open franchised dealerships.Defying calls from some fellow Republicans in the Legislature to veto the measure, Reeves enacted into law House Bill 401, introduced by Republican Rep. Trey Lamar of Senatobia. The law will force electric car companies such as Tesla and Rivian to sell vehicles through franchises rather than company-owned stores, which is how they currently operate.“Almost 200 small businesses in communities across our state are seeking assurances that big manufacturers can’t just destroy their businesses. That’s fair!” Reeves, a Republican, said in a statement posted to social media. “I also recognize that innovation in this industry is inevitable. And with innovation comes new companies with new business models. I am committed to find long-term solutions—in an ever changing market.” What comes next for Mississippi’s...

French bulldog ousts Labrador retriever to become top US dog breed

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time in three decades, the U.S. has a new favorite dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club.Adorable in some eyes, deplorable in others, the sturdy, push-faced, perky-eared, world-weary-looking and distinctively droll French bulldog became the nation's most prevalent purebred dog last year, the club announced Wednesday. Frenchies ousted Labrador retrievers from the top spot after a record 31 years.Why?“They’re comical, friendly, loving little dogs,” says French Bull Dog Club of America spokesperson Patty Sosa. City-friendly, with modest grooming and exercise needs, she says, “they offer a lot in a small package.”Yet the Frenchie's dizzying rise — it wasn't even a top-75 breed a quarter-century ago — worries its fans, to say nothing of its critics.The buzzy little bulldogs have been targeted in thefts, including last month's fatal shooting of a 76-year-old South Carolina breeder and the 2021 shooting of a California dog walker...

Person rescued after falling into 7-foot hole in downtown Austin

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A person was rescued Wednesday morning after falling seven feet into a hole in downtown Austin. Austin-Travis County EMS tweeted that it and the Austin Fire Department responded after a person fell approximately seven feet into a hole near the intersection of Guadalupe and 7th streets and was unable to get out. The patient was rescued by a ropes system and stokes basket, according to the tweet. ATCEMS declared the patient a trauma alert and transported them to Dell Seton Medical Center with potentially serious injuries that are not expected to be life-threatening.

ICON unveils 'world's 1st' 3D performance pavilion at The Long Center

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A special surprise for music lovers will be unveiled today in the heart of downtown Austin.ICON is unveiling the world’s first 3D-printed performance pavilion at The Long Center.It’s a gift the 3D construction company is giving to Austin.While working with local hospitality expert Liz Lambert to design a 3D hotel in Marfa, Texas, both parties decided to use the inspiration from that project to design the 3D amphitheater.“It's an outdoor music venue, right in front of the Long Center in the shadow of downtown that will hold over 1,000 people,” Lambert said. “It'll be a beautiful place to sit and see music.”    ICON is unveiling the world’s first 3D-printed performance pavilion at The Long Center. (KXAN Photo) It only took 14 days to construct before South by Southwest began.This summer, the 3D printed pavilion will host a wide variety of local artists in an accessible spot for the community.“It is going to be a space where the community will come a...

Where to find corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:58 GMT

Ahh, St. Patrick’s Day — that rowdy celebration of all things Irish.I’m not much for going to the overcrowded bars on that day, even though I’m Irish by marriage. But one thing I can get behind is a homey plate of salty corned beef and steamed cabbage.Even though many Irish don’t much care for the dish, it’s what immigrants from the Green Isle ate when they arrived in America, where beef was much more plentiful than it was in their native land.And good news for local Catholics — even though St. Paddy’s falls on a Friday during Lent, Archbishop Bernard Hebda has granted a special dispensation for the feast day, which means you’re free to eat corned beef or shepherd’s pie.Here are some places that serve corned beef and cabbage on March 17. Some have it beyond just that day, which we have noted below.5-8 Club: 2289 Minnehaha Ave. E., Maplewood and 1741 S. Robert St., West St. Paul; 6251 Douglas Court N., Champlin; 5800 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 5-8club.com; se...