Fired Mets GM Porter suspended by MLB through 2022 season
Fired New York Mets general manager Jared Porter has been suspended by Major League Baseball through at least the end of the 2022 regular season following an investigation that began after a report that he sent sexually explicit text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 while he was working for the Chicago Cubs.
Ford is betting that solid-state batteries will cut EV costs
Ford has raised its stake in a manufacturer of solid-state batteries โ a move that its chief product and operations officer, Hau Thai-Tang, says will strengthen the companyโs effort to increase the range and reduce the costs of its next generation of electric vehicles.
Oscars add UK hub for broadcast after concerns about travel
FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2015 file photo, an Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)With less than a month until showtime, the 93rd Oscars are taking another pass at the script. The main event will still take place at Los Angelesโ Union station which will include a red carpet component but they are planning something special for the UK location. The show is also working with local broadcast affiliates around the world to provide satellite links for other international nominees. The 93rd Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC on April 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Legislator being investigated for Weinstein backdrop on Zoom
Bickford apologized, calling it "inappropriate and in poor taste." Weinstein is a former Hollywood producer who faced accusations from more than 80 women that he sexually assaulted them. (Maine Legislature via Zoom via AP)AUGUSTA, Maine โ A Maine legislator who appeared for Zoom meetings twice with a background that made a joking reference to convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein is being investigated by the Legislatureโs human resources department. Both times, Bickford quickly changed the background to a lake, which is his typical background for Zoom meetings. โIt was inappropriate and in poor taste.
US jobless claims fall to 684,000, fewest since pandemic
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign the economy is improving. Thursdayโs report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims fell from 781,000 the week before. All told, the number of applicants fell below 1 million for the first time since the pandemic. AdNationally, though, the number of recipients in an extended federal jobless benefits program jumped by 730,000 to 5.5 million. Historically, the weekly unemployment claims figure has been considered an accurate reflection of the pace of layoffs.
Plans solidify for 93rd Oscars: No Zoom, no sweatshirts
The 93rd Oscars will be held on April 25. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)With nominations set and just over a month until showtime, details are trickling out about the 93rd Oscars and neither sweatshirts nor Zoom made the cut. Theyโve enlisted Emmy and Tony Award winning director Glenn Weiss to direct the live broadcast on April 25. The producers said they plan to treat the event like an active movie set with on-site COVID safety teams and testing protocols. The 93rd Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC on April 25 starting at 8 p.m.
Yankees' Boone back on bench 3 days after pacemaker inserted
This screengrab from a Zoom call, Friday, March 5, 2021, shows New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Boone said he's feeling better after getting a pacemaker and said he hopes to return to the team Saturday or Sunday. (AP Photo/Ron Blum)New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone returned to the dugout Saturday, three days after surgery to have a pacemaker inserted. Boone, who turns 48 in a few days, left the club Wednesday to get the pacemaker at St. Josephโs Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Boone, who had open heart surgery in 2009 for a congenital defect, had been experiencing light-headedness and fatigue this winter.
Porn plays during Florida high school Zoom presentation
TITUSVILLE, Fla. โ A Zoom presentation for a Titusville High School class was cut short when someone gained access to the session and displayed pornographic material, according to Brevard Public Schools. [TRENDING: Massive fire breaks out at Orlando condo complex | 6 Dr. Seuss books canceled | Shaq, the big-time wrestler]After the hack, Titusville High School Principal Jennifer Gonzalez sent an email to parents notifying them about what happened. โAs soon as the discovery was made, the Zoom session was terminated by our staff and reported to administration. In April 2020, a man gained access to an online learning session for Wolf Lake Middle School and exposed himself, records show. The Sun Sentinel reports that a masked man hacked into a West Broward High School class and went on a racist rant.
The glam was back at the Golden Globes, albeit at a distance
And they were ready, style wise, as the Globes split hosts, with Amy Poehler at the Beverly Hilton and Tina Fey at the Rainbow Room in New York. Backstage after the show, Sudeikis told reporters he owns a multitude of hoodies but chose the one emblazoned with โForwardโ on the front and โListen + Leadโ on the back as fitting for the unusual night. โI wanted to feel festive and go for it,โ she told NBC. Sarah Paulson held her little black pooch on screen and Emma Corrin's fluffy white cat grabbed a moment for itself. AdLydia Marks, a New York set decorator, told The Associated Press the evening's technical challenges were many.
Happ beats Cubs in arbitration; teams finish with 5-4 record
Happ asked for a raise from $624,000 to $4.1 million during a Zoom session Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, and the Cubs argued he should be paid $3.25 million. Teams finished with a 5-4 advantage in cases that went to a hearing, their second straight winning record after two consecutive years in which players had an advantage. A day after hearing arguments, arbitrators Frederic Horowitz, Steven Wolf and Jules Bloch decided in favor of Happ's figure rather than the team's $3.25 million. St. Louis pitcher Jack Flaherty ($3.9 million), Braves pitcher Mike Soroka ($2.8 million) and Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi ($2.45 million) also won their cases. Teams beat Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson ($6 million), San Francisco infielder Donovan Solano ($3.25 million), Tampa Bay pitcher Ryan Yarbrough ($2.3 million), New York Mets third baseman/outfielder J.D.
Aging desktop source of attorney's accidental cat filter
This image from video shows a hearing from the 394th Judicial District Court of Texas. A filter that had been activated on the attorney's device obscured his appearance and made him look like a cat. And in Florida, a judge told attorneys they must get out of bed and put on clothing before appearing on video for proceedings. Ferguson, the judge who oversaw Tuesdayโs hearing and posted the video online, told The Associated Press he had no idea the clip would become an instant hit. In one of the more hilarious moments, Ponton tells the judge: โI'm prepared to go forwardโ with the hearing, despite his feline appearance.
Attorney-at-paw? Filter makes lawyer look like cat in court
ALPINE, Texas โ A West Texas judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings via Zoom: Always check for filters before logging on. I'm not a cat,โ Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton said. โI can see that,โ replied Ferguson, whose district covers five counties in West Texas, including the town of Marfa from which Ponton was calling. The short video clip, which was shared online by Ferguson, ends with others coaching the attorney on how to remove the cat filter. Now Iโm famous for appearing in court as a cat,โ he told The Associated Press.
Owner of Mets and hedge fund leaves Twitter, citing threats
This photo from a Zoom press conference shows New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (New York Mets via AP)NEW YORK โ The owner of the New York Mets says he has dropped off Twitter because his family received threats that he attributed to โmisinformation" that was not tied to the baseball team. Hedge funds that shorted GameStop have lost billions as small investors bid up the company's shares. One of the short sellers, Melvin Capital, announced this week that it received a $750 million infusion from Point72. The Mets tied for last place in the National League East division last season.
Retired couple deemed ineligible for second stimulus checks
โNothing had changed from May which is when we got the first one to December,โ Derrol Sadler said. The IRS Free File website went live on Jan. 15 and will continue through the tax filing season which now officially begins on Feb. 12. Hereโs a step-by-step overview of how to find the right Free File product:Go to IRS.gov/freefile Use the โFree File Online Lookupโ tool to find the right product. According to the website, anyone who does not own a computer can access free file products support with a smartphone. For 2021, these providers are participating in IRS Free File:For 2021, the following providers have IRS Free File products in Spanish:If you have an unemployment issue email makeendsmeet@wkmg.com.
Official displays gun during meeting after criticism about Proud Boys
I was in my home.โTwo self-described members of the Proud Boys spoke to the county board last March in support of a pro-Second Amendment resolution the panel adopted. โThe only thing I know about them (Proud Boys) is when they came and spoke to us," Clous said. โI am not a member of Proud Boys,โ Hentschel said Wednesday. โBut I do know a few Proud Boys. Iโve met Black Proud Boys, Iโve met multi-racial Puerto Rican Proud Boys and they inform me they also have gay Proud Boys.
Attorneys: Ex-governor charged in wrong county over Flint
Attorneys for Snyder are telling prosecutors that the Flint water case should be dismissed because he was charged in the wrong county. (67th District Court in Flint via AP)LANSING, Mich. โ Attorneys for former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder are striking back, telling prosecutors Tuesday that the Flint water case should be dismissed because he was charged in the wrong county. Snyder,โ Lennon told the judge. Snyder was one of nine people charged in a new investigation of the Flint water crisis, including former state health department director Nick Lyon.
Mets fire GM after he sent explicit texts to female reporter
This screen grab from a Zoom call shows New York Mets general manager Jared Porter Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Mets general manager Jared Porter sent graphic, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 when he was working for the Chicago Cubs in their front office, ESPN reported Monday night, Jan. 18, 2021. โWe have terminated Jared Porter this morning,โ Cohen wrote Tuesday. ESPN said he was the Cubsโ director of professional scouting when he sent the messages to the woman. She said the Cubs employee told her Porter wanted to apologize in person, but she didn't want to see him.
New Phillies boss Dombrowski plans retool, not rebuild
This screengrab from a Zoom call shows David Dombrowski, the Philadelphia Phillies' new president of baseball operations, during a Zoom call Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (Zoom via AP)Dave Dombrowski wants to win again sooner rather than later. So he finalized a deal Friday to become the Philadelphia Philliesโ president of baseball operations, convinced the team is not far from its first World Series title since 2008. Phillies president Andy MacPhail called again Saturday, and Dombrowski said he was told of the nebulous expansion timetable by MLB on Monday and Tuesday. โIt was John reaching out and really trying to make me part of the Phillies organization,โ Dombrowski said.
Zoom reports big 3Q gains, but slowing growth sinks stock
Zoomโs revenue more than quadrupled from the same time last year to $777 million, yielding a profit of $198 million, up from just $2.2 million a year ago. Zoom ended its latest quarter with 433,700 customers with at least 10 employees, an increase of 63,500 customers from July. In each of the previous two quarters, Zoom had added more than 100,000 customers with at least 10 employees. In a reflection of the high hopes for Zoom, analysts polled by FactSet predict the companyโs revenue next year will reach $3.1 billion. That would be a roughly 20% increase from the nearly $2.6 billion revenue that Zoom is projecting for this year.
6 ways to make virtual Thanksgiving entertaining for everyone
With many medical experts urging Americans to make this yearโs Thanksgiving scaled down, many of us will probably only see people in our โbubble,โ so holiday is going to feel a little bit different. Thanks to technology, you can still gather with your extended family.
New Yorker fires writer Jeffrey Toobin after Zoom incident
NEW YORK โ The New Yorker has fired longtime staff writer Jeffrey Toobin after he reportedly exposed himself during a Zoom conference last month. He had already been on suspension and is also on leave from CNN, where he is chief legal analyst. โI was fired today by @NewYorker after 27 years as a Staff Writer. I will always love the magazine, will miss my colleagues, and will look forward to reading their work,โ Toobin tweeted Wednesday. He is a former associate counsel in the Department of Justice who for the New Yorker has written about everything from the O.J.
12 last-minute Halloween costume ideas that are perfect for 2020
(Photo by APEX/MEGA/GC Images) (2020 MEGA)Who: The other star of Netflixโs irresistible โTiger King." What youโll need: Your hair pulled back in a bun, glasses, a judgeโs robe and a fancy white collar. What youโll need: A banana costume and a loaf of bread to carry around. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)Who: A video conferencing program that became very popular once the pandemic started in early 2020. What youโll need: A piece of cardboard cut with a whole in the middle to look like a screen.
Dad creates Zoom meeting Halloween costume
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, many people have become experts with video conference calls. Greg Dietzenbach of Iowa created a Zoom-themed Halloween costume for his 12-year-old daughter. And to make it even cooler, she is actually the other โattendeesโ on the call, created with some fancy photo editing skills. [TRENDING: Vote for Trump or else | Woman on Delta flight punches attendant over mask | Disneyland blasts stateโs guidance over closure]Dietzenbach said he likes to come up with unique costumes each year, especially to see the reaction he gets from children and neighbors.
Japanese director known for single shots releases Zoom film
This undated photo provided by the @One Cut of the Dead Mission: Remote shows Shinichiro Ueda, director of One Cut of the Dead Mission: Remote, a YouTube spinoff of his 2017 award-winning film. A comedic horror film centered around teleworking, "One Cut of the Dead Mission: Remoteโ was released earlier this year and shared for free on YouTube. It features the same characters from his award-winning 2017 film โOne Cut of the Dead,โ which has one shot that was 37-minutes long. Uedaโs style incorporates slapstick comedy and focuses on visual, rather than explanatory verbal storytelling, an approach relatively rare in contemporary Japanese film. โItโs only after 200 or 300 bad films you will have that one great film,โ he said.
Jane Fonda, 82, releases new โexerciseโ video
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Decades after releasing her first workout video, actress Jane Fonda is bringing back her legendary moves. The video features Fonda, 82, hosting a virtual Zoom workout with the intention of encouraging people to exercise their right to vote in next monthโs general election. The video includes appearances from several celebrities, including Shaquille OโNeal, Amy Schumer and Katy Perry. It also features throwback music and graphics to look similar to Fondaโs original workout video, which was released in 1982.
They wanted disruption in 2016. Now they're Trump defectors
They wanted change and disruption, until they found out what that actually looked like under a President Trump. โI was super proud that day I walked out of voting,โ said Jensen, who voted for Trump in the primary and general election in 2016. James Farr, a 77-year-old evangelical Christian who lives in Kissimmee, Florida, voted Republican in large part because of his opposition to abortion. While working as a Bible translator in Papua New Guinea in 2016, he voted for Trump by absentee ballot. On Nov. 8, 2016, Jensen posted on Facebook, โCNN having a meltdown,โ referring to Trumpโs unexpected win.
ELEVATE Orlando hosts virtual scholarship forum for students, parents
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Itโs never too early to prepare for college, and ELEVATE Orlando is partnering with local organizations to host a virtual scholarship forum for parents and students to help foot the bill. The free event will take place via Zoom on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.ELEVATE Orlando focuses on mentoring and guiding the City Beautifulโs urban youth with the goal of preparing students for the future. Theyโre partnering with the United Negro College Fund to fulfill its mission. The event will feature presentations on financial literacy, applying for FAFSA and scholarships and give students the opportunity to meet representatives from colleges and universities across the country. Event attendees will only be visible on camera when meeting with campus representatives.
Images of 9/11 attack, porn interrupt voting machine hearing
The hearing in the long-running fight over Georgia's voting machines began Thursday afternoon and continued Friday. They've asked U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg to order the state to use hand-marked paper ballots for the November election. During the two-day hearing, Totenberg heard from experts in computer security, election technology and statistics, as well as from state and local election officials. Elections officials testified that switching to hand-marked paper ballots in time for the November election would be extremely difficult. ___APโs Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/
Zoom stock surges, market value tops Boeing, Starbucks
NEW YORK A Zoom call has become an integral part of daily life during the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, Wall Street acknowledged as much by boosting the videoconferencing company's market value above that of more established companies such as Citigroup, Boeing and Starbucks. Zoom's revenue more than quadrupled from the same time last year to $663.5 million and profits blew past Wall Street forecasts. At the current level, Zoom's market value exceeds the combined value of two storied automakers, General Motors and Ford, and is more than double the aggregate value of the nation's four biggest airlines. The forecast is now more than double the $910 million revenue that Zoom had anticipated as it began its fiscal year.
Zoom reporting outages worldwide
The videoconferencing app, Zoom, is reporting a widespread outage. In the United States, the problem started on the east coast Monday morning and has since spread. In Atlanta, the outage affected public school students on their first day back. Users in the United Kingdom have also been reportedly experiencing issues. Zoom said in a statement it had identified the issue and was working on a fix.
Kennedy Space Center offering virtual space camp for kids
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ The Kennedy Space Center is launching a virtual summer camp designed for elementary school students that will transport them into orbit without leaving home. According to a news release, the camp offers hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities and costs $65. โVirtual Camp KSC allows us to connect with the next generation of space explorers, and share our love of science, technology, engineering and math,โ said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. A computer with the free Zoom Client for Meetings program and internet access is required to participate in Virtual Camp KSC. To learn more about Virtual Camp KSC, click here.
How to get camera-ready for your next Zoom work meeting
With a lot of Americans working from their homes for the time being, meetings on Zoom have become the new normal. Just because you might be having your meeting from the comfort of your bed doesnโt mean that the professionalism of your workplace canโt exist at home -- so itโs a good idea to make sure youโre looking your best. StyleWise style editor Jon Jordan has a few simple ways you can easily transform your Zoom meeting aesthetic from casual at-home to business chic. Jordan says there are a few easy things you can do to improve the way you look on Zoom, including having a background with pop of color and having the perfect lighting. Check out Jordanโs latest StyleWise video, and make sure you like and subscribe to see more.
Dwight from โThe Officeโ hosting a Zoom call with pets
Have you had a Zoom meeting recently that was interrupted by dogs barking in the background or a cat jumping on your laptop, demanding your undivided attention? Well, on Thursday, you can have a chance to get in on a Zoom meeting in which pets are actually encouraged to join -- not be hidden in the background or behind closed doors. From 2 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, actor Rainn Wilson, in collaboration with Freshpet, is hosting a Zoom meeting with pets, where pet owners and their loved ones around the country can socialize together. You probably know this, but Wilson is best known for playing Dwight on the classic comedy, โThe Office.โThe public is invited to the Zoom call, but participants must register here. For once, you wonโt have to try and silence or hide your pet on Zoom!