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Articles by Elizabeth West
U.S. Gov't Shuts Down: What Happens to Travel?
Congressional Democrats and Republicans failed to come to agreement by yesterday’s budget deadline to keep the U.S. government funded. A shutdown began at 12:01 am Eastern Time on Wednesday as both sides voted down the other’s proposals to extend funding temporarily. The Republican proposal would have extended funding through Nov. 21, but fell in a 55-to-45 vote, with two Democrats joining in favor of the plan.
South Carolina disability advocates push for better benefits
As bills aimed at enhancing benefits for people with disabilities continue to linger in the South Carolina General Assembly, time is running out for this year’s legislative session. Representatives of organizations that advocate for people with disabilities presented requests to the state government in March on Disability Advocacy Day at the South Carolina Statehouse.
TikTok’s future remains unclear. Some in the fine arts community are OK with that
Some of Columbia’s fine arts community have moved to a different social media platform, or say they will, after TikTok was banned in the United States for 12 hours in January. The app is easy for businesses to use for advertising. But it’s widely seen as unreliable throughout the United States after the shutdown and then another threatened shutdown April 5. Several artists in Columbia who use TikTok to support their businesses appear unfazed by the app’s unpredictable future.
USC facial recognition AI research makes strides
A University of South Carolina research project on AI is working to aid American Sign Language users through facial recognition data. Assistant professor Ramtin Zand of the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing has researched this topic among peers since 2022. Zand’s research has resulted in multiple published studies. Most of the studies involve developing chips to use in facial recognition AI on small handheld or wearable devices.
We’re building this orchard
Several USC students and Professor Tom Syfert are building three new projects at Rosewood Community Orchard. The students are part of a sustainability projects course that includes building structures to aid the campus and community. Most of their contributions go to the orchard, which was established 12 years ago near Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport. The students are working on a toolshed, hydroponic farming and a keyhole garden, a keyhole shaped space that helps retain soil moisture.
Artista Vista celebrates old Columbia by unveiling new installation
The Congaree Vista showcased a new art installation at 1125 Park St. in honor of the late Columbia artist Laura Spong. The artwork is a two-part mural commemorating the old and new Congaree Vista area of downtown. One part depicts a map of the old train tracks that once inhabited what is now the arts and culture center of the city. The other mural portrays Laura Spong and supposedly Wesley Daniels, a 1921 train conductor.
Mardi Gras Columbia remembers Tom Hall
Columbia’s annual Mardi Gras festival recently celebrated its 15th anniversary one year after co-founder Tom Hall’s death. The festival’s coordinators and participants commemorated his life by incorporating his influence into the events. His band, The Plowboys, performed on the Tom Hall stage, which was renamed in Hall’s honor last year. “Tom was kind of the ringleader in that band,” Stillhouse band member Mike Mahoney said.
New City of Conroe Website - Coming Soon!
CONROE, TX -- The City of Conroe's Communications Office is thrilled to announce the launch date of its new website, cityofconroe.org. Our current website is outdated, confusing, and challenging to navigate. Technology and trends have advanced exceedingly since our city launched the archaic site over ten years ago. Out of 11 website vendor submissions, the city selected Revize, based in Michigan with a local office in Conroe, to build the new site.
The US Courts, Gaza And Genocide| Countercurrents
Holding the foreign policy of a country accountable in court, notably when it comes to matters criminal, can be insuperably challenging. Judges traditionally shun making decisions on policy, even though they unofficially do so all the time. The Center for Constitutional Rights, a New York-based civil liberties group, was not to be discouraged, most notably regarding the Biden administration’s unflagging support for Israel and its war in Gaza.
City of Conroe Celebrates Grand Opening of Owen Park and the Westside Recreation Center
CONROE, TX -- Yesterday, the City of Conroe officially celebrated the Grand Opening of Owen Park and the Westside Recreation Center, located at 10245 Owen Drive. The day included an official ribbon cutting ceremony followed by facility and park tours, refreshments and giveaways. In 2021 the City of Conroe purchased the former Conroe YMCA property to keep pace for the growing demand for parks and recreation services.
Experienced Convention And Visitors Buerau Manager Returns To Conroe
CONROE, TX -- Sherry Chaney Morgan has accepted an offer to head Conroe's Convention and Visitors Bureau. Chaney Morgan, a Conroe native, served as Conroe's CVB Tourism Coordinator from 2012-2017. Most recently, Chaney Morgan served as Executive Director at Visit Nacogdoches. Under her vision, leadership, and combined team efforts, Visit Nacogdoches became an award winning CVB in Texas.
Free Water Usage Customer Portal For The City Of Conroe Customers
CONROE, TX -- The City of Conroe is informing all customers that we are partnered with WaterSmart Software to offer access to a modern digital portal where you can access detailed information about your property's water use.
The City of Conroe Receives Esteemed Finance Award
CONROE, TX -- Government Finance Officers Association of the United States & Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Conroe for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
Political Terms used in the United States
Political Terms used in the United States Ableism - Ableism is discrimination against people with disabilities. This means expressions of fear or hate for people with disabilities, a denial of accessibility, as well as institutionalized discrimination. Ableism was first defined in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1981.
6 Secrets to Becoming a Fabulously Rich Con Artist
As the saying goes, in America everyone is entitled to a second chance — especially con artists. Herewith the 6 rules for getting a second (or third or fourth) chance to sell a giant con: 1.
Learning How to Die
Despite the extremely disheartening developments across the spectrum of worldly life, despair and defeat are—while understandable—not inevitable. That is the good news. We are never obliged to surrender the best of our humanity, even as things around us devolve. But in order to find our footing, it is important to begin by seeing the current reality without fear or illusion. We can be fairly certain that the tipping points have now tipped, that we are in for an epic unraveling.
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