MiXinG TuBe StuDiO: October 2021

Sunday 31 October 2021

Progressives signal they'll back both economic bills ahead of likely vote later this week

Several sources on the call told CNN that President Joe Biden has committed to progressives that all 50 Democrats in the Senate would support the legislative text as voted on by the House and that the Congressional Progressive Caucus is taking the ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/31/politics/house-biden-economic-agenda/index.html

Happy Halloween! There are Luigi's Mansion Lego sets on the way

Nintendo has revealed it's partnered with Lego to bring us three new Lego Nintendo-themed sets and this time, they're based upon everyone's favourite sidekick and his spooky adventures in Luigi's Mansion.

"Snap on your Poltergust and get ready for some fun!" teases the trailer's description. "Defeat ghostly enemies, solve puzzles, and discover new ways to play. Join the adventure with Lego Super Mario Luigi's Mansion Sets coming soon!"

Why investors should pay attention to COP26 climate talks

Here's just one: Experts are warning that the climate crisis could trigger the next financial meltdown. "The climate crisis is slow in the making, but it's potentially disastrous," Tobias Adrian, a ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/31/investing/stocks-week-ahead/index.html

Why marigolds, or cempasúchil, are the iconic flower of Día de los Muertos

It's deeply rooted in pre-Hispanic Aztec rituals tied to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, or the Lady of the Dead, who allowed spirits to travel back to earth to commune with family members. That tradition was blended with the Roman Catholic observance of All ...

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/30/1050726374/why-marigolds-or-cempasuchil-are-the-iconic-flower-of-dia-de-los-muertos

Nintendo shutters "small, satellite" offices in California and Toronto

Nintendo has shuttered offices in California, USA, and Toronto, Canada.

A report by Kotaku states that Friday, 29th October 2021, was the last operating day for employees in Nintendo's Redwood City location, one of three main Nintendo offices for Nintendo of America. Around 100 employees are thought to be affected by the closure in California, although it's unclear how many staff at the Canadian office have been forced to relocate or lose their jobs.

Subtropical Storm Wanda Forms in the Atlantic

Subtropical Storm Wanda formed in the Atlantic Saturday night, and while it will not impact any land areas, the storm has finished off the list of names for the 2021 hurricane season. Wanda is located far from land in the north-central Atlantic Ocean, ...

source https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2021-10-31-subtropical-storm-wanda-atlantic

WATCH: Is the weather a trick or a treat?

Sunday doesn't look like washout for Halloween but there will be a scattering of showers around much of the day, especially before 4. The best chance for showers during trick-or-treat time will be north of Syracuse. No heavy downpours are expected.

source https://www.localsyr.com/weather/watch-is-the-weather-a-trick-or-a-treat/

Here is the latest Wisconsin news from The Associated Press at 3:40 am CDT

UNDATED (AP) — Kyle Rittenhouse, the aspiring police officer who gunned down three people in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during a protest in the summer of 2020 against racism and police brutality, is white. So were those he shot.

source https://www.wxow.com/news/state-news/here-is-the-latest-wisconsin-news-from-the-associated-press-at-3-40-a-m/article_5557e14a-bc79-523d-a1f8-6b2a2e6e183f.html

Could id Software be making a new Quake game?

id Software is currently advertising a dozen job openings at its Texas studio, sparking speculation that a new Quake instalment might be on the way.

Let's face it - a development studio advertising for developers isn't particularly newsworthy. In this instance, however, Zenimax stated several times that the new hires will be contributing to "the development of a long-running iconic action FPS", and makes mention of "sci-fi and fantasy environments" - and that's the bit that's got everyone a little excited.

Slender Man is making unexpected appearances in Phasmophobia.

The ghosthunting game's latest update, Nightmare, rolled out earlier this week, although developer Kinetic Games didn't give away much about the new adventure beyond the fact it involved camping in the wilderness with the new map, Maple Lodge campsite.

'His word is final.' Judge in Kyle Rittenhouse trial is viewed as tough jurist

The longest serving active judge in Wisconsin's trial courts was, once again, thrust into the spotlight. "His word is final and he's not afraid to make tough decisions," said Dan Adams, a Wisconsin criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor.

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/31/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-judge-bruce-schroeder/index.html

WATCH: Whispering wind whipping up with a few scattered showers on Halloween

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) –. Still flood warnings until further notice for Onondaga and Cayuga lakes as you can see below… OVERNIGHT: Overnight, a few showers will be around as a low-pressure system intensifies across Eastern New England during the night ...

source https://www.localsyr.com/weather/watch-few-more-showers-tonight-but-steadier-rain-stays-east-of-cny/

The University of Florida bars professors from testifying in a voting rights case

As part of the testimony, the plaintiffs were seeking three professors from the university — Dan Smith, Michael McDonald and Sharon Austin — to testify as expert witnesses. All three specialize in voting rights and behavior and election law.

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/30/1050817670/university-florida-professors-free-speech-voting-rights

30 years on, the story behind one of the Mega Drive's best RPGs

Mega Drive owners didn't often glance enviously at their Super Nintendo friends. After all, we had amazing platform games. We had fantastic shoot 'em ups. We had great arcade conversions. But there was one thing we didn't have: the sprawling RPGs of the Nintendo console, such as The Secret Of Mana, Final Fantasy and The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past. True, there were Mega Drive RPGs, but none with quite the epic feel and expanse of their Nintendo peers. Then, for a brief period in the early 90s, it didn't matter. Because we had Buck Rogers: Countdown To Doomsday, a sci-fi RPG the likes of which never again appeared on the Sega console.

Countdown To Doomsday began life in 1990 as a PC, Commodore 64 and Amiga game. Released as part of its Gold Box series by Strategic Simulations Inc. (better known as SSI), the game was based on TSR's Buck Rogers XXVC table-top role-playing game, itself a blending together of the famous sci-fi character with the Dungeons & Dragons second edition ruleset. As was common at the time, Countdown presents a first-person exploration view combined with an isometric display for combat. Yet while the original has its fans, it's the Mega Drive conversion, released a year later, that is the most loved.

Reasons to be hopeful: the climate solutions available now

Transport. Responsible for 14-28% of global greenhouse gas emissions, transport has been slow to decarbonise, and faces particular challenges in areas such as long-haul flight. · Deforestation · Technology · Electricity · Buildings.

source https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/31/reasons-to-be-hopeful-the-climate-solutions-available-now

University of Florida bars professors from being expert witnesses against the state in voting rights case

(CNN) The University of Florida told three professors hired to testify as expert witnesses in a voting rights case against the state of Florida that they cannot participate. The University of Florida told the professors "that they were not authorized ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/30/us/university-of-florida-voting-rights/index.html

Saturday 30 October 2021

Here's what 'Let's Go, Brandon' actually means and how it made its way to Congress

Who's using the chant and meme? Either way, the phrase "Let's go, Brandon!" quickly spread among conservative groups and continues to be used in place of the direct expletive toward President Biden ...

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/30/1050782613/why-the-lets-go-brandon-chant-turned-meme-can-be-heard-on-the-floor-of-congress

10 things you need to know today: October 30, 2021

FDA approves Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11 · G-20 leaders back global minimum tax · Frequent Trump critic Kinzinger says he won't seek re-election · Biden calls submarine deal 'clumsy,' makes peace with Macron.

source https://theweek.com/briefing/daily-briefing/1006606/10-things-you-need-to-know-today-october-30-2021

Student Loan Payback Time; Trump SPAC-Lash

This is a preview of Sound Money, Forbes' free weekly newsletter about pressing issues that matter to your financial well-being: personal finance, investing, taxes and retirement. Click here to get it delivered to your inbox on Thursdays.

source https://www.forbes.com/sites/isabelcontreras/2021/10/30/student-loan-payback-time-trump-spac-lash/

Will Halloween weekend weather be a treat? Not everyone will boo

(CNN) Halloween weekend looks dry for most across the US, although some may be saying "brrr" instead of "boo." Some trick-or-treaters may need a rain jacket to accompany their costumes, while others may need snow boots.

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/30/weather/weather-halloween-forecast/index.html

Putting (Dopey) Words in the Mouths of New York's Mayoral Candidates

A few months ago, a series of mayoral campaign posters started appearing in New York subway cars and taped to lampposts. Something about the ads seemed off (one for Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams promised: “I Was Beaten by Cops.

source https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/08/putting-dopey-words-in-the-mouths-of-new-yorks-mayoral-candidates

New January 6 court filings reveal what Trump is trying to keep secret from Congress

(CNN) Specifics about former President Donald Trump's efforts to keep secret the support from his White House for overturning his loss of the 2020 election were revealed in late-night court filings that detail more than 700 pages of handwritten notes, ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/30/politics/donald-trump-house-democrats-january-6-documents/index.html

McAuliffe says Virginia election 'is not about Trump' after making former President central figure in campaign

Virginia Beach, Virginia (CNN) Terry McAuliffe claimed on Saturday that the Virginia gubernatorial election is "not about Trump" -- even though the Democratic gubernatorial candidate has invoked the former Republican President perhaps more than any ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/30/politics/terry-mcauliffe-donald-trump-virginia-governor-race/index.html

Overturning Roe could mean women seeking abortions have to travel hundreds of miles

(CNN) A Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade could bring abortion bans to as many as half the states in the country already poised to prohibit the procedure. Such a move would also have knock-on effects on the primarily blue states that ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/30/politics/roe-wade-reversal-abortion-driving-distances/index.html

Big Business Should Be At The COP26 Table

The largest companies have moved faster than governments in committing to ambitious carbon targets. Maybe COP26 should be targeting business leaders as well as government leaders. Sand Artwork Highlights Climate Change Ahead Of COP26.

source https://www.forbes.com/sites/timabansal/2021/10/30/big-business-should-be-at-the-cop26-table/

Albany County sheriff says office charged former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo before informing DA

Soares released a statement after the misdemeanor complaint was filed Thursday saying he was "surprised" to learn that a criminal complaint had been filed in court. It's unclear whether Soares plans to pursue a prosecution against Cuomo.

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/29/politics/andrew-cuomo-case-albany-county-sheriff-da/index.html

TRACKING: Northern lights, dry weather, cooler temps

Today is a fantastic day to spend time outside or get ready for winter before the temperatures get colder, even though the 10 day forecast is completely dry. Today: There is a bank of cloud cover to our east, trying to move southwest.

source https://www.kwwl.com/weather/forecast/tracking-northern-lights-dry-weather-cooler-temps/article_c9bba406-395d-11ec-a88a-ebcab23e75d6.html

COP 26 explained: What to know about the climate talks

Monday marks the start of talks that will shape the world's response to climate change over this decade. Global emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 to stem the acceleration of wildfires, droughts, floods and storms that are already intensifying, ...

source https://www.eenews.net/articles/cop-26-explained-what-to-know-about-the-climate-talks/

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition has new quests tapping into Morrowind and Oblivion

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition has new quests tapping into Morrowind and Oblivion, Bethesda has revealed.

Anniversary Edition, which is due out 11th November to tie in with Skyrim's 10th birthday, includes an all-new batch of creations, outlined in the video below.

Roblox is down.

The enormously popular and controversial game creation platform went offline yesterday - and it remains offline this morning.

Joe Biden faces a more skeptical global audience at his first G20 as President

This weekend marks the first in-person G20 Summit since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, and world leaders are expected to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, global supply chain problems, a global minimum tax rate, high energy prices and combating ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/30/politics/joe-biden-g20-summit-saturday/index.html

Alaska joins 9 other states in lawsuit to stop Biden vaccine mandate for federal contractors

Alaska and nine other Republican-led states sued the Biden administration Friday to challenge the president's order that federal contractors require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. President Joe Biden issued the mandate last month as ...

source https://www.adn.com/politics/2021/10/29/alaska-joins-9-other-states-in-lawsuit-to-stop-biden-vaccine-mandate-for-federal-contractors/

How The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles portrays the immigrant experience

Six years after its original Japanese release, I spent the summer savouring The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. There's an enormous amount to marvel at, from fantastic localisation to wonderfully expressive characters, to thrilling courtroom turnabouts and revelations I'll try to avoid spoiling here. But what struck me most was how, in charting accidental student lawyer Ryunosuke Naruhodo's journey from Meiji Japan to Victorian England, this is a rare game that captures the immigrant experience.

The premise of many games do, of course, involve journeying to new worlds. But even in the realms of fantasy or sci-fi, they can almost always be read from a Western, borderline colonialist, perspective. The term 'immigrant' itself comes loaded with connotations, especially considering Westerners who move abroad are referred to as expats instead.

Jayapal warned Klain not to push an infrastructure vote. Then chaos ensued.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi brought President Joe Biden in this week to finally close the deal on Democrats' domestic agenda. Rep. Pramila Jayapal had other plans. As Biden prepared for the high-stakes meeting with House Democrats on Thursday, Jayapal made an ...

source https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/29/biden-agenda-stalled-again-chaos-517711

The weather dries out in time for the weekend

ROCKFORD (WREX) — The rainy and windy weather doesn't last into the weekend, which bodes well for Halloween. Get used to the cool and breezy feel in the air, as that lasts for a long while. Dry and breezy: Dry weather moves in right on schedule for the ...

source https://www.wrex.com/news/top-stories/the-weather-dries-out-in-time-for-the-weekend/article_4c8a9898-38ef-11ec-bd3a-af737604c13b.html

Texas and 10-state coalition file lawsuits challenging Biden's vaccine mandate for federal contractors

Biden has elevated vaccine mandates as an important tool to contain the deadly pandemic and prevent future outbreaks. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/29/politics/texas-10-state-coalition-lawsuits-biden-vaccine-mandate/index.html

US Interior to weigh greenhouse gas emissions of proposed 2022 oil lease sales

The BLM, which manages 245 million acres of public land in 12 western states, said its state offices will issue for the first time environmental assessments that factor in the social cost of greenhouse gases associated with the development of those acres.

source https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-interior-unit-weigh-greenhouse-gas-emissions-proposed-2022-oil-lease-sales-2021-10-29/

The Supreme Court will hear arguments over Texas' near-total abortion ban Monday. Here's what you need to know.

The high court's proceedings will focus on how Senate Bill 8 is enforced. It's hard to predict what the court could decide, but its ruling will likely determine the future of abortion care in Texas and shape the legal battles to come.

source https://www.texastribune.org/2021/10/29/texas-abortion-law-supreme-court/

New York Attorney General Letitia James announces run for governor

(CNN) New York Attorney General Letitia James entered the race for governor on Friday, kicking off a Democratic primary clash that will immediately pit the progressive favorite against moderate Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took office this summer following ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/29/politics/letitia-james-new-york-governor-campaign/index.html

2021 Illinois report card shows impact of pandemic on schools

The state also saw more students take college and career preparation coursework last year. The number of teachers of color also increased, according to the data. Challenges in Student Enrollment, Attendance, and Learning.

source https://www.wrex.com/news/education/2021-illinois-report-card-shows-impact-of-pandemic-on-schools/article_d9965c68-38fe-11ec-bc1f-9b3235d3a5f9.html

Wall Street Journal: There's Nothing Wrong With Publishing Trump's “Bananas” Election Conspiracies

Although he's still banned from Twitter and Facebook, former president Donald Trump has found an outlet for his election conspiracy theories. Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal published a letter to the editor penned by the former president in ...

source https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/10/wall-street-journal-trump-election-conspiracies

Changes to income? Use the child tax credit update portal to notify the IRS starting Nov. 1

There's still time to register for payments, opt out of the remaining checks and manage your child tax credit details using the IRS tools. We'll explain how they work.

source https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/taxes/changes-to-income-use-the-child-tax-credit-update-portal-to-notify-the-irs-starting-nov-1/

'Sea-level rise is definitely a factor' in East Coast floods

A large swath of the East Coast is bracing for some of the worst flooding in almost 20 years, raising questions about the role of sea-level rise and concerns for both coastal residents and ongoing restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay.

source https://www.eenews.net/articles/sea-level-rise-is-definitely-a-factor-in-east-coast-floods/

These 4 charts explain why the stakes are so high at the UN climate summit

Leaders from around the world are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland, to hammer out new pledges to fight climate change. The stakes are high. Scientists warn that heat-trapping emissions must fall dramatically by 2030. Otherwise, the world faces more ...

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/29/1045344199/cop26-glasgow-climate-summit

January 6 committee is losing patience with Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows as it seeks his testimony

As one of former President Donald Trump's closest advisers, Meadows has unique insight into what Trump knew in the lead-up to January 6 and in its direct aftermath. And the committee is pressing to learn more ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/politics/january-6-committee-eyes-contempt-proceedings-mark-meadows/index.html

Creaks and Samorost dev's "psychedelic horror adventure" Happy Game out now

Happy Game, the "psychedelic horror" adventure from Amanita Design - the developer behind the acclaimed likes of Samorost, Machinarium, and Creaks - is out now on PC, Mac, and Switch.

Announced back in 2020, Happy Game is the brainchild of artist, animator, and designer Jaromír Plachý - who also created Amanita's whimsical garden adventure Botanicula and brash comedy caper Chuchel - and tells the story of a young boy trapped in his nightmares.

Government's Proposed Amendments to Adoption Act Under Review

The amendments are the result of a five-year review of the Adoption Act that sought input from birth, adoptive and foster families, stakeholders, the Child and Youth Advocate and Indigenous organizations. The amendment ...

source https://vocm.com/2021/10/29/adoption-act-under-review/

Kinzinger retiring from Congress, vows 'broader fight nationwide' against Trumpism

Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, one of the most prominent critics of former President Donald Trump in the House Republican Conference, announced Friday he won't seek reelection next year. Kinzinger is one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach the ...

source https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/29/rep-adam-kinzinger-wont-seek-reelection-next-year-517599

Former Uncharted creative director Amy Hennig is working on a new Marvel game

Amy Hennig and Skydance Media are working on a new "narrative-driven, blockbuster action-adventure" set in the Marvel universe.

Hennig, perhaps best known for her work as head writer and creative director on Naughty Dog's first three Uncharted games, joined Skydance back in 2019. Prior to that, she was working on a highly-anticipated Star Wars title in conjunction with Visceral Games - a long-in-development project which was ultimately cancelled by EA.

Knockout City will get an update on 2nd November for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, upgrading the game's performance and visuals.

On PS5 and Xbox Series X, the game runs at native 4K and 60fps - or 1440p (1620p on Series X) upscaled to 4K at 120fps.

Assassin's Creed Infinity, the mysterious next entry in Ubisoft's historical stabathon series, will not be a free-to-play game.

Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot confirmed this point last night during the company's latest investor earning call (thanks, Gamespot), when asked for more information on the project.

It's one of the more bizarre crossovers we've seen, but if Fortnite can have a virtual Harry Kane, why can't PUBG get Liverpool stuff?

More specifically, PUBG Mobile will soon get Liverpool branded outfits and items to unlock. It's the first time PUBG Mobile has collaborated directly with a football club.

In June 1948, a huge, repurposed German cruise liner docked in London, having travelled all the way from Australia. It was carrying more than 1000 passengers, but the vast majority of them - more than three quarters - had embarked in, and had lived in, the Caribbean. These people set sail for Britain invited by a country looking for help rebuilding after the Second World War, entering under a brand new British Nationality Act, which allowed anyone from a Commonwealth country residency there. That ship was the HMT Empire Windrush, and its name would go down in history as marking the beginning of a migration to the UK that would last more than 20 years and number hundreds of thousands of people. It would change the face of Britain forever.

A lot is owed to those people - the people of the Windrush generation - who faced and overcame adversity to settle in the UK. They laid the foundations for a multiculturalism that we, the people who live here, gain so much from today. From food to music to fashion to sport: the impact has been immense. The Windrush's arrival is such a significant part of modern British history it was even recreated for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

US vs. China: How the world's two biggest emitters stack up on climate

(CNN) China and the United States are the world's two biggest greenhouse gas emitters, so any attempt to address the climate crisis will need to involve deep emissions cuts from these two powerhouse nations. China's emissions are more than double those ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/world/china-us-climate-cop26-intl-hnk/index.html

Dems punt House infrastructure vote in blow to Biden agenda

The House voted Thursday night to temporarily reauthorize transportation funding, abruptly reversing course after Democratic leaders earlier vowed to pass a bipartisan Senate-approved infrastructure bill. The move came after progressives refused to ...

source https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/28/biden-house-democrats-517416

Thursday 28 October 2021

Billionaires' wealth has soared 70% in the pandemic. That's one reason why Democrats wanted to tax them.

(CNN) Already massively wealthy, America's billionaires saw their collective fortunes soar more than 70% to more than $5 trillion during the pandemic. That's one reason why congressional Democrats were zeroing in earlier this week on this elite group ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/politics/billionaire-wealth-tax/index.html

Criminal complaint filed against Cuomo over forcible touching

ALBANY, N.Y. — Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces criminal charges in Albany County over accusations that he groped a staffer at the Executive Mansion last year. “A Misdemeanor Complaint against former Governor Andrew Cuomo has been filed in ...

source https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2021/10/28/misdemeanor-complaint-filed-against-cuomo-over-forcible-touching-1392121

FAQ: Chronic wasting disease in Montana

Chronic wasting disease is caused by misfolded proteins that cause neuropathy in cervids. White-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose can develop CWD, a form of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that's related to Mad Cow Disease.

source https://montanafreepress.org/2021/10/28/montana-chronic-wasting-disease-faq/

January 6 committee is losing patience with Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows as it seeks his testimony

Former NY governor Andrew Cuomo faces a misdemeanor sex charge

A misdemeanor criminal complaint of forcible touching has been filed against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who faces allegations he forcibly touched a female staff member. This is the only criminal charge against Cuomo since he resigned under ...

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1050218578/andrew-cuomo-misdemeanor-sex-charge

Rainy and windy weather lasts into Friday

The breezy winds die down Friday evening and night. This still leads to wind chills in the low 40s by Friday evening. The winds remain slightly breezy this weekend, but sunshine and milder air help keep ...

source https://www.wrex.com/news/top-stories/rainy-and-windy-weather-lasts-into-friday/article_812d0142-3842-11ec-8f7a-af02e215ba34.html

Stoughton man found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2017 stabbing

The jury in Bruno's trial ruled he was guilty of first degree intentional homicide with a dangerous weapon on Wednesday. He stabbed roommate Kim Gaida to death in 2017. There will be an additional hearing regarding Bruno's ...

source https://www.wkow.com/news/crime/stoughton-man-found-not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity-in-2017-stabbing/article_3fb0bcac-382b-11ec-98f7-4fa08ca41d20.html

Complaint alleging a sex crime has been filed against former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo

(CNN) A criminal complaint alleging forcible touching, a sex crime, has been filed against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Albany, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by CNN. Cuomo, a Democrat who resigned from his post in August after ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/politics/andrew-cuomo-charges/index.html

WATCH: One more dry night, then more rain on the way

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) –. THURSDAY NIGHT: After a beautiful October day across CNY, we have one more quiet night ahead. Temperatures, under a mainly clear sky drop close to 40. Some colder spots will be in the 30s again with some patchy fog possible ...

source https://www.localsyr.com/weather/watch-one-more-dry-night-then-more-rain-on-the-way/

'A manufactured crisis' — NYC braces for worker shortage as vaccine deadline looms

New York City is bracing for potential shortages in its police, sanitation and fire departments as a Friday deadline looms for all city workers to get the Covid-19 shot — with more than a quarter of workers at some key agencies still unvaccinated.

source https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2021/10/28/nyc-braces-for-worker-shortages-as-vaccine-mandate-deadline-looms-1392106

New York Fire Department members protest ahead of Covid-19 vaccine mandate deadline

Protesters gather at a rally against New York's vaccine mandate in Manhattan on Thursday. (CNN) Members of the New York City Fire Department gathered Thursday ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/us/new-york-fire-protest-covid-19-vaccine-mandate/index.html

Arkane Studios co-founder's immersive sim Weird West gets January release date

Weird West, the new cowboy-flavoured immersive sim from Arkane Studios co-founder Raphaël Colantonio, will be coming to PC, Xbox, and PlayStation on 11th January next year.

Revealed back in 2019, Weird West is the work of Colantonio's WolfEye Studios and unfolds in a "dark fantasy reimagining of the Wild West where lawmen and gunslingers share the frontier with fantastical creatures, each playing with their own rules and their own peculiar motives."

4 things to know about possible changes to your student loan debt

Richard Cordray, FSA's Chief Operating Officer, oversees the federal student loans of roughly 43 million borrowers. In a hearing Wednesday that ran just over three hours, he shared new details about those plans to resume repayment ...

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1050110273/4-things-to-know-about-possible-changes-to-your-student-loan-debt

Elon Musk Would Rather Spend His Money on Mars Than Help People on Earth

In the mind of the Tesla cofounder, who is worth $292 billion, he already pays more than his fair share in taxes, even though, like many of the richest people in the country, he actually forks over a relative pittance to the IRS.

source https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/10/elon-musk-billionaire-tax-mars

Facebook ditching Oculus branding as part of company name change to Meta

Facebook is ditching the Oculus branding for its range of VR devices as part of the embattled company's newly announced name change to Meta. Additionally, it says it plans to remove requirements to have a Facebook account to use its hardware, starting "sometime next year".

The Oculus brand has been synonymous with VR for almost a decade now, and Facebook opted to keep the name when it purchased the company in 2014 - although it has been steadily phasing the branding out for all but the hardware itself over the last few years.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is getting the VR treatment and will be making its way to Oculus Quest 2 at a currently unannounced future point.

San Andreas, which debuted on PlayStation 2 back in 2004, is the fifth main entry in the Grand Theft Auto series and follows the adventures of street gang member Carl "CJ" Johnson as he returns to the titular location following his mother's death.

10 Best Skin Barrier Repair Products

This layer of skin also contains keratin and natural moisturizers. Plus, the lipid layer also has cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides. Why is the skin barrier important ...

source https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/best-skin-barrier-repair-products

Trump suggests he might drop a bomb on the Va. gov race. Then leaves.

Donald Trump's proclamation that he'd “soon” visit Virginia as the state's gubernatorial race comes to a close was so unexpected that few outside his inner orbit knew it was coming and the Republican candidate's own campaign was left searching for ...

source https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/27/donald-trump-virginia-governor-grenade-517413

Cold front brings cooler, windy day following morning storms

AUSTIN, Texas — ***Wind Advisory in place from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Winds can be close to 25 mph with wind gusts up to 40 mph.***. If you weren't a fan of the warm temperatures that started off the workweek, you won't have to wait long for some relief.

source https://www.kvue.com/article/weather/forecast/cold-front-brings-potential-for-overnight-storms/269-cc2983be-4a6a-4ba6-8fcf-01f3e6b8345f

Wednesday 27 October 2021

Light rain chances continue through Thursday night

Despite the increased cloud cover, highs remained similar to the past couple of days in the low to mid 50s. Also like last night, temperatures will only fall into the 40s tonight as the clouds continue. Rain today remained mostly west of highway 53 and ...

source https://www.wqow.com/weather/forecast/light-rain-chances-continue-through-thursday-night/article_7f401886-3768-11ec-81fc-5bfb0c446e9a.html

Important Storm Information- Wed. Oct. 27th- Delays and Closures

October 27, 2021- The Town of Randolph has useful tips for food safety after a power outage, Carbon Monoxide poisoning awareness and tips to avoid potential electrical hazards. Home Safety – Dangling power lines!

source https://www.randolph-ma.gov/home/news/important-storm-information-wed-oct-27th-delays-and-closures

Rainy weather returns Thursday

ROCKFORD (WREX) — For the second time this week, a couple rainy days in a row develop for the end of the work week. The rain showers won't be as heavy this time around, while breezy winds stay lighter. Soggy stretch: Rain holds off until the middle of ...

source https://www.wrex.com/news/top-stories/rainy-weather-returns-thursday/article_c6d674a0-3778-11ec-b231-97cab29ce7e8.html

California Stimulus Checks Will Be Hitting Accounts By End Of This Week

The Golden State Stimulus program was created to help Californians still struggling during the pandemic. It expanded aid to immigrants who were left out of previous federal stimulus check rounds. Here's ...

source https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/california-stimulus-check-paid-this-week/

Black Friday PC deals 2021 - SSDs, monitors, keyboards, headsets and more

With the mega-sales event now just weeks away, it's time to get ready for a good look at all the best Black Friday PC deals we're expecting to see on peripherals and components - as well as some early deals that have started to sneak out.

At Digital Foundry, we've gathered up some of our top picks for monitors, storage, headsets, mice, keyboards, graphics cards and much more on this page - and we'll be updating it over the course of the next few weeks with all the best offers we find. Right now, we'd suggest holding off on a purchase, but definitely keep an eye on these products when the sales begin. Any early offers that do go live already, we'll also add below!

Chance of rain before a nice weekend

We are tracking a weather system approaching from the west which has a good chance to bring scattered showers to north central Wisconsin. Afterwards, conditions should dry fairly quickly for a wonderful Halloween weekend.

source https://www.waow.com/weather/forecast/chance-of-rain-before-a-nice-weekend/article_dcb3f740-3762-11ec-80bd-338db7ff238b.html

US State Department issues first passport with X gender marker

In a statement recognizing Intersex Awareness Day, the State Department said Monday it was US policy to end "violence and discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics.".

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/27/politics/state-department-passport-gender/index.html

Star Ocean The Divine Force gets debut trailer

The next Star Ocean game is called Star Ocean The Divine Force.

Its debut trailer, below, was shown during tonight's Sony State of Play broadcast. It features active battles, cutscenes and exploration fuelled by a jetpack of some sort.

Missed out on the latest PlayStation State of Play showcase? The 20-minute broadcast has now concluded, and we've got everything wrapped up for you below.

Tonight kicked off with a bizarre-looking TV gameshow murder-'em-up, like Squid Game meets The Prisoner. You can forge weapons, play with melee or guns. It's called DeathVerse and it's coming in spring 2022 to PS4 and PS5.

Death's Door, the celebrated action-adventure from Titan Souls' developer Acid Nerve, will be making its way to PlayStation 4, PS5, and Switch on 23rd November.

Death's Door debuted on PC and Xbox earlier this year, immediately garnering acclaim for its richly atmospheric blend of ingenious exploratory puzzling and challenging combat - all wrapped up in a wondrous, melancholy tale of a soul-reaping crow on a quest to fix a devastating mistake in a beautifully bleak world.

Light rain chances continue through Thursday night

Despite the increased cloud cover, highs remained similar to the past couple of days in the low to mid 50s. Also like last night, temperatures will only fall into the 40s tonight as the clouds continue. DMA - TO - Highs Today.png.

source https://www.wqow.com/weather/light-rain-chances-continue-through-thursday-night/article_0147d7ea-376b-11ec-8512-fbbaeaa0baf6.html

King of Fighters 15 open beta set for November

King of Fighters 15 gets an open beta in November.

The open beta test, which was announced for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 during tonight's Sony State of Play broadcast, kicks off on 20th November and runs until 22nd November. It includes eight playable characters, and lets you play online casual matches and online room matches. There's offline training, too.

Intel unveiled its 12th-gen processors today, shedding light on what promises to be the company's biggest step forward in on the desktop for years. These are finally 10nm parts - after seven brutal years and multiple 14nm iterations - and they also adopt a radically different hybrid design, with a combination of low-power 'Efficient' cores and high-power multi-threaded 'Performance' cores.

The top chip, the Core i9 12900K, includes eight of each type, for 16 cores and 24 threads in total, and promises to offer boosts of up to 30 percent depending on workload. For gaming, Intel is projecting gains of up to 20 percent, again depending on the game - and with the potential for more to come as games are optimised for the unique arrangement. These chips should also multi-task better, with the more efficient E cores taking on background tasks like streaming or virus scans while the P cores handle gaming or content creation. The new CPUs will arrive on November 4th, so we don't have long to wait!

Earlier this week, reports began circulating that Warner Bros is working on a Smash-Bros-style crossover fighter - and now a leaked first image and fresh details have appeared online.

Word of the project - said to include the likes of Scooby Doo's Shaggy, Lord of the Rings' Gandalf, Tom & Jerry, Fred Flinstone, Mad Max, and Johnny Bravo as playable fighters - initially surfaced on Reddit, but was subsequently verified by GamesBeat's Jeff Grubb.

Divorced Parents and Financial Aid

With the FAFSA, expected family contribution is based on the finances of the parent the student lives with more of the time. Schools that use the CSS Profile may look at both parents' finances, regardless ...

source https://www.investopedia.com/divorced-parents-financial-aid-5206693

PlayStation State of Play October 2021 live report

All the action as it happens from 10pm BST.

Acclaimed perspective puzzler Superliminal is getting an "experimental" battle royale mode

Superliminal, the acclaimed perspective puzzler from developer Pillow Castle, is introducing an "experimental" battle-royale-style multiplayer mode in a free update on Steam next week.

In its original, single-player-only guise, Superliminal took players on a brain-flexing first-person journey through the SomnaSculpt dream therapy programme, in which the environment - and objects within it - could gain hitherto unseen properties by manipulating perspective.

The State Department issues the first passport with a nonbinary gender "X" option

The U.S. State Department has issued the first official passport with the gender marker "X," a change the Biden administration promised earlier this year to make the documents more inclusive for people who identify as nonbinary, intersex and gender ...

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/27/1049690803/state-department-first-passport-with-nonbinary-gender-x-option

EPA responds to Gov. Lujan Grisham's petition, will move to list four PFAS chemicals as hazardous constituents

SANTA FE – At the urging of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham through a first-of-its-kind petition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will move forward with a nationally significant rulemaking to change how per- and polyfluoroalkyl ...

source https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/10/26/epa-responds-to-gov-lujan-grishams-petition-will-move-to-list-four-pfas-chemicals-as-hazardous-constituents/

TRACKING: Here comes the rain again

Today: Cloudy, with rain pushing into our far western counties this afternoon. Breezy southeast winds are gusting up to 30 mph. High temperatures warm to the mid 50s. Tonight: Rain becomes widespread overnight. East winds are at 5-15 mph.

source https://www.kwwl.com/weather/forecast/tracking-here-comes-the-rain-again/article_6c27e9b2-3732-11ec-8513-7b64c99cbd9e.html

FLOOD ALERT: Over two inches of rain fell Tuesday, flooding continues for some rivers and lakes

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) — Heavy rain across Central New York Tuesday caused numerous Flash Flood Warnings. The rain is over with now, but several lakes and rivers are waiting for the water to recede. GALLERY: Take a look at some of what Tuesday's ...

source https://www.localsyr.com/weather/flood-alert-over-two-inches-of-rain-fell-tuesday-flooding-continues-for-some-rivers-and-lakes/

Ghost Recon Breakpoint's Operation Motherland update is a story mode alternative that lets you conquer the island

Ubisoft has indefinitely delayed Ghost Recon Frontline's planned closed test following a less-than-stellar reception to the controversial free-to-play battle royale, but it's continuing to update 2019's Ghost Recon Breakpoint with a significant single-player focused experience.

The Operation Motherland update, due out 2nd November, revolves around the new Conquest mode, which is described as an alternative mode to Ghost Recon Breakpoint's story mode. Here's the setup:

Doom Eternal's Horde Mode is now available in the new free Update 6.66.

The arcade-style mode has players defeating waves of demons to unlock new weapons and challenges, competing online through seasonal leaderboards.

Nintendo's N64 and Mega Drive Switch Online apps have been datamined, revealing some solid hints at upcoming games, as well as how many are currently planned.

Each console app contains a numbered list of games ordered alphabetically, with gaps for upcoming titles. But some of these gaps are so small it is obvious which game will alphabetically fill the space (thanks, MondoMega).

Back 4 Blood has seen over 6 million players.

That's according to a tweet from the official Back 4 Blood account.

I'm not sure you've played golf until you've played it in the moonlight. In the moonlight under the pink blossom - I think it's blossom - with the fireflies coasting and the lanterns - I think they're lanterns - shining from their perches. A Little Golf Journey will take you here, and early on in its campaign as well! World 2: night golfing! Blossom and fireflies! No need to worry about lost balls.

No need to worry about much of anything. A Little Golf Journey is ease itself. Across its neat, low-poly landscapes, you play a streamlined game of golf that still manages to capture the game's precise pleasures and ASMR detailing. Move a little cursor around to direct your shot. Hold a trigger to stretch the shot further, but be aware that there will be more sway, more of a game of probabilities, to where the shot lands. Hold another trigger to steady your heart and battle the sway. Shoot! The rest is all detailing - move the camera about, reverse the camera - very useful this - so you can shoot from the perspective of where you want the ball to land. Knock the ball in the hole as economically as you can, and earn a bunch of stars for your performance.

Biden lays into Trump while campaigning for Terry McAuliffe in Virginia

President Joe Biden took the stage on Tuesday night for his all-in effort stumping for Democrat Terry McAuliffe in Virginia, exactly one week from the election in which the fate of the tight governor's race will be sealed. Biden's speech in Arlington, ...

source https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/26/biden-trump-campaigning-mcauliffe-virginia-517292

Tuesday 26 October 2021

Jan. 6 committee to seek testimony from Trump lawyer who drafted strategy to overturn election

Congressional investigators are preparing to seek testimony from John Eastman, the attorney who crafted a legal strategy to help Donald Trump try to overturn the 2020 election results on Jan. 6, a House aide confirmed on Tuesday night.

source https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/26/january-6-committee-trump-lawyer-testimony-517310

Biden administration announces appointment of Republican to key election security role

Washington (CNN) The Biden administration on Tuesday announced that Kim Wyman, Washington state's Republican secretary of state, will lead the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to protect elections from domestic and foreign interference.

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/politics/kim-wyman-election-security-announcement/index.html

What does Kyrsten Sinema want out of spending negotiations? Here's what we know

When it comes to the delicate negotiations about trillions of dollars in spending that could reshape the social safety net for years to come, the Arizona Democrat seems to hold the key. While Sen. Joe Manchin ...

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/26/1049341036/kyrsten-sinema-positions-spending-negotiations-congress

January 6 committee plans to subpoena John Eastman

(CNN) The House select committee investigating the US Capitol insurrection plans to subpoena John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who had worked with then-President Donald Trump's legal team and tried to convince then-Vice President Mike Pence that he ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/politics/january-6-subpoena-john-eastman/index.html

New memorial honors EMS crew killed in helicopter crash in Minocqua in 2018

The names of Greg Rosenthal, Klint Mitchell and Rico Caruso are inscribed on the tribute in Minocqua. In April 2018, the three dropped off a patient in Madison and were on their way back to Woodruff ...

source https://www.wkow.com/news/new-memorial-honors-ems-crew-killed-in-helicopter-crash-in-minocqua-in-2018/article_2fd86520-36c6-11ec-b14f-ffeaf1b1069d.html

Business group asks Governor to launch program to bring in workers

MINOCQUA, Wis. (WAOW) -- A Wisconsin business group is calling on Governor Evers to launch a marketing campaign to attract workers to the state. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) sent a letter to the governor last week asking him to spend $3 ...

source https://www.waow.com/news/business-group-asks-governor-to-launch-program-to-bring-in-workers/article_e40f0a96-36c4-11ec-b029-e7ca569a2e28.html

EPA eyes new rules for PFAS in waste

The new rules are the latest in a string of developments from the agency for addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been linked to cancer and are known as forever chemicals because they are so persistent.

source https://www.eenews.net/articles/epa-eyes-new-rules-for-pfas-in-waste/

Release of EPA methane rules expected this week

EPA is preparing to release two new draft rules this week that could dramatically reduce the role that oil and gas production plays in driving climate change. The methane proposals for new and existing petroleum infrastructure would apply to production ...

source https://www.eenews.net/articles/release-of-epa-methane-rules-expected-this-week/

Loudoun County students walk out to protest school district's handling of alleged sexual assaults

Students at several Loudoun County Public Schools held 10-minute walkouts Tuesday morning to demand the county protect students from sexual assault and to declare solidarity with survivors. At Broad Run High School in Ashburn, dozens of students walked ...

source https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/10/26/student-walkout-loudoun-schools-assault/

Nintendo and Niantic's Pikmin Bloom is a mix of gardening, scavenging, scrapbooking and Pokémon

Happy 20th anniversary, Pikmin. Two decades on from its original launch on GameCube, Nintendo's beloved garden strategy series has been re-imagined by Pokémon Go maker Niantic, in partnership with original creator Shigeru Miyamoto.

The result is Pikmin Bloom, a charming mix of light strategy, collecting and exploration over your local area. As you might expect from Niantic, this is another game which encourages you to get off your sofa and wander the real world, played on your smartphone.

Manchin: IRS reporting requirements likely 'going to be gone' from spending bill

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sharply criticized a proposal to force banks to report more account information to the IRS, making it much more likely that Democrats will have to drop a plan that could raise hundreds of billions of dollars for their social ...

source https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/26/joe-manchin-irs-reporting-spending-bill-517194

What is the citizen's arrest law at the heart of the trial over Ahmaud Arbery's death?

As jury selection continues for the trial of three white men charged with the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Ga. last year, one particular law is expected to become a focal point. Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was shot while jogging.

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/26/1048398618/what-is-the-citizens-arrest-law-in-the-trial-over-ahmaud-arberys-death

TRACKING: Rain likely Thursday

Tonight: Clouds slowly increase from the west. The breezy conditions continue through the night with milder lows. By morning the temperatures are in the low 40s. Wednesday: Clouds dominate the sky with a gusty southeast wind to 30 mph.

source https://www.kwwl.com/weather/forecast/tracking-rain-likely-thursday/article_604715a8-369e-11ec-beed-d7acc6836c83.html

When does fall turkey season start in Pennsylvania? Here's what you need to know

Pennsylvania's fall turkey season kicks off Saturday, Oct. 30 in 19 of Pennsylvania's 23 Wildlife Management Units. The game commission reports that turkey reproduction was well above average this past summer, resulting in above- ...

source https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/pa-outdoors/when-does-fall-turkey-season-start-in-pennsylvania-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Next year's BlizzConline on "pause" as Activision Blizzard looks to "reimagine" event

Blizzard - which remains embroiled in a messy legal battle following the State of California's lawsuit alleging sexual discrimination, harassment, and a "frat boy" culture at the company - has announced will "pause" next year's BlizzConline as it looks to "reimagine" the event.

BlizzConline - which debuted this February as a digital-only replacement for Blizzard's annual BlizzCon live event in response to the coronavirus pandemic - was due to return "early" in 2022, after the company opted to cancel BlizzCon for a second year running back in May.

Biden nominates first female FCC chair

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. (CNN) President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that he's nominating Jessica Rosenworcel to lead ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/politics/jessica-rosenworcel-nomination-fcc/index.html

The Division 2's big new update and game mode now arriving in February 2022

The Division 2's previously announced major new update - which includes a game mode said to be entirely new to the franchise - will now launch in February next year. Ubisoft had previously said it would arrive "late 2021 at the earliest".

New content for The Division 2 was confirmed back in March, following Ubisoft's decision to continue supporting the game despite initial plans to make last December's Update 12 its last. Since then, updates have largely been limited to re-runs of previous seasons while developer Ubisoft Massive works on creating new content.

Nintendo's pricier Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription is now available, including a selection of N64 classics - though not all are working as intended.

Subscribers to the £35-a-year catalogue have reported a number of general issues, including lag and low frame rates. But a couple of games also feature more specific problems.

The Confederate flag has been removed from a recurring GTA character in the series' new remastered trilogy.

As spotted by Kotaku, arms dealer Phil Cassidy no longer has the flag on his t-shirt. Instead it's sporting a skull design.

For a good chunk of my initial time with Back 4 Blood I had precisely zero opinions about it. It's a strange game, half of it built on a kind of ultra-nostalgia, especially potent for anyone who spent a single day of the late noughties in the same room as an Xbox 360. The other half - all cards, progression, loot - is quite abruptly modern. The two, at least at first, seem to cancel each other out, turning it into a thing that's just too familiar, too recognisable. I'm shooting zombies in co-op, while looting weapons and grinding the progression system for cards that might help on my next run. Imagine, in the most emotionless voice: OK.

But, actually, thankfully, it's more than that. Scrabbling around in the game's oddly enticing dark for long enough has allowed me to admit I was very much wrong. Back 4 Blood is interesting. It is unfamiliar, in places. It is good! Really good.

4WARN Forecast: Cool Autumn air followed by rain this week

A cold front ushered clouds, wind, and much cooler air across the Mid State. Rain doesn't return until Thursday. Overnight mostly cloudy with some clearing west of Nashville. The plateau could see a few sprinkles. Expect chilly lows in the mid 40s.

source https://www.wsmv.com/weather/4warn-forecast-cool-autumn-air-followed-by-rain-this-week/article_7ea58b3c-3578-11ec-8742-93edf1d31873.html

Vaping marijuana by teens doubles in last seven years, with potentially harmful consequences, study says

In one of the studies, adolescents also reported a preference for vaping cannabis extracts over dried herbs to get the buzz they desired from THC. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, the one that produces the "high" ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/25/health/marijuana-teen-vaping-wellness/index.html

Off-Topic: Weird futures in Vermilion Sands

In the morning, his lawn is covered with poems, which take the form of ribbon and coloured streamers. His neighbor is a poet, so that narrows things down a bit. Inevitably, he goes to complain.

I've been reading Vermilion Sands this past week, a collection of short stories by JG Ballard that are all based in a fictitious desert holiday community - Palm Springs or the scorched armpits of Arizona - at some point in the nebulous future. It's a short book but I'm eking it out. I don't want it to end. I knew I was going to love it - there's Ballard, of course, but it's also hard not feel something for a paperback that comes with its own 3D glasses for viewing the fractal depths of the cover art.

Halloween Outlook: Wet in New England, Chilly in the Midwest, Dry Elsewhere

After a week of thunderstorms, flooding rain and high winds in some parts of the country, there will be no major storms in play Sunday. Most of the nation will experience dry weather after a week of wet conditions, with one exception.

source https://weather.com/forecast/national/news/2021-10-25-halloween-forecast-national

Monday 25 October 2021

Two hospitalized after Stoughton two-car crash

According to a news release from the Stoughton Police Department, one car was heading northbound on Highway N near the Viking Dog Park when it crossed the centerline. The northbound car crashed into another car traveling southbound, causing a crash and ...

source https://www.wkow.com/news/top-stories/two-hospitalized-after-stoughton-two-car-crash/article_4cdc0a5c-35ca-11ec-8560-d35737da1cf0.html

Trump endorsed Herschel Walker, Max Miller and Sean Parnell. They're now facing scrutiny over their pasts

(CNN) Donald Trump is throwing his support behind a trio of candidates whose troubled pasts have come under scrutiny, as he continues to influence the standards of the GOP from his post-presidency perch. In Georgia, Trump has wholeheartedly endorsed ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/25/politics/trump-endorsed-candidates-pasts/index.html

A short break from the rain and wind arrives

ROCKFORD (WREX) — Sunday and parts of Monday brought in a lot of rain as well as some strong winds. The wind won't blow us around for a while, but be ready for showers to return later this week. In the mean time: One to two inches of rain fell between ...

source https://www.wrex.com/news/top-stories/a-short-break-from-the-rain-and-wind-arrives/article_7bed5390-35df-11ec-8ac0-af92eb8f356a.html

Republican Operative Matt Schlapp Is Setting the Stage for an “Election Integrity” Freak-Out in 2024

Last November, during the onset of Donald Trump's push to portray his election defeat to Joe Biden as illegitimate, American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp carried water for the former president on national TV. “We have literally 9,000 people ...

source https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/10/matt-schlapp-election-integrity-freak-out-2024

Gov. Greg Abbott signs dog tethering bill after vetoing similar proposal over the summer

Animal advocates have called for this legislation for several legislative sessions, criticizing the existing statute's lack of enforcement. The Texas Humane Legislation Network in 2015 found that not a single prosecution had been made under the law over ...

source https://www.texastribune.org/2021/10/25/abbott-texas-dog-bill/

The Facebook Papers: What you need to know about the trove of insider documents

In the weeks leading up to the violence, Facebook worked to defuse vitriol and conspiracy theories from Trump voters who refused to accept his defeat. As NPR's Shannon Bond and Bobby Allyn have reported, the company repeatedly shut down groups affiliated ...

source https://www.npr.org/2021/10/25/1049015366/the-facebook-papers-what-you-need-to-know

Biden administration details looser international travel rules for vaccinated flyers

Fully vaccinated individuals will also have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within three days prior to boarding an airplane. Airlines will be tasked with collecting and reviewing documentation from passengers ahead of their respective ...

source https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/25/biden-international-travel-vaccianted-flyers-517073

Phasmophobia's big Halloween update adds haunted campsite map, new ghosts, more

Supremo scare-'em-up Phasmophobia is pulling a bunch of spooky new treats out of its ghostbustin' bag for Halloween, with today's massive new Nightmare update adding a haunted campsite map, four new ghosts, weather effects, and more.

Maple Lodge Campsite is Phasmophobia's first outdoor map and packs in everything you could possibly hope for in a spooky holiday retreat, including picnic areas, tents, a log cabin, and even a haunted lake. Developer Kinetic Games says the new map features "more unique objects, higher object density and more visual detail", and that players can expect other maps to receive a similar boost in detail, plus more unique objects, at a later date.

Activision - which remains mired in a messy legal battle following the state of California's lawsuit alleging sexual discrimination, harassment and a "frat boy" culture at Blizzard - has shared a handful of new Call of Duty: Vanguard details ahead of the WW2 shooter's launch next week.

All the new information comes via the PlayStation Blog, in which Vanguard developer Sledgehammer offers details on the game's PS5 DualSense wireless controller support alongside a look at four Operators, complete with introductory trailers for each.

Manchin sees deal on Biden agenda this week, resists Medicare expansion

Manchin may have the final say as Biden and Democratic leaders have moved dramatically in his direction to win over both the West Virginia Democrat and another key moderate, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, as both have threatened to defect and effectively ...

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/25/politics/manchin-biden-agenda-deal/index.html

Natural gas leaks in Boston are vastly underreported — and could be coming from inside homes, study says

New research shows that methane emissions in the Boston area were six times higher than previously estimated. That could make the greenhouse effect of natural gas “equivalent to coal.”.

source https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/10/25/methane-leaks-natural-gas-boston/

EPA deems 'forever chemical' haunting NC toxic to humans

Hot off the heels of releasing its PFAS road map last week, EPA has found that a deeply controversial "forever chemical" that has contaminated drinking water in North Carolina is, indeed, toxic to humans and will be subject to a drinking water advisory ...

source https://www.eenews.net/articles/epa-deems-forever-chemical-haunting-n-c-toxic-to-humans/

DF Direct Weekly talks God of War PC, new Apple Silicon and Cyberpunk 2077/Witcher 3 RT upgrades

DF Direct Weekly returns once again, with myself, John and Alex taking a time-out from our various individual projects to discuss the latest gaming and tech news. Our chat kicks off with the arrival of new Apple Silicon found with the brand new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. M1 Pro and M1 Max look absolutely monstrous and from a GPU perspective alone, we're looking at a doubling then a quadrupling of the already impressive M1. In the new Direct, we share our thoughts on strategy but ask the fundamental question beyond some truly impressive tech: will this extremely capable, super-efficient technology ever really be put through its paces in gaming? Is a profound commitment to gaming beyond the iOS ecosystem even worth considering for Apple, when its mobile ecosystem is likely to be so much more profitable?

Beyond that, discussion moves on to last week's announcement of God of War for PC, complete with select new graphical features, unlocked frame-rates, ultrawide support and the pleasantly surprising inclusion of Nvidia DLSS. It's not clear just how much of an improvement the new features add, but it'll be interesting to see if DLSS and other upscaling features are added to other Sony titles, such as the forthcoming Uncharted collection. We also discuss Sony's global vision: in a recent gamesindustry.biz video interview, Jim Ryan talked about addressing addressing millions more users with Sony titles, which inevitably leads to discussions about the cloud and therefore the concept of PC ports happening as a matter of course. Unless, of course, Sony is intent on packing out datacentres with PS5 hardware - which seems unlikely, especially in light of the mooted deal with Microsoft.

Activision Blizzard's attempt to pause California's ongoing lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a "frat boy" culture at the company has been rejected by an LA County Court judge.

Activision Blizzard moved to pause legal proceedings following a messy tussle between California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), which had launched the original lawsuit against the publisher, and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - which had previously announced an $18m settlement deal with Activision as part of its own investigation into the company.

Voters in jurisdictions with Nov. 2 election urged to return vote-by-mail ballots

Santa Rosa, CA – October 25, 2021 – The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters reminds voters eligible to participate in the Nov. 2, 2021, Consolidated Election, that the deadline to return vote-by-mail ballots is only days away.

source https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Voters-in-jurisdictions-with-Nov--2-election-urged-to-return-vote-by-mail-ballots/

People or profit? The Facebook papers show deep conflict within

They reveal numerous instances where researchers and rank-and-file workers uncovered deep-seated problems that the company then overlooked or ignored. Final responsibility for this state of affairs ...

source https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2021/10/people-or-profit-the-facebook-papers-show-deep-conflict-within.html

Halo Infinite's Craig has a beard now

Microsoft's reveal of Halo Infinite's campaign last year went so badly, it delayed the game to this Christmas.

Part of the negative reception had to do with the flat visuals - and Craig became the posterboy for Halo's problems.

Will companies still pay for Biden's big spending plan?

London (CNN Business) As Wall Street watches the debate over President Joe Biden's flagship infrastructure, climate and social spending plans in Washington, it has one major question: Will corporations pay more in tax to fund the programs?

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/25/investing/premarket-stocks-trading/index.html

Here's a fresh look at Halo Infinite's campaign

Microsoft has unveiled a fresh look at the Halo Infinite campaign over a year since its last infamous reveal.

The video below sets the scene for the campaign, which sees Master Chief fight back against the Banished forces on Zeta Halo.

I'm not sure what Guardians of the Galaxy wants to be.

On one hand, it's a wonderfully accessible adventure wrapped up in family-friendly packaging, with an action-packed storyline that takes you on a delightful voyage through some of the galaxy's most colourful climes. On the other, it boasts an aggressively complex combat system that requires a high degree of digit-dexterity and rarely forgives your mistakes.

FIFA players have all been there - your opponent rage quits before half-time, or pauses the match all the time, or time-wastes after scoring a goal, or celebrates every goal. Playing FIFA online can be a proper annoying experience.

Now, EA has outlined the unwritten rules of FIFA online play - using the world's oldest club to get the message across.

Analysis: Are lawmakers trying to make Texans more confident in elections, or less?

After conservative complaints about the national results in the 2020 election, Texas Republicans have tried to anticipate everything that might play against them in 2022, right down to who'll be at the helm. by Ross Ramsey Oct. 25, 2021 5 AM Central.

source https://www.texastribune.org/2021/10/25/texas-legislature-voting-election/

Component shortages could continue into 2023, Intel says

Intel has warned the ongoing global semiconductor shortage could continue into 2023.

The shortage has affected PC graphics cards, as well as supplies for Xbox, PlayStation and Switch consoles.

Charles Martinet, the one true voice of Mario, has said he wants to continue in the role until he drops dead.

Martinet, who is 66, has been the voice of Nintendo's legendary mascot since 1992. After almost 30 years, Martinet has portrayed the plumber in around 100 games.

Preparations are set for incoming storms on the Central Coast

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Preparations are underway for a storm set to hit the central coast late tonight into tomorrow. According to the National Weather Service, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County can anticipate up to five inches of rain, ...

source https://keyt.com/news/local-news/2021/10/24/preparations-are-set-for-incoming-storms-on-the-central-coast/

Smash Bros-style Warner Bros. crossover platform fighter reportedly in the works

A Smash Bros.-style Warner Bros. crossover platform fighter is reportedly in the works.

Mention of the game emerged first from a post from a burner account in the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit, which was subsequently verified by GamesBeat's Jeff Grubb on Twitter.

A mini-game featured in Mario Party Superstars, which launches for Nintendo Switch this week, comes with a health warning.

Tug o' War, which was originally found in Mario Party N64, has a special notice with advice on how "to avoid irritation to your skin and/or damage to the control stick".

A Wu-Tang Clan game is reportedly in the works for Xbox.

Details come from VentureBeat's Jeff Grubb on the latest episode of his video series, Game Mess, and Windows Central's Jez Corden.

Sir Trevor McDonald has been confirmed as the new GamesMaster.

The classic gaming show will be returning later this year on E4 and there's already been months of speculation as to who would take on the persona once played by Sir Patrick Moore.