NPR reports that LeVar Burton will replace
Drew Barrymore as the host of the
2023 National Book Awards.
It's an honor to return as host
of the biggest night for books,
especially in a moment when
the freedom to read is at risk, LeVar Burton, via NPR.
The actor and podcaster, who
has long been an advocate for reading,
hosted the ceremony in 2019 as well.
The actor and podcaster, who
has long been an advocate for reading,
hosted the ceremony in 2019 as well.
Originally, Drew Barrymore was scheduled to host the
2023 show, but the offer was rescinded after she said
she would bring back her talk show amid ongoing strikes.
The National Book Awards is an
evening dedicated to celebrating
the power of literature, and the
incomparable contributions
of writers to our culture.
, National Book Foundation statement, via NPR.
Our commitment is to ensure
that the focus of the Awards
remains on celebrating writers
and books, and we are grateful
to Ms. Barrymore and her team for
their understanding in this situation, National Book Foundation statement, via NPR.
Burton is best known for his 'Star Trek'
role as Geordi La Forge in addition to
hosting 'Reading Rainbow' on PBS.
In 1977, Burton had his breakout role playing
Kunta Kinte in the television adaptation of
'Roots,' based on Alex Haley's 1976 novel.
In 1977, Burton had his breakout role playing
Kunta Kinte in the television adaptation of
'Roots,' based on Alex Haley's 1976 novel.
Currently, Burton hosts the
'LeVar Burton Reads' podcast, reading
short fiction by different authors.
Earlier this month, the National Book Awards announced
the finalists for this year, with the winners to be
revealed at the ceremony held on November 15
Advocates Fight For Those , Sickened By US Nuclear Testing , Program on Capitol Hill.
On June 7, the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation
Act (RECA) program is set to expire, ending a lifeline
for families sickened by the country's nuclear testing. .
On June 7, the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation
Act (RECA) program is set to expire, ending a lifeline
for families sickened by the country's nuclear testing. .
NPR reports that advocates have gathered
on Capitol Hill to fight for so-called atomic
veterans and save the RECA program.
Over the past year, multiple bipartisan
bills were approved by the Senate to
reauthorize and expand the program. .
Those bills stalled out in the House,
due to some Republicans objecting
to the cost of the program. .
According to sponsors of the bills, those concerns
were addressed by reducing the initial 2023 estimate
of $143 billion down to between $50 and $60 billion. .
NPR reports that RECA has provided payments up to
$75,000 to those sickened by the nuclear testing
program, totaling $2.7 billion to over 400,000 recipients. .
One of the groups fighting to have
the program extended is the
Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium. .
The group works to raise awareness of illnesses
linked to Trinity, the government's code word for
the first nuclear bomb test, which took place in 1945.
Martinez White, a member of the group,
says fallout from those tests resulted in at
least six cases of cancer in her family of ten. .
I would often go home for
funerals and everybody in
Tularosa was dying of cancer.
We knew something was very weird. , Martinez White, Tularosa Basin
Downwinders Consortium member, via NPR.
There's no industry in the whole
Tularosa Basin but for White Sands
Missile Range, where the
Trinity bomb was detonated, Martinez White, Tularosa Basin
Downwinders Consortium member, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Walmart Lays Off Hundreds of Workers , While Requiring Others to Relocate.
On May 14, the retail giant announced layoffs impacting several hundred employees at campus offices, NPR reports.
It was also revealed that most remote workers and
employees in Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto will be required
to move to "Bentonville, Arkansas; Hoboken, New Jersey;
and the San Francisco Bay Area," NPR reports.
Chief People Officer Donna Morris
let workers know in a memo.
It has been a little over four years since
we faced the global pandemic that
reshaped our lives in many ways,
including our ways of working. , Chief People Officer Donna Morris, via memo.
With the goal of bringing more of us
together more often, we are asking the
majority of associates working remotely,
and the majority of associates within our
offices in Dallas, Atlanta, and our
Toronto Global Tech office, to relocate. , Chief People Officer Donna Morris, via memo.
Morris went on to address the
"reduction of several hundred campus roles." .
While the overall numbers are small
in percentage, we are focused on
supporting each of our associates
affected by these changes, Chief People Officer Donna Morris, via memo.
A reason for the layoffs was not provided other than the fact that "some parts of our business have made changes," Morris said.
We have had discussions with
associates who were directly
impacted by these decisions. , Chief People Officer Donna Morris, via memo.
We will work closely with them in
the coming days and months to
navigate the best path forward, Chief People Officer Donna Morris, via memo
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
How to Be , a Better Neighbor.
You don't even know
your neighbors, do you?.
Per a Pew Research study conducted in 2018, only a quarter of adults under 30
said they know even one of their neighbors.
A fostered sense of community may be what's missing in your young life.
A fostered sense of community may be what's missing in your young life.
Here are a few ways to
become a better neighbor:.
Say
Hello.
Obvious, yes, but the logical first
step to becoming a better neighbor
is to introduce yourself.
Don't do anything grandiose so you
don't come on too strong.
You don't have to show up with a fresh apple pie or anything like that. , Chris Loggins, supervising producer
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, via NPR.
You don't have to show up with a fresh apple pie or anything like that. , Chris Loggins, supervising producer
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, via NPR.
Small Acts
of Kindness.
Show your neighbors that you can
be a kind and generous person.
Always clean up after your pets,
and don't litter.
Connect.
Often it may feel easier to just go home, but experts believe human connection is worth the effort.
Overcoming the initial anxiety may trouble you, but meeting new people could increase your happiness
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Biden Is Giving $6 Billion , to Micron Technology , for Semiconductor Production.
On April 25, President Biden will travel to Syracuse, NY, to announce over $6 billion in federal grants that his administration is awarding to Micron Technology, NPR reports. .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was heavily involved in enacting the CHIPS and Science Act, issued a statement about the investment. .
This is the federal government taking back the reins, putting money where its mouth is when we say we want the future of tech to be stamped: 'Made in America.', Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Micron will invest $100 billion of the funds to construct a manufacturing facility in Syracuse.
Schumer referred to the plan as "quite a
great return" on the government's investment.
A factory will also be built in
Boise, Idaho, NPR reports. .
That facility is expected to be ready for production by 2026, while two New York factories will likely be ready by 2028 and 2029.
The White House estimates that
the projects could create 20,000 jobs
in construction and manufacturing.
in addition to "tens of thousands of
indirect jobs in the regions," NPR reports. .
The CHIPS and Science Act has also provided funding for Intel, TSMC and Samsung
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Are You in a Creative Rut? , Here's How to Stay Inspired.
Have you had a hard time accessing the creative part of your brain lately?.
Maybe you're hoping for a magical breakthrough
like something you'd see in a movie.
Experts say it may not be so easy, but it's still possible to pull yourself out of a creative rut if you keep these things in mind:.
Creativity Is for Everyone.
Most folks are creative, and experts
say you don't have to be a genius
to harness the power.
I think we are already
creative beings and
how you use that
[creativity] is
up to you, Sarah Urist Green, producer of
'The Art Assignment,' via NPR.
You don't need to have particular skills; you don't need to have
particular materials. , Sarah Urist Green, producer of
'The Art Assignment,' via NPR.
Take a Break.
Experts say allowing your brain to de-stimulate is great practice
if your schedule allows. .
What our brains actually need is periods of destimulation, Rahaf Harfoush, host of 'The Thought Experiment,' via NPR.
which means no screens, no emails, no audiobooks. , Rahaf Harfoush, host of 'The Thought Experiment,' via NPR.
Don't Force
Yourself.
Experts say don't use stress as a tool
to get things done.
Being overly reliant on pressure and stress may deepen your creative rut.
It could also increase chances of
anxiety attacks and depression
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
‘Happy Gilmore 2’ , Officially Confirmed at Netflix.
Netflix confirmed the sequel
on May 15, 'Variety' reports.
Adam Sandler will reprise one of his most popular roles as Happy Gilmore, a hockey player who becomes a golfer.
Christopher McDonald, who played
Shooter McGavin in the original film,
first sparked sequel rumors in March.
I saw Adam [Sandler] about two
weeks ago, and he says to me,
‘McDonald, you’re gonna love this.’, Christopher McDonald, via 'Variety'.
I said, ‘What?’ He says, ‘How about
that,’ and he shows me the first
draft of ‘Happy Gilmore 2.’ , Christopher McDonald, via 'Variety'.
I thought, ‘Well, that would be
awesome.’ So, it’s in the works.
Fans demand it, dammit!, Christopher McDonald, via 'Variety'.
Drew Barrymore teased the
news on her talk show as well.
This just in, I have breaking news….
I’ll just say this, from my source, that
['Happy Gilmore 2'] is in process, Drew Barrymore, via 'The Drew Barrymore Show'.
Additional details such as storyline or
director have yet to be revealed.
'Happy Gilmore,' released in 1996, made close to $40 million at the global box office
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published