Artists and Speakers Boycott SXSW , in Protest of Military and Defense Industry Sponsorships.
As the war between Israel and Hamas rages on,
dozens have canceled their South by Southwest appearances to protest event sponsorships from defense companies
and the U.S. Army, CNN reports. .
As the war between Israel and Hamas rages on,
dozens have canceled their South by Southwest appearances to protest event sponsorships from defense companies
and the U.S. Army, CNN reports. .
The protest is meant to show solidarity
with Palestinians in Gaza.
The protest is meant to show solidarity
with Palestinians in Gaza.
A music festival should not include
war profiteers. I refuse to be
complicit in this and withdraw
my art and labor in protest, Singer-songwriter Ella Williams, via Instagram.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took to social
media to respond to the protest.
Bye. Don’t come back, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, via X.
We are proud of the
U.S. military in Texas. If you
don’t like it, don’t come here, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, via X.
However, SXSW "does not agree" with Abbott's approach, CNN reports. .
We fully respect the decision
these artists made to exercise
their right to free speech, SXSW organizers, via statement.
The defense industry has historically
been a proving ground for many of
the systems we rely on today. , SXSW organizers, via statement.
These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives. , SXSW organizers, via statement.
The Army’s sponsorship is part of
our commitment to bring forward
ideas that shape our world, SXSW organizers, via statement.
The annual Austin, Texas,
festival lasts until March 16
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Law Enforcement Hiring , Increased in 2023 , Following Years of Decline.
NBC reports that police departments in the United States
have seen their first increase in ranks, changing course
on a historic exodus of officers in recent years.
According to a recent survey,
2023 saw more officers sworn in
than any of the previous four years. .
At the same time, the survey by the Police Executive
Research Forum (PERF) also found that fewer law
enforcement officers resigned or retired in 2023. .
Law enforcement numbers had been declining following
the COVID pandemic and nationwide protests against
police brutality following the death of George Floyd. .
Law enforcement numbers had been declining following
the COVID pandemic and nationwide protests against
police brutality following the death of George Floyd. .
I just think that the past four
years have been particularly
challenging for American policing.
And our survey shows we’re
finally starting to turn a corner, Chuck Wexler, Executive director of PERF, via NBC.
NBC reports that declining numbers left
many police departments with a shortage of
officers, which resulted in slower response times.
Chuck Wexler, executive director of PERF, warns that many police departments are still struggling to recruit and retain officers.
According to Wexler, law enforcement , "isn't out of the woods yet.".
At least a dozen smaller police departments in
the nation have been forced to disband, leaving those
municipalities reliant upon state or county police forces.
NBC reports that in addition to increased pay and
benefits, many police departments have chosen to
change application requirements to increase hiring
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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Walmart Reverses Course, , Closes Down Its , Walmart Health Division.
NBC reports that Walmart has announced
it will close all 52 of the doctor-staffed
health clinics the company operates.
The announcement comes as
part of the company's decision to
shut down its Walmart Health Initiative.
Clinics that will close down are located in
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Texas. .
On April 30, the company also said it would
begin winding down its virtual care service.
The decision to end the Walmart Health Initiative
will not reportedly impact Walmart
pharmacies and vision centers.
Walmart said that it will work to direct current patients
to other providers covered by their insurance
networks to ensure they continue to receive care.
NBC reports that the news comes as a swift
reversal of Walmart's plan to expand its number
of doctor-staffed clinics to 70 by the end of 2024.
Through our experience managing
Walmart Health centers and
Walmart Health Virtual Care,
we determined there is
not a sustainable business
model for us to continue, Walmart statement, via NBC.
Other nontraditional health care
providers have also been forced to
reconsider their plans in recent years. .
Last month, Walgreens announced that it would
close 140 of the company's primary care clinics,
along with plans to shut down 20 more.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
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A Florida Circuit Court judge has overturned Gov. Ron DeSantis’ mask mandate ban for Florida schools, ruling the governor overstepped his authority by issuing an executive order banning the mandates.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has directed the Department of Health to require universal mask mandates in schools this fall, but some parents on Long Island are disappointed; CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reports.