On Saturdays we catch up with the non-finance related items that we didn’t get to earlier in the week. You can check... AutosHow pickup trucks got so darn big. (axios.com)The longer an EV is driven the better the carbon impact. (hannahritchie.substack.com)Bike lanes are good for business. (kottke.org)EnergyWhy solar panel prices are falling. (bnnbloomberg.ca)Why not turn parking lots into solar power hubs? (wired.com)What's holding up major renewable projects? (wsj.com)How do you get 'green hydrogen'? (thecooldown.com)WaterThe Feds are going to have to make cuts to state water allocations from the Colorado River. (nytimes.com)Arizona's water problems are only getting worse. (time.com)Why NASA's newly launched Surface Water and Ocean Topography satellite is a big deal. (thecooldown.com)In the midst of the drought many Californians dropped flood insurance. (grist.org)Utah's Great Salt Lake could be gone in five years. (cnn.com)EnvironmentSpring is happening up to two weeks early. (usanpn.org)Indoor air quality has a big impact on learning and cognition. (marginalrevolution.com)How Maricopa County tries to reduce heat-related deaths. (grist.org)Don't use your gas stove just to boil water. (wsj.com)How to recycle your old smartphone. (thecooldown.com)SpaceAstronomers say light pollution is getting worse, faster. (science.org)Comparing NASA's and Tesla's rockets that are set to go to the Moon. (washingtonpost.com)TechnologyCan livestreams ever be made safe? (ft.com)What's the actual use case for a VR headset? (daringfireball.net)The new MacBook Pros are a big upgrade over prior versions with Intel chips. (sixcolors.com)Why did Apple ($AAPL) revive the HomePod? (daringfireball.net)BehaviorHow we move our bodies affects our psychology. (traderfeed.blogspot.com)Five ways of achieving calmness. (bbc.com)HealthThe tripledemic is fading. (washingtonpost.com)Not everyone is happy about the development of effective anti-obesity drugs. (wired.com)Why naloxone isn't more widely available. (washingtonpost.com)What to expect when prepping for a colonoscopy. (nytimes.com)CovidBivalent boosters are showing effectiveness against the newest variants. (statnews.com)Why Covid boosters are shifting to an annual, flu-like, schedule. (nytimes.com)What 'excess deaths' tell us about the impact of Covid. (theconversation.com)What NPIs worked around the world in 2020. (papers.ssrn.com)FoodExperts overwhelmingly choose this store-bought marinara sauce. (washingtonpost.com)Why we shouldn't be surprised about the egg price situation. (msn.com)What's actually in your store-bought chicken stock? (eater.com)J. Kenji Lopez Alt on which food expiration dates actually matter. (nytimes.com)DrinkOn the relationship between alcohol consumption and health. (parentdata.org)A look at how the craft beer space has gotten so competitive in one state. (indystar.com)Japan is seeing a boost in alcohol exports. (asia.nikkei.com)Fat Tire Ale is rebranding as a 'zero emission' brew. (axios.com)DogsWhy its so hard to shut down puppy mills for good. (vox.com)The pandemic pet bubble has burst. (washingtonpost.com)SportsCollege sports is full of all sorts of contradictions. (econofact.org)How Formula One teams ship stuff around the world. (huddleup.substack.com)Like it or not, pro pickleball is coming to your television. (frontofficesports.com)18 of the best live sports events in the world including the Monaco Grand Prix. (gq.com)MediaThe 13 best Wall Street movies including 'Trading Places.' (ofdollarsanddata.com)Netflix ($NFLX) and 'Stranger Things' dominate the list of the most-streamed shows in 2022. (variety.com)A problem with movies today - they look too perfect. (kottke.org)SchoolsSchools will be coming to terms with ChatGPT for a long time. (fivethirtyeight.com)ChatGPT can pass an MBA operations management class. (nbcnews.com)Earlier on Abnormal ReturnsWhat you missed in our Friday linkfest. (abnormalreturns.com)Podcast links: the simulation of learning (abnormalreturns.com)Are you a financial adviser looking for some out-of-the-box thinking? Then check out our weekly e-mail newsletter. (newsletter.abnormalreturns.com)Mixed mediaTipping sucks, but seems impossible to get rid of it. (kottke.org)How does nonalcoholic beer work as a hydration vehicle after exercise? (washingtonpost.com)A solid majority of Americans are in favor of legalized cannabis. (kiplinger.com).....»»

Bitcoin Surges Above $23,000; Best Start To A Year Ever... Bitcoin's rampage higher in 2023 accelerated overnight with the largest cryptocurrency topping $23,000 for the first time since August 2021... Source: Bloomberg The latest thrust pushed bitcoin back above its 200-day moving-average... Source: Bloomberg And while Ethereum has also surged, Bitcoin has dramatically outperformed its peers, erasing the year-to-date relative gains of the DeFi surge... Source: Bloomberg As Bitcoin Magazine's Dylan LeClair details, one of the most useful models in tracking the cyclical tops for both the S&P 500 Index and bitcoin since March 2020 has proven to be net liquidity, an original model by 42 Macro. Net liquidity tracks the changes in Federal Reserve total assets, the U.S. Treasury general account balance and the reverse repo facility. A lower net liquidity translates to less capital available to deploy in markets. We find it useful as a key macro indicator to assess current liquidity conditions and how bitcoin trades in the market. Bitcoin has acted as a liquidity sponge throughout its life and contracting liquidity in all markets has had a significant impact on the bitcoin price and trajectory. Ultimately, that’s one of the main drivers of our core long-term thesis that bitcoin’s growth depends on an environment of perpetual monetary debasement and expanding liquidity to work against current levels of unsustainable sovereign debt and deflationary forces. In the short-term, it’s not clear when overall liquidity will increase again en masse. That’s the trillion dollar question and the topic of conversation on which everyone is speculating. Net liquidity provides a view into that trajectory as a measure that’s updated weekly with fresh data. Bitcoin is seeing some of its largest relative strength since January 2021, but it also comes at a time when we’re seeing a significant daily uptick in net liquidity after a period of historically low volatility. The uptick is driven by a much lower reverse repo balance since the start of the year. With the Fed’s position of “higher for longer,” a projected view of Core CPI at 3.5% for 2023 and continued balance sheet runoff, we will likely see net liquidity decline — barring a spontaneous or emergency policy reversal.  Price has broken above the short-term holder realized price. That’s happened only a few times in this bear market and these events were short-lived. As this price reflects the average on-chain cost basis of the more recent buyers, it will be key to see if these market participants are looking to sell here at cost or if they will stay to continue with the momentum. While there is a long way to go in terms of surpassing previous bull market heights, after a year where the enture industry practically imploded, the year-to-date performance is - according to Bloomberg data - the best start to a year in crypto's history... However, not everyone is buying this rally, with some suggesting it's just another 'dead cat bounce'. As CoinTelegraph reports, Asia was leading the way into the weekend, with sellside pressure from market makers being absorbed on exchanges. “Another rally driven by asia bid. TWAP buyers absorbing the sell pressure from MMs. Large spot bid lifting offers & ask wall pulled prior to another short squeeze,” intraday trader 'Skew' commented on a composite chart. BTC/USD annotated charts. Source: Skew/ Twitter On-chain analytics resource Material Indicators meanwhile flagged ask liquidity being removed on Binance the day prior, this allowing Bitcoin’s initial run beyond the $22,000 mark. “Volatility continues. Don't give it all back, be sure to take some profit along the way,” it wrote in part of a subsequent update. BTC/USD order book data (Binance). Source: Material Indicators/ Twitter As ever, Bitcoin was far from above suspicion at its latest highs, with some familiar faces still urging traders to prepare for the worst. “The bigger the pump, the harder BTC will fall down,” analyst Toni Ghinea tweeted, while Crypto Tony argued that the entire move may be nothing more than a “dead cat bounce.” “Regardless if this is dead cat relief wave or a reversal on Bitcoin, it is great to see some optimism back in Crypto,” he summarized. Considering why further gains were coming after the end of the week’s TradFi trading, one popular commentator additionally suggested that traders were being manipulative. “No one who genuinely wants to buy and own crypto waits until the Friday close each week to execute,” an update read, adding that those buyers’ “aim is clear.” Finally, while miners are currently seeing some relief after a tough year, potentially rough roads lie ahead. With the upcoming Bitcoin halving event due in 2024, mining BTC will become even more difficult and possibly more expensive for miners, providing more stress on already thin margins. On the upside, the last halving event in 2019 was followed by a 300% gain for BTC the year before. Tyler Durden Sat, 01/21/2023 - 11:05.....»»

Both brands are taking advantage of decreased chicken prices and betting on popular flavors, an analyst told Insider — but one clearly stood out. The chicken sandwich wars are heating back up with Wendy's vs. Burger King.Mary Meisenzahl/Insider Wendy's and Burger King released similar Italian-style chicken sandwiches at the same time. Both brands are taking advantage of decreased chicken prices and working with popular flavors, an analyst told Insider. The Wendy's sandwich sounded good but had poor execution, but Burger King's was delicious. After two years of high poultry prices, chicken is once again affordable — prompting the fast-food chicken sandwich wars to rev back up.Burger King FranceAPSource: InsiderAlong with a whole slate of new chicken items across fast food companies, Burger King and Wendy's are both selling Italian-inspired chicken sandwiches.Wendy's entrance.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderIt's not very surprising that the competing burger chains would roll out such similar items right now, CEO and president of Kalinowski Equity Associates Mark Kalinowski told Insider.Burger King rebrand.Burger KingKalinowski said Italian flavors are "widely popular" with broad appeal, and the two biggest casual dining chains, Applebee's and Olive Garden, both serve plenty of Italian food.Patrons enter an Olive Garden Restaurant.Steve Helber/AP PhotoChains usually have a good idea of what items their competitors are testing, so that may have spurred one of them to speed up the rollout to put the items head to head, according to Kalinowski.Wendy's sign.Dan Tian/Xinhua/Getty ImagesI tried both to see how they compare.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderFirst, I went to Burger King for the Italian Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderThe sandwich comes on a shiny potato bun.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderIt includes a chicken breast, marinara sauce, and a few slices of mozzarella.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderBurger King does chicken sandwiches really well, and this was no exception.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderThe chicken was juicy, with crispy breading, and the amount of cheese felt generous.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderThere was just enough marinara sauce to get the taste in every bite without becoming messy or making the sandwich soggy.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderIt's simple, with just three ingredients between the buns, but it works really well.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderI'd eat it again for sure.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderI paid $10.09 for a meal with fries and a drink, but the sandwich sells by itself for $5.89 in Rochester, New York.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderNext I tried the Italian Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich from Wendy's.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderIt's similar to the Burger King sandwich, with a breaded chicken breast, marinara sauce, asiago cheese, and what Wendy's calls "Ooey-gooey fried mozzarella cheese."Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderThat's all served on a garlic knot bun.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderI was really excited to try this sandwich when Wendy's announced it.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderThe fried mozzarella is essentially like adding a mozzarella stick to a chicken sandwich, which sounded like a great combination to me.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderUnfortunately, it was a major disappointment.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderIt sounds like a good idea, but the sandwich was just too dry and had far too much bread compared to anything else.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderBetween the bun, the breaded chicken, and the breading on the mozzarella, it was too much.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderMaybe more sauce and cheese would have helped.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderWendy's take on the sandwich was considerably more expensive, at $7.99, and I wouldn't order it again.Mary Meisenzahl/InsiderAs fast food chains continue to invest in chicken sandwich deals and prices stay low, it's possible there will be more experimentation with chicken dishes on menus in 2023.Wendy's chicken sandwichChicago Tribune / ContributorDo you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

On Saturdays we catch up with the non-finance related items that we didn’t get to earlier in the week. You can check... TransportToyota ($TM) has dominated hybrids, but has been slow to embrace EVs. (ft.com)What it's like to travel by luxury bus provider, Napaway. (nytimes.com)RV recalls are on the rise. (indystar.com)EnergyCarbon capture and storage is an economic issue, not a technical one. (ft.com)How recycling batteries could help alleviate material shortages. (wired.com)Rooftop wind can outperform rooftop solar. (newatlas.com)Solar performed pretty well in the wake of Hurricane Ida. (wsj.com)Young people don't want to get into the oil and gas business. (grist.org)Pacific NorthwestSeattle currently has some of the worst air quality in the world. (washingtonpost.com)Lower snowpack in the Cascade mountains is having downstream effects. (nytimes.com)WaterYou can thank drones for more accurate hurricane forecasts. (axios.com)We are still trying to figure out how microplastics can disrupt an ecosystem. (grist.org)Oceans are warming faster then previously thought (washingtonpost.com)There are 50,000 wrecked ships in the North Sea that could be leaking chemicals. (arstechnica.com)How treated wastewater can be used to top up depleted aquifiers. (nytimes.com)Cities need more places for water to go. (wired.com)AnimalsAre invasive species always bad? (modernfarmer.com)Wild mountain goats are dominating the battle for survival against bighorn sheep over dwindling resources in the Rocky Mountains. (fortune.com)Haikubox allows you to identify birds near your house. (axios.com)Rats can be trained to sniff out explosives. (expmag.com)SpaceLooking for life in space? Check out Europa. (theatlantic.com)Asteroids are giving scientists a sharper picture of the solar system's history. (axios.com)The renowned Arecibo telescope, in Puerto Rico, won’t be rebuilt. (nature.com)Air travel3 of the 5 biggest private jet operators will son be publicly traded. (washingtonpost.com)The war in Ukraine erased Finnair's competitive advantage as the fastest connection from Asia and a travel hub for Europe. (nytimes.com)Stop banging people with your backpack on airplanes. (wsj.com)AppleApple's ($AAPL) iPad journey is 'erratic.' (sixcolors.com)How to stop accidentally turning on your iPhone flashlight. (washingtonpost.com)BehaviorExpectations play a big role in how we approach aging, eating and mood. (bakadesuyo.com)Contrary to earlier findings, depressed people may not be more realistic. (nytimes.com)There seems to be a "dose response" effect between hours worked and depression symptoms. (sciencedaily.com)Signage doesn't reduce littering. (route-fifty.com)Can grit be taught? A study. (papers.ssrn.com)HealthGas stoves are a major source of indoor air pollution. (slate.com)Why are food allergies seemingly on the rise. (vox.com)It's never too late to upgrade your diet. (washingtonpost.com)Gut bacteria may play a role in rheumatoid arthritis. (newatlas.com)Is cord blood banking worth it? (theatlantic.com)Can AI help detect sepsis? (undark.org)We need a better flu shot. (bloomberg.com)CovidIn the U.S., whites are now dying from Covid at a higher rate than blacks. (washingtonpost.com)Why were Boston University researchers testing a lab-made hybrid version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus? (statnews.com)Covid clearly affects more than the respiratory system, including the brain. (bloomberg.com)Investing in pandemic prevention has a positive NPV. (nber.org)Why we should be focusing booster shots on the most vulnerable populations. (washingtonpost.com)How Covid boosters could evolve to an annual update. (statnews.com)Americans are uninterested in the new bivalent boosters. (nytimes.com)How a town in Brazil got nearly everyone vaccinated. (npr.org)Masking now feels weird again. (theatlantic.com)DrinkWhy don't we all just give up alcohol? (theincidentaleconomist.com)Whiskey is one bright spot for the UK economy. (nytimes.com)FoodThe USDA is surprisingly limited in its ability to regulate salmonella. (wired.com)How a new Costco ($COST) member navigated their first trip. (rationalwalk.com)Is there a market for prickly bear cactus? (modernfarmer.com)Is high tech the answer to reducing salt consumption? (wsj.com)WeedLegal marijuana doesn't mean it's safe for kids. (washingtonpost.com)Weed is coming to Circle K. (fastcompany.com)SportsAverage NBA franchise values are soaring. (huddleup.substack.com)Playing professional rugby looks to be a risk factor for developing dementia. (newscientist.com)Ash baseball bats are now a rarity in MLB. (nytimes.com)Earlier on Abnormal ReturnsWhat you missed in our Friday linkfest. (abnormalreturns.com)Podcast links: IP theft. (abnormalreturns.com)As a content creator, authenticity is the only path forward. (abnormalreturns.com)Celebrating our 17th blogiversary and a book giveaway. (abnormalreturns.com)Are you a financial adviser looking for some out-of-the-box thinking? Then check out our weekly e-mail newsletter. (newsletter.abnormalreturns.com)Mixed mediaContinuing a trend, college enrollment fell 1.1% in 2022. (npr.org)Cassette tapes are the new vinyl. (asia.nikkei.com)Are we past 'peak newsletter'? (nytimes.com).....»»

On Saturdays we catch up with the non-finance related items that we didn’t get to earlier in the week. You can check... AutosWhat it means if California bans the sale of new ICE vehicles by 2035. (newatlas.com)Bigger tires make for lower mileage and range. (bloomberg.com)Why people continue to drive on suspended licenses. (curbed.com)TransportPilot Co., which operates Pilot and Flying J travel centers, is buying a stake in autonomous truck startup Kodiak Robotics Inc. (washingtonpost.com)Wanna hit the rich? Tax private jet travel. (axios.com)Can batteries ever power container ships? (wisdomtree.com)Electric delivery vans are a no-brainer. (wired.com)EnergyJapan is making a major shift toward nuclear energy. (asia.nikkei.com)European data centers are making plans for electricity outages this winter. (ft.com)EnvironmentLiving in the American West means living with smoke. (nytimes.com)Central China is experiencing an epic heat wave/drought. (axios.com)Managed retreat isn't easy but is going to be increasingly necessary. (nytimes.com)Atmospheric methane levels are on the rise. (ft.com)BehaviorWhat to do if you catch yourself grinding. (every.to)How to enjoy a party as an introvert. (vox.com)Fear of failure boosts performance. (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)How to avoid the envy trap. (radreads.co)In praise of spontaneity. (artofmanliness.com)PsychdelicsA psilocybin-trial show promise in helping treat alcohol addiction. (statnews.com)How psychdelic experiences can lessen fears of death. (sciencedaily.com)CovidThe U.S. is still relying on vaccines to do a lot of heavy lifting. (theatlantic.com)The incubation period for Omicron is much shorter than previous variants. (fortune.com)People are more likely to get vaccinated if they know some one who has died. (papers.ssrn.com)Putting some numbers on the effect of employer vaccine mandates. (papers.ssrn.com)We're still not spending enough on improved ventilation. (vox.com)HealthWhy dealing with chronic disease is so challenging. (statnews.com)The health case for drinking more water. (theconversation.com)Communicating about viral transmission is no easy feat. (axios.com)FitnessOn the benefits of combining weight training and aerobic exercise. (nytimes.com)Why we as a society tend to cycle through fitness fads. (vox.com)SleepDoes taping your mouth shut at night actually work? (wsj.com)Compulsive phone use is robbing people of sleep. (nber.org)FoodHow water shortages are going to affect food prices. (vox.com)Cow's milk has some key micronutrients plant-based milk don't. (newscientist.com)Large scale organic farming is a bit of an oxymoron. (modernfarmer.com)Why veganism isn't wholly sustainable. (theatlantic.com)Americans are consuming more honey. (fooddive.com)Americans are going crazy for pickles. (theconversation.com)SportsThe Dallas Cowboys once again top the list of the most valuable NFL franchises at $8 billion. (forbes.com)Chess.com is buying Magnus Carlsen's online platform. (frontofficesports.com)MediaNew York City may be back, but the performing arts are still struggling. (nytimes.com)How A24 has become a powerful brand. (vulture.com)On the unique joy of watching a movie on an airplane. (theatlantic.com)CollegeHow colleges are using data to help students navigate through graduation. (wsj.com)Men don't seem to be helped by college interventions, like free tuition. (marginalrevolution.com)The U.S. is still dealing with a surplus of humanities majors. (noahpinion.substack.com)Future ProofWhy you should get off the fence to attend the Future Proof festival. (blairbellecurve.com)Future Proof is almost here! Why it is unlike any finance conference ever. (ritholtz.com)Future Proof is likely the 'best advisor event of the year.' (theirrelevantinvestor.com)Why Future Proof is a one-of-a-kind event. (tonyisola.com)Earlier on Abnormal ReturnsWhat you missed in our Friday linkfest. (abnormalreturns.com)Podcast links: the American dream. (abnormalreturns.com)Be careful relying on future generations to implement your philanthropic goals. (abnormalreturns.com)Are you a financial adviser looking for some out-of-the-box thinking? Then check out our weekly e-mail newsletter. (newsletter.abnormalreturns.com)Mixed mediaWhy some people like to go into the office on Fridays. (wsj.com)CloudKitchens is getting push back from former operators. (eater.com)The national teacher shortage story is overblown. (theatlantic.com).....»»

Elite San Francisco School Sees Record D's And F's After Ditching 'Racist' Merit-Based Admissions A record number of freshman students at San Francisco's elite Lowell High School earned D and F grades this past fall - the first semester after the school board eliminated merit-based admissions that were deemed "racist" by former SF Board of Education Commissioner, Alison Collins - who was ousted along with two other school board members in a February recall over the admissions debate and other issues - including a series of 2016 tweets by Collins targeting Asian Americans. Of the 620 freshman students at Lowell, 24.4% received at least one D or F during the fall semester, which compared with just 7.9% of first-year students in fall 2020 and 7.7% in fall 2019, according to internal SF Unified School District figures obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle. Overall, the number of 9th graders at Lowell with a D or F tripled from 51 in 2020 to 152 in 2021 - bringing the figures closer to those at other high schools in the city. Lowell students in grades 10 through 12 - who were admitted under the old merit-based system, saw a "slight" drop in grades over the same time period, while other city high schools did not see similar rises in D's and F's. In fact, freshman receiving low grades at other schools declined citywide between fall 2019 and 2021. The lower grades, while expected by many, are likely to become part of a fervid debate over Lowell that touches on race, equity and achievement. The grades raise questions about how students — and the school’s teachers and administrators — are adapting to the changes. However, it’s unclear exactly how much the change in admissions policy factored into the rise in D’s and F’s among Lowell’s ninth-graders, compared with other possible factors such as the pandemic. -SF Chronicle In 2020, Collins notably said merit-based achievement and standardized testing are "racist systems" and the "antithesis of fair" - prompting the school to change their admissions policy to a lottery system similar to all other SF city high schools, vs. test scores and grades. However, many parents I've spoken to disagree with that framing, pointing out that academic achievement shouldn’t be demonized. Other parents I've heard from say reform is needed but that the process shouldn’t be rushed and that community input is needed. (4/7) — Sophie Bearman (@stbearman) February 2, 2021 After the school dropped merit-based admissions, Lowell High accepted fewer asian (-4.4%) and white students (-6.5%), and more hispanic (+10%) and black students (+2.9%). According to outgoing Lowell High principal Joe Ryan Dominguez, there are "way too many variables that contributed" to the rise. "Over a year of distance learning, half of our student body new to in-person instruction at the high school level and absences among students/staff for COVID all explain this dip in performance," he said - without addressing the fact that students admitted under the merit-based system were doing better than those admitted under the lottery. "It is important not to insinuate a cause on such a sensitive topic at the risk of shaming our students and teachers who have worked very hard in a difficult year." Pressured by the pandemic, the school board approved a fast-tracked switch from merit- to lottery-based admissions at Lowell starting this school year, citing COVID disruptions to the tests and grades that underpin applications to the school. Lowell’s freshman class this year was the most diverse in decades, with more Black and Latino students. Both before and since the board’s decision, Lowell’s students, parents, educators and alumni have been locked in a debate over how the school should admit its students in the future. Lowell has long been one of the top performing public schools in the country, whose alumni include prominent figures in politics, entertainment, literature and science. It’s viewed as a high-pressure launchpad to elite colleges and has offered more advanced placement courses than other San Francisco high schools. -SF Chronicle Those opposed to the new lottery-based system say it disproportionately hurts Asian American students, who were 'overrepresented' at Lowell vs. other SFUSD schools, and that it ignores the benefits of a competitive school afforded to high-achievers. During a Tuesday school board meeting, departing district Superintendent Vincent Matthews proposed extending the lottery-based admissions system at Lowell through the 2023-2024 school year while the district launches a public process to determine a long-term solution. Tyler Durden Mon, 05/30/2022 - 19:45.....»»

Related Stocks: FB, WH, CRM, MCO, WYNN, INDA, TGT, BABA, TASK, EXAS, AMD, CTXS, LVS, QQQ, VRTX, AKAM,.....»»

California's Attempt To Hobble Gifted Students Over 'Racial Disparities' Starting To Backfire California's attempts to eliminate accelerated math courses for gifted students was a terrible idea from the beginning. Now it's beginning to backfire. Critics of the draft said the authors were punishing high achievers.Credit...Jim Wilson/The New York Times Premised on the absurd notion that naturally gifted asian and white students simply have better opportunities than black and brown students - as opposed to differences in study habits, parental involvement, and cultural values - a draft plan to overhaul how math is taught across the state has set off a fierce debate, according to the NY Times. Source The draft proposal rejects the notion that some students are naturally gifted, and recommends against shifting certain students into gifted programs in middle school. It also proposes that math should not be 'colorblind' - and that teachers should use math lessons to explore social justice, "for example, by looking out for gender stereotypes in word problems, or applying math concepts to topics like immigration or inequality." What? Enter the backlash... Critics - including hundreds of Californians working in STEM fields who signed an open letter opposing the plan - say it would punish high achieving students by limiting options gifted programs. According to the letter, the draft constitutes "an endless river of new pedagogical fads that effectively distort and displace actual math." Even in heavily Democratic California — a state with six million public school students and an outsize influence on textbook publishing nationwide — the draft guidelines encountered scathing criticism, with charges that the framework would inject “woke” politics into a subject that is supposed to be practical and precise. The battle over math pedagogy is a tale as old as multiplication tables. An idea called “new math,” pitched as a more conceptual approach to the subject, had its heyday in the 1960s. About a decade ago, amid debates over the national Common Core standards, many parents bemoaned math exercises that they said seemed to dump line-by-line computation in favor of veritable hieroglyphs. -NYT "Math is math. Two plus two equals four," said Williamson M. Evers, a senior fellow at the Independent Institute and a former official with the Education Department during the administration of George W. Bush. Will the adults in the room prevail? Tyler Durden Sat, 11/06/2021 - 22:30.....»»

2 Killed, 4 Wounded, Including Local Cop, During Mass Shooting In Boise Even as the US national murder rate climbed substantially during 2020 as the pandemic transformed American society into a pressure cooker, school shootings still haven't made a comeback. In fact, they've been far less infrequent this year.  However, while school shootings have fallen in frequency, a different type of spree killer has emerged, exemplified by the disgruntled self-professed sex addict murdered a bunch of mostly asian massage parlor workers. The shooter, who is now in custody, killed two people and injured four, including a police officer, in a shooting at a shopping mall Monday in Boise Idaho. Authorities said officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, during the news conference. The majority of the mall had been cleared, but police were still looking for any additional victims. Police didn't release any other information, saying the investigation was ongoing, and asked police to avoid the area. Police didn't provide any additional information about the incident to the press, they were interviewing dozens of people outside the entrance to Macy's, one of five large department stores at the mall, which has 153 stores in all. Police are also investigating another crime scene that occurred nearby: there's no clue yet as to whether they're related. Cheri Gypin, of Boise, was in the mall with a friend where they walk for an hour three or four times a week. She said she heard several large bangs, but thought something had fallen from the ceiling. Then about 60 people, including families pushing strollers, came running at them, some of them shouting that there was an active shooter. "My friend was trying to process it," said Gypin, 60. "I just looked at her and said, 'We've got to run.' So we just ran and kept running until we got to the outer perimeter of the parking lot." They made their way back to their car, where police told the crowd of people who had fled the mall to leave the parking area. Calls of shots fired with one person down came in at 1:50 p.m. from the Boise Towne Square Mall, Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee said at a press conference. Lee said it “would be premature to make assumptions,” of the shooter’s motive, and the investigation is ongoing.The chief refused to take additional questions from the media. "I cannot stress enough how traumatic this event is for the community at large as well as for those that were witnesses or are the families of all who were involved," Ryan said. No information on the identities of the victims or shooter has been released. We now await more details about the shootingl Tyler Durden Mon, 10/25/2021 - 20:00.....»»

Alexi McCammond tweeted in 2011: "Now googling how to not wake up with swollen, asian eyes…," The Daily Beast reported. Alexi McCammond .....»»

The Whirr Of Helicopter Blades: Regime Change Is Coming Authored by Peter Tasker via PeterTasker.asia, "The coronavirus pandemic is a public health emergency. But it is also an economic e.....»»

See the rest of the story here. Theflyonthewall.com provides the latest financial news as it breaks. Known as a leader in market intelligence, The Fl.....»»