
New Visit California hub makes travel easier for tourists with disabilities
The hub, which launched on Aug. 5, encourages disabled travelers and others who might need special accommodations to take advantage of all the Golden State has to offer.
The tourism board partnered with disabled travel content creators and advocates to ensure the resources would provide visitors with everything they need, whether they're taking a road trip or exploring museums in a city center.
Sophie Morgan, an award-winning TV presenter and recent California transplant, partnered with Visit California on a promotional video campaign called "Joy Diversion" to bring awareness to how accessible the state can be.
'Since moving to California, I've been blown away by how easy and joyful road tripping can be,' Morgan said in a statement. 'This series is a reflection of that, it's about celebrating movement, spontaneity and the joy of the open road.'
On the accessible travel hub, visitors and vacation planners can find resources like a listing of wheelchair-friendly hotels, Autism and sensory-friendly destinations throughout the state, FAQs about accessibility in California and more.
"As the state prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, Visit California is doubling down on its commitment to welcoming all travelers," Visit California said in a statement. "The Accessibility Hub and Joy Diversion series are part of the broader Playful Journeys platform, reinforcing California's reputation as a destination where freedom, inclusion and adventure go hand in hand."
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Politico
19 hours ago
- Politico
An Olympics-sized lobbying initiative
With Daniel Lippman NEXT SUMMER OF SPORTS: The U.S. Travel Association is looking forward to tens of millions of foreign visitors coming to the U.S. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. But the group is raising concerns about a new cost that those travelers will have to contend with thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill. — Under the new law, the Department of Homeland Security must start charging visa applicants a $250 fee at the time their application is approved. The fee will be revised annually to keep up with inflation, meaning it could be higher by the time of the 2028 Olympic games. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the fee would raise around $28.9 billion over the next decade. — 'This is the exact wrong time for the United States to charge $250 for every new visa,' said Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations for the Travel Association. 'We're on the cusp of probably the most pivotal year in the American travel industry's history.' — 'I think the administration has the opportunity not to implement it, particularly ahead of these historic events, so we're urging the administration to do that,' he added. — Today, the travel industry group announced the launch of the America's Sports and Travel Mega Event Coalition, a new effort to support the president's focus on the mega sporting events and urge administration officials to delay implementation of the visa fee or lean on Congress to remove it altogether. Monument Advocacy, which has worked with the U.S. Travel Association since 2006, will lead the coalition's lobbying efforts. — 'The No. 1 concern about coming to the United States is often cost,' Hansen said. 'And so if the visa integrity fee would be put in place, we would be one of the most expensive countries to visit in terms of how much it costs to get a visa.' — The coalition, which includes Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), American Airlines and others, also plans to push for increased U.S. consular staffing and expanded hours of operation to make the visa process more efficient, Hansen said. — 'Customs is going to be another issue,' he added. 'When we have millions of international visitors arriving at our airports within a very focused period of time, we can't welcome the world by making them wait in line for two, three or four hours.' Happy Thursday and welcome to PI. This is your new regular co-host Daniel B. and I'm looking forward to hearing more from all you fine people. Caitlin isn't going anywhere so be sure to send your tips to both of us at dbarnes@ and coprysko@ We're on Signal at danielbarnes.13 and caitlinoprysko.17 and on X at @dnlbrns and @caitlinoprysko. FIRST IN PI — Oil trader Niels Troost on Thursday sued strategic intelligence firm The Arkin Group for defamation for public statements they've made on behalf of Troost's former business partner, Gaurav Srivastava, the Indian American businessperson who had donations to Democrats last year frozen or returned after allegations he had posed as a CIA spy, Daniel L. reports. — The lawsuit alleges that the firm, founded by former top CIA official Jack Devine, and managing director Victoria Kataoka have waged a 'vicious, unfounded disinformation campaign against Mr. Troost on behalf of their client, Gaurav Srivastava.' — During a panel on disinformation last year at a conference in London, Kataoka said that Troost 'create[d] a big and bold lie' and 'a very sexy fiction' that Srivastava was 'a fake spy.' She repeated the claims in a podcast, saying he created an 'incredibly well developed and expertly designed ... disinformation campaign' with a 'very shiny ... sexy fake spy story.' She also accused Troost of lying that Srivastava is 'a con man.' — 'As a respected firm founded by a former acting head of the CIA, The Arkin Group should have known better than to parrot Srivastava's story without regard for the stacks of evidence, public reporting, and witnesses that were readily available when they were doing it,' Troost's lawyer Jason Masimore, a former federal prosecutor with Brodbecks Law PLLC, said in a statement to PI. — 'This is particularly true since the evidence presented, including sworn witness statements, shows that Srivastava has presented a threat to U.S. national security by posing as a CIA operative in front of world leaders and gaining direct access to top U.S. leaders.' — Devine, the CEO of the Arkin Group, pushed back on the lawsuit in a statement to PI. — 'The Arkin Group looks forward to the truth coming out through the U.S. legal system concerning Mr. Troost — a wealthy European oil trader who is sanctioned by UK, EU, and Swiss authorities for being 'involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia,'' he said. — 'Through the lawsuit he has initiated, Mr. Troost, a public figure, will be required to present evidence under oath, through depositions, interrogatories, and admissions, which will shed light on the extent of his relationships and involvement with the government of the Russian Federation which, fundamentally, in our view, continues to be what this matter is about.' — Kataoka and Srivastava didn't respond to requests for comment. A lawyer for Srivastava declined to comment. DINNER WITH THE PRESIDENT: The owner of a biotech company that donated $5 million to a pro-Trump super PAC was able to lobby the president to delay implementation of a Joe Biden-era plan that would have limited Medicare reimbursement for 'skin substitute' bandages. — During a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Extremity Care founder Oliver Burckhardt, criticized Biden for having 'rammed through a policy that would create more suffering and death for diabetic patients on Medicare' and presented Trump with a copy of a flier the president later posted on Truth Social, Kenneth Vogel, Sarah Kliff and Katie Thomas report in The New York Times. — 'About one month later, the Trump administration announced it would delay until next year the Biden administration plan to limit Medicare's coverage of the bandages, known as skin substitutes, saying that it was reviewing its policies.' — 'It is not unusual for deep-pocketed interests to use political donations to try to win access, but Mr. Trump's hands-on participation in a fund-raising operation for a group devoted to him is unique for second-term presidents barred from running for re-election. It has created an opportunity for fund-raisers and lobbyists to boost their standing with Mr. Trump while advancing their clients' interests.' CHAMBER GOES BIG AND BEAUTIFUL: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce aims to sell the One Big, Beautiful Bill to the American public by holding 100 roundtable discussions about tax cuts and incentives in the new law, The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports. — 'Republican strategists want to avoid the mistakes made during Trump's first term, when strategists now believe they didn't do enough to sell Trump's landmark 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act before the 2018 midterm election…Some early polling shows that Americans have a largely negative view of the law after Democrats spent months highlighting cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, cuts that led some Republicans such as Sens. Thom Tillis (N.C.) and Susan Collins (Maine) to vote against it.' — 'The Chamber has partnered with state and local chambers of commerce to convene lawmakers and local-business owners around the country to talk about popular but overlooked provisions of the law. … It has already held more than 40 roundtable discussions about the bill's benefits with members of the Senate and House, and plans to hold a total of 100 such events.' EYES ON ANTITRUST: 'Politically-connected lobbyists and lawyers' are inserting themselves into the Justice Department's antitrust investigations leading to confrontations with the division's leaders, Dave Michaels and Annie Linskey report for the Wall Street Journal. — Companies facing antitrust investigations — Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Live Nation and American Express GBT among them — have hired various Trump-world figures like Mike Davis, Brian Ballard, Arthur Schwartz, Will Levi and Nick Iarossi, who appear to be delivering for their clients. — 'Gail Slater, the department's top antitrust enforcer, has pushed back on the infusion of lobbyists into her world, but appears under siege by Trump loyalists inside and outside of the administration. Slater, who was picked by Trump for the role, saw her two top deputies fired last week after they challenged the terms of the favorable settlement that HPE negotiated with officials in Attorney General Pam Bondi's office. … Slater and the two fired deputies had objected to HPE's use of Davis and other politically connected lawyers to negotiate the settlement, people familiar with the matter said. Those comments got back to Davis and others, prompting them to complain about her leadership.' CALL HER MOMMY: Former Trump aide turned Elon Musk aide Katie Miller announced the launch of a new podcast aimed at conservative women. The podcast won't only cover politics, Miller told Axios, but is intended to be 'a place for conservative women to gather online.' — Miller and her husband, White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, operated as the power couple of Trump's Washington until she left her role as a special government employee in May along with Musk. —'Miller said in an interview that her husband, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, is 'incredibly supportive' of her new enterprise, and has even pitched in to wrangle guests.' SPOTTED: BGR Group's Nick Iarossi at a million dollar-a-plate quarterly fundraising dinner for MAGA Inc. last Friday night at Bedminster headlined by President Donald Trump, two PI tipsters told Daniel L. His appearance at the fundraiser surprised another attendee, a person in Trump's orbit, since Iarossi was such a big supporter of Ron DeSantis, whose presidential campaign he was the national finance co-chair for. — Iarossi, who remains close to DeSantis, has been a major supporter of Trump ever since DeSantis dropped out. He declined to comment. Jobs report — FleishmanHillard has appointed Rachel Catanach as global managing director, corporate affairs. Michael Moroney, senior partner in the agency's Washington office, has also been promoted to managing director, corporate affairs, Americas. — Jamie Logan has been promoted from manager to director, state government affairs for the American Cleaning Institute. — Cindy Nichols has been elected as the new vice chair of Airports Council International. She currently serves as the director of airports for Sacramento County, CA. — Annika Olson joins Americans for Responsible Innovation as director of government affairs. She was previously political and legislative representative for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. New Joint Fundraisers A Joint Fundraising Vehicle (Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Democracy Mobilization Project PAC, Mark Burns For US Congress, Fair Future NC) New PACs Red Peaks PAC (Super PAC) Standing Together For Utah (Super PAC) Citizens For Carroll Cares Campaign (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Arentfox Schiff LLP: Medallia, Inc. Blue Tusk Communications: Let Experienced Pilots Fly Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis Associates, L.L.C.: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Now Continental Strategy, LLC: Vivex Biologics Etherton And Associates, Inc.: Onebrief, Inc. Francis Edward & Cronin, Inc.: Lewy Body Dementia Association Mcdermott+ LLC: Stationmd Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Risepoint, LLC Mr. Robert L. Redding Jr.: National Watermelon Association Net Centric Alliance LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Obo Eptura, Inc. Rubin, Turnbull & Associates: Embraer Aircraft Holdings, Inc Steptoe LLP: Ameripen Velocity Government Relations, LLC: Assured Space Access, Inc. New Lobbying Terminations Ballard Partners: Shein Technology LLC Bluewater Strategies: Centrus (Fka USec Inc.) Bluewater Strategies: North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition Bluewater Strategies: Olivenhain Municipal Water District Bob Riley & Associates, LLC: Next Step Specialty Pharmacy Carlyle Consulting: Miccosukee Tribe Of Indians Of Florida Government Relations Group, LLC: Curated Investments Health Equality Campaign Inc.: Health Equality Campaign I Street Advocates: Fuse Media, Inc. (Formerly Known As Sitv, Inc.) Paul Hastings LLP: Blockchains Inc. Paul Hastings LLP: Panama Colon Container Port, Inc. Paul Hastings LLP: Star Scientific, Inc. Thunderbird Strategic LLC: Indian Land Tenure Foundation Velocity Government Relations, LLC: Cognitive Space Velocity Government Relations, LLC: Ensemble Government Services, LLC Vitello Consulting: Conservation Logistics, LLC Vitello Consulting: Fortune Metal Group, LLC Vitello Consulting: Hudson Valley Fisheries


Business Journals
a day ago
- Business Journals
American Airlines adds international flights in preparation for 2026 FIFA World Cup
American Airlines is adding new international flights to and from DFW Airport next summer in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Preparations are already underway for the global competition, which will bring nine matches to AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Piers Morgan Is ‘Disappointed' to See Beyoncé ‘Culturally Appropriate' Marilyn Monroe in Levi's Ad
Piers Morgan has caused a stir online with a recent string of posts about Beyoncé, whom the British TV personality jokingly accused of 'cultural appropriation' in a Marilyn Monroe-esque Levi's photo shoot. It all started with a Wednesday (Aug. 6) post on X, in which Morgan shared a photo of the pop superstar modeling Levi's denim and sporting bouncy blonde curls. 'Very disappointed to see Beyoncé culturally appropriate Marilyn Monroe in her new Levi's ad,' the media personality wrote. More from Billboard Megyn Kelly Slams Beyoncé's 'Artificial' Levi's Campaign While Praising Sydney Sweeney's Jeans Ad Fans Think Beyoncé Just Dropped a Major Hint in Her New Ad That 'Act III' Will Be a Rock Album Piers Morgan Apologizes to Jay-Z & Beyoncé for Airing Jaguar Wright's 'Totally False' Allegations It wasn't long before people came to Bey's defense in the replies, lambasting Morgan for dissing the 35-time Grammy winner and misusing the term 'cultural appropriation,' as the late actress was a person and not a culture. Morgan, however, continued stirring the pot, sharing an old photo of himself with Bey and writing, 'I would say I can't believe anyone took my obvious Beyoncé joke post seriously … but I forgot the woke brigade have zero sense of humour.' And in response to one commenter who said that the Destiny's Child alum is 'hotter' than the late Hollywood icon, Morgan said, 'I don't disagree.' Billboard has reached out to Bey's rep for comment. This is far from the first time Morgan has sparked discourse by making inflammatory remarks on his social media accounts, or on his show Uncensored. He's also not the only person who's had something to say about Bey's campaign with Levi's, with Megyn Kelly recently dissing it as 'artificial, fake, enhanced [and] trying too hard' while praising Sydney Sweeney's widely criticized American Eagle jeans commercials. But while Kelly was being totally serious with her comments, Morgan has asserted that he was just joking in his post about Bey. In response to iconic singer Dionne Warwick commenting that he was 'getting involved in women's business again,' he wrote, 'Oh not you too, Dionne… it was a JOKE!' That said, Morgan did double down on a controversial take. 'I think the whole concept of 'cultural appropriation' is bulls–t,' he added on Wednesday. 'What's wrong with celebrating another country's fashion, food etc?' The back-and-forth comes about 10 months after the last notable time Morgan got himself in trouble with the BeyHive. In October, the British contrarian invited singer-songwriter Jaguar Wright onto Uncensored and aired her claims that Bey and Jay-Z were 'monsters' with 'hundreds of victims,' shortly after which the famous couple's lawyers denied the allegations and demanded that Morgan remove them from the episode. The show host obliged, telling viewers at the time, 'There are legal limits on us, too … We apologize to Jay-Z and Beyoncé.' Beyoncé has not commented on any of the drama surrounding her Levi's campaign, which has been ongoing since last year. She and the fashion brand recently released a new commercial showcasing the star trading in her horse for a motorcycle, something many fans believe was a hint that her next LP will be a rock album. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword