Latest news with #BigE
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former WWE Champion Calls Out the Company for Blatant Sexism
Nearly a month ago, in the lead-up to WrestleMania, WWE was under endless internet scrutiny for various polarizing remarks. Roman Reigns, the president of the promotion, Nick Khan, was under fire because of everything from political beliefs to hypocritical philosophy on booking talent. Although the heat subsided, the criticism picked back up last week, when, in the midst of the best financial run in the history of the company, WWE still released numerous superstars across all of its brands. One of the more stunning cuts was Dakota Kai, who has recently been a Women's Intercontinental Championship contender. The rumors around that particular firing have caused a former WWE World Champion to speak out against potential sexist hiring practices. Becky Lynch and Lyra ValkyriaGetty Images While speaking on the "Backlash" post-show, Big E went off on his employer for the blatant double standard around the men and women on the roster. Advertisement "And the way we talk about age with women and the way we talk about age with men is so different," Big E said. "For a lot of women who are in their late 30s, it's all, 'Are you winding down? When are you ready to get out'? But look, it feels like 75% of the male side is 38, 39, 40, or 45. We just celebrated Randy wanting to do another 10 years. So let's give women the same honor and the same grace as well." Kai is 37, and a few reports were suggesting that there was nothing left she could do in her current run, which is simply a ridiculous claim. At worst, she could have helped prop up young talent before trying to evolve her character. Big E deserves props for addressing the alleged disparity and saying the quiet part out loud. Hopefully, this public blast will change some narratives with the higher-ups, and some needed changes can be made. Advertisement Related: WWE and AEW Legends Mourn the Death of Hardcore Icon Related: 'She's Boring' Jonathan Coachman Shoots Down Embattled WWE Superstar
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sparking interest, powering growth: Manufacturing tech show fills Big E
WEST SPRINGFIELD — A robot worked away, sorting and stacking tubes of lip balm Tuesday before an appreciative crowd at the Manufacturing Technology Series East 2025 trade show taking over The Big E this week. The movements were meant to mimic industrial applications on a factory floor, said Kyle Richard, vice president of business development for Elm Electrical in Westfield, which sells and installs systems like this for automation-hungry manufacturers. But the robot comes from Japan and might be subject to a 24% tariff in July under the Trump administration's new trade policy. It adds up quickly when the machine costs $30,000, Richard said. But companies are still interested in new technology. 'Because that's how you deal with the workforce issues,' he said. Topics like trade, developing a new workforce in an industry with aging demographics, new markets in medical devices, aerospace, as well as labor-saving technology, including digital manufacturing and artificial intelligence, were all top of mind at the show. 'Manufacturing likes consistency,' said Dave Morton, nonprofit SME's group director of the Manufacturing Technology Series. 'Manufacturing likes predictability.' SME expected to welcome 500 exhibiting companies and 10,000 or more attendees to the Eastern States Exposition Grounds today, Wednesday and Thursday. Machines, some costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, filled the 129,000-square-foot Mallary Complex, which is used for livestock shows during the annual Big E fair. Manufacturing Technology Series exhibitors filled the Better Living Center, Young and Stroh buildings, and outdoor spaces, too. Some of the highlights on display: A plasma cutter that reached a temperature of 50,000 degrees, cutting metal. There were high-tech vacuum cleaners, too. One vendor explained to high school students how their company made parts for the new all-electric 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz van. The show, which happens every other year, formerly was called Eastec. Eastec began in 1981 as the Hartford Tool Show. SME first brought it to West Springfield, because the Whalers made the NHL playoffs that year, and the tool show couldn't take over what was then called the Civic Center. Today, it thrives, servicing the network of small manufacturers that fanned out from the once-bustling Springfield Armory and grew with the help of Pioneer Valley colleges and universities, and the local workforce. 'This is important geography for us,' Morton said. The crowd included more than 100 high school students from the Springfield area, participating in the Bright Minds Student Summit. The students went from booth to booth, learning about products and technologies, and taking short quizzes. In fact, for at least one student, what started off as just a field trip for the day began to pique an interest. 'To come here and see all this technology is interesting,' said Maysin Whitehead, a 10th grader from Springfield Central High School. Engineering fascinated him, he said. It's hard to attract young people into manufacturing. That's one reason companies push hands-free technology, replacing the need for workers with automation. Brian Such, president and COO of Marubeni Citizen-Cincom, a manufacturer and retailer of highly precise CNC machines with a local office in Agawam, held a freshly made stainless steel screw in his hand. The machine takes feed stock, or a raw material, that's yards long and gradually transforms it into small, identical products. Marubeni Citizen-Cincom's local customers includes Smith & Wesson. The finished screw is about inch-and-a-half long and about an eighth of an inch across, with a hole up the middle. It's a surgical screw that would be used to fasten human bone. 'It has to be perfect. It has to be pretty,' said Such. 'Because it is going to fix you.' Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans gear up for Kendrick Lamar and SZA at Gillette Stadium
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WWLP) – Kendrick Lamar and SZA are performing together across the country for their Grand National Tour, including at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough Monday night. The Avett Brothers set to perform at the Big E in September The two artists kicked off their tour in Minneapolis on April 19, and will be moving through 19 stadiums across the country before starting a 13-stop European tour on July 2 in Cologne, Germany. Lamar is a 22-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist, Pulitzer Prize-winner and performed at this year's Super Bowl halftime show. Solána Imani Rowe, known as SZA, collaborated with Lamar on seven songs. Limited tickets are available at for Monday night's show. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. The stadium is reminding ticket holders that bags larger than a small wristlet or handheld wallet are not allowed inside, and clear bags cannot exceed 12' x 12' x 6'. If you or someone you know is going, we'd love to see your pictures, email us at ReportIt@ List of more concerts at Gillette Stadium this year: May 31: Post Malone June 10 & 11: The Weeknd June 21: George Strait July 15 & 16: Coldplay Aug. 22 & 23: Morgan Wallen WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Roadwork on Highland Avenue to impact traffic in West Springfield
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Road milling operations will be causing traffic delays on Highland Avenue in West Springfield on Thursday. The Avett Brothers set to perform at the Big E in September The West Springfield Police Department states that there will be no through traffic on Highland Avenue going to the Holyoke Mall. Road detour signs will guide you up Prospect Ave to Interstate Drive. MAP: Highland Avenue in West Springfield The road work is scheduled to begin early Thursday morning and will last all day. It is advised that drivers use another route when traveling on Thursday. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
West Springfield Police warns of fake donation calls
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The West Springfield Police Department is warning residents of a phone scheme taking place throughout town. The Avett Brothers set to perform at the Big E in September The police department states that they have received several calls from residents about phone solicitors claiming to be from their department, accepting donations. The West Springfield Police Department/Police Association is not currently soliciting donations, especially over the phone. If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the police department at 413-263-3210, extension 0, to report the incident. The Better Business Bureau says if you ever receive a scheme phone call, don't provide any information to them and hang up the phone. Some schemes involve displaying any number through caller ID in an attempt to trick you. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
