Latest news with #Contour
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Flights to Chicago O'Hare airport return to Greenbrier Valley Airport
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) – A highly requested flight route made a touchdown at the Greenbrier Valley Airport on Monday evening, June 2nd, 2025. A single Contour airplane made a safe landing onto the airports runway. Passengers and crew from Chicago were welcomed with a water cannon salute by two airport firetrucks. This was to welcome a returning flight route – Greenbrier Valley Airport to Chicago O'Hare airport. The last flight between both airports happened three years ago. WorkForce West Virginia announces upcoming Virtual Job Fair date Officials with the Greenbrier Valley Airport and Contour Airlines said they are happy to officially bring it back. It's been a couple of months to get it in place. We've been serving this airport since 2022 and have had an ongoing dialogue about getting Chicago services back in partnership with the airport and The Greenbrier.' President of Contour Airlines Ben Munson It's a great hub. You can get from Chicago and be any place you need to be. It's a great addition to our airport.' Airport Director at Greenbrier Valley Airport Martha Livesay Airport Director Martha Livesay said with summer in full swing, the welcoming of more tourists will be good for business across the Greenbrier Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Spinoff
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
What's so great about Dungeons & Dragons?
This Friday, The Spinoff launches Fury of the Small, a D&D narrative podcast. Today, one of the podcast's players remembers her first time at the table. I was in the thick of my Big Breakup. Anyone who has been through their own Big Breakup knows exactly what I mean. It's the one where it feels like life is leading one way and you're merrily skipping down the path then BAM. Life, whole new direction. Crying in strange places. Hallway. On the floor. In the bathroom. I think everyone has a breakup like that? Or maybe will? It's like a rite of passage. The one that changes you. My friends wrapped around me in ways I still to this day deeply appreciate. One of the true blessings of the end of that romantic love was the absolutely thunderous, deepening love I felt for my friends. There were movies (In the Mood for Love being one of them, which was a terrible choice after a breakup, but a stunning film all the same), drinking, retreats and then one friend suggested I join his… Dungeons and Dragons Campaign. Dungeon? Dragons? Campaign? Join? It's hard to remember the exact images it conjured for me but I had a sense I was about to put myself in a situation where I felt stupid, sweaty or irritated. Or worse – all three. I also had a feeling it was like some sort of real-life video game, and I am not a gamer. Not because I don't want to be, it just wasn't a part of my childhood. We weren't really even a TV household, so anything with a console felt way out of my scope. Like any good 90s kid I snuck in a few happy reps of Golden Eye and Prince of Persia at friends' houses, but even I knew that wasn't a well-balanced diet, so I didn't really have anything to lean on when entering this world. But, as is often the way after a breakup, I had a lot of energy for trying new things, a lot of spare time, and zero desire to be alone. My first character was named Contour. Super strong. Not very smart. Got bonus points whenever they went into a rage (post-breakup catharsis anyone?). Even in this fantasy realm, no character can be good at everything (humbling) so you sort of make trade-offs. Good at hiding and sneaking around but maybe not so good up close and personal in a fight. There is something poetic about the fact that, in my eyes at least, the game works best if you have a mix of characters who all have different skill sets and histories. Not super deep, I know, but it's still a nice thought. I made the character by chatting to my friend about the vibe I thought I might enjoy, using films, books, animation as a way to be like 'he's a bit like this or a bit like that' and then my (very helpful) friend helped me figure out what Class that character could be. There's lots of options: Fighter, Druid, Bard, Rogue etc. I get the sense some people do it differently, but saying 'I think I want to be part actual energy of rock, part Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy and part gentle shepherd' worked well for me. So. I'd created my character. Borrowed some dice. Then went to join the Campaign. My friend was the dungeon master (to my mind a combo of MC, the person who voices all the background extras and supporting actors in a film, a dad who's telling you a story, and tech support). Six of us sat around a table, my friend set up the world, narrator style. 'You're at the docks, you smell the salty sea spray…' I started meeting other characters and for the first time I shyly tried out my Contour voice and traits. Putting on a voice felt strange at first. I'm an actor so this is ridiculous, but somehow sitting around a table putting on a voice for no reason feels different, and not in a good way. Similarly, it's really the pits for me if I tell someone I'm an actor and they make a joke about wanting to see me do a monologue (no thank you). I don't like feeling like I need to put on a show in my downtime, BUT after a little while, as with most times hanging out with my friends, those feelings slipped away and I was babbling like a happy child, voice on, playing for fun. Then it was time to start rolling some dice. (We're really in the thick of the nerd stuff now.) Each time you want to do anything in the game – and I mean anything, the world is your oyster – you state what you want to do out loud. For example, 'I want to lift this boulder'. The DM then usually says something like 'well that's a strength check', because, well, it would take strength to do it. In front of you is a piece of paper (or laptop screen) which has all your character's skills written on it, things like Strength, Charisma, Performance, Deception and a number next to them representing how good you are at any one skill. In Dungeons & Dragons, most often you're rolling a 20-sided die. You combine what your character's natural ability is at something (maybe it's plus 2) with what's on the die (let's say 14). That means overall your character has a roll of 16 to try and lift the boulder. The Dungeon Master has a number, a fair one, in mind that you are trying to beat. Basically the higher the number the more likely you are to succeed and if you roll a 20 on the 20-sided die it's almost impossible for you to fail. If a friend in the game says 'I'm helping' – which is the equivalent of an '..and my axe!' – you might get extra pluses. Which is just lovely. That first proper game was a lot. Even so, there were enough moments of joy across that first 5-ish hour(!) game that made me very happy to be there. True silliness and creativity for no one but ourselves. In the game, through the form of smart storytelling it becomes clear there's a quest/objective. A wizard needs help finding an apple pie recipe. Why is the castle collapsing? Where is the dragon hiding? You know – relatable problems like that. And all the characters must work together to sort it out. Later that first night, my friend said something along the lines of, 'This will probably take a year or so to complete'. A YEAR? I mean who has a year! In what world would I still be sitting around a table playing an imaginary fantasy game in a YEAR. I'm sure you can see where this is going. I played that campaign, for not one, but TWO years. I sat around my friend's table through the seasons changing both outside (obviously) and also inside my friends' lives, eating snacks and rolling dice through the highs and lows. As the monthly catch-ups became a staple I realised I wanted more. I joined another campaign. I had two going at once. One finished, I added another. I played confident types, sneaky types, happy-go-lucky types, 'I cast a lot of magic spells' types. I'd create characters on a whim based on what I thought would be fun or a challenge and then spend the following months experimenting with this persona in the two-to-four hour games. I couldn't believe who I'd become. In hindsight, there were actually some big clues that I'd love it. I grew up on fantasy books. It's only now in my 30s I've finally admitted to myself that when I'm on the beach I don't want a rom com. I would much rather be reading Ursula K. Le Guin, Tamora Pierce, Diana Wynne Jones. It's the stone labyrinth mystery cave hidden under a cloak identity life for me. And then of course Carrie Fisher made me want to act. So yes, duh. Fantasy is for me. And this isn't even mentioning that my family loves all board, dice and card games (as I said, not a big TV family). So anything competitive you can play over a table is good. Even now my parents will still play at least two games of something on any given day (their current faves are Splendour and Yahtzee). There were things that did and still do make me nervous. Being slow. Fumbling dice. Not knowing what to do. And the voices… I love listening to other people, but it still takes me a good hour to sink in and I'm usually changing the voice for the first few games till I actually find something I like for the character. But there are other things that have taken me by surprise. I love the escapism. I love using my imagination. I love not looking at my phone. I love being in a room with dear friends for two hours laughing and not talking about work. Hell, I even love the snacks! Recently, it's become a delightful connection with my brother-in-law. As I was writing this I googled: What makes dungeons and dragons so popular. The internet replied with: What's so great about Dungeons and Dragons? Which if you ask me sounds a lot more salty than my original question, but the answers made sense nonetheless. D&D offers fun and educational benefits, including stress relief and mental health benefits. Breaking D&D rules can lead to memorable gameplay and encourage critical thinking. D&D can strengthen friendships and maintain connections, serving as more than just a game. I couldn't agree more. It's funny what you picture for yourself after a breakup. I'm not going to go into all the R-rated details of what I had in mind but suffice to say sitting around a table with sparkly dice yelling, 'Investigation check!! I want to investigate this goblin's cave!' was not it. Sure, D&D's not for everyone. In fact, I really thought it wasn't for me. Turns out I was wrong.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration's proposed $300M cut to Essential Air Service could ground Tupelo flights
TUPELO – Air service in Tupelo could be affected by a drastic cut in the Essential Air Service program, which provides subsidized air service in 177 smaller communities around the country. Besides the All-America City, the proposed cut would affect two other Mississippi cities: Greenville and Hattiesburg. The Trump administration's budget proposal released earlier this month seeks to slash federal spending and includes a $300 million reduction to EAS. At the end of 2024, the Department of Transportation provided EAS subsidies worth nearly $592 million to the 177 communities. "The EAS program funnels taxpayer dollars to airlines to subsidize half-empty flights from airports that are within easy commuting distance from each other, while also failing to effectively provide assistance to most rural air travelers," the administration says in its budget proposal. "Spending on programs is out of control, more than doubling between 2021 and 2025. The budget reins in EAS subsidies by proposing a mix of reforms to adjust eligibility and subsidy rates to help rural communities' air transportation needs in a more sustainable manner." The budget doesn't outline what steps it would take to initiate reform nor identifies which communities would be affected by the cut or what would replace EAS. Tupelo Airport Authority board chairman Eric Gibens said the board is monitoring the situation closely. "Any cuts are a concern," he said. "Contour has been successful, and when they review that, they will see the flights are needed here. Hopefully, they look at the numbers and see their flights are for business and leisure and our flights are full. We'll definitely keep an eye on it, but it's wait and see at this point" Tupelo has taken part in the EAS program since 2009 after Northwest Airlines, followed by Delta Airlines, ended their regional flights to Memphis and Atlanta. Following the unsatisfactory performance from two airlines from 2009-2015, a new airline, Contour, stepped up in April 2016. It has provided air service since, and passenger enplanements, or boardings, have soared. In Tupelo, Contour has recorded at least 10,000 boardings in seven of the eight full years it has provided service. The only exception was in 2020, with the start of the pandemic. Currently, Contour provides daily round-trip flights to Nashville and Dallas. Through the first three months of this year, boardings were up 37% compared to a year ago. Contour's four-year contract, which began last October and runs through Sept. 30, 2028, has an annual subsidy of $6,924,450 in the first year, with a yearly increase of 5% in each of the next three subsequent years. Mississippi's two U.S. Senators said they support EAS and hope the administration backs off from talk of drastic cuts to its funding. 'It is not unusual for administrations to suggest that EAS be terminated. However, there is strong bipartisan support for this program, and I am confident the House of Representatives and Senate will continue our strong support," said U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker. In statements to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith expressed her disappointment with the proposed budget cut to the EAS program. 'I was disappointed to see that the administration proposes drastic cuts to the Essential Air Service program. As we have discussed, the EAS program connects our nation's rural communities to the broader transportation network by facilitating safe air travel for customers traveling to and from smaller markets like in Greenville, Mississippi, Tupelo, and Hattiesburg, Mississippi,' Hyde-Smith told Duffy. 'I know you understand the importance of this program from your time as a congressman when you had multiple EAS-supported airports in your district. Drastically cutting this program will have a severe impact on EAS-supported rural communities and regions that rely on having access to the broader transportation network.' Hyde-Smith added that businesses rarely locate in areas without dependable commercial air service. 'Supporting these rural airports is vital for future economic development,' the senator said.
Travel Weekly
05-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Spirit Airlines will partner with Contour on small-city service
Spirit Airlines will partner with regional operator Contour Airlines to provide air service to small markets. Under an arrangement announced Monday, Spirit will introduce service in an unspecified number of small cities, connecting them to major leisure markets. The airlines did not announce a launch date for the partnership but said the initial markets will be announced this summer. Contour currently operates federally subsidized Essential Air Service (EAS) routes from American and United hubs to 22 airports. "Our new partnership with Contour gives us an exciting opportunity to grow our network and explore low-cost entry into new markets that currently have limited service," said John Kirby, Spirit's vice president of network planning. Spirit emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. Contour operates EAS routes mostly in the South and the Mountain West, but also in the Midwest and Northeast. Examples of its EAS cities include Muscle Shoals, Ala.; Macon, Ga., Paducah, Ky: and Page, Ariz.
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘Margot Robbie's facialist just taught me how to lift and sculpt my face in four minutes'
Our beauty editor attended a masterclass with celebrity facialist Melanie Simon and learnt some top tips on how to best use this popular face tool to contour her jawline Here at The Mirror we've tried and tested dozens – in fact, probably hundreds – of beauty tool s over the years, but there's one that gets brought up time and time again for its instantly noticeable results: the ZIIP Halo. Created by celebrity facialist Melanie Simon, who has treated the faces of A-listers such as Margot Robbie and Jennifer Aniston, and whose clients pay up to $1,000 for one of her facials, the ZIIP Halo is a nifty handheld device that gives the effect of a facial at home, using microcurrent and nanocurrent to lift and sculpt the face, as well as giving a host of other skin benefits. I've been using mine regularly for a few months and have been impressed with the results it gives, but when I had the change to meet Melanie at the new CurrentBody Skin: The Clinic in Cheshire and learn her tips and tricks for how to best use the device, I jumped at the chance – and since following these tips I've seen even better results. The ZIIP Halo app syncs with the device and has a number of different facial programmes available to choose from, each with different results. Melanie revealed that one of her favourites is The Lift, which is the four-minute routine that automatically starts if you use the Halo without the app (simply switch it on and "if in doubt, up and out," Melanie says). This is the one I normally do, gliding it over my face while I drink my morning green drink – however, Melanie instead recommends playing the cycle twice – four minutes on each side of the face – for optimum results. Melanie said that she also likes to add on the two-minute Contour treatment to the end of her session, which delivers high microcurrent waves and is especially good at sculpting the jawline and cheekbones. The Founder's Favourite is another programme that Melanie says she always goes back to; delivering just nanocurrent and no microcurrent, it can be used all over the face when you're watching TV, and you'll wake up to skin that looks noticeably improved, Melanie says. Which ZIIP conductive gel also makes a difference, I learnt. The Silver Gel plumps, Crystal Gel adds glow, and Golden Gel offers anti-ageing benefits. If you're after a cheaper alternative, some ZIIP users online recommend Kaeso Beauty Regenerate Collagen Micro Current Gel, which costs £9.95 from Amazon. The downside to the ZIIP Halo is the cost; at £379.99, it's certainly not cheap, although you might sometimes be able to find sales or discount codes for it via CurrentBody. Judging by the number of beauty editors – including myself – who love it and see results, though, I'd say it was a worthwhile investment – and now I know I've learnt how to get the absolute max out of it. If redness, inflammation or early signs of ageing is more of a concern for you, you should think about buying an LED mask. Hugely popular home gadgets now, our favourites are the Shark C Shark CryoGlow Mask, currently down from £299 to £269, and the CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2, £399.
