Latest news with #Farnsworth
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Danville Police, Vermilion County Sheriff's deputies honor fallen officers
As part of National Police Week, the Danville Police Department and Vermilion County Sheriff's Department came together Wednesday, May 14, at Sunset Memorial Park, along with members of the public, to honor three DPD officers killed in the line of duty. At the annual Police Memorial Service, members of the VCSD's Honor Guard presented the colors. Vickie McCarty, chaplain for the DPD, opened the memorial service with remarks about the importance of honoring officers and especially those killed in the line of duty. 'The real heroes of our communities are front-liners, and they wear badges, not capes. A simple thank you today just doesn't seem enough,' McCarty said. 'You are some of the bravest people in the world for your courage and your dedication to duty. Thank you for your example of sacrifice. Thank you for your determination. Thank you for your bravery and fortitude,' McCarty said. 'The difference you make makes all the difference.' Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. read the names of three fallen officers being honored, including Patrolman August Lind, Officer David Farnsworth, and Sergeant Myron G. Deckard, as well as their 'end of watch' — the day they were killed. Lind died April 10, 1908 of gunshot wounds he received a few days earlier when trying to stop a burglary. He served for 20 years, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page website. Farnsworth died Jan. 27, 1976 while in the line of duty. After pulling over two brothers in a traffic stop, Farnsworth was beaten to death with his flashlight. He had previously served in the Vietnam War. Deckard died Wednesday, June 6, 2001 while transporting a prisoner from Montgomery County to Vermilion County. The prisoner broke free and shot Deckard with his own handgun. He had served the VCSD for 32 years. Williams quoted a scripture from the Bible before thanking those officers present for their willingness to risk their lives in the line of duty. 'That's what you all have pledged to do, to go into dangerous situations with people that you don't know and take good care of them, to help people in their greatest hour of need. So for that, we honor you as we honor these men,' Williams said. DPD Chief Christopher Yates and VCSD Sheriff Patrick Hartshorn later presented red, white, and blue wreaths for the fallen officers. Though both groups have held individual memorial ceremonies for decades, 20 years ago they joined forces to honor their fallen together, Hartshorn said. 'Sunset built this space just for police and fire, so once it was built we came together and that's probably been 20-some years that we've been doing it together here at the memorial,' Hartshorn said. After a rifle salute by the DPD's Honor Guard, and 'Taps,' played by an officer with VCSD, Todd Hitt played 'Amazing Grace' on bagpipes for a final reflection before the VCSD retired the colors.
Business Insider
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The chairman of a failed 'TikTok killer' pleaded guilty to lying to investors to inflate the company's stock
Roderick Vanderbilt was Vinco's chairman during a tumultuous period at the company. Its stock swung wildly on a string of splashy announcements — including plans to buy the National Enquirer — that failed to live up to their hype. Vinco's stock eventually collapsed, and it was delisted from the Nasdaq exchange in 2023. During a hearing on Friday, Vanderbilt pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge and admitted to making misleading statements about Vinco, Law360 reported. He also said he hid the involvement of Ted Farnsworth, who previously ran the former owner of movie ticket service MoviePass, and with whom he had a romantic relationship. In 2024, a Business Insider investigation chronicled how Vinco's rise and fall followed a pattern similar to that of some other Farnsworth ventures, including MoviePass. Farnsworth previously pleaded guilty to defrauding investors in MoviePass' parent company, Helios and Matheson Analytics, from 2017 to 2019. The Department of Justice charged Farnsworth and others with conspiracy for using "the same strategy to defraud" investors in Vinco, which he also pleaded guilty to. "I did everything Ted asked me to do and never questioned him," Vanderbilt said during the Friday hearing, Law360 reported. "I concealed my relationship with Ted from the board and shareholders and allowed others to use my signature, not telling investors and the public that the company was failing even though I knew it was." The docket entry for the scheduled hearing for a plea change is sealed. Vanderbilt's lawyer did not return a request for comment from Business Insider. In 2021, Vinco announced plans to merge with Zash Global Media and Entertainment, which Farnsworth and Vanderbilt cofounded. Vanderbilt joined Vinco's board as chairman later that year, while Farnsworth ran Zash and briefly served as Vinco's CEO, according to court documents. Under their helm, Vinco acquired a short-video app called Lomotif, which Farnsworth hyped as a "TikTok killer." Retail investors flocked to these and other announcements. But, behind the scenes, company insiders previously described to BI a company on the verge of collapse. The Department of Justice alleged in court documents that Vanderbilt and Farnsworth made "materially false and misleading representations relating to the businesses and operations of Vinco Ventures to artificially inflate the price of its stock and increase the volume of Vinco Ventures shares traded," from around November 2020 to September 2024.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Political theater takes center stage as legislature returns for veto session
The Virginia House of Delegates during its 2025 legislative session, Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) The Virginia General Assembly is set to reconvene Wednesday for what will likely be a long, one-day session that's equal parts policymaking and political theater, as lawmakers face off over Gov. Glenn Youngkin's sweeping amendments to 159 bills — including major changes to the state budget. Youngkin finished acting on all 915 bills sent to him during the 2025 session by last week's Monday midnight deadline. He signed 599, vetoed 157, and sent back 159 with recommended changes — including a staggering 205 proposed amendments to the budget bill, House Bill 1600, and eight item vetoes. While many of the vetoes — including on bills to create an adult-use cannabis retail market, raise the minimum wage, allow public-sector unions and tighten how the Virginia Department of Elections processes voter registration data — were expected, none are likely to be overridden. That would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers, and Democrats hold only slim leads: 51-49 in the House, and 21-19 in the Senate. Governor unleashes veto storm to drown progressive legislation Instead, the real legislative drama lies in how lawmakers will handle the governor's amendments — especially those to the budget and several controversial policy bills that set the stage for a partisan clash that could shape not just legislation, but the narrative heading into this fall's critical gubernatorial and House of Delegates elections. Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst from the University of Mary Washington, offered a candid assessment of Virginia's current legislative dynamics this year, characterizing both the regular and Wednesday's veto session as exercises in political positioning rather than substantive governance. 'This was a kick-the-can-down-the-road legislative session, and it will be a kick-the-can-down-the-road veto session,' he said. According to Farnsworth, lawmakers from both sides are focused on shaping narratives ahead of the November elections rather than crafting major policy shifts. While he expects the veto session to be largely uneventful — 'Veto sessions are usually anti-climactic as long as there is general overall agreement on the shape of the budget, and for the most part there is' — he acknowledged that some amendments might slightly nudge legislation in Youngkin's favor. One such example Farnsworth pointed to was the governor's initiative to explore making Oak Hill, the historic residence of President James Monroe in Fairfax County, a state park. He noted the unusual nature of the proposal, given the region's political leanings and spending patterns. 'Republicans don't often say 'let's spend money in Northern Virginia,'' Farnsworth observed, adding that some Democrats might find the idea more palatable than expected: 'There might be some Democratic lawmakers who might say it's easier to say yes to this than no.' One example of a proposal that is expected to be caught in limbo, however, is HB 1923, which seeks pay parity for midwives. Rather than sign or veto the bill, Youngkin proposed an amendment requiring the Health Insurance Reform Commission to assess the issue and added a reenactment clause — meaning the bill would need to pass again in 2026 to become law. Youngkin signs several maternal health bills, tweaks another on unconscious bias training On the matter of cultural competency and unconscious bias training, Youngkin is once again pushing back. For the second year in a row, he's offered an alternative to Senate Bill 740 by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, and HB 1649 by Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, which would require medical professionals to complete such training to renew their licenses. As in 2024, Youngkin's proposed substitute eliminates references to 'unconscious bias' and 'cultural competency,' replacing them with language focused on serving populations with high maternal mortality and related health disparities. His version also caps the training at two hours. While Youngkin has expressed support for expanding access to doulas, his amendment to HB 1614 by Del. Adele McClure, D-Arlington, and SB 1418 by Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, which would allow up to 10 doula visits to be covered by state health insurance, raised eyebrows by changing 'birthing people' to 'birthing women.' Supporters argue the original language was meant to be inclusive, since it reflects the fact that transgender and nonbinary people may become pregnant, groups which Youngkin's edit excludes. Youngkin also revised HB 2724 by Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, which regulates the use of automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology. While the bill originally limited data retention to 21 days, his amendment extends that to 30 — a modest expansion that still keeps a firm deletion requirement. The bill strictly regulates how law enforcement can use ALPR data — only in criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and tracking stolen vehicles or wanted individuals — and requires state approval of all such systems. In the realm of data centers, Youngkin amended HB 1601, sponsored by Del. Josh Thomas, D-Prince William, loosening requirements for environmental and noise assessments. The original bill required a detailed site analysis before new high-energy -use facilities (HEUFs) could be approved. Youngkin's version makes that optional for localities and adds flexibility for examining other environmental impacts. He also clarified that the bill wouldn't take effect unless reenacted in 2026 and wouldn't interfere with local zoning powers. Youngkin's most sweeping changes come in the budget, where he rolled back major Democratic spending priorities. Youngkin tweaks state budget with eye on federal cuts, but embraces key spending He also cut $20 million from a proposed rental assistance pilot and removed $15 million designated for a first-time homebuyer grant program. His amendments further eliminate $138 million allocated for school support staff, along with $25 million for HVAC upgrades at Nottoway Correctional Center. He revived a previously rejected proposal to allocate $25 million for private school scholarships, which would offer $5,000 vouchers to 5,000 low-income families to use toward nonpublic education — a move critics say siphons resources from public schools. Democrats had proposed tax rebates to return about $1 billion to Virginians. Youngkin pushed instead for structural tax changes, including eliminating the unpopular car tax and exempting tips from taxation — both ideas that were rejected by the legislature. Still, Youngkin embraced a core Democratic initiative by proposing to make 20% of the Earned Income Tax Credit permanently refundable. Without that change, the enhanced refundability is set to expire in 2027. He also added controversial language that would withhold state funding from local law enforcement agencies that fail to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Not all of Youngkin's recommendations were partisan flashpoints. He agreed to send out tax rebate checks — $200 for individuals and $400 for joint filers — and backed bonus payments for public workers. Teachers would receive $1,000 bonuses, while state employees would get 1.5% bonuses on top of their already approved 3% raises starting July 1. The Democratic majority has the numbers to reject many of Youngkin's amendments without triggering a budget crisis. Thanks to Virginia's biennial budget system, state funding is already in place for the fiscal year that begins July 1. However, any budget item rejected by the legislature could still be vetoed individually by the governor. And Wednesday's session may not be the last word on the budget. Lawmakers could reconvene later in a special session to address unforeseen federal impacts, such as layoffs or funding cuts, under the terms of a resolution passed earlier this year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dice Expands Talent Solutions Offering to Contract Talent
Talent Solutions can now source and screen for specialized contract tech talent in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and more. CENTENNIAL, Colo., March 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dice (NYSE: DHX), a DHI Group, Inc. brand and leading tech career marketplace, today announced the expansion of its Talent Solutions offering to include contract tech talent. In addition to supporting permanent hires, multiple hires and pipeline development, Dice now sources and screens candidates for organizations looking to quickly connect with highly skilled contract professionals in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing and other high-demand fields. This expansion comes at a crucial time. According to Staffing Industry Analysts, 71% of organizations struggle to find qualified tech talent, and 57% report that current staffing solutions aren't delivering talent quickly enough. "Tech talent is out there, but finding professionals with the right expertise—especially in high-demand areas like AI and cloud computing—is getting harder," said Paul Farnsworth, President of Dice. "Talent Solutions simplifies the process by leveraging our experienced recruiters to rapidly connect companies with pre-vetted professionals who have the exact technical skills required for success. And now, we're bringing that same speed and precision to contract hiring." Key benefits of Dice Talent Solutions: Dedicated recruitment team – Work with Dice recruiting experts who handle sourcing and rigorous vetting, ensuring candidates meet your exact requirements. Tech-exclusive talent network – Our team has access to qualified tech professionals in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing and more. Fast, flexible hiring – Get a curated shortlist of pre-vetted candidates quickly, so you can fill roles without delays. End-to-end support – For contract hires, customers can leverage Dice's Employer of Record (EOR) partner, myBasePay, to manage payroll, onboarding and compliance—reducing administrative burden. Cost-effective hiring solutions – Pay only for successful placements in contract and full-time roles. For ongoing sourcing needs, get a pipeline of qualified tech talent for a flat fee. "More companies are turning to contract talent to stay agile in a rapidly evolving tech landscape," Farnsworth added. "With Dice's unmatched database of skilled tech professionals and over 30 years of jobs data, organizations can make smarter hiring decisions and build high-impact teams—faster and with confidence." For more information about Dice's Talent Solutions, visit About Dice Dice is a leading tech career hub connecting employers with skilled technology professionals and providing tech professionals with career opportunities, data, insights and advice. Established in 1990, Dice began as one of the first career sites and today provides a comprehensive suite of recruiting solutions, empowering companies and recruiters to make informed hiring decisions. Dice serves multiple markets throughout North America. Dice is a DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE:DHX) brand. About DHI Group, Inc. DHI Group, Inc (NYSE: DHX) is a provider of AI-powered career marketplaces that focus on technology roles. DHI's two brands, Dice and ClearanceJobs, enable recruiters and hiring managers to efficiently search for and connect with highly skilled technology professionals based on the skills requested. The Company's patented algorithm manages over 100,000 unique technology skills. Additionally, our marketplaces allow tech professionals to find their ideal next career opportunity, with relevant advice and personalized insights. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media Contactdicepr@ (330-554-5965) Sign in to access your portfolio
BBC News
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Derbyshire man to run marathon dressed as the London Eye
A man is to run the London Marathon dressed as the London Eye after recovering from being paralysed from the waist Farnsworth, from Sandiacre in Derbyshire, contracted encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, in 1999 and was left unable to walk for plans to take on the marathon in April carrying a replica of the landmark, which he has built from electrical conduit tubing and water bottles."I've not actually tested it with an actual run yet, so I hope it doesn't fall apart," the 56-year-old said. Mr Farnsworth will take part in the race to raise money for Spinal Research. He said running had become part of his long-term recovery once he had learned to walk added: "I've run quite a lot of half-marathons and marathons before, and I think this might be my last hurrah."I once ran the London Marathon as an illuminated bee, and I wanted to do something different. I remembered a chap did it as Big Ben and got stuck under the finish line, so I thought I'd pick a different landmark on the course."Mr Farnsworth, who hopes to raise £2,250 for the charity, said he aimed to complete the 26.3 mile (42.2km) course in under five hours. Spinal Research chief executive Louisa McGinn said: "Roger is definitely going to be easy to spot with his incredible London Eye costume."We're so grateful to him."
