Latest news with #Harms
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Discovers Mom Booked Dream Vacation—but There's a Catch
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A California mom has captured the hearts of TikTok users after her daughter revealed that she booked an entire vacation property just so her dogs could run, swim and play freely. The video, posted by Aria Harms (@ariaroseharms) on June 18, has since gone viral, amassing more than 156,000 views. The clip, captured earlier this month at an Airbnb venue in California's Joshua Tree area, features two Australian shepherds, Roscoe and Bentley, diving into a backyard pool while their owner watches from a chair poolside. Overlaid text on the video reads, "My mom booked a vacation for her dogs." Harms says in the video: "She rented this entire place because it's gated for her dogs to run around and fun and play in a new place." Harms told Newsweek that the venue's "main feature was the pool and gated backyard that had so much land for the dogs to just run around freely," she said. A fluffy white dog relaxes on a cushion in a hotel. A fluffy white dog relaxes on a cushion in a hotel. PLAZA HOTEL PIONEER PARK The relationship showcased in the video is more than just a sweet family anecdote. Scientific research has shown that bonds between dogs and their owners can mirror the emotional attachments seen in human relationships. A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports found that "dogs can form relationships of comparable qualities with both humans and other dogs." Additionally, a 2013 study published in PLOS One likened the connection between dogs and their owners to the attachment seen between infants and their caregivers. It said that canines are not only dependent on human care but are also behaviorally wired to engage their owners' caregiving instincts. Those insights were clearly evident in the vacation setup. The dogs, splashing in the pool and roaming the wide, enclosed yard, appear to be experiencing a true retreat—tailored specifically for them. Roscoe and Bentley, aged 5 and 4 respectively, have been with Harms' mom since they were puppies. "She usually only travels if her dogs can come," Harms said. "She literally purchased an RV just to be able to drive them around. She always priorities them over family members. She cooks them meals for breakfast lunch and dinner and bases her whole life around them." A caption shared with the video says: "These dogs are treated better than kings honestly." 'Your Mom Is a Legend' The display of canine devotion resonated widely on TikTok, with users flooding the comments to praise the mom's dedication. One user, @mr_chris, said: "YOUR MOM IS A LEGEND." Another, @msmagyar, posted: "Your mom is my kind of people!" Others shared similar stories, with user @justhelen17 commenting: "I'm like your mom. I book cabins and Airbnbs just for my dogs." TikTok users embraced the idea that pets deserve luxury and freedom. User @Yadira added: "Mama knows they deserve a hot dog summer!!!" Another viewer, @mcarlit, posted: "I will proudly admit my mom has done this." Erin Robinson echoed the sentiment, noting: "i mean we do the same." For some viewers, the clip was aspirational. User @YoMomma456 wrote: "Saving this for when I'm ready to take my dogs on vacation not my kids!!" Valeria said: "I would too!! That's what I live for; to take my dogs on vacation." Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mennonite high school in Gretna won't offer classes in fall, future uncertain
Mennonite Collegiate Institute, a Grade 9-12 high school in Gretna, has announced it is pausing operations. The provincially accredited and supported school, which was established in 1889, will not offer classes in September. Twenty-three teachers and staff will lose their jobs. The length of the pause will be determined by delegates from the school's 11 supporting churches, who will meet July 7 to decide whether to close the school permanently or seek other options for the future. A main reason for shutting down operations for the upcoming school year was cited as lower than hoped-for enrolment that led to financial challenges, said MCI CEO Chris Harms. The school had just 45 students this year, down from 54 in 2023-2024. 'It's been a year-by-year continued slow slide,' he said. Harms also cited a breakdown in relations and loss of support from some rural Mennonite churches over issues such as LGBTTQ+ inclusion. MCI had maintained an open and welcoming stance to all students, but 'there is polarization in the community over this,' he said. The school is also facing challenges raising donations to supplement tuition fees. 'We have counted on some big donors over the years, but donor fatigue is setting in,' Harms said, noting the school could not continue to rely on them to sustain the school's operations. Harms said the goal for the school is to end well, including ensuring teachers and support staff are fully paid for their work. MCI is appealing to its donors to help it raise enough funds to do that. Even before the decision to close, the school was getting by 'month-to-month' on payroll, he said, noting teachers had agreed to reduced salaries and extra work this year to help the school survive. Harms acknowledged the timing of the announcement is unfortunate since it will make it difficult for teachers and other staff to find new positions in other schools. 'Those roles have mostly been filled by now,' he said. The school also has $1.7 million in debt for a mortgage and a line of credit. The decision not to operate next year was not made lightly by the school's board, Harms said, noting that MCI had spent months trying to build the necessary steps to keep it open. But the enrolment issue made the decision impossible to avoid, he said, noting the supporting churches mostly have aging congregations and not many children or youth. He expressed regret about the impact the school's closure will have on students, particularly those in Grade 11 who hoped to graduate from MCI next year. 'That was the hardest group of students to walk through this,' he said. Former MCI board member Karla Klassen Fehr said the news is difficult to hear. 'I see the main issue as enrolment,' said Klassen Fehr, whose husband and two daughters graduated from MCI. 'Without students, donor support can't maintain a school.' She said the school's rural location means there are a limited number of day students who can attend, and parents who live further away are less willing to send their children away for boarding school. 'Sensitive issues' over LGBTTQ+ and theology have strained relations with some local Mennonite churches, she said. 'I'm very sad to see this happen,' Klassen Fehr said. 'MCI has played a huge role in our community, giving students an opportunity for faith-based education that I highly value.' Wil Epp is also a former board member whose three children graduate from MCI. His congregation, Emmanuel Mennonite in Winkler, voted last month to stop supporting the school. The church has few children or youth and is dealing with its own financial issues, Epp said. 'Like many other churches, our church struggles with its budget,' he said, noting supporting MCI had ceased to be a priority for the congregation. Michael Pahl, executive minister of Mennonite Church Manitoba, said the closing of the school is disappointing. Together with Westgate Mennonite Collegiate in Winnipeg, MCI was a 'significant pipeline' for lay leadership and clergy in the denomination, Pahl said, adding the school played a key role in forming faith for many young people over the years. In addition to shrinking and aging rural Mennonite congregations, there is also growing competition from other Christian schools in rural Manitoba, he said. Cost for tuition at MCI was $6,700 a year this year, while students living in dorm were charged $12,500 a year. Out-of-province students paid $19,000 a year for tuition, room and board. That amount included a $6,500 out-of-province fee, as these students were not covered by Manitoba's education grant. MCI is a member of Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools and the Canadian Association of Mennonite Schools. faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Some Colorado lawmakers craft plan to provide millions to providers that serve under, uninsured
Rural healthcare in Colorado is on life support. The Colorado Hospital Association says half of the state's rural hospitals are operating in the red, and two behavioral health facilities and two obstetrics programs in rural Colorado recently announced they're shutting their doors. A new study by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform finds that 10 rural hospitals here are so cash-strapped, they're in danger of closing. Located on the western edge of the San Luis Valley, Rio Grande Hospital serves one of Colorado's poorest communities. A total of 70% of its patients are on Medicare and Medicaid, meaning the hospital loses money on seven in ten patients who walk through its doors. CBS "We have to be sustainable, and it's been tough the last few years," says CEO Arlene Harms. The hospital and its four primary care clinics have been operating in the red for years. With just eight providers at the hospital to serve 10,000 patients, Harms says, staff members wear many hats, "If somebody is needed in the ER, several of us go back there and several are in the executive staff... so we all do a lot to make it work but we all love what we do." It goes beyond caring for the sick. Employees raised money for a Community Wellness Center last year that includes exercise equipment, a meditation room, and a greenhouse. But it's the health of the hospital that keeps Harms up at night, "I often times feel forgotten just because we're so far away from the metro (area)." As the financial health of rural providers worsens, state lawmakers are stepping in. "We have legislators on both sides of the aisle saying, 'Look, we're going to do something about this. We hear you loud and clear,'" says Senator Kyle Mullica, an emergency room nurse from Adams County. He's sponsoring a bill to provide at least $60 million over the next three years for primary care and behavioral health providers that are considered "safety net providers" because they serve a large number of uninsured and underinsured. The money will come from interest on the state's Unclaimed Property Trust Fund. The Rio Grande Hospital Wellness Center Rio Grande Hospital Mullica says he's also secured close to $40 million from philanthropists and is hoping for some matching federal dollars, bringing the total to over $100 million. Mullica's co-sponsor is Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, who's a Republican. The bill passed its first two committees unanimously. "We're hearing from those providers saying this is what we need. We don't need it in a year, we don't need this in two years, we need this now. Not doing something is not an option," said Mullica. Rio Grande Hospital clinics are among those in danger of closing. Like many rural hospitals, it is one of the top employers in its community, so the local economy also depends on its survival. Under the bill, an enterprise will disperse the money based on how many low-income patients a provider serves. Harms says the funding is a lifeline for those who serve the state's most vulnerable lives, "This bill gives me hope for all of us in the rural health care market." Rio Grande Hospital was just named one of the top critical care hospitals in the country.
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Rubic Management Launches All-in-One Business Automation Platform for Entrepreneurs
Systemize, automate, and scale — Rubic simplifies business growth for small business owners and solo entrepreneurs. United States, April 21, 2025 -- Running a business today often means juggling multiple tools, manually following up with leads, and constantly switching between platforms just to stay organized. Rubic Management, a newly launched all-in-one business automation platform, is now making it possible to simplify every aspect of business operations in one unified system. Designed specifically for small businesses, Rubic consolidates the most critical tools — CRM, email and SMS marketing automation, online booking, digital business cards, workflow automation software, and more — into a single, intuitive, and cost-effective platform. 'I created Rubic because I was tired of duct-taping 10 different platforms together,' says Zac Harms, Founder and CEO. 'This platform is built by business owners, for business owners. It's not just software — it's a lifestyle shift.' Entrepreneurs Need More Than Features — They Need Systems As highlighted on Rubic's homepage, most small business owners operate with disconnected tools, inconsistent follow-up processes, and constant overwhelm due to complex tech stacks. This platform goes beyond features. It introduces automated systems that drive business growth while giving users back valuable time and mental bandwidth. From Frustration to Foundation Rubic's origin is rooted in personal experience. After working with 7- and 8-figure businesses and managing his own ventures, Harms discovered that scaling without streamlined systems was nearly impossible. The Rubic About page outlines this journey — and how years of frustration led to a platform built specifically to eliminate operational friction, reduce costs, and give entrepreneurs real leverage through automation. What Rubic Does: Business Automation Made Simple Rubic replaces more than 10 standalone tools with one cohesive platform. The Features page outlines key offerings such as: Each feature is designed with simplicity and usability in mind, allowing business owners to create systems without needing a team or technical knowledge. Onboarding That Delivers Real Support New users receive a personalized 2-hour onboarding call with a Rubic specialist to configure their platform, connect systems, and begin automating core processes. After onboarding, users complete a guided business assessment, which generates a tailored step-by-step launch plan and checklist — helping new customers go live quickly with confidence. This removes common technology barriers and enables business owners to implement proven systems without delay. A Message from the Founder 'Our goal is to give entrepreneurs more time, not just more tools,' Harms explains. 'That's why we offer real support, pre-built systems, and automation that's ready to launch in minutes.' How Rubic Compares to Traditional Stacks Rubic simplifies tech stacks that often include ClickFunnels, Calendly, GoHighLevel, HubSpot, and other individual platforms. With Rubic, these fragmented systems are replaced by one connected solution. The Pricing & Comparison page shows how Rubic's Centurion Plan offers more integrated features and better support — all at a fraction of the cost. This eliminates tool fatigue and improves operational efficiency for service-based businesses, consultants, coaches, and agencies alike. A Look Inside the Platform Rubic's full product demo showcases how automation works in real time, including: This demo provides a behind-the-scenes view of how Rubic improves lead follow-up, customer experience, and sales operations. View the full walkthrough at: About Rubic Management Rubic Management is an all-in-one business automation platform designed to help entrepreneurs simplify, systemize, and scale. With integrated tools like CRM, email marketing, automation workflows, branded scheduling, and a powerful customer experience engine, Rubic helps small business owners operate more efficiently and grow confidently — without the tech overwhelm. Contact Info: Name: Zac Harms Email: Send Email Organization: Rubic Management Website: Release ID: 89158080 In the event of encountering any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release, we kindly request that you immediately contact us at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our dedicated team will be readily accessible to address your feedback within 8 hours and take appropriate measures to rectify any identified issues or facilitate press release takedowns. Ensuring accuracy and reliability are central to our commitment.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State Senate panels pass bills to explore changes at Iowa medical schools
Des Moines University students celebrated Match Day on March 21, 2025, when they learned where they'll serve medical residencies. Des Moines University would, along with the University of Iowa, explore three-year degree programs under proposed legislation. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Two Iowa Senate subcommittees have moved ahead House-sent bills aimed at making changes to Iowa's medical schools to increase opportunities for Iowa students and accelerate their learning. House File 386, which received signatures from subcommittee members Wednesday morning, would direct the University of Iowa and Des Moines University to conduct a study into potentially shrinking the timeline of some four-year programs to three years. Keith Saunders, chief government relations officer for the Iowa Board of Regents, said during the meeting the board is generally supportive of the bill but called the term 'three year medical school' a 'misnomer,' as other shortened medical programs have done so through accelerated degrees. Generally accelerated medical degree programs have worked in the area of family medicine, Saunders said, which is where the UI would focus its research. 'We're happy to do the study, happy to provide a feasibility study,' Saunders said. 'And again, we're committed to doing everything possible to get as many health care workers into the workforce as possible.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Des Moines University is registered as monitoring the bill, lobbyist Threase Harms said, but the university has requested it be removed from the legislation. As an institution with no undergraduate programs or residencies, Harms said it would be very difficult to accelerate the university's programming, especially with the knowledge that DMU did try to implement three-year programs in the 1980s without success. 'DMU is graduating the most family practice medicine doctors in the country,' Harms said. 'We pride ourselves on that, and we have them all throughout the state of Iowa, but we just feel like the three-year escalation doesn't fit with our current structure, and it doesn't ensure that those doctors are prepared to go out and deliver those services.' Each of the subcommittee members said they would move the bill forward with plans to introduce an amendment. Sen. Mike Zimmer, D-DeWitt, said he was in favor of removing DMU after hearing Harms' remarks, but Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, said he wasn't sure if taking the university out was the best idea and it is important to think about potential cost-saving measures of shorter degree programs. Sen. David Rowley, R-Spirit Lake, said he wants to encourage collaboration while working on the bill. 'We've got to be curious and have curiosity to find out how we could do this better, and I think that takes collaboration, working together with all of us in this room, to find some options or some opportunities out there,' Rowley said. House File 516, which passed a Senate subcommittee Tuesday, would have the Iowa Board of Regents implement a policy requiring the UI doctor of medicine program and college of dentistry enroll cohorts made up of at least 80% resident students or students who attended an Iowa college or university prior to applying. Saunders said the programs currently have between 70% and 75% resident students enrolled, and the board is supportive of initiatives that will keep more health care professionals in the state. Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, said during discussion she has concerns about the bill potentially pushing away students who want to study, and stay, in Iowa. 'I'm willing to sign off on it, but just because somebody didn't grow up here or go to college here doesn't mean they don't have a lot to offer to Iowa,' Trone Garriott said. Klimesh said he understands where Trone Garriott was coming from in her remarks, but he looks at the legislation as a way to ensure UI medical programs have the best state retention possible. However, he said he plans to introduce an amendment to the bill that would add additional criteria for qualifying students, like those who maybe didn't grow up in the state but know what rural Iowa is like based on their own upbringing in a neighboring state. 'To be perfectly honest, when I've asked folks what the definition of Iowan is, I get air quotes around it sometimes, so I'm not even sure what that is,' Klimesh said. 'Maybe defining what an Iowan is and adding additional frameworks might be beneficial.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
