Latest news with #JoelWilliams
CNN
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Jackie Chan in ‘Karate Kid: Legends'
Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio co-star in the latest 'Karate Kid' big screen adventure. Leigh Waldman and Joel Williams contributed to this story by Rick Damigella.
CNN
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Jackie Chan in ‘Karate Kid: Legends'
Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio co-star in the latest 'Karate Kid' big screen adventure. Leigh Waldman and Joel Williams contributed to this story by Rick Damigella.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Most of Utah's snowpack has melted. What do Utah's reservoirs look like now?
People recreating near Utah reservoirs this Memorial Day weekend will likely find many of them full after a mixed bag of a winter. Utah's reservoir system remains 87% full with about 10% of the peak statewide snowpack left to melt, according to Utah Division of Water Resources data. Twenty-five of the state's 43 largest reservoirs are currently 81% full or more, including five that are listed at full capacity. Only eight are listed at 60% or lower, including Lake Powell, the nation's second-largest reservoir, and Panguitch Lake, which is still being repaired after cracks were found in the dam last year. Some of the other lower reservoirs are also scattered across central and southern Utah, where this year's snowpack wasn't as productive as in northern Utah. 'It's encouraging to see how much we've benefited these last three years, having average or above-average precipitation and snowpack,' said Joel Williams, the water division's deputy director. 'It's helped fill our reservoirs. We still are hurting in the southern part of the state … and we know we need some good snowpack in the future to help them out.' Williams provided members of the Utah Legislature's Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee an update on the state's snowpack on Wednesday. While reservoir numbers are good, he outlined some trends that water managers must track this year. This year's spring snowmelt hasn't been as efficient as experts had hoped, which lowered the state's water outlook heading into May. Snowmelt has been 'a bit earlier than average,' so the statewide snowpack could reach zero inches of snow-water equivalent before it normally does in the middle of June. Reservoirs at 100% or more capacity: East Canyon Reservoir Pineview Reservoir Porcupine Reservoir Scofield Reservoir Woodruff Creek Reservoir Woodruff Narrows Reservoir Reservoirs at 81% to 99% capacity: Big Sand Wash Reservoir Causey Reservoir Currant Creek Reservoir Deer Creek Reservoir Echo Reservoir Flaming Gorge Reservoir Joes Valley Reservoir Jordanelle Reservoir Hyrum Reservoir Lost Creek Reservoir Miller Flat Reservoir Newton Reservoir Otter Creek Reservoir Rockport Reservoir Sand Hollow Reservoir Smith and Morehouse Reservoir Starvation Reservoir Stateline Reservoir Strawberry Reservoir Utah Lake Willard Bay Reservoirs at 61% to 80% capacity: Bear Lake Cleveland Lake Gunlock Reservoir Huntington North Reservoir Ken's Lake Millsite Reservoir Moon Lake Reservoir Quail Creek Reservoir Red Fleet Reservoir Settlement Reservoir Steinaker Reservoir Reservoirs at 41% to 60% capacity: Gunnison Reservoir Minersville Reservoir Panguitch Lake Piute Reservoir Yuba Reservoir Reservoirs at 21% to 40% capacity: Lake Powell Lower Enterprise Upper Enterprise Several southern and central Utah basins have already reached the end of the snowmelt, hitting zero inches earlier than usual, according to Natural Resources Conservation Service data. Some had decent snowpack levels, but Williams said it was also a 'dismal' winter for southern Utah. As a result, Gov. Spencer Cox's drought declaration centered on 17 counties, mostly within those regions. Despite dropping levels, some Lake Powell ramps remain open for Memorial Day weekend. The Antelope Point Business, Bullfrog North Launch, Halls Crossing, Wahweap Main and Wahweap Stateline Auxiliary ramps are available for houseboats and small motorized vehicles, per the National Park Service. Meanwhile, most of the remaining snowpack is in the highest elevations of northern Utah. About 2 inches of snow-water equivalent remains within the Great Salt Lake basin, 11% of its peak and 63% of its median average for late May. This year's projected hot summer could increase evaporation rates along lower-level reservoirs and the Great Salt Lake, which is something water managers will have to 'plan for,' Williams cautioned. Potential monsoonal moisture would help reduce evaporation loss over the summer should storms materialize, but long-range outlooks seem to indicate that those storms may not reach the Great Salt Lake Basin. Water conservation measures are encouraged, as the state hopes for a better snowpack next winter. The Great Salt Lake's southern arm lost 3 feet of water after last year's summer heat. Williams said lake levels could become a concern again if the region experiences a repeat this summer. The lake is currently listed at 4,193.4 feet elevation, which is a level that could still impact brine shrimp viability, recreation and ecosystem health, according to the state's Great Salt Lake Strategic Plan. It's only about 1½ feet above a stage where 'serious' effects on air quality and mineral production are also possible. The lake hit a record low of 4,188.5 feet elevation in 2022 before a couple of good snowpack seasons improved the lake's fortunes. 'We had a little bit of a breathing (room) and it's back to a little bit of a nervous feeling,' Williams said. 'We don't want to hit a new record low; we want to maintain the progress we've had and work on increases and ways we can increase the flow.'
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Concerns raised about care home charity chaired by Cardiff councillor
Concerns raised about care home charity chaired by Cardiff councillor The chair of Cartref said trustees are aware of their responsibilities, including their responsibility to report to the the Charity Commission when necessary Cartref Limited, chaired by Cllr Joel Williams, failed to submit its accounts and annual return on time last year (Image: Justin Harris ) Concerns have been raised about a Cardiff care home charity chaired by a city councillor after it submitted its accounts late this year. Cartref Limited was behind two Cartref Care Home sites that had to close due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and seeing a significant fall in residents. A Charity Commission report on Cartref, which submitted its annual return and accounts 75 days late, makes reference to a number of "matters of concern" raised by an independent examiner. These concerns, according to the report, led the independent examiner to believe that accounting records were not being kept and that accounts do not accord with those records. Never miss a Cardiff story and sign up to our newsletter here. Joel Williams, who is the chair of Cartref and a Conservative councillor at Cardiff Council, said the charity was supported by an administrator who acted as a bookkeeper. However trustees were unable to obtain records from this individual "despite extensive efforts". Trustees have been "treading carefully in light of the administrator's personal circumstances", according to the chair, and "legal advisers have agreed with that approach". Article continues below Mr Williams went on to add that trustees are aware of their responsibilities including their duty to report to the Charity Commission when necessary. The independent examiner's report to the trustees of Cartref states: "During the year there was a failure to provide information to me in order to prepare the annual accounts and complete the independent examination. Cartref had a care home on Lake Road East in Roath which is now closed (Image: Google Maps ) "This is noted in the trustees' report. "Access to the company's accounting software, payroll records, sales ledger records, and purchase invoices that I usually have was not available so the accounts were prepared and the examination undertaken based on the bank statements and completion statements for the property sales. "If the records become available these can be examined and any adjustments can be made in the following year's accounts. "Until the records are inspected I cannot confirm whether the accounting records were kept as required by section 386 of the 2006 act or whether the accounts accord with those records. I understand that the trustees are still pursuing the records." In March 2023 it was reported that both Cartref homes, one in Station Road in Llanishen and the other in Lake Road East in Roath, could close due to a fall in the number of residents in their care. Both homes were eventually closed and sold after various options for the future of the sites were considered. Mr Williams said: "Due to the pandemic and national challenges affecting the care sector Cartref Care Home had run at a loss for several months. "Over these months the trustees took professional advice and considered various options resulting in our decision to consult on the closure of both homes. "The consultation was conducted with the welfare of those affected being the priority – after further professional advice and consideration the trustees made the decision to close the homes before further operational debts were incurred. "The financial and service demand challenges facing Cartref were the driver for the consultation. "The trustees undertook to ensure all staff were paid their full redundancy payments. "The other key priority at that time was for the residents to be assisted to find alternative accommodation. "Like many circumstances emanating from the Covid pandemic the closure of Cartref Care Homes was a sad outcome that no-one would have anticipated. "Once closed the homes were marketed and sold enabling the trustees to fully discharge the associated debts. "The remaining proceeds from the sales are invested and Cartref will continue as a grant-making organisation in line with our charitable aims and objectives. "The trustees have and continue to receive professional advice." A report of the trustees for 2024 on the Charity Commission's website states: "The trustees were unable to obtain some of the accounting records to prepare and examine the accounts this year. "These records relate to the time of the home closures. This is explained in the independent examiner's report. "This matter is still under investigation and the trustees hope that the records will become available soon and they can then be examined and any accounting amendments required can be made as an adjustment to the following year's accounts." Mr Williams added in his statement: "Following the closure of both residential homes Cartref was supported by an administrator who acted as a bookkeeper for the charity. "The trustees were unable to obtain records from this individual despite extensive efforts by the trustees. "The trustees are receiving legal advice in this regard and the trustees are following this advice. "The trustees are aware of our responsibilities as trustees, including our duty to report to the Charity Commission when necessary, and take these duties very seriously. "However the trustees have been treading carefully in light of the administrator's personal circumstances and the legal advisers have agreed with that approach." Article continues below
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health care leaders say Medicaid cuts would further strain state hospitals and clinics
Joel Williams, who has been patient at Hennepin Healthcare for 11 years, speaks to media, lawmakers and health care leaders at a press conference in Minneapolis on March 20, 2025. Williams relies on Medicare and Medicaid to pay for his heath care and group home. "Today we're speaking out because we have to speak for the people who don't have a voice," Williams said. Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer. Leaders of Hennepin Healthcare, who oversee the state's largest emergency room, fear federal cuts to Medicaid will increase the number of patients coming to the emergency department with serious, preventable conditions. But if Congressional Republicans want to achieve their goal of extending tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy while leaving areas like defense and Social Security unscathed, they will almost certainly have to cut federal spending on Medicaid, the federal-state partnership that provides health insurance to low-income and disabled Americans. Democratic U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Kelly Morrison, a physician, joined Hennepin Healthcare leaders and patients Thursday at one of the health care provider's downtown Minneapolis buildings — across the street from the already-overwhelmed Hennepin County Medical Center — to raise awareness of the potential impacts of the proposed cuts. 'Medicare and Medicaid funds just about everything I do,' said Joel Williams, who has been a patient at Hennepin Healthcare for 11 years. The programs cover his group home, he said, and paid for a new kidney. One-fifth of Minnesotans are enrolled in Medical Assistance, Minnesota's Medicaid program, on par with national enrollment. One in 3 births in Minnesota are covered by Medicaid, and more than half of nursing home residents are enrolled in the program. At Hennepin Healthcare, 62% of ER patients are covered by Medicaid, said chief of emergency medicine Dr. Tom Wyatt. Medicaid pays for preventative services that can help keep people out of emergency rooms, Wyatt said. When diabetics can't access insulin, they may come to his department with life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis. Patients who can't get their blood pressure medications may suffer a stroke. 'Those conditions are preventable if they have access to primary care,' Wyatt said. The health care system also offers behavioral health services to Medicaid recipients, which can help patients keep mental health conditions and substance abuse issues in check, said Hennepin Healthcare CEO Jennifer DeCubellis. Because the cost of Medicaid is shared between the federal and state government, cuts to federal spending would force Minnesota leaders to choose whether to spend extra money to maintain the same level of coverage, or to cut services. State leaders may not have much of a choice; Minnesota's budget picture is already bleak, with spending outpacing revenues, and a deficit on the horizon — and many of Trump's proposed federal spending cuts could exacerbate the budget problems. Medical Assistance spending dwarves spending on every state program except education, and continues to increase as Minnesotans age and costs — including worker pay — go up. The Medicaid cuts proposed by Congressional Republicans are already getting fierce pushback, including from some unlikely places: Minnesota Republicans in the Legislature wrote to President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, asking them to preserve Medicaid. Indeed, Medicaid cuts are politically volatile; many of the recipients are the rural and elderly Americans that comprise Trump's base. More than 75% of Americans have a favorable view of Medicaid, according to a January 2025 poll. But Trump's desired tax cuts aren't possible without significant cuts to Medicaid and other safety net programs, like SNAP, which helps low-income families pay for food. 'The whole reason we are here is because the Trump-Vance administration and their unelected, unaccountable benefactor-advisor Elon Musk are looking for ways to make the math work so that they can get tax cuts for billionaires,' Morrison said. 'It's really that simple.'
