Latest news with #Pointer
New York Post
13-07-2025
- New York Post
This commonly used item is 58 times dirtier than a public toilet seat — beware the next time you go to use it
That's gross. It's hard to believe that there is something dirtier than a public toilet bowl — but there is, and it's something that travelers use several times a year. The wheels of a suitcase are a breeding ground for bacteria, carrying nearly 58 times more than the place where people publicly relieve themselves, according to a study conducted by insurance company Insure and Go. Advertisement Your luggage is carrying around a gross amount of bacteria KaysArt – Insure and Go partnered with microbiologist Amy-May Pointer to swab the wheels and the base of both hard and soft-shell suitcases at an airport train station. Their findings revealed that several different types of bacteria live on the majority of travelers' suitcases — Staphylococcus species, which is a common skin bacterium, Serratia marcescens, usually found in bathrooms and Aspergillus species, which are described by the research team as 'black fuzzy molds.' Advertisement 'The microbial communities found on the suitcases included skin bacteria, environmental moulds, and some faecal-associated germs amongst others,' said Pointer, according to Insure and Go. Most of these organisms are not highly dangerous in everyday settings, but they form a film of general filth. This explains that grimy feel or musty odour luggage can get after multiple trips.' Now, knowing this, think of all the places that your suitcase, which has been carrying around all this gross bacteria, has touched. Gross. Advertisement 'The key point is that microbes were very diverse, reflecting all the places the luggage had been. It reinforces the recommendation to keep luggage away from clean surfaces like beds and to deep clean it occasionally,' the expert advised. To clean a soft or hard-shell piece of luggage, the Wire Cutter team recommends wiping it down with either an alcohol wipe or mixing dish soap with water and using a rag to wipe it clean. It's recommended to wipe down your luggage after every use. triocean – To clean the dirty wheels, first get rid of any hair or carpet fibers stuck using scissors before wiping them down with an all-purpose cleaner. Advertisement It's recommended to clean your suitcase after every trip and 'If you want to go the extra mile, consider using a washable suitcase cover, or even slip shower caps over the wheels when bringing it inside,' Pointer suggested. 'It might sound silly, but covering those wheels can stop them from spreading bacteria across your carpet or bedding. You could be protecting your sheets from the kind of microbes that include skin-irritating bacteria like Staphylococcus species.' Suitcases aren't the only commonly used bacteria-filled things. $100 bills have Staphylococcus bacteria, smartphones can carry a variety of bacteria and public toilet seats can contain E. coli growth, according to researcher Amani Abdlrasul, who works as a medical laboratory scientist in Tampa, Florida.
Buzz Feed
03-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
Diddy Verdict Explained By A Lawyer
Yesterday, Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty on two federal charges of transportation for purposes of prostitution. However, he was acquitted of the more serious charges: Racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. The not-guilty verdicts might come as a surprise to those who have tangentially been keeping up with the case. So, BuzzFeed spoke to attorney Adante Pointer (Pointer and Buelna) for his perspective. In short, Pointer thinks that the charges were an "overreach" by the federal government. "If the government had brought a case for domestic violence or for being a batterer or an abuser, I think he would have been convicted, hands down. It wouldn't have been much of a fight for that, but that's not what they charged him with," he explained. However, Pointer notes that these lesser convictions are typically handled on a state level, where the statute of limitations may have already passed: "There wasn't going to be a state case, and the only way that they could get any accountability or a criminal charge against any would have been in federal court." So let's start with the racketeering charge. According to Pointer, the prosecution essentially tried to argue that "Diddy and his employees essentially had a criminal enterprise that they used to conduct crime-the crime here being sex trafficking and essentially forcing or coercing women to engage in sexual conduct." He said that the law was created to deal with "hardened, established gangsters" who run mafia-style businesses under a front. Pointer says the charge ran into two issues. Firstly, no one else was charged in the "conspiracy," which by definition must incIude another person. Secondly, he said that any sexual misconduct was not the "primary job or the primary purpose of the business enterprise." Then there's the sex trafficking. "Most people think about those charges in America against what we would call a 'pimp,' someone who essentially is holding people against their will and forcing them to go have sexual activities with the people. The johns or the customers pay the pimp, and the women or the kids or the men never receive any money for their services," Pointer explained. "Sexual slavery is another term that can be used for that." It's likely that the prosecution's evidence of the purported victims expressing interest in participating in the "freak-offs" was successful in getting Diddy acquitted on the sex trafficking charges. Pointer reasoned, "We can be against sexual and relationship violence, but we can also be supportive of the rule of law and making sure that people are appropriately charged for what they actually violated." The prostitution charges come from the 1910 Mann Act, which Pointer called "vague" and an "easy law to be prosecuted by." As the law stems from a hysteria over "white slavery," Pointer explained, "All it takes is for you to have paid some money or someone to travel to engage in a consensual sexual act. It does not require coercion. It does not require force. It doesn't require any of the things that you would think of for it to be a federal charge." As for what happens next, Pointer thinks that Diddy's lack of previous criminal convictions and philanthropic history will be used to essentially get him a "slap on the wrist." He added, "I think he'll just get probation and be given credit for the time that he's already served in jail."
Business Wire
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Credit Union of Texas Achieves Nearly 10% Enrollment with Spiral in Just 60 Days
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Credit Union of Texas (CUTX) has always been committed to helping its members save effortlessly while giving back to their communities. For five years, CUTX's Save the Change program allowed members to round up their debit card purchases and automatically transfer the spare change into their savings accounts or make charitable contributions to the CUTX Foundation. However, the program required in-branch enrollment with limited accessibility and high internal resources. "The response from our members has been phenomenal," said Pointer. "The combination of effortless enrollment, a rewarding savings experience, and the ability to give back has made Save the Change more popular than ever." Share That all changed when CUTX partnered with Spiral to elevate the experience for members. By migrating Save the Change to Spiral's Roundup Center, CUTX members could enroll and personalize their experience seamlessly through their online banking account — anytime, anywhere. "By leveraging the innovative Spiral platform, we enhanced our Save the Change program, enabling members to track their savings in real-time and easily support meaningful local causes," said Eric Pointer, President & CEO at CUTX. "This seamless solution helps our members grow their savings while making a positive impact in the communities we serve." After migrating the program, CUTX saw an unprecedented surge in adoption and engagement, doubling the program's enrollment in just two months. Nearly 10% of CUTX's online banking members signed up through Spiral's Roundup Center within this short timeframe. Today, over 13% of members use Spiral daily, with more than 700,000 roundup transactions processed to date. The program has also driven a 53% enrollment rate through the digital widget and generated over 100 requests for new savings accounts, demonstrating strong demand and interest. The transition to Spiral not only simplified enrollment but also introduced additional features, like real-time savings tracking, an innovative user experience, and the ability for members to effortlessly support charitable causes of their choice, creating a more personalized and fulfilling experience for members. "The response from our members has been phenomenal," said Pointer. "The combination of effortless enrollment, a rewarding savings experience, and the ability to give back has made Save the Change more popular than ever. Spiral's innovation and seamless migration made this possible in record time." CUTX successfully transitioned its long-standing program into a modern, member-friendly experience, resulting in rapid adoption, stronger engagement, and more members saving and giving back than ever before. So far, Spiral has powered over 1 million savings transactions for account holders across the country while initiating thousands of donations made to local causes and communities. To learn more, read the full story here. About Spiral Headquartered in New York City, Spiral is the award-winning platform that helps credit unions and banks grow deposits and build deeper relationships that boost retention and loans through personalized banking experiences. With Spiral, financial institutions can empower their account holders to achieve financial freedom and easily support their communities through any online bank account, debit card, or credit card. Thus, Spiral makes it simple for financial institutions to drive positive change and empower millions of people to build better lives. Spiral is backed by Team8, Euclidean Capital, Intuition Fund, Communitas Capital, Phoenix, Nidoco AB, MTVO, Curql, ICBA, and more. To learn more, visit For almost 100 years, Credit Union of Texas (CUTX) has provided financial services to members throughout North Texas and its growing number of locations in East Texas. Living out its vision to deliver an unexpected experience, CUTX has grown to over $2.5 billion in assets. Most Texas residents may qualify for membership. Recently, CUTX was recognized with the Communities Foundation of Texas 'Be in Good Company' Seal of Excellence, voted the Best Credit Union in DFW by the readers of The Dallas Morning News, and named the winner of the Torch Awards for Ethics from both the Better Business Bureau Serving North Central Texas and the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. For more information about CUTX, visit
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
No ruff edges as Abilene Kennel Club Dog Show trots into Expo Center
The Taylor County Expo Center hosted the annual Abilene Kennel Club Dog Show over the weekend. Over 700 dogs representing more than 130 registered American Kennel Club breeds competed in three different shows from Friday to Sunday. All three days offered free admission to spectators where a new Best of Show was chosen each day. Activities were held in the Taylor County Coliseum and the Expo Center's Display Building. Dogs and handlers competed for points and titles in the dog show or conformation events, as well as performance events where obedience was evaluated using an obstacle course and other challenges. Reported by the Abilene Kennel Club, Friday's Best in Show was a Boxer, handled by Michael Shepherd of Flower Mound while the Reserve Best in Show was a Pointer, handled by Dennis Brown from Nebraska. Saturday's Best in Show was a Pointer handled by Brown while Reserve was a Bichon Frise also handled by Brown. Sunday's Best in show was a bulldog from Livingston handled by Dennis O'Connor with Reserve a Nebraska pointer again handled by Brown. This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: No ruff edges as Abilene Kennel Club Dog Show trots into Expo Center
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
St. Louis County woman sentenced for producing child pornography involving toddler
ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis County woman appeared in federal court Tuesday to be sentenced for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving a toddler. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Raven A. Pointer, 27, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of production of child pornography. Pointer admitted coercing the toddler in 2022 into engaging in sexual conduct and using her phone to produce videos involving the child on six different occasions. In August 2023, agents with the Department of Homeland Security learned that a man in Montgomery, Alabama, was distributing child sexual abuse material. Agents learned he had also been communicating with a woman, later identified as Pointer. Father charged after 11-year-old killed in accidental shooting Phone records later confirmed he received a video from Pointer that contained child sexual abuse materials. Investigators matched details in the videos to her and the location where the videos had been filmed. Following her arrest, prosecutors said Pointer attempted to contact the victim and berated the victim's father for seeking restitution in the case. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Pointer to 25 years in federal prison and ordered her to pay $15,000 in restitution. Upon her release, Pointer will be on supervised release for the remainder of her life. 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 FOX 2.
