Latest news with #Pruitt
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pruitt quickly making her mark
Two unlikely suspects teamed up to trigger a huge Pick 4 payoff of $14,295.45 Tuesday evening at Assiniboia Downs, and that led to a massive Pick 4 Pool of over $150,000 on Wednesday, as Assiniboia Downs smoked full run into the summer. New apprentice Ciera Pruitt guided longshot filly Mineral Rights ($41.60) smoothly wide over five-eighths of a mile and back to the winner's circle in the seventh race on Tuesday for trainer Jason Homer, who recently arrived from Fonner Park with 25 horses, and together the dynamic duo blew up the tote board. It was the first lifetime win for Pruitt as a newly minted jockey, and to make it even more memorable, she had to beat a riderless horse named Dirty Flirt, who stumbled and ditched her rider at the gate. Pedigree came into play in Pruitt's big win too, but not on the horsey side. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Jockey Ciera Pruitt grew up around horses as her father was a jockey and her mother is one of the top trainers at Assinibboia Downs. Pruitt's mother is hot local trainer Lise Pruitt, who is winning at a 40 per cent clip and is currently third in the trainer standings, and her father is former top Downs jockey Jerry Pruitt. Both were in the winner's circle with smiles you could hang on to. 'It was a feeling you can't describe, man,' said the 22-year-old Pruitt, who has been around horses her entire life. 'It was pretty special to have everybody there and have my mom and my dad. It was definitely an emotional night.' Born into a racing family, Pruitt has unknowingly been preparing for this moment since she was born. She probably figured it out early though, living on a farm and grooming horses before she started officially exercising them. 'I don't remember a time I wasn't around horses,' said Pruitt. 'We were running around causing havoc in the barn when my mom was training.' Despite the family connections, Pruitt is determined to make her own mark. 'I want to prove to my dad and show him that I can do what he did,' she said. Pruitt has a solid foundation to build on, having also spent time in Toronto working for Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll and galloping at Palm Meadows in Florida, before returning home to launch her riding career. Her goals for the year are ambitious but realistic.'I would like to ride at least a couple of stakes races and just get better and gain more experience. Then I'd like to be able to take off to Toronto and ride there before we go back down south.' It was the first win in five starts locally for Washington State-native Homer, who arrived at the Downs in the middle of a 40-race losing streak and immediately turned that number on its head, also winning the fifth race on Wednesday with another longshot, The Ronald ($33.20). Homer now has two wins, a second and a third from five starts locally, and it felt good to turn things around. At 62, Homer has been training horses for 44 years. The veteran horseman has seen it all, winning stakes that include the Portland Mile and also winning races at major tracks including Santa Anita. He's philosphical about his recent losing streak. 'When you're down, you're down,' said Homer. 'You just have to keep going, try to get back to where you know you should be. Things don't always go right, so you make changes.' Homer's connection with Pruitt began through coincidence. He hired her former boyfriend to gallop horses, and when Ciera stopped to help in Nebraska on her way home from Florida, she impressed the trainer enough that he remembered her skills when he arrived at Assiniboia Downs. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'She helped me out for a little bit in Nebraska on her way home, and then when I got here, she was really good help,' said Homer, whose horses provide more than just a livelihood, they're therapeutic companions. 'It's like having a big dog,' he said about his love for horses. 'Just the freedom' is what draws him to training, and the animals have taught him when things don't always go right, you work together to figure it out. Seems he's figured it out pretty well so far at the Downs, thanks to his four-legged friends. The timing of Homer's breakthrough victories was particularly meaningful too, coming just before the Owner/Trainer/Breeder Appreciation Dinner put on by Assiniboia Downs on Thursday evening, in which the Downs presented cheques for $13,000 to both the Winner's Foundation and Final Furlong. The Winner's Foundation provides addiction and counselling services, as well as athletic therapy and other assistance, to members of the backstretch and their families. Final Furlong helps find new homes and careers for retired racehorses. Many of their horses have gone on to successful careers as show horses. And they're also among the best therapists money can buy. Just ask Homer.
Time Magazine
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time Magazine
Jacob Pruitt
Fidelity Charitable president Jacob Pruitt prefers to keep a low public profile, rarely granting interviews. But as head of the nation's largest donor-advised fund and the biggest grantmaker in the U.S., his actions speak loudly in the world of philanthropy. Donor advised funds are investment funds through which donors make philanthropic grants—donors get an upfront tax deduction but can disburse the money when and how they please—and the sums that Fidelity Charitable takes in and pays out are staggering and growing fast. As of June 30, 2024, it held about $66.8 billion in assets and last year it made nearly 2.7 million grants totaling nearly $15 billion—surpassing the Gates Foundation's 2024 $8.6 billion giving budget. That $15 billion represented a 25% increase in grants over 2023, and included nearly $50 million in disaster relief for Hurricanes Milton and Helene, with the greatest number of grants going to religious and human services organizations and the largest dollar amounts donated to groups that focus on education and benefits to society. Pruitt, a former Marine who became president of Fidelity Charitable in 2021, has made technology a keynote of his tenure. Almost all its donations last year were processed digitally, and he has welcomed donations in the form of cryptocurrency. Last year Fidelity Charitable took in $786 million in crypto from donors—which, Pruitt said in the fund's annual report, unlocks a new way of giving. Of the fund's banner year, Pruitt said: 'With the incredible acceleration of giving in 2024, donors demonstrated unwavering commitment to the communities and nonprofits they care about, reminding us of the power of kindness and shared humanity.'
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Breakout Band Sleep Theory Release Debut Album 'Afterglow'
Breakout four-piece Sleep Theory —vocalistCullen Moore, guitaristDaniel Pruitt, bassist Paolo Vergara, and drummer Ben Pruitt— have released theireagerly awaiteddebut album,Afterglow, via Epitaph Records. The album offers astunning display of diverse rock flavors andwas produced by David Cowell andmixed by Zakk Cervini (Bring Me The Horizon, Bad Omens, Architects). To celebrate the release, Sleep Theory havealso shared the video for 'Gravity.' The song, with its pop-inspiredbounce, heady grooves, generously sprinkled synths, and Moore's soulful, arena-sized voice, is about the winners and losers who keep playing the game of love. "'Gravity' is really just a classic R&B story— it's about that real chemistry you sometimes feel with someone, even when the timing's not perfect," Moore explains. "I wanted it to feel confident, a little flirty, and very 2000s — something that could've played in the background of a scene in a throwback movie." He yanks the curtain back a little more, saying, "'Gravity'actually came together back in 2021, before we even knew we were going to do a full album.I wasn't thinking in terms of a big project yet — I was just writing whatever felt good at the time.A big inspiration was the song 'No Guidance'by Chris Brown and Drake. It had this smooth, confident energy that really stuck with me. I wanted 'Gravity' to have a similar vibe — something that feels cool and effortless but still has emotion behind visually, I was thinking of that same kind of late night, moody feel." In other Sleep Theory news, the album's lead single 'Stuck In My Head,' ascended to the No. 1 spoton the Active Rock radio charts —a first for the band! The single "Static" is currently at No. 19 on the activerock charts, the album's fourthsingle to appear in the Top 20. All told, Sleep Theory have accumulated 350million streams across 10 singles in their brief but blockbuster career thus far. Sleep Theory combineenergetic hard rock and metalcore, alongside the powerhouse vocalist Cullen Moore. Praised by Jelly Roll and David Draiman, they've toured with Shinedown, Falling In Reverse, and Beartooth. In under two years, they became the fifth most-played artist on Active Rock thePaper HeartsEP merge heavy rock with pop and R&B, producing anthemic bangers and emotional ballads. Saluted byRevolver, Loudwire, and Amazon Music as an Artist to Watch in 2025, they've become one of heavy music's biggest breakouts. WithAfterglow, the quartetprovesready to ascend to the next level. Sleep Theory deliver the dynamic, heavy bounce and massive vocal hooks that the rock world desperately needs. Moore is a powerhouse singer who outmatches nearly all his peers, recalling the most classic and timeless pop, R&B, and rock 'n' roll vocalists of the last several decades. Sleep Theory push themselves creatively at every turn, catapulting the genre to new sonic heights.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
More than 300 earn advanced degrees at early morning ceremony at CSUB
Bakersfield, it seems, became a whole lot smarter early Friday morning when Cal State Bakersfield conferred 296 master's degrees and six doctoral degrees to graduate students at its Spring 2025 Graduate and Hooding Ceremony. The mood was jubilant, the atmosphere, dynamic, even at 7:30 a.m. when many across the city were just getting their coffee. Students dressed in the traditional cap and gown chatted and snapped photos of each other. A short fence divided the audience from the grads, but many family members met in the middle to encourage, to share admiration, love and gratitude before the event began. "I was a full-time student at night while I was working as a social worker," said Eunice Hernandez, 29, who received her master's degree in social work at Friday's ceremony. Hernandez would work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., then go to class until 9:45 p.m. Then she would get back up the next day and do it all over again. And again. Her cousin Roslyn Hernandez, who had already earned a master's, was there to cheer her on at the fence. "She was my example," Eunice Hernandez said of her cousin, her eyes gleaming with family pride. Katherine Beauregard also was at Friday's commencement to collect a master's in special education, a field in which she's already working. "I worked really hard to get here," she said. "It's my second greatest accomplishment — second to my son, Jonah." CSUB Student Body President Erin Pruitt was there as well. Dressed in decorated cap and flowing gown, Pruitt took home an MBA, a master's degree in business administration. As a speaker Friday, she thanked CSUB staff and faculty members, as well as friends and family, who showed up at commencement. "The life of a student can be lonely," she told the gathering, "but your presence speaks louder than words and provides strength by showing us we are not alone." She told her fellow graduate students that they have been an inspiration to her during her time at the university. "Utilize the new skills you have learned and create change within your communities," Pruitt said. "Your stories continue to guide and influence the leadership of our university, and your successes create a lasting legacy beyond the walls of CSUB." University President Vernon B. Harper Jr. also shared his thoughts about Friday's celebration. He spoke about why it matters, but also about why even a master's degree or doctorate is not enough. "If a piece of paper is all that you take with you, your education at CSUB is incomplete," he told the graduates. "In order to succeed in your careers — and in life — you need more than a plan or a goal or even a dream. You must have purpose. "Purpose is the voice that tells us to keep going when we are weary and discouraged," Harper said. "Purpose is the motivation to make good on the sacrifices that our parents and loved ones have made for us. "Purpose got you to CSUB," he said, "and purpose will take you to your next destination. "When I close my eyes at night, I see the faces of my wife and children, and I am reminded of my purpose," Harper told the graduates. "What is your purpose?"
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chief of Staff resigning from Little Rock mayor's office
Video: Little Rock mayor speaks after delivering State of the City Address LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced on Monday that his Chief of Staff Kendra Pruit was resigning. Scott said in the announcement that Pruitt was leaving to 'pursue new leadership opportunities.' She had been a member of his staff for more than six years, the mayor said. Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. gives update on storm damage, road conditions. Scoot spoke highly of Pruitt. 'I often say, 'Kendra Pruitt is my left and right brain,'' he said. 'From advising on my campaign for mayor to developing and implementing our policy platform—and eventually leading day-to-day operations at City Hall—she has been an integral part of my success.' Scott also spoke highly of Pruitt's strategic thinking and team-building skills. 'My time in Little Rock has been the most rewarding chapter of my career,' Pruitt said, adding her thanks to the mayor for his 'trust and leadership.' Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. & Little Rock police chief Heath Helton address week of deadly shootings The mayor said Joycelin Randle is assuming the chief of staff role effective immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
