Latest news with #Regional


Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Sinclair Wins 25 RTDNA Regional Edward. R. Murrow Awards
BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sinclair is proud to announce 17 of its owned and/or operated content centers across the country have been honored with a total of 25 RTDNA Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for Outstanding Journalism, a testament to the company's commitment to providing the best in local journalism. The Murrow Awards are sponsored by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and honor outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism. "We are honored to receive 25 Edward R. Murrow Awards this year. This achievement underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful news to our audience. I am immensely proud of our talented staff, whose hard work and passion for advocacy journalism has earned us this remarkable recognition," said Scott Livingston, Senior Vice President of News. RTDNA Regional Edward R. Murrow award-winning stations include: About Sinclair: Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel, the premium destination for tennis enthusiasts; multicast networks Comet, CHARGE, ROAR and The Nest; and the nation's largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. Sinclair's AMP Media produces a growing portfolio of digital content and original podcasts. Additional information about Sinclair can be found at Category: General


Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
'Government expects support of Regional Independents in key votes'
The Government expects all Regional Independent TDs to support it during votes of confidence and while passing budgets, public expenditure minister Jack Chambers has said. Mr Chambers said there is an ongoing commitment from Regional Independent TDs to back the Government, after both Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole voted for a Sinn Féin bill on Wednesday night. The two independent TDs backed Sinn Féin's legislation that would prohibit the Central Bank from handling Israeli government bonds. 'Obviously they made individual decisions yesterday evening as non-aligned TDs in the Dáil, but they've also outlined their commitment to continue to support the Government,' Mr Chambers said. On Wednesday, Mr Heneghan confirmed he voted against the Government, saying in a statement that it was about 'standing up for international law and basic human rights". 'Matters of conscience' "I'm fully committed to the programme for government but, as an Independent TD, I reserve the right to act on matters of conscience. The situation is urgent, and Ireland must show leadership,' Mr Heneghan said. Pressed what sanction the two TDs would face for voting against the Government, Mr Chambers said it was 'not about punishment'. 'We obviously have a whip system within the party groups, within Fianna Fáil, within Fine Gael and indeed ministers and ministers of state, our office holders within the Government. 'We have an ongoing commitment I think, and we've heard from the TDs in the last 24 hours around continued support for the Government. They've been generally supportive across many areas of legislation.' Mr Chambers said it reflected previous debate on non-aligned TDs and that Regional Independent TDs would be able to make up their mind on an 'individual basis'. However, when pressed if he expected the Regional Independents to back the Government during key votes such as budgets or confidence motions, Mr Chambers said that he did. 'We've had a very constructive working engagement with all of the Independent TDs and the non-aligned TDs who are members of Government and I expect that to continue in the period ahead," he said. 'On a vote of confidence or a budgetary matter, if they're continuing to support the Government as it is, that's obviously a more significant vote. I'd expect them, in light of the statement after the vote last evening, that they'll continue to support the Government.'


Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Govt outlines sweeping changes to RMA rules
By Russell Palmer of RNZ Sweeping changes to the rules governing councils' oversight of everything from housing - to mining - to agriculture - under the Resource Management Act are being released to the public for feedback. The government has released discussion documents covering 12 national policy statements and similar instruments, with the aim of having 16 new or updated ones by the end of the year - ahead of legislation replacing the RMA next year. The consultation covers three main topics: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. It is open from May 29 to July 27. The topics cover a wide range of portfolios, the early afternoon announcement fronted by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Energy Minister Simon Watts, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard, and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. "The changes we're now proposing to national direction under the existing RMA give effect to a range of coalition commitments, can be done quickly and relatively easily, and will help unclog the growth arteries of the economy," Bishop said. "Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well a protecting the environment." Freshwater The changes would "rebalance Te Mana o te Wai to better reflect the interests of all water users", with councils able to "tailor" monitoring and management to local conditions. Councils would be directed to consider how they could help ensure stable domestic food supply, including providing for crop rotation in regional plans. Crop rotation within catchments could be allowed without a consent. Water storage rules would change aiming to ensure water flows during dry periods, protect against climate-change-caused drought, and reduce the need for extraction from natural rivers and lakes. Wetland regulations would change aiming to protect water filtration, flood control, and habitat for diverse species. The definition of "wetland" would be amended, now excluding unintentionally created "induced" wetlands, and allowing farming activities like irrigation, on-farm water storage and fencing considered "unlikely" to have an adverse effect, while constructed wetlands would have a new objective, standards, and consent pathway. Councils would no longer need to map wetlands by 2030, but Source Water Risk Management areas would now need to be mapped "to help safeguard drinking water sources from contamination". The government is also proposing to "simplify" requirements for fish passages to reduce the administrative burden "while still providing appropriate protection". Changes to rules for synthetic fertiliser are also proposed. Primary sector Highly productive land changes would extend the timeframes to 2027/28, see the removal of the "Land Use Capability 3" category and trial the use of "special agricultural areas". Grazed beef cattle and deer in low intensity farms would no longer need to be kept out of wetlands. In forestry, councils would lose the ability to set harder controls, slash would need to be planned for and - above a certain size - removed, and low-intensity harvesting will be permitted by default if "any relevant forest planning requirement is complied with". Restrictions on mines and quarries in wetlands would be loosened. Aquaculture changes aim to streamline consenting for activities and research, and allow small structures in coastal marine areas with no consent. Infrastructure and development Granny flats of up to 70sqm, and papakāinga of up to 10 homes would be allowed without a consent on specific land zones. Papakāinga would also allow commercial activities of up to 100sqm, conservation activity, accommodation for up to eight guests, along with education, health, sports, marae, urupā and māra kai facilities. Medium papakāinga of up to 30 homes would be considered a "restricted discretionary" activity, with those of more than 30 units becoming "discretionary" activities. Energy changes include new policies on supporting the needs of the electricity network and management of environmental interests, and another new policy on recognising and providing for Māori interests in electricity transmission, and other changes. These would allow more routine work on electricity networks, establish a National Grid Yard and Subdivision Corridor, and scrap consenting for distribution and EV charging infrastructure. A new policy for natural hazards - covering flooding, landslips, coastal erosion, coastal inundation, active faults, liquefaction and tsunami - would cover all environments and zones including coastal environments, directing councils to take a risk-based approach and assess risk based on "likelihood and consequence". A definition of "significant risk" using a risk matrix would be provided, with councils directed to also use the best available information when making decisions. In telecommunications, new poles would be allowed by default in more areas, with restrictions in the road reserve also removed. Renewable energy generation, temporary facilities and connection lines to heritage buildings for telecommunications would no longer need consenting.


USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Three things to know about Dallas Baptist ahead of Baton Rouge Regional
Three things to know about Dallas Baptist ahead of Baton Rouge Regional LSU baseball welcomes three teams to Alex Box Stadium as it hosts the Baton Rouge Regional in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. One of those teams is a familiar opponent in Dallas Baptist. The Patriots made the national postseason for the eleventh-straight season. Despite falling short in the Conference USA Tournament Championship, they received an at-large bid. The Tigers' relievers held Dallas Baptist to three runs on three hits through the game's first seven innings. They induced 13 strikeouts, led by 11 from Conner Ware and Zac Cowan, who earned the win. Casan Evans slammed the door over the final two frames, earning his first career save. Dallas Baptist possess a lineup of experienced, heavy hitters along with two all-conference pitchers. In 32 of their 56 games, the Patriots plated seven or more runs. They also gained three ranked wins, two over Oklahoma and one over TCU. Here are three things to know about Dallas Baptist ahead of the Baton Rouge Regional. The Patriots score lots of runs, win or lose In five of its 16 losses, the Patriots scored five or more runs and they reached double-digits 23 times. Their batters see the ball well and capitalized on their strength against lesser opponents, especially in conference. Whether or not its pitching staff holds teams to minimal runs, Dallas Baptist relies on big swings to outscore the opposition. In a postseason setting with high-leverage games, the Patriots will rely on their veteran sluggers to carry them to victory. Expect them to score at a high clip against Rhode Island in the Regional opener. Six All-Conference selections lead the way Conference USA named six Patriots to their end of season team, led by Nathan Humphreys as the Defensive Player of the Year and first-team centerfielder. Grant Jay, Keaton Grady and Chayton Krauss also earned first-team status. The four each bat over .320, led by Humphreys' .360. Krauss leads the team with 74 hits and 69 RBI. Three of the four slug over .620 with at least 14 home runs, demonstrating their power at the plate. Pitchers Ryan Borgerg and Mason Peters are on the first and second team, respectively. Borgerg ranked second in the conference with a 3.72 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.21 WHIP. Peters gained experience as a starter and closer, meaning he could go either way depending on the team's in-game situations. Mixed results vs. top tier teams Dallas Baptist possesses the most talented roster in its league, so naturally, it puts up big numbers. For a clearer picture of what DBU can do in the postseason, let's look at how it fares vs. teams on its talent plane. The Patriots dropped a weekend series to Western Kentucky, even getting shut out 11-0. During the conference tournament, they failed to win their third-straight crown as they suffered two losses against Jacksonville State In three home-and-home series with Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and TCU, the team went 4-2. Add in the early-season loss to LSU, the Patriots fared average when punching up. They'll need to get past LSU, most likely either Kade Anderson or Anthony Eyanson, to make a Super Regional appearance.

News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Geelong tops Australia's regional migration rankings
More than one-in-10 people who packed up to move house outside of capital cities are settling in the Geelong region. Regional Australia Institute's Regional Movers Index for March saw Geelong record a 9.3 per cent net internal migration intake, overtaking Queensland's Sunshine Coast as the nation's leading destination for people moving to the country. When including the Surf Coast, Queenscliff and Golden Plains council areas, the region's intake rises to an almost 11 per cent share. Geelong's share of internal migration accelerated 96 per cent in the past year and is now greater than Victoria's next three most popular destinations combined – Ballarat, Bendigo and the Moorabool Shire. Greater Geelong's ascent comes as regional Victoria captured 34 per cent of the total net inflows. Commonwealth Bank acting executive general manager for regional and agribusiness banking Josh Foster said Geelong's idyllic location, established services and range of employment opportunities made is a star performer. 'This is underpinned by significant government and corporate investment in the region, including the Geelong Convention Centre which is due to be completed in 2026, and the Barwon's Women and Children's Hospital renovation and expansion expected to be completed in 2026/2027,' Mr Foster said. To support the demand for housing, a target of an additional 128,600 dwellings in Greater Geelong by 2051 has been set by the Victorian Government, he said. A roaring economy with rising blue collar and white collar industries saw more people choose the region, McGrath Geelong director David Cortous said. 'Geelong is leading the way with some manufacturing coming back,' he said. 'The blue collar grassroots of Geelong is well embedded through the region – that's one reason why its growing.' Growing health and education sectors and in particular the head office location of significant organisations such as NDIA, WorkSafe and TAC, as well as global clothing company Cotton On, meant the city was a destination for professional workers also, enjoying life in a city by Corio Bay and close to the Surf Coast. 'There's also the liveability compared to Melbourne because the congestion in the big cities now is hard on people's lifestyles,' Mr Cortous said. 'It's a more affordable lifestyle here – execs and professional people can still pull the same type of income and probably live a bit more affordably.' Property investors were also seeing the benefits, with Sydney buyers snapping up more investment properties in the suburbs, spurred on by low prices and the opportunity for growth and rental demand. Geelong's $720,000 median house price is still 4 per cent down on 12 months ago but market indicators show the city has passed the bottom of the market. 'We're just starting to see the needle move now with a couple of interest rate cuts and more migration,' Mr Cortous said, documenting more people looking at properties, including up to 30 per cent out-of-town buyers. But there are growing pains, such as development pressures to cater for more apartments and townhouses in existing suburbs and the high cost of building, property taxes and competition for tradies from massive state government projects in Melbourne. 'Because what the state government's done with taxes and what the state government has done with the cost of build a house because they've sucked so much labour into their own projects, building houses in expensive,' Mr Cortous said. 'I think there's going to more a lot of pressure on housing and demand for rental properties, because there hasn't been as many investors in the market.'