Latest news with #Sojourner
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Mysterious Mars Rock Leaves Scientists Searching For Origin Clues
One of these things is not like the others. Time to sing that famous 'Sesame Street' song to yourself as you gaze on a recent NASA Perseverance rover image sent back from Mars. The photo shows a rocky beige and brown patch of ground with a dark mostly smooth rock sitting in the middle of the frame. It's the latest rock to present a science puzzle for Mars researchers to solve. Perseverance is currently exploring the rim of the Jezero Crater in an area called Witch Hazel Hill. The rover took some time in April to study a spot where lighter and darker rock outcrops meet. That site is named Port Anson. That's where the unusual rock came into focus. You might notice a theme to the names, which are real locations in Canada on Earth. The theme continues with the name given to the dark rock: Skull Hill. Skull Hill is a 'float' rock—a rock that came from somewhere else. That's why it doesn't fit in with its surroundings. While most of Skull Hill looks smooth, it has some notable pits. 'The pits on Skull Hill may have formed via the erosion of clasts from the rock or scouring by wind,' wrote Purdue University doctoral student Margaret Deahn in a rover mission update on April 17. Clasts are rock fragments or chunks. Clasts may have been embedded in the dark rock and then wore away, leaving pits behind. 'We've found a few of these dark-toned floats in the Port Anson region, and the team is working to better understand where these rocks came from and how they got here,' Deahn said. NASA rovers have been exploring the red planet since the late 1990s when the Mars Pathfinder mission carried the Sojourner rover to the surface. The robotic explorers keep spotting new and noteworthy rocks. The Curiosity rover delivered a surprise in mid-2024 with the first-ever discovery of pure sulfur crystals on Mars. Not to be outdone by its rover sibling, Perseverance found a 'zebra rock' unlike any other. The striped rock is also likely a float rock like Skull Hill. When a rover finds an obviously out-of-place rock, it kicks off an effort to spot similar ones in other locations. Scientists are interested in the origin of these oddball rocks. Fans of Mars rocks like to play spot-the-meteorite. Meteorites typically stand out from their surroundings. They're usually dark with surfaces that show both smooth and pitted features. Skull Hill might have a meteorite-like appearance, but it likely didn't come from space. A Perseverance analysis of similar rocks nearby 'suggests a composition inconsistent with a meteorite origin.' If Skull Hill isn't a meteorite, that still leaves some big questions: What is it and where did it come from? The rover's investigations suggest it 'could be an igneous rock eroded from a nearby outcrop or ejected from an impact crater.' Igneous rocks often have volcanic origins. Mars has a fascinating history of volcanic activity. The tallest known mountain in the solar system is the dormant Olympus Mons volcano on Mars. Perseverance's science skills will be put to the test as it continues to explore the crater rim. It's a relatively new region for the rover, so there are plenty of geological puzzle pieces left for scientists to discover and put into place.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Housing is the ‘bedrock of safety.' For survivors of domestic violence in Milwaukee, it can be hard to find.
A key to safety for many victims of domestic and intimate partner violence is emergency shelter, but in Milwaukee County, that can be in short supply. The demand far outpaces the bed capacity at Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee or any other local shelter, a new report found. 'Housing for us is the bedrock of safety,' said Carmen Pitre, Sojourner's president and chief executive, in an interview. Studies from across the country have repeatedly found that domestic and intimate partner violence is a leading cause of women experiencing homelessness. Many of Sojourner's clients struggle with transitional housing options after leaving emergency shelter, Pitre said, and two longstanding local options for that service have closed in recent years. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said the county has invested in affordable housing developments with the help of pandemic relief funds. But with federal dollars drying up, the county will rely more on partnerships to try to fulfill those needs, he said. 'We want to fill these gaps so people aren't falling through the cracks and going right back into that cycle of violence or that cycle of homelessness,' Crowley said. The report was based on data from Sojourner and interviews with survivors served by Sojourner. It did not include data from other advocacy organizations supporting survivors in the county, including the Milwaukee Women's Center and We Are Here MKE, a collective of culturally specific organizations. However, representatives from those organizations said Thursday the findings were similar to their clients' experiences. 'For many of them, they're running again with the clothes on their back,' said Antonia Drew Norton, founder of The Asha Project, which serves African American women and families in Milwaukee. 'And we want to be able to have the best place to reach that path toward healing, which is a journey – not a destination,' she added. The report was the subject of a community meeting Thursday at American Family Field. Here are key takeaways. Sojourner operates a 53-bed emergency shelter for survivors and their children. In 2023, the shelter served 141 adults and 181 children. The average stay for a family was about 50 nights. That same year, Sojourner's hotline received 2,353 calls requesting shelter, meaning only 6% of those individuals ultimately stayed in the agency's shelter. SPECIAL REPORT: Domestic violence deaths are rising. Children are witnessing them. Inside the crisis facing Milwaukee County. Sojourner asked survivors where they were going after leaving the shelter. Of those who shared the information, about 31% said they were moving to a rental with some form of assistance to help with the cost, the report found. About a quarter reported moving in with family or friends, and another 17% reported moving to another emergency shelter in the area. Sojourner conducted interviews with 125 adult survivors served by their organization, many of whom had experienced poverty, the report noted. Roughly three-quarters of the survivors had been homeless at some point in their lives, and half of them said their children had experienced homelessness. On average, survivors had experienced six discrete incidences of homelessness in their lifetimes, the report found. ARCHIVE: Domestic violence victims in Milwaukee faced eviction for calling police in 2008-2009, study finds Of the survivors who had minor children, about 62% reported that their children had to move homes because of the abusive situation. Only 16% reported that their children had to move schools. The report traces the difference to federal protections for homeless children, which allows students who become homeless during a school year to continue to attend the same school for the rest of the year, regardless of where the family is living. The law shows the potential of policy solutions to address homelessness among survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, the report says. FULL REPORT: Homelessness, Housing Instability & IntimatePartner Violence The report offers several recommendations: Training advocacy staff in housing/rental knowledge for the local market and adding positions to address survivors' housing needs. Supporting projects that build or create more affordable housing units, expanding available emergency shelter and creating more transitional housing options. Train and support family and friends so they can support survivors, including in housing needs. In an interview, Pitre recommended friends and family of survivors call an advocacy organization for guidance on housing options and safety planning. 'It's emotionally difficult to support people who are in challenging circumstances,' Pitre said. 'I would say, first, take care of yourself, as well as trying to take care of your loved one.' Ashley Luthern is a reporter and deputy investigations editor at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at Domestic violence advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722. The Milwaukee Women's Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140. The Women's Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828. We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075. The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510. The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526. Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090. The Hmong American Women's Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee domestic violence victims struggle to find shelter, housing
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Housing is the ‘bedrock of safety.' For survivors of domestic violence in Milwaukee, it can be hard to find.
A key to safety for many victims of domestic and intimate partner violence is emergency shelter, but in Milwaukee County, that can be in short supply. The demand far outpaces the bed capacity at Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee or any other local shelter, a new report found. 'Housing for us is the bedrock of safety,' said Carmen Pitre, Sojourner's president and chief executive, in an interview. Studies from across the country have repeatedly found that domestic and intimate partner violence is a leading cause of women experiencing homelessness. Many of Sojourner's clients struggle with transitional housing options after leaving emergency shelter, Pitre said, and two longstanding local options for that service have closed in recent years. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said the county has invested in affordable housing developments with the help of pandemic relief funds. But with federal dollars drying up, the county will rely more on partnerships to try to fulfill those needs, he said. 'We want to fill these gaps so people aren't falling through the cracks and going right back into that cycle of violence or that cycle of homelessness,' Crowley said. The report was based on data from Sojourner and interviews with survivors served by Sojourner. It did not include data from other advocacy organizations supporting survivors in the county, including the Milwaukee Women's Center and We Are Here MKE, a collective of culturally specific organizations. However, representatives from those organizations said Thursday the findings were similar to their clients' experiences. 'For many of them, they're running again with the clothes on their back,' said Antonia Drew Norton, founder of The Asha Project, which serves African American women and families in Milwaukee. 'And we want to be able to have the best place to reach that path toward healing, which is a journey – not a destination,' she added. The report was the subject of a community meeting Thursday at American Family Field. Here are key takeaways. Sojourner operates a 53-bed emergency shelter for survivors and their children. In 2023, the shelter served 141 adults and 181 children. The average stay for a family was about 50 nights. That same year, Sojourner's hotline received 2,353 calls requesting shelter, meaning only 6% of those individuals ultimately stayed in the agency's shelter. SPECIAL REPORT: Domestic violence deaths are rising. Children are witnessing them. Inside the crisis facing Milwaukee County. Sojourner asked survivors where they were going after leaving the shelter. Of those who shared the information, about 31% said they were moving to a rental with some form of assistance to help with the cost, the report found. About a quarter reported moving in with family or friends, and another 17% reported moving to another emergency shelter in the area. Sojourner conducted interviews with 125 adult survivors served by their organization, many of whom had experienced poverty, the report noted. Roughly three-quarters of the survivors had been homeless at some point in their lives, and half of them said their children had experienced homelessness. On average, survivors had experienced six discrete incidences of homelessness in their lifetimes, the report found. ARCHIVE: Domestic violence victims in Milwaukee faced eviction for calling police in 2008-2009, study finds Of the survivors who had minor children, about 62% reported that their children had to move homes because of the abusive situation. Only 16% reported that their children had to move schools. The report traces the difference to federal protections for homeless children, which allows students who become homeless during a school year to continue to attend the same school for the rest of the year, regardless of where the family is living. The law shows the potential of policy solutions to address homelessness among survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, the report says. FULL REPORT: Homelessness, Housing Instability & IntimatePartner Violence The report offers several recommendations: Training advocacy staff in housing/rental knowledge for the local market and adding positions to address survivors' housing needs. Supporting projects that build or create more affordable housing units, expanding available emergency shelter and creating more transitional housing options. Train and support family and friends so they can support survivors, including in housing needs. In an interview, Pitre recommended friends and family of survivors call an advocacy organization for guidance on housing options and safety planning. 'It's emotionally difficult to support people who are in challenging circumstances,' Pitre said. 'I would say, first, take care of yourself, as well as trying to take care of your loved one.' Ashley Luthern is a reporter and deputy investigations editor at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at Domestic violence advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722. The Milwaukee Women's Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140. The Women's Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828. We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075. The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510. The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526. Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090. The Hmong American Women's Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee domestic violence victims struggle to find shelter, housing
Axios
07-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
Management is in its Boss Era
If there's one thing Elon Musk and Donald Trump have made clear: The U.S. is in its Big Boss Era. Why it matters: Workers had a moment of empowerment in the wake of the pandemic — remember the Great Resignation? Summer of Strikes? Quiet Quitting? Well, forget it. That time is in the rearview. A slowing labor market, combined with a vocally pro-management, at times anti-worker White House is giving executives the chance to reclaim their vast power over working schlubs. What's out: Work-life balance and flexibility. Unions. Diversity and inclusion. What's in: The office. Firing people who don't toe the line. Very long work hours. "This is a boss's administration," says Aaron Sojourner, a labor economist with the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. "You have a president who's made his mark as an employer," Sojourner points out. Trump's trademark Apprentice catchphrase was "you're fired!'" And then there's Musk, a proponent of 80-hour work weeks, employing tough tactics honed at his companies, like the Fork in the Road email, to get the federal workforce in line. "You have the wealthiest man in the world, who is the CEO of multiple companies, taking a really strong hand in federal policy," says Sojourner. Zoom out: The White House and Musk have been clear that they're suspicious of federal workers, especially those who worked remotely — they've suggested some were working two jobs, or spending their time golfing. Administration officials say fired workers weren't actually doing anything — something thousands have said isn't accurate. " Everybody's replaceable," Trump said back in January when asked about workers who take a "buyout" who might otherwise be considered necessary. For the record: "President Trump is an accomplished business tycoon who spent decades building efficient and successful companies," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. "He knows that the real boss is the American taxpayer, and he will continue to demand the high level of dedication and excellence from all government employees that the American people deserve." Between the lines: During his campaign, Trump made an explicit appeal to union voters. He's also nominated a pro-union Labor secretary, and has said he is pro-worker. Part of the stated reasoning behind his tariff push is to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and create better-paying jobs. Yes, but: Trump's unprecedented firing of a commissioner at the NLRB left the board without the quorum needed to adjudicate labor complaints. (A judge ruled Thursday one commissioner was fired illegally and should resume work.) Zoom in: "Experts say what's happening is bigger than just the pendulum swinging back in employers' favor: Leaders in certain industries are trying to reclaim their cultures," is how Korn Ferry, a global consulting firm, puts it in a recent thought leadership piece. That culture, particularly in tech and finance, can be one of grueling overwork — particularly tough on those with caregiving roles at home (more likely to be women), or really anyone that seeks to have a life outside the office. In a leaked memo viewed by the New York Times, Google co-founder Sergey Brin recently extolled the virtue of the 60-hour work week as the "sweet spot" for productivity in its race to dominate the AI space. The intrigue: Long gone are the days of the Great Resignation, when workers felt so empowered they could just up and quit their jobs, knowing something better was just around the corner. The quits rate — the share of workers who voluntarily leave their jobs each month — is well off where it was during the spree of 2021. State of play: Those who have a job are somewhat safe at the moment, says Sojourner, the labor economist. (Except federal workers.) But the hiring rate is pretty soft and finding a job is harder — especially for knowledge workers. There has been talk of a white collar recession for almost a year now. With tens of thousands of highly educated former federal workers now hitting the job market, the fear is things get worse. Where it stands: Here's what we know now about the labor market: The unemployment rate has been low, and is expected to have held steady at 4% in February. There are signs that layoffs are becoming more worrying. U.S. employers announced 172,017 job cuts in February, up more than 100% from the same month last year, per a tally from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Stunning stat: Federal government jobs made up more than a third of those cuts — 62,242 jobs lost.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Yahoo
10 Young Black women inspiring the next generation of travelers
Having the freedom of moveent, and by extension traveling, as been a core of the human existence since the beginning. From early hunting and gathering tribes, to seaward explorers, to folks immigrating across the world in search of a better life, humans have always had a hint of the nomadic lifestyle in their hearts. Fast forward to today and travel is not a simple as hopping on a boat or a plane. There are various taxes and fees associated with transportation, luggage allotment restrictions, new vaccine recommendations, and visas upon visas upon visas - nevermind the added social constraints of living in a globally racialized world. It can be nerve-wracking to travel for young people who don't have as much life experience yet, especially those from minority backgrounds who don't often see themselves celebrated in mainstream media. The solution for them has been through social media, where the follow young Black women are showing the next generation of travelers (and even a few of us experienced travelers) how the tourism industry is welcoming them to explore the world! Kesi Irvin followed the blueprint to American success. She focused in school, graduated from an Ivy League university, and grinded her way into making 6-figures on Wall Street. But what some of us fail to realize until we reach that point is that the American dream is really about making your "impossible dreams" a reality - and Kesi did just that. She quit Wall Street to travel the world on a gap that gap year lasted over nine years with little indication of stopping. With over 80 countries logged in her passport, Kesi is a shining reminder that your American dream doesn't have to be cookie-cutter, but you still have to put in the work to make it happen. Crowned the "Train Travel Queen," Sojourner embodies the very essence of her name as she explores different corners of the globe - usually from the comfortable chair of a train. Sojourner uses her background as a social worker to guide her travels in a compassionate and ethical manner and showing others that thoughtful travel isn't "boring" and actually a lot easier to do than you might expect! Whether she's in a plane or a train, Sojourner is always SOMEWHERE. Sharing her experiences on social media, as well as a travel vlogger and writer, you can get a glimpse on what it's like to take the world by storm and make a positive impact while doing it! If you're looking for joy in life, either in the extraordinary or the extra ordinary, Larissa is your gal. A true ball of good energy, Larissa takes her audience from journey to journey, whether that means on an expedition across Patagonia and Antarctica or to the local community-led outdoor yoga class in Atlanta, Georgia, Larissa treats every opportunity as special. Because it is. Life is made up of both big and small wins, experiences, and learnings, so enjoy all of them equally. Larissa's content is a breath of fresh air in the often overly monetized world of social media, and reminds all of us that you don't need to be a celebrity to live a life worth sharing, loving, and celebrating. For those of us that just KNOW we were always meant for big things, but wasn't quite sure on the path, Sundai is a beacon in the dark room of finding your way. Already having lived multiple lives, Sundai hails from California but is now living, working, and THRIVING in Japan, creating incredibly relatable and motivational videos about both her daily life and her journey as she sets out to achieve whatever her mind puts before her. If you've ever wanted to find a quieter life living a broad, or just create a sustainable living model for yourself, Sundai's content is the perfect motivational inspiration to keep you on track and reiterating that you CAN do it, all you have to do it. Now I KNOW some of y'all reading this are interested in finding a great travel agent to handle all of the tedious planning parts of travel (or even become a travel agent yourself!), and for that Tia is your travel homegirl! From living abroad to teaching others to do the same, Tia has used her experience as an international teacher and resident to turn her passport into a storybook and inspire others to seek out a better quality of life. Tia's content is real and relatable, showing the amazing AND the less-than-glamorous side of exploring so that newer travelers know what to expect and more importantly what to do when travel throws its many curveballs! From traveling to over 25 countries and immersing herself in cultures through local experiences, Dia began to internalize the importance of being a responsible led her to seeing the blatant information gap in mainstream tourism media. Dia used her voice to create a platform that gives travel insight through a nuanced perspective allowing folks join a welcoming and inclusive travel community that listens but doesn't judge. Dia is a champion for responsible travel and leaving destinations with a positive impact from her visit, and gives her audience practical tools to do the same! Kay is a grad school STEM student, published fiction author, awarded travel writer and her favorite title is being an all-around goofy goose. Well, that and the title of being the first person to crip walk on Antarctica. Kay has never taken life too seriously, and her playful mindset shines through in her hilarious blog where she shares practical travel tips that are always followed with a punchline. Though, success of the joke will vary - one title she does not have is stand up comedian. Still, through all the silly stories, Kay always circles back to the reason she fell in love with travel: The stories and the people, places, and cultures that compel us to keep wandering. If you're looking for a traveler that feels like your wacky favorite cousin, Kay's the girl for you! Francesca is the face and founder of "One Girl One World," a travel and beauty platform globally recognized in the travel industry. She is known for offering simple and easy-to-follow travel and lifestyle tips as her audience explores exciting destinations on every inch of the globe. However, it was her experience growing up in diverse Los Angeles that allowed her to see and embody her natural beauty while traveling the world. With a background in public relations and and media, Francesca is dedicated to uplifting young women from all backgrounds and encouraging Black women to find beauty in themselves and the world at large. If anyone knows the ins-and-outs of the travel industry, it's Taila. From working in hotels to travel companies to creating content, Taila sees both sides of travel, putting tons of useful tidbits of tips in her traveling toolbelt. Taila is also an outdoor enthusiast, and encourages her audience to opt outside as often as possible and offers suggestions to ease new nature explorers outdoors. Taila is the epitome of fun, bringing excitement and a carefree nonchalance that has been lost in much of the travel industry. She brings it back to the basics as well, because travel doesn't have to be complicated. If you're feeling too overwhelmed, you might be overthinking things - but don't worry, Taila's got ya covered! Marissa Daily is a travel and lifestyle blogger based in the Washington, D.C. metro area. After leaving her 9-to-5 job nearly three years ago to pursue her passion of travel full-time, Marissa shares her experiences across her various social media platforms to offer travel tips and inspiration through her city guides. Through these platforms, Marissa aims to inspire others to embark on their own travel adventures, providing practical advice and personal insights to make travel more accessible and enjoyable. Marissa's heartfelt and honest personality helps keep her content refreshing and authentic .
