Latest news with #Storch
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Brownwood honors 911 dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
ABILENE, Texas () – National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 14-18, honors dispatchers who assess a situation and dispatch emergency services and law enforcement. When the phone rings, someone is prepared to answer and assess calls for help. Brownwood 911 Dispatcher and shift supervisor Justin Storch stated that the job requires various skills. 'We're gathering information, ensuring public safety, officer safety, and then protection of property,' Storch said. 'As soon as we get a call, we have to decide what kind of call it is, and in seconds, get it on the board and get it out to an officer so they can respond as quick as possible.' Dispatchers navigate chaos, occasionally having to deliver babies and provide CPR over the phone. Abilene Communications Manager, Lindsey Hoxsey, mentioned that this can be challenging. 'The harder ones are going to be CPR and stuff that deals with infants that don't come out great. You know, whenever somebody wakes up next to somebody that's passed away overnight, that they've been with for 60 years, those are pretty rough for us,' Hoxsey said. As the job gains more public attention, Storch stated that discussing its mental health impact is increasingly important. 'We get them to the EMTs and firefighters to them and after that, we don't hear anything else. It can become emotionally difficult. It can weigh on a dispatcher quite a bit. One of the best things that we can do is have a good, strong support system, which we do from our officers, from our fellow dispatchers, and our families,' Storch explained. Brownwood Lieutenant Art Sanders said it would be unimaginable in a world without dispatchers. 'It would be chaos. We wouldn't know where we're going. We wouldn't have— it would be up to us to find things going on all the time. And we just can't do that. You know, there's only a limited number of officers out there prowling around the streets,' said Sanders. 'They are the guys that are absolutely there all the time,' Sanders said. Hoxsey said no matter the county, the overall vision is the same: to save lives and get people the help they need. 'Your worst day is our work day, and we want everybody to feel heard. And when they call, we want to make sure everybody feels like a priority. So we are here,' Hoxsey said. In 2019, the state of Texas recognized dispatchers as first responders, allowing 911 operators to access the same benefits as law enforcement and emergency services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
26-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
VC firm Eclipse taps former Trump trade advisor to lead policy
March 26 (Reuters) - Venture capital firm Eclipse has hired former Trump administration trade advisor Thomas Storch as its first head of policy and government affairs, the latest Silicon Valley firm seeking to build a larger presence in Washington and establish a line of communication with the administration on policymaking. The move comes as Eclipse, which focuses on backing startups serving the physical industry across advanced manufacturing and defense, seeks to strengthen its ties with a new administration expected to be tech-friendly. In an interview, Storch said he has seen more openness from the administration to work with the tech industry. Get a look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets with the Morning Bid U.S. newsletter. Sign up here. "Obviously, in this administration, there's a number of people who now come from the tech world, so I think it's very natural that some of those conversations would come together," he said. Vice President JD Vance previously worked as a venture capitalist. "I think that it gives a sense of optimism that they're rowing in the same direction, that when they go in for meetings with government, the atmosphere and the message is, how can we do things together productively, and not what are the things that are going to slow you down?" Storch said. Storch, who has worked in both private and public sectors, will focus on explaining White House policies to portfolio companies and participating in policymaking conversations in Washington. Amid rising geopolitical competition, his pitch focuses on strengthening U.S. physical industries through collaboration between the private and public sectors, including deploying more energy and adopting advanced AI infrastructure. Not every policy from the new administration would benefit tech companies. Tariffs, for example, could increase manufacturing costs for startups building physical products. Storch, who worked on trade policy during Trump's first term, emphasized that tariffs were not just about trade policy but represented a broader approach to economic security, which could strengthen domestic manufacturing and protect critical industries. Founded by Lior Susan in 2015, Eclipse's portfolio companies include chipmaker Cerebras, space startup True Anomaly, and Ursa Major. The appointment highlights a growing trend of VC firms hiring policy experts as government involvement in technology sectors increases, particularly in areas deemed critical to national security and economic competitiveness. Firms like Andreessen Horowitz, known for its American Dynamism investment strategy, has established a major presence in DC.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Black Keys Are All Fired Up
Every great rock 'n roll story goes through extreme highs and lows. For every platinum album or Grammy night sweep, disappointment and disaster often awaits right around the corner. The Black Keys experienced a year like that in 2024, with an entire U.S. tour cancelled and an album it was meant to promote, Ohio Players, losing momentum as a result. Even so, Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney tends to prefer it when things aren't going too well. More from Spin: Exclusive: Shudder To Think Eye New Music, More Shows After Surprise Reunion Lindsay Ell's Top 5 Female Guitarists Jacob Theriot is Living in a 'Gremlin World' 'When things were going really, really well for us, it was the hardest time, and I think that's typically so for bands,' says Carney. 'When you're flying high, the pressure's high, egos are high – it's a dangerous time. But every band I've liked for the most part, most of their careers were a struggle, whether it's the Velvet Underground or the Stooges or whoever. Ultimately, all that stands at the end of time is the music, you know?' For the Black Keys, 2025 will be the year this multiplatinum, Grammy-winning duo works to reclaim their place as popular creators of explosive rock and blues with a new album, No Rain, No Flowers, and international tour. Another sign of their renewed purpose is today's release of the single 'Babygirl' on Easy Eye Sound/Warner Records. The track is bristling, hook-filled and romantic rock, with dramatic piano melodies from acclaimed producer Scott Storch, known for his records with a long list of hitmakers, from Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake to Dr. Dre and the Roots. And singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach purrs the breathless opening lyrics: 'Babygirl, you came along and then you opened my eyes/Babygirl, you make me stronger than I realize.' The song was co-written by the band with Storch and Daniel Tashian, known for his work with Kacey Musgraves, co-writing and co-producing her 2018 Grammy-winning album Golden Hour. On the track, Storch performs on piano and Moog bass. 'He'd always been kind of a hero of ours,' says Auerbach. 'We used to [obsessively watch] his videos on YouTube playing all his parts from his productions on piano. He showed up and he was so excited to be in the studio because it's filled with keyboards here. He said he'd never really recorded with real instruments before—like harpsichords, vibes, tack pianos and stuff. So he was like a kid in a candy shop. We hit it off, man, and we had a lot of fun.' Longtime musical partners Auerbach and Carney, who formed the Black Keys in 2001 in Akron, Ohio, are on the phone from the guitarist's Easy Eye Sound studio and label in Nashville. The duo is in the late stages of completing the album, aiming for a final 12 songs. 'We worked really hard on this album, maybe even more so than we did on Ohio Players,' says Carney. 'I think it's representative of all kinds of stuff that we're into. It's a fun listen.' The new single follows the release of 'The Night Before,' a groove-based rock tune and the first clue that the Black Keys had been working up a new album of songs. It was also co-written with Tashian, who Carney first met after moving to Nashville 15 years ago at a party with Harmony Korine and David Berman, of the Silver Jews. The album's first single emerged as Carney, Auerbach and Tashian played drums, guitar and bass in a circle at Easy Eye. 'It came together so quickly that we overlooked it,' says Auerbach. 'When we were playing the songs we had for people, it was the very last one we played to the record label. As soon as we played it, everyone unanimously said that should be the first single.' The new music amounts to some positive fallout surrounding the release of Ohio Players and the canceled tour. 'We put a lot of time into the album, and then it came out and some bullshit happened and we had to pivot,' says Carney. 'So we pivoted to where we feel most comfortable, which is back in the studio—make more music and just do it again.' Auerbach adds, 'Ultimately, the reason why we have new music is because we weren't able to tour. The tour getting canceled definitely fired our creativity up. It was our way to get through that.' The title of No Rain, No Flowers is an indication of the duo's state of mind, taking charge following a bumpy year. And it comes much quicker than most fans might have expected, but the Keys see the release schedule as a return to their DIY roots, which began by recording their raw 2002 debut The Big Come Up in Auerbach's basement. Carney insists the band has always sought to retain that same hands-on approach ever since. Only more so now. 'Music is designed to be made and released quickly. I don't think it benefits from sitting on shit for like Chinese Democracy-level. No one's ever benefited from taking three years to make a fucking album,' Carney says with a laugh. 'When we first started, we were making a record a year. That's how often a healthy band should be putting out records.' The Black Keys begin their first proper U.S. tour in three years, trading the arenas that were planned for last year's aborted tour for amphitheaters and theaters, which happen to be some of the best spaces for music in the U.S. (Red Rocks near Denver, and L.A.'s Greek Theatre). The No Rain, No Flowers Tour begins May 23rd in Oklahoma. 'The fact we didn't get to tour last year, we hated it,' says Carney. 'It sucks for us, sucks for the fans. Also, the circumstances were bullshit. But at the end of the day, we did get to make another album. And it's something that we're proud of, and that will be a document that will exist long after we're gone.' Aside from the tour, Auerbach and Carney continue to host their frequent 'Record Hangs,' where the musicians get into a small club and spin their favorite pop, soul and rock records from the Sixties, Seventies and beyond. They've taken these all-vinyl nights to different cities around the world, but are currently spinning close to home in Nashville. Their next two monthly Record Hangs are March 22 and April 19 at Flamingo Cocktail Club. The DJ sets include a spontaneous playlist that mixes classic hits from the past with the gorgeously obscure, from Al Green and Sam Cooke to the Hombres and Devo's twitchy version of the Rolling Stones' '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.' The events unfold in intimate settings, with the turntables very close to the fans dancing all around them, a much different scene than the big rooms the Black Keys typically perform in. 'It's all about loving music and discovering records and dancing,' Auerbach explains. 'It's kind of why we started playing music in the first place. It's really amazing to be able to share that with fans. It's been really nice. We've met some great people.' There is also a real connection between those old 45s and the music they're making now. 'We're learning a lot from spinning records, and seeing the audience reaction, feeling it,' says Auerbach. 'You can feel it when you spin the record. You know instantly, once you start playing it in the room, if it's working or not. And it's just been very interesting. And not all songs that we record have to be like Record Hang songs. We still like album tracks, too.' Carney adds, 'I do think it is interesting when you're playing a song in front of a room full of people, if there's any kind of waste of time in that song, it becomes something you might not play again. That comes to mind when we're working [on Black Keys songs].' To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watchdogs at Pentagon, VA Fired in Purge of Inspectors General Across Federal Government
Independent watchdogs at the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs appeared Monday to be among the estimated 18 inspectors general fired by President Donald Trump on Friday. A full list has yet to be released, but officials for the Defense Department confirmed that DoD Inspector General Robert Storch had been fired. And while the VA declined to comment on the dismissals, a note on its inspector general's website confirmed that VA Inspector General Michael Missal also is among those who was terminated. Trump's firings -- which violated a 2022 law that requires that Congress be notified in advance -- have sown confusion and apprehension in the federal offices responsible for rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. Both Storch and Missal have overseen investigations in those agencies of issues such as the botched handling of organs, Navy SEAL training safety, misconduct at veterans facilities, and VA bonuses. Read Next: Here Are All the Units Now Deployed to the Border for Trump's Immigration Crackdown DoD spokeswoman Mollie Halpern told on Monday that Principal Deputy Inspector General Steven Stebbins is now serving as the acting inspector general at the department. A spokesman for the VA's Office of Inspector General said that the deputy inspector general, David Case, would be stepping into the role until a replacement is named. "Currently, we are not commenting on the status of the position of inspector general. However, the VA OIG wants to reassure veterans, taxpayers and Congress that our nationwide staff of auditors, inspectors and investigators remain committed to the mission of serving veterans and the public by conducting meaningful independent oversight of VA," the office said in a statement. As of Monday, the Pentagon had updated its website, but Storch's biography page was still online as of publication. Missal's also remained; however, the VA placed a statement on Missal's page saying he was "no longer at the department" and that the page was still up for historical purposes. Federal law requires the administration to notify Congress 30 days before removing an inspector general. In 2020, Trump provided that notice before firing the State Department's inspector general, but this time he appears to have ignored a law of which he clearly is aware. The overnight dismissals prompted the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to write to the White House advising it to consult legal counsel, given the legal notification requirement. The letter stopped short of saying the group would take action against the administration but advised the White House to reconsider its moves. "At this point, we do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient to dismiss presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed inspectors general," wrote Hannibal Ware, the council's chairperson and inspector general for the Small Business Administration. Storch was confirmed by the Senate in November 2022 and began work in early December. Under his tenure, the watchdog conducted and released a number of investigations that criticized the actions and inaction of Pentagon leadership and contributed to a better understanding of several major stories that impacted troops and their families. Inspector general investigations found that the Navy needs to do a better job of policing its use of sleep deprivation in SEAL training and that the Armed Forces Medical Examiner mismanaged the collection and handling of organs from at least 184 deceased troops -- and it wasn't effectively tracking the organs that it had kept in its care. The watchdog also conducted investigations of issues that arose from national headlines. In 2023 alone, the agency found that 78 service members were suspected of advocating for the overthrow of the U.S. government and another 44 were suspected of engaging or supporting terrorism. It also found that Defense Department "personnel did not have the required accountability of the thousands of defense items that they received and transferred" to Ukraine as part of the massive shipments of aid that went out after the country was invaded by Russia. A year later, it was tasked with investigating the controversial Gaza pier mission after a string of public breakdowns and operational pauses, as well as three injuries, left a lot of unanswered questions about the value the mission brought to the war-torn area. found that the Army's watercraft elements at the heart of the operation may not have been ready for prime time after the boats that were used, which had lingered in obscurity for half a century, were suddenly tasked with one of the Pentagon's highest-profile missions in years. Another investigation, which found abuse within the military's child care centers, service branch rules that generally prioritized protecting the institution, and minimal safeguards to guarantee accountability, also triggered an IG investigation in May 2024. Meanwhile, Missal has served as the VA's inspector general since 2016, across three administrations. He was appointed by President Barack Obama after leading several high-profile investigations at the Justice Department, including the bankruptcy of a subprime lender that contributed to the recession and an accounting scandal at WorldCom, a long-distance phone carrier, in 2002. In fiscal 2024, his office published 316 reports and assisted in investigations that led to the arrests of 249 individuals. It received more than 34,000 tips and complaints and conducted 393 investigations. Among its most high-profile cases, the VA OIG exposed failings at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, that allowed a nurse to murder seven patients during the course of a year without detection. He also found that the VA paid 182 senior executives nearly $11 million in bonus money that was meant to be used as incentive pay to retain employees in critically understaffed positions. But he also ran afoul of VA leadership during the first Trump administration when he found that former VA Secretary Robert Wilkie disparaged a veteran who said she was sexually assaulted at a VA hospital and that he sought to undermine her credibility. The report involved allegations that Wilkie took steps to discredit Andrea Goldstein, a Navy Reserve intelligence officer and then-adviser to the House Veterans Affairs Committee, after she said she was groped at the VA Washington DC Medical Center. In that investigation, Missal cleared Wilkie of an allegation that he actively investigated the former service member or ordered others to dig into her background. Missal also clashed with the VA's acting secretary in 2018 when he said his office had been blocked from accessing data on whistleblower complaints, in a possible violation of the law. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, released a statement Monday saying that Missal's firing hurts veterans by putting them at risk for "corruption and abuse of power." "The inspector general is the most important internal watchdog that protects veterans from waste and wrongdoing," Blumenthal wrote in a news release. "Firing him and eliminating his independent oversight is a betrayal of trust as well as violation of law. Veterans deserve that VA be held accountable to meet the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in health care, benefits and all the services it provides -- a mission the inspector general has been essential to fill," Blumenthal said in the statement. During a confirmation hearing last week for former Rep. Doug Collins, Trump's pick to serve as VA secretary, Committee Chairman Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said the committee works closely with the VA inspector general. "I find him valuable both to me and to the committee," Moran said, before asking Collins how he would utilize the IG office. "Inspector[s] general play a vital role. We're not always going to agree with the outcome, but we can come to a conclusion because ... I'm one of those that believes in gathering a lot of input and then making a decision, so if you're having input from an inspector general who's looking out for the best interest of what the VA is for, then I'll be working with them," Collins said. In January, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, launched the Inspectors General Caucus, calling their work an invaluable part of her mission to uncover waste, fraud and abuse. "Inspectors general serve a vital role in uncovering waste in Washington and must be empowered to continue looking out for taxpayers," Ernst said. Ernst's office did not respond to a request for comment by publication. Related: VA Review Finds Underused Therapists and Misused Scheduling for Mental Health Care at Georgia Clinic
