Latest news with #TPT
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
PBS Faces Crisis After Government Pulls Plug on Kids TV Grant
PBS has furloughed 25% of its PBS Kids staff after the U.S. Department of Education abruptly ended a key grant program that's funded educational children's television for over 30 years. Current reported that the move was announced by PBS President Paula Kerger during her keynote speech at the 2025 PBS Annual Meeting in Atlanta, just days after the Department pulled the plug on the Ready To Learn grant program for 2020–2025. That decision halted federal funding to PBS and 44 local public media stations mid-cycle. 'We've been forced to furlough really talented members of our staff at PBS as we figure out how to continue to advance the PBS Kids service,' Kerger said. 'We are going to keep fighting.' The Ready To Learn initiative has historically supported the creation of educational programming aimed at underserved children and families. Its unexpected termination now threatens the production of beloved PBS Kids shows and the jobs behind them—including freelance writers and producers whose contracts rely on episodic production orders. A PBS spokesperson confirmed the scale of the layoffs, citing the funding loss as a critical blow to the network's ability to deliver high-quality, accessible content. 'This decision removes a critical resource that for over 30 years has enabled us to create high-quality, educational PBS Kids content while opening up worlds of possibilities for millions of children across the country.' The Writers Guild of America East called the cuts 'an attack on children and families' and urged Congress to fully restore federal funding for public children's programming. "Our children deserve no less," the union said in a statement. Other grantees, including Minnesota-based TPT, have also cut staff as a result. TPT had received $4.6 million in Ready To Learn funds for the current grant cycle to support its animated series Skillsville. While PBS Kids remains a staple in homes across America, its future—at least in its current form—now hangs in the balance.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gus Walz speaks for the first time about his viral DNC moment: ‘I was just being emotional'
In his first-ever interview, Gus Walz explained his instantly viral moment at the Democratic National Convention in August when his father, Gov. Tim Walz, accepted the nomination for vice president. Gus pointed at his father, stood up and, with tears in his eyes, said, 'That's my dad!' 'I was just being emotional,' Gus, 18, said in a 'CBS Mornings' interview that aired Monday. 'There's nothing wrong with showing emotions.' During the interview, Gwen Walz explained that Gus was diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder in the sixth grade. The experience brought the pair closer than ever and Gus said his mom is his best friend. 'Routine really helps me, you know. Consistency. So I think my mom and me were, like, 'All right, let's go in. Let's go try and figure some stuff out.' And that's really kind of what started us getting super, super close,' Gus said. 'Whatever I need, my mom's there. She's the most important person in my life.' Here's what else Gus had to say during the interview: 'It was crazy. And I'm looking at my mom and I'm like, you know, that's my dad. He's right there. He's right in front of America. All these people chanting our last name, it was super overwhelming. Because to me, he's just regular old dad, you know, just normal dad. Golfs with me, makes food, cleans the cars, everything like that. And in that moment it was something bigger. It was just surreal.' 'I just kind of ignored it, I guess, was the only way to put it. I just continued to do what I do. I just blocked it out because I was just being emotional. Like, there's nothing wrong with showing emotions and if people are going to say there's something wrong with that, then those are not the people that I want to be associated with. So, I kind of just blocked that out.' 'I think some people think I'm a little slow and, like, I'm not like a normal kid. And I think that I'm one of the most normal people that you could find … I am a normal kid who likes to play volleyball, loves his family, loves his friends and likes to help people out.' 'There's definitely some big strengths … I'm really good at making relationships with people. One of the things I'm not as good at is picking up on non-verbal cues like when somebody, you know, says they're done or they're ready to be done. Sometimes I can't tell if they're being serious or not. Public media outlets MPR and TPT brace for federal funding cuts MN moves to strengthen DWI laws after fatal St. Louis Park crash With one week left, what's happening with the MN budget at the Legislature? Walz signs bill expanding support for service dogs in training Gov. Walz encourages legislators, and anglers, to get the lead out 'Like a volleyball ref. Sometimes I'll do something wrong and they'll go up and they'll be like, 'All right, you've got to knock that off.' But I'm like, oh they're just messing. And then I'll go back and I'll do it again and get in a little bit more trouble. So what I've learned is a strength for me is to make that relationship before the game. So I'll go up and greet the ref before the game and be like hey this is me.' 'There's a promposal going on after. I've been talking to this girl. Her name's Eleanor. Really nice girl. And I'm going to ask her to prom.' (She said yes.)
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transnet Port Terminals stabilises operations and positions for future expansion
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) CEO Jabu Mdaki speaking at the Transport Forum in Durban on Tuesday. Image: Supplied Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is shifting into a growth trajectory following the recent stabilisation of its business operations, as CEO Jabu Mdaki revealed at the Transport Forum in Durban on Tuesday. This rally comes after the terminal operator adopted a multifaceted approach, which is now beginning to yield significant results in the freight and logistics sector. TPT has earmarked a substantial R3.4 billion for new equipment acquisitions in the 2025/2026 financial year, demonstrating its commitment to modernising infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiencies. Key initiatives include a thorough review of loading cycles in the container sector, upgrading rail infrastructure and agricultural capacity at the Cape Town Multipurpose Terminal, and the anticipated delivery of a third tippler to Saldanha's Bulk Terminal operations by October 2025. Historically, underinvestment in equipment alongside adverse weather conditions and strict policies has hampered TPT's operational efficiency. However, the company has embarked on an ambitious plan to refurbish its current fleet across 16 terminals, which handle various cargo types including agricultural, mineral bulk, breakbulk, containers, and automotive. 'We have also had to employ newtechnologies, automate some of our processes and maximise data analytics in order to predictmaintenance and obtain business intelligence for effective planning and performance,' saidMdaki. To further drive recovery, TPT has introduced new technologies, automated key processes, and leveraged data analytics to predict maintenance needs and derive business intelligence for effective planning and performance improvement. Recent preliminary figures for the 2024/2025 financial year indicate that TPT has surpassed volume targets at five of its 16 terminals, including remarkable achievements at the Richards Bay Terminals, Durban Container Terminal Pier 1, Durban Multipurpose Terminal, and the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal. Despite these successes, Mdaki emphasised the operator's ongoing focus on improved efficiencies, increasing volume growth across sectors, and expanding its market share. While TPT faces challenges such as the impact of US tariffs on South African exports, Mdaki reassured stakeholders of ongoing collaborations within the industry aimed at mitigating potential repercussions on operational plans and annual forecasts. The citrus fruit season, which commenced in April, has further spotlighted TPT's initiatives. New equipment, including ship-to-shore cranes at the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal, rubber-tyred gantry cranes, straddle carriers, rail-mounted gantry cranes, haulers, forklifts, trailers, reach stackers, and additional cranes at the Durban and Cape Town container terminals, have been commissioned and deployed, amplifying the terminal's operational capabilities. BUSINESS REPORT
Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Employers keen on ‘Dutch-style' pension schemes
More than 200 employers have expressed interest in taking part in a pioneering type of retirement scheme that proponents say could generate worker pensions 20 per cent to 50 per cent larger for the same outlay and risk. The pensions administrator TPT, which announced on May 8 that it was pressing ahead with the country's first multi-employer collective defined contribution (CDC) scheme, said it was confident it can reach the critical mass needed to be viable. Andy O'Regan, its chief client strategy officer, said 'we've had conversations with more than 200 employers who are interested in pursuing this'. Together their workforces would greatly exceed the 3,000-6,000 minimum membership needed to launch, he added. CDCs, sometimes known as Dutch-style pensions, are seen as a halfway house
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Side Gigs That Require a Lot of Work (But Pay Off Big Time)
Easy money can be hard to come by. If you're looking for a side gig and willing to put in the work, there are plenty of options that can pay off. Read More: Find Out: This may require a significant time investment to learn new skills and/or create products, but it can seriously boost your income. Here's a look at five side gigs worth your time and energy. Consider using your expert-level skill(s) — i.e., web design, accounting, or niche knowledge — i.e., knitting or parenting to educate others. Creating an online course generally takes anywhere from three days to two months of full-time effort, according to OnlineCourseHost. It might be tempting to create a shorter course, but taking the longer route can pay off. For example, you'll likely be able to charge more for a 10-hour course than one that lasts just one hour. Earnings will vary greatly, depending on many factors, such as the level of traffic viewing your courses, conversion rate and price, according to OnlineCourseHost. However, you have the potential to earn $1,000-$100,000 per year or more. Discover Next: Cash in on your creative side by selling products on Etsy. This can be anything you're good at that you also enjoy – i.e., creating digital downloads, designing t-shirts, making jewelry, woodworking, painting, etc. The average successful Etsy seller earns $43,000-$46,000 per year, according to Sale Samurai. However, some sellers earn less than $100 per month, while others can earn $9,000 or more per year, so there's a lot of variance. Some of this depends on your amount of available inventory, marketing efforts, shipping costs, listing photos, customer service and of course product quality. Getting your store set up and figuring out which products are the most popular will likely require a significant time investment, but can become much more efficient after working out the kinks. If you've already put in the work to become a teacher, a side gig at TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) is waiting for you. You'll create and sell lesson plans for ages pre-K through 12th that other teachers can use in their classrooms. Some of the original educational materials you can sell include printables, task cards, interactive notebooks, digital games and teacher planners. Earnings vary from a few dollars a day to the ability to pay your monthly car payment or mortgage payment, according to TPT. If you're off during the summer months, this can be a great time to create new materials. Simply list them, then sit back and watch your earnings come in during the school year. Turn someone else's discarded furniture into a goldmine. Scour thrift stores, garage sales, Facebook Marketplace and even the curb on trash night for pieces with potential. Depending on your skill level, this could include furniture that simply needs to be cleaned or painted, to items that require repairs or even reupholstery. Fix them up, then sell them on sites like the Nextdoor app, Facebook marketplace or local consignment shops. Prices will vary by piece, but it's realistic to expect a return of at least 200% of your total costs, according to JungleScout. If you're organized and good at math, turn these skills into a bookkeeping side gig. If you don't have experience in this field, take an online bookkeeping class and learn how to use popular accounting software — i.e., QuickBooks. Bookkeepers earn an average of $23.66 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a freelancer, you'll be able to set your rate, the number of hours you'll work and the size of your client roster. More From GOBankingRates 5 Luxury Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Spring 2025 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources: OnlineCourseHost, How Long Does It Really Take To Create an Online Course? OnlineCourseHost, How Much Can You Make Selling Online Courses? Sale Samurai, How Much Does the Average Etsy Seller Make? JungleScout, Flipping Furniture for Profit in 2024: The Complete Guide to Earning Extra Income U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks This article originally appeared on 5 Side Gigs That Require a Lot of Work (But Pay Off Big Time) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
