Latest news with #TomFoley
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Four tips from Iowans on how to break texting and driving habits before July 1
Iowa cyclists participating in Ride of Silence 2025 sit for each injured cyclist, lie down for each cyclist killed on the roads in the past year, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, outside State Historical Society of Iowa. (Photo by Tom Foley/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Americans check their phone on average 205 times a day or around once every five minutes. With phones seldom out of reach, it can be difficult to moderate usage in an increasingly connected world. For many people, this habit can persist even when behind the wheel, but the distraction it provides can have real consequences. On July 1, Iowa law enforcement will begin distributing warnings for the handheld use of electronic devices while driving. Here's how to break texting and driving habits before then to avoid a penalty, or worse. For background, Senate File 22, signed on April 2, 2025, bans the handheld use of cellphones and other electronic devices while driving when not in hands-free or voice-activated mode. Officers will begin enforcing the act on July 1, and will begin penalizing violations on Jan. 1, 2026. Drivers convicted of a violation will be charged with a simple misdemeanor after Jan. 1. Here are some tips from four Iowans who work to decrease distracted driving in their communities on how to break the habit for good: 'People need to recognize that operating an electronic device while they're driving is a distraction, and that distraction can cause harm to others and themselves,' said Larry Loss, an active cyclist and Des Moines metro resident since 1993. Loss was crossing an intersection on his bike on May 18, 2022, when a young male driver, who was on his phone, made a right turn directly in front of him. Loss was cut off from the bike trail and collided into the curb, which propelled him into the concrete base of a utility pole. The injuries he sustained resulted in two surgeries, 17 days in the hospital, and left him unable to return to work for two months. The driver of the car never stopped. Loss, however, considers himself to be one of the 'lucky ones,' as he can still tell his story. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2023, 3,275 lives were lost and around 325,000 were injured in crashes related to distracted driving. Around 8% of all fatal crashes involved distracted driving. The day of the crash, BikeIowa was holding its 18th annual Ride of Silence. Every year since 2005, cyclists from across Iowa have gathered to remember the riders injured and killed on the roads and trails in the past year, celebrate current achievements, and discuss how to continually make the roads safer for bikers going forward. Loss joined Luke Hoffman, director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Scott Sumpter, founder of BikeIowa, and many others for the 21st annual Ride of Silence on Wednesday. Loss says drivers should determine if their vehicle has Bluetooth capability and get the system set up as soon as possible to prepare for the changes in the law. If not, researching a compatible Bluetooth adapter or external system will allow drivers time to familiarize themselves with this technology before the law goes into effect on July 1. 'If you are tempted to reach for your phone in the cup holder, maybe leave it in your bag' said Ryan Crane, executive director of NAMI Iowa. Crane is the executive director of the Iowa branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI Iowa registered in favor of Senate File 22 during the legislative process. NAMI Iowa works to help communities address concerns about mental illness and provide information on treatment. A 2024 report from found not only that Americans check their phones over 200 times a day on average also that the figure represented a 42.3% increase from 2023. The survey also showed that over 43% of Americans feel addicted to their phones — and like other addictions, the habit is not easy to break. Crane recommends drivers compassionately but intentionally observe themselves as they drive to understand what triggers them to pick up their phone. NAMI Iowa and other mental health institutions have recently begun to promote the importance of self-compassion as the standard for mental health practices. Research by the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education indicates that self-compassion is a learnable mindset that is linked to decreased stress and increased productivity. These things can play a major role in personal ability to identify and modify behaviors. By understanding what triggers the impulse, without excessive self-judgment, each driver can implement a solution that works for them. 'Awareness is honestly the first step,' Crane said. Some solutions may include finding another activity to replace the habit, such as anchoring their hands on 10 and two, placing their phone out of arm's reach, regularly creating new playlists to prevent constant song-skipping, etc. 'If you have text messages, emails, phone calls that you need to handle, do that right as you get in the car,' said Luke Hoffman, executive director of Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Hoffman and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition were major supporters of Senate File 22, with some members advocating for some form of a hands-free bill for more than 10 years. He believes that this act is a 'fundamental leap forward for safety in Iowa.' Hoffman and the IBC plan to launch a 'Safe Roads Iowa' educational campaign sometime after July 1, which seeks to educate local communities on best practices for driving safety. Setting aside time to settle online to-dos before driving may grant drivers the peace of mind to put down the phone while on the road. This can take the form of setting up GPS directions prior to starting the car, utilizing the 'add stop' GPS function for each destination if there are multiple, enabling driving mode on Android devices or driving focus on Apple and ensuring no notifications are set up to bypass this feature, etc. 'If you have a passenger, designate them to be your phone person,' said Dr. Cara Hamann, director of the University of Iowa Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Safety Lab and UI associate professor of epidemiology. Hamann and the TRIPS lab put together a policy brief that outlined 'the gaps in the distracted driving laws in Iowa.' She also personally made visits to the Capitol to speak with legislators about her research and inform them about her findings. Among facts outlined in the brief: State bans on handheld phones while driving reduce handheld usage of electronics devices shortly after the laws take effect by almost 50%; Handheld bans are associated with fewer driver deaths, while texting-only bans are not and may be more enforceable by law enforcement. A designated phone user allows the driver to stay connected without investing in Bluetooth or other hands-free hardware. Designating a phone user ensures drivers aren't tempted to pick up the phone themselves. This may be a solution for drivers with non-integrated cars who can't afford to invest in additional hardware. Other than working as a designated phone user, Hamann recommends passengers speak up if drivers go to grab their phone while on the road. 'We need to work towards a cultural shift to make it the norm for people not to be using their phones,' she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iconic Tri-Cities cable bridge about to turn 50. Time for a flashy makeover?
The cable bridge has been doing its thing without complaint since it was dedicated in September 1978: Carrying traffic across the Columbia River between Pasco and Kennewick. Once Washington Gov. Dixie Lee Ray and U.S. Speaker of the House Tom Foley of Spokane stepped aside on that momentous day, motorists made their way across the 2,503-foot span. The flow of traffic has never let up. Along the way, the bridge became the signature landmark for the region, endlessly photographed, studied and stamped on everything from city logos to calendars to hotel room art. Now, officials in Pasco and Kennewick and the cable bridge's many fans believe it can play a bigger role as it approaches its 50th birthday in 2028: A poetic backdrop for dynamic light shows. Programmable LED lights could soon illustrate a gridiron showdown between Pasco and Kennewick. Bulldog purple and Lion orange could be splashed across the soaring cables. Holidays coming up? Imagine a red-white-and-blue display for the Fourth of July, golden tones at Thanksgiving or pastel ones at Easter. The possibilities are endless. And efforts to make it happen are picking up momentum. This month, the city of Pasco, the lead agency for the cross-river collaboration to bring modern, efficient and fun lighting to the structure, invited engineering firms to submit qualifications to design, promote and identify funding sources for the project. The consultant's work is paid for by $25,000 contributions from the cities of Kennewick and Pasco and the ports of Kennewick and Pasco. The project itself could cost $2 million, according to unofficial guestimates. If the effort succeeds, programmable LED lights will replace the 144 sodium vapor lights installed about 20 years ago. The massive lights illuminate the bridge cables wrapped in white taping, except for special occasions such as ovarian cancer awareness events when teal-colored lenses are bolted on. The illumination project is the brainchild of Kathy Lampson, Karen Miller and Deb Culverhouse, who began promoting the idea to civic groups and government agencies in 2021. They told intrigued port and city leaders it was time for the cable bridge to reclaim the spotlight. It was, after all, a thrilling breakthrough in American bridge building in 1978. It was the first major cable-stayed bridge in the U.S. and the second largest concrete cable-stayed bridge in the world that year, according to Arvid Grant, the engineer who designed it. The design featured support by cables of different lengths — a design never built before in the U.S. at the time. Similar structures followed, often with more flash and bang. Portland dedicated the Tilikum Crossing on the Willamette River in 2015. The city built a light festival around that bridge. Hector Cruz, vice president of development & community for Visit Tri-Cities, took the lead on the cable bridge project, formally called the Ed Hendler Bridge, after the former Pasco mayor. The interlocal agreement signed last year set the stage to bring on a consultant to turn a local dream into a plan of action. Cruz called it an exciting and important step forward. Lighting up the bridge is about more than spectacle. The bridge was built to promote the downtowns of Pasco and Kennewick. Drawing attention to it could help it achieve its original mission. It could draw visitors to Clover Island in Kennewick and Osprey Pointe in Pasco, Cruz said. Their respective ports are investing heavily into turning both sites into visitor destinations. Whatever is done must comply with Washington State Department of Transportation safety rules. The bridge was a collaboration between the two cities, who pledged gas tax revenue to pay for it. WSDOT took it over in the early 1990s and it carries state Highway 397.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nova Advisory Acquires TLC Technologies to Strengthen OneStream Delivery and Expand National Footprint
Combined organization will bring together over 20 OneStream-certified Architects, proprietary planning and managed service solutions, and expanded client coverage across the U.S., Canada and Latin America. CHICAGO, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nova Advisory, a leading OneStream Diamond Partner and financial advisory consultancy, announced today that it has acquired TLC Technologies, a highly respected Platinum OneStream implementation partner headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The acquisition strengthens Nova's delivery capacity, brings the combined organization to over 20 OneStream-certified Architects, and extends the firm's geographic footprint and client portfolio to span all of North America. TLC Technologies has been a trusted OneStream partner for over 8 years and is known for its exceptional client delivery, certified consultants, and its proprietary planning solution, NorthStar. "We are so excited about the powerful combination of two of our premier Partners, Nova Advisory and TLC Technologies," said Stephanie Cramp, SVP of Global Alliances at OneStream, "Both firms have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to strategic partnership and have successfully guided clients across a range of industries. Together, they represent the kind of deliberate, client-focused growth that reinforces the strength of the OneStream partner ecosystem and enhances the capabilities available to our most sophisticated customers." Nova Advisory is known for functional depth, with leaders who have spent 20+ years in industry. Nova provides OneStream implementation services, Finance Advisory, and also offers SMART, a Premium Managed Services solution that provides clients with a dedicated OneStream administrator and proactive platform support. The pairing of NorthStar and SMART under one organization creates a powerful combination for enterprise finance teams seeking strategic, scalable OneStream solutions. Tom Foley, President & CEO of TLC Technologies, and John Ambrose, EVP of Business Development, will remain with the organization and continue to play active leadership roles. "This is an exciting moment for both companies," said Nate Coate, CEO of Nova Advisory. "We're combining two culturally aligned, client-first teams with deep OneStream expertise and complementary strengths. Together, we're positioned to lead the market in quality, scale, and innovation." "Nova is a great match for TLC," said Tom Foley, President & CEO of TLC Technologies. "They bring the functional depth and a highly credentialed team to help us grow further—without compromising our values or culture. This move creates more opportunity for our team and more value for our clients." The companies will appear jointly at the 2025 OneStream Splash conference in Nashville, TN under the shared branding of Nova Advisory and TLC, a Nova Advisory Company. Media Contact: Liz Weir View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Nova Advisory
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Students from Pa. private colleges advocated for financial aid
AICUP President Tom Foley speaks in the rotunda of the capitol in Harrisburg (Capital-Star photo by Ian Karbal) On Wednesday, roughly 150 students from independent colleges and universities across Pennsylvania gathered in Harrisburg to advocate for student aid funding. It was part of the annual AICUP (Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania) Day at the Capitol. They travelled from over 25 schools to help convince lawmakers to continue or increase funding financial aid programs that support students in the state attending private schools like theirs. 'Programs like PHEAA [Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency] and Ready to Succeed are the reason I can stay at my school and have the opportunity to speak on its behalf today,' Dustin McMullen, a 21-year-old Seton Hill student, said in the rotunda. 'I stand here today, and I urge policy makers and stakeholders to continue investing in programs like PHEAA and ready to succeed.' He said the crowd, made up of fellow college students, administrators, lobbyists and journalists, was larger than his class at Rocky Grove high school in Franklin, which graduates around 60 people every year. McMullen, a first-generation college student, told the Capital-Star that he likely would not have been able to attend college without financial assistance. But with state funding, he's enrolled in a unique program, the early acceptance medical program, where he's obtaining a liberal arts degree, with a seat in Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's grad program awaiting him when he graduates. His goal is to become an anesthesiologist. For him, it was important to come to Harrisburg and advocate on his and other schools' behalf. Before his speech, McMullen and the other students met with lawmakers and legislative staff members to stress the importance of continued financial aid for students attending private college. 'I'm an RA, a resident assistant, at Seton Hill. So I see residents who struggle with finances, but thanks to these financial aid programs, they're able to come and get the opportunity that they wouldn't get at other places.' Tom Foley, the president of AICUP, which represents 85 schools, stressed the importance of funding education at independent colleges. And part of that, he said, is dispelling myths about the kinds of students private schools attract 'I think most people assume that low income kids are all in publicly-funded schools,' Foley said. 'But actually, the majority of them are in these schools.' According to data provided by AICUP, out of all students working towards bachelor's degrees in Pennsylvania, 46% of lower-income Pell Grant-eligible students attend independent schools. That also includes 47% of students receiving PHEAA grants, and 52% of underrepresented minority students seeking both bachelor's and advanced degrees. Collectively, 275,000 students seeking four-year degrees attend AICUP schools. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Foley said that he doesn't predict a decline in funding from the state legislature for student financial assistance programs, but is worried about the impacts of the federal government's moves to slash funding at some universities around the country. In March, Foley wrote a letter to Pennsylvania's congressional delegation, warning about the potential impacts of proposed funding cuts to research programs at colleges and universities, including 35 AICUP member schools. Now, he's worried what will happen to direct student aid. 'We're very concerned,' he said. 'But we can't tell yet. When they've talked about higher education in the new administration, they always say, 'We're going to protect Pell Grants. We're going to protect the student aid programs.' Hopefully, that is the case.' Olivia Fabiano, a senior at Elizabethtown College, also made the trip to the Capitol. . Like McMullen, for her, this is personal. Fabiano said she likely would not have been able to afford tuition at the school without financial assistance, especially with other college-aged siblings and a brother with costly medical needs. 'I think it's important for everybody to have that equal opportunity to receive the higher education that they know they deserve,' Fabiano said. 'There shouldn't be a financial burden holding a student back from pursuing any sort of college, or the one that they want to be at.' She was drawn to Elizabethtown over other state-owned and state-related schools because of the small class sizes. She had been able to attend a private middle school because her mom worked there, and attributed the level of individualized attention she could receive to her social and academic success. Coming to Harrisburg, Fabiano felt that communicating her lived experience to lawmakers would be more effective than AICUP just providing them with statistics. And it was a chance to see first-hand how the process works. As a marketing student, she hopes to land a job at an advocacy organization, or in government, where she feels that she's working towards positive change. 'I'm very interested in doing marketing for something like this, in politics,' Fabiano said. 'I'm actually having coffee with someone on [Governor Josh] Shapiro's communications team because it's so interesting to me.' Dashawn Sheffield, another student who travelled to Harrisburg, felt it was important to tell lawmakers how much financial assistance meant to him. He said financial aid programs, like the Ready to Succeed scholarship, along with four jobs on and off campus, are the reason he is able to attend Lafayette College. It was his second year attending an AICUP day at the capital. 'These grants do not just fund education,' Sheffield told a crowd in the rotunda. 'They fuel opportunity, ambition and success.' Another reason he wanted to be on hand is because of his fascination with politics — he's double majoring in government and international politics. And, in his spare time, he advocates for campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania. 'I've always known I wanted to be a politician of some sort,' Sheffield said. 'I am really looking to make a large-scale impact one day.' For him, two years of coming to Harrisburg to advocate for low-income students like himself helped build that resolve. 'It really strengthened that for me, being able to experience firsthand testifying, giving a speech, and also speaking to the legislators,' Sheffield said. 'I'm leaving knowing I was a voice for many different students like me.'
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Match official Foley to leave refereeing
Match official Tom Foley is to leave his role at the Rugby Football Union after 15 years' refereeing to "pursue new opportunities". Foley, from Bath, began his career officiating in the National League and has been a referee in Premiership rugby since 2014, working on more than 250 matches. He stepped down from international rugby in November 2023 after receiving a "torrent of criticism and abuse" working at the Rugby World Cup final as the television match official. His career has seen him officiate in four Premiership finals as well as four Champions Cup finals in 2018, 2021, 2022 and first international match was in 2011 and he officiated in 48 Tests in total before retiring after the South Africa v New Zealand World Cup final in October game saw All Blacks captain Sam Cane's yellow card upgraded to a red card following a TMO 'bunker' the time Foley said: "The pressure and scrutiny I came under after the Rugby World Cup final, along with a torrent of criticism and abuse online, has helped to reaffirm that this is the right decision for me at this point in my life."While it's a privilege to be at the heart of some of the sport's most iconic moments, the increasing levels of vitriol, when the demands and expectation are so high, have led me to this moment."
