Latest news with #Webster
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Texas Solicitor General Resigns After Sharing Bizarre Fantasy About An Asteroid
Content warning for discussions of sexual violence and harassment. Usually asteroids are distant features of the cosmos, occasionally crashing down to Earth or threatening the planet. Not so for former Texas solicitor general Judd Stone, who's been accused of making the distant space rocks a focal point in violent and bizarre fantasies about a coworker that he regaled to other people. Needless to say, that's wildly inappropriate and unacceptable. As 404 Media reports, Stone has now resigned from his position after a damning letter aired the allegations, which involved — apologies in advance — a phallic asteroid used as a sexual implement, like some sort of grotesque riff on a Chuck Tingle book. According to a letter sent by Texas' first assistant attorney general Brent Webster, Stone — who had at the time taken a leave of absence to defend Texas attorney general Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial — joked during a 2023 lunching with other government employees about a "disturbing sexual fantasy" that involved a "cylindrical asteroid." During the debacle, Stone described using said asteroid to sexually assault Webster while his wife and children watched. That letter, which is five pages long and full of additional allegations of sexual harassment and lies Stone allegedly told, is replete with gory details about this case that we won't regale you with. What's striking to us at Futurism, however, is the "cylindrical asteroid" of it all. Where did Texas's now-former solicitor general get such an idea, and what could it mean about who he is as a person — and, more importantly, how did it affect the people he worked with? While we don't have answers to those first two, it's quite clear from the letter how Stone's gruesome asteroid "joke" affected him and his colleagues. Along with Webster's own concerns about Stone's violent state of mind and his fear that his family could be in danger, the assistant AG added that a female employee who had been present for that stomach-turning lunch discussion had been so upset by the topic that she excused herself — only to return to japes from others at the table who said she "couldn't handle people talking about dicks." That same woman "exhibited emotional distress" when recounting the anecdote to Webster, and also told him, through tears, that she had been sexually harassed on other occasions by Stone and was concerned about the way he treated women. When confronted with the sexual harassment allegations against him, Stone admitted to them all immediately, including the bizarre asteroid fantasy. He was, as 404 notes, given the grace to quit or be fired, and chose the former. More on Texas-based misogyny: In Leaked Text, Elon Musk Harangued Woman to Have as Many of His Babies as Possible
Metro
14 hours ago
- Health
- Metro
This is how much water you should really drink every day, according to your age
We all know we should be drinking more water, but for many of us, our daily fluid intake often involves one too many crisp Diet Cokes at our desk and some wine after work. Buying giant Stanley Cups might encourage some to consume a little more H2O, but for others it'll take something drastic to get them to head to the tap. Our bodies consist of 50% water and we lose some of this each day through breathing and sweating, so we need to ensure we're constantly replenishing this. If we didn't, we wouldn't survive for more than a few days. (Is that drastic enough for you?!) Not replenishing enough water each day can cause us to become dehydrated and according to Dr. Jonathan Webster, this can have a major impact on our health and wellbeing. The Doctify GP tells Metro that there are several nasty side effects of dehydration, including headaches, confusion, tiredness, constipation, lack of concentration and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Never experienced a UTI? Count your blessings, as they can be agony. Trust me, it's not something you want to have to deal with. According to the NHS, most of us need between 1.5 to two litres per day and while plain old water is the best thing for this, it can also be consumed through various food and drink that contain water, such as tea and coffee, as well as things like milk, melon, soups and stews. This is a rather general recommendation though and the exact amount of fluid a person requires can vary by age and gender. Dr. Webster has shared a more detailed breakdown of how much we should be drinking each day, depending on the stage of life we're at. Young children, under the age of eight should aim for about 1.2 litres of fluids per day, according to Dr. Webster. This is the equivalent of six to eight 200ml glasses. 'Their bodies are still developing and hydration is crucial for brain function, digestion and regulating body temperature,' he explains. But the expert warns you'll likely have to encourage the little ones to drink regularly, as they might not be able to recognise that they are thirsty. Turns out teenagers need to drink more than most of us, especially those aged between 14 and 18. During this key period of growth, their hydration needs rise and water is essential for helping them maintain energy, support their metabolism and aid in muscle function. Teen boys need a little more water than girls and Dr. Webster recommends between 1.6 and 1.9 litres for them per day. For teenage girls, the requirement is a little less at 1.5 litres. For reference, 1.5L to two litres is the equivalent of about three to four pint glasses of water, so you can use this as a rough guide. The general advice for adults under the age of 60 is for men to drink two litres of water per day, and women to have 1.6 litres. However, Dr. Webster notes that factors such as excercise, climate and diet will influence individual needs. He states: 'Proper hydration helps with temperature regulation, kidney function and concentration.' Those over 60 should aim for an intake of between 1.6 and two litres per day and this goes for both men and women, as it's important everyone drinks enough as they get older. Dr. Webster says this is because our thirst sensation decreases with age, making dehydration more likely. Staying hydrated is a must as it supports joint health, digestion and helps to prevent urinary tract infections. The expert adds: 'Conscious effort to drink regularly is key.' According to the NHS, the best way to tell if you're dehydrated is to check the colour of your urine. If you're drinking enough fluids, it should be the colour of white wine. Any darker and you should probably go pour yourself a cup. According to healthcare professionals, the exact amount will vary depending on a person's age, gender, activity level, the climate and their overhaul health state. Dr. Nadira Awal, a Doctify rated GP, who is the founder of Pause and Co Healthcare, has shared a closer look at reasons why a person may need to drink more water. However, she shared an important disclaimer, saying that 'while these guidelines provide a general framework, the best indicator of appropriate hydration is frequently listening to your body's cues and examining the colour of your urine.' She continued: 'Thirst is a reliable indicator that your body requires more fluids, while pale yellow urine typically suggests enough hydration.' Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Dr. Awal claims a woman's water requirements rise during pregnancy and breastfeeding. She says: 'During pregnancy, the recommended intake is approximately 10 cups (2.3 litres) per day. This heightened demand persists after, particularly among lactating women. Lactating women should aim for about 13 cups (three litres) of water each day to support milk production and keep themselves hydrated.' Physical activity levels Exercise or strenuous physical work can 'drastically' raise fluid requirements. It is recommended that you drink two cups of water before starting exercise and then have one cup every 15 to 20 minutes of activity you carry out. Then continue to drink water after your workout to replenish any fluids lost through sweat. Climate and environment Where you live can also be a factor, depending on whether there's a lot of hot weather, or if you're at a high elevation. According to Dr. Awal, both of these things can cause increased fluid loss, as people tend to lose water through sweat and respiration. More Trending 'Individuals in these conditions should be especially mindful of their water intake, seeking to drink water on a regular basis throughout the day, even if they do not feel thirsty,' she advises. Health issues For those experiencing fever, vomiting or diarrhoea, it is critical to increase water intake to restore lost fluids and avoid becoming dehydeated. View More » Dr. Awal claims: 'The exact amount required will vary depending on the intensity and duration of the sickness, but in general, strive to drink enough to maintain urine pale and avoid thirst.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The Doctor Who finale will 'shock and terrify' — here's what parents need to know MORE: We tried London's hottest new pizza spot that doesn't 'scrimp on the toppings' MORE: The biggest pros and cons to consider before taking weight loss jabs
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Capitol Perspectives: Memories of the late Missouri Gov. Kit Bond
Officers carry the casket of former U.S. Senator and Governor Christopher S. 'Kit' Bond into the Missouri State Capitol on May 20 to begin a memorial service (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). Christopher 'Kit' Bond's death brought very deep memories for me about a governor I have missed since he left the office in 1985. My strongest memory of Bond was his pursuit as the Republican gubernatorial candidate to replace the Democratic governor who controlled a legislature dominated by Democrats. He began his election campaign critical of Democrats, until, as I was told, Republican Attorney General Jack Danforth advised Bond to put more focus on issues of importance to Missourians. I suspect that was a factor in Bond's subsequent policy-focused agenda, which led his lasting legacy and the frequent description of Bond as a moderate. Bond's successful agenda included consumer protection, campaign finance disclosure requirements, expanding education programs for children, the Sunshine Law providing public access to government records and reforming state government hiring. Bond's focus on consumer protection issues was not surprising since he served as Danforth's consumer protection director. Bond went further in his bipartisan approach, crossing conservative Republican lines when he supported Missouri ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (which ultimately failed). His cross-party agenda came under dramatic attack from a few fellow statehouse Republicans. The most vivid demonstration of the split between Bond and his party came from long-time Carthage Republican state Sen. Richard Webster. Angered by some of Bond's gubernatorial staff and proposals, Webster attacked Bond's staff on the Senate floor. Webster coined the phrase 'kiddie corps,' which he used in his Senate attacks to describe Bond's staff as brash younger folks, not sufficiently conservative for Webster. Webster's attack reflected the views from some Republicans who had hoped for a new Republican-focused conservative agenda without a Democratic governor. It was not to be. I do not recall Bond ever wavering from his agenda. Instead, Bond pursued issues that could win bipartisan support, including moderate Senate Republicans. I still miss that era when a partnership with Bond, Democrats and moderate Republicans dominated public policy in the legislature. Bond demonstrated his cross-party support for major issues when, after leaving the U.S. Senate, he returned to state government on behalf the Missouri Chamber of Commerce to support Medicaid expansion. Facing stiff statehouse GOP opposition, Bond's efforts failed in the legislature. But it was eventually enacted by initiative petition. But it was another demonstration about how Bond could cross ideological and political boundaries for an issue he felt was important for our state.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former Killen police officer federally sentenced for sexual assault, sexual exploitation of child
WASHINGTON D.C. (WHNT) — A former Killen police officer was federally sentenced on May 21 following a plea agreement. The sentencing was handed down to the Alabama courts on May 28. Federal court documents show that Jarrod Gailen Webster was sentenced to 180 months, or 15 years, in prison following his plea agreement. The document says that he is also sentenced to a term of supervised release. The time frame for the supervised release has yet to be set, but is recommended to be at least five years. On Nov. 12, 2023, the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office received a call from Crestwood Medical Center stating that a female patient disclosed that a Killen police officer had sexually assaulted her during a traffic stop early that morning. Due to the allegations, including a police officer being involved in a sexual assault while on duty, Lauderdale County investigators began a joint investigation with the FBI. Killen Police Chief Bryan Hammond told News 19 on Nov. 16, 2023, one of his officers was on leave during the investigation. After investigating the incident and after hearing evidence, a Lauderdale County Grand Jury, which was currently in session, issued an indictment for Jarrod Gailen Webster on Nov. 17, 2023 for first-degree sodomy and first-degree rape. Hammond said the mayor and town council accepted Webster's resignation during the special meeting on Nov. 20, 2023. He appeared in court the same day, and court records showed he pleaded not guilty to both charges. On March 4, 2025, as part of a plea agreement, Webster admitted that he 'violated the civil rights of a woman after initiating a traffic stop on the woman's vehicle.' The U.S. Department of Justice said Webster asked the woman to step out of her vehicle and asked her what she wanted to do to 'get out of this.' When the woman told Webster she was not going to do anything for him, Webster handcuffed the woman and sexually assaulted her. Furthermore, on March 4, Webster admitted that between June 2016 and October 2018, he was in contact with a child on a phone via the social media app called Snapchat. The DOJ said Webster asked the child to produce and send him sexually explicit images of herself. The DOJ said the victim sent multiple photos to Webster, at least one of which was categorized as child sexual abuse material. Webster pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of sexual exploitation of children. 'Jarrod Webster took an oath to protect and serve citizens of his community. He violated that oath when he sexually assaulted a woman and exploited a minor to produce and send sexually explicit images,' said U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama. 'We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate positions of public trust are held accountable for their actions.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Privacy Commissioner Issues Compliance Notice To Oranga Tamariki
Press Release – Office of the Privacy Commissioner Oranga Tamariki has one of the most important roles in New Zealand – to help safeguard the wellbeing of our children, particularly those children in their care. Improving its privacy practices will contribute to the safety and wellbeing of children, their … A compliance notice has been issued to Oranga Tamariki for failing to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act. The Privacy Commissioner has also taken the step of publicly releasing the Compliance Notice itself. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says while Oranga Tamariki has taken positive steps to improve its privacy practices, considerably more improvement is needed. 'Oranga Tamariki has one of the most important roles in New Zealand – to help safeguard the wellbeing of our children, particularly those children in their care. Improving its privacy practices will contribute to the safety and wellbeing of children, their whānau, caregivers, and foster parents Transparency about the nature of the Compliance Notice requirements is in the public interest and is an important accountability mechanism. We all have a stake in ensuring Oranga Tamariki improves its privacy performance.' The notice has been issued in response to a series of privacy breaches reported to the Commissioner that have caused serious harm to whānau and tamariki. It relates to the storage and security of personal information, and its unauthorised disclosure. Under the compliance notice, Oranga Tamariki will need to make privacy improvements including improving staff skills and capability, and strengthening three areas: 1. Information access settings 2. Oversight of service providers 3. Accountability and reporting of privacy incidents. These improvements will need to be completed by 31 March 2026. 'I consider the notifiable privacy breaches reported to my Office and the systemic privacy issues identified in an independent review to be significant. This is because the sensitivity of the personal information involved and the vulnerability of the individuals the information relates to is at the high end of seriousness', Mr Webster says. 'Oranga Tamariki currently doesn't have sufficiently robust systems and practices in place to appropriately protect the personal information it holds, as required under the Privacy Act, and there is ongoing likelihood of further privacy breaches.' OPC began an investigation into the privacy practices and culture at Oranga Tamariki in 2022, and in May 2023 recommended it commission an independent review of its privacy practice and culture. 'That report was completed in April 2024 and confirmed our concerns about systemic failures in protecting sensitive personal information that Oranga Tamariki holds. 'In response to that review, Oranga Tamariki has taken steps to improve their privacy practices, including undertaking a privacy improvement plan, and this is a positive move towards helping keep sensitive information about the children they care for safe'. 'This is a good step forward. However, there is still a considerable amount of work for Oranga Tamariki to do to improve their privacy practices that goes beyond this plan to address the ongoing risk of further serious privacy breaches resulting in harm to individuals.' Issuing a Compliance Notice, and publicly releasing it, will ensure Oranga Tamariki takes the steps necessary. 'We are all invested in the safety of the children in Oranga Tamariki's care, and keeping sensitive information about children safe is critical.'
