Harvey Weinstein’s U.K. indecent assault charges dropped before NYC retrial

• September 6, 2024

The U.K. has dropped indecent assault charges against Harvey Weinstein, just months after the disgraced producer’s 2020 New York City rape conviction was overturned.

The Crown Prosecution Service is no longer pursuing the two charges a woman brought against the 72-year-old Miramax founder in June 2022 — concerning alleged assaults in London in 1996 — due to there no longer being “a realistic prospect of conviction,” Variety reports.

“Following a review of the evidence in this case, the CPS has decided to discontinue criminal proceedings against Harvey Weinstein,” said Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, per the outlet. “The CPS has a duty to keep all cases under continuous review, and we have decided that there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.”

Ferguson said the decision has been explained “to all parties.

“We would always encourage any potential victims of sexual assault to come forward and report to police, and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met,” continued Ferguson.

Back in April, the State of New York Court of Appeals. overturned the movie tycoon’s 2020 convictions for raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and criminal sex act for assaulting film assistant Miriam Haley in 2006. At the time of the decision, Weinstein was serving a 23-year sentence.

Days later, Manhattan prosecutors vowed to retry its case against the Oscar winner — who was also sentenced to 16 years in prison for his October 2022 Los Angeles conviction of three counts of rape and sexual assault. At the time, it was reported Weinstein would remain in custody in New York and that California was not currently “in a position to extradite” him.

In July, they confirmed Weinstein could face new sexual assault charges during the retrial tentatively set for Nov. 12.

​ Orange County Register 

Why public EV chargers almost never work as fast as promised

• September 6, 2024

Kyle Stock | Bloomberg News (TNS)

For EV drivers traversing the great state of Wyoming, the Smith’s grocery store in Rock Springs is an oasis. It’s just off I-80, there’s a Petco across the street, and it has six plugs promising to charge at 350 kilowatts. At that rate, a Tesla Model 3 could go from empty to full in the time it takes to hit the bathroom and grab a Snickers.

But when I limped up to the station last month — in a Rivian R1S crammed with one dog and two kids — that 350 kW may as well have been a mirage. Rivian’s SUV charges at 220 kW at best, and the charger itself crimped the hose to just 50 kW. With one pit stop, our carefully planned seven-hour road trip got two hours longer.

This isn’t a Wyoming-specific problem, or a Rivian one. At U.S. public stations promising charging speeds of 100 kW or higher, the average delivered charge was only 52 kW in 2022, according to Stable Auto, which helps networks decide where to build new infrastructure. That disconnect — largely a reflection of battery power’s idiosyncrasies — is leaving many U.S. drivers guessing as to when, why and by how much their charge is being throttled.

“The reality is we really don’t have a fast-charging infrastructure today,” says David Slutzky, chairman and founder of Fermata Energy, a startup that builds vehicle-to-grid charging systems. “They almost all ratchet down the charge pretty quickly.”

There are many good reasons why even the slickest public chargers rarely run at maximum capacity. The chemical wizardry of battery power is more complex than pouring liquid in a tank, and both internal and external factors take a toll on charging speed.

For starters, an EV itself can only suck up electrons so quickly. Of the 55 electric models now available in the U.S., half charge above 200 kW and only five can charge at 350 kW. Those speeds are further compromised when it’s very hot or very cold. Temperature extremes can damage a lithium-ion battery, so automakers program their cars to slow a charge in certain temperatures.

Trickier still, EV charging slows naturally as the car’s battery approaches full, in order to keep it from overheating. (Smartphones and laptops do the same thing.) The specifics of this charging curve are unique to each car, though brands are cagey about sharing those specifics, even with the people buying their products. Tesla vehicles, for one, have relatively steep charging curves, meaning the “fast” part of the charging doesn’t last long.

Finally, charging networks themselves crimp electron flow. On a hot day, the local grid might be maxed out by thirsty air conditioners, or the plugs’ hoses may be close to overheating. Many stations split power between cars, allowing them to install more cords with the same electricity. In other words, a 200 kW charger becomes a 100 kW charger when someone uses its second cord. (The U.S. Department of Energy classifies plugs 50 kW and up as “fast.”)

“There’s sort of this complicated handshake between the vehicle and the charger, so I think there’s an education gap for sure,” says Sara Rafalson, executive director of policy at EVgo.

That gap risks hurting EV adoption in the U.S., where charging speed has become a marketing metric. Automakers like to trumpet how quickly their cars can go from 10% or 20% full to 80%, while public charging stations tend to display maximum charge rate — not average or expected — right on the machines. Some 17% of U.S. public chargers are rated 100 kW-plus, according to BloombergNEF, compared with 10% in the UK and 2% in the Netherlands.

“We still see a lot of discrepancy between what the customer is expecting and what they’re seeing at the site,” says Anthony Lambkin, vice president of operations at Electrify America, which operates almost 1,000 U.S. stations. “The great news is we have a lot of new drivers and this is just one of those learning-curve things.”

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Consumers are a little less sanguine. One snapshot of 103,000 Tesla charging sessions found average charging speeds of 90 kW — less than half of the maximum, according to Recurrent Auto, a startup that tracks battery health. And in a recent JD Power survey, EV owners scored public charging speeds near the bottom of 10 categories studied. Brent Gruber, executive director of JD Power’s EV practice, says consumers develop false expectations “when you plaster those [kilowatt] numbers on the charger itself.”

Charging executives concede that they could do more to educate consumers, particularly those new to electric cars. “That is still a challenge,” Lambkin says. “But there’s a real tech aspect to this that seems to draw people in. People get very, very excited when they see that they’re getting their maximum charge rate.”

Charging’s inherent complexity means the speed gap will never close entirely — but it should narrow in the near future. Charging networks are building faster and larger stations in the U.S., which will ease the need for power dilution across plugs. Since the end of 2022, every station built by Electrify America has been capable of 350 kW, and a couple of its sites now have 20 charging slots.

Carmakers have also realized that max charging rate is a deciding factor for car buyers, and are dialing it up on coming models. “There will be a catch-up on the technology side that should meet that catch-up on the learning-curve side,” Lambkin says.

But for the time being, the best way to cope with the unpredictability is to prepare for it — sometimes doggedly. Before Jacob Espinoza sets off on any road trip from his home in New Mexico, he goes through a three-part checklist: Plug his destination into a route-planning app; check the charging network apps; and check Plugshare, a platform for crowdsourced charger reviews.

“When you do those three things, it’s really not that hard to take long trips in an EV,” says Espinoza, who chronicles his battery-powered road trips on YouTube.

Back in Rock Springs, I was paying the price for having skipped Espinoza’s steps two and three. After about 15 minutes of 50 kW charging, we cut our losses and drove another 100 miles north to Pinedale, Wyoming, where two cords idled in a dusty lot behind Stockman’s Saloon and Steakhouse. The “Frontier Days” festival was in town, so we wandered by to catch a folk concert.

With a maximum charging speed of 120 kW, the Pinedale plug should have been far slower than our 350 kW machine in Rock Springs. But we only had 90 miles to go and it covered that in just a few minutes. Frontier days, indeed.

©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

Want to be an ‘influencer’? Texas university launches new degree for digital influencing

• September 6, 2024

Sarah Bahari | The Dallas Morning News (TNS)

DALLAS — A Texas university is launching a new degree dedicated to the art and business of influencing.

Beginning this fall, the University of Texas at San Antonio is offering a bachelor’s in digital media influencing for aspiring content creators. The program, which is available online and in-person, will cover technical aspects like photo editing and website development, but also audience psychology and data analytics.

“We want to take the idea media influencing and bring it into the 21st century,” said Chad Mahood, an associate communication professor who developed the program.

The so-called “content creator industry” has exploded in recent years, aided by TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms. Now valued at roughly $250 billion, the industry could reach $480 billion by 2027, according to an estimate by financial firm Goldman Sachs.

Worldwide, some 50 million people have ditched traditional jobs to work as content creators, Goldman Sachs said. Their content varies widely, from hair and makeup tutorials and restaurant reviews to diet and exercise advice and do-it-yourself home projects. And they get paid to do so, largely through partnerships with brands.

Earlier this year, Dallas content creator Victoria Jameson told The Dallas Morning News she went from making barely $30,000 a year as a makeup artist to a “comfortable, six-figure salary.” But only about 4% of creators make more than $100,000 a year, according to Goldman Sachs.

UT San Antonio is among the only universities in the country to try to meet demand for influencing. So far, eight students have enrolled in the program, and 80 more are in the process of enrolling.

While students can develop influencing skills on their own, earning a degree offers hands-on experience and greater credibility with brands and employers, Mahood said. In the final year of the program, student influencers will develop capstone projects to test and analyze with target audiences.

Graduates could work as social media influencers, Mahood said, but they can also land jobs for corporations seeking in-house content creation, advertising and public relations agencies.

“Becoming an influencer is largely based on selling your own brand,” Mahood said. “But it’s about more than a good video or website. It’s about understanding, analyzing and connecting with an audience.”

©2024 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

Rams CB Decobie Durant (hamstring) expected to play vs. Lions

• September 6, 2024

LOS ANGELES — Rams cornerback Decobie Durant is expected to play in Sunday’s season opener against the Detroit Lions after fully participating in practice Friday, head coach Sean McVay said. Durant had been limited in the Rams’ last four practices.

Durant’s availability is a big break for the Rams after the team had to put starting cornerback Darious Williams on injured reserve on Thursday with his own hamstring injury.

McVay had been confident about Williams’ recovery as recently as Wednesday before practice, but he said Friday that Williams felt another pull in his hamstring Wednesday and wasn’t able to open up and run fully in practice. After an MRI, the decision was made to put him on injured reserve.

“You’re kind of feeling it and sometimes you’re saying, ‘OK, am I breaking up scar tissue or is there still something there?’ And the MRI revealed there’s still something there,” McVay said. “Felt like giving him that month of time was important to not put an unnecessary deadline on getting him back.”

McVay said the Rams hope Williams will be back after the four weeks, but, “I wouldn’t have anticipated us to be having this conversation based off of where we were at.”

There’s a possibility the Rams add a cornerback to the roster, McVay said, but it’s not an imminent decision.

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Right tackle Rob Havenstein was slated to be limited Friday, and the Rams will use that practice to determine whether the veteran is ready to play against the Lions.

Havenstein hasn’t practiced in full since his ankle injury in early August as Warren McClendon Jr. has filled in at right tackle in his place. But the Rams feel comfortable with the idea of him jumping into action Sunday if he’s physically ready, McVay said.

“I think it’s a unique circumstance because he’s so experienced,” McVay said. “It wouldn’t be a situation that you would even look into if it wasn’t from an experienced player.”

​ Orange County Register 

School shooting draws unwanted attention to Georgia on campaign trail

• September 6, 2024

Jim Denery | (TNS) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The national spotlight fell on Georgia on Wednesday following a shooting at Barrow County’s Apalachee High School that killed four and injured at least nine others.

The two major party candidates for president each responded quickly. Vice President Kamala Harris opened a rally that day by addressing the shooting, calling it “senseless.”

Former President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post that “our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event.”

What comes next is uncertain.

A proposal Lt. Gov. Burt Jones unveiled a year ago, at another Barrow County school, to offer public school teachers a $10,000 annual stipend to carry guns in schools went nowhere during this year’s legislative session.

Georgia Republicans have seen great success in their efforts to ease firearms restrictions, including a 2022 law that lets Georgians carry concealed handguns without a permit. But now they’re split over what to do: Should they expand gun access, or is the proper response strengthening security initiatives and enhancing mental health services?

Democrats, who have long called for stricter firearms regulations, are also adjusting. After watching their efforts to reverse the state’s permissive gun rules founder in the Republican-led General Assembly, they’re looking for something more attainable: They’re pushing for tax incentives and other proposals to persuade Georgians to employ better storage measures to keep weapons from minors.

State Sen. Emanuel Jones, a Democrat from Decatur, is leading a study committee examining tax credits for safety devices and other initiatives. He wants something more than the “thoughts and prayers” often expressed — mostly by Republicans — in the aftermath of school shootings.

“It’s really unfortunate,” he said, “that we have to go through a mass shooting like this in our backyard where the Legislature has the power and authority to do something about it.”

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©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

The best mop and bucket sets to keep your floors shining

• September 6, 2024

Which mop and bucket set is best?

If you have hard floors, you need a mop to keep them clean from debris, dirt, spills and other grime. But cleaning the floors is much easier with a mop and bucket set since these tools are convenient, portable and highly effective. The best set is the O-Cedar Easywring Microfiber Spin Mop and Bucket since it’s easy to operate and can tackle any mess.

This article was reviewed and approved by Ketia Daniel, the BestReviews Cleaning Expert.

What to know before you buy a mop and bucket set

Floor type

Some sets are designed to handle commercial cleaning, while others are best for smaller areas such as a home kitchen or bathroom. Along with this, the type of floor you have matters when choosing a set. Most people have laminate, porcelain tile, wood or ceramic flooring.

If, for instance, you have wood flooring, the bucket should easily wring out the mop, so there’s minimal chance of water damage. On the other hand, if you have porcelain tile or ceramic flooring, a little extra water won’t cause much or any damage.

At the same time, if your home is primarily carpet, a smaller set will do. But if you mostly have hard floors, then you need a larger set.

Whatever the case, make sure you sweep the area with a broom before mopping to pick up any noticeable debris. This will make cleaning much easier.

Mop type

There are several types of mops, each with its own purpose. These include:

Cut-end mops or conventional string mops: These have a bunch of strings at the end and are generally inexpensive. Because of the strings, though, they tend to trap debris and dirt. This makes it difficult to keep them clean.
Looped-end mop: This type is similar to the conventional mop, but it’s more durable and, depending on the material, machine-washable.
Flat mops: Usually rectangular and narrow in shape, some flat mops feature a compartment that can store a cleaning solution. These mops also often come with replaceable or washable cleaning pads.
Spin mops: When combined with the right bucket, these make the process of wringing out water much easier, making them a great choice for those with wrist issues. They come with pads and can be washed after use, making them ideal for long-term use.

Bucket features

Most traditional buckets have one main compartment that contains the water or cleaning solution used to clean the floor. These models don’t have any bonus features or systems to make mopping easier, though they usually come with a carrying handle.

If you want something more modern, there are plenty of options. Some come with wheels, which is convenient for cleaning large areas. Most have a handle so you can carry the mop and bucket over carpeted areas or stairs.

Many buckets come with a wringer, a built-in system that keeps the mop head damp but removes excess water or dirt. These usually work by pressing a pedal or pushing and pulling a lever.

More complex buckets come with two or more sections, one for clean water and another for dirty water. To use these, use the clean water or solution on the floor, then wring out the used mop in the other section.

If you have a flat mop, you don’t need a bucket with a wringer. Instead, choose one that features separate compartments for storing new and used mop pads.

Finally, most buckets have a spout or narrow rim at one end, so you can empty out the contents without causing a mess.

What to look for in a quality mop and bucket set

Size

The size of the mop and bucket set affects its portability and weight, but it also influences where it can be stored.

For example, buckets with a larger capacity are often difficult to move around when filled because they’re heavy, and the liquid inside could easily slosh around.

Most buckets are measured in gallons or quarts, with a common size being 5 gallons. Some have measurements on the inside, which is convenient for anyone wanting to measure their cleaning solution and water directly in the bucket.

Mops vary in length and size based on the type you get. Some are extendible, which makes them ideal for taller people or those who don’t want to bend over while cleaning.

If you don’t have much storage space, get a mop with a removable mop head. That way, you can store each piece separately.

Material

The materials used in the mop and bucket affect the overall durability. Most modern sets combine plastic and metal, especially in the bucket and mop handle.

Consider the material of the wringer, too. Plastic ones are cheaper but aren’t as sturdy and could start to corrode over time. Stainless steel wringers are more reliable and resistant to water damage.

Mop heads are made of yarn, sponge, microfiber or cotton. Some materials, such as cotton, are usually machine-safe and good at absorbing water and trapping debris. Before buying a mop head, check the label to see if there are washing instructions.

Color

When purchasing a set, expect the mop and bucket to be the same color.

The aesthetic might not matter much for home use. But if you need it for commercial reasons, the colors play a more important role.

By getting a color-coded mop set, you can prevent cross-contamination in the environment, such as at a restaurant. The common system uses the following colors:

Red for restrooms and similar facilities
Yellow for gyms or some laboratories
Blue for all-purpose cleaning
Green for kitchen floors

How much you can expect to spend on a mop and bucket set

Most sets cost $30-$60, but you can find specialty sets around $120 or more.

Mop and bucket set FAQ

How do I sanitize a mop and bucket?

A. First, regularly clean any reusable mop head with warm water. This will help remove any remaining cleaning product or debris. If the debris won’t come off, let it sit in hot water for several minutes to loosen it.

If the mop head is machine-washable, put it in the machine and let it air dry. For the bucket, empty it out and wipe it down with a cleaning solution or wet wipes. Let it dry. Never leave a mop in dirty water; this can cause bacteria growth or damage to the mop head.

Where should I dispose of mop water at home?

A. Generally, it’s best to empty the bucket in a cleaning sink or toilet.

What’s the best mop and bucket set to buy?

Top mop and bucket set

O-Cedar Easywring Microfiber Spin Mop and Bucket

What you need to know: This spin mop and bucket set is reliable, simple and can easily handle most residential floors.

What you’ll love: The microfiber mop head absorbs dirty water and picks up debris. It comes with a refill and features a hands-free wringing solution. It’s adjustable, machine-safe and works great on any hard floor surface.

What you should consider: The handle and mop head materials aren’t as durable as they could be.

Top mop and bucket set for the money

Bosheng Mop and Bucket With Wringer Set

What you need to know: This flat floor mop cleans multiple surfaces using 360-degree rotation.

What you’ll love: With three microfiber pads, this mop is great for tile, hardwood and laminate flooring. The bucket features two compartments: one for clean water and one for dirty water. This compact set can also be used for wet and dry cleaning.

What you should consider: Some of the dirty water might mix with the clean water.

Worth checking out

Mastertop Spin Mop and Bucket With Wringer Set

What you need to know: This set is perfect for people who want extra microfiber mop head refills and an easy wringing system.

What you’ll love: This durable set features a stainless steel wringer and mop handle. It comes with five refills and five cleaning cloths. Plus, it’s machine washable and easy to set up.

What you should consider: The bucket handle is a little flimsy, so avoid filling it too much.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

Dunkin’s new $6 breakfast gets boost from ‘Love Island USA’ cast

• September 6, 2024

Skirmishes continue in this summer’s fast food value wars as the season draws to an end.

The latest chain to enter the fray is Dunkin’, which came out with a $6 Meal Deal. It includes a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich on a bagel, Hash Browns and choice of a medium hot or iced coffee.

The Massachusetts-based quick service chain brought together six cast members of “Love Island USA” to promote the deal fully dressed. The premise is that Dunkin’ serves the kind of breakfast they would enjoy when they’re not at a villa in Fiji.

For fans, they were Leah Kateb, Miguel Harachi, JaNa Craig, Kenny Rodriguez, Serena Page and Kordell Beckham. The reality series streams on Peacock, but you can watch them lusting over hash browns in a Dunkin’ Instagram post.

In addition to the no-frills breakfast, Dunkin’ introduced its fall menu, which brings back its Maple Sugar Bacon Breakfast Sandwich on a croissant, its Apple Cider Donut, Loaded Hash Browns, and of course, Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte.

New this year is Almond Spice Ice Coffee and Dunkalatte, described as the brand’s first-ever coffee milk latte.

Meanwhile the McDonald’s $5 or $6 Meal Deal that started it all is still available.

dunkindonuts.com

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​ Orange County Register 

Vance calls school shootings a ‘fact of life’ at Arizona rally

• September 6, 2024

Greg Bluestein | (TNS) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance told rallygoers in Arizona on Thursday that school shootings are a “fact of life” and that officials need to bolster security to prevent violence like the deadly rampage this week at a northeast Georgia high school.

“If these psychos are going to go after our kids, we’ve got to be prepared for it,” said Vance, the running-mate of former President Donald Trump. “We don’t have to like the reality that we live in. But it is the reality that we live in. We’ve got to deal with it.”

It brought backlash from supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris, who brought up the shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County to renew calls for gun restrictions, enhanced background checks and more security.

“Trump and Vance have railed against commonsense reforms and federal bipartisan gun safety legislation that would protect innocent lives,” said Alex Floyd of the Democratic National Committee.

“As Trump and Vance put the gun lobby ahead of the American people, voters are ready to reject their dangerous and out-of-touch agenda in November.”

At the Arizona rally, Vance described the shootings as an “awful tragedy” committed by an “absolute barbarian.”

“I don’t like that this is a fact of life,” Vance said. “But if you are a psycho and you want to make headlines, you realize that our schools are soft targets. And we have got to bolster security at our schools. We’ve got to bolster security so if a psycho wants to walk through the front door and kill a bunch of children they’re not able.”

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©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register