Some news items you might have missed: • NBC News: Democrat Katie Hobbs has defeated MAGA extremist and election denier Kari Lake for Arizona Governor. Look for Lake to have a meltdown in 3, 2, 1… Continue reading “Dem Katie Hobbs Wins AZ Governor’s Race + More News”
Catherine Cortez Masto Wins Re-Election, Dems Retain Control Of U.S. Senate
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election, has defeated her Republican challenger, Adam Laxalt. Continue reading “Catherine Cortez Masto Wins Re-Election, Dems Retain Control Of U.S. Senate”
George Takei’s Latest Gig + More News
George Takei (photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr – CC license)
Nevada: Armed Proud Boys Protest Children’s Story Hour
(screen captures via KRNV)
Nevada Lifts Mask Mandate Effective Immediately
Nevada lifts its mask mandate effective immediately after Governor Steve Sisolak announced the news at a press conference today. Continue reading “Nevada Lifts Mask Mandate Effective Immediately”
News Round-Up: January 8, 2022
Some news items you might have missed: • Pink News: Reigning Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider (above) has made history again as the first woman to ever surpass $1 million in earnings. On Friday, Schneider’s total tally rose to $1,019,001. She is also the first openly trans contestant to qualify for the Tournament of Champions. Continue reading “News Round-Up: January 8, 2022”
Las Vegas Raiders Will Require Proof Of Vaccination For Home Games
The Las Vegas Raiders will require proof of vaccination against the coronavirus for all home games via CLEAR’s free mobile app and Health Pass feature. The new policy will allow fans to attend games without wearing a mask. Continue reading “Las Vegas Raiders Will Require Proof Of Vaccination For Home Games”
News Round-Up: July 13, 2021
Some news items you might have missed: • Instinct Magazine: A record 121 out athletes are set to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, more than doubling the number from the last Olympics in Rio. • Nevada Independent: As of Friday, Nevada (my state) had the fourth highest case rate in the nation per capita over the last seven days; for many days last week, it was first. The Delta variant was responsible for 54% of cases in June in Clark County (where I live) but only 38% are vaccinated. #ugh • OUT: A shirtless man, appropriately wearing a pink shirt wrapped around his head as a pitiful disguise, attempted to rip down a Pride flag, but the homeowners had anticipated such hateful actions and secured the flag with carabiners and screwing posts.
@leftovergainskid tries and fails to steal my pride flag#fail #pride #rainbow #getoffmylawn #ohnowyouwannawearamask♬ original sound – leftovergains
• PopCulture: Actor Jerry O’Connell is reportedly close to closing a deal to become the first-ever full-time male host of The Talk. O’Connell, who is a frequent guest host, would take over Sharon Osbourne’s seat, who left the show earlier this year amid scandal. • Tennessean: The average number of new cases per day in Tennessee has more than doubled in the past two weeks. But the state Department of Health has halted all vaccine outreach to kids – not just for COVID-19, but all diseases – amid pressure from GOP. • Out Music: Singer-songwriter Allison Ponthier recently shared her new single, “Hell Is A Crowded Room,” featuring crystal-clear vocals skimming along a gentle guitar. The delicate track explores the social anxiety felt by introverts (like me) and learning to push through those challenges.
Nevada: COVID-19 Cases Slowly Rising Due To Low Vaccination Rates
My home state of Nevada is not doing great in the COVID vaccination department. From Jennifer Solis at the Nevada Current:
Nevada has continued to report a slow rise in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks as the positivity rate — or percentage of tests that came back positive — increased to 4.0%, from 3.9%.
The Department of Health and Human Services reported 447 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday — the highest daily number of cases in over a month.
Confirmed and suspected COVID-19 hospitalization cases rose to 281 on Wednesday, after falling as low as 178 on June 12.
Vaccination rates for Clark County are at about 42% — lower than the national average of 45% and significantly lower than Washoe County’s 54% vaccination rate.
By comparison, Los Angeles County in California, with a population five times as large as Clark County, boasts a 7-day average positivity rate of 0.8% and reported only 260 new cases and 230 hospitalizations on Wednesday. Los Angeles County also has a significantly higher vaccination rate of 58%, according to California data.
The state, meanwhile, is offering financial motivation to encourage people to get vaccinated. Nevada will distribute $5 million in cash prizes to residents who have been vaccinated at least once.
Read the full report here.
News Round-Up: June 25, 2021
Out singer/songwriter KENTÖ
Gay Valedictorian Says Speech From Memory After Principal Tries To Cut It Short https://t.co/ukrqrqqInN # #Graduation #HighSchool #lgbt pic.twitter.com/xvTSONzzb3
— Instinct Magazine (@instinctmag) June 25, 2021
• New York Times: The Manhattan district attorney’s office has informed Donald Trump’s lawyers that criminal charges against his family business, the Trump Organization, in connection with fringe benefits the company awarded its chief financial officer, Allen H. Weisselberg, could be announced as soon as next week. • Justice Dept: Michael Atkinson, 28, Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon, 21, and Daryl Henry, 24, were sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in targeting gay men for violent crimes. The sentences ranged from 11-22 years for luring five men (using the Grindr dating app) to a vacant apartment in Dallas where they held the men at gunpoint, kidnapped, carjacked, and assaulted them. • Out Music: I recently shared the latest from out singer/songwriter Kentö, and today the artist (top photo) drops the official music video for the single, “Silhouette.” “Silhouette” is the first single from Kentö’s upcoming album release, Strangers, slated for release later this year. Kentö shares, “I feel like I’m finally making music that is really expressing the sounds that have been in my head all along.” https://youtu.be/fVUuXa2UHGw