Tag: US

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PGA Tour: ‘Top players’ commit to ‘elevated’ events; Jay Monahan says ‘no’ to LIV golfers returning

PGA Tour: 'Top players' commit to 'elevated' events; Jay Monahan says 'no' to LIV golfers returning

The 12 elevated events will be the three FedExCup Playoffs, the Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial Tournament, WGC-Dell Match Play, Sentry Tournament of Champions and four events to be announced; Top golfers will play a minimum of three other regular PGA Tour events

Last Updated: 24/08/22 3:23pm


Jay Monahan say he is 'inspired by our great players and their commitment' as he outlines four key items to improve the PGA Tour.

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Jay Monahan say he is ‘inspired by our great players and their commitment’ as he outlines four key items to improve the PGA Tour.

Jay Monahan say he is ‘inspired by our great players and their commitment’ as he outlines four key items to improve the PGA Tour.

Golf’s “top players” have committed to play at least 20 PGA Tour events a year, commissioner Jay Monahan has announced.

The 20 events include the four major championships, the Players Championship and 12 “elevated” tournaments on the PGA Tour which will have an average purse of $20million (£17million).

Players will then choose a minimum of three other PGA Tour events to add to their schedules as the Tour bids to combat the threat posed by the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.

“Our top players are firmly behind the Tour, helping us deliver an unmatched product to our fans, who will be all but guaranteed to see the best players competing against each other in 20 events or more throughout the season,” Monahan said in a press conference ahead of the Tour Championship.

Asked if LIV Golf players who were impressed by the changes to the PGA Tour would be welcomed back, Monahan said: “No.

“They’ve joined the LIV Golf Series and they’ve made that commitment and many have made a multi-year commitment.

“I’ve been clear throughout, every player has a choice and I respect that choice. I think they understand that.”

More to follow…

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Milwaukee lakefront events had $3.2M economic impact in July

Milwaukee lakefront events had $3.2M economic impact in July

Milwaukee Lakefront Fireworks Show

Milwaukee’s Lakefront Fireworks Show on Sunday drew thousands of people to the area around Veterans Park for the first time in three years.

MILWAUKEE – Major events returning to Milwaukee’s lakefront in July created a significant economic boost for the region, according to Milwaukee County Parks.

The July 3 Fireworks Show, Redbull Flugtag and Milwaukee Air & Water Show, brought in an estimated 153,000 people to the lakefront, with 37% of those visitors coming from outside the county, the parks department said. VISIT Milwaukee found the events generated more than $3.2 million in direct and indirect spending.

“The benefits of parks can’t just be measured in dollars as they bring communities together, improve wellness and protect our environment,” Guy Smith, Milwaukee County Parks executive director, said in a news release.

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According to Milwaukee County Parks, 35% of parks’ 12 million visitors last year were from outside the county – including 12% from outside the state of Wisconsin.

“Our parks have been a major draw for visitors to Milwaukee ever since they were created in the 1890’s, however, public funding for the park system currently only comes from local property taxes,” said Jeremy Lucas, the parks department’s director of administration and planing, in a news release.

Red Bull Flugtag at Milwaukee’s Veterans Park

State aids to local governments, Milwaukee County Parks said, have decreased over the past decade while the costs of services have grown.

Per the parks department, projections show the county needs additional revenue to avoid a fiscal cliff in five years – there will be no funds available to dedicate to services not mandated by the state, like the services provided by the parks department, that help make our region attractive to visitors.

Milwaukee’s lakefront will further boost the local economy this weekend, with the return of the USA Triathlon National Championships on Aug. 6 and 7, which will bring an estimated 6,000 athletes and $6.2 million in economic impact to the region.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly in the 2022 Milwaukee Air & Water Show

Statement from Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley:

“Our Parks department is doing fantastic work with few resources to make sure our lakefront, trails, and neighborhood parks remain an accessible amenity for all of our residents. But, it is important to note that Milwaukee County government doesn’t have the tools to retain a portion of the economic activity we see when large events like this happen and reinvest those funds in important priorities like helping our Parks Department serve residents.

“County amenities like our parks are what attract large-scale events that generate millions in revenue. That’s why we continue to work with our regional partners and partners at the State to explore how we can retain a portion of our economic activity here and reinvest those funds in meeting basic community needs. The economic health of our region, the jobs located here, are incumbent on a successful Milwaukee. This is a solution not only for Milwaukee County, but our surrounding counties as well.”  

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U.S. power grid needs to focus on resilience as extreme weather events rise- NERC

U.S. power grid needs to focus on resilience as extreme weather events rise- NERC

July 20 (Reuters) – The North American Electric Reliability Corp (NERC) on Wednesday said key entities of the U.S. power grid network were working to improve resilience of the power grid network as climate change drives more extreme weather.

The NERC’s “2022 State of Reliability” report said efforts were being made to improve the linkage between outages and weather by the Enterprise Electric Reliability Organization (ERO).

The ERO is made up of the NERC and six regional power entities.

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The U.S. power grid network is also implementing corrective action to avoid a repeat of widespread outages due to a cold snap last year.

“The February cold weather event demonstrated that a significant portion of the generation fleet in the impacted areas was unable to supply electrical energy during extreme cold weather,” the NERC’s report said.

These actions, based on recommendations by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and NERC among others, would also help to develop standards for longer term grid planning, the NERC said.

The report also highlighted the growing risks from the inter-dependency of electricity and the natural gas industries, which has threatened the reliability of the Bulk Electric System in the past few years. The Bulk Electric System refers to the facilities needed to operate the electric energy transmission network, excluding local distribution.

Natural gas generators are now needed for the reliable integration of renewable power until new storage technology is fully developed and implemented at scale, the NERC said.

“At the same time, reliable electric power supply is often required to ensure uninterrupted delivery of natural gas to these balancing resources, particularly in areas where penetration levels of renewable generation resources are highest.”

The NERC report also flagged risks from geopolitical events, while “increasingly bold cyber criminals and hacktivists presented serious challenges to the reliability” of the bulk electric system.

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Reporting by Rahul Paswan in Bengaluru. Editing by Jane Merriman

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Excessive heat delays, cancels outdoor events in North Texas due to safety

Excessive heat delays, cancels outdoor events in North Texas due to safety

Excessive heat delays, cancels outdoor events in North Texas due to safety

The near-record temperatures across North Texas are forcing the organizers of some outdoor events to either delay or outright cancel the events because of safety concerns.

IRVING, Texas – The near-record temperatures across North Texas are forcing the organizers of some outdoor events to either delay or outright cancel the events because of safety concerns.

Scorching temperatures across the metroplex prompted the National Weather Service to issue an excessive heat warning Thursday continuing at least through Saturday.

With highs over 105 and heat indexes over 110, the extreme heat is a top concern for those in charge of putting on various outdoor events this weekend.

Megan Gordon with the city of Irving says she decided to delay the start of Friday’s outdoor movie night at Heritage Park out of concern for the safety of attendees.

“As the event planner, I thought about it three days ago. But we always try our best to accommodate rather than cancel,” she said. “The event was originally planned for 6:30 p.m. As soon as we saw that heat advisory coming our way, we said let’s push it back when the sun sets a little bit so move it to 8 p.m.”

Typically, crowds can get up to 350. It was much smaller Friday.

Mom Sheniece Perkins admits she had second thoughts when she arrived.

“It’s for the kids, so I got to suck it up. They run around in the heat all of the time,” she said.

But families in Carrollton aren’t so lucky. The city announced Friday that this week’s Christmas in July event downtown would be canceled with no plans to reschedule.

“It’s probably a bummer for whatever kids were looking forward to it,” he said. “I wasn’t planning on coming, but I think it’s kind of sad for the community, but I can understand why. Safety.”

RELATED: Summer heatwave will test Texas power grid’s capacity, experts say

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Philadelphia mayor says he’s worried about other big events after 2 officers shot during a July Fourth event

Philadelphia mayor says he's worried about other big events after 2 officers shot during a July Fourth event

A 36-year-old Philadelphia Highway Patrol officer suffered a graze wound to the forehead, and a 44-year-old Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder, according to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.

Both officers were providing security at a July Fourth concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway when shots were fired around 9:47 p.m., just before the fireworks went off, Outlaw said.

Neither officer heard the gunshots before they were hit, she added.

“We don’t know if this was ricochet from celebratory gunfire, we don’t know if this was intentional,” Outlaw said. “We’re just extremely grateful this wasn’t worse than it was.”

The officers were taken to Jefferson University Hospital, treated and discharged, Outlaw said.

In a Tuesday news release, Philadelphia police identified the officer shot as Sergio Diggs, a 13-year veteran of the department. In a separate post, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office identified the injured deputy as John Foster.

Foster is a 17-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and has been a member of the department’s bomb squad for three years, according to the Facebook post.

“Many of our deputies provide security and specialized aid to neighboring areas for large events,” the sheriff’s office added. “While we are thankful that Deputy Foster and the injured Philadelphia officer are ok, we are troubled by the violence that turned what should have been a celebration into a near tragedy.”

Police union offering reward for information

The Philadelphia police union announced it was offering $20,000 for information leading to an arrest in connection with the shooting.

“We were inches away from planning a funeral for at least one brave, Philadelphia Highway Patrol officer as a bullet lodged in his cap,” said John McNesby, the president of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, in a news release.

“There are too many guns on our streets and far too many individuals acting recklessly with these deadly weapons,” McNesby added.

Social media video of the incident, apparently filmed from a nearby building, shows large crowds of people running along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, as lights from police cars and emergency vehicles flash in the street.

There have been no arrests so far, and no suspects in custody. Police said they are following several leads, and are asking members of the public to come forward if they have any information regarding the shooting or video capturing what happened.

Mayor: ‘I’m concerned every single day’

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the day had been “laid back, chilled,” with good weather and an enjoyable concert.

“But we live in America, and we have the Second Amendment, and we have the Supreme Court of the United States telling everybody they can carry a gun wherever they want,” he said. “This is what we have to live with.”

Kenney, who was wearing a soccer jersey during the news conference, was asked about his concerns about the upcoming 2026 World Cup and other big events coming to Philadelphia.

“I’m concerned every single day,” he said. “There’s not an event or a day where I don’t lay on my back at night look at the ceiling and worry about stuff. So everything we have had in the city over the last seven years, I worry about. I don’t enjoy the Fourth of July. I didn’t enjoy the Democratic National Convention. I didn’t enjoy the NFL Draft.”

“I’m waiting for something bad to happen all the time. I’ll be happy when I’m not mayor and I can enjoy some stuff.”

Kenney’s second term as mayor is up in 2024.

“If I had the ability to take care of guns, I would. But the legislature won’t let us, the US Congress won’t let us,” he added. “This is a gun country.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the mayor said he wanted to clarify his earlier comments, adding that he is “incredibly grateful” to be mayor.

“I made Philadelphians feel like I don’t care, and that cannot be further from the truth. I’ve said it many times before, I lay awake at night thinking about the challenges facing the residents in our city and what more we can be doing or doing differently to solve them. Being mayor comes with a lot of restless nights, so I am looking forward to a good night’s sleep,” the mayor said in his statement Tuesday.

“I love this city, and as Mayor there’s nothing more I want than to help solve this problem and keep our residents and visitors safe,” Kenney added.

CNN’s Alisha Ebrahimji and Amanda Jackson contributed to this report.

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Fort Worth’s Fourth celebration among several 4th of July events Sunday, Monday

Fort Worth’s Fourth celebration among several 4th of July events Sunday, Monday

Fort Worth’s Fourth celebration among several 4th of July events Sunday, Monday

Many North Texas cities are preparing for their Fourth of July celebrations Saturday night and Monday.

FORT WORTH, Texas – Many North Texas cities are preparing for their Fourth of July celebrations Saturday night and Monday.

That includes Fort Worth, where Panther Island Pavilion will be packed with North Texans celebrating the holiday Monday night.

Panther Island Pavilion, along the Trinity River, was mostly empty Sunday, but some were setting up early ahead of Monday’s Fourth of July celebration.

“We’re here just to have some fun, watch this beautiful fireworks display,” Tracy Torres said.

Torres runs the food truck, TNT Roasted Corn. He was getting ready to sell his dishes.

“We serve roasted corn, roasted potatoes, corn stuffed roasted potatoes,” he said.

Selling some food while those attending grab a seat to the largest fireworks show in North Texas.

2022 July 4th Fireworks & Events in Dallas-Fort Worth

“We have a new fireworks vendor this year,” event spokesman Matt Oliver said.

Oliver said they’ll have swimming, live music, and plenty of options for all ages.

The event begins at 5 p.m. Monday, with the 30-minute grand finale fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

An issue that’s somewhat typical for this time of year is the heat.

We’re looking at triple-digit temperatures Monday. Oliver said guests can bring a water bottle to use at filling stations.

“So if you bring one in, you know you can stay hydrated all day for free,” he added.

Vendors are certainly expecting a scorcher, but they said it’ll all be worth it once fireworks take over the sky.

“Well, we just do a lot of sweating, but we keep on moving,” Torres said.

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Several street closures planned for Welcome America’s July 4th weekend events

Several street closures planned for Welcome America's July 4th weekend events

Wawa Welcome America festival culminates with Party on the Parkway on July 4th

After a pandemic pause, the Wawa Welcome America Festival is back in Philadelphia to help residents and visitors alike celebrate the 4th of July holiday.

PHILADELPHIA – After a pandemic pause, the Wawa Welcome America Festival is back in Philadelphia to help residents and visitors alike celebrate the 4th of July holiday.

Nearly two-weeks of events will culminate on Independence Day with the Party on the Parkway and free concert headlined by Jason Derulo and Ava Max.

Of course, no 4th of July celebration would be complete without a massive fireworks display. Wawa’s Welcome America Firework Spectacular will start on the Parkway around 9:30 with an accompanying soundtrack by DJ Ghost.

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“Everyone is welcome we want everyone to come down we just want folks to be prepared,” President and CEO of Welcome America Michael DelBene said.

There are several road and street closures planned for the weekend and Independence Day.

Sunday

  • North side of Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • 5th Street between Chestnut Street and Market Street from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • 6th Street between Chestnut Street and Walnut Street from 8 a.m. to noon

In preparation for the July 4th Concert and Party on the Parkway, the following road closure will be in effect beginning 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 until approximately 4 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5:

  • Logan Circle
  • Winter Street between 21st Street and Ben Franklin Parkway

Monday

  • 2nd Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street from 6 a.m.
  • Chestnut/Market Street Viaduct between Chestnut and Front Streets to 2nd and Market Streets from 6 a.m.
  • Market Street between 3rd Street to Front Street from 6 a.m.
  • Front Street between Dock Street to Market Street from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Chestnut Street between 2nd Street and Front Street from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The following streets will be closed from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade: 

  • 3rd Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 4th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 5th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 6th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 7th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 8th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 9th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 10th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 11th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • 12th Street between Race Street and Chestnut Street
  • JFK Blvd. between Market Street and 15th Street
  • N. Broad Street between JFK Blvd. and Vine Street
  • S. Penn Square from S. Broad Street to E. Market Street
  • E. Market from Front Street to City Hall
  • 12th Street between Vine Street and Market Street
  • 13th Street between Vine Street and Market Street
  • Arch Street between 12th Street and Broad Street

For more information about the closures, including bus detours and other public transit routes, click here.

Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, is expecting an influx of visitors during the holiday weekend. The Philadelphia Police Department said it will have increased patrols to accommodate for the larger-than-normal crowds.

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Twin Cities events celebrating Juneteenth

Twin Cities events celebrating Juneteenth

Twin Cities events celebrating Juneteenth

All over the Twin Cities this weekend, events are going on in celebration of Juneteenth, the federal holiday on June 19 that commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved Africans in America.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (FOX 9) – All over the Twin Cities this weekend, events are going on in celebration of Juneteenth, the federal holiday on June 19 that commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved Africans in America.

Juneteenth has been around since 1866, but in 2021 it was made a federal holiday, and now people have a new energy to their celebrations. Many kicked things off with a parade down Fremont Avenue in Minneapolis; an event to boost unity in the community with dozens of organizations and groups on display.

“With all the stuff we’ve been going through, it’s a positive aspect, something we need back in North Minneapolis,” Terrance Frelix told FOX 9.

A lot of the fun on Saturday was centered around Bethune Park, where the crowd honored its history, while looking ahead optimistically to what is to come.

“This is really the time that black folks can actually celebrate our freedom,” Jasmine D’avilar said. “And just celebrate Black joy and Black businesses and just celebrate the culture that we have here.”

Nearby in North Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota hosted an inaugural Juneteenth celebration. The event was centered around “blackness and the black experience,” with Black vendors, speakers and performers.

“I think there’s always a need to celebrate black culture and black people,” D’avilar continued. 

As she bounced between different gatherings in town, she said she hopes to see all of it grow in future years, “We do need more days like this, we need more opportunities, we need more than just one month to celebrate our history because black history is American history,” D’avilar finished.

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How Pride events nationally are responding after a White supremacist group allegedly planned to riot in Idaho

How Pride events nationally are responding after a White supremacist group allegedly planned to riot in Idaho
Pride Month is a time when the LGBTQ community and its allies come together to celebrate the freedom to be their most authentic selves. But on Saturday, 31 men believed to be linked to a White nationalist group allegedly attempted to rob the community in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, of that experience.
Over two dozen men were arrested after an alarmed 911 caller reported a group dressed like a “little army” getting into a moving truck. The group was headed to a Pride in the Park event at Coeur d’Alene City Park and had plans to riot, police said.

When Debra Porta, executive director of Pride Northwest Inc., heard about what happened in Idaho, she felt “disappointment that we still face this kind of thing and reminded that our communities are stronger together than they are apart,” she told CNN in a statement.

Porta has been volunteering with Pride Northwest since 2006 and said safety has always been a top priority at the annual event and this year is no different.

Their security strategy entails a combination of local law enforcement, private security, de-escalation teams and infrastructure support from several local jurisdictions, she said. Portland Pride Waterfront Festival in Oregon is scheduled for this weekend.

Over 2,000 miles away, Chicago will also be celebrating this weekend and David O’Neal Brown, Chicago’s superintendent of police, said during a Monday news conference he wanted “to put those who might be planning something on notice that we are going to be vigilant to ensure that this event, as well as others, go off safely.”

Threats to the city’s celebrations will not be tolerated, Brown said.

It's Pride Month. Here's what you need to know

In San Francisco, the city’s Pride parade is scheduled for June 26.

“This week marks six years since the Pulse tragedy, and we commemorate the loss of so many lives taken from us, Carolyn Wysinger, board president of San Francisco Pride told CNN in a statement. Forty-nine people were killed at the gay nightclub in Orlando by an American-born man who’d pledged allegiance to ISIS.

“We have always been vigilant when it comes to safety and are working on a very coordinated basis with local law enforcement, city and community leaders to ensure this year’s Pride is safe and people can enjoy themselves knowing we are taking every precaution possible,” Wysinger said.

It’s not just bigger cities giving their security measures a second look. Oklahomans for Equality, the organizers of Tulsa Pride, said it had increased security measures following a mass shooting at a Tulsa hospital this month.

“We have heightened our security measures with bag checks at every entrance, increased security personnel throughout the festival grounds, and, as always, no weapons will be allowed at Tulsa Pride,” Alex Wade, deputy director of Oklahomans for Equality, said in a Monday statement. “We ask that festivalgoers not engage with antagonistic protestors. Proving a point is not worth risking your safety.”

Anatomy of a Pride parade

His message for attendees: Stay together, stay safe, go with someone you trust and remain alert.

At a time where many communities are ramping up their safety protocols, organizers in New York City said they’re not making any changes to protocols or event schedules as a result of the incident in Idaho.

Last month, NYC Pride announced a new set of policies around safety, wellness, accessibility, sustainability and efforts to reinforce its commitment to ensuring the safety of festivalgoers, the organization said. “Based on our existing safety plans we are not making any changes in response to this particular incident,” NYC Pride spokesperson Dan Dimant told CNN in a statement.
In 2021, NYC Pride and Denver Pride publicly banned corrections and law enforcement exhibitors from marching and participating in their uniforms. Similarly in San Francisco, organizers originally decided May 11 that off-duty police officers who march in the June 26 parade wouldn’t be allowed to wear their uniforms. Organizers have amended that policy to say all first responders will march in one contingent, with command staff wearing their mandated uniforms and a small number of LGBTQ officers in uniform will provide security for the contingent, according to a statement. All of these officers will be on-duty, a spokesperson for the organizations said.
Banning uniformed officers at Pride sparks fresh debate over complex issue
Participation by uniformed law enforcement at Pride events can seem threatening or dangerous to an LGBTQ+ community that over decades has been targeted with excessive force, even if their presence is intended to foster a sense of community and safety, advocacy groups have said.

Additionally, NYC Pride staff and executive board go through active shooter training annually, he said.

Mirroring San Francisco’s plan to work closely with law enforcement, organizers from Denver PrideFest and Seattle Pride say they are doing the same for their celebrations scheduled for the end of the month.

After two years of postponed Denver PrideFest events due to the pandemic, the organization said it’s excited for this year’s festivities.

As a direct result of what happened in Idaho, the Seattle Police Department and Iron Oak Security, Seattle Pride’s privately contracted security company, will increase the number of Seattle police officers at the parade to a “couple hundred” in addition to roughly 80 Iron Oaks officers, Krystal Marx, the executive director of Seattle Pride, told CNN.

CNN’s Jennifer Henderson, Jarrod Wardwell and Artemis Moshtaghian contributed to this report.