The Oracle - September 27, 2023

OPENS

PRESS RELEASE

“We continue to urge the National Park Service to maintain a herd of wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, just as wild horses roamed those lands during Roosevelt’s transformative years in the Badlands, when President Truman signed the bill creating the park in 1947 and when it received official national park status in 1978,” Burgum said.

Page 3

SMALL-TOWN HOMECOMING: A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY & TRADITION

By Alyssa Stromberg

Amid bustling cities and fast-paced lives, there’s something enchanting about the simplicity and warmth of a small-town homecoming.

Page 5

MANAGING GRIEF IN CHILDREN

By Jessica Watterud, Crosby

Counseling

Grief is difficult for anyone to manage. When it comes to children, it can be hard to know what to do.

Page 6

Serve & Protect program launched to cover costs of routine medical exams for firefighters and police

PRESS RELEASE. BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) today announced a new program to help offset the costs of routine medical exams for paid, full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers.

The Serve & Protect

(Continues Page 3)

On the Spot Truck Repair offering local dependability to the oil field

By Erica Kingston

The Bakken oil field is as wide and vast as the North Dakota plains that it spreads over. Towns and services are few and far between making servicing equipment a lengthy and timely issue.

On the Spot Truck Repair has been assisting the oil field and its community for over a decade. Nestled near the Canadian border in Columbus, N.D., the locally owned, full-ser-

vice repair shop is limiting downtime by repairing inshop and on the road with its mobile service truck.

Owner Shane Oas is a native of Columbus. In 1991, due to lack of work in North Dakota, he moved to Oregon where he worked as a heavy duty truck mechanic. After several years, he decided to build his own purpose-built mobile service truck and struck out on his own, birthing On

(Continues Page 8)

“ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. AND SOMETIMES INACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN BOTH OF THEM.” — MATTHEW GOOD

CRAFTS-4-U

LOCAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY

FORTUNA

Every Tuesday- Range Night at Northwest Sportsman Club

RAY

Thursday September 28th - 2JH, C, JV, Varsity Volleyball vs. Stanley 3:00pm (H)

September 29th & 30th - Varsity Volleyball DLB Tourney

Friday September 29th - FB- (H-PL) Kenmare/B/BC 7:00pm

Saturday September 30th - Elementary Volleyball Tournament at Trenton

Saturday September 30th - Elementary Football in Ray 11:00am

Saturday September 30th - JH Football in Williston (7th) 11:00am

Monday October 2nd - 2JH Football at Velva 5:00pm

Monday October 2nd - JV Football at Powers Lake vs. Minot North 5:00pm

Tuesday October 3rd - ASVAB Testing (Juniors) Ray High School

Tuesday October 3rd - JH, JV, V Volley-

ball (H) vs. Parshall 5:00pm

Wednesday October 4th - Blood Drive 12:00-6:00pm at Ray Public School

Thursday October 5th - Elem Volleyball

(H) vs. Tioga 5:30pm

Thursday October 5th - JH Football at Tioga 5:00pm

Friday October 6th - Football (H-Ray) vs. DLB (HOMECOMING)

CROSBY

Friday September 29th - Football vs.

MLS (HOMECOMING) 7:00pm at DCHS\

Saturday September 30th - 15th Annual

Crosby Moose Lodge Rib Cookoff

Crosby Moose Lodge, 111 Central Ave, Crosby

Saturday September 30th - Varsity

Volleyball Tournament at Washburn

Monday October 2nd - City of Ambrose

Council Meeting 5:00pm

Monday October 2nd - Crosby City Bud-

get Meeting 6:30pm at Crosby City Hall

Monday October 2nd - Crosby City

Council Meeting 7:00pm at Crosby City Hall

Monday October 2nd - Dakota Star Quilt Guild 7:00pm at Pleasant Pheasant Fabrics

Tuesday October 3rd - Divide County Commission Meeting 8:00-11:00am

Tuesday October 3rd - Volleyball at Powers Lake at 4:00pm

Tuesday October 3rd - Burger Night 5:30-7:30pm Crosby Moose Lodge

Wednesday October 4th - Crosby Area Chamber Meeting 8:00-9:00am at Divide County Courthouse

Thursday October 5th - Volleyball at Tioga 3:00pm

Friday October 6th - Football at Central McLean 7:00pm

Wednesdays: Storytime at the Divide County Library 10:00am - 10:45am

Fridays: Cards & Games at Divide County Senior

Citizens Center 1:30-2:30pm

Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Saturdays:

Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Sundays:

Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

WILLISTON

Saturday September 30th - Flannel Fest

2023 11a-4p Lewis & Clark State Park

Tuesday October 3rd - Songs & Stories of the American West Concert 6:30p at the Williston Community Library

October 6th & 7th - 2023 Lewis & Clark

Big 10 Showdown Lewis & Clark State Park

try Border Battle 12:00pm in Grand Forks

Saturday September 30th - Varsity

Volleyball Tournament at Washburn

Monday October 2nd - Commission

Meeting 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Tuesday October 3rd - Volleyball at Trenton High School

Thursday October 5th - Volleyball vs. Divide County (H) JHx2, C, JV, V 3:00pm

Friday October 6th - Football at Dunseith 7:00pm

Tioga Community Center Schedule

Mondays: Yoga Flow 9:30am-10:30am

Learn English Class 10:00am-11:00am

Tuesdays: Pickleball 5:00pm-8:00pm

TIOGA

Friday September 29th - Football at Center McLean 7:00pm

Saturday September 30th - Cross Coun-

Wednesdays: Storytime 10:30am11:00am

Youth Group 6:00-9:00pm

Thursdays: Slow Flow 6:00pm-7:00pm

Serve & Protect program launched to cover costs of

routine medical exams for firefighters and police

Reimbursement Program is a vital initiative aimed at bolstering the well-being of the state's dedicated firefighters and law enforcement officers.

"The Serve & Protect Reimbursement Program demonstrates our deepest gratitude for the invaluable service provided by our firefighters and law enforcement officers," Burgum said. "We owe it to these brave men and women to ensure they have access to the best possible health care. This program not only alleviates a financial burden but also underscores our commitment to the well-being of those who put their lives on the line every day to keep North Dakota safe."

Employers with an active account who are in good standing with WSI and employ full-time firefighters and/or full-time law enforcement officers are eli-

gible to receive a maximum reimbursement amount up to $250 per employee for routine medical exams.

As part of the statutory requirements, an employer is required to pay for a medical exam at no expense to the employee. The medical exam schedule is based on continuous years of service as a paid, full-time firefighter or law enforcement officer regardless of where the service occurred.

“Workforce Safety & Insurance is committed to ensuring North Dakota workplaces are free from preventable injuries and accidents,” WSI Director

Art Thompson said. “By partnering with employers on this program, we are not only fulfilling that commitment but also safeguarding those who serve and protect the citizens of North Dakota.”

Eligible employers can find more information on WSI's website: https:// www.workforcesafety.com/ safety/serve-protect-reimbursement-program.

The program announced today builds upon several bills signed by Burgum during the state Legislature’s 2023 session to support law enforcement and firefighters and show that

North Dakota “Backs the Blue”:

House Bill 1279 expanded workers’ compensation coverage for full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers.

Senate Bill 2147 exempted law enforcement retirement pay from state income tax –similar to how a bill passed in 2021 exempted military retirement pay – making North Dakota more competitive with other states for peace officers considering where to work and spend their retirement years.

House Bill 1307 provided

$3.5 million that can be used hiring and retention bonuses to new and current officers, including correctional officers, and for providing tuition and fee payments on behalf of law enforcement trainees.

House Bill 1183 moved peace officers employed by the state to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) retirement plan, ensuring the state’s game wardens, park rangers and parole and probation officers are on a level playing field when it comes to retirement benefits.

House Bill 1309 adjusted retirement benefits for BCI agents with the goal of allowing them to retire closer to age 55, helping the agency recruit and retain the best and brightest in law enforcement and ensure appropriate succession planning.

Burgum continues urging National Park Service to keep wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park; public comment period opens

PRESS RELEASE. BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today released the following statement after the National Park Service (NPS) announced that the public comment period is now open on its draft environmental assessment related to the herds of wild horses and cattle within Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The public comment period closes Oct. 25.

“We continue to urge the National Park Service to maintain a herd of wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, just as wild horses roamed those lands during Roosevelt’s

transformative years in the Badlands, when President Truman signed the bill creating the park in 1947 and when it received official national park status in 1978,” Burgum said. “These horses are a hugely popular tourist attraction, embodying the

untamed spirit of the Badlands while also reminding us of the deep ties to Roosevelt’s ranching and conservation legacy. As we’ve expressed repeatedly to the NPS and Director Sams, the state remains ready and willing to collaborate with

the Park Service to keep wild horses in the park in a manner and number that supports genetic diversity and protects the park for visitors now and long into the future.”

Burgum held a press conference on Jan. 30 with tourism officials, state legislators and other stakeholders to bring attention to the issue, submitting a letter the same day urging the NPS to maintain a herd of wild horses at the park. The governor later reiterated his position in a phone call with NPS Director Charles Sams and has continued to push agency officials to allow wild horses at the park,

stressing their importance to the state’s tourism industry and their deep historical and cultural connections to the park and Roosevelt himself.

North Dakota legislators in April also passed a resolution urging the Secretary of the Interior and the director of the NPS to modify its livestock management plan and “continue to allow for interpretative, cultural, and historical purposes a herd of longhorn steers in the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the presence of a wild horse herd in the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.”

Individuals have to juggle many different responsibilities on a daily basis. Those with full- or part-time jobs, children, spouses or partners, or aging family members that require assistance, will often find they are pulled in different directions. In many cases, work takes priority over family time because people rely on their jobs for the income that funds their lifestyles. Rather than jeopardizing that income, certain individuals will make time concessions that favor employment over personal relationships and family time.

Recent data indicates that many people are trapped in unhealthy worklife balances and can’t find the time to unwind and enjoy themselves. The e-commerce company Groupon asked 2,000 Americans about stress at work and 60 percent indicated that pressures and responsibilities of the workplace and home life do not have boundaries. Learning to balance work and life better may come from following these tips.

1. Find more time. While there’s no way to add extra hours to the day, you can add extra hours to your schedule. One way to do so is to wake up earlier or stay up later than the household. Some people prefer the quiet time to get things done while others are asleep. If you can afford to shave an

By Heidi Whitney

hour from your sleeping schedule (provided you already are getting enough), this approach can make a significant difference.

2. Limit distractions as much as possible. Distractions pull attention away from tasks and that can make it harder to complete jobs on time. Schedule tasks that require your utmost concentration when others are not around. Perhaps this means coming into the office during offpeak hours or waiting until a spouse or the kids go to their respective places of work or school before you start on things that require greater concentration.

3. Figure out your home priorities. Schedule your home priorities just as you would work meetings and other responsibilities. While you may not be able to attend every sports practice or game, make it a point to get to as many events as possible. Put it in the calendar or planner as a must-do.

4. Maximize your PTO. Chances are you are entitled

to a certain number of days off. Do not squander the opportunity to use these days. It will not make you a hero if you give up on time off. Map out priorities for the next couple of months and see where your time away from work will be needed. Then utilize PTO for these events as well as vacations.

5. End work at a certain time. There is a saying that “work expands to fill the time allotted.” It’s easy to let work infiltrate home time especially for those who are remote workers. Set a distinct end time for the job and reinforce it by turning off your computer or other devices, or physically lock the door to your office. Schedule tasks directly after work that are important to you, so you won’t be tempted to continue working. Finding work-life balance can take time and require breaking established habits, but it is one way to reduce stress and feel more personally satisfied.

MetroCreative

Connection

5 ways to ensure a greater work-family balance

Amid bustling cities and fast-paced lives, there’s something enchanting about the simplicity and warmth of a small-town homecoming. For those lucky enough to grow up in such communities, homecoming isn’t just an event; it’s a cherished tradition that embodies the essence of togetherness.

Small towns, often characterized by tight-knit communities, may not have the glitz and glamor of urban settings but they possess an undeniable charm that shines brightly during homecoming season. Here, the spirit of homecoming goes beyond the high school football game, pep rallies and dances — it symbolizes a collective return to one’s roots and a rekindling of connections with neighbors and friends, old and new.

The football fields and gyms become a hub of excitement not just for sports enthusiasts but for everyone in town. Families decked out in school colors fill the stands and the cheers and camaraderie are infectious. It’s a reminder that, in small towns, everyone is family and the success of the home team is a source of pride that unites the community.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of smalltown homecoming is the

homecoming parade. Local businesses, schools and organizations come together to create floats that reflect the town’s unique spirit.

Children wave from the floats and spectators line the main street. It’s a time when nostalgia meets the present and the old and young gen-

erations share stories, smiles and a sense of belonging.

Perhaps the most touching part of small-town homecoming is the alumni

return. Former residents, now scattered across the country, make the pilgrimage back to their hometowns. They revisit their old haunts, share stories and rediscover the charm of the place that shaped their formative years. These homecoming visits often lead to a rekindling of friendships and an appreciation for the enduring bonds of community.

In the fast-paced world we live in, where faces often remain nameless and interactions are fleeting, smalltown homecomings stand as a testament to the enduring power of human connection and community spirit. They remind us that amidst the chaos of life, there are places where everyone knows your name and a warm welcome awaits, year after year.

So, as we celebrate small-town homecomings, let’s also celebrate the enduring traditions and values that make these communities special. In a world that constantly changes, these towns remain steadfast, offering a comforting reminder that sometimes, coming home is the greatest celebration of all.

Froid/Medicine Lake Red Hawk homecoming parade is led with the American Flag

Managing grief in children

By Jessica Watterud

Grief is difficult for anyone to manage. When it comes to children, it can be hard to know what to do. For anyone who is grieving, it is important not to make assumptions about how they think and feel but to let them talk about their experience. Not everyone will want to talk about it, and that is okay. Everyone grieves differently. It is important to keep the lines of communication open.

Children of all ages may blurt out seemingly random things related to a loss — this is their way of trying to make sense of that loss. They are not being insensitive, but rather, they are trying to process. Assure children that grief is normal and that their feelings related to the loss matters. Allow them to express their grief in a safe space and understand that this is how they are re-

sponding to that grief. Don’t get scared or mad, just listen and ask questions.

Children may begin to joke about a loss. Humor naturally calms emotional responses, so we often use this as humans to handle hard things, and children are no different. Adults can explain the line between laughing about a memory and when it becomes inappropriate. This should not be done in a shameful manner, but with understanding that the child is trying to decipher something difficult. We all need breaks from grief. Play and laughter will help the healing process. Do not be surprised if one minute there is laughter and playing and the next minute there is crying as the loss comes up.

Structure is important. When a child’s world has just changed, they feel out of control. Keeping struc-

ture gives them a sense of security. When the loss impacts the entire family, this can be more difficult. Remember, adults need to heal, too. It’s okay for us to grieve along with our children. They need to know we have emotions and we struggle, too. Cry with them. Talk to them. Give them permission to talk to another trusted adult if they don’t want to talk with you or you feel like you can’t. Children can get protective of their parents and not want them to be sad, so they may hold things in as to not upset the parent. Having another trusted adult gives them, and the parent, a support system and can take some of that pressure off everyone.

Always remember, grief is a process. There will be good days and there will be hard days and there is no right way to go through grief. Give yourself, and

info@vocella.com

Calling All Freelance Writers! Vocella, Inc., parent company of The Oracle and Community Shopper publications, is in search of talented individuals with a passion for writing. If you’re experienced and enthusiastic about showcasing your work in our publication, reach out to us today at info@ vocella.com or 701-572-4851.

your child, time. Pay attention to the needs of each day and take care of yourselves.

Print a Classified in the Oracle for $7 up to 25 words. Place it in the Community Shopper, also, for $10 total.

ND film screening aims to highlight contributions from election workers

STEAKHOUSE

118 Main Street Lignite, ND 701-933-2337

Rib

Every Saturday Night

MARK YOU CALENDARS!

Saturday, October 28th

“Star-studded”

Halloween

Live Music with Ted & Kari Dress as your favorite music artist and come walk the red carpet with us!

Bingo Every Thursday at 7 PM Pot $1199

Steaks, Seafood, and Burger Baskets Full Salad Bar on weekends.

Tue-Sat Lunch: 11 am- 2 pm Supper: 5 pm-9 pm | Bar: 3 pm-close

By Mike Moen, Prairie News Service

This coming Saturday, North Dakotans will get a chance to see how election workers go to great lengths to ensure a safe and secure voting process. Those hosting a film screening say the timing is crucial given the current political environment.

The League of Women Voters is offering a free viewing of the documentary "No Time to Fail" in Bismarck - and virtually, too.

The film provides a behind-the-scenes look at election staff in Rhode Island, at the height of the pandemic during the 2020 vote.

Kathy Tweeten is president of the League's Bismarck-Mandan chapter. She said she thinks the project dispels misinformation still being floated out there, such as electronic machines compromising elections.

"It's a paper ballot that's put in the machine," said Tweeten, "which counts the votes, and it's still available for auditing after Election

Day and all the ballots have been cast."

There's an effort to get a ballot question before North Dakota voters, asking to overhaul election policies, such as banning the machines.

And the League recently took legal action to block a lawsuit seeking to limit the counting of mail-in ballots. Those behind such efforts often cite the need to bolster election integrity.

Meanwhile, the screening begins at 1 p.m. in the North Dakota Heritage Center. It also will be shown online at that time.

Nationwide, analysts say the fallout from the 2020 election has fueled more hateful rhetoric toward election workers, making recruitment harder.

Tweeten said she hopes the

film inspires more people to take on these roles.

"It's not an easy job but it's a very rewarding one," said Tweeten. "And I hope more people will take the opportunity to work at the polls or at least become an observer, so you know what's going on."

She reinforced what other election experts have noted: These workers are part of the communities they serve, and they receive training before helping out at a polling site.

After Saturday's film screening, there will be a panel discussion including election staff and the McKenzie County Auditor.

BURGE R NIGHT

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Slinger’s Pizza 4pm - 9pm

Wednesday - Friday September: 27, 28, 29

15th Annual Crosby Moose Lodge Rib Cook Off

Saturday September 30th

We Furnish the RibsYou Furnish the Grill!! $100 per team | 100% Payout | Top 3 Teams To Register call Crosby Moose Lodge: 701-965-6701; Kenny Thomas: 701-216-0063 $20 per adult plate | $10 (6 to 13 years) Free (5 and under)

Given the more challenging environment facing election administrators, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission has enhanced outreach efforts, such as establishing National Poll Worker Recruitment Day a few years ago, in hopes of recruiting more poll workers. (Adobe Stock)

On the Spot Truck Repair offering local dependability to the oil field

(Continued from front page)

The Spot Truck Repair in 2000. Soon after, a permanent location was opened in Vancouver, W.A. to offer inshop repairs as well as continuing on-site work.

In 2011, Oas and his wife Anna moved back to North Dakota at the height of the oil boom to open a second On The Spot shop. A location for the new business was simple, due to Oas’s family ties.

“The location where we are (in Columbus) was called Oas Implement,” Oas said. “That was built in 1961 — it was my grandpa, my dad, uncle, great un-

cle and my grandma. They did a lot of business out of there. They were about the only implement store around there.”

Oas purchased the shop from his dad and uncle and in July of 2011, the second location of On the Spot was opened, offering both shop work as well as mobile servicing. Today, there are six workers at the Columbus location including the Oas’, an office assistant and three mechanics.

“We do everything,” Oas said of their services.

“Mainly semi truck and trailer repair, all phases … bumper to bumper.”

On The Spot offers,

to name a few, full engine rebuilds, wet kits on trucks, build hydraulic hoses, welding, brakes, tires, fabrication and trailer repairs. Being local and independent, the wait and turnaround of repairs is often shorter than larger shops. They also sell parts and are a licensed truck dealer.

Oas and his wife live in Columbus, but he spends a few months of the year tending to his Vancouver location where he has 14 employees.

For more information on On The Spot Truck Repair, visit their website at otstr.com for services and equipment sales.

Youth Pheasant Weekend

• Withdrawal from or changing social connect ions/situations.

• Changes in sleep (increased or decreased).

• Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context.

• Recent increased ag itation or irritability.

PRESS RELEASE. ND GAME & FISH — North Dakota’s two-day youth pheasant season Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 is a great opportunity to introduce a new hunter to the outdoors with limited competition.

That’s when legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 and younger can hunt rooster pheasants statewide. An adult at least 18 must accompany the youth hunter in the field. The adult may not carry a firearm.

A general game and hab-

itat license is required, and hunters 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course or obtain an apprentice hunter validation, which allows an individual to hunt small game for one license year without completing hunter education.

The daily bag limit and all other regulations for the regular pheasant season apply. See the North Dakota 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Guide for additional information.

Farmer’s

Motorists Watch for Deer

PRESS RELEASE. ND

GAME & FISH — Motorists should watch for deer along roadways this time of year as juvenile animals disperse from their home ranges.

October through early December is the peak period for deer-vehicle accidents. Motorists are advised to slow down and exercise caution after dark to reduce the likelihood of encounters with deer. Most deer-vehicle accidents occur primarily at dawn and dusk when deer are most often moving around.

Motorists should be aware of warning signs signaling deer are in the area. When you see one deer cross the road, look for a second or third deer to follow. Also,

pay attention on roadways posted with Deer Crossing Area caution signs.

Deer-vehicle accidents are at times unavoidable. If an accident does happen, law enforcement authorities do not have to be notified if only the vehicle is damaged. However, if the accident involves personal injury or other property damage, then it must be reported.

In addition, a permit is required before taking possession of road-killed deer. Permits are free and available from game wardens and local law enforcement.

A few precautions can minimize chances of injury or property damage in a deer-vehicle crash:

Always wear your seat

belt.

Don’t swerve or take the ditch to avoid hitting a deer. Try to brake as much as possible and stay on the roadway. Don’t lose control of your vehicle or slam into something else to miss the deer. You risk less injury by hitting the deer.

If you spot deer ahead, slow down immediately and honk your horn.

Unmasking Celiac Disease A Silent Epidemic Across North America and Beyond

helping

The Celiac Disease Foundation reports an estimated three million Americans are affected by Celiac disease, while Health Canada estimates that 300,000 people in Canada have the condition. The numbers of people diagnosed with this illness could be underrepresented across North America since many people suffer without realizing they have the disease. Around the world, it is estimated that one out of every 100 people has Celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the small intestines become damaged after repeated consumption of gluten, which is found in various grains, including wheat, barley and rye.

NATIONAL & WORLD HEADLINES

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LOOMING

September 30th is the deadline to avert the looming federal government shutdown. This comes less than three months after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached an agreement with President Biden. That agreement was supposed to set spending levels for the year and was part of a bipartisan debt limit package that was overwhelmingly passed in the House. However, negotiations have been ongoing as a small group of hard-line conservatives rejected the plan for failing to agree to deeper spending cuts.

Word of the Day verdigris: (noun)

Shasta

Republicans of the house spent the weekend setting up a plan to hold votes on several funding bills and have begun a debate this week regarding four separate funding bills. The 4 bills are only a fraction of the 12 annual appropriations bills which include deep spending cuts. These bills cover the funding of the Defense, Agriculture, Homeland Security, and State Departments.

SENATOR AND WIFE INDICTED

Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey and his wife, Nadine, Arslanian Menendez, were indicted

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:

Everyone has heard the old addage, “Actions speak louder than words.” But today’s quote really drives home an important note - often, it is a person’s lack of action that packs far more of a punch - right in the gut of the person to which they made the promise. If one doesn’t follow through, why should anyone have faith in what they say?

last Friday, Sept. 22, on three counts of federal bribery charges. The couple is accused of taking bribes in exchange for sharing sensitive US government information to influence foreign affairs on behalf of Egypt. They reportedly received $480k in cash, at least $100k worth of gold bars, and a luxury vehicle. Sen. Menendez will have to step down as leader of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee due to his felony charge. Three New Jersey businessmen were also tied to Menendez and his indictment. This is not the first criminal charge that the Senator has faced. A case was brought against him in 2015 for allegedly helping a Florida eye doctor deal with allegations of Medicare fraud. This was reportedly in exchange for $1M worth of gifts and campaign contributions.

HOPE

When it comes to climate change, a word you don’t commonly hear is hope. However, according to a new International Energy Agency (IEA) report, countries are setting records for deploying climatefriendly technologies. These technologies include solar power, electric vehicles, and more. The

new report is an overall more optimistic message than the one released in 2021 by the IEA. However, the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy will have to speed up even more in the coming decade. The International Energy Agency represents countries that make up more than 80% of global energy consumption and they are projecting that the demand for coal, oil and natural gas will peak before 2030. While greenhouse gas emissions are still on the rise, the IEA shares that there’s still a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. The IEA asserts that the most significant contributor to emissions reductions will be the tripling of new renewable energy installations. However, the organization cautions that nations must accelerate permitting processes and enhance their electrical grids to ensure that this energy reaches its required destinations. The agency is also allowing room for new fossil fuel developments such as the Willow Project in Alaska. New oil and gas drilling developments will be allowed to avoid price spikes and supply gluts.

Publishing Team Publisher / Editor: J.C. LaBar

Journalist: Heidi Whitney

Reporters: Erica Kingston, Alyssa Stromberg & Rachel Venture

Sales Team Sales Manager: Falon Justice sales@vocella.com

Copy Editing & Production Team

Lead Design: Kary Moltzan

Design: McKenna Walter

1. A bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate.