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Sen. Braun Urging NLRB Chairman to Reverse Inconsistent Rule for Franchises

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 WASHINGTON— Senator Mike Braun led 67 Republican lawmakers in writing a letter to National Labor Relations Board Chairman Lauren M. McFerran to oppose the Board’s joint employer proposed rule that is inconsistent with the common law, circumvents Congressional authority, and will negatively impact the nation’s economy and their constituents.

“The Board’s joint-employer proposed rule would have immediate and long-term negative effects on millions of workers and thousands of businesses at a time when the economy is already facing the highest inflation rates in four decades. Franchises in particular would be negatively impacted should the proposed rule go into effect. By moving forward with this misguided proposed rule, the Board would overwhelmingly hurt entrepreneurs who are utilizing the franchise model to own their own business. Many of these entrepreneurs are women, minorities, and veterans, thirty-two percent of whom say that they would not own a business without franchising,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Due to this negative economic impact, the proposed rule’s inconsistency with common law, and the NLRB’s attempt to use powers reserved to Congress, we urge the Board not to move forward with its proposed rule for determining joint-employer status. Instead, the Board should maintain the 2020 rule, which brought clarity and certainty to the business community,” the lawmakers continued.

Senators joining Sen. Braun on this letter include Sens. McConnell, Thune, Barrasso, Cornyn, Risch, Blackburn, Lankford, Inhofe, Collins, Hagerty, Tuberville, Johnson, Paul, Marshall, Daines, Young, T. Scott, Cramer, Blunt, Hoeven, Boozman, Fischer, Cotton, R. Scott, Capito, Grassley, Cruz, Lee, Rubio, Tillis, Toomey, Lummis, Graham, Crapo, Kennedy, Moran, Cassidy, Shelby, Romney, Ernst and Rounds.

Representatives on the letter include Foxx, Thompson, Walberg, Grothman, Stefanik, Allen, Banks, Comer, Fulcher, Keller, Miller-Meeks, Owens, Good, McClain, Harshbarger, Miller, Spartz, Fitzgerald, Steel, Jacobs, Finstad, Sempolinski, Crawford and Budd.

The Proposal Would Eliminate Exemption Used To Avoid Disclosure Of Certain PFAS Releases

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WASHINGTON  the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule that would improve reporting on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) by, among other proposed changes, eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure that covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.

“PFAS continue to pose an urgent threat to our country and communities deserve to know if they may be exposed because of the way these chemicals are being managed, recycled, or released,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “By removing this reporting loophole, we’re advancing the work set out in the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and ensuring that companies report information for even small concentrations of PFAS. We’ll make this information available to the public so EPA and other federal, state and local agencies can use it to help best protect health and the environment.”

This proposal reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address the impacts of these forever chemicals, and advances EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap to confront the human health and environmental risks of PFAS.

TRI data are reported to EPA annually by facilities in certain industry sectors and federal facilities that manufacture, process, or otherwise use TRI-listed chemicals above certain quantities. The data include quantities of such chemicals that were released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. Information collected through TRI allows communities to learn how facilities in their area are managing listed chemicals. The data collected also help support informed decision-making by companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public.

The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) immediately added certain PFAS to the list of chemicals covered by TRI for the 2021 reporting year and provided a framework to automatically add other PFAS in future years. The NDAA established TRI manufacturing, processing, and otherwise use reporting thresholds of 100 pounds for each of these listed PFAS. However, the previous Administration codified the NDAA provisions in a manner that allows facilities that report to TRI to disregard certain minimal or de minimis concentrations of chemicals in mixtures or trade name products (below 1% concentration for each of the TRI-listed PFAS, except for PFOA for which the concentration is set at 0.1%).

The proposed rule released today would eliminate the availability of that exemption and require facilities to report on PFAS regardless of their concentration in products.

Currently, facilities are required to report to TRI on 180 PFAS per the requirements of the NDAA. However, in data submitted to EPA in 2021 and 2022, fewer facilities reported PFAS to TRI than expected. In response, EPA conducted outreach, and many facilities contacted claimed the de minimis exemption as a reason for not reporting. The rule proposed today would list PFAS as “chemicals of special concern,” which would make them ineligible for the de minimis exemption.

If finalized, this proposal would also make the de minimis exemption unavailable for purposes of supplier notification requirements to downstream facilities for all chemicals on the list of chemicals of special concern, which also includes certain persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, and dioxins. This change will help ensure that purchasers of mixtures and trade name products containing these chemicals are informed of their presence in mixtures and products they purchase.

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

20221215025406364

FOOTNOTE: This information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

 

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

Vanderburgh County Crash Report

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Crash Report

Murder Investigation UPDATE

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 The person of interest in this case was identified as the suspect, 23-year-old Kentar R. Collins. Detectives were able to get information to Collins that they wanted to speak with him and he should turn himself in. On the afternoon of December 13th, Collins, along with his attorney, arrived at EPD Headquarters to turn himself in. After meeting with detectives, Collins was arrested, transported to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center, and booked in for the charge of Murder. 

According to the affidavit, Collins arrived in a vehicle at a residence in the 1500 block of Judson St. just after 4:00 a.m. on December 12th. Collins knew the resident there and she came outside to visit. The victim was also at the residence and walked outside to Collin’s vehicle. The victim walked to the driver’s side of the vehicle, where Collins was sitting. Collins and the victim started talking and then several shots were fired from the driver’s side of the vehicle. Collins then drove away from the scene. 

The victim was shot multiple times and did pass away at the scene. The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office did identify the victim as 25-year-old Jaylen A. Curlee. 

Murder Investigation UPDATE

The Really Big Show” Will Celebrate Its 21st Anniversary At The Old National Events Plaza

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On February 11, 2023, “The Really Big Show” will celebrate its 21st Anniversary at the Old National Events Plaza! The Really Big Show is the largest annual fundraiser for The Arc of Evansville, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting people with disabilities. The show is a community variety show featuring comedy, music, and dance performed by local residents. Jeff Lyons, Chief Meteorologist for 14News, and Marc Scott will host the show. 

The fun doesn’t have to end with the show! A VIP ticket package is available, which includes prime seating to the show and admission to the Curtain Call Reception immediately following the show. VIP guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, desserts, music, live and silent auction, and an opportunity to mingle with sponsors, cast, and crew. 

The theme of this year’s showcase will be announced on Friday, December 16. Press and community members are encouraged to attend. Following the press event, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke will once again kick off ticket sales with the first purchase at the Old National Events Plaza Box Office. 

Proceeds of this event will benefit people with disabilities by empowering them to build relationships, gain independence, and achieve their full potential.  

Press Event Information:  

 

What:                   The Really Big Show Press Event 

When:                  Friday, December 16, 2022, at 9:00AM   

Where:                 Old National Events Plaza, Aiken Theatre Atrium (lobby) 

Tickets:                 Tickets are $25.00 available at the Old National Events Plaza box office.  

                               *plus applicable fees for tickets purchased at Ticketmaster.com. 

VIP ticket packages for the show and reception are $150 per person. VIP tickets can be purchased by phone from The Arc of Evansville at 812-428-4500 ext. 308 or online at www.arcofevansville.org.  

Community partners include Old National Bank, Toyota, Kaiser Aluminum, Ascension St. Vincent, Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc. 

Facebook Handle: The Arc of Evansville 

Website: www.arcofevansville.org

UE Alondra Vazquez Drafted #1 In Puerto Rico

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Aces Star Is Set To Begin Her Professional Career

 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – One of the best to wear the University of Evansville uniform will be taking her talents to the next level.  Alondra Vazquez was selected as the #1 pick in the Women’s Superior Volleyball Draw by Atenienses de Manati in her native Puerto Rico.

Vazquez reached an agreement with the team to play in the upcoming season, which runs from February through May.  Manati is coming off a strong season that saw them advance to the semifinals before falling to the eventual champion.

This will be Vazquez’s first professional league experience.  Last summer, she played with the Puerto Rico National Team and competed with the best players in the league.

She will be the 5th UE volleyball alum to play at the professional level and is set to be a teammate with Mildrelis Rodriguez, who graduated from UE in 2019.  Genesis Miranda, who was a UE player for two seasons, is also on the team.  Cecilia Thon (Spain), Rocio Fortuny (Sweden), and Joselyn Coronel (Puerto Rico) are also playing pro volleyball.

“Alondra had a great career at UE, broke a lot of program records, and helped turn this program from one that wasn’t very respected in the MVC to one of the most consistent programs in the conference over the last four years,” UE head volleyball coach Fernando Morales exclaimed.  “We know the passion she has for volleyball and how hard she works.  She will have a great career as a professional player as well as in the national team.  We will be following every step she takes at the next level.”

With 1,911 kills, Vazquez set the all-time UE program record while completing her career with the 4th-most in Missouri Valley Conference history.  Her total of 5,459 attempts was also the most in school history and second in league history.

Andy Benes Named To MVC Hall Of Fame Class of 2023

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UE Legend Is Set To Join The HOF In March

On Tuesday, the Missouri Valley Conference announced its Class of 2023, and University of Evansville legend Andy Benes is slated to be inducted in March of 2023. 

Aside from Benes, the 26th MVC Hall of Fame class features three four-time first-team All-Conference selections in Melanie (Boeglin) White (Indiana State women’s basketball); Barb (Gaines) Porter (Missouri State softball), and Rachel Tejada (Illinois State women’s soccer); Hall of Fame men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith (Tulsa); and a 2007 Master’s and 2015 British Open champ in Zach Johnson (Drake).

Including this year’s six inductees, the MVC Hall of Fame consists of 145 former student-athletes, administrators, coaches, and contributors.  Benes is the first representative of the UE baseball program to join the MVC Hall of Fame.  

In a career that went from 1986-88, Benes was a 3-sport student-athlete with the Purple Aces.  While spending time playing basketball and football, Benes will be most remembered for his performance on the baseball mound.  His professional baseball career took off after leaving UE in 1988.  Andy Benes was the 1988 NCAA Baseball Player of the Year was the 1988 Midwestern Collegiate Conference Player of the Year.

During the 1988 collegiate season, Benes recorded a 16-3 record for the Aces, spotting a 1.42 earned run average in 146 innings of work.  He struck out 188 batters that year while leading the NCAA in strikeout ratio (11.6/9 innings).  He also won the Pitching Triple Crown leading DI baseball in wins, ERA and strikeouts.

Benes was the No. 1 overall pick by the San Diego Padres in the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.  Andy was a Padre from 1989-1995, earning The Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year honor in his first year with San Diego.  He was an All-Star in 1993 and led the National League with 189 strikeouts during the 1994 season.  Benes finished third in the Cy Young Award balloting in 1996 after an 18–10, 3.83 ERA season.

Benes’ major league career spanned four organizations from 1989-2002 as he also pitched for the Seattle Mariners (1995), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-99), and he had two stints with the St. Louis Cardinals (1996-97 and 2000-02).

He recorded a 155-139 record in the majors with a career 3.97 ERA and 2,000 strikeouts. Notably, he struck out the final batter of his career in 2002 to reach that plateau.

At Evansville, Benes was an All-American in 1988 by Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America and the ABCA, while his No. 30 is one of two retired jerseys in program history.  He helped the United States to the gold medal in baseball in the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympic Games.


Benes currently lives in St. Louis with his wife Jennifer. They have seven kids and seven grandkids. He owns a youth baseball club as well as being active in the St. Louis community with the Cardinals. He enjoys his weekly Bible studies, public speaking about his Christian faith, and playing golf.

The league will conduct its annual Hall of Fame ceremony as part the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Championship in St. Louis, Mo., next March 2-5. The Friday, March 3, festivities will begin with an 8:00 a.m. breakfast, followed by the induction ceremony at 8:30 a.m.

Tickets to the 2023 Hall of Fame event – scheduled to be held at Stifel Theatre, which is adjacent to Enterprise Center – can be obtained by contacting the league office at (314) 444-4300. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 2023 State Farm MVC Tournament marks the 33rd-straight year the event has been staged in St. Louis.  With 33 consecutive years at the same neutral site, Arch Madness is the second-longest neutral site tenured collegiate tourney in the nation (following only the Big East in New York City).

“One of the great rewards that come with representing a Conference with the magnitude of the Missouri Valley is the opportunity to interact with some of the finest practitioners in the collegiate athletic space,” said Commissioner Jeff Jackson.  “This class represents the reach of The Valley in and away from the athletic arena.  We are all truly inspired by their achievements and touched by their grace.”

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