Lumen Christi preparing for tough rushing attack in semifinalGLENWOOD, Iowa — Hundreds of people who were separated from society because they had disabilities are buried in a nondescript field at the former state institution here. Disability rights advocates hope Iowa will honor them by preventing the kind of neglect that has plagued similar cemeteries at other shuttered facilities around the U.S. The southwest Iowa institution, called the Glenwood Resource Center, was closed this summer in the wake of . The last of its living residents were moved elsewhere in June. But the remains of about 1,300 people will stay where they were buried on the grounds. The graveyard, which dates to the 1800s, covers several acres of sloping ground near the campus’s brick buildings. A 6-foot-tall, weathered-concrete cross stands on the hillside, providing the most visible clue to the field’s purpose. On a recent afternoon, dried grass clippings obscured row after row of small stone grave markers set flat in the ground. Most of the stones are engraved with only a first initial, a last name, and a number. “If somebody who’s never been to Glenwood drove by, they wouldn’t even know there was a cemetery there,” said Brady Werger, a former resident of the facility. During more than a century of operation, the institution housed thousands of people with intellectual disabilities. Its population declined as from the practice of sequestering people with disabilities and mental illness in large facilities for decades at a time. The cemetery is filled with residents who died and weren’t returned to their hometowns for burial with their families. State and local leaders are working out arrangements to maintain the cemetery and the rest of the 380-acre campus. Local officials, who are expected to take control of the grounds next June, say they’ll need extensive state support for upkeep and redevelopment, especially with the town of about 5,000 people reeling from the loss of jobs at the institution. Hundreds of such places were constructed throughout the U.S. starting in the 1800s. Some, like the one in Glenwood, served people with disabilities, such as those caused by autism or seizure disorders. Others housed people with mental illness. Most of the facilities were built in rural areas, which were seen as providing a wholesome environment. States began shrinking or closing these institutions more than 50 years ago. The shifts were a response to complaints about people being removed from their communities and subjected to inhumane conditions, including the use of isolation and restraints. In the past decade, Iowa has closed two of its four mental hospitals and one of its two state institutions for people with intellectual disabilities. After closures in some other states, institutions’ cemeteries were abandoned and became overgrown with weeds and brush. The neglect drew protests and sparked efforts to respectfully memorialize people who lived and died at the facilities. “At some level, the restoration of institutions’ cemeteries is about the restoration of humanity,” said Pat Deegan, a Massachusetts mental health advocate . Deegan, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager, sees the neglected graveyards as symbolic of how people with disabilities or mental illness can feel as if their individual identities are buried beneath the labels of their conditions. Deegan, 70, helped lead efforts to rehabilitate a pair of overgrown cemeteries at the near Boston, which housed people with mental illness before it closed in 1992. More than 700 former residents were buried there, with many graves originally marked only with a number. The Massachusetts hospital’s grounds were redeveloped into a condominium complex. The rehabilitated cemeteries now have individual gravestones and a large historical marker, explaining what the facility was and who lived there. The sign notes that some past methods of caring for psychiatric patients seem “barbarous” by today’s standards, but the text portrays the staff as well-meaning. It says the institution “attempted to alleviate the problems of many of its members with care and empathy that, although not always successful, was nobly attempted.” Deegan has helped other groups across the country organize renovations of similar cemeteries. She urges communities to include former residents of the facilities in their efforts. Iowa’s Glenwood Resource Center started as a home for orphans of Civil War soldiers. It grew into a large institution for people with disabilities, many of whom lived there for decades. Its population peaked at more than 1,900 in the 1950s, then dwindled to about 150 before state officials decided to close it. Werger, 32, said some criticisms of the institution were valid, but he remains grateful for the support the staff gave him until he was stable enough to move into community housing in 2018. “They helped change my life incredibly,” he said. He thinks the state should have fixed problems at the facility instead of shutting it. He said he hopes officials preserve historical parts of the campus, including stately brick buildings and the cemetery. He wishes the graves had more extensive headstones, with information about the residents buried there. He would also like to see signs installed explaining the place’s history. Two former employees of the Glenwood facility recently raised concerns that . But officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, which ran the institution, said they have extensive, accurate records and recently placed stones on three graves that were unmarked. Department leaders declined to be interviewed about the cemetery’s future. Spokesperson Alex Murphy wrote in an email that while no decisions have been made about the campus, the agency “remains committed to ensuring the cemetery is protected and treated with dignity and respect for those who have been laid to rest there.” Glenwood civic leaders have formed a nonprofit corporation that is negotiating with the state over development plans for the former institution. “We’re trying to make the best of a tough situation,” said Larry Winum, a local banker who serves on the new organization’s board. Tentative plans include tearing down some of the existing buildings and creating up to 900 houses and apartments. Winum said redevelopment should include some kind of memorial sign about the institution and the people buried in the cemetery. “It will be important to us that those folks be remembered,” he said. Activists in other states said properly honoring such places takes sustained commitment and money. Jennifer Walton helped lead efforts in the 1990s to properly mark graves and improve cemetery upkeep . Some of the cemeteries are deteriorating again, she said. Activists plan to ask Minnesota legislators to designate permanent funding to maintain them and to place explanatory markers at the sites. “I think it’s important, because it’s a way to demonstrate that these spaces represent human beings who at the time were very much hidden away,” Walton said. “No human being should be pushed aside and ignored.” On a recent day, just one of the Glenwood graves had flowers on it. Retired managers of the institution said few people visit the cemetery, but amateur genealogists sometimes show up after learning that a long-forgotten ancestor was institutionalized at Glenwood and buried there. Former grounds supervisor Max Cupp said burials had become relatively rare over the years, with more families arranging to have deceased residents’ remains transported to their hometown cemeteries. One of the last people buried in the Glenwood cemetery was Kenneth Rummells, who died in 2022 at age 71 after living many years at the institution and then at a nearby group home overseen by the state. His guardian was Kenny Jacobsen, a retired employee of the facility who had known him for decades. Rummells couldn’t speak, but he could communicate by grunting, Jacobsen said. He enjoyed sitting outside. “He was kind of quiet, kind of a touch-me-not guy.” Jacobsen helped arrange for a gravestone that is more detailed than most others in the cemetery. The marker includes Rummells’ full name, the dates of his birth and death, a drawing of a porch swing, and the inscription “Forever swinging in the breeze.” Jacobsen hopes officials figure out how to maintain the cemetery. He would like to see a permanent sign erected, explaining who is buried there and how they came to live in Glenwood. “They were people too,” he said.
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In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, the latest breakthrough isn’t just about more graphic power or smoother frames per second—it’s all about artificial intelligence-enhanced chips. Recently, pioneering semiconductor companies have begun integrating sophisticated AI capabilities directly into their newest gaming chipsets, promising to fundamentally change the future of interactive entertainment. Enhanced Realism and Dynamic Environments With AI-driven chips, games can now offer unprecedented levels of realism. These processors enable dynamic, real-time environmental adjustments, allowing game worlds to react organically to a player’s actions. Imagine landscapes that evolve based on your unique decisions, or characters that learn and adapt to your behavior—these are just some of the incredible possibilities. Personalized Gaming Experience The integration of AI chips means that games can now tailor experiences to individual players. By continuously learning from user habits and preferences, games can offer more personalized narratives, challenges, and even adjust difficulty levels on the fly. This leads to a more engaging, immersive experience that keeps players coming back. Efficient Power Usage Another frontier these new chips are addressing is energy efficiency. By optimizing processing power dynamically with AI algorithms, these chips significantly reduce energy consumption during gameplay. This not only extends playtime on portable devices but also supports sustainability by minimizing the overall carbon footprint of gaming setups. As these AI-augmented chips become mainstream, they are not just heralding a new era of gaming but are reshaping the entire digital entertainment ecosystem. The future of gaming lies in this exciting convergence of advanced technology and creativity. AI-Enhanced Game Chips: Transforming the Interactive Entertainment Landscape In the rapidly advancing world of gaming technology, industry leaders are now spotlighting a groundbreaking development: artificial intelligence-enhanced chips. Unlike traditional upgrades focused solely on graphical enhancement or frame rates, these new AI-enabled chipsets are creating a seismic shift in how we experience games and digital entertainment. Game-changing Features of AI Chips Dynamic Game Worlds: AI-driven gaming chips introduce dynamic responsiveness in virtual environments, offering game worlds that change and evolve according to player choices. This capability ensures each gaming session feels unique, providing an immersive experience akin to living a story that continually adapts to its player. Personalized Interaction: With AI’s ability to learn from individual gameplay patterns, these chips enable games to offer bespoke experiences. Personalized narratives and adaptive challenges ensure players remain engaged, elevating the sense of agency players feel within their digital adventures. Pros and Cons of AI Gaming Chips Pros: – Enhanced Realism: Accelerated AI processing power means more lifelike graphics and behaviors, transforming game worlds into convincing virtual environments. – Energy Efficiency: AI algorithms optimize power consumption, which is paramount for sustainability and longer portable device usage. Cons: – Cost Implications: Incorporating highly advanced AI technology could lead to increased costs for developers and potentially higher retail prices. – Complex Implementation: Developers may face challenges integrating and optimizing gaming experiences to fully leverage these chips’ capabilities. Insights and Predictions Industry Trends: As these chips become more common, expect a widespread shift in game design philosophy, focusing on player-driven narratives and evolving world-building. Market Analysis: Analysts predict a rapid growth in gaming-related revenue due to enhanced player engagement and new monetization opportunities offered by AI-driven personalization. Security and Sustainability Considerations Security Aspects: AI chipsets come with heightened security measures to safeguard data and privacy, crucial in environments collecting extensive player behavior data to improve gameplay. Sustainability Efforts: By reducing energy consumption during gameplay, these advanced chips contribute significantly to the industry’s sustainability efforts, aligning with global initiatives to reduce carbon footprints. Comparing Traditional vs. AI-Enhanced Chipsets Traditional Chipsets: – Focus primarily on graphical enhancements and processing power. – Limited in personalization and real-time environmental adaptation. AI-Enhanced Chipsets: – Offer real-time adaptability and personalization. – Combine graphical prowess with intelligent processing for enhanced engagement. As gaming continues to evolve with these innovative AI chips, the traditional boundaries of digital entertainment are expanding. Companies like NVIDIA and AMD are already at the forefront of this technological revolution, promising to redefine what we expect from our gaming experiences. For more information on these advancements, visit NVIDIA or AMD .
LIVERMORE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- McGrath RentCorp (“McGrath” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: MGRC), a leading business-to-business rental company in North America, today announced the Board of Directors’ declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.475 per common share for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. The dividend will be payable on January 31, 2025 to all shareholders of record on January 17, 2025. The year 2025 marks 33 consecutive years that McGrath RentCorp has raised its dividend to shareholders. ABOUT MCGRATH: McGrath RentCorp (Nasdaq: MGRC) is a leading business-to-business rental company in North America with a strong record of profitable business growth. Founded in 1979, McGrath’s operations are centered on modular solutions through its Mobile Modular and Mobile Modular Portable Storage businesses. In addition, its TRS-RenTelco business offers electronic test equipment rental solutions. The Company’s rental product offerings and services are part of the circular supply economy, helping customers work more efficiently, and sustainably manage their environmental footprint. With over 40 years of experience, McGrath’s success is driven by a focus on exceptional customer experiences. This focus has underpinned the Company’s long-term financial success and supported over 30 consecutive years of annual dividend increases to shareholders, a rare distinction among publicly listed companies. McGrath is headquartered in Livermore, California. Additional information about McGrath and its businesses is available at mgrc.com and investors.mgrc.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212717160/en/ CONTACT: Keith E. Pratt EVP & Chief Financial Officer 925-606-9200 KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY ENGINEERING OTHER TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING MACHINERY HARDWARE OTHER CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY SOURCE: McGrath RentCorp Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 04:01 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 04:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212717160/en
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Tunisia’s coastguard has recovered the bodies of nine people and is searching for six others still missing after a boat carrying refugees sank off the coast, a judicial official said Thursday (December 12). The coastguard rescued at least 27 people from the boat, which survivors said had been carrying 42 passengers when it sank due to bad weather, according to Judge Farid Ben Jha. The incident occurred off the coast of Chebba, a port town in central Tunisia. All passengers on board were from sub-Saharan African countries, Al Jazeera quoted officials as saying. Tunisia, along with neighbouring Libya, has become a primary departure point for refugees and migrants from across Africa seeking better lives in Europe. Many undertake the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea, often in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats, despite the risks. The Mediterranean remains one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. The latest tragedy only goes to show, once again, the growing number of people willing to risk their lives in search of safety and opportunity abroad. The waters between North Africa and Europe have become a treacherous passage for those fleeing conflict, poverty, and persecution, with many risking everything for the chance of a better life. Despite international efforts to curb illegal migration and human smuggling, tragedies continue to unfold as individuals place their trust in smugglers who prioritise profit over safety. European countries, meanwhile, face growing political and logistical challenges in addressing the influx of migrants. While some advocate for stricter border controls and repatriation efforts, others call for a more compassionate approach, emphasising the need to address the root causes of migration in the countries of origin. With inputs from agenciesTORONTO — Canada's main stock index fell more than 100 points Friday, led by losses in base metal and telecom stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed ahead of next week's interest rate decision from the U.S. Federal Reserve. This week, the Bank of Canada announced another outsized interest rate cut of half a percentage point while also signalling it plans to slow the pace of cuts going forward. Allan Small, senior investment adviser at iA Private Wealth, said the central bank is juggling a lot of balls heading into the new year, including a faltering economy, a housing market that’s poised to heat up, and a U.S. Fed likely to cut much slower next year. “If (the Bank of Canada) continues to cut when the U.S. doesn’t, where does that leave our dollar?” asked Small. “They’re flying by the seat of their pants.” The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 136.41 points at 25,274.30. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 86.06 points at 43,828.06. The S&P 500 index was down 0.16 points at 6,051.09, while the Nasdaq composite was up 23.88 points at 19,926.72. The Fed has done a better job of tamping down inflation while not harming the economy too much, said Small. The Fed is expected to cut by a quarter-percentage point next week, and its path is clearer than the Bank of Canada’s, said Small. “I don’t think they have much room to cut more,” he said, noting this week saw U.S. inflation data tick up from the month before. “Most people think they’ll go 25 (basis points) and pause for a little while,” said Small. “Would I be surprised to see them not cut at all? No, but I think the market would take that negatively.” Heading into the last few weeks of the year, Small said if there’s a so-called Santa Claus rally, it may be more muted than usual. “It's quite possible we've taken some gains that we normally would have had in December, brought them forward into November, and now December might not be as strong as we normally see,” he said. On Wall St., the Nasdaq did a little better than its U.S. peers as semiconductor company Broadcom saw its stock gain more than 24 per cent after reporting earnings. “I think the commentary on the conference call really caused the stock to shoot up," said Small. The company gave a bright forecast for investors on the back of expected growth in artificial intelligence. This week, Broadcom and Apple also announced a deal to develop a chip for AI. The Canadian dollar traded for 70.27 cents US compared with 70.48 cents US on Thursday. The January crude oil contract was up US$1.27 at US$71.29 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was down 18 cents at US$3.28 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$33.60 at US$2,675.80 an ounce and the March copper contract was down five cents at US$4.15 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press