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Charges against a McAlester couple who investigators claimed were “erotically dancing” in downtown McAlester during auditions for a mobile adult entertainment business were dismissed. Pittsburg County District Court records show Jean Sipes, 60, were charged Oct. 31 with acts resulting in gross injury/outraging public decency and John Sipes, 64, with outraging public decency. Investigators believed the two were involved with public auditions held by Jimmy Plummer for a mobile adult entertainment business held at a public bandstand in downtown McAlester on Oct. 25. Plummer, 48, was also charged Oct. 31 with one count of acts resulting in gross injury/outraging public decency and is scheduled to be in court on Dec. 4. Court minutes filed show the charges against the Sipes were dismissed Nov. 21 “on motion of the state without costs.” An affidavit filed in the case states Cody Vaughn, an investigator with the District 18 District Attorney’s Office reviewed a private message sent from Plummer to a person on Facebook that said “Jean and John Sipes were not at fault.” Vaught then wrote he then conducted an open records search and believed he positively identified a female dancer as Jean Sipes. No video reviewed shows the Sipes’ on stage “erotically dancing” that evening. The woman seen dancing in the videos has not been charged as of Monday. In social media posts that have since been deleted, Plummer promoted hosting open tryouts for a mobile adult entertainment business on Oct. 25 at the downtown bandstand. The criteria, according to one post made by Plummer, were “for freestyle dancing plus lap dance dress, tight cut tops, and short bottoms. Color: Neon colors are always popular, and black or red can be very dramatic. You should of course take into consideration which colors look best with your skin tone and hair color. If you really plan on stripping avoid white.” Plummer said several times in posts the people who participate would have to stay covered due to the event’s public nature.
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NoneHow Much Did US Airfares Cost in the 1970s? The 1970s are often remembered as a golden age of air travel, filled with luxurious in-flight experiences and spacious seats . However, airfares during this era were significantly higher than today, often making air travel a privilege for wealthier individuals. Examining how much US airfares cost in the 1970s provides insight into the broader economic and regulatory factors that shaped the industry. Here's a detailed exploration based on data from historical records and insights from sources like Travel + Leisure , Wealth and Poverty Center , and others. In the 1970s, inflight meals were a big deal, but following the 1978 deregulation act, airlines became more interested in making a profit. The economic landscape of the 1970s Air travel in the 1970s was seen as a luxurious mode of transportation, with prices that reflected its exclusivity. According to Travel + Leisure, a domestic round-trip ticket, such as from New York to Los Angeles, could cost upwards of $550, which, when adjusted for inflation, equals approximately $3,500 in today's dollars. International travel was even more costly; a one-way ticket from New York to London often exceeded $300, or over $2,000 in modern terms. These high prices were reflective of several factors. This limited competition among airlines and kept fares artificially high. Second, running an airline was significantly more expensive at the time. Fuel efficiency was lower, aircraft maintenance was more labor-intensive, and technological advancements that reduce costs today, such as computerized booking systems, were in their infancy. Then and now, the cost of domestic US travel: Route 1970s Ticket Price Inflation Factor Adjusted Price (2024) Current Price (2024) New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) $150 7.1 $1,065 $300 San Francisco (SFO) to Honolulu (HNL) $200 7.1 $1,420 $400 Chicago (ORD) to Miami (MIA) $138 7.1 $980 $250 Boston (BOS) to San Juan (SJU) $160 7.1 $1,136 $350 Dallas (DFW) to New York (JFK) $125 7.1 $888 $275 The role of regulation in airfare pricing Regulation played a crucial role in shaping airfares throughout the 1970s. As the Wealth and Poverty Center noted, the CAB dictated nearly every aspect of airline operations, from pricing to scheduling. While this ensured stable operations and profitability for carriers, it also led to a lack of competition. Airlines often competed on service quality rather than price, leading to a focus on luxury at the expense of affordability. This meant elaborate in-flight meals, piano lounges on widebody jets, and generous seating arrangements, but all came with a high price tag. The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 dramatically changed this landscape. According to USA TODAY , deregulation allowed airlines to set prices and compete on new routes. This led to a surge of competition and a significant drop in fares. Low-cost carriers like Southwest Airlines began to emerge, offering stripped-down services at a fraction of the price. The move had long-term consequences. Comparing fares: domestic and international routes Looking at specific routes highlights the stark difference in pricing between the 1970s and today. A round-trip ticket from New York to Los Angeles cost approximately $150 in 1970—around $1,000 in 2024 dollars, as noted by Fodor's TravelCommunity . On international routes, the costs were even steeper. A flight from New York to Paris often costs $250 one-way, equivalent to more than $1,500 today. By comparison, current fares for these routes have drastically fallen. The same trip from New York to Los Angeles can often be found for under $300, and international tickets to Paris start at around $500 for economy seats. These changes illustrate the profound effect deregulation and technological advancements have had on making air travel more accessible to the general population. As the aviation industry has changed, so too have the prices. The luxury experience of the 1970s Part of what made air travel so expensive in the 1970s was the focus on luxury. Airlines compete for customers by offering amenities that are virtually unheard of today. As described by USA Today, flights often include multiple-course meals served in fine china, complimentary cocktails, and wide seats with generous legroom—some aircraft, such as the Boeing 747, featured lounges and bars where passengers could socialize. However, this luxury comes at a significant cost. Airlines pass these expenses onto passengers in the form of higher ticket prices. According to Travel + Leisure, these in-flight experiences were integral to airlines' marketing strategies, but they also limited the number of passengers who could afford to fly. The inflation-adjusted cost of air travel Adjusting 1970s airfare costs for inflation further emphasizes how exclusive air travel was at the time. According to Fodor's Travel Community, a domestic ticket costing $150 in 1970 would equate to over $1,000 today. By contrast, average domestic fares in 2024 are around $300, demonstrating how deregulation, increased competition, and advancements in aircraft efficiency have brought prices down. Internationally, the inflation-adjusted costs are even more striking. A one-way ticket from the United States to Europe, which might have cost $250 in the 1970s, now averages about $500 round-trip despite significant fuel and operating costs increases. As noted by The Telegraph , modern carriers can offset these costs by flying more efficient aircraft and filling more seats on each flight. The post-deregulation era and its benefits The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 ushered in a new era of affordability and accessibility in air travel. Airlines gained the freedom to set their prices, and competition flourished. Low-cost carriers entered the market, introducing a no-frills model prioritizing affordability over luxury. According to the Wealth and Poverty Center, the result was a dramatic increase in the number of Americans who could afford to fly. Passenger numbers rose from 207 million in 1975 to over 900 million in 2024. This increased competition has also led to innovation. Airlines adopted more efficient aircraft, implemented computerized reservation systems, and began offering frequent flier programs to attract customers. The focus shifted from luxury to accessibility, fundamentally changing the nature of air travel. Get up to date on all the latest aviation news right here on Simple Flying! The deregulation era in brief: Pre-1978 Regulation: The U.S. airline industry was heavily regulated by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), which controlled routes, fares, and market entry, leading to limited competition and high fares. Airline Deregulation Act of 1978: Enacted to remove federal control over fares, routes, and market entry, aiming to increase competition and reduce airfares. Increased Competition: Post-deregulation, numerous new airlines entered the market, intensifying competition and leading to fare reductions. Hub-and-Spoke System: Airlines adopted this model to optimize routes and increase efficiency, centralizing operations through major hub airports. Low-Cost Carriers Emergence: Airlines like Southwest Airlines capitalized on deregulation by offering no-frills services at lower prices, making air travel more accessible. Industry Consolidation: Increased competition led to financial challenges for many carriers, resulting in bankruptcies and mergers, significantly reducing the number of major airlines.Percentages: FG .400, FT .760. 3-Point Goals: 7-22, .318 (Riek 2-6, Best 1-1, Rogan 1-1, Bergens 1-2, Sparks 1-3, Bleechmore 1-6, Perry 0-1, Curtis 0-2). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 1 (Munkadi). Turnovers: 7 (Munkadi 2, Bergens, Best, Bleechmore, Perry, Riek). Steals: 5 (Best 2, Johnson, Perry, Riek). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .600, FT .900. 3-Point Goals: 7-16, .438 (Poulakidas 6-7, Gharram 1-2, Brathwaite 0-1, Mullin 0-1, Simmons 0-1, Mbeng 0-2, Townsend 0-2). Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 3 (Aletan, Gharram, Poulakidas). Turnovers: 5 (Mbeng 2, Celiscar, Gharram, Townsend). Steals: 4 (Mbeng 3, Molloy). Technical Fouls: None. A_2,100 (9,323).
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After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union and the Southern Common Market, commonly known as Mercosur and comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, signed a free trade and cooperation agreement. If ratified, it will create a market of nearly 800 million citizens, reduce consumer prices, and boost investment. This landmark deal also signals that two like-minded continents can still champion rules-based trade liberalization amid rising protectionism, de-globalization, and geopolitical fragmentation. Q1: What has been agreed? A1: Negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur—two of the world’s largest trade blocs—began in 1999. In 2019, the European Commission reached a preliminary agreement with Mercosur countries. At its core, the deal reduced tariffs on manufactured goods in Mercosur countries while liberalizing agricultural trade in the European Union—a sector long protected by European policies. However, the agreement stalled for years due to opposition from France and other EU countries, who demanded environmental guarantees from Brazil and expressed concerns over the potential losses to European farmers. Simultaneously, the protectionist governments of Brazil and Argentina did not prioritize ratification. On December 6, 2024, a new agreement was signed in Montevideo. This landmark deal is the largest ever concluded by the EU and the only one Mercosur has with a major trading bloc—which means that European products will enter its market under much better conditions than U.S. or Japanese products. It eliminates tariffs on over 90 percent of bilateral trade, saving European exporters EUR 4 billion annually while granting South American products preferential access to European markets, particularly for agricultural goods where Mercosur holds a strong comparative advantage. Until now, trade relations between the two regions have underperformed relative to their potential, especially in merchandise trade (and less so in investment). The agreement is set to change this dynamic, opening Mercosur’s highly protected market to European industrial goods. For instance, previous tariffs on automobiles, textiles, and machinery ranged from 14 percent to 35 percent. The agreement also ensures the protection of 357 European geographical indicators, boosting exports of specialty agricultural products like wines and cheeses. Additionally, European companies will gain better access to Mercosur’s public procurement markets, high-value service sectors, and critical raw materials like lithium. In return, the European Union will reduce tariffs on agricultural products and other goods and contribute EUR 1.8 billion through the Global Gateway initiative to support Mercosur’s green and digital transition. Beyond the economic aspects, the deal includes commitments to high labor standards and reinforces adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement . Measures to prevent deforestation—a key demand of the European Union—are also part of the agreement. Overall, the deal seeks to increase trade and investment by creating a predictable economic environment, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and fostering growth and prosperity, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Q2: Why was the agreement possible? A2: After 25 years of stalled negotiations, many doubted the prospects of an EU–Mercosur partnership. Resistance from European farmers, especially in France, Poland, and Ireland, played a major role. These groups feared fierce competition from more competitive Latin American agricultural producers. Proponents, including Spain, Portugal, Germany, and some Nordic countries, struggled to counter this opposition. However, three elements have made the agreement possible. First, the rise of protectionism, exemplified by Donald Trump's reelection, pushed the European Union and Mercosur to act. Both blocs, as advocates of an open, rules-based economic order, saw the agreement as a way to reaffirm their commitment to rules-based free trade. Second, both Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and Argentina’s President Javier Milei have strongly supported the agreement, while Uruguay has always been in favor of a small export-oriented economy. And third, there were important strategic considerations on the EU side, whose leaders were concerned about the rapid expansion of Chinese trade and investment in Latin America. Moreover, the new European Commission, which took office on December 1, wanted to start its mandate by delivering quick results. Q3: What are the next steps? A3: The ratification process poses significant challenges, particularly on the European side. In Mercosur, the agreement must be approved by the national parliaments, but even if some countries fail to ratify it, the deal will still apply to others that do. In the European Union, however, the process is more complex . After the agreement is translated into all EU member state languages, it will go to the European Council for ratification, where EU countries are represented by their trade ministers. A minimum of four states representing at least 35 percent of the EU population could block the agreement. France, Austria, and Poland have stated that they oppose the agreement, but they would need another large country to reject the agreement at the European Council. Italy could join them, but it is also possible that in the next months, the guarantees that the European Commission is offering European farmers would be enough to convince the more skeptical countries. If the agreement is not blocked, it then must be ratified by the European Parliament. This approval only applies to the ratification of those provisions that fall within the exclusive competence of the European Parliament, mainly those related to trade liberalization, and do not require ratification by national parliaments. The rest, those provisions involving aspects of jurisdiction and sovereignty, such as dispute settlement mechanisms or investment protection, must be unanimously approved by national parliaments to enter into force. The provisions of the agreement related to political dialogue and cooperation also require unanimous approval by national parliaments. Therefore, even if the European ratification process runs smoothly, the tariff reductions will take some months to be applied, and the rest of the elements could take more than a year. But in any case, the signing of this partnership agreement demonstrates the strong interest in trade liberalization among countries that favor maintaining an open economic order based on stable and predictable rules in the context of threats to cooperation and potential trade wars. Federico Steinberg is visiting fellow with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.Bulloch Academy wins its first state title in 26 years
VERIFYING 6 kinds of social media scamsA NATIONAL Anthem singer at the New York Knicks game took on a heckler during her performance. The young singer was interrupted ahead of the clash between the Knicks and the Charlotte Hornets . The woman, named Liceli, started to sing the Star Spangled Banner when a fan started shouting during her performance. Instead of letting the heckler continue, she stopped singing and stared into the crowd. She quickly composed herself and went back to singing the anthem and got a massive roar of applause from the crowd. Even Knicks superstar Karl-Anthony Towns had a big smile on his face during the interaction. Read more on the NBA Fans loved to see the interaction between the singer and the heckler online too, and shared their thoughts on social media . "She finished that so well after, it was so great," one fan said. "Way to recover!" another fan said. "This is so awesome," a third fan said. Most read in Basketball "She killed it!!" a fourth fan said. "Glad! Don't be rude! That gal did a good job," a fifth fan said. After performing the national anthem, the singer posted a picture of herself on the court to her Instagram Story. "Umm n e ways... here I am!" she captioned the post. The Knicks went on to dismantle the Hornets after the national anthem performance. They won the game 125-101 to improve to a 14-8 record. Towns finished the game with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 assists. Quarterfinals Tuesday 10 December - Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks, 7 pm ET Tuesday 10 December - Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder, 9.30 pm ET Wednesday 11 December - Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks, 7 pm ET Wednesday 11 December - Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets, 9.30 pm ET Semifinals Saturday 14 December - SF1, 4.30pm ET (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada) Saturday 14 December - SF2, 8.30pm ET (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada) Final Tuesday 17 December, 8.30 pm ET (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada) Josh Hart also had a big night, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. "OG was unbelievable. He and Mikal, they sort of got us going, their energy," head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Josh [Hart] as well. KAT got going, and Jalen was Jalen. Read More on The US Sun "I thought they did a really good job. They set the tone in the second half, but we’ve got to be a 48-minute team, so they gave themselves stuff that they can look at." The Knicks have a four-game win streak going as they head into a matchup with the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
PARSIPPANY, NJ – November 25, 2024, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ: LINC), a national leader in specialized technical training for more than 75 years, announces the graduation of eight new technicians from its specialized Johnson Controls International (JCI) Academy program at the Denver, CO campus. This is the first group to graduate from the Denver location; the JCI Academy has also operated at Lincoln’s Columbia, MD campus since the Fall of 2022. Since the inception of Lincoln Tech’s partnership with JCI in 2018, more than 500 students have graduated from Lincoln schools and gone straight to work at JCI locations across the country. “Our partnership with Johnson Controls enables us to broaden our innovative training programs, providing graduates with hands-on experience and direct pathways to careers that align with market needs,” says Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO. “We are proud to contribute to building a future-ready talent pool that ensures the efficient and sustainable operation of our building systems.” The graduating class celebrated its milestone on Friday, November 15th at the Denver campus – when the ribbon was also officially cut on the Johnson Controls Academy classroom. The graduates – six of whom had previously attended Lincoln Tech, along with two current JCI employee who were advancing their skill sets – will move into positions at JCI branches in Alaska, Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. As entry-level technicians, they’ll begin careers installing, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining fire and security alarm systems on JCI-operated buildings. Marcus Biart, a graduate of the Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology program at Lincoln Tech’s Mahwah campus, enrolled in the JCI Academy to further his training and will go on to a position at JCI’s Fort Worth, TX location. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” he told his fellow graduates when speaking at Friday’s ceremony. “JCI’s instructors were willing to teach me, and I was eager to learn. Thank you for giving a young man like me a chance.” Mike Schade, VP of Human Resources at Johnson Controls, was among the speakers to congratulate the graduates on their successes. “You all wanted to do something unique and exciting with your life,” Schade said. You had a vision. And vision is an important word here – at Johnson Controls not only do we want to have great technicians and help build their careers, we want to help build the trades for our economy and our country. The work we do saves lives and saves the planet.” The JCI Academy at Lincoln Tech provides six weeks of intensive hands-on training designed to close the skilled labor gap and prepare future technicians for security and fire installation and service roles. On-site housing for the duration of the program and relocation expenses upon completion are supported by Johnson Controls. To ensure smooth onboarding, graduates of the Johnson Controls Academy receive support from a retention coach for one year post-graduation. The collaboration between Johnson Controls and Lincoln Tech began in 2018, enhancing classroom experiences with cutting-edge equipment and technology. Johnson Controls is dedicated to workforce development from the K-12 level and throughout employees' careers. Through the partnership with Lincoln Tech and initiatives like the Community College Partnership Program, STEM 101, and HVAC learning labs, Johnson Controls equips schools with vital resources to develop smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, benefiting students along the way. There are more than 800,000 positions projected to open nationwide for electricians and electronic systems technicians by 2033*, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * Career growth projections can be found at onetonline.org for the years 2023-2033 and are current as of November 18, 2024. ### About Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. Lincoln offers recent high school graduates and working adults career-oriented programs in five principal areas of study: automotive technology, health sciences, skilled trades, information technology, and hospitality services. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946. Lincoln currently operates 22 campuses in 13 states under four brands: Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences. Lincoln also operates Lincoln Culinary Institutes in both Maryland and Connecticut.For more information, go to lincolntech.edu . Contact Information Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Scott Watkins swatkins@lincolntech.edu About Johnson Controls At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social Platforms. Contact Information Johnson Controls International Kari Pfisterer (414) 217-1488 kari.b.pfisterer@jci.com Attachment JCI Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Lincoln Tech's Denver Campus Scott Watkins, VP Marketing Lincoln Tech 973.766.9656 Swatkins@lincolntech.edu