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Thursday, April 6, 2017

House passes bill that could bring Doppler weather radar to Charlotte

Doppler Weather Radar Basics

Charlotte inched closer to the prospect of getting a sophisticated radar system to warn residents of approaching tornadoes and other violent weather conditions after the House of Representatives approved a bill designed to improve weather forecasting.

The bill now goes to the White House for President Donald Trumps signature.

House lawmakers Tuesday unanimously passed the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act, which includes a measure by Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., that would require the U.S. Commerce Department to conduct a study and develop a solution to a radar gap in the Charlotte area. The Senate approved the measure last week.

With a population of 2.4 million people, Charlotte is the largest metro area without a Doppler radar system.

Americans across the country rely on the national weather service to detect and provide warning for severe weather such as thunderstorms and tornadoes, Pittenger said on the House floor Tuesday. But Charlotte is currently the largest metropolitan area without adequate radar coverage. Addressing this shortcoming is an important step for public safety.

Pittenger and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., have lobbied hard in Congress to address the radar gap. In the Senate version of the forecasting innovation act, Burr included a provision instructing the National Weather Service to identify solutions for improving weather radar coverage of the Charlotte area.

This is a step in the right direction, Burr said last week. When it comes to dangerous tornadoes, accurate weather forecasting is critical to ensuring the safety of citizens. Im glad my colleagues recognize the importance of providing the tools that cities like Charlotte need to prepare for potential disasters.

Currently, Charlotte is covered by a Doppler radar system in Greer, S.C., 94 miles away from the Queen City. No other city of Charlottes size currently has a radar system located more than 58 miles away, according to Burrs office.

In 2013, the current system provided a tornado warning, but for citizens in an entirely wrong neighborhood. A tornado in December 2015 struck neighboring Union County with no warning from the National Weather Service. Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C.

On March 3, 2012, a tornado packing 135 mph winds roared through a section of northeastern Charlotte and swept then-7-year-old Jamal Stevens from his bed to an embankment along Interstate 485, more than 100 yards away. It deposited his then-5-year-old sister, Ayanna, in a neighbors yard.

The warning from the National Weather Service came 10 minutes later after the tornado had already touched down, Pittenger told fellow lawmakers Tuesday. Fortunately, our community has not suffered any fatalities due to this shortcoming, but we shouldnt wait for a tragedy to act.

Source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article142937219.html

YouTube TV has some nifty features - and some big drawbacks

연합뉴스TV 생방송 (LIVE & NEWS)

NEW YORK (AP) YouTube TV, Google"s new streaming package of about 40 television channels, is the tech industry"s latest bid to get cable-shunning millennials to pay for live TV over the internet. It offers intriguing advantages over rivals, but it remains hobbled by a limited channel selection.

Don"t confuse the YouTube service, which debuts Wednesday, with Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming offerings. Like similar efforts from Sony, Dish and AT&T"s DirecTV , YouTube TV primarily aims to let you channel surf over the internet, not to stream from an online library of shows and movies. So these internet-cable services can offer live programming, especially sports.

But they also come with some serious drawbacks. While these services are typically cheaper than traditional cable or satellite services, people haven"t been signing up in droves. Google is targeting viewers who have never subscribed to cable or satellite TV and are just as happy to get all their video from the internet; getting them to cough up $35 a month could be a hard sell.

Google aims to lure subscribers with more sophisticated program search, personalized recommendations and a more fully featured online DVR than rival services offer. But it faces many of the limitations its rivals have.

YouTube TV, for instance, features staples such as ESPN and major broadcast networks, but lacks key networks such as PBS, CNN and Comedy Central. And it will initially be only available in a handful of major U.S. cities because media rights are still stuck in the 20th century .

WHAT YOU GET ... AND WHAT you don"t

youtube tv offers plenty of live sports, one of the chief reasons people stick with cable. Pick a team, and the service automatically records all the televised games it can find. Available channels include ESPN, Big Ten and sports networks from Comcast, Fox and CBS but not Turner networks such as TBS and others that aired the bulk of March Madness. New York Mets fans won"t get baseball games on SNY.

YouTube also has the youth-oriented Freeform and CW networks; its rivals lack The CW. AMC is coming in a few weeks, so you"ll have to wait to catch up on the just-ended season of "The Walking Dead."

Since most channel numbers and names are meaningless in a digital world, YouTube TV arranges live channels by topic, starting with broadcast networks, sports, youth-oriented channels, then everything else. Subscriptions are initially limited to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay Area all locations where YouTube could get rights to local ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC stations.

As you"d expect from Google, search is one of YouTube"s big selling points. Its rivals already offer search by shows and sometimes by actors; YouTube adds topical searches, such as "aliens" or "road trips."

Unfortunately, it"s still a work in progress. A search for "nerd comedy" brings up "The Big Bang Theory," but "comedy about nerds" does not. And a search for "Modern Family episode on basketball" doesn"t bring up the episode titled "Basketball."

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YouTube could also stand to take a cue from TiVo recorders and let you automatically record all programs featuring, say, Jennifer Lawrence, including her talk-show appearances. You can search for Jennifer Lawrence, but you need to go through the results and choose shows to record individually too much work for a service that promises simplicity.

One big plus: YouTube"s unlimited DVR will store recordings for nine months, long enough for entire seasons of network shows. Sony"s PlayStation Vue the only similar service offering an unlimited online DVR offers only 28 days of storage, nowhere near enough for binge-watching.

YouTube TV works on phones, tablets and laptop browsers. Watching on an actual TV requires Google"s Chromecast, an inexpensive streaming stick you control with your phone. (Early subscribers get one for free.)

This being Google, your viewing and search histories might be mined for targeted advertising. You can suspend tracking in the settings, though that will hinder personalized recommendations. (It"s too early to tell if that"s a loss or not, though some of the early recommendations have been spot on.)

You can share your subscription with five friends or relatives in your household, with three simultaneous streams allowed. No need to share passwords; they sign in with their own Google accounts. Recordings and recommendations are kept separate, so your roommates can"t make fun of you for bingeing "The Real Housewives."

Source: http://wcfcourier.com/entertainment/youtube-tv-has-some-nifty-features---and-some/article_9b0d4668-2653-5f60-b211-6a827cae800c.html

North Korea is proving its nuclear prowess with land and sea missiles

Official: North Korea fires projectile

The advent of mobile land and sea-based missile systems bring several benefits to Pyongyang.

For one, missiles will be harder to detect and target, according to Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow for northeast asia at the Heritage Foundation. That could increase the regime"s risk to its adversaries, namely Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.

By simultaneously launching multiple missiles from the field, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un can reduce the viability of allied preemptive attacks, launch surprise attacks, engage in coercive diplomacy and have a second-strike capability, Klingner said in a recent commentary.

Moreover, "Pyongyang"s success of solid-fuel engine tests and launches means less time is necessary for a launch, thus constraining warning time," he continued.

Land and sea missiles were two of four strategic goals that North Korea adopted following the death of former leader Kim Jong-il in 2011. A dual-use space program and solid-fuel rocket technology were the other two, Lorenzo Mariani, researcher at Istituto Affari Internazionali, an Italian non-profit, wrote in a report last month.

Source: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/05/north-korea-nuclear-technology-land-and-sea-missiles.html

Ann Coulter: Obama Should Testify Under Oath on Trump Campaign Surveillance

Ann Coulter: I have no complaints about Trump presidency

Susan Rice testimony now essential, but insufficient, coulter tweeted on tuesday. must hear from Obama.

Coulter also suggested in another tweet that Michelle Obama may be able to shed some light on the White House surveillance activities during her husbands tenure.

I dont know if what she knows is privileged, but we need to hear from Michelle too, Coulter tweeted.

Rice allegedly ordered surveillance of Donald Trumps campaign aides during the 2016 presidential election, and maintained spreadsheets of their telephone calls, theDaily Caller reported.

Thealleged spreadsheets add a new dimension to reports on Sunday and Monday by blogger Mike Cernovich and Eli Lake of Bloomberg News that Rice had asked for Trump aides names to be unmasked in intelligence reports.

The alleged unmasking may have been legal, but may also have been part of an alleged political intelligence operation to disseminate reports on the Trump campaign widely throughout government with the aim of leaking them to the press.

The surveillance and spreadsheet operation were allegedly ordered one year before the 2016 presidential election. According to aFox Newsreport on Monday, former White House aide Ben Rhodeswas also involved.

Source: http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/04/ann-coulter-obama-should-testify-under-oath-on-trump-campaign-surveillance/

Barry Manilow feared "disappointing" fans if he came out as gay � but it looks like he made it

Why Barry Manilow Kept Being Gay And Married A Secret Until Now

Barry Manilow, who for decades has kept his private and public lives separate, is opening up for the first time about his sexuality and his partner of 39 years, manager Garry Kief.

All that time, the "Looks Like We Made It" pop star was thinking about his fans, he told People, which features him on its newest cover.

"I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything,"the 73-year-old said.

But in 2015, news leaked that he and Kief(who"s president of Barry Manilow Productions and Stiletto Entertainment) had gotten married in front of a few dozenguests in a surprise ceremony at their Palm Springs estate. Manilow had managed to keep the April 2014 wedding so far off the radar it took more than a year for the media to get wind of it.

The leak, he said, was both blessing and curse, given that he"d kept his private life so very private until then even though his sexualitywas an open secret among his most loyal fans. But he needn"t have worried about the public reaction.

"When they found out that Garry and I were together, they were so happy," Manilow said. "The reaction was so beautiful strangers commenting, "Great for you!"I"m just so grateful for it."

from the archives: barry manilow knows he isn"t the coolest or the greatest, but that"s OK. He"s got "Fanilows" >>

Incidentally, it was the behavior of his "Fanilows" that had the singer worried Kief would bolt after attending a Manilow concert long ago and experiencing what the star"s world entailed.

"I got into the car with him, and [the fans] were rocking the car,"said the man behind "Mandy." "He was like, "I cant handle this. Its not for me.""

"I"m glad he stayed," Manilow said.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-april-barry-manilow-on-relationship-with-1491418685-htmlstory.html

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

A second-by-second breakdown of Kendall Jenner"s tone-deaf Pepsi ad

People are outraged by this Pepsi ad starring Kendall Jenner

You know whats good? Soda. You know what else is good? Beliefs. Causes. Movements.

Pepsi has married these generic concepts with a new advertisement out Tuesday featuring Kendall Jenner and Skip Marleys Lions. The ad contains images of protesters. People standing up for things. What are those things? Is Kendall proclaiming #BlackLivesMatter? Is this the Resistance? Unclear! But drink Pepsi!

Heres a second-by-second breakdown of this ad, which for some reason clocks in just above two minutes:

- 0:03: We first see our cello player, just strumming away on a helipad, which is personally my favorite spot to cello-out. He quickly transports indoors, where its dark and the air-circulation is apparently lacking. He becomes very sweaty.

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- 0:08: Meanwhile, young attractive people are out in the streets. Theyre here. Theyre sincere. And they have perplexing signs with additional vowels.

Kendall Jenners Pepsi ad prompts online backlash

The beverage company said it was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding, but clearly we missed the mark.

- 0:15: Say hello to our resident Muslim Woman Wearing Hijab (super topical, right?). Shes working with some arts and crafts and drinking Pepsi, but boy, she is not so pleased.

- 0:23: SOUND THE KENDALL ALARM! WE HAVE KENDALL JENNER ON THE PREMISES! Here, we meet Kendall at work, posing seductively in a roll of tin foil not drinking Pepsi and totally oblivious to all of the Important Things happening around her. But dont worry, sweet ones. This ad presents a story arc that shows Kendall undergoing a transformation -- LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY HA HA HA.

- 0:47: Whats that noise? Why its the commotion of our diverse crowd of street marchers holding provocative peace and heart symbol signs. This intrigues our dear cellist, who has apparently turned on a lamp and taken a shower. I must join them, he decides, and I must bring my cello, for without music, I am nothing. (Im projecting).

- 0:49: In the midst of all these people standing up for Important Things, there are still ladies out here brunching. Ladies love brunch, what can I say! Dont you women know that protest is the new brunch? WAKE UP SHEEPLE. (Although its cool, theyre drinking Pepsi so theyre a part of it in their own special way.)

- 0:55: Lets check back in with our Muslim Woman in Hijab. Shes still toiling away by herself and becoming increasingly frustrated with the progress of her arts and crafts project, so much so that we actually HEAR THIS LADY ROAR. Until she discovers. . . She is not alone.

- 1:13: OK just in case you thought this wasnt a legit cool young people thing (it has been awhile since weve seen Kendall), we have the requisite soda commercial breakdancers on the premises. Theyre here to pop, lock and disabuse you of any such illusions.

- 1:18: Seriously dude, how did you get so sweaty earlier and when did you have time to shower?

- 1:34: Its a good thing our friend here took that shower because with a simple head nod he is able to convince Kendall to walk off the job. Classic move, bro. If Hollywood doesnt greenlight a romcom based entirely on this head nod, I will, as soon as I have the power to greenlight romcoms.

- 1:38: Kendall is a changed woman. She wipes off that oppressive dark lipstick, removes that oppressive blonde wig (yall, it was a wig the whole time! Can you believe it?) and is ready to party -- I mean protest!

- 1:43: Uh-oh, its the police. So topical.

- 1:51: Kendalls chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool. Shes drinking Pepsi (one of us, one of us) and sporting an all-denim getup, not her previously oppressive tin foil garment.

- 2:05: Oooooh boy. Ive been watching this for more than two minutes. Also, the police are all standing there like, just watching with stern faces. They are not holding signs, they are not breakdancing and in case you didnt think I noticed, they are not drinking Pepsi. But.. whats that? Its Kendall. And Kendall knows how to solve this intractable sociopolitical crisis.

- 2:09: Did anyone catch that incredible moment?!?!? Oh, duh, the Muslim Woman in Hijab who has been heartened by Kendalls act of bravery.

- 2:12: An officer takes a sip of pepsi and oh MY G*d THE COPS DRANK PEPSI! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!? WE WON! WE WON! THEY FINALLY AGREED TO GIVE PEPSI A TRY!

This all ends with an exhortation to live bolder, live louder, live for now. And nothing has inspired me to do that quite like this ad.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGGC3-aniN6LFVMQbEwsBPvSBb_Eg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779447712221&ei=pznlWOjLE8jE3QH27KngCg&url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2017/04/05/second-second-breakdown-kendall-jenner-tone-deaf-pepsi/enmTb8lhbvNBp37REu8HtK/story.html

Tornadoes, damaging winds expected Wednesday

LIVE: Severe storms moving through Georgia | Atlanta weather live coverage

Today: Mostly sunny. High: 80

Tonight: Mostly clear. Low: 60

Tomorrow: Storms likely. High: 75

As many as 20 tornadoes touched down in Georgia on Monday as part of a storm system that left thousands in the dark and ripped the roof off a fire station, theNational Weather Service said Tuesday.

And North Georgia may not have seen the worst of the severe weather, Channel 2 Action News reported. Another round of storms could return with a vengeance Wednesday, according to the latest forecast.

Griffin-Spalding County Schools, the University of West Georgia and Albany State University announced Tuesday that campuses would be closed Wednesday.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley declared a statewide state of emergency for Wednesday in anticipation of severe weather conditions.

Metro Atlanta faces a moderatesevere storm risk for tornadoes, widespread damaging wind gusts, flash flooding and large destructive hail, Channel 2 meteorologists said.

Be prepared for power outages, Chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said. "Be prepared for the worst. We will have tornadoes and damaging winds. There will be damage.

While moderate may not sound alarming, meteorologists said dont be fooled. Only one other designation high poses a greater risk, according to the National Weather Service.

Risk categories for storms range from marginal to high risk. (credit: national weather Service)

Moderate is not common, Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.

She saidshe has never seen a moderate risk over metro Atlanta in her more than 30 years with Channel 2.

I have seen them in South Georgia, but not widespread over metro Atlanta, Minton said.

Here"s Severe Weather Team 2"s Brian Monahan with a look at your Tuesday evening forecast.

Parts of North Georgia are still cleaning up from Mondays severe storms.

Wednesdays stormscould result in more widespread damage than Mondays system, meteorologists said.

That means even more outages are likely as the storms move in Wednesday, possibly before sunrise, Minton said.

The first round of severe weather is expected tohit metro Atlanta about 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to Channel 2.

"There will be waves of severe storms all day, Minton said. It should end late Wednesday night to just after midnight Thursday morning.

There was no sign of severe weather Tuesday.

Current temperatures are 71 degrees in Atlanta, 57 in Blairsville and 64 in Griffin.

Matt Sutter with American Pools works on the reflecting pool on a clear day atthe Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

According to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, the pollen count droppedfrom 2,507 Monday to 834 Tuesday.

The count this time last year was 716 particles per cubic meter of air, and last years season high was 4,107.