August 8, 2022 - The Chicago Journal

FiveStarVegas Football Has Gone Viral

Claire Peterson on August 8, 2022

FiveStarVegas has once again gone viral on the social media scene. As we approach the start of the 2022/2023 football season, success from last season has created a frenzy on Instagram as sports bettors await the start of football. “We are primarily motivated by the desire to turn sports bettors into millionaires,” shared its spokesperson. “When a customer comes to us and says that they want to turn their $5,000 into $500,000, it excites us,” they added. Of course, this comes as no surprise since the company is the best at betting on football, which statistically has always been their best sport.

At the start of last season, FiveStarVegas managed to pile up a 12-0 winning streak with a 25,000-dollar return of investment for bettors with 100-dollar bets. This means those with an average bet of $100 earned around $25,000 after the week. As a result, sports bettors from all parts of the world have been lining up to experience FiveStarVegas.

Recognized as the most sought-after betting company in the sports betting world, FiveStarVegas is confident about bringing innumerable wins to enthusiastic sports bettors who have been gearing up for the past few weeks. In fact, it had already set a whopping record in sales for the upcoming football season before it even started.

While this is a massive win for any major sports betting company, this is not the first time for a sought-after entity like FiveStarVegas. As a matter of fact, it has been known for its dominant picks, materializing every bettor’s dream of doubling their money and even more. But, fueled by the mission of turning every sports bettor into a star-studded millionaire, this impressive entity is going all-out to become people’s ultimate catapulting device.

Because of the life-changing accomplishments it has gathered over the years, FiveStarVegas has garnered traction across Instagram. As a matter of fact, its social media engagement has already set numerous records, making traffic management one of its major problems. “We spend more money on handling the amount of traffic on our website than anything else,” shared a representative. Nonetheless, its team of sports experts and professionals continues to work hard in order to continue delivering success to its clients.

At the core of FiveStarVegas is its desire to turn the dreams of its clients into a reality. Most sports bettors envision winning and earning a profit but fail to materialize this vision into action because they place the wrong bets. With its expertise and passion for helping others, FiveStarVegas propels individuals to greater heights with grace and finesse.

“Winning is an addictive thing. Once you see the cash start piling in, you become entranced with this powerful feeling and desire to always win,” shared its spokesperson.

Sports betting undoubtedly entails an equal chance of winning and losing. However, with FiveStarVegas’ triumphant picks, winning is within arm’s reach for bettors across the globe. With no plans of slowing down soon, this must-watch force is on its way to dominating the industry for years to come.

Revolutionary Actress Nichelle Nichols Passed Away on Saturday Night

Edward Anderson on August 8, 2022

On Saturday night, the world lost another gem when singer & actress Nichelle Nichols died at the age of 89.

The announcement

Kyle Johnson, Nichols’ son, wrote on Facebook:

“I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years.”

He also wrote a statement on her official site on Sunday.:

“Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away.”

“Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.”

Who was Nichelle Nichols?

The modern entertainment landscape would not have existed without Nichelle Nichols.

Venturing where no Black woman had ever gone before, she broke stereotypes as the Lt. Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek TV series and movies.

As Lieutenant Uhura, Nichols played a competent and balanced communications officer.

The character was known for moving away from domestic helpers and minor roles as Nichols’ Uhura was integral to completing Star Trek’s multicultural crew.

Nichols also caught the attention of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, who called her role “the first non-stereotypical role portrayed by a Black woman in television history.”

Luther King Jr.’s comments helped the actress reconsider her decision to leave the show.

“Gene Rodenberry opened a door for the world to see,” he told her.

“If you leave, that door can be closed because your role is not a Black role and it’s not a female role – he can fill it with anyone, including an alien.”

Nichelle Nichols also caused a stir when she starred in one of the first interracial kisses on American television when she and William Shatner’s Lt. James T. kissed.

The kissing scene “changed television forever,” according to Nichols in a 2014 interview.

“It also changed the way people looked at one another.”

Early life & career

Born Grace Dell Nichols in 1932, she would later change her name Nichelle as a teenager, displeased with Grace.

Nichols was blessed with a four octave vocal range and would perform in local clubs at the age of 14.

During that time, she met several artists, including Duke Ellington, who took her on tour.

In the early 1960s, Nichelle Nichols moved to Los Angeles, where she landed a part in a series called “The Lieutenant” by Gene Roddenberry, which also included other Star Trek veterans.

During the development of Star Trek, Roddenberry remembered Nichols and called her. Although Uhura was not part of the original script, Nichols came up with the name.

Inspired by a book she read called “Uhuru”, which translates to freedom in Swahili, Nichols pitched the name to Roddenberry, which he thought was too harsh.

“I said, “Well, why don’t you do an alteration of it,” she recalled.

“Soften the end with an ‘A,’ and it’ll be Uhura? He said, “That’s it, that’s your name. You named it – it’s yours.”

Tributes

The death of Nichelle Nichols has caused waves around the world.

US President Joe Biden was among many to pay tribute to the legendary actress, saying:

“In Nichelle Nichols, our nation has lost a trailblazer of stage and screen who redefined what is possible for Black Americans and women.”

George Takei, Nichols’ co-star and known as USS Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu, has also posted a touching tribute online.

“I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89,” he wrote on Twitter.

“For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”

“We lived long and prospered together.”

The National Air and Space Museum also paid tribute on Twitter, saying she was “an inspiration to many, not just for her groundbreaking work on Star Trek but also through her work with NASA to recruit women and people of color to apply to become astronauts.”

References:

Trailblazing Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols dies at 89

Nichelle Nichols, trailblazing ‘Star Trek’ actress, dies at 89

Upcoming Riverdale Episode Bears Slight Similarity to Afterlife with Archie Comics

Edward Anderson on August 8, 2022

Fans of The Chilling Tales of Sabrina were dismayed to hear about the show’s cancellation in 2020, but they’ll be eager for a chance at seeing Kiernan Shipka play everyone’s favorite teenage witch when she appears on the next episode of Riverdale.

When the news broke, fans were unable to contain their excitement and they flooded social media with glee.

Sabrina will make her return to television on the 19th episode of Riverdale’s sixth season.

Everyone’s favorite teenage witch may be returning to the excitement of fans, but her reason for doing so proves to be a dark one.

“When several of their own fall prey to Percival’s (guest star Chris O’Shea) latest plan, Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) calls upon fellow witch Sabrina Spellman (guest star Kiernan Shipka) for help,” writes the official episode synopsis. “Elsewhere, Percival gives Reggie (Charles Melton) an ultimatum.”

The trailer for the new show revealed that Sabrina Spellman would be visiting Riverdale to help bring Archie and Jughead back from death.

The first Archie story to involve witchcraft and necromancy is “Afterlife with Archie.” This zombie apocalypse series was published back in 2013.

The gang is faced with a crisis as they find themselves trapped in a zombie-infested Riverdale, forcing them to find ways to escape and survive.

In the story, Jughead sought the help of Sabrina to bring Hot Dog back from death, who had been run over by Reggie Mantle in a fit of jealous rage.

Sabrina’s charity comes with a price as necromancy is banned by the coven. Her attempt brings back an undead Hot Dog whose bite turns Jughead into patient zero, setting off the zombie apocalypse.

Aunts Hilda and Zelda punish Sabrina by marrying her off to Lovecraftian horror icon Cthulhu.

The story is an original take on the well-known Archie Comics that strays from what most people expect. This kicked off their horror line with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (which inspired Netflix’s show), Jughead: The Hunger Vampironica, and Blossoms 666.

Afterlife with Archie was conceptualized by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa with illustrations by Francesco Francavilla.

While it clearly doesn’t follow the comics, fans will be eager to see how much influence Afterlife with Archie has over the upcoming Riverdale episode.

Howard Schultz Tips Web3 Technology Inclusion for Starbucks’ Reward Program

Leah Cooper on August 8, 2022

According to CEO Howard Schultz, Starbucks will be making some changes to its rewards program – one of the most innovative ways for the company to retain customers.

Statement of Schulz

Howard Schultz recently announced that Web3 would be an integral part of the company.

“We have been working on a very exciting new digital initiative that builds on our existing industry-leading digital platform in innovative new ways,” said Schultz.

“All centered around coffee and – most importantly – loyalty.”

The disclosure arrived on Tuesday during Starbucks’ third quarter 2022 earnings call.

A unique experience

According to Schultz, Starbucks will unveil the new digital initiative on September 13 during its annual Seattle Investor Day.

The initiative enables Starbucks to build on its current reward program. In addition, this relevant model introduces new ways to involve customers emotionally by broadening the digital community approach of third parties and offering a broader range of rewards.

Schultz shared that the rewards will include unique experiences and digital collection objects as a reward and community structure element.

“This will create an entirely new set of digital network effects that will attract new customers and be accretive to existing customers in our core retail stores,” he explained.

Web3

Employees are not very optimistic about the relationship of the coffee company with Web3 initiatives.

During a presentation about NFTS in May, an employee named Mark spoke against the plan regarding the environmental impact of NFTs.

“Blockchain, whether it’s proof of stake or proof of work, is not planet positive,” he said.

“It is going to destroy the planet… and it makes me, as a technologist, and I’m not the only one, very worried about that – that this company would go in that direction.”

“I don’t want to feel this way about Starbucks.”

Mark also pointed out that while NFTs are advertised as inclusive for people, they are more exclusive.

Starbucks and Blockchain

This won’t be the first time Starbucks has dipped into the blockchain scene, as they launched a bean-to-cup traceability project four years ago.

The project aims to support small farmers.

Whether customers, employees and investors will embrace the Web3 initiative remains to be seen, but Howard Schultz implemented it as part of a more extensive planned transformation for Starbucks.

“We are looking forward to fully showcasing the power and the opportunity of our reinvention plan,” he said.

Previous reward experience

The plans might not be too much for Starbucks Rewards members who talk about the program and its potential changes.

The last significant changes to the program were made in 2019, encouraging customers to air their grievances on social media.

The change means Starbucks is changing its star rating for free food and drink.

Since then, the rewards program has attracted over 10 million members; Each change affects several people.

References:

Starbucks teases Web3 updates to its popular rewards program

Starbucks just teased changes to its rewards program

Dinner and a Movie Closes, Founder Rashad Bailey Cites Racism as the Root Cause

Edward Anderson on August 8, 2022

In the city of Chicago, a restaurant owner is in turmoil after the city decided to revoke his license during a legal dispute about his restaurant.

The source of the conflict? A debate whether the venue was a restaurant or a nightclub.

The restaurant

Rashad Bailey is an entrepreneur who finally realized his restaurant dream last year when he opened Dinner and a Movie last year.

Dinner and a Movie was based in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, serving waffles, booze, movies and music.

According to the founder, the venue hosts class reunions and birthday parties to celebrate Black love and gatherings.

The complaints

Although Dinner and a Movie sounds like one of the best places in town, it has been the subject of complaints from neighbors.

Those who live near the property have reported noise coming from the restaurant.

Since Dinner and a Movie opened its doors to customers, it has been the scene of several fights.

In June 2021, a shootout erupted after a brawl broke out. Fortunately, no one was hit.

2022

In the last week of July, the Department of Business and Consumer Protection issued the ultimatum to revoke Dinner and a Movie’s business license.

The decision comes after months of dispute in which the department said the restaurant operated more like a tavern.

It is also noted that Bailey took no action to address noise complaints.

What Rashad Bailey had to say

Amid all the people complaining about the noise and violence in the restaurant, founder Rashad Bailey maintains that his business was targeted by police upon opening.

“This year, (during hearings with the city), I found out I had about 10 undercover officers in my restaurants within a week’s time of me opening with no incidents happening,” he revealed.

Bailey also said Chicago police would harass his restaurant, often showing up unannounced in large numbers.

A month after the shooting by Dinner and a Movie, a video clip saw police entering the restaurant.

However, Dinner and a Movie was closed during the incident.

Rashad Bailey pointed out that the Chicago Commercial Department began investigating the restaurant not too long after it opened – the reading being that the venue sold alcohol beyond its license.

At the time, the department denied Bailey’s restaurant privileges to serve lunch and operate after midnight.

Bailey also blamed the neighbors for closing Dinner and a Movie, saying they made false complaints because of the large Black customer base.

“This is racism,” Bailey said.

“They’re putting crime and the problems of the city on me. They see Black music, Black people, and they think that’s the problem.”

Meanwhile, Yelp reviews on Dinner and a Movie wrote that the restaurant only offered a limited menu, conducted security pats at the entrance, and charged an additional fee for coverage.

Rashad Bailey said that he was finished fighting town hall. He also decided he will leave Chicago.

“Because Dinner and a Movie was Black,” he said. “The Black birthday is a problem and some days, we are.”

“I told someone else, there are people out here in Chicago that shoot people and reb people, and they are savages and should be locked up.”

“Because hardworking Black people, we don’t want to deal with that, and they group us together,” Bailey added. “I don’t want to deal with that.”

References:

Chicago man says city shut down his business, Dinner and a Movie, because he’s Black

Chicago man believes city shut his business down because he’s Black

Women’s Rights Gets Boost as President Joe Biden Signs Order for Abortion Services

Leah Cooper on August 8, 2022

US President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Wednesday to help women cross state lines for abortion services.

The executive order is the second after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to trial.

The order

Biden’s order orders the Federal Department of Health and Human Services to consider Medicaid funding for overseas travel for abortions.

Last month, the president signed the first executive order to respond to the Supreme Court’s decision.

The order also instructs the HHS to ensure that health care workers comply with federal anti-discrimination laws so that women can receive necessary medical care as quickly as possible.

Biden’s order is expected to have limited impact as Republicans lead a wave of national legislation that restricts abortion, access to drugs, and financing of similar services.

What led to the order?

On Tuesday, Kansas voters vehemently opposed an election measure that would have removed language protecting abortion rights from the state constitution.

The vote was a landslide victory for the abortion rights movement in the first national electoral test since the Supreme Court ruling.

Kansas is surrounded by states following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, including Oklahoma and Missouri.

As a result, Kansas has become a destination for out-of-state women seeking access to abortion treatment.

Biden’s sentiments

President Joe Biden continued his COVID isolation while talking virtually with his new task force on access to reproductive health care.

During the phone call, Biden called access to state abortion a “health crisis” and warned that Republicans want to ban the procedure nationwide.

“I don’t think the court has any notion for that matter or the Republican party for that matter… how women are going to respond,” said Biden on Wednesday.

“They don’t have a clue about the power of American women. Last night in Kansas, they found out.”

Biden also called the Kansas result a “decisive victory” and said voters sent a “strong signal” that politicians did not have the right to interfere with women’s human rights.

“This fight is not over, and we saw that last night in Kansas,” said Biden.

“The court practically dared women in this country to go to the ballot box and restore the right to choose.”

Based on the measurements

In early July, Biden issued his first executive order, instructing the federal government’s Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to medical abortion to protect women who travel to abort.

The president’s latest order is based on measurements. But as with the first order, it is unclear how it can be achieved.

According to a senior administration official, the second order prompts the Department of Health and Human Services to consider using funds like Medicaid to support low-income women traveling abroad for abortion services.

It also calls on Xavier Becerra of Health and Human Services to urge states to seek Medicaid exemption when treating patients traveling for reproductive health services.

The Hyde Amendment

The Hyde Amendment’s congressional measure stipulates that Medicaid will not pay for abortion.

The only exception is when the woman’s life is in danger, or the pregnancy is due to rape or incest.

It also directs the department to ensure that healthcare professionals comply with federal non-discrimination laws when providing such services.

The provision also provides for data collection to measure the sentence’s impact on maternal health.

Biden and Kamala Harris

President Joe Biden signed the executive order at the first meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Access to Reproductive Health Care.

Vice President Kamala Harris joined him in the meeting, calling the abortion issue “America’s public health crisis.”

Senate Democrats have rejected Biden’s request to repeal the House’s “filibuster” rule, which requires 60 out of 100 senators to agree on most laws so that anyone can pass a law that officially points out that abortion is a national right.

Kamala Harris can cast a casting vote in an equally divided Senate.

References:

Biden signs executive order aimed at helping women travel for abortion

Biden signs abortion order, says Republicans clueless about women’s power

English Soccer League, The Premier League, Will Only Take the Knee on Occasions

Leah Cooper on August 8, 2022

In 2020, the murder of George Floyd sparked protests in all sectors, including sports.

Since 2020, footballers from all over Europe (especially England) have started kneeling before kick-off.

Although opinions were divided, clubs and leagues overseas continued to exercise.

The English Premier League recently announced that the anti-racism gesture will no longer be used as often in the 2022/2023 season.

The decision

On Wednesday, the English Premier League announced that the move would be limited to a few games next season.

The decision came from the matches between the league and the captains after consulting their respective teams.

“We have decided to select significant moments to take the knee during the season to highlight our unity against all forms of racism,” said the Premier League captains.

“In doing so, we continue to show solidarity for a common cause.”

Official statement

“The players have decided to use specific moments during the upcoming campaign to take the knee, to amplify the message that racism has no place in football or society,” the statement read.

“The Premier League supports the players’ decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League’s No Room for Racism Action Plan.”

“Players will take the knee during the opening match round of the season, dedicated No Room for Racism match rounds in October and March, Boxing Day fixtures following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Premier League matches on the final day of the season and The FA Cup and EFL Cup Finals.”

Early plans

Kneeling is a June 2020 player-led initiative to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

The gesture sparked criticism from fans and politicians, such as British Interior Minister Priti Patel, who accused the England national team of participating in “gestural politics” during Euro 2020 matches.

Patel said the fans were right to whistle in June 2021, “That’s a choice for them, quite frankly.”

The English League

The English Premier League begins the 2022/2023 season on August 5, with Arsenal meeting Crystal Palace in a London derby.

Tony Burnett, CEO of the anti-racism group, gave way and released a statement that said:

“Taking the knee is a gesture that has been driven by the players. Players have been doing it to highlight the fight for racial equality, and for that, it has certainly kept the spotlight on the issues football and wider society still faces.”

“The purpose of symbols and gestures is to use platforms to highlight to those with power that they need to act. Those gestures and symbols will inevitably change over time.”

“The point is not the symbols and gestures themselves, but what they signify.”

“We shouldn’t be talking about whether players kneel. We should be talking about why they kneel. We should be talking about the inequality and discrimination that the gesture highlights.”

References:

What’s taking the knee and why is it important?

English Premier League teams to stop taking the knee before every match

Premier League players won’t take a knee before every match

Columnist & Economist Paul Krugman Insists the US Is Not in Recession, Calls Out Media For Negative Bias

Claire Peterson on August 8, 2022

For many, the ongoing state of inflation has been a shocking problem, leading people to think a recession was on the horizon.

However, experts and the government have stressed that the country is not in a recession.

On Sunday, economist Paul Krugman appeared along with CNN’s Brian Stelter in a program to say the country is not in a recession.

What they said

“Are we in a recession and does the term matter?” asked Stelter on CNN.

“No, we aren’t, and no, it doesn’t,” replied Krugman.

“None of the usual criteria that real experts use says we’re in a recession right now,” he explained.

“And what does it matter? You know the state of the economy is what it is.” he explained.

“Jobs are abundant, although maybe the job market is weakening. Inflation is high, although maybe inflation is coming down. What does it matter whether you use the ‘r’ world or not? “

Krugman said the recession definition debate was “vitriolic.”

“I’ve never seen anything as bad as this, the determination of a lot of people to say it’s a recession is above and beyond anything I’ve ever seen,” he added.

How others feel

Paul Krugman suggested that people “want” the “Biden recession” to happen.

“Never mind the fact that you know, it in fact is not a recession in any technical sense,” he added.

Krugman said a number of voters weren’t aware that more people in the country had been “gaining jobs” and that US employment news was overly negative.

“There’s been a kind of negativity bias in coverage. The press should be giving people – people have their own personal experience. And if you ask people how are you doing, they’re pretty upbeat,” he explained.

“If you ask people ‘how is your financial situation,’ it’s pretty favorable. If you ask them ‘how is the economy,’ oh, it’s terrible. That’s a media failing.”

“Somehow we’re failing to convey the realities of what’s going on to people.”

Attempts to redefining recession

Prior to the release of the GDP numbers, members of the Biden administration appeared in the media trying to redefine the technical definition of a recession.

Journalist Glen Greenwald criticized her actions in a tweet, saying her efforts showed “a new level of audacity, no matter how low your opinion of them already is.”

“Watching them so brazenly re-define how they always used “recession,” and then Paul Krugman adding it doesn’t matter if we’re in one or not (it doesn’t matter for him), all to protect the Biden WH, is a new level of audacity no matter how low your opinion of them already is,” Greenwald tweeted.

Meanwhile, National Economic Council director and White House economic adviser to Biden, Brian Deese, continued to deny the country was in a recession, even after GDP figures were released last week.

“Well, we’re certainly in a transition, and we are seeing slowing as we all would have expected,” Deese said.

“But I think if you look at the full data and the type of data that NEBR looks at, virtually nothing signals that this period in the second quarter is recessionary.”

Reference:

Paul Krugman declares US not in a recession, claims ‘negativity bias’ in media

Warriors Win Game 5 While Stephen Curry Silences Boston Bar with His Shirt

Edward Anderson on August 8, 2022

Professional sports players are used to trash talking and taunting their opposition. However, there are occasions when they take a dig at the opponent’s taunts.

When Stephen Curry took the press conference stage after winning Game 5 of the NBA Finals, everyone was leaning in to see what shirt he was wearing as it had a text printed across it.

“Ayesha Curry CAN cook,” wrote the print.

Reporters asked the usual postgame questions after the Warriors beat the Celtics 104-94, but one reporter took notice of Curry’s shirt and steered the conversation towards it. Curry replied:

“You gotta ask around the room, and ask Twitter.”

The shirt was a dig at a taunt directed to the player’s wife outside a local sports bar in Boston. Identified as Game On! The bar took a dig at Ayesha’s culinary endeavors with a sign that read: “Ayesha Curry can’t cook.”

The actress and blogger Ayesha Curry started her culinary career in 2014, preparing the first meal on YouTube before starting a short-lived food network.

In 2016, Ayesha published her first cookbook before authoring several others.

Game On! also added a second sign directed at Riley Curry, the eldest daughter, saying Deuce (misspelled as Duece on the sign) was better than her.

Stephen Curry was not at his usual high performance on the court, but he still contributed to the win. While Stephen’s offense wasn’t up to scratch with 16 points, his defensive performance played a prominent role in keeping the Celtics from reaching the 100-point line.

Curry also made two steals in the game to give the Warriors a 3-2 advantage in the San Francisco game.

Although he lacked the influence on the game like he usually did, Stephen Curry finished Game 5 with a shot at Game On! far from the halfway line.

The announcement

Who was Nichelle Nichols?

Early life & career

Tributes

Statement of Schulz

A unique experience

Web3

Starbucks and Blockchain

Previous reward experience

The restaurant

The complaints

2022

What Rashad Bailey had to say

The order

What led to the order?

Biden’s sentiments

Based on the measurements

The Hyde Amendment

Biden and Kamala Harris

The decision

Official statement

Early plans

The English League

What they said

How others feel

Attempts to redefining recession

© 2023 The Chicago Journal. All Rights Reserved

© 2023 The Chicago Journal.
All Rights Reserved