(AP) – Crimson Lobster, the informal eating chain that introduced seafood to the plenty with innovations like popcorn shrimp and “infinite” seafood offers, has filed for Chapter 11 chapter safety.

The 56-year-old chain made the submitting late Sunday, days after shuttering dozens of eating places.

“This restructuring is one of the best path ahead for Crimson Lobster. It permits us to deal with a number of monetary and operational challenges and emerge stronger and re-focused on our development,” CEO Jonathan Tibus mentioned. Tibus, a company restructuring skilled, took the highest publish on the chain in March.

Crimson Lobster mentioned its 600 eating places would proceed to function by the chapter proceedings, that are meant to simplify operations, shut places and pursue a sale. As a part of the submitting, Crimson Lobster entered right into a so-called “stalking horse” settlement, that means it plans to promote its enterprise to an entity shaped and managed by its lenders.

Based on courtroom filings, Crimson Lobster has 551 U.S. eating places, 27 eating places in Canada and 27 franchised places in Mexico, Japan, Ecuador and Thailand. The corporate mentioned it has 36,000 workers within the U.S. and Canada.

Aaron Allen, the founding father of restaurant consulting agency Aaron Allen & Associates, mentioned Monday that the chapter was the end result of 20 years of bother at Crimson Lobster, which has struggled with growing competitors from quicker, cheaper chains like Chipotle and Panera.

Typically, Crimson Lobster would decrease its costs to compete, a transfer that was typically disastrous. In 2003, the corporate misplaced tens of millions of {dollars} on an all-you-can-eat “Countless Crab” promotion when crab costs rose, Allen mentioned. Twenty years later, the chain did the identical factor with an “Final Countless Shrimp” promotion.

“The truth that they might have this sort of company amnesia is an interesting case examine in company meals service,” Allen mentioned.

He mentioned Crimson Lobster had extra success within the mid-2000s, when it repositioned itself as an upscale restaurant. It raised costs and renovated shops. However it nonetheless struggled with rising lease and labor prices and altering client tastes.

“This slow-moving prepare wreck has been in movement for 20 years now,” Allen mentioned.

Orlando, Florida-based Crimson Lobster mentioned in courtroom filings that its annual visitor counts had been down 30% from 2019. The chain misplaced $76 million in 2023.

The chain was based by Invoice Darden, who wished to make seafood eating places extra accessible and inexpensive for households.

Darden received his begin within the restaurant enterprise in Waycross, Georgia, in 1938, when he opened The Inexperienced Frog. He boldly refused to segregate the restaurant’s patrons by race, which went in opposition to state legal guidelines on the time. When he opened the primary Crimson Lobster close to Orlando in 1968, he once more invited clients to sit down wherever they selected.

Darden offered Crimson Lobster to Normal Mills in 1970, and he continued to run eating places as a Normal Mills government. Normal Mills later went on to kind Darden Eating places, which owns Olive Backyard and different chains. Darden Eating places was spun off from Normal Mills in 1995.

Crimson Lobster had legions of followers for dishes like lobster linguini and its buttery Cheddar Bay biscuits.

“There isn’t a one of-woman-born who doesn’t like Crimson Lobster cheddar biscuits. Anybody who claims in any other case is a liar and a Socialist,” comic and actress Tina Fey wrote in her memoir “Bossypants.”

However the restaurant had bother maintaining with rivals and bringing in youthful clients. Darden Eating places offered Crimson Lobster to a non-public fairness agency in 2014. Thai Union Group, one of many world’s largest seafood suppliers, first invested in Crimson Lobster in 2016 and upped its stake in 2020.

Then final fall, Crimson Lobster misplaced tens of millions of {dollars} on its “Final Countless Shrimp” promotion, which charged $20 for all-you-can-eat shrimp deal.

“We knew the worth was low cost, however the thought was to carry extra site visitors within the eating places,” Ludovic Garnier, the chief monetary officer of Thai Union Group, mentioned in an earnings name with buyers.

Garnier mentioned the deal did work, and restaurant site visitors elevated. However extra company opted for the $20 deal than Crimson Lobster anticipated, and “we don’t earn some huge cash at $20,” he mentioned. For the primary 9 months of 2023, Thai Union Group reported a $19 million loss from Crimson Lobster.

In January, Thai Union Group introduced its intention to exit its minority funding in Crimson Lobster. CEO Thiraphong Chansiri mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, trade headwinds and rising working prices had hit the eating chain arduous and prompted “extended damaging monetary contributions to Thai Union and its shareholders.”

Restaurant liquidator TAGeX Manufacturers introduced final week that it will be auctioning off the tools of over 50 Crimson Lobster places that had been not too long ago closed. The shop closures span throughout greater than 20 states — lowering Crimson Lobster’s presence in cities like Denver, San Antonio, Indianapolis and Sacramento, California.

Allen expects Crimson Lobster’s restaurant footprint to shrink by one-third to one-half as a part of the chapter course of. Many potential consumers simply need the chain’s actual property, Allen mentioned.

“Most certainly whoever buys it isn’t going to need to repair up Crimson Lobster,” he mentioned.

Crimson Lobster mentioned within the courtroom submitting that it has greater than 100,000 collectors and estimated property between $1 billion and $10 billion. The corporate’s estimated liabilities are between $1 billion and $10 billion.

Copyright 2024 The Related Press. All rights reserved.

When Damon McMahon, aka Amen Dunes, ran by means of the record of individuals he had in thoughts to speak to about Dying Jokes, his first album launch in six years, he thought-about the standard suspects: Whoopi Goldberg, Martin Shkreli, Tom Cruise. However Dunes, a longtime comedy buff, landed on the comic and actress Patti Harrison, drawn to the summary and infrequently absurd approach she lampoons modern tradition. Musicians and comedians, he posited, may need extra in frequent than you’d suppose. Additionally featured on his new document is an array of comedy titans, together with Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, whose stand-up clips are interpolated. “This album is me attempting to speak about all this shit that nobody needs to speak about, all of the little stuff that goes on between the traces,” he advised Harrison on a Zoom name earlier this month. “It’s my model of being political.” In dialog, the 2 discuss Tim & Eric, the state of the music business, and deal with the Angophile allegations. 

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AMEN DUNES: Hey, Patti.

PATTI HARRISON: Hey. Can I name you Damon?

DUNES: Yeah.

HARRISON: I didn’t know for those who needed me to name you Dunes, which I’m completely satisfied to do. I don’t need to lifeless title you. Effectively, thanks for having me on. Actual fast, what impressed you to ask me to be the primary interview you probably did?

DUNES: That’s a very good query. Really, the primary query is, what are we doing? Are we supposed to simply discuss random stuff? 

HARRISON: I did an interview for Interview Journal as soon as that was profiling me. I used to be in the identical boat the place I believed it was about two artists interviewing one another equally. The one who interviewed me was Tim Heidecker. So I’m the Tim Heidecker right here. I’m interviewing you and we’re going to discover no matter you need to discuss, actually. It doesn’t must be about your new album. I believe that’s an thrilling factor to speak about, however you would additionally discuss any illnesses or something that you just’re presently combating.

DUNES: I’m very, very, very sick and I’m dying.

HARRISON: That’s TMI and I can not maintain area with you on that.

DUNES: I believed we’d simply randomly discuss, which may go very flawed.

HARRISON: The dialog may veer into one thing that’s deeply painful for each of us, after which we may spiral about it in a approach that makes us lose observe of time–

DUNES: An outpouring.

HARRISON: A gradual outpouring of interior bile and abscesses leaking into the general public sphere. 

DUNES: They had been like, “Who ought to we ask?” So I requested about all these ridiculous folks.

HARRISON: Whoopi Goldberg? Martin Shkreli?

DUNES: Yeah, precisely.

HARRISON: Benito Mussolini.

DUNES: Tom Cruise. Yeah. Anyway, I’m a giant comedy fan, however I’m very choosy about it. I used to be a extreme Tim & Eric fan for a few years. My brother’s a giant comedy individual and through the years he would all the time be like, “Test this out,” however nothing would evaluate. Tim & Eric was all I used to be serious about. Then he confirmed me I Suppose You Ought to Depart [with Tom Robinson], and also you had a scene the place you had been a wealthy enterprise individual or one thing.

HARRISON: I don’t know what you’re speaking about.

DUNES: And I’ll simply say, I discover that this world may be very conservative and that artists are very conservative and they’re copycats or simply fucking need consideration. Issues aren’t in a terrific state. I noticed your efficiency and I used to be like, “She has some kind of absurdity in her that’s not feigned or pressured.” It was not the usual expression. I simply actually admired it. 

HARRISON: That’s very nice to listen to and thanks for saying that.

DUNES: I imply it, as a result of particularly with comedy there’s simply quite a lot of pale performances on the market, you understand what I imply? I believe actually good comedians have a sensibility… I imply, I may get extra nerdy and analytical, however I don’t must.

HARRISON: I agree with you about that. I may discuss all day concerning the symbiosis of comedians and musicians and the way they usually covet what one another have in the best way that they’re in a position to specific, in order that they actually admire one another. I really feel like quite a lot of musicians I do know don’t actually like to speak about music, they need to discuss different stuff.

DUNES: Yeah, precisely.

HARRISON: When you begin as a honest earnest musician and you place out music and other people fall in love with the expression, if they arrive to your reside present and also you’re humorous on stage, it’s one of the best discovery for the fan as a result of they’re like, “Whoa, this individual isn’t solely a very good musician, they’re additionally actually personable and humorous.” But when a comic is like, “I need to begin both releasing earnest music, or I need to begin being a honest, dramatic actor,” persons are like, “What’s your dumb ass doing?”

DUNES: It’s true. I don’t know why that’s. 

HARRISON: Anyway, I’m going to pivot. I need to ask, the place are you from?

DUNES: I used to be born in Philadelphia. These are good, let’s maintain it boring.

HARRISON: Okay, I’ve to be sincere. After I noticed your image, I assumed you had been Scottish.

DUNES: That’s cool. I’m an Anglophile, I suppose.

HARRISON: Yeah, it’s the hair. And also you appear stoic. I watched a few your music movies and I really feel like you will have a stoic-ness that feels knowledgeable by the ache and the power of the Scotch. However anyway, let’s discuss your album. It’s out in the present day on Sub Pop, and that’s actually thrilling. Big congratulations to you, Damon, aka Dunes.

DUNES: Thanks.

HARRISON: How do you’re feeling about an album launch day? 

DUNES: I imply, I’ve been doing this for therefore lengthy. I’ve so many emotions concerning the music business generally. I had quite a lot of fiery emotions in these latest months, witnessing the musical panorama. I haven’t put an album out for six years and I’ve been placing albums out for 22 years. It’s very completely different now and it’s very disappointing and disturbing the best way the world works nowadays with artwork. When you requested me a month in the past, I’d have been like, “I’m going to stop making music. I don’t actually need to do that anymore,” in virtually all sincerity. However now, folks have sat with this album and I’ve executed these interviews and I’ve had some direct fan interplay stuff and it’s been heartwarming. Interviews have been deeper and other people have understood extra. I really feel some kind of gratification from placing this out. While you hearken to the playback or to a recording of one thing you probably did, you’re like, “That was so superb, I really feel gratified.” Then it comes out into the world and it’s filtered by means of advertising and fucking digital platforms and all that fucking nastiness. That fucks it up, for me. Anyway, I really feel balanced in the present day, however I all the time have combined emotions about it.

HARRISON: Do the fiery emotions across the shift within the music business pertain to TikTok and social media’s integration into the music business and the inventive business at massive, I’d dare say?

DUNES: Yeah, undoubtedly. I’ve all the time made very introspective music, and this album is definitely very outwardly contrarian content material. It’s my model of being political. It’s partly about what occurs when every little thing that we’re is smashed and filtered by means of the fucking digital realm. This album is about that and it was very bizarre to expertise that through the launch.

 

HARRISON: I completely relate to that feeling. I’ve quite a lot of pals who work in music and once I watch the best way that younger persons are pressured to advertise their very own music by making these movies of them sitting of their automobile, lip-syncing their personal music… I’ve a deep underground bunker of hundreds of cringe TikToks of individuals self-promoting their music which can be so humorous and in addition devastating on the identical time that I’ll by no means share publicly apart from between my pals, as a result of I understand how laborious it’s to place your self on the market. I simply surprise what the sustainability of that’s for artists. I can’t think about how a lot you most likely really feel it, being within the business. I clocked that within the lyrics in your album and I simply watched the video for “Across the World” and there was a line that was basically, “We’re attempting to face up and struggle again, however we’re doing it inside their programs that they supply for us. We’re utilizing their instruments and their means.” 

DUNES: Yeah.

HARRISON: The music video is so—and I apologize for utilizing this phrase about your work—epic. There’s a hugeness to it, quite a lot of discovered footage. With the movies and the album itself, it looks as if there’s quite a lot of ambiance through the use of radio frequency. You mentioned it’s been six years. I noticed that 2018 was when Freedom got here out?

DUNES: Yeah.

HARRISON: What’s been happening together with your music life since 2018? You mentioned you had been even eager about quitting music…

DUNES: I imply, I used to make artwork for artwork’s sake… Equally, I really feel like your work and possibly your stand-up has a kind of contentious, difficult high quality to it, too. Your comedy feels prefer it’s partaking with the fucking issues of the world, even when abstractly. So anyway, in the previous few years, it broke my coronary heart to see what was happening on the planet. And I began making this album and these songs they usually got here on their very own. I don’t sit down with a pen and write out what’s in my head. I sit down an instrument and I begin taking part in when the temper strikes me, after which these lyrics simply come out. All this began popping out that was commenting on what I used to be seeing round me. So as a substitute of being introspective, it was very outward and important. 

HARRISON: I undoubtedly suppose that the lockdown of all of it, even pre-lockdown, how a lot stuff was happening throughout Trump’s presidency… I believe the best way that we’re uncovered to the horrifying information of the world actually skyrocketed the publicity stage. There’s a stage of trauma that comes with that mentally. 

DUNES: Yeah, completely. This album is me attempting to speak about all this shit that nobody needs to speak about, all of the little stuff that goes on between the traces. That shit, such as you mentioned, trauma through the pandemic, that’s one thing that individuals simply faux didn’t even occur. I’m not speaking concerning the pandemic itself, however the heightened ratcheting up of our emotional lives was consultant of one thing that had been happening since Trump was elected. It reached this breaking level and the entire world was like, “Nah, this simply doesn’t fucking matter. Simply maintain making shit, maintain making content material or go carry out for the world.” I’m a really delicate individual. My music has all the time been very delicate and for the primary time, I used to be actually affected by it. So I’m speaking about all that stuff on this album. However what I found was folks noticed this album, which is fucking insane. At first it was like, “Oh yeah, it’s one other piece of content material. I’m not going to trouble to learn into it or ask questions or give it some thought in any respect.” It was simply one other swipe on their Instagram feed or one thing. It was a world feeling like, “Wow, folks don’t give a fuck. They only need to have their mouths fed they usually simply need stimulation. They don’t need to cease and query something.” That’s a part of what I’m speaking about on this document.

HARRISON: Loads of that resonates with me so deeply. We’re educated to try this versus the larger programs that situation folks to be that approach, like all of the algorithms and the best way the apps are designed to fireplace your mind up in sure methods and shorten your consideration span. And that’s unhealthy for artwork, that’s unhealthy for you, that’s unhealthy for me.  However I do suppose there are folks on the market who’re nonetheless aching for the Dunes expertise they usually’ve been ready for it for a very long time. So I believe it’s an unbelievable reward even when folks’s brains are a little bit scrambled by being on-line on a regular basis. Can I ask you one final query? What made you decide on the title Dying Jokes for the album?

DUNES: Effectively, I occur to have a non secular follow, and there’s this Hindu concept of Vedanta, which is basically that this little being on this physique isn’t your complete actuality, not your true identification in a nutshell. They kind of tease that dying is a fantastic, virtually unreal cycle of types. So through the pandemic, I used to be confronted with my clinging to this little factor whereas remembering that I don’t have to be so connected and terrified. These songs had been like my dying jokes. When you hearken to the lyrics and stuff, they’re kind of speaking about my music outliving me and reminding me to not be so hung up on myself. That’s what I meant by dying jokes. 

HARRISON: Effectively, I ought to have requested that query proper on the prime as a substitute of claiming that I believed you had been Scottish.

DUNES: However basically, on the finish of two years making this album, I found that what I used to be speaking about was the impact that this world has on inventive expression and the power to be contentious and take dangers in your artwork making. And the way it kind of put a stranglehold on so many individuals. Such as you mentioned, it’s not people, however these programs which can be kind of in place that we form of give up to affect being dangerous, on making a joke or making artwork or dialoguing. There’s all these comedians within the album. I don’t know for those who observed Lenny Bruce all through the document, and Richard Pryor and George Carlin. There’s all types of comedians in there and basically, they’re like social irritants. They’re like people who find themselves antagonizing and upsetting folks to fucking wake the fuck up and suppose twice about what they kind of blindly undergo. There’s different folks like J Dilla and this well-known French girl on the finish–

HARRISON: The Statue of Liberty?

DUNES: She’s not in there. She will be able to’t discuss as a result of I couldn’t pattern her.

HARRISON: She can discuss, she’s simply shy. 

DUNES: Patti, thanks a lot for doing this.

HARRISON: Yeah, after all. Thanks and congratulations.

ATLANTA (Could 22, 2024) —Atlanta United as we speak introduced a multi-year partnership with the Metropolitan Atlanta Speedy Transit Authority (MARTA). To have fun the launch of the brand new partnership, followers can obtain a co-branded t-shirt and a collectible Atlanta United Breeze Card loaded with a roundtrip fare by buying the MARTA Ticket Pack to the membership’s June 2 match towards Charlotte FC.

“We’re thrilled to associate with an iconic Atlanta firm akin to MARTA, which has been a key participant in our supporters’ matchday routine for years,” stated Atlanta United President and CEO Garth Lagerwey. “This collaboration represents our dedication to enhancing the matchday expertise, and likewise contributes to our preparations forward of main worldwide soccer competitions as Atlanta captures the eye of the world within the coming years.”

Highlights of the partnership embody a co-branded attire assortment slated to launch later this 12 months together with social media promotion, in-stadium branding, digital advertising and radio promoting. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is inside strolling distance of each GWCC/CNN and Vine Metropolis rail stations, and in 2023, a median of 17,000 followers rode MARTA to Atlanta United house matches.

“Since Atlanta United launched in 2017, MARTA has been an integral a part of the matchday expertise, offering an environment friendly, cheap option to get to the motion,” stated MARTA Common Supervisor and CEO Collie Greenwood. “This model partnership will assist MARTA foster deeper engagement and reference to our clients, whereas additionally supporting Atlanta’s emergence because the nation’s soccer capital.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), rating member of the Senate Overseas Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) at this time issued the next assertion in response to the Worldwide Legal Court docket (ICC) saying the choice to use for arrest warrants for democratically-elected Israeli officers:

“These actions by the ICC jeopardize efforts to result in sustainable peace within the Center East.  It places in danger delicate negotiations to convey house hostages, together with Individuals, and surge humanitarian help.

“The applying for arrest warrants additionally attracts a false equivalence between Israel with its longstanding dedication to the rule of legislation, and Hamas’ theocratic, autocratic, and unaccountable rule over Gaza. To state the apparent: Israel is a functioning democracy, whereas Hamas is a terrorist group.

“Representatives of the ICC had been imagined to be in Israel at this time to arrange conferences between Israeli officers and ICC Prosecutor Khan’s group subsequent week to debate allegations and considerations. This was a course of we inspired, as it’s according to the precept of complementarity.

“The ICC’s precipitous motion in making use of for arrest warrants on this occasion runs opposite to the promotion of rule of legislation globally; Israel has a protracted historical past as a functioning democracy, with an impartial judiciary and army justice system. We’ve got nice confidence within the Israeli judicial system’s means to manage justice. The precept of complementarity must be honored, permitting a nation’s authorized system to behave first.

 “Performing at this time with out participating the Israeli authorities on these particular considerations calls into query the unbiased strategy ICC investigations are imagined to have.

“We’ll proceed to work in a bipartisan method to strenuously object to the ICC’s actions in opposition to our ally, Israel, and take applicable steps to assist Israel and defend American personnel from future ICC motion.”

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Chelsea are assured of bringing their seek for Mauricio Pochettino’s successor to a swift conclusion after notifying Ipswich of their curiosity of their favoured candidate, Kieran McKenna, and placing various plans in place by making checks on Leicester’s Enzo Maresca.

The Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital possession are working shortly after parting firm with Pochettino by mutual consent – a improvement that has prompted shock inside the dressing room – and they’re optimistic that the method is not going to take lengthy.

Chelsea, who determined {that a} change was required after con­cluding that Pochettino didn’t take pleasure in ­working of their set-up, made contact with McKenna’s representatives a number of weeks in the past.

The Stamford Bridge membership imagine that the 38-year-old, who’s in demand after overseeing Ipswich’s astonishing promotion to the Premier League, will favour them over Brighton and Manchester United if he decides to pursue a brand new problem.

Ipswich have heard from Chelsea and are determined to maintain McKenna, who can be provided a brand new deal by the Portman Street membership. A slight concern for Chelsea is that McKenna was beforehand on the backroom workers at United, who may sack Erik ten Hag this summer season, and he could possibly be drawn again to Outdated Trafford.

Brighton need McKenna to exchange Roberto De Zerbi. However the feeling at Chelsea is that their pursuit of one of many prime younger coaches within the nation is transferring in the precise path.

It’s an open race, with nothing determined but, and Chelsea’s must maintain their choices open has led to them reaching out to Maresca’s camp. The Leicester supervisor has admirers inside Chelsea’s recruitment staff, who’re impressed together with his tactical acumen, and he’s seen as a promising various to McKenna.

It’s unclear if Maresca could be focused on becoming a member of Chelsea after main Leicester to the Championship title. Leicester could possibly be hit with a factors deduction earlier than the beginning of subsequent season and it stays to be seen if they are going to have an enormous price range this summer season. Maresca, 44, performs ­attacking, possession-based soccer, which appeals to Chelsea.

They’re eager to nominate a younger, progressive head coach who’s ­prepared to purchase right into a recruitment construction headed by the co-sporting ­administrators, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

Chelsea are monitoring ­Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Stuttgart’s ­Sebastian Hoeness and Girona’s Michel. ­Hoeness has signed a brand new deal at Stuttgart, who completed second within the Bundesliga, and is unlikely to maneuver this summer season. Chelsea like Vincent Kompany however the Burnley supervisor seems to be becoming a member of Bayern Munich.

Pochettino, who has left ­Chelsea together with his fame intact after ­guiding them to sixth place in his solely season in cost, may be focused by Bayern. The Argentinian can be an choice for United in the event that they sack Ten Hag and he’s anticipated to obtain gives from the Saudi Professional League.

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Al-Ittihad are poised to exchange Marcelo Gallardo. Their sporting director, Ramón Planes, is an in depth ally of Pochettino, who may be an choice for England if Gareth ­Southgate departs after Euro 2024.

The temper round Chelsea was unsure after Pochettino, whose pay-off is but to be disclosed, left after lower than a yr within the job. The Stamford Bridge membership are on the lookout for their sixth supervisor since being purchased by Boehly and Clearlake Capital, a personal fairness fund managed by Behdad Eghbali and José E Feliciano. There was weariness on the coaching floor as workers readied themselves for extra upheaval. Gamers had been shocked and saddened to lose Pochettino.

However Chelsea are standing by their determination and have rejected ideas that they wish to appoint a supervisor who could be managed by the hierarchy. It’s understood that the purpose is to make use of a supervisor who’s prepared to tackle board ideas from specialists within the medical, recruitment and technical departments. It was felt that Pochettino, who was chilly on Chelsea bringing in a set-piece coach, was reluctant to adapt his methods.

Chelsea additionally seemed past a late enchancment within the staff’s kind once they carried out an end-of-season assessment. That they had hoped to qualify for the Champions League and had been upset at dropped factors in opposition to Burnley and Sheffield United. There was additionally concern concerning the facet’s defending and the chaotic nature of their video games – together with the nervy 2-1 win in opposition to Bournemouth final Sunday.

Atlanta has earned its highest annual ParkScore but in 2024, putting twenty fifth out of the 100 largest U.S. cities within the yearly Belief for Public Land park rating index. 

It marks a three-spot soar from final 12 months when Atlanta positioned twenty eighth. The town has been on a meteoric rise since 2016 when it positioned 51st out of 100. 

The annual ParkScore index ranks park techniques within the 100 most populous U.S. cities based mostly on 5 elements: entry, fairness, acreage, funding and facilities. The ten highest ranked cities in the USA are Washington, DC; Minneapolis, MN; St. Paul, MN; Irvine, CA; Arlington, VA; Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA; Cincinnati, OH; Portland, OR and Chicago, IL. 

Atlanta’s excessive marks come partly from its park entry. 79 p.c of residents dwell inside a 10 minute stroll of a park, which is 5 p.c increased than the nationwide median. The town additionally ranks excessive in park spending: at $249 per capita it invests double the nationwide common. 

Belief for Public Land Georgia State Director and Southern Area Vice President George Dusenbury stated the rating will make Atlanta’s continued development viable.

“Atlanta continues to be one of the crucial vibrant cities in America, and I believe its enchancment within the ParkScore tracks its attractiveness as a spot for individuals to come back dwell, “Dusenbury stated. 

Park Delight Govt Director Michael Halicki stated he’s “thrilled” with the rating, nevertheless it’s “not time to take our foot off the gasoline.” Because the chief of the citywide nonprofit devoted to enhancing parks, he used the annual rating to ask for a $51.8 million fiscal 12 months 2025 funds, a multi-million enhance from final 12 months for the Division of Parks and Recreation. 

“We should proceed to rise and to push ourselves for the most effective we might be in delivering a world-class park system,” Halicki stated. “We must always do that for our area’s financial competitiveness, attracting prime expertise and capital to our metropolis; we must always do that for our residents; we must always do that for the era to come back.” 

Halicki identified that whereas Atlanta ranks excessive in sure areas, it has “room to develop” in others, like fairness and acreage. He additionally stated the 100/100 rating for funding is nice however is owed partly to important philanthropic contributions. 

About 21 p.c of Atlanta parks funding is owed to non-public donations, in comparison with a 5 p.c nationwide common. Halicki stated the belief has modified its rating methodology lately – earlier than, the group didn’t rely philanthropic contributions and Atlanta sat at 51 out of 100. 

Atlanta raised taxes in 2023 to dedicate extra funds to park upkeep, although – a transfer that elevated funds by $10-12 million. 

He additionally pointed to Atlanta’s lower-ranking classes, specifically fairness and acreage. Solely six p.c of town’s land has been devoted to parks, and the 457 present parks have a median measurement of two.9 acres in comparison with the nationwide common of 5.4. 

Dusenbury stated the largest alternative for enchancment is the amount of park land, and he hopes that town’s continued land dedication will resolve it. The town is about to achieve 5,000 acres of park land by this 12 months, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens goals to get the quantity to 7,000 by 2030. 

Dusenbury additionally hopes to see extra collaboration with the parks. He hopes to proceed the nationwide Belief for Public Land initiative Group College Yards in Atlanta, which might have college parks function academic areas throughout the day however turn into neighborhood leisure areas throughout non-school hours. 

To this point, town has eight neighborhood schoolyards and one other six within the works. 

With the discharge of the annual ParkScore, park leaders are already trying towards enhancements within the coming 12 months. 

“The alignment of parks and fairness is our mandate from this research,” Halicki stated. 

Govt Director Halicki additionally stated he would love to include extra sturdy facilities into the present parks. Atlanta ranked 60 out of 100 within the ParkScore index. Halicki stated that when Atlanta residents have been surveyed for the 2022 park grasp plan, one of many prime requests was for public bogs. 

“Loos are a kind of issues everyone desires, however no one desires to speak about,” Halicki stated. 

He additionally pointed to extra “inventive concepts” to create resilient parks in numerous Atlanta communities, like splash pads and water options to fight excessive warmth. He hopes the ParkScore will promote a give attention to fairness, acreage and resilience. 

“There’s a variety of nice concepts that this helps to bolster,” Halicki stated. 

Alongside the annual rankings record, the Belief for Public Land revealed new analysis known as “The Energy of Parks to Strengthen Group.” Utilizing 900 examples from metropolis leaders throughout the nation, the belief discovered that residents of cities rating within the prime quarter of the index are 60 p.c extra prone to volunteer than residents of lower-ranking cities. Larger-ranking metropolis residents are additionally 26 p.c extra prone to type friendships with individuals in numerous socio-economic teams. 

“Park leaders are stepping as much as promote neighborhood connection and handle the nationwide epidemic of loneliness and social isolation,” President and CEO of the Belief for Public Land Diane Regas stated. 

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VANCOUVER, BC – Spherical 3 sure.

The Oilers confirmed their place within the Western Convention Last on Monday night time with a 3-2 victory over the Canucks in Sport 7 at Rogers Area, scoring thrice within the second interval to assist construct a three-goal cushion that was challenged within the last 9 minutes of regulation after the hosts mounted a late push.

“It is thrilling to be an awesome Vancouver crew. That is at the start,” Connor McDavid mentioned. “They seem to be a actually nice crew. They clearly had our quantity all yr lengthy. It wasn’t too way back we had been sitting right here doing an interview speaking about shedding 8-1, so that they’ve had our quantity and it feels good to come back out on high on this collection.”

“It was a good collection. A passionate collection. Each fanbases had been going loopy. It is enjoyable to come back out on high of that.”

Cody Ceci broke issues open lower than two minutes into the center body, ripping a slap shot previous netminder Arturs Silovs for the second Sport 7 purpose of his profession earlier than Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins every added objectives to construct Edmonton a 3-0 lead heading into the ultimate interval.

The Canucks weren’t about to go down with no battle, scoring twice by means of Conor Garland and Filip Hronek to make for a dramatic last 9 minutes within the winner-take-all decider between the 2 Canadian rivals. The Oilers collected themselves throughout a timeout earlier than stopping Vancouver from registering any pictures within the sport’s last two minutes with their internet empty, solidifying the collection victory and their place in Spherical 3.

“I believed we performed 52 nice minutes rather well. And little errors, these are going to occur,” McDavid mentioned. “Clearly, it will get a little bit chaotic from there. You’ll be able to count on that. We knew it was going to be a good sport. I do not assume anybody got here in right here pondering it will be some type of cakewalk. It was tight. I believed we did an excellent job of responding. I believed it was an awesome timeout by Kris to settle everybody down, and from there on out, I believed we performed an actual strong sport the remainder of the best way.”

ATLANTA – You might be presupposed to name 911 in an emergency, however oftentimes dispatchers are confronted with calls that aren’t.

Whereas one name might not appear to be a giant deal, dispatchers say they get them so typically that it will probably decelerate the response to actual emergencies.

“I am calling as a result of the cat acquired the home smelling unhealthy ma’am,” one man informed a 911 dispatcher. “She’s making an attempt to burn incense right here.”

RELATED: Atlanta man calls 911 over cat’s smelly litter field

“I am on the road, I used to be simply questioning if somebody might order me some sizzling wings,” one other particular person informed an operator.

RELATED: Atlanta lady calls 911 to order hen wings

Each calls, Atlanta Police say, present a obtrusive drawback of the misuse of 911.

“Folks have been informed for many years to simply name 911, and that’s not the reply,” mentioned Desiree Arnold, the Govt Director of Atlanta E911.

Arnold says her workforce takes about 3,700 calls a day with a lot of them not true emergencies. She want to see fewer calls that waste her workforce’s time.

“Issues that individuals are doing that they shouldn’t be doing is asking 911 or are in search of 911 to deal with conditions that police and fireplace and medical personnel can’t truly deal with,” she mentioned.

Atlanta’s E911 middle dealt with 1.3 million calls final 12 months. It feels like loads, however, rather less than 4% had been deemed severe emergencies.

APD says 911 calls went up 14% final 12 months.

Regardless of the additional calls, the typical wait to speak to somebody is enhancing and is about 14 seconds, 82% of the time. That’s barely beneath business requirements.

Arnold says these numbers can enhance much more if they will lower down on the pointless 911 calls. She recommends folks use 311 for non-emergencies.

“We’re simply asking residents once they decide up the telephone that 911 isn’t essentially a useful resource financial institution,” she mentioned. “We’re right here to deal with emergency conditions.”

When do you have to name or textual content 911? Arnold says it needs to be reserved for life-threatening conditions. 

They’ve created a marketing campaign to assist folks resolve what to do referred to as “Make the Proper Name.”

Gianluca Di Marzio is an Italian journalist with a robust fame, who claims Manchester United will half methods with Erik ten Hag has named three potential candidates into account at Outdated Trafford.

This night’s replace despatched social media into meltdown. I instantly thought it could be unhealthy style to temporary a couple of supervisor being sacked three days earlier than an FA Cup last when INEOS have been tight-lipped on Ten Hag’s future since arriving as co-owners.

A choice will come on the finish of the season, however sure media retailers are responsible of being trigger-happy to get the story first.

What did Di Marzio say?

Chatting with Soccernews.nl, Di Marzio said there might be change at Outdated Trafford.

Di Marzio named former Brighton supervisor Roberto Di Zerbi, former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, in addition to Ipswich City boss Kieran McKenna because the trio.

He mentioned: “Manchester United will separate with Ten Hag on the finish of the season.

“Manchester United can have a brand new coach and the choices proper now are McKenna and Mauricio Pochettino too. De Zerbi is on the checklist however hasn’t had direct contact in the previous couple of days.”

Fabrizio Romano offers contrasting replace on Ten Hag future

Romano is one other Italian reporter who individuals respect. He claims the FA Cup last might be important in deciding what occurs subsequent with Ten Hag.

Writing his Every day Briefing column for CaughtOffside, Romano mentioned: “In the intervening time it’s utterly open – it’s a 50-50 scenario for Ten Hag.

“After the Wembley last there might be a choice on the coach, so ten Hag is aware of how necessary it will likely be.”

Romano provides that INEOS need to see United’s workforce play with a “correct mentality” on the pitch towards their rivals. He claims that may have an enormous affect on the membership’s place with regards to Ten Hag’s suitability for the position.

There’s a chance that one of many supervisor’s searching for a brand new job this summer season could possibly be dropping bombshell tales to the press. Might that be the case with Di Marzio’s line?

I feel, behind all of it, no one really is aware of what the longer term holds. Besides INEOS.

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Extra Tales / Newest Information

The convention ultimate of the Stanley Cup Playoffs options 4 groups in two best-of-7 collection, which begin Wednesday. Right now, NHL.com previews the Western Convention Remaining between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.

(1C) Dallas Stars vs. (2P) Edmonton Oilers

Stars: 52-21-9, 113 factors; defeated Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in first spherical, Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in second spherical

Oilers: 49-27-6, 104 factors; defeated Los Angeles Kings 4-1 in first spherical, Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in second spherical

Season collection: DAL: 2-0-1, EDM: 1-2-0

Recreation 1: Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)

The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers will meet for the ninth time within the Stanley Cup Playoffs once they face off within the Western Convention Remaining.

The final time they performed each other within the postseason was the 2003 convention quarterfinals, when Dallas defeated Edmonton in six video games. The Stars/Minnesota North Stars are 6-2 in eight postseason video games in opposition to Edmonton since 1983-84.

Every had an incredible second half to the common season. The Oilers (31-12-5, 67 factors) and Stars (30-12-5, 65 factors) had been the highest two groups in standings factors amongst West groups after Jan. 1.

The Stars are coming off two powerful collection, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in seven video games within the first spherical and the Colorado Avalanche in six within the second spherical. They have been in a position to get some relaxation and follow time since eliminating the Avalanche final Friday, one thing that they are welcoming.

“I am not nervous about rust,” coach Pete DeBoer mentioned. “It should find yourself being six days perhaps?

“With the 2 collection we simply went by means of, we may use the time. It is really in all probability an ideal period of time that we will recharge, get some guys wholesome and get reset for the following spherical. Rolling that first spherical into the second spherical with the 2 opponents we had was a very powerful month of hockey.”

After a five-game win in opposition to the Los Angeles Kings within the first spherical, the Oilers went seven within the second spherical with the Vancouver Canucks, profitable the ultimate two video games of the collection to advance.

“It is the convention ultimate. You are going to play an ideal crew and so they actually are,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid mentioned. “They’re deep, as deep a crew as you are going to discover within the NHL. 4 traces, six D-men, they’ve an ideal goaltender. It should be an ideal check and we’re wanting ahead to it.”

Recreation breakers

Stars: You can nonetheless argue Wyatt Johnston for this class, however we’ll go together with Miro Heiskanen for this spherical. The defenseman has been excellent within the postseason, main the Stars with 13 factors (5 objectives, eight assists). Heiskanen got here up massive within the second spherical, when he had eight factors (4 objectives, 4 assists). He’s averaging 28:01 of ice time per sport, most amongst defensemen nonetheless within the postseason.

Oilers: Leon Draisaitl narrowly edges McDavid, like he is doing in postseason manufacturing. The ahead leads the playoffs with 24 factors (eight objectives, 16 assists); McDavid is subsequent with 21 factors (two objectives, 19 assists). Draisaitl can be first with a 2.00 points-per-game common and 6 power-play objectives. He has two game-winning objectives in 12 postseason video games, tied with Zach Hyman for second on the Oilers behind defenseman Evan Bouchard (three).

Goaltending

Stars: Jake Oettinger (8-5) is one in all three goalies with eight postseason wins, with Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers (8-2) and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers (8-3). Oettinger has been as much as the duty as soon as once more, with a 2.09 goals-against common and .918 save proportion. He saved his finest for his final begin, making 29 saves in a 2-1 double-overtime win to get rid of the Avalanche.

Oilers: Edmonton modified goalies for 2 video games within the second spherical, however Stuart Skinner has gotten a lot of the begins, going 7-3 with a 2.87 GAA, .881 save proportion and one shutout. He made 15 saves in a 3-2 win in opposition to Vancouver on Monday, the primary Recreation 7 of his NHL profession. Calvin Pickard is 1-1 with a 2.21 GAA and .915 save proportion in three video games (two begins).

Numbers to know

Stars: They’ve reached the convention ultimate for the thirteenth time of their historical past and seventh since relocating to Dallas in 1993-94. Their 13 appearances are the second most amongst non-Unique Six franchises behind the Philadelphia Flyers (16).

Oilers: With its second-round victory, Edmonton grew to become the ninth crew in NHL historical past to succeed in not less than 40 collection wins. For the reason that Oilers entered the League in 1979-80, these 40 wins are essentially the most amongst all groups and three greater than the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Crimson Wings over that span.