nhonews stories

Navajo Cultural Arts Program students take excursion, learn significance of Crow Canyon Historical Area

Navajo-Hopi Observer — Tue, 02 May 2023 18:00:00 -0700

FARMINGTON, NM — Students of the Navajo Cultural Arts Program had an enriching day hiking and exploring the Crow Canyon Historical Area in Dinйtah April 24.

The students viewed the pictographs and petroglyphs. The experience was a part of the class objectives about philosophy and origins of creativity in Navajo art.

Navajo Cultural Arts Program instructor Brent Toadlena shared his teachings with the students, who left offerings and gained valuable knowledge and insight from the experience.

Situated approximately 30 miles southeast of Farmington, New Mexico, Crow Canyon is a historical site that contains Navajo ruins and rock art from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It is located in Dinйtah, which is recognized as the traditional homeland of the Navajo people. Among the collection of Navajo petroglyphs found at the site, the Crow Canyon Petroglyphs are the most comprehensive and widely recognized. The rock art also includes earlier images from the Ancestral Puebloan civilization.

The rock walls on the south and east sides of the canyon feature hundreds of carvings depicting various animals, humans, supernatural beings, as well as objects such as corn plants and bows and arrows.

Northland Pioneer College's juried student art show returns May 5; cast your vote now

Navajo-Hopi Observer — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:59:00 -0700

SHOW LOW, Ariz. — Northland Pioneer College's 2023 Student Art Show returns May 5 at the White Mountain Campus in Show Low.

The show includes a selection of unique works created and submitted by NPC students.

“The artistic, expressive, and creative passion of students enrolled at Northland Pioneer College (NPC), who have entered their work in our spring juried art show, is undeniable,” said NPC Talon Gallery Director Magda Gluszek.

The NPC Student Art Show recognizes student accomplishments in the visual arts and honors their exceptional artistic achievement.

All NPC students (not only art students) are encouraged to participate. A panel comprised of NPC’s art faculty reviews the pieces and selects those that will appear in the show

Not all submitted works are exhibited.

“Acceptance to a show that has been juried is a true honor," Gluszek said. "It is a distinction that can be listed on a resume and is the type of professional recognition that is essential to any student pursuing an art career. The jury puts a lot of consideration into the selection process. Successful composition, craftsmanship, mastery of the medium and originality are evaluated. Students should be aware that the jury process is intended to encourage artistic growth. I would like to congratulate all our participants."

This year’s selections display just that.

“The breadth of creative effort displayed by our students is amazing,” Gluszek said.

Fifty-eight entries were selected for this year’s show ranging from 2 and 3D art, photography, film and video and theatrical performances. Many of the pieces are available for purchase at the Talon Gallery.

In addition, the public is invited to cast their votes for the ‘People’s Choice Award.

“We want you to take part in the jury process,” Gluszek said. "Submit your vote by May 5 by simply dropping by the Talon Gallery, selecting your favorite piece, and placing your vote in the people’s choice award box."

Award winners will be announced at the Talon Gallery during a closing reception May from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“It’s a fun way to participate in the show and express your appreciation of the artwork and our student artists," Gluszek said.

The recipient of the “People’s Choice” award and winning entries will be unveiled during the awards reception.

The Talon Gallery is open to the public Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Fridays, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Gallery Director and NPC Art Faculty Magda Gluszek for additional information about the exhibit at (928) 532-6176 or email: magda.gluszek@npc.edu. You may also visit the Talon Gallery online at www.npc.edu/talongallery, where prior exhibitions can also be enjoyed virtually.

Learn more at npc.edu/news

Northern Arizona Healthcare selects David Cheney as new CEO

Tue, 02 May 2023 17:56:00 -0700

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. —Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Board of Directors announced the hiring of David Cheney, MBA, FACHE, to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer.

Cheney will start on July 10 and will lead the NAH system, including two hospitals, primary care clinics, specialty care facilities, and air and ground emergency medical transport throughout the northern Arizona region. He comes to NAH with a wealth of experience, most recently as CEO of Sutter Health Hospitals in California, where he leads a 24-hospital network in six markets. He previously worked in Arizona at Samaritan Health System and as an executive at Banner Health.

“Mr. Cheney’s decades of health care executive leadership will position him to lead NAH in the next phase of our mission to improve health and heal people in the communities we serve,” said William Riley, PhD, chair of the NAH Board of Directors. “His prior experience at health care systems in Arizona shows he understands the complexity of health care needs and delivery in our unique state.”

Information provided by NAH.

Around the Rez: Week of May 3

Tue, 02 May 2023 17:53:00 -0700

TCUSD Preschool Enrollment Open

TCUSD Child Development Learning Center has opened enrollment for four year old lab-based learning for Fall 2023. To enroll, contact (928) 283-1151 or cherbert@tcusd.org.

Free/ Low-cost Pet Vaccine Clinics

RezDawg Rescue, Inc is offering free/low cost drive up pet vaccines May 4 8-10 a.m. at Cornfields Chapter House in Ganado, 11-1 p.m at Kin Dah Lichii' Chapter House in Ganado and 2-5 p.m. at Nazlini Chapter House in Nazlini. For more info and to schedule services, contact susanmeany@hotmail.com or (317) 294-255.1

Rug Weaving Workshop

The Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgai Community Center hosts a rug weaving workshop on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. (MDT). For more information (928) 981-0141 or mvcc@navajohopisolidarity.org.

MMIP Awareness Day

Save the Date – May 5 at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix. More information to follow, contact honwungsics@gmail.com or follow Honwungsi Consulting Services, LLC on Facebook.

STEM Camp

Girls grades 2-12 are invited to attend the free STEM Camp at Diné College in Tsaile June 9-11. More info: Laurel at (928) 207-5716 or LSEKAKUKU@girlscoutsaz.org.

Warrior Leadership Summit June-July

Registration is open for the annual Warrior Leadership Summit June 29 to July 4 in Carlinville, Illinois. Questions and registration: Ron Hutchcraft Ministries at (870) 741-3300 or wls@oneagleswings.com.

Do you have an event or notice you would like to contribute? Send an email to whowell@nhonews.com.

Change Labs business coach, Holly Patterson recognized for ethical leadership in her work

Tue, 02 May 2023 17:47:00 -0700

TUBA CITY, Ariz. — Change Labs team member Holly Patterson has been named the recipient of CNM’s New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards 2023 - Emerging Leader in Ethical Excellence. This award is given to a young leader in New Mexico who has demonstrated a strong commitment to ethical excellence in their work.

Holly, an experienced business coach, has helped numerous businesses across New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. She is passionate about education and community building and is actively involved in her local community. In addition to her work at Change Labs, Holly volunteers as an Alumni Ambassador for Dartmouth College and enjoys running and biking the many trails around the Southwest.

As part of her commitment to supporting the business community, Holly will be offering coaching sessions every month during Change Labs’ Monday Coaching sessions. She will provide assistance on business brand development, marketing strategies, market analysis, and business registration with the state of New Mexico. To access funding opportunities and other resources, interested parties can view the full list of resources available on Change Labs’ website.

Established in 2000 by Samaritan Counseling Center and presented CNM since 2018, the annual New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards program honors companies, both for-profit and not-for-profit, and individuals in New Mexico that demonstrate a strong commitment to the highest level of ethical practices in daily operations, management and personal philosophies, and in their response to crises and challenges. Nominations are reviewed and vetted by volunteers and finalists are then evaluated by CNM business students.

Navajo Nation leadership attends first phase of Little Colorado River adjudication trial

Navajo-Hopi Observer — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:44:00 -0700

MARICOPA COUNTY — A trial over water rights continues in one of the longest-running court cases in Arizona history.

The case will determine who has rights to water from the Little Colorado River basin. Thousands of claimants are involved in the trial and will likely exceed the water available.

Several Navajo Nation leaders attended Phase I of the Navajo Nation’s trial in the Little Colorado River System adjudication.

The Little Colorado River flows perennially through the northeast corner of Arizona. The basin includes most of Apache County, and Navajo and Coconino counties north of the Mogollon Rim and east of Flagstaff.

The Navajo and Hopi tribes own more than half of the land in the region, and in the absence of knowledge about the water supply, communities are unable to make adequate plans for the future. Additionally, conflicts are numerous and frequent.

The case will determine the rights and priorities of all water users, including cities, farmers, ranchers with stock ponds and homeowners with domestic wells.

In 1985, the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the United States (on behalf of the two tribes), filed claims in the Little Colorado River adjudication after the United States Supreme Court determined that water rights held in trust by the United States were subject to state court jurisdiction and the Arizona Supreme Court held that the Arizona constitution did not bar such claims.

In 1995, the Arizona legislature expressed a policy of resolving federal reserved rights, including those of Indian tribes, before adjudicating other water rights within the state.

In 2001, Judge Edward P. Ballinger determined the claims of the Hopi Tribe would proceed first in the Little Colorado River adjudication. The trial is being conducted by Special Water Master Susan Ward Harris in the Maricopa County Superior Court.

In April of 2016, the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation made additional attempts to settle their shared resources along the Little Colorado River, but those discussions stalled.

In 2019, The Hopi Tribe argued its future needs. Many tribal members have no running water in their homes. They practice dry farming, relying on rain to sustain crops in areas where runoff naturally would flow.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, Speaker Crystalyne Curley, several members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, and Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch were present to offer their support for the Navajo Nation’s water claims to the Little Colorado River.

Nygren made opening statements and in response to questions, he explained how important access to water was to his family, adding he didn’t see his life on the reservation as being different, but “normal.”

“My mom saved up some money and we lived in a small travel trailer, probably eight feet by twelve feet — it was pretty old and no running water, no electricity,” Nygren said as he explained his upbringing and how they used water stored outside in tanks for their everyday use that included bathing. “I just assumed the water came from the jugs outside.”

The Phase I trial is expected to last a few months with the Navajo Nation and objectors presenting many witnesses and cross examinations throughout.

Council Delegates in attendance include Resources and Development Committee Chair Brenda Jesus, Vice Chair Casey Allen Johnson and members Rickie Nez and Shawna Ann Claw. Council Delegates Vince James, Seth Damon, Cherilyn Yazzie, and Shaandiin Parrish were also present.

The hearings are overseen by a Special Water Master and can be viewed on the Maricopa County Superior Court’s website at: www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/calendar/

Guest column: Indigenous traditional knowledge recognizes human relationship with land

Tim Peterson, Grand Canyon Trust — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:43:00 -0700

In 2016, scientist, professor, enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and bestselling author of “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants,” Robin Wall Kimmerer, traveled to Moab, Utah. She was there to participate in a gathering the Grand Canyon Trust had convened to discuss the future of what are now known as America’s public lands — lands that are, in fact, the ancestral homelands of Indigenous peoples.

During that visit, Kimmerer spoke at length about Indigenous traditional knowledge. Indigenous traditional knowledge — sometimes referred to simply as “traditional knowledge” and often abbreviated TK — comes up frequently in discussions about how best to manage public lands, so we thought it might be useful to revisit Kimmerer’s explanation of what it is. Kimmerer also shared the idea of a “knowledge garden” in which Indigenous traditional knowledge and Indigenous science help to guide Western science, just as corn and beans are planted together by traditional farmers.

What is Indigenous traditional knowledge?

Indigenous traditional knowledge, as Kimmerer describes it, is a way of knowing the world that is much older than Western science. Traditional knowledge isn’t just the result of observing the natural world. As Kimmerer explains it, while Western science demands objectivity, Indigenous traditional knowledge not only makes room for and acknowledges human relationships with land, but also respects the innate intelligence of the natural world.

“To me, the power and the promise of traditional knowledge is that traditional knowledge, instead of excluding emotion and spirit, invites it in,” Kimmerer explains.

“We live in almost an intellectual monoculture which has rendered traditional knowledge invisible and marginalized that knowledge,” Kimmerer says. “Though it is the elder knowledge, is the most solid, grounded, whole knowledge.”

Can traditional knowledge and Western science coexist?

If Indigenous traditional knowledge is often ignored in the face of the cold, hard facts of Western science, can the two ever coexist? Yes, according to Kimmerer, but “what would a symbiosis look like between scientific tools and Indigenous philosophy and wisdom?” she asks.

This symbiosis, Kimmerer goes on to explain, might resemble a “knowledge garden.”

Planting the corn and the beans together

Kimmerer refers to how Indigenous people often plant corn and beans together. In traditional gardens, corn serves as a trellis for the bean plants to climb. In return, the beans absorb nitrogen from the air and add it to the soil — a process known as nitrogen fixation. Corn needs a lot of nitrogen, and with the beans’ help it, it gets it.

Kimmerer presents a metaphor in which Indigenous traditional knowledge is the corn, and Western science — which, as a scientist herself, she recognizes the value of — is the bean.

“That bean I think is a really good metaphor for science,” Kimmerer explains. “It’s curious. It’s always wandering in new directions. And it’s powerful, powered by that nitrogen fixation. But beans, unguided, make a mess of the garden. They take over things. They can actually reduce your garden to chaos. And sometimes I feel like science is like that bean, because science is unguided by emotion and spirit. It’s unguided by compasses of empathy and compassion.”

Kimmerer envisions a knowledge garden in which Western science is guided by Indigenous traditional knowledge.

“To me the great promise here is the same promise that comes when corn and beans grow together,” she says. “It’s more powerful...it feeds us more fully.”

As a scientist, Kimmerer embodies her vision for combining the wisdom and experience of Indigenous traditional knowledge with the tools of Western science in her work, and in her writing, and offers a useful way of remembering how the two can help each other flourish, just like the corn and the beans.

Dr. Kimmerer is a mother, plant ecologist, writer, and State University of New York (SUNY) distinguished teaching professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She serves as the founding director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment and is engaged in programs which introduce the benefits of traditional ecological knowledge to the scientific community in a way that respects and protects indigenous knowledge.

Tucson in process of returning land to Tohono O'odham Nation

Associated Press — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:41:00 -0700

TUCSON, Ariz. — The city of Tucson plans to return ancestral land tied to the Tohono O'odham Nation.

The Arizona Daily Star reported the Tucson City Council unanimously approved a proposal earlier this month to give more than 10 acres of city land at the base of Sentinel Peak to the tribe.

The peak is known as “the birthplace of Tucson,” where the Hohokam, the ancestors of the Tohono O'odham, grew crops and thrived for more than 4,500 years.

The transfer recognizes “the sovereignty of the Tohono O'odham Nation,” according to the council's motion.

Ned Norris Jr., the tribe's chairman, said there are significant archaeological and historical remnants of ancestors on that land.

Tribal officials said they aren't sure what they'll do with it.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero has approached the idea of putting the land in a trust with Democratic U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva.

Three-day flood experiment at the Grand Canyon aims to improve Colorado River

Alex Hager, KUNC — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:28:00 -0700

PAGE, Ariz. — An extra pulse of water has been sent through the Grand Canyon this week. The Bureau of Reclamation is running a “high-flow experiment” at Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona, which means a big release of water designed to move and redeposit sand and sediment will make its way downstream from the dam. This experiment is the first since 2018, and comes in response to forecasts for an above average spring snowmelt in the Rocky Mountains.

Sediment carried and moved by high flows helps to rebuild beaches and sandbars, which provide habitat for wildlife in the Grand Canyon. The restored beaches are also important for ensuring enough campsites exist for the canyon’s many rafters and boaters.

The extra water comes from Lake Powell, the nation’s second-largest reservoir. Before the Colorado River was dammed to create the reservoir, snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains would often cause a natural surge of sediment-laden water each spring.

“The ecosystem is generally familiar with having a big spring flood,” said Sinjin Eberle, Southwest Communications Director at the conservation group American Rivers. “It snows all winter, that snow runs off, you have big floods. With that natural cycle being cut off, we've had to try to simulate these big high floods.”

Eberle’s organization recently named the Grand Canyon section of the Colorado River as the nation’s “most endangered” river, partially due to the lack of recent high-flow experiments there. American Rivers receives funding from the Walton Family Foundation, which also funds a portion of KUNC's Colorado River coverage.

“It certainly is a sigh of relief,” Eberle said. “Especially because the damage to the canyon over the last couple of years has been pretty dramatic.”

This spring’s high-flow experiment is being carried out over 72 hours from April 24 through April 27. Water releases from Glen Canyon Dam were planned to be as high as 39,500 cubic feet per second during the experiment. April releases from the dam without high-flow experiments are typically between 8,000 and 15,000 cubic feet per second.

Flow data comes from the Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency which manages water in the West. Reclamation officials declined to be interviewed for this story.

Record snowfall in the Rocky Mountains has bred optimism about the amount of water added to the Colorado River this year. About two-thirds of the river begins as snow in the state of Colorado, where snow totals this year have surpassed 150% of the long-term average.

As a result, summer inflows at Lake Powell are projected to be 177% of average, a forecast which triggered the decision to run a high-flow experiment this year.

A set of four tubes known as the "river outlet works" allows extra water to flow through the Glen Canyon Dam. The flows are designed to take advantage of extra wet years and help wildlife habitat downstream of the dam.

The high-flow experiment began before much of that snowmelt entered Lake Powell, though. John Rickenbach, an environmental consultant with a focus on Lake Powell and the Colorado River, said the experiment could have been carried out a few weeks later, when more snowmelt had melted into the river, “just to be safe.”

“All they're really doing is concentrating the flow—that otherwise would have occurred a little more spread out—into a smaller period of time,” Rickenbach said. “If they were going to do that early in April that could have caused a difficulty for launching boats, but because they did it late in April, that was a big help.”

Dropping water levels at Powell's marinas have threatened to halt operations by stranding boat ramps above the water line.

Despite this year’s strong snowfall and flows, trouble still lingers for Lake Powell and the Colorado River. The reservoir's water levels hit a new record low this spring. Climate change has fueled 23 years of dry conditions and water managers who decide how the river is shared have struggled to agree on significant cutbacks to water use. That supply-demand imbalance means it would take more than one snowy year to substantially fix the Colorado River crisis.

“It's great to see a big snowpack,” climate scientist Brad Udall told KUNC in January. “We would need five or six years at 150% snowpack to refill these reservoirs, and that is extremely unlikely.”

This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Colorado River, produced by KUNC in Colorado and supported by the Walton Family Foundation. KUNC is solely responsible for its editorial coverage.

Native youth invited to join Colorado River trip through Grand Canyon

Williams-Grand Canyon News — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:23:00 -0700

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Young adults 16-20 who identify as members of one of the associated tribes of the Grand Canyon are invited to apply for a spot on the second annual Grand Canyon Regional Intertribal Intergenerational Stewardship Expedition (RIISE), a nine-day intertribal Colorado River rafting trip through the Grand Canyon July 16-24.

The river trip is designed to connect Indigenous youth with cultural knowledge-holders of tribes who call the canyon home to hold conversations about the past, present and future of the Grand Canyon. Participants will share stories related to the canyon, plants, ecology, history, and environmental justice issues in the region. The trip is facilitated by the Grand Canyon Trust in collaboration with Grand Canyon Youth and provided at no cost to participants.

Those wishing to participate in the trip need to fill out an application at grandcanyontrust.org/riise. All transportation, meals, rafting and camping gear and professional guiding services are provided as well as six weeks of pre-trip education to help participants learn about the Grand Canyon and environmental issues in the region.

Up to 18 young leaders will be selected to participate in the trip. Knowledge holders accompanying the trip will include Autumn Gillard (Cedar Band of Paiutes) and Bennett Wakayuta (Hualapai and Hopi).

“Our goal is to bring young Native leaders back to their ancestral lands to learn from their elder tribal relatives the histories and stories of the Grand Canyon,” said Rising Leaders Manager Amber Benally, who helped come up with the idea for the river trip and accompanied the inaugural 2022 RIISE group.

“Our people were forced from their homelands to make room for Grand Canyon National Park, and too often I hear our young people say ‘there’s nothing there for me’ or ‘I don’t belong here.’ But we do belong here. We are still here. And sharing knowledge and connecting with the canyon and with each other is an important way to remember who we are as Indigenous people,” Benally added.

This is the second RIISE trip. RIISE 2022 was only the third-ever all-Indigenous youth river trip to raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, and the trip had a profound impact on participants.

“The RIISE trip was like a rebirth or a cleanse of sorts,” said 2022 participant Darren Castillo (Diné). “I went in with negative thoughts and bad emotions and came back out a new man. My confidence was better than ever, and I saw the world differently.”

“The river trip, I think, has really opened up my eyes to how I view life, such that I view it in a new light, learning from how far our people have come,” said 2022 participant Wenona Tonegates (Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians).

“The comfort of being with other Native American people in our home built confidence in myself and motivated me to be great through my culture and traditions,” said Tryston Wakayuta (Hualapai/Hopi).

Applications to participate in RIISE 2023 are due May 29, 2023. More information and a link to the application may be found at grandcanyontrust.org/riise. Questions can be directed to riise@grandcanyontrust.org.

DOI announces partnership to fund and document oral histories of boarding school era

Associated Press — Tue, 02 May 2023 16:47:00 -0700

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The U.S. government is embarking on an effort to record the oral histories of survivors and descendants of boarding schools that sought to “civilize” Indigenous students, often through abusive practices.

The Interior Department announced a partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities April 26 to document the experiences of thousands of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students at federally funded schools across the country.

The National Endowment for the Humanities contributed $4 million for the project and will look for other ways to support research, educational programming and gatherings, the group said.

“The first step toward addressing the intergenerational consequences of these schools is to squarely acknowledge and examine the history of a federal system intended to separate families, erase Native languages and cultures, and dispossess Native peoples of their land,” National Endowment for the Humanities’ Chair Shelly Lowe said in a statement.

The endowment has supported other efforts, including a permanent exhibit on boarding schools at the Heard Museum in Phoenix and a project to digitize and transcribe records at the Genoa Indian School in Nebraska.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who is a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, has prioritized publicly examining the trauma caused by the schools. The department released a first-of-its kind report pointing out 408 schools the federal government supported. Religious and private institutions that ran many of the schools received federal funding and were willing partners in assimilating Indigenous students.

The U.S. enacted laws and policies in 1819 to support the schools, most of which closed long ago. None still exist to strip students of their identities.

Victims and survivors of government-backed boarding schools have been sharing emotional stories during a “Road to Healing” tour organized by the Interior Department. They have recalled being locked in basements as punishment, hair being cut to stamp out their identities, and physical and mental abuse.

Lowe, who is Navajo, attended sessions in Many Farms on the Navajo Nation and in Tulalip and heard former boarding school students talk about the effect the schools had their adult lives, and within their families and communities. Those include the diminishment of Native languages and cultures, she said.

“It is also clear tribal leaders and family members want to find avenues for healing for these former students while strengthening and expanding the teaching, use, and revitalization of Indigenous languages and cultural practices across their tribal nations,” she told The Associated Press.

The Interior Department found in the first volume of an investigative report on boarding schools that at least 500 children died at some of the schools, though the number is expected to increase dramatically as research continues. A second volume is expected by the end of the year, the agency said.

Interior used existing resources to begin the work. Congress allocated $14 million over the past two fiscal years, the agency said.

The tour has made stops in Oklahoma, South Dakota, Michigan, Arizona, the Navajo Nation and, most recently in Washington on the Tulalip Indian Reservation.

The oral history collection is an extension of the tour and comes at the request of Indigenous communities, Haaland said. It will ensure that future generations can learn from those stories, she said in a statement. “This is one step, among many, that we will take to strengthen and rebuild the bonds within Native communities that federal Indian boarding school policies set out to break,” Haaland said.

Tribal members join Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corp. at groundbreaking of new Clarkddale hotel

Wendy Howell — Tue, 02 May 2023 16:30:00 -0700

CLARKDALE, Ariz. — Hopi Tribal Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma, along with several Hopi councilmembers, joined members of the Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation at the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Taawaki Inn in Clarkdale April 21.

The new hotel is planned for the corner of South Broadway and Sycamore Canyon Road, near Tuzigoot National Monument. It will be a 44-room, two-story lodge with the intention to immerse travelers in the world of the Hopi culture.

HTEDC said they are pleased with the location and collaboration with the Town of Clarkdale. They hope to have the hotel up and running by late 2023 or early 2024.

“We were looking for a piece of property that we felt embodied what we were trying to get out of the hotel,” said Lucinda Smiley, Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation CEO. “Tuzigoot is right across from

the property, which has a historical connection to the Hopis.”

Smiley said the hotel will sit on a bluff and have a view of Tuzigoot and the community of Jerome.

“It’s about creating a peaceful, quiet atmosphere for travelers and educating them about the tribe,” she said. “We’re having music piped into the public areas, so when you walk into the hotel after a long travel day, you have a place to rest.”

The architecture of the building will have a lighter color with a white-washed look like a Hopi house with a large stained glass window of the sun. Hopi music will be piped into the public areas and musicians will come down to perform.

“The round circle is a handmade stained glass window of the Tawa Kachina, which is the Hopi Kachina sun face,” Smiley said. "The symbol personifies the sun with a face and projecting rays."

The hotel will also boast a conference room, exercise room, small restaurant and an art gallery with authentic Hopi artwork.

“We have purchased original artwork and the artists will have an opportunity to sell their art,” Smiley said. “It’s very hard to get original Hopi art off the reservation.”

HTEDC believes the Taawaki Inn will create jobs for the Hopi people and provide a place to have Hopi artists come to showcase their artwork, since many artists rely on their artwork as income for their families.

Smiley said the hotel is designed to share the Hopi culture and help people learn about the tribe’s history. The corporation plans to host Hopi lectures by artists and offer social dances on the back patio for the guests to enjoy.

In addition to the Taawaki Inn, HTEDC also owns the Muyawki Inn in the Village of Oak Creek, the Hopi Cultural Center Motel at Second Mesa, shopping centers in Flagstaff and a medical building in Payson, according to Smiley.

The Clarkdale location was chosen because of the large influx of tourists in the Verde Valley and Sedona areas.

“The hotel on the reservation is a healthy hotel, but it doesn’t have the tourism that we are anticipating that will come to this hotel simply because of its location,” she said.

The corporation hopes that with success at the Clarkdale location, visitors might then become interested in exploring other opportunities on the Hopi reservation.

“We’re going to be working on some programming to get tourists up to the reservation, some type of package agreement,” she said.

HTEDC’s mission is to create and harness an economic environment that will blossom, by securing resources and providing the guidance and training that allows Hopi Tribe members to prosper and preserve their homeland and culture.

The federal government allows Native Tribes to set up corporations that can create commercial economic development both on and off the reservation, Smiley said.

“The federal government told Native American tribes they could create what they call Section 17 corporations,” she said. “What that means is we are allowed to do economic development on behalf of the tribe on and off-reservation. We have our own board of directors, we have our own bylaws and we are chartered through the Secretary of the Interior.”

The Hopi tribe is the sole shareholder, but they act independently of the tribe. The assets and liabilities are their own, Smiley said.

“The purpose of the corporation is to create revenue for the tribe and create jobs for the tribe,” she said. “We try to expand into various avenues of business so the tribe will always have some type of income coming from us.”

For this project, the corporation purchased the land and is paying for the hotel, but the revenue made from the hotel will be combined with the other revenues of HTEDC properties.

“We give dividend checks to the tribe, based on how we do,” she said.

The tribe has experience with hotels after purchasing the Muyawki Inn in Oak Creek, but this will be the first new construction of a hotel off the Hopi reservation and new ground for the tribe.

“The hotel is our first big venture into building something,” she said. “We’ve never built something from the ground up.”

Birdsprings Chapter members treading water as they wait for flood relief

Wendy Howell — Tue, 02 May 2023 15:14:00 -0700

BIRDSPRINGS, Ariz. — Federal emergency funds are on the way to the Navajo Nation and it cannot come soon enough for the residents of the Birdsprings Chapter and the community of Chinle.

Severe winter storms rolled through the Navajo and Hopi communities earlier this year, dropping heavy snow which resulted in flooding and severely damaged roads. Birdsprings and Chinle were just two communities heavily impacted.

The Birdsprings area began to experience flooding in mid-March, and on April 21, when a berm breached, flooding also began wreaking havoc on Chinle residents living along Chinle Wash.

Since the flooding began, resources have been deployed from the Navajo Nation, including Navajo Division of Transportation, Navajo Engineering Construction Authority, IHS, Apache County, Rubicon, American Red Cross, Navajo Technical University, and the Chinle and the Birdsprings chapters, according to the Navajo Nation President's Office.

A Jan. 19 state of emergency declaration by the Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management remains in effect to address the on-going need for resources, and on April 11, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for the Navajo Nation and ordered federal aid to supplement tribal efforts.

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President did not respond to a request for comment about how the funds will be used, but President Buu Nygren said in a social media post that his office is working to assist flooding efforts and “has spared no expense or equipment to help Chinle residents affected by flood waters from overflow released by Wheatfields Lake and Tsaile Lake.”

In the Birdsprings community, which lies north of Winslow and east of Leupp on the Navajo Nation, flooding this year has been extreme.

“Our house is flooded, and the other houses behind us are flooded,” said Birdsprings resident Brittany Taylor. “The water is coming down and creating islands. Portions of the houses are deteriorating and we’re afraid they could collapse with more water.”

The water is coming from watersheds to the east of the community, said Mitzi Begay, Birdsprings Chapter secretary-treasurer.

“Within two to three days our area completely flooded, and nobody was prepared for it,” she said.

According to data in the 2021 Navajo Nation Long-range Transportation Plan, there are 16,317 miles of road on the Navajo Nation. Of those miles, just 14 percent, or 2,284 miles are paved leaving the remaining 14,032 miles to become swampy bogs in the spring and violent washboards in the summer.

There are approximately 100 homes in the Birdsprings area, which is situated in the southwestern portion of the Navajo Nation. The chapter land base is divided by the Little Colorado River that flows to the northwest.

Begay said there are roughly 28 homes along State Route 99 that are routinely impacted by flooding.

“Some do live on higher ground, but when the Little Colorado floods, they don’t have a way to get out,” she said. “So our staff has been busy delivering hay and firewood, because the weather’s still been cold.”

Begay said approximately 95 percent of the residents of Birdsprings do not have indoor plumbing or electricity.

“So firewood is a big thing,” she said. “Sometimes with the flooding they lose their firewood and their livestock are stuck in one place. So we try to get them hay, feed and water, which is very difficult.”

Begay said the Birdsprings area experienced approximately 10 flooding events last year when the monsoons began in the summer.

“The only difference between that to now is that after those floodings the waters would recede within maybe three to five days and we were able to repair the roads and families were able to get home,” she said. “This time we’re going into almost two months now.”

Begay said maintenance crews from Navajo Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have returned to the area, after being setback earlier because the area was constantly flooding.

“They just completely stopped at one point because it washed out the road again, it’s just frustrating because the water runs directly toward those homes that are in the area,” she said.

One of the problems with the flooding in Birdsprings is an area bridge that exacerbates the flooding in the area.

“All of Birdsprings is in a flooding area,” Begay said. “When the bridge was first built, it was fine and it didn’t look as low as it does now. But like any river, the sediment flows and it now settles there and meets the bottom of the bridge.”

Begay said debris flows down to the bridge creating a dam.

“Now no matter how much NDOT or BIA cleans the bridge out, it still happens year after year,” Begay said. “And now the water is finding a new path. It doesn’t even go directly where its supposed to with the Little Colorado River on to Leupp and then Grand Falls. Now it has found a path to the residences.”

Begay said the Army Corps of Engineers has funding for an assessment to be done about the bridge, but is awaiting direction from the Navajo Nation. Begay said they are considering levees or berms to redirect the river.

“That bridge is a huge issue,” she said. “We have refrigerators, we have tires, we have dead animals, we have huge logs. All this trash, ice chests, helium tanks, even commodes, and they just block off the bridge, she said.”

The Navajo Nation is held in trust for the Navajo people. On the Navajo Nation, land ownership is understood by each family and the community. The ownership is passed down matrilineally through each family. A homesite lease, allocated by the Navajo tribal government, gives property rights to families living on the Navajo Nation.

“With the Navajo Nation, everything depends on homesite leases,” she said. “Some family members aren’t allowing other family members to get homesite leases, and this is a problem when they ask for assistance from the Navajo Nation government.”

Begay said it’s a challenge to live in the Birdsprings area, but the community has ties with the area since generations of families have lived there.

“I’m not going anywhere because that’s where my great-grandparents live,” she said. “That’s where our grazing permits are and homesite leases.”

Begay said when the flooding began, the Birdsprings Chapter had to purchase a boat to access some of the residents in the area.

“The water was just flowing down the road, and it’s actually really strong and can knock you off your feet,” she said. “I know of several homes that have water and mud inside and now their floors and walls are damaged with mold starting to creep up the drywall. Some residents are having to put pallets down so they can move their furniture, their beds, and their tables off the floor so they don’t get soaked. Many people don’t have trucks or vehicles to move their property out of their homes.”

Begay said she also is concerned about the community’s drinking water.

“Last year it got really bad, so we contacted Winslow Indian Health Care and the EPA came out to test the river water,” she said. “They said there was nothing harmful, but when you walked into homes there was a distinct smell.”

Begay said she has been grateful for emergency assistance from Coconino and Navajo counties, Navajo Emergency Management, Army Corps of Engineers and others.

“A lot of our residents have health issues and some are diabetic and need their medicine refrigerated,” she said. “So when their generators run out of gas that’s a whole other problem again.”

AI Market Impact Gets Real and Fast; Here's How and Where

Martin Baccardax — Tue, 02 May 2023 13:44:41 -0700

Artificial intelligence is here and growing fast, putting jobs at risk and posing a complicated challenge for executives and policymakers. Updated at 9:54 am EST Artificial Intelligence is starting to have a significant impact on U.S. companies as the technology, which seemed to enter the market's consciousness only earlier this year, accelerates its relentless advance. AI, as it's more commonly known, uses a combination of algorithms that access large language models and datasets that enable it to mimic human intelligence and decision-making. ChatGPT, an AI-powered search tool developed by OpenAI and recently embedded into Microsoft's (MSFT) - Get Free Report Bing, is the most well-known, although Alphabet's Google, (GOOGL) - Get Free Report Yahoo (APO) - Get Free Report and China's Baidu (BIDU) - Get Free Report have all harnessed AI techniques to enhance their search platforms. The adoption of AI, however, is now moving quickly beyond online search and into broader sections of the global economy, raising concern about the pace of its advance and its impact on jobs and growth over the coming years. Nvidia CEO Huang: Inflection Point for AINvidia (NVDA) - Get Free Report CEO Jensen Huang, in fact, has outed the potential of the $600 billion market for AI chips amid what the company called an "inflection point" for the world's fastest-developing technology. Nvidia earlier this year unveiled a new AI supercomputer, known as Nvidia DGX, that enables business customers to access AI-related technology through cloud-computing providers such as Microsoft and Oracle (ORCL) - Get Free Report. The move essentially creates a new market for AI-as-a-service to thousands of companies worldwide. That ability to address the new AI investment explosion, sparked in part by the unveiling of the ChatGPT chatbot earlier this year, could put Nvidia in a leadership position within a market that could be valued at more than $600 billion, Huang told investors in late February. Gartner, the management consultancy group, predicts so-called generative AI will account for around 10% of all data produced by the year 2025, up from just 1% in 2021. Analysts at KGI see this as adding between $5 billion and $6 billion to Nvidia's top-line revenue within the next three years. Chegg Feels the Impact of AIChegg (CHGG) - Get Free Report, the U.S. educational-technology company that specializes in online textbooks, tutoring and other academic services, warned late Monday that it's observed a "significant spike in student interest in ChatGPT" That's already "having an impact on our new customer growth rate," the company said. As a result the group forecast weaker-than-expected second-quarter revenue of between $175 million and $178 million, and investors hammered the stock in premarket trading. The concern is that students will lean on free-to-use ChatGPT over paid-for services such as online tutoring and text books. The company put on a brave face, with CEO Dan Rosensweig telling investors that Chegg is in the "best position to take advantage of the advancements in AI for the benefit of students." But its shares were last seen 45.6% lower in early Tuesday trading and changing hands at $9.58 each, while shares of larger education rival Pearson (PSO) - Get Free Report slumped 12% to $9.64 each, a move that would mark their biggest single-day decline since October of 2021. International Business Machines (IBM) - Get Free Report CEO Arvind Krishna, meanwhile, suggested late Monday that the tech group is planning to pause hiring in some of its automated functions, with the aim of ultimately replacing thousands of jobs with AI technology over the coming years. Krishna told Bloomberg Television said he would slow hiring in human resources and certain back-office areas of the tech group, adding that around a third of the group's 26,000 non-customer facing roles could be "easily" replaced by AI and automation over the next five years. AI: Troubling Portent for Companies, LegislatorsThat could prove troubling from both an employment and policy perspective, given that IBM last year lobbied Congress hard to accelerate the passage of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors, or CHIPS, Act. The law earmarked $52 billion in taxpayer support to help develop an American-based chip-supply chain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called AI "one of the fastest moving, and most consequential industries across the globe," said last month he's working on a new regulatory regime for AI. That framework would "prevent potentially catastrophic damage to our country while simultaneously making sure the U.S. advances and leads in this transformative technology," the New York Democrat said. AI's rapid adoption, alongside the ethical and economic concerns that it raises, prompted a statement earlier this week from the G-7. Ministers responsible for digital economies meeting in Takasaki, Japan, last weekend said that while AI technology should be allowed an "open and enabling environment," it needed a "risk-based" approach to rule and regulations that would ultimately ensure a "trustworthy" system. "We plan to convene future G7 discussions on generative AI which could include topics such as governance, how to safeguard intellectual property rights including copyright, promote transparency, address disinformation" including information manipulation by foreign forces," the G-7 statement said. Get exclusive access to portfolio managers and their proven investing strategies with Real Money Pro. Get started now.

Uber Soars As Ride-Sharing Group Mulls Dividends, Buybacks After Record Q1 Cash Flows

Martin Baccardax — Tue, 02 May 2023 13:06:47 -0700

"Over the next few quarters, we will evaluate returning excess capital to shareholders as our cash flows ramp," said CFO Nelson Chai. Updated at 9:45 am EST Uber Technologies (UBER) - Get Free Report shares surged higher Tuesday after the ride-sharing and delivery firm posted a narrower-than-expected first quarter loss and said improving cash flows could give allow it to return capital to investors over the coming months. Uber said revenues for the three months ending in March rose 29% from last year to $8.82 billion, narrowly topping Street forecasts of an $8.72 billion tally, as gross bookings rose 19% to $31.4 billion. Rides revenues were up 72% to $4.33 billion, Uber said, while delivery rose 23% to $3.09 billion. Record cash flows, however, might be the standout figure from Tuesday's earnings release, with operating cash flows of $606 million and an all-time best in free cash flows of $549 million - an increase of nearly $600 million from the same period last year. Both tallies, in fact, were strong enough for CFO Nelson Chai to suggest that Uber, which has been operating at a loss since it was founded in 2009 and only posted its first quarterly profit last May, could considering buying back some of its shares, or even paying a dividend, as its business growth advances. "Over the next few quarters, we will evaluate returning excess capital to shareholders as our cash flows ramp, and with any potential further monetization of our equity stakes over the long term," Chai told investors in Uber's quarterly letter to shareholders. "We believe that our approach will position us to have the lowest cost of capital relative to our competitors, serving as a significant competitive advantage and allowing us to continue to grow our scale and platform advantages over the long run." Uber shares were marked 6.6% higher in early trading, against a 0.4% decline for the S&P 500, to change hands at $34.98 each, a move that would extend the stock's year-to-date advance to around 43%. Uber's adjusted earnings for the quarter were $761 million, the highest on record, while its basic loss per share narrowed to 8 cents from last year loss of $3.03 per share. Looking into the three months ending in June, Uber said it sees adjusted earnings of between between $800 million and $850 million, topping the Refinitv forecast of around $750 million, with gross bookings pegged between $33 billion and $34 billion. "Our robust outlook for Q2 extends our track record of delivering strong growth and profitability," said CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. "As the operating environment adjusts to a period of tighter capital availability and higher interest rates, we are well positioned to improve our competitive position across our key markets."

JPMorgan Chase or PNC May Buy First Republic Bank

Luc Olinga — Mon, 01 May 2023 07:53:12 -0700

The two big banks have reportedly submitted bids to acquire the struggling Californian firm. The winner will be named on May 1. This will be the third failure of a U.S. bank in less than two months. First Republic Bank is expected to be sold to a major bank on May 1. The San Francisco, Calif.-based bank would then become the second-largest bank failure in the United States after Washington Mutual in 2008. According to the Wall Street Journal, JPMorgan Chase and PNC Financial Services Group submitted bids on Sunday morning to acquire the troubled Californian bank in a sale led by the government, and more specifically the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The federal regulator went back to the bidders with questions in the evening. The winner should be named this Monday, May 1 before the opening of Wall Street, the newspaper reported. Exodus of Wealthy ClientsFirst Republic Bank (FRC) - Get Free Report had $233 billion in assets at the end of the first quarter. Its failure comes after that of Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB) - Get Free Report on March 10 and Signature Bank in New York (SBNY) - Get Free Report on March 12. These last two banks are respectively the third and fourth biggest bank failures in the US. The failure of First Republic Republic also comes after the bank has lost more than 90% of its stock market value since the collapse of SVB. Last week, its stock price was down 75.4%. The FRB stock went from $14.26 on Apr. 21 to $3.51 on April 28. It is a stock market bloodbath. The firm has been a victim of its business model, which consists of collecting large deposits from rich clients and paying little or no interest on them. The bank, in turn, offered low-interest mortgages to those very some customers. The strategy worked for a very long time. But when the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates to fight stubborn inflation, this business model showed its limits. Customers began to panic and rushed to withdraw their funds. What also fuels the panic is that the FDIC guarantees deposits up to $250,000 only. Basically, all individuals with more than $250,000 in their accounts would lose anything above the FDIC threshold if the bank defaulted. FRB said this week that deposits fell 41% to $104.5 billion in the first quarter. The drop was much larger than analysts had expected. They had estimated that deposits would fall to $136.7 billion during the first three months of the year. The bank said it filled the $100 billion hole left by depositors with expensive loans from the Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank. Basically, First Republic Bank would earn less on its loans than it was paying to borrow. First Republic Bank TriedThis development has revived a ghost. At the end of 2022, First Republic Bank had a ratio of 111% of loans and long-term investments to deposits, according to S&P Global. Basically, the bank has loaned and invested more money than it has in deposits, subjecting it to liquidity risk. "We are working to decrease our loan balances to correspond with our reduced reliance on uninsured deposits. We are doing so by moderating our loan volumes and we are focusing on originating loans to sell in the secondary market," chief executive officer Mike Roffler told analysts during the first quarter earnings' call on April 24. Roffler also tried to reassure investors by asserting that First Republic Bank had $45.1 billion of available unused borrowing capacity and cash on hand as of April 21. "This available liquidity is more than 2 times our uninsured deposits. Excluding the $30 billion of uninsured deposits received from the large banks," the chief executive said, referring to the $30 billion in deposits made last month to First Republic Bank by a coalition of 11 U.S. banks, to shore up its liquidity as it was facing a run. The statements failed to reassure investors. It is not certain that a takeover of First Republic Bank by a big bank can put an end to the banking crisis. After saving SVB and Signature Bank in New York in March, regulators had hoped that this extraordinary action would restore calm, but fear of contagion remained and shifted to First Republic Bank, which had a similar profile to that of SVB. In addition, the sale of First Republic Bank to a big bank is also likely to cause an outcry in Washington, especially among Democrats who want to limit concentration and prevent the big banks from becoming even bigger.

McDonald's Puts Something On the Menu Burger King, Wendy's Lack

Daniel Kline — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 13:48:22 -0700

The fast-food giant has a bold plan that's bigger than any Mac and more special than even its Special Sauce. McDonald's had a stunning quarter, not just in the U.S. but globally. In fact, the numbers were so good that Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski was somewhere between exuberant and playful when he shared the numbers during the company's first-quarter-earnings call. "What's notable about this earnings call is McDonald's consistency, consistency in the strength of our numbers, consistency in the powerful drivers of our business, and consistency in the excitement that exists across the system about the opportunities that lie in front of us," he said during the call. "Let's start with the numbers. At the top line, you only need to know one number, 12.6%. U.S. comparable sales, 12.6%, IOM comparable sales, 12.6%, IDL comparable sales, 12.6%, and global comparable sales, you guessed it, 12.6%." DON'T MISS: McDonald's Courts a New Coke-Level Menu Disaster Those numbers are incredible when you consider that McDonald's put up its big numbers without major discounts. Restaurant Brands International's (QSR) - Get Free Report Burger King grew comparable sales by 8.4% globally, while the global figure at Wendy's (WEN) - Get Free Report was 6.4%, with a 5.9% increase in the U.S. McDonald's (MCD) - Get Free Report had some deals, but Wendy's relied on its 4 for $4, $5 Biggie Bag and its 2 for $6 deals, while Burger King heavily advertised its $6 Your Way offer. McDonald's has a big edge over its two chief rivals that it has been able to build globally. A person looks at the McDonald's app. McDonald's/TheStreet McDonald's Has a Major EdgeMcDonald's understood the importance of building out its digital operations well before its rivals did. That's why the company took the painful steps to force its franchisees to embrace a digital-first approach built around delivery and drive-through. During the call the chain's chief financial officer, Ian Borden, explained just how well that has worked. "MyMcDonald's Rewards is yet another example of how we've tapped into our marketing engine to deploy our loyalty platform throughout the system," the executive said. "Now in 50 markets, loyalty is building even stronger relationships with our customers, and the results continue to shine. In our top six markets, digital sales now represent almost 40% of systemwide sales, or nearly $7.5 billion, growth of more than 30% over the last year." McDonald's' digital-membership numbers are particularly strong when you compare them with Starbucks (SBUX) - Get Free Report, the company generally considered the pioneer of app-based loyalty rewards programs and mobile order and pay. Starbucks, which reports only U.S. loyalty program members, ended its most-recent quarter with more than 30 million active rewards members. Across its top six markets, McDonald's has an even bigger membership base. "We have nearly 50 million, 90-day active members across these top markets, and our relationship with them continues to grow. We're learning when they visit, how they visit, and what they buy," Borden added. Why Are Rewards Members a Big Edge Over Burger King and Wendy's?Most McDonald's promotions have been run through its app. The company has avoided most traditional promotions and discounting and instead has run major app-based events like its "Summer Camp" promotion. Wendy's and Burger King have been trying to do the same thing, but they are well behind their rival. In addition, McDonald's has been using data from its app to make other decisions. "With more and more of our sales coming through identified channels than ever before, we're also continuing to improve our customers' mobile-app experience with new initiatives that provide a more seamless interaction. The U.S. market, for example, is piloting a new way of ordering through our app," the CFO shared.. Essentially, McDonald's has so much data from its customers that it can almost see the future. "Using existing location data, it allows our crew to start assembling a customer's order prior to their arrival at the restaurant, ultimately delivering hot, fresh food when customers arrive to pick up their order," Borden added. That's not unlike the technology Amazon (AMZN) - Get Free Report uses in its warehouses to begin packing orders before they're even placed. Data like these enable McDonald's to be more efficient in all areas. Yes, it can get you your food faster, but that's only a piece of it as the data also help the company manage inventory and labor. Get investment guidance from trusted portfolio managers without the management fees. Sign up for Action Alerts PLUS now.

Dave Ramsey Has Frank Words About a Big Home Buying Mistake to Avoid

Jeffrey Quiggle — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 02:35:54 -0700

"I'm begging you not to do that," the radio host says. Personal Finance personality Dave Ramsey doesn't mince his words when it comes to giving advice. Some of the biggest decisions people make financially involve those around buying a home. DON'T MISS: Dave Ramsey Has Blunt Advice on Buying a Car the Smart Way For example, a caller identifying herself as Tina in Fort Lauderdale recently talked with Ramsey about her ideas about purchasing a new house. "My question is around using a HELOC (home equity line of credit) to put 20% down on a new home," Tina said. The conversation was captured on YouTube. "Nope," Ramsey immediately replied. "And then selling the current home right after closing on the new home," Tina continued. "Oh, that home. I got confused," Ramsey said. "So you're going to close on another property before yours closes. That's pretty dangerous." "What happens if it doesn't close?" he asked. "You got two house payments. You know what you're gonna become after that? We call them a motivated seller who sells their house cheap because they get stuck." Arriving at what he seemed to think was the logical conclusion to this line of reasoning, Ramsey had a straightforward piece of advice. "We're gonna close on the second one after that the first one closes," he said. "Then we use cash." Tina offered a bit more personal history on her past experience buying and selling houses. "I just did that on my second real estate property now," she said. "When I sold the first home to get into this new home that I live in now. It was very stressful for me to not have anywhere to live in the interim. Ramsey had a blunt response. "You know what's more stressful?" he asked. "Two house payments." "I guess my idea of doing it that way is because, the sale that I did just now, it was really stressful for me, the move." Tina explained. "I was, 'I need to find a home, where am I going to live?' I would have preferred to be able to secure a home for me first." The radio host suggested a solution to that challenge. "So write a contract on the property you're purchasing, contingent on the sale of yours and set the closings up on the same day," Ramsey said. "But if your current house doesn't close, you don't close on the new one. "Because you're going to end up with two house payments in a market that has slowed down with higher interest rates," he added. "And you're going to be calling me two years from now going, 'I've done the dumbest thing. I've got two house payments and it's killing me. Can you help me Dave?'" Tina had another issue on her mind as well. "Aside from that," she said, "I could take out a HELOC enough to pay for the home in cash, because I have enough equity in my current home. Ramsey voiced some immediate dissatisfaction with the idea of taking out a home equity loan. "Sell your stinking house and move, and quit talking to me about stress," he said. "You're trading one kind of stress for another, because you don't perceive the risk." "After 30 years of doing what I do, I've seen people step into it up to their knees and I'm begging you not to do that." Get exclusive access to portfolio managers and their proven investing strategies with Real Money Pro. Get started now.

Disney Cuts Are Bad News for a Huge Fan Event

Kirk O’Neil — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 01:50:37 -0700

Disney World and Disneyland might be the only magical and happy places in the Disney universe since the company began layoffs. Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom's motto has been "The Most Magical Place on Earth," while Disneyland has always been known as "The Happiest Place on Earth." And for employees of those theme parks, the benefits they receive are better than what a typical employer offers. Sure, there are the medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits, as well as paid time off. But they also receive discounts on select hotels, dining, merchandise and recreation locations. The most coveted benefit for Disney park employees might be complimentary theme park admission, and three guest passes for dependents, for full-time and part-time positions after two weeks of employment. The Disney World and Disneyland theme parks might be the only magical and happy places in the Disney universe, however, since CEO Bob Iger on March 27 emailed employees informing them of the beginning of layoffs that he had talked about in February. Image source: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Disney Layoffs Part of Strategic AlignmentIger portrayed the reduction of 7,000 jobs as "part of a strategic alignment of the company, including important cost-saving measures necessary for creating a more effective, coordinated and streamlined approach to our business." The initial round of layoffs that began in March, Iger said, would be smaller than a larger round in April, which finally came on April 24. Iger had a message for those employees who manage to survive the hatchet. "For our employees who aren't impacted, I want to acknowledge that there will no doubt be challenges ahead as we continue building the structures and functions that will enable us to be successful moving forward. I ask for your continued understanding and collaboration during this time," Iger wrote. While employees of Disney's theme parks are not expected to be affected by the company's massive layoffs, major events sponsored by the company will be affected. Disney's D23, the official fan club of the company, is expected to have significant staff reduction, according to Deadline. The fan club, which was founded in 2009, stages biennial events -- D23 Expo fan confab conference in Anaheim, Calif., and Destination D23 in Lake Buena Vista, which are presented in alternating years. D23 Expo was last held Sept. 9-12, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center, while the next Destination D23 event will be held Sept. 8-10, 2023, at Disney's Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. This year's version of Destination D23 will celebrate 100 years of the Walt Disney Co. The company will also make special announcements and present sneak previews of upcoming projects at the event. There may also be appearances by some special celebrity guests. Disney Laying Off 25% of D23 WorkersThe bad news for D23 is Disney plans to lay off up to 25% of the division's staff and possibly restructure its organization. The layoffs are part a second round of the company's plan to layoff 7,000 employees and cut $5.5 billion in spending at the company. The company will have laid off 4,000 workers by the end of the week, reports say. The second round of Disney layoffs have impacted many of its TV and film divisions, including 20th Television, ABC, ABC Signature, Disney+, Disney Branded Entertainment, Disney TV Animation, Freeform, Hulu, Walt Disney Television Alternative and Searchlight, with Disney Television Studios marketing and first-run syndication getting dissolved and a number of areas being consolidated, Deadline said.

Elon Musk Takes a Clear Stand on a Difficult and Controversial Topic

Jeffrey Quiggle — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 23:47:09 -0700

"This is super messed up," the billionaire says. Making public statements on controversial positions has never been something from which Tesla (TSLA) - Get Free Report owner and CEO Elon Musk shies away. Now he is wading into more rough waters in a sea of sensitivity. DON'T MISS: Elon Musk Claims AI Is Being Trained in a Dangerous Way That Could Affect Its Users The billionaire, who also owns Twitter, replied to a tweet posted by user @ZubyMusic about an unfortunate incident in which an 18-year-old reportedly died following complex gender-change surgery. "This is super messed up," Musk wrote. "Mature, consenting adults should do as they wish, so long as they do not harm anyone else, but this child was too young for any kind of consent." Writer and social media personality Brian Krassenstein replied to Musk's comment with a tweet of his own. I completely understand the argument here. With that said, isn't an 18-year-old a "consenting adult?" I think the whole Trans debate gets blown out of proportion from both sides. Democrats merely believe that parents, along with doctors and psychologists should have the right to decide what is best for these often-depressed, sometimes suicidal mid-late teens, rather than the Federal or state government. Every case is different and every teenager is different. Research has shown that providing puberty blockers to those over a certain age (usually reversible) can have a significant impact on depression and suicide rates. Hormone treatment and puberty blockers can actually save lives. I understand that those away from the issue believe some of the more extreme incidents represent the norm, but that's not the case. I would rather listen to some of the best psychologists and doctors out there if it was my kid, rather than a politician who is politicizing it for their own gain. Musk clarified his position in a subsequent tweet responding to Krassenstein. "What research?" Musk asked. "Every child goes through an identity crisis, but leaping to a permanent solution that sterilizes them for life before they could possibly consent for themselves is wrong. Plain and simple." Musk then pointed to some published research that he said showed increased suicide among transexuals. "Comprehensive study in Sweden shows increased suicide," he wrote. "Death for sex-reassigned persons was higher than for controls of same birth sex, particularly death from suicide. They also had increased risk for suicide attempts and psychiatric inpatient care." Krassenstein again replied, this time by explaining what he believes to be the problem with that study. He added a link to a Cureus study that he says contains a more accurate portrayal of the data. So here's the issue with this study, as I interpret it. It has been shown that Transgender teens are often up to 200-300% more likely to be diagnosed with depression and also 600-700% more likely to consider suicide than the general populace. The study you present appears to compare transgender individuals, who have transitioned, to that of the general populace as a control. So if you have an individual who is already 2-3X as likely to be depressed and 6-7X as likely to be suicidal, before transitioning, they can still continue to have higher rates than the control group post-transition, even though those rates dropped for them personally. What the study should have looked at is a comparison between transitioned transgender individuals and non-transitioned transgender individuals. Here's a newer study which does that. "73.3% of the sample reported a history of suicidal ideation; this percentage dropped to 43.4% following the initiation of gender-affirming treatment. Prior to treatment initiation". Also feel free to community-notes me if I am reading either study incorrectly! Get exclusive access to portfolio managers and their proven investing strategies with Real Money Pro. Get started now.