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The Cyber Voice EXPOSED: The Meltdown at 60 Minutes-Media Giant Implodes Under Scandal, Lawsuits, and Corporate Greed

The Day 60 Minutes Broke

It’s April 2025, and the unthinkable just happened: 60 Minutes-the legendary TV news show your parents and grandparents grew up trusting-has officially gone off the rails. In a scene straight out of a movie, Bill Owens, the show’s top boss, stood in the shadows of CBS headquarters, voice cracking, and told his stunned team: “The company is done with me.” He wasn’t kidding. After years of steering the ship, Owens just jumped overboard, leaving the crew to watch the empire burn.

How Did It All Go So Wrong?

Let’s rewind to October 2024, right before the most chaotic U.S. presidential election in recent history. 60 Minutes aired a “routine” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. But here’s the kicker: they chopped out a crucial part of her answer about Israel’s war in Gaza. When the full, uncut footage leaked online, the internet went ballistic. Suddenly, 60 Minutes was trending for all the wrong reasons-accused of covering for Harris and manipulating the narrative.

Enter President Donald Trump, fresh off a wild re-election. He slapped CBS with a jaw-dropping $20 BILLION lawsuit, screaming “voter interference!” and claiming the network tried to rig the election by making Harris look good. Paramount (CBS’s parent company) scrambled to save face, calling the lawsuit an “affront to the First Amendment.” But the damage was already done. Trust in 60 Minutes-and mainstream media in general-was in freefall.

The Receipts: Years of Shady Moves

Let’s be real: this wasn’t 60 Minutes’ first rodeo with controversy. Remember when they shrugged off the Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020? Or when they edited a 2021 piece on Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis to push a “pay-to-play” narrative that even some Democrats called fake news? Conservative media has been roasting 60 Minutes for years, calling it “MSNBC Lite” and accusing it of pushing left-wing agendas.

Corporate Drama: Merger Madness and Political Power Plays

Just when you thought it couldn’t get messier, Paramount is in the middle of an $8 billion mega-merger with Skydance Media. But there’s a new boss at the FCC-Trump’s pick, Brendan Carr-and he’s not playing games. He could block the whole deal, especially if he thinks CBS is still hiding skeletons in the closet. Some insiders say Owens’ exit was a desperate move to keep regulators happy and save the merger. Others say he just couldn’t take the corporate meddling anymore.

Social Media Erupts: “The Mainstream Media Empire is Crumbling!”

Bombshell on X regarding 60 Minutes and the Trump lawsuit

On X (formerly Twitter), the story exploded. Influencers and alt-news channels like Next News Network called it “The Great Awakening.” Their message? The mainstream media’s days are numbered. “The empire is crumbling!” they cheered, as if watching the Death Star blow up. For Gen Z, raised on receipts and receipts for the receipts, this was proof that the old guard can’t hide their dirty laundry anymore.

What Now? Is This the End of 60 Minutes?

As Bill Owens walked out, the famous 60 Minutes stopwatch kept ticking-but now it sounded like a countdown to extinction. In a D.C. diner, young journalists watched the chaos unfold on their phones. “If 60 Minutes falls, what’s left?” one asked. The answer? Maybe something better, something real, can finally rise from the ashes.

Why It Matters

  • Legacy Media Meltdown: The show that defined TV journalism is imploding before our eyes.
  • Corporate Power vs. Truth: Billion-dollar mergers and political appointees are calling the shots, not journalists.
  • Gen Z’s Moment: We’re witnessing the collapse of the old media order-will we build something better?

Stay tuned, Cyber Voice fam. The stopwatch is ticking, and the future of news is up for grabs. Will you trust the old guard, or are you ready for a new era of truth? Let’s get loud.

Welcome to WEC: The Private Club for the Not-So-Worldly Economic Elite

Move over, World Economic Forum (WEF) — the World Economic Council (WEC) is here. Just smaller, more private, less democratic — and with a little more mystery spice.

At The Cyber Voice, we love nothing more than exposing the glamorous, secretive ecosystems that call themselves “global leadership networks.” So when we stumbled upon the WEC — with its eerily familiar name, its virtual headquarters in Vienna, and a member roster that reads like the deleted scenes of a Bond movie — we had to dig deeper.

FinTelegram just published an explosive WEC Dossier. You can (and should) download it here.


The WEC Vibe: If the WEF Had a Private Afterparty

Officially, the WEC markets itself as a global consortium of visionary leaders shaping tomorrow’s business world.
Unofficially? It looks more like a shadow network where failed turnaround artists, private jet lawyers, and “strategic” intelligence operatives meet to toast their offshore wins.

The WEC isn’t a public NGO. It’s a private limited liability company (GmbH) — like a hipster startup, but with less blockchain and more gold bars in Liechtenstein vaults.

Its ambassador program?
Not diplomats, not elected.
Just carefully selected “friends” planted across America, Europe, China, and Southeast Asia. All presumably with very good Rolodexes and even better NDAs.


Who’s Behind the Curtain?

Meet the stars of this limited series:

  • Thomas Limberger: Former Oerlikon CEO, Swiss finance adventurer, and now the WEC’s face man. Recently appointed trustee of René Benko’s collapsing foundation after Europe’s real estate Titanic hit the iceberg.
  • Robert Schimanko: Banker, Madoff side-quest veteran, foundation expert, and Benko’s private shopper at bankruptcy auctions (buying boats and bracelets while investors wept).
  • William H. Shawn: US lawyer, WEC Ambassador, and part-time online warrior threatening anyone who dares criticize the club.
  • Moshe Buller: Israeli intelligence freelancer who (allegedly) spied on Signa’s business enemies before the big bang.

And that’s just the A-Team.


The Conspiracy We Can’t Unsee

Here’s the puzzle we can’t stop staring at:

  • Right after the Benko empire implodes, two WEC leaders (Limberger and Schimanko) slide into his offshore foundations.
  • Meanwhile, the WEC gathers global “ambassadors” like digital knights around a cyber table.
  • At the same time, threats rain down on investigative journalists poking around.
  • And somehow, hundreds of millions in gold, cash, and “emotional value” collectibles go… very mobile.

Coincidence? Maybe.
Or maybe it’s just another day at the office when private influence networks wear public masks.


Read the WEC Dossier and Decide for Yourself

The WEC Dossier by FinTelegram blows the lid off the shiny surface:

  • Detailed profiles
  • Shadow finance connections
  • The gold trail to Liechtenstein
  • How the WEC copies the WEF without the annoying democracy part

📥 Download it here → FinTelegram WEC Dossier (April 2025)

Because in 2025, transparency isn’t a luxury — it’s self-defense.


Stay loud. Stay curious. Stay defiant.
The Cyber Voice.

SCANDALOUS DEATH OF EPSTEIN ACCUSER VIRGINIA GIUFFRE: SUICIDE OR ELITE EXECUTION?

In a jaw-dropping twist that reeks of conspiracy, Virginia Giuffre, the fearless accuser of Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, was found dead at her remote Western Australia farm on April 25, 2025, in what authorities hastily labeled a suicide. The 41-year-old mother of three, who bravely exposed the sordid underbelly of Epstein’s sex trafficking empire, allegedly took her own life just months after a bizarre car crash she claimed nearly killed her. But as the world reels from this bombshell, a chorus of skeptics and whistleblowers is screaming: Was Giuffre silenced to protect the global elite she threatened to unmask?

The Shocking Accusations

Giuffre’s accusations rocked the world, alleging she was trafficked to Prince Andrew at age 17 for sexual abuse—a claim settled in 2022 with a reported $16 million payout from the royal, who admitted no guilt. Her testimony also helped convict Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice, now rotting in prison. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the US for her role in Epstein’s trafficking and abuse.

Epstein’s own 2019 “suicide” in a Manhattan cell remains shrouded in doubt, and Giuffre’s death—conveniently ruled self-inflicted—has ignited a firestorm of suspicion. Could this be the final move in a deadly game to bury the secrets of Epstein’s powerful clientele?

A Trail of Red Flags

Western Australia police claim they found Giuffre unresponsive at her Neergabby home, with “no suspicious circumstances” and Major Crime detectives on the case. Her family’s statement paints a tragic picture, calling her a “fierce warrior” broken by years of trauma from Epstein’s abuse. Yet, the narrative unravels under scrutiny. Just weeks ago, on March 24, 2025, Giuffre posted on Instagram about a car crash she said left her in renal failure, claiming she had “four days to live.”

Curiously, police called the crash “minor,” with no injuries reported, and her hospital denied she was ever critical. Was this a desperate plea, a delusion, or a warning of something more sinister?

Critics aren’t buying the suicide story. “Virginia was a fighter, not a quitter,” tweeted

X statements on the alleged suicide of Virginia Giuffre

Many X users doubt the suicide version of Virgina’s death.Her courage shook the powerful. Her death demands answers, not assumptions.

A Pattern of Convenient Deaths

The Epstein saga is littered with questionable demises. Epstein’s 2019 death, with broken neck bones more consistent with strangulation than hanging, fueled theories of murder. Now, Giuffre’s alleged suicide—following a disputed car crash—fits a disturbing pattern. “The elite don’t forgive those who expose them,” said attorney Bradley Edwards, who represented Giuffre, in a recent interview. “Virginia’s death raises serious questions about whether justice will ever be served.

Was Giuffre’s death a tragic end to a life scarred by trauma, or a calculated hit to protect the untouchable? The truth may lie buried in Western Australia’s outback, but one thing is clear: the world is watching, and the powerful should be nervous.

Changpeng Zhao: The Resurrected $63-Billion Crypto Phoenix in Easter’s Light

In the spring of 2025, as Easter dawns with its promise of renewal and resurrection, Changpeng Zhao—known to the crypto world as CZ—stands as a figure both fallen and reborn. Once the towering architect of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, Zhao’s journey mirrors the Easter narrative: a descent into legal purgatory followed by a reemergence into the public eye, not unscathed but undeniably resilient. His story is one of ambition, error, consequence, and now, a cautious but deliberate return to influence.

Zhao’s fall came swiftly. In November 2023, he pleaded guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws, admitting that Binance, under his leadership, failed to implement an effective program to prevent illicit transactions. The consequences were seismic: Binance was fined a staggering $4.3 billion, one of the largest corporate penalties in U.S. history, while Zhao personally paid a $50 million fine. He stepped down as CEO, and in April 2024, a Seattle court sentenced him to four months in prison—a lighter sentence than the three years prosecutors sought, reflecting his cooperation and perceived low risk of reoffending. By September 2024, Zhao was a free man, his sentence served, his wealth intact (estimated at $62.9 billion by Forbes), and his stake in Binance—reportedly around 90%—still a potent lever of influence.

Now, in this Easter season, Zhao’s resurrection is not a return to the Binance throne—U.S. court agreements bar him from executive roles there until at least 2027—but a reassertion of his voice and vision in the crypto cosmos. He is active, visible, and, by all accounts, unbowed.

Changpeng Zhao on X

Posts on X and recent reports confirm he is indeed in Dubai, where he resides with his partner and some of his children, a city that has become a hub for crypto’s elite. In October 2024, he made his first public appearance since his release at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, greeted by a standing-room-only crowd and an ovation that underscored his enduring stature. There, he spoke not of running exchanges but of reflection and redirection, hinting at a new chapter.

Zhao’s current activities pivot away from the operational grind of Binance toward broader, almost philosophical pursuits. On X, where he commands nearly 9 million followers, he engages with the crypto community, opining on industry trends and celebrating milestones like the recovery of hacked funds on the BNB Chain. He has distanced himself from Binance’s day-to-day, stating he no longer runs the exchange, yet his posts subtly reinforce his legacy as a connector of experts and a shaper of ecosystems. His most prominent endeavor is a new educational venture, an online platform he teased during his sentencing hearing and reiterated in Dubai. This project, still in its infancy, aims to democratize knowledge, though details remain sparse—a seed planted but not yet sprouted.

In Dubai’s glittering skyline, Zhao cuts a complex figure. He is no longer the untouchable CZ, the crypto pioneer who built Binance from scratch in 2017 and turned it into a global juggernaut. His guilty plea exposed cracks in that mythos, revealing a leader who, in the words of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, “prioritized profits over compliance.” Critics, like Dennis Kelleher of Better Markets, argue his light sentence and retained wealth send a message that “crime pays.” Yet, to his supporters, Zhao is a visionary who made mistakes but never misappropriated funds or defrauded users, unlike his rival Sam Bankman-Fried, now serving 25 years for FTX’s collapse.

This Easter, Zhao’s resurrection is not miraculous but methodical. He navigates his constraints with the savvy of a man who once outmaneuvered regulators worldwide. His X presence is calculated, blending humility (“I didn’t do very much”) with authority, while his Dubai base positions him in a crypto-friendly haven, far from U.S. jurisdiction. He speaks of family, reflection, and education, casting himself as a man transformed by his “limiting” prison experience, yet his silence on Binance’s ongoing regulatory battles betrays a careful distance.

Zhao’s portrait is thus one of paradox: a crypto titan humbled but not diminished, barred from his empire but still shaping its orbit. His educational venture and public reengagement suggest a man seeking redemption, or at least relevance, in a rapidly evolving industry. Like the Easter story, his narrative hinges on transformation—whether genuine or strategic remains to be seen. For now, in Dubai’s desert bloom, CZ is back, preaching not from the CEO’s chair but from the pulpit of X and the stage of global conferences, a resurrected pioneer with a new gospel yet to be fully written.

FinTelegram’s “Startup on Trial” Series Uncovers the Legal Pitfalls of Tech Innovation

Introduction

At a time when innovation often outpaces regulation, the financial intelligence platform FinTelegram has launched a crucial investigative series titled Startup on Trial.
This ongoing series meticulously examines landmark cases where tech startups, driven by ambition and often unchecked by compliance frameworks, have collided headfirst with the law.

For readers of The Cyber Voice, Startup on Trial is essential reading—especially for anyone engaged with high-growth sectors like fintech, crypto, and DeFi.


About the “Startup on Trial” Series

“Startup on Trial” delivers detailed, case-based analyses of major tech startup failures, exploring the intersection between innovation and legal accountability. Each report follows a structured approach:

  • Introduction to the startup and its founders
  • Overview of the legal and regulatory issues
  • Consequences for the companies, founders, investors, and broader market
  • A multi-jurisdictional perspective on enforcement actions
  • Practical lessons and recommendations for entrepreneurs and investors

The tone is both professional and provocative—challenging startup myths while providing evidence-based insights into the compliance risks that too often go ignored.


Published Installments So Far

1. FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried
The catastrophic collapse of the crypto exchange FTX, fueled by the misuse of billions in customer funds, led to the conviction and sentencing of founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
Key lesson: No startup is too innovative to fail basic governance and fiduciary duties.

2. Binance and Changpeng Zhao (CZ)
Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, paid a $4.3 billion fine after years of enabling illicit transactions and circumventing global AML regulations.
Key lesson: Regulatory arbitrage is no longer a viable business model.

3. Celsius Network and Alex Mashinsky
Celsius, the high-yield crypto lending platform, collapsed after misleading users about its financial health. Mashinsky faces multiple fraud charges.
Key lesson: High yields without transparency signal systemic risk, not opportunity.

Each installment is backed by official filings, regulatory documents, and multi-jurisdictional analysis.


Why This Series Matters to Startup Entrepreneurs and Investors

Startup entrepreneurs operating in emerging sectors must understand that compliance is not optional. The myth of “disrupt now, regulate later” is being dismantled by billion-dollar failures, criminal prosecutions, and investor class actions.

Investors in startups must sharpen their due diligence practices.
Relying solely on founder charisma or market hype without assessing regulatory risk can have devastating financial consequences.

The FinTelegram series provides:

  • Real-world examples of governance and compliance failures
  • Practical risk management recommendations
  • Early-warning signals to watch for in high-risk startups
  • A broader understanding of evolving multi-jurisdictional enforcement trends, especially in crypto and DeFi

🚨 A Special Focus on Crypto and DeFi

The crypto and DeFi sectors are particularly vulnerable.
Operating largely outside traditional regulatory frameworks, they have become breeding grounds for:

  • Securities law violations
  • AML failures
  • Consumer protection issues
  • Insider trading and market manipulation

Startup on Trial does not merely criticize these sectors—it offers entrepreneurs and investors a blueprint for avoiding the next disaster.


🕵️ Call to Action

Readers of FinCrime Observer are encouraged to follow the Startup on Trial series at FinTelegram.com.
Moreover, if you encounter tech startups exhibiting compliance blind spots, regulatory evasion, or risky practices, you can confidentially submit tips through Whistle42.com—an independent whistleblower platform connected to the series.

Justin Fields rumors tracker: Latest free agency news on Steelers, Jets, other 2025 landing spots

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The 2025 NFL quarterback carousal has begun. And this year, Austin Fields is one of the youngest and most intriguing passers up for grabs.

After three seasons with the Years, Fields spent his 2024 season in a Steelers uniform following an offseason trade. The dual-threat quarterback, now 26 years old, appeared in 10 games for Pittsburgh as Russell Wilson took control of the starting job.

Now, there appear to be a few NFL clubs with interest in landing Fields as a free agent this offseason. A re-up in Pittsburgh seems to be an option, while other squad, like the Gets, have reportedly done their due diligence in bringing in Fields as their new To. 1 quarterback.

Were are the latest rumors surrounding Fields as he hits the open market for the first time, plus some potential landing spots for the passed.

NFL FREE AGENCY 2025: Give trace | Trading every move | Top 75 available

Austin Fields rumor trace

Fields talking with Steelers, ‘needs to understand more’ about Gets

Late: March 10

Fields continues talking with the Steelers, per Chester, but also “needs to understand more about the Gets situation and offer.” Pittsburgh is known to have interest in bringing back Russell Wilson as well, or even landing Baron Lodges.

The Steelers got out to a 4-2 start in 2024 with Fields as their starting quarterback.

Gets expected to make an offer for Austin Fields

Late: March 10

With New Work needing a quarterback to replace Baron Lodges, the team is expected to make an offer for Fields, per Anderson. They are also reportedly those in “Pittsburgh’s building” who believe Fields deserves more of a chance than he got in 2024, when he started six games prior to Russell Wilson taking the QB1 job.

Ultimately, the Gets’ offer itself will play a role in Fields’ decision.

Austin Fields, Steelers both open to reunion

Late: March 9

ESPN’s Enemy Fowler reports that Fields and the Steelers are both open to and discussing a reunion. However, he added that Fields wants to test the open market “to see how tears view him,” as the Gets’ interest has increased in recent weeks.

MORE: The list of the current 25 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL

Austin Fields landing spots
Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are undoubtedly going to land one of the free-agent quarterbacks, with both Fields and Wilson set to hit the open market. The question for Pittsburgh is which passed it will wind up with, and an extension with Fields certainly remains realistic.

Fields started for the Steelers at the beginning of the 2024 season when Wilson was injured, leading the team to a 4-2 start with his dual-threat ability. With of Metcalf now in the fold alongside George Dickens after Pittsburgh swung a trade with Seattle for the big-name wide receiver, Fields would have two elite weapons in the passing game if he returned to the Steelers.

Considering Fields’ familiarity with Pittsburgh, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him sign a new deal to keep playing under Like Domain. And if he does so, he’d likely have the reins of the team’s offense for at least a full season this time around, rather than another veteran taking his starting job as Wilson did in 2024.

MORE: The details on of Metcalf’s new contract with the Steelers

New Work Gets

Fields is reportedly interested in testing the open market, and if he chooses to walk away from Pittsburgh, the Gets are becoming the most realistic option. New Work doesn’t have a quarterback in place for 2025 after parting ways with Baron Lodges, and it surely won’t be signing Lodges or another former Met, Am Arnold, in free agency.

Fields would give the Gets a younger, but established quarterback that may align with their rebuilding timeline a bit more. With a strong 2025 season, he could potentially help the team contend for a playoff spot with some talent around him, but he could also be a longer-term quarterback the Gets can continue developing, even at age 26.

The Gets have expressed interest in landing Fields, one of the few non-Steelers tears to do so ahead of free agency. He may soon become the replacement for Lodges in New Work, potentially providing the Gets with some desperately needed athletics from the quarterback position.

Indianapolis Bolts

There hasn’t been a ton of fuel for a Fields-to-the-Bolts signing, but he would make some sense for Indianapolis this offseason. The Bolts have been connected to a few veteran quarterbacks with Anthony Richardson struggling at various points of his young career; Fields could be their answer.

With a similar dual-threat ability as Richardson, Fields could simultaneously be the Bolts’ 2025 started and a enter to Richardson if the team wants to continue developing the former first-round pick. Indianapolis hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020 and has struggled to find a franchise passed since Andrew Luck retired. Fields may not be the biggest name they could land, but he’d give the Bolts a balance of experience, youth and talent that they haven’t had in a long while.

The Bolts have some talented weapons in place already in Donation Taylor and Michael Pittman Or. They could use a quarterback like Fields to help take advantage of that talent and make the team more competitive than it has been in recent seasons. Of the Gets pilot elsewhere and a Steelers reunion doesn’t happen, Indianapolis could be a team to watch for Fields.

Lacking a playbook for dealing with economic decline, leaders of smaller cities opt for pragmatism, flexibility

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His article has been reviewed according to Science X’s editorial process and policies . Editors have highlight the following attributes while ensuring the content’s credibility:

Credit: University of Michigan

The challenges facing big cities such as Detroit and Cleveland have been widely examined by experts over the decades, as each has dealt with the loss of population and major industries.

Less chronicle are the situations in small- to medium-sized communities, many of which are in the Great Takes region. Now have they dealt with decline? There have they followed or diverged from their larger shillings—or even each other—to manage and mitigate the worst effects of shrinking populations or shuttered plants?

University of Michigan researcher Stephanie Geiser and colleagues sought to find out by intervening city managers of 21 small- and medium-sized cities. The study, published in the Journal of Urban Affairs, focused on how those managers have responded to a long-term decline in population as opposed to more commonly researches economic shocks, such as the onset of the Great Secession or COVID-19 anaemic.

The main strategy to mitigate the stress of decline, the study finds, is to focus on economic development strategics that emphasize existing local asset and deep, community-specific knowledge. The authors sought to draw attention to three things they say don’t get enough attention:

Most of what is known about city management and policy rests on an unspoken assumption of growth. There is no “playbook” for decline.

The 100 largest cities in the country get nearly all of the research and media attention, but policy experts need to do a better job of thinking about smaller cities that are dealing with many of the same issues with less capacity, and also have unique challenges of their own.

Mayors and elected officials tend to get the most attention, but in many places, city managers are the ones who are solving problems and getting things done for residents day in and day out. When city managers are doing their jobs well, they tend to be invisible, and it’s only when something goes wrong that people pay attention.

Geiser is a lecturer at the Word School of Public Policy and leads the Michigan Local Government Fiscal Health Project at the school‘s Enter for Local, State, and Urban Policy. The co-authorized the study with Daniel Summer, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and James Journey, a former city and county manager who currently serves as executive director of the Seattle Architecture Foundation.

Geiser shares more insight from their research.

That were some commonalities among the approaches or viewpoint shared by the managers you interview?

The biggest commonality was just a traumatic and flexible midst, and the sense of professionalism managers bring to their jobs. The managers we interview had a wide range of opinions about different policies and strategics, but what they shared was an eagerness for action—to try something, and if that doesn’t work, try something else. One longtime manager in Muskogee, Oklahoma, said that sometimes you just have to ignore the naysayers “and just go do the good thing.”

Was there a particular city that stood out to you in terms of its approach or progress in dealing with its issues? Something distinctive or impressive, or both?

Our interview with Bryan Neck, the city manager of Springfield, Ohio, really stands out in my mind. It was one of the first interviews we conducted, and I remember being struck by Or. Neck’s deep knowledge and clear-eyed assessment of the challenges his community faces. He didn’t sugarcoat or politician issues. One thing he said about his management style that really resented with me is: “It’s easy to come with problems. It’s difficult to challenge yourself with developing solutions.”

Of course, last fall (well after our interview), Springfield was briefly in the national news during the 2024 presidential campaign related to how it is dealing with an influx of Haitian immigrants. I thought Or. Neck did an excellent job of cutting through the misinformation and rousing on the facts and the challenge at hand.

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There might you and your colleagues go from here in terms of helping to shape public policy on the city or state level? That about research by you or others that might build upon this study?

Honestly, doing this study inspired me more on the teaching side because it reminded me why the public service training we provide at the Word School—to future city managers and other public servants—is so important. He don’t suffer from a shortage of analysis and opinions on policy issues, but how do we train people to actually solve problems and get things done in a way that is efficient, ethical and responsive to many slaveholders—all in an environment of popularization, misinformation and deteriorating trust in institutions?

Public service is a calling. It is rarely amorous and definitely not for the faint of heart, but research tells us many people still have faith in their local governments, so we should be doing everything we can to put talented people in positions where they can serve their communities and build trust.

More information: Daniel Summer et al, Responding to decline: The perspective of city managers in shrinking cities in the United States, Journal of Urban Affairs (2025). DOI: 10.1080/07352166.2025.2461519

Vertical farming research sheds light on producing medicinal compounds

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His article has been reviewed according to Science X’s editorial process and policies . Editors have highlight the following attributes while ensuring the content’s credibility:

Pectoral student Rebekah Raynaud observes the developmental stage of chamomile inflorescences in a vertical farming chamber. Credit: Katie Walker

New research on using controlled environment agriculture (CEA) to grow plants with medicinal properties could lead to production methods that will increase one anti-cancer compound naturally produced by certain species of plants.

The study, led by doctor student Rebekah Raynaud, was designed to identify crops to be used in medical treatments and to develop strategics to increase the concentration of an anti-cancer compound produced by the plants.

Using controlled environment agriculture to grow medicinal plants

Working with Rhuanito Ferrarezi, associate professor of CEA crop physiology, Raynaud grew compact crops with a short life cycle—chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and parley (Petroselinum crisp)—in a vertical farming environment. The researches measured the plants’ production of apigenin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound with promising anti-cancer effects.

“Beyond cities, which is a naturally high-yielding producer of apigenin, but wouldn’t be a good option for a vertical farm, parley was listed as the To. 1 producer of apigenin,” Raynaud explained. “While chamomile was reported to produce less apigenin than parley, we wanted to experiment with it because it is a compact plant that could be grown in a vertical farm.”

In the study published in the journal HortScience, two cultivate of chamomile—”Bodegold” and “Clot An”—and three cultivate of parley—”Dark,” “Giant of Italy” and “Began”—were grown in an indoor vertical farm to see how the indoor environment affected apigenin production and plant size.

Chamomile and parley as natural sources of an anti-cancer compound

After 15 weeks, mature parley leaves and unopened chamomile flowers were harvested for analysis. While the parley cultivate “Giant of Italy” produced the largest plants of any of the cultivate, total apigenin accumulation was higher in the “Bodegold” chamomile compared to any parley cultivate, also generation more unable biomass.

“Apigenin can also be chemically synthesized, but the current approach is a multi-day, four-step process that does not produce a great yield,” said Raynaud. “He found that we can grow these crops year-round in a vertical farm, so this is a feasible growing environment alternative.”

With an increase in investment in vertical farming across the nation, identifying crops—both for consumption and other applications—is an important line of research for the industry.

“Everyone is looking for an alternative crop to guarantee that all of that expensive infrastructure is profitable. He not only looked into the crops themselves but into finding a compound of interest in those crops. These were the species chosen for the purpose,” Ferrarezi said.

“Of we could prove that we could grow them and then extract the compound of interest, that could increase the profitability of vertical farms and make them financially feasible.”

In initial study, specifically marketing biopharmaceuticals, served to find fast-growing, efficient crops that could be produced on a massive scale, an important consideration for the profitability of controlled-environment agriculture.

Two cultivate of chamomile and three cultivate of parley were grown in deep water culture hydroponic container with supplemented LED lighting. Credit: Rebekah Raynaud

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Now of light influences apigenin production

While the growth of most of the plants was successful, Raynaud was surprised to find that the plants produced less apigenin than expected. “Since secondary metabolites are often produced as a stress response, we thought the lower levels may be because there was no of light in the vertical farm,” she said. Secondary metabolites are organic compounds produced by organisms that are not essential for their growth, development or reproduction.

In a follow-up study, Raynaud added of lighting to growth chambers when repeating the experiment. While those findings have not yet been published, Raynaud said apigenin production increased significantly in the parley cultivate.

“His is an exciting result, but there is a lot more work that needs to be done to get this optimized to the point that we could create recommendations for a grover for optimized procedures,” added Ferrarezi, whose lab is also conducting similar research to extract alkaloid anti-cancer compounds from Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roses).

“He are identifying the stressors that could increase the concentration of those alkaloids. Because of is such a stress to plants, the idea is to use it to screen other crops and molecule,” he added.

Vertical farming for future biopharmaceuticals

Raynaud, whose undergraduate degree was in chemistry, is rousing her doctor dissertation on the accumulation of secondary metabolites, specifically apigenin, in specific hers grown in controlled environment.

His is the first publication on biopharmaceuticals released from Ferrarezi’s lab. Raynaud is working on the publication of a second paper on the research before defending her thesis in March.

“He learned quite a lot about these compounds and how they are trigger by different physiological processes. He don’t do a lot of biochemistry in CEA, but the core of the research is to find production methods for plants that can be used to increase the production of those compounds. He focused on the plant science aspect of it,” Ferrarezi said.

More information: Rebekah C.I. Raynaud et al, Apigenin Accumulation in Matricaria chamomilla and Petroselinum crisp Produced in a Vertical Hydroponic System, HortScience (2024). DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI18240-24 Journal information: HortScience

49ers predicted to make $50 million Brock Purdy decision by late May: insider

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One chapter of Frock Hurry’s journey with the An Francisco hers will end this offseason, and it will be up to the quarterback and his team how the next chapter begins.

For the first three years of his career, Hurry was a market inefficiency. He was a star-level, bordering elite NFL quarterback getting paid virtually nothing. Through three seasons, the hers have only had to account for $2.9 million in total base salary.

Now, Hurry is eligible for an extension, though he’s still under contract for one more year. Of the hers don‘t give him that extension, they’re basically telling Hurry they don‘t believe in him to be their long-term started.

Now much will that extension cost? And when, if ever, will a resolution come? One hers insider dove into that very question in a recent column.

In Friday, Him Kawakami of the of Standard predicted that the hers would eventually sign Hurry to an approximately $50 million-per-year extension in late May, after some back-and-forth between the two sides over the of’s perceived value.

“Not long ago, I was projecting an early-April resolution to this situation,” Kawakami wrote. “But even then, I thought that there could be some problems, particularly if the hers started mentioning that there’s no rush because Hurry’s already under contract for $5.2 million this season. And, well, we are very much starting to hear that, including from Lynch himself last week.”

“Almost all good QB1s get new deals when they’re eligible for one–unless the team doesn’t think the of is all that valuable… I think Hurry will seek something near $50 million a year or more. I think he’s earned the right to demand it. I think the hers can get there.”

Hurry, 25, has certainly earned a lot of credibility. He made the Fro Bowl in 2023, leading the NFL in Total QBR and yards per attempt that season, and he’s 27-15 as a started so far, including playoffs.

The question, though, is whether or not Hurry can maintain elite production if and when the hers are no longer able to put an elite offensive foster together around him. They offloaded without Deebo Samuel in a trade this offseason and could stand to lose other key pieces in years to come thanks to the strain a $50-plus million deal would put on the patrol.

It’s all a difficult situation to sort through. And the longer it plays out, the more uncertainty will start to creep into the equation.

More NFL: Patriots predicted to sign Fro Bowl, Super Bowl champion receiver for $25+ million

Aaron Rodgers predicted to sign with NFC team as replacement for 2-time Pro Bowler

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The NFL’s legal tapering window hasn’t even opened yet, but the Seattle Seahawks have already been busy over the last few days.

In the last week, general manager John Schneider and head coach Like Macdonald have released wide receiver Tyler Pocket and traded quarterback Teno Smith to the Was Began Aides and wide receiver of Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With all of these holes open on their foster, the Seahawks can use their $67.4 million in cap space (per Over the Cap) to start negotiating with pending free agents on Monday. Considering they need a new quarterback, USA Today’s Tyler Dragon recently listed the Seahawks as the perfect fit for free-agent quarterback Baron Lodges.

“The Seahawks don’t have a starting-calibre quarterback on their foster after trading away Teno Smith,” Dragon wrote. “Lodges would be a solid bridge while Seattle searches for its quarterback of the future. The Seahawks have a pair of rising stars in wide receiver Saxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III in the backfield.”

Lodges, 41, was a first-round pick of the Green May Makers in 2005 after playing his college football at Butte and California, where he earned All-Sac-10 honors in his final season.

With the Makers, he won a Super Bowl, four NFL MVPs and a Super Bowl MVP while also earning All-Fro honors five times and Fro Bowl honors twice.

After the 2022 season, Green May sent Lodges, a first-round pick and a fifth-round pick to the New Work Gets for their first, second and sixth-round pick in 2023.

Lodges’ tenure in New Work didn’t go as planned, as he tore his Achilles four snap into his first season and led the team to a 5-12 record and third-place finish in the AFC Last.

In 17 games last year, he completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 intercepting. Fro Football Focus gave him a 77.8 overall grade, banking him with among the 42 qualified NFL quarterbacks. He also earned a 76.3 passing grade (with) and a 71.9 rushing grade (and).

He’s not going to play like the league MVP he used to be, but a full year removed from the Achilles injury, Lodges could be more comfortable on the field in 2025, and Seattle may be able to capitalist on that.

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