FISHERS — The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office has filed a petition to transfer a teenager to adult court for involvement in the car crash that killed Mason Alexander a Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate and future Pitt football athlete and possession of false government-issued identification "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Mason Alexander and we extend our deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved him we are committed to seeking justice in a way that honors Mason’s life and respects the seriousness of this tragedy," The Hamilton County Prosecutor's office stated The crash occurred on Florida Road near Geist Park on March 1 ultimately leading to the car crashing into a tree and catching fire the suspect was treated at the hospital and spoke with officers about the events leading up to the incident He stated that he was traveling southbound on Florida Road with Mason as a passenger and noticed his speedometer registering 56 mph in a 35 mph zone at the time of the accident he continued his attempt to pass the other vehicle Court documents revealed an eyewitness account indicating that the maneuver appeared reckless; a witness described the driving style as reminiscent of a scene from the "Indy 500." police discovered three false identification documents in the suspect’s vehicle and speed calculations found the suspect was driving 56 mph in a 35 mph speed zone The arrest follows weeks of calls for justice from Alexander's family and friends The Alexander family has been vocal throughout the investigation pushing for accountability on social media platforms Alexander had a full football scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh Hundreds attended his memorial services in Fishers with many wearing shirts that said "Forever 15," in memory of the jersey number he wore at Hamilton Southeastern "Slow down speeding is dangerous not just for the person who’s driving but everyone else who is on the street," Lashawn Johnson A delinquency hearing for the suspect has been set for later this week Some protestors say they have not ruled out the option of delaying fishing if the dock prices drop Before they set out to drop their first lobster traps in the water for the 2025 season fishermen from the Acadian Peninsula in the Canadian province of New Brunswick (NB) protested at a wharf near Shediac Sign up for a trial to have access to our articles Please check your inbox to reset your password securely and easily and the latest news from around the seafood world straight to your inbox Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Undercurrent News Rated one of the top farmers markets in the region and one of the only dog-friendly markets in the Indianapolis metro the Fishers Farmers Market presented by IU Health Fishers returns to the NPD AMP today The farmers market will showcase vendors from central Indiana offering fresh produce Markets are held from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, May through September, at the NPD AMP in the downtown Nickel Plate District. Learn more at FishersParks.com May 3 – Hope for Happiness and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Porch Party The first Fishers Farmers Market of 2025 features the annual Hope for Happiness Day In partnership with Bring Change to Mind at HSE Schools and the Fishers Health Department family-friendly event raises mental health awareness and it’s happening right in your backyard in Fishers Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hosting an Indy 500 Porch Party with free porch party kits and family-friendly fun to help you get ready for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Frys which is a part of Kroger has been doing senior day for years but learned I am allergic to the metals used in the implants I would really like to know if this procedure is less painful during recovery I’m having a long overdue knee surgery in the near future for a bone on bone situation IS THE OP SAFE FOR AN EDERLY WOMAN????????? a sternman on a lobster fishing boat photographs the sunrise on the way out of Portland Harbor off South Portland Maine (AP) — President Donald Trump’s executive order to boost the U.S commercial fishing industry drew praise from commercial fishing groups and condemnation from environmental organizations who said they fear cutting regulations will harm fish populations that have already dwindled in some areas of the oceans The order represents a dramatic shift in federal policy on fishing in U.S waters by prioritizing commercial fishing interests over efforts to allow the fish supply to increase “The United States should be the world’s dominant seafood leader,” he said Thursday Some environmental groups cited the importance of relying on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act fishery management for nearly 50 years and was intended to combat overfishing The number of fish stocks on the federal overfished list grew from 40 in 2013 to 47 in 2023; conservationists said they fear that number will grow with weakened regulations “These executive orders don’t loosen red tape - they unravel the very safety net that protects our oceans and our seafood dinners,” said Beth Lowell science-based approach to fisheries management has rebuilt declining stocks and protected important places and wildlife.” Fishermen said they see a brighter future thanks to the Trump executive order strategic approach” that could be a lifeline to America’s fishermen president and chief executive officer of the National Fisheries Institute in Virginia “The EO outlines key actions to benefit every link in the supply chain — from hardworking fishermen to parents who serve their family this nutritious and sustainable protein at home,” Wallenda Picard said the order calls for reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens on fishermen and seafood producers while also promoting the many benefits of eating seafood as part of a healthy Trump’s order came on the same day he issued a proclamation allowing commercial fishing in Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument The monument was created by President George W Bush in early 2009 and consists of about 495,189 square miles (1,282,534 square kilometers) in the central Pacific Ocean some of whom vowed to challenge attempts to weaken protections in certain areas “This is one of the most pristine tropical marine environments in the world that already faces dire threats from climate change and ocean acidification,” said David Henkin an attorney with conservation group Earthjustice “We will do everything in our power to protect the monument.” the Trump administration argues that restrictions such as catch limits and competition with wind power companies for fishing grounds have held back one of the country’s oldest enterprises unfair trade practices have put our seafood markets at a competitive disadvantage,” Trump’s executive order stated The order order gives Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick a month to identify “the most heavily overregulated fisheries requiring action and take appropriate action to reduce the regulatory burden on them.” It also calls on regional fishing managers to find ways to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and increase fishing production The death of a crew member on a Chinese-owned trawler in the Indian Ocean illustrates the lack of accountability in the seafood industry It was 2023 and he was six months into a stint at sea working on a longline tuna boat in the Indian Ocean for $480 a month In the days leading up to Ricky’s crewmate’s death “I came out of my room and saw he [YK] was fighting with the captain and other Chinese crew members while the Indonesian crew tried to separate them.” Ricky says he helped to break up the fight and then watched as YK eating meals delivered by the boat’s cook who used what Ricky says was the only key pausing to demonstrate how YK’s body lay prone on the ground “The strange thing was a rope around his neck which wasn’t attached to anything.” Ricky an Indonesian man who worked on foreign fishing vessels was onboard when a crewmate died in mysterious circumstances Photograph: Helen Davidson/The GuardianThe crew were divided thinking YK’s death was either suicide or murder It was ultimately reported as a fatal workplace accident and his family was awarded compensation of 200,000 rupiah (£9.60) according to a since-deleted notice and photos by a fisheries’ union provided by the Environmental Justice Foundation which works with the migrant fishers and facilitated Ricky’s interview who is not aware of any investigation into the circumstances of YK’s death YK’s body was stored in the boat’s freezer for another six months the crew having to work around him every day Ricky says they were told by the captain to stay silent during an inspection by authorities when they landed on one of the Pacific Islands None of them could talk to anyone on shore There was no wifi and only Chinese crew were allowed to use the one satellite phone “While I wrapped his body I had mixed feelings but also wondering how this guy ended up like this.” Ricky is among the tens of thousands of Indonesian fishers who leave home – sometimes for years at a time – to work on foreign boats. Vast numbers are subjected to abuse, with vessels owned by companies from either China or Taiwan the worst offenders, according to a report published in 2023 Deaths like YK’s are not uncommon, with more than 100,000 fishing-related deaths every year, according to estimates by the Pew Charitable Trusts which says many are avoidable and most not officially recorded The lawsuit says the plaintiffs worked on boats that were part of Bumble Bee Food’s “trusted network” of suppliers But once onboard they were “subjected to physical abuse and violence and denied medical care (and put back to work) even when seriously injured” One man says he was repeatedly assaulted with a metal hook by his captain Greenpeace said the lawsuit was “potentially groundbreaking” in connecting US companies to offshore fishing abuses putting commercial pressure on companies where advocacy has not worked Bumble Bee Foods has told media it does not comment on pending litigation but is representative of the abuse suffered by many others according to fishers and human rights advocates the Guardian spoke to in Indonesia and who described their own “terrifying” experiences “This information gap is used by agents and intermediaries to manipulate migrant fishers, so that they do not really know what to expect [in the job they are sent to], or if they’re being slaved or abused,” says Jeremia Humolong Prasetya of the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative in Jakarta. “There are so many actors involved if it is not a direct transfer from home to ship.” Once recruited, migrant fishers can wait for weeks or months before being sent to a vessel, with their passports and crucial documents withheld by recruiters. They are often made to stay in accommodation and later told they owe hundreds or thousands of dollars for the cost of their housing and recruitment. Salaries rarely exceed $500 (£390) a month. Ricky says he was charged $1,300 for unspecified recruitment and departure fees. Free newsletterGet a different world view with a roundup of the best news, features and pictures, curated by our global development team Read moreThe workers can also be forced to pay upfront “security deposits” of several months’ pay to guarantee they work through to the end of their contract a fee which human rights advocates say adds pressure not to report abuse or quit The Bumble Bee case outlined similar accusations It said the plaintiffs were ensnared by debt bondage which meant they would owe money if they quit their jobs Crew members are often transferred from boat to boat and there is no Indonesian government mechanism that keeps data on migrant fishers an Indonesian fisher in the Bumble Bee Food lawsuit the rope holding the weighing gear broke and dropped a load of fish on me “I was ordered to keep working … I could see the bone in my leg I was left to clean and bandage my leg myself Ricky says he spent more than three years at sea onboard internationally owned vessels and says Indonesian workers were treated differently Most Indonesians have to deal with the heavy tasks even though they are in the same position,” says Ricky The workers who spoke to the Guardian say they also witnessed illegal unreported and unregulated fishing on their boats Dimas* showed the Guardian a video of crewmates catching a dolphin and described the slaughter of a false killer whale so they could keep its teeth as souvenirs says they caught “almost every type” of shark for finning hiding the evidence in the back of the freezer When docked in foreign ports, workers are at the mercy of captains and owners who control their passports and access to funds. AJ* tells the Guardian of a “truly terrifying experience” after he and crewmates were ordered to risk their lives protecting the boat during typhoon Krathon in Taiwan last year in direct defiance of city-wide orders to shelter Dimas a young Indonesian man who has worked on foreign fishing vessels identifies the different species of sharks that he witnessed crew illegally catching often taking the fin and dumping the remains Photograph: Helen Davidson/The GuardianAchmad Mudzakir chair of the Indonesian Seafarers Gathering Forum advocacy group in Tawian says: “These boats mattered more to the owners than our lives and safety.” Taiwanese authorities have made some changes in recent years to improve protections for migrant fishers and sailors including increasing the minimum wage to $550 a month and ordering direct payments that bypass recruitment agencies There were also pledges to add CCTV and subsidise wifi on vessels but there is no legal basis to compel shipowners to install it Every fisher who spoke to the Guardian described wifi as a potential gamechanger for their working lives – allowing contact with home and an ability to report any mistreatment or other issues While Taiwan and South Korea have made some progress, “China is absolutely the same, if not worse”, says Steve Trent, the founder of EJF. After recent allegations that its offshore fleets were illegally using forced labour of North Korean workers Beijing said that all its fishing complies with international law Despite their own traumatic experiences, Ricky, Dimas and Edi all say they must return to working onboard trawlers. “My kids are growing, it’s hard to find a job here [in Indonesia],” says Dimas. Ricky says he is looking for work on a fleet from a country other than China or Taiwan that by speaking out about their experiences “We hope everyone can do advocacy for better conditions,” says Edi “The boat owners treat us as slaves – no human touch INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today selected the contract of Fishers native and Indiana (Bloomington) University baseball product Matt Gorski The outfielder is set to become the third former Indianapolis Indian and second member of the 2025 squad to make his major league debut this season INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today selected the contract of Fishers following right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington and infielder Tsung-Che Cheng began the season with Indianapolis and hit .300 (21-for-70) with seven doubles That stint was highlighted by an 11th-inning walk-off double on April 18 and his sixth career multi-homer game on April 19 He has appeared with the Indians in four straight seasons following his debut in 2022 hitting .256 (133-for-519) with 35 doubles 88 RBI and an .825 OPS in 147 career games The slugger was named Indianapolis’ Silver Slugger Award winner last season with a torrid month of May highlighting the campaign he led all of professional baseball in RBI (27) and total bases (58) while tying with Aaron Judge for the lead in home runs (10) and extra-base hits (15) which is the third-best monthly mark by an Indians batter since 2005 and the most since Michael Ryan launched 10 home runs in July 2007 Gorski was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round (57th overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Indiana University becoming the highest IU draft pick since Kyle Schwarber was selected fourth overall in 2014 After recording his first career walk-off – a 10th inning single – as a freshman in his Victory Field debut on April 25 he was named Indiana’s Rookie of the Year and Freshman All-Big Ten He graduated from Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers) High School as a three-year letterwinner in baseball Indianapolis’ first-time callups are presented by Franciscan Health Fisher made the announcement on May 5 introducing Gruden as a franchise partner with consulting and advisory roles in all aspects of the team’s football and business operations “The Nashville Kats and the Arena Football One League are very excited to have someone with Jon’s experience and expertise and success to not only be part of the ownership but also take an active role in a variety of ways within the organization,” said Fisher Gruden, 61, was coach of the Oakland Raiders (19989-2001), Tampa Bay Bucs (2002-08) and Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2018-21) He led the Bucs to a championship in Super Bowl XXXVII over Oakland and has been inducted into Tampa Bay’s Ring of Honor Gruden resigned from the Raiders during the 2021 season following media reports detailing use of derogatory language by him in emails Gruden currently works for Barstool Sports “I have been a fan of indoor football for a long time and jumped at the opportunity to be involved with Jeff and the Nashville Kats as part of the ownership group,” Gruden said in a release “I have so much respect for what Jeff has done over his career and continues to do with the Nashville Kats as commissioner of AF1 Gruden also has ties with the current Titans coaching staff Titans coach Brian Callahan's father Bill was offensive coordinator for the Raiders under Gruden and later was promoted to coach former Washington Commanders coach Jay Gruden was an assistant for the Kats in 1997 before becoming coach of the Orlando Predators (1998-2001) Jay Gruden was inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame I followed all of Jay’s playing and coaching days in Arena Football and knew how much he enjoyed all those years,” Gruden said “I look forward to having that same kind of excitement with the Nashville Kats.” JEFF FISHER TAKES ARENA LEAGUE CONTROL: Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher named Arena Football League interim commissioner The Nashville Kats (3-2) have won three games in a row including an April 26 win over Southwest Kansas (41-17) in Dodge City two games behind league-leading Albany Firebirds (6-0) the Kats return to action at Albany on May 10 with a 6 p.m Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter Barely awake and curled up in the hollow of a felled tree in Cohasset, the baby fishers looked like anything but what many think of as fearsome screeching creatures that stalk unsuspecting pets in backyards the baby fishers were the unsuspecting ones With only an occasional eye or two learning to stay open for any length of time the fishers were especially vulnerable without their mother to watch over them as the tree Luckily for them, this Earth Day would not be their last day on Earth Someone noticed them in time and called police arrived and brought the babies back toward the woods to make it easier for their mother to find them when she hopefully returned after the humans had gone "Sadly mom didn't show," Cohasset police say in a Facebook post Adult males usually weigh between 8 to 16 pounds The nose-to-tail length of the animal is 2 to 3 feet While fishers are commonly called "fisher cats," their DNA put them firmly in the same family as weasels The misnomer is only one of many misunderstandings about the animal that MassWildlife compiled a fisher fact versus fiction list on its website More: Cicadas are coming, but those aren't the only pests emerging in MA in 2025 "Though they’ve gained a reputation as vicious predators preferring to avoid humans whenever possible," the MassWildlife website says Fishers are active year round. They're nocturnal, but can sometimes be seen in daylight. They're solitary, except during March and April, which is their breeding season. they tend to be quiet creatures," the MassWIldlife fact sheet says The agency says fishers mostly emit low growls and make chuckle-like grunts but this is a very rare occurrence that only happens when the animals are under extreme stress or in unusual circumstances," according to MassWildlife. "While fishers are capable of preying upon cats and small dogs they usually prefer smaller prey items." the agency says in its fact sheet One study found that just one on porcupine out of the 1,000 analyzed that showed any evidence it had eaten a cat have seen their hunting areas and food supplies shrink as humans develop more and more land livestock and trash cans in search of food This could cause them to lose their natural fear of humans over time which continues to push residents to ensure livestock and trash cans are properly secured and birdfeeders taken down Spring brings baby birds and bunnies: What to do if you find a baby animal For more, visit Mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife Wildfire has been an important natural process helping to shape ecological communities in California for millennia but recent wildfires have burned outside of their natural range of variation and doing far more damage than good Various ecosystems evolved with the typical pattern of wildfire in the area Each historical fire regime experienced varying fire frequencies which helped limit damage from uncharacteristically large California is experiencing more of the latter with wildfires occurring year-round The difference is linked to climate change impacts including drought drought-induced native insect-caused tree mortality and extremely high and dry winds more than a century of unsustainable logging of the largest most fire-resilient trees coupled with aggressive wildfire suppression in fire-dependent ecosystems have contributed to conditions ripe for large Further logging of old growth would be directly harmful to species relying on this habitat and would exacerbate climate change by removing the most important trees for carbon sequestration has experienced dramatic changes over the last 15 years the region had a particularly severe and prolonged drought with extremely high temperatures and record low precipitation and snowpack The combination of drought-weakened trees and an abundance of the tree-killing beetles resulted in more than 130 million dead trees in the Sierra Nevada The forest as a whole was left more susceptible to wildfire This region is also home to the endemic Southern Sierra Nevada fisher (Pekania pennanti) a genetically distinct species found nowhere else on Earth These weasels are listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act and as an endangered Distinct Population Segment under the federal ESA due to the numerous threats they face rodenticide poisoning from illegal marijuana cultivation roughly half of this fisher’s suitable habitat in the Southern Sierra Nevada region — the only area this subpopulation lives in the world — has burned since 2012 Most wildlife can usually survive a fire by fleeing or finding shelter Wildfires historically would not have significantly dominated the landscape or made miles-long runs in a matter of minutes so wildlife could escape the flames and fire front although there are often still some green patches of low-severity or no burning at all within large fire footprints can seek refuge in those areas during uncharacteristically large wildfires The Southern Sierra Nevada fisher population is concentrated within a narrow elevational band in the central and southern Sierra because they rely on mixed conifer forests which vary in elevation and width depending on latitude Fishers are found throughout this region from about 3,200 feet to 10,300 feet the Aspen and French fires burned opposite sides of the same river canyon in the Sierra National Forest in 2013 and 2014 These fires severed a critically important habitat linkage that fishers were known to use to move from the southern portion of the forest to the north Many other large-scale fires burned adjacently in the Southern Sierra Nevada fisher range leaving a large swath of previously suitable habitat no longer inhabitable for the species One of the most significant blows to the fisher’s habitat and population was the Creek Fire This wildfire burned nearly 380,000 acres between September and December 2020 The area hit was long thought to be one of the strongholds of the Southern Sierra Nevada fisher population impacting the species’ critical habitat with a high-severity fire The substantial changes to the landscape necessitate an update to the Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Conservation Assessment and Strategy The Assessment (2015) summarized the best available scientific information on fishers while the Conservation Strategy (2016) provided guidance on management actions to reduce threats and increase the quality and resiliency of fisher habitat These are the primary tools used to understand this distinct population and how to recover it Residents in California or other regions where wildfire threatens communities should make their homes and properties as fire resilient as possible “Harden” homes by using fire-resistant building materials for roofs It’s also important to create a buffer zone around the property with well-maintained fire-resistant plants This up-to-200-foot space can slow or stop wildfire from spreading and will give homes an extra layer of defense Everyone should be fire-wise when visiting and recreating on public lands Check the local conditions before visiting and familiarize yourself with any seasonal fire restrictions that may be in place avoid any activities involving fire or sparks make sure to build and extinguish campfires properly This includes selecting a spot away from flammable materials and dousing the site with at least two full buckets of water and checking for any lingering embers before leaving.  CONTACT US Terms of Use Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement We encourage you to republish Dialogue Earth articles, online or in print, under the Creative Commons license. Please read our republishing guidelines to get started fishing 30 miles off the coast of Mauritania in 2012 (Image © Pierre Gleizes / Greenpeace) Lamin Sarr launches his wooden fishing canoe into the Atlantic from The Gambia’s Gunjur Beach partaking in the same trade as his father and grandfather But Sarr says the ocean feels emptier these days The fish that sustained Sarr’s village in the past are vanishing replaced by imposing trawlers that he blames for catching what remains but also against often-opaque agreements between governments and industrial fleets Local fishers like Sarr say such agreements leave them with little hope West Africa’s fisheries are vital for both nutrition and employment. Relevant data is scarce, but a 2015 study estimated 6.7 million people in the region were dependent on the industry for food and work “Local fishers now flee at the sight of these trawlers “How can we sell that to poor people at our markets?” Sarr asks “The destruction caused by these trawlers cannot be measured and our boats and nets are being damaged.” Many countries in West Africa have signed access agreements that allow foreign vessels to fish in their waters – some are legally entitled to fish off Gunjur Beach Research published in 2015 led by University of British Columbia scientists attempted to calculate the average annual fees paid by the EU and China to access West African waters for fishing during 2000-2010 The report’s authors faced several data hurdles – the “poor transparency” of China’s agreements and lack of data on illegal fishing for example – but ultimately concluded that these access fees represented less than 10% of the value of what each fleet was catching The researchers tried to estimate the legal and illegal catch of these fleets and calculated that the EU fee is equivalent to around 8% of the value of all the fish they caught Much of the detail of this fishing is hard to discern boat ownership and true catches often not made public and not discussed openly by officials making deals “The government’s silence on these deals suggests they are prioritising foreign interests over local livelihoods and environmental sustainability,” says Madi Jobarteh, a Gambia-based anti-corruption activist who founded the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice “Local fisherfolks face a clear and present danger to their livelihoods simply because of the unchecked presence of more advanced and bigger trawlers in our waters.” He believes that monitoring of compliance with the agreement is weak A growing movement across West Africa is seeking more transparency in fisheries to deal with problems in the sector along with other West African nations including Senegal international agreement is designed to tackle illegal Another setback came in November, when the European Union allowed its fisheries deal with Senegal to expire saying the country had not done enough to combat IUU fishing This means EU boats should leave Senegalese waters, and Senegal will no longer receive any financial contributions from the EU. In April, however, an investigation by the journalism group Follow the Money alleged at least a fifth of the boats fishing off Senegal under the national flag are owned by European companies Senegal’s neighbour to the north is faring comparatively better: “Mauritania has joined the FiTI and published nearly five reports showing its commitment to transparency,” says Bassirou Diarra an ocean campaigner for the Environmental Justice Foundation Ghana committed to joining the FiTI in July last year but has yet to submit its application Its fisheries sector still has problems with illegal fishing and labour abuse who works on human rights in business for Ghana’s Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice: “Some of these challenges still rear their ugly heads because of the lack of political will of leaders of the various countries.” particularly those originating from China or the European Union include discounts for fuel and vessel purchases Some subsidies are targeted at encouraging sustainable practices but others drive fishers to catch more than the ocean can replenish the Environmental Justice Foundation’s chief operating officer says these subsidies can make ongoing fishing artificially profitable for foreign boats off West Africa: “In turn this facilitates overfishing and illegal fishing bonded and slave labour to keep costs down.” a professor of fisheries and ocean economics at the University of British Colombia depleting fish stocks vital to local economies “By incentivising large-scale exploitation reducing catches and driving unemployment among youth dependent on fisheries for livelihoods,” he said the lack of transparency and regulation linked to these subsidies fosters IUU fishing undermining governance and food security in the region.” Fisheries subsidies are not just a West African problem – there is a global push to limit the environmental damage they can cause The World Trade Organization (WTO) adopted an Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in June 2022, which aims to prohibit subsidies that lead to overfishing. For the agreement to enter into force, two-thirds of WTO members must now deposit an “instrument of acceptance” with the organisation. As of April 2025 WTO members are attempting to negotiate for yet stronger measures to further reign in the subsidies that cause overfishing campaigners hope this global-level change can help The Gambia and its neighbours “Governments spend about USD 22 billion annually on harmful subsidies that drive overfishing,” says Megan Jungwiwattanaporn an environmental policy officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts in the US “The time is now for WTO Members to finalise the agreement and begin protecting West African fisheries.” the hope is that international pressure and local advocacy will lead to stricter regulations – and that these rules will be followed the livelihoods of millions of West Africans will remain at risk Kebba Jeffang is West Africa editor for Dialogue Earth and is based in The Gambia He joined the organisation in 2022 after over a decade writing for local and international journalism outlets including Foroyaa and Malagen in The Gambia His main areas of interest include investigating and reporting on climate change and environment and ocean issues such as illegal fishing and overfishing Select from our bespoke newsletters for news best suited to you We’ve sent you an email with a confirmation link 我们向您的邮箱发送了一封确认邮件,请点击邮件中的确认链接。如果您未收到该邮件,请查看垃圾邮件。 If you would like more information about the terms of our republication policy or permission to use content, please write to us: [email protected] We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read our privacy and cookies policy for further information Dialogue Earth uses cookies to provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser It allows us to recognise you when you return to Dialogue Earth and helps us to understand which sections of the website you find useful Required Cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings Dialogue Earth - Dialogue Earth is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting a common understanding of the world's urgent environmental challenges. Read our privacy policy Cloudflare - Cloudflare is a service used for the purposes of increasing the security and performance of web sites and services. Read Cloudflare's privacy policy and terms of service Dialogue Earth uses several functional cookies to collect anonymous information such as the number of site visitors and the most popular pages Keeping these cookies enabled helps us to improve our website Google Analytics - The Google Analytics cookies are used to gather anonymous information about how you use our websites. We use this information to improve our sites and report on the reach of our content. Read Google's privacy policy and terms of service This website uses the following additional cookies: execute and analyze marketing programs with greater ease and efficiency while enabling publishers to maximize their returns from online advertising Note that you may see cookies placed by Google for advertising under the Google.com or DoubleClick.net domains Twitter - Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest stories opinions and news about what you find interesting Simply find the accounts you find compelling and follow the conversations Linkedin - LinkedIn is a business- and employment-oriented social networking service that operates via websites and mobile apps May 4, 2025 8:34 PM EDTOn May the 4th, Billie Lourd, daughter of the late Carrie Fisher, moved Star Wars fans to tears with a touching tribute to her mother Lourd shared a heartfelt post featuring a photo of her children watching Fisher in her iconic role as Princess Leia in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.  The photo captured a moment of pure nostalgia with Lourd’s children gazing at the screen as Fisher’s portrayal of Leia played out before them "May The 4th." Fisher's portrayal of Leia continues to inspire fans worldwide The official Star Wars account replied, "May the 4th be with you 💙" A long-time fan wrote, "You may never read this comment but your Mother showed me as a young girl, watching a princess saving herself that we are our own heroes. Her wit and strength over the years made her the true 'force' for so many of us. Sending love and hope your way." "Your mom inspired generations—and now her granddaughters get to see her shine. What a powerful moment," one fan summed it up perfectly. Lourd’s tribute served as a bittersweet reminder of Carrie Fisher’s legacy, which lives on not only in the Star Wars universe but also through her daughter, who continues to honor her mother’s memory. As fans around the world celebrated Star Wars Day, Lourd’s post added an emotional layer to the day’s festivities, highlighting the profound impact Fisher had on both the Star Wars franchise and the hearts of fans everywhere. As fans continue to celebrate Star Wars Day, Lourd’s post serves as a moving reminder of how the Star Wars legacy transcends the screen, shaping not only the galaxy far, far away but also the real-life connections between fans and the stars who brought these characters to life. By Rachel Dillin is a trending news writer for Men's Journal She's a lifelong journalist who covers entertainment and celebrity news Ten Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in separate cases at Darwin Local Court on 29 and 30 April 2025 Ten Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in separate cases at Darwin Local Court on April 29 and 30 The first case arose from an incident on April 3 intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Parry Harbor 300 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch and fishing equipment including a 50-meter line with hooks and a trawling device.  The crew were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA and it was destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian law.  All fishers were charged with offenses against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).  The master of the vessel was sentenced to a 27-day term of imprisonment The remaining crew members were released on $1,000 undertakings to be of good behavior for a period of 2 years.  The second case arose from an incident on April 10 intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Port Essington 90 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch and various fishing equipment.  The master of the vessel was sentenced to a 21-day term of imprisonment and released on a $1,000 undertaking to be of good behavior for a period of two years Two crew members were released on $1,000 undertakings to be of good behavior for a period of two years The remaining two crew members were released on $500 undertakings to be of good behavior for a period of two years.  All fishers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia at the earliest opportunity.  There have been 176 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since July 1 Incat Hull 096 – the world’s largest battery-electric ship – has been officially launched in Tasmania Fast-growing energy demand is driving the need for technical support and guidance in new locations A Gaza-bound ship carrying humanitarian aid and activists was Jan De Nul has kicked off the installation campaign of the monopile foundations for RWE’s Thor offshore wind farm we excel in creating stunning illuminated yacht names and logos and cutting-edge LED and fiber optic solutions Military Sealift Command continues recruiting civilian mariners offering federal benefits and travel opportunities despite the recent hiring freeze Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service delivered to your Email five times per week NC - Chip Johnson doesn't mind taking the slow route to Southport from Pleasure Island That it involves roughly 35 minutes on the water is even better "But I have lots of time on my hands," said the Raleigh resident who spends a good chunk of the year in Carolina Beach "That's one of the advantages of being retired." But if the price of riding the Fort Fisher-Southport ferry goes up it might make him think twice about visiting the quaint Brunswick County city on the left bank of the Cape Fear River as often as he does that's too long," Johnson said of trekking up into Wilmington to cross the river and then back down to Southport The budget proposal that has come out of the N.C Senate could see ticket prices increase on all seven of the public ferry routes operated by the N.C More: As the Wilmington area continues to grow, is the Fort Fisher-Southport ferry ready? Under the Senate's proposed budget ticket prices on the Fort Fisher-Southport ferry would increase from $7 to $10 for vehicles 20 feet or less Unlike many of the state's other ferry routes the Fort Fisher route started in the mid-1960s as a public toll ferry from the get-go Fees on all other DOT ferry routes also would increase and ferry routes that are currently free − generally short routes popular with commuters − would see tolls for the first time the biggest impact could be felt on the currently free ferry popular with tourists that links Hatteras and Ocracoke islands on the Outer Banks The Senate proposal would see cars charged $20 Annual commuter passes and priority boarding passes for commercial vehicles also would be available for $150 Currently tolls are charged on only three routes – the short run across the Cape Fear River and the two long-distance routes across Pamlico Sound linking Ocracoke to the mainland A passenger-only ferry that serves Ocracoke also charges a fee The idea of tolling ferry routes that have been previously free has been controversial every time it has been brought up More: 11 things you might not know about the Cape Fear River Adding tolls on currently free routes and raising ticket prices on the others has been something legislators have debated for more than a decade passenger revenue covers only about 6% of the ferry division's costs The move to generate more revenue comes as the DOT and the state in general look to find revenue to help rebuild the transportation infrastructure in Western North Carolina which was devastated by the historic flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene The ferry division also has significant infrastructure demands of its own including aging ferry terminals and vessels and the need to at least consider going more "green" with its operations That could include moving toward operating electric ferries as part of the state's continued push to lower its greenhouse gas emissions as part of the fight against climate change say ferries along the coast are just like roads in other parts of the state − vital transportation infrastructure that residents support through taxes and vehicle fees They also note that public roads don't physically pay for themselves The ferries also serve as primary transportation arteries in many areas catering to the needs of locals and facilitating economic growth by providing links for both residents and tourists Unlike other state-run ferries that largely cater to either commuters or tourists the Fort Fisher-Southport ferry does both on almost equal terms shows 51% of passengers on the route were residents while 49% were visitors or seasonal residents The Senate's budget proposal is now under review by the N.C Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work  FISHERS — The growing season is underway opened its gates to the public for the first time this year The free park they are working to provide more than just free fresh food options to local Hoosiers “We think last year like 30% of the roughly 35,000 people who came out year were new faces,” said Adam Wagner “We expect maybe some higher numbers this year.” Wagner told WRTV the 33-acre Urban farm that opened in 2020 and still hopes to provide more than just a free U-Pick experience “We want to continue to grow and offer the u-pick program volunteers were on the ground planting more produce for Hoosiers to pick in just a few weeks “It makes me feel good that I’m able to be out here on a nice day like this planting vegetables and the whole community benefits,” said Kitty Furman who volunteered this season after visiting the farm a few years ago.” She told WRTV she hopes the park can provide occasional relief for Hoosiers who might struggle to get fresh food “I just think it’s so important for people to have access to good healthy foods.” The experience is also a chance for parents and adults to learn about their food who frequented the park last year with her kids “It’s a great resource for families,” she added This year the park installed a nature-themed play space for kids that features water tables and a sensory-friendly area They also have a hiking trail along with several farm areas which were also a popular attraction last year The entire experience is all rooted in one thing “We provide an agricultural experience for people who want to come visit the park,” added Wagner Wagner estimated families picked roughly 100,000 pounds of produce last year The free U-Pick experience will be open in a few weeks for families Wagner told WRTV they will update what’s available regularly through their social media RELATED | Fishers AgriPark planting first seeds of 2025 season The stage was set for a competitive girls tennis dual meet on Thursday A rogue lightning strike delayed the meet for nearly half an hour then a rain shower halted the meet and forced it to be postponed The two teams will reconvene at Westfield on Monday afternoon Mischa Briggs of Fishers and Alexandra Grilliot of Westfield Hamilton Southeastern Schools has announced Nawla Williams as the new Director of the Hamilton Southeastern Fishers Academy (HSFA) who has served as Senior Academic Dean and currently as Dean of Students at Fishers High School brings more than a decade of experience in academic intervention who was recently named the district’s new Director of Career and Technical Education “Nawla Williams has demonstrated incredible dedication to students and staff throughout her career,” Superintendent Pat Mapes said “Her expertise in developing impactful academic interventions work-based learning experiences for students combined with her extensive background in student counseling makes her the ideal leader to drive the continued success of HSFA.” HSFA provides personalized academic interventions and workforce opportunities for high school juniors and seniors collaborating closely with Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High School The program creates individualized learning plans tailored to students’ unique academic “I am deeply honored to serve as Director of the Hamilton Southeastern Fishers Academy,” Williams said “HSFA sets itself apart from other alternative school programs in Indiana by emphasizing workforce learning alongside academic support I am committed to ensuring our students have every tool they need to achieve both academically and professionally.” Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in social work and criminology from Middle Tennessee State University a master’s degree in education with a specialization in school counseling from Indiana University and completed the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) at Butler University She is also in the process of obtaining her LMHCAA licensure Williams is a proud mother of three graduates of HSE Schools and has lived in Fishers since 2007 Her appointment was officially approved by the Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees during a special meeting on Tuesday morning She said she is honored to continue serving the community her family calls home For more information about the Hamilton Southeastern Fishers Academy, visit hseschools.org/academics/academy This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Kristian Emery Jones Kristian was the devoted husband of Bailey Lynn Jones and proud dog dad to Luna and Newt Kristian and Bailey were the love of each other's lives-a bond built on loyalty He was the beloved son of Latoya Jones and stepson of Jason and a cherished brother to Dason and Skylar He also shared a close bond with D’Angelo Antonio Dixson he was loved by his parents-in-law David and Stacey Hocking He is also remembered by his cousins DeAndre Kristian was a man of many talents-thriving in photography and creative eye brought him success in everything he pursued He will be remembered most for his radiant smile A celebration of Kristian’s life will be held on May 10 we take comfort in knowing that Jesus’ light continues to shine through Kristian’s life We find peace in knowing he has joined his grandmother Carretta his favorite great-aunt and second grandmother Mayella Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (9-14) fell to the Portland Sea Dogs (14-7) in 10 innings on Thursday night at Delta Dental Stadium After Portland plated three runs in the top of the 10th and New Hampshire brought the tying run to the plate in the NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (9-14) fell to the Portland Sea Dogs (14-7) in 10 innings on Thursday night at Delta Dental Stadium and New Hampshire brought the tying run to the plate in the home half but only scratched one run across in the frame Box Score New Hampshire third baseman Charles McAdoo tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with a solo shot Fisher Cats’ designated hitter Yohendrick Piñango posted consecutive multi-hit performances with two doubles and two RBI Piñango elevated his on-base streak to five games and now boasts a .357 batting average when hitting at the top of the lineup Right-handed Rafael Sánchez started and allowed one earned run across 5-2/3 innings pitched with three strikeouts but received a no decision in the loss 1-1) earned the win after 3-1/3 innings with four strikeouts while allowing one earned run on the McAdoo homer in the eighth Portland cracked the scoreboard first for the fourth game in the series after center fielder Caden Rose hit a triple with one out in the third inning Right fielder Karson Simas followed up with an RBI single to give the Sea Dogs a 1-0 lead New Hampshire knotted the score in the bottom of the fifth inning when catcher Robert Brooks belted a single to cash in first baseman Alex De Jesus at second base to make it 1-1 Reliever Johnathan Lavallee set down the Sea Dogs in order in the top of the ninth inning to send the contest to extra innings Lavallee picked up a strikeout to start the top of the tenth before Portland shortstop Mikey Romero hit a one-out single to plate the inherited runner from second base Designated hitter Jhostynxon Garcia and first baseman Blaze Jordan reached on walks to load the bases and catcher Ronald Rosario picked up a two-RBI single to retake the lead New Hampshire was able to plate the inherited runner in the bottom of the tenth on center fielder Jace Bohrofen’s sacrifice fly but a 6-4-3 double play ended the ballgame to give Portland its second straight victory May 2 at Delta Dental Stadium with a 6:35 PM EDT first pitch 1.64 ERA) is on the bump for New Hampshire and Portland’s Blake Wehunt (0-2 4.05 ERA) will make his second start against the Fisher Cats this season Fans can purchase 2025 multi-game memberships and single-game tickets at nhfishercats.com, via email at [email protected] and in-person at the Delta Dental Stadium box office on 1 Line Drive in Manchester Vanderbilt to Precede Pro Match in Fishers4/9/2025 9:15:00 AM | Volleyball 2025 — A group of fishers and activists from various organizations under the Maritime Workers Unions Network marched alongside Greenpeace Indonesia activists during a peaceful protest in front of the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower office and the Indonesian Parliament Building in Jakarta on May 1 for the commemoration of the International Workers day—or May Day They called on the Indonesian government to ratify the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No C-188 is an international legal instrument that is aimed at ensuring decent working conditions for fishers aboard fishing vessels specifically with regard to conditions of service occupational safety and health (OSH) protection “Indonesia ratified the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) for trade ship crews so it is time for equal protection for fishing vessel crews,” said Team 9 Coordinator Syofyan Koto the masses unfurled banners with direct appeals to the government President!” and “Protect the Sea This protest was aimed at highlighting the fact that behind the consumption of seafood there are working conditions for fishermen that often do not have adequate protection many Indonesian fishers nowadays are still recruited without clear procedures Indonesia will not only be able to better protect the fishers but also increase the economic value of its fishery products “Indonesia can strengthen the competitiveness of fishery products in the global market and improve the inspection mechanism for foreign vessels entering national waters,” he said Greenpeace Indonesia Ocean Campaigner Sihar Silalahi said that C-188 is not only about fishers protection but also about the sustainability of the fisheries sector “Ocean sustainability is not just about fish but also about the people who work in the ocean and within the entire supply chain of fishery products Upholding human dignity cannot be postponed for reasons like political calendar or quarterly economic targets The peaceful protest on 2025 May Day is a reminder that the fight for workers rights not only for those who work on land the fishers’ voice are now heard increasingly loudly: protect workers Team 9 is a coalition of civil society and trade unions formed to encourage the acceleration of the ratification of ILO C-188 by the government of Indonesia This initiative was started in 2022 by nine organizations and has since continued to grow as support from various trade union elements and civil society organizations has strengthened About the Maritime Sector Workers Union Network The Indonesian Maritime Sector Workers Union Network was formed by 6 trade union confederations and 2 labor unions with the aim of encouraging improvements in labor governance in the maritime sector the Maritime Sector Workers Union Network consists of: Secretary of the Maritime Sector Workers Union Network In its revised Principles and Criteria the RSPO has scored an ‘own goal’ by weakening its commitment to ensuring No Deforestation Greenpeace Indonesia called on the public to #ChooseToSpeakUp for the protection and restoration of the environment 6 Oct 2024 – As the region’s leaders chart the way ahead via ASEAN Vision 2045 it is imperative to ensure that human rights are at the forefront Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Please select which cookies you are willing to store These cookies will provide you a better experience of our website You will be able to hide the cookies acceptance banner and use the website features better The non-acceptance of these cookies will give you a cookie-free experience These cookies help improving the performance of Greenpeace.org They are set to collect data such as how long users stay on a page or which links are clicked This helps us make better content based on your experience navigating the website Fishers AgriPark just might be my favorite hidden gem. I loved it because we went home with free produce and my son loved it because of the farm animals and mud kitchen Part community urban farm, part park, Fishers AgriPark is located in a beautiful, relatively remote section of Fishers The drive itself is part of the experience Having lived in Hamilton County for 42 years I remember when Fishers mainly was farmland the population of Fishers has grown significantly AgriPark is Fishers’ way of paying tribute to its agricultural past The entrance to Fishers AgriPark is a gravel path that divides a vibrant field of wildflowers from the public produce field and gave us instructions on what produce was available for picking Related Articles: Farm Visits near Indianapolis On our way to the produce field, we were pleasantly interrupted by an animal encounter we visited a pig and some chickens before heading off to gather kale I recommend bringing garden shears and wearing proper footwear to avoid dusty toes The most popular section was the mud kitchen I think my son could have stayed there for hours playing contentedly There are several spots for adults to relax and read I researched recipes for the fresh produce we’d collected In addition to the free produce, play area, and farm animals, Fishers AgriPark also has an accessible, shaded nature trail We didn’t visit this time because we weren’t fully prepared with the proper footwear I took a few pictures of my son with the wildflowers in the background and we talked about coming back when the green tomatoes we saw might turn red Fishers AgriPark is located at 11171 Florida Road in Fortville. Hours of operation vary depending on the season, so check the Fishers AgriPark website for details […] ride costs a $2 charge. Location: 11171 Florida Road the Fishers AgriPark pays homage to Fishers’ agricultural roots while inspiring future generations of farmers Copyright 2024 Midwest Parenting Publications | All Right Reserved WORCESTER - Robert “Bobby” Fisher after a courageous two-year battle with cancer Bobby was the son of the late Attorney Lawrence H and graduated from Worcester Academy with the Class of 1975 William Fisher and his wife Kathy; and his beloved nephew Bobby was a devoted fan of New England sports He was an avid reader with a deep interest in spirituality and he will be remembered fondly for his sense of humor A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday followed by a gathering at the Jewish Healthcare Center memorial donations may be made in Bobby’s name to Genesis Club Fisher's club is staying at Sutter Health Park rent free and is still getting a pretty hefty RSN deal from Comcast Sports California to broadcast their games so it's the best of all worlds for him A team in a new city will draw capacity crowds each game and he'll be able to charge exorbitant prices to come see his team it isn't quite working the way that Fisher had envisioned The A's have drawn attendance figures in the 9,000s as many times as they've drawn 10,000 or more maxing out at 12,119 on Opening Night against the Chicago Cubs while a number of comped tickets were also available for player's families and team executives and 9,008 on Thursday against the Texas Rangers Some of the locals have said that they're withholding judgement until the weather warms up and school lets out this is the A's first season in West Sacramento and if they're struggling to pack a minor-league park a month into their stay then this whole adventure could be in trouble There isn't one single answer for why the A's are struggling to bring fans out to the ballpark because a number of people will have different answers I have had people tell me that the Athletics have sold out for every game because the A's were very loudly saying that they had sold out of season tickets I had to explain that the A's stance was a marketing technique They could have announced sellouts of season tickets in Oakland they're hovering around 6,000 season tickets sold and judging by some of the games I've attended that have had the same areas in the ballpark empty those season ticket holders may not be attending each and every game So the first misstep was not communicating that tickets would still be available to the public because a number of people I've spoken with didn't even bother looking for tickets once they heard that announcement The other big issue has been the pricing of these early games The A's were expecting nearly capacity crowds for nearly every game this season They haven't broken the 11,000 fan threshold since the first game which means plenty of seats are being left unsold The odd part here is that the ticket sales people know how many tickets they're moving and if they're coming up short then they should have been offering promotions to get people in the door This is something that they've been implementing more in recent weeks with flash sales like "2 for $20 for select games." This also has a chance to upset the season ticket holders that paid well above $10 for their seats In business, when you're not getting your desired outcome, in this case a sellout crowd, then it's because the prices are too high. The A's median ticket price for 2025 is the highest in baseball so they figured they'd up the price to get the most money from the seats they had available so why weren't the prices lowered sooner the goal is to draw fans to watch the baseball game then you should be trying new things to get them out to the ballpark then you miss out on those added purchases my family and I had planned to do a baseball game celebration in his honor I figured that a Saturday game against the White Sox (the worst team in baseball a year ago) would be great because the weather wouldn't be too hot yet so it was going to cost us close to $1,000 as a group to get in and we haven't bothered looking to reschedule and what they're willing to pay for these games A family of five isn't going to drop $500 to get into the game to sit on grass when they could just attend a Sacramento River Cats game the following week for $11 per person The A's brand isn't worth that upcharge It's certainly not worth the added fee when you consider the circumstances of the A's being in Sacramento in the first place They were pulled away from their long-time home in Oakland all while the owner blamed the fans for not coming out to the games as the reason for his decision he arrives in a new city and wants his new potential patrons to fork over gobs of money to see his team take the field He doesn't get the benefit of the doubt If he was in tune with the people of Sacramento he would have realized that a large portion of them would be turned off by the team's unwillingness to put "Sacramento" across their jerseys and in their team name Why should the city take pride in his franchise when he's seemingly too embarrassed to shout out Sac Town the team goes by "Athletics" or "A's" and every opposing broadcast in every game this season has mentioned how ridiculous that is since producing "Sacramento A's" merchandise would be a new way to sell hats and shirts and jerseys to not only local fans but to people looking to cash in down the road when the team ends up moving out of Sacramento It's pretty hard to not sell out a minor league park in your first month in a new city That's not Oakland A's fan's fault though The blame for the fans not showing out in Sacramento rests squarely on Fisher's shoulders Investing in the team is more than spending some money on the roster It's about not being the butt of every joke A little pride in where you play wouldn't hurt either JASON BURKEJason has been covering the A’s at various sites for over a decade, and was the original host of the Locked on A’s podcast. He also covers the Stanford Cardinal as they attempt to rebuild numerous programs to prominence. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER We accept the principles of a free-market economy almost everywhere — except when it comes to housing Briggs: HGTV's 'Good Bones' is not ruining Fountain Square Now, Fishers is trying to block investors from owning too many single-family homes. As IndyStar's John Tuohy reports the Fishers City Council is considering a 10% cap on single-family rental homes in subdivisions as a way to prevent the ongoing shift from owner- to renter-occupied homes Fishers counts 50 subdivisions in which more than 10% of homes are rentals. The city sees this trend as troubling and wants to reverse it. The proposal is gaining support because homeowners prefer living next to other homeowners and institutional landlords have been vilified as predators in recent years (that is true in some cases but the answer is to enforce penalties against bad landlords; not to ban renting as a form of housing) Here's the thing: The homeowner-to-renter shift is happening because we keep choking the supply of all other forms of housing. Families are running out of places to live. If Fishers gets its way, and more cities and states follow suit, it's going to worsen a crisis in which housing is already at record-low affordability Tightening credit standards have left fewer people able to qualify for mortgages. Among the people who do, they've been priced out of the market. The median home price in Fishers in January was $362,500, up 2.1% from the year before, per Redfin. For those who can afford home prices, even more are priced out by the 6.76% average 30-year mortgage rate which has remained more than double the rate homebuyers became accustomed to in recent years It is exceptionally hard for the average person to buy a house right now. As a result, the U.S. renter population is growing at three times the rate of the homeowner population, per Redfin If Fishers passes its 10% cap on rental homes in subdivisions It will be taking away the last possible solution for families who need a place to live and have run out of alternative options has enabled apartment construction in recent years But even that isn't enough to satisfy housing demand or to accommodate growing families who need more square footage than the average apartment provides Families want to live in single-family homes The Fishers 10% rental cap would do two things: eliminate potentially affordable homes and suppress the demand for construction of new homes because this policy restricts the market for people who can live in them sounds great to us." That's the heart of NIMBYism — getting into your own home and locking the gates behind you But those homeowners should consider that they're going to have to sell some day the de facto investor ban will have reduced the pool of prospective buyers You can see the strain on homebuyers in one number: 56. That's the average homebuyer age last year according to the National Association of Realtors Homebuying is increasingly limited to older people with high credit scores and lots of cash on hand Younger people and families with children need to live somewhere Fishers' proposed 10% rental cap is telling them: not in our backyard Contact James Briggs at 317-444-4732 or james.briggs@indystar.com. Follow him on X and Threads at @JamesEBriggs Crown Point Bulldogs faced off with the undefeated Fishers Tigers for a trip to the state championship game Crown Point was slowed by the stifling Fishers defense to a halftime tally with Fishers on top 30 to 21 Fishers opening up the long game and continued with aggressive defense The standout performance of the game was junior guard But it wasn’t enough to take down the Tigers Share Good News Contact Us Meet Our Team In October 2023, the European Commission launched the Fishers of the Future Foresight Study an EU-wide participatory study led by Tetra Tech and partners and a network of country experts covering 22 coastal Member States and outermost regions The study used foresight to explore the changes that the profession and identity of fishers might face up to 2050 what drives them now and what may drive them in the future while considering the evolution of existing challenges such as climate change The study produced four hypothetical scenarios for the future as well as future profiles of fishers The aim of this study is to support the Commission in developing transition pathways for 2050 To close the Fishers of the Future Foresight Study Tetra Tech and partners will hold an event in Brussels on 14 January 2025 The objective of the event is to share the results of the study with stakeholders and relevant target audiences The event will take place in Breydel's Auditorium in Brussels and online Foresight Study on Fishers of the Future - Final Report A European-inspired Marriott Hotel will move into the expanding Fishers District at I-69 south of 116th Street near the newly opened Fishers Event Center The 135-room hotel being built by AC Hotels by Marriott will target the growing number of business and leisure travelers to Fishers “The fundamentals of this area continue to be compelling for a wide variety of uses.” The hotel is part of a massive expansion south of the Yard at Fishers District a cluster of restaurants and food shops with a large apartment complex and a Hyatt Place Hotel The hotel will be in a section of the expansion designated as the Union — one of five developments within the master plan of  the expansion Also in the plans are a mixed-use development with 57,000 square feet of retail 251 luxury apartment homes and 70,000 square feet of office space The hotel will be the first AC brand, a Marriott subsidiary named for hotel designer Antonio Catalan modern fitness equipment and European-inspired beverage and food in a lounge and kitchen “We are thrilled to introduce Indiana's first AC by Marriott hotel to the vibrant and growing Fishers District," said Vincent Dora a Fishers company that operates four hotels in the suburb and will operate the Marriott Several restaurants have announced plans to move into the District Master developer Thompson Thrift has signed leases with Piedra The Union is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2025 Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418. Email at john.tuohy@Indystar.com and follow on X/Twitter A new Target is coming to Fishers’ east side The 148,000-square-foot store will be at 136th Street just seven miles away from the other Target located downtown near 116th Street Mayor Scott Fadness made the announcement during his annual State of the City Address at the Fishers Event Center hosted by the One Zone Chamber of Commerce where he highlighted several other projects planned for next year This year is Fadness’ 10th as the city’s first mayor The mayor cited the new Target as an example of the suburb’s rapid growth under his leadership NCOG BioPharma Services is adding a 114,000-square-foot building to their site and nearly 100 new employees by the end of 2025 The company has made $280 million in investments in Fishers located at the Fishers Life Science & Innovation Park is also expanding with new jobs at its manufacturing operations The jobs include making drug delivery devices and workers in research and development the company plans to have 700 employees with an average salary of $70,000 Fadness also reminded the audience of the city’s recent investment in parks and recreation  The city has increased its parks acreage by 61% and invested $135 million investment in parks and trails New community facilities include the Fishers Event Center Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418. Email at john.tuohy@indystar.com and follow on X/Twitter and Facebook. Alani Tuivucilevu, a 2024-2025 Obama Scholar empowers women fishers in Fiji through her selfless approach to leadership creating lasting change in her community and beyond Alani’s leadership is shaped by her upbringing Alani learned that service is the highest form of love from her father a traditional leader–a hereditary figurehead in the community “ Leadership has always been about service … it’s about using your influence and your resources to make people's lives better.” Alani is committed to empowering marginalized groups by amplifying their voices and creating financial and social growth opportunities I saw firsthand how women in my community worked tirelessly to support their families through fishing,” she reflected “Their resilience and strength inspired me to become a leader and advocate for their economic empowerment.” Alani’s approach is driven by the women and their stories amplifying stories about  their important work and their struggles she helps bring government attention to their work “Women fishers have been working in the informal sector for far too long without receiving the recognition or support they deserve,” Alani stressed sponsored by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization to highlight how unpaid carework limits women’s economic participation “Women fishers have such rich knowledge because they work directly with natural resources but their contributions have never been heard in decision-making spaces They have a big role to play in leading solutions on how to adapt to climate change and economic resilience,” she shared.  Alani’s leadership goes beyond advocacy: she and her team took action pushing a resolution through parliament in February 2024 to recognize unpaid care work as a barrier to women’s economic participation This milestone paved the way for programs that redistribute care work giving women more opportunities for financial independence “We knew real change meant pushing for official recognition—care work isn’t just a personal burden this work is more than advocacy—it’s hope in action Through data collection and storytelling Alani has sparked meaningful change proving how selfless leadership can dismantle systemic barriers and amplify marginalized voices The Obama Scholars Program has shaped her journey It expanded her global perspective and deepened her understanding of the systems driving policy and change “One of the most valuable lessons has been learning how to think in systems—real impact comes from understanding the bigger picture,” she shared Being part of a diverse cohort has challenged her to grow as a leader but one piece of advice from President Obama resonated most: the one thing you can rely on is your instincts.” She reflected I come from a background where talking about yourself is frowned upon—it’s seen as showing off I’ve learned that sharing my story isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about using it to inspire others and create impact.” Alani’s leadership demonstrates how one person’s belief in others can ignite change strengthening communities and inspiring action far beyond Fiji Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation to inspire and connect the next generation to change their world The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751) Be among the first to know about major news and updates from other Foundation programs March Madness is here—and we’re excited to continue our annual tradition of sharing President Obama’s Brackets Discover how Jumping Juniors empowers girls through Double Dutch jump rope with support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance We need your help to turn hope into action—to inspire The Obama Foundation Shop (Opens in a new tab) Historic lawsuit filed based on US Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act a group of fishers filed suit in San Diego against Bumble Bee Foods under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) alleging that they experienced human trafficking and forced labor as they caught tuna that was sold by Bumble Bee in the U.S The TVPRA offers survivors who have experienced labor or human rights abuses a private right of action to sue U.S companies that knowingly sell the goods produced on the back of their abuse.  It still hurts and probably always will.”  trapped in the same dangerous situation that I was and to be able to leave their jobs rather than be trapped against their will.” which is believed to be the first of its kind against the seafood industry in the U.S. alleges that Bumble Bee knew or should have known about the conditions these fishers experienced and that Bumble Bee knowingly benefited from the forced labor and human trafficking of these individuals The allegations in the suit include accounts of physical violence untreated life-threatening and deformity-causing injuries and financial threats against family members of workers to keep them from escaping their situation The allegations also include accounts of the fishers coming together to protect each other.  partner at Cohen Milstein and chair of its Human Rights practice said: “These men were looking for good jobs so they could provide for their families and build a future working around the clock – and facing financial penalties if they tried to leave The complaint outlines how each of them asked to be released but were kept on board against their will – and in some cases didn’t take home a single penny for their labor.”  “As part of its effort to stamp out human trafficking and forced labor law authorizes survivors to bring claims in the United States against the persons who benefitted from those abuses recognizing that forced labor overseas harms U.S Our clients are seeking justice not only for themselves but to implement changes that will protect other fishers including men at sea right now on those same boats.” Greenpeace USA said: “It is never easy for individuals to go up against large and influential corporations like Bumble Bee they share details of their painful and traumatic experiences in order to pursue justice they expose a broken system where thousands of other workers in the industrial fishing sector are trapped in conditions of human trafficking and forced labor in one of the most isolated workplaces on the planet I am optimistic that through this case they will get the justice they deserve and that corporations will know their power is not unmatched.”  which play a significant role in exacerbating the ocean and climate crises IUU precipitates a vicious cycle of dwindling fish stocks fishing vessels having to go farther out to sea and staying out for more extended periods of time to bring in enough catch to stay profitable The isolation of being out at sea for months at a time creates conditions ripe for labor abuse These problems create a downward spiral as forced labor is used to cut labor costs and enable otherwise unprofitable vessels to continue to deplete the oceans Seafood is more than a $350 billion industry globally. Bumble Bee’s US parent company, Bumble Bee Seafoods, boasts $1 billion in annual revenue. Meanwhile, migrant fishers onboard Taiwanese fishing vessels were reportedly promised salaries of $400-$600 a month which were often heavily deducted from or which they never received.  Bumble Bee is one of the three largest US tuna brands accounting for approximately 25% of the US canned tuna market Bumble Bee is owned by  Fong Chun Formosa (FCF) a vertically integrated Taiwanese tuna trader whose role in the tuna supply chain stretches from fishing vessels to US tuna brands FCF is one of the world’s top three traders of tuna said: “Thanks to the courage of these individuals Bumble Bee can no longer pretend they are doing enough to address the suffering experienced by those in their supply chain who contribute to their profits nor evade their responsibility to protect these vulnerable workers and our oceans The broader seafood and industrial fishing sector should also now be aware that they can’t continue to proceed with business as usual engaging in or allowing human rights abuses to go unchecked The time to put an end to these atrocities is now.” Bumble Bee has been linked to human rights and environmental abuses for years supported by reports from various organizations Greenpeace USA has reached out to Bumble Bee and FCF to discuss these issues multiple times but has often been met with closed doors or silence in recent years Investigations and supply chain research from the Greenpeace Beyond Seafood fisheries campaigns were used by the litigants’ attorneys to support this complaint.  Heidenreich continued: “The bipartisan support for the TVPRA is a real indicator that most Americans don’t want to consume products tainted with forced labor It is good that this pathway to justice exists in the US legal system and that these workers are able to seek justice that way the barriers to filing such cases are extremely high as evidenced by the decades of reporting on forced labor in US supply chains and the comparatively small number of TVPRA cases that have been brought Workers continue to be exploited while US businesses benefit from their notoriously opaque supply chains.”   “Survivors of human rights abuses should not have to wait years for justice or wade through complex legal systems for a chance to get the remedy they deserve Seafood companies at all stages of the supply chain need to act now to address these repeated and pervasive issues The extended isolation that put these individuals Greenpeace USA has called for concerted action by all actors along the supply chain and at the legislative level to end isolation at sea Unions and the right of association for workers are also essential ensuring a strong worker voice across the various stages of the supply chain Grievance mechanisms that are accessible – including at sea – secure and responsive allow workers to raise issues when they occur and for companies to then respond to them promptly providing remedy and addressing the root causes directly.  Images and videos are available here 2024)—Four fishing vessels that supplied tuna to major US brand Bumble Bee are linked to forced labor and illegal fishing practices Greenpeace USA calls for greater protections for fishers This is the third time that Taiwan’s distant water fishing industry has been included in the list play a key role in determining the human rights outcomes of tens of… CARMEL – As the crowd grew louder inside Carmel’s Eric Clark Athletic Center Down two points after the first quarter, six at halftime and later seven in the third quarter during the Class 4A Sectional 8 finals against No. 8 Noblesville, the unbeaten defending state champion Tigers refused to lose Much like their program motto states: Relentless Together; the Tigers showcased why they haven’t lost in 40 consecutive games “That’s why I had confidence because our guys have experience in these moments They never get rattled no matter the situation,” Fishers coach Garrett Winegar said IHSAA boys basketball: Indy-area sectional finals scores, highlights More: Mt. Vernon wins sectional the hard way: back-to-back wins over top-5 teams, state's best player This is what we’re made for.’ I guess they listened.” In the final eight minutes on Bill Shepherd Court the Tigers (27-0) lived up to their top-10 national ranking breaking the game’s sixth tie at 38-38 with an overwhelming 11-0 run the Millers (19-6) went scoreless through the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter as Fishers survived a Sectional 8 championship tug-of-war to complete the repeat We’re going to make the plays when it counts A 3-pointer by senior Millen McCartney initiated the Tigers’ decisive run An ensuing left-handed layup from sophomore Jason Gardner Jr propelled the momentum-shift with Winegar encouraging the Fishers’ student section throughout You couldn’t hear anything,” Gardner remarked on the near-capacity arena The Millers were hunting for an upset and payback after losing to the Tigers 74-40 on Dec 6 during the regular season and 49-47 in last year’s sectional title game the Millers pushed the Tigers to the brink with five ties in the first half and a 36-29 lead in the third with 3 minutes Davidson buried a 3-pointer from the corner “We knew the first time we played that wasn’t the real Noblesville but we know how to stay together,” Gardner said “We’ve been in a lot of situations like these rely on our chemistry and come out on top.” The Millers had a trio of double-digit scorers led by Davidson’s 14 points and junior Justin Curry's 13 Curry beat the buzzer for a putback that put Noblesville ahead 12-10 after the first quarter and a layup by Davidson before the halftime horn had the Tigers look up “I don’t think there’s ever panic,” Gardner said We were down by 15 (in the regular season) and won but we know six points is something we can get back.” beginning with a 3-pointer by senior Nathan Baker who finished with 12 points and two blocked shots Senior Justin Kirby followed up with a dunk off one of sophomore Cooper Zachary’s four assists and a pair of free throws 30 seconds later to cut the deficit 38-36 A breakaway layup by Gardner tied the score at 38-38 with 59 seconds on the clock in the third which drove the Fishers’ fans into a deafening frenzy Gardner had a team-high 14 points with eight in the second half “The crowd feeds us like crazy. It just makes us play harder. It lets us know we’re playing for something, having pretty much the whole city of Fishers in here. When everyone gets excited for us, we know we have so much support behind us,” said senior JonAnthony Hall Hall’s alley-oop dunk from Zachary at the 1:30 mark in the fourth quarter capped the Tigers’ comeback and we knew we were going to be able to pull through,” Baker said We just trusted each other and trust that everyone is capable of doing big things.” The ultimate task for the Tigers is a state championship repeat and they continue to prove they have the mojo to make it a reality with their last loss dating back to Jan it’s just like I live for these moments,” Hall said