This report addresses: Digital Nomads

The project uses blockchain technology to solve the health challenges of its community members by rewarding them with passive income and incentivising them to achieve their fitness goals for a long period.

The RunfShop universe, the shopping centre of the ecosystem, will be accessible to holders of the RUNF token.

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This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them.

Contact Centers: Succeeding Amidst The Great Resignation

Y H Lim __D9P9PD.jpg

Image: Y H Lim - alamy.com
The term Great Resignation came into common business parlance in September 2021, when the Harvard Business Review published an article analyzing the causes and strategies to combat the stark fact that millions of Americans were quitting their jobs, four million in July 2021 alone.

Employees can make use of the free on-site gym at Huel

Among the best programmes in the Employer of the Year shortlist, what impressed Ged Futter, another judge and founder of The Retail Mind, was not just what the larger companies are doing, but what smaller ones are offering.

Fmcg suppliers “have had to recognise that employee engagement is a critical component of workplace productivity, employee retention and, ultimately, profits”, says Fiona Kendrick, former chair and CEO of Nestlé UK&I, and a judge in the Employer of the Year category at this year’s Grocer Gold Awards earlier this month.

This report addresses: Digital Nomads

This report addresses: Digital Nomads

Title:

Content: Runfy, Cardano and Ripple to elevate in the coming years

By Vivek Mishra

Published: Wed 26 Oct 2022, 5:48 PM

The Runfy (RUNF) project seeks to reward users who use their platform with RUNF tokens if they meet their fitness goals. The project uses blockchain technology to solve the health challenges of its community members by rewarding them with passive income and incentivising them to achieve their fitness goals for a long period.

Runfy is powering a healthier crypto economy

Runfy (RUNF) is the token powering the two universes in the RUNF ecosystem. It will be used as a monetary incentive to encourage participants to stay active and live healthily. The RunfTR universe will give RUNF token holders special access to trained fitness instructors and diet consultants. These trainers will provide dedicated lifestyle and counseling services in exchange for RUNF tokens.

The RunfShop universe, the shopping centre of the ecosystem, will be accessible to holders of the RUNF token. There, users will be able to buy equipment from fitness companies. Trading of pre-owned fitness gear is also permitted in the marketplace. RUNF mobile app will easily enable users to track calories, nutritional intake, and training data. The app also comes with customizable and actionable tips to assist users in achieving fitness goals.

The ongoing pre-sale of the RUNF token attracts a five per cent bonus on every purchase. A 15 per cent bonus is available to investors who purchase RUNF tokens within 15 minutes of signing up. Depending on the crypto token used for the purchase, an additional 14 per cent to 22 per cent bonus also applies to each sale. RUNF project has more attractions in its official roadmap, making it a strong contender to be the next big cryptocurrency.

Cardano – The first proof-of-stake blockchain network

Cardano (ADA) is a blockchain platform with the mission of providing Web3 innovators and visionaries with the tools for bringing positive change to the world of decentralised finance (DeFi) and beyond.

The ADA open-source project uses the Ouroboros proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism to securely record financial data shared on its network of validator nodes.

The PoS mechanism eliminates the immense computing resources proof-of-work (PoW) networks like Bitcoin (BTC) need for crypto mining by relying on multiple random validators to verify the accuracy of a transaction before it is added to the chain of blocks.

Since the world is becoming more conscious of climate change and its harmful effects, more crypto users and institutions may favour PoS chains over their PoW counterparts. The price of Cardano (ADA) is predicted to appreciate as this shift happens in real-time.

Ripple – Number one choice for cross-border payments

Ripple (XRP) is a crypto-powered digital payment company that operates the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a decentralised, open-source blockchain with its native XRP cryptocurrency.

XRPL provides an alternative to traditional banking systems by running a public gateway for payment settlements and asset exchange. It functions as a trusted middleman in transferring international fiat and digital currencies.

XRP uses a consensus mechanism via a network of bank-owned computer servers to validate transactions and account balances. This feature results in reduced energy requirements, faster confirmation speeds, and negligible transaction costs.

XRP occupies a unique position as a cryptocurrency token accepted by many banking and financial institutions worldwide.

Excluding stablecoins, it enters the list of the top five cryptocurrency tokens ranked on CoinMarketCap by market capitalisation. The price of XPR is predicted to increase in value as it gains recognition among more corporate institutions and as crypto grows in its acceptance as a medium of exchange and store of value.

Most popular fitness strategies do not have a means of extending a user’s interest in the plan over an extended period. The RUNF token eliminates this friction by stimulating participants to hit fitness targets by providing an income opportunity.

The latest crypto news indicates that cryptocurrencies with passive earning mechanisms are trending among crypto investors and degens. So, why not make a good choice by investing in this community-backed fitness token?

Presale: //go.runfytoken.io/

Website: //runfytoken.io/

Telegram: //t.me/RunfyTokenOfficial

Vivek Mishra is a wealth analyst at Wealth Mantra Consultant

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Contact Centers: Succeeding Amidst The Great Resignation

Y H Lim __D9P9PD.jpg

Image: Y H Lim - alamy.com
The term Great Resignation came into common business parlance in September 2021, when the Harvard Business Review published an article analyzing the causes and strategies to combat the stark fact that millions of Americans were quitting their jobs, four million in July 2021 alone.

The phenomenon has impacted contact centers not only in the U.S. but across the globe. The pandemic has shifted what agents want from their employers and careers. It is not surprising that service leaders are struggling with hiring and retention in what has become a fiercely competitive marketplace for skilled employees. Contact centers have already begun to reimagine their workforce operations, to invest in the agent experience, and prioritize flexibility to attract, retain, and nurture the best talent.

During a recent webinar, I had the opportunity to join three contact center executives to ask a series of questions on this timely topic: Shannon Marowitz, executive director of head of global education, knowledge, quality, and social for The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Debbie Neuberger, senior VP of service operations for Realtor.com, and Madhav Thattai, VP of strategy & operations for Salesforce. Below are some highlights from our panel discussion.

Are you experiencing higher, lower or the same levels of attrition?
Not surprisingly, both Marowitz and Neuberger had attrition numbers at the ready. “We actually just updated our numbers this morning,” Neuberger said. She reported that since the start of the quarter in July 2021, turnover is seven percent higher than in 2020. She balanced that statistic with others that show that 38% of the company’s staff has been with Move, Realtor.com’s parent company, for over five years and 52% over three years.

Move is seeing turnover with its staff with less than one year of tenure, with half of the overall turnover coming from this demographic. Neuberger believes, “our weekly turnover is absolutely preventable, through leaning-in and listening.” But she went on to say that articles in the press reporting that 70% of employees hate their jobs and are thinking about leaving “should be a wake-up call to all of us to find a way to invest more in the things like employee engagement initiatives.”

Marowitz agreed that Estée Lauder is seeing a bit of an increase in attrition. In addition to employees with less than six months tenure, the company is also seeing agents making life decisions. Estée Lauder has a lot of very tenured, long-standing employees that are coming to a time in their life where they are asking: “Do I want to keep doing this?” Marowitz said that the move to digital-first interactions is playing a role in some of these decisions, with more tenured employees not as quick to embrace the new digital world of customer experience.

During the live webinar, we asked the approximately 200 attendees to share their experiences with attrition. They responded in chat, saying they are experiencing higher attrition levels.

How has agent onboarding and training changed in a remote environment?
With easier questions handled by self-service options, the agent job is more difficult than ever before. With the current labor challenges, and the need to hire and train remotely, companies are forced to do things differently.

Both executives agreed remote work required a reevaluation of the entire onboarding experience. Today, unlike pre-pandemic, it means shipping equipment, making sure new agents have the right system access and permissions, checking that cables work. Realtor.com starts pre-onboarding readiness with a technology readiness session, from confirming that everything the agent needs is in the box that they were sent to making sure they know how to sign into Zoom.

“The days of going into a training or onboarding session from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, is almost obsolete,” added Marowitz. Remote work, “really forced us to relook at the learning journey,” she said. Estée Lauder now thinks in terms of equipping a new hire with an onboarding journey. Some of the content is self-paced, some webinar-based. According to Marowitz, the approach is getting outstanding feedback from the frontline. Agents love that if they are hired part-time, they can do their learning part-time. They know exactly what they need to do to get to the next step in their curriculum.

Thattai added that at Salesforce, they have changed how they hire and the skills they look for and train. In the past, he said, the company hired for horizontal, generalizable skills that apply to a lot of different areas. Now, “the entire structure is more product-oriented, so that people actually get a lot more depth up front on the specific areas, the specific products they are going to be spending time supporting.” Intentional skill development, giving people a path, giving them the ability to continue developing skills throughout their tenure, he believes is key to managing agent attrition going forward.

There were more questions and more great insights offered by all three of the panelists. If this is a topic you are addressing in your firm, I encourage you to listen to the entire conversation.

This article originally published on November 2, 2021 (click here for the original article).

Title:

Content: This year’s Grocer Gold Awards highlighted the lengths retailers and suppliers are going to to recruit, retain and support staff. Our two-part series starts with suppliers

If the pandemic taught the industry anything, it was the value of its people. As key workers they went above and beyond to feed the nation. And employers, increasingly, have been going the extra mile in turn to attract, retain and motivate staff.

Fmcg suppliers “have had to recognise that employee engagement is a critical component of workplace productivity, employee retention and, ultimately, profits”, says Fiona Kendrick, former chair and CEO of Nestlé UK&I, and a judge in the Employer of the Year category at this year’s Grocer Gold Awards earlier this month.

As a result, says Steve Simmance, a leading headhunter, supplier benefits have “seismically changed, geared more towards physical and mental health, family and time off, rather than joining the car club or bigger pension contributions”.

Employees can make use of the free on-site gym at Huel

Among the best programmes in the Employer of the Year shortlist, what impressed Ged Futter, another judge and founder of The Retail Mind, was not just what the larger companies are doing, but what smaller ones are offering. “The entries showed what’s possible, even with a limited budget. That was what I found most encouraging – it was not a case of just throwing money at a problem, it was really thinking about what will make a difference.”

Debi O’Donovan, director of the Reward & Employee Benefits Association, says she’s seeing many employers particularly worried about the financial stress on their staff, so they’re focusing on programmes that help workers manage their money.

“Less can be more if handled well,” she says, if the HR programme offers initiatives that are “robust, well communicated and truly appealing”.

Read more:

Arguably the biggest change in the past few years, is flexible working, says Futter. “There are some dinosaurs (usually run by middle-aged white men) who believe working from home is for the workshy, and presenteeism is still part of their DNA, but they’re wrong. People are recognising that work is not everything – that it’s part of what we do, rather than all-consuming.”

With more focus also on diversity and inclusion programmes to attract and retain a wider range of staff, O’Donovan also notes that “some suppliers are boosting the number of older women in the workplace through putting in menopause support and extra paid time off for those who are caring for elderly adults.”

Due to its remote location, Heck puts huge effort into community-based activity, such as family fun days at its HQ

Simmance can see already the benefits in the “increased volume of older women right at the very top, extending their careers, which is fabulous. Dare I say it but women are better workers in the workplace, which may even be driving the more empathetic approach.” And it’s important too, because more generally he believes recruitment is “increasingly ageist” among fmcg suppliers. “It’s awful over the age of 40.”

“Ageism is a topic no one is really grasping. At worst, HR is the most ageist, because it doesn’t work with their successful planning or their ability to move people round an organisation. The most enlightened get the limitations. And I have to credit the supermarkets because they really get this.” But that’s for next week.

The suppliers going the extra mile for their employees

This year’s Grocer Gold Awards highlighted the lengths retailers and suppliers are going to to recruit, retain and support staff. Our two-part series starts with suppliers

Laura Robinson of Finnebrogue, who says the company’s executive leadership  programme ‘has been invaluable for my overall wellbeing’

Winner: Finnebrogue

Northern Irish meat supplier Finnebrogue is growing fast. In the past five years alone, it’s added 900 new employees. It’s also had to adapt to a competitive and challenging local job market and has thus focused on the dual challenge of attracting talent and retaining valuable team members.

To do so, the company has introduced a meticulously crafted programme of career pathways and development opportunities. This includes collaborations with Queen’s University Belfast and various professional bodies on employee development, a programme tailored to people returning to the workplace after an extended break, and working with charities to provide employment opportunities for neurodiverse adults and people with disabilities.

Finnebrogue also helped tackle cost of living challenges with two inflationary pay increases and relaunched its Family Leave Policy in late 2023, providing enhanced leave and pay benefits for maternity, paternity, child loss and IVF. These initiatives and many more have led to a 22% reduction in staff turnover, a 43% decline in absenteeism, and a 31% increase in job applications.

Laura Robinson has been one beneficiary, landing a place last year on the Finnebrogue Executive Leadership Programme. “Being afforded the time and opportunity to focus on my leadership style, step back to listen, challenge new ideas, and disrupt habitual patterns, has been invaluable,” she says.

Natalie Stanton says Huel walks the walk on work-life balance

Finalist: Huel

At meal replacement brand Huel, where staff numbers have increased rapidly from 170 to 300, the focus is on unity, transparency and flexibility. Bi-weekly all-staff meetings see the CEO present an “ask me anything” session. And outstanding employee performance is celebrated company-wide.

The brand has also increased holiday entitlement to 30 days a year, introduced ‘Flexible Fridays’ where employees are encouraged to finish working at midday on Friday to enjoy a longer weekend, and brought in an initiative allowing all employees to take two weeks a year to work remotely from anywhere. This comes alongside improvements to parental leave, support services for adoption, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, a free on-site gym, and free, unlimited one-to-one therapy (in-person and virtual) sessions for all employees.

“Huel’s flexible working hours, including ‘Flexible Fridays’, have been game-changing for my work-life balance and productivity,” says Natalie Stanton, head of UK retail sales.

“This time [on a Friday] can be used for upskilling, doing a course, coaching or therapy. All employees have access to free, unlimited therapy from Self Space. This year, I put my Friday afternoons to use training for the London Marathon for Shelter.

“Many companies talk about culture and work-life balance, but one of the most refreshing differences I’ve found at Huel is that people actually practice it. The business really seems to understand the importance of staying healthy and active and the benefits this has on mental health and productivity.”

The team at Glanbia Performance Nutrition, where health initiatives include a ‘step challenge’ and fitness classes

Finalist: Glanbia Performance Nutrition

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a sports nutrition and weight management business, Glanbia Performance Nutrition places much stock in the link between physical and mental wellbeing and has introduced several initiatives to boost both. This has included combating the sedentary nature of desk-based roles with a “step challenge”, a padel tournament, and fitness classes every Monday for the London office.

“Finishing Monday with a group workout not only boosts energy, it also strengthens my connection with colleagues,” says Laura Hoggins, chair of the UK engagement team.

But some of the sprints are mental. The company has embraced the “sprint and recovery model”, which emphasises the importance of balancing periods of intense work with necessary recovery times on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis.

Glanbia also partners with Psalt to recruit talent from different backgrounds, ensures each employee has an annual personal wellbeing objective, and asks the leadership team to role model the company’s smart working policy to encourage true flexibility and balance with other life priorities.

“Seeing our leaders model work-life balance has really made a difference,” says Ryan Lucas-Lowther, fitness community manager.

Finalist: Arla Foods UK

Arla has many initiatives that bring farmers together with the local community

Arla employs more than 4,000 people in the UK, and the dairy Co-op has engendered more ‘moments’ where it can seek employee feedback, including surveys, listening groups, health and wellbeing champions and health kiosks.

These have informed a healthy hearts and minds push that saw an additional 50 mental health first aiders trained, blood pressure monitors being placed in all sites, as well as sponsored walks, a football league and even dragon boat races.

Arla has also focused on inclusiveness, resulting in far-flung colleagues, customers and communities visiting and working on its farms, and its farmer-owners being included in internal communication.

“Introduction of the health kiosk and blood pressure monitors has been a great initiative for us. Even the sceptics regard it as positive,” says Matthew Press, 60, an Arla tanker driver.

“It’s made me consider if I’m getting enough sleep, drinking enough water and remember to  check on my diet and fitness.”

Finalist: Heck

Heck employees Ruby Parkyn (left) and Jack Tate (right) with chef Chris Baber, at a Heck event last year

Based in Bedale, North Yorkshire, Heck is a family-owned sausage, burger and mince brand. And nothing speaks to its old-school family values quite like its approach to the lunch break. At midday every day, production is paused in the factory so everyone can stop at the same time for lunch. And that lunch – usually a soup, hot main course, salad bar and dessert – is provided free of charge every day to all staff.

The perks don’t end anywhere near there, either. Heck has a free on-site gym, as well as on-site dog care, meaning dog owners can bring their pet to work and even take them for a walk with colleagues on their lunch break.

“Being able to bring my dogs to work is great,” says sales director Jamie Keeble. “I know they’re in good company when I’m back at my desk, as there’s usually at least three other pups for them to hang out with. It makes being a dog owner so much easier.”

Heck is also keen to provide opportunities for staff to help the local community. Last year, there were cook-ups, yoga sessions and family fun days, including a cooking demo from chef Chris Baber. There’s also a weekly soup kitchen in a local village hall, with staff volunteering to serve soup, bread and cakes made by Heck’s kitchen staff. Such initiatives are “great for staff morale”, says Claudia Anderson, who heads up Heck’s customer service. “Volunteering at the soup kitchen is a gorgeous addition to my week. It’s one of those things which leaves me feeling really grateful and positive.”

And it’s paying off, with a retention rate of 91.4%.


This report addresses: China's J-10 fighter jets

“And when you’re in a fast-paced environment and in a highly competitive environment, you have to think and act quickly.”

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The frenzy to buy and sell has created an atmosphere of pressure and stress in an already demanding process.

Home sales of existing, single-family homes in Maine declined 21.48% in March 2022 compared to March 2021, due to recent lack of inventory, coupled with pent-up buyer demand, according to the latest figures released by the Maine Association of Realtors.

“The performance enhancements tested on the track make their way to the street, and the Corvette E-Ray is a prime example of that Chevrolet innovation.”

The sports car features an artic white exterior and two-tone jet black and natural interior accents inspired by fighter jets.

Make wishtv.com your home page

Corvette E-Ray chosen as pace car for 2024 Indianapolis 500

A 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe -- the first-ever electrified Corvette -- will lead the field to the green flag at the start of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26.

Not only is Buffalo the far better team but there are a ton of trends to support laying the points with the Bills at the Jets Sunday.

Sportsbooks are saying the Bills should crush the Jets Sunday and the advanced stats back that up.

This report addresses: China's J-10 fighter jets

Title:

Content: A view April 24 of the neighborhoods around Lake Street, right, and Orchard Street, middle, in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — Today’s housing market is, by many measures, the tightest it’s ever been in Maine and across the country. There are simply more potential buyers than inventory – an imbalance that is not likely to even out for months, or years to come.

Despite fears over inflation and rising mortgage rates, the insatiable demand for new and used homes continues.

Home sales of existing, single-family homes in Maine declined 21.48% in March 2022 compared to March 2021, due to recent lack of inventory, coupled with pent-up buyer demand, according to the latest figures released by the Maine Association of Realtors. But the price of homes continues to skyrocket, with the median sales price up 21.4% to an average price of $325,000 compared to March 2021, which showed the median sales prices at $268,500.

Androscoggin County bucked the trend in March, seeing sales rise 9.22% in March 2022 compared to March 2021 from 217 homes to 237 homes.

“The market is more fast-paced than it has ever been,” said Madeleine Hill, president of the Maine Association of Realtors. “And when you’re in a fast-paced environment and in a highly competitive environment, you have to think and act quickly.”

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The frenzy to buy and sell has created an atmosphere of pressure and stress in an already demanding process. Buying a home is, for most people, the single largest purchase they will make in their lifetime. And for some it’s the only purchase of this magnitude. But even for the experienced home buyer and seller, buying or selling a home has taken on a whole new set of variables not seen before in the industry.

All this pressure has created opportunities for scammers who see potential for gain. Make no mistake, today’s transactions and payouts are bigger with most transactions happening virtually, opening the door for professional thieves and hackers working together.

Buying a home, for most people, is the largest expense they will make in their lifetimes. In the past few years, scammers have been working overtime to intercept wire transfers from purchases, and sell properties they do not own, and that were never on the market, to unsuspecting buyers. Marla Hoffman/Sun Journal

REAL ESTATE CRIME GROWING

Nearly 3 million consumers in this country reported losing $5.8 billion from all types of fraud in 2021, up 70% from 2020, according to the latest report from the Federal Trade Commission. Imposter scams followed by online shopping scams were the most popular categories of fraud.

Real estate is the third most common sector for fraud attempts behind construction and commercial services, according to the findings of a 2019 report by the Department of Treasury.

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Housing scams are prevalent across all aspects of the housing industry, with criminals targeting renters and owners. It’s a crime that’s growing exponentially and it’s easy to see why – more and more real estate transactions are being done virtually and the amount of money involved has also grown into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more per transaction.

In its 2021 Internet Crime Report, the FBI identified 42 victims of real estate/rental crime in the state of Maine, with total losses reported from the crime at $489,309. It identified 14 subjects, which the report defined as “the individual perpetrating the crime.” Losses tied to the subjects reached $528,953 in Maine. All the statistics come from victims reporting to the FBI.

Nationally, there were 11,578 victims of real estate/rental scams, who reported losses in 2021 at $350,328,166, a figure that jumped dramatically from 2020, when losses were reported at nearly $213.2 million.

The federal agency is tasked with investigating, tracking and reporting internet crimes through the Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3. It depends on victims of crime to report details through its internet portal.

HOW REAL ESTATE SCAMS OFTEN WORK

Wire fraud

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The thieves behind internet fraud are increasingly sophisticated, tech-savvy and convincing. You probably won’t ever speak with them if you become a target, as they almost always communicate through email and text. That’s the first red flag. They are engaging, even to the point of responding to questions like, “will I have access to the kitchen and the rest of the house” from a would-be renter.

By far, the most common real estate crime is wire fraud. What usually happens is a real estate agent or title company’s email gets hacked, revealing a buyer’s information and closing details. The scammer will then impersonate the seller, asking the title company to wire transfer the escrow funds to the scammer’s account instead. Or the impersonator will mimic the title company’s letterhead and email and ask for closing funds to be wired to them.

That’s what almost happened to a buyer working through Portside Real Estate Group. Mike LePage, a designated broker with the Yarmouth agency, explained: “Well, we got a call from a bank saying they uncovered wire fraud from a buyer trying to buy a property, who was closing in like two or three days.”

LePage would only say that the amount of the transaction was more than $100,000. “He received wiring instructions from the title (company), from someone who looked exactly like (they represented) the title company.”

LePage said the closing statement from the buyer’s deal was attached to the wiring instructions, before the real estate company even got the statement — something that should never happen.

LePage believes what happened is that the real title company emailed the closing statement to the real estate firm, which then emailed the information to the buyer, which is customary, but it was somehow intercepted by scammers. The scammers then impersonated the real title company and sent the information to the buyer, with instructions to wire the money to the scammer’s account.

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So how was it all exposed?

“When the buyer called the number that was on the wire fraud, they answered it by the title company’s name,” LePage said. “(But) when the bank called the number, it rang and rang and rang and rang.” Bank personnel immediately became suspicious, more than likely because the phone number given by the scammers didn’t match the actual title company’s number.

The bank stopped the wire transfer, and no funds were lost in this case. The FBI is investigating.

Other types of real estate scams

There is also title or deed theft, where the title to a home is illegally obtained and the thieves then assume the identity of a real estate agent or other professional and then try to sell the home to an unsuspecting potential buyer.

Finally, there is the age-old rental scam. The Maine Attorney General’s Office posts the following description and warning on its website:

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This scam is usually seen on Craigslist or other websites. Recently, a Maine homeowner discovered his house, as well as photographs of the property, were listed for rent on Craigslist without his knowledge. The ad listed a Nigerian email address for responses and payment for the fictitious rental. One shopper was ready to rent the home by sending her money to Nigeria. Fortunately, the shopper contacted the Maine homeowner and discovered the scam before sending any funds to the scam artist.

Other consumers haven’t been so lucky only to arrive at their paid vacation home for the week or new apartment to find out that it isn’t for rent at all. Remember — never send money in response to an internet or rental offer without first confirming that the ad is legitimate or from a known and trusted business.”

What can you do to protect yourself? Most people don’t know where to turn when they become a victim of real estate fraud. Some turn to the local police. Many don’t do anything, embarrassed by being scammed and unfamiliar with how to deal with the situation. Officials acknowledge the number of scams and fraud reported to them is far lower than the actual number.

There are a number of precautions you can take to protect yourself, but perhaps the best advice is never wire money to someone you don’t know, no matter how desperate you are for a rental, and never give your Social Security number to someone who emails you an application. Never.

Take the time to check the real owner’s name in the city or county where the home is located. If the name does not match up to the one in the rental ad, it’s more than likely a scam. For a complete list of ways you can protect yourself and who to contact if you feel you have been the victim of real estate fraud, see the related story.

In Maine, the Attorney General’s Office doesn’t prosecute wire fraud; most of the scams done through the internet are federal crimes and many times involve interstate commerce. However, the office can offer assistance. A spokesperson for the office last week acknowledged real estate scams are increasing and vigilance is needed.

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“It’s clear that real estate-related scams are becoming more common and increasingly sophisticated,” the person said. “We encourage anyone who has experienced a scam in a real estate transaction or wire fraud to reach out to our Consumer Protection Division so our office can assist directly or guide victims to the appropriate enforcement agency.”

People can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 207-626-8849 or 800-436-2131 toll free in Maine. The hotline accepts calls from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

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Content: Make wishtv.com your home page

Corvette E-Ray chosen as pace car for 2024 Indianapolis 500

A 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe -- the first-ever electrified Corvette -- will lead the field to the green flag at the start of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26. (Provided Photo/Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe — the first-ever electrified Corvette — will lead the field to the green flag for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

The E-Ray is the quickest production Corvette in history and comes equipped with All-Wheel Drive capability, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway said Wednesday.

The sports car’s electric drive unit helps it achieve incredible acceleration. The Corvette E-Ray can go from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds before breezing through the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds.

“As we anticipate another record-breaking Indianapolis 500, it’s only fitting that the quickest production Corvette will pace the field,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said in a release. “The performance enhancements tested on the track make their way to the street, and the Corvette E-Ray is a prime example of that Chevrolet innovation.”

The sports car features an artic white exterior and two-tone jet black and natural interior accents inspired by fighter jets. Carbon fiber wheels complete the car’s iconic, race-ready look.

The Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car, leading the field to the green flag 21 times since 1978.

The 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, May 26.

Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information on all Month of May events and activities.

For more Indianapolis 500 stories, visit wishtv.com/monthofmay.

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Content: BET: Bills Will Humble An Overrated Jets Squad Sunday

The market isn’t buying the New York Jets’ 5-3 record when they host the 6-1 Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium in Week 9 and neither should we.

This will be the first Bills-Jets meeting of the season and Buffalo has dominated this series over the last two years. The Bills have beaten the Jets in four straight meetings, three of them by double digits.

Not only is Buffalo the far better team but there are a ton of trends to support laying the points with the Bills at the Jets Sunday.

Betting Details (DraftKings)

  • Moneyline: Bills (-625), Jets (+470)
  • Against the spread (ATS): BILLS -12.5 (-110), Jets +12.5 (-110)
  • Total (O/U) — 47 — O: -105, U: -115

The spread says it all

Any confusion about how much better Buffalo is than NY should be cleared up once seeing the betting line. Sportsbooks are saying the Bills should crush the Jets Sunday and the advanced stats back that up.

Buffalo is 1st in net expected points added per play (EPA/play), net success rate, and point differential. NY on the other hand is 18th in net EPA/play and 26th in net success rate.

Bills QB Josh Allen and WR Stefon Diggs might be the best QB-WR tandem in the NFL. Diggs torched the Jets in 2021 with 243 receiving yards and 2 TDs on 17 catches.

Furthermore, NY’s offense has taken significant injuries and the defense has faced either a backup or rookie quarterback in four of its five wins this season.

Jets rookie RB Breece Hall and three starting offensive linemen are on the injured reserve list. And NY’s defense is going against the odds-on favorite to win the 2022 NFL MVP Sunday in Allen.

The point that the sportsbooks are making with this line is …

Don’t be fooled by NY’s record

Sure, the Jets are two games above-.500 and currently 5th in the AFC postseason standings. But, NY won’t be in playoff contention for long if it keeps getting subpar play from starting QB Zach Wilson.

Out of 38 graded quarterbacks in the NFL, Pro Football Focus ranks Wilson 36th. He has the 2nd-worst EPA/play blended with completion percentage over expectation. Essentially Wilson isn’t throwing WRs open or making scoring plays.

It’s going to be harder for Wilson to move the chains against Buffalo’s lockdown defense. The Jets have 12 fewer 1st downs than their opponent this season.

The Green Bay Packers covered as 10.5-point underdogs last week thanks in part to a superstar TD pass from Aaron Rodgers to Packers WR Romeo Doubs.

Wilson doesn’t have the arm talent to make those kinds of throws and it would take a no-show from Buffalo’s defense for NY’s offense to have success Sunday.

On top of that …

‘The House’ is begging the public to bet on the Jets

Oddsmakers are hoping the double-digit spread in a divisional matchup between two teams with a winning record scares people away.

There’s still value in this number because double-digit favorites are 8-1 ATS vs. winning teams (+8.1 ATS margin) since 2017.

Also, teams with winning records are rarely this big of a home underdog this far into the season. Apparently, the sportsbooks are calling the Jets frauds.

Over the last five-plus seasons, double-digit favorites vs. teams with a winning record after Week 8 are 6-0 ATS with a +10.8 ATS margin.

Aside from a choke job last season at the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo cover vs. bad teams. Since Allen’s breakout season of 2020, the Bills are 6-3-2 ATS as double-digit favorites with a +5.9 ATS margin.

BET: Bills -12.5 (-110) at DraftKings Sportsbook, up to the -13.5

FOLLOW GEOFF ON TWITTER: @Geoffery_Clark

Listen to the ‘OutKick Bets with Geoff Clark’ podcast HERE.

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Written by Geoff Clark


This report addresses: China's J-10 fighter jets

“And when you’re in a fast-paced environment and in a highly competitive environment, you have to think and act quickly.”

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The frenzy to buy and sell has created an atmosphere of pressure and stress in an already demanding process.

Home sales of existing, single-family homes in Maine declined 21.48% in March 2022 compared to March 2021, due to recent lack of inventory, coupled with pent-up buyer demand, according to the latest figures released by the Maine Association of Realtors.

“The performance enhancements tested on the track make their way to the street, and the Corvette E-Ray is a prime example of that Chevrolet innovation.”

The sports car features an artic white exterior and two-tone jet black and natural interior accents inspired by fighter jets.

Make wishtv.com your home page

Corvette E-Ray chosen as pace car for 2024 Indianapolis 500

A 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe -- the first-ever electrified Corvette -- will lead the field to the green flag at the start of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26.

Not only is Buffalo the far better team but there are a ton of trends to support laying the points with the Bills at the Jets Sunday.

Sportsbooks are saying the Bills should crush the Jets Sunday and the advanced stats back that up.

This report addresses: China's J-10 fighter jets

Title:

Content: A view April 24 of the neighborhoods around Lake Street, right, and Orchard Street, middle, in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — Today’s housing market is, by many measures, the tightest it’s ever been in Maine and across the country. There are simply more potential buyers than inventory – an imbalance that is not likely to even out for months, or years to come.

Despite fears over inflation and rising mortgage rates, the insatiable demand for new and used homes continues.

Home sales of existing, single-family homes in Maine declined 21.48% in March 2022 compared to March 2021, due to recent lack of inventory, coupled with pent-up buyer demand, according to the latest figures released by the Maine Association of Realtors. But the price of homes continues to skyrocket, with the median sales price up 21.4% to an average price of $325,000 compared to March 2021, which showed the median sales prices at $268,500.

Androscoggin County bucked the trend in March, seeing sales rise 9.22% in March 2022 compared to March 2021 from 217 homes to 237 homes.

“The market is more fast-paced than it has ever been,” said Madeleine Hill, president of the Maine Association of Realtors. “And when you’re in a fast-paced environment and in a highly competitive environment, you have to think and act quickly.”

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The frenzy to buy and sell has created an atmosphere of pressure and stress in an already demanding process. Buying a home is, for most people, the single largest purchase they will make in their lifetime. And for some it’s the only purchase of this magnitude. But even for the experienced home buyer and seller, buying or selling a home has taken on a whole new set of variables not seen before in the industry.

All this pressure has created opportunities for scammers who see potential for gain. Make no mistake, today’s transactions and payouts are bigger with most transactions happening virtually, opening the door for professional thieves and hackers working together.

Buying a home, for most people, is the largest expense they will make in their lifetimes. In the past few years, scammers have been working overtime to intercept wire transfers from purchases, and sell properties they do not own, and that were never on the market, to unsuspecting buyers. Marla Hoffman/Sun Journal

REAL ESTATE CRIME GROWING

Nearly 3 million consumers in this country reported losing $5.8 billion from all types of fraud in 2021, up 70% from 2020, according to the latest report from the Federal Trade Commission. Imposter scams followed by online shopping scams were the most popular categories of fraud.

Real estate is the third most common sector for fraud attempts behind construction and commercial services, according to the findings of a 2019 report by the Department of Treasury.

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Housing scams are prevalent across all aspects of the housing industry, with criminals targeting renters and owners. It’s a crime that’s growing exponentially and it’s easy to see why – more and more real estate transactions are being done virtually and the amount of money involved has also grown into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more per transaction.

In its 2021 Internet Crime Report, the FBI identified 42 victims of real estate/rental crime in the state of Maine, with total losses reported from the crime at $489,309. It identified 14 subjects, which the report defined as “the individual perpetrating the crime.” Losses tied to the subjects reached $528,953 in Maine. All the statistics come from victims reporting to the FBI.

Nationally, there were 11,578 victims of real estate/rental scams, who reported losses in 2021 at $350,328,166, a figure that jumped dramatically from 2020, when losses were reported at nearly $213.2 million.

The federal agency is tasked with investigating, tracking and reporting internet crimes through the Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3. It depends on victims of crime to report details through its internet portal.

HOW REAL ESTATE SCAMS OFTEN WORK

Wire fraud

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The thieves behind internet fraud are increasingly sophisticated, tech-savvy and convincing. You probably won’t ever speak with them if you become a target, as they almost always communicate through email and text. That’s the first red flag. They are engaging, even to the point of responding to questions like, “will I have access to the kitchen and the rest of the house” from a would-be renter.

By far, the most common real estate crime is wire fraud. What usually happens is a real estate agent or title company’s email gets hacked, revealing a buyer’s information and closing details. The scammer will then impersonate the seller, asking the title company to wire transfer the escrow funds to the scammer’s account instead. Or the impersonator will mimic the title company’s letterhead and email and ask for closing funds to be wired to them.

That’s what almost happened to a buyer working through Portside Real Estate Group. Mike LePage, a designated broker with the Yarmouth agency, explained: “Well, we got a call from a bank saying they uncovered wire fraud from a buyer trying to buy a property, who was closing in like two or three days.”

LePage would only say that the amount of the transaction was more than $100,000. “He received wiring instructions from the title (company), from someone who looked exactly like (they represented) the title company.”

LePage said the closing statement from the buyer’s deal was attached to the wiring instructions, before the real estate company even got the statement — something that should never happen.

LePage believes what happened is that the real title company emailed the closing statement to the real estate firm, which then emailed the information to the buyer, which is customary, but it was somehow intercepted by scammers. The scammers then impersonated the real title company and sent the information to the buyer, with instructions to wire the money to the scammer’s account.

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So how was it all exposed?

“When the buyer called the number that was on the wire fraud, they answered it by the title company’s name,” LePage said. “(But) when the bank called the number, it rang and rang and rang and rang.” Bank personnel immediately became suspicious, more than likely because the phone number given by the scammers didn’t match the actual title company’s number.

The bank stopped the wire transfer, and no funds were lost in this case. The FBI is investigating.

Other types of real estate scams

There is also title or deed theft, where the title to a home is illegally obtained and the thieves then assume the identity of a real estate agent or other professional and then try to sell the home to an unsuspecting potential buyer.

Finally, there is the age-old rental scam. The Maine Attorney General’s Office posts the following description and warning on its website:

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This scam is usually seen on Craigslist or other websites. Recently, a Maine homeowner discovered his house, as well as photographs of the property, were listed for rent on Craigslist without his knowledge. The ad listed a Nigerian email address for responses and payment for the fictitious rental. One shopper was ready to rent the home by sending her money to Nigeria. Fortunately, the shopper contacted the Maine homeowner and discovered the scam before sending any funds to the scam artist.

Other consumers haven’t been so lucky only to arrive at their paid vacation home for the week or new apartment to find out that it isn’t for rent at all. Remember — never send money in response to an internet or rental offer without first confirming that the ad is legitimate or from a known and trusted business.”

What can you do to protect yourself? Most people don’t know where to turn when they become a victim of real estate fraud. Some turn to the local police. Many don’t do anything, embarrassed by being scammed and unfamiliar with how to deal with the situation. Officials acknowledge the number of scams and fraud reported to them is far lower than the actual number.

There are a number of precautions you can take to protect yourself, but perhaps the best advice is never wire money to someone you don’t know, no matter how desperate you are for a rental, and never give your Social Security number to someone who emails you an application. Never.

Take the time to check the real owner’s name in the city or county where the home is located. If the name does not match up to the one in the rental ad, it’s more than likely a scam. For a complete list of ways you can protect yourself and who to contact if you feel you have been the victim of real estate fraud, see the related story.

In Maine, the Attorney General’s Office doesn’t prosecute wire fraud; most of the scams done through the internet are federal crimes and many times involve interstate commerce. However, the office can offer assistance. A spokesperson for the office last week acknowledged real estate scams are increasing and vigilance is needed.

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“It’s clear that real estate-related scams are becoming more common and increasingly sophisticated,” the person said. “We encourage anyone who has experienced a scam in a real estate transaction or wire fraud to reach out to our Consumer Protection Division so our office can assist directly or guide victims to the appropriate enforcement agency.”

People can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 207-626-8849 or 800-436-2131 toll free in Maine. The hotline accepts calls from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

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Content: Make wishtv.com your home page

Corvette E-Ray chosen as pace car for 2024 Indianapolis 500

A 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe -- the first-ever electrified Corvette -- will lead the field to the green flag at the start of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26. (Provided Photo/Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe — the first-ever electrified Corvette — will lead the field to the green flag for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

The E-Ray is the quickest production Corvette in history and comes equipped with All-Wheel Drive capability, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway said Wednesday.

The sports car’s electric drive unit helps it achieve incredible acceleration. The Corvette E-Ray can go from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds before breezing through the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds.

“As we anticipate another record-breaking Indianapolis 500, it’s only fitting that the quickest production Corvette will pace the field,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said in a release. “The performance enhancements tested on the track make their way to the street, and the Corvette E-Ray is a prime example of that Chevrolet innovation.”

The sports car features an artic white exterior and two-tone jet black and natural interior accents inspired by fighter jets. Carbon fiber wheels complete the car’s iconic, race-ready look.

The Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car, leading the field to the green flag 21 times since 1978.

The 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, May 26.

Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information on all Month of May events and activities.

For more Indianapolis 500 stories, visit wishtv.com/monthofmay.

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Content: BET: Bills Will Humble An Overrated Jets Squad Sunday

The market isn’t buying the New York Jets’ 5-3 record when they host the 6-1 Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium in Week 9 and neither should we.

This will be the first Bills-Jets meeting of the season and Buffalo has dominated this series over the last two years. The Bills have beaten the Jets in four straight meetings, three of them by double digits.

Not only is Buffalo the far better team but there are a ton of trends to support laying the points with the Bills at the Jets Sunday.

Betting Details (DraftKings)

  • Moneyline: Bills (-625), Jets (+470)
  • Against the spread (ATS): BILLS -12.5 (-110), Jets +12.5 (-110)
  • Total (O/U) — 47 — O: -105, U: -115

The spread says it all

Any confusion about how much better Buffalo is than NY should be cleared up once seeing the betting line. Sportsbooks are saying the Bills should crush the Jets Sunday and the advanced stats back that up.

Buffalo is 1st in net expected points added per play (EPA/play), net success rate, and point differential. NY on the other hand is 18th in net EPA/play and 26th in net success rate.

Bills QB Josh Allen and WR Stefon Diggs might be the best QB-WR tandem in the NFL. Diggs torched the Jets in 2021 with 243 receiving yards and 2 TDs on 17 catches.

Furthermore, NY’s offense has taken significant injuries and the defense has faced either a backup or rookie quarterback in four of its five wins this season.

Jets rookie RB Breece Hall and three starting offensive linemen are on the injured reserve list. And NY’s defense is going against the odds-on favorite to win the 2022 NFL MVP Sunday in Allen.

The point that the sportsbooks are making with this line is …

Don’t be fooled by NY’s record

Sure, the Jets are two games above-.500 and currently 5th in the AFC postseason standings. But, NY won’t be in playoff contention for long if it keeps getting subpar play from starting QB Zach Wilson.

Out of 38 graded quarterbacks in the NFL, Pro Football Focus ranks Wilson 36th. He has the 2nd-worst EPA/play blended with completion percentage over expectation. Essentially Wilson isn’t throwing WRs open or making scoring plays.

It’s going to be harder for Wilson to move the chains against Buffalo’s lockdown defense. The Jets have 12 fewer 1st downs than their opponent this season.

The Green Bay Packers covered as 10.5-point underdogs last week thanks in part to a superstar TD pass from Aaron Rodgers to Packers WR Romeo Doubs.

Wilson doesn’t have the arm talent to make those kinds of throws and it would take a no-show from Buffalo’s defense for NY’s offense to have success Sunday.

On top of that …

‘The House’ is begging the public to bet on the Jets

Oddsmakers are hoping the double-digit spread in a divisional matchup between two teams with a winning record scares people away.

There’s still value in this number because double-digit favorites are 8-1 ATS vs. winning teams (+8.1 ATS margin) since 2017.

Also, teams with winning records are rarely this big of a home underdog this far into the season. Apparently, the sportsbooks are calling the Jets frauds.

Over the last five-plus seasons, double-digit favorites vs. teams with a winning record after Week 8 are 6-0 ATS with a +10.8 ATS margin.

Aside from a choke job last season at the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo cover vs. bad teams. Since Allen’s breakout season of 2020, the Bills are 6-3-2 ATS as double-digit favorites with a +5.9 ATS margin.

BET: Bills -12.5 (-110) at DraftKings Sportsbook, up to the -13.5

FOLLOW GEOFF ON TWITTER: @Geoffery_Clark

Listen to the ‘OutKick Bets with Geoff Clark’ podcast HERE.

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Written by Geoff Clark


This report addresses: Saharan Dust Storm Impact

This information can be used to monitor the impact of natural disasters on ecosystems and to help manage natural resources in the aftermath of a disaster.

One of the primary benefits of weather satellites is their ability to provide accurate and up-to-date information about weather patterns.

WeatherThis Week in Weather History

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Winter 1948-1949 | The Worst Winter in Nebraska History

Relentless blizzards, wind, and cold
Posted at 1:44 PM, Jan 31, 2024
and last updated 2024-01-31 14:44:00-05

In Nebraska legend, there are certain winters that grandparents relate to their grandkids about "the hard times" of yesteryear.

Of those, the Long Winter of 1880-1881, the Schoolchildren Blizzard of 1888, the Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940, and the Great Blizzard of 1975.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne reported the record low was -26 degrees Fahrenheit early in the morning Thursday, which persisted until past 7 a.m.

Lavoie said the last cold outbreak of this magnitude was in the late 1970s for the Riverton area, but Casper had the all-time coldest temperature recorded since 1939.

This report addresses: Saharan Dust Storm Impact

Title:

Content: Importance of Weather Satellites in Disaster Management

Weather satellites have become an essential tool in disaster management and emergency response. These satellites are used to monitor weather patterns and provide real-time data to help predict and respond to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires.

The importance of weather satellites in disaster management cannot be overstated. These satellites provide critical information that can help emergency responders and disaster management teams make informed decisions about evacuation, rescue, and relief efforts. They can also help to minimize the impact of natural disasters on communities and reduce the loss of life and property damage.

One of the primary benefits of weather satellites is their ability to provide accurate and up-to-date information about weather patterns. This information is crucial in predicting the path and intensity of natural disasters, which can help emergency responders and disaster management teams prepare for and respond to these events. For example, weather satellites can provide information about the strength and trajectory of hurricanes, which can help communities prepare for the storm and evacuate if necessary.

In addition to providing information about weather patterns, weather satellites can also provide data about the environment and natural resources. This information can be used to monitor the impact of natural disasters on ecosystems and to help manage natural resources in the aftermath of a disaster. For example, weather satellites can provide information about the extent of flooding in a particular area, which can help emergency responders and disaster management teams identify areas that are in need of assistance.

Another benefit of weather satellites is their ability to provide real-time data. This data can be used to track the movement of natural disasters and to provide updates to emergency responders and disaster management teams. This information can help these teams make informed decisions about where to focus their efforts and how to allocate resources.

Despite the many benefits of weather satellites, there are some challenges associated with their use in disaster management. One of the main challenges is the cost of launching and maintaining these satellites. Weather satellites require significant financial investment, which can be a barrier for some countries and organizations.

Another challenge is the need for trained personnel to interpret and analyze the data provided by weather satellites. This requires specialized knowledge and expertise, which may not be readily available in all areas.

Despite these challenges, the use of weather satellites in disaster management and emergency response is essential. These satellites provide critical information that can help to save lives and minimize the impact of natural disasters on communities. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that weather satellites will become even more important in disaster management and emergency response.

Title:

Content: WeatherThis Week in Weather History

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Winter 1948-1949 | The Worst Winter in Nebraska History

Relentless blizzards, wind, and cold
Posted at 1:44 PM, Jan 31, 2024
and last updated 2024-01-31 14:44:00-05

In Nebraska legend, there are certain winters that grandparents relate to their grandkids about "the hard times" of yesteryear. Of those, the Long Winter of 1880-1881, the Schoolchildren Blizzard of 1888, the Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940, and the Great Blizzard of 1975. However, one particular winter stands out, the winter of 1948-1949.

Nebraskans endured a siege of blizzards beginning in November and lasting through March. Each blizzard brought heavy snow, screaming winds, and brutal cold. Snow piled up so high in spots it covered houses, crippled transportation, and trapped cattle in the elements. It took a massive federal government operation to dig out those stranded finally. The worst affected areas was the Panhandle into northern Nebraska, but Omaha and the rest of Nebraska/Iowa were not spared. In this installment of This Week in Weather History we look back at the worst winter in Nebraska state history.

NEBRASKA IN THE LATE 1940S

After enduring the hardships that were the 1930s with the Depression and the Dust Bowl, Nebraskans entered the 1940s with a dim sense of hope. In World War II, Nebraskans joined the front lines, assisted the war effort in munitions facilities, and growing food for the troops. The post-war brought on new international tensions with the Soviet Union, and the Cold War came into being by the late 1940s. The era of the "Red Scare" and McCarthyism was here.

Besides the darkened political landscape, Nebraska enjoyed an economic boom brought about by the war in the later 1940s. Unemployment was low, wages were slowly rising, and Nebraskans had more money to spend. Purchases of appliances like Refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers soared; as well, luxury items such as more ornate clothing, vacations, and home decor were also purchased. The 1940s was the spread of the television, now cheap enough for middle-class families to afford. It quickly became a household staple as families gathered around the TV to watch shows and relax. On September 1, 1949, KMTV came on the air, the second oldest TV station in Nebraska.

Although it did not accelerate until well into the 1950s, Nebraskans were moving from the city to the suburbs. In the Omaha metro, towns such as Bellevue, Millard, Valley, and Ralston saw large population increases in the 1940s, only to continue into the 50s. Other cities like Lincoln, Hastings, Grand Island, and Sidney also saw significant population gains through the decade.

Rural areas saw big changes in the 1940s too. The latter 1940s was hallmarked by a major push to bring electricity to rural homes, brought about by the Rural Electrification Act (REA) in 1936. In December 1947, only 36% of Nebraskan homes had electricity. By 1954, that number had ballooned to over 96% of homes. Many rural Nebraskans earned a living in agriculture, as farms expanded due to mechanization, the number of farms also shrunk. Seeking better opportunities, many younger people left the countryside for the cities or outside the state. Most counties in the 1940s saw a population drop, a trend that continues today.

Coming out of the Dust Bowl, life in Nebraska was changing in many significant ways both for good and ill. It would take the most brutal winter in the history of the state to push even more change, and it began early in November 1948.

NOVEMBER 16-22, 1948: THE PRECURSOR

November 15, 1948, was a warm day across Nebraska with many locations hitting the 70s, Omaha recorded a high of 71 that day. On November 16, a cold front began to move across the state, but it was still mild with temperatures in the 50s statewide. Beginning on the afternoon of November 17, a low-pressure system began moving out of Colorado into Kansas and strengthened. As cold air continued to filter in, snow started to fall in the Panhandle, stretching its way eastward. By November 18, a ferocious blizzard began over central Nebraska, one that would drop up to 2' of snow and be the first of many big snowstorms that winter.

Older residents compared the storm to the Children's Blizzard of 1888 in that relatively warm conditions lulled people outside. Motorists were driving, children were in schools, and others went to work before the storm hit. Once the wind and snow began, it fell for almost four straight days, trapping many people. In O'Neill, it took a teacher three days to get home from her school. Hundreds of motorists were stranded across the state, forced to seek shelter in hotels. Others braved the conditions to get home. One hunting party walked over 30 miles in the storm to get home near O'Neill. Tragically, the storm took the lives of six Nebraskans, most of whom were stranded in cars.

The storm stranded many cities, cut off transportation, and downed many power lines. In Lexington, power was out for over 30 hours as crews worked to restore them. Other communities in northern Nebraska were out of power for longer. Snowfall totals were highest in northeast Nebraska, where upwards of 2 feet fell in cities like Hartington. There was a sharp cut-off in snow totals as one moved further southeast, Fremont received 10", Omaha 4", and southeast Nebraska barely a trace.

In their annual report, the Weather Bureau described the storm as thus:

From the 17th to 20th one of the most severe early season snow storms of record occurred in the central Great Plains, resulting in millions of dollars damage and a loss of at least 9 lives. The storm was at its worst in western Kansas and Nebraska where a heavy snowfall of 4 to 20 inches, blown by gale force winds into drifts up to 20 feet deep, blocked many railroads and highways, stranded motorists, disrupted communications, isolated many communities, and caused much loss of livestock
Monthly Weather Review, Dec 1948

As temperatures warmed towards the end of the month, most Nebraskans were able to dig out and life got back to normal. It was only a foretaste of the winter to come.

DECEMBER 1948

December started quite warm for Nebraska, Omaha hit a high of 63 on December 4th. That warm spell ended abruptly when a cold front brought high winds and a few inches of snow over central Nebraska. Near Grand Island, a bus slid off the road and overturned, injuring 26 people but fortunately killing no one.

In the days leading up to Christmas, a large storm system began to develop over the southwest United States and move eastward. Snow overspread Nebraska on December 23 and continued into Christmas Eve. The snow totals ranged from around 8" in Omaha to nearly a foot in locations west of the metro, the highest snow total was in the Panhandle at Alliance with 16". Surprisingly, despite the heavy snow, there were no significant issues for travel or Christmas festivities.

A few days after Christmas, an area of freezing drizzle developed over Nebraska, they were causing travel issues and power outages due to the ice. In Kearney, power outages delayed the newspaper going to print by a day, and the city was without power for many hours. Roads that were just opened in the wake of the November blizzard were closed as the high winds whipped up snow drifts back onto the roads, covering the ice. By December 30, 109 communities in Nebraska were cut off from telephone lines, that number had dropped to 49 by New Year's Eve.

In the good feeling of missing both major blizzards in late 1948, the editor of the Chadron Record said, "Good old Chadron! We've again missed the second big blizzard in the state.". He would come to regret this almost immediately as Chadron became the epicenter of not only the largest blizzard of the 1948-1949 season but one of the greatest blizzards in Nebraska history.

JANUARY 2-5, 1949: THE GREAT BLIZZARD

The year 1949 began on a quiet note as temperatures rose into the 30s across Nebraska, but it wasn't expected to last long. The forecast from the Weather Bureau called for "a moderate [snow]fall" for the next 5 days. The weather map on January 2 showed a cold front from Wyoming to California with cold air and snow behind it, and that would begin to move through the state starting that evening.

The culprit was a large low-pressure system that moved along the Nebraska-Kansas border on January 3, then turned due north over eastern Nebraska on the 4th, arriving in southeast South Dakota on the 5th before finally moving away. This subjected the western half of the state to days of heavy snow, bitter cold, and screaming winds for up to 72 hours.

It was described by some who witnessed it as a gray cloud as it moved into the Nebraska panhandle as early as the lunch hour on the 2nd, within minutes everything went from clear to snow cover. Those caught out in it had only a few hours to get places, by evening all roads and rail lines became blocked. For some families in western Nebraska, it began a multi-week stretch of being isolated from the world.

Transportation effectively halted. Rail lines were severed, including the big ones between Omaha and Denver. Many trains were stranded, some needing relief trains to help dig out of the snow, some of those getting stuck. Many buses were stranded, one farm near Scottsbluff had to take in 30 passengers from a bus that was left stranded in a drift 17 feet high. The National Guard helped to locate those stuck in cars, of which there were hundreds over the Panhandle alone.

Harmon Holleman of Gordon in northwestern Nebraska left to transport gas when his car got stuck. He tried to find refuge in a haystack but never made it, being found by a patrolman days later. Harriet Brown had her door in Gordon blown open, where she froze to death in her living room. Claude Hannibal also had his car stuck near Alliance, he left to grab fence posts for traction and never made it back. A fourth person was also found dead in western Nebraska.

The snow totals across Nebraska were astounding. Many locations in the Nebraska panhandle received up to 2' of snow, with Chadron picking up an eye-popping 41" of snow by the time the snow ended. The 24-hour total of 26.7" on January 3 at Chadron is the highest 24-hour snow recorded from an airport in Nebraska history. Snow totals drop off dramatically the further east, with Omaha receiving only rain through the entire blizzard.

There were drifts as high as 30 to 40 feet, taller than some trains. Planes had to airdrop supplies to homes and towns if the winds permitted. Thousands of cattle were left stranded in pastures, exposed to the elements. The cold air continued, not allowing any of the snow to melt, and the wind was relentless. The blizzard also crippled parts of southeastern Wyoming, northeastern Colorado, and western South Dakota. It is the worst blizzard in Wyoming state history, as well as being one of the worst in South Dakota's history.

The Weather Bureau summarized the storm thus:

Worst experienced in [Nebraska], with reference to force of wind, amount of snow and drifting, and the duration of severe conditions. Even worse than storm itself were the conditions that followed. Winds redrifted snow over roads many times. Ice mixed with snow made use of ordinary equipment for snow removal limited. Private, county, State, and federal agencies worked continously for many days. Losses to railroads immense. Livestock losses estimated at 4 percent; this may require division as reports come in. Relief operations, and opening and reopening of roads requiring expenditures running into the millions. Several lives lost.
Monthly Weather Review, Jan 1949

THE BLIZZARD THAT HIT OMAHA: JANUARY 27-28

For the next several weeks in January 1949, quieter conditions allowed crews to work to clear many roads. By January 15, most of the major highways in the state were open, although many rural roads remained impassable. Train service slowly returned to normal, with most routes running by January 25. Those in Omaha read the reports in the paper, thankful the eastern half of the state has escaped the worst of the winter so far. That luck would change come January 27.

A low-pressure system moved from Oklahoma into Missouri, bringing the heaviest snowfall over eastern Nebraska for the first time that winter. Omaha received 13.2" of snow, while a broader swath of eastern Nebraska into western Iowa received over 8" of snow.

Blizzard conditions brought Omaha to a standstill on January 27 as roads became snow-covered and travel impossible. Many businesses closed hours early as people started to go home, one Omaha official said the traffic issues seen that night were the worst the city has seen in a snow.

By the morning of the 28th, the city was shut down as over a foot of snow continued to fall. Omaha now joined the rest of Nebraska in being snowbound. As the blizzard raged in Omaha, the federal government began to swing into action as Nebraskans continued to suffer, Operation Snowbound was about to begin.

OPERATION SNOWBOUND

By the end of January 1949, Nebraska was truly feeling the weight of the major blizzards back to November. Some rural schools were closed for weeks, extending the Christmas holiday until February. Rail workers worked around the clock to clear the lines from the snow that kept drifting back onto them. Roads were continually in need of re-plowing. Many hadn't left home since Christmas, cattle were starving and exposed to the elements. People began to run out of food, and feart of starvation set in for some. It was a daunting task to bring Nebraska back to normal, a task that became too great for the state resources to handle.

It began with "Operation Haylift" which formally began on January 24. Operation Haylift was a way to provide food and resources to the roughly 2 million cattle and sheep that were stranded across Nebraska and surrounding states. Using C-47 and C-82 Cargo Planes, hay bales would be dropped out of the sky to herds to graze on. Over the following weeks, planes would fly over farms and a "kicker" would kick the hay out of the planes for cattle.

That same day, Governor Val Peterson appealed to the US Army Corps of Engineers and the federal government to grant aid to clear the state. The next day, the legislature granted $500,000 in aid to clear roads, and Peterson issued a State of Emergency for 22 full counties and parts of 7 others. Next, Peterson appealed to the Fifth Army stationed in Chicago to bring equipment and manpower to clear the state. After some setbacks, at 11 am on January 29, President Harry S. Truman announced "Operation Snowbound" where the Fifth Army would move out to the affected states with bulldozers and clear the snow.

Over the next several weeks, over 6000 people spread out across Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota with over 1000 pieces of equipment. It remains one of the largest bulldozer operations in history. Most of the operations was run from Omaha, with regional offices in other cities. By the end of Operation Snowbound, over 190,000 acres of land in Nebraska had been cleared of snow, roughly 300 square miles.

Through February, those who had been trapped at home for over a month were finally able to leave. Luckily, the weather cooperated as temperatures warmed and snow stopped falling (for the most part). Operation Snowbound ceased operations on March 15, when their work was done in digging out Nebraskans and surrounding states. The winter had one more major snow up its sleeve in late March, but by that point things were back to normal. All the snow led to river flooding during the spring and summer months. Over northern Nebraska, it took until June to finally melt away the biggest drifts.

When taken into account, the winter of 1948-1949 can be considered one of the worst in recent memory, compared to the historic winters of the 1880s. Snowfall totals ranged from between 30-40" on the lower end to above 80" on the higher end. The highest snow totals were over northern Nebraska, with the lowest close to the Kansas border. Many locations saw their top 20 snowfall, with cities like O'Neill, Hartington, and Chadron in the top 3.

So, what made this winter so unique? The wind and cold! According to all accounts, this winter was exceptionally windy with many days having an average wind speed of between 10-20 mph with gusts over 30 mph. The constant wind brought snow drifts many feet high, covering roads and railways, and prevented people from leaving. Although there were no major arctic blasts during the season, the continued cold did not allow any snow to melt. This, combined with the limited technology of 1949, was what made this winter so nasty. Hopefully, if Nebraska ever has to deal with a winter like that, we would be able to handle it today.

SOURCES/FURTHER READING

  • A comprehensive account of the Winter of 1948-1949 in Nebraska can be found in a 2002 issue of Nebraska Life magazine called "I'm Never Going to be Snowbound Again, the Winter of 1948-1949" and this article can be found online
  • Much of the weather data was found using climatological data from various sites, many of which can be found on the National Weather Service website
  • Many newspapers were used for details: the primary newspapers used were the Omaha World-Herald, Grand Island Independent, O'Neill Frontier, The Gordon Journal, the North Platte Tribune, and the Rock County Leader
  • Details on Operation Snowbound were taken from an official military report on the matter submitted to Washington DC when the operation ended

Title:

Content: CHEYENNE — Southeast Wyoming and other parts of the state broke low temperature records Thursday morning following the arrival of an extreme cold front.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne reported the record low was -26 degrees Fahrenheit early in the morning Thursday, which persisted until past 7 a.m. This doesn’t account for windchill, which was -51 with wind gusts of 21 miles per hour.

“This was a record for us,” said NWS Cheyenne meteorologist Matt Roberts. “The last time we saw this, we had a previous record of a 64-degree temperature drop. That was in 1950.”

He said that record was beaten with a 67-degree temperature drop in 24 hours since Wednesday in the Capital City.

Roberts noted this was also only the fourth time the state has experienced -50 or colder wind chills since 1948.

Central Wyoming broke records of its own late Wednesday night.

Meteorologist Treevor Lavoie told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that Riverton observed a low of -31, and Casper broke records at -42.

Lavoie said the last cold outbreak of this magnitude was in the late 1970s for the Riverton area, but Casper had the all-time coldest temperature recorded since 1939. He said that is as far back as the meteorological reports go.

The weather did have an impact on transportation throughout the state.

Wyoming Department of Transportation public relations specialist Jordan Achs said it was “a wild weather day,” and parts of Interstate 80 experienced wind gusts as strong as 87 mph. She said there were blow-over crashes, as well as limited visibility when the snow came in.

“The texture of the snow made it really conducive to blowing around and creating visibility issues,” said Achs. “That was the main thing they were fighting all night.”

Snowplow drivers were working across the state and will continue to work, as more snow is expected through the end of the week and into the weekend.

She said visibility is important, so snowplows can be delayed until it improves.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation also wants to remind residents traveling for the holiday to watch for snowplows. There have been six snowplow hits this season, and Achs said they want to keep the number low.

Local law enforcement didn’t experience an increase in calls for service related to the weather, but Cheyenne Police Department public information officer Alex Farkas said it always encourages citizens to remain alert and vigilant.

She said officers patrolled the streets for transient individuals to advise them of the drop in temperatures and encourage them to seek refuge. They worked closely with the local COMEA House homeless shelter this effort and continue to recommend safety precautions.

Cold temperatures are expected to continue through the weekend, but meteorologists in both southeast and central Wyoming said they will not be as extreme.

Roberts said temperatures in Cheyenne should rise into the low teens and 20s, although wind chill warnings remain in effect until Friday afternoon.

He said dangerously low wind chill temperatures could be close to -44, which can cause frostbite on exposed skin within five to 10 minutes.

“If you’re going outside, you need to limit your exposure by dressing appropriately for it,” Roberts said. “Have extra precautions inside your vehicle, if you travel.”

He and local law enforcement officials reminded residents to check wyoroad.info before traveling for the holidays and to keep the extreme weather in mind.

There are webcams and route information, as well as road impact weather forecasts available at the website and on the Wyoming 511 app.

“Our best advice is to check road conditions before traveling and prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle,” said Farkas. “It is also important to remove ice and snow from the windshield, hood and top of the vehicle. With any winter storm, we encourage citizens to adjust their speed to the road conditions and allow additional time to reach destinations.”

Christmas Day should be significantly warmer, with a forecast high temperature in the low 40s.

However, Lavoie said the model forecasts may be too optimistic, and the temperature could stay below that.

But “we won’t be having the dangerous cold temperatures that we’re currently experiencing during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,” said Lavoie.

This story was published on Dec. 23, 2022.