Latest news with #Bernie
NBC News
6 hours ago
- Business
- NBC News
How a small Ohio town became the 'center of gravity' in the GOP's realignment
The effort to save the mill, or to at least ensure a new employer can take it over as quickly as possible, hit a snag this month. H.I.G. and Pixelle reneged on an agreement to pause the shutdown timeline and keep the factory open through the end of the year — a reprieve that would have bought time to identify a new tenant or use for the property. It had been the one shred of good news Moreno delivered at his April rally. 'Bernie has been the face of this,' said Jai Chabria, a longtime Republican strategist in Ohio. 'Whether he's successful or not is not the measure of where we are. If you look back at the Republican Party of 20 years ago, this is certainly not where a wealthy Republican senator would be expected to lead. Bernie has really embraced where the party has gone.' Even so, Katie Seewer, a spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party, faulted Republicans for 'the latest in a long streak of bad economic news' in the state, noting that Moreno had raised hopes that the mill's closure wouldn't happen this year. 'Republicans own these failures and many others that have created an economy that isn't working for Ohio,' Seewer added. Pixelle is scheduled to end all Chillicothe operations by Aug. 10. The workers there — many of them second- and third-generation paper mill employees — are now waiting to see how much of the tough talk from Moreno and his colleagues leads to action. 'Bernie's railing against private equity,' said Scott Wiesman, who has worked at the mill for 30 years. 'But if you Google it, he's invested in private equity. So how evil is it, Bernie?' Mayor Luke Feeney, a Democrat, gives Moreno more credit. 'My hope and belief is that his efforts have been genuine and sincere,' Feeney said. 'All of those guys that got up there and on that stage said, 'We will sue them if they do this to you' — I hope they stick to it, and until they don't, I'm good with it.' But, Feeney added, 'if it turns out that it was just a dog-and-pony show, then I'll be pretty frustrated, because we're left with the aftermath here.' 'We were Mead kids' Chillicothe, about an hour's drive south of Columbus, has a proud history as Ohio's first state capital. Today, it has a population of roughly 22,000, a promising tourist economy boosted by the nearby Hopewell earthworks and mounds, and a redeveloped downtown that Feeney holds up as a small-town success story. Less than a mile from Pixelle, bustling Paint Street features two craft breweries, a boba house and other trendy businesses tucked into tidily restored storefronts. The name of a hip cafe, Paper City Coffee, pays tribute to one of the town's top employers. (Countywide, the mill is the third-largest source of jobs, behind the regional hospital system and a Kenworth Trucks plant.) The mill is 'as much a part of the scenery as the hills and everything else around here,' said Michael Throne, the head of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, who recalled his first glimpse of the smokestack when driving to town for a job interview years ago. 'I'd seen smokestacks before,' Throne said. 'But nothing that towered over the landscape of the city.' Chillicothe's papermaking days date to 1812. For more than 100 years, the city was a hub for Mead, a company that would become a household name in school and office supplies. 'The paper mill really supported southeast Ohio,' said Jeff Allen, president of the United Steelworkers Local 731, which represents Pixelle workers. 'They used to tell us that for every job in the mill, there were three outside the mill.' Over time, Mead's name slowly disappeared. Market forces — a world less reliant on paper, a tangle of mergers and acquisitions — kept bouncing the old mill into new investment portfolios. In 2022, H.I.G. purchased what four years earlier had been rebranded as Pixelle. 'We were Mead kids. Our kids were Mead kids,' said Tim Jenkins, a mill employee for 38 years. 'With the strike in '75, you walked through the lunch line, you could get a free lunch when you said, 'I'm a Mead kid.'' 'Little things like that you never forget.'
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Vicki rocked to the core in EastEnders as she receives huge news about Sharon
Vicki Fowler's (Alice Haig) time in EastEnders is threatened next week – when sister Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) finally snaps. Earlier in the year, Vicki returned to Albert Square from Australia after two decades for her uncle Martin's (James Bye) funeral. Bringing along boyfriend Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) and his son Joel (Max Murray), it soon became clear that the trio were carrying more than just duty free baggage. Joel had upskirted a pupil in his class, and Ross had to pay $50,000 to keep her family from reporting him to the police. But there was another condition – they weren't allowed to return Down Under. Sharon agreed that the family could stay with her, and after much thought, also handed Ross the cash. She, of course, has no idea why he owes it. She then headed to the other side of the world herself, going to visit Vicki's mum Michelle (Susan Tully). In her absence, Ross has found employment at a timber yard on Turpin Road, and Vicki has taken on some work for the Panesar clan by checking over their business accounts. This week, we've seen her question trustee Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) about some unusual invoices that have cropped up – something which she later decided to address with Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara). In upcoming scenes, the matter of the missing money is finally revealed. Vicki and Ross are on cloud nine, finally being able to support their new life, but the happiness is cut short when Sharon's brother Zack Hudson (James Farrar) informs them that she intends to evict them from the family home after failing to repay their debt. A mortified Vicki attempts to get an advance from Bernie, but is subsequently fired! Desperate to make up her shortfall – and quick – she crafts a plan to steal Bernie's laptop and use the damning information she finds to blackmail her. You've guessed it – Bernie's stealing from the accounts. Vicki demands that she hands over half of the stolen profits in exchange for her silence, and returns home triumphant after convincing Zack to have a word with Sharon. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) supports her case, but is horrified when she discovers how she managed to resolve her financial woes. Later in the week, Kathy tells Suki that Bernie has been stealing, and she and Ravi decide to stage an intervention. Twisting the knife, Bernie tells them both that Vicki is the one who has been stealing! More Trending Yikes. Ravi and his ex-partner Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) decide to teach her a lesson, but Suki demands that she be the one who sorts things. Bernie is determined to see Vicki's downfall, and questions the Panesars on their lack of action… leading Ravi to lure Vicki into a trap at the restaurant. View More » Will Vicki be ok? If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as Alfie twist is confirmed MORE: EastEnders' Bernie blackmailed in unexpected exit story – and The Six are not to blame MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders' Bernie blackmailed in exit story and The Six are not to blame
An unlikely suspect blackmails EastEnders' Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) next week as things get seriously messy ahead of her forthcoming exit. It is soon to be revealed that Bernie has been stealing money from the Panesars' business accounts, having been left in charge of them in Nish Panesar's (Navin Chowdhry) will. This week's episodes have seen the Panesars' new employee Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) grow suspicious about irregularities on some invoices, with Bernie trying to shut down her investigations. But in scenes to air next week, Vicki gets the evidence that proves Bernie is up to no good and sets about blackmailing her. The week's episodes begin with Vicki and her partner Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) being told Sharon Watts (Letita Dean) is evicting them because they failed to repay the loan she gave them. When Vicki then goes to Bernie for an advance on her wages to help raise the cash, she ends up getting fired. After stealing Bernie's laptop in retaliation, Vicki's suspicions about Bernie's book fiddling are confirmed and she tells Bernie she wants half of her stolen profits in return for her silence. Backed into a corner, Bernie is seemingly ready to cough up. However, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) is horrified when she learns the truth about how Vicki is suddenly so flush with cash, worried about the threat it poses to The Six's secret. As fans will no doubt remember that back in September, Bernie found out that Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) killed her brother Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) in the Queen Vic on Christmas Day 2023, with Kathy, Sharon, Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) all helping her to cover it up. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! When Kathy later tells Suki that Bernie has stolen money from the accounts, Suki confronts Bernie, who turns the tables on her blackmailer and tells her that Vicki is the one who has been stealing the money from the accounts. More Trending Will Bernie get away with her plan, or will things blow up in her face before she leaves the Square forever? Discussing her exit from the soap after eight years playing Bernie, actress Clair Norris told Metro on the red carpet of the British Soap Awards earlier this month: 'It's exciting. It's an exciting time. Also very dramatic. You'll have to stay tuned…' View More » EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 30 June at 7.30pm on BBC Two or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025 MORE: Exit story for EastEnders' Bernie 'confirmed' as The Six is revisited MORE: All 93 EastEnders pictures for next week as end of an era is 'confirmed'
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders' Ravi Gulati takes brutal revenge as Bernie Taylor's exit 'sealed'
It's set to be an eventful week for Ravi and the Panesar family in EastEnders next week as they discover someone has been stealing from their business accounts Next week is set to be a big week for the Panesars in EastEnders as it's revealed that Bernie has been stealing money from their business accounts. This week, we'll see some suspicious behaviour from Bernie, as we're aware Clair Norris is soon set to leave the soap. We'll see Vicki notice something suspicious later in the week when she notices some strange invoices - although Bernie's quick to dismiss. However, it won't last for long, as next week it will be revealed she's stealing from the family's business account. It's an unwritten rule in Walford not to mess with the Panesars - but it's not Bernie who will bear the brunt of the revenge. In fact, it's Vicki. It all starts when Vicki loses her job after asking Bernie for an advance on her wages. In retaliation she steals Bernie's work laptop, and as she finds something suspicious she decides to blackmail her. With that, it is revealed that Bernie has been stealing money from the Panesar business accounts. However, things get messy when Vicki blackmails Bernie for half of her stolen profits in return for her silence. Of course, Bernie knows Ravi and the Panesars better than anyone, so she sets Vicki up, allowing them to think Vicki is a thief, as she realises she has no where to hide. Ravi and Priya are then determined to teach Vicki a lesson, although Suki is adamant she'll sort it. After a confrontation with Vicki, Bernie heads to No.41 to question the Panesars on their lack of action leading Ravi to lure Vicki into a trap at Walford East. If there's one thing we know about Ravi - it's that you shouldn't get on the wrong side of him. What could he have in store for Vicki? Bernie's huge predicament comes as we know Clair will be leaving the soap - as it's been teased the latest stories are the beginning of her exit storyline. However, it's not yet known how she'll be leaving Walford. Elsewhere this week, The Six storyline is revisited as Bernie's cousin Felix wants him to give Johnny her seal of approval, unaware that he helped cover up Keanu's murder. Denise then fears that if Johnny doesn't win Bernie over, it could bring the past back to haunt them all.... Clair's exit was confirmed by an EastEnders spokesperson last month, who said: "We can confirm that Clair will be leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish her all the best for the future." EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders - Alfie exposed, Bernie's deadly lie and the Panesars take revenge
It's a big week for EastEnders and many residents take centre stage, with danger teased, lies and secrets threatening to tear people apart and worrying twists in store Viewers of EastEnders have huge twists and turns on the way next week, with a number of characters facing discoveries and turmoil. One character collapses, leaving their loved ones concerned after some recent worrying behaviour. One family are forced to confront someone over their suspicions, but it leads to someone being framed. There's a possible revenge. twist as a trap is set, while someone's recent lie is exposed. There's a return to Walford for one fan favourite, trouble ahead for one teen and a reunion, while a past fling could be exposed and one new couple share some big news. Let's kick things off with the Panesars wanting to clear up some concerns with the business accounts. After Vicki Fowler is informed her own sister Sharon Watts, who is away from Walford, is evicting them from the house for failing to repay their debt, Vicki tries to raise the funds. As she asks for an advance on her wages from Bernie she soon loses her job,. In retaliation she steals Bernie's work laptop, and as she finds something suspicious she decides to blackmail her. With that, it is revealed that Bernie has been stealing money from the Panesar business accounts. READ MORE: Emmerdale spoilers reveal icon faces death, new villain Ray arrives and Vinny's turmoil But as Vicki blackmails Bernie for half of her stolen profits in return for her silence, Bernie is forced to act and in a potentially deadly decision, she sets up Vicki. Knowing full well how the Panesars might react and what Ravi Gulati is capable of, Bernie allows them to think Vicki is a thief. As they question her ability to run the accounts, believing money has gone missing, Suki Panesar is adamant she is capable - while viewers know this is because Bernie knows all about Suki's involvement in her brother Keanu Taylor's demise. As is Kathy Beale, involved that is, so when she finds out where Vicki has got the money from it seems she panics over Bernie's actions and the link to Suki. Kathy wasted no time in telling Suki that Bernie has stolen money from the accounts, but Priya finds out too and tells Ravi. Ravi requests an audience with her, and with nowhere to hide it's this moment that Bernie lies that Vicki is the one responsible for her crime. Determined to teach Vicki a lesson, Ravi and Priya demand action only for Suki to insist otherwise. Bernie actively encourages action though, confronting and goading Vicki before heading to see the Panesars, asking why they haven't done anything about Vicki. Wanting revenge, Ravi decides to lure Vicki into a trap at Walford East. But how far will he go and can Vicki convince him that she's been set up by Bernie? Bernie's decision could lead to a shocking consequence. Also next week, Elaine Peacock collapses amid her split from George Knight. As she continues to spiral, wasting money and leaving The Vic in chaos, her daughter Linda Carter comes to a decision - leading to a huge row. Elaine thinks Linda and George are plotting behind her back, and with her losing funds and facing losing The Vic, she turns to her grandson Johnny Carter but it all gets too much, and another row takes its toll with Elaine collapsing. As she tries to play it off as a panic attack it happens again - so what is wrong with Elaine? Johnny also has some news next week as he and partner Felix Baker agree to move in together. There's also more trouble on the way for teen Tommy Moon, as Joel Marshall tightens his grasp on him and continues to lead him down the wrong path. Tommy's mother Kat Moon takes it upon herself to tell Joel's dad Ross about them stealing from the shop, but how will they react? With husband Alfie Moon AWOL, with him having claimed to be visiting his brother in Australia when fans know he's actually off to find Kat's daughter Zoe Slater in secret, Kat turns to her cousin Stacey Slater. Stacey makes a Walford comeback after some time away, joined by her kids Hope and Arthur. Stacey claims she hasn't heard from Alfie only for her mother Jean to admit there was a phone call that morning. Kat calls Spencer wanting to speak to Alfie, but she's stunned to learn Alfie isn't really there and never was. With his lies rumbled, Kat confronts her cousin but what will she reveal? Finally next week there's a reunion for Lauren Branning and Peter Beale just weeks after they became locked in a custody battle and split "for good". As they talk things through they end up spending the night together, and agree to reunite. Lauren is of course hiding the fact that she kissed Zack Hudson while still with Peter, but the pair agree to keep it a secret. Peter's mother Cindy Beale soon sticks her nose in, issuing Lauren a stern warning but what does she have to say? EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
