Latest news with #Fredericks
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Released WWE Star Returns To The Ring
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A recently released WWE NXT star has made his return to the independent wrestling scene. Eddy Thorpe, now once again performing under his Karl Fredericks name, appeared at a major event this past weekend and cut a passionate promo about his future. Fredericks was one of several talents released from their WWE contracts on May 2, 2025. He made his return on Saturday, July 26, at the "DPW x Prestige x West Coast Pro Cruel Summer" event in San Francisco, California. Karl Fredericks (Eddy Thorpe) just showed up at @WCProOfficial unannounced!!! — THAT Guy (@benyobest) July 27, 2025 An Independent Return After WWE Run During his appearance, Fredericks confirmed he is back on the independent scene and said that he has "regained his love of pro-wrestling." He then made a pointed comment that was a clear reference to his time in WWE's developmental system. He referenced the "cowboy" sitting in Orlando, a clear shot at NXT's head of creative, Shawn Michaels. He then added that he is "not their Indian," a direct criticism of the Eddy Thorpe character, which was heavily based on his Native American heritage. The Eddy Thorpe Experience During his run in NXT, Fredericks, as Eddy Thorpe, was given a character that leaned into his heritage. He had previously been critical of the gimmick, stating in interviews that he felt it lacked depth and that he had pitched other ideas, such as a character obsessed with winning the North American Championship. While he was featured in high-profile spots, including an "NXT Underground" match against Damon Kemp, it's now clear that he was not creatively fulfilled with the direction. His promo on Saturday was a declaration of his intent to return to a more authentic version of himself. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match The "Alpha Wolf" Of The LA Dojo Before signing with WWE in January 2023, Karl Fredericks was a highly-touted prospect from the New Japan Pro-Wrestling LA Dojo. As one of the first graduates of the system under the tutelage of the legendary Katsuyori Shibata, Fredericks was known as the "Alpha Wolf." He was a no-nonsense, hard-hitting performer with a strong-style approach that made him a standout in NJPW STRONG. Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN Appolo crews and Titus battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN This tough, athletic persona is what many fans were excited to see when he signed with WWE. His recent comments suggest he is looking to return to that style on the independent circuit, free from the creative constraints he felt in NXT. After his WWE release, Fredericks had stated he was in "vacation mode," but it appears that vacation is now over. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Magistrate absent since 2019: committee urges pay suspension
Parliament's select committee on security and justice has recommended that the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) confirm the provisional suspension of a magistrate who has been absent from duty since 2019, but continued to receive full remuneration. The committee on Wednesday also recommended that the NCOP endorse the determination to withhold the remuneration of Ms SS Fredericks, the additional magistrate at Booysens magistrate's court in Johannesburg. Committee chairperson Jane Seboletswe Mananiso said the recommendation to withhold her remuneration was in terms of the Magistrates Act. She said the committee's recommendation followed its consideration of the minister of justice and constitutional development's report, tabled in parliament on July 1. The report, dated June 26, was based on advice from the Magistrates Commission after an extended period of unauthorised absence by Fredericks since November 2019, during which she continued to receive full remuneration. The committee previously heard that the matter was brought to the commission's attention in April 2024, when the secretary of the commission learnt of Fredericks' prolonged absence during a departmental leave management meeting. Subsequent investigations confirmed her continued absence from her duties at the Booysens magistrate's court, with no official permission or satisfactory explanation provided. After a series of internal processes — including attempts to engage Fredericks, legal consultations and correspondence with the department of social development — the commission resolved in June this year to recommend a disciplinary hearing and to advise the minister that provisional suspension and the withholding of remuneration were warranted. Mananiso said the committee found Fredricks' absence had adversely affected the functioning of the court and the administration of justice. Despite being offered the opportunity to respond, Fredericks had failed to make any representations to the commission. All reasonable avenues to resolve the matter were exhausted before a recommendation was made. 'Having considered the minister's report concerning the provisional suspension from office of Ms Fredericks, pending the outcome of a hearing into her fitness to hold office as a magistrate, the committee recommends that the NCOP confirm the provisional suspension of Ms Fredericks. 'The committee further recommends that the NCOP resolves to confirm the determination to withhold Ms Fredericks remuneration pending the outcome of the hearing into her fitness to hold office as a magistrate,' Mananiso said.
The Hill
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Virginia Republicans sound alarm over governor's race: ‘It's a disaster'
Virginia Republicans are raising alarm bells about the state of Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears's (R) campaign in the state's closely watched gubernatorial race. Last week, news broke that Earle-Sears's campaign manager Will Archer was removed from his post but would remain on her campaign in a different capacity. The development came as polls show Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger in the lead. Now, some Republicans are warning that further shake-ups are needed if they want to win in what is seen as the most significant bellwether this year. 'From my vantage point and the people we're talking to, it's a disaster,' said one Virginia Republican operative who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Conservative talk show host John Fredericks has been one of the most vocal figures to raise concerns about the state of the race, pointing directly to Earle-Sears's campaign. 'This thing is a clown car she's got going on,' Fredericks, who served as Trump's 2016 and 2020 Virginia campaign chair, said in an interview with The Hill, calling the campaign 'a dreadful operation.' 'And it's frustrating everyone in Virginia,' he added. Virginia Republican Party Chair and state Sen. Mark Peake (R) pushed back on Fredericks's characterization of the campaign as 'a clown car' during an interview with the talk show host last week. 'I think we're fixing it as we speak,' Peake told Fredericks, referring to the campaign. 'Lt. Gov. Sears had a strategy at the beginning of the campaign. I think they've executed it well.' 'I think what you are about to see based on what has happened this week is a change of strategy in the campaign, which is now going to be more obvious, more out in the open, more public, more events, and much more responsive to media,' he continued. A Virginia Commonwealth University poll released last week showed Spanberger leading Earle-Sears with 49 percent support to 37 percent among registered voters in the state. The poll also showed downballot race margins mirroring the top of the ticket. Last week, Spanberger also reported a massive second-quarter fundraising haul of $10.7 million. Earle-Sears's campaign announced that Thursday marked its 'best single fundraising day' since their launch last September, but it did not publicly disclose how much it had raised. 'We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the liberal media. They spent all week attacking Winsome, and it turns out that was the best fundraiser we've ever had,' said Mark Harris, Earle-Sears's general consultant. 'The media wants this to be a coronation for the left, but Virginia voters clearly have other plans. If this keeps up, we might start sending them flowers,' he continued. According to the latest campaign finance data from the Virginia Public Access Project, Spanberger has raised $27 million since she jumped into the race in November 2023 and has more than $15 million in the bank. Earle-Sears has raised more than $11 million since launching her campaign and has more than $4 million cash on hand. On top of the fundraising and polling disparities, Republicans have also expressed concern over the optics of the shake-up involving Archer, who worked as a pastor prior to joining the campaign, coupled with the exit of Earle-Sears's former political director, Richard Wagner. One GOP strategist said the developments are emblematic of 'a lack of experience on Winsome's campaign right now.' 'It's disappointing,' the strategist said. 'It's easy to go win races in wave years, but competitive races take a competitive edge. And right now with Winsome's team you're not getting any of that from her very well-paid consultants.' 'They just don't seem to have a fire under them. It's more like a safe-seat race than one where you have to bulldoze your way across the commonwealth to add to the coalition to win a very purple state.' There's also a concern that Earle-Sears's standing could drag down the rest of the Republican ticket, which is made up of technically separate races. In the lieutenant governor's race, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D) leads conservative talk show host John Reid with 46 percent support to 36 percent, while in the attorney general race, former state Del. Jay Jones (D) leads current Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) with 47 percent support to 38 percent. The last time Virginians voted to split a ticket was in 2005, when now-Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) was elected governor and Republican Bill Bolling won the lieutenant governor's race. Miyares is seen by many Republicans in the state as the strongest component of the GOP ticket, given his incumbency status and what Republicans see as his talent on the campaign trail. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Miyares has nearly $7 million cash on hand, which is more than Earle-Sears's own. 'If she can't raise a lot of money soon, there's going to be a sense that the best thing they can do is try to salvage the Miyares campaign because an attorney general in Virginia has independent powers,' said veteran Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth. 'Sears at the moment is not defining the campaign,' he continued. 'The most visible Republican campaign is the campaign against Jay Jones.' Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who is term-limited, is seen as one of the best hopes for Republicans. The governor is still seen as relatively popular as he approaches the end of his tenure. Additionally, Earle-Sears and Miyares benefited from Youngkin's 2021 campaign, which saw Republicans make inroads throughout the commonwealth. 'The only thing that can save [Earle-Sears] is Glenn Youngkin,' Fredericks told The Hill. 'Glenn Youngkin has to take this campaign over right now, lock, stock and barrel. 'Other than that, she and the entire ticket is going to get blown out,' he added. When pressed by Fredericks on when the governor and his political apparatus would 'take this thing over,' Youngkin said that 'we've got to go to work as a group.' 'I am deeply engaged with them,' he said, citing events he and the lieutenant governor have done together. 'I'm going to be campaigning for all of the candidates. This is going to be an important run for us to make sure that everybody understands where we are today is not a given.' Youngkin added that at this point during his 2021 race against former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), he was down in the polls between 6 and 11 points. Fredericks told The Hill last week that he believes Earle-Sears and her campaign have about two weeks to turn things around, noting that Spanberger is running out the clock in the meantime. 'She's going against a weak campaign and so she's playing four-corners keep-away basketball,' he said. 'You get a big lead, you're in there early in the fourth corner, you just run out the clock.'
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NPMA Debuts "Bed Bugs Exposed": A Series Revealing How These Sneaky Pests Invade Your Home
Launching during Bed Bug Awareness Week and just in time for summer travel, learn how to spot and stop bed bugs before they take over FAIRFAX, Va., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Only 29% of Americans know how to identify bed bugs, a new survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reports. That leaves most households vulnerable to one of the most elusive pests out there. To change that, NPMA launched an eye-opening video series, "Bed Bugs Exposed." Debuting during Bed Bug Awareness Week, June 1 – 7, this series offers a rare, up-close look at how bed bugs behave in real-world environments, helping consumers learn what they look like, where they hide and most importantly, how to stop them before they become a serious problem. The NPMA team built a mini furnished bedroom and living room set to demonstrate how bed bugs can infiltrate living spaces, burrowing into even the smallest crevices. Alongside an engaging video lineup, NPMA's new microsite serves as a one-stop shop for fast facts, prevention tips, and educational articles to help you stay one step ahead. "Until you've seen a bed bug infestation up close, it's hard to understand just how sneaky these pests really are," shared Dr. Jim Fredericks, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for NPMA. "'Bed Bugs Exposed' gives homeowners an unprecedented look at how these pests operate, coupled with the knowledge to spot the signs early and avoid bringing these hitchhikers home." Education is critical. According to a survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), just 28% of Americans check their hotel rooms for bed bugs before staying overnight, and less than half of Americans (44%) would leave their accommodations if they found bed bugs. Those numbers are troublesome since bed bugs can latch onto luggage, clothing, or used furniture. Once inside, they're masters at hiding in tiny cracks and crevices, making them incredibly difficult for the untrained eye to detect. "Not only can these blood-feeding pests cause itchy, red welts on your skin, but they can multiply quickly and often go unnoticed, leading to costly treatments if not caught early," added Fredericks. Vigilance is key because bed bugs can hide practically anywhere. A recent survey of pest control professionals conducted by NPMA and the University of Florida found that over 82% of NPMA members have treated for bed bugs in the last year. 89% of respondents indicated that they treated single-family homes, followed by apartments and condos (88%), hotels and motels (70%), nursing homes and assisted care facilities (57%), and college dorms (36%). So, if you suspect bed bugs in your home or vacation rental, don't wait! Contact a pest control professional immediately. These trained experts have the knowledge, tools, and experience to properly identify and eliminate bed bug infestations. For more information about bed bugs and to watch the series, visit About the National Pest Management Association The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. For more information, visit or follow @PestWorld on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube. Survey MethodologyThis survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA between April 8 - 10, 2025 among 2,099 U.S. adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, please contact NPMATeam@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Pest Management Association Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
To strike or not is a fraught decision for child care providers
Pinwheels posted at Tree Top child care center in Ashland represent the families on the waiting list for the program. (Photo courtesy of Theresa Fredericks) Theresa Fredericks grew up in the world of child care. Her mother founded a child care center in Ashland 52 years ago, when Fredericks was just 5 months old. Fredericks started her career in early education as a teacher there, then took over management and ownership of the program, Tree Top Child Development Center and Preschool. Fredericks has been proud of the center's reputation in the community. Tree Top currently is licensed for 33 children at a time. With schedules staggered for some children, there are a total of 39 currently enrolled. The waiting list is nearly twice that size: 72 children. This week Fredericks put up one pinwheel for each waiting list occupant on the law in front of the center, along with some signs. 'Child care wanted,' one sign said. 'Quality child care should be a right' said another. 'Not a luxury,' said a third. On Tuesday Fredericks was 300 miles away, at the state Capitol in Madison. Tree Top was closed, and Fredericks says it will be closed again on Wednesday and the rest of this week. It was a tough decision, she said — but one she and her staff felt was necessary to make a point to Wisconsin lawmakers. 'Without state investment the parents can't afford to pay rising tuition and staff can't afford to stay at low wages,' Fredericks told the Wisconsin Examiner. 'With investment, we will see a rise in teachers going into the field, we will see an increase in available programs.' That's why she and her staff decided to join the statewide strike called by child care providers. The strike is a response to action May 8 by the Republican majority on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee to strip $480 million from Tony Evers' proposed budget. The money would provide child care centers with an ongoing monthly stipend, continuing support first provided through federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funds. Child care providers have credited the money for enabling them to increase the wages of child care teachers while avoiding increases in the fees that parents pay. 'I know that there are many people who think that because we care for very young children that we don't count as teachers,' said Tree Top teacher Betsy Westlund at a combination press conference and rally on the Capitol steps Tuesday. 'But the work we do is highly skilled and deeply critical to our society, the economy, and our communities.' She described a common suggestion that child care providers hear when they talk about funding shortfalls: increase tuition and expand enrollment. 'Never mind the tuition is already so high that so few can afford it, and never mind how difficult it is to find teachers willing to work for low wages with no benefits,' Westlund said. 'No one considers supporting the quality of child care by supporting skilled teachers because they assume anyone will do,' she added. 'And that hurts. Man, does that hurt — because I know how much I have to put in to become educated in early childhood.' Republicans favor expanding employer child care tax credit; providers skeptical 'We are not just babysitting — we are laying the foundation for lifelong learning,' said Amber Haas, a fellow Tree Top teacher. The organizers of the strike are calling it 'State Without Child Care.' They're doing it 'so that our elected representatives, especially on the Joint Finance Committee, can actually have an idea of what is going to happen this summer,' said Corrine Hendrickson, co-founder of Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed (WECAN) and the operator of a family child care center in New Glarus. At the Assembly's floor session Tuesday afternoon, child care providers sat in the overhead gallery. On the floor, Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) introduced some by name, adding that they 'are here in the Capitol to advocate for $480 million in the budget for living wages for teachers in early childhood education.' While some providers are going all in with the strike, many say they cannot — but they are equally concerned about the issue. Angela Norvold has grown her child care program in Hudson from a family day care serving eight children to two centers, each licensed for 43 children. One is for younger kids and the other for older children, including 4-year-old kindergarten. 'We thought hard and as a team,' about closing for the strike, Norvold said in an interview. She and the center's administrators decided to send a letter to parents asking for their input. 'They agreed that we should stay open, and my fear was that if we closed we would lose those people for good,' she said. There's a child care shortage in Hudson, Norvold said. At the same time, she added, there are several providers in the area to choose from, but many have rooms that aren't in use because they cannot find teachers. 'I don't know that [closing] would be making a statement where we are,' Norvold said. At the same time, though, 'we did have some parents volunteer to keep their children home so that we could come [to Madison] today and tomorrow.' Norvold said that her centers were once more affordable than those in Minnesota, drawing families who moved across the border to make their home. 'They didn't just come for lower prices, they came for quality care, educated staff that wanted to stay, and a community that values raising children well,' she said in a brief speech at the rally. The funding providers received during the pandemic 'didn't just help families, it helped providers,' Norvold said. 'It helped us retain and educate staff, it helped us keep costs down without sacrificing quality. It helped us build futures.' If the support doesn't continue, 'we're looking at yet another tuition increase — at least $30 per child per week,' Norvold said. 'That will push our infant care to a level that is not sustainable for most working families. It is not sustainable for us either.' Families of children enrolled at Tree Top in Ashland have gotten behind the center's decision to join the child care strike . 'Our families support us,' Fredericks said. 'They know that we have done everything. We're contacting our legislators, they're contacting our legislators —over and over again, telling them how important it is.' Tony Singler is the father of three children who have gone through Tree Top's program, from the age of 3 months though 4-year-old kindergarten. His youngest child is now nearing graduation from the 4-K program. 'Everything that Theresa does there is just more in-depth and more one-on-one,' Singler said in a telephone interview Tuesday. For his kids, he said, the center has been an ideal place to help their children through their first years. 'There's a lot of research and support that the early years are very important to the children,' Singler said. 'Our pediatrician supports that, and it's a choice we make to give our children the best chance they have.' Singler is a certified public accountant; his wife is a nurse. 'We're not teachers,' he said. 'We don't know how to teach kids at that young age.' Now they are juggling schedules and turning to friends for help while hoping their child can return to Tree Top soon. 'It's tough,' said Singler, but he says he understands the position that Fredericks and the center's employees are in. 'It's been a very good center,' he said. 'And if they don't have the funding, and they lose the teachers because the teachers have to go somewhere else, and they have to cut the enrollment and people get cut — then you don't have the opportunity to put your child into the center like that, give them the best chance forward in their early development.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
