Latest news with #Kolb
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wyoming lawmakers on gaming committee revisit local control of HHR machines
CHEYENNE — Local control over simulcast permits will be the primary focus of Wyoming's new Select Committee on Gaming this year, as lawmakers prepare to draft a bill for the next legislative session. Chairman Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, reminded committee members the next session — which begins in early February — is a budget session. This means all non-budget bills will need to pass a two-thirds introductory vote for the Legislature's consideration. 'In the past, you know, we have not been successful legislatively (with gambling),' Kolb said during the committee's first meeting in Casper on Monday. Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs (2025) Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs Last year, members of the Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee voted to sponsor five gambling-related bills for this year's legislative session. Four of the five bills died immediately, and one made it through the House of Representatives before dying in the Senate. Gambling in Wyoming recently exploded into a billion-dollar industry, and lawmakers are scrambling to decide what action is needed from the state to further regulate it. Legislative leadership assigned gambling as a study topic to the JAC last year, and a working group was formed, led by former Rep. Tom Walters, R-Casper. Since then, it's become apparent to lawmakers that gambling is a complicated issue. In response, the Management Council created a new select committee entirely focused on gambling in April. The committee has three meetings scheduled during the Legislature's off-season, formally known as the interim. Given the short amount of time, Kolb suggested starting with the framework of House Bill 85, which promotes local control over simulcast permits. HB 85 made it the farthest last session before dying in the Senate. 'Local control is very high on the list of things that need to be dealt with first,' Kolb said. 'We have to keep our eye on the ball and focus on what's achievable.' He also urged unified support between the two legislative chambers once this bill is drafted and filed for the session. 'We need the House, as we need the Senate, to work on a product,' Kolb said. 'We may not always have 100% agreement with that, but we need to have enough agreement that we want to move this forward.' HB 85 background A simulcast permit is needed to establish off-track betting sites (OTBs) and historic horse racing (HHR) machines. County commissioners reserve the sole authority to approve or deny these permits. However, state statute doesn't give the county any power to regulate gambling beyond the initial approval. Still, commissioners have incorporated limitations within approved simulcast permits, but these have yet to be challenged in court, said Wyoming County Commissioners Association Executive Director Jerimiah Rieman. It's unclear whether regulations imposed by commissioners would survive litigation. The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled in 2023 under the 'the plain and unambiguous language of the Pari-Mutuel Act' that county commissioners cannot revoke permits after granting approval. 'Once the commissioners say yes, they have no other authorities,' Rieman said. 'They've transferred that responsibility to the (Wyoming) Gaming Commission.' Rieman proposed a bill draft before the JAC in 2024, the original version of HB 85, that initially outlined regulatory authority to county commissioners once a simulcast permit is approved, including the ability to revoke a permit 'if there's good reason to do so.' The draft underwent several revisions, including an amendment that extended approval authority to city and town governments for simulcasting permits within city limits. 'Do I like where HB 85 got to? No,' Rieman said, although he mentioned his support for extending approval authority to city and town governments. 'But this is an important issue for us.' Rep. Jayme Lien, R-Casper (2025) Rep. Jayme Lien, R-Casper Co-Chairwoman Rep. Jayme Lien, R-Casper, asked Rieman if counties could regulate gambling entities through zoning laws. The county commissioner said he spoke with 11 of the counties with HHR machines last week, and none of them have specific zoning for HHR operations. 'It is important to note that there are a number of counties where zoning is not part of a lexicon,' Rieman said. 'And I doubt we'll have zoning anytime in the near future, and I suspect most of the others will not.' He added that most HHR machines operate within city and town limits, which are outside of county jurisdiction to implement zoning policy. Furthermore, zoning regulations do not grant authority to revoke simulcasting permits. 'You're gonna have to give us that,' Rieman said. City, town control City and town government leaders have also been frustrated by their inability to control how many HHR machines pop up within their jurisdiction. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins previously told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle he supported HB 85. 'My frustration right now is that we have 10 approved casinos inside the city limits, and our governing body had no input on their approval,' Collins said. 'We're the governing body closest to the people living in Cheyenne, and I think we should have had the responsibility for making that decision.' Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) Executive Director Ashley Harpstreith said OTBs impact city resources, including law enforcement, first responders, street maintenance and other public services. Ashley Harpstreith Ashley Harpstreith She added that city zoning ordinances are not enough to regulate the social and welfare issues from this industry. 'We need legislation to allow local governments (the) ability to impose specific conditions on permits, such as hours of operation or location restrictions based on their unique needs and concerns,' Harpstreith said. Cheyenne City Council President Mark Rinne said six of the seven properly zoned HHR sites in the city were approved through the Cheyenne Board of Adjustment. However, members of this board are not elected by the public, he said. 'They are not beholden to the public as (city) council members are,' Rinne said. 'Unless you have to go to the Board of Adjustment for something, you don't even know they exist. We may indirectly have control through zoning, but honestly we do not.' 100-mile rule Under the 100-mile rule, no simulcasting may be conducted within 100 miles of a live horse racing event. The Gaming Commission may waive the 100-mile limitation 'if the simulcast permit application includes written approval from the permittee whose permitted premises is within the 100-mile limitation,' according to W.S. 11-25-102(a)(vii)(C). Kolb recalled his days as a county commissioner, when the 100-mile rule first came about. Race tracks in Uinta and Sweetwater counties were going out of business due to lack of public attendance, he said. 'Now, with HHR, we don't have that issue anymore,' Kolb said. 'It's certainly a new day.' 307 Horse Racing President Kyle Ridgeway previously testified in February, during the session, that the 100-mile rule 'hurt our business' by forcing OTB vendors to close during a live horse racing event. Both Reiman and Harpstreith, representing county commissioners and local municipalities, respectively, said their organizations supported getting rid of the 100-mile rule entirely. However, attorney and former Cheyenne Republican lawmaker Affie Ellis urged caution against wiping out this rule. Former Sen. Affie Ellis Former Sen. Affie Ellis. 'I think it's a very effective tool that ties the HHR activity to the growth of Wyoming's horse racing industry,' Ellis said. Revenue from HHR machines contributes to the purse of horse racing events, which is key to the survival of horse racing tracks in Wyoming, Ellis said. The purpose of the 100-mile rule is 'to incentivize more horse tracks coming online.' In a follow-up phone call on Tuesday, Ellis told the WTE the rule is an opportunity for purse contribution negotiations between track operators and OTB vendors. She added it's not the intention of Cowboy Racing, her client, to shut down OTB vendors during race days. Cowboy Racing recently completed construction of Wyoming's first full-size live horse racing track 10 miles east of Cheyenne at Thunder Plains Park. The company has said it intends to operate at least three gaming facilities within the city limits of Cheyenne. 'We don't want anyone to close during our race times and race days,' Ellis said. 'If the agreement has a reliance on a percentage of that gaming revenue, we want that (OTB) to be open because that supports the purse.' Lawmakers will consider different bill drafts regarding local control at their next meeting in Evanston on Aug. 8-9.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man charged in 2023 Atlanta slaying, second suspect still sought
Atlanta police said they've arrested a man in connection with a 2023 fatal shooting, but they are still looking for a second suspect. Blain Stafford was charged Tuesday with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Atlanta PD reported. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Stafford was already in custody at Fulton County Jail on an unrelated charge. The arrest is in connection with the fatal shooting of Julian Kolb, 20, at 1376 Allegheny St. SW on Feb. 17, 2023, police said. Police found Kolb with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. TRENDING STORIES: Tornado touches down in Henry County, 18-year-old critically injured 'Life doesn't feel real:' Family mourns GA 9-year-old found shot in car DeKalb family says childhood home taken over by squatters planning VIP pool party Police say they are also seeking a second man, Jyquez Harvey, in connection with Kolb's slaying. Warrants for Harvey, 20, were issued in March 2023 for felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, the Atlanta PD says. Harvey is listed on the Atlanta PD's most wanted, and authorities are offering a reward of up to $2,000 for his arrest. If you locate Harvey or any person found on the list, call local police, Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or Atlanta Police Department Fugitive Unit at 404-546-4220. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
AI and experiential learning: Bridging minds with machines in modern classrooms
'In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the fabric of modern education, Artificial Intelligence and Experiential Learning: Bridging Minds with Machines in Modern Classrooms by Dr. Amit Joshi emerges as a timely and thought-provoking exploration. Authored with a clear vision for the future of pedagogy, the book offers a rich tapestry of insights, practical strategies, and innovative tools tailored for educators navigating the shifting paradigms of the AI era.' The premise is bold yet necessary: that the traditional boundaries of classroom learning must expand to integrate the dynamic, data-driven capabilities of AI with the human-centered approach of experiential education. In doing so, the authors bridge a critical gap between technological advancement and pedagogical philosophy. What sets this book apart is its balanced lens-it neither romanticizes AI nor critiques it blindly, but rather, examines it as a powerful partner in reimagining the learning experience. Structured with both academic rigor and pragmatic accessibility, the text serves educators at all levels-from early adopters of Ed-Tech to cautious newcomers seeking guidance. Through well-curated case studies, actionable frameworks, and grounded real-world applications, the book underscores how AI can enhance creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking-cornerstones of meaningful learning. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, this book positions itself as an essential resource, prompting educators to reflect not only on what students learn, but how they learn in an age increasingly defined by intelligent machines. A must-read for forward-thinking teachers, policy makers, and academic leaders. Artificial Intelligence and Experiential Learning: Bridging Minds with Machines in Modern Classrooms offers a deeply insightful and timely examination of how experiential learning can be reimagined and revitalized through the lens of artificial intelligence. The authors begin by grounding readers in a clear and accessible understanding of experiential learning, emphasizing its role in fostering active, student-centered engagement rather than passive knowledge consumption. A highlight of the book is its comprehensive exploration of the Experiential Learning Cycle, rooted in Kolb's model, which is effectively contextualized within contemporary classrooms. The cycle's four stages-concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation-are not merely described, but practically applied through AI-driven scenarios and case studies. Particularly commendable is the section on K–12 educations, where the authors present both challenges and opportunities in integrating experiential learning within rigid curriculums. They thoughtfully critique the limitations of current strategies in schools, especially those over-reliant on rote memorization and standardized testing, arguing persuasively for a more dynamic, AI-supported alternative. Technology's role is portrayed not as a replacement for teachers but as an empowering tool. The book presents a range of emerging tools-from virtual labs to adaptive learning platforms-that can enhance hands-on learning experiences. Still, the authors maintain a balanced perspective, acknowledging the digital divide and ethical concerns. Overall, this book is a compelling guide for educators seeking to blend time-tested learning theory with cutting-edge technology. It inspires a necessary shift-from teaching to learning, from instruction to experience. When asked about the relevance of Artificial Intelligence and Experiential Learning, leading academic voices underscored its transformative value. Prof Muddu Vinay, Pro Vice Chancellor of ICFAI Foundation, Bangalore, emphasized, 'Strategies, tools, and real-world practices for educators in the AI era must be an integral, compulsory part of core curricula to prepare future-ready learners.' Echoing this vision from a healthcare lens, Dr. R. Aishwarya, MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Senior Resident at Government Dental College, Hyderabad, affirmed, 'Integrating AI with experiential learning is vital-not just in academics, but in advancing patient care, wellness guidance, and early detection of health conditions.' Having delved into the chapters of Artificial Intelligence and Experiential Learning: Bridging Minds with Machines in Modern Classrooms, I found the insights deeply relevant to the evolving educational landscape. The chapter on understanding experiential learning resonated profoundly with me-it makes a compelling case for moving beyond the passive absorption of information. Instead, it advocates a dynamic learning environment where students engage with concepts, reflect on experiences, and apply insights in real-world contexts. This shift from teaching to learning is not just desirable but essential in the AI era. The Experiential Learning Cycle, comprising Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation, provides a robust framework for designing such impactful learning journeys. What I particularly appreciated is the way the authors link each stage to practical classroom applications, illustrating how these cycles can unfold not only in higher education but also in early education settings. The section on experiential learning in K–12 education stands out for its holistic view. It goes beyond academic outcomes to highlight personal development, environmental awareness, and the expectations of various stakeholders—teachers, parents, and even technology. It rightly identifies that meaningful learning outcomes require collective alignment across these domains. Technology, as explored in the chapter on technology and experiential learning, is not merely a supplement but a transformative force. Concepts like personalized robots, AI tutors, and immersive tools like VR/AR are not futuristic fantasies—they're becoming essential. What excites me most is the blended model, combining traditional pedagogy with digital innovations to cater to varied learning preferences. Yet, the critique of present learning strategies in schools is sobering. Standardized testing, lack of personalization, limited soft skill development, and minimal tech integration continue to hold learners back. These limitations make a compelling case for reform-placing the student, not the syllabus, at the center. Finally, the tools of experiential learning section are a treasure trove for educators. From hands-on activities and student-led discoveries to internships, reflection journals, and collaborative problem-solving, the tools outlined are both inspiring and actionable. This book doesn't just theorize—it equips. It urges educators to become facilitators of curiosity and architects of experience. In my view, it is a timely manifesto for education in the AI age. Closing thoughts In today's rapidly changing world, education must evolve to meet the demands of a dynamic, technology-driven society. Artificial Intelligence and Experiential Learning: Bridging Minds with Machines in Modern Classrooms presents a timely and forward-thinking perspective on this transformation. From a general standpoint, the book underscores the urgent need to move beyond traditional, lecture-based instruction toward more immersive, personalized, and experiential learning models. As industries shift and new careers emerge, it becomes essential to equip learners not just with theoretical knowledge but with real-world skills, adaptability, and critical thinking. The integration of AI and experiential strategies is no longer optional-it's foundational to preparing future-ready individuals. This book highlights how embracing innovative tools and practices can empower educators to create engaging, reflective, and impactful learning experiences that resonate far beyond the classroom. (Author serves as Group Head-Corporate Communication at Sai Wardha Power Generation and is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Media at Srinivas University, Mangalore)
Hamilton Spectator
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
$3.8M reconstruction of Simcoe, Raglan streets begins in Angus
ESSA TWP. — For many Canadians, the Victoria Day long weekend signals the beginning of summer. For many Canadian municipalities, the day after the long weekend signals the beginning of construction season. If you live in Essa Township, you can expect to see construction crews replacing bridge culverts, building parks and repairing and rebuilding roads throughout the summer. The largest project — the $3.8-million reconstruction of Simcoe Street and Raglan Street in Angus — kicked off Monday and is expected to be mostly complete by November, with surface asphalt works to be completed in the summer of 2026. The reconstruction includes Simcoe Street between the west dead end and the east dead end, and Raglan Street from King Street to Simcoe Street as well as some ditch work on Water Street. The project was awarded to Arnott Construction. 'The Simcoe Street and Raglan Street reconstruction is considered a high-priority project due to safety and storm management concerns,' John Kolb, the township's manager of public works, said in his report to council. 'As part of the township's transportation master plan and infrastructure improvement, this project will transition the corridor to an urban standard, supporting both vehicular and pedestrian use while improving safety and drainage.' According to Kolb's report, the project will include: 'The urbanization of Simcoe Street and Raglan Street will deliver significant long-term benefits to the community, including safer pedestrian access, better drainage, and improved traffic management,' Kolb said. According to the report, the total projected cost is $4,069,692. This map shows the section of road that will be under construction. | Graphic supplied The approved budget for the Simcoe Street urbanization was $4,469,722, resulting in a surplus of $400,029.20. Residents can review the township's notice of construction here . While most people don't spend a great deal of time thinking about bridge culverts, they are an important part of the township's infrastructure. According to a report prepared by Kolb, six bridge culverts — located on 9th Line (2), 5th Sideroad, 10th Line, 6th Line and 8th Line — have been in service for more than 90 years and have reached the end of their useful life. Based on the last inspection, significant deterioration and safety concerns mean they require full replacement. The contract to replace the bridge culverts was awarded to South Shore Contracting for slightly more than $3.5 million. According to Kolb's report, the total projected cost is $3,735,495. The approved budget for the culvert replacement was $4.25 million, resulting in a surplus of $514,504. Township council authorized staff to use the surplus from the bridge culvert construction project to fund emergency repairs on the 5th Sideroad, Scotch Line and 10th Line. The cost will range from $400,000 to $550,000. As previously announced, the township is working on two skate park projects, the Angus Skate Park relocation and the modular pump tracks installation and the Thornton pump tracks installation, both of which they expect to have completed sometime in July. Canadian Ramp Company, the only company to bid on the contract, provided the township with a bid of $459,999 — $331,616 for the Angus component and $128,383 for the Thornton component. In its 2025 budget, the township allocated $620,000 for the projects, which results in a surplus of about $160,000, assuming there are no changes. Those savings will be allocated to other capital projects. In addition to the skate parks, Essa has awarded a contract worth $123,852 to Sport Court Ontario to supply and install a mini rink and concrete pad at the Brownley Meadows Park. The project, which had an approved budget of $130,000, resulting in a surplus of $6,148. The Brownley Meadows Park project is expected to be completed by the end of July.
Business Insider
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Kepler Capital Sticks to Its Hold Rating for PUMA SE NPV (PMMAF)
In a report released on May 8, Jurgen Kolb from Kepler Capital maintained a Hold rating on PUMA SE NPV (PMMAF – Research Report), with a price target of €25.80. The company's shares closed yesterday at $25.00. Protect Your Portfolio Against Market Uncertainty Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. According to TipRanks, Kolb is a 2-star analyst with an average return of 0.7% and a 43.70% success rate. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for PUMA SE NPV with a $33.26 average price target, representing a 33.04% upside. In a report released yesterday, TD Cowen also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a €22.00 price target.
