Latest news with #Thrones
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
D.C. stalls popular public bathroom program amid funding cuts
D.C.'s popular public bathroom program is on hold — and people are pissed. Driving the news: Throne, the startup behind a fleet of luxe loos, shut down its six free toilets on July 5 after the city let its contract lapse over funding issues. City officials say they've identified funding to keep the bathrooms running through September, but they gave no timeline for reopening them. Why it matters: D.C. is desperate for bathrooms, especially with massive events for America's 250th birthday and beyond. Catch up quick: Throne launched 18 potties in DMV in 2024 — all free, mobile, ADA-compliant, and equipped with baby stations, sinks, AC and menstrual products. So yes, popular — D.C. Thrones attracted around 71,000 visitors between the start of the pilot and May. The city used six in a pilot program for high-traffic areas like Dupont Circle, Eastern Market and near the Mall. The latest: City officials told the Washington Post that Throne's funding was wiped after the congressional GOP spending bill slashed $1 billion from D.C.'s budget and forced the city to terminate contracts. Yes, but: The mayor's office seemingly reversed its decision after pushback from neighborhood organizations and public officials. A petition to reopen Thrones garnered more than 740 signatures. As one Throne supporter told Axios: "There's nothing like the wrath of someone approaching a bathroom and finding it closed." Zoom in: The D.C. Council is helping fund 10 Thrones in the new fiscal year, Councilmember Brianne Nadeau tells Axios. Nadeau, who championed the program as chair of the Committee on Public Works, says it's still unclear why the contract lapsed. Multiple committees pitched in for the pilot in FY26, she says, and council members sponsored their own, covering new Thrones in Wards 7, 8 and 1. Claims that Throne funding will cost Public Works jobs are "completely inaccurate," Nadeau tells Axios. What they're saying: "Ultimately, this is really scalable. They're easy to use, easy to place, people love them," Nadeau tells Axios. Her next step: Introducing legislation to make the pilot permanent.
The Star
10-05-2025
- The Star
Time-restricted 'smart' toilets arrive as US city looks to plug restroom gaps
QR codes are an omnipresent aspect of smartphone-era life, controlling access of everything from airline tickets to restaurant menus. But in Long Beach, there are new, and perhaps unexpected, places that can be opened via a smartphone scan: public restrooms. As part of a pilot program, Washington DC-based Throne Labs has set up "smart" bathrooms at four locations across the city. Each of the units, known as Thrones, includes a toilet, an urinal and a sink with an ADA-accessible ramp. "Cities across the country want to provide bathrooms, but costs and operational challenges stop them from doing so," said Jessica Heinzelman, co-founder and chief operational officer of Throne Labs. To access the Thrones, Heinzelman said, most users scan a QR code outside the restroom that generates a text message to open a specific restroom. There is also a code that can be typed in for those without a smartphone, and physical access cards are available. A digital sign alerts users on whether the bathroom is available, in use, being cleaned or closed. But those with a penchant for leisurely loo visits should take note: The Thrones come with a time limit. After 10 minutes, ready or not, the doors are opening. Long Beach opted to place the units at Belmont Pier, Shoreline Marina, Harvey Milk Promenade Park and DeForest Park on April 15 and 16. Each of those locations sees a lot of foot traffic but doesn't have many bathrooms, officials said. News of the Throne restrooms was first reported by the Long Beach Post . Jane Grobaty, superintendent of community information for the city's Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, said the department operates 51 traditional restroom facilities, though she could not provide the exact number of toilets. Ryan Kurtzman, a technology partnerships officer for the city's Technology and Innovation Department, said his office collaborated with the parks department, public works and the city manager's office to select locations for the restrooms. Belmont Pier and Shoreline Marina were chosen because of immediate demand, he said. "There's a lot of people going by those areas, but there really aren't any restroom facilities nearby," he said. DeForest Park was selected after its restroom was destroyed in a fire, and officials landed on Harvey Milk Promenade Park as a way to augment limited offerings in the city's downtown. The 7-by-8-foot restrooms cost US$6,200 (RM 26,784) apiece per month, which amounts to a total price tag of just under US$100,000 (RM432,000) for the four-month trial, Kurtzman said. The partnership got rolling when Kurtzman encouraged Throne Labs to offer a proposal under the Pitch Long Beach! program, which aims to identify potential partnerships with private companies to tackle civic challenges. "One of the great things about Throne is there is a lot of data that they can provide on usage that is easier than with a standard park restroom," Kurtzman said. "We're looking at the number of uses, length of duration, user experience, cleanliness and other factors." Kurtzman said the city will weigh those factors, along with a cost analysis, in determining whether to keep the restrooms. Heinzelman, the Throne Labs co-founder, said more than 2,900 individuals have visited the four restrooms since their installation. Users rated the facilities 4.3 stars out of 5, she said. Another Long Beach Throne was installed last May in partnership with L.A. County Metro at the A Line Willow Street station. That unit has seen 13,000 visits by 2,900 users since its installation, according to the company. There are 18 other public Thrones at Metro stations across the transit system, with plans to expand to 64 within two years, Heinzelman said. There are also two Thrones at Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills. On average, most people who use the restrooms are done in 3 minutes, 20 seconds. The primary reason for the 10-minute time limit is to discourage loitering, Heinzelman said. But there's also a safety purpose, she said. Individuals have twice suffered medical emergencies in Thrones outside Long Beach. The 10-minute limit opened the door and allowed onlookers to call for help. "In a traditional restroom, if you have a medical issue inside, you might stay in there for hours until a janitor gets there," Heinzelman said. Once 10 minutes pass, lights will flash inside the unit and a recorded message will ask the user to leave. The doors open shortly after, she said. She said that in other Los Angeles units, 85% of people who hit the time limit left within two minutes, while 95% departed within five minutes. "In some ways, those numbers are much better than we expected," Heinzelman said. – Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Time-restricted 'smart' toilets arrive in Long Beach as city looks to plug restroom gaps
QR codes are an omnipresent aspect of smartphone-era life, controlling access of everything from airline tickets to restaurant menus. But in Long Beach, there are new, and perhaps unexpected, places that can be opened via a smartphone scan: public restrooms. As part of a pilot program, Washington D.C.-based Throne Labs has set up "smart" bathrooms at four locations across the city. Each of the units, known as Thrones, includes a toilet, an urinal and a sink with an ADA-accessible ramp. 'Cities across the country want to provide bathrooms, but costs and operational challenges stop them from doing so,' said Jessica Heinzelman, co-founder and chief operational officer of Throne Labs. Read more: $339,000 for a restroom? L.A. politicians balk at the cost of toilets for homeless people To access the Thrones, Heinzelman said, most users scan a QR code outside the restroom that generates a text message to open a specific restroom. There is also a code that can be typed in for those without a smartphone, and physical access cards are available. A digital sign alerts users on whether the bathroom is available, in use, being cleaned or closed. But those with a penchant for leisurely loo visits should take note: The Thrones come with a time limit. After 10 minutes, ready or not, the doors are opening. Long Beach opted to place the units at Belmont Pier, Shoreline Marina, Harvey Milk Promenade Park and DeForest Park on April 15 and 16. Each of those locations sees a lot of foot traffic but doesn't have many bathrooms, officials said. News of the Throne restrooms was first reported by the Long Beach Post. Jane Grobaty, superintendent of community information for the city's Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, said the department operates 51 traditional restroom facilities, though she could not provide the exact number of toilets. Ryan Kurtzman, a technology partnerships officer for the city's Technology and Innovation Department, said his office collaborated with the parks department, public works and the city manager's office to select locations for the restrooms. Belmont Pier and Shoreline Marina were chosen because of immediate demand, he said. 'There's a lot of people going by those areas, but there really aren't any restroom facilities nearby,' he said. DeForest Park was selected after its restroom was destroyed in a fire, and officials landed on Harvey Milk Promenade Park as a way to augment limited offerings in the city's downtown. The 7-by-8-foot restrooms cost $6,200 apiece per month, which amounts to a total price tag of just under $100,000 for the four-month trial, Kurtzman said. Read more: Six beautiful bathrooms around L.A., six versions of luxury The partnership got rolling when Kurtzman encouraged Throne Labs to offer a proposal under the Pitch Long Beach! program, which aims to identify potential partnerships with private companies to tackle civic challenges. 'One of the great things about Throne is there is a lot of data that they can provide on usage that is easier than with a standard park restroom,' Kurtzman said. 'We're looking at the number of uses, length of duration, user experience, cleanliness and other factors.' Kurtzman said the city will weigh those factors, along with a cost analysis, in determining whether to keep the restrooms. Heinzelman, the Throne Labs co-founder, said more than 2,900 individuals have visited the four restrooms since their installation. Users rated the facilities 4.3 stars out of 5, she said. Read more: Costa Mesa drops plan for mobile restrooms for homeless people based on business survey Another Long Beach Throne was installed last May in partnership with L.A. County Metro at the A Line Willow Street station. That unit has seen 13,000 visits by 2,900 users since its installation , according to the company. There are 18 other public Thrones at Metro stations across the transit system, with plans to expand to 64 within two years, Heinzelman said. There are also two Thrones at Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills. On average, most people who use the restrooms are done in 3 minutes, 20 seconds. The primary reason for the 10-minute time limit is to discourage loitering, Heinzelman said. But there's also a safety purpose, she said. Read more: Contributor: Public bathrooms are a basic human right, but many cities aren't even trying to meet the need Individuals have twice suffered medical emergencies in Thrones outside Long Beach. The 10-minute limit opened the door and allowed onlookers to call for help. 'In a traditional restroom, if you have a medical issue inside, you might stay in there for hours until a janitor gets there,' Heinzelman said. Once 10 minutes pass, lights will flash inside the unit and a recorded message will ask the user to leave. The doors open shortly after, she said. She said that in other Los Angeles units, 85% of people who hit the time limit left within two minutes, while 95% departed within five minutes. "In some ways, those numbers are much better than we expected," Heinzelman said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
07-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Time-restricted 'smart' toilets arrive in Long Beach as city looks to plug restroom gaps
QR codes are an omnipresent aspect of smartphone-era life, controlling access of everything from airline tickets to restaurant menus. But in Long Beach, there are new, and perhaps unexpected, places that can be opened via a smartphone scan: public restrooms. As part of a pilot program, Washington D.C.-based Throne Labs has set up 'smart' bathrooms at four locations across the city. Each of the units, known as Thrones, includes a toilet, an urinal and a sink with an ADA-accessible ramp. 'Cities across the country want to provide bathrooms, but costs and operational challenges stop them from doing so,' said Jessica Heinzelman, co-founder and chief operational officer of Throne Labs. To access the Thrones, Heinzelman said, most users scan a QR code outside the restroom that generates a text message to open a specific restroom. There is also a code that can be typed in for those without a smartphone, and physical access cards are available. A digital sign alerts users on whether the bathroom is available, in use, being cleaned or closed. But those with a penchant for leisurely loo visits should take note: The Thrones come with a time limit. After 10 minutes, ready or not, the doors are opening. Long Beach opted to place the units at Belmont Pier, Shoreline Marina, Harvey Milk Promenade Park and DeForest Park on April 15 and 16. Each of those locations sees a lot of foot traffic but doesn't have many bathrooms, officials said. News of the Throne restrooms was first reported by the Long Beach Post. Jane Grobaty, superintendent of community information for the city's Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, said the department operates 51 traditional restroom facilities, though she could not provide the exact number of toilets. A portable Throne Labs restroom was placed at Harvey Milk Promenade Park in mid-April. Ryan Kurtzman, a technology partnerships officer for the city's Technology and Innovation Department, said his office collaborated with the parks department, public works and the city manager's office to select locations for the restrooms. Belmont Pier and Shoreline Marina were chosen because of immediate demand, he said. 'There's a lot of people going by those areas, but there really aren't any restroom facilities nearby,' he said. DeForest Park was selected after its restroom was destroyed in a fire, and officials landed on Harvey Milk Promenade Park as a way to augment limited offerings in the city's downtown. The 7-by-8-foot restrooms cost $6,200 apiece per month, which amounts to a total price tag of just under $100,000 for the four-month trial, Kurtzman said. The partnership got rolling when Kurtzman encouraged Throne Labs to offer a proposal under the Pitch Long Beach! program, which aims to identify potential partnerships with private companies to tackle civic challenges. 'One of the great things about Throne is there is a lot of data that they can provide on usage that is easier than with a standard park restroom,' Kurtzman said. 'We're looking at the number of uses, length of duration, user experience, cleanliness and other factors.' Kurtzman said the city will weigh those factors, along with a cost analysis, in determining whether to keep the restrooms. Heinzelman, the Throne Labs co-founder, said more than 2,900 individuals have visited the four restrooms since their installation. Users rated the facilities 4.3 stars out of 5, she said. Another Long Beach Throne was installed last May in partnership with L.A. County Metro at the A Line Willow Street station. That unit has seen 13,000 visits by 2,900 users since its installation , according to the company. There are 18 other public Thrones at Metro stations across the transit system, with plans to expand to 64 within two years, Heinzelman said. There are also two Thrones at Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills. On average, most people who use the restrooms are done in 3 minutes, 20 seconds. The primary reason for the 10-minute time limit is to discourage loitering, Heinzelman said. But there's also a safety purpose, she said. Individuals have twice suffered medical emergencies in Thrones outside Long Beach. The 10-minute limit opened the door and allowed onlookers to call for help. 'In a traditional restroom, if you have a medical issue inside, you might stay in there for hours until a janitor gets there,' Heinzelman said. Once 10 minutes pass, lights will flash inside the unit and a recorded message will ask the user to leave. The doors open shortly after, she said. She said that in other Los Angeles units, 85% of people who hit the time limit left within two minutes, while 95% departed within five minutes. 'In some ways, those numbers are much better than we expected,' Heinzelman said.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kit Harington Recalls His ‘Arrogance' During First Game of Thrones Scene With Bella Ramsey: ‘That Child Actor Is Wiping Me Off the Screen'
Long before they were The Last of Us' Ellie, and before they'd built Lyanna Mormont into a legendary — if pint-sized — badass, Bella Ramsey was just an 11-year-old actor on the set of a massively popular hit series. And when Thrones star Kit Harington showed up for his first scene with Ramsey with a self-described 'arrogance' that included not knowing his lines cold, he quickly learned that acting 'opposite some child' was not going to go the way he expected. More from TVLine Harry Potter's John Lithgow Surprised by J.K. Rowling-Related Backlash to His Casting: 'Why Is This a Factor At All?' The Last of Us' Ellie Is on Her Way to Avenge Joel - Read Episode 3 Recap Is Law & Order: Organized Crime Losing an Original Cast Member After Five Seasons? The former co-stars reminisce about that scene, which took place in Thrones' Season 6, Episode 7, in a new Interview Q&A. The interlude finds Harington's Jon Snow, along with Sansa Stark (played by Sophie Turner) and Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham), petitioning Mormont family head Lyanna for soldiers to join their cause. Though Lyanna initially refuses, she eventually is swayed by Davos' impassioned plea. (Read a full recap.) After Harington notes that Ramsey 'brought a confidence and clarity that was quite unusual for a young actor,' a chagrined Ramsey recalls that they mouthed his lines to him during shooting. 'Now, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, how awful,'' Ramsey says. 'But at the time, it came from a very innocent place of being like, 'Kit's struggling with his line, and I know it, so let me just mouth it to him.'' Harington hasn't forgotten. 'I do remember you helping me out, and it being quite humiliating,' he says with a laugh. 'But yeah, thanks for that.' Game of Thrones Major Characters, Ranked View Gallery50 Images When Ramsey says their behavior must've been 'annoying,' Harington corrects them. 'It wasn't at all. If anything I was like, 'Oh god, I've got to up my game. I came here not really being comfortable enough with my lines, in the arrogance of however old I was, thinking I'm just opposite some child. And then that child actor is wiping me off the screen.' Not that it's a competition, but you're like, 'Oh, I've got a bit too comfortable in my Jon Snow-ness.' Ramsey is currently appearing in The Last of Us Season 2. Harington is part of the cast of HBO's Industry, which he joined in Season 3. You can watch the scene in question at the start of the video below: Best of TVLine Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More 'Missing' Shows, Found! The Latest on Severance, Holey Moley, Poker Face, YOU, Primo, Transplant and 25+ Others
