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Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Dukes of Hazzard' Star Makes Emotional Tribute to Rick Hurst
Rick Hurst, the actor best known for portraying Deputy Cletus Hogg on CBS's hit sitcom The Dukes of Hazzard, has passed away at the age of 79, as reported by his ex-wife, Candace Kaniecki. While the cause of death has yet to be made clear, tributes to the late actor have continued to pour on across social media, with fans, critics and past cast members of The Dukes of Hazzard sharing their thoughts on Hurst's unexpected passing. Taking to social media to pen an emotional tribute to Hurst, Ben Jones -- best known for portraying The Dukes of Hazzard's unkempt mechanic Cooter Davenport -- shared a Facebook post highlighting his former co-star's rich personality and numerous achievements in the world of entertainment. "It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process', as the current expression goes," the 83-year-old actor wrote. "I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn't a minute of that time that he didn't leave me smiling or laughing. Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas." "He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague," the former U.S. House of Representatives member went on to say. "I don't know about y'all but I believe in an afterlife, and I can see Rick up there in Heaven with [deceased Dukes of Hazzard cast members] Jimmy Best and Sorrell Booke and Denver Pyle, putting on the funniest show inside those Pearly Gates." Similarly, Dukes of Hazzard fan pages across social media have echoed Jones' sentiment, mourning the loss of Hurst for both his charming wit and extraordinary comedic timing. "To fans, he was more than a character-he was family," one Dukes of Hazzard fan page wrote on Instagram. "His gentle smile, impeccable comedic timing, and kind-hearted spirit made every scene brighter. Off-screen, Rick was known for his generosity, humility, and love for connecting with fans at events across the country. Whether it was a reunion special or a meet-and-greet at Cooter's, he never stopped sharing his joy with the people who adored him." Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Huge solar equipment manufacturer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The U.S. solar energy industry has faced many of the same economic issues that other retail and manufacturing industries have dealt with, including rising labor and product costs driven by inflation, higher interest rates on debt obligations, and extreme competition from across the world. Some economic factors unique to the solar industry, however, threaten to put some companies out of business. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The solar industry may face a potential revenue disaster if Congress follows through with proposals to phase out or eliminate tax credits for developers of renewable energy products and manufacturers of renewable energy technology. Related: Popular children's retailer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 implemented the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit in IRC Section 45X, which provides lucrative tax credits for eligible components produced or sold between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2032. The tax credits will provide billions of dollars of tax benefits for developers and manufacturers of solar equipment if fully implemented. Congress, however, might snuff out that lucrative tax benefit for solar equipment manufacturers if new legislation is signed into law. The U.S. House of Representatives on May 22, 2025, passed its version of the budget reconciliation bill, HR 1, President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes proposed revisions to the existing law that would phase out or eliminate the IRC Section 45X tax credits. The tax credits are still in limbo as the U.S. Senate is still deliberating on HR 1, trying to reconcile its version with the House version. Eliminating the Section 45X tax credits may force several solar equipment companies out of business, putting thousands more workers in the unemployment line. One company has been pushed over the edge by just the threat of tax credits disappearing. Major solar energy equipment manufacturer Meyer Burger Holding Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeking a sale of its assets and to halt a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act lawsuit after abruptly closing its Arizona plant. Related: Another national retail chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Goodyear, Ariz.-based debtor, which is a subsidiary of parent company Meyer Burger AG of Switzerland, filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on June 25, listing $100 million to $500 million in assets and about $560 million in debts. The debtor owes about $89 million from a secured bridge loan, about $370 million in unsecured intercompany loans, and about $100 million in unsecured trade payables and other unsecured debts. More bankruptcy: Iconic auto repair chain franchise files Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular beer brand closes down and files Chapter 7 bankruptcyPopular vodka and gin brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The debtor will seek debtor-in-possession financing, which includes a roll-up of preparation secured debt, and a bidding procedures motion with a stalking-horse bidder offer to purchase the company in a Section 363 sale, according to court papers. The debtor said financial and operational setbacks from an inundation of the global solar market with low-priced Chinese products and debilitating trade restrictions affected the European market and prompted the debtor to expand into the U.S. solar market with the opening of an Arizona solar module plant. The debtor faced financial issues related to its Arizona solar module manufacturing facility, as the plant's production line design didn't meet the intended solar module design, requiring a six-month delay and redesign of the production lines. The Arizona facility cost $60 million and 12 months to complete and was expected to produce 10,000 solar modules a day and employ 600 workers. The facility, however, consists of two partially installed production lines that never reached full production capacity, and a third line installation was delayed because of a shifting business plan and deteriorating financial condition. A planned Colorado Springs, Colo., solar cell manufacturing facility was discontinued due to the company's inability to obtain necessary financing. Meyer Burger was unable to secure adequate financing to complete construction of the Arizona module plant and the Colorado cell facility, and its affiliates in Switzerland and Germany were forced into insolvency proceedings. The company also faced economic issues from global supply chain disruption. At full capacity, the company expected to generate almost $1.3 billion in tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, but production setbacks significantly reduced the company's benefit. Congressional plans to phase out or eliminate the tax credits caused uncertainty with lenders and investors, which impacted the company's out-of-court restructuring and recapitalization plans. After an investor terminated a restructuring and recapitalization deal at the beginning of May 2025, manufacturing challenges and macroeconomic headwinds forced the debtor to lay off all 400 employees at the Arizona plant and shut down production by May 31, 2025. The shutdown prompted former employees to file a class-action lawsuit alleging the company violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The debtor's Chapter 11 filing placed an automatic stay on all litigation while the bankruptcy case proceeds. Related: Popular bar and grill chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County's congressmen weigh in on Iran bombing; ‘The right decision by an administration and president that usually make the wrong one'
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives who represent parts of Lake County agree that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, but disagree to varying extents about President Donald Trump's failure to go to Congress before bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday. U.S. Rep Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, who was in the Middle East last week talking to leaders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, discussing paths to peace, said if the ceasefire Trump brokered after the bombing works, it could lead to a more peaceful region. 'We looked at ways we could further the Abraham Accords. We talked about the ability of the parties in the Middle East to find a path to security and prosperity,' Schneider said. 'It will make relief, recovery and renewal in Gaza easier,' he added, referring to a potential ceasefire there. Both U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, said Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during his first term set in motion the events that led to the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites Saturday. 'This successful diplomatic agreement cut off every pathway to an Iranian nuclear weapon until Trump withdrew from it in 2018,' Schakowsky said in an email. 'Under that agreement, we maintained adequate oversight over Iran's nuclear program such that if they backed out, the U.S. and our allies would have at least a full year to respond militarily before Iran had enriched uranium for their first nuclear weapon,' Foster added via email. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, said in an email that Trump's actions placed the U.S. in a less-safe position, which puts members of the American armed forces in the Middle East in danger and is 'increasing the likelihood of an attack on U.S. soil.' 'Iran is one of the largest state sponsors of terrorism in the world, and I believe preventing them from developing a nuclear weapon is critical to global security,' Quigley said in the email. 'The way to accomplish this goal is through diplomacy.' Foster, Quigley, Schakowsky and Schneider were scheduled to participate in a classified briefing about the war now involving the United States, Israel and Iran on Tuesday in Washington, which was abruptly cancelled, leaving them without needed information. 'I'm indignant how Trump did not inform Congress, or at least leadership of both parties,' Schneider said. 'We need to know the extent Iran's nuclear program was destabilized and how our people in the region and around the world are impacted. We need to be informed about the intelligence on which these decisions were based.' While Congress has the sole authority to declare war under the Constitution, Schneider said the president is charged with keeping Americans safe both at home and around the world. It is part of his constitutional authority. 'There is a tension there,' Schneider said, 'That prerogative exists not only as a matter of law, but as a safeguard,' he added in a statement Saturday night. 'The administration must immediately engage with Congress and urgently provide a bipartisan, classified briefing so we can assess the intelligence, legal justifications, objectives and consequences of this action.' From the time Iran stopped cooperating with international nuclear inspectors, Foster said the president had sufficient time to seek Congress's permission to use powerful bombs that only America has to strike Iran. 'There has been more than enough time for the Trump Administration to brief Congress on the situation and seek the permission constitutionally required for military action,' Foster said in a statement. 'It is also inexcusable that Trump did not inform Congressional leadership before military action was taken.' Quoting an article from the Atlantic, Schneider said Trump's decision to bomb Iran 'was the right decision by an administration and president that usually make the wrong one.' He questioned the ability and experience of people advising the president, like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. 'All of these people now make important decisions,' Schneider said. 'I have grave concerns about their ability to do so.' Foster, a nuclear scientist who worked at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory before being elected to Congress, said in the email that he has heard a number of inaccurate statements about nuclear weapons from Vice President JD Vance. 'Based on the technically ignorant statements from people like JD Vance, it's clear that relevant knowledge of nuclear weapons is completely absent in this administration,' Foster said in the email.
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
24 June 2025: Trump denounces Medvedev's nuclear‑to‑Iran threat
India Today Podcasts Desk UPDATED: Jun 24, 2025 19:40 IST On News at 7, this 24 June, Jamshed Qamar Siddiqui brings you the day's most crucial headlines. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IDF to 'respond forcefully' with high-intensity strikes on Tehran after accusing Iran of breaching a recently brokered ceasefire by launching missiles at Israel. The U.S. House of Representatives has officially banned WhatsApp from all government-issued devices. Produced by- Garvit Srivastava Sound Mix - Rohan Bharti
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US bans WhatsApp from House of Representatives staff devices
The U.S. government has banned WhatsApp from devices used by U.S. House of Representatives staff, saying the app poses potential security risks, Reuters reported, citing a memo sent to House staff. 'The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks involved with its use,' Reuters reported the memo as saying. The memo instead recommends staff use apps like Signal, iMessage, FaceTime, and Microsoft Teams, the report said. Meta in January said it had detected and disrupted a hacking campaign targeting about 90 WhatsApp users, including journalists. The hack was linked to Paragon Solutions, an Israeli spyware maker that was acquired in December of last year by American private equity giant AE Industrial Partners. And according to a research report in May, the governments of Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Israel, and Singapore are likely customers of Paragon. Meta did not immediately return a request for comment.
