SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 2023, as “Small Business Month” in the State of California.
The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:
PROCLAMATION
California’s economy is the envy of the world thanks in large part to our more than 4.2 million small businesses – more than any other state. Small businesses and entrepreneurs accelerate economic growth and mobility in California, creating two-thirds of net new jobs, building wealth, innovating to solve global problems, launching future growth industries, bringing diversity to our economy, and defining main streets across our local communities.
California’s small businesses account for over 99% of total businesses in the state and employ more than 7 million people, nearly half of the state’s private sector workforce. Our small businesses are global leaders in innovation and economic competitiveness, and embody the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the economy of the Golden State.
California leads the nation in business startups, growing 20% year-over-year from 2019 to 2020. Our businesses receive more than 50% of the nation’s venture capital. They produce more patents per capita and conduct more research and development than any other state in the nation. California is the center of manufacturing output in the United States, with over 35,000 manufacturing firms that employ over 1.2 million Californians. Our manufacturing firms have created new industries and supplied the world with manufactured goods spanning aerospace, computers and electronics and, most recently, zero-emission vehicles.
For our economy to maintain global leadership, we must ensure that all Californians – no matter who they are or where they come from – can pursue their dreams to start, manage and grow resilient businesses in the Golden State. California continues to make historic investments to support diversity, equity and an inclusive economy. AB 2019, enacted in 2022, seeks innovative ways to increase diversity in state procurement and codifies a goal of 25% small businesses participation in procurement. The Small Business Technical Assistance Program, which was extended indefinitely in 2022, supports underserved small businesses and entrepreneurs so they can start, grow, and be resilient in California.
The state has revamped the Accelerate California program to help expand the technology ecosystem to include more diverse founders, support new tech sectors, drive growth and create high-quality jobs in regions beyond the coast. California has also seen monumental successes in recent initiatives such as the California Dream Fund, which provided seed funds to over 4,500 diverse new small business startups. These efforts are grounded in many partnerships across the state to provide technical assistance, guidance and increased engagement in underserved communities.
Our small businesses are constantly adapting to an evolving marketplace, integrating technology at higher rates than ever before, and developing innovative ways to connect with clients. This month, we recognize the tremendous success of our small businesses and their contributions to the California economy. We affirm our commitment to helping California’s small businesses thrive and, above all, we commit to ensuring that the California Dream can be a reality for everyone.
NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 2023, as “Small Business Month.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 1st day of May 2023. GAVIN NEWSOM Governor of California
ATTEST: SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D. Secretary of State
The new product, Prequalified Leads, will accelerate the mortgage prequalification process by triggering automated marketing outreach.
DALLAS, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Unify, the leading mortgage business growth platform, is thrilled to introduce a new product to their full suite of software tools for mortgage professionals: Prequalified Leads. The new product will give Unify clients a unique competitive advantage, as loan originators’ top priority is finding quality leads that contribute to the growth of their business.
Prequalified Leads is a lead enablement solution add-on that works with Unify’s core platform workflow and marketing automation technology to initiate the mortgage prequalification process. Users will receive trusted prequalified mortgage information without impacting customer credit scores and be able to prioritize outreach efforts by tracking approved mortgage leads.
“Unify understands the current economic conditions and how that can affect the hyper-competitive mortgage market,” said Rodney Eten, Director of Application Development. “Our goal is to continue to provide our clients with industry-leading product solutions that enhance their business. Introducing Prequalified Leads to our portfolio of product offerings allows us to provide a unique cost-saving solution to differentiate verified leads for our customers.”
Incorporating Prequalified Leads into the platform improves operating efficiencies as users can manage and reduce costs by controlling the number of lead purchases. In addition, users tracking mortgage approvals can save time by setting up automated responses within one system. Loan originators can benefit from enhancing customer relationships by instilling loyalty that their customers’ sensitive data is protected with a SOC 2 Type2– and Experian EI3PA–certified product.
Prequalified Leads is one of many new products Unify plans to introduce in the months ahead, as the company continues to improve its platform for all levels of users. Unify continues to serve some of the industry’s largest lenders, banks, credit unions, and brokers, with forty-seven billion dollars in loans closed and just under one million loans originated, annually.
About Unify
Unify (a subsidiary of Lone Wolf Technologies) is a leading mortgage business growth platform specifically built for the residential mortgage industry. Founded in 2008, Unify’s integrated software platform offers product solutions that enable lead generation, marketing automation, contact organization, and seamless LOS and POS integration. Unify’s technology provides over 4,000 mortgage professionals with a full suite of tools to grow their business while unifying the relationship of sourcing prospects, networking with partners, and retaining past clients to increase loan volume. For more information, visit www.unifycrm.com.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Calinetworks, a leading provider of digital marketing solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its new all-in-one website service, which combines SEO, PPC, social media, content writing, ADA compliance, web design, website updates, website hosting, website audits/maintenance, and other custom online services into a comprehensive package tailored to support the industry specific needs of our clients and their business.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, online businesses face fierce competition and need a robust online presence to succeed. Unfortunately, many small and medium-sized businesses struggle to manage multiple service providers, leading to fragmented strategies, inconsistent performance, and suboptimal results.
Calinetworks’ all-in-one website services aim to address these challenges by providing businesses with a single point of contact and a unified team for all their website needs. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique requirements, goals, and challenges. We use our collective resources to make confident, informed creative recommendations that deliver tangible results.
SEO: Improve search engine rankings, drive more organic traffic, and increase visibility.
PPC: Drive targeted traffic, increase conversions, and maximize ROI with pay-per-click advertising.
Social Media: Gain visibility on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Content Writing: Create high-quality content that attracts, informs, and converts your target audience.
Web Design: Create a stunning website that engages visitors, communicates brand values, and drives sales.
Website Maintenance: Keep your website up-to-date, secure, and optimized for performance.
Website Hosting: Ensure your website is fast, reliable, backed up, and secure with world-class hosting services.
Website ADA Compliance: Ensuring that websites are accessible to people with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws and guidelines.
Other website services: Access a wide range of website-related services, including website audits, migration, customization, integration, analytics, and more.
Calinetworks’ all-in-one website services are designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and industries, from startups and SMBs to enterprise-level organizations. The company’s flexible pricing and delivery models ensure that clients receive high-quality services that fit their budget and timeline.
To learn more about Calinetworks’ all-in-one website services, visit the company’s website at https://www.calinetworks.com.
About Calinetworks Calinetworks is a leading provider of digital marketing solutions, specializing in SEO, PPC, Social Media, website design, website maintenance, web hosting, ADA website compliance, content writing, and other website services. The company helps businesses of all sizes and industries to achieve their online growth objectives by leveraging the latest technology, tools, and strategies. With a team of seasoned experts and a commitment to excellence, Calinetworks is a trusted partner for businesses seeking to unlock their full potential online.
BMO announced a $5 million investment in strategic partnerships to help community organizations throughout its U.S. footprint. To help support local communities, these grants will be directed towards housing counseling agencies, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), and other non-profits that support and preserve affordable homeownership and provide support for small businesses.
“Investments like these are at the core of our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life,” said Kimberley Goode, Chief Communications and Social Impact Officer, BMO. “These grants will strategically support vital community organizations to increase minority homeownership, drive the development of affordable housing and support the growth of small businesses to help the communities we serve achieve real financial progress.”
$3 million to advance homeownership
A $3 million commitment over two years will drive progress towards addressing the racial wealth gap and advance homeownership for low-income and minority communities. Grants will strategically support non-profit organizations, housing agencies and trusted community organizations to increase minority homeownership, drive the development of affordable housing and help families achieve financial progress.
“Our partnership with BMO seeks to create homeownership opportunities for young adults that establish a solid understanding and promotion of financial growth as they begin their adult lives,” said Courtney Jones, Third Vice President, NAREB.
Key partners also include local affiliates from the National Urban League as well as numerous local, non-profit and community partners to help increase minority homeownership and close the racial wealth gap.
“We’re dedicated to economic empowerment that elevates the standard of living for underserved communities and we share this vision with BMO,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League. “Bringing access to these communities to achieve homeownership promotes long-term financial success and the opportunity to build wealth for future generations.”
Funds will be distributed throughout our expanded footprint including Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
$2 million to grow small businesses
BMO’s $2 million commitment over two years will help fuel growth for small businesses by providing better access to capital, educational resources, and meaningful networking opportunities. The commitment will equip business owners with the tools needed to help make their businesses be more resilient and scalable. This includes:
Access to capital: Increasing business owner access to capital through expanded credit criteria and competitive interest rates for credit up to $50,000.
Access to education: Increasing financial and business education for business owners through practical tools, templates, webinars, and coaching.
Access to partnerships: Providing business owners with meaningful networks, additional coaching, educational resources, and alternative funding sources.
BMO is committed to offering comprehensive business programs specifically designed for Women, Black, Latinx, and Native-owned business owners in communities the bank serves. BMO’s Black and Latinx Small Business Program, which provides minority-business owners better access to capital, educational resources, and meaningful networking opportunities, will be available for customers in the bank’s expanded footprint later this year.
Partnering with these organizations enables the progress BMO is making for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society, by increasing access to capital and supporting a more inclusive economic recovery for minority businesses, communities, and families across BMO’s footprint.
The $5 million commitment reinforces BMO’s focus on increasing home ownership and supporting the growth of small businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and communities of color.
OMAHA, Nebraska — A regional business survey is showing another positive month when it comes to economic growth.
The new Mid-America Business Conditions Index for April climbed to 54.8 from 50.8 in March–the third consecutive month it’s been above the growth neutral mark of 50 on the 0 to 100 scale.
“Still not back up to the readings we saw at this time of last year–April of 2022. But still, it’s a good reading,” says Creighton University Economics Professor Ernie Goss, in Omaha, Nebraska.
He says says the monthly survey of regional business managers also shows slowing inflationary pressure.
“When you look at the trend, it’s definitely down–inflationary pressures are coming down as the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates. That’s putting downward pressure on prices,” Goss says.
Despite the positive numbers, he says more than half of those business managers still expect a recession sometime in yet this year.
“The probability of a recession, according to the manufacturing supply managers is still above 50 percent (about 58 percent, according to the Index), so most of them are thinking a recession’s in the cards looking ahead for 2023,” Goss says.
The monthly Mid-America Business Conditions Index survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
I have a confession to make: Despite loving (and owning) an absurd amount of makeup, my favorite look of all is “no makeup” makeup. That’s right. While it may seem counterintuitive to wear makeup to… well, look as if I’m not wearing makeup, it’s actually a skill that requires just the right products.
Perhaps the single most important base for a “no makeup” makeup look is a great skin tint-style foundation. A tint-style foundation is similar to a tinted moisturizer but traditionally has even less coverage — although they’ve become enough of a trend that this is not *always* the case. However, a good rule of thumb is that a tint foundation will give youenough coverage to even out your skin a bit and give it a glow, but you can touch it up in spots with a great concealer.
I’m breaking down the best of the best natural-looking foundations I’ve tried over the years, from budget-friendly options to the ultra-luxe offerings you can find on the market.
Budget ($)
Millie Bobby Brown‘s line florence by mills has a few cult-favorite products that have become beloved by all ages. One of them is the Like a Light Skin Tint Foundation, which is a sheer coverage formula available in 20 shades. Made with ingredients like meadowfoam seed oil, squalene, and jojoba oil, the skin tint provides just a minimal amount of coverage but is packed with glow for a radiant complexion.
One of the main reasons people have loved tint-style foundations so much is that coveted blurring effect. It makes your complexion look like your skin… but slightly more perfected. The NYX Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation manages to do just that, with a medium coverage formula available in 24 shades. The formula includes ingredients like glycerin, matcha, and niacinamide that make this budget-friendly pick an ultra-hydrating option for dry skin!
Moderate ($$)
When it comes to glowing skin, few companies do it better than Saie Beauty. The Saie Beauty Slip Tint offers sheer, dewy coverage with SPF 35. The formula is slightly thicker and tackier-feeling than many of the other options on this list, but when blended, it does something magical: It sets down to look just like skin. Available in 14 shades, the coverage for the Slip Tint is light enough that you can likely get away with wearing one or two different shades (while Shade 3 is my perfect match, I can also easily get away with Shade 4 if I want a slightly bronzed glow).
My skin has always been on the drier side, so I haven’t had to deal with the common complaint that those with oilier skin have about skin tints — that it will leave you looking even more oily. However, for those who do have oily skin, the Blurring Skin Tint from Fenty Beauty may change your tune on this type of makeup. The product comes in 25 shades, with light-to-medium coverage that you can easily build up. The formula is notable for its “blurring” effect, which will give you that “my skin but better” look that all skin tints hope to achieve.
Luxe ($$$)
Right off the bat, we have to acknowledge that the price tag for this foundation may make your wallet cry. But there’s a reason behind the number. Westman Atelier is a brand created by Gucci Westman, who you may know for being Jennifer Aniston’s makeup artist. She has created a luxe line of skin-loving makeup products, with the Complexion Drops being one of her latest creations. Packed with skincare ingredients, this natural-looking foundation (available in 20 shades) will make your complexion look luminous. Westman has described the desired effect as being straight out of a facial, and she’s not exaggerating — that’s the level of glow you’ll get here.
Let me put on my best Stefon voice to say that this tint has it all. If the skincare ingredients AND the SPF 40 coverage weren’t enough, let me just add in the fact that it has a surprising amount more coverage than you may expect. The formula is available in 30 shades, all of which are adaptable enough that you will likely have 2-3 shades that would work for you. Yes, the price is high, but if you are looking for a natural-looking foundation that truly does it all, start here.
The neo-bank, led by Joseph Healy, has upgraded its annual margin guidance, even as its ‘market-leading’ deposit rates are now pushing funding costs higher.
The Reserve Bank is set to keep interest rates on hold at 3.6 per cent amid signs consumer spending is slowing before the board meets tomorrow. 21 of the 30 market economists surveyed by Bloomberg predict the cash rate will remain steady as Commonwealth Bank predicts a rise by 25 basis points. Despite the forecasts, RBA Governor Philip Lowe has not ruled out further increases.
Judo chief executive Joseph Healy on Monday said the bank’s margins – what it earns on loans after costs – would rise to between 3.3 to 3.5 per cent in fiscal 2023, up from a previously expected 3.1 to 3.3 per cent.
The upgrade was driven by better than expected deposit costs and treasury movements. This was even as its “market leading” deposit rates had pushed funding costs higher in the past month.
Mr Healy’s confidence in Judo’s high margins comes as the big four have been vocal about their focus on capturing the higher margins available in the business lending market.
Challenged on his plans to hold on to high margins, Mr Healy said even though “a loan from Judo, once banked, is no different from a loan from any other bank” businesses were willing to pay half a percentage point more for Judo loans to secure the certainty the bigger banks do not provide.
Judo Bank CEO Joseph Healey at their Sydney office. Picture: John Feder
“The experience on how you get that loan, and the experience that you have once the relationship is established, is where our point of difference is. And we believe, and I know this from deep experience, that customers generally are happy to pay up – our assumptions is up to 50 basis points – for that experience.”
With business customers valuing timely responses to credit applications, and given Judo is aiming to capture only a fraction of the $470bn small and medium- sized lending market in Australia, Mr Healy believed “that we can select the credit and customers that fit our profile”.
In the past month, the cost of new deposits was “at the top end of our through-the-cycle expectation of 80-90 basis points” over benchmark rates.
The neobank – which has no physical branches – expected solid business lending growth in the last quarter of the year.
It was on track to meet the rest of its fiscal 2023 guidance metrics, with unaudited profit before tax for the nine months to March 31 now at $86.7m.
Goldman Sachs said the update implied the business was running up to 25 per cent ahead of its fiscal 2023 forecasts, but would be immaterial to expectations in the 2024 financial year.
Judo shares rose as much as 6.85 per cent before closing 1.21 per cent higher at $1.26.
Sources said Barrenjoey sold a large stake of Judo shares on behalf of UniSuper, one of three substantial shareholders, at about $1.25 per share.
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of May 1, 2023, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.
Ships Underway
Total Battle Force
Deployed
Underway
296 (USS 238, USNS 58)
99 (USS 67, USNS 32)
60 (38 Deployed, 22 Local)
In Japan
Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, commander, U.S. Naval Air Forces, addresses Sailors during an all-hands call on the flight deck aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), while in-port Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, April 25, 2023. US Navy Photo
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.
The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is in Sasebo, Japan. The America ARG consists of USS America (LHA-6), Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Green Bay (LPD-20).
In the South China Sea
A F/A-18F Super Hornet from the ‘Mighty Shrikes’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on April 22, 2023. US Navy Photo
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in the South China Sea.
According to the Navy, aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and units from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 left Laem Chabang, Thailand on April 29 after a four-day port visit.
The Nimitz CSG deployed from the West Coast on Dec. 3 and chopped into U.S. 7th Fleet on Dec. 16.
“During the visit, the Strike Group flagship USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will host a reception to celebrate the 190th anniversary of U.S.-Thai diplomatic relations. The visit also provides an opportunity for U.S. Sailors to explore the local culture and participate in professional engagements and community relations projects,” reads a news release from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Carrier Strike Group 11
Capt. Craig Sicola, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), front seat, and Cmdr. Luke Edwards, commanding officer of the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, make an arrested landing in an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-22 marking the 350,000th time the carrier has landed a fixed-wing aircraft on its flight deck on April 22, 2023. US Navy Photo
Aircraft carrier
USS Nimitz (CVN-68), homeported in Bremerton, Wash.
On April 22, “the oldest-serving U.S commissioned aircraft carrier in the world, successfully completed its 350,000th arrested aircraft landing while sailing in the South China Sea, a milestone nearly 48 years in the making,” reads a news release from the carrier.
Carrier Air Wing 17
Sailors move ordnance on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on April 21, 2023. US Navy Photo
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., is embarked aboard Nimitz and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:
The “Fighting Redcocks” of VFA-22 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Fs from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
The “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
The “Kestrels” of VFA-137 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
The “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146 – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
The “Cougars” of VAQ-139 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
The “Sun Kings” of VAW-116 – E-2D – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
The “Providers” of VRC-30 – C-2A – Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
The “Indians” of HSC-6 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station North Island.
The “Battle Cats” of HSM-73 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station North Island.
Cruiser
Sailors fight a simulated flood during a damage control drill aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) on April 20, 2023. US Navy Photo
USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
Destroyer Squadron 9
Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) conduct an underway replenishment with the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11) on April 15, 2023. US Navy Photo
Destroyer Squadron 9 is based in Everett, Wash., and is embarked on Nimitz.
USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.
USS Decatur (DDG-73), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.
In Manila, Republic of the Philippines
Master Chief Intelligence Specialist Derik Burris, left, and Command Master Chief Luke Jenkins observe restricted maneuvering aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) in the Philippines, April 28, 2023. US Navy Photo
The Makin Island ARG – with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked – is operating in Manila.
According to a Navy release, the ARG, MEU and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed Exercise Balikatan 2023 on April 28, with a closing ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines.
USS Makin Island (LHD-8), the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, left Naval Base San Diego on Nov. 9 for a deployment to the Indo-Pacific. The ARG also includes amphibious transport docks USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) and USS Anchorage (LPD-23).
Brig. Gen. Fridrik Fridriksson, commanding general, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, addresses the ship’s crew during a change of command ceremony aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), April 28, 2023 in the Philippines. US Navy Photo
During the deployment to the Western Pacific, the ARG has worked with other U.S. assets, including Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, P-8A Poseidon aircraft and personnel from U.S. 7th Fleet and CTF 72, 73, 75, 76/3, Destroyer Squadron 7 and Amphibious Squadron 7. Task Force 76/3 was recently formed as a result of merging the staffs of the Navy’s TF 76 and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The MEU includes the aviation combat element with the “Flying Leathernecks” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 flying F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and the “Ugly Angels” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362 (Reinforced) flying MV-22B Ospreys; the Battalion Landing team of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines; and Combat Logistics Battalion 13 making up the logistics combat element.
In the Red Sea
Expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) arrives in to Tawau, Malaysia, on April 21, 2018, for a mission stop in support of Pacific Partnership (PP) 2018. US Navy photo.
USNI News reported that the Navy transported 300 evacuees on Monday from the Port of Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as part of State Department-led evacuation of Sudan.
“USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) arrived in Port Sudan Sunday afternoon, April 30. Brunswick is supporting the Department of State’s ongoing efforts to evacuate [and] assist U.S. citizens and others who have requested departure from Sudan,” a U.S. Africa Command spokesperson told USNI News on Monday.
The aluminum catamaran left Diego Garcia on April 19 and arrived in Djibouti in April 25, The Maritime Executive reported on Sunday.
“She departed again that night and headed north towards Sudan, then disappeared from AIS,” wrote The Maritime Executive. “Port Sudan is reportedly operating normally, with all services and businesses open. As a transport hub and a place of relative safety, it has become a mustering point for evacuees. A commercial ferry, the Amanah, is operating regular services to carry foreigners across the Red Sea to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the government of India has deployed warships to carry Indian nationals on the same route. China’s PLA Navy and the Royal Saudi Navy have also used the seaport to evacuate their own citizens and other foreign nationals.”
An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the ‘Easyriders’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37 delivers cargo to the expeditionary mobile base USS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB-3). US Navy Photo
In addition to Brunswick, guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103) and expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) are also in the Red Sea.
“Based on an Alaska-class oil tanker, Puller serves as an expeditionary sea base for mine countermeasures and special operation forces. Based in Bahrain, Puller has a massive flight deck and can host several helicopters and the tilt-rotor MV-22B Osprey. The exact composition of assets embarked on Puller isn’t clear,” reported USNI News.
In the Western Atlantic
A UH-1Y attack helicopter attached to the 26th MEU flies near USS Bataan (LHD-5) on April 24, 2023. USNI News Photo
According to the Marine Corps, the sailors and Marines ”recently conducted several training scenarios simulating an escalating situation involving a consulate overseas. The scenario included the deployment of the 26th MEU Forward Command Element (FCE), a rapid deployment (from the sea) of an Infantry Company to reinforce the consulate, the establishment of an Evacuation Control Center (ECC), and the conduct of a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) within a realistic training scenario in the littorals of eastern North Carolina.”
USNI News was underway aboard USS Bataan (LHD-5) and observed the NEO exercise onshore at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The ARG is led by Amphibious Squadron 8 and includes three ships – the Wasp-class multi-purpose amphibious assault ship Bataan, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50). Guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG-56) was also underway with the Bataan ARG.
USS Wasp (LHD-1) is underway in the Virginia Capes.
In addition to these major formations, not shown are others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Seabees, Coast Guard cutters, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe.
A Texas school district halted field trip plans to see a local theater production of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach after parents began to complain about the production’s “cross-gender casting.”
Students from Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) in Houston were scheduled to see the play at Main Street Theater before the district cancelled the trip due to parental concerns raised over its “age-appropriateness.” Some parents felt uncomfortable with their elementary-aged children attending the show.
The performance — based on a 1961 classic children’s book written by Roald Dahl — was recommended for kids first grader and older as per the theater’s guidelines.
The show contains eight actors playing a total of 20 characters during the production, which obviously requires some men to play women characters and vice versa. Some parents with children enrolled in the SBISD distract were not having that due to the cross-gender costumes, according to television station KHOU.
The controversy began after a mother of a student in the district shared screenshots of other parents up in arms over the trip, vowing to keep their kids home because of a “drag queen’s role in the show.”
Spring Branch parent Jessica Gerland, spoke to the school board at their recent meeting, citing her “concern” over the field trip. Gerland then spoke to Texas local news station, KHOU, to double down her stance.
“The way that they are normalizing this — especially in front of 5 to 6 year olds — it just raises concerns for some parents,” she said. “She [woman at the theater] explained to me how they wear flamboyant makeup and wigs to make it fun for the kids.”
When she called the theater for more information, she asked them, “Do you know what the definition of a drag queen is?”
News of the play also spread to a local anti-LGBTQ+ social media account, @htxkidsfirst, which posted an image of a local drag performer named Judy and the Giant Peach, dressed in drag.
Though the drag performer is also in the play, they do not perform as the drag persona pictured in the photo posted by @htxkidsfirst. In true extremist, misinformed conservative fashion, the images are from 2018 and are unrelated to the current production of the play, Houston Public Media (HPM) reported.
In another post, the Instagram account congratulated parents who spoke against the performance calling it “God’s work.”
After the school’s cancellation due to parent’s misguided outrage went viral, Main Street Theater marketing director, Shannon Emerick, refuted the claim the play featured drag queens and said cross-gender acting is common in theater productions — and has been for as long as theater has existed.
“There’s no drag in the show. You are going to see men playing women and women playing men sometimes, absolutely,” she said. “That has happened since the creation of theater 1,000 years ago. Drag is a different art form. There is a whole art form that is drag. The amazing thing is the kids just believe the story. They’re not interested in any agendas or anything else anyone thinks is going on.”
“Except for a few characters in the show, they’re all insects for heaven’s sake. They’re not even people,” she said. “Every theater in the world has men playing women and women playing men. It’s just part of the tradition. This is certainly blown out of context. We do not do drag in our theater for youth.”
Udden added that the school cancellations has not yet negatively impacted the theater, saying, “Nobody has asked for their money back.”
However, she is concerned for the safety of the actors amidst the backlash. “People pick things up and love to spread hate,” Udden said.
The story of James and the Giant Peach is about a seven-year-old orphan forced to live with two abusive aunts. He escapes from them in a giant peach inhabited by friendly insects. There is zero sexual content in the play, although the abusive aunts are ultimately crushed to death by the giant peach (but the parents seem to take no issue with that.)
This “outrage” from parents is a smaller layer of a much bigger issue the United States is facing right now when it comes to LGBTQIA rights. In March, Texas state Republicans introduced four bills that would reclassify any businesses that host drag shows as “sexually oriented businesses” and subject them to higher taxes and zoning laws that could potentially put them out of business.
These bills would ban transgender karaoke singers or any performances with cross-gender casting, including Shakespearean plays and numerous musicals.
