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Mormon church whistleblower discusses alleged misuse of tithing funds

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

A whistleblower from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appeared on 60 Minutes Sunday evening to discuss the alleged misuse of church tithing funds.In 2019, David Nielsen, a former employee of The Church's investment firm, Ensign Peak Advisors, complained to the IRS that the nonprofit misused billions of dollars in tithes -- $100 billion to be exact.On the CBS 60 Minutes show, Nielsen said he turned down a job opportunity on Wall Street to work for Ensign Peak because he wanted to help "change the world."However he said instead of seeing charity work as he had anticipated, he saw "a clandestine hedge fund," saying, "once the money went in, it didn't go out."Nielsen explained The Church receives around $7 billion yearly from tithing, $6 billion of which is used to pay for buildings and church programs. The remaining $1 billion goes to the investment firm, Ensign Peak. The interviewer, Sharyn Alfonsi, said some estimates place that fund as high as $150 billion, however, B...

How to Take Charge of Your Life With James Radford

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

Life can be incredibly challenging, especially when faced with difficult decisions or unexpected obstacles. There can be times when we don’t feel strong enough to push forward on our own, and this can lead us to spiral in our negative thoughts. But it’s important to remember that thoughts don’t define who we are. The biggest and yet most fulfilling challenge can be learning how to turn challenging moments into opportunities of knowledge, growth, and strength. This perspective can save us from ourselves, teach us how to love and uplift ourselves, and give us the motivation to keep moving forward.James W. Radford, also known in his field as JW Radford, has created a platform that teaches people how to turn any moment into a learning experience. JW is an author, business consultant, motivational speaker, and certified public speaker. Through his powerful teachings, he guides people on how to use these experiences to fuel self-confidence, self-motivation, and empowerment.In his upcoming...

cutthroatcapone: The World-Conquering Multi-Talented Artist (And Maybe the Universe)

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

Do you know who CutthroatCapone is? If not, you’re overlooking one of today’s most gifted and varied artists. He lives in both Miami and Los Angeles and is a bicoastal marvel with abilities that would make even the most accomplished person feel inadequate.He is not just a phenomenal artist but also a role model, athlete, and businessman. He is already so gifted that he earned all-state and all-city football honours in high school and had a productive college career at Notre Dame. Also, he plays baseball and was additionally selected in the 2020 draught, but he made the choice to remain in school to seek academic achievement.That’s not all, either. Also a multi-platinum producer, CutthroatCapone has collaborated with some of the greatest stars in the business, including Drake, Young Thug, Russ, and Kodak Black. Even so, he works for PBC, the Premier Boxing Champions, and his godfather Al Haymon in the boxing industry.Yet music is his main love, and he’s driven...

Revolutionizing ROI: The Future of Efficient Influencer Marketing With TheUGC Agency

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

In a world teeming with influencers and marketing campaigns, standing out requires more than just skill. It demands disruptive innovation that shifts paradigms. Aleks Velev, the trailblazing founder and managing director of The UGC Agency, is on such a mission. Velev’s story, painted with resilience and determination, inspires hope, setting the stage for a future where influencer marketing becomes more than just a tool—it becomes a transformative force.Velev’s journey began as a young visionary eager to make an impact. As a student in Scotland, he bravely moved to London for an internship at Tribe, driven by his passion for the industry. This bold move led him to MG Empower, where he played a crucial role in the agency’s growth from a small team of six to a powerhouse of over 60 members. During this time, Velev honed his ability to connect with clients like TikTok, Deliver, Bumble, and Starzplay. He also ran campaigns across multiple territories, such as the UK, Germany, Italy, Spai...

Tanner Russell and Eduardo Medina-Piceno Killed in Fiery Crash on Eaton Road [Chico, CA]

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

Two Pronounced Dead after Fiery Semi-Truck Collision near The EsplanadeCHICO, CA (May 15, 2023) – Early Thursday morning, Tanner Russell and Eduardo Medina-Piceno were killed in a fiery crash on Eaton Road.Police responded to the scene around 3:30 a.m., near The Esplanade on April 13th.Reports indicate that Russell was driving at high rates of speed and crashed into a semi-truck at the intersection. Upon impact, the car became engulfed in flames.Emergency crews arrived and extinguished the flames. Due to the extent of injuries sustained, paramedics pronounced the driver, 21-year-old Russell dead at the scene.Despite life-saving efforts, medics later pronounced 19-year-old Medina-Piceno dead at the hospital.In addition, officers say the semi-truck driver did not sustain any injuries. At this time, an active investigation to determine further details is still currently underway. Once available, more information will be released.The team at Sweet James sends out their heartfelt s...

Karla Juarez-Florez Killed in Head-On Crash on Harrison Street [Thermal, CA]

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

Thermal Two-Vehicle Collision Left One 20-Year-Old Woman DeadTHERMAL, CA (May 15, 2023) – Wednesday evening, a traffic collision on Harrison Street claimed the life of Karla Juarez-Florez.Fire personnel responded to the incident around 8:50 p.m. at the 67000 block of Harrison Street in the city of Thermal.According to the CHP, a southbound 1999 Toyota Tacoma veered into the northbound lane of Harroson for unknown reasons.Consequently, the Tacamo collided head-on with a 2002 Dodge Van. The two Dodge occupants suffered minor injuries, leaving one passenger hospitalized.Tragically, the Tacoma driver, identified as 20-year-old Karla Juarez-Florez of Thermal, died at the scene before first responders arrived.At this time, Thermal Officials are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the Harrison Street two-vehicle crash.Sweet James sends out their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of Karla Juarez-Florez. May the loving memories of your loved one and...

Landmark East Bay Claremont hotel is bought for more than $160 million

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

OAKLAND — The Claremont Club & Spa, an iconic hotel perched in the hills on the Oakland and Berkeley border, has been bought by a Bay Area real estate developer in a deal that tops $160 million.The hotel, part of the Fairmont chain, was bought for about $163.3 million, according to documents filed on May 12 with the Alameda County Recorder’s Office.Redwood City Ohana Real Estate Investors, acting through an affiliate, bought the hotel in an all-cash deal, the county records showed.The 276-room hotel was sold by an affiliate headed up by Blum Capital Partners and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, county and state public documents show. The late Richard Blum for many years was a principal executive of Blum Capital. 

Twitter CEO: What is a ‘glass cliff’ and why is it dangerous?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

By Barbara Ortutay | Associated PressLess than two months into his $44 billion purchase of Twitter, Elon Musk declared that whoever took over as the company’s CEO ” must like pain a lot.” Then he promised he’d step down as soon as he found a replacement “foolish enough” to want the job.That person, Musk announced Friday, is Linda Yaccarino, a highly-regarded advertising executive from NBCUniversal. She’ll start in six weeks. How long she’ll last might depend on her pain tolerance.When Musk tweeted on Thursday that he’s found a new CEO but didn’t say who, one word stuck out: “she.” Some of his more extreme Twitter followers took immediate issue with the new CEO’s gender, but the fact that Musk hired a woman is actually notable simply because it is so rare — in business overall and especially in the tech industry — to see female chief executives.Her appointment renewed questions about the “glass cliff,...

NBA Playoffs: It’s the bubble final four, again, with Lakers-Nuggets, Celtics-Heat

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

Welcome back to The Bubble. This time, fans are welcome.The last four teams in the 2020 NBA playoffs that were held in a closed-off bubble at the Walt Disney World complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida because of the pandemic are the last four teams in the 2023 playoffs as well.Out West, it’s Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers. In the East, it’s Boston and Miami. The West series starts Tuesday, the East series starts Wednesday.The Lakers and Heat won the conference finals in the bubble. This time, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, it’s the Nuggets (by a little) and the Celtics (by a lot) who are favored to make it to the NBA Finals.Those four rosters have changed quite a bit since 2020, of course, but the biggest names have remained in place — LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the Lakers, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for Denver, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for Boston, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo for Miami.WHAT’S NEXT?Victor Wembanyama will find out Tuesday night where his NBA stor...

Gloria Molina dies at 74; groundbreaking Latina lawmaker ‘shaped Los Angeles in a lasting way’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:20:12 GMT

Pioneering Southern California leader Gloria Molina has died, according to her family members, who issued a statement Sunday evening, May 14.Molina, 74, passed away at her home in Mt. Washington, surrounded by her loved ones, according to her daughter, Valentina Martinez, who spoke on behalf of the family.“We are so proud that Gloria will be remembered in history for the impact she made on Los Angeles, the state, and country as a Chicana activist, State Assemblymember, Los Angeles City Councilmember, and Los Angeles County Supervisor,” Martinez said.Molina, according to the obituary, is survived by her husband, Ron Martinez, daughter Valentina Martinez, son-in-law Brendan Curran, grandson Santiago, as well as nine siblings: Gracie, Irma, Domingo, Bertha, Mario, Sergio, Danny, Olga and Lisa.“In lieu of flowers,” according to the obituary, “Gloria’s family requests that donations be made to Casa 0101 and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in her memory to inspire and empower future generatio...