Cyntoia Brown’s prison release to bring new life, stronger voice against sex trafficking

Lee Johnson
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Cyntoia Brown’s prison release to bring new life, stronger voice against sex trafficking
Updated: Thursday August 8th 7:50 A.M.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cyntoia Brown was released from the Tennessee Prison for Women on Wednesday after serving 15 years for killing a man who bought her for sex. And now that she’s out, experts say the 31-year-old will have an even stronger voice in the fight against sex trafficking.

“This woman has spent almost half of her life in prison,” says Dr. Sherry Blake, a nationally-recognized clinical psychologist. “She’s had a long time to think and to really understand her role. As a result, she can be a very valuable, priceless person to speak on behalf of other young girls in the sex trafficking industry.”

In 2004, Brown killed Johnny Mitchell Allen, who according to court documents and testimony, had solicited her for sex and taken her back to his house. Prosecutors at the time said Brown shot Allen in the head while he was sleeping and stole from him: money, guns, his truck. They argued the killing was motivated by robbery, not self-defense.

Brown said she was scared for her life by Allen’s behavior, and took money because she was afraid of returning to her pimp empty-handed.

A juvenile court found Brown competent to be tried as an adult. She was convicted of murder and robbery, and sentence to life in prison.

However, Brown’s case drew the attention of several high-profile advocates, including a US congressman, several Tennessee lawmakers and a number of celebrities. Comedian Amy Schumer, reality star Kim Kardashian West and actress Ashley Judd were among those who called for Brown’s release.

“Cyntoia Brown was a victim of child sex trafficking, raped and forced into paid sexual exploitation to stay alive,” Judd tweeted in a plea to then-Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam for clemency. “She deserves our empathy and your mercy.”

Haslam granted it. In January, his office announced that Brown would be released to parole supervision on Aug. 7.

“This decision comes after careful consideration of what is a tragic and complex case,” Haslam said in a statement. “Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16. Yet, imposing a life sentence on a juvenile that would require her to serve at least 51 years before even being eligible for parole consideration is too harsh, especially in light of the extraordinary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life. Transformation should be accompanied by hope.”

While in prison, Brown has focused on transforming herself, as well as helping others. She mentors troubled youth, and is planning a nonprofit that will provide them with further assistance. Brown received her associate degree from Lipscomb University in 2015, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in the Tennessee Prison for Women in May.
Brown’s trial inspired a documentary – “Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story” – that eventually helped to alter the way Tennessee deals with sex trafficking victims, particularly those who are juveniles.

“I learned that my life was – and is – not over,” Brown said in the documentary. “I can create opportunities where I can actually help people.”

Samantha Morgan-Curtis, associate professor of English and Women’s Studies at Tennessee State University, says Brown’s transformation and the impact her case has had on sex trafficking, give her a powerful, credible voice.

“She is at this nexus where she has brought attention to an ongoing problem, which is how can we help these victims, and not blame these victims,” says Morgan-Curtis. “And I hope that folks listen to her.”

Brown, who has a book scheduled to be published in October, released a statement via her attorney a few days before her release that said in part:

“I look forward to using my experiences to help other women and girls suffering abuse and exploitation. I thank (former) Governor and First Lady Haslam for their vote of confidence in me, and with the Lord’s help, I will make them, as well as the rest of my supporters, proud.”

‘Fast and Furious’ spinoff’s box office debut shows the franchise still resonates

CNN Newsource
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‘Fast and Furious’ spinoff’s box office debut shows the franchise still resonates

By Victoria Cavaliere, CNN Business

(CNN) — The “Fast and Furious” franchise logged another hit at the box office this weekend, with its spinoff “Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” raking in $60.8 million in its North American debut.

The Universal film beat out Disney’s “The Lion King” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,” which brought in $38.2 million and $20 million domestically from Thursday through Sunday, according to data from Comscore.”The Lion King,” in its third week, has now earned nearly $1.2 billion to date worldwide.

The “Fast and Furious” film, which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Statham, was a big test of whether the action franchise can succeed outside of its core storyline. A sequel is a direct continuation from the previous film, while a spinoff usually centers around a popular character that takes the franchise is a different direction.

The spinoff was also a risky move for Universal. Highly-anticipated spinoffs from popular franchises have sputtered at the box office. Examples include Harry Potter’s “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” Transformers’ “Bumblebee” and Star Wars’ “Solo.” While each movie made more than $300 million at the global box office, they represent the lowest-grossing films in their respective franchises.

“‘Hobbs & Shaw’ proves that the power of the “Fast & Furious” brand, over the course of the eight original films and after almost two decades of wowing audiences, its worldwide appeal has not diminished one bit,” said Paul​ Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.

The franchise also continues to be a big hit overseas. “Hobbs & Shaw” brought in $120 million internationally.

When “The Fast and the Furious,” the first film in the series, came out in 2001, 30% of its $207 million global gross was from foreign markets. Compare that to “The Fate of the Furious” in 2017: It made 81% of its $1.2 billion global gross internationally.

–CNN Business’s Frank Pallotta contributed to this report

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6 Play Activities That Can Help Manage ‘Bad Behavior’

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6 Play Activities That Can Help Manage ‘Bad Behavior’

When children misbehave, there’s often a reason for it, according to experts, who point out that understanding the behaviors can help you manage them more effectively, especially during play time.

“Our bodies want to be in balance and, ideally, we seek out what we need when we need it. When we are hungry, we eat. When we are thirsty, we drink. But when it comes to children whose sensory and nervous systems don’t process efficiently or effectively, this restorative balance may simply look like bad or undesired behavior,” says Ellen Metrick, a toy design consultant and an expert contributor to TheGeniusofPlay.org, who has a background in special education.

During play time, children who are under-stimulated may seek out sensory stimulation by spinning around repeatedly or intentionally banging into walls or even other children. Children who are over-stimulated may get agitated and retreat from sensory stimulation by crawling under tables.

While playtime is when some of these behaviors may be exhibited, it’s also a chance for parents and caretakers to help children regulate their sensory system,” says Metrick. “Remember that every individual is different, and if something isn’t working for your child, you can tweak the activity to fit his or her needs.”

To help, Metrick and The Genius of Play, an initiative whose mission is to raise awareness about the importance of play and help parents make play a critical part of raising their kids, are offering three ideas for activities that will give a needed boost to children who are under-stimulated and crave more sensory stimulation:

• Climb on a jungle gym. Hanging on monkey bars and climbing ladders use a child’s own body as resistance to send signals to the brain and help organize the nervous system.

• Have a dance party. Games like freeze dance and musical chairs add structure and auditory processing to play. Children receive feedback from their muscles and joints with every step they take.

• Pop some bubbles. Jumping up and down on a sheet of bubble wrap can be great fun and the deep pressure will trigger sensory receptors, telling the brain how to control movement and postural balance.

For children who are over-stimulated and need a bit less distraction, consider these three ideas for helping kids focus, from Metrick and The Genius of Play:

• Tone down the sound. Removing extraneous sounds, like music, television and the whirring of a washing machine, may lessen distracting stimuli and improve the child’s focus and engagement in the activity.

• Play at a table. Using a placemat or cookie sheet under the toy or activity at an empty table provides visual boundaries for focused play. It helps to have feet firmly planted on the ground, rather than dangling, so consider using a child-sized play table.

• Create a quiet area. Adding soft pillows and blankets to a cozy corner gives children a space to seek respite from environmental stimuli.

Parents searching for more play ideas and expert tips like these can visit TheGeniusofPlay.org.

Whether your child requires more noise and excitement to satisfy energy needs or less to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, there are ways to tailor playtime to cater to those individual needs.

AI technology will decide who’s next in line at the bar

CNN Newsource
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AI technology will decide who’s next in line at the bar

By Rob Picheta, CNN Business

(CNN) — The battle to elbow rivals away and get to the front of the bar is a proud weekend tradition stretching back generations — but it causes headaches for bar staff trying to work out who has been waiting the longest.

Now, British developers behind a new “AI bar” are promising to consign shouts of “who’s next” to history, with the help of facial recognition.

The new system will use a webcam to film arrivals at the bar, feeding back the order of a virtual line to bartenders via a display screen behind the counter.

It means that, in theory, customers may never have to stare down a line-jumper who gets their order as soon as they’ve muscled their way to the front. It also means bar staff won’t have to navigate a frustrated crowd.

The technology was tested in June at a bar in central London, and will be trialed at more establishments starting in September.

It will alert customers to their place in the line, and will also scan their faces to analyze their age, with the aim of reducing the time it takes to ask for identification.

DataSparQ, the company behind the system, says it carried out research that revealed British people spend about two months of their life waiting at bars.

“Queuing is a part of British life that we all have to endure — but we wanted to do something to improve the experience,” John Wyllie, managing director at DataSparQ, said in a statement.

“It’s the uncertainty of waiting times alongside queue jumpers that’s adversely affecting consumer behaviours in bars and pubs,” he added.

The company is in talks with pubs around the United Kingdom with a view to rolling out the software. The software will cost pub landlords £199 ($240) per month.

The company also hopes the technology can serve a wider purpose — slowing down the punishing decline of pubs across Britain. Fourteen pubs close each week in the country, according to the Campaign for Real Ale.

DataSparQ said its technology will provide landlords with data about when a pub is getting more orders, allowing them to adjust staffing and other costs accordingly.

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New Chapel at Nashville General Hospital

The Nashville Voice
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New Chapel at Nashville General Hospital

Nashville General Hospital is happy to announce the opening of their newly constructed, on-site Chapel. NGH’s Spiritual Care Services now has a home to provide inclusive spiritual care for patients, families, and staff that is delivered with compassion and respect for human dignity.

“Here at Nashville General Hospital, we believe that within the Chronic Care Model, Spiritual Care is essential to the holistic support and healing of our patients, their families, and staff. We recognize the importance of ecumenical engagement and actively seeks faith leaders that represent our population,” said Omaràn Lee, NGH Chaplain. He added, “This is the first-ever Chapel housed in the hospital and we are excited to be able to give this amenity to our patients and staff.”

The Spiritual Care Team is committed to holistic, interfaith spiritual support as the foundation for the hospitals’ spiritual environment of caring. At Nashville General Hospital, spiritual care extends throughout all of their health service departments including Oncology, Nephrology, Women’s Services, Intensive Care, Cardiology, and Outpatient Clinics.

Chaplains are available in the hospital during hours 7:00 am – 2:00 pm Tuesday through Friday and are on-call for emergencies on the weekends. For more information contact Nashville General Hospital’s Department of Spiritual Care at 615-341-4408.

Briley and Cooper, 8 At-Large Candidates Headed To Runoff

Jason Luntz
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Briley and Cooper, 8 At-Large Candidates Headed To Runoff

NASHVILLE, Tenn – Voters in Music City will head to the polls again next month to vote on the city’s Mayor and four remaining At-Large seats on the Metro Council.

On September 12, 2019 Councilman John Cooper and incumbent Mayor David Briley will face off in a runoff election. Cooper received 36% of votes with Briley coming in second with 26%

According to the Metro charter if no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates must face each other in a second election.

In the large field of 15 candidates running for Metro At-Large, only Councilman Bob Mendes secured the 10% of the vote need to win outright.

This leaves the the remaining four seats to be decided in a runoff of the top eight candidates. These include Zulfat Suara, current Councilwoman Sharon Hurt, current Councilwoman Sheri Weiner, current Councilwoman Burkley Allen, current Councilman Fabian Bedne, Howard Jones, current Councilman Steve Glover, and Gary Moore.

To review all the election results visit Nashville.gov/vote.

Lowe’s is laying off thousands of workers

CNN Newsource
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Lowe’s is laying off thousands of workers

By Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Business

(CNN) — Lowe’s is laying off thousands of workers.

Layoffs will include assemblers, who put together items like grills and patio furniture. The company will also cut maintenance and facility-service jobs, such as janitors. The company said it is outsourcing those positions to third-party companies.

Lowe’s declined to say exactly how many workers will be laid off. It said that workers whose jobs are being eliminated will be given transition pay and have the opportunity to apply for open roles at Lowe’s. The Wall Street Journal first reported Lowe’s plan.

“We are moving to third-party assemblers and facility services to allow Lowe’s store associates to spend more time on the sales floor serving customers,” a spokesperson for Lowe’s said.

Lowe’s operates more than 1,700 stores in the United States. As of February 1, Lowe’s employed approximately 190,000 full-time and 110,000 part-time employees in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Under CEO Marvin Ellison, who joined the company last year from JCPenney, Lowe’s has launched an ambitious turnaround plan to compete against Home Depot and other retailers.

Previously, Lowe’s closed 20 US stores, exited its Mexico business and shut down its 99 Orchard Supply Hardware stores in the United States. The company is also slashing inventory.

The home improvement sector has been one of the bright spots in retail against Amazon and online rivals. Unlike many department stores and mall-based retailers, Lowe’s, Home Depot and home improvement retailers have not made mass store closures.

“In this very challenging retail landscape, we’re fortunate to be in a sector with high demand,” Ellison said at a retail conference in June. “We’re focused on what we call retail fundamentals.”

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‘Old Town Road’ becomes longest-running No.1 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100

CNN Newsource
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‘Old Town Road’ becomes longest-running No.1 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100

By Marianne Garvey, CNN

(CNN) — Lil Nas X has now made Billboard chart history.

The rapper’s song “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, has landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the 17th consecutive week.

That makes the song as the longest-running No. 1 single since the chart’s inception, edging out Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” and “One Sweet Day,” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, which both lasted 16 weeks in the top spot.

Helping to fuel the song’s longevity, Lil Nas X has debuted “Old Town Road” remixes of the song in the last few weeks, with the first featuring viral singer/yodeler Mason Ramsey and hip-hop heavyweight Young Thug, followed by a new version with RM of BTS. The result is a special remix titled “Seoul Town Road.”

Reacting to news of the song’s success, Lil Nas shared a video of “Old Town Road” being recorded on Monday.

“This song has changed my life and the way I see the world around me,” he wrote.

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‘Pink Lady Bandit’ arrested in North Carolina in connection with 4 bank robberies across the East Coast

CNN Newsource
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‘Pink Lady Bandit’ arrested in North Carolina in connection with 4 bank robberies across the East Coast

By Amir Vera, CNN

(CNN) — The hunt for a woman the FBI has dubbed the “Pink Lady Bandit,” ended with an arrest Sunday.

The woman, identified by the FBI as Circe Baez, 35, is accused of robbing four banks across the East Coast since July 20. Federal authorities gave her the Pink Lady Bandit nickname because of the distinctive pink handbag she carried during at least two of her robberies, the FBI in Charlotte, North Carolina, said. The FBI says the woman is 130 pounds and between five-feet-two to five-feet-four inches tall.

During each robbery, the FBI said the Pink Lady Bandit showed a bank teller a note demanding money.

The first robbery took place July 20 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, about 23 miles west of Harrisburg.

Three days later, authorities say the Pink Lady Bandit robbed a bank in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on the state’s eastern shore.

Between Thursday and Saturday, the Pink Lady Bandit robbed two banks in North Carolina. The first in Ayden, about 90 miles east of Raleigh, on Thursday. The Pink Lady Bandit then traveled 180 miles southwest to Hamlet and robbed another bank on Saturday, the FBI said.

The FBI Charlotte division said Baez and an accomplice identified as Alexis Morales, 38, were arrested in connection with the four robberies. The two were arrested without incident in Charlotte, the FBI said.

Baez and Morales are being held at the Pitt County Detention Center in Greenville, North Carolina, on a $4 million bond each. The two are also facing possible charges from other state and federal agencies.

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Tips from a Pro for Weight Loss Success

StatePoint
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Tips from a Pro for Weight Loss Success

Losing weight is often an idea rather than an undertaking, suggests a recent Gallup Poll, which found that while 51 percent of adults want to shed pounds off their frame, only 25 percent say they are seriously working toward that goal.

“With so many trendy diets advertised, identifying accurate and insightful information is one of the biggest hurdles for many would-be dieters,” says Carrie Elkins, division manager for Jenny Craig, who leads a team of expert consultants who have been providing weight loss and healthy eating advice for more than 35 years. “Many looking to lose weight begin their chosen programs with good intentions, but when push comes to shove, they have trouble staying motivated and quit before their goals are reached.”

Having access to a combined team of experts who spend their days helping others achieve their weight loss goals, Elkins is well-positioned to share key tips for success:

• Define your “why”: Identifying why you want to lose weight can provide the necessary inspiration you need to help you get started and stay focused. Write these reasons down and post them somewhere handy for a boost of encouragement, such as by your running shoes or on the refrigerator.

• Make it easy: You’ll be more likely to succeed if you select a weight loss program that doesn’t pile on stress to an already hectic routine. For example, with Jenny Craig, a week’s worth of meals can be delivered at once to your home, saving you time you’d otherwise spend in the grocery store and planning and preparing meals. Such programs can also take out the guesswork of losing weight, eliminating the often-arduous task of evaluating meals for calorie count and nutritional balance.

• Join a community: To stay accountable, gather or join a group of those committed to your success. Don’t be afraid to share your journey with friends, family and even social media followers. Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association discovered that individuals who follow structured weight loss programs that include support are more likely to be successful. Take the concept one step further by looking for weight loss programs that offer ongoing expert guidance and critical support. One such program, Jenny Craig, includes one-on-one customized support from dedicated consultants who help them stay focused, learn healthy eating habits, talk through challenges and track progress.

• Don’t let plateaus sidetrack you: Weight loss plateaus are common and, unfortunately, often lead to trying drastic and unsustainable options — like dropping calorie intake. This can cause people to boomerang, or worse, give up entirely. The scale is only one marker of improved health, so if the number isn’t budging, don’t despair — stick to your plan and evaluate healthy ways to push through the plateau.

• Don’t yield to “quick fixes”: While juice cleanses and diets like keto seem to be all the rage, remember that such quick fixes can be extremely hard to maintain. For long-term results, commit to a sustainable regimen that allows you to have options, make amendments and feel flexible in your schedule.

For more weight loss tips and resources, visit jennycraig.com.

Experts say that you can make reaching a weight loss goal easier by selecting a program that fits your lifestyle, and seeking out support that keeps you accountable.

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