McDonald’s is changing its breakfast menu to draw more customers

CNN Newsource
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McDonald’s is changing its breakfast menu to draw more customers

By Danielle Wiener-Bronner | CNN Newsource

McDonald’s hopes new breakfast items will draw more customers to the golden arches.

The company announced Tuesday that it would expand its breakfast menu. The new items, along with local deals and low prices, should help “win back customers at breakfast,” said CFO Kevin Ozan during a call with analysts.

With the new items, McDonald’s is aiming to reverse a troubling trend: American customers are eating elsewhere.

Sales in the United States grew by 2.4 percent in the third quarter, but that was mostly because people spent more. The number of American customers declined.

Over the past couple of years, McDonald’s (MCD) has tried a number of different strategies to boost its US business. It put self-order kiosks in restaurants. It added new menu items. And McDonald’s added delivery.

That helped boost sales among existing customers. But those initiatives, part of a massive effort to modernize its US restaurants, haven’t helped

McDonald’s hold on to existing customers or bring in new ones. The company believes a revamped breakfast menu could help.

“It’s very competitive out there at breakfast,” said CEO Stephen Easterbrook. “We’re still losing a little share … it continues to be a battleground,” he said. “We want to do better at breakfast.”

McDonald’s didn’t offer details on what the new items will be.

In recent years, Taco Bell has found success with its breakfast offerings. The chain started serving breakfast in 2014 and now sells items like the naked egg taco, which has a fried egg for a shell. Dunkin’ (DNKN), which offers a two-sandwich deal for breakfast, has also done well in the morning.

Competitors have upped their game and McDonald’s may have “lost a little bit of ground” on breakfast over the past few years, said Morningstar analyst R.J. Hottovy.

[VIDEO] Everything you need to know about the iPhone XR

CNN Newsource
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[VIDEO] Everything you need to know about the iPhone XR

CNN Newsource

Since the iPhone’s launch in 2007, Apple has sold more than a billion phones. Here’s just how much the iPhone makes for the trillion-dollar company.​

[VIDEO] Gillum: DeSantis’ monkey comment says it all

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[VIDEO] Gillum: DeSantis’ monkey comment says it all

CNN Newsource

During a CNN debate between Florida’s gubernatorial candidates, Andrew Gillum (D-FL) responded to Rep. Ron DeSantis on his “monkey it up” comment.

Former White House lawyer: Mueller probe isn’t a witch hunt

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Former White House lawyer: Mueller probe isn’t a witch hunt

By Dan Merica | CNN Newsource

Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb said Monday that he does not believe the ongoing special counsel probe led by Robert Mueller is a “witch hunt.”

The comment puts him at odds with his former boss, President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called the probe into possible ties between his campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 election a “witch hunt.”

Cobb, speaking with CNN’s Gloria Borger at the day-long CITIZEN Conference in New York, took a markedly different position.

“I don’t think it’s a witch hunt,” he said.

The comment came during a panel with Jack Quinn, a former White House lawyer under President Bill Clinton.

Later, Cobb lauded Mueller, the former head of the FBI and a Vietnam War veteran.

“Bob Mueller is an American hero in my view,” Cobb said, noting his service as a Marine.

“He was a very serious prosecutor,” Cobb said. “He and I first met in the mid-’80s when we were prosecuting different places and I have respected him throughout.”

Cobb left the White House earlier this year after months of working on the administration’s response to the Mueller investigation.

“I’ve done what I came to do in terms of managing the White House response to the special counsel requests,” Cobb said. “I’m extremely grateful to the President and Chief Kelly for the opportunity to serve my country.”

It was clear on Monday, however, the Cobb’s time in the White House was unique, highlighted by the fact that he often had to work with the President on how to publicly respond to Mueller.

Borger asked both lawyers about working with Presidents in crisis and Quinn lauded his former boss.

“I have practiced law for a really long time on Washington, Bill Clinton was the best client I ever had,” he said. “Believe it or not, he not only listened to advice, but he also sought it out and particularly, frankly, when he was in crisis, he wanted input, he wanted other people’s thinking, he wanted guidance.”

When Borger asked if there was anger, the frustration of blow ups, Quinn said no, the vision of Clinton as quick-tempered was a “myth.”

Cobb, to laughs, responded: “Um, I had a slightly different experience.”

Mural project, ‘My Nashville’ dedicated at main Nashville Public Library

The Nashville Voice
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Mural project, ‘My Nashville’ dedicated at main Nashville Public Library

Nashville Voice

Bright, colorful murals have begun to pop up all over the Nashville cityscape. Now, one commissioned through a community program grant by AkzoNobel – a leading global paints and coatings company – and the Nashville Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC), has been officially dedicated to the community.

Over the summer, youth came together to lead, design and execute the painting through a series of workshops led by artist and project manager Jake Elliott of WHAT Creative Group.

The final quilt mural was painted in June and July at the NPL by students, volunteers, local AkzoNobel employees and community partners, and is now on display in the NPL main parking garage.

“The mural symbolizes the pride of Nashville’s youth and community members have in being part of our vibrant city,” said Nashville Mayor David Briley. “We’re happy to have engaged corporate community members like AkzoNobel, who are dedicated to helping transform our urban landscapes in a positive way. Much like a quilt, the ‘My Nashville’ mural combines snapshots of impressions around our city.”

Titled, “My Nashville,” the mural was revealed in a short ceremony at the Nashville Public Library (NPL) last Saturday, Oct. 20. Five scholarship recipients were also acknowledged, including: 

  • Lauren Estrada
  • Jasmine Johnson
  • Anyah Gilmore-Jones
  • Leah Faulkner
  • Rachel Holt

“My Nashville” is the third community-wide project born from the partnership between AkzoNobel and the MYC. The project aims to unite the community through the common goals of helping youth exercise their leadership and promoting the importance of public art to the community as a whole.

The artwork is part of a series of 10 student-led, civic improvement projects, in which the Mayor’s Youth Council helps beautify the city over the course of two years. The projects are made possible through a $100,000 grant from AkzoNobel. The funding also provides up to 10 academic scholarships for Nashville youth.

“Seeing the youth take ownership of the public art projects is inspiring and makes us proud to be part of Nashville,” said Yvette Williger, AkzoNobel People Services Leader. “AkzoNobel came to Nashville in 1947, and since then, we have been an active and hands-on corporate member of the community, with many of our employees volunteering for the projects. We are proud to support the Mayor’s Youth Council. ”

The Mayor’s Youth Council is comprised of students from 23 public, private and charter schools located in Nashville. Members of the group are involved in student-led programs through the city’s Oasis Center, a non-profit organization that has a mission \to train the next generation of leadership through community service and positive action.

Fight club: Fists fly high in NHL; not so much in NBA, NFL

Mike Patton
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Fight club: Fists fly high in NHL; not so much in NBA, NFL

By MIKE PATTON | Nashville Voice

NHL, NFL and the NBA are professional sports leagues that entertain us all.

The highs and lows of watching the sport capture us all. And each and every time they are on, people get lost in the moment and forget what all may be going on around them.

While sports fans have loved the world of sports and what it has provided, you also have to think about the questions sports spark in your mind.

One question that comes to mind is the physicality when it comes to the NHL compared to the NBA and the NFL.

When you watch professional hockey, you have to be amazed by the fact that men with size and speed can move around on skates like that.

What is more amazing than that, though, is the rules that go along with the NHL. The NHL seems to go by the rules of letting people fight it out.

Any time there is an issue between players, it seems there is a fight that breaks out. Unlike the NFL or NBA, the fight is not immediately broken up.

It goes on for a while until it is broken up by the officials.

At that point, the members of the fight usually go to the penalty box.

A lot of the times, the fights are premeditated. The players immediately drop their gloves in a faceoff and go at it right then and there. And along the premeditated fights, some of these vendettas on the ice end up carrying over for a while.

Seems rough right?

Well let any hockey fan tell you and they will say it’s part of the game and how they are.

The dueling players aren’t labeled “thugs” or any other bad words. What they are called is “passionate” or players who “handled their business”.

Now, imagine if this was to happen in the NBA or NFL. What is there was some premeditated things happen on the court?

Of course, The Malice at the Palace is something that would be badly looked upon in any sport. The players were actually in the crowd at that time.

But what is funny is when players get into each other’s faces on the court or get into some pushing and shoving on the court—heck, some may even take a swing at another player while in the heat of battle—what usually happens in those situations is a suspension.

The funny thing is the players involved in these incidents are competing at the highest levels of competition just like NHL players are, but instead of that understanding there, the players are often called “thugs” or other things for trash talk that happens on the court and can get a little overboard.

The NHL, NBA and NFL all have talented players across the board. But the way the physical nature of both sports is viewed is highly interesting.

There’s also the unavoidable fact that the NHL is predominantly staffed by white players while the NBA and NFL employ predominantly black players.

You have to wonder why one sport’s violence is loved and even encouraged while even trash talk in the other two sports mentioned gets looked down upon.

One has to wonder if the views of physical play in the different sports have a direct correlation with the number of African-Americans playing it.

There may be nothing to it, but that issue may be everything to it as well.

Netflix content chief says Obama projects won’t necessarily be political

CNN Newsource
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Netflix content chief says Obama projects won’t necessarily be political

By Sandra Gonzalez | CNN Newsource

Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos didn’t have a lot of details to offer on the projects being prepped by Barack and Michelle Obama for his streaming service but indicated that the content won’t necessarily be “political.“

“They want to do storytelling that is fitting with the things [they] have done with the presidency, obviously, but [also] the experiences they’ve had throughout their entire lives,” Sarandos told the crowd at Vanity Fair’s New Establishment Summit on Tuesday.

Sarandos said the content will hit on subjects like sports, lifestyle and nutrition. Echoing the information shared in the deal’s original announcement, Sarandos said the former president and first lady have “got their eyes on film and television, fiction and nonfiction.”

The Obamas deal with the streaming giant was formally announced back in May.

At the time of the announcement, the Obamas said in a statement that they were looking forward to harnessing “the power of storytelling” to promote common values.

Sources told CNN back in May that the Obamas would possibly be appearing on camera as moderators or hosts.

Sarandos said he hoped on-camera appearances were in the cards, but said current projects have them serving as executive producers and doing some voice-over work.

He added that the streaming network would have “a lot to talk about later this year” regarding its slate of Obama projects.

TSU remembers founders during Homecoming week

The Nashville Voice
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TSU remembers founders during Homecoming week

Nashville Voice

TSU President Glenda Glover, accompanied by keynote speaker Council Woman-At-Large Sharon Hurt, led a procession of faculty, student leaders and administrators in Kean Hall to mark the university’s 106th birthday.

The University Wind Ensemble, led by Dr. Reginald McDonald, offered selections to a cheering audience, following the presentation of colors by the Air Force ROTC Color Guard.

“This is a great day for Tennessee State University,” Glover said, as she recounted events in the University’s history from its founding in 1912 to the role it plays today as a major center of education in the nation.

“From 1912 when the then-Agricultural and Industrial Normal School for Negroes, built to provide the educational opportunity for blacks, opened its doors to the first 247 students, TSU has maintained a tradition of excellence in education for a diverse population.”

In her keynote address, Rep. Hurt, president and CEO of Jefferson Street United Merchant Partnership, or JUMP, reminded the students, faculty and alumni that as members of the TSU family, they have a “rich legacy” to uphold of people who believe in self-determination.

“As you celebrate Founders’ Day, remember that you have an ancestral calling to serve and support this institution,” said Hurt, a graduate of TSU. Hurt also holds a master’s degree in non-profit leadership from Belmont University.

“You are the keepers of a legacy of worldwide accomplishments and have the God-given right by virtue of your calling to glorify, magnify and fortify the legacy that you have inherited as a descendant of doctors, teachers, engineers, talk show host, etc.,” she said. “Whatever your profession, TSU gave you a purpose.”

Hurt, a recipient of several awards and recognitions, is a former board member of the Center for Non-Profit Management and past president of the Association of Non-Profit Executives Council and is a graduate of the 2004 Class of Leadership Nashville.

During her tenure as president of JUMP, Hurt has secured more than $4 million in funding from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grant to acquire and rehabilitate homes in the North Nashville community.

She thanked President Glover, also an alumna, for the invitation and for her own legacy of excellence in earning multiple degrees. She called on students to be more focused, and congratulated the university on the celebration of the 2018 Homecoming.

Roseanne Barr responds to ‘The Conners’ debut

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Roseanne Barr responds to ‘The Conners’ debut

By Sandra Gonzalez
CNN Newsource

So, Roseanne was right.

Nearly five months since ABC’s much-publicized axing of its “Roseanne” revival from its lineup, the network on Tuesday premiered “The Conners,” a half-hour spin-off framed around the fictional family of Roseanne Conner.

In the first episode, Dan (John Goodman), Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) and Roseanne’s children are three weeks into dealing with the aftermath of her sudden death from what they believe to be a heart attack.

It doesn’t take long, however, for the truth to come out: Roseanne died as a result of opioid abuse.

Roseanne Barr, whose Twitter tirade led to her dismissal from the show both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, said in September that this would be her character’s fate. ABC did not comment at the time.

Initially, Roseanne’s family is in disbelief, particularly Dan, who says defensively that he had flushed her pills.

A prescription bottle reveals, however, that Roseanne had participated in an exchange of sorts with neighbors in order to get pain pills. And later, her family finds Roseanne’s small stashes of medication around the house.

When Dan later confronts the woman (Mary Steenburgen) who exchanged pills with Roseanne, she’s anguished. The uninsured neighbors are used to helping each other out, she tells him.

“I never would have given them to her if I knew she had a problem,” she says to him. “I know what it’s like to have that problem, so I’m sorry.”

This conversation helps Dan, who has been unable to sleep in the bed he once shared with his wife since she died, find an ounce of peace.

“She was going to do what she was going to do,” he says at one point. “She never listened to a damn person in her life.”

It’s an eerie line considering the real-life circumstances of the show’s one-time star, but also effective.

Barr posted a tweet on Tuesday night reminding followers she’s not actually dead. She later released a joint statement with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in response to “The Conners” premiere.

“While we wish the very best for the cast and production crew of ‘The Conners,’ all of whom are deeply dedicated to their craft and were Roseanne’s cherished colleagues, we regret that ABC chose to cancel Roseanne by killing off the Roseanne Conner character,” the statement read in part. “That it was done through an opioid overdose lent an unnecessary grim and morbid dimension to an otherwise happy family show.”

By episode’s end, “The Conners” makes it clear that the matriarch’s presence remains important to the family but the reset button has been pressed. In new opening credits, Dan, daughter Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and Jackie take center stage.

With Dan now able to slumber, the show is eager it seems to put the drama that led to “Roseanne’s” demise to bed as well.

TSU breaks ground on two new residence halls, first on-campus residences in 23 years

The Nashville Voice
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TSU breaks ground on two new residence halls, first on-campus residences in 23 years

Nashville Voice

TSU President Glenda Glover helped break ground Wednesday for two new co-educational residence halls, the first of three groundbreakings taking place during the university’s annual homecoming week festivities.

Construction of the residence halls was initially announced last fall after the State Building Commission approved construction of the $75.3 million project.

“We break ground this morning for student residence life,” said Glover at a ceremony before the groundbreaking. “We break this ground for student success. And we break this ground because it is altogether fitting and proper for upgrading student life on the campus of Tennessee State University.”

Wednesday’s groundbreaking, the first for a new residence hall at TSU since 1995, took place on the lawn of the Strange Performing Arts Building. The groundbreaking for a Health Sciences Building is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in the Hankal Hall courtyard. Also, a groundbreaking for an Alumni Welcome Center will take place around 1:30 p.m. the same day at the corner of 31st and John Merritt Blvd.

TSU President Glenda Glover unveils plans for two new on-campus residence halls to be built at the university’s main campus near Strange Hall. (Courtesy: Tennessee State University)

Tracy Ford, vice president for student affairs at TSU, said the groundbreaking for the residence halls and the other planned construction is indeed “reason to celebrate.”

“Today doesn’t just mark the groundbreaking of a physical structure, but it shines a light on the amazing future of TSU and represents one of the many exciting and strategic changes to come,” Ford said.

Braxton Simpson, student representative on the TSU Board of Trustees, expressed a similar sentiment.

“This is a very exciting moment for all of the students here at Tennessee State University,” she said.

Besides TSU’s faculty and staff, Wednesday’s groundbreaking was also attended by local and state officials.

“This is a wonderful day,” said State Sen. Thelma Harper, a TSU alumna. “TSU is No. 1!”

State Rep. Harold Love Jr., a TSU graduate, lauded Dr. Glover and “all those involved in the intricacies of getting this done.”

“Residence halls represent a university’s commitment to student success just as much as other educational buildings,” Love said. “Tennessee State continues to invest in facilities to increase the opportunities for students to find a home away from home.”

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