Tag: news
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What’s It Worth?
In 2023, the opioid crisis claimed over 100,000 lives. That’s one family without a mom or dad, a brother or sister, a niece or nephew, or a close friend, fiancé, husband, or wife. One hundred thousand people dead. What’s the cost of leaving countless families in mourning, dealing with the aftermath of trauma and grief?…
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Conspiracy Theory #381: Cheetos Trucks
I’ve said it before, so let me repeat myself. I am NOT a conspiracy theorist. But if I were, how would I explain how I’ve seen more than eight Cheetos trucks driving north on I-55. My first thought was I’m imagining this. If that were true, how would you explain me driving south I-55 when…
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“My truck’s gone.”
“What do you mean?” His tone was less than friendly, which was saying something. He chewed on the end of an unlit cigar. “You are telling me someone got away with your truck?” Snapping his fingers, “Just like that? Please, for the love of all that is holy, tell me you are kidding?” “Um, yeah.…
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Still Looking
In case anyone was wondering, no. Life isn’t fair. Not that I think it should be. But let me tell you something. If ever there was a time that I was feeling slighted and cheated for my education, experience, and ability to create and draft a story, it would be right now. I’m a storyteller…
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Who’s Telling the Truth? The Front-Line Worker or the CEO?
“Homework, Wes. I hate homework. Especially when I’m trying to figure out if a company as large as yours is listening to and acting on the truth of their culture.” “Well, our culture is excellent. Our performance reviews say it all. Great place to work. Wonderful staff. Management stops and listens to grievances. The vision…
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It’s not all that much. Just 645%
Pay for executives skyrocketed 12.6% last year, dwarfing the 4.1% raises for rank-and-file employees. I had to read that twice for it to sink in. Average salaries for CEOs increased by more than 12% last year, but regular run-of-the-mill middle-class workers? On average, these workers received less than 5% of an increase. Not a cost…
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What Once Was
Four runners passed him as he sat on the park bench, sipping his hot coffee. Jones chuckled, remembering the first half-marathon, a 13.1-mile race he completed twenty-three years ago, holding the cigarette between the fingers of his right hand, a small paper coffee cup in the other. He smirked, not because their form was off…
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EPA Results from Jim’s Farm
Fieldwork wasn’t for the faint of heart, Anne being one of those homebodies who didn’t like to get out much. She had two close friends, both extroverts who loved dancing, clubbing, going to movies, concerts, and musicals. Neither woman met a stranger, whereas Anne met them all the time. She didn’t want to be out…
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Two Weeks’ Notice
“This is your what?” Shelly’s supervisor, Angela, held an unopened envelope in her hand. Angela sat behind her mahogany desk, polished to a shine, making those on the other side of the desk feel uncomfortable, as though they were in the presence of royalty. Unlike most interoffice hard copy full-size 8 1/2”X11” envelopes, it was…
