Judge Rules NCDOL Must Create COVID-19 Worker Protections

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Superior Court Judge G. Bryan Collins has ruled that the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) must now implement rules that will protect workers from contracting COVID-19. The ruling punctuates a 10-month effort by civil rights groups to have COVID-19 workplace safety standards in place.

In October 2020, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, North Carolina Justice Center and Southern Poverty Law Center, petitioned NCDOL to issue COVID-19 workplace standards and had their petition denied.

Following the denial, the groups filed suit, claiming NCDOL wrongfully denied their petition on both procedural and factual grounds. The civil rights groups noted in the lawsuit that, by the state’s own admission, there is a higher chance of workers’ exposure to COVID-19 in certain occupational settings.

Judge Collins found that NCDOL’s outright refusal to consider the rulemaking petition that would require COVID-19 workplace standards, such as masks and social distancing, violated the state’s own rulemaking procedures and was unlawful.

What do you think about the decision? 

South Carolina’s New “Move Right” Law Will Take Effect This Weekend

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Slow drivers take note – if you cross the border into South Carolina and loiter in the left lane, you will be ticketed.

The Palmetto State’s new “move right” law will officially take effect this weekend on August 15th.

South Carolina’s HB13 specifically reads:

“AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-1885 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN A VEHICLE MAY NOT BE DRIVEN IN THE FARTHEST LEFT-HAND LANE OF A CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAY, TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MUST PLACE SIGNS ALONG INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS DIRECTING SLOWER TRAFFIC TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR A VIOLATION, TO PROVIDE A VIOLATION MUST NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE OFFENDER’S MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD, INCLUDED IN SLED’S CRIMINAL RECORDS, OR REPORTED TO THE OFFENDER’S MOTOR VEHICLE INSURER, TO PROVIDE A VIOLATION IS NOT NEGLIGENCE PER SE OR CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE, AND IS NOT ADMISSIBLE AS EVIDENCE IN A CIVIL ACTION, TO PROVIDE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MUST NOT SEARCH AND MAY NOT REQUEST CONSENT TO SEARCH A VEHICLE, DRIVER, OR OCCUPANT OF A VEHICLE SOLELY BECAUSE OF A VIOLATION OF THIS PROVISION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPEAL OF A VIOLATION.“

What do you think about the new law?

Charlotte Is About To Host Its 2021 Back 2 School Festival

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The anticipated 2021 Queen City Back 2 School Festival will take place next weekend on August 21st. The free event will feature food, music, and a free school supply giveaway.

Event organizer Michael Calloway says “studies show that a prepared child is more confident and likely to succeed. With parents out of work and children just returning to school the responsibility falls on us all to pitch in for the current school year”. The festival’s mission is to increase community engagement, support local businesses, and have a successful school supply giveaway.

The August events promise a unique twist with onsite vendors, music, dance performances, free giveaways, and a family atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Attendees can look forward to:

  • Free School Supplies
  • Food/Drink
  • Dance Performances
  • Kid Games
  • Face Painting 
  • And More

Attendees can learn more and RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-queen-city-back-to-school-festival-series-tickets-154289655513

Best Authentic Online Casinos to Gamble and Earn Money

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Online casinos offer numerous games that will keep the player interested all along. As a way to spice things up, they also offer variety of bonuses. The number of online casinos and betting site has only been growing for the past few years. Due to the benefits of online gambling, people are gravitating more towards these online casinos. Online casinos like Winorama offer a straightforward business which is built with transparency. The site has been in the business for a few years. But it has built quite a reputation of being one of the best online casinos available.

Winorama- The Best Online Casino!

Winorama is one of the genuine casinos that one might find out there. The entire interface is user friendly and filled with vibrant colors. It has the perfect amount of flashiness that ensures a fun filled experience for the players. Easy navigation through the site makes it a great site to play your favorite online gambling games. The entire layout is very clean and simple so that players will easily identify their favorite game.

Huge Variety of Games!

Any online casino must have a large collection of games. This will make sure that the player always has something interesting to play and have fun. Playing the same game again and again from a gadget is irritating. Winorama is the best site if you want to play slot games, traditional casino games and scratch card games. The casino games include scratch games like fortune wheel, bingo delight and blackjack scratch. This awesome online casino also has your favorite bingo games. 

A Great Support Team!

Apart from the many, many games it offers, there are other advantages of playing through this site. It has great support team that can solve any issues that you face. An excellent support team is at your disposal if you have any doubts. Gambling online is threatening to some people since they don’t know what to do if something happens. But presence of expert staff as support team will enable one to navigate any issue that arises. Also, a FAQ is available to answer any queries that you might have. Even mailing them is possible if you wish.

Licensed Online Casino!

Online casinos must be regulated under some law. This will tell you if the preferred site is fraudulent or genuine. Winorama has taken great measures to make the site safe and secure by getting licensed. Both Cyprus and Curacao have given license for this reliable site. The site’s number one priority is maintaining discretion about the personal information of its players. All the transactions taking place are secured and no illegal practices are encouraged.

Bonuses and Promo Offers!

What good is an online casino if it doesn’t have great bonus and promos? With Winorama you get a lucrative first deposit bonus if you are a first-time player. Additionally when you sign up for the first time, you will get a no deposit promotion. A VIP reward is also provided for loyal gamblers who frequent this site. Make sure to read the details about bonuses and other offers before you begin gambling.

Responsible gaming policy!

The great thing about this site is not its huge game variety or the bonuses or the support team. It is not even the wonderful layout and design. It is the responsibility and care that this particular site shows towards its players. This online casino offers responsible game play unlike any other online casino. If you are addicted to gambling, then you can ask for their support. Even if you feel like you are spending a lot, they have an option called limitation on deposit. You can fix a certain amount that can be spent each month or week. This will help you limit unconscious spending on gambling games. An exclusion period can also be chosen by players during which you can never gamble in the site. Only after it is over, they will allow you to play.

Win Money Fair and Square!

Winorama is a great online casino site that comes highly recommended by the players. It is truly one of a kind online casino which is very rare to come across these days. If you wish to win money through fair means, this site is for you. Choose your favorite casino game and win the money through this online casino.

3 Crucial Criteria for a Core Banking System

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In recent years, banking technologies have been evolving at breakneck speed. Contemporary solutions are incomparable to the rigid architecture of legacy systems. Migration to new software provides cost-saving opportunities, versatile integration, and resilience to economic shocks. The benefits of core banking products are salient, and banks relying on outdated systems will inevitably fall behind. 

What should your business consider when switching to a new digital environment? This is a complex endeavor, and the efficiency of the solutions varies. Modern core banking platform development addresses a wide spectrum of needs. The system will influence all dimensions of your business, so the implementation must be smooth. Here is a checklist to help you define the optimal structure.

1. Functionality 

What does your audience expect from its online experience? What functions should be built into the environment to meet the demand? Client preferences are changeable, and the advances in fintech put pressure on applications to become more agile. Choose the right functionality for your objectives.

  • Standard Bank Function

All basic processes must be flawless. Card operations, transfers, account openings, payment processing, and IBAN Generation must be smooth. 

  • Ledger Operations

Detailed reporting is vital. The system must also ensure compliance with regulations and facilitate growth. Make sure it will generate reports for quick digital export.

  •  Front End White Label Platforms

A white label solution will reduce the time needed to roll out your software. This is a ready-made framework adapted to your brand. Once the platform is ready, you can use it as if it was your own creation. Top systems come with enhanced security, seamless third-party integrations, and impressive customization. The development time can be reduced by as long as six months. 

2. Componentization 

A modular structure provides many benefits. When the system is split into manageable elements, this can speed up development and customization. It allows you to react to shifts in market demand quickly. As you can add segments gradually, the required training time is also shortened, and errors are less likely. The more automation you can incorporate — the quicker the updates and the lower the expenditure. 

3. Microservice Architecture

The reliability of the back end can make or break a business. Open source solutions provide base code that may comprise a range of APIs. This allows you to integrate a wide variety of third-party systems, which may also help you keep the back clean and simple. Opt for cloud-native systems, as all businesses will have to adopt them eventually. 

In Conclusion

The fintech segment is evolving rapidly, and banks must keep up with the trends to meet their customers’ expectations. The top core banking services in 2021 are agile, adaptable, and secure. Apply the best practices to create a software environment that will help your company grow. 

How to Return to Work Feeling Refreshed After Vacation

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Returning to work after a break is daunting for many of us. This is particularly difficult for people who work remotely. Returning to a physical office makes the transition easier, as the environment prompts your brain to turn off the holiday mode. Discover a few tips from experts that should help you psych yourself up. 

Going back to work right after a vacation is a major shock. If possible, allow one or two days to recuperate before your return. Get back into the groove slowly, giving your mind time to adjust. The activities do not matter much — you could buy some stress relieves from hometownherocbd.com/products/delta-8-thc-joint or go out for a meal. Do whatever works for you. 

Start Your Day the Right Way

Checking your inbox at the very beginning of the day will only make you frustrated. You are likely to find a large backlog of unread messages, some of them urgent. Instead of subjecting yourself to stress, use your first hour to get things organized.

Tidy up your desk, brew yourself some coffee, and check-in with your team. Communicating with a human being is much better than dealing with correspondence. Not only will it help you get back to a working mindset. It may also boost your mood (if you have the best Delta 8 joints, do not use them right before work — you want to feel relaxed, but the tasks may require intense focus). 

Have a Plan for the Day

Note down all the tasks for the day, and prioritize them. This list should be visible at all times. You could stick a post-it note on your monitor or keep the list on the desk. Working with a plan is easier, as you can get back on track quickly if something distracts you. 

So, What About the Emails?

When you have just come back from holiday, it is easy to get lost in your inbox. Without a strategy, you are likely to waste time. Do not make this mistake — try the following method instead. 

First, skim through your messages focusing on the subject lines. Using the star feature, categorize the emails you need to read and respond to. Then, use filtering to divide them into categories. Tackle one group at a time. This will help you stay focused and work more quickly.

Don’t Be Hard on Yourself

For most employees, getting back to work after time off is a stressful experience. It is okay to be a little slow in the beginning. Remember that your coworkers can relate and empathize with your ordeal. 

At the same time, don’t be sloppy. If you are working from home, the transition requires mental discipline. You should be strict with yourself to limit distractions like social media. 

The Rise of IT in Charlotte

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Charlotte, North Carolina is recently becoming a tech hub. Tech companies are moving their headquarters there and they have results showing progress and exponential growth. Not only does Charlotte offer a large pool of professionals, talents, and a dedicated workforce, but the standard of living, or rather the cost, is inexpensive and of good quality.   

The tech industry is expanding, spreading its tentacles into diverse cities. Software developers, programmers, system analysts, web designers, and IT professionals will constantly remain sought after as tech development is still on the rise. The world is progressively software-reliant and hence, anyone who has amassed knowledge on IT is headed for a seat at the table of one of the most profitable industries in the country.

The Queen City has opened the doors to startups and fast-growing tech companies to engage the workforce equipped for the job. From 2013 till date, Information Technology jobs have increased by over 17% in the city. The region has a solid financial industry, which attributes to why tech is flourishing seeing where the funds emanate from.  

One thing is certain, the technology center of Charlotte is expanding, has grown over 30% in the last decade, and is projected to skyrocket. The system is going in a direction where it will accommodate more technology companies and more will start up since funds for research, materials and there’s a lot of diversity in the workforce of the startups which will keep expanding to employ more people yearly; an estimated amount of at least 1,200 to over 2000 people. 

The moving train is heavily concentrated on IT (Information Technology) related fields and an IT degree is one of the ways to gain mastery, keep abreast of trends. IT services are in demand worldwide and Charlotte is a hub of many companies expanding to employ as many tech-skilled personnel as possible.

Starting a Career in IT

Charlotte offers fair rents, lower tax rates compared to New York City, and the attraction for the thousands of citizens relocating aside from the juicy employment offers lies in the improved/lower cost of living. The city of Charlotte has major financial corporations, supports startups, and is embracing entrepreneurship; key factors relevant to those who intend to explore the city and build a career there. Wells Fargo and other big league companies have targeted the professionals, computer scientists and technologists

 The information age has made technology a part of the world we cannot do without. Proficiency to gain an edge over others in this regard requires extra training and this is where the educational aspect of IT comes in. Getting an IT degree gives you a boost in positioning yourself for the abundant opportunities that abound in data analysis, software programming, and other IT fields.

 IT Companies in Charlotte

A good number of tech businesses are investing in Charlotte and big corporations are employing qualified candidates in their numbers. Some of these companies started as startups, others came as mergers or headquarters. Tech will always be the present and future meaning Charlotte can look forward to more investments and technological expansions in the future. Here is a list some tech companies in Charlotte making waves in the rising IT industry of the city:

  1.     Source Technologies: they offer a wide variety of hardware and software solutions to help your business grow and gain visibility. The software engineer will find this lucrative
  2.     SolarWinds is a large technology company with over 2,500 employees and an annual estimated revenue of $504.1M
  3.       Actuate is a technology company with a staff strength of 570 and annual revenue of $134.6M.
  4.     Tresata develops software platforms for real-time customer intelligence management.
  5.     AvidXChange has been in Charlotte since the year 2000. AvidXchange provides accounts payable and on-demand invoice management solutions.

Final Thoughts

Charlotte will continue to expand in technological investments, startups and other tech companies. A workforce ready to meet the demands of the tech industry will move to the city causing a steady supply of skilled Technologists and professionals who will deliver their best on the jobs. An IT career equips a person to be best suited for the opportunities that avail themselves in the city.

As projected, growth will continue, and seeing how well Queen City is handling the boom of the tech industry, there are better days ahead, considering the prowess of the IT industry. 

Cleveland County Man Escapes Prison by Jumping Fence – Police Asking For Public’s Help

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This morning a Cleveland County man climbed a fence and escaped the Foothills Correctional Institution around 10:15 am.

According to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, John Curtis Anderson (inmate #1338690) climbed the exterior fence of the minimum security portion of the facility and jumped into a waiting vehicle of unknown description.

Anderson is described as standing 5’10” and weighing roughly 185 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He has 3 visible tattoos – one on his left arm (Chinese writing), one on his left hand (faded letters), and one on his right arm (an angel).

He was serving a 2 year 10 month sentence for theft and fraud and was scheduled to be released on January 16th of 2022.

Authorities are now asking for the public’s help in finding Anderson. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please call 911 or the Foothills Correctional Institution at 828-438-5585.

Renter Activity in Charlotte Up by 8% Compared To This Time Last Year

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According to a new report by Rent Cafe, this year, peak rental season returned to pre-pandemic levels. While 2020 saw a 12% drop in overall renter activity during the first half of the year, renter movement during the same period this year went up by 13%.

Charlotte saw an 8% increase in renter movement during the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Renter activity here was mostly driven by people applying for apartments from outside the city.

Here’s what the data reveals about the Queen City:

  • The number of renters applying from other cities to come live in Charlotte rose by 20% this first half of year compared to the same period in 2020.
  • Renters already living in Charlotte and applying for different apartments within the city moved around a little less this year, as there was a 2% drop in their number of applications.
  • If we look at demographics, Gen Z renter applications to move to and within The Queen City saw a 46% increase since the first half of 2020 to the same time this year, currently making up 25% of the renter activity here.
  • As far as income goes, more high-earning renters applied to move to or within Charlotte during the first months of 2021 compared to the same period last year. This year there are 20% more renters in Charlotte earning over $100K/year, and 20% more with incomes over $75K/year.

5 Steps to a Successful Business Merger

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If done correctly, mergers can be a great strategy to scale your business. It can minimize your overhead costs, increase your revenue, and expand your market reach. However, merging with another company is more than just a business agreement. If you are considering joining forces with another business venture, here are some factors you need to consider to ensure that the merger will be a success. 

Do your homework

As with any business transaction, it is important that you understand exactly what you are getting into. Even if due diligence will be carried out once the merger is underway, you still need to do your research beforehand. Analyze the industry or nature of business of the company that you are interested in. Dig deeper and try to collect as much data as you can. Rather than relying on public information, such as their website and social media platforms, consider talking to their employees to get a comprehensive idea of how they operate. 

Establish your objectives

To ensure that the merger will run smoothly, you need to define your objectives for merging. Identify your small and long-term goals, and be specific as much as possible. You should know what you want to gain through this business transaction to make informed decisions that will help your business succeed. Do you want to penetrate new markets or attract new clients? Do you have plans to expand your product line or increase your market share? By determining your objectives, you can steer clear of irrelevant negotiation matters. 

Determine the new corporate structure

Before proceeding with the merger, it is vital that you carefully analyze the business structure of both companies so that you can seamlessly decide on the legal entity for the proposed new organization. Check with your advisors on the best approach before crafting any business structure. Consider all perspectives and take into account the interests of the shareholders from both companies. After deciding on the business structure, the new company’s new leadership structure needs to be sorted out as well. This process can be a tricky endeavor, as both company leaders may want to take the reins in the new firm. Make sure to do this carefully to avoid any unhealthy confrontations with the executives. 

Conduct due diligence

Performing due diligence is one of the essential things you need to do before executing a merger. You must do a thorough appraisal of the business you plan to undertake to avoid inheriting liabilities, legal issues, unnecessary debts, and other complications that could be detrimental to your company. By conducting due diligence, you can determine if the merger is a strategic fit or not.

Analyze your financial health

To avoid any complications, you need to check the financial health of your company. Together with your financial advisors, make sure that you are financially capable of completing the business acquisition. Aside from checking your financial situation, you also need to perform a business valuation of both companies to ensure that the merger will be successful. Consider getting help from a valuation expert such as South Park advisors to assist you with this endeavor. 

Being aware of what to expect during a merger can help you avoid potential roadblocks. By following the tips mentioned above, you can unify two organizations and facilitate a smooth business transition.